simply saratoga march 2011

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Simply put, the magazine is ‘Simply Saratoga’ which debuted with our holiday 2010 issue. Simply Saratoga Magazine You will find the regular features you have come to expect, and many more. With high quality glossy photos, dynamic layout and in-depth features about the people, places and things that make our region great. ‘Simply Saratoga’ will tell the stories behind the headlines. You could say we are simplifying our lives… with Simply Saratoga!

TRANSCRIPT

Page 1: Simply Saratoga March 2011

Simply Saratoga | 3

4 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 5

Pg 36Pg 8Reviews

8 Lake Ridge Restaurant

Big cuisine magic in a very small town

32 The Frozen Rabbi

Steve Sternrsquos most recent novel

Home ampGarden

36 Unique Places ampCreative SpacesA place in the country-

in Saratoga Springs

42 The RightApproach toInterior Design

Blairhouse Interiors Group

50 Spring Dorsquos and Donrsquots

For the gardener

58 Exterior andStoneworkIllumination

Enjoy your space

66 PlayhousesMake a childrsquos

dream come true

74 Not yourGrandmarsquosKitchenAdirondack Applicance

talks kitchens

Pg 14Things

to Know14 Bottle Notes

Organic but not green

22 Protecting YourRetirement

Something not to lose site of

30 Women Takethis Warning toHeart

Heart Health

34 Simple TruthsHow is your

mental state

Pg 12Things to Do

12 Maple WeekendsToo sweet to miss

16 Save the DateFor these great events

Contents

Pg 19Prom Style

Pg 24SummerCamps

March April 2011

Seasonal

VIEWON-LINE

flip through the pages of this

magazine and link to

the advertisers websites at

SaratogaPublishingcom

Cover Photo by Samu Studios

Simply Saratoga is brought to you by SaratogaPublishing LLC Saratoga Publishing shall make everyeffort to avoid errors and omissions but disclaims anyresponsibility should they occur No part of this pub-lication may be reproduced stored in a retrieval sys-tem or transmitted in any form or by any meanswithout prior written consent of the publisherCopyright (c) 2010 Saratoga Publishing LLC

OwnerPublisherChad Beatty

General ManagerRobin Mitchell

Creative DirectorChris Bushee

Art DirectorTiffany Garland

EditorArthur Gonick

WritersYael Goldman

Daniel SchechtmanHelen Edelman Michael Okby

Patty NovoAndrij O BaranKerry Mendez

Meghan Lemery

AdvertisingCindy Durfey

Jim Daley

Pre-Press CoordinatorSam Bolles

Copy ProofreaderAnne Proulx

Contributing PhotographersCreative Photo amp GraphicStock Studios Photography

PrintingFry Communications

Published bySaratoga Publishing LLC

Five Case StreetSaratoga Springs NY 12866

tel 5185812480fax 5185812487

SaratogaPublishingcom

Photo by MarkBollescom

6 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 7

8 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 9

Making a new friend when you least expect it is a surpris-

ing pleasure ndash and thatrsquos the good feeling we came away

with after dining at Lake Ridge restaurant Tucked into his-

toric picture-perfect Round Lake ndash about 15 minutes from

Saratoga Springs off Northway exit 11 ndash Lake Ridge is the

gracious good-looking reliable insightful host yoursquoll want

to sit down for a meal with again and again

Saratoga Lake resident Bob McKenna is co-owner of the

eatery with Chef Scott Ringwood of Malta Ringwood is

formerly of The Old Dater Tavern in Halfmoon Also co-

owner and general manager of New Country Toyota

McKenna underlines the philosophy that has propelled the

restaurant through its first decade of success and accolades

ldquoWe love to please people and to create a great event

whether itrsquos a special evening out for a couple an office

gathering a rehearsal dinner date night or a business

lunch We want our customers to have a comfortable

rewarding experiencerdquo

A squarish building constructed in the 1870s the struc-

ture previously housed a general store and a bakery Vastly

updated by McKenna and Ringwood - without compro-

mising the aesthetic of the community - Lake Ridge is an

asset to the unique village of just over 600 neighbors

Founded in the latter half of the 19th century as a pros-

perous and naturally beautiful outpost of the Troy

Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church Round

Lake is an oasis off the beaten path The business sup-

ports community preservation by improving the proper-

ty is a taxpayer and employer and is a good neighbor

sponsoring a softball team and donating food to various

community events and organizations

Long-time Round Lake resident Susan Stratton is

enthusiastic about the presence of Lake Ridge which she

can walk to easily ldquoBesides the obvious ndash the food is

yummy ndash we welcome having such a cooperative flour-

ishing business in our communityrdquo she says

The restaurant thrives in the summer catering to sea-

sonal visitors but tables are set for lunch and dinner

every day except Monday year-round Burgeoning busi-

ness in Malta has driven a noon crowd to Lake Ridge for

unhurried salads soups burgers pasta and sandwiches

while in the evening some people make reservations for

Story By Helen Susan EdelmanPhotos by copystockstudiosphotographycom

Food for Thought

big cuisine magic in a very small town

10 | Simply Saratoga

their next dinner on the way out mdash especially wise

for Saturdays when all 80 seats are often occupied

Informal and genial as it is Lake Ridge is defi-

nitely a ldquofine diningrdquo destination complete with

tablecloths and elegant touches such as silverware

changed between courses Worth noting is the

physical comfort afforded by commodious furni-

ture eye-pleasing deacutecor and an intelligent floor

plan that affords privacy and mellow lighting The

restaurant features three lovely and distinctive din-

ing rooms a former deck enclosed with large win-

dows a warm center room that can accommodate

couples or groups and a small dining area up front

ideal for an intimate tecircte-a-tecircte A few years ago

the restaurant added a glistening mahogany bar

with high stools and a TV The handcrafted show-

case - designed milled and constructed by

McKennarsquos high school buddy Judd Storm and his

partner Bill Tedesco of Marketplace Millwork in

Troy - boasts an exceptional selection of red white

and sparkling wines and scotches bourbons and

beers in which the owners take special pride

Key to smooth operations is manager Diana

Murphy of Wilton who has been part of the busi-

ness since its inception six days a week She is clear

about her mission ldquoThink about the guests

whether you are adding a menu item putting flow-

ers on the table suggesting a wine or choosing wall

artrdquo

McKenna emphasizes Murphyrsquos critical input

ldquoShersquos been there since the beginning and we could-

nrsquot do it as well without herrdquo he says ldquoShersquos smart

and she pulls it together whatever it takesrdquo

The team commitment shows in every aspect of

the restaurant from the imaginative menu to spe-

cial events like wine dinners that keep Lake Ridge

exciting On center stage is the generous scrump-

tious food something for every palate ndash light appe-

tizer-size portions with sophisticated flavors or

hearty soul-satisfying repasts

Appetizers are taken seriously (shrimp and avo-

cado artichoke souffleacute eggplant Napoleon and a 4-

ounce filet mignon) but thatrsquos just the beginning

McKenna points particularly to the exceptional

entrees herb-crusted swordfish veal Jacqueline

(with mushrooms and crabmeat) and the enormous

pecan pork chop as customer favorites but the

menu extends far beyond these top picks with sea

bass (delicious) salmon rack of lamb rosemary

chicken steak duck and a roster of pastas

Simply Saratoga | 11

(Companion had a fabulous linguini tossed with ample

seafood) There are four crispy salads that incorporate

local ingredients when possible and a lineup of irre-

sistible desserts Sneak a peek at wwwlake-ridgecom

for the complete menu and prices

Itrsquos no surprise that Lake Ridge was voted Best

American Cuisine in the Capital Region by Metroland

readers in 2006 and that McKenna and Ringwood

were named Entrepreneurs of the Year by Southern

Saratoga Chamber of Commerce in 2005

But the highest praise of all comes in the form of a

loyal following and I can see that Companion is join-

ing the fold Succinct by nature he declares ldquoIrsquoll go

back for morerdquo

And Irsquoll go with him

Lake Ridge Restaurant 35 Burlington Ave Round Lake (Northway exit 11)Open Tuesday-Saturday lunch 1130 am - 230 pm dinner 430-845 pm Sunday dinner 3-8 pm (518)-899-6000wwwlake-ridgecom

sect

12 | Simply Saratoga

March 19 - 20 andMarch 26 - 27

2011

Simply Saratoga | 13

T ired of being lsquocooped uprsquo

with all the cold weather

and snow this winter

Why not go visit a maple produc-

tion facility to see first-hand how this

yummy syrup is made and sam-

ple some sweet delights

The Annual Maple

Weekend(s) are the last two

weekends in March and

there are numerous produc-

ers participating this year

Maple syrup is the first crop

and harvest of the year and of

course one of the sweetest Unlike most farming the crop or

maple trees doesnrsquot have to be re-planted every year Maple

producers literally lsquotaprsquo into the sap that starts moving up the

tree in the spring to nourish the branches to produce buds

When the weather gets warmer into the 40rsquos during the day that

is the signal that the sap is running Hard freezes at night are also

an important factor as that causes the sap to flow back down to the

roots at night This movement of sap can occur for upwards of six

weeks depending upon the weather

Tapping into the sap doesnrsquot harm the trees itrsquos like giving

blood But tapping trees that are too small can stunt their growth

It takes forty gallons of the sap to make only one gallon of maple

syrup As harvests go thatrsquos a very small ratio of raw material to

finished product

It may surprise you to learn that the only place in the world

where maple syrup is made is here in the northeastern United

States and in eastern Canada Take a quick trip this maple sea-

son to sample some pure delight here in the surrounding

Capital District area and celebrate this sweet harvest

For Maple Weekend information contact New York

State Maple Producerrsquos Association website at

wwwnysmaplecom or for a complete list of maple produc-

ers participating in Maple

Weekend visit

mapleweekendcomSubmitted byCaroline Foote Co-ownerMaple Hill Farm Cobleskill NYwwwMaplehillfarmsbiz(518) 234-4858mhfarmvcrbwildbluenet

sect

14 | Simply Saratoga

NopehellipIrsquom not suggesting you dye your wine green in honor

of St Paddyrsquos (although that might be fun) Irsquom talking about

ORGANIC wine What exactly makes a wine organic

Andhellipwhy should you try it

Strictly speaking an ldquoorganicrdquo wine is one crafted from organ-

ically grown grapes This is to say the grapes in the bottle have

been grown without the use of pesticides herbicides chemical

fertilizers or synthetic chemicals of any kind These chemical

agents are not allowed on the grapes or the soil in which the

grapes are grown What used to be termed ldquoorganic winerdquo is now

termed ldquowines made from organic grapesrdquo The distinction is

confusing to most including many of the winemakers In addi-

tion most consumers are led to believe that all wines made from

organic grapes do not contain any sulfites This is inaccurate The

fermenting yeasts which are present on ALL grape skins gener-

ate naturally-occurring sulfites in varying amounts So wines

COMPLETELY devoid of sulfites are an anomaly and are not

the wines you see on the shelf of your local wine shop Wines

LOW in sulfites or free of ADDED sulfites are what you will

find instead These wines will conform to the standards of organ-

ic practices and will not contain sulfites in an amount greater

than allowed by the USDA For those who are sensitive to sul-

fites or prefer to sip organic wines as a matter of philosophy

there are hundreds of organic wines that will satisfy Okay

enough of the chemistry lesson

More and more winemakers are embracing the idea of con-

forming to organic practices when creating their wines For

these farmers and winemakers maintaining a healthy and

active soil for the grapes to grow in is the key Farming and

cultivating using these methods encourages biodiversity

which also aids in regulating the soil In turn these meth-

ods protect both the environment and the workers in the

vineyardshellipcertainly not a bad thing So while just a few

years ago your options were a bit limited if you wanted to

ldquodrink greenrdquo now there are hundreds of options to choose

from At the forefront of this movement is a winery thatrsquos

located right in New York State In fact it is the first organic

winery in North America and is located right on the western

B ttle N tes

By Patricia Novo

Photos by Mark Bolles

GreenhellipGreenhellipWine

Simply Saratoga | 15

shore of Seneca

LakehellipFour Chimneys

Organic Winery

Established in 1980

Four Chimneys was

green before being

green was cool In addi-

tion to crafting their

wines in accordance

with the standards for

organic wine estab-

lished by the NOFA-

NY Certified Organic

they also do not utilize

any animal products in

their wines For these

reasons many vegetari-

ans embrace the Four

Chimneys wines as well and have contributed to their enor-

mous popularity Four Chimneys offers several interesting

wines ranging from dry to sweet and also features several

fruit-based wines that are extremely popular For those who

love Pinot Grigio their ldquoKingdom Whiterdquo is worth sampling

This is Four Chimneyrsquos driest white and is an ideal accompa-

niment to light seafood preparations ldquoKingdom Redrdquo also a

very dry wine is similar in texture to a Merlot and will please

Merlot drinkers offering full and rich berry and plum flavors

on the palate For those who enjoy a touch of sweetness in their

wines their ldquoEye of the Doverdquo is a slightly sweet Cabernet

Franc based red which is best served with a slight chill This

wine makes a lovely accompaniment to barbecue and other

dishes with a bit of smoke and heat Even sweeter on the scale

are their ldquoFirst Loverdquo and ldquoEye of the Beerdquo wines ldquoFirst Loverdquo

is most reminiscent of Riesling although it is based on the

Vidal grape This very fragrant wine is quite refreshing and

offers up aromas of fresh white peach and honey Their most

popular wine is ldquoEye of the Beerdquo a semi-sweet rose-colored

wine whose flavors and aromas mimic those of freshly picked

grapes off the vine Their offerings of fruit wines also are quite

popular These combine organically grown grapes with organ-

ically grown fruits from their farm With names like

ldquoHoneydew Moonrdquo ldquoCelestial Peachrdquo ldquoStrawberry

Meadowsrdquo and ldquoRaspberry Sunrdquo these sweet fruit wines

would make an interesting choice with your dessert and are

also delightful served alongside some soft ripened cheeses such

as Brie and Camembert and fresh fruit

This is just a small introduction to the world of organic

wines For additional information or if you have specific ques-

tions about the differences among organic wines please stop in

and chat with me about this very popular subject I am more

than happy to answer any additional questions that you might

have Cheers sect

Patricia Novo is the owner of Crush amp Cask Wine and Spirits at170 South Broadway in Saratoga Springs She holds anAssociates Degree in Culinary Arts from SCCC and also serves ontheir Advisory Board Patricia also has certification in Wine andSpirits from the WSET as well as an Aficionado of WineCertification from the Robert Parker and Kevin Zraly WineProgram She is pursuing her Sommelier certification in Winter2011

16 | Simply Saratoga

Savethe

DateHomemade Theater Presents HARVEY

Homemade Theater Spa State Park South Broadway Saratoga SpringsElwood P Dowd is a gentle soul ndash kind hearted and

loving He has only one flaw ndash his invisible six foot-tall rabbit companion Harvey His family convincesElwood to commit himself to a sanitarium Then thelunacy really begins Multiple mistaken identities lotsof laughs and Harvey is on the loose Does the worldneed more lsquonormal peoplersquo Will you see Harvey

April 22 23 29 30 amp May 6 7 at 8 pm and May1 and 8 at 2 pm Tickets are $23 and $26 Visit home-madetheaterorg for more information

Celebrate Earth Week Recycled Art Show

Saratoga National Historical Park 648 Rte 32Stillwater

Weekend-long exhibit beginning on Friday April15 through Sunday April 17 with original works ofldquorecycled artrdquo with each piece containing at least50 reclaimed or recycled materials For more infor-mation please visit npsgovsara or phone (518) 664-9821 ext 224

Easter Egg HuntMalta Community Center 1 Bayberry DrFrom 10 to 11 am on Saturday April 16 please reg-

ister by April 8 by calling (518) 899-4411 Residentsof Malta $6 non-residents $7 Please bring your ownEaster basket to collect your eggs

Washington County Farm and Fiber Tour

On April 24 and 25 bring the family to this freetour to visit alpacas bunnies goats sheep and lambsllamas and meet the farmers and their familiesWatch spinning knitting weaving and felting demon-strations Learn about raising the livestock and petsthat we cherish For more information visitwwwwashingtoncountyfibertourorg

Geocache Easter Egg HuntGalway Preserve 2519 Crane RdOn Saturday April 30 find some eggs find some

caches and find some friends (or make new ones) asyou and your children search throughout the preservePrizes for found eggs will include candy toys geo-items and more Drinks and snacks will be availableThis event will be led by Chris Parker Preserve stewardand geocacher extraordinare For more informationcall Saratoga PLAN at (518) 587-4555

Hadley Maple FestivalHeld on Rockwell St on Saturday April 30 this

event runs all day from 8 am to 4 pm Bring the fami-ly for everything maple Visit wwwhadleybusinessas-sociationnet for more information

MapleWeekendsMarch 19-20th

amp 26-27th

See Pages 12-13

Simply Saratoga | 17

Saratoga Springs Mardi Gras FestivalHeld at various locations downtown Saratoga on

Saturday April 30 this event benefits Saratoga EOCand the Giving Circle For more information visitsaratogamardigrasorg

British Army Spring Training DaySaratoga National Historical Park 648 Rte 32

StillwaterOn May 7 from 10 am to 4 pm The cold winter has

ended and a new campaign season begins Soldiersdrill camp followers mend clothes and the armyprepares to quell the American ldquorebellionrdquo See thetroops and decide the outcome of a re-enacted courtmartial

St Clements Horse ShowYaddo grounds next to Oklahoma TrackHeld May 3 to May 8 and May 11 to May 15 This

is one of the largest horse shows on the east coastFor more information visit saintclementshorse-showcom

18 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 19

Prom

T h i s W a y

20 | Simply Saratoga

Glamor

ous

Daz

zling

Elega

ntFlir

ty

Gor

geou

s

Girls

itrsquos

Show

time

Simply Saratoga | 21

Web

Extras

See

the

pics tha

t didn

rsquot

mak

e it in

the

Mag

azine

on

SaratogaB

ridalEXPO

com

Grecian

God

dess

Athe

na

Classic B

eaut

y

Holly

wood

Glamou

r

Wild

and

Untam

edElega

nt

22 | Simply Saratoga

The current economic and market environment has prompt-

ed many Americans to rethink their retirement strategies If

you are experiencing a job transitionmdashparticularly if the tran-

sition is unplanned and unexpectedmdashsuch a reassessment may

be particularly important for you While it may be tempting to

focus more on your immediate needs you should not lose sight

of long-term goals especially your retirement strategy

Some Basic Decisions Your employer-sponsored retirement plan is likely to be a

key component of your retirement strategy Because it repre-

sents a key source of future retirement income it is important

to carefully consider your alternatives for administering these

assets During a job transition you will usually have three

options take a lump-sum distribution leave your assets in the

employer-sponsored plan or move your assets into a Rollover

IRA

Taking a direct lump-sum distributionmdashWith this

option the assets in your plan are distributed directly to you in

a lump sum which provides you with immediate access to

your funds Depending on your short-term needs that may

appear to be an attractive alternative However a distribution

will likely result in substantial federal and state income taxes

and a 10 percent IRS penalty tax which can significantly

reduce the amount of the distribution Because you will be

receiving the distribution directly the plan administrator must

withhold up to 20 percent of the value of the distribution for

federal income tax purposes Moreover you will lose the ben-

efit of the tax-deferred status of these assets which could

reduce the amount ultimately available to you at retirement

The status quo optionmdashYou can decide to do nothing

leaving your assets in your former employerrsquos plan That will

protect the tax-deferred status of your assets and allow you to

transfer the account assets at a later time to a new employerrsquos

retirement plan that accepts rollovers But you may be limiting

your investment choices and control because employer plans

typically have a restricted investment menu and require the

consent of your spouse before you can name someone else as

a beneficiary

Establishing a Rollover IRAmdashA Rollover IRA simultane-

ously addresses the issues of taxation flexibility and control

and may hold significant benefits for you as a result

Submitted by H Michael Okby Wealth Advisor

Fin

ancia

l Protecting Your RetirementInvestmentsDuring a JobTransition

If your distribution is transferred directly to a custodian rather than

to you the Rollover IRA eliminates the withholding requirement and

penalties that may result from a lump-sum distribution

The entire rollover amount can be investedimmediately according to the strategy youspecify bull Your assets and any earnings continue to have the potential to

grow tax-deferred until you retire and begin taking withdrawals

bull You may gain access to a wider range of investment options and

more retirement planning and distribution flexibility

bull You can name any beneficiary including a trust without

needing the consent of your spouse (although special rules may

apply in community property states)

For example investment products in an employer plan are usually

limited to mutual funds and company stock With a self-directed

Rollover IRA you can work with your financial professional to struc-

ture a portfolio using stocks bonds annuities and other investments

utilizing an asset allocation1 that is customized to help you meet your

retirement investment objectives And your retirement strategy can be

further tailored with a wider range of beneficiary selection and distri-

bution choices

Consider Consolidation This may also be an excellent time to deal with multiple IRAs you

may have opened over the years and with account balances you may

have left in the plans of former employers Together these assets may

represent a significant sum There are good reasons to consider con-

solidating them all in a Rollover IRA

Comprehensive investment strategymdashIt can be difficult to main-

tain an effective investment strategymdashone that accurately reflects

your goals timing and risk tolerancemdashwhen assets are spread among

multiple financial institutions When you consolidate your financial

professional can help you ensure that these assets are part of your

overall asset allocation strategy that is reflective of your current

financial situation and long-term retirement goals

Greater investment flexibilitymdashA self-directed IRA generally

offers you the ability to choose from a wide range of investment

products including stocks bonds mutual funds annuities and more

Simplified trackingmdashIt is easier to monitor your progress and

investment results when all your retirement savings are in one place

because you will receive one statement instead of several That sim-

plifies your life while protecting the environment

Lower costsmdashReducing the number of accounts may also reduce

your account fees and other investment-related charges

Dealing with one account rather than several also simplifies

the distribution processmdashincluding complying with complex min-

imum distribution rules when you reach age 70 And you avoid the

risk of losing track of your retirement accounts or access to the

account assets should your former employer merge with another

company or go out of business Your financial professional can help

you assess your alternatives so you can make decisions based on

whatrsquos best for you You may find that this time of transition holds

benefits for your retirement assets

For more information please contact H Michael Okby at (518) 583-5601

sect

Simply Saratoga | 23

24 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 25

Summer camp is a place wherelifelong memories are made

This is where our children learnto cultivate their interests andordiscover a world of new activities tohelp their young minds grow andfor them to become physically fit

Even though there may be snowon the ground when you read thisit is never too early to think aboutyour childrenrsquos summer fun Weare blessed in this region with avariety of destinations providing awealth of activities

And while there is something foreveryone early planning is a mustto assure your child has a spot inone of these great places At theend of a long winter seasonthoughts of summer camp arerejuvenating for adults as well

Summer Camp Guide 2011

YMCA Camp Chingachgook

NdakinnaNdakinna Education Center located in

Greenfield Center offers a wide variety of

summer camp programs and activities that

will provide campers with a greater

respect and understanding for the natural

world as well as the Northeastrsquos rich

Native American history Hosted by

renowned author and wilderness and sur-

vival expert James Bruchac these pro-

grams are ideal for children with a sense

of adventure and natural wonder Summer

programs are divided into two groups

children ages three to eight and older

campers ages nine to fourteen Programs

range in duration from one to two weeks

26 | Simply Saratoga

YMCA Camp Chingachgook located on beauti-

ful Lake George has three camping options sleep-

away camp day camp and adventure trips

Summer sleep-away camp is the experience of a

lifetime The camp is divided into junior and sen-

ior boys and girls units junior campers between

the ages of seven and 12 and senior campers are 13

to 15 years old All Chingachgook counselors go

through extensive two-week training and prepa-

ration prior to the beginning of the first session

Campers will enjoy a full schedule of skill

classes which they can choose on their own

and special events and programs Campers can

choose from swimming water skiing canoeing

nature arts outdoor living skills theater news-

paper riflery archery dance guitar outdoor

cooking sports zone water world woodwork-

ing softball soccer tennis photography sail-

ing high ropes mountain biking and rock

climbing Each camper sets up their own daily

schedule of four skill classes at the start of the

session

Two-week camp sessions at Chingachgook

also include a three-day hike which allows

campers to get out and experience the wilder-

ness in a fun and safe atmosphere

Chingachgook also offers a variety of unique

adventure camps for children looking to explore

unique destinations and experience a whole new

level of fun options like sailing kayak-

ing boat building rock climbing canoe-

ing community service white-water

rafting hiking and backpacking bicycle

touring and mountain biking Adventure

campers will benefit from activities with

smaller coed groups of ten or less

Day Camp at Chingachgook is a fun

option for children ages five to ten

Campers will enjoy a full day of fun

activities from 930 am to 430 pm The

Day Camp program is divided into eight

one-week segments with the first session

starting on June 28 and the final session

starting on August 16 Each session has

a different theme

Spaces are limited at Chingachgook

so be sure to sign up as soon as possible

For more information to sign up for a

tour or to register for camp visit

wwwcapitaldistrictymcacom or call

(518) 656-9462

each covering a different skill or activity such

as animal tracking basic wilderness survival

skills and shelter building Native American

storytelling and games and nature-based arts

and crafts projects will teach campers to have

fun in the great outdoors Each camp program

promotes team building natural awareness

patience and confidence

Ndakinna also offers family camp pro-

grams which allow children and their parents

to experience the outdoors together Family

programs can accommodate children ages one

to 14 These programs offer the

same skills training and team-

building activities To view the

finalized calendar of programs

and events visit

wwwNdcenterorg

Cutting Edge Martial ArtsCutting Edge Martial Artrsquos A+ After

School and Summer Camp Program is a year-

round child care solution that provides a pos-

itive structured environment for children

after school and during the day in the sum-

mer During the school year we pick chil-

dren up directly from the local elementary

and middle schools and provide an hour les-

son that starts with our ldquoMat Chatrdquo a ten

minute character education lesson for the day

followed by a full 50 minute martial arts

class Parents have a window between 5 and

545 pm to pick up their children while chil-

dren have the opportunity after class to get

their homework started

During the summer children get all the

benefits of our A+ Program but on a grander

scale We offer nine weeks of full day camps

and have no minimum or maximum number

of days per week or number of weeks that a

student can attend Each week of camp we

have a curriculum of character education

lessons fun games and a one hour martial

arts class every day We watch a movie in

the afternoons twice a week have a video

game morning on Fridays and take all our

campers on an educa-

tional outing on

Wednesdays and a

fun and exciting out-

ing every Friday

Our average camp

size is 20-25 stu-

dents and we have

three full time staff

graphed by Sarah Sutliff

Saratoga Childrenrsquos Theatre also offers a one-

week camp at the end of the summer ldquoMaster

your Auditionrdquo This camp will help your child

get ready for fall and winter auditions These

audition workshops have been very popular and

sell out quickly Any child at any skill level with

an interest in performing arts is welcome to join

in on the fun Saratoga Childrenrsquos Theatre

Executive Director Meg Kelly aims to give each

camper the most rewarding and enjoyable camp

experience and every camper will get to perform

The Saratoga Childrenrsquos Theatre hires profes-

sionals to help your child gain the most from

their summer camp experience

The cost for a two-week session is $450 and

$250 for the one-week session For more infor-

mation visit wwwsaratogachildrenstheatreorg

or call (518) 580-1782

For kids who have a passion for per-

forming arts Saratoga Childrenrsquos Theatre

summer camp is a dream come true

Saratoga Childrenrsquos Theatre offers per-

formance camps which means each

camper will be working on a full-fledged

production throughout their session

Campers will learn all aspects of perform-

ance and will have the opportunity to per-

form in two shows at the end of camp a

matinee and an evening show are both

open to the public Campers will perform

on stage at St Petersrsquo Auditorium

Saratoga Springs Camp hours are 9am-

3pm Performance camp is divided into

two age groups

Ages 6-9 will participate in one week

camps These camps will include Disneyrsquos

Sleeping Beauty kids Cinderella kids

Aristocats kids 101 Dalmatians kids and

Lemonade These camps will be directed by

Megan OrsquoSullivan a local elementary school

music teacher and assisted by Karey

Trimmings also a local elementary school

music teacher

Ages 10-18 will participate in two-week

camps Each camp will practice and perform a

different show These

camps include

Thoroughly Modern

Mille Jr Cinderella Jr

Fiddler on the Roof Jr

and Once on this Island

Jr These camps will be

directed by Michael

Lotano local actor and

elementary school music

teacher and choreo-

Saratoga Childrenrsquos Theatre

Simply Saratoga | 27

working with our students

Our goal is to provide a family-friendly

and fun environment that feels like a home

away from home Our students have fun

learning skills that can be used every day of

their lives and we try to provide memories

that will last a lifetime For many our

summer camps are a wonderful introduc-

tion to martial arts

For more information visit

wwwsaratogamartialartscom

or call (518) 587-5501

28 | Simply Saratoga

Saratoga Independent SchoolSaratoga Independent School hosts a variety of summer

programs split into two age groups three to eight year-olds

Wilton Recreation CampWilton Recreation offers a full-day summer

camp program for children in grades one

through nine With available pre-camp and

post-camp care working parents can ensure

their children are having fun in a safe environ-

ment before and after the camprsquos regular 9 am to

3 pm hours Parents who register their children

for before and after camp care can drop off their

children prior to camp opening at 830 am and

can pick them up at 530 pm Bussing is avail-

able for Wilton residents who register for regu-

lar camp hours (9 am to 3 pm)

Wilton Recreation Camp offers a full sched-

ule of daily onsite activities themed events and

exciting trips for kids who register for off-site

adventures Daily on-site activities include arts

and crafts sports playground fun and other

organized group games This yearrsquos scheduled

field trips include Million Dollar Beach in Lake

George movie days at Proctors Theater

Saratoga County Fair bowling white water

rafting and at least two swimming days per

week at Peerless Pool

The Summer 2011 camp will open on

June 27 and run until August

12 Registration begins

March 14 at Gavin Park and

will close on June 3 As

there are only 300 spaces

available be sure to mark

your calendar Camp

registration forms are

available online at

wwwtownofwiltoncom or

can be picked up weekdays

at Gavin Park 9 am to 5 pm

For any other questions

please call the park office at (518) 584-9455

and seven to 14 year-olds The weeklong programs run from July 5

to August 19

Saratoga Independent School summer programs are staffed large-

ly by their own teachers so parents can rest assured their kids are

supervised in a safe environment with experienced teachers who are

knowledgeable about child development and hands-on

programming

For the younger group weekly themed programs run from 9 am

to noon (early drop-off at 830 available) The staff-to-camper ratio

is one to six for children ages three and four and one to ten for chil-

dren ages five to eight Themed programs include ldquoCooking with

Curiosityrdquo ldquoHawaiian Hullabaloordquo ldquoHands-On Science Funrdquo

ldquoHoliday-A-Dayrdquo ldquoGood Versus Evil Imaginations Run Wildrdquo

ldquoDinosaur Discoveryrdquo ldquoIn the Jungle the Mighty Junglerdquo

Activities take place both indoors and outdoors

The selection of enrichment programs for older children is even

more extensive this year than in the past Some programs will take

place in the mornings others in the afternoon Age ranges will vary

depending on the subject matter These specialty programs give chil-

dren an opportunity to develop new interests and expand on existing

skills Programs include ldquoCartooning and Morerdquo ldquoImprovisationrdquo

ldquoKnittingrdquo ldquoOpen Art Studiordquo ldquoYou Can Do Magicrdquo ldquoGet Up and

Dancerdquo ldquoRoaring into Robots Whatrsquos Nextrdquo ldquoArt in the Ancient

Worldrdquo ldquoMad Sciencerdquo ldquoComputer Video Game Creationrdquo

ldquoAdvanced Robot Challengesrdquo and ldquoArt-Math Connectionrdquo

Registration has already begun and the programs fill up quickly so

visit wwwsiskidsorg for more information and to secure a space

for your child

Simply Saratoga | 29

Are your kids looking for an adventure this summer The

Saratoga Regional YMCA has two exciting day camps available

Camp Starhitch held at the Wilton Branch which engages children

with a multitude of fun activities and a trip each week and Travel

Camp where participants meet at the Saratoga Springs Branch and

then travel off to fun and thrilling places each day

Camp Starhitch is for children having completed Kindergarten

through entering fifth grade Campers will participate in games

sports crafts nature activities trips swimming archery and more

Each week is planned around a theme and includes a trip For exam-

ple during ldquo70rsquos Flashbackrdquo week campers will go roller skating

during ldquoThe Wild Frontierrdquo week kids will have the opportunity to

go horseback riding and during ldquoTropical Paradiserdquo week partici-

pants may ldquocatch a gnarly waverdquo at an outdoor water park

Travel Camp is definitely for the action seeker and for those who

like to be on the go This program for youth entering fifth through

tenth grade provides campers an opportunity to travel each and every

day to fun-filled locations Participants explore different summer

activities that include amusement and water parks outdoor sports

fairs and horseback riding This year the trips include a visit to Hunter

Mountain Six Flags New England Tubing on the Battenkill NY

Mets game at Citi Field the NY State Fair and more

Camp Starhitch and Travel Camp both run for nine one-week ses-

sions You may choose to attend camp for one week or any combina-

tion of weeks Experienced counselors supervise children and a ratio

of 110 ensures a safe quality camping experience CPR and First Aid

certified camp staff will be present on all trips At Travel Camp

campers will be grouped according to age and are supervised by expe-

rienced adult staff

Camp Starhitch has two day camp options for your child Option A

allows for your child to be dropped off at 9 am and picked up at 4 pm

and Option B has a 7 am drop off time and a 6 pm pick up time

Travel Camp runs from 9 am to 430 pm and extended hours are

available at no additional cost This year transportation will be provid-

ed in both directions between the Saratoga Springs and Wilton

branches Pickups will be as early as 815 am and drop-offs will be

as late as 5 pm Both camps try to cater to working parents

In addition the Saratoga Regional YMCA is committed to provid-

ing a safe and welcoming environment for all campers by incorporat-

ing the YMCAcore values of caring honesty respect and responsibil-

ity in daily activities To promote safety and comfort for all individu-

als are asked to act appropriately at all times when at the Yrsquos facilities

or participating in Y programs All campers are required to read and

sign a contract of understanding in reference to the Code of Conduct

We expect persons using the YMCAto act maturely to behave respon-

sibly and to respect the rights and dignity of all othersmdashall while

having a good time

The Y also has opportunities available for those who may not have

the resources to send their children to camp The Y provides scholar-

ships for those who qualify Scholarships are made possible due to

the generous donations of Y members the community and businesses

to the ldquoWe Build Peoplerdquo scholarship campaign held by the Saratoga

Regional YMCA each year Scholarship applications are available at

all Saratoga Regional YMCA branches and online at wwwsaratogare-

gionalymcaorg

Registration is currently ongoing and fills up quickly Registration

forms are available at any of the Saratoga Regional YMCA Branches

or at wwwsaratogaregionalymcaorg For more information about

these day camps please contact Ilene Leverence at (518) 583-9622

ext 103 for Camp Starhitch and Patti Laudicina at (518) 583-9622

ext 110 or Paige Minear ext 116 for Travel Camp

Saratoga YMCA

30 | Simply Saratoga

Ask women about the greatest threat to their health and most will

respond incorrectly with the words ldquobreast cancerrdquo While breast cancer

certainly is of concern the truth is that women are 10 times more like-

ly to die from heart disease Breast cancer kills 1 in 25 women heart

disease claims 1 in 2

The most recent statistics available indicate that cardiovascular dis-

ease causes the death of 500000 women per year ndash more than ALL

forms of cancer combined This is a rate of epidemic proportion

Little or no warning

Two-thirds of women die suddenly from heart disease without expe-

riencing any warning symptoms The majority die before they even

reach the hospital and before any attempt at treatment is possible Early

screening and the detection that leads to prevention offer the only hope

of reducing these deaths

Women who do develop heart disease tend to fare worse than men

One reason is that on average heart disease peaks 10 years later in

women than in men At this older age women are less able to withstand

the stress of the disease The proof can be found in a disturbing statis-

tic One year after their first heart attack 44 percent of women are dead

compared with 27 percent of men

Clearly for women preventing that first heart attack would make an

enormous difference

Know the risks

What can be done to prevent and detect heart disease in women

Of foremost importance is to reduce ndash or if possible eliminate ndash the

conditions that cause or accelerate the growth of blockages in the arter-

ies of the heart These conditions known as risk factors include high

Women Take this warning to heart

Story By Andrij O Baran MD

blood pressure diabetes genetic high cholesterol a high-fat

diet an inactive lifestyle smoking and cocaine use

Some damage the lining of the heartrsquos arteries speeding the

buildup of cholesterol Others raise blood cholesterol Both

smoking and cocaine use speed blood clotting They also can

cause sudden cramps or spasms in the coronary arteries cut-

ting off the entire blood supply to portions of the heart even

without a cholesterol blockage

A woman who has one or more of these risk factors should

ask her doctor how best to control them She also should ask

about further screening and testing such as stress testing

The sooner the better

Lifestyle changes and medications can have a dramatic

impact on reducing the incidence of heart attack provided cho-

lesterol blockages are detected early ndash before damage to the

heart has occurred In fact drugs that lower cholesterol alone

have been unequivocally shown to reduce the risk of heart

attack and death by up to 50 percent

When added to a program of low-fat diet exercise control

of high blood pressure and diabetes and above all else no

smoking the benefits are magnified many times over Keep in

mind of course that these drugs work only if they are taken

and taken appropriately

By knowing and changing their risk factors all women can

ensure themselves of a longer and more vibrant life

Andrij O Baran MD FACC is the Medical Director of

Cardiology Services at Saratoga Hospital

Simply Saratoga | 31

A c t F a s t D u r i n g H e a r t A t t a c k s According to the American Heart

Association clot-busting drugs can stop

some heart attacks in progress reducing

disability and saving lives They work best

given within one hour of when heart

attack signs begin Thatrsquos why itrsquos impor-

tant to recognize the warning signs of a

heart attack and act right away

Warning Signs

bull Pain or discomfort in the jaw

neck or back

bull Feeling weak lightheaded or faint

bull Chest paindiscomfort

bull Paindiscomfort in the arms or

shoulder

bull Shortness of breath

If you think that you or someone you

know is having a heart attack call 911

immediately

32 | Simply Saratoga

Who would believe that a rabbi from Eastern

Europe frozen for 150 years in a block of ice could

be transported across time and space to Memphis

where he thaws then becomes a spiritual guru to

baby boomers Arguably nobody But Steve Stern

the author of ldquoThe Frozen Rabbirdquo his most recent

novel isnrsquot asking readers to believe it so much as

to let the characters tell their story Besides the plot

may be far-fetched but he already has a buyer for

the movie rights

Writer-in-residence at Skidmore College Stern is

a genius at creating human beings in fantastical cir-

cumstances who seem more like eccentric neigh-

bors than artifacts of science fiction Some fly

some inhabit other peoplersquos dreams some are res-

urrected and some travel through time Whatever

their superpowers or frailties the heroes and vil-

lains tricksters and innocents and witnesses and

bystanders in Sternrsquos short and long fiction deserve

attention and evoke compassion in their quest for

connection and redemption - or at least food and

shelter From within an inexhaustible vein of

Jewish folklore and oral history his characters

emerge into a lucid fictional universe that embraces

both magic and the mundane Dialogue is ironic as

often as it is mystical and the most ordinary days

serve as backdrops for incredible events

ldquoMiracles are commonplacerdquo says Stern a

Ballston Spa resident ldquoI donrsquot write in metaphors

and symbols deliberately Writing is a visceral

experience for me I read with interest what review-

ers say about my repetitive themes and ideas but I

am driven by images and characters Irsquom a compul-

sive storytellerrdquo

Steve Stern A Lyrical Voice in the Ghetto

B

o

o

k

m

a

r

k

Lean bespectacled and haloed in dark curls Stern

is a Memphis native who grew up in a home bereft

of music books and art in a city made famous by

Elvis Presley (who used to drive through Sternrsquos

neighborhood) and Martin Luther Kingrsquos assassina-

tion He remembers himself as ldquoa mediocre adoles-

cent without confidence or spiritual antennardquo first

stirred to write poetry in high school which he read

aloud for attention

ldquoI was surprised people liked itrdquo he says ldquoAnd I

liked writing it even though it embarrassed me But

I was encouraged to go on and later to try proserdquo

The allure of the late lsquo60s and early lsquo70s was not

academic After college Stern wandered through

Europe then worked as a butcher on a hippie com-

mune in the Ozarks raising pigs and eating off the

land ldquoI slept under five blankets and two dogsrdquo he

recalls (The incarnation has been memorialized in a

comic strip by Sternrsquos girlfriend Sabrina a cartoon-

ist and set designer for Saturday Night Live)

The commune was not too far from the University

of Arkansas where Stern attended graduate school

and played volleyball with Bill and Hillary Clinton

ldquoI hoped he would mention me in his inaugural

addressrdquo Stern sighs

With an MA Stern found teaching gigs at vari-

ous colleges but the work dried up forcing him to

take a job at a folklore center in Memphis first tran-

scribing stories about the black community then

launching a life-changing project to preserve the

stories of the fading Jewish population in a desolate

Memphis ghetto known as ldquoThe Pinchrdquo where

many of his stories are set

Story By Helen Susan Edelman

ldquoBernie scrunched his face in thought Gone was his waryimpulse to keep everything secret and there were times of latewhen he felt almost reckless almost ready to tell the world whileon the other hand he suspected he may have already confided toomuch ldquoI thinkrdquo he said after some consideration ldquoIrsquom startingto outgrow myselfrdquo

mdash Steve Stern ldquoThe Frozen Rabbirdquo

Photo by Josh GerritsenSteve Stern

Simply Saratoga | 33

ldquoIt was intoxicatingrdquo says Stern ldquoI became obsessed with

itrdquo Indeed his work is infused with the folklore images lan-

guage archetypes settings rituals and values embedded in

the memories he recorded and in the vast Jewish and Yiddish

literature he has studied since

A non-observant Jew Stern had no relationship with his

religion so the introduction to his exotic legacy was both

anchor and springboard for a prolific new consciousness

ldquoThe floodgates openedrdquo he says ldquoSuddenly this world

began to materialize for me What had been barren neighbor-

hoods I could see vividly as tenements and shops a town

square street traffic merchants pawnbrokers rabbis chil-

drenhellipimmigrants from Eastern Europe looking for a homerdquo

Stern is comfortable writing about transcendent wisdom as

long as itrsquos his characterrsquos voice

and not his own

dispensing the

insights The

frozen rabbi in

the book of the

same name for

example ldquoradiates

within his zone of

influence and is a

spiritual catalyst

for anyone who

encounters himrdquo

says Stern ldquowhere-

as I am a clicheacute a

Jew who grew up

without an identityrdquo

A winner of both

Guggenheim and

Fulbright fellowships

as well as the National

Jewish Book Award

the Pushcart Prize an

OrsquoHenry Prize and the Edward Lewis Wallant Award Stern

is working on a new novel and rereading Faulkner Tolstoy

Dickens and Joyce

He views each new writing project as ldquoa riskrdquo Experience

last summer also reminded him of the evanescence of popu-

larity he gave two readings one in Memphis which drew

such a crowd that doors had to be locked and one in St

Louis where he commanded an audience of four

ldquoJust like the characters in my storiesrdquo Stern observes ldquoI

encounter conflicts look for a way to escape and face mixed

consequencesrdquo sect

How is your mental state these days Are

you experiencing peace and joy in every-

day life or frustration and impatience Are

you living your life ldquoon purposerdquo or going

through the motions feeling numb and dead

on the inside How is the garden of your

mind Are you tending to your garden or letting

the weeds take over

When I lived in Boston I lived next door to an elder-

ly woman who had a beautiful garden Every morning my

neighbor was outside in her floral moo moo (circa Mrs

Roper from Threersquos Company) tending carefully to each

plant and flower She would spend hours walking around her

garden joyfully humming and making sure her flowers were

strong and healthy Many mornings I would sip my coffee

and watch her peacefully pulling out the weeds and tending

to her precious flowers To this day I remember how tall and

lovely her sunflowers were I think our mental state can be

compared to tending to a garden do we have beautiful sun-

flowers of joy and peace or toxic weeds of bitterness and

guilt

The weeds in your heart and mind are feelings of bitterness

anger guilt self-loathing and negativity Do you spend your

days reviewing the list of those that have offended

you Do you beat yourself up daily for past mis-

takes or regrets These are the weeds that can

take over your mind and lead to racing

thoughts a dark depression constant

anxiety or physical illness and

chronic pain If you are someone

that is easily frustrated impatient

and critical you can be sure you

34 | Simply Saratoga

Tending to theGarden of Your MindDealing with the Weeds in your Life

Simple Truths

have some weeds to deal with

The only path to peace and joy in your everyday life is to

pull your weeds out from the root and confront the issues

Holding on to your weeds only makes you ill and deadens

your heart Did you know that people who are full of bitter-

ness and resentment appear older and are not as physically

attractive as people who are full of peace and love The

weeds in your heart and mind can actually make you ugly

Likewise a mind that is content and peaceful gives us a

sparkle and light in our eyes that people are automatically

attracted to Forget the anti-wrinkle cream and Botox Fill

your heart and mind up with the best kept beauty secret

around love and forgiveness

Forgiveness is not about letting the person who hurt you

off the hook Forgiveness IS allowing light into our hearts

so that we can heal and move forward It takes the heavy

burden of offense and resentment off of our hearts and

minds while preparing the ldquosoilrdquo for new growth and

experiences

When possible confront the people you need to forgive

so that you can have closure and move on If it is not pos-

sible to confront the person that is the weed in your life

write them a letter expressing your hurt and anger (not to

send but in a private journal) This is a wonderful way to

give yourself closure and put your feelings out on the table

More often than not the person we have to forgive or con-

front is ourselves If you are constantly beating yourself up

and feeling guilty about your past make a choice to forgive

yourself

Donrsquot be lazy about your weeds Dig deep and pull out

your weeds so that you can make room for peace and joy

We all desire to feel love and be accepted That accept-

Meghan DLemery LCSW-R

Simply Saratoga | 35

ance starts with you Begin to focus on peaceful loving joyful

thoughts Keep a gratitude journal of what you love about your-

self or the loved ones in your life Practice planting seeds of joy

by giving acceptance and love to everyone around you

Take time to practice patience and kindness to your family

friends colleagues and that slow cashier at the grocery store Go

out of your way to help others in any way that you can All of

these acts of kindness plant the seeds of peace love joy and

abundance

As we approach the new season of spring take some time to

tend to the garden of your mind

Wishing you love self-acceptance and peace this spring and

always

Ms Lemery is a psychotherapist practic-ing in Saratoga Springs and QueensburyShe can be reached at meghanle-meryyahoocom

Her first novel will be pub-lished this Spring TitledldquoPlease Pass the BarbieShoesrdquo it is a hilarious heart-warming story that will haveyou feeling inspiredand empowered

sect

36 | Simply Saratoga

Living Room The custom-designed leather couch chair andottoman come from Suttons The stucco fireplace was inspired by theCollinsrsquo travels through the Southwest and Colorado (ldquowe wanted to avoida traditional river rock fireplacerdquo) and provides a heat source as well asbeauty The original structure was built for passive solar design no airconditioning is needed in the summer A wood stove is the primary heatsource radiant heat with natural gas was also added during the renova-tion

The front door as well as all the interior doors was custom-made fittedand replaced by Tom Zanetti Hickory wood floors were also installed dur-ing the addition A hanging stained glass chandelier is a stock itemobtained from a leading home supply retailer ldquoIt captures the sunlightbeautifully along with providing brilliant nighttime illuminationrdquo Tedsaid ldquoItrsquos an eclectic mixrdquo

Simply Saratoga | 37

Today we look at a creative space that is set into a special place

In 1993 Ted and Susan Collins purchased a seven-acre property

with a 1986 Timberpeg designed home that has all the qualities of

a place in the country ndash yet many would be surprised to learn that

it is actually located on the border of Saratoga Springs near the

Alpine Shop on Clinton Street After a number of years living in

apartments on Union Avenue and Franklin Square enjoying the

proximity to downtown and the track they couldnrsquot resist a spot

that was close to town but yet had lots of land

Their overall vision was for an interior space that was in accord

with the outside ndash the wildlife gardens and the sustainable philos-

ophy embodied in the original buildingrsquos passive solar design

ldquoEverything we do embraces the goals of staying true to the orig-

inal structure having an open welcoming interior and being in

harmony with the outdoorsrdquo Ted said

Inspired by travels in balance with the land

Story By Arthur GonickPhotos by copystockstudiosphotographycom

These principles guided a major transformation of the interior

space in 2006 The key element was an addition to the home that

enabled the living room kitchen and upstairs bedroom to be

expanded allowing space for the installation of a downstairs bath

as well

Susan and Ted led this transformation - visualizing an addition

that incorporated equilibrium of size location and overall propor-

tion They went through several iterations with Rick Deforest of

Heritage Timberframes

Even though much of the interior decor came from travels in

Africa the South Pacific and Colorado the building materials and

craftsmen are all local The timbers and wood flooring were milled

in nearby Kingsbury ldquoWe enjoyed working with professionals who

are also friends like Rick Deforest Tom Zanetti and Mike

Roohanrdquo Ted said ldquothe house now feels complete in balancerdquo sect

Unique Places and Creative Spaces If you would like to nominate a unique

or creative place to be featured emailentertainmentsaratogapublishingcom

38 | Simply Saratoga

Kitchen A wall was taken out that afforded space to add an eat-in island area and

open up the space Custom cabinets are by Tom Zanetti Stonework andappliances were added Both the kitchen and bathroom have granite table-tops (from Mike and Margaret Roohan of Granite and Marble Works)New appliances include a Bosch stove (with a built-in microwave drawer)and an Amana stainless refrigerator

Bathroom The bathroom ceiling is pine The showerarea was designed and built to the Collinsrsquo specifications andfeatures a bench 4 shower heads PLUS an extra hand-held one(ldquoItrsquos a human car washrdquo) The stone tiles on the sides and floorin the shower were installed by Best Tile the plumbing in theshower comes from Aird Dorrance as does the sink ndash which sitson a granite top from Granite and Marble Works The windowleads out to the north side of the house with privacy blinds insidethe window panes One thing you donrsquot see ldquoSince the room ison display in the center of the expanded first floor we wanted thecommode to be mostly hiddenrdquo Ted said

Unique Places and Creative Spaces

Simply Saratoga | 39

Living RoomA reading nook sits upon the bathroom addition ldquoThere was no full bathroom on the first

floor and with a post and beam construction we had to be creative You get outstanding viewsof the property pond and stream when viewed from the nookrsquos perspectiverdquo The ladder canswing out on a track making it more like walking up a staircase ndash this was also designed andinstalled by Tom Zanetti The table in the nook is actually a working African drum with a glasstable top added

40 | Simply Saratoga

Bedroom In the second-floor master bedroom moving the dormer brought in extra light and space and

also brought the roofline together with the original structure and first-floor additions The floorand ceiling are made of rough-cut pine planking The bed is also constructed of pine and comesfrom Suttons The window in the upper left was cut during the addition It faces west for extra day-time light

Simply Saratoga | 41

42 | Simply Saratoga

Story Written by Yael Goldman Photos by Samu Studios and Randall Perry Photography

Simply Saratoga | 43

orking with the

right interior designer

turns listless decision making

into an enjoyable and productive

process that avoids costly mistakes

and delivers exceptional results

Designing a room or an entire home is a

big project no matter how strong your tastes are

The decisions are endless ndash what color should I paint the

walls What flooring is most aesthetically appealing and

dog-friendly Should I choose a furniture set or choose

individual pieces Do I want curtains or shades Do I

decorate with knick-knacks or artwork

But with all the unique self-questioning that surrounds

an interior design project most homeowners share angst

in asking themselves one specific question where do I

start

Itrsquos at this point ndash when stress level increases enjoy-

ment-driven projects turn deadly and money has been

wastefully spent on all the wrong things ndash that you long

for the help of a professional if only you could afford it

Well the truth is you can

Creating the right space can be expensive but is only

more so if you make mistakes and have to go back and

fix them If you do it right the first time therersquos no cost

associated with do-overs

With nearly 100 years of experience between them all

four members of Blairhouse Interiors Group have

worked with more than enough unhappy do-it-your-

selfers to tell you yoursquore not alone

Photo by Samu Studios

44 | Simply Saratoga

The four-member designproject therapy team which recently

opened a studio in Saratoga Springs has a long history of help-

ing home and business owners create their ideal spaces and

atmospheres the right way Their exceptional work is celebrated across

the Capital Region including Saratoga Springs where the Blairhouse

look is prominently featured in a handful of Park Place condominiums

and the incredible Saratoga National Golf Club

Thomas R Burns Meghan Baltich Dominic Carota and Patricia

Richards the highly skilled and charismatic force behind Blairhouse

Interiors Group promise an experience that is personal because itrsquos all

about your needs ndash and thatrsquos what is important

Blairhouse offers full-service interior design services space planning

project management hand-picked merchandise patience and an uncan-

ny ability to create a

look that is always

fresh sophisticated

and comfortable

ldquoThe style that we

gravitate toward is

unique cutting-edge

and modern not dic-

tated by corporaterdquo

said Meghan Baltich

pointing to a ldquovery

propitiousrdquo Keith Fritz

table at the center of

the studio

Photo by Randall Perry Photography

If you do it right the firsttime therersquos no cost

associated with do-oversPhoto by Randall Perry Photography

One glance at the Park Place showroom ndash of the selective furnishings carefully showcased along

the periphery ndash and it becomes clear why Blairhouse an award-winning team gets the job

done

Their creativity focus and immaculate sense of direction bring objectivity to the scene helping you nar-

row down all of the tedious and overwhelming choices that make do-it-yourself decorating an exercise in

unclear thinking

ldquoPeople are overwhelmed by all the choices it can feel like theyrsquore in a paralyzed blurrdquo said Thomas

Burns who finds that a great vision can be impossible to imagine and create without eliminating all of

the distractions

A vital step in getting focused is creating a

comprehensive plan based on individual

needs wants and style that addresses all

aspects of lifestyle and taste and suggests

tactful solutions and fresh approaches to new

and existing spaces

They help you identify what you like

forcing you to hone in on what you want and

need to compliment and enhance your

lifestyle

ldquoWe ascertain the clientrsquos goal and

lifestyle to convey their visionrdquo said

Dominic Carota explaining that the intended

outcome of creating or reinventing a room is

often strictly tied to how you want to live in

it

ldquoWe have to know how they functionrdquo he

said

An interior designer is an asset in the func-

tion-meets-style equation

Dominic explained that a couple starting a family will have far

different needs than empty-nesters looking for a change They may

have the same stylistic goals but their execution will differ based on

how their lifestyle exists within the space

When revamping a single room the majority of your focus is ded-

icated to that individual space making it easy to forget that the rest

of the house is attached Establishing connectivity between rooms is

a challenge but an important part of executing a project the right

way

Sometimes one wrong detail no matter how small can be incred-

ibly impactful and difficult to avoid on your own

ldquoIf yoursquore working on a new addition or renovation we ensure it

flows that therersquos balance between the existing part of the living

space and the new additionrdquo Meghan Baltich said explaining that

it just doesnrsquot make sense to put in a great new kitchen if itrsquos dis-

jointed and out of place from its surroundings

Another common novice mistake is the trendy retail store fallacy

that you can order a full room from a catalog or pick a fabulous and

unique design from a floor plan

Blairhouse clients learn the difference between ldquocookie-cutterrdquo

and ldquocustomrdquo and they are never concerned with picking the wrong

piece for the wrong room

Simply Saratoga | 45

ome customers will come to us after going into a Pottery Barn and buying stuff that just didnrsquot workrdquo Baltich said giving the

example of an individual who purchased an enormous sectional for a tiny room ldquoWe scale into the clientrsquos space taking func-

tion and proportion into considerationrdquo

Exceptional listening and observation skills are the designerrsquos

unsung attributes and greatest assets Blairhouse experts engage

with their clients to gain a true understanding of what they want

In turn the design process becomes an eye-opening experience

customers are introduced to colors and concepts they would

never think to consider

ldquoEach client trusts us to create their environment and we

enable them to make informed decisionsrdquo Patricia Richards

said

And sometimes that requires bold suggestions and collabora-

tion or looking at all of the possibilities even the ones ldquoyou

would never have been brave enough to do on your ownrdquo

In the end the experience of working with the experts is

enjoyable stress-free and cost-effective From concept to com-

pletion the result is just what you want and need ndash a fabulous

marriage of function and aesthetic that wonrsquot have you coming

back for more (because you did it right the first time) sect

ldquoS

46 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 47

For a taste of Blairhouse Interiors Grouprsquos distinctive work stop into their Park Place studio located at 262 Broadway Suite 204 in Saratoga Springs For further details visit wwwblairhouseinteriorscom or call (518) 786-7800

From left to right Dominic Carota Meghan Baltich Patricia Richards and

Thomas R Burns (The designproject therapy team of Blairhouse Interiors Group)

48 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 49

Dorsquos and Donrsquots

50 | Simply Saratoga

Story Written by Kerry Ann Mendez Perennially Yours bull wwwpyourscom Photos Provided

SpringDorsquos and Donrsquots

SpringDorsquos and DonrsquotsDorsquos and Donrsquots

Spring

for your Gardens

s

Simply Saratoga | 51

ssts

SPRINGis right around the corner and gardenersare pawing at the ground ready to explodethrough the garden gate As a passionate perennial gardenerI am right there with you But before launching into another flower-filledseason letrsquos go through a spring checklist of dorsquorsquos and donrsquorsquots to makesure we make the most of the race and have the best finish ever

Photo by GardenersSupply Company

apply a granular fertilizer to your perennial beds while they are still lsquoasleeprsquoDepending on the winter wersquove had this may be anytime from mid-Marchto mid-April Donrsquot worry if there are already lsquoearly risersrsquo visible like springblooming bulbs or woodland ephemerals I recommend using 5-5-5 5-10-5 or

5-10-10 fertilizer at the rate of 2 pounds per 100 square feet Cast the fertilizer just before it is about to rainto make sure fertilizer is watered into the ground and washed off any existing leaves You can give otherplants in your yard this treat as well including floweringshrubs groundcovers climbing vinesand roses

DONrsquoTput fertilizer on top of the snow or on ground that is

still frozen You want to make sure the fertilizer disap-pears into pliable soil and to waiting roots otherwiserunoff can occur And donrsquot think more is better Youcan stress or even kill plants by over-fertilizing espe-cially in spring when leaves are not fully developed toutilize nitrogen in the fertilizer If you are going to errless is better

DO

prune once-b l o o m i n g

roses such as Heirloom or Old GardenRoses when the Forsythia is blooming

Any rose that blooms onceusually in late spring forabout three weeks is in thiscategory Many times theseroses are quite fragrantWait to prune these rosesuntil right after they flower

DONrsquoT

prune most roses whenForsythia is in bloom Pruneshrub roses back by half to

23 their height This is assuming you did not prunethem last fall If you did then next year wait until latewinter or early spring Prune Teas and Grandiflorasback to 18 - 24rdquo For climbing roses prune branchesemerging from the main canes back to within 3 - 4rdquoof the cane

DO

apply corn gluten tolawn areas yoursquoveseeded (or over-seeded) or to gar-dens where youwant biennialsperennials or annu-als to reseed andflower Corn glutendoes not distinguishbetween lsquogoodrsquoand lsquobadrsquo seeds

apply a pre-emer-gent weed killerand fertilizer toyour lawn A lushhealthy lawn

makes a beautiful frame for gardens Myfamily walked away from lawn chemicalsfive years ago And our lawn has neverlooked better Corn gluten is a big part ofthis transformation Corn gluten is a by-product of milled corn It will not harm chil-dren pets or wildlife Heck you can eat it ifyou want (but it tastes yucky) Corn Glutenis high in nitrogen and commonly used as alawn fertilizer But it is also a pre-emergenttargeting seeds as they germinate Youcan put corn gluten down at any point inthe spring BUT if part of your mission is toeliminate crabgrass then there is a narrowwindow of attackApply it whenForsythia is in fullbloom and beforeits leaves appearThe Forsythia is asoil temperatureindicator that cor-responds to whencrabgrass seedsstart to germinate More garden centersare now carrying corn gluten productsYou just need to ask and follow the appli-cation instructions on the bag Make sureto water in the corn gluten after applyingIt will remain effective for five to six weeks

Simply Saratoga | 53

DONrsquoT

DO

step on soil as you maneuver around thegarden to cut back Lavender and therest of the gang For that matter youshould never be tromping through yourgardens compacting soil This breaks

down air and water channels as well as making it tougher forroots to spread Instead reach into beds from existing paths orplace stepping stones in discreet spots where only your eyes cansee or lsquowalk the plankrsquo on a board to reach plants fartherlsquoadriftrsquo

54 | Simply Saratoga

cut back Lavender Russian SageMontauk Daisy Butterfly BushChrysanthemums and ornamental grass-es These are best left untouched in falland whacked in spring Many folks make

the mistake of acting too gingerly with pruners Let lsquoem fly Theresult will be more compact neater plants that will bloom just fineTrust me If it helps wait until yoursquove had a bad day at work withthe kids or in traffic

DONrsquoT

DO

divide Peonies German Bearded Iris orOriental Poppies in spring These are bestdone in late summer Also tap-rootedplants (those with a carrot-looking root)cannot be divided Think about it These

are usually propagated by seed stem or root cuttings Someperennials that fall into this category are Malva Butterfly WeedBalloon Flower Oriental Poppies and Lupines

Simply Saratoga | 55

DONrsquoT

divide plants in spring This is an optimumtime to divide most perennials Yes evenspring bloomers Wait until these haveflowered and then shear off the spentblooms and get to business Most sum-

mer and fall blooming perennials can be divided prior to mid-Junewithout disrupting their performance

DO

apply a time-released fertilizersuch as Plant-Tone(organic) orOsmocote to heavy

feeding perennials five to six weeks afterthe earlier granular fertilizer applicationMost plants do not need as much fertilizeras we are led in advertising to believe I amstingy with my money and maintenancetime so only a handful of plants get thisbonus feed Astilbe Delphinium Liliums (ieAsiatic Oriental Trumpet) Clematis androses If I am feeling generous I will putsome on my Bigleaf Hydrangeas next to theroses Call me heartlessJust scratch fertilizer intothe top couple inchesof soil around theplantrsquos base and waterin well They will enjoy anutritious snack forthree to four months

apply mulch ongarden beds toreduce weedsconserve moisture

reduce erosion minimize soil temperaturefluctuations and enhance the quality ofthe soil Some mulching materials includeaged manures compost shredded wood(not dyed) leaf moldand cocoa hulls Putthe mulch down 2rdquo to3rdquo thick around plantsincluding floweringshrubs

build up mulchagainst plant stems

And please please donrsquot create volcanomounds around trees Please This is awfulfor them The only ones that benefit fromthis are the people selling the mulch

56 | Simply Saratoga

DONrsquoT

DO

DO

rubber band orbraid the foliage ofspring bloomingbulbs after they fin-ish flowering You

want as much leaf surface exposed to thesun as possible to increase photosynthesisYou can press the leaves down next to thesoil so they are less noticeable

Simply Saratoga | 57

sect

And finally DO have a great year in

your gardens and DONrsquoT forget to

take time to smell the roses

DONrsquoT

DONrsquoT

cut off the spentblooms and stems onspring blooming bulbsafter they have flow-ered so energy is redirected to the bulbsversus seed productions Keep the leaves inplace until they have browned and ideallycan be pulled from the ground by hand

put time-released fertil-izer on perennials thatprefer lean dietsRicher soil just upsetstheir vascular systemsThey will get leggy flop and not perform tosnuff Yarrow Coneflower Catmint RussianSage Linum Sea Holly and Silvermound are inthe group

DO

For more information contact Perennially Yours at pyourscom

58 | Simply Saratoga

Ill mination

Exterior Stonework

an

d

Story Written by Arthur Gonick Photos Provided

u

Simply Saratoga | 59

To develop and implement an exterior vista that maximizes your enjoyment To have a backyard landscape that is warm inviting and uniquely yours

These are goals that many homeowners have when they first move onto their property But unless you are trained in the variety ofmaterials and options available the task of getting past the point of comparing possibilities to completing and actually enjoying yourbackyard paradise can appear to be a long daunting road

For Carl Trinkle a landscape designer for ten years with the Gallivan Companies of Troy one of the key elements in a successfultransformation is utilizing a professionalrsquos expertise to articulate goals and develop a plan

ldquoThe most important thing we do when we first meet with a client is to get them to discuss their basic needs and aims and encouragethem to formulate an overall vision for their property An initial consultation sets the tone we make an initial visit on-site to look overthe property so we can have an idea as to where things might be placedrdquo

ldquoDuring this intake process we actually encourage people to show us photos of their friendrsquos property that they like or perhaps froma magazine It helps most people to articulate the goals of what they would like to see as a finished projectrdquo Trinkle said ldquoEven if they are looking to do things in phases we find that it is most important to develop a comprehensive site planrdquo This eliminates the need to revise original phases of work to accommodate those that come in the future

60 | Simply Saratoga

that Mr Trinkle finds potential customers identifying with aredesigned to extend the outdoor season ldquoA few extra weeks outside isa lotrdquo he said

add-ons also extend outside activity each day Low voltage lighting is still the most popular but recently LED lighting with longer-lasting bulbs that involve less maintenance and are cost-efficienthave become more fashionable

The latest trends

stations fire pits and waterenhancements such as ponds andwaterfalls are the most frequentlyrequested items that broaden theoutdoor use season

Outdoor grill

Exterior lighting

Simply Saratoga | 61

And of course swimming pool projects have always been a most-requested

item Fifty percent of allthe projects Mr Trinkleworks on involve a pooleither a completely new installation or enhance-ments to existing poolsGallivanrsquos long-standingrelationship withConcord Pools has beena hallmark in assuringthat customers are satis-fied when their pool isput in the ground

62 | Simply Saratoga

In most cases a comprehensive plancan be developed for any project in about a period of twoweeks Complete drawings and cost breakdowns are provid-ed as well as the projected phases that can be completed injust a few months or on larger projects can be scheduled insegments over a few years These are reviewed in personwith the customer again the goal being to have a plan thateveryone buys into

Simply Saratoga | 63

ldquoWe have had projects where the customer has wanted tohave a lot of input and we welcome that But we also hadone where the client was out of town and we built a firepit and slide for his wife and kids and our only instructions were to dazzle themI remember it as a most satisfying experience and we ended up winning awards for that onerdquo

- Carl Trinkle Landscape DesignerThe Gallivan Companies

64 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 65

ldquoI get to work using my creativity with talented people Some of the most talented are those

I meet as customersrdquo sect

For more information or to schedule aconsultation phone Gallivan Companies at(518) 271-6100 Gallivanrsquos website iswwwGallivanCompaniescom

66 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 67

Buying a playhouse for your child is an excellent investment

They promote imaginative play and spending time outdoors and

double as storage space when no longer used for recreation

Denise Woodcock owner of Versatile Sheds in Wilton has

been helping parents and grandparents customize their childrsquos or

grandchildrsquos dream playhouses for years

ldquoThey make great gifts especially for grandparents who want

their grandkids to have their own place to play when they visitrdquo

she said

Playhouses are a great addition to a childrsquos outdoor world

They come in all shapes sizes and designs and can be custom-

built or finished if you donrsquot find exactly what yoursquore looking for

in a catalog or on the lot

Every child is different and has their own preferences for color

size and function boys and girls often have especially different

requests for their play space as do younger and more mature chil-

dren so therersquos a lot to consider

Denise knows how even the finest detail can be all it takes to

make an outdoor structure feel like a childrsquos own personal space

While it may seem superfluous to address every minor demand

the truth is a playhouse is more than just an expensive toy itrsquos an

investment The more your child connects with their space the more

use theyrsquoll get out of it ndash and according to Denise that means your

money is well spent

Smartest WayThe

playhouse for your kidsto buy a

Photos by MarkBollescomStory by Yael Goldman

68 | Simply Saratoga

With this in mind prospective buyers should first consider

who will use the playhouse and for how long as well as what

happens when the structure is no longer used for recreation

Versatile Sheds can help even the most discerning parent or

child find what theyrsquore looking for Every playhouse is hand-

built by Amish craftsmen who can accommodate almost any

special request at an additional cost so the possibilities are

endless inside and out

Cedar shingle or vinyl siding wood stone or brick ndash if you

can use it on the outside of your regular home it can be inte-

grated into your playhousersquos design Playhouses can be built

to look like a miniature version of your home which is an

excellent touch for parents that are particularly concerned

with aesthetics Porches shutters flowerboxes unique doors

chimneys and exterior lighting are just a few of the touches

that can brighten and personalize the exterior

Individualizing your childrsquos playhouse doesnrsquot stop at the

front door There are just as many interior features to choose

from ndash you can let your imagination run wild

For starters you have the option to order the playhouse

with a finished or unfinished interior The unfinished version

looks a lot like the inside of a regular home before you move

in paint the walls and furnish the rooms

Buying an unfinished structure is a great way to cut costs

and even bring the family together over a weekend decorating

project The possibilities are endless depending on how handy

you are otherwise a few coats of paint and a bit of carpeting

will surely do the trick

Although a bit pricey purchasing a playhouse with a fin-

ished interior ensures that your child gets exactly what they

want right off the bat They can pick everything from the paint

color to the flooring so the playhouse is move-in ready on the

day it arrives

Playhouses can also be insulated and wired for electricity

You can install lighting electrical outlets even heat or air-

conditioning to make your childrsquos outdoor space as comfort-

able as possible

And the options donrsquot end there Traditional sheds also dou-

ble as playhouses For some parents purchasing an adult-size

shed for their children is an ideal way to get the best return on

their investment Once their children grow out of it the struc-

ture can be used for outdoor storage With just as many styles

sizes and materials to choose from you can customize the

interior and exterior of your shed just as you would a play-

house but without all of the more frivolous features

ldquoAny shed can be a playhouserdquo Woodcock said explaining

how a custom paint job or flowerbox can transform a typical

storage unit into childrsquos outdoor activity haven

For example if purchasing a wood shed the exterior can be

easily painted and repainted when making the transition from

playhouse to storage space

For Denisersquos customers getting their moneyrsquos worth should

not have to mean making sacrifices

Simply Saratoga | 69

70 | Simply Saratoga

When Debby Trainor made the decision to buy her grand-

daughter Chezneyrsquos dream house she wanted it to have all the

bells and whistles She met with Denise to go over all the cri-

teria the goal was to buy the perfect gift for Chezney while

staying within her budget

The eight-year-old Greenwich girl wanted her own pretty

pink palace where she could play and imagine Debby wanted

it to be a cozy and safe place for her to play year-round

Customization and interior decoration helped make

Chezneyrsquos playhouse feel like her own little kingdom

ldquoWe made it look like a cute little dollhouserdquo she said ldquoWe

put furniture inside and a little stove fridge heater and TV

itrsquos just perfectrdquo

With the structure built to their liking Chezney and Debby

could enjoy decorating the inside to personalize the playhouse

For many customers putting on the finishing touches means

making the playhouse feel like home ndash you can add curtains

hang pictures buy furniture and appliances and landscape the

perimeter to make the outdoor space feel like a home away

from home

When the child grows out of their playhouse these items

can be easily removed to accommodate a secondary use for the

space

ldquoThe best thing that Denise did for me was explain how we

can use the playhouse for storage for stuff out in the yard after

Chezney has grown out of itrdquo Debby explained ldquoAlthough

she is only eight and will be using it for quite a few more

years this really makes it a good investment and looks

great in the backyardrdquo

Whether you choose a customized playhouse or a tradi-

tional shed thinking toward the future also ensures the

safety and longevity of the structure

Denise explained that placement is an important thing to

consider as you want to make sure the structure is in a safe

place and on an appropriate surface Most importantly the

playhouse must be built on a level even surface that isnrsquot

too high off of the ground

ldquoYou want it on a nice platformrdquo Denise explained

ldquoSome people use concrete but stone is better because it

allows moisture to seep down into the ground and away

from the structurerdquo

Most parents prefer that their playhouse is in the back-

yard where itrsquos easy to see from a window Placing the

structure in a shaded area is also a good idea it will be

cooler in the summer and less susceptible to the elements if

partially protected by trees

Debby had Chezneyrsquos playhouse built right next to her

swing set where she can be easily supervised

One last thing to consider when purchasing a playhouse

Simply Saratoga | 71

72 | Simply Saratoga

or shed for your child is how much effort

you want to put into maintaining it The

more ornate the structure the more care it

may need

Woodcock advises parents to preserve

their investment and treat the playhouse

like a miniature home

Think of it as a miniature house ndash the

structure requires regular maintenance

and upkeep to ensure your child will be

safe while enjoying years and years of

imaginative fun

With so many features and styles to

choose from yoursquore sure to find the best

for both you and your child

For more information about Versatile

Sheds or to set up a time to meet with

Denise Woodcock call (518) 584-7924

or stop by 669 Route 9 in Wilton sect

Simply Saratoga | 73

74 | Simply Saratoga

Kitchen

Not Your

Grandmarsquos

Story Written by Daniel Schechtman Photos Provided

ldquoAs you

walk into the kitchen

of the future LED

light projections adjust

to your mood - it will

know if you have a

hangover via sensors

that will read your

b r a i n w a v e s

Aromatherapy infused

walls will be synched

to your calendar calm-

ing you before a big

meeting or energizing you before a gym session The fridge will have selected some breakfast options identifying the essen-

tial vitamins for your day via sensors When you get home a hologram chef will be on hand for recipe inspirationrdquo

Alright so maybe your kitchen canrsquot do all of these things quite yet ndash but believe it or not wersquore getting there This is tomor-

rowrsquos kitchen a kitchen where your appliances donrsquot just store your food or wash your dishes ndash they talk to you providing you

with integral information on how to

best store your fruits and vegetables

letting you know if the refrigerator

door is open for too long or when a

part will soon need replacing

Simply Saratoga | 75

ldquoScience fictionrdquo I hear you say

Guess again Quoted from a report released by The Future Laboratory

who was commissioned by IKEA to determine what a modernkitchen in the year 2040 could conceivably look like

76 | Simply Saratoga

ldquoOne technology that really stands out to me is the

Miele Appliance Company Right now theyrsquore using a

program called lsquoremote visionrsquo On select applianceshellip

is a wireless card that clicks into a port on the back of

the appliance You synch it up with your home network

and it basically emails the technician and the owner

when itrsquos broken when you need to clean your condens-

er change your water filter or schedule a routine serv-

icerdquo said Tom Thibeault owner of Adirondack

Appliance Repair Inc located at 67 West Ave in

Saratoga Springs ldquoMaybe somebodyrsquos been opening the

[refrigerator] door for too long or the door was left open

ndash it will email you and tell you that your door is left

openrdquo

This is not your grandmarsquos kitchen This my friends

is the kitchen of the future and itrsquos available now

The 36 inch bottom-mount Miele refrigerator boasts a

striking interior featuring LED lighting running along

the sides from top to bottom stainless steel accents and

exteriors with control systems that would be comfort-

able alongside the captainrsquos chair on the Starship

Enterprise

Simply Saratoga | 77

ldquoThe controls in the Miele really stand out

Looking at the controls theyrsquore just a glass piece and

then once you touch it you see a few options for the

different compartments Then you touch the compart-

ment and the temperature is displayed so itrsquos kind of

like a Star Trek controlrdquo Thibeault said

And thatrsquos just the refrigerator

Adirondack Appliance has also seen brands such as

Wolf (a company owned by the same people who own

Sub-Zero) grow in popularity when it comes to their

range stoves and ovens The dual convection oven

works to eliminate cold spotting and provides consis-

tent even temperatures and even allows for unique

options such as proofing ndash used best when baking

homemade bread

ldquoIt also has a temperature probe you can plug into

things like a turkey or roast so you can see the temper-

ature while itrsquos still inside the machine It has

hydraulic hinges halogen lit interiors everything is

composed of stainless steel and itrsquos by far one of the

best lines on the marketrdquo Thibeault said

A new line coming to Adirondack Appliance that

features some amazing technology is a series of Pro-

Style Ranges produced by industry giant Jenn-Air

ldquoThat actually has an LCD touch

screen like an IPAD for the controls The

temperature is set by sliding your finger

along the controls Itrsquos all color backlit and

absolutely amazingrdquo Thibeault said

ldquoAnother thing we have to that same

effect are some of the hoods which have

really been getting pretty out there as far as

design We have one on our floor [by Miele]

that has an LED bar on the front which

changes in phases between 196000 colors

Itrsquos a very delicate change very pretty and

coolrdquo Thibeault said adding ldquoor you can set

it to any color in that spectrum yoursquod like to

accent your cabinetryrdquo

When it comes to dishwashers Thibeault

can attest to the quality of both the Asko and

Miele brands both of which he uses in his

own home And good news for Saratoga

Springs residents ndash

ldquoIn our market in

Saratoga we have a

very hard water base

whether yoursquore on a well

system or city waterrdquo

Thibeault said ldquoSo you

get a lot of minerals in

the machine With the

stainless steel interiors it

eliminates a lot of prob-

lems generally seen with

plastic interior tubs and

usually they are the best

life expectanciesrdquo

78 | Simply Saratoga

Asko and Mieleare practically custom made to handle the

arearsquos typicallymineral rich water

Simply Saratoga | 79

The Asko brand dishwasher takes things one step

further including two pumps in the washerrsquos system

The first pump filters the water cleansing it of poten-

tially harmful minerals while the second pump recircu-

lates the water ensuring that the machine is never

blasting your dishes with food debris or dirty residue

With Miele the design features a built-in water sof-

tener perfect for dealing with the Saratoga water

system

ldquoTypically the Miele is going to do a better job with

tougher baked in stainsrdquo said Thibeault ldquobecause itrsquos

got the softener in it and a little bit longer pots and pans

cyclerdquo

80 | Simply Saratoga

Adirondack Appliance Repair Inc is a fami-

ly-owned business since 1929 and the last inde-

pendent appliance retailer of its kind in Saratoga

Springs With $6 billion of buying power behind

their name (a benefit of being part of the Nation

Wide Appliance Buying Group) Thibeault

promised ldquowe can actually price match the box

stores and everybody else around all while pro-

viding you with better service and better

productsrdquo

For more information on AdirondackAppliance or the products they sell you mayvisit their showroom located at 67 West Avenuein Saratoga Springs for live demonstrationsThey can also be reached by phone at (518)587-6640 or you may visit them at their newwebsite wwwadkappliancecom where cus-tomers can browse through the storersquos entirecatalogue of appliances

sect

Simply Saratoga | 81

82 | Simply Saratoga

Page 2: Simply Saratoga March 2011

4 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 5

Pg 36Pg 8Reviews

8 Lake Ridge Restaurant

Big cuisine magic in a very small town

32 The Frozen Rabbi

Steve Sternrsquos most recent novel

Home ampGarden

36 Unique Places ampCreative SpacesA place in the country-

in Saratoga Springs

42 The RightApproach toInterior Design

Blairhouse Interiors Group

50 Spring Dorsquos and Donrsquots

For the gardener

58 Exterior andStoneworkIllumination

Enjoy your space

66 PlayhousesMake a childrsquos

dream come true

74 Not yourGrandmarsquosKitchenAdirondack Applicance

talks kitchens

Pg 14Things

to Know14 Bottle Notes

Organic but not green

22 Protecting YourRetirement

Something not to lose site of

30 Women Takethis Warning toHeart

Heart Health

34 Simple TruthsHow is your

mental state

Pg 12Things to Do

12 Maple WeekendsToo sweet to miss

16 Save the DateFor these great events

Contents

Pg 19Prom Style

Pg 24SummerCamps

March April 2011

Seasonal

VIEWON-LINE

flip through the pages of this

magazine and link to

the advertisers websites at

SaratogaPublishingcom

Cover Photo by Samu Studios

Simply Saratoga is brought to you by SaratogaPublishing LLC Saratoga Publishing shall make everyeffort to avoid errors and omissions but disclaims anyresponsibility should they occur No part of this pub-lication may be reproduced stored in a retrieval sys-tem or transmitted in any form or by any meanswithout prior written consent of the publisherCopyright (c) 2010 Saratoga Publishing LLC

OwnerPublisherChad Beatty

General ManagerRobin Mitchell

Creative DirectorChris Bushee

Art DirectorTiffany Garland

EditorArthur Gonick

WritersYael Goldman

Daniel SchechtmanHelen Edelman Michael Okby

Patty NovoAndrij O BaranKerry Mendez

Meghan Lemery

AdvertisingCindy Durfey

Jim Daley

Pre-Press CoordinatorSam Bolles

Copy ProofreaderAnne Proulx

Contributing PhotographersCreative Photo amp GraphicStock Studios Photography

PrintingFry Communications

Published bySaratoga Publishing LLC

Five Case StreetSaratoga Springs NY 12866

tel 5185812480fax 5185812487

SaratogaPublishingcom

Photo by MarkBollescom

6 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 7

8 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 9

Making a new friend when you least expect it is a surpris-

ing pleasure ndash and thatrsquos the good feeling we came away

with after dining at Lake Ridge restaurant Tucked into his-

toric picture-perfect Round Lake ndash about 15 minutes from

Saratoga Springs off Northway exit 11 ndash Lake Ridge is the

gracious good-looking reliable insightful host yoursquoll want

to sit down for a meal with again and again

Saratoga Lake resident Bob McKenna is co-owner of the

eatery with Chef Scott Ringwood of Malta Ringwood is

formerly of The Old Dater Tavern in Halfmoon Also co-

owner and general manager of New Country Toyota

McKenna underlines the philosophy that has propelled the

restaurant through its first decade of success and accolades

ldquoWe love to please people and to create a great event

whether itrsquos a special evening out for a couple an office

gathering a rehearsal dinner date night or a business

lunch We want our customers to have a comfortable

rewarding experiencerdquo

A squarish building constructed in the 1870s the struc-

ture previously housed a general store and a bakery Vastly

updated by McKenna and Ringwood - without compro-

mising the aesthetic of the community - Lake Ridge is an

asset to the unique village of just over 600 neighbors

Founded in the latter half of the 19th century as a pros-

perous and naturally beautiful outpost of the Troy

Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church Round

Lake is an oasis off the beaten path The business sup-

ports community preservation by improving the proper-

ty is a taxpayer and employer and is a good neighbor

sponsoring a softball team and donating food to various

community events and organizations

Long-time Round Lake resident Susan Stratton is

enthusiastic about the presence of Lake Ridge which she

can walk to easily ldquoBesides the obvious ndash the food is

yummy ndash we welcome having such a cooperative flour-

ishing business in our communityrdquo she says

The restaurant thrives in the summer catering to sea-

sonal visitors but tables are set for lunch and dinner

every day except Monday year-round Burgeoning busi-

ness in Malta has driven a noon crowd to Lake Ridge for

unhurried salads soups burgers pasta and sandwiches

while in the evening some people make reservations for

Story By Helen Susan EdelmanPhotos by copystockstudiosphotographycom

Food for Thought

big cuisine magic in a very small town

10 | Simply Saratoga

their next dinner on the way out mdash especially wise

for Saturdays when all 80 seats are often occupied

Informal and genial as it is Lake Ridge is defi-

nitely a ldquofine diningrdquo destination complete with

tablecloths and elegant touches such as silverware

changed between courses Worth noting is the

physical comfort afforded by commodious furni-

ture eye-pleasing deacutecor and an intelligent floor

plan that affords privacy and mellow lighting The

restaurant features three lovely and distinctive din-

ing rooms a former deck enclosed with large win-

dows a warm center room that can accommodate

couples or groups and a small dining area up front

ideal for an intimate tecircte-a-tecircte A few years ago

the restaurant added a glistening mahogany bar

with high stools and a TV The handcrafted show-

case - designed milled and constructed by

McKennarsquos high school buddy Judd Storm and his

partner Bill Tedesco of Marketplace Millwork in

Troy - boasts an exceptional selection of red white

and sparkling wines and scotches bourbons and

beers in which the owners take special pride

Key to smooth operations is manager Diana

Murphy of Wilton who has been part of the busi-

ness since its inception six days a week She is clear

about her mission ldquoThink about the guests

whether you are adding a menu item putting flow-

ers on the table suggesting a wine or choosing wall

artrdquo

McKenna emphasizes Murphyrsquos critical input

ldquoShersquos been there since the beginning and we could-

nrsquot do it as well without herrdquo he says ldquoShersquos smart

and she pulls it together whatever it takesrdquo

The team commitment shows in every aspect of

the restaurant from the imaginative menu to spe-

cial events like wine dinners that keep Lake Ridge

exciting On center stage is the generous scrump-

tious food something for every palate ndash light appe-

tizer-size portions with sophisticated flavors or

hearty soul-satisfying repasts

Appetizers are taken seriously (shrimp and avo-

cado artichoke souffleacute eggplant Napoleon and a 4-

ounce filet mignon) but thatrsquos just the beginning

McKenna points particularly to the exceptional

entrees herb-crusted swordfish veal Jacqueline

(with mushrooms and crabmeat) and the enormous

pecan pork chop as customer favorites but the

menu extends far beyond these top picks with sea

bass (delicious) salmon rack of lamb rosemary

chicken steak duck and a roster of pastas

Simply Saratoga | 11

(Companion had a fabulous linguini tossed with ample

seafood) There are four crispy salads that incorporate

local ingredients when possible and a lineup of irre-

sistible desserts Sneak a peek at wwwlake-ridgecom

for the complete menu and prices

Itrsquos no surprise that Lake Ridge was voted Best

American Cuisine in the Capital Region by Metroland

readers in 2006 and that McKenna and Ringwood

were named Entrepreneurs of the Year by Southern

Saratoga Chamber of Commerce in 2005

But the highest praise of all comes in the form of a

loyal following and I can see that Companion is join-

ing the fold Succinct by nature he declares ldquoIrsquoll go

back for morerdquo

And Irsquoll go with him

Lake Ridge Restaurant 35 Burlington Ave Round Lake (Northway exit 11)Open Tuesday-Saturday lunch 1130 am - 230 pm dinner 430-845 pm Sunday dinner 3-8 pm (518)-899-6000wwwlake-ridgecom

sect

12 | Simply Saratoga

March 19 - 20 andMarch 26 - 27

2011

Simply Saratoga | 13

T ired of being lsquocooped uprsquo

with all the cold weather

and snow this winter

Why not go visit a maple produc-

tion facility to see first-hand how this

yummy syrup is made and sam-

ple some sweet delights

The Annual Maple

Weekend(s) are the last two

weekends in March and

there are numerous produc-

ers participating this year

Maple syrup is the first crop

and harvest of the year and of

course one of the sweetest Unlike most farming the crop or

maple trees doesnrsquot have to be re-planted every year Maple

producers literally lsquotaprsquo into the sap that starts moving up the

tree in the spring to nourish the branches to produce buds

When the weather gets warmer into the 40rsquos during the day that

is the signal that the sap is running Hard freezes at night are also

an important factor as that causes the sap to flow back down to the

roots at night This movement of sap can occur for upwards of six

weeks depending upon the weather

Tapping into the sap doesnrsquot harm the trees itrsquos like giving

blood But tapping trees that are too small can stunt their growth

It takes forty gallons of the sap to make only one gallon of maple

syrup As harvests go thatrsquos a very small ratio of raw material to

finished product

It may surprise you to learn that the only place in the world

where maple syrup is made is here in the northeastern United

States and in eastern Canada Take a quick trip this maple sea-

son to sample some pure delight here in the surrounding

Capital District area and celebrate this sweet harvest

For Maple Weekend information contact New York

State Maple Producerrsquos Association website at

wwwnysmaplecom or for a complete list of maple produc-

ers participating in Maple

Weekend visit

mapleweekendcomSubmitted byCaroline Foote Co-ownerMaple Hill Farm Cobleskill NYwwwMaplehillfarmsbiz(518) 234-4858mhfarmvcrbwildbluenet

sect

14 | Simply Saratoga

NopehellipIrsquom not suggesting you dye your wine green in honor

of St Paddyrsquos (although that might be fun) Irsquom talking about

ORGANIC wine What exactly makes a wine organic

Andhellipwhy should you try it

Strictly speaking an ldquoorganicrdquo wine is one crafted from organ-

ically grown grapes This is to say the grapes in the bottle have

been grown without the use of pesticides herbicides chemical

fertilizers or synthetic chemicals of any kind These chemical

agents are not allowed on the grapes or the soil in which the

grapes are grown What used to be termed ldquoorganic winerdquo is now

termed ldquowines made from organic grapesrdquo The distinction is

confusing to most including many of the winemakers In addi-

tion most consumers are led to believe that all wines made from

organic grapes do not contain any sulfites This is inaccurate The

fermenting yeasts which are present on ALL grape skins gener-

ate naturally-occurring sulfites in varying amounts So wines

COMPLETELY devoid of sulfites are an anomaly and are not

the wines you see on the shelf of your local wine shop Wines

LOW in sulfites or free of ADDED sulfites are what you will

find instead These wines will conform to the standards of organ-

ic practices and will not contain sulfites in an amount greater

than allowed by the USDA For those who are sensitive to sul-

fites or prefer to sip organic wines as a matter of philosophy

there are hundreds of organic wines that will satisfy Okay

enough of the chemistry lesson

More and more winemakers are embracing the idea of con-

forming to organic practices when creating their wines For

these farmers and winemakers maintaining a healthy and

active soil for the grapes to grow in is the key Farming and

cultivating using these methods encourages biodiversity

which also aids in regulating the soil In turn these meth-

ods protect both the environment and the workers in the

vineyardshellipcertainly not a bad thing So while just a few

years ago your options were a bit limited if you wanted to

ldquodrink greenrdquo now there are hundreds of options to choose

from At the forefront of this movement is a winery thatrsquos

located right in New York State In fact it is the first organic

winery in North America and is located right on the western

B ttle N tes

By Patricia Novo

Photos by Mark Bolles

GreenhellipGreenhellipWine

Simply Saratoga | 15

shore of Seneca

LakehellipFour Chimneys

Organic Winery

Established in 1980

Four Chimneys was

green before being

green was cool In addi-

tion to crafting their

wines in accordance

with the standards for

organic wine estab-

lished by the NOFA-

NY Certified Organic

they also do not utilize

any animal products in

their wines For these

reasons many vegetari-

ans embrace the Four

Chimneys wines as well and have contributed to their enor-

mous popularity Four Chimneys offers several interesting

wines ranging from dry to sweet and also features several

fruit-based wines that are extremely popular For those who

love Pinot Grigio their ldquoKingdom Whiterdquo is worth sampling

This is Four Chimneyrsquos driest white and is an ideal accompa-

niment to light seafood preparations ldquoKingdom Redrdquo also a

very dry wine is similar in texture to a Merlot and will please

Merlot drinkers offering full and rich berry and plum flavors

on the palate For those who enjoy a touch of sweetness in their

wines their ldquoEye of the Doverdquo is a slightly sweet Cabernet

Franc based red which is best served with a slight chill This

wine makes a lovely accompaniment to barbecue and other

dishes with a bit of smoke and heat Even sweeter on the scale

are their ldquoFirst Loverdquo and ldquoEye of the Beerdquo wines ldquoFirst Loverdquo

is most reminiscent of Riesling although it is based on the

Vidal grape This very fragrant wine is quite refreshing and

offers up aromas of fresh white peach and honey Their most

popular wine is ldquoEye of the Beerdquo a semi-sweet rose-colored

wine whose flavors and aromas mimic those of freshly picked

grapes off the vine Their offerings of fruit wines also are quite

popular These combine organically grown grapes with organ-

ically grown fruits from their farm With names like

ldquoHoneydew Moonrdquo ldquoCelestial Peachrdquo ldquoStrawberry

Meadowsrdquo and ldquoRaspberry Sunrdquo these sweet fruit wines

would make an interesting choice with your dessert and are

also delightful served alongside some soft ripened cheeses such

as Brie and Camembert and fresh fruit

This is just a small introduction to the world of organic

wines For additional information or if you have specific ques-

tions about the differences among organic wines please stop in

and chat with me about this very popular subject I am more

than happy to answer any additional questions that you might

have Cheers sect

Patricia Novo is the owner of Crush amp Cask Wine and Spirits at170 South Broadway in Saratoga Springs She holds anAssociates Degree in Culinary Arts from SCCC and also serves ontheir Advisory Board Patricia also has certification in Wine andSpirits from the WSET as well as an Aficionado of WineCertification from the Robert Parker and Kevin Zraly WineProgram She is pursuing her Sommelier certification in Winter2011

16 | Simply Saratoga

Savethe

DateHomemade Theater Presents HARVEY

Homemade Theater Spa State Park South Broadway Saratoga SpringsElwood P Dowd is a gentle soul ndash kind hearted and

loving He has only one flaw ndash his invisible six foot-tall rabbit companion Harvey His family convincesElwood to commit himself to a sanitarium Then thelunacy really begins Multiple mistaken identities lotsof laughs and Harvey is on the loose Does the worldneed more lsquonormal peoplersquo Will you see Harvey

April 22 23 29 30 amp May 6 7 at 8 pm and May1 and 8 at 2 pm Tickets are $23 and $26 Visit home-madetheaterorg for more information

Celebrate Earth Week Recycled Art Show

Saratoga National Historical Park 648 Rte 32Stillwater

Weekend-long exhibit beginning on Friday April15 through Sunday April 17 with original works ofldquorecycled artrdquo with each piece containing at least50 reclaimed or recycled materials For more infor-mation please visit npsgovsara or phone (518) 664-9821 ext 224

Easter Egg HuntMalta Community Center 1 Bayberry DrFrom 10 to 11 am on Saturday April 16 please reg-

ister by April 8 by calling (518) 899-4411 Residentsof Malta $6 non-residents $7 Please bring your ownEaster basket to collect your eggs

Washington County Farm and Fiber Tour

On April 24 and 25 bring the family to this freetour to visit alpacas bunnies goats sheep and lambsllamas and meet the farmers and their familiesWatch spinning knitting weaving and felting demon-strations Learn about raising the livestock and petsthat we cherish For more information visitwwwwashingtoncountyfibertourorg

Geocache Easter Egg HuntGalway Preserve 2519 Crane RdOn Saturday April 30 find some eggs find some

caches and find some friends (or make new ones) asyou and your children search throughout the preservePrizes for found eggs will include candy toys geo-items and more Drinks and snacks will be availableThis event will be led by Chris Parker Preserve stewardand geocacher extraordinare For more informationcall Saratoga PLAN at (518) 587-4555

Hadley Maple FestivalHeld on Rockwell St on Saturday April 30 this

event runs all day from 8 am to 4 pm Bring the fami-ly for everything maple Visit wwwhadleybusinessas-sociationnet for more information

MapleWeekendsMarch 19-20th

amp 26-27th

See Pages 12-13

Simply Saratoga | 17

Saratoga Springs Mardi Gras FestivalHeld at various locations downtown Saratoga on

Saturday April 30 this event benefits Saratoga EOCand the Giving Circle For more information visitsaratogamardigrasorg

British Army Spring Training DaySaratoga National Historical Park 648 Rte 32

StillwaterOn May 7 from 10 am to 4 pm The cold winter has

ended and a new campaign season begins Soldiersdrill camp followers mend clothes and the armyprepares to quell the American ldquorebellionrdquo See thetroops and decide the outcome of a re-enacted courtmartial

St Clements Horse ShowYaddo grounds next to Oklahoma TrackHeld May 3 to May 8 and May 11 to May 15 This

is one of the largest horse shows on the east coastFor more information visit saintclementshorse-showcom

18 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 19

Prom

T h i s W a y

20 | Simply Saratoga

Glamor

ous

Daz

zling

Elega

ntFlir

ty

Gor

geou

s

Girls

itrsquos

Show

time

Simply Saratoga | 21

Web

Extras

See

the

pics tha

t didn

rsquot

mak

e it in

the

Mag

azine

on

SaratogaB

ridalEXPO

com

Grecian

God

dess

Athe

na

Classic B

eaut

y

Holly

wood

Glamou

r

Wild

and

Untam

edElega

nt

22 | Simply Saratoga

The current economic and market environment has prompt-

ed many Americans to rethink their retirement strategies If

you are experiencing a job transitionmdashparticularly if the tran-

sition is unplanned and unexpectedmdashsuch a reassessment may

be particularly important for you While it may be tempting to

focus more on your immediate needs you should not lose sight

of long-term goals especially your retirement strategy

Some Basic Decisions Your employer-sponsored retirement plan is likely to be a

key component of your retirement strategy Because it repre-

sents a key source of future retirement income it is important

to carefully consider your alternatives for administering these

assets During a job transition you will usually have three

options take a lump-sum distribution leave your assets in the

employer-sponsored plan or move your assets into a Rollover

IRA

Taking a direct lump-sum distributionmdashWith this

option the assets in your plan are distributed directly to you in

a lump sum which provides you with immediate access to

your funds Depending on your short-term needs that may

appear to be an attractive alternative However a distribution

will likely result in substantial federal and state income taxes

and a 10 percent IRS penalty tax which can significantly

reduce the amount of the distribution Because you will be

receiving the distribution directly the plan administrator must

withhold up to 20 percent of the value of the distribution for

federal income tax purposes Moreover you will lose the ben-

efit of the tax-deferred status of these assets which could

reduce the amount ultimately available to you at retirement

The status quo optionmdashYou can decide to do nothing

leaving your assets in your former employerrsquos plan That will

protect the tax-deferred status of your assets and allow you to

transfer the account assets at a later time to a new employerrsquos

retirement plan that accepts rollovers But you may be limiting

your investment choices and control because employer plans

typically have a restricted investment menu and require the

consent of your spouse before you can name someone else as

a beneficiary

Establishing a Rollover IRAmdashA Rollover IRA simultane-

ously addresses the issues of taxation flexibility and control

and may hold significant benefits for you as a result

Submitted by H Michael Okby Wealth Advisor

Fin

ancia

l Protecting Your RetirementInvestmentsDuring a JobTransition

If your distribution is transferred directly to a custodian rather than

to you the Rollover IRA eliminates the withholding requirement and

penalties that may result from a lump-sum distribution

The entire rollover amount can be investedimmediately according to the strategy youspecify bull Your assets and any earnings continue to have the potential to

grow tax-deferred until you retire and begin taking withdrawals

bull You may gain access to a wider range of investment options and

more retirement planning and distribution flexibility

bull You can name any beneficiary including a trust without

needing the consent of your spouse (although special rules may

apply in community property states)

For example investment products in an employer plan are usually

limited to mutual funds and company stock With a self-directed

Rollover IRA you can work with your financial professional to struc-

ture a portfolio using stocks bonds annuities and other investments

utilizing an asset allocation1 that is customized to help you meet your

retirement investment objectives And your retirement strategy can be

further tailored with a wider range of beneficiary selection and distri-

bution choices

Consider Consolidation This may also be an excellent time to deal with multiple IRAs you

may have opened over the years and with account balances you may

have left in the plans of former employers Together these assets may

represent a significant sum There are good reasons to consider con-

solidating them all in a Rollover IRA

Comprehensive investment strategymdashIt can be difficult to main-

tain an effective investment strategymdashone that accurately reflects

your goals timing and risk tolerancemdashwhen assets are spread among

multiple financial institutions When you consolidate your financial

professional can help you ensure that these assets are part of your

overall asset allocation strategy that is reflective of your current

financial situation and long-term retirement goals

Greater investment flexibilitymdashA self-directed IRA generally

offers you the ability to choose from a wide range of investment

products including stocks bonds mutual funds annuities and more

Simplified trackingmdashIt is easier to monitor your progress and

investment results when all your retirement savings are in one place

because you will receive one statement instead of several That sim-

plifies your life while protecting the environment

Lower costsmdashReducing the number of accounts may also reduce

your account fees and other investment-related charges

Dealing with one account rather than several also simplifies

the distribution processmdashincluding complying with complex min-

imum distribution rules when you reach age 70 And you avoid the

risk of losing track of your retirement accounts or access to the

account assets should your former employer merge with another

company or go out of business Your financial professional can help

you assess your alternatives so you can make decisions based on

whatrsquos best for you You may find that this time of transition holds

benefits for your retirement assets

For more information please contact H Michael Okby at (518) 583-5601

sect

Simply Saratoga | 23

24 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 25

Summer camp is a place wherelifelong memories are made

This is where our children learnto cultivate their interests andordiscover a world of new activities tohelp their young minds grow andfor them to become physically fit

Even though there may be snowon the ground when you read thisit is never too early to think aboutyour childrenrsquos summer fun Weare blessed in this region with avariety of destinations providing awealth of activities

And while there is something foreveryone early planning is a mustto assure your child has a spot inone of these great places At theend of a long winter seasonthoughts of summer camp arerejuvenating for adults as well

Summer Camp Guide 2011

YMCA Camp Chingachgook

NdakinnaNdakinna Education Center located in

Greenfield Center offers a wide variety of

summer camp programs and activities that

will provide campers with a greater

respect and understanding for the natural

world as well as the Northeastrsquos rich

Native American history Hosted by

renowned author and wilderness and sur-

vival expert James Bruchac these pro-

grams are ideal for children with a sense

of adventure and natural wonder Summer

programs are divided into two groups

children ages three to eight and older

campers ages nine to fourteen Programs

range in duration from one to two weeks

26 | Simply Saratoga

YMCA Camp Chingachgook located on beauti-

ful Lake George has three camping options sleep-

away camp day camp and adventure trips

Summer sleep-away camp is the experience of a

lifetime The camp is divided into junior and sen-

ior boys and girls units junior campers between

the ages of seven and 12 and senior campers are 13

to 15 years old All Chingachgook counselors go

through extensive two-week training and prepa-

ration prior to the beginning of the first session

Campers will enjoy a full schedule of skill

classes which they can choose on their own

and special events and programs Campers can

choose from swimming water skiing canoeing

nature arts outdoor living skills theater news-

paper riflery archery dance guitar outdoor

cooking sports zone water world woodwork-

ing softball soccer tennis photography sail-

ing high ropes mountain biking and rock

climbing Each camper sets up their own daily

schedule of four skill classes at the start of the

session

Two-week camp sessions at Chingachgook

also include a three-day hike which allows

campers to get out and experience the wilder-

ness in a fun and safe atmosphere

Chingachgook also offers a variety of unique

adventure camps for children looking to explore

unique destinations and experience a whole new

level of fun options like sailing kayak-

ing boat building rock climbing canoe-

ing community service white-water

rafting hiking and backpacking bicycle

touring and mountain biking Adventure

campers will benefit from activities with

smaller coed groups of ten or less

Day Camp at Chingachgook is a fun

option for children ages five to ten

Campers will enjoy a full day of fun

activities from 930 am to 430 pm The

Day Camp program is divided into eight

one-week segments with the first session

starting on June 28 and the final session

starting on August 16 Each session has

a different theme

Spaces are limited at Chingachgook

so be sure to sign up as soon as possible

For more information to sign up for a

tour or to register for camp visit

wwwcapitaldistrictymcacom or call

(518) 656-9462

each covering a different skill or activity such

as animal tracking basic wilderness survival

skills and shelter building Native American

storytelling and games and nature-based arts

and crafts projects will teach campers to have

fun in the great outdoors Each camp program

promotes team building natural awareness

patience and confidence

Ndakinna also offers family camp pro-

grams which allow children and their parents

to experience the outdoors together Family

programs can accommodate children ages one

to 14 These programs offer the

same skills training and team-

building activities To view the

finalized calendar of programs

and events visit

wwwNdcenterorg

Cutting Edge Martial ArtsCutting Edge Martial Artrsquos A+ After

School and Summer Camp Program is a year-

round child care solution that provides a pos-

itive structured environment for children

after school and during the day in the sum-

mer During the school year we pick chil-

dren up directly from the local elementary

and middle schools and provide an hour les-

son that starts with our ldquoMat Chatrdquo a ten

minute character education lesson for the day

followed by a full 50 minute martial arts

class Parents have a window between 5 and

545 pm to pick up their children while chil-

dren have the opportunity after class to get

their homework started

During the summer children get all the

benefits of our A+ Program but on a grander

scale We offer nine weeks of full day camps

and have no minimum or maximum number

of days per week or number of weeks that a

student can attend Each week of camp we

have a curriculum of character education

lessons fun games and a one hour martial

arts class every day We watch a movie in

the afternoons twice a week have a video

game morning on Fridays and take all our

campers on an educa-

tional outing on

Wednesdays and a

fun and exciting out-

ing every Friday

Our average camp

size is 20-25 stu-

dents and we have

three full time staff

graphed by Sarah Sutliff

Saratoga Childrenrsquos Theatre also offers a one-

week camp at the end of the summer ldquoMaster

your Auditionrdquo This camp will help your child

get ready for fall and winter auditions These

audition workshops have been very popular and

sell out quickly Any child at any skill level with

an interest in performing arts is welcome to join

in on the fun Saratoga Childrenrsquos Theatre

Executive Director Meg Kelly aims to give each

camper the most rewarding and enjoyable camp

experience and every camper will get to perform

The Saratoga Childrenrsquos Theatre hires profes-

sionals to help your child gain the most from

their summer camp experience

The cost for a two-week session is $450 and

$250 for the one-week session For more infor-

mation visit wwwsaratogachildrenstheatreorg

or call (518) 580-1782

For kids who have a passion for per-

forming arts Saratoga Childrenrsquos Theatre

summer camp is a dream come true

Saratoga Childrenrsquos Theatre offers per-

formance camps which means each

camper will be working on a full-fledged

production throughout their session

Campers will learn all aspects of perform-

ance and will have the opportunity to per-

form in two shows at the end of camp a

matinee and an evening show are both

open to the public Campers will perform

on stage at St Petersrsquo Auditorium

Saratoga Springs Camp hours are 9am-

3pm Performance camp is divided into

two age groups

Ages 6-9 will participate in one week

camps These camps will include Disneyrsquos

Sleeping Beauty kids Cinderella kids

Aristocats kids 101 Dalmatians kids and

Lemonade These camps will be directed by

Megan OrsquoSullivan a local elementary school

music teacher and assisted by Karey

Trimmings also a local elementary school

music teacher

Ages 10-18 will participate in two-week

camps Each camp will practice and perform a

different show These

camps include

Thoroughly Modern

Mille Jr Cinderella Jr

Fiddler on the Roof Jr

and Once on this Island

Jr These camps will be

directed by Michael

Lotano local actor and

elementary school music

teacher and choreo-

Saratoga Childrenrsquos Theatre

Simply Saratoga | 27

working with our students

Our goal is to provide a family-friendly

and fun environment that feels like a home

away from home Our students have fun

learning skills that can be used every day of

their lives and we try to provide memories

that will last a lifetime For many our

summer camps are a wonderful introduc-

tion to martial arts

For more information visit

wwwsaratogamartialartscom

or call (518) 587-5501

28 | Simply Saratoga

Saratoga Independent SchoolSaratoga Independent School hosts a variety of summer

programs split into two age groups three to eight year-olds

Wilton Recreation CampWilton Recreation offers a full-day summer

camp program for children in grades one

through nine With available pre-camp and

post-camp care working parents can ensure

their children are having fun in a safe environ-

ment before and after the camprsquos regular 9 am to

3 pm hours Parents who register their children

for before and after camp care can drop off their

children prior to camp opening at 830 am and

can pick them up at 530 pm Bussing is avail-

able for Wilton residents who register for regu-

lar camp hours (9 am to 3 pm)

Wilton Recreation Camp offers a full sched-

ule of daily onsite activities themed events and

exciting trips for kids who register for off-site

adventures Daily on-site activities include arts

and crafts sports playground fun and other

organized group games This yearrsquos scheduled

field trips include Million Dollar Beach in Lake

George movie days at Proctors Theater

Saratoga County Fair bowling white water

rafting and at least two swimming days per

week at Peerless Pool

The Summer 2011 camp will open on

June 27 and run until August

12 Registration begins

March 14 at Gavin Park and

will close on June 3 As

there are only 300 spaces

available be sure to mark

your calendar Camp

registration forms are

available online at

wwwtownofwiltoncom or

can be picked up weekdays

at Gavin Park 9 am to 5 pm

For any other questions

please call the park office at (518) 584-9455

and seven to 14 year-olds The weeklong programs run from July 5

to August 19

Saratoga Independent School summer programs are staffed large-

ly by their own teachers so parents can rest assured their kids are

supervised in a safe environment with experienced teachers who are

knowledgeable about child development and hands-on

programming

For the younger group weekly themed programs run from 9 am

to noon (early drop-off at 830 available) The staff-to-camper ratio

is one to six for children ages three and four and one to ten for chil-

dren ages five to eight Themed programs include ldquoCooking with

Curiosityrdquo ldquoHawaiian Hullabaloordquo ldquoHands-On Science Funrdquo

ldquoHoliday-A-Dayrdquo ldquoGood Versus Evil Imaginations Run Wildrdquo

ldquoDinosaur Discoveryrdquo ldquoIn the Jungle the Mighty Junglerdquo

Activities take place both indoors and outdoors

The selection of enrichment programs for older children is even

more extensive this year than in the past Some programs will take

place in the mornings others in the afternoon Age ranges will vary

depending on the subject matter These specialty programs give chil-

dren an opportunity to develop new interests and expand on existing

skills Programs include ldquoCartooning and Morerdquo ldquoImprovisationrdquo

ldquoKnittingrdquo ldquoOpen Art Studiordquo ldquoYou Can Do Magicrdquo ldquoGet Up and

Dancerdquo ldquoRoaring into Robots Whatrsquos Nextrdquo ldquoArt in the Ancient

Worldrdquo ldquoMad Sciencerdquo ldquoComputer Video Game Creationrdquo

ldquoAdvanced Robot Challengesrdquo and ldquoArt-Math Connectionrdquo

Registration has already begun and the programs fill up quickly so

visit wwwsiskidsorg for more information and to secure a space

for your child

Simply Saratoga | 29

Are your kids looking for an adventure this summer The

Saratoga Regional YMCA has two exciting day camps available

Camp Starhitch held at the Wilton Branch which engages children

with a multitude of fun activities and a trip each week and Travel

Camp where participants meet at the Saratoga Springs Branch and

then travel off to fun and thrilling places each day

Camp Starhitch is for children having completed Kindergarten

through entering fifth grade Campers will participate in games

sports crafts nature activities trips swimming archery and more

Each week is planned around a theme and includes a trip For exam-

ple during ldquo70rsquos Flashbackrdquo week campers will go roller skating

during ldquoThe Wild Frontierrdquo week kids will have the opportunity to

go horseback riding and during ldquoTropical Paradiserdquo week partici-

pants may ldquocatch a gnarly waverdquo at an outdoor water park

Travel Camp is definitely for the action seeker and for those who

like to be on the go This program for youth entering fifth through

tenth grade provides campers an opportunity to travel each and every

day to fun-filled locations Participants explore different summer

activities that include amusement and water parks outdoor sports

fairs and horseback riding This year the trips include a visit to Hunter

Mountain Six Flags New England Tubing on the Battenkill NY

Mets game at Citi Field the NY State Fair and more

Camp Starhitch and Travel Camp both run for nine one-week ses-

sions You may choose to attend camp for one week or any combina-

tion of weeks Experienced counselors supervise children and a ratio

of 110 ensures a safe quality camping experience CPR and First Aid

certified camp staff will be present on all trips At Travel Camp

campers will be grouped according to age and are supervised by expe-

rienced adult staff

Camp Starhitch has two day camp options for your child Option A

allows for your child to be dropped off at 9 am and picked up at 4 pm

and Option B has a 7 am drop off time and a 6 pm pick up time

Travel Camp runs from 9 am to 430 pm and extended hours are

available at no additional cost This year transportation will be provid-

ed in both directions between the Saratoga Springs and Wilton

branches Pickups will be as early as 815 am and drop-offs will be

as late as 5 pm Both camps try to cater to working parents

In addition the Saratoga Regional YMCA is committed to provid-

ing a safe and welcoming environment for all campers by incorporat-

ing the YMCAcore values of caring honesty respect and responsibil-

ity in daily activities To promote safety and comfort for all individu-

als are asked to act appropriately at all times when at the Yrsquos facilities

or participating in Y programs All campers are required to read and

sign a contract of understanding in reference to the Code of Conduct

We expect persons using the YMCAto act maturely to behave respon-

sibly and to respect the rights and dignity of all othersmdashall while

having a good time

The Y also has opportunities available for those who may not have

the resources to send their children to camp The Y provides scholar-

ships for those who qualify Scholarships are made possible due to

the generous donations of Y members the community and businesses

to the ldquoWe Build Peoplerdquo scholarship campaign held by the Saratoga

Regional YMCA each year Scholarship applications are available at

all Saratoga Regional YMCA branches and online at wwwsaratogare-

gionalymcaorg

Registration is currently ongoing and fills up quickly Registration

forms are available at any of the Saratoga Regional YMCA Branches

or at wwwsaratogaregionalymcaorg For more information about

these day camps please contact Ilene Leverence at (518) 583-9622

ext 103 for Camp Starhitch and Patti Laudicina at (518) 583-9622

ext 110 or Paige Minear ext 116 for Travel Camp

Saratoga YMCA

30 | Simply Saratoga

Ask women about the greatest threat to their health and most will

respond incorrectly with the words ldquobreast cancerrdquo While breast cancer

certainly is of concern the truth is that women are 10 times more like-

ly to die from heart disease Breast cancer kills 1 in 25 women heart

disease claims 1 in 2

The most recent statistics available indicate that cardiovascular dis-

ease causes the death of 500000 women per year ndash more than ALL

forms of cancer combined This is a rate of epidemic proportion

Little or no warning

Two-thirds of women die suddenly from heart disease without expe-

riencing any warning symptoms The majority die before they even

reach the hospital and before any attempt at treatment is possible Early

screening and the detection that leads to prevention offer the only hope

of reducing these deaths

Women who do develop heart disease tend to fare worse than men

One reason is that on average heart disease peaks 10 years later in

women than in men At this older age women are less able to withstand

the stress of the disease The proof can be found in a disturbing statis-

tic One year after their first heart attack 44 percent of women are dead

compared with 27 percent of men

Clearly for women preventing that first heart attack would make an

enormous difference

Know the risks

What can be done to prevent and detect heart disease in women

Of foremost importance is to reduce ndash or if possible eliminate ndash the

conditions that cause or accelerate the growth of blockages in the arter-

ies of the heart These conditions known as risk factors include high

Women Take this warning to heart

Story By Andrij O Baran MD

blood pressure diabetes genetic high cholesterol a high-fat

diet an inactive lifestyle smoking and cocaine use

Some damage the lining of the heartrsquos arteries speeding the

buildup of cholesterol Others raise blood cholesterol Both

smoking and cocaine use speed blood clotting They also can

cause sudden cramps or spasms in the coronary arteries cut-

ting off the entire blood supply to portions of the heart even

without a cholesterol blockage

A woman who has one or more of these risk factors should

ask her doctor how best to control them She also should ask

about further screening and testing such as stress testing

The sooner the better

Lifestyle changes and medications can have a dramatic

impact on reducing the incidence of heart attack provided cho-

lesterol blockages are detected early ndash before damage to the

heart has occurred In fact drugs that lower cholesterol alone

have been unequivocally shown to reduce the risk of heart

attack and death by up to 50 percent

When added to a program of low-fat diet exercise control

of high blood pressure and diabetes and above all else no

smoking the benefits are magnified many times over Keep in

mind of course that these drugs work only if they are taken

and taken appropriately

By knowing and changing their risk factors all women can

ensure themselves of a longer and more vibrant life

Andrij O Baran MD FACC is the Medical Director of

Cardiology Services at Saratoga Hospital

Simply Saratoga | 31

A c t F a s t D u r i n g H e a r t A t t a c k s According to the American Heart

Association clot-busting drugs can stop

some heart attacks in progress reducing

disability and saving lives They work best

given within one hour of when heart

attack signs begin Thatrsquos why itrsquos impor-

tant to recognize the warning signs of a

heart attack and act right away

Warning Signs

bull Pain or discomfort in the jaw

neck or back

bull Feeling weak lightheaded or faint

bull Chest paindiscomfort

bull Paindiscomfort in the arms or

shoulder

bull Shortness of breath

If you think that you or someone you

know is having a heart attack call 911

immediately

32 | Simply Saratoga

Who would believe that a rabbi from Eastern

Europe frozen for 150 years in a block of ice could

be transported across time and space to Memphis

where he thaws then becomes a spiritual guru to

baby boomers Arguably nobody But Steve Stern

the author of ldquoThe Frozen Rabbirdquo his most recent

novel isnrsquot asking readers to believe it so much as

to let the characters tell their story Besides the plot

may be far-fetched but he already has a buyer for

the movie rights

Writer-in-residence at Skidmore College Stern is

a genius at creating human beings in fantastical cir-

cumstances who seem more like eccentric neigh-

bors than artifacts of science fiction Some fly

some inhabit other peoplersquos dreams some are res-

urrected and some travel through time Whatever

their superpowers or frailties the heroes and vil-

lains tricksters and innocents and witnesses and

bystanders in Sternrsquos short and long fiction deserve

attention and evoke compassion in their quest for

connection and redemption - or at least food and

shelter From within an inexhaustible vein of

Jewish folklore and oral history his characters

emerge into a lucid fictional universe that embraces

both magic and the mundane Dialogue is ironic as

often as it is mystical and the most ordinary days

serve as backdrops for incredible events

ldquoMiracles are commonplacerdquo says Stern a

Ballston Spa resident ldquoI donrsquot write in metaphors

and symbols deliberately Writing is a visceral

experience for me I read with interest what review-

ers say about my repetitive themes and ideas but I

am driven by images and characters Irsquom a compul-

sive storytellerrdquo

Steve Stern A Lyrical Voice in the Ghetto

B

o

o

k

m

a

r

k

Lean bespectacled and haloed in dark curls Stern

is a Memphis native who grew up in a home bereft

of music books and art in a city made famous by

Elvis Presley (who used to drive through Sternrsquos

neighborhood) and Martin Luther Kingrsquos assassina-

tion He remembers himself as ldquoa mediocre adoles-

cent without confidence or spiritual antennardquo first

stirred to write poetry in high school which he read

aloud for attention

ldquoI was surprised people liked itrdquo he says ldquoAnd I

liked writing it even though it embarrassed me But

I was encouraged to go on and later to try proserdquo

The allure of the late lsquo60s and early lsquo70s was not

academic After college Stern wandered through

Europe then worked as a butcher on a hippie com-

mune in the Ozarks raising pigs and eating off the

land ldquoI slept under five blankets and two dogsrdquo he

recalls (The incarnation has been memorialized in a

comic strip by Sternrsquos girlfriend Sabrina a cartoon-

ist and set designer for Saturday Night Live)

The commune was not too far from the University

of Arkansas where Stern attended graduate school

and played volleyball with Bill and Hillary Clinton

ldquoI hoped he would mention me in his inaugural

addressrdquo Stern sighs

With an MA Stern found teaching gigs at vari-

ous colleges but the work dried up forcing him to

take a job at a folklore center in Memphis first tran-

scribing stories about the black community then

launching a life-changing project to preserve the

stories of the fading Jewish population in a desolate

Memphis ghetto known as ldquoThe Pinchrdquo where

many of his stories are set

Story By Helen Susan Edelman

ldquoBernie scrunched his face in thought Gone was his waryimpulse to keep everything secret and there were times of latewhen he felt almost reckless almost ready to tell the world whileon the other hand he suspected he may have already confided toomuch ldquoI thinkrdquo he said after some consideration ldquoIrsquom startingto outgrow myselfrdquo

mdash Steve Stern ldquoThe Frozen Rabbirdquo

Photo by Josh GerritsenSteve Stern

Simply Saratoga | 33

ldquoIt was intoxicatingrdquo says Stern ldquoI became obsessed with

itrdquo Indeed his work is infused with the folklore images lan-

guage archetypes settings rituals and values embedded in

the memories he recorded and in the vast Jewish and Yiddish

literature he has studied since

A non-observant Jew Stern had no relationship with his

religion so the introduction to his exotic legacy was both

anchor and springboard for a prolific new consciousness

ldquoThe floodgates openedrdquo he says ldquoSuddenly this world

began to materialize for me What had been barren neighbor-

hoods I could see vividly as tenements and shops a town

square street traffic merchants pawnbrokers rabbis chil-

drenhellipimmigrants from Eastern Europe looking for a homerdquo

Stern is comfortable writing about transcendent wisdom as

long as itrsquos his characterrsquos voice

and not his own

dispensing the

insights The

frozen rabbi in

the book of the

same name for

example ldquoradiates

within his zone of

influence and is a

spiritual catalyst

for anyone who

encounters himrdquo

says Stern ldquowhere-

as I am a clicheacute a

Jew who grew up

without an identityrdquo

A winner of both

Guggenheim and

Fulbright fellowships

as well as the National

Jewish Book Award

the Pushcart Prize an

OrsquoHenry Prize and the Edward Lewis Wallant Award Stern

is working on a new novel and rereading Faulkner Tolstoy

Dickens and Joyce

He views each new writing project as ldquoa riskrdquo Experience

last summer also reminded him of the evanescence of popu-

larity he gave two readings one in Memphis which drew

such a crowd that doors had to be locked and one in St

Louis where he commanded an audience of four

ldquoJust like the characters in my storiesrdquo Stern observes ldquoI

encounter conflicts look for a way to escape and face mixed

consequencesrdquo sect

How is your mental state these days Are

you experiencing peace and joy in every-

day life or frustration and impatience Are

you living your life ldquoon purposerdquo or going

through the motions feeling numb and dead

on the inside How is the garden of your

mind Are you tending to your garden or letting

the weeds take over

When I lived in Boston I lived next door to an elder-

ly woman who had a beautiful garden Every morning my

neighbor was outside in her floral moo moo (circa Mrs

Roper from Threersquos Company) tending carefully to each

plant and flower She would spend hours walking around her

garden joyfully humming and making sure her flowers were

strong and healthy Many mornings I would sip my coffee

and watch her peacefully pulling out the weeds and tending

to her precious flowers To this day I remember how tall and

lovely her sunflowers were I think our mental state can be

compared to tending to a garden do we have beautiful sun-

flowers of joy and peace or toxic weeds of bitterness and

guilt

The weeds in your heart and mind are feelings of bitterness

anger guilt self-loathing and negativity Do you spend your

days reviewing the list of those that have offended

you Do you beat yourself up daily for past mis-

takes or regrets These are the weeds that can

take over your mind and lead to racing

thoughts a dark depression constant

anxiety or physical illness and

chronic pain If you are someone

that is easily frustrated impatient

and critical you can be sure you

34 | Simply Saratoga

Tending to theGarden of Your MindDealing with the Weeds in your Life

Simple Truths

have some weeds to deal with

The only path to peace and joy in your everyday life is to

pull your weeds out from the root and confront the issues

Holding on to your weeds only makes you ill and deadens

your heart Did you know that people who are full of bitter-

ness and resentment appear older and are not as physically

attractive as people who are full of peace and love The

weeds in your heart and mind can actually make you ugly

Likewise a mind that is content and peaceful gives us a

sparkle and light in our eyes that people are automatically

attracted to Forget the anti-wrinkle cream and Botox Fill

your heart and mind up with the best kept beauty secret

around love and forgiveness

Forgiveness is not about letting the person who hurt you

off the hook Forgiveness IS allowing light into our hearts

so that we can heal and move forward It takes the heavy

burden of offense and resentment off of our hearts and

minds while preparing the ldquosoilrdquo for new growth and

experiences

When possible confront the people you need to forgive

so that you can have closure and move on If it is not pos-

sible to confront the person that is the weed in your life

write them a letter expressing your hurt and anger (not to

send but in a private journal) This is a wonderful way to

give yourself closure and put your feelings out on the table

More often than not the person we have to forgive or con-

front is ourselves If you are constantly beating yourself up

and feeling guilty about your past make a choice to forgive

yourself

Donrsquot be lazy about your weeds Dig deep and pull out

your weeds so that you can make room for peace and joy

We all desire to feel love and be accepted That accept-

Meghan DLemery LCSW-R

Simply Saratoga | 35

ance starts with you Begin to focus on peaceful loving joyful

thoughts Keep a gratitude journal of what you love about your-

self or the loved ones in your life Practice planting seeds of joy

by giving acceptance and love to everyone around you

Take time to practice patience and kindness to your family

friends colleagues and that slow cashier at the grocery store Go

out of your way to help others in any way that you can All of

these acts of kindness plant the seeds of peace love joy and

abundance

As we approach the new season of spring take some time to

tend to the garden of your mind

Wishing you love self-acceptance and peace this spring and

always

Ms Lemery is a psychotherapist practic-ing in Saratoga Springs and QueensburyShe can be reached at meghanle-meryyahoocom

Her first novel will be pub-lished this Spring TitledldquoPlease Pass the BarbieShoesrdquo it is a hilarious heart-warming story that will haveyou feeling inspiredand empowered

sect

36 | Simply Saratoga

Living Room The custom-designed leather couch chair andottoman come from Suttons The stucco fireplace was inspired by theCollinsrsquo travels through the Southwest and Colorado (ldquowe wanted to avoida traditional river rock fireplacerdquo) and provides a heat source as well asbeauty The original structure was built for passive solar design no airconditioning is needed in the summer A wood stove is the primary heatsource radiant heat with natural gas was also added during the renova-tion

The front door as well as all the interior doors was custom-made fittedand replaced by Tom Zanetti Hickory wood floors were also installed dur-ing the addition A hanging stained glass chandelier is a stock itemobtained from a leading home supply retailer ldquoIt captures the sunlightbeautifully along with providing brilliant nighttime illuminationrdquo Tedsaid ldquoItrsquos an eclectic mixrdquo

Simply Saratoga | 37

Today we look at a creative space that is set into a special place

In 1993 Ted and Susan Collins purchased a seven-acre property

with a 1986 Timberpeg designed home that has all the qualities of

a place in the country ndash yet many would be surprised to learn that

it is actually located on the border of Saratoga Springs near the

Alpine Shop on Clinton Street After a number of years living in

apartments on Union Avenue and Franklin Square enjoying the

proximity to downtown and the track they couldnrsquot resist a spot

that was close to town but yet had lots of land

Their overall vision was for an interior space that was in accord

with the outside ndash the wildlife gardens and the sustainable philos-

ophy embodied in the original buildingrsquos passive solar design

ldquoEverything we do embraces the goals of staying true to the orig-

inal structure having an open welcoming interior and being in

harmony with the outdoorsrdquo Ted said

Inspired by travels in balance with the land

Story By Arthur GonickPhotos by copystockstudiosphotographycom

These principles guided a major transformation of the interior

space in 2006 The key element was an addition to the home that

enabled the living room kitchen and upstairs bedroom to be

expanded allowing space for the installation of a downstairs bath

as well

Susan and Ted led this transformation - visualizing an addition

that incorporated equilibrium of size location and overall propor-

tion They went through several iterations with Rick Deforest of

Heritage Timberframes

Even though much of the interior decor came from travels in

Africa the South Pacific and Colorado the building materials and

craftsmen are all local The timbers and wood flooring were milled

in nearby Kingsbury ldquoWe enjoyed working with professionals who

are also friends like Rick Deforest Tom Zanetti and Mike

Roohanrdquo Ted said ldquothe house now feels complete in balancerdquo sect

Unique Places and Creative Spaces If you would like to nominate a unique

or creative place to be featured emailentertainmentsaratogapublishingcom

38 | Simply Saratoga

Kitchen A wall was taken out that afforded space to add an eat-in island area and

open up the space Custom cabinets are by Tom Zanetti Stonework andappliances were added Both the kitchen and bathroom have granite table-tops (from Mike and Margaret Roohan of Granite and Marble Works)New appliances include a Bosch stove (with a built-in microwave drawer)and an Amana stainless refrigerator

Bathroom The bathroom ceiling is pine The showerarea was designed and built to the Collinsrsquo specifications andfeatures a bench 4 shower heads PLUS an extra hand-held one(ldquoItrsquos a human car washrdquo) The stone tiles on the sides and floorin the shower were installed by Best Tile the plumbing in theshower comes from Aird Dorrance as does the sink ndash which sitson a granite top from Granite and Marble Works The windowleads out to the north side of the house with privacy blinds insidethe window panes One thing you donrsquot see ldquoSince the room ison display in the center of the expanded first floor we wanted thecommode to be mostly hiddenrdquo Ted said

Unique Places and Creative Spaces

Simply Saratoga | 39

Living RoomA reading nook sits upon the bathroom addition ldquoThere was no full bathroom on the first

floor and with a post and beam construction we had to be creative You get outstanding viewsof the property pond and stream when viewed from the nookrsquos perspectiverdquo The ladder canswing out on a track making it more like walking up a staircase ndash this was also designed andinstalled by Tom Zanetti The table in the nook is actually a working African drum with a glasstable top added

40 | Simply Saratoga

Bedroom In the second-floor master bedroom moving the dormer brought in extra light and space and

also brought the roofline together with the original structure and first-floor additions The floorand ceiling are made of rough-cut pine planking The bed is also constructed of pine and comesfrom Suttons The window in the upper left was cut during the addition It faces west for extra day-time light

Simply Saratoga | 41

42 | Simply Saratoga

Story Written by Yael Goldman Photos by Samu Studios and Randall Perry Photography

Simply Saratoga | 43

orking with the

right interior designer

turns listless decision making

into an enjoyable and productive

process that avoids costly mistakes

and delivers exceptional results

Designing a room or an entire home is a

big project no matter how strong your tastes are

The decisions are endless ndash what color should I paint the

walls What flooring is most aesthetically appealing and

dog-friendly Should I choose a furniture set or choose

individual pieces Do I want curtains or shades Do I

decorate with knick-knacks or artwork

But with all the unique self-questioning that surrounds

an interior design project most homeowners share angst

in asking themselves one specific question where do I

start

Itrsquos at this point ndash when stress level increases enjoy-

ment-driven projects turn deadly and money has been

wastefully spent on all the wrong things ndash that you long

for the help of a professional if only you could afford it

Well the truth is you can

Creating the right space can be expensive but is only

more so if you make mistakes and have to go back and

fix them If you do it right the first time therersquos no cost

associated with do-overs

With nearly 100 years of experience between them all

four members of Blairhouse Interiors Group have

worked with more than enough unhappy do-it-your-

selfers to tell you yoursquore not alone

Photo by Samu Studios

44 | Simply Saratoga

The four-member designproject therapy team which recently

opened a studio in Saratoga Springs has a long history of help-

ing home and business owners create their ideal spaces and

atmospheres the right way Their exceptional work is celebrated across

the Capital Region including Saratoga Springs where the Blairhouse

look is prominently featured in a handful of Park Place condominiums

and the incredible Saratoga National Golf Club

Thomas R Burns Meghan Baltich Dominic Carota and Patricia

Richards the highly skilled and charismatic force behind Blairhouse

Interiors Group promise an experience that is personal because itrsquos all

about your needs ndash and thatrsquos what is important

Blairhouse offers full-service interior design services space planning

project management hand-picked merchandise patience and an uncan-

ny ability to create a

look that is always

fresh sophisticated

and comfortable

ldquoThe style that we

gravitate toward is

unique cutting-edge

and modern not dic-

tated by corporaterdquo

said Meghan Baltich

pointing to a ldquovery

propitiousrdquo Keith Fritz

table at the center of

the studio

Photo by Randall Perry Photography

If you do it right the firsttime therersquos no cost

associated with do-oversPhoto by Randall Perry Photography

One glance at the Park Place showroom ndash of the selective furnishings carefully showcased along

the periphery ndash and it becomes clear why Blairhouse an award-winning team gets the job

done

Their creativity focus and immaculate sense of direction bring objectivity to the scene helping you nar-

row down all of the tedious and overwhelming choices that make do-it-yourself decorating an exercise in

unclear thinking

ldquoPeople are overwhelmed by all the choices it can feel like theyrsquore in a paralyzed blurrdquo said Thomas

Burns who finds that a great vision can be impossible to imagine and create without eliminating all of

the distractions

A vital step in getting focused is creating a

comprehensive plan based on individual

needs wants and style that addresses all

aspects of lifestyle and taste and suggests

tactful solutions and fresh approaches to new

and existing spaces

They help you identify what you like

forcing you to hone in on what you want and

need to compliment and enhance your

lifestyle

ldquoWe ascertain the clientrsquos goal and

lifestyle to convey their visionrdquo said

Dominic Carota explaining that the intended

outcome of creating or reinventing a room is

often strictly tied to how you want to live in

it

ldquoWe have to know how they functionrdquo he

said

An interior designer is an asset in the func-

tion-meets-style equation

Dominic explained that a couple starting a family will have far

different needs than empty-nesters looking for a change They may

have the same stylistic goals but their execution will differ based on

how their lifestyle exists within the space

When revamping a single room the majority of your focus is ded-

icated to that individual space making it easy to forget that the rest

of the house is attached Establishing connectivity between rooms is

a challenge but an important part of executing a project the right

way

Sometimes one wrong detail no matter how small can be incred-

ibly impactful and difficult to avoid on your own

ldquoIf yoursquore working on a new addition or renovation we ensure it

flows that therersquos balance between the existing part of the living

space and the new additionrdquo Meghan Baltich said explaining that

it just doesnrsquot make sense to put in a great new kitchen if itrsquos dis-

jointed and out of place from its surroundings

Another common novice mistake is the trendy retail store fallacy

that you can order a full room from a catalog or pick a fabulous and

unique design from a floor plan

Blairhouse clients learn the difference between ldquocookie-cutterrdquo

and ldquocustomrdquo and they are never concerned with picking the wrong

piece for the wrong room

Simply Saratoga | 45

ome customers will come to us after going into a Pottery Barn and buying stuff that just didnrsquot workrdquo Baltich said giving the

example of an individual who purchased an enormous sectional for a tiny room ldquoWe scale into the clientrsquos space taking func-

tion and proportion into considerationrdquo

Exceptional listening and observation skills are the designerrsquos

unsung attributes and greatest assets Blairhouse experts engage

with their clients to gain a true understanding of what they want

In turn the design process becomes an eye-opening experience

customers are introduced to colors and concepts they would

never think to consider

ldquoEach client trusts us to create their environment and we

enable them to make informed decisionsrdquo Patricia Richards

said

And sometimes that requires bold suggestions and collabora-

tion or looking at all of the possibilities even the ones ldquoyou

would never have been brave enough to do on your ownrdquo

In the end the experience of working with the experts is

enjoyable stress-free and cost-effective From concept to com-

pletion the result is just what you want and need ndash a fabulous

marriage of function and aesthetic that wonrsquot have you coming

back for more (because you did it right the first time) sect

ldquoS

46 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 47

For a taste of Blairhouse Interiors Grouprsquos distinctive work stop into their Park Place studio located at 262 Broadway Suite 204 in Saratoga Springs For further details visit wwwblairhouseinteriorscom or call (518) 786-7800

From left to right Dominic Carota Meghan Baltich Patricia Richards and

Thomas R Burns (The designproject therapy team of Blairhouse Interiors Group)

48 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 49

Dorsquos and Donrsquots

50 | Simply Saratoga

Story Written by Kerry Ann Mendez Perennially Yours bull wwwpyourscom Photos Provided

SpringDorsquos and Donrsquots

SpringDorsquos and DonrsquotsDorsquos and Donrsquots

Spring

for your Gardens

s

Simply Saratoga | 51

ssts

SPRINGis right around the corner and gardenersare pawing at the ground ready to explodethrough the garden gate As a passionate perennial gardenerI am right there with you But before launching into another flower-filledseason letrsquos go through a spring checklist of dorsquorsquos and donrsquorsquots to makesure we make the most of the race and have the best finish ever

Photo by GardenersSupply Company

apply a granular fertilizer to your perennial beds while they are still lsquoasleeprsquoDepending on the winter wersquove had this may be anytime from mid-Marchto mid-April Donrsquot worry if there are already lsquoearly risersrsquo visible like springblooming bulbs or woodland ephemerals I recommend using 5-5-5 5-10-5 or

5-10-10 fertilizer at the rate of 2 pounds per 100 square feet Cast the fertilizer just before it is about to rainto make sure fertilizer is watered into the ground and washed off any existing leaves You can give otherplants in your yard this treat as well including floweringshrubs groundcovers climbing vinesand roses

DONrsquoTput fertilizer on top of the snow or on ground that is

still frozen You want to make sure the fertilizer disap-pears into pliable soil and to waiting roots otherwiserunoff can occur And donrsquot think more is better Youcan stress or even kill plants by over-fertilizing espe-cially in spring when leaves are not fully developed toutilize nitrogen in the fertilizer If you are going to errless is better

DO

prune once-b l o o m i n g

roses such as Heirloom or Old GardenRoses when the Forsythia is blooming

Any rose that blooms onceusually in late spring forabout three weeks is in thiscategory Many times theseroses are quite fragrantWait to prune these rosesuntil right after they flower

DONrsquoT

prune most roses whenForsythia is in bloom Pruneshrub roses back by half to

23 their height This is assuming you did not prunethem last fall If you did then next year wait until latewinter or early spring Prune Teas and Grandiflorasback to 18 - 24rdquo For climbing roses prune branchesemerging from the main canes back to within 3 - 4rdquoof the cane

DO

apply corn gluten tolawn areas yoursquoveseeded (or over-seeded) or to gar-dens where youwant biennialsperennials or annu-als to reseed andflower Corn glutendoes not distinguishbetween lsquogoodrsquoand lsquobadrsquo seeds

apply a pre-emer-gent weed killerand fertilizer toyour lawn A lushhealthy lawn

makes a beautiful frame for gardens Myfamily walked away from lawn chemicalsfive years ago And our lawn has neverlooked better Corn gluten is a big part ofthis transformation Corn gluten is a by-product of milled corn It will not harm chil-dren pets or wildlife Heck you can eat it ifyou want (but it tastes yucky) Corn Glutenis high in nitrogen and commonly used as alawn fertilizer But it is also a pre-emergenttargeting seeds as they germinate Youcan put corn gluten down at any point inthe spring BUT if part of your mission is toeliminate crabgrass then there is a narrowwindow of attackApply it whenForsythia is in fullbloom and beforeits leaves appearThe Forsythia is asoil temperatureindicator that cor-responds to whencrabgrass seedsstart to germinate More garden centersare now carrying corn gluten productsYou just need to ask and follow the appli-cation instructions on the bag Make sureto water in the corn gluten after applyingIt will remain effective for five to six weeks

Simply Saratoga | 53

DONrsquoT

DO

step on soil as you maneuver around thegarden to cut back Lavender and therest of the gang For that matter youshould never be tromping through yourgardens compacting soil This breaks

down air and water channels as well as making it tougher forroots to spread Instead reach into beds from existing paths orplace stepping stones in discreet spots where only your eyes cansee or lsquowalk the plankrsquo on a board to reach plants fartherlsquoadriftrsquo

54 | Simply Saratoga

cut back Lavender Russian SageMontauk Daisy Butterfly BushChrysanthemums and ornamental grass-es These are best left untouched in falland whacked in spring Many folks make

the mistake of acting too gingerly with pruners Let lsquoem fly Theresult will be more compact neater plants that will bloom just fineTrust me If it helps wait until yoursquove had a bad day at work withthe kids or in traffic

DONrsquoT

DO

divide Peonies German Bearded Iris orOriental Poppies in spring These are bestdone in late summer Also tap-rootedplants (those with a carrot-looking root)cannot be divided Think about it These

are usually propagated by seed stem or root cuttings Someperennials that fall into this category are Malva Butterfly WeedBalloon Flower Oriental Poppies and Lupines

Simply Saratoga | 55

DONrsquoT

divide plants in spring This is an optimumtime to divide most perennials Yes evenspring bloomers Wait until these haveflowered and then shear off the spentblooms and get to business Most sum-

mer and fall blooming perennials can be divided prior to mid-Junewithout disrupting their performance

DO

apply a time-released fertilizersuch as Plant-Tone(organic) orOsmocote to heavy

feeding perennials five to six weeks afterthe earlier granular fertilizer applicationMost plants do not need as much fertilizeras we are led in advertising to believe I amstingy with my money and maintenancetime so only a handful of plants get thisbonus feed Astilbe Delphinium Liliums (ieAsiatic Oriental Trumpet) Clematis androses If I am feeling generous I will putsome on my Bigleaf Hydrangeas next to theroses Call me heartlessJust scratch fertilizer intothe top couple inchesof soil around theplantrsquos base and waterin well They will enjoy anutritious snack forthree to four months

apply mulch ongarden beds toreduce weedsconserve moisture

reduce erosion minimize soil temperaturefluctuations and enhance the quality ofthe soil Some mulching materials includeaged manures compost shredded wood(not dyed) leaf moldand cocoa hulls Putthe mulch down 2rdquo to3rdquo thick around plantsincluding floweringshrubs

build up mulchagainst plant stems

And please please donrsquot create volcanomounds around trees Please This is awfulfor them The only ones that benefit fromthis are the people selling the mulch

56 | Simply Saratoga

DONrsquoT

DO

DO

rubber band orbraid the foliage ofspring bloomingbulbs after they fin-ish flowering You

want as much leaf surface exposed to thesun as possible to increase photosynthesisYou can press the leaves down next to thesoil so they are less noticeable

Simply Saratoga | 57

sect

And finally DO have a great year in

your gardens and DONrsquoT forget to

take time to smell the roses

DONrsquoT

DONrsquoT

cut off the spentblooms and stems onspring blooming bulbsafter they have flow-ered so energy is redirected to the bulbsversus seed productions Keep the leaves inplace until they have browned and ideallycan be pulled from the ground by hand

put time-released fertil-izer on perennials thatprefer lean dietsRicher soil just upsetstheir vascular systemsThey will get leggy flop and not perform tosnuff Yarrow Coneflower Catmint RussianSage Linum Sea Holly and Silvermound are inthe group

DO

For more information contact Perennially Yours at pyourscom

58 | Simply Saratoga

Ill mination

Exterior Stonework

an

d

Story Written by Arthur Gonick Photos Provided

u

Simply Saratoga | 59

To develop and implement an exterior vista that maximizes your enjoyment To have a backyard landscape that is warm inviting and uniquely yours

These are goals that many homeowners have when they first move onto their property But unless you are trained in the variety ofmaterials and options available the task of getting past the point of comparing possibilities to completing and actually enjoying yourbackyard paradise can appear to be a long daunting road

For Carl Trinkle a landscape designer for ten years with the Gallivan Companies of Troy one of the key elements in a successfultransformation is utilizing a professionalrsquos expertise to articulate goals and develop a plan

ldquoThe most important thing we do when we first meet with a client is to get them to discuss their basic needs and aims and encouragethem to formulate an overall vision for their property An initial consultation sets the tone we make an initial visit on-site to look overthe property so we can have an idea as to where things might be placedrdquo

ldquoDuring this intake process we actually encourage people to show us photos of their friendrsquos property that they like or perhaps froma magazine It helps most people to articulate the goals of what they would like to see as a finished projectrdquo Trinkle said ldquoEven if they are looking to do things in phases we find that it is most important to develop a comprehensive site planrdquo This eliminates the need to revise original phases of work to accommodate those that come in the future

60 | Simply Saratoga

that Mr Trinkle finds potential customers identifying with aredesigned to extend the outdoor season ldquoA few extra weeks outside isa lotrdquo he said

add-ons also extend outside activity each day Low voltage lighting is still the most popular but recently LED lighting with longer-lasting bulbs that involve less maintenance and are cost-efficienthave become more fashionable

The latest trends

stations fire pits and waterenhancements such as ponds andwaterfalls are the most frequentlyrequested items that broaden theoutdoor use season

Outdoor grill

Exterior lighting

Simply Saratoga | 61

And of course swimming pool projects have always been a most-requested

item Fifty percent of allthe projects Mr Trinkleworks on involve a pooleither a completely new installation or enhance-ments to existing poolsGallivanrsquos long-standingrelationship withConcord Pools has beena hallmark in assuringthat customers are satis-fied when their pool isput in the ground

62 | Simply Saratoga

In most cases a comprehensive plancan be developed for any project in about a period of twoweeks Complete drawings and cost breakdowns are provid-ed as well as the projected phases that can be completed injust a few months or on larger projects can be scheduled insegments over a few years These are reviewed in personwith the customer again the goal being to have a plan thateveryone buys into

Simply Saratoga | 63

ldquoWe have had projects where the customer has wanted tohave a lot of input and we welcome that But we also hadone where the client was out of town and we built a firepit and slide for his wife and kids and our only instructions were to dazzle themI remember it as a most satisfying experience and we ended up winning awards for that onerdquo

- Carl Trinkle Landscape DesignerThe Gallivan Companies

64 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 65

ldquoI get to work using my creativity with talented people Some of the most talented are those

I meet as customersrdquo sect

For more information or to schedule aconsultation phone Gallivan Companies at(518) 271-6100 Gallivanrsquos website iswwwGallivanCompaniescom

66 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 67

Buying a playhouse for your child is an excellent investment

They promote imaginative play and spending time outdoors and

double as storage space when no longer used for recreation

Denise Woodcock owner of Versatile Sheds in Wilton has

been helping parents and grandparents customize their childrsquos or

grandchildrsquos dream playhouses for years

ldquoThey make great gifts especially for grandparents who want

their grandkids to have their own place to play when they visitrdquo

she said

Playhouses are a great addition to a childrsquos outdoor world

They come in all shapes sizes and designs and can be custom-

built or finished if you donrsquot find exactly what yoursquore looking for

in a catalog or on the lot

Every child is different and has their own preferences for color

size and function boys and girls often have especially different

requests for their play space as do younger and more mature chil-

dren so therersquos a lot to consider

Denise knows how even the finest detail can be all it takes to

make an outdoor structure feel like a childrsquos own personal space

While it may seem superfluous to address every minor demand

the truth is a playhouse is more than just an expensive toy itrsquos an

investment The more your child connects with their space the more

use theyrsquoll get out of it ndash and according to Denise that means your

money is well spent

Smartest WayThe

playhouse for your kidsto buy a

Photos by MarkBollescomStory by Yael Goldman

68 | Simply Saratoga

With this in mind prospective buyers should first consider

who will use the playhouse and for how long as well as what

happens when the structure is no longer used for recreation

Versatile Sheds can help even the most discerning parent or

child find what theyrsquore looking for Every playhouse is hand-

built by Amish craftsmen who can accommodate almost any

special request at an additional cost so the possibilities are

endless inside and out

Cedar shingle or vinyl siding wood stone or brick ndash if you

can use it on the outside of your regular home it can be inte-

grated into your playhousersquos design Playhouses can be built

to look like a miniature version of your home which is an

excellent touch for parents that are particularly concerned

with aesthetics Porches shutters flowerboxes unique doors

chimneys and exterior lighting are just a few of the touches

that can brighten and personalize the exterior

Individualizing your childrsquos playhouse doesnrsquot stop at the

front door There are just as many interior features to choose

from ndash you can let your imagination run wild

For starters you have the option to order the playhouse

with a finished or unfinished interior The unfinished version

looks a lot like the inside of a regular home before you move

in paint the walls and furnish the rooms

Buying an unfinished structure is a great way to cut costs

and even bring the family together over a weekend decorating

project The possibilities are endless depending on how handy

you are otherwise a few coats of paint and a bit of carpeting

will surely do the trick

Although a bit pricey purchasing a playhouse with a fin-

ished interior ensures that your child gets exactly what they

want right off the bat They can pick everything from the paint

color to the flooring so the playhouse is move-in ready on the

day it arrives

Playhouses can also be insulated and wired for electricity

You can install lighting electrical outlets even heat or air-

conditioning to make your childrsquos outdoor space as comfort-

able as possible

And the options donrsquot end there Traditional sheds also dou-

ble as playhouses For some parents purchasing an adult-size

shed for their children is an ideal way to get the best return on

their investment Once their children grow out of it the struc-

ture can be used for outdoor storage With just as many styles

sizes and materials to choose from you can customize the

interior and exterior of your shed just as you would a play-

house but without all of the more frivolous features

ldquoAny shed can be a playhouserdquo Woodcock said explaining

how a custom paint job or flowerbox can transform a typical

storage unit into childrsquos outdoor activity haven

For example if purchasing a wood shed the exterior can be

easily painted and repainted when making the transition from

playhouse to storage space

For Denisersquos customers getting their moneyrsquos worth should

not have to mean making sacrifices

Simply Saratoga | 69

70 | Simply Saratoga

When Debby Trainor made the decision to buy her grand-

daughter Chezneyrsquos dream house she wanted it to have all the

bells and whistles She met with Denise to go over all the cri-

teria the goal was to buy the perfect gift for Chezney while

staying within her budget

The eight-year-old Greenwich girl wanted her own pretty

pink palace where she could play and imagine Debby wanted

it to be a cozy and safe place for her to play year-round

Customization and interior decoration helped make

Chezneyrsquos playhouse feel like her own little kingdom

ldquoWe made it look like a cute little dollhouserdquo she said ldquoWe

put furniture inside and a little stove fridge heater and TV

itrsquos just perfectrdquo

With the structure built to their liking Chezney and Debby

could enjoy decorating the inside to personalize the playhouse

For many customers putting on the finishing touches means

making the playhouse feel like home ndash you can add curtains

hang pictures buy furniture and appliances and landscape the

perimeter to make the outdoor space feel like a home away

from home

When the child grows out of their playhouse these items

can be easily removed to accommodate a secondary use for the

space

ldquoThe best thing that Denise did for me was explain how we

can use the playhouse for storage for stuff out in the yard after

Chezney has grown out of itrdquo Debby explained ldquoAlthough

she is only eight and will be using it for quite a few more

years this really makes it a good investment and looks

great in the backyardrdquo

Whether you choose a customized playhouse or a tradi-

tional shed thinking toward the future also ensures the

safety and longevity of the structure

Denise explained that placement is an important thing to

consider as you want to make sure the structure is in a safe

place and on an appropriate surface Most importantly the

playhouse must be built on a level even surface that isnrsquot

too high off of the ground

ldquoYou want it on a nice platformrdquo Denise explained

ldquoSome people use concrete but stone is better because it

allows moisture to seep down into the ground and away

from the structurerdquo

Most parents prefer that their playhouse is in the back-

yard where itrsquos easy to see from a window Placing the

structure in a shaded area is also a good idea it will be

cooler in the summer and less susceptible to the elements if

partially protected by trees

Debby had Chezneyrsquos playhouse built right next to her

swing set where she can be easily supervised

One last thing to consider when purchasing a playhouse

Simply Saratoga | 71

72 | Simply Saratoga

or shed for your child is how much effort

you want to put into maintaining it The

more ornate the structure the more care it

may need

Woodcock advises parents to preserve

their investment and treat the playhouse

like a miniature home

Think of it as a miniature house ndash the

structure requires regular maintenance

and upkeep to ensure your child will be

safe while enjoying years and years of

imaginative fun

With so many features and styles to

choose from yoursquore sure to find the best

for both you and your child

For more information about Versatile

Sheds or to set up a time to meet with

Denise Woodcock call (518) 584-7924

or stop by 669 Route 9 in Wilton sect

Simply Saratoga | 73

74 | Simply Saratoga

Kitchen

Not Your

Grandmarsquos

Story Written by Daniel Schechtman Photos Provided

ldquoAs you

walk into the kitchen

of the future LED

light projections adjust

to your mood - it will

know if you have a

hangover via sensors

that will read your

b r a i n w a v e s

Aromatherapy infused

walls will be synched

to your calendar calm-

ing you before a big

meeting or energizing you before a gym session The fridge will have selected some breakfast options identifying the essen-

tial vitamins for your day via sensors When you get home a hologram chef will be on hand for recipe inspirationrdquo

Alright so maybe your kitchen canrsquot do all of these things quite yet ndash but believe it or not wersquore getting there This is tomor-

rowrsquos kitchen a kitchen where your appliances donrsquot just store your food or wash your dishes ndash they talk to you providing you

with integral information on how to

best store your fruits and vegetables

letting you know if the refrigerator

door is open for too long or when a

part will soon need replacing

Simply Saratoga | 75

ldquoScience fictionrdquo I hear you say

Guess again Quoted from a report released by The Future Laboratory

who was commissioned by IKEA to determine what a modernkitchen in the year 2040 could conceivably look like

76 | Simply Saratoga

ldquoOne technology that really stands out to me is the

Miele Appliance Company Right now theyrsquore using a

program called lsquoremote visionrsquo On select applianceshellip

is a wireless card that clicks into a port on the back of

the appliance You synch it up with your home network

and it basically emails the technician and the owner

when itrsquos broken when you need to clean your condens-

er change your water filter or schedule a routine serv-

icerdquo said Tom Thibeault owner of Adirondack

Appliance Repair Inc located at 67 West Ave in

Saratoga Springs ldquoMaybe somebodyrsquos been opening the

[refrigerator] door for too long or the door was left open

ndash it will email you and tell you that your door is left

openrdquo

This is not your grandmarsquos kitchen This my friends

is the kitchen of the future and itrsquos available now

The 36 inch bottom-mount Miele refrigerator boasts a

striking interior featuring LED lighting running along

the sides from top to bottom stainless steel accents and

exteriors with control systems that would be comfort-

able alongside the captainrsquos chair on the Starship

Enterprise

Simply Saratoga | 77

ldquoThe controls in the Miele really stand out

Looking at the controls theyrsquore just a glass piece and

then once you touch it you see a few options for the

different compartments Then you touch the compart-

ment and the temperature is displayed so itrsquos kind of

like a Star Trek controlrdquo Thibeault said

And thatrsquos just the refrigerator

Adirondack Appliance has also seen brands such as

Wolf (a company owned by the same people who own

Sub-Zero) grow in popularity when it comes to their

range stoves and ovens The dual convection oven

works to eliminate cold spotting and provides consis-

tent even temperatures and even allows for unique

options such as proofing ndash used best when baking

homemade bread

ldquoIt also has a temperature probe you can plug into

things like a turkey or roast so you can see the temper-

ature while itrsquos still inside the machine It has

hydraulic hinges halogen lit interiors everything is

composed of stainless steel and itrsquos by far one of the

best lines on the marketrdquo Thibeault said

A new line coming to Adirondack Appliance that

features some amazing technology is a series of Pro-

Style Ranges produced by industry giant Jenn-Air

ldquoThat actually has an LCD touch

screen like an IPAD for the controls The

temperature is set by sliding your finger

along the controls Itrsquos all color backlit and

absolutely amazingrdquo Thibeault said

ldquoAnother thing we have to that same

effect are some of the hoods which have

really been getting pretty out there as far as

design We have one on our floor [by Miele]

that has an LED bar on the front which

changes in phases between 196000 colors

Itrsquos a very delicate change very pretty and

coolrdquo Thibeault said adding ldquoor you can set

it to any color in that spectrum yoursquod like to

accent your cabinetryrdquo

When it comes to dishwashers Thibeault

can attest to the quality of both the Asko and

Miele brands both of which he uses in his

own home And good news for Saratoga

Springs residents ndash

ldquoIn our market in

Saratoga we have a

very hard water base

whether yoursquore on a well

system or city waterrdquo

Thibeault said ldquoSo you

get a lot of minerals in

the machine With the

stainless steel interiors it

eliminates a lot of prob-

lems generally seen with

plastic interior tubs and

usually they are the best

life expectanciesrdquo

78 | Simply Saratoga

Asko and Mieleare practically custom made to handle the

arearsquos typicallymineral rich water

Simply Saratoga | 79

The Asko brand dishwasher takes things one step

further including two pumps in the washerrsquos system

The first pump filters the water cleansing it of poten-

tially harmful minerals while the second pump recircu-

lates the water ensuring that the machine is never

blasting your dishes with food debris or dirty residue

With Miele the design features a built-in water sof-

tener perfect for dealing with the Saratoga water

system

ldquoTypically the Miele is going to do a better job with

tougher baked in stainsrdquo said Thibeault ldquobecause itrsquos

got the softener in it and a little bit longer pots and pans

cyclerdquo

80 | Simply Saratoga

Adirondack Appliance Repair Inc is a fami-

ly-owned business since 1929 and the last inde-

pendent appliance retailer of its kind in Saratoga

Springs With $6 billion of buying power behind

their name (a benefit of being part of the Nation

Wide Appliance Buying Group) Thibeault

promised ldquowe can actually price match the box

stores and everybody else around all while pro-

viding you with better service and better

productsrdquo

For more information on AdirondackAppliance or the products they sell you mayvisit their showroom located at 67 West Avenuein Saratoga Springs for live demonstrationsThey can also be reached by phone at (518)587-6640 or you may visit them at their newwebsite wwwadkappliancecom where cus-tomers can browse through the storersquos entirecatalogue of appliances

sect

Simply Saratoga | 81

82 | Simply Saratoga

Page 3: Simply Saratoga March 2011

Simply Saratoga | 5

Pg 36Pg 8Reviews

8 Lake Ridge Restaurant

Big cuisine magic in a very small town

32 The Frozen Rabbi

Steve Sternrsquos most recent novel

Home ampGarden

36 Unique Places ampCreative SpacesA place in the country-

in Saratoga Springs

42 The RightApproach toInterior Design

Blairhouse Interiors Group

50 Spring Dorsquos and Donrsquots

For the gardener

58 Exterior andStoneworkIllumination

Enjoy your space

66 PlayhousesMake a childrsquos

dream come true

74 Not yourGrandmarsquosKitchenAdirondack Applicance

talks kitchens

Pg 14Things

to Know14 Bottle Notes

Organic but not green

22 Protecting YourRetirement

Something not to lose site of

30 Women Takethis Warning toHeart

Heart Health

34 Simple TruthsHow is your

mental state

Pg 12Things to Do

12 Maple WeekendsToo sweet to miss

16 Save the DateFor these great events

Contents

Pg 19Prom Style

Pg 24SummerCamps

March April 2011

Seasonal

VIEWON-LINE

flip through the pages of this

magazine and link to

the advertisers websites at

SaratogaPublishingcom

Cover Photo by Samu Studios

Simply Saratoga is brought to you by SaratogaPublishing LLC Saratoga Publishing shall make everyeffort to avoid errors and omissions but disclaims anyresponsibility should they occur No part of this pub-lication may be reproduced stored in a retrieval sys-tem or transmitted in any form or by any meanswithout prior written consent of the publisherCopyright (c) 2010 Saratoga Publishing LLC

OwnerPublisherChad Beatty

General ManagerRobin Mitchell

Creative DirectorChris Bushee

Art DirectorTiffany Garland

EditorArthur Gonick

WritersYael Goldman

Daniel SchechtmanHelen Edelman Michael Okby

Patty NovoAndrij O BaranKerry Mendez

Meghan Lemery

AdvertisingCindy Durfey

Jim Daley

Pre-Press CoordinatorSam Bolles

Copy ProofreaderAnne Proulx

Contributing PhotographersCreative Photo amp GraphicStock Studios Photography

PrintingFry Communications

Published bySaratoga Publishing LLC

Five Case StreetSaratoga Springs NY 12866

tel 5185812480fax 5185812487

SaratogaPublishingcom

Photo by MarkBollescom

6 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 7

8 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 9

Making a new friend when you least expect it is a surpris-

ing pleasure ndash and thatrsquos the good feeling we came away

with after dining at Lake Ridge restaurant Tucked into his-

toric picture-perfect Round Lake ndash about 15 minutes from

Saratoga Springs off Northway exit 11 ndash Lake Ridge is the

gracious good-looking reliable insightful host yoursquoll want

to sit down for a meal with again and again

Saratoga Lake resident Bob McKenna is co-owner of the

eatery with Chef Scott Ringwood of Malta Ringwood is

formerly of The Old Dater Tavern in Halfmoon Also co-

owner and general manager of New Country Toyota

McKenna underlines the philosophy that has propelled the

restaurant through its first decade of success and accolades

ldquoWe love to please people and to create a great event

whether itrsquos a special evening out for a couple an office

gathering a rehearsal dinner date night or a business

lunch We want our customers to have a comfortable

rewarding experiencerdquo

A squarish building constructed in the 1870s the struc-

ture previously housed a general store and a bakery Vastly

updated by McKenna and Ringwood - without compro-

mising the aesthetic of the community - Lake Ridge is an

asset to the unique village of just over 600 neighbors

Founded in the latter half of the 19th century as a pros-

perous and naturally beautiful outpost of the Troy

Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church Round

Lake is an oasis off the beaten path The business sup-

ports community preservation by improving the proper-

ty is a taxpayer and employer and is a good neighbor

sponsoring a softball team and donating food to various

community events and organizations

Long-time Round Lake resident Susan Stratton is

enthusiastic about the presence of Lake Ridge which she

can walk to easily ldquoBesides the obvious ndash the food is

yummy ndash we welcome having such a cooperative flour-

ishing business in our communityrdquo she says

The restaurant thrives in the summer catering to sea-

sonal visitors but tables are set for lunch and dinner

every day except Monday year-round Burgeoning busi-

ness in Malta has driven a noon crowd to Lake Ridge for

unhurried salads soups burgers pasta and sandwiches

while in the evening some people make reservations for

Story By Helen Susan EdelmanPhotos by copystockstudiosphotographycom

Food for Thought

big cuisine magic in a very small town

10 | Simply Saratoga

their next dinner on the way out mdash especially wise

for Saturdays when all 80 seats are often occupied

Informal and genial as it is Lake Ridge is defi-

nitely a ldquofine diningrdquo destination complete with

tablecloths and elegant touches such as silverware

changed between courses Worth noting is the

physical comfort afforded by commodious furni-

ture eye-pleasing deacutecor and an intelligent floor

plan that affords privacy and mellow lighting The

restaurant features three lovely and distinctive din-

ing rooms a former deck enclosed with large win-

dows a warm center room that can accommodate

couples or groups and a small dining area up front

ideal for an intimate tecircte-a-tecircte A few years ago

the restaurant added a glistening mahogany bar

with high stools and a TV The handcrafted show-

case - designed milled and constructed by

McKennarsquos high school buddy Judd Storm and his

partner Bill Tedesco of Marketplace Millwork in

Troy - boasts an exceptional selection of red white

and sparkling wines and scotches bourbons and

beers in which the owners take special pride

Key to smooth operations is manager Diana

Murphy of Wilton who has been part of the busi-

ness since its inception six days a week She is clear

about her mission ldquoThink about the guests

whether you are adding a menu item putting flow-

ers on the table suggesting a wine or choosing wall

artrdquo

McKenna emphasizes Murphyrsquos critical input

ldquoShersquos been there since the beginning and we could-

nrsquot do it as well without herrdquo he says ldquoShersquos smart

and she pulls it together whatever it takesrdquo

The team commitment shows in every aspect of

the restaurant from the imaginative menu to spe-

cial events like wine dinners that keep Lake Ridge

exciting On center stage is the generous scrump-

tious food something for every palate ndash light appe-

tizer-size portions with sophisticated flavors or

hearty soul-satisfying repasts

Appetizers are taken seriously (shrimp and avo-

cado artichoke souffleacute eggplant Napoleon and a 4-

ounce filet mignon) but thatrsquos just the beginning

McKenna points particularly to the exceptional

entrees herb-crusted swordfish veal Jacqueline

(with mushrooms and crabmeat) and the enormous

pecan pork chop as customer favorites but the

menu extends far beyond these top picks with sea

bass (delicious) salmon rack of lamb rosemary

chicken steak duck and a roster of pastas

Simply Saratoga | 11

(Companion had a fabulous linguini tossed with ample

seafood) There are four crispy salads that incorporate

local ingredients when possible and a lineup of irre-

sistible desserts Sneak a peek at wwwlake-ridgecom

for the complete menu and prices

Itrsquos no surprise that Lake Ridge was voted Best

American Cuisine in the Capital Region by Metroland

readers in 2006 and that McKenna and Ringwood

were named Entrepreneurs of the Year by Southern

Saratoga Chamber of Commerce in 2005

But the highest praise of all comes in the form of a

loyal following and I can see that Companion is join-

ing the fold Succinct by nature he declares ldquoIrsquoll go

back for morerdquo

And Irsquoll go with him

Lake Ridge Restaurant 35 Burlington Ave Round Lake (Northway exit 11)Open Tuesday-Saturday lunch 1130 am - 230 pm dinner 430-845 pm Sunday dinner 3-8 pm (518)-899-6000wwwlake-ridgecom

sect

12 | Simply Saratoga

March 19 - 20 andMarch 26 - 27

2011

Simply Saratoga | 13

T ired of being lsquocooped uprsquo

with all the cold weather

and snow this winter

Why not go visit a maple produc-

tion facility to see first-hand how this

yummy syrup is made and sam-

ple some sweet delights

The Annual Maple

Weekend(s) are the last two

weekends in March and

there are numerous produc-

ers participating this year

Maple syrup is the first crop

and harvest of the year and of

course one of the sweetest Unlike most farming the crop or

maple trees doesnrsquot have to be re-planted every year Maple

producers literally lsquotaprsquo into the sap that starts moving up the

tree in the spring to nourish the branches to produce buds

When the weather gets warmer into the 40rsquos during the day that

is the signal that the sap is running Hard freezes at night are also

an important factor as that causes the sap to flow back down to the

roots at night This movement of sap can occur for upwards of six

weeks depending upon the weather

Tapping into the sap doesnrsquot harm the trees itrsquos like giving

blood But tapping trees that are too small can stunt their growth

It takes forty gallons of the sap to make only one gallon of maple

syrup As harvests go thatrsquos a very small ratio of raw material to

finished product

It may surprise you to learn that the only place in the world

where maple syrup is made is here in the northeastern United

States and in eastern Canada Take a quick trip this maple sea-

son to sample some pure delight here in the surrounding

Capital District area and celebrate this sweet harvest

For Maple Weekend information contact New York

State Maple Producerrsquos Association website at

wwwnysmaplecom or for a complete list of maple produc-

ers participating in Maple

Weekend visit

mapleweekendcomSubmitted byCaroline Foote Co-ownerMaple Hill Farm Cobleskill NYwwwMaplehillfarmsbiz(518) 234-4858mhfarmvcrbwildbluenet

sect

14 | Simply Saratoga

NopehellipIrsquom not suggesting you dye your wine green in honor

of St Paddyrsquos (although that might be fun) Irsquom talking about

ORGANIC wine What exactly makes a wine organic

Andhellipwhy should you try it

Strictly speaking an ldquoorganicrdquo wine is one crafted from organ-

ically grown grapes This is to say the grapes in the bottle have

been grown without the use of pesticides herbicides chemical

fertilizers or synthetic chemicals of any kind These chemical

agents are not allowed on the grapes or the soil in which the

grapes are grown What used to be termed ldquoorganic winerdquo is now

termed ldquowines made from organic grapesrdquo The distinction is

confusing to most including many of the winemakers In addi-

tion most consumers are led to believe that all wines made from

organic grapes do not contain any sulfites This is inaccurate The

fermenting yeasts which are present on ALL grape skins gener-

ate naturally-occurring sulfites in varying amounts So wines

COMPLETELY devoid of sulfites are an anomaly and are not

the wines you see on the shelf of your local wine shop Wines

LOW in sulfites or free of ADDED sulfites are what you will

find instead These wines will conform to the standards of organ-

ic practices and will not contain sulfites in an amount greater

than allowed by the USDA For those who are sensitive to sul-

fites or prefer to sip organic wines as a matter of philosophy

there are hundreds of organic wines that will satisfy Okay

enough of the chemistry lesson

More and more winemakers are embracing the idea of con-

forming to organic practices when creating their wines For

these farmers and winemakers maintaining a healthy and

active soil for the grapes to grow in is the key Farming and

cultivating using these methods encourages biodiversity

which also aids in regulating the soil In turn these meth-

ods protect both the environment and the workers in the

vineyardshellipcertainly not a bad thing So while just a few

years ago your options were a bit limited if you wanted to

ldquodrink greenrdquo now there are hundreds of options to choose

from At the forefront of this movement is a winery thatrsquos

located right in New York State In fact it is the first organic

winery in North America and is located right on the western

B ttle N tes

By Patricia Novo

Photos by Mark Bolles

GreenhellipGreenhellipWine

Simply Saratoga | 15

shore of Seneca

LakehellipFour Chimneys

Organic Winery

Established in 1980

Four Chimneys was

green before being

green was cool In addi-

tion to crafting their

wines in accordance

with the standards for

organic wine estab-

lished by the NOFA-

NY Certified Organic

they also do not utilize

any animal products in

their wines For these

reasons many vegetari-

ans embrace the Four

Chimneys wines as well and have contributed to their enor-

mous popularity Four Chimneys offers several interesting

wines ranging from dry to sweet and also features several

fruit-based wines that are extremely popular For those who

love Pinot Grigio their ldquoKingdom Whiterdquo is worth sampling

This is Four Chimneyrsquos driest white and is an ideal accompa-

niment to light seafood preparations ldquoKingdom Redrdquo also a

very dry wine is similar in texture to a Merlot and will please

Merlot drinkers offering full and rich berry and plum flavors

on the palate For those who enjoy a touch of sweetness in their

wines their ldquoEye of the Doverdquo is a slightly sweet Cabernet

Franc based red which is best served with a slight chill This

wine makes a lovely accompaniment to barbecue and other

dishes with a bit of smoke and heat Even sweeter on the scale

are their ldquoFirst Loverdquo and ldquoEye of the Beerdquo wines ldquoFirst Loverdquo

is most reminiscent of Riesling although it is based on the

Vidal grape This very fragrant wine is quite refreshing and

offers up aromas of fresh white peach and honey Their most

popular wine is ldquoEye of the Beerdquo a semi-sweet rose-colored

wine whose flavors and aromas mimic those of freshly picked

grapes off the vine Their offerings of fruit wines also are quite

popular These combine organically grown grapes with organ-

ically grown fruits from their farm With names like

ldquoHoneydew Moonrdquo ldquoCelestial Peachrdquo ldquoStrawberry

Meadowsrdquo and ldquoRaspberry Sunrdquo these sweet fruit wines

would make an interesting choice with your dessert and are

also delightful served alongside some soft ripened cheeses such

as Brie and Camembert and fresh fruit

This is just a small introduction to the world of organic

wines For additional information or if you have specific ques-

tions about the differences among organic wines please stop in

and chat with me about this very popular subject I am more

than happy to answer any additional questions that you might

have Cheers sect

Patricia Novo is the owner of Crush amp Cask Wine and Spirits at170 South Broadway in Saratoga Springs She holds anAssociates Degree in Culinary Arts from SCCC and also serves ontheir Advisory Board Patricia also has certification in Wine andSpirits from the WSET as well as an Aficionado of WineCertification from the Robert Parker and Kevin Zraly WineProgram She is pursuing her Sommelier certification in Winter2011

16 | Simply Saratoga

Savethe

DateHomemade Theater Presents HARVEY

Homemade Theater Spa State Park South Broadway Saratoga SpringsElwood P Dowd is a gentle soul ndash kind hearted and

loving He has only one flaw ndash his invisible six foot-tall rabbit companion Harvey His family convincesElwood to commit himself to a sanitarium Then thelunacy really begins Multiple mistaken identities lotsof laughs and Harvey is on the loose Does the worldneed more lsquonormal peoplersquo Will you see Harvey

April 22 23 29 30 amp May 6 7 at 8 pm and May1 and 8 at 2 pm Tickets are $23 and $26 Visit home-madetheaterorg for more information

Celebrate Earth Week Recycled Art Show

Saratoga National Historical Park 648 Rte 32Stillwater

Weekend-long exhibit beginning on Friday April15 through Sunday April 17 with original works ofldquorecycled artrdquo with each piece containing at least50 reclaimed or recycled materials For more infor-mation please visit npsgovsara or phone (518) 664-9821 ext 224

Easter Egg HuntMalta Community Center 1 Bayberry DrFrom 10 to 11 am on Saturday April 16 please reg-

ister by April 8 by calling (518) 899-4411 Residentsof Malta $6 non-residents $7 Please bring your ownEaster basket to collect your eggs

Washington County Farm and Fiber Tour

On April 24 and 25 bring the family to this freetour to visit alpacas bunnies goats sheep and lambsllamas and meet the farmers and their familiesWatch spinning knitting weaving and felting demon-strations Learn about raising the livestock and petsthat we cherish For more information visitwwwwashingtoncountyfibertourorg

Geocache Easter Egg HuntGalway Preserve 2519 Crane RdOn Saturday April 30 find some eggs find some

caches and find some friends (or make new ones) asyou and your children search throughout the preservePrizes for found eggs will include candy toys geo-items and more Drinks and snacks will be availableThis event will be led by Chris Parker Preserve stewardand geocacher extraordinare For more informationcall Saratoga PLAN at (518) 587-4555

Hadley Maple FestivalHeld on Rockwell St on Saturday April 30 this

event runs all day from 8 am to 4 pm Bring the fami-ly for everything maple Visit wwwhadleybusinessas-sociationnet for more information

MapleWeekendsMarch 19-20th

amp 26-27th

See Pages 12-13

Simply Saratoga | 17

Saratoga Springs Mardi Gras FestivalHeld at various locations downtown Saratoga on

Saturday April 30 this event benefits Saratoga EOCand the Giving Circle For more information visitsaratogamardigrasorg

British Army Spring Training DaySaratoga National Historical Park 648 Rte 32

StillwaterOn May 7 from 10 am to 4 pm The cold winter has

ended and a new campaign season begins Soldiersdrill camp followers mend clothes and the armyprepares to quell the American ldquorebellionrdquo See thetroops and decide the outcome of a re-enacted courtmartial

St Clements Horse ShowYaddo grounds next to Oklahoma TrackHeld May 3 to May 8 and May 11 to May 15 This

is one of the largest horse shows on the east coastFor more information visit saintclementshorse-showcom

18 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 19

Prom

T h i s W a y

20 | Simply Saratoga

Glamor

ous

Daz

zling

Elega

ntFlir

ty

Gor

geou

s

Girls

itrsquos

Show

time

Simply Saratoga | 21

Web

Extras

See

the

pics tha

t didn

rsquot

mak

e it in

the

Mag

azine

on

SaratogaB

ridalEXPO

com

Grecian

God

dess

Athe

na

Classic B

eaut

y

Holly

wood

Glamou

r

Wild

and

Untam

edElega

nt

22 | Simply Saratoga

The current economic and market environment has prompt-

ed many Americans to rethink their retirement strategies If

you are experiencing a job transitionmdashparticularly if the tran-

sition is unplanned and unexpectedmdashsuch a reassessment may

be particularly important for you While it may be tempting to

focus more on your immediate needs you should not lose sight

of long-term goals especially your retirement strategy

Some Basic Decisions Your employer-sponsored retirement plan is likely to be a

key component of your retirement strategy Because it repre-

sents a key source of future retirement income it is important

to carefully consider your alternatives for administering these

assets During a job transition you will usually have three

options take a lump-sum distribution leave your assets in the

employer-sponsored plan or move your assets into a Rollover

IRA

Taking a direct lump-sum distributionmdashWith this

option the assets in your plan are distributed directly to you in

a lump sum which provides you with immediate access to

your funds Depending on your short-term needs that may

appear to be an attractive alternative However a distribution

will likely result in substantial federal and state income taxes

and a 10 percent IRS penalty tax which can significantly

reduce the amount of the distribution Because you will be

receiving the distribution directly the plan administrator must

withhold up to 20 percent of the value of the distribution for

federal income tax purposes Moreover you will lose the ben-

efit of the tax-deferred status of these assets which could

reduce the amount ultimately available to you at retirement

The status quo optionmdashYou can decide to do nothing

leaving your assets in your former employerrsquos plan That will

protect the tax-deferred status of your assets and allow you to

transfer the account assets at a later time to a new employerrsquos

retirement plan that accepts rollovers But you may be limiting

your investment choices and control because employer plans

typically have a restricted investment menu and require the

consent of your spouse before you can name someone else as

a beneficiary

Establishing a Rollover IRAmdashA Rollover IRA simultane-

ously addresses the issues of taxation flexibility and control

and may hold significant benefits for you as a result

Submitted by H Michael Okby Wealth Advisor

Fin

ancia

l Protecting Your RetirementInvestmentsDuring a JobTransition

If your distribution is transferred directly to a custodian rather than

to you the Rollover IRA eliminates the withholding requirement and

penalties that may result from a lump-sum distribution

The entire rollover amount can be investedimmediately according to the strategy youspecify bull Your assets and any earnings continue to have the potential to

grow tax-deferred until you retire and begin taking withdrawals

bull You may gain access to a wider range of investment options and

more retirement planning and distribution flexibility

bull You can name any beneficiary including a trust without

needing the consent of your spouse (although special rules may

apply in community property states)

For example investment products in an employer plan are usually

limited to mutual funds and company stock With a self-directed

Rollover IRA you can work with your financial professional to struc-

ture a portfolio using stocks bonds annuities and other investments

utilizing an asset allocation1 that is customized to help you meet your

retirement investment objectives And your retirement strategy can be

further tailored with a wider range of beneficiary selection and distri-

bution choices

Consider Consolidation This may also be an excellent time to deal with multiple IRAs you

may have opened over the years and with account balances you may

have left in the plans of former employers Together these assets may

represent a significant sum There are good reasons to consider con-

solidating them all in a Rollover IRA

Comprehensive investment strategymdashIt can be difficult to main-

tain an effective investment strategymdashone that accurately reflects

your goals timing and risk tolerancemdashwhen assets are spread among

multiple financial institutions When you consolidate your financial

professional can help you ensure that these assets are part of your

overall asset allocation strategy that is reflective of your current

financial situation and long-term retirement goals

Greater investment flexibilitymdashA self-directed IRA generally

offers you the ability to choose from a wide range of investment

products including stocks bonds mutual funds annuities and more

Simplified trackingmdashIt is easier to monitor your progress and

investment results when all your retirement savings are in one place

because you will receive one statement instead of several That sim-

plifies your life while protecting the environment

Lower costsmdashReducing the number of accounts may also reduce

your account fees and other investment-related charges

Dealing with one account rather than several also simplifies

the distribution processmdashincluding complying with complex min-

imum distribution rules when you reach age 70 And you avoid the

risk of losing track of your retirement accounts or access to the

account assets should your former employer merge with another

company or go out of business Your financial professional can help

you assess your alternatives so you can make decisions based on

whatrsquos best for you You may find that this time of transition holds

benefits for your retirement assets

For more information please contact H Michael Okby at (518) 583-5601

sect

Simply Saratoga | 23

24 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 25

Summer camp is a place wherelifelong memories are made

This is where our children learnto cultivate their interests andordiscover a world of new activities tohelp their young minds grow andfor them to become physically fit

Even though there may be snowon the ground when you read thisit is never too early to think aboutyour childrenrsquos summer fun Weare blessed in this region with avariety of destinations providing awealth of activities

And while there is something foreveryone early planning is a mustto assure your child has a spot inone of these great places At theend of a long winter seasonthoughts of summer camp arerejuvenating for adults as well

Summer Camp Guide 2011

YMCA Camp Chingachgook

NdakinnaNdakinna Education Center located in

Greenfield Center offers a wide variety of

summer camp programs and activities that

will provide campers with a greater

respect and understanding for the natural

world as well as the Northeastrsquos rich

Native American history Hosted by

renowned author and wilderness and sur-

vival expert James Bruchac these pro-

grams are ideal for children with a sense

of adventure and natural wonder Summer

programs are divided into two groups

children ages three to eight and older

campers ages nine to fourteen Programs

range in duration from one to two weeks

26 | Simply Saratoga

YMCA Camp Chingachgook located on beauti-

ful Lake George has three camping options sleep-

away camp day camp and adventure trips

Summer sleep-away camp is the experience of a

lifetime The camp is divided into junior and sen-

ior boys and girls units junior campers between

the ages of seven and 12 and senior campers are 13

to 15 years old All Chingachgook counselors go

through extensive two-week training and prepa-

ration prior to the beginning of the first session

Campers will enjoy a full schedule of skill

classes which they can choose on their own

and special events and programs Campers can

choose from swimming water skiing canoeing

nature arts outdoor living skills theater news-

paper riflery archery dance guitar outdoor

cooking sports zone water world woodwork-

ing softball soccer tennis photography sail-

ing high ropes mountain biking and rock

climbing Each camper sets up their own daily

schedule of four skill classes at the start of the

session

Two-week camp sessions at Chingachgook

also include a three-day hike which allows

campers to get out and experience the wilder-

ness in a fun and safe atmosphere

Chingachgook also offers a variety of unique

adventure camps for children looking to explore

unique destinations and experience a whole new

level of fun options like sailing kayak-

ing boat building rock climbing canoe-

ing community service white-water

rafting hiking and backpacking bicycle

touring and mountain biking Adventure

campers will benefit from activities with

smaller coed groups of ten or less

Day Camp at Chingachgook is a fun

option for children ages five to ten

Campers will enjoy a full day of fun

activities from 930 am to 430 pm The

Day Camp program is divided into eight

one-week segments with the first session

starting on June 28 and the final session

starting on August 16 Each session has

a different theme

Spaces are limited at Chingachgook

so be sure to sign up as soon as possible

For more information to sign up for a

tour or to register for camp visit

wwwcapitaldistrictymcacom or call

(518) 656-9462

each covering a different skill or activity such

as animal tracking basic wilderness survival

skills and shelter building Native American

storytelling and games and nature-based arts

and crafts projects will teach campers to have

fun in the great outdoors Each camp program

promotes team building natural awareness

patience and confidence

Ndakinna also offers family camp pro-

grams which allow children and their parents

to experience the outdoors together Family

programs can accommodate children ages one

to 14 These programs offer the

same skills training and team-

building activities To view the

finalized calendar of programs

and events visit

wwwNdcenterorg

Cutting Edge Martial ArtsCutting Edge Martial Artrsquos A+ After

School and Summer Camp Program is a year-

round child care solution that provides a pos-

itive structured environment for children

after school and during the day in the sum-

mer During the school year we pick chil-

dren up directly from the local elementary

and middle schools and provide an hour les-

son that starts with our ldquoMat Chatrdquo a ten

minute character education lesson for the day

followed by a full 50 minute martial arts

class Parents have a window between 5 and

545 pm to pick up their children while chil-

dren have the opportunity after class to get

their homework started

During the summer children get all the

benefits of our A+ Program but on a grander

scale We offer nine weeks of full day camps

and have no minimum or maximum number

of days per week or number of weeks that a

student can attend Each week of camp we

have a curriculum of character education

lessons fun games and a one hour martial

arts class every day We watch a movie in

the afternoons twice a week have a video

game morning on Fridays and take all our

campers on an educa-

tional outing on

Wednesdays and a

fun and exciting out-

ing every Friday

Our average camp

size is 20-25 stu-

dents and we have

three full time staff

graphed by Sarah Sutliff

Saratoga Childrenrsquos Theatre also offers a one-

week camp at the end of the summer ldquoMaster

your Auditionrdquo This camp will help your child

get ready for fall and winter auditions These

audition workshops have been very popular and

sell out quickly Any child at any skill level with

an interest in performing arts is welcome to join

in on the fun Saratoga Childrenrsquos Theatre

Executive Director Meg Kelly aims to give each

camper the most rewarding and enjoyable camp

experience and every camper will get to perform

The Saratoga Childrenrsquos Theatre hires profes-

sionals to help your child gain the most from

their summer camp experience

The cost for a two-week session is $450 and

$250 for the one-week session For more infor-

mation visit wwwsaratogachildrenstheatreorg

or call (518) 580-1782

For kids who have a passion for per-

forming arts Saratoga Childrenrsquos Theatre

summer camp is a dream come true

Saratoga Childrenrsquos Theatre offers per-

formance camps which means each

camper will be working on a full-fledged

production throughout their session

Campers will learn all aspects of perform-

ance and will have the opportunity to per-

form in two shows at the end of camp a

matinee and an evening show are both

open to the public Campers will perform

on stage at St Petersrsquo Auditorium

Saratoga Springs Camp hours are 9am-

3pm Performance camp is divided into

two age groups

Ages 6-9 will participate in one week

camps These camps will include Disneyrsquos

Sleeping Beauty kids Cinderella kids

Aristocats kids 101 Dalmatians kids and

Lemonade These camps will be directed by

Megan OrsquoSullivan a local elementary school

music teacher and assisted by Karey

Trimmings also a local elementary school

music teacher

Ages 10-18 will participate in two-week

camps Each camp will practice and perform a

different show These

camps include

Thoroughly Modern

Mille Jr Cinderella Jr

Fiddler on the Roof Jr

and Once on this Island

Jr These camps will be

directed by Michael

Lotano local actor and

elementary school music

teacher and choreo-

Saratoga Childrenrsquos Theatre

Simply Saratoga | 27

working with our students

Our goal is to provide a family-friendly

and fun environment that feels like a home

away from home Our students have fun

learning skills that can be used every day of

their lives and we try to provide memories

that will last a lifetime For many our

summer camps are a wonderful introduc-

tion to martial arts

For more information visit

wwwsaratogamartialartscom

or call (518) 587-5501

28 | Simply Saratoga

Saratoga Independent SchoolSaratoga Independent School hosts a variety of summer

programs split into two age groups three to eight year-olds

Wilton Recreation CampWilton Recreation offers a full-day summer

camp program for children in grades one

through nine With available pre-camp and

post-camp care working parents can ensure

their children are having fun in a safe environ-

ment before and after the camprsquos regular 9 am to

3 pm hours Parents who register their children

for before and after camp care can drop off their

children prior to camp opening at 830 am and

can pick them up at 530 pm Bussing is avail-

able for Wilton residents who register for regu-

lar camp hours (9 am to 3 pm)

Wilton Recreation Camp offers a full sched-

ule of daily onsite activities themed events and

exciting trips for kids who register for off-site

adventures Daily on-site activities include arts

and crafts sports playground fun and other

organized group games This yearrsquos scheduled

field trips include Million Dollar Beach in Lake

George movie days at Proctors Theater

Saratoga County Fair bowling white water

rafting and at least two swimming days per

week at Peerless Pool

The Summer 2011 camp will open on

June 27 and run until August

12 Registration begins

March 14 at Gavin Park and

will close on June 3 As

there are only 300 spaces

available be sure to mark

your calendar Camp

registration forms are

available online at

wwwtownofwiltoncom or

can be picked up weekdays

at Gavin Park 9 am to 5 pm

For any other questions

please call the park office at (518) 584-9455

and seven to 14 year-olds The weeklong programs run from July 5

to August 19

Saratoga Independent School summer programs are staffed large-

ly by their own teachers so parents can rest assured their kids are

supervised in a safe environment with experienced teachers who are

knowledgeable about child development and hands-on

programming

For the younger group weekly themed programs run from 9 am

to noon (early drop-off at 830 available) The staff-to-camper ratio

is one to six for children ages three and four and one to ten for chil-

dren ages five to eight Themed programs include ldquoCooking with

Curiosityrdquo ldquoHawaiian Hullabaloordquo ldquoHands-On Science Funrdquo

ldquoHoliday-A-Dayrdquo ldquoGood Versus Evil Imaginations Run Wildrdquo

ldquoDinosaur Discoveryrdquo ldquoIn the Jungle the Mighty Junglerdquo

Activities take place both indoors and outdoors

The selection of enrichment programs for older children is even

more extensive this year than in the past Some programs will take

place in the mornings others in the afternoon Age ranges will vary

depending on the subject matter These specialty programs give chil-

dren an opportunity to develop new interests and expand on existing

skills Programs include ldquoCartooning and Morerdquo ldquoImprovisationrdquo

ldquoKnittingrdquo ldquoOpen Art Studiordquo ldquoYou Can Do Magicrdquo ldquoGet Up and

Dancerdquo ldquoRoaring into Robots Whatrsquos Nextrdquo ldquoArt in the Ancient

Worldrdquo ldquoMad Sciencerdquo ldquoComputer Video Game Creationrdquo

ldquoAdvanced Robot Challengesrdquo and ldquoArt-Math Connectionrdquo

Registration has already begun and the programs fill up quickly so

visit wwwsiskidsorg for more information and to secure a space

for your child

Simply Saratoga | 29

Are your kids looking for an adventure this summer The

Saratoga Regional YMCA has two exciting day camps available

Camp Starhitch held at the Wilton Branch which engages children

with a multitude of fun activities and a trip each week and Travel

Camp where participants meet at the Saratoga Springs Branch and

then travel off to fun and thrilling places each day

Camp Starhitch is for children having completed Kindergarten

through entering fifth grade Campers will participate in games

sports crafts nature activities trips swimming archery and more

Each week is planned around a theme and includes a trip For exam-

ple during ldquo70rsquos Flashbackrdquo week campers will go roller skating

during ldquoThe Wild Frontierrdquo week kids will have the opportunity to

go horseback riding and during ldquoTropical Paradiserdquo week partici-

pants may ldquocatch a gnarly waverdquo at an outdoor water park

Travel Camp is definitely for the action seeker and for those who

like to be on the go This program for youth entering fifth through

tenth grade provides campers an opportunity to travel each and every

day to fun-filled locations Participants explore different summer

activities that include amusement and water parks outdoor sports

fairs and horseback riding This year the trips include a visit to Hunter

Mountain Six Flags New England Tubing on the Battenkill NY

Mets game at Citi Field the NY State Fair and more

Camp Starhitch and Travel Camp both run for nine one-week ses-

sions You may choose to attend camp for one week or any combina-

tion of weeks Experienced counselors supervise children and a ratio

of 110 ensures a safe quality camping experience CPR and First Aid

certified camp staff will be present on all trips At Travel Camp

campers will be grouped according to age and are supervised by expe-

rienced adult staff

Camp Starhitch has two day camp options for your child Option A

allows for your child to be dropped off at 9 am and picked up at 4 pm

and Option B has a 7 am drop off time and a 6 pm pick up time

Travel Camp runs from 9 am to 430 pm and extended hours are

available at no additional cost This year transportation will be provid-

ed in both directions between the Saratoga Springs and Wilton

branches Pickups will be as early as 815 am and drop-offs will be

as late as 5 pm Both camps try to cater to working parents

In addition the Saratoga Regional YMCA is committed to provid-

ing a safe and welcoming environment for all campers by incorporat-

ing the YMCAcore values of caring honesty respect and responsibil-

ity in daily activities To promote safety and comfort for all individu-

als are asked to act appropriately at all times when at the Yrsquos facilities

or participating in Y programs All campers are required to read and

sign a contract of understanding in reference to the Code of Conduct

We expect persons using the YMCAto act maturely to behave respon-

sibly and to respect the rights and dignity of all othersmdashall while

having a good time

The Y also has opportunities available for those who may not have

the resources to send their children to camp The Y provides scholar-

ships for those who qualify Scholarships are made possible due to

the generous donations of Y members the community and businesses

to the ldquoWe Build Peoplerdquo scholarship campaign held by the Saratoga

Regional YMCA each year Scholarship applications are available at

all Saratoga Regional YMCA branches and online at wwwsaratogare-

gionalymcaorg

Registration is currently ongoing and fills up quickly Registration

forms are available at any of the Saratoga Regional YMCA Branches

or at wwwsaratogaregionalymcaorg For more information about

these day camps please contact Ilene Leverence at (518) 583-9622

ext 103 for Camp Starhitch and Patti Laudicina at (518) 583-9622

ext 110 or Paige Minear ext 116 for Travel Camp

Saratoga YMCA

30 | Simply Saratoga

Ask women about the greatest threat to their health and most will

respond incorrectly with the words ldquobreast cancerrdquo While breast cancer

certainly is of concern the truth is that women are 10 times more like-

ly to die from heart disease Breast cancer kills 1 in 25 women heart

disease claims 1 in 2

The most recent statistics available indicate that cardiovascular dis-

ease causes the death of 500000 women per year ndash more than ALL

forms of cancer combined This is a rate of epidemic proportion

Little or no warning

Two-thirds of women die suddenly from heart disease without expe-

riencing any warning symptoms The majority die before they even

reach the hospital and before any attempt at treatment is possible Early

screening and the detection that leads to prevention offer the only hope

of reducing these deaths

Women who do develop heart disease tend to fare worse than men

One reason is that on average heart disease peaks 10 years later in

women than in men At this older age women are less able to withstand

the stress of the disease The proof can be found in a disturbing statis-

tic One year after their first heart attack 44 percent of women are dead

compared with 27 percent of men

Clearly for women preventing that first heart attack would make an

enormous difference

Know the risks

What can be done to prevent and detect heart disease in women

Of foremost importance is to reduce ndash or if possible eliminate ndash the

conditions that cause or accelerate the growth of blockages in the arter-

ies of the heart These conditions known as risk factors include high

Women Take this warning to heart

Story By Andrij O Baran MD

blood pressure diabetes genetic high cholesterol a high-fat

diet an inactive lifestyle smoking and cocaine use

Some damage the lining of the heartrsquos arteries speeding the

buildup of cholesterol Others raise blood cholesterol Both

smoking and cocaine use speed blood clotting They also can

cause sudden cramps or spasms in the coronary arteries cut-

ting off the entire blood supply to portions of the heart even

without a cholesterol blockage

A woman who has one or more of these risk factors should

ask her doctor how best to control them She also should ask

about further screening and testing such as stress testing

The sooner the better

Lifestyle changes and medications can have a dramatic

impact on reducing the incidence of heart attack provided cho-

lesterol blockages are detected early ndash before damage to the

heart has occurred In fact drugs that lower cholesterol alone

have been unequivocally shown to reduce the risk of heart

attack and death by up to 50 percent

When added to a program of low-fat diet exercise control

of high blood pressure and diabetes and above all else no

smoking the benefits are magnified many times over Keep in

mind of course that these drugs work only if they are taken

and taken appropriately

By knowing and changing their risk factors all women can

ensure themselves of a longer and more vibrant life

Andrij O Baran MD FACC is the Medical Director of

Cardiology Services at Saratoga Hospital

Simply Saratoga | 31

A c t F a s t D u r i n g H e a r t A t t a c k s According to the American Heart

Association clot-busting drugs can stop

some heart attacks in progress reducing

disability and saving lives They work best

given within one hour of when heart

attack signs begin Thatrsquos why itrsquos impor-

tant to recognize the warning signs of a

heart attack and act right away

Warning Signs

bull Pain or discomfort in the jaw

neck or back

bull Feeling weak lightheaded or faint

bull Chest paindiscomfort

bull Paindiscomfort in the arms or

shoulder

bull Shortness of breath

If you think that you or someone you

know is having a heart attack call 911

immediately

32 | Simply Saratoga

Who would believe that a rabbi from Eastern

Europe frozen for 150 years in a block of ice could

be transported across time and space to Memphis

where he thaws then becomes a spiritual guru to

baby boomers Arguably nobody But Steve Stern

the author of ldquoThe Frozen Rabbirdquo his most recent

novel isnrsquot asking readers to believe it so much as

to let the characters tell their story Besides the plot

may be far-fetched but he already has a buyer for

the movie rights

Writer-in-residence at Skidmore College Stern is

a genius at creating human beings in fantastical cir-

cumstances who seem more like eccentric neigh-

bors than artifacts of science fiction Some fly

some inhabit other peoplersquos dreams some are res-

urrected and some travel through time Whatever

their superpowers or frailties the heroes and vil-

lains tricksters and innocents and witnesses and

bystanders in Sternrsquos short and long fiction deserve

attention and evoke compassion in their quest for

connection and redemption - or at least food and

shelter From within an inexhaustible vein of

Jewish folklore and oral history his characters

emerge into a lucid fictional universe that embraces

both magic and the mundane Dialogue is ironic as

often as it is mystical and the most ordinary days

serve as backdrops for incredible events

ldquoMiracles are commonplacerdquo says Stern a

Ballston Spa resident ldquoI donrsquot write in metaphors

and symbols deliberately Writing is a visceral

experience for me I read with interest what review-

ers say about my repetitive themes and ideas but I

am driven by images and characters Irsquom a compul-

sive storytellerrdquo

Steve Stern A Lyrical Voice in the Ghetto

B

o

o

k

m

a

r

k

Lean bespectacled and haloed in dark curls Stern

is a Memphis native who grew up in a home bereft

of music books and art in a city made famous by

Elvis Presley (who used to drive through Sternrsquos

neighborhood) and Martin Luther Kingrsquos assassina-

tion He remembers himself as ldquoa mediocre adoles-

cent without confidence or spiritual antennardquo first

stirred to write poetry in high school which he read

aloud for attention

ldquoI was surprised people liked itrdquo he says ldquoAnd I

liked writing it even though it embarrassed me But

I was encouraged to go on and later to try proserdquo

The allure of the late lsquo60s and early lsquo70s was not

academic After college Stern wandered through

Europe then worked as a butcher on a hippie com-

mune in the Ozarks raising pigs and eating off the

land ldquoI slept under five blankets and two dogsrdquo he

recalls (The incarnation has been memorialized in a

comic strip by Sternrsquos girlfriend Sabrina a cartoon-

ist and set designer for Saturday Night Live)

The commune was not too far from the University

of Arkansas where Stern attended graduate school

and played volleyball with Bill and Hillary Clinton

ldquoI hoped he would mention me in his inaugural

addressrdquo Stern sighs

With an MA Stern found teaching gigs at vari-

ous colleges but the work dried up forcing him to

take a job at a folklore center in Memphis first tran-

scribing stories about the black community then

launching a life-changing project to preserve the

stories of the fading Jewish population in a desolate

Memphis ghetto known as ldquoThe Pinchrdquo where

many of his stories are set

Story By Helen Susan Edelman

ldquoBernie scrunched his face in thought Gone was his waryimpulse to keep everything secret and there were times of latewhen he felt almost reckless almost ready to tell the world whileon the other hand he suspected he may have already confided toomuch ldquoI thinkrdquo he said after some consideration ldquoIrsquom startingto outgrow myselfrdquo

mdash Steve Stern ldquoThe Frozen Rabbirdquo

Photo by Josh GerritsenSteve Stern

Simply Saratoga | 33

ldquoIt was intoxicatingrdquo says Stern ldquoI became obsessed with

itrdquo Indeed his work is infused with the folklore images lan-

guage archetypes settings rituals and values embedded in

the memories he recorded and in the vast Jewish and Yiddish

literature he has studied since

A non-observant Jew Stern had no relationship with his

religion so the introduction to his exotic legacy was both

anchor and springboard for a prolific new consciousness

ldquoThe floodgates openedrdquo he says ldquoSuddenly this world

began to materialize for me What had been barren neighbor-

hoods I could see vividly as tenements and shops a town

square street traffic merchants pawnbrokers rabbis chil-

drenhellipimmigrants from Eastern Europe looking for a homerdquo

Stern is comfortable writing about transcendent wisdom as

long as itrsquos his characterrsquos voice

and not his own

dispensing the

insights The

frozen rabbi in

the book of the

same name for

example ldquoradiates

within his zone of

influence and is a

spiritual catalyst

for anyone who

encounters himrdquo

says Stern ldquowhere-

as I am a clicheacute a

Jew who grew up

without an identityrdquo

A winner of both

Guggenheim and

Fulbright fellowships

as well as the National

Jewish Book Award

the Pushcart Prize an

OrsquoHenry Prize and the Edward Lewis Wallant Award Stern

is working on a new novel and rereading Faulkner Tolstoy

Dickens and Joyce

He views each new writing project as ldquoa riskrdquo Experience

last summer also reminded him of the evanescence of popu-

larity he gave two readings one in Memphis which drew

such a crowd that doors had to be locked and one in St

Louis where he commanded an audience of four

ldquoJust like the characters in my storiesrdquo Stern observes ldquoI

encounter conflicts look for a way to escape and face mixed

consequencesrdquo sect

How is your mental state these days Are

you experiencing peace and joy in every-

day life or frustration and impatience Are

you living your life ldquoon purposerdquo or going

through the motions feeling numb and dead

on the inside How is the garden of your

mind Are you tending to your garden or letting

the weeds take over

When I lived in Boston I lived next door to an elder-

ly woman who had a beautiful garden Every morning my

neighbor was outside in her floral moo moo (circa Mrs

Roper from Threersquos Company) tending carefully to each

plant and flower She would spend hours walking around her

garden joyfully humming and making sure her flowers were

strong and healthy Many mornings I would sip my coffee

and watch her peacefully pulling out the weeds and tending

to her precious flowers To this day I remember how tall and

lovely her sunflowers were I think our mental state can be

compared to tending to a garden do we have beautiful sun-

flowers of joy and peace or toxic weeds of bitterness and

guilt

The weeds in your heart and mind are feelings of bitterness

anger guilt self-loathing and negativity Do you spend your

days reviewing the list of those that have offended

you Do you beat yourself up daily for past mis-

takes or regrets These are the weeds that can

take over your mind and lead to racing

thoughts a dark depression constant

anxiety or physical illness and

chronic pain If you are someone

that is easily frustrated impatient

and critical you can be sure you

34 | Simply Saratoga

Tending to theGarden of Your MindDealing with the Weeds in your Life

Simple Truths

have some weeds to deal with

The only path to peace and joy in your everyday life is to

pull your weeds out from the root and confront the issues

Holding on to your weeds only makes you ill and deadens

your heart Did you know that people who are full of bitter-

ness and resentment appear older and are not as physically

attractive as people who are full of peace and love The

weeds in your heart and mind can actually make you ugly

Likewise a mind that is content and peaceful gives us a

sparkle and light in our eyes that people are automatically

attracted to Forget the anti-wrinkle cream and Botox Fill

your heart and mind up with the best kept beauty secret

around love and forgiveness

Forgiveness is not about letting the person who hurt you

off the hook Forgiveness IS allowing light into our hearts

so that we can heal and move forward It takes the heavy

burden of offense and resentment off of our hearts and

minds while preparing the ldquosoilrdquo for new growth and

experiences

When possible confront the people you need to forgive

so that you can have closure and move on If it is not pos-

sible to confront the person that is the weed in your life

write them a letter expressing your hurt and anger (not to

send but in a private journal) This is a wonderful way to

give yourself closure and put your feelings out on the table

More often than not the person we have to forgive or con-

front is ourselves If you are constantly beating yourself up

and feeling guilty about your past make a choice to forgive

yourself

Donrsquot be lazy about your weeds Dig deep and pull out

your weeds so that you can make room for peace and joy

We all desire to feel love and be accepted That accept-

Meghan DLemery LCSW-R

Simply Saratoga | 35

ance starts with you Begin to focus on peaceful loving joyful

thoughts Keep a gratitude journal of what you love about your-

self or the loved ones in your life Practice planting seeds of joy

by giving acceptance and love to everyone around you

Take time to practice patience and kindness to your family

friends colleagues and that slow cashier at the grocery store Go

out of your way to help others in any way that you can All of

these acts of kindness plant the seeds of peace love joy and

abundance

As we approach the new season of spring take some time to

tend to the garden of your mind

Wishing you love self-acceptance and peace this spring and

always

Ms Lemery is a psychotherapist practic-ing in Saratoga Springs and QueensburyShe can be reached at meghanle-meryyahoocom

Her first novel will be pub-lished this Spring TitledldquoPlease Pass the BarbieShoesrdquo it is a hilarious heart-warming story that will haveyou feeling inspiredand empowered

sect

36 | Simply Saratoga

Living Room The custom-designed leather couch chair andottoman come from Suttons The stucco fireplace was inspired by theCollinsrsquo travels through the Southwest and Colorado (ldquowe wanted to avoida traditional river rock fireplacerdquo) and provides a heat source as well asbeauty The original structure was built for passive solar design no airconditioning is needed in the summer A wood stove is the primary heatsource radiant heat with natural gas was also added during the renova-tion

The front door as well as all the interior doors was custom-made fittedand replaced by Tom Zanetti Hickory wood floors were also installed dur-ing the addition A hanging stained glass chandelier is a stock itemobtained from a leading home supply retailer ldquoIt captures the sunlightbeautifully along with providing brilliant nighttime illuminationrdquo Tedsaid ldquoItrsquos an eclectic mixrdquo

Simply Saratoga | 37

Today we look at a creative space that is set into a special place

In 1993 Ted and Susan Collins purchased a seven-acre property

with a 1986 Timberpeg designed home that has all the qualities of

a place in the country ndash yet many would be surprised to learn that

it is actually located on the border of Saratoga Springs near the

Alpine Shop on Clinton Street After a number of years living in

apartments on Union Avenue and Franklin Square enjoying the

proximity to downtown and the track they couldnrsquot resist a spot

that was close to town but yet had lots of land

Their overall vision was for an interior space that was in accord

with the outside ndash the wildlife gardens and the sustainable philos-

ophy embodied in the original buildingrsquos passive solar design

ldquoEverything we do embraces the goals of staying true to the orig-

inal structure having an open welcoming interior and being in

harmony with the outdoorsrdquo Ted said

Inspired by travels in balance with the land

Story By Arthur GonickPhotos by copystockstudiosphotographycom

These principles guided a major transformation of the interior

space in 2006 The key element was an addition to the home that

enabled the living room kitchen and upstairs bedroom to be

expanded allowing space for the installation of a downstairs bath

as well

Susan and Ted led this transformation - visualizing an addition

that incorporated equilibrium of size location and overall propor-

tion They went through several iterations with Rick Deforest of

Heritage Timberframes

Even though much of the interior decor came from travels in

Africa the South Pacific and Colorado the building materials and

craftsmen are all local The timbers and wood flooring were milled

in nearby Kingsbury ldquoWe enjoyed working with professionals who

are also friends like Rick Deforest Tom Zanetti and Mike

Roohanrdquo Ted said ldquothe house now feels complete in balancerdquo sect

Unique Places and Creative Spaces If you would like to nominate a unique

or creative place to be featured emailentertainmentsaratogapublishingcom

38 | Simply Saratoga

Kitchen A wall was taken out that afforded space to add an eat-in island area and

open up the space Custom cabinets are by Tom Zanetti Stonework andappliances were added Both the kitchen and bathroom have granite table-tops (from Mike and Margaret Roohan of Granite and Marble Works)New appliances include a Bosch stove (with a built-in microwave drawer)and an Amana stainless refrigerator

Bathroom The bathroom ceiling is pine The showerarea was designed and built to the Collinsrsquo specifications andfeatures a bench 4 shower heads PLUS an extra hand-held one(ldquoItrsquos a human car washrdquo) The stone tiles on the sides and floorin the shower were installed by Best Tile the plumbing in theshower comes from Aird Dorrance as does the sink ndash which sitson a granite top from Granite and Marble Works The windowleads out to the north side of the house with privacy blinds insidethe window panes One thing you donrsquot see ldquoSince the room ison display in the center of the expanded first floor we wanted thecommode to be mostly hiddenrdquo Ted said

Unique Places and Creative Spaces

Simply Saratoga | 39

Living RoomA reading nook sits upon the bathroom addition ldquoThere was no full bathroom on the first

floor and with a post and beam construction we had to be creative You get outstanding viewsof the property pond and stream when viewed from the nookrsquos perspectiverdquo The ladder canswing out on a track making it more like walking up a staircase ndash this was also designed andinstalled by Tom Zanetti The table in the nook is actually a working African drum with a glasstable top added

40 | Simply Saratoga

Bedroom In the second-floor master bedroom moving the dormer brought in extra light and space and

also brought the roofline together with the original structure and first-floor additions The floorand ceiling are made of rough-cut pine planking The bed is also constructed of pine and comesfrom Suttons The window in the upper left was cut during the addition It faces west for extra day-time light

Simply Saratoga | 41

42 | Simply Saratoga

Story Written by Yael Goldman Photos by Samu Studios and Randall Perry Photography

Simply Saratoga | 43

orking with the

right interior designer

turns listless decision making

into an enjoyable and productive

process that avoids costly mistakes

and delivers exceptional results

Designing a room or an entire home is a

big project no matter how strong your tastes are

The decisions are endless ndash what color should I paint the

walls What flooring is most aesthetically appealing and

dog-friendly Should I choose a furniture set or choose

individual pieces Do I want curtains or shades Do I

decorate with knick-knacks or artwork

But with all the unique self-questioning that surrounds

an interior design project most homeowners share angst

in asking themselves one specific question where do I

start

Itrsquos at this point ndash when stress level increases enjoy-

ment-driven projects turn deadly and money has been

wastefully spent on all the wrong things ndash that you long

for the help of a professional if only you could afford it

Well the truth is you can

Creating the right space can be expensive but is only

more so if you make mistakes and have to go back and

fix them If you do it right the first time therersquos no cost

associated with do-overs

With nearly 100 years of experience between them all

four members of Blairhouse Interiors Group have

worked with more than enough unhappy do-it-your-

selfers to tell you yoursquore not alone

Photo by Samu Studios

44 | Simply Saratoga

The four-member designproject therapy team which recently

opened a studio in Saratoga Springs has a long history of help-

ing home and business owners create their ideal spaces and

atmospheres the right way Their exceptional work is celebrated across

the Capital Region including Saratoga Springs where the Blairhouse

look is prominently featured in a handful of Park Place condominiums

and the incredible Saratoga National Golf Club

Thomas R Burns Meghan Baltich Dominic Carota and Patricia

Richards the highly skilled and charismatic force behind Blairhouse

Interiors Group promise an experience that is personal because itrsquos all

about your needs ndash and thatrsquos what is important

Blairhouse offers full-service interior design services space planning

project management hand-picked merchandise patience and an uncan-

ny ability to create a

look that is always

fresh sophisticated

and comfortable

ldquoThe style that we

gravitate toward is

unique cutting-edge

and modern not dic-

tated by corporaterdquo

said Meghan Baltich

pointing to a ldquovery

propitiousrdquo Keith Fritz

table at the center of

the studio

Photo by Randall Perry Photography

If you do it right the firsttime therersquos no cost

associated with do-oversPhoto by Randall Perry Photography

One glance at the Park Place showroom ndash of the selective furnishings carefully showcased along

the periphery ndash and it becomes clear why Blairhouse an award-winning team gets the job

done

Their creativity focus and immaculate sense of direction bring objectivity to the scene helping you nar-

row down all of the tedious and overwhelming choices that make do-it-yourself decorating an exercise in

unclear thinking

ldquoPeople are overwhelmed by all the choices it can feel like theyrsquore in a paralyzed blurrdquo said Thomas

Burns who finds that a great vision can be impossible to imagine and create without eliminating all of

the distractions

A vital step in getting focused is creating a

comprehensive plan based on individual

needs wants and style that addresses all

aspects of lifestyle and taste and suggests

tactful solutions and fresh approaches to new

and existing spaces

They help you identify what you like

forcing you to hone in on what you want and

need to compliment and enhance your

lifestyle

ldquoWe ascertain the clientrsquos goal and

lifestyle to convey their visionrdquo said

Dominic Carota explaining that the intended

outcome of creating or reinventing a room is

often strictly tied to how you want to live in

it

ldquoWe have to know how they functionrdquo he

said

An interior designer is an asset in the func-

tion-meets-style equation

Dominic explained that a couple starting a family will have far

different needs than empty-nesters looking for a change They may

have the same stylistic goals but their execution will differ based on

how their lifestyle exists within the space

When revamping a single room the majority of your focus is ded-

icated to that individual space making it easy to forget that the rest

of the house is attached Establishing connectivity between rooms is

a challenge but an important part of executing a project the right

way

Sometimes one wrong detail no matter how small can be incred-

ibly impactful and difficult to avoid on your own

ldquoIf yoursquore working on a new addition or renovation we ensure it

flows that therersquos balance between the existing part of the living

space and the new additionrdquo Meghan Baltich said explaining that

it just doesnrsquot make sense to put in a great new kitchen if itrsquos dis-

jointed and out of place from its surroundings

Another common novice mistake is the trendy retail store fallacy

that you can order a full room from a catalog or pick a fabulous and

unique design from a floor plan

Blairhouse clients learn the difference between ldquocookie-cutterrdquo

and ldquocustomrdquo and they are never concerned with picking the wrong

piece for the wrong room

Simply Saratoga | 45

ome customers will come to us after going into a Pottery Barn and buying stuff that just didnrsquot workrdquo Baltich said giving the

example of an individual who purchased an enormous sectional for a tiny room ldquoWe scale into the clientrsquos space taking func-

tion and proportion into considerationrdquo

Exceptional listening and observation skills are the designerrsquos

unsung attributes and greatest assets Blairhouse experts engage

with their clients to gain a true understanding of what they want

In turn the design process becomes an eye-opening experience

customers are introduced to colors and concepts they would

never think to consider

ldquoEach client trusts us to create their environment and we

enable them to make informed decisionsrdquo Patricia Richards

said

And sometimes that requires bold suggestions and collabora-

tion or looking at all of the possibilities even the ones ldquoyou

would never have been brave enough to do on your ownrdquo

In the end the experience of working with the experts is

enjoyable stress-free and cost-effective From concept to com-

pletion the result is just what you want and need ndash a fabulous

marriage of function and aesthetic that wonrsquot have you coming

back for more (because you did it right the first time) sect

ldquoS

46 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 47

For a taste of Blairhouse Interiors Grouprsquos distinctive work stop into their Park Place studio located at 262 Broadway Suite 204 in Saratoga Springs For further details visit wwwblairhouseinteriorscom or call (518) 786-7800

From left to right Dominic Carota Meghan Baltich Patricia Richards and

Thomas R Burns (The designproject therapy team of Blairhouse Interiors Group)

48 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 49

Dorsquos and Donrsquots

50 | Simply Saratoga

Story Written by Kerry Ann Mendez Perennially Yours bull wwwpyourscom Photos Provided

SpringDorsquos and Donrsquots

SpringDorsquos and DonrsquotsDorsquos and Donrsquots

Spring

for your Gardens

s

Simply Saratoga | 51

ssts

SPRINGis right around the corner and gardenersare pawing at the ground ready to explodethrough the garden gate As a passionate perennial gardenerI am right there with you But before launching into another flower-filledseason letrsquos go through a spring checklist of dorsquorsquos and donrsquorsquots to makesure we make the most of the race and have the best finish ever

Photo by GardenersSupply Company

apply a granular fertilizer to your perennial beds while they are still lsquoasleeprsquoDepending on the winter wersquove had this may be anytime from mid-Marchto mid-April Donrsquot worry if there are already lsquoearly risersrsquo visible like springblooming bulbs or woodland ephemerals I recommend using 5-5-5 5-10-5 or

5-10-10 fertilizer at the rate of 2 pounds per 100 square feet Cast the fertilizer just before it is about to rainto make sure fertilizer is watered into the ground and washed off any existing leaves You can give otherplants in your yard this treat as well including floweringshrubs groundcovers climbing vinesand roses

DONrsquoTput fertilizer on top of the snow or on ground that is

still frozen You want to make sure the fertilizer disap-pears into pliable soil and to waiting roots otherwiserunoff can occur And donrsquot think more is better Youcan stress or even kill plants by over-fertilizing espe-cially in spring when leaves are not fully developed toutilize nitrogen in the fertilizer If you are going to errless is better

DO

prune once-b l o o m i n g

roses such as Heirloom or Old GardenRoses when the Forsythia is blooming

Any rose that blooms onceusually in late spring forabout three weeks is in thiscategory Many times theseroses are quite fragrantWait to prune these rosesuntil right after they flower

DONrsquoT

prune most roses whenForsythia is in bloom Pruneshrub roses back by half to

23 their height This is assuming you did not prunethem last fall If you did then next year wait until latewinter or early spring Prune Teas and Grandiflorasback to 18 - 24rdquo For climbing roses prune branchesemerging from the main canes back to within 3 - 4rdquoof the cane

DO

apply corn gluten tolawn areas yoursquoveseeded (or over-seeded) or to gar-dens where youwant biennialsperennials or annu-als to reseed andflower Corn glutendoes not distinguishbetween lsquogoodrsquoand lsquobadrsquo seeds

apply a pre-emer-gent weed killerand fertilizer toyour lawn A lushhealthy lawn

makes a beautiful frame for gardens Myfamily walked away from lawn chemicalsfive years ago And our lawn has neverlooked better Corn gluten is a big part ofthis transformation Corn gluten is a by-product of milled corn It will not harm chil-dren pets or wildlife Heck you can eat it ifyou want (but it tastes yucky) Corn Glutenis high in nitrogen and commonly used as alawn fertilizer But it is also a pre-emergenttargeting seeds as they germinate Youcan put corn gluten down at any point inthe spring BUT if part of your mission is toeliminate crabgrass then there is a narrowwindow of attackApply it whenForsythia is in fullbloom and beforeits leaves appearThe Forsythia is asoil temperatureindicator that cor-responds to whencrabgrass seedsstart to germinate More garden centersare now carrying corn gluten productsYou just need to ask and follow the appli-cation instructions on the bag Make sureto water in the corn gluten after applyingIt will remain effective for five to six weeks

Simply Saratoga | 53

DONrsquoT

DO

step on soil as you maneuver around thegarden to cut back Lavender and therest of the gang For that matter youshould never be tromping through yourgardens compacting soil This breaks

down air and water channels as well as making it tougher forroots to spread Instead reach into beds from existing paths orplace stepping stones in discreet spots where only your eyes cansee or lsquowalk the plankrsquo on a board to reach plants fartherlsquoadriftrsquo

54 | Simply Saratoga

cut back Lavender Russian SageMontauk Daisy Butterfly BushChrysanthemums and ornamental grass-es These are best left untouched in falland whacked in spring Many folks make

the mistake of acting too gingerly with pruners Let lsquoem fly Theresult will be more compact neater plants that will bloom just fineTrust me If it helps wait until yoursquove had a bad day at work withthe kids or in traffic

DONrsquoT

DO

divide Peonies German Bearded Iris orOriental Poppies in spring These are bestdone in late summer Also tap-rootedplants (those with a carrot-looking root)cannot be divided Think about it These

are usually propagated by seed stem or root cuttings Someperennials that fall into this category are Malva Butterfly WeedBalloon Flower Oriental Poppies and Lupines

Simply Saratoga | 55

DONrsquoT

divide plants in spring This is an optimumtime to divide most perennials Yes evenspring bloomers Wait until these haveflowered and then shear off the spentblooms and get to business Most sum-

mer and fall blooming perennials can be divided prior to mid-Junewithout disrupting their performance

DO

apply a time-released fertilizersuch as Plant-Tone(organic) orOsmocote to heavy

feeding perennials five to six weeks afterthe earlier granular fertilizer applicationMost plants do not need as much fertilizeras we are led in advertising to believe I amstingy with my money and maintenancetime so only a handful of plants get thisbonus feed Astilbe Delphinium Liliums (ieAsiatic Oriental Trumpet) Clematis androses If I am feeling generous I will putsome on my Bigleaf Hydrangeas next to theroses Call me heartlessJust scratch fertilizer intothe top couple inchesof soil around theplantrsquos base and waterin well They will enjoy anutritious snack forthree to four months

apply mulch ongarden beds toreduce weedsconserve moisture

reduce erosion minimize soil temperaturefluctuations and enhance the quality ofthe soil Some mulching materials includeaged manures compost shredded wood(not dyed) leaf moldand cocoa hulls Putthe mulch down 2rdquo to3rdquo thick around plantsincluding floweringshrubs

build up mulchagainst plant stems

And please please donrsquot create volcanomounds around trees Please This is awfulfor them The only ones that benefit fromthis are the people selling the mulch

56 | Simply Saratoga

DONrsquoT

DO

DO

rubber band orbraid the foliage ofspring bloomingbulbs after they fin-ish flowering You

want as much leaf surface exposed to thesun as possible to increase photosynthesisYou can press the leaves down next to thesoil so they are less noticeable

Simply Saratoga | 57

sect

And finally DO have a great year in

your gardens and DONrsquoT forget to

take time to smell the roses

DONrsquoT

DONrsquoT

cut off the spentblooms and stems onspring blooming bulbsafter they have flow-ered so energy is redirected to the bulbsversus seed productions Keep the leaves inplace until they have browned and ideallycan be pulled from the ground by hand

put time-released fertil-izer on perennials thatprefer lean dietsRicher soil just upsetstheir vascular systemsThey will get leggy flop and not perform tosnuff Yarrow Coneflower Catmint RussianSage Linum Sea Holly and Silvermound are inthe group

DO

For more information contact Perennially Yours at pyourscom

58 | Simply Saratoga

Ill mination

Exterior Stonework

an

d

Story Written by Arthur Gonick Photos Provided

u

Simply Saratoga | 59

To develop and implement an exterior vista that maximizes your enjoyment To have a backyard landscape that is warm inviting and uniquely yours

These are goals that many homeowners have when they first move onto their property But unless you are trained in the variety ofmaterials and options available the task of getting past the point of comparing possibilities to completing and actually enjoying yourbackyard paradise can appear to be a long daunting road

