Road Trip: Fort Ticonderoga

It’s been years since we’ve visited Fort Ticonderoga (since we were kids, actually!), and we were so happy to head back again recently to experience it in a whole new way. While Tom is more of a history buff, we loved that the Fort offers a little something for everyone - a gorgeous garden to meander through and a boat cruise (with a little wine!) for me, musket and cannon firing demonstrations for Tom, and lots of activities to keep the kiddos we saw there entertained too.

You could easily spend a couple of days taking in everything there is to see - read on for some of our favorites!

SEE + DO

While Fort Ticonderoga has great opportunities for informative guided group tours, we opted to tour at our own pace and loved the flexibility it allowed us. Here’s what to see and do while you’re there:

The Fort: Of course! We spent a lot of our time here since there’s so much to see. Between admiring the view of Lake Champlain and exploring the fort - inside and out - there’s a lot to take in!

Fort Ticonderoga re-invents itself each year to focus on a particular period of time in their history (how amazing is that?!), and this year is 1758. We loved taking a peek at the historic trades shops where Fort’s military interpreters are actually making shoes and tailoring clothing, watching a typical 1758 lunch being made in the soldier’s camp kitchen, and of course, the musket and cannon firing demonstrations. We could’ve spent all day browsing the museum exhibitions too - I, of course, loved seeing all of the 18th century blue and white pottery, while Tom spent time browsing their extensive collection of bullets, muskets, and blades.

The Fort does an impeccable job of seamlessly integrating the interpreters into the visit, always available for questions and a chat between planned demonstrations as they go about their business as if it was the mid-1700’s. Truly a fun and immersive experience.

Next time, we’re looking forward to checking out the Carillion Battlefield, and the Guns by Night event sounds pretty cool, too.

King’s Garden: A highlight of the experience at Fort Ticonderoga, the King’s Garden is an absolutely beautiful garden set within lovely brick walls below the Fort. A tree-lined path leads up to the gate, with Lake Champlain just beyond the far wall. We could’ve spent all afternoon admiring the flowers (and taking notes for our future garden), and decided next time we’ll pack a picnic lunch or bring lunch down from the Cafe on site to enjoy amongst the flowers. We’ve got our eye on an upcoming pop-up bar in the King’s Garden in partnership with Shacksbury Cider this August (get the details here) - it sounds like a perfect night!

Oh, and did we mention the apple orchard and the corn maze opening in mid-August?! Sign us up.

Boat Cruise: We meant what we said when we mentioned there’s something for everyone! We loved touring Lake Champlain on the Fort’s beautiful replica 1920’s touring vessel, The Carillion.

Enjoy the historical narration and sonar of shipwrecks below, or just enjoy the view and a glass of wine or a cold beer. Or both! They’ve got a few sunset cruises scheduled for the rest of the summer, which sound pretty amazing too (grab tickets here).

Mount Defiance: The perfect spot for a picnic lunch, or simply to take in the gorgeous view, Mount Defiance is not to be missed. Just a quick drive from the Fort, this perch atop the mountain gives you a birds eye view of the Fort and Lake Champlain below. It’s hard to imagine this beautiful place was the site of such intense historical conflicts.

EAT + DRINK

America’s Fort Cafe: With a breeze blowing through the open windows and a view of the lake below, the Cafe was the perfect spot to take a break from exploring and grab a bite to eat. We devoured a tuna melt and a veggie wrap, and as we departed to catch the boat we immediately regretted not ordering dessert - the pie that the waitress brought out for a neighboring table looked so good! Next time, for sure.

SHOP

Gift Shop: Remember that blue and white pottery I mentioned earlier? They’ve got plenty of beautiful reproductions available in the gift shop, plus books, souvenirs, and all the toys kids (or husbands who think they’re kids) could want.

When’s the last time you visited Fort Ticonderoga? We’re already planning our next trip back, and would love to hear some of your favorites there, too.

This post was in partnership with our friends at Fort Ticonderoga. We’re thrilled to have the opportunity to share this historic and beautiful place with you. Thank you for supporting the businesses and organizations that support Glens Falls Living.

One Hundred Years of Hot Dogs at New Way Lunch

How many dirt dog fans out there?! We were thrilled to catch up with the Gazetos Family to chat about their remarkable achievement of 100 years in business at New Way Lunch. Read on as they share what has changed (and stayed the same!) over the years, what the future holds, and get the scoop on their 100th Anniversary Party this Saturday, August 3rd!

100 Years in Business - that’s amazing and so rare! What would you say has been the secret  to maintaining such a long run? 

Our family has kept it simple over the 100 years, a consistent product with great service. We believe that is the key to our success.

What has changed over the years? What’s stayed the same? 

We have expanded our menu and added more locations over the years. But our commitment to our roots, being our hotdogs, has stayed the same. You always have to remember what got you to where you are today.

Your founder, John Floro would be so proud… What do you think he would make of restaurant industry nowadays? 

It’s so much different now! I am not sure what he would think, but he created a great legacy for our family and would be very proud.

The restaurant business isn’t always easy… any challenges over the years? How did you overcome them? 

There are challenges every day, I just tell my children to take it one day at a time. And that’s what we do, we work hard and just keep plugging along.

What first brought your family to the region? What’s kept you here? 

My grandfather, John, traveled around the state. He went to a few small cities, came across Glens Falls and decided to move his wife and two children at the time here. So our family has been in the area ever since. We have loved raising our kids here, it’s great!

You’ve got three locations… where was your first? When did they open respectively? 

The first was on South Street in Glens Falls, opening in 1919. Susan and I opened the Queensbury location in in 1998 and lastly our Warrensburg location in 2012.

Photo courtesy of The Gazetos Family.

What do you think your customers love the most about New Way? 

I think people really enjoy the old school atmosphere. You know, we don’t change much, and I hear customers say I haven’t been here in 10 years and everything’s the same! People really like that, and of course our service, we are lucky to have great help and that goes a long way.

What do you love most about your customers?

We have the best customers; we are lucky to have a lot of regulars that keep us going! I would say I love their loyalty most.

What do you love the most about living in the area?

My family has always lived in the Glens Falls area, we love being close to the ADKs and Lake George. Glens Falls is very up and coming now, there is a lot going on downtown and it’s very exciting to watch the city develop. You know we have seen it go through a lot of up and downs through the years. But there is no question Glens Falls is having a re-birth.

