Simply Saratoga Home & Garden 2026

SARATOGA Simply...

THE PEOPLE • THE PLACES • THE LIFESTYLE

SARATOGA

OWNER/PUBLISHER

Chad Beatty

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Chris Vallone Bushee

MAGAZINE DESIGNER

Kacie Cotter-Harrigan

ADVERTISING DESIGNER

Madison Teator

ADVERTISING

Thomas Beaury

Jim Daley

Cindy Durfey

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Samantha Bosshart

Colleen Coleman

John R. Greenwood

Carol Godette

George Hanstein

Wendy Hobday Haugh

Robert C. Lawrence

Meghan Lemery Fritz

Barbara Lombardo

Eamon Ó’Coileáin

Bill Orzell

Megin Potter

John Reardon

Theresa St. John

Ralph Vincent

Maureen Werther

PHOTOGRAPHERS

Susan Blackburn Photography

George S. Bolster Collection

Ray Cabello

The Content Agency

Michael Goldman

George Hanstein

Wendy Hobday Haugh

JMDM

Bryan Lasky

Randall Perry Photography

Mark Samu Photography

Theresa St. John

Mitch Wojnarowicz Photographer

Ebru Yildiz

PUBLISHED BY

SARATOGA

2254 Route 50 South

Saratoga Springs, NY 12866

518-581-2480

saratogaTODAYnewspaper.com

SimplySaratoga.com

COVER PHOTO by Randall

Perry Photography

See this Feature on page 59!

CHECK OUT ALL OUR PUBLICATIONS HERE!

NEVER MISS AN ISSUE! SCAN & SUBSCRIBE

PUBLISHERS

OF...

Simply Saratoga

Saratoga TODAY Newspaper

Saratoga Bride

Saratoga Home & Lifestyle

Welcome Home

Equicurean

Saratoga Christmas

from the editor-in-chief

Welcome to the Home + Garden edition,

may you be inspired!

If you’re in town for the Belmont Stakes – Welcome!

If you’re a regular reader of Simply Saratoga (Thank You!), and I’m thinking (hoping!) that you may have seen my ADS looking for a house to rent in the area, well… after meeting Bethany Moss Parks (page 22) and seeing what she’s been up to, we bought a Bethany Moss Parks House!!

I LOVE saying that…I mean who hasn’t heard of Bethany and Mark Samu!!

Yes… a historical (1790!) house, completely re-built, walking distance to downtown shops, restaurants and…walking distance to…the Battenkill River!

I love Pointing Dog Farm, but it will be very nice having a place just 25 minutes to Broadway again : )

Simply Saratoga H&G always has the best content…the people that get me to stop scrolling on Instagram, all the events I want to add to my calendar, design advice from Colleen of CMC Design - after her trip to High Point, NC - (How lucky are we?!) and the most beautiful gardens in town from the Soroptimist Secret Gardens Tour! I hope you enjoy this issue as much as I have!

I always close with a big Thank You! to our advertisers who enable us to print and distribute these magazines (which are still FREE!) but I need to add an extra Thank You to all the people that reached out to me to congratulate us on our 20th Anniversary (if you missed it, just scan here!)

Please enjoy this complimentary issue of Simply Saratoga –one of the Award-Winning publications put out by the locally owned and operated Saratoga TODAY.

Chris Vallone

Bushee,

Editor in Chief

cBushee@SaratogaPublishing.com 518-581-2480 ext. 201 SimplySaratoga.com saratogaTODAYnewspaper.com

PHOTO BY MEG AND JIM DALTON

A

GOOD

READ

18 Restaurant Feature… Standard Fare 22 Meet… Bathany Moss Parks

Living Socially

Name That Mountain 30 George Hanstein’s Tribute To Dad

Megan Lemery Fritz

Writers’ Club for Cancer Survivors

36 Paul Nigra's - Creative Arts Center

Farm Showcase 42 Althine Health & Home 44 SPAC’s Saratoga Jazz Fest 50 Road Trip to Catskill 54 Road Trip to Penn Yan

H&G

59 Preserving Saratoga + Architecturally Speaking DOVECOTE by Samantha Bosshart 74 Colleen’s Picks

78 What’s Trending at High Point, (NC) 84 Appliance Trends 88 DIY with Maureen 90 In the Kitchen with John 92 Entertaining with Ralph Vincent 94 The Soroptimist Secret Garden Tour

100 Scuzzy’s Concrete Statuary + Marcia McDonald’s Pretty Little Garden

102 Looking Back

HISTORY

103 Bill Orzell 108 Carol Godette

Eamon Ó’Coileáin ONE LAST THING

John Greenwood

Standard Fare

WRITTEN BY

MAUREEN WERTHER

PHOTOS BY SUSAN BLACKBURN

PHOTOGRAPHY

Standard Fare, located on Phila Street at the former home of Ravenous, has been serving guests lunch and dinner for about a year, and has recently opened its doors to offer a Standard Fare brunch that is anything but standard!

The restaurant is co-owned and operated by Zac Denham and Clark Gale, who permanently relocated to the area from NYC in 2024. Both men have extensive experience in opening and operating restaurants and were looking for new opportunities in Saratoga Springs.

Their vision for Standard Fare is to create a place where exceptional food and service combine with genuine hospitality to offer a truly delicious, enjoyable, and relaxed dining experience for the Saratoga community.

The newly redesigned and reimagined space the team has created on Phila exudes a charm and sophistication that is at the same time characteristic of the downtown scene, with the familiar vibe of a favorite West Village restaurant.

The decor is vintage mid-century with cream leather chairs and vibrant paintings featuring local artists on the walls and a spacious modern bar. The capacious front windows give diners a view of the bustle outside as they sip on signature cocktails and enjoy a menu of timeless favorites with new twists, served on cheerfully colored dinnerware.

If you’re thinking you’ve been to all the good brunch venues in and around Saratoga, think again.

Standard Fare’s ambience is a blend of busy Saratoga combined with a hint of laid-back Louisiana that lets diners know this is a place to relax, sip, eat and enjoy. That southern influence comes from co-owner Zac, who was born and raised in New Orleans.

Michael Wiggin is the Beverage Manager for Standard Fare and he works alongside co-owner Clark to create exciting new cocktails featuring yummy delights like Banana Pancakes, Hair of the Dog, and their signature “Tiny ‘Tini’s.” The Black-Tie Gibson is just one example of the team’s focus on fresh and unexpected, with ingredients that include a splash of shallot vinegar - shockingly delicious!

The team will use the 2026 Spring season to continue refining the brunch menu. Current offerings like Clark’s Hangover Helper, Meat and Potatoes, and The Ultimate Breakfast Sammie are bound to become instant classics. The Cereal and Milk Parfait is a Willy Wonka-ish take on the, dare I say, more standard breakfast fare of yogurt and fruit. The homemade

biscuits are available in both savory and sweet iterations and are perfect little morsels of goodness that melt in your mouth.

Passing up on dessert at Standard Fare would be a mistake! In addition to their brilliant take on the universally loved S’Mores, Standard Fare also features another deliciously reimagined American dessert classic, the Coconut Chocolate Baked Alaska.

The team will continue to change and add to the brunch and dessert menus as they prepare to launch the new Spring and Summer menu, which includes fresh takes on American comfort food, shared plates, and seasonal salads. Food is sourced locally from regional favorites like Oscar’s Smokehouse and Foothills Farms, among others.

The team also hopes to become an affordable and delicious destination for local working members of the hospitality, racing, and other industries who need late night dining and relaxation options.

Standard Fare is Zac and Clark’s second restaurant they have opened in downtown Saratoga. Their first endeavor, Bocage Champagne Bar, is located across the street and offers an elevated and relaxing space to sip bubbly and connect with friends. The pair like to think of Phila Street as the block for “grownups” and Caroline as the place for “kids.” SS

BETHANY PARKS

WRITTEN BY MEGIN POTTER

PHOTOS BY MARK SAMU PHOTOGRAPHY

Hidden away in a unique waterfront nook, stemming from the Village of Greenwich’s charming Main Street, is a place called Mill Hollow where Bethany Parks met the love of her life.

After her second bout with cancer, Bethany walked daily from the home at 160 Main Street she’d purchased in 2013 to the grassy knoll behind the historic Eddy Plow Works building. There, she fell in love with the Battenkill River.

Eagles swooped overhead as she dreamed of the dilapidated area, once bustling with activity from busy mills, coming back to life.

AUTHORING A NEW BEGINNING

Bethany, a dynamic free spirit, moved to Saratoga Springs after a 2008 divorce from her husband of 17 years. She built a career traveling the country selling furniture and, after battling breast cancer, experienced a renewed search for meaning.

On a life-altering journey to the Flying Kites Orphanage in Njabini, Kenya, she discovered how to come home and be at peace with herself again. She tells this introspective story through a series of blog posts and journal entries in her 2019 book flippin’ chairs: a memoir (published the same year she battled leukemia and her mother passed suddenly).

When Bethany met photographer Mark Samu at Uncommon Grounds for their first date in March 2020, the COVID pandemic was just beginning to shutter businesses. Undeterred, the couple strolled Saratoga’s streets, architecturally shaming the houses they passed. It was then that Bethany knew she’d found someone she could dive with into a new chapter.

WELCOME TO MILL HOLLOW

A week after purchasing the circa 1790 house at 5 Cabel Street for $40,000, Bethany shelled out another $15,000 for the abandoned building next to it at 1-3 Cabel Street. Both had massive structural damage but, by 2023, a powerhouse crew led by contractor Kevin Millington, owner of Kevin’s Home Improvement in Gansevoort, gutted the 1-3 Cabel Street building down to its studs and rebuilt it into a clean two-family rental residence (while salvaging much of its original slate roof and hand-dug fieldstone basement).

The following year, Bethany Parks acquired the 2,080-square-foot property at 8 Mill Street and undertook a comprehensive renovation of the existing structure. Through a thoughtful reconfiguration of the layout, she transformed the classic barn-red building into two well-appointed two-bedroom apartments.

Bethany’s investment in the area culminated in 2025 with the completion of the 5 Cabel Street house that started it all.

Kevin and his team renovated this 1,800-sf centerpiece top-to-bottom, adding cheery yellow doors and a welcoming front porch perfect for taking in the river views.

Pleasant symmetry, repurposed materials, and minimalist design elements blend together beautifully in this reimagined 4-bedroom, 3-bath home. History meets modern comfort with custom built-ins and a hand-forged iron stair rail that add authenticity to the space. Convenience is key in the kitchen, where highly functional stainless-steel appliances and a fantastic center island farmhouse sink are accentuated by the timeless appeal of quartz countertops and white subway tile.

Useful cut-outs help open up this home and fill it with flowing light. Picture-perfect windows and thoughtful touches (like the living room’s warm wooden fireplace wall, and rustic hallway console table, as well as the durable luxury vinyl plank flooring throughout) combine to create a comfortable home with character.

The same week construction finished on the Mill Hollow Project, Bethany’s dad passed after a long illness. Since the beginning of this undertaking, people told her she’d invested too much, but she loved it, she said, and seeing the 5 Cabel Street home go to a good owner felt like a fitting conclusion.

“I struggled through the process of rebuilding every one of these houses. It was painful, chaotic, and really scary, but I was not going to get stuck living in fear,” said Bethany. Somewhere along the way, she found a renewed sense of purpose.

“I did something that matters, and there’s a piece of me that wants to let other women know they can do it, too.”

“A rising tide rises all boats,” she said. Look back at the Mill Hollow Project journey by visiting @millhollowproject on Facebook and Instagram, and @bethanyparks273 on YouTube.

@TheContentAgency Living… SOCIALLY

WRITTEN BY MEGIN POTTER | PHOTOS BY THE CONTENT AGENCY

The bold, scroll-stopping content that The Content Agency’s founder Rachel Lanzi produces has been featured in national fashion magazines, posted on digital social media pages, and in polished product campaigns from New York to LA. This high-quality professional photography and video content taps into a tactile beauty that’s primed for today’s digital-first world.

“I’m a millennial, but I was of a generation where we went to the bookstore for hours and never left the magazine section,” said Rachel. “I love magazines and print. Picking magazines up and looking at them is not something you can replicate, and have the same experience of, online.”

Yet, her work for @TheContentAgency has a strong online presence. After the success of product posts for her previous business, The Bohemian & Co. - a line of branded apparel and home goods - in 2019, Rachel launched The Content Agency and began

creating well-crafted content for local businesses including Lucia Boutique and Comfort Kitchen in downtown Saratoga Springs, as well as luxury, national, and high-end beauty, fashion, and food brands.

Now, after having two children, instead of going back to business as usual, she’s returning to photography with a new approach. She’s rediscovering the medium as an artistic outlet and is capturing essence through her images, creating lasting visual impressions like never before.

The Content Agency’s orchestrated productions featuring handmade sets, select models and stylists, are elevating the presence of local businesses online and setting them apart from the herd. By taking the reins as creative director during the shoots, Rachel (a former horse groom from a harness racing family), finds out just what she’s capable of, and is enjoying the ride.

@BrittneyFaulisi

WRITTEN BY MEGIN POTTER | PHOTOS PROVIDED

It’s a sweet life for Brittney Rumbaugh, or @brittneyfaulisi, as her 12K+ Instagram followers know her. She’s the daughter of Schenectady Fire Department Deputy Chief Doug Faulisi, who retired last year after a 32-year-career serving the community.

Brittney’s distinctive dark hair and classic red lips pop in well-posed portraits and face forward photos showcasing fashion, travel, fitness, and food. Her polished aspirational content is a visually striking archive of friends, family, and the activities they do together.

In 2024, Brittney eloped with fellow Schenectady firefighter James Rumbaugh. Their public ceremony was last year, and now, Brittney, a social media manager, content creator, and the founder of Social Edit by Britt, @socialeditbybritt, is falling in love with behind-the-scenes bridal shoots.

“I have so much fun doing events. I genuinely love being involved in the behind-the-scenes of someone’s special event,” said Brittney. “I’ve always had an eye for capturing what other people don’t see.”

Brittney is also committed to her faith. “I’m here to glorify Jesus in anything I do in life. My values come from the Lord and I’m never going to compromise that,” she said. Brittney grew up in a traditional Catholic Italian household but started attending the non-denominational Christian Grace Fellowship Church in Latham while she was still in high school. She was called to encourage others to hold Jesus close to their hearts and has been a leader in their high school youth ministry for eight years.

In her newest venture, Brittney is sharing all there is to love about the region in @WhenUpstate. “I love the Capital Region. I’m her biggest fan and I want everybody to see Upstate NY as I do…the beautiful scenery, the busy summer season, and ALL there is to do here!”

Living… SOCIALLY @SaucySuraci

WRITTEN BY MEGIN POTTER | PHOTOS PROVIDED

In just three and a half years, Kristen Suraci’s local jaunts on @SaucySuraci have rocketed her to Insta Stardom. These fun posts feature easily digestible bites of information that quickly satisfy 40K+ followers while keeping them coming back and asking for more.

In her business spotlights, Kristen playfully beams confidence and an infectiously positive, outgoing spirit. Through her listicle-style format, Kristen offers a fresh take on local food and activities along with the delectable footage of stretchy cheese and oozing sauces that triggers the brain’s pleasure centers in all the right places. Crafting digital campaigns solo however, has the Schenectady native pulled in many different directions, she said. Ninety percent of the businesses now featured on SaucySuraci reach out to her for coverage, but today’s digital town square stretches for miles. What a lot of clients don’t realize at first, added Kristen, an accomplished social media and marketing

specialist, is that it can take weeks or months of planning before she ever walks through their door. She’s also paid for her work. Once onsite, she shoots 20 times more footage than she’ll need, then edits and creates the graphics for each post herself. It’s not uncommon for her to spend six hours creating one 60-second reel.

Still, Kristen says, she’d go back and eat at any of the restaurants featured on her page again. This spring, Kristen is excited to be working with Lia Auto Group on her car buying journey. In addition to discovering the ins and outs of the business, she’s raising awareness about all the good Lia does for the communities its dealerships are located in.

A budding entrepreneur, Kristen also sells SaucySuraci merchandise, including a line of homemade Saucy Syrups for ice cream, coffee, or her signature Espresso Martinis. For more information and to purchase, visit www.saucysuraci.com.

@The_Little_FrenchGirl

WRITTEN BY MEGIN POTTER | PHOTOS PROVIDED

“At the end of the day, the only thing that matters is making life as pleasant as possible,” says Agathe Doyon, a woman who mindfully cultivates pleasure by embracing life’s very special je ne sais quois on her Instagram page @the_little_frenchgirl.

