The Ultimate Guide on How to Get Through Quarantine as an American Teenager

Tips, Tricks and Advice on How to Avoid Going Bonkers in a National State of Emergency

On March 7th, 2020, it was announced that the Glens Falls City School District would be closed for a total of five weeks due to the dangerous spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. As a senior in high school, the moment I received this gut-wrenching news is a moment that’s forever engraved in my memory.

We were strolling through TJ Maxx with my mom for some discounted markers and other fun activities, as we already anticipated closure of school. It was odd how many people were in the store, teachers and friends - I guess shopping is a common therapy for many of us women. Suddenly I started receiving notifications from group chats with friends, my sister, and even my grandparents. Texts flowed in with the last words a senior in high school would ever want to see.

“School’s Closed, did you hear?”

“School is closed for FIVE WEEKS GUYS. What are we supposed to do?!”

“Ella I can’t do this I can’t live like that.”

“Are you ok?”

“How do you guys think you’ll learn?”

I looked around and everyone was checking their phone and circling up with their shopping carts to discuss the news. Everyone knew the closing of school was possible, but five weeks sounded like an absolute eternity. I finally found my mom amidst the chaos, tearful. She’s a school psychologist for the district and she carries a heavy heart with her. As much as she loves us, I truly believe some of her first worries were directed towards the children who need school. Who need the social interaction with adults who motivate them, students who need the free and reduced breakfast and lunch because there’s no food at home or who need emotional support.

I did feel for her and all of the faculty and staff who have worked with less fortunate students who will most likely struggle, however, I maintained a feeling of selfishness. As a senior, I wanted to soak up every last bit of high school I possibly could. My final season of high school athletics was approaching, I was supposed to go to prom with my closest friends, I still even had to graduate! As my fellow seniors and I dreamt that this could all turn around in a few short months, unfortunately, as we turned on the news and listened to our Governor or to our President, it genuinely felt like the end was nowhere in sight. 

As a senior in high school who survived this chaos, I made a list of my tips and tricks for any fellow seniors, teenagers, or even families who may be struggling to find the light at the end of the tunnel.

Routine

As teachers reached out to us during the beginning of the closure, preparing us for our new learning experience, they told us to continue to strive for one thing: maintain a routine similar to a normal school day. Obviously we don’t have to sit in front of our computer for nine 40-minute periods, but waking up and having a set time for schoolwork Monday-Friday is very important.

Routine has always been essential in my life anyway, especially as I have struggled with anxiety. However, I've always been used to six hours being planned out for me, already structured with specific times where certain subjects are to be accomplished. Once I realized on my first day of virtual-school that I had to plan out my periods and work, I felt overwhelmed and frustrated. I’m sure the teachers felt for us in trying to adjust, therefore very little work was given the first few days. I grabbed an old notebook and tried to make a simple daily list as best as I could, and kept it traditional so I could physically check off daily accomplishments as I went along. 

After I got into the rhythm of using my notepad and this schedule, I also started noting if a day was successful or not on a scale of 1-10. I have begun using this scale because one day of rest is okay, but too many leave me behind in my school work. 

I don’t become too stressed if I don’t accomplish something on my list or if I had an ‘unsuccessful day’, I just move on to the next with more motivation to accomplish any unfinished business. I consistently am reminding myself that the unsuccessful days are okay, Netflix days in bed are okay. I’ve grown up in a world where it’s wrong if you aren’t always accomplishing something, and I believe learning how to let my body and mind relax properly has become a major positive out of this new experience.

Key Takeaways:

• Wake up and get changed! You’ll already begin to feel more accomplished than the way you felt when you woke up.

• Pull out a pen and paper and write down any goals for the day!

• Make your bed, drink some coffee, put on some fun music - accomplish small tasks to get your brain and body moving!

• Do not procrastinate major assignments! Place your computer next to the window and pump out that book report.

• More slow-paced days / relaxation days are OKAY! Just avoid too many, which could result lack of motivation.

Food

Growing up I’ve always been a major food-lover. Whether it's a big bowl of pasta, my Grandma’s home-cooked meals, or takeout from any of the amazing Glens Falls restaurants, I love all of it. Alongside my large calorie intake over the years, I’ve always been involved with a sport, so I typically wouldn't have to worry too much. However, now that the most exercise I’ve been getting is either some brief cardio or hitting off a tee, calories have become more of a focus - and I’m sure many other teens may be facing this issue.

It’s truly tempting to head to the cupboard after your mom comes back from her grocery trip with enough snacks and junk food to last for an apocalypse, but there are ways to avoid this “bored eating”. I may not be a doctor, but after reading some articles on bored eating I learned a few things.

• I myself am a victim to bored eating (oops)

• A simple glass of water or even distracting the mind with a craft or activity can prevent it

• Constant snacking instead of 3 bigger meals can result in more trips to the pantry, whereas a larger, more nutritious meal can leave you feeling more full and even more energized

Putting aside the ways eating can become the enemy in quarantine, it also can become a positive staple in life stuck at home. I have learned some fun new recipes and saved a few bucks because I don’t feel tempted by the idea of a chicken salad from the local hotspot that I can actually make in my own home. Family meals are the root of fun conversation and lots of laughs. When I went around asking my family members a positive to the ‘no takeout’ life, they all shared the same thought - that the creativity of new recipes and gathering at the dinner table more often has allowed us to come together more as a family. My mom, who hasn't always been a fan of spending time in the kitchen, agrees that she has even been able to find new recipes that she never imagined would be so easy. My sister and I have even become the newest baking fanatics as we’ve made countless new treats. The time spent in the kitchen can make quarantine time go by even faster and create stronger family bonds - along with saving everyone a few bucks from no gross takeout!

Key Takeaways:

• Avoid bored eating at all costs!!!

• Stay hydrated!

• Try some new recipes.

• Make some fun games in the kitchen- Cupcake Wars or even a fun version of Chopped can keep the whole family entertained

• Enjoy the company of your family! They’re all we have right now.

• Help Mom + Dad make a meal once in awhile, they will LOVE the help and will be so grateful for anything you make.

Entertainment

Through social media I’ve always been in awe of the artsy bullet journals people keep or the cute sketchbooks, so over Christmas break I was excited to start one myself. Come to find out, I actually did an awful job at keeping it updated, and this is mainly because I would gravitate towards my phone as opposed to journaling during my limited free time. Right there is another positive out of this crazy experience - I am trying to find entertainment through healthy / therapeutic brain activities as opposed to the blue light I seem to be so addicted to.

My family splurged on various markers and fun paints and it was definitely worth it, especially when my sisters and I find ourselves coloring at the dining room table together for long periods of time. My favorite page in my journal so far is where I’m tracking all the good books I’m reading and the movies I’m watching with my family. Because as much as coloring is a great way to keep busy, and probably mentally healthier - Netflix works just as well sometimes.

Just the other night it was my first time watching “Good Will Hunting” and I think I was crying at the end more because I was upset that I hadn’t seen it sooner. Just that one movie put a pep in my step for the next three days, and left me with loads of inspiration. Movies also help me escape from the harsh reality we’re experiencing today. It's 2 hours where you can be a part of another world, eat some popcorn (yes, you can make an exception for bored eating during good movies), and forget about the fact I may have already had my last day of high school (which absolutely breaks my heart).

I can’t deny though, I found myself using up more screen time once I decided where I’ll be attending college. This definitely helped the slight depression that was forming from no school because I’ve been meeting so many amazing people, ultimately allowing me to look forward to the future even more than I had been. Hundreds of people upload to the “Syracuse ‘24” Facebook page everyday and scrolling through all the strangers who could become some of your closest friends in the future is extremely fun and addicting. Because yes, although us seniors may not be experiencing the senior year we’ve always dreamt of, we can still look forward to the best years and memories to come.

Key Takeaways:

• Start a journal! Draw in a sketchbook! What we’re living through is what kids will be learning about in history class one day, write down your experiences!

• Make some popcorn and find a feel-good movie.

• Especially to the seniors - figure out your future plans and meet new people! It helps you look forward, and not towards what you may be missing out on in the moment

• Find a good book!

Regret

The whole quarantine experience is not ideal for anyone. Yes, seniors may be missing out on the most, but people everywhere are dealing with their individual struggles. As I’ve been living through these past two weeks, I have stumbled upon many regrets and experiences I was taking for granted.

As I’ve grown up, sports have made such an incredible impact in my life and have allowed me to become the person I am today, however there were obviously days I was tired out. There were days I prayed the chlorine levels were too high to swim, or that my practice would be rained out - and now looking back I’m so mad at myself. I took those moments where I was still able to play for granted, and now here I am going day by day missing athletics more than ever. Sports have been an outlet for my anxiety and any built up stress, and I wish I was more dedicated when I was able, and more appreciative of everything they provided me with - especially my happiness.

The idea of missing sports rolls over even more into how much I miss school, and I truly believe I can speak for every senior who regrets joking around about senioritis or missing a class because “we weren't doing anything anyways”. As I said earlier, school is my routine, it's my structure and most importantly it is my socialization. Being a part of a smaller school district I get to go to all of my classes and be surrounded by my friends who I’ve grown up with. Obviously I’m closer with certain ones than others, but boy do I miss their humor and fun personalities. Any of them had the ability to brighten my day when I needed it, and with talking being a form of releasing anxiety, most friends knew this and would let me ramble on over the stupidest things. I miss school, I miss my friends and teachers, and I genuinely regret any of the days I wasn’t in school because I figured “I’m a senior- what’s the point”.

Here’s just a few ideas that need to be emphasized more for any teens who aren’t 2020 graduates:

1. Be nice. Be kind to everyone. You never know the last time you’ll see them or be with them. It sounds depressing but it’s not, it’s just the way life is. So if you can be anything to your classmates, be kind.

2. Never take the opportunity of playing your sport for granted. Commit yourself. Don’t skip practice. One day you won’t put on a Glens Falls uniform anymore.

3. Don’t skip school. Just don’t do it. Drink some coffee and suck it up because one day you’ll reminisce on the simpler times where all you had to do was read Great Gatsby as opposed to in college where you’ll have to complete a 20 page thesis.

4. Have fun. Yes, school has its hard days, but it’s not supposed to be easy anyway. Go to the football games and dances, because those are the nights you will remember forever.

Key Takeaways:

• Seniors - It's okay to grieve. It’s okay to have regrets. It’s okay to have down days. We may be missing out on some celebrations or fun activities- but those are nothing compared to the crazy life ahead of us - our young years are just beginning.

• Any other teens - this may feel like an eternity but you still have lots of time left, and when you do go back to school - just remember to embrace it!

• We will always be considered some of the strongest groups of students in American History because we are going to get through this. 

This story was made possible by SUNY Adirondack.

• Find yourself at SUNY Adirondack •

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Thanks for supporting the businesses and organizations that support Glens Falls Living.

ELLA WOLFSTICH

Ella Wolfstich is a 2020 graduate of Glens Falls High School, where she was Student Council President, a member of the National Honor Society, and a record holder on the swim team. Ella is attending Syracuse University this fall, where she will be studying Marketing Management.

In the Studio: Ken Wheeler

We’re excited to kick off our In the Studio series with local artist Ken Wheeler! His Blue Plate Special series featuring paintings of local diners like Steve’s Place and New Way Lunch caught our eye, and we were thrilled to catch up with him to hear more about how he got started, his process, and his take on art as a business - read it all below!

Tell us a bit about yourself!

I grew up here in Queensbury where I graduated from Queensbury High school, class of 76. My wife Holly is from South Glens Falls. We married in 1980, the same year we started our sign business, K.D. Wheeler Custom Signs. We have operated our business out of a studio/workshop next to our home since 1985. We have two daughters, the oldest, an art teacher with the Queensbury High school and our youngest is a journalist who writes for Bloomberg Law.

In addition to my artistic pursuits, my wife and I have been buying foreclosed properties, about one every 5 years, and rehabbing them as rentals. I love restoring old houses. Model railroading is another of my creative passions, and I am currently the President of The Upstate Model Railroaders, Inc., located in South Glens Falls.

On Beginnings

I am a self taught artist / craftsman and graphic designer. My father, a land surveyor and cartographer also dabbled in drawing, so I would say he was my earliest and greatest influence. I began my interest in fine art about the same time I started making signs. I started painting in oil, however, with the birth of our first child, I switched to watercolor, due to the chemicals and smells associated with oil painting.

I took my first watercolor lessons from a local artist, George Hartwell, through a BOCES adult learning program. I became a member of LARAC and within a few years, I was serving as a board member. In the beginning, we marketed our signs through the LARAC June Arts Festival and within the first few years, I was also exibiting and selling my watercolors at the show as well. We were regular exhibitors at LARAC for over 20 years. I joined the Upper Hudson Valley Watercolor Society in the late 80’s were I served over ten years as their President. I am now an honorary life member.

I am a juried, signature member of the North East Watercolor Society, a member of the Glens Falls Elks Lodge 81.

In 2004 I recieved an individual artist grant through the NYS Arts initiative, facilitated by LARAC. My Blue Plate Special series was a result of that grant, and includes 10 paintings of diners in and around the community. The goal was to draw attention to the cultural significance of these icons of Americana, while we continue to see their slow decline as they succumb to the large chain coffee houses and eateries.

On Inspiration

My watercolors have been for the most part, landscapes and antiquities of the surrounding area. However, I am beginning to work in pastels and I am hoping to build my skills as a painter of life (figures), and hopefully portraits. I love the work of Winslow Homer for both his watercolors and his oils and I love the loose style of John Singer Sergant. I am inspired by so many of the professional and emerging pastel artists who can be found on the internet today.

On the Creative Process

I do work from photographs, but I prefer to work from photos I take. I also work from life and sketch on location when time allows. I almost always do a value sketch prior to starting a painting. I think, like a lot of artists, I suffer from insecurity and anxiety with every piece I do. Each work is not only a learning experience for me, but also a roller coaster ride of ups and downs. Working through the lows on each piece is the most difficult and some pieces stay on the easel for weeks before I get back to them, some get filed away and have been known to resurface years later. I try very hard to find something I feel is a success about every painting or drawing I do. I never throw anything out.

On Art as a Business

I am not currently involved with exhibiting. I do try to enter one show each year through the North East Watercolor Society, but for the most part, I am working on re-developing my style and want to build new body of work before venturing back out. When I do, it will most likely be through the internet, where I have a website and domain as kenwheelerstudio.com where I sell originals and prints as well as a greeting card line . I think social media is the new marketplace for art and I feel it is important to build a brand. I plan to launch a new version of my website in the coming months where I hope to engage visitors with the process of creating art, which I hope will inspire them to visit often and hopfully purchase works they follow.

