We chatted with Jaime DeLong this week! She shares a bit about her handmade winter hat business, her favorite local activity (a hidden gem!), the beauty of owning her childhood home, and more…
Tell us about yourself!
My name is Jaime DeLong, and I live just over the Glens Falls border in Queensbury with my family. In addition to managing Adirondack Extreme Adventure Course and Tubby Tubes River Co, I recently started a handmade hat business called Hudson Hats. After seasonally retiring from 15 years of crazy busy winters in the ski industry, I decided to turn my winter hat obsession (I’ve somehow acquired 120+ over the years) into a fun hobby. I took a couple knitting classes last December, and then things escalated quite quickly from there!
My mom was an incredibly talented knitter, so it’s definitely in the genes. I do wish that my grandmother was alive to see this though, as she always told me (in good fun) that I was “a consumer, not a producer, and that I was good for the economy!”. She was not wrong, as I did pay someone in my 7th grade home economics class to sew my locker pocket for me (sorry if you’re reading this Mrs. Brown). I’ve made over 200 hats so far, and am still having so much fun — look out for me at some upcoming community events!
On Life In and Around Glens Falls
I was born and raised in the Glens Falls region, and feel quite rooted in the community here. I initially stayed in the area to raise my daughter here, and now I can’t imagine living anywhere else, though I do love to travel and go explore the world at any chance I get! My daughter/best friend is currently attending Northern Arizona University, so that alone gets me lots of travel time.
I actually own my childhood home about two miles from downtown — it’s so convenient to bike to the library or to dinner in the warmer months! The home has been in my family since 1962, when my grandparents decided it was time to move to “the country” (a whopping 1.8 miles north from Ridge Street to Ridge Road).
I think that all houses around 75 years plus in age can be considered fixer uppers to a certain degree, but fortunately my grandmother was incredibly meticulous in maintaining the home. The interior layout is very unique, and the property itself backs up to the wetlands by the airport, so I have a beautiful backyard! Growing up I had a few hot air balloons land in my yard, so that’s a favorite memory for sure!
Some Glens Falls Favorites
My favorite thing about the area is that there is a wide variety of things to do, see, and eat, but we still have that small town/community vibe.
We’re very fortunate to be in such a close proximity to outdoor activities — with Glen Lake right there for paddle boarding and kayaking, beautifully maintained mountain biking trails at Gurney Lane, and being within a 2 hour radius of at least 10 ski areas.
My absolute favorite activity is a hidden gem — white water rafting on the Hudson River. I’ve been a guide with Wild Waters Outdoor Center since 2008 (very part time now), and I can probably count on one hand the number of local residents I’ve taken down the river. New Jersey residents, however — I may have taken them all at this point!
A Perfect Glens Falls Day
Ahh! I have two “ perfect day” scenarios…
Sunday — first stop is Hot Yoga Queensbury, followed by Sunday brunch at Farmacy. Chef Joe’s Benedicts are world class! Dessert would be some shopping at Fountain Square Outfitters.
Days that aren’t Sunday — Latte retrieval at Kru, a workout at Lake George CrossFit, and while there, hopefully a phone call from Poopie’s telling me that there is buffalo chicken soup on the menu (yes there is a special soup phone list and it is the best).
Family dinner the crew will usually be Sweet Rice Sushi Thai, and date nights are spent back at Farmacy, or at Radici.
On the Past
I love Taste Of The North Country, so I’m really hoping that event will return next fall. I have fond memories of going across the bridge to The Joy Store with my grandmother, and also going to Ames with my mom so she could by yarn!
On the Future
Personally, a yarn store carrying indie dyed wool would be lovely! I know lots of past Glens Falls Living featured people would like a bookstore or a rooftop bar, and I think those would be great additions as well. I’m very much looking forward to checking out The Golden Monkey, and seeing the continued revitalization of South Street.