Agathe grew up splitting her time between Saratoga Springs and Montreal. She attended Waldorf School of Saratoga Springs for pre-K to 12th grade, is multilingual (speaking both French and German), and graduated from the Fashion Institute of Technology in 2020 during the COVID pandemic.

C'est la vie! Facing the harsh realities of a changing job market and the weight of other’s opinions about what she should do, Agathe decided to make the things she loves work for her, took a leap, and launched @the_little_frenchgirl as a curated online vintage boutique.

In the six years since, this page, and her TikTok @thelittlefrenchgirl, have evolved into an elegant “day in the life” experience for their followers. Agathe is an “old soul” with a youthful energy who uses her platform to highlight what the French lifestyle is all about - the finer things that surround us and exemplify the art of living life to the fullest.

“Once you decide what you want for yourself, it starts coming in with speed, overwhelmingly confirming your vision,” said Agathe. As a content strategist for both American and Canadian-based beauty, lifestyle, and hospitality brands, Agathe reveals the secret to living well to an even larger audience.

By savoring the small, simple pleasures of a romanticized life – from an apéritif on the porch with friends, to the joy of an exquisitely crafted tabletop accessory, Agathe proves that perfection exists once you take time to nurture beauty and notice all the little things that make everyday life extraordinary.

NAME THAT Mountain

Hough Peak

WRITTEN BY ROBERT C. LAWRENCE

Part of the "What's With Those Adirondack Mountain Names?" Series

While kayaking on beautiful Lake Durant near Blue Mountain Lake, NY, one June day, my wife Carol Ann asked, "Where does Blue Mountain get its name?" So we visited the nearby Adirondack Museum at Blue Mountain Lake to buy a place names book. But there was no such publication. So... I wrote What's With Those Adirondack Mountain Names?

Benjamin Franklin Hough (1822-1885), often called the "Father of American Forestry," was born in Martinsburg, New York, to Horatio Gates and Martha Pitcher Hough. His last name is pronounced "Huff." When his father died at age eight, he started using his middle name as his first and kept it for the rest of his life.

As a child, Franklin loved nature. He spent much of his time hiking, exploring the countryside, and collecting rocks and plants. In 1840, he started at Union College in Schenectady, New York, and arranged his classes so he could spend more time outdoors with his collections.

After finishing at Union College, Franklin worked as a teacher and principal at an academy in Ohio. He married Maria Eggleston from Champion, New York, and they had a daughter. He also published A Catalog of the Plants of Lewis County, New York. In 1848, he earned a medical degree from Western Reserve College in Cleveland, Ohio, but sadly, Maria died that same year. After getting his medical degree, Franklin started a practice in Somerville, St. Lawrence County, New York. In his free time, he kept exploring nature and studying science. This led him to discover the mineral houghite, named after him.

North College building (Union College) where Franklin would have attended. Photo courtesy of Special Collections, Schaffer Library, Union College.

In 1849, he married Mariah Kilham, and together they raised eight children. After practicing medicine for a few years, Hough turned to research and writing. He published several detailed histories of Northern New York counties. He said that he often worked on three or more manuscripts in different rooms at the same time. During his lifetime, he published nearly 80 articles, books, and major reports.

When Hough moved to Albany, he began working as a census enumerator for the state of New York. This job helped him improve his data collection and analysis skills.

During the Civil War, he worked as a surgeon in the 97th New York Volunteer Infantry. He also translated important military medical works to help the war effort.

When deforestation became a big problem, Hough wrote a paper calling for protection. Because of his efforts, Congress created the first federal forestry office and made him its leader. Later, as chief of the U.S. Division of Forestry, he

promoted sustainable management and published many works. He also founded the American Journal of Forestry to advance the field.

Hough’s last major achievement was for New York State. During the winter of 1884 to 1885, he returned from Washington to Albany to help draft laws to protect the Adirondacks. The Forest Commission Act, which established the Adirondack and Catskill preserves, became law on May 15, 1885. While working on this bill, Dr. Hough became seriously ill with pneumonia and died in Lowville, New York, less than a month after the law was passed.

In 1937, to honor Franklin, the New York State Conservation Department petitioned the New York State Committee on Geographic Names to rename Middle Dix. As a result, this 4,409-foot peak, one of New York’s highest 46 peaks in North Hudson, Essex County, became Hough Peak. This recognized Dr. Franklin B. Hough’s work as a physician, scientist, historian, statistician, army veteran, and forestry pioneer.

Author’s Note: Thank you to Margie Amodeo, Kelly Adirondack Center Coordinator, and Special Collections, Schaffer Library, Union College for their contributions to the article.

What's With Those Adirondack Mountain Names? (The Troy Book Makers) is available at the following retail locations: Market Block Books (Troy), The Book House of Stuyvesant Plaza (Albany), Open Door Bookstore (Schenectady), Friar Tuck Newsroom (Rensselaer), Northshire Bookstore, Saratoga Outdoors (Saratoga), Adirondack Country Store (Northville), St. Andrews Ace Hardware (Queensbury) in many retail establishments in the Adirondack Park and on Amazon.com. SS

BY GEORGE HANSTEIN

This box is one of the only things that I have that belonged to my grandfather.

Next month is Father's Day, which got me thinking about my Dad, and that got me thinking of my grandfather.

I have always been drawn to eccentric, somewhat different people. My Grandfather was probably the first truly eccentric person that I knew.

My Grandfather on my father's side was, shall we say, more than just a bit eccentric. I feel lucky to have known him, as he was quite the character. Some may say that's where I got it from. He was an undertaker. Back then there weren't funeral directors, simply undertakers. When I was a kid, my family had a funeral home in Paterson, NJ. It was run by my grandfather and my Uncle Leo. My dad had an undertaker's license, but by the time I was around, my dad was only slightly involved in the business. It was called "Hanstein and Sons” even though only one son was fully involved. My dad would help when things got busy but was no longer involved in the business full time.

My grandfather and my Uncle Leo lived upstairs from the funeral home.

My dad would often take me there to visit my grandfather and my uncle.

My grandfather liked to hunt, and like everything else in his life, that came with some odd habits. I remember that when we went upstairs to the living quarters at the funeral home, there was always a pair of perfectly polished hunting boots sitting by the back door. It didn't matter what time of year it was; the same pair of meticulously polished boots were there. After every hunting trip, my grandfather would clean and polish them for the next trip, even if that trip was a year away and there they would sit by that door. My grandfather would point to them and say to me, "See those boots boy? They're ready when

I am. Remember that.” I had no idea what this meant and to be honest, I still don't, but it made him happy to know those boots were there. They sat there for years even after my grandfather was too old to hunt. Every so often he would dust them and polish them, "just in case.” My uncle left those boots there for years after my grandfather died. My grandfather liked to hunt rabbits. He particularly enjoyed rabbit hunting with beagles. Apparently, back in my grandfather's time, you could order a beagle from breeders down south. If you didn't like the way the dog hunted, you could send him back. Well, my grandfather would get one shipped to him before each rabbit season and after a season of hunting with the dog, he would return it. He liked hunting with beagles, apparently, but he didn't like owning them. That is, except for Sam. Sam was a beagle that lived behind the funeral home. He had a nice doghouse and a nice area. My grandfather used to have a love-hate relationship with Sam. He used to say, "Sam was such a good hunting dog that I couldn't bring myself to send him back. Now I'm stuck with him.” Sam was there for as long as I can remember. When we would visit, I can remember, every once in a while, seeing my grandfather go out behind the funeral home to pet and talk to Sam.

Paterson had a lot of funeral homes. My family's was one of the older ones. It was really just a two-family house that had been converted. What would be the downstairs apartment, was where the funerals were held. It was rather large, but if you thought about it, you could visualize how it could have been an apartment. What would have been the living room was the sitting room where mourners would gather. What would have been a formal dining room was where the body was and behind that would have been a large kitchen had it not been converted to an embalming/prep room. My grandfather was German, but his wife was Irish, so my family got mostly Irish and German funerals. There were other funeral homes in Paterson, that handled Italian, Dutch, Hispanic, and African American funerals. It's not like they promoted that; it's just the way it was back then. My grandfather enjoyed a beer now and again (mostly now), so he really seemed to enjoy the Irish funerals. They celebrated the deceased's life more than mourned it. There was often some drinking and singing out back at those funerals.

There always seemed to be nuns and priests stopping by to offer condolences and blessings. They all knew my grandfather well and he always had a libation available for them. I was a little kid, but I remember one occasion when some nuns stopped by and my grandfather seemed to get a kick out of watching them have a few drinks and get, shall we say, happy. On that particular occasion, I remember the nuns sitting around my grandfather's Formica-topped kitchen table laughing and telling stories while my grandfather gave them beers to drink. As a little kid, it was quite a sight. Six nuns in their full - pressed and starched habits - drinking beer from bottles and having a grand old time. My grandfather seemed to be enjoying the spectacle to the fullest.

My grandfather had lots of little eccentricities. There was a very old refrigerator in his kitchen. The only thing that I ever remember being in it was beer and glasses of water. There must have been 20 or 30 glasses of water in that refrigerator at all times. They weren't covered. They were just full glasses of water. He would always offer me one. I only took one once and I can still remember that old, stale, refrigerator taste. I can't imagine what the ones in the back tasted like. My father and my grandfather were not at all alike. They both had a good sense of humor, but my father was much more refined and proper. My grandfather, on the other hand, was a bit crude. My father used to tell a story of the time that they got a request to pick up a body, in Greenwood Lake for a funeral. My grandfather told my father that they had to go and get the deceased. This had to be somewhere around

1920. Funeral homes back then shared funeral cars, as there weren't all that many cars around. My father reminded my grandfather that the hearse was being used by one of the other funeral homes. My grandfather told my dad that they would take the Model T. My dad, being, as I said, more proper than my grandfather, protested, saying that the Model T only had a rumble seat. He told my grandfather that they couldn't put a body in the rumble seat, but my grandfather just said not to worry and to just get the car. So, my dad went and got the car. As they drove, my dad kept trying to tell my grandfather that this was a bad idea. My grandfather just looked out the window and puffed on his cigar.

After arriving at the location of the body that they were picking up, my dad looked at my grandfather and asked, "We aren't really going to put this guy in the rumble seat are we?" My grandfather looked at my dad and answered, "Of course not, that would be disrespectful. We are going to prop him up between us." Through my dad's protests and pleading, my grandfather insisted, and that's what they did. They managed to sit the guy between them. My father said that since the roads were rough back then and the suspension in the Model T was not great, every bump caused the guy to flop over from one side to the other. Leaning either on my grandfather or my father. My dad said that at one point, my grandfather took a puff of his cigar and turned to the corpse and asked "This smoke isn't bothering you, is it?" Knowing my dad, I am sure that at the time there was nothing funny about the experience, but when he told the story some 40 or 50 years later, he couldn't stop laughing. SS

How do I work on creating daily moments of

peace & joy?

WRITTEN BY MEGHAN LEMERY FRITZ, LCSW-R INSTAGRAM: @Puttinonthefritz1

TIKTOK: @personalitydisordercoach meghanfritzlcsw@gmail.com www.fritzstanger.com

I feel like I am always rushing through the day feeling anxious and working on completing the next task on the list. This pattern is leaving me feeling drained and irritable. This pattern is what I refer to as Robot mode. You will know when you are in this mode when you feel flat, detached, not happy, not sad, just MEH.

How do you protect yourself from living depleted and defeated in your day-to-day life?

Last summer we needed to have some trees removed in our yard. I was walking through the yard with the person that was going to remove the trees, and I noticed several of the branches on different trees were curled around each other, intertwined and twisted around one another reaching toward the sky. I stared and asked, “Why do the branches do that, it looks like they are choking each other?” The tree expert replied, “They are trying to find the light.” I paused because the statement felt so incredibly profound and meaningful.

The truth is we are all trying to find the light. The business of day-to-day responsibilities and constant access to news and information dims the light within us and around us. The key to creating a day-to-day life that has sips of joy is found in intention and purpose.

One of the best ways to practice this is to take daily tasks and treat them as opportunities to work on quieting your mind and body. I noticed when I would stand at the kitchen sink doing dishes or folding laundry, I would run the list in my mind of the next task that needed to be accomplished. I now use these mundane tasks as an opportunity to come back home to the breath and be present in my body.

The next time you find yourself rushing through the day and feeling stuck in robot mode, take a pause and guide yourself back to the breath. Use your breath to ground you and quiet your mind. This simple task will immediately make you feel lighter and quiet the ruminating thoughts in your mind.

The tasks of everyday life can choke the light in our lives. The way to stay in the light is to create a new pattern in your brain so that instead of clicking into robot mode you can slow down and click into intention and mindfulness. These two things will always keep us in the light.

Don’t wait for vacations to stand in the light, work on creating opportunities all day long to find quiet gratitude and joy. Use symbols such as Stop Signs and Red Lights as an opportunity to come back to the breath and release tension and adrenaline in your body.

Just like the branches twisting and turning to find the light, we too wrestle with our thoughts and emotions to try to find the light. Come back to your body with breath and notice how the light begins to dispel the darkness.

YOU ARE WORTH IT! SS

The Copyright Club is searching for cancer survivors with a love of writing and the dream of publishing, for a brand-new gathering at Caffè Lena.

Writers Wanted

WRITTEN BY MEGIN POTTER | PHOTOS PROVIDED

For seventeen years, floydwarriors.com has been helping families on the front lines battling cancer. Just weeks after losing her mother to the disease, floydwarriors’ Founder and Executive Director, Lisa Morahan, was diagnosed with breast cancer. That’s when she was divinely inspired to create a non-profit organization to provide practical help to families when it’s needed most.

Today, Lisa is cancer-free and floydwarriors’ army of volunteers has helped hundreds of families. As part of their mission, floydwarriors provides seed money to cancer survivors, helping them to pursue their God-given talents and dreams.

Now, Lisa is launching the floydwarriors’ The Copyright Club, a gathering of aspiring authors (who are also cancer survivors that intend to publish in 2026) to collaborate while motivating one another and celebrating the publishing process together. Lisa, currently the Assistant Administrative Director of Recreation for the City of Saratoga Springs, is an active member of Toastmasters International’s Saratoga Turf Talkers club, a Sunday School teacher at Grace Fellowship Saratoga, an avid pool player, and a passionate writer.

“I’m a cancer survivor with one finished children’s book manuscript (and four more in my head) who wants to help others publish their books, too,” she said. Within the hallowed walls of Caffè Lena, writers and illustrators are encouraged to get their creative juices flowing, share ideas, and network.

Guest speakers, including published authors, illustrators, and publishers, will be invited to share tips, hurdles, and the lessons they’ve learned along the way on their own publishing journeys. The Copyright Club’s first guest speaker was Roger Goldsmith, Little Lake Books’ author and former owner of the Crafter’s Gallery.

The Copyright Club meets on the third Friday of the month, every other month, from 3:30 – 4:30 p.m. at Caffè Lena, 47 Phila Street, in Saratoga Springs. The next gathering will be Friday, June 19, 2026.

 Mark Your Calendar: floydwarriors.com is embodying that “Rosie the Riveter” spirit, rolling up their sleeves, and getting the job done with a benefit “Run for the Rosies!" 4K Fun Run on Flag Day, June 14, 2026, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the East Side Rec Park track, 226 Lake Ave. in Saratoga Springs.

Spread that encouraging "You Can Do It!" attitude. Register for $25 today by visiting floydwarriors.com or emailing info@floydwarriors.com.

For updates, follow @FloydWarriors on Facebook.

PAUL NIGRA CENTER FOR CREATIVE ARTS

AN INSPIRING SPACE FOR ART, ARCHITECTURE, CREATIVITY & CONNECTION!

WRITTEN BY WENDY HOBDAY HAUGH | PHOTOS PROVIDED (UNLESS NOTED)

If our long upstate winter has left you eager to get out and explore new venues, meet new people, and try your hand at a new artistic endeavor, be sure to check out the classes and workshops offered at the Paul Nigra Center for Creative Arts in Mayfield. Tucked away on an idyllic wooded drive just off NY Route 30, this stunning, open-to-the-public facility provides year-round opportunities for people of all ages and abilities to nurture their curiosity and immerse themselves in the fine arts, crafts, music, yoga, dance, and culinary arts.

When visiting the Arts Center, be sure to take in its gorgeous art gallery. Six distinct exhibits scheduled for 2026 will feature the works of local artists as well as artists from around the country. The Center’s current Regional Art Show drew more than 300 people to its opening reception. Featuring the works of established artists as well as the art of scores of students from surrounding schools, this exhibit is a testament to the power of creative expression at any age. The Center’s New York State Summer Art Show will begin May 22, with an opening reception Thursday, May 28, 4-7 p.m.