Ken Wheeler Studios
Website

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This story was made possible by Doc’s Restaurant and The Park Theater.

Have you been back to Doc's yet to try out their new summer menu? Between the great food, the ambiance of the gorgeous patio (complete with summer blooms, string lights overhead, and friendly serice!), it’s the perfect summer night out. Too hot or rainclouds in the sky? The classic charm of the main restaurant inside the Park Theater never disappoints. Staying in? Take-out is available too! Book your table for this coming weekend here - Doc’s orders ;) 

Thanks for supporting the businesses that support Glens Falls Living!

The Weekender: August 28 - 30

The last weekend of August already?! It’s hard to believe. I know we’ve got almost another month of summer, but something about September just feels different. Probably just the fact that we don’t break into a sweat every time we step outside ;) Anyway! Here are a few ideas for the weekend ahead - hope it’s a great one!

Shop Till You Drop: Shopping? Yes please! The Glens Falls Collaborative planned a downtown shopping event in honor of Ann Parrish of Milk & Honey, who is retiring next week after more than 15 years. On Friday from 12-6pm, you can grab a discount at participating businesses downtown by saying the words “Milk and Honey” - more info here!

Books on Carts: Crandall Library is hosting the last Books on Carts in the Park sale tomorrow (Friday), and since we’ve somehow missed them all, we’re going to try to dash over tomorrow morning (this one includes 2 for $1 fiction paperbacks!). Details here.

Apple Season: It sounds crazy but we just saw that a couple of orchards are opening for u-pick apples this weekend! Hicks Orchard in Granville will be open and picking Ginger Gold and Zestar (and they’ll have cider donuts and wood fired pizza, too!), and Bowman Orchards in Rexford is picking Summer Mac, Zestar, Sansa, and more. Hellooooo apple pie!

Revolution Rail: Have you heard of Revolution Rail? We’ve had it on our summer to-do list for a while - they have rail biking on closed railroad tracks in the Adirondacks, and they just opened a new South River Run in North Creek which looks awesome. Looks like they still have some availability this weekend -  you can book your ride here. 

…and while you’re in North Creek, check out some of our favorite restaurants and shops in the area that we rounded up here! 

Have a great weekend!
Bri + Tom

Divine Intervention: Priests on a Floating Tiki Bar Rescue Man on Lake George

A man from Albany was saved from possibly drowning in Lake George earlier this month by a Tiki Tours charter carrying seven Catholic priests from the Paulist Fathers.

Jimmy Macdonald, a former amateur boxer who now is a drug treatment counselor, was kayaking along the shore just north of Lake George Village when things started to go badly.

“I was meditating and taking photos and I drifted away from my family,” he told Glens Falls Living. “My wife and two stepkids had taken kayaks out, and I didn’t think I needed the life vest so I kept it in the boat.

“The water was kind of rough that day, and when I tried to get back to my family, I couldn’t make any progress and the kayak kind of tipped over. A couple of people went by me and asked if I needed help, but I had too much pride to ask for help. But then I realized the shore was too far away and I didn’t have any confidence that I would get to shore. So I held onto the boat, with my new $1,400 cellphone in my hand. I wasn’t going to lose that. I was just trying to stay afloat.

“I thought I was going to die. I was absolutely powerless and wished I had asked for help earlier. I was waving my hand and asked God to please help me. I seriously thought I was going to drown. And then, out of the corner of my eye, I saw the Tiki boat.”

Tiki Tours captain Greg Barrett said, “I noticed the paddle about 20 feet from the kayak. There was a strong south wind, and I blew my horn to get his attention. It looked like he was floundering.

“One of the priests heard him yell help, and then I noticed his life preserver was not fitted properly and was up around his neck.

“So Deb Oliveira, our new deckhand on her first day of work, and four of the priests scooped him up onto the bow of the boat. His eyes were the size of silver dollars.”

Jimmy said, “I was so exhausted, I barely could swim to the boat. Deb grabbed my cellphone and then grabbed my hand, and she and the priests pulled me up. They saved my life.”

When he got onboard, he said that he had been sober for seven years, and thought it was ironic that he was rescued by a Tiki boat, which is essentially a floating bar.

“A bar on the water saved my life,” Jimmy said, laughing. “But no one was drinking. It was all priests.

“It was all a bit traumatizing, but I trust that maybe it happened for a reason. I’ve since told the story to others that just like getting sober, I couldn’t do it on my own and trying to fix things myself almost cost me my life until I admitted I was powerless and asked for help.”

Captain Barrett said the priests said a prayer for him, followed by a robust “Amen.”

“Then Jimmy told us he was a recovering heroin addict, so not only was it ironic that he was saved by a Tiki boat, but he was saved by seven priests! It was divine intervention!”

Captain Barrett said the rescue also helped him deal with a past trauma.

“I told Jimmy that by me helping him, he helped me,” he said. “It really is a great story. With everything going on, sometimes good news is needed.”

Jimmy said, “I urge everyone to wear their lifejackets, test them before they go out, and not to go alone. My hope is this story prevents further incidents.”

And in Other News…

Honoring Milk & Honey Owner Ann Parrish

Merchants in downtown Glens Falls will honor Milk & Honey owner Ann Parrish with special discounts on Friday, August 28. “Say the secret words "Milk and Honey" for a surprise deal at participating locations,” said press materials.

“This special shopping day is in honor of Ann Parrish, the proprietor of Milk & Honey, who opened her store at 16 Exchange Street in 2003, back when she was one of only three shops downtown. She is retiring at the end of the month, and the community wants to honor her for her many years of dedication, hard work, and vision that helped make Downtown Glens Falls what it is today.”

Brant Lake Bike Park Expansion is a Go!

A Kickstarter campaign to finish the mountain bike trails above The Hub in Brant Lake was successful, raising $26,333 from 230 backers!

“I'm blown away at the generosity of all of the backers,” owner Drew Cappabianca said in a social media post. “$25,000 was a big goal but that what it takes to get the professionally built machine flow trail that everybody loves. I based the feasibility of achieving the goal on a large number of small donations, but we ended up with relatively few donations from very generous people. The generosity of donations from people that don't ride or live here is equally as astounding. Thank you all again for making this dream come true for the community.”

The final build phase will include “machine-building a new mile of single track, re-routing Constellation to include more machine-built single track, and making machine-built improvements to Stairway To Heaven. 

“Part of the funding is going to match a grant from the Northern Forest Center to conduct a feasibility study on a trail connecting Brant Lake to the Starbuckville Dam, with the ultimate goal of connecting Brant Lake and Chestertown,” he said. “This may be the last phase of trail building at BLBP, but I'm far from done advocating for future trail development.”

Mr. Cappabianca started The Hub in 2014. “It’s like a ski lodge or golf clubhouse, but for cycling,” is how he describes it.

In 2016, he bought the 200-plus acres directly behind The Hub. The Brant Lake Bike Park opened in June 2018, with more than three miles of trails.

Virginia Woman Becomes First To Hike All 46 High Peaks In One Attempt

Alyssa Godesky, a professional triathlete and ultra-running coach from Virginia, set a new Adirondack 46er record, hiking all 46 High Peaks in 88 hours and 16 minutes. Glens Falls Living wrote about her plans last week.

She told Spectrum News that the most difficult part was finding the best route, even if it included some bushwhacking.

Godesky started her hike at 4 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 17, and finished at 8 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 20. She said she slept 11 hours over the four-day journey.

Sarah Keyes of Saranac Lake, a nurse at Adirondack Health, also completed the hike all 46 High Peaks, finishing in 118 hours. She told Glens Falls Living that injuries hampered her effort.

“The extensors in my right foot, which help with stability on uneven terrain, started to bother me on the second day,” she said. “Downhill became excruciating on day 3 and very slow. It was frustrating as I am normally a strong downhill technical runner but was slowed to a crawl, literally at times. Otherwise it was a great adventure, I'd say 90% enjoyable!”

Until next time -
Gordon

GORDON WOODWORTH

A South Glens Falls native, Gordon Woodworth is a respected and well-connected voice of the community. As a journalist, he has covered the Glens Falls region for more than 20 years. Read his full bio here, and click here to follow along with him on Facebook - he’s always reporting!

My Glens Falls: Dave Walls

This week we caught up with Dave Walls, who you’ll recognize from one of everyone’s favorite downtown spots - Mean Max! He shares what brought him to Glens Falls 15 years ago, a few Glens Falls favorites of his own (including a few spots he misses from days gone by), and some fond summer memories. Cheers!

Tell us about yourself!

Hello, my name is Dave Walls and along with my brother-in-law own Mean Max Brew Works. I grew up in St. Lawrence County and went to college in Potsdam and have lived in Glens Falls for the past 15 years.

On Life in Glens Falls

My wife and I moved to Glens Falls in 2005 and have never looked back. We chose Glens Falls to be closer to our families and the Adirondacks. My wife, Jill, grew up in Lake George and I have been spending time here with her since 1995. We both absolutely love it here, so what better place to live? Since moving here, we have had two little boys. 

When we moved to Glens Falls in 2005, the real estate market was quite hot. When we went to look at our current house, we showed up with a purchase contract in hand just in case it was the house for us. Turns out it was exactly what we were looking for! It is close to Crandall Park and the bike trail and is walkable to downtown. We adore our little street and being surrounded by our amazing neighbors. We are lucky enough to be able to watch the Fourth of July fireworks right from our deck. It’s amazing because the fireworks are framed by old growth hardwood trees, which is so cool. In addition, we love being able to walk to the Adirondack Balloon Festival launches in the park, as being able to watch the Memorial Day Parade without having to find parking. 

Some Glens Falls Favorites

The things that I like the most about living in Glens Falls is the proximity to everything and the hometown charm. We can hop on our bikes and access the Warren County Bike Trail which is fantastic for our little family. We’re fond of being able to stroll the city’s neighborhoods and “secret” backyard alleys as well as being able to walk to all of the community events, farmer’s market, the library and downtown restaurants. We consider ourselves incredibly fortunate to be so close to so many things to do, in such close proximity to Glens Falls. We also feel quite blessed to be able to walk our kids to school throughout the seasons and appreciate the close-knit feel of a neighborhood elementary school. 

A Perfect Glens Falls Day

My perfect day in Glens Falls would begin with me taking care of any open business at Mean Max. Then I would really enjoy taking a bike ride with the family either along the Feeder Canal or possibly in Cole’s Woods. After our bike ride we would grab a bite to eat at any of the downtown restaurants followed by an ice cream at Cooper’s Cave or Rob & Debs. Finally, to complete my ideal day I would pay a visit to Mean Max to catch up with good friends! 

On the Past

One of my favorite Glens Falls memories is a recent one. As we neared the end of the school year this spring, our neighborhood wanted to recognize all our kids did to finish out the school year during these strange times. We planned a neighborhood parade and ceremony for our school age kids. It was such a neat night, our neighborhood had Glens Falls school kids from age 5 to 18 take part. We celebrated them all from the graduating senior to kids finishing their first year of kindergarten. Neighbors came out to cheer them on. 

Other favorite memories include outdoor movie nights with our neighbors, Balloon
Festival weekends, and finding the perfect space downtown for Mean Max.

What I miss in Glens Falls: first and foremost, Bistro Tallulah, Red Fox Bookstore, Boston Candy Kitchen and Sterling and the “Silly” (that’s what my family called it) fountain on Warren Street. 

…and On the Future

If I could wave a magic wand, I would love to see a downtown market with local foods, wares and gifts as well as a local bookstore. 

This week’s My Glens Falls was made possible by Morgan & Co. Restaurant.

Have you been to Morgan & Co. yet this summer?! A cocktail and an amazing meal on the porch or patio at Morgan and Company is always a favorite. They have indoor and outdoor seating available, along with takeout options…and this week they have live music Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday night! Make your reservation by clicking here - cheers!

Thanks for supporting the businesses that support Glens Falls Living!

Back in the Day: The Warren County Fair

It was the time of year when livery drivers in downtown Glens Falls would shout, “This way to the fairgrounds; going right up!”

It was just a few blocks ride to the entrance of the Warren County Fairgrounds at the intersection of Glen Street and Lincoln Avenue.

Photo courtesy of The Chapman Historical Museum

“The twenty-seventh annual fair of the Warren County Agricultural Society will commence today, apparently under very favorable circumstances,” The Morning Star of Glens Falls reported on Sept. 11, 1883. “The society has spared neither pains nor expense to make this one of the most successful exhibitions ever held here, and have offered extra inducements in the way of premiums and amusements.”

A new 2,000-seat grandstand, overlooking the half-mile harness racing track, had been built earlier in the year.

An August drought had left farmers pessimistic about the harvest.

“The pastures are baked and dried up so that stock can get neither sufficient food nor water,” The Morning Star had reported on Aug. 29. “In some localities water has to be carted to them in barrels and hay from the late harvest fed out to keep the animals from starving.”

Weather suddenly shifted to the opposite extreme a few days later, and an early frost damaged corn and buckwheat crops in some parts of Warren County.

Still, it was time for the annual celebration of agricultural lifestyle, and Glens Falls businesses were ready to host the influx of visitors.

“Glen Street, from Monument Square to the fairgrounds, will be sprinkled daily (to keep dust down), as will the track at the grounds.”

A dozen 10-foot x 6-foot banners, advertising local businesses, had been hung around the outside of the fairgrounds fence.

In Domestic Hall, giant crayon portraits of Russell Mack Little, co-founder and president of Glens Falls Insurance Co., and of Dr. A.W. Holden, a local physician, historian and newspaper writer, were displayed.

Agricultural Hall had 303 entries, and the Home Industry building about 550 entries.

Local wagon and carriage makers, Nelson LaSalle, Griffen & Wood, Miller & Snyder, Joubert & White, and J.P. Bullard exhibited at Manufacturer’s Hall.

At Floral Hall, the W.F. Bissel piano and organ dealership was set up on one side, and the Wilson and Singer sewing machine companies on the other.

“The usual number of refreshment booths, vendors, and catch-penny gamesters are in attendance, all eager to reap a golden harvest during the fair.”

Fair week weather was mixed, and managers wound up extending the fair an extra day to make up some events that were postponed due to rain.

Attendance was generally strong.

On Day #1, the weather “was all that anyone could wish, and the countenances of the managers …, as well as all others interested in the welfare of the exhibits, wore a smile.”

As of 6 p.m., receipts were $497 – the equivalent of $12,685 in 2020 dollars – about $50 more than the 1882 first day receipts.

Receipts the second day were $300, about the same as the previous year.

Moulton & Johnson’s minstrel band and harness racing were the major attractions.

