The Weekender: December 1 - 3

Happy weekend and Happy December! Holiday spirit is in the air, with lots of festive events around town this weekend (and beyond!) — here’s what caught our eye:

Adirondack Holiday Festival: Kick off the holidays downtown with the Adirondack Holiday Festival! Head to City Park on Friday night for the Santa Parade, Tree Lighting, and over 30 vendors set up for holiday shopping in the park. The Festival continues through the weekend - get the full schedule and all the details here!

LARAC Winter Arts Festival: The always popular LARAC Winter Arts Festival is back at The Queensbury Hotel on Sunday from 10am-5pm! Peruse the booths of over 50 artisans and shop their handcrafted goods, from jewelry to furniture, and everything in between - find the details here!

Thunder Hockey: Cheer on the home team this Friday and Saturday - the puck drops at 7pm both nights. Let’s go Thunder! Tickets here.

Rewind at The Park: Get to The Park Theater on Friday night for ‘Rewind At The Park’ featuring Saints in the City - a Bruce Springsteen Tribute Band! Doors open at 7:30 - grab your tickets here!

Ugly Sweater Brunch: If you love beer, delicious food, and ugly sweaters, get to Craft on 9 this Sunday for the Ugly Sweater Brunch. Start time is 11am and they’ll be serving four courses with recommended beer pairings from Whitman Brewing. Get the scoop here!

— Coming up next week…

Santa Brunch: Head to Morgan and Company on Sunday, December 10 from 10am-2pm for their always popular Santa Brunch! Gingerbread martinis and mimosas (and a delicious Prix Fixe menu!) for mom and dad, crafts for the kids, and of course, Santa Claus himself! Reserve on OpenTable now by clicking here!

Holiday Lighted Nights: Road trip! Head to the Washington County Fairgrounds this December for a holiday drive thru — over a mile and a half of holiday-lighted displays complete with a curated list of holiday music favorites. You’ll also find hot drinks, warm cider donuts, a Holiday Market with local artisans, and Santa himself! Find the info here.

Cambridge Valley Fine Art Show: We’re big fans of so many Washington County artists, and this weekend is a great opportunity to visit a few in their Cambridge studios - and enjoy a stroll around Cambridge while you’re at it (here are a few of our recommendations while you’re there). Get the details on the art tour here!

Have a great weekend,
Bri + Tom

Christmas Tree Farms to Visit this Season

‘Tis the season! There’s nothing quite like the glow of the Christmas tree to get you in the holiday spirit! With that in mind, we did a little tree reconnaissance (tree-connaissance?!), and in case you’re looking for a new tree farm or stand to visit this year, we’re rounding up some great local options below!

Warren County

Brown’s Tree Farm | Warrensburg: Arriving at Brown’s after a snowstorm is like walking into a Christmas movie! A charming red barn with a gorgeous field of trees blanketed with snow. What holiday dreams are made of! A second and third generation run farm now, the first seedlings were planted in the 1950’s and they’ve been growing strong since! With cut your own (or they’ll cut one for you!), this is a fantastic spot (and a pretty drive from Glens Falls!). Find their info here.

River Bend Christmas Tree Farm | Lake Luzerne: Quite literally over the river and through the woods, River Bend is a beautiful spot with a traditional farm experience - stroll the fields, cut your tree, and you’re on your way! With a gorgeous selection of wreaths as well (we have our eye on the buffalo plaid bows!), you may want to browse a bit longer. Find their details here.

Washington County

Bailey Family Christmas Trees | Cambridge: It’s always fun hearing how tree farms got their start, and the lovely Bailey Family was no exception! What began in 1967 as 1,000 seedlings has grown to 11,000 gorgeous trees and a charming barn shop boasting wreaths, kissing balls, and garland, too. Cut your own, or they also have a great selection of pre-cut at the barn. Grab their info here! (And while you’re in town, check out some of our other favorites in Cambridge from our travel guide here.)

Gardenworks | Salem: Our tree tradition (tree-dition?!) for the last few years includes a morning ride out to Gardenworks to enjoy a browse around their charming tree lot (pre-cut only) and some shopping in the beautifully curated barn along with a cup of warm cider. You’re sure to be greeted by sweet Layla the pup, along with the friendliest folks, and great gift ideas, too! Find their info here.

Saratoga County

Candy Cane Farm | Gansevoort: We’ve passed the beloved “Cut Your Own Christmas Tree” sign many times, and are so glad we stopped at the Kuznierz Family’s pretty farm! They planted their first trees in the 1960’s and have continued to grow ever since. Beautiful trees (cut your own or pre-cut!), great views, and friendly people. More info here!

Ellms Family Farm | Ballston Spa: We’ve heard great things about Ellms and though we haven’t yet made the trip, it sounds like they have quite the family friendly experience! Get their details here. (And while you’re in Ballston Spa, check out some of our favorite spots in town from our travel guide here!)

Buell’s Christmas Trees | Gansevoort: We knew tree tagging was a thing (going to pick out your tree and tagging it sold ahead of time), but we loved the tradition we stumbled across here of folks decorating their tree on the farm to tag it! A beautiful farm to check out! Looks like their cut-your-own trees are sold out already, but they have pre-cut available! Find them on Facebook here.

Happy tree hunting! And if you’ve got a favorite local tree farm, we’d love to know! Happy Holidays!

P.S. A quick tip - Be sure to check the Facebook pages for the tree farms before you head out to be sure they’ve got trees left!

The Weekender: November 17-19

Happy weekend! Hard to believe Thanksgiving is next week, but here we are! We’re starting to see some holiday events pop up on the calendar in addition to the usual fall favorites — here’s what caught our eye this week:

The Arts: Lots happening with the arts this weekend! LARAC has two shows opening this Friday: the Member’s Show, which opens at 6pm at Mountain Gallery, and the Holiday Shop, which opens at 5pm at the Lapham Gallery. That’s not all! North Country Arts opens their Celebration Exhibition on Saturday at 5pm - those details are here!

Lucky Puppy: Looking to add a pup to your family? Head to Benson’s Pet Center in Queensbury this Saturday from 11am-1pm for The Lucky Puppy Adoption Event. Submit your application, pet the adoptable pups, meet your new best friend! Details here.

Holiday Parades: Get in the holiday spirit this weekend with not one but two holiday parades! The South Glens Falls Holiday Parade kicks off at 1pm on Sunday, traveling up Route 9 — those details are here — and head to Greenwich on Saturday night at 6pm to watch their Annual Holiday Lighted Tractor Parade file through the village - details on that here!

Coming up next week…

Thunder Hockey: Cheer on the home team this Thanksgiving Eve! The puck drops at 7pm on Wednesday, November 22. Let’s go Thunder! Tickets here.

Glens Falls Gobble Wobble: Start your Thanksgiving off right by burning a few calories in this 5K run/walk (which means extra pie later!) and supporting a great cause (the Open Door Mission). The Wobble kicks off on Thanksgiving morning — November 23 at 8:15am. Details here!

