My Glens Falls: Mle Rubin

We’re chatting with Mle Rubin this week! She shares the inspiration behind her alternative floral business, Epithet Floral, a perfect Glens Falls day itinerary (including where to go for the best pizza, live music, and cocktails!), a new kind of shop she’d like to see downtown, and more…

Tell us about yourself!

Hey! My name is Mle Rubin (MLE the phonetic pronunciation of Emily) and I am an Alternative Floral Designer here in Glens Falls. I started my own floral business, Epithet Floral, last April (2020). I focus primarily on "Wearable Florals"; flower crowns, floral jewelry, etc., hence the "alternative". I build wearable flowers for weddings, events and just everyday! I'm sure if you see me around town I'll be rocking a crown or floral earrings, my personal favorites. 

Epithet is a word that most people don't use in their daily vocabulary, which is why I picked it for my business name. An epithet is a nickname with an adjective in it. For example, Batman is an epithet - you can picture a man dressed as a bat just by reading that. So, a flower crown could be a physical epithet, something to put on and wear and describe yourself to the world. 

Florals and plants are my passion but not the only thing I'm up to these days. I also pick blueberries for Winney's Farm (this is my 6th summer!), sling slices at Giuseppe's Pizzeria in Lake George, hostess at Doc's Restaurant, and do freelance floral work for Renaissance Floral Design in Albany.

On Life In and Around Glens Falls

I grew up and went to high school in Hartford, New York, and moved from there to Glens Falls in 2013. I remember growing up with this city and watching it blossom into the awesome place it is now. I love being a part of this community and participating in all of the events, from live music to LARAC to Taste of the North Country to Balloon Fest.

Growing up in Hartford, we had to drive everywhere if we wanted to do something. I love living close to downtown Glens Falls because I can walk! A few of my friends also live within walking distance of me. I know I sound crazy but I love to just have the power to walk around.

I love the community here. I especially love the restaurant industry community here. We all know each other and I love being able to go out to any restaurant downtown and people know my name. And vice versa when industry people come into Doc's and Giuseppe's. It's a big family!

A Perfect Glens Falls Day

To describe a perfect day in Glens Falls I need to preface it by saying that I wake up early...every day. So I am lucky enough to be able to squeeze the most out of the day. If I'm not headed straight to Winney’s to pick blueberries and I know I have the night off from the restaurants, I start slow.

First step: explain to my dogs how much I am obsessed with them. Trip is my 8 year old Great Dane and he has no clue he weighs 160 lbs. He thinks he is teeny tiny! Braum is my 5 year old German Shepard/Malamute mix and he is half the size of Trip but he’s my head of security. My cat is rolling her eyes at us from the corner of the bed.

After a lazy morning checking on each of my plants, sipping some tea, and maybe making a random flower crown (because, why not?), it's time for caffeine, so I head to Spektor. My order is an espresso for here and a large Happy Happens iced tea to go. I love to sit and chat with my friends that work there while I sip my espresso, maybe grab a Chronicle and sift through.

A perfect day means perfect weather, so I am definitely going paddleboarding. I'll hit up Glen Lake for a few hours to swim, read and listen to WEQX. Their Sunday Rewind and Retro Lunch are my favorite shows. 

If you know me, you know I love a good lunch time beer, so I'll head to one of my favorite spots, The Full Moon. After that, I’ll head home for a fire with friends and order an early dinner from Angelina's Pizza. I get a large cheese and add a little Frank's Hot Sauce and blue cheese to dip it in.

Now it’s time to wander back downtown for some live music I can dance to (probably wearing a flower crown) either at the Park Theater, Downtown Social or Grateful Den.

After, if I'm feeling mixed drinks, Doc's is the place (I know I work there and I am biased, but they are the best). The Summer Sangria is my current favorite.

Basically my perfect day is eating and drinking my way around Glens Falls, wearing flowers on my head and listening to music!

On the Past

Balloon Fest has always been a favorite of mine, from going to Crandall Park and the Floyd Bennett Memorial Airport with my parents and siblings when we were kids to taking my dogs "Balloon Chasing" in my Jeep these last few years. We love balloon season and look forward to it every year.

On the Future

I think downtown needs a cool plant shop! Nothing crazy, just small and eclectic, and if they also sold beer or cider that would be ideal. Somewhere I can wander and touch plants, sip a beverage and spend all of my money!

The Weekender: August 6 - 8

Hope you had a great week! Any big plans for the weekend? There’s definitely a blueberry pie in our future (here’s Bri’s recipe), and here are a few other things that caught our eye:

Gem Fest: Bands and artists converge this Saturday from 10:30am to 10:30pm at The Shirt Factory! Live music, live plein air painting, food trucks and more. Follow along here for details and updates!

Adirondack Theatre Festival: The second show in ATF’s lineup, Traffic and Weather, opens tonight! They’re calling it “a concert tribute to the Grammy- and Emmy-winning composer, songwriter, and producer that Rolling Stone says ‘had one of the most unique and busiest careers in pop’.” Details and tickets here!

Corn Maze: Fort Ticonderoga’s Corn Maze opens this weekend (which is always a reminder that summer is winding down, but we won’t discuss that now 🙃). They’ve got a larger, more challenging maze for adults as well as one for kiddos, and you’ll love the rest of what the Fort has to offer too (check out a recap of our visit here). Here are the details!

A Movie Under the Stars: What’s better than a Friday night movie in City Park? This week they’re showing a classic - The Wizard of Oz - at dusk. Bring the kiddos and a picnic blanket! Details here!

**For more family friendly activities this month, check out our Hometown Family calendar for August here!

Have a great weekend!
Bri + Tom

Hometown Family: August 2021

Summer seems to have flown by every year of my life, but now that I have kids it seems to go even quicker (and it may be just the opposite for those of you with school aged children!). July definitely came and went in the blink of an eye for our family.