During school breaks and summer vacations, the Paul Nigra Center for Creative Arts offers invigorating options for children ages 5-12. Designed to inspire creativity and build confidence, these classes encourage young artists to explore a variety of mediums while learning, creating,

and having fun in a welcoming environment. Each day provides an immersive experience filled with art, creativity, and social connection, giving children the opportunity to express themselves while making new friends.

In addition to its gallery and kids’ art programs, the Arts Center hosts a wide range of cultural, corporate, and social events. Arts Center staff work closely with each event host to personalize their experience and ensure that every detail meets their unique needs. Over the years, the Center has hosted everything from customized fundraising events, business meetings, training sessions, and retreats to weddings, birthday parties, and other festive celebrations. The Arts Center is well-known for its prestigious gallery and diverse class offerings. But equally amazing are the architecture and hand-crafted furnishings, accent walls, and lighting of the building itself. As you step through the main entrance, take a moment to study the vestibule’s many unique and artistic features. In the Grand Gallery, massive ceiling beams, ornate sconces, stone, shale, and copper walls, and one-of-a-kind furniture all point to a creative vision and execution seldom seen in today’s modern buildings. Designed and constructed by esteemed local builder Tim Delaney, with elegantearthy interior touches by furniture artist Jonathan Sweet of Johnstown, a tour of the Arts Center building is an experience not to be missed.

The Paul Nigra Center for Creative Arts was founded in 2015 by The Arc Lexington, an award-winning agency that has supported people with autism and developmental disabilities in Fulton, Schoharie, and Albany counties since 1953. The Arts Center is co-located with Transitions, a division of The Arc Lexington that supports young adults with autism and other learning differences, helping them to succeed in college, employment, and independent living. Transitions can help students study more effectively or learn a trade. But, even more, the program specializes in working with individuals to set, pursue, achieve, and exceed their own personal goals.

The Arts Center is also home to Flame, the worldrenowned rock band comprised of talented musicians who happen to have disabilities. In the decades since its 2003 founding, this inspiring group has spread its love of music near and far, performing on local stages as well as venues as far away as Cambodia, Italy, and Greece. (Check out Flame music videos on YouTube!)

Above all, the Paul Nigra Center for Creative Arts was envisioned and designed to be an all-inclusive space: a place where people of all walks of life could find inspiration and encouragement to pursue their own creativity and artistic dreams. “We want our community to feel that this is their art center, a welcoming space to gather, socialize, and experience the arts,” says Maria Nestle, director of the Arts Center.

“The Paul Nigra Center for Creative Arts is truly a destination for creativity and connection,” adds Shaloni Winston, CEO of The Arc Lexington. “Whether you’re an experienced artist or simply curious to explore something new, we welcome people to experience all that the Arts Center has to offer. It’s a place where creativity is nurtured, community is strengthened, and everyone is encouraged to belong.”

To learn more, visit www.pncreativeartscenter.org or visit them on Facebook. The Center is located at 2736 State Highway 30, Gloversville, NY, 12078; 518-661-9932.

Gallery hours: Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Closed Sunday. Hours subject to change for holidays or special events.

SARATOGA FARM SHOWCASE

An Opportunity for the Whole Family to Connect with Local Farms!

The Saratoga Farm Showcase is a unique opportunity to get to know your local farms and farmers in Saratoga County! Returning on June 20th for its third year, the event is hosted by Saratoga PLAN (Preserving Land and Nature), a local nonprofit conservation organization whose mission is to steward and protect farms and forests in the Saratoga region.

Spanning the towns of Wilton, Moreau, Northumberland and nearby communities, the showcase is a choose-your-own-adventure! Visitors can map out their day, spend extra time at places they enjoy and skip around at their own pace. Some may try to visit every farm, while others may settle into just a few.

At the start of the day, attendees pick up a canvas “bounty” tote bag with everything they’ll need to plan their day including a printed brochure, a detailed map and an event bracelet. The guide makes it easy to map out your route and what to expect at each farm before you arrive. Attendees are encouraged to support local farms by filling their bounty bag with goodies throughout their tour!

Among this year’s 10-15 participating farms is Therapeutic Horses of Saratoga. Visitors can explore the property on a self-guided tour and spend time with the therapy horses. While feeding is not allowed, since the animals are part of a therapeutic program, they are very friendly and usually come up to the gates to say “hello”!

Woodland Meadow Farm will also be on this year’s tour. The alpaca breeding farm is home to around 50 alpacas and has pigs, chickens, peafowl and rabbits. Guests are free to explore, meet the animals and stop by the farm store, where alpaca yarn, socks and other items are available for purchase.

Greenfields Forever Farm adds an interesting historical component to the tour. Settled in 1792, the farm is one of the first homesteads in the town of Greenfield. After a 50-year pause it was put back into farm production in 2009 as an organic fruit and vegetable farm. Today, it runs a U-pick program and produces specialty foods like “Farmer T’s Pickles” in its on-site kitchen. During the showcase, visitors can tour the farm and talk with Farmer T himself! You’ll definitely want to stock up on some of their pickled goodies!

The event is a fun way for folks to connect and celebrate local farms, but it also plays an important role. Each ticket supports the mission of Saratoga PLAN, a nonprofit land trust that has helped protect more than 14,000 acres in the region, including over 30 farms. In a county facing rapid growth, that effort is becoming increasingly important as family farms continue to be permanently lost, with land often converted to residential, commercial, and retail development.

Keeping farmland in production has benefits that reach far beyond the farms themselves. Well-managed agricultural land benefits the whole community by:

• Keeping property taxes lower for all residents as farms generate more in taxes than they utilize in services.

• Ensuring a local supply of fresh and secure food.

• Providing various environmental benefits, from flood mitigation to crucial wildlife habitats.

That bigger picture is part of what makes the Saratoga Farm Showcase more than just a day out. It's also an opportunity to raise awareness of the importance of farms and the crucial work needed to ensure farming stays a permanent part of the region!

 Tickets for the showcase are $10 for adults and free for children. They will also be available day-of at Canopy of Saratoga or King Brothers Dairy for $15. For more information or to purchase tickets in advance, visit saratogaplan.org/2026farmshowcase. SS

Rediscovering Healing Wisdom Nature’s

WRITTEN BY MEGIN POTTER | PHOTOS PROVIDED

In a modern reimagining of ancient wisdom, Althine Health & Home is bringing plant-based wellness and sustainable wildcraft back to the Spa City Farmers’ Market this summer.

From the kitchen of her husband’s generational home on a wild 30-acre expanse in Greenfield, Jaclyn CotterOlder, founder of Althine Health & Home, is reclaiming age-old knowledge that today, has largely been lost.

Six years ago, Jaclyn was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. Already an avid forager for wild edibles in the Adirondack Mountains, she fine-tuned her skills for a new healing purpose – plucking plants and mushrooms primarily for their medicinal benefits.

Althine Health & Home is a traveling apothecary named for Jaclyn’s husband Darbe's Great Grandmother, Althine Denno, that pays homage to his family’s Nordic ancestral roots. Like so many generations before her, Jaclyn is sustainably harvesting, ingesting, and sharing plants and fungi with the community. With its rich culture, captivating mythology, and vibrant traditions, Jaclyn respects and reveres plants, mushrooms, and the lore that surrounds them. She believes this knowledge can reshape our lives and the way that we relate to nature.

“That these plants – ones you might think of as weeds - are actually edible and medicinal must be made known,” she said.

NATURAL GOODNESS

By creating healing remedies and nourishing skincare for herself and others, Jaclyn is helping to spread the word about all the natural world has to offer.

Althine Health & Home’s booth is stocked with small batches of botanical salves, tinctures, teas, artisanal soaps, and handcrafted goods.

The combination of black walnut, wormwood, elderberry, and clove found in her Antiparasitic Blend tincture cleanses and repairs the digestive system. The rich, earthy flavor of dandelion root, stinging nettle, and burdock come together in a robust tea blend that promotes overall health. When the moisturizing creaminess of goat’s milk meets the exfoliating power of charcoal, and the nourishing benefits of the antioxidant-rich chaga mushroom, you get Althine’s gentle soaps that protect the skin and prevent the face from drying out.

BIONIC BENEFITS

In addition to the abundance of natural materials grown in her garden, Jaclyn carefully selects wild edibles from her property’s patch of reishi mushrooms and along the path she has affectionately named “Turkey Tail Trail.” Turkey Tails are considered a medicinal superfood that boosts the body’s immune response. “I think everyone should take Turkey Tail mushroom every single day purely for the benefits it provides,” she said.

Jaclyn has experienced first-hand how much better she’s felt since adding herbal remedies into her diet. She’s also witnessed how much they helped her father, Scott Sacala, cope with the side effects from three years of cancer treatments before he passed in January. To target a customer’s unique needs, Jaclyn is happy to create custom blends, such as the therapeutic body oil she made with a blend of Calendula, rosehips, yarrow, and lavender to treat scarring.

Everything that Jaclyn creates, she tests on herself first. “I’m bionic now,” she says with a big beautiful smile.

THE

POWER OF NATURE IN THE PALM OF YOUR HAND

Althine Health & Home also carries decadent hand-turned bowls, mortar and pestles, wooden mushrooms, and more crafted by a local artisan Bob Lapo.

Jaclyn’s mother, Jamie Cotter-Sacala, originally inspired Jacyln’s appreciation of plants and adds to Althine her line of “all things nature” home decor. Jamie’s dried flowers (grown in her garden!) adorn her hand-crafted wreathes, decorative brooms, smudge sticks and more. “These products look great and smell divine, but they also symbolize our connection to nature, how appreciative we are for these plants, and how powerful they can be,” said Jaclyn.

 Find Althine Health & Home at the Town of Greenfield Community Day Farmer’s Market, 428 Middle Grove Road, Middle Grove, on June 20, 2026 from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. They will also be at Spa City Market on Thursdays (Jun-Sept) from 4 – 7 p.m. at the Saratoga Spa State Park Warming Hut Field, 65 South Broadway, Saratoga Springs. For updates, follow @althinehealthandhome on Facebook and Instagram. SS

By late June, Saratoga Springs begins to shift into its most recognizable rhythm—long light, open air, and the unmistakable sound of music rising from the trees at Saratoga Performing Arts Center. This summer, that rhythm returns with added weight and resonance as the Saratoga Jazz Festival brings two days of exhilarating live music to SPAC’s grounds, unfolding across a season that marks the venue’s 60th Anniversary.

The 49th Annual Saratoga Jazz Festival, presented by GE Vernova, arrives June 27–28 with a lineup that moves fluidly between eras and genres—where R&B royalty, jazz masters, blues innovators, and genre-defying newcomers share the open-air stages. It is both a snapshot of the present and a reminder of the festival’s enduring role as one of the country’s most distinctive summer gatherings for live music.

From Patti LaBelle’s return to The Revivalists’ festival debut, from the luminous artistry of Dianne Reeves and Cécile McLorin Salvant to the boundarypushing energy of Christone “Kingfish” Ingram and Cimafunk, the weekend is built on contrast and continuity in equal measure—hallmarks of a festival that has long defined its identity through discovery.

2026 SARATOGA JAZZ FESTIVAL LINE-UP:

SATURDAY, JUNE 27

AMPHITHEATER:

Patti LaBelle

Miles Electric Band: Celebrating Miles Davis’ Centennial

Cécile McLorin Salvant

The Dip

First Meeting featuring Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Chris Potter, Larry Grenadier & Eric Harland

Terri Lyne Carrington + Social Science

CHARLES R. WOOD

“DISCOVERY” STAGE:

Bill Frisell Trio featuring Thomas Morgan & Rudy Royston with special guest Gregory Tardy

Orrin Evans Trio featuring Luques Curtis & Mark Whitfield, Jr.

Tyreek McDole

Ana Popovic

Avishai Cohen Big Vicious Brass Queens

This is a festival built on discovery and connection,”

says Danny Melnick, Festival Producer and President of Absolutely Live Entertainment. “Every year, we see people who have been coming for decades standing alongside first-time festivalgoers, and they’re all discovering something new together. That’s really the heart of it. You can experience the full spectrum of jazz and related genres across a single weekend, from legendary artists to emerging voices, and then there’s this other layer—the sense of SPAC as a destination. It becomes an annual pilgrimage, almost a reunion, where the music brings people back together just as much as it brings them to new artists.”

Across the weekend, jazz excellence anchors the experience with five-time GRAMMY Award winner Dianne Reeves and three-time GRAMMY winner Cécile McLorin Salvant, alongside contemporary visionaries Terri Lyne Carrington and Lakecia Benjamin. Cuban piano master Gonzalo Rubalcaba leads his First Meeting Quartet featuring Chris Potter, Larry Grenadier, and Eric Harland, adding further depth to a lineup defined by both mastery and exploration.

Blues, funk, and roots energy pulse throughout the festival with Christone “Kingfish” Ingram, Afro-Cuban funk artist Cimafunk, vintage soul revivalists The Dip, guitarist Ana Popovic, rising blues-rock artist Eddie 9V, and the highenergy Brass Queens ensemble, each bringing a distinct voice to the weekend’s evolving soundscape.

The 2026 festival also marks two significant centennial celebrations. Miles Electric Band: Celebrating Miles Davis’ Centennial brings together musicians connected to Davis’ electric-era legacy in a rare live tribute, while the Skidmore Jazz Institute Faculty All-Stars return to the Discovery Stage to honor the centennial of John Coltrane— underscoring the festival’s deep ties to jazz history.

Contemporary jazz innovators further expand the festival’s reach, including Avishai Cohen’s Big Vicious, the Orrin Evans Trio, Alexa Tarantino Quartet, Bill Frisell Trio with special guest Gregory Tardy, and more.

Beyond the music, the festival experience unfolds across SPAC’s iconic grounds with artisan vendors, curated food and beverage offerings, artist signings, and the open lawn traditions that define a Saratoga summer. Guests are invited to bring blankets, lawn chairs, and picnics, with free parking and access to SPAC’s park-like setting.

Visit spac.org for tickets and full details.

Saratoga Jazz Festival, presented by GE Vernova is also supported by Auto Sponsor, McGovern Volvo Cars Albany.

2026 SARATOGA JAZZ FESTIVAL LINE-UP:

SUNDAY, JUNE 28

AMPHITHEATER:

The Revivalists

Dianne Reeves

Christone “Kingfish” Ingram

Cimafunk

Lakecia Benjamin

CHARLES R. WOOD “DISCOVERY” STAGE: Eddie 9V

Alexa Tarantino Quartet

Kyle Roussel

Sasha Dobson

Skidmore Jazz Institute

Faculty All-Stars:

Celebrate John Coltrane’s Centennial featuring Jimmy Greene, Clay Jenkins, Steve Davis, Dave Stryker, Miki Yamanaka, Todd Coolman & Quincy Davis SS

THERESA ST. JOHN

Cats are pretty amazing creatures. I mean, they use their whiskers to help navigate their surroundings and sense nearby objects in the dark. Their purring not only sounds adorable and makes their human smile, but some say the low-frequency vibrations can have healing effects on the cats as well, releasing endorphins that promote pain relief and a sense of well-being. And domesticated cats date back thousands of years; our love for them and their fascination with us form a mutual bond that only grows stronger as time goes by.

So, when I saw a news segment about the Catskill Cats in Greene County, New York, I knew I had to jump in the car and check them all out.

It was my first time visiting Catskill. It’s a great little village, the main street lined with quaint shops and various eateries. No matter where I looked, there were cat statues – over 70 of them, all done by local artists, on display from Memorial Day to mid-September, and auctioned off at the end of Labor Day weekend.

2026 will be the 20th anniversary of Cat’n Around Catskill, and there’ll be so many fantastic fiberglass themed-statues designed by artists and sponsored by local businesses – sitting cats and standing cats. It’s a photographer’s dream!

“When a man loves cats, I am his friend and comrade, without further introduction” -Mark Twain

One of my favorite statues last year was titled “Clawed Monet.” It was such a bright and cheerful cat, with brilliant sky blues and a depiction of the water lily scene everyone knows and loves. My other favorite was “Frida Kahlo.” This one had 3D sunflowers on her form, flowers in her braided hair, big blue eyes, and bright red lipstick – I loved it! All the ones I saw had personality, and each artist's imagination offered touches of whimsy and humor throughout the village. It really was delightful.

Some of the organizations that have benefited from the sale of the cats include the Greene County Women’s League, the Catskill Food Pantry, and Cultivate Catskill, to name a few. Art for a good cause, I’m all over it!

“Once the cats are all decorated,” a friendly stranger standing next to me, as we admired a cat made to look like a colorful quilt, explained, “they undergo a clear coat bath at nearby Quality Auto to ensure they hold up against New York’s weather.” All of the cats were in great shape. I assume that’s the reason why, it sure made sense.