Let’s talk about the family aspect of the business… What do you think is the biggest advantage of being a family run business? Are there any challenges that come along with it? 

It’s great to have your family by your side when in business! You always have someone to trust and who you know will work hard alongside you. My wife and kids have done a tremendous job. I am very proud. For us we are so used to working together we don’t have many challenges in that aspect of business.

How about the famous dirt dogs… what do you think makes them so popular? 

It’s really the combination of everything that make our hot dogs so great. The steamed roll, with our custom pork and beef blend hotdog, topped with yellow mustard, freshly chopped onions, and our homemade meat sauce. The meat sauce is really the standout though, it’s what we are known for.

How long have they been on the menu? 

All 100 years of course. For a long time, it was just hotdogs and beverages.

We know it’s secret… but has the meat sauce changed over the years? How many years have you used the same recipe? 

The sauce has never changed and never will. It has been passed down through the generations. Each family member makes the sauce in each of the locations and we take great pride in it.

What are some of your other most popular items on the menu? 

Our cheese fries have become very popular and our onion rings. We are also known for our Greek salads.

Has the menu changed much over the years? Any plans for even more great options? 

The menu greatly expanded when we opened the Queensbury location. The Warrensburg location also serves breakfast. We add things now and again, but there aren’t any immediate plans for any major menu changes.

With 100 years under your belt, what does the future hold? 

We are going to just keep doing what we are doing. As a family we feel so lucky to have made it this far.

What do you think will get you through the next 100 years?

The same thing that got us through the first 100 years, it’s truly a labor of love for us.

If you could offer any bit of advice to a young restaurateur, what would it be? 

It’s a rewarding business to be in. But you have to really love it, it’s a lot of work!

Tell us a bit about your 100th Anniversary Party this coming Saturday!

Our 100 year celebration is really a party to celebrate our customers. We could not have done it without them! It’s going to be a true block party, with activities for children, live music, and of course lots of hot dogs. We are having our hotdog eating contest at 4:30pm, and that should really be fun, we are looking forward to it.

Grab all the details for the party here.

Peter, Susan, Nicholas, and Alexandria Gazetos. Photo by Tom Stock, courtesy of The Gazetos Family.

The Weekender: July 26 - 28

Hi! How’s your week been? We’ve been on the road for most of it, so we’re looking forward to a leisurely weekend - a trip to the Farmer’s Market, a couple of drinks on the back porch, and a stroll downtown (where it looks like there will be a lot going on)! Here’s the scoop:

Happy Weekend! Thanks so much for reading.
Bri + Tom

My Glens Falls: Dan Biddiscombe

This week, we were so happy to chat with Dan Biddiscombe. Always a friendly face at Downtown Social, we absolutely loved hearing his fond hometown memories as well as his current favorites, and some big dreams for the future too :)

Tell us about yourself!

Greetings! My name is Dan Biddiscombe, I work as a Hospitality Executive with Downtown Hospitality Group. Currently General Manager at Downtown Social. I have an 18 year old daughter Katy, who just graduated from South Glens Falls and will be attending SUNY Adirondack in the Fall. Two older brothers that live and work locally. I have a 12 year old Chocolate Lab named Teddy (Roosevelt) who is basically my son and has no idea that he is a dog. I am lifelong Dodger fan, graduated from St. John’s University in NYC, and other than the 10 years I spent during and post graduating college living in NYC, I’ve lived in the Glens Falls area. I have been working in hospitality for over 30 years. From washing dishes at Pat Russo’s Dugout, waiting tables at Massie’s, bartending in NYC and Saratoga, to management at The Sagamore, O’Toole’s and now in Downtown Glens Falls at Social. I’ve been mentored by and have worked with some amazing people along the way. I dabble in some film stuff, local projects, and write when I have the time.

On Life in Glens Falls

I was born in Glens Falls, lived in the East End of Glens Falls on Lawrence St (my Mother’s family home for many years) then moved to SGF when I was 6. My Dad grew up in Ft. Edward and my Mom was a Glens Falls kid, a St. Mary’s grad. My journey back to Glens Falls was not my original plan – but I’m so glad it worked out that way! I couldn’t imagine raising my daughter anywhere else.

My girlfriend Kelly and I currently reside in Queensbury, just 10 minutes from Downtown Glens Falls. Our development has lots of trails for walking the dog, a beautiful horse farm, and a great view of West Mountain. We love it!

Some Glens Falls Favorites

My favorite thing about Glens Falls is the development of Downtown. The City has changed so much from when I was growing up here. Walking around Downtown wasn’t really “a thing” back then. I feel Downtown Glens Falls currently resembles a mix between the Hometown USA my parents grew up in, and Brooklyn Heights (where I lived for years) more than the city I grew up in. It’s pretty cool! As far as a hidden gem? I would say the people I work with at DT Social, DTCT – and the people I have amazing conversations with that work in hospitality, music, film, art in this area. We are blessed to have a tight community of talented, interesting people working in Downtown.

A Perfect Glens Falls Day

My ideal day in Glens Falls always begins with coffee and bagels with my daughter at Spektor. I love the Fall, so a stroll down Glen Street and around Crandall Library for sure (anyone that knows me, knows I will have headphones on and DMB playing.) For dinner, of course I’m partial to DT Social and DTCT. I really enjoy and am proud of the food at both places. I enjoy all the restaurants in Downtown, honestly. I’m excited for Craft on 9 to join the mix – Rob does a great job. Not to mention he’s a fellow Bulldog. To end the night, I would say my “go to” would be DTCT. People love the late night scene at Social! I’m usually looking for a quiet, quick IPA with my Tavern buddies before I head home.

On the Past

Some of my favorite memories are sitting on my front porch on Lawrence Street, eating a small brown bag of Swedish Fish from Marguerite’s Corner Store, watching the St. Mary’s Football team jog by, wearing all white uniforms and black cleats around their neck (any East Ender will remember that). I felt like I lived next to Penn State campus! Going to the Red Wings games for sure, and now being friends with some of those guys is pretty cool. Lou’s Pizza after the hockey games was a staple. I remember seeing my first movie, Bambie, at the old Paramount Theater. Going to Woolworth’s for ice cream sodas with my Grandmother. The Joy Store was where we all shopped, for literally everything. Seeing Aerosmith at the Civic Center was a yearly event. Lots of other stuff, I probably shouldn’t say.. Haha.