Hopefully you enjoyed some of the recommendations from last month’s article - feel free to tag @glensfallsliving on Instagram so we can see what activities you’re up to!

I may have gone a little overboard for August, but I am going to miss all of these options when it starts to cool down again! In addition to the events on specific dates in the calendar below, don’t forget to check out the options available any day at the bottom!

Crandall Library • Photo: Bri Lyons

August 3: For a small fee of absolutely nothing (unless you’d like a snack from local food trucks that will be on site) you can head over to the Crandall Park Bandshell for Glens Falls Community Theatre’s presentation of Charlotte’s Web (every Tuesday in August!) at 6:30pm. Details here.

August 3: Story Time in the Park in City Park outside of Crandall Library for children 3-5 years from 10-10:30am (every Tuesday) - includes stories, songs, and puppets. Details here.

August 4: Story Time in the Park in City Park outside of Crandall Library for children infant-3 years from 10-10:20am (every Wednesday) - includes simple stories, movement, and songs. Details here.

August 5: Honeybee Workshop at Little Feet Little Farm in Ballston Spa for those ages 4 and up. Learn more and check out other events hosted by them here.

August 6: Mickey & Minnie String Art at Wicks from the Sticks from 6p-8p. Kits can be purchased to do at home if you can not attend the event. Details here.

August 7: Warren County Youth Fair will be held at the Warren County Fairgrounds from 9am until 1pm. A day filled with talent shows, a pie eating contest, a craft room, and more! 

August 7: The Children’s Museum at Saratoga’s Big Truck Day located at Maple Avenue Middle School in Saratoga Springs looks like a day full of fun! Get your tickets (only $5!) here.

August 8: Berkshire Bank Family Sundays at Saratoga Race Course - details here!

August 10: Make a bird feeder and learn about birds in City Park from 2-3pm. For children entering Kindergarten - 3rd grade. Register for this event and more here.

August 10: Charlotte’s Web (and food trucks!) at the Crandall Park Bandshell 6:30pm. Details here.

August 11: For those of you with kiddos between the ages 6-11, Up Yonda Farm in Bolton will be hosting Hug A Tree: Survival Skills for Kids When Lost in the Woods presented by LASAR at 1pm. Children will have the opportunity to meet a real search dog! 

August 11: The Pember in Granville will be offering a “Birds and Bees Pollination” event with a mason bee house craft. The program is geared for 1st grade and up, and registration is required by calling 512-642-1515. See more events and information here.

August 12: Kids Crafts at the Beach at Moreau Lake State Park - more info here.

August 12: Balloons, popcorn, ice pops, hair cuts (yep, you heard right! And - they’re free - for school kiddos), sports equipment and book exchange, all at Crandall Park’s Schoolapalooza from 5p-8p. More information here.

August 14: Lake George Land Conservancy Annual Block Party! Located at Up Yonda Farm in Bolton Landing from 11a-2p, you’ll find SayCheez518 food truck and live music. Children all ages can explore the butterfly garden, catch frogs in the pond, and get a scenic view of Lake George on a guided hike at 1pm. Find out more here.

August 15: Berkshire Bank Family Sundays at Saratoga Race Course - details here!

August 16: Five Rivers Environmental Education Center’s Meet the Animals gives children in grades K-5 the chance to meet some Adirondack wildlife, learn about their adaptations and how to protect them. The drive to Delmar is about an hour from Glens Falls, and registration is required. They also have other “Funday Mondays” throughout the month, so be sure to check out the full calendar here.

August 16: Children entering grades K-5 are invited to City Park for American Sign Language: Animals from 11a-12p. Registration is required and can be found here.

August 16 - 20: Wicks From the Sticks Kids Week - for all school aged children! They will be offering a craft each day from 10:30 - 11:30am (drop off or stay to watch) for $12, or $50 for all 5 days. In order from Monday - Friday, they will have neon slime, jewelry making, candle making, string art, and lego building. See pictures of each of these crafts and learn more here.

August 17: Charlotte’s Web (and food trucks!) at the Crandall Park Bandshell 6:30pm. Details here.

August 19: Crandall Library’s Annual Teddy Bear Picnic. This is a drop in, social distanced event with teddy bear stories at 10:30, and a teddy bear parade around the park at 11:15. A kit of activities and projects to do with your bear will be provided. Details here.

August 20, 21, 22: The Annual Firemen’s and Family Summer Festival and Craft Show in Shepard Park will have music, food, children’s activities, and more. Get the details here.

August 21: Lake George Music Festival - Children’s Concert in Shepards Park is FREE to attend. More information on this event and others for the Lake George Music Festival can be found here.

August 22: Berkshire Bank Family Sundays at Saratoga Race Course - details here!

August 24: Nature Arts Hour at Wilton Wildlife Preserve and Park gives kiddos the chance to get creative with, and in nature. Find more information and save a spot here.

August 24: Charlotte’s Web (and food trucks!) at the Crandall Park Bandshell 6:30pm - details here.

August 27 - 29:  Book Sale at Bolton Free Library. Visit their website for more information.

August 27 - 29: Saratoga Balloon and BBQ Festival. Balloons and BBQ...what more needs to be said?! Find more info here.

August 29: Summer Scented Slime at Wicks from the Sticks (this is a walk in event so students can come at any time between 11a - 3p). Details here.

August 29: Berkshire Bank Family Sundays at Saratoga Race Course - details here!

Dinosaurs in Motion: Where Art Meets Science: Every single day this month (except for Wednesdays), Universal Presentation Hall in Saratoga Springs will be hosting a show at 12pm that blends science, art, and innovation with their life-size metal sculptures. It sounds like a perfect “STEM” activity to engage the kiddos while also feeding their brains. Find more information and grab tickets here.

