FEBRUARY, 2026 - 518 PROFILES MAGAZINE

PUBLISHER / FOUNDER

Stephanie Sittnick

COPY EDITOR

Elisabeth Allen

WEBMASTER

Tony Graveheart

ADVERTISING SALES

Stephanie Sittnick - Director of Sales ( 860) 227-8199 advertising@518mag.com

CONTRIBUTORS

Carol St.Sauveur Ferris, Karen Richman, Rona Mann Chandler Stevens, Lawrence White, Susan Brink, Crystal Cobert Giddens, Chef Armand Vanderstigchel, Alan B. Richer, Kirsten Ferguson

Art has a way of slowing time. It asks us to look twice, to linger, to notice what we might otherwise pass by. In this issue, we invite you to do just that—to step into spaces where stories live on walls, in archives, and in the quiet, persistent work of artists shaping the present.

Our pages move between museums and studios, tracing how institutions hold memory and how artists challenge it. We look at museums not just as places of preservation, but as living, breathing sites of dialoguewhere history is reinterpreted and new voices are increasingly making themselves heard. Alongside this, we sit with a clay sculpture artist. Working with earth is an act of both control and surrender. The artist shapes and gravity becomes a collaborator. Time becomes visible. What emerges is not just an object, but evidence of a conversation - between intention and accident, permanence and fragility.

We hope this collection feels like a quiet conversation - an invitation to wander, question, and reconnect with the power of seeing. Take your time with these stories. Let them unfold.

Stephanie Sittnick Founder / Publisher

The Peabody Essex Museum Salem’s Seafaring History Beautifully Told pg. 6

Playing With Fire

The Lifelong Passion of Ben Eberle pg. 16

It’s About Click, Focus, and “As Easy as Using a Pencil” pg. 26

North Country Cultural Heritage, Past, Present, & Future:

The Folklife Center at the Crandall Library pg. 34

The Peabody Essex Museum Salem’s Seafaring History Beautifully Told

By Carol St.Sauveur Ferris

When people mention the town of Salem, Massachusetts, most think of the Salem Witch Trials. Though the trials will always be part of the town’s history, there are many other noteworthy people, places, and events worth discovering, including Salem’s Peabody Essex Mu seum (PEM).

The PEM is the oldest continuously operating museum in the United States, and is also home to an incredible collection of “curiosities” dating back to early recorded American maritime history. Its beginnings can be traced to 1799 when a group of mariners organized and founded the East India Marine Society. The society’s purpose was to create a collection of objects obtained on their trade voyages near and beyond the treacherous waters of Cape Horn, at the southern tip of Chile, around the Cape of Good Hope, where the Atlantic and Indian Oceans meet, and along the Northwest coast of North America. The society stated that they would “establish a cabinet of natural and artificial curiosities.” The cabinet they referenced was actually a museum, and the curiosities were the precious objects the member mariners carried back from their seafaring destinations.

By 1821, the curiosities numbered more than 2000. As the collection grew, the need for more space forced the society to move to larger quarters, eventually leading to the construction of the East India Marine Hall. They moved in and dedicated their beautiful new space on October 14, 1825, with President John Quincy Adams in attendance.

Unfortunately, the Salem maritime industry declined soon thereafter, posing challenges for society. In 1867, wealthy philanthropist George Peabody, who became known as the father of modern philanthropy, stepped in. He believed that wealth should benefit all of society, so he purchased the museum with its entire collection. It was renamed the

Peabody Academy of Science, but later became the Peabody Museum of Salem. Then, in 1992, the Peabody Museum of Salem merged with the Essex Institute (founded in 1848). That merger led to a new name, the Peabody Essex Museum (PEM), paying homage to the history of both institutions.

Today, maintaining the life and integrity of the PEM and its remarkable collections requires the efforts of many people, including a committed board, dedicated staff, and a robust membership. In that mix are Dan Finamore, Deputy Chief Curator and Curator of Maritime Art and History, and George Schwartz, Curator-at-Large, who are equally dedicated to their work locating, preserving, and curating major exhibitions for the public’s enjoyment and education. Both Finamore and Schwartz bring years of experience and education to their r espec tive roles, having extensively researched and studied the h umanities, archaeology, American history, anthropology, and the arts.

Finamore graduated from Vassar with a BA in Anthropology, followed by an MA and PhD in Archaeology from Boston University. According to Finamore, he specializes in seafaring and its role in human history. When Finamore speaks, he leaves little doubt about his passion and dedication to his work.

“As for me, learning about the world around us and the variety of human experiences across time and place is most tangibly expressed and engaging for the public through objects, be they artwork, household items, weapons, furniture, or architecture. I love connecting insights I have about the world with museum visitors in this way.”

Schwartz graduated with a BA in Anthropology from Brown University, an MA in Historical Archaeology from UMASS Boston, and a PhD in American and New England Studies from Boston University. When Schwartz speaks, he leaves little doubt about his dedication to his work.

“I am passionate about objects, the connections between humans and the things they create or manipulate, and the stories that come from this relationship. I think there is a lot to learn and explore from the past and present connections between people and material culture.”

Together, the curators are committed to honoring the history of Salem from the sea faring mariner’s perspective by celebrating the 200th Anniversary of PEM’s East

India Marine Hall with a unique exhibition. Their exhibition concept had incubated for years. It was a bold, exciting, and ambitious idea inspired by the research and doctoral work Schwartz had done years earlier on the history of the East India Marine Society. The goal was to create an exhibition that would simultaneously tell the story of early Salem mariners through their precious curiosities, the museum had been safekeeping for decades, while honoring their legacy using other forms of storytelling, including digital and printed materials.

To that end, they often stood in the hall and imagined the concept. The exhibition needed to be historically correct and respectful to the mariner families, while seamlessly telling their seafaring trade stories, including where their precious curiosities came from, how they were made, and what purpose they served. When Schwartz and Finamore presented their Mariner’s Exhibition concept in 2023, it was enthusiastically received and supported. The curators have been working in earnest ever since.

Today, we might refer to the objects and curiosities as memorabilia, but that label falls far short. One only needs to look at some of the fascinating pieces to realize that they are one-of-a-kind, historic, and priceless treasures. Following ac ceptance of their idea and concept, the two curators walked through the museum’s storage areas with the collections staff, looking at what might be of interest and appropriate. It wasn’t easy because the museum inventory is carefully packed and tightly stored in basement storage areas. While inspecting each piece, the decision had to be made whether it would support their concept and tell the story they intended to tell.

timely manner. And if that wasn’t enough, all the walls had to be repainted too! Miraculously, it all got done.

Everything from a sperm whale jaw to beautifully handmade fish hooks from the Pacific Islands was considered for the exhibit. Though the vast majority of items had been carefully catalogued in 1820, both Schwartz and Finamore often found themselves on global Zoom calls with other curators to accurately verify many of the pieces.