…And on the Future

If I could wave a magic wand, I would bring The Dave Matthews Band to the South High Marathon Dance, Aaron Sorkin’s production of To Kill a Mockingbird would be at The Wood, and Union Square Café would…ok.. I’ll get serious… I guess I would hurry up the South Street projects that are in the works. I’m very excited to see not only the visual, but the socio-economic impact it will have on Downtown, hopefully being a place for all to enjoy. I can’t go without mentioning my SGF peeps across the bridge needing a large Target like store, badly!!

Some More Glens Falls Favorites

I’m still in awe of how our community came together for Common Roots. I just love the Weber Family, the staff, and of course their beer. Also, I wish that everyone could be in attendance during the South High Marathon Dance closing ceremony. It’s hard to really appreciate the impact the school, kids and community have on people that truly need help, without being there. It’s emotionally overwhelming. Having been a part of it as a student, parent, and volunteer is something I’m very proud of. I’m also very proud to be a part of the ADK Film Festival Committee. Year one exceeded expectations, and continues to grow beyond our wildest dreams. It's truly amazing!

Thanks for sharing, Dan! We loved hearing your Glens Falls memories and I still remember shopping at the Joy Store (and Toys for Joy!) when I was a kid.

The Weekender: July 19 - 21

Happy weekend! It’s going to be a hot one, but there’s lots to do so we’re not going to let that stop us. In addition to shopping for another air conditioner, here’s a few of our picks for the weekend:

Have the best weekend!
Bri + Tom

P.S. If you’re in the mood for a daytrip this weekend, here’s a suggestion!

A Century Ago, Kind Merchant was First Glens Falls Kiwanis Club President

Charles Gelman, a long-time downtown Glens Falls dry goods merchant, used to tell a story about when he was a boy growing up poor in Hungary.

He longed for a luscious apple from a display at a fruit stand, but he didn’t have a penny to buy one.

A smiling stranger noticed Gelman, and offered to buy the child an apple if he would eat it.

“We only partly believe the legend,” a Post-Star editorial quipped at the time of Gelman’s death in 1941. “Left to his own resources, he would have somehow earned the penny to buy the apple.”

Merkel & Gelman - Glen Street, Glens Falls. Photo courtesy of The Folklife Center at Crandall Public Library.

Gelman had built up a reputation for service and kindness in a quarter-of-a-century on the Glens Falls business scene, holding leadership positions at various times in about a dozen service, religious and philanthropic organizations.

“There was in the essence of his spirit the quiet, persistent urge to convert life, rather than be converted by it, to mold the years into kindness, considerateness and generosity, into the love of mankind and the will behind mankind,” the editorial stated.

A century ago, Gelman was the first president of the Glens Falls Kiwanis Club.

Max Stein, a national Kiwanis Club organizer, came to Glens Falls in August 1919, staying at the Rialto Apartments on Warren Street and setting up shop at the Elks Lodge at the corner of Glen and Ridge streets.

“It is a personal acquaintance, a friendly handshake, the weekly meetings which cause us to learn the qualities of heart and mind of our fellow members.”

It would seem these ideals fit with Gelman’s business slogan: “the store of cheerful service.”

Kiwanis, started in Detroit, had 179 clubs in United States and Canada, at the time, including clubs in Albany, Schenectady, Syracuse, Utica, Rochester and Buffalo.

Stein, the organizer, suggested a Kiwanis Club would give Glens Falls prominence.

“It is the purpose of this club to develop such a high standard of business certainty, integrity, probity (strong moral principles) that the fact that one is a member will be a badge of honor.”

By Aug. 29, Stein had recruited 18 prospective members, and he was confident of soon reaching the 50 members needed for a charter.

The current Glens Falls Kiwanis Club charter dates back to 1925.

Either the club disbanded and reorganized, or it took longer than expected to reach the 50-member mark.

On Sept. 29, 1919, the club met to elect officers and plan an initial social gathering for Oct. 2.

Gelman was elected president, Walter Shaw vice president, Fred N. Pulver, business manager of The Saratoga Sun, as secretary, and Dr. A. F. Mosher, a local physician, as treasurer.

The club held its first dinner meeting at Church of Messiah Parish Hall on Oct. 9, with Edward F. Kelly, secretary of the Schenectady Kiwanis Club, and Glens Falls acting Mayor Julius Jacobson as speakers.

“Kiwanians of the local club enjoyed a fine dinner. … It was a big gathering of good fellows and progressive business men at which there was nothing lacking in the way of enthusiasm,” The Post-Star reported.

Speakers at early luncheon meetings at the Glens Falls Y.M.C.A. on Glen Street, in the building that now houses Spot Coffee, included Rev. Charles O. Judkins, pastor of Christ Church Methodist, Rev. David Solly, pastor of First Presbyterian Church, and J. Edward Singleton, a local lawyer.

Gelman, the first president, came to Glens Falls from Troy to partner with Louis Kempner and David Merkel of Plattsburgh to purchase Goodson’s, a long-standing dry goods and clothing store in downtown Glens Falls.

Merkel & Gelman - Glen Street, Glens Falls. Photo courtesy of The Folklife Center at Crandall Public Library.

“They are energetic and progressive business men with years of experience in the dry goods business,” The Post-Star reported at the time. “They believe they can make many innovations in the city which are sure to prove popular with local shoppers.”

A few years later Gelman purchased Kempner’s interest in the business, and in 1921 the name was changed to Merkel & Gelman.

In 1919, when Gelman was Kiwanis Club president, the partners had five stores in Glens Falls, Plattsburgh, Lake George, Troy and Wilmington, Del., and later grew to a chain of nine stores.

The Glens Falls store closed in 1982.

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Sources: The Post-Star Feb. 10, March 5, 1917; July 23, Aug. 16, 22, Sept. 29, 30, Oct. 10, 16, 1919; April 19, 1941; Dec. 15, 2006.

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Speaking of Kiwanis, their 29th annual Duck Race and Family Fun Day is coming up on July 27 - get the details here.

