Back in the Day: Adirondack Balloon Festival

Walter Grishkot, co-founder and long-time organizer of The Adirondack Balloon Festival, had a saying: “A smile is worth a million dollars.”

There will be plenty of smiles to be found as we head into another Balloon Festival weekend.

Crowds came to the campus of Adirondack Community College, now SUNY Adirondack, in 1973 for the early morning launch to open the first Adirondack Balloon Festival.

“I just remember going up in the balloon and looking down and there were headlights down that road as far as you could see – people waiting to get in,” pilot John Marsden recalled in an oral history interview in 2010.

The headline in The Post-Star that weekend proclaimed, “Balloon Festival Fantastic.”

The newspaper reported that 19 balloons launched during the 2-day event, and there were no injuries or significant mishaps.

The only “incident,” if you can call it that, was when one balloonist landed in Argyle, a dry town, and presented the property owner with a bottle of champagne, the traditional gift in appreciation for being allowed to land.

Police were called, but as Walt used to like to say, “Kindness prevailed.”

Argyle police allowed the balloonist to dispense the champagne, and even had the balloonist sign the bottle as a souvenir.

By now, I’m sure that you are smiling.

To keep your smile portfolio increasing in value, join me in a look back at Adirondack Balloon Festival happenings from decades past.

Forty years ago – 1980

Adirondack Community College students in Stanley “Doc” Jenkins cooking class prepared the “World’s Largest Ice Cream Soda” to serve at the 4 p.m. launch.

“The concoction consists of 150 gallons of Pepsi-Cola donated by the Pepsi-Cola Bottling Co., and 58 gallons of ice cream, donated by Borden Inc., Dobert’s Dairy, and Stewart’s Ice Cream.” The Post-Star reported. “The soda will be mixed in a watering trough donated by Fort Edward Agway, and lined with aluminum foil given by Leland Paper Co.”

Spectators could buy a taste of the soda, with proceeds benefiting Adirondack Balloon Festival, United Way, and the cooking class.

Thirty years ago — 1990 

Was it a bird? Was it a plane? Was it a hot air balloon carrying the actor who portrayed Super Man?

Actor Christopher Reeve was scheduled to visit the closing day of the Adirondack Balloon Festival in 1990 to take a balloon flight with pilot Thomas Ford of Queensbury, The Post-Star reported several times before and during the festival.

It is not clear from news reports if Reeve did, in fact, take the flight.

Twenty years ago — 2000

The Food Channel cable television network filmed an episode of the show “Food 911” at the 2000 Adirondack Balloon Festival.

Host Tyler Florence prepared a picnic dinner of fried chicken, baked beans and potato salad.

Pilot Van Anderson of Morgantown, Va. transported the host on a short balloon ride.

Ten years ago – 2010

The conditions for ballooning looked excellent, both in the air and on the ground, for the opening launch at Crandall Park in 2010.

“OK – I’ll tell the people to come. … There will be thousands of them,” said Walter Grishkot, the festival’s co-founder and long-time organizer. 

One who had already come was a woman wearing a vest covered with ballooning pins, an obvious veteran of festivals past. “That woman with all the pins, if she jumped in the lake, she’d go straight down (to the bottom)!”

Walt made his way around the park, telling stories, selling programs and selling posters, as he had done at 37 previous festivals. He went through the same spiel with everyone he met, laughing at his own jokes as if he was hearing them for the first time.

Poking a little fun at the ballooning team from Saga City, Japan, he asked, “OK – do we have anyone here from Brooklyn?”

The balloonists laughed – once the joke made its way through translation.

It would be the organizer’s last Adirondack Balloon Festival.

Grishkot died on May 11, 2011, at age 85.

Portions of this column are excerpted from Thompson’s 2011 book “The Biggest Kid at the Balloon Festival: The Walter Grishkot Story,” available locally at The Chapman Historical Museum gift shop.

MAURY THOMPSON

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

The Weekender: September 18-20

Hi! Happy weekend. Trying not to dwell on the fact that this would’ve been Balloon Festival weekend - probably our favorite weekend of the year here - and yet here we are, dwelling :) Here are a few ideas to help you still make this an awesome fall weekend:

Fried Chicken Sandwiches: Common Roots is at it again, this time introducing a fried chicken sandwich to their to-go menu! Their pizza has become a favorite around these parts, so we can’t wait to add this to our order this weekend! Details and ordering here.

Apple Season: Alright, we’ve been talking about it for a few weeks, but this is the weekend we’re finally heading out for apples and cider donuts. If this is the weekend for you too, check out our list of local apple orchards to visit here!

U-Pick Potatoes: We did this last year at Goose Island Potatoes and it was so much fun! Truth be told, it was pretty quick work, but it was a beautiful drive and fun to get out in the dirt do something we hadn’t done before. And the mashed potatoes Tom made for weeks afterward were pretty great, too :) Details here! And while you’re out that way, R.S. Taylor Brewery is just five minutes away - just sayin’.

Fall Favorites: There are so many great destinations within easy driving distance of Glens Falls, so last year we put together a list of fall favorites in the Capital Region over on Bri’s blog. Since we’re all staying a little closer to home these days, thought we’d share it here as well in case you’re in the market for a little day trip - thinking we might need to work our way through the list again this year, too. Read it here (and make sure you call or check with each business on Facebook before you go - most are open but there are bound to be some COVID related changes!).

Have a great weekend!
Bri + Tom

On Following Your Dreams: Queensbury Man With Asperger’s begins Pursuit of Meteorology Degree

Nothing stops Andrew Paolano.

Not Asperger’s, a form of autism.

Not bullying in high school.

Nothing.

“Having autism is a big challenge,” Andrew told Glens Falls Living. But it hasn't stopped Andrew, 26, from enrolling at SUNY Adirondack to begin his pursuit of a degree in meteorology.

“It will be a big accomplishment for me to become a meteorologist," he said. "I’m very excited.”

“I have always found weather fascinating. I always loved thunderstorms and snowstorms. I’ve always been a big weather fanatic.”

A 2012 Queensbury graduate, Andrew was in elementary school when he reached out to News10 ABC chief meteorologist Steve Caporizzo.

“I called Steve to be a weather watcher when I was six or seven years old, and I’ve been doing that for 20 years,” he said.

He now has a separate Facebook page — Andrew Paolano’s Northeast Weather Forecasting — where he posts weather forecasts and current conditions.

And he has since become friends with Caporizzo and Tim Drawbridge, another meteorologist at News10 ABC, often visiting them at the studio and even appearing on air.

“I really enjoy it,” he said. “I like to be behind the scenes. It’s cool to see how they set up the show, and how they gather the data and use computers to make maps.”