For Carl Trinkle a landscape designer for ten years with the Gallivan Companies of Troy one of the key elements in a successfultransformation is utilizing a professionalrsquos expertise to articulate goals and develop a plan

ldquoThe most important thing we do when we first meet with a client is to get them to discuss their basic needs and aims and encouragethem to formulate an overall vision for their property An initial consultation sets the tone we make an initial visit on-site to look overthe property so we can have an idea as to where things might be placedrdquo

ldquoDuring this intake process we actually encourage people to show us photos of their friendrsquos property that they like or perhaps froma magazine It helps most people to articulate the goals of what they would like to see as a finished projectrdquo Trinkle said ldquoEven if they are looking to do things in phases we find that it is most important to develop a comprehensive site planrdquo This eliminates the need to revise original phases of work to accommodate those that come in the future

60 | Simply Saratoga

that Mr Trinkle finds potential customers identifying with aredesigned to extend the outdoor season ldquoA few extra weeks outside isa lotrdquo he said

add-ons also extend outside activity each day Low voltage lighting is still the most popular but recently LED lighting with longer-lasting bulbs that involve less maintenance and are cost-efficienthave become more fashionable

The latest trends

stations fire pits and waterenhancements such as ponds andwaterfalls are the most frequentlyrequested items that broaden theoutdoor use season

Outdoor grill

Exterior lighting

Simply Saratoga | 61

And of course swimming pool projects have always been a most-requested

item Fifty percent of allthe projects Mr Trinkleworks on involve a pooleither a completely new installation or enhance-ments to existing poolsGallivanrsquos long-standingrelationship withConcord Pools has beena hallmark in assuringthat customers are satis-fied when their pool isput in the ground

62 | Simply Saratoga

In most cases a comprehensive plancan be developed for any project in about a period of twoweeks Complete drawings and cost breakdowns are provid-ed as well as the projected phases that can be completed injust a few months or on larger projects can be scheduled insegments over a few years These are reviewed in personwith the customer again the goal being to have a plan thateveryone buys into

Simply Saratoga | 63

ldquoWe have had projects where the customer has wanted tohave a lot of input and we welcome that But we also hadone where the client was out of town and we built a firepit and slide for his wife and kids and our only instructions were to dazzle themI remember it as a most satisfying experience and we ended up winning awards for that onerdquo

- Carl Trinkle Landscape DesignerThe Gallivan Companies

64 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 65

ldquoI get to work using my creativity with talented people Some of the most talented are those

I meet as customersrdquo sect

For more information or to schedule aconsultation phone Gallivan Companies at(518) 271-6100 Gallivanrsquos website iswwwGallivanCompaniescom

66 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 67

Buying a playhouse for your child is an excellent investment

They promote imaginative play and spending time outdoors and

double as storage space when no longer used for recreation

Denise Woodcock owner of Versatile Sheds in Wilton has

been helping parents and grandparents customize their childrsquos or

grandchildrsquos dream playhouses for years

ldquoThey make great gifts especially for grandparents who want

their grandkids to have their own place to play when they visitrdquo

she said

Playhouses are a great addition to a childrsquos outdoor world

They come in all shapes sizes and designs and can be custom-

built or finished if you donrsquot find exactly what yoursquore looking for

in a catalog or on the lot

Every child is different and has their own preferences for color

size and function boys and girls often have especially different

requests for their play space as do younger and more mature chil-

dren so therersquos a lot to consider

Denise knows how even the finest detail can be all it takes to

make an outdoor structure feel like a childrsquos own personal space

While it may seem superfluous to address every minor demand

the truth is a playhouse is more than just an expensive toy itrsquos an

investment The more your child connects with their space the more

use theyrsquoll get out of it ndash and according to Denise that means your

money is well spent

Smartest WayThe

playhouse for your kidsto buy a

Photos by MarkBollescomStory by Yael Goldman

68 | Simply Saratoga

With this in mind prospective buyers should first consider

who will use the playhouse and for how long as well as what

happens when the structure is no longer used for recreation

Versatile Sheds can help even the most discerning parent or

child find what theyrsquore looking for Every playhouse is hand-

built by Amish craftsmen who can accommodate almost any

special request at an additional cost so the possibilities are

endless inside and out

Cedar shingle or vinyl siding wood stone or brick ndash if you

can use it on the outside of your regular home it can be inte-

grated into your playhousersquos design Playhouses can be built

to look like a miniature version of your home which is an

excellent touch for parents that are particularly concerned

with aesthetics Porches shutters flowerboxes unique doors

chimneys and exterior lighting are just a few of the touches

that can brighten and personalize the exterior

Individualizing your childrsquos playhouse doesnrsquot stop at the

front door There are just as many interior features to choose

from ndash you can let your imagination run wild

For starters you have the option to order the playhouse

with a finished or unfinished interior The unfinished version

looks a lot like the inside of a regular home before you move

in paint the walls and furnish the rooms

Buying an unfinished structure is a great way to cut costs

and even bring the family together over a weekend decorating

project The possibilities are endless depending on how handy

you are otherwise a few coats of paint and a bit of carpeting

will surely do the trick

Although a bit pricey purchasing a playhouse with a fin-

ished interior ensures that your child gets exactly what they

want right off the bat They can pick everything from the paint

color to the flooring so the playhouse is move-in ready on the

day it arrives

Playhouses can also be insulated and wired for electricity

You can install lighting electrical outlets even heat or air-

conditioning to make your childrsquos outdoor space as comfort-

able as possible

And the options donrsquot end there Traditional sheds also dou-

ble as playhouses For some parents purchasing an adult-size

shed for their children is an ideal way to get the best return on

their investment Once their children grow out of it the struc-

ture can be used for outdoor storage With just as many styles

sizes and materials to choose from you can customize the

interior and exterior of your shed just as you would a play-

house but without all of the more frivolous features

ldquoAny shed can be a playhouserdquo Woodcock said explaining

how a custom paint job or flowerbox can transform a typical

storage unit into childrsquos outdoor activity haven

For example if purchasing a wood shed the exterior can be

easily painted and repainted when making the transition from

playhouse to storage space

For Denisersquos customers getting their moneyrsquos worth should

not have to mean making sacrifices

Simply Saratoga | 69

70 | Simply Saratoga

When Debby Trainor made the decision to buy her grand-

daughter Chezneyrsquos dream house she wanted it to have all the

bells and whistles She met with Denise to go over all the cri-

teria the goal was to buy the perfect gift for Chezney while

staying within her budget

The eight-year-old Greenwich girl wanted her own pretty

pink palace where she could play and imagine Debby wanted

it to be a cozy and safe place for her to play year-round

Customization and interior decoration helped make

Chezneyrsquos playhouse feel like her own little kingdom

ldquoWe made it look like a cute little dollhouserdquo she said ldquoWe

put furniture inside and a little stove fridge heater and TV

itrsquos just perfectrdquo

With the structure built to their liking Chezney and Debby

could enjoy decorating the inside to personalize the playhouse

For many customers putting on the finishing touches means

making the playhouse feel like home ndash you can add curtains

hang pictures buy furniture and appliances and landscape the

perimeter to make the outdoor space feel like a home away

from home

When the child grows out of their playhouse these items

can be easily removed to accommodate a secondary use for the

space

ldquoThe best thing that Denise did for me was explain how we

can use the playhouse for storage for stuff out in the yard after

Chezney has grown out of itrdquo Debby explained ldquoAlthough

she is only eight and will be using it for quite a few more

years this really makes it a good investment and looks

great in the backyardrdquo

Whether you choose a customized playhouse or a tradi-

tional shed thinking toward the future also ensures the

safety and longevity of the structure

Denise explained that placement is an important thing to

consider as you want to make sure the structure is in a safe

place and on an appropriate surface Most importantly the

playhouse must be built on a level even surface that isnrsquot

too high off of the ground

ldquoYou want it on a nice platformrdquo Denise explained

ldquoSome people use concrete but stone is better because it

allows moisture to seep down into the ground and away

from the structurerdquo

Most parents prefer that their playhouse is in the back-

yard where itrsquos easy to see from a window Placing the

structure in a shaded area is also a good idea it will be

cooler in the summer and less susceptible to the elements if

partially protected by trees

Debby had Chezneyrsquos playhouse built right next to her

swing set where she can be easily supervised

One last thing to consider when purchasing a playhouse

Simply Saratoga | 71

72 | Simply Saratoga

or shed for your child is how much effort

you want to put into maintaining it The

more ornate the structure the more care it

may need

Woodcock advises parents to preserve

their investment and treat the playhouse

like a miniature home

Think of it as a miniature house ndash the

structure requires regular maintenance

and upkeep to ensure your child will be

safe while enjoying years and years of

imaginative fun

With so many features and styles to

choose from yoursquore sure to find the best

for both you and your child

For more information about Versatile

Sheds or to set up a time to meet with

Denise Woodcock call (518) 584-7924

or stop by 669 Route 9 in Wilton sect

Simply Saratoga | 73

74 | Simply Saratoga

Kitchen

Not Your

Grandmarsquos

Story Written by Daniel Schechtman Photos Provided

ldquoAs you

walk into the kitchen

of the future LED

light projections adjust

to your mood - it will

know if you have a

hangover via sensors

that will read your

b r a i n w a v e s

Aromatherapy infused

walls will be synched

to your calendar calm-

ing you before a big

meeting or energizing you before a gym session The fridge will have selected some breakfast options identifying the essen-

tial vitamins for your day via sensors When you get home a hologram chef will be on hand for recipe inspirationrdquo

Alright so maybe your kitchen canrsquot do all of these things quite yet ndash but believe it or not wersquore getting there This is tomor-

rowrsquos kitchen a kitchen where your appliances donrsquot just store your food or wash your dishes ndash they talk to you providing you

with integral information on how to

best store your fruits and vegetables

letting you know if the refrigerator

door is open for too long or when a

part will soon need replacing

Simply Saratoga | 75

ldquoScience fictionrdquo I hear you say

Guess again Quoted from a report released by The Future Laboratory

who was commissioned by IKEA to determine what a modernkitchen in the year 2040 could conceivably look like

76 | Simply Saratoga

ldquoOne technology that really stands out to me is the

Miele Appliance Company Right now theyrsquore using a

program called lsquoremote visionrsquo On select applianceshellip

is a wireless card that clicks into a port on the back of

the appliance You synch it up with your home network

and it basically emails the technician and the owner

when itrsquos broken when you need to clean your condens-

er change your water filter or schedule a routine serv-

icerdquo said Tom Thibeault owner of Adirondack

Appliance Repair Inc located at 67 West Ave in

Saratoga Springs ldquoMaybe somebodyrsquos been opening the

[refrigerator] door for too long or the door was left open

ndash it will email you and tell you that your door is left

openrdquo

This is not your grandmarsquos kitchen This my friends

is the kitchen of the future and itrsquos available now

The 36 inch bottom-mount Miele refrigerator boasts a

striking interior featuring LED lighting running along

the sides from top to bottom stainless steel accents and

exteriors with control systems that would be comfort-

able alongside the captainrsquos chair on the Starship

Enterprise

Simply Saratoga | 77

ldquoThe controls in the Miele really stand out

Looking at the controls theyrsquore just a glass piece and

then once you touch it you see a few options for the

different compartments Then you touch the compart-

ment and the temperature is displayed so itrsquos kind of

like a Star Trek controlrdquo Thibeault said

And thatrsquos just the refrigerator

Adirondack Appliance has also seen brands such as

Wolf (a company owned by the same people who own

Sub-Zero) grow in popularity when it comes to their

range stoves and ovens The dual convection oven

works to eliminate cold spotting and provides consis-

tent even temperatures and even allows for unique

options such as proofing ndash used best when baking

homemade bread

ldquoIt also has a temperature probe you can plug into

things like a turkey or roast so you can see the temper-

ature while itrsquos still inside the machine It has

hydraulic hinges halogen lit interiors everything is

composed of stainless steel and itrsquos by far one of the

best lines on the marketrdquo Thibeault said

A new line coming to Adirondack Appliance that

features some amazing technology is a series of Pro-

Style Ranges produced by industry giant Jenn-Air

ldquoThat actually has an LCD touch

screen like an IPAD for the controls The

temperature is set by sliding your finger

along the controls Itrsquos all color backlit and

absolutely amazingrdquo Thibeault said

ldquoAnother thing we have to that same

effect are some of the hoods which have

really been getting pretty out there as far as

design We have one on our floor [by Miele]

that has an LED bar on the front which

changes in phases between 196000 colors

Itrsquos a very delicate change very pretty and

coolrdquo Thibeault said adding ldquoor you can set

it to any color in that spectrum yoursquod like to

accent your cabinetryrdquo

When it comes to dishwashers Thibeault

can attest to the quality of both the Asko and

Miele brands both of which he uses in his

own home And good news for Saratoga

Springs residents ndash

ldquoIn our market in

Saratoga we have a

very hard water base

whether yoursquore on a well

system or city waterrdquo

Thibeault said ldquoSo you

get a lot of minerals in

the machine With the

stainless steel interiors it

eliminates a lot of prob-

lems generally seen with

plastic interior tubs and

usually they are the best

life expectanciesrdquo

78 | Simply Saratoga

Asko and Mieleare practically custom made to handle the

arearsquos typicallymineral rich water

Simply Saratoga | 79

The Asko brand dishwasher takes things one step

further including two pumps in the washerrsquos system

The first pump filters the water cleansing it of poten-

tially harmful minerals while the second pump recircu-

lates the water ensuring that the machine is never

blasting your dishes with food debris or dirty residue

With Miele the design features a built-in water sof-

tener perfect for dealing with the Saratoga water

system

ldquoTypically the Miele is going to do a better job with

tougher baked in stainsrdquo said Thibeault ldquobecause itrsquos

got the softener in it and a little bit longer pots and pans

cyclerdquo

80 | Simply Saratoga

Adirondack Appliance Repair Inc is a fami-

ly-owned business since 1929 and the last inde-

pendent appliance retailer of its kind in Saratoga

Springs With $6 billion of buying power behind

their name (a benefit of being part of the Nation

Wide Appliance Buying Group) Thibeault

promised ldquowe can actually price match the box

stores and everybody else around all while pro-

viding you with better service and better

productsrdquo

For more information on AdirondackAppliance or the products they sell you mayvisit their showroom located at 67 West Avenuein Saratoga Springs for live demonstrationsThey can also be reached by phone at (518)587-6640 or you may visit them at their newwebsite wwwadkappliancecom where cus-tomers can browse through the storersquos entirecatalogue of appliances

sect

Simply Saratoga | 81

82 | Simply Saratoga

Page 4: Simply Saratoga March 2011

Simply Saratoga is brought to you by SaratogaPublishing LLC Saratoga Publishing shall make everyeffort to avoid errors and omissions but disclaims anyresponsibility should they occur No part of this pub-lication may be reproduced stored in a retrieval sys-tem or transmitted in any form or by any meanswithout prior written consent of the publisherCopyright (c) 2010 Saratoga Publishing LLC

OwnerPublisherChad Beatty

General ManagerRobin Mitchell

Creative DirectorChris Bushee

Art DirectorTiffany Garland

EditorArthur Gonick

WritersYael Goldman

Daniel SchechtmanHelen Edelman Michael Okby

Patty NovoAndrij O BaranKerry Mendez

Meghan Lemery

AdvertisingCindy Durfey

Jim Daley

Pre-Press CoordinatorSam Bolles

Copy ProofreaderAnne Proulx

Contributing PhotographersCreative Photo amp GraphicStock Studios Photography

PrintingFry Communications

Published bySaratoga Publishing LLC

Five Case StreetSaratoga Springs NY 12866

tel 5185812480fax 5185812487

SaratogaPublishingcom

Photo by MarkBollescom

6 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 7

8 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 9

Making a new friend when you least expect it is a surpris-

ing pleasure ndash and thatrsquos the good feeling we came away

with after dining at Lake Ridge restaurant Tucked into his-

toric picture-perfect Round Lake ndash about 15 minutes from

Saratoga Springs off Northway exit 11 ndash Lake Ridge is the

gracious good-looking reliable insightful host yoursquoll want

to sit down for a meal with again and again

Saratoga Lake resident Bob McKenna is co-owner of the

eatery with Chef Scott Ringwood of Malta Ringwood is

formerly of The Old Dater Tavern in Halfmoon Also co-

owner and general manager of New Country Toyota

McKenna underlines the philosophy that has propelled the

restaurant through its first decade of success and accolades

ldquoWe love to please people and to create a great event

whether itrsquos a special evening out for a couple an office

gathering a rehearsal dinner date night or a business

lunch We want our customers to have a comfortable

rewarding experiencerdquo

A squarish building constructed in the 1870s the struc-

ture previously housed a general store and a bakery Vastly

updated by McKenna and Ringwood - without compro-

mising the aesthetic of the community - Lake Ridge is an

asset to the unique village of just over 600 neighbors

Founded in the latter half of the 19th century as a pros-

perous and naturally beautiful outpost of the Troy

Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church Round

Lake is an oasis off the beaten path The business sup-

ports community preservation by improving the proper-

ty is a taxpayer and employer and is a good neighbor

sponsoring a softball team and donating food to various

community events and organizations

Long-time Round Lake resident Susan Stratton is

enthusiastic about the presence of Lake Ridge which she

can walk to easily ldquoBesides the obvious ndash the food is

yummy ndash we welcome having such a cooperative flour-

ishing business in our communityrdquo she says

The restaurant thrives in the summer catering to sea-

sonal visitors but tables are set for lunch and dinner

every day except Monday year-round Burgeoning busi-

ness in Malta has driven a noon crowd to Lake Ridge for

unhurried salads soups burgers pasta and sandwiches

while in the evening some people make reservations for

Story By Helen Susan EdelmanPhotos by copystockstudiosphotographycom

Food for Thought

big cuisine magic in a very small town

10 | Simply Saratoga

their next dinner on the way out mdash especially wise

for Saturdays when all 80 seats are often occupied

Informal and genial as it is Lake Ridge is defi-

nitely a ldquofine diningrdquo destination complete with

tablecloths and elegant touches such as silverware

changed between courses Worth noting is the

physical comfort afforded by commodious furni-

ture eye-pleasing deacutecor and an intelligent floor

plan that affords privacy and mellow lighting The

restaurant features three lovely and distinctive din-

ing rooms a former deck enclosed with large win-

dows a warm center room that can accommodate

couples or groups and a small dining area up front

ideal for an intimate tecircte-a-tecircte A few years ago

the restaurant added a glistening mahogany bar

with high stools and a TV The handcrafted show-

case - designed milled and constructed by

McKennarsquos high school buddy Judd Storm and his

partner Bill Tedesco of Marketplace Millwork in

Troy - boasts an exceptional selection of red white

and sparkling wines and scotches bourbons and

beers in which the owners take special pride

Key to smooth operations is manager Diana

Murphy of Wilton who has been part of the busi-

ness since its inception six days a week She is clear

about her mission ldquoThink about the guests

whether you are adding a menu item putting flow-

ers on the table suggesting a wine or choosing wall

artrdquo

McKenna emphasizes Murphyrsquos critical input

ldquoShersquos been there since the beginning and we could-

nrsquot do it as well without herrdquo he says ldquoShersquos smart

and she pulls it together whatever it takesrdquo

The team commitment shows in every aspect of

the restaurant from the imaginative menu to spe-

cial events like wine dinners that keep Lake Ridge

exciting On center stage is the generous scrump-

tious food something for every palate ndash light appe-

tizer-size portions with sophisticated flavors or

hearty soul-satisfying repasts

Appetizers are taken seriously (shrimp and avo-

cado artichoke souffleacute eggplant Napoleon and a 4-

ounce filet mignon) but thatrsquos just the beginning

McKenna points particularly to the exceptional

entrees herb-crusted swordfish veal Jacqueline

(with mushrooms and crabmeat) and the enormous

pecan pork chop as customer favorites but the

menu extends far beyond these top picks with sea

bass (delicious) salmon rack of lamb rosemary

chicken steak duck and a roster of pastas

Simply Saratoga | 11

(Companion had a fabulous linguini tossed with ample

seafood) There are four crispy salads that incorporate

local ingredients when possible and a lineup of irre-

sistible desserts Sneak a peek at wwwlake-ridgecom

for the complete menu and prices

Itrsquos no surprise that Lake Ridge was voted Best

American Cuisine in the Capital Region by Metroland

readers in 2006 and that McKenna and Ringwood

were named Entrepreneurs of the Year by Southern

Saratoga Chamber of Commerce in 2005

But the highest praise of all comes in the form of a

loyal following and I can see that Companion is join-

ing the fold Succinct by nature he declares ldquoIrsquoll go

back for morerdquo

And Irsquoll go with him

Lake Ridge Restaurant 35 Burlington Ave Round Lake (Northway exit 11)Open Tuesday-Saturday lunch 1130 am - 230 pm dinner 430-845 pm Sunday dinner 3-8 pm (518)-899-6000wwwlake-ridgecom

sect

12 | Simply Saratoga

March 19 - 20 andMarch 26 - 27

2011

Simply Saratoga | 13

T ired of being lsquocooped uprsquo

with all the cold weather

and snow this winter

Why not go visit a maple produc-

tion facility to see first-hand how this

yummy syrup is made and sam-

ple some sweet delights

The Annual Maple

Weekend(s) are the last two

weekends in March and

there are numerous produc-

ers participating this year

Maple syrup is the first crop

and harvest of the year and of

course one of the sweetest Unlike most farming the crop or

maple trees doesnrsquot have to be re-planted every year Maple

producers literally lsquotaprsquo into the sap that starts moving up the

tree in the spring to nourish the branches to produce buds

When the weather gets warmer into the 40rsquos during the day that

is the signal that the sap is running Hard freezes at night are also

an important factor as that causes the sap to flow back down to the

roots at night This movement of sap can occur for upwards of six

weeks depending upon the weather

Tapping into the sap doesnrsquot harm the trees itrsquos like giving

blood But tapping trees that are too small can stunt their growth

It takes forty gallons of the sap to make only one gallon of maple

syrup As harvests go thatrsquos a very small ratio of raw material to

finished product

It may surprise you to learn that the only place in the world

where maple syrup is made is here in the northeastern United

States and in eastern Canada Take a quick trip this maple sea-

son to sample some pure delight here in the surrounding

Capital District area and celebrate this sweet harvest

For Maple Weekend information contact New York

State Maple Producerrsquos Association website at

wwwnysmaplecom or for a complete list of maple produc-

ers participating in Maple

Weekend visit

mapleweekendcomSubmitted byCaroline Foote Co-ownerMaple Hill Farm Cobleskill NYwwwMaplehillfarmsbiz(518) 234-4858mhfarmvcrbwildbluenet

sect

14 | Simply Saratoga

NopehellipIrsquom not suggesting you dye your wine green in honor

of St Paddyrsquos (although that might be fun) Irsquom talking about

ORGANIC wine What exactly makes a wine organic

Andhellipwhy should you try it

Strictly speaking an ldquoorganicrdquo wine is one crafted from organ-

ically grown grapes This is to say the grapes in the bottle have

been grown without the use of pesticides herbicides chemical

fertilizers or synthetic chemicals of any kind These chemical

agents are not allowed on the grapes or the soil in which the

grapes are grown What used to be termed ldquoorganic winerdquo is now

termed ldquowines made from organic grapesrdquo The distinction is

confusing to most including many of the winemakers In addi-

tion most consumers are led to believe that all wines made from

organic grapes do not contain any sulfites This is inaccurate The

fermenting yeasts which are present on ALL grape skins gener-

ate naturally-occurring sulfites in varying amounts So wines

COMPLETELY devoid of sulfites are an anomaly and are not

the wines you see on the shelf of your local wine shop Wines

LOW in sulfites or free of ADDED sulfites are what you will

find instead These wines will conform to the standards of organ-

ic practices and will not contain sulfites in an amount greater

than allowed by the USDA For those who are sensitive to sul-

fites or prefer to sip organic wines as a matter of philosophy

there are hundreds of organic wines that will satisfy Okay

enough of the chemistry lesson

More and more winemakers are embracing the idea of con-

forming to organic practices when creating their wines For

these farmers and winemakers maintaining a healthy and

active soil for the grapes to grow in is the key Farming and

cultivating using these methods encourages biodiversity

which also aids in regulating the soil In turn these meth-

ods protect both the environment and the workers in the

vineyardshellipcertainly not a bad thing So while just a few

years ago your options were a bit limited if you wanted to

ldquodrink greenrdquo now there are hundreds of options to choose

from At the forefront of this movement is a winery thatrsquos

located right in New York State In fact it is the first organic

winery in North America and is located right on the western

B ttle N tes

By Patricia Novo

Photos by Mark Bolles

GreenhellipGreenhellipWine

Simply Saratoga | 15

shore of Seneca

LakehellipFour Chimneys

Organic Winery

Established in 1980

Four Chimneys was

green before being

green was cool In addi-

tion to crafting their

wines in accordance

with the standards for

organic wine estab-

lished by the NOFA-

NY Certified Organic

they also do not utilize

any animal products in

their wines For these

reasons many vegetari-

ans embrace the Four

Chimneys wines as well and have contributed to their enor-

mous popularity Four Chimneys offers several interesting

wines ranging from dry to sweet and also features several

fruit-based wines that are extremely popular For those who

love Pinot Grigio their ldquoKingdom Whiterdquo is worth sampling

This is Four Chimneyrsquos driest white and is an ideal accompa-

niment to light seafood preparations ldquoKingdom Redrdquo also a

very dry wine is similar in texture to a Merlot and will please

Merlot drinkers offering full and rich berry and plum flavors

on the palate For those who enjoy a touch of sweetness in their

wines their ldquoEye of the Doverdquo is a slightly sweet Cabernet

Franc based red which is best served with a slight chill This

wine makes a lovely accompaniment to barbecue and other

dishes with a bit of smoke and heat Even sweeter on the scale

are their ldquoFirst Loverdquo and ldquoEye of the Beerdquo wines ldquoFirst Loverdquo

is most reminiscent of Riesling although it is based on the

Vidal grape This very fragrant wine is quite refreshing and

offers up aromas of fresh white peach and honey Their most

popular wine is ldquoEye of the Beerdquo a semi-sweet rose-colored

wine whose flavors and aromas mimic those of freshly picked

grapes off the vine Their offerings of fruit wines also are quite

popular These combine organically grown grapes with organ-

ically grown fruits from their farm With names like

ldquoHoneydew Moonrdquo ldquoCelestial Peachrdquo ldquoStrawberry

Meadowsrdquo and ldquoRaspberry Sunrdquo these sweet fruit wines

would make an interesting choice with your dessert and are

also delightful served alongside some soft ripened cheeses such

as Brie and Camembert and fresh fruit

This is just a small introduction to the world of organic

wines For additional information or if you have specific ques-

tions about the differences among organic wines please stop in

and chat with me about this very popular subject I am more

than happy to answer any additional questions that you might

have Cheers sect

Patricia Novo is the owner of Crush amp Cask Wine and Spirits at170 South Broadway in Saratoga Springs She holds anAssociates Degree in Culinary Arts from SCCC and also serves ontheir Advisory Board Patricia also has certification in Wine andSpirits from the WSET as well as an Aficionado of WineCertification from the Robert Parker and Kevin Zraly WineProgram She is pursuing her Sommelier certification in Winter2011

16 | Simply Saratoga

Savethe

DateHomemade Theater Presents HARVEY

Homemade Theater Spa State Park South Broadway Saratoga SpringsElwood P Dowd is a gentle soul ndash kind hearted and

loving He has only one flaw ndash his invisible six foot-tall rabbit companion Harvey His family convincesElwood to commit himself to a sanitarium Then thelunacy really begins Multiple mistaken identities lotsof laughs and Harvey is on the loose Does the worldneed more lsquonormal peoplersquo Will you see Harvey

April 22 23 29 30 amp May 6 7 at 8 pm and May1 and 8 at 2 pm Tickets are $23 and $26 Visit home-madetheaterorg for more information

Celebrate Earth Week Recycled Art Show

Saratoga National Historical Park 648 Rte 32Stillwater

Weekend-long exhibit beginning on Friday April15 through Sunday April 17 with original works ofldquorecycled artrdquo with each piece containing at least50 reclaimed or recycled materials For more infor-mation please visit npsgovsara or phone (518) 664-9821 ext 224

Easter Egg HuntMalta Community Center 1 Bayberry DrFrom 10 to 11 am on Saturday April 16 please reg-

ister by April 8 by calling (518) 899-4411 Residentsof Malta $6 non-residents $7 Please bring your ownEaster basket to collect your eggs

Washington County Farm and Fiber Tour

On April 24 and 25 bring the family to this freetour to visit alpacas bunnies goats sheep and lambsllamas and meet the farmers and their familiesWatch spinning knitting weaving and felting demon-strations Learn about raising the livestock and petsthat we cherish For more information visitwwwwashingtoncountyfibertourorg

Geocache Easter Egg HuntGalway Preserve 2519 Crane RdOn Saturday April 30 find some eggs find some

caches and find some friends (or make new ones) asyou and your children search throughout the preservePrizes for found eggs will include candy toys geo-items and more Drinks and snacks will be availableThis event will be led by Chris Parker Preserve stewardand geocacher extraordinare For more informationcall Saratoga PLAN at (518) 587-4555

Hadley Maple FestivalHeld on Rockwell St on Saturday April 30 this

event runs all day from 8 am to 4 pm Bring the fami-ly for everything maple Visit wwwhadleybusinessas-sociationnet for more information

MapleWeekendsMarch 19-20th

amp 26-27th

See Pages 12-13

Simply Saratoga | 17

Saratoga Springs Mardi Gras FestivalHeld at various locations downtown Saratoga on

Saturday April 30 this event benefits Saratoga EOCand the Giving Circle For more information visitsaratogamardigrasorg

British Army Spring Training DaySaratoga National Historical Park 648 Rte 32

StillwaterOn May 7 from 10 am to 4 pm The cold winter has

ended and a new campaign season begins Soldiersdrill camp followers mend clothes and the armyprepares to quell the American ldquorebellionrdquo See thetroops and decide the outcome of a re-enacted courtmartial

St Clements Horse ShowYaddo grounds next to Oklahoma TrackHeld May 3 to May 8 and May 11 to May 15 This

is one of the largest horse shows on the east coastFor more information visit saintclementshorse-showcom

18 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 19

Prom

T h i s W a y

20 | Simply Saratoga

Glamor

ous

Daz

zling

Elega

ntFlir

ty

Gor

geou

s

Girls

itrsquos

Show

time

Simply Saratoga | 21

Web

Extras

See

the

pics tha

t didn

rsquot

mak

e it in

the

Mag

azine

on

SaratogaB

ridalEXPO

com

Grecian

God

dess

Athe

na

Classic B

eaut

y

Holly

wood

Glamou

r

Wild

and

Untam

edElega

nt

22 | Simply Saratoga

The current economic and market environment has prompt-

ed many Americans to rethink their retirement strategies If

you are experiencing a job transitionmdashparticularly if the tran-

sition is unplanned and unexpectedmdashsuch a reassessment may

be particularly important for you While it may be tempting to

focus more on your immediate needs you should not lose sight

of long-term goals especially your retirement strategy

Some Basic Decisions Your employer-sponsored retirement plan is likely to be a

key component of your retirement strategy Because it repre-

sents a key source of future retirement income it is important

to carefully consider your alternatives for administering these

assets During a job transition you will usually have three

options take a lump-sum distribution leave your assets in the

employer-sponsored plan or move your assets into a Rollover

IRA

Taking a direct lump-sum distributionmdashWith this

option the assets in your plan are distributed directly to you in

a lump sum which provides you with immediate access to

your funds Depending on your short-term needs that may

appear to be an attractive alternative However a distribution

will likely result in substantial federal and state income taxes

and a 10 percent IRS penalty tax which can significantly

reduce the amount of the distribution Because you will be

receiving the distribution directly the plan administrator must

withhold up to 20 percent of the value of the distribution for

federal income tax purposes Moreover you will lose the ben-

efit of the tax-deferred status of these assets which could

reduce the amount ultimately available to you at retirement

The status quo optionmdashYou can decide to do nothing

leaving your assets in your former employerrsquos plan That will

protect the tax-deferred status of your assets and allow you to

transfer the account assets at a later time to a new employerrsquos

retirement plan that accepts rollovers But you may be limiting

your investment choices and control because employer plans

typically have a restricted investment menu and require the

consent of your spouse before you can name someone else as

a beneficiary

Establishing a Rollover IRAmdashA Rollover IRA simultane-

ously addresses the issues of taxation flexibility and control

and may hold significant benefits for you as a result

Submitted by H Michael Okby Wealth Advisor

Fin

ancia

l Protecting Your RetirementInvestmentsDuring a JobTransition

If your distribution is transferred directly to a custodian rather than

to you the Rollover IRA eliminates the withholding requirement and

penalties that may result from a lump-sum distribution

The entire rollover amount can be investedimmediately according to the strategy youspecify bull Your assets and any earnings continue to have the potential to

grow tax-deferred until you retire and begin taking withdrawals

bull You may gain access to a wider range of investment options and

more retirement planning and distribution flexibility

bull You can name any beneficiary including a trust without

needing the consent of your spouse (although special rules may

apply in community property states)

For example investment products in an employer plan are usually

limited to mutual funds and company stock With a self-directed

Rollover IRA you can work with your financial professional to struc-

ture a portfolio using stocks bonds annuities and other investments

utilizing an asset allocation1 that is customized to help you meet your

retirement investment objectives And your retirement strategy can be

further tailored with a wider range of beneficiary selection and distri-

bution choices

Consider Consolidation This may also be an excellent time to deal with multiple IRAs you

may have opened over the years and with account balances you may

have left in the plans of former employers Together these assets may

represent a significant sum There are good reasons to consider con-

solidating them all in a Rollover IRA

Comprehensive investment strategymdashIt can be difficult to main-

tain an effective investment strategymdashone that accurately reflects

your goals timing and risk tolerancemdashwhen assets are spread among

multiple financial institutions When you consolidate your financial

professional can help you ensure that these assets are part of your

overall asset allocation strategy that is reflective of your current

financial situation and long-term retirement goals

Greater investment flexibilitymdashA self-directed IRA generally

offers you the ability to choose from a wide range of investment

products including stocks bonds mutual funds annuities and more

Simplified trackingmdashIt is easier to monitor your progress and

investment results when all your retirement savings are in one place

because you will receive one statement instead of several That sim-

plifies your life while protecting the environment

Lower costsmdashReducing the number of accounts may also reduce

your account fees and other investment-related charges

Dealing with one account rather than several also simplifies

the distribution processmdashincluding complying with complex min-

imum distribution rules when you reach age 70 And you avoid the

risk of losing track of your retirement accounts or access to the

account assets should your former employer merge with another

company or go out of business Your financial professional can help

you assess your alternatives so you can make decisions based on

whatrsquos best for you You may find that this time of transition holds

benefits for your retirement assets

For more information please contact H Michael Okby at (518) 583-5601

sect

Simply Saratoga | 23

24 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 25

Summer camp is a place wherelifelong memories are made

This is where our children learnto cultivate their interests andordiscover a world of new activities tohelp their young minds grow andfor them to become physically fit

Even though there may be snowon the ground when you read thisit is never too early to think aboutyour childrenrsquos summer fun Weare blessed in this region with avariety of destinations providing awealth of activities

And while there is something foreveryone early planning is a mustto assure your child has a spot inone of these great places At theend of a long winter seasonthoughts of summer camp arerejuvenating for adults as well

Summer Camp Guide 2011

YMCA Camp Chingachgook

NdakinnaNdakinna Education Center located in

Greenfield Center offers a wide variety of

summer camp programs and activities that

will provide campers with a greater

respect and understanding for the natural

world as well as the Northeastrsquos rich

Native American history Hosted by

renowned author and wilderness and sur-

vival expert James Bruchac these pro-

grams are ideal for children with a sense

of adventure and natural wonder Summer

programs are divided into two groups

children ages three to eight and older

campers ages nine to fourteen Programs

range in duration from one to two weeks

26 | Simply Saratoga

YMCA Camp Chingachgook located on beauti-

ful Lake George has three camping options sleep-

away camp day camp and adventure trips

Summer sleep-away camp is the experience of a

lifetime The camp is divided into junior and sen-

ior boys and girls units junior campers between

the ages of seven and 12 and senior campers are 13

to 15 years old All Chingachgook counselors go

through extensive two-week training and prepa-

ration prior to the beginning of the first session

Campers will enjoy a full schedule of skill

classes which they can choose on their own

and special events and programs Campers can

choose from swimming water skiing canoeing

nature arts outdoor living skills theater news-

paper riflery archery dance guitar outdoor

cooking sports zone water world woodwork-

ing softball soccer tennis photography sail-

ing high ropes mountain biking and rock

climbing Each camper sets up their own daily

schedule of four skill classes at the start of the

session

Two-week camp sessions at Chingachgook

also include a three-day hike which allows

campers to get out and experience the wilder-

ness in a fun and safe atmosphere

Chingachgook also offers a variety of unique

adventure camps for children looking to explore

unique destinations and experience a whole new

level of fun options like sailing kayak-

ing boat building rock climbing canoe-

ing community service white-water

rafting hiking and backpacking bicycle

touring and mountain biking Adventure

campers will benefit from activities with

smaller coed groups of ten or less

Day Camp at Chingachgook is a fun

option for children ages five to ten

Campers will enjoy a full day of fun

activities from 930 am to 430 pm The

Day Camp program is divided into eight

one-week segments with the first session

starting on June 28 and the final session

starting on August 16 Each session has

a different theme

Spaces are limited at Chingachgook

so be sure to sign up as soon as possible

For more information to sign up for a

tour or to register for camp visit

wwwcapitaldistrictymcacom or call

(518) 656-9462

each covering a different skill or activity such

as animal tracking basic wilderness survival

skills and shelter building Native American

storytelling and games and nature-based arts

and crafts projects will teach campers to have

fun in the great outdoors Each camp program

promotes team building natural awareness

patience and confidence

Ndakinna also offers family camp pro-

grams which allow children and their parents

to experience the outdoors together Family

programs can accommodate children ages one

to 14 These programs offer the

same skills training and team-

building activities To view the

finalized calendar of programs

and events visit

wwwNdcenterorg

Cutting Edge Martial ArtsCutting Edge Martial Artrsquos A+ After

School and Summer Camp Program is a year-

round child care solution that provides a pos-

itive structured environment for children

after school and during the day in the sum-

mer During the school year we pick chil-

dren up directly from the local elementary

and middle schools and provide an hour les-

son that starts with our ldquoMat Chatrdquo a ten

minute character education lesson for the day

followed by a full 50 minute martial arts

class Parents have a window between 5 and

545 pm to pick up their children while chil-

dren have the opportunity after class to get

their homework started

During the summer children get all the

benefits of our A+ Program but on a grander

scale We offer nine weeks of full day camps

and have no minimum or maximum number

of days per week or number of weeks that a

student can attend Each week of camp we

have a curriculum of character education

lessons fun games and a one hour martial

arts class every day We watch a movie in

the afternoons twice a week have a video

game morning on Fridays and take all our

campers on an educa-

tional outing on

Wednesdays and a

fun and exciting out-

ing every Friday

Our average camp

size is 20-25 stu-

dents and we have

three full time staff

graphed by Sarah Sutliff

Saratoga Childrenrsquos Theatre also offers a one-

week camp at the end of the summer ldquoMaster

your Auditionrdquo This camp will help your child

get ready for fall and winter auditions These

audition workshops have been very popular and

sell out quickly Any child at any skill level with

an interest in performing arts is welcome to join

in on the fun Saratoga Childrenrsquos Theatre

Executive Director Meg Kelly aims to give each

camper the most rewarding and enjoyable camp

experience and every camper will get to perform

The Saratoga Childrenrsquos Theatre hires profes-

sionals to help your child gain the most from

their summer camp experience

The cost for a two-week session is $450 and

$250 for the one-week session For more infor-

mation visit wwwsaratogachildrenstheatreorg

or call (518) 580-1782

For kids who have a passion for per-

forming arts Saratoga Childrenrsquos Theatre

summer camp is a dream come true

Saratoga Childrenrsquos Theatre offers per-

formance camps which means each

camper will be working on a full-fledged

production throughout their session

Campers will learn all aspects of perform-

ance and will have the opportunity to per-

form in two shows at the end of camp a

matinee and an evening show are both

open to the public Campers will perform

on stage at St Petersrsquo Auditorium

Saratoga Springs Camp hours are 9am-

3pm Performance camp is divided into

two age groups

Ages 6-9 will participate in one week

camps These camps will include Disneyrsquos

Sleeping Beauty kids Cinderella kids

Aristocats kids 101 Dalmatians kids and

Lemonade These camps will be directed by

Megan OrsquoSullivan a local elementary school

music teacher and assisted by Karey

Trimmings also a local elementary school

music teacher

Ages 10-18 will participate in two-week

camps Each camp will practice and perform a

different show These

camps include

Thoroughly Modern

Mille Jr Cinderella Jr

Fiddler on the Roof Jr

and Once on this Island

Jr These camps will be

directed by Michael

Lotano local actor and

elementary school music

teacher and choreo-

Saratoga Childrenrsquos Theatre

Simply Saratoga | 27

working with our students

Our goal is to provide a family-friendly

and fun environment that feels like a home

away from home Our students have fun

learning skills that can be used every day of

their lives and we try to provide memories

that will last a lifetime For many our

summer camps are a wonderful introduc-

tion to martial arts

For more information visit

wwwsaratogamartialartscom

or call (518) 587-5501

28 | Simply Saratoga

Saratoga Independent SchoolSaratoga Independent School hosts a variety of summer

programs split into two age groups three to eight year-olds

Wilton Recreation CampWilton Recreation offers a full-day summer

camp program for children in grades one

through nine With available pre-camp and

post-camp care working parents can ensure

their children are having fun in a safe environ-

ment before and after the camprsquos regular 9 am to

3 pm hours Parents who register their children

for before and after camp care can drop off their

children prior to camp opening at 830 am and

can pick them up at 530 pm Bussing is avail-

able for Wilton residents who register for regu-

lar camp hours (9 am to 3 pm)

Wilton Recreation Camp offers a full sched-

ule of daily onsite activities themed events and

exciting trips for kids who register for off-site

adventures Daily on-site activities include arts

and crafts sports playground fun and other

organized group games This yearrsquos scheduled

field trips include Million Dollar Beach in Lake

George movie days at Proctors Theater

Saratoga County Fair bowling white water

rafting and at least two swimming days per

week at Peerless Pool

The Summer 2011 camp will open on

June 27 and run until August

12 Registration begins

March 14 at Gavin Park and

will close on June 3 As

there are only 300 spaces

available be sure to mark

your calendar Camp

registration forms are

available online at

wwwtownofwiltoncom or

can be picked up weekdays

at Gavin Park 9 am to 5 pm

For any other questions

please call the park office at (518) 584-9455

and seven to 14 year-olds The weeklong programs run from July 5

to August 19

Saratoga Independent School summer programs are staffed large-

ly by their own teachers so parents can rest assured their kids are

supervised in a safe environment with experienced teachers who are

knowledgeable about child development and hands-on

programming

For the younger group weekly themed programs run from 9 am

to noon (early drop-off at 830 available) The staff-to-camper ratio

is one to six for children ages three and four and one to ten for chil-

dren ages five to eight Themed programs include ldquoCooking with

Curiosityrdquo ldquoHawaiian Hullabaloordquo ldquoHands-On Science Funrdquo

ldquoHoliday-A-Dayrdquo ldquoGood Versus Evil Imaginations Run Wildrdquo

ldquoDinosaur Discoveryrdquo ldquoIn the Jungle the Mighty Junglerdquo

Activities take place both indoors and outdoors

The selection of enrichment programs for older children is even

more extensive this year than in the past Some programs will take

place in the mornings others in the afternoon Age ranges will vary

depending on the subject matter These specialty programs give chil-

dren an opportunity to develop new interests and expand on existing

skills Programs include ldquoCartooning and Morerdquo ldquoImprovisationrdquo

ldquoKnittingrdquo ldquoOpen Art Studiordquo ldquoYou Can Do Magicrdquo ldquoGet Up and

Dancerdquo ldquoRoaring into Robots Whatrsquos Nextrdquo ldquoArt in the Ancient

Worldrdquo ldquoMad Sciencerdquo ldquoComputer Video Game Creationrdquo

ldquoAdvanced Robot Challengesrdquo and ldquoArt-Math Connectionrdquo

Registration has already begun and the programs fill up quickly so

visit wwwsiskidsorg for more information and to secure a space

for your child

Simply Saratoga | 29

Are your kids looking for an adventure this summer The

Saratoga Regional YMCA has two exciting day camps available

Camp Starhitch held at the Wilton Branch which engages children

with a multitude of fun activities and a trip each week and Travel

Camp where participants meet at the Saratoga Springs Branch and

then travel off to fun and thrilling places each day

Camp Starhitch is for children having completed Kindergarten

through entering fifth grade Campers will participate in games

sports crafts nature activities trips swimming archery and more

Each week is planned around a theme and includes a trip For exam-

ple during ldquo70rsquos Flashbackrdquo week campers will go roller skating

during ldquoThe Wild Frontierrdquo week kids will have the opportunity to

go horseback riding and during ldquoTropical Paradiserdquo week partici-

pants may ldquocatch a gnarly waverdquo at an outdoor water park

Travel Camp is definitely for the action seeker and for those who

like to be on the go This program for youth entering fifth through

tenth grade provides campers an opportunity to travel each and every

day to fun-filled locations Participants explore different summer

activities that include amusement and water parks outdoor sports

fairs and horseback riding This year the trips include a visit to Hunter

Mountain Six Flags New England Tubing on the Battenkill NY

Mets game at Citi Field the NY State Fair and more

Camp Starhitch and Travel Camp both run for nine one-week ses-

sions You may choose to attend camp for one week or any combina-

tion of weeks Experienced counselors supervise children and a ratio

of 110 ensures a safe quality camping experience CPR and First Aid

certified camp staff will be present on all trips At Travel Camp

campers will be grouped according to age and are supervised by expe-

rienced adult staff

Camp Starhitch has two day camp options for your child Option A

allows for your child to be dropped off at 9 am and picked up at 4 pm

and Option B has a 7 am drop off time and a 6 pm pick up time

Travel Camp runs from 9 am to 430 pm and extended hours are

available at no additional cost This year transportation will be provid-

ed in both directions between the Saratoga Springs and Wilton

branches Pickups will be as early as 815 am and drop-offs will be

as late as 5 pm Both camps try to cater to working parents

In addition the Saratoga Regional YMCA is committed to provid-

ing a safe and welcoming environment for all campers by incorporat-

ing the YMCAcore values of caring honesty respect and responsibil-

ity in daily activities To promote safety and comfort for all individu-

als are asked to act appropriately at all times when at the Yrsquos facilities

or participating in Y programs All campers are required to read and

sign a contract of understanding in reference to the Code of Conduct

We expect persons using the YMCAto act maturely to behave respon-

sibly and to respect the rights and dignity of all othersmdashall while

having a good time

The Y also has opportunities available for those who may not have

the resources to send their children to camp The Y provides scholar-

ships for those who qualify Scholarships are made possible due to

the generous donations of Y members the community and businesses

to the ldquoWe Build Peoplerdquo scholarship campaign held by the Saratoga

Regional YMCA each year Scholarship applications are available at

all Saratoga Regional YMCA branches and online at wwwsaratogare-

gionalymcaorg

Registration is currently ongoing and fills up quickly Registration

forms are available at any of the Saratoga Regional YMCA Branches

or at wwwsaratogaregionalymcaorg For more information about

these day camps please contact Ilene Leverence at (518) 583-9622

ext 103 for Camp Starhitch and Patti Laudicina at (518) 583-9622

ext 110 or Paige Minear ext 116 for Travel Camp

Saratoga YMCA

30 | Simply Saratoga

Ask women about the greatest threat to their health and most will

respond incorrectly with the words ldquobreast cancerrdquo While breast cancer

certainly is of concern the truth is that women are 10 times more like-

ly to die from heart disease Breast cancer kills 1 in 25 women heart

disease claims 1 in 2

The most recent statistics available indicate that cardiovascular dis-

ease causes the death of 500000 women per year ndash more than ALL

forms of cancer combined This is a rate of epidemic proportion

Little or no warning

Two-thirds of women die suddenly from heart disease without expe-

riencing any warning symptoms The majority die before they even

reach the hospital and before any attempt at treatment is possible Early

screening and the detection that leads to prevention offer the only hope

of reducing these deaths

Women who do develop heart disease tend to fare worse than men

One reason is that on average heart disease peaks 10 years later in

women than in men At this older age women are less able to withstand

the stress of the disease The proof can be found in a disturbing statis-

tic One year after their first heart attack 44 percent of women are dead

compared with 27 percent of men

Clearly for women preventing that first heart attack would make an

enormous difference

Know the risks

What can be done to prevent and detect heart disease in women

Of foremost importance is to reduce ndash or if possible eliminate ndash the

conditions that cause or accelerate the growth of blockages in the arter-

ies of the heart These conditions known as risk factors include high

Women Take this warning to heart

Story By Andrij O Baran MD

blood pressure diabetes genetic high cholesterol a high-fat

diet an inactive lifestyle smoking and cocaine use

Some damage the lining of the heartrsquos arteries speeding the

buildup of cholesterol Others raise blood cholesterol Both

smoking and cocaine use speed blood clotting They also can

cause sudden cramps or spasms in the coronary arteries cut-

ting off the entire blood supply to portions of the heart even

without a cholesterol blockage

A woman who has one or more of these risk factors should

ask her doctor how best to control them She also should ask

about further screening and testing such as stress testing

The sooner the better

Lifestyle changes and medications can have a dramatic

impact on reducing the incidence of heart attack provided cho-

lesterol blockages are detected early ndash before damage to the

heart has occurred In fact drugs that lower cholesterol alone

have been unequivocally shown to reduce the risk of heart

attack and death by up to 50 percent

When added to a program of low-fat diet exercise control

of high blood pressure and diabetes and above all else no

smoking the benefits are magnified many times over Keep in

mind of course that these drugs work only if they are taken

and taken appropriately

By knowing and changing their risk factors all women can

ensure themselves of a longer and more vibrant life

Andrij O Baran MD FACC is the Medical Director of

Cardiology Services at Saratoga Hospital

Simply Saratoga | 31

A c t F a s t D u r i n g H e a r t A t t a c k s According to the American Heart

Association clot-busting drugs can stop

some heart attacks in progress reducing

disability and saving lives They work best

given within one hour of when heart

attack signs begin Thatrsquos why itrsquos impor-

tant to recognize the warning signs of a

heart attack and act right away

Warning Signs

bull Pain or discomfort in the jaw

neck or back

bull Feeling weak lightheaded or faint

bull Chest paindiscomfort

bull Paindiscomfort in the arms or

shoulder

bull Shortness of breath

If you think that you or someone you

know is having a heart attack call 911

immediately

32 | Simply Saratoga

Who would believe that a rabbi from Eastern

Europe frozen for 150 years in a block of ice could

be transported across time and space to Memphis

where he thaws then becomes a spiritual guru to

baby boomers Arguably nobody But Steve Stern

the author of ldquoThe Frozen Rabbirdquo his most recent

novel isnrsquot asking readers to believe it so much as

to let the characters tell their story Besides the plot

may be far-fetched but he already has a buyer for

the movie rights

Writer-in-residence at Skidmore College Stern is

a genius at creating human beings in fantastical cir-

cumstances who seem more like eccentric neigh-

bors than artifacts of science fiction Some fly

some inhabit other peoplersquos dreams some are res-

urrected and some travel through time Whatever

their superpowers or frailties the heroes and vil-

lains tricksters and innocents and witnesses and

bystanders in Sternrsquos short and long fiction deserve

attention and evoke compassion in their quest for

connection and redemption - or at least food and

shelter From within an inexhaustible vein of

Jewish folklore and oral history his characters

emerge into a lucid fictional universe that embraces

both magic and the mundane Dialogue is ironic as

often as it is mystical and the most ordinary days

serve as backdrops for incredible events

ldquoMiracles are commonplacerdquo says Stern a

Ballston Spa resident ldquoI donrsquot write in metaphors

and symbols deliberately Writing is a visceral

experience for me I read with interest what review-

ers say about my repetitive themes and ideas but I

am driven by images and characters Irsquom a compul-

sive storytellerrdquo

Steve Stern A Lyrical Voice in the Ghetto

B

o

o

k

m

a

r

k

Lean bespectacled and haloed in dark curls Stern

is a Memphis native who grew up in a home bereft

of music books and art in a city made famous by

Elvis Presley (who used to drive through Sternrsquos

neighborhood) and Martin Luther Kingrsquos assassina-

tion He remembers himself as ldquoa mediocre adoles-

cent without confidence or spiritual antennardquo first

stirred to write poetry in high school which he read

aloud for attention

ldquoI was surprised people liked itrdquo he says ldquoAnd I

liked writing it even though it embarrassed me But

I was encouraged to go on and later to try proserdquo

The allure of the late lsquo60s and early lsquo70s was not

academic After college Stern wandered through

Europe then worked as a butcher on a hippie com-

mune in the Ozarks raising pigs and eating off the

land ldquoI slept under five blankets and two dogsrdquo he

recalls (The incarnation has been memorialized in a

comic strip by Sternrsquos girlfriend Sabrina a cartoon-

ist and set designer for Saturday Night Live)

The commune was not too far from the University

of Arkansas where Stern attended graduate school

and played volleyball with Bill and Hillary Clinton

ldquoI hoped he would mention me in his inaugural

addressrdquo Stern sighs

With an MA Stern found teaching gigs at vari-

ous colleges but the work dried up forcing him to

take a job at a folklore center in Memphis first tran-

scribing stories about the black community then

launching a life-changing project to preserve the

stories of the fading Jewish population in a desolate

Memphis ghetto known as ldquoThe Pinchrdquo where

many of his stories are set

Story By Helen Susan Edelman

ldquoBernie scrunched his face in thought Gone was his waryimpulse to keep everything secret and there were times of latewhen he felt almost reckless almost ready to tell the world whileon the other hand he suspected he may have already confided toomuch ldquoI thinkrdquo he said after some consideration ldquoIrsquom startingto outgrow myselfrdquo

mdash Steve Stern ldquoThe Frozen Rabbirdquo

Photo by Josh GerritsenSteve Stern

Simply Saratoga | 33

ldquoIt was intoxicatingrdquo says Stern ldquoI became obsessed with

itrdquo Indeed his work is infused with the folklore images lan-

guage archetypes settings rituals and values embedded in

the memories he recorded and in the vast Jewish and Yiddish

literature he has studied since

A non-observant Jew Stern had no relationship with his

religion so the introduction to his exotic legacy was both

anchor and springboard for a prolific new consciousness

ldquoThe floodgates openedrdquo he says ldquoSuddenly this world

began to materialize for me What had been barren neighbor-

hoods I could see vividly as tenements and shops a town

square street traffic merchants pawnbrokers rabbis chil-

drenhellipimmigrants from Eastern Europe looking for a homerdquo

Stern is comfortable writing about transcendent wisdom as

long as itrsquos his characterrsquos voice

and not his own

dispensing the

insights The

frozen rabbi in

the book of the

same name for

example ldquoradiates

within his zone of

influence and is a

spiritual catalyst

for anyone who

encounters himrdquo

says Stern ldquowhere-

as I am a clicheacute a

Jew who grew up

without an identityrdquo

A winner of both

Guggenheim and

Fulbright fellowships

as well as the National

Jewish Book Award

the Pushcart Prize an

OrsquoHenry Prize and the Edward Lewis Wallant Award Stern

is working on a new novel and rereading Faulkner Tolstoy

Dickens and Joyce

He views each new writing project as ldquoa riskrdquo Experience

last summer also reminded him of the evanescence of popu-

larity he gave two readings one in Memphis which drew

such a crowd that doors had to be locked and one in St

Louis where he commanded an audience of four

ldquoJust like the characters in my storiesrdquo Stern observes ldquoI

encounter conflicts look for a way to escape and face mixed

consequencesrdquo sect

How is your mental state these days Are

you experiencing peace and joy in every-

day life or frustration and impatience Are

you living your life ldquoon purposerdquo or going

through the motions feeling numb and dead

on the inside How is the garden of your

mind Are you tending to your garden or letting

the weeds take over

When I lived in Boston I lived next door to an elder-

ly woman who had a beautiful garden Every morning my

neighbor was outside in her floral moo moo (circa Mrs

Roper from Threersquos Company) tending carefully to each

plant and flower She would spend hours walking around her

garden joyfully humming and making sure her flowers were

strong and healthy Many mornings I would sip my coffee

and watch her peacefully pulling out the weeds and tending

to her precious flowers To this day I remember how tall and

lovely her sunflowers were I think our mental state can be

compared to tending to a garden do we have beautiful sun-

flowers of joy and peace or toxic weeds of bitterness and

guilt

The weeds in your heart and mind are feelings of bitterness

anger guilt self-loathing and negativity Do you spend your

days reviewing the list of those that have offended

you Do you beat yourself up daily for past mis-

takes or regrets These are the weeds that can

take over your mind and lead to racing

thoughts a dark depression constant

anxiety or physical illness and

chronic pain If you are someone

that is easily frustrated impatient

and critical you can be sure you

34 | Simply Saratoga

Tending to theGarden of Your MindDealing with the Weeds in your Life

Simple Truths

have some weeds to deal with

The only path to peace and joy in your everyday life is to

pull your weeds out from the root and confront the issues

Holding on to your weeds only makes you ill and deadens

your heart Did you know that people who are full of bitter-

ness and resentment appear older and are not as physically

attractive as people who are full of peace and love The

weeds in your heart and mind can actually make you ugly

Likewise a mind that is content and peaceful gives us a

sparkle and light in our eyes that people are automatically

attracted to Forget the anti-wrinkle cream and Botox Fill

your heart and mind up with the best kept beauty secret

around love and forgiveness

Forgiveness is not about letting the person who hurt you

off the hook Forgiveness IS allowing light into our hearts

so that we can heal and move forward It takes the heavy

burden of offense and resentment off of our hearts and

minds while preparing the ldquosoilrdquo for new growth and

experiences

When possible confront the people you need to forgive

so that you can have closure and move on If it is not pos-

sible to confront the person that is the weed in your life

write them a letter expressing your hurt and anger (not to

send but in a private journal) This is a wonderful way to

give yourself closure and put your feelings out on the table

More often than not the person we have to forgive or con-

front is ourselves If you are constantly beating yourself up

and feeling guilty about your past make a choice to forgive

yourself

Donrsquot be lazy about your weeds Dig deep and pull out

your weeds so that you can make room for peace and joy

We all desire to feel love and be accepted That accept-

Meghan DLemery LCSW-R

Simply Saratoga | 35

ance starts with you Begin to focus on peaceful loving joyful

thoughts Keep a gratitude journal of what you love about your-

self or the loved ones in your life Practice planting seeds of joy

by giving acceptance and love to everyone around you

Take time to practice patience and kindness to your family

friends colleagues and that slow cashier at the grocery store Go

out of your way to help others in any way that you can All of

these acts of kindness plant the seeds of peace love joy and

abundance

As we approach the new season of spring take some time to

tend to the garden of your mind

Wishing you love self-acceptance and peace this spring and

always

Ms Lemery is a psychotherapist practic-ing in Saratoga Springs and QueensburyShe can be reached at meghanle-meryyahoocom

Her first novel will be pub-lished this Spring TitledldquoPlease Pass the BarbieShoesrdquo it is a hilarious heart-warming story that will haveyou feeling inspiredand empowered

sect

36 | Simply Saratoga

Living Room The custom-designed leather couch chair andottoman come from Suttons The stucco fireplace was inspired by theCollinsrsquo travels through the Southwest and Colorado (ldquowe wanted to avoida traditional river rock fireplacerdquo) and provides a heat source as well asbeauty The original structure was built for passive solar design no airconditioning is needed in the summer A wood stove is the primary heatsource radiant heat with natural gas was also added during the renova-tion

The front door as well as all the interior doors was custom-made fittedand replaced by Tom Zanetti Hickory wood floors were also installed dur-ing the addition A hanging stained glass chandelier is a stock itemobtained from a leading home supply retailer ldquoIt captures the sunlightbeautifully along with providing brilliant nighttime illuminationrdquo Tedsaid ldquoItrsquos an eclectic mixrdquo

Simply Saratoga | 37

Today we look at a creative space that is set into a special place

In 1993 Ted and Susan Collins purchased a seven-acre property

with a 1986 Timberpeg designed home that has all the qualities of

a place in the country ndash yet many would be surprised to learn that

it is actually located on the border of Saratoga Springs near the

Alpine Shop on Clinton Street After a number of years living in

apartments on Union Avenue and Franklin Square enjoying the

proximity to downtown and the track they couldnrsquot resist a spot

that was close to town but yet had lots of land

Their overall vision was for an interior space that was in accord

with the outside ndash the wildlife gardens and the sustainable philos-

ophy embodied in the original buildingrsquos passive solar design

ldquoEverything we do embraces the goals of staying true to the orig-

inal structure having an open welcoming interior and being in

harmony with the outdoorsrdquo Ted said

Inspired by travels in balance with the land

Story By Arthur GonickPhotos by copystockstudiosphotographycom

These principles guided a major transformation of the interior

space in 2006 The key element was an addition to the home that

enabled the living room kitchen and upstairs bedroom to be

expanded allowing space for the installation of a downstairs bath

as well

Susan and Ted led this transformation - visualizing an addition

that incorporated equilibrium of size location and overall propor-

tion They went through several iterations with Rick Deforest of

Heritage Timberframes

Even though much of the interior decor came from travels in

Africa the South Pacific and Colorado the building materials and

craftsmen are all local The timbers and wood flooring were milled

in nearby Kingsbury ldquoWe enjoyed working with professionals who

are also friends like Rick Deforest Tom Zanetti and Mike

Roohanrdquo Ted said ldquothe house now feels complete in balancerdquo sect

Unique Places and Creative Spaces If you would like to nominate a unique

or creative place to be featured emailentertainmentsaratogapublishingcom

38 | Simply Saratoga

Kitchen A wall was taken out that afforded space to add an eat-in island area and

open up the space Custom cabinets are by Tom Zanetti Stonework andappliances were added Both the kitchen and bathroom have granite table-tops (from Mike and Margaret Roohan of Granite and Marble Works)New appliances include a Bosch stove (with a built-in microwave drawer)and an Amana stainless refrigerator

Bathroom The bathroom ceiling is pine The showerarea was designed and built to the Collinsrsquo specifications andfeatures a bench 4 shower heads PLUS an extra hand-held one(ldquoItrsquos a human car washrdquo) The stone tiles on the sides and floorin the shower were installed by Best Tile the plumbing in theshower comes from Aird Dorrance as does the sink ndash which sitson a granite top from Granite and Marble Works The windowleads out to the north side of the house with privacy blinds insidethe window panes One thing you donrsquot see ldquoSince the room ison display in the center of the expanded first floor we wanted thecommode to be mostly hiddenrdquo Ted said

Unique Places and Creative Spaces

Simply Saratoga | 39

Living RoomA reading nook sits upon the bathroom addition ldquoThere was no full bathroom on the first

floor and with a post and beam construction we had to be creative You get outstanding viewsof the property pond and stream when viewed from the nookrsquos perspectiverdquo The ladder canswing out on a track making it more like walking up a staircase ndash this was also designed andinstalled by Tom Zanetti The table in the nook is actually a working African drum with a glasstable top added

40 | Simply Saratoga

Bedroom In the second-floor master bedroom moving the dormer brought in extra light and space and

also brought the roofline together with the original structure and first-floor additions The floorand ceiling are made of rough-cut pine planking The bed is also constructed of pine and comesfrom Suttons The window in the upper left was cut during the addition It faces west for extra day-time light

Simply Saratoga | 41

42 | Simply Saratoga

Story Written by Yael Goldman Photos by Samu Studios and Randall Perry Photography

Simply Saratoga | 43

orking with the

right interior designer

turns listless decision making

into an enjoyable and productive

process that avoids costly mistakes

and delivers exceptional results

Designing a room or an entire home is a

big project no matter how strong your tastes are

The decisions are endless ndash what color should I paint the

walls What flooring is most aesthetically appealing and

dog-friendly Should I choose a furniture set or choose

individual pieces Do I want curtains or shades Do I

decorate with knick-knacks or artwork

But with all the unique self-questioning that surrounds

an interior design project most homeowners share angst

in asking themselves one specific question where do I

start

Itrsquos at this point ndash when stress level increases enjoy-

ment-driven projects turn deadly and money has been

wastefully spent on all the wrong things ndash that you long

for the help of a professional if only you could afford it

Well the truth is you can

Creating the right space can be expensive but is only

more so if you make mistakes and have to go back and

fix them If you do it right the first time therersquos no cost

associated with do-overs

With nearly 100 years of experience between them all

four members of Blairhouse Interiors Group have

worked with more than enough unhappy do-it-your-

selfers to tell you yoursquore not alone

Photo by Samu Studios

44 | Simply Saratoga

The four-member designproject therapy team which recently

opened a studio in Saratoga Springs has a long history of help-

ing home and business owners create their ideal spaces and

atmospheres the right way Their exceptional work is celebrated across

the Capital Region including Saratoga Springs where the Blairhouse

look is prominently featured in a handful of Park Place condominiums

and the incredible Saratoga National Golf Club

Thomas R Burns Meghan Baltich Dominic Carota and Patricia

Richards the highly skilled and charismatic force behind Blairhouse

Interiors Group promise an experience that is personal because itrsquos all

about your needs ndash and thatrsquos what is important

Blairhouse offers full-service interior design services space planning

project management hand-picked merchandise patience and an uncan-

ny ability to create a

look that is always

fresh sophisticated

and comfortable

ldquoThe style that we

gravitate toward is

unique cutting-edge

and modern not dic-

tated by corporaterdquo

said Meghan Baltich

pointing to a ldquovery

propitiousrdquo Keith Fritz

table at the center of

the studio

Photo by Randall Perry Photography

If you do it right the firsttime therersquos no cost

associated with do-oversPhoto by Randall Perry Photography

One glance at the Park Place showroom ndash of the selective furnishings carefully showcased along

the periphery ndash and it becomes clear why Blairhouse an award-winning team gets the job

done

Their creativity focus and immaculate sense of direction bring objectivity to the scene helping you nar-

row down all of the tedious and overwhelming choices that make do-it-yourself decorating an exercise in

unclear thinking

ldquoPeople are overwhelmed by all the choices it can feel like theyrsquore in a paralyzed blurrdquo said Thomas

Burns who finds that a great vision can be impossible to imagine and create without eliminating all of

the distractions

A vital step in getting focused is creating a

comprehensive plan based on individual

needs wants and style that addresses all

aspects of lifestyle and taste and suggests

tactful solutions and fresh approaches to new

and existing spaces

They help you identify what you like

forcing you to hone in on what you want and

need to compliment and enhance your

lifestyle

ldquoWe ascertain the clientrsquos goal and

lifestyle to convey their visionrdquo said

Dominic Carota explaining that the intended

outcome of creating or reinventing a room is

often strictly tied to how you want to live in

it

ldquoWe have to know how they functionrdquo he

said

An interior designer is an asset in the func-

tion-meets-style equation

Dominic explained that a couple starting a family will have far

different needs than empty-nesters looking for a change They may

have the same stylistic goals but their execution will differ based on

how their lifestyle exists within the space

When revamping a single room the majority of your focus is ded-

icated to that individual space making it easy to forget that the rest

of the house is attached Establishing connectivity between rooms is

a challenge but an important part of executing a project the right

way

Sometimes one wrong detail no matter how small can be incred-

ibly impactful and difficult to avoid on your own

ldquoIf yoursquore working on a new addition or renovation we ensure it

flows that therersquos balance between the existing part of the living

space and the new additionrdquo Meghan Baltich said explaining that

it just doesnrsquot make sense to put in a great new kitchen if itrsquos dis-

jointed and out of place from its surroundings

Another common novice mistake is the trendy retail store fallacy

that you can order a full room from a catalog or pick a fabulous and

unique design from a floor plan

Blairhouse clients learn the difference between ldquocookie-cutterrdquo

and ldquocustomrdquo and they are never concerned with picking the wrong

piece for the wrong room

Simply Saratoga | 45

ome customers will come to us after going into a Pottery Barn and buying stuff that just didnrsquot workrdquo Baltich said giving the

example of an individual who purchased an enormous sectional for a tiny room ldquoWe scale into the clientrsquos space taking func-

tion and proportion into considerationrdquo

Exceptional listening and observation skills are the designerrsquos

unsung attributes and greatest assets Blairhouse experts engage

with their clients to gain a true understanding of what they want

In turn the design process becomes an eye-opening experience

customers are introduced to colors and concepts they would

never think to consider

ldquoEach client trusts us to create their environment and we

enable them to make informed decisionsrdquo Patricia Richards

said

And sometimes that requires bold suggestions and collabora-

tion or looking at all of the possibilities even the ones ldquoyou

would never have been brave enough to do on your ownrdquo

In the end the experience of working with the experts is

enjoyable stress-free and cost-effective From concept to com-

pletion the result is just what you want and need ndash a fabulous

marriage of function and aesthetic that wonrsquot have you coming

back for more (because you did it right the first time) sect

ldquoS

46 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 47

For a taste of Blairhouse Interiors Grouprsquos distinctive work stop into their Park Place studio located at 262 Broadway Suite 204 in Saratoga Springs For further details visit wwwblairhouseinteriorscom or call (518) 786-7800

From left to right Dominic Carota Meghan Baltich Patricia Richards and

Thomas R Burns (The designproject therapy team of Blairhouse Interiors Group)

48 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 49

Dorsquos and Donrsquots

50 | Simply Saratoga

Story Written by Kerry Ann Mendez Perennially Yours bull wwwpyourscom Photos Provided

SpringDorsquos and Donrsquots

SpringDorsquos and DonrsquotsDorsquos and Donrsquots

Spring

for your Gardens

s

Simply Saratoga | 51

ssts

SPRINGis right around the corner and gardenersare pawing at the ground ready to explodethrough the garden gate As a passionate perennial gardenerI am right there with you But before launching into another flower-filledseason letrsquos go through a spring checklist of dorsquorsquos and donrsquorsquots to makesure we make the most of the race and have the best finish ever

Photo by GardenersSupply Company

apply a granular fertilizer to your perennial beds while they are still lsquoasleeprsquoDepending on the winter wersquove had this may be anytime from mid-Marchto mid-April Donrsquot worry if there are already lsquoearly risersrsquo visible like springblooming bulbs or woodland ephemerals I recommend using 5-5-5 5-10-5 or

5-10-10 fertilizer at the rate of 2 pounds per 100 square feet Cast the fertilizer just before it is about to rainto make sure fertilizer is watered into the ground and washed off any existing leaves You can give otherplants in your yard this treat as well including floweringshrubs groundcovers climbing vinesand roses

DONrsquoTput fertilizer on top of the snow or on ground that is

still frozen You want to make sure the fertilizer disap-pears into pliable soil and to waiting roots otherwiserunoff can occur And donrsquot think more is better Youcan stress or even kill plants by over-fertilizing espe-cially in spring when leaves are not fully developed toutilize nitrogen in the fertilizer If you are going to errless is better

DO

prune once-b l o o m i n g

roses such as Heirloom or Old GardenRoses when the Forsythia is blooming

Any rose that blooms onceusually in late spring forabout three weeks is in thiscategory Many times theseroses are quite fragrantWait to prune these rosesuntil right after they flower

DONrsquoT

prune most roses whenForsythia is in bloom Pruneshrub roses back by half to

23 their height This is assuming you did not prunethem last fall If you did then next year wait until latewinter or early spring Prune Teas and Grandiflorasback to 18 - 24rdquo For climbing roses prune branchesemerging from the main canes back to within 3 - 4rdquoof the cane

DO

apply corn gluten tolawn areas yoursquoveseeded (or over-seeded) or to gar-dens where youwant biennialsperennials or annu-als to reseed andflower Corn glutendoes not distinguishbetween lsquogoodrsquoand lsquobadrsquo seeds

apply a pre-emer-gent weed killerand fertilizer toyour lawn A lushhealthy lawn

makes a beautiful frame for gardens Myfamily walked away from lawn chemicalsfive years ago And our lawn has neverlooked better Corn gluten is a big part ofthis transformation Corn gluten is a by-product of milled corn It will not harm chil-dren pets or wildlife Heck you can eat it ifyou want (but it tastes yucky) Corn Glutenis high in nitrogen and commonly used as alawn fertilizer But it is also a pre-emergenttargeting seeds as they germinate Youcan put corn gluten down at any point inthe spring BUT if part of your mission is toeliminate crabgrass then there is a narrowwindow of attackApply it whenForsythia is in fullbloom and beforeits leaves appearThe Forsythia is asoil temperatureindicator that cor-responds to whencrabgrass seedsstart to germinate More garden centersare now carrying corn gluten productsYou just need to ask and follow the appli-cation instructions on the bag Make sureto water in the corn gluten after applyingIt will remain effective for five to six weeks

Simply Saratoga | 53

DONrsquoT

DO

step on soil as you maneuver around thegarden to cut back Lavender and therest of the gang For that matter youshould never be tromping through yourgardens compacting soil This breaks

down air and water channels as well as making it tougher forroots to spread Instead reach into beds from existing paths orplace stepping stones in discreet spots where only your eyes cansee or lsquowalk the plankrsquo on a board to reach plants fartherlsquoadriftrsquo

54 | Simply Saratoga

cut back Lavender Russian SageMontauk Daisy Butterfly BushChrysanthemums and ornamental grass-es These are best left untouched in falland whacked in spring Many folks make

the mistake of acting too gingerly with pruners Let lsquoem fly Theresult will be more compact neater plants that will bloom just fineTrust me If it helps wait until yoursquove had a bad day at work withthe kids or in traffic

DONrsquoT

DO

divide Peonies German Bearded Iris orOriental Poppies in spring These are bestdone in late summer Also tap-rootedplants (those with a carrot-looking root)cannot be divided Think about it These

are usually propagated by seed stem or root cuttings Someperennials that fall into this category are Malva Butterfly WeedBalloon Flower Oriental Poppies and Lupines

Simply Saratoga | 55

DONrsquoT

divide plants in spring This is an optimumtime to divide most perennials Yes evenspring bloomers Wait until these haveflowered and then shear off the spentblooms and get to business Most sum-

mer and fall blooming perennials can be divided prior to mid-Junewithout disrupting their performance

DO

apply a time-released fertilizersuch as Plant-Tone(organic) orOsmocote to heavy

feeding perennials five to six weeks afterthe earlier granular fertilizer applicationMost plants do not need as much fertilizeras we are led in advertising to believe I amstingy with my money and maintenancetime so only a handful of plants get thisbonus feed Astilbe Delphinium Liliums (ieAsiatic Oriental Trumpet) Clematis androses If I am feeling generous I will putsome on my Bigleaf Hydrangeas next to theroses Call me heartlessJust scratch fertilizer intothe top couple inchesof soil around theplantrsquos base and waterin well They will enjoy anutritious snack forthree to four months

apply mulch ongarden beds toreduce weedsconserve moisture

reduce erosion minimize soil temperaturefluctuations and enhance the quality ofthe soil Some mulching materials includeaged manures compost shredded wood(not dyed) leaf moldand cocoa hulls Putthe mulch down 2rdquo to3rdquo thick around plantsincluding floweringshrubs

build up mulchagainst plant stems

And please please donrsquot create volcanomounds around trees Please This is awfulfor them The only ones that benefit fromthis are the people selling the mulch

56 | Simply Saratoga

DONrsquoT

DO

DO

rubber band orbraid the foliage ofspring bloomingbulbs after they fin-ish flowering You

want as much leaf surface exposed to thesun as possible to increase photosynthesisYou can press the leaves down next to thesoil so they are less noticeable

Simply Saratoga | 57

sect

And finally DO have a great year in

your gardens and DONrsquoT forget to

take time to smell the roses

DONrsquoT

DONrsquoT

cut off the spentblooms and stems onspring blooming bulbsafter they have flow-ered so energy is redirected to the bulbsversus seed productions Keep the leaves inplace until they have browned and ideallycan be pulled from the ground by hand

put time-released fertil-izer on perennials thatprefer lean dietsRicher soil just upsetstheir vascular systemsThey will get leggy flop and not perform tosnuff Yarrow Coneflower Catmint RussianSage Linum Sea Holly and Silvermound are inthe group

DO

For more information contact Perennially Yours at pyourscom

58 | Simply Saratoga

Ill mination

Exterior Stonework

an

d

Story Written by Arthur Gonick Photos Provided

u

Simply Saratoga | 59

To develop and implement an exterior vista that maximizes your enjoyment To have a backyard landscape that is warm inviting and uniquely yours

These are goals that many homeowners have when they first move onto their property But unless you are trained in the variety ofmaterials and options available the task of getting past the point of comparing possibilities to completing and actually enjoying yourbackyard paradise can appear to be a long daunting road

For Carl Trinkle a landscape designer for ten years with the Gallivan Companies of Troy one of the key elements in a successfultransformation is utilizing a professionalrsquos expertise to articulate goals and develop a plan

ldquoThe most important thing we do when we first meet with a client is to get them to discuss their basic needs and aims and encouragethem to formulate an overall vision for their property An initial consultation sets the tone we make an initial visit on-site to look overthe property so we can have an idea as to where things might be placedrdquo

ldquoDuring this intake process we actually encourage people to show us photos of their friendrsquos property that they like or perhaps froma magazine It helps most people to articulate the goals of what they would like to see as a finished projectrdquo Trinkle said ldquoEven if they are looking to do things in phases we find that it is most important to develop a comprehensive site planrdquo This eliminates the need to revise original phases of work to accommodate those that come in the future

60 | Simply Saratoga

that Mr Trinkle finds potential customers identifying with aredesigned to extend the outdoor season ldquoA few extra weeks outside isa lotrdquo he said

add-ons also extend outside activity each day Low voltage lighting is still the most popular but recently LED lighting with longer-lasting bulbs that involve less maintenance and are cost-efficienthave become more fashionable

The latest trends

stations fire pits and waterenhancements such as ponds andwaterfalls are the most frequentlyrequested items that broaden theoutdoor use season

Outdoor grill

Exterior lighting

Simply Saratoga | 61

And of course swimming pool projects have always been a most-requested

item Fifty percent of allthe projects Mr Trinkleworks on involve a pooleither a completely new installation or enhance-ments to existing poolsGallivanrsquos long-standingrelationship withConcord Pools has beena hallmark in assuringthat customers are satis-fied when their pool isput in the ground

62 | Simply Saratoga

In most cases a comprehensive plancan be developed for any project in about a period of twoweeks Complete drawings and cost breakdowns are provid-ed as well as the projected phases that can be completed injust a few months or on larger projects can be scheduled insegments over a few years These are reviewed in personwith the customer again the goal being to have a plan thateveryone buys into

Simply Saratoga | 63

ldquoWe have had projects where the customer has wanted tohave a lot of input and we welcome that But we also hadone where the client was out of town and we built a firepit and slide for his wife and kids and our only instructions were to dazzle themI remember it as a most satisfying experience and we ended up winning awards for that onerdquo

- Carl Trinkle Landscape DesignerThe Gallivan Companies

64 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 65

ldquoI get to work using my creativity with talented people Some of the most talented are those

I meet as customersrdquo sect

For more information or to schedule aconsultation phone Gallivan Companies at(518) 271-6100 Gallivanrsquos website iswwwGallivanCompaniescom

66 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 67

Buying a playhouse for your child is an excellent investment

They promote imaginative play and spending time outdoors and

double as storage space when no longer used for recreation

Denise Woodcock owner of Versatile Sheds in Wilton has

been helping parents and grandparents customize their childrsquos or

grandchildrsquos dream playhouses for years

ldquoThey make great gifts especially for grandparents who want

their grandkids to have their own place to play when they visitrdquo

she said

Playhouses are a great addition to a childrsquos outdoor world

They come in all shapes sizes and designs and can be custom-

built or finished if you donrsquot find exactly what yoursquore looking for

in a catalog or on the lot

Every child is different and has their own preferences for color

size and function boys and girls often have especially different

requests for their play space as do younger and more mature chil-

dren so therersquos a lot to consider

Denise knows how even the finest detail can be all it takes to

make an outdoor structure feel like a childrsquos own personal space

While it may seem superfluous to address every minor demand

the truth is a playhouse is more than just an expensive toy itrsquos an

investment The more your child connects with their space the more

use theyrsquoll get out of it ndash and according to Denise that means your

money is well spent

Smartest WayThe

playhouse for your kidsto buy a

Photos by MarkBollescomStory by Yael Goldman

68 | Simply Saratoga

With this in mind prospective buyers should first consider

who will use the playhouse and for how long as well as what

happens when the structure is no longer used for recreation

Versatile Sheds can help even the most discerning parent or

child find what theyrsquore looking for Every playhouse is hand-

built by Amish craftsmen who can accommodate almost any

special request at an additional cost so the possibilities are

endless inside and out

Cedar shingle or vinyl siding wood stone or brick ndash if you

can use it on the outside of your regular home it can be inte-

grated into your playhousersquos design Playhouses can be built

to look like a miniature version of your home which is an

excellent touch for parents that are particularly concerned

with aesthetics Porches shutters flowerboxes unique doors

chimneys and exterior lighting are just a few of the touches

that can brighten and personalize the exterior

Individualizing your childrsquos playhouse doesnrsquot stop at the

front door There are just as many interior features to choose

from ndash you can let your imagination run wild

For starters you have the option to order the playhouse

with a finished or unfinished interior The unfinished version

looks a lot like the inside of a regular home before you move

in paint the walls and furnish the rooms

Buying an unfinished structure is a great way to cut costs

and even bring the family together over a weekend decorating

project The possibilities are endless depending on how handy

you are otherwise a few coats of paint and a bit of carpeting

will surely do the trick

Although a bit pricey purchasing a playhouse with a fin-

ished interior ensures that your child gets exactly what they

want right off the bat They can pick everything from the paint

color to the flooring so the playhouse is move-in ready on the

day it arrives

Playhouses can also be insulated and wired for electricity

You can install lighting electrical outlets even heat or air-

conditioning to make your childrsquos outdoor space as comfort-

able as possible

And the options donrsquot end there Traditional sheds also dou-

ble as playhouses For some parents purchasing an adult-size

shed for their children is an ideal way to get the best return on

their investment Once their children grow out of it the struc-

ture can be used for outdoor storage With just as many styles

sizes and materials to choose from you can customize the

interior and exterior of your shed just as you would a play-

house but without all of the more frivolous features

ldquoAny shed can be a playhouserdquo Woodcock said explaining

how a custom paint job or flowerbox can transform a typical

storage unit into childrsquos outdoor activity haven

For example if purchasing a wood shed the exterior can be

easily painted and repainted when making the transition from

playhouse to storage space

For Denisersquos customers getting their moneyrsquos worth should

not have to mean making sacrifices

Simply Saratoga | 69

70 | Simply Saratoga

When Debby Trainor made the decision to buy her grand-

daughter Chezneyrsquos dream house she wanted it to have all the

bells and whistles She met with Denise to go over all the cri-

teria the goal was to buy the perfect gift for Chezney while

staying within her budget

The eight-year-old Greenwich girl wanted her own pretty

pink palace where she could play and imagine Debby wanted

it to be a cozy and safe place for her to play year-round

Customization and interior decoration helped make

Chezneyrsquos playhouse feel like her own little kingdom

ldquoWe made it look like a cute little dollhouserdquo she said ldquoWe

put furniture inside and a little stove fridge heater and TV

itrsquos just perfectrdquo

With the structure built to their liking Chezney and Debby

could enjoy decorating the inside to personalize the playhouse

For many customers putting on the finishing touches means

making the playhouse feel like home ndash you can add curtains

hang pictures buy furniture and appliances and landscape the

perimeter to make the outdoor space feel like a home away

from home

When the child grows out of their playhouse these items

can be easily removed to accommodate a secondary use for the

space

ldquoThe best thing that Denise did for me was explain how we

can use the playhouse for storage for stuff out in the yard after

Chezney has grown out of itrdquo Debby explained ldquoAlthough

she is only eight and will be using it for quite a few more

years this really makes it a good investment and looks

great in the backyardrdquo

Whether you choose a customized playhouse or a tradi-

tional shed thinking toward the future also ensures the

safety and longevity of the structure

Denise explained that placement is an important thing to

consider as you want to make sure the structure is in a safe

place and on an appropriate surface Most importantly the

playhouse must be built on a level even surface that isnrsquot

too high off of the ground

ldquoYou want it on a nice platformrdquo Denise explained

ldquoSome people use concrete but stone is better because it

allows moisture to seep down into the ground and away

from the structurerdquo

Most parents prefer that their playhouse is in the back-

yard where itrsquos easy to see from a window Placing the

structure in a shaded area is also a good idea it will be

cooler in the summer and less susceptible to the elements if

partially protected by trees

Debby had Chezneyrsquos playhouse built right next to her

swing set where she can be easily supervised

One last thing to consider when purchasing a playhouse

Simply Saratoga | 71

72 | Simply Saratoga

or shed for your child is how much effort

you want to put into maintaining it The

more ornate the structure the more care it

may need

Woodcock advises parents to preserve

their investment and treat the playhouse

like a miniature home

Think of it as a miniature house ndash the

structure requires regular maintenance

and upkeep to ensure your child will be

safe while enjoying years and years of

imaginative fun

With so many features and styles to

choose from yoursquore sure to find the best

for both you and your child

For more information about Versatile

Sheds or to set up a time to meet with

Denise Woodcock call (518) 584-7924

or stop by 669 Route 9 in Wilton sect

Simply Saratoga | 73

74 | Simply Saratoga

Kitchen

Not Your

Grandmarsquos

Story Written by Daniel Schechtman Photos Provided

ldquoAs you

walk into the kitchen

of the future LED

light projections adjust

to your mood - it will

know if you have a

hangover via sensors

that will read your

b r a i n w a v e s

Aromatherapy infused

walls will be synched

to your calendar calm-

ing you before a big

meeting or energizing you before a gym session The fridge will have selected some breakfast options identifying the essen-

tial vitamins for your day via sensors When you get home a hologram chef will be on hand for recipe inspirationrdquo

Alright so maybe your kitchen canrsquot do all of these things quite yet ndash but believe it or not wersquore getting there This is tomor-

rowrsquos kitchen a kitchen where your appliances donrsquot just store your food or wash your dishes ndash they talk to you providing you

with integral information on how to

best store your fruits and vegetables

letting you know if the refrigerator

door is open for too long or when a

part will soon need replacing

Simply Saratoga | 75

ldquoScience fictionrdquo I hear you say

Guess again Quoted from a report released by The Future Laboratory

who was commissioned by IKEA to determine what a modernkitchen in the year 2040 could conceivably look like

76 | Simply Saratoga

ldquoOne technology that really stands out to me is the

Miele Appliance Company Right now theyrsquore using a

program called lsquoremote visionrsquo On select applianceshellip

is a wireless card that clicks into a port on the back of

the appliance You synch it up with your home network

and it basically emails the technician and the owner

when itrsquos broken when you need to clean your condens-

er change your water filter or schedule a routine serv-

icerdquo said Tom Thibeault owner of Adirondack

Appliance Repair Inc located at 67 West Ave in

Saratoga Springs ldquoMaybe somebodyrsquos been opening the

[refrigerator] door for too long or the door was left open

ndash it will email you and tell you that your door is left

openrdquo

This is not your grandmarsquos kitchen This my friends

is the kitchen of the future and itrsquos available now

The 36 inch bottom-mount Miele refrigerator boasts a

striking interior featuring LED lighting running along

the sides from top to bottom stainless steel accents and

exteriors with control systems that would be comfort-

able alongside the captainrsquos chair on the Starship

Enterprise

Simply Saratoga | 77

ldquoThe controls in the Miele really stand out

Looking at the controls theyrsquore just a glass piece and

then once you touch it you see a few options for the

different compartments Then you touch the compart-

ment and the temperature is displayed so itrsquos kind of

like a Star Trek controlrdquo Thibeault said

And thatrsquos just the refrigerator

Adirondack Appliance has also seen brands such as

Wolf (a company owned by the same people who own

Sub-Zero) grow in popularity when it comes to their

range stoves and ovens The dual convection oven

works to eliminate cold spotting and provides consis-

tent even temperatures and even allows for unique

options such as proofing ndash used best when baking

homemade bread

ldquoIt also has a temperature probe you can plug into

things like a turkey or roast so you can see the temper-

ature while itrsquos still inside the machine It has

hydraulic hinges halogen lit interiors everything is

composed of stainless steel and itrsquos by far one of the

best lines on the marketrdquo Thibeault said

A new line coming to Adirondack Appliance that

features some amazing technology is a series of Pro-

Style Ranges produced by industry giant Jenn-Air

ldquoThat actually has an LCD touch

screen like an IPAD for the controls The

temperature is set by sliding your finger

along the controls Itrsquos all color backlit and

absolutely amazingrdquo Thibeault said

ldquoAnother thing we have to that same

effect are some of the hoods which have

really been getting pretty out there as far as

design We have one on our floor [by Miele]

that has an LED bar on the front which

changes in phases between 196000 colors

Itrsquos a very delicate change very pretty and

coolrdquo Thibeault said adding ldquoor you can set

it to any color in that spectrum yoursquod like to

accent your cabinetryrdquo

When it comes to dishwashers Thibeault

can attest to the quality of both the Asko and

Miele brands both of which he uses in his

own home And good news for Saratoga

Springs residents ndash

ldquoIn our market in

Saratoga we have a

very hard water base

whether yoursquore on a well

system or city waterrdquo

Thibeault said ldquoSo you

get a lot of minerals in

the machine With the

stainless steel interiors it

eliminates a lot of prob-

lems generally seen with

plastic interior tubs and

usually they are the best

life expectanciesrdquo

78 | Simply Saratoga

Asko and Mieleare practically custom made to handle the

arearsquos typicallymineral rich water

Simply Saratoga | 79

The Asko brand dishwasher takes things one step

further including two pumps in the washerrsquos system

The first pump filters the water cleansing it of poten-

tially harmful minerals while the second pump recircu-

lates the water ensuring that the machine is never

blasting your dishes with food debris or dirty residue

With Miele the design features a built-in water sof-

tener perfect for dealing with the Saratoga water

system

ldquoTypically the Miele is going to do a better job with

tougher baked in stainsrdquo said Thibeault ldquobecause itrsquos

got the softener in it and a little bit longer pots and pans

cyclerdquo

80 | Simply Saratoga

Adirondack Appliance Repair Inc is a fami-

ly-owned business since 1929 and the last inde-

pendent appliance retailer of its kind in Saratoga

Springs With $6 billion of buying power behind

their name (a benefit of being part of the Nation

Wide Appliance Buying Group) Thibeault

promised ldquowe can actually price match the box

stores and everybody else around all while pro-

viding you with better service and better

productsrdquo

For more information on AdirondackAppliance or the products they sell you mayvisit their showroom located at 67 West Avenuein Saratoga Springs for live demonstrationsThey can also be reached by phone at (518)587-6640 or you may visit them at their newwebsite wwwadkappliancecom where cus-tomers can browse through the storersquos entirecatalogue of appliances

sect

Simply Saratoga | 81

82 | Simply Saratoga

Page 5: Simply Saratoga March 2011

Simply Saratoga | 7

8 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 9

Making a new friend when you least expect it is a surpris-

ing pleasure ndash and thatrsquos the good feeling we came away

with after dining at Lake Ridge restaurant Tucked into his-

toric picture-perfect Round Lake ndash about 15 minutes from

Saratoga Springs off Northway exit 11 ndash Lake Ridge is the

gracious good-looking reliable insightful host yoursquoll want

to sit down for a meal with again and again

Saratoga Lake resident Bob McKenna is co-owner of the

eatery with Chef Scott Ringwood of Malta Ringwood is

formerly of The Old Dater Tavern in Halfmoon Also co-

owner and general manager of New Country Toyota

McKenna underlines the philosophy that has propelled the

restaurant through its first decade of success and accolades

ldquoWe love to please people and to create a great event

whether itrsquos a special evening out for a couple an office

gathering a rehearsal dinner date night or a business

lunch We want our customers to have a comfortable

rewarding experiencerdquo

A squarish building constructed in the 1870s the struc-

ture previously housed a general store and a bakery Vastly

updated by McKenna and Ringwood - without compro-

mising the aesthetic of the community - Lake Ridge is an

asset to the unique village of just over 600 neighbors

Founded in the latter half of the 19th century as a pros-

perous and naturally beautiful outpost of the Troy

Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church Round

Lake is an oasis off the beaten path The business sup-

ports community preservation by improving the proper-

ty is a taxpayer and employer and is a good neighbor

sponsoring a softball team and donating food to various

community events and organizations

Long-time Round Lake resident Susan Stratton is

enthusiastic about the presence of Lake Ridge which she

can walk to easily ldquoBesides the obvious ndash the food is

yummy ndash we welcome having such a cooperative flour-

ishing business in our communityrdquo she says

The restaurant thrives in the summer catering to sea-

sonal visitors but tables are set for lunch and dinner

every day except Monday year-round Burgeoning busi-

ness in Malta has driven a noon crowd to Lake Ridge for

unhurried salads soups burgers pasta and sandwiches

while in the evening some people make reservations for

Story By Helen Susan EdelmanPhotos by copystockstudiosphotographycom

Food for Thought

big cuisine magic in a very small town

10 | Simply Saratoga

their next dinner on the way out mdash especially wise

for Saturdays when all 80 seats are often occupied

Informal and genial as it is Lake Ridge is defi-

nitely a ldquofine diningrdquo destination complete with

tablecloths and elegant touches such as silverware

changed between courses Worth noting is the

physical comfort afforded by commodious furni-

ture eye-pleasing deacutecor and an intelligent floor

plan that affords privacy and mellow lighting The

restaurant features three lovely and distinctive din-

ing rooms a former deck enclosed with large win-

dows a warm center room that can accommodate

couples or groups and a small dining area up front

ideal for an intimate tecircte-a-tecircte A few years ago

the restaurant added a glistening mahogany bar

with high stools and a TV The handcrafted show-

case - designed milled and constructed by

McKennarsquos high school buddy Judd Storm and his

partner Bill Tedesco of Marketplace Millwork in

Troy - boasts an exceptional selection of red white

and sparkling wines and scotches bourbons and

beers in which the owners take special pride

Key to smooth operations is manager Diana

Murphy of Wilton who has been part of the busi-

ness since its inception six days a week She is clear

about her mission ldquoThink about the guests

whether you are adding a menu item putting flow-

ers on the table suggesting a wine or choosing wall

artrdquo

McKenna emphasizes Murphyrsquos critical input

ldquoShersquos been there since the beginning and we could-

nrsquot do it as well without herrdquo he says ldquoShersquos smart

and she pulls it together whatever it takesrdquo

The team commitment shows in every aspect of

the restaurant from the imaginative menu to spe-

cial events like wine dinners that keep Lake Ridge

exciting On center stage is the generous scrump-

tious food something for every palate ndash light appe-

tizer-size portions with sophisticated flavors or

hearty soul-satisfying repasts

Appetizers are taken seriously (shrimp and avo-

cado artichoke souffleacute eggplant Napoleon and a 4-

ounce filet mignon) but thatrsquos just the beginning

McKenna points particularly to the exceptional

entrees herb-crusted swordfish veal Jacqueline

(with mushrooms and crabmeat) and the enormous

pecan pork chop as customer favorites but the

menu extends far beyond these top picks with sea

bass (delicious) salmon rack of lamb rosemary

chicken steak duck and a roster of pastas

Simply Saratoga | 11

(Companion had a fabulous linguini tossed with ample

seafood) There are four crispy salads that incorporate

local ingredients when possible and a lineup of irre-

sistible desserts Sneak a peek at wwwlake-ridgecom

for the complete menu and prices

Itrsquos no surprise that Lake Ridge was voted Best

American Cuisine in the Capital Region by Metroland

readers in 2006 and that McKenna and Ringwood

were named Entrepreneurs of the Year by Southern

Saratoga Chamber of Commerce in 2005

But the highest praise of all comes in the form of a

loyal following and I can see that Companion is join-

ing the fold Succinct by nature he declares ldquoIrsquoll go

back for morerdquo

And Irsquoll go with him

Lake Ridge Restaurant 35 Burlington Ave Round Lake (Northway exit 11)Open Tuesday-Saturday lunch 1130 am - 230 pm dinner 430-845 pm Sunday dinner 3-8 pm (518)-899-6000wwwlake-ridgecom

sect

12 | Simply Saratoga

March 19 - 20 andMarch 26 - 27

2011

Simply Saratoga | 13

T ired of being lsquocooped uprsquo

with all the cold weather

and snow this winter

Why not go visit a maple produc-

tion facility to see first-hand how this

yummy syrup is made and sam-

ple some sweet delights

The Annual Maple

Weekend(s) are the last two

weekends in March and

there are numerous produc-

ers participating this year

Maple syrup is the first crop

and harvest of the year and of

course one of the sweetest Unlike most farming the crop or

maple trees doesnrsquot have to be re-planted every year Maple

producers literally lsquotaprsquo into the sap that starts moving up the

tree in the spring to nourish the branches to produce buds

When the weather gets warmer into the 40rsquos during the day that

is the signal that the sap is running Hard freezes at night are also

an important factor as that causes the sap to flow back down to the

roots at night This movement of sap can occur for upwards of six

weeks depending upon the weather

Tapping into the sap doesnrsquot harm the trees itrsquos like giving

blood But tapping trees that are too small can stunt their growth

It takes forty gallons of the sap to make only one gallon of maple

syrup As harvests go thatrsquos a very small ratio of raw material to

finished product

It may surprise you to learn that the only place in the world

where maple syrup is made is here in the northeastern United

States and in eastern Canada Take a quick trip this maple sea-

son to sample some pure delight here in the surrounding

Capital District area and celebrate this sweet harvest

For Maple Weekend information contact New York

State Maple Producerrsquos Association website at

wwwnysmaplecom or for a complete list of maple produc-

ers participating in Maple

Weekend visit

mapleweekendcomSubmitted byCaroline Foote Co-ownerMaple Hill Farm Cobleskill NYwwwMaplehillfarmsbiz(518) 234-4858mhfarmvcrbwildbluenet

sect

14 | Simply Saratoga

NopehellipIrsquom not suggesting you dye your wine green in honor

of St Paddyrsquos (although that might be fun) Irsquom talking about

ORGANIC wine What exactly makes a wine organic

Andhellipwhy should you try it

Strictly speaking an ldquoorganicrdquo wine is one crafted from organ-

ically grown grapes This is to say the grapes in the bottle have

been grown without the use of pesticides herbicides chemical

fertilizers or synthetic chemicals of any kind These chemical

agents are not allowed on the grapes or the soil in which the

grapes are grown What used to be termed ldquoorganic winerdquo is now

termed ldquowines made from organic grapesrdquo The distinction is

confusing to most including many of the winemakers In addi-

tion most consumers are led to believe that all wines made from

organic grapes do not contain any sulfites This is inaccurate The

fermenting yeasts which are present on ALL grape skins gener-

ate naturally-occurring sulfites in varying amounts So wines

COMPLETELY devoid of sulfites are an anomaly and are not

the wines you see on the shelf of your local wine shop Wines

LOW in sulfites or free of ADDED sulfites are what you will

find instead These wines will conform to the standards of organ-

ic practices and will not contain sulfites in an amount greater

than allowed by the USDA For those who are sensitive to sul-

fites or prefer to sip organic wines as a matter of philosophy

there are hundreds of organic wines that will satisfy Okay

enough of the chemistry lesson

More and more winemakers are embracing the idea of con-

forming to organic practices when creating their wines For

these farmers and winemakers maintaining a healthy and

active soil for the grapes to grow in is the key Farming and

cultivating using these methods encourages biodiversity

which also aids in regulating the soil In turn these meth-

ods protect both the environment and the workers in the

vineyardshellipcertainly not a bad thing So while just a few

years ago your options were a bit limited if you wanted to

ldquodrink greenrdquo now there are hundreds of options to choose

from At the forefront of this movement is a winery thatrsquos

located right in New York State In fact it is the first organic

winery in North America and is located right on the western

B ttle N tes

By Patricia Novo

Photos by Mark Bolles

GreenhellipGreenhellipWine

Simply Saratoga | 15

shore of Seneca

LakehellipFour Chimneys

Organic Winery

Established in 1980

Four Chimneys was

green before being

green was cool In addi-

tion to crafting their

wines in accordance

with the standards for

organic wine estab-

lished by the NOFA-

NY Certified Organic

they also do not utilize

any animal products in

their wines For these

reasons many vegetari-

ans embrace the Four

Chimneys wines as well and have contributed to their enor-

mous popularity Four Chimneys offers several interesting

wines ranging from dry to sweet and also features several

fruit-based wines that are extremely popular For those who

love Pinot Grigio their ldquoKingdom Whiterdquo is worth sampling

This is Four Chimneyrsquos driest white and is an ideal accompa-

niment to light seafood preparations ldquoKingdom Redrdquo also a

very dry wine is similar in texture to a Merlot and will please

Merlot drinkers offering full and rich berry and plum flavors

on the palate For those who enjoy a touch of sweetness in their

wines their ldquoEye of the Doverdquo is a slightly sweet Cabernet

Franc based red which is best served with a slight chill This

wine makes a lovely accompaniment to barbecue and other

dishes with a bit of smoke and heat Even sweeter on the scale

are their ldquoFirst Loverdquo and ldquoEye of the Beerdquo wines ldquoFirst Loverdquo

is most reminiscent of Riesling although it is based on the

Vidal grape This very fragrant wine is quite refreshing and

offers up aromas of fresh white peach and honey Their most

popular wine is ldquoEye of the Beerdquo a semi-sweet rose-colored

wine whose flavors and aromas mimic those of freshly picked

grapes off the vine Their offerings of fruit wines also are quite

popular These combine organically grown grapes with organ-

ically grown fruits from their farm With names like

ldquoHoneydew Moonrdquo ldquoCelestial Peachrdquo ldquoStrawberry

Meadowsrdquo and ldquoRaspberry Sunrdquo these sweet fruit wines

would make an interesting choice with your dessert and are

also delightful served alongside some soft ripened cheeses such

as Brie and Camembert and fresh fruit

This is just a small introduction to the world of organic

wines For additional information or if you have specific ques-

tions about the differences among organic wines please stop in

and chat with me about this very popular subject I am more

than happy to answer any additional questions that you might

have Cheers sect

Patricia Novo is the owner of Crush amp Cask Wine and Spirits at170 South Broadway in Saratoga Springs She holds anAssociates Degree in Culinary Arts from SCCC and also serves ontheir Advisory Board Patricia also has certification in Wine andSpirits from the WSET as well as an Aficionado of WineCertification from the Robert Parker and Kevin Zraly WineProgram She is pursuing her Sommelier certification in Winter2011

16 | Simply Saratoga

Savethe

DateHomemade Theater Presents HARVEY

Homemade Theater Spa State Park South Broadway Saratoga SpringsElwood P Dowd is a gentle soul ndash kind hearted and

loving He has only one flaw ndash his invisible six foot-tall rabbit companion Harvey His family convincesElwood to commit himself to a sanitarium Then thelunacy really begins Multiple mistaken identities lotsof laughs and Harvey is on the loose Does the worldneed more lsquonormal peoplersquo Will you see Harvey

April 22 23 29 30 amp May 6 7 at 8 pm and May1 and 8 at 2 pm Tickets are $23 and $26 Visit home-madetheaterorg for more information

Celebrate Earth Week Recycled Art Show

Saratoga National Historical Park 648 Rte 32Stillwater

Weekend-long exhibit beginning on Friday April15 through Sunday April 17 with original works ofldquorecycled artrdquo with each piece containing at least50 reclaimed or recycled materials For more infor-mation please visit npsgovsara or phone (518) 664-9821 ext 224

Easter Egg HuntMalta Community Center 1 Bayberry DrFrom 10 to 11 am on Saturday April 16 please reg-

ister by April 8 by calling (518) 899-4411 Residentsof Malta $6 non-residents $7 Please bring your ownEaster basket to collect your eggs

Washington County Farm and Fiber Tour

On April 24 and 25 bring the family to this freetour to visit alpacas bunnies goats sheep and lambsllamas and meet the farmers and their familiesWatch spinning knitting weaving and felting demon-strations Learn about raising the livestock and petsthat we cherish For more information visitwwwwashingtoncountyfibertourorg

Geocache Easter Egg HuntGalway Preserve 2519 Crane RdOn Saturday April 30 find some eggs find some

caches and find some friends (or make new ones) asyou and your children search throughout the preservePrizes for found eggs will include candy toys geo-items and more Drinks and snacks will be availableThis event will be led by Chris Parker Preserve stewardand geocacher extraordinare For more informationcall Saratoga PLAN at (518) 587-4555

Hadley Maple FestivalHeld on Rockwell St on Saturday April 30 this

event runs all day from 8 am to 4 pm Bring the fami-ly for everything maple Visit wwwhadleybusinessas-sociationnet for more information

MapleWeekendsMarch 19-20th

amp 26-27th

See Pages 12-13

Simply Saratoga | 17

Saratoga Springs Mardi Gras FestivalHeld at various locations downtown Saratoga on

Saturday April 30 this event benefits Saratoga EOCand the Giving Circle For more information visitsaratogamardigrasorg

British Army Spring Training DaySaratoga National Historical Park 648 Rte 32

StillwaterOn May 7 from 10 am to 4 pm The cold winter has

ended and a new campaign season begins Soldiersdrill camp followers mend clothes and the armyprepares to quell the American ldquorebellionrdquo See thetroops and decide the outcome of a re-enacted courtmartial

St Clements Horse ShowYaddo grounds next to Oklahoma TrackHeld May 3 to May 8 and May 11 to May 15 This

is one of the largest horse shows on the east coastFor more information visit saintclementshorse-showcom

18 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 19

Prom

T h i s W a y

20 | Simply Saratoga

Glamor

ous

Daz

zling

Elega

ntFlir

ty

Gor

geou

s

Girls

itrsquos

Show

time

Simply Saratoga | 21

Web

Extras

See

the

pics tha

t didn

rsquot

mak

e it in

the

Mag

azine

on

SaratogaB

ridalEXPO

com

Grecian

God

dess

Athe

na

Classic B

eaut

y

Holly

wood

Glamou

r

Wild

and

Untam

edElega

nt

22 | Simply Saratoga

The current economic and market environment has prompt-

ed many Americans to rethink their retirement strategies If

you are experiencing a job transitionmdashparticularly if the tran-

sition is unplanned and unexpectedmdashsuch a reassessment may

be particularly important for you While it may be tempting to

focus more on your immediate needs you should not lose sight

of long-term goals especially your retirement strategy

Some Basic Decisions Your employer-sponsored retirement plan is likely to be a

key component of your retirement strategy Because it repre-

sents a key source of future retirement income it is important

to carefully consider your alternatives for administering these

assets During a job transition you will usually have three

options take a lump-sum distribution leave your assets in the

employer-sponsored plan or move your assets into a Rollover

IRA

Taking a direct lump-sum distributionmdashWith this

option the assets in your plan are distributed directly to you in

a lump sum which provides you with immediate access to

your funds Depending on your short-term needs that may

appear to be an attractive alternative However a distribution

will likely result in substantial federal and state income taxes

and a 10 percent IRS penalty tax which can significantly

reduce the amount of the distribution Because you will be

receiving the distribution directly the plan administrator must

withhold up to 20 percent of the value of the distribution for

federal income tax purposes Moreover you will lose the ben-

efit of the tax-deferred status of these assets which could

reduce the amount ultimately available to you at retirement

The status quo optionmdashYou can decide to do nothing

leaving your assets in your former employerrsquos plan That will

protect the tax-deferred status of your assets and allow you to

transfer the account assets at a later time to a new employerrsquos

retirement plan that accepts rollovers But you may be limiting

your investment choices and control because employer plans

typically have a restricted investment menu and require the

consent of your spouse before you can name someone else as

a beneficiary

Establishing a Rollover IRAmdashA Rollover IRA simultane-

ously addresses the issues of taxation flexibility and control

and may hold significant benefits for you as a result

Submitted by H Michael Okby Wealth Advisor

Fin

ancia

l Protecting Your RetirementInvestmentsDuring a JobTransition

If your distribution is transferred directly to a custodian rather than

to you the Rollover IRA eliminates the withholding requirement and

penalties that may result from a lump-sum distribution

The entire rollover amount can be investedimmediately according to the strategy youspecify bull Your assets and any earnings continue to have the potential to

grow tax-deferred until you retire and begin taking withdrawals

bull You may gain access to a wider range of investment options and

more retirement planning and distribution flexibility

bull You can name any beneficiary including a trust without

needing the consent of your spouse (although special rules may

apply in community property states)

For example investment products in an employer plan are usually

limited to mutual funds and company stock With a self-directed

Rollover IRA you can work with your financial professional to struc-

ture a portfolio using stocks bonds annuities and other investments

utilizing an asset allocation1 that is customized to help you meet your

retirement investment objectives And your retirement strategy can be

further tailored with a wider range of beneficiary selection and distri-

bution choices

Consider Consolidation This may also be an excellent time to deal with multiple IRAs you

may have opened over the years and with account balances you may

have left in the plans of former employers Together these assets may

represent a significant sum There are good reasons to consider con-

solidating them all in a Rollover IRA

Comprehensive investment strategymdashIt can be difficult to main-

tain an effective investment strategymdashone that accurately reflects

your goals timing and risk tolerancemdashwhen assets are spread among

multiple financial institutions When you consolidate your financial

professional can help you ensure that these assets are part of your

overall asset allocation strategy that is reflective of your current

financial situation and long-term retirement goals

Greater investment flexibilitymdashA self-directed IRA generally

offers you the ability to choose from a wide range of investment

products including stocks bonds mutual funds annuities and more

Simplified trackingmdashIt is easier to monitor your progress and

investment results when all your retirement savings are in one place

because you will receive one statement instead of several That sim-

plifies your life while protecting the environment

Lower costsmdashReducing the number of accounts may also reduce

your account fees and other investment-related charges

Dealing with one account rather than several also simplifies

the distribution processmdashincluding complying with complex min-

imum distribution rules when you reach age 70 And you avoid the

risk of losing track of your retirement accounts or access to the

account assets should your former employer merge with another

company or go out of business Your financial professional can help

you assess your alternatives so you can make decisions based on

whatrsquos best for you You may find that this time of transition holds

benefits for your retirement assets

For more information please contact H Michael Okby at (518) 583-5601

sect

Simply Saratoga | 23

24 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 25

Summer camp is a place wherelifelong memories are made

This is where our children learnto cultivate their interests andordiscover a world of new activities tohelp their young minds grow andfor them to become physically fit

Even though there may be snowon the ground when you read thisit is never too early to think aboutyour childrenrsquos summer fun Weare blessed in this region with avariety of destinations providing awealth of activities

And while there is something foreveryone early planning is a mustto assure your child has a spot inone of these great places At theend of a long winter seasonthoughts of summer camp arerejuvenating for adults as well

Summer Camp Guide 2011

YMCA Camp Chingachgook

NdakinnaNdakinna Education Center located in

Greenfield Center offers a wide variety of

summer camp programs and activities that

will provide campers with a greater

respect and understanding for the natural

world as well as the Northeastrsquos rich

Native American history Hosted by

renowned author and wilderness and sur-

vival expert James Bruchac these pro-

grams are ideal for children with a sense

of adventure and natural wonder Summer

programs are divided into two groups

children ages three to eight and older

campers ages nine to fourteen Programs

range in duration from one to two weeks

26 | Simply Saratoga

YMCA Camp Chingachgook located on beauti-

ful Lake George has three camping options sleep-

away camp day camp and adventure trips

Summer sleep-away camp is the experience of a

lifetime The camp is divided into junior and sen-

ior boys and girls units junior campers between

the ages of seven and 12 and senior campers are 13

to 15 years old All Chingachgook counselors go

through extensive two-week training and prepa-

ration prior to the beginning of the first session

Campers will enjoy a full schedule of skill

classes which they can choose on their own

and special events and programs Campers can

choose from swimming water skiing canoeing

nature arts outdoor living skills theater news-

paper riflery archery dance guitar outdoor

cooking sports zone water world woodwork-

ing softball soccer tennis photography sail-

ing high ropes mountain biking and rock

climbing Each camper sets up their own daily

schedule of four skill classes at the start of the

session

Two-week camp sessions at Chingachgook

also include a three-day hike which allows

campers to get out and experience the wilder-

ness in a fun and safe atmosphere

Chingachgook also offers a variety of unique

adventure camps for children looking to explore

unique destinations and experience a whole new

level of fun options like sailing kayak-

ing boat building rock climbing canoe-

ing community service white-water

rafting hiking and backpacking bicycle

touring and mountain biking Adventure

campers will benefit from activities with

smaller coed groups of ten or less

Day Camp at Chingachgook is a fun

option for children ages five to ten

Campers will enjoy a full day of fun

activities from 930 am to 430 pm The

Day Camp program is divided into eight

one-week segments with the first session

starting on June 28 and the final session

starting on August 16 Each session has

a different theme

Spaces are limited at Chingachgook

so be sure to sign up as soon as possible

For more information to sign up for a

tour or to register for camp visit

wwwcapitaldistrictymcacom or call

(518) 656-9462

each covering a different skill or activity such

as animal tracking basic wilderness survival

skills and shelter building Native American

storytelling and games and nature-based arts

and crafts projects will teach campers to have

fun in the great outdoors Each camp program

promotes team building natural awareness

patience and confidence

Ndakinna also offers family camp pro-

grams which allow children and their parents

to experience the outdoors together Family

programs can accommodate children ages one

to 14 These programs offer the

same skills training and team-

building activities To view the

finalized calendar of programs

and events visit

wwwNdcenterorg

Cutting Edge Martial ArtsCutting Edge Martial Artrsquos A+ After

School and Summer Camp Program is a year-

round child care solution that provides a pos-

itive structured environment for children

after school and during the day in the sum-

mer During the school year we pick chil-

dren up directly from the local elementary

and middle schools and provide an hour les-

son that starts with our ldquoMat Chatrdquo a ten

minute character education lesson for the day

followed by a full 50 minute martial arts

class Parents have a window between 5 and

545 pm to pick up their children while chil-

dren have the opportunity after class to get

their homework started

During the summer children get all the

benefits of our A+ Program but on a grander

scale We offer nine weeks of full day camps

and have no minimum or maximum number

of days per week or number of weeks that a

student can attend Each week of camp we

have a curriculum of character education

lessons fun games and a one hour martial

arts class every day We watch a movie in

the afternoons twice a week have a video

game morning on Fridays and take all our

campers on an educa-

tional outing on

Wednesdays and a

fun and exciting out-

ing every Friday

Our average camp

size is 20-25 stu-

dents and we have

three full time staff

graphed by Sarah Sutliff

Saratoga Childrenrsquos Theatre also offers a one-

week camp at the end of the summer ldquoMaster

your Auditionrdquo This camp will help your child

get ready for fall and winter auditions These

audition workshops have been very popular and

sell out quickly Any child at any skill level with

an interest in performing arts is welcome to join

in on the fun Saratoga Childrenrsquos Theatre

Executive Director Meg Kelly aims to give each

camper the most rewarding and enjoyable camp

experience and every camper will get to perform

The Saratoga Childrenrsquos Theatre hires profes-

sionals to help your child gain the most from

their summer camp experience

The cost for a two-week session is $450 and

$250 for the one-week session For more infor-

mation visit wwwsaratogachildrenstheatreorg

or call (518) 580-1782

For kids who have a passion for per-

forming arts Saratoga Childrenrsquos Theatre

summer camp is a dream come true

Saratoga Childrenrsquos Theatre offers per-

formance camps which means each

camper will be working on a full-fledged

production throughout their session

Campers will learn all aspects of perform-

ance and will have the opportunity to per-

form in two shows at the end of camp a

matinee and an evening show are both

open to the public Campers will perform

on stage at St Petersrsquo Auditorium

Saratoga Springs Camp hours are 9am-

3pm Performance camp is divided into

two age groups

Ages 6-9 will participate in one week

camps These camps will include Disneyrsquos

Sleeping Beauty kids Cinderella kids

Aristocats kids 101 Dalmatians kids and

Lemonade These camps will be directed by

Megan OrsquoSullivan a local elementary school

music teacher and assisted by Karey

Trimmings also a local elementary school

music teacher

Ages 10-18 will participate in two-week

camps Each camp will practice and perform a

different show These

camps include

Thoroughly Modern

Mille Jr Cinderella Jr

Fiddler on the Roof Jr

and Once on this Island

Jr These camps will be

directed by Michael

Lotano local actor and

elementary school music

teacher and choreo-

Saratoga Childrenrsquos Theatre

Simply Saratoga | 27

working with our students

Our goal is to provide a family-friendly

and fun environment that feels like a home

away from home Our students have fun

learning skills that can be used every day of

their lives and we try to provide memories

that will last a lifetime For many our

summer camps are a wonderful introduc-

tion to martial arts

For more information visit

wwwsaratogamartialartscom

or call (518) 587-5501

28 | Simply Saratoga

Saratoga Independent SchoolSaratoga Independent School hosts a variety of summer

programs split into two age groups three to eight year-olds

Wilton Recreation CampWilton Recreation offers a full-day summer

camp program for children in grades one

through nine With available pre-camp and

post-camp care working parents can ensure

their children are having fun in a safe environ-

ment before and after the camprsquos regular 9 am to

3 pm hours Parents who register their children

for before and after camp care can drop off their

children prior to camp opening at 830 am and

can pick them up at 530 pm Bussing is avail-

able for Wilton residents who register for regu-

lar camp hours (9 am to 3 pm)

Wilton Recreation Camp offers a full sched-

ule of daily onsite activities themed events and

exciting trips for kids who register for off-site

adventures Daily on-site activities include arts

and crafts sports playground fun and other

organized group games This yearrsquos scheduled

field trips include Million Dollar Beach in Lake

George movie days at Proctors Theater

Saratoga County Fair bowling white water

rafting and at least two swimming days per

week at Peerless Pool

The Summer 2011 camp will open on

June 27 and run until August

12 Registration begins

March 14 at Gavin Park and

will close on June 3 As

there are only 300 spaces

available be sure to mark

your calendar Camp

registration forms are

available online at

wwwtownofwiltoncom or

can be picked up weekdays

at Gavin Park 9 am to 5 pm

For any other questions

please call the park office at (518) 584-9455

and seven to 14 year-olds The weeklong programs run from July 5

to August 19

Saratoga Independent School summer programs are staffed large-

ly by their own teachers so parents can rest assured their kids are

supervised in a safe environment with experienced teachers who are

knowledgeable about child development and hands-on

programming

For the younger group weekly themed programs run from 9 am

to noon (early drop-off at 830 available) The staff-to-camper ratio

is one to six for children ages three and four and one to ten for chil-

dren ages five to eight Themed programs include ldquoCooking with

Curiosityrdquo ldquoHawaiian Hullabaloordquo ldquoHands-On Science Funrdquo

ldquoHoliday-A-Dayrdquo ldquoGood Versus Evil Imaginations Run Wildrdquo

ldquoDinosaur Discoveryrdquo ldquoIn the Jungle the Mighty Junglerdquo

Activities take place both indoors and outdoors

The selection of enrichment programs for older children is even

more extensive this year than in the past Some programs will take

place in the mornings others in the afternoon Age ranges will vary

depending on the subject matter These specialty programs give chil-

dren an opportunity to develop new interests and expand on existing

skills Programs include ldquoCartooning and Morerdquo ldquoImprovisationrdquo

ldquoKnittingrdquo ldquoOpen Art Studiordquo ldquoYou Can Do Magicrdquo ldquoGet Up and

Dancerdquo ldquoRoaring into Robots Whatrsquos Nextrdquo ldquoArt in the Ancient

Worldrdquo ldquoMad Sciencerdquo ldquoComputer Video Game Creationrdquo

ldquoAdvanced Robot Challengesrdquo and ldquoArt-Math Connectionrdquo

Registration has already begun and the programs fill up quickly so

visit wwwsiskidsorg for more information and to secure a space

for your child

Simply Saratoga | 29

Are your kids looking for an adventure this summer The

Saratoga Regional YMCA has two exciting day camps available

Camp Starhitch held at the Wilton Branch which engages children

with a multitude of fun activities and a trip each week and Travel

Camp where participants meet at the Saratoga Springs Branch and

then travel off to fun and thrilling places each day

Camp Starhitch is for children having completed Kindergarten

through entering fifth grade Campers will participate in games

sports crafts nature activities trips swimming archery and more

Each week is planned around a theme and includes a trip For exam-

ple during ldquo70rsquos Flashbackrdquo week campers will go roller skating

during ldquoThe Wild Frontierrdquo week kids will have the opportunity to

go horseback riding and during ldquoTropical Paradiserdquo week partici-

pants may ldquocatch a gnarly waverdquo at an outdoor water park

Travel Camp is definitely for the action seeker and for those who

like to be on the go This program for youth entering fifth through

tenth grade provides campers an opportunity to travel each and every

day to fun-filled locations Participants explore different summer

activities that include amusement and water parks outdoor sports

fairs and horseback riding This year the trips include a visit to Hunter

Mountain Six Flags New England Tubing on the Battenkill NY

Mets game at Citi Field the NY State Fair and more

Camp Starhitch and Travel Camp both run for nine one-week ses-

sions You may choose to attend camp for one week or any combina-

tion of weeks Experienced counselors supervise children and a ratio

of 110 ensures a safe quality camping experience CPR and First Aid

certified camp staff will be present on all trips At Travel Camp

campers will be grouped according to age and are supervised by expe-

rienced adult staff

Camp Starhitch has two day camp options for your child Option A

allows for your child to be dropped off at 9 am and picked up at 4 pm

and Option B has a 7 am drop off time and a 6 pm pick up time

Travel Camp runs from 9 am to 430 pm and extended hours are

available at no additional cost This year transportation will be provid-

ed in both directions between the Saratoga Springs and Wilton

branches Pickups will be as early as 815 am and drop-offs will be

as late as 5 pm Both camps try to cater to working parents

In addition the Saratoga Regional YMCA is committed to provid-

ing a safe and welcoming environment for all campers by incorporat-

ing the YMCAcore values of caring honesty respect and responsibil-

ity in daily activities To promote safety and comfort for all individu-

als are asked to act appropriately at all times when at the Yrsquos facilities

or participating in Y programs All campers are required to read and

sign a contract of understanding in reference to the Code of Conduct

We expect persons using the YMCAto act maturely to behave respon-

sibly and to respect the rights and dignity of all othersmdashall while

having a good time

The Y also has opportunities available for those who may not have

the resources to send their children to camp The Y provides scholar-

ships for those who qualify Scholarships are made possible due to

the generous donations of Y members the community and businesses

to the ldquoWe Build Peoplerdquo scholarship campaign held by the Saratoga

Regional YMCA each year Scholarship applications are available at

all Saratoga Regional YMCA branches and online at wwwsaratogare-

gionalymcaorg

Registration is currently ongoing and fills up quickly Registration

forms are available at any of the Saratoga Regional YMCA Branches

or at wwwsaratogaregionalymcaorg For more information about

these day camps please contact Ilene Leverence at (518) 583-9622

ext 103 for Camp Starhitch and Patti Laudicina at (518) 583-9622

ext 110 or Paige Minear ext 116 for Travel Camp

Saratoga YMCA

30 | Simply Saratoga

Ask women about the greatest threat to their health and most will

respond incorrectly with the words ldquobreast cancerrdquo While breast cancer

certainly is of concern the truth is that women are 10 times more like-

ly to die from heart disease Breast cancer kills 1 in 25 women heart

disease claims 1 in 2

The most recent statistics available indicate that cardiovascular dis-

ease causes the death of 500000 women per year ndash more than ALL

forms of cancer combined This is a rate of epidemic proportion

Little or no warning

Two-thirds of women die suddenly from heart disease without expe-

riencing any warning symptoms The majority die before they even

reach the hospital and before any attempt at treatment is possible Early

screening and the detection that leads to prevention offer the only hope

of reducing these deaths

Women who do develop heart disease tend to fare worse than men

One reason is that on average heart disease peaks 10 years later in

women than in men At this older age women are less able to withstand

the stress of the disease The proof can be found in a disturbing statis-

tic One year after their first heart attack 44 percent of women are dead

compared with 27 percent of men

Clearly for women preventing that first heart attack would make an

enormous difference

Know the risks

What can be done to prevent and detect heart disease in women

Of foremost importance is to reduce ndash or if possible eliminate ndash the

conditions that cause or accelerate the growth of blockages in the arter-

ies of the heart These conditions known as risk factors include high

Women Take this warning to heart

Story By Andrij O Baran MD

blood pressure diabetes genetic high cholesterol a high-fat

diet an inactive lifestyle smoking and cocaine use

Some damage the lining of the heartrsquos arteries speeding the

buildup of cholesterol Others raise blood cholesterol Both

smoking and cocaine use speed blood clotting They also can

cause sudden cramps or spasms in the coronary arteries cut-

ting off the entire blood supply to portions of the heart even

without a cholesterol blockage

A woman who has one or more of these risk factors should

ask her doctor how best to control them She also should ask

about further screening and testing such as stress testing

The sooner the better

Lifestyle changes and medications can have a dramatic

impact on reducing the incidence of heart attack provided cho-

lesterol blockages are detected early ndash before damage to the

heart has occurred In fact drugs that lower cholesterol alone

have been unequivocally shown to reduce the risk of heart

attack and death by up to 50 percent

When added to a program of low-fat diet exercise control

of high blood pressure and diabetes and above all else no

smoking the benefits are magnified many times over Keep in

mind of course that these drugs work only if they are taken

and taken appropriately

By knowing and changing their risk factors all women can

ensure themselves of a longer and more vibrant life

Andrij O Baran MD FACC is the Medical Director of

Cardiology Services at Saratoga Hospital

Simply Saratoga | 31

A c t F a s t D u r i n g H e a r t A t t a c k s According to the American Heart

Association clot-busting drugs can stop

some heart attacks in progress reducing

disability and saving lives They work best

given within one hour of when heart

attack signs begin Thatrsquos why itrsquos impor-

tant to recognize the warning signs of a

heart attack and act right away

Warning Signs

bull Pain or discomfort in the jaw

neck or back

bull Feeling weak lightheaded or faint

bull Chest paindiscomfort

bull Paindiscomfort in the arms or

shoulder

bull Shortness of breath

If you think that you or someone you

know is having a heart attack call 911

immediately

32 | Simply Saratoga

Who would believe that a rabbi from Eastern

Europe frozen for 150 years in a block of ice could

be transported across time and space to Memphis

where he thaws then becomes a spiritual guru to

baby boomers Arguably nobody But Steve Stern

the author of ldquoThe Frozen Rabbirdquo his most recent

novel isnrsquot asking readers to believe it so much as

to let the characters tell their story Besides the plot

may be far-fetched but he already has a buyer for

the movie rights

Writer-in-residence at Skidmore College Stern is

a genius at creating human beings in fantastical cir-

cumstances who seem more like eccentric neigh-

bors than artifacts of science fiction Some fly

some inhabit other peoplersquos dreams some are res-

urrected and some travel through time Whatever

their superpowers or frailties the heroes and vil-

lains tricksters and innocents and witnesses and

bystanders in Sternrsquos short and long fiction deserve

attention and evoke compassion in their quest for

connection and redemption - or at least food and

shelter From within an inexhaustible vein of

Jewish folklore and oral history his characters

emerge into a lucid fictional universe that embraces

both magic and the mundane Dialogue is ironic as

often as it is mystical and the most ordinary days

serve as backdrops for incredible events

ldquoMiracles are commonplacerdquo says Stern a

Ballston Spa resident ldquoI donrsquot write in metaphors

and symbols deliberately Writing is a visceral

experience for me I read with interest what review-

ers say about my repetitive themes and ideas but I

am driven by images and characters Irsquom a compul-

sive storytellerrdquo

Steve Stern A Lyrical Voice in the Ghetto

B

o

o

k

m

a

r

k

Lean bespectacled and haloed in dark curls Stern

is a Memphis native who grew up in a home bereft

of music books and art in a city made famous by

Elvis Presley (who used to drive through Sternrsquos

neighborhood) and Martin Luther Kingrsquos assassina-

tion He remembers himself as ldquoa mediocre adoles-

cent without confidence or spiritual antennardquo first

stirred to write poetry in high school which he read

aloud for attention

ldquoI was surprised people liked itrdquo he says ldquoAnd I

liked writing it even though it embarrassed me But

I was encouraged to go on and later to try proserdquo

The allure of the late lsquo60s and early lsquo70s was not

academic After college Stern wandered through

Europe then worked as a butcher on a hippie com-

mune in the Ozarks raising pigs and eating off the

land ldquoI slept under five blankets and two dogsrdquo he

recalls (The incarnation has been memorialized in a

comic strip by Sternrsquos girlfriend Sabrina a cartoon-

ist and set designer for Saturday Night Live)

The commune was not too far from the University

of Arkansas where Stern attended graduate school

and played volleyball with Bill and Hillary Clinton

ldquoI hoped he would mention me in his inaugural

addressrdquo Stern sighs

With an MA Stern found teaching gigs at vari-

ous colleges but the work dried up forcing him to

take a job at a folklore center in Memphis first tran-

scribing stories about the black community then

launching a life-changing project to preserve the

stories of the fading Jewish population in a desolate

Memphis ghetto known as ldquoThe Pinchrdquo where

many of his stories are set

Story By Helen Susan Edelman

ldquoBernie scrunched his face in thought Gone was his waryimpulse to keep everything secret and there were times of latewhen he felt almost reckless almost ready to tell the world whileon the other hand he suspected he may have already confided toomuch ldquoI thinkrdquo he said after some consideration ldquoIrsquom startingto outgrow myselfrdquo

mdash Steve Stern ldquoThe Frozen Rabbirdquo

Photo by Josh GerritsenSteve Stern

Simply Saratoga | 33

ldquoIt was intoxicatingrdquo says Stern ldquoI became obsessed with

itrdquo Indeed his work is infused with the folklore images lan-

guage archetypes settings rituals and values embedded in

the memories he recorded and in the vast Jewish and Yiddish

literature he has studied since

A non-observant Jew Stern had no relationship with his

religion so the introduction to his exotic legacy was both

anchor and springboard for a prolific new consciousness

ldquoThe floodgates openedrdquo he says ldquoSuddenly this world

began to materialize for me What had been barren neighbor-

hoods I could see vividly as tenements and shops a town

square street traffic merchants pawnbrokers rabbis chil-

drenhellipimmigrants from Eastern Europe looking for a homerdquo

Stern is comfortable writing about transcendent wisdom as

long as itrsquos his characterrsquos voice

and not his own

dispensing the

insights The

frozen rabbi in

the book of the

same name for

example ldquoradiates

within his zone of

influence and is a

spiritual catalyst

for anyone who

encounters himrdquo

says Stern ldquowhere-

as I am a clicheacute a

Jew who grew up

without an identityrdquo

A winner of both

Guggenheim and

Fulbright fellowships

as well as the National

Jewish Book Award

the Pushcart Prize an

OrsquoHenry Prize and the Edward Lewis Wallant Award Stern

is working on a new novel and rereading Faulkner Tolstoy

Dickens and Joyce

He views each new writing project as ldquoa riskrdquo Experience

last summer also reminded him of the evanescence of popu-

larity he gave two readings one in Memphis which drew

such a crowd that doors had to be locked and one in St

Louis where he commanded an audience of four

ldquoJust like the characters in my storiesrdquo Stern observes ldquoI

encounter conflicts look for a way to escape and face mixed

consequencesrdquo sect

How is your mental state these days Are

you experiencing peace and joy in every-

day life or frustration and impatience Are

you living your life ldquoon purposerdquo or going

through the motions feeling numb and dead

on the inside How is the garden of your

mind Are you tending to your garden or letting

the weeds take over

When I lived in Boston I lived next door to an elder-

ly woman who had a beautiful garden Every morning my

neighbor was outside in her floral moo moo (circa Mrs

Roper from Threersquos Company) tending carefully to each

plant and flower She would spend hours walking around her

garden joyfully humming and making sure her flowers were

strong and healthy Many mornings I would sip my coffee

and watch her peacefully pulling out the weeds and tending

to her precious flowers To this day I remember how tall and

lovely her sunflowers were I think our mental state can be

compared to tending to a garden do we have beautiful sun-

flowers of joy and peace or toxic weeds of bitterness and

guilt

The weeds in your heart and mind are feelings of bitterness

anger guilt self-loathing and negativity Do you spend your

days reviewing the list of those that have offended

you Do you beat yourself up daily for past mis-

takes or regrets These are the weeds that can

take over your mind and lead to racing

thoughts a dark depression constant

anxiety or physical illness and

chronic pain If you are someone

that is easily frustrated impatient

and critical you can be sure you

34 | Simply Saratoga

Tending to theGarden of Your MindDealing with the Weeds in your Life

Simple Truths

have some weeds to deal with

The only path to peace and joy in your everyday life is to

pull your weeds out from the root and confront the issues

Holding on to your weeds only makes you ill and deadens

your heart Did you know that people who are full of bitter-

ness and resentment appear older and are not as physically

attractive as people who are full of peace and love The

weeds in your heart and mind can actually make you ugly

Likewise a mind that is content and peaceful gives us a

sparkle and light in our eyes that people are automatically

attracted to Forget the anti-wrinkle cream and Botox Fill

your heart and mind up with the best kept beauty secret

around love and forgiveness

Forgiveness is not about letting the person who hurt you

off the hook Forgiveness IS allowing light into our hearts

so that we can heal and move forward It takes the heavy

burden of offense and resentment off of our hearts and

minds while preparing the ldquosoilrdquo for new growth and

experiences

When possible confront the people you need to forgive

so that you can have closure and move on If it is not pos-

sible to confront the person that is the weed in your life

write them a letter expressing your hurt and anger (not to

send but in a private journal) This is a wonderful way to

give yourself closure and put your feelings out on the table

More often than not the person we have to forgive or con-

front is ourselves If you are constantly beating yourself up

and feeling guilty about your past make a choice to forgive

yourself

Donrsquot be lazy about your weeds Dig deep and pull out

your weeds so that you can make room for peace and joy

We all desire to feel love and be accepted That accept-

Meghan DLemery LCSW-R

Simply Saratoga | 35

ance starts with you Begin to focus on peaceful loving joyful

thoughts Keep a gratitude journal of what you love about your-

self or the loved ones in your life Practice planting seeds of joy

by giving acceptance and love to everyone around you

Take time to practice patience and kindness to your family

friends colleagues and that slow cashier at the grocery store Go

out of your way to help others in any way that you can All of

these acts of kindness plant the seeds of peace love joy and

abundance

As we approach the new season of spring take some time to

tend to the garden of your mind

Wishing you love self-acceptance and peace this spring and

always

Ms Lemery is a psychotherapist practic-ing in Saratoga Springs and QueensburyShe can be reached at meghanle-meryyahoocom

Her first novel will be pub-lished this Spring TitledldquoPlease Pass the BarbieShoesrdquo it is a hilarious heart-warming story that will haveyou feeling inspiredand empowered

sect

36 | Simply Saratoga

Living Room The custom-designed leather couch chair andottoman come from Suttons The stucco fireplace was inspired by theCollinsrsquo travels through the Southwest and Colorado (ldquowe wanted to avoida traditional river rock fireplacerdquo) and provides a heat source as well asbeauty The original structure was built for passive solar design no airconditioning is needed in the summer A wood stove is the primary heatsource radiant heat with natural gas was also added during the renova-tion

The front door as well as all the interior doors was custom-made fittedand replaced by Tom Zanetti Hickory wood floors were also installed dur-ing the addition A hanging stained glass chandelier is a stock itemobtained from a leading home supply retailer ldquoIt captures the sunlightbeautifully along with providing brilliant nighttime illuminationrdquo Tedsaid ldquoItrsquos an eclectic mixrdquo

Simply Saratoga | 37

Today we look at a creative space that is set into a special place

In 1993 Ted and Susan Collins purchased a seven-acre property

with a 1986 Timberpeg designed home that has all the qualities of

a place in the country ndash yet many would be surprised to learn that

it is actually located on the border of Saratoga Springs near the

Alpine Shop on Clinton Street After a number of years living in

apartments on Union Avenue and Franklin Square enjoying the

proximity to downtown and the track they couldnrsquot resist a spot

that was close to town but yet had lots of land

Their overall vision was for an interior space that was in accord

with the outside ndash the wildlife gardens and the sustainable philos-

ophy embodied in the original buildingrsquos passive solar design

ldquoEverything we do embraces the goals of staying true to the orig-

inal structure having an open welcoming interior and being in

harmony with the outdoorsrdquo Ted said

Inspired by travels in balance with the land

Story By Arthur GonickPhotos by copystockstudiosphotographycom

These principles guided a major transformation of the interior

space in 2006 The key element was an addition to the home that

enabled the living room kitchen and upstairs bedroom to be

expanded allowing space for the installation of a downstairs bath

as well

Susan and Ted led this transformation - visualizing an addition

that incorporated equilibrium of size location and overall propor-

tion They went through several iterations with Rick Deforest of

Heritage Timberframes

Even though much of the interior decor came from travels in

Africa the South Pacific and Colorado the building materials and

craftsmen are all local The timbers and wood flooring were milled

in nearby Kingsbury ldquoWe enjoyed working with professionals who

are also friends like Rick Deforest Tom Zanetti and Mike

Roohanrdquo Ted said ldquothe house now feels complete in balancerdquo sect

Unique Places and Creative Spaces If you would like to nominate a unique

or creative place to be featured emailentertainmentsaratogapublishingcom

38 | Simply Saratoga

Kitchen A wall was taken out that afforded space to add an eat-in island area and

open up the space Custom cabinets are by Tom Zanetti Stonework andappliances were added Both the kitchen and bathroom have granite table-tops (from Mike and Margaret Roohan of Granite and Marble Works)New appliances include a Bosch stove (with a built-in microwave drawer)and an Amana stainless refrigerator

Bathroom The bathroom ceiling is pine The showerarea was designed and built to the Collinsrsquo specifications andfeatures a bench 4 shower heads PLUS an extra hand-held one(ldquoItrsquos a human car washrdquo) The stone tiles on the sides and floorin the shower were installed by Best Tile the plumbing in theshower comes from Aird Dorrance as does the sink ndash which sitson a granite top from Granite and Marble Works The windowleads out to the north side of the house with privacy blinds insidethe window panes One thing you donrsquot see ldquoSince the room ison display in the center of the expanded first floor we wanted thecommode to be mostly hiddenrdquo Ted said

Unique Places and Creative Spaces

Simply Saratoga | 39

Living RoomA reading nook sits upon the bathroom addition ldquoThere was no full bathroom on the first

floor and with a post and beam construction we had to be creative You get outstanding viewsof the property pond and stream when viewed from the nookrsquos perspectiverdquo The ladder canswing out on a track making it more like walking up a staircase ndash this was also designed andinstalled by Tom Zanetti The table in the nook is actually a working African drum with a glasstable top added

40 | Simply Saratoga

Bedroom In the second-floor master bedroom moving the dormer brought in extra light and space and

also brought the roofline together with the original structure and first-floor additions The floorand ceiling are made of rough-cut pine planking The bed is also constructed of pine and comesfrom Suttons The window in the upper left was cut during the addition It faces west for extra day-time light

Simply Saratoga | 41

42 | Simply Saratoga

Story Written by Yael Goldman Photos by Samu Studios and Randall Perry Photography

Simply Saratoga | 43

orking with the

right interior designer

turns listless decision making

into an enjoyable and productive

process that avoids costly mistakes

and delivers exceptional results

Designing a room or an entire home is a

big project no matter how strong your tastes are

The decisions are endless ndash what color should I paint the

walls What flooring is most aesthetically appealing and

dog-friendly Should I choose a furniture set or choose

individual pieces Do I want curtains or shades Do I

decorate with knick-knacks or artwork

But with all the unique self-questioning that surrounds

an interior design project most homeowners share angst

in asking themselves one specific question where do I

start

Itrsquos at this point ndash when stress level increases enjoy-

ment-driven projects turn deadly and money has been

wastefully spent on all the wrong things ndash that you long

for the help of a professional if only you could afford it

Well the truth is you can

Creating the right space can be expensive but is only

more so if you make mistakes and have to go back and

fix them If you do it right the first time therersquos no cost

associated with do-overs

With nearly 100 years of experience between them all

four members of Blairhouse Interiors Group have

worked with more than enough unhappy do-it-your-

selfers to tell you yoursquore not alone

Photo by Samu Studios

44 | Simply Saratoga

The four-member designproject therapy team which recently

opened a studio in Saratoga Springs has a long history of help-

ing home and business owners create their ideal spaces and

atmospheres the right way Their exceptional work is celebrated across

the Capital Region including Saratoga Springs where the Blairhouse

look is prominently featured in a handful of Park Place condominiums

and the incredible Saratoga National Golf Club

Thomas R Burns Meghan Baltich Dominic Carota and Patricia

Richards the highly skilled and charismatic force behind Blairhouse

Interiors Group promise an experience that is personal because itrsquos all

about your needs ndash and thatrsquos what is important

Blairhouse offers full-service interior design services space planning

project management hand-picked merchandise patience and an uncan-

ny ability to create a

look that is always

fresh sophisticated

and comfortable

ldquoThe style that we

gravitate toward is

unique cutting-edge

and modern not dic-

tated by corporaterdquo

said Meghan Baltich

pointing to a ldquovery

propitiousrdquo Keith Fritz

table at the center of

the studio

Photo by Randall Perry Photography

If you do it right the firsttime therersquos no cost

associated with do-oversPhoto by Randall Perry Photography

One glance at the Park Place showroom ndash of the selective furnishings carefully showcased along

the periphery ndash and it becomes clear why Blairhouse an award-winning team gets the job

done

Their creativity focus and immaculate sense of direction bring objectivity to the scene helping you nar-

row down all of the tedious and overwhelming choices that make do-it-yourself decorating an exercise in

unclear thinking

ldquoPeople are overwhelmed by all the choices it can feel like theyrsquore in a paralyzed blurrdquo said Thomas

Burns who finds that a great vision can be impossible to imagine and create without eliminating all of

the distractions

A vital step in getting focused is creating a

comprehensive plan based on individual

needs wants and style that addresses all

aspects of lifestyle and taste and suggests

tactful solutions and fresh approaches to new

and existing spaces

They help you identify what you like

forcing you to hone in on what you want and

need to compliment and enhance your

lifestyle

ldquoWe ascertain the clientrsquos goal and

lifestyle to convey their visionrdquo said

Dominic Carota explaining that the intended

outcome of creating or reinventing a room is

often strictly tied to how you want to live in

it

ldquoWe have to know how they functionrdquo he

said

An interior designer is an asset in the func-

tion-meets-style equation

Dominic explained that a couple starting a family will have far

different needs than empty-nesters looking for a change They may

have the same stylistic goals but their execution will differ based on

how their lifestyle exists within the space

When revamping a single room the majority of your focus is ded-

icated to that individual space making it easy to forget that the rest

of the house is attached Establishing connectivity between rooms is

a challenge but an important part of executing a project the right

way

Sometimes one wrong detail no matter how small can be incred-

ibly impactful and difficult to avoid on your own

ldquoIf yoursquore working on a new addition or renovation we ensure it

flows that therersquos balance between the existing part of the living

space and the new additionrdquo Meghan Baltich said explaining that

it just doesnrsquot make sense to put in a great new kitchen if itrsquos dis-

jointed and out of place from its surroundings

Another common novice mistake is the trendy retail store fallacy

that you can order a full room from a catalog or pick a fabulous and

unique design from a floor plan

Blairhouse clients learn the difference between ldquocookie-cutterrdquo

and ldquocustomrdquo and they are never concerned with picking the wrong

piece for the wrong room

Simply Saratoga | 45

ome customers will come to us after going into a Pottery Barn and buying stuff that just didnrsquot workrdquo Baltich said giving the

example of an individual who purchased an enormous sectional for a tiny room ldquoWe scale into the clientrsquos space taking func-

tion and proportion into considerationrdquo

Exceptional listening and observation skills are the designerrsquos

unsung attributes and greatest assets Blairhouse experts engage

with their clients to gain a true understanding of what they want

In turn the design process becomes an eye-opening experience

customers are introduced to colors and concepts they would

never think to consider

ldquoEach client trusts us to create their environment and we

enable them to make informed decisionsrdquo Patricia Richards

said

And sometimes that requires bold suggestions and collabora-

tion or looking at all of the possibilities even the ones ldquoyou

would never have been brave enough to do on your ownrdquo

In the end the experience of working with the experts is

enjoyable stress-free and cost-effective From concept to com-

pletion the result is just what you want and need ndash a fabulous

marriage of function and aesthetic that wonrsquot have you coming

back for more (because you did it right the first time) sect

ldquoS

46 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 47

For a taste of Blairhouse Interiors Grouprsquos distinctive work stop into their Park Place studio located at 262 Broadway Suite 204 in Saratoga Springs For further details visit wwwblairhouseinteriorscom or call (518) 786-7800

From left to right Dominic Carota Meghan Baltich Patricia Richards and

Thomas R Burns (The designproject therapy team of Blairhouse Interiors Group)

48 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 49

Dorsquos and Donrsquots

50 | Simply Saratoga

Story Written by Kerry Ann Mendez Perennially Yours bull wwwpyourscom Photos Provided

SpringDorsquos and Donrsquots

SpringDorsquos and DonrsquotsDorsquos and Donrsquots

Spring

for your Gardens

s

Simply Saratoga | 51

ssts

SPRINGis right around the corner and gardenersare pawing at the ground ready to explodethrough the garden gate As a passionate perennial gardenerI am right there with you But before launching into another flower-filledseason letrsquos go through a spring checklist of dorsquorsquos and donrsquorsquots to makesure we make the most of the race and have the best finish ever

Photo by GardenersSupply Company

apply a granular fertilizer to your perennial beds while they are still lsquoasleeprsquoDepending on the winter wersquove had this may be anytime from mid-Marchto mid-April Donrsquot worry if there are already lsquoearly risersrsquo visible like springblooming bulbs or woodland ephemerals I recommend using 5-5-5 5-10-5 or

5-10-10 fertilizer at the rate of 2 pounds per 100 square feet Cast the fertilizer just before it is about to rainto make sure fertilizer is watered into the ground and washed off any existing leaves You can give otherplants in your yard this treat as well including floweringshrubs groundcovers climbing vinesand roses

DONrsquoTput fertilizer on top of the snow or on ground that is

still frozen You want to make sure the fertilizer disap-pears into pliable soil and to waiting roots otherwiserunoff can occur And donrsquot think more is better Youcan stress or even kill plants by over-fertilizing espe-cially in spring when leaves are not fully developed toutilize nitrogen in the fertilizer If you are going to errless is better

DO

prune once-b l o o m i n g

roses such as Heirloom or Old GardenRoses when the Forsythia is blooming

Any rose that blooms onceusually in late spring forabout three weeks is in thiscategory Many times theseroses are quite fragrantWait to prune these rosesuntil right after they flower

DONrsquoT

prune most roses whenForsythia is in bloom Pruneshrub roses back by half to

23 their height This is assuming you did not prunethem last fall If you did then next year wait until latewinter or early spring Prune Teas and Grandiflorasback to 18 - 24rdquo For climbing roses prune branchesemerging from the main canes back to within 3 - 4rdquoof the cane

DO

apply corn gluten tolawn areas yoursquoveseeded (or over-seeded) or to gar-dens where youwant biennialsperennials or annu-als to reseed andflower Corn glutendoes not distinguishbetween lsquogoodrsquoand lsquobadrsquo seeds

apply a pre-emer-gent weed killerand fertilizer toyour lawn A lushhealthy lawn

makes a beautiful frame for gardens Myfamily walked away from lawn chemicalsfive years ago And our lawn has neverlooked better Corn gluten is a big part ofthis transformation Corn gluten is a by-product of milled corn It will not harm chil-dren pets or wildlife Heck you can eat it ifyou want (but it tastes yucky) Corn Glutenis high in nitrogen and commonly used as alawn fertilizer But it is also a pre-emergenttargeting seeds as they germinate Youcan put corn gluten down at any point inthe spring BUT if part of your mission is toeliminate crabgrass then there is a narrowwindow of attackApply it whenForsythia is in fullbloom and beforeits leaves appearThe Forsythia is asoil temperatureindicator that cor-responds to whencrabgrass seedsstart to germinate More garden centersare now carrying corn gluten productsYou just need to ask and follow the appli-cation instructions on the bag Make sureto water in the corn gluten after applyingIt will remain effective for five to six weeks

Simply Saratoga | 53

DONrsquoT

DO

step on soil as you maneuver around thegarden to cut back Lavender and therest of the gang For that matter youshould never be tromping through yourgardens compacting soil This breaks

down air and water channels as well as making it tougher forroots to spread Instead reach into beds from existing paths orplace stepping stones in discreet spots where only your eyes cansee or lsquowalk the plankrsquo on a board to reach plants fartherlsquoadriftrsquo

54 | Simply Saratoga

cut back Lavender Russian SageMontauk Daisy Butterfly BushChrysanthemums and ornamental grass-es These are best left untouched in falland whacked in spring Many folks make

the mistake of acting too gingerly with pruners Let lsquoem fly Theresult will be more compact neater plants that will bloom just fineTrust me If it helps wait until yoursquove had a bad day at work withthe kids or in traffic

DONrsquoT

DO

divide Peonies German Bearded Iris orOriental Poppies in spring These are bestdone in late summer Also tap-rootedplants (those with a carrot-looking root)cannot be divided Think about it These

are usually propagated by seed stem or root cuttings Someperennials that fall into this category are Malva Butterfly WeedBalloon Flower Oriental Poppies and Lupines

Simply Saratoga | 55

DONrsquoT

divide plants in spring This is an optimumtime to divide most perennials Yes evenspring bloomers Wait until these haveflowered and then shear off the spentblooms and get to business Most sum-

mer and fall blooming perennials can be divided prior to mid-Junewithout disrupting their performance

DO

apply a time-released fertilizersuch as Plant-Tone(organic) orOsmocote to heavy

feeding perennials five to six weeks afterthe earlier granular fertilizer applicationMost plants do not need as much fertilizeras we are led in advertising to believe I amstingy with my money and maintenancetime so only a handful of plants get thisbonus feed Astilbe Delphinium Liliums (ieAsiatic Oriental Trumpet) Clematis androses If I am feeling generous I will putsome on my Bigleaf Hydrangeas next to theroses Call me heartlessJust scratch fertilizer intothe top couple inchesof soil around theplantrsquos base and waterin well They will enjoy anutritious snack forthree to four months

apply mulch ongarden beds toreduce weedsconserve moisture

reduce erosion minimize soil temperaturefluctuations and enhance the quality ofthe soil Some mulching materials includeaged manures compost shredded wood(not dyed) leaf moldand cocoa hulls Putthe mulch down 2rdquo to3rdquo thick around plantsincluding floweringshrubs

build up mulchagainst plant stems

And please please donrsquot create volcanomounds around trees Please This is awfulfor them The only ones that benefit fromthis are the people selling the mulch

56 | Simply Saratoga

DONrsquoT

DO

DO

rubber band orbraid the foliage ofspring bloomingbulbs after they fin-ish flowering You

want as much leaf surface exposed to thesun as possible to increase photosynthesisYou can press the leaves down next to thesoil so they are less noticeable

Simply Saratoga | 57

sect

And finally DO have a great year in

your gardens and DONrsquoT forget to

take time to smell the roses

DONrsquoT

DONrsquoT

cut off the spentblooms and stems onspring blooming bulbsafter they have flow-ered so energy is redirected to the bulbsversus seed productions Keep the leaves inplace until they have browned and ideallycan be pulled from the ground by hand

put time-released fertil-izer on perennials thatprefer lean dietsRicher soil just upsetstheir vascular systemsThey will get leggy flop and not perform tosnuff Yarrow Coneflower Catmint RussianSage Linum Sea Holly and Silvermound are inthe group

DO

For more information contact Perennially Yours at pyourscom

58 | Simply Saratoga

Ill mination

Exterior Stonework

an

d

Story Written by Arthur Gonick Photos Provided

u

Simply Saratoga | 59

To develop and implement an exterior vista that maximizes your enjoyment To have a backyard landscape that is warm inviting and uniquely yours

These are goals that many homeowners have when they first move onto their property But unless you are trained in the variety ofmaterials and options available the task of getting past the point of comparing possibilities to completing and actually enjoying yourbackyard paradise can appear to be a long daunting road

For Carl Trinkle a landscape designer for ten years with the Gallivan Companies of Troy one of the key elements in a successfultransformation is utilizing a professionalrsquos expertise to articulate goals and develop a plan

ldquoThe most important thing we do when we first meet with a client is to get them to discuss their basic needs and aims and encouragethem to formulate an overall vision for their property An initial consultation sets the tone we make an initial visit on-site to look overthe property so we can have an idea as to where things might be placedrdquo

ldquoDuring this intake process we actually encourage people to show us photos of their friendrsquos property that they like or perhaps froma magazine It helps most people to articulate the goals of what they would like to see as a finished projectrdquo Trinkle said ldquoEven if they are looking to do things in phases we find that it is most important to develop a comprehensive site planrdquo This eliminates the need to revise original phases of work to accommodate those that come in the future

60 | Simply Saratoga

that Mr Trinkle finds potential customers identifying with aredesigned to extend the outdoor season ldquoA few extra weeks outside isa lotrdquo he said

add-ons also extend outside activity each day Low voltage lighting is still the most popular but recently LED lighting with longer-lasting bulbs that involve less maintenance and are cost-efficienthave become more fashionable

The latest trends

stations fire pits and waterenhancements such as ponds andwaterfalls are the most frequentlyrequested items that broaden theoutdoor use season

Outdoor grill

Exterior lighting

Simply Saratoga | 61

And of course swimming pool projects have always been a most-requested

item Fifty percent of allthe projects Mr Trinkleworks on involve a pooleither a completely new installation or enhance-ments to existing poolsGallivanrsquos long-standingrelationship withConcord Pools has beena hallmark in assuringthat customers are satis-fied when their pool isput in the ground

62 | Simply Saratoga

In most cases a comprehensive plancan be developed for any project in about a period of twoweeks Complete drawings and cost breakdowns are provid-ed as well as the projected phases that can be completed injust a few months or on larger projects can be scheduled insegments over a few years These are reviewed in personwith the customer again the goal being to have a plan thateveryone buys into

Simply Saratoga | 63

ldquoWe have had projects where the customer has wanted tohave a lot of input and we welcome that But we also hadone where the client was out of town and we built a firepit and slide for his wife and kids and our only instructions were to dazzle themI remember it as a most satisfying experience and we ended up winning awards for that onerdquo

- Carl Trinkle Landscape DesignerThe Gallivan Companies

64 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 65

ldquoI get to work using my creativity with talented people Some of the most talented are those

I meet as customersrdquo sect

For more information or to schedule aconsultation phone Gallivan Companies at(518) 271-6100 Gallivanrsquos website iswwwGallivanCompaniescom

66 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 67

Buying a playhouse for your child is an excellent investment

They promote imaginative play and spending time outdoors and

double as storage space when no longer used for recreation

Denise Woodcock owner of Versatile Sheds in Wilton has

been helping parents and grandparents customize their childrsquos or

grandchildrsquos dream playhouses for years

ldquoThey make great gifts especially for grandparents who want

their grandkids to have their own place to play when they visitrdquo

she said

Playhouses are a great addition to a childrsquos outdoor world

They come in all shapes sizes and designs and can be custom-

built or finished if you donrsquot find exactly what yoursquore looking for

in a catalog or on the lot

Every child is different and has their own preferences for color

size and function boys and girls often have especially different

requests for their play space as do younger and more mature chil-

dren so therersquos a lot to consider

Denise knows how even the finest detail can be all it takes to

make an outdoor structure feel like a childrsquos own personal space

While it may seem superfluous to address every minor demand

the truth is a playhouse is more than just an expensive toy itrsquos an

investment The more your child connects with their space the more

use theyrsquoll get out of it ndash and according to Denise that means your

money is well spent

Smartest WayThe

playhouse for your kidsto buy a

Photos by MarkBollescomStory by Yael Goldman

68 | Simply Saratoga

With this in mind prospective buyers should first consider

who will use the playhouse and for how long as well as what

happens when the structure is no longer used for recreation

Versatile Sheds can help even the most discerning parent or

child find what theyrsquore looking for Every playhouse is hand-

built by Amish craftsmen who can accommodate almost any

special request at an additional cost so the possibilities are

endless inside and out

Cedar shingle or vinyl siding wood stone or brick ndash if you

can use it on the outside of your regular home it can be inte-

grated into your playhousersquos design Playhouses can be built

to look like a miniature version of your home which is an

excellent touch for parents that are particularly concerned

with aesthetics Porches shutters flowerboxes unique doors

chimneys and exterior lighting are just a few of the touches

that can brighten and personalize the exterior

Individualizing your childrsquos playhouse doesnrsquot stop at the

front door There are just as many interior features to choose

from ndash you can let your imagination run wild

For starters you have the option to order the playhouse

with a finished or unfinished interior The unfinished version

looks a lot like the inside of a regular home before you move

in paint the walls and furnish the rooms

Buying an unfinished structure is a great way to cut costs

and even bring the family together over a weekend decorating

project The possibilities are endless depending on how handy

you are otherwise a few coats of paint and a bit of carpeting

will surely do the trick

Although a bit pricey purchasing a playhouse with a fin-

ished interior ensures that your child gets exactly what they

want right off the bat They can pick everything from the paint

color to the flooring so the playhouse is move-in ready on the

day it arrives

Playhouses can also be insulated and wired for electricity

You can install lighting electrical outlets even heat or air-

conditioning to make your childrsquos outdoor space as comfort-

able as possible

And the options donrsquot end there Traditional sheds also dou-

ble as playhouses For some parents purchasing an adult-size

shed for their children is an ideal way to get the best return on

their investment Once their children grow out of it the struc-

ture can be used for outdoor storage With just as many styles

sizes and materials to choose from you can customize the

interior and exterior of your shed just as you would a play-

house but without all of the more frivolous features

ldquoAny shed can be a playhouserdquo Woodcock said explaining

how a custom paint job or flowerbox can transform a typical

storage unit into childrsquos outdoor activity haven

For example if purchasing a wood shed the exterior can be

easily painted and repainted when making the transition from

playhouse to storage space

For Denisersquos customers getting their moneyrsquos worth should

not have to mean making sacrifices

Simply Saratoga | 69

70 | Simply Saratoga

When Debby Trainor made the decision to buy her grand-

daughter Chezneyrsquos dream house she wanted it to have all the

bells and whistles She met with Denise to go over all the cri-

teria the goal was to buy the perfect gift for Chezney while

staying within her budget

The eight-year-old Greenwich girl wanted her own pretty

pink palace where she could play and imagine Debby wanted

it to be a cozy and safe place for her to play year-round

Customization and interior decoration helped make

Chezneyrsquos playhouse feel like her own little kingdom

ldquoWe made it look like a cute little dollhouserdquo she said ldquoWe

put furniture inside and a little stove fridge heater and TV

itrsquos just perfectrdquo

With the structure built to their liking Chezney and Debby

could enjoy decorating the inside to personalize the playhouse

For many customers putting on the finishing touches means

making the playhouse feel like home ndash you can add curtains

hang pictures buy furniture and appliances and landscape the

perimeter to make the outdoor space feel like a home away

from home

When the child grows out of their playhouse these items

can be easily removed to accommodate a secondary use for the

space

ldquoThe best thing that Denise did for me was explain how we

can use the playhouse for storage for stuff out in the yard after

Chezney has grown out of itrdquo Debby explained ldquoAlthough

she is only eight and will be using it for quite a few more

years this really makes it a good investment and looks

great in the backyardrdquo

Whether you choose a customized playhouse or a tradi-

tional shed thinking toward the future also ensures the

safety and longevity of the structure

Denise explained that placement is an important thing to

consider as you want to make sure the structure is in a safe

place and on an appropriate surface Most importantly the

playhouse must be built on a level even surface that isnrsquot

too high off of the ground

ldquoYou want it on a nice platformrdquo Denise explained

ldquoSome people use concrete but stone is better because it

allows moisture to seep down into the ground and away

from the structurerdquo

Most parents prefer that their playhouse is in the back-

yard where itrsquos easy to see from a window Placing the

structure in a shaded area is also a good idea it will be

cooler in the summer and less susceptible to the elements if

partially protected by trees

Debby had Chezneyrsquos playhouse built right next to her

swing set where she can be easily supervised

One last thing to consider when purchasing a playhouse

Simply Saratoga | 71

72 | Simply Saratoga

or shed for your child is how much effort

you want to put into maintaining it The

more ornate the structure the more care it

may need

Woodcock advises parents to preserve

their investment and treat the playhouse

like a miniature home

Think of it as a miniature house ndash the

structure requires regular maintenance

and upkeep to ensure your child will be

safe while enjoying years and years of

imaginative fun

With so many features and styles to

choose from yoursquore sure to find the best

for both you and your child

For more information about Versatile

Sheds or to set up a time to meet with

Denise Woodcock call (518) 584-7924

or stop by 669 Route 9 in Wilton sect

Simply Saratoga | 73

74 | Simply Saratoga

Kitchen

Not Your

Grandmarsquos

Story Written by Daniel Schechtman Photos Provided

ldquoAs you

walk into the kitchen

of the future LED

light projections adjust

to your mood - it will

know if you have a

hangover via sensors

that will read your

b r a i n w a v e s

Aromatherapy infused

walls will be synched

to your calendar calm-

ing you before a big

meeting or energizing you before a gym session The fridge will have selected some breakfast options identifying the essen-

tial vitamins for your day via sensors When you get home a hologram chef will be on hand for recipe inspirationrdquo

Alright so maybe your kitchen canrsquot do all of these things quite yet ndash but believe it or not wersquore getting there This is tomor-

rowrsquos kitchen a kitchen where your appliances donrsquot just store your food or wash your dishes ndash they talk to you providing you

with integral information on how to

best store your fruits and vegetables

letting you know if the refrigerator

door is open for too long or when a

part will soon need replacing

Simply Saratoga | 75

ldquoScience fictionrdquo I hear you say

Guess again Quoted from a report released by The Future Laboratory

who was commissioned by IKEA to determine what a modernkitchen in the year 2040 could conceivably look like

76 | Simply Saratoga

ldquoOne technology that really stands out to me is the

Miele Appliance Company Right now theyrsquore using a

program called lsquoremote visionrsquo On select applianceshellip

is a wireless card that clicks into a port on the back of

the appliance You synch it up with your home network

and it basically emails the technician and the owner

when itrsquos broken when you need to clean your condens-

er change your water filter or schedule a routine serv-

icerdquo said Tom Thibeault owner of Adirondack

Appliance Repair Inc located at 67 West Ave in

Saratoga Springs ldquoMaybe somebodyrsquos been opening the

[refrigerator] door for too long or the door was left open

ndash it will email you and tell you that your door is left

openrdquo

This is not your grandmarsquos kitchen This my friends

is the kitchen of the future and itrsquos available now

The 36 inch bottom-mount Miele refrigerator boasts a

striking interior featuring LED lighting running along

the sides from top to bottom stainless steel accents and

exteriors with control systems that would be comfort-

able alongside the captainrsquos chair on the Starship

Enterprise

Simply Saratoga | 77

ldquoThe controls in the Miele really stand out

Looking at the controls theyrsquore just a glass piece and

then once you touch it you see a few options for the

different compartments Then you touch the compart-

ment and the temperature is displayed so itrsquos kind of

like a Star Trek controlrdquo Thibeault said

And thatrsquos just the refrigerator

Adirondack Appliance has also seen brands such as

Wolf (a company owned by the same people who own

Sub-Zero) grow in popularity when it comes to their

range stoves and ovens The dual convection oven

works to eliminate cold spotting and provides consis-

tent even temperatures and even allows for unique

options such as proofing ndash used best when baking

homemade bread

ldquoIt also has a temperature probe you can plug into

things like a turkey or roast so you can see the temper-

ature while itrsquos still inside the machine It has

hydraulic hinges halogen lit interiors everything is

composed of stainless steel and itrsquos by far one of the

best lines on the marketrdquo Thibeault said

A new line coming to Adirondack Appliance that

features some amazing technology is a series of Pro-

Style Ranges produced by industry giant Jenn-Air

ldquoThat actually has an LCD touch

screen like an IPAD for the controls The

temperature is set by sliding your finger

along the controls Itrsquos all color backlit and

absolutely amazingrdquo Thibeault said

ldquoAnother thing we have to that same

effect are some of the hoods which have

really been getting pretty out there as far as

design We have one on our floor [by Miele]

that has an LED bar on the front which

changes in phases between 196000 colors

Itrsquos a very delicate change very pretty and

coolrdquo Thibeault said adding ldquoor you can set

it to any color in that spectrum yoursquod like to

accent your cabinetryrdquo

When it comes to dishwashers Thibeault

can attest to the quality of both the Asko and

Miele brands both of which he uses in his

own home And good news for Saratoga

Springs residents ndash

ldquoIn our market in

Saratoga we have a

very hard water base

whether yoursquore on a well

system or city waterrdquo

Thibeault said ldquoSo you

get a lot of minerals in

the machine With the

stainless steel interiors it

eliminates a lot of prob-

lems generally seen with

plastic interior tubs and

usually they are the best

life expectanciesrdquo

78 | Simply Saratoga

Asko and Mieleare practically custom made to handle the

arearsquos typicallymineral rich water

Simply Saratoga | 79

The Asko brand dishwasher takes things one step

further including two pumps in the washerrsquos system

The first pump filters the water cleansing it of poten-

tially harmful minerals while the second pump recircu-

lates the water ensuring that the machine is never

blasting your dishes with food debris or dirty residue

With Miele the design features a built-in water sof-

tener perfect for dealing with the Saratoga water

system

ldquoTypically the Miele is going to do a better job with

tougher baked in stainsrdquo said Thibeault ldquobecause itrsquos

got the softener in it and a little bit longer pots and pans

cyclerdquo

80 | Simply Saratoga

Adirondack Appliance Repair Inc is a fami-

ly-owned business since 1929 and the last inde-

pendent appliance retailer of its kind in Saratoga

Springs With $6 billion of buying power behind

their name (a benefit of being part of the Nation

Wide Appliance Buying Group) Thibeault

promised ldquowe can actually price match the box

stores and everybody else around all while pro-

viding you with better service and better

productsrdquo

For more information on AdirondackAppliance or the products they sell you mayvisit their showroom located at 67 West Avenuein Saratoga Springs for live demonstrationsThey can also be reached by phone at (518)587-6640 or you may visit them at their newwebsite wwwadkappliancecom where cus-tomers can browse through the storersquos entirecatalogue of appliances

sect

Simply Saratoga | 81

82 | Simply Saratoga

Page 6: Simply Saratoga March 2011

8 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 9

Making a new friend when you least expect it is a surpris-

ing pleasure ndash and thatrsquos the good feeling we came away

with after dining at Lake Ridge restaurant Tucked into his-

toric picture-perfect Round Lake ndash about 15 minutes from

Saratoga Springs off Northway exit 11 ndash Lake Ridge is the

gracious good-looking reliable insightful host yoursquoll want

to sit down for a meal with again and again

Saratoga Lake resident Bob McKenna is co-owner of the

eatery with Chef Scott Ringwood of Malta Ringwood is

formerly of The Old Dater Tavern in Halfmoon Also co-

owner and general manager of New Country Toyota

McKenna underlines the philosophy that has propelled the

restaurant through its first decade of success and accolades

ldquoWe love to please people and to create a great event

whether itrsquos a special evening out for a couple an office

gathering a rehearsal dinner date night or a business

lunch We want our customers to have a comfortable

rewarding experiencerdquo

A squarish building constructed in the 1870s the struc-

ture previously housed a general store and a bakery Vastly

updated by McKenna and Ringwood - without compro-

mising the aesthetic of the community - Lake Ridge is an

asset to the unique village of just over 600 neighbors

Founded in the latter half of the 19th century as a pros-

perous and naturally beautiful outpost of the Troy

Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church Round

Lake is an oasis off the beaten path The business sup-

ports community preservation by improving the proper-

ty is a taxpayer and employer and is a good neighbor

sponsoring a softball team and donating food to various

community events and organizations

Long-time Round Lake resident Susan Stratton is

enthusiastic about the presence of Lake Ridge which she

can walk to easily ldquoBesides the obvious ndash the food is

yummy ndash we welcome having such a cooperative flour-

ishing business in our communityrdquo she says

The restaurant thrives in the summer catering to sea-

sonal visitors but tables are set for lunch and dinner

every day except Monday year-round Burgeoning busi-

ness in Malta has driven a noon crowd to Lake Ridge for

unhurried salads soups burgers pasta and sandwiches

while in the evening some people make reservations for

Story By Helen Susan EdelmanPhotos by copystockstudiosphotographycom

Food for Thought

big cuisine magic in a very small town

10 | Simply Saratoga

their next dinner on the way out mdash especially wise

for Saturdays when all 80 seats are often occupied

Informal and genial as it is Lake Ridge is defi-

nitely a ldquofine diningrdquo destination complete with

tablecloths and elegant touches such as silverware

changed between courses Worth noting is the

physical comfort afforded by commodious furni-

ture eye-pleasing deacutecor and an intelligent floor

plan that affords privacy and mellow lighting The

restaurant features three lovely and distinctive din-

ing rooms a former deck enclosed with large win-

dows a warm center room that can accommodate

couples or groups and a small dining area up front

ideal for an intimate tecircte-a-tecircte A few years ago

the restaurant added a glistening mahogany bar

with high stools and a TV The handcrafted show-

case - designed milled and constructed by

McKennarsquos high school buddy Judd Storm and his

partner Bill Tedesco of Marketplace Millwork in

Troy - boasts an exceptional selection of red white

and sparkling wines and scotches bourbons and

beers in which the owners take special pride

Key to smooth operations is manager Diana

Murphy of Wilton who has been part of the busi-

ness since its inception six days a week She is clear

about her mission ldquoThink about the guests

whether you are adding a menu item putting flow-

ers on the table suggesting a wine or choosing wall

artrdquo

McKenna emphasizes Murphyrsquos critical input

ldquoShersquos been there since the beginning and we could-

nrsquot do it as well without herrdquo he says ldquoShersquos smart

and she pulls it together whatever it takesrdquo

The team commitment shows in every aspect of

the restaurant from the imaginative menu to spe-

cial events like wine dinners that keep Lake Ridge

exciting On center stage is the generous scrump-

tious food something for every palate ndash light appe-

tizer-size portions with sophisticated flavors or

hearty soul-satisfying repasts

Appetizers are taken seriously (shrimp and avo-

cado artichoke souffleacute eggplant Napoleon and a 4-

ounce filet mignon) but thatrsquos just the beginning

McKenna points particularly to the exceptional

entrees herb-crusted swordfish veal Jacqueline

(with mushrooms and crabmeat) and the enormous

pecan pork chop as customer favorites but the

menu extends far beyond these top picks with sea

bass (delicious) salmon rack of lamb rosemary

chicken steak duck and a roster of pastas

Simply Saratoga | 11

(Companion had a fabulous linguini tossed with ample

seafood) There are four crispy salads that incorporate

local ingredients when possible and a lineup of irre-

sistible desserts Sneak a peek at wwwlake-ridgecom

for the complete menu and prices

Itrsquos no surprise that Lake Ridge was voted Best

American Cuisine in the Capital Region by Metroland

readers in 2006 and that McKenna and Ringwood

were named Entrepreneurs of the Year by Southern

Saratoga Chamber of Commerce in 2005

But the highest praise of all comes in the form of a

loyal following and I can see that Companion is join-

ing the fold Succinct by nature he declares ldquoIrsquoll go

back for morerdquo

And Irsquoll go with him

Lake Ridge Restaurant 35 Burlington Ave Round Lake (Northway exit 11)Open Tuesday-Saturday lunch 1130 am - 230 pm dinner 430-845 pm Sunday dinner 3-8 pm (518)-899-6000wwwlake-ridgecom

sect

12 | Simply Saratoga

March 19 - 20 andMarch 26 - 27

2011

Simply Saratoga | 13

T ired of being lsquocooped uprsquo

with all the cold weather

and snow this winter

Why not go visit a maple produc-

tion facility to see first-hand how this

yummy syrup is made and sam-

ple some sweet delights

The Annual Maple

Weekend(s) are the last two

weekends in March and

there are numerous produc-

ers participating this year

Maple syrup is the first crop

and harvest of the year and of

course one of the sweetest Unlike most farming the crop or

maple trees doesnrsquot have to be re-planted every year Maple

producers literally lsquotaprsquo into the sap that starts moving up the

tree in the spring to nourish the branches to produce buds

When the weather gets warmer into the 40rsquos during the day that

is the signal that the sap is running Hard freezes at night are also

an important factor as that causes the sap to flow back down to the

roots at night This movement of sap can occur for upwards of six

weeks depending upon the weather

Tapping into the sap doesnrsquot harm the trees itrsquos like giving

blood But tapping trees that are too small can stunt their growth

It takes forty gallons of the sap to make only one gallon of maple

syrup As harvests go thatrsquos a very small ratio of raw material to

finished product

It may surprise you to learn that the only place in the world

where maple syrup is made is here in the northeastern United

States and in eastern Canada Take a quick trip this maple sea-

son to sample some pure delight here in the surrounding

Capital District area and celebrate this sweet harvest

For Maple Weekend information contact New York

State Maple Producerrsquos Association website at

wwwnysmaplecom or for a complete list of maple produc-

ers participating in Maple

Weekend visit

mapleweekendcomSubmitted byCaroline Foote Co-ownerMaple Hill Farm Cobleskill NYwwwMaplehillfarmsbiz(518) 234-4858mhfarmvcrbwildbluenet

sect

14 | Simply Saratoga

NopehellipIrsquom not suggesting you dye your wine green in honor

of St Paddyrsquos (although that might be fun) Irsquom talking about

ORGANIC wine What exactly makes a wine organic

Andhellipwhy should you try it

Strictly speaking an ldquoorganicrdquo wine is one crafted from organ-

ically grown grapes This is to say the grapes in the bottle have

been grown without the use of pesticides herbicides chemical

fertilizers or synthetic chemicals of any kind These chemical

agents are not allowed on the grapes or the soil in which the

grapes are grown What used to be termed ldquoorganic winerdquo is now

termed ldquowines made from organic grapesrdquo The distinction is

confusing to most including many of the winemakers In addi-

tion most consumers are led to believe that all wines made from

organic grapes do not contain any sulfites This is inaccurate The

fermenting yeasts which are present on ALL grape skins gener-

ate naturally-occurring sulfites in varying amounts So wines

COMPLETELY devoid of sulfites are an anomaly and are not

the wines you see on the shelf of your local wine shop Wines

LOW in sulfites or free of ADDED sulfites are what you will

find instead These wines will conform to the standards of organ-

ic practices and will not contain sulfites in an amount greater

than allowed by the USDA For those who are sensitive to sul-

fites or prefer to sip organic wines as a matter of philosophy

there are hundreds of organic wines that will satisfy Okay

enough of the chemistry lesson

More and more winemakers are embracing the idea of con-

forming to organic practices when creating their wines For

these farmers and winemakers maintaining a healthy and

active soil for the grapes to grow in is the key Farming and

cultivating using these methods encourages biodiversity

which also aids in regulating the soil In turn these meth-

ods protect both the environment and the workers in the

vineyardshellipcertainly not a bad thing So while just a few

years ago your options were a bit limited if you wanted to

ldquodrink greenrdquo now there are hundreds of options to choose

from At the forefront of this movement is a winery thatrsquos

located right in New York State In fact it is the first organic

winery in North America and is located right on the western

B ttle N tes

By Patricia Novo

Photos by Mark Bolles

GreenhellipGreenhellipWine

Simply Saratoga | 15

shore of Seneca

LakehellipFour Chimneys

Organic Winery

Established in 1980

Four Chimneys was

green before being

green was cool In addi-

tion to crafting their

wines in accordance

with the standards for

organic wine estab-

lished by the NOFA-

NY Certified Organic

they also do not utilize

any animal products in

their wines For these

reasons many vegetari-

ans embrace the Four

Chimneys wines as well and have contributed to their enor-

mous popularity Four Chimneys offers several interesting

wines ranging from dry to sweet and also features several

fruit-based wines that are extremely popular For those who

love Pinot Grigio their ldquoKingdom Whiterdquo is worth sampling

This is Four Chimneyrsquos driest white and is an ideal accompa-

niment to light seafood preparations ldquoKingdom Redrdquo also a

very dry wine is similar in texture to a Merlot and will please

Merlot drinkers offering full and rich berry and plum flavors

on the palate For those who enjoy a touch of sweetness in their

wines their ldquoEye of the Doverdquo is a slightly sweet Cabernet

Franc based red which is best served with a slight chill This

wine makes a lovely accompaniment to barbecue and other

dishes with a bit of smoke and heat Even sweeter on the scale

are their ldquoFirst Loverdquo and ldquoEye of the Beerdquo wines ldquoFirst Loverdquo

is most reminiscent of Riesling although it is based on the

Vidal grape This very fragrant wine is quite refreshing and

offers up aromas of fresh white peach and honey Their most

popular wine is ldquoEye of the Beerdquo a semi-sweet rose-colored

wine whose flavors and aromas mimic those of freshly picked

grapes off the vine Their offerings of fruit wines also are quite

popular These combine organically grown grapes with organ-

ically grown fruits from their farm With names like

ldquoHoneydew Moonrdquo ldquoCelestial Peachrdquo ldquoStrawberry

Meadowsrdquo and ldquoRaspberry Sunrdquo these sweet fruit wines

would make an interesting choice with your dessert and are

also delightful served alongside some soft ripened cheeses such

as Brie and Camembert and fresh fruit

This is just a small introduction to the world of organic

wines For additional information or if you have specific ques-

tions about the differences among organic wines please stop in

and chat with me about this very popular subject I am more

than happy to answer any additional questions that you might

have Cheers sect

Patricia Novo is the owner of Crush amp Cask Wine and Spirits at170 South Broadway in Saratoga Springs She holds anAssociates Degree in Culinary Arts from SCCC and also serves ontheir Advisory Board Patricia also has certification in Wine andSpirits from the WSET as well as an Aficionado of WineCertification from the Robert Parker and Kevin Zraly WineProgram She is pursuing her Sommelier certification in Winter2011

16 | Simply Saratoga

Savethe

DateHomemade Theater Presents HARVEY

Homemade Theater Spa State Park South Broadway Saratoga SpringsElwood P Dowd is a gentle soul ndash kind hearted and

loving He has only one flaw ndash his invisible six foot-tall rabbit companion Harvey His family convincesElwood to commit himself to a sanitarium Then thelunacy really begins Multiple mistaken identities lotsof laughs and Harvey is on the loose Does the worldneed more lsquonormal peoplersquo Will you see Harvey

April 22 23 29 30 amp May 6 7 at 8 pm and May1 and 8 at 2 pm Tickets are $23 and $26 Visit home-madetheaterorg for more information

Celebrate Earth Week Recycled Art Show

Saratoga National Historical Park 648 Rte 32Stillwater

Weekend-long exhibit beginning on Friday April15 through Sunday April 17 with original works ofldquorecycled artrdquo with each piece containing at least50 reclaimed or recycled materials For more infor-mation please visit npsgovsara or phone (518) 664-9821 ext 224

Easter Egg HuntMalta Community Center 1 Bayberry DrFrom 10 to 11 am on Saturday April 16 please reg-

ister by April 8 by calling (518) 899-4411 Residentsof Malta $6 non-residents $7 Please bring your ownEaster basket to collect your eggs

Washington County Farm and Fiber Tour

On April 24 and 25 bring the family to this freetour to visit alpacas bunnies goats sheep and lambsllamas and meet the farmers and their familiesWatch spinning knitting weaving and felting demon-strations Learn about raising the livestock and petsthat we cherish For more information visitwwwwashingtoncountyfibertourorg

Geocache Easter Egg HuntGalway Preserve 2519 Crane RdOn Saturday April 30 find some eggs find some

caches and find some friends (or make new ones) asyou and your children search throughout the preservePrizes for found eggs will include candy toys geo-items and more Drinks and snacks will be availableThis event will be led by Chris Parker Preserve stewardand geocacher extraordinare For more informationcall Saratoga PLAN at (518) 587-4555

Hadley Maple FestivalHeld on Rockwell St on Saturday April 30 this

event runs all day from 8 am to 4 pm Bring the fami-ly for everything maple Visit wwwhadleybusinessas-sociationnet for more information

MapleWeekendsMarch 19-20th

amp 26-27th

See Pages 12-13

Simply Saratoga | 17

Saratoga Springs Mardi Gras FestivalHeld at various locations downtown Saratoga on

Saturday April 30 this event benefits Saratoga EOCand the Giving Circle For more information visitsaratogamardigrasorg

British Army Spring Training DaySaratoga National Historical Park 648 Rte 32

StillwaterOn May 7 from 10 am to 4 pm The cold winter has

ended and a new campaign season begins Soldiersdrill camp followers mend clothes and the armyprepares to quell the American ldquorebellionrdquo See thetroops and decide the outcome of a re-enacted courtmartial

St Clements Horse ShowYaddo grounds next to Oklahoma TrackHeld May 3 to May 8 and May 11 to May 15 This

is one of the largest horse shows on the east coastFor more information visit saintclementshorse-showcom

18 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 19

Prom

T h i s W a y

20 | Simply Saratoga

Glamor

ous

Daz

zling

Elega

ntFlir

ty

Gor

geou

s

Girls

itrsquos

Show

time

Simply Saratoga | 21

Web

Extras

See

the

pics tha

t didn

rsquot

mak

e it in

the

Mag

azine

on

SaratogaB

ridalEXPO

com

Grecian

God

dess

Athe

na

Classic B

eaut

y

Holly

wood

Glamou

r

Wild

and

Untam

edElega

nt

22 | Simply Saratoga

The current economic and market environment has prompt-

ed many Americans to rethink their retirement strategies If

you are experiencing a job transitionmdashparticularly if the tran-

sition is unplanned and unexpectedmdashsuch a reassessment may

be particularly important for you While it may be tempting to

focus more on your immediate needs you should not lose sight

of long-term goals especially your retirement strategy

Some Basic Decisions Your employer-sponsored retirement plan is likely to be a

key component of your retirement strategy Because it repre-

sents a key source of future retirement income it is important

to carefully consider your alternatives for administering these

assets During a job transition you will usually have three

options take a lump-sum distribution leave your assets in the

employer-sponsored plan or move your assets into a Rollover

IRA

Taking a direct lump-sum distributionmdashWith this

option the assets in your plan are distributed directly to you in

a lump sum which provides you with immediate access to

your funds Depending on your short-term needs that may

appear to be an attractive alternative However a distribution

will likely result in substantial federal and state income taxes

and a 10 percent IRS penalty tax which can significantly

reduce the amount of the distribution Because you will be

receiving the distribution directly the plan administrator must

withhold up to 20 percent of the value of the distribution for

federal income tax purposes Moreover you will lose the ben-

efit of the tax-deferred status of these assets which could

reduce the amount ultimately available to you at retirement

The status quo optionmdashYou can decide to do nothing

leaving your assets in your former employerrsquos plan That will

protect the tax-deferred status of your assets and allow you to

transfer the account assets at a later time to a new employerrsquos

retirement plan that accepts rollovers But you may be limiting

your investment choices and control because employer plans

typically have a restricted investment menu and require the

consent of your spouse before you can name someone else as

a beneficiary

Establishing a Rollover IRAmdashA Rollover IRA simultane-

ously addresses the issues of taxation flexibility and control

and may hold significant benefits for you as a result

Submitted by H Michael Okby Wealth Advisor

Fin

ancia

l Protecting Your RetirementInvestmentsDuring a JobTransition

If your distribution is transferred directly to a custodian rather than

to you the Rollover IRA eliminates the withholding requirement and

penalties that may result from a lump-sum distribution

The entire rollover amount can be investedimmediately according to the strategy youspecify bull Your assets and any earnings continue to have the potential to

grow tax-deferred until you retire and begin taking withdrawals

bull You may gain access to a wider range of investment options and

more retirement planning and distribution flexibility

bull You can name any beneficiary including a trust without

needing the consent of your spouse (although special rules may

apply in community property states)

For example investment products in an employer plan are usually

limited to mutual funds and company stock With a self-directed

Rollover IRA you can work with your financial professional to struc-

ture a portfolio using stocks bonds annuities and other investments

utilizing an asset allocation1 that is customized to help you meet your

retirement investment objectives And your retirement strategy can be

further tailored with a wider range of beneficiary selection and distri-

bution choices

Consider Consolidation This may also be an excellent time to deal with multiple IRAs you

may have opened over the years and with account balances you may

have left in the plans of former employers Together these assets may

represent a significant sum There are good reasons to consider con-

solidating them all in a Rollover IRA

Comprehensive investment strategymdashIt can be difficult to main-

tain an effective investment strategymdashone that accurately reflects

your goals timing and risk tolerancemdashwhen assets are spread among

multiple financial institutions When you consolidate your financial

professional can help you ensure that these assets are part of your

overall asset allocation strategy that is reflective of your current

financial situation and long-term retirement goals

Greater investment flexibilitymdashA self-directed IRA generally

offers you the ability to choose from a wide range of investment

products including stocks bonds mutual funds annuities and more

Simplified trackingmdashIt is easier to monitor your progress and

investment results when all your retirement savings are in one place

because you will receive one statement instead of several That sim-

plifies your life while protecting the environment

Lower costsmdashReducing the number of accounts may also reduce

your account fees and other investment-related charges

Dealing with one account rather than several also simplifies

the distribution processmdashincluding complying with complex min-

imum distribution rules when you reach age 70 And you avoid the

risk of losing track of your retirement accounts or access to the

account assets should your former employer merge with another

company or go out of business Your financial professional can help

you assess your alternatives so you can make decisions based on

whatrsquos best for you You may find that this time of transition holds

benefits for your retirement assets

For more information please contact H Michael Okby at (518) 583-5601

sect

Simply Saratoga | 23

24 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 25

Summer camp is a place wherelifelong memories are made

This is where our children learnto cultivate their interests andordiscover a world of new activities tohelp their young minds grow andfor them to become physically fit

Even though there may be snowon the ground when you read thisit is never too early to think aboutyour childrenrsquos summer fun Weare blessed in this region with avariety of destinations providing awealth of activities

And while there is something foreveryone early planning is a mustto assure your child has a spot inone of these great places At theend of a long winter seasonthoughts of summer camp arerejuvenating for adults as well

Summer Camp Guide 2011

YMCA Camp Chingachgook

NdakinnaNdakinna Education Center located in

Greenfield Center offers a wide variety of

summer camp programs and activities that

will provide campers with a greater

respect and understanding for the natural

world as well as the Northeastrsquos rich

Native American history Hosted by

renowned author and wilderness and sur-

vival expert James Bruchac these pro-

grams are ideal for children with a sense

of adventure and natural wonder Summer

programs are divided into two groups

children ages three to eight and older

campers ages nine to fourteen Programs

range in duration from one to two weeks

26 | Simply Saratoga

YMCA Camp Chingachgook located on beauti-

ful Lake George has three camping options sleep-

away camp day camp and adventure trips

Summer sleep-away camp is the experience of a

lifetime The camp is divided into junior and sen-

ior boys and girls units junior campers between

the ages of seven and 12 and senior campers are 13

to 15 years old All Chingachgook counselors go

through extensive two-week training and prepa-

ration prior to the beginning of the first session

Campers will enjoy a full schedule of skill

classes which they can choose on their own

and special events and programs Campers can

choose from swimming water skiing canoeing

nature arts outdoor living skills theater news-

paper riflery archery dance guitar outdoor

cooking sports zone water world woodwork-

ing softball soccer tennis photography sail-

ing high ropes mountain biking and rock

climbing Each camper sets up their own daily

schedule of four skill classes at the start of the

session

Two-week camp sessions at Chingachgook

also include a three-day hike which allows

campers to get out and experience the wilder-

ness in a fun and safe atmosphere

Chingachgook also offers a variety of unique

adventure camps for children looking to explore

unique destinations and experience a whole new

level of fun options like sailing kayak-

ing boat building rock climbing canoe-

ing community service white-water

rafting hiking and backpacking bicycle

touring and mountain biking Adventure

campers will benefit from activities with

smaller coed groups of ten or less

Day Camp at Chingachgook is a fun

option for children ages five to ten

Campers will enjoy a full day of fun

activities from 930 am to 430 pm The

Day Camp program is divided into eight

one-week segments with the first session

starting on June 28 and the final session

starting on August 16 Each session has

a different theme

Spaces are limited at Chingachgook

so be sure to sign up as soon as possible

For more information to sign up for a

tour or to register for camp visit

wwwcapitaldistrictymcacom or call

(518) 656-9462

each covering a different skill or activity such

as animal tracking basic wilderness survival

skills and shelter building Native American

storytelling and games and nature-based arts

and crafts projects will teach campers to have

fun in the great outdoors Each camp program

promotes team building natural awareness

patience and confidence

Ndakinna also offers family camp pro-

grams which allow children and their parents

to experience the outdoors together Family

programs can accommodate children ages one

to 14 These programs offer the

same skills training and team-

building activities To view the

finalized calendar of programs

and events visit

wwwNdcenterorg

Cutting Edge Martial ArtsCutting Edge Martial Artrsquos A+ After

School and Summer Camp Program is a year-

round child care solution that provides a pos-

itive structured environment for children

after school and during the day in the sum-

mer During the school year we pick chil-

dren up directly from the local elementary

and middle schools and provide an hour les-

son that starts with our ldquoMat Chatrdquo a ten

minute character education lesson for the day

followed by a full 50 minute martial arts

class Parents have a window between 5 and

545 pm to pick up their children while chil-

dren have the opportunity after class to get

their homework started

During the summer children get all the

benefits of our A+ Program but on a grander

scale We offer nine weeks of full day camps

and have no minimum or maximum number

of days per week or number of weeks that a

student can attend Each week of camp we

have a curriculum of character education

lessons fun games and a one hour martial

arts class every day We watch a movie in

the afternoons twice a week have a video

game morning on Fridays and take all our

campers on an educa-

tional outing on

Wednesdays and a

fun and exciting out-

ing every Friday

Our average camp

size is 20-25 stu-

dents and we have

three full time staff

graphed by Sarah Sutliff

Saratoga Childrenrsquos Theatre also offers a one-

week camp at the end of the summer ldquoMaster

your Auditionrdquo This camp will help your child

get ready for fall and winter auditions These

audition workshops have been very popular and

sell out quickly Any child at any skill level with

an interest in performing arts is welcome to join

in on the fun Saratoga Childrenrsquos Theatre

Executive Director Meg Kelly aims to give each

camper the most rewarding and enjoyable camp

experience and every camper will get to perform

The Saratoga Childrenrsquos Theatre hires profes-

sionals to help your child gain the most from

their summer camp experience

The cost for a two-week session is $450 and

$250 for the one-week session For more infor-

mation visit wwwsaratogachildrenstheatreorg

or call (518) 580-1782

For kids who have a passion for per-

forming arts Saratoga Childrenrsquos Theatre

summer camp is a dream come true

Saratoga Childrenrsquos Theatre offers per-

formance camps which means each

camper will be working on a full-fledged

production throughout their session

Campers will learn all aspects of perform-

ance and will have the opportunity to per-

form in two shows at the end of camp a

matinee and an evening show are both

open to the public Campers will perform

on stage at St Petersrsquo Auditorium

Saratoga Springs Camp hours are 9am-

3pm Performance camp is divided into

two age groups

Ages 6-9 will participate in one week

camps These camps will include Disneyrsquos

Sleeping Beauty kids Cinderella kids

Aristocats kids 101 Dalmatians kids and

Lemonade These camps will be directed by

Megan OrsquoSullivan a local elementary school

music teacher and assisted by Karey

Trimmings also a local elementary school

music teacher

Ages 10-18 will participate in two-week

camps Each camp will practice and perform a

different show These

camps include

Thoroughly Modern

Mille Jr Cinderella Jr

Fiddler on the Roof Jr

and Once on this Island

Jr These camps will be

directed by Michael

Lotano local actor and

elementary school music

teacher and choreo-

Saratoga Childrenrsquos Theatre

Simply Saratoga | 27

working with our students

Our goal is to provide a family-friendly

and fun environment that feels like a home

away from home Our students have fun

learning skills that can be used every day of

their lives and we try to provide memories

that will last a lifetime For many our

summer camps are a wonderful introduc-

tion to martial arts

For more information visit

wwwsaratogamartialartscom

or call (518) 587-5501

28 | Simply Saratoga

Saratoga Independent SchoolSaratoga Independent School hosts a variety of summer

programs split into two age groups three to eight year-olds

Wilton Recreation CampWilton Recreation offers a full-day summer

camp program for children in grades one

through nine With available pre-camp and

post-camp care working parents can ensure

their children are having fun in a safe environ-

ment before and after the camprsquos regular 9 am to

3 pm hours Parents who register their children

for before and after camp care can drop off their

children prior to camp opening at 830 am and

can pick them up at 530 pm Bussing is avail-

able for Wilton residents who register for regu-

lar camp hours (9 am to 3 pm)

Wilton Recreation Camp offers a full sched-

ule of daily onsite activities themed events and

exciting trips for kids who register for off-site

adventures Daily on-site activities include arts

and crafts sports playground fun and other

organized group games This yearrsquos scheduled

field trips include Million Dollar Beach in Lake

George movie days at Proctors Theater

Saratoga County Fair bowling white water

rafting and at least two swimming days per

week at Peerless Pool

The Summer 2011 camp will open on

June 27 and run until August

12 Registration begins

March 14 at Gavin Park and

will close on June 3 As

there are only 300 spaces

available be sure to mark

your calendar Camp

registration forms are

available online at

wwwtownofwiltoncom or

can be picked up weekdays

at Gavin Park 9 am to 5 pm

For any other questions

please call the park office at (518) 584-9455

and seven to 14 year-olds The weeklong programs run from July 5

to August 19

Saratoga Independent School summer programs are staffed large-

ly by their own teachers so parents can rest assured their kids are

supervised in a safe environment with experienced teachers who are

knowledgeable about child development and hands-on

programming

For the younger group weekly themed programs run from 9 am

to noon (early drop-off at 830 available) The staff-to-camper ratio

is one to six for children ages three and four and one to ten for chil-

dren ages five to eight Themed programs include ldquoCooking with

Curiosityrdquo ldquoHawaiian Hullabaloordquo ldquoHands-On Science Funrdquo

ldquoHoliday-A-Dayrdquo ldquoGood Versus Evil Imaginations Run Wildrdquo

ldquoDinosaur Discoveryrdquo ldquoIn the Jungle the Mighty Junglerdquo

Activities take place both indoors and outdoors

The selection of enrichment programs for older children is even

more extensive this year than in the past Some programs will take

place in the mornings others in the afternoon Age ranges will vary

depending on the subject matter These specialty programs give chil-

dren an opportunity to develop new interests and expand on existing

skills Programs include ldquoCartooning and Morerdquo ldquoImprovisationrdquo

ldquoKnittingrdquo ldquoOpen Art Studiordquo ldquoYou Can Do Magicrdquo ldquoGet Up and

Dancerdquo ldquoRoaring into Robots Whatrsquos Nextrdquo ldquoArt in the Ancient

Worldrdquo ldquoMad Sciencerdquo ldquoComputer Video Game Creationrdquo

ldquoAdvanced Robot Challengesrdquo and ldquoArt-Math Connectionrdquo

Registration has already begun and the programs fill up quickly so

visit wwwsiskidsorg for more information and to secure a space

for your child

Simply Saratoga | 29

Are your kids looking for an adventure this summer The

Saratoga Regional YMCA has two exciting day camps available

Camp Starhitch held at the Wilton Branch which engages children

with a multitude of fun activities and a trip each week and Travel

Camp where participants meet at the Saratoga Springs Branch and

then travel off to fun and thrilling places each day

Camp Starhitch is for children having completed Kindergarten

through entering fifth grade Campers will participate in games

sports crafts nature activities trips swimming archery and more

Each week is planned around a theme and includes a trip For exam-

ple during ldquo70rsquos Flashbackrdquo week campers will go roller skating

during ldquoThe Wild Frontierrdquo week kids will have the opportunity to

go horseback riding and during ldquoTropical Paradiserdquo week partici-

pants may ldquocatch a gnarly waverdquo at an outdoor water park

Travel Camp is definitely for the action seeker and for those who

like to be on the go This program for youth entering fifth through

tenth grade provides campers an opportunity to travel each and every

day to fun-filled locations Participants explore different summer

activities that include amusement and water parks outdoor sports

fairs and horseback riding This year the trips include a visit to Hunter

Mountain Six Flags New England Tubing on the Battenkill NY

Mets game at Citi Field the NY State Fair and more

Camp Starhitch and Travel Camp both run for nine one-week ses-

sions You may choose to attend camp for one week or any combina-

tion of weeks Experienced counselors supervise children and a ratio

of 110 ensures a safe quality camping experience CPR and First Aid

certified camp staff will be present on all trips At Travel Camp

campers will be grouped according to age and are supervised by expe-

rienced adult staff

Camp Starhitch has two day camp options for your child Option A

allows for your child to be dropped off at 9 am and picked up at 4 pm

and Option B has a 7 am drop off time and a 6 pm pick up time

Travel Camp runs from 9 am to 430 pm and extended hours are

available at no additional cost This year transportation will be provid-

ed in both directions between the Saratoga Springs and Wilton

branches Pickups will be as early as 815 am and drop-offs will be

as late as 5 pm Both camps try to cater to working parents

In addition the Saratoga Regional YMCA is committed to provid-

ing a safe and welcoming environment for all campers by incorporat-

ing the YMCAcore values of caring honesty respect and responsibil-

ity in daily activities To promote safety and comfort for all individu-

als are asked to act appropriately at all times when at the Yrsquos facilities

or participating in Y programs All campers are required to read and

sign a contract of understanding in reference to the Code of Conduct

We expect persons using the YMCAto act maturely to behave respon-

sibly and to respect the rights and dignity of all othersmdashall while

having a good time

The Y also has opportunities available for those who may not have

the resources to send their children to camp The Y provides scholar-

ships for those who qualify Scholarships are made possible due to

the generous donations of Y members the community and businesses

to the ldquoWe Build Peoplerdquo scholarship campaign held by the Saratoga

Regional YMCA each year Scholarship applications are available at

all Saratoga Regional YMCA branches and online at wwwsaratogare-

gionalymcaorg

Registration is currently ongoing and fills up quickly Registration

forms are available at any of the Saratoga Regional YMCA Branches

or at wwwsaratogaregionalymcaorg For more information about

these day camps please contact Ilene Leverence at (518) 583-9622

ext 103 for Camp Starhitch and Patti Laudicina at (518) 583-9622

ext 110 or Paige Minear ext 116 for Travel Camp

Saratoga YMCA

30 | Simply Saratoga

Ask women about the greatest threat to their health and most will

respond incorrectly with the words ldquobreast cancerrdquo While breast cancer

certainly is of concern the truth is that women are 10 times more like-

ly to die from heart disease Breast cancer kills 1 in 25 women heart

disease claims 1 in 2

The most recent statistics available indicate that cardiovascular dis-

ease causes the death of 500000 women per year ndash more than ALL

forms of cancer combined This is a rate of epidemic proportion

Little or no warning

Two-thirds of women die suddenly from heart disease without expe-

riencing any warning symptoms The majority die before they even

reach the hospital and before any attempt at treatment is possible Early

screening and the detection that leads to prevention offer the only hope

of reducing these deaths

Women who do develop heart disease tend to fare worse than men

One reason is that on average heart disease peaks 10 years later in

women than in men At this older age women are less able to withstand

the stress of the disease The proof can be found in a disturbing statis-

tic One year after their first heart attack 44 percent of women are dead

compared with 27 percent of men

Clearly for women preventing that first heart attack would make an

enormous difference

Know the risks

What can be done to prevent and detect heart disease in women

Of foremost importance is to reduce ndash or if possible eliminate ndash the

conditions that cause or accelerate the growth of blockages in the arter-

ies of the heart These conditions known as risk factors include high

Women Take this warning to heart

Story By Andrij O Baran MD

blood pressure diabetes genetic high cholesterol a high-fat

diet an inactive lifestyle smoking and cocaine use

Some damage the lining of the heartrsquos arteries speeding the

buildup of cholesterol Others raise blood cholesterol Both

smoking and cocaine use speed blood clotting They also can

cause sudden cramps or spasms in the coronary arteries cut-

ting off the entire blood supply to portions of the heart even

without a cholesterol blockage

A woman who has one or more of these risk factors should

ask her doctor how best to control them She also should ask

about further screening and testing such as stress testing

The sooner the better

Lifestyle changes and medications can have a dramatic

impact on reducing the incidence of heart attack provided cho-

lesterol blockages are detected early ndash before damage to the

heart has occurred In fact drugs that lower cholesterol alone

have been unequivocally shown to reduce the risk of heart

attack and death by up to 50 percent

When added to a program of low-fat diet exercise control

of high blood pressure and diabetes and above all else no

smoking the benefits are magnified many times over Keep in

mind of course that these drugs work only if they are taken

and taken appropriately

By knowing and changing their risk factors all women can

ensure themselves of a longer and more vibrant life

Andrij O Baran MD FACC is the Medical Director of

Cardiology Services at Saratoga Hospital

Simply Saratoga | 31

A c t F a s t D u r i n g H e a r t A t t a c k s According to the American Heart

Association clot-busting drugs can stop

some heart attacks in progress reducing

disability and saving lives They work best

given within one hour of when heart

attack signs begin Thatrsquos why itrsquos impor-

tant to recognize the warning signs of a

heart attack and act right away

Warning Signs

bull Pain or discomfort in the jaw

neck or back

bull Feeling weak lightheaded or faint

bull Chest paindiscomfort

bull Paindiscomfort in the arms or

shoulder

bull Shortness of breath

If you think that you or someone you

know is having a heart attack call 911

immediately

32 | Simply Saratoga

Who would believe that a rabbi from Eastern

Europe frozen for 150 years in a block of ice could

be transported across time and space to Memphis

where he thaws then becomes a spiritual guru to

baby boomers Arguably nobody But Steve Stern

the author of ldquoThe Frozen Rabbirdquo his most recent

novel isnrsquot asking readers to believe it so much as

to let the characters tell their story Besides the plot

may be far-fetched but he already has a buyer for

the movie rights

Writer-in-residence at Skidmore College Stern is

a genius at creating human beings in fantastical cir-

cumstances who seem more like eccentric neigh-

bors than artifacts of science fiction Some fly

some inhabit other peoplersquos dreams some are res-

urrected and some travel through time Whatever

their superpowers or frailties the heroes and vil-

lains tricksters and innocents and witnesses and

bystanders in Sternrsquos short and long fiction deserve

attention and evoke compassion in their quest for

connection and redemption - or at least food and

shelter From within an inexhaustible vein of

Jewish folklore and oral history his characters

emerge into a lucid fictional universe that embraces

both magic and the mundane Dialogue is ironic as

often as it is mystical and the most ordinary days

serve as backdrops for incredible events

ldquoMiracles are commonplacerdquo says Stern a

Ballston Spa resident ldquoI donrsquot write in metaphors

and symbols deliberately Writing is a visceral

experience for me I read with interest what review-

ers say about my repetitive themes and ideas but I

am driven by images and characters Irsquom a compul-

sive storytellerrdquo

Steve Stern A Lyrical Voice in the Ghetto

B

o

o

k

m

a

r

k

Lean bespectacled and haloed in dark curls Stern

is a Memphis native who grew up in a home bereft

of music books and art in a city made famous by

Elvis Presley (who used to drive through Sternrsquos

neighborhood) and Martin Luther Kingrsquos assassina-

tion He remembers himself as ldquoa mediocre adoles-

cent without confidence or spiritual antennardquo first

stirred to write poetry in high school which he read

aloud for attention

ldquoI was surprised people liked itrdquo he says ldquoAnd I

liked writing it even though it embarrassed me But

I was encouraged to go on and later to try proserdquo

The allure of the late lsquo60s and early lsquo70s was not

academic After college Stern wandered through

Europe then worked as a butcher on a hippie com-

mune in the Ozarks raising pigs and eating off the

land ldquoI slept under five blankets and two dogsrdquo he

recalls (The incarnation has been memorialized in a

comic strip by Sternrsquos girlfriend Sabrina a cartoon-

ist and set designer for Saturday Night Live)

The commune was not too far from the University

of Arkansas where Stern attended graduate school

and played volleyball with Bill and Hillary Clinton

ldquoI hoped he would mention me in his inaugural

addressrdquo Stern sighs

With an MA Stern found teaching gigs at vari-

ous colleges but the work dried up forcing him to

take a job at a folklore center in Memphis first tran-

scribing stories about the black community then

launching a life-changing project to preserve the

stories of the fading Jewish population in a desolate

Memphis ghetto known as ldquoThe Pinchrdquo where

many of his stories are set

Story By Helen Susan Edelman

ldquoBernie scrunched his face in thought Gone was his waryimpulse to keep everything secret and there were times of latewhen he felt almost reckless almost ready to tell the world whileon the other hand he suspected he may have already confided toomuch ldquoI thinkrdquo he said after some consideration ldquoIrsquom startingto outgrow myselfrdquo

mdash Steve Stern ldquoThe Frozen Rabbirdquo

Photo by Josh GerritsenSteve Stern

Simply Saratoga | 33

ldquoIt was intoxicatingrdquo says Stern ldquoI became obsessed with

itrdquo Indeed his work is infused with the folklore images lan-

guage archetypes settings rituals and values embedded in

the memories he recorded and in the vast Jewish and Yiddish

literature he has studied since

A non-observant Jew Stern had no relationship with his

religion so the introduction to his exotic legacy was both

anchor and springboard for a prolific new consciousness

ldquoThe floodgates openedrdquo he says ldquoSuddenly this world

began to materialize for me What had been barren neighbor-

hoods I could see vividly as tenements and shops a town

square street traffic merchants pawnbrokers rabbis chil-

drenhellipimmigrants from Eastern Europe looking for a homerdquo

Stern is comfortable writing about transcendent wisdom as

long as itrsquos his characterrsquos voice

and not his own

dispensing the

insights The

frozen rabbi in

the book of the

same name for

example ldquoradiates

within his zone of

influence and is a

spiritual catalyst

for anyone who

encounters himrdquo

says Stern ldquowhere-

as I am a clicheacute a

Jew who grew up

without an identityrdquo

A winner of both

Guggenheim and

Fulbright fellowships

as well as the National

Jewish Book Award

the Pushcart Prize an

OrsquoHenry Prize and the Edward Lewis Wallant Award Stern

is working on a new novel and rereading Faulkner Tolstoy

Dickens and Joyce

He views each new writing project as ldquoa riskrdquo Experience

last summer also reminded him of the evanescence of popu-

larity he gave two readings one in Memphis which drew

such a crowd that doors had to be locked and one in St

Louis where he commanded an audience of four

ldquoJust like the characters in my storiesrdquo Stern observes ldquoI

encounter conflicts look for a way to escape and face mixed

consequencesrdquo sect

How is your mental state these days Are

you experiencing peace and joy in every-

day life or frustration and impatience Are

you living your life ldquoon purposerdquo or going

through the motions feeling numb and dead

on the inside How is the garden of your

mind Are you tending to your garden or letting

the weeds take over

When I lived in Boston I lived next door to an elder-

ly woman who had a beautiful garden Every morning my

neighbor was outside in her floral moo moo (circa Mrs

Roper from Threersquos Company) tending carefully to each

plant and flower She would spend hours walking around her

garden joyfully humming and making sure her flowers were

strong and healthy Many mornings I would sip my coffee

and watch her peacefully pulling out the weeds and tending

to her precious flowers To this day I remember how tall and

lovely her sunflowers were I think our mental state can be

compared to tending to a garden do we have beautiful sun-

flowers of joy and peace or toxic weeds of bitterness and

guilt

The weeds in your heart and mind are feelings of bitterness

anger guilt self-loathing and negativity Do you spend your

days reviewing the list of those that have offended

you Do you beat yourself up daily for past mis-

takes or regrets These are the weeds that can

take over your mind and lead to racing

thoughts a dark depression constant

anxiety or physical illness and

chronic pain If you are someone

that is easily frustrated impatient

and critical you can be sure you

34 | Simply Saratoga

Tending to theGarden of Your MindDealing with the Weeds in your Life

Simple Truths

have some weeds to deal with

The only path to peace and joy in your everyday life is to

pull your weeds out from the root and confront the issues

Holding on to your weeds only makes you ill and deadens

your heart Did you know that people who are full of bitter-

ness and resentment appear older and are not as physically

attractive as people who are full of peace and love The

weeds in your heart and mind can actually make you ugly

Likewise a mind that is content and peaceful gives us a

sparkle and light in our eyes that people are automatically

attracted to Forget the anti-wrinkle cream and Botox Fill

your heart and mind up with the best kept beauty secret

around love and forgiveness

Forgiveness is not about letting the person who hurt you

off the hook Forgiveness IS allowing light into our hearts

so that we can heal and move forward It takes the heavy

burden of offense and resentment off of our hearts and

minds while preparing the ldquosoilrdquo for new growth and

experiences

When possible confront the people you need to forgive

so that you can have closure and move on If it is not pos-

sible to confront the person that is the weed in your life

write them a letter expressing your hurt and anger (not to

send but in a private journal) This is a wonderful way to

give yourself closure and put your feelings out on the table

More often than not the person we have to forgive or con-

front is ourselves If you are constantly beating yourself up

and feeling guilty about your past make a choice to forgive

yourself

Donrsquot be lazy about your weeds Dig deep and pull out

your weeds so that you can make room for peace and joy

We all desire to feel love and be accepted That accept-

Meghan DLemery LCSW-R

Simply Saratoga | 35

ance starts with you Begin to focus on peaceful loving joyful

thoughts Keep a gratitude journal of what you love about your-

self or the loved ones in your life Practice planting seeds of joy

by giving acceptance and love to everyone around you

Take time to practice patience and kindness to your family

friends colleagues and that slow cashier at the grocery store Go

out of your way to help others in any way that you can All of

these acts of kindness plant the seeds of peace love joy and

abundance

As we approach the new season of spring take some time to

tend to the garden of your mind

Wishing you love self-acceptance and peace this spring and

always

Ms Lemery is a psychotherapist practic-ing in Saratoga Springs and QueensburyShe can be reached at meghanle-meryyahoocom

Her first novel will be pub-lished this Spring TitledldquoPlease Pass the BarbieShoesrdquo it is a hilarious heart-warming story that will haveyou feeling inspiredand empowered

sect

36 | Simply Saratoga

Living Room The custom-designed leather couch chair andottoman come from Suttons The stucco fireplace was inspired by theCollinsrsquo travels through the Southwest and Colorado (ldquowe wanted to avoida traditional river rock fireplacerdquo) and provides a heat source as well asbeauty The original structure was built for passive solar design no airconditioning is needed in the summer A wood stove is the primary heatsource radiant heat with natural gas was also added during the renova-tion

The front door as well as all the interior doors was custom-made fittedand replaced by Tom Zanetti Hickory wood floors were also installed dur-ing the addition A hanging stained glass chandelier is a stock itemobtained from a leading home supply retailer ldquoIt captures the sunlightbeautifully along with providing brilliant nighttime illuminationrdquo Tedsaid ldquoItrsquos an eclectic mixrdquo

Simply Saratoga | 37

Today we look at a creative space that is set into a special place

In 1993 Ted and Susan Collins purchased a seven-acre property

with a 1986 Timberpeg designed home that has all the qualities of

a place in the country ndash yet many would be surprised to learn that

it is actually located on the border of Saratoga Springs near the

Alpine Shop on Clinton Street After a number of years living in

apartments on Union Avenue and Franklin Square enjoying the

proximity to downtown and the track they couldnrsquot resist a spot

that was close to town but yet had lots of land

Their overall vision was for an interior space that was in accord

with the outside ndash the wildlife gardens and the sustainable philos-

ophy embodied in the original buildingrsquos passive solar design

ldquoEverything we do embraces the goals of staying true to the orig-

inal structure having an open welcoming interior and being in

harmony with the outdoorsrdquo Ted said

Inspired by travels in balance with the land

Story By Arthur GonickPhotos by copystockstudiosphotographycom

These principles guided a major transformation of the interior

space in 2006 The key element was an addition to the home that

enabled the living room kitchen and upstairs bedroom to be

expanded allowing space for the installation of a downstairs bath

as well

Susan and Ted led this transformation - visualizing an addition

that incorporated equilibrium of size location and overall propor-

tion They went through several iterations with Rick Deforest of

Heritage Timberframes

Even though much of the interior decor came from travels in

Africa the South Pacific and Colorado the building materials and

craftsmen are all local The timbers and wood flooring were milled

in nearby Kingsbury ldquoWe enjoyed working with professionals who

are also friends like Rick Deforest Tom Zanetti and Mike

Roohanrdquo Ted said ldquothe house now feels complete in balancerdquo sect

Unique Places and Creative Spaces If you would like to nominate a unique

or creative place to be featured emailentertainmentsaratogapublishingcom

38 | Simply Saratoga

Kitchen A wall was taken out that afforded space to add an eat-in island area and

open up the space Custom cabinets are by Tom Zanetti Stonework andappliances were added Both the kitchen and bathroom have granite table-tops (from Mike and Margaret Roohan of Granite and Marble Works)New appliances include a Bosch stove (with a built-in microwave drawer)and an Amana stainless refrigerator

Bathroom The bathroom ceiling is pine The showerarea was designed and built to the Collinsrsquo specifications andfeatures a bench 4 shower heads PLUS an extra hand-held one(ldquoItrsquos a human car washrdquo) The stone tiles on the sides and floorin the shower were installed by Best Tile the plumbing in theshower comes from Aird Dorrance as does the sink ndash which sitson a granite top from Granite and Marble Works The windowleads out to the north side of the house with privacy blinds insidethe window panes One thing you donrsquot see ldquoSince the room ison display in the center of the expanded first floor we wanted thecommode to be mostly hiddenrdquo Ted said

Unique Places and Creative Spaces

Simply Saratoga | 39

Living RoomA reading nook sits upon the bathroom addition ldquoThere was no full bathroom on the first

floor and with a post and beam construction we had to be creative You get outstanding viewsof the property pond and stream when viewed from the nookrsquos perspectiverdquo The ladder canswing out on a track making it more like walking up a staircase ndash this was also designed andinstalled by Tom Zanetti The table in the nook is actually a working African drum with a glasstable top added

40 | Simply Saratoga

Bedroom In the second-floor master bedroom moving the dormer brought in extra light and space and

also brought the roofline together with the original structure and first-floor additions The floorand ceiling are made of rough-cut pine planking The bed is also constructed of pine and comesfrom Suttons The window in the upper left was cut during the addition It faces west for extra day-time light

Simply Saratoga | 41

42 | Simply Saratoga

Story Written by Yael Goldman Photos by Samu Studios and Randall Perry Photography

Simply Saratoga | 43

orking with the

right interior designer

turns listless decision making

into an enjoyable and productive

process that avoids costly mistakes

and delivers exceptional results

Designing a room or an entire home is a

big project no matter how strong your tastes are

The decisions are endless ndash what color should I paint the

walls What flooring is most aesthetically appealing and

dog-friendly Should I choose a furniture set or choose

individual pieces Do I want curtains or shades Do I

decorate with knick-knacks or artwork

But with all the unique self-questioning that surrounds

an interior design project most homeowners share angst

in asking themselves one specific question where do I

start

Itrsquos at this point ndash when stress level increases enjoy-

ment-driven projects turn deadly and money has been

wastefully spent on all the wrong things ndash that you long

for the help of a professional if only you could afford it

Well the truth is you can

Creating the right space can be expensive but is only

more so if you make mistakes and have to go back and

fix them If you do it right the first time therersquos no cost

associated with do-overs

With nearly 100 years of experience between them all

four members of Blairhouse Interiors Group have

worked with more than enough unhappy do-it-your-

selfers to tell you yoursquore not alone

Photo by Samu Studios

44 | Simply Saratoga

The four-member designproject therapy team which recently

opened a studio in Saratoga Springs has a long history of help-

ing home and business owners create their ideal spaces and

atmospheres the right way Their exceptional work is celebrated across

the Capital Region including Saratoga Springs where the Blairhouse

look is prominently featured in a handful of Park Place condominiums

and the incredible Saratoga National Golf Club

Thomas R Burns Meghan Baltich Dominic Carota and Patricia

Richards the highly skilled and charismatic force behind Blairhouse

Interiors Group promise an experience that is personal because itrsquos all

about your needs ndash and thatrsquos what is important

Blairhouse offers full-service interior design services space planning

project management hand-picked merchandise patience and an uncan-

ny ability to create a

look that is always

fresh sophisticated

and comfortable

ldquoThe style that we

gravitate toward is

unique cutting-edge

and modern not dic-

tated by corporaterdquo

said Meghan Baltich

pointing to a ldquovery

propitiousrdquo Keith Fritz

table at the center of

the studio

Photo by Randall Perry Photography

If you do it right the firsttime therersquos no cost

associated with do-oversPhoto by Randall Perry Photography

One glance at the Park Place showroom ndash of the selective furnishings carefully showcased along

the periphery ndash and it becomes clear why Blairhouse an award-winning team gets the job

done

Their creativity focus and immaculate sense of direction bring objectivity to the scene helping you nar-

row down all of the tedious and overwhelming choices that make do-it-yourself decorating an exercise in

unclear thinking

ldquoPeople are overwhelmed by all the choices it can feel like theyrsquore in a paralyzed blurrdquo said Thomas

Burns who finds that a great vision can be impossible to imagine and create without eliminating all of

the distractions

A vital step in getting focused is creating a

comprehensive plan based on individual

needs wants and style that addresses all

aspects of lifestyle and taste and suggests

tactful solutions and fresh approaches to new

and existing spaces

They help you identify what you like

forcing you to hone in on what you want and

need to compliment and enhance your

lifestyle

ldquoWe ascertain the clientrsquos goal and

lifestyle to convey their visionrdquo said

Dominic Carota explaining that the intended

outcome of creating or reinventing a room is

often strictly tied to how you want to live in

it

ldquoWe have to know how they functionrdquo he

said

An interior designer is an asset in the func-

tion-meets-style equation

Dominic explained that a couple starting a family will have far

different needs than empty-nesters looking for a change They may

have the same stylistic goals but their execution will differ based on

how their lifestyle exists within the space

When revamping a single room the majority of your focus is ded-

icated to that individual space making it easy to forget that the rest

of the house is attached Establishing connectivity between rooms is

a challenge but an important part of executing a project the right

way

Sometimes one wrong detail no matter how small can be incred-

ibly impactful and difficult to avoid on your own

ldquoIf yoursquore working on a new addition or renovation we ensure it

flows that therersquos balance between the existing part of the living

space and the new additionrdquo Meghan Baltich said explaining that

it just doesnrsquot make sense to put in a great new kitchen if itrsquos dis-

jointed and out of place from its surroundings

Another common novice mistake is the trendy retail store fallacy

that you can order a full room from a catalog or pick a fabulous and

unique design from a floor plan

Blairhouse clients learn the difference between ldquocookie-cutterrdquo

and ldquocustomrdquo and they are never concerned with picking the wrong

piece for the wrong room

Simply Saratoga | 45

ome customers will come to us after going into a Pottery Barn and buying stuff that just didnrsquot workrdquo Baltich said giving the

example of an individual who purchased an enormous sectional for a tiny room ldquoWe scale into the clientrsquos space taking func-

tion and proportion into considerationrdquo

Exceptional listening and observation skills are the designerrsquos

unsung attributes and greatest assets Blairhouse experts engage

with their clients to gain a true understanding of what they want

In turn the design process becomes an eye-opening experience

customers are introduced to colors and concepts they would

never think to consider

ldquoEach client trusts us to create their environment and we

enable them to make informed decisionsrdquo Patricia Richards

said

And sometimes that requires bold suggestions and collabora-

tion or looking at all of the possibilities even the ones ldquoyou

would never have been brave enough to do on your ownrdquo

In the end the experience of working with the experts is

enjoyable stress-free and cost-effective From concept to com-

pletion the result is just what you want and need ndash a fabulous

marriage of function and aesthetic that wonrsquot have you coming

back for more (because you did it right the first time) sect

ldquoS

46 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 47

For a taste of Blairhouse Interiors Grouprsquos distinctive work stop into their Park Place studio located at 262 Broadway Suite 204 in Saratoga Springs For further details visit wwwblairhouseinteriorscom or call (518) 786-7800