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

My Glens Falls: Jacqui Royael

This week, we were thrilled to chat with Jacqui Royael, who we had the pleasure of connecting with through our friends at the amazing Double H Ranch. Read on to find out how she got her start at Double H, where she heads for ice cream on a summer Sunday, and a fun type of café she’d like to see downtown.

Tell us about yourself!

I’m Jacqui Royael, Director of Operations at the Double H Ranch. My husband Scott and I are grateful, and at times weary, parents to Maya, 10 Parker, 7 and baby Nora just turned 1. When I’m not at Double H, I enjoy traveling with my family and writing about them after they fall asleep.

On Life in Glens Falls

I grew up locally in Whitehall, (Go Railroaders!) but Double H has happily kept me connected to the area. Twenty years ago, I started as a nervous camp counselor unsure of where I wanted to be in the world. As a college kid, I could have never imagined the profound impact Double H would have had on my own life and our community. After teaching Special Education, I came back to the area to begin my professional career at Double H in 2005. Seeing the difference kindness and acceptance can have in the lives of others, keeps me here every day.

My husband and I moved from Saratoga Springs to Glens Falls when our daughter, Maya was 1. We loved how close Glens Falls was to all the things we love - the mountains, our jobs, the lakes, and our family. We are now cresting on ten years in the area and what keeps us in the community is everything it has to offer. How easy it is to walk to restaurants, school, coffee shops, but also the proximity to new playgrounds or a day hike.

We loved the character of the homes in Glens Falls. Our home is over 100 years old and despite the aging roof and small bathrooms, we love the history it has and how everyone can find their own quiet little space. My favorite is time spent sitting on the porch.

I love how my neighborhood has shaped our children’s young lives. From their incredible school, Kensington Road Elementary, just a couple blocks away, to all the friends they happily go outside and play with.

My commute to work heading north into the Adirondacks is perhaps the prettiest around too.

Some Glens Falls Favorites

My favorite part of living in Glens Falls is how easy it makes enjoying the best parts of life. I wish more people knew how many opportunities it affords families. We love the Wood Theatre, especially all the wonderfully talented Broadway Upstate shows.

But probably the biggest hidden gem, would be our families. Living close to family makes life better in all ways.

A Perfect Glens Falls Day

My perfect day in Glens Falls would be spent with my family on bikes checking out all our favorite spots. Starting with coffee and bagels at Spektor - the Avocado Fresh is so good. We would stop by the Farmer’s Market on a Saturday. After wandering around the Crandall Library, we would take our books to read at Spot and maybe stop into Rude Betty.

Sushi is a family favorite, so Mikado for lunch.

Ice cream is a must at some point - we love Rob & Deb’s or if it’s Sunday in summer, Sprinkles for the jazz concert.

With Grandma babysitting, it would be a quiet dinner at Raul’s. The salmon tacos are my favorite!

On The Future

I’d love to see a boardgame café! We love playing games of all kinds and often pack one when we go out to restaurants. Makes the wait time more enjoyable for everyone! On a vacation to Toronto, we found this great restaurant that offered walls and walls of different board games.

Or maybe a bookstore or Indian food.

Thanks, Jacqui! A boardgame café would be so much fun!

P.S. Check out more of our My Glens Falls series here.

Road Trip: Bolton Landing

Summer on the lake…is there anything better? One of the things we love most about living in Glens Falls is our proximity to Lake George. Within 15 minutes, we can be cruising past the steamboats on Beach Road, taking in the view. And while we love the character of Lake George Village, there’s also something special about heading further north to the charm of Bolton Landing.

Read on for a couple of our favorite spots in town, and to learn a bit more about an organization that helps to ensure our Lake is protected for us to enjoy for years to come.

EAT + DRINK

Bear’s Cup: Newly opened this year, we couldn’t wait to try Bear’s Cup after seeing photos of their adorable space (and their coffee and bagels!). We can confirm that everything does indeed taste as amazing as it looks - and even better, it’s all made in house from scratch. We’re already planning our next ride up for more of their delicious coffee cakes - get the salted caramel…and the blueberry!

Bolton Landing Brewing Company: Another must while you’re in Bolton, we love stopping here for a cold drink after a good hike. Tom is a big fan of their IPAs (they’ve got five to choose from!) and I can never resist a glass of rosé on a summer day (and always love a brewery that also has a great selection of wines!). Bonus: their outdoor seating overlooking Lake Shore Drive is an awfully nice spot to take in the sunshine!

SEE + DO

Hike: We’re trying to get out for some more local hikes this summer and the Lake George Land Conservancy has a slew of great trails to choose from (and might we add, they’ve done an amazing job protecting and preserving the land around the lake to provide these hiking opportunities!). The Pinnacle is a favorite of ours - a short hike with a fantastic view - and we’re also big fans of Anthony’s Nose as well as Cat and Thomas Mountains. Find the trail info here.

Cruise: The main event for a trip to “the lake” is, well, the lake itself. It’s one of the most beautiful places on Earth, right here in our backyard. Protecting our environment and the natural resources we all sometimes take for granted has always been important to us, so we were excited to be invited to an annual informational gathering held at The Sagamore and their beautiful 19th century replica touring vessel The Morgan for The Future Fund, a group formed by The Fund for Lake George for younger supporters (college students, young professionals and families, etc.) intended to inform and engage the next generation of protectors of Lake George. 

It was a beautiful night of hearing directly from the world class scientists and leadership who are furthering the mission of The Fund to “stop the present decline of water quality and achieve sustained protection of Lake George for the next generation.” We were introduced to the amazing scientists, leadership, and high-tech tools and monitoring equipment that are actively furthering the long-term scientific research, advocacy, partnerships, and investment necessary to keep our great resource happy and healthy for generations to come. Simply put, without the efforts of this organization and its supporters, Lake George would not be the pristine destination we all know and love today. 

Partnering with technological powerhouses RPI and IBM, The Jefferson Project has not only made Lake George the most intelligent lake on the planet, but is serving as a world wide model for fresh water protection and preservation. That’s pretty special. To learn more about how you can invest in the future of Lake George and the future of preservation of fresh water lakes everywhere, you can find more information here.

Pictured: Brian Mattes of RPI; Harry Kolar, PhD, of IBM; and Rick Relyea, PhD, of RPI. Photo courtesy of Brian Mattes.

By the way, did you know that you don’t have to stay at The Sagamore to head out for a cruise on The Morgan?! They have daily sightseeing cruises and they’re also doing a series of wine pairing cruises this summer. Sign us up!