Have a great weekend,
Bri + Tom

My Glens Falls: Jaime DeLong

We chatted with Jaime DeLong this week! She shares a bit about her handmade winter hat business, her favorite local activity (a hidden gem!), the beauty of owning her childhood home, and more…

Tell us about yourself!

My name is Jaime DeLong, and I live just over the Glens Falls border in Queensbury with my family. In addition to managing Adirondack Extreme Adventure Course and Tubby Tubes River Co, I recently started a handmade hat business called Hudson Hats. After seasonally retiring from 15 years of crazy busy winters in the ski industry, I decided to turn my winter hat obsession (I’ve somehow acquired 120+ over the years) into a fun hobby. I took a couple knitting classes last December, and then things escalated quite quickly from there!

My mom was an incredibly talented knitter, so it’s definitely in the genes. I do wish that my grandmother was alive to see this though, as she always told me (in good fun) that I was “a consumer, not a producer, and that I was good for the economy!”. She was not wrong, as I did pay someone in my 7th grade home economics class to sew my locker pocket for me (sorry if you’re reading this Mrs. Brown). I’ve made over 200 hats so far, and am still having so much fun — look out for me at some upcoming community events!

On Life In and Around Glens Falls

I was born and raised in the Glens Falls region, and feel quite rooted in the community here. I initially stayed in the area to raise my daughter here, and now I can’t imagine living anywhere else, though I do love to travel and go explore the world at any chance I get! My daughter/best friend is currently attending Northern Arizona University, so that alone gets me lots of travel time.

I actually own my childhood home about two miles from downtown — it’s so convenient to bike to the library or to dinner in the warmer months! The home has been in my family since 1962, when my grandparents decided it was time to move to “the country” (a whopping 1.8 miles north from Ridge Street to Ridge Road).

I think that all houses around 75 years plus in age can be considered fixer uppers to a certain degree, but fortunately my grandmother was incredibly meticulous in maintaining the home. The interior layout is very unique, and the property itself backs up to the wetlands by the airport, so I have a beautiful backyard! Growing up I had a few hot air balloons land in my yard, so that’s a favorite memory for sure!

Some Glens Falls Favorites

My favorite thing about the area is that there is a wide variety of things to do, see, and eat, but we still have that small town/community vibe.

We’re very fortunate to be in such a close proximity to outdoor activities — with Glen Lake right there for paddle boarding and kayaking, beautifully maintained mountain biking trails at Gurney Lane, and being within a 2 hour radius of at least 10 ski areas.

My absolute favorite activity is a hidden gem — white water rafting on the Hudson River. I’ve been a guide with Wild Waters Outdoor Center since 2008 (very part time now), and I can probably count on one hand the number of local residents I’ve taken down the river. New Jersey residents, however — I may have taken them all at this point!

A Perfect Glens Falls Day

Ahh! I have two “ perfect day” scenarios…

Sunday — first stop is Hot Yoga Queensbury, followed by Sunday brunch at Farmacy. Chef Joe’s Benedicts are world class! Dessert would be some shopping at Fountain Square Outfitters.

Days that aren’t Sunday — Latte retrieval at Kru, a workout at Lake George CrossFit, and while there, hopefully a phone call from Poopie’s telling me that there is buffalo chicken soup on the menu (yes there is a special soup phone list and it is the best).

Family dinner the crew will usually be Sweet Rice Sushi Thai, and date nights are spent back at Farmacy, or at Radici.

On the Past

I love Taste Of The North Country, so I’m really hoping that event will return next fall. I have fond memories of going across the bridge to The Joy Store with my grandmother, and also going to Ames with my mom so she could by yarn!

On the Future

Personally, a yarn store carrying indie dyed wool would be lovely! I know lots of past Glens Falls Living featured people would like a bookstore or a rooftop bar, and I think those would be great additions as well. I’m very much looking forward to checking out The Golden Monkey, and seeing the continued revitalization of South Street.

Muralthon Artist Rachel Henrich Shares Her Colorful Mural

Six artists, three weeks, three shipping containers, one Muralthon. Six new murals mark a step forward for Muralgarten, a unique destination that will combine public art and native plantings adjacent to The Shirt Factory in Glens Falls. The vision of Eric Unkauf (owner of The Shirt Factory) with the support of a board including Tom Myott, Hannah Williams, Kendra Farstad, and Matthew Martindale, Muralgarten seeks to give artists the creative freedom to paint what they want, in the style that they want. 

We’re excited to introduce you to another one of the talented artists behind Muralthon’s six murals, Rachel Henrich, whose mural is meant to inspire the senses with a bold flow of color.

Tell us about yourself!

I am a Jane of many trades and working towards mastering a few. I feel that almost all aspects of life feed and inspire other areas, such as health, spirit, and energy — they are almost never mutually exclusive. Everything we do eventually reflects back as we create our stories; our masterpiece. 

It has been a natural progression for me to study many fields of interest and learn to love and appreciate how they all flow into a brighter and more aligned life. I am an artist and healer by trade, and for me these two especially flow together because to learn art is a pathway for your own genius to shine, while to learn to work towards your own health is also a brave undertaking that often involves things like growing practices of visualization, connection, conscious consumption, movement, creativity and awareness. Practices that written on paper may sound easy but truly ask a lot of you. Advocating for yourself and living the life you want to live is not always easy but it is definitely worth it.

I am from South Glens Falls, and I am a 2002 graduate of South High. I studied art and photography in college and have been traveling the world since I was 21, studying art and medicine with teachers and travelers from different cultures — some certified and others internships just to learn. I have a great love for quantum energy and plant medicines and I feel the future of medicine lies in a mixture of these with western practices. It’s growing quite rapidly and I love the increasing acceptance and curiosity.

I just moved home a year ago from Costa Rica and have since enrolled myself in studies at UAlbany to continue my deep love for medicine and healing, with potential plans to study Osteopathic Medicine. We will see how it unfolds — life always has its plan next to mine. 

On Becoming an Artist

Art has supported me as I’ve traveled around the world. Commissioned pieces are my most lucrative channel with art. 

It just kind of happens, at events like dance parties on the beach or dinners in new homeowners homes where conversations start and then end with a plan for new art to be made. It's been a dream actually, and a seamless one at that. I have made incredible friends and connections through art and I am forever grateful for being able to continue to express my passion through paint and other mediums.

Currently, I am working on building business practices like a website and art studio here in Glens Falls where people can stop in and see my work. I will always love to travel but building a foundation has been feeling really good these days. It takes time after moving for so long. 

On Inspiration

My work in Muralgarten was all about color play, color theory, and inspiring the senses with the bold flow of color. Color is medicine and we (our systems) are directly affected by it on deep levels whether we are aware of it or not. 

On Adapting When Creating

For this piece I was drawing my lines out with a ruler and taping to get really nice crisp lines. It is easy in theory, but I didn’t factor in the variegated metal and was met with some challenges getting lines and paint down nice and clean. In the end the rippled metal made for an added dimensional effect on the piece and I wouldn't want it any other way. There are always surprises when creating — you learn to adapt while having fun as best as possible.

