My Glens Falls: Jordan Cleavland

This week, we’re chatting with Jordan Cleavland, who you’ll likely recognize from Baked by Jordan! She shares the details on the renovation of their first home in Glens Falls, her go to lunch and dinner in the city, and some exciting news for her family come fall!

Hi! My name is Jordan Cleavland. I am the owner of Baked by Jordan. I spend most of my time baking yummy cupcakes out of Kelly’s Roots where my cupcakes are available to purchase weekly! I have perfected some of the most unique cupcake flavors over the last 6 years and have been a part of so many special celebrations. My favorite flavor? Funfetti Cookie Dough.

When I am not covered in buttercream and sprinkles, I am a part time pediatric dental assistant at The Pediatric Dental Group of New York located on Broad Street in Glens Falls. I’ve worked alongside the kindest doctors and staff for 2.5 years. Flossing everyday really is that important.

I have been married to the most driven and supportive husband for the last 4 years and we have a 12 year old chocolate lab named Gunner who is simply the very best.

On Life in Glens Falls

I grew up in South Glens Falls and my husband Scott grew up in Glens Falls. When Scott returned home after a year long deployment to Iraq in 2016 we knew it was time to plant some roots of our own. We wanted a place to call our home. Scott and I purchased a two-family home in Glens Falls from our best friend who was looking to sell. We decided to call the main first level home and we rented out the upstairs apartment to one of my lifelong friends. Living with your fiancé and dog and having your best friend just a flight of outside stairs away is the literal dream!

Scott and I quickly got to work renovating the entire first floor. With Scott having the muscles and knowledge and I having the creativity and a vision we make a pretty great team. We tackled gutting the kitchen, adding new flooring, and painting until our hands cramped. Tips for surviving a renovation include: take out, living less than a mile from Lowes and understanding that Chip and Joanna Gaines have an entire crew working beside them. And when things get really hard and messy, it’s ok to call Mom and Dad for help. My Dad is so patient and handy and my Mom brings the humor, snacks and magic erasers. We are very lucky.

As the weather got warmer, we moved the projects outside, where we added a fence, some beautiful landscaping and my very first garden. Gardening has turned into one of my favorite hobbies and Gunner is always close by laying in the shady grass keeping watch on the neighborhood. Something about the soil in Glens Falls makes for the prettiest and biggest blooms!

Our first home in Glens Falls holds some of our most cherished memories. I got ready for our wedding in that house and it was the home that we hosted our first Thanksgiving dinner in at the dining room table that Scott and I built together.

We now rent out both floors of our beloved first home in Glens Falls to close friends.

In January of 2020 Scott and I purchased our dream home in South Glens Falls. We still spend our time working on house projects, with our most current and favorite project being a nursery for our sweet baby girl due early this fall. 

A Perfect Glens Falls Day

Let me describe to you my perfect day spent in Glens Falls. First stop is grabbing two Lavender Lemonades at Spot Coffee. One Lavender Lemonade for myself and one for my gal Emily Heym at En Pointe Hair Studio who is about to work her magic on my long blonde hair.

Hair is in two french braids and it is time to put on my apron to set up a beautiful cupcake wedding display at one of my favorite local venues, The Queensbury Hotel.

After I have every cupcake placed perfectly on display and the beautiful florals are on the cake it is time to re fuel. The Aloha Smoothie Bowl (no banana please) from Kelly’s Roots is screaming my name.

Right around the corner from Kelly’s Roots is Rosewood Studio where I would spend the rest of the afternoon adding more ink to my floral tattoo from Glen Underwood.

Take out from Siam Thai is Scott and I’s favorite go to dinner option. Give us all the crab ragoons!

The evening ends in a round of darts at Mean Max and a quick stop at Cooper’s Cave Ice Cream window and we are home and sharing a vanilla cone with rainbow sprinkles with Gunner all before 8pm.

My Glens Falls: Paul Phillips

In advance of SUNY Adirondack’s Summer Enrichment Program (a perfect summer activity for students entering grades 4 - 10!), we chatted with Paul Phillips about his experience teaching in the program, what he’s up to when not in the classroom, which classic Glens Falls restaurants are his favorite, and more…

Tell us about yourself!

I have been an Instructor in the Summer Enrichment Program at SUNY Adirondack for 32 summers. It is my favorite place to teach. I have been teaching a mock trial course entitled "Mystery Solved" in which students take on roles of judges, witnesses, suspects, and attorneys for so long, that I recently taught a student whose mother was a student in one of the early incarnations of the course. We have been solving these literary and historical mysteries for about 30 of my summers there. I am retired from WSWHE BOCES, but I still do occasional enrichment courses for them, and I have been doing special courses for Saratoga Library under the heading of "Bizarre Science" for several years as well.

[Editors Note: To find out more about the Summer Enrichment Program for students entering grades 4-10, or to sign up, click here!]

When not teaching, I enjoy reading, especially in science periodicals and classic literature. I also play the guitar and compose songs. I am anxious to return from the world of virtual teaching to live teaching, especially for SUNY Adirondack. We have been unable to conduct my video production course, "Lights, Camera, Action" for the past two summers due to the pandemic.

On Life In and Around Glens Falls

Prior to my teaching career, I worked at Health and Human Services for a number of years, and following my training in Albany, I was assigned to the Glens Falls District Office. It was my first choice for geographic areas, though I was initially told that few people get their first selection. This was back in the 1970's. I met my wife, who is a Queensbury native, after moving up to to the area, and we have been married since 1982. We own a home in Queensbury, not far from West Mountain. We purchased the land and had a home built amid the lovely pines.

Some Glens Falls Favorites

My wife and I love history, art, and architecture and thoroughly enjoy The Chapman Museum, The Hyde Collection and the variety of excellent antique stores in the area, especially Glenwood Manor. We have also enjoyed and personally promoted the area's connection to The French and Indian War. In fact, I have taught a course entitled "The French and Indian War in My Backyard" which helpes extoll the virtues of Cooper's Cave, Fort Edward, Lake George, Fort Ticonderoga and Crown Point. I encourage friends, relatives and my students to tour each of these important sites that we are blessed to have.

A Perfect Glens Falls Day

My wife and I are foodies who enjoy the wonderful area restaurants and count The Harvest, The Talk of The Town, and Queen of Harts among our favorites. I have a very unconventional version of the perfect day in the Glens Falls area. I choose that long-time favorite of students and teachers alike - the snow day! It begins with the news of a day off as we watch the snow pile up on our trees surrounding our home. Then after the roads clear up, it is out to lunch at New Way Lunch or Steve's Place. Afterwards, a walk along the by now navigable downtown streets, and then home in time to watch the snow cascading beautifully from the burdened pines in our back yard. It is a quiet, serene magnificence.

On the Past

I miss several wonderful memories of Glens Falls, including Young's Restaurant and their remarkable Chinese food, and of course, the charming Empire Theatre. However, what I miss most is the two Double-A baseball teams we once enjoyed, the Glens Falls White Sox and the Glens Falls Tigers. I remember bringing our daughter to the games at East Field, and rooting for many of the stars who made it to the Major Leagues, including Ron Kittle and John Smoltz. Those games had a hometown feel that it is impossible to replicate.

On the Future

I would certainly like to see the return of classic music shows to the Civic Center, and an organized group to effectively and specifically promote the rich 18th century historical legacy of the area. We need to reinforce an interest in the rich historical tapestry that is the Glens Falls area.

The Weekender: July 2 - July 4

Happy weekend and Happy 4th! Summer is in full swing and with June behind us already we’re savoring every minute. Hope your holiday weekend is filled with lots of good old fashioned backyard barbecues, and here are a few other things that you might want to add to the calendar…

Summer Concert Series: The Park Theater’s inaugural weekly summer concert series at the Crandall Park Bandshell kicks off tomorrow night (Friday, July 2) at 7pm with Let’s Be Leonard. Fingers crossed that the rain holds off! Get the details here.

4th of July Fireworks: No fireworks in Crandall Park this holiday weekend, but fear not! You can find them at Six Flags, in Lake George Village, and at the Washington County Fairgrounds, to name a few!

Take a Bite: Save the Date! One of everyone’s favorite downtown events, Take a Bite, is back this Wednesday July 7th. Mark your calendar and bring your appetite! Details here.

Family Theatre Series: Another one to mark your calendar for - the Glens Falls Community Theater is presenting a free family theatre series starting this Tuesday, July 6 at the Crandall Park Bandshell. Food trucks, too! Get the scoop here.

Have a great weekend!
Bri + Tom

The Weekender: June 25 - 27

Happy Summer!! Ready for the weekend? We are! Hoping to fill it with fresh picked berries, a good book, a little gardening, and of course, a stroll downtown for dinner. Here are a few other things that caught our eye:

Concert Series in the Park: Not this weekend, but you’ll want to mark your calendars for this one! The Park Theater just announced its inaugural weekly summer concert series at the Crandall Park Bandshell each Friday evening in July from 7-8:30pm - and it starts next Friday, July 2 (we’ll remind you next week of course, but save the date!). Details here.

Splash Pad: Speaking of Crandall Park, have you and the kiddos been to the new Splash Pad yet? It’s going to be hot on Sunday, so that might be the perfect afternoon activity! It’s open on weekends from 11:30am-1pm, 2-3:30pm, and 5-6:30pm, and will be open weekdays starting next week - stay tuned to their Facebook page here for the latest updates on hours!