Hudson Pointe Nature Preserve: We’re talkin’ trails, benches, interpretive signage, bridges, “beaches” and a whole field to romp around in at this preserve. We love it here because there are several different paths you can take depending on the length of walk you’re feeling for the day, and each trail is wonderfully marked, and even open to mountain bikers! See the trail map here.

Hovey Pond Park: Have you ever struggled trying to choose between a nature walk or a playground? Fear not! Hovey’s got you covered! With their loop around a beautiful pond (and back into the marsh), you can get your steps in, and then hit the playground afterwards! Oh, and did I mention the plethora of turtles you will see while you’re there? Learn more about Hovey and more parks here.

Lake George Steamboat Company: The one-hour tour of the southern end of Lake George on the Minne Ha Ha is the perfect addition to an afternoon north of Glens Falls. The Minne Ha Ha has departure times throughout the entire day, and the Steamboat Company has other cruise options as well (Lac du Saint Sacrement Lunch Cruise, tour of the Narrows, etc).

June Farms: Located in West Sand Lake (so a little bit of a drive, I know!), this farm offers a “horse play” playground, wood fired pizza, farm animals, walking tours, and so much more. This used to be a popular place for date nights, goat yoga, and more, but just recently started allowing children of all ages at any time! Find all you need to know here, and note that they are closed Mondays! 

Floating Classroom: Lake George Association’s Floating Classroom is an excellent resource, and fun too! Geared towards ages 8 and up (but all ages welcome!), they offer public programming on Wednesdays at 10am and 1pm until August 25th. Details and sign up here!

LOCAL CHALLENGES 

The Chapman Challenge: For all you history buffs, or anyone just wanting to learn more about our beloved Glens Falls, this challenge is for you! Filled with spots to touch on local history, and some just for fun, you will round out your challenge at the Chapman Museum, where you will receive a pin of completion and have your name added to their website. Get all the details here.

Round the Lake Challenge: What better way to learn and gain an appreciation for the nature that surrounds us than hands on experiences? The Lake George Land Conservancy’s Round the Lake Challenge offers educational stops, hiking trails, and so much more. After 20 missions have been completed, you will be rewarded with a certificate of completion and a RTL patch. Print your checklist and find more info here.

*For more family friendly options to enjoy any day of the week, check out our Hometown Family Activities page here*

To add your event to our calendar, Email Haley at hgerarde@aol.com.

The Weekender: July 30 - August 1

Happy weekend - and happy August?! Can’t believe we’re turning the page on the calendar this weekend, but determined to keep summer going strong despite seeing all sorts of Halloween ads. Here’s what looks good for this summer weekend!

Summer Concerts in the Park: The Park Theater’s Friday night concert in Crandall Park is back this week for the final concert of the summer with The North and South Dakotas! Details here.

Antique Fair: If you’re a lover of all things vintage and antique like we are, you’ll want to cruise out to the Washington County Fairgrounds this weekend for the Washington County Antique Fair and Flea Market! Grab a snack from the food trucks and stroll through the hundreds of vendors - details here!

PB&J Cafe: Drop by City Park at noon on Friday for The Adirondack Theatre Festival’s family friendly show, “Cinderella Goes Disco” right outside the library. Don’t forget a blanket/chairs & picnic lunch! Learn more about it here.

A Movie Under the Stars: Friday night movies in City Park are back, and this week they’re showing Wreck it Ralph at dusk - bring the kiddos and a picnic blanket! Details here!

**For more family friendly activities this month, check out our Hometown Family calendar for July here, and stay tuned for the August calendar on Monday!

The Best Blueberry Muffins: If you’ve been blueberry picking (here’s our list of local farms!), run, do not walk, to pick up the Magnolia Table cookbook (volume 2) for the very best blueberry muffin recipe. I made them with our fresh berries this past weekend and they were so good I’m getting ready to make another batch - right now. Here’s the link!

Have a great weekend!
Bri + Tom

New Addition: Rhys Thomas Williams

The Williams Family welcomed their baby boy, Rhys Thomas, on June 6th! We caught up with them to find out their favorite things about parenthood so far, the significance of his name, and more…

Photo: Bri Lyons

Tell us about your family!

We’re Hillary and Thomas Williams and we just welcomed our son Rhys to the family. We both grew up in the Midwest but moved to the Northeast about 10 years ago. We’ve lived in Queensbury for three years now and love it! We moved to this area when Thomas took a job at Glens Falls Hospital as an Emergency Medicine Physician. Hillary started a Massage Therapy practice in Glens Falls which is currently on pause while she takes maternity leave but will return early next year.  

On Loving Where You Live

We love all of the outdoor opportunities in this region - some of our favorites are mountain biking at Gurney Lane, running and walking on Rush Pond trail, kayaking on Glen Lake, skiing at West Mountain and Gore, and escaping to the Adirondacks. When we’re not playing outside, we like to sample the local breweries and restaurants and walk around City Park.

Photo: Jessie Casey

On Sharing the News

I gave a onesie to my husband as our 1st wedding anniversary gift! We then surprised our parents with ‘Grandma/Grandpa Est. 2021’ mugs and an ultrasound photo.

We were too excited to wait until the birth to find out the gender so we found out early that we were having a boy. Instead of a gender reveal, we slowly told our friends individually.

All About Rhys

Rhys Thomas Williams was born on June 6th, 2021 weighing 9 lbs, 2 oz and measuring 21.5 inches.

We both have ties to Wales and wanted a name that reflected our ancestry, which is how we decided on Rhys.

Rhys has his mom’s eyes and his dad’s hair. Rhys was born 5 days late, so he’s already taking after his father!

Photo: Jessie Casey

Some Favorites So Far

His hair! There’s already so much, it’s fun to see his different styles.