“An exciting race took place in the morning between G.W. Conklin’s Topsy and W.S. Tuttle’s Jerry, which was won by the former. The race was trotted on a wager of a new hat. The horses were well matched and made a close race, which was watched with interest by a number of spectators.”

About 5,000 people, an “unusually large” crowd, attended on Day #3, despite a drizzling rain that began about 1 p.m. and turned into heavy showers, lasting the rest of the day.

Volunteer firefighter hose racing was the featured event, featuring four departments from Glens Falls.

Hose racing was a sport that involved a team of firefighters pulling a hose cart on a track for a measured distance, usually 100 yards but sometimes as much as 400 yards.

At the finish line the team connected a nozzle, and released a spray of water.

A combination of speed and skill, and maybe a bit of luck, was required to win.

“The Cunninghams showed the finest burst of speed of the day,” but finished second to the Littles.

“They (Cunninghams) passed under the wire in quicker time than any of their competitors, and would probably have won first prize had their pipe man been more agile.”

The Colvins and The Cashions also competed.

Tempers flared at the victory celebration, and Roger Sullivan, a member of The Colvins, “assaulted” Daniel O’Leary, foreman of The Littles.

“Officer Reed, who was present, took the assailant before Justice Stearns.”

The judge, at O’Leary’s request, released Sullivan upon payment of court costs.

Day # 4 receipts were $205.50 ahead of the previous year.

A one-hour storm at about 3 p.m. forced the cancellation of harness racing events, because the track was too wet to race safely.

Management extended the fair an extra day, which provided an opportunity for a firefighter hose race rematch, of sorts.

This time there were three teams: The Colvins, The Cashions and The Cunninghams, who had picked up a few ringers.

“A short time previous to the start, the editor of a Morning Star contemporary, who represents the Colvin Hose Company, entered a protest against Cunningham Hose, claiming that the latter team was composed of picked runners, including two members of the Little Hose.”

Presumably the “editor” filing the protest was Addison B. Colvin, publisher of The Glens Falls Daily Times and patron of The Colvin Hose Company, or perhaps one of Colvin’s staff.

“The judges, however, decided not to interfere, as it was previously understood who were to run in each company.”

The victorious Cunninghams set a new Glens Falls record.

The county fair came to Glens Falls after a group of local residents in 1869 bought 28 acres of land off Lincoln Avenue and Kensington Road, to the south of Crandall Park, and constructed the half-mile track and several buildings.

The fairgrounds became outmoded when the one-mile track at Broad Acres was constructed around 1890.

Arthur W. Sherman and R.A. Little bought the old fairgrounds in 1895 for housing development, and opened up Coolidge and Horicon Avenues.

———

Sources: The Morning Star Aug. 29; Sept. 1, 11-17, 1883; “Listening In,” Dennis O’Connell, published 2009 by City of Glens Falls; “Bridging the Years,” published 1978 by Glens Falls Historical Association

MAURY THOMPSON

Maury Thompson was a reporter for The Post-Star for 21 years before he retired in 2017. He now is a freelance writer and documentary film producer specializing in regional history. Thompson is collaborating with Snarky Aardvark Films to produce a documentary about Charles Evans Hughes and the Adirondacks, which is expected to release in September 2020. See the trailer here. Read his full bio here.

On the Farm: Sunset Farm

’Tis the season for fresh, local veggies, and it doesn’t get much more local than the produce grown and harvested at Sunset Farm on Ridge Road in Queensbury! We popped in last weekend and came away with a basket filled with the best of summer - corn, tomatoes, cucumber, summer squash, a loaf of sourdough (still warm!), a bouquet of flowers - that we cut ourselves, might we add - and a half dozen of the most delightful molasses cookies. While there, we chatted with owner Elizabeth Miller to find out a bit more about the farm and their plans for growth (pun intended!).

On the Past

We’d love to hear a bit about the farm’s history!

We purchased the farm on September 14, 2008. It was a long standing produce stand on Ridge Road and I wanted to see it continue. I was afraid that a developer would purchase the land and remove the last bit of operating farm on Ridge Road. The goal was to save the farm and see it grow for generations to come!

According to the local records, the farm has been operating since 1928. We aren’t really sure what the primary crop was at that time. From the little bits people were able to tell us, we can presume they had a variety of crops. There were originally two farm stands directly next to one another that were operated by rather interesting characters. The other farm stand was where the Emergency Squad is currently located.

Do you have any idea where the name of the farm came from? 

We aren’t completely sure of the origin of the name “Sunset Farm”, but at certain times of the year, the sunset viewed from the back field is gorgeous - so that might’ve had something to do with it!

Any carryovers from the original farm?

Over the years, we have had many customers share their version of the “original” molasses cookie recipe from back in the day! It’s been pretty neat to have our customers share stories of the farm and to see the variations in the molasses cookie recipes. We still bake and sell our famous molasses cookies every week!

On Growth

You’ve been growing!  Tell us about the evolution of the farm to date. 

We take great pride in serving our customers local, home grown produce, as well as locally sourced products. Our expansion started with the hoop house located behind the farm stand and we eventually added an electric fence around the main field. This year, we have expanded immensely with the addition of a split rail out front, a pergola behind the stand, a 30x90 greenhouse behind the field and the cultivation of an additional two acres. Because of the expansion, we needed to include an additional well. We have more sprinklers and drip lines. Our permit has been approved to extend our roof and add additional space to the interior of the stand this fall. 

Over the years, we have greatly expanded our Sunset Farm team! Hal Bain has been working on the farm for the past nine years and continues to be a favorite face to all of our customers! We are so pleased to have Caroline Brown and Chelsae Gadway as part of our team, alongside our wonderful volunteer, Nick Caimano. With the help of Bill Batkay, Griff Thomas is spearheading expansion on the farm for the next generation. Our most recent area of growth has been the addition of our two field workers, Madelyn and Amelia VanKirk, who do an amazing job on all aspects of the farm!

Sisters Madelyn and Amelia VanKirk

What are some unique aspects of the farm? 

We are proud to grow so much of our own produce! It is important for our customers to see where their food is being grown. If we don’t grow it, we source it locally! We also take great pride in our garden! When our flowers are in full bloom, there is nothing more beautiful! We encourage our customers to swing by the stand to pick their own bouquets and explore the field of flowers. It’s a great activity on a warm summer day and a highlight on the farm! 

On the Goods

What are some of the primary crops now available? 

We have been harvesting most of our crops this year, so there’s always a wonderful variety of produce for our customers to choose from! Right now, we have tomatoes, bell peppers, potatoes, zucchini, squash, yellow and green beans, banana peppers, napa cabbage, cucumbers, winter squash, pumpkins, gourds and locally grown corn available at the farm. Of course, we love our flowers at Sunset Farm! We have hanging baskets in the Spring and mums in the Fall. Throughout the season, we stock lettuce, tomatoes, carrots, swiss chard, bell peppers, banana peppers, green and wax beans, asparagus, zucchini, summer squash, beets, spring onions, onions, cabbage, potatoes and so much more!

You also have a nice variety of other local goods, too! 

We do! Along with our own produce, we have a nice selection of locally sourced goods including corn from BJ's Farm and honey from our bees. We also carry Battenkill Chocolate Milk, as well as some delicious sourdough bread, chocolate chip cookies, maple syrup, cheese, bottled herbs, fruit (Hand melons, blueberries, cherries, Ariel’s strawberries, etc.). In the fall, we will be selling our own apples! If you're a regular at our store, you already know about our famous molasses cookies! 

On Community

Do you provide any of your goods to any local restaurants? 

Yes, we do! We love connecting with local restaurants to offer a farm to table experience. We want to highlight locally grown products and support local businesses. Over the years, we have worked with many local businesses and have recently expanded our distribution list to include Doc’s Restaurant and Cleverdale General Store. We deliver a variety of products including lettuce, cucumbers, potatoes, green peppers, green and yellow beans, zucchini and summer squash, to name a few. The delivery orders change every week depending on harvest times and restaurant needs.

On the Future

What’s next at the farm?

We are always looking to expand and better our farm. We are planning to build a asparagus, rhubarb and strawberry plot for our customers to enjoy. It would be wonderful for our customers to be able to visit the farm and pick their own berries! We would love to eventually provide greens throughout the year. We hope to grow our customer base, increase our outreach to local restaurants and further expand our production with the addition of another greenhouse. We greatly value our customers and their continuous support!

Hal Bain / Chelsae Gadway

Sunset Farm
1099 Ridge Road, Queensbury
Facebook / Instagram

The Weekender: August 21 - 23

Happy weekend! Can you feel that hint of fall in the air? Windows are open, AC is off, and we actually needed a fleece for the morning walk today. It’s enough to make you slow down and appreciate these warm sunny days before they fade away, and we’re planning to soak it all up this weekend. 

What do you have planned? Here’s a few ideas:

Radici + [farmacy] at Mean Max: Just heard that Radici has created an exclusive menu that you can only get at the Mean Max taproom! Sign us up for a pint paired with their amazing fried chicken and mac and cheese. And did you know that they serve food from the fine folks at [farmacy] too?! Hellooo lobster rolls! Details here. 

Feeder Canal Alliance Canoe & Kayak Race: As with most things this year, the race has gone “virtual”! So, you can paddle or run the five mile route along the canal, or you may paddle, run, or bike a 5 mile distance anywhere you like and submit your entry for the race. Whichever way you complete the race, don’t forget to register online - your $15 donation supports the Feeder Canal Alliance and its educational programming along the canal. Details here!

Sunflower Festival: Not sure about you, but we could totally use a sunny afternoon strolling in a field of sunflowers. Liberty Ridge Farm down in Schaghticoke (about a 45 minute drive) is having their Sunflower Festival this weekend (and next weekend, too!), and you can do just that. Limited tickets available - grab yours online here!

UNO: We’ve had a random deck of UNO cards sitting in our side table on the back porch for at least three years. We pulled them out a few weeks ago, and once we looked up the rules (we’re a little out of practice), we’ve had a blast playing round after round on weekend evenings with a cocktail. Whether it’s UNO or not, highly recommend hiding your phone for a while and playing a good old fashioned board or card game. 

Have a great weekend!
Bri + Tom

Hometown News: August 19

This week in Hometown News, Gordon has the scoop what voting will look like here in November, an update on two women who are racing to be the first to summit all 46 High Peaks the fastest, how to support the Brant Lake Bike Park Expansion, and lots more!

What’s the Deal With Voting in November?

With all of this talk about voting by mail, what’s voting going to look like around here come November?

We asked Beth McLaughlin, the Democratic Commissioner of the Warren County Board of Elections, for some answers.

Basically, you have three options:

    • You can vote on Tuesday, Nov. 3, at your regular polling place
    • You can vote by absentee ballot. Applications are available for download here
    • You can vote early, starting Saturday, Oct. 24, and running through Sunday, Nov. 1

“On Election Day, all poll sites will be opened from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.,” Ms. McLaughlin said. “We are preparing for a very busy day.”

“At this very moment voters must apply for an absentee with a paper application. These may be downloaded from our website [ download here ]. They will need to be mailed back to us or dropped off in our drop box in the foyer of the Human Services Building.”

Governor Cuomo has signed a bill to allow voters the right to request an absentee ballot due to risk of illness to themselves or others. The deadline to request an absentee ballot is October 27.

Early voting in the Warren County Board of Elections Office in the Human Services Building at 1340 State Route 9 in Queensbury, is once again available starting Saturday, Oct. 24, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., and continuing every day through Sunday, Nov. 1. Weekend hours are 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. On Monday, Oct. 26, and Wednesday, Oct. 28, the hours are 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. On the remaining weekdays, the hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

“Our building is still closed,” Ms. McLaughlin said, “but registration forms and absentee applications are available in the foyer of the Human Services Building.”

By the way, if you aren’t yet registered to vote, you must do so by October 9 - voter registration forms are available for download here.

Info: (518) 761-6456 or (518) 761-6457.  

Two Women Race To Be First To Hike All 46 High Peaks In One Attempt

Two women ultra runners are racing right now to climb the 46 high peaks of the Adirondacks the fastest.

Sarah Keyes of Saranac Lake, a nurse at Adirondack Health, started at 12:14 a.m. Monday, Aug. 17th, morning near Henderson Lake north of Newcomb, hoping to complete the 150-mile journey in less than 90 hours. Her first four summits were Allen, Santanoni, Couchsachraga and Panther.

Alyssa Godesky, a professional triathlete and ultra-running coach from Virginia, started at 2:40 a.m. Monday near where Ms. Keyes started. She hiked up Seymour, Seward, Donaldson and Emmons to start.

Ms. Keyes believes no woman has ever attempted to summit all 46 high peaks in one attempt. She hopes to finish in less than 90 hours. Both women are being supported throughout their hike.

“We agreed we should just start the same day and make it a ‘race,’ Ms. Keyes told Glens Falls Living. “I’m not sure of her route or what time she’ll be starting but we’ll both start on the 17th.”

Ms. Godesky wrote on her blog, alyssagodesky.com, “As if this wasn’t exciting enough, we are taking it up a notch with this one! Sarah Keyes will also be starting her supported FKT [fastest known time] attempt for the 46 High Peaks on August 17th! We are excited to share our passion of mountains with our followers through this adventure!”

In a quick online interview late Sunday night, she said, “I will have crew with me and pacers on the trail to carry supplies and to help keep me safe, and to keep me company…In ultra running nutrition is the key. I’ll be basically eating the entire time, having portioned out over 20,000 calories in gels, chews and other runner food. Plus I’ll eat real food on top of that. Water I will filter on the trail!”

Ms. Godesky wrote on her blog: "Journeys of this kind are sometimes fast, and sometimes slow. They are hectic, and they are hurry-up-and-wait. They are frustration, happiness, endless rocks and beautiful sunsets." 

You can track both hikers as they attempt to set the record. Follow Sarah at https://share.garmin.com/skeyes and Alyssa at https://share.garmin.com/agodesky.

Support The Brant Lake Bike Park Expansion

Drew Cappabianca, the energetic owner of The Hub in Brant Lake, is trying to finish the amazing mountain bike trails above his business on the Mill Pond.

He hopes a Kickstarter campaign can raise $25,000 by Thursday, Aug. 20, at 5:43 p.m. The campaign was closing in on $20,000 as of Wednesday morning.

“We need all hands on deck to hit the goal by Thursday,” Drew wrote. “Remember that Kickstarter is all or nothing. If we don't hit the goal NOTHING gets funded.

“Many other trail systems have yearly dues and user fees around $35-40/year. The Brant Lake Bike Park trails are free and open for you to use at any time. We're just asking for a one-time donation of whatever you can comfortably do.