Dinner and a Show: Have you ever attended a lunch or dinner at Dancing Ewe Farm? It’s been on our summer to do list for a while now, and this Saturday’s dinner has the bonus of a performance by the Glens Falls Symphony! Not hungry? You can purchase tickets for the show only (which, by the way, will be in their gorgeous field at sunset!). Details and tickets here.

Great 8: Did you catch our story on the Wilton Wildlife Preserve this week? With the beautiful weather in the forecast, we might just get a head start on the Great 8 Trail Challenge - details here!

Have a great weekend!
Bri + Tom

On the Trail: Wilton Wildlife Preserve

For more than 25 years, the folks at the Wilton Wildlife Preserve and Park have been dedicated to three things: protecting the endangered Karner blue butterfly, educating the public on environmental conservation, and getting people outside to enjoy nature.

“We would like people to get out to see all of the things we have to offer, and not just the Karner blue butterflies,” says Tori Herkalo, the Preserve’s education coordinator.

Camp Saratoga Blue Trail at Wilton Wildlife Preserve • Photo: Nicholas Chowske

The Karner blue butterfly was federally listed as endangered in 1992, and the Wilton Wildlife Preserve was founded shortly after as a non-profit organization tasked with conserving the land it lives on. Since then, the Preserve has blossomed into an outdoor education and recreation hotspot and has a number of recreation opportunities for people of all ages. 

With more than 25 miles of trails, they have become a destination for local hikers and trail runners. “It’s mostly hiking, but we do have mountain biking at the Kalabus-Perry parcel, and that’s become very popular out there,” Herkalo says. For people interested in trying snowshoeing or cross-country skiing for the first time, the Preserve offers equipment rentals at their Camp Saratoga parking area. 

Camp Saratoga • Photo: Nicholas Chowske

“We also encourage people to do our Great 8 Trail Challenge, as well,” Herkalo says. In the spirit of the Adirondack 46ers and Lake George 12sters, people who complete the challenge by hiking all eight of the Preserve’s trails can receive a special Great 8 trail patch. “It shows the variety of trails that we have at Wilton Wildlife,” she says. “Although we are a part of the Saratoga sand plains ecosystem, the habitats on each trail are vastly different, so we encourage everybody to see each one - you can finish it all in one day, or you could spread it out over the course of the entire summer.”

Conservation and education are a major part of what goes on at the Preserve. “We do a lot of educational programming, which is mostly free,” Herkalo says. Each week, the Preserve offers programs aimed at getting kids outside to explore nature. In addition to their Pre-K Nature Hour and Nature Craft Hour, they also feature a Pond Discovery Hour every Friday at the Perserve’s Delegan Pond. “We have kids get outdoors and look into the pond to see if they can find any critters,” she says. “We’re encouraging people to get their hands dirty and dig through the muck of the pond to find tadpoles, frogs, turtles, salamanders, crayfish, and things like that.”

A Karner blue butterfly at the Wilton Wildlife Preserve • Photo: Nicholas Chowske

One of their more popular programs in the summer months are the Karner blue butterfly walks. “Right now, we are at the peak of our Karner blue butterfly season, and that is probably about our busiest time of year,” Herkalo says. “We’re doing school field trips and public programs - getting everybody at the preserve to see that there’s an endangered species right in our backyard - not in Africa or Asia, but impacting us right here.”

While recreation and education have become mainstays of the Preserve, their primary goal is protecting the Karner blue butterfly. “Karners are in the areas that are good for the wild blue lupine, which is the only thing the caterpillars eat,” says Kathleen O'Brien, wildlife biologist and herp and invertebrate unit leader with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. “So, they are tied to that plant, and that plant is tied to well-drained, mainly sandy areas with lots of sun.” 

The Wilton Wildlife Preserve partners with three different land owners - New York State, Saratoga County and the Town of Wilton - to manage what is known as the Saratoga sand plains ecosystem. This ecosystem, known for its loose, sandy soils, developed thousands of years ago when the last glaciers melted and deposited tons of sediment. “We were left with this big area of sand, and it blew into dunes and eventually got covered in plants that are able to live in very dry areas,” O’Brien says. These dry areas were prone to fires, which kept larger plants and trees from dominating the blue lupine plant. “Lupine is very adapted to fire, and it’s dependent on fire to keep things from encroaching into it and taking over,” she says.

As people began to move in, develop these areas and avoid fires, the lupine began to die out, and with it, the Karner blue butterfly. “Karner blues became confined to smaller and smaller areas, so they grew endangered,” O’Brien says. “They were just in places where, accidentally, human management was keeping land open, like a powerline or the back of somebody’s property where they would go once in a while with a mower because they wanted to keep the trees out.” 

Photo: Nicholas Chowske

Since 1994, shortly after the Karner blue was added to the endangered species list, a team of dedicated conservationists, biologists and volunteers has been restoring the ecosystem to what it once was. “We’re taking out the competing trees that would not normally have been there, and replanting lots and lots of blue lupine and grasses, and in some cases a lot of the nectar species that the butterflies use,” O’Brien says. “When we started doing our management, we went from little scattered places to big open tracts of good habitat, and so the population has responded well to that, as did their cousins, the frosted elfins, which are threatened, and also feed on lupine.” 

The Wilton Wildlife Preserve is now home to a number of endangered and threatened species, including the frosted elfin butterfly, eastern hognose snake, and eastern spadefoot toad, all of whom rely on the loose, sandy soils of the sand plains to survive. 

The Preserve works closely with the DEC in assisting with their conservation efforts, and relies heavily on its volunteers to do so. “We have a large volunteer corps, and we’re always accepting new volunteers to get involved,” Herkalo says. “Some of it’s conservation work, and some of it’s assisting us with educational programs, but we wouldn’t be able to operate without our volunteer base - it just wouldn’t be possible - so we’re grateful for them.”

Karner blue butterfly • Photo: Nicholas Chowske

Everyone’s efforts have been paying off for the little blue butterfly, as their populations continue to soar. “I think they’re doing really well because we do see them all the time on the trails,” Herkalo says. “If people come on our butterfly hikes, they’ll end up landing on people just from walking on the trails and being a little bit sticky and a little bit sweaty, they really enjoy that, so we see plenty of them here.” Although the first brood of Karners has already hatched, it’s not too late to catch them, as there will be a second hatching in the beginning of July. 

Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park
Website / Facebook / Instagram

My Glens Falls: Emily Gaul

This week, we’re chatting with Emily Gaul! She shares what brought her to Glens Falls after traveling the world, a bit of 1950’s family history that ties her to the city, what she loves about about her old home (and the tree in her backyard that she nominated for the Rockefeller Christmas tree!), and more…

Tell us about yourself!

My name is Emily and I’ve lived in Glens Falls for the past three years. I was born in upstate NY and we moved to Wisconsin when I was five years old. I lived, and went to college in Wisconsin. I loved my liberal arts education at Beloit College and my masters program at Loyola University Chicago. Both of these experiences have really shaped how I think about the world and my approach to life and, for that, I’m very thankful. I’ve traveled and worked all over the world – from Botswana to India to New Zealand to Japan, but have always found fun in small towns. I lived in Chicago for nearly 10 years and really embraced city living – so many restaurants, public transport and a buzzing city. But, I always knew that I wanted to put roots down in a small town, so here I am in Glens Falls! 

I work at Skidmore College in the study abroad office. I’ve been working in international education for almost 14 years and I really enjoy connecting to students, faculty and international partners. 

I’m also a Birth and Postpartum doula, ADK Doula, and I teach childbirth education classes. I love that I’m able to support families through such an amazing point of their lives! I work with families leading up to their births so that everyone is as prepared and educated as possible for birth. I go by the philosophy “expect the unexpected” because giving birth will never go as ‘planned’! I’ve been doing one-on-one childbirth prep for couples here in Glens Falls and the greater area. I’m passionate about normalizing the ups and downs of postpartum and being able to provide support during that time. A postpartum doula like myself can provide a different type of support from family members and I’d highly recommend looking to hire a doula (there are lots of us in the region!) if you are expecting as doulas can very much enhance your birthing experience!

These two roles are very very different but the one thing they have in common is the emphasis on patience and flexibility!

On Life In and Around Glens Falls

I remember my first visit to Glens Falls. My friend and I were having a beer at Common Roots and I started talking to the couple next to me, Vrushali and Mat. They had just recently relocated to Glens Falls, too, so we were both trying to make friends and establish a community. Spending time with them, and meeting other friends through them, gave me the idea of moving here and buying a house (I was living down in Saratoga). I found Glens Falls incredibly affordable with a lovely little downtown, so it was a good fit. 

Now that I’m here, it’s home. I enjoy when I have out-of-town visitors and am able to show them all the wonderful outdoor activities within a very short drive of home. In the summer, it’s been nice to strap my kayak on my car and drive 10 minutes to get to the lake or a river and be out on the water so easily. Or, drive a few minutes to hike a mountain! We are really fortunate to live in a place that has such accessible outdoor fun! 