SHOP

Black Bass Antiques and Lakeview Antiques: What’s a little road trip without a stop for a couple of treasures? We can’t resist a good antique shop, and Bolton has a couple of our favorites. We especially love peeking through the local nostalgia in both shops - from postcards, to old photos and pennants, you could easily spend the afternoon. And, we often do!

We’d love to know some of your Bolton favorites (leave them in the comments below!), and you can see more Glens Falls area road trips here.

*This post was in partnership with The FUND for Lake George, an organization that protects the lake that is near and dear to our hearts. Thank you for supporting the businesses and organizations that support Glens Falls Living.

The Weekender: July 12 - 14

Happy weekend! We’re psyched to see some nice weather in the forecast this weekend and are looking forward to finishing up a couple of projects around the house, spending some time downtown, and heading out for a ride or two in the Wagoneer. Here’s a few other things on our radar this weekend:

Have the best weekend!
Bri + Tom

P.S. If you’re looking for more to do this month, check out these Five Shows to See in July here.

My Glens Falls: Christian Weber

This week, we caught up with Christian Weber, who you’ll likely recognize as the co-founder of local favorite Common Roots Brewing Company. While he grew up in the area, we were interested to find out what brought him back to Glens Falls, what he’s up to when he’s not at the brewery, and a pretty cool idea he’d like to see added downtown.

Tell us about yourself!

Hi, I’m Christian Weber and I am the President, Co-Founder, and Head Brewer at Common Roots Brewing Company.

I grew up in Lake George, spending most of my time on the water. After high school I went for Undergrad and Graduate school in NH where I received a BS in Ecology and an MS in Environmental Science. After working at a few breweries I slowly made my way back to this area, via Lake Placid where I was the Executive Director of the Lake Placid Land Conservancy, and I am now happily settled in Glens Falls. 

On Life in Glens Falls

I’ve lived in Glens Falls for two years now, and apparently time flies when you’re having fun! I wasn’t sure where I would end up settling down but walkability was important to me, and Glens Falls definitely came through on that. The beautiful downtown, parks, and amenities also drew me in and the short commute over the bridge to the brewery didn’t hurt!

I own an old home near Crandall Park. It was definitely a fixer upper but it has great bones and a lot of character. I love the proximity to the park, Cole’s Woods, and downtown. You really can’t beat the location!

The amenities are what attracted me to Glens Falls. The parks, West Mountain, the vibrant downtown, theaters, access to the bike trail and Feeder Dam trail, and an arena- we really have it all. However, now that I’ve lived here for 2 years I can honestly say the people are my favorite part. The community is what makes Glens Falls such a great place.

A Perfect Glens Falls Day

This is tough because we have so many great options. 

For breakfast and coffee it’s a toss up between Spot and Spektor. Both are walkable from home and are a great way to start the day.

Although I’m more of a summer guy, one of my favorite activities is being able to get a few runs in at West Mountain after work and still be home for dinner. I’ve lived in a couple more notable ski towns that don’t even have the easy access to a mountain like we do. 

For date night, there are so many places that support Common Roots that it’s always hard to choose where to go, but Melanie and I love making the rounds, visiting our friends, and grabbing a beer.

On the Past

Growing up I played hockey and it was always a treat to go to a Red Wings game with my family. I’m happy that hockey is still a part of our town culture today.

On the Future

Although I meant it before when I said Glens Falls really has it all, and Grey Ghost Bicycles has done an incredible job making sure our residents have access to bikes, it would be great to have a bike share program to get around town.

Thanks, Christian! Cheers!

P.S. Check out more of our My Glens Falls series here.

Road Trip: Open Studios Tour

Have you ever been on the Open Studios Tour in Washington County? It’s coming up July 19 - 21, and after the little sneak peek we had this past week, we couldn’t be more excited to venture out on the full tour. Cruising the back roads of the county past beautiful old farmhouses and barns, exploring historic and charming towns, and meeting the most creative, talented, and kind artists - each in their own studio - is an ideal day in our book. Read on for just a small sampling of what you can expect on the self-guided tour, and plan to experience it for yourself in just a couple of short weeks!

The Artists

The Tour features 15 artists who work across a variety of mediums - painting, clay, sculpture, photography, and more! Below are just a few of the artists who will be featured on the tour, and you can find the full details here.

Gyula Varosy | Greenwich: We were delighted to meet Gyula and his wife Hannie (and their dogs!) at their studio - a restored barn in Greenwich. Trained as an architect, Gyula found himself pursuing art alongside his work in New York City, and moved north with his family in order to focus further on his art. He noted his inspiration comes from anywhere and everywhere, but the focus is ultimately on form. Pulling from his background in architecture, his sculpture is a constructive and additive process. And, he joked, much like life - the process is not predictable or linear, and comes with many changes along the way. Don’t leave without taking a stroll on the trail around their property and enjoying the barn, the woods, and the stream!

Jacob Houston | Greenwich: Having just missed Jacob’s show at The Hyde recently, we were doubly thrilled to meet him at his home to view his gorgeous acrylic paintings on display there. Jacob’s paintings are almost like a dream, with vivid colors and intricate details, and we found our eyes being pulled into each corner of the painting to discover more of the story within. His paintings take anywhere from 1.5 months to about 5 months (!) depending on the size, and with that time commitment, it was easy to understand why he has a few favorite originals that he just can’t part with (but you can buy prints here!). We were immediately drawn to the painting of Nubble Light (where Tom proposed!), and loved the whimsical and fun take on such an iconic landmark.

Rebecca Sparks | Shushan: With her studio steps from the Battenkill River (and her beautiful gardens!), it wasn’t hard to see where Rebecca gets her inspiration from. In fact, it was the crows getting together for their morning “coffee chats” on her lawn that inspired her to start creating her ceramic birds (which by the way, start as an “egg” of clay - how fitting!). She’s been working with clay for over 20 years, and it was fun to see the evolution of her creations in her studio - from the slip casting molds to the finished birds, and from the carving to the patterns on her tableware (especially loved her blue glazes!).

