SARATOGA SPRINGS — The band Chicago, and Brian Wilson, co-founder of the Beach Boys, along with Al Jardine and Blondie Chaplin have announced a co-headlining 25-city tour across the U.S. that will stage a show at Saratoga Performing Arts Center on July 17, 2022.
The tour will kick off June 7 in Phoenix, Arizona and conclude July 26 in Clarkston, Michigan.
Tickets on sale Dec. 3 at livenation.com.
“Plants need people, and people need plants” is a motto that Jay Adkins lives and works. “When you think about how plants give us life through food, medicinal herbs, our entire ecosystem, even flowers for joy and happiness… Why shouldn’t we care for plants the way they care for us?
Adkins is the owner of J. Adkins Cultivation, one of the newest vendors at the Saratoga Farmers’ Market. His winter market display is a lush abundance of tropical greenery with busts of red poinsettia arrangements special for the holiday season. Plants are displayed in decorative pots ready for purchase, and Adkins and his staff offer guidance and support to ensure plants flourish in their new homes.
For Adkins, what began as a hobby turned into a passion he didn’t realize he had. He was working as a full-time contractor when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, and work came abruptly to a stop. “I had some extra time on my hands, and since I always had an interest in gardening, I decided to start growing plants inside my house,” explains Adkins. “I grew way too many plants and sold the extra starters, and the business took off from there.”
One year later, J. Adkins Cultivation is expanding. In the spring, they grow various fruit and vegetable starter plants and herbs – all using organic growing methods. Adkins also grows flowering perennials, annuals, and arrangements with availability based on the season. “We care about the health of each plant, and mix our unique recipe of premium soil, and even play the plants music as they grow,” says Adkins.
For Adkins, plants offer a new purpose for living. “I believe in the benefits that come from caring for living things,” says Adkins. “Inspiring others to grow gardens and fill their homes with house plants is very meaningful to me.”
In the future, Adkins is looking forward to providing live plant installations at local businesses and restaurants. Customers can find J. Adkins Cultivation at the Schenectady Green Market on Sundays and Ink & Ivy’s House of Beauty’s pop-up Christmas market tomorrow, December 5, 10 am-3 pm. This coming spring, customers will shop for plants directly at J. Adkins Cultivation’s greenhouse located in Rotterdam. For more information, visit their website www.jadkinscultivation.com.
The Saratoga Farmers’ Market is open on Saturdays from 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. in the Wilton Mall Food Court. Find us online at www.saratogafarmersmarket.org, where you can sign up for our weekly newsletter, and follow us on Facebook and Instagram @SaratogaFarmersMarket.
Hello my Foodie Friends!
When I was a young boy the holiday season was my families’ favorite time of year. Of course my parents used it to its full potential to keep three boys and two girls in line. Our biggest thrill was the chance to go downtown and peek into the store front windows seeing the latest toys and letting Santa, Mom, and Dad know what we wanted under the tree. For myself and my brothers, it was especially hard to refrain from becoming the Three Stooges avoiding our usual antics and teasing of each other. If we didn’t get along then we risked getting nothing and my Dad was a man of his word. We also loved this time of year because Mom and Dad became a dynamic team and focused on our happiness instead of the day-to-day problems they faced with finance issues that were typical of the middle class back then. It seemed like Mom and Dad knew every shop owner by their first name and all the shop personnel always fussed over their children. Shopping downtown was a magical event for us. The snow covered trees, merchant’s store fronts decorated with animated figures, holiday lights, decorations, and music. Each of us would run free to pursue the treasures that we wanted from Santa. We loved every store. For us a clothing store was a place that kept us from the toys. However, the clothing store mom loved was located on the top floor of one of the downtown buildings and you needed an elevator to get to it. An ELEVATOR!!! Do any of you remember what the older style elevators were like? It was like a carnival ride. It even had an elevator operator (what I wanted to be when I grew up). Several of our downtown buildings in Saratoga Springs still have the old style elevators. At the end of our shopping day, we would have a wonderful meal as a family, sitting exhausted filled with memories that would last a lifetime.