On Art and Life

I think that everything we do in this life is art.

How we treat each other, how we deal with situations, how we perceive the world, it’s all art.  

I see everyone as an amazing artist painting their canvas of life. Everyone is at a different level of creating their magic.

Art is not always a pretty process. You learn techniques to help shade colors and add brightness to make certain parts shine that maybe sat dull for a while. A key component to making good art is always to step away and get some new perspective and let new energy inspire your life. 

I hope that people know and believe that they have so much power to create their reality and it can be super fun while supporting your life. One of the best steps in this direction is to get out, explore your passions, and be ok with not being good at things. Part of the art is that step alone. Be open and enjoy creating and exploring — it will change your life. 

Some Glens Falls Favorites

My favorite downtown place to eat has always been Mikado. From the old school days on South Street to their expansion on Glen, they always get my patronage and make a pretty solid Ramen. It's great to see Glens Falls growing and keeping its sweet small town essence along the way. 

Rachel Henrich
Instagram

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Rachel is also a certified breathwork facilitator offering transformative breathwork classes in the area - follow @breathwork_journeyz for more info.

The Weekender: November 10-12

Happy Friday! Looks like a sunny weekend ahead — and with the earlier sunsets, we’ll take all the sun we can get! Here’s what looks good:

The Park Presents: The genre-defying trio, TAKE3, performs live on Friday night at 7:30pm at The Park Theater. Sounds like they’re a blend of rigorous classical music infused with rock-star charisma. Grab the scoop and get tickets here!

Wine and Chocolate Tasting: Wine and Chocolate - need we say more? Sample dozens of wines along with everyone’s favorite sweet treat at The Queensbury on Friday night to benefit The Chapman Museum. Details and tickets here!

Glens Falls Restaurant Week: Take advantage of the last few days of Restaurant Week! Restaurants will be offering multi-course prix-fixe lunch and dinner menus at great deals. Participating restaurants include [farmacy], Fenimore’s Pub, Morgan and Company, Park & Elm, Radici Kitchen & Bar, and more! Grab the details here.

Thunder Hockey: Cheer on the home team this Friday and Sunday - the puck drops at 7pm on Friday and 3pm on Sunday. Let’s go Thunder! Tickets here.

Have a great weekend,
Bri + Tom

First Look: The Golden Monkey Lounge

Have you been to The Golden Monkey Lounge yet? If you haven’t, consider this a sign to head to South Street for a cocktail! We caught up with owners Gregg Singer and Larissa Ovitt to hear more about the inspiration for opening a lounge, what to expect from their menus, how things have been going so far, and more…

On Opening a Lounge

Gregg: Larissa and I went into business together about four years ago, building a portfolio of short term rentals. Being that Larissa is from the area, she happened to spot that this building was on the market, and we pounced on it. We knew we wanted to build out the upstairs for apartments, and our original plan was to rent out the retail space on the ground floor.

With all the momentum on South Street, we really wanted to take the city’s vision and further it. Knowing that the Market Center building is going up across the street, we realized that we didn’t want to let go of too much control with the retail space. We didn’t want it to go in a direction that wouldn’t work with the city’s vision, and the vision that we have for the building as a whole.

So one night, we just decided — we’re opening a bar! There are really no other lounge spaces in the area, so we thought that would be our niche. We want it to be a happy and safe space for people to have fun and socialize. There are no TVs, no pool tables, no dartboards, and there’s no craziness.

Larissa: We’re hoping to encourage conversation. Whether it’s with the people that you came with, or with other people that you meet throughout the night. Each one of the seating sections was structured for conversation, and it’s a versatile enough space to accommodate different size groups. Groups that grow as the night goes on! It’s like an extension of your own living room — but you don’t have to clean up after.

Gregg: We spent the last four months fixing, cleaning, and renovating the place. We added a partition wall, upgraded the lighting and audio, built out the back bar shelving. We really wanted the space to have an aesthetic that Larissa and I like personally.

Gregg Singer and Larissa Ovitt

On Specialty Drinks

Larissa: Being a cocktail lounge, specialty cocktails are our thing. Our menu consists of classic cocktails, reimagined. Taking things like scotch, gin, and rum, and turning them into drinks that are elevated. They’re familiar enough that it’s comfortable, but also encourages you to try something new. We also have mocktails — we’re not creating a separate mocktail menu, because we want people to be able to enjoy what we have on our regular cocktail menu without the alcohol. 

For beer, we’re hoping to offer options that you won’t find anywhere else. We don’t offer domestic beer, and our focus is mainly on craft beer and seasonal ciders. We try to stay as local as possible, but not something that you can just run down the street and grab somewhere else. We have a great wine list too. We dove right into wine research and found the best one of each variety.

Our hope is to offer something that feels familiar, but pushes your palate just a bit to help you discover something that you didn’t even know you liked.

On The Food

Gregg: We currently have five or six small plate options on our menu, and we plan to keep building on that. The portions are shareable, but they aren’t entrees. This is a place where you can feel comfortable coming for a cocktail and an appetizer before your dinner reservation elsewhere downtown, and maybe come back to relax after dinner with another drink.

In keeping with our cocktails, we wanted to create options that feel comfortable, but with an elevated twist. For instance, we have a crostini, which many people are used to, but we did a whipped feta topping with wild mushrooms and a balsamic drizzle. We have a cheese platter that has spiced mango chutney, apples, pickled vegetables, and local cheeses. We have a curried hummus and a carrot harissa dip. My favorite is probably the deviled eggs. Who doesn’t love deviled eggs? We’re currently doing avocado and bacon, and we’ve also done a version spiced with Old Bay and filled with pickles and a shrimp on top.

We are trying to cater to everyone’s dietary preferences. We have gluten free options, vegetarian, and vegan.

On The Name

Larissa: We spent a long time racking our brains about a name. There was nothing that really stuck. We were trying to find something that was reflective of us as well as our vision for this space. A little playful, a little mischievous, but yet classy.

We ended up coming across the Golden Monkey — the species — online one night when we were together. They’re amazing. They’re a really pretty golden red color with a bright blue face. They’re an endangered species, and their territory has become very small. There are a couple of refuges — one in India and one in Africa, where their population numbers are coming back up. It feels like an opportunity for us to do something beyond the walls of this place. The name felt like it fit.

Gregg: We plan on trying to create some type of charity so that we can help them in some way.

On Being Eco Friendly

Larissa: There are a lot of eco friendly aspects to what we’ve created here as well, probably the most noticeable being our straws, which are actually ocean biodegradable. They break down within a couple of months. All of the disposables that we use are compostable and biodegradable as well.

Gregg: Our food is always brought out on ceramic plates, but we’ll also provide paper plates for sharing, which are biodegradable, and our cutlery is corn based, so it all breaks down. They are more expensive, but we don’t want to add waste.

Larissa: We try to stay conscious about all of our selections, including the different liquor companies that we carry. Who we support is important to us.

On The First Few Weeks

Larissa: We’ve had an overwhelmingly positive response so far from the community. It’s been awesome.