He adds, “Steve and Tim have been great friends to me. We are great friends and I have always looked up to them for their professionalism and the things they do for the community.” 

Andrew said they also helped him when he was being bullied in school.

“It bothered me but I just relaxed when I got home and it was really helpful to watch Steve and Tim on the weather…Seeing the weather was calming to me after coming home from being bullied at school.”

Contacted for comment, Mr. Drawbridge said “Andrew is such a kind-hearted and generous person. And he’s very determined. This has been his dream, and it’s a very, very difficult thing to take on.

“But he’s faced so many challenges already…and when he puts his mind to something, he goes and does it. He took the time to properly assess this. And I know he can do this.”

Andrew said he started mulling a career in meteorology “in the last three or four years. I was back and forth on it because I have Asperger’s, and I’m a slow learner of math of science.

“I’m going really slow to start. I’m only doing one class, a math class. It’s lower-level math, and will be a good refresher for me. Then I’ll work my way up to calculus. I plan to take all of my math and science courses at SUNY Adirondack and then go on to get my degree at UAlbany.”

He hopes to finish up his SUNY Adirondack courses “in three or four years. I’m going slower to get my goal accomplished.”

The son of Al and Anne Paolano, Andrew says, “I see myself as an inspiration for other people with autism. Just pursue your dreams. We have one life to live. Just live it! This has always been my dream. I’m going for it!”

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GORDON WOODWORTH

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

This story was made possible by SUNY Adirondack.

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My Glens Falls: Amelia Gelnett

Amelia will likely be a familiar face if you’ve been to the Glens Falls Farmers Market the last few years! She’s in town frequently with her role at Comfort Food Community, and she shares some of the favorites she’s gathered through the years - like her top picks from the market, the best trails in the region, and lots more.

Tell us about yourself! 

My name is Amelia Romaine Gelnett. I grew up exploring my Grandmother's gardens, forests of Central Pennsylvania, and regal magnolias in my mother's hometown in Georgia. Our house was decorated with stained glass, books, and knick knacks from Germany, where my parents met. My oldest sister, Zora, was born there, second was Jessica in Texas, and then Levi and I in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania. Our childhoods were a fortunate blend of creative, humanitarian, athletic, and environmental experiences. 

A few poignant childhood memories would be witnessing a golden eagle fly away with a doe in its talons at Tall Timbers, handing out Smarties lollipops to state hospital patients while visiting my Dad at work, and creating terrariums with British soldier lichen in second grade. This breadth of exposure to nature, cultures, agriculture, and art all influenced my being and career.

Currently, I am the Community Health Director at Comfort Food Community, a nonprofit working towards solutions in food waste and equal access to nutrition throughout Washington, Warren, and Saratoga Counties. During my time with CFC, I have created garden camps, wellness and nutrition classes, connected over 450 individuals to food and health resources, all while developing and executing 4 medically tailored produce programs. We partner with healthcare providers, health insurance, social care agencies, libraries, housing facilities, as well as state and county agencies to expand fresh food access to individuals in need. If you've received a random bag of vegetables at your doctor's office or visited the Glens Falls Farmers Market in the last 5 years, we've likely met!

On Life in Glens Falls

My first exposure to the Glens Falls area was in 2009 when I took an environmental education and habitat restoration internship at the Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park. While there, I created education events such as animal carnivals to reveal niche talents of native Eastern Spadefoot toads, Blanding's turtles, and Eastern Hognose snakes. It was a lovely introduction to the area, but I longed to travel and moved to Costa Rica for the next 5 months. 

Upon returning to the US, I visited friends in the Sacandaga Lake area where a stranger asked if I'd like to plant potatoes at a farm the following week. I obliged and subsequently worked for The Alleged Farm inconsecutively for the next 9 years. This organic, eccentric farm in Southern Washington County anchors my knowledge of produce varieties, how to elegantly prepare them, and gracefully tend to the earth. Within this span of time, I also lived in the heart of the Adirondacks, Saranac Lake. This town taught me the true meaning of winter and joviality. I am dedicated to their Winter Carnival and spend an absurd amount of time and resources designing costumes and crowd engagement activities for it. 

For a few years, I rotated between living there and the farm until Devin Bulger, the Executive Director of Comfort Food Community, asked if I'd be interested in working for them. The opportunity to combine population and environmental health by equalizing access to local agriculture has been uniquely valuable. My time has been dedicated to expanding relationships with farms, social and healthcare agencies, and serving the public. 

For several years, my time spent in Glens Falls was isolated to selling produce at the Farmers Market. Over the last two years, I have been able to explore the city’s neighborhoods, restaurants, and recreational spaces intimately.

I rent an apartment in Greenwich and my partner rents in Glens Falls. It's a geographically convenient arrangement since he works for BDP Industries in Greenwich and I collaborate with health centers nearby and the Glens Falls Farmers Market. We're close to downtown and admire details in the diversity of architecture, neighborhoods, gardens, and trails present here. It's a beautiful city full of unique details and fauna. 

Some Glens Falls Favorites

My favorite thing about this area is the abundant forests, hikes, and wildlife available here. Even after venturing through the North Country for 10 years, I continue to find new trails and habitats. There's amazing biodiversity with a range of easy to challenging terrains. If you hadn't heard of Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park, go visit! There's several parcels of land to explore, Moreau State Park is on the way. To the north, my favorites are Lake George Land Conservancy trails, and the predictably, the vast and beautiful peaks and lakes of the Adirondacks. If you don't mind, I'd like to shout out to Mike Jaworski and Nick Glasser who both thru hiked the 46ers this winter and set the fastest record for them this spring. They're powerhouses and my friends.

A Perfect Glens Falls Day

If money is no object and in post COVID-19 fantasy, I would begin my Saturday at the Glens Falls Farmers Market. First, I would pick up an everything or red pepper bagel from Alchemy Bagel Cafe and order a breakfast sandwich at Barb & Tom's Grill. Then load up on husk cherries, okra, and lemon drop peppers from The Alleged Farm, seafood from Pura Vida Fisheries, lion's mane mushrooms from Adirondack Mycology, and other seasonally available treats. Afterwards, I would take a walk and admire resident's gardens and architecture on my way to Cole's Woods. Then return to downtown for lunch at Mikado followed by a massage at the Adirondack Salt Cave or dance class at Studio Chrome. Afterwards, I would seek out either Aroy Dee Thai, Radici, or [farmacy] for dinner and end the evening with friends at Common Roots Brewery.  