When I was looking to buy a house, I wanted an old home with character but I knew I didn’t have the passion to do a lot of work to an older home. I looked at many places before I walked into my current home on Harrison Ave. The minute I walked in and saw the old staircase and built in china cabinet I knew this was my home! The added bonus was that it had recently been updated so was move-in ready! I put an offer in and about twenty minutes later, my realtor called to tell me they accepted my offer! I’ve done a lot of work on the outside - planting perennial and vegetable gardens and it got a whole new paint job last fall, so it really does feel like my own. I also have a gigantic pine tree in my back yard that shades my house and keeps it cool during the summer. I’ve nominated it twice for the Rockefeller Christmas tree and am still waiting for a call back but it might be too big! 

I’m a lover of houseplants – I have over 100 inside my home and my house gets great light for those plant babies! After living in apartments for most of my adult life, it’s been nice to have a place of my own to display all of my treasures from my travels abroad. I would say that my house reflects me perfectly!

I love my front porch and am constantly meeting and chatting with people in the neighborhood when I sit out there. It gets great evening sun and I enjoy hosting little ‘porch parties’ with my friends and family! 

I live just south of Crandall Park and it’s so quiet and peaceful. All of my neighbors are so friendly and helpful. It’s really been a saving grace during the pandemic because I was able to socialize outside with my neighbors and we help each other out. I’m thankful for their friendship, too! 

Some Glens Falls Favorites

There are so many great walking trails within a few minutes of my house! During lunch, I try to always fit in a walk with a friend – either around the neighborhood or one of the close trails like Rush Pond, Feeder Canal Trail or Coles Woods. It’s one of my favorite parts of the day!

We also have an awesome library which I frequent each at least once a week to browse. And some pretty amazing woman owned health and beauty businesses! It’s nice that we have so many quality options for massages, facials and more!

A Perfect Glens Falls Day

I love weeknights in Glens Falls, especially in the summer. There is always something to do. I like going to the Shirt Factory food truck event on Thursdays and then my friends and I enjoy the porch at Lawrence St. Tavern. I also like to go to Raul’s happy hour! I’m looking forward to the Take-A-Bite downtown event, Friday night concerts at Crandall Pavilion and also the Monday night workouts at the pavilion! 

On the Past

Although I am newish to the area, I have family history in the area. My great-grandfather was a doctor and they lived in Fort Ann. In the 1950’s, on his nights off, he and my great-grandmother, Lillian, would get all dressed up and come to the Queensbury Hotel for drinks and dinner. Whenever I visit the hotel, I think about that!  And, my grandmother worked at the insurance company downtown early in her career. She also knew all the streets in Glens Falls so anytime I talked about a place, she knew what street it was on! 

On the Future

I would love if Glens Falls was able to support a co-op store! I cook a ton so having a local place to buy bulk spices and grains would be a dream!  My friends and I also have talked about our dream of having a garden nursery with small beer garden in the middle of it so you could browse plants and flowers while enjoying a local beverage! I love spaces that are created out of old material or a spot that is rehabbed to show its original character. Downtown Glens Falls as so many cool spaces! Having either a co-op or beer garden made out of old shipping containers would be pretty neat, too!

The Weekender: June 18 - 20

Happy weekend, and Happy Father’s Day! Hope your weekend agenda is filled with plans with friends and family, and here are a few other ideas…

Summer Reading: We just saw that another Little Free Library popped up on the corner of Crandall and Lincoln in Glens Falls! If you’re in the market for some summer reading (or you’d like to drop one off for someone to borrow!), check out their Instagram for details here.

P.S. If you have a Little Library in Glens Falls or know someone who does, shoot us a note at hello@glensfallsliving.com so we can get in touch with you for a future feature!

Strawberry Picking: It’s time! U-pick is happening now at Hand Melon Farm in Greenwich, Ariel’s Farm in Gansevoort, and Yoleberry Farms in Fort Ann. Strawberry shortcake, please!

Island Picnic: We celebrated Bri’s birthday this past weekend with a favorite tradition - a cruise out to Speaker Heck Island on Lake George for a few hours of sipping rosé and a picnic lunch. No boat, no problem - highly recommend our pal Captain Ron from Love is on Lake George Cruises for a water taxi or custom cruises - grab his details here!

Jeep Invasion: We’re a Jeep family, so we were psyched to see the ADK Jeep Invasion on the calendar. Most of the event is for ticket holders only, but there’s a Show and Shine on Saturday night from 6-9pm at Charles Wood Park that’s open to the public. If only we could get our old Wagoneer up and running in time! Details here.

Have a great weekend!
Bri + Tom

'Insane' Real Estate Market Rolls On

The local real estate market is “insane,” says local realtor Julie Snyder of Howard Hanna Real Estate.

“The prices are just crazy,” Ms. Snyder told Glens Falls Living.

She recently listed a 1,650-square-foot home in Moreau “in the $300,000 range” with three bedrooms and 1.5 bathrooms on a Friday. Offers started almost immediately. There were 62 showings, limited to 15 minutes each, from Friday afternoon to midday Sunday. After requesting the “best and final” offers Sunday afternoon, the sellers received 21 offers, all over asking price, and sold the house for $60,000 above asking price.

American flags line a charming Glens Falls street (…and nope! These homes aren’t for sale!) • Photo: Bri Lyons

———

Jen Ball of Hunt Real Estate says “the market is sheer insanity. Every listing is a dogfight. Agents are busy if you have listings or buyers, but it’s hard for anyone who doesn’t have cash or a conventional mortgage.”

She said 95% of her sales have multiple offers and sell for more than the asking price, echoing similar comments from Ms. Snyder and Angela Cugini-Girard of Howard Hanna.

———

Numbers from the Multiple Listing Service show the average sale price in Warren County is up 7% this year, compared to last year’s figures. In the first five months of 2020, the average Warren County sale price was $293,147. During the same period this year, the average sale price is $315,037.

Not only is the average price up, but the number of sales is up 45%, from 265 sold in the first five months last year to 385 sold this year through the end of May, according to MLS figures.

———

“We’re in a bubble market,” Mrs. Cugini-Girard said. “You can’t sustain these numbers.” She said 40% of her buyers are from out of the area, “New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts. Many of them are on two-year plans to get out of their current home, and a lot are working remotely now.

“I’ve never seen anything like this…I’ve never worked this hard in 20 years. It’s insane. It’s also a little disheartening because local, hard-working people can’t compete with these other buyers. They can’t afford the prices. I just tell them to ride the wave and wait.

“Buyers have to remain calm. You’re not going to get a deal right now, and you may not get the first or second or third house you want.”

———

Ms. Snyder said some buyers are waiving inspections, and “escalator clauses” are common where buyers say they will pay a set amount more than the highest offer.

“I’m not finding a lot of buyers from the City moving up here because of COVID,” she said. “I have a lot of local clients. I have clients who sold their house last August, and they are still renting because there’s nothing out there. Sellers have to have a place to move.

“This is not a bubble. There are so many buyers, but they will eventually find houses. This has always been an area with decent prices. It’s just starting to catch up with other areas… We just need listings.”

How can someone put themselves in the best position to buy a home in this market?

“Work with an experienced agent,” Ms. Snyder said. “Be pre-approved for a loan, or pre-qualified even better. Have nothing to sell, have a good down payment, and have enough for closing costs.

“It’s a very tough market for first-time home buyers. There are a lot of cash offers. Cash is still king and always will be. Cash offers are nice. They don’t require an appraisal, which isn’t a problem because [comparable sales] are out there.

“For sellers, the house needs to be in top shape and not need a ton of work. It’s still a very strong sellers’ market, but it’s leveling out a little. More inventory is coming on the market.”

———

Ms. Ball said “we’re in a wave, not a bubble. It’s a long wave. It will level itself out at some point. Right now, demand is so high and inventory is so low, and there are more buyers than homes for sale. And if you see something on the market for two weeks or more, it’s likely overpriced or needs serious work.”

Her advice for potential buyers is to “get qualified for a conventional mortgage, have a fair amount for your down payment, be available to see the house when it’s available, and go heavy and go strong. Do not hesitate to make an offer.”

———

Mrs. Cugini-Girard's advice?

“Try to go conventional financing,” she said. “The buyer has more skin in the game, and the appraisal process is less stringent.”

LAKEFRONT PROPERTY REMAINS HOT, TOO

Lakefront property continues to sell, with the pace quickening as the pandemic eases.

“The market is very strong,” said Dan Davies of Davies-Davies & Associates. “There’s still a lack of inventory, but I do think inventory is going to come on here soon. There’s still a lot of pent-up demand.”

Valerie Erceg of Davies-Davies said the majority of her customers are from New Jersey, Westchester and New York City, and almost all of her sales come with multiple offers and sell above asking price.

“Inventory is at historically low levels,” she said.

Mr. Davies said demand on Lake George is up “across the board. There is tremendous rental demand, tremendous demand for homes. The lake is going to be the busiest it has ever been by far. If you talk to any hotel or motel owners, they will tell you the same thing. The issue is, can we accommodate all of the visitors.”

New Addition: Elselina Alice Meijer

We got to know Amy Troelstra Meijer in a My Glens Falls story last month, and this month, we’re thrilled to share her family’s newest addition - Elselina! Hear about the significance behind her beautiful name, the way Amy shared the news with her husband Lodewiek, and more below…

Photo: Nicole Starr Photography

Tell us about your family!