From left to right Dominic Carota Meghan Baltich Patricia Richards and

Thomas R Burns (The designproject therapy team of Blairhouse Interiors Group)

48 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 49

Dorsquos and Donrsquots

50 | Simply Saratoga

Story Written by Kerry Ann Mendez Perennially Yours bull wwwpyourscom Photos Provided

SpringDorsquos and Donrsquots

SpringDorsquos and DonrsquotsDorsquos and Donrsquots

Spring

for your Gardens

s

Simply Saratoga | 51

ssts

SPRINGis right around the corner and gardenersare pawing at the ground ready to explodethrough the garden gate As a passionate perennial gardenerI am right there with you But before launching into another flower-filledseason letrsquos go through a spring checklist of dorsquorsquos and donrsquorsquots to makesure we make the most of the race and have the best finish ever

Photo by GardenersSupply Company

apply a granular fertilizer to your perennial beds while they are still lsquoasleeprsquoDepending on the winter wersquove had this may be anytime from mid-Marchto mid-April Donrsquot worry if there are already lsquoearly risersrsquo visible like springblooming bulbs or woodland ephemerals I recommend using 5-5-5 5-10-5 or

5-10-10 fertilizer at the rate of 2 pounds per 100 square feet Cast the fertilizer just before it is about to rainto make sure fertilizer is watered into the ground and washed off any existing leaves You can give otherplants in your yard this treat as well including floweringshrubs groundcovers climbing vinesand roses

DONrsquoTput fertilizer on top of the snow or on ground that is

still frozen You want to make sure the fertilizer disap-pears into pliable soil and to waiting roots otherwiserunoff can occur And donrsquot think more is better Youcan stress or even kill plants by over-fertilizing espe-cially in spring when leaves are not fully developed toutilize nitrogen in the fertilizer If you are going to errless is better

DO

prune once-b l o o m i n g

roses such as Heirloom or Old GardenRoses when the Forsythia is blooming

Any rose that blooms onceusually in late spring forabout three weeks is in thiscategory Many times theseroses are quite fragrantWait to prune these rosesuntil right after they flower

DONrsquoT

prune most roses whenForsythia is in bloom Pruneshrub roses back by half to

23 their height This is assuming you did not prunethem last fall If you did then next year wait until latewinter or early spring Prune Teas and Grandiflorasback to 18 - 24rdquo For climbing roses prune branchesemerging from the main canes back to within 3 - 4rdquoof the cane

DO

apply corn gluten tolawn areas yoursquoveseeded (or over-seeded) or to gar-dens where youwant biennialsperennials or annu-als to reseed andflower Corn glutendoes not distinguishbetween lsquogoodrsquoand lsquobadrsquo seeds

apply a pre-emer-gent weed killerand fertilizer toyour lawn A lushhealthy lawn

makes a beautiful frame for gardens Myfamily walked away from lawn chemicalsfive years ago And our lawn has neverlooked better Corn gluten is a big part ofthis transformation Corn gluten is a by-product of milled corn It will not harm chil-dren pets or wildlife Heck you can eat it ifyou want (but it tastes yucky) Corn Glutenis high in nitrogen and commonly used as alawn fertilizer But it is also a pre-emergenttargeting seeds as they germinate Youcan put corn gluten down at any point inthe spring BUT if part of your mission is toeliminate crabgrass then there is a narrowwindow of attackApply it whenForsythia is in fullbloom and beforeits leaves appearThe Forsythia is asoil temperatureindicator that cor-responds to whencrabgrass seedsstart to germinate More garden centersare now carrying corn gluten productsYou just need to ask and follow the appli-cation instructions on the bag Make sureto water in the corn gluten after applyingIt will remain effective for five to six weeks

Simply Saratoga | 53

DONrsquoT

DO

step on soil as you maneuver around thegarden to cut back Lavender and therest of the gang For that matter youshould never be tromping through yourgardens compacting soil This breaks

down air and water channels as well as making it tougher forroots to spread Instead reach into beds from existing paths orplace stepping stones in discreet spots where only your eyes cansee or lsquowalk the plankrsquo on a board to reach plants fartherlsquoadriftrsquo

54 | Simply Saratoga

cut back Lavender Russian SageMontauk Daisy Butterfly BushChrysanthemums and ornamental grass-es These are best left untouched in falland whacked in spring Many folks make

the mistake of acting too gingerly with pruners Let lsquoem fly Theresult will be more compact neater plants that will bloom just fineTrust me If it helps wait until yoursquove had a bad day at work withthe kids or in traffic

DONrsquoT

DO

divide Peonies German Bearded Iris orOriental Poppies in spring These are bestdone in late summer Also tap-rootedplants (those with a carrot-looking root)cannot be divided Think about it These

are usually propagated by seed stem or root cuttings Someperennials that fall into this category are Malva Butterfly WeedBalloon Flower Oriental Poppies and Lupines

Simply Saratoga | 55

DONrsquoT

divide plants in spring This is an optimumtime to divide most perennials Yes evenspring bloomers Wait until these haveflowered and then shear off the spentblooms and get to business Most sum-

mer and fall blooming perennials can be divided prior to mid-Junewithout disrupting their performance

DO

apply a time-released fertilizersuch as Plant-Tone(organic) orOsmocote to heavy

feeding perennials five to six weeks afterthe earlier granular fertilizer applicationMost plants do not need as much fertilizeras we are led in advertising to believe I amstingy with my money and maintenancetime so only a handful of plants get thisbonus feed Astilbe Delphinium Liliums (ieAsiatic Oriental Trumpet) Clematis androses If I am feeling generous I will putsome on my Bigleaf Hydrangeas next to theroses Call me heartlessJust scratch fertilizer intothe top couple inchesof soil around theplantrsquos base and waterin well They will enjoy anutritious snack forthree to four months

apply mulch ongarden beds toreduce weedsconserve moisture

reduce erosion minimize soil temperaturefluctuations and enhance the quality ofthe soil Some mulching materials includeaged manures compost shredded wood(not dyed) leaf moldand cocoa hulls Putthe mulch down 2rdquo to3rdquo thick around plantsincluding floweringshrubs

build up mulchagainst plant stems

And please please donrsquot create volcanomounds around trees Please This is awfulfor them The only ones that benefit fromthis are the people selling the mulch

56 | Simply Saratoga

DONrsquoT

DO

DO

rubber band orbraid the foliage ofspring bloomingbulbs after they fin-ish flowering You

want as much leaf surface exposed to thesun as possible to increase photosynthesisYou can press the leaves down next to thesoil so they are less noticeable

Simply Saratoga | 57

sect

And finally DO have a great year in

your gardens and DONrsquoT forget to

take time to smell the roses

DONrsquoT

DONrsquoT

cut off the spentblooms and stems onspring blooming bulbsafter they have flow-ered so energy is redirected to the bulbsversus seed productions Keep the leaves inplace until they have browned and ideallycan be pulled from the ground by hand

put time-released fertil-izer on perennials thatprefer lean dietsRicher soil just upsetstheir vascular systemsThey will get leggy flop and not perform tosnuff Yarrow Coneflower Catmint RussianSage Linum Sea Holly and Silvermound are inthe group

DO

For more information contact Perennially Yours at pyourscom

58 | Simply Saratoga

Ill mination

Exterior Stonework

an

d

Story Written by Arthur Gonick Photos Provided

u

Simply Saratoga | 59

To develop and implement an exterior vista that maximizes your enjoyment To have a backyard landscape that is warm inviting and uniquely yours

These are goals that many homeowners have when they first move onto their property But unless you are trained in the variety ofmaterials and options available the task of getting past the point of comparing possibilities to completing and actually enjoying yourbackyard paradise can appear to be a long daunting road

For Carl Trinkle a landscape designer for ten years with the Gallivan Companies of Troy one of the key elements in a successfultransformation is utilizing a professionalrsquos expertise to articulate goals and develop a plan

ldquoThe most important thing we do when we first meet with a client is to get them to discuss their basic needs and aims and encouragethem to formulate an overall vision for their property An initial consultation sets the tone we make an initial visit on-site to look overthe property so we can have an idea as to where things might be placedrdquo

ldquoDuring this intake process we actually encourage people to show us photos of their friendrsquos property that they like or perhaps froma magazine It helps most people to articulate the goals of what they would like to see as a finished projectrdquo Trinkle said ldquoEven if they are looking to do things in phases we find that it is most important to develop a comprehensive site planrdquo This eliminates the need to revise original phases of work to accommodate those that come in the future

60 | Simply Saratoga

that Mr Trinkle finds potential customers identifying with aredesigned to extend the outdoor season ldquoA few extra weeks outside isa lotrdquo he said

add-ons also extend outside activity each day Low voltage lighting is still the most popular but recently LED lighting with longer-lasting bulbs that involve less maintenance and are cost-efficienthave become more fashionable

The latest trends

stations fire pits and waterenhancements such as ponds andwaterfalls are the most frequentlyrequested items that broaden theoutdoor use season

Outdoor grill

Exterior lighting

Simply Saratoga | 61

And of course swimming pool projects have always been a most-requested

item Fifty percent of allthe projects Mr Trinkleworks on involve a pooleither a completely new installation or enhance-ments to existing poolsGallivanrsquos long-standingrelationship withConcord Pools has beena hallmark in assuringthat customers are satis-fied when their pool isput in the ground

62 | Simply Saratoga

In most cases a comprehensive plancan be developed for any project in about a period of twoweeks Complete drawings and cost breakdowns are provid-ed as well as the projected phases that can be completed injust a few months or on larger projects can be scheduled insegments over a few years These are reviewed in personwith the customer again the goal being to have a plan thateveryone buys into

Simply Saratoga | 63

ldquoWe have had projects where the customer has wanted tohave a lot of input and we welcome that But we also hadone where the client was out of town and we built a firepit and slide for his wife and kids and our only instructions were to dazzle themI remember it as a most satisfying experience and we ended up winning awards for that onerdquo

- Carl Trinkle Landscape DesignerThe Gallivan Companies

64 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 65

ldquoI get to work using my creativity with talented people Some of the most talented are those

I meet as customersrdquo sect

For more information or to schedule aconsultation phone Gallivan Companies at(518) 271-6100 Gallivanrsquos website iswwwGallivanCompaniescom

66 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 67

Buying a playhouse for your child is an excellent investment

They promote imaginative play and spending time outdoors and

double as storage space when no longer used for recreation

Denise Woodcock owner of Versatile Sheds in Wilton has

been helping parents and grandparents customize their childrsquos or

grandchildrsquos dream playhouses for years

ldquoThey make great gifts especially for grandparents who want

their grandkids to have their own place to play when they visitrdquo

she said

Playhouses are a great addition to a childrsquos outdoor world

They come in all shapes sizes and designs and can be custom-

built or finished if you donrsquot find exactly what yoursquore looking for

in a catalog or on the lot

Every child is different and has their own preferences for color

size and function boys and girls often have especially different

requests for their play space as do younger and more mature chil-

dren so therersquos a lot to consider

Denise knows how even the finest detail can be all it takes to

make an outdoor structure feel like a childrsquos own personal space

While it may seem superfluous to address every minor demand

the truth is a playhouse is more than just an expensive toy itrsquos an

investment The more your child connects with their space the more

use theyrsquoll get out of it ndash and according to Denise that means your

money is well spent

Smartest WayThe

playhouse for your kidsto buy a

Photos by MarkBollescomStory by Yael Goldman

68 | Simply Saratoga

With this in mind prospective buyers should first consider

who will use the playhouse and for how long as well as what

happens when the structure is no longer used for recreation

Versatile Sheds can help even the most discerning parent or

child find what theyrsquore looking for Every playhouse is hand-

built by Amish craftsmen who can accommodate almost any

special request at an additional cost so the possibilities are

endless inside and out

Cedar shingle or vinyl siding wood stone or brick ndash if you

can use it on the outside of your regular home it can be inte-

grated into your playhousersquos design Playhouses can be built

to look like a miniature version of your home which is an

excellent touch for parents that are particularly concerned

with aesthetics Porches shutters flowerboxes unique doors

chimneys and exterior lighting are just a few of the touches

that can brighten and personalize the exterior

Individualizing your childrsquos playhouse doesnrsquot stop at the

front door There are just as many interior features to choose

from ndash you can let your imagination run wild

For starters you have the option to order the playhouse

with a finished or unfinished interior The unfinished version

looks a lot like the inside of a regular home before you move

in paint the walls and furnish the rooms

Buying an unfinished structure is a great way to cut costs

and even bring the family together over a weekend decorating

project The possibilities are endless depending on how handy

you are otherwise a few coats of paint and a bit of carpeting

will surely do the trick

Although a bit pricey purchasing a playhouse with a fin-

ished interior ensures that your child gets exactly what they

want right off the bat They can pick everything from the paint

color to the flooring so the playhouse is move-in ready on the

day it arrives

Playhouses can also be insulated and wired for electricity

You can install lighting electrical outlets even heat or air-

conditioning to make your childrsquos outdoor space as comfort-

able as possible

And the options donrsquot end there Traditional sheds also dou-

ble as playhouses For some parents purchasing an adult-size

shed for their children is an ideal way to get the best return on

their investment Once their children grow out of it the struc-

ture can be used for outdoor storage With just as many styles

sizes and materials to choose from you can customize the

interior and exterior of your shed just as you would a play-

house but without all of the more frivolous features

ldquoAny shed can be a playhouserdquo Woodcock said explaining

how a custom paint job or flowerbox can transform a typical

storage unit into childrsquos outdoor activity haven

For example if purchasing a wood shed the exterior can be

easily painted and repainted when making the transition from

playhouse to storage space

For Denisersquos customers getting their moneyrsquos worth should

not have to mean making sacrifices

Simply Saratoga | 69

70 | Simply Saratoga

When Debby Trainor made the decision to buy her grand-

daughter Chezneyrsquos dream house she wanted it to have all the

bells and whistles She met with Denise to go over all the cri-

teria the goal was to buy the perfect gift for Chezney while

staying within her budget

The eight-year-old Greenwich girl wanted her own pretty

pink palace where she could play and imagine Debby wanted

it to be a cozy and safe place for her to play year-round

Customization and interior decoration helped make

Chezneyrsquos playhouse feel like her own little kingdom

ldquoWe made it look like a cute little dollhouserdquo she said ldquoWe

put furniture inside and a little stove fridge heater and TV

itrsquos just perfectrdquo

With the structure built to their liking Chezney and Debby

could enjoy decorating the inside to personalize the playhouse

For many customers putting on the finishing touches means

making the playhouse feel like home ndash you can add curtains

hang pictures buy furniture and appliances and landscape the

perimeter to make the outdoor space feel like a home away

from home

When the child grows out of their playhouse these items

can be easily removed to accommodate a secondary use for the

space

ldquoThe best thing that Denise did for me was explain how we

can use the playhouse for storage for stuff out in the yard after

Chezney has grown out of itrdquo Debby explained ldquoAlthough

she is only eight and will be using it for quite a few more

years this really makes it a good investment and looks

great in the backyardrdquo

Whether you choose a customized playhouse or a tradi-

tional shed thinking toward the future also ensures the

safety and longevity of the structure

Denise explained that placement is an important thing to

consider as you want to make sure the structure is in a safe

place and on an appropriate surface Most importantly the

playhouse must be built on a level even surface that isnrsquot

too high off of the ground

ldquoYou want it on a nice platformrdquo Denise explained

ldquoSome people use concrete but stone is better because it

allows moisture to seep down into the ground and away

from the structurerdquo

Most parents prefer that their playhouse is in the back-

yard where itrsquos easy to see from a window Placing the

structure in a shaded area is also a good idea it will be

cooler in the summer and less susceptible to the elements if

partially protected by trees

Debby had Chezneyrsquos playhouse built right next to her

swing set where she can be easily supervised

One last thing to consider when purchasing a playhouse

Simply Saratoga | 71

72 | Simply Saratoga

or shed for your child is how much effort

you want to put into maintaining it The

more ornate the structure the more care it

may need

Woodcock advises parents to preserve

their investment and treat the playhouse

like a miniature home

Think of it as a miniature house ndash the

structure requires regular maintenance

and upkeep to ensure your child will be

safe while enjoying years and years of

imaginative fun

With so many features and styles to

choose from yoursquore sure to find the best

for both you and your child

For more information about Versatile

Sheds or to set up a time to meet with

Denise Woodcock call (518) 584-7924

or stop by 669 Route 9 in Wilton sect

Simply Saratoga | 73

74 | Simply Saratoga

Kitchen

Not Your

Grandmarsquos

Story Written by Daniel Schechtman Photos Provided

ldquoAs you

walk into the kitchen

of the future LED

light projections adjust

to your mood - it will

know if you have a

hangover via sensors

that will read your

b r a i n w a v e s

Aromatherapy infused

walls will be synched

to your calendar calm-

ing you before a big

meeting or energizing you before a gym session The fridge will have selected some breakfast options identifying the essen-

tial vitamins for your day via sensors When you get home a hologram chef will be on hand for recipe inspirationrdquo

Alright so maybe your kitchen canrsquot do all of these things quite yet ndash but believe it or not wersquore getting there This is tomor-

rowrsquos kitchen a kitchen where your appliances donrsquot just store your food or wash your dishes ndash they talk to you providing you

with integral information on how to

best store your fruits and vegetables

letting you know if the refrigerator

door is open for too long or when a

part will soon need replacing

Simply Saratoga | 75

ldquoScience fictionrdquo I hear you say

Guess again Quoted from a report released by The Future Laboratory

who was commissioned by IKEA to determine what a modernkitchen in the year 2040 could conceivably look like

76 | Simply Saratoga

ldquoOne technology that really stands out to me is the

Miele Appliance Company Right now theyrsquore using a

program called lsquoremote visionrsquo On select applianceshellip

is a wireless card that clicks into a port on the back of

the appliance You synch it up with your home network

and it basically emails the technician and the owner

when itrsquos broken when you need to clean your condens-

er change your water filter or schedule a routine serv-

icerdquo said Tom Thibeault owner of Adirondack

Appliance Repair Inc located at 67 West Ave in

Saratoga Springs ldquoMaybe somebodyrsquos been opening the

[refrigerator] door for too long or the door was left open

ndash it will email you and tell you that your door is left

openrdquo

This is not your grandmarsquos kitchen This my friends

is the kitchen of the future and itrsquos available now

The 36 inch bottom-mount Miele refrigerator boasts a

striking interior featuring LED lighting running along

the sides from top to bottom stainless steel accents and

exteriors with control systems that would be comfort-

able alongside the captainrsquos chair on the Starship

Enterprise

Simply Saratoga | 77

ldquoThe controls in the Miele really stand out

Looking at the controls theyrsquore just a glass piece and

then once you touch it you see a few options for the

different compartments Then you touch the compart-

ment and the temperature is displayed so itrsquos kind of

like a Star Trek controlrdquo Thibeault said

And thatrsquos just the refrigerator

Adirondack Appliance has also seen brands such as

Wolf (a company owned by the same people who own

Sub-Zero) grow in popularity when it comes to their

range stoves and ovens The dual convection oven

works to eliminate cold spotting and provides consis-

tent even temperatures and even allows for unique

options such as proofing ndash used best when baking

homemade bread

ldquoIt also has a temperature probe you can plug into

things like a turkey or roast so you can see the temper-

ature while itrsquos still inside the machine It has

hydraulic hinges halogen lit interiors everything is

composed of stainless steel and itrsquos by far one of the

best lines on the marketrdquo Thibeault said

A new line coming to Adirondack Appliance that

features some amazing technology is a series of Pro-

Style Ranges produced by industry giant Jenn-Air

ldquoThat actually has an LCD touch

screen like an IPAD for the controls The

temperature is set by sliding your finger

along the controls Itrsquos all color backlit and

absolutely amazingrdquo Thibeault said

ldquoAnother thing we have to that same

effect are some of the hoods which have

really been getting pretty out there as far as

design We have one on our floor [by Miele]

that has an LED bar on the front which

changes in phases between 196000 colors

Itrsquos a very delicate change very pretty and

coolrdquo Thibeault said adding ldquoor you can set

it to any color in that spectrum yoursquod like to

accent your cabinetryrdquo

When it comes to dishwashers Thibeault

can attest to the quality of both the Asko and

Miele brands both of which he uses in his

own home And good news for Saratoga

Springs residents ndash

ldquoIn our market in

Saratoga we have a

very hard water base

whether yoursquore on a well

system or city waterrdquo

Thibeault said ldquoSo you

get a lot of minerals in

the machine With the

stainless steel interiors it

eliminates a lot of prob-

lems generally seen with

plastic interior tubs and

usually they are the best

life expectanciesrdquo

78 | Simply Saratoga

Asko and Mieleare practically custom made to handle the

arearsquos typicallymineral rich water

Simply Saratoga | 79

The Asko brand dishwasher takes things one step

further including two pumps in the washerrsquos system

The first pump filters the water cleansing it of poten-

tially harmful minerals while the second pump recircu-

lates the water ensuring that the machine is never

blasting your dishes with food debris or dirty residue

With Miele the design features a built-in water sof-

tener perfect for dealing with the Saratoga water

system

ldquoTypically the Miele is going to do a better job with

tougher baked in stainsrdquo said Thibeault ldquobecause itrsquos

got the softener in it and a little bit longer pots and pans

cyclerdquo

80 | Simply Saratoga

Adirondack Appliance Repair Inc is a fami-

ly-owned business since 1929 and the last inde-

pendent appliance retailer of its kind in Saratoga

Springs With $6 billion of buying power behind

their name (a benefit of being part of the Nation

Wide Appliance Buying Group) Thibeault

promised ldquowe can actually price match the box

stores and everybody else around all while pro-

viding you with better service and better

productsrdquo

For more information on AdirondackAppliance or the products they sell you mayvisit their showroom located at 67 West Avenuein Saratoga Springs for live demonstrationsThey can also be reached by phone at (518)587-6640 or you may visit them at their newwebsite wwwadkappliancecom where cus-tomers can browse through the storersquos entirecatalogue of appliances

sect

Simply Saratoga | 81

82 | Simply Saratoga

Page 7: Simply Saratoga March 2011

Simply Saratoga | 9

Making a new friend when you least expect it is a surpris-

ing pleasure ndash and thatrsquos the good feeling we came away

with after dining at Lake Ridge restaurant Tucked into his-

toric picture-perfect Round Lake ndash about 15 minutes from

Saratoga Springs off Northway exit 11 ndash Lake Ridge is the

gracious good-looking reliable insightful host yoursquoll want

to sit down for a meal with again and again

Saratoga Lake resident Bob McKenna is co-owner of the

eatery with Chef Scott Ringwood of Malta Ringwood is

formerly of The Old Dater Tavern in Halfmoon Also co-

owner and general manager of New Country Toyota

McKenna underlines the philosophy that has propelled the

restaurant through its first decade of success and accolades

ldquoWe love to please people and to create a great event

whether itrsquos a special evening out for a couple an office

gathering a rehearsal dinner date night or a business

lunch We want our customers to have a comfortable

rewarding experiencerdquo

A squarish building constructed in the 1870s the struc-

ture previously housed a general store and a bakery Vastly

updated by McKenna and Ringwood - without compro-

mising the aesthetic of the community - Lake Ridge is an

asset to the unique village of just over 600 neighbors

Founded in the latter half of the 19th century as a pros-

perous and naturally beautiful outpost of the Troy

Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church Round

Lake is an oasis off the beaten path The business sup-

ports community preservation by improving the proper-

ty is a taxpayer and employer and is a good neighbor

sponsoring a softball team and donating food to various

community events and organizations

Long-time Round Lake resident Susan Stratton is

enthusiastic about the presence of Lake Ridge which she

can walk to easily ldquoBesides the obvious ndash the food is

yummy ndash we welcome having such a cooperative flour-

ishing business in our communityrdquo she says

The restaurant thrives in the summer catering to sea-

sonal visitors but tables are set for lunch and dinner

every day except Monday year-round Burgeoning busi-

ness in Malta has driven a noon crowd to Lake Ridge for

unhurried salads soups burgers pasta and sandwiches

while in the evening some people make reservations for

Story By Helen Susan EdelmanPhotos by copystockstudiosphotographycom

Food for Thought

big cuisine magic in a very small town

10 | Simply Saratoga

their next dinner on the way out mdash especially wise

for Saturdays when all 80 seats are often occupied

Informal and genial as it is Lake Ridge is defi-

nitely a ldquofine diningrdquo destination complete with

tablecloths and elegant touches such as silverware

changed between courses Worth noting is the

physical comfort afforded by commodious furni-

ture eye-pleasing deacutecor and an intelligent floor

plan that affords privacy and mellow lighting The

restaurant features three lovely and distinctive din-

ing rooms a former deck enclosed with large win-

dows a warm center room that can accommodate

couples or groups and a small dining area up front

ideal for an intimate tecircte-a-tecircte A few years ago

the restaurant added a glistening mahogany bar

with high stools and a TV The handcrafted show-

case - designed milled and constructed by

McKennarsquos high school buddy Judd Storm and his

partner Bill Tedesco of Marketplace Millwork in

Troy - boasts an exceptional selection of red white

and sparkling wines and scotches bourbons and

beers in which the owners take special pride

Key to smooth operations is manager Diana

Murphy of Wilton who has been part of the busi-

ness since its inception six days a week She is clear

about her mission ldquoThink about the guests

whether you are adding a menu item putting flow-

ers on the table suggesting a wine or choosing wall

artrdquo

McKenna emphasizes Murphyrsquos critical input

ldquoShersquos been there since the beginning and we could-

nrsquot do it as well without herrdquo he says ldquoShersquos smart

and she pulls it together whatever it takesrdquo

The team commitment shows in every aspect of

the restaurant from the imaginative menu to spe-

cial events like wine dinners that keep Lake Ridge

exciting On center stage is the generous scrump-

tious food something for every palate ndash light appe-

tizer-size portions with sophisticated flavors or

hearty soul-satisfying repasts

Appetizers are taken seriously (shrimp and avo-

cado artichoke souffleacute eggplant Napoleon and a 4-

ounce filet mignon) but thatrsquos just the beginning

McKenna points particularly to the exceptional

entrees herb-crusted swordfish veal Jacqueline

(with mushrooms and crabmeat) and the enormous

pecan pork chop as customer favorites but the

menu extends far beyond these top picks with sea

bass (delicious) salmon rack of lamb rosemary

chicken steak duck and a roster of pastas

Simply Saratoga | 11

(Companion had a fabulous linguini tossed with ample

seafood) There are four crispy salads that incorporate

local ingredients when possible and a lineup of irre-

sistible desserts Sneak a peek at wwwlake-ridgecom

for the complete menu and prices

Itrsquos no surprise that Lake Ridge was voted Best

American Cuisine in the Capital Region by Metroland

readers in 2006 and that McKenna and Ringwood

were named Entrepreneurs of the Year by Southern

Saratoga Chamber of Commerce in 2005

But the highest praise of all comes in the form of a

loyal following and I can see that Companion is join-

ing the fold Succinct by nature he declares ldquoIrsquoll go

back for morerdquo

And Irsquoll go with him

Lake Ridge Restaurant 35 Burlington Ave Round Lake (Northway exit 11)Open Tuesday-Saturday lunch 1130 am - 230 pm dinner 430-845 pm Sunday dinner 3-8 pm (518)-899-6000wwwlake-ridgecom

sect

12 | Simply Saratoga

March 19 - 20 andMarch 26 - 27

2011

Simply Saratoga | 13

T ired of being lsquocooped uprsquo

with all the cold weather

and snow this winter

Why not go visit a maple produc-

tion facility to see first-hand how this

yummy syrup is made and sam-

ple some sweet delights

The Annual Maple

Weekend(s) are the last two

weekends in March and

there are numerous produc-

ers participating this year

Maple syrup is the first crop

and harvest of the year and of

course one of the sweetest Unlike most farming the crop or

maple trees doesnrsquot have to be re-planted every year Maple

producers literally lsquotaprsquo into the sap that starts moving up the

tree in the spring to nourish the branches to produce buds

When the weather gets warmer into the 40rsquos during the day that

is the signal that the sap is running Hard freezes at night are also

an important factor as that causes the sap to flow back down to the

roots at night This movement of sap can occur for upwards of six

weeks depending upon the weather

Tapping into the sap doesnrsquot harm the trees itrsquos like giving

blood But tapping trees that are too small can stunt their growth

It takes forty gallons of the sap to make only one gallon of maple

syrup As harvests go thatrsquos a very small ratio of raw material to

finished product

It may surprise you to learn that the only place in the world

where maple syrup is made is here in the northeastern United

States and in eastern Canada Take a quick trip this maple sea-

son to sample some pure delight here in the surrounding

Capital District area and celebrate this sweet harvest

For Maple Weekend information contact New York

State Maple Producerrsquos Association website at

wwwnysmaplecom or for a complete list of maple produc-

ers participating in Maple

Weekend visit

mapleweekendcomSubmitted byCaroline Foote Co-ownerMaple Hill Farm Cobleskill NYwwwMaplehillfarmsbiz(518) 234-4858mhfarmvcrbwildbluenet

sect

14 | Simply Saratoga

NopehellipIrsquom not suggesting you dye your wine green in honor

of St Paddyrsquos (although that might be fun) Irsquom talking about

ORGANIC wine What exactly makes a wine organic

Andhellipwhy should you try it

Strictly speaking an ldquoorganicrdquo wine is one crafted from organ-

ically grown grapes This is to say the grapes in the bottle have

been grown without the use of pesticides herbicides chemical

fertilizers or synthetic chemicals of any kind These chemical

agents are not allowed on the grapes or the soil in which the

grapes are grown What used to be termed ldquoorganic winerdquo is now

termed ldquowines made from organic grapesrdquo The distinction is

confusing to most including many of the winemakers In addi-

tion most consumers are led to believe that all wines made from

organic grapes do not contain any sulfites This is inaccurate The

fermenting yeasts which are present on ALL grape skins gener-

ate naturally-occurring sulfites in varying amounts So wines

COMPLETELY devoid of sulfites are an anomaly and are not

the wines you see on the shelf of your local wine shop Wines

LOW in sulfites or free of ADDED sulfites are what you will

find instead These wines will conform to the standards of organ-

ic practices and will not contain sulfites in an amount greater

than allowed by the USDA For those who are sensitive to sul-

fites or prefer to sip organic wines as a matter of philosophy

there are hundreds of organic wines that will satisfy Okay

enough of the chemistry lesson

More and more winemakers are embracing the idea of con-

forming to organic practices when creating their wines For

these farmers and winemakers maintaining a healthy and

active soil for the grapes to grow in is the key Farming and

cultivating using these methods encourages biodiversity

which also aids in regulating the soil In turn these meth-

ods protect both the environment and the workers in the

vineyardshellipcertainly not a bad thing So while just a few

years ago your options were a bit limited if you wanted to

ldquodrink greenrdquo now there are hundreds of options to choose

from At the forefront of this movement is a winery thatrsquos

located right in New York State In fact it is the first organic

winery in North America and is located right on the western

B ttle N tes

By Patricia Novo

Photos by Mark Bolles

GreenhellipGreenhellipWine

Simply Saratoga | 15

shore of Seneca

LakehellipFour Chimneys

Organic Winery

Established in 1980

Four Chimneys was

green before being

green was cool In addi-

tion to crafting their

wines in accordance

with the standards for

organic wine estab-

lished by the NOFA-

NY Certified Organic

they also do not utilize

any animal products in

their wines For these

reasons many vegetari-

ans embrace the Four

Chimneys wines as well and have contributed to their enor-

mous popularity Four Chimneys offers several interesting

wines ranging from dry to sweet and also features several

fruit-based wines that are extremely popular For those who

love Pinot Grigio their ldquoKingdom Whiterdquo is worth sampling

This is Four Chimneyrsquos driest white and is an ideal accompa-

niment to light seafood preparations ldquoKingdom Redrdquo also a

very dry wine is similar in texture to a Merlot and will please

Merlot drinkers offering full and rich berry and plum flavors

on the palate For those who enjoy a touch of sweetness in their

wines their ldquoEye of the Doverdquo is a slightly sweet Cabernet

Franc based red which is best served with a slight chill This

wine makes a lovely accompaniment to barbecue and other

dishes with a bit of smoke and heat Even sweeter on the scale

are their ldquoFirst Loverdquo and ldquoEye of the Beerdquo wines ldquoFirst Loverdquo

is most reminiscent of Riesling although it is based on the

Vidal grape This very fragrant wine is quite refreshing and

offers up aromas of fresh white peach and honey Their most

popular wine is ldquoEye of the Beerdquo a semi-sweet rose-colored

wine whose flavors and aromas mimic those of freshly picked

grapes off the vine Their offerings of fruit wines also are quite

popular These combine organically grown grapes with organ-

ically grown fruits from their farm With names like

ldquoHoneydew Moonrdquo ldquoCelestial Peachrdquo ldquoStrawberry

Meadowsrdquo and ldquoRaspberry Sunrdquo these sweet fruit wines

would make an interesting choice with your dessert and are

also delightful served alongside some soft ripened cheeses such

as Brie and Camembert and fresh fruit

This is just a small introduction to the world of organic

wines For additional information or if you have specific ques-

tions about the differences among organic wines please stop in

and chat with me about this very popular subject I am more

than happy to answer any additional questions that you might

have Cheers sect

Patricia Novo is the owner of Crush amp Cask Wine and Spirits at170 South Broadway in Saratoga Springs She holds anAssociates Degree in Culinary Arts from SCCC and also serves ontheir Advisory Board Patricia also has certification in Wine andSpirits from the WSET as well as an Aficionado of WineCertification from the Robert Parker and Kevin Zraly WineProgram She is pursuing her Sommelier certification in Winter2011

16 | Simply Saratoga

Savethe

DateHomemade Theater Presents HARVEY

Homemade Theater Spa State Park South Broadway Saratoga SpringsElwood P Dowd is a gentle soul ndash kind hearted and

loving He has only one flaw ndash his invisible six foot-tall rabbit companion Harvey His family convincesElwood to commit himself to a sanitarium Then thelunacy really begins Multiple mistaken identities lotsof laughs and Harvey is on the loose Does the worldneed more lsquonormal peoplersquo Will you see Harvey

April 22 23 29 30 amp May 6 7 at 8 pm and May1 and 8 at 2 pm Tickets are $23 and $26 Visit home-madetheaterorg for more information

Celebrate Earth Week Recycled Art Show

Saratoga National Historical Park 648 Rte 32Stillwater

Weekend-long exhibit beginning on Friday April15 through Sunday April 17 with original works ofldquorecycled artrdquo with each piece containing at least50 reclaimed or recycled materials For more infor-mation please visit npsgovsara or phone (518) 664-9821 ext 224

Easter Egg HuntMalta Community Center 1 Bayberry DrFrom 10 to 11 am on Saturday April 16 please reg-

ister by April 8 by calling (518) 899-4411 Residentsof Malta $6 non-residents $7 Please bring your ownEaster basket to collect your eggs

Washington County Farm and Fiber Tour

On April 24 and 25 bring the family to this freetour to visit alpacas bunnies goats sheep and lambsllamas and meet the farmers and their familiesWatch spinning knitting weaving and felting demon-strations Learn about raising the livestock and petsthat we cherish For more information visitwwwwashingtoncountyfibertourorg

Geocache Easter Egg HuntGalway Preserve 2519 Crane RdOn Saturday April 30 find some eggs find some

caches and find some friends (or make new ones) asyou and your children search throughout the preservePrizes for found eggs will include candy toys geo-items and more Drinks and snacks will be availableThis event will be led by Chris Parker Preserve stewardand geocacher extraordinare For more informationcall Saratoga PLAN at (518) 587-4555

Hadley Maple FestivalHeld on Rockwell St on Saturday April 30 this

event runs all day from 8 am to 4 pm Bring the fami-ly for everything maple Visit wwwhadleybusinessas-sociationnet for more information

MapleWeekendsMarch 19-20th

amp 26-27th

See Pages 12-13

Simply Saratoga | 17

Saratoga Springs Mardi Gras FestivalHeld at various locations downtown Saratoga on

Saturday April 30 this event benefits Saratoga EOCand the Giving Circle For more information visitsaratogamardigrasorg

British Army Spring Training DaySaratoga National Historical Park 648 Rte 32

StillwaterOn May 7 from 10 am to 4 pm The cold winter has

ended and a new campaign season begins Soldiersdrill camp followers mend clothes and the armyprepares to quell the American ldquorebellionrdquo See thetroops and decide the outcome of a re-enacted courtmartial

St Clements Horse ShowYaddo grounds next to Oklahoma TrackHeld May 3 to May 8 and May 11 to May 15 This

is one of the largest horse shows on the east coastFor more information visit saintclementshorse-showcom

18 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 19

Prom

T h i s W a y

20 | Simply Saratoga

Glamor

ous

Daz

zling

Elega

ntFlir

ty

Gor

geou

s

Girls

itrsquos

Show

time

Simply Saratoga | 21

Web

Extras

See

the

pics tha

t didn

rsquot

mak

e it in

the

Mag

azine

on

SaratogaB

ridalEXPO

com

Grecian

God

dess

Athe

na

Classic B

eaut

y

Holly

wood

Glamou

r

Wild

and

Untam

edElega

nt

22 | Simply Saratoga

The current economic and market environment has prompt-

ed many Americans to rethink their retirement strategies If

you are experiencing a job transitionmdashparticularly if the tran-

sition is unplanned and unexpectedmdashsuch a reassessment may

be particularly important for you While it may be tempting to

focus more on your immediate needs you should not lose sight

of long-term goals especially your retirement strategy

Some Basic Decisions Your employer-sponsored retirement plan is likely to be a

key component of your retirement strategy Because it repre-

sents a key source of future retirement income it is important

to carefully consider your alternatives for administering these

assets During a job transition you will usually have three

options take a lump-sum distribution leave your assets in the

employer-sponsored plan or move your assets into a Rollover

IRA

Taking a direct lump-sum distributionmdashWith this

option the assets in your plan are distributed directly to you in

a lump sum which provides you with immediate access to

your funds Depending on your short-term needs that may

appear to be an attractive alternative However a distribution

will likely result in substantial federal and state income taxes

and a 10 percent IRS penalty tax which can significantly

reduce the amount of the distribution Because you will be

receiving the distribution directly the plan administrator must

withhold up to 20 percent of the value of the distribution for

federal income tax purposes Moreover you will lose the ben-

efit of the tax-deferred status of these assets which could

reduce the amount ultimately available to you at retirement

The status quo optionmdashYou can decide to do nothing

leaving your assets in your former employerrsquos plan That will

protect the tax-deferred status of your assets and allow you to

transfer the account assets at a later time to a new employerrsquos

retirement plan that accepts rollovers But you may be limiting

your investment choices and control because employer plans

typically have a restricted investment menu and require the

consent of your spouse before you can name someone else as

a beneficiary

Establishing a Rollover IRAmdashA Rollover IRA simultane-

ously addresses the issues of taxation flexibility and control

and may hold significant benefits for you as a result

Submitted by H Michael Okby Wealth Advisor

Fin

ancia

l Protecting Your RetirementInvestmentsDuring a JobTransition

If your distribution is transferred directly to a custodian rather than

to you the Rollover IRA eliminates the withholding requirement and

penalties that may result from a lump-sum distribution

The entire rollover amount can be investedimmediately according to the strategy youspecify bull Your assets and any earnings continue to have the potential to

grow tax-deferred until you retire and begin taking withdrawals

bull You may gain access to a wider range of investment options and

more retirement planning and distribution flexibility

bull You can name any beneficiary including a trust without

needing the consent of your spouse (although special rules may

apply in community property states)

For example investment products in an employer plan are usually

limited to mutual funds and company stock With a self-directed

Rollover IRA you can work with your financial professional to struc-

ture a portfolio using stocks bonds annuities and other investments

utilizing an asset allocation1 that is customized to help you meet your

retirement investment objectives And your retirement strategy can be

further tailored with a wider range of beneficiary selection and distri-

bution choices

Consider Consolidation This may also be an excellent time to deal with multiple IRAs you

may have opened over the years and with account balances you may

have left in the plans of former employers Together these assets may

represent a significant sum There are good reasons to consider con-

solidating them all in a Rollover IRA

Comprehensive investment strategymdashIt can be difficult to main-

tain an effective investment strategymdashone that accurately reflects

your goals timing and risk tolerancemdashwhen assets are spread among

multiple financial institutions When you consolidate your financial

professional can help you ensure that these assets are part of your

overall asset allocation strategy that is reflective of your current

financial situation and long-term retirement goals

Greater investment flexibilitymdashA self-directed IRA generally

offers you the ability to choose from a wide range of investment

products including stocks bonds mutual funds annuities and more

Simplified trackingmdashIt is easier to monitor your progress and

investment results when all your retirement savings are in one place

because you will receive one statement instead of several That sim-

plifies your life while protecting the environment

Lower costsmdashReducing the number of accounts may also reduce

your account fees and other investment-related charges

Dealing with one account rather than several also simplifies

the distribution processmdashincluding complying with complex min-

imum distribution rules when you reach age 70 And you avoid the

risk of losing track of your retirement accounts or access to the

account assets should your former employer merge with another

company or go out of business Your financial professional can help

you assess your alternatives so you can make decisions based on

whatrsquos best for you You may find that this time of transition holds

benefits for your retirement assets

For more information please contact H Michael Okby at (518) 583-5601

sect

Simply Saratoga | 23

24 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 25

Summer camp is a place wherelifelong memories are made

This is where our children learnto cultivate their interests andordiscover a world of new activities tohelp their young minds grow andfor them to become physically fit

Even though there may be snowon the ground when you read thisit is never too early to think aboutyour childrenrsquos summer fun Weare blessed in this region with avariety of destinations providing awealth of activities

And while there is something foreveryone early planning is a mustto assure your child has a spot inone of these great places At theend of a long winter seasonthoughts of summer camp arerejuvenating for adults as well

Summer Camp Guide 2011

YMCA Camp Chingachgook

NdakinnaNdakinna Education Center located in

Greenfield Center offers a wide variety of

summer camp programs and activities that

will provide campers with a greater

respect and understanding for the natural

world as well as the Northeastrsquos rich

Native American history Hosted by

renowned author and wilderness and sur-

vival expert James Bruchac these pro-

grams are ideal for children with a sense

of adventure and natural wonder Summer

programs are divided into two groups

children ages three to eight and older

campers ages nine to fourteen Programs

range in duration from one to two weeks

26 | Simply Saratoga

YMCA Camp Chingachgook located on beauti-

ful Lake George has three camping options sleep-

away camp day camp and adventure trips

Summer sleep-away camp is the experience of a

lifetime The camp is divided into junior and sen-

ior boys and girls units junior campers between

the ages of seven and 12 and senior campers are 13

to 15 years old All Chingachgook counselors go

through extensive two-week training and prepa-

ration prior to the beginning of the first session

Campers will enjoy a full schedule of skill

classes which they can choose on their own

and special events and programs Campers can

choose from swimming water skiing canoeing

nature arts outdoor living skills theater news-

paper riflery archery dance guitar outdoor

cooking sports zone water world woodwork-

ing softball soccer tennis photography sail-

ing high ropes mountain biking and rock

climbing Each camper sets up their own daily

schedule of four skill classes at the start of the

session

Two-week camp sessions at Chingachgook

also include a three-day hike which allows

campers to get out and experience the wilder-

ness in a fun and safe atmosphere

Chingachgook also offers a variety of unique

adventure camps for children looking to explore

unique destinations and experience a whole new

level of fun options like sailing kayak-

ing boat building rock climbing canoe-

ing community service white-water

rafting hiking and backpacking bicycle

touring and mountain biking Adventure

campers will benefit from activities with

smaller coed groups of ten or less

Day Camp at Chingachgook is a fun

option for children ages five to ten

Campers will enjoy a full day of fun

activities from 930 am to 430 pm The

Day Camp program is divided into eight

one-week segments with the first session

starting on June 28 and the final session

starting on August 16 Each session has

a different theme

Spaces are limited at Chingachgook

so be sure to sign up as soon as possible

For more information to sign up for a

tour or to register for camp visit

wwwcapitaldistrictymcacom or call

(518) 656-9462

each covering a different skill or activity such

as animal tracking basic wilderness survival

skills and shelter building Native American

storytelling and games and nature-based arts

and crafts projects will teach campers to have

fun in the great outdoors Each camp program

promotes team building natural awareness

patience and confidence

Ndakinna also offers family camp pro-

grams which allow children and their parents

to experience the outdoors together Family

programs can accommodate children ages one

to 14 These programs offer the

same skills training and team-

building activities To view the

finalized calendar of programs

and events visit

wwwNdcenterorg

Cutting Edge Martial ArtsCutting Edge Martial Artrsquos A+ After

School and Summer Camp Program is a year-

round child care solution that provides a pos-

itive structured environment for children

after school and during the day in the sum-

mer During the school year we pick chil-

dren up directly from the local elementary

and middle schools and provide an hour les-

son that starts with our ldquoMat Chatrdquo a ten

minute character education lesson for the day

followed by a full 50 minute martial arts

class Parents have a window between 5 and

545 pm to pick up their children while chil-

dren have the opportunity after class to get

their homework started

During the summer children get all the

benefits of our A+ Program but on a grander

scale We offer nine weeks of full day camps

and have no minimum or maximum number

of days per week or number of weeks that a

student can attend Each week of camp we

have a curriculum of character education

lessons fun games and a one hour martial

arts class every day We watch a movie in

the afternoons twice a week have a video

game morning on Fridays and take all our

campers on an educa-

tional outing on

Wednesdays and a

fun and exciting out-

ing every Friday

Our average camp

size is 20-25 stu-

dents and we have

three full time staff

graphed by Sarah Sutliff

Saratoga Childrenrsquos Theatre also offers a one-

week camp at the end of the summer ldquoMaster

your Auditionrdquo This camp will help your child

get ready for fall and winter auditions These

audition workshops have been very popular and

sell out quickly Any child at any skill level with

an interest in performing arts is welcome to join

in on the fun Saratoga Childrenrsquos Theatre

Executive Director Meg Kelly aims to give each

camper the most rewarding and enjoyable camp

experience and every camper will get to perform

The Saratoga Childrenrsquos Theatre hires profes-

sionals to help your child gain the most from

their summer camp experience

The cost for a two-week session is $450 and

$250 for the one-week session For more infor-

mation visit wwwsaratogachildrenstheatreorg

or call (518) 580-1782

For kids who have a passion for per-

forming arts Saratoga Childrenrsquos Theatre

summer camp is a dream come true

Saratoga Childrenrsquos Theatre offers per-

formance camps which means each

camper will be working on a full-fledged

production throughout their session

Campers will learn all aspects of perform-

ance and will have the opportunity to per-

form in two shows at the end of camp a

matinee and an evening show are both

open to the public Campers will perform

on stage at St Petersrsquo Auditorium

Saratoga Springs Camp hours are 9am-

3pm Performance camp is divided into

two age groups

Ages 6-9 will participate in one week

camps These camps will include Disneyrsquos

Sleeping Beauty kids Cinderella kids

Aristocats kids 101 Dalmatians kids and

Lemonade These camps will be directed by

Megan OrsquoSullivan a local elementary school

music teacher and assisted by Karey

Trimmings also a local elementary school

music teacher

Ages 10-18 will participate in two-week

camps Each camp will practice and perform a

different show These

camps include

Thoroughly Modern

Mille Jr Cinderella Jr

Fiddler on the Roof Jr

and Once on this Island

Jr These camps will be

directed by Michael

Lotano local actor and

elementary school music

teacher and choreo-

Saratoga Childrenrsquos Theatre

Simply Saratoga | 27

working with our students

Our goal is to provide a family-friendly

and fun environment that feels like a home

away from home Our students have fun

learning skills that can be used every day of

their lives and we try to provide memories

that will last a lifetime For many our

summer camps are a wonderful introduc-

tion to martial arts

For more information visit

wwwsaratogamartialartscom

or call (518) 587-5501

28 | Simply Saratoga

Saratoga Independent SchoolSaratoga Independent School hosts a variety of summer

programs split into two age groups three to eight year-olds

Wilton Recreation CampWilton Recreation offers a full-day summer

camp program for children in grades one

through nine With available pre-camp and

post-camp care working parents can ensure

their children are having fun in a safe environ-

ment before and after the camprsquos regular 9 am to

3 pm hours Parents who register their children

for before and after camp care can drop off their

children prior to camp opening at 830 am and

can pick them up at 530 pm Bussing is avail-

able for Wilton residents who register for regu-

lar camp hours (9 am to 3 pm)

Wilton Recreation Camp offers a full sched-

ule of daily onsite activities themed events and

exciting trips for kids who register for off-site

adventures Daily on-site activities include arts

and crafts sports playground fun and other

organized group games This yearrsquos scheduled

field trips include Million Dollar Beach in Lake

George movie days at Proctors Theater

Saratoga County Fair bowling white water

rafting and at least two swimming days per

week at Peerless Pool

The Summer 2011 camp will open on

June 27 and run until August

12 Registration begins

March 14 at Gavin Park and

will close on June 3 As

there are only 300 spaces

available be sure to mark

your calendar Camp

registration forms are

available online at

wwwtownofwiltoncom or

can be picked up weekdays

at Gavin Park 9 am to 5 pm

For any other questions

please call the park office at (518) 584-9455

and seven to 14 year-olds The weeklong programs run from July 5

to August 19

Saratoga Independent School summer programs are staffed large-

ly by their own teachers so parents can rest assured their kids are

supervised in a safe environment with experienced teachers who are

knowledgeable about child development and hands-on

programming

For the younger group weekly themed programs run from 9 am

to noon (early drop-off at 830 available) The staff-to-camper ratio

is one to six for children ages three and four and one to ten for chil-

dren ages five to eight Themed programs include ldquoCooking with

Curiosityrdquo ldquoHawaiian Hullabaloordquo ldquoHands-On Science Funrdquo

ldquoHoliday-A-Dayrdquo ldquoGood Versus Evil Imaginations Run Wildrdquo

ldquoDinosaur Discoveryrdquo ldquoIn the Jungle the Mighty Junglerdquo

Activities take place both indoors and outdoors

The selection of enrichment programs for older children is even

more extensive this year than in the past Some programs will take

place in the mornings others in the afternoon Age ranges will vary

depending on the subject matter These specialty programs give chil-

dren an opportunity to develop new interests and expand on existing

skills Programs include ldquoCartooning and Morerdquo ldquoImprovisationrdquo

ldquoKnittingrdquo ldquoOpen Art Studiordquo ldquoYou Can Do Magicrdquo ldquoGet Up and

Dancerdquo ldquoRoaring into Robots Whatrsquos Nextrdquo ldquoArt in the Ancient

Worldrdquo ldquoMad Sciencerdquo ldquoComputer Video Game Creationrdquo

ldquoAdvanced Robot Challengesrdquo and ldquoArt-Math Connectionrdquo

Registration has already begun and the programs fill up quickly so

visit wwwsiskidsorg for more information and to secure a space

for your child

Simply Saratoga | 29

Are your kids looking for an adventure this summer The

Saratoga Regional YMCA has two exciting day camps available

Camp Starhitch held at the Wilton Branch which engages children

with a multitude of fun activities and a trip each week and Travel

Camp where participants meet at the Saratoga Springs Branch and

then travel off to fun and thrilling places each day

Camp Starhitch is for children having completed Kindergarten

through entering fifth grade Campers will participate in games

sports crafts nature activities trips swimming archery and more

Each week is planned around a theme and includes a trip For exam-

ple during ldquo70rsquos Flashbackrdquo week campers will go roller skating

during ldquoThe Wild Frontierrdquo week kids will have the opportunity to

go horseback riding and during ldquoTropical Paradiserdquo week partici-

pants may ldquocatch a gnarly waverdquo at an outdoor water park

Travel Camp is definitely for the action seeker and for those who

like to be on the go This program for youth entering fifth through

tenth grade provides campers an opportunity to travel each and every

day to fun-filled locations Participants explore different summer

activities that include amusement and water parks outdoor sports

fairs and horseback riding This year the trips include a visit to Hunter

Mountain Six Flags New England Tubing on the Battenkill NY

Mets game at Citi Field the NY State Fair and more

Camp Starhitch and Travel Camp both run for nine one-week ses-

sions You may choose to attend camp for one week or any combina-

tion of weeks Experienced counselors supervise children and a ratio

of 110 ensures a safe quality camping experience CPR and First Aid

certified camp staff will be present on all trips At Travel Camp

campers will be grouped according to age and are supervised by expe-

rienced adult staff

Camp Starhitch has two day camp options for your child Option A

allows for your child to be dropped off at 9 am and picked up at 4 pm

and Option B has a 7 am drop off time and a 6 pm pick up time

Travel Camp runs from 9 am to 430 pm and extended hours are

available at no additional cost This year transportation will be provid-

ed in both directions between the Saratoga Springs and Wilton

branches Pickups will be as early as 815 am and drop-offs will be

as late as 5 pm Both camps try to cater to working parents

In addition the Saratoga Regional YMCA is committed to provid-

ing a safe and welcoming environment for all campers by incorporat-

ing the YMCAcore values of caring honesty respect and responsibil-

ity in daily activities To promote safety and comfort for all individu-

als are asked to act appropriately at all times when at the Yrsquos facilities

or participating in Y programs All campers are required to read and

sign a contract of understanding in reference to the Code of Conduct

We expect persons using the YMCAto act maturely to behave respon-

sibly and to respect the rights and dignity of all othersmdashall while

having a good time

The Y also has opportunities available for those who may not have

the resources to send their children to camp The Y provides scholar-

ships for those who qualify Scholarships are made possible due to

the generous donations of Y members the community and businesses

to the ldquoWe Build Peoplerdquo scholarship campaign held by the Saratoga

Regional YMCA each year Scholarship applications are available at

all Saratoga Regional YMCA branches and online at wwwsaratogare-

gionalymcaorg

Registration is currently ongoing and fills up quickly Registration

forms are available at any of the Saratoga Regional YMCA Branches

or at wwwsaratogaregionalymcaorg For more information about

these day camps please contact Ilene Leverence at (518) 583-9622

ext 103 for Camp Starhitch and Patti Laudicina at (518) 583-9622

ext 110 or Paige Minear ext 116 for Travel Camp

Saratoga YMCA

30 | Simply Saratoga

Ask women about the greatest threat to their health and most will

respond incorrectly with the words ldquobreast cancerrdquo While breast cancer

certainly is of concern the truth is that women are 10 times more like-

ly to die from heart disease Breast cancer kills 1 in 25 women heart

disease claims 1 in 2

The most recent statistics available indicate that cardiovascular dis-

ease causes the death of 500000 women per year ndash more than ALL

forms of cancer combined This is a rate of epidemic proportion

Little or no warning

Two-thirds of women die suddenly from heart disease without expe-

riencing any warning symptoms The majority die before they even

reach the hospital and before any attempt at treatment is possible Early

screening and the detection that leads to prevention offer the only hope

of reducing these deaths

Women who do develop heart disease tend to fare worse than men

One reason is that on average heart disease peaks 10 years later in

women than in men At this older age women are less able to withstand

the stress of the disease The proof can be found in a disturbing statis-

tic One year after their first heart attack 44 percent of women are dead

compared with 27 percent of men

Clearly for women preventing that first heart attack would make an

enormous difference

Know the risks

What can be done to prevent and detect heart disease in women

Of foremost importance is to reduce ndash or if possible eliminate ndash the

conditions that cause or accelerate the growth of blockages in the arter-

ies of the heart These conditions known as risk factors include high

Women Take this warning to heart

Story By Andrij O Baran MD

blood pressure diabetes genetic high cholesterol a high-fat

diet an inactive lifestyle smoking and cocaine use

Some damage the lining of the heartrsquos arteries speeding the

buildup of cholesterol Others raise blood cholesterol Both

smoking and cocaine use speed blood clotting They also can

cause sudden cramps or spasms in the coronary arteries cut-

ting off the entire blood supply to portions of the heart even

without a cholesterol blockage

A woman who has one or more of these risk factors should

ask her doctor how best to control them She also should ask

about further screening and testing such as stress testing

The sooner the better

Lifestyle changes and medications can have a dramatic

impact on reducing the incidence of heart attack provided cho-

lesterol blockages are detected early ndash before damage to the

heart has occurred In fact drugs that lower cholesterol alone

have been unequivocally shown to reduce the risk of heart

attack and death by up to 50 percent

When added to a program of low-fat diet exercise control

of high blood pressure and diabetes and above all else no

smoking the benefits are magnified many times over Keep in

mind of course that these drugs work only if they are taken

and taken appropriately

By knowing and changing their risk factors all women can

ensure themselves of a longer and more vibrant life

Andrij O Baran MD FACC is the Medical Director of

Cardiology Services at Saratoga Hospital

Simply Saratoga | 31

A c t F a s t D u r i n g H e a r t A t t a c k s According to the American Heart

Association clot-busting drugs can stop

some heart attacks in progress reducing

disability and saving lives They work best

given within one hour of when heart

attack signs begin Thatrsquos why itrsquos impor-

tant to recognize the warning signs of a

heart attack and act right away

Warning Signs

bull Pain or discomfort in the jaw

neck or back

bull Feeling weak lightheaded or faint

bull Chest paindiscomfort

bull Paindiscomfort in the arms or

shoulder

bull Shortness of breath

If you think that you or someone you

know is having a heart attack call 911

immediately

32 | Simply Saratoga

Who would believe that a rabbi from Eastern

Europe frozen for 150 years in a block of ice could

be transported across time and space to Memphis

where he thaws then becomes a spiritual guru to

baby boomers Arguably nobody But Steve Stern

the author of ldquoThe Frozen Rabbirdquo his most recent

novel isnrsquot asking readers to believe it so much as

to let the characters tell their story Besides the plot

may be far-fetched but he already has a buyer for

the movie rights

Writer-in-residence at Skidmore College Stern is

a genius at creating human beings in fantastical cir-

cumstances who seem more like eccentric neigh-

bors than artifacts of science fiction Some fly

some inhabit other peoplersquos dreams some are res-

urrected and some travel through time Whatever

their superpowers or frailties the heroes and vil-

lains tricksters and innocents and witnesses and

bystanders in Sternrsquos short and long fiction deserve

attention and evoke compassion in their quest for

connection and redemption - or at least food and

shelter From within an inexhaustible vein of

Jewish folklore and oral history his characters

emerge into a lucid fictional universe that embraces

both magic and the mundane Dialogue is ironic as

often as it is mystical and the most ordinary days

serve as backdrops for incredible events

ldquoMiracles are commonplacerdquo says Stern a

Ballston Spa resident ldquoI donrsquot write in metaphors

and symbols deliberately Writing is a visceral

experience for me I read with interest what review-

ers say about my repetitive themes and ideas but I

am driven by images and characters Irsquom a compul-

sive storytellerrdquo

Steve Stern A Lyrical Voice in the Ghetto

B

o

o

k

m

a

r

k

Lean bespectacled and haloed in dark curls Stern

is a Memphis native who grew up in a home bereft

of music books and art in a city made famous by

Elvis Presley (who used to drive through Sternrsquos

neighborhood) and Martin Luther Kingrsquos assassina-

tion He remembers himself as ldquoa mediocre adoles-

cent without confidence or spiritual antennardquo first

stirred to write poetry in high school which he read

aloud for attention

ldquoI was surprised people liked itrdquo he says ldquoAnd I

liked writing it even though it embarrassed me But

I was encouraged to go on and later to try proserdquo

The allure of the late lsquo60s and early lsquo70s was not

academic After college Stern wandered through

Europe then worked as a butcher on a hippie com-

mune in the Ozarks raising pigs and eating off the

land ldquoI slept under five blankets and two dogsrdquo he

recalls (The incarnation has been memorialized in a

comic strip by Sternrsquos girlfriend Sabrina a cartoon-

ist and set designer for Saturday Night Live)

The commune was not too far from the University

of Arkansas where Stern attended graduate school

and played volleyball with Bill and Hillary Clinton

ldquoI hoped he would mention me in his inaugural

addressrdquo Stern sighs

With an MA Stern found teaching gigs at vari-

ous colleges but the work dried up forcing him to

take a job at a folklore center in Memphis first tran-

scribing stories about the black community then

launching a life-changing project to preserve the

stories of the fading Jewish population in a desolate

Memphis ghetto known as ldquoThe Pinchrdquo where

many of his stories are set

Story By Helen Susan Edelman

ldquoBernie scrunched his face in thought Gone was his waryimpulse to keep everything secret and there were times of latewhen he felt almost reckless almost ready to tell the world whileon the other hand he suspected he may have already confided toomuch ldquoI thinkrdquo he said after some consideration ldquoIrsquom startingto outgrow myselfrdquo

mdash Steve Stern ldquoThe Frozen Rabbirdquo

Photo by Josh GerritsenSteve Stern

Simply Saratoga | 33

ldquoIt was intoxicatingrdquo says Stern ldquoI became obsessed with

itrdquo Indeed his work is infused with the folklore images lan-

guage archetypes settings rituals and values embedded in

the memories he recorded and in the vast Jewish and Yiddish

literature he has studied since

A non-observant Jew Stern had no relationship with his

religion so the introduction to his exotic legacy was both

anchor and springboard for a prolific new consciousness

ldquoThe floodgates openedrdquo he says ldquoSuddenly this world

began to materialize for me What had been barren neighbor-

hoods I could see vividly as tenements and shops a town

square street traffic merchants pawnbrokers rabbis chil-

drenhellipimmigrants from Eastern Europe looking for a homerdquo

Stern is comfortable writing about transcendent wisdom as

long as itrsquos his characterrsquos voice

and not his own

dispensing the

insights The

frozen rabbi in

the book of the

same name for

example ldquoradiates

within his zone of

influence and is a

spiritual catalyst

for anyone who

encounters himrdquo

says Stern ldquowhere-

as I am a clicheacute a

Jew who grew up

without an identityrdquo

A winner of both

Guggenheim and

Fulbright fellowships

as well as the National

Jewish Book Award

the Pushcart Prize an

OrsquoHenry Prize and the Edward Lewis Wallant Award Stern

is working on a new novel and rereading Faulkner Tolstoy

Dickens and Joyce

He views each new writing project as ldquoa riskrdquo Experience

last summer also reminded him of the evanescence of popu-

larity he gave two readings one in Memphis which drew

such a crowd that doors had to be locked and one in St

Louis where he commanded an audience of four

ldquoJust like the characters in my storiesrdquo Stern observes ldquoI

encounter conflicts look for a way to escape and face mixed

consequencesrdquo sect

How is your mental state these days Are

you experiencing peace and joy in every-

day life or frustration and impatience Are

you living your life ldquoon purposerdquo or going

through the motions feeling numb and dead

on the inside How is the garden of your

mind Are you tending to your garden or letting

the weeds take over

When I lived in Boston I lived next door to an elder-

ly woman who had a beautiful garden Every morning my

neighbor was outside in her floral moo moo (circa Mrs

Roper from Threersquos Company) tending carefully to each

plant and flower She would spend hours walking around her

garden joyfully humming and making sure her flowers were

strong and healthy Many mornings I would sip my coffee

and watch her peacefully pulling out the weeds and tending

to her precious flowers To this day I remember how tall and

lovely her sunflowers were I think our mental state can be

compared to tending to a garden do we have beautiful sun-

flowers of joy and peace or toxic weeds of bitterness and

guilt

The weeds in your heart and mind are feelings of bitterness

anger guilt self-loathing and negativity Do you spend your

days reviewing the list of those that have offended

you Do you beat yourself up daily for past mis-

takes or regrets These are the weeds that can

take over your mind and lead to racing

thoughts a dark depression constant

anxiety or physical illness and

chronic pain If you are someone

that is easily frustrated impatient

and critical you can be sure you

34 | Simply Saratoga

Tending to theGarden of Your MindDealing with the Weeds in your Life

Simple Truths

have some weeds to deal with

The only path to peace and joy in your everyday life is to

pull your weeds out from the root and confront the issues

Holding on to your weeds only makes you ill and deadens

your heart Did you know that people who are full of bitter-

ness and resentment appear older and are not as physically

attractive as people who are full of peace and love The

weeds in your heart and mind can actually make you ugly

Likewise a mind that is content and peaceful gives us a

sparkle and light in our eyes that people are automatically

attracted to Forget the anti-wrinkle cream and Botox Fill

your heart and mind up with the best kept beauty secret

around love and forgiveness

Forgiveness is not about letting the person who hurt you

off the hook Forgiveness IS allowing light into our hearts

so that we can heal and move forward It takes the heavy

burden of offense and resentment off of our hearts and

minds while preparing the ldquosoilrdquo for new growth and

experiences

When possible confront the people you need to forgive

so that you can have closure and move on If it is not pos-

sible to confront the person that is the weed in your life

write them a letter expressing your hurt and anger (not to

send but in a private journal) This is a wonderful way to

give yourself closure and put your feelings out on the table

More often than not the person we have to forgive or con-

front is ourselves If you are constantly beating yourself up

and feeling guilty about your past make a choice to forgive

yourself

Donrsquot be lazy about your weeds Dig deep and pull out

your weeds so that you can make room for peace and joy

We all desire to feel love and be accepted That accept-

Meghan DLemery LCSW-R

Simply Saratoga | 35

ance starts with you Begin to focus on peaceful loving joyful

thoughts Keep a gratitude journal of what you love about your-

self or the loved ones in your life Practice planting seeds of joy

by giving acceptance and love to everyone around you

Take time to practice patience and kindness to your family

friends colleagues and that slow cashier at the grocery store Go

out of your way to help others in any way that you can All of

these acts of kindness plant the seeds of peace love joy and

abundance

As we approach the new season of spring take some time to

tend to the garden of your mind

Wishing you love self-acceptance and peace this spring and

always

Ms Lemery is a psychotherapist practic-ing in Saratoga Springs and QueensburyShe can be reached at meghanle-meryyahoocom

Her first novel will be pub-lished this Spring TitledldquoPlease Pass the BarbieShoesrdquo it is a hilarious heart-warming story that will haveyou feeling inspiredand empowered

sect

36 | Simply Saratoga

Living Room The custom-designed leather couch chair andottoman come from Suttons The stucco fireplace was inspired by theCollinsrsquo travels through the Southwest and Colorado (ldquowe wanted to avoida traditional river rock fireplacerdquo) and provides a heat source as well asbeauty The original structure was built for passive solar design no airconditioning is needed in the summer A wood stove is the primary heatsource radiant heat with natural gas was also added during the renova-tion

The front door as well as all the interior doors was custom-made fittedand replaced by Tom Zanetti Hickory wood floors were also installed dur-ing the addition A hanging stained glass chandelier is a stock itemobtained from a leading home supply retailer ldquoIt captures the sunlightbeautifully along with providing brilliant nighttime illuminationrdquo Tedsaid ldquoItrsquos an eclectic mixrdquo

Simply Saratoga | 37

Today we look at a creative space that is set into a special place

In 1993 Ted and Susan Collins purchased a seven-acre property

with a 1986 Timberpeg designed home that has all the qualities of

a place in the country ndash yet many would be surprised to learn that

it is actually located on the border of Saratoga Springs near the

Alpine Shop on Clinton Street After a number of years living in

apartments on Union Avenue and Franklin Square enjoying the

proximity to downtown and the track they couldnrsquot resist a spot

that was close to town but yet had lots of land

Their overall vision was for an interior space that was in accord

with the outside ndash the wildlife gardens and the sustainable philos-

ophy embodied in the original buildingrsquos passive solar design

ldquoEverything we do embraces the goals of staying true to the orig-

inal structure having an open welcoming interior and being in

harmony with the outdoorsrdquo Ted said

Inspired by travels in balance with the land

Story By Arthur GonickPhotos by copystockstudiosphotographycom

These principles guided a major transformation of the interior

space in 2006 The key element was an addition to the home that

enabled the living room kitchen and upstairs bedroom to be

expanded allowing space for the installation of a downstairs bath

as well

Susan and Ted led this transformation - visualizing an addition

that incorporated equilibrium of size location and overall propor-

tion They went through several iterations with Rick Deforest of

Heritage Timberframes

Even though much of the interior decor came from travels in

Africa the South Pacific and Colorado the building materials and

craftsmen are all local The timbers and wood flooring were milled

in nearby Kingsbury ldquoWe enjoyed working with professionals who

are also friends like Rick Deforest Tom Zanetti and Mike

Roohanrdquo Ted said ldquothe house now feels complete in balancerdquo sect

Unique Places and Creative Spaces If you would like to nominate a unique

or creative place to be featured emailentertainmentsaratogapublishingcom

38 | Simply Saratoga

Kitchen A wall was taken out that afforded space to add an eat-in island area and

open up the space Custom cabinets are by Tom Zanetti Stonework andappliances were added Both the kitchen and bathroom have granite table-tops (from Mike and Margaret Roohan of Granite and Marble Works)New appliances include a Bosch stove (with a built-in microwave drawer)and an Amana stainless refrigerator

Bathroom The bathroom ceiling is pine The showerarea was designed and built to the Collinsrsquo specifications andfeatures a bench 4 shower heads PLUS an extra hand-held one(ldquoItrsquos a human car washrdquo) The stone tiles on the sides and floorin the shower were installed by Best Tile the plumbing in theshower comes from Aird Dorrance as does the sink ndash which sitson a granite top from Granite and Marble Works The windowleads out to the north side of the house with privacy blinds insidethe window panes One thing you donrsquot see ldquoSince the room ison display in the center of the expanded first floor we wanted thecommode to be mostly hiddenrdquo Ted said

Unique Places and Creative Spaces

Simply Saratoga | 39

Living RoomA reading nook sits upon the bathroom addition ldquoThere was no full bathroom on the first

floor and with a post and beam construction we had to be creative You get outstanding viewsof the property pond and stream when viewed from the nookrsquos perspectiverdquo The ladder canswing out on a track making it more like walking up a staircase ndash this was also designed andinstalled by Tom Zanetti The table in the nook is actually a working African drum with a glasstable top added

40 | Simply Saratoga

Bedroom In the second-floor master bedroom moving the dormer brought in extra light and space and

also brought the roofline together with the original structure and first-floor additions The floorand ceiling are made of rough-cut pine planking The bed is also constructed of pine and comesfrom Suttons The window in the upper left was cut during the addition It faces west for extra day-time light

Simply Saratoga | 41

42 | Simply Saratoga

Story Written by Yael Goldman Photos by Samu Studios and Randall Perry Photography

Simply Saratoga | 43

orking with the

right interior designer

turns listless decision making

into an enjoyable and productive

process that avoids costly mistakes

and delivers exceptional results

Designing a room or an entire home is a

big project no matter how strong your tastes are

The decisions are endless ndash what color should I paint the

walls What flooring is most aesthetically appealing and

dog-friendly Should I choose a furniture set or choose

individual pieces Do I want curtains or shades Do I

decorate with knick-knacks or artwork

But with all the unique self-questioning that surrounds

an interior design project most homeowners share angst

in asking themselves one specific question where do I

start

Itrsquos at this point ndash when stress level increases enjoy-

ment-driven projects turn deadly and money has been

wastefully spent on all the wrong things ndash that you long

for the help of a professional if only you could afford it

Well the truth is you can

Creating the right space can be expensive but is only

more so if you make mistakes and have to go back and

fix them If you do it right the first time therersquos no cost

associated with do-overs

With nearly 100 years of experience between them all

four members of Blairhouse Interiors Group have

worked with more than enough unhappy do-it-your-

selfers to tell you yoursquore not alone

Photo by Samu Studios

44 | Simply Saratoga

The four-member designproject therapy team which recently

opened a studio in Saratoga Springs has a long history of help-

ing home and business owners create their ideal spaces and

atmospheres the right way Their exceptional work is celebrated across

the Capital Region including Saratoga Springs where the Blairhouse

look is prominently featured in a handful of Park Place condominiums

and the incredible Saratoga National Golf Club

Thomas R Burns Meghan Baltich Dominic Carota and Patricia

Richards the highly skilled and charismatic force behind Blairhouse

Interiors Group promise an experience that is personal because itrsquos all

about your needs ndash and thatrsquos what is important

Blairhouse offers full-service interior design services space planning

project management hand-picked merchandise patience and an uncan-

ny ability to create a

look that is always

fresh sophisticated

and comfortable

ldquoThe style that we

gravitate toward is

unique cutting-edge

and modern not dic-

tated by corporaterdquo

said Meghan Baltich

pointing to a ldquovery

propitiousrdquo Keith Fritz

table at the center of

the studio

Photo by Randall Perry Photography

If you do it right the firsttime therersquos no cost

associated with do-oversPhoto by Randall Perry Photography

One glance at the Park Place showroom ndash of the selective furnishings carefully showcased along

the periphery ndash and it becomes clear why Blairhouse an award-winning team gets the job

done

Their creativity focus and immaculate sense of direction bring objectivity to the scene helping you nar-

row down all of the tedious and overwhelming choices that make do-it-yourself decorating an exercise in

unclear thinking

ldquoPeople are overwhelmed by all the choices it can feel like theyrsquore in a paralyzed blurrdquo said Thomas

Burns who finds that a great vision can be impossible to imagine and create without eliminating all of

the distractions

A vital step in getting focused is creating a

comprehensive plan based on individual

needs wants and style that addresses all

aspects of lifestyle and taste and suggests

tactful solutions and fresh approaches to new

and existing spaces

They help you identify what you like

forcing you to hone in on what you want and

need to compliment and enhance your

lifestyle

ldquoWe ascertain the clientrsquos goal and

lifestyle to convey their visionrdquo said

Dominic Carota explaining that the intended

outcome of creating or reinventing a room is

often strictly tied to how you want to live in

it

ldquoWe have to know how they functionrdquo he

said

An interior designer is an asset in the func-

tion-meets-style equation

Dominic explained that a couple starting a family will have far

different needs than empty-nesters looking for a change They may

have the same stylistic goals but their execution will differ based on

how their lifestyle exists within the space

When revamping a single room the majority of your focus is ded-

icated to that individual space making it easy to forget that the rest

of the house is attached Establishing connectivity between rooms is

a challenge but an important part of executing a project the right

way

Sometimes one wrong detail no matter how small can be incred-

ibly impactful and difficult to avoid on your own

ldquoIf yoursquore working on a new addition or renovation we ensure it

flows that therersquos balance between the existing part of the living

space and the new additionrdquo Meghan Baltich said explaining that

it just doesnrsquot make sense to put in a great new kitchen if itrsquos dis-

jointed and out of place from its surroundings

Another common novice mistake is the trendy retail store fallacy

that you can order a full room from a catalog or pick a fabulous and

unique design from a floor plan

Blairhouse clients learn the difference between ldquocookie-cutterrdquo

and ldquocustomrdquo and they are never concerned with picking the wrong

piece for the wrong room

Simply Saratoga | 45

ome customers will come to us after going into a Pottery Barn and buying stuff that just didnrsquot workrdquo Baltich said giving the

example of an individual who purchased an enormous sectional for a tiny room ldquoWe scale into the clientrsquos space taking func-

tion and proportion into considerationrdquo

Exceptional listening and observation skills are the designerrsquos

unsung attributes and greatest assets Blairhouse experts engage

with their clients to gain a true understanding of what they want

In turn the design process becomes an eye-opening experience

customers are introduced to colors and concepts they would

never think to consider

ldquoEach client trusts us to create their environment and we

enable them to make informed decisionsrdquo Patricia Richards

said

And sometimes that requires bold suggestions and collabora-

tion or looking at all of the possibilities even the ones ldquoyou

would never have been brave enough to do on your ownrdquo

In the end the experience of working with the experts is

enjoyable stress-free and cost-effective From concept to com-

pletion the result is just what you want and need ndash a fabulous

marriage of function and aesthetic that wonrsquot have you coming

back for more (because you did it right the first time) sect

ldquoS

46 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 47

For a taste of Blairhouse Interiors Grouprsquos distinctive work stop into their Park Place studio located at 262 Broadway Suite 204 in Saratoga Springs For further details visit wwwblairhouseinteriorscom or call (518) 786-7800

From left to right Dominic Carota Meghan Baltich Patricia Richards and

Thomas R Burns (The designproject therapy team of Blairhouse Interiors Group)

48 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 49

Dorsquos and Donrsquots

50 | Simply Saratoga

Story Written by Kerry Ann Mendez Perennially Yours bull wwwpyourscom Photos Provided

SpringDorsquos and Donrsquots

SpringDorsquos and DonrsquotsDorsquos and Donrsquots

Spring

for your Gardens

s

Simply Saratoga | 51

ssts

SPRINGis right around the corner and gardenersare pawing at the ground ready to explodethrough the garden gate As a passionate perennial gardenerI am right there with you But before launching into another flower-filledseason letrsquos go through a spring checklist of dorsquorsquos and donrsquorsquots to makesure we make the most of the race and have the best finish ever

Photo by GardenersSupply Company

apply a granular fertilizer to your perennial beds while they are still lsquoasleeprsquoDepending on the winter wersquove had this may be anytime from mid-Marchto mid-April Donrsquot worry if there are already lsquoearly risersrsquo visible like springblooming bulbs or woodland ephemerals I recommend using 5-5-5 5-10-5 or

5-10-10 fertilizer at the rate of 2 pounds per 100 square feet Cast the fertilizer just before it is about to rainto make sure fertilizer is watered into the ground and washed off any existing leaves You can give otherplants in your yard this treat as well including floweringshrubs groundcovers climbing vinesand roses

DONrsquoTput fertilizer on top of the snow or on ground that is

still frozen You want to make sure the fertilizer disap-pears into pliable soil and to waiting roots otherwiserunoff can occur And donrsquot think more is better Youcan stress or even kill plants by over-fertilizing espe-cially in spring when leaves are not fully developed toutilize nitrogen in the fertilizer If you are going to errless is better

DO

prune once-b l o o m i n g

roses such as Heirloom or Old GardenRoses when the Forsythia is blooming

Any rose that blooms onceusually in late spring forabout three weeks is in thiscategory Many times theseroses are quite fragrantWait to prune these rosesuntil right after they flower

DONrsquoT

prune most roses whenForsythia is in bloom Pruneshrub roses back by half to

23 their height This is assuming you did not prunethem last fall If you did then next year wait until latewinter or early spring Prune Teas and Grandiflorasback to 18 - 24rdquo For climbing roses prune branchesemerging from the main canes back to within 3 - 4rdquoof the cane

DO

apply corn gluten tolawn areas yoursquoveseeded (or over-seeded) or to gar-dens where youwant biennialsperennials or annu-als to reseed andflower Corn glutendoes not distinguishbetween lsquogoodrsquoand lsquobadrsquo seeds

apply a pre-emer-gent weed killerand fertilizer toyour lawn A lushhealthy lawn

makes a beautiful frame for gardens Myfamily walked away from lawn chemicalsfive years ago And our lawn has neverlooked better Corn gluten is a big part ofthis transformation Corn gluten is a by-product of milled corn It will not harm chil-dren pets or wildlife Heck you can eat it ifyou want (but it tastes yucky) Corn Glutenis high in nitrogen and commonly used as alawn fertilizer But it is also a pre-emergenttargeting seeds as they germinate Youcan put corn gluten down at any point inthe spring BUT if part of your mission is toeliminate crabgrass then there is a narrowwindow of attackApply it whenForsythia is in fullbloom and beforeits leaves appearThe Forsythia is asoil temperatureindicator that cor-responds to whencrabgrass seedsstart to germinate More garden centersare now carrying corn gluten productsYou just need to ask and follow the appli-cation instructions on the bag Make sureto water in the corn gluten after applyingIt will remain effective for five to six weeks

Simply Saratoga | 53

DONrsquoT

DO

step on soil as you maneuver around thegarden to cut back Lavender and therest of the gang For that matter youshould never be tromping through yourgardens compacting soil This breaks

down air and water channels as well as making it tougher forroots to spread Instead reach into beds from existing paths orplace stepping stones in discreet spots where only your eyes cansee or lsquowalk the plankrsquo on a board to reach plants fartherlsquoadriftrsquo

54 | Simply Saratoga

cut back Lavender Russian SageMontauk Daisy Butterfly BushChrysanthemums and ornamental grass-es These are best left untouched in falland whacked in spring Many folks make

the mistake of acting too gingerly with pruners Let lsquoem fly Theresult will be more compact neater plants that will bloom just fineTrust me If it helps wait until yoursquove had a bad day at work withthe kids or in traffic

DONrsquoT

DO

divide Peonies German Bearded Iris orOriental Poppies in spring These are bestdone in late summer Also tap-rootedplants (those with a carrot-looking root)cannot be divided Think about it These

are usually propagated by seed stem or root cuttings Someperennials that fall into this category are Malva Butterfly WeedBalloon Flower Oriental Poppies and Lupines

Simply Saratoga | 55

DONrsquoT

divide plants in spring This is an optimumtime to divide most perennials Yes evenspring bloomers Wait until these haveflowered and then shear off the spentblooms and get to business Most sum-

mer and fall blooming perennials can be divided prior to mid-Junewithout disrupting their performance

DO

apply a time-released fertilizersuch as Plant-Tone(organic) orOsmocote to heavy

feeding perennials five to six weeks afterthe earlier granular fertilizer applicationMost plants do not need as much fertilizeras we are led in advertising to believe I amstingy with my money and maintenancetime so only a handful of plants get thisbonus feed Astilbe Delphinium Liliums (ieAsiatic Oriental Trumpet) Clematis androses If I am feeling generous I will putsome on my Bigleaf Hydrangeas next to theroses Call me heartlessJust scratch fertilizer intothe top couple inchesof soil around theplantrsquos base and waterin well They will enjoy anutritious snack forthree to four months

apply mulch ongarden beds toreduce weedsconserve moisture

reduce erosion minimize soil temperaturefluctuations and enhance the quality ofthe soil Some mulching materials includeaged manures compost shredded wood(not dyed) leaf moldand cocoa hulls Putthe mulch down 2rdquo to3rdquo thick around plantsincluding floweringshrubs

build up mulchagainst plant stems

And please please donrsquot create volcanomounds around trees Please This is awfulfor them The only ones that benefit fromthis are the people selling the mulch

56 | Simply Saratoga

DONrsquoT

DO

DO

rubber band orbraid the foliage ofspring bloomingbulbs after they fin-ish flowering You

want as much leaf surface exposed to thesun as possible to increase photosynthesisYou can press the leaves down next to thesoil so they are less noticeable

Simply Saratoga | 57

sect

And finally DO have a great year in

your gardens and DONrsquoT forget to

take time to smell the roses

DONrsquoT

DONrsquoT

cut off the spentblooms and stems onspring blooming bulbsafter they have flow-ered so energy is redirected to the bulbsversus seed productions Keep the leaves inplace until they have browned and ideallycan be pulled from the ground by hand

put time-released fertil-izer on perennials thatprefer lean dietsRicher soil just upsetstheir vascular systemsThey will get leggy flop and not perform tosnuff Yarrow Coneflower Catmint RussianSage Linum Sea Holly and Silvermound are inthe group

DO

For more information contact Perennially Yours at pyourscom

58 | Simply Saratoga

Ill mination

Exterior Stonework

an

d

Story Written by Arthur Gonick Photos Provided

u

Simply Saratoga | 59

To develop and implement an exterior vista that maximizes your enjoyment To have a backyard landscape that is warm inviting and uniquely yours

These are goals that many homeowners have when they first move onto their property But unless you are trained in the variety ofmaterials and options available the task of getting past the point of comparing possibilities to completing and actually enjoying yourbackyard paradise can appear to be a long daunting road

For Carl Trinkle a landscape designer for ten years with the Gallivan Companies of Troy one of the key elements in a successfultransformation is utilizing a professionalrsquos expertise to articulate goals and develop a plan

ldquoThe most important thing we do when we first meet with a client is to get them to discuss their basic needs and aims and encouragethem to formulate an overall vision for their property An initial consultation sets the tone we make an initial visit on-site to look overthe property so we can have an idea as to where things might be placedrdquo

ldquoDuring this intake process we actually encourage people to show us photos of their friendrsquos property that they like or perhaps froma magazine It helps most people to articulate the goals of what they would like to see as a finished projectrdquo Trinkle said ldquoEven if they are looking to do things in phases we find that it is most important to develop a comprehensive site planrdquo This eliminates the need to revise original phases of work to accommodate those that come in the future

60 | Simply Saratoga

that Mr Trinkle finds potential customers identifying with aredesigned to extend the outdoor season ldquoA few extra weeks outside isa lotrdquo he said

add-ons also extend outside activity each day Low voltage lighting is still the most popular but recently LED lighting with longer-lasting bulbs that involve less maintenance and are cost-efficienthave become more fashionable

The latest trends

stations fire pits and waterenhancements such as ponds andwaterfalls are the most frequentlyrequested items that broaden theoutdoor use season

Outdoor grill

Exterior lighting

Simply Saratoga | 61

And of course swimming pool projects have always been a most-requested

item Fifty percent of allthe projects Mr Trinkleworks on involve a pooleither a completely new installation or enhance-ments to existing poolsGallivanrsquos long-standingrelationship withConcord Pools has beena hallmark in assuringthat customers are satis-fied when their pool isput in the ground

62 | Simply Saratoga

In most cases a comprehensive plancan be developed for any project in about a period of twoweeks Complete drawings and cost breakdowns are provid-ed as well as the projected phases that can be completed injust a few months or on larger projects can be scheduled insegments over a few years These are reviewed in personwith the customer again the goal being to have a plan thateveryone buys into

Simply Saratoga | 63

ldquoWe have had projects where the customer has wanted tohave a lot of input and we welcome that But we also hadone where the client was out of town and we built a firepit and slide for his wife and kids and our only instructions were to dazzle themI remember it as a most satisfying experience and we ended up winning awards for that onerdquo

- Carl Trinkle Landscape DesignerThe Gallivan Companies

64 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 65

ldquoI get to work using my creativity with talented people Some of the most talented are those

I meet as customersrdquo sect

For more information or to schedule aconsultation phone Gallivan Companies at(518) 271-6100 Gallivanrsquos website iswwwGallivanCompaniescom

66 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 67

Buying a playhouse for your child is an excellent investment

They promote imaginative play and spending time outdoors and

double as storage space when no longer used for recreation

Denise Woodcock owner of Versatile Sheds in Wilton has

been helping parents and grandparents customize their childrsquos or

grandchildrsquos dream playhouses for years

ldquoThey make great gifts especially for grandparents who want

their grandkids to have their own place to play when they visitrdquo

she said

Playhouses are a great addition to a childrsquos outdoor world

They come in all shapes sizes and designs and can be custom-

built or finished if you donrsquot find exactly what yoursquore looking for

in a catalog or on the lot

Every child is different and has their own preferences for color

size and function boys and girls often have especially different

requests for their play space as do younger and more mature chil-

dren so therersquos a lot to consider

Denise knows how even the finest detail can be all it takes to

make an outdoor structure feel like a childrsquos own personal space

While it may seem superfluous to address every minor demand

the truth is a playhouse is more than just an expensive toy itrsquos an

investment The more your child connects with their space the more

use theyrsquoll get out of it ndash and according to Denise that means your

money is well spent

Smartest WayThe

playhouse for your kidsto buy a

Photos by MarkBollescomStory by Yael Goldman

68 | Simply Saratoga

With this in mind prospective buyers should first consider

who will use the playhouse and for how long as well as what

happens when the structure is no longer used for recreation

Versatile Sheds can help even the most discerning parent or

child find what theyrsquore looking for Every playhouse is hand-

built by Amish craftsmen who can accommodate almost any

special request at an additional cost so the possibilities are

endless inside and out

Cedar shingle or vinyl siding wood stone or brick ndash if you

can use it on the outside of your regular home it can be inte-

grated into your playhousersquos design Playhouses can be built

to look like a miniature version of your home which is an

excellent touch for parents that are particularly concerned

with aesthetics Porches shutters flowerboxes unique doors

chimneys and exterior lighting are just a few of the touches

that can brighten and personalize the exterior

Individualizing your childrsquos playhouse doesnrsquot stop at the

front door There are just as many interior features to choose

from ndash you can let your imagination run wild

For starters you have the option to order the playhouse

with a finished or unfinished interior The unfinished version

looks a lot like the inside of a regular home before you move

in paint the walls and furnish the rooms

Buying an unfinished structure is a great way to cut costs

and even bring the family together over a weekend decorating

project The possibilities are endless depending on how handy

you are otherwise a few coats of paint and a bit of carpeting

will surely do the trick

Although a bit pricey purchasing a playhouse with a fin-

ished interior ensures that your child gets exactly what they

want right off the bat They can pick everything from the paint

color to the flooring so the playhouse is move-in ready on the

day it arrives

Playhouses can also be insulated and wired for electricity

You can install lighting electrical outlets even heat or air-

conditioning to make your childrsquos outdoor space as comfort-

able as possible

And the options donrsquot end there Traditional sheds also dou-

ble as playhouses For some parents purchasing an adult-size

shed for their children is an ideal way to get the best return on

their investment Once their children grow out of it the struc-

ture can be used for outdoor storage With just as many styles

sizes and materials to choose from you can customize the

interior and exterior of your shed just as you would a play-

house but without all of the more frivolous features

ldquoAny shed can be a playhouserdquo Woodcock said explaining

how a custom paint job or flowerbox can transform a typical

storage unit into childrsquos outdoor activity haven

For example if purchasing a wood shed the exterior can be

easily painted and repainted when making the transition from

playhouse to storage space

For Denisersquos customers getting their moneyrsquos worth should

not have to mean making sacrifices

Simply Saratoga | 69

70 | Simply Saratoga

When Debby Trainor made the decision to buy her grand-

daughter Chezneyrsquos dream house she wanted it to have all the

bells and whistles She met with Denise to go over all the cri-

teria the goal was to buy the perfect gift for Chezney while

staying within her budget

The eight-year-old Greenwich girl wanted her own pretty

pink palace where she could play and imagine Debby wanted

it to be a cozy and safe place for her to play year-round

Customization and interior decoration helped make

Chezneyrsquos playhouse feel like her own little kingdom

ldquoWe made it look like a cute little dollhouserdquo she said ldquoWe

put furniture inside and a little stove fridge heater and TV

itrsquos just perfectrdquo

With the structure built to their liking Chezney and Debby

could enjoy decorating the inside to personalize the playhouse

For many customers putting on the finishing touches means

making the playhouse feel like home ndash you can add curtains

hang pictures buy furniture and appliances and landscape the

perimeter to make the outdoor space feel like a home away

from home

When the child grows out of their playhouse these items

can be easily removed to accommodate a secondary use for the

space

ldquoThe best thing that Denise did for me was explain how we

can use the playhouse for storage for stuff out in the yard after

Chezney has grown out of itrdquo Debby explained ldquoAlthough

she is only eight and will be using it for quite a few more

years this really makes it a good investment and looks

great in the backyardrdquo

Whether you choose a customized playhouse or a tradi-

tional shed thinking toward the future also ensures the

safety and longevity of the structure

Denise explained that placement is an important thing to

consider as you want to make sure the structure is in a safe

place and on an appropriate surface Most importantly the

playhouse must be built on a level even surface that isnrsquot

too high off of the ground

ldquoYou want it on a nice platformrdquo Denise explained

ldquoSome people use concrete but stone is better because it

allows moisture to seep down into the ground and away

from the structurerdquo

Most parents prefer that their playhouse is in the back-

yard where itrsquos easy to see from a window Placing the

structure in a shaded area is also a good idea it will be

cooler in the summer and less susceptible to the elements if

partially protected by trees

Debby had Chezneyrsquos playhouse built right next to her

swing set where she can be easily supervised

One last thing to consider when purchasing a playhouse

Simply Saratoga | 71

72 | Simply Saratoga

or shed for your child is how much effort

you want to put into maintaining it The

more ornate the structure the more care it

may need

Woodcock advises parents to preserve

their investment and treat the playhouse

like a miniature home

Think of it as a miniature house ndash the

structure requires regular maintenance

and upkeep to ensure your child will be

safe while enjoying years and years of

imaginative fun

With so many features and styles to

choose from yoursquore sure to find the best

for both you and your child

For more information about Versatile

Sheds or to set up a time to meet with

Denise Woodcock call (518) 584-7924

or stop by 669 Route 9 in Wilton sect

Simply Saratoga | 73

74 | Simply Saratoga

Kitchen

Not Your

Grandmarsquos

Story Written by Daniel Schechtman Photos Provided

ldquoAs you

walk into the kitchen

of the future LED

light projections adjust

to your mood - it will

know if you have a

hangover via sensors

that will read your

b r a i n w a v e s

Aromatherapy infused

walls will be synched

to your calendar calm-

ing you before a big

meeting or energizing you before a gym session The fridge will have selected some breakfast options identifying the essen-

tial vitamins for your day via sensors When you get home a hologram chef will be on hand for recipe inspirationrdquo

Alright so maybe your kitchen canrsquot do all of these things quite yet ndash but believe it or not wersquore getting there This is tomor-

rowrsquos kitchen a kitchen where your appliances donrsquot just store your food or wash your dishes ndash they talk to you providing you

with integral information on how to

best store your fruits and vegetables

letting you know if the refrigerator

door is open for too long or when a

part will soon need replacing

Simply Saratoga | 75

ldquoScience fictionrdquo I hear you say

Guess again Quoted from a report released by The Future Laboratory

who was commissioned by IKEA to determine what a modernkitchen in the year 2040 could conceivably look like

76 | Simply Saratoga

ldquoOne technology that really stands out to me is the

Miele Appliance Company Right now theyrsquore using a

program called lsquoremote visionrsquo On select applianceshellip

is a wireless card that clicks into a port on the back of

the appliance You synch it up with your home network

and it basically emails the technician and the owner

when itrsquos broken when you need to clean your condens-

er change your water filter or schedule a routine serv-

icerdquo said Tom Thibeault owner of Adirondack

Appliance Repair Inc located at 67 West Ave in

Saratoga Springs ldquoMaybe somebodyrsquos been opening the

[refrigerator] door for too long or the door was left open

ndash it will email you and tell you that your door is left

openrdquo

This is not your grandmarsquos kitchen This my friends

is the kitchen of the future and itrsquos available now

The 36 inch bottom-mount Miele refrigerator boasts a

striking interior featuring LED lighting running along

the sides from top to bottom stainless steel accents and

exteriors with control systems that would be comfort-

able alongside the captainrsquos chair on the Starship

Enterprise

Simply Saratoga | 77

ldquoThe controls in the Miele really stand out

Looking at the controls theyrsquore just a glass piece and

then once you touch it you see a few options for the

different compartments Then you touch the compart-

ment and the temperature is displayed so itrsquos kind of

like a Star Trek controlrdquo Thibeault said

And thatrsquos just the refrigerator

Adirondack Appliance has also seen brands such as

Wolf (a company owned by the same people who own

Sub-Zero) grow in popularity when it comes to their

range stoves and ovens The dual convection oven

works to eliminate cold spotting and provides consis-

tent even temperatures and even allows for unique

options such as proofing ndash used best when baking

homemade bread

ldquoIt also has a temperature probe you can plug into

things like a turkey or roast so you can see the temper-

ature while itrsquos still inside the machine It has

hydraulic hinges halogen lit interiors everything is

composed of stainless steel and itrsquos by far one of the

best lines on the marketrdquo Thibeault said

A new line coming to Adirondack Appliance that

features some amazing technology is a series of Pro-

Style Ranges produced by industry giant Jenn-Air

ldquoThat actually has an LCD touch

screen like an IPAD for the controls The

temperature is set by sliding your finger

along the controls Itrsquos all color backlit and

absolutely amazingrdquo Thibeault said

ldquoAnother thing we have to that same

effect are some of the hoods which have

really been getting pretty out there as far as

design We have one on our floor [by Miele]

that has an LED bar on the front which

changes in phases between 196000 colors

Itrsquos a very delicate change very pretty and

coolrdquo Thibeault said adding ldquoor you can set

it to any color in that spectrum yoursquod like to

accent your cabinetryrdquo

When it comes to dishwashers Thibeault

can attest to the quality of both the Asko and

Miele brands both of which he uses in his

own home And good news for Saratoga

Springs residents ndash

ldquoIn our market in

Saratoga we have a

very hard water base

whether yoursquore on a well

system or city waterrdquo

Thibeault said ldquoSo you

get a lot of minerals in

the machine With the

stainless steel interiors it

eliminates a lot of prob-

lems generally seen with

plastic interior tubs and

usually they are the best

life expectanciesrdquo

78 | Simply Saratoga

Asko and Mieleare practically custom made to handle the

arearsquos typicallymineral rich water

Simply Saratoga | 79

The Asko brand dishwasher takes things one step

further including two pumps in the washerrsquos system

The first pump filters the water cleansing it of poten-

tially harmful minerals while the second pump recircu-

lates the water ensuring that the machine is never

blasting your dishes with food debris or dirty residue

With Miele the design features a built-in water sof-

tener perfect for dealing with the Saratoga water

system

ldquoTypically the Miele is going to do a better job with

tougher baked in stainsrdquo said Thibeault ldquobecause itrsquos

got the softener in it and a little bit longer pots and pans

cyclerdquo

80 | Simply Saratoga

Adirondack Appliance Repair Inc is a fami-

ly-owned business since 1929 and the last inde-

pendent appliance retailer of its kind in Saratoga

Springs With $6 billion of buying power behind

their name (a benefit of being part of the Nation

Wide Appliance Buying Group) Thibeault

promised ldquowe can actually price match the box

stores and everybody else around all while pro-

viding you with better service and better

productsrdquo

For more information on AdirondackAppliance or the products they sell you mayvisit their showroom located at 67 West Avenuein Saratoga Springs for live demonstrationsThey can also be reached by phone at (518)587-6640 or you may visit them at their newwebsite wwwadkappliancecom where cus-tomers can browse through the storersquos entirecatalogue of appliances

sect

Simply Saratoga | 81

82 | Simply Saratoga

Page 8: Simply Saratoga March 2011

10 | Simply Saratoga

their next dinner on the way out mdash especially wise

for Saturdays when all 80 seats are often occupied

Informal and genial as it is Lake Ridge is defi-

nitely a ldquofine diningrdquo destination complete with

tablecloths and elegant touches such as silverware

changed between courses Worth noting is the

physical comfort afforded by commodious furni-

ture eye-pleasing deacutecor and an intelligent floor

plan that affords privacy and mellow lighting The

restaurant features three lovely and distinctive din-

ing rooms a former deck enclosed with large win-

dows a warm center room that can accommodate

couples or groups and a small dining area up front

ideal for an intimate tecircte-a-tecircte A few years ago

the restaurant added a glistening mahogany bar

with high stools and a TV The handcrafted show-

case - designed milled and constructed by

McKennarsquos high school buddy Judd Storm and his

partner Bill Tedesco of Marketplace Millwork in

Troy - boasts an exceptional selection of red white

and sparkling wines and scotches bourbons and

beers in which the owners take special pride

Key to smooth operations is manager Diana

Murphy of Wilton who has been part of the busi-

ness since its inception six days a week She is clear

about her mission ldquoThink about the guests

whether you are adding a menu item putting flow-

ers on the table suggesting a wine or choosing wall

artrdquo

McKenna emphasizes Murphyrsquos critical input

ldquoShersquos been there since the beginning and we could-

nrsquot do it as well without herrdquo he says ldquoShersquos smart

and she pulls it together whatever it takesrdquo

The team commitment shows in every aspect of

the restaurant from the imaginative menu to spe-

cial events like wine dinners that keep Lake Ridge

exciting On center stage is the generous scrump-

tious food something for every palate ndash light appe-

tizer-size portions with sophisticated flavors or

hearty soul-satisfying repasts

Appetizers are taken seriously (shrimp and avo-

cado artichoke souffleacute eggplant Napoleon and a 4-

ounce filet mignon) but thatrsquos just the beginning

McKenna points particularly to the exceptional

entrees herb-crusted swordfish veal Jacqueline

(with mushrooms and crabmeat) and the enormous

pecan pork chop as customer favorites but the

menu extends far beyond these top picks with sea

bass (delicious) salmon rack of lamb rosemary

chicken steak duck and a roster of pastas

Simply Saratoga | 11

(Companion had a fabulous linguini tossed with ample

seafood) There are four crispy salads that incorporate

local ingredients when possible and a lineup of irre-

sistible desserts Sneak a peek at wwwlake-ridgecom

for the complete menu and prices

Itrsquos no surprise that Lake Ridge was voted Best

American Cuisine in the Capital Region by Metroland

readers in 2006 and that McKenna and Ringwood

were named Entrepreneurs of the Year by Southern

Saratoga Chamber of Commerce in 2005

But the highest praise of all comes in the form of a

loyal following and I can see that Companion is join-

ing the fold Succinct by nature he declares ldquoIrsquoll go

back for morerdquo

And Irsquoll go with him

Lake Ridge Restaurant 35 Burlington Ave Round Lake (Northway exit 11)Open Tuesday-Saturday lunch 1130 am - 230 pm dinner 430-845 pm Sunday dinner 3-8 pm (518)-899-6000wwwlake-ridgecom

sect

12 | Simply Saratoga

March 19 - 20 andMarch 26 - 27

2011

Simply Saratoga | 13

T ired of being lsquocooped uprsquo

with all the cold weather

and snow this winter

Why not go visit a maple produc-

tion facility to see first-hand how this

yummy syrup is made and sam-

ple some sweet delights

The Annual Maple

Weekend(s) are the last two

weekends in March and

there are numerous produc-

ers participating this year

Maple syrup is the first crop

and harvest of the year and of

course one of the sweetest Unlike most farming the crop or

maple trees doesnrsquot have to be re-planted every year Maple

producers literally lsquotaprsquo into the sap that starts moving up the

tree in the spring to nourish the branches to produce buds

When the weather gets warmer into the 40rsquos during the day that

is the signal that the sap is running Hard freezes at night are also

an important factor as that causes the sap to flow back down to the

roots at night This movement of sap can occur for upwards of six

weeks depending upon the weather

Tapping into the sap doesnrsquot harm the trees itrsquos like giving

blood But tapping trees that are too small can stunt their growth

It takes forty gallons of the sap to make only one gallon of maple

syrup As harvests go thatrsquos a very small ratio of raw material to

finished product

It may surprise you to learn that the only place in the world

where maple syrup is made is here in the northeastern United

States and in eastern Canada Take a quick trip this maple sea-

son to sample some pure delight here in the surrounding

Capital District area and celebrate this sweet harvest

For Maple Weekend information contact New York

State Maple Producerrsquos Association website at

wwwnysmaplecom or for a complete list of maple produc-

ers participating in Maple

Weekend visit

mapleweekendcomSubmitted byCaroline Foote Co-ownerMaple Hill Farm Cobleskill NYwwwMaplehillfarmsbiz(518) 234-4858mhfarmvcrbwildbluenet

sect

14 | Simply Saratoga

NopehellipIrsquom not suggesting you dye your wine green in honor

of St Paddyrsquos (although that might be fun) Irsquom talking about

ORGANIC wine What exactly makes a wine organic

Andhellipwhy should you try it

Strictly speaking an ldquoorganicrdquo wine is one crafted from organ-

ically grown grapes This is to say the grapes in the bottle have

been grown without the use of pesticides herbicides chemical

fertilizers or synthetic chemicals of any kind These chemical

agents are not allowed on the grapes or the soil in which the

grapes are grown What used to be termed ldquoorganic winerdquo is now

termed ldquowines made from organic grapesrdquo The distinction is

confusing to most including many of the winemakers In addi-

tion most consumers are led to believe that all wines made from

organic grapes do not contain any sulfites This is inaccurate The

fermenting yeasts which are present on ALL grape skins gener-

ate naturally-occurring sulfites in varying amounts So wines

COMPLETELY devoid of sulfites are an anomaly and are not

the wines you see on the shelf of your local wine shop Wines

LOW in sulfites or free of ADDED sulfites are what you will

find instead These wines will conform to the standards of organ-

ic practices and will not contain sulfites in an amount greater

than allowed by the USDA For those who are sensitive to sul-

fites or prefer to sip organic wines as a matter of philosophy

there are hundreds of organic wines that will satisfy Okay

enough of the chemistry lesson

More and more winemakers are embracing the idea of con-

forming to organic practices when creating their wines For

these farmers and winemakers maintaining a healthy and

active soil for the grapes to grow in is the key Farming and

cultivating using these methods encourages biodiversity

which also aids in regulating the soil In turn these meth-

ods protect both the environment and the workers in the

vineyardshellipcertainly not a bad thing So while just a few

years ago your options were a bit limited if you wanted to

ldquodrink greenrdquo now there are hundreds of options to choose

from At the forefront of this movement is a winery thatrsquos

located right in New York State In fact it is the first organic

winery in North America and is located right on the western

B ttle N tes

By Patricia Novo

Photos by Mark Bolles

GreenhellipGreenhellipWine

Simply Saratoga | 15

shore of Seneca

LakehellipFour Chimneys

Organic Winery

Established in 1980

Four Chimneys was

green before being

green was cool In addi-

tion to crafting their

wines in accordance

with the standards for

organic wine estab-

lished by the NOFA-

NY Certified Organic

they also do not utilize

any animal products in

their wines For these

reasons many vegetari-

ans embrace the Four

Chimneys wines as well and have contributed to their enor-

mous popularity Four Chimneys offers several interesting

wines ranging from dry to sweet and also features several

fruit-based wines that are extremely popular For those who

love Pinot Grigio their ldquoKingdom Whiterdquo is worth sampling

This is Four Chimneyrsquos driest white and is an ideal accompa-

niment to light seafood preparations ldquoKingdom Redrdquo also a

very dry wine is similar in texture to a Merlot and will please

Merlot drinkers offering full and rich berry and plum flavors

on the palate For those who enjoy a touch of sweetness in their

wines their ldquoEye of the Doverdquo is a slightly sweet Cabernet

Franc based red which is best served with a slight chill This

wine makes a lovely accompaniment to barbecue and other

dishes with a bit of smoke and heat Even sweeter on the scale

are their ldquoFirst Loverdquo and ldquoEye of the Beerdquo wines ldquoFirst Loverdquo

is most reminiscent of Riesling although it is based on the

Vidal grape This very fragrant wine is quite refreshing and

offers up aromas of fresh white peach and honey Their most

popular wine is ldquoEye of the Beerdquo a semi-sweet rose-colored

wine whose flavors and aromas mimic those of freshly picked

grapes off the vine Their offerings of fruit wines also are quite

popular These combine organically grown grapes with organ-

ically grown fruits from their farm With names like

ldquoHoneydew Moonrdquo ldquoCelestial Peachrdquo ldquoStrawberry

Meadowsrdquo and ldquoRaspberry Sunrdquo these sweet fruit wines

would make an interesting choice with your dessert and are

also delightful served alongside some soft ripened cheeses such

as Brie and Camembert and fresh fruit

This is just a small introduction to the world of organic

wines For additional information or if you have specific ques-

tions about the differences among organic wines please stop in

and chat with me about this very popular subject I am more

than happy to answer any additional questions that you might

have Cheers sect

Patricia Novo is the owner of Crush amp Cask Wine and Spirits at170 South Broadway in Saratoga Springs She holds anAssociates Degree in Culinary Arts from SCCC and also serves ontheir Advisory Board Patricia also has certification in Wine andSpirits from the WSET as well as an Aficionado of WineCertification from the Robert Parker and Kevin Zraly WineProgram She is pursuing her Sommelier certification in Winter2011

16 | Simply Saratoga

Savethe

DateHomemade Theater Presents HARVEY

Homemade Theater Spa State Park South Broadway Saratoga SpringsElwood P Dowd is a gentle soul ndash kind hearted and

loving He has only one flaw ndash his invisible six foot-tall rabbit companion Harvey His family convincesElwood to commit himself to a sanitarium Then thelunacy really begins Multiple mistaken identities lotsof laughs and Harvey is on the loose Does the worldneed more lsquonormal peoplersquo Will you see Harvey

April 22 23 29 30 amp May 6 7 at 8 pm and May1 and 8 at 2 pm Tickets are $23 and $26 Visit home-madetheaterorg for more information

Celebrate Earth Week Recycled Art Show

Saratoga National Historical Park 648 Rte 32Stillwater

Weekend-long exhibit beginning on Friday April15 through Sunday April 17 with original works ofldquorecycled artrdquo with each piece containing at least50 reclaimed or recycled materials For more infor-mation please visit npsgovsara or phone (518) 664-9821 ext 224

Easter Egg HuntMalta Community Center 1 Bayberry DrFrom 10 to 11 am on Saturday April 16 please reg-

ister by April 8 by calling (518) 899-4411 Residentsof Malta $6 non-residents $7 Please bring your ownEaster basket to collect your eggs

Washington County Farm and Fiber Tour

On April 24 and 25 bring the family to this freetour to visit alpacas bunnies goats sheep and lambsllamas and meet the farmers and their familiesWatch spinning knitting weaving and felting demon-strations Learn about raising the livestock and petsthat we cherish For more information visitwwwwashingtoncountyfibertourorg

Geocache Easter Egg HuntGalway Preserve 2519 Crane RdOn Saturday April 30 find some eggs find some

caches and find some friends (or make new ones) asyou and your children search throughout the preservePrizes for found eggs will include candy toys geo-items and more Drinks and snacks will be availableThis event will be led by Chris Parker Preserve stewardand geocacher extraordinare For more informationcall Saratoga PLAN at (518) 587-4555

Hadley Maple FestivalHeld on Rockwell St on Saturday April 30 this

event runs all day from 8 am to 4 pm Bring the fami-ly for everything maple Visit wwwhadleybusinessas-sociationnet for more information

MapleWeekendsMarch 19-20th

amp 26-27th

See Pages 12-13

Simply Saratoga | 17

Saratoga Springs Mardi Gras FestivalHeld at various locations downtown Saratoga on

Saturday April 30 this event benefits Saratoga EOCand the Giving Circle For more information visitsaratogamardigrasorg

British Army Spring Training DaySaratoga National Historical Park 648 Rte 32

StillwaterOn May 7 from 10 am to 4 pm The cold winter has

ended and a new campaign season begins Soldiersdrill camp followers mend clothes and the armyprepares to quell the American ldquorebellionrdquo See thetroops and decide the outcome of a re-enacted courtmartial

St Clements Horse ShowYaddo grounds next to Oklahoma TrackHeld May 3 to May 8 and May 11 to May 15 This

is one of the largest horse shows on the east coastFor more information visit saintclementshorse-showcom

18 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 19

Prom

T h i s W a y

20 | Simply Saratoga

Glamor

ous

Daz

zling

Elega

ntFlir

ty

Gor

geou

s

Girls

itrsquos

Show

time

Simply Saratoga | 21

Web

Extras

See

the

pics tha

t didn

rsquot

mak

e it in

the

Mag

azine

on

SaratogaB

ridalEXPO

com

Grecian

God

dess

Athe

na

Classic B

eaut

y

Holly

wood

Glamou

r

Wild

and

Untam

edElega

nt

22 | Simply Saratoga

The current economic and market environment has prompt-

ed many Americans to rethink their retirement strategies If

you are experiencing a job transitionmdashparticularly if the tran-

sition is unplanned and unexpectedmdashsuch a reassessment may

be particularly important for you While it may be tempting to

focus more on your immediate needs you should not lose sight

of long-term goals especially your retirement strategy

Some Basic Decisions Your employer-sponsored retirement plan is likely to be a

key component of your retirement strategy Because it repre-

sents a key source of future retirement income it is important

to carefully consider your alternatives for administering these

assets During a job transition you will usually have three

options take a lump-sum distribution leave your assets in the

employer-sponsored plan or move your assets into a Rollover

IRA

Taking a direct lump-sum distributionmdashWith this

option the assets in your plan are distributed directly to you in

a lump sum which provides you with immediate access to

your funds Depending on your short-term needs that may

appear to be an attractive alternative However a distribution

will likely result in substantial federal and state income taxes

and a 10 percent IRS penalty tax which can significantly

reduce the amount of the distribution Because you will be

receiving the distribution directly the plan administrator must

withhold up to 20 percent of the value of the distribution for

federal income tax purposes Moreover you will lose the ben-

efit of the tax-deferred status of these assets which could

reduce the amount ultimately available to you at retirement

The status quo optionmdashYou can decide to do nothing

leaving your assets in your former employerrsquos plan That will

protect the tax-deferred status of your assets and allow you to

transfer the account assets at a later time to a new employerrsquos

retirement plan that accepts rollovers But you may be limiting

your investment choices and control because employer plans

typically have a restricted investment menu and require the

consent of your spouse before you can name someone else as

a beneficiary

Establishing a Rollover IRAmdashA Rollover IRA simultane-

ously addresses the issues of taxation flexibility and control

and may hold significant benefits for you as a result

Submitted by H Michael Okby Wealth Advisor

Fin

ancia

l Protecting Your RetirementInvestmentsDuring a JobTransition

If your distribution is transferred directly to a custodian rather than

to you the Rollover IRA eliminates the withholding requirement and

penalties that may result from a lump-sum distribution

The entire rollover amount can be investedimmediately according to the strategy youspecify bull Your assets and any earnings continue to have the potential to

grow tax-deferred until you retire and begin taking withdrawals

bull You may gain access to a wider range of investment options and

more retirement planning and distribution flexibility

bull You can name any beneficiary including a trust without

needing the consent of your spouse (although special rules may

apply in community property states)

For example investment products in an employer plan are usually

limited to mutual funds and company stock With a self-directed

Rollover IRA you can work with your financial professional to struc-

ture a portfolio using stocks bonds annuities and other investments

utilizing an asset allocation1 that is customized to help you meet your

retirement investment objectives And your retirement strategy can be

further tailored with a wider range of beneficiary selection and distri-

bution choices

Consider Consolidation This may also be an excellent time to deal with multiple IRAs you

may have opened over the years and with account balances you may

have left in the plans of former employers Together these assets may

represent a significant sum There are good reasons to consider con-

solidating them all in a Rollover IRA

Comprehensive investment strategymdashIt can be difficult to main-

tain an effective investment strategymdashone that accurately reflects

your goals timing and risk tolerancemdashwhen assets are spread among

multiple financial institutions When you consolidate your financial

professional can help you ensure that these assets are part of your

overall asset allocation strategy that is reflective of your current

financial situation and long-term retirement goals

Greater investment flexibilitymdashA self-directed IRA generally

offers you the ability to choose from a wide range of investment

products including stocks bonds mutual funds annuities and more

Simplified trackingmdashIt is easier to monitor your progress and

investment results when all your retirement savings are in one place

because you will receive one statement instead of several That sim-

plifies your life while protecting the environment

Lower costsmdashReducing the number of accounts may also reduce

your account fees and other investment-related charges

Dealing with one account rather than several also simplifies

the distribution processmdashincluding complying with complex min-

imum distribution rules when you reach age 70 And you avoid the

risk of losing track of your retirement accounts or access to the

account assets should your former employer merge with another

company or go out of business Your financial professional can help

you assess your alternatives so you can make decisions based on

whatrsquos best for you You may find that this time of transition holds

benefits for your retirement assets

For more information please contact H Michael Okby at (518) 583-5601

sect

Simply Saratoga | 23

24 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 25

Summer camp is a place wherelifelong memories are made

This is where our children learnto cultivate their interests andordiscover a world of new activities tohelp their young minds grow andfor them to become physically fit

Even though there may be snowon the ground when you read thisit is never too early to think aboutyour childrenrsquos summer fun Weare blessed in this region with avariety of destinations providing awealth of activities

And while there is something foreveryone early planning is a mustto assure your child has a spot inone of these great places At theend of a long winter seasonthoughts of summer camp arerejuvenating for adults as well

Summer Camp Guide 2011

YMCA Camp Chingachgook

NdakinnaNdakinna Education Center located in

Greenfield Center offers a wide variety of

summer camp programs and activities that

will provide campers with a greater

respect and understanding for the natural

world as well as the Northeastrsquos rich

Native American history Hosted by

renowned author and wilderness and sur-

vival expert James Bruchac these pro-

grams are ideal for children with a sense

of adventure and natural wonder Summer

programs are divided into two groups

children ages three to eight and older

campers ages nine to fourteen Programs

range in duration from one to two weeks

26 | Simply Saratoga

YMCA Camp Chingachgook located on beauti-

ful Lake George has three camping options sleep-

away camp day camp and adventure trips

Summer sleep-away camp is the experience of a

lifetime The camp is divided into junior and sen-

ior boys and girls units junior campers between

the ages of seven and 12 and senior campers are 13

to 15 years old All Chingachgook counselors go

through extensive two-week training and prepa-

ration prior to the beginning of the first session

Campers will enjoy a full schedule of skill

classes which they can choose on their own

and special events and programs Campers can

choose from swimming water skiing canoeing

nature arts outdoor living skills theater news-

paper riflery archery dance guitar outdoor

cooking sports zone water world woodwork-

ing softball soccer tennis photography sail-

ing high ropes mountain biking and rock

climbing Each camper sets up their own daily

schedule of four skill classes at the start of the

session

Two-week camp sessions at Chingachgook

also include a three-day hike which allows

campers to get out and experience the wilder-

ness in a fun and safe atmosphere

Chingachgook also offers a variety of unique

adventure camps for children looking to explore

unique destinations and experience a whole new

level of fun options like sailing kayak-

ing boat building rock climbing canoe-

ing community service white-water

rafting hiking and backpacking bicycle

touring and mountain biking Adventure

campers will benefit from activities with

smaller coed groups of ten or less

Day Camp at Chingachgook is a fun

option for children ages five to ten

Campers will enjoy a full day of fun

activities from 930 am to 430 pm The

Day Camp program is divided into eight

one-week segments with the first session

starting on June 28 and the final session

starting on August 16 Each session has

a different theme

Spaces are limited at Chingachgook

so be sure to sign up as soon as possible

For more information to sign up for a

tour or to register for camp visit

wwwcapitaldistrictymcacom or call

(518) 656-9462

each covering a different skill or activity such

as animal tracking basic wilderness survival

skills and shelter building Native American

storytelling and games and nature-based arts

and crafts projects will teach campers to have

fun in the great outdoors Each camp program

promotes team building natural awareness

patience and confidence

Ndakinna also offers family camp pro-

grams which allow children and their parents

to experience the outdoors together Family

programs can accommodate children ages one

to 14 These programs offer the

same skills training and team-

building activities To view the

finalized calendar of programs

and events visit

wwwNdcenterorg

Cutting Edge Martial ArtsCutting Edge Martial Artrsquos A+ After

School and Summer Camp Program is a year-

round child care solution that provides a pos-

itive structured environment for children

after school and during the day in the sum-

mer During the school year we pick chil-

dren up directly from the local elementary

and middle schools and provide an hour les-

son that starts with our ldquoMat Chatrdquo a ten

minute character education lesson for the day

followed by a full 50 minute martial arts

class Parents have a window between 5 and

545 pm to pick up their children while chil-

dren have the opportunity after class to get

their homework started

During the summer children get all the

benefits of our A+ Program but on a grander

scale We offer nine weeks of full day camps

and have no minimum or maximum number

of days per week or number of weeks that a

student can attend Each week of camp we

have a curriculum of character education

lessons fun games and a one hour martial

arts class every day We watch a movie in

the afternoons twice a week have a video

game morning on Fridays and take all our

campers on an educa-

tional outing on

Wednesdays and a

fun and exciting out-

ing every Friday

Our average camp

size is 20-25 stu-

dents and we have

three full time staff

graphed by Sarah Sutliff

Saratoga Childrenrsquos Theatre also offers a one-

week camp at the end of the summer ldquoMaster

your Auditionrdquo This camp will help your child

get ready for fall and winter auditions These

audition workshops have been very popular and

sell out quickly Any child at any skill level with

an interest in performing arts is welcome to join

in on the fun Saratoga Childrenrsquos Theatre

Executive Director Meg Kelly aims to give each

camper the most rewarding and enjoyable camp

experience and every camper will get to perform

The Saratoga Childrenrsquos Theatre hires profes-

sionals to help your child gain the most from

their summer camp experience

The cost for a two-week session is $450 and

$250 for the one-week session For more infor-

mation visit wwwsaratogachildrenstheatreorg

or call (518) 580-1782

For kids who have a passion for per-

forming arts Saratoga Childrenrsquos Theatre

summer camp is a dream come true

Saratoga Childrenrsquos Theatre offers per-

formance camps which means each

camper will be working on a full-fledged

production throughout their session

Campers will learn all aspects of perform-

ance and will have the opportunity to per-

form in two shows at the end of camp a

matinee and an evening show are both

open to the public Campers will perform

on stage at St Petersrsquo Auditorium

Saratoga Springs Camp hours are 9am-

3pm Performance camp is divided into

two age groups

Ages 6-9 will participate in one week

camps These camps will include Disneyrsquos

Sleeping Beauty kids Cinderella kids

Aristocats kids 101 Dalmatians kids and

Lemonade These camps will be directed by

Megan OrsquoSullivan a local elementary school

music teacher and assisted by Karey

Trimmings also a local elementary school

music teacher

Ages 10-18 will participate in two-week

camps Each camp will practice and perform a

different show These

camps include

Thoroughly Modern

Mille Jr Cinderella Jr

Fiddler on the Roof Jr

and Once on this Island

Jr These camps will be

directed by Michael

Lotano local actor and

elementary school music

teacher and choreo-

Saratoga Childrenrsquos Theatre

Simply Saratoga | 27

working with our students

Our goal is to provide a family-friendly

and fun environment that feels like a home

away from home Our students have fun

learning skills that can be used every day of

their lives and we try to provide memories

that will last a lifetime For many our

summer camps are a wonderful introduc-

tion to martial arts

For more information visit

wwwsaratogamartialartscom

or call (518) 587-5501

28 | Simply Saratoga

Saratoga Independent SchoolSaratoga Independent School hosts a variety of summer

programs split into two age groups three to eight year-olds

Wilton Recreation CampWilton Recreation offers a full-day summer

camp program for children in grades one

through nine With available pre-camp and

post-camp care working parents can ensure

their children are having fun in a safe environ-

ment before and after the camprsquos regular 9 am to

3 pm hours Parents who register their children

for before and after camp care can drop off their

children prior to camp opening at 830 am and

can pick them up at 530 pm Bussing is avail-

able for Wilton residents who register for regu-

lar camp hours (9 am to 3 pm)

Wilton Recreation Camp offers a full sched-

ule of daily onsite activities themed events and

exciting trips for kids who register for off-site

adventures Daily on-site activities include arts

and crafts sports playground fun and other

organized group games This yearrsquos scheduled

field trips include Million Dollar Beach in Lake

George movie days at Proctors Theater

Saratoga County Fair bowling white water

rafting and at least two swimming days per

week at Peerless Pool

The Summer 2011 camp will open on

June 27 and run until August

12 Registration begins

March 14 at Gavin Park and

will close on June 3 As

there are only 300 spaces

available be sure to mark

your calendar Camp

registration forms are

available online at

wwwtownofwiltoncom or

can be picked up weekdays

at Gavin Park 9 am to 5 pm

For any other questions

please call the park office at (518) 584-9455

and seven to 14 year-olds The weeklong programs run from July 5

to August 19

Saratoga Independent School summer programs are staffed large-

ly by their own teachers so parents can rest assured their kids are

supervised in a safe environment with experienced teachers who are

knowledgeable about child development and hands-on

programming

For the younger group weekly themed programs run from 9 am

to noon (early drop-off at 830 available) The staff-to-camper ratio

is one to six for children ages three and four and one to ten for chil-

dren ages five to eight Themed programs include ldquoCooking with

Curiosityrdquo ldquoHawaiian Hullabaloordquo ldquoHands-On Science Funrdquo

ldquoHoliday-A-Dayrdquo ldquoGood Versus Evil Imaginations Run Wildrdquo

ldquoDinosaur Discoveryrdquo ldquoIn the Jungle the Mighty Junglerdquo

Activities take place both indoors and outdoors

The selection of enrichment programs for older children is even

more extensive this year than in the past Some programs will take

place in the mornings others in the afternoon Age ranges will vary

depending on the subject matter These specialty programs give chil-

dren an opportunity to develop new interests and expand on existing

skills Programs include ldquoCartooning and Morerdquo ldquoImprovisationrdquo

ldquoKnittingrdquo ldquoOpen Art Studiordquo ldquoYou Can Do Magicrdquo ldquoGet Up and

Dancerdquo ldquoRoaring into Robots Whatrsquos Nextrdquo ldquoArt in the Ancient

Worldrdquo ldquoMad Sciencerdquo ldquoComputer Video Game Creationrdquo

ldquoAdvanced Robot Challengesrdquo and ldquoArt-Math Connectionrdquo

Registration has already begun and the programs fill up quickly so

visit wwwsiskidsorg for more information and to secure a space

for your child

Simply Saratoga | 29

Are your kids looking for an adventure this summer The

Saratoga Regional YMCA has two exciting day camps available

Camp Starhitch held at the Wilton Branch which engages children

with a multitude of fun activities and a trip each week and Travel

Camp where participants meet at the Saratoga Springs Branch and

then travel off to fun and thrilling places each day

Camp Starhitch is for children having completed Kindergarten

through entering fifth grade Campers will participate in games

sports crafts nature activities trips swimming archery and more

Each week is planned around a theme and includes a trip For exam-

ple during ldquo70rsquos Flashbackrdquo week campers will go roller skating

during ldquoThe Wild Frontierrdquo week kids will have the opportunity to

go horseback riding and during ldquoTropical Paradiserdquo week partici-

pants may ldquocatch a gnarly waverdquo at an outdoor water park

Travel Camp is definitely for the action seeker and for those who

like to be on the go This program for youth entering fifth through

tenth grade provides campers an opportunity to travel each and every

day to fun-filled locations Participants explore different summer

activities that include amusement and water parks outdoor sports

fairs and horseback riding This year the trips include a visit to Hunter

Mountain Six Flags New England Tubing on the Battenkill NY

Mets game at Citi Field the NY State Fair and more

Camp Starhitch and Travel Camp both run for nine one-week ses-

sions You may choose to attend camp for one week or any combina-

tion of weeks Experienced counselors supervise children and a ratio

of 110 ensures a safe quality camping experience CPR and First Aid

certified camp staff will be present on all trips At Travel Camp

campers will be grouped according to age and are supervised by expe-

rienced adult staff

Camp Starhitch has two day camp options for your child Option A

allows for your child to be dropped off at 9 am and picked up at 4 pm

and Option B has a 7 am drop off time and a 6 pm pick up time

Travel Camp runs from 9 am to 430 pm and extended hours are

available at no additional cost This year transportation will be provid-

ed in both directions between the Saratoga Springs and Wilton

branches Pickups will be as early as 815 am and drop-offs will be

as late as 5 pm Both camps try to cater to working parents

In addition the Saratoga Regional YMCA is committed to provid-

ing a safe and welcoming environment for all campers by incorporat-

ing the YMCAcore values of caring honesty respect and responsibil-

ity in daily activities To promote safety and comfort for all individu-

als are asked to act appropriately at all times when at the Yrsquos facilities

or participating in Y programs All campers are required to read and

sign a contract of understanding in reference to the Code of Conduct

We expect persons using the YMCAto act maturely to behave respon-

sibly and to respect the rights and dignity of all othersmdashall while

having a good time

The Y also has opportunities available for those who may not have

the resources to send their children to camp The Y provides scholar-

ships for those who qualify Scholarships are made possible due to

the generous donations of Y members the community and businesses

to the ldquoWe Build Peoplerdquo scholarship campaign held by the Saratoga

Regional YMCA each year Scholarship applications are available at

all Saratoga Regional YMCA branches and online at wwwsaratogare-

gionalymcaorg

Registration is currently ongoing and fills up quickly Registration

forms are available at any of the Saratoga Regional YMCA Branches

or at wwwsaratogaregionalymcaorg For more information about

these day camps please contact Ilene Leverence at (518) 583-9622

ext 103 for Camp Starhitch and Patti Laudicina at (518) 583-9622

ext 110 or Paige Minear ext 116 for Travel Camp

Saratoga YMCA

30 | Simply Saratoga

Ask women about the greatest threat to their health and most will

respond incorrectly with the words ldquobreast cancerrdquo While breast cancer

certainly is of concern the truth is that women are 10 times more like-

ly to die from heart disease Breast cancer kills 1 in 25 women heart

disease claims 1 in 2

The most recent statistics available indicate that cardiovascular dis-

ease causes the death of 500000 women per year ndash more than ALL

forms of cancer combined This is a rate of epidemic proportion

Little or no warning

Two-thirds of women die suddenly from heart disease without expe-

riencing any warning symptoms The majority die before they even

reach the hospital and before any attempt at treatment is possible Early

screening and the detection that leads to prevention offer the only hope

of reducing these deaths

Women who do develop heart disease tend to fare worse than men

One reason is that on average heart disease peaks 10 years later in

women than in men At this older age women are less able to withstand

the stress of the disease The proof can be found in a disturbing statis-

tic One year after their first heart attack 44 percent of women are dead

compared with 27 percent of men

Clearly for women preventing that first heart attack would make an

enormous difference

Know the risks

What can be done to prevent and detect heart disease in women

Of foremost importance is to reduce ndash or if possible eliminate ndash the

conditions that cause or accelerate the growth of blockages in the arter-

ies of the heart These conditions known as risk factors include high

Women Take this warning to heart

Story By Andrij O Baran MD

blood pressure diabetes genetic high cholesterol a high-fat

diet an inactive lifestyle smoking and cocaine use

Some damage the lining of the heartrsquos arteries speeding the

buildup of cholesterol Others raise blood cholesterol Both

smoking and cocaine use speed blood clotting They also can

cause sudden cramps or spasms in the coronary arteries cut-

ting off the entire blood supply to portions of the heart even

without a cholesterol blockage

A woman who has one or more of these risk factors should

ask her doctor how best to control them She also should ask

about further screening and testing such as stress testing

The sooner the better

Lifestyle changes and medications can have a dramatic

impact on reducing the incidence of heart attack provided cho-

lesterol blockages are detected early ndash before damage to the

heart has occurred In fact drugs that lower cholesterol alone

have been unequivocally shown to reduce the risk of heart

attack and death by up to 50 percent

When added to a program of low-fat diet exercise control

of high blood pressure and diabetes and above all else no

smoking the benefits are magnified many times over Keep in

mind of course that these drugs work only if they are taken

and taken appropriately

By knowing and changing their risk factors all women can

ensure themselves of a longer and more vibrant life

Andrij O Baran MD FACC is the Medical Director of

Cardiology Services at Saratoga Hospital

Simply Saratoga | 31

A c t F a s t D u r i n g H e a r t A t t a c k s According to the American Heart

Association clot-busting drugs can stop

some heart attacks in progress reducing

disability and saving lives They work best

given within one hour of when heart

attack signs begin Thatrsquos why itrsquos impor-

tant to recognize the warning signs of a

heart attack and act right away

Warning Signs

bull Pain or discomfort in the jaw

neck or back

bull Feeling weak lightheaded or faint

bull Chest paindiscomfort

bull Paindiscomfort in the arms or

shoulder

bull Shortness of breath

If you think that you or someone you

know is having a heart attack call 911

immediately

32 | Simply Saratoga

Who would believe that a rabbi from Eastern

Europe frozen for 150 years in a block of ice could

be transported across time and space to Memphis

where he thaws then becomes a spiritual guru to

baby boomers Arguably nobody But Steve Stern

the author of ldquoThe Frozen Rabbirdquo his most recent

novel isnrsquot asking readers to believe it so much as

to let the characters tell their story Besides the plot

may be far-fetched but he already has a buyer for

the movie rights

Writer-in-residence at Skidmore College Stern is

a genius at creating human beings in fantastical cir-

cumstances who seem more like eccentric neigh-

bors than artifacts of science fiction Some fly

some inhabit other peoplersquos dreams some are res-

urrected and some travel through time Whatever

their superpowers or frailties the heroes and vil-

lains tricksters and innocents and witnesses and

bystanders in Sternrsquos short and long fiction deserve

attention and evoke compassion in their quest for

connection and redemption - or at least food and

shelter From within an inexhaustible vein of

Jewish folklore and oral history his characters

emerge into a lucid fictional universe that embraces

both magic and the mundane Dialogue is ironic as

often as it is mystical and the most ordinary days

serve as backdrops for incredible events

ldquoMiracles are commonplacerdquo says Stern a

Ballston Spa resident ldquoI donrsquot write in metaphors

and symbols deliberately Writing is a visceral

experience for me I read with interest what review-

ers say about my repetitive themes and ideas but I

am driven by images and characters Irsquom a compul-

sive storytellerrdquo

Steve Stern A Lyrical Voice in the Ghetto

B

o

o

k

m

a

r

k

Lean bespectacled and haloed in dark curls Stern

is a Memphis native who grew up in a home bereft

of music books and art in a city made famous by

Elvis Presley (who used to drive through Sternrsquos

neighborhood) and Martin Luther Kingrsquos assassina-

tion He remembers himself as ldquoa mediocre adoles-

cent without confidence or spiritual antennardquo first

stirred to write poetry in high school which he read

aloud for attention

ldquoI was surprised people liked itrdquo he says ldquoAnd I

liked writing it even though it embarrassed me But

I was encouraged to go on and later to try proserdquo

The allure of the late lsquo60s and early lsquo70s was not

academic After college Stern wandered through

Europe then worked as a butcher on a hippie com-

mune in the Ozarks raising pigs and eating off the

land ldquoI slept under five blankets and two dogsrdquo he

recalls (The incarnation has been memorialized in a

comic strip by Sternrsquos girlfriend Sabrina a cartoon-

ist and set designer for Saturday Night Live)

The commune was not too far from the University

of Arkansas where Stern attended graduate school

and played volleyball with Bill and Hillary Clinton

ldquoI hoped he would mention me in his inaugural

addressrdquo Stern sighs

With an MA Stern found teaching gigs at vari-

ous colleges but the work dried up forcing him to

take a job at a folklore center in Memphis first tran-

scribing stories about the black community then

launching a life-changing project to preserve the

stories of the fading Jewish population in a desolate

Memphis ghetto known as ldquoThe Pinchrdquo where

many of his stories are set

Story By Helen Susan Edelman

ldquoBernie scrunched his face in thought Gone was his waryimpulse to keep everything secret and there were times of latewhen he felt almost reckless almost ready to tell the world whileon the other hand he suspected he may have already confided toomuch ldquoI thinkrdquo he said after some consideration ldquoIrsquom startingto outgrow myselfrdquo

mdash Steve Stern ldquoThe Frozen Rabbirdquo

Photo by Josh GerritsenSteve Stern

Simply Saratoga | 33

ldquoIt was intoxicatingrdquo says Stern ldquoI became obsessed with

itrdquo Indeed his work is infused with the folklore images lan-

guage archetypes settings rituals and values embedded in

the memories he recorded and in the vast Jewish and Yiddish

literature he has studied since

A non-observant Jew Stern had no relationship with his

religion so the introduction to his exotic legacy was both

anchor and springboard for a prolific new consciousness

ldquoThe floodgates openedrdquo he says ldquoSuddenly this world

began to materialize for me What had been barren neighbor-

hoods I could see vividly as tenements and shops a town

square street traffic merchants pawnbrokers rabbis chil-

drenhellipimmigrants from Eastern Europe looking for a homerdquo

Stern is comfortable writing about transcendent wisdom as

long as itrsquos his characterrsquos voice

and not his own

dispensing the

insights The

frozen rabbi in

the book of the

same name for

example ldquoradiates

within his zone of

influence and is a

spiritual catalyst

for anyone who

encounters himrdquo

says Stern ldquowhere-

as I am a clicheacute a

Jew who grew up

without an identityrdquo

A winner of both

Guggenheim and

Fulbright fellowships

as well as the National

Jewish Book Award

the Pushcart Prize an

OrsquoHenry Prize and the Edward Lewis Wallant Award Stern

is working on a new novel and rereading Faulkner Tolstoy

Dickens and Joyce

He views each new writing project as ldquoa riskrdquo Experience

last summer also reminded him of the evanescence of popu-

larity he gave two readings one in Memphis which drew

such a crowd that doors had to be locked and one in St

Louis where he commanded an audience of four

ldquoJust like the characters in my storiesrdquo Stern observes ldquoI

encounter conflicts look for a way to escape and face mixed

consequencesrdquo sect

How is your mental state these days Are

you experiencing peace and joy in every-

day life or frustration and impatience Are

you living your life ldquoon purposerdquo or going

through the motions feeling numb and dead

on the inside How is the garden of your

mind Are you tending to your garden or letting

the weeds take over

When I lived in Boston I lived next door to an elder-

ly woman who had a beautiful garden Every morning my

neighbor was outside in her floral moo moo (circa Mrs

Roper from Threersquos Company) tending carefully to each

plant and flower She would spend hours walking around her

garden joyfully humming and making sure her flowers were

strong and healthy Many mornings I would sip my coffee

and watch her peacefully pulling out the weeds and tending

to her precious flowers To this day I remember how tall and

lovely her sunflowers were I think our mental state can be

compared to tending to a garden do we have beautiful sun-

flowers of joy and peace or toxic weeds of bitterness and

guilt

The weeds in your heart and mind are feelings of bitterness

anger guilt self-loathing and negativity Do you spend your

days reviewing the list of those that have offended

you Do you beat yourself up daily for past mis-

takes or regrets These are the weeds that can

take over your mind and lead to racing

thoughts a dark depression constant

anxiety or physical illness and

chronic pain If you are someone

that is easily frustrated impatient

and critical you can be sure you

34 | Simply Saratoga

Tending to theGarden of Your MindDealing with the Weeds in your Life

Simple Truths

have some weeds to deal with

The only path to peace and joy in your everyday life is to

pull your weeds out from the root and confront the issues

Holding on to your weeds only makes you ill and deadens

your heart Did you know that people who are full of bitter-

ness and resentment appear older and are not as physically

attractive as people who are full of peace and love The

weeds in your heart and mind can actually make you ugly

Likewise a mind that is content and peaceful gives us a

sparkle and light in our eyes that people are automatically

attracted to Forget the anti-wrinkle cream and Botox Fill

your heart and mind up with the best kept beauty secret

around love and forgiveness

Forgiveness is not about letting the person who hurt you

off the hook Forgiveness IS allowing light into our hearts

so that we can heal and move forward It takes the heavy

burden of offense and resentment off of our hearts and

minds while preparing the ldquosoilrdquo for new growth and

experiences

When possible confront the people you need to forgive

so that you can have closure and move on If it is not pos-

sible to confront the person that is the weed in your life

write them a letter expressing your hurt and anger (not to

send but in a private journal) This is a wonderful way to

give yourself closure and put your feelings out on the table

More often than not the person we have to forgive or con-

front is ourselves If you are constantly beating yourself up

and feeling guilty about your past make a choice to forgive

yourself

Donrsquot be lazy about your weeds Dig deep and pull out

your weeds so that you can make room for peace and joy

We all desire to feel love and be accepted That accept-

Meghan DLemery LCSW-R

Simply Saratoga | 35

ance starts with you Begin to focus on peaceful loving joyful

thoughts Keep a gratitude journal of what you love about your-

self or the loved ones in your life Practice planting seeds of joy

by giving acceptance and love to everyone around you

Take time to practice patience and kindness to your family

friends colleagues and that slow cashier at the grocery store Go

out of your way to help others in any way that you can All of

these acts of kindness plant the seeds of peace love joy and

abundance

As we approach the new season of spring take some time to

tend to the garden of your mind

Wishing you love self-acceptance and peace this spring and

always

Ms Lemery is a psychotherapist practic-ing in Saratoga Springs and QueensburyShe can be reached at meghanle-meryyahoocom

Her first novel will be pub-lished this Spring TitledldquoPlease Pass the BarbieShoesrdquo it is a hilarious heart-warming story that will haveyou feeling inspiredand empowered

sect

36 | Simply Saratoga

Living Room The custom-designed leather couch chair andottoman come from Suttons The stucco fireplace was inspired by theCollinsrsquo travels through the Southwest and Colorado (ldquowe wanted to avoida traditional river rock fireplacerdquo) and provides a heat source as well asbeauty The original structure was built for passive solar design no airconditioning is needed in the summer A wood stove is the primary heatsource radiant heat with natural gas was also added during the renova-tion

The front door as well as all the interior doors was custom-made fittedand replaced by Tom Zanetti Hickory wood floors were also installed dur-ing the addition A hanging stained glass chandelier is a stock itemobtained from a leading home supply retailer ldquoIt captures the sunlightbeautifully along with providing brilliant nighttime illuminationrdquo Tedsaid ldquoItrsquos an eclectic mixrdquo

Simply Saratoga | 37

Today we look at a creative space that is set into a special place

In 1993 Ted and Susan Collins purchased a seven-acre property

with a 1986 Timberpeg designed home that has all the qualities of

a place in the country ndash yet many would be surprised to learn that

it is actually located on the border of Saratoga Springs near the

Alpine Shop on Clinton Street After a number of years living in

apartments on Union Avenue and Franklin Square enjoying the

proximity to downtown and the track they couldnrsquot resist a spot

that was close to town but yet had lots of land

Their overall vision was for an interior space that was in accord

with the outside ndash the wildlife gardens and the sustainable philos-

ophy embodied in the original buildingrsquos passive solar design

ldquoEverything we do embraces the goals of staying true to the orig-

inal structure having an open welcoming interior and being in

harmony with the outdoorsrdquo Ted said

Inspired by travels in balance with the land

Story By Arthur GonickPhotos by copystockstudiosphotographycom

These principles guided a major transformation of the interior

space in 2006 The key element was an addition to the home that

enabled the living room kitchen and upstairs bedroom to be

expanded allowing space for the installation of a downstairs bath

as well

Susan and Ted led this transformation - visualizing an addition

that incorporated equilibrium of size location and overall propor-

tion They went through several iterations with Rick Deforest of

Heritage Timberframes

Even though much of the interior decor came from travels in

Africa the South Pacific and Colorado the building materials and

craftsmen are all local The timbers and wood flooring were milled

in nearby Kingsbury ldquoWe enjoyed working with professionals who

are also friends like Rick Deforest Tom Zanetti and Mike

Roohanrdquo Ted said ldquothe house now feels complete in balancerdquo sect

Unique Places and Creative Spaces If you would like to nominate a unique

or creative place to be featured emailentertainmentsaratogapublishingcom

38 | Simply Saratoga

Kitchen A wall was taken out that afforded space to add an eat-in island area and

open up the space Custom cabinets are by Tom Zanetti Stonework andappliances were added Both the kitchen and bathroom have granite table-tops (from Mike and Margaret Roohan of Granite and Marble Works)New appliances include a Bosch stove (with a built-in microwave drawer)and an Amana stainless refrigerator

Bathroom The bathroom ceiling is pine The showerarea was designed and built to the Collinsrsquo specifications andfeatures a bench 4 shower heads PLUS an extra hand-held one(ldquoItrsquos a human car washrdquo) The stone tiles on the sides and floorin the shower were installed by Best Tile the plumbing in theshower comes from Aird Dorrance as does the sink ndash which sitson a granite top from Granite and Marble Works The windowleads out to the north side of the house with privacy blinds insidethe window panes One thing you donrsquot see ldquoSince the room ison display in the center of the expanded first floor we wanted thecommode to be mostly hiddenrdquo Ted said

Unique Places and Creative Spaces

Simply Saratoga | 39

Living RoomA reading nook sits upon the bathroom addition ldquoThere was no full bathroom on the first

floor and with a post and beam construction we had to be creative You get outstanding viewsof the property pond and stream when viewed from the nookrsquos perspectiverdquo The ladder canswing out on a track making it more like walking up a staircase ndash this was also designed andinstalled by Tom Zanetti The table in the nook is actually a working African drum with a glasstable top added

40 | Simply Saratoga

Bedroom In the second-floor master bedroom moving the dormer brought in extra light and space and

also brought the roofline together with the original structure and first-floor additions The floorand ceiling are made of rough-cut pine planking The bed is also constructed of pine and comesfrom Suttons The window in the upper left was cut during the addition It faces west for extra day-time light

Simply Saratoga | 41

42 | Simply Saratoga

Story Written by Yael Goldman Photos by Samu Studios and Randall Perry Photography

Simply Saratoga | 43

orking with the

right interior designer

turns listless decision making

into an enjoyable and productive

process that avoids costly mistakes

and delivers exceptional results

Designing a room or an entire home is a

big project no matter how strong your tastes are

The decisions are endless ndash what color should I paint the

walls What flooring is most aesthetically appealing and

dog-friendly Should I choose a furniture set or choose

individual pieces Do I want curtains or shades Do I

decorate with knick-knacks or artwork

But with all the unique self-questioning that surrounds

an interior design project most homeowners share angst

in asking themselves one specific question where do I

start

Itrsquos at this point ndash when stress level increases enjoy-

ment-driven projects turn deadly and money has been

wastefully spent on all the wrong things ndash that you long

for the help of a professional if only you could afford it

Well the truth is you can

Creating the right space can be expensive but is only

more so if you make mistakes and have to go back and

fix them If you do it right the first time therersquos no cost

associated with do-overs

With nearly 100 years of experience between them all

four members of Blairhouse Interiors Group have

worked with more than enough unhappy do-it-your-

selfers to tell you yoursquore not alone

Photo by Samu Studios

44 | Simply Saratoga

The four-member designproject therapy team which recently

opened a studio in Saratoga Springs has a long history of help-

ing home and business owners create their ideal spaces and

atmospheres the right way Their exceptional work is celebrated across

the Capital Region including Saratoga Springs where the Blairhouse

look is prominently featured in a handful of Park Place condominiums

and the incredible Saratoga National Golf Club

Thomas R Burns Meghan Baltich Dominic Carota and Patricia

Richards the highly skilled and charismatic force behind Blairhouse

Interiors Group promise an experience that is personal because itrsquos all

about your needs ndash and thatrsquos what is important

Blairhouse offers full-service interior design services space planning

project management hand-picked merchandise patience and an uncan-

ny ability to create a

look that is always

fresh sophisticated

and comfortable

ldquoThe style that we

gravitate toward is

unique cutting-edge

and modern not dic-

tated by corporaterdquo

said Meghan Baltich

pointing to a ldquovery

propitiousrdquo Keith Fritz

table at the center of

the studio

Photo by Randall Perry Photography

If you do it right the firsttime therersquos no cost

associated with do-oversPhoto by Randall Perry Photography

One glance at the Park Place showroom ndash of the selective furnishings carefully showcased along

the periphery ndash and it becomes clear why Blairhouse an award-winning team gets the job

done

Their creativity focus and immaculate sense of direction bring objectivity to the scene helping you nar-

row down all of the tedious and overwhelming choices that make do-it-yourself decorating an exercise in

unclear thinking

ldquoPeople are overwhelmed by all the choices it can feel like theyrsquore in a paralyzed blurrdquo said Thomas

Burns who finds that a great vision can be impossible to imagine and create without eliminating all of

the distractions

A vital step in getting focused is creating a

comprehensive plan based on individual

needs wants and style that addresses all

aspects of lifestyle and taste and suggests

tactful solutions and fresh approaches to new

and existing spaces

They help you identify what you like

forcing you to hone in on what you want and

need to compliment and enhance your

lifestyle

ldquoWe ascertain the clientrsquos goal and

lifestyle to convey their visionrdquo said

Dominic Carota explaining that the intended

outcome of creating or reinventing a room is

often strictly tied to how you want to live in

it

ldquoWe have to know how they functionrdquo he

said

An interior designer is an asset in the func-

tion-meets-style equation

Dominic explained that a couple starting a family will have far

different needs than empty-nesters looking for a change They may

have the same stylistic goals but their execution will differ based on

how their lifestyle exists within the space

When revamping a single room the majority of your focus is ded-

icated to that individual space making it easy to forget that the rest

of the house is attached Establishing connectivity between rooms is

a challenge but an important part of executing a project the right

way

Sometimes one wrong detail no matter how small can be incred-

ibly impactful and difficult to avoid on your own

ldquoIf yoursquore working on a new addition or renovation we ensure it

flows that therersquos balance between the existing part of the living

space and the new additionrdquo Meghan Baltich said explaining that

it just doesnrsquot make sense to put in a great new kitchen if itrsquos dis-

jointed and out of place from its surroundings

Another common novice mistake is the trendy retail store fallacy

that you can order a full room from a catalog or pick a fabulous and

unique design from a floor plan

Blairhouse clients learn the difference between ldquocookie-cutterrdquo

and ldquocustomrdquo and they are never concerned with picking the wrong

piece for the wrong room

Simply Saratoga | 45

ome customers will come to us after going into a Pottery Barn and buying stuff that just didnrsquot workrdquo Baltich said giving the

example of an individual who purchased an enormous sectional for a tiny room ldquoWe scale into the clientrsquos space taking func-

tion and proportion into considerationrdquo

Exceptional listening and observation skills are the designerrsquos

unsung attributes and greatest assets Blairhouse experts engage

with their clients to gain a true understanding of what they want

In turn the design process becomes an eye-opening experience

customers are introduced to colors and concepts they would

never think to consider

ldquoEach client trusts us to create their environment and we

enable them to make informed decisionsrdquo Patricia Richards

said

And sometimes that requires bold suggestions and collabora-

tion or looking at all of the possibilities even the ones ldquoyou

would never have been brave enough to do on your ownrdquo

In the end the experience of working with the experts is

enjoyable stress-free and cost-effective From concept to com-

pletion the result is just what you want and need ndash a fabulous

marriage of function and aesthetic that wonrsquot have you coming

back for more (because you did it right the first time) sect

ldquoS

46 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 47

For a taste of Blairhouse Interiors Grouprsquos distinctive work stop into their Park Place studio located at 262 Broadway Suite 204 in Saratoga Springs For further details visit wwwblairhouseinteriorscom or call (518) 786-7800

From left to right Dominic Carota Meghan Baltich Patricia Richards and

Thomas R Burns (The designproject therapy team of Blairhouse Interiors Group)

48 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 49

Dorsquos and Donrsquots

50 | Simply Saratoga

Story Written by Kerry Ann Mendez Perennially Yours bull wwwpyourscom Photos Provided

SpringDorsquos and Donrsquots

SpringDorsquos and DonrsquotsDorsquos and Donrsquots

Spring

for your Gardens

s

Simply Saratoga | 51

ssts

SPRINGis right around the corner and gardenersare pawing at the ground ready to explodethrough the garden gate As a passionate perennial gardenerI am right there with you But before launching into another flower-filledseason letrsquos go through a spring checklist of dorsquorsquos and donrsquorsquots to makesure we make the most of the race and have the best finish ever

Photo by GardenersSupply Company

apply a granular fertilizer to your perennial beds while they are still lsquoasleeprsquoDepending on the winter wersquove had this may be anytime from mid-Marchto mid-April Donrsquot worry if there are already lsquoearly risersrsquo visible like springblooming bulbs or woodland ephemerals I recommend using 5-5-5 5-10-5 or

5-10-10 fertilizer at the rate of 2 pounds per 100 square feet Cast the fertilizer just before it is about to rainto make sure fertilizer is watered into the ground and washed off any existing leaves You can give otherplants in your yard this treat as well including floweringshrubs groundcovers climbing vinesand roses

DONrsquoTput fertilizer on top of the snow or on ground that is

still frozen You want to make sure the fertilizer disap-pears into pliable soil and to waiting roots otherwiserunoff can occur And donrsquot think more is better Youcan stress or even kill plants by over-fertilizing espe-cially in spring when leaves are not fully developed toutilize nitrogen in the fertilizer If you are going to errless is better

DO

prune once-b l o o m i n g

roses such as Heirloom or Old GardenRoses when the Forsythia is blooming

Any rose that blooms onceusually in late spring forabout three weeks is in thiscategory Many times theseroses are quite fragrantWait to prune these rosesuntil right after they flower

DONrsquoT

prune most roses whenForsythia is in bloom Pruneshrub roses back by half to

23 their height This is assuming you did not prunethem last fall If you did then next year wait until latewinter or early spring Prune Teas and Grandiflorasback to 18 - 24rdquo For climbing roses prune branchesemerging from the main canes back to within 3 - 4rdquoof the cane

DO

apply corn gluten tolawn areas yoursquoveseeded (or over-seeded) or to gar-dens where youwant biennialsperennials or annu-als to reseed andflower Corn glutendoes not distinguishbetween lsquogoodrsquoand lsquobadrsquo seeds

apply a pre-emer-gent weed killerand fertilizer toyour lawn A lushhealthy lawn

makes a beautiful frame for gardens Myfamily walked away from lawn chemicalsfive years ago And our lawn has neverlooked better Corn gluten is a big part ofthis transformation Corn gluten is a by-product of milled corn It will not harm chil-dren pets or wildlife Heck you can eat it ifyou want (but it tastes yucky) Corn Glutenis high in nitrogen and commonly used as alawn fertilizer But it is also a pre-emergenttargeting seeds as they germinate Youcan put corn gluten down at any point inthe spring BUT if part of your mission is toeliminate crabgrass then there is a narrowwindow of attackApply it whenForsythia is in fullbloom and beforeits leaves appearThe Forsythia is asoil temperatureindicator that cor-responds to whencrabgrass seedsstart to germinate More garden centersare now carrying corn gluten productsYou just need to ask and follow the appli-cation instructions on the bag Make sureto water in the corn gluten after applyingIt will remain effective for five to six weeks

Simply Saratoga | 53

DONrsquoT

DO

step on soil as you maneuver around thegarden to cut back Lavender and therest of the gang For that matter youshould never be tromping through yourgardens compacting soil This breaks

down air and water channels as well as making it tougher forroots to spread Instead reach into beds from existing paths orplace stepping stones in discreet spots where only your eyes cansee or lsquowalk the plankrsquo on a board to reach plants fartherlsquoadriftrsquo

54 | Simply Saratoga

cut back Lavender Russian SageMontauk Daisy Butterfly BushChrysanthemums and ornamental grass-es These are best left untouched in falland whacked in spring Many folks make

the mistake of acting too gingerly with pruners Let lsquoem fly Theresult will be more compact neater plants that will bloom just fineTrust me If it helps wait until yoursquove had a bad day at work withthe kids or in traffic

DONrsquoT

DO

divide Peonies German Bearded Iris orOriental Poppies in spring These are bestdone in late summer Also tap-rootedplants (those with a carrot-looking root)cannot be divided Think about it These

are usually propagated by seed stem or root cuttings Someperennials that fall into this category are Malva Butterfly WeedBalloon Flower Oriental Poppies and Lupines

Simply Saratoga | 55

DONrsquoT

divide plants in spring This is an optimumtime to divide most perennials Yes evenspring bloomers Wait until these haveflowered and then shear off the spentblooms and get to business Most sum-

mer and fall blooming perennials can be divided prior to mid-Junewithout disrupting their performance

DO

apply a time-released fertilizersuch as Plant-Tone(organic) orOsmocote to heavy

feeding perennials five to six weeks afterthe earlier granular fertilizer applicationMost plants do not need as much fertilizeras we are led in advertising to believe I amstingy with my money and maintenancetime so only a handful of plants get thisbonus feed Astilbe Delphinium Liliums (ieAsiatic Oriental Trumpet) Clematis androses If I am feeling generous I will putsome on my Bigleaf Hydrangeas next to theroses Call me heartlessJust scratch fertilizer intothe top couple inchesof soil around theplantrsquos base and waterin well They will enjoy anutritious snack forthree to four months

apply mulch ongarden beds toreduce weedsconserve moisture

reduce erosion minimize soil temperaturefluctuations and enhance the quality ofthe soil Some mulching materials includeaged manures compost shredded wood(not dyed) leaf moldand cocoa hulls Putthe mulch down 2rdquo to3rdquo thick around plantsincluding floweringshrubs

build up mulchagainst plant stems

And please please donrsquot create volcanomounds around trees Please This is awfulfor them The only ones that benefit fromthis are the people selling the mulch

56 | Simply Saratoga

DONrsquoT

DO

DO

rubber band orbraid the foliage ofspring bloomingbulbs after they fin-ish flowering You

want as much leaf surface exposed to thesun as possible to increase photosynthesisYou can press the leaves down next to thesoil so they are less noticeable

Simply Saratoga | 57

sect

And finally DO have a great year in

your gardens and DONrsquoT forget to

take time to smell the roses

DONrsquoT

DONrsquoT

cut off the spentblooms and stems onspring blooming bulbsafter they have flow-ered so energy is redirected to the bulbsversus seed productions Keep the leaves inplace until they have browned and ideallycan be pulled from the ground by hand

put time-released fertil-izer on perennials thatprefer lean dietsRicher soil just upsetstheir vascular systemsThey will get leggy flop and not perform tosnuff Yarrow Coneflower Catmint RussianSage Linum Sea Holly and Silvermound are inthe group

DO

For more information contact Perennially Yours at pyourscom

58 | Simply Saratoga

Ill mination

Exterior Stonework

an

d

Story Written by Arthur Gonick Photos Provided

u

Simply Saratoga | 59

To develop and implement an exterior vista that maximizes your enjoyment To have a backyard landscape that is warm inviting and uniquely yours

These are goals that many homeowners have when they first move onto their property But unless you are trained in the variety ofmaterials and options available the task of getting past the point of comparing possibilities to completing and actually enjoying yourbackyard paradise can appear to be a long daunting road

For Carl Trinkle a landscape designer for ten years with the Gallivan Companies of Troy one of the key elements in a successfultransformation is utilizing a professionalrsquos expertise to articulate goals and develop a plan

ldquoThe most important thing we do when we first meet with a client is to get them to discuss their basic needs and aims and encouragethem to formulate an overall vision for their property An initial consultation sets the tone we make an initial visit on-site to look overthe property so we can have an idea as to where things might be placedrdquo

ldquoDuring this intake process we actually encourage people to show us photos of their friendrsquos property that they like or perhaps froma magazine It helps most people to articulate the goals of what they would like to see as a finished projectrdquo Trinkle said ldquoEven if they are looking to do things in phases we find that it is most important to develop a comprehensive site planrdquo This eliminates the need to revise original phases of work to accommodate those that come in the future

60 | Simply Saratoga

that Mr Trinkle finds potential customers identifying with aredesigned to extend the outdoor season ldquoA few extra weeks outside isa lotrdquo he said

add-ons also extend outside activity each day Low voltage lighting is still the most popular but recently LED lighting with longer-lasting bulbs that involve less maintenance and are cost-efficienthave become more fashionable

The latest trends

stations fire pits and waterenhancements such as ponds andwaterfalls are the most frequentlyrequested items that broaden theoutdoor use season

Outdoor grill

Exterior lighting

Simply Saratoga | 61

And of course swimming pool projects have always been a most-requested

item Fifty percent of allthe projects Mr Trinkleworks on involve a pooleither a completely new installation or enhance-ments to existing poolsGallivanrsquos long-standingrelationship withConcord Pools has beena hallmark in assuringthat customers are satis-fied when their pool isput in the ground

62 | Simply Saratoga

In most cases a comprehensive plancan be developed for any project in about a period of twoweeks Complete drawings and cost breakdowns are provid-ed as well as the projected phases that can be completed injust a few months or on larger projects can be scheduled insegments over a few years These are reviewed in personwith the customer again the goal being to have a plan thateveryone buys into

Simply Saratoga | 63

ldquoWe have had projects where the customer has wanted tohave a lot of input and we welcome that But we also hadone where the client was out of town and we built a firepit and slide for his wife and kids and our only instructions were to dazzle themI remember it as a most satisfying experience and we ended up winning awards for that onerdquo

- Carl Trinkle Landscape DesignerThe Gallivan Companies

64 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 65

ldquoI get to work using my creativity with talented people Some of the most talented are those

I meet as customersrdquo sect

For more information or to schedule aconsultation phone Gallivan Companies at(518) 271-6100 Gallivanrsquos website iswwwGallivanCompaniescom

66 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 67

Buying a playhouse for your child is an excellent investment

They promote imaginative play and spending time outdoors and

double as storage space when no longer used for recreation

Denise Woodcock owner of Versatile Sheds in Wilton has

been helping parents and grandparents customize their childrsquos or

grandchildrsquos dream playhouses for years

ldquoThey make great gifts especially for grandparents who want

their grandkids to have their own place to play when they visitrdquo

she said

Playhouses are a great addition to a childrsquos outdoor world

They come in all shapes sizes and designs and can be custom-

built or finished if you donrsquot find exactly what yoursquore looking for

in a catalog or on the lot

Every child is different and has their own preferences for color

size and function boys and girls often have especially different

requests for their play space as do younger and more mature chil-

dren so therersquos a lot to consider

Denise knows how even the finest detail can be all it takes to

make an outdoor structure feel like a childrsquos own personal space

While it may seem superfluous to address every minor demand

the truth is a playhouse is more than just an expensive toy itrsquos an

investment The more your child connects with their space the more

use theyrsquoll get out of it ndash and according to Denise that means your

money is well spent

Smartest WayThe

playhouse for your kidsto buy a

Photos by MarkBollescomStory by Yael Goldman

68 | Simply Saratoga

With this in mind prospective buyers should first consider

who will use the playhouse and for how long as well as what

happens when the structure is no longer used for recreation

Versatile Sheds can help even the most discerning parent or

child find what theyrsquore looking for Every playhouse is hand-

built by Amish craftsmen who can accommodate almost any

special request at an additional cost so the possibilities are

endless inside and out

Cedar shingle or vinyl siding wood stone or brick ndash if you

can use it on the outside of your regular home it can be inte-

grated into your playhousersquos design Playhouses can be built

to look like a miniature version of your home which is an

excellent touch for parents that are particularly concerned

with aesthetics Porches shutters flowerboxes unique doors

chimneys and exterior lighting are just a few of the touches

that can brighten and personalize the exterior

Individualizing your childrsquos playhouse doesnrsquot stop at the

front door There are just as many interior features to choose

from ndash you can let your imagination run wild

For starters you have the option to order the playhouse

with a finished or unfinished interior The unfinished version

looks a lot like the inside of a regular home before you move

in paint the walls and furnish the rooms

Buying an unfinished structure is a great way to cut costs

and even bring the family together over a weekend decorating

project The possibilities are endless depending on how handy

you are otherwise a few coats of paint and a bit of carpeting

will surely do the trick

Although a bit pricey purchasing a playhouse with a fin-

ished interior ensures that your child gets exactly what they

want right off the bat They can pick everything from the paint

color to the flooring so the playhouse is move-in ready on the

day it arrives

Playhouses can also be insulated and wired for electricity

You can install lighting electrical outlets even heat or air-

conditioning to make your childrsquos outdoor space as comfort-

able as possible

And the options donrsquot end there Traditional sheds also dou-

ble as playhouses For some parents purchasing an adult-size

shed for their children is an ideal way to get the best return on

their investment Once their children grow out of it the struc-

ture can be used for outdoor storage With just as many styles

sizes and materials to choose from you can customize the

interior and exterior of your shed just as you would a play-

house but without all of the more frivolous features

ldquoAny shed can be a playhouserdquo Woodcock said explaining

how a custom paint job or flowerbox can transform a typical

storage unit into childrsquos outdoor activity haven

For example if purchasing a wood shed the exterior can be

easily painted and repainted when making the transition from

playhouse to storage space

For Denisersquos customers getting their moneyrsquos worth should

not have to mean making sacrifices

Simply Saratoga | 69

70 | Simply Saratoga

When Debby Trainor made the decision to buy her grand-

daughter Chezneyrsquos dream house she wanted it to have all the

bells and whistles She met with Denise to go over all the cri-

teria the goal was to buy the perfect gift for Chezney while

staying within her budget

The eight-year-old Greenwich girl wanted her own pretty

pink palace where she could play and imagine Debby wanted

it to be a cozy and safe place for her to play year-round

Customization and interior decoration helped make

Chezneyrsquos playhouse feel like her own little kingdom

ldquoWe made it look like a cute little dollhouserdquo she said ldquoWe

put furniture inside and a little stove fridge heater and TV

itrsquos just perfectrdquo

With the structure built to their liking Chezney and Debby

could enjoy decorating the inside to personalize the playhouse

For many customers putting on the finishing touches means

making the playhouse feel like home ndash you can add curtains

hang pictures buy furniture and appliances and landscape the

perimeter to make the outdoor space feel like a home away

from home

When the child grows out of their playhouse these items

can be easily removed to accommodate a secondary use for the

space

ldquoThe best thing that Denise did for me was explain how we

can use the playhouse for storage for stuff out in the yard after

Chezney has grown out of itrdquo Debby explained ldquoAlthough

she is only eight and will be using it for quite a few more

years this really makes it a good investment and looks

great in the backyardrdquo

Whether you choose a customized playhouse or a tradi-

tional shed thinking toward the future also ensures the

safety and longevity of the structure

Denise explained that placement is an important thing to

consider as you want to make sure the structure is in a safe

place and on an appropriate surface Most importantly the

playhouse must be built on a level even surface that isnrsquot

too high off of the ground

ldquoYou want it on a nice platformrdquo Denise explained

ldquoSome people use concrete but stone is better because it

allows moisture to seep down into the ground and away

from the structurerdquo

Most parents prefer that their playhouse is in the back-

yard where itrsquos easy to see from a window Placing the

structure in a shaded area is also a good idea it will be

cooler in the summer and less susceptible to the elements if

partially protected by trees

Debby had Chezneyrsquos playhouse built right next to her

swing set where she can be easily supervised

One last thing to consider when purchasing a playhouse

Simply Saratoga | 71

72 | Simply Saratoga

or shed for your child is how much effort

you want to put into maintaining it The

more ornate the structure the more care it

may need

Woodcock advises parents to preserve

their investment and treat the playhouse

like a miniature home

Think of it as a miniature house ndash the

structure requires regular maintenance

and upkeep to ensure your child will be

safe while enjoying years and years of

imaginative fun

With so many features and styles to

choose from yoursquore sure to find the best

for both you and your child

For more information about Versatile

Sheds or to set up a time to meet with

Denise Woodcock call (518) 584-7924

or stop by 669 Route 9 in Wilton sect

Simply Saratoga | 73

74 | Simply Saratoga

Kitchen

Not Your

Grandmarsquos

Story Written by Daniel Schechtman Photos Provided

ldquoAs you

walk into the kitchen

of the future LED

light projections adjust

to your mood - it will

know if you have a

hangover via sensors

that will read your

b r a i n w a v e s

Aromatherapy infused

walls will be synched

to your calendar calm-

ing you before a big

meeting or energizing you before a gym session The fridge will have selected some breakfast options identifying the essen-

tial vitamins for your day via sensors When you get home a hologram chef will be on hand for recipe inspirationrdquo

Alright so maybe your kitchen canrsquot do all of these things quite yet ndash but believe it or not wersquore getting there This is tomor-

rowrsquos kitchen a kitchen where your appliances donrsquot just store your food or wash your dishes ndash they talk to you providing you

with integral information on how to

best store your fruits and vegetables

letting you know if the refrigerator

door is open for too long or when a

part will soon need replacing

Simply Saratoga | 75

ldquoScience fictionrdquo I hear you say

Guess again Quoted from a report released by The Future Laboratory

who was commissioned by IKEA to determine what a modernkitchen in the year 2040 could conceivably look like

76 | Simply Saratoga

ldquoOne technology that really stands out to me is the

Miele Appliance Company Right now theyrsquore using a

program called lsquoremote visionrsquo On select applianceshellip

is a wireless card that clicks into a port on the back of

the appliance You synch it up with your home network

and it basically emails the technician and the owner

when itrsquos broken when you need to clean your condens-

er change your water filter or schedule a routine serv-

icerdquo said Tom Thibeault owner of Adirondack

Appliance Repair Inc located at 67 West Ave in

Saratoga Springs ldquoMaybe somebodyrsquos been opening the

[refrigerator] door for too long or the door was left open

ndash it will email you and tell you that your door is left

openrdquo

This is not your grandmarsquos kitchen This my friends

is the kitchen of the future and itrsquos available now

The 36 inch bottom-mount Miele refrigerator boasts a

striking interior featuring LED lighting running along

the sides from top to bottom stainless steel accents and

exteriors with control systems that would be comfort-

able alongside the captainrsquos chair on the Starship

Enterprise

Simply Saratoga | 77

ldquoThe controls in the Miele really stand out

Looking at the controls theyrsquore just a glass piece and

then once you touch it you see a few options for the

different compartments Then you touch the compart-

ment and the temperature is displayed so itrsquos kind of

like a Star Trek controlrdquo Thibeault said

And thatrsquos just the refrigerator

Adirondack Appliance has also seen brands such as

Wolf (a company owned by the same people who own

Sub-Zero) grow in popularity when it comes to their

range stoves and ovens The dual convection oven

works to eliminate cold spotting and provides consis-

tent even temperatures and even allows for unique

options such as proofing ndash used best when baking

homemade bread

ldquoIt also has a temperature probe you can plug into

things like a turkey or roast so you can see the temper-

ature while itrsquos still inside the machine It has

hydraulic hinges halogen lit interiors everything is

composed of stainless steel and itrsquos by far one of the

best lines on the marketrdquo Thibeault said

A new line coming to Adirondack Appliance that

features some amazing technology is a series of Pro-

Style Ranges produced by industry giant Jenn-Air

ldquoThat actually has an LCD touch

screen like an IPAD for the controls The

temperature is set by sliding your finger

along the controls Itrsquos all color backlit and

absolutely amazingrdquo Thibeault said

ldquoAnother thing we have to that same

effect are some of the hoods which have

really been getting pretty out there as far as

design We have one on our floor [by Miele]

that has an LED bar on the front which

changes in phases between 196000 colors

Itrsquos a very delicate change very pretty and

coolrdquo Thibeault said adding ldquoor you can set

it to any color in that spectrum yoursquod like to

accent your cabinetryrdquo

When it comes to dishwashers Thibeault

can attest to the quality of both the Asko and

Miele brands both of which he uses in his

own home And good news for Saratoga

Springs residents ndash

ldquoIn our market in

Saratoga we have a

very hard water base

whether yoursquore on a well

system or city waterrdquo

Thibeault said ldquoSo you

get a lot of minerals in

the machine With the

stainless steel interiors it

eliminates a lot of prob-

lems generally seen with

plastic interior tubs and

usually they are the best

life expectanciesrdquo

78 | Simply Saratoga

Asko and Mieleare practically custom made to handle the

arearsquos typicallymineral rich water

Simply Saratoga | 79

The Asko brand dishwasher takes things one step

further including two pumps in the washerrsquos system

The first pump filters the water cleansing it of poten-

tially harmful minerals while the second pump recircu-

lates the water ensuring that the machine is never

blasting your dishes with food debris or dirty residue

With Miele the design features a built-in water sof-

tener perfect for dealing with the Saratoga water

system

ldquoTypically the Miele is going to do a better job with

tougher baked in stainsrdquo said Thibeault ldquobecause itrsquos

got the softener in it and a little bit longer pots and pans

cyclerdquo

80 | Simply Saratoga

Adirondack Appliance Repair Inc is a fami-

ly-owned business since 1929 and the last inde-

pendent appliance retailer of its kind in Saratoga

Springs With $6 billion of buying power behind

their name (a benefit of being part of the Nation

Wide Appliance Buying Group) Thibeault

promised ldquowe can actually price match the box

stores and everybody else around all while pro-

viding you with better service and better

productsrdquo

For more information on AdirondackAppliance or the products they sell you mayvisit their showroom located at 67 West Avenuein Saratoga Springs for live demonstrationsThey can also be reached by phone at (518)587-6640 or you may visit them at their newwebsite wwwadkappliancecom where cus-tomers can browse through the storersquos entirecatalogue of appliances

sect

Simply Saratoga | 81

82 | Simply Saratoga

Page 9: Simply Saratoga March 2011

Simply Saratoga | 11

(Companion had a fabulous linguini tossed with ample

seafood) There are four crispy salads that incorporate

local ingredients when possible and a lineup of irre-

sistible desserts Sneak a peek at wwwlake-ridgecom

for the complete menu and prices

Itrsquos no surprise that Lake Ridge was voted Best

American Cuisine in the Capital Region by Metroland

readers in 2006 and that McKenna and Ringwood

were named Entrepreneurs of the Year by Southern

Saratoga Chamber of Commerce in 2005

But the highest praise of all comes in the form of a

loyal following and I can see that Companion is join-

ing the fold Succinct by nature he declares ldquoIrsquoll go

back for morerdquo

And Irsquoll go with him

Lake Ridge Restaurant 35 Burlington Ave Round Lake (Northway exit 11)Open Tuesday-Saturday lunch 1130 am - 230 pm dinner 430-845 pm Sunday dinner 3-8 pm (518)-899-6000wwwlake-ridgecom

sect

12 | Simply Saratoga

March 19 - 20 andMarch 26 - 27

2011

Simply Saratoga | 13

T ired of being lsquocooped uprsquo

with all the cold weather

and snow this winter

Why not go visit a maple produc-

tion facility to see first-hand how this

yummy syrup is made and sam-

ple some sweet delights

The Annual Maple

Weekend(s) are the last two

weekends in March and

there are numerous produc-

ers participating this year

Maple syrup is the first crop

and harvest of the year and of

course one of the sweetest Unlike most farming the crop or

maple trees doesnrsquot have to be re-planted every year Maple

producers literally lsquotaprsquo into the sap that starts moving up the

tree in the spring to nourish the branches to produce buds

When the weather gets warmer into the 40rsquos during the day that

is the signal that the sap is running Hard freezes at night are also

an important factor as that causes the sap to flow back down to the

roots at night This movement of sap can occur for upwards of six

weeks depending upon the weather

Tapping into the sap doesnrsquot harm the trees itrsquos like giving

blood But tapping trees that are too small can stunt their growth

It takes forty gallons of the sap to make only one gallon of maple

syrup As harvests go thatrsquos a very small ratio of raw material to

finished product

It may surprise you to learn that the only place in the world

where maple syrup is made is here in the northeastern United

States and in eastern Canada Take a quick trip this maple sea-

son to sample some pure delight here in the surrounding

Capital District area and celebrate this sweet harvest

For Maple Weekend information contact New York

State Maple Producerrsquos Association website at

wwwnysmaplecom or for a complete list of maple produc-

ers participating in Maple

Weekend visit

mapleweekendcomSubmitted byCaroline Foote Co-ownerMaple Hill Farm Cobleskill NYwwwMaplehillfarmsbiz(518) 234-4858mhfarmvcrbwildbluenet

sect

14 | Simply Saratoga

NopehellipIrsquom not suggesting you dye your wine green in honor

of St Paddyrsquos (although that might be fun) Irsquom talking about

ORGANIC wine What exactly makes a wine organic

Andhellipwhy should you try it

Strictly speaking an ldquoorganicrdquo wine is one crafted from organ-

ically grown grapes This is to say the grapes in the bottle have

been grown without the use of pesticides herbicides chemical

fertilizers or synthetic chemicals of any kind These chemical

agents are not allowed on the grapes or the soil in which the

grapes are grown What used to be termed ldquoorganic winerdquo is now

termed ldquowines made from organic grapesrdquo The distinction is

confusing to most including many of the winemakers In addi-

tion most consumers are led to believe that all wines made from

organic grapes do not contain any sulfites This is inaccurate The

fermenting yeasts which are present on ALL grape skins gener-

ate naturally-occurring sulfites in varying amounts So wines

COMPLETELY devoid of sulfites are an anomaly and are not

the wines you see on the shelf of your local wine shop Wines

LOW in sulfites or free of ADDED sulfites are what you will

find instead These wines will conform to the standards of organ-

ic practices and will not contain sulfites in an amount greater

than allowed by the USDA For those who are sensitive to sul-

fites or prefer to sip organic wines as a matter of philosophy

there are hundreds of organic wines that will satisfy Okay

enough of the chemistry lesson

More and more winemakers are embracing the idea of con-

forming to organic practices when creating their wines For

these farmers and winemakers maintaining a healthy and

active soil for the grapes to grow in is the key Farming and

cultivating using these methods encourages biodiversity

which also aids in regulating the soil In turn these meth-

ods protect both the environment and the workers in the

vineyardshellipcertainly not a bad thing So while just a few

years ago your options were a bit limited if you wanted to

ldquodrink greenrdquo now there are hundreds of options to choose

from At the forefront of this movement is a winery thatrsquos

located right in New York State In fact it is the first organic

winery in North America and is located right on the western

B ttle N tes

By Patricia Novo

Photos by Mark Bolles

GreenhellipGreenhellipWine

Simply Saratoga | 15

shore of Seneca

LakehellipFour Chimneys

Organic Winery

Established in 1980

Four Chimneys was

green before being

green was cool In addi-

tion to crafting their

wines in accordance

with the standards for

organic wine estab-

lished by the NOFA-

NY Certified Organic

they also do not utilize

any animal products in

their wines For these

reasons many vegetari-

ans embrace the Four

Chimneys wines as well and have contributed to their enor-

mous popularity Four Chimneys offers several interesting

wines ranging from dry to sweet and also features several

fruit-based wines that are extremely popular For those who

love Pinot Grigio their ldquoKingdom Whiterdquo is worth sampling

This is Four Chimneyrsquos driest white and is an ideal accompa-

niment to light seafood preparations ldquoKingdom Redrdquo also a

very dry wine is similar in texture to a Merlot and will please

Merlot drinkers offering full and rich berry and plum flavors

on the palate For those who enjoy a touch of sweetness in their

wines their ldquoEye of the Doverdquo is a slightly sweet Cabernet

Franc based red which is best served with a slight chill This

wine makes a lovely accompaniment to barbecue and other

dishes with a bit of smoke and heat Even sweeter on the scale

are their ldquoFirst Loverdquo and ldquoEye of the Beerdquo wines ldquoFirst Loverdquo

is most reminiscent of Riesling although it is based on the

Vidal grape This very fragrant wine is quite refreshing and

offers up aromas of fresh white peach and honey Their most

popular wine is ldquoEye of the Beerdquo a semi-sweet rose-colored

wine whose flavors and aromas mimic those of freshly picked

grapes off the vine Their offerings of fruit wines also are quite

popular These combine organically grown grapes with organ-

ically grown fruits from their farm With names like

ldquoHoneydew Moonrdquo ldquoCelestial Peachrdquo ldquoStrawberry

Meadowsrdquo and ldquoRaspberry Sunrdquo these sweet fruit wines

would make an interesting choice with your dessert and are

also delightful served alongside some soft ripened cheeses such

as Brie and Camembert and fresh fruit

This is just a small introduction to the world of organic

wines For additional information or if you have specific ques-

tions about the differences among organic wines please stop in

and chat with me about this very popular subject I am more

than happy to answer any additional questions that you might

have Cheers sect

Patricia Novo is the owner of Crush amp Cask Wine and Spirits at170 South Broadway in Saratoga Springs She holds anAssociates Degree in Culinary Arts from SCCC and also serves ontheir Advisory Board Patricia also has certification in Wine andSpirits from the WSET as well as an Aficionado of WineCertification from the Robert Parker and Kevin Zraly WineProgram She is pursuing her Sommelier certification in Winter2011

16 | Simply Saratoga

Savethe

DateHomemade Theater Presents HARVEY

Homemade Theater Spa State Park South Broadway Saratoga SpringsElwood P Dowd is a gentle soul ndash kind hearted and

loving He has only one flaw ndash his invisible six foot-tall rabbit companion Harvey His family convincesElwood to commit himself to a sanitarium Then thelunacy really begins Multiple mistaken identities lotsof laughs and Harvey is on the loose Does the worldneed more lsquonormal peoplersquo Will you see Harvey

April 22 23 29 30 amp May 6 7 at 8 pm and May1 and 8 at 2 pm Tickets are $23 and $26 Visit home-madetheaterorg for more information

Celebrate Earth Week Recycled Art Show

Saratoga National Historical Park 648 Rte 32Stillwater

Weekend-long exhibit beginning on Friday April15 through Sunday April 17 with original works ofldquorecycled artrdquo with each piece containing at least50 reclaimed or recycled materials For more infor-mation please visit npsgovsara or phone (518) 664-9821 ext 224

Easter Egg HuntMalta Community Center 1 Bayberry DrFrom 10 to 11 am on Saturday April 16 please reg-

ister by April 8 by calling (518) 899-4411 Residentsof Malta $6 non-residents $7 Please bring your ownEaster basket to collect your eggs

Washington County Farm and Fiber Tour

On April 24 and 25 bring the family to this freetour to visit alpacas bunnies goats sheep and lambsllamas and meet the farmers and their familiesWatch spinning knitting weaving and felting demon-strations Learn about raising the livestock and petsthat we cherish For more information visitwwwwashingtoncountyfibertourorg

Geocache Easter Egg HuntGalway Preserve 2519 Crane RdOn Saturday April 30 find some eggs find some

caches and find some friends (or make new ones) asyou and your children search throughout the preservePrizes for found eggs will include candy toys geo-items and more Drinks and snacks will be availableThis event will be led by Chris Parker Preserve stewardand geocacher extraordinare For more informationcall Saratoga PLAN at (518) 587-4555

Hadley Maple FestivalHeld on Rockwell St on Saturday April 30 this

event runs all day from 8 am to 4 pm Bring the fami-ly for everything maple Visit wwwhadleybusinessas-sociationnet for more information

MapleWeekendsMarch 19-20th

amp 26-27th

See Pages 12-13

Simply Saratoga | 17

Saratoga Springs Mardi Gras FestivalHeld at various locations downtown Saratoga on

Saturday April 30 this event benefits Saratoga EOCand the Giving Circle For more information visitsaratogamardigrasorg

British Army Spring Training DaySaratoga National Historical Park 648 Rte 32

StillwaterOn May 7 from 10 am to 4 pm The cold winter has

ended and a new campaign season begins Soldiersdrill camp followers mend clothes and the armyprepares to quell the American ldquorebellionrdquo See thetroops and decide the outcome of a re-enacted courtmartial

St Clements Horse ShowYaddo grounds next to Oklahoma TrackHeld May 3 to May 8 and May 11 to May 15 This

is one of the largest horse shows on the east coastFor more information visit saintclementshorse-showcom

18 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 19

Prom

T h i s W a y

20 | Simply Saratoga

Glamor

ous

Daz

zling

Elega

ntFlir

ty

Gor

geou

s

Girls

itrsquos

Show

time

Simply Saratoga | 21

Web

Extras

See

the

pics tha

t didn

rsquot

mak

e it in

the

Mag

azine

on

SaratogaB

ridalEXPO

com

Grecian

God

dess

Athe

na

Classic B

eaut

y

Holly

wood

Glamou

r

Wild

and

Untam

edElega

nt

22 | Simply Saratoga

The current economic and market environment has prompt-

ed many Americans to rethink their retirement strategies If

you are experiencing a job transitionmdashparticularly if the tran-

sition is unplanned and unexpectedmdashsuch a reassessment may

be particularly important for you While it may be tempting to

focus more on your immediate needs you should not lose sight

of long-term goals especially your retirement strategy

Some Basic Decisions Your employer-sponsored retirement plan is likely to be a

key component of your retirement strategy Because it repre-

sents a key source of future retirement income it is important

to carefully consider your alternatives for administering these

assets During a job transition you will usually have three

options take a lump-sum distribution leave your assets in the

employer-sponsored plan or move your assets into a Rollover

IRA

Taking a direct lump-sum distributionmdashWith this

option the assets in your plan are distributed directly to you in

a lump sum which provides you with immediate access to

your funds Depending on your short-term needs that may

appear to be an attractive alternative However a distribution

will likely result in substantial federal and state income taxes

and a 10 percent IRS penalty tax which can significantly

reduce the amount of the distribution Because you will be

receiving the distribution directly the plan administrator must

withhold up to 20 percent of the value of the distribution for

federal income tax purposes Moreover you will lose the ben-

efit of the tax-deferred status of these assets which could

reduce the amount ultimately available to you at retirement

The status quo optionmdashYou can decide to do nothing

leaving your assets in your former employerrsquos plan That will

protect the tax-deferred status of your assets and allow you to

transfer the account assets at a later time to a new employerrsquos

retirement plan that accepts rollovers But you may be limiting

your investment choices and control because employer plans

typically have a restricted investment menu and require the

consent of your spouse before you can name someone else as

a beneficiary

Establishing a Rollover IRAmdashA Rollover IRA simultane-

ously addresses the issues of taxation flexibility and control

and may hold significant benefits for you as a result

Submitted by H Michael Okby Wealth Advisor

Fin

ancia

l Protecting Your RetirementInvestmentsDuring a JobTransition

If your distribution is transferred directly to a custodian rather than

to you the Rollover IRA eliminates the withholding requirement and

penalties that may result from a lump-sum distribution

The entire rollover amount can be investedimmediately according to the strategy youspecify bull Your assets and any earnings continue to have the potential to

grow tax-deferred until you retire and begin taking withdrawals

bull You may gain access to a wider range of investment options and

more retirement planning and distribution flexibility

bull You can name any beneficiary including a trust without

needing the consent of your spouse (although special rules may

apply in community property states)

For example investment products in an employer plan are usually

limited to mutual funds and company stock With a self-directed

Rollover IRA you can work with your financial professional to struc-

ture a portfolio using stocks bonds annuities and other investments

utilizing an asset allocation1 that is customized to help you meet your

retirement investment objectives And your retirement strategy can be

further tailored with a wider range of beneficiary selection and distri-

bution choices

Consider Consolidation This may also be an excellent time to deal with multiple IRAs you

may have opened over the years and with account balances you may

have left in the plans of former employers Together these assets may

represent a significant sum There are good reasons to consider con-

solidating them all in a Rollover IRA

Comprehensive investment strategymdashIt can be difficult to main-

tain an effective investment strategymdashone that accurately reflects

your goals timing and risk tolerancemdashwhen assets are spread among

multiple financial institutions When you consolidate your financial

professional can help you ensure that these assets are part of your

overall asset allocation strategy that is reflective of your current

financial situation and long-term retirement goals

Greater investment flexibilitymdashA self-directed IRA generally

offers you the ability to choose from a wide range of investment

products including stocks bonds mutual funds annuities and more

Simplified trackingmdashIt is easier to monitor your progress and

investment results when all your retirement savings are in one place

because you will receive one statement instead of several That sim-

plifies your life while protecting the environment

Lower costsmdashReducing the number of accounts may also reduce

your account fees and other investment-related charges

Dealing with one account rather than several also simplifies

the distribution processmdashincluding complying with complex min-

imum distribution rules when you reach age 70 And you avoid the

risk of losing track of your retirement accounts or access to the

account assets should your former employer merge with another

company or go out of business Your financial professional can help

you assess your alternatives so you can make decisions based on

whatrsquos best for you You may find that this time of transition holds

benefits for your retirement assets

For more information please contact H Michael Okby at (518) 583-5601

sect

Simply Saratoga | 23

24 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 25

Summer camp is a place wherelifelong memories are made

This is where our children learnto cultivate their interests andordiscover a world of new activities tohelp their young minds grow andfor them to become physically fit

Even though there may be snowon the ground when you read thisit is never too early to think aboutyour childrenrsquos summer fun Weare blessed in this region with avariety of destinations providing awealth of activities

And while there is something foreveryone early planning is a mustto assure your child has a spot inone of these great places At theend of a long winter seasonthoughts of summer camp arerejuvenating for adults as well

Summer Camp Guide 2011

YMCA Camp Chingachgook

NdakinnaNdakinna Education Center located in

Greenfield Center offers a wide variety of

summer camp programs and activities that

will provide campers with a greater

respect and understanding for the natural

world as well as the Northeastrsquos rich

Native American history Hosted by

renowned author and wilderness and sur-

vival expert James Bruchac these pro-

grams are ideal for children with a sense

of adventure and natural wonder Summer

programs are divided into two groups

children ages three to eight and older

campers ages nine to fourteen Programs

range in duration from one to two weeks

26 | Simply Saratoga

YMCA Camp Chingachgook located on beauti-

ful Lake George has three camping options sleep-

away camp day camp and adventure trips

Summer sleep-away camp is the experience of a

lifetime The camp is divided into junior and sen-

ior boys and girls units junior campers between

the ages of seven and 12 and senior campers are 13

to 15 years old All Chingachgook counselors go

through extensive two-week training and prepa-

ration prior to the beginning of the first session

Campers will enjoy a full schedule of skill

classes which they can choose on their own

and special events and programs Campers can

choose from swimming water skiing canoeing

nature arts outdoor living skills theater news-

paper riflery archery dance guitar outdoor

cooking sports zone water world woodwork-

ing softball soccer tennis photography sail-

ing high ropes mountain biking and rock

climbing Each camper sets up their own daily

schedule of four skill classes at the start of the

session

Two-week camp sessions at Chingachgook

also include a three-day hike which allows

campers to get out and experience the wilder-

ness in a fun and safe atmosphere

Chingachgook also offers a variety of unique

adventure camps for children looking to explore

unique destinations and experience a whole new

level of fun options like sailing kayak-

ing boat building rock climbing canoe-

ing community service white-water

rafting hiking and backpacking bicycle

touring and mountain biking Adventure

campers will benefit from activities with

smaller coed groups of ten or less

Day Camp at Chingachgook is a fun

option for children ages five to ten

Campers will enjoy a full day of fun

activities from 930 am to 430 pm The

Day Camp program is divided into eight

one-week segments with the first session

starting on June 28 and the final session

starting on August 16 Each session has

a different theme

Spaces are limited at Chingachgook

so be sure to sign up as soon as possible

For more information to sign up for a

tour or to register for camp visit

wwwcapitaldistrictymcacom or call

(518) 656-9462

each covering a different skill or activity such

as animal tracking basic wilderness survival

skills and shelter building Native American

storytelling and games and nature-based arts

and crafts projects will teach campers to have

fun in the great outdoors Each camp program

promotes team building natural awareness

patience and confidence

Ndakinna also offers family camp pro-

grams which allow children and their parents

to experience the outdoors together Family

programs can accommodate children ages one

to 14 These programs offer the

same skills training and team-

building activities To view the

finalized calendar of programs

and events visit

wwwNdcenterorg

Cutting Edge Martial ArtsCutting Edge Martial Artrsquos A+ After

School and Summer Camp Program is a year-

round child care solution that provides a pos-

itive structured environment for children

after school and during the day in the sum-

mer During the school year we pick chil-

dren up directly from the local elementary

and middle schools and provide an hour les-

son that starts with our ldquoMat Chatrdquo a ten

minute character education lesson for the day

followed by a full 50 minute martial arts

class Parents have a window between 5 and

545 pm to pick up their children while chil-

dren have the opportunity after class to get

their homework started

During the summer children get all the

benefits of our A+ Program but on a grander

scale We offer nine weeks of full day camps

and have no minimum or maximum number

of days per week or number of weeks that a

student can attend Each week of camp we

have a curriculum of character education

lessons fun games and a one hour martial

arts class every day We watch a movie in

the afternoons twice a week have a video

game morning on Fridays and take all our

campers on an educa-

tional outing on

Wednesdays and a

fun and exciting out-

ing every Friday

Our average camp

size is 20-25 stu-

dents and we have

three full time staff

graphed by Sarah Sutliff

Saratoga Childrenrsquos Theatre also offers a one-

week camp at the end of the summer ldquoMaster

your Auditionrdquo This camp will help your child

get ready for fall and winter auditions These

audition workshops have been very popular and

sell out quickly Any child at any skill level with

an interest in performing arts is welcome to join

in on the fun Saratoga Childrenrsquos Theatre

Executive Director Meg Kelly aims to give each

camper the most rewarding and enjoyable camp

experience and every camper will get to perform

The Saratoga Childrenrsquos Theatre hires profes-

sionals to help your child gain the most from

their summer camp experience

The cost for a two-week session is $450 and

$250 for the one-week session For more infor-

mation visit wwwsaratogachildrenstheatreorg

or call (518) 580-1782

For kids who have a passion for per-

forming arts Saratoga Childrenrsquos Theatre

summer camp is a dream come true

Saratoga Childrenrsquos Theatre offers per-

formance camps which means each

camper will be working on a full-fledged

production throughout their session

Campers will learn all aspects of perform-

ance and will have the opportunity to per-

form in two shows at the end of camp a

matinee and an evening show are both

open to the public Campers will perform

on stage at St Petersrsquo Auditorium

Saratoga Springs Camp hours are 9am-

3pm Performance camp is divided into

two age groups

Ages 6-9 will participate in one week

camps These camps will include Disneyrsquos

Sleeping Beauty kids Cinderella kids

Aristocats kids 101 Dalmatians kids and

Lemonade These camps will be directed by

Megan OrsquoSullivan a local elementary school

music teacher and assisted by Karey

Trimmings also a local elementary school

music teacher

Ages 10-18 will participate in two-week

camps Each camp will practice and perform a

different show These

camps include

Thoroughly Modern

Mille Jr Cinderella Jr

Fiddler on the Roof Jr

and Once on this Island

Jr These camps will be

directed by Michael

Lotano local actor and

elementary school music

teacher and choreo-

Saratoga Childrenrsquos Theatre

Simply Saratoga | 27

working with our students

Our goal is to provide a family-friendly

and fun environment that feels like a home

away from home Our students have fun

learning skills that can be used every day of

their lives and we try to provide memories

that will last a lifetime For many our

summer camps are a wonderful introduc-

tion to martial arts

For more information visit

wwwsaratogamartialartscom

or call (518) 587-5501

28 | Simply Saratoga

Saratoga Independent SchoolSaratoga Independent School hosts a variety of summer

programs split into two age groups three to eight year-olds

Wilton Recreation CampWilton Recreation offers a full-day summer

camp program for children in grades one

through nine With available pre-camp and

post-camp care working parents can ensure

their children are having fun in a safe environ-

ment before and after the camprsquos regular 9 am to

3 pm hours Parents who register their children

for before and after camp care can drop off their

children prior to camp opening at 830 am and

can pick them up at 530 pm Bussing is avail-

able for Wilton residents who register for regu-

lar camp hours (9 am to 3 pm)

Wilton Recreation Camp offers a full sched-

ule of daily onsite activities themed events and

exciting trips for kids who register for off-site

adventures Daily on-site activities include arts

and crafts sports playground fun and other

organized group games This yearrsquos scheduled

field trips include Million Dollar Beach in Lake

George movie days at Proctors Theater

Saratoga County Fair bowling white water

rafting and at least two swimming days per

week at Peerless Pool

The Summer 2011 camp will open on

June 27 and run until August

12 Registration begins

March 14 at Gavin Park and

will close on June 3 As

there are only 300 spaces

available be sure to mark

your calendar Camp

registration forms are

available online at

wwwtownofwiltoncom or

can be picked up weekdays

at Gavin Park 9 am to 5 pm

For any other questions

please call the park office at (518) 584-9455

and seven to 14 year-olds The weeklong programs run from July 5

to August 19

Saratoga Independent School summer programs are staffed large-

ly by their own teachers so parents can rest assured their kids are

supervised in a safe environment with experienced teachers who are

knowledgeable about child development and hands-on

programming

For the younger group weekly themed programs run from 9 am

to noon (early drop-off at 830 available) The staff-to-camper ratio

is one to six for children ages three and four and one to ten for chil-

dren ages five to eight Themed programs include ldquoCooking with

Curiosityrdquo ldquoHawaiian Hullabaloordquo ldquoHands-On Science Funrdquo

ldquoHoliday-A-Dayrdquo ldquoGood Versus Evil Imaginations Run Wildrdquo

ldquoDinosaur Discoveryrdquo ldquoIn the Jungle the Mighty Junglerdquo

Activities take place both indoors and outdoors

The selection of enrichment programs for older children is even

more extensive this year than in the past Some programs will take

place in the mornings others in the afternoon Age ranges will vary

depending on the subject matter These specialty programs give chil-

dren an opportunity to develop new interests and expand on existing

skills Programs include ldquoCartooning and Morerdquo ldquoImprovisationrdquo

ldquoKnittingrdquo ldquoOpen Art Studiordquo ldquoYou Can Do Magicrdquo ldquoGet Up and

Dancerdquo ldquoRoaring into Robots Whatrsquos Nextrdquo ldquoArt in the Ancient

Worldrdquo ldquoMad Sciencerdquo ldquoComputer Video Game Creationrdquo

ldquoAdvanced Robot Challengesrdquo and ldquoArt-Math Connectionrdquo

Registration has already begun and the programs fill up quickly so

visit wwwsiskidsorg for more information and to secure a space

for your child

Simply Saratoga | 29

Are your kids looking for an adventure this summer The

Saratoga Regional YMCA has two exciting day camps available

Camp Starhitch held at the Wilton Branch which engages children

with a multitude of fun activities and a trip each week and Travel

Camp where participants meet at the Saratoga Springs Branch and

then travel off to fun and thrilling places each day

Camp Starhitch is for children having completed Kindergarten

through entering fifth grade Campers will participate in games

sports crafts nature activities trips swimming archery and more

Each week is planned around a theme and includes a trip For exam-

ple during ldquo70rsquos Flashbackrdquo week campers will go roller skating

during ldquoThe Wild Frontierrdquo week kids will have the opportunity to

go horseback riding and during ldquoTropical Paradiserdquo week partici-

pants may ldquocatch a gnarly waverdquo at an outdoor water park

Travel Camp is definitely for the action seeker and for those who

like to be on the go This program for youth entering fifth through

tenth grade provides campers an opportunity to travel each and every

day to fun-filled locations Participants explore different summer

activities that include amusement and water parks outdoor sports

fairs and horseback riding This year the trips include a visit to Hunter

Mountain Six Flags New England Tubing on the Battenkill NY

Mets game at Citi Field the NY State Fair and more

Camp Starhitch and Travel Camp both run for nine one-week ses-

sions You may choose to attend camp for one week or any combina-

tion of weeks Experienced counselors supervise children and a ratio

of 110 ensures a safe quality camping experience CPR and First Aid

certified camp staff will be present on all trips At Travel Camp

campers will be grouped according to age and are supervised by expe-

rienced adult staff

Camp Starhitch has two day camp options for your child Option A

allows for your child to be dropped off at 9 am and picked up at 4 pm

and Option B has a 7 am drop off time and a 6 pm pick up time

Travel Camp runs from 9 am to 430 pm and extended hours are

available at no additional cost This year transportation will be provid-

ed in both directions between the Saratoga Springs and Wilton

branches Pickups will be as early as 815 am and drop-offs will be

as late as 5 pm Both camps try to cater to working parents

In addition the Saratoga Regional YMCA is committed to provid-

ing a safe and welcoming environment for all campers by incorporat-

ing the YMCAcore values of caring honesty respect and responsibil-

ity in daily activities To promote safety and comfort for all individu-

als are asked to act appropriately at all times when at the Yrsquos facilities

or participating in Y programs All campers are required to read and

sign a contract of understanding in reference to the Code of Conduct

We expect persons using the YMCAto act maturely to behave respon-

sibly and to respect the rights and dignity of all othersmdashall while

having a good time

The Y also has opportunities available for those who may not have

the resources to send their children to camp The Y provides scholar-

ships for those who qualify Scholarships are made possible due to

the generous donations of Y members the community and businesses

to the ldquoWe Build Peoplerdquo scholarship campaign held by the Saratoga

Regional YMCA each year Scholarship applications are available at

all Saratoga Regional YMCA branches and online at wwwsaratogare-

gionalymcaorg

Registration is currently ongoing and fills up quickly Registration

forms are available at any of the Saratoga Regional YMCA Branches

or at wwwsaratogaregionalymcaorg For more information about

these day camps please contact Ilene Leverence at (518) 583-9622

ext 103 for Camp Starhitch and Patti Laudicina at (518) 583-9622

ext 110 or Paige Minear ext 116 for Travel Camp

Saratoga YMCA

30 | Simply Saratoga

Ask women about the greatest threat to their health and most will

respond incorrectly with the words ldquobreast cancerrdquo While breast cancer

certainly is of concern the truth is that women are 10 times more like-

ly to die from heart disease Breast cancer kills 1 in 25 women heart

disease claims 1 in 2

The most recent statistics available indicate that cardiovascular dis-

ease causes the death of 500000 women per year ndash more than ALL

forms of cancer combined This is a rate of epidemic proportion

Little or no warning

Two-thirds of women die suddenly from heart disease without expe-

riencing any warning symptoms The majority die before they even

reach the hospital and before any attempt at treatment is possible Early

screening and the detection that leads to prevention offer the only hope

of reducing these deaths

Women who do develop heart disease tend to fare worse than men

One reason is that on average heart disease peaks 10 years later in

women than in men At this older age women are less able to withstand

the stress of the disease The proof can be found in a disturbing statis-

tic One year after their first heart attack 44 percent of women are dead

compared with 27 percent of men

Clearly for women preventing that first heart attack would make an

enormous difference

Know the risks

What can be done to prevent and detect heart disease in women

Of foremost importance is to reduce ndash or if possible eliminate ndash the

conditions that cause or accelerate the growth of blockages in the arter-

ies of the heart These conditions known as risk factors include high

Women Take this warning to heart

Story By Andrij O Baran MD

blood pressure diabetes genetic high cholesterol a high-fat

diet an inactive lifestyle smoking and cocaine use

Some damage the lining of the heartrsquos arteries speeding the

buildup of cholesterol Others raise blood cholesterol Both

smoking and cocaine use speed blood clotting They also can

cause sudden cramps or spasms in the coronary arteries cut-

ting off the entire blood supply to portions of the heart even

without a cholesterol blockage

A woman who has one or more of these risk factors should

ask her doctor how best to control them She also should ask

about further screening and testing such as stress testing

The sooner the better

Lifestyle changes and medications can have a dramatic

impact on reducing the incidence of heart attack provided cho-

lesterol blockages are detected early ndash before damage to the

heart has occurred In fact drugs that lower cholesterol alone

have been unequivocally shown to reduce the risk of heart

attack and death by up to 50 percent

When added to a program of low-fat diet exercise control

of high blood pressure and diabetes and above all else no

smoking the benefits are magnified many times over Keep in

mind of course that these drugs work only if they are taken

and taken appropriately

By knowing and changing their risk factors all women can

ensure themselves of a longer and more vibrant life

Andrij O Baran MD FACC is the Medical Director of

Cardiology Services at Saratoga Hospital

Simply Saratoga | 31

A c t F a s t D u r i n g H e a r t A t t a c k s According to the American Heart

Association clot-busting drugs can stop

some heart attacks in progress reducing

disability and saving lives They work best

given within one hour of when heart

attack signs begin Thatrsquos why itrsquos impor-

tant to recognize the warning signs of a

heart attack and act right away

Warning Signs

bull Pain or discomfort in the jaw

neck or back

bull Feeling weak lightheaded or faint

bull Chest paindiscomfort

bull Paindiscomfort in the arms or

shoulder

bull Shortness of breath

If you think that you or someone you

know is having a heart attack call 911

immediately

32 | Simply Saratoga

Who would believe that a rabbi from Eastern

Europe frozen for 150 years in a block of ice could

be transported across time and space to Memphis

where he thaws then becomes a spiritual guru to

baby boomers Arguably nobody But Steve Stern

the author of ldquoThe Frozen Rabbirdquo his most recent

novel isnrsquot asking readers to believe it so much as

to let the characters tell their story Besides the plot

may be far-fetched but he already has a buyer for

the movie rights

Writer-in-residence at Skidmore College Stern is

a genius at creating human beings in fantastical cir-

cumstances who seem more like eccentric neigh-

bors than artifacts of science fiction Some fly

some inhabit other peoplersquos dreams some are res-

urrected and some travel through time Whatever

their superpowers or frailties the heroes and vil-

lains tricksters and innocents and witnesses and

bystanders in Sternrsquos short and long fiction deserve

attention and evoke compassion in their quest for

connection and redemption - or at least food and

shelter From within an inexhaustible vein of

Jewish folklore and oral history his characters

emerge into a lucid fictional universe that embraces

both magic and the mundane Dialogue is ironic as

often as it is mystical and the most ordinary days

serve as backdrops for incredible events

ldquoMiracles are commonplacerdquo says Stern a

Ballston Spa resident ldquoI donrsquot write in metaphors

and symbols deliberately Writing is a visceral

experience for me I read with interest what review-

ers say about my repetitive themes and ideas but I

am driven by images and characters Irsquom a compul-

sive storytellerrdquo

Steve Stern A Lyrical Voice in the Ghetto

B

o

o

k

m

a

r

k

Lean bespectacled and haloed in dark curls Stern

is a Memphis native who grew up in a home bereft

of music books and art in a city made famous by

Elvis Presley (who used to drive through Sternrsquos

neighborhood) and Martin Luther Kingrsquos assassina-

tion He remembers himself as ldquoa mediocre adoles-

cent without confidence or spiritual antennardquo first

stirred to write poetry in high school which he read

aloud for attention

ldquoI was surprised people liked itrdquo he says ldquoAnd I

liked writing it even though it embarrassed me But

I was encouraged to go on and later to try proserdquo

The allure of the late lsquo60s and early lsquo70s was not

academic After college Stern wandered through

Europe then worked as a butcher on a hippie com-

mune in the Ozarks raising pigs and eating off the

land ldquoI slept under five blankets and two dogsrdquo he

recalls (The incarnation has been memorialized in a

comic strip by Sternrsquos girlfriend Sabrina a cartoon-

ist and set designer for Saturday Night Live)

The commune was not too far from the University

of Arkansas where Stern attended graduate school

and played volleyball with Bill and Hillary Clinton

ldquoI hoped he would mention me in his inaugural

addressrdquo Stern sighs

With an MA Stern found teaching gigs at vari-

ous colleges but the work dried up forcing him to

take a job at a folklore center in Memphis first tran-

scribing stories about the black community then

launching a life-changing project to preserve the

stories of the fading Jewish population in a desolate

Memphis ghetto known as ldquoThe Pinchrdquo where

many of his stories are set

Story By Helen Susan Edelman

ldquoBernie scrunched his face in thought Gone was his waryimpulse to keep everything secret and there were times of latewhen he felt almost reckless almost ready to tell the world whileon the other hand he suspected he may have already confided toomuch ldquoI thinkrdquo he said after some consideration ldquoIrsquom startingto outgrow myselfrdquo

mdash Steve Stern ldquoThe Frozen Rabbirdquo

Photo by Josh GerritsenSteve Stern

Simply Saratoga | 33

ldquoIt was intoxicatingrdquo says Stern ldquoI became obsessed with

itrdquo Indeed his work is infused with the folklore images lan-

guage archetypes settings rituals and values embedded in

the memories he recorded and in the vast Jewish and Yiddish

literature he has studied since

A non-observant Jew Stern had no relationship with his

religion so the introduction to his exotic legacy was both

anchor and springboard for a prolific new consciousness

ldquoThe floodgates openedrdquo he says ldquoSuddenly this world

began to materialize for me What had been barren neighbor-

hoods I could see vividly as tenements and shops a town

square street traffic merchants pawnbrokers rabbis chil-

drenhellipimmigrants from Eastern Europe looking for a homerdquo

Stern is comfortable writing about transcendent wisdom as

long as itrsquos his characterrsquos voice

and not his own

dispensing the

insights The

frozen rabbi in

the book of the

same name for

example ldquoradiates

within his zone of

influence and is a

spiritual catalyst

for anyone who

encounters himrdquo

says Stern ldquowhere-

as I am a clicheacute a

Jew who grew up

without an identityrdquo

A winner of both

Guggenheim and

Fulbright fellowships

as well as the National

Jewish Book Award

the Pushcart Prize an

OrsquoHenry Prize and the Edward Lewis Wallant Award Stern

is working on a new novel and rereading Faulkner Tolstoy

Dickens and Joyce

He views each new writing project as ldquoa riskrdquo Experience

last summer also reminded him of the evanescence of popu-

larity he gave two readings one in Memphis which drew

such a crowd that doors had to be locked and one in St

Louis where he commanded an audience of four

ldquoJust like the characters in my storiesrdquo Stern observes ldquoI

encounter conflicts look for a way to escape and face mixed

consequencesrdquo sect

How is your mental state these days Are

you experiencing peace and joy in every-

day life or frustration and impatience Are

you living your life ldquoon purposerdquo or going

through the motions feeling numb and dead

on the inside How is the garden of your

mind Are you tending to your garden or letting

the weeds take over

When I lived in Boston I lived next door to an elder-

ly woman who had a beautiful garden Every morning my

neighbor was outside in her floral moo moo (circa Mrs

Roper from Threersquos Company) tending carefully to each

plant and flower She would spend hours walking around her

garden joyfully humming and making sure her flowers were

strong and healthy Many mornings I would sip my coffee

and watch her peacefully pulling out the weeds and tending

to her precious flowers To this day I remember how tall and

lovely her sunflowers were I think our mental state can be

compared to tending to a garden do we have beautiful sun-

flowers of joy and peace or toxic weeds of bitterness and

guilt

The weeds in your heart and mind are feelings of bitterness

anger guilt self-loathing and negativity Do you spend your

days reviewing the list of those that have offended

you Do you beat yourself up daily for past mis-

takes or regrets These are the weeds that can

take over your mind and lead to racing

thoughts a dark depression constant

anxiety or physical illness and

chronic pain If you are someone

that is easily frustrated impatient

and critical you can be sure you

34 | Simply Saratoga

Tending to theGarden of Your MindDealing with the Weeds in your Life

Simple Truths

have some weeds to deal with

The only path to peace and joy in your everyday life is to

pull your weeds out from the root and confront the issues

Holding on to your weeds only makes you ill and deadens

your heart Did you know that people who are full of bitter-

ness and resentment appear older and are not as physically

attractive as people who are full of peace and love The

weeds in your heart and mind can actually make you ugly

Likewise a mind that is content and peaceful gives us a

sparkle and light in our eyes that people are automatically

attracted to Forget the anti-wrinkle cream and Botox Fill

your heart and mind up with the best kept beauty secret

around love and forgiveness

Forgiveness is not about letting the person who hurt you

off the hook Forgiveness IS allowing light into our hearts

so that we can heal and move forward It takes the heavy

burden of offense and resentment off of our hearts and

minds while preparing the ldquosoilrdquo for new growth and

experiences

When possible confront the people you need to forgive

so that you can have closure and move on If it is not pos-

sible to confront the person that is the weed in your life

write them a letter expressing your hurt and anger (not to

send but in a private journal) This is a wonderful way to

give yourself closure and put your feelings out on the table

More often than not the person we have to forgive or con-

front is ourselves If you are constantly beating yourself up

and feeling guilty about your past make a choice to forgive

yourself

Donrsquot be lazy about your weeds Dig deep and pull out

your weeds so that you can make room for peace and joy

We all desire to feel love and be accepted That accept-

Meghan DLemery LCSW-R

Simply Saratoga | 35

ance starts with you Begin to focus on peaceful loving joyful

thoughts Keep a gratitude journal of what you love about your-

self or the loved ones in your life Practice planting seeds of joy

by giving acceptance and love to everyone around you

Take time to practice patience and kindness to your family

friends colleagues and that slow cashier at the grocery store Go

out of your way to help others in any way that you can All of

these acts of kindness plant the seeds of peace love joy and

abundance

As we approach the new season of spring take some time to

tend to the garden of your mind

Wishing you love self-acceptance and peace this spring and

always

Ms Lemery is a psychotherapist practic-ing in Saratoga Springs and QueensburyShe can be reached at meghanle-meryyahoocom

Her first novel will be pub-lished this Spring TitledldquoPlease Pass the BarbieShoesrdquo it is a hilarious heart-warming story that will haveyou feeling inspiredand empowered

sect

36 | Simply Saratoga

Living Room The custom-designed leather couch chair andottoman come from Suttons The stucco fireplace was inspired by theCollinsrsquo travels through the Southwest and Colorado (ldquowe wanted to avoida traditional river rock fireplacerdquo) and provides a heat source as well asbeauty The original structure was built for passive solar design no airconditioning is needed in the summer A wood stove is the primary heatsource radiant heat with natural gas was also added during the renova-tion

The front door as well as all the interior doors was custom-made fittedand replaced by Tom Zanetti Hickory wood floors were also installed dur-ing the addition A hanging stained glass chandelier is a stock itemobtained from a leading home supply retailer ldquoIt captures the sunlightbeautifully along with providing brilliant nighttime illuminationrdquo Tedsaid ldquoItrsquos an eclectic mixrdquo

Simply Saratoga | 37

Today we look at a creative space that is set into a special place

In 1993 Ted and Susan Collins purchased a seven-acre property

with a 1986 Timberpeg designed home that has all the qualities of

a place in the country ndash yet many would be surprised to learn that

it is actually located on the border of Saratoga Springs near the

Alpine Shop on Clinton Street After a number of years living in

apartments on Union Avenue and Franklin Square enjoying the

proximity to downtown and the track they couldnrsquot resist a spot

that was close to town but yet had lots of land

Their overall vision was for an interior space that was in accord

with the outside ndash the wildlife gardens and the sustainable philos-

ophy embodied in the original buildingrsquos passive solar design

ldquoEverything we do embraces the goals of staying true to the orig-

inal structure having an open welcoming interior and being in

harmony with the outdoorsrdquo Ted said

Inspired by travels in balance with the land

Story By Arthur GonickPhotos by copystockstudiosphotographycom

These principles guided a major transformation of the interior

space in 2006 The key element was an addition to the home that

enabled the living room kitchen and upstairs bedroom to be

expanded allowing space for the installation of a downstairs bath

as well

Susan and Ted led this transformation - visualizing an addition

that incorporated equilibrium of size location and overall propor-

tion They went through several iterations with Rick Deforest of

Heritage Timberframes

Even though much of the interior decor came from travels in

Africa the South Pacific and Colorado the building materials and

craftsmen are all local The timbers and wood flooring were milled

in nearby Kingsbury ldquoWe enjoyed working with professionals who

are also friends like Rick Deforest Tom Zanetti and Mike

Roohanrdquo Ted said ldquothe house now feels complete in balancerdquo sect

Unique Places and Creative Spaces If you would like to nominate a unique

or creative place to be featured emailentertainmentsaratogapublishingcom

38 | Simply Saratoga

Kitchen A wall was taken out that afforded space to add an eat-in island area and

open up the space Custom cabinets are by Tom Zanetti Stonework andappliances were added Both the kitchen and bathroom have granite table-tops (from Mike and Margaret Roohan of Granite and Marble Works)New appliances include a Bosch stove (with a built-in microwave drawer)and an Amana stainless refrigerator

Bathroom The bathroom ceiling is pine The showerarea was designed and built to the Collinsrsquo specifications andfeatures a bench 4 shower heads PLUS an extra hand-held one(ldquoItrsquos a human car washrdquo) The stone tiles on the sides and floorin the shower were installed by Best Tile the plumbing in theshower comes from Aird Dorrance as does the sink ndash which sitson a granite top from Granite and Marble Works The windowleads out to the north side of the house with privacy blinds insidethe window panes One thing you donrsquot see ldquoSince the room ison display in the center of the expanded first floor we wanted thecommode to be mostly hiddenrdquo Ted said

Unique Places and Creative Spaces

Simply Saratoga | 39

Living RoomA reading nook sits upon the bathroom addition ldquoThere was no full bathroom on the first

floor and with a post and beam construction we had to be creative You get outstanding viewsof the property pond and stream when viewed from the nookrsquos perspectiverdquo The ladder canswing out on a track making it more like walking up a staircase ndash this was also designed andinstalled by Tom Zanetti The table in the nook is actually a working African drum with a glasstable top added

40 | Simply Saratoga

Bedroom In the second-floor master bedroom moving the dormer brought in extra light and space and

also brought the roofline together with the original structure and first-floor additions The floorand ceiling are made of rough-cut pine planking The bed is also constructed of pine and comesfrom Suttons The window in the upper left was cut during the addition It faces west for extra day-time light

Simply Saratoga | 41

42 | Simply Saratoga

Story Written by Yael Goldman Photos by Samu Studios and Randall Perry Photography

Simply Saratoga | 43

orking with the

right interior designer

turns listless decision making

into an enjoyable and productive

process that avoids costly mistakes

and delivers exceptional results

Designing a room or an entire home is a

big project no matter how strong your tastes are

The decisions are endless ndash what color should I paint the

walls What flooring is most aesthetically appealing and

dog-friendly Should I choose a furniture set or choose

individual pieces Do I want curtains or shades Do I

decorate with knick-knacks or artwork

But with all the unique self-questioning that surrounds

an interior design project most homeowners share angst

in asking themselves one specific question where do I

start

Itrsquos at this point ndash when stress level increases enjoy-

ment-driven projects turn deadly and money has been

wastefully spent on all the wrong things ndash that you long

for the help of a professional if only you could afford it

Well the truth is you can

Creating the right space can be expensive but is only

more so if you make mistakes and have to go back and

fix them If you do it right the first time therersquos no cost

associated with do-overs

With nearly 100 years of experience between them all

four members of Blairhouse Interiors Group have

worked with more than enough unhappy do-it-your-

selfers to tell you yoursquore not alone

Photo by Samu Studios

44 | Simply Saratoga

The four-member designproject therapy team which recently

opened a studio in Saratoga Springs has a long history of help-

ing home and business owners create their ideal spaces and

atmospheres the right way Their exceptional work is celebrated across

the Capital Region including Saratoga Springs where the Blairhouse

look is prominently featured in a handful of Park Place condominiums

and the incredible Saratoga National Golf Club

Thomas R Burns Meghan Baltich Dominic Carota and Patricia

Richards the highly skilled and charismatic force behind Blairhouse

Interiors Group promise an experience that is personal because itrsquos all

about your needs ndash and thatrsquos what is important

Blairhouse offers full-service interior design services space planning

project management hand-picked merchandise patience and an uncan-

ny ability to create a

look that is always

fresh sophisticated

and comfortable

ldquoThe style that we

gravitate toward is

unique cutting-edge

and modern not dic-

tated by corporaterdquo

said Meghan Baltich

pointing to a ldquovery

propitiousrdquo Keith Fritz

table at the center of

the studio

Photo by Randall Perry Photography

If you do it right the firsttime therersquos no cost

associated with do-oversPhoto by Randall Perry Photography

One glance at the Park Place showroom ndash of the selective furnishings carefully showcased along

the periphery ndash and it becomes clear why Blairhouse an award-winning team gets the job

done

Their creativity focus and immaculate sense of direction bring objectivity to the scene helping you nar-

row down all of the tedious and overwhelming choices that make do-it-yourself decorating an exercise in

unclear thinking

ldquoPeople are overwhelmed by all the choices it can feel like theyrsquore in a paralyzed blurrdquo said Thomas

Burns who finds that a great vision can be impossible to imagine and create without eliminating all of

the distractions

A vital step in getting focused is creating a

comprehensive plan based on individual

needs wants and style that addresses all

aspects of lifestyle and taste and suggests

tactful solutions and fresh approaches to new

and existing spaces

They help you identify what you like

forcing you to hone in on what you want and

need to compliment and enhance your

lifestyle

ldquoWe ascertain the clientrsquos goal and

lifestyle to convey their visionrdquo said

Dominic Carota explaining that the intended

outcome of creating or reinventing a room is

often strictly tied to how you want to live in

it

ldquoWe have to know how they functionrdquo he

said

An interior designer is an asset in the func-

tion-meets-style equation

Dominic explained that a couple starting a family will have far

different needs than empty-nesters looking for a change They may

have the same stylistic goals but their execution will differ based on

how their lifestyle exists within the space

When revamping a single room the majority of your focus is ded-

icated to that individual space making it easy to forget that the rest

of the house is attached Establishing connectivity between rooms is

a challenge but an important part of executing a project the right

way

Sometimes one wrong detail no matter how small can be incred-

ibly impactful and difficult to avoid on your own

ldquoIf yoursquore working on a new addition or renovation we ensure it

flows that therersquos balance between the existing part of the living

space and the new additionrdquo Meghan Baltich said explaining that

it just doesnrsquot make sense to put in a great new kitchen if itrsquos dis-

jointed and out of place from its surroundings

Another common novice mistake is the trendy retail store fallacy

that you can order a full room from a catalog or pick a fabulous and

unique design from a floor plan

Blairhouse clients learn the difference between ldquocookie-cutterrdquo

and ldquocustomrdquo and they are never concerned with picking the wrong

piece for the wrong room

Simply Saratoga | 45

ome customers will come to us after going into a Pottery Barn and buying stuff that just didnrsquot workrdquo Baltich said giving the

example of an individual who purchased an enormous sectional for a tiny room ldquoWe scale into the clientrsquos space taking func-

tion and proportion into considerationrdquo

Exceptional listening and observation skills are the designerrsquos

unsung attributes and greatest assets Blairhouse experts engage

with their clients to gain a true understanding of what they want

In turn the design process becomes an eye-opening experience

customers are introduced to colors and concepts they would

never think to consider

ldquoEach client trusts us to create their environment and we

enable them to make informed decisionsrdquo Patricia Richards

said

And sometimes that requires bold suggestions and collabora-

tion or looking at all of the possibilities even the ones ldquoyou

would never have been brave enough to do on your ownrdquo

In the end the experience of working with the experts is

enjoyable stress-free and cost-effective From concept to com-

pletion the result is just what you want and need ndash a fabulous

marriage of function and aesthetic that wonrsquot have you coming

back for more (because you did it right the first time) sect

ldquoS

46 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 47

For a taste of Blairhouse Interiors Grouprsquos distinctive work stop into their Park Place studio located at 262 Broadway Suite 204 in Saratoga Springs For further details visit wwwblairhouseinteriorscom or call (518) 786-7800

