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Join WWAARC’s at their Winter Wonderland Holiday Tree Competition on Dec. 14!

Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Community, Downtown, Entertainment, Featured, News.

QUEENSBURY, NY — Embrace the spirit of the season with our Winter Wonderland Tree Competition, an enchanting event set to spread joy and festive cheer. Join us on Thursday, December 14, from 4 PM to 7 PM at 436 Quaker Rd, Queensbury, for a magical evening filled with music, hot cocoa, and a visit from Santa Claus!

Highlights of the Event

  • Festive Atmosphere: Immerse yourself in the holiday spirit as you stroll through our two locations, adorned with more than 45 beautifully decorated holiday trees.
  • Hot Cocoa Delight: Sip on complimentary hot chocolate as you wander through the Winter Wonderland. Warm up your heart and hands while enjoying the delightful decorations.
  • Sweet Treats: Indulge in candy canes, adding a touch of sweetness to your winter evening.
  • Musical Magic: Let the sounds of holiday tunes serenade you throughout the event, creating a harmonious backdrop to the festive festivities.

Vote for Your Favorite Tree Online

Don’t just be a spectator; become a part of the magic by voting for your favorite tree online. Your voice will contribute to the excitement as we crown the Winter Wonderland Tree Champion!

Donations Welcome

In the spirit of giving, we welcome any donations to support and enhance this community event. Your generosity will help make future celebrations even more magical.

Free Family-Friendly Community Event

This Winter Wonderland Tree Competition is a free, family-friendly event open to all. Bring your loved ones and share in the joy of the holiday season.

For more information, please visit: https://wwaarc.org/ww-trees-2023/

Ladylily’s Place in Saratoga Springs to Host 2nd Annual Artisans Christmas Pop-Up Market

Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Business, Community, Downtown, Entertainment, Featured, Food, News.

SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY — Dive into the festive spirit of the season at the 2nd Annual Artisans Christmas Market, proudly presented by Ladylily’s Place. Join us on Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023, from 11 am to 5 pm, at the enchantingly decorated Ladylily’s Place, 4300 NY-50 Suite 106 Saratoga Springs, NY 12866. In case of snow, catch the magic on Sunday, Dec. 3, 2023, from 11 am to 5 pm.

Saratoga Springs, recently listed as one of the Most Festive Christmas Towns in the USA by House Beautiful sets the perfect backdrop for this extraordinary event. Immerse yourself in a wonderland of creativity as we showcase some of the region’s top artisans, each contributing to the festive atmosphere.

Shop unique, locally-produced and hand-crafted items. One-of-a-kind gifts including cookies, candles, jewelry, leathercraft, and more for everyone on your list. Sip complimentary coffee and cocoa while you shop! Looking for something uniquely special this year? Come to our Christmas market and have your photo taken in our charmingly decorated bakery. Shop while you wait for us to print your photo on a delicious cookie ornament. You can gift it as a keepsake, hang it on your tree or eat it on Christmas Eve. Check out our website for more details: www.ladylilysplace.com.

Join Mrs. Claus for delightful cookies from 2 to 4 pm. Admission is free, making this event accessible to all.

A few featured artisans include:

Ladylily’s Place is still accepting vendor applications. Secure your space by emailing eatcookies@ladylilys.com or calling 518-886-1203.

For more information, please visit our website or Facebook.

Specializing in delectable, cookie-masterpieces, our brand is centered on creating community through cookies. We’re looking forward to bringing local artisans together, providing a place to shop local and support our community this holiday season.

ABOUT LADYLILY’S PLACE

For over three years, we have served businesses and private clients by creating custom-cookie gifts. We take immense pride in our business and the quality of our product. We think baked goods should be delicious, while also being artistic and interesting. We believe there is nothing better than enjoying a freshly baked cookie with your best friend, celebrating an accomplishment, or sharing a laugh. We started this adventure with the goal of crafting magical moments and personalized cookies for you to share with the people you love. Each cookie you taste is a memory… we want them to be great ones!  

Honoring Veterans with a Special Brew: Adirondack Brewery’s DD-214 Blonde IPA

Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Business, Community, Downtown, Featured, News.

In a heartwarming tribute to Veterans Day, Adirondack Brewery has crafted something truly special this year. A group of veterans, led by Adirondack Brewery Brewer Bob Shafer, who himself served 6 years in the US Air Force, came together to create a limited-edition beer: DD-214, a blonde IPA.