“On a personal note, if this project doesn't get funded, there will be no ‘next time.’ I've expended an enormous amount of personal money and effort to bring Brant Lake Bike Park to fruition, and if this fundraiser isn't successful, I've got nothing left in the tank to give.”

Mr. Cappabianca started The Hub in 2014. “It’s like a ski lodge or golf clubhouse, but for cycling,” is how he describes it.

In 2016, he bought the 200-plus acres directly behind The Hub. The Brant Lake Bike Park opened in June 2018, with more than three miles of professionally built, single-track trails.

The goal now is to finish the trail. Noted trail designer Steve Ovitt is doing the work. He designed the trails at the Ski Bowl in North Creek, and Gurney Lane in Queensbury.

Check out Brant Lake Bike Park on Facebook here.

Addictions Care Center Plans Men’s Treatment Center In Queensbury

Addictions Care Center of Albany purchased 68 Quaker Road in Queensbury, the former home of Adirondack Orthopedic Physicians & Surgeons, and plans a men’s in-patient drug treatment center there. The non-profit organization paid $750,000 for the 7,800-square-foot building with funding from the state Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services.

The new facility will complement ACCA’s women’s in-patient drug treatment center on Glenwood Avenue in Queensbury.

Adirondack Orthopedic physicians Dr. Doug Petroski and Dr. Carol Fisher have moved to Pruyn Pavilion at Glens Falls Hospital. They are renting office downstairs next to the MRI offices, Debbie Petroski told Glens Falls Living. Adirondack Orthopedic remains independent, and is just renting space in the hospital building, Mrs. Petroski said.

An email to ACCA executive director Keith Stack had not been returned by press time.

Real Housewives Of New Jersey Visit Lake George!

The excitable cast of the Real Housewives of New Jersey television show were in the area last week, and got a tour of Lake George from Tiki Tours on Friday, Aug. 14. Social media posts showed female members of the cast on the boat. A cameraman was also onboard, with more cameras on a pontoon boat nearby. The cast and crew are said to be staying in a private home in Washington County.

Former Home Of The Exchange Cafe Listed For Sale

19 Exchange Street, the former site of the Exchange Cafe and before that Rock Hill Bake House, is for sale for $324,900. Chris and Sarah Patten bought the building and opened the Exchange Cafe after extensive renovations, but the eatery closed in April.

The 2,750-square-foot building has five parking spaces and is zoned commercial. Nicholas Ketter of Realize Brokers and Consultants has the listing. Info: 518-678-4444.

Bowling Centers Open, Gyms Get Okay To Open August 24th

After being closed for four months, bowling centers can now re-open at 50% capacity, with bowlers using every other lane. It is hoped that those restrictions will be relaxed in the coming weeks, which would allow for a smoother transition to league play, which is the lifeblood of bowling centers.

Governor Andrew Cuomo also announced that gyms and fitness centers could reopen on Monday, Aug. 20, at 33% capacity. Masks must be worn at all times, high-end air filters must be used in HVAC systems, and local health departments must inspect facilities before they open or within two weeks of opening, the Governor said.

…And Of Course, A COVID-19 Update

Locally, infection numbers remain stable, but there are some potentially troubling trends to keep an eye on.

Statewide, every region in the state saw their infection positivity rate rise from last Sunday to last Monday. The rates are still well below the 5% benchmark, but it’s something to watch as colleges reopen and schools prepare to reopen.

Also, in Saratoga County, 41% of the positive cases in July were among resides ages 21-39. That’s a problematic trend to be sure.

Warren County was COVID-free as of Tuesday morning, for the first time in more than two months! Count officials said they were “monitoring no new cases or active cases of COVID-19 among county residents as of Tuesday, after five cases that were active as of Monday were deemed recovered,” said a press release.

“Included among them was a case announced earlier this week. That asymptomatic patient was deemed recovered because results of their test were delayed for more than two weeks.

“Test result times vary depending on test site, and in some instances, private laboratories have taken more than two weeks to forward results. In that time period, the infection typically runs its course for those with asymptomatic or mild illness, and the patient is considered recovered if there are no symptoms when the test result is received.

“Tuesday marked the first day since June 17 that Warren County had no resident COVID-19 infections.” 

In Washington County, officials are monitoring precautionary quarantines for 192 residents, an increase of 25 people from Monday to Tuesday. There are six active cases and no hospitalizations. 

Saratoga County reports 42 active cases as of Monday, down 16 from last week, with two residents hospitalized.

And Essex County said it had its first coronavirus death Tuesday, a nursing home resident in Elizabethtown.

Until next time -
Gordon

GORDON WOODWORTH

A South Glens Falls native, Gordon Woodworth is a respected and well-connected voice of the community. As a journalist, he has covered the Glens Falls region for more than 20 years. Read his full bio here, and click here to follow along with him on Facebook - he’s always reporting!

Checking In! The Queensbury Hotel's Amazing Front Desk Transformation

Checking in! The Queensbury Hotel recently updated their front desk, and we can’t get over the stunning transformation! From the brass accents, to the striking black pillars, to the gorgeous marble - the space has completely transformed to give guests and locals alike an amazing first impression. We stopped down to see it for ourselves and chat with general manager Tyler Herrick about the process - see it all below!

On the Past

 Tell us about the history and evolution of the front desk - do you have any idea of what it was like when originally built?

We have some photos that show what the lobby and front desk looked like when the hotel first opened its doors in the 1920s. Originally, before the 1970’s expansion of the Adirondack Room and Pool area, the main entrance to the hotel was off Ridge Street so when you entered the hotel, the front desk was the centerpiece of the lobby and the first thing that greeted you. 

The Queensbury Hotel Front Desk, circa 1930 • Photo provided by The Queensbury Hotel

The original front desk had a large marble countertop that was unfortunately damaged in the 1970s. Rather than replacing the marble, the ownership at that time placed a laminate countertop over the damaged marble. That laminate countertop was still there when we purchased The Q in 2016 and up until this renovation. Also, a lower ceiling and wall was added above the desk sometime in the 70’s and that was something we removed during this renovation to open up the space and make it feel more inviting to guests.

On the Renovation

What was your goal with this renovation?

Our goal for all of our renovation projects is to restore the property back to its 1920’s grandeur and elegance. And we think this restoration did just that.  It brought back the historic pieces of the front desk by exposing the original brass work and matching the original marble to the best of our ability. In removing the additional walls, we were able to expose even more of the original columns and woodwork which got a fresh coat of black and gold paint to make them pop. The lobby was one of the first things we restored after purchased the hotel, and the front desk was always the last piece of the puzzle in that space that needed to be revitalized with some “wow factor”. 

Whether a guest is staying overnight with us, attending a wedding or event or just having drinks in Fenimore’s Pub, the lobby is always a part of their experience in some way, shape or form. In a way, the front desk is a guest’s “first impression” and we all know how important first impressions are. We knew we needed to elevate the design of the front desk, while paying homage to the past, so guests are greeted with a warm welcome and historic hospitality. 

Where did you draw inspiration from?

We have photos of what the front desk looked like in 1926 and tried to match it to the best of our ability, while incorporating some modern touches.

Tell us about the process!

We originally began the design process 8 months ago and for the most part, it was one of the easier projects we have done over the past few years. As always, we try to partner with as many local vendors and businesses as possible in our projects. We’re proud to have worked with Phinney Design Group (Saratoga Springs) on design work, Adirondack Precision Cut Stone (Queensbury) for the Marble, Bergman Custom Casework (Queensbury) for the front desk and storage cabinetry and West End Signs (Hudson Falls) for the custom lettering and signage.

Any surprises along the way?  

One of the biggest obstacles we faced was trying to operate the hotel during the time of construction. We started demo back in April and the space was not usable again until June. We setup a temporary front desk station at the concierge desk in the lobby and luckily our staff is resilient, and our guests were understanding. We knew once the project was complete it would be well worth any temporary inconveniences.

What are some favorite details? 

The brass plated “Q” and Queensbury Hotel lettering is definitely my favorite detail. It is now such a focal piece of the lobby. We are so proud of our name and our brand and the history that comes along with it. The addition of the “est. 1926” shows our guests our longevity and again promotes a feeling of elegance, history and luxury.

On the Future

What’s next - any plans in the works for additional renovations? 

There are always updates and projects in the works here at The Q!

We have plans to build a small sundries shop right next to the front desk where guests can purchase some snacks, beverages, and essentials during their stay with us and possibly even local souvenirs and Queensbury Hotel logo items in the future. We also plan to update the carpeting in the Ballroom & Gold Room.

Then, our next big project will be the Adirondack Ballroom expansion. We have plans and renderings to take our current 2,200 square foot Adirondack Ballroom and enlarge it to 6,000+ square feet of event space that can accommodate events of 400+ people… stay tuned!

The Queensbury Hotel
Website / Facebook / Instagram

My Glens Falls: Angelica Marquina

This week, we’re chatting with Angelica Marquina! She shares a bit of her background as owner of 518 Beauty Room, some favorite memories from growing up in Lake George, and her go-to picks for everything from running trails to shopping to dinner out.

Tell us about yourself! 

Hello everyone, it's Angelica Marquina here, owner of 518 Beauty Room! My salon is located in Downtown Glens Falls at 18 Ridge Street. I am a licensed esthetician and cosmetologist. I truly love what I do, and my clients never make it feel like I am at work. My family has always supported me, my mom and my sister are my best friends. If it wasn’t for the support of my friends and family I wouldn’t feel as blessed as I feel today. Typically you can find me at the salon all day, or running around the lake in Lake George! 

On Life in Glens Falls

It wasn’t until I started working in Downtown Glens Falls that I started seeing how charming the area was. Growing up I lived in a small town on the outskirts of Lake Placid, and then moved to Lake George when I was twelve where I graduated from Lake George High School. I guess you could say I’ve always been a ‘lake girl’ at heart. 

My memories here have always included boating and camping on Lake George. Cliff jumping, and lots of swimming. Hikes with friends like Pilot Knob and Prospect Mountain. In the winter, my friends and I would love to go to hockey games and then to The Bullpen afterwards. 

What keeps me here is the close-knit community. During times of celebrations or hardships I have personally seen the community go above and beyond for families. Even walking into a restaurant and seeing a familiar face and a welcoming smile is so comforting. Something about that just makes me feel so grateful for where I live. 

I am currently renting in Lake George, but I am looking to purchase a home next year and have been looking in the Glens Falls area. I am looking forward to living in Glens Falls because I will be closer to my salon and there will be more year-round activities. For example, The Shirt Factory is always fun to check out on Thursdays in the summer, and seeing a hockey game is a must at Cool Insuring Arena during the winter months.

A Perfect Glens Falls Day 

A perfect day in Glens Falls you ask? Well it would start out with me getting a lash fill at the salon, and even a brow wax and tint for the perfect brows! I love that our salon is a one-stop shop, you could spend the whole day there! Between facials, lashes, waxing and makeup, our glam squad is there to pamper you! 

Afterwards I always like to stop in next door at our neighbor Whisper Boutique, to find something cute and trendy to wear. I tend to find myself at Farmacy most nights, their food and drinks are so good! Radici next door is also one of my favorite places to eat in Downtown Glens Falls! When I am not running by the lake, I love to go to Coles Woods and run through the trails. Some other favorite places in the city are Studio Elements for the most unique manicures, Yoga Kayla to decompress the week, and Juicin’ Jar for the best smoothies! 

On the Future

I love how Glens Falls over the years has completely revamped itself! The area is growing rapidly and I think in the future it would be nice to see a parking garage. I know it doesn't sound the most fun but it would allow more visitors to enjoy the attractions in the area. I also think a rooftop restobar would be a neat idea as well. This area has so much to offer and I am excited to be here in Glens Falls! 

Thanks to The Queensbury Hotel for helping to make this series possible!

Have something to celebrate? The Queensbury Hotel is now holding events for 50 guests or less!

The team is ready to help you plan your next event and ensure a safe and memorable day is had by all. Whether it’s an intimate wedding ceremony, a baby shower or a family gathering, visit their website to take a virtual tour of the space and let the planning begin!

Thanks for supporting the businesses that support Glens Falls Living.

New Addition: Gavin Tate Hutter

This week, The Hutter Family shares their sweet new addition, Gavin Tate, and the beautiful journey that brought them together from across the globe.

Tell us about your family!

Hello there! I'm Cynthia and married to Kyle. We’re both 40ish and met as teenagers while attending the same church youth group down on Long Island. We were married 21 years ago and moved upstate to South Glens Falls in 2003. Together we have built an incredible life!

We have 6 children… Hannah (23), Rachael (20), Moriah (19), Elisabeth (17), Landon (9) and Gavin Tate (2). We are blessed to live in such a beautiful area. I always compare our Lake George summer living as a “postcard” and our Adirondack winters as a “snow globe”. As we raised our family, we made many memories camping locally with trips to Moreau Lake or day trips to Sacandaga. Tubing on the Battenkill River is also a fun favorite! Since the girls are so close in age we tried to do things that would include all of them.

Someone told me years ago that if you blink, you might miss their growing up years.  That is so true. Now they’re teenagers and our 2 oldest have moved out. The older I get the more I realize that the saying is true - the days are long but the years are short. Our kids are our greatest treasure and the greatest legacy we leave. 

On Adoption

When our girls were very young we began parenting children in need through the local foster system. In the last 15 years we have had many children come through our home.  Through our agency, Berkshire Farm, we are trained to work through trauma with the children in our care. We foster mostly infants and toddlers but even the youngest of babies has shown trauma related to abuse and neglect. Our desire was to make a small difference in our corner of the world by being a safe haven for these little ones until reunification. Throughout our foster care journey we have loved on babies who have Down syndrome, autistim and who are medically fragile.

The question we get most is, “How do you love them and then give them back?”. People tell us all the time that they could never do it. But that’s exactly what these babies need - someone to love them through their storm and emotionally invest in their lives, no matter what the outcome is. Adoption is always a possibility when there’s a foster baby in the house but to ensure we were able to make another little one a family member FOREVER, we chose the route of international adoption. 

The Journey to Gavin Tate

In November of 2018, a friend of a friend shared a picture of a bald baby boy. The baby was listed on Reece’s Rainbow, which is a website that shares special needs children that are available for international adoption. In the picture, the baby had a smirk on his face as if he knew a secret. The description on his listing said “Male. Down syndrome. Born 2018. Malformations of cardiac septa.” All I thought was that he couldn’t be more perfect. I stared at him for days. There was something about him. I showed Kyle the picture of “Calvin Henry” (name used to list him) and told him my intent to bring him into our family. Kyle’s initial reaction was a resounding no.