From left to right Dominic Carota Meghan Baltich Patricia Richards and

Thomas R Burns (The designproject therapy team of Blairhouse Interiors Group)

48 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 49

Dorsquos and Donrsquots

50 | Simply Saratoga

Story Written by Kerry Ann Mendez Perennially Yours bull wwwpyourscom Photos Provided

SpringDorsquos and Donrsquots

SpringDorsquos and DonrsquotsDorsquos and Donrsquots

Spring

for your Gardens

s

Simply Saratoga | 51

ssts

SPRINGis right around the corner and gardenersare pawing at the ground ready to explodethrough the garden gate As a passionate perennial gardenerI am right there with you But before launching into another flower-filledseason letrsquos go through a spring checklist of dorsquorsquos and donrsquorsquots to makesure we make the most of the race and have the best finish ever

Photo by GardenersSupply Company

apply a granular fertilizer to your perennial beds while they are still lsquoasleeprsquoDepending on the winter wersquove had this may be anytime from mid-Marchto mid-April Donrsquot worry if there are already lsquoearly risersrsquo visible like springblooming bulbs or woodland ephemerals I recommend using 5-5-5 5-10-5 or

5-10-10 fertilizer at the rate of 2 pounds per 100 square feet Cast the fertilizer just before it is about to rainto make sure fertilizer is watered into the ground and washed off any existing leaves You can give otherplants in your yard this treat as well including floweringshrubs groundcovers climbing vinesand roses

DONrsquoTput fertilizer on top of the snow or on ground that is

still frozen You want to make sure the fertilizer disap-pears into pliable soil and to waiting roots otherwiserunoff can occur And donrsquot think more is better Youcan stress or even kill plants by over-fertilizing espe-cially in spring when leaves are not fully developed toutilize nitrogen in the fertilizer If you are going to errless is better

DO

prune once-b l o o m i n g

roses such as Heirloom or Old GardenRoses when the Forsythia is blooming

Any rose that blooms onceusually in late spring forabout three weeks is in thiscategory Many times theseroses are quite fragrantWait to prune these rosesuntil right after they flower

DONrsquoT

prune most roses whenForsythia is in bloom Pruneshrub roses back by half to

23 their height This is assuming you did not prunethem last fall If you did then next year wait until latewinter or early spring Prune Teas and Grandiflorasback to 18 - 24rdquo For climbing roses prune branchesemerging from the main canes back to within 3 - 4rdquoof the cane

DO

apply corn gluten tolawn areas yoursquoveseeded (or over-seeded) or to gar-dens where youwant biennialsperennials or annu-als to reseed andflower Corn glutendoes not distinguishbetween lsquogoodrsquoand lsquobadrsquo seeds

apply a pre-emer-gent weed killerand fertilizer toyour lawn A lushhealthy lawn

makes a beautiful frame for gardens Myfamily walked away from lawn chemicalsfive years ago And our lawn has neverlooked better Corn gluten is a big part ofthis transformation Corn gluten is a by-product of milled corn It will not harm chil-dren pets or wildlife Heck you can eat it ifyou want (but it tastes yucky) Corn Glutenis high in nitrogen and commonly used as alawn fertilizer But it is also a pre-emergenttargeting seeds as they germinate Youcan put corn gluten down at any point inthe spring BUT if part of your mission is toeliminate crabgrass then there is a narrowwindow of attackApply it whenForsythia is in fullbloom and beforeits leaves appearThe Forsythia is asoil temperatureindicator that cor-responds to whencrabgrass seedsstart to germinate More garden centersare now carrying corn gluten productsYou just need to ask and follow the appli-cation instructions on the bag Make sureto water in the corn gluten after applyingIt will remain effective for five to six weeks

Simply Saratoga | 53

DONrsquoT

DO

step on soil as you maneuver around thegarden to cut back Lavender and therest of the gang For that matter youshould never be tromping through yourgardens compacting soil This breaks

down air and water channels as well as making it tougher forroots to spread Instead reach into beds from existing paths orplace stepping stones in discreet spots where only your eyes cansee or lsquowalk the plankrsquo on a board to reach plants fartherlsquoadriftrsquo

54 | Simply Saratoga

cut back Lavender Russian SageMontauk Daisy Butterfly BushChrysanthemums and ornamental grass-es These are best left untouched in falland whacked in spring Many folks make

the mistake of acting too gingerly with pruners Let lsquoem fly Theresult will be more compact neater plants that will bloom just fineTrust me If it helps wait until yoursquove had a bad day at work withthe kids or in traffic

DONrsquoT

DO

divide Peonies German Bearded Iris orOriental Poppies in spring These are bestdone in late summer Also tap-rootedplants (those with a carrot-looking root)cannot be divided Think about it These

are usually propagated by seed stem or root cuttings Someperennials that fall into this category are Malva Butterfly WeedBalloon Flower Oriental Poppies and Lupines

Simply Saratoga | 55

DONrsquoT

divide plants in spring This is an optimumtime to divide most perennials Yes evenspring bloomers Wait until these haveflowered and then shear off the spentblooms and get to business Most sum-

mer and fall blooming perennials can be divided prior to mid-Junewithout disrupting their performance

DO

apply a time-released fertilizersuch as Plant-Tone(organic) orOsmocote to heavy

feeding perennials five to six weeks afterthe earlier granular fertilizer applicationMost plants do not need as much fertilizeras we are led in advertising to believe I amstingy with my money and maintenancetime so only a handful of plants get thisbonus feed Astilbe Delphinium Liliums (ieAsiatic Oriental Trumpet) Clematis androses If I am feeling generous I will putsome on my Bigleaf Hydrangeas next to theroses Call me heartlessJust scratch fertilizer intothe top couple inchesof soil around theplantrsquos base and waterin well They will enjoy anutritious snack forthree to four months

apply mulch ongarden beds toreduce weedsconserve moisture

reduce erosion minimize soil temperaturefluctuations and enhance the quality ofthe soil Some mulching materials includeaged manures compost shredded wood(not dyed) leaf moldand cocoa hulls Putthe mulch down 2rdquo to3rdquo thick around plantsincluding floweringshrubs

build up mulchagainst plant stems

And please please donrsquot create volcanomounds around trees Please This is awfulfor them The only ones that benefit fromthis are the people selling the mulch

56 | Simply Saratoga

DONrsquoT

DO

DO

rubber band orbraid the foliage ofspring bloomingbulbs after they fin-ish flowering You

want as much leaf surface exposed to thesun as possible to increase photosynthesisYou can press the leaves down next to thesoil so they are less noticeable

Simply Saratoga | 57

sect

And finally DO have a great year in

your gardens and DONrsquoT forget to

take time to smell the roses

DONrsquoT

DONrsquoT

cut off the spentblooms and stems onspring blooming bulbsafter they have flow-ered so energy is redirected to the bulbsversus seed productions Keep the leaves inplace until they have browned and ideallycan be pulled from the ground by hand

put time-released fertil-izer on perennials thatprefer lean dietsRicher soil just upsetstheir vascular systemsThey will get leggy flop and not perform tosnuff Yarrow Coneflower Catmint RussianSage Linum Sea Holly and Silvermound are inthe group

DO

For more information contact Perennially Yours at pyourscom

58 | Simply Saratoga

Ill mination

Exterior Stonework

an

d

Story Written by Arthur Gonick Photos Provided

u

Simply Saratoga | 59

To develop and implement an exterior vista that maximizes your enjoyment To have a backyard landscape that is warm inviting and uniquely yours

These are goals that many homeowners have when they first move onto their property But unless you are trained in the variety ofmaterials and options available the task of getting past the point of comparing possibilities to completing and actually enjoying yourbackyard paradise can appear to be a long daunting road

For Carl Trinkle a landscape designer for ten years with the Gallivan Companies of Troy one of the key elements in a successfultransformation is utilizing a professionalrsquos expertise to articulate goals and develop a plan

ldquoThe most important thing we do when we first meet with a client is to get them to discuss their basic needs and aims and encouragethem to formulate an overall vision for their property An initial consultation sets the tone we make an initial visit on-site to look overthe property so we can have an idea as to where things might be placedrdquo

ldquoDuring this intake process we actually encourage people to show us photos of their friendrsquos property that they like or perhaps froma magazine It helps most people to articulate the goals of what they would like to see as a finished projectrdquo Trinkle said ldquoEven if they are looking to do things in phases we find that it is most important to develop a comprehensive site planrdquo This eliminates the need to revise original phases of work to accommodate those that come in the future

60 | Simply Saratoga

that Mr Trinkle finds potential customers identifying with aredesigned to extend the outdoor season ldquoA few extra weeks outside isa lotrdquo he said

add-ons also extend outside activity each day Low voltage lighting is still the most popular but recently LED lighting with longer-lasting bulbs that involve less maintenance and are cost-efficienthave become more fashionable

The latest trends

stations fire pits and waterenhancements such as ponds andwaterfalls are the most frequentlyrequested items that broaden theoutdoor use season

Outdoor grill

Exterior lighting

Simply Saratoga | 61

And of course swimming pool projects have always been a most-requested

item Fifty percent of allthe projects Mr Trinkleworks on involve a pooleither a completely new installation or enhance-ments to existing poolsGallivanrsquos long-standingrelationship withConcord Pools has beena hallmark in assuringthat customers are satis-fied when their pool isput in the ground

62 | Simply Saratoga

In most cases a comprehensive plancan be developed for any project in about a period of twoweeks Complete drawings and cost breakdowns are provid-ed as well as the projected phases that can be completed injust a few months or on larger projects can be scheduled insegments over a few years These are reviewed in personwith the customer again the goal being to have a plan thateveryone buys into

Simply Saratoga | 63

ldquoWe have had projects where the customer has wanted tohave a lot of input and we welcome that But we also hadone where the client was out of town and we built a firepit and slide for his wife and kids and our only instructions were to dazzle themI remember it as a most satisfying experience and we ended up winning awards for that onerdquo

- Carl Trinkle Landscape DesignerThe Gallivan Companies

64 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 65

ldquoI get to work using my creativity with talented people Some of the most talented are those

I meet as customersrdquo sect

For more information or to schedule aconsultation phone Gallivan Companies at(518) 271-6100 Gallivanrsquos website iswwwGallivanCompaniescom

66 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 67

Buying a playhouse for your child is an excellent investment

They promote imaginative play and spending time outdoors and

double as storage space when no longer used for recreation

Denise Woodcock owner of Versatile Sheds in Wilton has

been helping parents and grandparents customize their childrsquos or

grandchildrsquos dream playhouses for years

ldquoThey make great gifts especially for grandparents who want

their grandkids to have their own place to play when they visitrdquo

she said

Playhouses are a great addition to a childrsquos outdoor world

They come in all shapes sizes and designs and can be custom-

built or finished if you donrsquot find exactly what yoursquore looking for

in a catalog or on the lot

Every child is different and has their own preferences for color

size and function boys and girls often have especially different

requests for their play space as do younger and more mature chil-

dren so therersquos a lot to consider

Denise knows how even the finest detail can be all it takes to

make an outdoor structure feel like a childrsquos own personal space

While it may seem superfluous to address every minor demand

the truth is a playhouse is more than just an expensive toy itrsquos an

investment The more your child connects with their space the more

use theyrsquoll get out of it ndash and according to Denise that means your

money is well spent

Smartest WayThe

playhouse for your kidsto buy a

Photos by MarkBollescomStory by Yael Goldman

68 | Simply Saratoga

With this in mind prospective buyers should first consider

who will use the playhouse and for how long as well as what

happens when the structure is no longer used for recreation

Versatile Sheds can help even the most discerning parent or

child find what theyrsquore looking for Every playhouse is hand-

built by Amish craftsmen who can accommodate almost any

special request at an additional cost so the possibilities are

endless inside and out

Cedar shingle or vinyl siding wood stone or brick ndash if you

can use it on the outside of your regular home it can be inte-

grated into your playhousersquos design Playhouses can be built

to look like a miniature version of your home which is an

excellent touch for parents that are particularly concerned

with aesthetics Porches shutters flowerboxes unique doors

chimneys and exterior lighting are just a few of the touches

that can brighten and personalize the exterior

Individualizing your childrsquos playhouse doesnrsquot stop at the

front door There are just as many interior features to choose

from ndash you can let your imagination run wild

For starters you have the option to order the playhouse

with a finished or unfinished interior The unfinished version

looks a lot like the inside of a regular home before you move

in paint the walls and furnish the rooms

Buying an unfinished structure is a great way to cut costs

and even bring the family together over a weekend decorating

project The possibilities are endless depending on how handy

you are otherwise a few coats of paint and a bit of carpeting

will surely do the trick

Although a bit pricey purchasing a playhouse with a fin-

ished interior ensures that your child gets exactly what they

want right off the bat They can pick everything from the paint

color to the flooring so the playhouse is move-in ready on the

day it arrives

Playhouses can also be insulated and wired for electricity

You can install lighting electrical outlets even heat or air-

conditioning to make your childrsquos outdoor space as comfort-

able as possible

And the options donrsquot end there Traditional sheds also dou-

ble as playhouses For some parents purchasing an adult-size

shed for their children is an ideal way to get the best return on

their investment Once their children grow out of it the struc-

ture can be used for outdoor storage With just as many styles

sizes and materials to choose from you can customize the

interior and exterior of your shed just as you would a play-

house but without all of the more frivolous features

ldquoAny shed can be a playhouserdquo Woodcock said explaining

how a custom paint job or flowerbox can transform a typical

storage unit into childrsquos outdoor activity haven

For example if purchasing a wood shed the exterior can be

easily painted and repainted when making the transition from

playhouse to storage space

For Denisersquos customers getting their moneyrsquos worth should

not have to mean making sacrifices

Simply Saratoga | 69

70 | Simply Saratoga

When Debby Trainor made the decision to buy her grand-

daughter Chezneyrsquos dream house she wanted it to have all the

bells and whistles She met with Denise to go over all the cri-

teria the goal was to buy the perfect gift for Chezney while

staying within her budget

The eight-year-old Greenwich girl wanted her own pretty

pink palace where she could play and imagine Debby wanted

it to be a cozy and safe place for her to play year-round

Customization and interior decoration helped make

Chezneyrsquos playhouse feel like her own little kingdom

ldquoWe made it look like a cute little dollhouserdquo she said ldquoWe

put furniture inside and a little stove fridge heater and TV

itrsquos just perfectrdquo

With the structure built to their liking Chezney and Debby

could enjoy decorating the inside to personalize the playhouse

For many customers putting on the finishing touches means

making the playhouse feel like home ndash you can add curtains

hang pictures buy furniture and appliances and landscape the

perimeter to make the outdoor space feel like a home away

from home

When the child grows out of their playhouse these items

can be easily removed to accommodate a secondary use for the

space

ldquoThe best thing that Denise did for me was explain how we

can use the playhouse for storage for stuff out in the yard after

Chezney has grown out of itrdquo Debby explained ldquoAlthough

she is only eight and will be using it for quite a few more

years this really makes it a good investment and looks

great in the backyardrdquo

Whether you choose a customized playhouse or a tradi-

tional shed thinking toward the future also ensures the

safety and longevity of the structure

Denise explained that placement is an important thing to

consider as you want to make sure the structure is in a safe

place and on an appropriate surface Most importantly the

playhouse must be built on a level even surface that isnrsquot

too high off of the ground

ldquoYou want it on a nice platformrdquo Denise explained

ldquoSome people use concrete but stone is better because it

allows moisture to seep down into the ground and away

from the structurerdquo

Most parents prefer that their playhouse is in the back-

yard where itrsquos easy to see from a window Placing the

structure in a shaded area is also a good idea it will be

cooler in the summer and less susceptible to the elements if

partially protected by trees

Debby had Chezneyrsquos playhouse built right next to her

swing set where she can be easily supervised

One last thing to consider when purchasing a playhouse

Simply Saratoga | 71

72 | Simply Saratoga

or shed for your child is how much effort

you want to put into maintaining it The

more ornate the structure the more care it

may need

Woodcock advises parents to preserve

their investment and treat the playhouse

like a miniature home

Think of it as a miniature house ndash the

structure requires regular maintenance

and upkeep to ensure your child will be

safe while enjoying years and years of

imaginative fun

With so many features and styles to

choose from yoursquore sure to find the best

for both you and your child

For more information about Versatile

Sheds or to set up a time to meet with

Denise Woodcock call (518) 584-7924

or stop by 669 Route 9 in Wilton sect

Simply Saratoga | 73

74 | Simply Saratoga

Kitchen

Not Your

Grandmarsquos

Story Written by Daniel Schechtman Photos Provided

ldquoAs you

walk into the kitchen

of the future LED

light projections adjust

to your mood - it will

know if you have a

hangover via sensors

that will read your

b r a i n w a v e s

Aromatherapy infused

walls will be synched

to your calendar calm-

ing you before a big

meeting or energizing you before a gym session The fridge will have selected some breakfast options identifying the essen-

tial vitamins for your day via sensors When you get home a hologram chef will be on hand for recipe inspirationrdquo

Alright so maybe your kitchen canrsquot do all of these things quite yet ndash but believe it or not wersquore getting there This is tomor-

rowrsquos kitchen a kitchen where your appliances donrsquot just store your food or wash your dishes ndash they talk to you providing you

with integral information on how to

best store your fruits and vegetables

letting you know if the refrigerator

door is open for too long or when a

part will soon need replacing

Simply Saratoga | 75

ldquoScience fictionrdquo I hear you say

Guess again Quoted from a report released by The Future Laboratory

who was commissioned by IKEA to determine what a modernkitchen in the year 2040 could conceivably look like

76 | Simply Saratoga

ldquoOne technology that really stands out to me is the

Miele Appliance Company Right now theyrsquore using a

program called lsquoremote visionrsquo On select applianceshellip

is a wireless card that clicks into a port on the back of

the appliance You synch it up with your home network

and it basically emails the technician and the owner

when itrsquos broken when you need to clean your condens-

er change your water filter or schedule a routine serv-

icerdquo said Tom Thibeault owner of Adirondack

Appliance Repair Inc located at 67 West Ave in

Saratoga Springs ldquoMaybe somebodyrsquos been opening the

[refrigerator] door for too long or the door was left open

ndash it will email you and tell you that your door is left

openrdquo

This is not your grandmarsquos kitchen This my friends

is the kitchen of the future and itrsquos available now

The 36 inch bottom-mount Miele refrigerator boasts a

striking interior featuring LED lighting running along

the sides from top to bottom stainless steel accents and

exteriors with control systems that would be comfort-

able alongside the captainrsquos chair on the Starship

Enterprise

Simply Saratoga | 77

ldquoThe controls in the Miele really stand out

Looking at the controls theyrsquore just a glass piece and

then once you touch it you see a few options for the

different compartments Then you touch the compart-

ment and the temperature is displayed so itrsquos kind of

like a Star Trek controlrdquo Thibeault said

And thatrsquos just the refrigerator

Adirondack Appliance has also seen brands such as

Wolf (a company owned by the same people who own

Sub-Zero) grow in popularity when it comes to their

range stoves and ovens The dual convection oven

works to eliminate cold spotting and provides consis-

tent even temperatures and even allows for unique

options such as proofing ndash used best when baking

homemade bread

ldquoIt also has a temperature probe you can plug into

things like a turkey or roast so you can see the temper-

ature while itrsquos still inside the machine It has

hydraulic hinges halogen lit interiors everything is

composed of stainless steel and itrsquos by far one of the

best lines on the marketrdquo Thibeault said

A new line coming to Adirondack Appliance that

features some amazing technology is a series of Pro-

Style Ranges produced by industry giant Jenn-Air

ldquoThat actually has an LCD touch

screen like an IPAD for the controls The

temperature is set by sliding your finger

along the controls Itrsquos all color backlit and

absolutely amazingrdquo Thibeault said

ldquoAnother thing we have to that same

effect are some of the hoods which have

really been getting pretty out there as far as

design We have one on our floor [by Miele]

that has an LED bar on the front which

changes in phases between 196000 colors

Itrsquos a very delicate change very pretty and

coolrdquo Thibeault said adding ldquoor you can set

it to any color in that spectrum yoursquod like to

accent your cabinetryrdquo

When it comes to dishwashers Thibeault

can attest to the quality of both the Asko and

Miele brands both of which he uses in his

own home And good news for Saratoga

Springs residents ndash

ldquoIn our market in

Saratoga we have a

very hard water base

whether yoursquore on a well

system or city waterrdquo

Thibeault said ldquoSo you

get a lot of minerals in

the machine With the

stainless steel interiors it

eliminates a lot of prob-

lems generally seen with

plastic interior tubs and

usually they are the best

life expectanciesrdquo

78 | Simply Saratoga

Asko and Mieleare practically custom made to handle the

arearsquos typicallymineral rich water

Simply Saratoga | 79

The Asko brand dishwasher takes things one step

further including two pumps in the washerrsquos system

The first pump filters the water cleansing it of poten-

tially harmful minerals while the second pump recircu-

lates the water ensuring that the machine is never

blasting your dishes with food debris or dirty residue

With Miele the design features a built-in water sof-

tener perfect for dealing with the Saratoga water

system

ldquoTypically the Miele is going to do a better job with

tougher baked in stainsrdquo said Thibeault ldquobecause itrsquos

got the softener in it and a little bit longer pots and pans

cyclerdquo

80 | Simply Saratoga

Adirondack Appliance Repair Inc is a fami-

ly-owned business since 1929 and the last inde-

pendent appliance retailer of its kind in Saratoga

Springs With $6 billion of buying power behind

their name (a benefit of being part of the Nation

Wide Appliance Buying Group) Thibeault

promised ldquowe can actually price match the box

stores and everybody else around all while pro-

viding you with better service and better

productsrdquo

For more information on AdirondackAppliance or the products they sell you mayvisit their showroom located at 67 West Avenuein Saratoga Springs for live demonstrationsThey can also be reached by phone at (518)587-6640 or you may visit them at their newwebsite wwwadkappliancecom where cus-tomers can browse through the storersquos entirecatalogue of appliances

sect

Simply Saratoga | 81

82 | Simply Saratoga

Page 10: Simply Saratoga March 2011

12 | Simply Saratoga

March 19 - 20 andMarch 26 - 27

2011

Simply Saratoga | 13

T ired of being lsquocooped uprsquo

with all the cold weather

and snow this winter

Why not go visit a maple produc-

tion facility to see first-hand how this

yummy syrup is made and sam-

ple some sweet delights

The Annual Maple

Weekend(s) are the last two

weekends in March and

there are numerous produc-

ers participating this year

Maple syrup is the first crop

and harvest of the year and of

course one of the sweetest Unlike most farming the crop or

maple trees doesnrsquot have to be re-planted every year Maple

producers literally lsquotaprsquo into the sap that starts moving up the

tree in the spring to nourish the branches to produce buds

When the weather gets warmer into the 40rsquos during the day that

is the signal that the sap is running Hard freezes at night are also

an important factor as that causes the sap to flow back down to the

roots at night This movement of sap can occur for upwards of six

weeks depending upon the weather

Tapping into the sap doesnrsquot harm the trees itrsquos like giving

blood But tapping trees that are too small can stunt their growth

It takes forty gallons of the sap to make only one gallon of maple

syrup As harvests go thatrsquos a very small ratio of raw material to

finished product

It may surprise you to learn that the only place in the world

where maple syrup is made is here in the northeastern United

States and in eastern Canada Take a quick trip this maple sea-

son to sample some pure delight here in the surrounding

Capital District area and celebrate this sweet harvest

For Maple Weekend information contact New York

State Maple Producerrsquos Association website at

wwwnysmaplecom or for a complete list of maple produc-

ers participating in Maple

Weekend visit

mapleweekendcomSubmitted byCaroline Foote Co-ownerMaple Hill Farm Cobleskill NYwwwMaplehillfarmsbiz(518) 234-4858mhfarmvcrbwildbluenet

sect

14 | Simply Saratoga

NopehellipIrsquom not suggesting you dye your wine green in honor

of St Paddyrsquos (although that might be fun) Irsquom talking about

ORGANIC wine What exactly makes a wine organic

Andhellipwhy should you try it

Strictly speaking an ldquoorganicrdquo wine is one crafted from organ-

ically grown grapes This is to say the grapes in the bottle have

been grown without the use of pesticides herbicides chemical

fertilizers or synthetic chemicals of any kind These chemical

agents are not allowed on the grapes or the soil in which the

grapes are grown What used to be termed ldquoorganic winerdquo is now

termed ldquowines made from organic grapesrdquo The distinction is

confusing to most including many of the winemakers In addi-

tion most consumers are led to believe that all wines made from

organic grapes do not contain any sulfites This is inaccurate The

fermenting yeasts which are present on ALL grape skins gener-

ate naturally-occurring sulfites in varying amounts So wines

COMPLETELY devoid of sulfites are an anomaly and are not

the wines you see on the shelf of your local wine shop Wines

LOW in sulfites or free of ADDED sulfites are what you will

find instead These wines will conform to the standards of organ-

ic practices and will not contain sulfites in an amount greater

than allowed by the USDA For those who are sensitive to sul-

fites or prefer to sip organic wines as a matter of philosophy

there are hundreds of organic wines that will satisfy Okay

enough of the chemistry lesson

More and more winemakers are embracing the idea of con-

forming to organic practices when creating their wines For

these farmers and winemakers maintaining a healthy and

active soil for the grapes to grow in is the key Farming and

cultivating using these methods encourages biodiversity

which also aids in regulating the soil In turn these meth-

ods protect both the environment and the workers in the

vineyardshellipcertainly not a bad thing So while just a few

years ago your options were a bit limited if you wanted to

ldquodrink greenrdquo now there are hundreds of options to choose

from At the forefront of this movement is a winery thatrsquos

located right in New York State In fact it is the first organic

winery in North America and is located right on the western

B ttle N tes

By Patricia Novo

Photos by Mark Bolles

GreenhellipGreenhellipWine

Simply Saratoga | 15

shore of Seneca

LakehellipFour Chimneys

Organic Winery

Established in 1980

Four Chimneys was

green before being

green was cool In addi-

tion to crafting their

wines in accordance

with the standards for

organic wine estab-

lished by the NOFA-

NY Certified Organic

they also do not utilize

any animal products in

their wines For these

reasons many vegetari-

ans embrace the Four

Chimneys wines as well and have contributed to their enor-

mous popularity Four Chimneys offers several interesting

wines ranging from dry to sweet and also features several

fruit-based wines that are extremely popular For those who

love Pinot Grigio their ldquoKingdom Whiterdquo is worth sampling

This is Four Chimneyrsquos driest white and is an ideal accompa-

niment to light seafood preparations ldquoKingdom Redrdquo also a

very dry wine is similar in texture to a Merlot and will please

Merlot drinkers offering full and rich berry and plum flavors

on the palate For those who enjoy a touch of sweetness in their

wines their ldquoEye of the Doverdquo is a slightly sweet Cabernet

Franc based red which is best served with a slight chill This

wine makes a lovely accompaniment to barbecue and other

dishes with a bit of smoke and heat Even sweeter on the scale

are their ldquoFirst Loverdquo and ldquoEye of the Beerdquo wines ldquoFirst Loverdquo

is most reminiscent of Riesling although it is based on the

Vidal grape This very fragrant wine is quite refreshing and

offers up aromas of fresh white peach and honey Their most

popular wine is ldquoEye of the Beerdquo a semi-sweet rose-colored

wine whose flavors and aromas mimic those of freshly picked

grapes off the vine Their offerings of fruit wines also are quite

popular These combine organically grown grapes with organ-

ically grown fruits from their farm With names like

ldquoHoneydew Moonrdquo ldquoCelestial Peachrdquo ldquoStrawberry

Meadowsrdquo and ldquoRaspberry Sunrdquo these sweet fruit wines

would make an interesting choice with your dessert and are

also delightful served alongside some soft ripened cheeses such

as Brie and Camembert and fresh fruit

This is just a small introduction to the world of organic

wines For additional information or if you have specific ques-

tions about the differences among organic wines please stop in

and chat with me about this very popular subject I am more

than happy to answer any additional questions that you might

have Cheers sect

Patricia Novo is the owner of Crush amp Cask Wine and Spirits at170 South Broadway in Saratoga Springs She holds anAssociates Degree in Culinary Arts from SCCC and also serves ontheir Advisory Board Patricia also has certification in Wine andSpirits from the WSET as well as an Aficionado of WineCertification from the Robert Parker and Kevin Zraly WineProgram She is pursuing her Sommelier certification in Winter2011

16 | Simply Saratoga

Savethe

DateHomemade Theater Presents HARVEY

Homemade Theater Spa State Park South Broadway Saratoga SpringsElwood P Dowd is a gentle soul ndash kind hearted and

loving He has only one flaw ndash his invisible six foot-tall rabbit companion Harvey His family convincesElwood to commit himself to a sanitarium Then thelunacy really begins Multiple mistaken identities lotsof laughs and Harvey is on the loose Does the worldneed more lsquonormal peoplersquo Will you see Harvey

April 22 23 29 30 amp May 6 7 at 8 pm and May1 and 8 at 2 pm Tickets are $23 and $26 Visit home-madetheaterorg for more information

Celebrate Earth Week Recycled Art Show

Saratoga National Historical Park 648 Rte 32Stillwater

Weekend-long exhibit beginning on Friday April15 through Sunday April 17 with original works ofldquorecycled artrdquo with each piece containing at least50 reclaimed or recycled materials For more infor-mation please visit npsgovsara or phone (518) 664-9821 ext 224

Easter Egg HuntMalta Community Center 1 Bayberry DrFrom 10 to 11 am on Saturday April 16 please reg-

ister by April 8 by calling (518) 899-4411 Residentsof Malta $6 non-residents $7 Please bring your ownEaster basket to collect your eggs

Washington County Farm and Fiber Tour

On April 24 and 25 bring the family to this freetour to visit alpacas bunnies goats sheep and lambsllamas and meet the farmers and their familiesWatch spinning knitting weaving and felting demon-strations Learn about raising the livestock and petsthat we cherish For more information visitwwwwashingtoncountyfibertourorg

Geocache Easter Egg HuntGalway Preserve 2519 Crane RdOn Saturday April 30 find some eggs find some

caches and find some friends (or make new ones) asyou and your children search throughout the preservePrizes for found eggs will include candy toys geo-items and more Drinks and snacks will be availableThis event will be led by Chris Parker Preserve stewardand geocacher extraordinare For more informationcall Saratoga PLAN at (518) 587-4555

Hadley Maple FestivalHeld on Rockwell St on Saturday April 30 this

event runs all day from 8 am to 4 pm Bring the fami-ly for everything maple Visit wwwhadleybusinessas-sociationnet for more information

MapleWeekendsMarch 19-20th

amp 26-27th

See Pages 12-13

Simply Saratoga | 17

Saratoga Springs Mardi Gras FestivalHeld at various locations downtown Saratoga on

Saturday April 30 this event benefits Saratoga EOCand the Giving Circle For more information visitsaratogamardigrasorg

British Army Spring Training DaySaratoga National Historical Park 648 Rte 32

StillwaterOn May 7 from 10 am to 4 pm The cold winter has

ended and a new campaign season begins Soldiersdrill camp followers mend clothes and the armyprepares to quell the American ldquorebellionrdquo See thetroops and decide the outcome of a re-enacted courtmartial

St Clements Horse ShowYaddo grounds next to Oklahoma TrackHeld May 3 to May 8 and May 11 to May 15 This

is one of the largest horse shows on the east coastFor more information visit saintclementshorse-showcom

18 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 19

Prom

T h i s W a y

20 | Simply Saratoga

Glamor

ous

Daz

zling

Elega

ntFlir

ty

Gor

geou

s

Girls

itrsquos

Show

time

Simply Saratoga | 21

Web

Extras

See

the

pics tha

t didn

rsquot

mak

e it in

the

Mag

azine

on

SaratogaB

ridalEXPO

com

Grecian

God

dess

Athe

na

Classic B

eaut

y

Holly

wood

Glamou

r

Wild

and

Untam

edElega

nt

22 | Simply Saratoga

The current economic and market environment has prompt-

ed many Americans to rethink their retirement strategies If

you are experiencing a job transitionmdashparticularly if the tran-

sition is unplanned and unexpectedmdashsuch a reassessment may

be particularly important for you While it may be tempting to

focus more on your immediate needs you should not lose sight

of long-term goals especially your retirement strategy

Some Basic Decisions Your employer-sponsored retirement plan is likely to be a

key component of your retirement strategy Because it repre-

sents a key source of future retirement income it is important

to carefully consider your alternatives for administering these

assets During a job transition you will usually have three

options take a lump-sum distribution leave your assets in the

employer-sponsored plan or move your assets into a Rollover

IRA

Taking a direct lump-sum distributionmdashWith this

option the assets in your plan are distributed directly to you in

a lump sum which provides you with immediate access to

your funds Depending on your short-term needs that may

appear to be an attractive alternative However a distribution

will likely result in substantial federal and state income taxes

and a 10 percent IRS penalty tax which can significantly

reduce the amount of the distribution Because you will be

receiving the distribution directly the plan administrator must

withhold up to 20 percent of the value of the distribution for

federal income tax purposes Moreover you will lose the ben-

efit of the tax-deferred status of these assets which could

reduce the amount ultimately available to you at retirement

The status quo optionmdashYou can decide to do nothing

leaving your assets in your former employerrsquos plan That will

protect the tax-deferred status of your assets and allow you to

transfer the account assets at a later time to a new employerrsquos

retirement plan that accepts rollovers But you may be limiting

your investment choices and control because employer plans

typically have a restricted investment menu and require the

consent of your spouse before you can name someone else as

a beneficiary

Establishing a Rollover IRAmdashA Rollover IRA simultane-

ously addresses the issues of taxation flexibility and control

and may hold significant benefits for you as a result

Submitted by H Michael Okby Wealth Advisor

Fin

ancia

l Protecting Your RetirementInvestmentsDuring a JobTransition

If your distribution is transferred directly to a custodian rather than

to you the Rollover IRA eliminates the withholding requirement and

penalties that may result from a lump-sum distribution

The entire rollover amount can be investedimmediately according to the strategy youspecify bull Your assets and any earnings continue to have the potential to

grow tax-deferred until you retire and begin taking withdrawals

bull You may gain access to a wider range of investment options and

more retirement planning and distribution flexibility

bull You can name any beneficiary including a trust without

needing the consent of your spouse (although special rules may

apply in community property states)

For example investment products in an employer plan are usually

limited to mutual funds and company stock With a self-directed

Rollover IRA you can work with your financial professional to struc-

ture a portfolio using stocks bonds annuities and other investments

utilizing an asset allocation1 that is customized to help you meet your

retirement investment objectives And your retirement strategy can be

further tailored with a wider range of beneficiary selection and distri-

bution choices

Consider Consolidation This may also be an excellent time to deal with multiple IRAs you

may have opened over the years and with account balances you may

have left in the plans of former employers Together these assets may

represent a significant sum There are good reasons to consider con-

solidating them all in a Rollover IRA

Comprehensive investment strategymdashIt can be difficult to main-

tain an effective investment strategymdashone that accurately reflects

your goals timing and risk tolerancemdashwhen assets are spread among

multiple financial institutions When you consolidate your financial

professional can help you ensure that these assets are part of your

overall asset allocation strategy that is reflective of your current

financial situation and long-term retirement goals

Greater investment flexibilitymdashA self-directed IRA generally

offers you the ability to choose from a wide range of investment

products including stocks bonds mutual funds annuities and more

Simplified trackingmdashIt is easier to monitor your progress and

investment results when all your retirement savings are in one place

because you will receive one statement instead of several That sim-

plifies your life while protecting the environment

Lower costsmdashReducing the number of accounts may also reduce

your account fees and other investment-related charges

Dealing with one account rather than several also simplifies

the distribution processmdashincluding complying with complex min-

imum distribution rules when you reach age 70 And you avoid the

risk of losing track of your retirement accounts or access to the

account assets should your former employer merge with another

company or go out of business Your financial professional can help

you assess your alternatives so you can make decisions based on

whatrsquos best for you You may find that this time of transition holds

benefits for your retirement assets

For more information please contact H Michael Okby at (518) 583-5601

sect

Simply Saratoga | 23

24 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 25

Summer camp is a place wherelifelong memories are made

This is where our children learnto cultivate their interests andordiscover a world of new activities tohelp their young minds grow andfor them to become physically fit

Even though there may be snowon the ground when you read thisit is never too early to think aboutyour childrenrsquos summer fun Weare blessed in this region with avariety of destinations providing awealth of activities

And while there is something foreveryone early planning is a mustto assure your child has a spot inone of these great places At theend of a long winter seasonthoughts of summer camp arerejuvenating for adults as well

Summer Camp Guide 2011

YMCA Camp Chingachgook

NdakinnaNdakinna Education Center located in

Greenfield Center offers a wide variety of

summer camp programs and activities that

will provide campers with a greater

respect and understanding for the natural

world as well as the Northeastrsquos rich

Native American history Hosted by

renowned author and wilderness and sur-

vival expert James Bruchac these pro-

grams are ideal for children with a sense

of adventure and natural wonder Summer

programs are divided into two groups

children ages three to eight and older

campers ages nine to fourteen Programs

range in duration from one to two weeks

26 | Simply Saratoga

YMCA Camp Chingachgook located on beauti-

ful Lake George has three camping options sleep-

away camp day camp and adventure trips

Summer sleep-away camp is the experience of a

lifetime The camp is divided into junior and sen-

ior boys and girls units junior campers between

the ages of seven and 12 and senior campers are 13

to 15 years old All Chingachgook counselors go

through extensive two-week training and prepa-

ration prior to the beginning of the first session

Campers will enjoy a full schedule of skill

classes which they can choose on their own

and special events and programs Campers can

choose from swimming water skiing canoeing

nature arts outdoor living skills theater news-

paper riflery archery dance guitar outdoor

cooking sports zone water world woodwork-

ing softball soccer tennis photography sail-

ing high ropes mountain biking and rock

climbing Each camper sets up their own daily

schedule of four skill classes at the start of the

session

Two-week camp sessions at Chingachgook

also include a three-day hike which allows

campers to get out and experience the wilder-

ness in a fun and safe atmosphere

Chingachgook also offers a variety of unique

adventure camps for children looking to explore

unique destinations and experience a whole new

level of fun options like sailing kayak-

ing boat building rock climbing canoe-

ing community service white-water

rafting hiking and backpacking bicycle

touring and mountain biking Adventure

campers will benefit from activities with

smaller coed groups of ten or less

Day Camp at Chingachgook is a fun

option for children ages five to ten

Campers will enjoy a full day of fun

activities from 930 am to 430 pm The

Day Camp program is divided into eight

one-week segments with the first session

starting on June 28 and the final session

starting on August 16 Each session has

a different theme

Spaces are limited at Chingachgook

so be sure to sign up as soon as possible

For more information to sign up for a

tour or to register for camp visit

wwwcapitaldistrictymcacom or call

(518) 656-9462

each covering a different skill or activity such

as animal tracking basic wilderness survival

skills and shelter building Native American

storytelling and games and nature-based arts

and crafts projects will teach campers to have

fun in the great outdoors Each camp program

promotes team building natural awareness

patience and confidence

Ndakinna also offers family camp pro-

grams which allow children and their parents

to experience the outdoors together Family

programs can accommodate children ages one

to 14 These programs offer the

same skills training and team-

building activities To view the

finalized calendar of programs

and events visit

wwwNdcenterorg

Cutting Edge Martial ArtsCutting Edge Martial Artrsquos A+ After

School and Summer Camp Program is a year-

round child care solution that provides a pos-

itive structured environment for children

after school and during the day in the sum-

mer During the school year we pick chil-

dren up directly from the local elementary

and middle schools and provide an hour les-

son that starts with our ldquoMat Chatrdquo a ten

minute character education lesson for the day

followed by a full 50 minute martial arts

class Parents have a window between 5 and

545 pm to pick up their children while chil-

dren have the opportunity after class to get

their homework started

During the summer children get all the

benefits of our A+ Program but on a grander

scale We offer nine weeks of full day camps

and have no minimum or maximum number

of days per week or number of weeks that a

student can attend Each week of camp we

have a curriculum of character education

lessons fun games and a one hour martial

arts class every day We watch a movie in

the afternoons twice a week have a video

game morning on Fridays and take all our

campers on an educa-

tional outing on

Wednesdays and a

fun and exciting out-

ing every Friday

Our average camp

size is 20-25 stu-

dents and we have

three full time staff

graphed by Sarah Sutliff

Saratoga Childrenrsquos Theatre also offers a one-

week camp at the end of the summer ldquoMaster

your Auditionrdquo This camp will help your child

get ready for fall and winter auditions These

audition workshops have been very popular and

sell out quickly Any child at any skill level with

an interest in performing arts is welcome to join

in on the fun Saratoga Childrenrsquos Theatre

Executive Director Meg Kelly aims to give each

camper the most rewarding and enjoyable camp

experience and every camper will get to perform

The Saratoga Childrenrsquos Theatre hires profes-

sionals to help your child gain the most from

their summer camp experience

The cost for a two-week session is $450 and

$250 for the one-week session For more infor-

mation visit wwwsaratogachildrenstheatreorg

or call (518) 580-1782

For kids who have a passion for per-

forming arts Saratoga Childrenrsquos Theatre

summer camp is a dream come true

Saratoga Childrenrsquos Theatre offers per-

formance camps which means each

camper will be working on a full-fledged

production throughout their session

Campers will learn all aspects of perform-

ance and will have the opportunity to per-

form in two shows at the end of camp a

matinee and an evening show are both

open to the public Campers will perform

on stage at St Petersrsquo Auditorium

Saratoga Springs Camp hours are 9am-

3pm Performance camp is divided into

two age groups

Ages 6-9 will participate in one week

camps These camps will include Disneyrsquos

Sleeping Beauty kids Cinderella kids

Aristocats kids 101 Dalmatians kids and

Lemonade These camps will be directed by

Megan OrsquoSullivan a local elementary school

music teacher and assisted by Karey

Trimmings also a local elementary school

music teacher

Ages 10-18 will participate in two-week

camps Each camp will practice and perform a

different show These

camps include

Thoroughly Modern

Mille Jr Cinderella Jr

Fiddler on the Roof Jr

and Once on this Island

Jr These camps will be

directed by Michael

Lotano local actor and

elementary school music

teacher and choreo-

Saratoga Childrenrsquos Theatre

Simply Saratoga | 27

working with our students

Our goal is to provide a family-friendly

and fun environment that feels like a home

away from home Our students have fun

learning skills that can be used every day of

their lives and we try to provide memories

that will last a lifetime For many our

summer camps are a wonderful introduc-

tion to martial arts

For more information visit

wwwsaratogamartialartscom

or call (518) 587-5501

28 | Simply Saratoga

Saratoga Independent SchoolSaratoga Independent School hosts a variety of summer

programs split into two age groups three to eight year-olds

Wilton Recreation CampWilton Recreation offers a full-day summer

camp program for children in grades one

through nine With available pre-camp and

post-camp care working parents can ensure

their children are having fun in a safe environ-

ment before and after the camprsquos regular 9 am to

3 pm hours Parents who register their children

for before and after camp care can drop off their

children prior to camp opening at 830 am and

can pick them up at 530 pm Bussing is avail-

able for Wilton residents who register for regu-

lar camp hours (9 am to 3 pm)

Wilton Recreation Camp offers a full sched-

ule of daily onsite activities themed events and

exciting trips for kids who register for off-site

adventures Daily on-site activities include arts

and crafts sports playground fun and other

organized group games This yearrsquos scheduled

field trips include Million Dollar Beach in Lake

George movie days at Proctors Theater

Saratoga County Fair bowling white water

rafting and at least two swimming days per

week at Peerless Pool

The Summer 2011 camp will open on

June 27 and run until August

12 Registration begins

March 14 at Gavin Park and

will close on June 3 As

there are only 300 spaces

available be sure to mark

your calendar Camp

registration forms are

available online at

wwwtownofwiltoncom or

can be picked up weekdays

at Gavin Park 9 am to 5 pm

For any other questions

please call the park office at (518) 584-9455

and seven to 14 year-olds The weeklong programs run from July 5

to August 19

Saratoga Independent School summer programs are staffed large-

ly by their own teachers so parents can rest assured their kids are

supervised in a safe environment with experienced teachers who are

knowledgeable about child development and hands-on

programming

For the younger group weekly themed programs run from 9 am

to noon (early drop-off at 830 available) The staff-to-camper ratio

is one to six for children ages three and four and one to ten for chil-

dren ages five to eight Themed programs include ldquoCooking with

Curiosityrdquo ldquoHawaiian Hullabaloordquo ldquoHands-On Science Funrdquo

ldquoHoliday-A-Dayrdquo ldquoGood Versus Evil Imaginations Run Wildrdquo

ldquoDinosaur Discoveryrdquo ldquoIn the Jungle the Mighty Junglerdquo

Activities take place both indoors and outdoors

The selection of enrichment programs for older children is even

more extensive this year than in the past Some programs will take

place in the mornings others in the afternoon Age ranges will vary

depending on the subject matter These specialty programs give chil-

dren an opportunity to develop new interests and expand on existing

skills Programs include ldquoCartooning and Morerdquo ldquoImprovisationrdquo

ldquoKnittingrdquo ldquoOpen Art Studiordquo ldquoYou Can Do Magicrdquo ldquoGet Up and

Dancerdquo ldquoRoaring into Robots Whatrsquos Nextrdquo ldquoArt in the Ancient

Worldrdquo ldquoMad Sciencerdquo ldquoComputer Video Game Creationrdquo

ldquoAdvanced Robot Challengesrdquo and ldquoArt-Math Connectionrdquo

Registration has already begun and the programs fill up quickly so

visit wwwsiskidsorg for more information and to secure a space

for your child

Simply Saratoga | 29

Are your kids looking for an adventure this summer The

Saratoga Regional YMCA has two exciting day camps available

Camp Starhitch held at the Wilton Branch which engages children

with a multitude of fun activities and a trip each week and Travel

Camp where participants meet at the Saratoga Springs Branch and

then travel off to fun and thrilling places each day

Camp Starhitch is for children having completed Kindergarten

through entering fifth grade Campers will participate in games

sports crafts nature activities trips swimming archery and more

Each week is planned around a theme and includes a trip For exam-

ple during ldquo70rsquos Flashbackrdquo week campers will go roller skating

during ldquoThe Wild Frontierrdquo week kids will have the opportunity to

go horseback riding and during ldquoTropical Paradiserdquo week partici-

pants may ldquocatch a gnarly waverdquo at an outdoor water park

Travel Camp is definitely for the action seeker and for those who

like to be on the go This program for youth entering fifth through

tenth grade provides campers an opportunity to travel each and every

day to fun-filled locations Participants explore different summer

activities that include amusement and water parks outdoor sports

fairs and horseback riding This year the trips include a visit to Hunter

Mountain Six Flags New England Tubing on the Battenkill NY

Mets game at Citi Field the NY State Fair and more

Camp Starhitch and Travel Camp both run for nine one-week ses-

sions You may choose to attend camp for one week or any combina-

tion of weeks Experienced counselors supervise children and a ratio

of 110 ensures a safe quality camping experience CPR and First Aid

certified camp staff will be present on all trips At Travel Camp

campers will be grouped according to age and are supervised by expe-

rienced adult staff

Camp Starhitch has two day camp options for your child Option A

allows for your child to be dropped off at 9 am and picked up at 4 pm

and Option B has a 7 am drop off time and a 6 pm pick up time

Travel Camp runs from 9 am to 430 pm and extended hours are

available at no additional cost This year transportation will be provid-

ed in both directions between the Saratoga Springs and Wilton

branches Pickups will be as early as 815 am and drop-offs will be

as late as 5 pm Both camps try to cater to working parents

In addition the Saratoga Regional YMCA is committed to provid-

ing a safe and welcoming environment for all campers by incorporat-

ing the YMCAcore values of caring honesty respect and responsibil-

ity in daily activities To promote safety and comfort for all individu-

als are asked to act appropriately at all times when at the Yrsquos facilities

or participating in Y programs All campers are required to read and

sign a contract of understanding in reference to the Code of Conduct

We expect persons using the YMCAto act maturely to behave respon-

sibly and to respect the rights and dignity of all othersmdashall while

having a good time

The Y also has opportunities available for those who may not have

the resources to send their children to camp The Y provides scholar-

ships for those who qualify Scholarships are made possible due to

the generous donations of Y members the community and businesses

to the ldquoWe Build Peoplerdquo scholarship campaign held by the Saratoga

Regional YMCA each year Scholarship applications are available at

all Saratoga Regional YMCA branches and online at wwwsaratogare-

gionalymcaorg

Registration is currently ongoing and fills up quickly Registration

forms are available at any of the Saratoga Regional YMCA Branches

or at wwwsaratogaregionalymcaorg For more information about

these day camps please contact Ilene Leverence at (518) 583-9622

ext 103 for Camp Starhitch and Patti Laudicina at (518) 583-9622

ext 110 or Paige Minear ext 116 for Travel Camp

Saratoga YMCA

30 | Simply Saratoga

Ask women about the greatest threat to their health and most will

respond incorrectly with the words ldquobreast cancerrdquo While breast cancer

certainly is of concern the truth is that women are 10 times more like-

ly to die from heart disease Breast cancer kills 1 in 25 women heart

disease claims 1 in 2

The most recent statistics available indicate that cardiovascular dis-

ease causes the death of 500000 women per year ndash more than ALL

forms of cancer combined This is a rate of epidemic proportion

Little or no warning

Two-thirds of women die suddenly from heart disease without expe-

riencing any warning symptoms The majority die before they even

reach the hospital and before any attempt at treatment is possible Early

screening and the detection that leads to prevention offer the only hope

of reducing these deaths

Women who do develop heart disease tend to fare worse than men

One reason is that on average heart disease peaks 10 years later in

women than in men At this older age women are less able to withstand

the stress of the disease The proof can be found in a disturbing statis-

tic One year after their first heart attack 44 percent of women are dead

compared with 27 percent of men

Clearly for women preventing that first heart attack would make an

enormous difference

Know the risks

What can be done to prevent and detect heart disease in women

Of foremost importance is to reduce ndash or if possible eliminate ndash the

conditions that cause or accelerate the growth of blockages in the arter-

ies of the heart These conditions known as risk factors include high

Women Take this warning to heart

Story By Andrij O Baran MD

blood pressure diabetes genetic high cholesterol a high-fat

diet an inactive lifestyle smoking and cocaine use

Some damage the lining of the heartrsquos arteries speeding the

buildup of cholesterol Others raise blood cholesterol Both

smoking and cocaine use speed blood clotting They also can

cause sudden cramps or spasms in the coronary arteries cut-

ting off the entire blood supply to portions of the heart even

without a cholesterol blockage

A woman who has one or more of these risk factors should

ask her doctor how best to control them She also should ask

about further screening and testing such as stress testing

The sooner the better

Lifestyle changes and medications can have a dramatic

impact on reducing the incidence of heart attack provided cho-

lesterol blockages are detected early ndash before damage to the

heart has occurred In fact drugs that lower cholesterol alone

have been unequivocally shown to reduce the risk of heart

attack and death by up to 50 percent

When added to a program of low-fat diet exercise control

of high blood pressure and diabetes and above all else no

smoking the benefits are magnified many times over Keep in

mind of course that these drugs work only if they are taken

and taken appropriately

By knowing and changing their risk factors all women can

ensure themselves of a longer and more vibrant life

Andrij O Baran MD FACC is the Medical Director of

Cardiology Services at Saratoga Hospital

Simply Saratoga | 31

A c t F a s t D u r i n g H e a r t A t t a c k s According to the American Heart

Association clot-busting drugs can stop

some heart attacks in progress reducing

disability and saving lives They work best

given within one hour of when heart

attack signs begin Thatrsquos why itrsquos impor-

tant to recognize the warning signs of a

heart attack and act right away

Warning Signs

bull Pain or discomfort in the jaw

neck or back

bull Feeling weak lightheaded or faint

bull Chest paindiscomfort

bull Paindiscomfort in the arms or

shoulder

bull Shortness of breath

If you think that you or someone you

know is having a heart attack call 911

immediately

32 | Simply Saratoga

Who would believe that a rabbi from Eastern

Europe frozen for 150 years in a block of ice could

be transported across time and space to Memphis

where he thaws then becomes a spiritual guru to

baby boomers Arguably nobody But Steve Stern

the author of ldquoThe Frozen Rabbirdquo his most recent

novel isnrsquot asking readers to believe it so much as

to let the characters tell their story Besides the plot

may be far-fetched but he already has a buyer for

the movie rights

Writer-in-residence at Skidmore College Stern is

a genius at creating human beings in fantastical cir-

cumstances who seem more like eccentric neigh-

bors than artifacts of science fiction Some fly

some inhabit other peoplersquos dreams some are res-

urrected and some travel through time Whatever

their superpowers or frailties the heroes and vil-

lains tricksters and innocents and witnesses and

bystanders in Sternrsquos short and long fiction deserve

attention and evoke compassion in their quest for

connection and redemption - or at least food and

shelter From within an inexhaustible vein of

Jewish folklore and oral history his characters

emerge into a lucid fictional universe that embraces

both magic and the mundane Dialogue is ironic as

often as it is mystical and the most ordinary days

serve as backdrops for incredible events

ldquoMiracles are commonplacerdquo says Stern a

Ballston Spa resident ldquoI donrsquot write in metaphors

and symbols deliberately Writing is a visceral

experience for me I read with interest what review-

ers say about my repetitive themes and ideas but I

am driven by images and characters Irsquom a compul-

sive storytellerrdquo

Steve Stern A Lyrical Voice in the Ghetto

B

o

o

k

m

a

r

k

Lean bespectacled and haloed in dark curls Stern

is a Memphis native who grew up in a home bereft

of music books and art in a city made famous by

Elvis Presley (who used to drive through Sternrsquos

neighborhood) and Martin Luther Kingrsquos assassina-

tion He remembers himself as ldquoa mediocre adoles-

cent without confidence or spiritual antennardquo first

stirred to write poetry in high school which he read

aloud for attention

ldquoI was surprised people liked itrdquo he says ldquoAnd I

liked writing it even though it embarrassed me But

I was encouraged to go on and later to try proserdquo

The allure of the late lsquo60s and early lsquo70s was not

academic After college Stern wandered through

Europe then worked as a butcher on a hippie com-

mune in the Ozarks raising pigs and eating off the

land ldquoI slept under five blankets and two dogsrdquo he

recalls (The incarnation has been memorialized in a

comic strip by Sternrsquos girlfriend Sabrina a cartoon-

ist and set designer for Saturday Night Live)

The commune was not too far from the University

of Arkansas where Stern attended graduate school

and played volleyball with Bill and Hillary Clinton

ldquoI hoped he would mention me in his inaugural

addressrdquo Stern sighs

With an MA Stern found teaching gigs at vari-

ous colleges but the work dried up forcing him to

take a job at a folklore center in Memphis first tran-

scribing stories about the black community then

launching a life-changing project to preserve the

stories of the fading Jewish population in a desolate

Memphis ghetto known as ldquoThe Pinchrdquo where

many of his stories are set

Story By Helen Susan Edelman

ldquoBernie scrunched his face in thought Gone was his waryimpulse to keep everything secret and there were times of latewhen he felt almost reckless almost ready to tell the world whileon the other hand he suspected he may have already confided toomuch ldquoI thinkrdquo he said after some consideration ldquoIrsquom startingto outgrow myselfrdquo

mdash Steve Stern ldquoThe Frozen Rabbirdquo

Photo by Josh GerritsenSteve Stern

Simply Saratoga | 33

ldquoIt was intoxicatingrdquo says Stern ldquoI became obsessed with

itrdquo Indeed his work is infused with the folklore images lan-

guage archetypes settings rituals and values embedded in

the memories he recorded and in the vast Jewish and Yiddish

literature he has studied since

A non-observant Jew Stern had no relationship with his

religion so the introduction to his exotic legacy was both

anchor and springboard for a prolific new consciousness

ldquoThe floodgates openedrdquo he says ldquoSuddenly this world

began to materialize for me What had been barren neighbor-

hoods I could see vividly as tenements and shops a town

square street traffic merchants pawnbrokers rabbis chil-

drenhellipimmigrants from Eastern Europe looking for a homerdquo

Stern is comfortable writing about transcendent wisdom as

long as itrsquos his characterrsquos voice

and not his own

dispensing the

insights The

frozen rabbi in

the book of the

same name for

example ldquoradiates

within his zone of

influence and is a

spiritual catalyst

for anyone who

encounters himrdquo

says Stern ldquowhere-

as I am a clicheacute a

Jew who grew up

without an identityrdquo

A winner of both

Guggenheim and

Fulbright fellowships

as well as the National

Jewish Book Award

the Pushcart Prize an

OrsquoHenry Prize and the Edward Lewis Wallant Award Stern

is working on a new novel and rereading Faulkner Tolstoy

Dickens and Joyce

He views each new writing project as ldquoa riskrdquo Experience

last summer also reminded him of the evanescence of popu-

larity he gave two readings one in Memphis which drew

such a crowd that doors had to be locked and one in St

Louis where he commanded an audience of four

ldquoJust like the characters in my storiesrdquo Stern observes ldquoI

encounter conflicts look for a way to escape and face mixed

consequencesrdquo sect

How is your mental state these days Are

you experiencing peace and joy in every-

day life or frustration and impatience Are

you living your life ldquoon purposerdquo or going

through the motions feeling numb and dead

on the inside How is the garden of your

mind Are you tending to your garden or letting

the weeds take over

When I lived in Boston I lived next door to an elder-

ly woman who had a beautiful garden Every morning my

neighbor was outside in her floral moo moo (circa Mrs

Roper from Threersquos Company) tending carefully to each

plant and flower She would spend hours walking around her

garden joyfully humming and making sure her flowers were

strong and healthy Many mornings I would sip my coffee

and watch her peacefully pulling out the weeds and tending

to her precious flowers To this day I remember how tall and

lovely her sunflowers were I think our mental state can be

compared to tending to a garden do we have beautiful sun-

flowers of joy and peace or toxic weeds of bitterness and

guilt

The weeds in your heart and mind are feelings of bitterness

anger guilt self-loathing and negativity Do you spend your

days reviewing the list of those that have offended

you Do you beat yourself up daily for past mis-

takes or regrets These are the weeds that can

take over your mind and lead to racing

thoughts a dark depression constant

anxiety or physical illness and

chronic pain If you are someone

that is easily frustrated impatient

and critical you can be sure you

34 | Simply Saratoga

Tending to theGarden of Your MindDealing with the Weeds in your Life

Simple Truths

have some weeds to deal with

The only path to peace and joy in your everyday life is to

pull your weeds out from the root and confront the issues

Holding on to your weeds only makes you ill and deadens

your heart Did you know that people who are full of bitter-

ness and resentment appear older and are not as physically

attractive as people who are full of peace and love The

weeds in your heart and mind can actually make you ugly

Likewise a mind that is content and peaceful gives us a

sparkle and light in our eyes that people are automatically

attracted to Forget the anti-wrinkle cream and Botox Fill

your heart and mind up with the best kept beauty secret

around love and forgiveness

Forgiveness is not about letting the person who hurt you

off the hook Forgiveness IS allowing light into our hearts

so that we can heal and move forward It takes the heavy

burden of offense and resentment off of our hearts and

minds while preparing the ldquosoilrdquo for new growth and

experiences

When possible confront the people you need to forgive

so that you can have closure and move on If it is not pos-

sible to confront the person that is the weed in your life

write them a letter expressing your hurt and anger (not to

send but in a private journal) This is a wonderful way to

give yourself closure and put your feelings out on the table

More often than not the person we have to forgive or con-

front is ourselves If you are constantly beating yourself up

and feeling guilty about your past make a choice to forgive

yourself

Donrsquot be lazy about your weeds Dig deep and pull out

your weeds so that you can make room for peace and joy

We all desire to feel love and be accepted That accept-

Meghan DLemery LCSW-R

Simply Saratoga | 35

ance starts with you Begin to focus on peaceful loving joyful

thoughts Keep a gratitude journal of what you love about your-

self or the loved ones in your life Practice planting seeds of joy

by giving acceptance and love to everyone around you

Take time to practice patience and kindness to your family

friends colleagues and that slow cashier at the grocery store Go

out of your way to help others in any way that you can All of

these acts of kindness plant the seeds of peace love joy and

abundance

As we approach the new season of spring take some time to

tend to the garden of your mind

Wishing you love self-acceptance and peace this spring and

always

Ms Lemery is a psychotherapist practic-ing in Saratoga Springs and QueensburyShe can be reached at meghanle-meryyahoocom

Her first novel will be pub-lished this Spring TitledldquoPlease Pass the BarbieShoesrdquo it is a hilarious heart-warming story that will haveyou feeling inspiredand empowered

sect

36 | Simply Saratoga

Living Room The custom-designed leather couch chair andottoman come from Suttons The stucco fireplace was inspired by theCollinsrsquo travels through the Southwest and Colorado (ldquowe wanted to avoida traditional river rock fireplacerdquo) and provides a heat source as well asbeauty The original structure was built for passive solar design no airconditioning is needed in the summer A wood stove is the primary heatsource radiant heat with natural gas was also added during the renova-tion

The front door as well as all the interior doors was custom-made fittedand replaced by Tom Zanetti Hickory wood floors were also installed dur-ing the addition A hanging stained glass chandelier is a stock itemobtained from a leading home supply retailer ldquoIt captures the sunlightbeautifully along with providing brilliant nighttime illuminationrdquo Tedsaid ldquoItrsquos an eclectic mixrdquo

Simply Saratoga | 37

Today we look at a creative space that is set into a special place

In 1993 Ted and Susan Collins purchased a seven-acre property

with a 1986 Timberpeg designed home that has all the qualities of

a place in the country ndash yet many would be surprised to learn that

it is actually located on the border of Saratoga Springs near the

Alpine Shop on Clinton Street After a number of years living in

apartments on Union Avenue and Franklin Square enjoying the

proximity to downtown and the track they couldnrsquot resist a spot

that was close to town but yet had lots of land

Their overall vision was for an interior space that was in accord

with the outside ndash the wildlife gardens and the sustainable philos-

ophy embodied in the original buildingrsquos passive solar design

ldquoEverything we do embraces the goals of staying true to the orig-

inal structure having an open welcoming interior and being in

harmony with the outdoorsrdquo Ted said

Inspired by travels in balance with the land

Story By Arthur GonickPhotos by copystockstudiosphotographycom

These principles guided a major transformation of the interior

space in 2006 The key element was an addition to the home that

enabled the living room kitchen and upstairs bedroom to be

expanded allowing space for the installation of a downstairs bath

as well

Susan and Ted led this transformation - visualizing an addition

that incorporated equilibrium of size location and overall propor-

tion They went through several iterations with Rick Deforest of

Heritage Timberframes

Even though much of the interior decor came from travels in

Africa the South Pacific and Colorado the building materials and

craftsmen are all local The timbers and wood flooring were milled

in nearby Kingsbury ldquoWe enjoyed working with professionals who

are also friends like Rick Deforest Tom Zanetti and Mike

Roohanrdquo Ted said ldquothe house now feels complete in balancerdquo sect

Unique Places and Creative Spaces If you would like to nominate a unique

or creative place to be featured emailentertainmentsaratogapublishingcom

38 | Simply Saratoga

Kitchen A wall was taken out that afforded space to add an eat-in island area and

open up the space Custom cabinets are by Tom Zanetti Stonework andappliances were added Both the kitchen and bathroom have granite table-tops (from Mike and Margaret Roohan of Granite and Marble Works)New appliances include a Bosch stove (with a built-in microwave drawer)and an Amana stainless refrigerator

Bathroom The bathroom ceiling is pine The showerarea was designed and built to the Collinsrsquo specifications andfeatures a bench 4 shower heads PLUS an extra hand-held one(ldquoItrsquos a human car washrdquo) The stone tiles on the sides and floorin the shower were installed by Best Tile the plumbing in theshower comes from Aird Dorrance as does the sink ndash which sitson a granite top from Granite and Marble Works The windowleads out to the north side of the house with privacy blinds insidethe window panes One thing you donrsquot see ldquoSince the room ison display in the center of the expanded first floor we wanted thecommode to be mostly hiddenrdquo Ted said

Unique Places and Creative Spaces

Simply Saratoga | 39

Living RoomA reading nook sits upon the bathroom addition ldquoThere was no full bathroom on the first

floor and with a post and beam construction we had to be creative You get outstanding viewsof the property pond and stream when viewed from the nookrsquos perspectiverdquo The ladder canswing out on a track making it more like walking up a staircase ndash this was also designed andinstalled by Tom Zanetti The table in the nook is actually a working African drum with a glasstable top added

40 | Simply Saratoga

Bedroom In the second-floor master bedroom moving the dormer brought in extra light and space and

also brought the roofline together with the original structure and first-floor additions The floorand ceiling are made of rough-cut pine planking The bed is also constructed of pine and comesfrom Suttons The window in the upper left was cut during the addition It faces west for extra day-time light

Simply Saratoga | 41

42 | Simply Saratoga

Story Written by Yael Goldman Photos by Samu Studios and Randall Perry Photography

Simply Saratoga | 43

orking with the

right interior designer

turns listless decision making

into an enjoyable and productive

process that avoids costly mistakes

and delivers exceptional results

Designing a room or an entire home is a

big project no matter how strong your tastes are

The decisions are endless ndash what color should I paint the

walls What flooring is most aesthetically appealing and

dog-friendly Should I choose a furniture set or choose

individual pieces Do I want curtains or shades Do I

decorate with knick-knacks or artwork

But with all the unique self-questioning that surrounds

an interior design project most homeowners share angst

in asking themselves one specific question where do I

start

Itrsquos at this point ndash when stress level increases enjoy-

ment-driven projects turn deadly and money has been

wastefully spent on all the wrong things ndash that you long

for the help of a professional if only you could afford it

Well the truth is you can

Creating the right space can be expensive but is only

more so if you make mistakes and have to go back and

fix them If you do it right the first time therersquos no cost

associated with do-overs

With nearly 100 years of experience between them all

four members of Blairhouse Interiors Group have

worked with more than enough unhappy do-it-your-

selfers to tell you yoursquore not alone

Photo by Samu Studios

44 | Simply Saratoga

The four-member designproject therapy team which recently

opened a studio in Saratoga Springs has a long history of help-

ing home and business owners create their ideal spaces and

atmospheres the right way Their exceptional work is celebrated across

the Capital Region including Saratoga Springs where the Blairhouse

look is prominently featured in a handful of Park Place condominiums

and the incredible Saratoga National Golf Club

Thomas R Burns Meghan Baltich Dominic Carota and Patricia

Richards the highly skilled and charismatic force behind Blairhouse

Interiors Group promise an experience that is personal because itrsquos all

about your needs ndash and thatrsquos what is important

Blairhouse offers full-service interior design services space planning

project management hand-picked merchandise patience and an uncan-

ny ability to create a

look that is always

fresh sophisticated

and comfortable

ldquoThe style that we

gravitate toward is

unique cutting-edge

and modern not dic-

tated by corporaterdquo

said Meghan Baltich

pointing to a ldquovery

propitiousrdquo Keith Fritz

table at the center of

the studio

Photo by Randall Perry Photography

If you do it right the firsttime therersquos no cost

associated with do-oversPhoto by Randall Perry Photography

One glance at the Park Place showroom ndash of the selective furnishings carefully showcased along

the periphery ndash and it becomes clear why Blairhouse an award-winning team gets the job

done

Their creativity focus and immaculate sense of direction bring objectivity to the scene helping you nar-

row down all of the tedious and overwhelming choices that make do-it-yourself decorating an exercise in

unclear thinking

ldquoPeople are overwhelmed by all the choices it can feel like theyrsquore in a paralyzed blurrdquo said Thomas

Burns who finds that a great vision can be impossible to imagine and create without eliminating all of

the distractions

A vital step in getting focused is creating a

comprehensive plan based on individual

needs wants and style that addresses all

aspects of lifestyle and taste and suggests

tactful solutions and fresh approaches to new

and existing spaces

They help you identify what you like

forcing you to hone in on what you want and

need to compliment and enhance your

lifestyle

ldquoWe ascertain the clientrsquos goal and

lifestyle to convey their visionrdquo said

Dominic Carota explaining that the intended

outcome of creating or reinventing a room is

often strictly tied to how you want to live in

it

ldquoWe have to know how they functionrdquo he

said

An interior designer is an asset in the func-

tion-meets-style equation

Dominic explained that a couple starting a family will have far

different needs than empty-nesters looking for a change They may

have the same stylistic goals but their execution will differ based on

how their lifestyle exists within the space

When revamping a single room the majority of your focus is ded-

icated to that individual space making it easy to forget that the rest

of the house is attached Establishing connectivity between rooms is

a challenge but an important part of executing a project the right

way

Sometimes one wrong detail no matter how small can be incred-

ibly impactful and difficult to avoid on your own

ldquoIf yoursquore working on a new addition or renovation we ensure it

flows that therersquos balance between the existing part of the living

space and the new additionrdquo Meghan Baltich said explaining that

it just doesnrsquot make sense to put in a great new kitchen if itrsquos dis-

jointed and out of place from its surroundings

Another common novice mistake is the trendy retail store fallacy

that you can order a full room from a catalog or pick a fabulous and

unique design from a floor plan

Blairhouse clients learn the difference between ldquocookie-cutterrdquo

and ldquocustomrdquo and they are never concerned with picking the wrong

piece for the wrong room

Simply Saratoga | 45

ome customers will come to us after going into a Pottery Barn and buying stuff that just didnrsquot workrdquo Baltich said giving the

example of an individual who purchased an enormous sectional for a tiny room ldquoWe scale into the clientrsquos space taking func-

tion and proportion into considerationrdquo

Exceptional listening and observation skills are the designerrsquos

unsung attributes and greatest assets Blairhouse experts engage

with their clients to gain a true understanding of what they want

In turn the design process becomes an eye-opening experience

customers are introduced to colors and concepts they would

never think to consider

ldquoEach client trusts us to create their environment and we

enable them to make informed decisionsrdquo Patricia Richards

said

And sometimes that requires bold suggestions and collabora-

tion or looking at all of the possibilities even the ones ldquoyou

would never have been brave enough to do on your ownrdquo

In the end the experience of working with the experts is

enjoyable stress-free and cost-effective From concept to com-

pletion the result is just what you want and need ndash a fabulous

marriage of function and aesthetic that wonrsquot have you coming

back for more (because you did it right the first time) sect

ldquoS

46 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 47

For a taste of Blairhouse Interiors Grouprsquos distinctive work stop into their Park Place studio located at 262 Broadway Suite 204 in Saratoga Springs For further details visit wwwblairhouseinteriorscom or call (518) 786-7800

From left to right Dominic Carota Meghan Baltich Patricia Richards and

Thomas R Burns (The designproject therapy team of Blairhouse Interiors Group)

48 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 49

Dorsquos and Donrsquots

50 | Simply Saratoga

Story Written by Kerry Ann Mendez Perennially Yours bull wwwpyourscom Photos Provided

SpringDorsquos and Donrsquots

SpringDorsquos and DonrsquotsDorsquos and Donrsquots

Spring

for your Gardens

s

Simply Saratoga | 51

ssts

SPRINGis right around the corner and gardenersare pawing at the ground ready to explodethrough the garden gate As a passionate perennial gardenerI am right there with you But before launching into another flower-filledseason letrsquos go through a spring checklist of dorsquorsquos and donrsquorsquots to makesure we make the most of the race and have the best finish ever

Photo by GardenersSupply Company

apply a granular fertilizer to your perennial beds while they are still lsquoasleeprsquoDepending on the winter wersquove had this may be anytime from mid-Marchto mid-April Donrsquot worry if there are already lsquoearly risersrsquo visible like springblooming bulbs or woodland ephemerals I recommend using 5-5-5 5-10-5 or

5-10-10 fertilizer at the rate of 2 pounds per 100 square feet Cast the fertilizer just before it is about to rainto make sure fertilizer is watered into the ground and washed off any existing leaves You can give otherplants in your yard this treat as well including floweringshrubs groundcovers climbing vinesand roses

DONrsquoTput fertilizer on top of the snow or on ground that is

still frozen You want to make sure the fertilizer disap-pears into pliable soil and to waiting roots otherwiserunoff can occur And donrsquot think more is better Youcan stress or even kill plants by over-fertilizing espe-cially in spring when leaves are not fully developed toutilize nitrogen in the fertilizer If you are going to errless is better

DO

prune once-b l o o m i n g

roses such as Heirloom or Old GardenRoses when the Forsythia is blooming

Any rose that blooms onceusually in late spring forabout three weeks is in thiscategory Many times theseroses are quite fragrantWait to prune these rosesuntil right after they flower

DONrsquoT

prune most roses whenForsythia is in bloom Pruneshrub roses back by half to

23 their height This is assuming you did not prunethem last fall If you did then next year wait until latewinter or early spring Prune Teas and Grandiflorasback to 18 - 24rdquo For climbing roses prune branchesemerging from the main canes back to within 3 - 4rdquoof the cane

DO

apply corn gluten tolawn areas yoursquoveseeded (or over-seeded) or to gar-dens where youwant biennialsperennials or annu-als to reseed andflower Corn glutendoes not distinguishbetween lsquogoodrsquoand lsquobadrsquo seeds

apply a pre-emer-gent weed killerand fertilizer toyour lawn A lushhealthy lawn

makes a beautiful frame for gardens Myfamily walked away from lawn chemicalsfive years ago And our lawn has neverlooked better Corn gluten is a big part ofthis transformation Corn gluten is a by-product of milled corn It will not harm chil-dren pets or wildlife Heck you can eat it ifyou want (but it tastes yucky) Corn Glutenis high in nitrogen and commonly used as alawn fertilizer But it is also a pre-emergenttargeting seeds as they germinate Youcan put corn gluten down at any point inthe spring BUT if part of your mission is toeliminate crabgrass then there is a narrowwindow of attackApply it whenForsythia is in fullbloom and beforeits leaves appearThe Forsythia is asoil temperatureindicator that cor-responds to whencrabgrass seedsstart to germinate More garden centersare now carrying corn gluten productsYou just need to ask and follow the appli-cation instructions on the bag Make sureto water in the corn gluten after applyingIt will remain effective for five to six weeks

Simply Saratoga | 53

DONrsquoT

DO

step on soil as you maneuver around thegarden to cut back Lavender and therest of the gang For that matter youshould never be tromping through yourgardens compacting soil This breaks

down air and water channels as well as making it tougher forroots to spread Instead reach into beds from existing paths orplace stepping stones in discreet spots where only your eyes cansee or lsquowalk the plankrsquo on a board to reach plants fartherlsquoadriftrsquo

54 | Simply Saratoga

cut back Lavender Russian SageMontauk Daisy Butterfly BushChrysanthemums and ornamental grass-es These are best left untouched in falland whacked in spring Many folks make

the mistake of acting too gingerly with pruners Let lsquoem fly Theresult will be more compact neater plants that will bloom just fineTrust me If it helps wait until yoursquove had a bad day at work withthe kids or in traffic

DONrsquoT

DO

divide Peonies German Bearded Iris orOriental Poppies in spring These are bestdone in late summer Also tap-rootedplants (those with a carrot-looking root)cannot be divided Think about it These

are usually propagated by seed stem or root cuttings Someperennials that fall into this category are Malva Butterfly WeedBalloon Flower Oriental Poppies and Lupines

Simply Saratoga | 55

DONrsquoT

divide plants in spring This is an optimumtime to divide most perennials Yes evenspring bloomers Wait until these haveflowered and then shear off the spentblooms and get to business Most sum-

mer and fall blooming perennials can be divided prior to mid-Junewithout disrupting their performance

DO

apply a time-released fertilizersuch as Plant-Tone(organic) orOsmocote to heavy

feeding perennials five to six weeks afterthe earlier granular fertilizer applicationMost plants do not need as much fertilizeras we are led in advertising to believe I amstingy with my money and maintenancetime so only a handful of plants get thisbonus feed Astilbe Delphinium Liliums (ieAsiatic Oriental Trumpet) Clematis androses If I am feeling generous I will putsome on my Bigleaf Hydrangeas next to theroses Call me heartlessJust scratch fertilizer intothe top couple inchesof soil around theplantrsquos base and waterin well They will enjoy anutritious snack forthree to four months

apply mulch ongarden beds toreduce weedsconserve moisture

reduce erosion minimize soil temperaturefluctuations and enhance the quality ofthe soil Some mulching materials includeaged manures compost shredded wood(not dyed) leaf moldand cocoa hulls Putthe mulch down 2rdquo to3rdquo thick around plantsincluding floweringshrubs

build up mulchagainst plant stems

And please please donrsquot create volcanomounds around trees Please This is awfulfor them The only ones that benefit fromthis are the people selling the mulch

56 | Simply Saratoga

DONrsquoT

DO

DO

rubber band orbraid the foliage ofspring bloomingbulbs after they fin-ish flowering You

want as much leaf surface exposed to thesun as possible to increase photosynthesisYou can press the leaves down next to thesoil so they are less noticeable

Simply Saratoga | 57

sect

And finally DO have a great year in

your gardens and DONrsquoT forget to

take time to smell the roses

DONrsquoT

DONrsquoT

cut off the spentblooms and stems onspring blooming bulbsafter they have flow-ered so energy is redirected to the bulbsversus seed productions Keep the leaves inplace until they have browned and ideallycan be pulled from the ground by hand

put time-released fertil-izer on perennials thatprefer lean dietsRicher soil just upsetstheir vascular systemsThey will get leggy flop and not perform tosnuff Yarrow Coneflower Catmint RussianSage Linum Sea Holly and Silvermound are inthe group

DO

For more information contact Perennially Yours at pyourscom

58 | Simply Saratoga

Ill mination

Exterior Stonework

an

d

Story Written by Arthur Gonick Photos Provided

u

Simply Saratoga | 59

To develop and implement an exterior vista that maximizes your enjoyment To have a backyard landscape that is warm inviting and uniquely yours

These are goals that many homeowners have when they first move onto their property But unless you are trained in the variety ofmaterials and options available the task of getting past the point of comparing possibilities to completing and actually enjoying yourbackyard paradise can appear to be a long daunting road

For Carl Trinkle a landscape designer for ten years with the Gallivan Companies of Troy one of the key elements in a successfultransformation is utilizing a professionalrsquos expertise to articulate goals and develop a plan

ldquoThe most important thing we do when we first meet with a client is to get them to discuss their basic needs and aims and encouragethem to formulate an overall vision for their property An initial consultation sets the tone we make an initial visit on-site to look overthe property so we can have an idea as to where things might be placedrdquo

ldquoDuring this intake process we actually encourage people to show us photos of their friendrsquos property that they like or perhaps froma magazine It helps most people to articulate the goals of what they would like to see as a finished projectrdquo Trinkle said ldquoEven if they are looking to do things in phases we find that it is most important to develop a comprehensive site planrdquo This eliminates the need to revise original phases of work to accommodate those that come in the future

60 | Simply Saratoga

that Mr Trinkle finds potential customers identifying with aredesigned to extend the outdoor season ldquoA few extra weeks outside isa lotrdquo he said

add-ons also extend outside activity each day Low voltage lighting is still the most popular but recently LED lighting with longer-lasting bulbs that involve less maintenance and are cost-efficienthave become more fashionable

The latest trends

stations fire pits and waterenhancements such as ponds andwaterfalls are the most frequentlyrequested items that broaden theoutdoor use season

Outdoor grill

Exterior lighting

Simply Saratoga | 61

And of course swimming pool projects have always been a most-requested

item Fifty percent of allthe projects Mr Trinkleworks on involve a pooleither a completely new installation or enhance-ments to existing poolsGallivanrsquos long-standingrelationship withConcord Pools has beena hallmark in assuringthat customers are satis-fied when their pool isput in the ground

62 | Simply Saratoga

In most cases a comprehensive plancan be developed for any project in about a period of twoweeks Complete drawings and cost breakdowns are provid-ed as well as the projected phases that can be completed injust a few months or on larger projects can be scheduled insegments over a few years These are reviewed in personwith the customer again the goal being to have a plan thateveryone buys into

Simply Saratoga | 63

ldquoWe have had projects where the customer has wanted tohave a lot of input and we welcome that But we also hadone where the client was out of town and we built a firepit and slide for his wife and kids and our only instructions were to dazzle themI remember it as a most satisfying experience and we ended up winning awards for that onerdquo

- Carl Trinkle Landscape DesignerThe Gallivan Companies

64 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 65

ldquoI get to work using my creativity with talented people Some of the most talented are those

I meet as customersrdquo sect

For more information or to schedule aconsultation phone Gallivan Companies at(518) 271-6100 Gallivanrsquos website iswwwGallivanCompaniescom

66 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 67

Buying a playhouse for your child is an excellent investment

They promote imaginative play and spending time outdoors and

double as storage space when no longer used for recreation

Denise Woodcock owner of Versatile Sheds in Wilton has

been helping parents and grandparents customize their childrsquos or

grandchildrsquos dream playhouses for years

ldquoThey make great gifts especially for grandparents who want

their grandkids to have their own place to play when they visitrdquo

she said

Playhouses are a great addition to a childrsquos outdoor world

They come in all shapes sizes and designs and can be custom-

built or finished if you donrsquot find exactly what yoursquore looking for

in a catalog or on the lot

Every child is different and has their own preferences for color

size and function boys and girls often have especially different

requests for their play space as do younger and more mature chil-

dren so therersquos a lot to consider

Denise knows how even the finest detail can be all it takes to

make an outdoor structure feel like a childrsquos own personal space

While it may seem superfluous to address every minor demand

the truth is a playhouse is more than just an expensive toy itrsquos an

investment The more your child connects with their space the more

use theyrsquoll get out of it ndash and according to Denise that means your

money is well spent

Smartest WayThe

playhouse for your kidsto buy a

Photos by MarkBollescomStory by Yael Goldman

68 | Simply Saratoga

With this in mind prospective buyers should first consider

who will use the playhouse and for how long as well as what

happens when the structure is no longer used for recreation

Versatile Sheds can help even the most discerning parent or

child find what theyrsquore looking for Every playhouse is hand-

built by Amish craftsmen who can accommodate almost any

special request at an additional cost so the possibilities are

endless inside and out

Cedar shingle or vinyl siding wood stone or brick ndash if you

can use it on the outside of your regular home it can be inte-

grated into your playhousersquos design Playhouses can be built

to look like a miniature version of your home which is an

excellent touch for parents that are particularly concerned

with aesthetics Porches shutters flowerboxes unique doors

chimneys and exterior lighting are just a few of the touches

that can brighten and personalize the exterior

Individualizing your childrsquos playhouse doesnrsquot stop at the

front door There are just as many interior features to choose

from ndash you can let your imagination run wild

For starters you have the option to order the playhouse

with a finished or unfinished interior The unfinished version

looks a lot like the inside of a regular home before you move

in paint the walls and furnish the rooms

Buying an unfinished structure is a great way to cut costs

and even bring the family together over a weekend decorating

project The possibilities are endless depending on how handy

you are otherwise a few coats of paint and a bit of carpeting

will surely do the trick

Although a bit pricey purchasing a playhouse with a fin-

ished interior ensures that your child gets exactly what they

want right off the bat They can pick everything from the paint

color to the flooring so the playhouse is move-in ready on the

day it arrives

Playhouses can also be insulated and wired for electricity

You can install lighting electrical outlets even heat or air-

conditioning to make your childrsquos outdoor space as comfort-

able as possible

And the options donrsquot end there Traditional sheds also dou-

ble as playhouses For some parents purchasing an adult-size

shed for their children is an ideal way to get the best return on

their investment Once their children grow out of it the struc-

ture can be used for outdoor storage With just as many styles

sizes and materials to choose from you can customize the

interior and exterior of your shed just as you would a play-

house but without all of the more frivolous features

ldquoAny shed can be a playhouserdquo Woodcock said explaining

how a custom paint job or flowerbox can transform a typical

storage unit into childrsquos outdoor activity haven

For example if purchasing a wood shed the exterior can be

easily painted and repainted when making the transition from

playhouse to storage space

For Denisersquos customers getting their moneyrsquos worth should

not have to mean making sacrifices

Simply Saratoga | 69

70 | Simply Saratoga

When Debby Trainor made the decision to buy her grand-

daughter Chezneyrsquos dream house she wanted it to have all the

bells and whistles She met with Denise to go over all the cri-

teria the goal was to buy the perfect gift for Chezney while

staying within her budget

The eight-year-old Greenwich girl wanted her own pretty

pink palace where she could play and imagine Debby wanted

it to be a cozy and safe place for her to play year-round

Customization and interior decoration helped make

Chezneyrsquos playhouse feel like her own little kingdom

ldquoWe made it look like a cute little dollhouserdquo she said ldquoWe

put furniture inside and a little stove fridge heater and TV

itrsquos just perfectrdquo

With the structure built to their liking Chezney and Debby

could enjoy decorating the inside to personalize the playhouse

For many customers putting on the finishing touches means

making the playhouse feel like home ndash you can add curtains

hang pictures buy furniture and appliances and landscape the

perimeter to make the outdoor space feel like a home away

from home

When the child grows out of their playhouse these items

can be easily removed to accommodate a secondary use for the

space

ldquoThe best thing that Denise did for me was explain how we

can use the playhouse for storage for stuff out in the yard after

Chezney has grown out of itrdquo Debby explained ldquoAlthough

she is only eight and will be using it for quite a few more

years this really makes it a good investment and looks

great in the backyardrdquo

Whether you choose a customized playhouse or a tradi-

tional shed thinking toward the future also ensures the

safety and longevity of the structure

Denise explained that placement is an important thing to

consider as you want to make sure the structure is in a safe

place and on an appropriate surface Most importantly the

playhouse must be built on a level even surface that isnrsquot

too high off of the ground

ldquoYou want it on a nice platformrdquo Denise explained

ldquoSome people use concrete but stone is better because it

allows moisture to seep down into the ground and away

from the structurerdquo

Most parents prefer that their playhouse is in the back-

yard where itrsquos easy to see from a window Placing the

structure in a shaded area is also a good idea it will be

cooler in the summer and less susceptible to the elements if

partially protected by trees

Debby had Chezneyrsquos playhouse built right next to her

swing set where she can be easily supervised

One last thing to consider when purchasing a playhouse

Simply Saratoga | 71

72 | Simply Saratoga

or shed for your child is how much effort

you want to put into maintaining it The

more ornate the structure the more care it

may need

Woodcock advises parents to preserve

their investment and treat the playhouse

like a miniature home

Think of it as a miniature house ndash the

structure requires regular maintenance

and upkeep to ensure your child will be

safe while enjoying years and years of

imaginative fun

With so many features and styles to

choose from yoursquore sure to find the best

for both you and your child

For more information about Versatile

Sheds or to set up a time to meet with

Denise Woodcock call (518) 584-7924

or stop by 669 Route 9 in Wilton sect

Simply Saratoga | 73

74 | Simply Saratoga

Kitchen

Not Your

Grandmarsquos

Story Written by Daniel Schechtman Photos Provided

ldquoAs you

walk into the kitchen

of the future LED

light projections adjust

to your mood - it will

know if you have a

hangover via sensors

that will read your

b r a i n w a v e s

Aromatherapy infused

walls will be synched

to your calendar calm-

ing you before a big

meeting or energizing you before a gym session The fridge will have selected some breakfast options identifying the essen-

tial vitamins for your day via sensors When you get home a hologram chef will be on hand for recipe inspirationrdquo

Alright so maybe your kitchen canrsquot do all of these things quite yet ndash but believe it or not wersquore getting there This is tomor-

rowrsquos kitchen a kitchen where your appliances donrsquot just store your food or wash your dishes ndash they talk to you providing you

with integral information on how to

best store your fruits and vegetables

letting you know if the refrigerator

door is open for too long or when a

part will soon need replacing

Simply Saratoga | 75

ldquoScience fictionrdquo I hear you say

Guess again Quoted from a report released by The Future Laboratory

who was commissioned by IKEA to determine what a modernkitchen in the year 2040 could conceivably look like

76 | Simply Saratoga

ldquoOne technology that really stands out to me is the

Miele Appliance Company Right now theyrsquore using a

program called lsquoremote visionrsquo On select applianceshellip

is a wireless card that clicks into a port on the back of

the appliance You synch it up with your home network

and it basically emails the technician and the owner

when itrsquos broken when you need to clean your condens-

er change your water filter or schedule a routine serv-

icerdquo said Tom Thibeault owner of Adirondack

Appliance Repair Inc located at 67 West Ave in

Saratoga Springs ldquoMaybe somebodyrsquos been opening the

[refrigerator] door for too long or the door was left open

ndash it will email you and tell you that your door is left

openrdquo

This is not your grandmarsquos kitchen This my friends

is the kitchen of the future and itrsquos available now

The 36 inch bottom-mount Miele refrigerator boasts a

striking interior featuring LED lighting running along

the sides from top to bottom stainless steel accents and

exteriors with control systems that would be comfort-

able alongside the captainrsquos chair on the Starship

Enterprise

Simply Saratoga | 77

ldquoThe controls in the Miele really stand out

Looking at the controls theyrsquore just a glass piece and

then once you touch it you see a few options for the

different compartments Then you touch the compart-

ment and the temperature is displayed so itrsquos kind of

like a Star Trek controlrdquo Thibeault said

And thatrsquos just the refrigerator

Adirondack Appliance has also seen brands such as

Wolf (a company owned by the same people who own

Sub-Zero) grow in popularity when it comes to their

range stoves and ovens The dual convection oven

works to eliminate cold spotting and provides consis-

tent even temperatures and even allows for unique

options such as proofing ndash used best when baking

homemade bread

ldquoIt also has a temperature probe you can plug into

things like a turkey or roast so you can see the temper-

ature while itrsquos still inside the machine It has

hydraulic hinges halogen lit interiors everything is

composed of stainless steel and itrsquos by far one of the

best lines on the marketrdquo Thibeault said

A new line coming to Adirondack Appliance that

features some amazing technology is a series of Pro-

Style Ranges produced by industry giant Jenn-Air

ldquoThat actually has an LCD touch

screen like an IPAD for the controls The

temperature is set by sliding your finger

along the controls Itrsquos all color backlit and

absolutely amazingrdquo Thibeault said

ldquoAnother thing we have to that same

effect are some of the hoods which have

really been getting pretty out there as far as

design We have one on our floor [by Miele]

that has an LED bar on the front which

changes in phases between 196000 colors

Itrsquos a very delicate change very pretty and

coolrdquo Thibeault said adding ldquoor you can set

it to any color in that spectrum yoursquod like to

accent your cabinetryrdquo

When it comes to dishwashers Thibeault

can attest to the quality of both the Asko and

Miele brands both of which he uses in his

own home And good news for Saratoga

Springs residents ndash

ldquoIn our market in

Saratoga we have a

very hard water base

whether yoursquore on a well

system or city waterrdquo

Thibeault said ldquoSo you

get a lot of minerals in

the machine With the

stainless steel interiors it

eliminates a lot of prob-

lems generally seen with

plastic interior tubs and

usually they are the best

life expectanciesrdquo

78 | Simply Saratoga

Asko and Mieleare practically custom made to handle the

arearsquos typicallymineral rich water

Simply Saratoga | 79

The Asko brand dishwasher takes things one step

further including two pumps in the washerrsquos system

The first pump filters the water cleansing it of poten-

tially harmful minerals while the second pump recircu-

lates the water ensuring that the machine is never

blasting your dishes with food debris or dirty residue

With Miele the design features a built-in water sof-

tener perfect for dealing with the Saratoga water

system

ldquoTypically the Miele is going to do a better job with

tougher baked in stainsrdquo said Thibeault ldquobecause itrsquos

got the softener in it and a little bit longer pots and pans

cyclerdquo

80 | Simply Saratoga

Adirondack Appliance Repair Inc is a fami-

ly-owned business since 1929 and the last inde-

pendent appliance retailer of its kind in Saratoga

Springs With $6 billion of buying power behind

their name (a benefit of being part of the Nation

Wide Appliance Buying Group) Thibeault

promised ldquowe can actually price match the box

stores and everybody else around all while pro-

viding you with better service and better

productsrdquo

For more information on AdirondackAppliance or the products they sell you mayvisit their showroom located at 67 West Avenuein Saratoga Springs for live demonstrationsThey can also be reached by phone at (518)587-6640 or you may visit them at their newwebsite wwwadkappliancecom where cus-tomers can browse through the storersquos entirecatalogue of appliances

sect

Simply Saratoga | 81

82 | Simply Saratoga

Page 11: Simply Saratoga March 2011

Simply Saratoga | 13

T ired of being lsquocooped uprsquo

with all the cold weather

and snow this winter

Why not go visit a maple produc-

tion facility to see first-hand how this

yummy syrup is made and sam-

ple some sweet delights

The Annual Maple

Weekend(s) are the last two

weekends in March and

there are numerous produc-

ers participating this year

Maple syrup is the first crop

and harvest of the year and of

course one of the sweetest Unlike most farming the crop or

maple trees doesnrsquot have to be re-planted every year Maple

producers literally lsquotaprsquo into the sap that starts moving up the

tree in the spring to nourish the branches to produce buds

When the weather gets warmer into the 40rsquos during the day that

is the signal that the sap is running Hard freezes at night are also

an important factor as that causes the sap to flow back down to the

roots at night This movement of sap can occur for upwards of six

weeks depending upon the weather

Tapping into the sap doesnrsquot harm the trees itrsquos like giving

blood But tapping trees that are too small can stunt their growth

It takes forty gallons of the sap to make only one gallon of maple

syrup As harvests go thatrsquos a very small ratio of raw material to

finished product

It may surprise you to learn that the only place in the world

where maple syrup is made is here in the northeastern United

States and in eastern Canada Take a quick trip this maple sea-

son to sample some pure delight here in the surrounding

Capital District area and celebrate this sweet harvest

For Maple Weekend information contact New York

State Maple Producerrsquos Association website at

wwwnysmaplecom or for a complete list of maple produc-

ers participating in Maple

Weekend visit

mapleweekendcomSubmitted byCaroline Foote Co-ownerMaple Hill Farm Cobleskill NYwwwMaplehillfarmsbiz(518) 234-4858mhfarmvcrbwildbluenet

sect

14 | Simply Saratoga

NopehellipIrsquom not suggesting you dye your wine green in honor

of St Paddyrsquos (although that might be fun) Irsquom talking about

ORGANIC wine What exactly makes a wine organic

Andhellipwhy should you try it

Strictly speaking an ldquoorganicrdquo wine is one crafted from organ-

ically grown grapes This is to say the grapes in the bottle have

been grown without the use of pesticides herbicides chemical

fertilizers or synthetic chemicals of any kind These chemical

agents are not allowed on the grapes or the soil in which the

grapes are grown What used to be termed ldquoorganic winerdquo is now

termed ldquowines made from organic grapesrdquo The distinction is

confusing to most including many of the winemakers In addi-

tion most consumers are led to believe that all wines made from

organic grapes do not contain any sulfites This is inaccurate The

fermenting yeasts which are present on ALL grape skins gener-

ate naturally-occurring sulfites in varying amounts So wines

COMPLETELY devoid of sulfites are an anomaly and are not

the wines you see on the shelf of your local wine shop Wines

LOW in sulfites or free of ADDED sulfites are what you will

find instead These wines will conform to the standards of organ-

ic practices and will not contain sulfites in an amount greater

than allowed by the USDA For those who are sensitive to sul-

fites or prefer to sip organic wines as a matter of philosophy

there are hundreds of organic wines that will satisfy Okay

enough of the chemistry lesson

More and more winemakers are embracing the idea of con-

forming to organic practices when creating their wines For

these farmers and winemakers maintaining a healthy and

active soil for the grapes to grow in is the key Farming and

cultivating using these methods encourages biodiversity

which also aids in regulating the soil In turn these meth-

ods protect both the environment and the workers in the

vineyardshellipcertainly not a bad thing So while just a few

years ago your options were a bit limited if you wanted to

ldquodrink greenrdquo now there are hundreds of options to choose

from At the forefront of this movement is a winery thatrsquos

located right in New York State In fact it is the first organic

winery in North America and is located right on the western

B ttle N tes

By Patricia Novo

Photos by Mark Bolles

GreenhellipGreenhellipWine

Simply Saratoga | 15

shore of Seneca

LakehellipFour Chimneys

Organic Winery

Established in 1980

Four Chimneys was

green before being

green was cool In addi-

tion to crafting their

wines in accordance

with the standards for

organic wine estab-

lished by the NOFA-

NY Certified Organic

they also do not utilize

any animal products in

their wines For these

reasons many vegetari-

ans embrace the Four

Chimneys wines as well and have contributed to their enor-

mous popularity Four Chimneys offers several interesting

wines ranging from dry to sweet and also features several

fruit-based wines that are extremely popular For those who

love Pinot Grigio their ldquoKingdom Whiterdquo is worth sampling

This is Four Chimneyrsquos driest white and is an ideal accompa-

niment to light seafood preparations ldquoKingdom Redrdquo also a

very dry wine is similar in texture to a Merlot and will please

Merlot drinkers offering full and rich berry and plum flavors

on the palate For those who enjoy a touch of sweetness in their

wines their ldquoEye of the Doverdquo is a slightly sweet Cabernet

Franc based red which is best served with a slight chill This

wine makes a lovely accompaniment to barbecue and other

dishes with a bit of smoke and heat Even sweeter on the scale

are their ldquoFirst Loverdquo and ldquoEye of the Beerdquo wines ldquoFirst Loverdquo

is most reminiscent of Riesling although it is based on the

Vidal grape This very fragrant wine is quite refreshing and

offers up aromas of fresh white peach and honey Their most

popular wine is ldquoEye of the Beerdquo a semi-sweet rose-colored

wine whose flavors and aromas mimic those of freshly picked

grapes off the vine Their offerings of fruit wines also are quite

popular These combine organically grown grapes with organ-

ically grown fruits from their farm With names like

ldquoHoneydew Moonrdquo ldquoCelestial Peachrdquo ldquoStrawberry

Meadowsrdquo and ldquoRaspberry Sunrdquo these sweet fruit wines

would make an interesting choice with your dessert and are

also delightful served alongside some soft ripened cheeses such

as Brie and Camembert and fresh fruit

This is just a small introduction to the world of organic

wines For additional information or if you have specific ques-

tions about the differences among organic wines please stop in

and chat with me about this very popular subject I am more

than happy to answer any additional questions that you might

have Cheers sect

Patricia Novo is the owner of Crush amp Cask Wine and Spirits at170 South Broadway in Saratoga Springs She holds anAssociates Degree in Culinary Arts from SCCC and also serves ontheir Advisory Board Patricia also has certification in Wine andSpirits from the WSET as well as an Aficionado of WineCertification from the Robert Parker and Kevin Zraly WineProgram She is pursuing her Sommelier certification in Winter2011

16 | Simply Saratoga

Savethe

DateHomemade Theater Presents HARVEY

Homemade Theater Spa State Park South Broadway Saratoga SpringsElwood P Dowd is a gentle soul ndash kind hearted and

loving He has only one flaw ndash his invisible six foot-tall rabbit companion Harvey His family convincesElwood to commit himself to a sanitarium Then thelunacy really begins Multiple mistaken identities lotsof laughs and Harvey is on the loose Does the worldneed more lsquonormal peoplersquo Will you see Harvey

April 22 23 29 30 amp May 6 7 at 8 pm and May1 and 8 at 2 pm Tickets are $23 and $26 Visit home-madetheaterorg for more information

Celebrate Earth Week Recycled Art Show

Saratoga National Historical Park 648 Rte 32Stillwater

Weekend-long exhibit beginning on Friday April15 through Sunday April 17 with original works ofldquorecycled artrdquo with each piece containing at least50 reclaimed or recycled materials For more infor-mation please visit npsgovsara or phone (518) 664-9821 ext 224

Easter Egg HuntMalta Community Center 1 Bayberry DrFrom 10 to 11 am on Saturday April 16 please reg-

ister by April 8 by calling (518) 899-4411 Residentsof Malta $6 non-residents $7 Please bring your ownEaster basket to collect your eggs

Washington County Farm and Fiber Tour

On April 24 and 25 bring the family to this freetour to visit alpacas bunnies goats sheep and lambsllamas and meet the farmers and their familiesWatch spinning knitting weaving and felting demon-strations Learn about raising the livestock and petsthat we cherish For more information visitwwwwashingtoncountyfibertourorg

Geocache Easter Egg HuntGalway Preserve 2519 Crane RdOn Saturday April 30 find some eggs find some

caches and find some friends (or make new ones) asyou and your children search throughout the preservePrizes for found eggs will include candy toys geo-items and more Drinks and snacks will be availableThis event will be led by Chris Parker Preserve stewardand geocacher extraordinare For more informationcall Saratoga PLAN at (518) 587-4555

Hadley Maple FestivalHeld on Rockwell St on Saturday April 30 this

event runs all day from 8 am to 4 pm Bring the fami-ly for everything maple Visit wwwhadleybusinessas-sociationnet for more information

MapleWeekendsMarch 19-20th

amp 26-27th

See Pages 12-13

Simply Saratoga | 17

Saratoga Springs Mardi Gras FestivalHeld at various locations downtown Saratoga on

Saturday April 30 this event benefits Saratoga EOCand the Giving Circle For more information visitsaratogamardigrasorg

British Army Spring Training DaySaratoga National Historical Park 648 Rte 32

StillwaterOn May 7 from 10 am to 4 pm The cold winter has

ended and a new campaign season begins Soldiersdrill camp followers mend clothes and the armyprepares to quell the American ldquorebellionrdquo See thetroops and decide the outcome of a re-enacted courtmartial

St Clements Horse ShowYaddo grounds next to Oklahoma TrackHeld May 3 to May 8 and May 11 to May 15 This

is one of the largest horse shows on the east coastFor more information visit saintclementshorse-showcom

18 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 19

Prom

T h i s W a y

20 | Simply Saratoga

Glamor

ous

Daz

zling

Elega

ntFlir

ty

Gor

geou

s

Girls

itrsquos

Show

time

Simply Saratoga | 21

Web

Extras

See

the

pics tha

t didn

rsquot

mak

e it in

the

Mag

azine

on

SaratogaB

ridalEXPO

com

Grecian

God

dess

Athe

na

Classic B

eaut

y

Holly

wood

Glamou

r

Wild

and

Untam

edElega

nt

22 | Simply Saratoga

The current economic and market environment has prompt-

ed many Americans to rethink their retirement strategies If

you are experiencing a job transitionmdashparticularly if the tran-

sition is unplanned and unexpectedmdashsuch a reassessment may

be particularly important for you While it may be tempting to

focus more on your immediate needs you should not lose sight

of long-term goals especially your retirement strategy

Some Basic Decisions Your employer-sponsored retirement plan is likely to be a

key component of your retirement strategy Because it repre-

sents a key source of future retirement income it is important

to carefully consider your alternatives for administering these

assets During a job transition you will usually have three

options take a lump-sum distribution leave your assets in the

employer-sponsored plan or move your assets into a Rollover

IRA

Taking a direct lump-sum distributionmdashWith this

option the assets in your plan are distributed directly to you in

a lump sum which provides you with immediate access to

your funds Depending on your short-term needs that may

appear to be an attractive alternative However a distribution

will likely result in substantial federal and state income taxes

and a 10 percent IRS penalty tax which can significantly

reduce the amount of the distribution Because you will be

receiving the distribution directly the plan administrator must

withhold up to 20 percent of the value of the distribution for

federal income tax purposes Moreover you will lose the ben-

efit of the tax-deferred status of these assets which could

reduce the amount ultimately available to you at retirement

The status quo optionmdashYou can decide to do nothing

leaving your assets in your former employerrsquos plan That will

protect the tax-deferred status of your assets and allow you to

transfer the account assets at a later time to a new employerrsquos

retirement plan that accepts rollovers But you may be limiting

your investment choices and control because employer plans

typically have a restricted investment menu and require the

consent of your spouse before you can name someone else as

a beneficiary

Establishing a Rollover IRAmdashA Rollover IRA simultane-

ously addresses the issues of taxation flexibility and control

and may hold significant benefits for you as a result

Submitted by H Michael Okby Wealth Advisor

Fin

ancia

l Protecting Your RetirementInvestmentsDuring a JobTransition

If your distribution is transferred directly to a custodian rather than

to you the Rollover IRA eliminates the withholding requirement and

penalties that may result from a lump-sum distribution

The entire rollover amount can be investedimmediately according to the strategy youspecify bull Your assets and any earnings continue to have the potential to

grow tax-deferred until you retire and begin taking withdrawals

bull You may gain access to a wider range of investment options and

more retirement planning and distribution flexibility

bull You can name any beneficiary including a trust without

needing the consent of your spouse (although special rules may

apply in community property states)

For example investment products in an employer plan are usually

limited to mutual funds and company stock With a self-directed

Rollover IRA you can work with your financial professional to struc-

ture a portfolio using stocks bonds annuities and other investments

utilizing an asset allocation1 that is customized to help you meet your

retirement investment objectives And your retirement strategy can be

further tailored with a wider range of beneficiary selection and distri-

bution choices

Consider Consolidation This may also be an excellent time to deal with multiple IRAs you

may have opened over the years and with account balances you may

have left in the plans of former employers Together these assets may

represent a significant sum There are good reasons to consider con-

solidating them all in a Rollover IRA

Comprehensive investment strategymdashIt can be difficult to main-

tain an effective investment strategymdashone that accurately reflects

your goals timing and risk tolerancemdashwhen assets are spread among

multiple financial institutions When you consolidate your financial

professional can help you ensure that these assets are part of your

overall asset allocation strategy that is reflective of your current

financial situation and long-term retirement goals

Greater investment flexibilitymdashA self-directed IRA generally

offers you the ability to choose from a wide range of investment

products including stocks bonds mutual funds annuities and more

Simplified trackingmdashIt is easier to monitor your progress and

investment results when all your retirement savings are in one place

because you will receive one statement instead of several That sim-

plifies your life while protecting the environment

Lower costsmdashReducing the number of accounts may also reduce

your account fees and other investment-related charges

Dealing with one account rather than several also simplifies

the distribution processmdashincluding complying with complex min-

imum distribution rules when you reach age 70 And you avoid the

risk of losing track of your retirement accounts or access to the

account assets should your former employer merge with another

company or go out of business Your financial professional can help

you assess your alternatives so you can make decisions based on

whatrsquos best for you You may find that this time of transition holds

benefits for your retirement assets

For more information please contact H Michael Okby at (518) 583-5601

sect

Simply Saratoga | 23

24 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 25

Summer camp is a place wherelifelong memories are made

This is where our children learnto cultivate their interests andordiscover a world of new activities tohelp their young minds grow andfor them to become physically fit

Even though there may be snowon the ground when you read thisit is never too early to think aboutyour childrenrsquos summer fun Weare blessed in this region with avariety of destinations providing awealth of activities

And while there is something foreveryone early planning is a mustto assure your child has a spot inone of these great places At theend of a long winter seasonthoughts of summer camp arerejuvenating for adults as well

Summer Camp Guide 2011

YMCA Camp Chingachgook

NdakinnaNdakinna Education Center located in

Greenfield Center offers a wide variety of

summer camp programs and activities that

will provide campers with a greater

respect and understanding for the natural

world as well as the Northeastrsquos rich

Native American history Hosted by

renowned author and wilderness and sur-

vival expert James Bruchac these pro-

grams are ideal for children with a sense

of adventure and natural wonder Summer

programs are divided into two groups

children ages three to eight and older

campers ages nine to fourteen Programs

range in duration from one to two weeks

26 | Simply Saratoga

YMCA Camp Chingachgook located on beauti-

ful Lake George has three camping options sleep-

away camp day camp and adventure trips

Summer sleep-away camp is the experience of a

lifetime The camp is divided into junior and sen-

ior boys and girls units junior campers between

the ages of seven and 12 and senior campers are 13

to 15 years old All Chingachgook counselors go

through extensive two-week training and prepa-

ration prior to the beginning of the first session

Campers will enjoy a full schedule of skill

classes which they can choose on their own

and special events and programs Campers can

choose from swimming water skiing canoeing

nature arts outdoor living skills theater news-

paper riflery archery dance guitar outdoor

cooking sports zone water world woodwork-

ing softball soccer tennis photography sail-

ing high ropes mountain biking and rock

climbing Each camper sets up their own daily

schedule of four skill classes at the start of the

session

Two-week camp sessions at Chingachgook

also include a three-day hike which allows

campers to get out and experience the wilder-

ness in a fun and safe atmosphere

Chingachgook also offers a variety of unique

adventure camps for children looking to explore

unique destinations and experience a whole new

level of fun options like sailing kayak-

ing boat building rock climbing canoe-

ing community service white-water

rafting hiking and backpacking bicycle

touring and mountain biking Adventure

campers will benefit from activities with

smaller coed groups of ten or less

Day Camp at Chingachgook is a fun

option for children ages five to ten

Campers will enjoy a full day of fun

activities from 930 am to 430 pm The

Day Camp program is divided into eight

one-week segments with the first session

starting on June 28 and the final session

starting on August 16 Each session has

a different theme

Spaces are limited at Chingachgook

so be sure to sign up as soon as possible

For more information to sign up for a

tour or to register for camp visit

wwwcapitaldistrictymcacom or call

(518) 656-9462

each covering a different skill or activity such

as animal tracking basic wilderness survival

skills and shelter building Native American

storytelling and games and nature-based arts

and crafts projects will teach campers to have

fun in the great outdoors Each camp program

promotes team building natural awareness

patience and confidence

Ndakinna also offers family camp pro-

grams which allow children and their parents

to experience the outdoors together Family

programs can accommodate children ages one

to 14 These programs offer the

same skills training and team-

building activities To view the

finalized calendar of programs

and events visit

wwwNdcenterorg

Cutting Edge Martial ArtsCutting Edge Martial Artrsquos A+ After

School and Summer Camp Program is a year-

round child care solution that provides a pos-

itive structured environment for children

after school and during the day in the sum-

mer During the school year we pick chil-

dren up directly from the local elementary

and middle schools and provide an hour les-

son that starts with our ldquoMat Chatrdquo a ten

minute character education lesson for the day

followed by a full 50 minute martial arts

class Parents have a window between 5 and

545 pm to pick up their children while chil-

dren have the opportunity after class to get

their homework started

During the summer children get all the

benefits of our A+ Program but on a grander

scale We offer nine weeks of full day camps

and have no minimum or maximum number

of days per week or number of weeks that a

student can attend Each week of camp we

have a curriculum of character education

lessons fun games and a one hour martial

arts class every day We watch a movie in

the afternoons twice a week have a video

game morning on Fridays and take all our

campers on an educa-

tional outing on

Wednesdays and a

fun and exciting out-

ing every Friday

Our average camp

size is 20-25 stu-

dents and we have

three full time staff

graphed by Sarah Sutliff

Saratoga Childrenrsquos Theatre also offers a one-

week camp at the end of the summer ldquoMaster

your Auditionrdquo This camp will help your child

get ready for fall and winter auditions These

audition workshops have been very popular and

sell out quickly Any child at any skill level with

an interest in performing arts is welcome to join

in on the fun Saratoga Childrenrsquos Theatre

Executive Director Meg Kelly aims to give each

camper the most rewarding and enjoyable camp

experience and every camper will get to perform

The Saratoga Childrenrsquos Theatre hires profes-

sionals to help your child gain the most from

their summer camp experience

The cost for a two-week session is $450 and

$250 for the one-week session For more infor-

mation visit wwwsaratogachildrenstheatreorg

or call (518) 580-1782

For kids who have a passion for per-

forming arts Saratoga Childrenrsquos Theatre

summer camp is a dream come true

Saratoga Childrenrsquos Theatre offers per-

formance camps which means each

camper will be working on a full-fledged

production throughout their session

Campers will learn all aspects of perform-

ance and will have the opportunity to per-

form in two shows at the end of camp a

matinee and an evening show are both

open to the public Campers will perform

on stage at St Petersrsquo Auditorium

Saratoga Springs Camp hours are 9am-

3pm Performance camp is divided into

two age groups

Ages 6-9 will participate in one week

camps These camps will include Disneyrsquos

Sleeping Beauty kids Cinderella kids

Aristocats kids 101 Dalmatians kids and

Lemonade These camps will be directed by

Megan OrsquoSullivan a local elementary school

music teacher and assisted by Karey

Trimmings also a local elementary school

music teacher

Ages 10-18 will participate in two-week

camps Each camp will practice and perform a

different show These

camps include

Thoroughly Modern

Mille Jr Cinderella Jr

Fiddler on the Roof Jr

and Once on this Island

Jr These camps will be

directed by Michael

Lotano local actor and

elementary school music

teacher and choreo-

Saratoga Childrenrsquos Theatre

Simply Saratoga | 27

working with our students

Our goal is to provide a family-friendly

and fun environment that feels like a home

away from home Our students have fun

learning skills that can be used every day of

their lives and we try to provide memories

that will last a lifetime For many our

summer camps are a wonderful introduc-

tion to martial arts

For more information visit

wwwsaratogamartialartscom

or call (518) 587-5501

28 | Simply Saratoga

Saratoga Independent SchoolSaratoga Independent School hosts a variety of summer

programs split into two age groups three to eight year-olds

Wilton Recreation CampWilton Recreation offers a full-day summer

camp program for children in grades one

through nine With available pre-camp and

post-camp care working parents can ensure

their children are having fun in a safe environ-

ment before and after the camprsquos regular 9 am to

3 pm hours Parents who register their children

for before and after camp care can drop off their

children prior to camp opening at 830 am and

can pick them up at 530 pm Bussing is avail-

able for Wilton residents who register for regu-

lar camp hours (9 am to 3 pm)

Wilton Recreation Camp offers a full sched-

ule of daily onsite activities themed events and

exciting trips for kids who register for off-site

adventures Daily on-site activities include arts

and crafts sports playground fun and other

organized group games This yearrsquos scheduled

field trips include Million Dollar Beach in Lake

George movie days at Proctors Theater

Saratoga County Fair bowling white water

rafting and at least two swimming days per

week at Peerless Pool

The Summer 2011 camp will open on

June 27 and run until August

12 Registration begins

March 14 at Gavin Park and

will close on June 3 As

there are only 300 spaces

available be sure to mark

your calendar Camp

registration forms are

available online at

wwwtownofwiltoncom or

can be picked up weekdays

at Gavin Park 9 am to 5 pm

For any other questions

please call the park office at (518) 584-9455

and seven to 14 year-olds The weeklong programs run from July 5

to August 19

Saratoga Independent School summer programs are staffed large-

ly by their own teachers so parents can rest assured their kids are

supervised in a safe environment with experienced teachers who are

knowledgeable about child development and hands-on

programming

For the younger group weekly themed programs run from 9 am

to noon (early drop-off at 830 available) The staff-to-camper ratio

is one to six for children ages three and four and one to ten for chil-

dren ages five to eight Themed programs include ldquoCooking with

Curiosityrdquo ldquoHawaiian Hullabaloordquo ldquoHands-On Science Funrdquo

ldquoHoliday-A-Dayrdquo ldquoGood Versus Evil Imaginations Run Wildrdquo

ldquoDinosaur Discoveryrdquo ldquoIn the Jungle the Mighty Junglerdquo

Activities take place both indoors and outdoors

The selection of enrichment programs for older children is even

more extensive this year than in the past Some programs will take

place in the mornings others in the afternoon Age ranges will vary

depending on the subject matter These specialty programs give chil-

dren an opportunity to develop new interests and expand on existing

skills Programs include ldquoCartooning and Morerdquo ldquoImprovisationrdquo

ldquoKnittingrdquo ldquoOpen Art Studiordquo ldquoYou Can Do Magicrdquo ldquoGet Up and

Dancerdquo ldquoRoaring into Robots Whatrsquos Nextrdquo ldquoArt in the Ancient

Worldrdquo ldquoMad Sciencerdquo ldquoComputer Video Game Creationrdquo

ldquoAdvanced Robot Challengesrdquo and ldquoArt-Math Connectionrdquo

Registration has already begun and the programs fill up quickly so

visit wwwsiskidsorg for more information and to secure a space

for your child

Simply Saratoga | 29

Are your kids looking for an adventure this summer The

Saratoga Regional YMCA has two exciting day camps available

Camp Starhitch held at the Wilton Branch which engages children

with a multitude of fun activities and a trip each week and Travel

Camp where participants meet at the Saratoga Springs Branch and

then travel off to fun and thrilling places each day

Camp Starhitch is for children having completed Kindergarten

through entering fifth grade Campers will participate in games

sports crafts nature activities trips swimming archery and more

Each week is planned around a theme and includes a trip For exam-

ple during ldquo70rsquos Flashbackrdquo week campers will go roller skating

during ldquoThe Wild Frontierrdquo week kids will have the opportunity to

go horseback riding and during ldquoTropical Paradiserdquo week partici-

pants may ldquocatch a gnarly waverdquo at an outdoor water park

Travel Camp is definitely for the action seeker and for those who

like to be on the go This program for youth entering fifth through

tenth grade provides campers an opportunity to travel each and every

day to fun-filled locations Participants explore different summer

activities that include amusement and water parks outdoor sports

fairs and horseback riding This year the trips include a visit to Hunter

Mountain Six Flags New England Tubing on the Battenkill NY

Mets game at Citi Field the NY State Fair and more

Camp Starhitch and Travel Camp both run for nine one-week ses-

sions You may choose to attend camp for one week or any combina-

tion of weeks Experienced counselors supervise children and a ratio

of 110 ensures a safe quality camping experience CPR and First Aid

certified camp staff will be present on all trips At Travel Camp

campers will be grouped according to age and are supervised by expe-

rienced adult staff

Camp Starhitch has two day camp options for your child Option A

allows for your child to be dropped off at 9 am and picked up at 4 pm

and Option B has a 7 am drop off time and a 6 pm pick up time

Travel Camp runs from 9 am to 430 pm and extended hours are

available at no additional cost This year transportation will be provid-

ed in both directions between the Saratoga Springs and Wilton

branches Pickups will be as early as 815 am and drop-offs will be

as late as 5 pm Both camps try to cater to working parents

In addition the Saratoga Regional YMCA is committed to provid-

ing a safe and welcoming environment for all campers by incorporat-

ing the YMCAcore values of caring honesty respect and responsibil-

ity in daily activities To promote safety and comfort for all individu-

als are asked to act appropriately at all times when at the Yrsquos facilities

or participating in Y programs All campers are required to read and

sign a contract of understanding in reference to the Code of Conduct

We expect persons using the YMCAto act maturely to behave respon-

sibly and to respect the rights and dignity of all othersmdashall while

having a good time

The Y also has opportunities available for those who may not have

the resources to send their children to camp The Y provides scholar-

ships for those who qualify Scholarships are made possible due to

the generous donations of Y members the community and businesses

to the ldquoWe Build Peoplerdquo scholarship campaign held by the Saratoga

Regional YMCA each year Scholarship applications are available at

all Saratoga Regional YMCA branches and online at wwwsaratogare-

gionalymcaorg

Registration is currently ongoing and fills up quickly Registration

forms are available at any of the Saratoga Regional YMCA Branches

or at wwwsaratogaregionalymcaorg For more information about

these day camps please contact Ilene Leverence at (518) 583-9622

ext 103 for Camp Starhitch and Patti Laudicina at (518) 583-9622

ext 110 or Paige Minear ext 116 for Travel Camp

Saratoga YMCA

30 | Simply Saratoga

Ask women about the greatest threat to their health and most will

respond incorrectly with the words ldquobreast cancerrdquo While breast cancer

certainly is of concern the truth is that women are 10 times more like-

ly to die from heart disease Breast cancer kills 1 in 25 women heart

disease claims 1 in 2

The most recent statistics available indicate that cardiovascular dis-

ease causes the death of 500000 women per year ndash more than ALL

forms of cancer combined This is a rate of epidemic proportion

Little or no warning

Two-thirds of women die suddenly from heart disease without expe-

riencing any warning symptoms The majority die before they even

reach the hospital and before any attempt at treatment is possible Early

screening and the detection that leads to prevention offer the only hope

of reducing these deaths

Women who do develop heart disease tend to fare worse than men

One reason is that on average heart disease peaks 10 years later in

women than in men At this older age women are less able to withstand

the stress of the disease The proof can be found in a disturbing statis-

tic One year after their first heart attack 44 percent of women are dead

compared with 27 percent of men

Clearly for women preventing that first heart attack would make an

enormous difference

Know the risks

What can be done to prevent and detect heart disease in women

Of foremost importance is to reduce ndash or if possible eliminate ndash the

conditions that cause or accelerate the growth of blockages in the arter-

ies of the heart These conditions known as risk factors include high

Women Take this warning to heart

Story By Andrij O Baran MD

blood pressure diabetes genetic high cholesterol a high-fat

diet an inactive lifestyle smoking and cocaine use

Some damage the lining of the heartrsquos arteries speeding the

buildup of cholesterol Others raise blood cholesterol Both

smoking and cocaine use speed blood clotting They also can

cause sudden cramps or spasms in the coronary arteries cut-

ting off the entire blood supply to portions of the heart even

without a cholesterol blockage

A woman who has one or more of these risk factors should

ask her doctor how best to control them She also should ask

about further screening and testing such as stress testing

The sooner the better

Lifestyle changes and medications can have a dramatic

impact on reducing the incidence of heart attack provided cho-

lesterol blockages are detected early ndash before damage to the

heart has occurred In fact drugs that lower cholesterol alone

have been unequivocally shown to reduce the risk of heart

attack and death by up to 50 percent

When added to a program of low-fat diet exercise control

of high blood pressure and diabetes and above all else no

smoking the benefits are magnified many times over Keep in

mind of course that these drugs work only if they are taken

and taken appropriately

By knowing and changing their risk factors all women can

ensure themselves of a longer and more vibrant life

Andrij O Baran MD FACC is the Medical Director of

Cardiology Services at Saratoga Hospital

Simply Saratoga | 31

A c t F a s t D u r i n g H e a r t A t t a c k s According to the American Heart

Association clot-busting drugs can stop

some heart attacks in progress reducing

disability and saving lives They work best

given within one hour of when heart

attack signs begin Thatrsquos why itrsquos impor-

tant to recognize the warning signs of a

heart attack and act right away

Warning Signs

bull Pain or discomfort in the jaw

neck or back

bull Feeling weak lightheaded or faint

bull Chest paindiscomfort

bull Paindiscomfort in the arms or

shoulder

bull Shortness of breath

If you think that you or someone you

know is having a heart attack call 911

immediately

32 | Simply Saratoga

Who would believe that a rabbi from Eastern

Europe frozen for 150 years in a block of ice could

be transported across time and space to Memphis

where he thaws then becomes a spiritual guru to

baby boomers Arguably nobody But Steve Stern

the author of ldquoThe Frozen Rabbirdquo his most recent

novel isnrsquot asking readers to believe it so much as

to let the characters tell their story Besides the plot

may be far-fetched but he already has a buyer for

the movie rights

Writer-in-residence at Skidmore College Stern is

a genius at creating human beings in fantastical cir-

cumstances who seem more like eccentric neigh-

bors than artifacts of science fiction Some fly

some inhabit other peoplersquos dreams some are res-

urrected and some travel through time Whatever

their superpowers or frailties the heroes and vil-

lains tricksters and innocents and witnesses and

bystanders in Sternrsquos short and long fiction deserve

attention and evoke compassion in their quest for

connection and redemption - or at least food and

shelter From within an inexhaustible vein of

Jewish folklore and oral history his characters

emerge into a lucid fictional universe that embraces

both magic and the mundane Dialogue is ironic as

often as it is mystical and the most ordinary days

serve as backdrops for incredible events

ldquoMiracles are commonplacerdquo says Stern a

Ballston Spa resident ldquoI donrsquot write in metaphors

and symbols deliberately Writing is a visceral

experience for me I read with interest what review-

ers say about my repetitive themes and ideas but I

am driven by images and characters Irsquom a compul-

sive storytellerrdquo

Steve Stern A Lyrical Voice in the Ghetto

B

o

o

k

m

a

r

k

Lean bespectacled and haloed in dark curls Stern

is a Memphis native who grew up in a home bereft

of music books and art in a city made famous by

Elvis Presley (who used to drive through Sternrsquos

neighborhood) and Martin Luther Kingrsquos assassina-

tion He remembers himself as ldquoa mediocre adoles-

cent without confidence or spiritual antennardquo first

stirred to write poetry in high school which he read

aloud for attention

ldquoI was surprised people liked itrdquo he says ldquoAnd I

liked writing it even though it embarrassed me But

I was encouraged to go on and later to try proserdquo

The allure of the late lsquo60s and early lsquo70s was not

academic After college Stern wandered through

Europe then worked as a butcher on a hippie com-

mune in the Ozarks raising pigs and eating off the

land ldquoI slept under five blankets and two dogsrdquo he

recalls (The incarnation has been memorialized in a

comic strip by Sternrsquos girlfriend Sabrina a cartoon-

ist and set designer for Saturday Night Live)

The commune was not too far from the University

of Arkansas where Stern attended graduate school

and played volleyball with Bill and Hillary Clinton

ldquoI hoped he would mention me in his inaugural

addressrdquo Stern sighs

With an MA Stern found teaching gigs at vari-

ous colleges but the work dried up forcing him to

take a job at a folklore center in Memphis first tran-

scribing stories about the black community then

launching a life-changing project to preserve the

stories of the fading Jewish population in a desolate

Memphis ghetto known as ldquoThe Pinchrdquo where

many of his stories are set

Story By Helen Susan Edelman

ldquoBernie scrunched his face in thought Gone was his waryimpulse to keep everything secret and there were times of latewhen he felt almost reckless almost ready to tell the world whileon the other hand he suspected he may have already confided toomuch ldquoI thinkrdquo he said after some consideration ldquoIrsquom startingto outgrow myselfrdquo

mdash Steve Stern ldquoThe Frozen Rabbirdquo

Photo by Josh GerritsenSteve Stern

Simply Saratoga | 33

ldquoIt was intoxicatingrdquo says Stern ldquoI became obsessed with

itrdquo Indeed his work is infused with the folklore images lan-

guage archetypes settings rituals and values embedded in

the memories he recorded and in the vast Jewish and Yiddish

literature he has studied since

A non-observant Jew Stern had no relationship with his

religion so the introduction to his exotic legacy was both

anchor and springboard for a prolific new consciousness

ldquoThe floodgates openedrdquo he says ldquoSuddenly this world

began to materialize for me What had been barren neighbor-

hoods I could see vividly as tenements and shops a town

square street traffic merchants pawnbrokers rabbis chil-

drenhellipimmigrants from Eastern Europe looking for a homerdquo

Stern is comfortable writing about transcendent wisdom as

long as itrsquos his characterrsquos voice

and not his own

dispensing the

insights The

frozen rabbi in

the book of the

same name for

example ldquoradiates

within his zone of

influence and is a

spiritual catalyst

for anyone who

encounters himrdquo

says Stern ldquowhere-

as I am a clicheacute a

Jew who grew up

without an identityrdquo

A winner of both

Guggenheim and

Fulbright fellowships

as well as the National

Jewish Book Award

the Pushcart Prize an

OrsquoHenry Prize and the Edward Lewis Wallant Award Stern

is working on a new novel and rereading Faulkner Tolstoy

Dickens and Joyce

He views each new writing project as ldquoa riskrdquo Experience

last summer also reminded him of the evanescence of popu-

larity he gave two readings one in Memphis which drew

such a crowd that doors had to be locked and one in St

Louis where he commanded an audience of four

ldquoJust like the characters in my storiesrdquo Stern observes ldquoI

encounter conflicts look for a way to escape and face mixed

consequencesrdquo sect

How is your mental state these days Are

you experiencing peace and joy in every-

day life or frustration and impatience Are

you living your life ldquoon purposerdquo or going

through the motions feeling numb and dead

on the inside How is the garden of your

mind Are you tending to your garden or letting

the weeds take over

When I lived in Boston I lived next door to an elder-

ly woman who had a beautiful garden Every morning my

neighbor was outside in her floral moo moo (circa Mrs

Roper from Threersquos Company) tending carefully to each

plant and flower She would spend hours walking around her

garden joyfully humming and making sure her flowers were

strong and healthy Many mornings I would sip my coffee

and watch her peacefully pulling out the weeds and tending

to her precious flowers To this day I remember how tall and

lovely her sunflowers were I think our mental state can be

compared to tending to a garden do we have beautiful sun-

flowers of joy and peace or toxic weeds of bitterness and

guilt

The weeds in your heart and mind are feelings of bitterness

anger guilt self-loathing and negativity Do you spend your

days reviewing the list of those that have offended

you Do you beat yourself up daily for past mis-

takes or regrets These are the weeds that can

take over your mind and lead to racing

thoughts a dark depression constant

anxiety or physical illness and

chronic pain If you are someone

that is easily frustrated impatient

and critical you can be sure you

34 | Simply Saratoga

Tending to theGarden of Your MindDealing with the Weeds in your Life

Simple Truths

have some weeds to deal with

The only path to peace and joy in your everyday life is to

pull your weeds out from the root and confront the issues

Holding on to your weeds only makes you ill and deadens

your heart Did you know that people who are full of bitter-

ness and resentment appear older and are not as physically

attractive as people who are full of peace and love The

weeds in your heart and mind can actually make you ugly

Likewise a mind that is content and peaceful gives us a

sparkle and light in our eyes that people are automatically

attracted to Forget the anti-wrinkle cream and Botox Fill

your heart and mind up with the best kept beauty secret

around love and forgiveness

Forgiveness is not about letting the person who hurt you

off the hook Forgiveness IS allowing light into our hearts

so that we can heal and move forward It takes the heavy

burden of offense and resentment off of our hearts and

minds while preparing the ldquosoilrdquo for new growth and

experiences

When possible confront the people you need to forgive

so that you can have closure and move on If it is not pos-

sible to confront the person that is the weed in your life

write them a letter expressing your hurt and anger (not to

send but in a private journal) This is a wonderful way to

give yourself closure and put your feelings out on the table

More often than not the person we have to forgive or con-

front is ourselves If you are constantly beating yourself up

and feeling guilty about your past make a choice to forgive

yourself

Donrsquot be lazy about your weeds Dig deep and pull out

your weeds so that you can make room for peace and joy

We all desire to feel love and be accepted That accept-

Meghan DLemery LCSW-R

Simply Saratoga | 35

ance starts with you Begin to focus on peaceful loving joyful

thoughts Keep a gratitude journal of what you love about your-

self or the loved ones in your life Practice planting seeds of joy

by giving acceptance and love to everyone around you

Take time to practice patience and kindness to your family

friends colleagues and that slow cashier at the grocery store Go

out of your way to help others in any way that you can All of

these acts of kindness plant the seeds of peace love joy and

abundance

As we approach the new season of spring take some time to

tend to the garden of your mind

Wishing you love self-acceptance and peace this spring and

always

Ms Lemery is a psychotherapist practic-ing in Saratoga Springs and QueensburyShe can be reached at meghanle-meryyahoocom

Her first novel will be pub-lished this Spring TitledldquoPlease Pass the BarbieShoesrdquo it is a hilarious heart-warming story that will haveyou feeling inspiredand empowered

sect

36 | Simply Saratoga

Living Room The custom-designed leather couch chair andottoman come from Suttons The stucco fireplace was inspired by theCollinsrsquo travels through the Southwest and Colorado (ldquowe wanted to avoida traditional river rock fireplacerdquo) and provides a heat source as well asbeauty The original structure was built for passive solar design no airconditioning is needed in the summer A wood stove is the primary heatsource radiant heat with natural gas was also added during the renova-tion

The front door as well as all the interior doors was custom-made fittedand replaced by Tom Zanetti Hickory wood floors were also installed dur-ing the addition A hanging stained glass chandelier is a stock itemobtained from a leading home supply retailer ldquoIt captures the sunlightbeautifully along with providing brilliant nighttime illuminationrdquo Tedsaid ldquoItrsquos an eclectic mixrdquo

Simply Saratoga | 37

Today we look at a creative space that is set into a special place

In 1993 Ted and Susan Collins purchased a seven-acre property

with a 1986 Timberpeg designed home that has all the qualities of

a place in the country ndash yet many would be surprised to learn that

it is actually located on the border of Saratoga Springs near the

Alpine Shop on Clinton Street After a number of years living in

apartments on Union Avenue and Franklin Square enjoying the

proximity to downtown and the track they couldnrsquot resist a spot

that was close to town but yet had lots of land

Their overall vision was for an interior space that was in accord

with the outside ndash the wildlife gardens and the sustainable philos-

ophy embodied in the original buildingrsquos passive solar design

ldquoEverything we do embraces the goals of staying true to the orig-

inal structure having an open welcoming interior and being in

harmony with the outdoorsrdquo Ted said

Inspired by travels in balance with the land

Story By Arthur GonickPhotos by copystockstudiosphotographycom

These principles guided a major transformation of the interior

space in 2006 The key element was an addition to the home that

enabled the living room kitchen and upstairs bedroom to be

expanded allowing space for the installation of a downstairs bath

as well

Susan and Ted led this transformation - visualizing an addition

that incorporated equilibrium of size location and overall propor-

tion They went through several iterations with Rick Deforest of

Heritage Timberframes

Even though much of the interior decor came from travels in

Africa the South Pacific and Colorado the building materials and

craftsmen are all local The timbers and wood flooring were milled

in nearby Kingsbury ldquoWe enjoyed working with professionals who

are also friends like Rick Deforest Tom Zanetti and Mike

Roohanrdquo Ted said ldquothe house now feels complete in balancerdquo sect

Unique Places and Creative Spaces If you would like to nominate a unique

or creative place to be featured emailentertainmentsaratogapublishingcom

38 | Simply Saratoga

Kitchen A wall was taken out that afforded space to add an eat-in island area and

open up the space Custom cabinets are by Tom Zanetti Stonework andappliances were added Both the kitchen and bathroom have granite table-tops (from Mike and Margaret Roohan of Granite and Marble Works)New appliances include a Bosch stove (with a built-in microwave drawer)and an Amana stainless refrigerator

Bathroom The bathroom ceiling is pine The showerarea was designed and built to the Collinsrsquo specifications andfeatures a bench 4 shower heads PLUS an extra hand-held one(ldquoItrsquos a human car washrdquo) The stone tiles on the sides and floorin the shower were installed by Best Tile the plumbing in theshower comes from Aird Dorrance as does the sink ndash which sitson a granite top from Granite and Marble Works The windowleads out to the north side of the house with privacy blinds insidethe window panes One thing you donrsquot see ldquoSince the room ison display in the center of the expanded first floor we wanted thecommode to be mostly hiddenrdquo Ted said

Unique Places and Creative Spaces

Simply Saratoga | 39

Living RoomA reading nook sits upon the bathroom addition ldquoThere was no full bathroom on the first

floor and with a post and beam construction we had to be creative You get outstanding viewsof the property pond and stream when viewed from the nookrsquos perspectiverdquo The ladder canswing out on a track making it more like walking up a staircase ndash this was also designed andinstalled by Tom Zanetti The table in the nook is actually a working African drum with a glasstable top added

40 | Simply Saratoga

Bedroom In the second-floor master bedroom moving the dormer brought in extra light and space and

also brought the roofline together with the original structure and first-floor additions The floorand ceiling are made of rough-cut pine planking The bed is also constructed of pine and comesfrom Suttons The window in the upper left was cut during the addition It faces west for extra day-time light

Simply Saratoga | 41

42 | Simply Saratoga

Story Written by Yael Goldman Photos by Samu Studios and Randall Perry Photography

Simply Saratoga | 43

orking with the

right interior designer

turns listless decision making

into an enjoyable and productive

process that avoids costly mistakes

and delivers exceptional results

Designing a room or an entire home is a

big project no matter how strong your tastes are

The decisions are endless ndash what color should I paint the

walls What flooring is most aesthetically appealing and

dog-friendly Should I choose a furniture set or choose

individual pieces Do I want curtains or shades Do I

decorate with knick-knacks or artwork

But with all the unique self-questioning that surrounds

an interior design project most homeowners share angst

in asking themselves one specific question where do I

start

Itrsquos at this point ndash when stress level increases enjoy-

ment-driven projects turn deadly and money has been

wastefully spent on all the wrong things ndash that you long

for the help of a professional if only you could afford it

Well the truth is you can

Creating the right space can be expensive but is only

more so if you make mistakes and have to go back and

fix them If you do it right the first time therersquos no cost

associated with do-overs

With nearly 100 years of experience between them all

four members of Blairhouse Interiors Group have

worked with more than enough unhappy do-it-your-

selfers to tell you yoursquore not alone

Photo by Samu Studios

44 | Simply Saratoga

The four-member designproject therapy team which recently

opened a studio in Saratoga Springs has a long history of help-

ing home and business owners create their ideal spaces and

atmospheres the right way Their exceptional work is celebrated across

the Capital Region including Saratoga Springs where the Blairhouse

look is prominently featured in a handful of Park Place condominiums

and the incredible Saratoga National Golf Club

Thomas R Burns Meghan Baltich Dominic Carota and Patricia

Richards the highly skilled and charismatic force behind Blairhouse

Interiors Group promise an experience that is personal because itrsquos all

about your needs ndash and thatrsquos what is important

Blairhouse offers full-service interior design services space planning

project management hand-picked merchandise patience and an uncan-

ny ability to create a

look that is always

fresh sophisticated

and comfortable

ldquoThe style that we

gravitate toward is

unique cutting-edge

and modern not dic-

tated by corporaterdquo

said Meghan Baltich

pointing to a ldquovery

propitiousrdquo Keith Fritz

table at the center of

the studio

Photo by Randall Perry Photography

If you do it right the firsttime therersquos no cost

associated with do-oversPhoto by Randall Perry Photography

One glance at the Park Place showroom ndash of the selective furnishings carefully showcased along

the periphery ndash and it becomes clear why Blairhouse an award-winning team gets the job

done

Their creativity focus and immaculate sense of direction bring objectivity to the scene helping you nar-

row down all of the tedious and overwhelming choices that make do-it-yourself decorating an exercise in

unclear thinking

ldquoPeople are overwhelmed by all the choices it can feel like theyrsquore in a paralyzed blurrdquo said Thomas

Burns who finds that a great vision can be impossible to imagine and create without eliminating all of

the distractions

A vital step in getting focused is creating a

comprehensive plan based on individual

needs wants and style that addresses all

aspects of lifestyle and taste and suggests

tactful solutions and fresh approaches to new

and existing spaces

They help you identify what you like

forcing you to hone in on what you want and

need to compliment and enhance your

lifestyle

ldquoWe ascertain the clientrsquos goal and

lifestyle to convey their visionrdquo said

Dominic Carota explaining that the intended

outcome of creating or reinventing a room is

often strictly tied to how you want to live in

it

ldquoWe have to know how they functionrdquo he

said

An interior designer is an asset in the func-

tion-meets-style equation

Dominic explained that a couple starting a family will have far

different needs than empty-nesters looking for a change They may

have the same stylistic goals but their execution will differ based on

how their lifestyle exists within the space

When revamping a single room the majority of your focus is ded-

icated to that individual space making it easy to forget that the rest

of the house is attached Establishing connectivity between rooms is

a challenge but an important part of executing a project the right

way

Sometimes one wrong detail no matter how small can be incred-

ibly impactful and difficult to avoid on your own

ldquoIf yoursquore working on a new addition or renovation we ensure it

flows that therersquos balance between the existing part of the living

space and the new additionrdquo Meghan Baltich said explaining that

it just doesnrsquot make sense to put in a great new kitchen if itrsquos dis-

jointed and out of place from its surroundings

Another common novice mistake is the trendy retail store fallacy

that you can order a full room from a catalog or pick a fabulous and

unique design from a floor plan

Blairhouse clients learn the difference between ldquocookie-cutterrdquo

and ldquocustomrdquo and they are never concerned with picking the wrong

piece for the wrong room

Simply Saratoga | 45

ome customers will come to us after going into a Pottery Barn and buying stuff that just didnrsquot workrdquo Baltich said giving the

example of an individual who purchased an enormous sectional for a tiny room ldquoWe scale into the clientrsquos space taking func-

tion and proportion into considerationrdquo

Exceptional listening and observation skills are the designerrsquos

unsung attributes and greatest assets Blairhouse experts engage

with their clients to gain a true understanding of what they want

In turn the design process becomes an eye-opening experience

customers are introduced to colors and concepts they would

never think to consider

ldquoEach client trusts us to create their environment and we

enable them to make informed decisionsrdquo Patricia Richards

said

And sometimes that requires bold suggestions and collabora-

tion or looking at all of the possibilities even the ones ldquoyou

would never have been brave enough to do on your ownrdquo

In the end the experience of working with the experts is

enjoyable stress-free and cost-effective From concept to com-

pletion the result is just what you want and need ndash a fabulous

marriage of function and aesthetic that wonrsquot have you coming

back for more (because you did it right the first time) sect

ldquoS

46 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 47

For a taste of Blairhouse Interiors Grouprsquos distinctive work stop into their Park Place studio located at 262 Broadway Suite 204 in Saratoga Springs For further details visit wwwblairhouseinteriorscom or call (518) 786-7800

From left to right Dominic Carota Meghan Baltich Patricia Richards and

Thomas R Burns (The designproject therapy team of Blairhouse Interiors Group)

48 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 49

Dorsquos and Donrsquots

50 | Simply Saratoga

Story Written by Kerry Ann Mendez Perennially Yours bull wwwpyourscom Photos Provided

SpringDorsquos and Donrsquots

SpringDorsquos and DonrsquotsDorsquos and Donrsquots

Spring

for your Gardens

s

Simply Saratoga | 51

ssts

SPRINGis right around the corner and gardenersare pawing at the ground ready to explodethrough the garden gate As a passionate perennial gardenerI am right there with you But before launching into another flower-filledseason letrsquos go through a spring checklist of dorsquorsquos and donrsquorsquots to makesure we make the most of the race and have the best finish ever

Photo by GardenersSupply Company

apply a granular fertilizer to your perennial beds while they are still lsquoasleeprsquoDepending on the winter wersquove had this may be anytime from mid-Marchto mid-April Donrsquot worry if there are already lsquoearly risersrsquo visible like springblooming bulbs or woodland ephemerals I recommend using 5-5-5 5-10-5 or

5-10-10 fertilizer at the rate of 2 pounds per 100 square feet Cast the fertilizer just before it is about to rainto make sure fertilizer is watered into the ground and washed off any existing leaves You can give otherplants in your yard this treat as well including floweringshrubs groundcovers climbing vinesand roses

DONrsquoTput fertilizer on top of the snow or on ground that is

still frozen You want to make sure the fertilizer disap-pears into pliable soil and to waiting roots otherwiserunoff can occur And donrsquot think more is better Youcan stress or even kill plants by over-fertilizing espe-cially in spring when leaves are not fully developed toutilize nitrogen in the fertilizer If you are going to errless is better

DO

prune once-b l o o m i n g

roses such as Heirloom or Old GardenRoses when the Forsythia is blooming

Any rose that blooms onceusually in late spring forabout three weeks is in thiscategory Many times theseroses are quite fragrantWait to prune these rosesuntil right after they flower

DONrsquoT

prune most roses whenForsythia is in bloom Pruneshrub roses back by half to

23 their height This is assuming you did not prunethem last fall If you did then next year wait until latewinter or early spring Prune Teas and Grandiflorasback to 18 - 24rdquo For climbing roses prune branchesemerging from the main canes back to within 3 - 4rdquoof the cane

DO

apply corn gluten tolawn areas yoursquoveseeded (or over-seeded) or to gar-dens where youwant biennialsperennials or annu-als to reseed andflower Corn glutendoes not distinguishbetween lsquogoodrsquoand lsquobadrsquo seeds

apply a pre-emer-gent weed killerand fertilizer toyour lawn A lushhealthy lawn

makes a beautiful frame for gardens Myfamily walked away from lawn chemicalsfive years ago And our lawn has neverlooked better Corn gluten is a big part ofthis transformation Corn gluten is a by-product of milled corn It will not harm chil-dren pets or wildlife Heck you can eat it ifyou want (but it tastes yucky) Corn Glutenis high in nitrogen and commonly used as alawn fertilizer But it is also a pre-emergenttargeting seeds as they germinate Youcan put corn gluten down at any point inthe spring BUT if part of your mission is toeliminate crabgrass then there is a narrowwindow of attackApply it whenForsythia is in fullbloom and beforeits leaves appearThe Forsythia is asoil temperatureindicator that cor-responds to whencrabgrass seedsstart to germinate More garden centersare now carrying corn gluten productsYou just need to ask and follow the appli-cation instructions on the bag Make sureto water in the corn gluten after applyingIt will remain effective for five to six weeks

Simply Saratoga | 53

DONrsquoT

DO

step on soil as you maneuver around thegarden to cut back Lavender and therest of the gang For that matter youshould never be tromping through yourgardens compacting soil This breaks

down air and water channels as well as making it tougher forroots to spread Instead reach into beds from existing paths orplace stepping stones in discreet spots where only your eyes cansee or lsquowalk the plankrsquo on a board to reach plants fartherlsquoadriftrsquo

54 | Simply Saratoga

cut back Lavender Russian SageMontauk Daisy Butterfly BushChrysanthemums and ornamental grass-es These are best left untouched in falland whacked in spring Many folks make

the mistake of acting too gingerly with pruners Let lsquoem fly Theresult will be more compact neater plants that will bloom just fineTrust me If it helps wait until yoursquove had a bad day at work withthe kids or in traffic

DONrsquoT

DO

divide Peonies German Bearded Iris orOriental Poppies in spring These are bestdone in late summer Also tap-rootedplants (those with a carrot-looking root)cannot be divided Think about it These

are usually propagated by seed stem or root cuttings Someperennials that fall into this category are Malva Butterfly WeedBalloon Flower Oriental Poppies and Lupines

Simply Saratoga | 55

DONrsquoT

divide plants in spring This is an optimumtime to divide most perennials Yes evenspring bloomers Wait until these haveflowered and then shear off the spentblooms and get to business Most sum-

mer and fall blooming perennials can be divided prior to mid-Junewithout disrupting their performance

DO

apply a time-released fertilizersuch as Plant-Tone(organic) orOsmocote to heavy

feeding perennials five to six weeks afterthe earlier granular fertilizer applicationMost plants do not need as much fertilizeras we are led in advertising to believe I amstingy with my money and maintenancetime so only a handful of plants get thisbonus feed Astilbe Delphinium Liliums (ieAsiatic Oriental Trumpet) Clematis androses If I am feeling generous I will putsome on my Bigleaf Hydrangeas next to theroses Call me heartlessJust scratch fertilizer intothe top couple inchesof soil around theplantrsquos base and waterin well They will enjoy anutritious snack forthree to four months

apply mulch ongarden beds toreduce weedsconserve moisture

reduce erosion minimize soil temperaturefluctuations and enhance the quality ofthe soil Some mulching materials includeaged manures compost shredded wood(not dyed) leaf moldand cocoa hulls Putthe mulch down 2rdquo to3rdquo thick around plantsincluding floweringshrubs

build up mulchagainst plant stems

And please please donrsquot create volcanomounds around trees Please This is awfulfor them The only ones that benefit fromthis are the people selling the mulch

56 | Simply Saratoga

DONrsquoT

DO

DO

rubber band orbraid the foliage ofspring bloomingbulbs after they fin-ish flowering You

want as much leaf surface exposed to thesun as possible to increase photosynthesisYou can press the leaves down next to thesoil so they are less noticeable

Simply Saratoga | 57

sect

And finally DO have a great year in

your gardens and DONrsquoT forget to

take time to smell the roses

DONrsquoT

DONrsquoT

cut off the spentblooms and stems onspring blooming bulbsafter they have flow-ered so energy is redirected to the bulbsversus seed productions Keep the leaves inplace until they have browned and ideallycan be pulled from the ground by hand

put time-released fertil-izer on perennials thatprefer lean dietsRicher soil just upsetstheir vascular systemsThey will get leggy flop and not perform tosnuff Yarrow Coneflower Catmint RussianSage Linum Sea Holly and Silvermound are inthe group

DO

For more information contact Perennially Yours at pyourscom

58 | Simply Saratoga

Ill mination

Exterior Stonework

an

d

Story Written by Arthur Gonick Photos Provided

u

Simply Saratoga | 59

To develop and implement an exterior vista that maximizes your enjoyment To have a backyard landscape that is warm inviting and uniquely yours

These are goals that many homeowners have when they first move onto their property But unless you are trained in the variety ofmaterials and options available the task of getting past the point of comparing possibilities to completing and actually enjoying yourbackyard paradise can appear to be a long daunting road

For Carl Trinkle a landscape designer for ten years with the Gallivan Companies of Troy one of the key elements in a successfultransformation is utilizing a professionalrsquos expertise to articulate goals and develop a plan

ldquoThe most important thing we do when we first meet with a client is to get them to discuss their basic needs and aims and encouragethem to formulate an overall vision for their property An initial consultation sets the tone we make an initial visit on-site to look overthe property so we can have an idea as to where things might be placedrdquo

ldquoDuring this intake process we actually encourage people to show us photos of their friendrsquos property that they like or perhaps froma magazine It helps most people to articulate the goals of what they would like to see as a finished projectrdquo Trinkle said ldquoEven if they are looking to do things in phases we find that it is most important to develop a comprehensive site planrdquo This eliminates the need to revise original phases of work to accommodate those that come in the future

60 | Simply Saratoga

that Mr Trinkle finds potential customers identifying with aredesigned to extend the outdoor season ldquoA few extra weeks outside isa lotrdquo he said

add-ons also extend outside activity each day Low voltage lighting is still the most popular but recently LED lighting with longer-lasting bulbs that involve less maintenance and are cost-efficienthave become more fashionable

The latest trends

stations fire pits and waterenhancements such as ponds andwaterfalls are the most frequentlyrequested items that broaden theoutdoor use season

Outdoor grill

Exterior lighting

Simply Saratoga | 61

And of course swimming pool projects have always been a most-requested

item Fifty percent of allthe projects Mr Trinkleworks on involve a pooleither a completely new installation or enhance-ments to existing poolsGallivanrsquos long-standingrelationship withConcord Pools has beena hallmark in assuringthat customers are satis-fied when their pool isput in the ground

62 | Simply Saratoga

In most cases a comprehensive plancan be developed for any project in about a period of twoweeks Complete drawings and cost breakdowns are provid-ed as well as the projected phases that can be completed injust a few months or on larger projects can be scheduled insegments over a few years These are reviewed in personwith the customer again the goal being to have a plan thateveryone buys into

Simply Saratoga | 63

ldquoWe have had projects where the customer has wanted tohave a lot of input and we welcome that But we also hadone where the client was out of town and we built a firepit and slide for his wife and kids and our only instructions were to dazzle themI remember it as a most satisfying experience and we ended up winning awards for that onerdquo

- Carl Trinkle Landscape DesignerThe Gallivan Companies

64 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 65

ldquoI get to work using my creativity with talented people Some of the most talented are those

I meet as customersrdquo sect

For more information or to schedule aconsultation phone Gallivan Companies at(518) 271-6100 Gallivanrsquos website iswwwGallivanCompaniescom

66 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 67

Buying a playhouse for your child is an excellent investment

They promote imaginative play and spending time outdoors and

double as storage space when no longer used for recreation

Denise Woodcock owner of Versatile Sheds in Wilton has

been helping parents and grandparents customize their childrsquos or

grandchildrsquos dream playhouses for years

ldquoThey make great gifts especially for grandparents who want

their grandkids to have their own place to play when they visitrdquo

she said

Playhouses are a great addition to a childrsquos outdoor world

They come in all shapes sizes and designs and can be custom-

built or finished if you donrsquot find exactly what yoursquore looking for

in a catalog or on the lot

Every child is different and has their own preferences for color

size and function boys and girls often have especially different

requests for their play space as do younger and more mature chil-

dren so therersquos a lot to consider

Denise knows how even the finest detail can be all it takes to

make an outdoor structure feel like a childrsquos own personal space

While it may seem superfluous to address every minor demand

the truth is a playhouse is more than just an expensive toy itrsquos an

investment The more your child connects with their space the more

use theyrsquoll get out of it ndash and according to Denise that means your

money is well spent

Smartest WayThe

playhouse for your kidsto buy a

Photos by MarkBollescomStory by Yael Goldman

68 | Simply Saratoga

With this in mind prospective buyers should first consider

who will use the playhouse and for how long as well as what

happens when the structure is no longer used for recreation

Versatile Sheds can help even the most discerning parent or

child find what theyrsquore looking for Every playhouse is hand-

built by Amish craftsmen who can accommodate almost any

special request at an additional cost so the possibilities are

endless inside and out

Cedar shingle or vinyl siding wood stone or brick ndash if you

can use it on the outside of your regular home it can be inte-

grated into your playhousersquos design Playhouses can be built

to look like a miniature version of your home which is an

excellent touch for parents that are particularly concerned

with aesthetics Porches shutters flowerboxes unique doors

chimneys and exterior lighting are just a few of the touches

that can brighten and personalize the exterior

Individualizing your childrsquos playhouse doesnrsquot stop at the

front door There are just as many interior features to choose

from ndash you can let your imagination run wild

For starters you have the option to order the playhouse

with a finished or unfinished interior The unfinished version

looks a lot like the inside of a regular home before you move

in paint the walls and furnish the rooms

Buying an unfinished structure is a great way to cut costs

and even bring the family together over a weekend decorating

project The possibilities are endless depending on how handy

you are otherwise a few coats of paint and a bit of carpeting

will surely do the trick

Although a bit pricey purchasing a playhouse with a fin-

ished interior ensures that your child gets exactly what they

want right off the bat They can pick everything from the paint

color to the flooring so the playhouse is move-in ready on the

day it arrives

Playhouses can also be insulated and wired for electricity

You can install lighting electrical outlets even heat or air-

conditioning to make your childrsquos outdoor space as comfort-

able as possible

And the options donrsquot end there Traditional sheds also dou-

ble as playhouses For some parents purchasing an adult-size

shed for their children is an ideal way to get the best return on

their investment Once their children grow out of it the struc-

ture can be used for outdoor storage With just as many styles

sizes and materials to choose from you can customize the

interior and exterior of your shed just as you would a play-

house but without all of the more frivolous features

ldquoAny shed can be a playhouserdquo Woodcock said explaining

how a custom paint job or flowerbox can transform a typical

storage unit into childrsquos outdoor activity haven

For example if purchasing a wood shed the exterior can be

easily painted and repainted when making the transition from

playhouse to storage space

For Denisersquos customers getting their moneyrsquos worth should

not have to mean making sacrifices

Simply Saratoga | 69

70 | Simply Saratoga

When Debby Trainor made the decision to buy her grand-

daughter Chezneyrsquos dream house she wanted it to have all the

bells and whistles She met with Denise to go over all the cri-

teria the goal was to buy the perfect gift for Chezney while

staying within her budget

The eight-year-old Greenwich girl wanted her own pretty

pink palace where she could play and imagine Debby wanted

it to be a cozy and safe place for her to play year-round

Customization and interior decoration helped make

Chezneyrsquos playhouse feel like her own little kingdom

ldquoWe made it look like a cute little dollhouserdquo she said ldquoWe

put furniture inside and a little stove fridge heater and TV

itrsquos just perfectrdquo

With the structure built to their liking Chezney and Debby

could enjoy decorating the inside to personalize the playhouse

For many customers putting on the finishing touches means

making the playhouse feel like home ndash you can add curtains

hang pictures buy furniture and appliances and landscape the

perimeter to make the outdoor space feel like a home away

from home

When the child grows out of their playhouse these items

can be easily removed to accommodate a secondary use for the

space

ldquoThe best thing that Denise did for me was explain how we

can use the playhouse for storage for stuff out in the yard after

Chezney has grown out of itrdquo Debby explained ldquoAlthough

she is only eight and will be using it for quite a few more

years this really makes it a good investment and looks

great in the backyardrdquo

Whether you choose a customized playhouse or a tradi-

tional shed thinking toward the future also ensures the

safety and longevity of the structure

Denise explained that placement is an important thing to

consider as you want to make sure the structure is in a safe

place and on an appropriate surface Most importantly the

playhouse must be built on a level even surface that isnrsquot

too high off of the ground

ldquoYou want it on a nice platformrdquo Denise explained

ldquoSome people use concrete but stone is better because it

allows moisture to seep down into the ground and away

from the structurerdquo

Most parents prefer that their playhouse is in the back-

yard where itrsquos easy to see from a window Placing the

structure in a shaded area is also a good idea it will be

cooler in the summer and less susceptible to the elements if

partially protected by trees

Debby had Chezneyrsquos playhouse built right next to her

swing set where she can be easily supervised

One last thing to consider when purchasing a playhouse

Simply Saratoga | 71

72 | Simply Saratoga

or shed for your child is how much effort

you want to put into maintaining it The

more ornate the structure the more care it

may need

Woodcock advises parents to preserve

their investment and treat the playhouse

like a miniature home

Think of it as a miniature house ndash the

structure requires regular maintenance

and upkeep to ensure your child will be

safe while enjoying years and years of

imaginative fun

With so many features and styles to

choose from yoursquore sure to find the best

for both you and your child

For more information about Versatile

Sheds or to set up a time to meet with

Denise Woodcock call (518) 584-7924

or stop by 669 Route 9 in Wilton sect

Simply Saratoga | 73

74 | Simply Saratoga

Kitchen

Not Your

Grandmarsquos

Story Written by Daniel Schechtman Photos Provided

ldquoAs you

walk into the kitchen

of the future LED

light projections adjust

to your mood - it will

know if you have a

hangover via sensors

that will read your

b r a i n w a v e s

Aromatherapy infused

walls will be synched

to your calendar calm-

ing you before a big

meeting or energizing you before a gym session The fridge will have selected some breakfast options identifying the essen-

tial vitamins for your day via sensors When you get home a hologram chef will be on hand for recipe inspirationrdquo

Alright so maybe your kitchen canrsquot do all of these things quite yet ndash but believe it or not wersquore getting there This is tomor-

rowrsquos kitchen a kitchen where your appliances donrsquot just store your food or wash your dishes ndash they talk to you providing you

with integral information on how to

best store your fruits and vegetables

letting you know if the refrigerator

door is open for too long or when a

part will soon need replacing

Simply Saratoga | 75

ldquoScience fictionrdquo I hear you say

Guess again Quoted from a report released by The Future Laboratory

who was commissioned by IKEA to determine what a modernkitchen in the year 2040 could conceivably look like

76 | Simply Saratoga

ldquoOne technology that really stands out to me is the

Miele Appliance Company Right now theyrsquore using a

program called lsquoremote visionrsquo On select applianceshellip

is a wireless card that clicks into a port on the back of

the appliance You synch it up with your home network

and it basically emails the technician and the owner

when itrsquos broken when you need to clean your condens-

er change your water filter or schedule a routine serv-

icerdquo said Tom Thibeault owner of Adirondack

Appliance Repair Inc located at 67 West Ave in

Saratoga Springs ldquoMaybe somebodyrsquos been opening the

[refrigerator] door for too long or the door was left open

ndash it will email you and tell you that your door is left

openrdquo

This is not your grandmarsquos kitchen This my friends

is the kitchen of the future and itrsquos available now

The 36 inch bottom-mount Miele refrigerator boasts a

striking interior featuring LED lighting running along

the sides from top to bottom stainless steel accents and

exteriors with control systems that would be comfort-

able alongside the captainrsquos chair on the Starship

Enterprise

Simply Saratoga | 77

ldquoThe controls in the Miele really stand out

Looking at the controls theyrsquore just a glass piece and

then once you touch it you see a few options for the

different compartments Then you touch the compart-

ment and the temperature is displayed so itrsquos kind of

like a Star Trek controlrdquo Thibeault said

And thatrsquos just the refrigerator

Adirondack Appliance has also seen brands such as

Wolf (a company owned by the same people who own

Sub-Zero) grow in popularity when it comes to their

range stoves and ovens The dual convection oven

works to eliminate cold spotting and provides consis-

tent even temperatures and even allows for unique

options such as proofing ndash used best when baking

homemade bread

ldquoIt also has a temperature probe you can plug into

things like a turkey or roast so you can see the temper-

ature while itrsquos still inside the machine It has

hydraulic hinges halogen lit interiors everything is

composed of stainless steel and itrsquos by far one of the

best lines on the marketrdquo Thibeault said

A new line coming to Adirondack Appliance that

features some amazing technology is a series of Pro-

Style Ranges produced by industry giant Jenn-Air

ldquoThat actually has an LCD touch

screen like an IPAD for the controls The

temperature is set by sliding your finger

along the controls Itrsquos all color backlit and

absolutely amazingrdquo Thibeault said

ldquoAnother thing we have to that same

effect are some of the hoods which have

really been getting pretty out there as far as

design We have one on our floor [by Miele]

that has an LED bar on the front which

changes in phases between 196000 colors

Itrsquos a very delicate change very pretty and

coolrdquo Thibeault said adding ldquoor you can set

it to any color in that spectrum yoursquod like to

accent your cabinetryrdquo

When it comes to dishwashers Thibeault

can attest to the quality of both the Asko and

Miele brands both of which he uses in his

own home And good news for Saratoga

Springs residents ndash

ldquoIn our market in

Saratoga we have a

very hard water base

whether yoursquore on a well

system or city waterrdquo

Thibeault said ldquoSo you

get a lot of minerals in

the machine With the

stainless steel interiors it

eliminates a lot of prob-

lems generally seen with

plastic interior tubs and

usually they are the best

life expectanciesrdquo

78 | Simply Saratoga

Asko and Mieleare practically custom made to handle the

arearsquos typicallymineral rich water

Simply Saratoga | 79

The Asko brand dishwasher takes things one step

further including two pumps in the washerrsquos system

The first pump filters the water cleansing it of poten-

tially harmful minerals while the second pump recircu-

lates the water ensuring that the machine is never

blasting your dishes with food debris or dirty residue

With Miele the design features a built-in water sof-

tener perfect for dealing with the Saratoga water

system

ldquoTypically the Miele is going to do a better job with

tougher baked in stainsrdquo said Thibeault ldquobecause itrsquos

got the softener in it and a little bit longer pots and pans

cyclerdquo

80 | Simply Saratoga

Adirondack Appliance Repair Inc is a fami-

ly-owned business since 1929 and the last inde-

pendent appliance retailer of its kind in Saratoga

Springs With $6 billion of buying power behind

their name (a benefit of being part of the Nation

Wide Appliance Buying Group) Thibeault

promised ldquowe can actually price match the box

stores and everybody else around all while pro-

viding you with better service and better

productsrdquo

For more information on AdirondackAppliance or the products they sell you mayvisit their showroom located at 67 West Avenuein Saratoga Springs for live demonstrationsThey can also be reached by phone at (518)587-6640 or you may visit them at their newwebsite wwwadkappliancecom where cus-tomers can browse through the storersquos entirecatalogue of appliances

sect

Simply Saratoga | 81

82 | Simply Saratoga

Page 12: Simply Saratoga March 2011

14 | Simply Saratoga

NopehellipIrsquom not suggesting you dye your wine green in honor

of St Paddyrsquos (although that might be fun) Irsquom talking about

ORGANIC wine What exactly makes a wine organic

Andhellipwhy should you try it

Strictly speaking an ldquoorganicrdquo wine is one crafted from organ-

ically grown grapes This is to say the grapes in the bottle have

been grown without the use of pesticides herbicides chemical

fertilizers or synthetic chemicals of any kind These chemical

agents are not allowed on the grapes or the soil in which the

grapes are grown What used to be termed ldquoorganic winerdquo is now

termed ldquowines made from organic grapesrdquo The distinction is

confusing to most including many of the winemakers In addi-

tion most consumers are led to believe that all wines made from

organic grapes do not contain any sulfites This is inaccurate The

fermenting yeasts which are present on ALL grape skins gener-

ate naturally-occurring sulfites in varying amounts So wines

COMPLETELY devoid of sulfites are an anomaly and are not

the wines you see on the shelf of your local wine shop Wines

LOW in sulfites or free of ADDED sulfites are what you will

find instead These wines will conform to the standards of organ-

ic practices and will not contain sulfites in an amount greater

than allowed by the USDA For those who are sensitive to sul-

fites or prefer to sip organic wines as a matter of philosophy

there are hundreds of organic wines that will satisfy Okay

enough of the chemistry lesson

More and more winemakers are embracing the idea of con-

forming to organic practices when creating their wines For

these farmers and winemakers maintaining a healthy and

active soil for the grapes to grow in is the key Farming and

cultivating using these methods encourages biodiversity

which also aids in regulating the soil In turn these meth-

ods protect both the environment and the workers in the

vineyardshellipcertainly not a bad thing So while just a few

years ago your options were a bit limited if you wanted to

ldquodrink greenrdquo now there are hundreds of options to choose

from At the forefront of this movement is a winery thatrsquos

located right in New York State In fact it is the first organic

winery in North America and is located right on the western

B ttle N tes

By Patricia Novo

Photos by Mark Bolles

GreenhellipGreenhellipWine

Simply Saratoga | 15

shore of Seneca

LakehellipFour Chimneys

Organic Winery

Established in 1980

Four Chimneys was

green before being

green was cool In addi-

tion to crafting their

wines in accordance

with the standards for

organic wine estab-

lished by the NOFA-

NY Certified Organic

they also do not utilize

any animal products in

their wines For these

reasons many vegetari-

ans embrace the Four

Chimneys wines as well and have contributed to their enor-

mous popularity Four Chimneys offers several interesting

wines ranging from dry to sweet and also features several

fruit-based wines that are extremely popular For those who

love Pinot Grigio their ldquoKingdom Whiterdquo is worth sampling

This is Four Chimneyrsquos driest white and is an ideal accompa-

niment to light seafood preparations ldquoKingdom Redrdquo also a

very dry wine is similar in texture to a Merlot and will please

Merlot drinkers offering full and rich berry and plum flavors

on the palate For those who enjoy a touch of sweetness in their

wines their ldquoEye of the Doverdquo is a slightly sweet Cabernet

Franc based red which is best served with a slight chill This

wine makes a lovely accompaniment to barbecue and other

dishes with a bit of smoke and heat Even sweeter on the scale

are their ldquoFirst Loverdquo and ldquoEye of the Beerdquo wines ldquoFirst Loverdquo

is most reminiscent of Riesling although it is based on the

Vidal grape This very fragrant wine is quite refreshing and

offers up aromas of fresh white peach and honey Their most

popular wine is ldquoEye of the Beerdquo a semi-sweet rose-colored

wine whose flavors and aromas mimic those of freshly picked

grapes off the vine Their offerings of fruit wines also are quite

popular These combine organically grown grapes with organ-

ically grown fruits from their farm With names like

ldquoHoneydew Moonrdquo ldquoCelestial Peachrdquo ldquoStrawberry

Meadowsrdquo and ldquoRaspberry Sunrdquo these sweet fruit wines

would make an interesting choice with your dessert and are

also delightful served alongside some soft ripened cheeses such

as Brie and Camembert and fresh fruit

This is just a small introduction to the world of organic

wines For additional information or if you have specific ques-

tions about the differences among organic wines please stop in

and chat with me about this very popular subject I am more

than happy to answer any additional questions that you might

have Cheers sect

Patricia Novo is the owner of Crush amp Cask Wine and Spirits at170 South Broadway in Saratoga Springs She holds anAssociates Degree in Culinary Arts from SCCC and also serves ontheir Advisory Board Patricia also has certification in Wine andSpirits from the WSET as well as an Aficionado of WineCertification from the Robert Parker and Kevin Zraly WineProgram She is pursuing her Sommelier certification in Winter2011

16 | Simply Saratoga

Savethe

DateHomemade Theater Presents HARVEY

Homemade Theater Spa State Park South Broadway Saratoga SpringsElwood P Dowd is a gentle soul ndash kind hearted and

loving He has only one flaw ndash his invisible six foot-tall rabbit companion Harvey His family convincesElwood to commit himself to a sanitarium Then thelunacy really begins Multiple mistaken identities lotsof laughs and Harvey is on the loose Does the worldneed more lsquonormal peoplersquo Will you see Harvey

April 22 23 29 30 amp May 6 7 at 8 pm and May1 and 8 at 2 pm Tickets are $23 and $26 Visit home-madetheaterorg for more information

Celebrate Earth Week Recycled Art Show

Saratoga National Historical Park 648 Rte 32Stillwater

Weekend-long exhibit beginning on Friday April15 through Sunday April 17 with original works ofldquorecycled artrdquo with each piece containing at least50 reclaimed or recycled materials For more infor-mation please visit npsgovsara or phone (518) 664-9821 ext 224

Easter Egg HuntMalta Community Center 1 Bayberry DrFrom 10 to 11 am on Saturday April 16 please reg-

ister by April 8 by calling (518) 899-4411 Residentsof Malta $6 non-residents $7 Please bring your ownEaster basket to collect your eggs

Washington County Farm and Fiber Tour

On April 24 and 25 bring the family to this freetour to visit alpacas bunnies goats sheep and lambsllamas and meet the farmers and their familiesWatch spinning knitting weaving and felting demon-strations Learn about raising the livestock and petsthat we cherish For more information visitwwwwashingtoncountyfibertourorg

Geocache Easter Egg HuntGalway Preserve 2519 Crane RdOn Saturday April 30 find some eggs find some

caches and find some friends (or make new ones) asyou and your children search throughout the preservePrizes for found eggs will include candy toys geo-items and more Drinks and snacks will be availableThis event will be led by Chris Parker Preserve stewardand geocacher extraordinare For more informationcall Saratoga PLAN at (518) 587-4555

Hadley Maple FestivalHeld on Rockwell St on Saturday April 30 this

event runs all day from 8 am to 4 pm Bring the fami-ly for everything maple Visit wwwhadleybusinessas-sociationnet for more information

MapleWeekendsMarch 19-20th

amp 26-27th

See Pages 12-13

Simply Saratoga | 17

Saratoga Springs Mardi Gras FestivalHeld at various locations downtown Saratoga on

Saturday April 30 this event benefits Saratoga EOCand the Giving Circle For more information visitsaratogamardigrasorg

British Army Spring Training DaySaratoga National Historical Park 648 Rte 32

StillwaterOn May 7 from 10 am to 4 pm The cold winter has

ended and a new campaign season begins Soldiersdrill camp followers mend clothes and the armyprepares to quell the American ldquorebellionrdquo See thetroops and decide the outcome of a re-enacted courtmartial

St Clements Horse ShowYaddo grounds next to Oklahoma TrackHeld May 3 to May 8 and May 11 to May 15 This

is one of the largest horse shows on the east coastFor more information visit saintclementshorse-showcom

18 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 19

Prom

T h i s W a y

20 | Simply Saratoga

Glamor

ous

Daz

zling

Elega

ntFlir

ty

Gor

geou

s

Girls

itrsquos

Show

time

Simply Saratoga | 21

Web

Extras

See

the

pics tha

t didn

rsquot

mak

e it in

the

Mag

azine

on

SaratogaB

ridalEXPO

com

Grecian

God

dess

Athe

na

Classic B

eaut

y

Holly

wood

Glamou

r

Wild

and

Untam

edElega

nt

22 | Simply Saratoga

The current economic and market environment has prompt-

ed many Americans to rethink their retirement strategies If

you are experiencing a job transitionmdashparticularly if the tran-

sition is unplanned and unexpectedmdashsuch a reassessment may

be particularly important for you While it may be tempting to

focus more on your immediate needs you should not lose sight

of long-term goals especially your retirement strategy

Some Basic Decisions Your employer-sponsored retirement plan is likely to be a

key component of your retirement strategy Because it repre-

sents a key source of future retirement income it is important

to carefully consider your alternatives for administering these

assets During a job transition you will usually have three

options take a lump-sum distribution leave your assets in the

employer-sponsored plan or move your assets into a Rollover

IRA

Taking a direct lump-sum distributionmdashWith this

option the assets in your plan are distributed directly to you in

a lump sum which provides you with immediate access to

your funds Depending on your short-term needs that may

appear to be an attractive alternative However a distribution

will likely result in substantial federal and state income taxes

and a 10 percent IRS penalty tax which can significantly

reduce the amount of the distribution Because you will be

receiving the distribution directly the plan administrator must

withhold up to 20 percent of the value of the distribution for

federal income tax purposes Moreover you will lose the ben-

efit of the tax-deferred status of these assets which could

reduce the amount ultimately available to you at retirement

The status quo optionmdashYou can decide to do nothing

leaving your assets in your former employerrsquos plan That will

protect the tax-deferred status of your assets and allow you to

transfer the account assets at a later time to a new employerrsquos

retirement plan that accepts rollovers But you may be limiting

your investment choices and control because employer plans

typically have a restricted investment menu and require the

consent of your spouse before you can name someone else as

a beneficiary

Establishing a Rollover IRAmdashA Rollover IRA simultane-

ously addresses the issues of taxation flexibility and control

and may hold significant benefits for you as a result

Submitted by H Michael Okby Wealth Advisor

Fin

ancia

l Protecting Your RetirementInvestmentsDuring a JobTransition

If your distribution is transferred directly to a custodian rather than

to you the Rollover IRA eliminates the withholding requirement and

penalties that may result from a lump-sum distribution

The entire rollover amount can be investedimmediately according to the strategy youspecify bull Your assets and any earnings continue to have the potential to

grow tax-deferred until you retire and begin taking withdrawals

bull You may gain access to a wider range of investment options and

more retirement planning and distribution flexibility

bull You can name any beneficiary including a trust without

needing the consent of your spouse (although special rules may

apply in community property states)

For example investment products in an employer plan are usually

limited to mutual funds and company stock With a self-directed

Rollover IRA you can work with your financial professional to struc-

ture a portfolio using stocks bonds annuities and other investments

utilizing an asset allocation1 that is customized to help you meet your

retirement investment objectives And your retirement strategy can be

further tailored with a wider range of beneficiary selection and distri-

bution choices

Consider Consolidation This may also be an excellent time to deal with multiple IRAs you

may have opened over the years and with account balances you may

have left in the plans of former employers Together these assets may

represent a significant sum There are good reasons to consider con-

solidating them all in a Rollover IRA

Comprehensive investment strategymdashIt can be difficult to main-

tain an effective investment strategymdashone that accurately reflects

your goals timing and risk tolerancemdashwhen assets are spread among

multiple financial institutions When you consolidate your financial

professional can help you ensure that these assets are part of your

overall asset allocation strategy that is reflective of your current

financial situation and long-term retirement goals

Greater investment flexibilitymdashA self-directed IRA generally

offers you the ability to choose from a wide range of investment

products including stocks bonds mutual funds annuities and more

Simplified trackingmdashIt is easier to monitor your progress and

investment results when all your retirement savings are in one place

because you will receive one statement instead of several That sim-

plifies your life while protecting the environment

Lower costsmdashReducing the number of accounts may also reduce

your account fees and other investment-related charges

Dealing with one account rather than several also simplifies

the distribution processmdashincluding complying with complex min-

imum distribution rules when you reach age 70 And you avoid the

risk of losing track of your retirement accounts or access to the

account assets should your former employer merge with another

company or go out of business Your financial professional can help

you assess your alternatives so you can make decisions based on

whatrsquos best for you You may find that this time of transition holds

benefits for your retirement assets

For more information please contact H Michael Okby at (518) 583-5601

sect

Simply Saratoga | 23

24 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 25

Summer camp is a place wherelifelong memories are made

This is where our children learnto cultivate their interests andordiscover a world of new activities tohelp their young minds grow andfor them to become physically fit

Even though there may be snowon the ground when you read thisit is never too early to think aboutyour childrenrsquos summer fun Weare blessed in this region with avariety of destinations providing awealth of activities

And while there is something foreveryone early planning is a mustto assure your child has a spot inone of these great places At theend of a long winter seasonthoughts of summer camp arerejuvenating for adults as well

Summer Camp Guide 2011

YMCA Camp Chingachgook

NdakinnaNdakinna Education Center located in

Greenfield Center offers a wide variety of

summer camp programs and activities that

will provide campers with a greater

respect and understanding for the natural

world as well as the Northeastrsquos rich

Native American history Hosted by

renowned author and wilderness and sur-

vival expert James Bruchac these pro-

grams are ideal for children with a sense

of adventure and natural wonder Summer

programs are divided into two groups

children ages three to eight and older

campers ages nine to fourteen Programs

range in duration from one to two weeks

26 | Simply Saratoga

YMCA Camp Chingachgook located on beauti-

ful Lake George has three camping options sleep-

away camp day camp and adventure trips

Summer sleep-away camp is the experience of a

lifetime The camp is divided into junior and sen-

ior boys and girls units junior campers between

the ages of seven and 12 and senior campers are 13

to 15 years old All Chingachgook counselors go

through extensive two-week training and prepa-

ration prior to the beginning of the first session

Campers will enjoy a full schedule of skill

classes which they can choose on their own

and special events and programs Campers can

choose from swimming water skiing canoeing

nature arts outdoor living skills theater news-

paper riflery archery dance guitar outdoor

cooking sports zone water world woodwork-

ing softball soccer tennis photography sail-

ing high ropes mountain biking and rock

climbing Each camper sets up their own daily

schedule of four skill classes at the start of the

session

Two-week camp sessions at Chingachgook

also include a three-day hike which allows

campers to get out and experience the wilder-

ness in a fun and safe atmosphere

Chingachgook also offers a variety of unique

adventure camps for children looking to explore

unique destinations and experience a whole new

level of fun options like sailing kayak-

ing boat building rock climbing canoe-

ing community service white-water

rafting hiking and backpacking bicycle

touring and mountain biking Adventure

campers will benefit from activities with

smaller coed groups of ten or less

Day Camp at Chingachgook is a fun

option for children ages five to ten

Campers will enjoy a full day of fun

activities from 930 am to 430 pm The

Day Camp program is divided into eight

one-week segments with the first session

starting on June 28 and the final session

starting on August 16 Each session has

a different theme

Spaces are limited at Chingachgook

so be sure to sign up as soon as possible

For more information to sign up for a

tour or to register for camp visit

wwwcapitaldistrictymcacom or call

(518) 656-9462

each covering a different skill or activity such

as animal tracking basic wilderness survival

skills and shelter building Native American

storytelling and games and nature-based arts

and crafts projects will teach campers to have

fun in the great outdoors Each camp program

promotes team building natural awareness

patience and confidence

Ndakinna also offers family camp pro-

grams which allow children and their parents

to experience the outdoors together Family

programs can accommodate children ages one

to 14 These programs offer the

same skills training and team-

building activities To view the

finalized calendar of programs

and events visit

wwwNdcenterorg

Cutting Edge Martial ArtsCutting Edge Martial Artrsquos A+ After

School and Summer Camp Program is a year-

round child care solution that provides a pos-

itive structured environment for children

after school and during the day in the sum-

mer During the school year we pick chil-

dren up directly from the local elementary

and middle schools and provide an hour les-

son that starts with our ldquoMat Chatrdquo a ten

minute character education lesson for the day

followed by a full 50 minute martial arts

class Parents have a window between 5 and

545 pm to pick up their children while chil-

dren have the opportunity after class to get

their homework started

During the summer children get all the

benefits of our A+ Program but on a grander

scale We offer nine weeks of full day camps

and have no minimum or maximum number

of days per week or number of weeks that a

student can attend Each week of camp we

have a curriculum of character education

lessons fun games and a one hour martial

arts class every day We watch a movie in

the afternoons twice a week have a video

game morning on Fridays and take all our

campers on an educa-

tional outing on

Wednesdays and a

fun and exciting out-

ing every Friday

Our average camp

size is 20-25 stu-

dents and we have

three full time staff

graphed by Sarah Sutliff

Saratoga Childrenrsquos Theatre also offers a one-

week camp at the end of the summer ldquoMaster

your Auditionrdquo This camp will help your child

get ready for fall and winter auditions These

audition workshops have been very popular and

sell out quickly Any child at any skill level with

an interest in performing arts is welcome to join

in on the fun Saratoga Childrenrsquos Theatre

Executive Director Meg Kelly aims to give each

camper the most rewarding and enjoyable camp

experience and every camper will get to perform

The Saratoga Childrenrsquos Theatre hires profes-

sionals to help your child gain the most from

their summer camp experience

The cost for a two-week session is $450 and

$250 for the one-week session For more infor-

mation visit wwwsaratogachildrenstheatreorg

or call (518) 580-1782

For kids who have a passion for per-

forming arts Saratoga Childrenrsquos Theatre

summer camp is a dream come true

Saratoga Childrenrsquos Theatre offers per-

formance camps which means each

camper will be working on a full-fledged

production throughout their session

Campers will learn all aspects of perform-

ance and will have the opportunity to per-

form in two shows at the end of camp a

matinee and an evening show are both

open to the public Campers will perform

on stage at St Petersrsquo Auditorium

Saratoga Springs Camp hours are 9am-

3pm Performance camp is divided into

two age groups

Ages 6-9 will participate in one week

camps These camps will include Disneyrsquos

Sleeping Beauty kids Cinderella kids

Aristocats kids 101 Dalmatians kids and

Lemonade These camps will be directed by

Megan OrsquoSullivan a local elementary school

music teacher and assisted by Karey

Trimmings also a local elementary school

music teacher

Ages 10-18 will participate in two-week

camps Each camp will practice and perform a

different show These

camps include

Thoroughly Modern

Mille Jr Cinderella Jr

Fiddler on the Roof Jr

and Once on this Island

Jr These camps will be

directed by Michael

Lotano local actor and

elementary school music

teacher and choreo-

Saratoga Childrenrsquos Theatre

Simply Saratoga | 27

working with our students

Our goal is to provide a family-friendly

and fun environment that feels like a home

away from home Our students have fun

learning skills that can be used every day of

their lives and we try to provide memories

that will last a lifetime For many our

summer camps are a wonderful introduc-

tion to martial arts

For more information visit

wwwsaratogamartialartscom

or call (518) 587-5501

28 | Simply Saratoga

Saratoga Independent SchoolSaratoga Independent School hosts a variety of summer

programs split into two age groups three to eight year-olds

Wilton Recreation CampWilton Recreation offers a full-day summer

camp program for children in grades one

through nine With available pre-camp and

post-camp care working parents can ensure

their children are having fun in a safe environ-

ment before and after the camprsquos regular 9 am to

3 pm hours Parents who register their children

for before and after camp care can drop off their

children prior to camp opening at 830 am and

can pick them up at 530 pm Bussing is avail-

able for Wilton residents who register for regu-

lar camp hours (9 am to 3 pm)

Wilton Recreation Camp offers a full sched-

ule of daily onsite activities themed events and

exciting trips for kids who register for off-site

adventures Daily on-site activities include arts

and crafts sports playground fun and other

organized group games This yearrsquos scheduled

field trips include Million Dollar Beach in Lake

George movie days at Proctors Theater

Saratoga County Fair bowling white water

rafting and at least two swimming days per

week at Peerless Pool

The Summer 2011 camp will open on

June 27 and run until August

12 Registration begins

March 14 at Gavin Park and

will close on June 3 As

there are only 300 spaces

available be sure to mark

your calendar Camp

registration forms are

available online at

wwwtownofwiltoncom or

can be picked up weekdays

at Gavin Park 9 am to 5 pm

For any other questions

please call the park office at (518) 584-9455

and seven to 14 year-olds The weeklong programs run from July 5

to August 19

Saratoga Independent School summer programs are staffed large-

ly by their own teachers so parents can rest assured their kids are

supervised in a safe environment with experienced teachers who are

knowledgeable about child development and hands-on

programming

For the younger group weekly themed programs run from 9 am

to noon (early drop-off at 830 available) The staff-to-camper ratio

is one to six for children ages three and four and one to ten for chil-

dren ages five to eight Themed programs include ldquoCooking with

Curiosityrdquo ldquoHawaiian Hullabaloordquo ldquoHands-On Science Funrdquo

ldquoHoliday-A-Dayrdquo ldquoGood Versus Evil Imaginations Run Wildrdquo

ldquoDinosaur Discoveryrdquo ldquoIn the Jungle the Mighty Junglerdquo

Activities take place both indoors and outdoors

The selection of enrichment programs for older children is even

more extensive this year than in the past Some programs will take

place in the mornings others in the afternoon Age ranges will vary

depending on the subject matter These specialty programs give chil-

dren an opportunity to develop new interests and expand on existing

skills Programs include ldquoCartooning and Morerdquo ldquoImprovisationrdquo

ldquoKnittingrdquo ldquoOpen Art Studiordquo ldquoYou Can Do Magicrdquo ldquoGet Up and

Dancerdquo ldquoRoaring into Robots Whatrsquos Nextrdquo ldquoArt in the Ancient

Worldrdquo ldquoMad Sciencerdquo ldquoComputer Video Game Creationrdquo

ldquoAdvanced Robot Challengesrdquo and ldquoArt-Math Connectionrdquo

Registration has already begun and the programs fill up quickly so

visit wwwsiskidsorg for more information and to secure a space

for your child

Simply Saratoga | 29

Are your kids looking for an adventure this summer The

Saratoga Regional YMCA has two exciting day camps available

Camp Starhitch held at the Wilton Branch which engages children

with a multitude of fun activities and a trip each week and Travel

Camp where participants meet at the Saratoga Springs Branch and

then travel off to fun and thrilling places each day

Camp Starhitch is for children having completed Kindergarten

through entering fifth grade Campers will participate in games

sports crafts nature activities trips swimming archery and more

Each week is planned around a theme and includes a trip For exam-

ple during ldquo70rsquos Flashbackrdquo week campers will go roller skating

during ldquoThe Wild Frontierrdquo week kids will have the opportunity to

go horseback riding and during ldquoTropical Paradiserdquo week partici-

pants may ldquocatch a gnarly waverdquo at an outdoor water park

Travel Camp is definitely for the action seeker and for those who

like to be on the go This program for youth entering fifth through

tenth grade provides campers an opportunity to travel each and every

day to fun-filled locations Participants explore different summer

activities that include amusement and water parks outdoor sports

fairs and horseback riding This year the trips include a visit to Hunter

Mountain Six Flags New England Tubing on the Battenkill NY

Mets game at Citi Field the NY State Fair and more

Camp Starhitch and Travel Camp both run for nine one-week ses-

sions You may choose to attend camp for one week or any combina-

tion of weeks Experienced counselors supervise children and a ratio

of 110 ensures a safe quality camping experience CPR and First Aid

certified camp staff will be present on all trips At Travel Camp

campers will be grouped according to age and are supervised by expe-

rienced adult staff

Camp Starhitch has two day camp options for your child Option A

allows for your child to be dropped off at 9 am and picked up at 4 pm

and Option B has a 7 am drop off time and a 6 pm pick up time

Travel Camp runs from 9 am to 430 pm and extended hours are

available at no additional cost This year transportation will be provid-

ed in both directions between the Saratoga Springs and Wilton

branches Pickups will be as early as 815 am and drop-offs will be

as late as 5 pm Both camps try to cater to working parents

In addition the Saratoga Regional YMCA is committed to provid-

ing a safe and welcoming environment for all campers by incorporat-

ing the YMCAcore values of caring honesty respect and responsibil-

ity in daily activities To promote safety and comfort for all individu-

als are asked to act appropriately at all times when at the Yrsquos facilities

or participating in Y programs All campers are required to read and

sign a contract of understanding in reference to the Code of Conduct

We expect persons using the YMCAto act maturely to behave respon-

sibly and to respect the rights and dignity of all othersmdashall while

having a good time

The Y also has opportunities available for those who may not have

the resources to send their children to camp The Y provides scholar-

ships for those who qualify Scholarships are made possible due to

the generous donations of Y members the community and businesses

to the ldquoWe Build Peoplerdquo scholarship campaign held by the Saratoga

Regional YMCA each year Scholarship applications are available at

all Saratoga Regional YMCA branches and online at wwwsaratogare-

gionalymcaorg

Registration is currently ongoing and fills up quickly Registration

forms are available at any of the Saratoga Regional YMCA Branches

or at wwwsaratogaregionalymcaorg For more information about

these day camps please contact Ilene Leverence at (518) 583-9622

ext 103 for Camp Starhitch and Patti Laudicina at (518) 583-9622

ext 110 or Paige Minear ext 116 for Travel Camp

Saratoga YMCA

30 | Simply Saratoga

Ask women about the greatest threat to their health and most will

respond incorrectly with the words ldquobreast cancerrdquo While breast cancer

certainly is of concern the truth is that women are 10 times more like-

ly to die from heart disease Breast cancer kills 1 in 25 women heart

disease claims 1 in 2

The most recent statistics available indicate that cardiovascular dis-

ease causes the death of 500000 women per year ndash more than ALL

forms of cancer combined This is a rate of epidemic proportion

Little or no warning

Two-thirds of women die suddenly from heart disease without expe-

riencing any warning symptoms The majority die before they even

reach the hospital and before any attempt at treatment is possible Early

screening and the detection that leads to prevention offer the only hope

of reducing these deaths

Women who do develop heart disease tend to fare worse than men

One reason is that on average heart disease peaks 10 years later in

women than in men At this older age women are less able to withstand

the stress of the disease The proof can be found in a disturbing statis-

tic One year after their first heart attack 44 percent of women are dead

compared with 27 percent of men

Clearly for women preventing that first heart attack would make an

enormous difference

Know the risks

What can be done to prevent and detect heart disease in women

Of foremost importance is to reduce ndash or if possible eliminate ndash the

conditions that cause or accelerate the growth of blockages in the arter-

ies of the heart These conditions known as risk factors include high

Women Take this warning to heart

Story By Andrij O Baran MD

blood pressure diabetes genetic high cholesterol a high-fat

diet an inactive lifestyle smoking and cocaine use

Some damage the lining of the heartrsquos arteries speeding the

buildup of cholesterol Others raise blood cholesterol Both

smoking and cocaine use speed blood clotting They also can

cause sudden cramps or spasms in the coronary arteries cut-

ting off the entire blood supply to portions of the heart even

without a cholesterol blockage

A woman who has one or more of these risk factors should

ask her doctor how best to control them She also should ask

about further screening and testing such as stress testing

The sooner the better

Lifestyle changes and medications can have a dramatic

impact on reducing the incidence of heart attack provided cho-

lesterol blockages are detected early ndash before damage to the

heart has occurred In fact drugs that lower cholesterol alone

have been unequivocally shown to reduce the risk of heart

attack and death by up to 50 percent

When added to a program of low-fat diet exercise control

of high blood pressure and diabetes and above all else no

smoking the benefits are magnified many times over Keep in

mind of course that these drugs work only if they are taken

and taken appropriately

By knowing and changing their risk factors all women can

ensure themselves of a longer and more vibrant life

Andrij O Baran MD FACC is the Medical Director of

Cardiology Services at Saratoga Hospital

Simply Saratoga | 31

A c t F a s t D u r i n g H e a r t A t t a c k s According to the American Heart

Association clot-busting drugs can stop

some heart attacks in progress reducing

disability and saving lives They work best

given within one hour of when heart

attack signs begin Thatrsquos why itrsquos impor-

tant to recognize the warning signs of a

heart attack and act right away

Warning Signs

bull Pain or discomfort in the jaw

neck or back

bull Feeling weak lightheaded or faint

bull Chest paindiscomfort

bull Paindiscomfort in the arms or

shoulder

bull Shortness of breath

If you think that you or someone you

know is having a heart attack call 911

immediately

32 | Simply Saratoga

Who would believe that a rabbi from Eastern

Europe frozen for 150 years in a block of ice could

be transported across time and space to Memphis

where he thaws then becomes a spiritual guru to

baby boomers Arguably nobody But Steve Stern

the author of ldquoThe Frozen Rabbirdquo his most recent

novel isnrsquot asking readers to believe it so much as

to let the characters tell their story Besides the plot

may be far-fetched but he already has a buyer for

the movie rights

Writer-in-residence at Skidmore College Stern is

a genius at creating human beings in fantastical cir-

cumstances who seem more like eccentric neigh-

bors than artifacts of science fiction Some fly

some inhabit other peoplersquos dreams some are res-

urrected and some travel through time Whatever

their superpowers or frailties the heroes and vil-

lains tricksters and innocents and witnesses and

bystanders in Sternrsquos short and long fiction deserve

attention and evoke compassion in their quest for

connection and redemption - or at least food and

shelter From within an inexhaustible vein of

Jewish folklore and oral history his characters

emerge into a lucid fictional universe that embraces

both magic and the mundane Dialogue is ironic as

often as it is mystical and the most ordinary days

serve as backdrops for incredible events

ldquoMiracles are commonplacerdquo says Stern a

Ballston Spa resident ldquoI donrsquot write in metaphors

and symbols deliberately Writing is a visceral

experience for me I read with interest what review-

ers say about my repetitive themes and ideas but I

am driven by images and characters Irsquom a compul-

sive storytellerrdquo

Steve Stern A Lyrical Voice in the Ghetto

B

o

o

k

m

a

r

k

Lean bespectacled and haloed in dark curls Stern

is a Memphis native who grew up in a home bereft

of music books and art in a city made famous by

Elvis Presley (who used to drive through Sternrsquos

neighborhood) and Martin Luther Kingrsquos assassina-

tion He remembers himself as ldquoa mediocre adoles-

cent without confidence or spiritual antennardquo first

stirred to write poetry in high school which he read

aloud for attention

ldquoI was surprised people liked itrdquo he says ldquoAnd I

liked writing it even though it embarrassed me But

I was encouraged to go on and later to try proserdquo

The allure of the late lsquo60s and early lsquo70s was not

academic After college Stern wandered through

Europe then worked as a butcher on a hippie com-

mune in the Ozarks raising pigs and eating off the

land ldquoI slept under five blankets and two dogsrdquo he

recalls (The incarnation has been memorialized in a

comic strip by Sternrsquos girlfriend Sabrina a cartoon-

ist and set designer for Saturday Night Live)

The commune was not too far from the University

of Arkansas where Stern attended graduate school

and played volleyball with Bill and Hillary Clinton

ldquoI hoped he would mention me in his inaugural

addressrdquo Stern sighs

With an MA Stern found teaching gigs at vari-

ous colleges but the work dried up forcing him to

take a job at a folklore center in Memphis first tran-

scribing stories about the black community then

launching a life-changing project to preserve the

stories of the fading Jewish population in a desolate

Memphis ghetto known as ldquoThe Pinchrdquo where

many of his stories are set

Story By Helen Susan Edelman

ldquoBernie scrunched his face in thought Gone was his waryimpulse to keep everything secret and there were times of latewhen he felt almost reckless almost ready to tell the world whileon the other hand he suspected he may have already confided toomuch ldquoI thinkrdquo he said after some consideration ldquoIrsquom startingto outgrow myselfrdquo

mdash Steve Stern ldquoThe Frozen Rabbirdquo

Photo by Josh GerritsenSteve Stern

Simply Saratoga | 33

ldquoIt was intoxicatingrdquo says Stern ldquoI became obsessed with

itrdquo Indeed his work is infused with the folklore images lan-

guage archetypes settings rituals and values embedded in

the memories he recorded and in the vast Jewish and Yiddish

literature he has studied since

A non-observant Jew Stern had no relationship with his

religion so the introduction to his exotic legacy was both

anchor and springboard for a prolific new consciousness

ldquoThe floodgates openedrdquo he says ldquoSuddenly this world

began to materialize for me What had been barren neighbor-

hoods I could see vividly as tenements and shops a town

square street traffic merchants pawnbrokers rabbis chil-

drenhellipimmigrants from Eastern Europe looking for a homerdquo

Stern is comfortable writing about transcendent wisdom as

long as itrsquos his characterrsquos voice

and not his own

dispensing the

insights The

frozen rabbi in

the book of the

same name for

example ldquoradiates

within his zone of

influence and is a

spiritual catalyst

for anyone who

encounters himrdquo

says Stern ldquowhere-

as I am a clicheacute a

Jew who grew up

without an identityrdquo

A winner of both

Guggenheim and

Fulbright fellowships

as well as the National

Jewish Book Award

the Pushcart Prize an

OrsquoHenry Prize and the Edward Lewis Wallant Award Stern

is working on a new novel and rereading Faulkner Tolstoy

Dickens and Joyce

He views each new writing project as ldquoa riskrdquo Experience

last summer also reminded him of the evanescence of popu-

larity he gave two readings one in Memphis which drew

such a crowd that doors had to be locked and one in St

Louis where he commanded an audience of four

ldquoJust like the characters in my storiesrdquo Stern observes ldquoI

encounter conflicts look for a way to escape and face mixed

consequencesrdquo sect

How is your mental state these days Are

you experiencing peace and joy in every-

day life or frustration and impatience Are

you living your life ldquoon purposerdquo or going

through the motions feeling numb and dead

on the inside How is the garden of your

mind Are you tending to your garden or letting

the weeds take over

When I lived in Boston I lived next door to an elder-

ly woman who had a beautiful garden Every morning my

neighbor was outside in her floral moo moo (circa Mrs

Roper from Threersquos Company) tending carefully to each

plant and flower She would spend hours walking around her

garden joyfully humming and making sure her flowers were

strong and healthy Many mornings I would sip my coffee

and watch her peacefully pulling out the weeds and tending

to her precious flowers To this day I remember how tall and

lovely her sunflowers were I think our mental state can be

compared to tending to a garden do we have beautiful sun-

flowers of joy and peace or toxic weeds of bitterness and

guilt

The weeds in your heart and mind are feelings of bitterness

anger guilt self-loathing and negativity Do you spend your

days reviewing the list of those that have offended

you Do you beat yourself up daily for past mis-

takes or regrets These are the weeds that can

take over your mind and lead to racing

thoughts a dark depression constant

anxiety or physical illness and

chronic pain If you are someone

that is easily frustrated impatient

and critical you can be sure you

34 | Simply Saratoga

Tending to theGarden of Your MindDealing with the Weeds in your Life

Simple Truths

have some weeds to deal with

The only path to peace and joy in your everyday life is to

pull your weeds out from the root and confront the issues

Holding on to your weeds only makes you ill and deadens

your heart Did you know that people who are full of bitter-

ness and resentment appear older and are not as physically

attractive as people who are full of peace and love The

weeds in your heart and mind can actually make you ugly

Likewise a mind that is content and peaceful gives us a

sparkle and light in our eyes that people are automatically

attracted to Forget the anti-wrinkle cream and Botox Fill

your heart and mind up with the best kept beauty secret

around love and forgiveness

Forgiveness is not about letting the person who hurt you

off the hook Forgiveness IS allowing light into our hearts

so that we can heal and move forward It takes the heavy

burden of offense and resentment off of our hearts and

minds while preparing the ldquosoilrdquo for new growth and

experiences

When possible confront the people you need to forgive

so that you can have closure and move on If it is not pos-

sible to confront the person that is the weed in your life

write them a letter expressing your hurt and anger (not to

send but in a private journal) This is a wonderful way to

give yourself closure and put your feelings out on the table

More often than not the person we have to forgive or con-

front is ourselves If you are constantly beating yourself up

and feeling guilty about your past make a choice to forgive

yourself

Donrsquot be lazy about your weeds Dig deep and pull out

your weeds so that you can make room for peace and joy

We all desire to feel love and be accepted That accept-

Meghan DLemery LCSW-R

Simply Saratoga | 35

ance starts with you Begin to focus on peaceful loving joyful

thoughts Keep a gratitude journal of what you love about your-

self or the loved ones in your life Practice planting seeds of joy

by giving acceptance and love to everyone around you

Take time to practice patience and kindness to your family

friends colleagues and that slow cashier at the grocery store Go

out of your way to help others in any way that you can All of

these acts of kindness plant the seeds of peace love joy and

abundance

As we approach the new season of spring take some time to

tend to the garden of your mind

Wishing you love self-acceptance and peace this spring and

always

Ms Lemery is a psychotherapist practic-ing in Saratoga Springs and QueensburyShe can be reached at meghanle-meryyahoocom

Her first novel will be pub-lished this Spring TitledldquoPlease Pass the BarbieShoesrdquo it is a hilarious heart-warming story that will haveyou feeling inspiredand empowered

sect

36 | Simply Saratoga

Living Room The custom-designed leather couch chair andottoman come from Suttons The stucco fireplace was inspired by theCollinsrsquo travels through the Southwest and Colorado (ldquowe wanted to avoida traditional river rock fireplacerdquo) and provides a heat source as well asbeauty The original structure was built for passive solar design no airconditioning is needed in the summer A wood stove is the primary heatsource radiant heat with natural gas was also added during the renova-tion

The front door as well as all the interior doors was custom-made fittedand replaced by Tom Zanetti Hickory wood floors were also installed dur-ing the addition A hanging stained glass chandelier is a stock itemobtained from a leading home supply retailer ldquoIt captures the sunlightbeautifully along with providing brilliant nighttime illuminationrdquo Tedsaid ldquoItrsquos an eclectic mixrdquo

Simply Saratoga | 37

Today we look at a creative space that is set into a special place

In 1993 Ted and Susan Collins purchased a seven-acre property

with a 1986 Timberpeg designed home that has all the qualities of

a place in the country ndash yet many would be surprised to learn that

it is actually located on the border of Saratoga Springs near the

Alpine Shop on Clinton Street After a number of years living in

apartments on Union Avenue and Franklin Square enjoying the

proximity to downtown and the track they couldnrsquot resist a spot

that was close to town but yet had lots of land

Their overall vision was for an interior space that was in accord

with the outside ndash the wildlife gardens and the sustainable philos-

ophy embodied in the original buildingrsquos passive solar design

ldquoEverything we do embraces the goals of staying true to the orig-

inal structure having an open welcoming interior and being in

harmony with the outdoorsrdquo Ted said

Inspired by travels in balance with the land

Story By Arthur GonickPhotos by copystockstudiosphotographycom

These principles guided a major transformation of the interior

space in 2006 The key element was an addition to the home that

enabled the living room kitchen and upstairs bedroom to be

expanded allowing space for the installation of a downstairs bath

as well

Susan and Ted led this transformation - visualizing an addition

that incorporated equilibrium of size location and overall propor-

tion They went through several iterations with Rick Deforest of

Heritage Timberframes

Even though much of the interior decor came from travels in

Africa the South Pacific and Colorado the building materials and

craftsmen are all local The timbers and wood flooring were milled

in nearby Kingsbury ldquoWe enjoyed working with professionals who

are also friends like Rick Deforest Tom Zanetti and Mike

Roohanrdquo Ted said ldquothe house now feels complete in balancerdquo sect

Unique Places and Creative Spaces If you would like to nominate a unique

or creative place to be featured emailentertainmentsaratogapublishingcom

38 | Simply Saratoga

Kitchen A wall was taken out that afforded space to add an eat-in island area and

open up the space Custom cabinets are by Tom Zanetti Stonework andappliances were added Both the kitchen and bathroom have granite table-tops (from Mike and Margaret Roohan of Granite and Marble Works)New appliances include a Bosch stove (with a built-in microwave drawer)and an Amana stainless refrigerator

Bathroom The bathroom ceiling is pine The showerarea was designed and built to the Collinsrsquo specifications andfeatures a bench 4 shower heads PLUS an extra hand-held one(ldquoItrsquos a human car washrdquo) The stone tiles on the sides and floorin the shower were installed by Best Tile the plumbing in theshower comes from Aird Dorrance as does the sink ndash which sitson a granite top from Granite and Marble Works The windowleads out to the north side of the house with privacy blinds insidethe window panes One thing you donrsquot see ldquoSince the room ison display in the center of the expanded first floor we wanted thecommode to be mostly hiddenrdquo Ted said

Unique Places and Creative Spaces

Simply Saratoga | 39

Living RoomA reading nook sits upon the bathroom addition ldquoThere was no full bathroom on the first

floor and with a post and beam construction we had to be creative You get outstanding viewsof the property pond and stream when viewed from the nookrsquos perspectiverdquo The ladder canswing out on a track making it more like walking up a staircase ndash this was also designed andinstalled by Tom Zanetti The table in the nook is actually a working African drum with a glasstable top added

40 | Simply Saratoga

Bedroom In the second-floor master bedroom moving the dormer brought in extra light and space and

also brought the roofline together with the original structure and first-floor additions The floorand ceiling are made of rough-cut pine planking The bed is also constructed of pine and comesfrom Suttons The window in the upper left was cut during the addition It faces west for extra day-time light

Simply Saratoga | 41

42 | Simply Saratoga

Story Written by Yael Goldman Photos by Samu Studios and Randall Perry Photography

Simply Saratoga | 43

orking with the

right interior designer

turns listless decision making

into an enjoyable and productive

process that avoids costly mistakes

and delivers exceptional results

Designing a room or an entire home is a

big project no matter how strong your tastes are

The decisions are endless ndash what color should I paint the

walls What flooring is most aesthetically appealing and

dog-friendly Should I choose a furniture set or choose

individual pieces Do I want curtains or shades Do I

decorate with knick-knacks or artwork

But with all the unique self-questioning that surrounds

an interior design project most homeowners share angst

in asking themselves one specific question where do I

start

Itrsquos at this point ndash when stress level increases enjoy-

ment-driven projects turn deadly and money has been

wastefully spent on all the wrong things ndash that you long

for the help of a professional if only you could afford it

Well the truth is you can

Creating the right space can be expensive but is only

more so if you make mistakes and have to go back and

fix them If you do it right the first time therersquos no cost

associated with do-overs

With nearly 100 years of experience between them all

four members of Blairhouse Interiors Group have

worked with more than enough unhappy do-it-your-

selfers to tell you yoursquore not alone

Photo by Samu Studios

44 | Simply Saratoga

The four-member designproject therapy team which recently

opened a studio in Saratoga Springs has a long history of help-

ing home and business owners create their ideal spaces and

atmospheres the right way Their exceptional work is celebrated across

the Capital Region including Saratoga Springs where the Blairhouse

look is prominently featured in a handful of Park Place condominiums

and the incredible Saratoga National Golf Club

Thomas R Burns Meghan Baltich Dominic Carota and Patricia

Richards the highly skilled and charismatic force behind Blairhouse

Interiors Group promise an experience that is personal because itrsquos all

about your needs ndash and thatrsquos what is important

Blairhouse offers full-service interior design services space planning

project management hand-picked merchandise patience and an uncan-

ny ability to create a

look that is always

fresh sophisticated

and comfortable

ldquoThe style that we

gravitate toward is

unique cutting-edge

and modern not dic-

tated by corporaterdquo

said Meghan Baltich

pointing to a ldquovery

propitiousrdquo Keith Fritz

table at the center of

the studio

Photo by Randall Perry Photography

If you do it right the firsttime therersquos no cost

associated with do-oversPhoto by Randall Perry Photography

One glance at the Park Place showroom ndash of the selective furnishings carefully showcased along

the periphery ndash and it becomes clear why Blairhouse an award-winning team gets the job

done

Their creativity focus and immaculate sense of direction bring objectivity to the scene helping you nar-

row down all of the tedious and overwhelming choices that make do-it-yourself decorating an exercise in

unclear thinking

ldquoPeople are overwhelmed by all the choices it can feel like theyrsquore in a paralyzed blurrdquo said Thomas

Burns who finds that a great vision can be impossible to imagine and create without eliminating all of

the distractions

A vital step in getting focused is creating a

comprehensive plan based on individual

needs wants and style that addresses all

aspects of lifestyle and taste and suggests

tactful solutions and fresh approaches to new

and existing spaces

They help you identify what you like

forcing you to hone in on what you want and

need to compliment and enhance your

lifestyle

ldquoWe ascertain the clientrsquos goal and

lifestyle to convey their visionrdquo said

Dominic Carota explaining that the intended

outcome of creating or reinventing a room is

often strictly tied to how you want to live in

it

ldquoWe have to know how they functionrdquo he

said

An interior designer is an asset in the func-

tion-meets-style equation

Dominic explained that a couple starting a family will have far

different needs than empty-nesters looking for a change They may

have the same stylistic goals but their execution will differ based on

how their lifestyle exists within the space

When revamping a single room the majority of your focus is ded-

icated to that individual space making it easy to forget that the rest

of the house is attached Establishing connectivity between rooms is

a challenge but an important part of executing a project the right

way

Sometimes one wrong detail no matter how small can be incred-

ibly impactful and difficult to avoid on your own

ldquoIf yoursquore working on a new addition or renovation we ensure it

flows that therersquos balance between the existing part of the living

space and the new additionrdquo Meghan Baltich said explaining that

it just doesnrsquot make sense to put in a great new kitchen if itrsquos dis-

jointed and out of place from its surroundings

Another common novice mistake is the trendy retail store fallacy

that you can order a full room from a catalog or pick a fabulous and

unique design from a floor plan

Blairhouse clients learn the difference between ldquocookie-cutterrdquo

and ldquocustomrdquo and they are never concerned with picking the wrong

piece for the wrong room

Simply Saratoga | 45

ome customers will come to us after going into a Pottery Barn and buying stuff that just didnrsquot workrdquo Baltich said giving the

example of an individual who purchased an enormous sectional for a tiny room ldquoWe scale into the clientrsquos space taking func-

tion and proportion into considerationrdquo

Exceptional listening and observation skills are the designerrsquos

unsung attributes and greatest assets Blairhouse experts engage

with their clients to gain a true understanding of what they want

In turn the design process becomes an eye-opening experience

customers are introduced to colors and concepts they would

never think to consider

ldquoEach client trusts us to create their environment and we

enable them to make informed decisionsrdquo Patricia Richards

said

And sometimes that requires bold suggestions and collabora-

tion or looking at all of the possibilities even the ones ldquoyou

would never have been brave enough to do on your ownrdquo

In the end the experience of working with the experts is

enjoyable stress-free and cost-effective From concept to com-

pletion the result is just what you want and need ndash a fabulous

marriage of function and aesthetic that wonrsquot have you coming

back for more (because you did it right the first time) sect

ldquoS

46 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 47

For a taste of Blairhouse Interiors Grouprsquos distinctive work stop into their Park Place studio located at 262 Broadway Suite 204 in Saratoga Springs For further details visit wwwblairhouseinteriorscom or call (518) 786-7800

From left to right Dominic Carota Meghan Baltich Patricia Richards and

Thomas R Burns (The designproject therapy team of Blairhouse Interiors Group)

48 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 49

Dorsquos and Donrsquots

50 | Simply Saratoga

Story Written by Kerry Ann Mendez Perennially Yours bull wwwpyourscom Photos Provided

SpringDorsquos and Donrsquots

SpringDorsquos and DonrsquotsDorsquos and Donrsquots

Spring

for your Gardens

s

Simply Saratoga | 51

ssts

SPRINGis right around the corner and gardenersare pawing at the ground ready to explodethrough the garden gate As a passionate perennial gardenerI am right there with you But before launching into another flower-filledseason letrsquos go through a spring checklist of dorsquorsquos and donrsquorsquots to makesure we make the most of the race and have the best finish ever

Photo by GardenersSupply Company

apply a granular fertilizer to your perennial beds while they are still lsquoasleeprsquoDepending on the winter wersquove had this may be anytime from mid-Marchto mid-April Donrsquot worry if there are already lsquoearly risersrsquo visible like springblooming bulbs or woodland ephemerals I recommend using 5-5-5 5-10-5 or

5-10-10 fertilizer at the rate of 2 pounds per 100 square feet Cast the fertilizer just before it is about to rainto make sure fertilizer is watered into the ground and washed off any existing leaves You can give otherplants in your yard this treat as well including floweringshrubs groundcovers climbing vinesand roses

DONrsquoTput fertilizer on top of the snow or on ground that is

still frozen You want to make sure the fertilizer disap-pears into pliable soil and to waiting roots otherwiserunoff can occur And donrsquot think more is better Youcan stress or even kill plants by over-fertilizing espe-cially in spring when leaves are not fully developed toutilize nitrogen in the fertilizer If you are going to errless is better

DO

prune once-b l o o m i n g

roses such as Heirloom or Old GardenRoses when the Forsythia is blooming

Any rose that blooms onceusually in late spring forabout three weeks is in thiscategory Many times theseroses are quite fragrantWait to prune these rosesuntil right after they flower

DONrsquoT

prune most roses whenForsythia is in bloom Pruneshrub roses back by half to

23 their height This is assuming you did not prunethem last fall If you did then next year wait until latewinter or early spring Prune Teas and Grandiflorasback to 18 - 24rdquo For climbing roses prune branchesemerging from the main canes back to within 3 - 4rdquoof the cane

DO

apply corn gluten tolawn areas yoursquoveseeded (or over-seeded) or to gar-dens where youwant biennialsperennials or annu-als to reseed andflower Corn glutendoes not distinguishbetween lsquogoodrsquoand lsquobadrsquo seeds

apply a pre-emer-gent weed killerand fertilizer toyour lawn A lushhealthy lawn

makes a beautiful frame for gardens Myfamily walked away from lawn chemicalsfive years ago And our lawn has neverlooked better Corn gluten is a big part ofthis transformation Corn gluten is a by-product of milled corn It will not harm chil-dren pets or wildlife Heck you can eat it ifyou want (but it tastes yucky) Corn Glutenis high in nitrogen and commonly used as alawn fertilizer But it is also a pre-emergenttargeting seeds as they germinate Youcan put corn gluten down at any point inthe spring BUT if part of your mission is toeliminate crabgrass then there is a narrowwindow of attackApply it whenForsythia is in fullbloom and beforeits leaves appearThe Forsythia is asoil temperatureindicator that cor-responds to whencrabgrass seedsstart to germinate More garden centersare now carrying corn gluten productsYou just need to ask and follow the appli-cation instructions on the bag Make sureto water in the corn gluten after applyingIt will remain effective for five to six weeks

Simply Saratoga | 53

DONrsquoT

DO

step on soil as you maneuver around thegarden to cut back Lavender and therest of the gang For that matter youshould never be tromping through yourgardens compacting soil This breaks

down air and water channels as well as making it tougher forroots to spread Instead reach into beds from existing paths orplace stepping stones in discreet spots where only your eyes cansee or lsquowalk the plankrsquo on a board to reach plants fartherlsquoadriftrsquo

54 | Simply Saratoga

cut back Lavender Russian SageMontauk Daisy Butterfly BushChrysanthemums and ornamental grass-es These are best left untouched in falland whacked in spring Many folks make

the mistake of acting too gingerly with pruners Let lsquoem fly Theresult will be more compact neater plants that will bloom just fineTrust me If it helps wait until yoursquove had a bad day at work withthe kids or in traffic

DONrsquoT

DO

divide Peonies German Bearded Iris orOriental Poppies in spring These are bestdone in late summer Also tap-rootedplants (those with a carrot-looking root)cannot be divided Think about it These

are usually propagated by seed stem or root cuttings Someperennials that fall into this category are Malva Butterfly WeedBalloon Flower Oriental Poppies and Lupines

Simply Saratoga | 55

DONrsquoT

divide plants in spring This is an optimumtime to divide most perennials Yes evenspring bloomers Wait until these haveflowered and then shear off the spentblooms and get to business Most sum-

mer and fall blooming perennials can be divided prior to mid-Junewithout disrupting their performance

DO

apply a time-released fertilizersuch as Plant-Tone(organic) orOsmocote to heavy

feeding perennials five to six weeks afterthe earlier granular fertilizer applicationMost plants do not need as much fertilizeras we are led in advertising to believe I amstingy with my money and maintenancetime so only a handful of plants get thisbonus feed Astilbe Delphinium Liliums (ieAsiatic Oriental Trumpet) Clematis androses If I am feeling generous I will putsome on my Bigleaf Hydrangeas next to theroses Call me heartlessJust scratch fertilizer intothe top couple inchesof soil around theplantrsquos base and waterin well They will enjoy anutritious snack forthree to four months

apply mulch ongarden beds toreduce weedsconserve moisture

reduce erosion minimize soil temperaturefluctuations and enhance the quality ofthe soil Some mulching materials includeaged manures compost shredded wood(not dyed) leaf moldand cocoa hulls Putthe mulch down 2rdquo to3rdquo thick around plantsincluding floweringshrubs

build up mulchagainst plant stems

And please please donrsquot create volcanomounds around trees Please This is awfulfor them The only ones that benefit fromthis are the people selling the mulch

56 | Simply Saratoga

DONrsquoT

DO

DO

rubber band orbraid the foliage ofspring bloomingbulbs after they fin-ish flowering You

want as much leaf surface exposed to thesun as possible to increase photosynthesisYou can press the leaves down next to thesoil so they are less noticeable

Simply Saratoga | 57

sect

And finally DO have a great year in

your gardens and DONrsquoT forget to

take time to smell the roses

DONrsquoT

DONrsquoT

cut off the spentblooms and stems onspring blooming bulbsafter they have flow-ered so energy is redirected to the bulbsversus seed productions Keep the leaves inplace until they have browned and ideallycan be pulled from the ground by hand

put time-released fertil-izer on perennials thatprefer lean dietsRicher soil just upsetstheir vascular systemsThey will get leggy flop and not perform tosnuff Yarrow Coneflower Catmint RussianSage Linum Sea Holly and Silvermound are inthe group

DO

For more information contact Perennially Yours at pyourscom

58 | Simply Saratoga

Ill mination

Exterior Stonework

an

d

Story Written by Arthur Gonick Photos Provided

u

Simply Saratoga | 59

To develop and implement an exterior vista that maximizes your enjoyment To have a backyard landscape that is warm inviting and uniquely yours

These are goals that many homeowners have when they first move onto their property But unless you are trained in the variety ofmaterials and options available the task of getting past the point of comparing possibilities to completing and actually enjoying yourbackyard paradise can appear to be a long daunting road

For Carl Trinkle a landscape designer for ten years with the Gallivan Companies of Troy one of the key elements in a successfultransformation is utilizing a professionalrsquos expertise to articulate goals and develop a plan

ldquoThe most important thing we do when we first meet with a client is to get them to discuss their basic needs and aims and encouragethem to formulate an overall vision for their property An initial consultation sets the tone we make an initial visit on-site to look overthe property so we can have an idea as to where things might be placedrdquo

ldquoDuring this intake process we actually encourage people to show us photos of their friendrsquos property that they like or perhaps froma magazine It helps most people to articulate the goals of what they would like to see as a finished projectrdquo Trinkle said ldquoEven if they are looking to do things in phases we find that it is most important to develop a comprehensive site planrdquo This eliminates the need to revise original phases of work to accommodate those that come in the future

60 | Simply Saratoga

that Mr Trinkle finds potential customers identifying with aredesigned to extend the outdoor season ldquoA few extra weeks outside isa lotrdquo he said

add-ons also extend outside activity each day Low voltage lighting is still the most popular but recently LED lighting with longer-lasting bulbs that involve less maintenance and are cost-efficienthave become more fashionable

The latest trends

stations fire pits and waterenhancements such as ponds andwaterfalls are the most frequentlyrequested items that broaden theoutdoor use season

Outdoor grill

Exterior lighting

Simply Saratoga | 61

And of course swimming pool projects have always been a most-requested

item Fifty percent of allthe projects Mr Trinkleworks on involve a pooleither a completely new installation or enhance-ments to existing poolsGallivanrsquos long-standingrelationship withConcord Pools has beena hallmark in assuringthat customers are satis-fied when their pool isput in the ground