On the Past

I'll opt to highlight a character from the area who frequents the Glens Falls Farmers Market. Martha has dark, sparkling eyes, bright white hair, and a sweet demeanor. She's a wise kind of quiet and deserves admiration, but is the type of person who would never seek the spotlight. She and her deceased husband had 5 children who grew up visiting Alleged's Farm Stand and the owner, Thomas Christenfeld, served them along with his sons. She's dedicated years to Crandall Public Library and is an ideal creature to inhabit aisles of books and the mystical worlds they contain. In the years that I saw them most, she was caring for her husband while he was battling dementia. She was tender, patient, and poised while navigating a sometimes loud, distracting, and chaotic setting. I admire her style, personality, and strength and would like to use this opportunity to honor her. 

On the Future

I would design a space full of plants, with prisms and glass works filling the windows, where live music and community art could take place. It would be a blended recreational space including foosball, ping pong, and racquetball. Complete with rhinestone studded capes, intricate crowns, and other optional bedazzlement of your choosing upon victory. A playground for adults, essentially. Currently accepting startup funds.

On the Farm: Pleasant Valley Apiary

Sweet and good for you? Yes please! We headed out to the farm this week to catch up with Tom Wells of Pleasant Valley Apiary in Argyle (who you probably recognize from the Glens Falls Farmers Market!) and find out a bit more about the importance of bees, the benefits of honey, and how it all comes to be (or shall we say bee?!).

How did you get started with beekeeping? 

I started beekeeping when I was 16 years old after watching my grandfather catch a swarm of bees from a local tree. I started by just keeping a few hives as a hobby, and continued to learn through taking classes and from fellow beekeepers. As I started producing more, I decided to begin selling the honey wholesale, and as time went on, I began selling to the public at farmers markets and other venues like Taste NY at the Adirondacks Welcome Center.

Today, I have about 105 hives and they’re located on various farms across Washington County. I make around 5,000 pounds of honey per year now. 

Let’s get back to the basics for a moment - how is it that bees make honey?!

Bees make honey by collecting nectar from floral blossoms and bringing it back to the hive, where the bees turn the nectar into honey by dehydrating it to a desired moisture content - around 17%. 

We’ve all heard the phrases busy bee and worker bee - tell us more about their jobs. 

Every bee has a job within the hive. They usually start out as nurse bees who tend to the larvae and feed the young. Then they become house bees, performing tasks like cleaning the hive, removing the dead, building honeycomb, and repairing the hive. They then move up to field bees, where they go to find and collect the nectar. 

The typical lifespan of a honeybee is around 3 to 4 weeks in the summer time and up to 6 to 8 months in the winter. 

(Pictured above: Can you spot the Queen?)

What does the harvesting process look like? 

To harvest the honey, I go out to each apiary (where I keep the hives) and pull off the honey supers, which are the boxes containing the frames for honey production. From there, I take it back to my honey house and uncap it, which removes the top layer of wax and allows the honey to be extracted. It then goes into my extractor and through a pump to a collection tank where it sits for two to three days. This time allows all of the wax particles to come to the top so that they can be scraped off and put back out for the bees to clean. 

The honey tastes different based on the blossoms from which the bees have gathered the nectar. I separate the honey from all of my apiaries so that I can have different flavored honey based on each location - for example, blueberry, lavender and wildflower.

(Pictured above: The view from one of Pleasant Valley’s apiaries.)

What are the differences between honey you might get at the supermarket vs. fresh, local honey? 

The major difference between store-bought honey and honey produced by us is that the store-bought honey is pasteurized and filtered. Our honey on the other hand, is never pasteurized, never filtered, and is always different because every bucket of our honey has all the goodness that God intended us to eat. 

There’s a lot of pride that goes into our honey. We have many customers that will attest that it helps them with their allergies, helps them sleep better, and I’ve even had some of my customers use it in medicinal ways by orders of their doctors and their veterinarians.

We hear a lot about importance of honeybees - tell us more!  

Without a honeybee there would be empty grocery stores in every city! There’s not many fruits or vegetables that do not need pollination from the work of a honeybee to survive. 

A major challenge for honeybee colonies today is the loss of suitable forage so that the honeybee can have a diverse palette to survive on. The use and improper use of pesticides have also taken a toll. Not very many people realize that the dandelions in your lawn are the first flowers in spring that honeybees use to start their brood rearing.

What are the most rewarding parts of keeping bees? Any challenges? 

The biggest challenge of running a business keeping bees is keeping the bees alive throughout the winter. It is awful to have a beautiful colony of bees in the fall only to find them dead in the spring. I do everything that I have been taught to keep the bees alive and to get rid of the Varroa mite - everything that I use to keep these under control are organic in nature.

Speaking of winter, honeybees do not hibernate in the winter. Instead they form a cluster and shiver so that they can keep the hive warm. The inside temperature of a honeybee hive in the winter time is around 93°! 

By far the most rewarding aspect of the business is seeing our customers enjoy our honey and come back with great stories to share with my wife, daughter and I as we sell them their next jar.

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Pleasant Valley Apiary
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Special thanks to Taste NY for making this series possible!

Taste NY at the Adirondacks Welcome Center offers nine state-of-the-art vending machines featuring food, beverages, and gifts from the Adirondack Region and across New York State. Find locally roasted coffee, cold beverages, chips, nuts, snacks, baked goods, milk, yogurt, cheese, ice cream, maple, honey, chocolate, candy, and artisan gifts.

Taste NY at the Adirondacks Welcome Center is operated by the Lake George Regional Chamber of Commerce.

Thanks for supporting the organizations that support Glens Falls Living!

The Weekender: September 11 - 13

Hey there and happy weekend! If your kiddos went back to school this week or if you went back to work teaching (special thanks to you!), we hope it was a great first week.

Sixties and sunshine the next couple of days and we’ve got some ideas on ways to enjoy it… Here goes!

Never Forget: There will be a brief 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony on Friday at 9:30 am at the Glens Falls Fire Department (masks and social distancing are required!). Details here.

It’s Cancelled, but: This weekend would’ve been The Cheese Tour, one of our favorite early fall events in Washington County. The Tour is cancelled this year, but - a couple of the stops are still open this weekend, so we figure it’s as good a time as any to pay one or two a visit and stock up on some favorites…

• Dancing Ewe is still hosting their amazing Saturday night bonfire dinner as well as a Sunday lunch at the farm - details here!

• Grab some snacks from Argyle Cheese Farmer at their Hudson Falls Farm Store - details here.

• …and R S Taylor Brewery and Victory View Vineyard are both open this weekend - enjoy a drink on their patios in the sunshine or grab some to take home.

More Pickin’: Apparently fall isn’t just for apples! Hand Melon Farm has u-pick tomatoes, peppers and squash - count us in for some tomato sandwiches. More info here.

Barn Sale: It’s been a while since we’ve mentioned one, so hey, how ‘bout a barn sale?! We’ve been to this one a few times now and there’s always a new treasure to be found at a reasonable price. Here’s the scoop.