This unique brewing initiative began in 2020 as Brewer Bob Shafer’s way of honoring fellow veterans. The result is DD-214, a flavorful and distinctive blonde IPA that pays homage to the camaraderie and shared experiences of those who have served.

Behind the scenes, the veterans at Adirondack Brewery poured their dedication and passion into the brewing process. The attached behind-the-scenes photos capture the spirit of collaboration and the artistry involved in crafting this special beverage.

Tomorrow, on November 11th, Adirondack Brewery is extending a heartfelt thank you to veterans by offering them a complimentary pint of DD-214 with the purchase of a food menu item. This gesture is a small token of appreciation for the immense sacrifices and contributions made by our servicemen and women.

For those eager to savor DD-214, the blonde IPA will be available on draft and in cans for take-home enjoyment. Additionally, it will be proudly served at the Lake George American Legion Post 374.

The return of DD-214 on Friday is a celebration of craftsmanship and camaraderie. Adirondack Brewery expresses gratitude to Brewer Bob Shafer and the group of veterans whose collective effort brings this limited edition blonde IPA to life.

For more information, visit Adirondack Brewery at https://adkbrewery.com/, and follow them on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/AdkPubBrewery.

Celebrating a Tapestry of Women’s Stories: Pop-Up Exhibition at Crandall Library by Connie Harris Farrington

Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Columns, Community, Downtown, Featured, In the Arts, News.

GLENS FALLS, NY — Renowned quilter Connie Harris Farrington, with over five decades of quilting expertise, presents a captivating collection of 18 whimsical quilts. These masterpieces, created over the past 30 years, pay homage to women from all walks of life, spanning various eras. They vividly encapsulate the aspirations, achievements, and grievances of these remarkable women. Using a medley of fabric, thread, and ink, Connie Harris Farrington skillfully weaves a thought-provoking narrative that combines vibrant visuals with colorful language.

Connie’s unique and innovative approach to quilting has garnered her over 100 awards and prizes in both national and international competitions. Her creations have been featured in numerous magazines, attesting to her exceptional talent and creativity.

A distinguished alumna of Green Mountain College, Syracuse University, and Yale Divinity School, Connie’s passion for quilting is only rivaled by her love for genealogy and tending to her bountiful organic vegetable garden in Queensbury, NY.

To showcase this extraordinary collection, the Crandall Public Library presents the “Two-Sided Quilts” Pop-Up Exhibition, which coincides with the Folklife Center’s 30th anniversary. The exhibition will be held from November 16th to 18th, 2023, with a special reception on Thursday, November 16th from 5-8pm. Informal gallery talks will be conducted at 10am and 2pm each day.

Event Details:

  • Pop-Up Exhibition: November 16-18, 2023
  • Reception: Thursday, November 16, 5-8pm
  • Informal Gallery Talks: 10am and 2pm each day
  • Location: Crandall Public Library, 251 Glen Street, Glens Falls, NY 12801

“Two-Sided Quilts” is proudly presented by the Folklife Center at Crandall Public Library, an institution renowned for its innovative programs, gallery exhibitions, and research special collections. It is committed to showcasing the rich history and cultural heritage of the upper Hudson valley and southern Adirondacks of upstate New York. This event is made possible in part by funding from the New York State Council on the Arts, supported by the Governor’s office and the NYS Legislature.

For more information about the exhibition, please visit www.crandallparklibrary.org or call 518-792-6508.

About Crandall Public Library: Crandall Public Library is a hub for community engagement, offering a wide range of programs, exhibitions, and research collections. It is dedicated to preserving and celebrating the cultural heritage of the upper Hudson valley and southern Adirondacks of upstate New York. The library’s mission is supported by funding from the New York State Council on the Arts, with the generous support of the Governor’s office and the NYS Legislature.

Glens Falls Symphony 40th Anniversary Season continues November 12 with Concert of International Music

Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Business, Community, Downtown, Entertainment, Featured, In the Arts, News.