62 | Simply Saratoga

In most cases a comprehensive plancan be developed for any project in about a period of twoweeks Complete drawings and cost breakdowns are provid-ed as well as the projected phases that can be completed injust a few months or on larger projects can be scheduled insegments over a few years These are reviewed in personwith the customer again the goal being to have a plan thateveryone buys into

Simply Saratoga | 63

ldquoWe have had projects where the customer has wanted tohave a lot of input and we welcome that But we also hadone where the client was out of town and we built a firepit and slide for his wife and kids and our only instructions were to dazzle themI remember it as a most satisfying experience and we ended up winning awards for that onerdquo

- Carl Trinkle Landscape DesignerThe Gallivan Companies

64 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 65

ldquoI get to work using my creativity with talented people Some of the most talented are those

I meet as customersrdquo sect

For more information or to schedule aconsultation phone Gallivan Companies at(518) 271-6100 Gallivanrsquos website iswwwGallivanCompaniescom

66 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 67

Buying a playhouse for your child is an excellent investment

They promote imaginative play and spending time outdoors and

double as storage space when no longer used for recreation

Denise Woodcock owner of Versatile Sheds in Wilton has

been helping parents and grandparents customize their childrsquos or

grandchildrsquos dream playhouses for years

ldquoThey make great gifts especially for grandparents who want

their grandkids to have their own place to play when they visitrdquo

she said

Playhouses are a great addition to a childrsquos outdoor world

They come in all shapes sizes and designs and can be custom-

built or finished if you donrsquot find exactly what yoursquore looking for

in a catalog or on the lot

Every child is different and has their own preferences for color

size and function boys and girls often have especially different

requests for their play space as do younger and more mature chil-

dren so therersquos a lot to consider

Denise knows how even the finest detail can be all it takes to

make an outdoor structure feel like a childrsquos own personal space

While it may seem superfluous to address every minor demand

the truth is a playhouse is more than just an expensive toy itrsquos an

investment The more your child connects with their space the more

use theyrsquoll get out of it ndash and according to Denise that means your

money is well spent

Smartest WayThe

playhouse for your kidsto buy a

Photos by MarkBollescomStory by Yael Goldman

68 | Simply Saratoga

With this in mind prospective buyers should first consider

who will use the playhouse and for how long as well as what

happens when the structure is no longer used for recreation

Versatile Sheds can help even the most discerning parent or

child find what theyrsquore looking for Every playhouse is hand-

built by Amish craftsmen who can accommodate almost any

special request at an additional cost so the possibilities are

endless inside and out

Cedar shingle or vinyl siding wood stone or brick ndash if you

can use it on the outside of your regular home it can be inte-

grated into your playhousersquos design Playhouses can be built

to look like a miniature version of your home which is an

excellent touch for parents that are particularly concerned

with aesthetics Porches shutters flowerboxes unique doors

chimneys and exterior lighting are just a few of the touches

that can brighten and personalize the exterior

Individualizing your childrsquos playhouse doesnrsquot stop at the

front door There are just as many interior features to choose

from ndash you can let your imagination run wild

For starters you have the option to order the playhouse

with a finished or unfinished interior The unfinished version

looks a lot like the inside of a regular home before you move

in paint the walls and furnish the rooms

Buying an unfinished structure is a great way to cut costs

and even bring the family together over a weekend decorating

project The possibilities are endless depending on how handy

you are otherwise a few coats of paint and a bit of carpeting

will surely do the trick

Although a bit pricey purchasing a playhouse with a fin-

ished interior ensures that your child gets exactly what they

want right off the bat They can pick everything from the paint

color to the flooring so the playhouse is move-in ready on the

day it arrives

Playhouses can also be insulated and wired for electricity

You can install lighting electrical outlets even heat or air-

conditioning to make your childrsquos outdoor space as comfort-

able as possible

And the options donrsquot end there Traditional sheds also dou-

ble as playhouses For some parents purchasing an adult-size

shed for their children is an ideal way to get the best return on

their investment Once their children grow out of it the struc-

ture can be used for outdoor storage With just as many styles

sizes and materials to choose from you can customize the

interior and exterior of your shed just as you would a play-

house but without all of the more frivolous features

ldquoAny shed can be a playhouserdquo Woodcock said explaining

how a custom paint job or flowerbox can transform a typical

storage unit into childrsquos outdoor activity haven

For example if purchasing a wood shed the exterior can be

easily painted and repainted when making the transition from

playhouse to storage space

For Denisersquos customers getting their moneyrsquos worth should

not have to mean making sacrifices

Simply Saratoga | 69

70 | Simply Saratoga

When Debby Trainor made the decision to buy her grand-

daughter Chezneyrsquos dream house she wanted it to have all the

bells and whistles She met with Denise to go over all the cri-

teria the goal was to buy the perfect gift for Chezney while

staying within her budget

The eight-year-old Greenwich girl wanted her own pretty

pink palace where she could play and imagine Debby wanted

it to be a cozy and safe place for her to play year-round

Customization and interior decoration helped make

Chezneyrsquos playhouse feel like her own little kingdom

ldquoWe made it look like a cute little dollhouserdquo she said ldquoWe

put furniture inside and a little stove fridge heater and TV

itrsquos just perfectrdquo

With the structure built to their liking Chezney and Debby

could enjoy decorating the inside to personalize the playhouse

For many customers putting on the finishing touches means

making the playhouse feel like home ndash you can add curtains

hang pictures buy furniture and appliances and landscape the

perimeter to make the outdoor space feel like a home away

from home

When the child grows out of their playhouse these items

can be easily removed to accommodate a secondary use for the

space

ldquoThe best thing that Denise did for me was explain how we

can use the playhouse for storage for stuff out in the yard after

Chezney has grown out of itrdquo Debby explained ldquoAlthough

she is only eight and will be using it for quite a few more

years this really makes it a good investment and looks

great in the backyardrdquo

Whether you choose a customized playhouse or a tradi-

tional shed thinking toward the future also ensures the

safety and longevity of the structure

Denise explained that placement is an important thing to

consider as you want to make sure the structure is in a safe

place and on an appropriate surface Most importantly the

playhouse must be built on a level even surface that isnrsquot

too high off of the ground

ldquoYou want it on a nice platformrdquo Denise explained

ldquoSome people use concrete but stone is better because it

allows moisture to seep down into the ground and away

from the structurerdquo

Most parents prefer that their playhouse is in the back-

yard where itrsquos easy to see from a window Placing the

structure in a shaded area is also a good idea it will be

cooler in the summer and less susceptible to the elements if

partially protected by trees

Debby had Chezneyrsquos playhouse built right next to her

swing set where she can be easily supervised

One last thing to consider when purchasing a playhouse

Simply Saratoga | 71

72 | Simply Saratoga

or shed for your child is how much effort

you want to put into maintaining it The

more ornate the structure the more care it

may need

Woodcock advises parents to preserve

their investment and treat the playhouse

like a miniature home

Think of it as a miniature house ndash the

structure requires regular maintenance

and upkeep to ensure your child will be

safe while enjoying years and years of

imaginative fun

With so many features and styles to

choose from yoursquore sure to find the best

for both you and your child

For more information about Versatile

Sheds or to set up a time to meet with

Denise Woodcock call (518) 584-7924

or stop by 669 Route 9 in Wilton sect

Simply Saratoga | 73

74 | Simply Saratoga

Kitchen

Not Your

Grandmarsquos

Story Written by Daniel Schechtman Photos Provided

ldquoAs you

walk into the kitchen

of the future LED

light projections adjust

to your mood - it will

know if you have a

hangover via sensors

that will read your

b r a i n w a v e s

Aromatherapy infused

walls will be synched

to your calendar calm-

ing you before a big

meeting or energizing you before a gym session The fridge will have selected some breakfast options identifying the essen-

tial vitamins for your day via sensors When you get home a hologram chef will be on hand for recipe inspirationrdquo

Alright so maybe your kitchen canrsquot do all of these things quite yet ndash but believe it or not wersquore getting there This is tomor-

rowrsquos kitchen a kitchen where your appliances donrsquot just store your food or wash your dishes ndash they talk to you providing you

with integral information on how to

best store your fruits and vegetables

letting you know if the refrigerator

door is open for too long or when a

part will soon need replacing

Simply Saratoga | 75

ldquoScience fictionrdquo I hear you say

Guess again Quoted from a report released by The Future Laboratory

who was commissioned by IKEA to determine what a modernkitchen in the year 2040 could conceivably look like

76 | Simply Saratoga

ldquoOne technology that really stands out to me is the

Miele Appliance Company Right now theyrsquore using a

program called lsquoremote visionrsquo On select applianceshellip

is a wireless card that clicks into a port on the back of

the appliance You synch it up with your home network

and it basically emails the technician and the owner

when itrsquos broken when you need to clean your condens-

er change your water filter or schedule a routine serv-

icerdquo said Tom Thibeault owner of Adirondack

Appliance Repair Inc located at 67 West Ave in

Saratoga Springs ldquoMaybe somebodyrsquos been opening the

[refrigerator] door for too long or the door was left open

ndash it will email you and tell you that your door is left

openrdquo

This is not your grandmarsquos kitchen This my friends

is the kitchen of the future and itrsquos available now

The 36 inch bottom-mount Miele refrigerator boasts a

striking interior featuring LED lighting running along

the sides from top to bottom stainless steel accents and

exteriors with control systems that would be comfort-

able alongside the captainrsquos chair on the Starship

Enterprise

Simply Saratoga | 77

ldquoThe controls in the Miele really stand out

Looking at the controls theyrsquore just a glass piece and

then once you touch it you see a few options for the

different compartments Then you touch the compart-

ment and the temperature is displayed so itrsquos kind of

like a Star Trek controlrdquo Thibeault said

And thatrsquos just the refrigerator

Adirondack Appliance has also seen brands such as

Wolf (a company owned by the same people who own

Sub-Zero) grow in popularity when it comes to their

range stoves and ovens The dual convection oven

works to eliminate cold spotting and provides consis-

tent even temperatures and even allows for unique

options such as proofing ndash used best when baking

homemade bread

ldquoIt also has a temperature probe you can plug into

things like a turkey or roast so you can see the temper-

ature while itrsquos still inside the machine It has

hydraulic hinges halogen lit interiors everything is

composed of stainless steel and itrsquos by far one of the

best lines on the marketrdquo Thibeault said

A new line coming to Adirondack Appliance that

features some amazing technology is a series of Pro-

Style Ranges produced by industry giant Jenn-Air

ldquoThat actually has an LCD touch

screen like an IPAD for the controls The

temperature is set by sliding your finger

along the controls Itrsquos all color backlit and

absolutely amazingrdquo Thibeault said

ldquoAnother thing we have to that same

effect are some of the hoods which have

really been getting pretty out there as far as

design We have one on our floor [by Miele]

that has an LED bar on the front which

changes in phases between 196000 colors

Itrsquos a very delicate change very pretty and

coolrdquo Thibeault said adding ldquoor you can set

it to any color in that spectrum yoursquod like to

accent your cabinetryrdquo

When it comes to dishwashers Thibeault

can attest to the quality of both the Asko and

Miele brands both of which he uses in his

own home And good news for Saratoga

Springs residents ndash

ldquoIn our market in

Saratoga we have a

very hard water base

whether yoursquore on a well

system or city waterrdquo

Thibeault said ldquoSo you

get a lot of minerals in

the machine With the

stainless steel interiors it

eliminates a lot of prob-

lems generally seen with

plastic interior tubs and

usually they are the best

life expectanciesrdquo

78 | Simply Saratoga

Asko and Mieleare practically custom made to handle the

arearsquos typicallymineral rich water

Simply Saratoga | 79

The Asko brand dishwasher takes things one step

further including two pumps in the washerrsquos system

The first pump filters the water cleansing it of poten-

tially harmful minerals while the second pump recircu-

lates the water ensuring that the machine is never

blasting your dishes with food debris or dirty residue

With Miele the design features a built-in water sof-

tener perfect for dealing with the Saratoga water

system

ldquoTypically the Miele is going to do a better job with

tougher baked in stainsrdquo said Thibeault ldquobecause itrsquos

got the softener in it and a little bit longer pots and pans

cyclerdquo

80 | Simply Saratoga

Adirondack Appliance Repair Inc is a fami-

ly-owned business since 1929 and the last inde-

pendent appliance retailer of its kind in Saratoga

Springs With $6 billion of buying power behind

their name (a benefit of being part of the Nation

Wide Appliance Buying Group) Thibeault

promised ldquowe can actually price match the box

stores and everybody else around all while pro-

viding you with better service and better

productsrdquo

For more information on AdirondackAppliance or the products they sell you mayvisit their showroom located at 67 West Avenuein Saratoga Springs for live demonstrationsThey can also be reached by phone at (518)587-6640 or you may visit them at their newwebsite wwwadkappliancecom where cus-tomers can browse through the storersquos entirecatalogue of appliances

sect

Simply Saratoga | 81

82 | Simply Saratoga

Page 13: Simply Saratoga March 2011

Simply Saratoga | 15

shore of Seneca

LakehellipFour Chimneys

Organic Winery

Established in 1980

Four Chimneys was

green before being

green was cool In addi-

tion to crafting their

wines in accordance

with the standards for

organic wine estab-

lished by the NOFA-

NY Certified Organic

they also do not utilize

any animal products in

their wines For these

reasons many vegetari-

ans embrace the Four

Chimneys wines as well and have contributed to their enor-

mous popularity Four Chimneys offers several interesting

wines ranging from dry to sweet and also features several

fruit-based wines that are extremely popular For those who

love Pinot Grigio their ldquoKingdom Whiterdquo is worth sampling

This is Four Chimneyrsquos driest white and is an ideal accompa-

niment to light seafood preparations ldquoKingdom Redrdquo also a

very dry wine is similar in texture to a Merlot and will please

Merlot drinkers offering full and rich berry and plum flavors

on the palate For those who enjoy a touch of sweetness in their

wines their ldquoEye of the Doverdquo is a slightly sweet Cabernet

Franc based red which is best served with a slight chill This

wine makes a lovely accompaniment to barbecue and other

dishes with a bit of smoke and heat Even sweeter on the scale

are their ldquoFirst Loverdquo and ldquoEye of the Beerdquo wines ldquoFirst Loverdquo

is most reminiscent of Riesling although it is based on the

Vidal grape This very fragrant wine is quite refreshing and

offers up aromas of fresh white peach and honey Their most

popular wine is ldquoEye of the Beerdquo a semi-sweet rose-colored

wine whose flavors and aromas mimic those of freshly picked

grapes off the vine Their offerings of fruit wines also are quite

popular These combine organically grown grapes with organ-

ically grown fruits from their farm With names like

ldquoHoneydew Moonrdquo ldquoCelestial Peachrdquo ldquoStrawberry

Meadowsrdquo and ldquoRaspberry Sunrdquo these sweet fruit wines

would make an interesting choice with your dessert and are

also delightful served alongside some soft ripened cheeses such

as Brie and Camembert and fresh fruit

This is just a small introduction to the world of organic

wines For additional information or if you have specific ques-

tions about the differences among organic wines please stop in

and chat with me about this very popular subject I am more

than happy to answer any additional questions that you might

have Cheers sect

Patricia Novo is the owner of Crush amp Cask Wine and Spirits at170 South Broadway in Saratoga Springs She holds anAssociates Degree in Culinary Arts from SCCC and also serves ontheir Advisory Board Patricia also has certification in Wine andSpirits from the WSET as well as an Aficionado of WineCertification from the Robert Parker and Kevin Zraly WineProgram She is pursuing her Sommelier certification in Winter2011

16 | Simply Saratoga

Savethe

DateHomemade Theater Presents HARVEY

Homemade Theater Spa State Park South Broadway Saratoga SpringsElwood P Dowd is a gentle soul ndash kind hearted and

loving He has only one flaw ndash his invisible six foot-tall rabbit companion Harvey His family convincesElwood to commit himself to a sanitarium Then thelunacy really begins Multiple mistaken identities lotsof laughs and Harvey is on the loose Does the worldneed more lsquonormal peoplersquo Will you see Harvey

April 22 23 29 30 amp May 6 7 at 8 pm and May1 and 8 at 2 pm Tickets are $23 and $26 Visit home-madetheaterorg for more information

Celebrate Earth Week Recycled Art Show

Saratoga National Historical Park 648 Rte 32Stillwater

Weekend-long exhibit beginning on Friday April15 through Sunday April 17 with original works ofldquorecycled artrdquo with each piece containing at least50 reclaimed or recycled materials For more infor-mation please visit npsgovsara or phone (518) 664-9821 ext 224

Easter Egg HuntMalta Community Center 1 Bayberry DrFrom 10 to 11 am on Saturday April 16 please reg-

ister by April 8 by calling (518) 899-4411 Residentsof Malta $6 non-residents $7 Please bring your ownEaster basket to collect your eggs

Washington County Farm and Fiber Tour

On April 24 and 25 bring the family to this freetour to visit alpacas bunnies goats sheep and lambsllamas and meet the farmers and their familiesWatch spinning knitting weaving and felting demon-strations Learn about raising the livestock and petsthat we cherish For more information visitwwwwashingtoncountyfibertourorg

Geocache Easter Egg HuntGalway Preserve 2519 Crane RdOn Saturday April 30 find some eggs find some

caches and find some friends (or make new ones) asyou and your children search throughout the preservePrizes for found eggs will include candy toys geo-items and more Drinks and snacks will be availableThis event will be led by Chris Parker Preserve stewardand geocacher extraordinare For more informationcall Saratoga PLAN at (518) 587-4555

Hadley Maple FestivalHeld on Rockwell St on Saturday April 30 this

event runs all day from 8 am to 4 pm Bring the fami-ly for everything maple Visit wwwhadleybusinessas-sociationnet for more information

MapleWeekendsMarch 19-20th

amp 26-27th

See Pages 12-13

Simply Saratoga | 17

Saratoga Springs Mardi Gras FestivalHeld at various locations downtown Saratoga on

Saturday April 30 this event benefits Saratoga EOCand the Giving Circle For more information visitsaratogamardigrasorg

British Army Spring Training DaySaratoga National Historical Park 648 Rte 32

StillwaterOn May 7 from 10 am to 4 pm The cold winter has

ended and a new campaign season begins Soldiersdrill camp followers mend clothes and the armyprepares to quell the American ldquorebellionrdquo See thetroops and decide the outcome of a re-enacted courtmartial

St Clements Horse ShowYaddo grounds next to Oklahoma TrackHeld May 3 to May 8 and May 11 to May 15 This

is one of the largest horse shows on the east coastFor more information visit saintclementshorse-showcom

18 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 19

Prom

T h i s W a y

20 | Simply Saratoga

Glamor

ous

Daz

zling

Elega

ntFlir

ty

Gor

geou

s

Girls

itrsquos

Show

time

Simply Saratoga | 21

Web

Extras

See

the

pics tha

t didn

rsquot

mak

e it in

the

Mag

azine

on

SaratogaB

ridalEXPO

com

Grecian

God

dess

Athe

na

Classic B

eaut

y

Holly

wood

Glamou

r

Wild

and

Untam

edElega

nt

22 | Simply Saratoga

The current economic and market environment has prompt-

ed many Americans to rethink their retirement strategies If

you are experiencing a job transitionmdashparticularly if the tran-

sition is unplanned and unexpectedmdashsuch a reassessment may

be particularly important for you While it may be tempting to

focus more on your immediate needs you should not lose sight

of long-term goals especially your retirement strategy

Some Basic Decisions Your employer-sponsored retirement plan is likely to be a

key component of your retirement strategy Because it repre-

sents a key source of future retirement income it is important

to carefully consider your alternatives for administering these

assets During a job transition you will usually have three

options take a lump-sum distribution leave your assets in the

employer-sponsored plan or move your assets into a Rollover

IRA

Taking a direct lump-sum distributionmdashWith this

option the assets in your plan are distributed directly to you in

a lump sum which provides you with immediate access to

your funds Depending on your short-term needs that may

appear to be an attractive alternative However a distribution

will likely result in substantial federal and state income taxes

and a 10 percent IRS penalty tax which can significantly

reduce the amount of the distribution Because you will be

receiving the distribution directly the plan administrator must

withhold up to 20 percent of the value of the distribution for

federal income tax purposes Moreover you will lose the ben-

efit of the tax-deferred status of these assets which could

reduce the amount ultimately available to you at retirement

The status quo optionmdashYou can decide to do nothing

leaving your assets in your former employerrsquos plan That will

protect the tax-deferred status of your assets and allow you to

transfer the account assets at a later time to a new employerrsquos

retirement plan that accepts rollovers But you may be limiting

your investment choices and control because employer plans

typically have a restricted investment menu and require the

consent of your spouse before you can name someone else as

a beneficiary

Establishing a Rollover IRAmdashA Rollover IRA simultane-

ously addresses the issues of taxation flexibility and control

and may hold significant benefits for you as a result

Submitted by H Michael Okby Wealth Advisor

Fin

ancia

l Protecting Your RetirementInvestmentsDuring a JobTransition

If your distribution is transferred directly to a custodian rather than

to you the Rollover IRA eliminates the withholding requirement and

penalties that may result from a lump-sum distribution

The entire rollover amount can be investedimmediately according to the strategy youspecify bull Your assets and any earnings continue to have the potential to

grow tax-deferred until you retire and begin taking withdrawals

bull You may gain access to a wider range of investment options and

more retirement planning and distribution flexibility

bull You can name any beneficiary including a trust without

needing the consent of your spouse (although special rules may

apply in community property states)

For example investment products in an employer plan are usually

limited to mutual funds and company stock With a self-directed

Rollover IRA you can work with your financial professional to struc-

ture a portfolio using stocks bonds annuities and other investments

utilizing an asset allocation1 that is customized to help you meet your

retirement investment objectives And your retirement strategy can be

further tailored with a wider range of beneficiary selection and distri-

bution choices

Consider Consolidation This may also be an excellent time to deal with multiple IRAs you

may have opened over the years and with account balances you may

have left in the plans of former employers Together these assets may

represent a significant sum There are good reasons to consider con-

solidating them all in a Rollover IRA

Comprehensive investment strategymdashIt can be difficult to main-

tain an effective investment strategymdashone that accurately reflects

your goals timing and risk tolerancemdashwhen assets are spread among

multiple financial institutions When you consolidate your financial

professional can help you ensure that these assets are part of your

overall asset allocation strategy that is reflective of your current

financial situation and long-term retirement goals

Greater investment flexibilitymdashA self-directed IRA generally

offers you the ability to choose from a wide range of investment

products including stocks bonds mutual funds annuities and more

Simplified trackingmdashIt is easier to monitor your progress and

investment results when all your retirement savings are in one place

because you will receive one statement instead of several That sim-

plifies your life while protecting the environment

Lower costsmdashReducing the number of accounts may also reduce

your account fees and other investment-related charges

Dealing with one account rather than several also simplifies

the distribution processmdashincluding complying with complex min-

imum distribution rules when you reach age 70 And you avoid the

risk of losing track of your retirement accounts or access to the

account assets should your former employer merge with another

company or go out of business Your financial professional can help

you assess your alternatives so you can make decisions based on

whatrsquos best for you You may find that this time of transition holds

benefits for your retirement assets

For more information please contact H Michael Okby at (518) 583-5601

sect

Simply Saratoga | 23

24 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 25

Summer camp is a place wherelifelong memories are made

This is where our children learnto cultivate their interests andordiscover a world of new activities tohelp their young minds grow andfor them to become physically fit

Even though there may be snowon the ground when you read thisit is never too early to think aboutyour childrenrsquos summer fun Weare blessed in this region with avariety of destinations providing awealth of activities

And while there is something foreveryone early planning is a mustto assure your child has a spot inone of these great places At theend of a long winter seasonthoughts of summer camp arerejuvenating for adults as well

Summer Camp Guide 2011

YMCA Camp Chingachgook

NdakinnaNdakinna Education Center located in

Greenfield Center offers a wide variety of

summer camp programs and activities that

will provide campers with a greater

respect and understanding for the natural

world as well as the Northeastrsquos rich

Native American history Hosted by

renowned author and wilderness and sur-

vival expert James Bruchac these pro-

grams are ideal for children with a sense

of adventure and natural wonder Summer

programs are divided into two groups

children ages three to eight and older

campers ages nine to fourteen Programs

range in duration from one to two weeks

26 | Simply Saratoga

YMCA Camp Chingachgook located on beauti-

ful Lake George has three camping options sleep-

away camp day camp and adventure trips

Summer sleep-away camp is the experience of a

lifetime The camp is divided into junior and sen-

ior boys and girls units junior campers between

the ages of seven and 12 and senior campers are 13

to 15 years old All Chingachgook counselors go

through extensive two-week training and prepa-

ration prior to the beginning of the first session

Campers will enjoy a full schedule of skill

classes which they can choose on their own

and special events and programs Campers can

choose from swimming water skiing canoeing

nature arts outdoor living skills theater news-

paper riflery archery dance guitar outdoor

cooking sports zone water world woodwork-

ing softball soccer tennis photography sail-

ing high ropes mountain biking and rock

climbing Each camper sets up their own daily

schedule of four skill classes at the start of the

session

Two-week camp sessions at Chingachgook

also include a three-day hike which allows

campers to get out and experience the wilder-

ness in a fun and safe atmosphere

Chingachgook also offers a variety of unique

adventure camps for children looking to explore

unique destinations and experience a whole new

level of fun options like sailing kayak-

ing boat building rock climbing canoe-

ing community service white-water

rafting hiking and backpacking bicycle

touring and mountain biking Adventure

campers will benefit from activities with

smaller coed groups of ten or less

Day Camp at Chingachgook is a fun

option for children ages five to ten

Campers will enjoy a full day of fun

activities from 930 am to 430 pm The

Day Camp program is divided into eight

one-week segments with the first session

starting on June 28 and the final session

starting on August 16 Each session has

a different theme

Spaces are limited at Chingachgook

so be sure to sign up as soon as possible

For more information to sign up for a

tour or to register for camp visit

wwwcapitaldistrictymcacom or call

(518) 656-9462

each covering a different skill or activity such

as animal tracking basic wilderness survival

skills and shelter building Native American

storytelling and games and nature-based arts

and crafts projects will teach campers to have

fun in the great outdoors Each camp program

promotes team building natural awareness

patience and confidence

Ndakinna also offers family camp pro-

grams which allow children and their parents

to experience the outdoors together Family

programs can accommodate children ages one

to 14 These programs offer the

same skills training and team-

building activities To view the

finalized calendar of programs

and events visit

wwwNdcenterorg

Cutting Edge Martial ArtsCutting Edge Martial Artrsquos A+ After

School and Summer Camp Program is a year-

round child care solution that provides a pos-

itive structured environment for children

after school and during the day in the sum-

mer During the school year we pick chil-

dren up directly from the local elementary

and middle schools and provide an hour les-

son that starts with our ldquoMat Chatrdquo a ten

minute character education lesson for the day

followed by a full 50 minute martial arts

class Parents have a window between 5 and

545 pm to pick up their children while chil-

dren have the opportunity after class to get

their homework started

During the summer children get all the

benefits of our A+ Program but on a grander

scale We offer nine weeks of full day camps

and have no minimum or maximum number

of days per week or number of weeks that a

student can attend Each week of camp we

have a curriculum of character education

lessons fun games and a one hour martial

arts class every day We watch a movie in

the afternoons twice a week have a video

game morning on Fridays and take all our

campers on an educa-

tional outing on

Wednesdays and a

fun and exciting out-

ing every Friday

Our average camp

size is 20-25 stu-

dents and we have

three full time staff

graphed by Sarah Sutliff

Saratoga Childrenrsquos Theatre also offers a one-

week camp at the end of the summer ldquoMaster

your Auditionrdquo This camp will help your child

get ready for fall and winter auditions These

audition workshops have been very popular and

sell out quickly Any child at any skill level with

an interest in performing arts is welcome to join

in on the fun Saratoga Childrenrsquos Theatre

Executive Director Meg Kelly aims to give each

camper the most rewarding and enjoyable camp

experience and every camper will get to perform

The Saratoga Childrenrsquos Theatre hires profes-

sionals to help your child gain the most from

their summer camp experience

The cost for a two-week session is $450 and

$250 for the one-week session For more infor-

mation visit wwwsaratogachildrenstheatreorg

or call (518) 580-1782

For kids who have a passion for per-

forming arts Saratoga Childrenrsquos Theatre

summer camp is a dream come true

Saratoga Childrenrsquos Theatre offers per-

formance camps which means each

camper will be working on a full-fledged

production throughout their session

Campers will learn all aspects of perform-

ance and will have the opportunity to per-

form in two shows at the end of camp a

matinee and an evening show are both

open to the public Campers will perform

on stage at St Petersrsquo Auditorium

Saratoga Springs Camp hours are 9am-

3pm Performance camp is divided into

two age groups

Ages 6-9 will participate in one week

camps These camps will include Disneyrsquos

Sleeping Beauty kids Cinderella kids

Aristocats kids 101 Dalmatians kids and

Lemonade These camps will be directed by

Megan OrsquoSullivan a local elementary school

music teacher and assisted by Karey

Trimmings also a local elementary school

music teacher

Ages 10-18 will participate in two-week

camps Each camp will practice and perform a

different show These

camps include

Thoroughly Modern

Mille Jr Cinderella Jr

Fiddler on the Roof Jr

and Once on this Island

Jr These camps will be

directed by Michael

Lotano local actor and

elementary school music

teacher and choreo-

Saratoga Childrenrsquos Theatre

Simply Saratoga | 27

working with our students

Our goal is to provide a family-friendly

and fun environment that feels like a home

away from home Our students have fun

learning skills that can be used every day of

their lives and we try to provide memories

that will last a lifetime For many our

summer camps are a wonderful introduc-

tion to martial arts

For more information visit

wwwsaratogamartialartscom

or call (518) 587-5501

28 | Simply Saratoga

Saratoga Independent SchoolSaratoga Independent School hosts a variety of summer

programs split into two age groups three to eight year-olds

Wilton Recreation CampWilton Recreation offers a full-day summer

camp program for children in grades one

through nine With available pre-camp and

post-camp care working parents can ensure

their children are having fun in a safe environ-

ment before and after the camprsquos regular 9 am to

3 pm hours Parents who register their children

for before and after camp care can drop off their

children prior to camp opening at 830 am and

can pick them up at 530 pm Bussing is avail-

able for Wilton residents who register for regu-

lar camp hours (9 am to 3 pm)

Wilton Recreation Camp offers a full sched-

ule of daily onsite activities themed events and

exciting trips for kids who register for off-site

adventures Daily on-site activities include arts

and crafts sports playground fun and other

organized group games This yearrsquos scheduled

field trips include Million Dollar Beach in Lake

George movie days at Proctors Theater

Saratoga County Fair bowling white water

rafting and at least two swimming days per

week at Peerless Pool

The Summer 2011 camp will open on

June 27 and run until August

12 Registration begins

March 14 at Gavin Park and

will close on June 3 As

there are only 300 spaces

available be sure to mark

your calendar Camp

registration forms are

available online at

wwwtownofwiltoncom or

can be picked up weekdays

at Gavin Park 9 am to 5 pm

For any other questions

please call the park office at (518) 584-9455

and seven to 14 year-olds The weeklong programs run from July 5

to August 19

Saratoga Independent School summer programs are staffed large-

ly by their own teachers so parents can rest assured their kids are

supervised in a safe environment with experienced teachers who are

knowledgeable about child development and hands-on

programming

For the younger group weekly themed programs run from 9 am

to noon (early drop-off at 830 available) The staff-to-camper ratio

is one to six for children ages three and four and one to ten for chil-

dren ages five to eight Themed programs include ldquoCooking with

Curiosityrdquo ldquoHawaiian Hullabaloordquo ldquoHands-On Science Funrdquo

ldquoHoliday-A-Dayrdquo ldquoGood Versus Evil Imaginations Run Wildrdquo

ldquoDinosaur Discoveryrdquo ldquoIn the Jungle the Mighty Junglerdquo

Activities take place both indoors and outdoors

The selection of enrichment programs for older children is even

more extensive this year than in the past Some programs will take

place in the mornings others in the afternoon Age ranges will vary

depending on the subject matter These specialty programs give chil-

dren an opportunity to develop new interests and expand on existing

skills Programs include ldquoCartooning and Morerdquo ldquoImprovisationrdquo

ldquoKnittingrdquo ldquoOpen Art Studiordquo ldquoYou Can Do Magicrdquo ldquoGet Up and

Dancerdquo ldquoRoaring into Robots Whatrsquos Nextrdquo ldquoArt in the Ancient

Worldrdquo ldquoMad Sciencerdquo ldquoComputer Video Game Creationrdquo

ldquoAdvanced Robot Challengesrdquo and ldquoArt-Math Connectionrdquo

Registration has already begun and the programs fill up quickly so

visit wwwsiskidsorg for more information and to secure a space

for your child

Simply Saratoga | 29

Are your kids looking for an adventure this summer The

Saratoga Regional YMCA has two exciting day camps available

Camp Starhitch held at the Wilton Branch which engages children

with a multitude of fun activities and a trip each week and Travel

Camp where participants meet at the Saratoga Springs Branch and

then travel off to fun and thrilling places each day

Camp Starhitch is for children having completed Kindergarten

through entering fifth grade Campers will participate in games

sports crafts nature activities trips swimming archery and more

Each week is planned around a theme and includes a trip For exam-

ple during ldquo70rsquos Flashbackrdquo week campers will go roller skating

during ldquoThe Wild Frontierrdquo week kids will have the opportunity to

go horseback riding and during ldquoTropical Paradiserdquo week partici-

pants may ldquocatch a gnarly waverdquo at an outdoor water park

Travel Camp is definitely for the action seeker and for those who

like to be on the go This program for youth entering fifth through

tenth grade provides campers an opportunity to travel each and every

day to fun-filled locations Participants explore different summer

activities that include amusement and water parks outdoor sports

fairs and horseback riding This year the trips include a visit to Hunter

Mountain Six Flags New England Tubing on the Battenkill NY

Mets game at Citi Field the NY State Fair and more

Camp Starhitch and Travel Camp both run for nine one-week ses-

sions You may choose to attend camp for one week or any combina-

tion of weeks Experienced counselors supervise children and a ratio

of 110 ensures a safe quality camping experience CPR and First Aid

certified camp staff will be present on all trips At Travel Camp

campers will be grouped according to age and are supervised by expe-

rienced adult staff

Camp Starhitch has two day camp options for your child Option A

allows for your child to be dropped off at 9 am and picked up at 4 pm

and Option B has a 7 am drop off time and a 6 pm pick up time

Travel Camp runs from 9 am to 430 pm and extended hours are

available at no additional cost This year transportation will be provid-

ed in both directions between the Saratoga Springs and Wilton

branches Pickups will be as early as 815 am and drop-offs will be

as late as 5 pm Both camps try to cater to working parents

In addition the Saratoga Regional YMCA is committed to provid-

ing a safe and welcoming environment for all campers by incorporat-

ing the YMCAcore values of caring honesty respect and responsibil-

ity in daily activities To promote safety and comfort for all individu-

als are asked to act appropriately at all times when at the Yrsquos facilities

or participating in Y programs All campers are required to read and

sign a contract of understanding in reference to the Code of Conduct

We expect persons using the YMCAto act maturely to behave respon-

sibly and to respect the rights and dignity of all othersmdashall while

having a good time

The Y also has opportunities available for those who may not have

the resources to send their children to camp The Y provides scholar-

ships for those who qualify Scholarships are made possible due to

the generous donations of Y members the community and businesses

to the ldquoWe Build Peoplerdquo scholarship campaign held by the Saratoga

Regional YMCA each year Scholarship applications are available at

all Saratoga Regional YMCA branches and online at wwwsaratogare-

gionalymcaorg

Registration is currently ongoing and fills up quickly Registration

forms are available at any of the Saratoga Regional YMCA Branches

or at wwwsaratogaregionalymcaorg For more information about

these day camps please contact Ilene Leverence at (518) 583-9622

ext 103 for Camp Starhitch and Patti Laudicina at (518) 583-9622

ext 110 or Paige Minear ext 116 for Travel Camp

Saratoga YMCA

30 | Simply Saratoga

Ask women about the greatest threat to their health and most will

respond incorrectly with the words ldquobreast cancerrdquo While breast cancer

certainly is of concern the truth is that women are 10 times more like-

ly to die from heart disease Breast cancer kills 1 in 25 women heart

disease claims 1 in 2

The most recent statistics available indicate that cardiovascular dis-

ease causes the death of 500000 women per year ndash more than ALL

forms of cancer combined This is a rate of epidemic proportion

Little or no warning

Two-thirds of women die suddenly from heart disease without expe-

riencing any warning symptoms The majority die before they even

reach the hospital and before any attempt at treatment is possible Early

screening and the detection that leads to prevention offer the only hope

of reducing these deaths

Women who do develop heart disease tend to fare worse than men

One reason is that on average heart disease peaks 10 years later in

women than in men At this older age women are less able to withstand

the stress of the disease The proof can be found in a disturbing statis-

tic One year after their first heart attack 44 percent of women are dead

compared with 27 percent of men

Clearly for women preventing that first heart attack would make an

enormous difference

Know the risks

What can be done to prevent and detect heart disease in women

Of foremost importance is to reduce ndash or if possible eliminate ndash the

conditions that cause or accelerate the growth of blockages in the arter-

ies of the heart These conditions known as risk factors include high

Women Take this warning to heart

Story By Andrij O Baran MD

blood pressure diabetes genetic high cholesterol a high-fat

diet an inactive lifestyle smoking and cocaine use

Some damage the lining of the heartrsquos arteries speeding the

buildup of cholesterol Others raise blood cholesterol Both

smoking and cocaine use speed blood clotting They also can

cause sudden cramps or spasms in the coronary arteries cut-

ting off the entire blood supply to portions of the heart even

without a cholesterol blockage

A woman who has one or more of these risk factors should

ask her doctor how best to control them She also should ask

about further screening and testing such as stress testing

The sooner the better

Lifestyle changes and medications can have a dramatic

impact on reducing the incidence of heart attack provided cho-

lesterol blockages are detected early ndash before damage to the

heart has occurred In fact drugs that lower cholesterol alone

have been unequivocally shown to reduce the risk of heart

attack and death by up to 50 percent

When added to a program of low-fat diet exercise control

of high blood pressure and diabetes and above all else no

smoking the benefits are magnified many times over Keep in

mind of course that these drugs work only if they are taken

and taken appropriately

By knowing and changing their risk factors all women can

ensure themselves of a longer and more vibrant life

Andrij O Baran MD FACC is the Medical Director of

Cardiology Services at Saratoga Hospital

Simply Saratoga | 31

A c t F a s t D u r i n g H e a r t A t t a c k s According to the American Heart

Association clot-busting drugs can stop

some heart attacks in progress reducing

disability and saving lives They work best

given within one hour of when heart

attack signs begin Thatrsquos why itrsquos impor-

tant to recognize the warning signs of a

heart attack and act right away

Warning Signs

bull Pain or discomfort in the jaw

neck or back

bull Feeling weak lightheaded or faint

bull Chest paindiscomfort

bull Paindiscomfort in the arms or

shoulder

bull Shortness of breath

If you think that you or someone you

know is having a heart attack call 911

immediately

32 | Simply Saratoga

Who would believe that a rabbi from Eastern

Europe frozen for 150 years in a block of ice could

be transported across time and space to Memphis

where he thaws then becomes a spiritual guru to

baby boomers Arguably nobody But Steve Stern

the author of ldquoThe Frozen Rabbirdquo his most recent

novel isnrsquot asking readers to believe it so much as

to let the characters tell their story Besides the plot

may be far-fetched but he already has a buyer for

the movie rights

Writer-in-residence at Skidmore College Stern is

a genius at creating human beings in fantastical cir-

cumstances who seem more like eccentric neigh-

bors than artifacts of science fiction Some fly

some inhabit other peoplersquos dreams some are res-

urrected and some travel through time Whatever

their superpowers or frailties the heroes and vil-

lains tricksters and innocents and witnesses and

bystanders in Sternrsquos short and long fiction deserve

attention and evoke compassion in their quest for

connection and redemption - or at least food and

shelter From within an inexhaustible vein of

Jewish folklore and oral history his characters

emerge into a lucid fictional universe that embraces

both magic and the mundane Dialogue is ironic as

often as it is mystical and the most ordinary days

serve as backdrops for incredible events

ldquoMiracles are commonplacerdquo says Stern a

Ballston Spa resident ldquoI donrsquot write in metaphors

and symbols deliberately Writing is a visceral

experience for me I read with interest what review-

ers say about my repetitive themes and ideas but I

am driven by images and characters Irsquom a compul-

sive storytellerrdquo

Steve Stern A Lyrical Voice in the Ghetto

B

o

o

k

m

a

r

k

Lean bespectacled and haloed in dark curls Stern

is a Memphis native who grew up in a home bereft

of music books and art in a city made famous by

Elvis Presley (who used to drive through Sternrsquos

neighborhood) and Martin Luther Kingrsquos assassina-

tion He remembers himself as ldquoa mediocre adoles-

cent without confidence or spiritual antennardquo first

stirred to write poetry in high school which he read

aloud for attention

ldquoI was surprised people liked itrdquo he says ldquoAnd I

liked writing it even though it embarrassed me But

I was encouraged to go on and later to try proserdquo

The allure of the late lsquo60s and early lsquo70s was not

academic After college Stern wandered through

Europe then worked as a butcher on a hippie com-

mune in the Ozarks raising pigs and eating off the

land ldquoI slept under five blankets and two dogsrdquo he

recalls (The incarnation has been memorialized in a

comic strip by Sternrsquos girlfriend Sabrina a cartoon-

ist and set designer for Saturday Night Live)

The commune was not too far from the University

of Arkansas where Stern attended graduate school

and played volleyball with Bill and Hillary Clinton

ldquoI hoped he would mention me in his inaugural

addressrdquo Stern sighs

With an MA Stern found teaching gigs at vari-

ous colleges but the work dried up forcing him to

take a job at a folklore center in Memphis first tran-

scribing stories about the black community then

launching a life-changing project to preserve the

stories of the fading Jewish population in a desolate

Memphis ghetto known as ldquoThe Pinchrdquo where

many of his stories are set

Story By Helen Susan Edelman

ldquoBernie scrunched his face in thought Gone was his waryimpulse to keep everything secret and there were times of latewhen he felt almost reckless almost ready to tell the world whileon the other hand he suspected he may have already confided toomuch ldquoI thinkrdquo he said after some consideration ldquoIrsquom startingto outgrow myselfrdquo

mdash Steve Stern ldquoThe Frozen Rabbirdquo

Photo by Josh GerritsenSteve Stern

Simply Saratoga | 33

ldquoIt was intoxicatingrdquo says Stern ldquoI became obsessed with

itrdquo Indeed his work is infused with the folklore images lan-

guage archetypes settings rituals and values embedded in

the memories he recorded and in the vast Jewish and Yiddish

literature he has studied since

A non-observant Jew Stern had no relationship with his

religion so the introduction to his exotic legacy was both

anchor and springboard for a prolific new consciousness

ldquoThe floodgates openedrdquo he says ldquoSuddenly this world

began to materialize for me What had been barren neighbor-

hoods I could see vividly as tenements and shops a town

square street traffic merchants pawnbrokers rabbis chil-

drenhellipimmigrants from Eastern Europe looking for a homerdquo

Stern is comfortable writing about transcendent wisdom as

long as itrsquos his characterrsquos voice

and not his own

dispensing the

insights The

frozen rabbi in

the book of the

same name for

example ldquoradiates

within his zone of

influence and is a

spiritual catalyst

for anyone who

encounters himrdquo

says Stern ldquowhere-

as I am a clicheacute a

Jew who grew up

without an identityrdquo

A winner of both

Guggenheim and

Fulbright fellowships

as well as the National

Jewish Book Award

the Pushcart Prize an

OrsquoHenry Prize and the Edward Lewis Wallant Award Stern

is working on a new novel and rereading Faulkner Tolstoy

Dickens and Joyce

He views each new writing project as ldquoa riskrdquo Experience

last summer also reminded him of the evanescence of popu-

larity he gave two readings one in Memphis which drew

such a crowd that doors had to be locked and one in St

Louis where he commanded an audience of four

ldquoJust like the characters in my storiesrdquo Stern observes ldquoI

encounter conflicts look for a way to escape and face mixed

consequencesrdquo sect

How is your mental state these days Are

you experiencing peace and joy in every-

day life or frustration and impatience Are

you living your life ldquoon purposerdquo or going

through the motions feeling numb and dead

on the inside How is the garden of your

mind Are you tending to your garden or letting

the weeds take over

When I lived in Boston I lived next door to an elder-

ly woman who had a beautiful garden Every morning my

neighbor was outside in her floral moo moo (circa Mrs

Roper from Threersquos Company) tending carefully to each

plant and flower She would spend hours walking around her

garden joyfully humming and making sure her flowers were

strong and healthy Many mornings I would sip my coffee

and watch her peacefully pulling out the weeds and tending

to her precious flowers To this day I remember how tall and

lovely her sunflowers were I think our mental state can be

compared to tending to a garden do we have beautiful sun-

flowers of joy and peace or toxic weeds of bitterness and

guilt

The weeds in your heart and mind are feelings of bitterness

anger guilt self-loathing and negativity Do you spend your

days reviewing the list of those that have offended

you Do you beat yourself up daily for past mis-

takes or regrets These are the weeds that can

take over your mind and lead to racing

thoughts a dark depression constant

anxiety or physical illness and

chronic pain If you are someone

that is easily frustrated impatient

and critical you can be sure you

34 | Simply Saratoga

Tending to theGarden of Your MindDealing with the Weeds in your Life

Simple Truths

have some weeds to deal with

The only path to peace and joy in your everyday life is to

pull your weeds out from the root and confront the issues

Holding on to your weeds only makes you ill and deadens

your heart Did you know that people who are full of bitter-

ness and resentment appear older and are not as physically

attractive as people who are full of peace and love The

weeds in your heart and mind can actually make you ugly

Likewise a mind that is content and peaceful gives us a

sparkle and light in our eyes that people are automatically

attracted to Forget the anti-wrinkle cream and Botox Fill

your heart and mind up with the best kept beauty secret

around love and forgiveness

Forgiveness is not about letting the person who hurt you

off the hook Forgiveness IS allowing light into our hearts

so that we can heal and move forward It takes the heavy

burden of offense and resentment off of our hearts and

minds while preparing the ldquosoilrdquo for new growth and

experiences

When possible confront the people you need to forgive

so that you can have closure and move on If it is not pos-

sible to confront the person that is the weed in your life

write them a letter expressing your hurt and anger (not to

send but in a private journal) This is a wonderful way to

give yourself closure and put your feelings out on the table

More often than not the person we have to forgive or con-

front is ourselves If you are constantly beating yourself up

and feeling guilty about your past make a choice to forgive

yourself

Donrsquot be lazy about your weeds Dig deep and pull out

your weeds so that you can make room for peace and joy

We all desire to feel love and be accepted That accept-

Meghan DLemery LCSW-R

Simply Saratoga | 35

ance starts with you Begin to focus on peaceful loving joyful

thoughts Keep a gratitude journal of what you love about your-

self or the loved ones in your life Practice planting seeds of joy

by giving acceptance and love to everyone around you

Take time to practice patience and kindness to your family

friends colleagues and that slow cashier at the grocery store Go

out of your way to help others in any way that you can All of

these acts of kindness plant the seeds of peace love joy and

abundance

As we approach the new season of spring take some time to

tend to the garden of your mind

Wishing you love self-acceptance and peace this spring and

always

Ms Lemery is a psychotherapist practic-ing in Saratoga Springs and QueensburyShe can be reached at meghanle-meryyahoocom

Her first novel will be pub-lished this Spring TitledldquoPlease Pass the BarbieShoesrdquo it is a hilarious heart-warming story that will haveyou feeling inspiredand empowered

sect

36 | Simply Saratoga

Living Room The custom-designed leather couch chair andottoman come from Suttons The stucco fireplace was inspired by theCollinsrsquo travels through the Southwest and Colorado (ldquowe wanted to avoida traditional river rock fireplacerdquo) and provides a heat source as well asbeauty The original structure was built for passive solar design no airconditioning is needed in the summer A wood stove is the primary heatsource radiant heat with natural gas was also added during the renova-tion

The front door as well as all the interior doors was custom-made fittedand replaced by Tom Zanetti Hickory wood floors were also installed dur-ing the addition A hanging stained glass chandelier is a stock itemobtained from a leading home supply retailer ldquoIt captures the sunlightbeautifully along with providing brilliant nighttime illuminationrdquo Tedsaid ldquoItrsquos an eclectic mixrdquo

Simply Saratoga | 37

Today we look at a creative space that is set into a special place

In 1993 Ted and Susan Collins purchased a seven-acre property

with a 1986 Timberpeg designed home that has all the qualities of

a place in the country ndash yet many would be surprised to learn that

it is actually located on the border of Saratoga Springs near the

Alpine Shop on Clinton Street After a number of years living in

apartments on Union Avenue and Franklin Square enjoying the

proximity to downtown and the track they couldnrsquot resist a spot

that was close to town but yet had lots of land

Their overall vision was for an interior space that was in accord

with the outside ndash the wildlife gardens and the sustainable philos-

ophy embodied in the original buildingrsquos passive solar design

ldquoEverything we do embraces the goals of staying true to the orig-

inal structure having an open welcoming interior and being in

harmony with the outdoorsrdquo Ted said

Inspired by travels in balance with the land

Story By Arthur GonickPhotos by copystockstudiosphotographycom

These principles guided a major transformation of the interior

space in 2006 The key element was an addition to the home that

enabled the living room kitchen and upstairs bedroom to be

expanded allowing space for the installation of a downstairs bath

as well

Susan and Ted led this transformation - visualizing an addition

that incorporated equilibrium of size location and overall propor-

tion They went through several iterations with Rick Deforest of

Heritage Timberframes

Even though much of the interior decor came from travels in

Africa the South Pacific and Colorado the building materials and

craftsmen are all local The timbers and wood flooring were milled

in nearby Kingsbury ldquoWe enjoyed working with professionals who

are also friends like Rick Deforest Tom Zanetti and Mike

Roohanrdquo Ted said ldquothe house now feels complete in balancerdquo sect

Unique Places and Creative Spaces If you would like to nominate a unique

or creative place to be featured emailentertainmentsaratogapublishingcom

38 | Simply Saratoga

Kitchen A wall was taken out that afforded space to add an eat-in island area and

open up the space Custom cabinets are by Tom Zanetti Stonework andappliances were added Both the kitchen and bathroom have granite table-tops (from Mike and Margaret Roohan of Granite and Marble Works)New appliances include a Bosch stove (with a built-in microwave drawer)and an Amana stainless refrigerator

Bathroom The bathroom ceiling is pine The showerarea was designed and built to the Collinsrsquo specifications andfeatures a bench 4 shower heads PLUS an extra hand-held one(ldquoItrsquos a human car washrdquo) The stone tiles on the sides and floorin the shower were installed by Best Tile the plumbing in theshower comes from Aird Dorrance as does the sink ndash which sitson a granite top from Granite and Marble Works The windowleads out to the north side of the house with privacy blinds insidethe window panes One thing you donrsquot see ldquoSince the room ison display in the center of the expanded first floor we wanted thecommode to be mostly hiddenrdquo Ted said

Unique Places and Creative Spaces

Simply Saratoga | 39

Living RoomA reading nook sits upon the bathroom addition ldquoThere was no full bathroom on the first

floor and with a post and beam construction we had to be creative You get outstanding viewsof the property pond and stream when viewed from the nookrsquos perspectiverdquo The ladder canswing out on a track making it more like walking up a staircase ndash this was also designed andinstalled by Tom Zanetti The table in the nook is actually a working African drum with a glasstable top added

40 | Simply Saratoga

Bedroom In the second-floor master bedroom moving the dormer brought in extra light and space and

also brought the roofline together with the original structure and first-floor additions The floorand ceiling are made of rough-cut pine planking The bed is also constructed of pine and comesfrom Suttons The window in the upper left was cut during the addition It faces west for extra day-time light

Simply Saratoga | 41

42 | Simply Saratoga

Story Written by Yael Goldman Photos by Samu Studios and Randall Perry Photography

Simply Saratoga | 43

orking with the

right interior designer

turns listless decision making

into an enjoyable and productive

process that avoids costly mistakes

and delivers exceptional results

Designing a room or an entire home is a

big project no matter how strong your tastes are

The decisions are endless ndash what color should I paint the

walls What flooring is most aesthetically appealing and

dog-friendly Should I choose a furniture set or choose

individual pieces Do I want curtains or shades Do I

decorate with knick-knacks or artwork

But with all the unique self-questioning that surrounds

an interior design project most homeowners share angst

in asking themselves one specific question where do I

start

Itrsquos at this point ndash when stress level increases enjoy-

ment-driven projects turn deadly and money has been

wastefully spent on all the wrong things ndash that you long

for the help of a professional if only you could afford it

Well the truth is you can

Creating the right space can be expensive but is only

more so if you make mistakes and have to go back and

fix them If you do it right the first time therersquos no cost

associated with do-overs

With nearly 100 years of experience between them all

four members of Blairhouse Interiors Group have

worked with more than enough unhappy do-it-your-

selfers to tell you yoursquore not alone

Photo by Samu Studios

44 | Simply Saratoga

The four-member designproject therapy team which recently

opened a studio in Saratoga Springs has a long history of help-

ing home and business owners create their ideal spaces and

atmospheres the right way Their exceptional work is celebrated across

the Capital Region including Saratoga Springs where the Blairhouse

look is prominently featured in a handful of Park Place condominiums

and the incredible Saratoga National Golf Club

Thomas R Burns Meghan Baltich Dominic Carota and Patricia

Richards the highly skilled and charismatic force behind Blairhouse

Interiors Group promise an experience that is personal because itrsquos all

about your needs ndash and thatrsquos what is important

Blairhouse offers full-service interior design services space planning

project management hand-picked merchandise patience and an uncan-

ny ability to create a

look that is always

fresh sophisticated

and comfortable

ldquoThe style that we

gravitate toward is

unique cutting-edge

and modern not dic-

tated by corporaterdquo

said Meghan Baltich

pointing to a ldquovery

propitiousrdquo Keith Fritz

table at the center of

the studio

Photo by Randall Perry Photography

If you do it right the firsttime therersquos no cost

associated with do-oversPhoto by Randall Perry Photography

One glance at the Park Place showroom ndash of the selective furnishings carefully showcased along

the periphery ndash and it becomes clear why Blairhouse an award-winning team gets the job

done

Their creativity focus and immaculate sense of direction bring objectivity to the scene helping you nar-

row down all of the tedious and overwhelming choices that make do-it-yourself decorating an exercise in

unclear thinking

ldquoPeople are overwhelmed by all the choices it can feel like theyrsquore in a paralyzed blurrdquo said Thomas

Burns who finds that a great vision can be impossible to imagine and create without eliminating all of

the distractions

A vital step in getting focused is creating a

comprehensive plan based on individual

needs wants and style that addresses all

aspects of lifestyle and taste and suggests

tactful solutions and fresh approaches to new

and existing spaces

They help you identify what you like

forcing you to hone in on what you want and

need to compliment and enhance your

lifestyle

ldquoWe ascertain the clientrsquos goal and

lifestyle to convey their visionrdquo said

Dominic Carota explaining that the intended

outcome of creating or reinventing a room is

often strictly tied to how you want to live in

it

ldquoWe have to know how they functionrdquo he

said

An interior designer is an asset in the func-

tion-meets-style equation

Dominic explained that a couple starting a family will have far

different needs than empty-nesters looking for a change They may

have the same stylistic goals but their execution will differ based on

how their lifestyle exists within the space

When revamping a single room the majority of your focus is ded-

icated to that individual space making it easy to forget that the rest

of the house is attached Establishing connectivity between rooms is

a challenge but an important part of executing a project the right

way

Sometimes one wrong detail no matter how small can be incred-

ibly impactful and difficult to avoid on your own

ldquoIf yoursquore working on a new addition or renovation we ensure it

flows that therersquos balance between the existing part of the living

space and the new additionrdquo Meghan Baltich said explaining that

it just doesnrsquot make sense to put in a great new kitchen if itrsquos dis-

jointed and out of place from its surroundings

Another common novice mistake is the trendy retail store fallacy

that you can order a full room from a catalog or pick a fabulous and

unique design from a floor plan

Blairhouse clients learn the difference between ldquocookie-cutterrdquo

and ldquocustomrdquo and they are never concerned with picking the wrong

piece for the wrong room

Simply Saratoga | 45

ome customers will come to us after going into a Pottery Barn and buying stuff that just didnrsquot workrdquo Baltich said giving the

example of an individual who purchased an enormous sectional for a tiny room ldquoWe scale into the clientrsquos space taking func-

tion and proportion into considerationrdquo

Exceptional listening and observation skills are the designerrsquos

unsung attributes and greatest assets Blairhouse experts engage

with their clients to gain a true understanding of what they want

In turn the design process becomes an eye-opening experience

customers are introduced to colors and concepts they would

never think to consider

ldquoEach client trusts us to create their environment and we

enable them to make informed decisionsrdquo Patricia Richards

said

And sometimes that requires bold suggestions and collabora-

tion or looking at all of the possibilities even the ones ldquoyou

would never have been brave enough to do on your ownrdquo

In the end the experience of working with the experts is

enjoyable stress-free and cost-effective From concept to com-

pletion the result is just what you want and need ndash a fabulous

marriage of function and aesthetic that wonrsquot have you coming

back for more (because you did it right the first time) sect

ldquoS

46 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 47

For a taste of Blairhouse Interiors Grouprsquos distinctive work stop into their Park Place studio located at 262 Broadway Suite 204 in Saratoga Springs For further details visit wwwblairhouseinteriorscom or call (518) 786-7800

From left to right Dominic Carota Meghan Baltich Patricia Richards and

Thomas R Burns (The designproject therapy team of Blairhouse Interiors Group)

48 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 49

Dorsquos and Donrsquots

50 | Simply Saratoga

Story Written by Kerry Ann Mendez Perennially Yours bull wwwpyourscom Photos Provided

SpringDorsquos and Donrsquots

SpringDorsquos and DonrsquotsDorsquos and Donrsquots

Spring

for your Gardens

s

Simply Saratoga | 51

ssts

SPRINGis right around the corner and gardenersare pawing at the ground ready to explodethrough the garden gate As a passionate perennial gardenerI am right there with you But before launching into another flower-filledseason letrsquos go through a spring checklist of dorsquorsquos and donrsquorsquots to makesure we make the most of the race and have the best finish ever

Photo by GardenersSupply Company

apply a granular fertilizer to your perennial beds while they are still lsquoasleeprsquoDepending on the winter wersquove had this may be anytime from mid-Marchto mid-April Donrsquot worry if there are already lsquoearly risersrsquo visible like springblooming bulbs or woodland ephemerals I recommend using 5-5-5 5-10-5 or

5-10-10 fertilizer at the rate of 2 pounds per 100 square feet Cast the fertilizer just before it is about to rainto make sure fertilizer is watered into the ground and washed off any existing leaves You can give otherplants in your yard this treat as well including floweringshrubs groundcovers climbing vinesand roses

DONrsquoTput fertilizer on top of the snow or on ground that is

still frozen You want to make sure the fertilizer disap-pears into pliable soil and to waiting roots otherwiserunoff can occur And donrsquot think more is better Youcan stress or even kill plants by over-fertilizing espe-cially in spring when leaves are not fully developed toutilize nitrogen in the fertilizer If you are going to errless is better

DO

prune once-b l o o m i n g

roses such as Heirloom or Old GardenRoses when the Forsythia is blooming

Any rose that blooms onceusually in late spring forabout three weeks is in thiscategory Many times theseroses are quite fragrantWait to prune these rosesuntil right after they flower

DONrsquoT

prune most roses whenForsythia is in bloom Pruneshrub roses back by half to

23 their height This is assuming you did not prunethem last fall If you did then next year wait until latewinter or early spring Prune Teas and Grandiflorasback to 18 - 24rdquo For climbing roses prune branchesemerging from the main canes back to within 3 - 4rdquoof the cane

DO

apply corn gluten tolawn areas yoursquoveseeded (or over-seeded) or to gar-dens where youwant biennialsperennials or annu-als to reseed andflower Corn glutendoes not distinguishbetween lsquogoodrsquoand lsquobadrsquo seeds

apply a pre-emer-gent weed killerand fertilizer toyour lawn A lushhealthy lawn

makes a beautiful frame for gardens Myfamily walked away from lawn chemicalsfive years ago And our lawn has neverlooked better Corn gluten is a big part ofthis transformation Corn gluten is a by-product of milled corn It will not harm chil-dren pets or wildlife Heck you can eat it ifyou want (but it tastes yucky) Corn Glutenis high in nitrogen and commonly used as alawn fertilizer But it is also a pre-emergenttargeting seeds as they germinate Youcan put corn gluten down at any point inthe spring BUT if part of your mission is toeliminate crabgrass then there is a narrowwindow of attackApply it whenForsythia is in fullbloom and beforeits leaves appearThe Forsythia is asoil temperatureindicator that cor-responds to whencrabgrass seedsstart to germinate More garden centersare now carrying corn gluten productsYou just need to ask and follow the appli-cation instructions on the bag Make sureto water in the corn gluten after applyingIt will remain effective for five to six weeks

Simply Saratoga | 53

DONrsquoT

DO

step on soil as you maneuver around thegarden to cut back Lavender and therest of the gang For that matter youshould never be tromping through yourgardens compacting soil This breaks

down air and water channels as well as making it tougher forroots to spread Instead reach into beds from existing paths orplace stepping stones in discreet spots where only your eyes cansee or lsquowalk the plankrsquo on a board to reach plants fartherlsquoadriftrsquo

54 | Simply Saratoga

cut back Lavender Russian SageMontauk Daisy Butterfly BushChrysanthemums and ornamental grass-es These are best left untouched in falland whacked in spring Many folks make

the mistake of acting too gingerly with pruners Let lsquoem fly Theresult will be more compact neater plants that will bloom just fineTrust me If it helps wait until yoursquove had a bad day at work withthe kids or in traffic

DONrsquoT

DO

divide Peonies German Bearded Iris orOriental Poppies in spring These are bestdone in late summer Also tap-rootedplants (those with a carrot-looking root)cannot be divided Think about it These

are usually propagated by seed stem or root cuttings Someperennials that fall into this category are Malva Butterfly WeedBalloon Flower Oriental Poppies and Lupines

Simply Saratoga | 55

DONrsquoT

divide plants in spring This is an optimumtime to divide most perennials Yes evenspring bloomers Wait until these haveflowered and then shear off the spentblooms and get to business Most sum-

mer and fall blooming perennials can be divided prior to mid-Junewithout disrupting their performance

DO

apply a time-released fertilizersuch as Plant-Tone(organic) orOsmocote to heavy

feeding perennials five to six weeks afterthe earlier granular fertilizer applicationMost plants do not need as much fertilizeras we are led in advertising to believe I amstingy with my money and maintenancetime so only a handful of plants get thisbonus feed Astilbe Delphinium Liliums (ieAsiatic Oriental Trumpet) Clematis androses If I am feeling generous I will putsome on my Bigleaf Hydrangeas next to theroses Call me heartlessJust scratch fertilizer intothe top couple inchesof soil around theplantrsquos base and waterin well They will enjoy anutritious snack forthree to four months

apply mulch ongarden beds toreduce weedsconserve moisture

reduce erosion minimize soil temperaturefluctuations and enhance the quality ofthe soil Some mulching materials includeaged manures compost shredded wood(not dyed) leaf moldand cocoa hulls Putthe mulch down 2rdquo to3rdquo thick around plantsincluding floweringshrubs

build up mulchagainst plant stems

And please please donrsquot create volcanomounds around trees Please This is awfulfor them The only ones that benefit fromthis are the people selling the mulch

56 | Simply Saratoga

DONrsquoT

DO

DO

rubber band orbraid the foliage ofspring bloomingbulbs after they fin-ish flowering You

want as much leaf surface exposed to thesun as possible to increase photosynthesisYou can press the leaves down next to thesoil so they are less noticeable

Simply Saratoga | 57

sect

And finally DO have a great year in

your gardens and DONrsquoT forget to

take time to smell the roses

DONrsquoT

DONrsquoT

cut off the spentblooms and stems onspring blooming bulbsafter they have flow-ered so energy is redirected to the bulbsversus seed productions Keep the leaves inplace until they have browned and ideallycan be pulled from the ground by hand

put time-released fertil-izer on perennials thatprefer lean dietsRicher soil just upsetstheir vascular systemsThey will get leggy flop and not perform tosnuff Yarrow Coneflower Catmint RussianSage Linum Sea Holly and Silvermound are inthe group

DO

For more information contact Perennially Yours at pyourscom

58 | Simply Saratoga

Ill mination

Exterior Stonework

an

d

Story Written by Arthur Gonick Photos Provided

u

Simply Saratoga | 59

To develop and implement an exterior vista that maximizes your enjoyment To have a backyard landscape that is warm inviting and uniquely yours

These are goals that many homeowners have when they first move onto their property But unless you are trained in the variety ofmaterials and options available the task of getting past the point of comparing possibilities to completing and actually enjoying yourbackyard paradise can appear to be a long daunting road

For Carl Trinkle a landscape designer for ten years with the Gallivan Companies of Troy one of the key elements in a successfultransformation is utilizing a professionalrsquos expertise to articulate goals and develop a plan

ldquoThe most important thing we do when we first meet with a client is to get them to discuss their basic needs and aims and encouragethem to formulate an overall vision for their property An initial consultation sets the tone we make an initial visit on-site to look overthe property so we can have an idea as to where things might be placedrdquo

ldquoDuring this intake process we actually encourage people to show us photos of their friendrsquos property that they like or perhaps froma magazine It helps most people to articulate the goals of what they would like to see as a finished projectrdquo Trinkle said ldquoEven if they are looking to do things in phases we find that it is most important to develop a comprehensive site planrdquo This eliminates the need to revise original phases of work to accommodate those that come in the future

60 | Simply Saratoga

that Mr Trinkle finds potential customers identifying with aredesigned to extend the outdoor season ldquoA few extra weeks outside isa lotrdquo he said

add-ons also extend outside activity each day Low voltage lighting is still the most popular but recently LED lighting with longer-lasting bulbs that involve less maintenance and are cost-efficienthave become more fashionable

The latest trends

stations fire pits and waterenhancements such as ponds andwaterfalls are the most frequentlyrequested items that broaden theoutdoor use season

Outdoor grill

Exterior lighting

Simply Saratoga | 61

And of course swimming pool projects have always been a most-requested

item Fifty percent of allthe projects Mr Trinkleworks on involve a pooleither a completely new installation or enhance-ments to existing poolsGallivanrsquos long-standingrelationship withConcord Pools has beena hallmark in assuringthat customers are satis-fied when their pool isput in the ground

62 | Simply Saratoga

In most cases a comprehensive plancan be developed for any project in about a period of twoweeks Complete drawings and cost breakdowns are provid-ed as well as the projected phases that can be completed injust a few months or on larger projects can be scheduled insegments over a few years These are reviewed in personwith the customer again the goal being to have a plan thateveryone buys into

Simply Saratoga | 63

ldquoWe have had projects where the customer has wanted tohave a lot of input and we welcome that But we also hadone where the client was out of town and we built a firepit and slide for his wife and kids and our only instructions were to dazzle themI remember it as a most satisfying experience and we ended up winning awards for that onerdquo

- Carl Trinkle Landscape DesignerThe Gallivan Companies

64 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 65

ldquoI get to work using my creativity with talented people Some of the most talented are those

I meet as customersrdquo sect

For more information or to schedule aconsultation phone Gallivan Companies at(518) 271-6100 Gallivanrsquos website iswwwGallivanCompaniescom

66 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 67

Buying a playhouse for your child is an excellent investment

They promote imaginative play and spending time outdoors and

double as storage space when no longer used for recreation

Denise Woodcock owner of Versatile Sheds in Wilton has

been helping parents and grandparents customize their childrsquos or

grandchildrsquos dream playhouses for years

ldquoThey make great gifts especially for grandparents who want

their grandkids to have their own place to play when they visitrdquo

she said

Playhouses are a great addition to a childrsquos outdoor world

They come in all shapes sizes and designs and can be custom-

built or finished if you donrsquot find exactly what yoursquore looking for

in a catalog or on the lot

Every child is different and has their own preferences for color

size and function boys and girls often have especially different

requests for their play space as do younger and more mature chil-

dren so therersquos a lot to consider

Denise knows how even the finest detail can be all it takes to

make an outdoor structure feel like a childrsquos own personal space

While it may seem superfluous to address every minor demand

the truth is a playhouse is more than just an expensive toy itrsquos an

investment The more your child connects with their space the more

use theyrsquoll get out of it ndash and according to Denise that means your

money is well spent

Smartest WayThe

playhouse for your kidsto buy a

Photos by MarkBollescomStory by Yael Goldman

68 | Simply Saratoga

With this in mind prospective buyers should first consider

who will use the playhouse and for how long as well as what

happens when the structure is no longer used for recreation

Versatile Sheds can help even the most discerning parent or

child find what theyrsquore looking for Every playhouse is hand-

built by Amish craftsmen who can accommodate almost any

special request at an additional cost so the possibilities are

endless inside and out

Cedar shingle or vinyl siding wood stone or brick ndash if you

can use it on the outside of your regular home it can be inte-

grated into your playhousersquos design Playhouses can be built

to look like a miniature version of your home which is an

excellent touch for parents that are particularly concerned

with aesthetics Porches shutters flowerboxes unique doors

chimneys and exterior lighting are just a few of the touches

that can brighten and personalize the exterior

Individualizing your childrsquos playhouse doesnrsquot stop at the

front door There are just as many interior features to choose

from ndash you can let your imagination run wild

For starters you have the option to order the playhouse

with a finished or unfinished interior The unfinished version

looks a lot like the inside of a regular home before you move

in paint the walls and furnish the rooms

Buying an unfinished structure is a great way to cut costs

and even bring the family together over a weekend decorating

project The possibilities are endless depending on how handy

you are otherwise a few coats of paint and a bit of carpeting

will surely do the trick

Although a bit pricey purchasing a playhouse with a fin-

ished interior ensures that your child gets exactly what they

want right off the bat They can pick everything from the paint

color to the flooring so the playhouse is move-in ready on the

day it arrives

Playhouses can also be insulated and wired for electricity

You can install lighting electrical outlets even heat or air-

conditioning to make your childrsquos outdoor space as comfort-

able as possible

And the options donrsquot end there Traditional sheds also dou-

ble as playhouses For some parents purchasing an adult-size

shed for their children is an ideal way to get the best return on

their investment Once their children grow out of it the struc-

ture can be used for outdoor storage With just as many styles

sizes and materials to choose from you can customize the

interior and exterior of your shed just as you would a play-

house but without all of the more frivolous features

ldquoAny shed can be a playhouserdquo Woodcock said explaining

how a custom paint job or flowerbox can transform a typical

storage unit into childrsquos outdoor activity haven

For example if purchasing a wood shed the exterior can be

easily painted and repainted when making the transition from

playhouse to storage space

For Denisersquos customers getting their moneyrsquos worth should

not have to mean making sacrifices

Simply Saratoga | 69

70 | Simply Saratoga

When Debby Trainor made the decision to buy her grand-

daughter Chezneyrsquos dream house she wanted it to have all the

bells and whistles She met with Denise to go over all the cri-

teria the goal was to buy the perfect gift for Chezney while

staying within her budget

The eight-year-old Greenwich girl wanted her own pretty

pink palace where she could play and imagine Debby wanted

it to be a cozy and safe place for her to play year-round

Customization and interior decoration helped make

Chezneyrsquos playhouse feel like her own little kingdom

ldquoWe made it look like a cute little dollhouserdquo she said ldquoWe

put furniture inside and a little stove fridge heater and TV

itrsquos just perfectrdquo

With the structure built to their liking Chezney and Debby

could enjoy decorating the inside to personalize the playhouse

For many customers putting on the finishing touches means

making the playhouse feel like home ndash you can add curtains

hang pictures buy furniture and appliances and landscape the

perimeter to make the outdoor space feel like a home away

from home

When the child grows out of their playhouse these items

can be easily removed to accommodate a secondary use for the

space

ldquoThe best thing that Denise did for me was explain how we

can use the playhouse for storage for stuff out in the yard after

Chezney has grown out of itrdquo Debby explained ldquoAlthough

she is only eight and will be using it for quite a few more

years this really makes it a good investment and looks

great in the backyardrdquo

Whether you choose a customized playhouse or a tradi-

tional shed thinking toward the future also ensures the

safety and longevity of the structure

Denise explained that placement is an important thing to

consider as you want to make sure the structure is in a safe

place and on an appropriate surface Most importantly the

playhouse must be built on a level even surface that isnrsquot

too high off of the ground

ldquoYou want it on a nice platformrdquo Denise explained

ldquoSome people use concrete but stone is better because it

allows moisture to seep down into the ground and away

from the structurerdquo

Most parents prefer that their playhouse is in the back-

yard where itrsquos easy to see from a window Placing the

structure in a shaded area is also a good idea it will be

cooler in the summer and less susceptible to the elements if

partially protected by trees

Debby had Chezneyrsquos playhouse built right next to her

swing set where she can be easily supervised

One last thing to consider when purchasing a playhouse

Simply Saratoga | 71

72 | Simply Saratoga

or shed for your child is how much effort

you want to put into maintaining it The

more ornate the structure the more care it

may need

Woodcock advises parents to preserve

their investment and treat the playhouse

like a miniature home

Think of it as a miniature house ndash the

structure requires regular maintenance

and upkeep to ensure your child will be

safe while enjoying years and years of

imaginative fun

With so many features and styles to

choose from yoursquore sure to find the best

for both you and your child

For more information about Versatile

Sheds or to set up a time to meet with

Denise Woodcock call (518) 584-7924

or stop by 669 Route 9 in Wilton sect

Simply Saratoga | 73

74 | Simply Saratoga

Kitchen

Not Your

Grandmarsquos

Story Written by Daniel Schechtman Photos Provided

ldquoAs you

walk into the kitchen

of the future LED

light projections adjust

to your mood - it will

know if you have a

hangover via sensors

that will read your

b r a i n w a v e s

Aromatherapy infused

walls will be synched

to your calendar calm-

ing you before a big

meeting or energizing you before a gym session The fridge will have selected some breakfast options identifying the essen-

tial vitamins for your day via sensors When you get home a hologram chef will be on hand for recipe inspirationrdquo

Alright so maybe your kitchen canrsquot do all of these things quite yet ndash but believe it or not wersquore getting there This is tomor-

rowrsquos kitchen a kitchen where your appliances donrsquot just store your food or wash your dishes ndash they talk to you providing you

with integral information on how to

best store your fruits and vegetables

letting you know if the refrigerator

door is open for too long or when a

part will soon need replacing

Simply Saratoga | 75

ldquoScience fictionrdquo I hear you say

Guess again Quoted from a report released by The Future Laboratory

who was commissioned by IKEA to determine what a modernkitchen in the year 2040 could conceivably look like

76 | Simply Saratoga

ldquoOne technology that really stands out to me is the

Miele Appliance Company Right now theyrsquore using a

program called lsquoremote visionrsquo On select applianceshellip

is a wireless card that clicks into a port on the back of

the appliance You synch it up with your home network

and it basically emails the technician and the owner

when itrsquos broken when you need to clean your condens-

er change your water filter or schedule a routine serv-

icerdquo said Tom Thibeault owner of Adirondack

Appliance Repair Inc located at 67 West Ave in

Saratoga Springs ldquoMaybe somebodyrsquos been opening the

[refrigerator] door for too long or the door was left open

ndash it will email you and tell you that your door is left

openrdquo

This is not your grandmarsquos kitchen This my friends

is the kitchen of the future and itrsquos available now

The 36 inch bottom-mount Miele refrigerator boasts a

striking interior featuring LED lighting running along

the sides from top to bottom stainless steel accents and

exteriors with control systems that would be comfort-

able alongside the captainrsquos chair on the Starship

Enterprise

Simply Saratoga | 77

ldquoThe controls in the Miele really stand out

Looking at the controls theyrsquore just a glass piece and

then once you touch it you see a few options for the

different compartments Then you touch the compart-

ment and the temperature is displayed so itrsquos kind of

like a Star Trek controlrdquo Thibeault said

And thatrsquos just the refrigerator

Adirondack Appliance has also seen brands such as

Wolf (a company owned by the same people who own

Sub-Zero) grow in popularity when it comes to their

range stoves and ovens The dual convection oven

works to eliminate cold spotting and provides consis-

tent even temperatures and even allows for unique

options such as proofing ndash used best when baking

homemade bread

ldquoIt also has a temperature probe you can plug into

things like a turkey or roast so you can see the temper-

ature while itrsquos still inside the machine It has

hydraulic hinges halogen lit interiors everything is

composed of stainless steel and itrsquos by far one of the

best lines on the marketrdquo Thibeault said

A new line coming to Adirondack Appliance that

features some amazing technology is a series of Pro-

Style Ranges produced by industry giant Jenn-Air

ldquoThat actually has an LCD touch

screen like an IPAD for the controls The

temperature is set by sliding your finger

along the controls Itrsquos all color backlit and

absolutely amazingrdquo Thibeault said

ldquoAnother thing we have to that same

effect are some of the hoods which have

really been getting pretty out there as far as

design We have one on our floor [by Miele]

that has an LED bar on the front which

changes in phases between 196000 colors

Itrsquos a very delicate change very pretty and

coolrdquo Thibeault said adding ldquoor you can set

it to any color in that spectrum yoursquod like to

accent your cabinetryrdquo

When it comes to dishwashers Thibeault

can attest to the quality of both the Asko and

Miele brands both of which he uses in his

own home And good news for Saratoga

Springs residents ndash

ldquoIn our market in

Saratoga we have a

very hard water base

whether yoursquore on a well

system or city waterrdquo

Thibeault said ldquoSo you

get a lot of minerals in

the machine With the

stainless steel interiors it

eliminates a lot of prob-

lems generally seen with

plastic interior tubs and

usually they are the best

life expectanciesrdquo

78 | Simply Saratoga

Asko and Mieleare practically custom made to handle the

arearsquos typicallymineral rich water

Simply Saratoga | 79

The Asko brand dishwasher takes things one step

further including two pumps in the washerrsquos system

The first pump filters the water cleansing it of poten-

tially harmful minerals while the second pump recircu-

lates the water ensuring that the machine is never

blasting your dishes with food debris or dirty residue

With Miele the design features a built-in water sof-

tener perfect for dealing with the Saratoga water

system

ldquoTypically the Miele is going to do a better job with

tougher baked in stainsrdquo said Thibeault ldquobecause itrsquos

got the softener in it and a little bit longer pots and pans

cyclerdquo

80 | Simply Saratoga

Adirondack Appliance Repair Inc is a fami-

ly-owned business since 1929 and the last inde-

pendent appliance retailer of its kind in Saratoga

Springs With $6 billion of buying power behind

their name (a benefit of being part of the Nation

Wide Appliance Buying Group) Thibeault

promised ldquowe can actually price match the box

stores and everybody else around all while pro-

viding you with better service and better

productsrdquo

For more information on AdirondackAppliance or the products they sell you mayvisit their showroom located at 67 West Avenuein Saratoga Springs for live demonstrationsThey can also be reached by phone at (518)587-6640 or you may visit them at their newwebsite wwwadkappliancecom where cus-tomers can browse through the storersquos entirecatalogue of appliances

sect

Simply Saratoga | 81

82 | Simply Saratoga

Page 14: Simply Saratoga March 2011

16 | Simply Saratoga

Savethe

DateHomemade Theater Presents HARVEY

Homemade Theater Spa State Park South Broadway Saratoga SpringsElwood P Dowd is a gentle soul ndash kind hearted and

loving He has only one flaw ndash his invisible six foot-tall rabbit companion Harvey His family convincesElwood to commit himself to a sanitarium Then thelunacy really begins Multiple mistaken identities lotsof laughs and Harvey is on the loose Does the worldneed more lsquonormal peoplersquo Will you see Harvey

April 22 23 29 30 amp May 6 7 at 8 pm and May1 and 8 at 2 pm Tickets are $23 and $26 Visit home-madetheaterorg for more information

Celebrate Earth Week Recycled Art Show

Saratoga National Historical Park 648 Rte 32Stillwater

Weekend-long exhibit beginning on Friday April15 through Sunday April 17 with original works ofldquorecycled artrdquo with each piece containing at least50 reclaimed or recycled materials For more infor-mation please visit npsgovsara or phone (518) 664-9821 ext 224

Easter Egg HuntMalta Community Center 1 Bayberry DrFrom 10 to 11 am on Saturday April 16 please reg-

ister by April 8 by calling (518) 899-4411 Residentsof Malta $6 non-residents $7 Please bring your ownEaster basket to collect your eggs

Washington County Farm and Fiber Tour

On April 24 and 25 bring the family to this freetour to visit alpacas bunnies goats sheep and lambsllamas and meet the farmers and their familiesWatch spinning knitting weaving and felting demon-strations Learn about raising the livestock and petsthat we cherish For more information visitwwwwashingtoncountyfibertourorg

Geocache Easter Egg HuntGalway Preserve 2519 Crane RdOn Saturday April 30 find some eggs find some

caches and find some friends (or make new ones) asyou and your children search throughout the preservePrizes for found eggs will include candy toys geo-items and more Drinks and snacks will be availableThis event will be led by Chris Parker Preserve stewardand geocacher extraordinare For more informationcall Saratoga PLAN at (518) 587-4555

Hadley Maple FestivalHeld on Rockwell St on Saturday April 30 this

event runs all day from 8 am to 4 pm Bring the fami-ly for everything maple Visit wwwhadleybusinessas-sociationnet for more information

MapleWeekendsMarch 19-20th

amp 26-27th

See Pages 12-13

Simply Saratoga | 17

Saratoga Springs Mardi Gras FestivalHeld at various locations downtown Saratoga on

Saturday April 30 this event benefits Saratoga EOCand the Giving Circle For more information visitsaratogamardigrasorg

British Army Spring Training DaySaratoga National Historical Park 648 Rte 32

StillwaterOn May 7 from 10 am to 4 pm The cold winter has

ended and a new campaign season begins Soldiersdrill camp followers mend clothes and the armyprepares to quell the American ldquorebellionrdquo See thetroops and decide the outcome of a re-enacted courtmartial

St Clements Horse ShowYaddo grounds next to Oklahoma TrackHeld May 3 to May 8 and May 11 to May 15 This

is one of the largest horse shows on the east coastFor more information visit saintclementshorse-showcom

18 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 19

Prom

T h i s W a y

20 | Simply Saratoga

Glamor

ous

Daz

zling

Elega

ntFlir

ty

Gor

geou

s

Girls

itrsquos

Show

time

Simply Saratoga | 21

Web

Extras

See

the

pics tha

t didn

rsquot

mak

e it in

the

Mag

azine

on

SaratogaB

ridalEXPO

com

Grecian

God

dess

Athe

na

Classic B

eaut

y

Holly

wood

Glamou

r

Wild

and

Untam

edElega

nt

22 | Simply Saratoga

The current economic and market environment has prompt-

ed many Americans to rethink their retirement strategies If

you are experiencing a job transitionmdashparticularly if the tran-

sition is unplanned and unexpectedmdashsuch a reassessment may

be particularly important for you While it may be tempting to

focus more on your immediate needs you should not lose sight

of long-term goals especially your retirement strategy

Some Basic Decisions Your employer-sponsored retirement plan is likely to be a

key component of your retirement strategy Because it repre-

sents a key source of future retirement income it is important

to carefully consider your alternatives for administering these

assets During a job transition you will usually have three

options take a lump-sum distribution leave your assets in the

employer-sponsored plan or move your assets into a Rollover

IRA

Taking a direct lump-sum distributionmdashWith this

option the assets in your plan are distributed directly to you in

a lump sum which provides you with immediate access to

your funds Depending on your short-term needs that may

appear to be an attractive alternative However a distribution

will likely result in substantial federal and state income taxes

and a 10 percent IRS penalty tax which can significantly

reduce the amount of the distribution Because you will be

receiving the distribution directly the plan administrator must

withhold up to 20 percent of the value of the distribution for

federal income tax purposes Moreover you will lose the ben-

efit of the tax-deferred status of these assets which could

reduce the amount ultimately available to you at retirement

The status quo optionmdashYou can decide to do nothing

leaving your assets in your former employerrsquos plan That will

protect the tax-deferred status of your assets and allow you to

transfer the account assets at a later time to a new employerrsquos

retirement plan that accepts rollovers But you may be limiting

your investment choices and control because employer plans

typically have a restricted investment menu and require the

consent of your spouse before you can name someone else as

a beneficiary

Establishing a Rollover IRAmdashA Rollover IRA simultane-

ously addresses the issues of taxation flexibility and control

and may hold significant benefits for you as a result

Submitted by H Michael Okby Wealth Advisor

Fin

ancia

l Protecting Your RetirementInvestmentsDuring a JobTransition

If your distribution is transferred directly to a custodian rather than

to you the Rollover IRA eliminates the withholding requirement and

penalties that may result from a lump-sum distribution

The entire rollover amount can be investedimmediately according to the strategy youspecify bull Your assets and any earnings continue to have the potential to

grow tax-deferred until you retire and begin taking withdrawals

bull You may gain access to a wider range of investment options and

more retirement planning and distribution flexibility

bull You can name any beneficiary including a trust without

needing the consent of your spouse (although special rules may

apply in community property states)

For example investment products in an employer plan are usually

limited to mutual funds and company stock With a self-directed

Rollover IRA you can work with your financial professional to struc-

ture a portfolio using stocks bonds annuities and other investments

utilizing an asset allocation1 that is customized to help you meet your

retirement investment objectives And your retirement strategy can be

further tailored with a wider range of beneficiary selection and distri-

bution choices

Consider Consolidation This may also be an excellent time to deal with multiple IRAs you

may have opened over the years and with account balances you may

have left in the plans of former employers Together these assets may

represent a significant sum There are good reasons to consider con-

solidating them all in a Rollover IRA

Comprehensive investment strategymdashIt can be difficult to main-

tain an effective investment strategymdashone that accurately reflects

your goals timing and risk tolerancemdashwhen assets are spread among

multiple financial institutions When you consolidate your financial

professional can help you ensure that these assets are part of your

overall asset allocation strategy that is reflective of your current

financial situation and long-term retirement goals

Greater investment flexibilitymdashA self-directed IRA generally

offers you the ability to choose from a wide range of investment

products including stocks bonds mutual funds annuities and more

Simplified trackingmdashIt is easier to monitor your progress and

investment results when all your retirement savings are in one place

because you will receive one statement instead of several That sim-

plifies your life while protecting the environment

Lower costsmdashReducing the number of accounts may also reduce

your account fees and other investment-related charges

Dealing with one account rather than several also simplifies

the distribution processmdashincluding complying with complex min-

imum distribution rules when you reach age 70 And you avoid the

risk of losing track of your retirement accounts or access to the

account assets should your former employer merge with another

company or go out of business Your financial professional can help

you assess your alternatives so you can make decisions based on

whatrsquos best for you You may find that this time of transition holds

benefits for your retirement assets

For more information please contact H Michael Okby at (518) 583-5601

sect

Simply Saratoga | 23

24 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 25

Summer camp is a place wherelifelong memories are made

This is where our children learnto cultivate their interests andordiscover a world of new activities tohelp their young minds grow andfor them to become physically fit

Even though there may be snowon the ground when you read thisit is never too early to think aboutyour childrenrsquos summer fun Weare blessed in this region with avariety of destinations providing awealth of activities

And while there is something foreveryone early planning is a mustto assure your child has a spot inone of these great places At theend of a long winter seasonthoughts of summer camp arerejuvenating for adults as well

Summer Camp Guide 2011

YMCA Camp Chingachgook

NdakinnaNdakinna Education Center located in

Greenfield Center offers a wide variety of

summer camp programs and activities that

will provide campers with a greater

respect and understanding for the natural

world as well as the Northeastrsquos rich

Native American history Hosted by

renowned author and wilderness and sur-

vival expert James Bruchac these pro-

grams are ideal for children with a sense

of adventure and natural wonder Summer

programs are divided into two groups

children ages three to eight and older

campers ages nine to fourteen Programs

range in duration from one to two weeks

26 | Simply Saratoga

YMCA Camp Chingachgook located on beauti-

ful Lake George has three camping options sleep-

away camp day camp and adventure trips

Summer sleep-away camp is the experience of a

lifetime The camp is divided into junior and sen-

ior boys and girls units junior campers between

the ages of seven and 12 and senior campers are 13

to 15 years old All Chingachgook counselors go

through extensive two-week training and prepa-

ration prior to the beginning of the first session

Campers will enjoy a full schedule of skill

classes which they can choose on their own

and special events and programs Campers can

choose from swimming water skiing canoeing

nature arts outdoor living skills theater news-

paper riflery archery dance guitar outdoor

cooking sports zone water world woodwork-

ing softball soccer tennis photography sail-

ing high ropes mountain biking and rock

climbing Each camper sets up their own daily

schedule of four skill classes at the start of the

session

Two-week camp sessions at Chingachgook

also include a three-day hike which allows

campers to get out and experience the wilder-

ness in a fun and safe atmosphere

Chingachgook also offers a variety of unique

adventure camps for children looking to explore

unique destinations and experience a whole new

level of fun options like sailing kayak-

ing boat building rock climbing canoe-

ing community service white-water

rafting hiking and backpacking bicycle

touring and mountain biking Adventure

campers will benefit from activities with

smaller coed groups of ten or less

Day Camp at Chingachgook is a fun

option for children ages five to ten

Campers will enjoy a full day of fun

activities from 930 am to 430 pm The

Day Camp program is divided into eight

one-week segments with the first session

starting on June 28 and the final session

starting on August 16 Each session has

a different theme

Spaces are limited at Chingachgook

so be sure to sign up as soon as possible

For more information to sign up for a

tour or to register for camp visit

wwwcapitaldistrictymcacom or call

(518) 656-9462

each covering a different skill or activity such

as animal tracking basic wilderness survival

skills and shelter building Native American

storytelling and games and nature-based arts

and crafts projects will teach campers to have

fun in the great outdoors Each camp program

promotes team building natural awareness

patience and confidence

Ndakinna also offers family camp pro-

grams which allow children and their parents

to experience the outdoors together Family

programs can accommodate children ages one

to 14 These programs offer the

same skills training and team-

building activities To view the

finalized calendar of programs

and events visit

wwwNdcenterorg

Cutting Edge Martial ArtsCutting Edge Martial Artrsquos A+ After

School and Summer Camp Program is a year-

round child care solution that provides a pos-

itive structured environment for children

after school and during the day in the sum-

mer During the school year we pick chil-

dren up directly from the local elementary

and middle schools and provide an hour les-

son that starts with our ldquoMat Chatrdquo a ten

minute character education lesson for the day

followed by a full 50 minute martial arts

class Parents have a window between 5 and

545 pm to pick up their children while chil-

dren have the opportunity after class to get

their homework started

During the summer children get all the

benefits of our A+ Program but on a grander

scale We offer nine weeks of full day camps

and have no minimum or maximum number

of days per week or number of weeks that a

student can attend Each week of camp we

have a curriculum of character education

lessons fun games and a one hour martial

arts class every day We watch a movie in

the afternoons twice a week have a video

game morning on Fridays and take all our

campers on an educa-

tional outing on

Wednesdays and a

fun and exciting out-

ing every Friday

Our average camp

size is 20-25 stu-

dents and we have

three full time staff

graphed by Sarah Sutliff

Saratoga Childrenrsquos Theatre also offers a one-

week camp at the end of the summer ldquoMaster

your Auditionrdquo This camp will help your child

get ready for fall and winter auditions These

audition workshops have been very popular and

sell out quickly Any child at any skill level with

an interest in performing arts is welcome to join

in on the fun Saratoga Childrenrsquos Theatre

Executive Director Meg Kelly aims to give each

camper the most rewarding and enjoyable camp

experience and every camper will get to perform

The Saratoga Childrenrsquos Theatre hires profes-

sionals to help your child gain the most from

their summer camp experience

The cost for a two-week session is $450 and

$250 for the one-week session For more infor-

mation visit wwwsaratogachildrenstheatreorg

or call (518) 580-1782

For kids who have a passion for per-

forming arts Saratoga Childrenrsquos Theatre

summer camp is a dream come true

Saratoga Childrenrsquos Theatre offers per-

formance camps which means each

camper will be working on a full-fledged

production throughout their session

Campers will learn all aspects of perform-

ance and will have the opportunity to per-

form in two shows at the end of camp a

matinee and an evening show are both

open to the public Campers will perform

on stage at St Petersrsquo Auditorium

Saratoga Springs Camp hours are 9am-

3pm Performance camp is divided into

two age groups

Ages 6-9 will participate in one week

camps These camps will include Disneyrsquos

Sleeping Beauty kids Cinderella kids

Aristocats kids 101 Dalmatians kids and

Lemonade These camps will be directed by

Megan OrsquoSullivan a local elementary school

music teacher and assisted by Karey

Trimmings also a local elementary school

music teacher

Ages 10-18 will participate in two-week

camps Each camp will practice and perform a

different show These

camps include

Thoroughly Modern

Mille Jr Cinderella Jr

Fiddler on the Roof Jr

and Once on this Island

Jr These camps will be

directed by Michael

Lotano local actor and

elementary school music

teacher and choreo-

Saratoga Childrenrsquos Theatre

Simply Saratoga | 27

working with our students

Our goal is to provide a family-friendly

and fun environment that feels like a home

away from home Our students have fun

learning skills that can be used every day of

their lives and we try to provide memories

that will last a lifetime For many our

summer camps are a wonderful introduc-

tion to martial arts

For more information visit

wwwsaratogamartialartscom

or call (518) 587-5501

28 | Simply Saratoga

Saratoga Independent SchoolSaratoga Independent School hosts a variety of summer

programs split into two age groups three to eight year-olds

Wilton Recreation CampWilton Recreation offers a full-day summer

camp program for children in grades one

through nine With available pre-camp and

post-camp care working parents can ensure

their children are having fun in a safe environ-

ment before and after the camprsquos regular 9 am to

3 pm hours Parents who register their children

for before and after camp care can drop off their

children prior to camp opening at 830 am and

can pick them up at 530 pm Bussing is avail-

able for Wilton residents who register for regu-

lar camp hours (9 am to 3 pm)

Wilton Recreation Camp offers a full sched-

ule of daily onsite activities themed events and

exciting trips for kids who register for off-site

adventures Daily on-site activities include arts

and crafts sports playground fun and other

organized group games This yearrsquos scheduled

field trips include Million Dollar Beach in Lake

George movie days at Proctors Theater

Saratoga County Fair bowling white water

rafting and at least two swimming days per

week at Peerless Pool

The Summer 2011 camp will open on

June 27 and run until August

12 Registration begins

March 14 at Gavin Park and

will close on June 3 As

there are only 300 spaces

available be sure to mark

your calendar Camp

registration forms are

available online at

wwwtownofwiltoncom or

can be picked up weekdays

at Gavin Park 9 am to 5 pm

For any other questions

please call the park office at (518) 584-9455

and seven to 14 year-olds The weeklong programs run from July 5

to August 19

Saratoga Independent School summer programs are staffed large-

ly by their own teachers so parents can rest assured their kids are

supervised in a safe environment with experienced teachers who are

knowledgeable about child development and hands-on

programming

For the younger group weekly themed programs run from 9 am

to noon (early drop-off at 830 available) The staff-to-camper ratio

is one to six for children ages three and four and one to ten for chil-

dren ages five to eight Themed programs include ldquoCooking with

Curiosityrdquo ldquoHawaiian Hullabaloordquo ldquoHands-On Science Funrdquo

ldquoHoliday-A-Dayrdquo ldquoGood Versus Evil Imaginations Run Wildrdquo

ldquoDinosaur Discoveryrdquo ldquoIn the Jungle the Mighty Junglerdquo

Activities take place both indoors and outdoors

The selection of enrichment programs for older children is even

more extensive this year than in the past Some programs will take

place in the mornings others in the afternoon Age ranges will vary

depending on the subject matter These specialty programs give chil-

dren an opportunity to develop new interests and expand on existing

skills Programs include ldquoCartooning and Morerdquo ldquoImprovisationrdquo

ldquoKnittingrdquo ldquoOpen Art Studiordquo ldquoYou Can Do Magicrdquo ldquoGet Up and

Dancerdquo ldquoRoaring into Robots Whatrsquos Nextrdquo ldquoArt in the Ancient

Worldrdquo ldquoMad Sciencerdquo ldquoComputer Video Game Creationrdquo

ldquoAdvanced Robot Challengesrdquo and ldquoArt-Math Connectionrdquo

Registration has already begun and the programs fill up quickly so

visit wwwsiskidsorg for more information and to secure a space

for your child

Simply Saratoga | 29

Are your kids looking for an adventure this summer The

Saratoga Regional YMCA has two exciting day camps available

Camp Starhitch held at the Wilton Branch which engages children

with a multitude of fun activities and a trip each week and Travel

Camp where participants meet at the Saratoga Springs Branch and

then travel off to fun and thrilling places each day

Camp Starhitch is for children having completed Kindergarten

through entering fifth grade Campers will participate in games

sports crafts nature activities trips swimming archery and more

Each week is planned around a theme and includes a trip For exam-

ple during ldquo70rsquos Flashbackrdquo week campers will go roller skating

during ldquoThe Wild Frontierrdquo week kids will have the opportunity to

go horseback riding and during ldquoTropical Paradiserdquo week partici-

pants may ldquocatch a gnarly waverdquo at an outdoor water park

Travel Camp is definitely for the action seeker and for those who

like to be on the go This program for youth entering fifth through

tenth grade provides campers an opportunity to travel each and every

day to fun-filled locations Participants explore different summer

activities that include amusement and water parks outdoor sports

fairs and horseback riding This year the trips include a visit to Hunter

Mountain Six Flags New England Tubing on the Battenkill NY

Mets game at Citi Field the NY State Fair and more

Camp Starhitch and Travel Camp both run for nine one-week ses-

sions You may choose to attend camp for one week or any combina-

tion of weeks Experienced counselors supervise children and a ratio

of 110 ensures a safe quality camping experience CPR and First Aid

certified camp staff will be present on all trips At Travel Camp

campers will be grouped according to age and are supervised by expe-

rienced adult staff

Camp Starhitch has two day camp options for your child Option A

allows for your child to be dropped off at 9 am and picked up at 4 pm

and Option B has a 7 am drop off time and a 6 pm pick up time

Travel Camp runs from 9 am to 430 pm and extended hours are

available at no additional cost This year transportation will be provid-

ed in both directions between the Saratoga Springs and Wilton

branches Pickups will be as early as 815 am and drop-offs will be

as late as 5 pm Both camps try to cater to working parents

In addition the Saratoga Regional YMCA is committed to provid-

ing a safe and welcoming environment for all campers by incorporat-

ing the YMCAcore values of caring honesty respect and responsibil-

ity in daily activities To promote safety and comfort for all individu-

als are asked to act appropriately at all times when at the Yrsquos facilities

or participating in Y programs All campers are required to read and

sign a contract of understanding in reference to the Code of Conduct

We expect persons using the YMCAto act maturely to behave respon-

sibly and to respect the rights and dignity of all othersmdashall while

having a good time

The Y also has opportunities available for those who may not have

the resources to send their children to camp The Y provides scholar-

ships for those who qualify Scholarships are made possible due to

the generous donations of Y members the community and businesses

to the ldquoWe Build Peoplerdquo scholarship campaign held by the Saratoga

Regional YMCA each year Scholarship applications are available at

all Saratoga Regional YMCA branches and online at wwwsaratogare-

gionalymcaorg

Registration is currently ongoing and fills up quickly Registration

forms are available at any of the Saratoga Regional YMCA Branches

or at wwwsaratogaregionalymcaorg For more information about

these day camps please contact Ilene Leverence at (518) 583-9622

ext 103 for Camp Starhitch and Patti Laudicina at (518) 583-9622

ext 110 or Paige Minear ext 116 for Travel Camp

Saratoga YMCA

30 | Simply Saratoga

Ask women about the greatest threat to their health and most will

respond incorrectly with the words ldquobreast cancerrdquo While breast cancer

certainly is of concern the truth is that women are 10 times more like-

ly to die from heart disease Breast cancer kills 1 in 25 women heart

disease claims 1 in 2

The most recent statistics available indicate that cardiovascular dis-

ease causes the death of 500000 women per year ndash more than ALL

forms of cancer combined This is a rate of epidemic proportion

Little or no warning

Two-thirds of women die suddenly from heart disease without expe-

riencing any warning symptoms The majority die before they even

reach the hospital and before any attempt at treatment is possible Early

screening and the detection that leads to prevention offer the only hope

of reducing these deaths

Women who do develop heart disease tend to fare worse than men

One reason is that on average heart disease peaks 10 years later in

women than in men At this older age women are less able to withstand

the stress of the disease The proof can be found in a disturbing statis-

tic One year after their first heart attack 44 percent of women are dead

compared with 27 percent of men

Clearly for women preventing that first heart attack would make an

enormous difference

Know the risks

What can be done to prevent and detect heart disease in women

Of foremost importance is to reduce ndash or if possible eliminate ndash the

conditions that cause or accelerate the growth of blockages in the arter-

ies of the heart These conditions known as risk factors include high

Women Take this warning to heart

Story By Andrij O Baran MD

blood pressure diabetes genetic high cholesterol a high-fat

diet an inactive lifestyle smoking and cocaine use

Some damage the lining of the heartrsquos arteries speeding the

buildup of cholesterol Others raise blood cholesterol Both

smoking and cocaine use speed blood clotting They also can

cause sudden cramps or spasms in the coronary arteries cut-

ting off the entire blood supply to portions of the heart even

without a cholesterol blockage

A woman who has one or more of these risk factors should

ask her doctor how best to control them She also should ask

about further screening and testing such as stress testing

The sooner the better

Lifestyle changes and medications can have a dramatic

impact on reducing the incidence of heart attack provided cho-

lesterol blockages are detected early ndash before damage to the

heart has occurred In fact drugs that lower cholesterol alone

have been unequivocally shown to reduce the risk of heart

attack and death by up to 50 percent

When added to a program of low-fat diet exercise control

of high blood pressure and diabetes and above all else no

smoking the benefits are magnified many times over Keep in

mind of course that these drugs work only if they are taken

and taken appropriately

By knowing and changing their risk factors all women can

ensure themselves of a longer and more vibrant life

Andrij O Baran MD FACC is the Medical Director of

Cardiology Services at Saratoga Hospital

Simply Saratoga | 31

A c t F a s t D u r i n g H e a r t A t t a c k s According to the American Heart

Association clot-busting drugs can stop

some heart attacks in progress reducing

disability and saving lives They work best

given within one hour of when heart

attack signs begin Thatrsquos why itrsquos impor-

tant to recognize the warning signs of a

heart attack and act right away

Warning Signs

bull Pain or discomfort in the jaw

neck or back

bull Feeling weak lightheaded or faint

bull Chest paindiscomfort

bull Paindiscomfort in the arms or

shoulder

bull Shortness of breath

If you think that you or someone you

know is having a heart attack call 911

immediately

32 | Simply Saratoga

Who would believe that a rabbi from Eastern

Europe frozen for 150 years in a block of ice could

be transported across time and space to Memphis

where he thaws then becomes a spiritual guru to

baby boomers Arguably nobody But Steve Stern

the author of ldquoThe Frozen Rabbirdquo his most recent

novel isnrsquot asking readers to believe it so much as

to let the characters tell their story Besides the plot

may be far-fetched but he already has a buyer for

the movie rights

Writer-in-residence at Skidmore College Stern is

a genius at creating human beings in fantastical cir-

cumstances who seem more like eccentric neigh-

bors than artifacts of science fiction Some fly

some inhabit other peoplersquos dreams some are res-

urrected and some travel through time Whatever

their superpowers or frailties the heroes and vil-

lains tricksters and innocents and witnesses and

bystanders in Sternrsquos short and long fiction deserve

attention and evoke compassion in their quest for

connection and redemption - or at least food and

shelter From within an inexhaustible vein of

Jewish folklore and oral history his characters

emerge into a lucid fictional universe that embraces

both magic and the mundane Dialogue is ironic as

often as it is mystical and the most ordinary days

serve as backdrops for incredible events

ldquoMiracles are commonplacerdquo says Stern a

Ballston Spa resident ldquoI donrsquot write in metaphors

and symbols deliberately Writing is a visceral

experience for me I read with interest what review-

ers say about my repetitive themes and ideas but I

am driven by images and characters Irsquom a compul-

sive storytellerrdquo

Steve Stern A Lyrical Voice in the Ghetto

B

o

o

k

m

a

r

k

Lean bespectacled and haloed in dark curls Stern

is a Memphis native who grew up in a home bereft

of music books and art in a city made famous by

Elvis Presley (who used to drive through Sternrsquos

neighborhood) and Martin Luther Kingrsquos assassina-

tion He remembers himself as ldquoa mediocre adoles-

cent without confidence or spiritual antennardquo first

stirred to write poetry in high school which he read

aloud for attention

ldquoI was surprised people liked itrdquo he says ldquoAnd I

liked writing it even though it embarrassed me But

I was encouraged to go on and later to try proserdquo

The allure of the late lsquo60s and early lsquo70s was not

academic After college Stern wandered through

Europe then worked as a butcher on a hippie com-

mune in the Ozarks raising pigs and eating off the

land ldquoI slept under five blankets and two dogsrdquo he

recalls (The incarnation has been memorialized in a

comic strip by Sternrsquos girlfriend Sabrina a cartoon-

ist and set designer for Saturday Night Live)

The commune was not too far from the University

of Arkansas where Stern attended graduate school

and played volleyball with Bill and Hillary Clinton

ldquoI hoped he would mention me in his inaugural

addressrdquo Stern sighs

With an MA Stern found teaching gigs at vari-

ous colleges but the work dried up forcing him to

take a job at a folklore center in Memphis first tran-

scribing stories about the black community then

launching a life-changing project to preserve the

stories of the fading Jewish population in a desolate

Memphis ghetto known as ldquoThe Pinchrdquo where

many of his stories are set

Story By Helen Susan Edelman

ldquoBernie scrunched his face in thought Gone was his waryimpulse to keep everything secret and there were times of latewhen he felt almost reckless almost ready to tell the world whileon the other hand he suspected he may have already confided toomuch ldquoI thinkrdquo he said after some consideration ldquoIrsquom startingto outgrow myselfrdquo

mdash Steve Stern ldquoThe Frozen Rabbirdquo

Photo by Josh GerritsenSteve Stern

Simply Saratoga | 33

ldquoIt was intoxicatingrdquo says Stern ldquoI became obsessed with

itrdquo Indeed his work is infused with the folklore images lan-

guage archetypes settings rituals and values embedded in

the memories he recorded and in the vast Jewish and Yiddish

literature he has studied since

A non-observant Jew Stern had no relationship with his

religion so the introduction to his exotic legacy was both

anchor and springboard for a prolific new consciousness

ldquoThe floodgates openedrdquo he says ldquoSuddenly this world

began to materialize for me What had been barren neighbor-

hoods I could see vividly as tenements and shops a town

square street traffic merchants pawnbrokers rabbis chil-

drenhellipimmigrants from Eastern Europe looking for a homerdquo

Stern is comfortable writing about transcendent wisdom as

long as itrsquos his characterrsquos voice

and not his own

dispensing the

insights The

frozen rabbi in

the book of the

same name for

example ldquoradiates

within his zone of

influence and is a

spiritual catalyst

for anyone who

encounters himrdquo

says Stern ldquowhere-

as I am a clicheacute a

Jew who grew up

without an identityrdquo

A winner of both

Guggenheim and

Fulbright fellowships

as well as the National

Jewish Book Award

the Pushcart Prize an

OrsquoHenry Prize and the Edward Lewis Wallant Award Stern

is working on a new novel and rereading Faulkner Tolstoy

Dickens and Joyce

He views each new writing project as ldquoa riskrdquo Experience

last summer also reminded him of the evanescence of popu-

larity he gave two readings one in Memphis which drew

such a crowd that doors had to be locked and one in St

Louis where he commanded an audience of four

ldquoJust like the characters in my storiesrdquo Stern observes ldquoI

encounter conflicts look for a way to escape and face mixed

consequencesrdquo sect

How is your mental state these days Are

you experiencing peace and joy in every-

day life or frustration and impatience Are

you living your life ldquoon purposerdquo or going

through the motions feeling numb and dead

on the inside How is the garden of your

mind Are you tending to your garden or letting

the weeds take over

When I lived in Boston I lived next door to an elder-

ly woman who had a beautiful garden Every morning my

neighbor was outside in her floral moo moo (circa Mrs

Roper from Threersquos Company) tending carefully to each

plant and flower She would spend hours walking around her

garden joyfully humming and making sure her flowers were

strong and healthy Many mornings I would sip my coffee

and watch her peacefully pulling out the weeds and tending

to her precious flowers To this day I remember how tall and

lovely her sunflowers were I think our mental state can be

compared to tending to a garden do we have beautiful sun-

flowers of joy and peace or toxic weeds of bitterness and

guilt

The weeds in your heart and mind are feelings of bitterness

anger guilt self-loathing and negativity Do you spend your

days reviewing the list of those that have offended

you Do you beat yourself up daily for past mis-

takes or regrets These are the weeds that can

take over your mind and lead to racing

thoughts a dark depression constant

anxiety or physical illness and

chronic pain If you are someone

that is easily frustrated impatient

and critical you can be sure you

34 | Simply Saratoga

Tending to theGarden of Your MindDealing with the Weeds in your Life

Simple Truths

have some weeds to deal with

The only path to peace and joy in your everyday life is to

pull your weeds out from the root and confront the issues

Holding on to your weeds only makes you ill and deadens

your heart Did you know that people who are full of bitter-

ness and resentment appear older and are not as physically

attractive as people who are full of peace and love The

weeds in your heart and mind can actually make you ugly

Likewise a mind that is content and peaceful gives us a

sparkle and light in our eyes that people are automatically

attracted to Forget the anti-wrinkle cream and Botox Fill

your heart and mind up with the best kept beauty secret

around love and forgiveness

Forgiveness is not about letting the person who hurt you

off the hook Forgiveness IS allowing light into our hearts

so that we can heal and move forward It takes the heavy

burden of offense and resentment off of our hearts and

minds while preparing the ldquosoilrdquo for new growth and

experiences

When possible confront the people you need to forgive

so that you can have closure and move on If it is not pos-

sible to confront the person that is the weed in your life

write them a letter expressing your hurt and anger (not to

send but in a private journal) This is a wonderful way to

give yourself closure and put your feelings out on the table

More often than not the person we have to forgive or con-

front is ourselves If you are constantly beating yourself up

and feeling guilty about your past make a choice to forgive

yourself

Donrsquot be lazy about your weeds Dig deep and pull out

your weeds so that you can make room for peace and joy

We all desire to feel love and be accepted That accept-

Meghan DLemery LCSW-R

Simply Saratoga | 35

ance starts with you Begin to focus on peaceful loving joyful

thoughts Keep a gratitude journal of what you love about your-

self or the loved ones in your life Practice planting seeds of joy

by giving acceptance and love to everyone around you

Take time to practice patience and kindness to your family

friends colleagues and that slow cashier at the grocery store Go

out of your way to help others in any way that you can All of

these acts of kindness plant the seeds of peace love joy and

abundance

As we approach the new season of spring take some time to

tend to the garden of your mind

Wishing you love self-acceptance and peace this spring and

always

Ms Lemery is a psychotherapist practic-ing in Saratoga Springs and QueensburyShe can be reached at meghanle-meryyahoocom

Her first novel will be pub-lished this Spring TitledldquoPlease Pass the BarbieShoesrdquo it is a hilarious heart-warming story that will haveyou feeling inspiredand empowered

sect

36 | Simply Saratoga

Living Room The custom-designed leather couch chair andottoman come from Suttons The stucco fireplace was inspired by theCollinsrsquo travels through the Southwest and Colorado (ldquowe wanted to avoida traditional river rock fireplacerdquo) and provides a heat source as well asbeauty The original structure was built for passive solar design no airconditioning is needed in the summer A wood stove is the primary heatsource radiant heat with natural gas was also added during the renova-tion

The front door as well as all the interior doors was custom-made fittedand replaced by Tom Zanetti Hickory wood floors were also installed dur-ing the addition A hanging stained glass chandelier is a stock itemobtained from a leading home supply retailer ldquoIt captures the sunlightbeautifully along with providing brilliant nighttime illuminationrdquo Tedsaid ldquoItrsquos an eclectic mixrdquo

Simply Saratoga | 37

Today we look at a creative space that is set into a special place

In 1993 Ted and Susan Collins purchased a seven-acre property

with a 1986 Timberpeg designed home that has all the qualities of

a place in the country ndash yet many would be surprised to learn that

it is actually located on the border of Saratoga Springs near the

Alpine Shop on Clinton Street After a number of years living in

apartments on Union Avenue and Franklin Square enjoying the

proximity to downtown and the track they couldnrsquot resist a spot

that was close to town but yet had lots of land

Their overall vision was for an interior space that was in accord

with the outside ndash the wildlife gardens and the sustainable philos-

ophy embodied in the original buildingrsquos passive solar design

ldquoEverything we do embraces the goals of staying true to the orig-

inal structure having an open welcoming interior and being in

harmony with the outdoorsrdquo Ted said

Inspired by travels in balance with the land

Story By Arthur GonickPhotos by copystockstudiosphotographycom

These principles guided a major transformation of the interior

space in 2006 The key element was an addition to the home that

enabled the living room kitchen and upstairs bedroom to be

expanded allowing space for the installation of a downstairs bath

as well

Susan and Ted led this transformation - visualizing an addition

that incorporated equilibrium of size location and overall propor-

tion They went through several iterations with Rick Deforest of

Heritage Timberframes

Even though much of the interior decor came from travels in

Africa the South Pacific and Colorado the building materials and

craftsmen are all local The timbers and wood flooring were milled

in nearby Kingsbury ldquoWe enjoyed working with professionals who

are also friends like Rick Deforest Tom Zanetti and Mike

Roohanrdquo Ted said ldquothe house now feels complete in balancerdquo sect

Unique Places and Creative Spaces If you would like to nominate a unique

or creative place to be featured emailentertainmentsaratogapublishingcom

38 | Simply Saratoga

Kitchen A wall was taken out that afforded space to add an eat-in island area and

open up the space Custom cabinets are by Tom Zanetti Stonework andappliances were added Both the kitchen and bathroom have granite table-tops (from Mike and Margaret Roohan of Granite and Marble Works)New appliances include a Bosch stove (with a built-in microwave drawer)and an Amana stainless refrigerator

Bathroom The bathroom ceiling is pine The showerarea was designed and built to the Collinsrsquo specifications andfeatures a bench 4 shower heads PLUS an extra hand-held one(ldquoItrsquos a human car washrdquo) The stone tiles on the sides and floorin the shower were installed by Best Tile the plumbing in theshower comes from Aird Dorrance as does the sink ndash which sitson a granite top from Granite and Marble Works The windowleads out to the north side of the house with privacy blinds insidethe window panes One thing you donrsquot see ldquoSince the room ison display in the center of the expanded first floor we wanted thecommode to be mostly hiddenrdquo Ted said

Unique Places and Creative Spaces

Simply Saratoga | 39

Living RoomA reading nook sits upon the bathroom addition ldquoThere was no full bathroom on the first

floor and with a post and beam construction we had to be creative You get outstanding viewsof the property pond and stream when viewed from the nookrsquos perspectiverdquo The ladder canswing out on a track making it more like walking up a staircase ndash this was also designed andinstalled by Tom Zanetti The table in the nook is actually a working African drum with a glasstable top added

40 | Simply Saratoga

Bedroom In the second-floor master bedroom moving the dormer brought in extra light and space and

also brought the roofline together with the original structure and first-floor additions The floorand ceiling are made of rough-cut pine planking The bed is also constructed of pine and comesfrom Suttons The window in the upper left was cut during the addition It faces west for extra day-time light

Simply Saratoga | 41

42 | Simply Saratoga

Story Written by Yael Goldman Photos by Samu Studios and Randall Perry Photography

Simply Saratoga | 43

orking with the

right interior designer

turns listless decision making

into an enjoyable and productive

process that avoids costly mistakes

and delivers exceptional results

Designing a room or an entire home is a

big project no matter how strong your tastes are

The decisions are endless ndash what color should I paint the

walls What flooring is most aesthetically appealing and

dog-friendly Should I choose a furniture set or choose

individual pieces Do I want curtains or shades Do I

decorate with knick-knacks or artwork

But with all the unique self-questioning that surrounds

an interior design project most homeowners share angst

in asking themselves one specific question where do I

start

Itrsquos at this point ndash when stress level increases enjoy-

ment-driven projects turn deadly and money has been

wastefully spent on all the wrong things ndash that you long

for the help of a professional if only you could afford it

Well the truth is you can

Creating the right space can be expensive but is only

more so if you make mistakes and have to go back and

fix them If you do it right the first time therersquos no cost

associated with do-overs

With nearly 100 years of experience between them all

four members of Blairhouse Interiors Group have

worked with more than enough unhappy do-it-your-

selfers to tell you yoursquore not alone

Photo by Samu Studios

44 | Simply Saratoga

The four-member designproject therapy team which recently

opened a studio in Saratoga Springs has a long history of help-

ing home and business owners create their ideal spaces and

atmospheres the right way Their exceptional work is celebrated across

the Capital Region including Saratoga Springs where the Blairhouse

look is prominently featured in a handful of Park Place condominiums

and the incredible Saratoga National Golf Club

Thomas R Burns Meghan Baltich Dominic Carota and Patricia

Richards the highly skilled and charismatic force behind Blairhouse

Interiors Group promise an experience that is personal because itrsquos all

about your needs ndash and thatrsquos what is important

Blairhouse offers full-service interior design services space planning

project management hand-picked merchandise patience and an uncan-

ny ability to create a

look that is always

fresh sophisticated

and comfortable

ldquoThe style that we

gravitate toward is

unique cutting-edge

and modern not dic-

tated by corporaterdquo

said Meghan Baltich

pointing to a ldquovery

propitiousrdquo Keith Fritz

table at the center of

the studio

Photo by Randall Perry Photography

If you do it right the firsttime therersquos no cost

associated with do-oversPhoto by Randall Perry Photography

One glance at the Park Place showroom ndash of the selective furnishings carefully showcased along

the periphery ndash and it becomes clear why Blairhouse an award-winning team gets the job

done

Their creativity focus and immaculate sense of direction bring objectivity to the scene helping you nar-

row down all of the tedious and overwhelming choices that make do-it-yourself decorating an exercise in

unclear thinking

ldquoPeople are overwhelmed by all the choices it can feel like theyrsquore in a paralyzed blurrdquo said Thomas

Burns who finds that a great vision can be impossible to imagine and create without eliminating all of

the distractions

A vital step in getting focused is creating a

comprehensive plan based on individual

needs wants and style that addresses all

aspects of lifestyle and taste and suggests

tactful solutions and fresh approaches to new

and existing spaces

They help you identify what you like

forcing you to hone in on what you want and

need to compliment and enhance your

lifestyle

ldquoWe ascertain the clientrsquos goal and

lifestyle to convey their visionrdquo said

Dominic Carota explaining that the intended

outcome of creating or reinventing a room is

often strictly tied to how you want to live in

it

ldquoWe have to know how they functionrdquo he

said

An interior designer is an asset in the func-

tion-meets-style equation

Dominic explained that a couple starting a family will have far

different needs than empty-nesters looking for a change They may

have the same stylistic goals but their execution will differ based on

how their lifestyle exists within the space

When revamping a single room the majority of your focus is ded-

icated to that individual space making it easy to forget that the rest

of the house is attached Establishing connectivity between rooms is

a challenge but an important part of executing a project the right

way

Sometimes one wrong detail no matter how small can be incred-

ibly impactful and difficult to avoid on your own

ldquoIf yoursquore working on a new addition or renovation we ensure it

flows that therersquos balance between the existing part of the living

space and the new additionrdquo Meghan Baltich said explaining that

it just doesnrsquot make sense to put in a great new kitchen if itrsquos dis-

jointed and out of place from its surroundings

Another common novice mistake is the trendy retail store fallacy

that you can order a full room from a catalog or pick a fabulous and

unique design from a floor plan

Blairhouse clients learn the difference between ldquocookie-cutterrdquo

and ldquocustomrdquo and they are never concerned with picking the wrong

piece for the wrong room

Simply Saratoga | 45

ome customers will come to us after going into a Pottery Barn and buying stuff that just didnrsquot workrdquo Baltich said giving the

example of an individual who purchased an enormous sectional for a tiny room ldquoWe scale into the clientrsquos space taking func-

tion and proportion into considerationrdquo

Exceptional listening and observation skills are the designerrsquos

unsung attributes and greatest assets Blairhouse experts engage

with their clients to gain a true understanding of what they want

In turn the design process becomes an eye-opening experience

customers are introduced to colors and concepts they would

never think to consider

ldquoEach client trusts us to create their environment and we

enable them to make informed decisionsrdquo Patricia Richards

said

And sometimes that requires bold suggestions and collabora-

tion or looking at all of the possibilities even the ones ldquoyou

would never have been brave enough to do on your ownrdquo

In the end the experience of working with the experts is

enjoyable stress-free and cost-effective From concept to com-

pletion the result is just what you want and need ndash a fabulous

marriage of function and aesthetic that wonrsquot have you coming

back for more (because you did it right the first time) sect

ldquoS

46 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 47

For a taste of Blairhouse Interiors Grouprsquos distinctive work stop into their Park Place studio located at 262 Broadway Suite 204 in Saratoga Springs For further details visit wwwblairhouseinteriorscom or call (518) 786-7800

From left to right Dominic Carota Meghan Baltich Patricia Richards and

Thomas R Burns (The designproject therapy team of Blairhouse Interiors Group)

48 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 49

Dorsquos and Donrsquots

50 | Simply Saratoga

Story Written by Kerry Ann Mendez Perennially Yours bull wwwpyourscom Photos Provided

SpringDorsquos and Donrsquots

SpringDorsquos and DonrsquotsDorsquos and Donrsquots

Spring

for your Gardens

s

Simply Saratoga | 51

ssts

SPRINGis right around the corner and gardenersare pawing at the ground ready to explodethrough the garden gate As a passionate perennial gardenerI am right there with you But before launching into another flower-filledseason letrsquos go through a spring checklist of dorsquorsquos and donrsquorsquots to makesure we make the most of the race and have the best finish ever

Photo by GardenersSupply Company

apply a granular fertilizer to your perennial beds while they are still lsquoasleeprsquoDepending on the winter wersquove had this may be anytime from mid-Marchto mid-April Donrsquot worry if there are already lsquoearly risersrsquo visible like springblooming bulbs or woodland ephemerals I recommend using 5-5-5 5-10-5 or

5-10-10 fertilizer at the rate of 2 pounds per 100 square feet Cast the fertilizer just before it is about to rainto make sure fertilizer is watered into the ground and washed off any existing leaves You can give otherplants in your yard this treat as well including floweringshrubs groundcovers climbing vinesand roses

DONrsquoTput fertilizer on top of the snow or on ground that is

still frozen You want to make sure the fertilizer disap-pears into pliable soil and to waiting roots otherwiserunoff can occur And donrsquot think more is better Youcan stress or even kill plants by over-fertilizing espe-cially in spring when leaves are not fully developed toutilize nitrogen in the fertilizer If you are going to errless is better

DO

prune once-b l o o m i n g

roses such as Heirloom or Old GardenRoses when the Forsythia is blooming

Any rose that blooms onceusually in late spring forabout three weeks is in thiscategory Many times theseroses are quite fragrantWait to prune these rosesuntil right after they flower

DONrsquoT

prune most roses whenForsythia is in bloom Pruneshrub roses back by half to

23 their height This is assuming you did not prunethem last fall If you did then next year wait until latewinter or early spring Prune Teas and Grandiflorasback to 18 - 24rdquo For climbing roses prune branchesemerging from the main canes back to within 3 - 4rdquoof the cane

DO

apply corn gluten tolawn areas yoursquoveseeded (or over-seeded) or to gar-dens where youwant biennialsperennials or annu-als to reseed andflower Corn glutendoes not distinguishbetween lsquogoodrsquoand lsquobadrsquo seeds

apply a pre-emer-gent weed killerand fertilizer toyour lawn A lushhealthy lawn

makes a beautiful frame for gardens Myfamily walked away from lawn chemicalsfive years ago And our lawn has neverlooked better Corn gluten is a big part ofthis transformation Corn gluten is a by-product of milled corn It will not harm chil-dren pets or wildlife Heck you can eat it ifyou want (but it tastes yucky) Corn Glutenis high in nitrogen and commonly used as alawn fertilizer But it is also a pre-emergenttargeting seeds as they germinate Youcan put corn gluten down at any point inthe spring BUT if part of your mission is toeliminate crabgrass then there is a narrowwindow of attackApply it whenForsythia is in fullbloom and beforeits leaves appearThe Forsythia is asoil temperatureindicator that cor-responds to whencrabgrass seedsstart to germinate More garden centersare now carrying corn gluten productsYou just need to ask and follow the appli-cation instructions on the bag Make sureto water in the corn gluten after applyingIt will remain effective for five to six weeks

Simply Saratoga | 53

DONrsquoT

DO

step on soil as you maneuver around thegarden to cut back Lavender and therest of the gang For that matter youshould never be tromping through yourgardens compacting soil This breaks

down air and water channels as well as making it tougher forroots to spread Instead reach into beds from existing paths orplace stepping stones in discreet spots where only your eyes cansee or lsquowalk the plankrsquo on a board to reach plants fartherlsquoadriftrsquo

54 | Simply Saratoga

cut back Lavender Russian SageMontauk Daisy Butterfly BushChrysanthemums and ornamental grass-es These are best left untouched in falland whacked in spring Many folks make

the mistake of acting too gingerly with pruners Let lsquoem fly Theresult will be more compact neater plants that will bloom just fineTrust me If it helps wait until yoursquove had a bad day at work withthe kids or in traffic

DONrsquoT

DO

divide Peonies German Bearded Iris orOriental Poppies in spring These are bestdone in late summer Also tap-rootedplants (those with a carrot-looking root)cannot be divided Think about it These

are usually propagated by seed stem or root cuttings Someperennials that fall into this category are Malva Butterfly WeedBalloon Flower Oriental Poppies and Lupines

Simply Saratoga | 55

DONrsquoT

divide plants in spring This is an optimumtime to divide most perennials Yes evenspring bloomers Wait until these haveflowered and then shear off the spentblooms and get to business Most sum-

mer and fall blooming perennials can be divided prior to mid-Junewithout disrupting their performance

DO

apply a time-released fertilizersuch as Plant-Tone(organic) orOsmocote to heavy

feeding perennials five to six weeks afterthe earlier granular fertilizer applicationMost plants do not need as much fertilizeras we are led in advertising to believe I amstingy with my money and maintenancetime so only a handful of plants get thisbonus feed Astilbe Delphinium Liliums (ieAsiatic Oriental Trumpet) Clematis androses If I am feeling generous I will putsome on my Bigleaf Hydrangeas next to theroses Call me heartlessJust scratch fertilizer intothe top couple inchesof soil around theplantrsquos base and waterin well They will enjoy anutritious snack forthree to four months

apply mulch ongarden beds toreduce weedsconserve moisture

reduce erosion minimize soil temperaturefluctuations and enhance the quality ofthe soil Some mulching materials includeaged manures compost shredded wood(not dyed) leaf moldand cocoa hulls Putthe mulch down 2rdquo to3rdquo thick around plantsincluding floweringshrubs

build up mulchagainst plant stems

And please please donrsquot create volcanomounds around trees Please This is awfulfor them The only ones that benefit fromthis are the people selling the mulch

56 | Simply Saratoga

DONrsquoT

DO

DO

rubber band orbraid the foliage ofspring bloomingbulbs after they fin-ish flowering You

want as much leaf surface exposed to thesun as possible to increase photosynthesisYou can press the leaves down next to thesoil so they are less noticeable

Simply Saratoga | 57

sect

And finally DO have a great year in

your gardens and DONrsquoT forget to

take time to smell the roses

DONrsquoT

DONrsquoT

cut off the spentblooms and stems onspring blooming bulbsafter they have flow-ered so energy is redirected to the bulbsversus seed productions Keep the leaves inplace until they have browned and ideallycan be pulled from the ground by hand

put time-released fertil-izer on perennials thatprefer lean dietsRicher soil just upsetstheir vascular systemsThey will get leggy flop and not perform tosnuff Yarrow Coneflower Catmint RussianSage Linum Sea Holly and Silvermound are inthe group

DO

For more information contact Perennially Yours at pyourscom

58 | Simply Saratoga

Ill mination

Exterior Stonework

an

d

Story Written by Arthur Gonick Photos Provided

u

Simply Saratoga | 59

To develop and implement an exterior vista that maximizes your enjoyment To have a backyard landscape that is warm inviting and uniquely yours

These are goals that many homeowners have when they first move onto their property But unless you are trained in the variety ofmaterials and options available the task of getting past the point of comparing possibilities to completing and actually enjoying yourbackyard paradise can appear to be a long daunting road

For Carl Trinkle a landscape designer for ten years with the Gallivan Companies of Troy one of the key elements in a successfultransformation is utilizing a professionalrsquos expertise to articulate goals and develop a plan

ldquoThe most important thing we do when we first meet with a client is to get them to discuss their basic needs and aims and encouragethem to formulate an overall vision for their property An initial consultation sets the tone we make an initial visit on-site to look overthe property so we can have an idea as to where things might be placedrdquo

ldquoDuring this intake process we actually encourage people to show us photos of their friendrsquos property that they like or perhaps froma magazine It helps most people to articulate the goals of what they would like to see as a finished projectrdquo Trinkle said ldquoEven if they are looking to do things in phases we find that it is most important to develop a comprehensive site planrdquo This eliminates the need to revise original phases of work to accommodate those that come in the future

60 | Simply Saratoga

that Mr Trinkle finds potential customers identifying with aredesigned to extend the outdoor season ldquoA few extra weeks outside isa lotrdquo he said

add-ons also extend outside activity each day Low voltage lighting is still the most popular but recently LED lighting with longer-lasting bulbs that involve less maintenance and are cost-efficienthave become more fashionable

The latest trends

stations fire pits and waterenhancements such as ponds andwaterfalls are the most frequentlyrequested items that broaden theoutdoor use season

Outdoor grill

Exterior lighting

Simply Saratoga | 61

And of course swimming pool projects have always been a most-requested

item Fifty percent of allthe projects Mr Trinkleworks on involve a pooleither a completely new installation or enhance-ments to existing poolsGallivanrsquos long-standingrelationship withConcord Pools has beena hallmark in assuringthat customers are satis-fied when their pool isput in the ground

62 | Simply Saratoga

In most cases a comprehensive plancan be developed for any project in about a period of twoweeks Complete drawings and cost breakdowns are provid-ed as well as the projected phases that can be completed injust a few months or on larger projects can be scheduled insegments over a few years These are reviewed in personwith the customer again the goal being to have a plan thateveryone buys into

Simply Saratoga | 63

ldquoWe have had projects where the customer has wanted tohave a lot of input and we welcome that But we also hadone where the client was out of town and we built a firepit and slide for his wife and kids and our only instructions were to dazzle themI remember it as a most satisfying experience and we ended up winning awards for that onerdquo

- Carl Trinkle Landscape DesignerThe Gallivan Companies

64 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 65

ldquoI get to work using my creativity with talented people Some of the most talented are those

I meet as customersrdquo sect

For more information or to schedule aconsultation phone Gallivan Companies at(518) 271-6100 Gallivanrsquos website iswwwGallivanCompaniescom

66 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 67

Buying a playhouse for your child is an excellent investment

They promote imaginative play and spending time outdoors and

double as storage space when no longer used for recreation

Denise Woodcock owner of Versatile Sheds in Wilton has

been helping parents and grandparents customize their childrsquos or

grandchildrsquos dream playhouses for years

ldquoThey make great gifts especially for grandparents who want

their grandkids to have their own place to play when they visitrdquo

she said

Playhouses are a great addition to a childrsquos outdoor world

They come in all shapes sizes and designs and can be custom-

built or finished if you donrsquot find exactly what yoursquore looking for

in a catalog or on the lot

Every child is different and has their own preferences for color

size and function boys and girls often have especially different

requests for their play space as do younger and more mature chil-

dren so therersquos a lot to consider

Denise knows how even the finest detail can be all it takes to

make an outdoor structure feel like a childrsquos own personal space

While it may seem superfluous to address every minor demand

the truth is a playhouse is more than just an expensive toy itrsquos an

investment The more your child connects with their space the more

use theyrsquoll get out of it ndash and according to Denise that means your

money is well spent

Smartest WayThe

playhouse for your kidsto buy a

Photos by MarkBollescomStory by Yael Goldman

68 | Simply Saratoga

With this in mind prospective buyers should first consider

who will use the playhouse and for how long as well as what

happens when the structure is no longer used for recreation

Versatile Sheds can help even the most discerning parent or

child find what theyrsquore looking for Every playhouse is hand-

built by Amish craftsmen who can accommodate almost any

special request at an additional cost so the possibilities are

endless inside and out

Cedar shingle or vinyl siding wood stone or brick ndash if you

can use it on the outside of your regular home it can be inte-

grated into your playhousersquos design Playhouses can be built

to look like a miniature version of your home which is an

excellent touch for parents that are particularly concerned

with aesthetics Porches shutters flowerboxes unique doors

chimneys and exterior lighting are just a few of the touches

that can brighten and personalize the exterior

Individualizing your childrsquos playhouse doesnrsquot stop at the

front door There are just as many interior features to choose

from ndash you can let your imagination run wild

For starters you have the option to order the playhouse

with a finished or unfinished interior The unfinished version

looks a lot like the inside of a regular home before you move

in paint the walls and furnish the rooms

Buying an unfinished structure is a great way to cut costs

and even bring the family together over a weekend decorating

project The possibilities are endless depending on how handy

you are otherwise a few coats of paint and a bit of carpeting

will surely do the trick

Although a bit pricey purchasing a playhouse with a fin-

ished interior ensures that your child gets exactly what they

want right off the bat They can pick everything from the paint

color to the flooring so the playhouse is move-in ready on the

day it arrives

Playhouses can also be insulated and wired for electricity

You can install lighting electrical outlets even heat or air-

conditioning to make your childrsquos outdoor space as comfort-

able as possible

And the options donrsquot end there Traditional sheds also dou-

ble as playhouses For some parents purchasing an adult-size

shed for their children is an ideal way to get the best return on

their investment Once their children grow out of it the struc-

ture can be used for outdoor storage With just as many styles

sizes and materials to choose from you can customize the

interior and exterior of your shed just as you would a play-

house but without all of the more frivolous features

ldquoAny shed can be a playhouserdquo Woodcock said explaining

how a custom paint job or flowerbox can transform a typical

storage unit into childrsquos outdoor activity haven

For example if purchasing a wood shed the exterior can be

easily painted and repainted when making the transition from

playhouse to storage space

For Denisersquos customers getting their moneyrsquos worth should

not have to mean making sacrifices

Simply Saratoga | 69

70 | Simply Saratoga

When Debby Trainor made the decision to buy her grand-

daughter Chezneyrsquos dream house she wanted it to have all the

bells and whistles She met with Denise to go over all the cri-

teria the goal was to buy the perfect gift for Chezney while

staying within her budget

The eight-year-old Greenwich girl wanted her own pretty

pink palace where she could play and imagine Debby wanted

it to be a cozy and safe place for her to play year-round

Customization and interior decoration helped make

Chezneyrsquos playhouse feel like her own little kingdom

ldquoWe made it look like a cute little dollhouserdquo she said ldquoWe

put furniture inside and a little stove fridge heater and TV

itrsquos just perfectrdquo

With the structure built to their liking Chezney and Debby

could enjoy decorating the inside to personalize the playhouse

For many customers putting on the finishing touches means

making the playhouse feel like home ndash you can add curtains

hang pictures buy furniture and appliances and landscape the

perimeter to make the outdoor space feel like a home away

from home

When the child grows out of their playhouse these items

can be easily removed to accommodate a secondary use for the

space

ldquoThe best thing that Denise did for me was explain how we

can use the playhouse for storage for stuff out in the yard after

Chezney has grown out of itrdquo Debby explained ldquoAlthough

she is only eight and will be using it for quite a few more

years this really makes it a good investment and looks

great in the backyardrdquo

Whether you choose a customized playhouse or a tradi-

tional shed thinking toward the future also ensures the

safety and longevity of the structure

Denise explained that placement is an important thing to

consider as you want to make sure the structure is in a safe

place and on an appropriate surface Most importantly the

playhouse must be built on a level even surface that isnrsquot

too high off of the ground

ldquoYou want it on a nice platformrdquo Denise explained

ldquoSome people use concrete but stone is better because it

allows moisture to seep down into the ground and away

from the structurerdquo

Most parents prefer that their playhouse is in the back-

yard where itrsquos easy to see from a window Placing the

structure in a shaded area is also a good idea it will be

cooler in the summer and less susceptible to the elements if

partially protected by trees

Debby had Chezneyrsquos playhouse built right next to her

swing set where she can be easily supervised

One last thing to consider when purchasing a playhouse

Simply Saratoga | 71

72 | Simply Saratoga

or shed for your child is how much effort

you want to put into maintaining it The

more ornate the structure the more care it

may need

Woodcock advises parents to preserve

their investment and treat the playhouse

like a miniature home

Think of it as a miniature house ndash the

structure requires regular maintenance

and upkeep to ensure your child will be

safe while enjoying years and years of

imaginative fun

With so many features and styles to

choose from yoursquore sure to find the best

for both you and your child

For more information about Versatile

Sheds or to set up a time to meet with

Denise Woodcock call (518) 584-7924

or stop by 669 Route 9 in Wilton sect

Simply Saratoga | 73

74 | Simply Saratoga

Kitchen

Not Your

Grandmarsquos

Story Written by Daniel Schechtman Photos Provided

ldquoAs you

walk into the kitchen

of the future LED

light projections adjust

to your mood - it will

know if you have a

hangover via sensors

that will read your

b r a i n w a v e s

Aromatherapy infused

walls will be synched

to your calendar calm-

ing you before a big

meeting or energizing you before a gym session The fridge will have selected some breakfast options identifying the essen-

tial vitamins for your day via sensors When you get home a hologram chef will be on hand for recipe inspirationrdquo

Alright so maybe your kitchen canrsquot do all of these things quite yet ndash but believe it or not wersquore getting there This is tomor-

rowrsquos kitchen a kitchen where your appliances donrsquot just store your food or wash your dishes ndash they talk to you providing you

with integral information on how to

best store your fruits and vegetables

letting you know if the refrigerator

door is open for too long or when a

part will soon need replacing

Simply Saratoga | 75

ldquoScience fictionrdquo I hear you say

Guess again Quoted from a report released by The Future Laboratory

who was commissioned by IKEA to determine what a modernkitchen in the year 2040 could conceivably look like

76 | Simply Saratoga

ldquoOne technology that really stands out to me is the

Miele Appliance Company Right now theyrsquore using a

program called lsquoremote visionrsquo On select applianceshellip

is a wireless card that clicks into a port on the back of

the appliance You synch it up with your home network

and it basically emails the technician and the owner

when itrsquos broken when you need to clean your condens-

er change your water filter or schedule a routine serv-

icerdquo said Tom Thibeault owner of Adirondack

Appliance Repair Inc located at 67 West Ave in

Saratoga Springs ldquoMaybe somebodyrsquos been opening the

[refrigerator] door for too long or the door was left open

ndash it will email you and tell you that your door is left

openrdquo

This is not your grandmarsquos kitchen This my friends

is the kitchen of the future and itrsquos available now

The 36 inch bottom-mount Miele refrigerator boasts a

striking interior featuring LED lighting running along

the sides from top to bottom stainless steel accents and

exteriors with control systems that would be comfort-

able alongside the captainrsquos chair on the Starship

Enterprise

Simply Saratoga | 77

ldquoThe controls in the Miele really stand out

Looking at the controls theyrsquore just a glass piece and

then once you touch it you see a few options for the

different compartments Then you touch the compart-

ment and the temperature is displayed so itrsquos kind of

like a Star Trek controlrdquo Thibeault said

And thatrsquos just the refrigerator

Adirondack Appliance has also seen brands such as

Wolf (a company owned by the same people who own

Sub-Zero) grow in popularity when it comes to their

range stoves and ovens The dual convection oven

works to eliminate cold spotting and provides consis-

tent even temperatures and even allows for unique

options such as proofing ndash used best when baking

homemade bread

ldquoIt also has a temperature probe you can plug into

things like a turkey or roast so you can see the temper-

ature while itrsquos still inside the machine It has

hydraulic hinges halogen lit interiors everything is

composed of stainless steel and itrsquos by far one of the

best lines on the marketrdquo Thibeault said

A new line coming to Adirondack Appliance that

features some amazing technology is a series of Pro-

Style Ranges produced by industry giant Jenn-Air

ldquoThat actually has an LCD touch

screen like an IPAD for the controls The

temperature is set by sliding your finger

along the controls Itrsquos all color backlit and

absolutely amazingrdquo Thibeault said

ldquoAnother thing we have to that same

effect are some of the hoods which have

really been getting pretty out there as far as

design We have one on our floor [by Miele]

that has an LED bar on the front which

changes in phases between 196000 colors

Itrsquos a very delicate change very pretty and

coolrdquo Thibeault said adding ldquoor you can set

it to any color in that spectrum yoursquod like to

accent your cabinetryrdquo

When it comes to dishwashers Thibeault

can attest to the quality of both the Asko and

Miele brands both of which he uses in his

own home And good news for Saratoga

Springs residents ndash

ldquoIn our market in

Saratoga we have a

very hard water base

whether yoursquore on a well

system or city waterrdquo

Thibeault said ldquoSo you

get a lot of minerals in

the machine With the

stainless steel interiors it

eliminates a lot of prob-

lems generally seen with

plastic interior tubs and

usually they are the best

life expectanciesrdquo

78 | Simply Saratoga

Asko and Mieleare practically custom made to handle the

arearsquos typicallymineral rich water

Simply Saratoga | 79

The Asko brand dishwasher takes things one step

further including two pumps in the washerrsquos system

The first pump filters the water cleansing it of poten-

tially harmful minerals while the second pump recircu-

lates the water ensuring that the machine is never

blasting your dishes with food debris or dirty residue

With Miele the design features a built-in water sof-

tener perfect for dealing with the Saratoga water

system

ldquoTypically the Miele is going to do a better job with

tougher baked in stainsrdquo said Thibeault ldquobecause itrsquos

got the softener in it and a little bit longer pots and pans

cyclerdquo

80 | Simply Saratoga

Adirondack Appliance Repair Inc is a fami-

ly-owned business since 1929 and the last inde-

pendent appliance retailer of its kind in Saratoga

Springs With $6 billion of buying power behind

their name (a benefit of being part of the Nation

Wide Appliance Buying Group) Thibeault

promised ldquowe can actually price match the box

stores and everybody else around all while pro-

viding you with better service and better

productsrdquo

For more information on AdirondackAppliance or the products they sell you mayvisit their showroom located at 67 West Avenuein Saratoga Springs for live demonstrationsThey can also be reached by phone at (518)587-6640 or you may visit them at their newwebsite wwwadkappliancecom where cus-tomers can browse through the storersquos entirecatalogue of appliances

sect

Simply Saratoga | 81

82 | Simply Saratoga

Page 15: Simply Saratoga March 2011

Simply Saratoga | 17

Saratoga Springs Mardi Gras FestivalHeld at various locations downtown Saratoga on

Saturday April 30 this event benefits Saratoga EOCand the Giving Circle For more information visitsaratogamardigrasorg

British Army Spring Training DaySaratoga National Historical Park 648 Rte 32

StillwaterOn May 7 from 10 am to 4 pm The cold winter has

ended and a new campaign season begins Soldiersdrill camp followers mend clothes and the armyprepares to quell the American ldquorebellionrdquo See thetroops and decide the outcome of a re-enacted courtmartial

St Clements Horse ShowYaddo grounds next to Oklahoma TrackHeld May 3 to May 8 and May 11 to May 15 This

is one of the largest horse shows on the east coastFor more information visit saintclementshorse-showcom

18 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 19

Prom

T h i s W a y

20 | Simply Saratoga

Glamor

ous

Daz

zling

Elega

ntFlir

ty

Gor

geou

s

Girls

itrsquos

Show

time

Simply Saratoga | 21

Web

Extras

See

the

pics tha

t didn

rsquot

mak

e it in

the

Mag

azine

on

SaratogaB

ridalEXPO

com

Grecian

God

dess

Athe

na

Classic B

eaut

y

Holly

wood

Glamou

r

Wild

and

Untam

edElega

nt

22 | Simply Saratoga

The current economic and market environment has prompt-

ed many Americans to rethink their retirement strategies If

you are experiencing a job transitionmdashparticularly if the tran-

sition is unplanned and unexpectedmdashsuch a reassessment may

be particularly important for you While it may be tempting to

focus more on your immediate needs you should not lose sight

of long-term goals especially your retirement strategy

Some Basic Decisions Your employer-sponsored retirement plan is likely to be a

key component of your retirement strategy Because it repre-

sents a key source of future retirement income it is important

to carefully consider your alternatives for administering these

assets During a job transition you will usually have three

options take a lump-sum distribution leave your assets in the

employer-sponsored plan or move your assets into a Rollover

IRA

Taking a direct lump-sum distributionmdashWith this

option the assets in your plan are distributed directly to you in

a lump sum which provides you with immediate access to

your funds Depending on your short-term needs that may

appear to be an attractive alternative However a distribution

will likely result in substantial federal and state income taxes

and a 10 percent IRS penalty tax which can significantly

reduce the amount of the distribution Because you will be

receiving the distribution directly the plan administrator must

withhold up to 20 percent of the value of the distribution for

federal income tax purposes Moreover you will lose the ben-

efit of the tax-deferred status of these assets which could

reduce the amount ultimately available to you at retirement

The status quo optionmdashYou can decide to do nothing

leaving your assets in your former employerrsquos plan That will

protect the tax-deferred status of your assets and allow you to

transfer the account assets at a later time to a new employerrsquos

retirement plan that accepts rollovers But you may be limiting

your investment choices and control because employer plans

typically have a restricted investment menu and require the

consent of your spouse before you can name someone else as

a beneficiary

Establishing a Rollover IRAmdashA Rollover IRA simultane-

ously addresses the issues of taxation flexibility and control

and may hold significant benefits for you as a result

Submitted by H Michael Okby Wealth Advisor

Fin

ancia

l Protecting Your RetirementInvestmentsDuring a JobTransition

If your distribution is transferred directly to a custodian rather than

to you the Rollover IRA eliminates the withholding requirement and

penalties that may result from a lump-sum distribution

The entire rollover amount can be investedimmediately according to the strategy youspecify bull Your assets and any earnings continue to have the potential to

grow tax-deferred until you retire and begin taking withdrawals

bull You may gain access to a wider range of investment options and

more retirement planning and distribution flexibility

bull You can name any beneficiary including a trust without

needing the consent of your spouse (although special rules may

apply in community property states)

For example investment products in an employer plan are usually

limited to mutual funds and company stock With a self-directed

Rollover IRA you can work with your financial professional to struc-

ture a portfolio using stocks bonds annuities and other investments

utilizing an asset allocation1 that is customized to help you meet your

retirement investment objectives And your retirement strategy can be

further tailored with a wider range of beneficiary selection and distri-

bution choices

Consider Consolidation This may also be an excellent time to deal with multiple IRAs you

may have opened over the years and with account balances you may

have left in the plans of former employers Together these assets may

represent a significant sum There are good reasons to consider con-

solidating them all in a Rollover IRA

Comprehensive investment strategymdashIt can be difficult to main-

tain an effective investment strategymdashone that accurately reflects

your goals timing and risk tolerancemdashwhen assets are spread among

multiple financial institutions When you consolidate your financial

professional can help you ensure that these assets are part of your

overall asset allocation strategy that is reflective of your current

financial situation and long-term retirement goals

Greater investment flexibilitymdashA self-directed IRA generally

offers you the ability to choose from a wide range of investment

products including stocks bonds mutual funds annuities and more

Simplified trackingmdashIt is easier to monitor your progress and

investment results when all your retirement savings are in one place

because you will receive one statement instead of several That sim-

plifies your life while protecting the environment

Lower costsmdashReducing the number of accounts may also reduce

your account fees and other investment-related charges

Dealing with one account rather than several also simplifies

the distribution processmdashincluding complying with complex min-

imum distribution rules when you reach age 70 And you avoid the

risk of losing track of your retirement accounts or access to the

account assets should your former employer merge with another

company or go out of business Your financial professional can help

you assess your alternatives so you can make decisions based on

whatrsquos best for you You may find that this time of transition holds

benefits for your retirement assets

For more information please contact H Michael Okby at (518) 583-5601

sect

Simply Saratoga | 23

24 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 25

Summer camp is a place wherelifelong memories are made

This is where our children learnto cultivate their interests andordiscover a world of new activities tohelp their young minds grow andfor them to become physically fit

Even though there may be snowon the ground when you read thisit is never too early to think aboutyour childrenrsquos summer fun Weare blessed in this region with avariety of destinations providing awealth of activities

And while there is something foreveryone early planning is a mustto assure your child has a spot inone of these great places At theend of a long winter seasonthoughts of summer camp arerejuvenating for adults as well

Summer Camp Guide 2011

YMCA Camp Chingachgook

NdakinnaNdakinna Education Center located in

Greenfield Center offers a wide variety of

summer camp programs and activities that

will provide campers with a greater

respect and understanding for the natural

world as well as the Northeastrsquos rich

Native American history Hosted by

renowned author and wilderness and sur-

vival expert James Bruchac these pro-

grams are ideal for children with a sense

of adventure and natural wonder Summer

programs are divided into two groups

children ages three to eight and older

campers ages nine to fourteen Programs

range in duration from one to two weeks

26 | Simply Saratoga

YMCA Camp Chingachgook located on beauti-

ful Lake George has three camping options sleep-

away camp day camp and adventure trips

Summer sleep-away camp is the experience of a

lifetime The camp is divided into junior and sen-

ior boys and girls units junior campers between

the ages of seven and 12 and senior campers are 13

to 15 years old All Chingachgook counselors go

through extensive two-week training and prepa-

ration prior to the beginning of the first session

Campers will enjoy a full schedule of skill

classes which they can choose on their own

and special events and programs Campers can

choose from swimming water skiing canoeing

nature arts outdoor living skills theater news-

paper riflery archery dance guitar outdoor

cooking sports zone water world woodwork-

ing softball soccer tennis photography sail-

ing high ropes mountain biking and rock

climbing Each camper sets up their own daily

schedule of four skill classes at the start of the

session

Two-week camp sessions at Chingachgook

also include a three-day hike which allows

campers to get out and experience the wilder-

ness in a fun and safe atmosphere

Chingachgook also offers a variety of unique

adventure camps for children looking to explore

unique destinations and experience a whole new

level of fun options like sailing kayak-

ing boat building rock climbing canoe-

ing community service white-water

rafting hiking and backpacking bicycle

touring and mountain biking Adventure

campers will benefit from activities with

smaller coed groups of ten or less

Day Camp at Chingachgook is a fun

option for children ages five to ten

Campers will enjoy a full day of fun

activities from 930 am to 430 pm The

Day Camp program is divided into eight

one-week segments with the first session

starting on June 28 and the final session

starting on August 16 Each session has

a different theme

Spaces are limited at Chingachgook

so be sure to sign up as soon as possible

For more information to sign up for a

tour or to register for camp visit

wwwcapitaldistrictymcacom or call

(518) 656-9462

each covering a different skill or activity such

as animal tracking basic wilderness survival

skills and shelter building Native American

storytelling and games and nature-based arts

and crafts projects will teach campers to have

fun in the great outdoors Each camp program

promotes team building natural awareness

patience and confidence

Ndakinna also offers family camp pro-

grams which allow children and their parents

to experience the outdoors together Family

programs can accommodate children ages one

to 14 These programs offer the

same skills training and team-

building activities To view the

finalized calendar of programs

and events visit

wwwNdcenterorg

Cutting Edge Martial ArtsCutting Edge Martial Artrsquos A+ After

School and Summer Camp Program is a year-

round child care solution that provides a pos-

itive structured environment for children

after school and during the day in the sum-

mer During the school year we pick chil-

dren up directly from the local elementary

and middle schools and provide an hour les-

son that starts with our ldquoMat Chatrdquo a ten

minute character education lesson for the day

followed by a full 50 minute martial arts

class Parents have a window between 5 and

545 pm to pick up their children while chil-

dren have the opportunity after class to get

their homework started

During the summer children get all the

benefits of our A+ Program but on a grander

scale We offer nine weeks of full day camps

and have no minimum or maximum number

of days per week or number of weeks that a

student can attend Each week of camp we

have a curriculum of character education

lessons fun games and a one hour martial

arts class every day We watch a movie in

the afternoons twice a week have a video

game morning on Fridays and take all our

campers on an educa-

tional outing on

Wednesdays and a

fun and exciting out-

ing every Friday

Our average camp

size is 20-25 stu-

dents and we have

three full time staff

graphed by Sarah Sutliff

Saratoga Childrenrsquos Theatre also offers a one-

week camp at the end of the summer ldquoMaster

your Auditionrdquo This camp will help your child

get ready for fall and winter auditions These

audition workshops have been very popular and

sell out quickly Any child at any skill level with

an interest in performing arts is welcome to join

in on the fun Saratoga Childrenrsquos Theatre

Executive Director Meg Kelly aims to give each

camper the most rewarding and enjoyable camp

experience and every camper will get to perform

The Saratoga Childrenrsquos Theatre hires profes-

sionals to help your child gain the most from

their summer camp experience

The cost for a two-week session is $450 and

$250 for the one-week session For more infor-

mation visit wwwsaratogachildrenstheatreorg

or call (518) 580-1782

For kids who have a passion for per-

forming arts Saratoga Childrenrsquos Theatre

summer camp is a dream come true

Saratoga Childrenrsquos Theatre offers per-

formance camps which means each

camper will be working on a full-fledged

production throughout their session

Campers will learn all aspects of perform-

ance and will have the opportunity to per-

form in two shows at the end of camp a

matinee and an evening show are both

open to the public Campers will perform

on stage at St Petersrsquo Auditorium

Saratoga Springs Camp hours are 9am-

3pm Performance camp is divided into

two age groups

Ages 6-9 will participate in one week

camps These camps will include Disneyrsquos

Sleeping Beauty kids Cinderella kids

Aristocats kids 101 Dalmatians kids and

Lemonade These camps will be directed by

Megan OrsquoSullivan a local elementary school

music teacher and assisted by Karey

Trimmings also a local elementary school

music teacher

Ages 10-18 will participate in two-week

camps Each camp will practice and perform a

different show These

camps include

Thoroughly Modern

Mille Jr Cinderella Jr

Fiddler on the Roof Jr

and Once on this Island

Jr These camps will be

directed by Michael

Lotano local actor and

elementary school music

teacher and choreo-

Saratoga Childrenrsquos Theatre

Simply Saratoga | 27

working with our students

Our goal is to provide a family-friendly

and fun environment that feels like a home

away from home Our students have fun

learning skills that can be used every day of

their lives and we try to provide memories

that will last a lifetime For many our

summer camps are a wonderful introduc-

tion to martial arts

For more information visit

wwwsaratogamartialartscom

or call (518) 587-5501

28 | Simply Saratoga

Saratoga Independent SchoolSaratoga Independent School hosts a variety of summer

programs split into two age groups three to eight year-olds

Wilton Recreation CampWilton Recreation offers a full-day summer

camp program for children in grades one

through nine With available pre-camp and

post-camp care working parents can ensure

their children are having fun in a safe environ-

ment before and after the camprsquos regular 9 am to

3 pm hours Parents who register their children

for before and after camp care can drop off their

children prior to camp opening at 830 am and

can pick them up at 530 pm Bussing is avail-

able for Wilton residents who register for regu-

lar camp hours (9 am to 3 pm)

Wilton Recreation Camp offers a full sched-

ule of daily onsite activities themed events and

exciting trips for kids who register for off-site

adventures Daily on-site activities include arts

and crafts sports playground fun and other

organized group games This yearrsquos scheduled

field trips include Million Dollar Beach in Lake

George movie days at Proctors Theater

Saratoga County Fair bowling white water

rafting and at least two swimming days per

week at Peerless Pool

The Summer 2011 camp will open on

June 27 and run until August

12 Registration begins

March 14 at Gavin Park and

will close on June 3 As

there are only 300 spaces

available be sure to mark

your calendar Camp

registration forms are

available online at

wwwtownofwiltoncom or

can be picked up weekdays

at Gavin Park 9 am to 5 pm

For any other questions

please call the park office at (518) 584-9455

and seven to 14 year-olds The weeklong programs run from July 5

to August 19

Saratoga Independent School summer programs are staffed large-

ly by their own teachers so parents can rest assured their kids are

supervised in a safe environment with experienced teachers who are

knowledgeable about child development and hands-on

programming

For the younger group weekly themed programs run from 9 am

to noon (early drop-off at 830 available) The staff-to-camper ratio

is one to six for children ages three and four and one to ten for chil-

dren ages five to eight Themed programs include ldquoCooking with

Curiosityrdquo ldquoHawaiian Hullabaloordquo ldquoHands-On Science Funrdquo

ldquoHoliday-A-Dayrdquo ldquoGood Versus Evil Imaginations Run Wildrdquo

ldquoDinosaur Discoveryrdquo ldquoIn the Jungle the Mighty Junglerdquo

Activities take place both indoors and outdoors

The selection of enrichment programs for older children is even

more extensive this year than in the past Some programs will take

place in the mornings others in the afternoon Age ranges will vary

depending on the subject matter These specialty programs give chil-

dren an opportunity to develop new interests and expand on existing

skills Programs include ldquoCartooning and Morerdquo ldquoImprovisationrdquo

ldquoKnittingrdquo ldquoOpen Art Studiordquo ldquoYou Can Do Magicrdquo ldquoGet Up and

Dancerdquo ldquoRoaring into Robots Whatrsquos Nextrdquo ldquoArt in the Ancient

Worldrdquo ldquoMad Sciencerdquo ldquoComputer Video Game Creationrdquo

ldquoAdvanced Robot Challengesrdquo and ldquoArt-Math Connectionrdquo

Registration has already begun and the programs fill up quickly so

visit wwwsiskidsorg for more information and to secure a space

for your child

Simply Saratoga | 29

Are your kids looking for an adventure this summer The

Saratoga Regional YMCA has two exciting day camps available

Camp Starhitch held at the Wilton Branch which engages children

with a multitude of fun activities and a trip each week and Travel

Camp where participants meet at the Saratoga Springs Branch and

then travel off to fun and thrilling places each day

Camp Starhitch is for children having completed Kindergarten

through entering fifth grade Campers will participate in games

sports crafts nature activities trips swimming archery and more

Each week is planned around a theme and includes a trip For exam-

ple during ldquo70rsquos Flashbackrdquo week campers will go roller skating

during ldquoThe Wild Frontierrdquo week kids will have the opportunity to

go horseback riding and during ldquoTropical Paradiserdquo week partici-

pants may ldquocatch a gnarly waverdquo at an outdoor water park

Travel Camp is definitely for the action seeker and for those who

like to be on the go This program for youth entering fifth through

tenth grade provides campers an opportunity to travel each and every

day to fun-filled locations Participants explore different summer

activities that include amusement and water parks outdoor sports

fairs and horseback riding This year the trips include a visit to Hunter

Mountain Six Flags New England Tubing on the Battenkill NY

Mets game at Citi Field the NY State Fair and more

Camp Starhitch and Travel Camp both run for nine one-week ses-

sions You may choose to attend camp for one week or any combina-

tion of weeks Experienced counselors supervise children and a ratio

of 110 ensures a safe quality camping experience CPR and First Aid

certified camp staff will be present on all trips At Travel Camp

campers will be grouped according to age and are supervised by expe-

rienced adult staff

Camp Starhitch has two day camp options for your child Option A

allows for your child to be dropped off at 9 am and picked up at 4 pm

and Option B has a 7 am drop off time and a 6 pm pick up time

Travel Camp runs from 9 am to 430 pm and extended hours are

available at no additional cost This year transportation will be provid-

ed in both directions between the Saratoga Springs and Wilton

branches Pickups will be as early as 815 am and drop-offs will be

as late as 5 pm Both camps try to cater to working parents

In addition the Saratoga Regional YMCA is committed to provid-

ing a safe and welcoming environment for all campers by incorporat-

ing the YMCAcore values of caring honesty respect and responsibil-

ity in daily activities To promote safety and comfort for all individu-

als are asked to act appropriately at all times when at the Yrsquos facilities

or participating in Y programs All campers are required to read and

sign a contract of understanding in reference to the Code of Conduct

We expect persons using the YMCAto act maturely to behave respon-

sibly and to respect the rights and dignity of all othersmdashall while

having a good time

The Y also has opportunities available for those who may not have

the resources to send their children to camp The Y provides scholar-

ships for those who qualify Scholarships are made possible due to

the generous donations of Y members the community and businesses

to the ldquoWe Build Peoplerdquo scholarship campaign held by the Saratoga

Regional YMCA each year Scholarship applications are available at

all Saratoga Regional YMCA branches and online at wwwsaratogare-

gionalymcaorg

Registration is currently ongoing and fills up quickly Registration

forms are available at any of the Saratoga Regional YMCA Branches

or at wwwsaratogaregionalymcaorg For more information about

these day camps please contact Ilene Leverence at (518) 583-9622

ext 103 for Camp Starhitch and Patti Laudicina at (518) 583-9622

ext 110 or Paige Minear ext 116 for Travel Camp

Saratoga YMCA

30 | Simply Saratoga

Ask women about the greatest threat to their health and most will

respond incorrectly with the words ldquobreast cancerrdquo While breast cancer

certainly is of concern the truth is that women are 10 times more like-

ly to die from heart disease Breast cancer kills 1 in 25 women heart

disease claims 1 in 2

The most recent statistics available indicate that cardiovascular dis-

ease causes the death of 500000 women per year ndash more than ALL

forms of cancer combined This is a rate of epidemic proportion

Little or no warning

Two-thirds of women die suddenly from heart disease without expe-

riencing any warning symptoms The majority die before they even

reach the hospital and before any attempt at treatment is possible Early

screening and the detection that leads to prevention offer the only hope

of reducing these deaths

Women who do develop heart disease tend to fare worse than men

One reason is that on average heart disease peaks 10 years later in

women than in men At this older age women are less able to withstand

the stress of the disease The proof can be found in a disturbing statis-

tic One year after their first heart attack 44 percent of women are dead

compared with 27 percent of men

Clearly for women preventing that first heart attack would make an

enormous difference

Know the risks

What can be done to prevent and detect heart disease in women

Of foremost importance is to reduce ndash or if possible eliminate ndash the

conditions that cause or accelerate the growth of blockages in the arter-

ies of the heart These conditions known as risk factors include high

Women Take this warning to heart

Story By Andrij O Baran MD

blood pressure diabetes genetic high cholesterol a high-fat

diet an inactive lifestyle smoking and cocaine use

Some damage the lining of the heartrsquos arteries speeding the

buildup of cholesterol Others raise blood cholesterol Both

smoking and cocaine use speed blood clotting They also can

cause sudden cramps or spasms in the coronary arteries cut-

ting off the entire blood supply to portions of the heart even

without a cholesterol blockage

A woman who has one or more of these risk factors should

ask her doctor how best to control them She also should ask

about further screening and testing such as stress testing

The sooner the better

Lifestyle changes and medications can have a dramatic

impact on reducing the incidence of heart attack provided cho-

lesterol blockages are detected early ndash before damage to the

heart has occurred In fact drugs that lower cholesterol alone

have been unequivocally shown to reduce the risk of heart

attack and death by up to 50 percent

When added to a program of low-fat diet exercise control

of high blood pressure and diabetes and above all else no

smoking the benefits are magnified many times over Keep in

mind of course that these drugs work only if they are taken

and taken appropriately

By knowing and changing their risk factors all women can

ensure themselves of a longer and more vibrant life

Andrij O Baran MD FACC is the Medical Director of

Cardiology Services at Saratoga Hospital

Simply Saratoga | 31

A c t F a s t D u r i n g H e a r t A t t a c k s According to the American Heart

Association clot-busting drugs can stop

some heart attacks in progress reducing

disability and saving lives They work best

given within one hour of when heart

attack signs begin Thatrsquos why itrsquos impor-

tant to recognize the warning signs of a

heart attack and act right away

Warning Signs

bull Pain or discomfort in the jaw

neck or back

bull Feeling weak lightheaded or faint

bull Chest paindiscomfort

bull Paindiscomfort in the arms or

shoulder

bull Shortness of breath

If you think that you or someone you

know is having a heart attack call 911

immediately

32 | Simply Saratoga

Who would believe that a rabbi from Eastern

Europe frozen for 150 years in a block of ice could

be transported across time and space to Memphis

where he thaws then becomes a spiritual guru to

baby boomers Arguably nobody But Steve Stern

the author of ldquoThe Frozen Rabbirdquo his most recent

novel isnrsquot asking readers to believe it so much as

to let the characters tell their story Besides the plot

may be far-fetched but he already has a buyer for

the movie rights

Writer-in-residence at Skidmore College Stern is

a genius at creating human beings in fantastical cir-

cumstances who seem more like eccentric neigh-

bors than artifacts of science fiction Some fly

some inhabit other peoplersquos dreams some are res-

urrected and some travel through time Whatever

their superpowers or frailties the heroes and vil-

lains tricksters and innocents and witnesses and

bystanders in Sternrsquos short and long fiction deserve

attention and evoke compassion in their quest for

connection and redemption - or at least food and

shelter From within an inexhaustible vein of

Jewish folklore and oral history his characters

emerge into a lucid fictional universe that embraces

both magic and the mundane Dialogue is ironic as

often as it is mystical and the most ordinary days

serve as backdrops for incredible events

ldquoMiracles are commonplacerdquo says Stern a

Ballston Spa resident ldquoI donrsquot write in metaphors

and symbols deliberately Writing is a visceral

experience for me I read with interest what review-

ers say about my repetitive themes and ideas but I

am driven by images and characters Irsquom a compul-

sive storytellerrdquo

Steve Stern A Lyrical Voice in the Ghetto

B

o

o

k

m

a

r

k

Lean bespectacled and haloed in dark curls Stern

is a Memphis native who grew up in a home bereft

of music books and art in a city made famous by

Elvis Presley (who used to drive through Sternrsquos

neighborhood) and Martin Luther Kingrsquos assassina-

tion He remembers himself as ldquoa mediocre adoles-

cent without confidence or spiritual antennardquo first

stirred to write poetry in high school which he read

aloud for attention

ldquoI was surprised people liked itrdquo he says ldquoAnd I

liked writing it even though it embarrassed me But

I was encouraged to go on and later to try proserdquo

The allure of the late lsquo60s and early lsquo70s was not

academic After college Stern wandered through

Europe then worked as a butcher on a hippie com-

mune in the Ozarks raising pigs and eating off the

land ldquoI slept under five blankets and two dogsrdquo he

recalls (The incarnation has been memorialized in a

comic strip by Sternrsquos girlfriend Sabrina a cartoon-

ist and set designer for Saturday Night Live)

The commune was not too far from the University

of Arkansas where Stern attended graduate school

and played volleyball with Bill and Hillary Clinton

ldquoI hoped he would mention me in his inaugural

addressrdquo Stern sighs

With an MA Stern found teaching gigs at vari-

ous colleges but the work dried up forcing him to

take a job at a folklore center in Memphis first tran-

scribing stories about the black community then

launching a life-changing project to preserve the

stories of the fading Jewish population in a desolate

Memphis ghetto known as ldquoThe Pinchrdquo where

many of his stories are set

Story By Helen Susan Edelman

ldquoBernie scrunched his face in thought Gone was his waryimpulse to keep everything secret and there were times of latewhen he felt almost reckless almost ready to tell the world whileon the other hand he suspected he may have already confided toomuch ldquoI thinkrdquo he said after some consideration ldquoIrsquom startingto outgrow myselfrdquo

mdash Steve Stern ldquoThe Frozen Rabbirdquo

Photo by Josh GerritsenSteve Stern

Simply Saratoga | 33

ldquoIt was intoxicatingrdquo says Stern ldquoI became obsessed with

itrdquo Indeed his work is infused with the folklore images lan-

guage archetypes settings rituals and values embedded in

the memories he recorded and in the vast Jewish and Yiddish

literature he has studied since

A non-observant Jew Stern had no relationship with his

religion so the introduction to his exotic legacy was both

anchor and springboard for a prolific new consciousness

ldquoThe floodgates openedrdquo he says ldquoSuddenly this world

began to materialize for me What had been barren neighbor-

hoods I could see vividly as tenements and shops a town

square street traffic merchants pawnbrokers rabbis chil-

drenhellipimmigrants from Eastern Europe looking for a homerdquo

Stern is comfortable writing about transcendent wisdom as

long as itrsquos his characterrsquos voice

and not his own

dispensing the

insights The

frozen rabbi in

the book of the

same name for

example ldquoradiates

within his zone of

influence and is a

spiritual catalyst

for anyone who

encounters himrdquo

says Stern ldquowhere-

as I am a clicheacute a

Jew who grew up

without an identityrdquo

A winner of both

Guggenheim and

Fulbright fellowships

as well as the National

Jewish Book Award

the Pushcart Prize an

OrsquoHenry Prize and the Edward Lewis Wallant Award Stern

is working on a new novel and rereading Faulkner Tolstoy

Dickens and Joyce

He views each new writing project as ldquoa riskrdquo Experience

last summer also reminded him of the evanescence of popu-

larity he gave two readings one in Memphis which drew

such a crowd that doors had to be locked and one in St

Louis where he commanded an audience of four

ldquoJust like the characters in my storiesrdquo Stern observes ldquoI

encounter conflicts look for a way to escape and face mixed

consequencesrdquo sect

How is your mental state these days Are

you experiencing peace and joy in every-

day life or frustration and impatience Are

you living your life ldquoon purposerdquo or going

through the motions feeling numb and dead

on the inside How is the garden of your

mind Are you tending to your garden or letting

the weeds take over

When I lived in Boston I lived next door to an elder-

ly woman who had a beautiful garden Every morning my

neighbor was outside in her floral moo moo (circa Mrs

Roper from Threersquos Company) tending carefully to each

plant and flower She would spend hours walking around her

garden joyfully humming and making sure her flowers were

strong and healthy Many mornings I would sip my coffee

and watch her peacefully pulling out the weeds and tending

to her precious flowers To this day I remember how tall and

lovely her sunflowers were I think our mental state can be

compared to tending to a garden do we have beautiful sun-

flowers of joy and peace or toxic weeds of bitterness and

guilt

The weeds in your heart and mind are feelings of bitterness

anger guilt self-loathing and negativity Do you spend your

days reviewing the list of those that have offended

you Do you beat yourself up daily for past mis-

takes or regrets These are the weeds that can

take over your mind and lead to racing

thoughts a dark depression constant

anxiety or physical illness and

chronic pain If you are someone

that is easily frustrated impatient

and critical you can be sure you

34 | Simply Saratoga

Tending to theGarden of Your MindDealing with the Weeds in your Life

Simple Truths

have some weeds to deal with

The only path to peace and joy in your everyday life is to

pull your weeds out from the root and confront the issues

Holding on to your weeds only makes you ill and deadens

your heart Did you know that people who are full of bitter-

ness and resentment appear older and are not as physically

attractive as people who are full of peace and love The

weeds in your heart and mind can actually make you ugly

Likewise a mind that is content and peaceful gives us a

sparkle and light in our eyes that people are automatically

attracted to Forget the anti-wrinkle cream and Botox Fill

your heart and mind up with the best kept beauty secret

around love and forgiveness

Forgiveness is not about letting the person who hurt you

off the hook Forgiveness IS allowing light into our hearts

so that we can heal and move forward It takes the heavy

burden of offense and resentment off of our hearts and

minds while preparing the ldquosoilrdquo for new growth and

experiences

When possible confront the people you need to forgive

so that you can have closure and move on If it is not pos-

sible to confront the person that is the weed in your life

write them a letter expressing your hurt and anger (not to

send but in a private journal) This is a wonderful way to

give yourself closure and put your feelings out on the table

More often than not the person we have to forgive or con-

front is ourselves If you are constantly beating yourself up

and feeling guilty about your past make a choice to forgive

yourself

Donrsquot be lazy about your weeds Dig deep and pull out

your weeds so that you can make room for peace and joy

We all desire to feel love and be accepted That accept-

Meghan DLemery LCSW-R

Simply Saratoga | 35

ance starts with you Begin to focus on peaceful loving joyful

thoughts Keep a gratitude journal of what you love about your-

self or the loved ones in your life Practice planting seeds of joy

by giving acceptance and love to everyone around you

Take time to practice patience and kindness to your family

friends colleagues and that slow cashier at the grocery store Go

out of your way to help others in any way that you can All of

these acts of kindness plant the seeds of peace love joy and

abundance

As we approach the new season of spring take some time to

tend to the garden of your mind

Wishing you love self-acceptance and peace this spring and

always

Ms Lemery is a psychotherapist practic-ing in Saratoga Springs and QueensburyShe can be reached at meghanle-meryyahoocom

Her first novel will be pub-lished this Spring TitledldquoPlease Pass the BarbieShoesrdquo it is a hilarious heart-warming story that will haveyou feeling inspiredand empowered

sect

36 | Simply Saratoga

Living Room The custom-designed leather couch chair andottoman come from Suttons The stucco fireplace was inspired by theCollinsrsquo travels through the Southwest and Colorado (ldquowe wanted to avoida traditional river rock fireplacerdquo) and provides a heat source as well asbeauty The original structure was built for passive solar design no airconditioning is needed in the summer A wood stove is the primary heatsource radiant heat with natural gas was also added during the renova-tion

The front door as well as all the interior doors was custom-made fittedand replaced by Tom Zanetti Hickory wood floors were also installed dur-ing the addition A hanging stained glass chandelier is a stock itemobtained from a leading home supply retailer ldquoIt captures the sunlightbeautifully along with providing brilliant nighttime illuminationrdquo Tedsaid ldquoItrsquos an eclectic mixrdquo

Simply Saratoga | 37

Today we look at a creative space that is set into a special place

In 1993 Ted and Susan Collins purchased a seven-acre property

with a 1986 Timberpeg designed home that has all the qualities of

a place in the country ndash yet many would be surprised to learn that

it is actually located on the border of Saratoga Springs near the

Alpine Shop on Clinton Street After a number of years living in

apartments on Union Avenue and Franklin Square enjoying the

proximity to downtown and the track they couldnrsquot resist a spot

that was close to town but yet had lots of land

Their overall vision was for an interior space that was in accord

with the outside ndash the wildlife gardens and the sustainable philos-

ophy embodied in the original buildingrsquos passive solar design

ldquoEverything we do embraces the goals of staying true to the orig-

inal structure having an open welcoming interior and being in

harmony with the outdoorsrdquo Ted said

Inspired by travels in balance with the land

Story By Arthur GonickPhotos by copystockstudiosphotographycom

These principles guided a major transformation of the interior

space in 2006 The key element was an addition to the home that

enabled the living room kitchen and upstairs bedroom to be

expanded allowing space for the installation of a downstairs bath

as well

Susan and Ted led this transformation - visualizing an addition

that incorporated equilibrium of size location and overall propor-

tion They went through several iterations with Rick Deforest of

Heritage Timberframes

Even though much of the interior decor came from travels in

Africa the South Pacific and Colorado the building materials and

craftsmen are all local The timbers and wood flooring were milled

in nearby Kingsbury ldquoWe enjoyed working with professionals who

are also friends like Rick Deforest Tom Zanetti and Mike

Roohanrdquo Ted said ldquothe house now feels complete in balancerdquo sect

Unique Places and Creative Spaces If you would like to nominate a unique

or creative place to be featured emailentertainmentsaratogapublishingcom

38 | Simply Saratoga

Kitchen A wall was taken out that afforded space to add an eat-in island area and

open up the space Custom cabinets are by Tom Zanetti Stonework andappliances were added Both the kitchen and bathroom have granite table-tops (from Mike and Margaret Roohan of Granite and Marble Works)New appliances include a Bosch stove (with a built-in microwave drawer)and an Amana stainless refrigerator

Bathroom The bathroom ceiling is pine The showerarea was designed and built to the Collinsrsquo specifications andfeatures a bench 4 shower heads PLUS an extra hand-held one(ldquoItrsquos a human car washrdquo) The stone tiles on the sides and floorin the shower were installed by Best Tile the plumbing in theshower comes from Aird Dorrance as does the sink ndash which sitson a granite top from Granite and Marble Works The windowleads out to the north side of the house with privacy blinds insidethe window panes One thing you donrsquot see ldquoSince the room ison display in the center of the expanded first floor we wanted thecommode to be mostly hiddenrdquo Ted said

Unique Places and Creative Spaces

Simply Saratoga | 39

Living RoomA reading nook sits upon the bathroom addition ldquoThere was no full bathroom on the first

floor and with a post and beam construction we had to be creative You get outstanding viewsof the property pond and stream when viewed from the nookrsquos perspectiverdquo The ladder canswing out on a track making it more like walking up a staircase ndash this was also designed andinstalled by Tom Zanetti The table in the nook is actually a working African drum with a glasstable top added

40 | Simply Saratoga

Bedroom In the second-floor master bedroom moving the dormer brought in extra light and space and

also brought the roofline together with the original structure and first-floor additions The floorand ceiling are made of rough-cut pine planking The bed is also constructed of pine and comesfrom Suttons The window in the upper left was cut during the addition It faces west for extra day-time light

Simply Saratoga | 41

42 | Simply Saratoga

Story Written by Yael Goldman Photos by Samu Studios and Randall Perry Photography

Simply Saratoga | 43

orking with the

right interior designer

turns listless decision making

into an enjoyable and productive

process that avoids costly mistakes

and delivers exceptional results

Designing a room or an entire home is a

big project no matter how strong your tastes are

The decisions are endless ndash what color should I paint the

walls What flooring is most aesthetically appealing and

dog-friendly Should I choose a furniture set or choose

individual pieces Do I want curtains or shades Do I

decorate with knick-knacks or artwork

But with all the unique self-questioning that surrounds

an interior design project most homeowners share angst

in asking themselves one specific question where do I

start

Itrsquos at this point ndash when stress level increases enjoy-

ment-driven projects turn deadly and money has been

wastefully spent on all the wrong things ndash that you long

for the help of a professional if only you could afford it

Well the truth is you can

Creating the right space can be expensive but is only

more so if you make mistakes and have to go back and

fix them If you do it right the first time therersquos no cost

associated with do-overs

With nearly 100 years of experience between them all

four members of Blairhouse Interiors Group have

worked with more than enough unhappy do-it-your-

selfers to tell you yoursquore not alone

Photo by Samu Studios

44 | Simply Saratoga

The four-member designproject therapy team which recently

opened a studio in Saratoga Springs has a long history of help-

ing home and business owners create their ideal spaces and

atmospheres the right way Their exceptional work is celebrated across

the Capital Region including Saratoga Springs where the Blairhouse

look is prominently featured in a handful of Park Place condominiums

and the incredible Saratoga National Golf Club

Thomas R Burns Meghan Baltich Dominic Carota and Patricia

Richards the highly skilled and charismatic force behind Blairhouse

Interiors Group promise an experience that is personal because itrsquos all

about your needs ndash and thatrsquos what is important

Blairhouse offers full-service interior design services space planning

project management hand-picked merchandise patience and an uncan-

ny ability to create a

look that is always

fresh sophisticated

and comfortable

ldquoThe style that we

gravitate toward is

unique cutting-edge

and modern not dic-

tated by corporaterdquo

said Meghan Baltich

pointing to a ldquovery

propitiousrdquo Keith Fritz

table at the center of

the studio

Photo by Randall Perry Photography

If you do it right the firsttime therersquos no cost

associated with do-oversPhoto by Randall Perry Photography

One glance at the Park Place showroom ndash of the selective furnishings carefully showcased along

the periphery ndash and it becomes clear why Blairhouse an award-winning team gets the job

done

Their creativity focus and immaculate sense of direction bring objectivity to the scene helping you nar-

row down all of the tedious and overwhelming choices that make do-it-yourself decorating an exercise in

unclear thinking

ldquoPeople are overwhelmed by all the choices it can feel like theyrsquore in a paralyzed blurrdquo said Thomas

Burns who finds that a great vision can be impossible to imagine and create without eliminating all of

the distractions

A vital step in getting focused is creating a

comprehensive plan based on individual

needs wants and style that addresses all

aspects of lifestyle and taste and suggests

tactful solutions and fresh approaches to new

and existing spaces

They help you identify what you like

forcing you to hone in on what you want and

need to compliment and enhance your

lifestyle

ldquoWe ascertain the clientrsquos goal and

lifestyle to convey their visionrdquo said

Dominic Carota explaining that the intended

outcome of creating or reinventing a room is

often strictly tied to how you want to live in

it

ldquoWe have to know how they functionrdquo he

said

An interior designer is an asset in the func-

tion-meets-style equation

Dominic explained that a couple starting a family will have far

different needs than empty-nesters looking for a change They may

have the same stylistic goals but their execution will differ based on

how their lifestyle exists within the space

When revamping a single room the majority of your focus is ded-

icated to that individual space making it easy to forget that the rest

of the house is attached Establishing connectivity between rooms is

a challenge but an important part of executing a project the right

way

Sometimes one wrong detail no matter how small can be incred-

ibly impactful and difficult to avoid on your own

ldquoIf yoursquore working on a new addition or renovation we ensure it

flows that therersquos balance between the existing part of the living

space and the new additionrdquo Meghan Baltich said explaining that

it just doesnrsquot make sense to put in a great new kitchen if itrsquos dis-

jointed and out of place from its surroundings

Another common novice mistake is the trendy retail store fallacy

that you can order a full room from a catalog or pick a fabulous and

unique design from a floor plan

Blairhouse clients learn the difference between ldquocookie-cutterrdquo

and ldquocustomrdquo and they are never concerned with picking the wrong

piece for the wrong room

Simply Saratoga | 45

ome customers will come to us after going into a Pottery Barn and buying stuff that just didnrsquot workrdquo Baltich said giving the

example of an individual who purchased an enormous sectional for a tiny room ldquoWe scale into the clientrsquos space taking func-

tion and proportion into considerationrdquo

Exceptional listening and observation skills are the designerrsquos

unsung attributes and greatest assets Blairhouse experts engage

with their clients to gain a true understanding of what they want

In turn the design process becomes an eye-opening experience

customers are introduced to colors and concepts they would

never think to consider

ldquoEach client trusts us to create their environment and we

enable them to make informed decisionsrdquo Patricia Richards

said

And sometimes that requires bold suggestions and collabora-

tion or looking at all of the possibilities even the ones ldquoyou

would never have been brave enough to do on your ownrdquo

In the end the experience of working with the experts is

enjoyable stress-free and cost-effective From concept to com-

pletion the result is just what you want and need ndash a fabulous

marriage of function and aesthetic that wonrsquot have you coming

back for more (because you did it right the first time) sect

ldquoS

46 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 47

For a taste of Blairhouse Interiors Grouprsquos distinctive work stop into their Park Place studio located at 262 Broadway Suite 204 in Saratoga Springs For further details visit wwwblairhouseinteriorscom or call (518) 786-7800

From left to right Dominic Carota Meghan Baltich Patricia Richards and

Thomas R Burns (The designproject therapy team of Blairhouse Interiors Group)

48 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 49

Dorsquos and Donrsquots

50 | Simply Saratoga

Story Written by Kerry Ann Mendez Perennially Yours bull wwwpyourscom Photos Provided

SpringDorsquos and Donrsquots

SpringDorsquos and DonrsquotsDorsquos and Donrsquots

Spring

for your Gardens

s

Simply Saratoga | 51

ssts

SPRINGis right around the corner and gardenersare pawing at the ground ready to explodethrough the garden gate As a passionate perennial gardenerI am right there with you But before launching into another flower-filledseason letrsquos go through a spring checklist of dorsquorsquos and donrsquorsquots to makesure we make the most of the race and have the best finish ever

Photo by GardenersSupply Company

apply a granular fertilizer to your perennial beds while they are still lsquoasleeprsquoDepending on the winter wersquove had this may be anytime from mid-Marchto mid-April Donrsquot worry if there are already lsquoearly risersrsquo visible like springblooming bulbs or woodland ephemerals I recommend using 5-5-5 5-10-5 or

5-10-10 fertilizer at the rate of 2 pounds per 100 square feet Cast the fertilizer just before it is about to rainto make sure fertilizer is watered into the ground and washed off any existing leaves You can give otherplants in your yard this treat as well including floweringshrubs groundcovers climbing vinesand roses

DONrsquoTput fertilizer on top of the snow or on ground that is

still frozen You want to make sure the fertilizer disap-pears into pliable soil and to waiting roots otherwiserunoff can occur And donrsquot think more is better Youcan stress or even kill plants by over-fertilizing espe-cially in spring when leaves are not fully developed toutilize nitrogen in the fertilizer If you are going to errless is better

DO

prune once-b l o o m i n g

roses such as Heirloom or Old GardenRoses when the Forsythia is blooming

Any rose that blooms onceusually in late spring forabout three weeks is in thiscategory Many times theseroses are quite fragrantWait to prune these rosesuntil right after they flower

DONrsquoT

prune most roses whenForsythia is in bloom Pruneshrub roses back by half to

23 their height This is assuming you did not prunethem last fall If you did then next year wait until latewinter or early spring Prune Teas and Grandiflorasback to 18 - 24rdquo For climbing roses prune branchesemerging from the main canes back to within 3 - 4rdquoof the cane

DO

apply corn gluten tolawn areas yoursquoveseeded (or over-seeded) or to gar-dens where youwant biennialsperennials or annu-als to reseed andflower Corn glutendoes not distinguishbetween lsquogoodrsquoand lsquobadrsquo seeds

apply a pre-emer-gent weed killerand fertilizer toyour lawn A lushhealthy lawn

makes a beautiful frame for gardens Myfamily walked away from lawn chemicalsfive years ago And our lawn has neverlooked better Corn gluten is a big part ofthis transformation Corn gluten is a by-product of milled corn It will not harm chil-dren pets or wildlife Heck you can eat it ifyou want (but it tastes yucky) Corn Glutenis high in nitrogen and commonly used as alawn fertilizer But it is also a pre-emergenttargeting seeds as they germinate Youcan put corn gluten down at any point inthe spring BUT if part of your mission is toeliminate crabgrass then there is a narrowwindow of attackApply it whenForsythia is in fullbloom and beforeits leaves appearThe Forsythia is asoil temperatureindicator that cor-responds to whencrabgrass seedsstart to germinate More garden centersare now carrying corn gluten productsYou just need to ask and follow the appli-cation instructions on the bag Make sureto water in the corn gluten after applyingIt will remain effective for five to six weeks

Simply Saratoga | 53

DONrsquoT

DO

step on soil as you maneuver around thegarden to cut back Lavender and therest of the gang For that matter youshould never be tromping through yourgardens compacting soil This breaks

down air and water channels as well as making it tougher forroots to spread Instead reach into beds from existing paths orplace stepping stones in discreet spots where only your eyes cansee or lsquowalk the plankrsquo on a board to reach plants fartherlsquoadriftrsquo

54 | Simply Saratoga

cut back Lavender Russian SageMontauk Daisy Butterfly BushChrysanthemums and ornamental grass-es These are best left untouched in falland whacked in spring Many folks make

the mistake of acting too gingerly with pruners Let lsquoem fly Theresult will be more compact neater plants that will bloom just fineTrust me If it helps wait until yoursquove had a bad day at work withthe kids or in traffic

DONrsquoT

DO

divide Peonies German Bearded Iris orOriental Poppies in spring These are bestdone in late summer Also tap-rootedplants (those with a carrot-looking root)cannot be divided Think about it These

are usually propagated by seed stem or root cuttings Someperennials that fall into this category are Malva Butterfly WeedBalloon Flower Oriental Poppies and Lupines

Simply Saratoga | 55

DONrsquoT

divide plants in spring This is an optimumtime to divide most perennials Yes evenspring bloomers Wait until these haveflowered and then shear off the spentblooms and get to business Most sum-

mer and fall blooming perennials can be divided prior to mid-Junewithout disrupting their performance

DO

apply a time-released fertilizersuch as Plant-Tone(organic) orOsmocote to heavy

feeding perennials five to six weeks afterthe earlier granular fertilizer applicationMost plants do not need as much fertilizeras we are led in advertising to believe I amstingy with my money and maintenancetime so only a handful of plants get thisbonus feed Astilbe Delphinium Liliums (ieAsiatic Oriental Trumpet) Clematis androses If I am feeling generous I will putsome on my Bigleaf Hydrangeas next to theroses Call me heartlessJust scratch fertilizer intothe top couple inchesof soil around theplantrsquos base and waterin well They will enjoy anutritious snack forthree to four months

apply mulch ongarden beds toreduce weedsconserve moisture

reduce erosion minimize soil temperaturefluctuations and enhance the quality ofthe soil Some mulching materials includeaged manures compost shredded wood(not dyed) leaf moldand cocoa hulls Putthe mulch down 2rdquo to3rdquo thick around plantsincluding floweringshrubs

build up mulchagainst plant stems

And please please donrsquot create volcanomounds around trees Please This is awfulfor them The only ones that benefit fromthis are the people selling the mulch

56 | Simply Saratoga

DONrsquoT

DO

DO

rubber band orbraid the foliage ofspring bloomingbulbs after they fin-ish flowering You

want as much leaf surface exposed to thesun as possible to increase photosynthesisYou can press the leaves down next to thesoil so they are less noticeable

Simply Saratoga | 57

sect

And finally DO have a great year in

your gardens and DONrsquoT forget to

take time to smell the roses

DONrsquoT

DONrsquoT

cut off the spentblooms and stems onspring blooming bulbsafter they have flow-ered so energy is redirected to the bulbsversus seed productions Keep the leaves inplace until they have browned and ideallycan be pulled from the ground by hand

put time-released fertil-izer on perennials thatprefer lean dietsRicher soil just upsetstheir vascular systemsThey will get leggy flop and not perform tosnuff Yarrow Coneflower Catmint RussianSage Linum Sea Holly and Silvermound are inthe group

DO

For more information contact Perennially Yours at pyourscom

58 | Simply Saratoga

Ill mination

Exterior Stonework

an

d

Story Written by Arthur Gonick Photos Provided

u

Simply Saratoga | 59

To develop and implement an exterior vista that maximizes your enjoyment To have a backyard landscape that is warm inviting and uniquely yours

These are goals that many homeowners have when they first move onto their property But unless you are trained in the variety ofmaterials and options available the task of getting past the point of comparing possibilities to completing and actually enjoying yourbackyard paradise can appear to be a long daunting road

For Carl Trinkle a landscape designer for ten years with the Gallivan Companies of Troy one of the key elements in a successfultransformation is utilizing a professionalrsquos expertise to articulate goals and develop a plan

ldquoThe most important thing we do when we first meet with a client is to get them to discuss their basic needs and aims and encouragethem to formulate an overall vision for their property An initial consultation sets the tone we make an initial visit on-site to look overthe property so we can have an idea as to where things might be placedrdquo

ldquoDuring this intake process we actually encourage people to show us photos of their friendrsquos property that they like or perhaps froma magazine It helps most people to articulate the goals of what they would like to see as a finished projectrdquo Trinkle said ldquoEven if they are looking to do things in phases we find that it is most important to develop a comprehensive site planrdquo This eliminates the need to revise original phases of work to accommodate those that come in the future

60 | Simply Saratoga

that Mr Trinkle finds potential customers identifying with aredesigned to extend the outdoor season ldquoA few extra weeks outside isa lotrdquo he said

add-ons also extend outside activity each day Low voltage lighting is still the most popular but recently LED lighting with longer-lasting bulbs that involve less maintenance and are cost-efficienthave become more fashionable

The latest trends

stations fire pits and waterenhancements such as ponds andwaterfalls are the most frequentlyrequested items that broaden theoutdoor use season

Outdoor grill

Exterior lighting

Simply Saratoga | 61

And of course swimming pool projects have always been a most-requested

item Fifty percent of allthe projects Mr Trinkleworks on involve a pooleither a completely new installation or enhance-ments to existing poolsGallivanrsquos long-standingrelationship withConcord Pools has beena hallmark in assuringthat customers are satis-fied when their pool isput in the ground

62 | Simply Saratoga

In most cases a comprehensive plancan be developed for any project in about a period of twoweeks Complete drawings and cost breakdowns are provid-ed as well as the projected phases that can be completed injust a few months or on larger projects can be scheduled insegments over a few years These are reviewed in personwith the customer again the goal being to have a plan thateveryone buys into

Simply Saratoga | 63

ldquoWe have had projects where the customer has wanted tohave a lot of input and we welcome that But we also hadone where the client was out of town and we built a firepit and slide for his wife and kids and our only instructions were to dazzle themI remember it as a most satisfying experience and we ended up winning awards for that onerdquo

- Carl Trinkle Landscape DesignerThe Gallivan Companies

64 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 65

ldquoI get to work using my creativity with talented people Some of the most talented are those

I meet as customersrdquo sect

For more information or to schedule aconsultation phone Gallivan Companies at(518) 271-6100 Gallivanrsquos website iswwwGallivanCompaniescom

66 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 67

Buying a playhouse for your child is an excellent investment

They promote imaginative play and spending time outdoors and

double as storage space when no longer used for recreation

Denise Woodcock owner of Versatile Sheds in Wilton has

been helping parents and grandparents customize their childrsquos or

grandchildrsquos dream playhouses for years

ldquoThey make great gifts especially for grandparents who want

their grandkids to have their own place to play when they visitrdquo

she said

Playhouses are a great addition to a childrsquos outdoor world

They come in all shapes sizes and designs and can be custom-

built or finished if you donrsquot find exactly what yoursquore looking for

in a catalog or on the lot

Every child is different and has their own preferences for color

size and function boys and girls often have especially different

requests for their play space as do younger and more mature chil-

dren so therersquos a lot to consider

Denise knows how even the finest detail can be all it takes to

make an outdoor structure feel like a childrsquos own personal space

While it may seem superfluous to address every minor demand

the truth is a playhouse is more than just an expensive toy itrsquos an

investment The more your child connects with their space the more

use theyrsquoll get out of it ndash and according to Denise that means your

money is well spent

Smartest WayThe

playhouse for your kidsto buy a

Photos by MarkBollescomStory by Yael Goldman

68 | Simply Saratoga

With this in mind prospective buyers should first consider

who will use the playhouse and for how long as well as what

happens when the structure is no longer used for recreation

Versatile Sheds can help even the most discerning parent or

child find what theyrsquore looking for Every playhouse is hand-

built by Amish craftsmen who can accommodate almost any

special request at an additional cost so the possibilities are

endless inside and out

Cedar shingle or vinyl siding wood stone or brick ndash if you

can use it on the outside of your regular home it can be inte-

grated into your playhousersquos design Playhouses can be built

to look like a miniature version of your home which is an

excellent touch for parents that are particularly concerned

with aesthetics Porches shutters flowerboxes unique doors

chimneys and exterior lighting are just a few of the touches

that can brighten and personalize the exterior

Individualizing your childrsquos playhouse doesnrsquot stop at the

front door There are just as many interior features to choose

from ndash you can let your imagination run wild

For starters you have the option to order the playhouse

with a finished or unfinished interior The unfinished version

looks a lot like the inside of a regular home before you move

in paint the walls and furnish the rooms

Buying an unfinished structure is a great way to cut costs

and even bring the family together over a weekend decorating

project The possibilities are endless depending on how handy

you are otherwise a few coats of paint and a bit of carpeting

will surely do the trick

Although a bit pricey purchasing a playhouse with a fin-

ished interior ensures that your child gets exactly what they

want right off the bat They can pick everything from the paint

color to the flooring so the playhouse is move-in ready on the

day it arrives

Playhouses can also be insulated and wired for electricity

You can install lighting electrical outlets even heat or air-

conditioning to make your childrsquos outdoor space as comfort-

able as possible

And the options donrsquot end there Traditional sheds also dou-

ble as playhouses For some parents purchasing an adult-size

shed for their children is an ideal way to get the best return on

their investment Once their children grow out of it the struc-

ture can be used for outdoor storage With just as many styles

sizes and materials to choose from you can customize the

interior and exterior of your shed just as you would a play-

house but without all of the more frivolous features

ldquoAny shed can be a playhouserdquo Woodcock said explaining

how a custom paint job or flowerbox can transform a typical

storage unit into childrsquos outdoor activity haven

For example if purchasing a wood shed the exterior can be

easily painted and repainted when making the transition from

playhouse to storage space

For Denisersquos customers getting their moneyrsquos worth should

not have to mean making sacrifices

Simply Saratoga | 69

70 | Simply Saratoga

When Debby Trainor made the decision to buy her grand-

daughter Chezneyrsquos dream house she wanted it to have all the

bells and whistles She met with Denise to go over all the cri-

teria the goal was to buy the perfect gift for Chezney while

staying within her budget

The eight-year-old Greenwich girl wanted her own pretty

pink palace where she could play and imagine Debby wanted

it to be a cozy and safe place for her to play year-round

Customization and interior decoration helped make

Chezneyrsquos playhouse feel like her own little kingdom

ldquoWe made it look like a cute little dollhouserdquo she said ldquoWe

put furniture inside and a little stove fridge heater and TV

itrsquos just perfectrdquo

With the structure built to their liking Chezney and Debby

could enjoy decorating the inside to personalize the playhouse

For many customers putting on the finishing touches means

making the playhouse feel like home ndash you can add curtains

hang pictures buy furniture and appliances and landscape the

perimeter to make the outdoor space feel like a home away

from home

When the child grows out of their playhouse these items

can be easily removed to accommodate a secondary use for the

space

ldquoThe best thing that Denise did for me was explain how we

can use the playhouse for storage for stuff out in the yard after

Chezney has grown out of itrdquo Debby explained ldquoAlthough

she is only eight and will be using it for quite a few more

years this really makes it a good investment and looks

great in the backyardrdquo

Whether you choose a customized playhouse or a tradi-

tional shed thinking toward the future also ensures the

safety and longevity of the structure

Denise explained that placement is an important thing to

consider as you want to make sure the structure is in a safe

place and on an appropriate surface Most importantly the

playhouse must be built on a level even surface that isnrsquot

too high off of the ground

ldquoYou want it on a nice platformrdquo Denise explained

ldquoSome people use concrete but stone is better because it

allows moisture to seep down into the ground and away

from the structurerdquo

Most parents prefer that their playhouse is in the back-

yard where itrsquos easy to see from a window Placing the

structure in a shaded area is also a good idea it will be

cooler in the summer and less susceptible to the elements if

partially protected by trees

Debby had Chezneyrsquos playhouse built right next to her

swing set where she can be easily supervised

One last thing to consider when purchasing a playhouse

Simply Saratoga | 71

72 | Simply Saratoga

or shed for your child is how much effort

you want to put into maintaining it The

more ornate the structure the more care it

may need

Woodcock advises parents to preserve

their investment and treat the playhouse

like a miniature home

Think of it as a miniature house ndash the

structure requires regular maintenance

and upkeep to ensure your child will be

safe while enjoying years and years of

imaginative fun

With so many features and styles to

choose from yoursquore sure to find the best

for both you and your child

For more information about Versatile

Sheds or to set up a time to meet with

Denise Woodcock call (518) 584-7924

or stop by 669 Route 9 in Wilton sect

Simply Saratoga | 73

74 | Simply Saratoga

Kitchen

Not Your

Grandmarsquos

Story Written by Daniel Schechtman Photos Provided

ldquoAs you

walk into the kitchen

of the future LED

light projections adjust

to your mood - it will

know if you have a

hangover via sensors

that will read your

b r a i n w a v e s

Aromatherapy infused

walls will be synched

to your calendar calm-

ing you before a big

meeting or energizing you before a gym session The fridge will have selected some breakfast options identifying the essen-

tial vitamins for your day via sensors When you get home a hologram chef will be on hand for recipe inspirationrdquo

Alright so maybe your kitchen canrsquot do all of these things quite yet ndash but believe it or not wersquore getting there This is tomor-

rowrsquos kitchen a kitchen where your appliances donrsquot just store your food or wash your dishes ndash they talk to you providing you

with integral information on how to

best store your fruits and vegetables

letting you know if the refrigerator

door is open for too long or when a

part will soon need replacing

Simply Saratoga | 75

ldquoScience fictionrdquo I hear you say

Guess again Quoted from a report released by The Future Laboratory

who was commissioned by IKEA to determine what a modernkitchen in the year 2040 could conceivably look like

76 | Simply Saratoga

ldquoOne technology that really stands out to me is the

Miele Appliance Company Right now theyrsquore using a

program called lsquoremote visionrsquo On select applianceshellip

is a wireless card that clicks into a port on the back of

the appliance You synch it up with your home network

and it basically emails the technician and the owner

when itrsquos broken when you need to clean your condens-

er change your water filter or schedule a routine serv-

icerdquo said Tom Thibeault owner of Adirondack

Appliance Repair Inc located at 67 West Ave in

Saratoga Springs ldquoMaybe somebodyrsquos been opening the

[refrigerator] door for too long or the door was left open

ndash it will email you and tell you that your door is left

openrdquo

This is not your grandmarsquos kitchen This my friends

is the kitchen of the future and itrsquos available now

The 36 inch bottom-mount Miele refrigerator boasts a

striking interior featuring LED lighting running along

the sides from top to bottom stainless steel accents and

exteriors with control systems that would be comfort-

able alongside the captainrsquos chair on the Starship

Enterprise

Simply Saratoga | 77

ldquoThe controls in the Miele really stand out

Looking at the controls theyrsquore just a glass piece and

then once you touch it you see a few options for the

different compartments Then you touch the compart-

ment and the temperature is displayed so itrsquos kind of

like a Star Trek controlrdquo Thibeault said

And thatrsquos just the refrigerator

Adirondack Appliance has also seen brands such as

Wolf (a company owned by the same people who own

Sub-Zero) grow in popularity when it comes to their

range stoves and ovens The dual convection oven

works to eliminate cold spotting and provides consis-

tent even temperatures and even allows for unique

options such as proofing ndash used best when baking

homemade bread

ldquoIt also has a temperature probe you can plug into

things like a turkey or roast so you can see the temper-

ature while itrsquos still inside the machine It has

hydraulic hinges halogen lit interiors everything is

composed of stainless steel and itrsquos by far one of the

best lines on the marketrdquo Thibeault said

A new line coming to Adirondack Appliance that

features some amazing technology is a series of Pro-

Style Ranges produced by industry giant Jenn-Air

ldquoThat actually has an LCD touch

screen like an IPAD for the controls The

temperature is set by sliding your finger

along the controls Itrsquos all color backlit and

absolutely amazingrdquo Thibeault said

ldquoAnother thing we have to that same

effect are some of the hoods which have

really been getting pretty out there as far as

design We have one on our floor [by Miele]

that has an LED bar on the front which

changes in phases between 196000 colors

Itrsquos a very delicate change very pretty and

coolrdquo Thibeault said adding ldquoor you can set

it to any color in that spectrum yoursquod like to

accent your cabinetryrdquo

When it comes to dishwashers Thibeault

can attest to the quality of both the Asko and

Miele brands both of which he uses in his

own home And good news for Saratoga

Springs residents ndash

ldquoIn our market in

Saratoga we have a

very hard water base

whether yoursquore on a well

system or city waterrdquo

Thibeault said ldquoSo you

get a lot of minerals in

the machine With the

stainless steel interiors it

eliminates a lot of prob-

lems generally seen with

plastic interior tubs and

usually they are the best

life expectanciesrdquo

78 | Simply Saratoga

Asko and Mieleare practically custom made to handle the

arearsquos typicallymineral rich water

Simply Saratoga | 79

The Asko brand dishwasher takes things one step

further including two pumps in the washerrsquos system

The first pump filters the water cleansing it of poten-

tially harmful minerals while the second pump recircu-

lates the water ensuring that the machine is never

blasting your dishes with food debris or dirty residue

With Miele the design features a built-in water sof-

tener perfect for dealing with the Saratoga water

system

ldquoTypically the Miele is going to do a better job with

tougher baked in stainsrdquo said Thibeault ldquobecause itrsquos

got the softener in it and a little bit longer pots and pans

cyclerdquo

80 | Simply Saratoga

Adirondack Appliance Repair Inc is a fami-

ly-owned business since 1929 and the last inde-

pendent appliance retailer of its kind in Saratoga

Springs With $6 billion of buying power behind

their name (a benefit of being part of the Nation

Wide Appliance Buying Group) Thibeault

promised ldquowe can actually price match the box

stores and everybody else around all while pro-

viding you with better service and better

productsrdquo

For more information on AdirondackAppliance or the products they sell you mayvisit their showroom located at 67 West Avenuein Saratoga Springs for live demonstrationsThey can also be reached by phone at (518)587-6640 or you may visit them at their newwebsite wwwadkappliancecom where cus-tomers can browse through the storersquos entirecatalogue of appliances

sect

Simply Saratoga | 81

82 | Simply Saratoga

Page 16: Simply Saratoga March 2011

18 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 19

Prom

T h i s W a y

20 | Simply Saratoga

Glamor

ous

Daz

zling

Elega

ntFlir

ty

Gor

geou

s

Girls

itrsquos

Show

time

Simply Saratoga | 21

Web

Extras

See

the

pics tha

t didn

rsquot

mak

e it in

the

Mag

azine

on

SaratogaB

ridalEXPO

com

Grecian

God

dess

Athe

na

Classic B

eaut

y

Holly

wood

Glamou

r

Wild

and

Untam

edElega

nt

22 | Simply Saratoga

The current economic and market environment has prompt-

ed many Americans to rethink their retirement strategies If

you are experiencing a job transitionmdashparticularly if the tran-

sition is unplanned and unexpectedmdashsuch a reassessment may

be particularly important for you While it may be tempting to

focus more on your immediate needs you should not lose sight

of long-term goals especially your retirement strategy

Some Basic Decisions Your employer-sponsored retirement plan is likely to be a

key component of your retirement strategy Because it repre-

sents a key source of future retirement income it is important

to carefully consider your alternatives for administering these

assets During a job transition you will usually have three

options take a lump-sum distribution leave your assets in the

employer-sponsored plan or move your assets into a Rollover

IRA

Taking a direct lump-sum distributionmdashWith this

option the assets in your plan are distributed directly to you in

a lump sum which provides you with immediate access to

your funds Depending on your short-term needs that may

appear to be an attractive alternative However a distribution

will likely result in substantial federal and state income taxes

and a 10 percent IRS penalty tax which can significantly

reduce the amount of the distribution Because you will be

receiving the distribution directly the plan administrator must

withhold up to 20 percent of the value of the distribution for

federal income tax purposes Moreover you will lose the ben-

efit of the tax-deferred status of these assets which could

reduce the amount ultimately available to you at retirement

The status quo optionmdashYou can decide to do nothing

leaving your assets in your former employerrsquos plan That will

protect the tax-deferred status of your assets and allow you to

transfer the account assets at a later time to a new employerrsquos

retirement plan that accepts rollovers But you may be limiting

your investment choices and control because employer plans

typically have a restricted investment menu and require the

consent of your spouse before you can name someone else as

a beneficiary

Establishing a Rollover IRAmdashA Rollover IRA simultane-

ously addresses the issues of taxation flexibility and control

and may hold significant benefits for you as a result

Submitted by H Michael Okby Wealth Advisor

Fin

ancia

l Protecting Your RetirementInvestmentsDuring a JobTransition

If your distribution is transferred directly to a custodian rather than

to you the Rollover IRA eliminates the withholding requirement and

penalties that may result from a lump-sum distribution

The entire rollover amount can be investedimmediately according to the strategy youspecify bull Your assets and any earnings continue to have the potential to

grow tax-deferred until you retire and begin taking withdrawals

bull You may gain access to a wider range of investment options and

more retirement planning and distribution flexibility

bull You can name any beneficiary including a trust without

needing the consent of your spouse (although special rules may

apply in community property states)

For example investment products in an employer plan are usually

limited to mutual funds and company stock With a self-directed

Rollover IRA you can work with your financial professional to struc-

ture a portfolio using stocks bonds annuities and other investments

utilizing an asset allocation1 that is customized to help you meet your

retirement investment objectives And your retirement strategy can be

further tailored with a wider range of beneficiary selection and distri-

bution choices

Consider Consolidation This may also be an excellent time to deal with multiple IRAs you

may have opened over the years and with account balances you may

have left in the plans of former employers Together these assets may

represent a significant sum There are good reasons to consider con-

solidating them all in a Rollover IRA

Comprehensive investment strategymdashIt can be difficult to main-

tain an effective investment strategymdashone that accurately reflects

your goals timing and risk tolerancemdashwhen assets are spread among

multiple financial institutions When you consolidate your financial

professional can help you ensure that these assets are part of your

overall asset allocation strategy that is reflective of your current

financial situation and long-term retirement goals

Greater investment flexibilitymdashA self-directed IRA generally

offers you the ability to choose from a wide range of investment

products including stocks bonds mutual funds annuities and more

Simplified trackingmdashIt is easier to monitor your progress and

investment results when all your retirement savings are in one place

because you will receive one statement instead of several That sim-

plifies your life while protecting the environment

Lower costsmdashReducing the number of accounts may also reduce

your account fees and other investment-related charges

Dealing with one account rather than several also simplifies

the distribution processmdashincluding complying with complex min-

imum distribution rules when you reach age 70 And you avoid the

risk of losing track of your retirement accounts or access to the

account assets should your former employer merge with another

company or go out of business Your financial professional can help

you assess your alternatives so you can make decisions based on

whatrsquos best for you You may find that this time of transition holds

benefits for your retirement assets

For more information please contact H Michael Okby at (518) 583-5601

sect

Simply Saratoga | 23

24 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 25

Summer camp is a place wherelifelong memories are made

This is where our children learnto cultivate their interests andordiscover a world of new activities tohelp their young minds grow andfor them to become physically fit

Even though there may be snowon the ground when you read thisit is never too early to think aboutyour childrenrsquos summer fun Weare blessed in this region with avariety of destinations providing awealth of activities

And while there is something foreveryone early planning is a mustto assure your child has a spot inone of these great places At theend of a long winter seasonthoughts of summer camp arerejuvenating for adults as well

Summer Camp Guide 2011

YMCA Camp Chingachgook

NdakinnaNdakinna Education Center located in

Greenfield Center offers a wide variety of

summer camp programs and activities that

will provide campers with a greater

respect and understanding for the natural

world as well as the Northeastrsquos rich

Native American history Hosted by

renowned author and wilderness and sur-

vival expert James Bruchac these pro-

grams are ideal for children with a sense

of adventure and natural wonder Summer

programs are divided into two groups

children ages three to eight and older

campers ages nine to fourteen Programs

range in duration from one to two weeks

26 | Simply Saratoga

YMCA Camp Chingachgook located on beauti-

ful Lake George has three camping options sleep-

away camp day camp and adventure trips

Summer sleep-away camp is the experience of a

lifetime The camp is divided into junior and sen-

ior boys and girls units junior campers between

the ages of seven and 12 and senior campers are 13

to 15 years old All Chingachgook counselors go

through extensive two-week training and prepa-

ration prior to the beginning of the first session

Campers will enjoy a full schedule of skill

classes which they can choose on their own

and special events and programs Campers can

choose from swimming water skiing canoeing

nature arts outdoor living skills theater news-

paper riflery archery dance guitar outdoor

cooking sports zone water world woodwork-

ing softball soccer tennis photography sail-

ing high ropes mountain biking and rock

climbing Each camper sets up their own daily

schedule of four skill classes at the start of the

session

Two-week camp sessions at Chingachgook

also include a three-day hike which allows

campers to get out and experience the wilder-

ness in a fun and safe atmosphere

Chingachgook also offers a variety of unique

adventure camps for children looking to explore

unique destinations and experience a whole new

level of fun options like sailing kayak-

ing boat building rock climbing canoe-

ing community service white-water

rafting hiking and backpacking bicycle

touring and mountain biking Adventure

campers will benefit from activities with

smaller coed groups of ten or less

Day Camp at Chingachgook is a fun

option for children ages five to ten

Campers will enjoy a full day of fun

activities from 930 am to 430 pm The

Day Camp program is divided into eight

one-week segments with the first session

starting on June 28 and the final session

starting on August 16 Each session has

a different theme

Spaces are limited at Chingachgook

so be sure to sign up as soon as possible

For more information to sign up for a

tour or to register for camp visit

wwwcapitaldistrictymcacom or call

(518) 656-9462

each covering a different skill or activity such

as animal tracking basic wilderness survival

skills and shelter building Native American

storytelling and games and nature-based arts

and crafts projects will teach campers to have

fun in the great outdoors Each camp program

promotes team building natural awareness

patience and confidence

Ndakinna also offers family camp pro-

grams which allow children and their parents

to experience the outdoors together Family

programs can accommodate children ages one

to 14 These programs offer the

same skills training and team-

building activities To view the

finalized calendar of programs

and events visit

wwwNdcenterorg

Cutting Edge Martial ArtsCutting Edge Martial Artrsquos A+ After

School and Summer Camp Program is a year-

round child care solution that provides a pos-

itive structured environment for children

after school and during the day in the sum-

mer During the school year we pick chil-

dren up directly from the local elementary

and middle schools and provide an hour les-

son that starts with our ldquoMat Chatrdquo a ten

minute character education lesson for the day

followed by a full 50 minute martial arts

class Parents have a window between 5 and

545 pm to pick up their children while chil-

dren have the opportunity after class to get

their homework started

During the summer children get all the

benefits of our A+ Program but on a grander

scale We offer nine weeks of full day camps

and have no minimum or maximum number

of days per week or number of weeks that a

student can attend Each week of camp we

have a curriculum of character education

lessons fun games and a one hour martial

arts class every day We watch a movie in

the afternoons twice a week have a video

game morning on Fridays and take all our

campers on an educa-

tional outing on

Wednesdays and a

fun and exciting out-

ing every Friday

Our average camp

size is 20-25 stu-

dents and we have

three full time staff

graphed by Sarah Sutliff

Saratoga Childrenrsquos Theatre also offers a one-

week camp at the end of the summer ldquoMaster

your Auditionrdquo This camp will help your child

get ready for fall and winter auditions These

audition workshops have been very popular and

sell out quickly Any child at any skill level with

an interest in performing arts is welcome to join

in on the fun Saratoga Childrenrsquos Theatre

Executive Director Meg Kelly aims to give each

camper the most rewarding and enjoyable camp

experience and every camper will get to perform

The Saratoga Childrenrsquos Theatre hires profes-

sionals to help your child gain the most from

their summer camp experience

The cost for a two-week session is $450 and

$250 for the one-week session For more infor-

mation visit wwwsaratogachildrenstheatreorg

or call (518) 580-1782

For kids who have a passion for per-

forming arts Saratoga Childrenrsquos Theatre

summer camp is a dream come true

Saratoga Childrenrsquos Theatre offers per-

formance camps which means each

camper will be working on a full-fledged

production throughout their session

Campers will learn all aspects of perform-

ance and will have the opportunity to per-

form in two shows at the end of camp a

matinee and an evening show are both

open to the public Campers will perform

on stage at St Petersrsquo Auditorium

Saratoga Springs Camp hours are 9am-

3pm Performance camp is divided into

two age groups

Ages 6-9 will participate in one week

camps These camps will include Disneyrsquos

Sleeping Beauty kids Cinderella kids

Aristocats kids 101 Dalmatians kids and

Lemonade These camps will be directed by

Megan OrsquoSullivan a local elementary school

music teacher and assisted by Karey

Trimmings also a local elementary school

music teacher

Ages 10-18 will participate in two-week

camps Each camp will practice and perform a

different show These

camps include

Thoroughly Modern

Mille Jr Cinderella Jr

Fiddler on the Roof Jr

and Once on this Island

Jr These camps will be

directed by Michael

Lotano local actor and

elementary school music

teacher and choreo-

Saratoga Childrenrsquos Theatre

Simply Saratoga | 27

working with our students

Our goal is to provide a family-friendly

and fun environment that feels like a home

away from home Our students have fun

learning skills that can be used every day of

their lives and we try to provide memories

that will last a lifetime For many our

summer camps are a wonderful introduc-

tion to martial arts

For more information visit

wwwsaratogamartialartscom

or call (518) 587-5501

28 | Simply Saratoga

Saratoga Independent SchoolSaratoga Independent School hosts a variety of summer

programs split into two age groups three to eight year-olds

Wilton Recreation CampWilton Recreation offers a full-day summer

camp program for children in grades one

through nine With available pre-camp and

post-camp care working parents can ensure

their children are having fun in a safe environ-

ment before and after the camprsquos regular 9 am to

3 pm hours Parents who register their children

for before and after camp care can drop off their

children prior to camp opening at 830 am and

can pick them up at 530 pm Bussing is avail-

able for Wilton residents who register for regu-

lar camp hours (9 am to 3 pm)

Wilton Recreation Camp offers a full sched-

ule of daily onsite activities themed events and

exciting trips for kids who register for off-site

adventures Daily on-site activities include arts

and crafts sports playground fun and other

organized group games This yearrsquos scheduled

field trips include Million Dollar Beach in Lake

George movie days at Proctors Theater

Saratoga County Fair bowling white water

rafting and at least two swimming days per

week at Peerless Pool

The Summer 2011 camp will open on

June 27 and run until August

12 Registration begins

March 14 at Gavin Park and

will close on June 3 As

there are only 300 spaces

available be sure to mark

your calendar Camp

registration forms are

available online at

wwwtownofwiltoncom or

can be picked up weekdays

at Gavin Park 9 am to 5 pm

For any other questions

please call the park office at (518) 584-9455

and seven to 14 year-olds The weeklong programs run from July 5

to August 19

Saratoga Independent School summer programs are staffed large-

ly by their own teachers so parents can rest assured their kids are

supervised in a safe environment with experienced teachers who are

knowledgeable about child development and hands-on

programming

For the younger group weekly themed programs run from 9 am

to noon (early drop-off at 830 available) The staff-to-camper ratio

is one to six for children ages three and four and one to ten for chil-

dren ages five to eight Themed programs include ldquoCooking with

Curiosityrdquo ldquoHawaiian Hullabaloordquo ldquoHands-On Science Funrdquo

ldquoHoliday-A-Dayrdquo ldquoGood Versus Evil Imaginations Run Wildrdquo

ldquoDinosaur Discoveryrdquo ldquoIn the Jungle the Mighty Junglerdquo

Activities take place both indoors and outdoors

The selection of enrichment programs for older children is even

more extensive this year than in the past Some programs will take

place in the mornings others in the afternoon Age ranges will vary

depending on the subject matter These specialty programs give chil-

dren an opportunity to develop new interests and expand on existing

skills Programs include ldquoCartooning and Morerdquo ldquoImprovisationrdquo

ldquoKnittingrdquo ldquoOpen Art Studiordquo ldquoYou Can Do Magicrdquo ldquoGet Up and