Gregg: So many people have said that our community really needed a place like this. We’ve heard that from people age 21 all the way up to 75. A safe, comfortable, quiet place where you can talk to friends and hang out, without too much stimuli.

Larissa: There already seems to be a lot of additional foot traffic on South Street between our opening and the opening of Taco Kings Jalisco. On any given day, there are now a lot of cars on the street, especially in the evening, when it had been dead before. South Street has been an afterthought for a long time, and that time is over.

On Next Steps

Larissa: Our front garage door opens, which we’ll be able to take advantage of more in the spring, and that lends itself to people enjoying the energy happening on the street once the building across the street is complete and they start to hold events.

We also have a big, private patio out back, which will be the coolest space downtown. We’re planning on utilizing it a bit this winter, probably by having an ice bar at some point. The full design of the space will happen this spring, and that will be another incredible space to host events.

The Golden Monkey Lounge
58 South Street, Glens Falls
Website / Instagram / Facebook
Open Friday-Tuesday from 5pm to 12am

My Glens Falls: Emma and Kevin Rogan

We’re chatting with Emma and Kevin Rogan this week! They share their love for Crandall Library (and the photography program that they teach there!), their go-to restaurant for take out downtown, some Farmers Market favorites, and more…

Tell us about yourselves!

Emma: My name is Emma Rogan and I'm a professional photographer as well as a Library Assistant in the Children's Department at Crandall Public Library. My husband, Kevin, and I got married on Halloween back in 2014 and we have two adorable guinea pig daughters, Gladys and Lois. We live in Queensbury.

Kevin: My name is Kevin Rogan and I’m a librarian, guitar and ukulele player, photographer, and home barista. I grew up in Lake George, and as a voracious reader of fiction, I visited Glens Falls often to borrow stacks of books from Crandall Public Library. I was fortunate enough to get a job at the Library in 2007, right after finishing grad school at SUNY Albany. I currently commute a whopping six minutes to work (from Queensbury) and when out and about am recognized by the area's toddlers and their parents simply as "Miss Emma's husband."

Emma: I was born in Hudson Falls, and have lived in the area my whole life. I was always at Crandall Public Library as a kid so as soon as I turned 14, I was thrilled to get my first job there. I worked as a page in the Children's Department for many years and continued working there while also attending (at the time) ACC to study photography. I was an odd tween/teen in the sense that I always knew without a doubt that photography was what I wanted to go to school for. I've loved it my whole life. Back then I was still using film and waiting for my photos to get developed! I was lucky enough to learn the basics of photography and the darkroom from my first ever professor, Sara Cutshall-King. She absolutely inspired me and really planted the seed for our photography program, Shutter Squad, down the road. Once I received my Associates, I went on to Burlington College in Burlington, VT to work towards my Bachelor's Degree. I received my Bachelor's Degree in Photography in 2012 and moved back to the area. 

I wasn't entirely sure what I wanted to do with my photography business at first, so I was experimenting with a lot of different ventures. I tried my hand at freelancing, weddings and family photos. At the same time, I was also back to working part-time in the Children's Department at Crandall Public Library. I couldn't stay away! Eventually I was able to move up in my position and went from being a page to a Library Assistant full time. That's sort of when everything clicked into place for me. I truly love working with children, and thought it would be perfect if I could combine my love of working with kids, with my passion for photography. 

On Starting Shutter Squad

Emma: Kevin also works at the library in the Folklife Center, and we started brainstorming ideas for a photography program. It was very important to us that we provided participants with all of the equipment they would need. I wanted anyone who was interested to be able to attend, whether or not they had experience or a camera to use. We were lucky enough to receive a grant from the Leo Cox Beach Philanthropic Foundation so we could purchase all the supplies. And Shutter Squad was born in fall of 2019!

Shutter Squad is a photography program for tweens ages 10-13. We offer a session four times a year/each season, and each session runs for six weeks. We have ten kits (they include a camera, two lenses, a memory card, and tripod), so we can take ten kids at a time and meet every other Tuesday afternoon for about 3 months. Participants learn the principles of photography using professional equipment in a collaborative, hands-on setting. The kids are able to take the cameras home with them which really enables them to discover and develop their own style. Whether or not they realize it, I always see their own personal styles start to develop. One of my favorite things about Shutter Squad is getting to see the world through their eyes. Once each session is over, we have them each pick out four of their favorite photos and Kevin will print, mat and hang them in the Folklife Gallery for a 3–4 month exhibit. He does an amazing job putting the whole thing together. We also like to have a reception for the kids to celebrate all their hard work once everything is ready to view. It's so fun seeing the kids show off their art to all their family and friends! It's amazing to me that we've already worked with 90 kids since we've started! I get so attached to each group and it's always a bit bittersweet when our session is over. We're just about to start our fall/winter session and I'm so excited to get to know everyone in a couple of weeks. 

If anyone is interested in learning more about Shutter Squad or getting on a list for a future session, they can email me at erogan@sals.edu or learn more here.

A Perfect Glens Falls Day

Emma: I can't tell you how nice it is to work so close to two coffee shops! We are big fans of Kru and Spot Coffee. You can find us ordering takeout from Siam Thai on a very regular basis. I'm a bit embarrassed to admit all I have to do is call and say what time we're ordering for and they immediately know it's for Emma and what my order will be! If it's a Saturday, chances are you'll find us at the Farmer's Market. I am addicted to all things Pucker and we love the peanut butter cookies from Dickinson's! 

Kevin: Of course, I have to start with Crandall Public Library, which for me is the heart of the city. There's something there for absolutely everyone. The Folklife Center, nestled in the basement, certainly qualifies as a hidden gem. Patrons are always very pleasantly surprised when they discover us down there. The Farmer's Market is another treasure that might fly below some people's radar. Be sure to bring an oversized basket if you go, though, because you're going to want to buy everything you see!

On The Past

Emma: It's so funny the things that stick in your mind, but I remember years ago there was a winter festival in Glens Falls. City Park was filled with all these large, amazing snow sculptures. It was such a fun and unique thing to have in the middle of town. I distinctly remember running around taking photos of all of the sculptures and then dropping off my film to get the pictures developed. That is when I knew I wanted to do pursue photography as a profession!

On the Future

Emma: I'm a huge boba tea fan and I'm so thankful I can get my fix from Siam Thai. I do think it would be fun if Glens Falls had a shop solely devoted to boba tea! 

The Weekender: November 3-5

Thursday already - feels like this week flew by! We have a pretty good idea that part of our weekend will be spent raking, but here are a few other things that sound a little more fun than that:

Coffee and a Breakfast Sandwich: Did you catch our First Look at the new Café at the Bierhall at Common Roots? They’re serving up house roasted coffee and customizable breakfast sandwiches Monday through Friday, so be sure to get there Friday morning if you’d like to try one before the weekend! Read more here.