It took two months (and lots of prayer) to convince Kyle that this boy was indeed a Hutter. We committed to adopt “Calvin Henry” in January of 2019. With a $35,000 ransom, we began to brainstorm ways to fundraise. It was then that we realized we are blessed with an amazing community here in South Glens Falls who rallied around us in support of our adoption. Friends and businesses put together a spaghetti dinner with a 50/50 raffle and silent auction. We held two cupcake fundraisers and local restaurants generously held Dine to Donate nights where a portion of their sales were donated to our adoption fund. We also applied for grants. It was incredible that throughout our adoption process we were never held back from lack of funding.

The paperwork for international adoption is overwhelming. The information you have to provide makes you very transparent and they dig into every aspect of your life. We had to compile a home study and have fingerprints and background checks. They use a fine tooth comb going through finances to make sure we could provide for another child. It took us five months to complete our home study then an additional three months for our “golden ticket” which is USCIS approval. All these papers together is called a dossier. Once our dossier was complete we sent it to Ukraine to be submitted.

In February of 2020 we flew to Ukraine to meet our boy and formally accept his referral. It was an incredible feeling holding him for the first time. He was living in an orphanage in Kyiv, Ukraine. This baby, born all the way on the other side of the world was destined to be mine. We returned to NY after a week in Ukraine and waited to hear about next travel dates for court to make him ours forever. Then the COVID-19 pandemic began and borders closed. Our court date in Ukraine was reschedule 3 times due to the prolonged quarantine. While we waited, we prayed for his health, safety and that he’d remember how very much he was loved by us. On June 15th the borders finally opened again. We traveled back to Ukraine for court and on July 7th, 2020, Gavin Tate Hutter became ours forever. We brought him home on July 18 to a neighborhood waiting with open arms to meet this boy they’d only seen in pictures. 

On Life with Gavin

Now that he is home, like childbirth, the pain of waiting is a distant memory. He has acclimated to family life incredibly well and he is thriving! Gavin is social and loves to wave to everyone he meets. We are thrilled to watch him experience life in America. He has only been home for 3 weeks and he’s already mimicking sounds and using sign language to communicate.  And that smile that we saw in that first picture? We see it more and more every day. 

This baby boy, born and abandoned due to a diagnosis of Down Syndrome now has a mama’s arms to hold him and a daddy’s shoulder to ride on. He has four sisters and a big brother that adore him. He is no longer an orphan but a beloved son, cherished brother, grandson and nephew. 

We can never erase his first 2 1/2 years that he spent in the orphanage but we can hope that from this day forward we help him embrace life and enjoy the front row seat we have to seeing redemption first hand. Adopting one child won’t change the world, but for that child, the world will change.

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The New Additions Series is made possible by Glens Falls Hospital.

At Glens Falls Hospital, we know how special that first touch with your newborn is. That’s why we’ve taken strides to provide the most intimate, state-of-the-art accommodations for delivering your little bundle of joy at the Joyce Stock Snuggery.

Thank you for supporting the businesses and organizations that support Glens Falls Living!

The Weekender: August 14 - 16

How are you all doing? Hope you had a great week. The weather the next couple of days looks so nice, and we’re hoping to squeeze in a dinner out downtown, the farmers market, and maybe a couple of these:

Date Night: In case you missed it, Common Roots launched their artisan stone hearth pizzas to go this week (and we took a first look here)! A 4-pack and a couple of pizzas sounds like the perfect back porch take out date night to us. Details here. Cheers! 

Small Town Bookstores: We shared a list of favorite local bookstores last summer around this time, and we’re feeling that same urge to pick up a few new books as we inch closer to back to school season. If you’re up for a ride into Washington County and a wander through a sweet bookstore (or barn!), we updated the list with the latest COVID-19 changes for the shops - check them out here! 

Corn Maze: We don’t usually think of corn mazes until fall, but Fort Ticonderoga just opened theirs and it seems like the perfect summer adventure. Fort Ticonderoga itself is amazing (check out our post on the highlights here) - don’t leave without a stroll (and a picnic!) in the King’s Garden! Details here.

Round the Lake: Have you heard of the Lake George Land Conservancy’s Round the Lake Challenge? A friend just mentioned it to us and we thought it sounded like an awesome family friendly way to get outside, see the sights, and get some exercise while we still have a few months of warm weather this year. Some of the “missions”, as they’re called, include hiking, paddling, visiting museums and historical sights, and more - check out the details here! 

Have a great weekend!
Bri + Tom

Hometown News: August 12

Lots of news this week! Gordon has the scoop on Travers winner Tiz the Law’s local ties, the latest on school reopenings, which events are happening (or not!), and lots more.

Schools Get The OK To Open - Now What?

Local school districts have gotten the preliminary okay to open in September. All plans now must pass muster with the state Department of Health.

There was quite a bit of confusion last week when Governor Andrew Cuomo said school districts needed to have plans for testing students and staff, and also contact tracing procedures in place.

That’s contrary to the original guidance districts received from the state and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

“It created a number of questions,” BOCES superintendent Jim Dexter told Glens Falls Living.

Glens Falls City School Superintendent Paul Jenkins said, “We are all somewhat baffled by his statements. When we created our reopening plans we followed guidance from the state Education Department and the state Department of Health. Clearly the Governor was not communicating with the DOH or SED. We are educational institutions, not medical facilities.”

Mr. Jenkins said, “I’ve spoken with Warren Country DOH and we will work with them and our families and staff if there is a positive case as the guidance says.  We will not be testing anyone at school.”

Mr. Dexter said, “Each district liaison will work with their county health departments.”

How will school districts pay for the PPEs, the cleaning supplies, the thermometers and the more-frequent bus runs associated with reopening?

“Some districts will be spending hundreds of thousands of dollars that they do not have budgeted,” Mr. Dexter said. “They are going to have to cut something or use some of their fund balance.

“We’re looking at substantial budget cuts mid-year, and school districts are going to have to figure out how to pay for this.”

Mr. Dexter said districts are going to have to reduce expenses in other areas.

“I don’t see another avenue,” he said. “They are going to have to plan for this year, but then think about what is going to happen next year.”

He said most local school districts will be open by Sept. 14. Many districts are doing additional staff training before welcoming students back to school.

Tiz the Law’s Local Ties

Photo: Alex (Wei) Zhang

Tiz the Law, the brilliant colt that demolished an overmatched field in the 152nd running of the Travers Stakes at Saratoga Race Course last Saturday, has a local connection.

The 3-year-old colt is jointly owned by 35 partners of Sackatoga Stables in Saratoga Springs. One of those owners is telecommunications entrepreneur and investor Larry Davis, who has a full share in Tiz the Law. He is a partner in the Sans Souci in Cleverdale, and started Tiki Tours on Lake George a few years ago.

“About 12 years ago I got involved with Sackatoga Stables,” Mr. Davis told Glens Falls Living from his home on Lake George’s east side. “There’s nothing like it. The excitement is amazing. I like to do fun things, as you can gather from the Tiki boats. I am partners in a number of bars. You’re probably familiar with the Sans Souci up here. Then Nanola down in Malta and McGeery’s down in Albany. Bars and horses are expensive habits. You don’t make a lot of money but when you do, it’s a big treat.”

Tiz the Law, purchased for $110,000 at the Fasig-Tipton sales in Saratoga, might be the best investment Mr. Davis ever made.

The horse won the Belmont Stakes in this topsy-turvy pandemic Triple Crown season, and now has won six of seven races, with career earnings topping $2-million.

But that’s not all. Sackatoga Stables, run by Jack Knowlton of Saratoga Springs, sold the stallion rights to Tiz the Law for a reported eight figures. That’s a minimum of $10-million, though the exact figure is probably significantly higher. Champion thoroughbred horses can command upwards of $200,000 each time they are bred.

Mr. Knowlton told the New York Times that Sackatoga Stables, which entered the public’s consciousness in 2003 with Funny Cide, will earn bonuses if Tiz the Law wins the Derby, the Preakness and the Breeders’ Cup Classic.

The Times reports, “Ashford Stud structured a bonus deal for the 2015 Triple Crown Champion American Pharoah that promised his owner, Ahmed Zayat, $3 million for winning the Kentucky Derby, $2 million each for victories in the Preakness, Belmont, Travers Stakes and Breeders’ Cup Classic as well as a $2 million bonus for being named 3-year-old male champion.    

“Do the math: A similar deal would mean a potential $13 million for Sackatoga to roll up this year.”

Asked about the deal, Mr. Davis said, “I can’t talk about the breeding rights.”

He did say that Tiz the Law, if he stays healthy, will continue racing as a 4-year-old.

“That was part of the deal,” he said.

For now, Tiz the Law will take on all comers in the Kentucky Derby on Saturday, Sept. 5. After that, it’s the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico in Maryland in October, and then the Breeders’ Cup Classic in November.

Mr. Davis was at Saratoga to see Tiz the Law cruise to victory.

“That was exactly what our trainer had predicted and those were the instructions our trainer Barclay Tagg had given [jockey] Manny Franco. The race was almost a duplicate of the Belmont Stakes. Sit on the outside, third or fourth position, and then fire. 

“After the race, Manny said he tried to hold the horse back at the far turn but he couldn’t. The horse just took off. Then when they got down to the top of the stretch, the horse went into another gear.”

Mr. Davis said he joined Sackatoga Stables in 2009.

“We pick one or two horses every year. We’ve got a business plan that says we buy New York breds. We had a list of 10 horses to start after reading the yearling books. We whittled that down to five or six after Barclay looks at them and we bring in a vet to look at the horses. Then we get it down to one or two and go to the auction to see what we can do.

“The one thing about Tiz the Law is, our budget for that horse was $100,000. Everybody loved the horse so they decided they were going to go to $110,000, but that was it. Boy that was probably the best decision anyone has made in a long time.”

Mr. Davis will be headed to Kentucky for the Derby on Sept. 5. Then he’ll go to the Preakness in early October, and back to the Breeders’ Cup at Keeneland in Kentucky in early November.

“My understanding is there may not be 20 horses in the Derby,” he said. “There may not be the cavalry charge as I call it. That will be very good for us too. That’s one of the things that could have thrown a monkey wrench in the works. We’re all feeling very good right now.”

And you can forgive Mr. Davis for looking ahead to the world’s richest race, the Dubai World Cup, in March of 2021.

“I’m getting my passport ready,” he said.

Food Truck Corral Returns To Shirt Factory Thursday

The popular Thursday Market and Food Truck Corral at the Shirt Factory, 71 Lawrence Street in Glens Falls, is back on after a one-week hiatus.

A Facebook post said, “GOOD NEWS, met with officials from the Glens Falls Fire Department this morning and we have a way forward to have the 2020 Thursday Market & Food Truck Corral this week. We will be changing the layout of the market and some of the vendors will be moved to different locations to help us increase space for social distancing. We will also have additional markers out to designate proper social distancing plus additional signage. Thank You to the City of Glens Falls and The Glens Falls Fire Department, and of course all the people that come and enjoy our event and have offered verbal support during our one-week vacation. We will see you, Thursday 4:30 to 8pm The Shirt Factory, 71 Lawrence St., Glens Falls.” 

Warrensburg Bike Rally, ADK Wine & Food Festival Canceled

Two of the last remaining summer events that were still on the schedule have been canceled. The Warrensburg Bike Rally, originally scheduled for early June to coincide with Americade and later set for September, isn’t happening in 2020. And the popular Adirondack Wine & Food Festival, also originally scheduled in June and rescheduled to September, is also canceled. Those who have already purchased tickets can get refunds, organizers said. Info: adkwinefest.com.

With these cancellations, pretty much every major summer/early fall event in the Glens Falls region has been canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

——

But here’s a few things that are happening!

Lake George American Legion Post 374 on Route 9L will hold a chicken barbecue on Saturday, Aug. 15, starting at noon. $13 gets you chicken, baked beans, cole slaw and a cold drink. All proceeds go to supporting the Adirondack Vets House in Glens Falls, which supports homeless veterans.

The New York State Canal System is now completely open to boat traffic! Lock C-12 on the Champlain Canal in Whitehall opened last week. Boat traffic can now move to and from the canal system from Lake Champlain.

Speaking of the COVID-19 Pandemic…

Locally, infection numbers have remained stable over the last week.

In Warren County, officials are monitoring eight active cases, including three employees of an unnamed skilled nursing facility. All of the cases are mild.

County officials are monitoring 221 residents who are under precautionary traveler quarantine because of travel out of state. That’s up 25 from the previous day.

Officials also said “college students who need a COVID-19 test before returning to campus are being directed to contact their medical providers to schedule one, as Warren County Health Services provides supplies and personnel to work with practices to handle the influx of testing requests.”

In Washington County, officials are monitoring precautionary quarantines for 172 residents, with four active cases and no hospitalizations. 

Saratoga County reports 68 active cases, with three residents hospitalized.

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In related news, Fort Hudson Nursing Home is the subject of an extensive story in New York Magazine on their battle with COVID-19 in the dementia unit back in April and May. Here’s the link.

Trader Joe’s Coming to Saratoga County?

There’s growing speculation that Trader Joe’s plans to open a store in Halfmoon. The Albany Times Union reports that an as-yet unnamed “specialty grocery store” has been approved by the town’s Planning Board, though no one is saying if it’s a Trader Joe’s. There is already a Trader Joe’s in Colonie. Stay tuned! 

Fire at Rachael Ray’s Lake Luzerne Home

A fire ripped through Rachael Ray’s home on Chuckwagon Drive in Lake Luzerne Sunday night. Officials say the fire appears to have started on the second floor of the residence. Ms. Ray, a Lake George graduate and television personality and chef, tweeted Monday that she and her husband, John Cusimano, and their new shelter dog, Bella Boo, got out safely.

“Thank you to our local first responders for being kind and gracious and saving what they could of our home,” Ms. Ray tweeted. “Grateful that my mom, my husband, my dog… we’re all okay. These are the days we all have to be grateful for what we have, not what we’ve lost.”

The cause of the fire is being investigated, but does not appear to be suspicious, Warren County officials said.

Warren County Fire Coordinator Brian LaFlure and Luzerne-Hadley Fire officials asked Office of Fire Prevention and Control to work with the Warren County Fire Cause & Origin Team to investigate the cause because of the extent of the loss, said a county press release.

Oscar’s Smokehouse Now Offers A Vending Machine!

Oscar’s Smokehouse in Warrensburg now offers a cold vending machine located right outside their front doors. Their Facebook post about it was shared more than 1,500 times, and received nearly 2,000 reactions and nearly 500 comments.