VILLAGE PIZZA II

I grabbed a map showing where the cats were hanging out, and it was fun to follow it. I wanted to make sure I found as many as possible while I was in town. Families were out and about, with the little kids calling out to their parents, “Look at this one, Momma!” “Dad, come over here, isn’t this the coolest thing?” It made me smile to see folks enjoying the sunny day and all the cats along the main drag and side streets. As soon as I spotted the cat painted with sizzling-hot pizza slices, I was derailed for about half an hour.

I decided to grab a slice of pizza and a side of fries, and that was a great decision! It was nice to take a little break from the summer heat. The Village Pizza II shop was quiet when I arrived and very busy when I left. There were framed awards hung along the walls, music playing, and a pretty robust menu to choose from. I ordered their two-slice special. If you like pizza as I do, the crust has to be thin and crisp, the red sauce needs to be made in-house, and the cheese needs to be on overload. Check, check, check.

CATSKILL CHOCOLATE CO

Believe it or not, my car found a spot right outside the doors of this fantastic candy shop in the village center. Before I left to go home, I stopped in for a treat. What a charming place! It’s a little gift shop/café/candy store rolled into one, and I loved it! There was no place to sit while I was there, but so many people were enjoying cappuccinos and pastries by the windows inside. I was happy to choose some unique candies and have them boxed up for me. I asked the counter person if she thought they’d make it home in one piece. She couldn’t help but laugh at the question. “Ummm,” she smirked. “I don’t think so.” She was 100% correct.

The chocolates are small-batch, handmade confections made with brands that support fair farming practices. And, let me tell you, they are mouthwatering: from the truffles and creams to the caramels, nonpareils, and uniquely flavored morsels, you’re sure to find some that call out to your chocolate-loving palate. I tried their fig-and-balsamic caramel in a milk chocolate shell. It was so creamy and gooey in the same bite. Make sure you stop in and try them out when you visit Catskill. You’ll be happy you did.

This year, I’m going to add a few other stops along the road. I heard there’ll be peacock statues in Kingston, sailboat statues in nearby Saugerties, fanciful guitars in Woodstock, and painted bears in Cairo. If true, I’ll spend a few fun days enjoying outdoor art shows, and I’ll love exploring the charm of New York villages at the same time. I hope you clear a day or two from your summer calendar to do the same! SS

P FingerLakes Region

Penn Yan, New York, has become a summertime hub for visitors, with many wineries, breweries, shopping opportunities, the Mennonite Craft Markets, walking trails, and waterfalls, to name just a few attractions tourists can enjoy when in the Finger Lakes Region.

I wasn’t aware there were so many unique B&Bs available for an overnight stay until recently, when I decided to visit a few and learn what they were all about. Penn Yan is such a historic town, and the B&Bs have wonderful backstories, which I’m going to share here, in this article, with you!

Perhaps you’ll jump in your car sometime this season to try one or two of them out yourself.

Los Gatos Bed & Breakfast

I loved how this B&B was set back from the road, and I could tell that the sprawling lawn in front would be a deep, verdant green come springtime. Before I even entered the main house, I noticed two adorable cabins along the walkway and learned that they are available for rent as well. Both were very roomy and perfect for families or couples who want a little more room for a few days/weeks/even a month-long stay.

There are five inviting bedrooms, three in-home guest rooms, and two log cabins – all which ooze charm and ambience. Breakfast is always made from scratch and features fresh local ingredients, such as fruit, homemade breads, and eggs from their own chickens. They even have a cupboard full of homemade jams, maple syrup, and ground coffee for sale.

Charles and Rebecca Franks are the owners and love welcoming guests to their solarpowered retreat, nestled between Seneca and Keuka Lakes. The previous owners had moved from Los Gatos, California, to the area and transformed the once-private home into this beautiful Bed & Breakfast in 2004. When the Franks bought the property, they really liked the name and decided to keep it. They were also aware that the community and previous guests were familiar with the name, so it made perfect sense.

Charles and Rebecca are the friendliest folks I've met in a while, and I enjoyed spending time getting to know them while I was there.

Trimmer House

Bed & Breakfast

This is the bed-and-breakfast I stayed in, and I have to tell you, I was impressed. I slept in Grace’s room. The sleigh bed was inviting, and I had the best night’s sleep. Owners Vic and Mary Cottengim pay attention to detail, and you can see it throughout their home, everywhere you look. It’s a beautifully preserved Queen Anne home that speaks to the Finger Lakes' 19th-century heyday.

It was built in 1891 by David Orville Trimmer. He was a very successful and wealthy champagne merchant. The house is a grand architectural design that the couple loves to showcase in their everyday life. Antique furniture from that period, a self-playing piano, pocket doors, we even saw original papers on the house, handled by Vic, who was careful to wear gloves when showing us.

Breakfast is made with local ingredients, always fresh and bountiful. I was pleased when they took the time to sit with me over a meal, telling me about the business, their five spacious guest rooms, how it started as a B&B, and how it came to be theirs. I loved my stay so much, I booked another weekend getaway with friends for my upcoming birthday!

Aubergine Bed & Breakfast

I loved seeing the distinctive oeil de boeuf windows at the top of this gorgeous Victorian B&B, also located between the Seneca and Keuka Lakes. In the world of architecture, these windows are small, circular, or oval windows, usually resembling a wheel, and they allow natural light into the upper floors of a building. They were interesting, especially accented by the slate mansard roof – both made me want to explore the rooms inside to see what they were like.

When the door opened to welcome my friends and me inside, the house was still decorated for Christmas. This thrilled me, as it’s my favorite time of the year. It was just after New Year’s, and I was grateful everything hadn’t been packed up yet. The owner, Christine Pyanoe, explained that company was coming to visit, and I smiled a silent ‘thank you.’ The cheerful holiday trees made me so happy. It felt like we’d stepped back into the year 1869, with rich chestnut woodwork, carefully chosen antiques set in just the right places, and a fireplace that drew attention to the history of the home and the owner’s love of entertaining strangers.

Christine is a retired French teacher. Her students helped name the bed-and-breakfast. Aubergine plays on the French word for "inn," and on the rich purple and green hues that draw visitors inside. She loves to travel, and the three guest bedrooms are carefully designed to showcase her favorite destinations –France, Italy, and the Finger Lakes Region.

Keuka Spring Vineyard

It’s funny, before I left Saratoga to visit the Finger Lakes, I noticed that we have a Keuka Spring Vineyards tasting room right here in town, across from Saratoga Arts. I said, ‘Hmmm, I’ll need to go there when I get home.’ So I was happy to visit the vineyard in Penn Yan during my road trip, and grab the chance to experience their lakefront setting, estate-driven wines, and warm hospitality of the staff.

It’s been a staple there for more than four decades, founded by the Wiltberger family in 1981. In 2022, it came under the stewardship of the Simmons family, multi-generation grape growers with more than 60 years of farming experience across the region. It was easy to see how passionate everyone working there is about grapes and the science of making wine. We were invited to watch a wonderful, short film about wine and the vineyard before sitting at a long table to sample Keuka Springs’ terroir-focused wines and delectable items from their charcuterie board. We learned a lot about reds and whites, how weather affects the grapes, and were happy to bring home our favorite bottles. It was nice to slow down for a little while and enjoy the company of people around me. One of the things Keuka Springs Vineyard says is ‘Life happens around the table.’ I definitely agree!

The Laurentide Inn

I stayed at the Laurentide Inn a few years before and loved it. The warm yellow structure with tall white columns sits on Main Street in Penn Yan, and the 200-plus years of history meets modern comfort in a most welcoming way. It was built around 1820 by William Morrison Oliver, a prominent early leader in Yates County. Owners Marla and Tracey Hedworth reimagined what was once the Fox Inn and reopened it in 2019 as The Laurentide Inn. It boasts five beautifully appointed guest suites, all with a personality and charm of their own. In the back area of the property, you can (and should) have dinner and sample their rotating selection of house-brewed beers, Finger Lake Wines, New York State spirits, and pub fare that is above so many others I’ve tried. They also have live music, which we enjoyed while munching our way through the best dry rub wings I’ve ever had.

Lunch at Once

This was a wonderful surprise stop before heading home from the Finger Lakes. It’s a thoughtfully curated tasting room with a selection of merchandise for sale, fantastic views over the water, and a space where visitors can connect over a table of food and wine. The name is pronounced ohn-say. It has a dual meaning; Once, as the beginning of a story, and ohn-say, meaning eleven, a nod to the eleven lakes that mark the region.

We tried several wines – a diverse selection from some of the area’s most notable producers. Founded by Antonio Airas, who grew up in Mexico and had a vision that the space would invite people to explore what the region has to offer in a relaxed, engaging setting – which this certainly was. I brought home bottles I’d enjoyed over platters of food, chatting with friends while learning about the wines we were sampling and the people behind the labels.

FINAL THOUGHTS

You don’t always have to go far to enjoy a weekend away. I go back to the Finger Lakes Region often because the people are welcoming, the landscapes are fantastic, and there is still so much to see and to learn about in this part of New York. Maybe you’ll be inspired to do the same – let me know if you do! SS

Architecturally SPEAKING

Architecturally PRESERVING

139 State Street

WRITTEN BY SAMANTHA BOSSHART, SARATOGA SPRINGS PRESERVATION FOUNDATION

BY RANDALL PERRY PHOTOGRAPHY

Architecturally SARATOGA

“I have been attracted to historic homes ever since I was a little girl when my father took me to the Fenimore House in Cooperstown. I felt so compelled and drawn to it, a feeling of complete awe,” shared Karen Lazar Travis. “When my husband and I first saw 139 State Street, I had that same sense of awe and was inspired by the potential to turn it into a legacy home for our family. I was attracted to the home’s patina, character and unique features including unexpected nooks, multiple porches, and turrets,” she continued.

Karen and her husband Greg Travis purchased 139 State Street in 2012. Not long after, they began a thirteenyear renovation. “The more we got into it and the more we uncovered, the more we felt the responsibility of stewardship for the home and its rich history.”

On March 4, 1886, George C. Hammill acquired two lots on State Street, an attractive place to build a summer cottage as they were adjacent to the extensive 1300-acre estate owned by Judge Henry Hilton, Woodlawn Park. Several other grand homes were built along Clement Avenue and Clinton Street to take advantage of the magnificent views of the grounds of Hilton’s estate.

George Cadwalader Hamill was born in Philadelphia in 1840 into a highly prominent, wealthy family. His wife, Cordelia, otherwise known as Cordie, was born in Cincinnati, Ohio in 1844. In 1870, the Hamills were living in Philadelphia with their two children, Blanche and George. By 1880, they had moved to New York City where George was employed by the US Customs Service.

The “American Architect and Building News” dated December 4, 1886, featured a rendering of the future George C. Hammill residence designed by Herbert Langford Warren. He designed the cottage in the Shingle Style, which was popular from 1880-1910. Warren was a Boston architect who was the Dean of Architecture of Harvard University and author of “The Foundation of American Architecture.” He designed the South End Grounds, a professional baseball park in Boston, and later the 1892 Grandstand that one sees today at the Saratoga Race Course.

The Hamill Cottage has many typical features of the Shingle style. It is clad with shingles that wrap around the building without interruption and often are flared. The style features a rusticated stone foundation and irregular steeply pitched roof lines. The facades are asymmetrical, often featuring towers and extensive porches with columns clad with shingles. There are several ribbons of multi-paned windows throughout the house.

The Hamills used their cottage until 1895 when they rented it to others for the summer months. In 1907, George and Cordelia moved abroad for health reasons. They and their daughter, Blanche Bigelow Bordini, took up residence in Siena, Italy. George died of bronchial pneumonia on February 26, 1919, and was buried in Siena. Cordelia may have run into financial hardship following George’s passing. On April 19, 1923, The Saratogian gave notice that on April 24, 1923, at

10:00 at the front door of City Hall, the property at 139 State Street would be sold at public auction. It appears that she may have made good on her lien as she transferred 139 State Street to Mary E. Morin on December 23, 1923, only two days before Cordelia’s death in Siena, Italy. The conveyance included all personal property, furniture, and equipment located on the premises. Herman and Rae Cohen of Schenectady acquired 139 State Street six months later.

In 1925, Seth W. Morton and his wife Isabelle of Albany purchased 139 State Street to serve as the family’s summer cottage, which he named Blowing Park. Seth Morton worked in a coal business started by his grandfather, which he later expanded to include fuel oil. Morton was a longtime director of both the Saratoga Racing Association and the Saratoga Golf Club.

FollowingSeth’s passing on July 25, 1952, Isabella continued to use the cottage until November 4, 1959, when she conveyed the property to Florence Palmataire, who resided at 649 North Broadway. According to city directories, Florence rented the property to Xavior “Sam” Mastrianni and his wife Beverly in 1962. In December 1968, the Mastriannis acquired the property. Sam was a psychiatrist and skilled clinician who was director of Saratoga County mental health services, director of Saratoga Hospital’s psychiatric inpatient unit, and cofounder and chief operating officer of Four Winds-Saratoga Psychiatric Health System. His wife, Beverly Mastrianni, who had an arts studio in the carriage house, is an alumna of Skidmore College, arts advocate, and artist whose work is in private and corporate collections in the United States, Canada and Europe. Beverly continued to reside at 139 State Street after Sam’s passing in 1995.

In 1998, she sold the property to Lenise Dolan, a psychologist/ gerontologist and a pioneer in the field of eldercare. She and her husband, Michael, resided in the house until Benjamin and Marcy Serotta acquired it in 2004. Ben Serotta was a legendary frame builder who founded Serotta Bicycles in 1972, which was known for its proprietary tube and revolutionary titanium designs.

Shortly after Karen and Greg purchased the house from the Serottas, they began renovating the upper two floors. They slowly and thoughtfully undertook the extensive project that also included the main floor with patience and determination. “As we got further into the renovation, the levels of appreciation for what we were doing grew deeper,” said Karen. The central living spaces still appear much like Warren’s 1886 architectural renderings, showing the massive fireplace at the center of the room,

the grand staircase, paneling, and beamed ceiling. “As an interior designer and renovation consultant, it is a humbling experience to be in these spaces and think about all the hands and lives that have touched and shaped them over time. I honored that sense of responsibility by studying and considering the original architect’s intentions while designing our home so it would be both appealing and livable for generations to come,” shared Karen.

Karen approached the renovations to her home with dedication and attention to detail.

“I took care to use historic glass, timeless materials, original hardware, doors and millwork wherever possible,” said Karen. Glass removed from windows was meticulously saved and repurposed into cabinet doors. “You simply can’t replace the beautiful wavy quality and clarity of authentic historic glass,” Karen added. Materials were often supplemented by salvage purchased from Historic Albany Foundation’s Parts Warehouse.

In 2015, Karen and Greg undertook a significant kitchen renovation. “I wanted to set the stage for gracious Saratoga style entertaining,” shared Karen. The new kitchen has expansive windows that invite sunlight and views of the rear gardens and original stone walls. In 2019, Karen and Greg began the exterior of the main house, carefully integrating new shingles while restoring original trim, windows, and doors. In 2024, they removed a garage that was not original to the house to construct a new addition and garage. “We again took care to incorporate elements that Warren favored such as porches and towers, in the design of the new addition,” said Karen. “We introduced those elements in a thoughtful way to give the home a unified appearance and create new moments of appreciation for the property,” explained Karen.

The renovation

inspired Karen to launch Dovecote Home, (for more information, on her curated home décor and furnishings line, as well as services offered, visit dovecotehome.com). Karen received her undergraduate degree and MBA from Cornell University, where she also met her husband, Greg. She began her career in finance. “Between raising our three children and my volunteer work, I always found time to grow and fuel my lifelong passion for design. I’m grateful for this second chapter in my career to be doing work I love,” beamed Karen.

The house is illustrative of Karen’s work – featuring careful attention to color, composition, finishes, and both aesthetic and functional detail throughout. The addition is where she has created a comfortable space for not only her family, but for her clients. “I view my role as guiding my clients to create a renovation vision and to translate that into reality by navigating decisions efficiently, incorporating multiple perspectives, identifying solutions to challenges that inevitably arise, understanding investment implications and coordinating project contributors,” shared Karen. “I speak renovation language in a way all

parties understand and can align around. In addition to expertise, I aim to bring joy and calm to what can be a very stressful process,” she added.

Karen and Greg are appreciative of everyone who went on their journey to make their home what it is today. “I see everyone’s work as I move through the house. I’m grateful for their enthusiasm and energy,” said Karen.

The Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation thanks Karen and Greg for their investment and commitment to being stewards of the 1886 George and Cordelia Hamill Cottage.