Pumpkin Chunkin’ at Adirondack Pub & Brewery: A place for you to ditch the pumpkins post-Halloween (via catapult, no less!) and enjoy a couple of brewskis around a bonfire - sign us up! There’s also an apple slingshot, if that’s your thing :) Live music and activities for the kids, too. Here are the details!

Glens Falls Restaurant Week: Hope you’re hungry! Restaurant Week kicks off on Sunday in Glens Falls and runs through Saturday, November 11. Restaurants will be offering multi-course prix-fixe lunch and dinner menus at great deals. Participating restaurants include [farmacy], Fenimore’s Pub, Morgan and Company, Park & Elm, Radici Kitchen & Bar, and more! Grab the details here.

Shop and Sip at Slickfin: Head over to Slickfin Brewing in Fort Edward on Sunday from 1-5pm to get a little head start on your holiday shopping from local vendors while you enjoy a cold beverage and goods from Tres Mijas Food Truck! Live music too. Get the scoop here

Have a great weekend,
Bri + Tom

First Look: Common Roots Café At The Bierhall

Calling all coffee lovers! We’re thrilled to share a First Look at The Café at The Bierhall at Common Roots — a new weekday favorite for a cup of coffee, a breakfast sandwich, and the cozy, welcoming atmosphere that Common Roots has come to be known for. We caught up with Rich Wilson, Director of Food, Beverage & Taproom Operations at Common Roots, to hear a bit more about the space, the food, and the coffee, of course!

On Opening The Café at The Bierhall

In addition to wanting to extend the experience that we’ve been fortunate to build at our Taproom over the past three years, we also wanted to start making coffee for our line of coffee beers. We were so thrilled with the coffee that we created, we wanted to find more ways to showcase it. The idea of the Café was an opportunity to not only showcase and share the coffee, but also to invite the community into the new Bierhall space. With the Bierhall being primarily used for events and weddings, it was an opportunity to bring people here in a new and exciting way.

The hospitality aspect of the new Bierhall and Barrel House is obviously fantastic — we are so excited to be a bigger resource for the community by way of the Café and event space. From our standpoint as a brewery, we are also benefiting from this building on the production side — mainly in the form of warehousing and storage, as well as isolating the production of our wild fermentation sour beers.

The Bierhall Interior • Image courtesy of Common Roots

On The Coffee

We are sourcing as sustainably as possible from Colombia, Mexico, and Guatemala for the three beans that go into our House Blend. Here in our Café, we will feature one of those brewed hot over the course of our operations, but we’ll always have five products available as beans to go: the House Blend, the three single origins [Colombia, Mexico, Guatemala], and a decaffeinated Colombian. We’re packaging the beans into a fully compostable and resealable bag, so from a packaging standpoint, it’s as low impact as you can be.

With our ability to roast in house, we’re not only able to offer great coffee and beans, but we’ve also been able to really dial in the cold brew concentrate that we use for our Coffee Cup series of beers for the brewing side. Though at this point, I should mention that we are keeping caffeination and alcohol separate — we’ve had a few requests for breakfast beers, but we’re not there yet!

On The Food

When it comes to food, it’s always been important to us to source as local as we can and be as close to scratch as we can. We recognize that quality of preparation goes a long way, and that’s what we’re continuing to do here with our programming.

At this point, we’re offering a grab-and-go breakfast sandwich and burrito that are fully customizable and can accommodate a number of dietary restrictions as well.

On The Space

While we’re proud to offer grab-and-go, we also have an atmosphere here that encourages one to stay a while. We have free wifi, and there’s plenty of room to spread out. If you are looking for a place to have a small meeting, we have large tables to utilize.

The smiles and welcomes of our staff have become a big part of who we are, and we want to emulate that in this space as well and keep things welcoming and inviting.

On Hosting Events

We’ve hosted weddings, celebratory dinners, small birthday parties, and other events, so it’s relatively customizable. The fireplace inside is cozy and inviting, and on warmer days, we can open up the garage doors to include the outdoor space with the fire pits and Adirondack chairs.

The Bierhall and Barrel House Exterior • Image courtesy of Common Roots

On The Future

As winter approaches and as we learn a little more about the new space and all the fun to be had here, we hope to open it up for more public opportunities, which could take the form of live music. That’s something we haven’t been able to explore since our rebuild. Live music doesn’t really overlap smoothly with our restaurant operations on the other side, but that’s something that this space might allow us to get back into, with the added bonus of potentially booking a larger artist since we have seating for 200.

The Café at The Bierhall is open to the public Monday - Friday from 7am - noon. The Bierhall is available to book for events 7 days a week. Check it out at  www.commonrootsbrewing.com/events.

The Weekender: October 27-29

Happy weekend! Have you broken into the Halloween candy yet? Yeah, we have too. We’ve got an interesting forecast ahead of us (70° on Saturday, 45° on Sunday!) — a trick and a treat! Here’s what caught our eye:

Comedy After Dark: Date night pick! Grab dinner downtown and then head over to The Park Theater for Comedy After Dark on Friday night at 8pm. As seen and heard on Conan and The Late Late Show with James Corden, Friday’s show will feature Andy Sandford! Grab tickets here.

Glens Falls Farmers Market: Last call for the outdoor Farmers Market this weekend! Always sad to see the outdoor market come to a close, so get your fill this weekend and make note that they’re moving indoors to the Aviation Mall next weekend! Follow along for the latest here.

Boo 2 You: Halloween makes its way downtown on Saturday for this event from 2-4pm along Glen and Ridge Streets and in City Park. Trick or treat stations, pony rides, games, music, dance performances, and more! Grab the details here.

Thunder Season Opener: Nothing says fall (or winter, I suppose) more than cheering on the home team at Cool Insuring Arena! The Thunder are back with their home opener this Saturday night - puck drops at 7pm - grab info and tickets here!

Sweet Side Sale: Okay record lovers - Sweet Side is having a sale this weekend, and they’ve got 8,000+ records priced at $1! Run! Details here.

Have a great weekend,
Bri + Tom

My Glens Falls: Erica Celeste

We chatted with Erica Celeste this week! She shares some of her favorite memories of growing up in Glens Falls, the breakfast spot that knows her order by heart, a bit about her business, Empire City Massage and Meditation, and more…

Tell us about yourself!

My name is Erica Celeste and I’m a massage therapist, yoga teacher and business owner in Glens Falls. I live in Hudson Falls with my husband Will, our daughter and our 7 year old Bichon Frisé, Jax. Entrepreneurship was not a decision I made lightly. It took a lot for me to leave my career as the nerve conduction technologist at Adirondack Rehabilitation Medicine, PLLC. I absolutely loved everything about it, from testing to teaching and the staff I worked with. The change happened after I gave birth to my daughter, Eleanor. For over 10 years, I dreamed of owning my own massage therapy and wellness business. Having this tiny human was just the nudge I needed to do it. In April of 2023 I launched Empire City Massage and Meditation. You can also find me every Thursday at noon leading a guided meditation at Grounded On Glen Street in downtown Glens Falls!