The vending machine is “filled with some of our customer favorites like Hickory bacon, 3-year-old cheddar cheese, ‘More Than Mustard,’ smoked pork chops and many more,” says the Facebook post.

“Also, if the line is too long inside, then just pull out your credit card and purchase from the vending machine as the prices are the same whether inside or out.”

Duane Vaughn Leaves United Way, Joins Shelters of Saratoga

Duane Vaughn, a well-known figure in the non-profit world up here, has resigned as executive director of the Tri-County United Way and joined Shelters of Saratoga as its new executive director. Duane led the United Way for four years, and before that led the WAIT House for 13 years. 

Tri-County United Way Board President Judge David Krogmann said in a press release, “Duane has been invaluable to the success of Tri-County United Way since becoming Executive Director in 2016. His organizational skills and true care for the disadvantaged in our area have come at a crucial time. He has become an integral and important leader in our community. His presence and leadership will be missed greatly, but we wish him only the best in his new position.”

Duane, who lives in West Fort Ann with his wife, Mindy Wilson, said in the press release, “I have been blessed to work with such wonderful organizations as the Tri-County United Way and the WAIT House. I am truly excited to begin working with the dedicated staff and Board of Directors of Shelters of Saratoga. The Saratoga community is invested in solving complex issues for populations that are vulnerable and at-risk, and I am thankful that I will be able to be a part of that collaborative process.”

Invasive Hemlock Wooly Agelid Found On Lake George

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) announced the confirmation of an infestation of the Hemlock Woolly Adelgid (Adelges tsugae) on Forest Preserve lands in the town of Dresden in Washington County. 

The affected hemlock trees were located near a campsite within Glen Island Campground on the shore of Lake George. This is the second known infestation of Hemlock Woolly Adelgid (HWA) in the Adirondacks. The first, on Prospect Mountain, was eradicated.

After receiving a report from a camper at Glen Island Campground through iMap Invasives about a suspicious tree near a campsite, DEC dispatched a forest health specialist to survey the area. This initial survey found one heavily infested and two lightly infested Eastern hemlock trees close to the campsite. Additional follow-up surveys will be conducted to better determine the size and spread of this infestation.

Baseball Standouts Connor Bovair, Evan St. Claire Honored

And finally, two local baseball stars were honored as Independent Collegiate Baseball League Performers of the Week! Connor Bovair of South Glens Falls pitched four innings of shutout ball while striking out nine and giving up one hit for the Albany Dutch. Bovair, headed to Siena College, has been fantastic all season, and is consistently hitting the low to mid-90s in velocity.

Evan St. Claire of Whitehall, a junior at Siena, went 6-for-19 with a double, four RBI and two stolen bases in six games for the Glens Falls Independents. St. Claire’s father, Steve, manages the Independents, and was a standout player himself. Steve’s brother Randy pitched in the major leagues for several teams, and Evan’s grandfather Ebba St. Claire is a local legend, playing in the big leagues from 1951 to 1954.

Until next time -
Gordon

GORDON WOODWORTH

A South Glens Falls native, Gordon Woodworth is a respected and well-connected voice of the community. As a journalist, he has covered the Glens Falls region for more than 20 years. Read his full bio here, and click here to follow along with him on Facebook - he’s always reporting!

First Look: Common Roots

We are so psyched that Common Roots is back up and running in their amazing new space and just when we thought things couldn’t get any better, they went and added artisan stone hearth pizza to their take out offerings - starting tomorrow! We’re sharing a look at the new space, the delicious new pizzas, and a chat with Christian and Bert Weber - check it all out below!

Christian Weber and Bert Weber

On Designing the New Space

At the time of the fire we had just begun our expansion project to the original facility. We had purchased the property next door and had plans to expand both brewing and taproom space. The fire changed everything and gave us an opportunity to start from scratch rather than expand by additions to the old structure. About one month after the fire, we sat down with Phinney Design Group and discussed our vision for the space. We knew we wanted to create a destination brewery, a place where our customers could come to not only enjoy great beer, food, and music, but also enjoy a more complete experience. We wanted the customers to have an intimate look into the brewing process, provide a space for special celebrations, and share a sense of community. 

With those broad stroke principles, we came up with the brewery concept that you now see today! The taproom is crafted as a gathering place and encourages conversation and community; it also has a direct visual connection to the brewery, and the spacious outdoor biergarten and covered patio provides additional space for gatherings. We’ve also included a special event space that allows groups to use the brewery for private events, corporate meetings, or family celebrations; with its own bar, AV capabilities and a great view of the brewing process.

The new production brewery designed and installed by a local company, Fronhofer Design, is the actual heartbeat of the new location. As you know, the fire destroyed most of the old brewing equipment and as devastating as the fire was, it did give us the opportunity to design and build a larger more efficient system using the expertise and engineering at Fronhofer. The new brewery now has a 30 barrel fully automated brew house and larger cellaring tanks. 

The new brewery is also much more energy efficient and boasts a 100,000kwh solar voltaic array on the roof. We also installed solar hot water panels and systems that recapture much of the heat loss during the brewing process. The taproom bar, tables, bench system, and parts of the ceiling, are all made from repurposed lumber by a local company in Greenwich, NY, Trevett Millworks.

The landscaping features the use of native plants and pollinator friendly plantings that will provide some respite for our native pollinators that are in real danger now. Visitors will also notice that we have purposefully eliminated the use of turf grass at the brewery. Turf uses a lot of water and needs fertilizer and pesticides to be properly maintained.

On Preserving Memories

We lost many sentimental items in the fire but, surprisingly, we were able to save a lot of them and they became part of our move to our temporary home at 30 Saratoga Avenue. The old bar, which survived the fire but had a lot of water and smoke damage, will eventually find a new home in another CRBC project that is now in the early planning stages.

Some of the brewery equipment, canning line, and grain management system did survive the fire and is now back working in the new brewery.

We have many smaller mementos in the form of signs, artwork and gifts from customers that will find a home in our new office space. Perhaps our favorite tribute to our original brewery is in the beautiful new metal sign that we’ve installed in the taproom. It has the iconic outline of our old building surrounded by trees and mountains. It was our way of paying homage to our humble beginnings and a daily reminder of how fortunate we’ve been to be supported by such a great community. 

Although much of the material nostalgia was lost during the fire -- it’s clear now that Common Roots is built on a vision that the community has embraced and will continue with the company regardless of the physical space or location. We couldn’t have been more humbled by the experience of watching our coworkers and customers continue with the brewery’s ethos of community and resilience throughout the past year and a half. Although we are blown away by our new and forever home at 58 Saratoga Avenue, we will never forget that this is still just a facility and that the culture of Common Roots is made possible by such a great community that we are all members of.  

Playing Favorites

Hard to say what our favorite part of the new brewery is…. we are both so amazed and humbled by the entire new space! When we are in the new taproom visualizing how good it’s going to be when we can fully open for customers to experience the warmth and comfort of the specially designed space we are in our happy place. The Germans have a word, “Gemutlichkeit” …which translates as a place or sense of comfortable belonging, which we think applies to the new CRBC.

We also love being on the new brew deck in the brewery. From that vantage point you get a real feel for the brewing operations and new technology we’ve been able to take advantage of. 

Or…standing in our beautiful new restaurant’s kitchen and watching pizza being prepared and placed in the Wood Stone pizza oven. We are real foodies at heart and really look forward to offering a complete menu to enjoy with our favorite beers!

Needless to say, we could go on and on about our favorite parts of the new space…we love it all!

On Silver Linings

Had anyone told us we would be here in this beautiful space 16 months ago, we would have told them they are crazy! The fire was a gut wrenching loss for our company and our family, a loss we will never forget. In retrospect, we now realize we’ve had many silver linings in this whole process.

First, the fire was devastating but, in the end, no one was hurt and all the first responders returned to their families that night unharmed.

We learned, very intimately, just what a wonderful community we live in. The response from our community after the fire has been nothing short of amazing. We have never been on the receiving end of such love and support and it has left us with a whole new appreciation of the word “community”. That community support, in the form of donations and fundraisers, allowed us to keep our most precious assets, our employees, whole and compensated through this entire process. 

On Adapting and Innovating  

Opening our new space under the shadow of COVID-19 is not exactly what we planned but even that has given us an opportunity to focus on how we can provide a meaningful, safe experience for our customers and ensure the safety of our staff and all visitors. It has been a challenge but it has also given us an opportunity to show we can be a resilient company that will continue to focus on people before profit. 

The switch to a beer to-go only option has been interesting and surprisingly good! The ability to deliver directly to our customers has also been a fun option and one we did not expect. As we moved into our new space, we have decided to focus on tightening up our procedures for beer sales and food to-go in the new taproom and so we have postponed our delivery option until further notice.

We have learned a lot in our short 6 years of existence as a company and our dedication to our founding principles has helped guide us through some rough times. Make great beer, treat people well, promote an active lifestyle, and remember we are all part of a community has been our company’s mantra since we began and it has continued to help us through this process. Including finding the right partners in business. We have gone the extra distance to find local companies to work with and it has made all the difference. We are extremely proud of our partnerships with Fronhofer Design, Phinney Design Group, V&H Construction, K&J Electric, Adirondack P&M, Apex Solar, Eclipse IT and Key Bank. 

We also believe that being part of a community means being responsible stewards of the environment and actively supporting the promotion of social justice issues. Being part of the resurgence of the New York State craft beer industry has been a tremendous experience and has given us an effective vehicle for doing much good in our community. It was in that spirit that we created the Common Roots Foundation as a separate 401C organization. The Foundation will be our way of paying forward all the good that was bestowed on us after our fire and will be a source to help our community members when unexpected events occur.

On the Future

Being creative people and working daily with so many creative and innovative staff, we find ourselves constantly looking for other opportunities to diversify the Common Roots brand while still honoring our commitments to our original business ethos. In the end, it’s always going to be about creating the best possible experience for our customers and the tremendous staff that work with us each day.

Beer

We have lots of new beer styles coming! The time spent in our temporary space did give a rare opportunity to work on small batch beers while our larger volume brands were being produced by our friends at Singlecut and Torch and Crown Brewery. Stay tuned as we move into full production in the new brewing space! 

Pizza!

We are excited to announce that we will be launching delicious artisan stone hearth pizza to-go starting Wednesday August 12! Who doesn’t love beer and pizza?! Although we are starting with a simple yet thoughtfully designed menu, we are actively perfecting other menu items that we cannot wait to offer in the near future. Food orders can be placed on-line, by phone, or in-person pick-up with your favorite CRBC cans or crowlers. As we mentioned, we consider ourselves serious foodies and as such, we are working closely with our new kitchen staff to create a culinary experience that will pair well with our beer. 

Operations

Our immediate plan is to move into full production and operations mode in this new beautiful space. Having this space is a dream come true to us and we cannot wait to show off its full potential!

Common Roots Brewing Company

Website / Facebook / Instagram

Back in the Day: Crandall Park

It was an ominous sound in late March 1907.

“Residents in the vicinity of Crandall Park were surprised last evening to hear the frogs croaking in the pond,” The Morning Star of Glens Falls reported on March 30, 1907.

Perhaps the frogs were excited, or maybe upset, with a new pond resident.

Over the winter, Henry Crandall, “Grand Old Man” of Glens Falls, had hired George Kenworthy to build a motorboat for Henry to use on Crandall Park pond. The boat was powered by a naphtha external combustion engine used for private pleasure craft as an alternative to a steam engine, which required having a licensed engineer on board.

A postcard depicts boating on Crandall Park Pond, circa 1910

“It is large enough to accommodate about a dozen people,” The Morning Star had reported earlier in March. “Mr. Crandall is quite enthusiastic over the launch.”

It was great addition to the park that Crandall, a Glens Falls lumber baron, real estate investor and philanthropist, started in 1883. He purchased an initial parcel of land, which included the pond, for $30,000 – the equivalent of about $765,000 in 2020 dollars, and gradually added adjoining land.

His life and career embodied the great American rags-to-riches dream.

“No boy in this city was in poorer circumstances than I was when I set out on life’s journey,” Crandall said around the time of his 92nd birthday. “But everyone can reach success if he will refrain from bad habits and cultivate the habit of saving money.”

By 1899 he had increased the park land and surrounding property to 70 acres.

Addison B. Colvin, publisher of the Glens Falls Times, wrote in 1931 about when workmen in 1899 were building the monument in Crandall Park, which the lumber baron – who used a five-point star as his log mark – and his wife, and horse, would later be buried underneath.

As the legend goes, one of the workmen quipped, “Mr. Crandall, when you are buried here, after a time you will be forgotten.” So, Henry took off a shoe and stocking and left his footprint in the cement.

Early amenities of the park such as a rudimentary golf course, elaborate fountain, and a Civil War cannon are long gone, and forgotten by many. The fountain and cannon were melted down in 1942 to make armaments for World War II. The golf course disappeared some time in the early 20 th century.

A cannon on the grounds of Crandall Park, circa 1910. Photo courtesy of Chapman Historical Museum.

But Crandall, who died in 1913, has not been forgotten, and some suggest his child-like spirit still inhabits Henry’s playground, a park open for all to enjoy.

“Each succeeding day develops new beauties at Crandall Park, and the increasing number of visitors shows that they are appreciated,” The Morning Star reported in 1900.

The golf course, a five-hole course set up using tomato cans and crude clubs, was constructed in 1901. Croquet also was a popular sport. “A number of ladies who play croquet at Crandall Park gave a luncheon at the golf house Saturday evening in honor of J.R. Duell, to show their appreciation of the excellent condition in which he has kept the grounds,” The Morning Star reported. “Mr. Duell was very pleasantly surprised and wishes to thank the ladies for their kindness.”

By summer of 1901, use of the park had become so great that Glens Falls village trustees hired a special constable, at an annual salary of $5, to patrol the park.

Crandall generously allowed community groups to use the park, such as the Glens Falls Woman’s Club, which moved its Sept. 22, 1909 clambake to Crandall Park a few days before the event, after selling more tickets at $1.50 each – the equivalent of $42.49 in 2020 dollars – than what Harris’ Grove, the original location, could accommodate. “Crandall Park will be the scene of one of the greatest and most enjoyable gatherings ever held there,” The Post-Star reported. “Fun will run rampant, and there will be an abundance of things eatable, the much-coveted clam being agreed to sacrifice his life in honor of the occasion.” Funds raised benefited the Warren County visiting nurses service.

Crandall set aside one acre of the park in 1910 for the newly organized Boy’s Conservation League of Glens Falls, an organization for boys ten and older, to plant 1,200 white pine saplings that the state Department of Forestry was to deliver in Arbor Day. The club planted 2,000 more saplings in 1913.