Consider shopping local this season. Shopping locally helps you connect with the people in your community and learn more about what is going on around you. When people come in my store during the holidays, they call out to me and exclaim: “Hello Mr. Reardon! We are some of your Foodie Friends!” Economically, spending money locally gives back to the community. Why not make holiday shopping a family event? Shopping should be an enjoyable experience with interactions that leave us feeling good versus feeling like we have to do a chore. I find that’s far more likely to happen when I’m patronizing local independent businesses. Learn and experience product quality and durability, getting expert advice without having to waste time doing your own research. Aside from the experience, physical contact with an item makes people feel more certain about a purchase decision. When you go to a store, you know what you’re getting. The price is there. There’s no shipping fee. You can see the item, hold the item, and get the instant gratification you desire from buying the item. Savor the sights, sounds and smells of the season while shopping. During the holidays the shops are filled with festive decorations, sounds and smells. When you step through the doors and hear “Jingle Bells” or “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year” playing throughout the store, you can’t help singing along as you walk around.
Another great experience of shopping in your local shops is to spend time out shopping with the family. Your holiday tradition may involve shopping with your children, your spouse, or your friends. This holiday season, visit our beautiful city of Saratoga Springs and all of the unique shops within the city for those special treasures. Make it an event where you actually spend time with people (and not the computer) to select those special gifts to give.
Having the right tools to prepare your recipe is the key to making a pretty good dinner a great one. It’s much easier to cook when you are equipped with high-quality utensils that make your job as fun and easy as possible.
Paula and I look forward to the holidays every year with our children. Cherish your moments together and stop by and fulfill your holiday culinary needs. At Compliments to the Chef, your Neighborhood Kitchen and Cutlery store, we have really cool tools for your favorite foodie. We are located of 33 Railroad Place, Saratoga Springs. This holiday season, shop local and nab those ideal gifts for the ones you love. Remember my Foodie Friends, “Life Happens in the Kitchen.”
Take Care, John & Paula
ALBANY — St. Anne Institute, an agency that has been providing therapeutic programs and services for young women, individuals, and families for over 100 years, has recently received a $100k donation from Business for Good.
Founded by local philanthropists, Ed and Lisa Mitzen, Business for Good is a non-profit committed to investing in people and communities by providing access to resources and support to the underserved and those in need. BFG’s donation will help jump start the capital improvements that are needed to modernize and repair some of the older structures at the agency.
Business for Good and St. Anne Institute both believe in helping others. Their partnership will allow St. Anne Institute to improve and modernize its currently successful offerings and advance the positive impact on their clients, including gained confidence and applicable skills that make them better equipped to overcome crisis in their lives.
“Business for Good is aligned with St. Anne Institute’s mission of changing lives for the better by providing the tools and resources to help people thrive,” said Ed Mitzen, Business for Good Co-Founder. “We are excited to support their next phase of success.”
The Capital Campaign was launched in August of 2021 with a goal of reaching $4.5 million to provide the improvements and modernization to the Agency. Projects such as a much-needed elevator to updated air filtration improvements are a few in the long list of items on St. Anne’s checklist. The $100,000 donated by Business for Good will be used to begin such projects. St. Anne Institute is grateful for the generous support from BFG, which will allow them to continue the mission to help any child, adult, or family entrusted to their care.
For more information on how you can help, please contact Sandy Tarkleson, Director of Fund Development & Grants Management at 518-437-6563 or starkleson@s-a-i.org or you can donate online at www.stanneinstitute.org.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Saratoga’s Credit Union is offering local high school seniors a chance to win scholarships for college. Saratoga’s Credit Union is participating in the New York Credit Union Association’s statewide credit union college scholarship program, which provides credit union members with scholarships. In 2021, scholarships awarded ranged from $500 to $1,500.
To be eligible, students must be high school seniors attending two- or four-year accredited educational institutions for the first time in the fall of 2022. They must also be members of Saratoga’s Credit Union or another participating New York credit union.
Students/applicants will be competing against other credit union members from across the state. Applicants will be judged based upon academic achievements, extracurricular and community activities, and the quality of written essays. Last year, the New York Credit Union Association awarded $30,750 in scholarships to 41 students through the program. In addition, Saratoga’s Credit Union will award a $1,000 scholarship to two local students.