Have a great weekend!
Bri + Tom

An Eco-Friendly Gardener's Dream - Adirondack Worm Farm

Bill Richmond’s Adirondack Worm Farm in Kingsbury is an eco-friendly gardener’s dream.

Richmond, a vice president at Behan Communications, uses hot composting techniques and turbo-charged composting worms at his family’s 40-acre farm to transform food scraps into nutrient-rich, chemical-free compost.

Curbside concierge composting provides five-gallon buckets for customers in Glens Falls, Queensbury, Hudson Falls, Moreau, South Glens Falls, Fort Edward and Lake George.

“Anything you don’t eat goes into the bucket…Anything once alive can be composted,” he told Glens Falls Living. “You can compost dryer lint and yarn, as long as it’s not synthetic.”

Click here for a list of compostable material.

“I pick the scraps up every either weekly or every two weeks and leave a clean bucket,” he said. “And at the end of the year, they get hot compost back to use in their gardens.”

Cost for every-other-week service is $20 a month. Weekly is $35 a month.

The compost is more than any family could generate on their own, and complements the vermicast natural fertilizer he produces. Since starting the business a year ago, he says “we have already composted more than a ton of food waste that didn’t go into the landfill.”

Speaking of landfills, Richmond notes that food that rots in a landfill is one of the largest sources of methane gas. By composting your food waste instead, you reduce those emissions and the compost produced helps to grow more plants, which keeps more carbon in the ground instead of in the air. Win - win.

Richmond raises Red Wiggler worms as well, which are “composting worms that produce vermicast — basically worm poop — which is an excellent natural plant fertilizer.

“The vermicast has nutrients plants need, and releases them slowly and naturally over the course of the growing season. You can mix it in with soil or put it on your plants as a top dressing.”

He just started selling the vermicast, and is working on a “worm tea” that mixes non-chlorinated water with the vermicast to release the microbes in the worm waste.

“I have an avid gardener who is testing the worm tea for me, and he’s already seeing a difference,” Richmond said.

He sells the vermicast for $15 for five pounds, which more than covers a 4-by-8-foot bed, he says. He also sells European nightcrawlers for fishing.

How does a mild-mannered public relations executive become a self-described “worm wrangler?”

“I always wanted to do something related to farming,”he said. “Our kids William and Noah are older now, and you can leave the worms for weeks at a time. I spend about 15 minutes a day on the worms and the compost, and it’s something I can do and still work at my full-time job.”

Adirondack Worm Farm
Website / Facebook / Instagram

GORDON WOODWORTH

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

My Glens Falls: Chad Rabinovitz

We’re catching up with Chad Rabinovitz this week, who you’ll most certainly recognize from the Adirondack Theatre Festival and Adirondack Film Festival! He shares some fun facts about himself (did you know he’s a triplet?!), some favorite memories from his six years in Glens Falls, chats about pandemic pivots, and answers the big question - what’s In the Box?!

Tell us about yourself!

I’m Chad Rabinovitz and I’m a Producing Artistic Director. I’m a triplet – my brother lives in Hershey, PA (works for Hershey’s Chocolate) and my sister lives in Vienna, VA (works in PR). 

I love candy, space, and entertainment. So even though I just turned 40, my interests are holding steady from childhood.  

Oh, also ice cream.  Is it too late to add that to the list?  Ice cream!  Specifically Martha’s ice cream. And cake. I occasionally sculpt cakes.

Oh, alsoooo magic. I almost forgot that. That’s how I first fell into theater. And now I specialize in creating and directing original magic shows.  I think that’s it. For now.

On Life in Glens Falls

I’m originally from Eldersburg, MD. I went to school in Pittsburgh. And I’ve lived all over the country – from Connecticut to Colorado and many places in between – working at various theaters. Before moving to Glens Falls I was in Bloomington, IN where I was the Producing Artistic Director of the Bloomington Playwrights Project, the only professional theatre in the state of Indiana focused solely on new works. I still run that company (been there 11 years) and fly between the two locations. 

ATF brought me here about 6 years ago. I flew out here for the first time to meet with the Board of Directors and tour the city and the theater. I was blown away by all of it. I couldn’t believe that a theater like the Wood existed in a small downtown like Glens Falls. Then I read articles in The Chronicle about the ten year anniversary of the renovation and listened to stories from the Board, staff, and patrons about how ATF & The Wood revitalized downtown Glens Falls. I wanted to be a part of it. I have a dual degree in Theater and Business, so that hits my sweet spot. It’s inarguable the impact that the arts have had on the economy and the quality of life in Glens Falls and I wanted to hop on that train and take it further. I love creating great shows, but there’s no better feeling than knowing you’re a part of making the place you live a better place to live. 

I live above the ATF offices. That’s where every ATF artistic leader has lived! Mark Fleischer before me and David Turner and Martha Banta before him. So whenever my place gets a little messy, I like to blame it on them. 

I love being able to walk downtown to grab a bite or get to the theater. It’s also nice that I’m just two doors down from Charles Peltz, so if I ever don’t like one of Glens Falls Symphony Orchestra’s concerts, I can easily egg his house. 

My absolute favorite thing in Glens Falls is to be sitting on the Park 26 patio by one of their fire pit tables, drinking a Moscow Mule, and looking out onto City Park after a successful ATF show. 

A Perfect Glens Falls Day

I think my perfect day involves visiting every ATF sponsor location, which is a packed day! So maybe breakfast at Park 26, then I’d go shopping at Rude Betty to get some awesome stuff (I love that place!), followed by lunch on the patio at Davidson Brothers (I’m definitely getting the buffalo chicken soup), then a late afternoon Adirondack Thunder game at the Cool Insuring Arena. After that I’d drive over to Jonathan Reid to get fitted for a new suit, then to dinner at DT Social, followed by a show at the Wood, Fenimore’s for a drink by the fire pit (and probably a charcuterie plate), then to Martha’s for ice cream. If I’m feeling crazy, I’ll get a late-night grilled cheese at New Way Lunch before collapsing back at The Q to spend the night. In the morning I’ll go back to Jonathan Reid to get re-fitted for the suit after so much eating. And in between all of that, I’ll be stopping by all the other sponsors I love but neglected to mention! And seriously, that really is my ideal day – I’m genuinely obsessed with all of those places.

On the Past

I just have so many incredible memories in my first 6 years. Many of them are related to shows. Like TESLA will always stand out as one of the best times for me – seeing how much the community embraced it was amazing. But it’s hard to give a favorite memory without mentioning the film festivals. Especially the first one. We were creating something completely new and didn’t know if anyone would even show up. Seeing the lines out the door and the fun our patrons and our filmmakers were having was incredibly fulfilling. As it grows bigger each year that feeling only grows with it. When people stop me on the street to talk about how they enjoyed the film festival or an ATF show, that’s my favorite memory. I hold onto all of them. 