I am the only girl out of six children. I’m lucky to have been born into the family I have. Growing up, my brothers made me feel like I had an army of protectors. Even at the age of 31, they still make me feel that way. I especially looked up to my oldest sibling, Joel. I wanted to do everything he did. I remember walking into the Rec Center and asking to carry his hockey bag so it looked like I played hockey like him. Of course, he was no dummy. He gladly gave up the bag for me to carry in and out of the rink. Joel played violin so I played violin. Joel became the most amazing parent, so I strive to be the same.

On Life In and Around Glens Falls

I was born and raised in Glens Falls. My father, John Norton, is a longstanding Glens Falls police officer, who was raised here just like my mother was. Growing up, my family was spread throughout city but my favorite home was on Knight St. That’s where I met my childhood best friend, Maddie. Maddie would drive her red Jeep down the street to mine. Even now, I can still hear the tires digging into the gravel driveway. We would head back to her house to play school (she later became a middle school vice principal), pick strawberries, and bug our neighbor Rita for some of her world famous bowties and an endless supply of gum.

Connections like the one I made with Maddie are what keeps me tied to this city. It’s an incredible feeling to know that I could knock on a number of doors and be greeted with open arms. It’s a sense of belonging I haven’t experienced anywhere else.

On House Hunting

My husband and I own a home in Hudson Falls. We began our house searching journey shortly after our wedding. To say searching for a home in a post-COVID world was discouraging would be an understatement. An opportunity presented itself and like all of the good things in my life, picking our home actually became one of the the easiest decisions I’ve ever made. My husband and I were able to purchase our home from lifelong friends without the home ever being listed. The timing was just right!

My favorite part of the home is our backyard. We have a swing that hangs from an apple tree where we get to spend time with our daughter.

A Perfect Glens Falls Day

My ideal day in Glens Falls would start with calling my dad bright and early to see if he is awake. We’re the early birds in the family and love our breakfast. Our go to breakfast spot is Poopie’s on Lawrence St. The wait staff usually has our order entered before we even get our coffee. After that I’d go for a run on the bike path, stopping at my in-laws for some water before heading back home. Later in the day I’d pop over to the high school to watch my nephew’s PAL football game while his sister cheers alongside him. The perfect ending to the day would be sitting around the hibachi table at Mikado with my entire family.

On the Past

One of my favorite Glens Falls memories was creating an apartment crawl with a group of my friends. The leaves were changing color, the air was starting to feel crisp and we were all craving a fall experience. One day we had an idea to use the Warren County Bikeway as a map, connecting all of our Glens Falls apartments. We thought of how fun it would be to just walk along the bike path, stopping at each house to try a signature dish and play a game before moving to the next. There were four stops along the bike path that we traveled to, although there was actually a fifth stop — the starting point. It began with our friend’s home in Hudson Falls. The same home that I now share with my family. It was an incredible night filled with good food, laughter and memories with loved ones.

On the Future

If I could bring something new to the city it would be a sanctuary for peace and wellness. I’ve always felt a strong pull to support people, especially when times are tough. The sense of support I gravitate towards the most is silence and space. My wildest dream would be to create a space filled with botanical gardens, meditation rooms, waterfalls, maybe even a butterfly exhibit! A space that literally asks nothing of the person visiting other then to relax, unwind and connect to the world around them.

At one point in time this idea was specifically targeted at those transitioning toward the end of life, particularly due to ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease). My grandmother passed away from complications due to ALS when I was five. I’d say it’s been a life-long pursuit to figure out a way to provide support to those experiencing that same transition. However, as I grow and evolve, I think that throughout any person’s life there are endings (and beginnings) that would benefit from a space like this.

The sanctuary I envision is a powerhouse of collaboration, welcoming expertise from fellow health and wellness experts! I am big on collaborating with other local businesses because it leads to serving our community and building amazing connections with the people of this city, more than any one person could do alone.

The Weekender: October 20-22

Happy Thursday! Excited to dive into another fall weekend - here’s what caught our eye…

Downtown Clean Up Day: Help keep downtown sparkly clean this Saturday from 9-11am! A collaboration between the Glens Falls Collaborative and the Glens Falls Business Improvement District, they’ll be providing the garbage bags, gloves, rakes, and shovels. Meet in the Ridge Street parking lot behind Minky Mink - details here!

Oktoberfest at Northway Brewing: Head to Northway Brewing in Queensbury this Saturday from 3-7pm for live music, food vendors, and over 30 breweries, wineries, and distilleries - get the scoop here!

Pumpkin Patch Pedal: Hop on a railbike with Revolution Rails in Thurman and pedal through the foliage to 1000 Acres Ranch in Stony Creek where you can select a pumpkin from the patch (and enjoy some snacks and beverages too)! Learn more and grab tickets here.

Flannel Fall Crawl: Looking for a fun way to enjoy fall in Washington County? Cruise the back roads (with a designated driver, of course!) to visit some amazing craft beverage producers. Check out this year’s participating locations and find your new favorite brew here.

Have a great weekend,
Bri + Tom

Muralthon Artist Jade Warrick Shares Her Spray Painted Mural

Six artists, three weeks, three shipping containers, one Muralthon. Six new murals mark a step forward for Muralgarten, a unique destination that will combine public art and native plantings adjacent to The Shirt Factory in Glens Falls. The vision of Eric Unkauf (owner of The Shirt Factory) with the support of a board including Tom Myott, Hannah Williams, Kendra Farstad, and Matthew Martindale, Muralgarten seeks to give artists the creative freedom to paint what they want, in the style that they want. 

We’re excited to introduce you to another one of the talented artists behind Muralthon’s six murals, Jade Warrick, whose spray painted mural sits opposite Rock Hill Bakehouse! 

Tell us about yourself!

I’m from Los Angeles, California. I lived there for the majority of my childhood, and then I ended up in Houston, Texas and spent about eight years there. After that I moved to Albany so that I could be with my grandmother and care for her while she healed from an illness. She’s since gotten better, but I ended up really liking it here. I currently live in Troy. It’s a little cold for me, but at the end of the day, this place was the most supportive of me being an artist, which I really like.

On Becoming an Artist

I would consider myself a visual designer and strategic developer. I got into art when I was really young. My mother, father, and close family members are artists, so I grew up around art. I think there was a natural genetic component to it, but my family definitely fostered it.

I have seven siblings, and we grew up poor. We couldn’t afford to spare funds on Pokemon cards or even a Monopoly board. So we used to just make those ourselves. We would make our own Pokemon cards, and I would draw the little creatures and their stats. I think that really inspired me and motivated me to create art. From there, I started making my own comic books and then I just stuck with it because I was good at it.

I went to college for Business and Marketing, and it took going into that field and not being happy with it to realize I should’ve focused on my art instead. Once I realized that, I took it further and realized I wanted to focus on art with other people as well, which is why I got into youth mural programming and youth programming in general. I want kids to have an easier path to creating art professionally than I did. It’s what motivated me to start my program Amplified Voices with my best friend Eugene O’Neill, where we just teach kids how to mural and give them access to art techniques, but also teach them wellness through art, like meditation, movement circles, and that kind of thing.