In our family we have my husband Lodewiek Meijer, myself Amy Meijer, our almost four year old WIllem and then Elselina who just turned three months. Of course our doggies are a part of the family too - Aubree, our 10 year old rescue, and our five year old miniature schnauzer, Nova. My husband is an engineer working at a Dutch based company with Global Foundries and I’m currently a stay at home mom trying to adjust to the mom of two life while getting back into a new normal routine. As a family we enjoy doing anything and everything outdoors. With Lodewiek and myself having a Dutch background, we LOVE to bike the bike trail or just around town during the nicer months. Willem really loves to go to Crandall Pond and feed the ducks. We also love to go hiking, whether it be in the Adirondacks or just local trails. During the winter months, having Crandall Pond as a skating rink really made our winter more enjoyable!

On Sharing the News

Having this baby as an IVF journey was so much different than my pregnancy with Willem in every way, even with the pregnancy announcement to everyone. Our family and friends all knew that we were going through IVF and knew how timed it was, so people were waiting in anticipation for the "thumbs up" or "thumbs down" each round.

I told Lodewiek by dressing Willem up in a "big brother" shirt and giving Willem the pregnancy test to bring up to Lodewiek while he was working from home. I filmed the whole thing. Lodewiek looked at Willem and had no idea what Willem was handing him at first, but then he realized what was going on. I think I caught him off guard since he was in the middle of his work day. Lodewiek looked at me and nodded "yes?" and I just started crying and kept nodding "yes!" and he gave me a huge hug!

As for my parents, his parents, and our siblings, since they knew around the time we should be finding out we just called and told them. Same went for our friends. The IVF process really isn't romantic!

My best friend from college happened to be in the area a couple weeks after we got the good news and I shared it with her and her family when they came over to our house to visit (she screamed with joy)! We of course did a Facebook announcement after the 12 week mark (it was a black onesie with a black tutu which said "My little black dress" and the onesie was surrounded by the hundreds of needles I used throughout my IVF journey).

We did a blood test at the 10 week appointment at our IVF office to test for genetic abnormalities and in that was also a gender test. We found out the gender when I was pregnant with our son, and we did want to know the gender of this baby as well (we are the planning type). We were going to be over the moon no matter the gender, but were even more excited to see the word "GIRL" in the email from our favorite nurse at our doctor’s office.

As for a gender reveal, since we knew so early on what we were having, when we told our families we told them we were expecting and what the gender was all-in-one. When my two best girlfriends here in town and I celebrated my birthday (COVID style), I wanted to tell them what we were expecting. Earlier that week we had found out the gender, so at my celebration I brought over confetti cannons filled with pink confetti in them and had them shoot them off to reveal what we were having - a moment I will never forget. They both have girls and I was so excited to be raising my little girl with theirs!

Photo: Nicole Starr Photography

On Finding the Perfect Name

As soon as we found out it was a girl, the hunt for names started! We knew we wanted to stick with a Dutch name, but also honor both of my grandmothers. My paternal grandmother's name is Elske (she goes by Ellen here in the United States), and my maternal grandmother's name was Elizabeth, so something that started with "El" was what we were looking for.

Of course, when you're pregnant, the first questions people always ask are "do you know what you're having?" followed by "have you picked out a name?". So when I was pregnant with our son, my husband and I came up with a "code name" we would call the baby by, because we wanted to keep something special and secret between just the two of us. So we did the same this time too. Her codename was "Elsa." In the beginning it was because we had no idea what we were going to name her, but then we just kept calling her by it. Yes, Elsa as in the movie Frozen (our son's favorite movie at the time). We also thought it was cute because, after all, she used to be frozen (IVF - yes, we are those people; jokesters! With something as serious as IVF, you have to laugh and live a little too)! Any time we would tell someone her code name and our little joke, we would follow it by "but don't worry, that's not really going to be her name." Everyone would sound a little disappointed and say "oh, but we really like that name." So we got to thinking, we wanted to keep that as a nickname for her, but what Dutch name would fit that nickname? Many nights, and I mean many nights, we stayed up going back and forth between Dutch names that would fit all of our stipulations and we stumbled upon Elselina (only 20 women with this name). At first it was between this spelling and Elseline, but ultimately Elselina is what won. Elselina translates to Elizabeth in English. As for the middle name Alice, it was my maternal grandmother's middle name and the middle name of my paternal grandmother's first born (who unfortunately only survived 10 days - Elselina was actually born on that little girls birthday as well). It all seemed to fit into place.

All About Elselina

Elselina Alice Meijer was born three weeks early on Tuesday, March 9, 2021 at 1:18pm. She weighed 8 pounds, 13.1 ounces and measured 19 inches.

So far we love everything about Elsa! She is just a dream baby! She smiles all day long, sleeps through the night and is an excellent eater! We are cherishing this time because having a "threenager", we know what comes next!

Our favorite thing to do together is just be together. With life starting to get back to normal, things are opening up, and activities happening more, we have become busy. So being able to just be together as a family of four is great. We also love bringing her to see family and friends, she is a favorite of my grandmother. I just love when we visit my grandmother and she says, "Now, bring me my baby," - it makes me tear up a little!

She looks like me when I was a baby with her strawberry blonde hair and big blue eyes. She gets her curly hair from my husband and her easy going demeanor from him as well. The extreme happiness and smiles all the time, I say she gets that from my dad!

Photo: Nicole Starr Photography

On Parenthood

My favorite part of parenthood so far with both kids is the way our son is with his little sister. The love those two already have for each other is so pure and genuine. Any time she hears his voice, her whole face lights up in a huge smile and he is always wanting to help when it comes to "baby sissy."

The biggest challenge so far is having to deal with all the toddler tantrums of our son while trying to care for a newborn at the same time. Also, going shopping with two is so much harder than going with just one!

What I'm looking forward to doing most with Elsa is going on family vacations and experiencing the world together like we have done with her big brother. Most of all, I look forward to having her meet her relatives (mostly Lodewiek's immediate family) in Holland.

Being a parent has taught us a whole new level of being patient that's for sure. They do say you will find a love for your child that you have never known before, and that is extremely true. The love we have for these two kids is so great!

How have we changed since becoming parents? Well, we no longer go out on dates, heck, pre-covid we would go out twice a year; our anniversary and his company Christmas party. We were used to going out every weekend. Our television time went from reality TV to Paw Patrol and Power Rangers. Can we remember the important things we learned in college? No, but we can tell you all the Paw Patrol characters!

Some Good Advice

The best advice that was given to us is to enjoy even the bad times, as nothing lasts forever and before you know it, they are moving out of the house. Cherish each moment.

My advice for new parents is the same, enjoy every minute. It will seem to drag on, but when you look back at photos, you will realize how quickly time really goes and you can never get those precious years back.

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Special thanks to Glens Falls Hospital for making this series possible!

You’ve been planning for this moment for 9 months, but the team at The Joyce Stock Snuggery at Glens Falls Hospital has been preparing for over 30 years. While each birth is unique, their exceptional care stays consistent.   You'll be supported 24/7 by a specialized care team that puts you and your family’s needs first.  

Expertise. Compassion. Dedication.  The reasons more babies are born at The Joyce Stock Snuggery.

Thank you for supporting the businesses that support Glens Falls Living.

The Weekender: June 11 - 13

Happy weekend! Our ideal summer weather - 75 degrees and sunny - and lots of fun things to do around town…here’s a few:

Yoga: Yoga abounds this weekend with Yoga on the Mountain at West Mountain (details and sign up here) and an open house at the new location of Grounded on Glen (formerly Yoga Kayla) - grab the scoop here!

Dragons Baseball: Baseball is back in Glens Falls this month, and the Dragons have home games both Friday night and Sunday night - get the details here!

Disc Golf: Crandall Park is celebrating the official grand opening of the Crandall Park Disc Golf course this weekend with a Learn to Play Day, a Recreational Tournament, and a Pro Tournament. Last we heard, there were still spots left in the Recreational Tournament if you’re up for it - sign up here! And if you’re new to the sport, check out our beginner’s guide here.

Strawberry Season: We’re patiently (okay, impatiently) waiting for the local strawberry fields to open for you-pick, but we just saw that Bowman Orchard in Rexford will be opening their strawberry fields for picking tomorrow! Strawberry shortcake, here we come. Details here.

Have a great weekend!
Bri + Tom

Back in the Day: Bicycle Craze

In a witty, late 19th century pun about leisure-time recreation, the first speaker says, “How wonderfully cheap clothing is getting to be. Trousers have come down one-half.”

The second speaker, as published Sept. 26, 1896 in The Morning Star of Glens Falls, quips, “Yes – just about one-half. Since this bicycle craze, they only come down to the knees.”

Glens Falls Bicycle Club circa 1900 • Photo courtesy of the Folklife Center at Crandall Library

The Glens Falls region enthusiastically embraced the “bicycle craze” of the 1880s and 1890s, a national phenomenon brought on by the inventions of safety bicycles, pneumatic bicycle tires and coaster brakes.

Numerous bicycle clubs were formed in the greater Glens Falls area, 

“It is stated that several bicyclists of Glens Falls and Sandy Hill contemplate organizing a local club and joining the National Wheelman’s League,” The Morning Star reported on July 13, 1883.