On the Future

One of my dreams for the future of Glens Falls is to fill it with public art. I’ve been working with some passionate folks involved with the Arts District of GF to make it a reality. We imagine our city filled with murals and sculptures and photo ops and artistic surprises all around that would not only beautify Glens Falls, but help drive more tourism. We’re not far from finally breaking ground and making that dream a reality. I can’t wait! Oh, also, can we have a candy and fudge shop downtown? Please?

On Pandemic Pivots

Well it’s no surprise that the live performing arts sector has taken a devastating hit during this time.  But the silver lining is that it’s given us a chance to innovate and invent an entirely new form of theatre that’s never been done before. So we’ve created IN THE BOX ENTERTAINMENT. 

“What’s IN THE BOX ENTERTAINMENT, Chad?” I’m glad you asked! It’s the world’s first season of virtual interactive entertainment. In the week before the show you’ll receive a box on your doorstep. That box remains sealed until the moment the show begins. At the time of the show – keep in mind, this is a live, ticketed event – you’ll log on by simply clicking a link and just like that you’ll be watching our live state-of-the-art show that’s been designed specifically for your in-home entertainment. Throughout the hour long performance, you’ll use the items in the box to experience the show in an all-new dimension. It’s designed to keep you entertained, engaged, and having more fun than you ever thought possible while still at home. Think of it less as a webcam and more like something brand new: interactive TV. 

There are four shows in our subscription package. We start in October with a magic show featuring renowned mentalist, Max Major, who is currently starring on America’s Got Talent. In it, Max will read your mind from thousands of miles away. This show is insanely cool. It is legitimately the best magic show in the world right now. 

You can purchase the shows individually or save on all four by buying a subscription package for a ridiculously cheap price.

In October is our Film Festival in a Box – once again we are the first in the world to offer this unique take on a film festival.  You’ll not only get more than 120 films that you can’t see anywhere else, but you also receive a box filled with AFF swag, plenty of popcorn, and other surprise items that will bring not just the films, but the festival experience into your home.

You’re used to me asking you to see new shows, but this is the first time I’ve ever been able to invite you to an entirely new art form.  What you’re seeing literally has never been seen before. Join me and be the first. You can find out more info, purchase tickets, and subscribe at ATFestival.org.

Special thanks to The Queensbury Hotel for making this story possible!

Exciting news! The Park Patio Music Series has been extended! That means five more weeks of live music to enjoy on Wednesday evenings on the patio. Crisp fall air, early autumn foliage, delicious dishes, cocktails, and music to enjoy - it doesn’t get much better! Book your reservation here.

Thanks for supporting the businesses that support Glens Falls Living. 

At the Lake: Bear's Cup

Have you been to Bear’s Cup in Bolton? We fell in love with their delicious pastries last summer and though this summer has been a liiiittle different to say the least, it’s been exciting to watch the “pandemic pivots” they’ve made with the business - including a beautiful walkup window, pre-orders, and even delivery. We caught up with Danielle and Louis, the husband-wife duo behind Bear’s Cup, to find out a bit more about them - and of course - about their amazing bagels and pastries!

Tell us about yourselves!

I’m Danielle, and I’m originally from New Jersey (hence The 201 sandwich on our menu!) and Louis is from Long Island. We met in NYC and prior to opening Bear’s Cup, we lived together in Astoria, Queens for five years. We moved to Bolton Landing just before opening Bear’s Cup and we have a 16 month old son named Teddy who is our world. 

How did the idea for Bear's Cup come about? 

Before Bear’s Cup, I was a NYC-based professional singer for over 10 years and Louis worked in the finance world for 13 years. We both were inspired daily by the bagel shop/coffeehouse we lived above in Astoria called NYCBCH. We would get coffee or breakfast in the mornings and almost every day after work, Louis would get a bagel sandwich from there, too. We visited Bolton Landing frequently to see my family and both fell in love with the vibe over time. We always dreamed of having our own business someday, so between Louis’s passion for baking and my knowledge of the hospitality/food industry, we decided to head north and take on our own shop together.

Amazing! Tell us more about your background in the industry.

My parents own The Huddle Kitchen & Bar here in Bolton Landing so we’ve been coming to town since 2014. I was thrown into the food & service industry at a young age working for my parents at their first restaurant, The Valley Pub, in our hometown Oakland, NJ. Then in college, I went on to receive most of my professional training with Hillstone Restaurant Group. I worked for Hillstone in NYC, LA, and then back home in NJ where I completed my 8 year run with the company.

Louis started baking with his grandma at a very young age and his passion only grew as the recipes and baking projects became more complex. Eventually he was putting 72 hours into making homemade bagels in his mom’s kitchen oven at home on Long Island on the weekends. 

We must know - how did you come up with the name Bear’s Cup?  

We actually were trying to name our unborn business and unborn son at the same time (I was 5 months pregnant). It was months of crossing names off lists and not feeling like we had found the one quite yet. Bear’s Cup was being called “Baked On Lake Time” for awhile but it felt long and just wasn’t perfect.

Then one day, we were looking through some names for our son, and I asked “what about Theodore!?” We both loved it immediately and my mom reminded us that Theodore is actually my grandpa’s middle name! Louis and I loved the fact that it was versatile with nickname options (Theo, Teddy, Ted) and loved that it had family roots attached. We figured we would call him Teddy, which made us think of “teddy bear”, and the word “bear” felt very “Adirondacks”, and from there it just came to mind - “Bear’s Cup!” It was an epiphany within a matter of moments where after months of deliberating, both our son and our shop were named on the same day within minutes of each other and it finally felt right! 

Your shop is amazing! Who designed it? 

We designed it ourselves but the process was also a collaborative effort amongst our family and friends. We knew we wanted to bring a piece of our NYC roots with us while tying in the vibe of our new home- the Adirondacks. Most of the work was done by our good friend Josh Loveland of Loveland Construction Custom Framing & Finishes. 

Since we can’t step inside this summer due to the pandemic, what are some of the ways you’ve pivoted to serve your customers during this time?

We built an outdoor counter and new pickup window to facilitate a socially distanced walk-up experience, which has been great. We also introduced “Beat the Line”, so our customers can pre-order bagels, cream cheese, breads, and pastries via email to pick up the following day at our pickup window.

On weekends, we’ve been offering delivery to Bolton, Queensbury, Glens Falls, Saratoga and beyond. We even have our own booth at the Farmers Market here in Bolton where we focus mainly on our artisanal breads menu. We’re looking to expand and get into markets elsewhere, too, so stay tuned!