Leslie Peck | Greenwich: We’ve long admired Leslie’s gorgeous paintings of the farm animals of Washington County (those cows!), and we were excited to finally see them in person, along with her new series featuring taxidermy subjects. Like many other artists along the tour, Leslie has made her studio in a converted barn behind their home in the village of Greenwich - an area which provides an endless amount of inspiration in the way of farms, barns, and animals. We loved the bold colors in her paintings, along with the life and personality in her subjects. Yes, she does commissions, and we both left knowing we’d love to have her to paint our dogs some day.

Clarence King | Cambridge: As admirers of landscape paintings, we were instant fans of Clarence’s work. We were also instant fans of his 1700’s colonial that he and his wife are restoring room-by-room, but that’s a story for a different day :) Rather than working as a plein air painter, Clarence works from a drawing done on site, along with a photo, and adds paint back in studio - up to 4 thin coats - which helps to give his paintings that vibrance and luminosity that is so striking. The beautiful views and changing seasons of Washington County provide him inspiration, and we love the contrast in colors between his summer landscapes lush with green to the crisp whites of his winter scenes.

Where to Eat + Drink

It wouldn’t be a road trip without stopping for a bite to eat along the way. Even if half of our stops were just for cookies ;) Here’s a few of the many great places to grab a snack or sip…

Greenwich Village Cafe + Bakery | Greenwich: Tucked just off Main Street, we popped into the adorable Village Cafe to grab a few cookies (so good!) as a quick snack. They’ve got the perfect patio to enjoy breakfast or lunch (or cookies!) outside, but we opted to take ours to go as we were eager to get to our next stop. Can’t wait to visit here again to try their breakfast!

Round House Bakery Cafe | Cambridge: Always a favorite stop in Cambridge, this was the perfect spot to grab lunch between artist visits. Reminiscent of an old general store, we love the ambience inside and always gravitate toward the counter to enjoy our sandwiches (our go-to: the Mediterranean). And don’t leave without a cookie - or two! We love the Ginger Spice, and you can never go wrong with their traditional chocolate chip.

Argyle Brewing Co. | Cambridge: Our first time here (and definitely not our last!). We couldn’t get over the uniqueness of the space (an old train depot!), and it was fun to imagine it bustling back in the day - and to see it bustling again as a tasting room! Tom was a big fan of the Hop to It IPA (which came highly recommended from a gentleman at the bar who proclaimed himself the president of the Hop to It fan club! :), and as a big cider fan, I was thrilled to see a couple of local options - Slyboro and Saratoga Apple. The perfect stop for a cold beverage on a hot day.

Gardenworks Cheese + Cafe | Salem: Another favorite of ours, we find our way out to Gardenworks whenever we can - especially in the summer for their Cheese + Cafe! Situated amongst the flowers in front of their gorgeous barn, this was the ideal spot to end the day. We opted for a panini and a slice of quiche (both amazing!), and went with local favorites to sip on - a can of beer from R.S. Taylor and a glass of wine from Victory View Vineyard. Don’t leave before perusing the shop, taking a peek in the barn gallery, and picking some blueberries (they should be ready next week!).

See you on the Tour! Grab all of the details on artists and locations here.

P.S. We just heard about an amazing Farm to Table dinner happening at Lakota’s Farm in Cambridge on Friday, July 19th! Gorgeous setting, local craft beer and cider, and a delicious menu - grab your tickets here before they sell out!

*This post was in partnership with our friends at Washington County NY Tourism. We’re thrilled to have the opportunity to share some of our favorite places in the county with you. Thank you for supporting the businesses and organizations that support Glens Falls Living.

Five Shows to See in July

July is the time when Glens Falls truly earns its distinction as “Hometown USA”! With the Glens Falls Symphony and fireworks at Crandall Park on the 3rd, ATF shows at The Wood, Monday night Glens Falls City Band in the City Park gazebo, Wednesday Take a Bite downtown, Thursday night music and food trucks at The Shirt Factory, and Friday night movies in City Park, the city comes to life! As it gets hotter out, it will be a nice relief to step inside to cool off! Here are some of my picks to put on your calendar this month.

July 7 • Charles Cornell Album Release Party • The Strand, Hudson Falls

Charles Cornell is an internet sensation for his really fun short musical parodies and he’s a great jazz-fusion pianist. It will be very fun to see him at The Strand! Grab your tickets here.

July 9 • “Section 130” Book Reading • Katrinka Mannelly • Crandall Public Library

Just thrilled to support my sister-in-law (Jim’s sister) as she travels around the country from Tacoma, WA with her book of short stories about Bigfoot, faeries, demons, sirens and other supernatural beings. I’m loving this book and I know her reading will be magical! Here are the details!

July 11 - August 31 • Hound of the Baskervilles • Lake George Dinner Theatre

Looking forward to seeing this play and enjoying dinner at the same time! I remember reading the book in high school and just loving the Sherlock Holmes story (luckily I forget how it ends). The Lake George Dinner Theatre is “the most intimate dinner theatre in America” and has been putting on shows for nearly 50 years - I can’t wait to go check it out! Find out more info here.

July 22 • Glens Falls Music Academy Drum Corps • East Field

I’ll admit I’m not a big football fan, but I have always loved halftime with the marching bands and drum corps! Here’s a way to see some of the best drum corps in the country (without having to sit through a football game). I’ll be at East Field in Glens Falls to enjoy “Marching Music’s Major League”, a unique and exciting opportunity! Get the details here.

 July 26 and 27 • GEM Fest • Downtown Glens Falls

Glens Falls Entertainment & Music Festival (GEM Fest) keeps getting bigger and better every year! This year it’s now two days and Glen Street in downtown will be closed off for part of the event. Bands from throughout the region perform in downtown venues, gallery spaces feature work from local artists, The Park Theater hosts Short Stuff production, live comedy and a Film Festival, GEMbouree for kids is in City Park and the streets come alive with art and music. This is going to be a very fun weekend! Here are all the details!

Susan Siplon is a singer, actor, artist and arts enthusiast who has been both on the stage and behind the scenes as a producer, festival director and venue manager. Susan recently moved to Glens Falls after living all over the country and in Fiji and New Zealand and has found the arts scene in this area to be one of the most vibrant and easily accessible that she has ever experienced.

The Weekender: July 5 - July 7

Happy 4th of July! And happy weekend! Hope you’re taking a long weekend to celebrate with family, friends, food, and some fireworks.