It’s also been fun to watch his personality slowly develop and we’re betting on whether he says ‘momma’ or ‘daddy’ first.

As far as activities, we’ve been enjoying our family walks on Rush Pond.

On Parenthood

Our favorite part of parenting is finding out which weird thing will capture his attention next; today it is the ceiling fan, tomorrow who knows! So far the biggest challenge has been trying to decipher his baby language and figure out what he wants.

Looking Ahead

We are so excited to be able to take him on our adventures - skiing at West Mountain (hopefully next winter!), biking the local trails, climbing at RockSport, and camping in the Adirondacks.

Some Good Advice

Two of the best pieces of advice we’ve received are:

1. ‘The days are long but the years are short’

2. Never turn down help.

And our best advice: keep the burp cloths handy!

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

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

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

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

My Glens Falls: Rachel Dutra

We’re catching up with Rachel Dutra this week, who you’ll certainly recognize from Rachel's Cafe and Spice Co! She shares what brought her to Glens Falls (it may have had something to do with a mischievous cat…), all about their new home, and some favorite memories of Glens Falls over the years…

Tell us about yourself!

My name is Rachel Dutra. I am a former English teacher turned restauranteur / spiceologist. I am the co-owner and operator (with my husband Dave) of Rachel's Cafe and Spice Co on Warren Street in Glens Falls. In 2018 we closed our former restaurant, East End Eatery, and opened Rachel's in an effort to have a schedule that was more compatible with being a parent. Our son, Elias, is 5 and will start Kindergarten in the fall at SMSA! We recently opened a second business, Winklepickers, in our hometown of Lake George. 

On Life In and Around Glens Falls

I grew up in Lake George. My parents bought an apartment building on the East Side of Glens Falls and I ended up there since my mom wanted me out of the house because my beloved cat was destroying her beloved house. I had just graduated from college and it was a perfect fit for my lifestyle. Over the years, I’ve lived in multiple apartments in the building and when we opened a restaurant downstairs I eventually ended up running it. I then made the big move to the house next door and lived there for 12 years.

We recently purchased our first home! After renting for so long it is nice to finally own something. It is a whopping 1/2 mile down the road and that actually put us in Queensbury, but we very much still feel like a part of Glens Falls. It is secluded and has a pool which our 5 year old uses everyday. We don't vacation much so we treat every Sunday like a vacation, and this house and yard is perfect for it - complete with an outdoor fireplace and room to run. We are super happy with our little slice of the universe. The house is super old and some days it feels a bit like that movie The Money Pit, but we are learning as we go!

Some Glens Falls Favorites

It's kind of strange, but my favorite thing about Glens Falls is the Christmas decorations. I get up early to go to yoga at Hot Yoga Queensbury, and driving through the city when it's snowing and the lights are twinkling is the best thing ever. Until I get out of my car. I'm not a huge fan of winter. 

I honestly believe the hidden gem of Glens Falls is SMSA [St. Mary’s-St. Alphonsus]. This amazing little school is right under our noses and until I had a kid I had no idea the amazing place that it is. I wish more people knew that it is an incredible place to learn. 

A Perfect Glens Falls Day

Oh man, I don't get many days off. But, I will tell you that the margaritas at Raul's are perfect for girl's night with my bestie and Dave and I enjoy grabbing a beer at Mean Max. That's the extent of my venturing out. Between the business and the kid I don't get out much! 

On the Past

Once upon a time my amazing friend had a store called Sterling and Co. I miss it every day. I was constantly downtown, going to Tilley's (which I don't think was called that at the time), hitting up The Bullpen, enjoying Wallabee's way too much, heading to Siam Thai for amazing food, and of course Red Fox Books. It was the heyday in GF for me. 

On the Future

I’d love to see a book store in Glens Falls for sure. I know the internet and technology has made times difficult for them but I really miss having one in town. Also, a tour (self guided or otherwise) of the historic homes and buildings. Glens Falls is rich with history! 

The Weekender: July 23 - 25

Happy Thursday! We’re slowly but surely checking off that summer fun list - we picked lavender at Lavenlair Farm this morning and blueberry picking is on the agenda for this weekend (along with blueberry pie, of course). Here’s what else caught our eye…

Summer Pops + Fireworks at Crandall Park: A belated 4th of July celebration, this is one of our favorite hometown events and we’re so psyched to see it happen this Saturday night after all. Here are the details!

Adirondack Theater Festival: It’s back! This season is kicking off tonight with Slow Food, a comedy about the world’s worst waiter who makes a pair of diners question everything from the menu to their marriage. Grab tickets here!

Summer Concerts in the Park: The Park Theater’s Friday night concert in Crandall Park is back this week with The Sea The Sea, an indie folk-pop duo-band! Details here.

[farmacy] at Lakota’s Farm: What’s better than a dinner downtown at [farmacy] you ask? A [farmacy] farm-to-table dinner at Lakota’s Farm in Cambridge, of course! Excited to see two of our favorites team up for what’s bound to be an amazing meal in a beautiful location. As of this afternoon there were still tickets left for the 4pm seating on Saturday night - get your tickets here!

PB&J Cafe: Drop by City Park at noon on Friday or Saturday for The Adirondack Theatre Festival’s family friendly show, “Cinderella Goes Disco” right outside the library. Don’t forget a blanket/chairs & picnic lunch! Learn more about it here.

A Movie Under the Stars: Friday night movies in City Park are back, and this week they’re showing Sonic the Hedgehog at dusk - bring the kiddos and a picnic blanket - and the popcorn! Details here!

Llamas at the Library: Need we say more? Learn llama facts, hear a llama story, and meet a real llama - sign up here.