For most of us, it's hard to imagine the extraordinary time and effort that go into designing, creating, and presenting an exhibition as a seamless experience for visitors. As they move through and view the incredible displays, visitors are hard-pressed to imagine the tasks and effort required to create their experience. And that’s the goal for all curators, including Schwartz and Finamore.

It literally takes months if not years of conservation, restoration, space planning, exhibit building, lighting design, installation, commemorative design, and so much more to make it happen. Then there’s the written and digital programming, recording, and pacing of the visitor experience, plus marketing, publicity, and special event planning for the grand opening. And of course, preceding this work, the entire process is founded on the results of months of research, theme development, proposal writing, and cat aloging. It’s easy to see what an all-encompassing process it is from start to finish. A process that hopefully delivers an equally allencompassing, seamless experience for visitors.

Once the mariners’ curiosities passed initial muster, both curators and their teams further refined the exhibit selections, resulting in over

400 fascinating pieces. Whether a whale jaw or a fish hook, each had specific requirements for safe viewing, including protected exhibit areas, custom-made cases, item-specific mounts, and more. And each piece had to be cleaned and conserved while maintaining the integrity of its years. To look brand new would be out of character and disrespectful to their history and the people who made them.

In addition to selecting the curiosities, the actual exhibition area had to be addressed as well. Rather than upgrading the 200-year-old hall, it was important to keep the space true to its ori gins, so basic cleaning and floor restoration were scheduled. However, when it came time to restore the original floors, it was discovered that the wood was too thin. So, quite unexpectedly, in addition to all the work going into an exhibition of this scale and importance, and with deadlines creeping closer, all the wood floors had to be replaced in the exhibit hall in a

While viewing these magnificent pieces, it is crucial for a visitor to learn their origins, understand their purpose, and appreciate the culture of the times. To that end, both analog and digital technology have proven integral to the exhibition experience. At the PEM, visitors can use their cellphones to call up an object and learn its story, in addition to reading the printed program in hand. Two hundred years ago, the juxtaposition of 19th-century curiosities with 21stcen tury technology was something the East India Marine Society could not have possibly imagined!

For the curators and their team, not only did they work hard and proudly witness their concept become a reality in 2026, but it is also The PEM’s first permanent gallery, delighting all who visit. And that is by far their ultimate reward.

The East India Marine Hall exhibition opens on March 14, 2026, following an opening re ception and will run indefinitely as part of the museum’s permanent collection. To view the exhibit and others, visit the PEM ThursdayMonday from 10 AM to 5PM, and also visit their website at www.pem.org for more infor mation about other events and exhibits.

Playing With Fire The Lifelong Passion of Ben Eberle

by Rona Mann

You know, it’s kind of funny.

When you’re a little kid, most moms will caution you not to get your hands dirty. Not to play with fire. Not to take chances.

However, as you grow up, you learn to fall in love. Maybe not all that soon with the opposite sex, but with the smell of wet dirt, with clay. And you love the way it feels in your hands, the way you can pinch it between your fingers and thumb, starting at the bottom, and watch in utter amazement as it shoots up ward. You compress it, making it denser and more malleable, and you are all at once passionately in love with one of the oldest forms of art...ceramics.

This was the experience that young Ben Eberle first had, some 35 years ago, and suddenly it was the smell of wet dirt, the playing with fire, and the experience of never completely knowing how it would all come out that drew Ben into a lifelong love affair with clay that would then lead to a lifelong career as a well-regarded ceramist.

Truth is, Eberle is a man of many passions, not the least of which are the many people who have shaped his life as though he were himself a vessel of the art he now creates. “I am an identical twin,” Ben begins with an enviable sense of pride taking over the conversation.” Like many twins, my brother, Dan, is my best friend. We’re very close, even though I live in Conway, Massachusetts, and he lives in Cape Elizabeth, Maine. Dan is a remarkable teacher who completely understands the young people in his class and knows how to shape them perfectly. That’s his art.”

Art, however, is in the blood, as the twins’ maternal grandmother was a professional painter whose studio the twins would immediately run to whenever they visited. For two young boys, this place of great art represented a playground of wonder.

Ben first found pottery at age 13 at the Umbrella Arts Center in Concord, MA, where he had the good fortune to take a course with resident artist Julie Jospe. That’s when I seriously fell in love with clay. “Julie taught me to pull a cylinder by pinching the clay with my fingers to create an indent. One hand stays under, the other above, and you ride it like a wave to the top.

Eberle was also fortunate to attend Concord Academy, a high school devoted to the arts, where he thrived under the tutelage of Kendra Conn. “She was such an important voice,” Ben reports, “an elder mentor who told me when I was just 17 or 18, ‘This can be the real you.’ It was bonkers.” And to this day, her words resonate.

Next stop on the success track for this aspiring potter was Skidmore, where he positively “lived” in the studio. “I had excellent academic preparation, so I didn’t spend much time in class. The other students were going to classes, going out socially, while I spent upwards of 70 hours a week in that studio because it was open 24 hours a day and never closed.” Neither did Ben.

Those deeply invested in ceramics are likely familiar with the 10,000-Hour Rule. Made famous by author Malcolm Gladwell in his 2008 book Outliers, the 10,000-hour rule suggests that mastery in any field requires roughly 10,000 hours of practice. In ceram ics, that applies to hours of practicing skills, mastering techniques in handbuilding, glazing, and firing, experimentation with equipment, a constant search for feedback, and continuing education. Ben Eberle seems to have checked all the boxes as he strived for a 10,000 pot rule!

“The most important part of my four years at Skidmore is that I got to meet and apprentice with the world-famous Toshiko Takaezu, one of the greatest sculptors and vessel makers of the 20th century. She was 82 when I became her apprentice, and it was a really big deal.”

Like so many distinctive artists, Takaezu was idiosyncratic in that she never asked anyone to be her apprentice; they had to come to her with the request. Ben’s best friend at Skidmore, Nic Newcomb, who was a year ahead in the program, was the first, so Ben saw the level of commitment and sweat it entailed. Still, he hungered for the apprenticeship and joyously followed Nic’s footsteps. After Ben came Hugh Karol, so it wasn’t long before the trio was known as Takaezu’s “Three Musketeers.”

Takaezu would come to Skidmore in both spring and fall, spending an entire week with students in the summer. Although tiny in stature, she threw pieces measuring five feet or more and proved a major influence on Eberle, who, after graduation, worked at studios in Boston and at the Jewish Community Center in Newton. He was amazed that, “Hey, I’m 24 years old, and I’m making a living at this!”

Knowing that the Modern American Ceramic Movement had already taken off in the 60s in the Bay Area, he took a risk and headed in 2005 for San Jose State in California in pursuit of a graduate degree. “I felt grad school would be a way of finding out who I was.”

Who Ben Eberle was, and still is, combines a great deal of talent with some very fortunate experience, excellent mentors, and even a bit of serendipity, for when he returned to the East from California, he found a job waiting at his old alma mater, Concord Academy. He had come full circle!