SS

Colleen's Picks

A Carefully Curated Selection of HOME DÉCOR ITEMS

WRITTEN BY COLLEEN COLEMAN OF CMC DESIGN STUDIO LLC

Happy Sun-Filled Skies my

friends!

It’s FINALLY time for spring entertaining! I wish I could walk the shops with you personally…but alas…I have captured some of my faves to share with you. I know you all love to shop local…it’s what makes Saratoga such a thriving community! Let’s see what’s out there…shall we?

Colleen Coleman is the Principal of CMC Design Studio LLC located in Saratoga Springs. With certifications in Kitchen & Bath Design, Aging in Place and True Color Expert, her curated design extends into all areas of her field including new construction, historical and major renovations. Her passion is in designing & customizing hand-crafted cabinets for all areas of the residential market.

For starters, let’s rethink the outdoor grill. Who needs a new look from the stainless-steel cabinet? I know I do! We create beautiful kitchens inside…why not at our grill as well! Let it tell a story and awaken the senses all the same! Well, then…Look no further than Earl B. Feiden Appliance to savor the True Caliber 60” Signature Rockwell Grill. Not your father’s grill for sure! With 15 colors to choose from or color matching, paired with sapele hard wood…your patio or deck never looked so well dressed! You can even choose your hardware finish including pewter, gold, copper, brass, chrome or the more traditional stainless steel. How about a disappearing lid!! Yes, your view of the world while cooking just got larger! It’s the first “Social Grill” allowing the cook to partake in all things without being confined behind the hood! To top it off, you even have the option of castors or without! For performance, this culinary, architecturally sophisticated grill has three 20,000 BTU’s of CrossFlame burners in 666 sq in. of cooking surface delivering evenly distributed heat across the entire surface and reducing flare-ups. With a full 60” x 30” “walk around” surface, think of the ways you could entertain and serve guests at your next gathering!

ACCENTS AT ALLERDICE

2570 U.S. 9, Malta Allerdice.com | 518-899-6222

Heading to garden and interior décor, Accents at Allerdice is always a must-stop shop…found exclusively within Allerdice Hardware at the Malta location only. If you’re a Gnome Figurine lover, these little guys will melt your heart! Standing at 13” tall, he can help water flowers or call butterflies in for a landing. His sweet demeaner will capture any heart and add a friendly vertical detail to your garden beds or front porch. For the front door, look no further than these beautiful, premade faux Floral Wreaths to adorn your home with welcoming rings of petals, flowers and butterflies. Each one unique in kind, and heading out the door fast! Pick up yours before they disappear! And for a child’s room or front porch, add these Whimsical Wooden Geese for a touch of fun and folly! Mama Goose stands 26” tall while her babe maxes out at 18” tall. Adorable and loveable! You can’t go wrong with these two waddling amongst your summer décor!

EARL B. FEIDEN APPLIANCE

1771 U.S. 9, Clifton Park | 518-383-2215

785 U.S. 9, Latham | 518-785-8555

Just down the road, Finishing Touches just received the most creative items from a local Malta artist, Erica Meccia…Oyster Shell Ring Dishes & Wine Toppers! These are so unique and full of fun! The horse motif dish with copper edging sets the tone for all-thingshorse… at bedside, on a vanity, or on a kitchen window sill! And the Compass Rose Wine Topper will do the trick as you set your summer table with wine lakeside! All handcrafted and decoupaged individually to create a one-of-a-kind find for any room in your home! And we all love a new Equestrian Throw Pillow to add charm…especially one that highlights our Saratoga tradition of horse racing! Simply cut of linen with a feather down interior, this rope edged pillow printed in sepia would complement any interior. I would use this pillow to finish a guest bed… welcoming my friends and family into town for All that’s Saratoga! There’s only a few in the shop, so head over to get yours before they’re gone! And one last find… Amusing Drink Napkins by Shannon Martin with all kinds of silly one-liners to get your gatherings rolling in laughter! It was hard to choose which one to showcase as I loved all of them! They make great additions to a host gift paired with a bottle of wine!

THE FURNITURE HOUSE

1060 Route 9, Queensbury | 518-798-0133

1254 NY-9P, Saratoga Springs | 518-587-9865

TheFurnitureHouseNY.com

Now, if you’d like to pick up some new patio or lakeside furniture without any long delays due to ordering, head up to the The Furniture House - Queensbury to check out their full line of LuxCraft Outdoor Furniture! The Urban Dining Table makes a bold statement with its solid, slab legs and thick profile, giving it a feel that is both simple and substantial. The base accommodates an umbrella and includes a hole plug to match. Made in America, LuxCraft is 90% recycled material from high-density polyethylene. With a residential lifetime limited warranty, there’s no worries! Color options are endless as is the selection of outdoor furniture pieces ranging from seating, accents and full curated collections. You can also order from the Furniture House on Saratoga Lake! Stop in to plan your outdoor sitting space!

FINISHING TOUCHES HOME DECOR

450 E High Street, Ballston Spa FinishingTouchesStore.com | 518-584-1490

I have been so ready for this summer season! How about you? If not… get out there and take care of those little details that will make your summer one to remember! And maybe, just maybe… as I peruse about Saratoga…I’ll see one of these goodies on YOUR front porch!

Happy Shopping!

Until next time my friends,

Colleen Coleman of CMC Design Studio LLC

National Award Winning Designs

Contributing Interior Design Editor, Saratoga Publishing

 colleen@cmcdesignstudio.net

 @cmcdesignstudiollc

“Creating Environments for Life” TM

What’s Trending AT HIGH POINT MARKET

WRITTEN BY COLLEEN COLEMAN OF CMC DESIGN STUDIO

LLC | PHOTOS PROVIDED

Fresh from my travels through the showrooms of High Point Market, North Carolina — the world’s largest and most prestigious home furnishings trade show — I’m thrilled to share what’s defining the leading edge of design for 2026 and beyond. Open to industry professionals twice a year, High Point is, after all…Disneyland for designers. This year’s market did not disappoint.

Color & Upholstery: Blue Takes the Lead

One of the most significant shifts this season is the rise of deep, rich blues as the dominant color in upholstery and case goods…moving green from a leading role to a supporting one. Greens will never disappear entirely (we’d have to concrete our lawns and fell every tree to make that happen!), but in terms of design direction, blue is firmly in the spotlight. Sophisticated and tailored is the prevailing theme, with men’s suit-inspired fabrics and tapestry appearing across a growing number of showrooms…a shift I also noted in my Color Trends Report for Saratoga Home & Lifestyle 2026.

This doesn’t mean stiff or formal. The mood is “casual with intention.” Decorative trim is making a welcome comeback… tassels, fringe, pompoms and thoughtful embellishments that transform an upholstered piece into something distinctly personal. Browns, a Southwestern warmth, and tapestry patterns also surfaced throughout the showroom floors, grounding the palette with earthy dimension and character. Blues weave naturally through this earthy palette, bridging tradition and modernity.

Upholstery as Art

The artisanship of upholstery is more prominent than ever. Showrooms presented pieces that interpret historic architectural details, leather sewn in geometric patterns, and signature embellishments that blur the line between furnishing and fine art. Hair-on-hide appeared in lighting and mirrors; leather-wrapped table lamps and leather lacing on ceramic pendants added tactile warmth and an elevated mixedmedia sensibility. The result is interiors that move beyond the functional into something deeply considered…layered with contrasting textures, organic warmth, and genuine tactile depth.

Banquettes & Benches: Intimacy by Design

Banquettes and dining benches are on the rise, offering cozy, connected seating for both intimate spaces and large-scale rooms as a counterpoint to individual seating. While the concept isn’t new, its resurgence feels timely…a quiet rebellion against a culture of individualism, personal space, and digital distraction. There is something quietly radical about sitting together.

Artisan Surfaces & Natural Marquetry

Among the most striking discoveries were furniture surfaces fashioned from hand-applied broken eggshells or straw marquetry — each blade of grass or fragment of shell individually selected, broken, flattened, and applied with meticulous care. The result is functional artwork. Much like the broader revival of traditional wood marquetry, these techniques are finding their voice with a new generation of designers, including Eric Ross’ new collection for Chelsea House. Alongside these, burled woods, concentric square patterning, and a renewed appreciation for the natural grain of wood — with nested cuts, turned details, and patterns only nature can produce — all are gaining momentum.

Shape & Form: Soft, Spherical & Organic

Spherical furniture and softly rounded forms are having a major moment. Circular legs and bases, generously rounded arms, playful organic accessories, and sculptural silhouettes work together to promote a calm, cohesive, nature-inspired aesthetic throughout the home.

Natural, Woven & Organic Materials

Natural woven materials remain a cornerstone of the market — in furniture, lighting, and area rugs alike. Bed frames crafted from natural jute rope offer a contemporary geometric quality; rush woven chairs pair beautifully with plush cushions for comfort; and jute-rope woven dining chairs complement an oak table with coordinating weave at its base. Biophilic design continues to drive demand, with oversized sculptural light forms in woven beads, jute, wicker, bamboo, and delicate woods adding a calm, textured presence to any room.

Area Rugs:

Rich Texture & Saturated Color

The rug market reflected a broader design shift toward richness and depth. Textured high-low wool rugs, bold large-scale patterns, and high-performance materials suited for daily life all showed strongly. The color story moved toward deep inky blues, rich browns, and warm earth tones, with greens remaining a consistent presence. Tactile, touchable piles conveyed luxury without excess. Dramatic florals and tapestry patterns made an expressive return, while washable rugs proved that sophistication and practicality are no longer mutually exclusive.

Looking Ahead

Lighting: Cordless, Tactile & Jewel-Inspired

The lighting market is booming. Perhaps the most rapidly growing division is the cordless mini-lamps, floor lamps, and table lamps…now rechargeable via the lamp itself or the bulb, eliminating the need for floor outlets entirely. Place them anywhere to add a soft glow! Jewelry-inspired fixtures remain strong, with heavy chains, mixed metals, and reeded accents offering contemporary glamour. Bouclé has entered the category with softened shades and bases, beautifully juxtaposed against chiseled light beech wood or reeded brass. Mono-point lighting is also expanding, offering dramatic, precise illumination with a focus on personalized, design-forward functionality. And as noted throughout the market, table and floor lamps wrapped in leather, hair-onhide, and suede have increased significantly — a fitting bookend to the tactile richness defining this season.

High Point Market 2026 told a cohesive and compelling story: design is becoming more artisanal, more intentional, and more deeply rooted in craft and nature. From the return of decorative trim and marquetry to the warmth of leatherwrapped lighting and the intimacy of banquette seating, the thread connecting every trend is a desire for meaning…spaces that feel curated, personal, and alive. Whether you’re designing a primary residence, a vacation retreat, or your forever home, these trends offer a rich toolkit for creating interiors that resonate on every level. As always, the goal isn’t to chase every trend, but to understand the spirit behind them…and translate that spirit into your personal spaces that you’ll love for years to come.

SS

What’s Trending AT THE KITCHEN & BATH INTERNATIONAL SHOW

WRITTEN BY COLLEEN COLEMAN

Wow! The future of the kitchen and bath world is rapidly changing with entertainment and leisure taking center stage. Homes are becoming more of an oasis than a place to drop your workbag at the end of the day. Entertaining is a focal point in design and upscale details in the kitchen and bath world are directing our attention to distinctive spaces over the expected. Here’s what’s coming in your future world!

One of the biggest moves in mid-range appliances is the shift toward the all-white matte finish.

The trend is shifting from stainless steel that we’ve had in the forefront since the 1990s and leaning toward a clean, fresh look. Panel ready is also creeping in at this price point, as noted at the GE Café Showroom, to compete for the truly finished kitchen while not upsetting the financial applecart. For the higher end appliances, stainless steel is holding its own along with designer details such as leather wrapped pulls or even an entire refrigerator upholstered, including nail-heads (!!) as spotted in the Monogram Showroom, creating curated spaces that feel more leisurely in lieu of a workhorse status.

For technology in the kitchen, the LG Signature AI Refrigerator now offers AI technology which senses behavioral use to anticipate the users’ needs and optimize energy efficiencies. Some of the features include Predictive Cooling which analyzes when the refrigerator is typically opened, anticipating the event, and pre-cooling the interior to maintain peak freshness, and Optimized Ice Production predicts when you need ice most and delivers ahead of your desires. For cooktops, SKS featured their prototype, Invisible Induction & Downdraft Island System “…delivering a clean, minimalist aesthetic without compromising on cooking.” You’re seeing this correctly…no cooktop… AT ALL! The knobs are integrated into the countertop edge with the induction elements underneath the stone surface activating the pans above to heat. Small lightdots indicate where to place your pan. Although they’re still perfecting this cooking technique, the desire to offer greater use of countertop space is just around the corner. All very cool indeed!

For plumbing, your kitchen sink just moved up from washing dishes to being the center of attention when entertaining! Kohler introduced the 70” Sythos…a masterpiece in all things functional with features including a 12+” deep basin and a 3-tiered ledge for positioning included accessories like a walnut cutting board, colander, soaking bin, prep bowl set, serving tray and more! What can’t you do at this sink?!

To top it off, Kohler also developed areas to relax and rejuvenate.

One new item, the Remedy Place Ice Bath with a refined silhouette and dramatic lighting offering a cushioned headrest, integrated hand grooves and an upright sitting position “to allow you to focus on the experience.” They even went so far as to integrate a timer and breath light aid for tracking your session length and aiding in breath regulation while soaking.

Let’s talk water conservation.

How would you like to recycle your shower water and use 80% less water? To some, this may seem dirty, but if recycled correctly, it’s actually genius! Introducing the Kohler’s Anthem Evocycle Smart Shower System. Simply stated by Kohler, “The water is collected in a 4.5” deep reservoir beneath the shower base…Once its full, the system switches to recirculating water through the rainhead. It blends approximately half a gallon of fresh water with recirculated water to maintain a consistent temperature and ensure hygiene.” The multi-stepped filtration system also continues to clear debris and prompts a deep clean every 60 showers with a 15 minute cycle using only .75 gallons of water. Now where was this smart shower when my Dad was paying for 6 kids to shower every morning before school?!

Toilets are always an interesting subject at KBIS but a necessity all the same. Kohler has introduced their new Leap Smart Toilet with the first feminine front wash bidet seat. Typically, a bidet toilet targets rear washing. This new dual-wand system adds a dedicated wand for feminine hygiene, complete with remote control to adjust spray shape, position, water pressure and temperature for both front and rear washes. Move over toilet paper, you’ve got technology knocking on your dispenser!

Onto a cabinet

feature that just might turn heads! Hettich introduced Furn Spin, a translatory rotational movement to turn an entire cabinet body 180 degrees! Basically, the mechanism allows the “closed” cabinet to turn and reveal its interior by spinning, not opening! So, there’s no door in the way…it’s a clear opening! And because there’s a balanced torque in the rotation, even small objects remain in place while in motion. I can’t wait to use this in one of my projects! And this is just the tip of the iceberg! I’ll be posting videos on my Instagram page @cmcdesignstudiollc demonstrating some of these unique new items! There’s always something to learn…and I love soaking it all in and sharing what I’ve discovered!

Second Installment Article from the

This month’s article is all about what function your room needs to serve, and some ways our author has found hers while doing her own DIY Diva redesign and redecorating on a budget.

Feng Shui or Function? Having It All

WRITTEN BY MAUREEN WERTHER | PHOTOS BY SUSAN BLACKBURN PHOTOGRAPHY

What about a room draws you to it?

The shape, the size? Its location or its function in the home? Do the lighting, furnishings, etcetera, work to optimize that function?

In my ‘humble’ opinion, there really is no ‘right or wrong’ when deciding on a room’s function. In today’s world, high real estate prices, combined with changing lifestyles and trends, call for new ways of re-imagining your home. If you don’t need the usual standard menu of rooms, change the menu!

My home is fairly traditional: two-story side hall colonial built around 1876. Over the years, its owners gradually expanded, adding one room behind the other and including three charming little entry porches along the sides.

When I first saw the house, it was minimally decorated, allowing me to see possibilities. Over the last nearly dozen years, this room has gone from being a dining room (which was a bit odd, as it is also a main entry), to a parlor, and back again as a dining room.

My objective was to create a space that works with my current lifestyle. I had three main goals for achieving this objective:

• Keep the dining room feature without letting it take over the entire room,

• Add storage that would only minimally detract from the feng shui of the space, and

• Increase the lighting without spending big bucks on electrical wiring.

The first task was easy to achieve. I purchased the very neat little pedestal table from Ballston Spa Antiques (located on Milton Avenue in the village). Most days, I use it as a staging space for some of my smaller DIY projects or as a sewing table. This summer, I will strip it down and refinish it. In the interim, I’ve embraced its somewhat “distressed” appearance. I have small individual benches that fit neatly below the table and do not take up any additional floor space.