**For more family friendly activities this month, check out our Hometown Family calendar for July here!

Have a great weekend!
Bri + Tom

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First Look: Sweet Side Records and Rock Hill Bookhouse

There's nothing like the sound of a record or the feel of a good book in your hands. But in today's world of digital media, people can lose touch with the physical - literally. Luckily, Sweet Side Records and The Rock Hill Bookhouse have you covered.

Photo: Nicholas Chowske

“Everything’s digital - everything’s on your tablet or on your hard drive,” says Ed Martuscello, who co-owns the new Curran Street shop with Matt Funiciello, and runs the music side of things. “There’s something about the physical that’s never going to go away,” he says. “It’s not just like bringing it up on YouTube; you have to do the hunting and the digging, and it just opens you up to all kinds of stuff. That’s the beauty of it.”

Vinyl records, and their enthusiasts, have enjoyed a comeback in popularity in recent years. “About five years after I started picking them up, it became a lot more in vogue,” Martuscello says. “There’s a lot of people that never got rid of their records, and they’ve always listened to them, but then it had this resurgence, and now it’s even cool with teenagers.”

Photo: Nicholas Chowske

While used records and books may be a niche market, there is certainly a demand for them. “I’ve got no shortage of customers,” says Martuscello, who’s had people from as far as Brooklyn seek him out. “It doesn’t matter if you’re not on the main drag, the collectors are going to find your shop.”

“Ed is really the core of the store,” says Funiciello, who also owns the Rock Hill Bakehouse and Cafe in the same building. “The audiophiles are in and out of there daily, and anytime he brings in a new selection they’re definitely checking it all out.”

Martuscello, who’s originally from Amsterdam, began collecting and selling records online and in local coffee shops in the Capital Region more than a decade ago. He first met Funiciello in 2015, when he and his wife moved to Glens Falls, and he was looking for a place to sell his records locally. “I called him out of the blue, and asked if I could put my records in his bakery,” Martuscello says. “He gave me space for eight or 10 crates of records, and it went well.” Martuscello, who was content with his online and cafe business, never intended to open his own shop. “Matt had mentioned maybe one day opening up a record store, and I was like, absolutely not,” he says. “The overhead, being married to it, having to be there all the time - I just wasn’t interested,” That changed when Covid-19 hit.

Shortly before the pandemic, Funiciello had moved his bakery and cafe to a building behind the Shirt Factory. When a new space opened up in the same building, Funiciello approached Martuscello about sharing it. “He showed me this place and said he wanted to put books in there and asked if I would want to split the rent.” Martuscello says. “Matt told me way back that he always wanted to own a bookstore, and it kind of made sense at that point, because I had been buying records through the pandemic and was building up a bit of inventory.”

Ed Martuscello • Photo: Nicholas Chowske

In fact, Funiciello had been toying with the idea of opening a used bookstore for more than 20 years. “I love a great book, but I am not usually someone who goes back and rereads one, and I realized I was being a hoarder, and being greedy with them,” Funiciello says. “So, I started a lending-library at my cafe in the early 2000s, and I think we probably gave away several thousand books that way.” Despite this success, it wasn’t the bookstore that he wanted. But after seeing several local booksellers and even national chains fold, he decided he would need to take a different approach.

“I felt that I should think about opening a bookstore that isn’t dependent on the sale of books to be solvent, as strange as that sounds,” Funiciello says. “I watched what Ed was doing, and I realized that if we partnered together, it was unlikely that the bookstore would ever be something that made me money, but it could be something that didn’t lose me any.”

While this business model may seem outlandish to some, it has given Funiciello the opportunity to achieve his goal of helping to build a cultural hub on the east side of town. “I could still get to have this addition to this new East Side Downtown that would be a draw for people who love art and literature and music, and it would be a great companion for the cafe, the Shirt Factory and the bike trail,” he says.

Photo: Nicholas Chowske

Records and books aren’t the only thing the pair are breathing new life into - they’ve also managed to rehabilitate one of the Shirt Factory’s old buildings that originally housed the maintenance crew. “We probably only spent about five grand renovating - it was just a ton of labor,” Funiciello says. “I love that we came up with innovative and affordable solutions to every problem that we encountered in that space, so that we were working within a very working-class and reasonable budget to make this happen.”

“I love where we are in East Glens Falls, and I’d rather be here than on the main drag any day of the week,” Martuscello says. “Even if people come in and don’t buy anything, just to come in and walk around and browse, and see that they enjoy that - that is worth something in itself to me.”

Photo: Nicholas Chowske

What began as a hobby for Martuscello a decade ago, has blossomed into a lucrative business that has both enabled his partner to realize his own vision and help to revitalize a part of Glens Falls. “Ed dropped into our laps, and I’ve watched him go from having a couple of crates of records at the bakery in South Glens Falls, to us opening this brick and mortar together,” Funiciello says.

“It’s so funny how it was the furthest thing from my mind, and that’s what ended up happening,” Martuscello says. “It’s crazy - I walk in here every day, and I want to pinch myself - I own a freakin’ record store!”

The Weekender: July 16 - 18

Happy Thursday! Finally - a day without a thunderstorm! Here’s hoping our outdoor recommendations for the weekend don’t get rained out again - fingers crossed for this sunshine to stick around! Here we go:

A Movie Under the Stars: Friday night movies in City Park are back, and this week they’re showing Monsters, Inc. at dusk - bring the kiddos and a picnic blanket and keep those fingers crossed for nice weather! Details here!

Summer Concerts in the Park: Still have your fingers crossed for nice weather? We’ll need it for The Park Theater’s Friday night concert in Crandall Park - this week is Washington County Line Bluegrass! Details here.

Lavenlair Farm: Everyone’s favorite local lavender farm is back open for the season and what better way to spend a summer morning than a stroll through their beautiful field (with the added bonus of a fresh cut bundle of lavender to bring home!)?! Purchase your advance admission ticket here.