In addition to consoling our dogs during the aforementioned fireworks, here’s what we’re hoping to get to this weekend:

Have a great weekend and Happy 4th!
Bri + Tom

P.S. In case you missed it, we chatted with Kayla Sehlmeyer in this week’s My Glens Falls - read it here.

P.P.S. We talked with Charles Cornell after he went viral back in May (read it here), and he’s playing at The Strand this weekend! Grab tickets here.

My Glens Falls: Kayla Sehlmeyer

This week, we’re catching up with Kayla Sehlmeyer (who many of you probably know from Yoga Kayla!). Read on to find out where she loves to start her day, the super exciting celebration she’s looking forward to next month (congratulations!!), and what she’d like to see added downtown (we agree!).

Tell Us About Yourself!

I’m Kayla Sehlmeyer, Owner of Yoga Kayla. I teach breathing for a living :) In all seriousness my love and passion for what I do is deep rooted. I practice wholeheartedly what I teach....

There is great saying about Yoga: "It teaches us to cure what need not to be endured and endure what cannot be cured." B.K. Iyengar 

I have two boys Ryan 9 and John 11. I have a beautiful fiance Megan, whom I get to marry in 65 days from today :) Our first date was in City Park right outside the Library :) 

On Life in Glens Falls

I grew up in this area and have been here my entire life. I love love love Glens Falls and the surrounding areas and the Adirondacks. I have been downtown for over 5 years now and to watch this community grow, evolve, and flourish is nothing short of freaking amazing.

A Perfect Glens Falls Day

Ahh my ideal day in Glens Falls would be waking up, coffee in hand of course, and heading to one of Sara's early morning classes that we hold outside in the Gazebo during summer months. It's truly amazing to wake up with the city as it wakes up. The birds chirping, the sound of the cars, literally the city slowly moving into its hustle and bustle of the day ahead. I would then head to Spektor Coffee (clearly addicted lol)...grab a book and pop a squat. As the day starts to rise I would venture out for a morning workout at ADK Crossfit, followed by some delicious smoothies at Juicin Jar which I am sure would ensue that I meet up with my future wife and our boys..they love the Juice Monkey... It truly is such a remarkable community downtown. We would then head over to Minky Mink for a little shopping of course and probably an outfit for date night :) We would then head over to Crandall Park for some fishing, playing basketball, and maybe some tennis. After we work up an appetite, we’d grab some lunch at Raul's....mmmm they have some amazing Mexican food. We would take the afternoon biking on the bike path and cruising around. Most definitely the evening would have a date night with my love at Morgan and Co. or Farmacy...such great choices....maybe a little stroll after dinner around the park and end the evening with some star gazing and taking in the city lights.

On the Past

St. Mary's St. Alphonsus is always a memory. It is where I started my education and went there for several years to follow. The roots I have around this community have always made it feel like home...the little Hometown USA....yes indeed that is exactly what it is for me!

On the Future

Grocery Store!!! I would love to have a grocery store within walking distance for downtown businesses and residents to shop at! I would also love a parking garage - preferably where the public parking is right behind the studio or even on Elm St.

Anything else?

SO excited about all the growth and development happening in downtown Glens Falls right now!!!! The new projected farmers market looks amazing!!!!!

Thanks, Kayla! Wishing you and Megan all the best!! And we totally agree about the grocery store, by the way :)

P.S. Check out more of our My Glens Falls series here.

The Weekender: June 28 - 30

Happy weekend! It’s finally starting to feel like summer around here - the kids are out of school, the ice cream truck making it’s way around the neighborhood, and we’re finding ourselves out on the back porch most nights.

In addition to shopping for yet another air conditioner for this old house, here’s what’s up this weekend:

Have a great weekend! Thanks for reading.
Bri + Tom

P.S. In case you missed it, we chatted with Maury Thompson in this week’s My Glens Falls here.

My Glens Falls: Maury Thompson

This week, we’re chatting with Maury Thompson. For loyal readers of The Post Star, he likely needs no introduction as one of their reporters for 21 years. We were thrilled to learn a bit more about him, including what brought him to Glens Falls, what his perfect Glens Falls day looks like, and what he’s currently working on.

Tell us about yourself!

Maury Thompson, freelance writer and documentary film producer specializing in the history of politics, labor organizing and media in New York’s North Country.

I am partnering with Snarky Aardvark Films of Queensbury on a feature-length documentary about Charles Evans Hughes and the Adirondacks. Release is expected in 2020 (see the trailer here).

I have written two books, “The Biggest Kid at the Balloon Festival: The Walter Grishkot Story,” and “The Animated Feather Duster: Slow News Day Tales of the Legendary Facial Hair of Charles Evans Hughes.” Both are available at The Chapman Historical Museum gift shop.

I previously was a reporter for 21 years for The Post-Star.

I covered 12 area congressional races.

On Life in Glens Falls

I came to Glens Falls from Ticonderoga in July 1999 to accept a staff writer position at The Post-Star. I previously had been a freelance correspondent in Essex County for a little over three years.

I originally expected to stay a year to 18 months, but stayed for nearly two decades.

It didn’t take long for Glens Falls to feel like home.

I like to say that in college I majored in English, and in life I majored in Glens Falls.

My wife, Debbie, and I recently moved to Ticonderoga to spend more time with my 12 grandchildren.

But I still major in Glens Falls – writing about its history, people and economic development.

A Perfect Glens Falls Day

On a perfect day in Glens Falls I would spend a Thursday afternoon researching at The Folklife Center at Crandall Public Library, catch supper at a downtown restaurant, and then come back to the library for a folk music concert.

On The Past

Trying to pick a favorite memory is like trying to pick a favorite flavor of ice cream at Stewart’s. I will settle for a memory from my first weekend in Glens Falls – attending Adirondack Drums at East Field.

Adirondack Drums was an annual drum and bugle corps show that Fort Edward Lions Club presented at East Field for many years starting in the 1970s.

Many of the top youth music and marching units on the summer circuit stopped in Glens Falls.

Glens Falls Music Academy brought the event back last summer.

…And On the Future

The biggest change in downtown Glens Falls is its vibrancy. When I first moved here in 1999 there was little activity in downtown on evenings and weekends unless there was an event at the Civic Center. On Sunday afternoons I would have to walk across the bridge to South Glens Falls to find a restaurant, other than Burger King, that was open.