Today, Ben Eberle is 45 years old, and still more in love with being a “vessel maker” than ever. He is the sum total of his talent and life ex perience, working quietly in his home studio in Conway, at the foothills of the stunning Berkshire Mountains in western Massa chusetts. He divides his time teaching his method of woodsoda firing (a ceramic glazing technique using wood ash and soda to create a range of techniques and colors), making vessels, offering training workshops all over New England and as far away as Bali, Indonesia, and enjoying life with his wife, Danielle Thompson, a print maker and painter. How fortunate to be a working artist and to have been so his entire life without having to settle for a job that never fulfilled a goal nor passion.

“My journey in ceramics now spans more than 30 years. During this time, I’ve had many influences, tremendous teachers, supportive family and friends, and an incredible array of connections within the community.

“My firing process is as abstract and unpredictable as it gets, but that’s why it’s so fitting to the work that I make. Trust is a huge aspect to both the forming and the firing, and I think that’s a beautiful thing. Ultimately, I’ve learned to let go of a lot of control on both ends – a piece ultimately finds its shape, and the kiln will reach temperature. I’m very much along for the ride in both instances.”

Today, the passion is still as strong as ever and has even grown to where he looks upon his vessels almost as though they were his children. “If I just create them but don’t market and sell them, it’s nothing more than a hobby. But when I sell a piece of my work that I really have grown to love, I usually tear up. It’s like parting with a child.”

All this from a man who grew up getting his hands dirty, playing with fire, and taking chances.

To see, and perhaps purchase Ben’s work representing a lifelong love affair; find out where he’ll be giving classes and workshops next; lo cate galleries around the U.S. currently exhibiting his art, and to fall in love with two of the most contented cats in western New England, log onto: www.beneberleceramic.com

It’s About Click, Focus, and “As Easy as Using a Pencil”

by Rona Mann Click!

The sound of a camera recording for a millisecond and moving on.

This is a story about focus. About one man’s focus, the foundation of his achievements, his determination. Focus became his shield against distraction, and the joy his ever-changing, ever-sharpening focus brought to the world and continues to do so.

This is the story of a young man living in Rochester, NY, who dropped out of school at age 14 to go to work, as was the custom of many of his peers at the time. It mattered not that he had no experience in either insurance or banking, the two avenues where he first found employment. He was determined, so he focused... and George Eastman succeeded because he seemed naturally curious and wanted a better life for himself and those around him. So, he set out to get it.

Click!

When Eastman was 23, on a friend's suggestion, he bought a complete photographic outfit for an upcoming vacation. However, as it turned out, he never made the trip, but he did take a deep dive into photography, which would serve to impact everything else he did with his life. He never “dabbled” in anything. If George Eastman wanted it, George Eastman went after it...full focus.

It seemed unconscionable to the young man to have to carry around a lot of heavy equipment and pay a heavy expense just to capture a single image, so he reasoned, “There must be an easier way to take and develop photographs,” and he set out to find it. It took three years, but eventually he did find it after experimenting with gelatin emulsions in his mother’s kitchen until he had invented a dry-plate coating

ma chine. At the time, not even Eastman knew this would be the forerunner to film. With the financial backing and support of Rochester businessman Henry Strong, Eastman formed the Eastman Dry Plate Company, which, 11 years later, became what millions now know as the world-famous Eastman Kodak Company.

Click!

Never one to be easily satisfied with success, in 1888, Eastman manufactured easy-to-use cameras for amateur photographers, later establishing photofinishing and developing a flexible spool-wound photographic film…a simple car tridge that could record the events in people’s lives and allow them to relive their memories in photographic

prints. They were manufactured for Eastman by Frank Brownell, although the patent was granted to George. This would become a major contribution to the launch of the motion picture industry and a major launch of nitrate.

Click!

Nitrate is a synonym in photography for a chemical called nitrocellulose. Film with a nitrate base was the first transparent, flexible, plasticized base commercially available, and in 1889, Eastman was the first to manufacture film stock for public sale.

There was, however, a serious drawback. Nitrate is extremely flammable and gradually decomposes, producing a flammable gas. Ultimately, the film oozes fluid, and the substance turns to dust, creating a distinct possibility of auto-ignition. Projection fires were not uncommon in the early decades of cinema, and because nitrate contains oxygen, they were impossible to extinguish; additionally, their smoke contained poisonous gases, posing a lethal threat to both projectionists and moviegoers.

We will revisit nitrate films a bit later in this piece, but now, back to the entrepreneur, philanthropist, and pioneer who refused to stop learning, inventing, and making life simpler for everyone.

Above all, Eastman was an innovator and inventor who never stopped working to make life easier, less costly, and more beautiful. Once he established a camera as being “a s convenient as a pencil,” he turned his atten tion to real estate.

Click!

It wasn’t enough for Eastman to purchase one of the last plots of land that remained as part of a working farm in the city of Rochester. In 1905, he built a house there, not just a house, either, but a Colonial Revival Mansion that became his primary residence until his death in 1932. It was uniquely an urban estate. But architecture and design were hardly the end. George Eastman wanted to grow things on his newly acquired land. He learned to grow food, studied beekeeping, and, with his insatiable curiosity for landscaping and beautiful things, established an ele gant and enviable floral setting on his parcel of land, both for his own pleasure and to frame a showplace for meetings and entertaining.

Click!

George Eastman died in 1932, but the his tory and legacy of this photography and film pioneer live on in the George Eastman Museum, founded in 1947, opened in 1949, and holds a coveted space

on the National Register of Historic Places as the oldest museum of photography in the world. Focus? Yes, indeed, for here is a museum with a solid focus on photography, the moving image, and ongoing technology. According to Communications Manager Danielle Raymo, “We tell the full story.”

Like the tenets of George Eastman’s life, this museum reaches out to everyone. It combines history and education through wide-eyed exhibits, culminating in a total of 6 weekly movie showings, all at prices affordable for families, individuals, and students.

Supported by diverse grants, the NY State Council on the Arts, and private donations, the George Eastman Museum is a place where the past is preserved for the future. “There are ongoing restoration projects,” Raymo adds, “constructed to take the visitor back to the way it was originally built and designed. At present, all garden areas are fully accessible, with upgrades being planned for other parts of the museum.

Visitors enjoy the mansion, exhibits, gardens, and especially the Dryden Theatre, a 500-seat exhibition space that presents film screenings yearround, five evenings a week plus a Saturday matinee. When possible, all films are shown in their original format, which honors the historical and aesthetically supreme modes of exhibition.

Click!

Of note here: the Dryden is one of the very few theatres in the world that is safely equipped and certified with a projection booth customized to handle nitrate film. Because no nitrate film is being produced today, these are rare screenings of vintage films from the Eastman vaults and other archives. The 4-Day Nitrate Picture Show held at the Dryden, the only

such theatre on the East Coast equipped to do this, is now in its 10th year, and this year, the Nitrate Festival will delight audiences from June 4th through the 7th. Call for further details.

Click!