I feel like my purpose on this planet is to give access to others, not necessarily to inspire them, but to help them learn to inspire themselves.

On Inspiration

The inspiration behind this particular mural was based on the artists in this project being able to paint whatever we wanted to. A lot of times you’re asked to make a very specific thing, and I think that’s why a lot of us felt good about this project.

With this mural I wanted to focus on spray paint because I’ve only spray painted three other times before and this allowed me the opportunity to practice. There wasn’t too much other inspiration besides me freestyling. A lot of my art tends to be very graphic, colorful, and cartoony, so I just wanted to work with some color and paint unapologetically.

I have to give all of my praises to Hannah and everyone involved in this project. This is one of my favorite projects I’ve worked on because of that freedom and because of the support. They really did this in a very equitable way for the artists and that’s rare to see.

On Community

I always say, it’s the community aspect of art that makes it thrive and flourish. The more isolated and insular we are, the worse it is for everyone. If we all work together and we’re on the same team, we can give each other more opportunities. It’s then that you see the shifting behavior of business owners, building owners, and developers in terms of acceptance and excitement around public art.

My Glens Falls: Carly Trerise

We’re chatting with Carly Trerise this week! She shares a bit about her business, Dinner and Flowers, her go-to place for a stroll in the fall, a favorite downtown business from the past that she hopes will make a comeback, and more…

Tell us about yourself!

My name is Carly Trerise. My husband and I are high school sweethearts and have been married for nine years. We recently just had our third baby in March. We didn't find out the gender because we had one of each and it was such an exciting thing to do. We were convinced it was a boy. When anyone asked, I confidently said it was boy, so we were shocked - it was a girl!

I own DinnerandFlowers.com, formerly known as SendaMealToday.com. This business idea came about shortly after we had our first baby in 2015. Our family and friends delivered us home cooked meals and desserts so we didn't have to leave the house and could focus on our newborn. 

My dad and I put our heads together and began creating the vision to serve the community with delicious comfort food meals to help ease any stress to families, whatever the circumstance. What began as mostly meals to new parents quickly turned into other occasions such as sympathy, thank you gifts, caring for elderly family members who are unable to cook, or helping people who are going through a difficult time.

My favorite deliveries are bringing our meals to new parents. The look of gratitude on their face is such a wonderful feeling. I will never forget one of my deliveries just after opening the business — a mother was coming home from the hospital after being with her very sick daughter. She grabbed the food, put it down and hugged me so tightly.

A Perfect Glens Falls Day

A perfect day in Glens Falls would be to stop in at Spot Coffee for some delicious iced coffee and breakfast. I am a sucker for a cinnamon chip scone. Then the family and I would take a walk around Crandall Park to get some energy out — the fall is my favorite time of year there. We would end the day with the food trucks at The Shirt Factory! There are so many fun things to do there for the whole family. The kids love to ride the horses and go in the bounce houses. My husband and I like to try a new food truck every time we go. It's so nice because we always end up running into friends and are able to catch up.

On the Past

My favorite memory in Glens Falls was my son’s first time at Hometown Holidays in 2016. Watching his face light up to all the Christmas lights reminded me of the Christmas magic when I was a child. The whole night was such a warm and friendly atmosphere.

On the Future

I was a huge fan of Aimee’s Dinner and a Movie. I remember when I was a little girl I had a birthday party there. I think it would be so cool if we could have a business like that again! 

The Weekender: October 13-15

Happy Thursday! Excited to dive into another fall weekend - here’s what caught our eye…

Apple vs Pumpkin Throwdown: Are you an apple person or a pumpkin person? The Shirt Factory is putting fall favorites to the test this Saturday with the Apple vs Pumpkin Fall Throwdown! Food vendors will be offering at least one dish with apple or pumpkin as an ingredient, plus activities, live music, a flea market, and more. Details here!

West Mountain Fall Fest: West Mountain’s Fall Festival continues this Saturday and Sunday! They’ve got a little something for everyone - wagon rides, chair lift rides, a petting zoo, pony rides, food, beer and spirits tastings, and more. Sounds good to us! Here are the details.

Locktoberfest: Head to Fort Edward this Saturday for Locktoberfest! This a festive day of food, drinks and fun includes free activities for the kiddos, live music, goods from local farms, food trucks, and a beer tasting tent. Grab the scoop here!

Pumpkin Picking: It’s that time! We always love to head out to The Farm Store at Tiashoke for their amazing selection and gorgeous set up. Check out the story we did on them here and plan your trip!

A Barn Full of Art: While you’re out for a foliage ride, pop over to Whiting Studio in Argyle - they’re opening their barn doors this weekend for their last open studio of 2023. Details here!

Have a great weekend,
Bri + Tom

The Weekender: October 6 - 8

Looks like fall, feels like summer! Hope you’re enjoying it! Here’s what looks good for the weekend…

West Mountain Fall Fest: Excited to see West Mountain’s Fall Festival on the calendar for this Saturday and Sunday (and next weekend, too!). Looks like they’ve got a little something for everyone - wagon rides, chair lift rides, a petting zoo, pony rides, food, beer and spirits tastings, and more. Sounds good to us! Here are the details.

Rewind at The Park: Get to The Park Theater on Saturday night for ‘Rewind At The Park’ featuring River of Dreams and American Elton - a Billy Joel and Elton John Experience! Doors open at 7:30 - grab your tickets here!

GF Symphony: Head to Glens Falls High School this Sunday at 4pm for the opening night of the Glens Falls Symphony’s 40th Anniversary Season, featuring Metropolitan Opera Star, Mezzo-Soprano MaryAnn McCormick performing Edward Elgar’s “Sea Pictures.” Find our more and get your tickets here!

Thurman Fall Farm Tour: Head north to Thurman on Saturday for a day of fall farm fun. Check out the online directory here, which will guide you to farms with traditional row crops, cows, sheep and goats, as well as maple farms with sugar houses filled with maple treats, wild plant walks and an artisan market. Details here!

Landscapes for Landsake: Two things we love? Beautiful country scenes and beautiful art! Landscapes for Landsake combines these into an amazing art exhibition that benefits the Agricultural Stewardship Association (whose mission is to conserve and protect the region’s farmland). Buy gorgeous art, and save local farms - a win-win! This event is both in person and online. Grab the details here.

Have a great weekend,
Bri + Tom

Three Hikes to Enjoy this Foliage Season

What better way to spend a fall day? Golden leaves crunching under your boots, blue skies, a cool breeze, and an Adirondack view filled with the colors of the season. Hiking is spectacular in this neck of the woods any time of year, but there’s something special about it in the autumn for sure. 

Everyone has their go-to local trail, but it’s always nice to mix things up and see something new! We asked the experts at Adirondack Mountain Club, Lake George Land Conservancy, and Pure Adirondacks for some trail recommendations, and came up with a few hikes to add to your fall to-do list. Off we go!

Oh, first, a friendly reminder: if you’re not familiar with the principles of Leave No Trace, click here for a little refresher. Trails get a lot of use this time of year, so we encourage you to minimize your impact while you’re out there, and be prepared to change your plans if you see a crowd at a trailhead. 