The Glens Falls Symphony continues its 40th anniversary season with a concert of music from around the world entitled, “International Colors” on Sunday November 12, 2023 at 4pm. Performing at the Glens Falls High School auditorium, the ensemble of musicians from all over the Northeast will present a concert of pieces from Argentina, France, and Italy. First on the program is a delicate portion of music from renowned Argentinian composer, Astor Piazzolla. Mr. Piazzolla, whose compositions and performances on the traditional accordion-like instrument associated with tango music, the bandoneon, made him a singularly popular figure in Argentina for how he elevated and expanded tango music, wrote his own version of Vivaldi’s “Four Seasons” for violin and orchestra. Called “Cuatro Estaciones Porteñas” (known in English as “The Four Season of Buenos Aires”), the Glens Falls Symphony’s Concertmaster (Principal First Violin) Michael Emery will perform as soloist in the “Autumn” movement.

Photo provided by Glens Falls Symphony.

The program also features a work from the French composer Maurice Ravel about the early French composer Couperin. In honor of this performance of music by a French Baroque-era composer, the Symphony will also be presenting a free screening of the award-winning 1991 film “Tous les Matins du Monde” about the French Baroque composer Marin Marais. This free screening takes place on Wednesday, November 8, at 2:30pm at Crandall Library Community Room. Ravel’s work, “Le Tombeau de Couperin” explores the many different sounds and colors of the orchestra. This second concert of the 40th season concludes with cheerful music by Felix Mendelssohn’s with the Symphony No. 4, known as the “Italian.” This vibrant work brings the lively sounds of the Italian countryside to life with rhythmic and cheerful melodies.

About Concertmaster Michael Emery, Violin

Mr. Emery blends performance with teaching to create an active musical career. He has collaborated in chamber music with many international artists, including Ruggiero Ricci, Elizabeth Pitcairn, André-Michel Schub, and Emanuel Ax. Michael is a concertmaster and frequent soloist with orchestras in New York and California and has performed as a soloist and concertmaster in Asia, as well as several major European cities. Mr. Emery has performed in collaboration with many contemporary composers, including Gunther Schuller, Jennifer Higdon, Joan Tower, Ezra Laderman, Lowell Liebermann, Tommie Haglund, Richard Danielpour, and John Corigliano. Mr. Emery earned his MM in Performance from the Manhattan School of Music as a scholarship student with Erick Friedman and Raphael Bronstein and served as concertmaster of the Manhattan Symphony.

Events

  • Wednesday, November 8 at 2:30pm, Crandall Public Library Community Room
    “Sound+Film” series, featuring free screening of “Tous Les Matins du Monde”
  • Sunday, November 12 at 3pm, Glens Falls High School Auditorium
    Pre-Concert Talk, free, with Charles Peltz
  • Sunday, November 12 at 4pm, Glens Falls High School Auditorium
    “International Colors” Concert of Astor Piazzolla “Autumn”, Maurice Ravel “Le Tombeau de Couperin” and Felix Mendelssohn’s Symphony No. 4, “Italian”

Tickets

4-Concert Season Tickets: Tier 1: $140/ Tier 2: $120/ Tier 3: $96
NEW! Family Season Ticket: Two Adults and Two Children: $220 for all four concerts.
Single Tickets to one concert: Adult: $30/$33/$26
Single Student Ticket: $12
Location: Glens Falls High School Auditorium, 10 Quade St, Glens Falls, NY 12801

For more information, contact Jennifer Brink at (518) 793-1348 or exdir@gfso.org
www.theglensfallssymphony.org
Glens Falls Symphony Office (518) 793-1348
Located upstairs in the LARAC Gallery building: 7 Lapham Place in Glens Falls
Office hours: Monday – Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

About Glens Falls Symphony

The Glens Falls Symphony, begun as a community amateur orchestra in 1977 at the then-named Adirondack Community College. Celebrating 40 years this season, the symphony successfully moves into its fourth decade of music-making as a professional orchestra since its incorporation in 1983. Since Maestro Charles Peltz’ arrival in 2000, the fully professional Glens Falls Symphony has performed a dynamic repertoire, regularly including musical premieres and world-renowned guest artists while expanding musical offerings to include family concerts, summer pops programs and more. Cited as “one of the great orchestras of our country” by Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Joseph Schwantner, the orchestra comprises professional musicians who come from all over the Northeast to perform.

South Street DRI Ceremonial Groundbreaking

Written by Kate Haggerty on . Posted in Community, Downtown, Featured.