You cannot possibly visit the museum without exploring the Eastman Estate. Choose to take a guided tour of the mansion featuring live music most Sunday afternoons, or create a self-tour as you stroll through the magnificent salons and rooms where George Eastman lived for nearly 30 years while he pioneered so many methods and ideas. The gardens are exquisite, and you may tour them seasonally. The various gardens surrounding the mansion include the Mansion Garden itself, the Terrace Gardens, the Rock Garden and Grape Arbor, the West Garden... all were George Eastman’s pride and

have been carefully maintained for your joy. You will not want to miss them as they are an integral part of your experience.

Click!

Make certain to schedule a trip this month to the “Dutch Connection,” an annual flower show held in February. Flowers in Rochester in winter? You bet! Eastman traveled to Holland, fell in love with tulips, learned how to grow them year-round, and brought them back to Rochester, where visitors can enjoy them for two weeks each year. Call for dates and details.

There is so much more to see here. It’s worth a trip from anywhere (tourists regularly come from all over the world). The museum is centrally located right in the very heart of Rochester, with plenty of hotels, restaurants, and visitor accommodations.

George Eastman’s life was all about creating focus. If you enjoy taking a photo with your phone,if your first camera was a Kodak Brownie, if you ever used a roll of film, saw a movie, strolled through beautiful gardens, or pondered how tulips could grow in the dead of winter, George Eastman touched you and will do it again.

Find out how. It’s as easy as using a pencil.

The George Eastman Museum is located at 900 East Avenue, Rochester, NY.

Phone for information: (585) 327-4800 www.eastman.org

North Country Cultural Heritage, Past, Present, & Future: The Folklife Center at the Crandall Library

by Lawrence White

“Folk tales, songs, and myths have lasted for a reason. We tell them over and over because we keep finding truths in them, and we keep finding life in them. “

Patrick Ness, Author

On their website, The Folklife Center at Crandall Public Library in Glens Falls states that it is “an award-winning program created in 1993, charged with the mission to research and present the cultural traditions of the upper Hudson Valley and southern Adirondacks of upstate New York.” But in fact, their effect is to reveal the beginnings of American culture

up to the present day with an eye to international folk art. As early civilization came up the canals, the North Country became first an outpost, then a center of culture and the arts.

When I speak with Folklife Center Founding Director Todd DeGarmo, his enthusiasm and wide-ranging knowledge are immediately apparent. I ask about the history of the Folklife Center, and Todd tells me, “The Board of Trustees at Crandall created the Folklife Center on July 23, 1993, to be a separate department within the library to preserve and present the cultural traditions of the upper Hudson Valley and southern Adirondacks.”

“We started in a small space in an older building, but when this space was reno vated, we had the opportunity to create something special and permanent that would have real meaning for the citizens in our area in the tradition first established by the founders of the library.”

The library bears the name of Henry Crandall (1821–1913), the wealthy businessman who funded the library almost entirely in its first 25 years. The Crandall Trust continues to contribute to the library’s budget. He also provided the original library space in a building he owned in the current City Park, opposite the Soldiers Monument. He was the honorary president of the Library Trustees, while the other trustees oversaw the daily operations.

Crandall insisted that the library be open and free to the public to promote the intellectual, moral, and material welfare of the community.” He is quoted as saying, “If I give money for a library, I want the books to be absolutely free to anyone who has an interest …. I would not wish to be required to give any guarantee whatever. I would be willing to have the books go as far away as any person cares to come, even if it was as far as Quebec.”

The five-pointed star that is the Folklife Center logo is the same star atop the monument in Crandall Park where Henry and his wife, Betsy Crandall, are buried. It was the logging mark used by Crandall in his lumbering business to

identify the logs he floated down the Hudson to the mills in Glens Falls.

The library was temporarily moved to the Jerome Lapham House from 1919 to 1931 while a new building was being constructed. The present library building opened in 1970 with an addition to the de sign. In 1958, the library became a charter member and central reference library for the Southern Adirondack Library System (SALS). Then, in 19921993, the Crandall Public Library District was formed for Glens Falls, Queensbury, and Moreau, and the current charter was established. Finally, in 1993, the Folklife Center was es tablished to research and present regional cultural traditions, creating its impressive archives.

The exhibitions and shows at The Folk Life Center are con sistently exciting, informative, and fun. I ask Todd if music has always been part of their calendar, and he tells me, “Christine MacDonald was the library director from 1979 to 2012, and she really restructured the library. Despite having a strong cache, the library had faded a bit. She came in as an experienced grant writer and saw the library as both a cultural center and a repository of information. She brought in filmmakers for several series that attracted a lot of attention.”

Todd continues. “That is what she saw in me as a student of Adirondack culture. We could bring in artists of various dis ciplines to broaden the cultural scope presented at the library, and we could write for grants together to raise badly needed funds.”

“Before 1993, we were forced to go to the various municipalities and apply for funding. This was not very fruitful because many of them were distressed and unable to help. Christine was able to develop a Library District that functions like a School District that covers two counties, so now we can go directly to the taxpayers who overwhelmingly vote to support our budgets because they feel so connected to the Library and Folklife Center and count on us to provide something not only educational and in formative, but something different, enjoyable.”

And that is just what happens at the Folklife Center. Their gallery is a focal point for local heritage art as well as new techniques that express different thoughts and ideas. I was an artist included in a photography exhibition curated by Andrzej Pilarczykin at the Folklife gallery, which featured wellknown musical performers. The opening was extremely well attended, and the photographers sold images, which illustrates the support artists find from the Folklife Community.

The space downstairs in the Crandall Library is a wonderfully intimate place to hear world-class musicians perform live, up close and personal. The music ranges from local artists to international ensembles, with a roots/Americana/ethnic.

The lineup typically consists of 6 concerts in the spring (April to May) and 3 concerts in the fall (September), all on Thursday evenings, 7:00 to 8:30 PM in the Community Room (downstairs off the Glen Street entrance). The room seats 150, and reservations are not required. Doors open at 6:30 PM.

One of the great advantages of their concerts is that each band also per forms a second free show the following evening at 7 pm at the historic Salem Courthouse, 58 East Broadway, Salem, NY 12865. The architecture is gorgeous, and the acoustics are superb. A real experience for anyone

who attends. The concerts are recorded live with 3 cameras, edited and archived, and added to their YouTube page. I recommend anyone who loves the full, natural sound of heritage music to visit the page, and better yet, attend one of the lively concerts.

The gallery exhibitions range from local folk art and traditions to international folk influences. The exhibition in place at the writing of this piece is “Night Markets & Street Food, A Taste of the Lanna Culture of Northern Thailand .” For those who feel that all they hear and see are the same things being marketed to a mass audience, the Folklife Center is a welcome alternative.

I ask Todd about upcoming exhibitions, and he raves about the planned Mohawk-themed exhibit he is putting together now. “I am really excited about the Mohawk exhibition that we will be installing this coming summer. It will feature Traditional Arts in Upstate New York by contemporary Native American artists, focusing on their connection to the environment. It will be a stunning show.”