Blueberry Picking: A blueberry pie is definitely in the cards for us this weekend, and if you’re craving one too (with fresh berries of course), here’s our roundup of some local u-pick farms you might want to consider!

[farmacy] at Lakota’s Farm: What’s better than a dinner downtown at [farmacy] you ask? A [farmacy] farm-to-table dinner at Lakota’s Farm in Cambridge, of course! Excited to see two of our favorites team up for what’s bound to be an amazing dinner in a beautiful location. This is next weekend, but you’ll want to plan ahead and get your tickets here!

Blueberry Festival • Liberty Ridge Farm, Schaghticoke: A bit of a drive, but lots of fun for the fam, including farm animals, a giant “pillow” to bounce on, life sized bird houses, food and wine for the grownups, and so, so much more - including u-pick blueberries of course! Details here.

**For more family friendly activities this month, check out our Hometown Family calendar for July here!

Have a great weekend!
Bri + Tom

Comfortable with Being Uncomfortable: Former Marine Opens Kettlebell Gym in SGF

Simple Strength and Conditioning, a new kettlebell gym in the Atlas Jiu Jitsu facility in South Glens Falls, is now open.

Ryan Carpenter, a former Marine and recovering alcoholic, opened the kettlebell gym earlier this month in the Midtown Shopping Center.

“I teach basic, simple kettlebell movements because they work,” Mr. Carpenter told Glens Falls Living. “It’s strength aerobics, getting your heart rate up and moving weight. It’s all about getting comfortable with being uncomfortable.”

Ryan Carpenter • Photo: Bri Lyons

Kettlebells are essentially metal balls with handles that come in a range of weights.

After serving in the Marines from 1993 to 1997, Mr. Carpenter said he started to gain weight.

“I didn’t have the best eating or drinking habits,” he said. “It was harder to keep the weight off.”

Then in 2012, “I got sober,” he said. “And I turned to sugar, and went from 270 pounds to 335 pounds. I hurt all over.

“Finally I said enough is enough. I started exercising. The first time, I went to Planet Fitness and walked on the treadmill for 10 minutes. I kept going, and the weight started to come off. I got down to 260 pounds and I felt like I needed to push harder. I was seeing results and I started to crave it.

“Then I was introduced to kettlebells and my strength exploded. It’s very low impact. Anyone can do it. And you can do it anywhere because the kettlebells are easily transportable.”

Ryan Carpenter at Simple Strength and Conditioning in South Glens Falls • Photo: Bri Lyons

In 2017, Mr. Carpenter lost his father, brother and grandmother, “the three people who stood by me when I was getting sober. It started a huge fire in me. It was cement in my foundation. I decided to become a coach, becoming a Strong First level one instructor.

His kettlebell gym in Saratoga closed, and he bought much of the equipment. Atlas J&J owner Joseph Zakriski “gave me a small area in the back and the opportunity to bring this all to fruition.”

Simple Strength and Conditioning is open Monday through Friday from 5 to 7 p.m., and Saturday morning from 8 to 10 a.m.

“Opening night was amazing,” he said. “We’re getting people willing to try it out. I love seeing the ‘aha’ moment when people realize they can do this.”

Classes are $15 for a drop-in, five classes for $70, 10 classes for $140, or unlimited classes for $110 a month. Frontline medical workers, fire, police and military unlimited passes are $100 a month.

“I wish my father could see this,” Mr. Carpenter said. “To be as hopeless as I was in 2015 to now running my own gym is amazing. I want people to know they can do this. The first step is the hardest one.

“I feel an obligation to help people. After seeing my brother give up on his death bed, I don’t want to see anyone give up. I want to help as many people as I can.”

For more information, visit their website at www.simplestrengthconditioning.com, or email rycarp155@gmail.com.

Back in the Day: Radio Concerts in the Park

Pedestrians around downtown Glens Falls had difficulty figuring out where the music was coming from on Sept. 18, 1922.

The music was live, but not in person.

The owners of Morf and Galusha electrical store, across Maple Street from City Park, were testing emerging broadcast technology to determine the feasibility of holding regular “radio concerts” in City Park the next year.

Morf and Galusha Electrical Store is in the row of buildings along Maple Street, across from City Park, in this circa 1920 photograph • Photo courtesy of The Folk Life Center at Crandall Public Library

A “loud sounding horn” speaker was set up on the shop’s front counter, and the door was opened to determine if the music could be heard in the park and elsewhere.

The test was deemed a success.

“Every note could be clearly heard as far away as the front of the Empire Theatre (about a block-and-a-half away on South Street) and in the rear of City Hall,” The Post-Star reported the next day. “No static nor any other disturbances marred the entertainment. The music and songs could be plainly heard throughout the park, as plainly and clearly as a band,” The Post-Star reported.

Some mistakenly thought the music was coming from a phonograph.

“The best tribute to the genius of the members of the firm was the comment of one man that he never appreciated radio until he heard last night’s concert.”

The concert included a full-live concert broadcast from WGY in Schenectady, other musical selections broadcast from stations in Louisville, Kentucky and Minneapolis, Minnesota, and news reports from The Detroit News.

Early on in commercial radio, music was primarily performed live.

Federal law required stations to notify listeners if the station was broadcasting recorded music.

WGY, which broadcast into the Glens Falls area, was one of the nation’s first commercial radio stations.

Edgar A. Rice, a young Schenectady musician, conducted the studio orchestra when WGY made its first broadcast at 7:47 a.m. on Feb. 20, 1922, according to a station history on file at The Folklife Center at Crandall Public Library.

WGY and its owner, General Electric Co., were pioneers in virtual concert technology, developing the first condenser microphone used in commercial radio in August 1922.

In 1922, relatively few families had radios in their homes.