“A movement is a foot among several young bicyclists of Glens Falls to organize a club here, which will doubtless be accomplished in a few weeks, providing suitable quarters can be obtained,” The Morning Star reported on Nov. 3, 1883. “About forty persons have already signified their intention of becoming members of the organization, nine of whom are owners of machines in the Columbia pattern,” with a large front wheel and a tiny back wheel.

One of the local bicycle clubs, The Glens Falls Bicycle and Athletic Club, was established on March 22, 1887, and by early May had 107 members.

The club evolved into The Glens Falls Club, an elite men’s social club that had its club rooms on the upper floors of the building at the corner of Glen and Ridge Streets, the building where Northeastern Fine Jewelry is now located.

The Fort Edward Bicycle Club, another local club, often joined cross-country touring bicycle groups that passed through the area, riding along on the stretch between Fort Edward and Glens Falls, and sometimes on to Lake George.

Local clubs included several exclusive “century” clubs, so named because membership was restricted to cyclists that had ridden at least 100 miles in a single day.

The bicycle craze dwindled in the early 1900s, due to multiple factors, including the advent of the automobile, the laying of trolley tracks along road-side paths that bicyclists had used, and the development of other recreational pursuits, according to the National Museum of American History.

Between 1900 and 1905, the number of bicycle manufacturers in the United States dropped from 312 to 101.

For about the next 50 years, bicycling would be a mode of transportation primarily limited to children and teenagers.

But at the peak of the craze, bicycling was enjoyed by riders of all ages.

“The bicycle craze has struck the line of boys over sixty years old, and several have ordered wheels,” The Morning Star reported on June 17, 1898.

Bicycle racing also was popular in Glens Falls.

“Nature donned one of her highest smiles yesterday after noon, and the managers of the bicycle meet were correspondingly happy,” The Morning Star reported on Aug. 6, 1895. “The attendance was large and all things conspired to make the event a success.”

The program at The Mile Track, a harness racing track on Upper Coolidge Avenue, between Dixon Road and Sherman Avenue, featured both competitive and exhibition events.

The old One-Mile Track at Broadacres, where harness racing and bicycle racing was held in the late 19th and early 20th centuries • Photo courtesy of The Folklife Center at Crandall Public Library.

“A novelty was introduced when M.H. Donovan of South Glens Falls came on the track to attempt to walk one mile while a tandem team, consisting of George Eddy and C.H. Austin, wheeled three miles. The effort was successful. Donovan covered the mile in 7:14, several minutes ahead of the tandem.”

The quarter-mile speed race was particularly noteworthy.

James G. Budd won the first heat, with a time of 32 seconds, advancing to the championship heat against several other qualifying riders, including Harry D. Elkes, who won the second heat, with a time of 33.75 seconds.

The championship heat was close.

“Budd and Elkes finished a splendid exhibition of speed, and finished close together, with the former slightly in the lead.”

Budd won with a time of 32.25 seconds.

Budd and brother Delmar A. Budd operated a bicycle factory on Maple Street that made the D & H brand bicycle., according to former Post-Star history columnist Howard Mason, whose writing is collected in the anthology “Backward Glances,” which Warren County Historical Society published in 2014.

Elkes went on to become a professional bicycle racer who broke several records, racing in the United States and Europe.

Elkes was killed May 30, 1903, in a bicycle accident during a race in Boston, and he is buried in the Glens Falls Cemetery on Bay Street.

My Glens Falls: Sean Driscoll

This week, we’re chatting with Sean Driscoll, who you’ll likely recognize from his role with the Adirondack Thunder! He shares his experience growing up in Hometown USA (so many great memories!), his dreams for a shop downtown, and so much more…

Tell us about yourself!
Hey, I’m Sean Driscoll, I’ve been Director of Ticket Sales and Service for the Adirondack Thunder since 2015 and worked for the Flames as an account executive in 2014 during the final year of AHL Hockey in Glens Falls.

I grew up near Haviland’s Cove and went to Big Cross Street School. I was born on my grandfather’s 50th birthday in 1990, however he was working in Mexico for GE and missed the birth of his first grandchild. My parents, Bennet and Tawn, got me involved in sports at an early age and I grew up playing hockey, soccer, and a little basketball. I learned to skate at the Civic Center (7am weekend practices?) and played Rec. Soccer at Crandall Park. I graduated in 2008 from Glens Falls and went onto play soccer for two years at SUNY ADK before transferring to play D3 in Boston at Newbury College. While at Newbury, I was captain my senior year and during my two years there I had teammates from over 10 different countries, which was quite different from Glens Falls and an experience I will never forget! After graduating in 2013, I worked at Coleman in the outlets (my typical summer job) while looking for a job in sports. The following May I was hired by the Adirondack Flames and I remain the only staff member still left from that group.

Last summer I was furloughed for what ended up being 7 months. I am someone who really cannot sit still, something I guess was passed down to me from my parents. They are either working or volunteering somewhere. In early December I started volunteering at the St Mary’s Food Pantry every Friday and just recently joined the Glens Falls Recreation Commission. I also have been coaching youth soccer in the area for 15 years and still play in an adult league with friends at The Dome. I found a quote a while ago, "Nothing to do, but always busy" and that just about sums up my life. 

On Life In and Around Glens Falls

I have lived at The Mill for the past three years but am currently looking to buy a house. I want to stay in Glens Falls because of everything it offers. My mom grew up in Hudson Falls and my dad grew up between Boston and the Cape so we visit New England family and friends a few times a year and have a mini pack to the Boston Red Sox, but there truly isn’t anything like the Adirondack area. The mountains, lakes, businesses, and the people make this area Hometown USA. I have friends who fall in love with the area when they come to visit. 

At a young age I knew I wanted to work in sports. My first job was working at the Great Escape for Subway at age 14 like many local kids. Growing up, going to hockey games, concerts and special events at the arena was awesome. It is pretty cool to say I work for a professional sports team in my hometown. The arena gets shows and has teams coming in to see what downtown Glens Falls is all about. I remember myself and a coworker had to pick up comedian Gilbert Gottfried up at the train station in Fort Edward and he wanted to grab lunch (he was staying at The Q). When he asked what is good, it was easy for me to say, “Well what are you in the mood for?”. Glens Falls has so many different options for food and the store fronts are really starting to come to life! 

A Perfect Glens Falls Day

My perfect day during the summer is grabbing Battenkill Chocolate or Mocha Milk from Randy at the Farmers Market. Then it is either a hike somewhere around Lake George or kayaking on Glen Lake (if the parking lot is full it is nice to know Pete Dineen and just park at his house.) Next would be trying to pick a restaurant. Like I said downtown has so many options, it is tough to choose a go to place for a bite to eat or drink with friends. If there is a game on, any sport, you can likely find me at The Bullpen and hopefully the Radio Junkies are playing later. Over the years my grandfather and I have regularly hit all the locally owned spots for breakfast or lunch as well.

During the wintertime, game days are the best. They are long days but rewarding. I try to get to the rink around 8:00am to fulfill season ticket holders needs and open the office. Once 5:30pm hits and fans start coming in it makes it all worthwhile. It doesn’t matter if we win or lose (winning is better), we still have the most dedicated fans in all of sports. We are the smallest market in the ECHL but our fan base is second to none.

I need to mention that Opening Night is Saturday, October 23rd. YOU WANT TO BE THERE! The new roof might come off! (…figuratively, not literally, Mayor Hall).

On the Past

I have a couple of memories to share, both sports and non-sports related. As a kid I remember my best rec soccer team was the purple team and our star player was Jimmer Fredette. He would show up after football practice and dominate the soccer field. I am pretty sure he scored while playing goalie. I remember telling my college buddies “I was teammates with him” while watching BYU and NBA games on TV. I also played hockey and always wanted to win the Gazzillo Cup at the Rec. Center. I played on travel teams and couldn’t tell you how many tournaments I won but we always stayed in a hotel with a pool and played some mini hockey in the hallways.

In 2002, my family hosted a student from the Saga City Sister Program. The following year I was able to join 19 classmates in Saga and celebrated my 13th birthday there. A couple years later my dad went and stayed with the same family that I did. We still keep in contact with the Nakamura family through Facebook and sharing gifts. 

On the Future

I have joked with friends that I have always dreamed about opening a general store downtown (Driscoll’s General Store). I can picture my dad behind the counter greeting people and reading the paper with a coffee in his hand. He told me he is in no hurry to retire so this would be a perfect job for him, while I oversee the daily operations. I have a sweet tooth (something all my friends know) so we would have ice cream and a candy wall with a ladder like the one Charlie gets the golden ticket in the Willy Wonka movie. It would focus on basic household needs. Downtown is becoming a place to live and not just visit. If you live downtown and need a broom, hammer and kitchen tools, you still have to jump in your car to grab them.

I honestly cannot wait for the Farmers Market building and what South Street can turn into. People always try to compare Glens Falls to Saratoga, but Glens Falls is Glens Falls. Downtown has grown in the last decade and I can’t wait to see what exciting process awaits.