So, everything you guys bake is delicious. Who comes up with all the amazing recipes? 

We take inspiration from our hometowns, our travels, and each other. Ultimately our recipes are a group effort. Each one is handcrafted with love from scratch, and as a team we tweak and give input until we feel it’s perfect. Sometimes we get lucky and our accidents even end up becoming some of our best recipes. 

Do you have a personal favorite? 

For bagels, our “everything” bagel is most popular and the house pick amongst staff as well. For cream cheese, the must-try is our homemade veggie but honey-sriracha has definitely become a fan favorite! As far as our pastries go, the bear claw is EVERYONE’s favorite! On Sunday mornings they sell fast and we’re constantly putting a new batch into the oven - so get here early!

What’s next for you guys? Any big (or small) plans? 

We are going to grow - that’s been our goal from day one. As for what that looks like right now, we feel we need to be patient, stay focused on our product and just see what opportunities present themselves. The world has changed a lot this past year, which has taught us to adapt and pivot as necessary. We are humbled and grateful to still be here doing what we love and to still be receiving overwhelming support and feedback from our customers.

Bear’s Cup
Website / Facebook / Instagram

Special thanks to Love is in New York for making this story possible! 

The inspiration for Love is in New York began right here in Lake George and is rooted in our family’s legacy of treasured days on the lake with relatives and friends. With those special moments in mind, we created our small business providing memorable custom gifts for every occasion. We hope these unique momentos will spark special memories for you and yours for years to come! We provide custom products celebrating the Adirondacks, Lake George, Glens Falls, Glen Lake and Saratoga regions. If you’re looking for a gift for yourself, someone special, or for a memorable occasion (virtual or otherwise!), you're invited to explore all our products by checking out our website here.

Thanks for supporting the businesses that support Glens Falls Living!

Back in the Day: Paramount Theatre

It was a block buster event in Glens Falls entertainment history.

A WGLC radio announcer on June 1, 1933 was in front of the Paramount Theatre at Ridge and Maple streets to announce over the air the names of local residents arriving for the special 45-minute musical review prior to the showing of the evening’s feature film “A Lady’s Profession,” starring Alison Skipworth, Roland Young, Sari Maritza, Roscoe Karns and Warren Hymer.

Courtesy of Chapman Museum

The “premier performance as a group” featured more than 25 local entertainers that broadcast regularly over the local airwaves, such as the Welsh Male Quartet, Accordion Twins, Freddie Bazinet, Ruth Bombard and Cy, the rural philosopher.

“In all, four microphones will carry the program over the air and a special public address system has been installed in the theater auditorium so that the artists may be plainly heard by the audience,” The Post-Star reported on June 1, 1933.

For more than 50 years the Paramount Theatre, across Ridge Street from The Queensbury Hotel, was a gathering place in downtown Glens Falls for movies, musical entertainment and social interaction.

Often the theater worked hand-in-hand with local radio.

The theater closed in 1978, and in 1979 the building was demolished to make space for a parking lot, ending a run of countless memorable moments.

On Dec. 28, 1947, Mrs. “Wenceslas” La Fond was crowned “Queen for Christmas,” in a contest broadcast from the theater over WWSC radio from 9:30 to 10 p.m., a holiday version of the weekly “Queen for Friday” contest.

“Mrs. La Fond was chosen by the applause of the audience as registered on the applause meter located in the WWSC studios,” The Post-Star reported.

She received new clothes, jewelry, ice skates, door chimes, candy, dinner at a local restaurant and use of a new car and chauffeur for an evening, contributed by local businesses.

Those from the Baby Boom generation remember attending WWSC radio Battle of the Bands shows at the Paramount.

“The Good Things,” a South Glens Falls rock band, won the contest on March 1, 1970.

Band members were John Thompson, William Gonyea, Mark Robillard and Dan Titterington.

“The Good Things” beat out 1969 champion “The Tyde” and three other local bands: “The Resurrection” from South Glens Falls, “Sunday’s Garden” from Glens Falls, and “The Rainbow’s End” from Fort Ann.

Radio celebrities Pete Cloutier and Dave Covey, known as “The WWSC Hitmakers,” directed the show that included an audience participation dance contest.

The 1,200-seat Paramount had the largest seating capacity of any theater in the Glens Falls area when it opened on Jan. 22, 1932.

“The new theatre building is of such beauty and design as to warrant admiration of thousands who will inspect it,” The Post-Star reported at the time.

The theater had a “modestly Colonial” exterior and a Spanish interior design.

Its 22-to-24-inch wide seats provided comfort, and the theater was wired with the latest in sound technology.

Organist Bob Hamilton performed on a three-manual organ positioned on an elevator-raised platform.

“A very striking effect takes place when music is heard and the organist comes up from seemingly nowhere,” The Post-Star reported.

“Two Kinds of Women,” starring Miriam Hopkins, Phillips Holmes and Irving Pichel was the opening-night feature film.

Admission for all seats was 50 cents – the equivalent of $9.06 in 2020 dollars.

Over the decades, attendance at the theater, as at downtown movie theaters around the nation in general, waned as new multi-screen theaters opened outside downtown.

Around 1976, the owner of The Paramount put it up for sale, asking $85,000.

In June 1978, Kamyr Inc., a company that manufactured machinery for the paper industry, bought the building for $40,000 and closed the theater.

Kamyr owned The Queensbury Hotel, across the street, and had its office building at the corner of Ridge and Lawrence streets.

By that time, The Paramount was showing salacious movies, which Kamyr officials thought detracted from the neighborhood’s quality of life.

In March 1979, Mark Frost, then an announcer at WWSC radio and now editor of The Chronicle weekly newspaper, organized a group that made a last-ditch effort to find an investor that would buy the building and reopen it as a theater showing older and foreign films.

Kamyr demolished the building in August 1979 to develop a parking lot in conjunction with an expansion of its office building.

The Paramount was the last of four historic movie theaters to close downtown.

The Park, on Park Street, closed in 1933. Developer Elizabeth Miller bought the building in 2014, and renovated it for a performing arts center and restaurant that opened in 2018.

Empire Theatre, on South Street, closed in 1949. Developer Mike Kaidas bought the building in 2007 and renovated it for a retail, office and apartment complex.

The Rialto, on Warren Street, was demolished in 1969.

The State Theater, on Warren Street, closed in 1953 and the building was demolished in 1969.

————

Sources: The Post-Star Jan. 22, 1932; June 1, 1933; Dec. 29, 1947; Feb. 27, March 18, 1970; June 13, 24, 1978; March 17, Aug. 22, 1979; July 19, 2014; “Bridging the Years,” The Glens Falls Historical Association, 1978

This story was made possible by The Park Theater.