On the drizzly Friday afternoon of October 20th at 3:00 PM, the city of Glens Falls held a groundbreaking ceremony for the Glens Falls Event & Market Center on South Street. This $5-million development is the signature project of the Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI), and the groundbreaking was a celebration marking the economic comeback of the city, as well as a recognition of the DRI project’s role in the city’s ongoing growth.

Mayor Collins spoke at the event: “Today, developers, business owners and entrepreneurs are moving into the downtown area, restoring buildings, setting up businesses, directly and indirectly supported by the shot in the arm the DRI has provided,” He said.

The area of South Street where the Event & Market Center will be built has already attracted investment along the corridor – two businesses, the Golden Monkey Lounge and Taco Kings Jalisco, are now open across the street from where the Event & Market Center will be located.

The groundbreaking was attended by State Senator Dan Stec, who remarked: “It’s a lot easier to advocate for a community when a community delivers, and does a great job with previous grants. So, Mayor to you and your team, you make it very easy for us to go to and talk to our former colleague, current Secretary of State, Robert Rodriquez and say ‘Hey, the money and investment that the state makes in Glens Falls is a good risk and great return on investment, and just look at what they have done in the past.’ I’m thrilled that you mentioned all of the work that you have done here.”

Assembly member Carrie Woerner also spoke at the event: “Congratulations Mayor Collins and the City of Glens Falls on this great occasion. I know that you have worked for many years to make this happen ,and it’s great to be here on the cusp of this brand new development,” she said. Assemblywoman Woerner went on to highlight Governor Hochul’s leadership in securing the DRI funds, and Empire State Development for their leadership. 

The event space is expected to be the new home of the Glens Falls Farmers Market, and host community events… However, The Glens Falls Farmers Market voiced concerns over the Event & Market Center via a press release the same day as the ground breaking event: “Despite the city portraying the new venue as progress, the Farmers Market board and its members view many aspects of this project as setbacks. The proposed space is notably smaller, reducing the market’s current size and offering little to no room for future growth. Other issues include logistical hurdles with loading and unloading, traffic & parking, (and) absence of heating within the facility while being advertised as year-round,” The Glens Falls Farmers Market press release stated. 

The Farmers Market board will be convening a meeting with its members to decide the market’s future, and the possibility of relocating the market to a new venue either in Glens Falls or elsewhere.

Volunteers Needed for Glens Falls Cleanup Day!

Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Business, Community, Downtown, Featured.

Volunteers are needed for Glens Falls Cleanup Day, which is taking place on Saturday October 21st, from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM. This joint event, initiated by the Glens Falls Business Improvement District and the Glens Falls Collaborative, takes place twice a year.

Volunteers will be involved in tasks including sweeping, raking, trash pick-up, and cleaning up the sidewalks. Volunteers are asked to bring rugged gloves, and the organizers of the event will provide rakes, shovels, garbage bags, rubber gloves, hand sanitizer, and masks. Free refreshments will also be provided!

Volunteers will meet behind Minky Mink in the Ridge Street parking lot at 9:00 AM. No sign-up is required, but online RSVPs are appreciated! To RSVP, please visit the “Glens Falls Downtown Cleanup Day” event on the Downtown Glens Falls Facebook page at www.facebook.com/downtownglensfalls/events.

The rain date for this event is October 22nd, 2023.

Interfaith Service at Christ United Methodist Church

Written by Kate Haggerty on . Posted in Community, Downtown, Featured.

A interfaith prayer service will be held in Glens Falls at Christ United Methodist Church on Sunday, October 22nd, 2023 at 1:00 PM. Please join community leaders at this prayer service to pray for peace. The “Let There Be Peace on Earth and Let It Begin With Me” pray service is taking place due to the Israel-Hamas War.

As of October 18th, the war between Israel and Hamas has entered its twelfth day. This conflict began on October 7th, 2023 when the Palestinian militant group Hamas launched an unprecedented assault on Israel… At least 1,400 Israelis have been killed and more than 2,700 Palestinians have been killed during this conflict.

All are welcome to attend the prayer service at Christ United Methodist Church.

The City of Glens Falls Hosts Ceremonial Groundbreaking for Central DRI Project

Written by Kate Haggerty on . Posted in Business, Community, Downtown, Featured.