I decided to leave comfy chairs in this room. I originally put them here because I didn’t have space elsewhere, and I couldn’t decide whether to sell/ donate/keep them. That all changed, once I found the right shade of paint for the wall. It transformed the room into a great space to hang out or work in. So, the chairs stayed!

I also recently resumed piano studies after years away from the instrument. Having such a cozy space to play my music has added so much to making my house truly feel like a home. But back to the paint for a minute. The past owners installed paneling on the walls. It has a woodgrain finish, making it a veritable SPONGE for paint. I even used a primer coat first, which didn’t prevent my having to buy a second gallon of paint. I wish I had known how much paint it would take to cover the woodgrain when I was creating the budget.

The other costly mistake was making the wrong color choice the first time around. Here’s a rule about picking paint colors: never pick the paint based on its name! I’m kidding, of course. But how do you pass up a name like Patience when you’re perfecting your room’s feng shui? And although patience is indeed a virtue, it was also the wrong color. And it was expensive, at about $100/gallon. Ouch, that hurt.

Finding an amazing shade of sage has made it all worthwhile, though. Sage has a naturally soothing and relaxing effect, and I find myself spending more and more time in this room reading, writing, or playing the piano. I think the name of this paint is Old Soul (Valspar). I like that name too.

The storage area I created, while not my ultimate design goal, has surprised me in positive ways. I did break one of my rules to buy Used whenever possible, and I bought a box-store unit that was easy to assemble and cost under $200. The woodgrain works well with the rest of the furniture, and it has handled a lot of boots and coats this winter!

It’s also a great little spot to add some personality to the room. Now that the snow is finally gone and I can store the mountain of winter coats and boots upstairs, I can add a little style and flair to this space.

I bought the straw hat at the same place I purchased the pedestal table. It has a tiny brass pin on the front of the band with a horse and jockey, and “Saratoga Springs” scrolled beneath. It shouts of history, character, hard work, and a sense of style. I had to have it. In fact, I wear it when I’m gardening. I’m convinced there’s a good story behind this hat. Maybe I’ll write one myself. Maybe I’ll write it in this room.

The biggest challenge was and continues to be insufficient lighting. A long-term project will be adding a ceiling light and fan. In the meantime, I found a partial solution with “stickon” adhesive LED lighting, requiring no wiring or cords. I purchased two wall fixtures from Pridola Design, a Swedish company. The lamps can either be hard-wired, or you can use the adhesive materials provided to attach them to the walls. This is definitely one of those projects to measure multiple times before drilling or ‘adhering’ to the wall. Things did get a little sticky (pun intended) with the goo, which resembled a thin burger patty that is first affixed to the back of the lamp and then to the wall. After committing a pivotal error in placing the ‘sticky burger’ (which by now was looking more like a meatball that won’t flatten out), I finally managed to get the first lamp securely affixed. The second lamp went up more easily. It did feel, though, like I was literally building something with a huge wad of bubble gum.

So far, both lamps have remained secure on the walls, something I had feared given the grooves in the paneling. My one complaint is the life span of the bulbs. If turned on constantly, they require almost daily recharging. They aren’t motion sensitive and do not shut down if you leave the room. And they are not cheap.

All in all, I was able to turn this room from a space with drab gray walls and very little charm into a warm, inviting space that is functional and has added to the charm of my little house!

DIY COST BREAKDOWN

Paint/Paint Supplies

$400 (includes mistakes)

Storage Area

Pridola LED Lamps

$150

$250

$800 SS

Approximate Total

In the Kitchen

JOHN REARDON WITH

Hello my Foodie Friends!

Over the years of writing articles and stories, I have shared my love of movies. As a child, one of my favorite shows to watch was “Batman” with the actor Burt Ward as Bruce Wayne. So, when the movie “Batman” came out in 1989 with Michael Keaton and Jack Nicholson, it brought to life the love I had for the Batman comics and character. The movie was so quotable, especially with Jack Nicholson playing the iconic part of the Joker. “Never rub another man’s Rhubarb”- meaning: Don’t mess with my girlfriend! Joker stated this to Batman. As I rewatched this movie recently, the quote actually reminded me of my love for rhubarb. As a child, my parents’ backyard would get lots of sun, so my mother was able to have a large vegetable garden that included tomatoes, herbs, cucumbers, squash, string beans, strawberries, and rhubarb. I always was willing to help with the garden since I knew that my mother would create something magnificent from what was grown in it. The garden was essential and contributed to what we would eat for dinner.

The one plant that I loved taking care of in that garden was rhubarb. My siblings would often dare each other to eat raw rhubarb. At first, I was suspicious of chomping down on this pink plant. But quickly I learned to coat it in sugar to get the best of its sweet and sour offering. When my mom asked us to bring in some rhubarb from the garden, we knew we were going to get one of her delicious pies. It was an easy plant to take care of and our little friends in the neighborhood would help harvest it in hopes of getting a slice of that delicious pie. I would love to eat the stalks raw so it was double the fun. I have cherished memories of pulling the fresh stalks from the garden and dipping them in sugar, making it a perfect spring snack.

HERE ARE SOME FUN FACTS ABOUT

RHUBARB:

It is a vegetable that has a rich history. It has vibrant red stalks and carries with it a mix of culinary, medicinal, and cultural significance. It is technically a vegetable used in pies, jams, and sauces. Only the stalks are edible since the leaves are considered toxic if ingested. Rhubarb is rich in vitamins K and C, calcium and potassium and makes a healthy addition to both sweet and savory dishes. My mother’s rhubarb cooking usually balanced the tartness with natural sweeteners like maple syrup and honey. She used it in cakes, crisps, crumbles, strawberry rhubarb jam, roasted in a spring salad, and even in lemonade. Of course, one of my favorites was her rhubarb pie.

Strawberry Rhubarb Pie

INGREDIENTS

Today, rhubarb remains one of my favorite things to bake with. The sourness of rhubarb does not alter the flavoring; it adds an element of tang. Making rhubarb pie reminds me of my favorite early summer treat. Each time I eat rhubarb pie, I am transported back to eating strawberry rhubarb pie with ice cream, instantly bringing back the summer nostalgia of years past. Some of our strongest memories come from the simplest things. During our garden season, create those gardening memories with your family. Maybe start with replanting the same flowers or vegetables that you grew up with. Or recreate the garden recipes that you savor. Stop by Compliments to the Chef, your Neighborhood Kitchen and Cutlery store located at 33 Railroad Place in Saratoga Springs. Let us help you with your culinary creations.

Remember my Foodie Friends: “Life Happens in the Kitchen” …and the garden!

Create those magical memories. After dinner, put on a Batman movie and enjoy the epic quotes. “It’s not who I am underneath, but what I do that defines me” (Batman, 2005).

Take Care, John & Paula

• 1 double-crust pie crust (your own recipe or readymade crust)

• 2 1/2 cups rhubarb chopped into 1/2-inch pieces

• 2 1/2 cups strawberries washed, hulled and cut into pieces about the same size as the chopped rhubarb

• 1 cup granulated sugar

• 3 Tablespoons minute tapioca

INSTRUCTIONS

• 1 Tablespoon all-purpose flour

• 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest

• 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice

• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

• 3 Tablespoons salted butter

• 1 beaten egg

• 1 teaspoon water

• Extra sugar for sprinkling on top of crust

1. Prepare double-crust pie crust (use your own recipe or readymade crust) Roll out one half of the crust and cover the bottom of a pie dish, while reserving the other half of the dough for the top crust.

2. Mix the rhubarb, strawberries, sugar, tapioca, flour, lemon zest and juice, cinnamon, and vanilla together in a large bowl and pour out into prepared crust. Slice the butter into small chunks and place them around the top of the strawberry rhubarb filling.

3. Roll out the remaining half of the pie crust and gently place it over the filling either as a solid crust with slits cut into it for ventilation or by cutting into strips and laying them out in a lattice pattern. Crimp to seal edges.

4. Make an egg wash by beating the egg with 1 teaspoon of water in a small bowl, then brush it over the top of the pie with a pastry brush and sprinkle the top of the pie with a teaspoon or two of sugar.

5. Loosely cover the edges of the pie with foil and bake at 425 degrees F for 15 minutes. Decrease temperature to 375 degrees F and bake for an additional 45 to 50 minutes, or until the filling is bubbling and the crust is golden brown.

6. Let the pie cool for at least 2 hours before cutting and serving.

Entertaining

RALPH VINCENT WITH

Ideas for relaxed entertaining your guests will love… and you will too!

The idea of entertaining a large number of guests might seem intimidating, but believe me... it doesn't have to be! All you need are some simple but delish recipes that can easily be made in crowd worthy amounts. So step into my kitchen and let me show you how!

As you know, I always start with a great drink. My new libation creation is a signature cocktail for a very special member of our Saratoga TODAY family... drum roll please... the fabulous Colleen Coleman! Besides her ever-popular feature "Colleen's Picks: A Carefully Curated Selection of Home Decor Items,” this amazing woman is owner and principal of CMC Design Studio, LLC. Her award-winning interior designs illuminate her talent and eye for detail. The CMC Summer Splash is the quintessential warm weather cocktail. A refreshing cherry almond flavor profile and a top off of sparkling Rosé makes this drink as pretty, effervescent, and fun as Colleen herself!

My Cauliflower Jalapeno Popper Dip is spicy, cheesy deliciousness! This will serve about 10 to 15 guests, but you can easily double the recipe if needed. Even better, low fat dairy ingredients and the addition of cauliflower make it a healthier option as well. Not only is this dip a great addition to any party spread but it’s another makeahead wonder. Put it together in advance and just pop it in the oven a little before party time and you're ready to go.

I think one of the easiest celebratory noshes to prepare and serve is the timehonored party sandwich, and I have two yummy versions to share. Just put the sandwich fillings together a day ahead and assemble the sandwiches before your party. You can quickly make one, two, or three or more sandwiches depending on the size of your guest list. Using long French style baguettes lets you make multiple servings quickly. Just cut a baguette horizontally into two pieces, add the fillings to the bottom half and pop the top half in place. After they're chilled just slice into small sandwich portions and pile them on a platter. I usually count on about 2 to 3 servings per guest.

So, let’s gets cooking! First up is the Green Goddess Garbanzo Party Sandwich. Fresh herbs and scallions give a scrumptious green color to the yummy Garbanzo bean (aka chickpea!) filling. Next up is the Cucumber, Radish and Herb Butter Party Sandwich. (see online at SimplySaratoga.com!) Crispy fresh ingredients and a flavorful herb butter meld deliciously in this summery creation. I hope you and your guests enjoy these recipes. As I always say, have fun in your kitchen cooking (and making drinks!) for the people you love and remember... it doesn’t have to be perfect, it just has to taste good!

Party Noshes & Drinks for a Crowd!

The CMC Summer Splash

• 2 ounces of cherry juice - I like using Antioxidant Solutions 100% Tart Cherry Juice

• 1 ounce of premium vodka

• I/2 ounce of amaretto or almond liqueur

• Sparkling RoséI prefer Bollicini brand

• Stemmed maraschino cherries to garnish

Directions: Measure the first three ingredients into an ice filled shaker, secure the lid and shake it like crazy. Strain into an ice filled white wine glass and top off with the sparling Rosé and garnish with one or two maraschino cherries.

Cheers to you, Colleen! Visit SimplySaratoga.com for the Mocktail version!

Green Goddess

Garbanzo

Party Sandwich

Cauliflower Jalapeno Popper Dip

• One large French style baguette

• One 15.5 ounce can of chickpeas drained

• 1/2 cup of vegan mayonnaise

• 1 tablespoon of fresh lemon juice

• 1/4 cup of chopped fresh flat leaf parsley

• 1/4 cup of chopped fresh basil

• 1/4 cup chopped scallions

• 1 tablespoon of chopped fresh tarragon or 1 teaspoon of dried tarragon

• 1 clove of garlic minced

• 1/4 cup of sliced almonds, coarsely chopped

• 1/2 teaspoon of kosher salt

• 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper

Directions: Place the chickpeas in a large mixing bowl and mash with a fork to a chunky consistency. Place the mayonnaise, lemon juice, parsley, basil, scallions, tarragon, and garlic in the bowl of a food processor fitted with the blade attachment. Process on high speed into a smooth dressing and add to the mixing bowl with the chickpeas. Add the almonds, stir to combine well and season with salt and pepper. Cover and refrigerate for at least one hour. Slice the baguette horizontally and spread the bottom half with the chickpea mixture. Place the top half of the baguette in place and press gently. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate until party time. To serve slice into 1.5- to 2-inch-wide sandwiches. Secure each with a toothpick or party skewer and arrange them on a platter. Makes approximately 10 to 12 servings.

• 1 large head of cauliflower washed and broken into florets

• 8 ounces of low-fat cream cheese

• 1/2 cup of low-fat sour cream

• 1/2 cup of chopped pickled jalapeno peppers

• 1 teaspoon of garlic powder

• 1 teaspoon of onion powder

• 1 teaspoon of kosher salt

• 1 cup of shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese

Directions: Steam the cauliflower florets for about 10 minutes or until tender. Remove the heat, cool and place into a medium size mixing bowl. Preheat your oven to 350 F. Mash the cauliflower with a fork then combine with the cream cheese, sour cream, jalapeno peppers, garlic and onion powders, salt and shredded cheese. Spread the mixture into a 9 x 9 baking dish. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes until bubbling and lightly browned. Allow it to cool for at least 15 minutes then serve with your choice of crackers or veggie dippers. This recipe makes 4 cups of dip.

TOUR

WRITTEN BY BARBARA LOMBARDO | PHOTOS PROVIDED BY GARDEN OWNERS

A beautiful garden can come in any size, shape or combination of colors. But don’t take my word for it. Come see for yourself.

On Sunday, June 28, nine private gardens will be open for your enjoyment during the 31st Saratoga Soroptimist Secret Gardens Tour.

This year’s featured gardens include patio-sized getaways, oases hidden in city backyards, and three acres of winding paths just minutes from Saratoga Springs.

Some of the gardens have been maturing for thirty years, others for barely three. They promise a day of surprises and inspiration – all while raising money to improve the lives of women and girls.

The Secret Gardens Tour is the sole fundraiser for Soroptimist International of Saratoga County, the local branch of an international nonprofit service organization. Soroptimist means “best for women.” Members of the all-volunteer Saratoga Soroptimists facilitate classes at Wellspring, assisting victims of domestic violence obtain their legal and financial independence;

and provide scholarships to women heads of household pursuing their career to improve their lives and that of their children.

For younger women, they run confidence-building programs for high school girls facing obstacles to success, and also provide scholarships to young women demonstrating extraordinary community service. One of Saratoga Soroptimists’ newest partners is the Moon Catcher Project, providing free menstrual supplies locally as well as reusable kits to girls in communities around the globe, so they need not miss school during menstruation.

All of this is possible thanks to generous garden owners who welcome people onto their properties for the Secret Gardens Tour.

Owners like Meg and Jim Dalton, who take great pleasure in sharing their labor of love.

They’ll be on the Middle Grove property throughout the day, eager to talk with visitors. “We both love talking to them,” says Meg. “We’ve met some really nice people and made some friends through the tour.”

The Daltons have made dramatic changes since their property was last featured on the tour, in 2019. Their three-acre garden unfolds along winding paths that invite exploration, with quiet places along the way to sit and enjoy the plants, the birds and the serenity. Large drifts of hydrangeas, both early and late bloomers, and viburnums guide your journey, while garden art, both large and small, is thoughtfully placed throughout the landscape.

At the Daltons’ entryway are handsome retaining walls with wide stone steps leading to formal gardens. Out back are Heritage River birch they planted after losing 20 large oak trees to spongy moth caterpillars and overeager tree removers.

The property is a far cry from when they bought it, a house totally surrounded by woods. “No driveway, no nothing,” Meg says. They cleared dozens of trees, and potted and brought 400 plants from their prior home. That first spring, she adds, “as soon as we put a

shovel in the ground, we realized it was all sand and rock. It was awful.”

Undaunted, over the years they enriched the soil and began making paths lined with rocks. “Every year we had a string and it would go further out and further,” she says, describing how the gardens kept expanding. They grew hundreds of hostas, creating more than a dozen hybrids that became registered with the American Hosta Society. The Daltons also love ferns for the grace and texture they add to the garden. Secret Gardens Tour visitors may be lucky enough to catch the Daltons’ stunning Itoh peonies in bloom. A cross between a tree and garden peony, Meg calls them “the best of both worlds -- they don’t flop.”