Looking north from Owls Head Lookout towards Hurricane Mountain during peak fall foliage in 2019. (Photo Credit: Ben Brosseau, ADK)

Owls Head Lookout

Submitted by: Ben Brosseau • Adirondack Mountain Club

Location: Keene Valley

From the intersection of Route 73 and Route 9N, follow Route 9N toward Elizabethtown. Continue for 5.75 miles to the trailhead parking for the Giant Mountain Wilderness Area on the right.

Difficulty: Moderate

Why It’s a Favorite: Owls Head Lookout is a small, rocky summit located in the northern section of the Giant Mountain Wilderness. The approach is gradual but consistently uphill and takes hikers through pleasant hardwood forests. The final 0.1-mile push to the summit is very steep and eroded, but worth the views from the summit. Hikers will be rewarded with panoramic views of high peaks Giant and Rocky Peak Ridge to the south, Hurricane Mountain to the north, and the Champlain Valley to the east. Surrounded by deciduous forests on all sides, this hike is an excellent choice for viewing fall foliage.

While You’re in Town: After your hike, you can stop by neighboring Keene Valley for a bite to eat or for a nice cup of coffee.

Cobble Lookout (Photo Credit: Evan Williams, PureADK)

Cobble Lookout

Submitted By: Evan Williams • PureADK

Location: Wilmington

From the four corners in Wilmington, take Route 431 for 3 miles. At the intersection with Whiteface Memorial Highway, head right on Gillespie Drive / County Route 18A. Continue for 0.3 miles to the trailhead parking on the right.

Distance: 2.6 Miles Round-Trip

Difficulty: Easy to Moderate (depends on hiking ability and weather)

Why It’s a Favorite: Cobble Mountain is a gentle hike through the woods of the Wilmington Wild Forest. Great for families and pet-friendly, this short 1.3 mile one-way hike leads to a huge lookout area with 180-degree views. Off to the right, you'll see Whiteface and Esther and to the left farther in the distance (on a clear day) you'll see the Jay Range, Hurricane, and Giant Mountain. Down in the valley, you'll catch a glimpse of Santa's Workshop and the town of Wilmington.

While You’re In Town: After a hike such as Cobble Lookout or taking part in other recreation opportunities in the Wilmington area, we enjoy fueling up and grabbing a snack at The Little Supermarket (great subs!). If we're looking for some sweet treats, we'll make a stop at Adirondack Chocolates.

Pole Hill Pond (Photo courtesy of Michele Vidarte, Lake George Land Conservancy)

Amy's Park / Godwin Preserve

Submitted By: Michele Vidarte • Lake George Land Conservancy

Location: Bolton Landing (click here for directions)

Distance: Hikers can walk the entire Amy's Park loop from the main trailhead for 4.5 miles of mixed terrian over single track trail throughout the unique habitats of the preserve. If that's too long, hikers have many options with four different trailheads, a canoe launch, easy access to sweeping views of the wetlands and ponds or a quick steep hike to overlook Amy's, Godwin and High Nopit. At Godwin, just a half mile walk south from Amy's main trailhead, hikers can walk just over 1 mile to reach scenic Pole Hill Pond and/or take a 0.3-mile spur trail to the lookout, with views northwest to High Nopit and the wetlands of Amy's Park. Godwin also has its own, smaller parking lot.

Difficulty: Easy to Hard.

Why It’s a Favorite: These preserves are a perennial favorite for locals and visitors alike because there's something for everyone, in every season. Hikers can "create your own adventure", all within this beautiful, protected conservation area; easy walks through the mossy ledges of the wetlands to overlook the marsh, steep inclines in the forest to overlook Lake George and High Nopit and meandering trails over bridges and through beaver ponds. In winter, the trails are perfect for snowshoeing or cross country skiing and exploring the quiet preserve. Bring your binoculars: Amy's is an amazing place to spot birds, including owls, herons and osprey. Another tip: Amy's and Godwin are dog friendly as long as your dog is leashed. It's also a great spot for kids of all ages!

While You’re in Town: My favorite thing to do to start my hiking day is to grab a sub from Neuffers Deli in Bolton Landing to bring with me on the trail; mission is to find the best spot to post up and eat it! After my hike, I'll head back to Bolton Landing, grab a nitro cold brew and a bear claw (if there are any left!) from Bear's Cup to refuel and then kick back on the patio at Bolton Landing Brewing Company for a locally brewed Pinnacle Pilsner, some wings and a flatbread from their menu. It's a toss up for my favorite time of year to be out at Amy's... either on a crisp, fall day when the leaves crunch below your feet or in the winter, when it's cold and oh so quiet. 

The Weekender: September 29 - October 1

Hope you’ve been soaking up this perfect fall weather! Hoping to take advantage of the sunshine in the weekend forecast - here’s what looks good:

Comedy After Dark: Date night! Grab dinner downtown and then head over to The Park Theater for Comedy After Dark on Friday at 8pm. New York comedian Gabe Mollica brings his hit Off-Broadway comedy show “Solo” to Glens Falls, exploring male friendship in his 30s. Grab tickets here.

Five Years of WorkSmart: WorkSmart Coworking and Meeting Space is celebrating five years in operation this week! The renovation they completed on the historic downtown building is amazing, which makes for a pretty inspiring place to work! Pop in on Saturday for a tour from 9am-noon at 237 Glen - details here!

Potato Picking: This season is all about the apple picking, yes, but have you ever been potato picking? Goose Island Potatoes in Argyle has U-pick this weekend if you’d like to give it a go! Here are the details. Pass the mashed potatoes, please!

Autumn Express: All aboard! Hop on the Saratoga Corinth and Hudson Railway to enjoy 90 minutes of scenic views as the leaves start to change this season. Open air seating for this perfect fall weather and drinks available onboard. Find out more here!

Have a great weekend,
Bri + Tom

The Weekender: September 22-24

Happy weekend! But more importantly, Happy Balloon Festival Weekend! Wonder what we’ll all be up to this weekend… :)

Adirondack Balloon Festival: No surprise here! We’ll be up before the sun both days (hopefully the weather cooperates!) and can’t wait to see those hot air balloons take flight as the sun comes up. Get all the details, schedule, and the all important directions and parking info here.

Wool & Arts Festival: Another festival this weekend! The Adirondack Wool and Arts Fest is held at the Washington County Fairgrounds and features over 100 local artisans and their crafts, including wool, pottery, wood, and lots more. Plus - craft beverages and all your fav festival foods. Details here!

Find the Wine: A corn maze - the quintessential fall activity - but this time, there’s wine! As you make your way through the maze at Schuyler Farms, you’ll come across wine tasting stations. Sign us up! Grab the details and your tickets here.

Apple Picking: Have you been yet? We picked our apples last weekend but that doesn’t stop us from visiting more of our favorite orchards to indulge in a few more cider donuts! Here’s a list of farms to try here.

Have a great weekend,
Bri + Tom