The Weekender: June 4 - 6

Happy weekend! The forecast looks glorious, and we are happy to settle into summer mode a bit early. Here’s a few ideas for your agenda:

Summer at West Mountain: We were psyched to see that West Mountain is opening for the summer on June 5th! We went a few times last summer and loved the picnic package and hiking, and the aerial treetop adventure looks like it would be a blast for families. Check out our story here, and grab tickets here!

Race for the Rest of Us: If you’re looking for a fun, family friendly “race” that gives back to the community (and does not require months of training - it’s a 0.5K downtown!), this one’s for you. The United Way does so much for our community and this is a great way to give back. Sign up here!

Canal Street Marketplace: A little something to put on your calendar for next Thursday (and each Thursday this summer) - the Canal Street Marketplace in Fort Edward re-opens this week! While we love our Saturday Farmers Market here in Glens Falls, it’s always fun to meet new vendors and find new goodies at others, and this is a great one! Details here.

Lakota’s Farm Spring Artisan Market: We were excited to see that our friend’s at Lakota’s Farm in Cambridge are starting out the summer right with their Artisan Market! Local artists and crafters, live music, local breweries, wineries, and distilleries, food trucks, and more. Get the details here!

Have a great weekend!
Bri + Tom

Southern Adirondack Audubon Society Focuses on Conservation Through Education

Spring has finally arrived, and with it comes the longer days, warmer weather and the usual influx of tourists; but they won’t be the only ones flocking to our area in the coming weeks. 

“The birds that will be coming this time of year, and into the summer, will be the eastern meadowlarks, savannah sparrows, bobolinks, and eastern bluebirds,” says John Loz, President of the Southern Adirondack Audubon Society, or SAAS. 

A bird and pollinator-friendly native plant garden at Delong Usher Park in Lake George • Photo: Bri Lyons

Celebrating 40 years as a community organization, the local chapter of the National Audubon Society continues to uphold its mission to protect the environment through the preservation of natural habitats, and the advancement of environmental education. “We like to use the tagline, ‘conservation through education,’ with a focus on birds, of course,” Loz says. “Our bread and butter is educating the public through our monthly programs, and we do that between our centers in Glens Falls and Saratoga Springs.”

Though based here in Queensbury, the local Audubon chapter encompasses an expansive territory. “Our catchment area runs from Saratoga Springs north to Crown Point, and then it heads west to Blue Mountain Lake, and south to Caroga Lake, so our area is quite large,” Loz says. “We’ve mostly focused on where people have been able to volunteer, which is in the communities along the Northway, but we’d really like to start expanding west and do more things out toward Indian Lake and North Creek.”

Photo: Nicholas Chowske

The SAAS has a variety of programs, projects, and events to help get the community involved with environmental conservation, including bird walks, community science surveys, and even international field trips. “We like to be out in the community anywhere we can be,” Loz says. From farmer’s markets to naturefests, you can find Loz and his birders reaching out to educate and inform. Last year, the SAAS worked with Common Roots Brewing Company for one of their membership drives. “We brought live birds of prey into their temporary taproom, and it was a great opportunity to educate a different demographic, and to talk to people who didn’t know anything about birds," Loz says. "What better way to encourage people to learn about the environment than to offer them a free pint of beer if they signed up to become a member of our Audubon chapter?”

Recently the SAAS has been planting bird and pollinator-friendly native plant gardens in local communities. “Research has found that installing gardens and planting native plants and shrubbery is really important for our migrating birds.” They began with a pilot garden in the Town of Greenfield, and have since added a second garden in the Delong Usher Park in Lake George. This year, the SAAS plans to expand by placing gardens in South Glens Falls, Bolton Landing and Ballston Spa. 

A bee enjoys the bird and pollinator-friendly garden in Delong Usher Park, Lake George • Photo: Bri Lyons

“I really want to give a shout out to the town of Lake George,” Loz says. “They have been very supportive of bird-friendly initiatives, such as putting up preventative measures for the big glass windows they have on their municipal building on Old Post Road.” Window strikes are one of the biggest killers of birds, according to Loz. “We want to prevent any bird strikes and bird collisions with windows that would reflect habitat, and that building has very large reflective windows, which birds can fly right into.”

In addition to local events, the SAAS and it’s volunteers also participate in the National Audubon Society’s annual bird counts and Climate Watch Surveys. “We host the Hudson Falls Christmas Bird Count, where we ask expert and amature birders alike to come out to help us count birds, and we submit those numbers to the National Audubon Society.” Now in it’s 122nd year, the National Audubon Society’s Christmas Bird Count is a bird census that employs tens of thousands of volunteers across the Americas who count the birds in their community between December 15th and January 5th.

While the Christmas Bird Count encourages volunteers to count every bird they can, the Climate Watch Survey, now in its fifth year, focuses on just two birds - white breasted nuthatches and red breasted nuthatches - as a bellwether for climate change. The Climate Watch Survey is conducted twice a year by SAAS Director Rob Snell. “It’s based on a long term study that Audubon is doing, for at least 10 years,” Snell says. “They’re trying to compile data on some pretty common birds that they think are going to be affected by climate change.” 

For the survey, the chapter’s territory is divided into a grid, and then volunteers are asked to go to 12 different places in their grid and listen for nuthatches - once in early winter, and again in late spring. The numbers are then submitted to the National Audubon Society for analysis. "They’re looking for changes in population dynamics, to see if it corroborates with the mathematical models that they have with regard to climate change and the effects on these populations of birds," Snell says. "One of the species that we’re looking at really isn’t expected to have any changes - expansion or contraction - and the other they are modeling the population to decline by as much as 15 percent, which is dramatic over a 10 year period." The survey has been conducted each year from January 15 to February 15, and again from May 15 to June 15, since 2015. “It’s fun, it’s easy, and it’s not hard for individuals, even with basic experience with birds,” Snell says. ‘It’s something that they can all do, and they’re contributing to real science, which is cool.” 

While the SAAS is always looking for volunteers and new members, they also provide a number of tips and educational resources for people who just want to get to know their local birds better. “If you want to do backyard birding, you can start with a tube feeder or a regular mixed seed feeder, as well as a hummingbird feeder,” Loz says. He also recommends a birdbath and planting native shrubbery wherever possible. “A lot of suburban areas that have feeders have been attracting hawks, so we want to give those little birds some place to hide and escape to between the feeders and the shrubbery.”

For those who want to get more involved, Loz hopes to begin offering their bird walks again soon. “We’ve unfortunately had to suspend those due to Covid-19 and the pandemic, but we are looking to have a limited run of bird walks to get people outdoors and educate them in person later this year,” he says.

First Look: The Book Cabin

What’s better than a book store? A book cabin. There’s something special about browsing books in person vs. on Amazon, but browsing in a cabin is even cozier than it sounds. We’re sharing a first look at the newly opened The Book Cabin just north of Lake George Village, along with owner Stephanie Jalowiec’s top picks for summer reading…

Tell us a bit about yourself, Stephanie!

I have been “selling books” for the last 23 years as a public school teacher in Connecticut. Most recently, I've been a Literacy Consultant working with kindergarten through fifth grade. I LOVE my day job! Helping students access the world of books and discover that every person can be an avid reader and writer is important to me.

I come from a family of voracious readers - we even have a Cape Cod vacation reading club! As a small child, my mom would regularly take us to the library and then as we got older, we'd visit Walden Books in my hometown. I can still see their shelf of Sweet Valley High books.

My husband Jim and I met in 1998 - he was working at Lee Partyka Chevrolet and sold me my used Pontiac Sunfire. On our second date, he tried to talk to me about Ernest Hemingway and I couldn't stop laughing. Neither one of us remember reading any Hemingway in high school. He was trying to pretend he liked to read, too, and it was the first author that popped into his head.

We have two amazing children - Nathan (16) and Addison (12) who sometimes like to read. It's all about the right book!

Owner Stephanie Jalowiec at The Book Cabin

What inspired you to open a bookstore? 

My husband and I first came to Lake George in 1998 and instantly fell in love with all the area offers. We knew we would want to eventually work and live here.  At first we started with a small cabin in the shadow of Mount Crane for weekends and summers and about five years ago, built a home in the Town of Lake George. We are eager to make Lake George our permanent home. 

During the pandemic lockdown, we kept walking past the Trinity Rock Motel property that was for sale. We were pulled towards the idea of creating a more permanent way to live in Lake George. Our children are well settled into their Connecticut lives so we know moving here full time won't be for a few more years. Jim and I always like to play the game of - what else do you want to be when you grow up? The only answer I ever have to that question is a bookstore owner.

The pandemic left me a lot of time to dream. Could I really be brave and open a small retail business?  We all know many businesses in the LG area come and go. Will I have what it takes to become a community anchor? Does the area have enough readers to sustain a small shop?

In April of 2020, I was reading the book Untamed by Glennon Doyle and she reminded readers to be brave and do hard things.  Just because when I was 21 and loved teaching, doesn't mean I have to do it until I'm in the grave...so here we are.

We scooped up the property and our budget only allowed me to start the bookstore. The motel renovation is for another year (those lumber prices need to come down!). Once we acquired the property, I literally couldn't stop myself from opening the store. There was no way I was waiting for my kiddos to be done with school! So, for now, we are a weekend and summer store.

We love the idea of a Book Cabin - we’d love to hear about the cabin itself, any history behind it, and why you chose it as your shop location! 