Meg and Jim are self-taught gardeners who’ve learned by trial and error. He likes to move things around, shake things up a bit, while she likes to plant and be done. “He starts on one end and I start at the other,” she says. While they do their own gardening, they’re making some adjustments as an acknowledgement of them each turning 80 this year. For instance, they’ll replace poor-performing perennials with less demanding hydrangeas or choose roses that need not be deadheaded. And they’ve added two patios from which they can enjoy the views they have created, including a pond with a gentle waterfall.

All the other gardens are on the Secret Gardens Tour for the very first time.

That includes another garden in rural Middle Grove, where Elizabeth and Scott Kopraski do their own planning, planting and maintenance -- with many Mother’s Day weekend landscaping projects undertaken with help from their two children and yearround horticultural expertise and plant divisions provided by Elizabeth’s sister. Focal points of their terraced garden include a glorious Japanese maple, a pergola over the stairs and a small pond. The shady front of their house boasts a grand pee gee hydrangea and a uniquely shaped dogwood tree; over the years, first day of school photos have captured just how much the plants and the children have grown.

The Kopraskis named a recent garden addition “Dockside.” It features a rowboat that belonged to Elizabeth’s grandfather alongside a very large heptacodium – also known as seven-son flower -- and whimsical décor of fish and aquatic-inspired features.

The other gardens on the self-guided tour, all in Saratoga Springs, illustrate how city lots can be turned into unique retreats.

Robin Soroka’s garden is a perfect example. Out front, a riot of color frames the sun-drenched 1870 Victorian cottage she purchased thirty years ago. But the garden gate to the backyard leads to a totally different landscape, with a graceful 100-year-old willow tree anchoring a serene setting of ferns, hydrangeas and other shade plants – especially hostas, in striking blues, greens and yellows.

“I love the blues and greens together,” she says. Robin has planted so many hostas, she’s lost track of their names. She says her participation on the Secret Gardens Tour would not have been possible without her 30-year relationship with Wynne Turnbridge of Shades of Green in Saratoga County’s Charlton and the support of special gardener friends.

Robin describes herself as an “accidental gardener,” who developed a distinctive style of her own shaped by observation, trial, editing and long-term attention rather than a fixed plan. Tucked throughout her backyard are sculptural pieces created with found and weathered stones and other objects by her friend Jack Metzger, an artist based in Cambridge. Metzger’s garden art will be for sale during the tour, with 10% of the proceeds to be donated to Soroptimist International of Saratoga County.

Some of Robin’s “extra” plants have become treasures in the lush garden of next-door neighbors Jennifer and Matt Hennessy, also on the tour. They devoted years to transforming a backyard initially crowded by a full-sized sand volleyball court and dominated by weeds. Today, with the house and a stately oak casting generous shade, the garden has becomes a study in contrast: cool, shade-loving plantings anchor the left side of the backyard, while the right opens onto a perennial haven drenched by afternoon sun.

The graceful, curved edging of the Hennessys’ backyard reflects Jennifer’s mother’s gifted eye and steadfast attention to detail. A forsythia grows from cuttings shared by her mother and stepfather. In fact, their most cherished elements are the many perennials that were sourced from or inspired by the gardens of Jennifer and Matt’s parents and other family members and friends over the years. Similarly, every artifact in the highly personal garden of Shirley and Mike Davis has meaning. This includes stones in a walkway individually created by five daughters and five grandchildren. Out front, a flowering hibiscus tree is a memorial to a favorite dog who passed away. Like other gardeners on this year’s tour, Shirley’s approach is trial-and-error combined with whatever tickles her fancy. Expect to find blasts of color and hanging pots galore, on the

porch, hanging from shepherd hooks and even dangling from some trees. Perennials, annuals, ground cover, and hardscapes are incorporated into a one-of-a-kind palette.

Expect the unexpected in the shady playground of a backyard created by Soroptimist member Heather Hart and husband Darin Hart. Part of the appeal of the in-town home they purchased in 2013 was its unusually large lot of almost three-quarters of an acre. But most of it had gone wild. So they cut down more than 200 saplings and started creating. Every rock in the yard was placed by the Harts -- all five family members got in on the heavy lifting. They built pathways and rock features, creating a subtle structure that guides visitors around the yard, where they will find a variety of low-light plants such as hostas, ferns, creeping phlox, hydrangeas and an array of annuals, based on what tempts Heather that year.

Don’t miss the “She Shed” the Harts built using nearly all 43 windows from the original house, a project they called an adventure in geometry. A favorite hangout for family and friends is their lawn-less “lower lawn,” with a bocce court in summer and a skating rink in winter. Last year they added a “pergo-bed” -- part pergola, part garden rest area, and a way to use antique garden gates gifted by a dear friend. And remember to say hello to the chickens that Heather says are spoiled rotten in their “bougie” coop.

A short walk around the corner is the sweet jewel of a house that Marge Glowa moved into four years ago. A colorful trellis over a birdbath commands attention, but other features are worth seeking out: Look for tiny bright “bee baths” and scattered rocks from the now-closed Petrified Sea Gardens, a historic local landmark known for its 500-millionyear-old Cambrian-era stromatolite fossils.

Over the course of the growing seasons, Marge’s garden is bursting with color from dahlias, cannas and Asiatic lilies that get wintered over in the basement, bell flowers, a butterfly bush, Ascot rainbow spurge, some Japanese forest grass and many varieties of iris. If rabbits inundate your yard, check out Marge’s fencing. Last August, she and her teenage neighbor worked side by side, digging trenches for the chicken wire that protects flowers and vegetables from hungry critters.

A few minutes’ drive toward the eastern end of Saratoga Springs are compact gardens tucked behind homes on a new suburban street in a development right off Route 9P, the road to Saratoga Lake. Two of those gardens are on the Secret Gardens Tour.

Kerry and Jim Morris, seeking to shield their backyard deck from the road, had a berm built that would support a dozen or more arborvitaes. But you know how one thing leads to another. Next came a few large accent stones in keeping with their neighbors’ yards. Then they realized the steep, mulched berm needed to be softened with color, texture, movement and a bit of whimsy. Wanting something manageable, they planted spring bulbs and added a selection of perennials and annuals that would provide color over the summer and into the fall season. And of course the side of the house and front patio then needed attention, too. They’ve created a lovely outdoor space, always a work in progress, to enjoy with friends and neighbors.

A few houses down is the home of Barbara Bouchey, who loves creating beautiful environments. A previous home she designed earned her a Saratoga Showcase of Homes award for landscaping. Her goal in building this new home in 2023 was to create an elegant, warm and inviting sanctuary, both inside and outside. Visitors approach Barbara’s backyard along a charming path of stones, colorful plants and flowers and enter through an adorable archway adorned with a flowering trellis. The backyard opens up to an array of carefully arranged landscaping with a European-style fountain at its center. Listen for the soft, soothing sound of water as it trickles from brass spouts.

A dark brown fence built inside Barbara’s property line provides privacy from Route 9P, while a puppy guard on the bottom keeps her Shih-Poo, Bella, from wandering. With intention and attention to detail, Barbara has transformed her outdoor space into a tranquil oasis to be shared with others.

 The Secret Gardens Tour is set for 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, June 28, rain or shine. Tickets are $30 in advance and $35 on the day of the tour. The Secret Gardens Tour program contains descriptions of each garden, a map, and suggested driving directions. Tickets purchased online at soroptimistsaratoga.org include a downloadable version of the program. Advance printed ticket/programs may be purchased at Cudney’s Dry Cleaners locations, Adirondack Trust Co. branches, Northshire Bookstore in Saratoga Springs and Faddegon’s Nursery in Latham. (Call ahead to confirm availability.) On the day of the tour, ticket/programs can be purchased from 9:30 a.m. to Noon outside the Saratoga Heritage Area Visitor Center and all day online (along with downloadable program). Email questions to secretgardensinfo@gmail.com.

Quite the Character

WRITTEN BY MEGIN POTTER | PHOTOS BY SUSAN BLACKBURN PHOTOGRAPHY

Whether tucked into the flowers, nestled among the rocks by a water feature, or positioned as an eye-catching focal point, Scuzzy’s Concrete Statuary infuses a sense of playfulness into the garden landscape. What started as a side-hobby seven years ago, has today turned into something much larger for founder Sue Coonradt and her boyfriend, Jeff. Sue has been the custodian and paint manager at Skidmore College for 26 years, but in the summer, she can be found at Scuzzy’s everyday casting cute animals, mythical creatures, and whimsical accent pieces from poured concrete molds.

These solid, durable, weather-resistant statues give gardens personality and year-round interest. Low maintenance stone planters, urns, bird baths, and benches add a more formal touch to landscapes and serve as long-lasting monuments in cemeteries.

The only items that Sue does not make herself are displayed in the front row of her lot on Route 50 in Saratoga. These statues are often acquired from statuary shows, like the one she and Jeff attended in Indiana that got her hooked on concrete artistry, and encouraged the couple to name the business after Jeff’s dog, Scuzzy, who was always playing in the mud.

Sue’s turtles, frogs, and rabbits are among her most popular items, but her mischievous gnomes, fantastical mermaids, mysterious sasquatch, and monstrous gargoyles also delight visitors that come from all over New York State, Connecticut, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts to see her work. It’s meeting and talking with the people stopping by that she enjoys most about her job, she said.

Scuzzy’s also carries a small selection of equestrian-themed statues and Halloween-themed pieces at the end of the season. Anything that’s not in stock, Sue can usually find for a customer, if given enough time, she said.

 Scuzzy’s Concrete Statuary, 2357 Route 50 South, in Saratoga Springs is open Wed-Sun, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. For updates, follow Scuzzy’s Concrete Statuary on Facebook. SS

Tucked behind an iron fence crowned by vibrant fuchsia mandevilla, is a lovely home and backyard garden bordered by bold Boston ferns. Here, a constant battle with the deer, squirrels, and chipmunks is taking place in fierce competition for buds. “It’s high maintenance, but it’s worth it because of the pleasure it gives,” said homeowner Marcia MacDonald.

In 1990, Marcia and her late husband Jerry, built the third house on a twoacre lot along Beacon Hill Drive with Galarneau Builders in the now illustrious Meadowbrook neighborhood.

Today a forest of towering pines, mammoth hostas, and a proliferation of scented geraniums have matured, creating a secluded refuge within the organic lines of a curved retaining wall that adds depth and interest to the landscape.

A trellised trumpet vine makes a splash by the built-in grill while in the garden, two statuesque herons, and an abstract spinning sailboat sculpture invite your imagination to take flight.

In 2025, two large trees were removed to let more sun into the space, which can be enjoyed whether seated under the shade of a royal blue canopy or lounging in the fun bamboo swing by the kidney-shaped pool.

The soothing sound of the koi pond’s waterfall fountain beckons as five young fish daringly dart back and forth, bringing bucketfuls of vibrancy, beauty, and balance with every lap they swim. SS

…More Photos on SimplySaratoga.com!

Looking Back H&G

BROADVIEW LODGE, SARATOGA SPRINGS

HISTORY

Broadview Lodge

House and Gardens by Design

WRITTEN BY BILL ORZELL

The Chauncy Olcott House in Saratoga Springs, called Inniscarra, inspired a twentieth century architect who later designed some of the most famous structures in the world. His name was Aymar Embury and he visited the Spa prior to US involvement in the First World War, and would write of Inniscarra, “it is perhaps the most famous small house in America. Exceedingly simple in mass and in detail, the proportions are so admirable. . .”

Mr. Embury’s engineering degree was earned at Princeton in 1900, and followed there with a master’s in 1901. He embarked on a career where the ambitious architect moved up with a number of New York firms, moonlighting as an architectural tutor at his Alma Mater, hanging his own shingle in 1907.

His specialty initially was country homes, which he made a study of, writing five books on this subject prior to 1917. His architectural prowess would lead him on a path beyond residences to churches, country clubs, libraries, banks, hospitals, hotels/apartment buildings, theaters, school/ university buildings, parks and swimming pools. He also designed or collaborated on bridges and tunnels still in daily use in metropolitan New York.

The work that brought Mr. Embury to Saratoga Springs was the construction of a country house on North Broadway, on the former Hilton estate, immediately north of the city line in the Town of Greenfield. The new owner, a very successful business and sportsman, who resided across the street from Carnegie Hall in Manhattan, desired a Saratoga track season residence. The man making this investment was the socially prominent Edward Clarence Jones, who was known as the most indefatigable host in Palm Beach and the president of the Everglades Club.

Architect Embury reputably possessed an innate design eye, and along with his extraordinary artistic ability, would walk a property with a client while sketching his concept of what would be built. He met Mr. Jones on the North Broadway property in June of 1917 and presented the English/Norman style country house the client desired, with a broad view of the mountains to the east.

The structure envisioned would be 2.5 stories, half-timbered accents with a multi-gabled slate roof, surrounded by other cottages and outbuildings, and linked together through a series of gardens. The main house would be constructed in a modern manner of the time using hollow vitrified tile masonry, which accepted plaster on the inside and stucco on the outside as the wall surface texture of English precedents distinctly differed from that of most modern American work. The thicker walls would allow for many radius windows and portals. Such walls are desirable in a seasonal home, which might be shuttered for periods during the frigid season, as vertical air space formed in the walls stopped moisture from passing through the construction while being both vermin and fireproof, despite being expensive to build. The architect would caution the owner that the durability of this type of structure is dependent upon the skill of the makers and the use throughout of good materials, with the chances of failure possibly occurring during construction.

The community already had one hollow vitrified tile masonry structure, built as their new trolley station on Broadway at Congress Street, presently the Saratoga Springs Visitor Center (Drink Hall).

That summer, in the trade publication The American Contractor, the architect would advertise for bids for a 34‘ by 158’ 2.5 story residence, later awarded to W.J. Case & Sons of Phila Street as prime contractor.

Architect Embury had a penchant for selecting Manhattan based contractors for the grounds, and chose pioneering landscape architect Ruth Dean and Roman Landscaping for what the newspapers were terming the E. Clarence Jones estate, Broadview Lodge.

Ruth Dean was in a group of only a handful of women who had entered the profession of Landscape Architecture, where training had been acquired in a certain definite and limited field, which led to her writing extensively about her expertise as she developed her theories into practice on the grounds at Broadview Lodge.

The circular driveway from North Broadway she planned for E. Clarence Jones is one example. Ruth Dean wrote in The Garden Magazine March 1915, “For the most part, lawns have swept the garden to the rear of the house, or to some place not quite so public as the dooryard. And in most instances, this is as it should be, for a garden is primarily a place to be enjoyed as one does one's house, privately, and free from the eyes of outsiders.” She continued “The garden must be laid out independently, and yet be connected in some way with the house.”

Splendid garden walls were built for Broadview with embedded stairways, an often-repeated hallmark feature, which have stood the test of time. Ruth Dean wrote in her book The Livable House: Its Garden, “It is best to play safe and sink the steps partially, if not wholly, inside the wall. Especially is this true of a long flight, because the appearance of length is greatly increased when the entire flight is plainly visible.”

Ruth Dean centered a goldfish pond inside the Broadview circular garden, with its several entries and exits. She would write, “The architectural features of the garden; its arbors, gateways, fountains, and walls, are not only important sources of interest in themselves, but the means of completing the garden, of rounding it out, and giving it a finished appearance. A path which leads one through a gate is ever so much pleasanter a way to take than one which has no such inviting barrier, and a vista which is terminated is more delightful than one which dwindles off with no object of interest to hold the eye at its end.” A particular path out led through the wall to a pergola, creating a pleasing window-like opening covered by friendly vines supported by the trellis framework roof, leading to the tennis court. She stated, “criticism of loose ends is to be made of a great many arbors and pergolas. An arbor should begin at some expected and natural place and end in the same way; should lead from one spot to another, and not be just set down in the midst of things.”

Her designs displayed a modernist sense and featured simple yet functional spatial divisions, well-chosen garden details, and a harmonious relationship with architectural elements. Ms. Dean frequently contributed to such periodicals as The Garden Magazine, House and Garden, House Beautiful, and Country Life.

Ruth Dean wrote...

“It is best to play safe and sink the steps partially, if not wholly, inside the wall.”

The gallery at the top of the stairs has been enclosed yet originally functioned as a loggia, with one or more open sides, forming a part of the house that was open to the garden.

“Garden houses, like walls, should conform to the style of architecture of the main house, for the garden and whatever pertains to it ought to be part of an homogeneous whole one should be able to pass easily from house to garden and from garden to house, feeling that each belongs to the other.”

“Criticism of loose ends is to be made of a great many arbors and pergolas. An arbor should begin at some expected and natural place and end in the same way.”

“The use of a combination of materials, except in the case of stone which very often contains enough variety in itself to give an interesting surface, usually results in a better looking wall than one built of a single material.”