What a great way to support our local Arts and History community! A Virtual Silent Film Fundraiser! 

The Park Theater, in partnership with The Chapman Museum, presents “The Marriage Circle" featuring a live musical score by Ben Model via YouTube livestream on September 10 at 7pm. 

The live stream will begin with a presentation by The Chapman Museum, featuring images and news articles from Glens Falls during the 1910s and 20s, and will highlight the bustling 20s theater scene in our area following the Spanish Flu pandemic of 1918.   

This virtual event will feature live accompaniment to the silent film, "The Marriage Circle” (1924), which centers around the trials and tribulations of marriage and infidelities. "The Marriage Circle” features American-born silent film star, Esther Ralston, who lived in the Glens Falls area during the 1970s.

Click here to purchase tickets!

Thanks for supporting the businesses that support Glens Falls Living!

MAURY THOMPSON

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

The Weekender: September 4-6

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Happy weekend, and Happy September! We’re already spotting some yellows and oranges in the trees and yes, we know it’s still summer, but we’re finding ourselves giving in to the cozy fall activities already. Here are a few ideas! 

Apple Season: A few more orchards are opening for u-pick this weekend! Saratoga Apple in Schuylerville, Mad Tom Orchard in Dorset, and Billy Bob’s Orchard in Putnam Station to name a few - and Hicks is open again this weekend and picking Macs - we can smell the apple crisp already :) Here’s a round up of our favorites from last year, and stay tuned for an updated version next week!

Fall Berries: Berry season is holding on! Gardenworks in Salem will have their first fall raspberries ready for picking this weekend - details here. Any other farms still picking berries?!

Corn Maze: Yet another quintessential fall activity, we saw that Schuyler Farms in Schuylerville is opening their corn maze this weekend during their fall festival (which also includes hayrides, cider donuts, and a petting zoo!) - grab tickets online here.

What’s In The Box?: We’ve missed the Adirondack Theater Festival this summer, but we love the idea they’ve come up with while we’re spending a bit more time at home this fall - In the Box shows. They’re ticketed live performances that entertain you from the comfort of your home and there’s an interactive mystery box mailed to your door prior to the event. The first one is in October - learn more and grab tickets here.

Have a great weekend!
Bri + Tom

Coastal Society: Moore Family Opens Boutique in French Mountain Commons

Coastal Society, a new boutique where “East Coast prep meets West Coast free spirit with a little bit of saltiness,” is now open in French Mountain Commons on the Million Dollar Half-Mile in Queensbury.

The Moore Family, who owns the retail plaza and also owns The Queensbury Hotel in downtown Glens Falls and the Fairfield Inn in Queensbury, have partnered with Shonna McTiernan in Coastal Society. Mrs. McTiernan created Minky Mink, the funky fashion store downtown, before selling it a few years ago. She is the buyer and creative director of Coastal Society.

She said when Ed and Zack Moore contacted her, “I was not looking for another opportunity to get back into the fashion business. But after my first meeting with them I couldn’t resist. I realized how much I loved being in the fashion industry and missed it.

“It is now showing it was a perfect fit of their idea and my vision.”

Zack Moore, an executive in many of his father Ed’s business ventures, said they were close to a deal to bring Vineyard Vines to French Mountain Commons, but it was never finalized.

“So my dad said, ‘Let’s do it ourselves!’ He had gone into a boutique in Florida that sold Vineyard Vines and Lily Pulitzer and other brands, and he said, ‘Let’s do something like that.’

“With retail going the way it is, it’s up to us to fill the spaces with things people want as things evolve from outlets to mixed use. So it was the type of clothes people wanted, and we knew it would do well, but we didn’t know how to go about it.

“Shonna had an expertise in this so we contacted her and told her that Vineyard Vines was what we wanted and then told her to do her thing. And she took the ball and ran with it.”

The store opened July 1st and Mr. Moore says “Business has been great so far. The store is doing very well and we’re looking forward to the fall and all of the great products that Shonna is bringing in…I think people like it because it doesn’t feel like a chain, you know?”

Mrs. McTiernan said “The store vibe is coastal. The styles and brands we carry are what one would find when you think of yourself on or near the water. The clothes are comfortable and can carry anyone from a day on the water to out for dinner and drinks.”

In the spacious store, Vineyard Vines clothing is mixed with hats from Kiel James Patrick, hand-stitched needlepoint items from Smathers and Branson, and unique totes from Sea Bags, a Maine company that makes bags out of recycled sails from sailboats. They also stock items from Mod Ref, Comune, Hem and Thread, THML and Thread and Supply.

“We stock affordable brands that you can wear when you’re out on the boat, and then wear it out to dinner at night,” she said.

And coming this fall - enjoy a glass of wine or a local draft beer while you shop! A beautiful bar with seating for six sits in the front of the store by the window, and once their beer and wine license comes through, they’ll be pouring wine by the glass as well as serving up drafts from local favorite Common Roots, who will be brewing a yet to be named draft just for Coastal Society. Stay tuned!

Zack Moore and Shonna McTiernan outside Coastal Society

The store is open seven days a week, year-round. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Find more online at www.mycoastalsociety.com.

Special thanks to Finch Paper for making this story possible!

Founded in 1865 and located in the heart of downtown Glens Falls, New York, Finch Paper is an enterprising pulp and paper manufacturer with over 500 employees. We are currently seeking a full-time Customer Satisfaction Representative to support our Sales and Marketing Teams. Click here to visit our career page!

Thanks for supporting the businesses that support Glens Falls Living.

GORDON WOODWORTH

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

My Glens Falls: Tori Torrisi

This week, Tori Torrisi shares how she decided on moving to Glens Falls after a few fun filled years living in Boston, how many layers of wallpaper she found while renovating her old city home, and her hopes for the future of wellness in Glens Falls (she’s the Clinic Director of Capital Area Physical Therapy!) - read it all below!

Tell us about yourself!

My name is Tori Torrisi and I am a physical therapist, certified athletic trainer and the Clinic Director of Capital Area Physical Therapy in Queensbury. I absolutely love my job and feel so fortunate to get to work with such an amazing team of clinicians who I also consider some of my closest friends. I live in Glens Falls with my husband Ryan and our two rescue kitties Edward and Piper. 

I grew up in Clifton Park, the youngest of 4 siblings and had an amazing childhood spent mostly outdoors. Despite being the most rebellious of the bunch and my major issues with authority (sorry mom), I was always observing and learning from my family. My work ethic is 100% from my dad, my empathy for my patients I learned from my mom, and my value for the pursuit of knowledge comes from my sister Jess. I have always had some really big goals and feel comfortable taking risks because I know if something ever goes wrong, I have my family supporting me and rooting me on. 