Our little cabin was part of the Trinity Rock Motel corporation and was built by two brothers for their mother who opened up a farm stand. My understanding is that the farm stand was only open a few years. The brothers did a beautiful job including large rustic logs in the interior.  It needed almost no work to open a retail shop.

We chose this location for two reasons: real estate in the village is too expensive to purchase or rent and the property allowed for both of us to have a project for our LG future. We hope that as word gets out about our new shop - it will become a sweet destination for tourists and locals who are looking for something besides t-shirt shops.

What can customers expect to see at the cabin? 

You’ll find books for all ages (mostly contemporary fiction and nonfiction), toys (a range of outdoor and indoor games featuring DJECO products), writing supplies (journals, notecards, grammar pencils, and paper products featuring E Frances Paper Company and Moleskin), art activities (amazing projects for children and sketch products for all ages), bookish gifts (Fly Paper Products candles, barware, totebags, and stickers), and other gifts (Mira windchimes, Parsley and Paisley drink coasters).

We’d love to hear five of your top book recommendations for summer. 

This question is like asking a mother who their favorite child is! Some recent favorites for adults (that have not been featured by Reese and Jenna!):

Shuggie Bain by Douglas Stuart made me ache for the children who grow up in homes plagues by substance abuse.

Deep Creek: Finding Hope in the High Country by Pam Houston is for readers who loved Wild by Cheryl Strayed.

Big Girl, Small Town by Michelle Gallen will make you laugh and quickly cringe as Majella deals with her family's difficult situation.

Every Last Fear by Alex Finlay is a quick paced read for sitting lakeside this summer.

House of Sticks by Ly Tran is a timely memoir about her family's immigration to the United States and growing up with a controlling father in a foreign land.

What’s next for the Book Cabin - any plans for the future? 

I have HUGE plans for our future and look forward to growing with the community. I would love to add a snack and drink cart and additional themed book buildings on the existing property. I would also love to work with the community providing unique teacher workshops and scholarships for classroom libraries. There is so much we can do together as a reading and writing community for Warren County.

The Book Cabin
3373 Lake Shore Drive • Lake George
Website / Facebook

The Weekender: May 28 - May 30

Memorial Day Weekend! We’re ever so grateful, today and every day, for those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for us all.

Hope your holiday weekend is filled with friends and family and good food - and also hope the weather makes a quick change from the 50 degree temps we just saw! Here are a few things that caught our eye:

Memorial Day Ceremony: We’re bummed that the parade is canceled, but the City of Glens Falls will host a remembrance ceremony at Cool Insuring Arena on Monday at 11:30am - get the details here!

New Outdoor Seating at Craft on 9: We caught a glimpse of the new outdoor seating situation at Craft on 9 on Facebook the other day and can’t wait to check it out! They’ll be open from 3-10pm on Friday and Saturday - details here. Cheers!

Two Exhibit Openings: We spotted two openings downtown this weekend - the LARAC Members Show Exhibit Opening is Friday from 5-7pm (details here) and and the opening for George VanHook’s People, Places, and Plein Air Exhibit at Mountain Gallery is on Friday from 6-8pm (details here).

Bolton Art + Craft Festival: We love a cruise up to Bolton to start the summer! Here are a few of our favorites if you decide to head up that way too, and bonus - the Art + Craft Festival is happening this weekend too - details here!

Seymour’s Restaurant: Our friends at Spruce Hospitality Group, which also operates The Queensbury Hotel, Fenimore’s Pub, and Park 26, just announced the planned opening of Seymour’s Restaurant and The Tap Room at Ticonderoga Golf Course this weekend! Rumor has it The Tap Room has an expansive patio overlooking the Lord Howe Valley and we can’t wait to drive up and check it out (and maybe pair it with a visit to Fort Ticonderoga?) - details here!

Have a great weekend!
Bri + Tom

P.S. Thanks for reading! If you enjoyed this story and those like it here on GFL, please consider supporting our hometown content by clicking here. With your support, we can continue to share the stories of the people, places, and businesses that make our area so special. Thank you - we appreciate you being here more than you know!

My Glens Falls: Nikki Ogden

This week, we’re chatting with Nikki Ogden, who you’ll probably recognize as the manager at Rude Betty! She shares what inspired her to move to Glens Falls, the joys of old home ownership, her go to for dinner downtown, and more!

Tell us about yourself!

My name is Nikki Ogden and I am the manager of Rude Betty in Glens Falls and Happy Jack’s in Bolton Landing. I am married to Zach Ogden and we have a five year old named Emma, who will be starting Kindergarten in the fall at Kensington.

On Life in Glens Falls 

I grew up in Lake Luzerne and moved to Bolton Landing when I was 18. After meeting my husband in college, we decided to move to Glens Falls in 2003. I loved the idea of living in an up and coming city. I had substitute taught at Sanford Street Elementary and loved the school system. It was an ideal place to start our life together. 

We bought our house on Monument Ave in 2011. Our house was built in 1939 so it definitely needed a face lift. We had new siding and windows put in and had the original hardwood floors restored to their former glory. We are so lucky to have the most amazing neighbors. We love everything Glens Falls has to offer. 

A Perfect Glens Falls Day 

We love spending our mornings at Crandall Park watching the ducks and then heading to the Library for story time. We would then head to Spot Coffee for an amazing latte and hang out with our friends. We love utilizing the bike trail and treating ourselves to Cooper’s Cave ice cream. My daughter loves to head to Rude Betty for some fun with Jeff (the owner) and getting a toy of course. Dinner at Mikado is also a must and then going to a hockey game and finishing the night having a beer with friends at Mean Max. 

On the Future

I would love to see an ice cream/candy shop in downtown Glens Falls!

A Beginner's Guide to Pickleball

If you’ve never played pickleball, toss your preconceived notions about this hot racket sport to the wind. That’s right, it’s hot right now — so hot that teenagers are playing it.

The eight pickleball courts at Ridge/Jenkinsville Park filled with new players taking lessons with the Adirondack Pickleball Club on May 12 • Photo: Alex Kochon

Teenagers? Yes, along with families of all ages and people right up into their 90s. While its condensed tennis-court layout emphasizes the short game, pickleball is designed to keep you on your toes and wanting to master the art of slamming a Wiffle ball at your opponent.

First things first, the pickleball isn’t actually a Wiffle ball; it is plastic but it’s a little heavier, bigger and has more holes. That makes it more susceptible to wind than a tennis ball, and it’s not as bouncy. A pickleball racket is actually a paddle, but bigger than a ping-pong paddle (and comparable to a tennis racket in price). 

Pickleball paddle and ball • Photo: Alex Kochon

You can play singles or doubles, although doubles is most popular. 

After a serve, which has to be done underhand (with contact below the waist) from behind the baseline, the ball must bounce twice — once on the opponents’ side (in the rectangle diagonal from the server) and once on your side, before you can move up to the volley line. This is where you should spend the rest of the volley, trying to hit ball in the air without it bouncing on your side. (Since the ball doesn’t bounce very high, it’s preferable to volley rather than try to play it on the bounce.)

Instructor Julie Carrow demonstrates a legal serve (underhand, contact below the waist, paddle head below the break of wrist) while aiming for a deep serve diagonally across the court • Photo: Alex Kochon

Double-Bounce Rule: The ball must bounce once on each side before either team may start volleying in the air.

Like tennis, the ball must make it over the net and land in-bounds on the opponents’ side (not beyond the sidelines or the baseline) to stay alive. If the ball bounces twice on one side, is hit into the net, or hit out of bounds (all of these things are known as “faults”), the rally ends and a new player gets to serve. 

The biggest catch is that no player can enter the “kitchen”, the non-volley zone between the net and the volley line.

The Kitchen: The non-volley zone. Players may not stand in this area within 7 feet of the net unless the ball has already bounced on their side. After hitting it and clearing the net, players must get out of the kitchen to prepare for the next volley.

A new player practices “ready position” near the non-volley line, or kitchen line, during a lesson on May 12 at Jenkinsville Park in Queensbury • Photo: Alex Kochon

Scoring: Points are only scored on the serve. The receiving side can’t score. 

At the start of the game, the serve always starts on the right side (also known as the even court). In doubles, the person calling the score calls out three numbers: their team’s score, the opponents’ score, and which server on the team is serving. For more on scoring, watch this video.

If the serving team wins the rally and scores a point, the server moves to the left side (odd court) and serves diagonally to the opposite court. 

If the serving team faults, their second player gets to serve (unless it’s the first serve of the game, in which case the receiving team gets to serve next). If the serving team commits another fault, it’s a sideout: the other team gets to serve. Games are usually played to 11 points and must be won by two points.

Instructor Paul Campbell (r) talks pickleball mechanics during a lesson with the Adirondack Pickleball Club on May 12 at Jenkinsville Park in Queensbury • Photo: Alex Kochon

It’s not tennis!

While it might look like it at first glance, pickleball is not tennis. It’s not badminton, ping pong, racquetball, or squash, either, although it shares similarities with all of those racket sports.

“What we do not encourage people to do is to play tennis on a pickleball court,” said Paul Campbell, a volunteer coach and member of the Adirondack Pickleball Club. “You don’t want to do that because whoever you’re playing, if they know how to play the game, you’re going to lose easy. 