Ruth Dean’s parterre designs showed a modernist sensibility and featured simple yet functional spatial divisions, well-chosen garden details, and a harmonious relationship with architectural elements.

The planning of the Jones Estate occurred when the country declared war on the Central Powers of Europe. Aymar Embury was dispatched to France before work in Saratoga was completed, and served as a captain with the 40th Engineers of the United States Army during the conflict. Architect Embury, with his developed appreciation of aesthetics, was called upon to design the Distinguished Service Cross, which was established in 1918 to honor heroism of the highest degree, still our Nation's second highest military award.

E. Clarence Jones practiced his own brand of philanthropy; he assisted the families of soldiers of America’s Expeditionary Forces. He had developed an affinity for Greenfield residents, and as a gift hired Aymar Embury to design their Town Hall Building, which he built as a gift during the period immediately preceding the esteemed architect’s departure for the hostilities in Europe. This building still serves Greenfield.

All did not go smoothly with completing the Broadview Lodge Estate. Mr. Jones was dissatisfied and stopped making payments to the prime contractor. Noted builder William J. Case had passed away years earlier in 1915, and the firm managed by his heirs issued a lien against Broadview. E. Clarence Jones responded with a counterclaim charging that work was not according to specification and plans, and was “unskillful and unworkmanlike.” The legal issues were not settled until 1920.

Another Aymar Embury English/Norman country house designed contemporaneously, Loblolly Cottage in Southern Pines, North Carolina, is on the National Register of Historic Places, and shared many design features with Broadview.

The Broadview Estate was expanded in 1919 with the addition of Pine Tree Cottage to the north, and a new structure called Overlook Cottage to the south, built 90 degrees from North Broadway with a commanding view of the Jones Estate. However, E. Clarence Jones contracted with legendary Saratoga builder William S. Robertson for these structures while legal action against W.J. Case & Sons continued.

Russell Whitehead wrote in The Architectural Record October 1922 of Ruth Dean “She has avoided the usual controversy between the landscape architect and architect as to where the work of one begins and the other stops.” Ruth Dean and Aymar Embury were married in 1923, and had a daughter they named Judy. Sadly, Ruth Dean passed away in 1932 at the young age of 43, as her name in her chosen profession was just being recognized.

Aymar Embury would continue on as one of the nation’s leading architects, and his rebuilding of both the Jamaica and Aqueduct Racetracks in NYC, following the introduction of pari-mutuel racing by the Empire State in 1939, may have been another occasion where he called upon earlier visits to Saratoga Springs.

When E. Clarence Jones died unexpectedly in 1926 following an operation, Broadview Lodge transferred to his wife Marjorie, whom he had married in 1921. The estate changed hands several times before becoming part of Skidmore College, which operates the main building for overnight accommodations on their campus, known as the Surrey-Williamson Inn.

National figures Ruth Dean and Aymar Embury have added to the sum of the many talented designers and architects through the years, by which Saratoga Springs has been graced. SS

It Happened in Saratoga

Second in the series exploring moments in Saratoga Springs when national history, human folly, curiosity, and chance collided in our small city.

WRITTEN BY CAROL GODETTE | PHOTOS PROVIDED (UNLESS NOTED)

When Scallion’s restaurant closed, I was fortunate to acquire this handcrafted Sticks Inc. sign, originally commissioned by former restaurant owner Michele Morris. It responds to a deceptively simple question: “What do we love about Saratoga Springs?”

Tucked between the expected responses — horses and healing waters, Congress Park, the New York City Ballet, and the Philadelphia Orchestra at SPAC — is “U.S. Grant’s Mt. McGregor cottage.”

Morris was right to include it. The place where Ulysses S. Grant spent his final summer racing to finish his memoir is more than a footnote. It is the setting for one of the most extraordinary final chapters in American life — one that unfolded just beyond the bustle of Broadway, in the quiet heights above the city.

IIn the early morning hours of July 23, 1885, Ulysses S. Grant whispered his last word: “Water.” A few hours later, at 8:06 a.m., his son Fred set the "sad hour" death clock, signaling the beloved General's passing. Sculptor Carl Gerhardt began casting a plaster death mask of the famous General's face. As news of his death spread to Saratoga, the day fell into a hush. Music in Congress Park stopped and drives and garden parties were suspended as the town began draping its buildings in black crêpe.

On Church Street, undertaker Ebenezer Holmes gathered his patented corpse cooler casket in response to this telegram sent by Hotel Balmoral proprietor William Arkell on behalf of Dr. Douglas, who attended to Grant throughout his prolonged illness: Have your box and all necessary arrangements for laying out Gen. Grant at our depot quick. I will have engine and car for you. W.J. Arkell. Holmes was known for his 1879 patent, “Improvements in Corpse Coolers or Caskets.” Because embalming was not a routine practice, bodies were often put on ice to preserve them for viewing. I can best describe his patent as a Yeti-like cooler built around a casket. The double-insulated walls and sealed metal chambers retained the melted water rather than draining it. This design held the cold while still allowing for family viewing of loved ones through a glass lid panel.

Holmes acted quickly. He summoned Dr. McEwen and his former 26-year-old apprentice, William Burke, now serving as the Mount McGregor carpenter. Burke would later testify being paid one dollar for his work that day. The group arrived shortly after 9 a.m. and spent the day preparing Grant’s body.

At the same time, inside the cottage, the family was setting a very different plan in motion. Grant’s son Fred and his wife Julia turned to Grant’s written instructions: “If I should die here, make arrangements for embalming my body and retaining it until fall burial.”

Acting on that directive, they telegraphed Stephen Merritt of New York City — an established embalmer who worked on President James Garfield and founded the New York School of Embalming just a year earlier.

Merritt arrived at Mount McGregor shortly after 6 p.m., accompanied by Daniel Harrigan and Felix Sullivan, a leading lecturer in the field. By then, Holmes’s work was already underway— setting the stage for a dispute that would not remain private.

From this point on the events of July 23 and the following days vary wildly.

Merritt refuted that the body had to be re-embalmed. He felt only one undertaker should handle the case and referenced the code of ethics for New York City Undertakers. Merritt stated that was called by the Grant family. Thus, Mr. Holmes should’ve acquiesced and relinquished his duties upon Merritt’s arrival. Merritt further charged that Holmes was “under the influence of liquor at the hotel when he arrived, and that his condition was patent to all who saw him.”

Holmes defended his work citing a letter written by Dr. Douglas on his behalf, “I am satisfied that what was done by Holmes and Co. the first day ensured the preservation of the body, and I believe if nothing else had been done the appearance of the remains, which was satisfactory the first three days with very little care, have been maintained to the end.”

Nevertheless, both parties monitored Grant’s body at Mt. McGregor until July 30 when Grant’s custom-made casket arrived from Rochester and his remains were placed in it.

Grant’s August 8th, 1885 funeral procession was a massive spectacle drawing 1.5 million people in a 7 mile-long procession to Riverside Park. However, his funeral by no means put his death to rest.

Several months later, Holmes & Co. presented their $500 bill to the Grant family. The Grants forwarded the bill to Merritt who had been paid for the burial by the government. Merritt felt a $25 charge was more in keeping with his view of Holmes’s services.

By October of 1886, unpaid and frustrated, Holmes decided to appeal to The New York Sun, a leading newspaper and longtime critic of Grant and his administration, and sent this letter (pictured left).

The New York Sun was only too happy to spend $500 in order to humiliate Grant’s family. Consequently, The New York Times, proponents of Grant and his presidency, retaliated with two articles attacking Holmes’s claims and characterizing him as being drunk. The Times attacked The Sun for publicly humiliating the grieving Grant family by paying the $500 bill.

Holmes’s reputation was under attack— he soon became a pawn in a long-running chess match between The Sun and The Times and sued The Times for libel.

Conflicting accounts played out in courtrooms for the next ten years in a feud fueled by these famous rival newspapers. Holmes’s 1888 trial in Ballston Spa Court awarded him $5,000, which was reversed in the New York Court of Appeals in 1890. A new trial was ordered, and this time Holmes set aside the billing dispute and focused on The New York Times’ claim of drunkenness. Initially he won but again in 1895, a court of appeals reversed his verdict. After 10 years, Holmes left the courts with nothing but the sympathy of two separate juries.

By the time of his 1888 trial, Holmes’s son Howard ran the undertaking business in partnership with former intern William J Burke Sr. under the name, “Holmes and Co.” In 1893, Burke purchased the business along with the firm’s records documenting General Grant‘s death as case number 416. Holmes died at age 75 in February 1902.

The legacy of his case Holmes v. Jones proved memorable enough that The New York Times reflected on it 133 years later in a 2018 piece by David McCraw entitled,” How a Times Court Decision Revolutionized Libel Law.” Though Holmes case has faded from view, it still reflects the core of a libel claim: a contested account, a reputation at stake, and a legal system asked to decide where truth ends and damage begins.

Author's Note: What happened at Mt. McGregor cottage is one of the lesser known stories I love about Saratoga Springs. I welcome stories you love about Saratoga Springs. Feel free to reach out to me at saratoganeighborhoodstores@gmail.com

Thanks to Ben Kemp’s information on grantcottage.org; Mark Phillips of the Burke Funeral Home, Michele Morris, and writer David Sobhoff.

SS

All Aboard for the Adirondacks!

Of Saratoga Springs, Thomas Durant, Railroads, The Great Camps and The Irish

A SARATOGA STORY TOLD IN THE GRAND IRISH SEANCHAÍ STORYTELLING TRADITION | PART 3

WRITTEN BY EAMON Ó’COILEÁIN (ED COLLINS)

Brothers Timothy, Eugene and Cornelius Murphy, all born in Ireland, arrived in Chestertown in the 19th century, joining an energetic Irish community. All three brothers engaged in the hospitality “Fáilte” trade, establishing the Murphy Brothers Hotel in Wevertown, the Loon Lake House, the Hotel Atateka, and Murphy’s Friend’s Lake Inn, the last still welcoming guests today without the Murphy family namesake attached to it. In a memoir of family history, descendant James Murphy commented that so many summer city boarders came to these hotels that “. . . they liked to call Friends Lake a body of water surrounded by Murphys.” As well, in Saratoga County’s neighbor Warren County, Irene and James McVeigh opened McVeigh House at Loon Lake as a boarding dwelling, a wee bit later turning it into a firstclass hotel. John Conley was an early investor in the grand Ondawa House in Schroon Lake, later to be purchased and operated by the O’Conner brothers. In the year that Thomas Durant completed his Saratoga to North Creek Adirondack Company Rail Road, 1871, Irishman John McInerny, anticipating the benefits of Durant’s Adirondack

train line, erected his hotel in North Creek, The American Hotel, attracting north country visitors well into the 20th century.

Irish Corkman Patrick Moynehan (yes, the Irish he with an “e”) became known as “The Lumber King of the Adirondacks,” owning more than 30,000 acres of timberlands and venturing into the hospitality business. He “welcomed” travelers to his Adirondack Hotel on Long Lake, installing another Irishman Patrick McSweeney to manage it. Moynehan, with his brother Dennis, established the Eagle Bay Hotel Company on Fourth Lake, and later extended his hotel ownership to include The Adirondack House in North Creek. Charles O’Hara helped attract visitors to The Fulton Chain of lakes by building the Inlet Inn on the channel to Fifth Lake. On Raquette Lake, the Bryeres built the grand hotel Brightside, expanding it to a major resort of cabins and buildings on over 100 acres. Matriarch Mary Bryere, nee Gooley of Irish lineage, was said to be able to “swing an ax and pull a crosscut saw on a par with any man” in helping to build the original hotel log by log.

Then, of course, ‘tis story of Michael Cronin that is forever etched in Adirondack history. Michael and Lilian Cronin, both descended from Irish immigrants, ran the well-known Adirondack inn and stagecoach stop Aiden Lair. In the pitch-black first hours of September 14, 1901, Mike hitched up his Morgan horses to a surrey and, with a vacationing Vice President Teddy Roosevelt, who the previous day was hiking Mt. Marcy, dashed in record “Midnight Ride” time through a tempest on rain-slicked Adirondack rutted earthen roads to Durant’s original North Creek train station to a waiting Adirondack Railroad, the rechristened offspring of Durant’s original Adirondack Company Rail Road, where “T. R.” learned he was now president: President William McKinley lay dead in Buffalo from

an assassin’s bullet. Michael Cronin’s great grandson, also Michael, reveals that, “What Cronin knew, and did not tell Roosevelt, was that by the time T. R. arrived at Aiden Lair, a call had come to Mike Cronin informing him that McKinley had died, that T. R. was now President, and that Cronin damn well better be careful with his passenger.” A special Adirondack Railroad train had been dispatched from Saratoga Springs to North Creek on the late Thomas Durant’s original tracks to take Roosevelt back to Saratoga where he transferred to a line to Albany and from there for a journey to Buffalo where McKinley lay deceased and T. R. was sworn in as the 26th President.

In 1882, celebrated Irish wit, poet and playwright Oscar Fingal O'Fflahertie Wills Wilde traveled to Saratoga Springs to stage two notable lectures on a year-long American Tour. From Saratoga, he ventured far north into the Adirondacks to rest under the “Fáilte” sign of the Chases’ Loon Lake House. The Irish-American Chase family’s eventual “hospitality” footprint became so large it had its own general store, post office, one of the first Adirondack golf courses, an elegant train station, three hotels and numerous cottages for more than 800 guests on 4,000 acres, “welcoming” the social elite of New York, Boston, Philadelphia, and Washington D.C. through Saratoga Springs. Its only current remaining gem, “The Irish House,” still “welcomes” guests today. SS

Read Simply Saratoga Summer, due out in June for more of this great tale!

Everywhere I Turn

WRITTEN BY JOHN R. GREENWOOD | PHOTO PROVIDED

It may seem unusual to be writing about your deceased spouse less than 24 hours after she left you to fend for yourself, but here I sit with a clipboard, writing pad, and a Bic Medium, sharing my grief with the world—and that’s the point.

I woke up this morning, March 29, 2026, a widower. The house is dark. The only sound you can hear is the ticking of her obsession with placing a clock in every corner of the house. They are not expensive antique clocks; they are clocks from all walks of the clock family: cheap $6.00 clocks from Walmart, tabletop clocks from Amazon, and the large pendulum wall-clock from Service Merchandise we snagged on sale when the boys still had feet in their pajamas. Add another dozen clocks embedded in the electronics from one end of the house to the other, and you’re going to encounter a constant reminder of your better half. The clocks and gentle ticking are only one example of the footprints left behind.

I felt a need to get my raw emotions down on paper while my wife Patricia aka (Pat, Patti, Babe, Bubbles, Cupcake)’s essence remained in the stillness of our starter/retirement home.

There are so many reminders swirling around 378 Northern Pines that I don’t feel alone. She’s still here. I can hear her voice. I can hear her popping her Nantucket Blend in the Keurig. The furnace kicks on, and I know she’ll be warmer soon. Over the last few years, she was always cold. I’d keep turning up the thermostat until she was okay. Minutes later, I was peeling off my 20-year-old Stewart’s sweatshirt.

She was so tiny at the end, but she was stronger than anyone I’d ever known. I could see her sitting there, scared and brave, wrapped in her LLBean bathrobe, sipping that Nantucket Blend and watching the Steamship Authority’s livestream of the Vineyard Haven Ferry Terminal in Woods Hole, Massachusetts. There was something about watching the ferries come and go, load and unload, that put her in a place of comfort. No noise, no yipping, no yapping, just watching people, cars, and trucks come and go. She loved J.P. Noonan truck drivers and the skill with which they navigated those eighteen-wheelers in and out of such a confined space.

Patricia was big on keeping our home warm, both with light and temperature. Every room had some form of complementary lighting. As the Yankee Candle craze slipped away, she began to place small battery-operated tea lights and strings of lighted garland throughout the house. Calming ambiance at every turn, at every hour of every day. The garlands and curtains in our home changed faithfully with the seasons, always matching the theme and color palette of the holiday in the batter’s box.

COVID and health issues dampened vacation and travel plans, but it didn’t matter. Every time we pulled into the driveway after our BJ’s, Hannaford, Market 32, Fresh Market, Home Depot, CVS Tour, we’d look at each other and in unison say, “I love coming home!”

I’m sitting here now, warm, content, peaceful, overcome with gratitude for every one of those fifty-one plus years with my wife by my side. Judging by the stream gushing down my cheeks right now, this isn’t going to be easy. Am I grief-stricken, more than anyone could possibly fathom? Am I going to be lonely? Not a chance, because everywhere I turn, my beautiful wife Patricia has blessed me with a reminder of just how lucky I was to have responded, “I do.”

Love, John aka Jack, Jackie, Butter Buns