Dancerdquo ldquoRoaring into Robots Whatrsquos Nextrdquo ldquoArt in the Ancient

Worldrdquo ldquoMad Sciencerdquo ldquoComputer Video Game Creationrdquo

ldquoAdvanced Robot Challengesrdquo and ldquoArt-Math Connectionrdquo

Registration has already begun and the programs fill up quickly so

visit wwwsiskidsorg for more information and to secure a space

for your child

Simply Saratoga | 29

Are your kids looking for an adventure this summer The

Saratoga Regional YMCA has two exciting day camps available

Camp Starhitch held at the Wilton Branch which engages children

with a multitude of fun activities and a trip each week and Travel

Camp where participants meet at the Saratoga Springs Branch and

then travel off to fun and thrilling places each day

Camp Starhitch is for children having completed Kindergarten

through entering fifth grade Campers will participate in games

sports crafts nature activities trips swimming archery and more

Each week is planned around a theme and includes a trip For exam-

ple during ldquo70rsquos Flashbackrdquo week campers will go roller skating

during ldquoThe Wild Frontierrdquo week kids will have the opportunity to

go horseback riding and during ldquoTropical Paradiserdquo week partici-

pants may ldquocatch a gnarly waverdquo at an outdoor water park

Travel Camp is definitely for the action seeker and for those who

like to be on the go This program for youth entering fifth through

tenth grade provides campers an opportunity to travel each and every

day to fun-filled locations Participants explore different summer

activities that include amusement and water parks outdoor sports

fairs and horseback riding This year the trips include a visit to Hunter

Mountain Six Flags New England Tubing on the Battenkill NY

Mets game at Citi Field the NY State Fair and more

Camp Starhitch and Travel Camp both run for nine one-week ses-

sions You may choose to attend camp for one week or any combina-

tion of weeks Experienced counselors supervise children and a ratio

of 110 ensures a safe quality camping experience CPR and First Aid

certified camp staff will be present on all trips At Travel Camp

campers will be grouped according to age and are supervised by expe-

rienced adult staff

Camp Starhitch has two day camp options for your child Option A

allows for your child to be dropped off at 9 am and picked up at 4 pm

and Option B has a 7 am drop off time and a 6 pm pick up time

Travel Camp runs from 9 am to 430 pm and extended hours are

available at no additional cost This year transportation will be provid-

ed in both directions between the Saratoga Springs and Wilton

branches Pickups will be as early as 815 am and drop-offs will be

as late as 5 pm Both camps try to cater to working parents

In addition the Saratoga Regional YMCA is committed to provid-

ing a safe and welcoming environment for all campers by incorporat-

ing the YMCAcore values of caring honesty respect and responsibil-

ity in daily activities To promote safety and comfort for all individu-

als are asked to act appropriately at all times when at the Yrsquos facilities

or participating in Y programs All campers are required to read and

sign a contract of understanding in reference to the Code of Conduct

We expect persons using the YMCAto act maturely to behave respon-

sibly and to respect the rights and dignity of all othersmdashall while

having a good time

The Y also has opportunities available for those who may not have

the resources to send their children to camp The Y provides scholar-

ships for those who qualify Scholarships are made possible due to

the generous donations of Y members the community and businesses

to the ldquoWe Build Peoplerdquo scholarship campaign held by the Saratoga

Regional YMCA each year Scholarship applications are available at

all Saratoga Regional YMCA branches and online at wwwsaratogare-

gionalymcaorg

Registration is currently ongoing and fills up quickly Registration

forms are available at any of the Saratoga Regional YMCA Branches

or at wwwsaratogaregionalymcaorg For more information about

these day camps please contact Ilene Leverence at (518) 583-9622

ext 103 for Camp Starhitch and Patti Laudicina at (518) 583-9622

ext 110 or Paige Minear ext 116 for Travel Camp

Saratoga YMCA

30 | Simply Saratoga

Ask women about the greatest threat to their health and most will

respond incorrectly with the words ldquobreast cancerrdquo While breast cancer

certainly is of concern the truth is that women are 10 times more like-

ly to die from heart disease Breast cancer kills 1 in 25 women heart

disease claims 1 in 2

The most recent statistics available indicate that cardiovascular dis-

ease causes the death of 500000 women per year ndash more than ALL

forms of cancer combined This is a rate of epidemic proportion

Little or no warning

Two-thirds of women die suddenly from heart disease without expe-

riencing any warning symptoms The majority die before they even

reach the hospital and before any attempt at treatment is possible Early

screening and the detection that leads to prevention offer the only hope

of reducing these deaths

Women who do develop heart disease tend to fare worse than men

One reason is that on average heart disease peaks 10 years later in

women than in men At this older age women are less able to withstand

the stress of the disease The proof can be found in a disturbing statis-

tic One year after their first heart attack 44 percent of women are dead

compared with 27 percent of men

Clearly for women preventing that first heart attack would make an

enormous difference

Know the risks

What can be done to prevent and detect heart disease in women

Of foremost importance is to reduce ndash or if possible eliminate ndash the

conditions that cause or accelerate the growth of blockages in the arter-

ies of the heart These conditions known as risk factors include high

Women Take this warning to heart

Story By Andrij O Baran MD

blood pressure diabetes genetic high cholesterol a high-fat

diet an inactive lifestyle smoking and cocaine use

Some damage the lining of the heartrsquos arteries speeding the

buildup of cholesterol Others raise blood cholesterol Both

smoking and cocaine use speed blood clotting They also can

cause sudden cramps or spasms in the coronary arteries cut-

ting off the entire blood supply to portions of the heart even

without a cholesterol blockage

A woman who has one or more of these risk factors should

ask her doctor how best to control them She also should ask

about further screening and testing such as stress testing

The sooner the better

Lifestyle changes and medications can have a dramatic

impact on reducing the incidence of heart attack provided cho-

lesterol blockages are detected early ndash before damage to the

heart has occurred In fact drugs that lower cholesterol alone

have been unequivocally shown to reduce the risk of heart

attack and death by up to 50 percent

When added to a program of low-fat diet exercise control

of high blood pressure and diabetes and above all else no

smoking the benefits are magnified many times over Keep in

mind of course that these drugs work only if they are taken

and taken appropriately

By knowing and changing their risk factors all women can

ensure themselves of a longer and more vibrant life

Andrij O Baran MD FACC is the Medical Director of

Cardiology Services at Saratoga Hospital

Simply Saratoga | 31

A c t F a s t D u r i n g H e a r t A t t a c k s According to the American Heart

Association clot-busting drugs can stop

some heart attacks in progress reducing

disability and saving lives They work best

given within one hour of when heart

attack signs begin Thatrsquos why itrsquos impor-

tant to recognize the warning signs of a

heart attack and act right away

Warning Signs

bull Pain or discomfort in the jaw

neck or back

bull Feeling weak lightheaded or faint

bull Chest paindiscomfort

bull Paindiscomfort in the arms or

shoulder

bull Shortness of breath

If you think that you or someone you

know is having a heart attack call 911

immediately

32 | Simply Saratoga

Who would believe that a rabbi from Eastern

Europe frozen for 150 years in a block of ice could

be transported across time and space to Memphis

where he thaws then becomes a spiritual guru to

baby boomers Arguably nobody But Steve Stern

the author of ldquoThe Frozen Rabbirdquo his most recent

novel isnrsquot asking readers to believe it so much as

to let the characters tell their story Besides the plot

may be far-fetched but he already has a buyer for

the movie rights

Writer-in-residence at Skidmore College Stern is

a genius at creating human beings in fantastical cir-

cumstances who seem more like eccentric neigh-

bors than artifacts of science fiction Some fly

some inhabit other peoplersquos dreams some are res-

urrected and some travel through time Whatever

their superpowers or frailties the heroes and vil-

lains tricksters and innocents and witnesses and

bystanders in Sternrsquos short and long fiction deserve

attention and evoke compassion in their quest for

connection and redemption - or at least food and

shelter From within an inexhaustible vein of

Jewish folklore and oral history his characters

emerge into a lucid fictional universe that embraces

both magic and the mundane Dialogue is ironic as

often as it is mystical and the most ordinary days

serve as backdrops for incredible events

ldquoMiracles are commonplacerdquo says Stern a

Ballston Spa resident ldquoI donrsquot write in metaphors

and symbols deliberately Writing is a visceral

experience for me I read with interest what review-

ers say about my repetitive themes and ideas but I

am driven by images and characters Irsquom a compul-

sive storytellerrdquo

Steve Stern A Lyrical Voice in the Ghetto

B

o

o

k

m

a

r

k

Lean bespectacled and haloed in dark curls Stern

is a Memphis native who grew up in a home bereft

of music books and art in a city made famous by

Elvis Presley (who used to drive through Sternrsquos

neighborhood) and Martin Luther Kingrsquos assassina-

tion He remembers himself as ldquoa mediocre adoles-

cent without confidence or spiritual antennardquo first

stirred to write poetry in high school which he read

aloud for attention

ldquoI was surprised people liked itrdquo he says ldquoAnd I

liked writing it even though it embarrassed me But

I was encouraged to go on and later to try proserdquo

The allure of the late lsquo60s and early lsquo70s was not

academic After college Stern wandered through

Europe then worked as a butcher on a hippie com-

mune in the Ozarks raising pigs and eating off the

land ldquoI slept under five blankets and two dogsrdquo he

recalls (The incarnation has been memorialized in a

comic strip by Sternrsquos girlfriend Sabrina a cartoon-

ist and set designer for Saturday Night Live)

The commune was not too far from the University

of Arkansas where Stern attended graduate school

and played volleyball with Bill and Hillary Clinton

ldquoI hoped he would mention me in his inaugural

addressrdquo Stern sighs

With an MA Stern found teaching gigs at vari-

ous colleges but the work dried up forcing him to

take a job at a folklore center in Memphis first tran-

scribing stories about the black community then

launching a life-changing project to preserve the

stories of the fading Jewish population in a desolate

Memphis ghetto known as ldquoThe Pinchrdquo where

many of his stories are set

Story By Helen Susan Edelman

ldquoBernie scrunched his face in thought Gone was his waryimpulse to keep everything secret and there were times of latewhen he felt almost reckless almost ready to tell the world whileon the other hand he suspected he may have already confided toomuch ldquoI thinkrdquo he said after some consideration ldquoIrsquom startingto outgrow myselfrdquo

mdash Steve Stern ldquoThe Frozen Rabbirdquo

Photo by Josh GerritsenSteve Stern

Simply Saratoga | 33

ldquoIt was intoxicatingrdquo says Stern ldquoI became obsessed with

itrdquo Indeed his work is infused with the folklore images lan-

guage archetypes settings rituals and values embedded in

the memories he recorded and in the vast Jewish and Yiddish

literature he has studied since

A non-observant Jew Stern had no relationship with his

religion so the introduction to his exotic legacy was both

anchor and springboard for a prolific new consciousness

ldquoThe floodgates openedrdquo he says ldquoSuddenly this world

began to materialize for me What had been barren neighbor-

hoods I could see vividly as tenements and shops a town

square street traffic merchants pawnbrokers rabbis chil-

drenhellipimmigrants from Eastern Europe looking for a homerdquo

Stern is comfortable writing about transcendent wisdom as

long as itrsquos his characterrsquos voice

and not his own

dispensing the

insights The

frozen rabbi in

the book of the

same name for

example ldquoradiates

within his zone of

influence and is a

spiritual catalyst

for anyone who

encounters himrdquo

says Stern ldquowhere-

as I am a clicheacute a

Jew who grew up

without an identityrdquo

A winner of both

Guggenheim and

Fulbright fellowships

as well as the National

Jewish Book Award

the Pushcart Prize an

OrsquoHenry Prize and the Edward Lewis Wallant Award Stern

is working on a new novel and rereading Faulkner Tolstoy

Dickens and Joyce

He views each new writing project as ldquoa riskrdquo Experience

last summer also reminded him of the evanescence of popu-

larity he gave two readings one in Memphis which drew

such a crowd that doors had to be locked and one in St

Louis where he commanded an audience of four

ldquoJust like the characters in my storiesrdquo Stern observes ldquoI

encounter conflicts look for a way to escape and face mixed

consequencesrdquo sect

How is your mental state these days Are

you experiencing peace and joy in every-

day life or frustration and impatience Are

you living your life ldquoon purposerdquo or going

through the motions feeling numb and dead

on the inside How is the garden of your

mind Are you tending to your garden or letting

the weeds take over

When I lived in Boston I lived next door to an elder-

ly woman who had a beautiful garden Every morning my

neighbor was outside in her floral moo moo (circa Mrs

Roper from Threersquos Company) tending carefully to each

plant and flower She would spend hours walking around her

garden joyfully humming and making sure her flowers were

strong and healthy Many mornings I would sip my coffee

and watch her peacefully pulling out the weeds and tending

to her precious flowers To this day I remember how tall and

lovely her sunflowers were I think our mental state can be

compared to tending to a garden do we have beautiful sun-

flowers of joy and peace or toxic weeds of bitterness and

guilt

The weeds in your heart and mind are feelings of bitterness

anger guilt self-loathing and negativity Do you spend your

days reviewing the list of those that have offended

you Do you beat yourself up daily for past mis-

takes or regrets These are the weeds that can

take over your mind and lead to racing

thoughts a dark depression constant

anxiety or physical illness and

chronic pain If you are someone

that is easily frustrated impatient

and critical you can be sure you

34 | Simply Saratoga

Tending to theGarden of Your MindDealing with the Weeds in your Life

Simple Truths

have some weeds to deal with

The only path to peace and joy in your everyday life is to

pull your weeds out from the root and confront the issues

Holding on to your weeds only makes you ill and deadens

your heart Did you know that people who are full of bitter-

ness and resentment appear older and are not as physically

attractive as people who are full of peace and love The

weeds in your heart and mind can actually make you ugly

Likewise a mind that is content and peaceful gives us a

sparkle and light in our eyes that people are automatically

attracted to Forget the anti-wrinkle cream and Botox Fill

your heart and mind up with the best kept beauty secret

around love and forgiveness

Forgiveness is not about letting the person who hurt you

off the hook Forgiveness IS allowing light into our hearts

so that we can heal and move forward It takes the heavy

burden of offense and resentment off of our hearts and

minds while preparing the ldquosoilrdquo for new growth and

experiences

When possible confront the people you need to forgive

so that you can have closure and move on If it is not pos-

sible to confront the person that is the weed in your life

write them a letter expressing your hurt and anger (not to

send but in a private journal) This is a wonderful way to

give yourself closure and put your feelings out on the table

More often than not the person we have to forgive or con-

front is ourselves If you are constantly beating yourself up

and feeling guilty about your past make a choice to forgive

yourself

Donrsquot be lazy about your weeds Dig deep and pull out

your weeds so that you can make room for peace and joy

We all desire to feel love and be accepted That accept-

Meghan DLemery LCSW-R

Simply Saratoga | 35

ance starts with you Begin to focus on peaceful loving joyful

thoughts Keep a gratitude journal of what you love about your-

self or the loved ones in your life Practice planting seeds of joy

by giving acceptance and love to everyone around you

Take time to practice patience and kindness to your family

friends colleagues and that slow cashier at the grocery store Go

out of your way to help others in any way that you can All of

these acts of kindness plant the seeds of peace love joy and

abundance

As we approach the new season of spring take some time to

tend to the garden of your mind

Wishing you love self-acceptance and peace this spring and

always

Ms Lemery is a psychotherapist practic-ing in Saratoga Springs and QueensburyShe can be reached at meghanle-meryyahoocom

Her first novel will be pub-lished this Spring TitledldquoPlease Pass the BarbieShoesrdquo it is a hilarious heart-warming story that will haveyou feeling inspiredand empowered

sect

36 | Simply Saratoga

Living Room The custom-designed leather couch chair andottoman come from Suttons The stucco fireplace was inspired by theCollinsrsquo travels through the Southwest and Colorado (ldquowe wanted to avoida traditional river rock fireplacerdquo) and provides a heat source as well asbeauty The original structure was built for passive solar design no airconditioning is needed in the summer A wood stove is the primary heatsource radiant heat with natural gas was also added during the renova-tion

The front door as well as all the interior doors was custom-made fittedand replaced by Tom Zanetti Hickory wood floors were also installed dur-ing the addition A hanging stained glass chandelier is a stock itemobtained from a leading home supply retailer ldquoIt captures the sunlightbeautifully along with providing brilliant nighttime illuminationrdquo Tedsaid ldquoItrsquos an eclectic mixrdquo

Simply Saratoga | 37

Today we look at a creative space that is set into a special place

In 1993 Ted and Susan Collins purchased a seven-acre property

with a 1986 Timberpeg designed home that has all the qualities of

a place in the country ndash yet many would be surprised to learn that

it is actually located on the border of Saratoga Springs near the

Alpine Shop on Clinton Street After a number of years living in

apartments on Union Avenue and Franklin Square enjoying the

proximity to downtown and the track they couldnrsquot resist a spot

that was close to town but yet had lots of land

Their overall vision was for an interior space that was in accord

with the outside ndash the wildlife gardens and the sustainable philos-

ophy embodied in the original buildingrsquos passive solar design

ldquoEverything we do embraces the goals of staying true to the orig-

inal structure having an open welcoming interior and being in

harmony with the outdoorsrdquo Ted said

Inspired by travels in balance with the land

Story By Arthur GonickPhotos by copystockstudiosphotographycom

These principles guided a major transformation of the interior

space in 2006 The key element was an addition to the home that

enabled the living room kitchen and upstairs bedroom to be

expanded allowing space for the installation of a downstairs bath

as well

Susan and Ted led this transformation - visualizing an addition

that incorporated equilibrium of size location and overall propor-

tion They went through several iterations with Rick Deforest of

Heritage Timberframes

Even though much of the interior decor came from travels in

Africa the South Pacific and Colorado the building materials and

craftsmen are all local The timbers and wood flooring were milled

in nearby Kingsbury ldquoWe enjoyed working with professionals who

are also friends like Rick Deforest Tom Zanetti and Mike

Roohanrdquo Ted said ldquothe house now feels complete in balancerdquo sect

Unique Places and Creative Spaces If you would like to nominate a unique

or creative place to be featured emailentertainmentsaratogapublishingcom

38 | Simply Saratoga

Kitchen A wall was taken out that afforded space to add an eat-in island area and

open up the space Custom cabinets are by Tom Zanetti Stonework andappliances were added Both the kitchen and bathroom have granite table-tops (from Mike and Margaret Roohan of Granite and Marble Works)New appliances include a Bosch stove (with a built-in microwave drawer)and an Amana stainless refrigerator

Bathroom The bathroom ceiling is pine The showerarea was designed and built to the Collinsrsquo specifications andfeatures a bench 4 shower heads PLUS an extra hand-held one(ldquoItrsquos a human car washrdquo) The stone tiles on the sides and floorin the shower were installed by Best Tile the plumbing in theshower comes from Aird Dorrance as does the sink ndash which sitson a granite top from Granite and Marble Works The windowleads out to the north side of the house with privacy blinds insidethe window panes One thing you donrsquot see ldquoSince the room ison display in the center of the expanded first floor we wanted thecommode to be mostly hiddenrdquo Ted said

Unique Places and Creative Spaces

Simply Saratoga | 39

Living RoomA reading nook sits upon the bathroom addition ldquoThere was no full bathroom on the first

floor and with a post and beam construction we had to be creative You get outstanding viewsof the property pond and stream when viewed from the nookrsquos perspectiverdquo The ladder canswing out on a track making it more like walking up a staircase ndash this was also designed andinstalled by Tom Zanetti The table in the nook is actually a working African drum with a glasstable top added

40 | Simply Saratoga

Bedroom In the second-floor master bedroom moving the dormer brought in extra light and space and

also brought the roofline together with the original structure and first-floor additions The floorand ceiling are made of rough-cut pine planking The bed is also constructed of pine and comesfrom Suttons The window in the upper left was cut during the addition It faces west for extra day-time light

Simply Saratoga | 41

42 | Simply Saratoga

Story Written by Yael Goldman Photos by Samu Studios and Randall Perry Photography

Simply Saratoga | 43

orking with the

right interior designer

turns listless decision making

into an enjoyable and productive

process that avoids costly mistakes

and delivers exceptional results

Designing a room or an entire home is a

big project no matter how strong your tastes are

The decisions are endless ndash what color should I paint the

walls What flooring is most aesthetically appealing and

dog-friendly Should I choose a furniture set or choose

individual pieces Do I want curtains or shades Do I

decorate with knick-knacks or artwork

But with all the unique self-questioning that surrounds

an interior design project most homeowners share angst

in asking themselves one specific question where do I

start

Itrsquos at this point ndash when stress level increases enjoy-

ment-driven projects turn deadly and money has been

wastefully spent on all the wrong things ndash that you long

for the help of a professional if only you could afford it

Well the truth is you can

Creating the right space can be expensive but is only

more so if you make mistakes and have to go back and

fix them If you do it right the first time therersquos no cost

associated with do-overs

With nearly 100 years of experience between them all

four members of Blairhouse Interiors Group have

worked with more than enough unhappy do-it-your-

selfers to tell you yoursquore not alone

Photo by Samu Studios

44 | Simply Saratoga

The four-member designproject therapy team which recently

opened a studio in Saratoga Springs has a long history of help-

ing home and business owners create their ideal spaces and

atmospheres the right way Their exceptional work is celebrated across

the Capital Region including Saratoga Springs where the Blairhouse

look is prominently featured in a handful of Park Place condominiums

and the incredible Saratoga National Golf Club

Thomas R Burns Meghan Baltich Dominic Carota and Patricia

Richards the highly skilled and charismatic force behind Blairhouse

Interiors Group promise an experience that is personal because itrsquos all

about your needs ndash and thatrsquos what is important

Blairhouse offers full-service interior design services space planning

project management hand-picked merchandise patience and an uncan-

ny ability to create a

look that is always

fresh sophisticated

and comfortable

ldquoThe style that we

gravitate toward is

unique cutting-edge

and modern not dic-

tated by corporaterdquo

said Meghan Baltich

pointing to a ldquovery

propitiousrdquo Keith Fritz

table at the center of

the studio

Photo by Randall Perry Photography

If you do it right the firsttime therersquos no cost

associated with do-oversPhoto by Randall Perry Photography

One glance at the Park Place showroom ndash of the selective furnishings carefully showcased along

the periphery ndash and it becomes clear why Blairhouse an award-winning team gets the job

done

Their creativity focus and immaculate sense of direction bring objectivity to the scene helping you nar-

row down all of the tedious and overwhelming choices that make do-it-yourself decorating an exercise in

unclear thinking

ldquoPeople are overwhelmed by all the choices it can feel like theyrsquore in a paralyzed blurrdquo said Thomas

Burns who finds that a great vision can be impossible to imagine and create without eliminating all of

the distractions

A vital step in getting focused is creating a

comprehensive plan based on individual

needs wants and style that addresses all

aspects of lifestyle and taste and suggests

tactful solutions and fresh approaches to new

and existing spaces

They help you identify what you like

forcing you to hone in on what you want and

need to compliment and enhance your

lifestyle

ldquoWe ascertain the clientrsquos goal and

lifestyle to convey their visionrdquo said

Dominic Carota explaining that the intended

outcome of creating or reinventing a room is

often strictly tied to how you want to live in

it

ldquoWe have to know how they functionrdquo he

said

An interior designer is an asset in the func-

tion-meets-style equation

Dominic explained that a couple starting a family will have far

different needs than empty-nesters looking for a change They may

have the same stylistic goals but their execution will differ based on

how their lifestyle exists within the space

When revamping a single room the majority of your focus is ded-

icated to that individual space making it easy to forget that the rest

of the house is attached Establishing connectivity between rooms is

a challenge but an important part of executing a project the right

way

Sometimes one wrong detail no matter how small can be incred-

ibly impactful and difficult to avoid on your own

ldquoIf yoursquore working on a new addition or renovation we ensure it

flows that therersquos balance between the existing part of the living

space and the new additionrdquo Meghan Baltich said explaining that

it just doesnrsquot make sense to put in a great new kitchen if itrsquos dis-

jointed and out of place from its surroundings

Another common novice mistake is the trendy retail store fallacy

that you can order a full room from a catalog or pick a fabulous and

unique design from a floor plan

Blairhouse clients learn the difference between ldquocookie-cutterrdquo

and ldquocustomrdquo and they are never concerned with picking the wrong

piece for the wrong room

Simply Saratoga | 45

ome customers will come to us after going into a Pottery Barn and buying stuff that just didnrsquot workrdquo Baltich said giving the

example of an individual who purchased an enormous sectional for a tiny room ldquoWe scale into the clientrsquos space taking func-

tion and proportion into considerationrdquo

Exceptional listening and observation skills are the designerrsquos

unsung attributes and greatest assets Blairhouse experts engage

with their clients to gain a true understanding of what they want

In turn the design process becomes an eye-opening experience

customers are introduced to colors and concepts they would

never think to consider

ldquoEach client trusts us to create their environment and we

enable them to make informed decisionsrdquo Patricia Richards

said

And sometimes that requires bold suggestions and collabora-

tion or looking at all of the possibilities even the ones ldquoyou

would never have been brave enough to do on your ownrdquo

In the end the experience of working with the experts is

enjoyable stress-free and cost-effective From concept to com-

pletion the result is just what you want and need ndash a fabulous

marriage of function and aesthetic that wonrsquot have you coming

back for more (because you did it right the first time) sect

ldquoS

46 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 47

For a taste of Blairhouse Interiors Grouprsquos distinctive work stop into their Park Place studio located at 262 Broadway Suite 204 in Saratoga Springs For further details visit wwwblairhouseinteriorscom or call (518) 786-7800

From left to right Dominic Carota Meghan Baltich Patricia Richards and

Thomas R Burns (The designproject therapy team of Blairhouse Interiors Group)

48 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 49

Dorsquos and Donrsquots

50 | Simply Saratoga

Story Written by Kerry Ann Mendez Perennially Yours bull wwwpyourscom Photos Provided

SpringDorsquos and Donrsquots

SpringDorsquos and DonrsquotsDorsquos and Donrsquots

Spring

for your Gardens

s

Simply Saratoga | 51

ssts

SPRINGis right around the corner and gardenersare pawing at the ground ready to explodethrough the garden gate As a passionate perennial gardenerI am right there with you But before launching into another flower-filledseason letrsquos go through a spring checklist of dorsquorsquos and donrsquorsquots to makesure we make the most of the race and have the best finish ever

Photo by GardenersSupply Company

apply a granular fertilizer to your perennial beds while they are still lsquoasleeprsquoDepending on the winter wersquove had this may be anytime from mid-Marchto mid-April Donrsquot worry if there are already lsquoearly risersrsquo visible like springblooming bulbs or woodland ephemerals I recommend using 5-5-5 5-10-5 or

5-10-10 fertilizer at the rate of 2 pounds per 100 square feet Cast the fertilizer just before it is about to rainto make sure fertilizer is watered into the ground and washed off any existing leaves You can give otherplants in your yard this treat as well including floweringshrubs groundcovers climbing vinesand roses

DONrsquoTput fertilizer on top of the snow or on ground that is

still frozen You want to make sure the fertilizer disap-pears into pliable soil and to waiting roots otherwiserunoff can occur And donrsquot think more is better Youcan stress or even kill plants by over-fertilizing espe-cially in spring when leaves are not fully developed toutilize nitrogen in the fertilizer If you are going to errless is better

DO

prune once-b l o o m i n g

roses such as Heirloom or Old GardenRoses when the Forsythia is blooming

Any rose that blooms onceusually in late spring forabout three weeks is in thiscategory Many times theseroses are quite fragrantWait to prune these rosesuntil right after they flower

DONrsquoT

prune most roses whenForsythia is in bloom Pruneshrub roses back by half to

23 their height This is assuming you did not prunethem last fall If you did then next year wait until latewinter or early spring Prune Teas and Grandiflorasback to 18 - 24rdquo For climbing roses prune branchesemerging from the main canes back to within 3 - 4rdquoof the cane

DO

apply corn gluten tolawn areas yoursquoveseeded (or over-seeded) or to gar-dens where youwant biennialsperennials or annu-als to reseed andflower Corn glutendoes not distinguishbetween lsquogoodrsquoand lsquobadrsquo seeds

apply a pre-emer-gent weed killerand fertilizer toyour lawn A lushhealthy lawn

makes a beautiful frame for gardens Myfamily walked away from lawn chemicalsfive years ago And our lawn has neverlooked better Corn gluten is a big part ofthis transformation Corn gluten is a by-product of milled corn It will not harm chil-dren pets or wildlife Heck you can eat it ifyou want (but it tastes yucky) Corn Glutenis high in nitrogen and commonly used as alawn fertilizer But it is also a pre-emergenttargeting seeds as they germinate Youcan put corn gluten down at any point inthe spring BUT if part of your mission is toeliminate crabgrass then there is a narrowwindow of attackApply it whenForsythia is in fullbloom and beforeits leaves appearThe Forsythia is asoil temperatureindicator that cor-responds to whencrabgrass seedsstart to germinate More garden centersare now carrying corn gluten productsYou just need to ask and follow the appli-cation instructions on the bag Make sureto water in the corn gluten after applyingIt will remain effective for five to six weeks

Simply Saratoga | 53

DONrsquoT

DO

step on soil as you maneuver around thegarden to cut back Lavender and therest of the gang For that matter youshould never be tromping through yourgardens compacting soil This breaks

down air and water channels as well as making it tougher forroots to spread Instead reach into beds from existing paths orplace stepping stones in discreet spots where only your eyes cansee or lsquowalk the plankrsquo on a board to reach plants fartherlsquoadriftrsquo

54 | Simply Saratoga

cut back Lavender Russian SageMontauk Daisy Butterfly BushChrysanthemums and ornamental grass-es These are best left untouched in falland whacked in spring Many folks make

the mistake of acting too gingerly with pruners Let lsquoem fly Theresult will be more compact neater plants that will bloom just fineTrust me If it helps wait until yoursquove had a bad day at work withthe kids or in traffic

DONrsquoT

DO

divide Peonies German Bearded Iris orOriental Poppies in spring These are bestdone in late summer Also tap-rootedplants (those with a carrot-looking root)cannot be divided Think about it These

are usually propagated by seed stem or root cuttings Someperennials that fall into this category are Malva Butterfly WeedBalloon Flower Oriental Poppies and Lupines

Simply Saratoga | 55

DONrsquoT

divide plants in spring This is an optimumtime to divide most perennials Yes evenspring bloomers Wait until these haveflowered and then shear off the spentblooms and get to business Most sum-

mer and fall blooming perennials can be divided prior to mid-Junewithout disrupting their performance

DO

apply a time-released fertilizersuch as Plant-Tone(organic) orOsmocote to heavy

feeding perennials five to six weeks afterthe earlier granular fertilizer applicationMost plants do not need as much fertilizeras we are led in advertising to believe I amstingy with my money and maintenancetime so only a handful of plants get thisbonus feed Astilbe Delphinium Liliums (ieAsiatic Oriental Trumpet) Clematis androses If I am feeling generous I will putsome on my Bigleaf Hydrangeas next to theroses Call me heartlessJust scratch fertilizer intothe top couple inchesof soil around theplantrsquos base and waterin well They will enjoy anutritious snack forthree to four months

apply mulch ongarden beds toreduce weedsconserve moisture

reduce erosion minimize soil temperaturefluctuations and enhance the quality ofthe soil Some mulching materials includeaged manures compost shredded wood(not dyed) leaf moldand cocoa hulls Putthe mulch down 2rdquo to3rdquo thick around plantsincluding floweringshrubs

build up mulchagainst plant stems

And please please donrsquot create volcanomounds around trees Please This is awfulfor them The only ones that benefit fromthis are the people selling the mulch

56 | Simply Saratoga

DONrsquoT

DO

DO

rubber band orbraid the foliage ofspring bloomingbulbs after they fin-ish flowering You

want as much leaf surface exposed to thesun as possible to increase photosynthesisYou can press the leaves down next to thesoil so they are less noticeable

Simply Saratoga | 57

sect

And finally DO have a great year in

your gardens and DONrsquoT forget to

take time to smell the roses

DONrsquoT

DONrsquoT

cut off the spentblooms and stems onspring blooming bulbsafter they have flow-ered so energy is redirected to the bulbsversus seed productions Keep the leaves inplace until they have browned and ideallycan be pulled from the ground by hand

put time-released fertil-izer on perennials thatprefer lean dietsRicher soil just upsetstheir vascular systemsThey will get leggy flop and not perform tosnuff Yarrow Coneflower Catmint RussianSage Linum Sea Holly and Silvermound are inthe group

DO

For more information contact Perennially Yours at pyourscom

58 | Simply Saratoga

Ill mination

Exterior Stonework

an

d

Story Written by Arthur Gonick Photos Provided

u

Simply Saratoga | 59

To develop and implement an exterior vista that maximizes your enjoyment To have a backyard landscape that is warm inviting and uniquely yours

These are goals that many homeowners have when they first move onto their property But unless you are trained in the variety ofmaterials and options available the task of getting past the point of comparing possibilities to completing and actually enjoying yourbackyard paradise can appear to be a long daunting road

For Carl Trinkle a landscape designer for ten years with the Gallivan Companies of Troy one of the key elements in a successfultransformation is utilizing a professionalrsquos expertise to articulate goals and develop a plan

ldquoThe most important thing we do when we first meet with a client is to get them to discuss their basic needs and aims and encouragethem to formulate an overall vision for their property An initial consultation sets the tone we make an initial visit on-site to look overthe property so we can have an idea as to where things might be placedrdquo

ldquoDuring this intake process we actually encourage people to show us photos of their friendrsquos property that they like or perhaps froma magazine It helps most people to articulate the goals of what they would like to see as a finished projectrdquo Trinkle said ldquoEven if they are looking to do things in phases we find that it is most important to develop a comprehensive site planrdquo This eliminates the need to revise original phases of work to accommodate those that come in the future

60 | Simply Saratoga

that Mr Trinkle finds potential customers identifying with aredesigned to extend the outdoor season ldquoA few extra weeks outside isa lotrdquo he said

add-ons also extend outside activity each day Low voltage lighting is still the most popular but recently LED lighting with longer-lasting bulbs that involve less maintenance and are cost-efficienthave become more fashionable

The latest trends

stations fire pits and waterenhancements such as ponds andwaterfalls are the most frequentlyrequested items that broaden theoutdoor use season

Outdoor grill

Exterior lighting

Simply Saratoga | 61

And of course swimming pool projects have always been a most-requested

item Fifty percent of allthe projects Mr Trinkleworks on involve a pooleither a completely new installation or enhance-ments to existing poolsGallivanrsquos long-standingrelationship withConcord Pools has beena hallmark in assuringthat customers are satis-fied when their pool isput in the ground

62 | Simply Saratoga

In most cases a comprehensive plancan be developed for any project in about a period of twoweeks Complete drawings and cost breakdowns are provid-ed as well as the projected phases that can be completed injust a few months or on larger projects can be scheduled insegments over a few years These are reviewed in personwith the customer again the goal being to have a plan thateveryone buys into

Simply Saratoga | 63

ldquoWe have had projects where the customer has wanted tohave a lot of input and we welcome that But we also hadone where the client was out of town and we built a firepit and slide for his wife and kids and our only instructions were to dazzle themI remember it as a most satisfying experience and we ended up winning awards for that onerdquo

- Carl Trinkle Landscape DesignerThe Gallivan Companies

64 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 65

ldquoI get to work using my creativity with talented people Some of the most talented are those

I meet as customersrdquo sect

For more information or to schedule aconsultation phone Gallivan Companies at(518) 271-6100 Gallivanrsquos website iswwwGallivanCompaniescom

66 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 67

Buying a playhouse for your child is an excellent investment

They promote imaginative play and spending time outdoors and

double as storage space when no longer used for recreation

Denise Woodcock owner of Versatile Sheds in Wilton has

been helping parents and grandparents customize their childrsquos or

grandchildrsquos dream playhouses for years

ldquoThey make great gifts especially for grandparents who want

their grandkids to have their own place to play when they visitrdquo

she said

Playhouses are a great addition to a childrsquos outdoor world

They come in all shapes sizes and designs and can be custom-

built or finished if you donrsquot find exactly what yoursquore looking for

in a catalog or on the lot

Every child is different and has their own preferences for color

size and function boys and girls often have especially different

requests for their play space as do younger and more mature chil-

dren so therersquos a lot to consider

Denise knows how even the finest detail can be all it takes to

make an outdoor structure feel like a childrsquos own personal space

While it may seem superfluous to address every minor demand

the truth is a playhouse is more than just an expensive toy itrsquos an

investment The more your child connects with their space the more

use theyrsquoll get out of it ndash and according to Denise that means your

money is well spent

Smartest WayThe

playhouse for your kidsto buy a

Photos by MarkBollescomStory by Yael Goldman

68 | Simply Saratoga

With this in mind prospective buyers should first consider

who will use the playhouse and for how long as well as what

happens when the structure is no longer used for recreation

Versatile Sheds can help even the most discerning parent or

child find what theyrsquore looking for Every playhouse is hand-

built by Amish craftsmen who can accommodate almost any

special request at an additional cost so the possibilities are

endless inside and out

Cedar shingle or vinyl siding wood stone or brick ndash if you

can use it on the outside of your regular home it can be inte-

grated into your playhousersquos design Playhouses can be built

to look like a miniature version of your home which is an

excellent touch for parents that are particularly concerned

with aesthetics Porches shutters flowerboxes unique doors

chimneys and exterior lighting are just a few of the touches

that can brighten and personalize the exterior

Individualizing your childrsquos playhouse doesnrsquot stop at the

front door There are just as many interior features to choose

from ndash you can let your imagination run wild

For starters you have the option to order the playhouse

with a finished or unfinished interior The unfinished version

looks a lot like the inside of a regular home before you move

in paint the walls and furnish the rooms

Buying an unfinished structure is a great way to cut costs

and even bring the family together over a weekend decorating

project The possibilities are endless depending on how handy

you are otherwise a few coats of paint and a bit of carpeting

will surely do the trick

Although a bit pricey purchasing a playhouse with a fin-

ished interior ensures that your child gets exactly what they

want right off the bat They can pick everything from the paint

color to the flooring so the playhouse is move-in ready on the

day it arrives

Playhouses can also be insulated and wired for electricity

You can install lighting electrical outlets even heat or air-

conditioning to make your childrsquos outdoor space as comfort-

able as possible

And the options donrsquot end there Traditional sheds also dou-

ble as playhouses For some parents purchasing an adult-size

shed for their children is an ideal way to get the best return on

their investment Once their children grow out of it the struc-

ture can be used for outdoor storage With just as many styles

sizes and materials to choose from you can customize the

interior and exterior of your shed just as you would a play-

house but without all of the more frivolous features

ldquoAny shed can be a playhouserdquo Woodcock said explaining

how a custom paint job or flowerbox can transform a typical

storage unit into childrsquos outdoor activity haven

For example if purchasing a wood shed the exterior can be

easily painted and repainted when making the transition from

playhouse to storage space

For Denisersquos customers getting their moneyrsquos worth should

not have to mean making sacrifices

Simply Saratoga | 69

70 | Simply Saratoga

When Debby Trainor made the decision to buy her grand-

daughter Chezneyrsquos dream house she wanted it to have all the

bells and whistles She met with Denise to go over all the cri-

teria the goal was to buy the perfect gift for Chezney while

staying within her budget

The eight-year-old Greenwich girl wanted her own pretty

pink palace where she could play and imagine Debby wanted

it to be a cozy and safe place for her to play year-round

Customization and interior decoration helped make

Chezneyrsquos playhouse feel like her own little kingdom

ldquoWe made it look like a cute little dollhouserdquo she said ldquoWe

put furniture inside and a little stove fridge heater and TV

itrsquos just perfectrdquo

With the structure built to their liking Chezney and Debby

could enjoy decorating the inside to personalize the playhouse

For many customers putting on the finishing touches means

making the playhouse feel like home ndash you can add curtains

hang pictures buy furniture and appliances and landscape the

perimeter to make the outdoor space feel like a home away

from home

When the child grows out of their playhouse these items

can be easily removed to accommodate a secondary use for the

space

ldquoThe best thing that Denise did for me was explain how we

can use the playhouse for storage for stuff out in the yard after

Chezney has grown out of itrdquo Debby explained ldquoAlthough

she is only eight and will be using it for quite a few more

years this really makes it a good investment and looks

great in the backyardrdquo

Whether you choose a customized playhouse or a tradi-

tional shed thinking toward the future also ensures the

safety and longevity of the structure

Denise explained that placement is an important thing to

consider as you want to make sure the structure is in a safe

place and on an appropriate surface Most importantly the

playhouse must be built on a level even surface that isnrsquot

too high off of the ground

ldquoYou want it on a nice platformrdquo Denise explained

ldquoSome people use concrete but stone is better because it

allows moisture to seep down into the ground and away

from the structurerdquo

Most parents prefer that their playhouse is in the back-

yard where itrsquos easy to see from a window Placing the

structure in a shaded area is also a good idea it will be

cooler in the summer and less susceptible to the elements if

partially protected by trees

Debby had Chezneyrsquos playhouse built right next to her

swing set where she can be easily supervised

One last thing to consider when purchasing a playhouse

Simply Saratoga | 71

72 | Simply Saratoga

or shed for your child is how much effort

you want to put into maintaining it The

more ornate the structure the more care it

may need

Woodcock advises parents to preserve

their investment and treat the playhouse

like a miniature home

Think of it as a miniature house ndash the

structure requires regular maintenance

and upkeep to ensure your child will be

safe while enjoying years and years of

imaginative fun

With so many features and styles to

choose from yoursquore sure to find the best

for both you and your child

For more information about Versatile

Sheds or to set up a time to meet with

Denise Woodcock call (518) 584-7924

or stop by 669 Route 9 in Wilton sect

Simply Saratoga | 73

74 | Simply Saratoga

Kitchen

Not Your

Grandmarsquos

Story Written by Daniel Schechtman Photos Provided

ldquoAs you

walk into the kitchen

of the future LED

light projections adjust

to your mood - it will

know if you have a

hangover via sensors

that will read your

b r a i n w a v e s

Aromatherapy infused

walls will be synched

to your calendar calm-

ing you before a big

meeting or energizing you before a gym session The fridge will have selected some breakfast options identifying the essen-

tial vitamins for your day via sensors When you get home a hologram chef will be on hand for recipe inspirationrdquo

Alright so maybe your kitchen canrsquot do all of these things quite yet ndash but believe it or not wersquore getting there This is tomor-

rowrsquos kitchen a kitchen where your appliances donrsquot just store your food or wash your dishes ndash they talk to you providing you

with integral information on how to

best store your fruits and vegetables

letting you know if the refrigerator

door is open for too long or when a

part will soon need replacing

Simply Saratoga | 75

ldquoScience fictionrdquo I hear you say

Guess again Quoted from a report released by The Future Laboratory

who was commissioned by IKEA to determine what a modernkitchen in the year 2040 could conceivably look like

76 | Simply Saratoga

ldquoOne technology that really stands out to me is the

Miele Appliance Company Right now theyrsquore using a

program called lsquoremote visionrsquo On select applianceshellip

is a wireless card that clicks into a port on the back of

the appliance You synch it up with your home network

and it basically emails the technician and the owner

when itrsquos broken when you need to clean your condens-

er change your water filter or schedule a routine serv-

icerdquo said Tom Thibeault owner of Adirondack

Appliance Repair Inc located at 67 West Ave in

Saratoga Springs ldquoMaybe somebodyrsquos been opening the

[refrigerator] door for too long or the door was left open

ndash it will email you and tell you that your door is left

openrdquo

This is not your grandmarsquos kitchen This my friends

is the kitchen of the future and itrsquos available now

The 36 inch bottom-mount Miele refrigerator boasts a

striking interior featuring LED lighting running along

the sides from top to bottom stainless steel accents and

exteriors with control systems that would be comfort-

able alongside the captainrsquos chair on the Starship

Enterprise

Simply Saratoga | 77

ldquoThe controls in the Miele really stand out

Looking at the controls theyrsquore just a glass piece and

then once you touch it you see a few options for the

different compartments Then you touch the compart-

ment and the temperature is displayed so itrsquos kind of

like a Star Trek controlrdquo Thibeault said

And thatrsquos just the refrigerator

Adirondack Appliance has also seen brands such as

Wolf (a company owned by the same people who own

Sub-Zero) grow in popularity when it comes to their

range stoves and ovens The dual convection oven

works to eliminate cold spotting and provides consis-

tent even temperatures and even allows for unique

options such as proofing ndash used best when baking

homemade bread

ldquoIt also has a temperature probe you can plug into

things like a turkey or roast so you can see the temper-

ature while itrsquos still inside the machine It has

hydraulic hinges halogen lit interiors everything is

composed of stainless steel and itrsquos by far one of the

best lines on the marketrdquo Thibeault said

A new line coming to Adirondack Appliance that

features some amazing technology is a series of Pro-

Style Ranges produced by industry giant Jenn-Air

ldquoThat actually has an LCD touch

screen like an IPAD for the controls The

temperature is set by sliding your finger

along the controls Itrsquos all color backlit and

absolutely amazingrdquo Thibeault said

ldquoAnother thing we have to that same

effect are some of the hoods which have

really been getting pretty out there as far as

design We have one on our floor [by Miele]

that has an LED bar on the front which

changes in phases between 196000 colors

Itrsquos a very delicate change very pretty and

coolrdquo Thibeault said adding ldquoor you can set

it to any color in that spectrum yoursquod like to

accent your cabinetryrdquo

When it comes to dishwashers Thibeault

can attest to the quality of both the Asko and

Miele brands both of which he uses in his

own home And good news for Saratoga

Springs residents ndash

ldquoIn our market in

Saratoga we have a

very hard water base

whether yoursquore on a well

system or city waterrdquo

Thibeault said ldquoSo you

get a lot of minerals in

the machine With the

stainless steel interiors it

eliminates a lot of prob-

lems generally seen with

plastic interior tubs and

usually they are the best

life expectanciesrdquo

78 | Simply Saratoga

Asko and Mieleare practically custom made to handle the

arearsquos typicallymineral rich water

Simply Saratoga | 79

The Asko brand dishwasher takes things one step

further including two pumps in the washerrsquos system

The first pump filters the water cleansing it of poten-

tially harmful minerals while the second pump recircu-

lates the water ensuring that the machine is never

blasting your dishes with food debris or dirty residue

With Miele the design features a built-in water sof-

tener perfect for dealing with the Saratoga water

system

ldquoTypically the Miele is going to do a better job with

tougher baked in stainsrdquo said Thibeault ldquobecause itrsquos

got the softener in it and a little bit longer pots and pans

cyclerdquo

80 | Simply Saratoga

Adirondack Appliance Repair Inc is a fami-

ly-owned business since 1929 and the last inde-

pendent appliance retailer of its kind in Saratoga

Springs With $6 billion of buying power behind

their name (a benefit of being part of the Nation

Wide Appliance Buying Group) Thibeault

promised ldquowe can actually price match the box

stores and everybody else around all while pro-

viding you with better service and better

productsrdquo

For more information on AdirondackAppliance or the products they sell you mayvisit their showroom located at 67 West Avenuein Saratoga Springs for live demonstrationsThey can also be reached by phone at (518)587-6640 or you may visit them at their newwebsite wwwadkappliancecom where cus-tomers can browse through the storersquos entirecatalogue of appliances

sect

Simply Saratoga | 81

82 | Simply Saratoga

Page 17: Simply Saratoga March 2011

Simply Saratoga | 19

Prom

T h i s W a y

20 | Simply Saratoga

Glamor

ous

Daz

zling

Elega

ntFlir

ty

Gor

geou

s

Girls

itrsquos

Show

time

Simply Saratoga | 21

Web

Extras

See

the

pics tha

t didn

rsquot

mak

e it in

the

Mag

azine

on

SaratogaB

ridalEXPO

com

Grecian

God

dess

Athe

na

Classic B

eaut

y

Holly

wood

Glamou

r

Wild

and

Untam

edElega

nt

22 | Simply Saratoga

The current economic and market environment has prompt-

ed many Americans to rethink their retirement strategies If

you are experiencing a job transitionmdashparticularly if the tran-

sition is unplanned and unexpectedmdashsuch a reassessment may

be particularly important for you While it may be tempting to

focus more on your immediate needs you should not lose sight

of long-term goals especially your retirement strategy

Some Basic Decisions Your employer-sponsored retirement plan is likely to be a

key component of your retirement strategy Because it repre-

sents a key source of future retirement income it is important

to carefully consider your alternatives for administering these

assets During a job transition you will usually have three

options take a lump-sum distribution leave your assets in the

employer-sponsored plan or move your assets into a Rollover

IRA

Taking a direct lump-sum distributionmdashWith this

option the assets in your plan are distributed directly to you in

a lump sum which provides you with immediate access to

your funds Depending on your short-term needs that may

appear to be an attractive alternative However a distribution

will likely result in substantial federal and state income taxes

and a 10 percent IRS penalty tax which can significantly

reduce the amount of the distribution Because you will be

receiving the distribution directly the plan administrator must

withhold up to 20 percent of the value of the distribution for

federal income tax purposes Moreover you will lose the ben-

efit of the tax-deferred status of these assets which could

reduce the amount ultimately available to you at retirement

The status quo optionmdashYou can decide to do nothing

leaving your assets in your former employerrsquos plan That will

protect the tax-deferred status of your assets and allow you to

transfer the account assets at a later time to a new employerrsquos

retirement plan that accepts rollovers But you may be limiting

your investment choices and control because employer plans

typically have a restricted investment menu and require the

consent of your spouse before you can name someone else as

a beneficiary

Establishing a Rollover IRAmdashA Rollover IRA simultane-

ously addresses the issues of taxation flexibility and control

and may hold significant benefits for you as a result

Submitted by H Michael Okby Wealth Advisor

Fin

ancia

l Protecting Your RetirementInvestmentsDuring a JobTransition

If your distribution is transferred directly to a custodian rather than

to you the Rollover IRA eliminates the withholding requirement and

penalties that may result from a lump-sum distribution

The entire rollover amount can be investedimmediately according to the strategy youspecify bull Your assets and any earnings continue to have the potential to

grow tax-deferred until you retire and begin taking withdrawals

bull You may gain access to a wider range of investment options and

more retirement planning and distribution flexibility

bull You can name any beneficiary including a trust without

needing the consent of your spouse (although special rules may

apply in community property states)

For example investment products in an employer plan are usually

limited to mutual funds and company stock With a self-directed

Rollover IRA you can work with your financial professional to struc-

ture a portfolio using stocks bonds annuities and other investments

utilizing an asset allocation1 that is customized to help you meet your

retirement investment objectives And your retirement strategy can be

further tailored with a wider range of beneficiary selection and distri-

bution choices

Consider Consolidation This may also be an excellent time to deal with multiple IRAs you

may have opened over the years and with account balances you may

have left in the plans of former employers Together these assets may

represent a significant sum There are good reasons to consider con-

solidating them all in a Rollover IRA

Comprehensive investment strategymdashIt can be difficult to main-

tain an effective investment strategymdashone that accurately reflects

your goals timing and risk tolerancemdashwhen assets are spread among

multiple financial institutions When you consolidate your financial

professional can help you ensure that these assets are part of your

overall asset allocation strategy that is reflective of your current

financial situation and long-term retirement goals

Greater investment flexibilitymdashA self-directed IRA generally

offers you the ability to choose from a wide range of investment

products including stocks bonds mutual funds annuities and more

Simplified trackingmdashIt is easier to monitor your progress and

investment results when all your retirement savings are in one place

because you will receive one statement instead of several That sim-

plifies your life while protecting the environment

Lower costsmdashReducing the number of accounts may also reduce

your account fees and other investment-related charges

Dealing with one account rather than several also simplifies

the distribution processmdashincluding complying with complex min-

imum distribution rules when you reach age 70 And you avoid the

risk of losing track of your retirement accounts or access to the

account assets should your former employer merge with another

company or go out of business Your financial professional can help

you assess your alternatives so you can make decisions based on

whatrsquos best for you You may find that this time of transition holds

benefits for your retirement assets

For more information please contact H Michael Okby at (518) 583-5601

sect

Simply Saratoga | 23

24 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 25

Summer camp is a place wherelifelong memories are made

This is where our children learnto cultivate their interests andordiscover a world of new activities tohelp their young minds grow andfor them to become physically fit

Even though there may be snowon the ground when you read thisit is never too early to think aboutyour childrenrsquos summer fun Weare blessed in this region with avariety of destinations providing awealth of activities

And while there is something foreveryone early planning is a mustto assure your child has a spot inone of these great places At theend of a long winter seasonthoughts of summer camp arerejuvenating for adults as well

Summer Camp Guide 2011

YMCA Camp Chingachgook

NdakinnaNdakinna Education Center located in

Greenfield Center offers a wide variety of

summer camp programs and activities that

will provide campers with a greater

respect and understanding for the natural

world as well as the Northeastrsquos rich

Native American history Hosted by

renowned author and wilderness and sur-

vival expert James Bruchac these pro-

grams are ideal for children with a sense

of adventure and natural wonder Summer

programs are divided into two groups

children ages three to eight and older

campers ages nine to fourteen Programs

range in duration from one to two weeks

26 | Simply Saratoga

YMCA Camp Chingachgook located on beauti-

ful Lake George has three camping options sleep-

away camp day camp and adventure trips

Summer sleep-away camp is the experience of a

lifetime The camp is divided into junior and sen-

ior boys and girls units junior campers between

the ages of seven and 12 and senior campers are 13

to 15 years old All Chingachgook counselors go

through extensive two-week training and prepa-

ration prior to the beginning of the first session

Campers will enjoy a full schedule of skill

classes which they can choose on their own

and special events and programs Campers can

choose from swimming water skiing canoeing

nature arts outdoor living skills theater news-

paper riflery archery dance guitar outdoor

cooking sports zone water world woodwork-

ing softball soccer tennis photography sail-

ing high ropes mountain biking and rock

climbing Each camper sets up their own daily

schedule of four skill classes at the start of the

session

Two-week camp sessions at Chingachgook

also include a three-day hike which allows

campers to get out and experience the wilder-

ness in a fun and safe atmosphere

Chingachgook also offers a variety of unique

adventure camps for children looking to explore

unique destinations and experience a whole new

level of fun options like sailing kayak-

ing boat building rock climbing canoe-

ing community service white-water

rafting hiking and backpacking bicycle

touring and mountain biking Adventure

campers will benefit from activities with

smaller coed groups of ten or less

Day Camp at Chingachgook is a fun

option for children ages five to ten

Campers will enjoy a full day of fun

activities from 930 am to 430 pm The

Day Camp program is divided into eight

one-week segments with the first session

starting on June 28 and the final session

starting on August 16 Each session has

a different theme

Spaces are limited at Chingachgook

so be sure to sign up as soon as possible

For more information to sign up for a

tour or to register for camp visit

wwwcapitaldistrictymcacom or call

(518) 656-9462

each covering a different skill or activity such

as animal tracking basic wilderness survival

skills and shelter building Native American

storytelling and games and nature-based arts

and crafts projects will teach campers to have

fun in the great outdoors Each camp program

promotes team building natural awareness

patience and confidence

Ndakinna also offers family camp pro-

grams which allow children and their parents

to experience the outdoors together Family

programs can accommodate children ages one

to 14 These programs offer the

same skills training and team-

building activities To view the

finalized calendar of programs

and events visit

wwwNdcenterorg

Cutting Edge Martial ArtsCutting Edge Martial Artrsquos A+ After

School and Summer Camp Program is a year-

round child care solution that provides a pos-

itive structured environment for children

after school and during the day in the sum-

mer During the school year we pick chil-

dren up directly from the local elementary

and middle schools and provide an hour les-

son that starts with our ldquoMat Chatrdquo a ten

minute character education lesson for the day

followed by a full 50 minute martial arts

class Parents have a window between 5 and

545 pm to pick up their children while chil-

dren have the opportunity after class to get

their homework started

During the summer children get all the

benefits of our A+ Program but on a grander

scale We offer nine weeks of full day camps

and have no minimum or maximum number

of days per week or number of weeks that a

student can attend Each week of camp we

have a curriculum of character education

lessons fun games and a one hour martial

arts class every day We watch a movie in

the afternoons twice a week have a video

game morning on Fridays and take all our

campers on an educa-

tional outing on

Wednesdays and a

fun and exciting out-

ing every Friday

Our average camp

size is 20-25 stu-

dents and we have

three full time staff

graphed by Sarah Sutliff

Saratoga Childrenrsquos Theatre also offers a one-

week camp at the end of the summer ldquoMaster

your Auditionrdquo This camp will help your child

get ready for fall and winter auditions These

audition workshops have been very popular and

sell out quickly Any child at any skill level with

an interest in performing arts is welcome to join

in on the fun Saratoga Childrenrsquos Theatre

Executive Director Meg Kelly aims to give each

camper the most rewarding and enjoyable camp

experience and every camper will get to perform

The Saratoga Childrenrsquos Theatre hires profes-

sionals to help your child gain the most from

their summer camp experience

The cost for a two-week session is $450 and

$250 for the one-week session For more infor-

mation visit wwwsaratogachildrenstheatreorg

or call (518) 580-1782

For kids who have a passion for per-

forming arts Saratoga Childrenrsquos Theatre

summer camp is a dream come true

Saratoga Childrenrsquos Theatre offers per-

formance camps which means each

camper will be working on a full-fledged

production throughout their session

Campers will learn all aspects of perform-

ance and will have the opportunity to per-

form in two shows at the end of camp a

matinee and an evening show are both

open to the public Campers will perform

on stage at St Petersrsquo Auditorium

Saratoga Springs Camp hours are 9am-

3pm Performance camp is divided into

two age groups

Ages 6-9 will participate in one week

camps These camps will include Disneyrsquos

Sleeping Beauty kids Cinderella kids

Aristocats kids 101 Dalmatians kids and

Lemonade These camps will be directed by

Megan OrsquoSullivan a local elementary school

music teacher and assisted by Karey

Trimmings also a local elementary school

music teacher

Ages 10-18 will participate in two-week

camps Each camp will practice and perform a

different show These

camps include

Thoroughly Modern

Mille Jr Cinderella Jr

Fiddler on the Roof Jr

and Once on this Island

Jr These camps will be

directed by Michael

Lotano local actor and

elementary school music

teacher and choreo-

Saratoga Childrenrsquos Theatre

Simply Saratoga | 27

working with our students

Our goal is to provide a family-friendly

and fun environment that feels like a home

away from home Our students have fun

learning skills that can be used every day of

their lives and we try to provide memories

that will last a lifetime For many our

summer camps are a wonderful introduc-

tion to martial arts

For more information visit

wwwsaratogamartialartscom

or call (518) 587-5501

28 | Simply Saratoga

Saratoga Independent SchoolSaratoga Independent School hosts a variety of summer

programs split into two age groups three to eight year-olds

Wilton Recreation CampWilton Recreation offers a full-day summer

camp program for children in grades one

through nine With available pre-camp and

post-camp care working parents can ensure

their children are having fun in a safe environ-

ment before and after the camprsquos regular 9 am to

3 pm hours Parents who register their children

for before and after camp care can drop off their

children prior to camp opening at 830 am and

can pick them up at 530 pm Bussing is avail-

able for Wilton residents who register for regu-

lar camp hours (9 am to 3 pm)

Wilton Recreation Camp offers a full sched-

ule of daily onsite activities themed events and

exciting trips for kids who register for off-site

adventures Daily on-site activities include arts

and crafts sports playground fun and other

organized group games This yearrsquos scheduled

field trips include Million Dollar Beach in Lake

George movie days at Proctors Theater

Saratoga County Fair bowling white water

rafting and at least two swimming days per

week at Peerless Pool

The Summer 2011 camp will open on

June 27 and run until August

12 Registration begins

March 14 at Gavin Park and

will close on June 3 As

there are only 300 spaces

available be sure to mark

your calendar Camp

registration forms are

available online at

wwwtownofwiltoncom or

can be picked up weekdays

at Gavin Park 9 am to 5 pm

For any other questions

please call the park office at (518) 584-9455

and seven to 14 year-olds The weeklong programs run from July 5

to August 19

Saratoga Independent School summer programs are staffed large-

ly by their own teachers so parents can rest assured their kids are

supervised in a safe environment with experienced teachers who are

knowledgeable about child development and hands-on

programming

For the younger group weekly themed programs run from 9 am

to noon (early drop-off at 830 available) The staff-to-camper ratio

is one to six for children ages three and four and one to ten for chil-

dren ages five to eight Themed programs include ldquoCooking with

Curiosityrdquo ldquoHawaiian Hullabaloordquo ldquoHands-On Science Funrdquo

ldquoHoliday-A-Dayrdquo ldquoGood Versus Evil Imaginations Run Wildrdquo

ldquoDinosaur Discoveryrdquo ldquoIn the Jungle the Mighty Junglerdquo

Activities take place both indoors and outdoors

The selection of enrichment programs for older children is even

more extensive this year than in the past Some programs will take

place in the mornings others in the afternoon Age ranges will vary

depending on the subject matter These specialty programs give chil-

dren an opportunity to develop new interests and expand on existing

skills Programs include ldquoCartooning and Morerdquo ldquoImprovisationrdquo

ldquoKnittingrdquo ldquoOpen Art Studiordquo ldquoYou Can Do Magicrdquo ldquoGet Up and

Dancerdquo ldquoRoaring into Robots Whatrsquos Nextrdquo ldquoArt in the Ancient

Worldrdquo ldquoMad Sciencerdquo ldquoComputer Video Game Creationrdquo

ldquoAdvanced Robot Challengesrdquo and ldquoArt-Math Connectionrdquo

Registration has already begun and the programs fill up quickly so

visit wwwsiskidsorg for more information and to secure a space

for your child

Simply Saratoga | 29

Are your kids looking for an adventure this summer The

Saratoga Regional YMCA has two exciting day camps available

Camp Starhitch held at the Wilton Branch which engages children

with a multitude of fun activities and a trip each week and Travel

Camp where participants meet at the Saratoga Springs Branch and

then travel off to fun and thrilling places each day

Camp Starhitch is for children having completed Kindergarten

through entering fifth grade Campers will participate in games

sports crafts nature activities trips swimming archery and more

Each week is planned around a theme and includes a trip For exam-

ple during ldquo70rsquos Flashbackrdquo week campers will go roller skating

during ldquoThe Wild Frontierrdquo week kids will have the opportunity to

go horseback riding and during ldquoTropical Paradiserdquo week partici-

pants may ldquocatch a gnarly waverdquo at an outdoor water park

Travel Camp is definitely for the action seeker and for those who

like to be on the go This program for youth entering fifth through

tenth grade provides campers an opportunity to travel each and every

day to fun-filled locations Participants explore different summer

activities that include amusement and water parks outdoor sports

fairs and horseback riding This year the trips include a visit to Hunter

Mountain Six Flags New England Tubing on the Battenkill NY

Mets game at Citi Field the NY State Fair and more

Camp Starhitch and Travel Camp both run for nine one-week ses-

sions You may choose to attend camp for one week or any combina-

tion of weeks Experienced counselors supervise children and a ratio

of 110 ensures a safe quality camping experience CPR and First Aid

certified camp staff will be present on all trips At Travel Camp

campers will be grouped according to age and are supervised by expe-

rienced adult staff

Camp Starhitch has two day camp options for your child Option A

allows for your child to be dropped off at 9 am and picked up at 4 pm

and Option B has a 7 am drop off time and a 6 pm pick up time

Travel Camp runs from 9 am to 430 pm and extended hours are

available at no additional cost This year transportation will be provid-

ed in both directions between the Saratoga Springs and Wilton

branches Pickups will be as early as 815 am and drop-offs will be

as late as 5 pm Both camps try to cater to working parents

In addition the Saratoga Regional YMCA is committed to provid-

ing a safe and welcoming environment for all campers by incorporat-

ing the YMCAcore values of caring honesty respect and responsibil-

ity in daily activities To promote safety and comfort for all individu-

als are asked to act appropriately at all times when at the Yrsquos facilities

or participating in Y programs All campers are required to read and

sign a contract of understanding in reference to the Code of Conduct

We expect persons using the YMCAto act maturely to behave respon-

sibly and to respect the rights and dignity of all othersmdashall while

having a good time

The Y also has opportunities available for those who may not have

the resources to send their children to camp The Y provides scholar-

ships for those who qualify Scholarships are made possible due to

the generous donations of Y members the community and businesses

to the ldquoWe Build Peoplerdquo scholarship campaign held by the Saratoga

Regional YMCA each year Scholarship applications are available at

all Saratoga Regional YMCA branches and online at wwwsaratogare-

gionalymcaorg

Registration is currently ongoing and fills up quickly Registration

forms are available at any of the Saratoga Regional YMCA Branches

or at wwwsaratogaregionalymcaorg For more information about

these day camps please contact Ilene Leverence at (518) 583-9622

ext 103 for Camp Starhitch and Patti Laudicina at (518) 583-9622

ext 110 or Paige Minear ext 116 for Travel Camp

Saratoga YMCA

30 | Simply Saratoga

Ask women about the greatest threat to their health and most will

respond incorrectly with the words ldquobreast cancerrdquo While breast cancer

certainly is of concern the truth is that women are 10 times more like-

ly to die from heart disease Breast cancer kills 1 in 25 women heart

disease claims 1 in 2

The most recent statistics available indicate that cardiovascular dis-

ease causes the death of 500000 women per year ndash more than ALL

forms of cancer combined This is a rate of epidemic proportion

Little or no warning

Two-thirds of women die suddenly from heart disease without expe-

riencing any warning symptoms The majority die before they even

reach the hospital and before any attempt at treatment is possible Early

screening and the detection that leads to prevention offer the only hope

of reducing these deaths

Women who do develop heart disease tend to fare worse than men

One reason is that on average heart disease peaks 10 years later in

women than in men At this older age women are less able to withstand

the stress of the disease The proof can be found in a disturbing statis-

tic One year after their first heart attack 44 percent of women are dead

compared with 27 percent of men

Clearly for women preventing that first heart attack would make an

enormous difference

Know the risks

What can be done to prevent and detect heart disease in women

Of foremost importance is to reduce ndash or if possible eliminate ndash the

conditions that cause or accelerate the growth of blockages in the arter-

ies of the heart These conditions known as risk factors include high

Women Take this warning to heart

Story By Andrij O Baran MD

blood pressure diabetes genetic high cholesterol a high-fat

diet an inactive lifestyle smoking and cocaine use

Some damage the lining of the heartrsquos arteries speeding the

buildup of cholesterol Others raise blood cholesterol Both

smoking and cocaine use speed blood clotting They also can

cause sudden cramps or spasms in the coronary arteries cut-

ting off the entire blood supply to portions of the heart even

without a cholesterol blockage

A woman who has one or more of these risk factors should

ask her doctor how best to control them She also should ask

about further screening and testing such as stress testing

The sooner the better

Lifestyle changes and medications can have a dramatic

impact on reducing the incidence of heart attack provided cho-

lesterol blockages are detected early ndash before damage to the

heart has occurred In fact drugs that lower cholesterol alone

have been unequivocally shown to reduce the risk of heart

attack and death by up to 50 percent

When added to a program of low-fat diet exercise control

of high blood pressure and diabetes and above all else no

smoking the benefits are magnified many times over Keep in

mind of course that these drugs work only if they are taken

and taken appropriately

By knowing and changing their risk factors all women can

ensure themselves of a longer and more vibrant life

Andrij O Baran MD FACC is the Medical Director of

Cardiology Services at Saratoga Hospital

Simply Saratoga | 31

A c t F a s t D u r i n g H e a r t A t t a c k s According to the American Heart

Association clot-busting drugs can stop

some heart attacks in progress reducing

disability and saving lives They work best

given within one hour of when heart

attack signs begin Thatrsquos why itrsquos impor-

tant to recognize the warning signs of a

heart attack and act right away

Warning Signs

bull Pain or discomfort in the jaw

neck or back

bull Feeling weak lightheaded or faint

bull Chest paindiscomfort

bull Paindiscomfort in the arms or

shoulder

bull Shortness of breath

If you think that you or someone you

know is having a heart attack call 911

immediately

32 | Simply Saratoga

Who would believe that a rabbi from Eastern

Europe frozen for 150 years in a block of ice could

be transported across time and space to Memphis

where he thaws then becomes a spiritual guru to

baby boomers Arguably nobody But Steve Stern

the author of ldquoThe Frozen Rabbirdquo his most recent

novel isnrsquot asking readers to believe it so much as

to let the characters tell their story Besides the plot

may be far-fetched but he already has a buyer for

the movie rights

Writer-in-residence at Skidmore College Stern is

a genius at creating human beings in fantastical cir-

cumstances who seem more like eccentric neigh-

bors than artifacts of science fiction Some fly

some inhabit other peoplersquos dreams some are res-

urrected and some travel through time Whatever

their superpowers or frailties the heroes and vil-

lains tricksters and innocents and witnesses and

bystanders in Sternrsquos short and long fiction deserve

attention and evoke compassion in their quest for

connection and redemption - or at least food and

shelter From within an inexhaustible vein of

Jewish folklore and oral history his characters

emerge into a lucid fictional universe that embraces

both magic and the mundane Dialogue is ironic as

often as it is mystical and the most ordinary days

serve as backdrops for incredible events

ldquoMiracles are commonplacerdquo says Stern a

Ballston Spa resident ldquoI donrsquot write in metaphors

and symbols deliberately Writing is a visceral

experience for me I read with interest what review-

ers say about my repetitive themes and ideas but I

am driven by images and characters Irsquom a compul-

sive storytellerrdquo

Steve Stern A Lyrical Voice in the Ghetto

B

o

o

k

m

a

r

k

Lean bespectacled and haloed in dark curls Stern

is a Memphis native who grew up in a home bereft

of music books and art in a city made famous by

Elvis Presley (who used to drive through Sternrsquos

neighborhood) and Martin Luther Kingrsquos assassina-

tion He remembers himself as ldquoa mediocre adoles-

cent without confidence or spiritual antennardquo first

stirred to write poetry in high school which he read

aloud for attention

ldquoI was surprised people liked itrdquo he says ldquoAnd I

liked writing it even though it embarrassed me But

I was encouraged to go on and later to try proserdquo

The allure of the late lsquo60s and early lsquo70s was not

academic After college Stern wandered through

Europe then worked as a butcher on a hippie com-

mune in the Ozarks raising pigs and eating off the

land ldquoI slept under five blankets and two dogsrdquo he

recalls (The incarnation has been memorialized in a

comic strip by Sternrsquos girlfriend Sabrina a cartoon-

ist and set designer for Saturday Night Live)

The commune was not too far from the University

of Arkansas where Stern attended graduate school

and played volleyball with Bill and Hillary Clinton

ldquoI hoped he would mention me in his inaugural

addressrdquo Stern sighs

With an MA Stern found teaching gigs at vari-

ous colleges but the work dried up forcing him to

take a job at a folklore center in Memphis first tran-

scribing stories about the black community then

launching a life-changing project to preserve the

stories of the fading Jewish population in a desolate

Memphis ghetto known as ldquoThe Pinchrdquo where

many of his stories are set

Story By Helen Susan Edelman

ldquoBernie scrunched his face in thought Gone was his waryimpulse to keep everything secret and there were times of latewhen he felt almost reckless almost ready to tell the world whileon the other hand he suspected he may have already confided toomuch ldquoI thinkrdquo he said after some consideration ldquoIrsquom startingto outgrow myselfrdquo

mdash Steve Stern ldquoThe Frozen Rabbirdquo

Photo by Josh GerritsenSteve Stern

Simply Saratoga | 33

ldquoIt was intoxicatingrdquo says Stern ldquoI became obsessed with

itrdquo Indeed his work is infused with the folklore images lan-

guage archetypes settings rituals and values embedded in

the memories he recorded and in the vast Jewish and Yiddish

literature he has studied since

A non-observant Jew Stern had no relationship with his

religion so the introduction to his exotic legacy was both

anchor and springboard for a prolific new consciousness

ldquoThe floodgates openedrdquo he says ldquoSuddenly this world

began to materialize for me What had been barren neighbor-

hoods I could see vividly as tenements and shops a town

square street traffic merchants pawnbrokers rabbis chil-

drenhellipimmigrants from Eastern Europe looking for a homerdquo

Stern is comfortable writing about transcendent wisdom as

long as itrsquos his characterrsquos voice

and not his own

dispensing the

insights The

frozen rabbi in

the book of the

same name for

example ldquoradiates

within his zone of

influence and is a

spiritual catalyst

for anyone who

encounters himrdquo

says Stern ldquowhere-

as I am a clicheacute a

Jew who grew up

without an identityrdquo

A winner of both

Guggenheim and

Fulbright fellowships

as well as the National

Jewish Book Award

the Pushcart Prize an

OrsquoHenry Prize and the Edward Lewis Wallant Award Stern

is working on a new novel and rereading Faulkner Tolstoy

Dickens and Joyce

He views each new writing project as ldquoa riskrdquo Experience

last summer also reminded him of the evanescence of popu-

larity he gave two readings one in Memphis which drew

such a crowd that doors had to be locked and one in St

Louis where he commanded an audience of four

ldquoJust like the characters in my storiesrdquo Stern observes ldquoI

encounter conflicts look for a way to escape and face mixed

consequencesrdquo sect

How is your mental state these days Are

you experiencing peace and joy in every-

day life or frustration and impatience Are

you living your life ldquoon purposerdquo or going

through the motions feeling numb and dead

on the inside How is the garden of your

mind Are you tending to your garden or letting

the weeds take over

When I lived in Boston I lived next door to an elder-

ly woman who had a beautiful garden Every morning my

neighbor was outside in her floral moo moo (circa Mrs

Roper from Threersquos Company) tending carefully to each

plant and flower She would spend hours walking around her

garden joyfully humming and making sure her flowers were

strong and healthy Many mornings I would sip my coffee

and watch her peacefully pulling out the weeds and tending

to her precious flowers To this day I remember how tall and

lovely her sunflowers were I think our mental state can be

compared to tending to a garden do we have beautiful sun-

flowers of joy and peace or toxic weeds of bitterness and

guilt

The weeds in your heart and mind are feelings of bitterness

anger guilt self-loathing and negativity Do you spend your

days reviewing the list of those that have offended

you Do you beat yourself up daily for past mis-

takes or regrets These are the weeds that can

take over your mind and lead to racing

thoughts a dark depression constant

anxiety or physical illness and

chronic pain If you are someone

that is easily frustrated impatient

and critical you can be sure you

34 | Simply Saratoga

Tending to theGarden of Your MindDealing with the Weeds in your Life

Simple Truths

have some weeds to deal with

The only path to peace and joy in your everyday life is to

pull your weeds out from the root and confront the issues

Holding on to your weeds only makes you ill and deadens

your heart Did you know that people who are full of bitter-

ness and resentment appear older and are not as physically

attractive as people who are full of peace and love The

weeds in your heart and mind can actually make you ugly

Likewise a mind that is content and peaceful gives us a

sparkle and light in our eyes that people are automatically

attracted to Forget the anti-wrinkle cream and Botox Fill

your heart and mind up with the best kept beauty secret

around love and forgiveness

Forgiveness is not about letting the person who hurt you

off the hook Forgiveness IS allowing light into our hearts

so that we can heal and move forward It takes the heavy

burden of offense and resentment off of our hearts and

minds while preparing the ldquosoilrdquo for new growth and

experiences

When possible confront the people you need to forgive

so that you can have closure and move on If it is not pos-

sible to confront the person that is the weed in your life

write them a letter expressing your hurt and anger (not to

send but in a private journal) This is a wonderful way to

give yourself closure and put your feelings out on the table

More often than not the person we have to forgive or con-

front is ourselves If you are constantly beating yourself up

and feeling guilty about your past make a choice to forgive

yourself

Donrsquot be lazy about your weeds Dig deep and pull out

your weeds so that you can make room for peace and joy

We all desire to feel love and be accepted That accept-

Meghan DLemery LCSW-R

Simply Saratoga | 35

ance starts with you Begin to focus on peaceful loving joyful

thoughts Keep a gratitude journal of what you love about your-

self or the loved ones in your life Practice planting seeds of joy

by giving acceptance and love to everyone around you

Take time to practice patience and kindness to your family

friends colleagues and that slow cashier at the grocery store Go

out of your way to help others in any way that you can All of

these acts of kindness plant the seeds of peace love joy and

abundance

As we approach the new season of spring take some time to

tend to the garden of your mind

Wishing you love self-acceptance and peace this spring and

always

Ms Lemery is a psychotherapist practic-ing in Saratoga Springs and QueensburyShe can be reached at meghanle-meryyahoocom

Her first novel will be pub-lished this Spring TitledldquoPlease Pass the BarbieShoesrdquo it is a hilarious heart-warming story that will haveyou feeling inspiredand empowered

sect

36 | Simply Saratoga

Living Room The custom-designed leather couch chair andottoman come from Suttons The stucco fireplace was inspired by theCollinsrsquo travels through the Southwest and Colorado (ldquowe wanted to avoida traditional river rock fireplacerdquo) and provides a heat source as well asbeauty The original structure was built for passive solar design no airconditioning is needed in the summer A wood stove is the primary heatsource radiant heat with natural gas was also added during the renova-tion

The front door as well as all the interior doors was custom-made fittedand replaced by Tom Zanetti Hickory wood floors were also installed dur-ing the addition A hanging stained glass chandelier is a stock itemobtained from a leading home supply retailer ldquoIt captures the sunlightbeautifully along with providing brilliant nighttime illuminationrdquo Tedsaid ldquoItrsquos an eclectic mixrdquo

Simply Saratoga | 37

Today we look at a creative space that is set into a special place

In 1993 Ted and Susan Collins purchased a seven-acre property

with a 1986 Timberpeg designed home that has all the qualities of

a place in the country ndash yet many would be surprised to learn that

it is actually located on the border of Saratoga Springs near the

Alpine Shop on Clinton Street After a number of years living in

apartments on Union Avenue and Franklin Square enjoying the

proximity to downtown and the track they couldnrsquot resist a spot

that was close to town but yet had lots of land

Their overall vision was for an interior space that was in accord

with the outside ndash the wildlife gardens and the sustainable philos-

ophy embodied in the original buildingrsquos passive solar design

ldquoEverything we do embraces the goals of staying true to the orig-

inal structure having an open welcoming interior and being in

harmony with the outdoorsrdquo Ted said

Inspired by travels in balance with the land

Story By Arthur GonickPhotos by copystockstudiosphotographycom

These principles guided a major transformation of the interior

space in 2006 The key element was an addition to the home that

enabled the living room kitchen and upstairs bedroom to be

expanded allowing space for the installation of a downstairs bath

as well

Susan and Ted led this transformation - visualizing an addition

that incorporated equilibrium of size location and overall propor-

tion They went through several iterations with Rick Deforest of

Heritage Timberframes

Even though much of the interior decor came from travels in

Africa the South Pacific and Colorado the building materials and

craftsmen are all local The timbers and wood flooring were milled

in nearby Kingsbury ldquoWe enjoyed working with professionals who

are also friends like Rick Deforest Tom Zanetti and Mike

Roohanrdquo Ted said ldquothe house now feels complete in balancerdquo sect

Unique Places and Creative Spaces If you would like to nominate a unique

or creative place to be featured emailentertainmentsaratogapublishingcom

38 | Simply Saratoga

Kitchen A wall was taken out that afforded space to add an eat-in island area and

open up the space Custom cabinets are by Tom Zanetti Stonework andappliances were added Both the kitchen and bathroom have granite table-tops (from Mike and Margaret Roohan of Granite and Marble Works)New appliances include a Bosch stove (with a built-in microwave drawer)and an Amana stainless refrigerator

Bathroom The bathroom ceiling is pine The showerarea was designed and built to the Collinsrsquo specifications andfeatures a bench 4 shower heads PLUS an extra hand-held one(ldquoItrsquos a human car washrdquo) The stone tiles on the sides and floorin the shower were installed by Best Tile the plumbing in theshower comes from Aird Dorrance as does the sink ndash which sitson a granite top from Granite and Marble Works The windowleads out to the north side of the house with privacy blinds insidethe window panes One thing you donrsquot see ldquoSince the room ison display in the center of the expanded first floor we wanted thecommode to be mostly hiddenrdquo Ted said

Unique Places and Creative Spaces

Simply Saratoga | 39

Living RoomA reading nook sits upon the bathroom addition ldquoThere was no full bathroom on the first

floor and with a post and beam construction we had to be creative You get outstanding viewsof the property pond and stream when viewed from the nookrsquos perspectiverdquo The ladder canswing out on a track making it more like walking up a staircase ndash this was also designed andinstalled by Tom Zanetti The table in the nook is actually a working African drum with a glasstable top added

40 | Simply Saratoga

Bedroom In the second-floor master bedroom moving the dormer brought in extra light and space and

also brought the roofline together with the original structure and first-floor additions The floorand ceiling are made of rough-cut pine planking The bed is also constructed of pine and comesfrom Suttons The window in the upper left was cut during the addition It faces west for extra day-time light

Simply Saratoga | 41

42 | Simply Saratoga

Story Written by Yael Goldman Photos by Samu Studios and Randall Perry Photography

Simply Saratoga | 43

orking with the

right interior designer

turns listless decision making

into an enjoyable and productive

process that avoids costly mistakes

and delivers exceptional results

Designing a room or an entire home is a

big project no matter how strong your tastes are

The decisions are endless ndash what color should I paint the

walls What flooring is most aesthetically appealing and

dog-friendly Should I choose a furniture set or choose

individual pieces Do I want curtains or shades Do I

decorate with knick-knacks or artwork

But with all the unique self-questioning that surrounds

an interior design project most homeowners share angst

in asking themselves one specific question where do I

start

Itrsquos at this point ndash when stress level increases enjoy-

ment-driven projects turn deadly and money has been

wastefully spent on all the wrong things ndash that you long

for the help of a professional if only you could afford it

Well the truth is you can

Creating the right space can be expensive but is only

more so if you make mistakes and have to go back and

fix them If you do it right the first time therersquos no cost

associated with do-overs

With nearly 100 years of experience between them all

four members of Blairhouse Interiors Group have

worked with more than enough unhappy do-it-your-

selfers to tell you yoursquore not alone

Photo by Samu Studios

44 | Simply Saratoga

The four-member designproject therapy team which recently

opened a studio in Saratoga Springs has a long history of help-

ing home and business owners create their ideal spaces and

atmospheres the right way Their exceptional work is celebrated across

the Capital Region including Saratoga Springs where the Blairhouse

look is prominently featured in a handful of Park Place condominiums

and the incredible Saratoga National Golf Club

Thomas R Burns Meghan Baltich Dominic Carota and Patricia

Richards the highly skilled and charismatic force behind Blairhouse

Interiors Group promise an experience that is personal because itrsquos all

about your needs ndash and thatrsquos what is important

Blairhouse offers full-service interior design services space planning

project management hand-picked merchandise patience and an uncan-

ny ability to create a

look that is always

fresh sophisticated

and comfortable

ldquoThe style that we

gravitate toward is

unique cutting-edge

and modern not dic-

tated by corporaterdquo

said Meghan Baltich

pointing to a ldquovery

propitiousrdquo Keith Fritz

table at the center of

the studio

Photo by Randall Perry Photography

If you do it right the firsttime therersquos no cost

associated with do-oversPhoto by Randall Perry Photography

One glance at the Park Place showroom ndash of the selective furnishings carefully showcased along

the periphery ndash and it becomes clear why Blairhouse an award-winning team gets the job

done

Their creativity focus and immaculate sense of direction bring objectivity to the scene helping you nar-

row down all of the tedious and overwhelming choices that make do-it-yourself decorating an exercise in

unclear thinking

ldquoPeople are overwhelmed by all the choices it can feel like theyrsquore in a paralyzed blurrdquo said Thomas

Burns who finds that a great vision can be impossible to imagine and create without eliminating all of

the distractions

A vital step in getting focused is creating a

comprehensive plan based on individual

needs wants and style that addresses all

aspects of lifestyle and taste and suggests

tactful solutions and fresh approaches to new

and existing spaces

They help you identify what you like

forcing you to hone in on what you want and

need to compliment and enhance your

lifestyle

ldquoWe ascertain the clientrsquos goal and

lifestyle to convey their visionrdquo said

Dominic Carota explaining that the intended

outcome of creating or reinventing a room is

often strictly tied to how you want to live in

it

ldquoWe have to know how they functionrdquo he

said

An interior designer is an asset in the func-

tion-meets-style equation

Dominic explained that a couple starting a family will have far

different needs than empty-nesters looking for a change They may

have the same stylistic goals but their execution will differ based on

how their lifestyle exists within the space

When revamping a single room the majority of your focus is ded-

icated to that individual space making it easy to forget that the rest

of the house is attached Establishing connectivity between rooms is

a challenge but an important part of executing a project the right

way

Sometimes one wrong detail no matter how small can be incred-

ibly impactful and difficult to avoid on your own

ldquoIf yoursquore working on a new addition or renovation we ensure it

flows that therersquos balance between the existing part of the living

space and the new additionrdquo Meghan Baltich said explaining that

it just doesnrsquot make sense to put in a great new kitchen if itrsquos dis-

jointed and out of place from its surroundings

Another common novice mistake is the trendy retail store fallacy

that you can order a full room from a catalog or pick a fabulous and

unique design from a floor plan

Blairhouse clients learn the difference between ldquocookie-cutterrdquo

and ldquocustomrdquo and they are never concerned with picking the wrong

piece for the wrong room

Simply Saratoga | 45

ome customers will come to us after going into a Pottery Barn and buying stuff that just didnrsquot workrdquo Baltich said giving the

example of an individual who purchased an enormous sectional for a tiny room ldquoWe scale into the clientrsquos space taking func-

tion and proportion into considerationrdquo

Exceptional listening and observation skills are the designerrsquos

unsung attributes and greatest assets Blairhouse experts engage

with their clients to gain a true understanding of what they want

In turn the design process becomes an eye-opening experience

customers are introduced to colors and concepts they would

never think to consider

ldquoEach client trusts us to create their environment and we

enable them to make informed decisionsrdquo Patricia Richards

said

And sometimes that requires bold suggestions and collabora-

tion or looking at all of the possibilities even the ones ldquoyou

would never have been brave enough to do on your ownrdquo

In the end the experience of working with the experts is

enjoyable stress-free and cost-effective From concept to com-

pletion the result is just what you want and need ndash a fabulous

marriage of function and aesthetic that wonrsquot have you coming

back for more (because you did it right the first time) sect

ldquoS

46 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 47

For a taste of Blairhouse Interiors Grouprsquos distinctive work stop into their Park Place studio located at 262 Broadway Suite 204 in Saratoga Springs For further details visit wwwblairhouseinteriorscom or call (518) 786-7800

From left to right Dominic Carota Meghan Baltich Patricia Richards and

Thomas R Burns (The designproject therapy team of Blairhouse Interiors Group)

48 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 49

Dorsquos and Donrsquots

50 | Simply Saratoga

Story Written by Kerry Ann Mendez Perennially Yours bull wwwpyourscom Photos Provided

SpringDorsquos and Donrsquots

SpringDorsquos and DonrsquotsDorsquos and Donrsquots

Spring

for your Gardens

s

Simply Saratoga | 51

ssts

SPRINGis right around the corner and gardenersare pawing at the ground ready to explodethrough the garden gate As a passionate perennial gardenerI am right there with you But before launching into another flower-filledseason letrsquos go through a spring checklist of dorsquorsquos and donrsquorsquots to makesure we make the most of the race and have the best finish ever

Photo by GardenersSupply Company

apply a granular fertilizer to your perennial beds while they are still lsquoasleeprsquoDepending on the winter wersquove had this may be anytime from mid-Marchto mid-April Donrsquot worry if there are already lsquoearly risersrsquo visible like springblooming bulbs or woodland ephemerals I recommend using 5-5-5 5-10-5 or

5-10-10 fertilizer at the rate of 2 pounds per 100 square feet Cast the fertilizer just before it is about to rainto make sure fertilizer is watered into the ground and washed off any existing leaves You can give otherplants in your yard this treat as well including floweringshrubs groundcovers climbing vinesand roses

DONrsquoTput fertilizer on top of the snow or on ground that is

still frozen You want to make sure the fertilizer disap-pears into pliable soil and to waiting roots otherwiserunoff can occur And donrsquot think more is better Youcan stress or even kill plants by over-fertilizing espe-cially in spring when leaves are not fully developed toutilize nitrogen in the fertilizer If you are going to errless is better

DO

prune once-b l o o m i n g

roses such as Heirloom or Old GardenRoses when the Forsythia is blooming

Any rose that blooms onceusually in late spring forabout three weeks is in thiscategory Many times theseroses are quite fragrantWait to prune these rosesuntil right after they flower

DONrsquoT

prune most roses whenForsythia is in bloom Pruneshrub roses back by half to

23 their height This is assuming you did not prunethem last fall If you did then next year wait until latewinter or early spring Prune Teas and Grandiflorasback to 18 - 24rdquo For climbing roses prune branchesemerging from the main canes back to within 3 - 4rdquoof the cane

DO

apply corn gluten tolawn areas yoursquoveseeded (or over-seeded) or to gar-dens where youwant biennialsperennials or annu-als to reseed andflower Corn glutendoes not distinguishbetween lsquogoodrsquoand lsquobadrsquo seeds

apply a pre-emer-gent weed killerand fertilizer toyour lawn A lushhealthy lawn

makes a beautiful frame for gardens Myfamily walked away from lawn chemicalsfive years ago And our lawn has neverlooked better Corn gluten is a big part ofthis transformation Corn gluten is a by-product of milled corn It will not harm chil-dren pets or wildlife Heck you can eat it ifyou want (but it tastes yucky) Corn Glutenis high in nitrogen and commonly used as alawn fertilizer But it is also a pre-emergenttargeting seeds as they germinate Youcan put corn gluten down at any point inthe spring BUT if part of your mission is toeliminate crabgrass then there is a narrowwindow of attackApply it whenForsythia is in fullbloom and beforeits leaves appearThe Forsythia is asoil temperatureindicator that cor-responds to whencrabgrass seedsstart to germinate More garden centersare now carrying corn gluten productsYou just need to ask and follow the appli-cation instructions on the bag Make sureto water in the corn gluten after applyingIt will remain effective for five to six weeks

Simply Saratoga | 53

DONrsquoT

DO

step on soil as you maneuver around thegarden to cut back Lavender and therest of the gang For that matter youshould never be tromping through yourgardens compacting soil This breaks

down air and water channels as well as making it tougher forroots to spread Instead reach into beds from existing paths orplace stepping stones in discreet spots where only your eyes cansee or lsquowalk the plankrsquo on a board to reach plants fartherlsquoadriftrsquo

54 | Simply Saratoga

cut back Lavender Russian SageMontauk Daisy Butterfly BushChrysanthemums and ornamental grass-es These are best left untouched in falland whacked in spring Many folks make

the mistake of acting too gingerly with pruners Let lsquoem fly Theresult will be more compact neater plants that will bloom just fineTrust me If it helps wait until yoursquove had a bad day at work withthe kids or in traffic

DONrsquoT

DO

divide Peonies German Bearded Iris orOriental Poppies in spring These are bestdone in late summer Also tap-rootedplants (those with a carrot-looking root)cannot be divided Think about it These

are usually propagated by seed stem or root cuttings Someperennials that fall into this category are Malva Butterfly WeedBalloon Flower Oriental Poppies and Lupines

Simply Saratoga | 55

DONrsquoT

divide plants in spring This is an optimumtime to divide most perennials Yes evenspring bloomers Wait until these haveflowered and then shear off the spentblooms and get to business Most sum-

mer and fall blooming perennials can be divided prior to mid-Junewithout disrupting their performance

DO

apply a time-released fertilizersuch as Plant-Tone(organic) orOsmocote to heavy

feeding perennials five to six weeks afterthe earlier granular fertilizer applicationMost plants do not need as much fertilizeras we are led in advertising to believe I amstingy with my money and maintenancetime so only a handful of plants get thisbonus feed Astilbe Delphinium Liliums (ieAsiatic Oriental Trumpet) Clematis androses If I am feeling generous I will putsome on my Bigleaf Hydrangeas next to theroses Call me heartlessJust scratch fertilizer intothe top couple inchesof soil around theplantrsquos base and waterin well They will enjoy anutritious snack forthree to four months

apply mulch ongarden beds toreduce weedsconserve moisture

reduce erosion minimize soil temperaturefluctuations and enhance the quality ofthe soil Some mulching materials includeaged manures compost shredded wood(not dyed) leaf moldand cocoa hulls Putthe mulch down 2rdquo to3rdquo thick around plantsincluding floweringshrubs

build up mulchagainst plant stems

And please please donrsquot create volcanomounds around trees Please This is awfulfor them The only ones that benefit fromthis are the people selling the mulch

56 | Simply Saratoga

DONrsquoT

DO

DO

rubber band orbraid the foliage ofspring bloomingbulbs after they fin-ish flowering You

want as much leaf surface exposed to thesun as possible to increase photosynthesisYou can press the leaves down next to thesoil so they are less noticeable

Simply Saratoga | 57

sect

And finally DO have a great year in

your gardens and DONrsquoT forget to

take time to smell the roses

DONrsquoT

DONrsquoT

cut off the spentblooms and stems onspring blooming bulbsafter they have flow-ered so energy is redirected to the bulbsversus seed productions Keep the leaves inplace until they have browned and ideallycan be pulled from the ground by hand

put time-released fertil-izer on perennials thatprefer lean dietsRicher soil just upsetstheir vascular systemsThey will get leggy flop and not perform tosnuff Yarrow Coneflower Catmint RussianSage Linum Sea Holly and Silvermound are inthe group

DO

For more information contact Perennially Yours at pyourscom

58 | Simply Saratoga

Ill mination

Exterior Stonework

an

d

Story Written by Arthur Gonick Photos Provided

u

Simply Saratoga | 59

To develop and implement an exterior vista that maximizes your enjoyment To have a backyard landscape that is warm inviting and uniquely yours

These are goals that many homeowners have when they first move onto their property But unless you are trained in the variety ofmaterials and options available the task of getting past the point of comparing possibilities to completing and actually enjoying yourbackyard paradise can appear to be a long daunting road

For Carl Trinkle a landscape designer for ten years with the Gallivan Companies of Troy one of the key elements in a successfultransformation is utilizing a professionalrsquos expertise to articulate goals and develop a plan

ldquoThe most important thing we do when we first meet with a client is to get them to discuss their basic needs and aims and encouragethem to formulate an overall vision for their property An initial consultation sets the tone we make an initial visit on-site to look overthe property so we can have an idea as to where things might be placedrdquo

ldquoDuring this intake process we actually encourage people to show us photos of their friendrsquos property that they like or perhaps froma magazine It helps most people to articulate the goals of what they would like to see as a finished projectrdquo Trinkle said ldquoEven if they are looking to do things in phases we find that it is most important to develop a comprehensive site planrdquo This eliminates the need to revise original phases of work to accommodate those that come in the future

60 | Simply Saratoga

that Mr Trinkle finds potential customers identifying with aredesigned to extend the outdoor season ldquoA few extra weeks outside isa lotrdquo he said

add-ons also extend outside activity each day Low voltage lighting is still the most popular but recently LED lighting with longer-lasting bulbs that involve less maintenance and are cost-efficienthave become more fashionable

The latest trends

stations fire pits and waterenhancements such as ponds andwaterfalls are the most frequentlyrequested items that broaden theoutdoor use season

Outdoor grill

Exterior lighting

Simply Saratoga | 61

And of course swimming pool projects have always been a most-requested

item Fifty percent of allthe projects Mr Trinkleworks on involve a pooleither a completely new installation or enhance-ments to existing poolsGallivanrsquos long-standingrelationship withConcord Pools has beena hallmark in assuringthat customers are satis-fied when their pool isput in the ground

62 | Simply Saratoga

In most cases a comprehensive plancan be developed for any project in about a period of twoweeks Complete drawings and cost breakdowns are provid-ed as well as the projected phases that can be completed injust a few months or on larger projects can be scheduled insegments over a few years These are reviewed in personwith the customer again the goal being to have a plan thateveryone buys into

Simply Saratoga | 63

ldquoWe have had projects where the customer has wanted tohave a lot of input and we welcome that But we also hadone where the client was out of town and we built a firepit and slide for his wife and kids and our only instructions were to dazzle themI remember it as a most satisfying experience and we ended up winning awards for that onerdquo

- Carl Trinkle Landscape DesignerThe Gallivan Companies

64 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 65

ldquoI get to work using my creativity with talented people Some of the most talented are those

I meet as customersrdquo sect

For more information or to schedule aconsultation phone Gallivan Companies at(518) 271-6100 Gallivanrsquos website iswwwGallivanCompaniescom

66 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 67

Buying a playhouse for your child is an excellent investment

They promote imaginative play and spending time outdoors and

double as storage space when no longer used for recreation

Denise Woodcock owner of Versatile Sheds in Wilton has

been helping parents and grandparents customize their childrsquos or

grandchildrsquos dream playhouses for years

ldquoThey make great gifts especially for grandparents who want

their grandkids to have their own place to play when they visitrdquo

she said

Playhouses are a great addition to a childrsquos outdoor world

They come in all shapes sizes and designs and can be custom-

built or finished if you donrsquot find exactly what yoursquore looking for

in a catalog or on the lot

Every child is different and has their own preferences for color

size and function boys and girls often have especially different

requests for their play space as do younger and more mature chil-

dren so therersquos a lot to consider

Denise knows how even the finest detail can be all it takes to

make an outdoor structure feel like a childrsquos own personal space

While it may seem superfluous to address every minor demand

the truth is a playhouse is more than just an expensive toy itrsquos an

investment The more your child connects with their space the more

use theyrsquoll get out of it ndash and according to Denise that means your

money is well spent

Smartest WayThe

playhouse for your kidsto buy a

Photos by MarkBollescomStory by Yael Goldman

68 | Simply Saratoga

With this in mind prospective buyers should first consider

who will use the playhouse and for how long as well as what

happens when the structure is no longer used for recreation

Versatile Sheds can help even the most discerning parent or

child find what theyrsquore looking for Every playhouse is hand-

built by Amish craftsmen who can accommodate almost any

special request at an additional cost so the possibilities are

endless inside and out

Cedar shingle or vinyl siding wood stone or brick ndash if you

can use it on the outside of your regular home it can be inte-

grated into your playhousersquos design Playhouses can be built

to look like a miniature version of your home which is an

excellent touch for parents that are particularly concerned

with aesthetics Porches shutters flowerboxes unique doors

chimneys and exterior lighting are just a few of the touches

that can brighten and personalize the exterior

Individualizing your childrsquos playhouse doesnrsquot stop at the

front door There are just as many interior features to choose

from ndash you can let your imagination run wild

For starters you have the option to order the playhouse

with a finished or unfinished interior The unfinished version

looks a lot like the inside of a regular home before you move

in paint the walls and furnish the rooms

Buying an unfinished structure is a great way to cut costs

and even bring the family together over a weekend decorating

project The possibilities are endless depending on how handy

you are otherwise a few coats of paint and a bit of carpeting

will surely do the trick

Although a bit pricey purchasing a playhouse with a fin-

ished interior ensures that your child gets exactly what they

want right off the bat They can pick everything from the paint

color to the flooring so the playhouse is move-in ready on the

day it arrives

Playhouses can also be insulated and wired for electricity

You can install lighting electrical outlets even heat or air-

conditioning to make your childrsquos outdoor space as comfort-

able as possible

And the options donrsquot end there Traditional sheds also dou-

ble as playhouses For some parents purchasing an adult-size

shed for their children is an ideal way to get the best return on

their investment Once their children grow out of it the struc-

ture can be used for outdoor storage With just as many styles

sizes and materials to choose from you can customize the

interior and exterior of your shed just as you would a play-

house but without all of the more frivolous features

ldquoAny shed can be a playhouserdquo Woodcock said explaining

how a custom paint job or flowerbox can transform a typical

storage unit into childrsquos outdoor activity haven

For example if purchasing a wood shed the exterior can be

easily painted and repainted when making the transition from

playhouse to storage space

For Denisersquos customers getting their moneyrsquos worth should

not have to mean making sacrifices

Simply Saratoga | 69

70 | Simply Saratoga

When Debby Trainor made the decision to buy her grand-

daughter Chezneyrsquos dream house she wanted it to have all the

bells and whistles She met with Denise to go over all the cri-

teria the goal was to buy the perfect gift for Chezney while

staying within her budget

The eight-year-old Greenwich girl wanted her own pretty

pink palace where she could play and imagine Debby wanted

it to be a cozy and safe place for her to play year-round

Customization and interior decoration helped make

Chezneyrsquos playhouse feel like her own little kingdom

ldquoWe made it look like a cute little dollhouserdquo she said ldquoWe

put furniture inside and a little stove fridge heater and TV

itrsquos just perfectrdquo

With the structure built to their liking Chezney and Debby

could enjoy decorating the inside to personalize the playhouse

For many customers putting on the finishing touches means

making the playhouse feel like home ndash you can add curtains

hang pictures buy furniture and appliances and landscape the

perimeter to make the outdoor space feel like a home away

from home

When the child grows out of their playhouse these items

can be easily removed to accommodate a secondary use for the

space

ldquoThe best thing that Denise did for me was explain how we

can use the playhouse for storage for stuff out in the yard after

Chezney has grown out of itrdquo Debby explained ldquoAlthough

she is only eight and will be using it for quite a few more

years this really makes it a good investment and looks

great in the backyardrdquo

Whether you choose a customized playhouse or a tradi-

tional shed thinking toward the future also ensures the

safety and longevity of the structure

Denise explained that placement is an important thing to

consider as you want to make sure the structure is in a safe

place and on an appropriate surface Most importantly the

playhouse must be built on a level even surface that isnrsquot

too high off of the ground

ldquoYou want it on a nice platformrdquo Denise explained

ldquoSome people use concrete but stone is better because it

allows moisture to seep down into the ground and away

from the structurerdquo

Most parents prefer that their playhouse is in the back-

yard where itrsquos easy to see from a window Placing the

structure in a shaded area is also a good idea it will be

cooler in the summer and less susceptible to the elements if

partially protected by trees

Debby had Chezneyrsquos playhouse built right next to her

swing set where she can be easily supervised

One last thing to consider when purchasing a playhouse

Simply Saratoga | 71

72 | Simply Saratoga

or shed for your child is how much effort

you want to put into maintaining it The

more ornate the structure the more care it

may need

Woodcock advises parents to preserve

their investment and treat the playhouse

like a miniature home

Think of it as a miniature house ndash the

structure requires regular maintenance

and upkeep to ensure your child will be

safe while enjoying years and years of

imaginative fun

With so many features and styles to

choose from yoursquore sure to find the best

for both you and your child

For more information about Versatile

Sheds or to set up a time to meet with

Denise Woodcock call (518) 584-7924

or stop by 669 Route 9 in Wilton sect

Simply Saratoga | 73

74 | Simply Saratoga

Kitchen

Not Your

Grandmarsquos

Story Written by Daniel Schechtman Photos Provided

ldquoAs you

walk into the kitchen

of the future LED

light projections adjust

to your mood - it will

know if you have a

hangover via sensors

that will read your

b r a i n w a v e s

Aromatherapy infused

walls will be synched

to your calendar calm-

ing you before a big

meeting or energizing you before a gym session The fridge will have selected some breakfast options identifying the essen-

tial vitamins for your day via sensors When you get home a hologram chef will be on hand for recipe inspirationrdquo

Alright so maybe your kitchen canrsquot do all of these things quite yet ndash but believe it or not wersquore getting there This is tomor-

rowrsquos kitchen a kitchen where your appliances donrsquot just store your food or wash your dishes ndash they talk to you providing you

with integral information on how to

best store your fruits and vegetables

letting you know if the refrigerator

door is open for too long or when a

part will soon need replacing

Simply Saratoga | 75

ldquoScience fictionrdquo I hear you say

Guess again Quoted from a report released by The Future Laboratory

who was commissioned by IKEA to determine what a modernkitchen in the year 2040 could conceivably look like

76 | Simply Saratoga

ldquoOne technology that really stands out to me is the

Miele Appliance Company Right now theyrsquore using a

program called lsquoremote visionrsquo On select applianceshellip

is a wireless card that clicks into a port on the back of

the appliance You synch it up with your home network

and it basically emails the technician and the owner

when itrsquos broken when you need to clean your condens-

er change your water filter or schedule a routine serv-

icerdquo said Tom Thibeault owner of Adirondack

Appliance Repair Inc located at 67 West Ave in

Saratoga Springs ldquoMaybe somebodyrsquos been opening the

[refrigerator] door for too long or the door was left open

ndash it will email you and tell you that your door is left

openrdquo

This is not your grandmarsquos kitchen This my friends

is the kitchen of the future and itrsquos available now

The 36 inch bottom-mount Miele refrigerator boasts a

striking interior featuring LED lighting running along

the sides from top to bottom stainless steel accents and

exteriors with control systems that would be comfort-

able alongside the captainrsquos chair on the Starship

Enterprise

Simply Saratoga | 77

ldquoThe controls in the Miele really stand out

Looking at the controls theyrsquore just a glass piece and

then once you touch it you see a few options for the

different compartments Then you touch the compart-

ment and the temperature is displayed so itrsquos kind of

like a Star Trek controlrdquo Thibeault said

And thatrsquos just the refrigerator

Adirondack Appliance has also seen brands such as

Wolf (a company owned by the same people who own

Sub-Zero) grow in popularity when it comes to their

range stoves and ovens The dual convection oven

works to eliminate cold spotting and provides consis-

tent even temperatures and even allows for unique

options such as proofing ndash used best when baking

homemade bread

ldquoIt also has a temperature probe you can plug into

things like a turkey or roast so you can see the temper-

ature while itrsquos still inside the machine It has

hydraulic hinges halogen lit interiors everything is

composed of stainless steel and itrsquos by far one of the

best lines on the marketrdquo Thibeault said

A new line coming to Adirondack Appliance that

features some amazing technology is a series of Pro-

Style Ranges produced by industry giant Jenn-Air

ldquoThat actually has an LCD touch

screen like an IPAD for the controls The

temperature is set by sliding your finger

along the controls Itrsquos all color backlit and

absolutely amazingrdquo Thibeault said

ldquoAnother thing we have to that same

effect are some of the hoods which have

really been getting pretty out there as far as

design We have one on our floor [by Miele]

that has an LED bar on the front which

changes in phases between 196000 colors

Itrsquos a very delicate change very pretty and

coolrdquo Thibeault said adding ldquoor you can set

it to any color in that spectrum yoursquod like to

accent your cabinetryrdquo

When it comes to dishwashers Thibeault

can attest to the quality of both the Asko and

Miele brands both of which he uses in his

own home And good news for Saratoga

Springs residents ndash

ldquoIn our market in

Saratoga we have a

very hard water base

whether yoursquore on a well

system or city waterrdquo

Thibeault said ldquoSo you

get a lot of minerals in

the machine With the

stainless steel interiors it

eliminates a lot of prob-

lems generally seen with

plastic interior tubs and

usually they are the best

life expectanciesrdquo

78 | Simply Saratoga

Asko and Mieleare practically custom made to handle the

arearsquos typicallymineral rich water

Simply Saratoga | 79

The Asko brand dishwasher takes things one step

further including two pumps in the washerrsquos system

The first pump filters the water cleansing it of poten-

tially harmful minerals while the second pump recircu-

lates the water ensuring that the machine is never

blasting your dishes with food debris or dirty residue

With Miele the design features a built-in water sof-

tener perfect for dealing with the Saratoga water

system

ldquoTypically the Miele is going to do a better job with

tougher baked in stainsrdquo said Thibeault ldquobecause itrsquos

got the softener in it and a little bit longer pots and pans

cyclerdquo

80 | Simply Saratoga

Adirondack Appliance Repair Inc is a fami-

ly-owned business since 1929 and the last inde-

pendent appliance retailer of its kind in Saratoga

Springs With $6 billion of buying power behind

their name (a benefit of being part of the Nation

Wide Appliance Buying Group) Thibeault

promised ldquowe can actually price match the box

stores and everybody else around all while pro-

viding you with better service and better

productsrdquo

For more information on AdirondackAppliance or the products they sell you mayvisit their showroom located at 67 West Avenuein Saratoga Springs for live demonstrationsThey can also be reached by phone at (518)587-6640 or you may visit them at their newwebsite wwwadkappliancecom where cus-tomers can browse through the storersquos entirecatalogue of appliances

sect

Simply Saratoga | 81

82 | Simply Saratoga

Page 18: Simply Saratoga March 2011

20 | Simply Saratoga

Glamor

ous

Daz

zling

Elega

ntFlir

ty

Gor

geou

s

Girls

itrsquos

Show

time

Simply Saratoga | 21

Web

Extras

See

the

pics tha

t didn

rsquot

mak

e it in

the

Mag

azine

on

SaratogaB

ridalEXPO

com

Grecian

God

dess

Athe

na

Classic B

eaut

y

Holly

wood

Glamou

r

Wild

and

Untam

edElega

nt

22 | Simply Saratoga

The current economic and market environment has prompt-

ed many Americans to rethink their retirement strategies If

you are experiencing a job transitionmdashparticularly if the tran-

sition is unplanned and unexpectedmdashsuch a reassessment may

be particularly important for you While it may be tempting to

focus more on your immediate needs you should not lose sight

of long-term goals especially your retirement strategy

Some Basic Decisions Your employer-sponsored retirement plan is likely to be a

key component of your retirement strategy Because it repre-

sents a key source of future retirement income it is important

to carefully consider your alternatives for administering these

assets During a job transition you will usually have three

options take a lump-sum distribution leave your assets in the

employer-sponsored plan or move your assets into a Rollover

IRA

Taking a direct lump-sum distributionmdashWith this

option the assets in your plan are distributed directly to you in

a lump sum which provides you with immediate access to

your funds Depending on your short-term needs that may

appear to be an attractive alternative However a distribution

will likely result in substantial federal and state income taxes

and a 10 percent IRS penalty tax which can significantly

reduce the amount of the distribution Because you will be

receiving the distribution directly the plan administrator must

withhold up to 20 percent of the value of the distribution for

federal income tax purposes Moreover you will lose the ben-

efit of the tax-deferred status of these assets which could

reduce the amount ultimately available to you at retirement

The status quo optionmdashYou can decide to do nothing

leaving your assets in your former employerrsquos plan That will

protect the tax-deferred status of your assets and allow you to

transfer the account assets at a later time to a new employerrsquos

retirement plan that accepts rollovers But you may be limiting

your investment choices and control because employer plans

typically have a restricted investment menu and require the

consent of your spouse before you can name someone else as

a beneficiary

Establishing a Rollover IRAmdashA Rollover IRA simultane-

ously addresses the issues of taxation flexibility and control

and may hold significant benefits for you as a result

Submitted by H Michael Okby Wealth Advisor

Fin

ancia

l Protecting Your RetirementInvestmentsDuring a JobTransition

If your distribution is transferred directly to a custodian rather than

to you the Rollover IRA eliminates the withholding requirement and

penalties that may result from a lump-sum distribution

The entire rollover amount can be investedimmediately according to the strategy youspecify bull Your assets and any earnings continue to have the potential to

grow tax-deferred until you retire and begin taking withdrawals

bull You may gain access to a wider range of investment options and

more retirement planning and distribution flexibility

bull You can name any beneficiary including a trust without

needing the consent of your spouse (although special rules may

apply in community property states)

For example investment products in an employer plan are usually

limited to mutual funds and company stock With a self-directed

Rollover IRA you can work with your financial professional to struc-

ture a portfolio using stocks bonds annuities and other investments

utilizing an asset allocation1 that is customized to help you meet your

retirement investment objectives And your retirement strategy can be

further tailored with a wider range of beneficiary selection and distri-

bution choices

Consider Consolidation This may also be an excellent time to deal with multiple IRAs you

may have opened over the years and with account balances you may

have left in the plans of former employers Together these assets may

represent a significant sum There are good reasons to consider con-

solidating them all in a Rollover IRA

Comprehensive investment strategymdashIt can be difficult to main-

tain an effective investment strategymdashone that accurately reflects

your goals timing and risk tolerancemdashwhen assets are spread among

multiple financial institutions When you consolidate your financial

professional can help you ensure that these assets are part of your

overall asset allocation strategy that is reflective of your current

financial situation and long-term retirement goals

Greater investment flexibilitymdashA self-directed IRA generally

offers you the ability to choose from a wide range of investment

products including stocks bonds mutual funds annuities and more

Simplified trackingmdashIt is easier to monitor your progress and

investment results when all your retirement savings are in one place

because you will receive one statement instead of several That sim-

plifies your life while protecting the environment

Lower costsmdashReducing the number of accounts may also reduce

your account fees and other investment-related charges

Dealing with one account rather than several also simplifies

the distribution processmdashincluding complying with complex min-

imum distribution rules when you reach age 70 And you avoid the

risk of losing track of your retirement accounts or access to the

account assets should your former employer merge with another

company or go out of business Your financial professional can help

you assess your alternatives so you can make decisions based on

whatrsquos best for you You may find that this time of transition holds

benefits for your retirement assets

For more information please contact H Michael Okby at (518) 583-5601

sect

Simply Saratoga | 23

24 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 25

Summer camp is a place wherelifelong memories are made

This is where our children learnto cultivate their interests andordiscover a world of new activities tohelp their young minds grow andfor them to become physically fit

Even though there may be snowon the ground when you read thisit is never too early to think aboutyour childrenrsquos summer fun Weare blessed in this region with avariety of destinations providing awealth of activities

And while there is something foreveryone early planning is a mustto assure your child has a spot inone of these great places At theend of a long winter seasonthoughts of summer camp arerejuvenating for adults as well

Summer Camp Guide 2011

YMCA Camp Chingachgook

NdakinnaNdakinna Education Center located in

Greenfield Center offers a wide variety of

summer camp programs and activities that

will provide campers with a greater

respect and understanding for the natural

world as well as the Northeastrsquos rich

Native American history Hosted by

renowned author and wilderness and sur-

vival expert James Bruchac these pro-

grams are ideal for children with a sense

of adventure and natural wonder Summer

programs are divided into two groups

children ages three to eight and older

campers ages nine to fourteen Programs

range in duration from one to two weeks

26 | Simply Saratoga

YMCA Camp Chingachgook located on beauti-

ful Lake George has three camping options sleep-

away camp day camp and adventure trips

Summer sleep-away camp is the experience of a

lifetime The camp is divided into junior and sen-

ior boys and girls units junior campers between

the ages of seven and 12 and senior campers are 13

to 15 years old All Chingachgook counselors go

through extensive two-week training and prepa-

ration prior to the beginning of the first session

Campers will enjoy a full schedule of skill

classes which they can choose on their own

and special events and programs Campers can

choose from swimming water skiing canoeing

nature arts outdoor living skills theater news-

paper riflery archery dance guitar outdoor

cooking sports zone water world woodwork-

ing softball soccer tennis photography sail-

ing high ropes mountain biking and rock

climbing Each camper sets up their own daily

schedule of four skill classes at the start of the

session

Two-week camp sessions at Chingachgook

also include a three-day hike which allows

campers to get out and experience the wilder-

ness in a fun and safe atmosphere

Chingachgook also offers a variety of unique

adventure camps for children looking to explore

unique destinations and experience a whole new

level of fun options like sailing kayak-

ing boat building rock climbing canoe-

ing community service white-water

rafting hiking and backpacking bicycle

touring and mountain biking Adventure

campers will benefit from activities with

smaller coed groups of ten or less

Day Camp at Chingachgook is a fun

option for children ages five to ten

Campers will enjoy a full day of fun

activities from 930 am to 430 pm The

Day Camp program is divided into eight

one-week segments with the first session

starting on June 28 and the final session

starting on August 16 Each session has

a different theme

Spaces are limited at Chingachgook

so be sure to sign up as soon as possible

For more information to sign up for a

tour or to register for camp visit

wwwcapitaldistrictymcacom or call

(518) 656-9462

each covering a different skill or activity such

as animal tracking basic wilderness survival

skills and shelter building Native American

storytelling and games and nature-based arts

and crafts projects will teach campers to have

fun in the great outdoors Each camp program

promotes team building natural awareness

patience and confidence

Ndakinna also offers family camp pro-

grams which allow children and their parents

to experience the outdoors together Family

programs can accommodate children ages one

to 14 These programs offer the

same skills training and team-

building activities To view the

finalized calendar of programs

and events visit

wwwNdcenterorg

Cutting Edge Martial ArtsCutting Edge Martial Artrsquos A+ After

School and Summer Camp Program is a year-

round child care solution that provides a pos-

itive structured environment for children

after school and during the day in the sum-

mer During the school year we pick chil-

dren up directly from the local elementary

and middle schools and provide an hour les-

son that starts with our ldquoMat Chatrdquo a ten

minute character education lesson for the day

followed by a full 50 minute martial arts

class Parents have a window between 5 and

545 pm to pick up their children while chil-

dren have the opportunity after class to get

their homework started

During the summer children get all the

benefits of our A+ Program but on a grander

scale We offer nine weeks of full day camps

and have no minimum or maximum number

of days per week or number of weeks that a

student can attend Each week of camp we

have a curriculum of character education

lessons fun games and a one hour martial

arts class every day We watch a movie in

the afternoons twice a week have a video

game morning on Fridays and take all our

campers on an educa-

tional outing on

Wednesdays and a

fun and exciting out-

ing every Friday

Our average camp

size is 20-25 stu-

dents and we have

three full time staff

graphed by Sarah Sutliff

Saratoga Childrenrsquos Theatre also offers a one-

week camp at the end of the summer ldquoMaster

your Auditionrdquo This camp will help your child

get ready for fall and winter auditions These

audition workshops have been very popular and

sell out quickly Any child at any skill level with

an interest in performing arts is welcome to join

in on the fun Saratoga Childrenrsquos Theatre

Executive Director Meg Kelly aims to give each

camper the most rewarding and enjoyable camp

experience and every camper will get to perform

The Saratoga Childrenrsquos Theatre hires profes-

sionals to help your child gain the most from

their summer camp experience

The cost for a two-week session is $450 and

$250 for the one-week session For more infor-

mation visit wwwsaratogachildrenstheatreorg

or call (518) 580-1782

For kids who have a passion for per-

forming arts Saratoga Childrenrsquos Theatre

summer camp is a dream come true

Saratoga Childrenrsquos Theatre offers per-

formance camps which means each

camper will be working on a full-fledged

production throughout their session

Campers will learn all aspects of perform-

ance and will have the opportunity to per-

form in two shows at the end of camp a

matinee and an evening show are both

open to the public Campers will perform

on stage at St Petersrsquo Auditorium

Saratoga Springs Camp hours are 9am-

3pm Performance camp is divided into

two age groups

Ages 6-9 will participate in one week

camps These camps will include Disneyrsquos

Sleeping Beauty kids Cinderella kids

Aristocats kids 101 Dalmatians kids and

Lemonade These camps will be directed by

Megan OrsquoSullivan a local elementary school

music teacher and assisted by Karey

Trimmings also a local elementary school

music teacher

Ages 10-18 will participate in two-week

camps Each camp will practice and perform a

different show These

camps include

Thoroughly Modern

Mille Jr Cinderella Jr

Fiddler on the Roof Jr

and Once on this Island

Jr These camps will be

directed by Michael

Lotano local actor and

elementary school music

teacher and choreo-

Saratoga Childrenrsquos Theatre

Simply Saratoga | 27

working with our students

Our goal is to provide a family-friendly

and fun environment that feels like a home

away from home Our students have fun

learning skills that can be used every day of

their lives and we try to provide memories

that will last a lifetime For many our

summer camps are a wonderful introduc-

tion to martial arts

For more information visit

wwwsaratogamartialartscom

or call (518) 587-5501

28 | Simply Saratoga

Saratoga Independent SchoolSaratoga Independent School hosts a variety of summer

programs split into two age groups three to eight year-olds

Wilton Recreation CampWilton Recreation offers a full-day summer

camp program for children in grades one

through nine With available pre-camp and

post-camp care working parents can ensure

their children are having fun in a safe environ-

ment before and after the camprsquos regular 9 am to

3 pm hours Parents who register their children

for before and after camp care can drop off their

children prior to camp opening at 830 am and

can pick them up at 530 pm Bussing is avail-

able for Wilton residents who register for regu-

lar camp hours (9 am to 3 pm)

Wilton Recreation Camp offers a full sched-

ule of daily onsite activities themed events and

exciting trips for kids who register for off-site

adventures Daily on-site activities include arts

and crafts sports playground fun and other

organized group games This yearrsquos scheduled

field trips include Million Dollar Beach in Lake

George movie days at Proctors Theater

Saratoga County Fair bowling white water

rafting and at least two swimming days per

week at Peerless Pool

The Summer 2011 camp will open on

June 27 and run until August

12 Registration begins

March 14 at Gavin Park and

will close on June 3 As

there are only 300 spaces

available be sure to mark

your calendar Camp

registration forms are

available online at

wwwtownofwiltoncom or

can be picked up weekdays

at Gavin Park 9 am to 5 pm

For any other questions

please call the park office at (518) 584-9455

and seven to 14 year-olds The weeklong programs run from July 5

to August 19

Saratoga Independent School summer programs are staffed large-

ly by their own teachers so parents can rest assured their kids are

supervised in a safe environment with experienced teachers who are

knowledgeable about child development and hands-on

programming

For the younger group weekly themed programs run from 9 am

to noon (early drop-off at 830 available) The staff-to-camper ratio

is one to six for children ages three and four and one to ten for chil-

dren ages five to eight Themed programs include ldquoCooking with

Curiosityrdquo ldquoHawaiian Hullabaloordquo ldquoHands-On Science Funrdquo

ldquoHoliday-A-Dayrdquo ldquoGood Versus Evil Imaginations Run Wildrdquo

ldquoDinosaur Discoveryrdquo ldquoIn the Jungle the Mighty Junglerdquo

Activities take place both indoors and outdoors

The selection of enrichment programs for older children is even

more extensive this year than in the past Some programs will take

place in the mornings others in the afternoon Age ranges will vary

depending on the subject matter These specialty programs give chil-

dren an opportunity to develop new interests and expand on existing

skills Programs include ldquoCartooning and Morerdquo ldquoImprovisationrdquo

ldquoKnittingrdquo ldquoOpen Art Studiordquo ldquoYou Can Do Magicrdquo ldquoGet Up and

Dancerdquo ldquoRoaring into Robots Whatrsquos Nextrdquo ldquoArt in the Ancient

Worldrdquo ldquoMad Sciencerdquo ldquoComputer Video Game Creationrdquo

ldquoAdvanced Robot Challengesrdquo and ldquoArt-Math Connectionrdquo

Registration has already begun and the programs fill up quickly so

visit wwwsiskidsorg for more information and to secure a space

for your child

Simply Saratoga | 29

Are your kids looking for an adventure this summer The

Saratoga Regional YMCA has two exciting day camps available

Camp Starhitch held at the Wilton Branch which engages children

with a multitude of fun activities and a trip each week and Travel

Camp where participants meet at the Saratoga Springs Branch and

then travel off to fun and thrilling places each day

Camp Starhitch is for children having completed Kindergarten

through entering fifth grade Campers will participate in games

sports crafts nature activities trips swimming archery and more

Each week is planned around a theme and includes a trip For exam-

ple during ldquo70rsquos Flashbackrdquo week campers will go roller skating

during ldquoThe Wild Frontierrdquo week kids will have the opportunity to

go horseback riding and during ldquoTropical Paradiserdquo week partici-

pants may ldquocatch a gnarly waverdquo at an outdoor water park

Travel Camp is definitely for the action seeker and for those who

like to be on the go This program for youth entering fifth through

tenth grade provides campers an opportunity to travel each and every

day to fun-filled locations Participants explore different summer

activities that include amusement and water parks outdoor sports

fairs and horseback riding This year the trips include a visit to Hunter

Mountain Six Flags New England Tubing on the Battenkill NY

Mets game at Citi Field the NY State Fair and more

Camp Starhitch and Travel Camp both run for nine one-week ses-

sions You may choose to attend camp for one week or any combina-

tion of weeks Experienced counselors supervise children and a ratio

of 110 ensures a safe quality camping experience CPR and First Aid

certified camp staff will be present on all trips At Travel Camp

campers will be grouped according to age and are supervised by expe-

rienced adult staff

Camp Starhitch has two day camp options for your child Option A

allows for your child to be dropped off at 9 am and picked up at 4 pm

and Option B has a 7 am drop off time and a 6 pm pick up time

Travel Camp runs from 9 am to 430 pm and extended hours are

available at no additional cost This year transportation will be provid-

ed in both directions between the Saratoga Springs and Wilton

branches Pickups will be as early as 815 am and drop-offs will be

as late as 5 pm Both camps try to cater to working parents

In addition the Saratoga Regional YMCA is committed to provid-

ing a safe and welcoming environment for all campers by incorporat-

ing the YMCAcore values of caring honesty respect and responsibil-

ity in daily activities To promote safety and comfort for all individu-

als are asked to act appropriately at all times when at the Yrsquos facilities

or participating in Y programs All campers are required to read and

sign a contract of understanding in reference to the Code of Conduct

We expect persons using the YMCAto act maturely to behave respon-

sibly and to respect the rights and dignity of all othersmdashall while

having a good time

The Y also has opportunities available for those who may not have

the resources to send their children to camp The Y provides scholar-

ships for those who qualify Scholarships are made possible due to

the generous donations of Y members the community and businesses

to the ldquoWe Build Peoplerdquo scholarship campaign held by the Saratoga

Regional YMCA each year Scholarship applications are available at

all Saratoga Regional YMCA branches and online at wwwsaratogare-

gionalymcaorg

Registration is currently ongoing and fills up quickly Registration

forms are available at any of the Saratoga Regional YMCA Branches

or at wwwsaratogaregionalymcaorg For more information about

these day camps please contact Ilene Leverence at (518) 583-9622

ext 103 for Camp Starhitch and Patti Laudicina at (518) 583-9622

ext 110 or Paige Minear ext 116 for Travel Camp

Saratoga YMCA

30 | Simply Saratoga

Ask women about the greatest threat to their health and most will

respond incorrectly with the words ldquobreast cancerrdquo While breast cancer

certainly is of concern the truth is that women are 10 times more like-

ly to die from heart disease Breast cancer kills 1 in 25 women heart

disease claims 1 in 2

The most recent statistics available indicate that cardiovascular dis-

ease causes the death of 500000 women per year ndash more than ALL

forms of cancer combined This is a rate of epidemic proportion

Little or no warning

Two-thirds of women die suddenly from heart disease without expe-

riencing any warning symptoms The majority die before they even

reach the hospital and before any attempt at treatment is possible Early

screening and the detection that leads to prevention offer the only hope

of reducing these deaths

Women who do develop heart disease tend to fare worse than men

One reason is that on average heart disease peaks 10 years later in

women than in men At this older age women are less able to withstand

the stress of the disease The proof can be found in a disturbing statis-

tic One year after their first heart attack 44 percent of women are dead

compared with 27 percent of men

Clearly for women preventing that first heart attack would make an

enormous difference

Know the risks

What can be done to prevent and detect heart disease in women

Of foremost importance is to reduce ndash or if possible eliminate ndash the

conditions that cause or accelerate the growth of blockages in the arter-

ies of the heart These conditions known as risk factors include high

Women Take this warning to heart

Story By Andrij O Baran MD

blood pressure diabetes genetic high cholesterol a high-fat

diet an inactive lifestyle smoking and cocaine use

Some damage the lining of the heartrsquos arteries speeding the

buildup of cholesterol Others raise blood cholesterol Both

smoking and cocaine use speed blood clotting They also can

cause sudden cramps or spasms in the coronary arteries cut-

ting off the entire blood supply to portions of the heart even

without a cholesterol blockage

A woman who has one or more of these risk factors should

ask her doctor how best to control them She also should ask

about further screening and testing such as stress testing

The sooner the better

Lifestyle changes and medications can have a dramatic

impact on reducing the incidence of heart attack provided cho-

lesterol blockages are detected early ndash before damage to the

heart has occurred In fact drugs that lower cholesterol alone

have been unequivocally shown to reduce the risk of heart

attack and death by up to 50 percent

When added to a program of low-fat diet exercise control

of high blood pressure and diabetes and above all else no

smoking the benefits are magnified many times over Keep in

mind of course that these drugs work only if they are taken

and taken appropriately

By knowing and changing their risk factors all women can

ensure themselves of a longer and more vibrant life

Andrij O Baran MD FACC is the Medical Director of

Cardiology Services at Saratoga Hospital

Simply Saratoga | 31

A c t F a s t D u r i n g H e a r t A t t a c k s According to the American Heart

Association clot-busting drugs can stop

some heart attacks in progress reducing

disability and saving lives They work best

given within one hour of when heart

attack signs begin Thatrsquos why itrsquos impor-

tant to recognize the warning signs of a

heart attack and act right away

Warning Signs

bull Pain or discomfort in the jaw

neck or back

bull Feeling weak lightheaded or faint

bull Chest paindiscomfort

bull Paindiscomfort in the arms or

shoulder

bull Shortness of breath

If you think that you or someone you

know is having a heart attack call 911

immediately

32 | Simply Saratoga

Who would believe that a rabbi from Eastern

Europe frozen for 150 years in a block of ice could

be transported across time and space to Memphis

where he thaws then becomes a spiritual guru to

baby boomers Arguably nobody But Steve Stern

the author of ldquoThe Frozen Rabbirdquo his most recent

novel isnrsquot asking readers to believe it so much as

to let the characters tell their story Besides the plot

may be far-fetched but he already has a buyer for

the movie rights

Writer-in-residence at Skidmore College Stern is

a genius at creating human beings in fantastical cir-

cumstances who seem more like eccentric neigh-

bors than artifacts of science fiction Some fly

some inhabit other peoplersquos dreams some are res-

urrected and some travel through time Whatever

their superpowers or frailties the heroes and vil-

lains tricksters and innocents and witnesses and

bystanders in Sternrsquos short and long fiction deserve

attention and evoke compassion in their quest for

connection and redemption - or at least food and

shelter From within an inexhaustible vein of

Jewish folklore and oral history his characters

emerge into a lucid fictional universe that embraces

both magic and the mundane Dialogue is ironic as

often as it is mystical and the most ordinary days

serve as backdrops for incredible events

ldquoMiracles are commonplacerdquo says Stern a

Ballston Spa resident ldquoI donrsquot write in metaphors

and symbols deliberately Writing is a visceral

experience for me I read with interest what review-

ers say about my repetitive themes and ideas but I

am driven by images and characters Irsquom a compul-

sive storytellerrdquo

Steve Stern A Lyrical Voice in the Ghetto

B

o

o

k

m

a

r

k

Lean bespectacled and haloed in dark curls Stern

is a Memphis native who grew up in a home bereft

of music books and art in a city made famous by

Elvis Presley (who used to drive through Sternrsquos

neighborhood) and Martin Luther Kingrsquos assassina-

tion He remembers himself as ldquoa mediocre adoles-

cent without confidence or spiritual antennardquo first

stirred to write poetry in high school which he read

aloud for attention

ldquoI was surprised people liked itrdquo he says ldquoAnd I

liked writing it even though it embarrassed me But

I was encouraged to go on and later to try proserdquo

The allure of the late lsquo60s and early lsquo70s was not

academic After college Stern wandered through

Europe then worked as a butcher on a hippie com-

mune in the Ozarks raising pigs and eating off the

land ldquoI slept under five blankets and two dogsrdquo he

recalls (The incarnation has been memorialized in a

comic strip by Sternrsquos girlfriend Sabrina a cartoon-

ist and set designer for Saturday Night Live)

The commune was not too far from the University

of Arkansas where Stern attended graduate school

and played volleyball with Bill and Hillary Clinton

ldquoI hoped he would mention me in his inaugural

addressrdquo Stern sighs

With an MA Stern found teaching gigs at vari-

ous colleges but the work dried up forcing him to

take a job at a folklore center in Memphis first tran-

scribing stories about the black community then

launching a life-changing project to preserve the

stories of the fading Jewish population in a desolate

Memphis ghetto known as ldquoThe Pinchrdquo where

many of his stories are set

Story By Helen Susan Edelman

ldquoBernie scrunched his face in thought Gone was his waryimpulse to keep everything secret and there were times of latewhen he felt almost reckless almost ready to tell the world whileon the other hand he suspected he may have already confided toomuch ldquoI thinkrdquo he said after some consideration ldquoIrsquom startingto outgrow myselfrdquo

mdash Steve Stern ldquoThe Frozen Rabbirdquo

Photo by Josh GerritsenSteve Stern

Simply Saratoga | 33

ldquoIt was intoxicatingrdquo says Stern ldquoI became obsessed with

itrdquo Indeed his work is infused with the folklore images lan-

guage archetypes settings rituals and values embedded in

the memories he recorded and in the vast Jewish and Yiddish

literature he has studied since

A non-observant Jew Stern had no relationship with his

religion so the introduction to his exotic legacy was both

anchor and springboard for a prolific new consciousness

ldquoThe floodgates openedrdquo he says ldquoSuddenly this world

began to materialize for me What had been barren neighbor-

hoods I could see vividly as tenements and shops a town

square street traffic merchants pawnbrokers rabbis chil-

drenhellipimmigrants from Eastern Europe looking for a homerdquo

Stern is comfortable writing about transcendent wisdom as

long as itrsquos his characterrsquos voice

and not his own

dispensing the

insights The

frozen rabbi in

the book of the

same name for

example ldquoradiates

within his zone of

influence and is a

spiritual catalyst

for anyone who

encounters himrdquo

says Stern ldquowhere-

as I am a clicheacute a

Jew who grew up

without an identityrdquo

A winner of both

Guggenheim and

Fulbright fellowships

as well as the National

Jewish Book Award

the Pushcart Prize an

OrsquoHenry Prize and the Edward Lewis Wallant Award Stern

is working on a new novel and rereading Faulkner Tolstoy

Dickens and Joyce

He views each new writing project as ldquoa riskrdquo Experience

last summer also reminded him of the evanescence of popu-

larity he gave two readings one in Memphis which drew

such a crowd that doors had to be locked and one in St

Louis where he commanded an audience of four

ldquoJust like the characters in my storiesrdquo Stern observes ldquoI

encounter conflicts look for a way to escape and face mixed

consequencesrdquo sect

How is your mental state these days Are

you experiencing peace and joy in every-

day life or frustration and impatience Are

you living your life ldquoon purposerdquo or going

through the motions feeling numb and dead

on the inside How is the garden of your

mind Are you tending to your garden or letting

the weeds take over

When I lived in Boston I lived next door to an elder-

ly woman who had a beautiful garden Every morning my

neighbor was outside in her floral moo moo (circa Mrs

Roper from Threersquos Company) tending carefully to each

plant and flower She would spend hours walking around her

garden joyfully humming and making sure her flowers were

strong and healthy Many mornings I would sip my coffee

and watch her peacefully pulling out the weeds and tending

to her precious flowers To this day I remember how tall and

lovely her sunflowers were I think our mental state can be

compared to tending to a garden do we have beautiful sun-

flowers of joy and peace or toxic weeds of bitterness and

guilt

The weeds in your heart and mind are feelings of bitterness

anger guilt self-loathing and negativity Do you spend your

days reviewing the list of those that have offended

you Do you beat yourself up daily for past mis-

takes or regrets These are the weeds that can

take over your mind and lead to racing

thoughts a dark depression constant

anxiety or physical illness and

chronic pain If you are someone

that is easily frustrated impatient

and critical you can be sure you

34 | Simply Saratoga

Tending to theGarden of Your MindDealing with the Weeds in your Life

Simple Truths

have some weeds to deal with

The only path to peace and joy in your everyday life is to

pull your weeds out from the root and confront the issues

Holding on to your weeds only makes you ill and deadens

your heart Did you know that people who are full of bitter-

ness and resentment appear older and are not as physically

attractive as people who are full of peace and love The

weeds in your heart and mind can actually make you ugly

Likewise a mind that is content and peaceful gives us a

sparkle and light in our eyes that people are automatically

attracted to Forget the anti-wrinkle cream and Botox Fill

your heart and mind up with the best kept beauty secret

around love and forgiveness

Forgiveness is not about letting the person who hurt you

off the hook Forgiveness IS allowing light into our hearts

so that we can heal and move forward It takes the heavy

burden of offense and resentment off of our hearts and

minds while preparing the ldquosoilrdquo for new growth and

experiences

When possible confront the people you need to forgive

so that you can have closure and move on If it is not pos-

sible to confront the person that is the weed in your life

write them a letter expressing your hurt and anger (not to

send but in a private journal) This is a wonderful way to

give yourself closure and put your feelings out on the table

More often than not the person we have to forgive or con-

front is ourselves If you are constantly beating yourself up

and feeling guilty about your past make a choice to forgive

yourself

Donrsquot be lazy about your weeds Dig deep and pull out

your weeds so that you can make room for peace and joy

We all desire to feel love and be accepted That accept-

Meghan DLemery LCSW-R

Simply Saratoga | 35

ance starts with you Begin to focus on peaceful loving joyful

thoughts Keep a gratitude journal of what you love about your-

self or the loved ones in your life Practice planting seeds of joy

by giving acceptance and love to everyone around you

Take time to practice patience and kindness to your family

friends colleagues and that slow cashier at the grocery store Go

out of your way to help others in any way that you can All of

these acts of kindness plant the seeds of peace love joy and

abundance

As we approach the new season of spring take some time to

tend to the garden of your mind

Wishing you love self-acceptance and peace this spring and

always

Ms Lemery is a psychotherapist practic-ing in Saratoga Springs and QueensburyShe can be reached at meghanle-meryyahoocom

Her first novel will be pub-lished this Spring TitledldquoPlease Pass the BarbieShoesrdquo it is a hilarious heart-warming story that will haveyou feeling inspiredand empowered

sect

36 | Simply Saratoga

Living Room The custom-designed leather couch chair andottoman come from Suttons The stucco fireplace was inspired by theCollinsrsquo travels through the Southwest and Colorado (ldquowe wanted to avoida traditional river rock fireplacerdquo) and provides a heat source as well asbeauty The original structure was built for passive solar design no airconditioning is needed in the summer A wood stove is the primary heatsource radiant heat with natural gas was also added during the renova-tion

The front door as well as all the interior doors was custom-made fittedand replaced by Tom Zanetti Hickory wood floors were also installed dur-ing the addition A hanging stained glass chandelier is a stock itemobtained from a leading home supply retailer ldquoIt captures the sunlightbeautifully along with providing brilliant nighttime illuminationrdquo Tedsaid ldquoItrsquos an eclectic mixrdquo

Simply Saratoga | 37

Today we look at a creative space that is set into a special place

In 1993 Ted and Susan Collins purchased a seven-acre property

with a 1986 Timberpeg designed home that has all the qualities of

a place in the country ndash yet many would be surprised to learn that

it is actually located on the border of Saratoga Springs near the

Alpine Shop on Clinton Street After a number of years living in

apartments on Union Avenue and Franklin Square enjoying the

proximity to downtown and the track they couldnrsquot resist a spot

that was close to town but yet had lots of land

Their overall vision was for an interior space that was in accord

with the outside ndash the wildlife gardens and the sustainable philos-

ophy embodied in the original buildingrsquos passive solar design

ldquoEverything we do embraces the goals of staying true to the orig-

inal structure having an open welcoming interior and being in

harmony with the outdoorsrdquo Ted said

Inspired by travels in balance with the land

Story By Arthur GonickPhotos by copystockstudiosphotographycom

These principles guided a major transformation of the interior

space in 2006 The key element was an addition to the home that

enabled the living room kitchen and upstairs bedroom to be

expanded allowing space for the installation of a downstairs bath

as well

Susan and Ted led this transformation - visualizing an addition

that incorporated equilibrium of size location and overall propor-

tion They went through several iterations with Rick Deforest of

Heritage Timberframes

Even though much of the interior decor came from travels in

Africa the South Pacific and Colorado the building materials and

craftsmen are all local The timbers and wood flooring were milled

in nearby Kingsbury ldquoWe enjoyed working with professionals who

are also friends like Rick Deforest Tom Zanetti and Mike

Roohanrdquo Ted said ldquothe house now feels complete in balancerdquo sect

Unique Places and Creative Spaces If you would like to nominate a unique

or creative place to be featured emailentertainmentsaratogapublishingcom

38 | Simply Saratoga

Kitchen A wall was taken out that afforded space to add an eat-in island area and

open up the space Custom cabinets are by Tom Zanetti Stonework andappliances were added Both the kitchen and bathroom have granite table-tops (from Mike and Margaret Roohan of Granite and Marble Works)New appliances include a Bosch stove (with a built-in microwave drawer)and an Amana stainless refrigerator

Bathroom The bathroom ceiling is pine The showerarea was designed and built to the Collinsrsquo specifications andfeatures a bench 4 shower heads PLUS an extra hand-held one(ldquoItrsquos a human car washrdquo) The stone tiles on the sides and floorin the shower were installed by Best Tile the plumbing in theshower comes from Aird Dorrance as does the sink ndash which sitson a granite top from Granite and Marble Works The windowleads out to the north side of the house with privacy blinds insidethe window panes One thing you donrsquot see ldquoSince the room ison display in the center of the expanded first floor we wanted thecommode to be mostly hiddenrdquo Ted said

Unique Places and Creative Spaces

Simply Saratoga | 39

Living RoomA reading nook sits upon the bathroom addition ldquoThere was no full bathroom on the first

floor and with a post and beam construction we had to be creative You get outstanding viewsof the property pond and stream when viewed from the nookrsquos perspectiverdquo The ladder canswing out on a track making it more like walking up a staircase ndash this was also designed andinstalled by Tom Zanetti The table in the nook is actually a working African drum with a glasstable top added

40 | Simply Saratoga

Bedroom In the second-floor master bedroom moving the dormer brought in extra light and space and

also brought the roofline together with the original structure and first-floor additions The floorand ceiling are made of rough-cut pine planking The bed is also constructed of pine and comesfrom Suttons The window in the upper left was cut during the addition It faces west for extra day-time light

Simply Saratoga | 41

42 | Simply Saratoga

Story Written by Yael Goldman Photos by Samu Studios and Randall Perry Photography

Simply Saratoga | 43

orking with the

right interior designer

turns listless decision making

into an enjoyable and productive

process that avoids costly mistakes

and delivers exceptional results

Designing a room or an entire home is a

big project no matter how strong your tastes are

The decisions are endless ndash what color should I paint the

walls What flooring is most aesthetically appealing and

dog-friendly Should I choose a furniture set or choose

individual pieces Do I want curtains or shades Do I

decorate with knick-knacks or artwork

But with all the unique self-questioning that surrounds

an interior design project most homeowners share angst

in asking themselves one specific question where do I

start

Itrsquos at this point ndash when stress level increases enjoy-

ment-driven projects turn deadly and money has been

wastefully spent on all the wrong things ndash that you long

for the help of a professional if only you could afford it

Well the truth is you can

Creating the right space can be expensive but is only

more so if you make mistakes and have to go back and

fix them If you do it right the first time therersquos no cost

associated with do-overs

With nearly 100 years of experience between them all

four members of Blairhouse Interiors Group have

worked with more than enough unhappy do-it-your-

selfers to tell you yoursquore not alone

Photo by Samu Studios

44 | Simply Saratoga

The four-member designproject therapy team which recently

opened a studio in Saratoga Springs has a long history of help-

ing home and business owners create their ideal spaces and

atmospheres the right way Their exceptional work is celebrated across

the Capital Region including Saratoga Springs where the Blairhouse

look is prominently featured in a handful of Park Place condominiums

and the incredible Saratoga National Golf Club

Thomas R Burns Meghan Baltich Dominic Carota and Patricia

Richards the highly skilled and charismatic force behind Blairhouse

Interiors Group promise an experience that is personal because itrsquos all

about your needs ndash and thatrsquos what is important

Blairhouse offers full-service interior design services space planning

project management hand-picked merchandise patience and an uncan-

ny ability to create a

look that is always

fresh sophisticated

and comfortable

ldquoThe style that we

gravitate toward is

unique cutting-edge

and modern not dic-

tated by corporaterdquo

said Meghan Baltich

pointing to a ldquovery

propitiousrdquo Keith Fritz

table at the center of

the studio

Photo by Randall Perry Photography

If you do it right the firsttime therersquos no cost

associated with do-oversPhoto by Randall Perry Photography

One glance at the Park Place showroom ndash of the selective furnishings carefully showcased along

the periphery ndash and it becomes clear why Blairhouse an award-winning team gets the job

done

Their creativity focus and immaculate sense of direction bring objectivity to the scene helping you nar-

row down all of the tedious and overwhelming choices that make do-it-yourself decorating an exercise in

unclear thinking

ldquoPeople are overwhelmed by all the choices it can feel like theyrsquore in a paralyzed blurrdquo said Thomas

Burns who finds that a great vision can be impossible to imagine and create without eliminating all of

the distractions

A vital step in getting focused is creating a

comprehensive plan based on individual

needs wants and style that addresses all

aspects of lifestyle and taste and suggests

tactful solutions and fresh approaches to new

and existing spaces

They help you identify what you like

forcing you to hone in on what you want and

need to compliment and enhance your

lifestyle

ldquoWe ascertain the clientrsquos goal and

lifestyle to convey their visionrdquo said

Dominic Carota explaining that the intended

outcome of creating or reinventing a room is

often strictly tied to how you want to live in

it

ldquoWe have to know how they functionrdquo he

said

An interior designer is an asset in the func-

tion-meets-style equation

Dominic explained that a couple starting a family will have far

different needs than empty-nesters looking for a change They may

have the same stylistic goals but their execution will differ based on

how their lifestyle exists within the space

When revamping a single room the majority of your focus is ded-

icated to that individual space making it easy to forget that the rest

of the house is attached Establishing connectivity between rooms is

a challenge but an important part of executing a project the right

way

Sometimes one wrong detail no matter how small can be incred-

ibly impactful and difficult to avoid on your own

ldquoIf yoursquore working on a new addition or renovation we ensure it

flows that therersquos balance between the existing part of the living

space and the new additionrdquo Meghan Baltich said explaining that

it just doesnrsquot make sense to put in a great new kitchen if itrsquos dis-

jointed and out of place from its surroundings

Another common novice mistake is the trendy retail store fallacy

that you can order a full room from a catalog or pick a fabulous and

unique design from a floor plan

Blairhouse clients learn the difference between ldquocookie-cutterrdquo

and ldquocustomrdquo and they are never concerned with picking the wrong

piece for the wrong room

Simply Saratoga | 45

ome customers will come to us after going into a Pottery Barn and buying stuff that just didnrsquot workrdquo Baltich said giving the

example of an individual who purchased an enormous sectional for a tiny room ldquoWe scale into the clientrsquos space taking func-

tion and proportion into considerationrdquo

Exceptional listening and observation skills are the designerrsquos

unsung attributes and greatest assets Blairhouse experts engage

with their clients to gain a true understanding of what they want

In turn the design process becomes an eye-opening experience

customers are introduced to colors and concepts they would

never think to consider

ldquoEach client trusts us to create their environment and we

enable them to make informed decisionsrdquo Patricia Richards

said

And sometimes that requires bold suggestions and collabora-

tion or looking at all of the possibilities even the ones ldquoyou

would never have been brave enough to do on your ownrdquo

In the end the experience of working with the experts is

enjoyable stress-free and cost-effective From concept to com-

pletion the result is just what you want and need ndash a fabulous

marriage of function and aesthetic that wonrsquot have you coming

back for more (because you did it right the first time) sect

ldquoS

46 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 47

For a taste of Blairhouse Interiors Grouprsquos distinctive work stop into their Park Place studio located at 262 Broadway Suite 204 in Saratoga Springs For further details visit wwwblairhouseinteriorscom or call (518) 786-7800

From left to right Dominic Carota Meghan Baltich Patricia Richards and

Thomas R Burns (The designproject therapy team of Blairhouse Interiors Group)

48 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 49

Dorsquos and Donrsquots

50 | Simply Saratoga

Story Written by Kerry Ann Mendez Perennially Yours bull wwwpyourscom Photos Provided

SpringDorsquos and Donrsquots

SpringDorsquos and DonrsquotsDorsquos and Donrsquots

Spring

for your Gardens

s

Simply Saratoga | 51

ssts

SPRINGis right around the corner and gardenersare pawing at the ground ready to explodethrough the garden gate As a passionate perennial gardenerI am right there with you But before launching into another flower-filledseason letrsquos go through a spring checklist of dorsquorsquos and donrsquorsquots to makesure we make the most of the race and have the best finish ever

Photo by GardenersSupply Company

apply a granular fertilizer to your perennial beds while they are still lsquoasleeprsquoDepending on the winter wersquove had this may be anytime from mid-Marchto mid-April Donrsquot worry if there are already lsquoearly risersrsquo visible like springblooming bulbs or woodland ephemerals I recommend using 5-5-5 5-10-5 or

5-10-10 fertilizer at the rate of 2 pounds per 100 square feet Cast the fertilizer just before it is about to rainto make sure fertilizer is watered into the ground and washed off any existing leaves You can give otherplants in your yard this treat as well including floweringshrubs groundcovers climbing vinesand roses

DONrsquoTput fertilizer on top of the snow or on ground that is

still frozen You want to make sure the fertilizer disap-pears into pliable soil and to waiting roots otherwiserunoff can occur And donrsquot think more is better Youcan stress or even kill plants by over-fertilizing espe-cially in spring when leaves are not fully developed toutilize nitrogen in the fertilizer If you are going to errless is better

DO

prune once-b l o o m i n g

roses such as Heirloom or Old GardenRoses when the Forsythia is blooming

Any rose that blooms onceusually in late spring forabout three weeks is in thiscategory Many times theseroses are quite fragrantWait to prune these rosesuntil right after they flower

DONrsquoT

prune most roses whenForsythia is in bloom Pruneshrub roses back by half to

23 their height This is assuming you did not prunethem last fall If you did then next year wait until latewinter or early spring Prune Teas and Grandiflorasback to 18 - 24rdquo For climbing roses prune branchesemerging from the main canes back to within 3 - 4rdquoof the cane

DO

apply corn gluten tolawn areas yoursquoveseeded (or over-seeded) or to gar-dens where youwant biennialsperennials or annu-als to reseed andflower Corn glutendoes not distinguishbetween lsquogoodrsquoand lsquobadrsquo seeds

apply a pre-emer-gent weed killerand fertilizer toyour lawn A lushhealthy lawn

makes a beautiful frame for gardens Myfamily walked away from lawn chemicalsfive years ago And our lawn has neverlooked better Corn gluten is a big part ofthis transformation Corn gluten is a by-product of milled corn It will not harm chil-dren pets or wildlife Heck you can eat it ifyou want (but it tastes yucky) Corn Glutenis high in nitrogen and commonly used as alawn fertilizer But it is also a pre-emergenttargeting seeds as they germinate Youcan put corn gluten down at any point inthe spring BUT if part of your mission is toeliminate crabgrass then there is a narrowwindow of attackApply it whenForsythia is in fullbloom and beforeits leaves appearThe Forsythia is asoil temperatureindicator that cor-responds to whencrabgrass seedsstart to germinate More garden centersare now carrying corn gluten productsYou just need to ask and follow the appli-cation instructions on the bag Make sureto water in the corn gluten after applyingIt will remain effective for five to six weeks

Simply Saratoga | 53

DONrsquoT

DO

step on soil as you maneuver around thegarden to cut back Lavender and therest of the gang For that matter youshould never be tromping through yourgardens compacting soil This breaks

down air and water channels as well as making it tougher forroots to spread Instead reach into beds from existing paths orplace stepping stones in discreet spots where only your eyes cansee or lsquowalk the plankrsquo on a board to reach plants fartherlsquoadriftrsquo

54 | Simply Saratoga

cut back Lavender Russian SageMontauk Daisy Butterfly BushChrysanthemums and ornamental grass-es These are best left untouched in falland whacked in spring Many folks make

the mistake of acting too gingerly with pruners Let lsquoem fly Theresult will be more compact neater plants that will bloom just fineTrust me If it helps wait until yoursquove had a bad day at work withthe kids or in traffic

DONrsquoT

DO

divide Peonies German Bearded Iris orOriental Poppies in spring These are bestdone in late summer Also tap-rootedplants (those with a carrot-looking root)cannot be divided Think about it These

are usually propagated by seed stem or root cuttings Someperennials that fall into this category are Malva Butterfly WeedBalloon Flower Oriental Poppies and Lupines

Simply Saratoga | 55

DONrsquoT

divide plants in spring This is an optimumtime to divide most perennials Yes evenspring bloomers Wait until these haveflowered and then shear off the spentblooms and get to business Most sum-

mer and fall blooming perennials can be divided prior to mid-Junewithout disrupting their performance

DO

apply a time-released fertilizersuch as Plant-Tone(organic) orOsmocote to heavy

feeding perennials five to six weeks afterthe earlier granular fertilizer applicationMost plants do not need as much fertilizeras we are led in advertising to believe I amstingy with my money and maintenancetime so only a handful of plants get thisbonus feed Astilbe Delphinium Liliums (ieAsiatic Oriental Trumpet) Clematis androses If I am feeling generous I will putsome on my Bigleaf Hydrangeas next to theroses Call me heartlessJust scratch fertilizer intothe top couple inchesof soil around theplantrsquos base and waterin well They will enjoy anutritious snack forthree to four months

apply mulch ongarden beds toreduce weedsconserve moisture

reduce erosion minimize soil temperaturefluctuations and enhance the quality ofthe soil Some mulching materials includeaged manures compost shredded wood(not dyed) leaf moldand cocoa hulls Putthe mulch down 2rdquo to3rdquo thick around plantsincluding floweringshrubs

build up mulchagainst plant stems

And please please donrsquot create volcanomounds around trees Please This is awfulfor them The only ones that benefit fromthis are the people selling the mulch

56 | Simply Saratoga

DONrsquoT

DO

DO

rubber band orbraid the foliage ofspring bloomingbulbs after they fin-ish flowering You

want as much leaf surface exposed to thesun as possible to increase photosynthesisYou can press the leaves down next to thesoil so they are less noticeable

Simply Saratoga | 57

sect

And finally DO have a great year in

your gardens and DONrsquoT forget to

take time to smell the roses

DONrsquoT

DONrsquoT

cut off the spentblooms and stems onspring blooming bulbsafter they have flow-ered so energy is redirected to the bulbsversus seed productions Keep the leaves inplace until they have browned and ideallycan be pulled from the ground by hand

put time-released fertil-izer on perennials thatprefer lean dietsRicher soil just upsetstheir vascular systemsThey will get leggy flop and not perform tosnuff Yarrow Coneflower Catmint RussianSage Linum Sea Holly and Silvermound are inthe group

DO

For more information contact Perennially Yours at pyourscom

58 | Simply Saratoga

Ill mination

Exterior Stonework

an

d

Story Written by Arthur Gonick Photos Provided

u

Simply Saratoga | 59

To develop and implement an exterior vista that maximizes your enjoyment To have a backyard landscape that is warm inviting and uniquely yours

These are goals that many homeowners have when they first move onto their property But unless you are trained in the variety ofmaterials and options available the task of getting past the point of comparing possibilities to completing and actually enjoying yourbackyard paradise can appear to be a long daunting road

For Carl Trinkle a landscape designer for ten years with the Gallivan Companies of Troy one of the key elements in a successfultransformation is utilizing a professionalrsquos expertise to articulate goals and develop a plan

ldquoThe most important thing we do when we first meet with a client is to get them to discuss their basic needs and aims and encouragethem to formulate an overall vision for their property An initial consultation sets the tone we make an initial visit on-site to look overthe property so we can have an idea as to where things might be placedrdquo

ldquoDuring this intake process we actually encourage people to show us photos of their friendrsquos property that they like or perhaps froma magazine It helps most people to articulate the goals of what they would like to see as a finished projectrdquo Trinkle said ldquoEven if they are looking to do things in phases we find that it is most important to develop a comprehensive site planrdquo This eliminates the need to revise original phases of work to accommodate those that come in the future

60 | Simply Saratoga

that Mr Trinkle finds potential customers identifying with aredesigned to extend the outdoor season ldquoA few extra weeks outside isa lotrdquo he said

add-ons also extend outside activity each day Low voltage lighting is still the most popular but recently LED lighting with longer-lasting bulbs that involve less maintenance and are cost-efficienthave become more fashionable

The latest trends

stations fire pits and waterenhancements such as ponds andwaterfalls are the most frequentlyrequested items that broaden theoutdoor use season

Outdoor grill

Exterior lighting

Simply Saratoga | 61

And of course swimming pool projects have always been a most-requested

item Fifty percent of allthe projects Mr Trinkleworks on involve a pooleither a completely new installation or enhance-ments to existing poolsGallivanrsquos long-standingrelationship withConcord Pools has beena hallmark in assuringthat customers are satis-fied when their pool isput in the ground

62 | Simply Saratoga

In most cases a comprehensive plancan be developed for any project in about a period of twoweeks Complete drawings and cost breakdowns are provid-ed as well as the projected phases that can be completed injust a few months or on larger projects can be scheduled insegments over a few years These are reviewed in personwith the customer again the goal being to have a plan thateveryone buys into

Simply Saratoga | 63

ldquoWe have had projects where the customer has wanted tohave a lot of input and we welcome that But we also hadone where the client was out of town and we built a firepit and slide for his wife and kids and our only instructions were to dazzle themI remember it as a most satisfying experience and we ended up winning awards for that onerdquo

- Carl Trinkle Landscape DesignerThe Gallivan Companies

64 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 65

ldquoI get to work using my creativity with talented people Some of the most talented are those

I meet as customersrdquo sect

For more information or to schedule aconsultation phone Gallivan Companies at(518) 271-6100 Gallivanrsquos website iswwwGallivanCompaniescom

66 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 67

Buying a playhouse for your child is an excellent investment

They promote imaginative play and spending time outdoors and

double as storage space when no longer used for recreation

Denise Woodcock owner of Versatile Sheds in Wilton has

been helping parents and grandparents customize their childrsquos or

grandchildrsquos dream playhouses for years

ldquoThey make great gifts especially for grandparents who want

their grandkids to have their own place to play when they visitrdquo

she said

Playhouses are a great addition to a childrsquos outdoor world

They come in all shapes sizes and designs and can be custom-

built or finished if you donrsquot find exactly what yoursquore looking for

in a catalog or on the lot

Every child is different and has their own preferences for color

size and function boys and girls often have especially different

requests for their play space as do younger and more mature chil-

dren so therersquos a lot to consider

Denise knows how even the finest detail can be all it takes to

make an outdoor structure feel like a childrsquos own personal space

While it may seem superfluous to address every minor demand

the truth is a playhouse is more than just an expensive toy itrsquos an

investment The more your child connects with their space the more

use theyrsquoll get out of it ndash and according to Denise that means your

money is well spent

Smartest WayThe

playhouse for your kidsto buy a

Photos by MarkBollescomStory by Yael Goldman

68 | Simply Saratoga

With this in mind prospective buyers should first consider

who will use the playhouse and for how long as well as what

happens when the structure is no longer used for recreation

Versatile Sheds can help even the most discerning parent or

child find what theyrsquore looking for Every playhouse is hand-

built by Amish craftsmen who can accommodate almost any

special request at an additional cost so the possibilities are

endless inside and out

Cedar shingle or vinyl siding wood stone or brick ndash if you

can use it on the outside of your regular home it can be inte-

grated into your playhousersquos design Playhouses can be built

to look like a miniature version of your home which is an

excellent touch for parents that are particularly concerned

with aesthetics Porches shutters flowerboxes unique doors

chimneys and exterior lighting are just a few of the touches

that can brighten and personalize the exterior

Individualizing your childrsquos playhouse doesnrsquot stop at the

front door There are just as many interior features to choose

from ndash you can let your imagination run wild

For starters you have the option to order the playhouse

with a finished or unfinished interior The unfinished version

looks a lot like the inside of a regular home before you move

in paint the walls and furnish the rooms

Buying an unfinished structure is a great way to cut costs

and even bring the family together over a weekend decorating

project The possibilities are endless depending on how handy

you are otherwise a few coats of paint and a bit of carpeting

will surely do the trick

Although a bit pricey purchasing a playhouse with a fin-

ished interior ensures that your child gets exactly what they

want right off the bat They can pick everything from the paint

color to the flooring so the playhouse is move-in ready on the

day it arrives

Playhouses can also be insulated and wired for electricity

You can install lighting electrical outlets even heat or air-

conditioning to make your childrsquos outdoor space as comfort-

able as possible

And the options donrsquot end there Traditional sheds also dou-

ble as playhouses For some parents purchasing an adult-size

shed for their children is an ideal way to get the best return on

their investment Once their children grow out of it the struc-

ture can be used for outdoor storage With just as many styles

sizes and materials to choose from you can customize the

interior and exterior of your shed just as you would a play-

house but without all of the more frivolous features

ldquoAny shed can be a playhouserdquo Woodcock said explaining

how a custom paint job or flowerbox can transform a typical

storage unit into childrsquos outdoor activity haven

For example if purchasing a wood shed the exterior can be

easily painted and repainted when making the transition from

playhouse to storage space

For Denisersquos customers getting their moneyrsquos worth should

not have to mean making sacrifices

Simply Saratoga | 69

70 | Simply Saratoga

When Debby Trainor made the decision to buy her grand-

daughter Chezneyrsquos dream house she wanted it to have all the

bells and whistles She met with Denise to go over all the cri-

teria the goal was to buy the perfect gift for Chezney while

staying within her budget

The eight-year-old Greenwich girl wanted her own pretty

pink palace where she could play and imagine Debby wanted

it to be a cozy and safe place for her to play year-round

Customization and interior decoration helped make

Chezneyrsquos playhouse feel like her own little kingdom

ldquoWe made it look like a cute little dollhouserdquo she said ldquoWe

put furniture inside and a little stove fridge heater and TV

itrsquos just perfectrdquo

With the structure built to their liking Chezney and Debby

could enjoy decorating the inside to personalize the playhouse

For many customers putting on the finishing touches means

making the playhouse feel like home ndash you can add curtains

hang pictures buy furniture and appliances and landscape the

perimeter to make the outdoor space feel like a home away

from home

When the child grows out of their playhouse these items

can be easily removed to accommodate a secondary use for the

space

ldquoThe best thing that Denise did for me was explain how we

can use the playhouse for storage for stuff out in the yard after

Chezney has grown out of itrdquo Debby explained ldquoAlthough

she is only eight and will be using it for quite a few more

years this really makes it a good investment and looks

great in the backyardrdquo

Whether you choose a customized playhouse or a tradi-

tional shed thinking toward the future also ensures the

safety and longevity of the structure

Denise explained that placement is an important thing to

consider as you want to make sure the structure is in a safe

place and on an appropriate surface Most importantly the

playhouse must be built on a level even surface that isnrsquot

too high off of the ground

ldquoYou want it on a nice platformrdquo Denise explained

ldquoSome people use concrete but stone is better because it

allows moisture to seep down into the ground and away

from the structurerdquo

Most parents prefer that their playhouse is in the back-

yard where itrsquos easy to see from a window Placing the

structure in a shaded area is also a good idea it will be

cooler in the summer and less susceptible to the elements if

partially protected by trees

Debby had Chezneyrsquos playhouse built right next to her

swing set where she can be easily supervised

One last thing to consider when purchasing a playhouse

Simply Saratoga | 71

72 | Simply Saratoga

or shed for your child is how much effort

you want to put into maintaining it The

more ornate the structure the more care it

may need

Woodcock advises parents to preserve

their investment and treat the playhouse

like a miniature home

Think of it as a miniature house ndash the

structure requires regular maintenance

and upkeep to ensure your child will be

safe while enjoying years and years of

imaginative fun

With so many features and styles to

choose from yoursquore sure to find the best

for both you and your child

For more information about Versatile

Sheds or to set up a time to meet with

Denise Woodcock call (518) 584-7924

or stop by 669 Route 9 in Wilton sect

Simply Saratoga | 73

74 | Simply Saratoga

Kitchen

Not Your

Grandmarsquos

Story Written by Daniel Schechtman Photos Provided

ldquoAs you

walk into the kitchen

of the future LED

light projections adjust

to your mood - it will

know if you have a

hangover via sensors

that will read your

b r a i n w a v e s

Aromatherapy infused

walls will be synched

to your calendar calm-

ing you before a big

meeting or energizing you before a gym session The fridge will have selected some breakfast options identifying the essen-

tial vitamins for your day via sensors When you get home a hologram chef will be on hand for recipe inspirationrdquo

Alright so maybe your kitchen canrsquot do all of these things quite yet ndash but believe it or not wersquore getting there This is tomor-

rowrsquos kitchen a kitchen where your appliances donrsquot just store your food or wash your dishes ndash they talk to you providing you

with integral information on how to

best store your fruits and vegetables

letting you know if the refrigerator

door is open for too long or when a

part will soon need replacing

Simply Saratoga | 75

ldquoScience fictionrdquo I hear you say

Guess again Quoted from a report released by The Future Laboratory

who was commissioned by IKEA to determine what a modernkitchen in the year 2040 could conceivably look like

76 | Simply Saratoga

ldquoOne technology that really stands out to me is the

Miele Appliance Company Right now theyrsquore using a

program called lsquoremote visionrsquo On select applianceshellip

is a wireless card that clicks into a port on the back of

the appliance You synch it up with your home network

and it basically emails the technician and the owner

when itrsquos broken when you need to clean your condens-

er change your water filter or schedule a routine serv-

icerdquo said Tom Thibeault owner of Adirondack

Appliance Repair Inc located at 67 West Ave in

Saratoga Springs ldquoMaybe somebodyrsquos been opening the

[refrigerator] door for too long or the door was left open

ndash it will email you and tell you that your door is left

openrdquo

This is not your grandmarsquos kitchen This my friends

is the kitchen of the future and itrsquos available now

The 36 inch bottom-mount Miele refrigerator boasts a

striking interior featuring LED lighting running along

the sides from top to bottom stainless steel accents and

exteriors with control systems that would be comfort-

able alongside the captainrsquos chair on the Starship

Enterprise

Simply Saratoga | 77

ldquoThe controls in the Miele really stand out

Looking at the controls theyrsquore just a glass piece and

then once you touch it you see a few options for the

different compartments Then you touch the compart-

ment and the temperature is displayed so itrsquos kind of

like a Star Trek controlrdquo Thibeault said

And thatrsquos just the refrigerator

Adirondack Appliance has also seen brands such as

Wolf (a company owned by the same people who own

Sub-Zero) grow in popularity when it comes to their

range stoves and ovens The dual convection oven

works to eliminate cold spotting and provides consis-

tent even temperatures and even allows for unique

options such as proofing ndash used best when baking

homemade bread

ldquoIt also has a temperature probe you can plug into

things like a turkey or roast so you can see the temper-

ature while itrsquos still inside the machine It has

hydraulic hinges halogen lit interiors everything is

composed of stainless steel and itrsquos by far one of the

best lines on the marketrdquo Thibeault said

A new line coming to Adirondack Appliance that

features some amazing technology is a series of Pro-

Style Ranges produced by industry giant Jenn-Air

ldquoThat actually has an LCD touch

screen like an IPAD for the controls The

temperature is set by sliding your finger

along the controls Itrsquos all color backlit and

absolutely amazingrdquo Thibeault said

ldquoAnother thing we have to that same

effect are some of the hoods which have

really been getting pretty out there as far as

design We have one on our floor [by Miele]

that has an LED bar on the front which

changes in phases between 196000 colors

Itrsquos a very delicate change very pretty and

coolrdquo Thibeault said adding ldquoor you can set

it to any color in that spectrum yoursquod like to

accent your cabinetryrdquo

When it comes to dishwashers Thibeault

can attest to the quality of both the Asko and

Miele brands both of which he uses in his

own home And good news for Saratoga

Springs residents ndash

ldquoIn our market in

Saratoga we have a

very hard water base

whether yoursquore on a well

system or city waterrdquo

Thibeault said ldquoSo you

get a lot of minerals in

the machine With the

stainless steel interiors it

eliminates a lot of prob-

lems generally seen with

plastic interior tubs and

usually they are the best

life expectanciesrdquo

78 | Simply Saratoga

Asko and Mieleare practically custom made to handle the

arearsquos typicallymineral rich water

Simply Saratoga | 79

The Asko brand dishwasher takes things one step

further including two pumps in the washerrsquos system

The first pump filters the water cleansing it of poten-

tially harmful minerals while the second pump recircu-

lates the water ensuring that the machine is never

blasting your dishes with food debris or dirty residue

With Miele the design features a built-in water sof-

tener perfect for dealing with the Saratoga water

system

ldquoTypically the Miele is going to do a better job with

tougher baked in stainsrdquo said Thibeault ldquobecause itrsquos

got the softener in it and a little bit longer pots and pans

cyclerdquo

80 | Simply Saratoga

Adirondack Appliance Repair Inc is a fami-

ly-owned business since 1929 and the last inde-

pendent appliance retailer of its kind in Saratoga

Springs With $6 billion of buying power behind

their name (a benefit of being part of the Nation

Wide Appliance Buying Group) Thibeault

promised ldquowe can actually price match the box

stores and everybody else around all while pro-

viding you with better service and better

productsrdquo

For more information on AdirondackAppliance or the products they sell you mayvisit their showroom located at 67 West Avenuein Saratoga Springs for live demonstrationsThey can also be reached by phone at (518)587-6640 or you may visit them at their newwebsite wwwadkappliancecom where cus-tomers can browse through the storersquos entirecatalogue of appliances

sect

Simply Saratoga | 81

82 | Simply Saratoga

Page 19: Simply Saratoga March 2011

Simply Saratoga | 21

Web

Extras

See

the

pics tha

t didn

rsquot

mak

e it in

the

Mag

azine

on

SaratogaB

ridalEXPO

com

Grecian

God

dess

Athe

na

Classic B

eaut

y

Holly

wood

Glamou

r

Wild

and

Untam

edElega

nt

22 | Simply Saratoga

The current economic and market environment has prompt-

ed many Americans to rethink their retirement strategies If

you are experiencing a job transitionmdashparticularly if the tran-

sition is unplanned and unexpectedmdashsuch a reassessment may

be particularly important for you While it may be tempting to

focus more on your immediate needs you should not lose sight

of long-term goals especially your retirement strategy

Some Basic Decisions Your employer-sponsored retirement plan is likely to be a

key component of your retirement strategy Because it repre-

sents a key source of future retirement income it is important

to carefully consider your alternatives for administering these

assets During a job transition you will usually have three

options take a lump-sum distribution leave your assets in the

employer-sponsored plan or move your assets into a Rollover

IRA

Taking a direct lump-sum distributionmdashWith this

option the assets in your plan are distributed directly to you in

a lump sum which provides you with immediate access to

your funds Depending on your short-term needs that may

appear to be an attractive alternative However a distribution

will likely result in substantial federal and state income taxes

and a 10 percent IRS penalty tax which can significantly

reduce the amount of the distribution Because you will be

receiving the distribution directly the plan administrator must

withhold up to 20 percent of the value of the distribution for

federal income tax purposes Moreover you will lose the ben-

efit of the tax-deferred status of these assets which could

reduce the amount ultimately available to you at retirement

The status quo optionmdashYou can decide to do nothing

leaving your assets in your former employerrsquos plan That will

protect the tax-deferred status of your assets and allow you to

transfer the account assets at a later time to a new employerrsquos

retirement plan that accepts rollovers But you may be limiting

your investment choices and control because employer plans

typically have a restricted investment menu and require the

consent of your spouse before you can name someone else as

a beneficiary

Establishing a Rollover IRAmdashA Rollover IRA simultane-

ously addresses the issues of taxation flexibility and control

and may hold significant benefits for you as a result

Submitted by H Michael Okby Wealth Advisor

Fin

ancia

l Protecting Your RetirementInvestmentsDuring a JobTransition

If your distribution is transferred directly to a custodian rather than

to you the Rollover IRA eliminates the withholding requirement and

penalties that may result from a lump-sum distribution

The entire rollover amount can be investedimmediately according to the strategy youspecify bull Your assets and any earnings continue to have the potential to

grow tax-deferred until you retire and begin taking withdrawals

bull You may gain access to a wider range of investment options and

more retirement planning and distribution flexibility

bull You can name any beneficiary including a trust without

needing the consent of your spouse (although special rules may

apply in community property states)

For example investment products in an employer plan are usually

limited to mutual funds and company stock With a self-directed

Rollover IRA you can work with your financial professional to struc-

ture a portfolio using stocks bonds annuities and other investments

utilizing an asset allocation1 that is customized to help you meet your

retirement investment objectives And your retirement strategy can be

further tailored with a wider range of beneficiary selection and distri-

bution choices

Consider Consolidation This may also be an excellent time to deal with multiple IRAs you

may have opened over the years and with account balances you may

have left in the plans of former employers Together these assets may

represent a significant sum There are good reasons to consider con-

solidating them all in a Rollover IRA

Comprehensive investment strategymdashIt can be difficult to main-

tain an effective investment strategymdashone that accurately reflects

your goals timing and risk tolerancemdashwhen assets are spread among

multiple financial institutions When you consolidate your financial

professional can help you ensure that these assets are part of your

overall asset allocation strategy that is reflective of your current

financial situation and long-term retirement goals

Greater investment flexibilitymdashA self-directed IRA generally

offers you the ability to choose from a wide range of investment

products including stocks bonds mutual funds annuities and more

Simplified trackingmdashIt is easier to monitor your progress and

investment results when all your retirement savings are in one place

because you will receive one statement instead of several That sim-

plifies your life while protecting the environment

Lower costsmdashReducing the number of accounts may also reduce

your account fees and other investment-related charges

Dealing with one account rather than several also simplifies

the distribution processmdashincluding complying with complex min-

imum distribution rules when you reach age 70 And you avoid the

risk of losing track of your retirement accounts or access to the

account assets should your former employer merge with another

company or go out of business Your financial professional can help

you assess your alternatives so you can make decisions based on

whatrsquos best for you You may find that this time of transition holds

benefits for your retirement assets

For more information please contact H Michael Okby at (518) 583-5601

sect

Simply Saratoga | 23

24 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 25

Summer camp is a place wherelifelong memories are made

This is where our children learnto cultivate their interests andordiscover a world of new activities tohelp their young minds grow andfor them to become physically fit

Even though there may be snowon the ground when you read thisit is never too early to think aboutyour childrenrsquos summer fun Weare blessed in this region with avariety of destinations providing awealth of activities

And while there is something foreveryone early planning is a mustto assure your child has a spot inone of these great places At theend of a long winter seasonthoughts of summer camp arerejuvenating for adults as well

Summer Camp Guide 2011

YMCA Camp Chingachgook

NdakinnaNdakinna Education Center located in

Greenfield Center offers a wide variety of

summer camp programs and activities that

will provide campers with a greater

respect and understanding for the natural

world as well as the Northeastrsquos rich

Native American history Hosted by

renowned author and wilderness and sur-

vival expert James Bruchac these pro-

grams are ideal for children with a sense

of adventure and natural wonder Summer

programs are divided into two groups

children ages three to eight and older

campers ages nine to fourteen Programs

range in duration from one to two weeks

26 | Simply Saratoga

YMCA Camp Chingachgook located on beauti-

ful Lake George has three camping options sleep-

away camp day camp and adventure trips

Summer sleep-away camp is the experience of a

lifetime The camp is divided into junior and sen-

ior boys and girls units junior campers between

the ages of seven and 12 and senior campers are 13

to 15 years old All Chingachgook counselors go

through extensive two-week training and prepa-

ration prior to the beginning of the first session

Campers will enjoy a full schedule of skill

classes which they can choose on their own

and special events and programs Campers can

choose from swimming water skiing canoeing

nature arts outdoor living skills theater news-

paper riflery archery dance guitar outdoor

cooking sports zone water world woodwork-

ing softball soccer tennis photography sail-

ing high ropes mountain biking and rock

climbing Each camper sets up their own daily

schedule of four skill classes at the start of the

session

Two-week camp sessions at Chingachgook

also include a three-day hike which allows

campers to get out and experience the wilder-

ness in a fun and safe atmosphere

Chingachgook also offers a variety of unique

adventure camps for children looking to explore

unique destinations and experience a whole new

level of fun options like sailing kayak-

ing boat building rock climbing canoe-

ing community service white-water

rafting hiking and backpacking bicycle

touring and mountain biking Adventure

campers will benefit from activities with

smaller coed groups of ten or less

Day Camp at Chingachgook is a fun

option for children ages five to ten

Campers will enjoy a full day of fun

activities from 930 am to 430 pm The

Day Camp program is divided into eight

one-week segments with the first session

starting on June 28 and the final session

starting on August 16 Each session has

a different theme

Spaces are limited at Chingachgook

so be sure to sign up as soon as possible

For more information to sign up for a

tour or to register for camp visit

wwwcapitaldistrictymcacom or call

(518) 656-9462

each covering a different skill or activity such

as animal tracking basic wilderness survival

skills and shelter building Native American

storytelling and games and nature-based arts

and crafts projects will teach campers to have

fun in the great outdoors Each camp program

promotes team building natural awareness

patience and confidence

Ndakinna also offers family camp pro-

grams which allow children and their parents

to experience the outdoors together Family

programs can accommodate children ages one

to 14 These programs offer the

same skills training and team-

building activities To view the

finalized calendar of programs

and events visit

wwwNdcenterorg

Cutting Edge Martial ArtsCutting Edge Martial Artrsquos A+ After

School and Summer Camp Program is a year-

round child care solution that provides a pos-

itive structured environment for children

after school and during the day in the sum-

mer During the school year we pick chil-

dren up directly from the local elementary

and middle schools and provide an hour les-

son that starts with our ldquoMat Chatrdquo a ten

minute character education lesson for the day

followed by a full 50 minute martial arts

class Parents have a window between 5 and

545 pm to pick up their children while chil-

dren have the opportunity after class to get

their homework started

During the summer children get all the

benefits of our A+ Program but on a grander

scale We offer nine weeks of full day camps

and have no minimum or maximum number

of days per week or number of weeks that a

student can attend Each week of camp we

have a curriculum of character education

lessons fun games and a one hour martial

arts class every day We watch a movie in

the afternoons twice a week have a video

game morning on Fridays and take all our

campers on an educa-

tional outing on

Wednesdays and a

fun and exciting out-

ing every Friday

Our average camp

size is 20-25 stu-

dents and we have

three full time staff

graphed by Sarah Sutliff

Saratoga Childrenrsquos Theatre also offers a one-

week camp at the end of the summer ldquoMaster

your Auditionrdquo This camp will help your child

get ready for fall and winter auditions These

audition workshops have been very popular and

sell out quickly Any child at any skill level with

an interest in performing arts is welcome to join

in on the fun Saratoga Childrenrsquos Theatre

Executive Director Meg Kelly aims to give each

camper the most rewarding and enjoyable camp

experience and every camper will get to perform

The Saratoga Childrenrsquos Theatre hires profes-

sionals to help your child gain the most from

their summer camp experience

The cost for a two-week session is $450 and

$250 for the one-week session For more infor-

mation visit wwwsaratogachildrenstheatreorg

or call (518) 580-1782

For kids who have a passion for per-

forming arts Saratoga Childrenrsquos Theatre

summer camp is a dream come true

Saratoga Childrenrsquos Theatre offers per-

formance camps which means each

camper will be working on a full-fledged

production throughout their session

Campers will learn all aspects of perform-

ance and will have the opportunity to per-

form in two shows at the end of camp a

matinee and an evening show are both

open to the public Campers will perform

on stage at St Petersrsquo Auditorium

Saratoga Springs Camp hours are 9am-

3pm Performance camp is divided into

two age groups

Ages 6-9 will participate in one week

camps These camps will include Disneyrsquos

Sleeping Beauty kids Cinderella kids

Aristocats kids 101 Dalmatians kids and

Lemonade These camps will be directed by

Megan OrsquoSullivan a local elementary school

music teacher and assisted by Karey

Trimmings also a local elementary school

music teacher

Ages 10-18 will participate in two-week

camps Each camp will practice and perform a

different show These

camps include

Thoroughly Modern

Mille Jr Cinderella Jr

Fiddler on the Roof Jr

and Once on this Island

Jr These camps will be

directed by Michael

Lotano local actor and

elementary school music

teacher and choreo-

Saratoga Childrenrsquos Theatre

Simply Saratoga | 27

working with our students

Our goal is to provide a family-friendly

and fun environment that feels like a home

away from home Our students have fun

learning skills that can be used every day of

their lives and we try to provide memories

that will last a lifetime For many our

summer camps are a wonderful introduc-

tion to martial arts

For more information visit

wwwsaratogamartialartscom

or call (518) 587-5501

28 | Simply Saratoga

Saratoga Independent SchoolSaratoga Independent School hosts a variety of summer

programs split into two age groups three to eight year-olds

Wilton Recreation CampWilton Recreation offers a full-day summer

camp program for children in grades one

through nine With available pre-camp and

post-camp care working parents can ensure

their children are having fun in a safe environ-

ment before and after the camprsquos regular 9 am to

3 pm hours Parents who register their children

for before and after camp care can drop off their

children prior to camp opening at 830 am and

can pick them up at 530 pm Bussing is avail-

able for Wilton residents who register for regu-

lar camp hours (9 am to 3 pm)

Wilton Recreation Camp offers a full sched-

ule of daily onsite activities themed events and

exciting trips for kids who register for off-site

adventures Daily on-site activities include arts

and crafts sports playground fun and other

organized group games This yearrsquos scheduled

field trips include Million Dollar Beach in Lake

George movie days at Proctors Theater

Saratoga County Fair bowling white water

rafting and at least two swimming days per

week at Peerless Pool

The Summer 2011 camp will open on

June 27 and run until August

12 Registration begins

March 14 at Gavin Park and

will close on June 3 As

there are only 300 spaces

available be sure to mark

your calendar Camp

registration forms are

available online at

wwwtownofwiltoncom or

can be picked up weekdays

at Gavin Park 9 am to 5 pm

For any other questions

please call the park office at (518) 584-9455

and seven to 14 year-olds The weeklong programs run from July 5

to August 19

Saratoga Independent School summer programs are staffed large-

ly by their own teachers so parents can rest assured their kids are

supervised in a safe environment with experienced teachers who are

knowledgeable about child development and hands-on

programming

For the younger group weekly themed programs run from 9 am

to noon (early drop-off at 830 available) The staff-to-camper ratio

is one to six for children ages three and four and one to ten for chil-

dren ages five to eight Themed programs include ldquoCooking with

Curiosityrdquo ldquoHawaiian Hullabaloordquo ldquoHands-On Science Funrdquo

ldquoHoliday-A-Dayrdquo ldquoGood Versus Evil Imaginations Run Wildrdquo

ldquoDinosaur Discoveryrdquo ldquoIn the Jungle the Mighty Junglerdquo

Activities take place both indoors and outdoors

The selection of enrichment programs for older children is even

more extensive this year than in the past Some programs will take

place in the mornings others in the afternoon Age ranges will vary

depending on the subject matter These specialty programs give chil-

dren an opportunity to develop new interests and expand on existing

skills Programs include ldquoCartooning and Morerdquo ldquoImprovisationrdquo

ldquoKnittingrdquo ldquoOpen Art Studiordquo ldquoYou Can Do Magicrdquo ldquoGet Up and

Dancerdquo ldquoRoaring into Robots Whatrsquos Nextrdquo ldquoArt in the Ancient

Worldrdquo ldquoMad Sciencerdquo ldquoComputer Video Game Creationrdquo

ldquoAdvanced Robot Challengesrdquo and ldquoArt-Math Connectionrdquo

Registration has already begun and the programs fill up quickly so

visit wwwsiskidsorg for more information and to secure a space

for your child

Simply Saratoga | 29

Are your kids looking for an adventure this summer The

Saratoga Regional YMCA has two exciting day camps available

Camp Starhitch held at the Wilton Branch which engages children

with a multitude of fun activities and a trip each week and Travel

Camp where participants meet at the Saratoga Springs Branch and

then travel off to fun and thrilling places each day

Camp Starhitch is for children having completed Kindergarten

through entering fifth grade Campers will participate in games

sports crafts nature activities trips swimming archery and more

Each week is planned around a theme and includes a trip For exam-

ple during ldquo70rsquos Flashbackrdquo week campers will go roller skating

during ldquoThe Wild Frontierrdquo week kids will have the opportunity to

go horseback riding and during ldquoTropical Paradiserdquo week partici-

pants may ldquocatch a gnarly waverdquo at an outdoor water park

Travel Camp is definitely for the action seeker and for those who

like to be on the go This program for youth entering fifth through

tenth grade provides campers an opportunity to travel each and every

day to fun-filled locations Participants explore different summer

activities that include amusement and water parks outdoor sports

fairs and horseback riding This year the trips include a visit to Hunter

Mountain Six Flags New England Tubing on the Battenkill NY

Mets game at Citi Field the NY State Fair and more

Camp Starhitch and Travel Camp both run for nine one-week ses-

sions You may choose to attend camp for one week or any combina-

tion of weeks Experienced counselors supervise children and a ratio

of 110 ensures a safe quality camping experience CPR and First Aid

certified camp staff will be present on all trips At Travel Camp

campers will be grouped according to age and are supervised by expe-

rienced adult staff

Camp Starhitch has two day camp options for your child Option A

allows for your child to be dropped off at 9 am and picked up at 4 pm

and Option B has a 7 am drop off time and a 6 pm pick up time

Travel Camp runs from 9 am to 430 pm and extended hours are

available at no additional cost This year transportation will be provid-

ed in both directions between the Saratoga Springs and Wilton

branches Pickups will be as early as 815 am and drop-offs will be

as late as 5 pm Both camps try to cater to working parents

In addition the Saratoga Regional YMCA is committed to provid-

ing a safe and welcoming environment for all campers by incorporat-

ing the YMCAcore values of caring honesty respect and responsibil-

ity in daily activities To promote safety and comfort for all individu-

als are asked to act appropriately at all times when at the Yrsquos facilities

or participating in Y programs All campers are required to read and

sign a contract of understanding in reference to the Code of Conduct

We expect persons using the YMCAto act maturely to behave respon-

sibly and to respect the rights and dignity of all othersmdashall while

having a good time

The Y also has opportunities available for those who may not have

the resources to send their children to camp The Y provides scholar-

ships for those who qualify Scholarships are made possible due to

the generous donations of Y members the community and businesses

to the ldquoWe Build Peoplerdquo scholarship campaign held by the Saratoga

Regional YMCA each year Scholarship applications are available at

all Saratoga Regional YMCA branches and online at wwwsaratogare-

gionalymcaorg

Registration is currently ongoing and fills up quickly Registration

forms are available at any of the Saratoga Regional YMCA Branches

or at wwwsaratogaregionalymcaorg For more information about

these day camps please contact Ilene Leverence at (518) 583-9622

ext 103 for Camp Starhitch and Patti Laudicina at (518) 583-9622

ext 110 or Paige Minear ext 116 for Travel Camp

Saratoga YMCA

30 | Simply Saratoga

Ask women about the greatest threat to their health and most will

respond incorrectly with the words ldquobreast cancerrdquo While breast cancer

certainly is of concern the truth is that women are 10 times more like-

ly to die from heart disease Breast cancer kills 1 in 25 women heart

disease claims 1 in 2

The most recent statistics available indicate that cardiovascular dis-

ease causes the death of 500000 women per year ndash more than ALL

forms of cancer combined This is a rate of epidemic proportion

Little or no warning

Two-thirds of women die suddenly from heart disease without expe-

riencing any warning symptoms The majority die before they even

reach the hospital and before any attempt at treatment is possible Early

screening and the detection that leads to prevention offer the only hope

of reducing these deaths

Women who do develop heart disease tend to fare worse than men

One reason is that on average heart disease peaks 10 years later in

women than in men At this older age women are less able to withstand

the stress of the disease The proof can be found in a disturbing statis-

tic One year after their first heart attack 44 percent of women are dead

compared with 27 percent of men

Clearly for women preventing that first heart attack would make an

enormous difference

Know the risks

What can be done to prevent and detect heart disease in women

Of foremost importance is to reduce ndash or if possible eliminate ndash the

conditions that cause or accelerate the growth of blockages in the arter-

ies of the heart These conditions known as risk factors include high

Women Take this warning to heart

Story By Andrij O Baran MD

blood pressure diabetes genetic high cholesterol a high-fat

diet an inactive lifestyle smoking and cocaine use

Some damage the lining of the heartrsquos arteries speeding the

buildup of cholesterol Others raise blood cholesterol Both

smoking and cocaine use speed blood clotting They also can

cause sudden cramps or spasms in the coronary arteries cut-

ting off the entire blood supply to portions of the heart even

without a cholesterol blockage

A woman who has one or more of these risk factors should

ask her doctor how best to control them She also should ask

about further screening and testing such as stress testing

The sooner the better

Lifestyle changes and medications can have a dramatic

impact on reducing the incidence of heart attack provided cho-

lesterol blockages are detected early ndash before damage to the

heart has occurred In fact drugs that lower cholesterol alone

have been unequivocally shown to reduce the risk of heart

attack and death by up to 50 percent

When added to a program of low-fat diet exercise control

of high blood pressure and diabetes and above all else no

smoking the benefits are magnified many times over Keep in

mind of course that these drugs work only if they are taken

and taken appropriately

By knowing and changing their risk factors all women can

ensure themselves of a longer and more vibrant life

Andrij O Baran MD FACC is the Medical Director of

Cardiology Services at Saratoga Hospital

Simply Saratoga | 31

A c t F a s t D u r i n g H e a r t A t t a c k s According to the American Heart

Association clot-busting drugs can stop

some heart attacks in progress reducing

disability and saving lives They work best

given within one hour of when heart

attack signs begin Thatrsquos why itrsquos impor-

tant to recognize the warning signs of a

heart attack and act right away

Warning Signs

bull Pain or discomfort in the jaw

neck or back

bull Feeling weak lightheaded or faint

bull Chest paindiscomfort

bull Paindiscomfort in the arms or

shoulder

bull Shortness of breath

If you think that you or someone you

know is having a heart attack call 911

immediately

32 | Simply Saratoga

Who would believe that a rabbi from Eastern

Europe frozen for 150 years in a block of ice could

be transported across time and space to Memphis

where he thaws then becomes a spiritual guru to

baby boomers Arguably nobody But Steve Stern

the author of ldquoThe Frozen Rabbirdquo his most recent

novel isnrsquot asking readers to believe it so much as

to let the characters tell their story Besides the plot

may be far-fetched but he already has a buyer for

the movie rights

Writer-in-residence at Skidmore College Stern is

a genius at creating human beings in fantastical cir-

cumstances who seem more like eccentric neigh-

bors than artifacts of science fiction Some fly

some inhabit other peoplersquos dreams some are res-

urrected and some travel through time Whatever

their superpowers or frailties the heroes and vil-

lains tricksters and innocents and witnesses and

bystanders in Sternrsquos short and long fiction deserve

attention and evoke compassion in their quest for

connection and redemption - or at least food and

shelter From within an inexhaustible vein of

Jewish folklore and oral history his characters

emerge into a lucid fictional universe that embraces

both magic and the mundane Dialogue is ironic as

often as it is mystical and the most ordinary days

serve as backdrops for incredible events

ldquoMiracles are commonplacerdquo says Stern a

Ballston Spa resident ldquoI donrsquot write in metaphors

and symbols deliberately Writing is a visceral

experience for me I read with interest what review-

ers say about my repetitive themes and ideas but I

am driven by images and characters Irsquom a compul-

sive storytellerrdquo

Steve Stern A Lyrical Voice in the Ghetto

B

o

o

k

m

a

r

k

Lean bespectacled and haloed in dark curls Stern

is a Memphis native who grew up in a home bereft

of music books and art in a city made famous by

Elvis Presley (who used to drive through Sternrsquos

neighborhood) and Martin Luther Kingrsquos assassina-

tion He remembers himself as ldquoa mediocre adoles-

cent without confidence or spiritual antennardquo first

stirred to write poetry in high school which he read

aloud for attention

ldquoI was surprised people liked itrdquo he says ldquoAnd I

liked writing it even though it embarrassed me But

I was encouraged to go on and later to try proserdquo

The allure of the late lsquo60s and early lsquo70s was not

academic After college Stern wandered through

Europe then worked as a butcher on a hippie com-

mune in the Ozarks raising pigs and eating off the

land ldquoI slept under five blankets and two dogsrdquo he

recalls (The incarnation has been memorialized in a

comic strip by Sternrsquos girlfriend Sabrina a cartoon-

ist and set designer for Saturday Night Live)

The commune was not too far from the University

of Arkansas where Stern attended graduate school

and played volleyball with Bill and Hillary Clinton

ldquoI hoped he would mention me in his inaugural

addressrdquo Stern sighs

With an MA Stern found teaching gigs at vari-

ous colleges but the work dried up forcing him to

take a job at a folklore center in Memphis first tran-

scribing stories about the black community then

launching a life-changing project to preserve the

stories of the fading Jewish population in a desolate

Memphis ghetto known as ldquoThe Pinchrdquo where

many of his stories are set

Story By Helen Susan Edelman

ldquoBernie scrunched his face in thought Gone was his waryimpulse to keep everything secret and there were times of latewhen he felt almost reckless almost ready to tell the world whileon the other hand he suspected he may have already confided toomuch ldquoI thinkrdquo he said after some consideration ldquoIrsquom startingto outgrow myselfrdquo

mdash Steve Stern ldquoThe Frozen Rabbirdquo

Photo by Josh GerritsenSteve Stern

Simply Saratoga | 33

ldquoIt was intoxicatingrdquo says Stern ldquoI became obsessed with

itrdquo Indeed his work is infused with the folklore images lan-

guage archetypes settings rituals and values embedded in

the memories he recorded and in the vast Jewish and Yiddish

literature he has studied since

A non-observant Jew Stern had no relationship with his

religion so the introduction to his exotic legacy was both

anchor and springboard for a prolific new consciousness

ldquoThe floodgates openedrdquo he says ldquoSuddenly this world

began to materialize for me What had been barren neighbor-

hoods I could see vividly as tenements and shops a town

square street traffic merchants pawnbrokers rabbis chil-

drenhellipimmigrants from Eastern Europe looking for a homerdquo

Stern is comfortable writing about transcendent wisdom as

long as itrsquos his characterrsquos voice

and not his own

dispensing the

insights The

frozen rabbi in

the book of the

same name for

example ldquoradiates

within his zone of

influence and is a

spiritual catalyst

for anyone who

encounters himrdquo

says Stern ldquowhere-

as I am a clicheacute a

Jew who grew up

without an identityrdquo

A winner of both

Guggenheim and

Fulbright fellowships

as well as the National

Jewish Book Award

the Pushcart Prize an

OrsquoHenry Prize and the Edward Lewis Wallant Award Stern

is working on a new novel and rereading Faulkner Tolstoy

Dickens and Joyce

He views each new writing project as ldquoa riskrdquo Experience

last summer also reminded him of the evanescence of popu-

larity he gave two readings one in Memphis which drew

such a crowd that doors had to be locked and one in St

Louis where he commanded an audience of four

ldquoJust like the characters in my storiesrdquo Stern observes ldquoI

encounter conflicts look for a way to escape and face mixed

consequencesrdquo sect

How is your mental state these days Are

you experiencing peace and joy in every-

day life or frustration and impatience Are

you living your life ldquoon purposerdquo or going

through the motions feeling numb and dead

on the inside How is the garden of your

mind Are you tending to your garden or letting

the weeds take over

When I lived in Boston I lived next door to an elder-

ly woman who had a beautiful garden Every morning my

neighbor was outside in her floral moo moo (circa Mrs

Roper from Threersquos Company) tending carefully to each

plant and flower She would spend hours walking around her

garden joyfully humming and making sure her flowers were

strong and healthy Many mornings I would sip my coffee

and watch her peacefully pulling out the weeds and tending

to her precious flowers To this day I remember how tall and

lovely her sunflowers were I think our mental state can be

compared to tending to a garden do we have beautiful sun-

flowers of joy and peace or toxic weeds of bitterness and

guilt

The weeds in your heart and mind are feelings of bitterness

anger guilt self-loathing and negativity Do you spend your

days reviewing the list of those that have offended

you Do you beat yourself up daily for past mis-

takes or regrets These are the weeds that can

take over your mind and lead to racing

thoughts a dark depression constant

anxiety or physical illness and

chronic pain If you are someone

that is easily frustrated impatient

and critical you can be sure you

34 | Simply Saratoga

Tending to theGarden of Your MindDealing with the Weeds in your Life

Simple Truths

have some weeds to deal with

The only path to peace and joy in your everyday life is to

pull your weeds out from the root and confront the issues

Holding on to your weeds only makes you ill and deadens

your heart Did you know that people who are full of bitter-

ness and resentment appear older and are not as physically

attractive as people who are full of peace and love The

weeds in your heart and mind can actually make you ugly

Likewise a mind that is content and peaceful gives us a

sparkle and light in our eyes that people are automatically

attracted to Forget the anti-wrinkle cream and Botox Fill

your heart and mind up with the best kept beauty secret

around love and forgiveness

Forgiveness is not about letting the person who hurt you

off the hook Forgiveness IS allowing light into our hearts

so that we can heal and move forward It takes the heavy

burden of offense and resentment off of our hearts and

minds while preparing the ldquosoilrdquo for new growth and

experiences

When possible confront the people you need to forgive

so that you can have closure and move on If it is not pos-

sible to confront the person that is the weed in your life

write them a letter expressing your hurt and anger (not to

send but in a private journal) This is a wonderful way to

give yourself closure and put your feelings out on the table

More often than not the person we have to forgive or con-

front is ourselves If you are constantly beating yourself up

and feeling guilty about your past make a choice to forgive

yourself

Donrsquot be lazy about your weeds Dig deep and pull out

your weeds so that you can make room for peace and joy

We all desire to feel love and be accepted That accept-

Meghan DLemery LCSW-R

Simply Saratoga | 35

ance starts with you Begin to focus on peaceful loving joyful

thoughts Keep a gratitude journal of what you love about your-

self or the loved ones in your life Practice planting seeds of joy

by giving acceptance and love to everyone around you

Take time to practice patience and kindness to your family

friends colleagues and that slow cashier at the grocery store Go

out of your way to help others in any way that you can All of

these acts of kindness plant the seeds of peace love joy and

abundance

As we approach the new season of spring take some time to

tend to the garden of your mind

Wishing you love self-acceptance and peace this spring and

always

Ms Lemery is a psychotherapist practic-ing in Saratoga Springs and QueensburyShe can be reached at meghanle-meryyahoocom

Her first novel will be pub-lished this Spring TitledldquoPlease Pass the BarbieShoesrdquo it is a hilarious heart-warming story that will haveyou feeling inspiredand empowered

sect

36 | Simply Saratoga

Living Room The custom-designed leather couch chair andottoman come from Suttons The stucco fireplace was inspired by theCollinsrsquo travels through the Southwest and Colorado (ldquowe wanted to avoida traditional river rock fireplacerdquo) and provides a heat source as well asbeauty The original structure was built for passive solar design no airconditioning is needed in the summer A wood stove is the primary heatsource radiant heat with natural gas was also added during the renova-tion

The front door as well as all the interior doors was custom-made fittedand replaced by Tom Zanetti Hickory wood floors were also installed dur-ing the addition A hanging stained glass chandelier is a stock itemobtained from a leading home supply retailer ldquoIt captures the sunlightbeautifully along with providing brilliant nighttime illuminationrdquo Tedsaid ldquoItrsquos an eclectic mixrdquo

Simply Saratoga | 37

Today we look at a creative space that is set into a special place

In 1993 Ted and Susan Collins purchased a seven-acre property

with a 1986 Timberpeg designed home that has all the qualities of

a place in the country ndash yet many would be surprised to learn that

it is actually located on the border of Saratoga Springs near the

Alpine Shop on Clinton Street After a number of years living in

apartments on Union Avenue and Franklin Square enjoying the

proximity to downtown and the track they couldnrsquot resist a spot

that was close to town but yet had lots of land

Their overall vision was for an interior space that was in accord

with the outside ndash the wildlife gardens and the sustainable philos-

ophy embodied in the original buildingrsquos passive solar design

ldquoEverything we do embraces the goals of staying true to the orig-

inal structure having an open welcoming interior and being in

harmony with the outdoorsrdquo Ted said

Inspired by travels in balance with the land

Story By Arthur GonickPhotos by copystockstudiosphotographycom

These principles guided a major transformation of the interior

space in 2006 The key element was an addition to the home that

enabled the living room kitchen and upstairs bedroom to be

expanded allowing space for the installation of a downstairs bath

as well

Susan and Ted led this transformation - visualizing an addition

that incorporated equilibrium of size location and overall propor-

tion They went through several iterations with Rick Deforest of

Heritage Timberframes

Even though much of the interior decor came from travels in

Africa the South Pacific and Colorado the building materials and

craftsmen are all local The timbers and wood flooring were milled

in nearby Kingsbury ldquoWe enjoyed working with professionals who

are also friends like Rick Deforest Tom Zanetti and Mike

Roohanrdquo Ted said ldquothe house now feels complete in balancerdquo sect

Unique Places and Creative Spaces If you would like to nominate a unique

or creative place to be featured emailentertainmentsaratogapublishingcom

38 | Simply Saratoga

Kitchen A wall was taken out that afforded space to add an eat-in island area and

open up the space Custom cabinets are by Tom Zanetti Stonework andappliances were added Both the kitchen and bathroom have granite table-tops (from Mike and Margaret Roohan of Granite and Marble Works)New appliances include a Bosch stove (with a built-in microwave drawer)and an Amana stainless refrigerator

Bathroom The bathroom ceiling is pine The showerarea was designed and built to the Collinsrsquo specifications andfeatures a bench 4 shower heads PLUS an extra hand-held one(ldquoItrsquos a human car washrdquo) The stone tiles on the sides and floorin the shower were installed by Best Tile the plumbing in theshower comes from Aird Dorrance as does the sink ndash which sitson a granite top from Granite and Marble Works The windowleads out to the north side of the house with privacy blinds insidethe window panes One thing you donrsquot see ldquoSince the room ison display in the center of the expanded first floor we wanted thecommode to be mostly hiddenrdquo Ted said

Unique Places and Creative Spaces

Simply Saratoga | 39

Living RoomA reading nook sits upon the bathroom addition ldquoThere was no full bathroom on the first

floor and with a post and beam construction we had to be creative You get outstanding viewsof the property pond and stream when viewed from the nookrsquos perspectiverdquo The ladder canswing out on a track making it more like walking up a staircase ndash this was also designed andinstalled by Tom Zanetti The table in the nook is actually a working African drum with a glasstable top added

40 | Simply Saratoga

Bedroom In the second-floor master bedroom moving the dormer brought in extra light and space and

also brought the roofline together with the original structure and first-floor additions The floorand ceiling are made of rough-cut pine planking The bed is also constructed of pine and comesfrom Suttons The window in the upper left was cut during the addition It faces west for extra day-time light

Simply Saratoga | 41

42 | Simply Saratoga

Story Written by Yael Goldman Photos by Samu Studios and Randall Perry Photography

Simply Saratoga | 43

orking with the

right interior designer

turns listless decision making

into an enjoyable and productive

process that avoids costly mistakes

and delivers exceptional results

Designing a room or an entire home is a

big project no matter how strong your tastes are

The decisions are endless ndash what color should I paint the

walls What flooring is most aesthetically appealing and

dog-friendly Should I choose a furniture set or choose

individual pieces Do I want curtains or shades Do I

decorate with knick-knacks or artwork

But with all the unique self-questioning that surrounds

an interior design project most homeowners share angst

in asking themselves one specific question where do I

start

Itrsquos at this point ndash when stress level increases enjoy-

ment-driven projects turn deadly and money has been

wastefully spent on all the wrong things ndash that you long

for the help of a professional if only you could afford it

Well the truth is you can

Creating the right space can be expensive but is only

more so if you make mistakes and have to go back and

fix them If you do it right the first time therersquos no cost

associated with do-overs

With nearly 100 years of experience between them all

four members of Blairhouse Interiors Group have

worked with more than enough unhappy do-it-your-

selfers to tell you yoursquore not alone

Photo by Samu Studios

44 | Simply Saratoga

The four-member designproject therapy team which recently

opened a studio in Saratoga Springs has a long history of help-

ing home and business owners create their ideal spaces and

atmospheres the right way Their exceptional work is celebrated across

the Capital Region including Saratoga Springs where the Blairhouse

look is prominently featured in a handful of Park Place condominiums

and the incredible Saratoga National Golf Club

Thomas R Burns Meghan Baltich Dominic Carota and Patricia

Richards the highly skilled and charismatic force behind Blairhouse

Interiors Group promise an experience that is personal because itrsquos all

about your needs ndash and thatrsquos what is important

Blairhouse offers full-service interior design services space planning

project management hand-picked merchandise patience and an uncan-

ny ability to create a

look that is always

fresh sophisticated

and comfortable

ldquoThe style that we

gravitate toward is

unique cutting-edge

and modern not dic-

tated by corporaterdquo

said Meghan Baltich

pointing to a ldquovery

propitiousrdquo Keith Fritz

table at the center of

the studio

Photo by Randall Perry Photography

If you do it right the firsttime therersquos no cost

associated with do-oversPhoto by Randall Perry Photography

One glance at the Park Place showroom ndash of the selective furnishings carefully showcased along

the periphery ndash and it becomes clear why Blairhouse an award-winning team gets the job

done

Their creativity focus and immaculate sense of direction bring objectivity to the scene helping you nar-

row down all of the tedious and overwhelming choices that make do-it-yourself decorating an exercise in

unclear thinking

ldquoPeople are overwhelmed by all the choices it can feel like theyrsquore in a paralyzed blurrdquo said Thomas

Burns who finds that a great vision can be impossible to imagine and create without eliminating all of

the distractions

A vital step in getting focused is creating a

comprehensive plan based on individual

needs wants and style that addresses all

aspects of lifestyle and taste and suggests

tactful solutions and fresh approaches to new

and existing spaces

They help you identify what you like

forcing you to hone in on what you want and

need to compliment and enhance your

lifestyle

ldquoWe ascertain the clientrsquos goal and

lifestyle to convey their visionrdquo said

Dominic Carota explaining that the intended

outcome of creating or reinventing a room is

often strictly tied to how you want to live in

it

ldquoWe have to know how they functionrdquo he

said

An interior designer is an asset in the func-

tion-meets-style equation

Dominic explained that a couple starting a family will have far

different needs than empty-nesters looking for a change They may

have the same stylistic goals but their execution will differ based on

how their lifestyle exists within the space

When revamping a single room the majority of your focus is ded-

icated to that individual space making it easy to forget that the rest

of the house is attached Establishing connectivity between rooms is

a challenge but an important part of executing a project the right

way

Sometimes one wrong detail no matter how small can be incred-

ibly impactful and difficult to avoid on your own

ldquoIf yoursquore working on a new addition or renovation we ensure it

flows that therersquos balance between the existing part of the living

space and the new additionrdquo Meghan Baltich said explaining that

it just doesnrsquot make sense to put in a great new kitchen if itrsquos dis-

jointed and out of place from its surroundings

Another common novice mistake is the trendy retail store fallacy

that you can order a full room from a catalog or pick a fabulous and

unique design from a floor plan

Blairhouse clients learn the difference between ldquocookie-cutterrdquo

and ldquocustomrdquo and they are never concerned with picking the wrong

piece for the wrong room

Simply Saratoga | 45

ome customers will come to us after going into a Pottery Barn and buying stuff that just didnrsquot workrdquo Baltich said giving the

example of an individual who purchased an enormous sectional for a tiny room ldquoWe scale into the clientrsquos space taking func-

tion and proportion into considerationrdquo

Exceptional listening and observation skills are the designerrsquos

unsung attributes and greatest assets Blairhouse experts engage

with their clients to gain a true understanding of what they want

In turn the design process becomes an eye-opening experience

customers are introduced to colors and concepts they would

never think to consider

ldquoEach client trusts us to create their environment and we

enable them to make informed decisionsrdquo Patricia Richards

said

And sometimes that requires bold suggestions and collabora-

tion or looking at all of the possibilities even the ones ldquoyou

would never have been brave enough to do on your ownrdquo

In the end the experience of working with the experts is

enjoyable stress-free and cost-effective From concept to com-

pletion the result is just what you want and need ndash a fabulous

marriage of function and aesthetic that wonrsquot have you coming

back for more (because you did it right the first time) sect

ldquoS

46 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 47

For a taste of Blairhouse Interiors Grouprsquos distinctive work stop into their Park Place studio located at 262 Broadway Suite 204 in Saratoga Springs For further details visit wwwblairhouseinteriorscom or call (518) 786-7800

From left to right Dominic Carota Meghan Baltich Patricia Richards and

Thomas R Burns (The designproject therapy team of Blairhouse Interiors Group)

48 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 49

Dorsquos and Donrsquots

50 | Simply Saratoga

Story Written by Kerry Ann Mendez Perennially Yours bull wwwpyourscom Photos Provided

SpringDorsquos and Donrsquots

SpringDorsquos and DonrsquotsDorsquos and Donrsquots

Spring

for your Gardens

s

Simply Saratoga | 51

ssts

SPRINGis right around the corner and gardenersare pawing at the ground ready to explodethrough the garden gate As a passionate perennial gardenerI am right there with you But before launching into another flower-filledseason letrsquos go through a spring checklist of dorsquorsquos and donrsquorsquots to makesure we make the most of the race and have the best finish ever

Photo by GardenersSupply Company

apply a granular fertilizer to your perennial beds while they are still lsquoasleeprsquoDepending on the winter wersquove had this may be anytime from mid-Marchto mid-April Donrsquot worry if there are already lsquoearly risersrsquo visible like springblooming bulbs or woodland ephemerals I recommend using 5-5-5 5-10-5 or

5-10-10 fertilizer at the rate of 2 pounds per 100 square feet Cast the fertilizer just before it is about to rainto make sure fertilizer is watered into the ground and washed off any existing leaves You can give otherplants in your yard this treat as well including floweringshrubs groundcovers climbing vinesand roses

DONrsquoTput fertilizer on top of the snow or on ground that is

still frozen You want to make sure the fertilizer disap-pears into pliable soil and to waiting roots otherwiserunoff can occur And donrsquot think more is better Youcan stress or even kill plants by over-fertilizing espe-cially in spring when leaves are not fully developed toutilize nitrogen in the fertilizer If you are going to errless is better

DO

prune once-b l o o m i n g

roses such as Heirloom or Old GardenRoses when the Forsythia is blooming

Any rose that blooms onceusually in late spring forabout three weeks is in thiscategory Many times theseroses are quite fragrantWait to prune these rosesuntil right after they flower

DONrsquoT

prune most roses whenForsythia is in bloom Pruneshrub roses back by half to

23 their height This is assuming you did not prunethem last fall If you did then next year wait until latewinter or early spring Prune Teas and Grandiflorasback to 18 - 24rdquo For climbing roses prune branchesemerging from the main canes back to within 3 - 4rdquoof the cane

DO

apply corn gluten tolawn areas yoursquoveseeded (or over-seeded) or to gar-dens where youwant biennialsperennials or annu-als to reseed andflower Corn glutendoes not distinguishbetween lsquogoodrsquoand lsquobadrsquo seeds

apply a pre-emer-gent weed killerand fertilizer toyour lawn A lushhealthy lawn

makes a beautiful frame for gardens Myfamily walked away from lawn chemicalsfive years ago And our lawn has neverlooked better Corn gluten is a big part ofthis transformation Corn gluten is a by-product of milled corn It will not harm chil-dren pets or wildlife Heck you can eat it ifyou want (but it tastes yucky) Corn Glutenis high in nitrogen and commonly used as alawn fertilizer But it is also a pre-emergenttargeting seeds as they germinate Youcan put corn gluten down at any point inthe spring BUT if part of your mission is toeliminate crabgrass then there is a narrowwindow of attackApply it whenForsythia is in fullbloom and beforeits leaves appearThe Forsythia is asoil temperatureindicator that cor-responds to whencrabgrass seedsstart to germinate More garden centersare now carrying corn gluten productsYou just need to ask and follow the appli-cation instructions on the bag Make sureto water in the corn gluten after applyingIt will remain effective for five to six weeks

Simply Saratoga | 53

DONrsquoT

DO

step on soil as you maneuver around thegarden to cut back Lavender and therest of the gang For that matter youshould never be tromping through yourgardens compacting soil This breaks

down air and water channels as well as making it tougher forroots to spread Instead reach into beds from existing paths orplace stepping stones in discreet spots where only your eyes cansee or lsquowalk the plankrsquo on a board to reach plants fartherlsquoadriftrsquo

54 | Simply Saratoga

cut back Lavender Russian SageMontauk Daisy Butterfly BushChrysanthemums and ornamental grass-es These are best left untouched in falland whacked in spring Many folks make

the mistake of acting too gingerly with pruners Let lsquoem fly Theresult will be more compact neater plants that will bloom just fineTrust me If it helps wait until yoursquove had a bad day at work withthe kids or in traffic

DONrsquoT

DO

divide Peonies German Bearded Iris orOriental Poppies in spring These are bestdone in late summer Also tap-rootedplants (those with a carrot-looking root)cannot be divided Think about it These

are usually propagated by seed stem or root cuttings Someperennials that fall into this category are Malva Butterfly WeedBalloon Flower Oriental Poppies and Lupines

Simply Saratoga | 55

DONrsquoT

divide plants in spring This is an optimumtime to divide most perennials Yes evenspring bloomers Wait until these haveflowered and then shear off the spentblooms and get to business Most sum-

mer and fall blooming perennials can be divided prior to mid-Junewithout disrupting their performance

DO

apply a time-released fertilizersuch as Plant-Tone(organic) orOsmocote to heavy

feeding perennials five to six weeks afterthe earlier granular fertilizer applicationMost plants do not need as much fertilizeras we are led in advertising to believe I amstingy with my money and maintenancetime so only a handful of plants get thisbonus feed Astilbe Delphinium Liliums (ieAsiatic Oriental Trumpet) Clematis androses If I am feeling generous I will putsome on my Bigleaf Hydrangeas next to theroses Call me heartlessJust scratch fertilizer intothe top couple inchesof soil around theplantrsquos base and waterin well They will enjoy anutritious snack forthree to four months

apply mulch ongarden beds toreduce weedsconserve moisture

reduce erosion minimize soil temperaturefluctuations and enhance the quality ofthe soil Some mulching materials includeaged manures compost shredded wood(not dyed) leaf moldand cocoa hulls Putthe mulch down 2rdquo to3rdquo thick around plantsincluding floweringshrubs

build up mulchagainst plant stems

And please please donrsquot create volcanomounds around trees Please This is awfulfor them The only ones that benefit fromthis are the people selling the mulch

56 | Simply Saratoga

DONrsquoT

DO

DO

rubber band orbraid the foliage ofspring bloomingbulbs after they fin-ish flowering You

want as much leaf surface exposed to thesun as possible to increase photosynthesisYou can press the leaves down next to thesoil so they are less noticeable

Simply Saratoga | 57

sect

And finally DO have a great year in

your gardens and DONrsquoT forget to

take time to smell the roses

DONrsquoT

DONrsquoT

cut off the spentblooms and stems onspring blooming bulbsafter they have flow-ered so energy is redirected to the bulbsversus seed productions Keep the leaves inplace until they have browned and ideallycan be pulled from the ground by hand

put time-released fertil-izer on perennials thatprefer lean dietsRicher soil just upsetstheir vascular systemsThey will get leggy flop and not perform tosnuff Yarrow Coneflower Catmint RussianSage Linum Sea Holly and Silvermound are inthe group

DO

For more information contact Perennially Yours at pyourscom

58 | Simply Saratoga

Ill mination

Exterior Stonework

an

d

Story Written by Arthur Gonick Photos Provided

u

Simply Saratoga | 59

To develop and implement an exterior vista that maximizes your enjoyment To have a backyard landscape that is warm inviting and uniquely yours

These are goals that many homeowners have when they first move onto their property But unless you are trained in the variety ofmaterials and options available the task of getting past the point of comparing possibilities to completing and actually enjoying yourbackyard paradise can appear to be a long daunting road

For Carl Trinkle a landscape designer for ten years with the Gallivan Companies of Troy one of the key elements in a successfultransformation is utilizing a professionalrsquos expertise to articulate goals and develop a plan

ldquoThe most important thing we do when we first meet with a client is to get them to discuss their basic needs and aims and encouragethem to formulate an overall vision for their property An initial consultation sets the tone we make an initial visit on-site to look overthe property so we can have an idea as to where things might be placedrdquo

ldquoDuring this intake process we actually encourage people to show us photos of their friendrsquos property that they like or perhaps froma magazine It helps most people to articulate the goals of what they would like to see as a finished projectrdquo Trinkle said ldquoEven if they are looking to do things in phases we find that it is most important to develop a comprehensive site planrdquo This eliminates the need to revise original phases of work to accommodate those that come in the future

60 | Simply Saratoga

that Mr Trinkle finds potential customers identifying with aredesigned to extend the outdoor season ldquoA few extra weeks outside isa lotrdquo he said

add-ons also extend outside activity each day Low voltage lighting is still the most popular but recently LED lighting with longer-lasting bulbs that involve less maintenance and are cost-efficienthave become more fashionable

The latest trends

stations fire pits and waterenhancements such as ponds andwaterfalls are the most frequentlyrequested items that broaden theoutdoor use season

Outdoor grill

Exterior lighting

Simply Saratoga | 61

And of course swimming pool projects have always been a most-requested

item Fifty percent of allthe projects Mr Trinkleworks on involve a pooleither a completely new installation or enhance-ments to existing poolsGallivanrsquos long-standingrelationship withConcord Pools has beena hallmark in assuringthat customers are satis-fied when their pool isput in the ground

62 | Simply Saratoga

In most cases a comprehensive plancan be developed for any project in about a period of twoweeks Complete drawings and cost breakdowns are provid-ed as well as the projected phases that can be completed injust a few months or on larger projects can be scheduled insegments over a few years These are reviewed in personwith the customer again the goal being to have a plan thateveryone buys into

Simply Saratoga | 63

ldquoWe have had projects where the customer has wanted tohave a lot of input and we welcome that But we also hadone where the client was out of town and we built a firepit and slide for his wife and kids and our only instructions were to dazzle themI remember it as a most satisfying experience and we ended up winning awards for that onerdquo

- Carl Trinkle Landscape DesignerThe Gallivan Companies

64 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 65

ldquoI get to work using my creativity with talented people Some of the most talented are those

I meet as customersrdquo sect

For more information or to schedule aconsultation phone Gallivan Companies at(518) 271-6100 Gallivanrsquos website iswwwGallivanCompaniescom