“The idea is to start back [behind the baseline] on the serve and get up to the front as soon as you can,” he added. “People at the front have the advantage. There are a few strokes that are similar, but the way you play up front is totally different than tennis.”

Where to Play

The town of Queensbury has 11 pickleball courts (eight at Ridge/Jenkinsville Park and three at Hudson River Park) and Glens Falls has four new pickleball courts at Crandall Park, thanks to the Crandall Park Beautification Committee. 

All are open to the public on a first-come-first-serve basis, although courts can be reserved for special events (like tournaments), and Jenkinsville’s courts are closed for lessons on Wednesdays from 9-11 a.m. in May and June.

According to Amy Collins, Glens Falls’ director of tourism and business development, a Glens Falls-based pickleball league could evolve as the sport keeps growing in this area.

“The city unveiling these courts was really important to make sure city residents were exposed and had access to those courts,” Collins said of Crandall Park’s renovated courts, which also includes two tennis courts and two basketball courts. “Pickleball really was a saving grace for a lot of people, just like golf, during the pandemic. I think pickleball became an outlet that people utilized.”

Twenty players learn on eight pickleball courts at Ridge/Jenkinsville Park during lessons with the Adirondack Pickleball Club on May 12 • Photo: Alex Kochon

Take a Lesson

Glens Falls Living had a chance to practice “dinking” (an actual pickleball term which means hitting the ball from around the kitchen line) with Cindy Allen, who leads the four-week lesson series with Campbell at Jenkinsville. Taught by volunteers with the Adirondack Pickleball Club and hosted by the Queensbury Parks & Recreation Department, these lessons meet weekly in May and June and are completely booked with a waiting list.

“It’s grown phenomenally from the start,” Lori O’Shaughnessy, assistant director of Queensbury Parks & Rec, said of the local pickleball scene and Queensbury’s lesson program, which began in 2016. “So many people are eager to learn.”

In 2017, the Town of Queensbury decided to convert Jenkinsville’s two tennis courts into eight pickleball courts. The courts were completed in September of 2018.

“The minute we opened them in September of that year, they were just busy all the time,” Queensbury Parks & Rec Director Steve Lovering said.

He credited the sport’s popularity with its easier learning curve and quicker points than tennis.

“The skill set is easier, the points are faster, but you’re not getting into really long rallies,” Lovering said. “Generally speaking, when you’re playing doubles … you’re not covering as much ground; it’s not quite as strenuous.”

“But as you become more proficient, it’s a fast-paced game,” O’Shaughnessy added. “Think of ping pong, you have to have quick reactions. … The ball’s at a shorter distance, and as you see with advanced play, it’s fun to watch.”

When asked if pickleball is more about finesse than strength, Allen whipped the ball at this reporter so fast she didn’t have time to react. So the answer to that was, no. Singles play also proved to be a real workout.

Cindy Allen, a volunteer instructor with the Adirondack Pickleball Club, stands next to a poster for the Chuck Allen Memorial Pickleball Tournament in memory of her husband • Photo: Alex Kochon

For Allen, who actually has a gentle demeanor and teaching manner, pickleball is much more than a hobby; it’s a community.

“Pickleball is not only a sport that keeps you healthy and active, it’s also a sport where the pickleball group becomes your family,” Allen said.

When her husband, Chuck, passed away in December, the Adirondack Pickleball Club rallied around them.

“He suffered from cancer for his last two years especially, but still would wander out on the court,” she said of Chuck, who, at age 72, earned a silver medal in singles pickleball at the Huntsman World Senior Games. “When he couldn’t make it through a game, they’d take his place or back him up. The week before he died, about 30 of them sang Christmas carols in our house.”

Lovering explained that the Allens were instrumental in bringing pickleball to Queensbury. The rec department dedicated Jenkinsville’s Court 1 to Chuck, and the club dedicated a bench to him outside the courts.

“They’ve been the proponents and enthusiasts as far as building that really wonderful community of pickleball players,” O’Shaughnessy said of the Allens and other club volunteers. “That sense of community in that club is so strong, and I think they’re a big piece of that because they’re genuine, they’re welcoming, and they’re passionate about the sport.”

Since 2016, the Adirondack Pickleball Club has grown from 20 to more than 250 members. New players can drop in for “free play” on Monday nights from 5-7 p.m. at Jenkinsville to get lessons and tips from club members.

The club is simply an email list, which shares information on “mixers" (pre-COVID), upcoming tournaments, or announcements from Queensbury Rec. There is no cost to join. Email adkpickleballclub@gmail.com to join their mailing list.

The Chuck Allen Memorial Pickleball Tournament is scheduled for July 24-25, with men’s and women’s intermediate and advanced play on Saturday, and mixed doubles on Sunday. For more information, email adkpickleballclub@gmail.com.

Thanks for reading! If you enjoyed this story and those like it here on GFL, please consider supporting our hometown content by clicking here. With your support, we can continue to share the stories of the people, places, and businesses that make our area so special. Thank you - we appreciate you being here more than you know!

New Additions: Madden Jane & Kollins Rose Payne

Tonight, we’re sharing not one, but two new additions! The Payne Family welcomed their adorable twins, Madden and Kollins, in January, and they’re sharing their reaction to finding out they were having twins (surprise!), and all about life with four little ones below…

We are John and Kate Payne. We welcomed twin girls, Madden Jane and Kollins Rose to our family on January 13th, 2021 which also happens to be our wedding anniversary.

In addition to the twins, we have an eight year old daughter, Mia, and a two year old son, Jack. Our hands are certainly full but so are our hearts!

John and I both grew up locally and just recently bought a home in Glens Falls. John owns and operates a local moving company, Moving Made EZ, and I’m a Certified Surgical Technologist at the New York Eye Surgical Center in Wilton.

We love everything about our small hometown. We are walking distance to the bike trail, local shops and restaurants, and a short drive to Saratoga. We love to hike and spend summers on the Lake with family and friends. 

On a Surprise Pregnancy

We had originally planned on Jack being our last baby but then Covid happened and, well, so did the twins!

I found out I was pregnant in May and there wasn’t a special, well thought out pregnancy announcement. I hadn’t felt good for about a week, so I took a test, walked downstairs in total shock, looked at John and said “I’m pregnant”! He laughed and thought I was joking.

Fast forward to mid July at my first OB appointment. I was laughing with the nurses about our surprise Covid baby and casually mentioned I felt a little larger this time then my previous pregnancies. The second she put the wand on my belly I saw two circles....TWINS! I was alone because of Covid so I immediately drove to John’s office to share the news. We were both speechless. We called our family and close friends and put up a pregnancy announcement on Facebook that night!

We knew from the first scan that baby A (Madden) was a girl but it took a bit for Kollins to cooperate so we could tell the gender!

All about Madden and Kollins

Madden Jane was born at 10:29am on January 13th, 2021 weighing 4lbs 12.9oz and measuring 17.5” long. Kollins Rose was born at 10:31am weighing 5lbs 14.9oz and measuring 18.25” long.

The names were tough to decide on and we changed them a few times. We just wanted something kind of original and unique! Their middle names are family names though. 

The girls are complete opposites, looks and personality wise! Kollins is our vocal, blue eyed spunky baby and definitely favors my husband looks wise. Madden is our teeny, more quiet, brown eyed girl and looks like my side of the family! The girls spend a lot of time on the go keeping up with all of Mia and Jack’s activities. 

On Parenthood

Although a surprise, the girls are such a blessing. We love our insanely hectic, beautiful, chaotic life with four little ones and wouldn’t change a thing (except for maybe an extra hour or two of sleep)! People always tell you to enjoy every moment because they go so quickly....it really does fly by! Our advice to new parents is to soak in the moments, even the hard ones because they’re only little once!

Proud older siblings Mia and Jack

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Special thanks to Glens Falls Hospital for making this series possible!

You’ve been planning for this moment for 9 months, but the team at The Joyce Stock Snuggery at Glens Falls Hospital has been preparing for over 30 years. While each birth is unique, their exceptional care stays consistent.   You'll be supported 24/7 by a specialized care team that puts you and your family’s needs first.  

Expertise. Compassion. Dedication.  The reasons more babies are born at The Joyce Stock Snuggery.

Thank you for supporting the businesses that support Glens Falls Living.

The Weekender: May 21 - 23

Happy weekend! It’s gone from spring to summer overnight, and we’re busy making summer garden plans - zinnias were a big success for us last year so that’s first on our list!

Here’s a few other things we’re hoping to get to:

The Shirt Factory: The Thursday Market and Food Truck Corral is back at The Shirt Factory starting this week! Dinner, dessert, drinks, live music, and so many awesome vendors - can’t wait! Get the scoop here.

A Change of Scenery: We’ve been taking long walks around the city but decided to switch things up with a walk on the Rush Pond Way Trail in Queensbury. Our first time there and definitely not our last, it was a beautiful change of scenery (and we can’t wait to see it in the fall!). Get the details on the trail here.

Cambridge Valley Fine Art Tour: A favorite! We’re big fans of so many Washington County artists, and this is an opportunity to visit a few in their Cambridge studios - and enjoy a stroll around Cambridge while you’re at it (here are a few of our recommendations while you’re there). Get the details on the art tour here!

Have a great weekend!
Bri + Tom