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!