66 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 67

Buying a playhouse for your child is an excellent investment

They promote imaginative play and spending time outdoors and

double as storage space when no longer used for recreation

Denise Woodcock owner of Versatile Sheds in Wilton has

been helping parents and grandparents customize their childrsquos or

grandchildrsquos dream playhouses for years

ldquoThey make great gifts especially for grandparents who want

their grandkids to have their own place to play when they visitrdquo

she said

Playhouses are a great addition to a childrsquos outdoor world

They come in all shapes sizes and designs and can be custom-

built or finished if you donrsquot find exactly what yoursquore looking for

in a catalog or on the lot

Every child is different and has their own preferences for color

size and function boys and girls often have especially different

requests for their play space as do younger and more mature chil-

dren so therersquos a lot to consider

Denise knows how even the finest detail can be all it takes to

make an outdoor structure feel like a childrsquos own personal space

While it may seem superfluous to address every minor demand

the truth is a playhouse is more than just an expensive toy itrsquos an

investment The more your child connects with their space the more

use theyrsquoll get out of it ndash and according to Denise that means your

money is well spent

Smartest WayThe

playhouse for your kidsto buy a

Photos by MarkBollescomStory by Yael Goldman

68 | Simply Saratoga

With this in mind prospective buyers should first consider

who will use the playhouse and for how long as well as what

happens when the structure is no longer used for recreation

Versatile Sheds can help even the most discerning parent or

child find what theyrsquore looking for Every playhouse is hand-

built by Amish craftsmen who can accommodate almost any

special request at an additional cost so the possibilities are

endless inside and out

Cedar shingle or vinyl siding wood stone or brick ndash if you

can use it on the outside of your regular home it can be inte-

grated into your playhousersquos design Playhouses can be built

to look like a miniature version of your home which is an

excellent touch for parents that are particularly concerned

with aesthetics Porches shutters flowerboxes unique doors

chimneys and exterior lighting are just a few of the touches

that can brighten and personalize the exterior

Individualizing your childrsquos playhouse doesnrsquot stop at the

front door There are just as many interior features to choose

from ndash you can let your imagination run wild

For starters you have the option to order the playhouse

with a finished or unfinished interior The unfinished version

looks a lot like the inside of a regular home before you move

in paint the walls and furnish the rooms

Buying an unfinished structure is a great way to cut costs

and even bring the family together over a weekend decorating

project The possibilities are endless depending on how handy

you are otherwise a few coats of paint and a bit of carpeting

will surely do the trick

Although a bit pricey purchasing a playhouse with a fin-

ished interior ensures that your child gets exactly what they

want right off the bat They can pick everything from the paint

color to the flooring so the playhouse is move-in ready on the

day it arrives

Playhouses can also be insulated and wired for electricity

You can install lighting electrical outlets even heat or air-

conditioning to make your childrsquos outdoor space as comfort-

able as possible

And the options donrsquot end there Traditional sheds also dou-

ble as playhouses For some parents purchasing an adult-size

shed for their children is an ideal way to get the best return on

their investment Once their children grow out of it the struc-

ture can be used for outdoor storage With just as many styles

sizes and materials to choose from you can customize the

interior and exterior of your shed just as you would a play-

house but without all of the more frivolous features

ldquoAny shed can be a playhouserdquo Woodcock said explaining

how a custom paint job or flowerbox can transform a typical

storage unit into childrsquos outdoor activity haven

For example if purchasing a wood shed the exterior can be

easily painted and repainted when making the transition from

playhouse to storage space

For Denisersquos customers getting their moneyrsquos worth should

not have to mean making sacrifices

Simply Saratoga | 69

70 | Simply Saratoga

When Debby Trainor made the decision to buy her grand-

daughter Chezneyrsquos dream house she wanted it to have all the

bells and whistles She met with Denise to go over all the cri-

teria the goal was to buy the perfect gift for Chezney while

staying within her budget

The eight-year-old Greenwich girl wanted her own pretty

pink palace where she could play and imagine Debby wanted

it to be a cozy and safe place for her to play year-round

Customization and interior decoration helped make

Chezneyrsquos playhouse feel like her own little kingdom

ldquoWe made it look like a cute little dollhouserdquo she said ldquoWe

put furniture inside and a little stove fridge heater and TV

itrsquos just perfectrdquo

With the structure built to their liking Chezney and Debby

could enjoy decorating the inside to personalize the playhouse

For many customers putting on the finishing touches means

making the playhouse feel like home ndash you can add curtains

hang pictures buy furniture and appliances and landscape the

perimeter to make the outdoor space feel like a home away

from home

When the child grows out of their playhouse these items

can be easily removed to accommodate a secondary use for the

space

ldquoThe best thing that Denise did for me was explain how we

can use the playhouse for storage for stuff out in the yard after

Chezney has grown out of itrdquo Debby explained ldquoAlthough

she is only eight and will be using it for quite a few more

years this really makes it a good investment and looks

great in the backyardrdquo

Whether you choose a customized playhouse or a tradi-

tional shed thinking toward the future also ensures the

safety and longevity of the structure

Denise explained that placement is an important thing to

consider as you want to make sure the structure is in a safe

place and on an appropriate surface Most importantly the

playhouse must be built on a level even surface that isnrsquot

too high off of the ground

ldquoYou want it on a nice platformrdquo Denise explained

ldquoSome people use concrete but stone is better because it

allows moisture to seep down into the ground and away

from the structurerdquo

Most parents prefer that their playhouse is in the back-

yard where itrsquos easy to see from a window Placing the

structure in a shaded area is also a good idea it will be

cooler in the summer and less susceptible to the elements if

partially protected by trees

Debby had Chezneyrsquos playhouse built right next to her

swing set where she can be easily supervised

One last thing to consider when purchasing a playhouse

Simply Saratoga | 71

72 | Simply Saratoga

or shed for your child is how much effort

you want to put into maintaining it The

more ornate the structure the more care it

may need

Woodcock advises parents to preserve

their investment and treat the playhouse

like a miniature home

Think of it as a miniature house ndash the

structure requires regular maintenance

and upkeep to ensure your child will be

safe while enjoying years and years of

imaginative fun

With so many features and styles to

choose from yoursquore sure to find the best

for both you and your child

For more information about Versatile

Sheds or to set up a time to meet with

Denise Woodcock call (518) 584-7924

or stop by 669 Route 9 in Wilton sect

Simply Saratoga | 73

74 | Simply Saratoga

Kitchen

Not Your

Grandmarsquos

Story Written by Daniel Schechtman Photos Provided

ldquoAs you

walk into the kitchen

of the future LED

light projections adjust

to your mood - it will

know if you have a

hangover via sensors

that will read your

b r a i n w a v e s

Aromatherapy infused

walls will be synched

to your calendar calm-

ing you before a big

meeting or energizing you before a gym session The fridge will have selected some breakfast options identifying the essen-

tial vitamins for your day via sensors When you get home a hologram chef will be on hand for recipe inspirationrdquo

Alright so maybe your kitchen canrsquot do all of these things quite yet ndash but believe it or not wersquore getting there This is tomor-

rowrsquos kitchen a kitchen where your appliances donrsquot just store your food or wash your dishes ndash they talk to you providing you

with integral information on how to

best store your fruits and vegetables

letting you know if the refrigerator

door is open for too long or when a

part will soon need replacing

Simply Saratoga | 75

ldquoScience fictionrdquo I hear you say

Guess again Quoted from a report released by The Future Laboratory

who was commissioned by IKEA to determine what a modernkitchen in the year 2040 could conceivably look like

76 | Simply Saratoga

ldquoOne technology that really stands out to me is the

Miele Appliance Company Right now theyrsquore using a

program called lsquoremote visionrsquo On select applianceshellip

is a wireless card that clicks into a port on the back of

the appliance You synch it up with your home network

and it basically emails the technician and the owner

when itrsquos broken when you need to clean your condens-

er change your water filter or schedule a routine serv-

icerdquo said Tom Thibeault owner of Adirondack

Appliance Repair Inc located at 67 West Ave in

Saratoga Springs ldquoMaybe somebodyrsquos been opening the

[refrigerator] door for too long or the door was left open

ndash it will email you and tell you that your door is left

openrdquo

This is not your grandmarsquos kitchen This my friends

is the kitchen of the future and itrsquos available now

The 36 inch bottom-mount Miele refrigerator boasts a

striking interior featuring LED lighting running along

the sides from top to bottom stainless steel accents and

exteriors with control systems that would be comfort-

able alongside the captainrsquos chair on the Starship

Enterprise

Simply Saratoga | 77

ldquoThe controls in the Miele really stand out

Looking at the controls theyrsquore just a glass piece and

then once you touch it you see a few options for the

different compartments Then you touch the compart-

ment and the temperature is displayed so itrsquos kind of

like a Star Trek controlrdquo Thibeault said

And thatrsquos just the refrigerator

Adirondack Appliance has also seen brands such as

Wolf (a company owned by the same people who own

Sub-Zero) grow in popularity when it comes to their

range stoves and ovens The dual convection oven

works to eliminate cold spotting and provides consis-

tent even temperatures and even allows for unique

options such as proofing ndash used best when baking

homemade bread

ldquoIt also has a temperature probe you can plug into

things like a turkey or roast so you can see the temper-

ature while itrsquos still inside the machine It has

hydraulic hinges halogen lit interiors everything is

composed of stainless steel and itrsquos by far one of the

best lines on the marketrdquo Thibeault said

A new line coming to Adirondack Appliance that

features some amazing technology is a series of Pro-

Style Ranges produced by industry giant Jenn-Air

ldquoThat actually has an LCD touch

screen like an IPAD for the controls The

temperature is set by sliding your finger

along the controls Itrsquos all color backlit and

absolutely amazingrdquo Thibeault said

ldquoAnother thing we have to that same

effect are some of the hoods which have

really been getting pretty out there as far as

design We have one on our floor [by Miele]

that has an LED bar on the front which

changes in phases between 196000 colors

Itrsquos a very delicate change very pretty and

coolrdquo Thibeault said adding ldquoor you can set

it to any color in that spectrum yoursquod like to

accent your cabinetryrdquo

When it comes to dishwashers Thibeault

can attest to the quality of both the Asko and

Miele brands both of which he uses in his

own home And good news for Saratoga

Springs residents ndash

ldquoIn our market in

Saratoga we have a

very hard water base

whether yoursquore on a well

system or city waterrdquo

Thibeault said ldquoSo you

get a lot of minerals in

the machine With the

stainless steel interiors it

eliminates a lot of prob-

lems generally seen with

plastic interior tubs and

usually they are the best

life expectanciesrdquo

78 | Simply Saratoga

Asko and Mieleare practically custom made to handle the

arearsquos typicallymineral rich water

Simply Saratoga | 79

The Asko brand dishwasher takes things one step

further including two pumps in the washerrsquos system

The first pump filters the water cleansing it of poten-

tially harmful minerals while the second pump recircu-

lates the water ensuring that the machine is never

blasting your dishes with food debris or dirty residue

With Miele the design features a built-in water sof-

tener perfect for dealing with the Saratoga water

system

ldquoTypically the Miele is going to do a better job with

tougher baked in stainsrdquo said Thibeault ldquobecause itrsquos

got the softener in it and a little bit longer pots and pans

cyclerdquo

80 | Simply Saratoga

Adirondack Appliance Repair Inc is a fami-

ly-owned business since 1929 and the last inde-

pendent appliance retailer of its kind in Saratoga

Springs With $6 billion of buying power behind

their name (a benefit of being part of the Nation

Wide Appliance Buying Group) Thibeault

promised ldquowe can actually price match the box

stores and everybody else around all while pro-

viding you with better service and better

productsrdquo

For more information on AdirondackAppliance or the products they sell you mayvisit their showroom located at 67 West Avenuein Saratoga Springs for live demonstrationsThey can also be reached by phone at (518)587-6640 or you may visit them at their newwebsite wwwadkappliancecom where cus-tomers can browse through the storersquos entirecatalogue of appliances

sect

Simply Saratoga | 81

82 | Simply Saratoga

Page 20: Simply Saratoga March 2011

22 | Simply Saratoga

The current economic and market environment has prompt-

ed many Americans to rethink their retirement strategies If

you are experiencing a job transitionmdashparticularly if the tran-

sition is unplanned and unexpectedmdashsuch a reassessment may

be particularly important for you While it may be tempting to

focus more on your immediate needs you should not lose sight

of long-term goals especially your retirement strategy

Some Basic Decisions Your employer-sponsored retirement plan is likely to be a

key component of your retirement strategy Because it repre-

sents a key source of future retirement income it is important

to carefully consider your alternatives for administering these

assets During a job transition you will usually have three

options take a lump-sum distribution leave your assets in the

employer-sponsored plan or move your assets into a Rollover

IRA

Taking a direct lump-sum distributionmdashWith this

option the assets in your plan are distributed directly to you in

a lump sum which provides you with immediate access to

your funds Depending on your short-term needs that may

appear to be an attractive alternative However a distribution

will likely result in substantial federal and state income taxes

and a 10 percent IRS penalty tax which can significantly

reduce the amount of the distribution Because you will be

receiving the distribution directly the plan administrator must

withhold up to 20 percent of the value of the distribution for

federal income tax purposes Moreover you will lose the ben-

efit of the tax-deferred status of these assets which could

reduce the amount ultimately available to you at retirement

The status quo optionmdashYou can decide to do nothing

leaving your assets in your former employerrsquos plan That will

protect the tax-deferred status of your assets and allow you to

transfer the account assets at a later time to a new employerrsquos

retirement plan that accepts rollovers But you may be limiting

your investment choices and control because employer plans

typically have a restricted investment menu and require the

consent of your spouse before you can name someone else as

a beneficiary

Establishing a Rollover IRAmdashA Rollover IRA simultane-

ously addresses the issues of taxation flexibility and control

and may hold significant benefits for you as a result

Submitted by H Michael Okby Wealth Advisor

Fin

ancia

l Protecting Your RetirementInvestmentsDuring a JobTransition

If your distribution is transferred directly to a custodian rather than

to you the Rollover IRA eliminates the withholding requirement and

penalties that may result from a lump-sum distribution

The entire rollover amount can be investedimmediately according to the strategy youspecify bull Your assets and any earnings continue to have the potential to

grow tax-deferred until you retire and begin taking withdrawals

bull You may gain access to a wider range of investment options and

more retirement planning and distribution flexibility

bull You can name any beneficiary including a trust without

needing the consent of your spouse (although special rules may

apply in community property states)

For example investment products in an employer plan are usually

limited to mutual funds and company stock With a self-directed

Rollover IRA you can work with your financial professional to struc-

ture a portfolio using stocks bonds annuities and other investments

utilizing an asset allocation1 that is customized to help you meet your

retirement investment objectives And your retirement strategy can be

further tailored with a wider range of beneficiary selection and distri-

bution choices

Consider Consolidation This may also be an excellent time to deal with multiple IRAs you

may have opened over the years and with account balances you may

have left in the plans of former employers Together these assets may

represent a significant sum There are good reasons to consider con-

solidating them all in a Rollover IRA

Comprehensive investment strategymdashIt can be difficult to main-

tain an effective investment strategymdashone that accurately reflects

your goals timing and risk tolerancemdashwhen assets are spread among

multiple financial institutions When you consolidate your financial

professional can help you ensure that these assets are part of your

overall asset allocation strategy that is reflective of your current

financial situation and long-term retirement goals

Greater investment flexibilitymdashA self-directed IRA generally

offers you the ability to choose from a wide range of investment

products including stocks bonds mutual funds annuities and more

Simplified trackingmdashIt is easier to monitor your progress and

investment results when all your retirement savings are in one place

because you will receive one statement instead of several That sim-

plifies your life while protecting the environment

Lower costsmdashReducing the number of accounts may also reduce

your account fees and other investment-related charges

Dealing with one account rather than several also simplifies

the distribution processmdashincluding complying with complex min-

imum distribution rules when you reach age 70 And you avoid the

risk of losing track of your retirement accounts or access to the

account assets should your former employer merge with another

company or go out of business Your financial professional can help

you assess your alternatives so you can make decisions based on

whatrsquos best for you You may find that this time of transition holds

benefits for your retirement assets

For more information please contact H Michael Okby at (518) 583-5601

sect

Simply Saratoga | 23

24 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 25

Summer camp is a place wherelifelong memories are made

This is where our children learnto cultivate their interests andordiscover a world of new activities tohelp their young minds grow andfor them to become physically fit

Even though there may be snowon the ground when you read thisit is never too early to think aboutyour childrenrsquos summer fun Weare blessed in this region with avariety of destinations providing awealth of activities

And while there is something foreveryone early planning is a mustto assure your child has a spot inone of these great places At theend of a long winter seasonthoughts of summer camp arerejuvenating for adults as well

Summer Camp Guide 2011

YMCA Camp Chingachgook

NdakinnaNdakinna Education Center located in

Greenfield Center offers a wide variety of

summer camp programs and activities that

will provide campers with a greater

respect and understanding for the natural

world as well as the Northeastrsquos rich

Native American history Hosted by

renowned author and wilderness and sur-

vival expert James Bruchac these pro-

grams are ideal for children with a sense

of adventure and natural wonder Summer

programs are divided into two groups

children ages three to eight and older

campers ages nine to fourteen Programs

range in duration from one to two weeks

26 | Simply Saratoga

YMCA Camp Chingachgook located on beauti-

ful Lake George has three camping options sleep-

away camp day camp and adventure trips

Summer sleep-away camp is the experience of a

lifetime The camp is divided into junior and sen-

ior boys and girls units junior campers between

the ages of seven and 12 and senior campers are 13

to 15 years old All Chingachgook counselors go

through extensive two-week training and prepa-

ration prior to the beginning of the first session

Campers will enjoy a full schedule of skill

classes which they can choose on their own

and special events and programs Campers can

choose from swimming water skiing canoeing

nature arts outdoor living skills theater news-

paper riflery archery dance guitar outdoor

cooking sports zone water world woodwork-

ing softball soccer tennis photography sail-

ing high ropes mountain biking and rock

climbing Each camper sets up their own daily

schedule of four skill classes at the start of the

session

Two-week camp sessions at Chingachgook

also include a three-day hike which allows

campers to get out and experience the wilder-

ness in a fun and safe atmosphere

Chingachgook also offers a variety of unique

adventure camps for children looking to explore

unique destinations and experience a whole new

level of fun options like sailing kayak-

ing boat building rock climbing canoe-

ing community service white-water

rafting hiking and backpacking bicycle

touring and mountain biking Adventure

campers will benefit from activities with

smaller coed groups of ten or less

Day Camp at Chingachgook is a fun

option for children ages five to ten

Campers will enjoy a full day of fun

activities from 930 am to 430 pm The

Day Camp program is divided into eight

one-week segments with the first session

starting on June 28 and the final session

starting on August 16 Each session has

a different theme

Spaces are limited at Chingachgook

so be sure to sign up as soon as possible

For more information to sign up for a

tour or to register for camp visit

wwwcapitaldistrictymcacom or call

(518) 656-9462

each covering a different skill or activity such

as animal tracking basic wilderness survival

skills and shelter building Native American

storytelling and games and nature-based arts

and crafts projects will teach campers to have

fun in the great outdoors Each camp program

promotes team building natural awareness

patience and confidence

Ndakinna also offers family camp pro-

grams which allow children and their parents

to experience the outdoors together Family

programs can accommodate children ages one

to 14 These programs offer the

same skills training and team-

building activities To view the

finalized calendar of programs

and events visit

wwwNdcenterorg

Cutting Edge Martial ArtsCutting Edge Martial Artrsquos A+ After

School and Summer Camp Program is a year-

round child care solution that provides a pos-

itive structured environment for children

after school and during the day in the sum-

mer During the school year we pick chil-

dren up directly from the local elementary

and middle schools and provide an hour les-

son that starts with our ldquoMat Chatrdquo a ten

minute character education lesson for the day

followed by a full 50 minute martial arts

class Parents have a window between 5 and

545 pm to pick up their children while chil-

dren have the opportunity after class to get

their homework started

During the summer children get all the

benefits of our A+ Program but on a grander

scale We offer nine weeks of full day camps

and have no minimum or maximum number

of days per week or number of weeks that a

student can attend Each week of camp we

have a curriculum of character education

lessons fun games and a one hour martial

arts class every day We watch a movie in

the afternoons twice a week have a video

game morning on Fridays and take all our

campers on an educa-

tional outing on

Wednesdays and a

fun and exciting out-

ing every Friday

Our average camp

size is 20-25 stu-

dents and we have

three full time staff

graphed by Sarah Sutliff

Saratoga Childrenrsquos Theatre also offers a one-

week camp at the end of the summer ldquoMaster

your Auditionrdquo This camp will help your child

get ready for fall and winter auditions These

audition workshops have been very popular and

sell out quickly Any child at any skill level with

an interest in performing arts is welcome to join

in on the fun Saratoga Childrenrsquos Theatre

Executive Director Meg Kelly aims to give each

camper the most rewarding and enjoyable camp

experience and every camper will get to perform

The Saratoga Childrenrsquos Theatre hires profes-

sionals to help your child gain the most from

their summer camp experience

The cost for a two-week session is $450 and

$250 for the one-week session For more infor-

mation visit wwwsaratogachildrenstheatreorg

or call (518) 580-1782

For kids who have a passion for per-

forming arts Saratoga Childrenrsquos Theatre

summer camp is a dream come true

Saratoga Childrenrsquos Theatre offers per-

formance camps which means each

camper will be working on a full-fledged

production throughout their session

Campers will learn all aspects of perform-

ance and will have the opportunity to per-

form in two shows at the end of camp a

matinee and an evening show are both

open to the public Campers will perform

on stage at St Petersrsquo Auditorium

Saratoga Springs Camp hours are 9am-

3pm Performance camp is divided into

two age groups

Ages 6-9 will participate in one week

camps These camps will include Disneyrsquos

Sleeping Beauty kids Cinderella kids

Aristocats kids 101 Dalmatians kids and

Lemonade These camps will be directed by

Megan OrsquoSullivan a local elementary school

music teacher and assisted by Karey

Trimmings also a local elementary school

music teacher

Ages 10-18 will participate in two-week

camps Each camp will practice and perform a

different show These

camps include

Thoroughly Modern

Mille Jr Cinderella Jr

Fiddler on the Roof Jr

and Once on this Island

Jr These camps will be

directed by Michael

Lotano local actor and

elementary school music

teacher and choreo-

Saratoga Childrenrsquos Theatre

Simply Saratoga | 27

working with our students

Our goal is to provide a family-friendly

and fun environment that feels like a home

away from home Our students have fun

learning skills that can be used every day of

their lives and we try to provide memories

that will last a lifetime For many our

summer camps are a wonderful introduc-

tion to martial arts

For more information visit

wwwsaratogamartialartscom

or call (518) 587-5501

28 | Simply Saratoga

Saratoga Independent SchoolSaratoga Independent School hosts a variety of summer

programs split into two age groups three to eight year-olds

Wilton Recreation CampWilton Recreation offers a full-day summer

camp program for children in grades one

through nine With available pre-camp and

post-camp care working parents can ensure

their children are having fun in a safe environ-

ment before and after the camprsquos regular 9 am to

3 pm hours Parents who register their children

for before and after camp care can drop off their

children prior to camp opening at 830 am and

can pick them up at 530 pm Bussing is avail-

able for Wilton residents who register for regu-

lar camp hours (9 am to 3 pm)

Wilton Recreation Camp offers a full sched-

ule of daily onsite activities themed events and

exciting trips for kids who register for off-site

adventures Daily on-site activities include arts

and crafts sports playground fun and other

organized group games This yearrsquos scheduled

field trips include Million Dollar Beach in Lake

George movie days at Proctors Theater

Saratoga County Fair bowling white water

rafting and at least two swimming days per

week at Peerless Pool

The Summer 2011 camp will open on

June 27 and run until August

12 Registration begins

March 14 at Gavin Park and

will close on June 3 As

there are only 300 spaces

available be sure to mark

your calendar Camp

registration forms are

available online at

wwwtownofwiltoncom or

can be picked up weekdays

at Gavin Park 9 am to 5 pm

For any other questions

please call the park office at (518) 584-9455

and seven to 14 year-olds The weeklong programs run from July 5

to August 19

Saratoga Independent School summer programs are staffed large-

ly by their own teachers so parents can rest assured their kids are

supervised in a safe environment with experienced teachers who are

knowledgeable about child development and hands-on

programming

For the younger group weekly themed programs run from 9 am

to noon (early drop-off at 830 available) The staff-to-camper ratio

is one to six for children ages three and four and one to ten for chil-

dren ages five to eight Themed programs include ldquoCooking with

Curiosityrdquo ldquoHawaiian Hullabaloordquo ldquoHands-On Science Funrdquo

ldquoHoliday-A-Dayrdquo ldquoGood Versus Evil Imaginations Run Wildrdquo

ldquoDinosaur Discoveryrdquo ldquoIn the Jungle the Mighty Junglerdquo

Activities take place both indoors and outdoors

The selection of enrichment programs for older children is even

more extensive this year than in the past Some programs will take

place in the mornings others in the afternoon Age ranges will vary

depending on the subject matter These specialty programs give chil-

dren an opportunity to develop new interests and expand on existing

skills Programs include ldquoCartooning and Morerdquo ldquoImprovisationrdquo

ldquoKnittingrdquo ldquoOpen Art Studiordquo ldquoYou Can Do Magicrdquo ldquoGet Up and

Dancerdquo ldquoRoaring into Robots Whatrsquos Nextrdquo ldquoArt in the Ancient

Worldrdquo ldquoMad Sciencerdquo ldquoComputer Video Game Creationrdquo

ldquoAdvanced Robot Challengesrdquo and ldquoArt-Math Connectionrdquo

Registration has already begun and the programs fill up quickly so

visit wwwsiskidsorg for more information and to secure a space

for your child

Simply Saratoga | 29

Are your kids looking for an adventure this summer The

Saratoga Regional YMCA has two exciting day camps available

Camp Starhitch held at the Wilton Branch which engages children

with a multitude of fun activities and a trip each week and Travel

Camp where participants meet at the Saratoga Springs Branch and

then travel off to fun and thrilling places each day

Camp Starhitch is for children having completed Kindergarten

through entering fifth grade Campers will participate in games

sports crafts nature activities trips swimming archery and more

Each week is planned around a theme and includes a trip For exam-

ple during ldquo70rsquos Flashbackrdquo week campers will go roller skating

during ldquoThe Wild Frontierrdquo week kids will have the opportunity to

go horseback riding and during ldquoTropical Paradiserdquo week partici-

pants may ldquocatch a gnarly waverdquo at an outdoor water park

Travel Camp is definitely for the action seeker and for those who

like to be on the go This program for youth entering fifth through

tenth grade provides campers an opportunity to travel each and every

day to fun-filled locations Participants explore different summer

activities that include amusement and water parks outdoor sports

fairs and horseback riding This year the trips include a visit to Hunter

Mountain Six Flags New England Tubing on the Battenkill NY

Mets game at Citi Field the NY State Fair and more

Camp Starhitch and Travel Camp both run for nine one-week ses-

sions You may choose to attend camp for one week or any combina-

tion of weeks Experienced counselors supervise children and a ratio

of 110 ensures a safe quality camping experience CPR and First Aid

certified camp staff will be present on all trips At Travel Camp

campers will be grouped according to age and are supervised by expe-

rienced adult staff

Camp Starhitch has two day camp options for your child Option A

allows for your child to be dropped off at 9 am and picked up at 4 pm

and Option B has a 7 am drop off time and a 6 pm pick up time

Travel Camp runs from 9 am to 430 pm and extended hours are

available at no additional cost This year transportation will be provid-

ed in both directions between the Saratoga Springs and Wilton

branches Pickups will be as early as 815 am and drop-offs will be

as late as 5 pm Both camps try to cater to working parents

In addition the Saratoga Regional YMCA is committed to provid-

ing a safe and welcoming environment for all campers by incorporat-

ing the YMCAcore values of caring honesty respect and responsibil-

ity in daily activities To promote safety and comfort for all individu-

als are asked to act appropriately at all times when at the Yrsquos facilities

or participating in Y programs All campers are required to read and

sign a contract of understanding in reference to the Code of Conduct

We expect persons using the YMCAto act maturely to behave respon-

sibly and to respect the rights and dignity of all othersmdashall while

having a good time

The Y also has opportunities available for those who may not have

the resources to send their children to camp The Y provides scholar-

ships for those who qualify Scholarships are made possible due to

the generous donations of Y members the community and businesses

to the ldquoWe Build Peoplerdquo scholarship campaign held by the Saratoga

Regional YMCA each year Scholarship applications are available at

all Saratoga Regional YMCA branches and online at wwwsaratogare-

gionalymcaorg

Registration is currently ongoing and fills up quickly Registration

forms are available at any of the Saratoga Regional YMCA Branches

or at wwwsaratogaregionalymcaorg For more information about

these day camps please contact Ilene Leverence at (518) 583-9622

ext 103 for Camp Starhitch and Patti Laudicina at (518) 583-9622

ext 110 or Paige Minear ext 116 for Travel Camp

Saratoga YMCA

30 | Simply Saratoga

Ask women about the greatest threat to their health and most will

respond incorrectly with the words ldquobreast cancerrdquo While breast cancer

certainly is of concern the truth is that women are 10 times more like-

ly to die from heart disease Breast cancer kills 1 in 25 women heart

disease claims 1 in 2

The most recent statistics available indicate that cardiovascular dis-

ease causes the death of 500000 women per year ndash more than ALL

forms of cancer combined This is a rate of epidemic proportion

Little or no warning

Two-thirds of women die suddenly from heart disease without expe-

riencing any warning symptoms The majority die before they even

reach the hospital and before any attempt at treatment is possible Early

screening and the detection that leads to prevention offer the only hope

of reducing these deaths

Women who do develop heart disease tend to fare worse than men

One reason is that on average heart disease peaks 10 years later in

women than in men At this older age women are less able to withstand

the stress of the disease The proof can be found in a disturbing statis-

tic One year after their first heart attack 44 percent of women are dead

compared with 27 percent of men

Clearly for women preventing that first heart attack would make an

enormous difference

Know the risks

What can be done to prevent and detect heart disease in women

Of foremost importance is to reduce ndash or if possible eliminate ndash the

conditions that cause or accelerate the growth of blockages in the arter-

ies of the heart These conditions known as risk factors include high

Women Take this warning to heart

Story By Andrij O Baran MD

blood pressure diabetes genetic high cholesterol a high-fat

diet an inactive lifestyle smoking and cocaine use

Some damage the lining of the heartrsquos arteries speeding the

buildup of cholesterol Others raise blood cholesterol Both

smoking and cocaine use speed blood clotting They also can

cause sudden cramps or spasms in the coronary arteries cut-

ting off the entire blood supply to portions of the heart even

without a cholesterol blockage

A woman who has one or more of these risk factors should

ask her doctor how best to control them She also should ask

about further screening and testing such as stress testing

The sooner the better

Lifestyle changes and medications can have a dramatic

impact on reducing the incidence of heart attack provided cho-

lesterol blockages are detected early ndash before damage to the

heart has occurred In fact drugs that lower cholesterol alone

have been unequivocally shown to reduce the risk of heart

attack and death by up to 50 percent

When added to a program of low-fat diet exercise control

of high blood pressure and diabetes and above all else no

smoking the benefits are magnified many times over Keep in

mind of course that these drugs work only if they are taken

and taken appropriately

By knowing and changing their risk factors all women can

ensure themselves of a longer and more vibrant life

Andrij O Baran MD FACC is the Medical Director of

Cardiology Services at Saratoga Hospital

Simply Saratoga | 31

A c t F a s t D u r i n g H e a r t A t t a c k s According to the American Heart

Association clot-busting drugs can stop

some heart attacks in progress reducing

disability and saving lives They work best

given within one hour of when heart

attack signs begin Thatrsquos why itrsquos impor-

tant to recognize the warning signs of a

heart attack and act right away

Warning Signs

bull Pain or discomfort in the jaw

neck or back

bull Feeling weak lightheaded or faint

bull Chest paindiscomfort

bull Paindiscomfort in the arms or

shoulder

bull Shortness of breath

If you think that you or someone you

know is having a heart attack call 911

immediately

32 | Simply Saratoga

Who would believe that a rabbi from Eastern

Europe frozen for 150 years in a block of ice could

be transported across time and space to Memphis

where he thaws then becomes a spiritual guru to

baby boomers Arguably nobody But Steve Stern

the author of ldquoThe Frozen Rabbirdquo his most recent

novel isnrsquot asking readers to believe it so much as

to let the characters tell their story Besides the plot

may be far-fetched but he already has a buyer for

the movie rights

Writer-in-residence at Skidmore College Stern is

a genius at creating human beings in fantastical cir-

cumstances who seem more like eccentric neigh-

bors than artifacts of science fiction Some fly

some inhabit other peoplersquos dreams some are res-

urrected and some travel through time Whatever

their superpowers or frailties the heroes and vil-

lains tricksters and innocents and witnesses and

bystanders in Sternrsquos short and long fiction deserve

attention and evoke compassion in their quest for

connection and redemption - or at least food and

shelter From within an inexhaustible vein of

Jewish folklore and oral history his characters

emerge into a lucid fictional universe that embraces

both magic and the mundane Dialogue is ironic as

often as it is mystical and the most ordinary days

serve as backdrops for incredible events

ldquoMiracles are commonplacerdquo says Stern a

Ballston Spa resident ldquoI donrsquot write in metaphors

and symbols deliberately Writing is a visceral

experience for me I read with interest what review-

ers say about my repetitive themes and ideas but I

am driven by images and characters Irsquom a compul-

sive storytellerrdquo

Steve Stern A Lyrical Voice in the Ghetto

B

o

o

k

m

a

r

k

Lean bespectacled and haloed in dark curls Stern

is a Memphis native who grew up in a home bereft

of music books and art in a city made famous by

Elvis Presley (who used to drive through Sternrsquos

neighborhood) and Martin Luther Kingrsquos assassina-

tion He remembers himself as ldquoa mediocre adoles-

cent without confidence or spiritual antennardquo first

stirred to write poetry in high school which he read

aloud for attention

ldquoI was surprised people liked itrdquo he says ldquoAnd I

liked writing it even though it embarrassed me But

I was encouraged to go on and later to try proserdquo

The allure of the late lsquo60s and early lsquo70s was not

academic After college Stern wandered through

Europe then worked as a butcher on a hippie com-

mune in the Ozarks raising pigs and eating off the

land ldquoI slept under five blankets and two dogsrdquo he

recalls (The incarnation has been memorialized in a

comic strip by Sternrsquos girlfriend Sabrina a cartoon-

ist and set designer for Saturday Night Live)

The commune was not too far from the University

of Arkansas where Stern attended graduate school

and played volleyball with Bill and Hillary Clinton

ldquoI hoped he would mention me in his inaugural

addressrdquo Stern sighs

With an MA Stern found teaching gigs at vari-

ous colleges but the work dried up forcing him to

take a job at a folklore center in Memphis first tran-

scribing stories about the black community then

launching a life-changing project to preserve the

stories of the fading Jewish population in a desolate

Memphis ghetto known as ldquoThe Pinchrdquo where

many of his stories are set

Story By Helen Susan Edelman

ldquoBernie scrunched his face in thought Gone was his waryimpulse to keep everything secret and there were times of latewhen he felt almost reckless almost ready to tell the world whileon the other hand he suspected he may have already confided toomuch ldquoI thinkrdquo he said after some consideration ldquoIrsquom startingto outgrow myselfrdquo

mdash Steve Stern ldquoThe Frozen Rabbirdquo

Photo by Josh GerritsenSteve Stern

Simply Saratoga | 33

ldquoIt was intoxicatingrdquo says Stern ldquoI became obsessed with

itrdquo Indeed his work is infused with the folklore images lan-

guage archetypes settings rituals and values embedded in

the memories he recorded and in the vast Jewish and Yiddish

literature he has studied since

A non-observant Jew Stern had no relationship with his

religion so the introduction to his exotic legacy was both

anchor and springboard for a prolific new consciousness

ldquoThe floodgates openedrdquo he says ldquoSuddenly this world

began to materialize for me What had been barren neighbor-

hoods I could see vividly as tenements and shops a town

square street traffic merchants pawnbrokers rabbis chil-

drenhellipimmigrants from Eastern Europe looking for a homerdquo

Stern is comfortable writing about transcendent wisdom as

long as itrsquos his characterrsquos voice

and not his own

dispensing the

insights The

frozen rabbi in

the book of the

same name for

example ldquoradiates

within his zone of

influence and is a

spiritual catalyst

for anyone who

encounters himrdquo

says Stern ldquowhere-

as I am a clicheacute a

Jew who grew up

without an identityrdquo

A winner of both

Guggenheim and

Fulbright fellowships

as well as the National

Jewish Book Award

the Pushcart Prize an

OrsquoHenry Prize and the Edward Lewis Wallant Award Stern

is working on a new novel and rereading Faulkner Tolstoy

Dickens and Joyce

He views each new writing project as ldquoa riskrdquo Experience

last summer also reminded him of the evanescence of popu-

larity he gave two readings one in Memphis which drew

such a crowd that doors had to be locked and one in St

Louis where he commanded an audience of four

ldquoJust like the characters in my storiesrdquo Stern observes ldquoI

encounter conflicts look for a way to escape and face mixed

consequencesrdquo sect

How is your mental state these days Are

you experiencing peace and joy in every-

day life or frustration and impatience Are

you living your life ldquoon purposerdquo or going

through the motions feeling numb and dead

on the inside How is the garden of your

mind Are you tending to your garden or letting

the weeds take over

When I lived in Boston I lived next door to an elder-

ly woman who had a beautiful garden Every morning my

neighbor was outside in her floral moo moo (circa Mrs

Roper from Threersquos Company) tending carefully to each

plant and flower She would spend hours walking around her

garden joyfully humming and making sure her flowers were

strong and healthy Many mornings I would sip my coffee

and watch her peacefully pulling out the weeds and tending

to her precious flowers To this day I remember how tall and

lovely her sunflowers were I think our mental state can be

compared to tending to a garden do we have beautiful sun-

flowers of joy and peace or toxic weeds of bitterness and

guilt

The weeds in your heart and mind are feelings of bitterness

anger guilt self-loathing and negativity Do you spend your

days reviewing the list of those that have offended

you Do you beat yourself up daily for past mis-

takes or regrets These are the weeds that can

take over your mind and lead to racing

thoughts a dark depression constant

anxiety or physical illness and

chronic pain If you are someone

that is easily frustrated impatient

and critical you can be sure you

34 | Simply Saratoga

Tending to theGarden of Your MindDealing with the Weeds in your Life

Simple Truths

have some weeds to deal with

The only path to peace and joy in your everyday life is to

pull your weeds out from the root and confront the issues

Holding on to your weeds only makes you ill and deadens

your heart Did you know that people who are full of bitter-

ness and resentment appear older and are not as physically

attractive as people who are full of peace and love The

weeds in your heart and mind can actually make you ugly

Likewise a mind that is content and peaceful gives us a

sparkle and light in our eyes that people are automatically

attracted to Forget the anti-wrinkle cream and Botox Fill

your heart and mind up with the best kept beauty secret

around love and forgiveness

Forgiveness is not about letting the person who hurt you

off the hook Forgiveness IS allowing light into our hearts

so that we can heal and move forward It takes the heavy

burden of offense and resentment off of our hearts and

minds while preparing the ldquosoilrdquo for new growth and

experiences

When possible confront the people you need to forgive

so that you can have closure and move on If it is not pos-

sible to confront the person that is the weed in your life

write them a letter expressing your hurt and anger (not to

send but in a private journal) This is a wonderful way to

give yourself closure and put your feelings out on the table

More often than not the person we have to forgive or con-

front is ourselves If you are constantly beating yourself up

and feeling guilty about your past make a choice to forgive

yourself

Donrsquot be lazy about your weeds Dig deep and pull out

your weeds so that you can make room for peace and joy

We all desire to feel love and be accepted That accept-

Meghan DLemery LCSW-R

Simply Saratoga | 35

ance starts with you Begin to focus on peaceful loving joyful

thoughts Keep a gratitude journal of what you love about your-

self or the loved ones in your life Practice planting seeds of joy

by giving acceptance and love to everyone around you

Take time to practice patience and kindness to your family

friends colleagues and that slow cashier at the grocery store Go

out of your way to help others in any way that you can All of

these acts of kindness plant the seeds of peace love joy and

abundance

As we approach the new season of spring take some time to

tend to the garden of your mind

Wishing you love self-acceptance and peace this spring and

always

Ms Lemery is a psychotherapist practic-ing in Saratoga Springs and QueensburyShe can be reached at meghanle-meryyahoocom

Her first novel will be pub-lished this Spring TitledldquoPlease Pass the BarbieShoesrdquo it is a hilarious heart-warming story that will haveyou feeling inspiredand empowered

sect

36 | Simply Saratoga

Living Room The custom-designed leather couch chair andottoman come from Suttons The stucco fireplace was inspired by theCollinsrsquo travels through the Southwest and Colorado (ldquowe wanted to avoida traditional river rock fireplacerdquo) and provides a heat source as well asbeauty The original structure was built for passive solar design no airconditioning is needed in the summer A wood stove is the primary heatsource radiant heat with natural gas was also added during the renova-tion

The front door as well as all the interior doors was custom-made fittedand replaced by Tom Zanetti Hickory wood floors were also installed dur-ing the addition A hanging stained glass chandelier is a stock itemobtained from a leading home supply retailer ldquoIt captures the sunlightbeautifully along with providing brilliant nighttime illuminationrdquo Tedsaid ldquoItrsquos an eclectic mixrdquo

Simply Saratoga | 37

Today we look at a creative space that is set into a special place

In 1993 Ted and Susan Collins purchased a seven-acre property

with a 1986 Timberpeg designed home that has all the qualities of

a place in the country ndash yet many would be surprised to learn that

it is actually located on the border of Saratoga Springs near the

Alpine Shop on Clinton Street After a number of years living in

apartments on Union Avenue and Franklin Square enjoying the

proximity to downtown and the track they couldnrsquot resist a spot

that was close to town but yet had lots of land

Their overall vision was for an interior space that was in accord

with the outside ndash the wildlife gardens and the sustainable philos-

ophy embodied in the original buildingrsquos passive solar design

ldquoEverything we do embraces the goals of staying true to the orig-

inal structure having an open welcoming interior and being in

harmony with the outdoorsrdquo Ted said

Inspired by travels in balance with the land

Story By Arthur GonickPhotos by copystockstudiosphotographycom

These principles guided a major transformation of the interior

space in 2006 The key element was an addition to the home that

enabled the living room kitchen and upstairs bedroom to be

expanded allowing space for the installation of a downstairs bath

as well

Susan and Ted led this transformation - visualizing an addition

that incorporated equilibrium of size location and overall propor-

tion They went through several iterations with Rick Deforest of

Heritage Timberframes

Even though much of the interior decor came from travels in

Africa the South Pacific and Colorado the building materials and

craftsmen are all local The timbers and wood flooring were milled

in nearby Kingsbury ldquoWe enjoyed working with professionals who

are also friends like Rick Deforest Tom Zanetti and Mike

Roohanrdquo Ted said ldquothe house now feels complete in balancerdquo sect

Unique Places and Creative Spaces If you would like to nominate a unique

or creative place to be featured emailentertainmentsaratogapublishingcom

38 | Simply Saratoga

Kitchen A wall was taken out that afforded space to add an eat-in island area and

open up the space Custom cabinets are by Tom Zanetti Stonework andappliances were added Both the kitchen and bathroom have granite table-tops (from Mike and Margaret Roohan of Granite and Marble Works)New appliances include a Bosch stove (with a built-in microwave drawer)and an Amana stainless refrigerator

Bathroom The bathroom ceiling is pine The showerarea was designed and built to the Collinsrsquo specifications andfeatures a bench 4 shower heads PLUS an extra hand-held one(ldquoItrsquos a human car washrdquo) The stone tiles on the sides and floorin the shower were installed by Best Tile the plumbing in theshower comes from Aird Dorrance as does the sink ndash which sitson a granite top from Granite and Marble Works The windowleads out to the north side of the house with privacy blinds insidethe window panes One thing you donrsquot see ldquoSince the room ison display in the center of the expanded first floor we wanted thecommode to be mostly hiddenrdquo Ted said

Unique Places and Creative Spaces

Simply Saratoga | 39

Living RoomA reading nook sits upon the bathroom addition ldquoThere was no full bathroom on the first

floor and with a post and beam construction we had to be creative You get outstanding viewsof the property pond and stream when viewed from the nookrsquos perspectiverdquo The ladder canswing out on a track making it more like walking up a staircase ndash this was also designed andinstalled by Tom Zanetti The table in the nook is actually a working African drum with a glasstable top added

40 | Simply Saratoga

Bedroom In the second-floor master bedroom moving the dormer brought in extra light and space and

also brought the roofline together with the original structure and first-floor additions The floorand ceiling are made of rough-cut pine planking The bed is also constructed of pine and comesfrom Suttons The window in the upper left was cut during the addition It faces west for extra day-time light

Simply Saratoga | 41

42 | Simply Saratoga

Story Written by Yael Goldman Photos by Samu Studios and Randall Perry Photography

Simply Saratoga | 43

orking with the

right interior designer

turns listless decision making

into an enjoyable and productive

process that avoids costly mistakes

and delivers exceptional results

Designing a room or an entire home is a

big project no matter how strong your tastes are

The decisions are endless ndash what color should I paint the

walls What flooring is most aesthetically appealing and

dog-friendly Should I choose a furniture set or choose

individual pieces Do I want curtains or shades Do I

decorate with knick-knacks or artwork

But with all the unique self-questioning that surrounds

an interior design project most homeowners share angst

in asking themselves one specific question where do I

start

Itrsquos at this point ndash when stress level increases enjoy-

ment-driven projects turn deadly and money has been

wastefully spent on all the wrong things ndash that you long

for the help of a professional if only you could afford it

Well the truth is you can

Creating the right space can be expensive but is only

more so if you make mistakes and have to go back and

fix them If you do it right the first time therersquos no cost

associated with do-overs

With nearly 100 years of experience between them all

four members of Blairhouse Interiors Group have

worked with more than enough unhappy do-it-your-

selfers to tell you yoursquore not alone

Photo by Samu Studios

44 | Simply Saratoga

The four-member designproject therapy team which recently

opened a studio in Saratoga Springs has a long history of help-

ing home and business owners create their ideal spaces and

atmospheres the right way Their exceptional work is celebrated across

the Capital Region including Saratoga Springs where the Blairhouse

look is prominently featured in a handful of Park Place condominiums

and the incredible Saratoga National Golf Club

Thomas R Burns Meghan Baltich Dominic Carota and Patricia

Richards the highly skilled and charismatic force behind Blairhouse

Interiors Group promise an experience that is personal because itrsquos all

about your needs ndash and thatrsquos what is important

Blairhouse offers full-service interior design services space planning

project management hand-picked merchandise patience and an uncan-

ny ability to create a

look that is always

fresh sophisticated

and comfortable

ldquoThe style that we

gravitate toward is

unique cutting-edge

and modern not dic-

tated by corporaterdquo

said Meghan Baltich

pointing to a ldquovery

propitiousrdquo Keith Fritz

table at the center of

the studio

Photo by Randall Perry Photography

If you do it right the firsttime therersquos no cost

associated with do-oversPhoto by Randall Perry Photography

One glance at the Park Place showroom ndash of the selective furnishings carefully showcased along

the periphery ndash and it becomes clear why Blairhouse an award-winning team gets the job

done

Their creativity focus and immaculate sense of direction bring objectivity to the scene helping you nar-

row down all of the tedious and overwhelming choices that make do-it-yourself decorating an exercise in

unclear thinking

ldquoPeople are overwhelmed by all the choices it can feel like theyrsquore in a paralyzed blurrdquo said Thomas

Burns who finds that a great vision can be impossible to imagine and create without eliminating all of

the distractions

A vital step in getting focused is creating a

comprehensive plan based on individual

needs wants and style that addresses all

aspects of lifestyle and taste and suggests

tactful solutions and fresh approaches to new

and existing spaces

They help you identify what you like

forcing you to hone in on what you want and

need to compliment and enhance your

lifestyle

ldquoWe ascertain the clientrsquos goal and

lifestyle to convey their visionrdquo said

Dominic Carota explaining that the intended

outcome of creating or reinventing a room is

often strictly tied to how you want to live in

it

ldquoWe have to know how they functionrdquo he

said

An interior designer is an asset in the func-

tion-meets-style equation

Dominic explained that a couple starting a family will have far

different needs than empty-nesters looking for a change They may

have the same stylistic goals but their execution will differ based on

how their lifestyle exists within the space

When revamping a single room the majority of your focus is ded-

icated to that individual space making it easy to forget that the rest

of the house is attached Establishing connectivity between rooms is

a challenge but an important part of executing a project the right

way

Sometimes one wrong detail no matter how small can be incred-

ibly impactful and difficult to avoid on your own

ldquoIf yoursquore working on a new addition or renovation we ensure it

flows that therersquos balance between the existing part of the living

space and the new additionrdquo Meghan Baltich said explaining that

it just doesnrsquot make sense to put in a great new kitchen if itrsquos dis-

jointed and out of place from its surroundings

Another common novice mistake is the trendy retail store fallacy

that you can order a full room from a catalog or pick a fabulous and

unique design from a floor plan

Blairhouse clients learn the difference between ldquocookie-cutterrdquo

and ldquocustomrdquo and they are never concerned with picking the wrong

piece for the wrong room

Simply Saratoga | 45

ome customers will come to us after going into a Pottery Barn and buying stuff that just didnrsquot workrdquo Baltich said giving the

example of an individual who purchased an enormous sectional for a tiny room ldquoWe scale into the clientrsquos space taking func-

tion and proportion into considerationrdquo

Exceptional listening and observation skills are the designerrsquos

unsung attributes and greatest assets Blairhouse experts engage

with their clients to gain a true understanding of what they want

In turn the design process becomes an eye-opening experience

customers are introduced to colors and concepts they would

never think to consider

ldquoEach client trusts us to create their environment and we

enable them to make informed decisionsrdquo Patricia Richards

said

And sometimes that requires bold suggestions and collabora-

tion or looking at all of the possibilities even the ones ldquoyou

would never have been brave enough to do on your ownrdquo

In the end the experience of working with the experts is

enjoyable stress-free and cost-effective From concept to com-

pletion the result is just what you want and need ndash a fabulous

marriage of function and aesthetic that wonrsquot have you coming

back for more (because you did it right the first time) sect

ldquoS

46 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 47

For a taste of Blairhouse Interiors Grouprsquos distinctive work stop into their Park Place studio located at 262 Broadway Suite 204 in Saratoga Springs For further details visit wwwblairhouseinteriorscom or call (518) 786-7800

From left to right Dominic Carota Meghan Baltich Patricia Richards and

Thomas R Burns (The designproject therapy team of Blairhouse Interiors Group)

48 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 49

Dorsquos and Donrsquots

50 | Simply Saratoga

Story Written by Kerry Ann Mendez Perennially Yours bull wwwpyourscom Photos Provided

SpringDorsquos and Donrsquots

SpringDorsquos and DonrsquotsDorsquos and Donrsquots

Spring

for your Gardens

s

Simply Saratoga | 51

ssts

SPRINGis right around the corner and gardenersare pawing at the ground ready to explodethrough the garden gate As a passionate perennial gardenerI am right there with you But before launching into another flower-filledseason letrsquos go through a spring checklist of dorsquorsquos and donrsquorsquots to makesure we make the most of the race and have the best finish ever

Photo by GardenersSupply Company

apply a granular fertilizer to your perennial beds while they are still lsquoasleeprsquoDepending on the winter wersquove had this may be anytime from mid-Marchto mid-April Donrsquot worry if there are already lsquoearly risersrsquo visible like springblooming bulbs or woodland ephemerals I recommend using 5-5-5 5-10-5 or

5-10-10 fertilizer at the rate of 2 pounds per 100 square feet Cast the fertilizer just before it is about to rainto make sure fertilizer is watered into the ground and washed off any existing leaves You can give otherplants in your yard this treat as well including floweringshrubs groundcovers climbing vinesand roses

DONrsquoTput fertilizer on top of the snow or on ground that is

still frozen You want to make sure the fertilizer disap-pears into pliable soil and to waiting roots otherwiserunoff can occur And donrsquot think more is better Youcan stress or even kill plants by over-fertilizing espe-cially in spring when leaves are not fully developed toutilize nitrogen in the fertilizer If you are going to errless is better

DO

prune once-b l o o m i n g

roses such as Heirloom or Old GardenRoses when the Forsythia is blooming

Any rose that blooms onceusually in late spring forabout three weeks is in thiscategory Many times theseroses are quite fragrantWait to prune these rosesuntil right after they flower

DONrsquoT

prune most roses whenForsythia is in bloom Pruneshrub roses back by half to

23 their height This is assuming you did not prunethem last fall If you did then next year wait until latewinter or early spring Prune Teas and Grandiflorasback to 18 - 24rdquo For climbing roses prune branchesemerging from the main canes back to within 3 - 4rdquoof the cane

DO

apply corn gluten tolawn areas yoursquoveseeded (or over-seeded) or to gar-dens where youwant biennialsperennials or annu-als to reseed andflower Corn glutendoes not distinguishbetween lsquogoodrsquoand lsquobadrsquo seeds

apply a pre-emer-gent weed killerand fertilizer toyour lawn A lushhealthy lawn

makes a beautiful frame for gardens Myfamily walked away from lawn chemicalsfive years ago And our lawn has neverlooked better Corn gluten is a big part ofthis transformation Corn gluten is a by-product of milled corn It will not harm chil-dren pets or wildlife Heck you can eat it ifyou want (but it tastes yucky) Corn Glutenis high in nitrogen and commonly used as alawn fertilizer But it is also a pre-emergenttargeting seeds as they germinate Youcan put corn gluten down at any point inthe spring BUT if part of your mission is toeliminate crabgrass then there is a narrowwindow of attackApply it whenForsythia is in fullbloom and beforeits leaves appearThe Forsythia is asoil temperatureindicator that cor-responds to whencrabgrass seedsstart to germinate More garden centersare now carrying corn gluten productsYou just need to ask and follow the appli-cation instructions on the bag Make sureto water in the corn gluten after applyingIt will remain effective for five to six weeks

Simply Saratoga | 53

DONrsquoT

DO

step on soil as you maneuver around thegarden to cut back Lavender and therest of the gang For that matter youshould never be tromping through yourgardens compacting soil This breaks

down air and water channels as well as making it tougher forroots to spread Instead reach into beds from existing paths orplace stepping stones in discreet spots where only your eyes cansee or lsquowalk the plankrsquo on a board to reach plants fartherlsquoadriftrsquo

54 | Simply Saratoga

cut back Lavender Russian SageMontauk Daisy Butterfly BushChrysanthemums and ornamental grass-es These are best left untouched in falland whacked in spring Many folks make

the mistake of acting too gingerly with pruners Let lsquoem fly Theresult will be more compact neater plants that will bloom just fineTrust me If it helps wait until yoursquove had a bad day at work withthe kids or in traffic

DONrsquoT

DO

divide Peonies German Bearded Iris orOriental Poppies in spring These are bestdone in late summer Also tap-rootedplants (those with a carrot-looking root)cannot be divided Think about it These

are usually propagated by seed stem or root cuttings Someperennials that fall into this category are Malva Butterfly WeedBalloon Flower Oriental Poppies and Lupines

Simply Saratoga | 55

DONrsquoT

divide plants in spring This is an optimumtime to divide most perennials Yes evenspring bloomers Wait until these haveflowered and then shear off the spentblooms and get to business Most sum-

mer and fall blooming perennials can be divided prior to mid-Junewithout disrupting their performance

DO

apply a time-released fertilizersuch as Plant-Tone(organic) orOsmocote to heavy

feeding perennials five to six weeks afterthe earlier granular fertilizer applicationMost plants do not need as much fertilizeras we are led in advertising to believe I amstingy with my money and maintenancetime so only a handful of plants get thisbonus feed Astilbe Delphinium Liliums (ieAsiatic Oriental Trumpet) Clematis androses If I am feeling generous I will putsome on my Bigleaf Hydrangeas next to theroses Call me heartlessJust scratch fertilizer intothe top couple inchesof soil around theplantrsquos base and waterin well They will enjoy anutritious snack forthree to four months

apply mulch ongarden beds toreduce weedsconserve moisture

reduce erosion minimize soil temperaturefluctuations and enhance the quality ofthe soil Some mulching materials includeaged manures compost shredded wood(not dyed) leaf moldand cocoa hulls Putthe mulch down 2rdquo to3rdquo thick around plantsincluding floweringshrubs

build up mulchagainst plant stems

And please please donrsquot create volcanomounds around trees Please This is awfulfor them The only ones that benefit fromthis are the people selling the mulch

56 | Simply Saratoga

DONrsquoT

DO

DO

rubber band orbraid the foliage ofspring bloomingbulbs after they fin-ish flowering You

want as much leaf surface exposed to thesun as possible to increase photosynthesisYou can press the leaves down next to thesoil so they are less noticeable

Simply Saratoga | 57

sect

And finally DO have a great year in

your gardens and DONrsquoT forget to

take time to smell the roses

DONrsquoT

DONrsquoT

cut off the spentblooms and stems onspring blooming bulbsafter they have flow-ered so energy is redirected to the bulbsversus seed productions Keep the leaves inplace until they have browned and ideallycan be pulled from the ground by hand

put time-released fertil-izer on perennials thatprefer lean dietsRicher soil just upsetstheir vascular systemsThey will get leggy flop and not perform tosnuff Yarrow Coneflower Catmint RussianSage Linum Sea Holly and Silvermound are inthe group

DO

For more information contact Perennially Yours at pyourscom

58 | Simply Saratoga

Ill mination

Exterior Stonework

an

d

Story Written by Arthur Gonick Photos Provided

u

Simply Saratoga | 59

To develop and implement an exterior vista that maximizes your enjoyment To have a backyard landscape that is warm inviting and uniquely yours

These are goals that many homeowners have when they first move onto their property But unless you are trained in the variety ofmaterials and options available the task of getting past the point of comparing possibilities to completing and actually enjoying yourbackyard paradise can appear to be a long daunting road

For Carl Trinkle a landscape designer for ten years with the Gallivan Companies of Troy one of the key elements in a successfultransformation is utilizing a professionalrsquos expertise to articulate goals and develop a plan

ldquoThe most important thing we do when we first meet with a client is to get them to discuss their basic needs and aims and encouragethem to formulate an overall vision for their property An initial consultation sets the tone we make an initial visit on-site to look overthe property so we can have an idea as to where things might be placedrdquo

ldquoDuring this intake process we actually encourage people to show us photos of their friendrsquos property that they like or perhaps froma magazine It helps most people to articulate the goals of what they would like to see as a finished projectrdquo Trinkle said ldquoEven if they are looking to do things in phases we find that it is most important to develop a comprehensive site planrdquo This eliminates the need to revise original phases of work to accommodate those that come in the future

60 | Simply Saratoga

that Mr Trinkle finds potential customers identifying with aredesigned to extend the outdoor season ldquoA few extra weeks outside isa lotrdquo he said

add-ons also extend outside activity each day Low voltage lighting is still the most popular but recently LED lighting with longer-lasting bulbs that involve less maintenance and are cost-efficienthave become more fashionable

The latest trends

stations fire pits and waterenhancements such as ponds andwaterfalls are the most frequentlyrequested items that broaden theoutdoor use season

Outdoor grill

Exterior lighting

Simply Saratoga | 61

And of course swimming pool projects have always been a most-requested

item Fifty percent of allthe projects Mr Trinkleworks on involve a pooleither a completely new installation or enhance-ments to existing poolsGallivanrsquos long-standingrelationship withConcord Pools has beena hallmark in assuringthat customers are satis-fied when their pool isput in the ground

62 | Simply Saratoga

In most cases a comprehensive plancan be developed for any project in about a period of twoweeks Complete drawings and cost breakdowns are provid-ed as well as the projected phases that can be completed injust a few months or on larger projects can be scheduled insegments over a few years These are reviewed in personwith the customer again the goal being to have a plan thateveryone buys into

Simply Saratoga | 63

ldquoWe have had projects where the customer has wanted tohave a lot of input and we welcome that But we also hadone where the client was out of town and we built a firepit and slide for his wife and kids and our only instructions were to dazzle themI remember it as a most satisfying experience and we ended up winning awards for that onerdquo

- Carl Trinkle Landscape DesignerThe Gallivan Companies

64 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 65

ldquoI get to work using my creativity with talented people Some of the most talented are those

I meet as customersrdquo sect

For more information or to schedule aconsultation phone Gallivan Companies at(518) 271-6100 Gallivanrsquos website iswwwGallivanCompaniescom

66 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 67

Buying a playhouse for your child is an excellent investment

They promote imaginative play and spending time outdoors and

double as storage space when no longer used for recreation

Denise Woodcock owner of Versatile Sheds in Wilton has

been helping parents and grandparents customize their childrsquos or

grandchildrsquos dream playhouses for years

ldquoThey make great gifts especially for grandparents who want

their grandkids to have their own place to play when they visitrdquo

she said

Playhouses are a great addition to a childrsquos outdoor world

They come in all shapes sizes and designs and can be custom-

built or finished if you donrsquot find exactly what yoursquore looking for

in a catalog or on the lot

Every child is different and has their own preferences for color

size and function boys and girls often have especially different

requests for their play space as do younger and more mature chil-

dren so therersquos a lot to consider

Denise knows how even the finest detail can be all it takes to

make an outdoor structure feel like a childrsquos own personal space

While it may seem superfluous to address every minor demand

the truth is a playhouse is more than just an expensive toy itrsquos an

investment The more your child connects with their space the more

use theyrsquoll get out of it ndash and according to Denise that means your

money is well spent

Smartest WayThe

playhouse for your kidsto buy a

Photos by MarkBollescomStory by Yael Goldman

68 | Simply Saratoga

With this in mind prospective buyers should first consider

who will use the playhouse and for how long as well as what

happens when the structure is no longer used for recreation

Versatile Sheds can help even the most discerning parent or

child find what theyrsquore looking for Every playhouse is hand-

built by Amish craftsmen who can accommodate almost any

special request at an additional cost so the possibilities are

endless inside and out

Cedar shingle or vinyl siding wood stone or brick ndash if you

can use it on the outside of your regular home it can be inte-

grated into your playhousersquos design Playhouses can be built

to look like a miniature version of your home which is an

excellent touch for parents that are particularly concerned

with aesthetics Porches shutters flowerboxes unique doors

chimneys and exterior lighting are just a few of the touches

that can brighten and personalize the exterior

Individualizing your childrsquos playhouse doesnrsquot stop at the

front door There are just as many interior features to choose

from ndash you can let your imagination run wild

For starters you have the option to order the playhouse

with a finished or unfinished interior The unfinished version

looks a lot like the inside of a regular home before you move

in paint the walls and furnish the rooms

Buying an unfinished structure is a great way to cut costs

and even bring the family together over a weekend decorating

project The possibilities are endless depending on how handy

you are otherwise a few coats of paint and a bit of carpeting

will surely do the trick

Although a bit pricey purchasing a playhouse with a fin-

ished interior ensures that your child gets exactly what they

want right off the bat They can pick everything from the paint

color to the flooring so the playhouse is move-in ready on the

day it arrives

Playhouses can also be insulated and wired for electricity

You can install lighting electrical outlets even heat or air-

conditioning to make your childrsquos outdoor space as comfort-

able as possible

And the options donrsquot end there Traditional sheds also dou-

ble as playhouses For some parents purchasing an adult-size

shed for their children is an ideal way to get the best return on

their investment Once their children grow out of it the struc-

ture can be used for outdoor storage With just as many styles

sizes and materials to choose from you can customize the

interior and exterior of your shed just as you would a play-

house but without all of the more frivolous features

ldquoAny shed can be a playhouserdquo Woodcock said explaining

how a custom paint job or flowerbox can transform a typical

storage unit into childrsquos outdoor activity haven

For example if purchasing a wood shed the exterior can be

easily painted and repainted when making the transition from

playhouse to storage space

For Denisersquos customers getting their moneyrsquos worth should

not have to mean making sacrifices

Simply Saratoga | 69

70 | Simply Saratoga

When Debby Trainor made the decision to buy her grand-

daughter Chezneyrsquos dream house she wanted it to have all the

bells and whistles She met with Denise to go over all the cri-

teria the goal was to buy the perfect gift for Chezney while

staying within her budget

The eight-year-old Greenwich girl wanted her own pretty

pink palace where she could play and imagine Debby wanted

it to be a cozy and safe place for her to play year-round

Customization and interior decoration helped make

Chezneyrsquos playhouse feel like her own little kingdom

ldquoWe made it look like a cute little dollhouserdquo she said ldquoWe

put furniture inside and a little stove fridge heater and TV

itrsquos just perfectrdquo

With the structure built to their liking Chezney and Debby

could enjoy decorating the inside to personalize the playhouse

For many customers putting on the finishing touches means

making the playhouse feel like home ndash you can add curtains

hang pictures buy furniture and appliances and landscape the

perimeter to make the outdoor space feel like a home away

from home

When the child grows out of their playhouse these items

can be easily removed to accommodate a secondary use for the

space

ldquoThe best thing that Denise did for me was explain how we

can use the playhouse for storage for stuff out in the yard after

Chezney has grown out of itrdquo Debby explained ldquoAlthough

she is only eight and will be using it for quite a few more

years this really makes it a good investment and looks

great in the backyardrdquo

Whether you choose a customized playhouse or a tradi-

tional shed thinking toward the future also ensures the

safety and longevity of the structure

Denise explained that placement is an important thing to

consider as you want to make sure the structure is in a safe

place and on an appropriate surface Most importantly the

playhouse must be built on a level even surface that isnrsquot

too high off of the ground

ldquoYou want it on a nice platformrdquo Denise explained

ldquoSome people use concrete but stone is better because it

allows moisture to seep down into the ground and away

from the structurerdquo

Most parents prefer that their playhouse is in the back-

yard where itrsquos easy to see from a window Placing the

structure in a shaded area is also a good idea it will be

cooler in the summer and less susceptible to the elements if

partially protected by trees

Debby had Chezneyrsquos playhouse built right next to her

swing set where she can be easily supervised

One last thing to consider when purchasing a playhouse

Simply Saratoga | 71

72 | Simply Saratoga

or shed for your child is how much effort

you want to put into maintaining it The

more ornate the structure the more care it

may need

Woodcock advises parents to preserve

their investment and treat the playhouse

like a miniature home

Think of it as a miniature house ndash the

structure requires regular maintenance

and upkeep to ensure your child will be

safe while enjoying years and years of

imaginative fun

With so many features and styles to

choose from yoursquore sure to find the best

for both you and your child

For more information about Versatile

Sheds or to set up a time to meet with

Denise Woodcock call (518) 584-7924

or stop by 669 Route 9 in Wilton sect

Simply Saratoga | 73

74 | Simply Saratoga

Kitchen

Not Your

Grandmarsquos

Story Written by Daniel Schechtman Photos Provided

ldquoAs you

walk into the kitchen

of the future LED

light projections adjust

to your mood - it will

know if you have a

hangover via sensors

that will read your

b r a i n w a v e s

Aromatherapy infused

walls will be synched

to your calendar calm-

ing you before a big

meeting or energizing you before a gym session The fridge will have selected some breakfast options identifying the essen-

tial vitamins for your day via sensors When you get home a hologram chef will be on hand for recipe inspirationrdquo

Alright so maybe your kitchen canrsquot do all of these things quite yet ndash but believe it or not wersquore getting there This is tomor-

rowrsquos kitchen a kitchen where your appliances donrsquot just store your food or wash your dishes ndash they talk to you providing you

with integral information on how to

best store your fruits and vegetables

letting you know if the refrigerator

door is open for too long or when a

part will soon need replacing

Simply Saratoga | 75

ldquoScience fictionrdquo I hear you say

Guess again Quoted from a report released by The Future Laboratory

who was commissioned by IKEA to determine what a modernkitchen in the year 2040 could conceivably look like

76 | Simply Saratoga

ldquoOne technology that really stands out to me is the

Miele Appliance Company Right now theyrsquore using a

program called lsquoremote visionrsquo On select applianceshellip

is a wireless card that clicks into a port on the back of

the appliance You synch it up with your home network

and it basically emails the technician and the owner

when itrsquos broken when you need to clean your condens-

er change your water filter or schedule a routine serv-

icerdquo said Tom Thibeault owner of Adirondack

Appliance Repair Inc located at 67 West Ave in

Saratoga Springs ldquoMaybe somebodyrsquos been opening the

[refrigerator] door for too long or the door was left open

ndash it will email you and tell you that your door is left

openrdquo

This is not your grandmarsquos kitchen This my friends

is the kitchen of the future and itrsquos available now

The 36 inch bottom-mount Miele refrigerator boasts a

striking interior featuring LED lighting running along

the sides from top to bottom stainless steel accents and

exteriors with control systems that would be comfort-

able alongside the captainrsquos chair on the Starship

Enterprise

Simply Saratoga | 77

ldquoThe controls in the Miele really stand out

Looking at the controls theyrsquore just a glass piece and

then once you touch it you see a few options for the

different compartments Then you touch the compart-

ment and the temperature is displayed so itrsquos kind of

like a Star Trek controlrdquo Thibeault said

And thatrsquos just the refrigerator

Adirondack Appliance has also seen brands such as

Wolf (a company owned by the same people who own

Sub-Zero) grow in popularity when it comes to their

range stoves and ovens The dual convection oven

works to eliminate cold spotting and provides consis-

tent even temperatures and even allows for unique

options such as proofing ndash used best when baking

homemade bread

ldquoIt also has a temperature probe you can plug into

things like a turkey or roast so you can see the temper-

ature while itrsquos still inside the machine It has

hydraulic hinges halogen lit interiors everything is

composed of stainless steel and itrsquos by far one of the

best lines on the marketrdquo Thibeault said

A new line coming to Adirondack Appliance that

features some amazing technology is a series of Pro-

Style Ranges produced by industry giant Jenn-Air

ldquoThat actually has an LCD touch

screen like an IPAD for the controls The

temperature is set by sliding your finger

along the controls Itrsquos all color backlit and

absolutely amazingrdquo Thibeault said

ldquoAnother thing we have to that same

effect are some of the hoods which have

really been getting pretty out there as far as

design We have one on our floor [by Miele]

that has an LED bar on the front which

changes in phases between 196000 colors

Itrsquos a very delicate change very pretty and

coolrdquo Thibeault said adding ldquoor you can set

it to any color in that spectrum yoursquod like to

accent your cabinetryrdquo

When it comes to dishwashers Thibeault

can attest to the quality of both the Asko and

Miele brands both of which he uses in his

own home And good news for Saratoga

Springs residents ndash

ldquoIn our market in

Saratoga we have a

very hard water base

whether yoursquore on a well

system or city waterrdquo

Thibeault said ldquoSo you

get a lot of minerals in

the machine With the

stainless steel interiors it

eliminates a lot of prob-

lems generally seen with

plastic interior tubs and

usually they are the best

life expectanciesrdquo

78 | Simply Saratoga

Asko and Mieleare practically custom made to handle the

arearsquos typicallymineral rich water

Simply Saratoga | 79

The Asko brand dishwasher takes things one step

further including two pumps in the washerrsquos system

The first pump filters the water cleansing it of poten-

tially harmful minerals while the second pump recircu-

lates the water ensuring that the machine is never

blasting your dishes with food debris or dirty residue

With Miele the design features a built-in water sof-

tener perfect for dealing with the Saratoga water

system

ldquoTypically the Miele is going to do a better job with

tougher baked in stainsrdquo said Thibeault ldquobecause itrsquos

got the softener in it and a little bit longer pots and pans

cyclerdquo

80 | Simply Saratoga

Adirondack Appliance Repair Inc is a fami-

ly-owned business since 1929 and the last inde-

pendent appliance retailer of its kind in Saratoga

Springs With $6 billion of buying power behind

their name (a benefit of being part of the Nation

Wide Appliance Buying Group) Thibeault

promised ldquowe can actually price match the box

stores and everybody else around all while pro-

viding you with better service and better

productsrdquo

For more information on AdirondackAppliance or the products they sell you mayvisit their showroom located at 67 West Avenuein Saratoga Springs for live demonstrationsThey can also be reached by phone at (518)587-6640 or you may visit them at their newwebsite wwwadkappliancecom where cus-tomers can browse through the storersquos entirecatalogue of appliances

sect

Simply Saratoga | 81

82 | Simply Saratoga

Page 21: Simply Saratoga March 2011

Simply Saratoga | 23

24 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 25

Summer camp is a place wherelifelong memories are made

This is where our children learnto cultivate their interests andordiscover a world of new activities tohelp their young minds grow andfor them to become physically fit

Even though there may be snowon the ground when you read thisit is never too early to think aboutyour childrenrsquos summer fun Weare blessed in this region with avariety of destinations providing awealth of activities

And while there is something foreveryone early planning is a mustto assure your child has a spot inone of these great places At theend of a long winter seasonthoughts of summer camp arerejuvenating for adults as well

Summer Camp Guide 2011

YMCA Camp Chingachgook

NdakinnaNdakinna Education Center located in

Greenfield Center offers a wide variety of

summer camp programs and activities that

will provide campers with a greater

respect and understanding for the natural

world as well as the Northeastrsquos rich

Native American history Hosted by

renowned author and wilderness and sur-

vival expert James Bruchac these pro-

grams are ideal for children with a sense

of adventure and natural wonder Summer

programs are divided into two groups

children ages three to eight and older

campers ages nine to fourteen Programs

range in duration from one to two weeks

26 | Simply Saratoga

YMCA Camp Chingachgook located on beauti-

ful Lake George has three camping options sleep-

away camp day camp and adventure trips

Summer sleep-away camp is the experience of a

lifetime The camp is divided into junior and sen-

ior boys and girls units junior campers between

the ages of seven and 12 and senior campers are 13

to 15 years old All Chingachgook counselors go

through extensive two-week training and prepa-

ration prior to the beginning of the first session

Campers will enjoy a full schedule of skill

classes which they can choose on their own

and special events and programs Campers can

choose from swimming water skiing canoeing

nature arts outdoor living skills theater news-

paper riflery archery dance guitar outdoor

cooking sports zone water world woodwork-

ing softball soccer tennis photography sail-

ing high ropes mountain biking and rock

climbing Each camper sets up their own daily

schedule of four skill classes at the start of the

session

Two-week camp sessions at Chingachgook

also include a three-day hike which allows

campers to get out and experience the wilder-

ness in a fun and safe atmosphere

Chingachgook also offers a variety of unique

adventure camps for children looking to explore

unique destinations and experience a whole new

level of fun options like sailing kayak-

ing boat building rock climbing canoe-

ing community service white-water

rafting hiking and backpacking bicycle

touring and mountain biking Adventure

campers will benefit from activities with

smaller coed groups of ten or less

Day Camp at Chingachgook is a fun

option for children ages five to ten

Campers will enjoy a full day of fun

activities from 930 am to 430 pm The

Day Camp program is divided into eight

one-week segments with the first session

starting on June 28 and the final session

starting on August 16 Each session has

a different theme

Spaces are limited at Chingachgook

so be sure to sign up as soon as possible

For more information to sign up for a

tour or to register for camp visit

wwwcapitaldistrictymcacom or call

(518) 656-9462

each covering a different skill or activity such

as animal tracking basic wilderness survival

skills and shelter building Native American

storytelling and games and nature-based arts

and crafts projects will teach campers to have

fun in the great outdoors Each camp program

promotes team building natural awareness

patience and confidence

Ndakinna also offers family camp pro-

grams which allow children and their parents

to experience the outdoors together Family

programs can accommodate children ages one

to 14 These programs offer the

same skills training and team-

building activities To view the

finalized calendar of programs

and events visit

wwwNdcenterorg

Cutting Edge Martial ArtsCutting Edge Martial Artrsquos A+ After

School and Summer Camp Program is a year-

round child care solution that provides a pos-

itive structured environment for children

after school and during the day in the sum-

mer During the school year we pick chil-

dren up directly from the local elementary

and middle schools and provide an hour les-

son that starts with our ldquoMat Chatrdquo a ten

minute character education lesson for the day

followed by a full 50 minute martial arts

class Parents have a window between 5 and

545 pm to pick up their children while chil-

dren have the opportunity after class to get

their homework started

During the summer children get all the

benefits of our A+ Program but on a grander

scale We offer nine weeks of full day camps

and have no minimum or maximum number

of days per week or number of weeks that a

student can attend Each week of camp we

have a curriculum of character education

lessons fun games and a one hour martial

arts class every day We watch a movie in

the afternoons twice a week have a video

game morning on Fridays and take all our

campers on an educa-

tional outing on

Wednesdays and a

fun and exciting out-

ing every Friday

Our average camp

size is 20-25 stu-

dents and we have

three full time staff

graphed by Sarah Sutliff

Saratoga Childrenrsquos Theatre also offers a one-

week camp at the end of the summer ldquoMaster

your Auditionrdquo This camp will help your child

get ready for fall and winter auditions These

audition workshops have been very popular and

sell out quickly Any child at any skill level with

an interest in performing arts is welcome to join

in on the fun Saratoga Childrenrsquos Theatre

Executive Director Meg Kelly aims to give each

camper the most rewarding and enjoyable camp

experience and every camper will get to perform

The Saratoga Childrenrsquos Theatre hires profes-

sionals to help your child gain the most from

their summer camp experience

The cost for a two-week session is $450 and

$250 for the one-week session For more infor-

mation visit wwwsaratogachildrenstheatreorg

or call (518) 580-1782

For kids who have a passion for per-

forming arts Saratoga Childrenrsquos Theatre

summer camp is a dream come true

Saratoga Childrenrsquos Theatre offers per-

formance camps which means each

camper will be working on a full-fledged

production throughout their session

Campers will learn all aspects of perform-

ance and will have the opportunity to per-

form in two shows at the end of camp a

matinee and an evening show are both

open to the public Campers will perform

on stage at St Petersrsquo Auditorium

Saratoga Springs Camp hours are 9am-

3pm Performance camp is divided into

two age groups

Ages 6-9 will participate in one week

camps These camps will include Disneyrsquos

Sleeping Beauty kids Cinderella kids

Aristocats kids 101 Dalmatians kids and

Lemonade These camps will be directed by

Megan OrsquoSullivan a local elementary school

music teacher and assisted by Karey

Trimmings also a local elementary school

music teacher

Ages 10-18 will participate in two-week

camps Each camp will practice and perform a

different show These

camps include

Thoroughly Modern

Mille Jr Cinderella Jr

Fiddler on the Roof Jr

and Once on this Island

Jr These camps will be

directed by Michael

Lotano local actor and

elementary school music

teacher and choreo-

Saratoga Childrenrsquos Theatre

Simply Saratoga | 27

working with our students

Our goal is to provide a family-friendly

and fun environment that feels like a home

away from home Our students have fun

learning skills that can be used every day of

their lives and we try to provide memories

that will last a lifetime For many our

summer camps are a wonderful introduc-

tion to martial arts

For more information visit

wwwsaratogamartialartscom

or call (518) 587-5501

28 | Simply Saratoga

Saratoga Independent SchoolSaratoga Independent School hosts a variety of summer

programs split into two age groups three to eight year-olds

Wilton Recreation CampWilton Recreation offers a full-day summer

camp program for children in grades one

through nine With available pre-camp and

post-camp care working parents can ensure

their children are having fun in a safe environ-

ment before and after the camprsquos regular 9 am to

3 pm hours Parents who register their children

for before and after camp care can drop off their

children prior to camp opening at 830 am and

can pick them up at 530 pm Bussing is avail-

able for Wilton residents who register for regu-

lar camp hours (9 am to 3 pm)

Wilton Recreation Camp offers a full sched-

ule of daily onsite activities themed events and

exciting trips for kids who register for off-site

adventures Daily on-site activities include arts

and crafts sports playground fun and other

organized group games This yearrsquos scheduled

field trips include Million Dollar Beach in Lake

George movie days at Proctors Theater

Saratoga County Fair bowling white water

rafting and at least two swimming days per

week at Peerless Pool

The Summer 2011 camp will open on

June 27 and run until August

12 Registration begins

March 14 at Gavin Park and

will close on June 3 As

there are only 300 spaces

available be sure to mark

your calendar Camp

registration forms are

available online at

wwwtownofwiltoncom or

can be picked up weekdays

at Gavin Park 9 am to 5 pm

For any other questions

please call the park office at (518) 584-9455

and seven to 14 year-olds The weeklong programs run from July 5

to August 19

Saratoga Independent School summer programs are staffed large-

ly by their own teachers so parents can rest assured their kids are

supervised in a safe environment with experienced teachers who are

knowledgeable about child development and hands-on

programming

For the younger group weekly themed programs run from 9 am

to noon (early drop-off at 830 available) The staff-to-camper ratio

is one to six for children ages three and four and one to ten for chil-

dren ages five to eight Themed programs include ldquoCooking with

Curiosityrdquo ldquoHawaiian Hullabaloordquo ldquoHands-On Science Funrdquo

ldquoHoliday-A-Dayrdquo ldquoGood Versus Evil Imaginations Run Wildrdquo

ldquoDinosaur Discoveryrdquo ldquoIn the Jungle the Mighty Junglerdquo

Activities take place both indoors and outdoors

The selection of enrichment programs for older children is even

more extensive this year than in the past Some programs will take

place in the mornings others in the afternoon Age ranges will vary

depending on the subject matter These specialty programs give chil-

dren an opportunity to develop new interests and expand on existing

skills Programs include ldquoCartooning and Morerdquo ldquoImprovisationrdquo

ldquoKnittingrdquo ldquoOpen Art Studiordquo ldquoYou Can Do Magicrdquo ldquoGet Up and

Dancerdquo ldquoRoaring into Robots Whatrsquos Nextrdquo ldquoArt in the Ancient

Worldrdquo ldquoMad Sciencerdquo ldquoComputer Video Game Creationrdquo

ldquoAdvanced Robot Challengesrdquo and ldquoArt-Math Connectionrdquo

Registration has already begun and the programs fill up quickly so

visit wwwsiskidsorg for more information and to secure a space

for your child

Simply Saratoga | 29

Are your kids looking for an adventure this summer The

Saratoga Regional YMCA has two exciting day camps available

Camp Starhitch held at the Wilton Branch which engages children

with a multitude of fun activities and a trip each week and Travel

Camp where participants meet at the Saratoga Springs Branch and

then travel off to fun and thrilling places each day

Camp Starhitch is for children having completed Kindergarten

through entering fifth grade Campers will participate in games

sports crafts nature activities trips swimming archery and more

Each week is planned around a theme and includes a trip For exam-

ple during ldquo70rsquos Flashbackrdquo week campers will go roller skating

during ldquoThe Wild Frontierrdquo week kids will have the opportunity to

go horseback riding and during ldquoTropical Paradiserdquo week partici-

pants may ldquocatch a gnarly waverdquo at an outdoor water park

Travel Camp is definitely for the action seeker and for those who

like to be on the go This program for youth entering fifth through

tenth grade provides campers an opportunity to travel each and every

day to fun-filled locations Participants explore different summer

activities that include amusement and water parks outdoor sports

fairs and horseback riding This year the trips include a visit to Hunter

Mountain Six Flags New England Tubing on the Battenkill NY

Mets game at Citi Field the NY State Fair and more

Camp Starhitch and Travel Camp both run for nine one-week ses-

sions You may choose to attend camp for one week or any combina-

tion of weeks Experienced counselors supervise children and a ratio

of 110 ensures a safe quality camping experience CPR and First Aid

certified camp staff will be present on all trips At Travel Camp

campers will be grouped according to age and are supervised by expe-

rienced adult staff

Camp Starhitch has two day camp options for your child Option A

allows for your child to be dropped off at 9 am and picked up at 4 pm

and Option B has a 7 am drop off time and a 6 pm pick up time

Travel Camp runs from 9 am to 430 pm and extended hours are

available at no additional cost This year transportation will be provid-

ed in both directions between the Saratoga Springs and Wilton

branches Pickups will be as early as 815 am and drop-offs will be

as late as 5 pm Both camps try to cater to working parents

In addition the Saratoga Regional YMCA is committed to provid-

ing a safe and welcoming environment for all campers by incorporat-

ing the YMCAcore values of caring honesty respect and responsibil-

ity in daily activities To promote safety and comfort for all individu-

als are asked to act appropriately at all times when at the Yrsquos facilities

or participating in Y programs All campers are required to read and

sign a contract of understanding in reference to the Code of Conduct

We expect persons using the YMCAto act maturely to behave respon-

sibly and to respect the rights and dignity of all othersmdashall while

having a good time

The Y also has opportunities available for those who may not have

the resources to send their children to camp The Y provides scholar-

ships for those who qualify Scholarships are made possible due to

the generous donations of Y members the community and businesses

to the ldquoWe Build Peoplerdquo scholarship campaign held by the Saratoga

Regional YMCA each year Scholarship applications are available at

all Saratoga Regional YMCA branches and online at wwwsaratogare-

gionalymcaorg

Registration is currently ongoing and fills up quickly Registration

forms are available at any of the Saratoga Regional YMCA Branches

or at wwwsaratogaregionalymcaorg For more information about

these day camps please contact Ilene Leverence at (518) 583-9622

ext 103 for Camp Starhitch and Patti Laudicina at (518) 583-9622

ext 110 or Paige Minear ext 116 for Travel Camp

Saratoga YMCA

30 | Simply Saratoga

Ask women about the greatest threat to their health and most will

respond incorrectly with the words ldquobreast cancerrdquo While breast cancer

certainly is of concern the truth is that women are 10 times more like-

ly to die from heart disease Breast cancer kills 1 in 25 women heart

disease claims 1 in 2

The most recent statistics available indicate that cardiovascular dis-

ease causes the death of 500000 women per year ndash more than ALL

forms of cancer combined This is a rate of epidemic proportion

Little or no warning

Two-thirds of women die suddenly from heart disease without expe-

riencing any warning symptoms The majority die before they even

reach the hospital and before any attempt at treatment is possible Early

screening and the detection that leads to prevention offer the only hope

of reducing these deaths

Women who do develop heart disease tend to fare worse than men

One reason is that on average heart disease peaks 10 years later in

women than in men At this older age women are less able to withstand

the stress of the disease The proof can be found in a disturbing statis-

tic One year after their first heart attack 44 percent of women are dead

compared with 27 percent of men

Clearly for women preventing that first heart attack would make an

enormous difference

Know the risks

What can be done to prevent and detect heart disease in women

Of foremost importance is to reduce ndash or if possible eliminate ndash the

conditions that cause or accelerate the growth of blockages in the arter-

ies of the heart These conditions known as risk factors include high

Women Take this warning to heart

Story By Andrij O Baran MD

blood pressure diabetes genetic high cholesterol a high-fat

diet an inactive lifestyle smoking and cocaine use

Some damage the lining of the heartrsquos arteries speeding the

buildup of cholesterol Others raise blood cholesterol Both

smoking and cocaine use speed blood clotting They also can

cause sudden cramps or spasms in the coronary arteries cut-

ting off the entire blood supply to portions of the heart even

without a cholesterol blockage

A woman who has one or more of these risk factors should

ask her doctor how best to control them She also should ask

about further screening and testing such as stress testing

The sooner the better

Lifestyle changes and medications can have a dramatic

impact on reducing the incidence of heart attack provided cho-

lesterol blockages are detected early ndash before damage to the

heart has occurred In fact drugs that lower cholesterol alone

have been unequivocally shown to reduce the risk of heart

attack and death by up to 50 percent

When added to a program of low-fat diet exercise control

of high blood pressure and diabetes and above all else no

smoking the benefits are magnified many times over Keep in

mind of course that these drugs work only if they are taken

and taken appropriately

By knowing and changing their risk factors all women can

ensure themselves of a longer and more vibrant life

Andrij O Baran MD FACC is the Medical Director of

Cardiology Services at Saratoga Hospital

Simply Saratoga | 31

A c t F a s t D u r i n g H e a r t A t t a c k s According to the American Heart

Association clot-busting drugs can stop

some heart attacks in progress reducing

disability and saving lives They work best

given within one hour of when heart

attack signs begin Thatrsquos why itrsquos impor-

tant to recognize the warning signs of a

heart attack and act right away

Warning Signs

bull Pain or discomfort in the jaw

neck or back

bull Feeling weak lightheaded or faint

bull Chest paindiscomfort

bull Paindiscomfort in the arms or

shoulder

bull Shortness of breath

If you think that you or someone you

know is having a heart attack call 911

immediately

32 | Simply Saratoga

Who would believe that a rabbi from Eastern

Europe frozen for 150 years in a block of ice could

be transported across time and space to Memphis

where he thaws then becomes a spiritual guru to

baby boomers Arguably nobody But Steve Stern

the author of ldquoThe Frozen Rabbirdquo his most recent

novel isnrsquot asking readers to believe it so much as

to let the characters tell their story Besides the plot

may be far-fetched but he already has a buyer for

the movie rights

Writer-in-residence at Skidmore College Stern is

a genius at creating human beings in fantastical cir-

cumstances who seem more like eccentric neigh-

bors than artifacts of science fiction Some fly

some inhabit other peoplersquos dreams some are res-

urrected and some travel through time Whatever

their superpowers or frailties the heroes and vil-

lains tricksters and innocents and witnesses and

bystanders in Sternrsquos short and long fiction deserve

attention and evoke compassion in their quest for

connection and redemption - or at least food and

shelter From within an inexhaustible vein of

Jewish folklore and oral history his characters

emerge into a lucid fictional universe that embraces

both magic and the mundane Dialogue is ironic as

often as it is mystical and the most ordinary days

serve as backdrops for incredible events

ldquoMiracles are commonplacerdquo says Stern a

Ballston Spa resident ldquoI donrsquot write in metaphors

and symbols deliberately Writing is a visceral

experience for me I read with interest what review-

ers say about my repetitive themes and ideas but I

am driven by images and characters Irsquom a compul-

sive storytellerrdquo

Steve Stern A Lyrical Voice in the Ghetto

B

o

o

k

m

a

r

k

Lean bespectacled and haloed in dark curls Stern

is a Memphis native who grew up in a home bereft

of music books and art in a city made famous by

Elvis Presley (who used to drive through Sternrsquos

neighborhood) and Martin Luther Kingrsquos assassina-

tion He remembers himself as ldquoa mediocre adoles-

cent without confidence or spiritual antennardquo first

stirred to write poetry in high school which he read

aloud for attention

ldquoI was surprised people liked itrdquo he says ldquoAnd I

liked writing it even though it embarrassed me But

I was encouraged to go on and later to try proserdquo

The allure of the late lsquo60s and early lsquo70s was not

academic After college Stern wandered through

Europe then worked as a butcher on a hippie com-

mune in the Ozarks raising pigs and eating off the

land ldquoI slept under five blankets and two dogsrdquo he

recalls (The incarnation has been memorialized in a

comic strip by Sternrsquos girlfriend Sabrina a cartoon-

ist and set designer for Saturday Night Live)

The commune was not too far from the University

of Arkansas where Stern attended graduate school

and played volleyball with Bill and Hillary Clinton

ldquoI hoped he would mention me in his inaugural

addressrdquo Stern sighs

With an MA Stern found teaching gigs at vari-

ous colleges but the work dried up forcing him to

take a job at a folklore center in Memphis first tran-

scribing stories about the black community then

launching a life-changing project to preserve the

stories of the fading Jewish population in a desolate

Memphis ghetto known as ldquoThe Pinchrdquo where

many of his stories are set

Story By Helen Susan Edelman

ldquoBernie scrunched his face in thought Gone was his waryimpulse to keep everything secret and there were times of latewhen he felt almost reckless almost ready to tell the world whileon the other hand he suspected he may have already confided toomuch ldquoI thinkrdquo he said after some consideration ldquoIrsquom startingto outgrow myselfrdquo

mdash Steve Stern ldquoThe Frozen Rabbirdquo

Photo by Josh GerritsenSteve Stern

Simply Saratoga | 33

ldquoIt was intoxicatingrdquo says Stern ldquoI became obsessed with

itrdquo Indeed his work is infused with the folklore images lan-

guage archetypes settings rituals and values embedded in

the memories he recorded and in the vast Jewish and Yiddish

literature he has studied since

A non-observant Jew Stern had no relationship with his

religion so the introduction to his exotic legacy was both

anchor and springboard for a prolific new consciousness

ldquoThe floodgates openedrdquo he says ldquoSuddenly this world

began to materialize for me What had been barren neighbor-

hoods I could see vividly as tenements and shops a town

square street traffic merchants pawnbrokers rabbis chil-

drenhellipimmigrants from Eastern Europe looking for a homerdquo

Stern is comfortable writing about transcendent wisdom as

long as itrsquos his characterrsquos voice

and not his own

dispensing the

insights The

frozen rabbi in

the book of the

same name for

example ldquoradiates

within his zone of

influence and is a

spiritual catalyst

for anyone who

encounters himrdquo

says Stern ldquowhere-

as I am a clicheacute a

Jew who grew up

without an identityrdquo

A winner of both

Guggenheim and

Fulbright fellowships

as well as the National

Jewish Book Award

the Pushcart Prize an

OrsquoHenry Prize and the Edward Lewis Wallant Award Stern

is working on a new novel and rereading Faulkner Tolstoy

Dickens and Joyce

He views each new writing project as ldquoa riskrdquo Experience

last summer also reminded him of the evanescence of popu-

larity he gave two readings one in Memphis which drew

such a crowd that doors had to be locked and one in St

Louis where he commanded an audience of four

ldquoJust like the characters in my storiesrdquo Stern observes ldquoI

encounter conflicts look for a way to escape and face mixed

consequencesrdquo sect

How is your mental state these days Are

you experiencing peace and joy in every-

day life or frustration and impatience Are

you living your life ldquoon purposerdquo or going

through the motions feeling numb and dead

on the inside How is the garden of your

mind Are you tending to your garden or letting

the weeds take over

When I lived in Boston I lived next door to an elder-

ly woman who had a beautiful garden Every morning my

neighbor was outside in her floral moo moo (circa Mrs

Roper from Threersquos Company) tending carefully to each

plant and flower She would spend hours walking around her

garden joyfully humming and making sure her flowers were

strong and healthy Many mornings I would sip my coffee

and watch her peacefully pulling out the weeds and tending

to her precious flowers To this day I remember how tall and

lovely her sunflowers were I think our mental state can be

compared to tending to a garden do we have beautiful sun-

flowers of joy and peace or toxic weeds of bitterness and

guilt

The weeds in your heart and mind are feelings of bitterness

anger guilt self-loathing and negativity Do you spend your

days reviewing the list of those that have offended

you Do you beat yourself up daily for past mis-

takes or regrets These are the weeds that can

take over your mind and lead to racing

thoughts a dark depression constant

anxiety or physical illness and

chronic pain If you are someone

that is easily frustrated impatient

and critical you can be sure you

34 | Simply Saratoga

Tending to theGarden of Your MindDealing with the Weeds in your Life

Simple Truths

have some weeds to deal with

The only path to peace and joy in your everyday life is to

pull your weeds out from the root and confront the issues

Holding on to your weeds only makes you ill and deadens

your heart Did you know that people who are full of bitter-

ness and resentment appear older and are not as physically

attractive as people who are full of peace and love The

weeds in your heart and mind can actually make you ugly

Likewise a mind that is content and peaceful gives us a

sparkle and light in our eyes that people are automatically

attracted to Forget the anti-wrinkle cream and Botox Fill

your heart and mind up with the best kept beauty secret

around love and forgiveness

Forgiveness is not about letting the person who hurt you

off the hook Forgiveness IS allowing light into our hearts

so that we can heal and move forward It takes the heavy

burden of offense and resentment off of our hearts and

minds while preparing the ldquosoilrdquo for new growth and

experiences

When possible confront the people you need to forgive

so that you can have closure and move on If it is not pos-

sible to confront the person that is the weed in your life

write them a letter expressing your hurt and anger (not to

send but in a private journal) This is a wonderful way to

give yourself closure and put your feelings out on the table

More often than not the person we have to forgive or con-

front is ourselves If you are constantly beating yourself up

and feeling guilty about your past make a choice to forgive

yourself

Donrsquot be lazy about your weeds Dig deep and pull out

your weeds so that you can make room for peace and joy

We all desire to feel love and be accepted That accept-

Meghan DLemery LCSW-R

Simply Saratoga | 35

ance starts with you Begin to focus on peaceful loving joyful

thoughts Keep a gratitude journal of what you love about your-

self or the loved ones in your life Practice planting seeds of joy

by giving acceptance and love to everyone around you

Take time to practice patience and kindness to your family

friends colleagues and that slow cashier at the grocery store Go

out of your way to help others in any way that you can All of

these acts of kindness plant the seeds of peace love joy and

abundance

As we approach the new season of spring take some time to

tend to the garden of your mind

Wishing you love self-acceptance and peace this spring and

always

Ms Lemery is a psychotherapist practic-ing in Saratoga Springs and QueensburyShe can be reached at meghanle-meryyahoocom

Her first novel will be pub-lished this Spring TitledldquoPlease Pass the BarbieShoesrdquo it is a hilarious heart-warming story that will haveyou feeling inspiredand empowered

sect

36 | Simply Saratoga

Living Room The custom-designed leather couch chair andottoman come from Suttons The stucco fireplace was inspired by theCollinsrsquo travels through the Southwest and Colorado (ldquowe wanted to avoida traditional river rock fireplacerdquo) and provides a heat source as well asbeauty The original structure was built for passive solar design no airconditioning is needed in the summer A wood stove is the primary heatsource radiant heat with natural gas was also added during the renova-tion

The front door as well as all the interior doors was custom-made fittedand replaced by Tom Zanetti Hickory wood floors were also installed dur-ing the addition A hanging stained glass chandelier is a stock itemobtained from a leading home supply retailer ldquoIt captures the sunlightbeautifully along with providing brilliant nighttime illuminationrdquo Tedsaid ldquoItrsquos an eclectic mixrdquo

Simply Saratoga | 37

Today we look at a creative space that is set into a special place

In 1993 Ted and Susan Collins purchased a seven-acre property

with a 1986 Timberpeg designed home that has all the qualities of

a place in the country ndash yet many would be surprised to learn that

it is actually located on the border of Saratoga Springs near the

Alpine Shop on Clinton Street After a number of years living in

apartments on Union Avenue and Franklin Square enjoying the

proximity to downtown and the track they couldnrsquot resist a spot

that was close to town but yet had lots of land

Their overall vision was for an interior space that was in accord

with the outside ndash the wildlife gardens and the sustainable philos-

ophy embodied in the original buildingrsquos passive solar design

ldquoEverything we do embraces the goals of staying true to the orig-

inal structure having an open welcoming interior and being in

harmony with the outdoorsrdquo Ted said

Inspired by travels in balance with the land

Story By Arthur GonickPhotos by copystockstudiosphotographycom

These principles guided a major transformation of the interior

space in 2006 The key element was an addition to the home that

enabled the living room kitchen and upstairs bedroom to be

expanded allowing space for the installation of a downstairs bath

as well

Susan and Ted led this transformation - visualizing an addition

that incorporated equilibrium of size location and overall propor-

tion They went through several iterations with Rick Deforest of

Heritage Timberframes

Even though much of the interior decor came from travels in

Africa the South Pacific and Colorado the building materials and

craftsmen are all local The timbers and wood flooring were milled

in nearby Kingsbury ldquoWe enjoyed working with professionals who

are also friends like Rick Deforest Tom Zanetti and Mike

Roohanrdquo Ted said ldquothe house now feels complete in balancerdquo sect

Unique Places and Creative Spaces If you would like to nominate a unique

or creative place to be featured emailentertainmentsaratogapublishingcom

38 | Simply Saratoga

Kitchen A wall was taken out that afforded space to add an eat-in island area and

open up the space Custom cabinets are by Tom Zanetti Stonework andappliances were added Both the kitchen and bathroom have granite table-tops (from Mike and Margaret Roohan of Granite and Marble Works)New appliances include a Bosch stove (with a built-in microwave drawer)and an Amana stainless refrigerator

Bathroom The bathroom ceiling is pine The showerarea was designed and built to the Collinsrsquo specifications andfeatures a bench 4 shower heads PLUS an extra hand-held one(ldquoItrsquos a human car washrdquo) The stone tiles on the sides and floorin the shower were installed by Best Tile the plumbing in theshower comes from Aird Dorrance as does the sink ndash which sitson a granite top from Granite and Marble Works The windowleads out to the north side of the house with privacy blinds insidethe window panes One thing you donrsquot see ldquoSince the room ison display in the center of the expanded first floor we wanted thecommode to be mostly hiddenrdquo Ted said

Unique Places and Creative Spaces

Simply Saratoga | 39

Living RoomA reading nook sits upon the bathroom addition ldquoThere was no full bathroom on the first

floor and with a post and beam construction we had to be creative You get outstanding viewsof the property pond and stream when viewed from the nookrsquos perspectiverdquo The ladder canswing out on a track making it more like walking up a staircase ndash this was also designed andinstalled by Tom Zanetti The table in the nook is actually a working African drum with a glasstable top added

40 | Simply Saratoga

Bedroom In the second-floor master bedroom moving the dormer brought in extra light and space and

also brought the roofline together with the original structure and first-floor additions The floorand ceiling are made of rough-cut pine planking The bed is also constructed of pine and comesfrom Suttons The window in the upper left was cut during the addition It faces west for extra day-time light

Simply Saratoga | 41

42 | Simply Saratoga

Story Written by Yael Goldman Photos by Samu Studios and Randall Perry Photography

Simply Saratoga | 43

orking with the

right interior designer

turns listless decision making

into an enjoyable and productive

process that avoids costly mistakes

and delivers exceptional results

Designing a room or an entire home is a

big project no matter how strong your tastes are

The decisions are endless ndash what color should I paint the

walls What flooring is most aesthetically appealing and

dog-friendly Should I choose a furniture set or choose

individual pieces Do I want curtains or shades Do I

decorate with knick-knacks or artwork

But with all the unique self-questioning that surrounds

an interior design project most homeowners share angst

in asking themselves one specific question where do I

start

Itrsquos at this point ndash when stress level increases enjoy-

ment-driven projects turn deadly and money has been

wastefully spent on all the wrong things ndash that you long

for the help of a professional if only you could afford it

Well the truth is you can

Creating the right space can be expensive but is only

more so if you make mistakes and have to go back and

fix them If you do it right the first time therersquos no cost

associated with do-overs

With nearly 100 years of experience between them all

four members of Blairhouse Interiors Group have

worked with more than enough unhappy do-it-your-

selfers to tell you yoursquore not alone

Photo by Samu Studios

44 | Simply Saratoga

The four-member designproject therapy team which recently

opened a studio in Saratoga Springs has a long history of help-

ing home and business owners create their ideal spaces and

atmospheres the right way Their exceptional work is celebrated across

the Capital Region including Saratoga Springs where the Blairhouse

look is prominently featured in a handful of Park Place condominiums

and the incredible Saratoga National Golf Club

Thomas R Burns Meghan Baltich Dominic Carota and Patricia

Richards the highly skilled and charismatic force behind Blairhouse

Interiors Group promise an experience that is personal because itrsquos all

about your needs ndash and thatrsquos what is important

Blairhouse offers full-service interior design services space planning

project management hand-picked merchandise patience and an uncan-

ny ability to create a

look that is always

fresh sophisticated

and comfortable

ldquoThe style that we

gravitate toward is

unique cutting-edge

and modern not dic-

tated by corporaterdquo

said Meghan Baltich

pointing to a ldquovery

propitiousrdquo Keith Fritz

table at the center of

the studio

Photo by Randall Perry Photography

If you do it right the firsttime therersquos no cost

associated with do-oversPhoto by Randall Perry Photography

One glance at the Park Place showroom ndash of the selective furnishings carefully showcased along

the periphery ndash and it becomes clear why Blairhouse an award-winning team gets the job

done

Their creativity focus and immaculate sense of direction bring objectivity to the scene helping you nar-

row down all of the tedious and overwhelming choices that make do-it-yourself decorating an exercise in

unclear thinking

ldquoPeople are overwhelmed by all the choices it can feel like theyrsquore in a paralyzed blurrdquo said Thomas

Burns who finds that a great vision can be impossible to imagine and create without eliminating all of

the distractions

A vital step in getting focused is creating a

comprehensive plan based on individual

needs wants and style that addresses all

aspects of lifestyle and taste and suggests

tactful solutions and fresh approaches to new

and existing spaces

They help you identify what you like

forcing you to hone in on what you want and

need to compliment and enhance your

lifestyle

ldquoWe ascertain the clientrsquos goal and

lifestyle to convey their visionrdquo said

Dominic Carota explaining that the intended

outcome of creating or reinventing a room is

often strictly tied to how you want to live in

it

ldquoWe have to know how they functionrdquo he

said

An interior designer is an asset in the func-

tion-meets-style equation

Dominic explained that a couple starting a family will have far

different needs than empty-nesters looking for a change They may

have the same stylistic goals but their execution will differ based on

how their lifestyle exists within the space

When revamping a single room the majority of your focus is ded-

icated to that individual space making it easy to forget that the rest

of the house is attached Establishing connectivity between rooms is

a challenge but an important part of executing a project the right

way

Sometimes one wrong detail no matter how small can be incred-

ibly impactful and difficult to avoid on your own

ldquoIf yoursquore working on a new addition or renovation we ensure it

flows that therersquos balance between the existing part of the living

space and the new additionrdquo Meghan Baltich said explaining that

it just doesnrsquot make sense to put in a great new kitchen if itrsquos dis-

jointed and out of place from its surroundings

Another common novice mistake is the trendy retail store fallacy

that you can order a full room from a catalog or pick a fabulous and

unique design from a floor plan

Blairhouse clients learn the difference between ldquocookie-cutterrdquo

and ldquocustomrdquo and they are never concerned with picking the wrong

piece for the wrong room

Simply Saratoga | 45

ome customers will come to us after going into a Pottery Barn and buying stuff that just didnrsquot workrdquo Baltich said giving the

example of an individual who purchased an enormous sectional for a tiny room ldquoWe scale into the clientrsquos space taking func-

tion and proportion into considerationrdquo

Exceptional listening and observation skills are the designerrsquos

unsung attributes and greatest assets Blairhouse experts engage

with their clients to gain a true understanding of what they want

In turn the design process becomes an eye-opening experience

customers are introduced to colors and concepts they would

never think to consider

ldquoEach client trusts us to create their environment and we

enable them to make informed decisionsrdquo Patricia Richards

said

And sometimes that requires bold suggestions and collabora-

tion or looking at all of the possibilities even the ones ldquoyou

would never have been brave enough to do on your ownrdquo

In the end the experience of working with the experts is

enjoyable stress-free and cost-effective From concept to com-

pletion the result is just what you want and need ndash a fabulous

marriage of function and aesthetic that wonrsquot have you coming

back for more (because you did it right the first time) sect

ldquoS

46 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 47

For a taste of Blairhouse Interiors Grouprsquos distinctive work stop into their Park Place studio located at 262 Broadway Suite 204 in Saratoga Springs For further details visit wwwblairhouseinteriorscom or call (518) 786-7800

From left to right Dominic Carota Meghan Baltich Patricia Richards and

Thomas R Burns (The designproject therapy team of Blairhouse Interiors Group)

48 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 49

Dorsquos and Donrsquots

50 | Simply Saratoga

Story Written by Kerry Ann Mendez Perennially Yours bull wwwpyourscom Photos Provided

SpringDorsquos and Donrsquots

SpringDorsquos and DonrsquotsDorsquos and Donrsquots

Spring

for your Gardens

s

Simply Saratoga | 51

ssts

SPRINGis right around the corner and gardenersare pawing at the ground ready to explodethrough the garden gate As a passionate perennial gardenerI am right there with you But before launching into another flower-filledseason letrsquos go through a spring checklist of dorsquorsquos and donrsquorsquots to makesure we make the most of the race and have the best finish ever

Photo by GardenersSupply Company

apply a granular fertilizer to your perennial beds while they are still lsquoasleeprsquoDepending on the winter wersquove had this may be anytime from mid-Marchto mid-April Donrsquot worry if there are already lsquoearly risersrsquo visible like springblooming bulbs or woodland ephemerals I recommend using 5-5-5 5-10-5 or

5-10-10 fertilizer at the rate of 2 pounds per 100 square feet Cast the fertilizer just before it is about to rainto make sure fertilizer is watered into the ground and washed off any existing leaves You can give otherplants in your yard this treat as well including floweringshrubs groundcovers climbing vinesand roses

DONrsquoTput fertilizer on top of the snow or on ground that is

still frozen You want to make sure the fertilizer disap-pears into pliable soil and to waiting roots otherwiserunoff can occur And donrsquot think more is better Youcan stress or even kill plants by over-fertilizing espe-cially in spring when leaves are not fully developed toutilize nitrogen in the fertilizer If you are going to errless is better

DO

prune once-b l o o m i n g

roses such as Heirloom or Old GardenRoses when the Forsythia is blooming

Any rose that blooms onceusually in late spring forabout three weeks is in thiscategory Many times theseroses are quite fragrantWait to prune these rosesuntil right after they flower

DONrsquoT

prune most roses whenForsythia is in bloom Pruneshrub roses back by half to

23 their height This is assuming you did not prunethem last fall If you did then next year wait until latewinter or early spring Prune Teas and Grandiflorasback to 18 - 24rdquo For climbing roses prune branchesemerging from the main canes back to within 3 - 4rdquoof the cane

DO

apply corn gluten tolawn areas yoursquoveseeded (or over-seeded) or to gar-dens where youwant biennialsperennials or annu-als to reseed andflower Corn glutendoes not distinguishbetween lsquogoodrsquoand lsquobadrsquo seeds

apply a pre-emer-gent weed killerand fertilizer toyour lawn A lushhealthy lawn

makes a beautiful frame for gardens Myfamily walked away from lawn chemicalsfive years ago And our lawn has neverlooked better Corn gluten is a big part ofthis transformation Corn gluten is a by-product of milled corn It will not harm chil-dren pets or wildlife Heck you can eat it ifyou want (but it tastes yucky) Corn Glutenis high in nitrogen and commonly used as alawn fertilizer But it is also a pre-emergenttargeting seeds as they germinate Youcan put corn gluten down at any point inthe spring BUT if part of your mission is toeliminate crabgrass then there is a narrowwindow of attackApply it whenForsythia is in fullbloom and beforeits leaves appearThe Forsythia is asoil temperatureindicator that cor-responds to whencrabgrass seedsstart to germinate More garden centersare now carrying corn gluten productsYou just need to ask and follow the appli-cation instructions on the bag Make sureto water in the corn gluten after applyingIt will remain effective for five to six weeks

Simply Saratoga | 53

DONrsquoT

DO

step on soil as you maneuver around thegarden to cut back Lavender and therest of the gang For that matter youshould never be tromping through yourgardens compacting soil This breaks

down air and water channels as well as making it tougher forroots to spread Instead reach into beds from existing paths orplace stepping stones in discreet spots where only your eyes cansee or lsquowalk the plankrsquo on a board to reach plants fartherlsquoadriftrsquo

54 | Simply Saratoga

cut back Lavender Russian SageMontauk Daisy Butterfly BushChrysanthemums and ornamental grass-es These are best left untouched in falland whacked in spring Many folks make

the mistake of acting too gingerly with pruners Let lsquoem fly Theresult will be more compact neater plants that will bloom just fineTrust me If it helps wait until yoursquove had a bad day at work withthe kids or in traffic

DONrsquoT

DO

divide Peonies German Bearded Iris orOriental Poppies in spring These are bestdone in late summer Also tap-rootedplants (those with a carrot-looking root)cannot be divided Think about it These

are usually propagated by seed stem or root cuttings Someperennials that fall into this category are Malva Butterfly WeedBalloon Flower Oriental Poppies and Lupines

Simply Saratoga | 55

DONrsquoT

divide plants in spring This is an optimumtime to divide most perennials Yes evenspring bloomers Wait until these haveflowered and then shear off the spentblooms and get to business Most sum-

mer and fall blooming perennials can be divided prior to mid-Junewithout disrupting their performance

DO

apply a time-released fertilizersuch as Plant-Tone(organic) orOsmocote to heavy

feeding perennials five to six weeks afterthe earlier granular fertilizer applicationMost plants do not need as much fertilizeras we are led in advertising to believe I amstingy with my money and maintenancetime so only a handful of plants get thisbonus feed Astilbe Delphinium Liliums (ieAsiatic Oriental Trumpet) Clematis androses If I am feeling generous I will putsome on my Bigleaf Hydrangeas next to theroses Call me heartlessJust scratch fertilizer intothe top couple inchesof soil around theplantrsquos base and waterin well They will enjoy anutritious snack forthree to four months

apply mulch ongarden beds toreduce weedsconserve moisture

reduce erosion minimize soil temperaturefluctuations and enhance the quality ofthe soil Some mulching materials includeaged manures compost shredded wood(not dyed) leaf moldand cocoa hulls Putthe mulch down 2rdquo to3rdquo thick around plantsincluding floweringshrubs

build up mulchagainst plant stems

And please please donrsquot create volcanomounds around trees Please This is awfulfor them The only ones that benefit fromthis are the people selling the mulch

56 | Simply Saratoga

DONrsquoT

DO

DO

rubber band orbraid the foliage ofspring bloomingbulbs after they fin-ish flowering You

want as much leaf surface exposed to thesun as possible to increase photosynthesisYou can press the leaves down next to thesoil so they are less noticeable

Simply Saratoga | 57

sect

And finally DO have a great year in

your gardens and DONrsquoT forget to

take time to smell the roses

DONrsquoT

DONrsquoT

cut off the spentblooms and stems onspring blooming bulbsafter they have flow-ered so energy is redirected to the bulbsversus seed productions Keep the leaves inplace until they have browned and ideallycan be pulled from the ground by hand

put time-released fertil-izer on perennials thatprefer lean dietsRicher soil just upsetstheir vascular systemsThey will get leggy flop and not perform tosnuff Yarrow Coneflower Catmint RussianSage Linum Sea Holly and Silvermound are inthe group

DO

For more information contact Perennially Yours at pyourscom

58 | Simply Saratoga

Ill mination

Exterior Stonework

an

d

Story Written by Arthur Gonick Photos Provided

u

Simply Saratoga | 59

To develop and implement an exterior vista that maximizes your enjoyment To have a backyard landscape that is warm inviting and uniquely yours

These are goals that many homeowners have when they first move onto their property But unless you are trained in the variety ofmaterials and options available the task of getting past the point of comparing possibilities to completing and actually enjoying yourbackyard paradise can appear to be a long daunting road

For Carl Trinkle a landscape designer for ten years with the Gallivan Companies of Troy one of the key elements in a successfultransformation is utilizing a professionalrsquos expertise to articulate goals and develop a plan

ldquoThe most important thing we do when we first meet with a client is to get them to discuss their basic needs and aims and encouragethem to formulate an overall vision for their property An initial consultation sets the tone we make an initial visit on-site to look overthe property so we can have an idea as to where things might be placedrdquo

ldquoDuring this intake process we actually encourage people to show us photos of their friendrsquos property that they like or perhaps froma magazine It helps most people to articulate the goals of what they would like to see as a finished projectrdquo Trinkle said ldquoEven if they are looking to do things in phases we find that it is most important to develop a comprehensive site planrdquo This eliminates the need to revise original phases of work to accommodate those that come in the future

60 | Simply Saratoga

that Mr Trinkle finds potential customers identifying with aredesigned to extend the outdoor season ldquoA few extra weeks outside isa lotrdquo he said

add-ons also extend outside activity each day Low voltage lighting is still the most popular but recently LED lighting with longer-lasting bulbs that involve less maintenance and are cost-efficienthave become more fashionable

The latest trends

stations fire pits and waterenhancements such as ponds andwaterfalls are the most frequentlyrequested items that broaden theoutdoor use season

Outdoor grill

Exterior lighting

Simply Saratoga | 61

And of course swimming pool projects have always been a most-requested

item Fifty percent of allthe projects Mr Trinkleworks on involve a pooleither a completely new installation or enhance-ments to existing poolsGallivanrsquos long-standingrelationship withConcord Pools has beena hallmark in assuringthat customers are satis-fied when their pool isput in the ground

62 | Simply Saratoga

In most cases a comprehensive plancan be developed for any project in about a period of twoweeks Complete drawings and cost breakdowns are provid-ed as well as the projected phases that can be completed injust a few months or on larger projects can be scheduled insegments over a few years These are reviewed in personwith the customer again the goal being to have a plan thateveryone buys into

Simply Saratoga | 63

ldquoWe have had projects where the customer has wanted tohave a lot of input and we welcome that But we also hadone where the client was out of town and we built a firepit and slide for his wife and kids and our only instructions were to dazzle themI remember it as a most satisfying experience and we ended up winning awards for that onerdquo

- Carl Trinkle Landscape DesignerThe Gallivan Companies

64 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 65

ldquoI get to work using my creativity with talented people Some of the most talented are those

I meet as customersrdquo sect

For more information or to schedule aconsultation phone Gallivan Companies at(518) 271-6100 Gallivanrsquos website iswwwGallivanCompaniescom

66 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 67

Buying a playhouse for your child is an excellent investment

They promote imaginative play and spending time outdoors and

double as storage space when no longer used for recreation

Denise Woodcock owner of Versatile Sheds in Wilton has

been helping parents and grandparents customize their childrsquos or

grandchildrsquos dream playhouses for years

ldquoThey make great gifts especially for grandparents who want

their grandkids to have their own place to play when they visitrdquo

she said

Playhouses are a great addition to a childrsquos outdoor world

They come in all shapes sizes and designs and can be custom-

built or finished if you donrsquot find exactly what yoursquore looking for

in a catalog or on the lot

Every child is different and has their own preferences for color

size and function boys and girls often have especially different

requests for their play space as do younger and more mature chil-

dren so therersquos a lot to consider

Denise knows how even the finest detail can be all it takes to

make an outdoor structure feel like a childrsquos own personal space

While it may seem superfluous to address every minor demand

the truth is a playhouse is more than just an expensive toy itrsquos an

investment The more your child connects with their space the more

use theyrsquoll get out of it ndash and according to Denise that means your

money is well spent

Smartest WayThe

playhouse for your kidsto buy a

Photos by MarkBollescomStory by Yael Goldman

68 | Simply Saratoga

With this in mind prospective buyers should first consider

who will use the playhouse and for how long as well as what

happens when the structure is no longer used for recreation

Versatile Sheds can help even the most discerning parent or

child find what theyrsquore looking for Every playhouse is hand-

built by Amish craftsmen who can accommodate almost any

special request at an additional cost so the possibilities are

endless inside and out

Cedar shingle or vinyl siding wood stone or brick ndash if you

can use it on the outside of your regular home it can be inte-

grated into your playhousersquos design Playhouses can be built

to look like a miniature version of your home which is an

excellent touch for parents that are particularly concerned

with aesthetics Porches shutters flowerboxes unique doors

chimneys and exterior lighting are just a few of the touches

that can brighten and personalize the exterior

Individualizing your childrsquos playhouse doesnrsquot stop at the

front door There are just as many interior features to choose

from ndash you can let your imagination run wild

For starters you have the option to order the playhouse

with a finished or unfinished interior The unfinished version

looks a lot like the inside of a regular home before you move

in paint the walls and furnish the rooms

Buying an unfinished structure is a great way to cut costs

and even bring the family together over a weekend decorating

project The possibilities are endless depending on how handy

you are otherwise a few coats of paint and a bit of carpeting

will surely do the trick

Although a bit pricey purchasing a playhouse with a fin-

ished interior ensures that your child gets exactly what they

want right off the bat They can pick everything from the paint

color to the flooring so the playhouse is move-in ready on the

day it arrives

Playhouses can also be insulated and wired for electricity

You can install lighting electrical outlets even heat or air-

conditioning to make your childrsquos outdoor space as comfort-

able as possible

And the options donrsquot end there Traditional sheds also dou-

ble as playhouses For some parents purchasing an adult-size

shed for their children is an ideal way to get the best return on

their investment Once their children grow out of it the struc-

ture can be used for outdoor storage With just as many styles

sizes and materials to choose from you can customize the

interior and exterior of your shed just as you would a play-

house but without all of the more frivolous features

ldquoAny shed can be a playhouserdquo Woodcock said explaining

how a custom paint job or flowerbox can transform a typical

storage unit into childrsquos outdoor activity haven

For example if purchasing a wood shed the exterior can be

easily painted and repainted when making the transition from

playhouse to storage space

For Denisersquos customers getting their moneyrsquos worth should

not have to mean making sacrifices

Simply Saratoga | 69

70 | Simply Saratoga

When Debby Trainor made the decision to buy her grand-

daughter Chezneyrsquos dream house she wanted it to have all the

bells and whistles She met with Denise to go over all the cri-

teria the goal was to buy the perfect gift for Chezney while

staying within her budget

The eight-year-old Greenwich girl wanted her own pretty

pink palace where she could play and imagine Debby wanted

it to be a cozy and safe place for her to play year-round

Customization and interior decoration helped make

Chezneyrsquos playhouse feel like her own little kingdom

ldquoWe made it look like a cute little dollhouserdquo she said ldquoWe

put furniture inside and a little stove fridge heater and TV

itrsquos just perfectrdquo

With the structure built to their liking Chezney and Debby

could enjoy decorating the inside to personalize the playhouse

For many customers putting on the finishing touches means

making the playhouse feel like home ndash you can add curtains

hang pictures buy furniture and appliances and landscape the

perimeter to make the outdoor space feel like a home away

from home

When the child grows out of their playhouse these items

can be easily removed to accommodate a secondary use for the

space

ldquoThe best thing that Denise did for me was explain how we

can use the playhouse for storage for stuff out in the yard after

Chezney has grown out of itrdquo Debby explained ldquoAlthough

she is only eight and will be using it for quite a few more

years this really makes it a good investment and looks

great in the backyardrdquo

Whether you choose a customized playhouse or a tradi-

tional shed thinking toward the future also ensures the

safety and longevity of the structure

Denise explained that placement is an important thing to

consider as you want to make sure the structure is in a safe

place and on an appropriate surface Most importantly the

playhouse must be built on a level even surface that isnrsquot

too high off of the ground

ldquoYou want it on a nice platformrdquo Denise explained

ldquoSome people use concrete but stone is better because it

allows moisture to seep down into the ground and away

from the structurerdquo

Most parents prefer that their playhouse is in the back-

yard where itrsquos easy to see from a window Placing the

structure in a shaded area is also a good idea it will be

cooler in the summer and less susceptible to the elements if

partially protected by trees

Debby had Chezneyrsquos playhouse built right next to her

swing set where she can be easily supervised

One last thing to consider when purchasing a playhouse

Simply Saratoga | 71

72 | Simply Saratoga

or shed for your child is how much effort

you want to put into maintaining it The

more ornate the structure the more care it

may need

Woodcock advises parents to preserve

their investment and treat the playhouse

like a miniature home

Think of it as a miniature house ndash the

structure requires regular maintenance

and upkeep to ensure your child will be

safe while enjoying years and years of

imaginative fun

With so many features and styles to

choose from yoursquore sure to find the best

for both you and your child

For more information about Versatile

Sheds or to set up a time to meet with

Denise Woodcock call (518) 584-7924

or stop by 669 Route 9 in Wilton sect

Simply Saratoga | 73

74 | Simply Saratoga

Kitchen

Not Your

Grandmarsquos

Story Written by Daniel Schechtman Photos Provided

ldquoAs you

walk into the kitchen

of the future LED

light projections adjust

to your mood - it will

know if you have a

hangover via sensors

that will read your

b r a i n w a v e s

Aromatherapy infused

walls will be synched

to your calendar calm-

ing you before a big

meeting or energizing you before a gym session The fridge will have selected some breakfast options identifying the essen-

tial vitamins for your day via sensors When you get home a hologram chef will be on hand for recipe inspirationrdquo

Alright so maybe your kitchen canrsquot do all of these things quite yet ndash but believe it or not wersquore getting there This is tomor-

rowrsquos kitchen a kitchen where your appliances donrsquot just store your food or wash your dishes ndash they talk to you providing you

with integral information on how to

best store your fruits and vegetables

letting you know if the refrigerator

door is open for too long or when a

part will soon need replacing

Simply Saratoga | 75

ldquoScience fictionrdquo I hear you say

Guess again Quoted from a report released by The Future Laboratory

who was commissioned by IKEA to determine what a modernkitchen in the year 2040 could conceivably look like

76 | Simply Saratoga

ldquoOne technology that really stands out to me is the

Miele Appliance Company Right now theyrsquore using a

program called lsquoremote visionrsquo On select applianceshellip

is a wireless card that clicks into a port on the back of

the appliance You synch it up with your home network

and it basically emails the technician and the owner

when itrsquos broken when you need to clean your condens-

er change your water filter or schedule a routine serv-

icerdquo said Tom Thibeault owner of Adirondack

Appliance Repair Inc located at 67 West Ave in

Saratoga Springs ldquoMaybe somebodyrsquos been opening the

[refrigerator] door for too long or the door was left open

ndash it will email you and tell you that your door is left

openrdquo

This is not your grandmarsquos kitchen This my friends

is the kitchen of the future and itrsquos available now

The 36 inch bottom-mount Miele refrigerator boasts a

striking interior featuring LED lighting running along

the sides from top to bottom stainless steel accents and

exteriors with control systems that would be comfort-

able alongside the captainrsquos chair on the Starship

Enterprise

Simply Saratoga | 77

ldquoThe controls in the Miele really stand out

Looking at the controls theyrsquore just a glass piece and

then once you touch it you see a few options for the

different compartments Then you touch the compart-

ment and the temperature is displayed so itrsquos kind of

like a Star Trek controlrdquo Thibeault said

And thatrsquos just the refrigerator

Adirondack Appliance has also seen brands such as

Wolf (a company owned by the same people who own

Sub-Zero) grow in popularity when it comes to their

range stoves and ovens The dual convection oven

works to eliminate cold spotting and provides consis-

tent even temperatures and even allows for unique

options such as proofing ndash used best when baking

homemade bread

ldquoIt also has a temperature probe you can plug into

things like a turkey or roast so you can see the temper-

ature while itrsquos still inside the machine It has

hydraulic hinges halogen lit interiors everything is

composed of stainless steel and itrsquos by far one of the

best lines on the marketrdquo Thibeault said

A new line coming to Adirondack Appliance that

features some amazing technology is a series of Pro-

Style Ranges produced by industry giant Jenn-Air

ldquoThat actually has an LCD touch

screen like an IPAD for the controls The

temperature is set by sliding your finger

along the controls Itrsquos all color backlit and

absolutely amazingrdquo Thibeault said

ldquoAnother thing we have to that same

effect are some of the hoods which have

really been getting pretty out there as far as

design We have one on our floor [by Miele]

that has an LED bar on the front which

changes in phases between 196000 colors

Itrsquos a very delicate change very pretty and

coolrdquo Thibeault said adding ldquoor you can set

it to any color in that spectrum yoursquod like to

accent your cabinetryrdquo

When it comes to dishwashers Thibeault

can attest to the quality of both the Asko and

Miele brands both of which he uses in his

own home And good news for Saratoga

Springs residents ndash

ldquoIn our market in

Saratoga we have a

very hard water base

whether yoursquore on a well

system or city waterrdquo

Thibeault said ldquoSo you

get a lot of minerals in

the machine With the

stainless steel interiors it

eliminates a lot of prob-

lems generally seen with

plastic interior tubs and

usually they are the best

life expectanciesrdquo

78 | Simply Saratoga

Asko and Mieleare practically custom made to handle the

arearsquos typicallymineral rich water

Simply Saratoga | 79

The Asko brand dishwasher takes things one step

further including two pumps in the washerrsquos system

The first pump filters the water cleansing it of poten-

tially harmful minerals while the second pump recircu-

lates the water ensuring that the machine is never

blasting your dishes with food debris or dirty residue

With Miele the design features a built-in water sof-

tener perfect for dealing with the Saratoga water

system

ldquoTypically the Miele is going to do a better job with

tougher baked in stainsrdquo said Thibeault ldquobecause itrsquos

got the softener in it and a little bit longer pots and pans

cyclerdquo

80 | Simply Saratoga

Adirondack Appliance Repair Inc is a fami-

ly-owned business since 1929 and the last inde-

pendent appliance retailer of its kind in Saratoga

Springs With $6 billion of buying power behind

their name (a benefit of being part of the Nation

Wide Appliance Buying Group) Thibeault

promised ldquowe can actually price match the box

stores and everybody else around all while pro-

viding you with better service and better

productsrdquo

For more information on AdirondackAppliance or the products they sell you mayvisit their showroom located at 67 West Avenuein Saratoga Springs for live demonstrationsThey can also be reached by phone at (518)587-6640 or you may visit them at their newwebsite wwwadkappliancecom where cus-tomers can browse through the storersquos entirecatalogue of appliances

sect

Simply Saratoga | 81

82 | Simply Saratoga

Page 22: Simply Saratoga March 2011

24 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 25

Summer camp is a place wherelifelong memories are made

This is where our children learnto cultivate their interests andordiscover a world of new activities tohelp their young minds grow andfor them to become physically fit

Even though there may be snowon the ground when you read thisit is never too early to think aboutyour childrenrsquos summer fun Weare blessed in this region with avariety of destinations providing awealth of activities

And while there is something foreveryone early planning is a mustto assure your child has a spot inone of these great places At theend of a long winter seasonthoughts of summer camp arerejuvenating for adults as well

Summer Camp Guide 2011

YMCA Camp Chingachgook

NdakinnaNdakinna Education Center located in

Greenfield Center offers a wide variety of

summer camp programs and activities that

will provide campers with a greater

respect and understanding for the natural

world as well as the Northeastrsquos rich

Native American history Hosted by

renowned author and wilderness and sur-

vival expert James Bruchac these pro-

grams are ideal for children with a sense

of adventure and natural wonder Summer

programs are divided into two groups

children ages three to eight and older

campers ages nine to fourteen Programs

range in duration from one to two weeks

26 | Simply Saratoga

YMCA Camp Chingachgook located on beauti-

ful Lake George has three camping options sleep-

away camp day camp and adventure trips

Summer sleep-away camp is the experience of a

lifetime The camp is divided into junior and sen-

ior boys and girls units junior campers between

the ages of seven and 12 and senior campers are 13

to 15 years old All Chingachgook counselors go

through extensive two-week training and prepa-

ration prior to the beginning of the first session

Campers will enjoy a full schedule of skill

classes which they can choose on their own

and special events and programs Campers can

choose from swimming water skiing canoeing

nature arts outdoor living skills theater news-

paper riflery archery dance guitar outdoor

cooking sports zone water world woodwork-

ing softball soccer tennis photography sail-

ing high ropes mountain biking and rock

climbing Each camper sets up their own daily

schedule of four skill classes at the start of the

session

Two-week camp sessions at Chingachgook

also include a three-day hike which allows

campers to get out and experience the wilder-

ness in a fun and safe atmosphere

Chingachgook also offers a variety of unique

adventure camps for children looking to explore

unique destinations and experience a whole new

level of fun options like sailing kayak-

ing boat building rock climbing canoe-

ing community service white-water

rafting hiking and backpacking bicycle

touring and mountain biking Adventure

campers will benefit from activities with

smaller coed groups of ten or less

Day Camp at Chingachgook is a fun

option for children ages five to ten

Campers will enjoy a full day of fun

activities from 930 am to 430 pm The

Day Camp program is divided into eight

one-week segments with the first session

starting on June 28 and the final session

starting on August 16 Each session has

a different theme

Spaces are limited at Chingachgook

so be sure to sign up as soon as possible

For more information to sign up for a

tour or to register for camp visit

wwwcapitaldistrictymcacom or call

(518) 656-9462

each covering a different skill or activity such

as animal tracking basic wilderness survival

skills and shelter building Native American

storytelling and games and nature-based arts

and crafts projects will teach campers to have

fun in the great outdoors Each camp program

promotes team building natural awareness

patience and confidence

Ndakinna also offers family camp pro-

grams which allow children and their parents

to experience the outdoors together Family

programs can accommodate children ages one

to 14 These programs offer the

same skills training and team-

building activities To view the

finalized calendar of programs

and events visit

wwwNdcenterorg

Cutting Edge Martial ArtsCutting Edge Martial Artrsquos A+ After

School and Summer Camp Program is a year-

round child care solution that provides a pos-

itive structured environment for children

after school and during the day in the sum-

mer During the school year we pick chil-

dren up directly from the local elementary

and middle schools and provide an hour les-

son that starts with our ldquoMat Chatrdquo a ten

minute character education lesson for the day

followed by a full 50 minute martial arts

class Parents have a window between 5 and

545 pm to pick up their children while chil-

dren have the opportunity after class to get

their homework started

During the summer children get all the

benefits of our A+ Program but on a grander

scale We offer nine weeks of full day camps

and have no minimum or maximum number

of days per week or number of weeks that a

student can attend Each week of camp we

have a curriculum of character education

lessons fun games and a one hour martial

arts class every day We watch a movie in

the afternoons twice a week have a video

game morning on Fridays and take all our

campers on an educa-

tional outing on

Wednesdays and a

fun and exciting out-

ing every Friday

Our average camp

size is 20-25 stu-

dents and we have

three full time staff

graphed by Sarah Sutliff

Saratoga Childrenrsquos Theatre also offers a one-

week camp at the end of the summer ldquoMaster

your Auditionrdquo This camp will help your child

get ready for fall and winter auditions These

audition workshops have been very popular and

sell out quickly Any child at any skill level with

an interest in performing arts is welcome to join

in on the fun Saratoga Childrenrsquos Theatre

Executive Director Meg Kelly aims to give each

camper the most rewarding and enjoyable camp

experience and every camper will get to perform

The Saratoga Childrenrsquos Theatre hires profes-

sionals to help your child gain the most from

their summer camp experience

The cost for a two-week session is $450 and

$250 for the one-week session For more infor-

mation visit wwwsaratogachildrenstheatreorg

or call (518) 580-1782

For kids who have a passion for per-

forming arts Saratoga Childrenrsquos Theatre

summer camp is a dream come true

Saratoga Childrenrsquos Theatre offers per-

formance camps which means each

camper will be working on a full-fledged

production throughout their session

Campers will learn all aspects of perform-

ance and will have the opportunity to per-

form in two shows at the end of camp a

matinee and an evening show are both

open to the public Campers will perform

on stage at St Petersrsquo Auditorium

Saratoga Springs Camp hours are 9am-

3pm Performance camp is divided into

two age groups

Ages 6-9 will participate in one week

camps These camps will include Disneyrsquos

Sleeping Beauty kids Cinderella kids

Aristocats kids 101 Dalmatians kids and

Lemonade These camps will be directed by

Megan OrsquoSullivan a local elementary school

music teacher and assisted by Karey

Trimmings also a local elementary school

music teacher

Ages 10-18 will participate in two-week

camps Each camp will practice and perform a

different show These

camps include

Thoroughly Modern

Mille Jr Cinderella Jr

Fiddler on the Roof Jr

and Once on this Island

Jr These camps will be

directed by Michael

Lotano local actor and

elementary school music

teacher and choreo-

Saratoga Childrenrsquos Theatre

Simply Saratoga | 27

working with our students

Our goal is to provide a family-friendly

and fun environment that feels like a home

away from home Our students have fun

learning skills that can be used every day of

their lives and we try to provide memories

that will last a lifetime For many our

summer camps are a wonderful introduc-

tion to martial arts

For more information visit

wwwsaratogamartialartscom

or call (518) 587-5501

28 | Simply Saratoga

Saratoga Independent SchoolSaratoga Independent School hosts a variety of summer

programs split into two age groups three to eight year-olds

Wilton Recreation CampWilton Recreation offers a full-day summer

camp program for children in grades one

through nine With available pre-camp and

post-camp care working parents can ensure

their children are having fun in a safe environ-

ment before and after the camprsquos regular 9 am to

3 pm hours Parents who register their children

for before and after camp care can drop off their

children prior to camp opening at 830 am and

can pick them up at 530 pm Bussing is avail-

able for Wilton residents who register for regu-

lar camp hours (9 am to 3 pm)

Wilton Recreation Camp offers a full sched-

ule of daily onsite activities themed events and

exciting trips for kids who register for off-site

adventures Daily on-site activities include arts

and crafts sports playground fun and other

organized group games This yearrsquos scheduled

field trips include Million Dollar Beach in Lake

George movie days at Proctors Theater

Saratoga County Fair bowling white water

rafting and at least two swimming days per

week at Peerless Pool

The Summer 2011 camp will open on

June 27 and run until August

12 Registration begins

March 14 at Gavin Park and

will close on June 3 As

there are only 300 spaces

available be sure to mark

your calendar Camp

registration forms are

available online at

wwwtownofwiltoncom or

can be picked up weekdays

at Gavin Park 9 am to 5 pm

For any other questions

please call the park office at (518) 584-9455

and seven to 14 year-olds The weeklong programs run from July 5

to August 19

Saratoga Independent School summer programs are staffed large-

ly by their own teachers so parents can rest assured their kids are

supervised in a safe environment with experienced teachers who are

knowledgeable about child development and hands-on

programming

For the younger group weekly themed programs run from 9 am

to noon (early drop-off at 830 available) The staff-to-camper ratio

is one to six for children ages three and four and one to ten for chil-

dren ages five to eight Themed programs include ldquoCooking with

Curiosityrdquo ldquoHawaiian Hullabaloordquo ldquoHands-On Science Funrdquo

ldquoHoliday-A-Dayrdquo ldquoGood Versus Evil Imaginations Run Wildrdquo

ldquoDinosaur Discoveryrdquo ldquoIn the Jungle the Mighty Junglerdquo

Activities take place both indoors and outdoors

The selection of enrichment programs for older children is even

more extensive this year than in the past Some programs will take

place in the mornings others in the afternoon Age ranges will vary

depending on the subject matter These specialty programs give chil-

dren an opportunity to develop new interests and expand on existing

skills Programs include ldquoCartooning and Morerdquo ldquoImprovisationrdquo

ldquoKnittingrdquo ldquoOpen Art Studiordquo ldquoYou Can Do Magicrdquo ldquoGet Up and

Dancerdquo ldquoRoaring into Robots Whatrsquos Nextrdquo ldquoArt in the Ancient

Worldrdquo ldquoMad Sciencerdquo ldquoComputer Video Game Creationrdquo

ldquoAdvanced Robot Challengesrdquo and ldquoArt-Math Connectionrdquo

Registration has already begun and the programs fill up quickly so

visit wwwsiskidsorg for more information and to secure a space

for your child

Simply Saratoga | 29

Are your kids looking for an adventure this summer The

Saratoga Regional YMCA has two exciting day camps available

Camp Starhitch held at the Wilton Branch which engages children

with a multitude of fun activities and a trip each week and Travel

Camp where participants meet at the Saratoga Springs Branch and

then travel off to fun and thrilling places each day

Camp Starhitch is for children having completed Kindergarten

through entering fifth grade Campers will participate in games

sports crafts nature activities trips swimming archery and more

Each week is planned around a theme and includes a trip For exam-

ple during ldquo70rsquos Flashbackrdquo week campers will go roller skating

during ldquoThe Wild Frontierrdquo week kids will have the opportunity to

go horseback riding and during ldquoTropical Paradiserdquo week partici-

pants may ldquocatch a gnarly waverdquo at an outdoor water park

Travel Camp is definitely for the action seeker and for those who

like to be on the go This program for youth entering fifth through

tenth grade provides campers an opportunity to travel each and every

day to fun-filled locations Participants explore different summer

activities that include amusement and water parks outdoor sports

fairs and horseback riding This year the trips include a visit to Hunter

Mountain Six Flags New England Tubing on the Battenkill NY

Mets game at Citi Field the NY State Fair and more

Camp Starhitch and Travel Camp both run for nine one-week ses-

sions You may choose to attend camp for one week or any combina-

tion of weeks Experienced counselors supervise children and a ratio

of 110 ensures a safe quality camping experience CPR and First Aid

certified camp staff will be present on all trips At Travel Camp

campers will be grouped according to age and are supervised by expe-

rienced adult staff

Camp Starhitch has two day camp options for your child Option A

allows for your child to be dropped off at 9 am and picked up at 4 pm

and Option B has a 7 am drop off time and a 6 pm pick up time

Travel Camp runs from 9 am to 430 pm and extended hours are

available at no additional cost This year transportation will be provid-

ed in both directions between the Saratoga Springs and Wilton

branches Pickups will be as early as 815 am and drop-offs will be

as late as 5 pm Both camps try to cater to working parents

In addition the Saratoga Regional YMCA is committed to provid-

ing a safe and welcoming environment for all campers by incorporat-

ing the YMCAcore values of caring honesty respect and responsibil-

ity in daily activities To promote safety and comfort for all individu-

als are asked to act appropriately at all times when at the Yrsquos facilities

or participating in Y programs All campers are required to read and

sign a contract of understanding in reference to the Code of Conduct

We expect persons using the YMCAto act maturely to behave respon-

sibly and to respect the rights and dignity of all othersmdashall while

having a good time

The Y also has opportunities available for those who may not have

the resources to send their children to camp The Y provides scholar-

ships for those who qualify Scholarships are made possible due to

the generous donations of Y members the community and businesses

to the ldquoWe Build Peoplerdquo scholarship campaign held by the Saratoga

Regional YMCA each year Scholarship applications are available at

all Saratoga Regional YMCA branches and online at wwwsaratogare-

gionalymcaorg

Registration is currently ongoing and fills up quickly Registration

forms are available at any of the Saratoga Regional YMCA Branches

or at wwwsaratogaregionalymcaorg For more information about

these day camps please contact Ilene Leverence at (518) 583-9622

ext 103 for Camp Starhitch and Patti Laudicina at (518) 583-9622

ext 110 or Paige Minear ext 116 for Travel Camp

Saratoga YMCA

30 | Simply Saratoga

Ask women about the greatest threat to their health and most will

respond incorrectly with the words ldquobreast cancerrdquo While breast cancer

certainly is of concern the truth is that women are 10 times more like-

ly to die from heart disease Breast cancer kills 1 in 25 women heart

disease claims 1 in 2

The most recent statistics available indicate that cardiovascular dis-

ease causes the death of 500000 women per year ndash more than ALL

forms of cancer combined This is a rate of epidemic proportion

Little or no warning

Two-thirds of women die suddenly from heart disease without expe-

riencing any warning symptoms The majority die before they even

reach the hospital and before any attempt at treatment is possible Early

screening and the detection that leads to prevention offer the only hope

of reducing these deaths

Women who do develop heart disease tend to fare worse than men

One reason is that on average heart disease peaks 10 years later in

women than in men At this older age women are less able to withstand

the stress of the disease The proof can be found in a disturbing statis-

tic One year after their first heart attack 44 percent of women are dead

compared with 27 percent of men

Clearly for women preventing that first heart attack would make an

enormous difference

Know the risks

What can be done to prevent and detect heart disease in women

Of foremost importance is to reduce ndash or if possible eliminate ndash the

conditions that cause or accelerate the growth of blockages in the arter-

ies of the heart These conditions known as risk factors include high

Women Take this warning to heart

Story By Andrij O Baran MD

blood pressure diabetes genetic high cholesterol a high-fat

diet an inactive lifestyle smoking and cocaine use

Some damage the lining of the heartrsquos arteries speeding the

buildup of cholesterol Others raise blood cholesterol Both

smoking and cocaine use speed blood clotting They also can

cause sudden cramps or spasms in the coronary arteries cut-

ting off the entire blood supply to portions of the heart even

without a cholesterol blockage

A woman who has one or more of these risk factors should

ask her doctor how best to control them She also should ask

about further screening and testing such as stress testing

The sooner the better

Lifestyle changes and medications can have a dramatic

impact on reducing the incidence of heart attack provided cho-

lesterol blockages are detected early ndash before damage to the

heart has occurred In fact drugs that lower cholesterol alone

have been unequivocally shown to reduce the risk of heart

attack and death by up to 50 percent

When added to a program of low-fat diet exercise control

of high blood pressure and diabetes and above all else no

smoking the benefits are magnified many times over Keep in

mind of course that these drugs work only if they are taken

and taken appropriately

By knowing and changing their risk factors all women can

ensure themselves of a longer and more vibrant life

Andrij O Baran MD FACC is the Medical Director of

Cardiology Services at Saratoga Hospital

Simply Saratoga | 31

A c t F a s t D u r i n g H e a r t A t t a c k s According to the American Heart

Association clot-busting drugs can stop

some heart attacks in progress reducing

disability and saving lives They work best

given within one hour of when heart

attack signs begin Thatrsquos why itrsquos impor-

tant to recognize the warning signs of a

heart attack and act right away

Warning Signs

bull Pain or discomfort in the jaw

neck or back

bull Feeling weak lightheaded or faint

bull Chest paindiscomfort

bull Paindiscomfort in the arms or

shoulder

bull Shortness of breath

If you think that you or someone you

know is having a heart attack call 911

immediately

32 | Simply Saratoga

Who would believe that a rabbi from Eastern

Europe frozen for 150 years in a block of ice could

be transported across time and space to Memphis

where he thaws then becomes a spiritual guru to

baby boomers Arguably nobody But Steve Stern

the author of ldquoThe Frozen Rabbirdquo his most recent

novel isnrsquot asking readers to believe it so much as

to let the characters tell their story Besides the plot

may be far-fetched but he already has a buyer for

the movie rights

Writer-in-residence at Skidmore College Stern is

a genius at creating human beings in fantastical cir-

cumstances who seem more like eccentric neigh-

bors than artifacts of science fiction Some fly

some inhabit other peoplersquos dreams some are res-

urrected and some travel through time Whatever

their superpowers or frailties the heroes and vil-

lains tricksters and innocents and witnesses and

bystanders in Sternrsquos short and long fiction deserve

attention and evoke compassion in their quest for

connection and redemption - or at least food and

shelter From within an inexhaustible vein of

Jewish folklore and oral history his characters

emerge into a lucid fictional universe that embraces

both magic and the mundane Dialogue is ironic as

often as it is mystical and the most ordinary days

serve as backdrops for incredible events

ldquoMiracles are commonplacerdquo says Stern a

Ballston Spa resident ldquoI donrsquot write in metaphors

and symbols deliberately Writing is a visceral

experience for me I read with interest what review-

ers say about my repetitive themes and ideas but I

am driven by images and characters Irsquom a compul-

sive storytellerrdquo

Steve Stern A Lyrical Voice in the Ghetto

B

o

o

k

m

a

r

k

Lean bespectacled and haloed in dark curls Stern

is a Memphis native who grew up in a home bereft

of music books and art in a city made famous by

Elvis Presley (who used to drive through Sternrsquos

neighborhood) and Martin Luther Kingrsquos assassina-

tion He remembers himself as ldquoa mediocre adoles-

cent without confidence or spiritual antennardquo first

stirred to write poetry in high school which he read

aloud for attention

ldquoI was surprised people liked itrdquo he says ldquoAnd I

liked writing it even though it embarrassed me But

I was encouraged to go on and later to try proserdquo

The allure of the late lsquo60s and early lsquo70s was not

academic After college Stern wandered through

Europe then worked as a butcher on a hippie com-

mune in the Ozarks raising pigs and eating off the

land ldquoI slept under five blankets and two dogsrdquo he

recalls (The incarnation has been memorialized in a

comic strip by Sternrsquos girlfriend Sabrina a cartoon-

ist and set designer for Saturday Night Live)

The commune was not too far from the University

of Arkansas where Stern attended graduate school

and played volleyball with Bill and Hillary Clinton

ldquoI hoped he would mention me in his inaugural

addressrdquo Stern sighs

With an MA Stern found teaching gigs at vari-

ous colleges but the work dried up forcing him to

take a job at a folklore center in Memphis first tran-

scribing stories about the black community then

launching a life-changing project to preserve the

stories of the fading Jewish population in a desolate

Memphis ghetto known as ldquoThe Pinchrdquo where

many of his stories are set

Story By Helen Susan Edelman

ldquoBernie scrunched his face in thought Gone was his waryimpulse to keep everything secret and there were times of latewhen he felt almost reckless almost ready to tell the world whileon the other hand he suspected he may have already confided toomuch ldquoI thinkrdquo he said after some consideration ldquoIrsquom startingto outgrow myselfrdquo

mdash Steve Stern ldquoThe Frozen Rabbirdquo

Photo by Josh GerritsenSteve Stern

Simply Saratoga | 33

ldquoIt was intoxicatingrdquo says Stern ldquoI became obsessed with

itrdquo Indeed his work is infused with the folklore images lan-

guage archetypes settings rituals and values embedded in

the memories he recorded and in the vast Jewish and Yiddish

literature he has studied since

A non-observant Jew Stern had no relationship with his

religion so the introduction to his exotic legacy was both

anchor and springboard for a prolific new consciousness

ldquoThe floodgates openedrdquo he says ldquoSuddenly this world

began to materialize for me What had been barren neighbor-

hoods I could see vividly as tenements and shops a town

square street traffic merchants pawnbrokers rabbis chil-

drenhellipimmigrants from Eastern Europe looking for a homerdquo

Stern is comfortable writing about transcendent wisdom as

long as itrsquos his characterrsquos voice

and not his own

dispensing the

insights The

frozen rabbi in

the book of the

same name for

example ldquoradiates

within his zone of

influence and is a

spiritual catalyst

for anyone who

encounters himrdquo

says Stern ldquowhere-

as I am a clicheacute a

Jew who grew up

without an identityrdquo

A winner of both

Guggenheim and

Fulbright fellowships

as well as the National

Jewish Book Award

the Pushcart Prize an

OrsquoHenry Prize and the Edward Lewis Wallant Award Stern

is working on a new novel and rereading Faulkner Tolstoy

Dickens and Joyce

He views each new writing project as ldquoa riskrdquo Experience

last summer also reminded him of the evanescence of popu-

larity he gave two readings one in Memphis which drew

such a crowd that doors had to be locked and one in St

Louis where he commanded an audience of four

ldquoJust like the characters in my storiesrdquo Stern observes ldquoI

encounter conflicts look for a way to escape and face mixed

consequencesrdquo sect

How is your mental state these days Are

you experiencing peace and joy in every-

day life or frustration and impatience Are

you living your life ldquoon purposerdquo or going

through the motions feeling numb and dead

on the inside How is the garden of your

mind Are you tending to your garden or letting

the weeds take over

When I lived in Boston I lived next door to an elder-

ly woman who had a beautiful garden Every morning my

neighbor was outside in her floral moo moo (circa Mrs

Roper from Threersquos Company) tending carefully to each

plant and flower She would spend hours walking around her

garden joyfully humming and making sure her flowers were

strong and healthy Many mornings I would sip my coffee

and watch her peacefully pulling out the weeds and tending

to her precious flowers To this day I remember how tall and

lovely her sunflowers were I think our mental state can be

compared to tending to a garden do we have beautiful sun-

flowers of joy and peace or toxic weeds of bitterness and

guilt

The weeds in your heart and mind are feelings of bitterness

anger guilt self-loathing and negativity Do you spend your

days reviewing the list of those that have offended

you Do you beat yourself up daily for past mis-

takes or regrets These are the weeds that can

take over your mind and lead to racing

thoughts a dark depression constant

anxiety or physical illness and

chronic pain If you are someone

that is easily frustrated impatient

and critical you can be sure you

34 | Simply Saratoga

Tending to theGarden of Your MindDealing with the Weeds in your Life

Simple Truths

have some weeds to deal with

The only path to peace and joy in your everyday life is to

pull your weeds out from the root and confront the issues

Holding on to your weeds only makes you ill and deadens

your heart Did you know that people who are full of bitter-

ness and resentment appear older and are not as physically

attractive as people who are full of peace and love The

weeds in your heart and mind can actually make you ugly

Likewise a mind that is content and peaceful gives us a

sparkle and light in our eyes that people are automatically

attracted to Forget the anti-wrinkle cream and Botox Fill

your heart and mind up with the best kept beauty secret

around love and forgiveness

Forgiveness is not about letting the person who hurt you

off the hook Forgiveness IS allowing light into our hearts

so that we can heal and move forward It takes the heavy

burden of offense and resentment off of our hearts and

minds while preparing the ldquosoilrdquo for new growth and

experiences

When possible confront the people you need to forgive

so that you can have closure and move on If it is not pos-

sible to confront the person that is the weed in your life

write them a letter expressing your hurt and anger (not to

send but in a private journal) This is a wonderful way to

give yourself closure and put your feelings out on the table

More often than not the person we have to forgive or con-

front is ourselves If you are constantly beating yourself up

and feeling guilty about your past make a choice to forgive

yourself

Donrsquot be lazy about your weeds Dig deep and pull out

your weeds so that you can make room for peace and joy

We all desire to feel love and be accepted That accept-

Meghan DLemery LCSW-R

Simply Saratoga | 35

ance starts with you Begin to focus on peaceful loving joyful

thoughts Keep a gratitude journal of what you love about your-

self or the loved ones in your life Practice planting seeds of joy

by giving acceptance and love to everyone around you

Take time to practice patience and kindness to your family

friends colleagues and that slow cashier at the grocery store Go

out of your way to help others in any way that you can All of

these acts of kindness plant the seeds of peace love joy and

abundance

As we approach the new season of spring take some time to

tend to the garden of your mind

Wishing you love self-acceptance and peace this spring and

always

Ms Lemery is a psychotherapist practic-ing in Saratoga Springs and QueensburyShe can be reached at meghanle-meryyahoocom

Her first novel will be pub-lished this Spring TitledldquoPlease Pass the BarbieShoesrdquo it is a hilarious heart-warming story that will haveyou feeling inspiredand empowered

sect

36 | Simply Saratoga

Living Room The custom-designed leather couch chair andottoman come from Suttons The stucco fireplace was inspired by theCollinsrsquo travels through the Southwest and Colorado (ldquowe wanted to avoida traditional river rock fireplacerdquo) and provides a heat source as well asbeauty The original structure was built for passive solar design no airconditioning is needed in the summer A wood stove is the primary heatsource radiant heat with natural gas was also added during the renova-tion

The front door as well as all the interior doors was custom-made fittedand replaced by Tom Zanetti Hickory wood floors were also installed dur-ing the addition A hanging stained glass chandelier is a stock itemobtained from a leading home supply retailer ldquoIt captures the sunlightbeautifully along with providing brilliant nighttime illuminationrdquo Tedsaid ldquoItrsquos an eclectic mixrdquo

Simply Saratoga | 37

Today we look at a creative space that is set into a special place

In 1993 Ted and Susan Collins purchased a seven-acre property

with a 1986 Timberpeg designed home that has all the qualities of

a place in the country ndash yet many would be surprised to learn that

it is actually located on the border of Saratoga Springs near the

Alpine Shop on Clinton Street After a number of years living in

apartments on Union Avenue and Franklin Square enjoying the

proximity to downtown and the track they couldnrsquot resist a spot

that was close to town but yet had lots of land

Their overall vision was for an interior space that was in accord

with the outside ndash the wildlife gardens and the sustainable philos-

ophy embodied in the original buildingrsquos passive solar design

ldquoEverything we do embraces the goals of staying true to the orig-

inal structure having an open welcoming interior and being in

harmony with the outdoorsrdquo Ted said

Inspired by travels in balance with the land

Story By Arthur GonickPhotos by copystockstudiosphotographycom

These principles guided a major transformation of the interior

space in 2006 The key element was an addition to the home that

enabled the living room kitchen and upstairs bedroom to be

expanded allowing space for the installation of a downstairs bath

as well

Susan and Ted led this transformation - visualizing an addition

that incorporated equilibrium of size location and overall propor-

tion They went through several iterations with Rick Deforest of

Heritage Timberframes

Even though much of the interior decor came from travels in

Africa the South Pacific and Colorado the building materials and

craftsmen are all local The timbers and wood flooring were milled

in nearby Kingsbury ldquoWe enjoyed working with professionals who

are also friends like Rick Deforest Tom Zanetti and Mike

Roohanrdquo Ted said ldquothe house now feels complete in balancerdquo sect

Unique Places and Creative Spaces If you would like to nominate a unique

or creative place to be featured emailentertainmentsaratogapublishingcom

38 | Simply Saratoga

Kitchen A wall was taken out that afforded space to add an eat-in island area and

open up the space Custom cabinets are by Tom Zanetti Stonework andappliances were added Both the kitchen and bathroom have granite table-tops (from Mike and Margaret Roohan of Granite and Marble Works)New appliances include a Bosch stove (with a built-in microwave drawer)and an Amana stainless refrigerator

Bathroom The bathroom ceiling is pine The showerarea was designed and built to the Collinsrsquo specifications andfeatures a bench 4 shower heads PLUS an extra hand-held one(ldquoItrsquos a human car washrdquo) The stone tiles on the sides and floorin the shower were installed by Best Tile the plumbing in theshower comes from Aird Dorrance as does the sink ndash which sitson a granite top from Granite and Marble Works The windowleads out to the north side of the house with privacy blinds insidethe window panes One thing you donrsquot see ldquoSince the room ison display in the center of the expanded first floor we wanted thecommode to be mostly hiddenrdquo Ted said

Unique Places and Creative Spaces

Simply Saratoga | 39

Living RoomA reading nook sits upon the bathroom addition ldquoThere was no full bathroom on the first

floor and with a post and beam construction we had to be creative You get outstanding viewsof the property pond and stream when viewed from the nookrsquos perspectiverdquo The ladder canswing out on a track making it more like walking up a staircase ndash this was also designed andinstalled by Tom Zanetti The table in the nook is actually a working African drum with a glasstable top added

40 | Simply Saratoga

Bedroom In the second-floor master bedroom moving the dormer brought in extra light and space and

also brought the roofline together with the original structure and first-floor additions The floorand ceiling are made of rough-cut pine planking The bed is also constructed of pine and comesfrom Suttons The window in the upper left was cut during the addition It faces west for extra day-time light

Simply Saratoga | 41

42 | Simply Saratoga

Story Written by Yael Goldman Photos by Samu Studios and Randall Perry Photography

Simply Saratoga | 43

orking with the

right interior designer

turns listless decision making

into an enjoyable and productive

process that avoids costly mistakes

and delivers exceptional results

Designing a room or an entire home is a

big project no matter how strong your tastes are

The decisions are endless ndash what color should I paint the

walls What flooring is most aesthetically appealing and

dog-friendly Should I choose a furniture set or choose

individual pieces Do I want curtains or shades Do I

decorate with knick-knacks or artwork

But with all the unique self-questioning that surrounds

an interior design project most homeowners share angst

in asking themselves one specific question where do I

start

Itrsquos at this point ndash when stress level increases enjoy-

ment-driven projects turn deadly and money has been

wastefully spent on all the wrong things ndash that you long

for the help of a professional if only you could afford it

Well the truth is you can

Creating the right space can be expensive but is only

more so if you make mistakes and have to go back and

fix them If you do it right the first time therersquos no cost

associated with do-overs

With nearly 100 years of experience between them all

four members of Blairhouse Interiors Group have

worked with more than enough unhappy do-it-your-

selfers to tell you yoursquore not alone

Photo by Samu Studios

44 | Simply Saratoga

The four-member designproject therapy team which recently

opened a studio in Saratoga Springs has a long history of help-

ing home and business owners create their ideal spaces and

atmospheres the right way Their exceptional work is celebrated across

the Capital Region including Saratoga Springs where the Blairhouse

look is prominently featured in a handful of Park Place condominiums

and the incredible Saratoga National Golf Club

Thomas R Burns Meghan Baltich Dominic Carota and Patricia

Richards the highly skilled and charismatic force behind Blairhouse

Interiors Group promise an experience that is personal because itrsquos all

about your needs ndash and thatrsquos what is important

Blairhouse offers full-service interior design services space planning

project management hand-picked merchandise patience and an uncan-

ny ability to create a

look that is always

fresh sophisticated

and comfortable

ldquoThe style that we

gravitate toward is

unique cutting-edge

and modern not dic-

tated by corporaterdquo

said Meghan Baltich

pointing to a ldquovery

propitiousrdquo Keith Fritz

table at the center of

the studio

Photo by Randall Perry Photography

If you do it right the firsttime therersquos no cost

associated with do-oversPhoto by Randall Perry Photography

One glance at the Park Place showroom ndash of the selective furnishings carefully showcased along

the periphery ndash and it becomes clear why Blairhouse an award-winning team gets the job

done

Their creativity focus and immaculate sense of direction bring objectivity to the scene helping you nar-

row down all of the tedious and overwhelming choices that make do-it-yourself decorating an exercise in

unclear thinking

ldquoPeople are overwhelmed by all the choices it can feel like theyrsquore in a paralyzed blurrdquo said Thomas

Burns who finds that a great vision can be impossible to imagine and create without eliminating all of

the distractions

A vital step in getting focused is creating a

comprehensive plan based on individual

needs wants and style that addresses all

aspects of lifestyle and taste and suggests

tactful solutions and fresh approaches to new

and existing spaces

They help you identify what you like

forcing you to hone in on what you want and

need to compliment and enhance your

lifestyle

ldquoWe ascertain the clientrsquos goal and

lifestyle to convey their visionrdquo said

Dominic Carota explaining that the intended

outcome of creating or reinventing a room is

often strictly tied to how you want to live in

it

ldquoWe have to know how they functionrdquo he

said

An interior designer is an asset in the func-

tion-meets-style equation

Dominic explained that a couple starting a family will have far

different needs than empty-nesters looking for a change They may

have the same stylistic goals but their execution will differ based on

how their lifestyle exists within the space

When revamping a single room the majority of your focus is ded-

icated to that individual space making it easy to forget that the rest

of the house is attached Establishing connectivity between rooms is

a challenge but an important part of executing a project the right

way

Sometimes one wrong detail no matter how small can be incred-

ibly impactful and difficult to avoid on your own

ldquoIf yoursquore working on a new addition or renovation we ensure it

flows that therersquos balance between the existing part of the living

space and the new additionrdquo Meghan Baltich said explaining that

it just doesnrsquot make sense to put in a great new kitchen if itrsquos dis-

jointed and out of place from its surroundings

Another common novice mistake is the trendy retail store fallacy

that you can order a full room from a catalog or pick a fabulous and

unique design from a floor plan

Blairhouse clients learn the difference between ldquocookie-cutterrdquo

and ldquocustomrdquo and they are never concerned with picking the wrong

piece for the wrong room

Simply Saratoga | 45

ome customers will come to us after going into a Pottery Barn and buying stuff that just didnrsquot workrdquo Baltich said giving the

example of an individual who purchased an enormous sectional for a tiny room ldquoWe scale into the clientrsquos space taking func-

tion and proportion into considerationrdquo

Exceptional listening and observation skills are the designerrsquos

unsung attributes and greatest assets Blairhouse experts engage

with their clients to gain a true understanding of what they want

In turn the design process becomes an eye-opening experience

customers are introduced to colors and concepts they would

never think to consider

ldquoEach client trusts us to create their environment and we

enable them to make informed decisionsrdquo Patricia Richards

said

And sometimes that requires bold suggestions and collabora-

tion or looking at all of the possibilities even the ones ldquoyou

would never have been brave enough to do on your ownrdquo

In the end the experience of working with the experts is

enjoyable stress-free and cost-effective From concept to com-

pletion the result is just what you want and need ndash a fabulous

marriage of function and aesthetic that wonrsquot have you coming

back for more (because you did it right the first time) sect

ldquoS

46 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 47

For a taste of Blairhouse Interiors Grouprsquos distinctive work stop into their Park Place studio located at 262 Broadway Suite 204 in Saratoga Springs For further details visit wwwblairhouseinteriorscom or call (518) 786-7800

From left to right Dominic Carota Meghan Baltich Patricia Richards and

Thomas R Burns (The designproject therapy team of Blairhouse Interiors Group)

48 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 49

Dorsquos and Donrsquots

50 | Simply Saratoga

Story Written by Kerry Ann Mendez Perennially Yours bull wwwpyourscom Photos Provided

SpringDorsquos and Donrsquots

SpringDorsquos and DonrsquotsDorsquos and Donrsquots

Spring

for your Gardens

s

Simply Saratoga | 51

ssts

SPRINGis right around the corner and gardenersare pawing at the ground ready to explodethrough the garden gate As a passionate perennial gardenerI am right there with you But before launching into another flower-filledseason letrsquos go through a spring checklist of dorsquorsquos and donrsquorsquots to makesure we make the most of the race and have the best finish ever

Photo by GardenersSupply Company

apply a granular fertilizer to your perennial beds while they are still lsquoasleeprsquoDepending on the winter wersquove had this may be anytime from mid-Marchto mid-April Donrsquot worry if there are already lsquoearly risersrsquo visible like springblooming bulbs or woodland ephemerals I recommend using 5-5-5 5-10-5 or

5-10-10 fertilizer at the rate of 2 pounds per 100 square feet Cast the fertilizer just before it is about to rainto make sure fertilizer is watered into the ground and washed off any existing leaves You can give otherplants in your yard this treat as well including floweringshrubs groundcovers climbing vinesand roses

DONrsquoTput fertilizer on top of the snow or on ground that is

still frozen You want to make sure the fertilizer disap-pears into pliable soil and to waiting roots otherwiserunoff can occur And donrsquot think more is better Youcan stress or even kill plants by over-fertilizing espe-cially in spring when leaves are not fully developed toutilize nitrogen in the fertilizer If you are going to errless is better

DO

prune once-b l o o m i n g

roses such as Heirloom or Old GardenRoses when the Forsythia is blooming

Any rose that blooms onceusually in late spring forabout three weeks is in thiscategory Many times theseroses are quite fragrantWait to prune these rosesuntil right after they flower

DONrsquoT

prune most roses whenForsythia is in bloom Pruneshrub roses back by half to

23 their height This is assuming you did not prunethem last fall If you did then next year wait until latewinter or early spring Prune Teas and Grandiflorasback to 18 - 24rdquo For climbing roses prune branchesemerging from the main canes back to within 3 - 4rdquoof the cane

DO

apply corn gluten tolawn areas yoursquoveseeded (or over-seeded) or to gar-dens where youwant biennialsperennials or annu-als to reseed andflower Corn glutendoes not distinguishbetween lsquogoodrsquoand lsquobadrsquo seeds

apply a pre-emer-gent weed killerand fertilizer toyour lawn A lushhealthy lawn

makes a beautiful frame for gardens Myfamily walked away from lawn chemicalsfive years ago And our lawn has neverlooked better Corn gluten is a big part ofthis transformation Corn gluten is a by-product of milled corn It will not harm chil-dren pets or wildlife Heck you can eat it ifyou want (but it tastes yucky) Corn Glutenis high in nitrogen and commonly used as alawn fertilizer But it is also a pre-emergenttargeting seeds as they germinate Youcan put corn gluten down at any point inthe spring BUT if part of your mission is toeliminate crabgrass then there is a narrowwindow of attackApply it whenForsythia is in fullbloom and beforeits leaves appearThe Forsythia is asoil temperatureindicator that cor-responds to whencrabgrass seedsstart to germinate More garden centersare now carrying corn gluten productsYou just need to ask and follow the appli-cation instructions on the bag Make sureto water in the corn gluten after applyingIt will remain effective for five to six weeks

Simply Saratoga | 53

DONrsquoT

DO

step on soil as you maneuver around thegarden to cut back Lavender and therest of the gang For that matter youshould never be tromping through yourgardens compacting soil This breaks

down air and water channels as well as making it tougher forroots to spread Instead reach into beds from existing paths orplace stepping stones in discreet spots where only your eyes cansee or lsquowalk the plankrsquo on a board to reach plants fartherlsquoadriftrsquo

54 | Simply Saratoga

cut back Lavender Russian SageMontauk Daisy Butterfly BushChrysanthemums and ornamental grass-es These are best left untouched in falland whacked in spring Many folks make

the mistake of acting too gingerly with pruners Let lsquoem fly Theresult will be more compact neater plants that will bloom just fineTrust me If it helps wait until yoursquove had a bad day at work withthe kids or in traffic

DONrsquoT

DO

divide Peonies German Bearded Iris orOriental Poppies in spring These are bestdone in late summer Also tap-rootedplants (those with a carrot-looking root)cannot be divided Think about it These

are usually propagated by seed stem or root cuttings Someperennials that fall into this category are Malva Butterfly WeedBalloon Flower Oriental Poppies and Lupines

Simply Saratoga | 55

DONrsquoT

divide plants in spring This is an optimumtime to divide most perennials Yes evenspring bloomers Wait until these haveflowered and then shear off the spentblooms and get to business Most sum-

mer and fall blooming perennials can be divided prior to mid-Junewithout disrupting their performance

DO

apply a time-released fertilizersuch as Plant-Tone(organic) orOsmocote to heavy

feeding perennials five to six weeks afterthe earlier granular fertilizer applicationMost plants do not need as much fertilizeras we are led in advertising to believe I amstingy with my money and maintenancetime so only a handful of plants get thisbonus feed Astilbe Delphinium Liliums (ieAsiatic Oriental Trumpet) Clematis androses If I am feeling generous I will putsome on my Bigleaf Hydrangeas next to theroses Call me heartlessJust scratch fertilizer intothe top couple inchesof soil around theplantrsquos base and waterin well They will enjoy anutritious snack forthree to four months

apply mulch ongarden beds toreduce weedsconserve moisture

reduce erosion minimize soil temperaturefluctuations and enhance the quality ofthe soil Some mulching materials includeaged manures compost shredded wood(not dyed) leaf moldand cocoa hulls Putthe mulch down 2rdquo to3rdquo thick around plantsincluding floweringshrubs

build up mulchagainst plant stems

And please please donrsquot create volcanomounds around trees Please This is awfulfor them The only ones that benefit fromthis are the people selling the mulch

56 | Simply Saratoga

DONrsquoT

DO

DO

rubber band orbraid the foliage ofspring bloomingbulbs after they fin-ish flowering You

want as much leaf surface exposed to thesun as possible to increase photosynthesisYou can press the leaves down next to thesoil so they are less noticeable

Simply Saratoga | 57

sect

And finally DO have a great year in

your gardens and DONrsquoT forget to

take time to smell the roses

DONrsquoT

DONrsquoT

cut off the spentblooms and stems onspring blooming bulbsafter they have flow-ered so energy is redirected to the bulbsversus seed productions Keep the leaves inplace until they have browned and ideallycan be pulled from the ground by hand

put time-released fertil-izer on perennials thatprefer lean dietsRicher soil just upsetstheir vascular systemsThey will get leggy flop and not perform tosnuff Yarrow Coneflower Catmint RussianSage Linum Sea Holly and Silvermound are inthe group

DO

For more information contact Perennially Yours at pyourscom

58 | Simply Saratoga

Ill mination

Exterior Stonework

an

d

Story Written by Arthur Gonick Photos Provided

u

Simply Saratoga | 59

To develop and implement an exterior vista that maximizes your enjoyment To have a backyard landscape that is warm inviting and uniquely yours

These are goals that many homeowners have when they first move onto their property But unless you are trained in the variety ofmaterials and options available the task of getting past the point of comparing possibilities to completing and actually enjoying yourbackyard paradise can appear to be a long daunting road

For Carl Trinkle a landscape designer for ten years with the Gallivan Companies of Troy one of the key elements in a successfultransformation is utilizing a professionalrsquos expertise to articulate goals and develop a plan

ldquoThe most important thing we do when we first meet with a client is to get them to discuss their basic needs and aims and encouragethem to formulate an overall vision for their property An initial consultation sets the tone we make an initial visit on-site to look overthe property so we can have an idea as to where things might be placedrdquo

ldquoDuring this intake process we actually encourage people to show us photos of their friendrsquos property that they like or perhaps froma magazine It helps most people to articulate the goals of what they would like to see as a finished projectrdquo Trinkle said ldquoEven if they are looking to do things in phases we find that it is most important to develop a comprehensive site planrdquo This eliminates the need to revise original phases of work to accommodate those that come in the future

60 | Simply Saratoga

that Mr Trinkle finds potential customers identifying with aredesigned to extend the outdoor season ldquoA few extra weeks outside isa lotrdquo he said

add-ons also extend outside activity each day Low voltage lighting is still the most popular but recently LED lighting with longer-lasting bulbs that involve less maintenance and are cost-efficienthave become more fashionable

The latest trends

stations fire pits and waterenhancements such as ponds andwaterfalls are the most frequentlyrequested items that broaden theoutdoor use season

Outdoor grill

Exterior lighting

Simply Saratoga | 61

And of course swimming pool projects have always been a most-requested

item Fifty percent of allthe projects Mr Trinkleworks on involve a pooleither a completely new installation or enhance-ments to existing poolsGallivanrsquos long-standingrelationship withConcord Pools has beena hallmark in assuringthat customers are satis-fied when their pool isput in the ground

62 | Simply Saratoga

In most cases a comprehensive plancan be developed for any project in about a period of twoweeks Complete drawings and cost breakdowns are provid-ed as well as the projected phases that can be completed injust a few months or on larger projects can be scheduled insegments over a few years These are reviewed in personwith the customer again the goal being to have a plan thateveryone buys into

Simply Saratoga | 63

ldquoWe have had projects where the customer has wanted tohave a lot of input and we welcome that But we also hadone where the client was out of town and we built a firepit and slide for his wife and kids and our only instructions were to dazzle themI remember it as a most satisfying experience and we ended up winning awards for that onerdquo

- Carl Trinkle Landscape DesignerThe Gallivan Companies

64 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 65

ldquoI get to work using my creativity with talented people Some of the most talented are those

I meet as customersrdquo sect

For more information or to schedule aconsultation phone Gallivan Companies at(518) 271-6100 Gallivanrsquos website iswwwGallivanCompaniescom

66 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 67

Buying a playhouse for your child is an excellent investment

They promote imaginative play and spending time outdoors and

double as storage space when no longer used for recreation

Denise Woodcock owner of Versatile Sheds in Wilton has

been helping parents and grandparents customize their childrsquos or

grandchildrsquos dream playhouses for years

ldquoThey make great gifts especially for grandparents who want

their grandkids to have their own place to play when they visitrdquo

she said

Playhouses are a great addition to a childrsquos outdoor world

They come in all shapes sizes and designs and can be custom-

built or finished if you donrsquot find exactly what yoursquore looking for

in a catalog or on the lot

Every child is different and has their own preferences for color

size and function boys and girls often have especially different

requests for their play space as do younger and more mature chil-

dren so therersquos a lot to consider

Denise knows how even the finest detail can be all it takes to

make an outdoor structure feel like a childrsquos own personal space

While it may seem superfluous to address every minor demand

the truth is a playhouse is more than just an expensive toy itrsquos an

investment The more your child connects with their space the more

use theyrsquoll get out of it ndash and according to Denise that means your

money is well spent

Smartest WayThe

playhouse for your kidsto buy a

Photos by MarkBollescomStory by Yael Goldman

68 | Simply Saratoga

With this in mind prospective buyers should first consider

who will use the playhouse and for how long as well as what

happens when the structure is no longer used for recreation

Versatile Sheds can help even the most discerning parent or

child find what theyrsquore looking for Every playhouse is hand-

built by Amish craftsmen who can accommodate almost any

special request at an additional cost so the possibilities are

endless inside and out

Cedar shingle or vinyl siding wood stone or brick ndash if you

can use it on the outside of your regular home it can be inte-

grated into your playhousersquos design Playhouses can be built

to look like a miniature version of your home which is an

excellent touch for parents that are particularly concerned

with aesthetics Porches shutters flowerboxes unique doors

chimneys and exterior lighting are just a few of the touches

that can brighten and personalize the exterior

Individualizing your childrsquos playhouse doesnrsquot stop at the

front door There are just as many interior features to choose

from ndash you can let your imagination run wild

For starters you have the option to order the playhouse

with a finished or unfinished interior The unfinished version

looks a lot like the inside of a regular home before you move

in paint the walls and furnish the rooms

Buying an unfinished structure is a great way to cut costs

and even bring the family together over a weekend decorating

project The possibilities are endless depending on how handy

you are otherwise a few coats of paint and a bit of carpeting

will surely do the trick

Although a bit pricey purchasing a playhouse with a fin-

ished interior ensures that your child gets exactly what they

want right off the bat They can pick everything from the paint

color to the flooring so the playhouse is move-in ready on the

day it arrives

Playhouses can also be insulated and wired for electricity

You can install lighting electrical outlets even heat or air-

conditioning to make your childrsquos outdoor space as comfort-

able as possible

And the options donrsquot end there Traditional sheds also dou-

ble as playhouses For some parents purchasing an adult-size

shed for their children is an ideal way to get the best return on

their investment Once their children grow out of it the struc-

ture can be used for outdoor storage With just as many styles

sizes and materials to choose from you can customize the

interior and exterior of your shed just as you would a play-

house but without all of the more frivolous features

ldquoAny shed can be a playhouserdquo Woodcock said explaining

how a custom paint job or flowerbox can transform a typical

storage unit into childrsquos outdoor activity haven

For example if purchasing a wood shed the exterior can be

easily painted and repainted when making the transition from

playhouse to storage space

For Denisersquos customers getting their moneyrsquos worth should

not have to mean making sacrifices

Simply Saratoga | 69

70 | Simply Saratoga

When Debby Trainor made the decision to buy her grand-

daughter Chezneyrsquos dream house she wanted it to have all the

bells and whistles She met with Denise to go over all the cri-

teria the goal was to buy the perfect gift for Chezney while

staying within her budget

The eight-year-old Greenwich girl wanted her own pretty

pink palace where she could play and imagine Debby wanted

it to be a cozy and safe place for her to play year-round

Customization and interior decoration helped make

Chezneyrsquos playhouse feel like her own little kingdom

ldquoWe made it look like a cute little dollhouserdquo she said ldquoWe

put furniture inside and a little stove fridge heater and TV

itrsquos just perfectrdquo

With the structure built to their liking Chezney and Debby

could enjoy decorating the inside to personalize the playhouse

For many customers putting on the finishing touches means

making the playhouse feel like home ndash you can add curtains

hang pictures buy furniture and appliances and landscape the

perimeter to make the outdoor space feel like a home away

from home

When the child grows out of their playhouse these items

can be easily removed to accommodate a secondary use for the

space

ldquoThe best thing that Denise did for me was explain how we

can use the playhouse for storage for stuff out in the yard after

Chezney has grown out of itrdquo Debby explained ldquoAlthough

she is only eight and will be using it for quite a few more

years this really makes it a good investment and looks

great in the backyardrdquo

Whether you choose a customized playhouse or a tradi-

tional shed thinking toward the future also ensures the

safety and longevity of the structure

Denise explained that placement is an important thing to

consider as you want to make sure the structure is in a safe

place and on an appropriate surface Most importantly the

playhouse must be built on a level even surface that isnrsquot

too high off of the ground

ldquoYou want it on a nice platformrdquo Denise explained

ldquoSome people use concrete but stone is better because it

allows moisture to seep down into the ground and away

from the structurerdquo

Most parents prefer that their playhouse is in the back-

yard where itrsquos easy to see from a window Placing the

structure in a shaded area is also a good idea it will be

cooler in the summer and less susceptible to the elements if

partially protected by trees

Debby had Chezneyrsquos playhouse built right next to her

swing set where she can be easily supervised

One last thing to consider when purchasing a playhouse

Simply Saratoga | 71

72 | Simply Saratoga

or shed for your child is how much effort

you want to put into maintaining it The

more ornate the structure the more care it

may need

Woodcock advises parents to preserve

their investment and treat the playhouse

like a miniature home

Think of it as a miniature house ndash the

structure requires regular maintenance

and upkeep to ensure your child will be

safe while enjoying years and years of

imaginative fun

With so many features and styles to

choose from yoursquore sure to find the best

for both you and your child

For more information about Versatile

Sheds or to set up a time to meet with

Denise Woodcock call (518) 584-7924

or stop by 669 Route 9 in Wilton sect

Simply Saratoga | 73

74 | Simply Saratoga

Kitchen

Not Your

Grandmarsquos

Story Written by Daniel Schechtman Photos Provided

ldquoAs you

walk into the kitchen

of the future LED

light projections adjust

to your mood - it will

know if you have a

hangover via sensors

that will read your

b r a i n w a v e s

Aromatherapy infused

walls will be synched

to your calendar calm-

ing you before a big

meeting or energizing you before a gym session The fridge will have selected some breakfast options identifying the essen-

tial vitamins for your day via sensors When you get home a hologram chef will be on hand for recipe inspirationrdquo

Alright so maybe your kitchen canrsquot do all of these things quite yet ndash but believe it or not wersquore getting there This is tomor-

rowrsquos kitchen a kitchen where your appliances donrsquot just store your food or wash your dishes ndash they talk to you providing you

with integral information on how to

best store your fruits and vegetables

letting you know if the refrigerator

door is open for too long or when a

part will soon need replacing

Simply Saratoga | 75

ldquoScience fictionrdquo I hear you say

Guess again Quoted from a report released by The Future Laboratory

who was commissioned by IKEA to determine what a modernkitchen in the year 2040 could conceivably look like

76 | Simply Saratoga

ldquoOne technology that really stands out to me is the

Miele Appliance Company Right now theyrsquore using a

program called lsquoremote visionrsquo On select applianceshellip

is a wireless card that clicks into a port on the back of

the appliance You synch it up with your home network

and it basically emails the technician and the owner

when itrsquos broken when you need to clean your condens-

er change your water filter or schedule a routine serv-

icerdquo said Tom Thibeault owner of Adirondack

Appliance Repair Inc located at 67 West Ave in

Saratoga Springs ldquoMaybe somebodyrsquos been opening the

[refrigerator] door for too long or the door was left open

ndash it will email you and tell you that your door is left

openrdquo

This is not your grandmarsquos kitchen This my friends

is the kitchen of the future and itrsquos available now

The 36 inch bottom-mount Miele refrigerator boasts a

striking interior featuring LED lighting running along

the sides from top to bottom stainless steel accents and

exteriors with control systems that would be comfort-

able alongside the captainrsquos chair on the Starship

Enterprise

Simply Saratoga | 77

ldquoThe controls in the Miele really stand out

Looking at the controls theyrsquore just a glass piece and

then once you touch it you see a few options for the

different compartments Then you touch the compart-

ment and the temperature is displayed so itrsquos kind of

like a Star Trek controlrdquo Thibeault said

And thatrsquos just the refrigerator

Adirondack Appliance has also seen brands such as

Wolf (a company owned by the same people who own

Sub-Zero) grow in popularity when it comes to their

range stoves and ovens The dual convection oven

works to eliminate cold spotting and provides consis-

tent even temperatures and even allows for unique

options such as proofing ndash used best when baking

homemade bread

ldquoIt also has a temperature probe you can plug into

things like a turkey or roast so you can see the temper-

ature while itrsquos still inside the machine It has

hydraulic hinges halogen lit interiors everything is

composed of stainless steel and itrsquos by far one of the

best lines on the marketrdquo Thibeault said

A new line coming to Adirondack Appliance that

features some amazing technology is a series of Pro-

Style Ranges produced by industry giant Jenn-Air

ldquoThat actually has an LCD touch

screen like an IPAD for the controls The

temperature is set by sliding your finger

along the controls Itrsquos all color backlit and

absolutely amazingrdquo Thibeault said

ldquoAnother thing we have to that same

effect are some of the hoods which have

really been getting pretty out there as far as

design We have one on our floor [by Miele]

that has an LED bar on the front which

changes in phases between 196000 colors

Itrsquos a very delicate change very pretty and

coolrdquo Thibeault said adding ldquoor you can set

it to any color in that spectrum yoursquod like to

accent your cabinetryrdquo

When it comes to dishwashers Thibeault

can attest to the quality of both the Asko and

Miele brands both of which he uses in his

own home And good news for Saratoga

Springs residents ndash

ldquoIn our market in

Saratoga we have a

very hard water base

whether yoursquore on a well

system or city waterrdquo

Thibeault said ldquoSo you

get a lot of minerals in

the machine With the

stainless steel interiors it

eliminates a lot of prob-

lems generally seen with

plastic interior tubs and

usually they are the best

life expectanciesrdquo

78 | Simply Saratoga

Asko and Mieleare practically custom made to handle the

arearsquos typicallymineral rich water

Simply Saratoga | 79

The Asko brand dishwasher takes things one step

further including two pumps in the washerrsquos system

The first pump filters the water cleansing it of poten-

tially harmful minerals while the second pump recircu-

lates the water ensuring that the machine is never

blasting your dishes with food debris or dirty residue

With Miele the design features a built-in water sof-

tener perfect for dealing with the Saratoga water

system

ldquoTypically the Miele is going to do a better job with

tougher baked in stainsrdquo said Thibeault ldquobecause itrsquos

got the softener in it and a little bit longer pots and pans

cyclerdquo

80 | Simply Saratoga

Adirondack Appliance Repair Inc is a fami-

ly-owned business since 1929 and the last inde-

pendent appliance retailer of its kind in Saratoga

Springs With $6 billion of buying power behind

their name (a benefit of being part of the Nation

Wide Appliance Buying Group) Thibeault

promised ldquowe can actually price match the box

stores and everybody else around all while pro-

viding you with better service and better

productsrdquo

For more information on AdirondackAppliance or the products they sell you mayvisit their showroom located at 67 West Avenuein Saratoga Springs for live demonstrationsThey can also be reached by phone at (518)587-6640 or you may visit them at their newwebsite wwwadkappliancecom where cus-tomers can browse through the storersquos entirecatalogue of appliances

sect

Simply Saratoga | 81

82 | Simply Saratoga

Page 23: Simply Saratoga March 2011

Simply Saratoga | 25

Summer camp is a place wherelifelong memories are made

This is where our children learnto cultivate their interests andordiscover a world of new activities tohelp their young minds grow andfor them to become physically fit

Even though there may be snowon the ground when you read thisit is never too early to think aboutyour childrenrsquos summer fun Weare blessed in this region with avariety of destinations providing awealth of activities

And while there is something foreveryone early planning is a mustto assure your child has a spot inone of these great places At theend of a long winter seasonthoughts of summer camp arerejuvenating for adults as well

Summer Camp Guide 2011

YMCA Camp Chingachgook

NdakinnaNdakinna Education Center located in

Greenfield Center offers a wide variety of

summer camp programs and activities that

will provide campers with a greater

respect and understanding for the natural

world as well as the Northeastrsquos rich

Native American history Hosted by

renowned author and wilderness and sur-

vival expert James Bruchac these pro-

grams are ideal for children with a sense

of adventure and natural wonder Summer

programs are divided into two groups

children ages three to eight and older

campers ages nine to fourteen Programs

range in duration from one to two weeks

26 | Simply Saratoga

YMCA Camp Chingachgook located on beauti-

ful Lake George has three camping options sleep-

away camp day camp and adventure trips

Summer sleep-away camp is the experience of a

lifetime The camp is divided into junior and sen-

ior boys and girls units junior campers between

the ages of seven and 12 and senior campers are 13

to 15 years old All Chingachgook counselors go

through extensive two-week training and prepa-

ration prior to the beginning of the first session

Campers will enjoy a full schedule of skill

classes which they can choose on their own

and special events and programs Campers can

choose from swimming water skiing canoeing

nature arts outdoor living skills theater news-

paper riflery archery dance guitar outdoor

cooking sports zone water world woodwork-

ing softball soccer tennis photography sail-

ing high ropes mountain biking and rock

climbing Each camper sets up their own daily

schedule of four skill classes at the start of the

session

Two-week camp sessions at Chingachgook

also include a three-day hike which allows

campers to get out and experience the wilder-

ness in a fun and safe atmosphere

Chingachgook also offers a variety of unique

adventure camps for children looking to explore

unique destinations and experience a whole new

level of fun options like sailing kayak-

ing boat building rock climbing canoe-

ing community service white-water

rafting hiking and backpacking bicycle

touring and mountain biking Adventure

campers will benefit from activities with

smaller coed groups of ten or less

Day Camp at Chingachgook is a fun

option for children ages five to ten

Campers will enjoy a full day of fun

activities from 930 am to 430 pm The

Day Camp program is divided into eight

one-week segments with the first session

starting on June 28 and the final session

starting on August 16 Each session has

a different theme

Spaces are limited at Chingachgook

so be sure to sign up as soon as possible

For more information to sign up for a

tour or to register for camp visit

wwwcapitaldistrictymcacom or call

(518) 656-9462

each covering a different skill or activity such

as animal tracking basic wilderness survival

skills and shelter building Native American

storytelling and games and nature-based arts

and crafts projects will teach campers to have

fun in the great outdoors Each camp program

promotes team building natural awareness

patience and confidence

Ndakinna also offers family camp pro-

grams which allow children and their parents

to experience the outdoors together Family

programs can accommodate children ages one

to 14 These programs offer the

same skills training and team-

building activities To view the

finalized calendar of programs

and events visit

wwwNdcenterorg

Cutting Edge Martial ArtsCutting Edge Martial Artrsquos A+ After

School and Summer Camp Program is a year-

round child care solution that provides a pos-

itive structured environment for children

after school and during the day in the sum-

mer During the school year we pick chil-

dren up directly from the local elementary

and middle schools and provide an hour les-

son that starts with our ldquoMat Chatrdquo a ten

minute character education lesson for the day

followed by a full 50 minute martial arts

class Parents have a window between 5 and

545 pm to pick up their children while chil-

dren have the opportunity after class to get

their homework started

During the summer children get all the

benefits of our A+ Program but on a grander

scale We offer nine weeks of full day camps

and have no minimum or maximum number

of days per week or number of weeks that a

student can attend Each week of camp we

have a curriculum of character education

lessons fun games and a one hour martial

arts class every day We watch a movie in

the afternoons twice a week have a video

game morning on Fridays and take all our

campers on an educa-

tional outing on

Wednesdays and a

fun and exciting out-

ing every Friday

Our average camp

size is 20-25 stu-

dents and we have

three full time staff

graphed by Sarah Sutliff

Saratoga Childrenrsquos Theatre also offers a one-

week camp at the end of the summer ldquoMaster

your Auditionrdquo This camp will help your child

get ready for fall and winter auditions These

audition workshops have been very popular and

sell out quickly Any child at any skill level with

an interest in performing arts is welcome to join

in on the fun Saratoga Childrenrsquos Theatre

Executive Director Meg Kelly aims to give each

camper the most rewarding and enjoyable camp

experience and every camper will get to perform

The Saratoga Childrenrsquos Theatre hires profes-

sionals to help your child gain the most from

their summer camp experience

The cost for a two-week session is $450 and

$250 for the one-week session For more infor-

mation visit wwwsaratogachildrenstheatreorg

or call (518) 580-1782

For kids who have a passion for per-

forming arts Saratoga Childrenrsquos Theatre

summer camp is a dream come true

Saratoga Childrenrsquos Theatre offers per-

formance camps which means each

camper will be working on a full-fledged

production throughout their session

Campers will learn all aspects of perform-

ance and will have the opportunity to per-

form in two shows at the end of camp a

matinee and an evening show are both

open to the public Campers will perform

on stage at St Petersrsquo Auditorium

Saratoga Springs Camp hours are 9am-

3pm Performance camp is divided into

two age groups

Ages 6-9 will participate in one week

camps These camps will include Disneyrsquos

Sleeping Beauty kids Cinderella kids

Aristocats kids 101 Dalmatians kids and

Lemonade These camps will be directed by

Megan OrsquoSullivan a local elementary school

music teacher and assisted by Karey

Trimmings also a local elementary school

music teacher

Ages 10-18 will participate in two-week

camps Each camp will practice and perform a

different show These

camps include

Thoroughly Modern

Mille Jr Cinderella Jr

Fiddler on the Roof Jr

and Once on this Island

Jr These camps will be

directed by Michael

Lotano local actor and

elementary school music

teacher and choreo-

Saratoga Childrenrsquos Theatre

Simply Saratoga | 27

working with our students

Our goal is to provide a family-friendly

and fun environment that feels like a home

away from home Our students have fun

learning skills that can be used every day of

their lives and we try to provide memories

that will last a lifetime For many our

summer camps are a wonderful introduc-

tion to martial arts

For more information visit

wwwsaratogamartialartscom

or call (518) 587-5501

28 | Simply Saratoga

Saratoga Independent SchoolSaratoga Independent School hosts a variety of summer

programs split into two age groups three to eight year-olds

Wilton Recreation CampWilton Recreation offers a full-day summer

camp program for children in grades one

through nine With available pre-camp and

post-camp care working parents can ensure

their children are having fun in a safe environ-

ment before and after the camprsquos regular 9 am to

3 pm hours Parents who register their children

for before and after camp care can drop off their

children prior to camp opening at 830 am and

can pick them up at 530 pm Bussing is avail-

able for Wilton residents who register for regu-

lar camp hours (9 am to 3 pm)

Wilton Recreation Camp offers a full sched-

ule of daily onsite activities themed events and

exciting trips for kids who register for off-site

adventures Daily on-site activities include arts

and crafts sports playground fun and other

organized group games This yearrsquos scheduled

field trips include Million Dollar Beach in Lake

George movie days at Proctors Theater

Saratoga County Fair bowling white water

rafting and at least two swimming days per

week at Peerless Pool

The Summer 2011 camp will open on

June 27 and run until August

12 Registration begins

March 14 at Gavin Park and

will close on June 3 As

there are only 300 spaces

available be sure to mark

your calendar Camp

registration forms are

available online at

wwwtownofwiltoncom or

can be picked up weekdays

at Gavin Park 9 am to 5 pm

For any other questions

please call the park office at (518) 584-9455

and seven to 14 year-olds The weeklong programs run from July 5

to August 19

Saratoga Independent School summer programs are staffed large-

ly by their own teachers so parents can rest assured their kids are

supervised in a safe environment with experienced teachers who are

knowledgeable about child development and hands-on

programming

For the younger group weekly themed programs run from 9 am

to noon (early drop-off at 830 available) The staff-to-camper ratio

is one to six for children ages three and four and one to ten for chil-

dren ages five to eight Themed programs include ldquoCooking with

Curiosityrdquo ldquoHawaiian Hullabaloordquo ldquoHands-On Science Funrdquo

ldquoHoliday-A-Dayrdquo ldquoGood Versus Evil Imaginations Run Wildrdquo

ldquoDinosaur Discoveryrdquo ldquoIn the Jungle the Mighty Junglerdquo

Activities take place both indoors and outdoors

The selection of enrichment programs for older children is even

more extensive this year than in the past Some programs will take

place in the mornings others in the afternoon Age ranges will vary

depending on the subject matter These specialty programs give chil-

dren an opportunity to develop new interests and expand on existing

skills Programs include ldquoCartooning and Morerdquo ldquoImprovisationrdquo

ldquoKnittingrdquo ldquoOpen Art Studiordquo ldquoYou Can Do Magicrdquo ldquoGet Up and

Dancerdquo ldquoRoaring into Robots Whatrsquos Nextrdquo ldquoArt in the Ancient

Worldrdquo ldquoMad Sciencerdquo ldquoComputer Video Game Creationrdquo

ldquoAdvanced Robot Challengesrdquo and ldquoArt-Math Connectionrdquo

Registration has already begun and the programs fill up quickly so

visit wwwsiskidsorg for more information and to secure a space

for your child

Simply Saratoga | 29

Are your kids looking for an adventure this summer The

Saratoga Regional YMCA has two exciting day camps available

Camp Starhitch held at the Wilton Branch which engages children

with a multitude of fun activities and a trip each week and Travel

Camp where participants meet at the Saratoga Springs Branch and

then travel off to fun and thrilling places each day

Camp Starhitch is for children having completed Kindergarten

through entering fifth grade Campers will participate in games

sports crafts nature activities trips swimming archery and more

Each week is planned around a theme and includes a trip For exam-

ple during ldquo70rsquos Flashbackrdquo week campers will go roller skating

during ldquoThe Wild Frontierrdquo week kids will have the opportunity to

go horseback riding and during ldquoTropical Paradiserdquo week partici-

pants may ldquocatch a gnarly waverdquo at an outdoor water park

Travel Camp is definitely for the action seeker and for those who

like to be on the go This program for youth entering fifth through

tenth grade provides campers an opportunity to travel each and every

day to fun-filled locations Participants explore different summer

activities that include amusement and water parks outdoor sports

fairs and horseback riding This year the trips include a visit to Hunter

Mountain Six Flags New England Tubing on the Battenkill NY

Mets game at Citi Field the NY State Fair and more

Camp Starhitch and Travel Camp both run for nine one-week ses-

sions You may choose to attend camp for one week or any combina-

tion of weeks Experienced counselors supervise children and a ratio

of 110 ensures a safe quality camping experience CPR and First Aid

certified camp staff will be present on all trips At Travel Camp

campers will be grouped according to age and are supervised by expe-

rienced adult staff

Camp Starhitch has two day camp options for your child Option A

allows for your child to be dropped off at 9 am and picked up at 4 pm

and Option B has a 7 am drop off time and a 6 pm pick up time

Travel Camp runs from 9 am to 430 pm and extended hours are

available at no additional cost This year transportation will be provid-

ed in both directions between the Saratoga Springs and Wilton

branches Pickups will be as early as 815 am and drop-offs will be

as late as 5 pm Both camps try to cater to working parents

In addition the Saratoga Regional YMCA is committed to provid-

ing a safe and welcoming environment for all campers by incorporat-

ing the YMCAcore values of caring honesty respect and responsibil-

ity in daily activities To promote safety and comfort for all individu-

als are asked to act appropriately at all times when at the Yrsquos facilities

or participating in Y programs All campers are required to read and

sign a contract of understanding in reference to the Code of Conduct

We expect persons using the YMCAto act maturely to behave respon-

sibly and to respect the rights and dignity of all othersmdashall while

having a good time

The Y also has opportunities available for those who may not have

the resources to send their children to camp The Y provides scholar-

ships for those who qualify Scholarships are made possible due to

the generous donations of Y members the community and businesses

to the ldquoWe Build Peoplerdquo scholarship campaign held by the Saratoga

Regional YMCA each year Scholarship applications are available at

all Saratoga Regional YMCA branches and online at wwwsaratogare-

gionalymcaorg

Registration is currently ongoing and fills up quickly Registration

forms are available at any of the Saratoga Regional YMCA Branches

or at wwwsaratogaregionalymcaorg For more information about

these day camps please contact Ilene Leverence at (518) 583-9622

ext 103 for Camp Starhitch and Patti Laudicina at (518) 583-9622

ext 110 or Paige Minear ext 116 for Travel Camp

Saratoga YMCA

30 | Simply Saratoga

Ask women about the greatest threat to their health and most will

respond incorrectly with the words ldquobreast cancerrdquo While breast cancer

certainly is of concern the truth is that women are 10 times more like-

ly to die from heart disease Breast cancer kills 1 in 25 women heart

disease claims 1 in 2

The most recent statistics available indicate that cardiovascular dis-

ease causes the death of 500000 women per year ndash more than ALL

forms of cancer combined This is a rate of epidemic proportion

Little or no warning

Two-thirds of women die suddenly from heart disease without expe-

riencing any warning symptoms The majority die before they even

reach the hospital and before any attempt at treatment is possible Early

screening and the detection that leads to prevention offer the only hope

of reducing these deaths

Women who do develop heart disease tend to fare worse than men

One reason is that on average heart disease peaks 10 years later in

women than in men At this older age women are less able to withstand

the stress of the disease The proof can be found in a disturbing statis-

tic One year after their first heart attack 44 percent of women are dead

compared with 27 percent of men

Clearly for women preventing that first heart attack would make an

enormous difference

Know the risks

What can be done to prevent and detect heart disease in women

Of foremost importance is to reduce ndash or if possible eliminate ndash the

conditions that cause or accelerate the growth of blockages in the arter-

ies of the heart These conditions known as risk factors include high

Women Take this warning to heart

Story By Andrij O Baran MD

blood pressure diabetes genetic high cholesterol a high-fat

diet an inactive lifestyle smoking and cocaine use

Some damage the lining of the heartrsquos arteries speeding the

buildup of cholesterol Others raise blood cholesterol Both

smoking and cocaine use speed blood clotting They also can

cause sudden cramps or spasms in the coronary arteries cut-

ting off the entire blood supply to portions of the heart even

without a cholesterol blockage

A woman who has one or more of these risk factors should

ask her doctor how best to control them She also should ask

about further screening and testing such as stress testing

The sooner the better

Lifestyle changes and medications can have a dramatic

impact on reducing the incidence of heart attack provided cho-

lesterol blockages are detected early ndash before damage to the

heart has occurred In fact drugs that lower cholesterol alone

have been unequivocally shown to reduce the risk of heart

attack and death by up to 50 percent

When added to a program of low-fat diet exercise control

of high blood pressure and diabetes and above all else no

smoking the benefits are magnified many times over Keep in

mind of course that these drugs work only if they are taken

and taken appropriately

By knowing and changing their risk factors all women can

ensure themselves of a longer and more vibrant life

Andrij O Baran MD FACC is the Medical Director of

Cardiology Services at Saratoga Hospital

Simply Saratoga | 31

A c t F a s t D u r i n g H e a r t A t t a c k s According to the American Heart

Association clot-busting drugs can stop

some heart attacks in progress reducing

disability and saving lives They work best

given within one hour of when heart

attack signs begin Thatrsquos why itrsquos impor-

tant to recognize the warning signs of a

heart attack and act right away

Warning Signs

bull Pain or discomfort in the jaw

neck or back

bull Feeling weak lightheaded or faint

bull Chest paindiscomfort

bull Paindiscomfort in the arms or

shoulder

bull Shortness of breath

If you think that you or someone you

know is having a heart attack call 911

immediately

32 | Simply Saratoga

Who would believe that a rabbi from Eastern

Europe frozen for 150 years in a block of ice could

be transported across time and space to Memphis

where he thaws then becomes a spiritual guru to

baby boomers Arguably nobody But Steve Stern

the author of ldquoThe Frozen Rabbirdquo his most recent

novel isnrsquot asking readers to believe it so much as

to let the characters tell their story Besides the plot

may be far-fetched but he already has a buyer for

the movie rights

Writer-in-residence at Skidmore College Stern is

a genius at creating human beings in fantastical cir-

cumstances who seem more like eccentric neigh-

bors than artifacts of science fiction Some fly

some inhabit other peoplersquos dreams some are res-

urrected and some travel through time Whatever

their superpowers or frailties the heroes and vil-

lains tricksters and innocents and witnesses and

bystanders in Sternrsquos short and long fiction deserve

attention and evoke compassion in their quest for

connection and redemption - or at least food and

shelter From within an inexhaustible vein of

Jewish folklore and oral history his characters

emerge into a lucid fictional universe that embraces

both magic and the mundane Dialogue is ironic as

often as it is mystical and the most ordinary days

serve as backdrops for incredible events

ldquoMiracles are commonplacerdquo says Stern a

Ballston Spa resident ldquoI donrsquot write in metaphors

and symbols deliberately Writing is a visceral

experience for me I read with interest what review-

ers say about my repetitive themes and ideas but I

am driven by images and characters Irsquom a compul-

sive storytellerrdquo

Steve Stern A Lyrical Voice in the Ghetto

B

o

o

k

m

a

r

k

Lean bespectacled and haloed in dark curls Stern

is a Memphis native who grew up in a home bereft

of music books and art in a city made famous by

Elvis Presley (who used to drive through Sternrsquos

neighborhood) and Martin Luther Kingrsquos assassina-

tion He remembers himself as ldquoa mediocre adoles-

cent without confidence or spiritual antennardquo first

stirred to write poetry in high school which he read

aloud for attention

ldquoI was surprised people liked itrdquo he says ldquoAnd I

liked writing it even though it embarrassed me But

I was encouraged to go on and later to try proserdquo

The allure of the late lsquo60s and early lsquo70s was not

academic After college Stern wandered through

Europe then worked as a butcher on a hippie com-

mune in the Ozarks raising pigs and eating off the

land ldquoI slept under five blankets and two dogsrdquo he

recalls (The incarnation has been memorialized in a

comic strip by Sternrsquos girlfriend Sabrina a cartoon-

ist and set designer for Saturday Night Live)

The commune was not too far from the University

of Arkansas where Stern attended graduate school

and played volleyball with Bill and Hillary Clinton

ldquoI hoped he would mention me in his inaugural

addressrdquo Stern sighs

With an MA Stern found teaching gigs at vari-

ous colleges but the work dried up forcing him to

take a job at a folklore center in Memphis first tran-

scribing stories about the black community then

launching a life-changing project to preserve the

stories of the fading Jewish population in a desolate

Memphis ghetto known as ldquoThe Pinchrdquo where

many of his stories are set

Story By Helen Susan Edelman

ldquoBernie scrunched his face in thought Gone was his waryimpulse to keep everything secret and there were times of latewhen he felt almost reckless almost ready to tell the world whileon the other hand he suspected he may have already confided toomuch ldquoI thinkrdquo he said after some consideration ldquoIrsquom startingto outgrow myselfrdquo

mdash Steve Stern ldquoThe Frozen Rabbirdquo

Photo by Josh GerritsenSteve Stern

Simply Saratoga | 33

ldquoIt was intoxicatingrdquo says Stern ldquoI became obsessed with

itrdquo Indeed his work is infused with the folklore images lan-

guage archetypes settings rituals and values embedded in

the memories he recorded and in the vast Jewish and Yiddish

literature he has studied since

A non-observant Jew Stern had no relationship with his

religion so the introduction to his exotic legacy was both

anchor and springboard for a prolific new consciousness

ldquoThe floodgates openedrdquo he says ldquoSuddenly this world

began to materialize for me What had been barren neighbor-

hoods I could see vividly as tenements and shops a town

square street traffic merchants pawnbrokers rabbis chil-

drenhellipimmigrants from Eastern Europe looking for a homerdquo

Stern is comfortable writing about transcendent wisdom as

long as itrsquos his characterrsquos voice

and not his own

dispensing the

insights The

frozen rabbi in

the book of the

same name for

example ldquoradiates

within his zone of

influence and is a

spiritual catalyst

for anyone who

encounters himrdquo

says Stern ldquowhere-

as I am a clicheacute a

Jew who grew up

without an identityrdquo

A winner of both

Guggenheim and

Fulbright fellowships

as well as the National

Jewish Book Award

the Pushcart Prize an

OrsquoHenry Prize and the Edward Lewis Wallant Award Stern

is working on a new novel and rereading Faulkner Tolstoy

Dickens and Joyce

He views each new writing project as ldquoa riskrdquo Experience

last summer also reminded him of the evanescence of popu-

larity he gave two readings one in Memphis which drew

such a crowd that doors had to be locked and one in St

Louis where he commanded an audience of four

ldquoJust like the characters in my storiesrdquo Stern observes ldquoI

encounter conflicts look for a way to escape and face mixed

consequencesrdquo sect

How is your mental state these days Are

you experiencing peace and joy in every-

day life or frustration and impatience Are

you living your life ldquoon purposerdquo or going

through the motions feeling numb and dead

on the inside How is the garden of your

mind Are you tending to your garden or letting

the weeds take over

When I lived in Boston I lived next door to an elder-

ly woman who had a beautiful garden Every morning my

neighbor was outside in her floral moo moo (circa Mrs

Roper from Threersquos Company) tending carefully to each

plant and flower She would spend hours walking around her

garden joyfully humming and making sure her flowers were

strong and healthy Many mornings I would sip my coffee

and watch her peacefully pulling out the weeds and tending

to her precious flowers To this day I remember how tall and

lovely her sunflowers were I think our mental state can be

compared to tending to a garden do we have beautiful sun-

flowers of joy and peace or toxic weeds of bitterness and

guilt

The weeds in your heart and mind are feelings of bitterness

anger guilt self-loathing and negativity Do you spend your

days reviewing the list of those that have offended

you Do you beat yourself up daily for past mis-

takes or regrets These are the weeds that can

take over your mind and lead to racing

thoughts a dark depression constant

anxiety or physical illness and

chronic pain If you are someone

that is easily frustrated impatient

and critical you can be sure you

34 | Simply Saratoga

Tending to theGarden of Your MindDealing with the Weeds in your Life

Simple Truths

have some weeds to deal with

The only path to peace and joy in your everyday life is to

pull your weeds out from the root and confront the issues

Holding on to your weeds only makes you ill and deadens

your heart Did you know that people who are full of bitter-

ness and resentment appear older and are not as physically

attractive as people who are full of peace and love The

weeds in your heart and mind can actually make you ugly

Likewise a mind that is content and peaceful gives us a

sparkle and light in our eyes that people are automatically

attracted to Forget the anti-wrinkle cream and Botox Fill

your heart and mind up with the best kept beauty secret

around love and forgiveness

Forgiveness is not about letting the person who hurt you

off the hook Forgiveness IS allowing light into our hearts

so that we can heal and move forward It takes the heavy

burden of offense and resentment off of our hearts and

minds while preparing the ldquosoilrdquo for new growth and

experiences

When possible confront the people you need to forgive

so that you can have closure and move on If it is not pos-

sible to confront the person that is the weed in your life

write them a letter expressing your hurt and anger (not to

send but in a private journal) This is a wonderful way to

give yourself closure and put your feelings out on the table

More often than not the person we have to forgive or con-

front is ourselves If you are constantly beating yourself up

and feeling guilty about your past make a choice to forgive

yourself

Donrsquot be lazy about your weeds Dig deep and pull out

your weeds so that you can make room for peace and joy

We all desire to feel love and be accepted That accept-

Meghan DLemery LCSW-R

Simply Saratoga | 35

ance starts with you Begin to focus on peaceful loving joyful

thoughts Keep a gratitude journal of what you love about your-

self or the loved ones in your life Practice planting seeds of joy

by giving acceptance and love to everyone around you

Take time to practice patience and kindness to your family

friends colleagues and that slow cashier at the grocery store Go

out of your way to help others in any way that you can All of

these acts of kindness plant the seeds of peace love joy and

abundance

As we approach the new season of spring take some time to

tend to the garden of your mind

Wishing you love self-acceptance and peace this spring and

always

Ms Lemery is a psychotherapist practic-ing in Saratoga Springs and QueensburyShe can be reached at meghanle-meryyahoocom

Her first novel will be pub-lished this Spring TitledldquoPlease Pass the BarbieShoesrdquo it is a hilarious heart-warming story that will haveyou feeling inspiredand empowered

sect

36 | Simply Saratoga

Living Room The custom-designed leather couch chair andottoman come from Suttons The stucco fireplace was inspired by theCollinsrsquo travels through the Southwest and Colorado (ldquowe wanted to avoida traditional river rock fireplacerdquo) and provides a heat source as well asbeauty The original structure was built for passive solar design no airconditioning is needed in the summer A wood stove is the primary heatsource radiant heat with natural gas was also added during the renova-tion

The front door as well as all the interior doors was custom-made fittedand replaced by Tom Zanetti Hickory wood floors were also installed dur-ing the addition A hanging stained glass chandelier is a stock itemobtained from a leading home supply retailer ldquoIt captures the sunlightbeautifully along with providing brilliant nighttime illuminationrdquo Tedsaid ldquoItrsquos an eclectic mixrdquo

Simply Saratoga | 37

Today we look at a creative space that is set into a special place

In 1993 Ted and Susan Collins purchased a seven-acre property

with a 1986 Timberpeg designed home that has all the qualities of

a place in the country ndash yet many would be surprised to learn that

it is actually located on the border of Saratoga Springs near the

Alpine Shop on Clinton Street After a number of years living in

apartments on Union Avenue and Franklin Square enjoying the

proximity to downtown and the track they couldnrsquot resist a spot

that was close to town but yet had lots of land

Their overall vision was for an interior space that was in accord

with the outside ndash the wildlife gardens and the sustainable philos-

ophy embodied in the original buildingrsquos passive solar design

ldquoEverything we do embraces the goals of staying true to the orig-

inal structure having an open welcoming interior and being in

harmony with the outdoorsrdquo Ted said

Inspired by travels in balance with the land

Story By Arthur GonickPhotos by copystockstudiosphotographycom

These principles guided a major transformation of the interior

space in 2006 The key element was an addition to the home that

enabled the living room kitchen and upstairs bedroom to be

expanded allowing space for the installation of a downstairs bath

as well

Susan and Ted led this transformation - visualizing an addition

that incorporated equilibrium of size location and overall propor-

tion They went through several iterations with Rick Deforest of

Heritage Timberframes

Even though much of the interior decor came from travels in

Africa the South Pacific and Colorado the building materials and

craftsmen are all local The timbers and wood flooring were milled

in nearby Kingsbury ldquoWe enjoyed working with professionals who

are also friends like Rick Deforest Tom Zanetti and Mike

Roohanrdquo Ted said ldquothe house now feels complete in balancerdquo sect

Unique Places and Creative Spaces If you would like to nominate a unique

or creative place to be featured emailentertainmentsaratogapublishingcom

38 | Simply Saratoga

Kitchen A wall was taken out that afforded space to add an eat-in island area and

open up the space Custom cabinets are by Tom Zanetti Stonework andappliances were added Both the kitchen and bathroom have granite table-tops (from Mike and Margaret Roohan of Granite and Marble Works)New appliances include a Bosch stove (with a built-in microwave drawer)and an Amana stainless refrigerator

Bathroom The bathroom ceiling is pine The showerarea was designed and built to the Collinsrsquo specifications andfeatures a bench 4 shower heads PLUS an extra hand-held one(ldquoItrsquos a human car washrdquo) The stone tiles on the sides and floorin the shower were installed by Best Tile the plumbing in theshower comes from Aird Dorrance as does the sink ndash which sitson a granite top from Granite and Marble Works The windowleads out to the north side of the house with privacy blinds insidethe window panes One thing you donrsquot see ldquoSince the room ison display in the center of the expanded first floor we wanted thecommode to be mostly hiddenrdquo Ted said

Unique Places and Creative Spaces

Simply Saratoga | 39

Living RoomA reading nook sits upon the bathroom addition ldquoThere was no full bathroom on the first

floor and with a post and beam construction we had to be creative You get outstanding viewsof the property pond and stream when viewed from the nookrsquos perspectiverdquo The ladder canswing out on a track making it more like walking up a staircase ndash this was also designed andinstalled by Tom Zanetti The table in the nook is actually a working African drum with a glasstable top added

40 | Simply Saratoga

Bedroom In the second-floor master bedroom moving the dormer brought in extra light and space and

also brought the roofline together with the original structure and first-floor additions The floorand ceiling are made of rough-cut pine planking The bed is also constructed of pine and comesfrom Suttons The window in the upper left was cut during the addition It faces west for extra day-time light

Simply Saratoga | 41

42 | Simply Saratoga

Story Written by Yael Goldman Photos by Samu Studios and Randall Perry Photography

Simply Saratoga | 43

orking with the

right interior designer

turns listless decision making

into an enjoyable and productive

process that avoids costly mistakes

and delivers exceptional results

Designing a room or an entire home is a

big project no matter how strong your tastes are

The decisions are endless ndash what color should I paint the

walls What flooring is most aesthetically appealing and

dog-friendly Should I choose a furniture set or choose

individual pieces Do I want curtains or shades Do I

decorate with knick-knacks or artwork

But with all the unique self-questioning that surrounds

an interior design project most homeowners share angst

in asking themselves one specific question where do I

start

Itrsquos at this point ndash when stress level increases enjoy-

ment-driven projects turn deadly and money has been

wastefully spent on all the wrong things ndash that you long

for the help of a professional if only you could afford it

Well the truth is you can

Creating the right space can be expensive but is only

more so if you make mistakes and have to go back and

fix them If you do it right the first time therersquos no cost

associated with do-overs

With nearly 100 years of experience between them all

four members of Blairhouse Interiors Group have

worked with more than enough unhappy do-it-your-

selfers to tell you yoursquore not alone

Photo by Samu Studios

44 | Simply Saratoga

The four-member designproject therapy team which recently

opened a studio in Saratoga Springs has a long history of help-

ing home and business owners create their ideal spaces and

atmospheres the right way Their exceptional work is celebrated across

the Capital Region including Saratoga Springs where the Blairhouse

look is prominently featured in a handful of Park Place condominiums

and the incredible Saratoga National Golf Club

Thomas R Burns Meghan Baltich Dominic Carota and Patricia

Richards the highly skilled and charismatic force behind Blairhouse

Interiors Group promise an experience that is personal because itrsquos all

about your needs ndash and thatrsquos what is important

Blairhouse offers full-service interior design services space planning

project management hand-picked merchandise patience and an uncan-

ny ability to create a

look that is always

fresh sophisticated

and comfortable

ldquoThe style that we

gravitate toward is

unique cutting-edge

and modern not dic-

tated by corporaterdquo

said Meghan Baltich

pointing to a ldquovery

propitiousrdquo Keith Fritz

table at the center of

the studio

Photo by Randall Perry Photography

If you do it right the firsttime therersquos no cost

associated with do-oversPhoto by Randall Perry Photography

One glance at the Park Place showroom ndash of the selective furnishings carefully showcased along

the periphery ndash and it becomes clear why Blairhouse an award-winning team gets the job

done

Their creativity focus and immaculate sense of direction bring objectivity to the scene helping you nar-

row down all of the tedious and overwhelming choices that make do-it-yourself decorating an exercise in

unclear thinking

ldquoPeople are overwhelmed by all the choices it can feel like theyrsquore in a paralyzed blurrdquo said Thomas

Burns who finds that a great vision can be impossible to imagine and create without eliminating all of

the distractions

A vital step in getting focused is creating a

comprehensive plan based on individual

needs wants and style that addresses all

aspects of lifestyle and taste and suggests

tactful solutions and fresh approaches to new

and existing spaces

They help you identify what you like

forcing you to hone in on what you want and

need to compliment and enhance your

lifestyle

ldquoWe ascertain the clientrsquos goal and

lifestyle to convey their visionrdquo said

Dominic Carota explaining that the intended

outcome of creating or reinventing a room is

often strictly tied to how you want to live in

it

ldquoWe have to know how they functionrdquo he

said

An interior designer is an asset in the func-

tion-meets-style equation

Dominic explained that a couple starting a family will have far

different needs than empty-nesters looking for a change They may

have the same stylistic goals but their execution will differ based on

how their lifestyle exists within the space

When revamping a single room the majority of your focus is ded-

icated to that individual space making it easy to forget that the rest

of the house is attached Establishing connectivity between rooms is

a challenge but an important part of executing a project the right

way

Sometimes one wrong detail no matter how small can be incred-

ibly impactful and difficult to avoid on your own

ldquoIf yoursquore working on a new addition or renovation we ensure it

flows that therersquos balance between the existing part of the living

space and the new additionrdquo Meghan Baltich said explaining that

it just doesnrsquot make sense to put in a great new kitchen if itrsquos dis-

jointed and out of place from its surroundings

Another common novice mistake is the trendy retail store fallacy

that you can order a full room from a catalog or pick a fabulous and

unique design from a floor plan

Blairhouse clients learn the difference between ldquocookie-cutterrdquo

and ldquocustomrdquo and they are never concerned with picking the wrong

piece for the wrong room

Simply Saratoga | 45

ome customers will come to us after going into a Pottery Barn and buying stuff that just didnrsquot workrdquo Baltich said giving the

example of an individual who purchased an enormous sectional for a tiny room ldquoWe scale into the clientrsquos space taking func-

tion and proportion into considerationrdquo

Exceptional listening and observation skills are the designerrsquos

unsung attributes and greatest assets Blairhouse experts engage

with their clients to gain a true understanding of what they want

In turn the design process becomes an eye-opening experience

customers are introduced to colors and concepts they would

never think to consider

ldquoEach client trusts us to create their environment and we

enable them to make informed decisionsrdquo Patricia Richards

said

And sometimes that requires bold suggestions and collabora-

tion or looking at all of the possibilities even the ones ldquoyou

would never have been brave enough to do on your ownrdquo

In the end the experience of working with the experts is

enjoyable stress-free and cost-effective From concept to com-

pletion the result is just what you want and need ndash a fabulous

marriage of function and aesthetic that wonrsquot have you coming

back for more (because you did it right the first time) sect

ldquoS

46 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 47

For a taste of Blairhouse Interiors Grouprsquos distinctive work stop into their Park Place studio located at 262 Broadway Suite 204 in Saratoga Springs For further details visit wwwblairhouseinteriorscom or call (518) 786-7800

From left to right Dominic Carota Meghan Baltich Patricia Richards and

Thomas R Burns (The designproject therapy team of Blairhouse Interiors Group)

48 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 49

Dorsquos and Donrsquots

50 | Simply Saratoga

Story Written by Kerry Ann Mendez Perennially Yours bull wwwpyourscom Photos Provided

SpringDorsquos and Donrsquots

SpringDorsquos and DonrsquotsDorsquos and Donrsquots

Spring

for your Gardens

s

Simply Saratoga | 51

ssts

SPRINGis right around the corner and gardenersare pawing at the ground ready to explodethrough the garden gate As a passionate perennial gardenerI am right there with you But before launching into another flower-filledseason letrsquos go through a spring checklist of dorsquorsquos and donrsquorsquots to makesure we make the most of the race and have the best finish ever

Photo by GardenersSupply Company

apply a granular fertilizer to your perennial beds while they are still lsquoasleeprsquoDepending on the winter wersquove had this may be anytime from mid-Marchto mid-April Donrsquot worry if there are already lsquoearly risersrsquo visible like springblooming bulbs or woodland ephemerals I recommend using 5-5-5 5-10-5 or

5-10-10 fertilizer at the rate of 2 pounds per 100 square feet Cast the fertilizer just before it is about to rainto make sure fertilizer is watered into the ground and washed off any existing leaves You can give otherplants in your yard this treat as well including floweringshrubs groundcovers climbing vinesand roses

DONrsquoTput fertilizer on top of the snow or on ground that is

still frozen You want to make sure the fertilizer disap-pears into pliable soil and to waiting roots otherwiserunoff can occur And donrsquot think more is better Youcan stress or even kill plants by over-fertilizing espe-cially in spring when leaves are not fully developed toutilize nitrogen in the fertilizer If you are going to errless is better

DO

prune once-b l o o m i n g

roses such as Heirloom or Old GardenRoses when the Forsythia is blooming

Any rose that blooms onceusually in late spring forabout three weeks is in thiscategory Many times theseroses are quite fragrantWait to prune these rosesuntil right after they flower