“Saratoga’s Community Federal Credit Union has been awarding scholarships to deserving students for many years,” said Don Denofio, CEO. “Recipients are selected by a volunteer Scholarship Committee and are chosen based on academic achievement, leadership activities, service to the community, and responses to an essay question. We are pleased to continue to award these scholarships and support education in our community.”
For more information about the scholarship program, contact the credit union at 518-583-2323.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — U.S. News & World Report has ranked Skidmore No. 38 in the National Liberal Arts Colleges category of its 2022 Best Colleges rankings. Schools are ranked according to their performance across a set of widely accepted indicators of excellence. The publication has once again named Skidmore in the top 50 for “Commitment to Undergraduate Teaching” as well as “Best Value School.”
The Princeton Review has also named Skidmore to its 2022 overall list of the Best 387 Colleges. In addition, the publication has identified Skidmore as a “Best Value College” for the educational opportunities it affords students and has ranked Skidmore among the top 20 schools for “Best Financial Aid.”
Skidmore was also recently recognized as one of the 2022 Best Colleges in America by the Wall Street Journal/Times Higher Education College Rankings.
Since rankings cannot capture the distinct and complete nature of any college, prospective students are invited to learn more about Skidmore at skidmore.edu/admissions.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Coral & Blue Paper Co., a local children’s stationery company, is on a mission to encourage gratitude, thoughtfulness and creativity by helping continue the tradition of writing Thank You notes.
After forging a relationship with a school in Africa, the company has recently gained support from St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Saratoga Springs to boost the school’s charitable efforts.
Burundi is one of the poorest nations in the world and has experienced civil war, political strife, genocide and ethnic cleansing within the last 15 years. Traditional schools are only available in the cities, with little access to education among the mostly rural population.
Named for the colors of classic elementary lines, Coral & Blue Paper Co. creator Ashely Campbell designed the stationery after searching the market unsuccessfully for a product that met the needs of elementary-aged children.
Connecting with a school in Burundi, Africa, the company provided paper stationery supplies to its students in a country where blank paper is a novelty. With access to these supplies, they are practicing penmanship, reading, writing, art, and public speaking using the cards.
“The people of Burundi stole my heart from day one and it has been such an honor to learn about the country and its beautiful people through this connection,” Campbell said, in a prepared statement.
Over the last year, this partnership has evolved from providing the school with stationery in their native language to delivering a fully sponsored school program attended by more than 5,000 children supplying drinks, food, school supplies to the attendees at the cost of approximately $2,500. Last Christmas, Coral & Blue also provided supplies and small gifts to the children purchased in-country to help support local economies.
This holiday season, St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Saratoga Springs supports Coral & Blue’s Burundi Mission by continuing to provide support to the school. The public can donate to the mission by clicking on the church’s giving portal, which may be accessed by going to: spalutheran.org. Donations are also accepted by mail or church drop-off, located at 149 Lake Ave. Please include a note that the donation is for the Mission to Serve.
For more information about Coral & Blue, go online to: coralandblue.com
BALLSTON
James Rusinko sold property at 19 Silver Lane to Linda Figueroa for $290,000.
Rosetti Acquisitions LLC sold property at 32 Pasture Pl to Meagan Tumer for $351,102.
Barbera Homes Kelley Farms LLC sold property at 23 Stablegate Farms to James Kochan for $567,782.
Marielena Hauser as exec. sold property at 21 Garrett Lane to Mark Hauser for $200,000.
Kathleen Coleman sold property at 270 Middle Line Rd to Kathleen Coleman for $197,500.
Route 50 Realty LLC sold property at Route 50 to Saunders Lane LLC for $400,000.
CORINTH
John Collura sold property at Eggleston St to Nicholas Burke for $135,000.
Jacob Beaudet sold property at 8 Baker Dr to Colin Dowd for $300,000.
Eric Galvin sold property at 115 Hollister Rd to Gary O’Neil for $294,000
Rita Randall sold property at 113 Pine St to Bent Bar LLC for $130,000.
GALWAY
Michael Murphy as exec.sold property at 6017 West Middle Line Rd to Christopher Buskey for $219,000
John Yates sold property at 5544 Parkis Mills Rd to Barry Denison for $630,000.
GREENFIELD
Hilton Tallman sold property at 555 North Creek Rd to klarl Ahr for $810,000.