Long-time local resident and a frequent visitor to the Folklife Center, John Schroeter, tells me, “I have been attending since

the beginning. The shows are wonderful. You might expect that level of performance and art work in New York City, maybe Albany, but to have it here in Glens Falls is a great asset. Frankly, I don’t know what I would do without it.” That is a sentiment shared by many in the North Country.

Folklife Center Web Page

https://www.visitlakegeorge.com/listing/folklife-center-at-crandall-public-library/1104/ Folklife Center YouTube Page https://www.youtube.com/thefolklifecenteratcrandallpubliclibrary Crandall Library https://www.crandalllbrary.org

Let’s All Celebrate Ystävänpäivä!

by Karen Richman

It’s February once again.

We just jumped right from Christmas into a sea of red satin-boxed chocolate hearts, occupying much of the shelf space in our local stores. The price of roses has increased as it always does this time of year, but to those who are inveterate lovers, it matters not. It is the price of love.

All throughout the Capital District, restaurants are meeting with their chefs and sommeliers to create special menus for Valentine’s Day. Lights will be lowered, candles and fireplaces will be lit, and for a few

evenings, the sound system will replace Pink Floyd and The Dead tracks with songs by Frank Sinatra, Barry White, and Josh Groban.

Yes, all around the world, Valentine’s Day is celebrated as a day of love and affection, with a myriad of traditions and customs to back it all up. The more vintage among them may have faded into obscurity, but still, there are fascinating practices firmly attached to this holiday of sweet perfume and not-so-sweet capitalism...and then, there’s Vinegar Valentines.

Yes, in the mid-19th century, not all cards were tokens of af fection. “Vinegar valentines” were biting, sometimes insulting cards sent anonymously to folks deemed undesirable for romance. They were indeed hurtful with unflattering images and verses that targeted certain traits, behaviors, or even professions. Still, they were quite popular, accounting for half of all sales at their peak. But that soon ended as the cards' harsh nature led to serious consequences, including public altercations.

The South Koreans have a gentler outlook, celebrating love not just on February 14th, but on the 14th of every month. On the 14th of February, it is customary for women to present chocolates to men as a gesture of their affection; ah, but that’s not the end of it. One month later, men reciprocate on what is called “White Day” by giving chocolates back to those from whom they received them...hopefully not the same candy, as it would be a bit stale by then! But all is not sweetness and light with the South Koreans, for on April 14th, also known as “Black Day,” singles are urged to come together with friends to share a meal and eat black-colored foods, such as black noodles, to showcase their single status.

Not far away in Japan, there are customs around chocolate that began in the mid-20th century, but the types of chocolate given convey dif ferent meanings. “Honmei-choco” (true love chocolate) is reserved for true lovers or romantic partners.“Giri-choco” is what we would call “obligation chocolate,” something you might give to colleagues, bosses, or your neighbors with no romantic implications attached. Then there’s “tomo-choco,” (friend chocolate) primarily exchanged between females to celebrate friendship. Finally, for those who have no romantic partners, no obligations, and few friends, they are not left

out. They purchase “jibun-choco” or self-chocolate so they can wallow in their isolation or celebrate being single and stuffing their faces!

France used to have a tradition called “une loterie d’amour,” or a lottery of love. Single men and women would gather in houses across from each other and call out to find their matches; however, if a man was not satisfied with his match, he could immediately leave her and search for another. You can imagine how long that went on...not long! Espe cially since the rejected women would get together and make bonfires of men’s images, all the while hurling curses. The practice got so out of hand that eventually the French government banned it.

But you gotta love the people of Finland. Every February 14th, they all celebrate whether married, single, or even in love. They celebrate “Friends Day” as a day when you honor, appreciate, and acknowledge the true friendships in your life. They commemorate the day by em bracing the importance of friendship in their lives, cherishing all kinds of relationships.

This is not, as you might expect, a very old tradition. Ystävänpäivä (Friend’s Day) only became official in Finland in the 1980s, but has grown exponentially in popularity. Rather than making it a “couples” holiday, Finns use it to strengthen bonds with family, colleagues, and friends. They do this by sending cards with messages of affection that remind recipients how much they are valued. The emphasis on friendship in Finland aligns with the country’s cultural values and the custom of building their connections slowly, genuinely, and with great respect. They are what ultimately last. They celebrate with those friendship cards, handmade items, or gathering together to share a meal, a coffee break, or a movie. They truly value friendship...Ystävänpäivä.

Don’t worry about how to pronounce it if your mouth’s full of chocolate, just remember it.

It beats the heck out of black noodles.

Love, Without the Noise

By Crystal Cobert Giddens, LE

February has a way of getting loud.

Everywhere you turn, love is presented in shiny packages. Roses, reservations, prix-fixe menus, gestures designed to be seen and shared. The message is subtle but persistent: if love matters, it should be visible. Public. Proved.

But the older I get, the more I notice that the most meaningful forms of love are often much quieter than that.

Real love, the kind that steadies you, does not announce itself. It does not rush or demand attention. It shows up softly and stays.

This month, instead of leaning into the noise, I’ve been thinking about what it means to love with intention. To care without proving. To stay present without trying to fix or improve everything in sight.

In my work, I see how deeply people respond to this kind of love. Not just in their relationships, but in how they treat themselves. From the way they touch their own skin to the routines they return to day after day, there is a quiet longing to feel met rather than managed.

Love without noise begins with presence.

It is the choice to put the phone down when someone is speaking. To notice when your shoulders are tense and let them soften. To listen to your body instead of pushing past it. Presence is a form of devotion that does not ask for attention or applause.

Our skin understands this immediately. When we are rushed or overstimulated, it becomes reactive. When we slow down, it responds. It softens. It brightens. Not because we forced change, but because it finally had space to settle.

Somewhere along the way, touch became corrective. We touch to fix, to improve, to erase signs of stress or fatigue. But the most mean ingful touch I witness is not about cor rection at all. It is about communication.

It says, “I see you.”

It says, “You are safe here.”

Touch without fixing is an act of trust. It re quires listening, patience, and a willingness to let the body respond in its own time. When touch is offered this way, something shifts. The nervous system settles. The skin becomes receptive rather than guarded.

Love, in its truest form, is not urgency or in tensity. It is not proving or persuading or getting it right. Love is attention. It is the willingness to notice what is actually happening

instead of what we wish were happening. It is staying curious rather than reactive, and re sponsive rather than rushed.

Attunement is the practice of that kind of love.

It means listening before acting. It means sens ing when something needs more space in stead of more effort. It is the quiet skill of ad justing in real time. Softening when pres sure would only create resistance, paus ing when momentum would lead to dis connection.

In relationships, attunement looks like noticing tone instead of just words. In the body, it looks like honoring signals instead of overriding them. In skin, it looks like supporting function rather than forcing change. Attunement is not passive. It is deeply active, but its energy is subtle rather than forceful.

Most of us were taught to equate care with doing more. More products. More effort. More discipline. But attunement asks a different question: What is actually needed here? Sometimes the answer is action. Often, it is restraint.

