From the Editor-In-Chief

I still remember the day we were all sitting around the conference table (at our first office on Case Street), discussing what to name our lifestyle magazines. Each was titled differently, coming on board at different times…our summer issue was Saratoga Experience, the fall issue was Autumn Lane, the winter issue was Snowshoes, and so on…anyway, back to that day at the office…among the chatter Cindy yells out… “How about Simply…Saratoga?”

And we all loved it!

(Cindy also coined “A Hundred Bloomin Years!” for Posie Peddler – she’s got skills!) 

Fast forward to the day when Chad announced… “Chris will be taking over the magazines.” Prior to me, whoever was the newsroom manager, also did the magazines. But as Robin said when they called me in to discuss this new role…they wanted somebody to wrap their arms around ALL the issues. (We were growing rapidly!) And I am so glad they chose me! I always tell people… I think of this job as my “calling” in life…I love being the archivist of Saratoga’s people, places and lifestyles.   

I’m sure you’ve probably also heard me say how fortunate I am to have the BEST writers, contributors, and photographers! They are the backbone of the Simply Saratoga brand, and I don’t take those relationships lightly. Without Charlie Kuenzel and Dave Patterson approaching me to carry their articles, I’m sure we would’ve struggled to find our footing. But as our HISTORY section gained popularity, others approached me to contribute and off we went! 

I love putting together every issue of SS, but I need to do a shout out for ARCHITECTURALLY SPEAKING, the home and garden feature we do with Randall Perry. This is our most requested advertiser spot – which makes me so happy, as we offer different niche magazines, to provide our advertisers with the best targeted exposure. Speaking of Randall, naturally leads into our relationship with the Saratoga Builders Association and how we love helping promote the Showcase of Homes each year! I remember when I was the one decorating those cover shots, I’m so glad I now get to hang out with Barry and Lisa and watch the pros at work! 

Honestly, we love all the events we are involved with… Saratoga Home & Lifestyle to promote the Rotary’s annual fundraiser, and Saratoga Christmas started years ago…back when we used to pass it out at the Tree Lighting, so we could all sing Christmas Carols around the tree to await the arrival of Santa and Mrs. Claus!   Oh, I can’t forget Welcome Home! Which was my first “project” for Chad, (working from home, before I returned to work after being home with my daughter for her first five years!). 

I wish I had room to mention each freelancer by name, as I LOVE working with all of them! (Luckily… they all know that already!) 

Okay, let’s move on to Saratoga BRIDE…

Our first wedding themed magazine was called ENCHANTED WEDDING (EW) and those early issues were such fun – we had a photo shoot for every cover! I was an advertising sales rep when I first started at Saratoga TODAY but soon started handling the Bridal Expos (Loved them, especially those RUNWAY FASHION SHOWS!!) and looking at these old issues of EW, I see I was listed as Creative Director, which made sense since I loved making every page look its best, and so looked forward to building this brand. We switched over to Saratoga BRIDE, to tighten up our branding; “Saratoga” was in every other title, so it just made sense. Looking through these back issues is like spending time with old friends – I remember the brides, the advertisers, the models – and those photo shoots – omg, these issues were so beautiful!! I’m not mentioning anybody by name, (as I’m sure I will forget somebody!), and even though we hosted photo shoots up to the pandemic (Thank you Susan Blackburn!) I feel like I’d be remiss to NOT thank Denise Eliopulos (previous owner of Something Bleu Bridal), who had the most wonderful VISION and attention to detail, creating these photo shoots that really helped build the Saratoga BRIDE brand. (Of course, her DREAM TEAM didn’t hurt any: Alayne Curtis of Make Me Fab, Tracey Buyce Photography, Samantha Nass, Rena Zeppetelli, and of course a bevy of beauties all willing to model!) 

What really struck me looking at the old issues was how many advertisers have stayed with us over the years! (Here is an alphabetized list from those first few issues!)  

Adelphi Hospitality, Anne’s Washington Inn, Celtic Treasures, Daley Hospitality,
Fort William Henry, Gideon Putnam, Impressions, Lily Saratoga, Make Me Fab, Mazzone Hospitality, N. Fox Jewelers, Queensbury Hotel, Saratoga Olive Oil, Saratoga Trunk, Something Bleu Bridal, Susan Blackburn Photography, The Mansion of Saratoga, The Posie Peddler, The Saratoga Winery 

PS… The Adelphi has only been with me for eight years, but in my head, they’ve been around forever!!

Before I wrap up this fun re-cap, I’d love to mention some of the other stuff that our readers might not know about Saratoga TODAY, such as… when our kids were young (and we still did home delivery), we would all hang out and help bag the papers. Everybody participated in Saratoga’s FLAG DAY PARADE either by walking along and passing out candy, or if the kids were too young, they sat in the float (that Mangino’s would donate and Robin and I would drive), or “commandeer” as she would say. (See more about Robin on page XX) and when any of us needed to… our sick children were always welcome to sit under our desk… Chad is the ultimate “family friendly” boss!

I have to say Thank You! to my Magazine Designer Kacie, as I’ve always said…  I’m nothing without a designer! I may know WHERE we’re going, but they know how to drive the car! I’m so lucky to have Kacie with me by my side!

Before I wrap up this fun re-cap, I’d love to mention some of the other stuff that our readers might not know about Saratoga TODAY, such as… when our kids were young (and we still did home delivery), we would all hang out and help bag the papers. Everybody participated in Saratoga’s FLAG DAY PARADE either by walking along and passing out candy, or if the kids were too young, they sat in the float (that Mangino’s would donate and Robin and I would drive), or “commandeer” as she would say. (See more about Robin on page XX) and when any of us needed to… our sick children were always welcome to sit under our desk… Chad is the ultimate “family friendly” boss!

I have to say Thank You! to my Magazine Designer Kacie, as I’ve always said…  I’m nothing without a designer! I may know WHERE we’re going, but they know how to drive the car! I’m so lucky to have Kacie with me by my side!