From a young age, I always wanted complete independence and control over my life (again sorry mom) so at 17 I moved to Fort Lauderdale, Florida to start my undergraduate education on a rowing scholarship. During that time, I won an NCAA rowing championship, got my bachelor’s degree, and graduated with honors as a certified athletic trainer at Nova Southeastern University. After graduating I moved to Boston with my boyfriend (now husband) Ryan Simpson and was able to attend my dream school, Boston University, to become a Doctor of Physical Therapy. Living in Boston was an amazing experience and we both fell in love with city life. Our days were a loud chaotic whirlwind of late nights in dim basement bistros and long days in old libraries fueled by massive amounts of caffeine. Every day was crazy, hectic and fun. 

On Life in Glens Falls

Ryan and I decided to move back to this area to be closer with our families and we stumbled upon Glens Falls while on our way to Granville to go cherry picking. Up until that point we had been looking for homes in Saratoga Springs because we missed the walkability of Boston. After strolling around downtown and looking at the beautiful old homes which surround the city, we knew we would end up in Glens Falls. We bought a beautiful old Victorian that seemed sturdy and well-loved but in need of some work. Over the last 7 months with the help of our friends and family, we have been fixing up our house and it has been pure joy to see our vision of the house come to light. We tried to include period appropriate details with some fun funky touches. This house has got some serious personality (how many homes have pink flamingo wallpaper!?).

The best part about living in Glens Falls is the atmosphere. I feel like we are in this little bubble filled with amazing people, beautiful old architecture, and great local businesses. I wish more people knew how awesome the restaurants are here! This is coming from someone who loves to eat. My personal favorites are Farmacy (get the Shishido peppers!) and Morgan and Co. 

A Perfect Glens Falls Day

My perfect day…well it would be Fall (the best season of the year) and would start with a run through our neighborhood so I can look at all gorgeous houses. Then, I would sit on my front porch with some fresh hot coffee and a book to lazily read all morning. The day would have to include some sort of fall event like the Balloon Festival or apple picking at Hicks Orchard. Our friends and family would rendezvous at our house then walk downtown for dinner and drinks at Farmacy. If you get the ice cream trio there, don’t let the server tell you the flavors and then you can try to guess them! They are always unique and it’s fun to see who guesses the closest. After dinner, my friends would roll me home (because I inevitably ate way too much) and we would watch a movie (or Gilmore Girls) together! 

On the Past

My favorite Glens Falls memory is working on my house with one of my best friends Danielle Kiser. We painstakingly peeled wallpaper and spackled my foyer for more than 5 hours at a time. I am fairly sure my walls are at least 50% spackle now! It sounds miserable and kind of was but in a silly, sleep deprived, fun way. We would literally just lay on the dirty floor after hours of peeling wallpaper and start cracking up because there was yet another layer of wallpaper! 5 in total! I think those delirious hours of laughing uncontrollably at nothing are part of the reason we are such close friends now. 

On the Future

This community is very wellness oriented. You see it reflected in the people running, walking and biking daily and in the local businesses may of which are healthcare facilities. I would love to see more collaboration between different medical practices so that we can better serve the community. I recently joined a group of like-minded women in healthcare to work towards that goal by hosting monthly meetings. We brainstorm ideas to help our more complicated patients, discuss marketing and business strategies, and will hopefully resume giving wellness workshops once it is safe to do so. Our boss-lady group includes, Danielle Kiser who is a registered and licensed dietician, Carly Samach who is a licensed clinical therapist, and Hillary Williams who is a fellow athletic trainer and licensed massage therapist. They each offer a totally unique perspective which has helped me grow as a clinician and makes me feel more connected to the community. I would love to see our group expand so Glens Falls can have a more connected healthcare team.

There has not been a single day that I regret moving to this community. I am so grateful to live here and am excited to be more involved in community. I really hope we can resume community events soon and I encourage everyone to support downtown Glens Falls businesses. If we want our community to stay nice through this pandemic we have to work together. I’ll be at Fitfest this year so if you see the Capital Area PT table come say hi to me! I can’t wait to get to know my fellow Glens Falls neighbors. 

This story was made possible by Borgos Marketing.

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Thanks for supporting the businesses that support Glens Falls Living.

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

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

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

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

“School’s Closed, did you hear?”

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

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

“Are you ok?”

“How do you guys think you’ll learn?”

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

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

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

Routine

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

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

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

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

Key Takeaways:

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

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

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

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

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

Food

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

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

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

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

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

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

Key Takeaways:

• Avoid bored eating at all costs!!!

• Stay hydrated!

• Try some new recipes.

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

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

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

Entertainment

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

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

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

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

Key Takeaways:

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

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

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

• Find a good book!

Regret

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Key Takeaways:

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

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

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

This story was made possible by SUNY Adirondack.

• Find yourself at SUNY Adirondack •

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ELLA WOLFSTICH

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

In the Studio: Ken Wheeler

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

Tell us a bit about yourself!

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

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

On Beginnings

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

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

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

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

On Inspiration

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

On the Creative Process

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

On Art as a Business

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

Ken Wheeler Studios
Website

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

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

Thanks for supporting the businesses that support Glens Falls Living!

The Weekender: August 28 - 30

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

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

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

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

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

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

Have a great weekend!
Bri + Tom

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

And in Other News…

Honoring Milk & Honey Owner Ann Parrish

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

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

Brant Lake Bike Park Expansion is a Go!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Until next time -
Gordon

GORDON WOODWORTH

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

My Glens Falls: Dave Walls

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

Tell us about yourself!

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

On Life in Glens Falls

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

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

Some Glens Falls Favorites

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

A Perfect Glens Falls Day

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

On the Past

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

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

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

…and On the Future

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

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

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

Thanks for supporting the businesses that support Glens Falls Living!

Back in the Day: The Warren County Fair

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

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

Photo courtesy of The Chapman Historical Museum

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

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

An August drought had left farmers pessimistic about the harvest.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Attendance was generally strong.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Colvins and The Cashions also competed.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The victorious Cunninghams set a new Glens Falls record.

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

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

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

———

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

MAURY THOMPSON

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

On the Farm: Sunset Farm

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

On the Past

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

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

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

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

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

Any carryovers from the original farm?

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

On Growth

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

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

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

Sisters Madelyn and Amelia VanKirk

What are some unique aspects of the farm? 

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

On the Goods

What are some of the primary crops now available? 

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

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

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

On Community

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

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

On the Future

What’s next at the farm?

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

Hal Bain / Chelsae Gadway

Sunset Farm
1099 Ridge Road, Queensbury
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