When we live attuned, love becomes something steady rather than dramatic. It shows up in small calibrations: choosing rest before de pletion, gentleness before correction, con sistency before intensity. These choices may seem quiet, even insignificant, but over time they create a profound sense of safety.

And safety, whether in relationship, body, or skin, is what allows real change to take root.

Most people do not turn away from themselves on purpose. It happens gradually, in

busy seasons or moments of stress. We skip meals, ignore signals, postpone rest because something else feels more pressing. Over time, urgency replaces intuition.

But love, real love, is staying.

Staying curious.

Staying attentive.

Staying willing to adjust instead of abandon.

This February, love does not need to be dra matic to be meaningful. It can look like consistency. Like boundaries that protect your energy. Like choosing not to overextend sim ply because it is expected.

Love without noise often shows up in small, ordinary ways.

A slower morning, even when the day is full.

A skincare ritual approached as care rather than correction.

An evening without screens, allowing the mind to unwind.

A treatment that focuses on calming and sup porting, not changing.

These quiet acts may go unnoticed by others, but they add up.

Love without noise is not about intensity. It is about attunement. It is about learning your own rhythms and honoring them, even as the world encourages speed and spectacle. It is about choosing presence over performance.

When care is quiet, it becomes sustainable. It does not exhaust or overwhelm. It supports you, steadily, as the seasons begin to shift.

And maybe that is what February is really of fering.

Not spectacle, but steadiness.

Not proving, but presence.

Not grand gestures, but thoughtful attention.

A way of caring that does not end when the calendar turns, but gently prepares us for what comes next.

Love that does not shout.

Love that does not rush.

Love that stays.

Crystal Cobert Giddens is a licensed esthetician, educator, and founder of FACES of Saratoga™ and Elemé Skin Studio. Her skin expertise helps your skin remember.

In the past year traveling New York State for epicurean delights, we found some interesting foodie destinations worthy of bringing to your attention and note-worthy to poster into your travels in these areas.

CULINARY

CULINARY DESTINATIONS: Road Trip Stopovers

DESTINATIONS: Road Trip Stopovers

By Chef Armand Vanderstigchel

While re-visiting the exceptional Mierbeau Spa in Rhinebeck, NY, we had an en joyable lunch at Posto Pizzeria - Fine woodfired Ar tisan Pizza located of off Main Street. This is a fantastic spot, spear-headed by acclaimed chef Patrick Amedo, to enjoy some great salads and unique Pizza, with patio-options in the summer months. They are directly next to the Bread Alone café which we featured in a past issue, so dessert options and a loaf of good sour dough Bread after Posto is a prodigious combination! We enjoyed the hand-made fresh Mozzarella with heirloom Tomatoes, fresh Basil, and EVO. The portion is generous and totally on point in this category. The Arugula Salad drew our attention uti lizing local Coach Farm Goat Cheese with crispy local Apples and a light Sherry Vinaigrette. Choosing a woodfired Pizza here is exciting-they easily feed a party of two, but more so the enticing selection of preparation such Margherita, Grana Padano, Terra Bianca (fresh Mozzarella, Ricotta, Arugula-no Tomato Sauce) and Morandi (Red Onions, Grana Padano, Pistachios and Rosemary)-are all unique and intriguing options. The Mama Mia was however selected, holding delicious ingre dients such as smoked Mozzarella, Roasted Onions, and Fennel sausage — a great choice in hindsight with brilliant ingredient pairings baked into a perfect wood-fired artisanal crust.

While apple-picking, Saratoga celebrity resident David Port noy of Barstool Pizza reviews visited Porto Pizzeria the in his own words proclaimed “Hamptons of the northRhinebeck,” rating Porto’s Pizza zero flop, very good and a high score of 8.2. Because it is made to order he had to break his rules and call it in before his on-camera video presentation.

After lunch we popped into the neighboring Bread alone to pick-up their fabulous European Black Bread and a cup of fresh roasted Coffee.

The town of Catskill which is conveniently off 87-north, has interesting pit-stop options such as J & J Smoke House lo cated on Main Street featuring a variety of smoked meats

such as Brisket, pulled Pork, hot Links and sides of Mac & Cheese, Slaw, and Cornbread. It is a small cozy spot in a former gas station and minutes from the exit with outside seat ing. Right down the road is the flagship /outpost location of our friends at Return Brewing, featuring a great bar with snacks, out-door seating area, and cans of beer on the go. We received a little behind-the-scenes tour by brewers JP DeAbreau and Sophia Martel. The brewing facility here brews for 2 locations and state-wide distribution of this high-quality beer featuring styles such as Burnished Amber, Polished Pilsner and Come Back Kolsch to name

a few. According to operator Jack Liakas, the Beer quality is accelerated by the implementation of Tettnang hops from Germany and even hops from New Zealand! Return brewing also has a second location in Hud son, NY as featured in our Hudson, NY editorial.

Heading North towards Lake Placid for a recent ski-adventure, a stopover was piloted into the parking lot of the Noon Mark Diner-a legendary Adirondack landmark for over 40 years, founded by Lola Porter in

1981 as a road-side stand selling home-made Pies until this day, which eventually became a cherished get-together place for locals, travelers and hikers, the latter especially with backpacker nirvana Mount Marcy in Keene Valley (Mount Marcy is located in the Adirondack Park, the highest peak in the state, standing at 5,344 feet.) and located on well- traveled NY-73 Scenic.

The homemade Pies are made with an old family recipe, preservativefree and prepared in the diner’s own bakery. The Blueberry Peach is my personal favorite, especially with Haagen Daaz Vanilla ice-cream! In addition to taking this home, a late-breakfast was enjoyed of Broccoli Quiche with Salad and a breakfast combo of Scrambled Eggs, Sausage, Home-fries, and a side of Blueberry Pancakes with a drizzling of local Adirondack Maple syrup. Along route NY-73 there are many purveyors of this treasured and natural sweetener. The breakfast was enjoyablenothing fancy but just what the doctor ordered for a hungry traveler on the road. On the next visit I must try the homemade Corn Beef Hash and hot Turkey dinner which are popular featured items.

Speaking of baked goods, foodies of Saratoga Springs and beyond are thrilled to welcome the open ing of the Bear Cup Bakehouse across from the Saratoga Hilton in the former Jacobsen Rugs space. We featured their original location in our Bolton Landing editorial. Danielle & Louis De Santis, founders and owners have brought their NYC baking experience to the region and quickly gained notoriety, es pecially after being featured with their Bagels on the Rachel Ray show! Unlike Bolton Landing, the Saratoga location is yearround! They are selling freshly baked kettle-boiled bagels, drinks, Sandwiches, and scratch-madePastries. The breakfast Bagel sandwich and Cinnamon rolls are simply to-die-for.

Since its well-published opening the parking lot is full, lines are long and product sells out quickly by closing-get there early!