A postcard depicts the elaborate fountain in Crandall Park, circa 1915.

In 1911, Crandall allowed a group of local horsemen to construct a half-mile trotting horse track at the park. “Local horsemen are enthusiastic over the project of establishing such a track and work will be commenced immediately,” The Post-Star reported.

Ducks, now a common sight on Crandall Pond, were introduced by John Cunnion, an Upper Glen Street resident, in July 1916, a few years after Henry died. “Mr. Cunnion placed ten ducks, each of which is about three weeks old, in the pond. It was the first time they had ever been in the water and they attracted great attention,” reported The Post-Star, calling it the start of a movement. “A man who saw the ducks in the pond stated that night that he would buy a swan and add it to the collection.”

Around 1917, The Crandall Trust, which owned and managed the park after Crandall’s death, hired architect Percival Gallagher of Brookline, Mass., to redesign landscaping of the park. In 1947, the city began maintaining the park, and the city purchased the park from Crandall Trust in 1966. Land behind and adjacent to the current park, where Kensington Road School and the Glens Falls Family Y.M.C.A. are located, used to be park land.

———

Sources: The Morning Star July 23, 1900; May 3, Aug. 12,1901; June 18, 1901; March 30, 1907; The Post-Star March 8, 1910; April 29, 1913; Sept. 18, 1919; July 18, 1916; 1931 essay by Addison B. Colvin; Historic property survey Richard C. Youngken prepared in 1981 for City of Glens Falls, City Historian Wayne Wright

MAURY THOMPSON

Maury Thompson was a reporter for The Post-Star for 21 years before he retired in 2017. He now is a freelance writer and documentary film producer specializing in regional history. Thompson is collaborating with Snarky Aardvark Films to produce a documentary about Charles Evans Hughes and the Adirondacks, which is expected to release in September 2020. See the trailer here. Read his full bio here.

The Weekender: August 7 - 9

Hi guys! Happy weekend! Anything fun on the agenda? We’ve got the usuals on the to-do list: farmers market, baking, yard work, back porch drinks… but we’re also hoping to squeeze in a ride in the Wagoneer if we can manage to get it out of the shop, along with one or two of these ideas:

Live Music: Patio season is in full swing and we’re psyched to see some live music on the menu again this weekend at some of our favorite spots. Morgan & Co has Mark Tolstrup tonight and Tim Ortiz on Friday night, and Doc’s Restaurant has their popular Patio Sessions with Paul Lambert on Saturday - where are you headed?

Canal Street Marketplace: Too late to check it out tonight, but mark your calendars for next Thursday for Fort Edward’s Canal Street Marketplace from 4-7pm. Hoping to scoop up some sweet corn, sunflowers, and maybe a mini pie or two from Auntie Mame’s Pies! Find the details here.

Vineyard with a View: We’re always up for a drive in the country, especially when it ends with a glass of wine amongst the vines on a blue sky day. Victory View Vineyard’s Farm Winery in Easton has been on our list for a while, and this might just be the weekend to check it out! Details here. 

Flower Farms: Our backyard zinnias are doing..eh, just okay..so when we saw a couple of flower farms on Instagram this week, they stopped our scroll. If you’re up for some fresh air and a stroll through a field of flowers to pick your own or grab a fresh cut bouquet, check out Native Farm Flowers in Greenfield Center or Balet Flowers in Saratoga… And if sunflowers are your thing, we saw that Bowman Orchards in Rexford has pick your own sunflowers! Any other local flower farms that we should know about?! 

Have a great weekend!
Bri + Tom

Hometown News: August 5

This week in Hometown News, Gordon has the scoop on a couple of local businesses that have changed hands this week, a few that have closed their doors, the latest on green initiatives in the city, and lots more…

Romeo Family Buys Glens Falls Toyota

The Romeo family expanded its fleet of car dealerships over the weekend when it  purchased Glens Falls Toyota on Broad Street. 

Romeo Toyota joins Carriage Traders in South Glens Falls, Romeo Chevrolet Buick GMC, Romeo Kia of Kingston and Romeo Ford of Kingston as the Romeo family of car dealerships.

“We’re ready to grow,” Mike Romeo told Glens Falls Living. “My dad [Len] is 63 years old and he’s not slowing down yet. He’s still pushing us. My brother Joe runs the stores down in Kingston. He does a great job down there. And I’ll be overseeing Romeo Toyota and Carriage Traders.”

Mike Romeo said his father and Howard Lebowitz, the former owner of Glens Falls Toyota, “have done business together going back 20-some years. They were kind of messing around, talking about it for a lot of years, and then one thing led to another recently. Howard was ready to retire and he reached out and we’ve been talking seriously for about a year now, and we finally put it together.”

He said, “There are two reasons why this is a store my dad has always chased after. I grew up in the house my parents still live in, which is about five streets away, and now I live four streets away with my family. So to have a store in our backyard is awesome. And to have a Toyota store in our backyard is even better.”

The lot will soon be overflowing with cars, both new Toyotas and pre-owned vehicles, Mr. Romeo said.

“Right now, because of Covid-19, all of the manufacturers obviously shut down their plants for a little while,” he said. “New inventory is very scarce. So whenever there is a buy-sell agreement at a dealership, they take care of the new dealer by giving them more inventory. So we have a substantial amount of inventory coming in in the next few months that the competition won’t have.

“And, we’re going to be selling anything nice that came in trade-wise, whether it’s a Ford F-150 or a Silverado or a Tundra, whatever it is. We’re going to have about 100 used cars on the lot.”

More info here.

Simply Grazin’ Owners Buy Pole Valley Golf Course

The owner of Simply Grazin’ Organic Farms, the producer and wholesale distributor of organic grass-fed livestock with seven farms throughout Washington County, purchased Pole Valley Golf Course in Hartford on Friday.

Renamed Hartford Greens Country Club, the 18-hole course is a favorite of local seniors and those who enjoy birdwatching. Known for its consistent greens and beautiful rural landscape, it was built in 2002 by Steve Forbes, with help from noted golf course designer Geoffrey Cornish.

Mark Faille, the new owner, completed the purchase on Friday, July 31, at noon, and soon had a new sign up. His son Dylan will run the course.

Contacted for comment, Mr. Faille said a friend of his alerted him that the course was on the market, but he initially had interest in it only as farmland.

“I’m not a golfer,” he said. “I’ve never even played golf before. My original intent was to turn it back into cow pasture, but a lot of people were sad it wasn’t going to remain a golf course, so we decided to give it a try.

“My son Dylan stepped up and offered to manage it, which is great. And we’ve kept the superintendent, Marvin, on to work on the greens.

“Our intent is to get the greens to 100%. I’m not a 50% guy. I’m a 100% guy. We’re going to get the irrigation fixed and make the place a lot prettier. We’re getting a big permanent tent and will have food, maybe a food truck or two.

“I also own a construction company, and I’m going to have my guys come up here and repair all of the cart paths. We’re going to replace the bridges in the winter.

“We’re going to have new bunkers, all new signage, tee markers, we’re going to improve the driving range with a covered area, and a machine to pick up the balls.

“And we’ve bought seven new golf carts. That was all that was available. We’ll have a whole new fleet next year.”

He said he purchased the carts from Larry Kelley at Five-Star Golf Cars in Queensbury.

“I like to support local businesses, and we’re planning a fund-raiser here in September.”

Pricing is: 9 holes walk $10; 9 holes ride $20; 18 holes walk $20; 18 holes ride $40. Senior and Veteran Discount Pricing: 9 holes ride $15; 18 holes walk $15; 18 holes ride $30.

Simply Grazin’ started in 1997 in Hopewell, New Jersey, before expanding to New York and Virginia. In 2010, the company bought a 400-acre property on County Route 17 in Fort Ann, converting dairy barns for their hog operation and transitioning the fields to organic hay. Six years later, they bought the 150-acre Gibbs Road Farm, and in 2017 they bought 250 more acres in Hartford and another 300 acres in Fort Edward.

“Along the way, we fell in love with the rural beauty of the area and we have moved our business headquarters to Washington County as well,” Simply Grazin’ says on its website.

“In June 2019, we purchased three more farms. We added 169 acres of pasture and crop land on Brayton Road in Fort Ann, NY. And, we also added an additional 100 acres and an additional 79 acres on County Route 46 in Fort Edward, NY for hay land and pasture land. Our most recent addition of farm land came in May 2020, as we agreed to lease with the option to buy a 625-acre farm in Kingsbury, NY.”

Mr. Faille said he is “very big on farm preservation. Four of our seven farms up here are in farm preservation, and I’m looking into preserving this land, too. That’s one of the things we are working on.”

Simply Grazin’ supplies organic meat to Whole Foods and Wegmans, among others.

Follow them here for more info.

Milk & Honey Shop to Close

Milk & Honey, the clothing and gift shop on Exchange Street in downtown Glens Falls, is closing.

“It is with a heavy heart that I am announcing Milk & Honey will be closing by the end of the month,” owner Ann Parrish wrote on Facebook Tuesday night.

“We appreciate all of your patronage, friendships and prayers. These have been difficult and challenging times for all. May God bless you all and keep you safe! You have been the heartbeat of my business. Sincerely grateful, Ann Parrish”

Mrs. Parrish has battled pancreatic cancer for several years, and during treatment a group of friends worked at the store to keep it going.

Alchemy Bagel Cafe Closes, But It’s Not Goodbye

Meg and Alex, the owners of Alchemy Bagel Cafe in the Shirt Factory in Glens Falls, announced on Facebook they have closed.

“As of [Sunday], our cafe doors are officially closed,” the couple wrote. “It was a hard decision for us to make, but we feel as if it was the right decision for the time being. We have moved out of Suite 111, and are no longer running the cafe in The Shirt Factory. This, however, is not the end of Alchemy. This is not goodbye. We will continue to bake for markets, take special orders, and are working with some awesome local places for wholesale accounts.

“…Our preorder pickups during the height of quarantine kept our small little business, in business. COVID-19 has hit the restaurant industry hard. But we know it’s not just us, it’s hit a lot of industries hard. And it will forever change how we look at doing business (and other basic things, like hand washing and grocery shopping ).

“…Like we said, this is not a goodbye post. Alex and I are firm believers in everything happens for a reason. We closed one door, but the world is full of many open doors for us. Keep being kind to one another, and please keep supporting small businesses. You don’t know the huge difference you are making in someone’s life when you choose to shop small!”

Glens Falls City School Virtual Parent Forum on Thursday

 The Glens Falls City Schools leadership team will explain new protocols and answer questions at a virtual parent forum on Thursday, Aug. 6th at 5 p.m. The event will be recorded for viewing later, and available to all in the school community. 

A link to the parent forum will be shared on the district's website and social media on Thursday, and questions can be submitted any time before or during the forum by using a form at www.gfsd.org.

Governor Andrew Cuomo is expected to announce whether schools can open this week.

Glens Falls Green Initiatives

The City of Glens Falls is seeking low-to-moderate income residents to sign up for a community solar program that gives them a small discount on their energy bill each month. It’s a NYSERDA program called Solar for All, and those who qualify can save $5-$15/month. Income levels for those eligible are around $2,500 a month for an individual or $4,800 for a family of four. 

Solar for All is not limited to Glens Falls residents — any income-qualified resident of NYS who pays their own utility bill can join — but the Common Council is hoping to get a certain number of City residents to sign up so that the city can qualify for further green energy funding.  Info: nyserda.ny.gov/solar-for-all.

————

In other green news, the City of Glens Falls has received a $96,700 grant to be a “municipal testbed” for a vertical farm project through the Empire State Development Smart City Partnership. The project calls for a roughly 300-square-foot, box-in-a-box facility, at a site to be determined. 

LGA: Boat Inspectors Stopped Two Dangerous Invasive Species

The Lake George Association, which provides $30,000 annually to the Lake George Park Commission for their Mandatory Boat Inspection Program, announced that two potentially dangerous invasive species were discovered and kept out of the Queen of American Lakes recently.

Boat inspectors intercepted two separate instances of fanwort, a highly invasive plant that arrived on two separate boats, on two separate days, from Massachusetts; and quagga mussels, which arrived on a boat that had last been in the St. Lawrence River.

“This was a great catch by two different sets of Vessel Inspection Technicians,” said Walt Lender, LGA Executive Director, in a press release. “We want to congratulate them for their attentiveness and the Park Commission for their training program.”

Info: www.lakegeorgeassociation.org.

Marylou Whitney Auction Nets $400,000

The auction of Marylou Whitney’s personal items raised more than $400,000, with all proceeds going toward the building of a medical clinic on the backstretch at Saratoga Race Course. The auction included jewelry, paintings and a dark green Jaguar, and raised double what it was expected to raise, according to a Times Union story. A diamond choker sold for $40,000, and the 1992 Jaguar convertible sold for $22,000.

Items that didn’t sell will be put on eBay, her husband John Hendrickson told the newspaper. Marylou Whitney, known as the Queen of Saratoga, died last July at the age of 93.

In addition, Marylou Whitney’s 36,000-acre Whitney Park, near Long Lake in the heart of the Adirondacks, is for sale for $180-million. The property includes the “Great Camp” Deerlands, that overlooks Little Forked Lake. It has 17 bedrooms. The land also includes 22 lakes, a trapper’s cabin that dates back to the 1800s, a timber operation and a collection of Adirondack guide boats and canoes.

John Hendrickson, the widower of Ms. Whitney, told the Times Union that he would not consider selling the property to the state, as some have advocated for. In 1997, the state bought 15,000 acres of forestland from Ms. Whitney for $17.1-million, creating the William C. Whitney Wilderness Area.
 

Speaking of Saratoga…

Despite not allowing fans at the storied race track, bettors continue to send it in with both hands! Saturday’s 12-race Whitney card set a new record as bettors wagered $35.79-million worldwide, topping the old record by nearly $4-million! That’s an average of nearly $3-million bet on each race Saturday! Absolutely astounding!

The headline race of the Saratoga meet, the Travers Stakes, is Saturday. Local favorite and Belmont Stakes winner Tiz the Law will be the overwhelming favorite.

COVID-19 Update

Locally, Warren County saw its first death since May 30 when a resident of an assisted living facility passed away over the weekend.

County officials are monitoring 196 residents who are under precautionary quarantine because of travel out of state. That’s up 22 from two days previous.

There were seven active cases as of Tuesday, six of them mild and one critical. Warren County has reported seven new infections since July 26.

In Washington County, officials are monitoring precautionary quarantines for 203 residents, with three active cases and no hospitalizations. 

Saratoga County reported 58 active cases on Tuesday, with six residents hospitalized.