The consistency between now, then and a century ago is the community spirit.

My hope for the future is prosperity for all Glens Falls businesses.

Thanks, Maury! We couldn’t agree more about the wonderful community spirit here.

P.S. Check out more of our My Glens Falls series here.

The Weekender: June 21 - 23

Happy weekend and happy first day of summer tomorrow! After yet another day of rain, we’re psyched to see sunshine in the forecast this weekend, so here’s what we’re hoping to squeeze in after we finish some projects around the house:

Have the best weekend!
Bri + Tom

P.S. In this week’s Back in the Day, we shared a little history on the first Glens Falls food trucks here.

From Humble Beginnings to Mainstream American Culture - The Incredible Journey of the Lunch Wagon

In recent years, food trucks have been all the rage. Turn on the Food Network or The Travel Channel with any frequency and you’re bound to come across a show about them. While the idea of food trucks may seem pretty novel, the concept is one that goes back over a century. During the boom of the manufacturing age in the late 19th century, factory workers needed hearty, affordable meals at all hours of the day. To answer the demand, small wagons were converted into moveable restaurants. The “lunch wagon” was born.

Courtesy of The Chapman Museum, from the 1897-98 Glens Falls Business Directory.

The very first lunch wagon is credited to Walter Scott in 1872, Providence, Rhode Island. But did you realize that Glens Falls played a part in this early food revolution? In 1897, Albert Closson of Glens Falls, built his first lunch wagon. Closson named his wagon the “Crystal Palace” and from 1895-1900 it was located on Fountain Square (the site of the roundabout today). By 1905, he had patented his design and went into full production at his home on Second St. Numerous local lunch wagons were of his design, including two in Whitehall and two in Glens Falls, the “Kenmore” and the “Ondawa”.

Courtesy of The Chapman Museum, from the 1916 Glens Falls Business Directory.

During his years in business, Closson built approximately 50 wagons. In 1912, he sold his patent and formed a stock company called The Closson Wagon Company. The newly organized firm relocated to Westfield, NY. Though officially retired, Closson maintained stock in the company and seemed to stay involved by acting as a consultant and making sales trips. Unfortunately, the company went bankrupt in 1916.

Between 1895 and 1930, there were collectively at least 14 lunch wagons in use throughout Glens Falls. They could be found on South St., Park St., Warren, Ridge and even Glenwood Ave.

One story of an early Ward and Dickinson lunch wagon is particularly amazing. A 1927 version that was in use here in Glens Falls, was purchased by Will and Grace Tario in 1932. The couple had it moved to Port Henry via rail car to Ticonderoga and then pulled by horse team the rest of the way. It reopened on Labor Day in 1933. Remarkably, this lunch wagon is still in operation! It is known today as Foote’s Port Henry Diner, and has been recognized for its historical significance. In 2000, it won an Adirondack Architectural Heritage Award. Many of the original features are intact, including the wooden wheels, marble counter tops and wooden cabinetry.

So, the next time you want to have a meal with a side of history, check out Foote’s Port Henry Diner. It’s definitely a bucket-list worthy adventure, and a tasty one at that.

Jillian Mulder has been the curator at the Chapman Historical Museum for the past eleven years. She had previously worked for the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation at the Crown Point State Historic Site. Her background is in both the fine arts and history. Jillian enjoys photographing old advertising signage and visiting diners, movie theaters, and roadside attractions (and documenting them on her Instagram account @followthebreadcrumbs2). She is passionate about documenting America’s cultural landscape before it vanishes; and wishes she could earn a living by taste testing ice cream at every stand from Upstate New York to New England.

My Glens Falls: Christopher Perilli

This week, we’re talking with Patrol Officer Christopher Perilli of the Glens Falls Police Department. We crossed paths with Officer Perilli at Pet Fest last month, and loved getting the chance to meet his K-9 partner, Phlash! Read on to find out what inspired him to become a police officer, a few of his downtown favorites, and a word of advice on dog training.

Tell us about yourself!

My name is Christopher Perilli, Patrol Officer / K-9 Handler with the Glens Falls Police Dept. I live with my girlfriend, 4 dogs and 1 cat.

What inspired you to become a police officer?

Growing up on Long Island when I was young, my twin brother picked the phone up and called 911 and hung up. Two Nassau County police officers came with their lights on and I thought it was the coolest thing. 

What do you enjoy the most about your job?

I enjoy working with my K-9 partner Phlash and being able to demonstrate to people how Phlash works and his capabilities. 

Tell us a bit about Phlash!

Phlash is an 8 year old black lab. His birthday is April 21st and his favorite treats are bacon treats. He lives with me along with 3 other dogs. 

How long was training to become a K-9? And we must know, any dog training tips?!

Phlash and I went to a K-9 school for 6 months. I’ve always told people that you can get a dog to do anything with dog treats. Just make sure you keep practicing it and when the dog does what you want him to do, make sure you praise him or her and reward them with a treat! 

Anything else you’d like to share about Phlash?

I would want people to know that not all police K-9s are mean. A lot of people are afraid of the K-9 but Phlash is a non aggressive detection dog. 

On Life in Glens Falls

I grew up in Queensbury mostly, but spent a lot of time in Glens Falls with friends. I’ve been in the Queensbury/Glens Falls area since I was about 8 years old. I would say my favorite thing about Glens Falls is the different restaurants and coffee spots downtown. I especially enjoy Downtown City Tavern, Bullpen Tavern, Mean Max, Mikado and Spot Coffee. 

A Perfect Glens Falls Day

My ideal day in the city would be dinner at Downtown City Tavern and catching a hockey game at the CIA or a baseball game at East Field, and then a night cap at the Bullpen Tavern. 

On the Past

Pet Fest and Taste of the North Country are always a favorite of mine but I’ve always enjoyed Boo 2 You in the City and handing out candy to the children in their costumes. 

…And On the Future

Would love to see more parking spots!

The Weekender: June 14 - 16

Happy (almost) Friday! It’s one of our favorite weekends of the year in Glens Falls with one of the biggest events of the year happening downtown (and the weather might even cooperate!). There’s a lot we’re hoping to fit in this weekend, so let’s get to it!

Have a great weekend, and Happy Father’s Day!

P.S. Looking for a last minute gift for dad? Check out our local gift guide here.