“I have advertised with 518 Profiles since its inception. I am extremely happy with the lush colorful layouts and positioning of ads. The magazine has my best interest in mind; offering advice to make visual improvements when necessary. Customer service is exquisite. I highly recommend advertising with this magazine.”

Tom Myott, Artist - www.tmyottart.com

“Doing business with 518 profiles has been an absolute pleasure. Stephanie is extremely professional in designing and ex ecuting our print ads exactly as we envi sioned. She makes the process smooth and easy leaving my time free to focus on our employees and guests”

Michael J. Fortin, Owner/Executive Chef MJF Restaurant Group LLC, Cohoes

“Working with Stephanie at 518 PROFILES magazine is truly a pleasure. The magazine is so well written and designed. I feel I have gotten great coverage with my ads and featured article. The digital version reaches a wide read ership as well. Stephanie is a true journalistic professional. I highly recommend this magazine to highlight and advertise your business.”

Ann Larsen, Larsen Studio

I am a longtime fan of 518 Profiles and con tinue to be impressed by content and presentation. I also appreciate that the magazine gives the small art entrepreneur exposure to a wide audience and provides a beautiful venue to showcase the galleries and shops of the Saratoga Springs Art Dis trict.I am proud to be among the artists and businesses included an d sincerely appreciate Stephanie Sittnick's support of the art community.

Susan Rivers, Greentree Fiber Arts

“Saratoga’s finest magazine! A magazine you pick up and keep for its quality, feel and content. I have done many ads in newspapers and magazines in my carrier, and we literally have people walking in with 518 Profiles in their hands looking for us. Advertising with the magazine works well because the readers pay attention to the high quality and editorial.”

Saratoga Saddlery & International Boutique, Saratoga Springs

“ Great Magazine! Stephanie and staff do a great job in pre senting the artist they feature each month. Great photos and in depth interviews.”

Gary Zack, Zack Gallery, Saratoga Springs

“The cover, alone, of 518 Profiles draws me in, every time. I always wait for a block of time be fore opening it, so I can settle in and enjoy. The articles are in-depth portraits of a business or of a person and the photos are brilliant. Even the advertisements are quite spec tacular. I had looked forward to placing my own business ad, and finally have done so. Stephanie is easy to work with and I just love the ad that was created.”

Kathy Agneta

M&P Gifts LLC / Merriman and Pfister’s Marketplace,

“Working with Stephanie and 518 Profiles has been a consistently exceptionally profes sional and positive experience. They are very easy to work with and have an un usual attention to detail that is ap pre ciated! The award-winning publication i s beautiful... and my customers look forward to picking up the new issue each month. We are proud to be among their advertisers!”

Amanda Magnetta Bear and Bird Boutique + Gallery, Schenectady

'What a beautiful Magazine!! It’s a pleasure to dis play it in my shop... my customers love it! Stephanie is a delight to work with in all of the facets! I am very proud to be part of this publication which has not only brought me sales but has connected me with very loyal and devoted customers from all over our region!'

Corina

Palma and I have been in the fashion and entertainment business for over 40 years. We have dealt with premier corporations and magazines and what Stephanie pub lishes monthly is their equal in quality, content, and style. She is a consummate professional and a joy to deal with.

Palma Kolansky & Joe Troiano, Lakeside General Store, Cossayuna

“We enjoy and take great pride in advertising with 518 Profiles magazine. It is a pleasure as a local business to be associated with a magazine that focuses on local talent, arti sanals, craftsmen and unique businesses who paint a beautiful broad brush enhancing the uniqueness of our region, giving visitors and local alike,a reason to be excited and proud to live and shop here in the 518 area. As an artisanal restaurant serving unique European cuisine, beers and wine, we feel that 518 Magazine targets the correct audience for those with a refined palate and the placement and distribution of the magazines are carefully curated by targeting the correct audience. We have had great feedback and really like the beautiful ads the designers create for us!

Chef Armand Vanderstigchel Brasserie Benelux, Saratoga Springs

“The Magic Moon is a small business that has grown with the community over the last 26 years, and as such, we ap preciate the efforts of 518 Profiles, a publication that consistently turns its spotlight on the lesser-known niche businesses in and around Saratoga Springs. From an ad vertiser's point of view, we're more than pleased with the personal attention we've received from the publisher, as well as the eye-catching presentation of the printed product each month.”

The Magic Moon, Saratoga Springs

Month of February Glens Falls

• North Country Arts Gallery: “New Beginnings” - through Feb.28, 2026 - All media art by regional artists. #120, The Shirt Factory, 71 Lawrence St., Glens Falls (Gallery open Thurs.-Sat. 12-5)

• NCA's 2nd Fl. Gallery: “The Adirondacks in Focus” photography by Phil Merlino, Jan. 5-Mar. 31,2026 at City Hall, 42 Ridge St, Glens Falls (Gallery Hours Mon.-Fri. 8:30-4:30)

• NCA Mezzanine Gallery: “Winter Show” Members art exhibition through March 31 at THE QUEENSBURY HOTEL, 88 Ridge St. Glens Falls (Open Daily)

For more Info about events visit: northcountryarts.org

February 1-21 Lake George

Richard Garrison: Readily Available. My work examines familiar yet eas ily overlooked elements within the contemporary American landscape.  Each series of abstract drawings and watercolor paintings chart detailed observations of ordinary subjects such as advertisements, product packaging, online shopping, and suburban environments. Processes such as color matching, measuring, and photography are used to distill and transform the seemingly unremarkable minutiae of daily life. The allure in our everyday surroundings is revealed in my work through an intimate and sys tematic interpretation of color, space, and time. January 21 @ 12:00 pm - February 21 @ 4:00 pm. Lake George Arts, 1 Lower Amherst Street Lake George, NY 12845 518-668-2616

FEBRUARY EVENTS

February 4 - 14 Hudson Falls Silent Movie Valentine. Valentine’s Day is the perfect day for love… as well as an extra teehee, ha-ha, chuckle, or deep belly laugh. The Glens Falls Symphony is ready to offer all of that and so much more at our first annual Silent Film Family Concert. Join the GFS on Saturday, February 14, 2026, at 1 pm as music di rector Charles Peltz leads a woodwind quintet through screenings of silent films with LIVE music, just like you'd hear in 1920. What better place to hold such an afternoon experience than the historic and intimate Strand Theatre in Hudson Falls, NY. This concert features: Pianist, John Benware. Films that will be shown at this performance, not necessarily in this order are as follows: -A Trip to the Moon (France 1902) -Shirlock Jr. (Buster Keaton) -Steamboat Willy (Disney) -They Would Elope (Quick & Kirkwood) - Excerpts from Tramp & City Lights (Chaplin). Wednesday, Feb 4, 2026 until Saturday, Feb 14, 2026. 6:00 AM - 6:00 AM. The Strand Theater, 210 Main Street Hudson Falls, NY 12839. (518) 793-1348