“I now have a radio receiving outfit in my library where I am entertained and inspired after a day or evening of work,” syndicated columnist George Matthew Adams wrote in his “Today’s Talk” column, published May 6, 1922 in The Post-Star. “I wish and hope that the time will come when every home may listen in. … It’s so marvelous!”

Retailers such as Morf and Galusha staged public radio concerts to introduce radio technology, and hopefully entice people to buy radios.

“A radio demonstration will be given under the auspices of the Odd Fellows in I.O.O.F. hall Friday evening at 7:30, old time. Richard Lawton of Glens Falls will be the operator. … A program of music and speeches will be given, broadcasted by the General Electric station in Schenectady. It is probable that Pittsburgh and Newark (stations) also will be heard,” The Post-Star reported on March 4, 1922.

A radio concert was to be the main attraction of the upcoming Christian Endeavor Society fundraising social and sale at Hudson Falls Baptist Church, The Post-Star reported on June 7, 1922.

“Glen Cornell, a local radio agent, will provide the equipment and furnish the operator. … “All those who desire are cordially invited to come and listen to the radio,” The Post-Star reported on June 7, 1922.

The second annual Industrial Exposition for Warren and Washington Counties, Sept. 11-16, 1922, at the Glens Falls Armory, featured radio concerts each afternoon and evening.

Radio dealers weren’t the only ones using radio concerts to attract business.

“C. Fay Newell has installed a radio phone in the read of his Broadway (Fort Edward) jewelry store and yesterday afternoon several invited friends listened with much interest to a concert given in the General Electric Company’s building in Schenectady,” The Post-Star reported on April 6, 1922.

Radio enthusiasts in Glens Falls formed a club that had a club house on Thomson Avenue.

Membership, like many social clubs of that era, was exclusive to males, but women were invited to some gatherings.

“The Glens Falls Radio Club members last evening held the first in a series of ladies’ nights,“ The Post-Star reported on April 8, 1922. “More than fifty persons listened to a fine program picked up from several broadcasting stations and set their watches by the Arlington time signals.”

Leonard Williams gave a talk about radio waves and the parts and functions of radios.

“After the radio program, instrumental and vocal selections were rendered by members of the club, vocal numbers by Henry Gilbert being particularly pleasing.”

Later in April, club members gathered to listen to a WGY experimental live broadcast of chimes being played at Watervliet, where they were recently cast for installation at the McKim Memorial Tower of the Church of the Epiphany at Washington, D.C.

“Those who heard the concert said the chimes could be heard distinctly,” The Post-Star reported on April 28, 1922.

It would be more than two decades before AM radio broadcasting would take root in Glens Falls.

The first of several short-lived local radio stations went on the air in 1930.

WWSC, the longest continuously operating radio station in Glens Falls, went on the air Dec. 18, 1946, and will celebrate its 75th anniversary this winter.

WSET, later WBZA and now WMHL, went on the air on May 28, 1969.

The Weekender: July 9 - 11

Happy weekend! Looks like it’s going to be a beauty - although judging by this week’s weather, that could change at any moment! We’re hoping to fit in some of the usuals - the Farmers Market, a walk downtown for dinner - and a few of these, too:

Summer Concert Series: Next up in The Park Theater’s Summer Concert Series? Wild Adriatic! They’ll be playing at the Crandall Park Bandshell at 7pm on Friday (and will move to the Park Theater if it rains!). Details here.

Two Art Openings: Jenny Hutchinson’s exhibit Variation of Nature will open on Friday from 6-8pm at Mountain Gallery, and stroll across the park to LARAC for their Friday night opening, Guiding Light, from 5-7pm!

Artisan Trails in Washington County: Open studios, galleries, and craft beverages - yes, please! This is the first of two weekends of the self guided tour through beautiful Washington County - find the trail map and details here.

Outdoor Cinema: Friday night movies under the stars are back in City Park this week, courtesy of Art in the Public Eye! They’ll be showing Trolls World Tour this week, so bring the kiddos, a blanket, and some popcorn. Show starts at dusk. Details here!

World Awareness Children’s Museum: The Museum re-opens this Saturday with a Grand Opening celebration from 10am-3pm! They’ll be debuting their new exhibit on Thailand, and it’s free to attend! For details and pre-registration, click here!

**For more family friendly activities this month, check out our Hometown Family calendar for July here.

Have a great weekend!
Bri + Tom

Hometown Family: July 2021

July sure did come in hot in every way! I am so excited to add something new to Glens Falls Living. Being someone who can’t sit still, and a mom of two little ones, we are constantly looking for new activities, and one place to find them all. We’re hoping that “Hometown Family” can be exactly that - a monthly round up you can look to for ideas on how to spend a random weekday off, or a weekend activity with the fam. We will curate the list to appeal to most age groups, with a range of activities for the family as well as things you can send your children to while you run errands (or just grab a coffee and a book and enjoy all things local). So to start it all off, let’s talk July. Here’s what we’ve got:

July 5: World Awareness Children’s Museum Messy Art Camp begins for children 3rd grade and older. Details here.

July 9: Meet a police pup at Crandall Library! More info here.

July 12: World Awareness Children’s Museum Under the Sea Camp for Pre-K and Kindergarten age kiddos begins. Details here.

July 16: The Park Theater will be presenting a weekly summer concert series at the Crandall Park Bandshell each Friday evening in July from 7-8:30pm. Details here!

July 16: Friday night movies in City Park are back, and this week they’re showing Monsters, Inc. at dusk - bring the kiddos and a picnic blanket! Details here!

July 17: If you have not been to Liberty Ridge Farm in Schaghticoke with your kiddos, get ready to spend the entire day, because this place is (in my opinion) incredible. There is so much to do here - from all of their little farm animals, to a giant “pillow” to bounce on, life sized bird houses, and so, so much more. We were here for their Strawberry Festival last month, and loved playing cornhole with live music in the background, and watching the kids run around & dance. This month, on July 17, they’re having their Blueberry Festival and I can’t imagine that it would be any less impressive. Actually, if anything it will be even more fun, because they will be offering U-Pick! Find the details here.