Until next time -
Gordon

GORDON WOODWORTH

A South Glens Falls native, Gordon Woodworth is a respected and well-connected voice of the community. As a journalist, he has covered the Glens Falls region for more than 20 years. Read his full bio here, and click here to follow along with him on Facebook - he’s always reporting!

My Glens Falls: Melissa Wilkinson

This week, we’re chatting with Melissa Wilkinson! Read on to find out what brought her to the area over 10 years ago, the serendipitous way that she and her husband discovered their beautiful home here in the city, and how she met the group of friends that makes Glens Falls feel even more like home.

Tell us about yourself!

My name is Melissa Wilkinson and I’m a published author and public speaker.  My business, Anchored with Purpose, is all about helping others live their lives with purpose and intention, especially when it comes to their faith and family.  

I live with my husband Jeff, and our sons Andrew and Sean, in our dream Victorian home near Crandall Park.

On Life in Glens Falls

I’m originally from York, PA and twelve years ago I was working for Target when I was relocated to run the Queensbury store for an 18 month assignment.  (So much for 18 months, I’m still here!). About 6 months after moving here, I met Jeff while living in downtown Saratoga (turns out he was my next door neighbor and I didn’t even know him!) and we’ve been inseparable ever since.

One day, 10 years ago, we dropped off my car for an oil change in Queensbury and walked into Glens Falls via the bike path.  We fell in love with the side streets, the beautiful Victorians and sweet little downtown that was starting to revitalize.  On that walk we decided that it was time to buy our first home and within five weeks we closed on our first home and got engaged on the front porch!

On the Beauty of Old Homes

My whole life I have dreamt about living in a grand, old, beautiful Victorian home.  When we were looking for our first home, it wasn’t in the budget and since neither of us were handy, we opted for a newer home.  However, just over a year ago, I drove past this beautiful old Victorian on my way home from an appointment and couldn’t believe it when I saw a sale sign out front. I remembered seeing the listing months before, but brushed it off because we had no intentions of moving. The next morning, Jeff was watching a video on Facebook and called me over to watch it too. “This video just makes me wish we lived in a bigger home closer to downtown,” something I never thought I would hear from him. “I know just the house,” I said and I showed him the listing.  He couldn’t believe that it had central air and updated electrical and plumbing and told me to call our agent right away. All of the stars aligned and this beautiful old Victorian became ours! 

I am OBSESSED with the front porch, it’s a wrap around and my favorite part of the house. So much of the original architecture of the home has been preserved, like the Butler’s Pantry ( I was literally in tears when I saw it the first time we toured the house!), the hardwood floors and the crown molding and pillars.  I LOVE having a formal dining room and the original chandelier gives it a touch that makes entertaining and family dinners just a little more elegant.  We have plans for eventually updating the bathrooms and finishing the third floor.

I love that our neighborhood is just steps from Crandall Park and Kensington Elementary. I always dreamed of being able to walk to school as a kid and during non-COVID times I love walking with my kids to and from school. During the height of COVID, the boys and I did as much home schooling as we could on the front porch so that we could say hello to everyone as they walked by - it helped to make it a little less lonely for them.

My favorite thing about Glens Falls is being able to walk pretty much everywhere.  I love taking walks and bike rides all over the city taking in the beauty of all of the historic homes and beautiful architecture.

A Perfect Glens Falls Day

My perfect day in Glens Falls starts with journaling on my front porch, followed by a jog around Crandall Park. Then, the family and I would ride our bikes to the Farmer’s Market and I’d have to get some Hazelnut Coffee and a breakfast sandwich from Fresh ADK. In a post-COVID world we’d be at the Glens Falls Little League fields watching our boys and our nephews play. After baseball we’d treat the boys to Rob and Deb’s Frozen Dreams for ice cream - let’s be honest, it’s a treat for us adults too! We’d end the day by having a date night at our favorite restaurant, Morgan and Co. We love eating there on special occasions and I start every meal there with the Charleston She Crab soup.

On the Past

My favorite Glens Falls memory takes place at Crandall Library. I went there as a new mom, not knowing many other new moms in the area. Sitting on little squares of carpet, listening to stories and playing baby games, I met my Mama Tribe. Having a close knit group of friends has made living far from home more enjoyable and thanks to them and our incredible community, I can’t see myself wanting to leave this beautiful little city! I’m so grateful to the library!

On the Future

If I could wave a magic wand and bring something new to the city it would be a bookstore and a place for dessert downtown. I love books and growing up, bookstores were my favorite. I’d love for my kids to have that bookstore experience right here downtown. And since the Chocolate Mill has closed (I’m still grieving that one!), I’d love to see a specialty bake shop that stays open later into the evening to make dessert a separate excursion after dinner.

By the Way…

If you can’t tell, my home is a huge passion of mine! I have been sharing sneak peeks and photos of it on my instagram @melissajwilkinson. If you’d like to see more about what I do or what I’ve published, you can check out my site: anchoredwithpurpose.com. 

Special thanks to The Julie Snyder Team - Howard Hanna Real Estate Services for helping to make this series possible!

What a wild ride this year has been to say the least! The real estate market in our area has been one of the hottest markets ever and houses are moving fast. If selling or buying a home is in your future, it’s important to have someone you can trust with the process. Julie and her team have the perfect balance of experience and integrity to help their clients safely navigate these rapidly changing times. Contact The Julie Snyder Team here for all your real estate needs! 

Thanks for supporting the businesses that support Glens Falls Living.

Summer in Glens Falls

Greetings from Glens Falls! It’s summer in Hometown USA and there’s no place else we’d rather be. Neighbors gather on their front porches, couples bike to the Saturday Farmers Market, and families picnic in City Park. Summer nights are spent walking downtown, enjoying drinks on the patios of favorite restaurants, and listening to the sounds of live music floating through the air from different venues in the city. It’s summer Americana at its finest - and this summer, we’d love it if you joined us! We’ve put together a list of some of our favorites, and hope you’ll make the trip to Glens Falls this summer to eat, drink, shop, and play in Hometown USA. Off we go!

Please help us keep our community healthy and open for business. When visiting, please maintain social distance, wear a mask, and follow local guidelines. Thank you! See you soon!

Extra! Extra! We’re excited to have partnered with Manchester Media to offer this guide in print as part of their annual Summer Guide! Over 10,000 copies of this free publication are on newstands throughout Washington County, the VT Lakes Region and Glens Falls. Thank you to our friends at Manchester Media!

COFFEE + BREAKFAST

Spot Coffee: You canʼt go wrong with a coffee from Spot, best enjoyed on the little bistro tables set up out front. We love walking down here first thing in the morning on weekends and watching the city wake up. • spotcoffee.com

Strolling to Spot Coffee

Fresh ADK: A weekend favorite, we love grabbing breakfast on their sidewalk patio after the Farmers Market. Tons of vegan, vegetarian, and gluten free options make this a hit for everyone. • freshadk.com

Juicin’ Jar: Perfect for a grab-and-go juice or smoothie, or stick around on their sweet patio for a fresh summer salad. Our top picks: the Berry Bliss Smoothie and every last one of their cookies and muffins - delish! • juicinjar.com

Kelly's Roots: Their covered patio is a perfect place to relax on weekends with a smoothie or açaí bowl and just maybe some blueberry pancakes on the side. • kellysrootscafe.com

Kelly’s Roots / Juicin’ Jar

Spektor: A great coffee spot with a warm, cozy atmosphere. Donʼt leave without a taste of every- oneʼs favorite - the Avocado Smash! • spektorcoffee.com

Rachel’s Cafe & Spice Company: Come for the spices, stay for breakfast (and a malasada!). • rachelsspicecompany.com

In the mood for a great diner? Try local favorites Sam’s Diner and “Poopie’s” DiManno’s Lunch! • poopiedimannos.com

LUNCH + DINNER

Summer at Morgan and Company Restaurant

Morgan and Company: Between their beautiful hardwood porch and their stone patio surrounded by blooms, you just can't beat this summer atmosphere! Not to mention seasonal menu staples like lobster rolls and fried chicken - delicious. • morganrestaurant.com 

Drinks on the Park Patio at The Queensbury Hotel

Park Patio & Courtyard at The Queensbury Hotel: Overlooking beautiful City Park, this is a great spot to eat, drink, and relax in the evening while enjoying their outdoor fire pits. Don't miss the Park Patio Summer Music Series on Wednesdays from 4-8pm • thequeensburyhotel.com 

A peek into the patio at Doc’s Restaurant

Doc’s Restaurant: A delightful patio, complete with string lights overhead and live music in the air - Docʼs feels like a private oasis in the little city. Light summer salads and fresh fish are among our favorites here. • docsgf.com

[farmacy]: With the Chefʼs friendly faces waving you in through the window from their open kitchen, youʼll love the atmosphere here as much as the awesome food. With an ever changing menu, we always leave with a new favorite. • farmacygf.com

Radici: Home to our favorite summer salad (the beefsteak tomato and avocado salad!), you canʼt go wrong here with a fantastic variety of small plates and amazing homemade pasta. • radicikitchen.com

[farmacy] / Radici

Talk of the Town: If youʼre in the mood for pizza, this is the place. A hometown favorite! talkofthetownpizzeria.com 

Downtown City Tavern: A go-to for pizza and benders, DTCT is also a favorite spot for craft beer. You're sure to find a brew that fits the bill from their huge selection. Bonus points for their sunny patio! And check out their sister restaurant, Downtown Social! • downtowncitytavern.com

Gourmet Cafe: Creative cuisine in a relazed atmoshpere with outdoor seating. If you like fine food and wine and a great “Pasta Night”, this is for you! downtowngourmet.com

Davidson Brothers: With a charming outdoor seating area on Glen and Exchange Streets with string lights hanging above and live music playing, Davidsons is a city staple. Grab a table on the Glen Street side and watch the world go by. • davidsonbrothers.com

Craft on 9: With an amazing selection of craft beer and cocktails and new sidewalk seating, youʼll love their summer staples - burgers, bbq sandwiches, and steaks. • crafton9.com

Davidson Brothers / Craft on 9

Raul's: Overlooking the circle downtown, Raul's has a prime sidewalk patio and the very best margaritas, chips and guac. Cheers! • raulsmexicangrill.com

Siam Thai Sushi: A go to for - you guessed it - sushi! Their namesake, Siam Thai, is always a crowd pleaser. • siamthaisushi.com

Cooper’s Cave: Craft beer, great food, and ice cream, right on the bike path. • cooperscaveale.com

If youʼre looking for great vegan options, be sure to check out Rock Hill Bakehouse & Cafe and Birch Bark Eatery! • rockhillbakehousecafe.com • birchbarkeatery.com

SWEETS

Ice Cream Window at Cooper’s Cave

Cooper’s Cave: Situated on the Warren County Bikeway, Cooperʼs Cave is a great spot to pedal for ice cream on a summer day. Grab a scoop of their homemade hard ice cream and relax under shade trees before biking home. The perfect afternoon treat! • cooperscaveale.com

Frozen Dreams: A favorite for soft ice cream in the city, their flavor calendar is always on our radar! Chocolate/peanut butter twist and raspberry chocolate twist are high on the list of family summer must haves. • frozendreams.com

Common Roots / Mean Max

Mean Max: Specializing in richly crafted handmade ales and lagers, Mean Max has an awesome patio space right on Glen Street - grab takeout from your favorite restaurant and enjoy a brew or two with a view. • meanmaxbrew.com

Common Roots: Just over the river in SGF, Common Roots is readying to open at their newly rebuilt facility as we write this. Stay tuned for updates on their site - we canʼt wait to enjoy one of our favorite drafts in their amazing new space! • commonrootsbrewing.com

Bullpen Tavern: A local favorite, The Bullpen has a sports bar atmosphere along with a full menu - you wonʼt want to miss their award winning wings! • thebullpentavern.com

Cooper’s Cave: Craft beer, great food, and ice cream, right on the bike path. • cooperscaveale.com

Covid has thrown our usual events for a loop, but keep an eye out for our Weekender posts every Thursday - we detail a few fun things you may want to add to your weekend agenda!

Summer Events: Take a Bite, a favorite summer event, has been canceled this year, but be sure to stay tuned to the Glens Falls Collaborative for the latest on any event updates. The Food Truck Corral at The Shirt Factory from 4:30-8pm is on hold until further notice - check their site for updates. And on Saturday morning, you can bet you'll find us browsing at the Farmers Market in the Pavilion downtown, which runs from 8am - noon.

Warren County Bikeway: Stretching from downtown Glens Falls all the way to Lake George, the bikeway is the perfect place to pedal in the summertime. Donʼt forget to stop off for an ice cream at Cooperʼs Cave!

Picnic in the Park: With an increase in restaurants offering takeout, itʼs the perfect time to take your meal to go for a picnic in the park - our favorites: City Park near the gazebo or Crandall Park near the pond.

Enjoy the Arts: Things are changing quickly with re-opening, so check out each of these venues for the latest on any in-person summer events:

• World Awareness Children’s Museum: Offering summer camp and programming for the kiddos - worldchildrensmuseum.org

• The Folk Life Center at Crandall Library: View their award-winning program and celbrating cultural traditions here and their amazing Youtube channel here.

• Chapman Museum: View their collection online at chapmanmuseum.org

• Hyde Collection: Current exhibits are online at hydecollection.org

• Adirondack Theatre Festival: View performances from years past online via ATF On Demand: atfestival.org

• The Park Theater: Concerts, performances, and more - for the latest, go to parktheatergf.com

• The Wood Theater: For updates on shows and local artists, go to woodtheater.org

• For more info on Glens Falls arts, visit artsdistrictofglensfalls.com

Take a Stroll: Wander the charming sidewalked neighborhoods near Crandall Park, or admire the architecture of the old lumber baronʼs mansions lining the streets downtown. For a walk in the woods try the trails in Crandall Park or Coleʼs Woods!

Where to begin? Head to Rude Betty for unique finds and gifts from favorites like Beekman 1802, Fountain Square Outfitters for Patagonia and outdoor gear, Minky Mink for curated fashion favorites like Free People and Hudson Jeans, Whisper Boutique for affordable fashion + accessories, and Lake George Olive Oil for the very best - you guessed it - olive oil and vinegar. Check out The Shirt Factory and LARAC Shop for the best from local artists, Milk + Honey for casual clothing and accessories, Finders Keepers for consignment finds, Brows by Nikari and 518 Beauty Room, and Studio Elements for all of your beauty needs, Northeastern Fine Jewelry, and so much more!

If you’re interested in learning even more about our beautiful city, please drop by our City’s website by clicking here. Thanks again for helping our community stay healthy and open for business by staying socially distant, wearing a mask, and following all local guidelines. Hope to see you soon!