February 1-August 13 Ballston “How Now Brown Cow?” Dairy Bottles from Saratoga County and Beyond. Our latest exhibit traces the history of dairy farming in Saratoga County through bottles and “go-withs” created to carry products to the local populace. We’ll trace the evolution of regional milk bottles, the types of milk supplying cows found locally, follow the de velopment of Stewart’s Shops through the farms, bottles and glasses related to its creation, and remember the days when the milkman brought products directly from the farm to you. January 24 - August 13. The National Bottle Mu seum, 76 Milton Avenue, Ballston Spa, NY 12020. 518-885-7589

February 6 Ballston Spa 2026 Ballston Spa Chocolate Festival. The 11th Annual Ballston Spa Chocolate Fest takes place on Fri day, February 6 in Downtown Ballston Spa from 5-9pm. With over 30 Sweet Spots to choose from, bring your family and friends an make it night of it in our quaint village. Each chocolate sample is $2 (cash only). At the end of the evening, be sure to vote for your favorite in the three categories: Sweet, Savory and Beverage. Soon you’ll find a list of our participating businesses and chocolate chefs along with a map for the event. Friday, Feb 6, 2026 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM. Ballston Spa, Ballston Spa, NY www.ballston.org/events/chocolate-fest

February 7 Saratoga Springs

February 3, 10, & 17 Glens Falls Meditation Gathering. Come and join us for a 3-session class for Mindfulness, being present and learning to allow yourself to be calm and peaceful. This is a 1 ½ hour gathering with a discussion and then a guided medi tation leading into a silent meditation. February 3, 10, & 17, 2026.The Shirt Factory, studio 311, 71 Lawrence Street, Glens Falls, NY 12801 joanreidhealingarts.com/

Internationally celebrated guitarist, singer, and composer Beppe Gambetta brings his soulful blend of American roots and European folk traditions to Ca ffè Lena. Known for his dazzling flatpicking, lyrical melodies, and engaging storytelling, Gambetta has spent nearly 50 years building musical bridges across continents. His newest album, Terra Madre (2024), showcases this vision with an all- star cast including David Grisman, Dan Crary, Tim O’Brien, Howard Levy, and Travis Book. The project blends heartfelt originals with global influences, celebrating both the motherlands we come from and the musical landscapes we carry forward. Onstage, Beppe is warm, humorous, and profoundly musical—inviting listeners into a world where tradition and innovation dance together. Saturday, February 7, Time 8:00 pm – 10:00 pm. Doors Open: 7:30 pm Caffè Lena, 47 Phila Street, Saratoga Springs,

FEBRUARY EVENTS

February 7 Saratoga Springs

27th Annual Saratoga Chowderfest. Sat urday, February 7, 2026 | 11AM-4PM. Saratoga County's top restaurants serving 4 oz. samples of chowder for just $2—vote for your favorite to win! Check individual participants to learn who is hosting live music for Chowderfest! Family-friendly activities scattered throughout downtown Saratoga, including Saratoga Springs City Center and the Heritage Area Visitors Center!

February 7, 8  Charlton

Mallory Zondag - Felted Slippers

Create your own custom hand felted slippers for a cozier winter! In this two day workshop, you'll use the ancient process of wet felting that combines wool roving, soap and water to create felt from scratch in the form of your dream slippers. Wet felted wool is structural, durable and insulating, making it the perfect material for slippers. Saturday, February 7 and Sunday, February 8, Time: 1pm – 4pm. Workshop Costs: Registration: $175 (members receive 10% discount!) Materials: $15.00 paid to instructor at time of workshop. Total Cost: $190. Location: Main Street Studio, 786 Charlton Road, Charlton 12027 online at www.mainstreetcharlton.com or email info@mainstreetcharlton.com.

February 15 Saratoga Springs

Rev. Robert Jones, Sr. — Roots Music, Storytelling & Spirit. Rev. Robert Jones, Sr. is a true American original—an awardwinning musician, educator, storyteller, and pastor whose work brings the full history of African American roots music to life. For more than forty years, he has traveled the world sharing songs and stories that illuminate the rich cultural traditions behind blues, spirituals, gospel, and folk music. A nationally recognized storyteller and ordained minister, he weaves personal and historical narratives into every performance. His mes sage is grounded in the belief that our cultural diversity tells a story worth celebrating—not simply tolerating. Sunday, February 15, Time 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm Doors Open: 6:30 pm Caffè Lena, 47 Phila Street, Saratoga Springs,

February 19 Glens Falls

Galen Pittman Quartet. Matt Niedbalski is back with his monthly Jazz Night featuring a rotating lineup of featured artists and favorite collaborators. Enjoy music from the farthest throes of the jazz genre, from the classics you al ready love to originals you’ll fall in love with. Tonight's Lineup Features: Galen Pittman,  piano, Adam Siegel, alto saxophone, Jason Emmond, bass, Matt Niedbalski, drums. THU FEB 19, All Ages,Showtime: 7:30 PM, Doors Open:7:00 PM. The Park Theater, 14 Park Street, Glens Falls, NY 12801. 518-792-1150

February 25 - March 5

Saratoga County

February 8 Saratoga Springs Common Thread Classes: Tunisian Crochet. Discover the beautiful texture and versatility of Tunisian crochet in this beginner-friendly class. Sometimes de scribed as a blend of knitting and traditional crochet, Tunisian crochet uses a longer hook to create stunning, woven-looking fabrics. Sunday, February 8, 2026, 11:00 AM  1:00 PM. Common Thread Saratoga, 512 Broadway, Saratoga Springs, NY, 12866

February 14-July 26 Glens Falls

Richard Deon: Lincoln’s Campaign to Defeat The Hudson River School. These six monumental woodcuts by Richard Deon, styled like nineteenth-century periodical illustrations, are witty, surreal, and convincingly “historical”—even though they are anything but. An additional large-scale painting, al most 40 feet wide, by Deon will be on view in The Hyde’s Rotunda Gallery. Feb 14, 2026 - Jul 26, 2026. The Hyde Collection, 161 Warren Street, Glens Falls, NY 12801

Saratoga County Restaurant Week 2026: Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce. The Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce will host the 2026

Restaurant Week from Wednesday, February 25th to Thursday, March 5th. Choose from a variety of participating restaurants throughout Saratoga County, each offering unique menus for breakfast, lunch, and/or dinner! Wednesday, Feb 25, 2026 until Thursday, Mar 5, For menus, visit:www.saratoga.org/live/2026-restaurant-week-winter-sweepstakes

February 27 Glens Falls

Erik Bergstrom and a guest comedian to make up nearly 2 hours of entertainment. Erik Bergstrom is a stand-up comedian and cartoonist known for his thoughtprovoking one-liners, resonant deep voice, and dark personal anecdotes. He's also known for his whimsical pen & ink drawings (in the 3rd grade he discovered Shel Silverstein and 1960's Playboy cartoons and he hasn't looked back since). He has called NYC home for 17 years and has been doing stand-up comedy for 15 years. Friday February 27, 18 and over, showtime 8pm - Doors open 7pm. The Park Theater, 14 Park Street, Glens Falls, NY 12801. 518-792-1150