Kelly Martinek sold property at 24 Hoffmann Rd to Bryan Kelly for $115,000.
Brian Galvin sold property at 9 Kircher Rd to Joseph McCann for $975,000.
Paul Brumley sold property at 24 Cohen Rd to Eric Simon for $259,900.
Scott Thomas sold property at 110 Kilmer Rd to Kaitlin Gattuso for $535,000.
Philip Eastbrook sold property at 314 Wing St to Robert Bombard for $100,000.
MALTA
Darvin Bowie sold property at 2 Glade Mallow Rd to Christopher Kus for $335,000.
Barbara Wennik sold property at 86 Lakeshore Dr to Maureen Carew for $830,000.
Linda Gould sold property at 13 Settlers Ridge South to Michael Brown for $539,000.
Patrick Garrity sold property at 44 Yachtsman Way to Cartus Financial Corp for $485,000.
Cartus Financial Corp sold property at 44 Yachtsman Way to Nicholas Mastrianni for $485,000.
Atirek Wribhu sold property at 201 Thimbleberry Rd to Wesley Hills for $250,000.
James Tortorici sold property at 18 Timber Trace to Gina Hannah for $389,900.
Diane Healey sold property at 9 Willis Way to Bruce Cramer for $419,900
Shirley Ramsey sold property at 52 Admirals Way to Ilya Yantovsky for $450,000.
Barbara Dickman sold property at 19 Rum Cherry Rd to Rejean Devaux for $365,000.
William Weaver sold property at 44 Snowberry Rd to Colleen Newhouse for $215,000
Abele Builders Inc sold property at 39 Cooper Ridge Dr to Abele Homes LLC for $115,000
Abele Homes LLC sold property at 39 Cooper Ridge Dr to Richard Hakanson for $476,385
Kelley Simone sold property at 20 Sierra Trace to Frank Nardone for $325,000
SARATOGA SPRINGS
Kathleen Katz sold property at 306 Grand Ave to John Cassandra for $410,000
Joseph Arpei sold property at 20 Friar Tuck Way to Martin Farnan for $466,200
Charles Schewe sold property at 512 Crescent Ave to 838 Rentals LLC for $250,000.
Saratoga Springs City sold property at Caroline St to Caroline Henry LLC for $801,000.
Rosemary Homeister sold property at 26 Outlook Ave to Grant Willsea for $599,000.
John Leggett sold property at 30 Allen Dr to Michael Mone for $385,000.
West Ave Development Saratoga Springs sold property at 116 West Ave #204 to Nicholas Degasperis for $503,345.
Westside Station LLC sold property at 18B Cherry St to John Hoch for $1,600,000.
Bruce Boswell sold property at 32 Cygnet Circle to Michael Marzullo for $740,000.
West Ave Development Saratoga Springs sold property at 116 West Ave #210 to Theresa Sundlin for $559,420.
Charlotte Ford sold property at 70 Railroad Pl Unit 303 to Lewis Benton for $600,000.
Paul Dussault sold property at 30 Whistler Ct #312 to Lee Serravillo for $425,000.
David Harmon sold property at 389 Broadway to MELH LLC for $1,535,000.
WILTON
David Woodruff sold property at 50 Cider Mill Way to Emily Mildt for $642,000.
Sonoma Grove LLC sold property at 61 Berkeley Way to Raymond Panetta for $668,441.
Belinda Witt sold property at 32 Taylor Rd to Michael Terenzi for $420,000.
David Goodrich sold property at 133 Dimmick Rd to Bradley Coulter for $240,000.
William Morris sold property at 9 Colleen Ct to McPadden Builders for $100,000.
Caruso Home Builders Inc sold property at 8 Pine Bark Place to Brendan Carosi for $646,818.
Jon Strobel sold property at 6 Glenburnie Dr to Tammy Owens for $400,500.
The symbolism and use of trees as decorations at this time of year are far older than many of us suspect.
It is known, for instance, that pre-Christian Romans displayed decorated evergreens (oak trees which are evergreen in that part of the world). They lit the tree with candles and often topped the tree with a sun symbol. The ancient Celts of the British Isles also ornamented oak trees with apples and candles to offer thanks to the sun during the solstice period.