July 19: World Awareness Children’s Museum Around The World Camp for 1st - 3rd graders begins. Details here.

July 19: Kids in Motion at The Hyde Collection - kids are invited to join a four-day-long program to move their bodies through a series of creative movements, craft making, and outdoor exploration. Details here!

July 20: Kids Superhero Comic Con at Crandall Library. Get the scoop here!

July 20: The Glens Falls Community Theater is presenting a free family theatre series on Tuesdays in July at the Crandall Park Bandshell. Food trucks, too! Get the scoop here.

July 22, 23, 24: Drop by City Park at noon for The Adirondack Theatre Festival’s show, “PB&J Cafe: Cinderella Goes Disco” right outside the library. Don’t forget a blanket/chairs & picnic lunch! Learn more about it here.

July 23: The Park Theater will be presenting a weekly summer concert series at the Crandall Park Bandshell each Friday evening in July from 7-8:30pm. Details here!

July 23: Friday night movies in City Park are back, and this week they’re showing Sonic the Hedgehog at dusk - bring the kiddos and a picnic blanket! Details here!

July 26: World Awareness Children’s Museum Super Secret Spy Camp for 3rd grade and up begins. Details here.

July 26: Meet a llama at Crandall Library! Sign up here.

July 27: The Glens Falls Community Theater is presenting a free family theatre series on Tuesdays in July at the Crandall Park Bandshell. Food trucks, too! Get the scoop here.

July 29, 30: Drop by City Park at noon for The Adirondack Theatre Festival’s show, “PB&J Cafe: Cinderella Goes Disco” right outside the library. Don’t forget a blanket/chairs & picnic lunch! Learn more about it here.

July 30: The Park Theater will be presenting a weekly summer concert series at the Crandall Park Bandshell each Friday evening in July from 7-8:30pm. Details here!

July 30: Friday night movies in City Park are back, and this week they’re showing Wreck it Ralph at dusk - bring the kiddos and a picnic blanket! Details here!

ALWAYS AN OPTION

Crandall Park • Glens Falls: This heat, my golly. Crandall is great for the shaded playground, but now that they’ve added a splash pad (!!), it’s the perfect place to cool down. Follow along for updates here.

Take a Bite • Downtown Glens Falls: A GF favorite through the summer, restaurants offer small plates and you can stroll through downtown enjoying live entertainment and music on Wednesdays from 5-7pm. Details here!

Crandall Library • Glens Falls: Ongoing this summer, Crandall Library hosts Infant/Toddler Storytime in City Park on Wednesdays 10-10:20am and Preschool Storytime in City Park on Tuesdays 10:00-10:30am. Bring a blanket to sit on and keep an eye on Facebook for weather-related changes. No sign up required! Details here.

The Shirt Factory • Glens Falls: The Thursday Food Truck Corral is perfect for all ages. Between the live music and tasty vendors, it’s a perfect scene for the parents, but last week they added bounce houses for the kiddos, and have their pony rides too. What a night! Every Thursday through the summer from 4:30-8pm. Find out more here.

Creative Chameleon • Glens Falls: Such a hidden gem! If you are looking for craft (or game!) ideas to do at home, check out Creative Chameleon inside The Shirt Factory to buy some to bring back, or contact them via Facebook to set up a time to go in and do some ceramic painting (it doesn’t have to be during business hours - she is so flexible).

Queensbury Parks and Rec • Queensbury: Alright, to be honest, they’ve pretty much got it all covered. From rock climbing for all different age levels, to their safe boating or safe babysitting courses, to clay programs, you’re sure to find something for each of your little ones. Check out their whole Summer Guide here.

Gurney Lane • Queensbury: First of all, the pool. No brainer. Open 1pm-7pm weekdays, and 12pm-7pm on the weekends. But besides that (and their playgrounds, and their walking trails, and their mountain biking trails...I digress), Queensbury Parks and Rec has so much to offer right under the Gurney Lane Pavilions. Details here.

World Awareness Children’s Museum • Glens Falls: GO! is finally back open for general admission on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from 9:00 am - 12:00 pm to explore the Museum. There has been a lot going on over there in terms of new exhibits, so it will be a new sight for everyone! 

Thanks for reading! Want to be sure you never miss a story? Sign up for our weekly newsletter for a recap of the latest from GFL here!

My Glens Falls: Jordan Cleavland

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

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

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

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

On Life in Glens Falls

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

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

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

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

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

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

A Perfect Glens Falls Day

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

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

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

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

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

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

My Glens Falls: Paul Phillips

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

Tell us about yourself!

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

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

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

On Life In and Around Glens Falls

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

Some Glens Falls Favorites

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

A Perfect Glens Falls Day

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

On the Past

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

On the Future

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

The Weekender: July 2 - July 4

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

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

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

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

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

Have a great weekend!
Bri + Tom

The Weekender: June 25 - 27

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

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

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

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

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

Have a great weekend!
Bri + Tom

On the Trail: Wilton Wildlife Preserve

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

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

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

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

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

Camp Saratoga • Photo: Nicholas Chowske

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Photo: Nicholas Chowske

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

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

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

Karner blue butterfly • Photo: Nicholas Chowske

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

Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park
Website / Facebook / Instagram

My Glens Falls: Emily Gaul

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

Tell us about yourself!

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

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

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

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

On Life In and Around Glens Falls

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

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

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

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

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

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

Some Glens Falls Favorites

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

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

A Perfect Glens Falls Day

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

On the Past

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

On the Future

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

The Weekender: June 18 - 20

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

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

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

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

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

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

Have a great weekend!
Bri + Tom