On Friday, October 20th, 2023, at 3:00 PM, the city of Glens Falls will be hosting a ceremonial groundbreaking to mark the start of construction of the City’s $5-million event and market center. This is the signature project of the Downtown Revitalization Initiative.

The $4.55-million contract for this building project was awarded to Bunkoff General Contractors Inc. out of Latham, New York, winning the bid over five other contractors. The project – located between 51 and 63 South Street – will be a 6,000 square-foot farmers market and event space. The Market Center pavilion will be the year-round home of the farmers market and other community events. 

“We’re pleased to now be able to show on-the-ground progress on South Street that reflects all of the work that City staff have done together with consultants, designers, and other professionals to bring this to fruition,” said Glens Falls Mayor Bill Collins. 

This investment is expected to bring more shoppers and investment to what for decades has been a run-down commercial area: “The Event and Market Center is expected to be transformative – and not just to South Street,” Collins said. “It will no longer be the last corridor of the city untouched by economic progress.”

“It has been a marathon to bring this project to fruition,” said Glens Falls Economic Development Director Jeff Flagg. “Following the sudden passing of my long-time predecessor, Ed Bartholomew, and amid the 30-month disruption of the COVID pandemic the City staff, consultants, and advisors spent more than a year just getting the project back on track… And then, with the update in the project parameters, and the increasing costs of materials and labor, we had to ensure that the proposal was still economically viable and acceptable to the state,” Flagg said.

The groundbreaking ceremony will take place at 57 South Street in Glens Falls at 3:00 PM on Friday, October 20th, 2023.

Major Winter Attractions and Special Events Coming to Lake George, NY Area

Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Columns, Community, Downtown, Entertainment, Featured, News.

Photo provided.

LAKE GEORGE, N.Y. – This winter, Lake George, N.Y., will welcome a pair of magical celebrations to delight people of all ages:

In December, Lake George Winter’s Dream, a brand-new outdoor immersive multimedia experience, will unfold at the Fort William Henry historical fortress. Surrounding visitors in light, sound, original music, video projection and interactivity, the experience will recall the rich emotions, sensations and magic of the winter season. The attraction will unfold in the Fort’s outdoor courtyard and on its four bastions.

Next Door to Fort William Henry, at Festival Commons in Lake George, Winter Realms: The Wintertainment Destination will enchant visitors with ice skating, dazzling lights, larger-than-life motifs, a sculpture park, igloos, Santa’s Village, a Polar Ice Bar, and a variety of other winter attractions.

Winter Realms will open on Friday, Nov. 24, 2023, coinciding with Lake George’s Lite Up the Village Holiday kickoff event. Tickets for Winter Realms will go on sale Wednesday, Nov. 1, 2023. Winter’s Dream will open in early December.  To join the waiting list for Winter’s Dream tickets, or receive updates, please visit LakeGeorgeWintersDream.com.

Winter’s Dream is created and produced by the award-winning multidisciplinary studio Moment Factory. Established in Montreal, Moment Factory is an international studio that has crafted more than 525 projects worldwide, including productions with Madonna, Billie Eilish, the Toronto Zoo, Sony, the Boston Museum of Science and the Lumina Night Walk series.

Winter Realms, created by the artists behind the famous Ice Castles, will debut a new, more weather-resistant winter experience. The unique blend of artistry and winter wonder will ensure unforgettable winter memories for visitors even when winter weather is scarce.

Photo provided.

“Lake George is first with family fun all summer and fall. Now, we hope it will be the leading place for new and memorable wintertime family entertainment, too,” said Warren County Winter Coalition Chairman Vincent Crocitto II.

Lake George Winter’s Dream and Winter Realms received financial support from Warren County as part of the public-private effort to foster year-round tourism and local employment. Both events are supported by Warren County Tourism/Visit the Lake George Area of the Adirondacks and the Warren County Winter Coalition.

Tickets for these events will be sold separately to allow visitors to select the most convenient entry times for their groups. For more information, please visit LakeGeorgeWintersDream.com and www.winterrealms.com. 

About the Warren County Winter Coalition: The Warren County Winter Coalition is a non-profit group of Lake George area business and community leaders working to expand wintertime employment opportunities for local people, generate new revenue for local businesses and sales and occupancy tax revenue for Warren County, and foster the development of year-round tourism in the region. Vincent Crocitto II is president of the Coalition.