Many of us can still remember when the Christmas tree wasn’t put up until Christmas Eve. This tradition likely had its roots (no pun intended, well…maybe) in the English tradition of bringing home the Yule log on Christmas Eve. The Yule log was generally a large stump, often including the roots, and was decorated with mistletoe, holly and other greenery. The log was lighted with a bit of the previous year’s log (thus protecting the house from fire for the upcoming year) and needed to be kept burning for at least twelve hours to ensure continued good fortune.
With the advent of central heating, the appeal of the Yule log has been all but forgotten.
The evergreen tree as the tree of choice for solstice celebrating appears to have its origins in the Christianizing of the Germanic tribes of Eastern Europe. Some of the earliest accounts tell of St. Boniface dedicating the fir tree to the Christ Child with the oath “You are the light of the world, a tree ever green” to counter the sacred oak of Odin in the eighth century.
Other accounts credit Martin Luther as the first to bring home a cut evergreen tree and decorate it with candles that symbolize the stars in the sky over Bethlehem the night Christ was born.
Hundreds of years passed until the tradition of decorating evergreen trees at Christmas became common. It wasn’t until 1841 when King Albert displayed a decorated evergreen tree in his palace that the tradition took hold in English speaking countries.
Like the American people, American Holiday celebrations have become a melting pot of customs and traditions brought to our shores from the older cultures of our forefathers. The evergreen, ancient symbol of life everlasting is still included as the bright focal point of a celebration of rebirth, light and life.
Whatever the origins of the practice, I love the smell of a fresh evergreen when I bring it inside. The trick is to keep the tree hydrated so the needles stay on and the tree stay fresh and fragrant. The first step is to get a fresh tree. When you’re out in the tree lot picking out your tree, bend the little branch tips to make sure they are supple, not brittle.
Next, make sure to make a fresh cut on the base of the tree right before you bring it inside. A fresh cut exposes fresh cells that can absorb water and send it along to the cells above right out to the branches and needles.
When you place the tree into the stand, fill the stand up with very hot water. Hot water is absorbed more quickly than cold water so the tree will re-hydrate as quickly as possible. You don’t need to use hot water every time you add water to the stand; just the first time. Make sure that the tree stand always has water in it. If you let it run dry, the tree will suck air into the bottom cells again and it won’t be able to absorb water until another fresh cut is made. Remember: Fresh Tree, Fresh Cut and Fresh Water.
Thanks for the read!
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Saratoga Casino Hotel celebrated ‘Giving Tuesday’ by donating $110,000 to 11 Capital Region non-profit organizations during their ‘Make A Difference’ holiday luncheon at the casino’s Vapor venue this week.
The following 11 organizations each received a $10,000 donation: The Donna M. Crandall Memorial Foundation; Franklin Community Center; Jake’s Help from Heaven; LifePath Supportive Services for Older Adults; The Joseph C. and Anne T. Palamountain Scholarship Fund; Saratoga Community Health Center; Saratoga Performing Arts Center; Saratoga Sponsor-A-Scholar; SNACpack Program (Saratoga Nutrition Assistance for Children); Wellspring; The
Wesley Foundation.
“It was a natural fit to align our annual ‘Make A Difference’ event with ‘Giving Tuesday’,” said Skip Carlson, Vice President of External Affairs at Saratoga Casino Hotel. “We’re so fortunate to have these organizations in our community and we’re happy to provide them with some assistance so they can continue to make a difference every day to so many.”
“For Jake’s Help From Heaven, receiving a ‘Make A Difference’ grant from Saratoga Casino Hotel truly does make a difference – especially now,” said Heather Straughter, President of Jake’s Help From Heaven. “Over the last 20 months, the need for support of our families has increased tremendously yet our ability to fundraise has decreased. We are preparing for our final Board of Directors meeting of 2021 and this grant will allow us to continue to come from a “place of yes” when we review applications. The generosity of Saratoga Casino Hotel really does make a difference for so many in our area and we are grateful for their support.”
Over the last 16 years, Saratoga Casino Hotel has donated over $3 million to different charitable groups in the Capital Region. Their ‘Make a Difference’ initiative that started in 2004 has since been their main charitable event to honor and provide funding to local non-profit organizations.