DONrsquoT

prune most roses whenForsythia is in bloom Pruneshrub roses back by half to

23 their height This is assuming you did not prunethem last fall If you did then next year wait until latewinter or early spring Prune Teas and Grandiflorasback to 18 - 24rdquo For climbing roses prune branchesemerging from the main canes back to within 3 - 4rdquoof the cane

DO

apply corn gluten tolawn areas yoursquoveseeded (or over-seeded) or to gar-dens where youwant biennialsperennials or annu-als to reseed andflower Corn glutendoes not distinguishbetween lsquogoodrsquoand lsquobadrsquo seeds

apply a pre-emer-gent weed killerand fertilizer toyour lawn A lushhealthy lawn

makes a beautiful frame for gardens Myfamily walked away from lawn chemicalsfive years ago And our lawn has neverlooked better Corn gluten is a big part ofthis transformation Corn gluten is a by-product of milled corn It will not harm chil-dren pets or wildlife Heck you can eat it ifyou want (but it tastes yucky) Corn Glutenis high in nitrogen and commonly used as alawn fertilizer But it is also a pre-emergenttargeting seeds as they germinate Youcan put corn gluten down at any point inthe spring BUT if part of your mission is toeliminate crabgrass then there is a narrowwindow of attackApply it whenForsythia is in fullbloom and beforeits leaves appearThe Forsythia is asoil temperatureindicator that cor-responds to whencrabgrass seedsstart to germinate More garden centersare now carrying corn gluten productsYou just need to ask and follow the appli-cation instructions on the bag Make sureto water in the corn gluten after applyingIt will remain effective for five to six weeks

Simply Saratoga | 53

DONrsquoT

DO

step on soil as you maneuver around thegarden to cut back Lavender and therest of the gang For that matter youshould never be tromping through yourgardens compacting soil This breaks

down air and water channels as well as making it tougher forroots to spread Instead reach into beds from existing paths orplace stepping stones in discreet spots where only your eyes cansee or lsquowalk the plankrsquo on a board to reach plants fartherlsquoadriftrsquo

54 | Simply Saratoga

cut back Lavender Russian SageMontauk Daisy Butterfly BushChrysanthemums and ornamental grass-es These are best left untouched in falland whacked in spring Many folks make

the mistake of acting too gingerly with pruners Let lsquoem fly Theresult will be more compact neater plants that will bloom just fineTrust me If it helps wait until yoursquove had a bad day at work withthe kids or in traffic

DONrsquoT

DO

divide Peonies German Bearded Iris orOriental Poppies in spring These are bestdone in late summer Also tap-rootedplants (those with a carrot-looking root)cannot be divided Think about it These

are usually propagated by seed stem or root cuttings Someperennials that fall into this category are Malva Butterfly WeedBalloon Flower Oriental Poppies and Lupines

Simply Saratoga | 55

DONrsquoT

divide plants in spring This is an optimumtime to divide most perennials Yes evenspring bloomers Wait until these haveflowered and then shear off the spentblooms and get to business Most sum-

mer and fall blooming perennials can be divided prior to mid-Junewithout disrupting their performance

DO

apply a time-released fertilizersuch as Plant-Tone(organic) orOsmocote to heavy

feeding perennials five to six weeks afterthe earlier granular fertilizer applicationMost plants do not need as much fertilizeras we are led in advertising to believe I amstingy with my money and maintenancetime so only a handful of plants get thisbonus feed Astilbe Delphinium Liliums (ieAsiatic Oriental Trumpet) Clematis androses If I am feeling generous I will putsome on my Bigleaf Hydrangeas next to theroses Call me heartlessJust scratch fertilizer intothe top couple inchesof soil around theplantrsquos base and waterin well They will enjoy anutritious snack forthree to four months

apply mulch ongarden beds toreduce weedsconserve moisture

reduce erosion minimize soil temperaturefluctuations and enhance the quality ofthe soil Some mulching materials includeaged manures compost shredded wood(not dyed) leaf moldand cocoa hulls Putthe mulch down 2rdquo to3rdquo thick around plantsincluding floweringshrubs

build up mulchagainst plant stems

And please please donrsquot create volcanomounds around trees Please This is awfulfor them The only ones that benefit fromthis are the people selling the mulch

56 | Simply Saratoga

DONrsquoT

DO

DO

rubber band orbraid the foliage ofspring bloomingbulbs after they fin-ish flowering You

want as much leaf surface exposed to thesun as possible to increase photosynthesisYou can press the leaves down next to thesoil so they are less noticeable

Simply Saratoga | 57

sect

And finally DO have a great year in

your gardens and DONrsquoT forget to

take time to smell the roses

DONrsquoT

DONrsquoT

cut off the spentblooms and stems onspring blooming bulbsafter they have flow-ered so energy is redirected to the bulbsversus seed productions Keep the leaves inplace until they have browned and ideallycan be pulled from the ground by hand

put time-released fertil-izer on perennials thatprefer lean dietsRicher soil just upsetstheir vascular systemsThey will get leggy flop and not perform tosnuff Yarrow Coneflower Catmint RussianSage Linum Sea Holly and Silvermound are inthe group

DO

For more information contact Perennially Yours at pyourscom

58 | Simply Saratoga

Ill mination

Exterior Stonework

an

d

Story Written by Arthur Gonick Photos Provided

u

Simply Saratoga | 59

To develop and implement an exterior vista that maximizes your enjoyment To have a backyard landscape that is warm inviting and uniquely yours

These are goals that many homeowners have when they first move onto their property But unless you are trained in the variety ofmaterials and options available the task of getting past the point of comparing possibilities to completing and actually enjoying yourbackyard paradise can appear to be a long daunting road

For Carl Trinkle a landscape designer for ten years with the Gallivan Companies of Troy one of the key elements in a successfultransformation is utilizing a professionalrsquos expertise to articulate goals and develop a plan

ldquoThe most important thing we do when we first meet with a client is to get them to discuss their basic needs and aims and encouragethem to formulate an overall vision for their property An initial consultation sets the tone we make an initial visit on-site to look overthe property so we can have an idea as to where things might be placedrdquo

ldquoDuring this intake process we actually encourage people to show us photos of their friendrsquos property that they like or perhaps froma magazine It helps most people to articulate the goals of what they would like to see as a finished projectrdquo Trinkle said ldquoEven if they are looking to do things in phases we find that it is most important to develop a comprehensive site planrdquo This eliminates the need to revise original phases of work to accommodate those that come in the future

60 | Simply Saratoga

that Mr Trinkle finds potential customers identifying with aredesigned to extend the outdoor season ldquoA few extra weeks outside isa lotrdquo he said

add-ons also extend outside activity each day Low voltage lighting is still the most popular but recently LED lighting with longer-lasting bulbs that involve less maintenance and are cost-efficienthave become more fashionable

The latest trends

stations fire pits and waterenhancements such as ponds andwaterfalls are the most frequentlyrequested items that broaden theoutdoor use season

Outdoor grill

Exterior lighting

Simply Saratoga | 61

And of course swimming pool projects have always been a most-requested

item Fifty percent of allthe projects Mr Trinkleworks on involve a pooleither a completely new installation or enhance-ments to existing poolsGallivanrsquos long-standingrelationship withConcord Pools has beena hallmark in assuringthat customers are satis-fied when their pool isput in the ground

62 | Simply Saratoga

In most cases a comprehensive plancan be developed for any project in about a period of twoweeks Complete drawings and cost breakdowns are provid-ed as well as the projected phases that can be completed injust a few months or on larger projects can be scheduled insegments over a few years These are reviewed in personwith the customer again the goal being to have a plan thateveryone buys into

Simply Saratoga | 63

ldquoWe have had projects where the customer has wanted tohave a lot of input and we welcome that But we also hadone where the client was out of town and we built a firepit and slide for his wife and kids and our only instructions were to dazzle themI remember it as a most satisfying experience and we ended up winning awards for that onerdquo

- Carl Trinkle Landscape DesignerThe Gallivan Companies

64 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 65

ldquoI get to work using my creativity with talented people Some of the most talented are those

I meet as customersrdquo sect

For more information or to schedule aconsultation phone Gallivan Companies at(518) 271-6100 Gallivanrsquos website iswwwGallivanCompaniescom

66 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 67

Buying a playhouse for your child is an excellent investment

They promote imaginative play and spending time outdoors and

double as storage space when no longer used for recreation

Denise Woodcock owner of Versatile Sheds in Wilton has

been helping parents and grandparents customize their childrsquos or

grandchildrsquos dream playhouses for years

ldquoThey make great gifts especially for grandparents who want

their grandkids to have their own place to play when they visitrdquo

she said

Playhouses are a great addition to a childrsquos outdoor world

They come in all shapes sizes and designs and can be custom-

built or finished if you donrsquot find exactly what yoursquore looking for

in a catalog or on the lot

Every child is different and has their own preferences for color

size and function boys and girls often have especially different

requests for their play space as do younger and more mature chil-

dren so therersquos a lot to consider

Denise knows how even the finest detail can be all it takes to

make an outdoor structure feel like a childrsquos own personal space

While it may seem superfluous to address every minor demand

the truth is a playhouse is more than just an expensive toy itrsquos an

investment The more your child connects with their space the more

use theyrsquoll get out of it ndash and according to Denise that means your

money is well spent

Smartest WayThe

playhouse for your kidsto buy a

Photos by MarkBollescomStory by Yael Goldman

68 | Simply Saratoga

With this in mind prospective buyers should first consider

who will use the playhouse and for how long as well as what

happens when the structure is no longer used for recreation

Versatile Sheds can help even the most discerning parent or

child find what theyrsquore looking for Every playhouse is hand-

built by Amish craftsmen who can accommodate almost any

special request at an additional cost so the possibilities are

endless inside and out

Cedar shingle or vinyl siding wood stone or brick ndash if you

can use it on the outside of your regular home it can be inte-

grated into your playhousersquos design Playhouses can be built

to look like a miniature version of your home which is an

excellent touch for parents that are particularly concerned

with aesthetics Porches shutters flowerboxes unique doors

chimneys and exterior lighting are just a few of the touches

that can brighten and personalize the exterior

Individualizing your childrsquos playhouse doesnrsquot stop at the

front door There are just as many interior features to choose

from ndash you can let your imagination run wild

For starters you have the option to order the playhouse

with a finished or unfinished interior The unfinished version

looks a lot like the inside of a regular home before you move

in paint the walls and furnish the rooms

Buying an unfinished structure is a great way to cut costs

and even bring the family together over a weekend decorating

project The possibilities are endless depending on how handy

you are otherwise a few coats of paint and a bit of carpeting

will surely do the trick

Although a bit pricey purchasing a playhouse with a fin-

ished interior ensures that your child gets exactly what they

want right off the bat They can pick everything from the paint

color to the flooring so the playhouse is move-in ready on the

day it arrives

Playhouses can also be insulated and wired for electricity

You can install lighting electrical outlets even heat or air-

conditioning to make your childrsquos outdoor space as comfort-

able as possible

And the options donrsquot end there Traditional sheds also dou-

ble as playhouses For some parents purchasing an adult-size

shed for their children is an ideal way to get the best return on

their investment Once their children grow out of it the struc-

ture can be used for outdoor storage With just as many styles

sizes and materials to choose from you can customize the

interior and exterior of your shed just as you would a play-

house but without all of the more frivolous features

ldquoAny shed can be a playhouserdquo Woodcock said explaining

how a custom paint job or flowerbox can transform a typical

storage unit into childrsquos outdoor activity haven

For example if purchasing a wood shed the exterior can be

easily painted and repainted when making the transition from

playhouse to storage space

For Denisersquos customers getting their moneyrsquos worth should

not have to mean making sacrifices

Simply Saratoga | 69

70 | Simply Saratoga

When Debby Trainor made the decision to buy her grand-

daughter Chezneyrsquos dream house she wanted it to have all the

bells and whistles She met with Denise to go over all the cri-

teria the goal was to buy the perfect gift for Chezney while

staying within her budget

The eight-year-old Greenwich girl wanted her own pretty

pink palace where she could play and imagine Debby wanted

it to be a cozy and safe place for her to play year-round

Customization and interior decoration helped make

Chezneyrsquos playhouse feel like her own little kingdom

ldquoWe made it look like a cute little dollhouserdquo she said ldquoWe

put furniture inside and a little stove fridge heater and TV

itrsquos just perfectrdquo

With the structure built to their liking Chezney and Debby

could enjoy decorating the inside to personalize the playhouse

For many customers putting on the finishing touches means

making the playhouse feel like home ndash you can add curtains

hang pictures buy furniture and appliances and landscape the

perimeter to make the outdoor space feel like a home away

from home

When the child grows out of their playhouse these items

can be easily removed to accommodate a secondary use for the

space

ldquoThe best thing that Denise did for me was explain how we

can use the playhouse for storage for stuff out in the yard after

Chezney has grown out of itrdquo Debby explained ldquoAlthough

she is only eight and will be using it for quite a few more

years this really makes it a good investment and looks

great in the backyardrdquo

Whether you choose a customized playhouse or a tradi-

tional shed thinking toward the future also ensures the

safety and longevity of the structure

Denise explained that placement is an important thing to

consider as you want to make sure the structure is in a safe

place and on an appropriate surface Most importantly the

playhouse must be built on a level even surface that isnrsquot

too high off of the ground

ldquoYou want it on a nice platformrdquo Denise explained

ldquoSome people use concrete but stone is better because it

allows moisture to seep down into the ground and away

from the structurerdquo

Most parents prefer that their playhouse is in the back-

yard where itrsquos easy to see from a window Placing the

structure in a shaded area is also a good idea it will be

cooler in the summer and less susceptible to the elements if

partially protected by trees

Debby had Chezneyrsquos playhouse built right next to her

swing set where she can be easily supervised

One last thing to consider when purchasing a playhouse

Simply Saratoga | 71

72 | Simply Saratoga

or shed for your child is how much effort

you want to put into maintaining it The

more ornate the structure the more care it

may need

Woodcock advises parents to preserve

their investment and treat the playhouse

like a miniature home

Think of it as a miniature house ndash the

structure requires regular maintenance

and upkeep to ensure your child will be

safe while enjoying years and years of

imaginative fun

With so many features and styles to

choose from yoursquore sure to find the best

for both you and your child

For more information about Versatile

Sheds or to set up a time to meet with

Denise Woodcock call (518) 584-7924

or stop by 669 Route 9 in Wilton sect

Simply Saratoga | 73

74 | Simply Saratoga

Kitchen

Not Your

Grandmarsquos

Story Written by Daniel Schechtman Photos Provided

ldquoAs you

walk into the kitchen

of the future LED

light projections adjust

to your mood - it will

know if you have a

hangover via sensors

that will read your

b r a i n w a v e s

Aromatherapy infused

walls will be synched

to your calendar calm-

ing you before a big

meeting or energizing you before a gym session The fridge will have selected some breakfast options identifying the essen-

tial vitamins for your day via sensors When you get home a hologram chef will be on hand for recipe inspirationrdquo

Alright so maybe your kitchen canrsquot do all of these things quite yet ndash but believe it or not wersquore getting there This is tomor-

rowrsquos kitchen a kitchen where your appliances donrsquot just store your food or wash your dishes ndash they talk to you providing you

with integral information on how to

best store your fruits and vegetables

letting you know if the refrigerator

door is open for too long or when a

part will soon need replacing

Simply Saratoga | 75

ldquoScience fictionrdquo I hear you say

Guess again Quoted from a report released by The Future Laboratory

who was commissioned by IKEA to determine what a modernkitchen in the year 2040 could conceivably look like

76 | Simply Saratoga

ldquoOne technology that really stands out to me is the

Miele Appliance Company Right now theyrsquore using a

program called lsquoremote visionrsquo On select applianceshellip

is a wireless card that clicks into a port on the back of

the appliance You synch it up with your home network

and it basically emails the technician and the owner

when itrsquos broken when you need to clean your condens-

er change your water filter or schedule a routine serv-

icerdquo said Tom Thibeault owner of Adirondack

Appliance Repair Inc located at 67 West Ave in

Saratoga Springs ldquoMaybe somebodyrsquos been opening the

[refrigerator] door for too long or the door was left open

ndash it will email you and tell you that your door is left

openrdquo

This is not your grandmarsquos kitchen This my friends

is the kitchen of the future and itrsquos available now

The 36 inch bottom-mount Miele refrigerator boasts a

striking interior featuring LED lighting running along

the sides from top to bottom stainless steel accents and

exteriors with control systems that would be comfort-

able alongside the captainrsquos chair on the Starship

Enterprise

Simply Saratoga | 77

ldquoThe controls in the Miele really stand out

Looking at the controls theyrsquore just a glass piece and

then once you touch it you see a few options for the

different compartments Then you touch the compart-

ment and the temperature is displayed so itrsquos kind of

like a Star Trek controlrdquo Thibeault said

And thatrsquos just the refrigerator

Adirondack Appliance has also seen brands such as

Wolf (a company owned by the same people who own

Sub-Zero) grow in popularity when it comes to their

range stoves and ovens The dual convection oven

works to eliminate cold spotting and provides consis-

tent even temperatures and even allows for unique

options such as proofing ndash used best when baking

homemade bread

ldquoIt also has a temperature probe you can plug into

things like a turkey or roast so you can see the temper-

ature while itrsquos still inside the machine It has

hydraulic hinges halogen lit interiors everything is

composed of stainless steel and itrsquos by far one of the

best lines on the marketrdquo Thibeault said

A new line coming to Adirondack Appliance that

features some amazing technology is a series of Pro-

Style Ranges produced by industry giant Jenn-Air

ldquoThat actually has an LCD touch

screen like an IPAD for the controls The

temperature is set by sliding your finger

along the controls Itrsquos all color backlit and

absolutely amazingrdquo Thibeault said

ldquoAnother thing we have to that same

effect are some of the hoods which have

really been getting pretty out there as far as

design We have one on our floor [by Miele]

that has an LED bar on the front which

changes in phases between 196000 colors

Itrsquos a very delicate change very pretty and

coolrdquo Thibeault said adding ldquoor you can set

it to any color in that spectrum yoursquod like to

accent your cabinetryrdquo

When it comes to dishwashers Thibeault

can attest to the quality of both the Asko and

Miele brands both of which he uses in his

own home And good news for Saratoga

Springs residents ndash

ldquoIn our market in

Saratoga we have a

very hard water base

whether yoursquore on a well

system or city waterrdquo

Thibeault said ldquoSo you

get a lot of minerals in

the machine With the

stainless steel interiors it

eliminates a lot of prob-

lems generally seen with

plastic interior tubs and

usually they are the best

life expectanciesrdquo

78 | Simply Saratoga

Asko and Mieleare practically custom made to handle the

arearsquos typicallymineral rich water

Simply Saratoga | 79

The Asko brand dishwasher takes things one step

further including two pumps in the washerrsquos system

The first pump filters the water cleansing it of poten-

tially harmful minerals while the second pump recircu-

lates the water ensuring that the machine is never

blasting your dishes with food debris or dirty residue

With Miele the design features a built-in water sof-

tener perfect for dealing with the Saratoga water

system

ldquoTypically the Miele is going to do a better job with

tougher baked in stainsrdquo said Thibeault ldquobecause itrsquos

got the softener in it and a little bit longer pots and pans

cyclerdquo

80 | Simply Saratoga

Adirondack Appliance Repair Inc is a fami-

ly-owned business since 1929 and the last inde-

pendent appliance retailer of its kind in Saratoga

Springs With $6 billion of buying power behind

their name (a benefit of being part of the Nation

Wide Appliance Buying Group) Thibeault

promised ldquowe can actually price match the box

stores and everybody else around all while pro-

viding you with better service and better

productsrdquo

For more information on AdirondackAppliance or the products they sell you mayvisit their showroom located at 67 West Avenuein Saratoga Springs for live demonstrationsThey can also be reached by phone at (518)587-6640 or you may visit them at their newwebsite wwwadkappliancecom where cus-tomers can browse through the storersquos entirecatalogue of appliances

sect

Simply Saratoga | 81

82 | Simply Saratoga

Page 24: Simply Saratoga March 2011

YMCA Camp Chingachgook

NdakinnaNdakinna Education Center located in

Greenfield Center offers a wide variety of

summer camp programs and activities that

will provide campers with a greater

respect and understanding for the natural

world as well as the Northeastrsquos rich

Native American history Hosted by

renowned author and wilderness and sur-

vival expert James Bruchac these pro-

grams are ideal for children with a sense

of adventure and natural wonder Summer

programs are divided into two groups

children ages three to eight and older

campers ages nine to fourteen Programs

range in duration from one to two weeks

26 | Simply Saratoga

YMCA Camp Chingachgook located on beauti-

ful Lake George has three camping options sleep-

away camp day camp and adventure trips

Summer sleep-away camp is the experience of a

lifetime The camp is divided into junior and sen-

ior boys and girls units junior campers between

the ages of seven and 12 and senior campers are 13

to 15 years old All Chingachgook counselors go

through extensive two-week training and prepa-

ration prior to the beginning of the first session

Campers will enjoy a full schedule of skill

classes which they can choose on their own

and special events and programs Campers can

choose from swimming water skiing canoeing

nature arts outdoor living skills theater news-

paper riflery archery dance guitar outdoor

cooking sports zone water world woodwork-

ing softball soccer tennis photography sail-

ing high ropes mountain biking and rock

climbing Each camper sets up their own daily

schedule of four skill classes at the start of the

session

Two-week camp sessions at Chingachgook

also include a three-day hike which allows

campers to get out and experience the wilder-

ness in a fun and safe atmosphere

Chingachgook also offers a variety of unique

adventure camps for children looking to explore

unique destinations and experience a whole new

level of fun options like sailing kayak-

ing boat building rock climbing canoe-

ing community service white-water

rafting hiking and backpacking bicycle

touring and mountain biking Adventure

campers will benefit from activities with

smaller coed groups of ten or less

Day Camp at Chingachgook is a fun

option for children ages five to ten

Campers will enjoy a full day of fun

activities from 930 am to 430 pm The

Day Camp program is divided into eight

one-week segments with the first session

starting on June 28 and the final session

starting on August 16 Each session has

a different theme

Spaces are limited at Chingachgook

so be sure to sign up as soon as possible

For more information to sign up for a

tour or to register for camp visit

wwwcapitaldistrictymcacom or call

(518) 656-9462

each covering a different skill or activity such

as animal tracking basic wilderness survival

skills and shelter building Native American

storytelling and games and nature-based arts

and crafts projects will teach campers to have

fun in the great outdoors Each camp program

promotes team building natural awareness

patience and confidence

Ndakinna also offers family camp pro-

grams which allow children and their parents

to experience the outdoors together Family

programs can accommodate children ages one

to 14 These programs offer the

same skills training and team-

building activities To view the

finalized calendar of programs

and events visit

wwwNdcenterorg

Cutting Edge Martial ArtsCutting Edge Martial Artrsquos A+ After

School and Summer Camp Program is a year-

round child care solution that provides a pos-

itive structured environment for children

after school and during the day in the sum-

mer During the school year we pick chil-

dren up directly from the local elementary

and middle schools and provide an hour les-

son that starts with our ldquoMat Chatrdquo a ten

minute character education lesson for the day

followed by a full 50 minute martial arts

class Parents have a window between 5 and

545 pm to pick up their children while chil-

dren have the opportunity after class to get

their homework started

During the summer children get all the

benefits of our A+ Program but on a grander

scale We offer nine weeks of full day camps

and have no minimum or maximum number

of days per week or number of weeks that a

student can attend Each week of camp we

have a curriculum of character education

lessons fun games and a one hour martial

arts class every day We watch a movie in

the afternoons twice a week have a video

game morning on Fridays and take all our

campers on an educa-

tional outing on

Wednesdays and a

fun and exciting out-

ing every Friday

Our average camp

size is 20-25 stu-

dents and we have

three full time staff

graphed by Sarah Sutliff

Saratoga Childrenrsquos Theatre also offers a one-

week camp at the end of the summer ldquoMaster

your Auditionrdquo This camp will help your child

get ready for fall and winter auditions These

audition workshops have been very popular and

sell out quickly Any child at any skill level with

an interest in performing arts is welcome to join

in on the fun Saratoga Childrenrsquos Theatre

Executive Director Meg Kelly aims to give each

camper the most rewarding and enjoyable camp

experience and every camper will get to perform

The Saratoga Childrenrsquos Theatre hires profes-

sionals to help your child gain the most from

their summer camp experience

The cost for a two-week session is $450 and

$250 for the one-week session For more infor-

mation visit wwwsaratogachildrenstheatreorg

or call (518) 580-1782

For kids who have a passion for per-

forming arts Saratoga Childrenrsquos Theatre

summer camp is a dream come true

Saratoga Childrenrsquos Theatre offers per-

formance camps which means each

camper will be working on a full-fledged

production throughout their session

Campers will learn all aspects of perform-

ance and will have the opportunity to per-

form in two shows at the end of camp a

matinee and an evening show are both

open to the public Campers will perform

on stage at St Petersrsquo Auditorium

Saratoga Springs Camp hours are 9am-

3pm Performance camp is divided into

two age groups

Ages 6-9 will participate in one week

camps These camps will include Disneyrsquos

Sleeping Beauty kids Cinderella kids

Aristocats kids 101 Dalmatians kids and

Lemonade These camps will be directed by

Megan OrsquoSullivan a local elementary school

music teacher and assisted by Karey

Trimmings also a local elementary school

music teacher

Ages 10-18 will participate in two-week

camps Each camp will practice and perform a

different show These

camps include

Thoroughly Modern

Mille Jr Cinderella Jr

Fiddler on the Roof Jr

and Once on this Island

Jr These camps will be

directed by Michael

Lotano local actor and

elementary school music

teacher and choreo-

Saratoga Childrenrsquos Theatre

Simply Saratoga | 27

working with our students

Our goal is to provide a family-friendly

and fun environment that feels like a home

away from home Our students have fun

learning skills that can be used every day of

their lives and we try to provide memories

that will last a lifetime For many our

summer camps are a wonderful introduc-

tion to martial arts

For more information visit

wwwsaratogamartialartscom

or call (518) 587-5501

28 | Simply Saratoga

Saratoga Independent SchoolSaratoga Independent School hosts a variety of summer

programs split into two age groups three to eight year-olds

Wilton Recreation CampWilton Recreation offers a full-day summer

camp program for children in grades one

through nine With available pre-camp and

post-camp care working parents can ensure

their children are having fun in a safe environ-

ment before and after the camprsquos regular 9 am to

3 pm hours Parents who register their children

for before and after camp care can drop off their

children prior to camp opening at 830 am and

can pick them up at 530 pm Bussing is avail-

able for Wilton residents who register for regu-

lar camp hours (9 am to 3 pm)

Wilton Recreation Camp offers a full sched-

ule of daily onsite activities themed events and

exciting trips for kids who register for off-site

adventures Daily on-site activities include arts

and crafts sports playground fun and other

organized group games This yearrsquos scheduled

field trips include Million Dollar Beach in Lake

George movie days at Proctors Theater

Saratoga County Fair bowling white water

rafting and at least two swimming days per

week at Peerless Pool

The Summer 2011 camp will open on

June 27 and run until August

12 Registration begins

March 14 at Gavin Park and

will close on June 3 As

there are only 300 spaces

available be sure to mark

your calendar Camp

registration forms are

available online at

wwwtownofwiltoncom or

can be picked up weekdays

at Gavin Park 9 am to 5 pm

For any other questions

please call the park office at (518) 584-9455

and seven to 14 year-olds The weeklong programs run from July 5

to August 19

Saratoga Independent School summer programs are staffed large-

ly by their own teachers so parents can rest assured their kids are

supervised in a safe environment with experienced teachers who are

knowledgeable about child development and hands-on

programming

For the younger group weekly themed programs run from 9 am

to noon (early drop-off at 830 available) The staff-to-camper ratio

is one to six for children ages three and four and one to ten for chil-

dren ages five to eight Themed programs include ldquoCooking with

Curiosityrdquo ldquoHawaiian Hullabaloordquo ldquoHands-On Science Funrdquo

ldquoHoliday-A-Dayrdquo ldquoGood Versus Evil Imaginations Run Wildrdquo

ldquoDinosaur Discoveryrdquo ldquoIn the Jungle the Mighty Junglerdquo

Activities take place both indoors and outdoors

The selection of enrichment programs for older children is even

more extensive this year than in the past Some programs will take

place in the mornings others in the afternoon Age ranges will vary

depending on the subject matter These specialty programs give chil-

dren an opportunity to develop new interests and expand on existing

skills Programs include ldquoCartooning and Morerdquo ldquoImprovisationrdquo

ldquoKnittingrdquo ldquoOpen Art Studiordquo ldquoYou Can Do Magicrdquo ldquoGet Up and

Dancerdquo ldquoRoaring into Robots Whatrsquos Nextrdquo ldquoArt in the Ancient

Worldrdquo ldquoMad Sciencerdquo ldquoComputer Video Game Creationrdquo

ldquoAdvanced Robot Challengesrdquo and ldquoArt-Math Connectionrdquo

Registration has already begun and the programs fill up quickly so

visit wwwsiskidsorg for more information and to secure a space

for your child

Simply Saratoga | 29

Are your kids looking for an adventure this summer The

Saratoga Regional YMCA has two exciting day camps available

Camp Starhitch held at the Wilton Branch which engages children

with a multitude of fun activities and a trip each week and Travel

Camp where participants meet at the Saratoga Springs Branch and

then travel off to fun and thrilling places each day

Camp Starhitch is for children having completed Kindergarten

through entering fifth grade Campers will participate in games

sports crafts nature activities trips swimming archery and more

Each week is planned around a theme and includes a trip For exam-

ple during ldquo70rsquos Flashbackrdquo week campers will go roller skating

during ldquoThe Wild Frontierrdquo week kids will have the opportunity to

go horseback riding and during ldquoTropical Paradiserdquo week partici-

pants may ldquocatch a gnarly waverdquo at an outdoor water park

Travel Camp is definitely for the action seeker and for those who

like to be on the go This program for youth entering fifth through

tenth grade provides campers an opportunity to travel each and every

day to fun-filled locations Participants explore different summer

activities that include amusement and water parks outdoor sports

fairs and horseback riding This year the trips include a visit to Hunter

Mountain Six Flags New England Tubing on the Battenkill NY

Mets game at Citi Field the NY State Fair and more

Camp Starhitch and Travel Camp both run for nine one-week ses-

sions You may choose to attend camp for one week or any combina-

tion of weeks Experienced counselors supervise children and a ratio

of 110 ensures a safe quality camping experience CPR and First Aid

certified camp staff will be present on all trips At Travel Camp

campers will be grouped according to age and are supervised by expe-

rienced adult staff

Camp Starhitch has two day camp options for your child Option A

allows for your child to be dropped off at 9 am and picked up at 4 pm

and Option B has a 7 am drop off time and a 6 pm pick up time

Travel Camp runs from 9 am to 430 pm and extended hours are

available at no additional cost This year transportation will be provid-

ed in both directions between the Saratoga Springs and Wilton

branches Pickups will be as early as 815 am and drop-offs will be

as late as 5 pm Both camps try to cater to working parents

In addition the Saratoga Regional YMCA is committed to provid-

ing a safe and welcoming environment for all campers by incorporat-

ing the YMCAcore values of caring honesty respect and responsibil-

ity in daily activities To promote safety and comfort for all individu-

als are asked to act appropriately at all times when at the Yrsquos facilities

or participating in Y programs All campers are required to read and

sign a contract of understanding in reference to the Code of Conduct

We expect persons using the YMCAto act maturely to behave respon-

sibly and to respect the rights and dignity of all othersmdashall while

having a good time

The Y also has opportunities available for those who may not have

the resources to send their children to camp The Y provides scholar-

ships for those who qualify Scholarships are made possible due to

the generous donations of Y members the community and businesses

to the ldquoWe Build Peoplerdquo scholarship campaign held by the Saratoga

Regional YMCA each year Scholarship applications are available at

all Saratoga Regional YMCA branches and online at wwwsaratogare-

gionalymcaorg

Registration is currently ongoing and fills up quickly Registration

forms are available at any of the Saratoga Regional YMCA Branches

or at wwwsaratogaregionalymcaorg For more information about

these day camps please contact Ilene Leverence at (518) 583-9622

ext 103 for Camp Starhitch and Patti Laudicina at (518) 583-9622

ext 110 or Paige Minear ext 116 for Travel Camp

Saratoga YMCA

30 | Simply Saratoga

Ask women about the greatest threat to their health and most will

respond incorrectly with the words ldquobreast cancerrdquo While breast cancer

certainly is of concern the truth is that women are 10 times more like-

ly to die from heart disease Breast cancer kills 1 in 25 women heart

disease claims 1 in 2

The most recent statistics available indicate that cardiovascular dis-

ease causes the death of 500000 women per year ndash more than ALL

forms of cancer combined This is a rate of epidemic proportion

Little or no warning

Two-thirds of women die suddenly from heart disease without expe-

riencing any warning symptoms The majority die before they even

reach the hospital and before any attempt at treatment is possible Early

screening and the detection that leads to prevention offer the only hope

of reducing these deaths

Women who do develop heart disease tend to fare worse than men

One reason is that on average heart disease peaks 10 years later in

women than in men At this older age women are less able to withstand

the stress of the disease The proof can be found in a disturbing statis-

tic One year after their first heart attack 44 percent of women are dead

compared with 27 percent of men

Clearly for women preventing that first heart attack would make an

enormous difference

Know the risks

What can be done to prevent and detect heart disease in women

Of foremost importance is to reduce ndash or if possible eliminate ndash the

conditions that cause or accelerate the growth of blockages in the arter-

ies of the heart These conditions known as risk factors include high

Women Take this warning to heart

Story By Andrij O Baran MD

blood pressure diabetes genetic high cholesterol a high-fat

diet an inactive lifestyle smoking and cocaine use

Some damage the lining of the heartrsquos arteries speeding the

buildup of cholesterol Others raise blood cholesterol Both

smoking and cocaine use speed blood clotting They also can

cause sudden cramps or spasms in the coronary arteries cut-

ting off the entire blood supply to portions of the heart even

without a cholesterol blockage

A woman who has one or more of these risk factors should

ask her doctor how best to control them She also should ask

about further screening and testing such as stress testing

The sooner the better

Lifestyle changes and medications can have a dramatic

impact on reducing the incidence of heart attack provided cho-

lesterol blockages are detected early ndash before damage to the

heart has occurred In fact drugs that lower cholesterol alone

have been unequivocally shown to reduce the risk of heart

attack and death by up to 50 percent

When added to a program of low-fat diet exercise control

of high blood pressure and diabetes and above all else no

smoking the benefits are magnified many times over Keep in

mind of course that these drugs work only if they are taken

and taken appropriately

By knowing and changing their risk factors all women can

ensure themselves of a longer and more vibrant life

Andrij O Baran MD FACC is the Medical Director of

Cardiology Services at Saratoga Hospital

Simply Saratoga | 31

A c t F a s t D u r i n g H e a r t A t t a c k s According to the American Heart

Association clot-busting drugs can stop

some heart attacks in progress reducing

disability and saving lives They work best

given within one hour of when heart

attack signs begin Thatrsquos why itrsquos impor-

tant to recognize the warning signs of a

heart attack and act right away

Warning Signs

bull Pain or discomfort in the jaw

neck or back

bull Feeling weak lightheaded or faint

bull Chest paindiscomfort

bull Paindiscomfort in the arms or

shoulder

bull Shortness of breath

If you think that you or someone you

know is having a heart attack call 911

immediately

32 | Simply Saratoga

Who would believe that a rabbi from Eastern

Europe frozen for 150 years in a block of ice could

be transported across time and space to Memphis

where he thaws then becomes a spiritual guru to

baby boomers Arguably nobody But Steve Stern

the author of ldquoThe Frozen Rabbirdquo his most recent

novel isnrsquot asking readers to believe it so much as

to let the characters tell their story Besides the plot

may be far-fetched but he already has a buyer for

the movie rights

Writer-in-residence at Skidmore College Stern is

a genius at creating human beings in fantastical cir-

cumstances who seem more like eccentric neigh-

bors than artifacts of science fiction Some fly

some inhabit other peoplersquos dreams some are res-

urrected and some travel through time Whatever

their superpowers or frailties the heroes and vil-

lains tricksters and innocents and witnesses and

bystanders in Sternrsquos short and long fiction deserve

attention and evoke compassion in their quest for

connection and redemption - or at least food and

shelter From within an inexhaustible vein of

Jewish folklore and oral history his characters

emerge into a lucid fictional universe that embraces

both magic and the mundane Dialogue is ironic as

often as it is mystical and the most ordinary days

serve as backdrops for incredible events

ldquoMiracles are commonplacerdquo says Stern a

Ballston Spa resident ldquoI donrsquot write in metaphors

and symbols deliberately Writing is a visceral

experience for me I read with interest what review-

ers say about my repetitive themes and ideas but I

am driven by images and characters Irsquom a compul-

sive storytellerrdquo

Steve Stern A Lyrical Voice in the Ghetto

B

o

o

k

m

a

r

k

Lean bespectacled and haloed in dark curls Stern

is a Memphis native who grew up in a home bereft

of music books and art in a city made famous by

Elvis Presley (who used to drive through Sternrsquos

neighborhood) and Martin Luther Kingrsquos assassina-

tion He remembers himself as ldquoa mediocre adoles-

cent without confidence or spiritual antennardquo first

stirred to write poetry in high school which he read

aloud for attention

ldquoI was surprised people liked itrdquo he says ldquoAnd I

liked writing it even though it embarrassed me But

I was encouraged to go on and later to try proserdquo

The allure of the late lsquo60s and early lsquo70s was not

academic After college Stern wandered through

Europe then worked as a butcher on a hippie com-

mune in the Ozarks raising pigs and eating off the

land ldquoI slept under five blankets and two dogsrdquo he

recalls (The incarnation has been memorialized in a

comic strip by Sternrsquos girlfriend Sabrina a cartoon-

ist and set designer for Saturday Night Live)

The commune was not too far from the University

of Arkansas where Stern attended graduate school

and played volleyball with Bill and Hillary Clinton

ldquoI hoped he would mention me in his inaugural

addressrdquo Stern sighs

With an MA Stern found teaching gigs at vari-

ous colleges but the work dried up forcing him to

take a job at a folklore center in Memphis first tran-

scribing stories about the black community then

launching a life-changing project to preserve the

stories of the fading Jewish population in a desolate

Memphis ghetto known as ldquoThe Pinchrdquo where

many of his stories are set

Story By Helen Susan Edelman

ldquoBernie scrunched his face in thought Gone was his waryimpulse to keep everything secret and there were times of latewhen he felt almost reckless almost ready to tell the world whileon the other hand he suspected he may have already confided toomuch ldquoI thinkrdquo he said after some consideration ldquoIrsquom startingto outgrow myselfrdquo

mdash Steve Stern ldquoThe Frozen Rabbirdquo

Photo by Josh GerritsenSteve Stern

Simply Saratoga | 33

ldquoIt was intoxicatingrdquo says Stern ldquoI became obsessed with

itrdquo Indeed his work is infused with the folklore images lan-

guage archetypes settings rituals and values embedded in

the memories he recorded and in the vast Jewish and Yiddish

literature he has studied since

A non-observant Jew Stern had no relationship with his

religion so the introduction to his exotic legacy was both

anchor and springboard for a prolific new consciousness

ldquoThe floodgates openedrdquo he says ldquoSuddenly this world

began to materialize for me What had been barren neighbor-

hoods I could see vividly as tenements and shops a town

square street traffic merchants pawnbrokers rabbis chil-

drenhellipimmigrants from Eastern Europe looking for a homerdquo

Stern is comfortable writing about transcendent wisdom as

long as itrsquos his characterrsquos voice

and not his own

dispensing the

insights The

frozen rabbi in

the book of the

same name for

example ldquoradiates

within his zone of

influence and is a

spiritual catalyst

for anyone who

encounters himrdquo

says Stern ldquowhere-

as I am a clicheacute a

Jew who grew up

without an identityrdquo

A winner of both

Guggenheim and

Fulbright fellowships

as well as the National

Jewish Book Award

the Pushcart Prize an

OrsquoHenry Prize and the Edward Lewis Wallant Award Stern

is working on a new novel and rereading Faulkner Tolstoy

Dickens and Joyce

He views each new writing project as ldquoa riskrdquo Experience

last summer also reminded him of the evanescence of popu-

larity he gave two readings one in Memphis which drew

such a crowd that doors had to be locked and one in St

Louis where he commanded an audience of four

ldquoJust like the characters in my storiesrdquo Stern observes ldquoI

encounter conflicts look for a way to escape and face mixed

consequencesrdquo sect

How is your mental state these days Are

you experiencing peace and joy in every-

day life or frustration and impatience Are

you living your life ldquoon purposerdquo or going

through the motions feeling numb and dead

on the inside How is the garden of your

mind Are you tending to your garden or letting

the weeds take over

When I lived in Boston I lived next door to an elder-

ly woman who had a beautiful garden Every morning my

neighbor was outside in her floral moo moo (circa Mrs

Roper from Threersquos Company) tending carefully to each

plant and flower She would spend hours walking around her

garden joyfully humming and making sure her flowers were

strong and healthy Many mornings I would sip my coffee

and watch her peacefully pulling out the weeds and tending

to her precious flowers To this day I remember how tall and

lovely her sunflowers were I think our mental state can be

compared to tending to a garden do we have beautiful sun-

flowers of joy and peace or toxic weeds of bitterness and

guilt

The weeds in your heart and mind are feelings of bitterness

anger guilt self-loathing and negativity Do you spend your

days reviewing the list of those that have offended

you Do you beat yourself up daily for past mis-

takes or regrets These are the weeds that can

take over your mind and lead to racing

thoughts a dark depression constant

anxiety or physical illness and

chronic pain If you are someone

that is easily frustrated impatient

and critical you can be sure you

34 | Simply Saratoga

Tending to theGarden of Your MindDealing with the Weeds in your Life

Simple Truths

have some weeds to deal with

The only path to peace and joy in your everyday life is to

pull your weeds out from the root and confront the issues

Holding on to your weeds only makes you ill and deadens

your heart Did you know that people who are full of bitter-

ness and resentment appear older and are not as physically

attractive as people who are full of peace and love The

weeds in your heart and mind can actually make you ugly

Likewise a mind that is content and peaceful gives us a

sparkle and light in our eyes that people are automatically

attracted to Forget the anti-wrinkle cream and Botox Fill

your heart and mind up with the best kept beauty secret

around love and forgiveness

Forgiveness is not about letting the person who hurt you

off the hook Forgiveness IS allowing light into our hearts

so that we can heal and move forward It takes the heavy

burden of offense and resentment off of our hearts and

minds while preparing the ldquosoilrdquo for new growth and

experiences

When possible confront the people you need to forgive

so that you can have closure and move on If it is not pos-

sible to confront the person that is the weed in your life

write them a letter expressing your hurt and anger (not to

send but in a private journal) This is a wonderful way to

give yourself closure and put your feelings out on the table

More often than not the person we have to forgive or con-

front is ourselves If you are constantly beating yourself up

and feeling guilty about your past make a choice to forgive

yourself

Donrsquot be lazy about your weeds Dig deep and pull out

your weeds so that you can make room for peace and joy

We all desire to feel love and be accepted That accept-

Meghan DLemery LCSW-R

Simply Saratoga | 35

ance starts with you Begin to focus on peaceful loving joyful

thoughts Keep a gratitude journal of what you love about your-

self or the loved ones in your life Practice planting seeds of joy

by giving acceptance and love to everyone around you

Take time to practice patience and kindness to your family

friends colleagues and that slow cashier at the grocery store Go

out of your way to help others in any way that you can All of

these acts of kindness plant the seeds of peace love joy and

abundance

As we approach the new season of spring take some time to

tend to the garden of your mind

Wishing you love self-acceptance and peace this spring and

always

Ms Lemery is a psychotherapist practic-ing in Saratoga Springs and QueensburyShe can be reached at meghanle-meryyahoocom

Her first novel will be pub-lished this Spring TitledldquoPlease Pass the BarbieShoesrdquo it is a hilarious heart-warming story that will haveyou feeling inspiredand empowered

sect

36 | Simply Saratoga

Living Room The custom-designed leather couch chair andottoman come from Suttons The stucco fireplace was inspired by theCollinsrsquo travels through the Southwest and Colorado (ldquowe wanted to avoida traditional river rock fireplacerdquo) and provides a heat source as well asbeauty The original structure was built for passive solar design no airconditioning is needed in the summer A wood stove is the primary heatsource radiant heat with natural gas was also added during the renova-tion

The front door as well as all the interior doors was custom-made fittedand replaced by Tom Zanetti Hickory wood floors were also installed dur-ing the addition A hanging stained glass chandelier is a stock itemobtained from a leading home supply retailer ldquoIt captures the sunlightbeautifully along with providing brilliant nighttime illuminationrdquo Tedsaid ldquoItrsquos an eclectic mixrdquo

Simply Saratoga | 37

Today we look at a creative space that is set into a special place

In 1993 Ted and Susan Collins purchased a seven-acre property

with a 1986 Timberpeg designed home that has all the qualities of

a place in the country ndash yet many would be surprised to learn that

it is actually located on the border of Saratoga Springs near the

Alpine Shop on Clinton Street After a number of years living in

apartments on Union Avenue and Franklin Square enjoying the

proximity to downtown and the track they couldnrsquot resist a spot

that was close to town but yet had lots of land

Their overall vision was for an interior space that was in accord

with the outside ndash the wildlife gardens and the sustainable philos-

ophy embodied in the original buildingrsquos passive solar design

ldquoEverything we do embraces the goals of staying true to the orig-

inal structure having an open welcoming interior and being in

harmony with the outdoorsrdquo Ted said

Inspired by travels in balance with the land

Story By Arthur GonickPhotos by copystockstudiosphotographycom

These principles guided a major transformation of the interior

space in 2006 The key element was an addition to the home that

enabled the living room kitchen and upstairs bedroom to be

expanded allowing space for the installation of a downstairs bath

as well

Susan and Ted led this transformation - visualizing an addition

that incorporated equilibrium of size location and overall propor-

tion They went through several iterations with Rick Deforest of

Heritage Timberframes

Even though much of the interior decor came from travels in

Africa the South Pacific and Colorado the building materials and

craftsmen are all local The timbers and wood flooring were milled

in nearby Kingsbury ldquoWe enjoyed working with professionals who

are also friends like Rick Deforest Tom Zanetti and Mike

Roohanrdquo Ted said ldquothe house now feels complete in balancerdquo sect

Unique Places and Creative Spaces If you would like to nominate a unique

or creative place to be featured emailentertainmentsaratogapublishingcom

38 | Simply Saratoga

Kitchen A wall was taken out that afforded space to add an eat-in island area and

open up the space Custom cabinets are by Tom Zanetti Stonework andappliances were added Both the kitchen and bathroom have granite table-tops (from Mike and Margaret Roohan of Granite and Marble Works)New appliances include a Bosch stove (with a built-in microwave drawer)and an Amana stainless refrigerator

Bathroom The bathroom ceiling is pine The showerarea was designed and built to the Collinsrsquo specifications andfeatures a bench 4 shower heads PLUS an extra hand-held one(ldquoItrsquos a human car washrdquo) The stone tiles on the sides and floorin the shower were installed by Best Tile the plumbing in theshower comes from Aird Dorrance as does the sink ndash which sitson a granite top from Granite and Marble Works The windowleads out to the north side of the house with privacy blinds insidethe window panes One thing you donrsquot see ldquoSince the room ison display in the center of the expanded first floor we wanted thecommode to be mostly hiddenrdquo Ted said

Unique Places and Creative Spaces

Simply Saratoga | 39

Living RoomA reading nook sits upon the bathroom addition ldquoThere was no full bathroom on the first

floor and with a post and beam construction we had to be creative You get outstanding viewsof the property pond and stream when viewed from the nookrsquos perspectiverdquo The ladder canswing out on a track making it more like walking up a staircase ndash this was also designed andinstalled by Tom Zanetti The table in the nook is actually a working African drum with a glasstable top added

40 | Simply Saratoga

Bedroom In the second-floor master bedroom moving the dormer brought in extra light and space and

also brought the roofline together with the original structure and first-floor additions The floorand ceiling are made of rough-cut pine planking The bed is also constructed of pine and comesfrom Suttons The window in the upper left was cut during the addition It faces west for extra day-time light

Simply Saratoga | 41

42 | Simply Saratoga

Story Written by Yael Goldman Photos by Samu Studios and Randall Perry Photography

Simply Saratoga | 43

orking with the

right interior designer

turns listless decision making

into an enjoyable and productive

process that avoids costly mistakes

and delivers exceptional results

Designing a room or an entire home is a

big project no matter how strong your tastes are

The decisions are endless ndash what color should I paint the

walls What flooring is most aesthetically appealing and

dog-friendly Should I choose a furniture set or choose

individual pieces Do I want curtains or shades Do I

decorate with knick-knacks or artwork

But with all the unique self-questioning that surrounds

an interior design project most homeowners share angst

in asking themselves one specific question where do I

start

Itrsquos at this point ndash when stress level increases enjoy-

ment-driven projects turn deadly and money has been

wastefully spent on all the wrong things ndash that you long

for the help of a professional if only you could afford it

Well the truth is you can

Creating the right space can be expensive but is only

more so if you make mistakes and have to go back and

fix them If you do it right the first time therersquos no cost

associated with do-overs

With nearly 100 years of experience between them all

four members of Blairhouse Interiors Group have

worked with more than enough unhappy do-it-your-

selfers to tell you yoursquore not alone

Photo by Samu Studios

44 | Simply Saratoga

The four-member designproject therapy team which recently

opened a studio in Saratoga Springs has a long history of help-

ing home and business owners create their ideal spaces and

atmospheres the right way Their exceptional work is celebrated across

the Capital Region including Saratoga Springs where the Blairhouse

look is prominently featured in a handful of Park Place condominiums

and the incredible Saratoga National Golf Club

Thomas R Burns Meghan Baltich Dominic Carota and Patricia

Richards the highly skilled and charismatic force behind Blairhouse

Interiors Group promise an experience that is personal because itrsquos all

about your needs ndash and thatrsquos what is important

Blairhouse offers full-service interior design services space planning

project management hand-picked merchandise patience and an uncan-

ny ability to create a

look that is always

fresh sophisticated

and comfortable

ldquoThe style that we

gravitate toward is

unique cutting-edge

and modern not dic-

tated by corporaterdquo

said Meghan Baltich

pointing to a ldquovery

propitiousrdquo Keith Fritz

table at the center of

the studio

Photo by Randall Perry Photography

If you do it right the firsttime therersquos no cost

associated with do-oversPhoto by Randall Perry Photography

One glance at the Park Place showroom ndash of the selective furnishings carefully showcased along

the periphery ndash and it becomes clear why Blairhouse an award-winning team gets the job

done

Their creativity focus and immaculate sense of direction bring objectivity to the scene helping you nar-

row down all of the tedious and overwhelming choices that make do-it-yourself decorating an exercise in

unclear thinking

ldquoPeople are overwhelmed by all the choices it can feel like theyrsquore in a paralyzed blurrdquo said Thomas

Burns who finds that a great vision can be impossible to imagine and create without eliminating all of

the distractions

A vital step in getting focused is creating a

comprehensive plan based on individual

needs wants and style that addresses all

aspects of lifestyle and taste and suggests

tactful solutions and fresh approaches to new

and existing spaces

They help you identify what you like

forcing you to hone in on what you want and

need to compliment and enhance your

lifestyle

ldquoWe ascertain the clientrsquos goal and

lifestyle to convey their visionrdquo said

Dominic Carota explaining that the intended

outcome of creating or reinventing a room is

often strictly tied to how you want to live in

it

ldquoWe have to know how they functionrdquo he

said

An interior designer is an asset in the func-

tion-meets-style equation

Dominic explained that a couple starting a family will have far

different needs than empty-nesters looking for a change They may

have the same stylistic goals but their execution will differ based on

how their lifestyle exists within the space

When revamping a single room the majority of your focus is ded-

icated to that individual space making it easy to forget that the rest

of the house is attached Establishing connectivity between rooms is

a challenge but an important part of executing a project the right

way

Sometimes one wrong detail no matter how small can be incred-

ibly impactful and difficult to avoid on your own

ldquoIf yoursquore working on a new addition or renovation we ensure it

flows that therersquos balance between the existing part of the living

space and the new additionrdquo Meghan Baltich said explaining that

it just doesnrsquot make sense to put in a great new kitchen if itrsquos dis-

jointed and out of place from its surroundings

Another common novice mistake is the trendy retail store fallacy

that you can order a full room from a catalog or pick a fabulous and

unique design from a floor plan

Blairhouse clients learn the difference between ldquocookie-cutterrdquo

and ldquocustomrdquo and they are never concerned with picking the wrong

piece for the wrong room

Simply Saratoga | 45

ome customers will come to us after going into a Pottery Barn and buying stuff that just didnrsquot workrdquo Baltich said giving the

example of an individual who purchased an enormous sectional for a tiny room ldquoWe scale into the clientrsquos space taking func-

tion and proportion into considerationrdquo

Exceptional listening and observation skills are the designerrsquos

unsung attributes and greatest assets Blairhouse experts engage

with their clients to gain a true understanding of what they want

In turn the design process becomes an eye-opening experience

customers are introduced to colors and concepts they would

never think to consider

ldquoEach client trusts us to create their environment and we

enable them to make informed decisionsrdquo Patricia Richards

said

And sometimes that requires bold suggestions and collabora-

tion or looking at all of the possibilities even the ones ldquoyou

would never have been brave enough to do on your ownrdquo

In the end the experience of working with the experts is

enjoyable stress-free and cost-effective From concept to com-

pletion the result is just what you want and need ndash a fabulous

marriage of function and aesthetic that wonrsquot have you coming

back for more (because you did it right the first time) sect

ldquoS

46 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 47

For a taste of Blairhouse Interiors Grouprsquos distinctive work stop into their Park Place studio located at 262 Broadway Suite 204 in Saratoga Springs For further details visit wwwblairhouseinteriorscom or call (518) 786-7800

From left to right Dominic Carota Meghan Baltich Patricia Richards and

Thomas R Burns (The designproject therapy team of Blairhouse Interiors Group)

48 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 49

Dorsquos and Donrsquots

50 | Simply Saratoga

Story Written by Kerry Ann Mendez Perennially Yours bull wwwpyourscom Photos Provided

SpringDorsquos and Donrsquots

SpringDorsquos and DonrsquotsDorsquos and Donrsquots

Spring

for your Gardens

s

Simply Saratoga | 51

ssts

SPRINGis right around the corner and gardenersare pawing at the ground ready to explodethrough the garden gate As a passionate perennial gardenerI am right there with you But before launching into another flower-filledseason letrsquos go through a spring checklist of dorsquorsquos and donrsquorsquots to makesure we make the most of the race and have the best finish ever

Photo by GardenersSupply Company

apply a granular fertilizer to your perennial beds while they are still lsquoasleeprsquoDepending on the winter wersquove had this may be anytime from mid-Marchto mid-April Donrsquot worry if there are already lsquoearly risersrsquo visible like springblooming bulbs or woodland ephemerals I recommend using 5-5-5 5-10-5 or

5-10-10 fertilizer at the rate of 2 pounds per 100 square feet Cast the fertilizer just before it is about to rainto make sure fertilizer is watered into the ground and washed off any existing leaves You can give otherplants in your yard this treat as well including floweringshrubs groundcovers climbing vinesand roses

DONrsquoTput fertilizer on top of the snow or on ground that is

still frozen You want to make sure the fertilizer disap-pears into pliable soil and to waiting roots otherwiserunoff can occur And donrsquot think more is better Youcan stress or even kill plants by over-fertilizing espe-cially in spring when leaves are not fully developed toutilize nitrogen in the fertilizer If you are going to errless is better

DO

prune once-b l o o m i n g

roses such as Heirloom or Old GardenRoses when the Forsythia is blooming

Any rose that blooms onceusually in late spring forabout three weeks is in thiscategory Many times theseroses are quite fragrantWait to prune these rosesuntil right after they flower

DONrsquoT

prune most roses whenForsythia is in bloom Pruneshrub roses back by half to

23 their height This is assuming you did not prunethem last fall If you did then next year wait until latewinter or early spring Prune Teas and Grandiflorasback to 18 - 24rdquo For climbing roses prune branchesemerging from the main canes back to within 3 - 4rdquoof the cane

DO

apply corn gluten tolawn areas yoursquoveseeded (or over-seeded) or to gar-dens where youwant biennialsperennials or annu-als to reseed andflower Corn glutendoes not distinguishbetween lsquogoodrsquoand lsquobadrsquo seeds

apply a pre-emer-gent weed killerand fertilizer toyour lawn A lushhealthy lawn

makes a beautiful frame for gardens Myfamily walked away from lawn chemicalsfive years ago And our lawn has neverlooked better Corn gluten is a big part ofthis transformation Corn gluten is a by-product of milled corn It will not harm chil-dren pets or wildlife Heck you can eat it ifyou want (but it tastes yucky) Corn Glutenis high in nitrogen and commonly used as alawn fertilizer But it is also a pre-emergenttargeting seeds as they germinate Youcan put corn gluten down at any point inthe spring BUT if part of your mission is toeliminate crabgrass then there is a narrowwindow of attackApply it whenForsythia is in fullbloom and beforeits leaves appearThe Forsythia is asoil temperatureindicator that cor-responds to whencrabgrass seedsstart to germinate More garden centersare now carrying corn gluten productsYou just need to ask and follow the appli-cation instructions on the bag Make sureto water in the corn gluten after applyingIt will remain effective for five to six weeks

Simply Saratoga | 53

DONrsquoT

DO

step on soil as you maneuver around thegarden to cut back Lavender and therest of the gang For that matter youshould never be tromping through yourgardens compacting soil This breaks

down air and water channels as well as making it tougher forroots to spread Instead reach into beds from existing paths orplace stepping stones in discreet spots where only your eyes cansee or lsquowalk the plankrsquo on a board to reach plants fartherlsquoadriftrsquo

54 | Simply Saratoga

cut back Lavender Russian SageMontauk Daisy Butterfly BushChrysanthemums and ornamental grass-es These are best left untouched in falland whacked in spring Many folks make

the mistake of acting too gingerly with pruners Let lsquoem fly Theresult will be more compact neater plants that will bloom just fineTrust me If it helps wait until yoursquove had a bad day at work withthe kids or in traffic

DONrsquoT

DO

divide Peonies German Bearded Iris orOriental Poppies in spring These are bestdone in late summer Also tap-rootedplants (those with a carrot-looking root)cannot be divided Think about it These

are usually propagated by seed stem or root cuttings Someperennials that fall into this category are Malva Butterfly WeedBalloon Flower Oriental Poppies and Lupines

Simply Saratoga | 55

DONrsquoT

divide plants in spring This is an optimumtime to divide most perennials Yes evenspring bloomers Wait until these haveflowered and then shear off the spentblooms and get to business Most sum-

mer and fall blooming perennials can be divided prior to mid-Junewithout disrupting their performance

DO

apply a time-released fertilizersuch as Plant-Tone(organic) orOsmocote to heavy

feeding perennials five to six weeks afterthe earlier granular fertilizer applicationMost plants do not need as much fertilizeras we are led in advertising to believe I amstingy with my money and maintenancetime so only a handful of plants get thisbonus feed Astilbe Delphinium Liliums (ieAsiatic Oriental Trumpet) Clematis androses If I am feeling generous I will putsome on my Bigleaf Hydrangeas next to theroses Call me heartlessJust scratch fertilizer intothe top couple inchesof soil around theplantrsquos base and waterin well They will enjoy anutritious snack forthree to four months

apply mulch ongarden beds toreduce weedsconserve moisture

reduce erosion minimize soil temperaturefluctuations and enhance the quality ofthe soil Some mulching materials includeaged manures compost shredded wood(not dyed) leaf moldand cocoa hulls Putthe mulch down 2rdquo to3rdquo thick around plantsincluding floweringshrubs

build up mulchagainst plant stems

And please please donrsquot create volcanomounds around trees Please This is awfulfor them The only ones that benefit fromthis are the people selling the mulch

56 | Simply Saratoga

DONrsquoT

DO

DO

rubber band orbraid the foliage ofspring bloomingbulbs after they fin-ish flowering You

want as much leaf surface exposed to thesun as possible to increase photosynthesisYou can press the leaves down next to thesoil so they are less noticeable

Simply Saratoga | 57

sect

And finally DO have a great year in

your gardens and DONrsquoT forget to

take time to smell the roses

DONrsquoT

DONrsquoT

cut off the spentblooms and stems onspring blooming bulbsafter they have flow-ered so energy is redirected to the bulbsversus seed productions Keep the leaves inplace until they have browned and ideallycan be pulled from the ground by hand

put time-released fertil-izer on perennials thatprefer lean dietsRicher soil just upsetstheir vascular systemsThey will get leggy flop and not perform tosnuff Yarrow Coneflower Catmint RussianSage Linum Sea Holly and Silvermound are inthe group

DO

For more information contact Perennially Yours at pyourscom

58 | Simply Saratoga

Ill mination

Exterior Stonework

an

d

Story Written by Arthur Gonick Photos Provided

u

Simply Saratoga | 59

To develop and implement an exterior vista that maximizes your enjoyment To have a backyard landscape that is warm inviting and uniquely yours

These are goals that many homeowners have when they first move onto their property But unless you are trained in the variety ofmaterials and options available the task of getting past the point of comparing possibilities to completing and actually enjoying yourbackyard paradise can appear to be a long daunting road

For Carl Trinkle a landscape designer for ten years with the Gallivan Companies of Troy one of the key elements in a successfultransformation is utilizing a professionalrsquos expertise to articulate goals and develop a plan

ldquoThe most important thing we do when we first meet with a client is to get them to discuss their basic needs and aims and encouragethem to formulate an overall vision for their property An initial consultation sets the tone we make an initial visit on-site to look overthe property so we can have an idea as to where things might be placedrdquo

ldquoDuring this intake process we actually encourage people to show us photos of their friendrsquos property that they like or perhaps froma magazine It helps most people to articulate the goals of what they would like to see as a finished projectrdquo Trinkle said ldquoEven if they are looking to do things in phases we find that it is most important to develop a comprehensive site planrdquo This eliminates the need to revise original phases of work to accommodate those that come in the future

60 | Simply Saratoga

that Mr Trinkle finds potential customers identifying with aredesigned to extend the outdoor season ldquoA few extra weeks outside isa lotrdquo he said

add-ons also extend outside activity each day Low voltage lighting is still the most popular but recently LED lighting with longer-lasting bulbs that involve less maintenance and are cost-efficienthave become more fashionable

The latest trends

stations fire pits and waterenhancements such as ponds andwaterfalls are the most frequentlyrequested items that broaden theoutdoor use season

Outdoor grill

Exterior lighting

Simply Saratoga | 61

And of course swimming pool projects have always been a most-requested

item Fifty percent of allthe projects Mr Trinkleworks on involve a pooleither a completely new installation or enhance-ments to existing poolsGallivanrsquos long-standingrelationship withConcord Pools has beena hallmark in assuringthat customers are satis-fied when their pool isput in the ground

62 | Simply Saratoga

In most cases a comprehensive plancan be developed for any project in about a period of twoweeks Complete drawings and cost breakdowns are provid-ed as well as the projected phases that can be completed injust a few months or on larger projects can be scheduled insegments over a few years These are reviewed in personwith the customer again the goal being to have a plan thateveryone buys into

Simply Saratoga | 63

ldquoWe have had projects where the customer has wanted tohave a lot of input and we welcome that But we also hadone where the client was out of town and we built a firepit and slide for his wife and kids and our only instructions were to dazzle themI remember it as a most satisfying experience and we ended up winning awards for that onerdquo

- Carl Trinkle Landscape DesignerThe Gallivan Companies

64 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 65

ldquoI get to work using my creativity with talented people Some of the most talented are those

I meet as customersrdquo sect

For more information or to schedule aconsultation phone Gallivan Companies at(518) 271-6100 Gallivanrsquos website iswwwGallivanCompaniescom

66 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 67

Buying a playhouse for your child is an excellent investment

They promote imaginative play and spending time outdoors and

double as storage space when no longer used for recreation

Denise Woodcock owner of Versatile Sheds in Wilton has

been helping parents and grandparents customize their childrsquos or

grandchildrsquos dream playhouses for years

ldquoThey make great gifts especially for grandparents who want

their grandkids to have their own place to play when they visitrdquo

she said

Playhouses are a great addition to a childrsquos outdoor world

They come in all shapes sizes and designs and can be custom-

built or finished if you donrsquot find exactly what yoursquore looking for

in a catalog or on the lot

Every child is different and has their own preferences for color

size and function boys and girls often have especially different

requests for their play space as do younger and more mature chil-

dren so therersquos a lot to consider

Denise knows how even the finest detail can be all it takes to

make an outdoor structure feel like a childrsquos own personal space

While it may seem superfluous to address every minor demand

the truth is a playhouse is more than just an expensive toy itrsquos an

investment The more your child connects with their space the more

use theyrsquoll get out of it ndash and according to Denise that means your

money is well spent

Smartest WayThe

playhouse for your kidsto buy a

Photos by MarkBollescomStory by Yael Goldman

68 | Simply Saratoga

With this in mind prospective buyers should first consider

who will use the playhouse and for how long as well as what

happens when the structure is no longer used for recreation

Versatile Sheds can help even the most discerning parent or

child find what theyrsquore looking for Every playhouse is hand-

built by Amish craftsmen who can accommodate almost any

special request at an additional cost so the possibilities are

endless inside and out

Cedar shingle or vinyl siding wood stone or brick ndash if you

can use it on the outside of your regular home it can be inte-

grated into your playhousersquos design Playhouses can be built

to look like a miniature version of your home which is an

excellent touch for parents that are particularly concerned

with aesthetics Porches shutters flowerboxes unique doors

chimneys and exterior lighting are just a few of the touches

that can brighten and personalize the exterior

Individualizing your childrsquos playhouse doesnrsquot stop at the

front door There are just as many interior features to choose

from ndash you can let your imagination run wild

For starters you have the option to order the playhouse

with a finished or unfinished interior The unfinished version

looks a lot like the inside of a regular home before you move

in paint the walls and furnish the rooms

Buying an unfinished structure is a great way to cut costs

and even bring the family together over a weekend decorating

project The possibilities are endless depending on how handy

you are otherwise a few coats of paint and a bit of carpeting

will surely do the trick

Although a bit pricey purchasing a playhouse with a fin-

ished interior ensures that your child gets exactly what they

want right off the bat They can pick everything from the paint

color to the flooring so the playhouse is move-in ready on the

day it arrives

Playhouses can also be insulated and wired for electricity

You can install lighting electrical outlets even heat or air-

conditioning to make your childrsquos outdoor space as comfort-

able as possible

And the options donrsquot end there Traditional sheds also dou-

ble as playhouses For some parents purchasing an adult-size

shed for their children is an ideal way to get the best return on

their investment Once their children grow out of it the struc-

ture can be used for outdoor storage With just as many styles

sizes and materials to choose from you can customize the

interior and exterior of your shed just as you would a play-

house but without all of the more frivolous features

ldquoAny shed can be a playhouserdquo Woodcock said explaining

how a custom paint job or flowerbox can transform a typical

storage unit into childrsquos outdoor activity haven

For example if purchasing a wood shed the exterior can be

easily painted and repainted when making the transition from

playhouse to storage space

For Denisersquos customers getting their moneyrsquos worth should

not have to mean making sacrifices

Simply Saratoga | 69

70 | Simply Saratoga

When Debby Trainor made the decision to buy her grand-

daughter Chezneyrsquos dream house she wanted it to have all the

bells and whistles She met with Denise to go over all the cri-

teria the goal was to buy the perfect gift for Chezney while

staying within her budget

The eight-year-old Greenwich girl wanted her own pretty

pink palace where she could play and imagine Debby wanted

it to be a cozy and safe place for her to play year-round

Customization and interior decoration helped make

Chezneyrsquos playhouse feel like her own little kingdom

ldquoWe made it look like a cute little dollhouserdquo she said ldquoWe

put furniture inside and a little stove fridge heater and TV

itrsquos just perfectrdquo

With the structure built to their liking Chezney and Debby

could enjoy decorating the inside to personalize the playhouse

For many customers putting on the finishing touches means

making the playhouse feel like home ndash you can add curtains

hang pictures buy furniture and appliances and landscape the

perimeter to make the outdoor space feel like a home away

from home

When the child grows out of their playhouse these items

can be easily removed to accommodate a secondary use for the

space

ldquoThe best thing that Denise did for me was explain how we

can use the playhouse for storage for stuff out in the yard after

Chezney has grown out of itrdquo Debby explained ldquoAlthough

she is only eight and will be using it for quite a few more

years this really makes it a good investment and looks

great in the backyardrdquo

Whether you choose a customized playhouse or a tradi-

tional shed thinking toward the future also ensures the

safety and longevity of the structure

Denise explained that placement is an important thing to

consider as you want to make sure the structure is in a safe

place and on an appropriate surface Most importantly the

playhouse must be built on a level even surface that isnrsquot

too high off of the ground

ldquoYou want it on a nice platformrdquo Denise explained

ldquoSome people use concrete but stone is better because it

allows moisture to seep down into the ground and away

from the structurerdquo

Most parents prefer that their playhouse is in the back-

yard where itrsquos easy to see from a window Placing the

structure in a shaded area is also a good idea it will be

cooler in the summer and less susceptible to the elements if

partially protected by trees

Debby had Chezneyrsquos playhouse built right next to her

swing set where she can be easily supervised

One last thing to consider when purchasing a playhouse

Simply Saratoga | 71

72 | Simply Saratoga

or shed for your child is how much effort

you want to put into maintaining it The

more ornate the structure the more care it

may need

Woodcock advises parents to preserve

their investment and treat the playhouse

like a miniature home

Think of it as a miniature house ndash the

structure requires regular maintenance

and upkeep to ensure your child will be

safe while enjoying years and years of

imaginative fun

With so many features and styles to

choose from yoursquore sure to find the best

for both you and your child

For more information about Versatile

Sheds or to set up a time to meet with

Denise Woodcock call (518) 584-7924

or stop by 669 Route 9 in Wilton sect

Simply Saratoga | 73

74 | Simply Saratoga

Kitchen

Not Your

Grandmarsquos

Story Written by Daniel Schechtman Photos Provided

ldquoAs you

walk into the kitchen

of the future LED

light projections adjust

to your mood - it will

know if you have a

hangover via sensors

that will read your

b r a i n w a v e s

Aromatherapy infused

walls will be synched

to your calendar calm-

ing you before a big

meeting or energizing you before a gym session The fridge will have selected some breakfast options identifying the essen-

tial vitamins for your day via sensors When you get home a hologram chef will be on hand for recipe inspirationrdquo

Alright so maybe your kitchen canrsquot do all of these things quite yet ndash but believe it or not wersquore getting there This is tomor-

rowrsquos kitchen a kitchen where your appliances donrsquot just store your food or wash your dishes ndash they talk to you providing you

with integral information on how to

best store your fruits and vegetables

letting you know if the refrigerator

door is open for too long or when a

part will soon need replacing

Simply Saratoga | 75

ldquoScience fictionrdquo I hear you say

Guess again Quoted from a report released by The Future Laboratory

who was commissioned by IKEA to determine what a modernkitchen in the year 2040 could conceivably look like

76 | Simply Saratoga

ldquoOne technology that really stands out to me is the

Miele Appliance Company Right now theyrsquore using a

program called lsquoremote visionrsquo On select applianceshellip

is a wireless card that clicks into a port on the back of

the appliance You synch it up with your home network

and it basically emails the technician and the owner

when itrsquos broken when you need to clean your condens-

er change your water filter or schedule a routine serv-

icerdquo said Tom Thibeault owner of Adirondack

Appliance Repair Inc located at 67 West Ave in

Saratoga Springs ldquoMaybe somebodyrsquos been opening the

[refrigerator] door for too long or the door was left open

ndash it will email you and tell you that your door is left

openrdquo

This is not your grandmarsquos kitchen This my friends

is the kitchen of the future and itrsquos available now

The 36 inch bottom-mount Miele refrigerator boasts a

striking interior featuring LED lighting running along

the sides from top to bottom stainless steel accents and

exteriors with control systems that would be comfort-

able alongside the captainrsquos chair on the Starship

Enterprise

Simply Saratoga | 77

ldquoThe controls in the Miele really stand out

Looking at the controls theyrsquore just a glass piece and

then once you touch it you see a few options for the

different compartments Then you touch the compart-

ment and the temperature is displayed so itrsquos kind of

like a Star Trek controlrdquo Thibeault said

And thatrsquos just the refrigerator

Adirondack Appliance has also seen brands such as

Wolf (a company owned by the same people who own

Sub-Zero) grow in popularity when it comes to their

range stoves and ovens The dual convection oven

works to eliminate cold spotting and provides consis-

tent even temperatures and even allows for unique

options such as proofing ndash used best when baking

homemade bread

ldquoIt also has a temperature probe you can plug into

things like a turkey or roast so you can see the temper-

ature while itrsquos still inside the machine It has

hydraulic hinges halogen lit interiors everything is

composed of stainless steel and itrsquos by far one of the

best lines on the marketrdquo Thibeault said

A new line coming to Adirondack Appliance that

features some amazing technology is a series of Pro-

Style Ranges produced by industry giant Jenn-Air

ldquoThat actually has an LCD touch

screen like an IPAD for the controls The

temperature is set by sliding your finger

along the controls Itrsquos all color backlit and

absolutely amazingrdquo Thibeault said

ldquoAnother thing we have to that same

effect are some of the hoods which have

really been getting pretty out there as far as

design We have one on our floor [by Miele]

that has an LED bar on the front which

changes in phases between 196000 colors

Itrsquos a very delicate change very pretty and

coolrdquo Thibeault said adding ldquoor you can set

it to any color in that spectrum yoursquod like to

accent your cabinetryrdquo

When it comes to dishwashers Thibeault

can attest to the quality of both the Asko and

Miele brands both of which he uses in his

own home And good news for Saratoga

Springs residents ndash

ldquoIn our market in

Saratoga we have a

very hard water base

whether yoursquore on a well

system or city waterrdquo

Thibeault said ldquoSo you

get a lot of minerals in

the machine With the

stainless steel interiors it

eliminates a lot of prob-

lems generally seen with

plastic interior tubs and

usually they are the best

life expectanciesrdquo

78 | Simply Saratoga

Asko and Mieleare practically custom made to handle the

arearsquos typicallymineral rich water

Simply Saratoga | 79

The Asko brand dishwasher takes things one step

further including two pumps in the washerrsquos system

The first pump filters the water cleansing it of poten-

tially harmful minerals while the second pump recircu-

lates the water ensuring that the machine is never

blasting your dishes with food debris or dirty residue

With Miele the design features a built-in water sof-

tener perfect for dealing with the Saratoga water

system

ldquoTypically the Miele is going to do a better job with

tougher baked in stainsrdquo said Thibeault ldquobecause itrsquos

got the softener in it and a little bit longer pots and pans

cyclerdquo

80 | Simply Saratoga

Adirondack Appliance Repair Inc is a fami-

ly-owned business since 1929 and the last inde-

pendent appliance retailer of its kind in Saratoga

Springs With $6 billion of buying power behind

their name (a benefit of being part of the Nation

Wide Appliance Buying Group) Thibeault

promised ldquowe can actually price match the box

stores and everybody else around all while pro-

viding you with better service and better

productsrdquo

For more information on AdirondackAppliance or the products they sell you mayvisit their showroom located at 67 West Avenuein Saratoga Springs for live demonstrationsThey can also be reached by phone at (518)587-6640 or you may visit them at their newwebsite wwwadkappliancecom where cus-tomers can browse through the storersquos entirecatalogue of appliances

sect

Simply Saratoga | 81

82 | Simply Saratoga

Page 25: Simply Saratoga March 2011

Cutting Edge Martial ArtsCutting Edge Martial Artrsquos A+ After

School and Summer Camp Program is a year-

round child care solution that provides a pos-

itive structured environment for children

after school and during the day in the sum-

mer During the school year we pick chil-

dren up directly from the local elementary

and middle schools and provide an hour les-

son that starts with our ldquoMat Chatrdquo a ten

minute character education lesson for the day

followed by a full 50 minute martial arts

class Parents have a window between 5 and

545 pm to pick up their children while chil-

dren have the opportunity after class to get

their homework started

During the summer children get all the

benefits of our A+ Program but on a grander

scale We offer nine weeks of full day camps

and have no minimum or maximum number

of days per week or number of weeks that a

student can attend Each week of camp we

have a curriculum of character education

lessons fun games and a one hour martial

arts class every day We watch a movie in

the afternoons twice a week have a video

game morning on Fridays and take all our

campers on an educa-

tional outing on

Wednesdays and a

fun and exciting out-

ing every Friday

Our average camp

size is 20-25 stu-

dents and we have

three full time staff

graphed by Sarah Sutliff

Saratoga Childrenrsquos Theatre also offers a one-

week camp at the end of the summer ldquoMaster

your Auditionrdquo This camp will help your child

get ready for fall and winter auditions These

audition workshops have been very popular and

sell out quickly Any child at any skill level with

an interest in performing arts is welcome to join

in on the fun Saratoga Childrenrsquos Theatre

Executive Director Meg Kelly aims to give each

camper the most rewarding and enjoyable camp

experience and every camper will get to perform

The Saratoga Childrenrsquos Theatre hires profes-

sionals to help your child gain the most from

their summer camp experience

The cost for a two-week session is $450 and

$250 for the one-week session For more infor-

mation visit wwwsaratogachildrenstheatreorg

or call (518) 580-1782

For kids who have a passion for per-

forming arts Saratoga Childrenrsquos Theatre

summer camp is a dream come true

Saratoga Childrenrsquos Theatre offers per-

formance camps which means each

camper will be working on a full-fledged

production throughout their session

Campers will learn all aspects of perform-

ance and will have the opportunity to per-

form in two shows at the end of camp a

matinee and an evening show are both

open to the public Campers will perform

on stage at St Petersrsquo Auditorium

Saratoga Springs Camp hours are 9am-

3pm Performance camp is divided into

two age groups

Ages 6-9 will participate in one week

camps These camps will include Disneyrsquos

Sleeping Beauty kids Cinderella kids

Aristocats kids 101 Dalmatians kids and

Lemonade These camps will be directed by

Megan OrsquoSullivan a local elementary school

music teacher and assisted by Karey

Trimmings also a local elementary school

music teacher

Ages 10-18 will participate in two-week

camps Each camp will practice and perform a

different show These

camps include

Thoroughly Modern

Mille Jr Cinderella Jr

Fiddler on the Roof Jr

and Once on this Island

Jr These camps will be

directed by Michael

Lotano local actor and

elementary school music

teacher and choreo-

Saratoga Childrenrsquos Theatre

Simply Saratoga | 27

working with our students

Our goal is to provide a family-friendly

and fun environment that feels like a home

away from home Our students have fun

learning skills that can be used every day of

their lives and we try to provide memories

that will last a lifetime For many our

summer camps are a wonderful introduc-

tion to martial arts

For more information visit

wwwsaratogamartialartscom

or call (518) 587-5501

28 | Simply Saratoga

Saratoga Independent SchoolSaratoga Independent School hosts a variety of summer

programs split into two age groups three to eight year-olds

Wilton Recreation CampWilton Recreation offers a full-day summer

camp program for children in grades one

through nine With available pre-camp and

post-camp care working parents can ensure

their children are having fun in a safe environ-

ment before and after the camprsquos regular 9 am to

3 pm hours Parents who register their children

for before and after camp care can drop off their

children prior to camp opening at 830 am and

can pick them up at 530 pm Bussing is avail-

able for Wilton residents who register for regu-

lar camp hours (9 am to 3 pm)

Wilton Recreation Camp offers a full sched-

ule of daily onsite activities themed events and

exciting trips for kids who register for off-site

adventures Daily on-site activities include arts

and crafts sports playground fun and other

organized group games This yearrsquos scheduled

field trips include Million Dollar Beach in Lake

George movie days at Proctors Theater

Saratoga County Fair bowling white water

rafting and at least two swimming days per

week at Peerless Pool

The Summer 2011 camp will open on

June 27 and run until August

12 Registration begins

March 14 at Gavin Park and

will close on June 3 As

there are only 300 spaces

available be sure to mark

your calendar Camp

registration forms are

available online at

wwwtownofwiltoncom or

can be picked up weekdays

at Gavin Park 9 am to 5 pm

For any other questions

please call the park office at (518) 584-9455

and seven to 14 year-olds The weeklong programs run from July 5

to August 19

Saratoga Independent School summer programs are staffed large-

ly by their own teachers so parents can rest assured their kids are

supervised in a safe environment with experienced teachers who are

knowledgeable about child development and hands-on

programming

For the younger group weekly themed programs run from 9 am

to noon (early drop-off at 830 available) The staff-to-camper ratio

is one to six for children ages three and four and one to ten for chil-

dren ages five to eight Themed programs include ldquoCooking with

Curiosityrdquo ldquoHawaiian Hullabaloordquo ldquoHands-On Science Funrdquo

ldquoHoliday-A-Dayrdquo ldquoGood Versus Evil Imaginations Run Wildrdquo

ldquoDinosaur Discoveryrdquo ldquoIn the Jungle the Mighty Junglerdquo

Activities take place both indoors and outdoors

The selection of enrichment programs for older children is even

more extensive this year than in the past Some programs will take

place in the mornings others in the afternoon Age ranges will vary

depending on the subject matter These specialty programs give chil-

dren an opportunity to develop new interests and expand on existing

skills Programs include ldquoCartooning and Morerdquo ldquoImprovisationrdquo

ldquoKnittingrdquo ldquoOpen Art Studiordquo ldquoYou Can Do Magicrdquo ldquoGet Up and

Dancerdquo ldquoRoaring into Robots Whatrsquos Nextrdquo ldquoArt in the Ancient

Worldrdquo ldquoMad Sciencerdquo ldquoComputer Video Game Creationrdquo

ldquoAdvanced Robot Challengesrdquo and ldquoArt-Math Connectionrdquo

Registration has already begun and the programs fill up quickly so

visit wwwsiskidsorg for more information and to secure a space

for your child

Simply Saratoga | 29

Are your kids looking for an adventure this summer The

Saratoga Regional YMCA has two exciting day camps available

Camp Starhitch held at the Wilton Branch which engages children

with a multitude of fun activities and a trip each week and Travel

Camp where participants meet at the Saratoga Springs Branch and

then travel off to fun and thrilling places each day

Camp Starhitch is for children having completed Kindergarten

through entering fifth grade Campers will participate in games

sports crafts nature activities trips swimming archery and more

Each week is planned around a theme and includes a trip For exam-

ple during ldquo70rsquos Flashbackrdquo week campers will go roller skating

during ldquoThe Wild Frontierrdquo week kids will have the opportunity to

go horseback riding and during ldquoTropical Paradiserdquo week partici-

pants may ldquocatch a gnarly waverdquo at an outdoor water park

Travel Camp is definitely for the action seeker and for those who

like to be on the go This program for youth entering fifth through

tenth grade provides campers an opportunity to travel each and every

day to fun-filled locations Participants explore different summer

activities that include amusement and water parks outdoor sports

fairs and horseback riding This year the trips include a visit to Hunter

Mountain Six Flags New England Tubing on the Battenkill NY

Mets game at Citi Field the NY State Fair and more

Camp Starhitch and Travel Camp both run for nine one-week ses-

sions You may choose to attend camp for one week or any combina-

tion of weeks Experienced counselors supervise children and a ratio

of 110 ensures a safe quality camping experience CPR and First Aid

certified camp staff will be present on all trips At Travel Camp

campers will be grouped according to age and are supervised by expe-

rienced adult staff

Camp Starhitch has two day camp options for your child Option A

allows for your child to be dropped off at 9 am and picked up at 4 pm

and Option B has a 7 am drop off time and a 6 pm pick up time

Travel Camp runs from 9 am to 430 pm and extended hours are

available at no additional cost This year transportation will be provid-

ed in both directions between the Saratoga Springs and Wilton

branches Pickups will be as early as 815 am and drop-offs will be

as late as 5 pm Both camps try to cater to working parents

In addition the Saratoga Regional YMCA is committed to provid-

ing a safe and welcoming environment for all campers by incorporat-

ing the YMCAcore values of caring honesty respect and responsibil-

ity in daily activities To promote safety and comfort for all individu-

als are asked to act appropriately at all times when at the Yrsquos facilities

or participating in Y programs All campers are required to read and

sign a contract of understanding in reference to the Code of Conduct

We expect persons using the YMCAto act maturely to behave respon-

sibly and to respect the rights and dignity of all othersmdashall while

having a good time

The Y also has opportunities available for those who may not have

the resources to send their children to camp The Y provides scholar-

ships for those who qualify Scholarships are made possible due to

the generous donations of Y members the community and businesses

to the ldquoWe Build Peoplerdquo scholarship campaign held by the Saratoga

Regional YMCA each year Scholarship applications are available at

all Saratoga Regional YMCA branches and online at wwwsaratogare-

gionalymcaorg

Registration is currently ongoing and fills up quickly Registration

forms are available at any of the Saratoga Regional YMCA Branches

or at wwwsaratogaregionalymcaorg For more information about

these day camps please contact Ilene Leverence at (518) 583-9622

ext 103 for Camp Starhitch and Patti Laudicina at (518) 583-9622

ext 110 or Paige Minear ext 116 for Travel Camp

Saratoga YMCA

30 | Simply Saratoga

Ask women about the greatest threat to their health and most will

respond incorrectly with the words ldquobreast cancerrdquo While breast cancer

certainly is of concern the truth is that women are 10 times more like-

ly to die from heart disease Breast cancer kills 1 in 25 women heart

disease claims 1 in 2

The most recent statistics available indicate that cardiovascular dis-

ease causes the death of 500000 women per year ndash more than ALL

forms of cancer combined This is a rate of epidemic proportion

Little or no warning

Two-thirds of women die suddenly from heart disease without expe-

riencing any warning symptoms The majority die before they even

reach the hospital and before any attempt at treatment is possible Early

screening and the detection that leads to prevention offer the only hope

of reducing these deaths

Women who do develop heart disease tend to fare worse than men

One reason is that on average heart disease peaks 10 years later in

women than in men At this older age women are less able to withstand

the stress of the disease The proof can be found in a disturbing statis-

tic One year after their first heart attack 44 percent of women are dead

compared with 27 percent of men

Clearly for women preventing that first heart attack would make an

enormous difference

Know the risks

What can be done to prevent and detect heart disease in women

Of foremost importance is to reduce ndash or if possible eliminate ndash the

conditions that cause or accelerate the growth of blockages in the arter-

ies of the heart These conditions known as risk factors include high

Women Take this warning to heart

Story By Andrij O Baran MD

blood pressure diabetes genetic high cholesterol a high-fat

diet an inactive lifestyle smoking and cocaine use

Some damage the lining of the heartrsquos arteries speeding the

buildup of cholesterol Others raise blood cholesterol Both

smoking and cocaine use speed blood clotting They also can

cause sudden cramps or spasms in the coronary arteries cut-

ting off the entire blood supply to portions of the heart even

without a cholesterol blockage

A woman who has one or more of these risk factors should

ask her doctor how best to control them She also should ask

about further screening and testing such as stress testing

The sooner the better

Lifestyle changes and medications can have a dramatic

impact on reducing the incidence of heart attack provided cho-

lesterol blockages are detected early ndash before damage to the

heart has occurred In fact drugs that lower cholesterol alone

have been unequivocally shown to reduce the risk of heart

attack and death by up to 50 percent

When added to a program of low-fat diet exercise control

of high blood pressure and diabetes and above all else no

smoking the benefits are magnified many times over Keep in

mind of course that these drugs work only if they are taken

and taken appropriately

By knowing and changing their risk factors all women can

ensure themselves of a longer and more vibrant life

Andrij O Baran MD FACC is the Medical Director of

Cardiology Services at Saratoga Hospital

Simply Saratoga | 31

A c t F a s t D u r i n g H e a r t A t t a c k s According to the American Heart

Association clot-busting drugs can stop

some heart attacks in progress reducing

disability and saving lives They work best

given within one hour of when heart

attack signs begin Thatrsquos why itrsquos impor-

tant to recognize the warning signs of a

heart attack and act right away

Warning Signs

bull Pain or discomfort in the jaw

neck or back

bull Feeling weak lightheaded or faint

bull Chest paindiscomfort

bull Paindiscomfort in the arms or

shoulder

bull Shortness of breath

If you think that you or someone you

know is having a heart attack call 911

immediately

32 | Simply Saratoga

Who would believe that a rabbi from Eastern

Europe frozen for 150 years in a block of ice could

be transported across time and space to Memphis

where he thaws then becomes a spiritual guru to

baby boomers Arguably nobody But Steve Stern

the author of ldquoThe Frozen Rabbirdquo his most recent

novel isnrsquot asking readers to believe it so much as

to let the characters tell their story Besides the plot

may be far-fetched but he already has a buyer for

the movie rights

Writer-in-residence at Skidmore College Stern is

a genius at creating human beings in fantastical cir-

cumstances who seem more like eccentric neigh-

bors than artifacts of science fiction Some fly

some inhabit other peoplersquos dreams some are res-

urrected and some travel through time Whatever

their superpowers or frailties the heroes and vil-

lains tricksters and innocents and witnesses and

bystanders in Sternrsquos short and long fiction deserve

attention and evoke compassion in their quest for

connection and redemption - or at least food and

shelter From within an inexhaustible vein of

Jewish folklore and oral history his characters

emerge into a lucid fictional universe that embraces

both magic and the mundane Dialogue is ironic as

often as it is mystical and the most ordinary days

serve as backdrops for incredible events

ldquoMiracles are commonplacerdquo says Stern a

Ballston Spa resident ldquoI donrsquot write in metaphors

and symbols deliberately Writing is a visceral

experience for me I read with interest what review-

ers say about my repetitive themes and ideas but I

am driven by images and characters Irsquom a compul-

sive storytellerrdquo

Steve Stern A Lyrical Voice in the Ghetto

B

o

o

k

m

a

r

k

Lean bespectacled and haloed in dark curls Stern

is a Memphis native who grew up in a home bereft

of music books and art in a city made famous by

Elvis Presley (who used to drive through Sternrsquos

neighborhood) and Martin Luther Kingrsquos assassina-

tion He remembers himself as ldquoa mediocre adoles-

cent without confidence or spiritual antennardquo first

stirred to write poetry in high school which he read

aloud for attention

ldquoI was surprised people liked itrdquo he says ldquoAnd I

liked writing it even though it embarrassed me But

I was encouraged to go on and later to try proserdquo

The allure of the late lsquo60s and early lsquo70s was not

academic After college Stern wandered through

Europe then worked as a butcher on a hippie com-

mune in the Ozarks raising pigs and eating off the

land ldquoI slept under five blankets and two dogsrdquo he

recalls (The incarnation has been memorialized in a

comic strip by Sternrsquos girlfriend Sabrina a cartoon-

ist and set designer for Saturday Night Live)

The commune was not too far from the University

of Arkansas where Stern attended graduate school

and played volleyball with Bill and Hillary Clinton

ldquoI hoped he would mention me in his inaugural

addressrdquo Stern sighs

With an MA Stern found teaching gigs at vari-

ous colleges but the work dried up forcing him to

take a job at a folklore center in Memphis first tran-

scribing stories about the black community then

launching a life-changing project to preserve the

stories of the fading Jewish population in a desolate

Memphis ghetto known as ldquoThe Pinchrdquo where

many of his stories are set

Story By Helen Susan Edelman

ldquoBernie scrunched his face in thought Gone was his waryimpulse to keep everything secret and there were times of latewhen he felt almost reckless almost ready to tell the world whileon the other hand he suspected he may have already confided toomuch ldquoI thinkrdquo he said after some consideration ldquoIrsquom startingto outgrow myselfrdquo

mdash Steve Stern ldquoThe Frozen Rabbirdquo

Photo by Josh GerritsenSteve Stern

Simply Saratoga | 33

ldquoIt was intoxicatingrdquo says Stern ldquoI became obsessed with

itrdquo Indeed his work is infused with the folklore images lan-

guage archetypes settings rituals and values embedded in

the memories he recorded and in the vast Jewish and Yiddish

literature he has studied since

A non-observant Jew Stern had no relationship with his

religion so the introduction to his exotic legacy was both

anchor and springboard for a prolific new consciousness

ldquoThe floodgates openedrdquo he says ldquoSuddenly this world

began to materialize for me What had been barren neighbor-

hoods I could see vividly as tenements and shops a town

square street traffic merchants pawnbrokers rabbis chil-

drenhellipimmigrants from Eastern Europe looking for a homerdquo

Stern is comfortable writing about transcendent wisdom as

long as itrsquos his characterrsquos voice

and not his own

dispensing the

insights The

frozen rabbi in

the book of the

same name for

example ldquoradiates

within his zone of

influence and is a

spiritual catalyst

for anyone who

encounters himrdquo

says Stern ldquowhere-

as I am a clicheacute a

Jew who grew up

without an identityrdquo

A winner of both

Guggenheim and

Fulbright fellowships

as well as the National

Jewish Book Award

the Pushcart Prize an

OrsquoHenry Prize and the Edward Lewis Wallant Award Stern

is working on a new novel and rereading Faulkner Tolstoy

Dickens and Joyce

He views each new writing project as ldquoa riskrdquo Experience

last summer also reminded him of the evanescence of popu-

larity he gave two readings one in Memphis which drew

such a crowd that doors had to be locked and one in St

Louis where he commanded an audience of four

ldquoJust like the characters in my storiesrdquo Stern observes ldquoI

encounter conflicts look for a way to escape and face mixed

consequencesrdquo sect

How is your mental state these days Are

you experiencing peace and joy in every-

day life or frustration and impatience Are

you living your life ldquoon purposerdquo or going

through the motions feeling numb and dead

on the inside How is the garden of your

mind Are you tending to your garden or letting

the weeds take over

When I lived in Boston I lived next door to an elder-

ly woman who had a beautiful garden Every morning my

neighbor was outside in her floral moo moo (circa Mrs

Roper from Threersquos Company) tending carefully to each

plant and flower She would spend hours walking around her

garden joyfully humming and making sure her flowers were

strong and healthy Many mornings I would sip my coffee

and watch her peacefully pulling out the weeds and tending

to her precious flowers To this day I remember how tall and

lovely her sunflowers were I think our mental state can be

compared to tending to a garden do we have beautiful sun-

flowers of joy and peace or toxic weeds of bitterness and

guilt

The weeds in your heart and mind are feelings of bitterness

anger guilt self-loathing and negativity Do you spend your

days reviewing the list of those that have offended

you Do you beat yourself up daily for past mis-

takes or regrets These are the weeds that can

take over your mind and lead to racing

thoughts a dark depression constant

anxiety or physical illness and

chronic pain If you are someone

that is easily frustrated impatient

and critical you can be sure you

34 | Simply Saratoga

Tending to theGarden of Your MindDealing with the Weeds in your Life

Simple Truths

have some weeds to deal with

The only path to peace and joy in your everyday life is to

pull your weeds out from the root and confront the issues

Holding on to your weeds only makes you ill and deadens

your heart Did you know that people who are full of bitter-

ness and resentment appear older and are not as physically

attractive as people who are full of peace and love The

weeds in your heart and mind can actually make you ugly

Likewise a mind that is content and peaceful gives us a

sparkle and light in our eyes that people are automatically

attracted to Forget the anti-wrinkle cream and Botox Fill

your heart and mind up with the best kept beauty secret

around love and forgiveness

Forgiveness is not about letting the person who hurt you

off the hook Forgiveness IS allowing light into our hearts

so that we can heal and move forward It takes the heavy

burden of offense and resentment off of our hearts and

minds while preparing the ldquosoilrdquo for new growth and

experiences

When possible confront the people you need to forgive

so that you can have closure and move on If it is not pos-

sible to confront the person that is the weed in your life

write them a letter expressing your hurt and anger (not to

send but in a private journal) This is a wonderful way to

give yourself closure and put your feelings out on the table

More often than not the person we have to forgive or con-

front is ourselves If you are constantly beating yourself up

and feeling guilty about your past make a choice to forgive

yourself

Donrsquot be lazy about your weeds Dig deep and pull out

your weeds so that you can make room for peace and joy

We all desire to feel love and be accepted That accept-

Meghan DLemery LCSW-R

Simply Saratoga | 35

ance starts with you Begin to focus on peaceful loving joyful

thoughts Keep a gratitude journal of what you love about your-

self or the loved ones in your life Practice planting seeds of joy

by giving acceptance and love to everyone around you

Take time to practice patience and kindness to your family

friends colleagues and that slow cashier at the grocery store Go

out of your way to help others in any way that you can All of

these acts of kindness plant the seeds of peace love joy and

abundance

As we approach the new season of spring take some time to

tend to the garden of your mind

Wishing you love self-acceptance and peace this spring and

always

Ms Lemery is a psychotherapist practic-ing in Saratoga Springs and QueensburyShe can be reached at meghanle-meryyahoocom

Her first novel will be pub-lished this Spring TitledldquoPlease Pass the BarbieShoesrdquo it is a hilarious heart-warming story that will haveyou feeling inspiredand empowered

sect

36 | Simply Saratoga

Living Room The custom-designed leather couch chair andottoman come from Suttons The stucco fireplace was inspired by theCollinsrsquo travels through the Southwest and Colorado (ldquowe wanted to avoida traditional river rock fireplacerdquo) and provides a heat source as well asbeauty The original structure was built for passive solar design no airconditioning is needed in the summer A wood stove is the primary heatsource radiant heat with natural gas was also added during the renova-tion

The front door as well as all the interior doors was custom-made fittedand replaced by Tom Zanetti Hickory wood floors were also installed dur-ing the addition A hanging stained glass chandelier is a stock itemobtained from a leading home supply retailer ldquoIt captures the sunlightbeautifully along with providing brilliant nighttime illuminationrdquo Tedsaid ldquoItrsquos an eclectic mixrdquo

Simply Saratoga | 37

Today we look at a creative space that is set into a special place

In 1993 Ted and Susan Collins purchased a seven-acre property

with a 1986 Timberpeg designed home that has all the qualities of

a place in the country ndash yet many would be surprised to learn that

it is actually located on the border of Saratoga Springs near the

Alpine Shop on Clinton Street After a number of years living in

apartments on Union Avenue and Franklin Square enjoying the

proximity to downtown and the track they couldnrsquot resist a spot

that was close to town but yet had lots of land

Their overall vision was for an interior space that was in accord

with the outside ndash the wildlife gardens and the sustainable philos-

ophy embodied in the original buildingrsquos passive solar design

ldquoEverything we do embraces the goals of staying true to the orig-

inal structure having an open welcoming interior and being in

harmony with the outdoorsrdquo Ted said

Inspired by travels in balance with the land

Story By Arthur GonickPhotos by copystockstudiosphotographycom

These principles guided a major transformation of the interior

space in 2006 The key element was an addition to the home that

enabled the living room kitchen and upstairs bedroom to be

expanded allowing space for the installation of a downstairs bath

as well

Susan and Ted led this transformation - visualizing an addition

that incorporated equilibrium of size location and overall propor-

tion They went through several iterations with Rick Deforest of

Heritage Timberframes

Even though much of the interior decor came from travels in

Africa the South Pacific and Colorado the building materials and

craftsmen are all local The timbers and wood flooring were milled

in nearby Kingsbury ldquoWe enjoyed working with professionals who

are also friends like Rick Deforest Tom Zanetti and Mike

Roohanrdquo Ted said ldquothe house now feels complete in balancerdquo sect

Unique Places and Creative Spaces If you would like to nominate a unique

or creative place to be featured emailentertainmentsaratogapublishingcom

38 | Simply Saratoga

Kitchen A wall was taken out that afforded space to add an eat-in island area and

open up the space Custom cabinets are by Tom Zanetti Stonework andappliances were added Both the kitchen and bathroom have granite table-tops (from Mike and Margaret Roohan of Granite and Marble Works)New appliances include a Bosch stove (with a built-in microwave drawer)and an Amana stainless refrigerator

Bathroom The bathroom ceiling is pine The showerarea was designed and built to the Collinsrsquo specifications andfeatures a bench 4 shower heads PLUS an extra hand-held one(ldquoItrsquos a human car washrdquo) The stone tiles on the sides and floorin the shower were installed by Best Tile the plumbing in theshower comes from Aird Dorrance as does the sink ndash which sitson a granite top from Granite and Marble Works The windowleads out to the north side of the house with privacy blinds insidethe window panes One thing you donrsquot see ldquoSince the room ison display in the center of the expanded first floor we wanted thecommode to be mostly hiddenrdquo Ted said

Unique Places and Creative Spaces

Simply Saratoga | 39

Living RoomA reading nook sits upon the bathroom addition ldquoThere was no full bathroom on the first

floor and with a post and beam construction we had to be creative You get outstanding viewsof the property pond and stream when viewed from the nookrsquos perspectiverdquo The ladder canswing out on a track making it more like walking up a staircase ndash this was also designed andinstalled by Tom Zanetti The table in the nook is actually a working African drum with a glasstable top added

40 | Simply Saratoga

Bedroom In the second-floor master bedroom moving the dormer brought in extra light and space and

also brought the roofline together with the original structure and first-floor additions The floorand ceiling are made of rough-cut pine planking The bed is also constructed of pine and comesfrom Suttons The window in the upper left was cut during the addition It faces west for extra day-time light

Simply Saratoga | 41

42 | Simply Saratoga

Story Written by Yael Goldman Photos by Samu Studios and Randall Perry Photography

Simply Saratoga | 43

orking with the

right interior designer

turns listless decision making

into an enjoyable and productive

process that avoids costly mistakes

and delivers exceptional results

Designing a room or an entire home is a

big project no matter how strong your tastes are

The decisions are endless ndash what color should I paint the

walls What flooring is most aesthetically appealing and

dog-friendly Should I choose a furniture set or choose

individual pieces Do I want curtains or shades Do I

decorate with knick-knacks or artwork

But with all the unique self-questioning that surrounds

an interior design project most homeowners share angst

in asking themselves one specific question where do I

start

Itrsquos at this point ndash when stress level increases enjoy-

ment-driven projects turn deadly and money has been

wastefully spent on all the wrong things ndash that you long

for the help of a professional if only you could afford it

Well the truth is you can

Creating the right space can be expensive but is only

more so if you make mistakes and have to go back and

fix them If you do it right the first time therersquos no cost

associated with do-overs

With nearly 100 years of experience between them all

four members of Blairhouse Interiors Group have

worked with more than enough unhappy do-it-your-

selfers to tell you yoursquore not alone

Photo by Samu Studios

44 | Simply Saratoga

The four-member designproject therapy team which recently

opened a studio in Saratoga Springs has a long history of help-

ing home and business owners create their ideal spaces and

atmospheres the right way Their exceptional work is celebrated across

the Capital Region including Saratoga Springs where the Blairhouse

look is prominently featured in a handful of Park Place condominiums

and the incredible Saratoga National Golf Club

Thomas R Burns Meghan Baltich Dominic Carota and Patricia

Richards the highly skilled and charismatic force behind Blairhouse

Interiors Group promise an experience that is personal because itrsquos all

about your needs ndash and thatrsquos what is important

Blairhouse offers full-service interior design services space planning

project management hand-picked merchandise patience and an uncan-

ny ability to create a

look that is always

fresh sophisticated

and comfortable

ldquoThe style that we

gravitate toward is

unique cutting-edge

and modern not dic-

tated by corporaterdquo

said Meghan Baltich

pointing to a ldquovery

propitiousrdquo Keith Fritz

table at the center of

the studio

Photo by Randall Perry Photography

If you do it right the firsttime therersquos no cost

associated with do-oversPhoto by Randall Perry Photography

One glance at the Park Place showroom ndash of the selective furnishings carefully showcased along

the periphery ndash and it becomes clear why Blairhouse an award-winning team gets the job

done

Their creativity focus and immaculate sense of direction bring objectivity to the scene helping you nar-

row down all of the tedious and overwhelming choices that make do-it-yourself decorating an exercise in

unclear thinking

ldquoPeople are overwhelmed by all the choices it can feel like theyrsquore in a paralyzed blurrdquo said Thomas

Burns who finds that a great vision can be impossible to imagine and create without eliminating all of

the distractions

A vital step in getting focused is creating a

comprehensive plan based on individual

needs wants and style that addresses all

aspects of lifestyle and taste and suggests

tactful solutions and fresh approaches to new

and existing spaces

They help you identify what you like

forcing you to hone in on what you want and

need to compliment and enhance your

lifestyle

ldquoWe ascertain the clientrsquos goal and

lifestyle to convey their visionrdquo said

Dominic Carota explaining that the intended

outcome of creating or reinventing a room is

often strictly tied to how you want to live in

it

ldquoWe have to know how they functionrdquo he

said

An interior designer is an asset in the func-

tion-meets-style equation

Dominic explained that a couple starting a family will have far

different needs than empty-nesters looking for a change They may

have the same stylistic goals but their execution will differ based on

how their lifestyle exists within the space

When revamping a single room the majority of your focus is ded-

icated to that individual space making it easy to forget that the rest

of the house is attached Establishing connectivity between rooms is

a challenge but an important part of executing a project the right

way

Sometimes one wrong detail no matter how small can be incred-

ibly impactful and difficult to avoid on your own

ldquoIf yoursquore working on a new addition or renovation we ensure it

flows that therersquos balance between the existing part of the living

space and the new additionrdquo Meghan Baltich said explaining that

it just doesnrsquot make sense to put in a great new kitchen if itrsquos dis-

jointed and out of place from its surroundings

Another common novice mistake is the trendy retail store fallacy

that you can order a full room from a catalog or pick a fabulous and

unique design from a floor plan

Blairhouse clients learn the difference between ldquocookie-cutterrdquo

and ldquocustomrdquo and they are never concerned with picking the wrong

piece for the wrong room

Simply Saratoga | 45

ome customers will come to us after going into a Pottery Barn and buying stuff that just didnrsquot workrdquo Baltich said giving the

example of an individual who purchased an enormous sectional for a tiny room ldquoWe scale into the clientrsquos space taking func-

tion and proportion into considerationrdquo

Exceptional listening and observation skills are the designerrsquos

unsung attributes and greatest assets Blairhouse experts engage

with their clients to gain a true understanding of what they want

In turn the design process becomes an eye-opening experience

customers are introduced to colors and concepts they would

never think to consider

ldquoEach client trusts us to create their environment and we

enable them to make informed decisionsrdquo Patricia Richards

said

And sometimes that requires bold suggestions and collabora-

tion or looking at all of the possibilities even the ones ldquoyou

would never have been brave enough to do on your ownrdquo

In the end the experience of working with the experts is

enjoyable stress-free and cost-effective From concept to com-

pletion the result is just what you want and need ndash a fabulous

marriage of function and aesthetic that wonrsquot have you coming

back for more (because you did it right the first time) sect

ldquoS

46 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 47

For a taste of Blairhouse Interiors Grouprsquos distinctive work stop into their Park Place studio located at 262 Broadway Suite 204 in Saratoga Springs For further details visit wwwblairhouseinteriorscom or call (518) 786-7800

From left to right Dominic Carota Meghan Baltich Patricia Richards and

Thomas R Burns (The designproject therapy team of Blairhouse Interiors Group)

48 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 49

Dorsquos and Donrsquots

50 | Simply Saratoga

Story Written by Kerry Ann Mendez Perennially Yours bull wwwpyourscom Photos Provided

SpringDorsquos and Donrsquots

SpringDorsquos and DonrsquotsDorsquos and Donrsquots

Spring

for your Gardens

s

Simply Saratoga | 51

ssts

SPRINGis right around the corner and gardenersare pawing at the ground ready to explodethrough the garden gate As a passionate perennial gardenerI am right there with you But before launching into another flower-filledseason letrsquos go through a spring checklist of dorsquorsquos and donrsquorsquots to makesure we make the most of the race and have the best finish ever

Photo by GardenersSupply Company

apply a granular fertilizer to your perennial beds while they are still lsquoasleeprsquoDepending on the winter wersquove had this may be anytime from mid-Marchto mid-April Donrsquot worry if there are already lsquoearly risersrsquo visible like springblooming bulbs or woodland ephemerals I recommend using 5-5-5 5-10-5 or

5-10-10 fertilizer at the rate of 2 pounds per 100 square feet Cast the fertilizer just before it is about to rainto make sure fertilizer is watered into the ground and washed off any existing leaves You can give otherplants in your yard this treat as well including floweringshrubs groundcovers climbing vinesand roses

DONrsquoTput fertilizer on top of the snow or on ground that is

still frozen You want to make sure the fertilizer disap-pears into pliable soil and to waiting roots otherwiserunoff can occur And donrsquot think more is better Youcan stress or even kill plants by over-fertilizing espe-cially in spring when leaves are not fully developed toutilize nitrogen in the fertilizer If you are going to errless is better

DO

prune once-b l o o m i n g

roses such as Heirloom or Old GardenRoses when the Forsythia is blooming

Any rose that blooms onceusually in late spring forabout three weeks is in thiscategory Many times theseroses are quite fragrantWait to prune these rosesuntil right after they flower

DONrsquoT

prune most roses whenForsythia is in bloom Pruneshrub roses back by half to

23 their height This is assuming you did not prunethem last fall If you did then next year wait until latewinter or early spring Prune Teas and Grandiflorasback to 18 - 24rdquo For climbing roses prune branchesemerging from the main canes back to within 3 - 4rdquoof the cane

DO

apply corn gluten tolawn areas yoursquoveseeded (or over-seeded) or to gar-dens where youwant biennialsperennials or annu-als to reseed andflower Corn glutendoes not distinguishbetween lsquogoodrsquoand lsquobadrsquo seeds

apply a pre-emer-gent weed killerand fertilizer toyour lawn A lushhealthy lawn

makes a beautiful frame for gardens Myfamily walked away from lawn chemicalsfive years ago And our lawn has neverlooked better Corn gluten is a big part ofthis transformation Corn gluten is a by-product of milled corn It will not harm chil-dren pets or wildlife Heck you can eat it ifyou want (but it tastes yucky) Corn Glutenis high in nitrogen and commonly used as alawn fertilizer But it is also a pre-emergenttargeting seeds as they germinate Youcan put corn gluten down at any point inthe spring BUT if part of your mission is toeliminate crabgrass then there is a narrowwindow of attackApply it whenForsythia is in fullbloom and beforeits leaves appearThe Forsythia is asoil temperatureindicator that cor-responds to whencrabgrass seedsstart to germinate More garden centersare now carrying corn gluten productsYou just need to ask and follow the appli-cation instructions on the bag Make sureto water in the corn gluten after applyingIt will remain effective for five to six weeks

Simply Saratoga | 53

DONrsquoT

DO

step on soil as you maneuver around thegarden to cut back Lavender and therest of the gang For that matter youshould never be tromping through yourgardens compacting soil This breaks

down air and water channels as well as making it tougher forroots to spread Instead reach into beds from existing paths orplace stepping stones in discreet spots where only your eyes cansee or lsquowalk the plankrsquo on a board to reach plants fartherlsquoadriftrsquo

54 | Simply Saratoga

cut back Lavender Russian SageMontauk Daisy Butterfly BushChrysanthemums and ornamental grass-es These are best left untouched in falland whacked in spring Many folks make

the mistake of acting too gingerly with pruners Let lsquoem fly Theresult will be more compact neater plants that will bloom just fineTrust me If it helps wait until yoursquove had a bad day at work withthe kids or in traffic

DONrsquoT

DO

divide Peonies German Bearded Iris orOriental Poppies in spring These are bestdone in late summer Also tap-rootedplants (those with a carrot-looking root)cannot be divided Think about it These

are usually propagated by seed stem or root cuttings Someperennials that fall into this category are Malva Butterfly WeedBalloon Flower Oriental Poppies and Lupines

Simply Saratoga | 55

DONrsquoT

divide plants in spring This is an optimumtime to divide most perennials Yes evenspring bloomers Wait until these haveflowered and then shear off the spentblooms and get to business Most sum-

mer and fall blooming perennials can be divided prior to mid-Junewithout disrupting their performance

DO

apply a time-released fertilizersuch as Plant-Tone(organic) orOsmocote to heavy

feeding perennials five to six weeks afterthe earlier granular fertilizer applicationMost plants do not need as much fertilizeras we are led in advertising to believe I amstingy with my money and maintenancetime so only a handful of plants get thisbonus feed Astilbe Delphinium Liliums (ieAsiatic Oriental Trumpet) Clematis androses If I am feeling generous I will putsome on my Bigleaf Hydrangeas next to theroses Call me heartlessJust scratch fertilizer intothe top couple inchesof soil around theplantrsquos base and waterin well They will enjoy anutritious snack forthree to four months

apply mulch ongarden beds toreduce weedsconserve moisture

reduce erosion minimize soil temperaturefluctuations and enhance the quality ofthe soil Some mulching materials includeaged manures compost shredded wood(not dyed) leaf moldand cocoa hulls Putthe mulch down 2rdquo to3rdquo thick around plantsincluding floweringshrubs

build up mulchagainst plant stems

And please please donrsquot create volcanomounds around trees Please This is awfulfor them The only ones that benefit fromthis are the people selling the mulch

56 | Simply Saratoga

DONrsquoT

DO

DO

rubber band orbraid the foliage ofspring bloomingbulbs after they fin-ish flowering You

want as much leaf surface exposed to thesun as possible to increase photosynthesisYou can press the leaves down next to thesoil so they are less noticeable

Simply Saratoga | 57

sect

And finally DO have a great year in

your gardens and DONrsquoT forget to

take time to smell the roses

DONrsquoT

DONrsquoT

cut off the spentblooms and stems onspring blooming bulbsafter they have flow-ered so energy is redirected to the bulbsversus seed productions Keep the leaves inplace until they have browned and ideallycan be pulled from the ground by hand

put time-released fertil-izer on perennials thatprefer lean dietsRicher soil just upsetstheir vascular systemsThey will get leggy flop and not perform tosnuff Yarrow Coneflower Catmint RussianSage Linum Sea Holly and Silvermound are inthe group

DO

For more information contact Perennially Yours at pyourscom

58 | Simply Saratoga

Ill mination

Exterior Stonework

an

d

Story Written by Arthur Gonick Photos Provided

u

Simply Saratoga | 59

To develop and implement an exterior vista that maximizes your enjoyment To have a backyard landscape that is warm inviting and uniquely yours

These are goals that many homeowners have when they first move onto their property But unless you are trained in the variety ofmaterials and options available the task of getting past the point of comparing possibilities to completing and actually enjoying yourbackyard paradise can appear to be a long daunting road

For Carl Trinkle a landscape designer for ten years with the Gallivan Companies of Troy one of the key elements in a successfultransformation is utilizing a professionalrsquos expertise to articulate goals and develop a plan

ldquoThe most important thing we do when we first meet with a client is to get them to discuss their basic needs and aims and encouragethem to formulate an overall vision for their property An initial consultation sets the tone we make an initial visit on-site to look overthe property so we can have an idea as to where things might be placedrdquo

ldquoDuring this intake process we actually encourage people to show us photos of their friendrsquos property that they like or perhaps froma magazine It helps most people to articulate the goals of what they would like to see as a finished projectrdquo Trinkle said ldquoEven if they are looking to do things in phases we find that it is most important to develop a comprehensive site planrdquo This eliminates the need to revise original phases of work to accommodate those that come in the future

60 | Simply Saratoga

that Mr Trinkle finds potential customers identifying with aredesigned to extend the outdoor season ldquoA few extra weeks outside isa lotrdquo he said

add-ons also extend outside activity each day Low voltage lighting is still the most popular but recently LED lighting with longer-lasting bulbs that involve less maintenance and are cost-efficienthave become more fashionable

The latest trends

stations fire pits and waterenhancements such as ponds andwaterfalls are the most frequentlyrequested items that broaden theoutdoor use season

Outdoor grill

Exterior lighting

Simply Saratoga | 61

And of course swimming pool projects have always been a most-requested

item Fifty percent of allthe projects Mr Trinkleworks on involve a pooleither a completely new installation or enhance-ments to existing poolsGallivanrsquos long-standingrelationship withConcord Pools has beena hallmark in assuringthat customers are satis-fied when their pool isput in the ground

62 | Simply Saratoga

In most cases a comprehensive plancan be developed for any project in about a period of twoweeks Complete drawings and cost breakdowns are provid-ed as well as the projected phases that can be completed injust a few months or on larger projects can be scheduled insegments over a few years These are reviewed in personwith the customer again the goal being to have a plan thateveryone buys into

Simply Saratoga | 63

ldquoWe have had projects where the customer has wanted tohave a lot of input and we welcome that But we also hadone where the client was out of town and we built a firepit and slide for his wife and kids and our only instructions were to dazzle themI remember it as a most satisfying experience and we ended up winning awards for that onerdquo

- Carl Trinkle Landscape DesignerThe Gallivan Companies

64 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 65

ldquoI get to work using my creativity with talented people Some of the most talented are those

I meet as customersrdquo sect

For more information or to schedule aconsultation phone Gallivan Companies at(518) 271-6100 Gallivanrsquos website iswwwGallivanCompaniescom

66 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 67

Buying a playhouse for your child is an excellent investment

They promote imaginative play and spending time outdoors and

double as storage space when no longer used for recreation

Denise Woodcock owner of Versatile Sheds in Wilton has

been helping parents and grandparents customize their childrsquos or

grandchildrsquos dream playhouses for years

ldquoThey make great gifts especially for grandparents who want

their grandkids to have their own place to play when they visitrdquo

she said

Playhouses are a great addition to a childrsquos outdoor world

They come in all shapes sizes and designs and can be custom-

built or finished if you donrsquot find exactly what yoursquore looking for

in a catalog or on the lot

Every child is different and has their own preferences for color

size and function boys and girls often have especially different

requests for their play space as do younger and more mature chil-

dren so therersquos a lot to consider

Denise knows how even the finest detail can be all it takes to

make an outdoor structure feel like a childrsquos own personal space

While it may seem superfluous to address every minor demand

the truth is a playhouse is more than just an expensive toy itrsquos an

investment The more your child connects with their space the more

use theyrsquoll get out of it ndash and according to Denise that means your

money is well spent

Smartest WayThe

playhouse for your kidsto buy a

Photos by MarkBollescomStory by Yael Goldman

68 | Simply Saratoga

With this in mind prospective buyers should first consider

who will use the playhouse and for how long as well as what

happens when the structure is no longer used for recreation

Versatile Sheds can help even the most discerning parent or

child find what theyrsquore looking for Every playhouse is hand-

built by Amish craftsmen who can accommodate almost any

special request at an additional cost so the possibilities are

endless inside and out

Cedar shingle or vinyl siding wood stone or brick ndash if you

can use it on the outside of your regular home it can be inte-

grated into your playhousersquos design Playhouses can be built

to look like a miniature version of your home which is an

excellent touch for parents that are particularly concerned

with aesthetics Porches shutters flowerboxes unique doors

chimneys and exterior lighting are just a few of the touches

that can brighten and personalize the exterior

Individualizing your childrsquos playhouse doesnrsquot stop at the

front door There are just as many interior features to choose

from ndash you can let your imagination run wild

For starters you have the option to order the playhouse

with a finished or unfinished interior The unfinished version

looks a lot like the inside of a regular home before you move

in paint the walls and furnish the rooms

Buying an unfinished structure is a great way to cut costs

and even bring the family together over a weekend decorating

project The possibilities are endless depending on how handy

you are otherwise a few coats of paint and a bit of carpeting

will surely do the trick

Although a bit pricey purchasing a playhouse with a fin-

ished interior ensures that your child gets exactly what they

want right off the bat They can pick everything from the paint

color to the flooring so the playhouse is move-in ready on the

day it arrives

Playhouses can also be insulated and wired for electricity

You can install lighting electrical outlets even heat or air-

conditioning to make your childrsquos outdoor space as comfort-

able as possible

And the options donrsquot end there Traditional sheds also dou-

ble as playhouses For some parents purchasing an adult-size

shed for their children is an ideal way to get the best return on

their investment Once their children grow out of it the struc-

ture can be used for outdoor storage With just as many styles

sizes and materials to choose from you can customize the

interior and exterior of your shed just as you would a play-

house but without all of the more frivolous features

ldquoAny shed can be a playhouserdquo Woodcock said explaining

how a custom paint job or flowerbox can transform a typical

storage unit into childrsquos outdoor activity haven

For example if purchasing a wood shed the exterior can be

easily painted and repainted when making the transition from

playhouse to storage space

For Denisersquos customers getting their moneyrsquos worth should

not have to mean making sacrifices

Simply Saratoga | 69

70 | Simply Saratoga

When Debby Trainor made the decision to buy her grand-

daughter Chezneyrsquos dream house she wanted it to have all the

bells and whistles She met with Denise to go over all the cri-

teria the goal was to buy the perfect gift for Chezney while

staying within her budget

The eight-year-old Greenwich girl wanted her own pretty

pink palace where she could play and imagine Debby wanted

it to be a cozy and safe place for her to play year-round

Customization and interior decoration helped make

Chezneyrsquos playhouse feel like her own little kingdom

ldquoWe made it look like a cute little dollhouserdquo she said ldquoWe

put furniture inside and a little stove fridge heater and TV

itrsquos just perfectrdquo

With the structure built to their liking Chezney and Debby

could enjoy decorating the inside to personalize the playhouse

For many customers putting on the finishing touches means

making the playhouse feel like home ndash you can add curtains

hang pictures buy furniture and appliances and landscape the

perimeter to make the outdoor space feel like a home away

from home

When the child grows out of their playhouse these items

can be easily removed to accommodate a secondary use for the

space

ldquoThe best thing that Denise did for me was explain how we

can use the playhouse for storage for stuff out in the yard after

Chezney has grown out of itrdquo Debby explained ldquoAlthough

she is only eight and will be using it for quite a few more

years this really makes it a good investment and looks

great in the backyardrdquo

Whether you choose a customized playhouse or a tradi-

tional shed thinking toward the future also ensures the

safety and longevity of the structure

Denise explained that placement is an important thing to

consider as you want to make sure the structure is in a safe

place and on an appropriate surface Most importantly the

playhouse must be built on a level even surface that isnrsquot

too high off of the ground

ldquoYou want it on a nice platformrdquo Denise explained

ldquoSome people use concrete but stone is better because it

allows moisture to seep down into the ground and away

from the structurerdquo

Most parents prefer that their playhouse is in the back-

yard where itrsquos easy to see from a window Placing the

structure in a shaded area is also a good idea it will be

cooler in the summer and less susceptible to the elements if

partially protected by trees

Debby had Chezneyrsquos playhouse built right next to her

swing set where she can be easily supervised

One last thing to consider when purchasing a playhouse

Simply Saratoga | 71

72 | Simply Saratoga

or shed for your child is how much effort

you want to put into maintaining it The

more ornate the structure the more care it

may need

Woodcock advises parents to preserve

their investment and treat the playhouse

like a miniature home

Think of it as a miniature house ndash the

structure requires regular maintenance

and upkeep to ensure your child will be

safe while enjoying years and years of

imaginative fun

With so many features and styles to

choose from yoursquore sure to find the best

for both you and your child

For more information about Versatile

Sheds or to set up a time to meet with

Denise Woodcock call (518) 584-7924

or stop by 669 Route 9 in Wilton sect

Simply Saratoga | 73

74 | Simply Saratoga

Kitchen

Not Your

Grandmarsquos

Story Written by Daniel Schechtman Photos Provided

ldquoAs you

walk into the kitchen

of the future LED

light projections adjust

to your mood - it will

know if you have a

hangover via sensors

that will read your

b r a i n w a v e s

Aromatherapy infused

walls will be synched

to your calendar calm-

ing you before a big

meeting or energizing you before a gym session The fridge will have selected some breakfast options identifying the essen-

tial vitamins for your day via sensors When you get home a hologram chef will be on hand for recipe inspirationrdquo

Alright so maybe your kitchen canrsquot do all of these things quite yet ndash but believe it or not wersquore getting there This is tomor-

rowrsquos kitchen a kitchen where your appliances donrsquot just store your food or wash your dishes ndash they talk to you providing you

with integral information on how to

best store your fruits and vegetables

letting you know if the refrigerator

door is open for too long or when a

part will soon need replacing

Simply Saratoga | 75

ldquoScience fictionrdquo I hear you say

Guess again Quoted from a report released by The Future Laboratory

who was commissioned by IKEA to determine what a modernkitchen in the year 2040 could conceivably look like

76 | Simply Saratoga

ldquoOne technology that really stands out to me is the

Miele Appliance Company Right now theyrsquore using a

program called lsquoremote visionrsquo On select applianceshellip

is a wireless card that clicks into a port on the back of

the appliance You synch it up with your home network

and it basically emails the technician and the owner

when itrsquos broken when you need to clean your condens-

er change your water filter or schedule a routine serv-

icerdquo said Tom Thibeault owner of Adirondack

Appliance Repair Inc located at 67 West Ave in

Saratoga Springs ldquoMaybe somebodyrsquos been opening the

[refrigerator] door for too long or the door was left open

ndash it will email you and tell you that your door is left

openrdquo

This is not your grandmarsquos kitchen This my friends

is the kitchen of the future and itrsquos available now

The 36 inch bottom-mount Miele refrigerator boasts a

striking interior featuring LED lighting running along

the sides from top to bottom stainless steel accents and

exteriors with control systems that would be comfort-

able alongside the captainrsquos chair on the Starship

Enterprise

Simply Saratoga | 77

ldquoThe controls in the Miele really stand out

Looking at the controls theyrsquore just a glass piece and

then once you touch it you see a few options for the

different compartments Then you touch the compart-

ment and the temperature is displayed so itrsquos kind of

like a Star Trek controlrdquo Thibeault said

And thatrsquos just the refrigerator

Adirondack Appliance has also seen brands such as

Wolf (a company owned by the same people who own

Sub-Zero) grow in popularity when it comes to their

range stoves and ovens The dual convection oven

works to eliminate cold spotting and provides consis-

tent even temperatures and even allows for unique

options such as proofing ndash used best when baking

homemade bread

ldquoIt also has a temperature probe you can plug into

things like a turkey or roast so you can see the temper-

ature while itrsquos still inside the machine It has

hydraulic hinges halogen lit interiors everything is

composed of stainless steel and itrsquos by far one of the

best lines on the marketrdquo Thibeault said

A new line coming to Adirondack Appliance that

features some amazing technology is a series of Pro-

Style Ranges produced by industry giant Jenn-Air

ldquoThat actually has an LCD touch

screen like an IPAD for the controls The

temperature is set by sliding your finger

along the controls Itrsquos all color backlit and

absolutely amazingrdquo Thibeault said

ldquoAnother thing we have to that same

effect are some of the hoods which have

really been getting pretty out there as far as

design We have one on our floor [by Miele]

that has an LED bar on the front which

changes in phases between 196000 colors

Itrsquos a very delicate change very pretty and

coolrdquo Thibeault said adding ldquoor you can set

it to any color in that spectrum yoursquod like to

accent your cabinetryrdquo

When it comes to dishwashers Thibeault

can attest to the quality of both the Asko and

Miele brands both of which he uses in his

own home And good news for Saratoga

Springs residents ndash

ldquoIn our market in

Saratoga we have a

very hard water base

whether yoursquore on a well

system or city waterrdquo

Thibeault said ldquoSo you

get a lot of minerals in

the machine With the

stainless steel interiors it

eliminates a lot of prob-

lems generally seen with

plastic interior tubs and

usually they are the best

life expectanciesrdquo

78 | Simply Saratoga

Asko and Mieleare practically custom made to handle the

arearsquos typicallymineral rich water

Simply Saratoga | 79

The Asko brand dishwasher takes things one step

further including two pumps in the washerrsquos system

The first pump filters the water cleansing it of poten-

tially harmful minerals while the second pump recircu-

lates the water ensuring that the machine is never

blasting your dishes with food debris or dirty residue

With Miele the design features a built-in water sof-

tener perfect for dealing with the Saratoga water

system

ldquoTypically the Miele is going to do a better job with

tougher baked in stainsrdquo said Thibeault ldquobecause itrsquos

got the softener in it and a little bit longer pots and pans

cyclerdquo

80 | Simply Saratoga

Adirondack Appliance Repair Inc is a fami-

ly-owned business since 1929 and the last inde-

pendent appliance retailer of its kind in Saratoga

Springs With $6 billion of buying power behind

their name (a benefit of being part of the Nation

Wide Appliance Buying Group) Thibeault

promised ldquowe can actually price match the box

stores and everybody else around all while pro-

viding you with better service and better

productsrdquo

For more information on AdirondackAppliance or the products they sell you mayvisit their showroom located at 67 West Avenuein Saratoga Springs for live demonstrationsThey can also be reached by phone at (518)587-6640 or you may visit them at their newwebsite wwwadkappliancecom where cus-tomers can browse through the storersquos entirecatalogue of appliances

sect

Simply Saratoga | 81

82 | Simply Saratoga

Page 26: Simply Saratoga March 2011

28 | Simply Saratoga

Saratoga Independent SchoolSaratoga Independent School hosts a variety of summer

programs split into two age groups three to eight year-olds

Wilton Recreation CampWilton Recreation offers a full-day summer

camp program for children in grades one

through nine With available pre-camp and

post-camp care working parents can ensure

their children are having fun in a safe environ-

ment before and after the camprsquos regular 9 am to

3 pm hours Parents who register their children

for before and after camp care can drop off their

children prior to camp opening at 830 am and

can pick them up at 530 pm Bussing is avail-

able for Wilton residents who register for regu-

lar camp hours (9 am to 3 pm)

Wilton Recreation Camp offers a full sched-

ule of daily onsite activities themed events and

exciting trips for kids who register for off-site

adventures Daily on-site activities include arts

and crafts sports playground fun and other

organized group games This yearrsquos scheduled

field trips include Million Dollar Beach in Lake

George movie days at Proctors Theater

Saratoga County Fair bowling white water

rafting and at least two swimming days per

week at Peerless Pool

The Summer 2011 camp will open on

June 27 and run until August

12 Registration begins

March 14 at Gavin Park and

will close on June 3 As

there are only 300 spaces

available be sure to mark

your calendar Camp

registration forms are

available online at

wwwtownofwiltoncom or

can be picked up weekdays

at Gavin Park 9 am to 5 pm

For any other questions

please call the park office at (518) 584-9455

and seven to 14 year-olds The weeklong programs run from July 5

to August 19

Saratoga Independent School summer programs are staffed large-

ly by their own teachers so parents can rest assured their kids are

supervised in a safe environment with experienced teachers who are

knowledgeable about child development and hands-on

programming

For the younger group weekly themed programs run from 9 am

to noon (early drop-off at 830 available) The staff-to-camper ratio

is one to six for children ages three and four and one to ten for chil-

dren ages five to eight Themed programs include ldquoCooking with

Curiosityrdquo ldquoHawaiian Hullabaloordquo ldquoHands-On Science Funrdquo

ldquoHoliday-A-Dayrdquo ldquoGood Versus Evil Imaginations Run Wildrdquo

ldquoDinosaur Discoveryrdquo ldquoIn the Jungle the Mighty Junglerdquo

Activities take place both indoors and outdoors

The selection of enrichment programs for older children is even

more extensive this year than in the past Some programs will take

place in the mornings others in the afternoon Age ranges will vary

depending on the subject matter These specialty programs give chil-

dren an opportunity to develop new interests and expand on existing

skills Programs include ldquoCartooning and Morerdquo ldquoImprovisationrdquo

ldquoKnittingrdquo ldquoOpen Art Studiordquo ldquoYou Can Do Magicrdquo ldquoGet Up and

Dancerdquo ldquoRoaring into Robots Whatrsquos Nextrdquo ldquoArt in the Ancient

Worldrdquo ldquoMad Sciencerdquo ldquoComputer Video Game Creationrdquo

ldquoAdvanced Robot Challengesrdquo and ldquoArt-Math Connectionrdquo

Registration has already begun and the programs fill up quickly so

visit wwwsiskidsorg for more information and to secure a space

for your child

Simply Saratoga | 29

Are your kids looking for an adventure this summer The

Saratoga Regional YMCA has two exciting day camps available

Camp Starhitch held at the Wilton Branch which engages children

with a multitude of fun activities and a trip each week and Travel

Camp where participants meet at the Saratoga Springs Branch and

then travel off to fun and thrilling places each day

Camp Starhitch is for children having completed Kindergarten

through entering fifth grade Campers will participate in games

sports crafts nature activities trips swimming archery and more

Each week is planned around a theme and includes a trip For exam-

ple during ldquo70rsquos Flashbackrdquo week campers will go roller skating

during ldquoThe Wild Frontierrdquo week kids will have the opportunity to

go horseback riding and during ldquoTropical Paradiserdquo week partici-

pants may ldquocatch a gnarly waverdquo at an outdoor water park

Travel Camp is definitely for the action seeker and for those who

like to be on the go This program for youth entering fifth through

tenth grade provides campers an opportunity to travel each and every

day to fun-filled locations Participants explore different summer

activities that include amusement and water parks outdoor sports

fairs and horseback riding This year the trips include a visit to Hunter

Mountain Six Flags New England Tubing on the Battenkill NY

Mets game at Citi Field the NY State Fair and more

Camp Starhitch and Travel Camp both run for nine one-week ses-

sions You may choose to attend camp for one week or any combina-

tion of weeks Experienced counselors supervise children and a ratio

of 110 ensures a safe quality camping experience CPR and First Aid

certified camp staff will be present on all trips At Travel Camp

campers will be grouped according to age and are supervised by expe-

rienced adult staff

Camp Starhitch has two day camp options for your child Option A

allows for your child to be dropped off at 9 am and picked up at 4 pm

and Option B has a 7 am drop off time and a 6 pm pick up time

Travel Camp runs from 9 am to 430 pm and extended hours are

available at no additional cost This year transportation will be provid-

ed in both directions between the Saratoga Springs and Wilton

branches Pickups will be as early as 815 am and drop-offs will be

as late as 5 pm Both camps try to cater to working parents

In addition the Saratoga Regional YMCA is committed to provid-

ing a safe and welcoming environment for all campers by incorporat-

ing the YMCAcore values of caring honesty respect and responsibil-

ity in daily activities To promote safety and comfort for all individu-

als are asked to act appropriately at all times when at the Yrsquos facilities

or participating in Y programs All campers are required to read and

sign a contract of understanding in reference to the Code of Conduct

We expect persons using the YMCAto act maturely to behave respon-

sibly and to respect the rights and dignity of all othersmdashall while

having a good time

The Y also has opportunities available for those who may not have

the resources to send their children to camp The Y provides scholar-

ships for those who qualify Scholarships are made possible due to

the generous donations of Y members the community and businesses

to the ldquoWe Build Peoplerdquo scholarship campaign held by the Saratoga

Regional YMCA each year Scholarship applications are available at

all Saratoga Regional YMCA branches and online at wwwsaratogare-

gionalymcaorg

Registration is currently ongoing and fills up quickly Registration

forms are available at any of the Saratoga Regional YMCA Branches

or at wwwsaratogaregionalymcaorg For more information about

these day camps please contact Ilene Leverence at (518) 583-9622

ext 103 for Camp Starhitch and Patti Laudicina at (518) 583-9622

ext 110 or Paige Minear ext 116 for Travel Camp

Saratoga YMCA

30 | Simply Saratoga

Ask women about the greatest threat to their health and most will

respond incorrectly with the words ldquobreast cancerrdquo While breast cancer

certainly is of concern the truth is that women are 10 times more like-

ly to die from heart disease Breast cancer kills 1 in 25 women heart

disease claims 1 in 2

The most recent statistics available indicate that cardiovascular dis-

ease causes the death of 500000 women per year ndash more than ALL

forms of cancer combined This is a rate of epidemic proportion

Little or no warning

Two-thirds of women die suddenly from heart disease without expe-

riencing any warning symptoms The majority die before they even

reach the hospital and before any attempt at treatment is possible Early

screening and the detection that leads to prevention offer the only hope

of reducing these deaths

Women who do develop heart disease tend to fare worse than men

One reason is that on average heart disease peaks 10 years later in

women than in men At this older age women are less able to withstand

the stress of the disease The proof can be found in a disturbing statis-

tic One year after their first heart attack 44 percent of women are dead

compared with 27 percent of men

Clearly for women preventing that first heart attack would make an

enormous difference

Know the risks

What can be done to prevent and detect heart disease in women

Of foremost importance is to reduce ndash or if possible eliminate ndash the

conditions that cause or accelerate the growth of blockages in the arter-

ies of the heart These conditions known as risk factors include high

Women Take this warning to heart

Story By Andrij O Baran MD

blood pressure diabetes genetic high cholesterol a high-fat

diet an inactive lifestyle smoking and cocaine use

Some damage the lining of the heartrsquos arteries speeding the

buildup of cholesterol Others raise blood cholesterol Both

smoking and cocaine use speed blood clotting They also can

cause sudden cramps or spasms in the coronary arteries cut-

ting off the entire blood supply to portions of the heart even

without a cholesterol blockage

A woman who has one or more of these risk factors should

ask her doctor how best to control them She also should ask

about further screening and testing such as stress testing

The sooner the better

Lifestyle changes and medications can have a dramatic

impact on reducing the incidence of heart attack provided cho-

lesterol blockages are detected early ndash before damage to the

heart has occurred In fact drugs that lower cholesterol alone

have been unequivocally shown to reduce the risk of heart

attack and death by up to 50 percent

When added to a program of low-fat diet exercise control

of high blood pressure and diabetes and above all else no

smoking the benefits are magnified many times over Keep in

mind of course that these drugs work only if they are taken

and taken appropriately

By knowing and changing their risk factors all women can

ensure themselves of a longer and more vibrant life

Andrij O Baran MD FACC is the Medical Director of

Cardiology Services at Saratoga Hospital

Simply Saratoga | 31

A c t F a s t D u r i n g H e a r t A t t a c k s According to the American Heart

Association clot-busting drugs can stop

some heart attacks in progress reducing

disability and saving lives They work best

given within one hour of when heart

attack signs begin Thatrsquos why itrsquos impor-

tant to recognize the warning signs of a

heart attack and act right away

Warning Signs

bull Pain or discomfort in the jaw

neck or back

bull Feeling weak lightheaded or faint

bull Chest paindiscomfort

bull Paindiscomfort in the arms or

shoulder

bull Shortness of breath

If you think that you or someone you

know is having a heart attack call 911

immediately

32 | Simply Saratoga

Who would believe that a rabbi from Eastern

Europe frozen for 150 years in a block of ice could

be transported across time and space to Memphis

where he thaws then becomes a spiritual guru to

baby boomers Arguably nobody But Steve Stern

the author of ldquoThe Frozen Rabbirdquo his most recent

novel isnrsquot asking readers to believe it so much as

to let the characters tell their story Besides the plot

may be far-fetched but he already has a buyer for

the movie rights

Writer-in-residence at Skidmore College Stern is

a genius at creating human beings in fantastical cir-

cumstances who seem more like eccentric neigh-

bors than artifacts of science fiction Some fly

some inhabit other peoplersquos dreams some are res-

urrected and some travel through time Whatever

their superpowers or frailties the heroes and vil-

lains tricksters and innocents and witnesses and

bystanders in Sternrsquos short and long fiction deserve

attention and evoke compassion in their quest for

connection and redemption - or at least food and

shelter From within an inexhaustible vein of

Jewish folklore and oral history his characters

emerge into a lucid fictional universe that embraces

both magic and the mundane Dialogue is ironic as

often as it is mystical and the most ordinary days

serve as backdrops for incredible events

ldquoMiracles are commonplacerdquo says Stern a

Ballston Spa resident ldquoI donrsquot write in metaphors

and symbols deliberately Writing is a visceral

experience for me I read with interest what review-

ers say about my repetitive themes and ideas but I

am driven by images and characters Irsquom a compul-

sive storytellerrdquo

Steve Stern A Lyrical Voice in the Ghetto

B

o

o

k

m

a

r

k

Lean bespectacled and haloed in dark curls Stern

is a Memphis native who grew up in a home bereft

of music books and art in a city made famous by

Elvis Presley (who used to drive through Sternrsquos

neighborhood) and Martin Luther Kingrsquos assassina-

tion He remembers himself as ldquoa mediocre adoles-

cent without confidence or spiritual antennardquo first

stirred to write poetry in high school which he read

aloud for attention

ldquoI was surprised people liked itrdquo he says ldquoAnd I

liked writing it even though it embarrassed me But

I was encouraged to go on and later to try proserdquo

The allure of the late lsquo60s and early lsquo70s was not

academic After college Stern wandered through

Europe then worked as a butcher on a hippie com-

mune in the Ozarks raising pigs and eating off the

land ldquoI slept under five blankets and two dogsrdquo he

recalls (The incarnation has been memorialized in a

comic strip by Sternrsquos girlfriend Sabrina a cartoon-

ist and set designer for Saturday Night Live)

The commune was not too far from the University

of Arkansas where Stern attended graduate school

and played volleyball with Bill and Hillary Clinton

ldquoI hoped he would mention me in his inaugural

addressrdquo Stern sighs

With an MA Stern found teaching gigs at vari-

ous colleges but the work dried up forcing him to

take a job at a folklore center in Memphis first tran-

scribing stories about the black community then

launching a life-changing project to preserve the

stories of the fading Jewish population in a desolate

Memphis ghetto known as ldquoThe Pinchrdquo where

many of his stories are set

Story By Helen Susan Edelman

ldquoBernie scrunched his face in thought Gone was his waryimpulse to keep everything secret and there were times of latewhen he felt almost reckless almost ready to tell the world whileon the other hand he suspected he may have already confided toomuch ldquoI thinkrdquo he said after some consideration ldquoIrsquom startingto outgrow myselfrdquo

mdash Steve Stern ldquoThe Frozen Rabbirdquo

Photo by Josh GerritsenSteve Stern

Simply Saratoga | 33

ldquoIt was intoxicatingrdquo says Stern ldquoI became obsessed with

itrdquo Indeed his work is infused with the folklore images lan-

guage archetypes settings rituals and values embedded in

the memories he recorded and in the vast Jewish and Yiddish

literature he has studied since

A non-observant Jew Stern had no relationship with his

religion so the introduction to his exotic legacy was both

anchor and springboard for a prolific new consciousness

ldquoThe floodgates openedrdquo he says ldquoSuddenly this world

began to materialize for me What had been barren neighbor-

hoods I could see vividly as tenements and shops a town

square street traffic merchants pawnbrokers rabbis chil-

drenhellipimmigrants from Eastern Europe looking for a homerdquo

Stern is comfortable writing about transcendent wisdom as

long as itrsquos his characterrsquos voice

and not his own

dispensing the

insights The

frozen rabbi in

the book of the

same name for

example ldquoradiates

within his zone of

influence and is a

spiritual catalyst

for anyone who

encounters himrdquo

says Stern ldquowhere-

as I am a clicheacute a

Jew who grew up

without an identityrdquo

A winner of both

Guggenheim and

Fulbright fellowships

as well as the National

Jewish Book Award

the Pushcart Prize an

OrsquoHenry Prize and the Edward Lewis Wallant Award Stern

is working on a new novel and rereading Faulkner Tolstoy

Dickens and Joyce

He views each new writing project as ldquoa riskrdquo Experience

last summer also reminded him of the evanescence of popu-

larity he gave two readings one in Memphis which drew

such a crowd that doors had to be locked and one in St

Louis where he commanded an audience of four

ldquoJust like the characters in my storiesrdquo Stern observes ldquoI

encounter conflicts look for a way to escape and face mixed

consequencesrdquo sect

How is your mental state these days Are

you experiencing peace and joy in every-

day life or frustration and impatience Are

you living your life ldquoon purposerdquo or going

through the motions feeling numb and dead

on the inside How is the garden of your

mind Are you tending to your garden or letting

the weeds take over

When I lived in Boston I lived next door to an elder-

ly woman who had a beautiful garden Every morning my

neighbor was outside in her floral moo moo (circa Mrs

Roper from Threersquos Company) tending carefully to each

plant and flower She would spend hours walking around her

garden joyfully humming and making sure her flowers were

strong and healthy Many mornings I would sip my coffee

and watch her peacefully pulling out the weeds and tending

to her precious flowers To this day I remember how tall and

lovely her sunflowers were I think our mental state can be

compared to tending to a garden do we have beautiful sun-

flowers of joy and peace or toxic weeds of bitterness and

guilt

The weeds in your heart and mind are feelings of bitterness

anger guilt self-loathing and negativity Do you spend your

days reviewing the list of those that have offended

you Do you beat yourself up daily for past mis-

takes or regrets These are the weeds that can

take over your mind and lead to racing

thoughts a dark depression constant

anxiety or physical illness and

chronic pain If you are someone

that is easily frustrated impatient

and critical you can be sure you

34 | Simply Saratoga

Tending to theGarden of Your MindDealing with the Weeds in your Life

Simple Truths

have some weeds to deal with

The only path to peace and joy in your everyday life is to

pull your weeds out from the root and confront the issues

Holding on to your weeds only makes you ill and deadens

your heart Did you know that people who are full of bitter-

ness and resentment appear older and are not as physically

attractive as people who are full of peace and love The

weeds in your heart and mind can actually make you ugly

Likewise a mind that is content and peaceful gives us a

sparkle and light in our eyes that people are automatically

attracted to Forget the anti-wrinkle cream and Botox Fill

your heart and mind up with the best kept beauty secret

around love and forgiveness

Forgiveness is not about letting the person who hurt you

off the hook Forgiveness IS allowing light into our hearts

so that we can heal and move forward It takes the heavy

burden of offense and resentment off of our hearts and

minds while preparing the ldquosoilrdquo for new growth and

experiences

When possible confront the people you need to forgive

so that you can have closure and move on If it is not pos-

sible to confront the person that is the weed in your life

write them a letter expressing your hurt and anger (not to

send but in a private journal) This is a wonderful way to

give yourself closure and put your feelings out on the table

More often than not the person we have to forgive or con-

front is ourselves If you are constantly beating yourself up

and feeling guilty about your past make a choice to forgive

yourself

Donrsquot be lazy about your weeds Dig deep and pull out

your weeds so that you can make room for peace and joy

We all desire to feel love and be accepted That accept-

Meghan DLemery LCSW-R

Simply Saratoga | 35

ance starts with you Begin to focus on peaceful loving joyful

thoughts Keep a gratitude journal of what you love about your-

self or the loved ones in your life Practice planting seeds of joy

by giving acceptance and love to everyone around you

Take time to practice patience and kindness to your family

friends colleagues and that slow cashier at the grocery store Go

out of your way to help others in any way that you can All of

these acts of kindness plant the seeds of peace love joy and

abundance

As we approach the new season of spring take some time to

tend to the garden of your mind

Wishing you love self-acceptance and peace this spring and

always

Ms Lemery is a psychotherapist practic-ing in Saratoga Springs and QueensburyShe can be reached at meghanle-meryyahoocom

Her first novel will be pub-lished this Spring TitledldquoPlease Pass the BarbieShoesrdquo it is a hilarious heart-warming story that will haveyou feeling inspiredand empowered

sect

36 | Simply Saratoga

Living Room The custom-designed leather couch chair andottoman come from Suttons The stucco fireplace was inspired by theCollinsrsquo travels through the Southwest and Colorado (ldquowe wanted to avoida traditional river rock fireplacerdquo) and provides a heat source as well asbeauty The original structure was built for passive solar design no airconditioning is needed in the summer A wood stove is the primary heatsource radiant heat with natural gas was also added during the renova-tion

The front door as well as all the interior doors was custom-made fittedand replaced by Tom Zanetti Hickory wood floors were also installed dur-ing the addition A hanging stained glass chandelier is a stock itemobtained from a leading home supply retailer ldquoIt captures the sunlightbeautifully along with providing brilliant nighttime illuminationrdquo Tedsaid ldquoItrsquos an eclectic mixrdquo

Simply Saratoga | 37

Today we look at a creative space that is set into a special place

In 1993 Ted and Susan Collins purchased a seven-acre property

with a 1986 Timberpeg designed home that has all the qualities of

a place in the country ndash yet many would be surprised to learn that

it is actually located on the border of Saratoga Springs near the

Alpine Shop on Clinton Street After a number of years living in

apartments on Union Avenue and Franklin Square enjoying the

proximity to downtown and the track they couldnrsquot resist a spot

that was close to town but yet had lots of land

Their overall vision was for an interior space that was in accord

with the outside ndash the wildlife gardens and the sustainable philos-

ophy embodied in the original buildingrsquos passive solar design

ldquoEverything we do embraces the goals of staying true to the orig-

inal structure having an open welcoming interior and being in

harmony with the outdoorsrdquo Ted said

Inspired by travels in balance with the land

Story By Arthur GonickPhotos by copystockstudiosphotographycom

These principles guided a major transformation of the interior

space in 2006 The key element was an addition to the home that

enabled the living room kitchen and upstairs bedroom to be

expanded allowing space for the installation of a downstairs bath

as well

Susan and Ted led this transformation - visualizing an addition

that incorporated equilibrium of size location and overall propor-

tion They went through several iterations with Rick Deforest of

Heritage Timberframes

Even though much of the interior decor came from travels in

Africa the South Pacific and Colorado the building materials and

craftsmen are all local The timbers and wood flooring were milled

in nearby Kingsbury ldquoWe enjoyed working with professionals who

are also friends like Rick Deforest Tom Zanetti and Mike

Roohanrdquo Ted said ldquothe house now feels complete in balancerdquo sect

Unique Places and Creative Spaces If you would like to nominate a unique

or creative place to be featured emailentertainmentsaratogapublishingcom

38 | Simply Saratoga

Kitchen A wall was taken out that afforded space to add an eat-in island area and

open up the space Custom cabinets are by Tom Zanetti Stonework andappliances were added Both the kitchen and bathroom have granite table-tops (from Mike and Margaret Roohan of Granite and Marble Works)New appliances include a Bosch stove (with a built-in microwave drawer)and an Amana stainless refrigerator

Bathroom The bathroom ceiling is pine The showerarea was designed and built to the Collinsrsquo specifications andfeatures a bench 4 shower heads PLUS an extra hand-held one(ldquoItrsquos a human car washrdquo) The stone tiles on the sides and floorin the shower were installed by Best Tile the plumbing in theshower comes from Aird Dorrance as does the sink ndash which sitson a granite top from Granite and Marble Works The windowleads out to the north side of the house with privacy blinds insidethe window panes One thing you donrsquot see ldquoSince the room ison display in the center of the expanded first floor we wanted thecommode to be mostly hiddenrdquo Ted said

Unique Places and Creative Spaces

Simply Saratoga | 39

Living RoomA reading nook sits upon the bathroom addition ldquoThere was no full bathroom on the first

floor and with a post and beam construction we had to be creative You get outstanding viewsof the property pond and stream when viewed from the nookrsquos perspectiverdquo The ladder canswing out on a track making it more like walking up a staircase ndash this was also designed andinstalled by Tom Zanetti The table in the nook is actually a working African drum with a glasstable top added

40 | Simply Saratoga

Bedroom In the second-floor master bedroom moving the dormer brought in extra light and space and

also brought the roofline together with the original structure and first-floor additions The floorand ceiling are made of rough-cut pine planking The bed is also constructed of pine and comesfrom Suttons The window in the upper left was cut during the addition It faces west for extra day-time light

Simply Saratoga | 41

42 | Simply Saratoga

Story Written by Yael Goldman Photos by Samu Studios and Randall Perry Photography

Simply Saratoga | 43

orking with the

right interior designer

turns listless decision making

into an enjoyable and productive

process that avoids costly mistakes

and delivers exceptional results

Designing a room or an entire home is a

big project no matter how strong your tastes are

The decisions are endless ndash what color should I paint the

walls What flooring is most aesthetically appealing and

dog-friendly Should I choose a furniture set or choose

individual pieces Do I want curtains or shades Do I

decorate with knick-knacks or artwork

But with all the unique self-questioning that surrounds

an interior design project most homeowners share angst

in asking themselves one specific question where do I

start

Itrsquos at this point ndash when stress level increases enjoy-

ment-driven projects turn deadly and money has been

wastefully spent on all the wrong things ndash that you long

for the help of a professional if only you could afford it

Well the truth is you can

Creating the right space can be expensive but is only

more so if you make mistakes and have to go back and

fix them If you do it right the first time therersquos no cost

associated with do-overs

With nearly 100 years of experience between them all

four members of Blairhouse Interiors Group have

worked with more than enough unhappy do-it-your-

selfers to tell you yoursquore not alone

Photo by Samu Studios

44 | Simply Saratoga

The four-member designproject therapy team which recently

opened a studio in Saratoga Springs has a long history of help-

ing home and business owners create their ideal spaces and

atmospheres the right way Their exceptional work is celebrated across

the Capital Region including Saratoga Springs where the Blairhouse

look is prominently featured in a handful of Park Place condominiums

and the incredible Saratoga National Golf Club

Thomas R Burns Meghan Baltich Dominic Carota and Patricia

Richards the highly skilled and charismatic force behind Blairhouse

Interiors Group promise an experience that is personal because itrsquos all

about your needs ndash and thatrsquos what is important

Blairhouse offers full-service interior design services space planning

project management hand-picked merchandise patience and an uncan-

ny ability to create a

look that is always

fresh sophisticated

and comfortable

ldquoThe style that we

gravitate toward is

unique cutting-edge

and modern not dic-

tated by corporaterdquo

said Meghan Baltich

pointing to a ldquovery

propitiousrdquo Keith Fritz

table at the center of

the studio

Photo by Randall Perry Photography

If you do it right the firsttime therersquos no cost

associated with do-oversPhoto by Randall Perry Photography

One glance at the Park Place showroom ndash of the selective furnishings carefully showcased along

the periphery ndash and it becomes clear why Blairhouse an award-winning team gets the job

done

Their creativity focus and immaculate sense of direction bring objectivity to the scene helping you nar-

row down all of the tedious and overwhelming choices that make do-it-yourself decorating an exercise in

unclear thinking

ldquoPeople are overwhelmed by all the choices it can feel like theyrsquore in a paralyzed blurrdquo said Thomas

Burns who finds that a great vision can be impossible to imagine and create without eliminating all of

the distractions

A vital step in getting focused is creating a

comprehensive plan based on individual

needs wants and style that addresses all

aspects of lifestyle and taste and suggests

tactful solutions and fresh approaches to new

and existing spaces

They help you identify what you like

forcing you to hone in on what you want and

need to compliment and enhance your

lifestyle

ldquoWe ascertain the clientrsquos goal and

lifestyle to convey their visionrdquo said

Dominic Carota explaining that the intended

outcome of creating or reinventing a room is

often strictly tied to how you want to live in

it

ldquoWe have to know how they functionrdquo he

said

An interior designer is an asset in the func-

tion-meets-style equation

Dominic explained that a couple starting a family will have far

different needs than empty-nesters looking for a change They may

have the same stylistic goals but their execution will differ based on

how their lifestyle exists within the space

When revamping a single room the majority of your focus is ded-

icated to that individual space making it easy to forget that the rest

of the house is attached Establishing connectivity between rooms is

a challenge but an important part of executing a project the right

way

Sometimes one wrong detail no matter how small can be incred-

ibly impactful and difficult to avoid on your own

ldquoIf yoursquore working on a new addition or renovation we ensure it

flows that therersquos balance between the existing part of the living

space and the new additionrdquo Meghan Baltich said explaining that

it just doesnrsquot make sense to put in a great new kitchen if itrsquos dis-

jointed and out of place from its surroundings

Another common novice mistake is the trendy retail store fallacy

that you can order a full room from a catalog or pick a fabulous and

unique design from a floor plan

Blairhouse clients learn the difference between ldquocookie-cutterrdquo

and ldquocustomrdquo and they are never concerned with picking the wrong

piece for the wrong room

Simply Saratoga | 45

ome customers will come to us after going into a Pottery Barn and buying stuff that just didnrsquot workrdquo Baltich said giving the

example of an individual who purchased an enormous sectional for a tiny room ldquoWe scale into the clientrsquos space taking func-

tion and proportion into considerationrdquo

Exceptional listening and observation skills are the designerrsquos

unsung attributes and greatest assets Blairhouse experts engage

with their clients to gain a true understanding of what they want

In turn the design process becomes an eye-opening experience

customers are introduced to colors and concepts they would

never think to consider

ldquoEach client trusts us to create their environment and we

enable them to make informed decisionsrdquo Patricia Richards

said

And sometimes that requires bold suggestions and collabora-

tion or looking at all of the possibilities even the ones ldquoyou

would never have been brave enough to do on your ownrdquo

In the end the experience of working with the experts is

enjoyable stress-free and cost-effective From concept to com-

pletion the result is just what you want and need ndash a fabulous

marriage of function and aesthetic that wonrsquot have you coming

back for more (because you did it right the first time) sect

ldquoS

46 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 47

For a taste of Blairhouse Interiors Grouprsquos distinctive work stop into their Park Place studio located at 262 Broadway Suite 204 in Saratoga Springs For further details visit wwwblairhouseinteriorscom or call (518) 786-7800

From left to right Dominic Carota Meghan Baltich Patricia Richards and

Thomas R Burns (The designproject therapy team of Blairhouse Interiors Group)

48 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 49

Dorsquos and Donrsquots

50 | Simply Saratoga

Story Written by Kerry Ann Mendez Perennially Yours bull wwwpyourscom Photos Provided

SpringDorsquos and Donrsquots

SpringDorsquos and DonrsquotsDorsquos and Donrsquots

Spring

for your Gardens

s

Simply Saratoga | 51

ssts

SPRINGis right around the corner and gardenersare pawing at the ground ready to explodethrough the garden gate As a passionate perennial gardenerI am right there with you But before launching into another flower-filledseason letrsquos go through a spring checklist of dorsquorsquos and donrsquorsquots to makesure we make the most of the race and have the best finish ever

Photo by GardenersSupply Company

apply a granular fertilizer to your perennial beds while they are still lsquoasleeprsquoDepending on the winter wersquove had this may be anytime from mid-Marchto mid-April Donrsquot worry if there are already lsquoearly risersrsquo visible like springblooming bulbs or woodland ephemerals I recommend using 5-5-5 5-10-5 or

5-10-10 fertilizer at the rate of 2 pounds per 100 square feet Cast the fertilizer just before it is about to rainto make sure fertilizer is watered into the ground and washed off any existing leaves You can give otherplants in your yard this treat as well including floweringshrubs groundcovers climbing vinesand roses

DONrsquoTput fertilizer on top of the snow or on ground that is

still frozen You want to make sure the fertilizer disap-pears into pliable soil and to waiting roots otherwiserunoff can occur And donrsquot think more is better Youcan stress or even kill plants by over-fertilizing espe-cially in spring when leaves are not fully developed toutilize nitrogen in the fertilizer If you are going to errless is better

DO

prune once-b l o o m i n g

roses such as Heirloom or Old GardenRoses when the Forsythia is blooming

Any rose that blooms onceusually in late spring forabout three weeks is in thiscategory Many times theseroses are quite fragrantWait to prune these rosesuntil right after they flower

DONrsquoT

prune most roses whenForsythia is in bloom Pruneshrub roses back by half to

23 their height This is assuming you did not prunethem last fall If you did then next year wait until latewinter or early spring Prune Teas and Grandiflorasback to 18 - 24rdquo For climbing roses prune branchesemerging from the main canes back to within 3 - 4rdquoof the cane

DO

apply corn gluten tolawn areas yoursquoveseeded (or over-seeded) or to gar-dens where youwant biennialsperennials or annu-als to reseed andflower Corn glutendoes not distinguishbetween lsquogoodrsquoand lsquobadrsquo seeds

apply a pre-emer-gent weed killerand fertilizer toyour lawn A lushhealthy lawn

makes a beautiful frame for gardens Myfamily walked away from lawn chemicalsfive years ago And our lawn has neverlooked better Corn gluten is a big part ofthis transformation Corn gluten is a by-product of milled corn It will not harm chil-dren pets or wildlife Heck you can eat it ifyou want (but it tastes yucky) Corn Glutenis high in nitrogen and commonly used as alawn fertilizer But it is also a pre-emergenttargeting seeds as they germinate Youcan put corn gluten down at any point inthe spring BUT if part of your mission is toeliminate crabgrass then there is a narrowwindow of attackApply it whenForsythia is in fullbloom and beforeits leaves appearThe Forsythia is asoil temperatureindicator that cor-responds to whencrabgrass seedsstart to germinate More garden centersare now carrying corn gluten productsYou just need to ask and follow the appli-cation instructions on the bag Make sureto water in the corn gluten after applyingIt will remain effective for five to six weeks

Simply Saratoga | 53

DONrsquoT

DO

step on soil as you maneuver around thegarden to cut back Lavender and therest of the gang For that matter youshould never be tromping through yourgardens compacting soil This breaks

down air and water channels as well as making it tougher forroots to spread Instead reach into beds from existing paths orplace stepping stones in discreet spots where only your eyes cansee or lsquowalk the plankrsquo on a board to reach plants fartherlsquoadriftrsquo

54 | Simply Saratoga

cut back Lavender Russian SageMontauk Daisy Butterfly BushChrysanthemums and ornamental grass-es These are best left untouched in falland whacked in spring Many folks make

the mistake of acting too gingerly with pruners Let lsquoem fly Theresult will be more compact neater plants that will bloom just fineTrust me If it helps wait until yoursquove had a bad day at work withthe kids or in traffic

DONrsquoT

DO

divide Peonies German Bearded Iris orOriental Poppies in spring These are bestdone in late summer Also tap-rootedplants (those with a carrot-looking root)cannot be divided Think about it These

are usually propagated by seed stem or root cuttings Someperennials that fall into this category are Malva Butterfly WeedBalloon Flower Oriental Poppies and Lupines

Simply Saratoga | 55

DONrsquoT

divide plants in spring This is an optimumtime to divide most perennials Yes evenspring bloomers Wait until these haveflowered and then shear off the spentblooms and get to business Most sum-

mer and fall blooming perennials can be divided prior to mid-Junewithout disrupting their performance

DO

apply a time-released fertilizersuch as Plant-Tone(organic) orOsmocote to heavy

feeding perennials five to six weeks afterthe earlier granular fertilizer applicationMost plants do not need as much fertilizeras we are led in advertising to believe I amstingy with my money and maintenancetime so only a handful of plants get thisbonus feed Astilbe Delphinium Liliums (ieAsiatic Oriental Trumpet) Clematis androses If I am feeling generous I will putsome on my Bigleaf Hydrangeas next to theroses Call me heartlessJust scratch fertilizer intothe top couple inchesof soil around theplantrsquos base and waterin well They will enjoy anutritious snack forthree to four months

apply mulch ongarden beds toreduce weedsconserve moisture

reduce erosion minimize soil temperaturefluctuations and enhance the quality ofthe soil Some mulching materials includeaged manures compost shredded wood(not dyed) leaf moldand cocoa hulls Putthe mulch down 2rdquo to3rdquo thick around plantsincluding floweringshrubs

build up mulchagainst plant stems

And please please donrsquot create volcanomounds around trees Please This is awfulfor them The only ones that benefit fromthis are the people selling the mulch

56 | Simply Saratoga

DONrsquoT

DO

DO

rubber band orbraid the foliage ofspring bloomingbulbs after they fin-ish flowering You

want as much leaf surface exposed to thesun as possible to increase photosynthesisYou can press the leaves down next to thesoil so they are less noticeable

Simply Saratoga | 57

sect

And finally DO have a great year in

your gardens and DONrsquoT forget to

take time to smell the roses

DONrsquoT

DONrsquoT

cut off the spentblooms and stems onspring blooming bulbsafter they have flow-ered so energy is redirected to the bulbsversus seed productions Keep the leaves inplace until they have browned and ideallycan be pulled from the ground by hand

put time-released fertil-izer on perennials thatprefer lean dietsRicher soil just upsetstheir vascular systemsThey will get leggy flop and not perform tosnuff Yarrow Coneflower Catmint RussianSage Linum Sea Holly and Silvermound are inthe group

DO

For more information contact Perennially Yours at pyourscom

58 | Simply Saratoga

Ill mination

Exterior Stonework

an

d

Story Written by Arthur Gonick Photos Provided

u

Simply Saratoga | 59

To develop and implement an exterior vista that maximizes your enjoyment To have a backyard landscape that is warm inviting and uniquely yours

These are goals that many homeowners have when they first move onto their property But unless you are trained in the variety ofmaterials and options available the task of getting past the point of comparing possibilities to completing and actually enjoying yourbackyard paradise can appear to be a long daunting road

For Carl Trinkle a landscape designer for ten years with the Gallivan Companies of Troy one of the key elements in a successfultransformation is utilizing a professionalrsquos expertise to articulate goals and develop a plan

ldquoThe most important thing we do when we first meet with a client is to get them to discuss their basic needs and aims and encouragethem to formulate an overall vision for their property An initial consultation sets the tone we make an initial visit on-site to look overthe property so we can have an idea as to where things might be placedrdquo

ldquoDuring this intake process we actually encourage people to show us photos of their friendrsquos property that they like or perhaps froma magazine It helps most people to articulate the goals of what they would like to see as a finished projectrdquo Trinkle said ldquoEven if they are looking to do things in phases we find that it is most important to develop a comprehensive site planrdquo This eliminates the need to revise original phases of work to accommodate those that come in the future

60 | Simply Saratoga

that Mr Trinkle finds potential customers identifying with aredesigned to extend the outdoor season ldquoA few extra weeks outside isa lotrdquo he said

add-ons also extend outside activity each day Low voltage lighting is still the most popular but recently LED lighting with longer-lasting bulbs that involve less maintenance and are cost-efficienthave become more fashionable

The latest trends

stations fire pits and waterenhancements such as ponds andwaterfalls are the most frequentlyrequested items that broaden theoutdoor use season

Outdoor grill

Exterior lighting

Simply Saratoga | 61

And of course swimming pool projects have always been a most-requested

item Fifty percent of allthe projects Mr Trinkleworks on involve a pooleither a completely new installation or enhance-ments to existing poolsGallivanrsquos long-standingrelationship withConcord Pools has beena hallmark in assuringthat customers are satis-fied when their pool isput in the ground

62 | Simply Saratoga

In most cases a comprehensive plancan be developed for any project in about a period of twoweeks Complete drawings and cost breakdowns are provid-ed as well as the projected phases that can be completed injust a few months or on larger projects can be scheduled insegments over a few years These are reviewed in personwith the customer again the goal being to have a plan thateveryone buys into

Simply Saratoga | 63

ldquoWe have had projects where the customer has wanted tohave a lot of input and we welcome that But we also hadone where the client was out of town and we built a firepit and slide for his wife and kids and our only instructions were to dazzle themI remember it as a most satisfying experience and we ended up winning awards for that onerdquo

- Carl Trinkle Landscape DesignerThe Gallivan Companies

64 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 65

ldquoI get to work using my creativity with talented people Some of the most talented are those

I meet as customersrdquo sect

For more information or to schedule aconsultation phone Gallivan Companies at(518) 271-6100 Gallivanrsquos website iswwwGallivanCompaniescom

66 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 67

Buying a playhouse for your child is an excellent investment

They promote imaginative play and spending time outdoors and

double as storage space when no longer used for recreation

Denise Woodcock owner of Versatile Sheds in Wilton has

been helping parents and grandparents customize their childrsquos or

grandchildrsquos dream playhouses for years

ldquoThey make great gifts especially for grandparents who want

their grandkids to have their own place to play when they visitrdquo

she said

Playhouses are a great addition to a childrsquos outdoor world

They come in all shapes sizes and designs and can be custom-

built or finished if you donrsquot find exactly what yoursquore looking for

in a catalog or on the lot

Every child is different and has their own preferences for color

size and function boys and girls often have especially different

requests for their play space as do younger and more mature chil-

dren so therersquos a lot to consider

Denise knows how even the finest detail can be all it takes to

make an outdoor structure feel like a childrsquos own personal space

While it may seem superfluous to address every minor demand

the truth is a playhouse is more than just an expensive toy itrsquos an

investment The more your child connects with their space the more

use theyrsquoll get out of it ndash and according to Denise that means your

money is well spent

Smartest WayThe

playhouse for your kidsto buy a

Photos by MarkBollescomStory by Yael Goldman

68 | Simply Saratoga

With this in mind prospective buyers should first consider

who will use the playhouse and for how long as well as what

happens when the structure is no longer used for recreation

Versatile Sheds can help even the most discerning parent or

child find what theyrsquore looking for Every playhouse is hand-

built by Amish craftsmen who can accommodate almost any

special request at an additional cost so the possibilities are

endless inside and out

Cedar shingle or vinyl siding wood stone or brick ndash if you

can use it on the outside of your regular home it can be inte-

grated into your playhousersquos design Playhouses can be built

to look like a miniature version of your home which is an

excellent touch for parents that are particularly concerned

with aesthetics Porches shutters flowerboxes unique doors

chimneys and exterior lighting are just a few of the touches

that can brighten and personalize the exterior

Individualizing your childrsquos playhouse doesnrsquot stop at the

front door There are just as many interior features to choose

from ndash you can let your imagination run wild

For starters you have the option to order the playhouse

with a finished or unfinished interior The unfinished version

looks a lot like the inside of a regular home before you move

in paint the walls and furnish the rooms

Buying an unfinished structure is a great way to cut costs

and even bring the family together over a weekend decorating

project The possibilities are endless depending on how handy

you are otherwise a few coats of paint and a bit of carpeting

will surely do the trick

Although a bit pricey purchasing a playhouse with a fin-

ished interior ensures that your child gets exactly what they

want right off the bat They can pick everything from the paint

color to the flooring so the playhouse is move-in ready on the

day it arrives

Playhouses can also be insulated and wired for electricity

You can install lighting electrical outlets even heat or air-

conditioning to make your childrsquos outdoor space as comfort-

able as possible

And the options donrsquot end there Traditional sheds also dou-

ble as playhouses For some parents purchasing an adult-size

shed for their children is an ideal way to get the best return on

their investment Once their children grow out of it the struc-

ture can be used for outdoor storage With just as many styles

sizes and materials to choose from you can customize the

interior and exterior of your shed just as you would a play-

house but without all of the more frivolous features

ldquoAny shed can be a playhouserdquo Woodcock said explaining

how a custom paint job or flowerbox can transform a typical

storage unit into childrsquos outdoor activity haven

For example if purchasing a wood shed the exterior can be

easily painted and repainted when making the transition from

playhouse to storage space

For Denisersquos customers getting their moneyrsquos worth should

not have to mean making sacrifices

Simply Saratoga | 69

70 | Simply Saratoga

When Debby Trainor made the decision to buy her grand-

daughter Chezneyrsquos dream house she wanted it to have all the

bells and whistles She met with Denise to go over all the cri-

teria the goal was to buy the perfect gift for Chezney while

staying within her budget

The eight-year-old Greenwich girl wanted her own pretty

pink palace where she could play and imagine Debby wanted

it to be a cozy and safe place for her to play year-round

Customization and interior decoration helped make

Chezneyrsquos playhouse feel like her own little kingdom

ldquoWe made it look like a cute little dollhouserdquo she said ldquoWe

put furniture inside and a little stove fridge heater and TV

itrsquos just perfectrdquo

With the structure built to their liking Chezney and Debby

could enjoy decorating the inside to personalize the playhouse

For many customers putting on the finishing touches means

making the playhouse feel like home ndash you can add curtains

hang pictures buy furniture and appliances and landscape the

perimeter to make the outdoor space feel like a home away

from home

When the child grows out of their playhouse these items

can be easily removed to accommodate a secondary use for the

space

ldquoThe best thing that Denise did for me was explain how we

can use the playhouse for storage for stuff out in the yard after

Chezney has grown out of itrdquo Debby explained ldquoAlthough

she is only eight and will be using it for quite a few more

years this really makes it a good investment and looks

great in the backyardrdquo

Whether you choose a customized playhouse or a tradi-

tional shed thinking toward the future also ensures the

safety and longevity of the structure

Denise explained that placement is an important thing to

consider as you want to make sure the structure is in a safe

place and on an appropriate surface Most importantly the

playhouse must be built on a level even surface that isnrsquot

too high off of the ground

ldquoYou want it on a nice platformrdquo Denise explained

ldquoSome people use concrete but stone is better because it

allows moisture to seep down into the ground and away

from the structurerdquo

Most parents prefer that their playhouse is in the back-

yard where itrsquos easy to see from a window Placing the

structure in a shaded area is also a good idea it will be

cooler in the summer and less susceptible to the elements if

partially protected by trees

Debby had Chezneyrsquos playhouse built right next to her

swing set where she can be easily supervised

One last thing to consider when purchasing a playhouse

Simply Saratoga | 71

72 | Simply Saratoga

or shed for your child is how much effort

you want to put into maintaining it The

more ornate the structure the more care it

may need

Woodcock advises parents to preserve

their investment and treat the playhouse

like a miniature home

Think of it as a miniature house ndash the

structure requires regular maintenance

and upkeep to ensure your child will be

safe while enjoying years and years of

imaginative fun

With so many features and styles to

choose from yoursquore sure to find the best

for both you and your child

For more information about Versatile

Sheds or to set up a time to meet with

Denise Woodcock call (518) 584-7924

or stop by 669 Route 9 in Wilton sect

Simply Saratoga | 73

74 | Simply Saratoga

Kitchen

Not Your

Grandmarsquos

Story Written by Daniel Schechtman Photos Provided

ldquoAs you

walk into the kitchen

of the future LED

light projections adjust

to your mood - it will

know if you have a

hangover via sensors

that will read your

b r a i n w a v e s

Aromatherapy infused

walls will be synched

to your calendar calm-

ing you before a big

meeting or energizing you before a gym session The fridge will have selected some breakfast options identifying the essen-

tial vitamins for your day via sensors When you get home a hologram chef will be on hand for recipe inspirationrdquo

Alright so maybe your kitchen canrsquot do all of these things quite yet ndash but believe it or not wersquore getting there This is tomor-

rowrsquos kitchen a kitchen where your appliances donrsquot just store your food or wash your dishes ndash they talk to you providing you

with integral information on how to

best store your fruits and vegetables

letting you know if the refrigerator

door is open for too long or when a

part will soon need replacing

Simply Saratoga | 75

ldquoScience fictionrdquo I hear you say

Guess again Quoted from a report released by The Future Laboratory

who was commissioned by IKEA to determine what a modernkitchen in the year 2040 could conceivably look like

76 | Simply Saratoga

ldquoOne technology that really stands out to me is the

Miele Appliance Company Right now theyrsquore using a

program called lsquoremote visionrsquo On select applianceshellip

is a wireless card that clicks into a port on the back of

the appliance You synch it up with your home network

and it basically emails the technician and the owner

when itrsquos broken when you need to clean your condens-

er change your water filter or schedule a routine serv-

icerdquo said Tom Thibeault owner of Adirondack

Appliance Repair Inc located at 67 West Ave in

Saratoga Springs ldquoMaybe somebodyrsquos been opening the

[refrigerator] door for too long or the door was left open

ndash it will email you and tell you that your door is left

openrdquo

This is not your grandmarsquos kitchen This my friends

is the kitchen of the future and itrsquos available now

The 36 inch bottom-mount Miele refrigerator boasts a

striking interior featuring LED lighting running along

the sides from top to bottom stainless steel accents and

exteriors with control systems that would be comfort-

able alongside the captainrsquos chair on the Starship

Enterprise

Simply Saratoga | 77

ldquoThe controls in the Miele really stand out

Looking at the controls theyrsquore just a glass piece and

then once you touch it you see a few options for the

different compartments Then you touch the compart-

ment and the temperature is displayed so itrsquos kind of

like a Star Trek controlrdquo Thibeault said

And thatrsquos just the refrigerator

Adirondack Appliance has also seen brands such as

Wolf (a company owned by the same people who own

Sub-Zero) grow in popularity when it comes to their

range stoves and ovens The dual convection oven

works to eliminate cold spotting and provides consis-

tent even temperatures and even allows for unique

options such as proofing ndash used best when baking

homemade bread

ldquoIt also has a temperature probe you can plug into

things like a turkey or roast so you can see the temper-

ature while itrsquos still inside the machine It has

hydraulic hinges halogen lit interiors everything is

composed of stainless steel and itrsquos by far one of the

best lines on the marketrdquo Thibeault said

A new line coming to Adirondack Appliance that

features some amazing technology is a series of Pro-

Style Ranges produced by industry giant Jenn-Air

ldquoThat actually has an LCD touch

screen like an IPAD for the controls The

temperature is set by sliding your finger

along the controls Itrsquos all color backlit and

absolutely amazingrdquo Thibeault said

ldquoAnother thing we have to that same

effect are some of the hoods which have

really been getting pretty out there as far as

design We have one on our floor [by Miele]

that has an LED bar on the front which

changes in phases between 196000 colors

Itrsquos a very delicate change very pretty and

coolrdquo Thibeault said adding ldquoor you can set

it to any color in that spectrum yoursquod like to

accent your cabinetryrdquo

When it comes to dishwashers Thibeault

can attest to the quality of both the Asko and

Miele brands both of which he uses in his

own home And good news for Saratoga

Springs residents ndash

ldquoIn our market in

Saratoga we have a

very hard water base

whether yoursquore on a well

system or city waterrdquo

Thibeault said ldquoSo you

get a lot of minerals in

the machine With the

stainless steel interiors it

eliminates a lot of prob-

lems generally seen with

plastic interior tubs and

usually they are the best

life expectanciesrdquo

78 | Simply Saratoga

Asko and Mieleare practically custom made to handle the

arearsquos typicallymineral rich water

Simply Saratoga | 79

The Asko brand dishwasher takes things one step

further including two pumps in the washerrsquos system

The first pump filters the water cleansing it of poten-

tially harmful minerals while the second pump recircu-

lates the water ensuring that the machine is never

blasting your dishes with food debris or dirty residue

With Miele the design features a built-in water sof-

tener perfect for dealing with the Saratoga water

system

ldquoTypically the Miele is going to do a better job with

tougher baked in stainsrdquo said Thibeault ldquobecause itrsquos

got the softener in it and a little bit longer pots and pans

cyclerdquo

80 | Simply Saratoga

Adirondack Appliance Repair Inc is a fami-

ly-owned business since 1929 and the last inde-

pendent appliance retailer of its kind in Saratoga

Springs With $6 billion of buying power behind

their name (a benefit of being part of the Nation

Wide Appliance Buying Group) Thibeault

promised ldquowe can actually price match the box

stores and everybody else around all while pro-

viding you with better service and better

productsrdquo

For more information on AdirondackAppliance or the products they sell you mayvisit their showroom located at 67 West Avenuein Saratoga Springs for live demonstrationsThey can also be reached by phone at (518)587-6640 or you may visit them at their newwebsite wwwadkappliancecom where cus-tomers can browse through the storersquos entirecatalogue of appliances

sect

Simply Saratoga | 81

82 | Simply Saratoga

Page 27: Simply Saratoga March 2011

Simply Saratoga | 29

Are your kids looking for an adventure this summer The

Saratoga Regional YMCA has two exciting day camps available

Camp Starhitch held at the Wilton Branch which engages children

with a multitude of fun activities and a trip each week and Travel

Camp where participants meet at the Saratoga Springs Branch and

then travel off to fun and thrilling places each day

Camp Starhitch is for children having completed Kindergarten

through entering fifth grade Campers will participate in games

sports crafts nature activities trips swimming archery and more

Each week is planned around a theme and includes a trip For exam-

ple during ldquo70rsquos Flashbackrdquo week campers will go roller skating

during ldquoThe Wild Frontierrdquo week kids will have the opportunity to

go horseback riding and during ldquoTropical Paradiserdquo week partici-

pants may ldquocatch a gnarly waverdquo at an outdoor water park

Travel Camp is definitely for the action seeker and for those who

like to be on the go This program for youth entering fifth through

tenth grade provides campers an opportunity to travel each and every

day to fun-filled locations Participants explore different summer

activities that include amusement and water parks outdoor sports

fairs and horseback riding This year the trips include a visit to Hunter

Mountain Six Flags New England Tubing on the Battenkill NY

Mets game at Citi Field the NY State Fair and more

Camp Starhitch and Travel Camp both run for nine one-week ses-

sions You may choose to attend camp for one week or any combina-

tion of weeks Experienced counselors supervise children and a ratio

of 110 ensures a safe quality camping experience CPR and First Aid

certified camp staff will be present on all trips At Travel Camp

campers will be grouped according to age and are supervised by expe-

rienced adult staff

Camp Starhitch has two day camp options for your child Option A

allows for your child to be dropped off at 9 am and picked up at 4 pm

and Option B has a 7 am drop off time and a 6 pm pick up time

Travel Camp runs from 9 am to 430 pm and extended hours are

available at no additional cost This year transportation will be provid-

ed in both directions between the Saratoga Springs and Wilton

branches Pickups will be as early as 815 am and drop-offs will be

as late as 5 pm Both camps try to cater to working parents

In addition the Saratoga Regional YMCA is committed to provid-

ing a safe and welcoming environment for all campers by incorporat-

ing the YMCAcore values of caring honesty respect and responsibil-

ity in daily activities To promote safety and comfort for all individu-

als are asked to act appropriately at all times when at the Yrsquos facilities

or participating in Y programs All campers are required to read and

sign a contract of understanding in reference to the Code of Conduct

We expect persons using the YMCAto act maturely to behave respon-

sibly and to respect the rights and dignity of all othersmdashall while

having a good time

The Y also has opportunities available for those who may not have

the resources to send their children to camp The Y provides scholar-

ships for those who qualify Scholarships are made possible due to

the generous donations of Y members the community and businesses

to the ldquoWe Build Peoplerdquo scholarship campaign held by the Saratoga

Regional YMCA each year Scholarship applications are available at

all Saratoga Regional YMCA branches and online at wwwsaratogare-

gionalymcaorg

Registration is currently ongoing and fills up quickly Registration

forms are available at any of the Saratoga Regional YMCA Branches

or at wwwsaratogaregionalymcaorg For more information about

these day camps please contact Ilene Leverence at (518) 583-9622

ext 103 for Camp Starhitch and Patti Laudicina at (518) 583-9622

ext 110 or Paige Minear ext 116 for Travel Camp

Saratoga YMCA

30 | Simply Saratoga

Ask women about the greatest threat to their health and most will

respond incorrectly with the words ldquobreast cancerrdquo While breast cancer

certainly is of concern the truth is that women are 10 times more like-

ly to die from heart disease Breast cancer kills 1 in 25 women heart

disease claims 1 in 2

The most recent statistics available indicate that cardiovascular dis-

ease causes the death of 500000 women per year ndash more than ALL

forms of cancer combined This is a rate of epidemic proportion

Little or no warning

Two-thirds of women die suddenly from heart disease without expe-

riencing any warning symptoms The majority die before they even

reach the hospital and before any attempt at treatment is possible Early

screening and the detection that leads to prevention offer the only hope

of reducing these deaths

Women who do develop heart disease tend to fare worse than men

One reason is that on average heart disease peaks 10 years later in

women than in men At this older age women are less able to withstand

the stress of the disease The proof can be found in a disturbing statis-

tic One year after their first heart attack 44 percent of women are dead

compared with 27 percent of men

Clearly for women preventing that first heart attack would make an

enormous difference

Know the risks

What can be done to prevent and detect heart disease in women

Of foremost importance is to reduce ndash or if possible eliminate ndash the

conditions that cause or accelerate the growth of blockages in the arter-

ies of the heart These conditions known as risk factors include high

Women Take this warning to heart

Story By Andrij O Baran MD

blood pressure diabetes genetic high cholesterol a high-fat

diet an inactive lifestyle smoking and cocaine use

Some damage the lining of the heartrsquos arteries speeding the

buildup of cholesterol Others raise blood cholesterol Both

smoking and cocaine use speed blood clotting They also can

cause sudden cramps or spasms in the coronary arteries cut-

ting off the entire blood supply to portions of the heart even

without a cholesterol blockage

A woman who has one or more of these risk factors should

ask her doctor how best to control them She also should ask

about further screening and testing such as stress testing

The sooner the better

Lifestyle changes and medications can have a dramatic

impact on reducing the incidence of heart attack provided cho-

lesterol blockages are detected early ndash before damage to the

heart has occurred In fact drugs that lower cholesterol alone

have been unequivocally shown to reduce the risk of heart

attack and death by up to 50 percent

When added to a program of low-fat diet exercise control

of high blood pressure and diabetes and above all else no

smoking the benefits are magnified many times over Keep in

mind of course that these drugs work only if they are taken

and taken appropriately

By knowing and changing their risk factors all women can

ensure themselves of a longer and more vibrant life

Andrij O Baran MD FACC is the Medical Director of

Cardiology Services at Saratoga Hospital

Simply Saratoga | 31

A c t F a s t D u r i n g H e a r t A t t a c k s According to the American Heart

Association clot-busting drugs can stop

some heart attacks in progress reducing

disability and saving lives They work best

given within one hour of when heart

attack signs begin Thatrsquos why itrsquos impor-

tant to recognize the warning signs of a

heart attack and act right away

Warning Signs

bull Pain or discomfort in the jaw

neck or back

bull Feeling weak lightheaded or faint

bull Chest paindiscomfort

bull Paindiscomfort in the arms or

shoulder

bull Shortness of breath

If you think that you or someone you

know is having a heart attack call 911

immediately

32 | Simply Saratoga

Who would believe that a rabbi from Eastern

Europe frozen for 150 years in a block of ice could

be transported across time and space to Memphis

where he thaws then becomes a spiritual guru to

baby boomers Arguably nobody But Steve Stern

the author of ldquoThe Frozen Rabbirdquo his most recent

novel isnrsquot asking readers to believe it so much as

to let the characters tell their story Besides the plot

may be far-fetched but he already has a buyer for

the movie rights

Writer-in-residence at Skidmore College Stern is

a genius at creating human beings in fantastical cir-

cumstances who seem more like eccentric neigh-

bors than artifacts of science fiction Some fly

some inhabit other peoplersquos dreams some are res-

urrected and some travel through time Whatever

their superpowers or frailties the heroes and vil-

lains tricksters and innocents and witnesses and

bystanders in Sternrsquos short and long fiction deserve

attention and evoke compassion in their quest for

connection and redemption - or at least food and

shelter From within an inexhaustible vein of

Jewish folklore and oral history his characters

emerge into a lucid fictional universe that embraces

both magic and the mundane Dialogue is ironic as

often as it is mystical and the most ordinary days

serve as backdrops for incredible events

ldquoMiracles are commonplacerdquo says Stern a

Ballston Spa resident ldquoI donrsquot write in metaphors

and symbols deliberately Writing is a visceral

experience for me I read with interest what review-

ers say about my repetitive themes and ideas but I

am driven by images and characters Irsquom a compul-

sive storytellerrdquo

Steve Stern A Lyrical Voice in the Ghetto

B

o

o

k

m

a

r

k

Lean bespectacled and haloed in dark curls Stern

is a Memphis native who grew up in a home bereft

of music books and art in a city made famous by

Elvis Presley (who used to drive through Sternrsquos

neighborhood) and Martin Luther Kingrsquos assassina-

tion He remembers himself as ldquoa mediocre adoles-

cent without confidence or spiritual antennardquo first

stirred to write poetry in high school which he read

aloud for attention

ldquoI was surprised people liked itrdquo he says ldquoAnd I

liked writing it even though it embarrassed me But

I was encouraged to go on and later to try proserdquo

The allure of the late lsquo60s and early lsquo70s was not

academic After college Stern wandered through

Europe then worked as a butcher on a hippie com-

mune in the Ozarks raising pigs and eating off the

land ldquoI slept under five blankets and two dogsrdquo he

recalls (The incarnation has been memorialized in a

comic strip by Sternrsquos girlfriend Sabrina a cartoon-

ist and set designer for Saturday Night Live)

The commune was not too far from the University

of Arkansas where Stern attended graduate school

and played volleyball with Bill and Hillary Clinton

ldquoI hoped he would mention me in his inaugural

addressrdquo Stern sighs

With an MA Stern found teaching gigs at vari-

ous colleges but the work dried up forcing him to

take a job at a folklore center in Memphis first tran-

scribing stories about the black community then

launching a life-changing project to preserve the

stories of the fading Jewish population in a desolate

Memphis ghetto known as ldquoThe Pinchrdquo where

many of his stories are set

Story By Helen Susan Edelman

ldquoBernie scrunched his face in thought Gone was his waryimpulse to keep everything secret and there were times of latewhen he felt almost reckless almost ready to tell the world whileon the other hand he suspected he may have already confided toomuch ldquoI thinkrdquo he said after some consideration ldquoIrsquom startingto outgrow myselfrdquo

mdash Steve Stern ldquoThe Frozen Rabbirdquo

Photo by Josh GerritsenSteve Stern

Simply Saratoga | 33

ldquoIt was intoxicatingrdquo says Stern ldquoI became obsessed with

itrdquo Indeed his work is infused with the folklore images lan-

guage archetypes settings rituals and values embedded in

the memories he recorded and in the vast Jewish and Yiddish

literature he has studied since

A non-observant Jew Stern had no relationship with his

religion so the introduction to his exotic legacy was both

anchor and springboard for a prolific new consciousness

ldquoThe floodgates openedrdquo he says ldquoSuddenly this world

began to materialize for me What had been barren neighbor-

hoods I could see vividly as tenements and shops a town

square street traffic merchants pawnbrokers rabbis chil-

drenhellipimmigrants from Eastern Europe looking for a homerdquo

Stern is comfortable writing about transcendent wisdom as

long as itrsquos his characterrsquos voice

and not his own

dispensing the

insights The

frozen rabbi in

the book of the

same name for

example ldquoradiates

within his zone of

influence and is a

spiritual catalyst

for anyone who

encounters himrdquo

says Stern ldquowhere-

as I am a clicheacute a

Jew who grew up

without an identityrdquo

A winner of both

Guggenheim and

Fulbright fellowships

as well as the National

Jewish Book Award

the Pushcart Prize an

OrsquoHenry Prize and the Edward Lewis Wallant Award Stern

is working on a new novel and rereading Faulkner Tolstoy

Dickens and Joyce

He views each new writing project as ldquoa riskrdquo Experience

last summer also reminded him of the evanescence of popu-

larity he gave two readings one in Memphis which drew

such a crowd that doors had to be locked and one in St

Louis where he commanded an audience of four

ldquoJust like the characters in my storiesrdquo Stern observes ldquoI

encounter conflicts look for a way to escape and face mixed

consequencesrdquo sect

How is your mental state these days Are

you experiencing peace and joy in every-

day life or frustration and impatience Are

you living your life ldquoon purposerdquo or going

through the motions feeling numb and dead

on the inside How is the garden of your

mind Are you tending to your garden or letting

the weeds take over

When I lived in Boston I lived next door to an elder-

ly woman who had a beautiful garden Every morning my

neighbor was outside in her floral moo moo (circa Mrs

Roper from Threersquos Company) tending carefully to each

plant and flower She would spend hours walking around her

garden joyfully humming and making sure her flowers were

strong and healthy Many mornings I would sip my coffee

and watch her peacefully pulling out the weeds and tending

to her precious flowers To this day I remember how tall and

lovely her sunflowers were I think our mental state can be

compared to tending to a garden do we have beautiful sun-

flowers of joy and peace or toxic weeds of bitterness and

guilt

The weeds in your heart and mind are feelings of bitterness

anger guilt self-loathing and negativity Do you spend your

days reviewing the list of those that have offended

you Do you beat yourself up daily for past mis-

takes or regrets These are the weeds that can

take over your mind and lead to racing

thoughts a dark depression constant

anxiety or physical illness and

chronic pain If you are someone

that is easily frustrated impatient

and critical you can be sure you

34 | Simply Saratoga

Tending to theGarden of Your MindDealing with the Weeds in your Life

Simple Truths

have some weeds to deal with

The only path to peace and joy in your everyday life is to

pull your weeds out from the root and confront the issues

Holding on to your weeds only makes you ill and deadens

your heart Did you know that people who are full of bitter-

ness and resentment appear older and are not as physically

attractive as people who are full of peace and love The

weeds in your heart and mind can actually make you ugly

Likewise a mind that is content and peaceful gives us a

sparkle and light in our eyes that people are automatically

attracted to Forget the anti-wrinkle cream and Botox Fill

your heart and mind up with the best kept beauty secret

around love and forgiveness

Forgiveness is not about letting the person who hurt you

off the hook Forgiveness IS allowing light into our hearts

so that we can heal and move forward It takes the heavy

burden of offense and resentment off of our hearts and

minds while preparing the ldquosoilrdquo for new growth and

experiences

When possible confront the people you need to forgive

so that you can have closure and move on If it is not pos-

sible to confront the person that is the weed in your life

write them a letter expressing your hurt and anger (not to

send but in a private journal) This is a wonderful way to

give yourself closure and put your feelings out on the table

More often than not the person we have to forgive or con-

front is ourselves If you are constantly beating yourself up

and feeling guilty about your past make a choice to forgive

yourself

Donrsquot be lazy about your weeds Dig deep and pull out

your weeds so that you can make room for peace and joy

We all desire to feel love and be accepted That accept-

Meghan DLemery LCSW-R

Simply Saratoga | 35

ance starts with you Begin to focus on peaceful loving joyful

thoughts Keep a gratitude journal of what you love about your-

self or the loved ones in your life Practice planting seeds of joy

by giving acceptance and love to everyone around you

Take time to practice patience and kindness to your family

friends colleagues and that slow cashier at the grocery store Go

out of your way to help others in any way that you can All of

these acts of kindness plant the seeds of peace love joy and

abundance

As we approach the new season of spring take some time to

tend to the garden of your mind

Wishing you love self-acceptance and peace this spring and

always

Ms Lemery is a psychotherapist practic-ing in Saratoga Springs and QueensburyShe can be reached at meghanle-meryyahoocom

Her first novel will be pub-lished this Spring TitledldquoPlease Pass the BarbieShoesrdquo it is a hilarious heart-warming story that will haveyou feeling inspiredand empowered

sect

36 | Simply Saratoga

Living Room The custom-designed leather couch chair andottoman come from Suttons The stucco fireplace was inspired by theCollinsrsquo travels through the Southwest and Colorado (ldquowe wanted to avoida traditional river rock fireplacerdquo) and provides a heat source as well asbeauty The original structure was built for passive solar design no airconditioning is needed in the summer A wood stove is the primary heatsource radiant heat with natural gas was also added during the renova-tion

The front door as well as all the interior doors was custom-made fittedand replaced by Tom Zanetti Hickory wood floors were also installed dur-ing the addition A hanging stained glass chandelier is a stock itemobtained from a leading home supply retailer ldquoIt captures the sunlightbeautifully along with providing brilliant nighttime illuminationrdquo Tedsaid ldquoItrsquos an eclectic mixrdquo

Simply Saratoga | 37

Today we look at a creative space that is set into a special place

In 1993 Ted and Susan Collins purchased a seven-acre property

with a 1986 Timberpeg designed home that has all the qualities of

a place in the country ndash yet many would be surprised to learn that

it is actually located on the border of Saratoga Springs near the

Alpine Shop on Clinton Street After a number of years living in

apartments on Union Avenue and Franklin Square enjoying the

proximity to downtown and the track they couldnrsquot resist a spot

that was close to town but yet had lots of land

Their overall vision was for an interior space that was in accord

with the outside ndash the wildlife gardens and the sustainable philos-

ophy embodied in the original buildingrsquos passive solar design

ldquoEverything we do embraces the goals of staying true to the orig-

inal structure having an open welcoming interior and being in

harmony with the outdoorsrdquo Ted said

Inspired by travels in balance with the land

Story By Arthur GonickPhotos by copystockstudiosphotographycom

These principles guided a major transformation of the interior

space in 2006 The key element was an addition to the home that

enabled the living room kitchen and upstairs bedroom to be

expanded allowing space for the installation of a downstairs bath

as well

Susan and Ted led this transformation - visualizing an addition

that incorporated equilibrium of size location and overall propor-

tion They went through several iterations with Rick Deforest of

Heritage Timberframes

Even though much of the interior decor came from travels in

Africa the South Pacific and Colorado the building materials and

craftsmen are all local The timbers and wood flooring were milled

in nearby Kingsbury ldquoWe enjoyed working with professionals who

are also friends like Rick Deforest Tom Zanetti and Mike

Roohanrdquo Ted said ldquothe house now feels complete in balancerdquo sect

Unique Places and Creative Spaces If you would like to nominate a unique

or creative place to be featured emailentertainmentsaratogapublishingcom

38 | Simply Saratoga

Kitchen A wall was taken out that afforded space to add an eat-in island area and

open up the space Custom cabinets are by Tom Zanetti Stonework andappliances were added Both the kitchen and bathroom have granite table-tops (from Mike and Margaret Roohan of Granite and Marble Works)New appliances include a Bosch stove (with a built-in microwave drawer)and an Amana stainless refrigerator

Bathroom The bathroom ceiling is pine The showerarea was designed and built to the Collinsrsquo specifications andfeatures a bench 4 shower heads PLUS an extra hand-held one(ldquoItrsquos a human car washrdquo) The stone tiles on the sides and floorin the shower were installed by Best Tile the plumbing in theshower comes from Aird Dorrance as does the sink ndash which sitson a granite top from Granite and Marble Works The windowleads out to the north side of the house with privacy blinds insidethe window panes One thing you donrsquot see ldquoSince the room ison display in the center of the expanded first floor we wanted thecommode to be mostly hiddenrdquo Ted said

Unique Places and Creative Spaces

Simply Saratoga | 39

Living RoomA reading nook sits upon the bathroom addition ldquoThere was no full bathroom on the first

floor and with a post and beam construction we had to be creative You get outstanding viewsof the property pond and stream when viewed from the nookrsquos perspectiverdquo The ladder canswing out on a track making it more like walking up a staircase ndash this was also designed andinstalled by Tom Zanetti The table in the nook is actually a working African drum with a glasstable top added

40 | Simply Saratoga

Bedroom In the second-floor master bedroom moving the dormer brought in extra light and space and

also brought the roofline together with the original structure and first-floor additions The floorand ceiling are made of rough-cut pine planking The bed is also constructed of pine and comesfrom Suttons The window in the upper left was cut during the addition It faces west for extra day-time light

Simply Saratoga | 41

42 | Simply Saratoga

Story Written by Yael Goldman Photos by Samu Studios and Randall Perry Photography

Simply Saratoga | 43

orking with the

right interior designer

turns listless decision making

into an enjoyable and productive

process that avoids costly mistakes

and delivers exceptional results

Designing a room or an entire home is a

big project no matter how strong your tastes are

The decisions are endless ndash what color should I paint the

walls What flooring is most aesthetically appealing and

dog-friendly Should I choose a furniture set or choose

individual pieces Do I want curtains or shades Do I

decorate with knick-knacks or artwork

But with all the unique self-questioning that surrounds

an interior design project most homeowners share angst

in asking themselves one specific question where do I

start

Itrsquos at this point ndash when stress level increases enjoy-

ment-driven projects turn deadly and money has been

wastefully spent on all the wrong things ndash that you long

for the help of a professional if only you could afford it

Well the truth is you can

Creating the right space can be expensive but is only

more so if you make mistakes and have to go back and

fix them If you do it right the first time therersquos no cost

associated with do-overs

With nearly 100 years of experience between them all

four members of Blairhouse Interiors Group have

worked with more than enough unhappy do-it-your-

selfers to tell you yoursquore not alone

Photo by Samu Studios

44 | Simply Saratoga

The four-member designproject therapy team which recently

opened a studio in Saratoga Springs has a long history of help-

ing home and business owners create their ideal spaces and

atmospheres the right way Their exceptional work is celebrated across

the Capital Region including Saratoga Springs where the Blairhouse

look is prominently featured in a handful of Park Place condominiums

and the incredible Saratoga National Golf Club

Thomas R Burns Meghan Baltich Dominic Carota and Patricia

Richards the highly skilled and charismatic force behind Blairhouse

Interiors Group promise an experience that is personal because itrsquos all

about your needs ndash and thatrsquos what is important

Blairhouse offers full-service interior design services space planning

project management hand-picked merchandise patience and an uncan-

ny ability to create a

look that is always

fresh sophisticated

and comfortable

ldquoThe style that we

gravitate toward is

unique cutting-edge

and modern not dic-

tated by corporaterdquo

said Meghan Baltich

pointing to a ldquovery

propitiousrdquo Keith Fritz

table at the center of

the studio

Photo by Randall Perry Photography

If you do it right the firsttime therersquos no cost

associated with do-oversPhoto by Randall Perry Photography

One glance at the Park Place showroom ndash of the selective furnishings carefully showcased along

the periphery ndash and it becomes clear why Blairhouse an award-winning team gets the job

done

Their creativity focus and immaculate sense of direction bring objectivity to the scene helping you nar-

row down all of the tedious and overwhelming choices that make do-it-yourself decorating an exercise in

unclear thinking

ldquoPeople are overwhelmed by all the choices it can feel like theyrsquore in a paralyzed blurrdquo said Thomas

Burns who finds that a great vision can be impossible to imagine and create without eliminating all of

the distractions

A vital step in getting focused is creating a

comprehensive plan based on individual

needs wants and style that addresses all

aspects of lifestyle and taste and suggests

tactful solutions and fresh approaches to new

and existing spaces

They help you identify what you like

forcing you to hone in on what you want and

need to compliment and enhance your

lifestyle

ldquoWe ascertain the clientrsquos goal and

lifestyle to convey their visionrdquo said

Dominic Carota explaining that the intended

outcome of creating or reinventing a room is

often strictly tied to how you want to live in

it

ldquoWe have to know how they functionrdquo he

said

An interior designer is an asset in the func-

tion-meets-style equation

Dominic explained that a couple starting a family will have far

different needs than empty-nesters looking for a change They may

have the same stylistic goals but their execution will differ based on

how their lifestyle exists within the space

When revamping a single room the majority of your focus is ded-

icated to that individual space making it easy to forget that the rest

of the house is attached Establishing connectivity between rooms is

a challenge but an important part of executing a project the right

way

Sometimes one wrong detail no matter how small can be incred-

ibly impactful and difficult to avoid on your own

ldquoIf yoursquore working on a new addition or renovation we ensure it

flows that therersquos balance between the existing part of the living

space and the new additionrdquo Meghan Baltich said explaining that

it just doesnrsquot make sense to put in a great new kitchen if itrsquos dis-

jointed and out of place from its surroundings

Another common novice mistake is the trendy retail store fallacy

that you can order a full room from a catalog or pick a fabulous and

unique design from a floor plan

Blairhouse clients learn the difference between ldquocookie-cutterrdquo

and ldquocustomrdquo and they are never concerned with picking the wrong

piece for the wrong room

Simply Saratoga | 45

ome customers will come to us after going into a Pottery Barn and buying stuff that just didnrsquot workrdquo Baltich said giving the

example of an individual who purchased an enormous sectional for a tiny room ldquoWe scale into the clientrsquos space taking func-

tion and proportion into considerationrdquo

Exceptional listening and observation skills are the designerrsquos

unsung attributes and greatest assets Blairhouse experts engage

with their clients to gain a true understanding of what they want

In turn the design process becomes an eye-opening experience

customers are introduced to colors and concepts they would

never think to consider

ldquoEach client trusts us to create their environment and we

enable them to make informed decisionsrdquo Patricia Richards

said

And sometimes that requires bold suggestions and collabora-

tion or looking at all of the possibilities even the ones ldquoyou

would never have been brave enough to do on your ownrdquo

In the end the experience of working with the experts is

enjoyable stress-free and cost-effective From concept to com-

pletion the result is just what you want and need ndash a fabulous

marriage of function and aesthetic that wonrsquot have you coming

back for more (because you did it right the first time) sect

ldquoS

46 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 47

For a taste of Blairhouse Interiors Grouprsquos distinctive work stop into their Park Place studio located at 262 Broadway Suite 204 in Saratoga Springs For further details visit wwwblairhouseinteriorscom or call (518) 786-7800

From left to right Dominic Carota Meghan Baltich Patricia Richards and

Thomas R Burns (The designproject therapy team of Blairhouse Interiors Group)

48 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 49

Dorsquos and Donrsquots

50 | Simply Saratoga

Story Written by Kerry Ann Mendez Perennially Yours bull wwwpyourscom Photos Provided

SpringDorsquos and Donrsquots

SpringDorsquos and DonrsquotsDorsquos and Donrsquots

Spring

for your Gardens

s

Simply Saratoga | 51

ssts

SPRINGis right around the corner and gardenersare pawing at the ground ready to explodethrough the garden gate As a passionate perennial gardenerI am right there with you But before launching into another flower-filledseason letrsquos go through a spring checklist of dorsquorsquos and donrsquorsquots to makesure we make the most of the race and have the best finish ever

Photo by GardenersSupply Company

apply a granular fertilizer to your perennial beds while they are still lsquoasleeprsquoDepending on the winter wersquove had this may be anytime from mid-Marchto mid-April Donrsquot worry if there are already lsquoearly risersrsquo visible like springblooming bulbs or woodland ephemerals I recommend using 5-5-5 5-10-5 or

5-10-10 fertilizer at the rate of 2 pounds per 100 square feet Cast the fertilizer just before it is about to rainto make sure fertilizer is watered into the ground and washed off any existing leaves You can give otherplants in your yard this treat as well including floweringshrubs groundcovers climbing vinesand roses

DONrsquoTput fertilizer on top of the snow or on ground that is

still frozen You want to make sure the fertilizer disap-pears into pliable soil and to waiting roots otherwiserunoff can occur And donrsquot think more is better Youcan stress or even kill plants by over-fertilizing espe-cially in spring when leaves are not fully developed toutilize nitrogen in the fertilizer If you are going to errless is better

DO

prune once-b l o o m i n g

roses such as Heirloom or Old GardenRoses when the Forsythia is blooming

Any rose that blooms onceusually in late spring forabout three weeks is in thiscategory Many times theseroses are quite fragrantWait to prune these rosesuntil right after they flower

DONrsquoT

prune most roses whenForsythia is in bloom Pruneshrub roses back by half to

23 their height This is assuming you did not prunethem last fall If you did then next year wait until latewinter or early spring Prune Teas and Grandiflorasback to 18 - 24rdquo For climbing roses prune branchesemerging from the main canes back to within 3 - 4rdquoof the cane

DO

apply corn gluten tolawn areas yoursquoveseeded (or over-seeded) or to gar-dens where youwant biennialsperennials or annu-als to reseed andflower Corn glutendoes not distinguishbetween lsquogoodrsquoand lsquobadrsquo seeds

apply a pre-emer-gent weed killerand fertilizer toyour lawn A lushhealthy lawn

makes a beautiful frame for gardens Myfamily walked away from lawn chemicalsfive years ago And our lawn has neverlooked better Corn gluten is a big part ofthis transformation Corn gluten is a by-product of milled corn It will not harm chil-dren pets or wildlife Heck you can eat it ifyou want (but it tastes yucky) Corn Glutenis high in nitrogen and commonly used as alawn fertilizer But it is also a pre-emergenttargeting seeds as they germinate Youcan put corn gluten down at any point inthe spring BUT if part of your mission is toeliminate crabgrass then there is a narrowwindow of attackApply it whenForsythia is in fullbloom and beforeits leaves appearThe Forsythia is asoil temperatureindicator that cor-responds to whencrabgrass seedsstart to germinate More garden centersare now carrying corn gluten productsYou just need to ask and follow the appli-cation instructions on the bag Make sureto water in the corn gluten after applyingIt will remain effective for five to six weeks

Simply Saratoga | 53

DONrsquoT

DO

step on soil as you maneuver around thegarden to cut back Lavender and therest of the gang For that matter youshould never be tromping through yourgardens compacting soil This breaks

down air and water channels as well as making it tougher forroots to spread Instead reach into beds from existing paths orplace stepping stones in discreet spots where only your eyes cansee or lsquowalk the plankrsquo on a board to reach plants fartherlsquoadriftrsquo

54 | Simply Saratoga

cut back Lavender Russian SageMontauk Daisy Butterfly BushChrysanthemums and ornamental grass-es These are best left untouched in falland whacked in spring Many folks make

the mistake of acting too gingerly with pruners Let lsquoem fly Theresult will be more compact neater plants that will bloom just fineTrust me If it helps wait until yoursquove had a bad day at work withthe kids or in traffic

DONrsquoT

DO

divide Peonies German Bearded Iris orOriental Poppies in spring These are bestdone in late summer Also tap-rootedplants (those with a carrot-looking root)cannot be divided Think about it These

are usually propagated by seed stem or root cuttings Someperennials that fall into this category are Malva Butterfly WeedBalloon Flower Oriental Poppies and Lupines

Simply Saratoga | 55

DONrsquoT

divide plants in spring This is an optimumtime to divide most perennials Yes evenspring bloomers Wait until these haveflowered and then shear off the spentblooms and get to business Most sum-

mer and fall blooming perennials can be divided prior to mid-Junewithout disrupting their performance

DO

apply a time-released fertilizersuch as Plant-Tone(organic) orOsmocote to heavy

feeding perennials five to six weeks afterthe earlier granular fertilizer applicationMost plants do not need as much fertilizeras we are led in advertising to believe I amstingy with my money and maintenancetime so only a handful of plants get thisbonus feed Astilbe Delphinium Liliums (ieAsiatic Oriental Trumpet) Clematis androses If I am feeling generous I will putsome on my Bigleaf Hydrangeas next to theroses Call me heartlessJust scratch fertilizer intothe top couple inchesof soil around theplantrsquos base and waterin well They will enjoy anutritious snack forthree to four months

apply mulch ongarden beds toreduce weedsconserve moisture

reduce erosion minimize soil temperaturefluctuations and enhance the quality ofthe soil Some mulching materials includeaged manures compost shredded wood(not dyed) leaf moldand cocoa hulls Putthe mulch down 2rdquo to3rdquo thick around plantsincluding floweringshrubs

build up mulchagainst plant stems

And please please donrsquot create volcanomounds around trees Please This is awfulfor them The only ones that benefit fromthis are the people selling the mulch

56 | Simply Saratoga

DONrsquoT

DO

DO

rubber band orbraid the foliage ofspring bloomingbulbs after they fin-ish flowering You

want as much leaf surface exposed to thesun as possible to increase photosynthesisYou can press the leaves down next to thesoil so they are less noticeable

Simply Saratoga | 57

sect

And finally DO have a great year in

your gardens and DONrsquoT forget to

take time to smell the roses

DONrsquoT

DONrsquoT

cut off the spentblooms and stems onspring blooming bulbsafter they have flow-ered so energy is redirected to the bulbsversus seed productions Keep the leaves inplace until they have browned and ideallycan be pulled from the ground by hand

put time-released fertil-izer on perennials thatprefer lean dietsRicher soil just upsetstheir vascular systemsThey will get leggy flop and not perform tosnuff Yarrow Coneflower Catmint RussianSage Linum Sea Holly and Silvermound are inthe group

DO

For more information contact Perennially Yours at pyourscom

58 | Simply Saratoga

Ill mination

Exterior Stonework

an

d

Story Written by Arthur Gonick Photos Provided

u

Simply Saratoga | 59

To develop and implement an exterior vista that maximizes your enjoyment To have a backyard landscape that is warm inviting and uniquely yours

These are goals that many homeowners have when they first move onto their property But unless you are trained in the variety ofmaterials and options available the task of getting past the point of comparing possibilities to completing and actually enjoying yourbackyard paradise can appear to be a long daunting road

For Carl Trinkle a landscape designer for ten years with the Gallivan Companies of Troy one of the key elements in a successfultransformation is utilizing a professionalrsquos expertise to articulate goals and develop a plan

ldquoThe most important thing we do when we first meet with a client is to get them to discuss their basic needs and aims and encouragethem to formulate an overall vision for their property An initial consultation sets the tone we make an initial visit on-site to look overthe property so we can have an idea as to where things might be placedrdquo

ldquoDuring this intake process we actually encourage people to show us photos of their friendrsquos property that they like or perhaps froma magazine It helps most people to articulate the goals of what they would like to see as a finished projectrdquo Trinkle said ldquoEven if they are looking to do things in phases we find that it is most important to develop a comprehensive site planrdquo This eliminates the need to revise original phases of work to accommodate those that come in the future

60 | Simply Saratoga

that Mr Trinkle finds potential customers identifying with aredesigned to extend the outdoor season ldquoA few extra weeks outside isa lotrdquo he said

add-ons also extend outside activity each day Low voltage lighting is still the most popular but recently LED lighting with longer-lasting bulbs that involve less maintenance and are cost-efficienthave become more fashionable

The latest trends

stations fire pits and waterenhancements such as ponds andwaterfalls are the most frequentlyrequested items that broaden theoutdoor use season

Outdoor grill

Exterior lighting

Simply Saratoga | 61

And of course swimming pool projects have always been a most-requested

item Fifty percent of allthe projects Mr Trinkleworks on involve a pooleither a completely new installation or enhance-ments to existing poolsGallivanrsquos long-standingrelationship withConcord Pools has beena hallmark in assuringthat customers are satis-fied when their pool isput in the ground

62 | Simply Saratoga

In most cases a comprehensive plancan be developed for any project in about a period of twoweeks Complete drawings and cost breakdowns are provid-ed as well as the projected phases that can be completed injust a few months or on larger projects can be scheduled insegments over a few years These are reviewed in personwith the customer again the goal being to have a plan thateveryone buys into

Simply Saratoga | 63

ldquoWe have had projects where the customer has wanted tohave a lot of input and we welcome that But we also hadone where the client was out of town and we built a firepit and slide for his wife and kids and our only instructions were to dazzle themI remember it as a most satisfying experience and we ended up winning awards for that onerdquo

- Carl Trinkle Landscape DesignerThe Gallivan Companies

64 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 65

ldquoI get to work using my creativity with talented people Some of the most talented are those

I meet as customersrdquo sect

For more information or to schedule aconsultation phone Gallivan Companies at(518) 271-6100 Gallivanrsquos website iswwwGallivanCompaniescom

66 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 67

Buying a playhouse for your child is an excellent investment

They promote imaginative play and spending time outdoors and

double as storage space when no longer used for recreation

Denise Woodcock owner of Versatile Sheds in Wilton has

been helping parents and grandparents customize their childrsquos or

grandchildrsquos dream playhouses for years

ldquoThey make great gifts especially for grandparents who want

their grandkids to have their own place to play when they visitrdquo

she said

Playhouses are a great addition to a childrsquos outdoor world

They come in all shapes sizes and designs and can be custom-

built or finished if you donrsquot find exactly what yoursquore looking for

in a catalog or on the lot

Every child is different and has their own preferences for color

size and function boys and girls often have especially different

requests for their play space as do younger and more mature chil-

dren so therersquos a lot to consider

Denise knows how even the finest detail can be all it takes to

make an outdoor structure feel like a childrsquos own personal space

While it may seem superfluous to address every minor demand

the truth is a playhouse is more than just an expensive toy itrsquos an

investment The more your child connects with their space the more

use theyrsquoll get out of it ndash and according to Denise that means your

money is well spent

Smartest WayThe

playhouse for your kidsto buy a

Photos by MarkBollescomStory by Yael Goldman

68 | Simply Saratoga

With this in mind prospective buyers should first consider

who will use the playhouse and for how long as well as what

happens when the structure is no longer used for recreation

Versatile Sheds can help even the most discerning parent or

child find what theyrsquore looking for Every playhouse is hand-

built by Amish craftsmen who can accommodate almost any

special request at an additional cost so the possibilities are

endless inside and out

Cedar shingle or vinyl siding wood stone or brick ndash if you

can use it on the outside of your regular home it can be inte-

grated into your playhousersquos design Playhouses can be built

to look like a miniature version of your home which is an

excellent touch for parents that are particularly concerned

with aesthetics Porches shutters flowerboxes unique doors

chimneys and exterior lighting are just a few of the touches

that can brighten and personalize the exterior

Individualizing your childrsquos playhouse doesnrsquot stop at the

front door There are just as many interior features to choose

from ndash you can let your imagination run wild

For starters you have the option to order the playhouse

with a finished or unfinished interior The unfinished version

looks a lot like the inside of a regular home before you move

in paint the walls and furnish the rooms

Buying an unfinished structure is a great way to cut costs

and even bring the family together over a weekend decorating

project The possibilities are endless depending on how handy

you are otherwise a few coats of paint and a bit of carpeting

will surely do the trick

Although a bit pricey purchasing a playhouse with a fin-

ished interior ensures that your child gets exactly what they

want right off the bat They can pick everything from the paint

color to the flooring so the playhouse is move-in ready on the

day it arrives

Playhouses can also be insulated and wired for electricity

You can install lighting electrical outlets even heat or air-

conditioning to make your childrsquos outdoor space as comfort-

able as possible

And the options donrsquot end there Traditional sheds also dou-

ble as playhouses For some parents purchasing an adult-size

shed for their children is an ideal way to get the best return on

their investment Once their children grow out of it the struc-

ture can be used for outdoor storage With just as many styles

sizes and materials to choose from you can customize the

interior and exterior of your shed just as you would a play-

house but without all of the more frivolous features

ldquoAny shed can be a playhouserdquo Woodcock said explaining

how a custom paint job or flowerbox can transform a typical

storage unit into childrsquos outdoor activity haven

For example if purchasing a wood shed the exterior can be

easily painted and repainted when making the transition from

playhouse to storage space

For Denisersquos customers getting their moneyrsquos worth should

not have to mean making sacrifices

Simply Saratoga | 69

70 | Simply Saratoga

When Debby Trainor made the decision to buy her grand-

daughter Chezneyrsquos dream house she wanted it to have all the

bells and whistles She met with Denise to go over all the cri-

teria the goal was to buy the perfect gift for Chezney while

staying within her budget

The eight-year-old Greenwich girl wanted her own pretty

pink palace where she could play and imagine Debby wanted

it to be a cozy and safe place for her to play year-round

Customization and interior decoration helped make

Chezneyrsquos playhouse feel like her own little kingdom

ldquoWe made it look like a cute little dollhouserdquo she said ldquoWe

put furniture inside and a little stove fridge heater and TV

itrsquos just perfectrdquo

With the structure built to their liking Chezney and Debby

could enjoy decorating the inside to personalize the playhouse

For many customers putting on the finishing touches means

making the playhouse feel like home ndash you can add curtains

hang pictures buy furniture and appliances and landscape the

perimeter to make the outdoor space feel like a home away

from home

When the child grows out of their playhouse these items

can be easily removed to accommodate a secondary use for the

space

ldquoThe best thing that Denise did for me was explain how we

can use the playhouse for storage for stuff out in the yard after

Chezney has grown out of itrdquo Debby explained ldquoAlthough

she is only eight and will be using it for quite a few more

years this really makes it a good investment and looks

great in the backyardrdquo

Whether you choose a customized playhouse or a tradi-

tional shed thinking toward the future also ensures the

safety and longevity of the structure

Denise explained that placement is an important thing to

consider as you want to make sure the structure is in a safe

place and on an appropriate surface Most importantly the

playhouse must be built on a level even surface that isnrsquot

too high off of the ground

ldquoYou want it on a nice platformrdquo Denise explained

ldquoSome people use concrete but stone is better because it

allows moisture to seep down into the ground and away

from the structurerdquo

Most parents prefer that their playhouse is in the back-

yard where itrsquos easy to see from a window Placing the

structure in a shaded area is also a good idea it will be

cooler in the summer and less susceptible to the elements if

partially protected by trees

Debby had Chezneyrsquos playhouse built right next to her

swing set where she can be easily supervised

One last thing to consider when purchasing a playhouse

Simply Saratoga | 71

72 | Simply Saratoga

or shed for your child is how much effort

you want to put into maintaining it The

more ornate the structure the more care it

may need

Woodcock advises parents to preserve

their investment and treat the playhouse

like a miniature home

Think of it as a miniature house ndash the

structure requires regular maintenance

and upkeep to ensure your child will be

safe while enjoying years and years of

imaginative fun

With so many features and styles to

choose from yoursquore sure to find the best

for both you and your child

For more information about Versatile

Sheds or to set up a time to meet with

Denise Woodcock call (518) 584-7924

or stop by 669 Route 9 in Wilton sect

Simply Saratoga | 73

74 | Simply Saratoga

Kitchen

Not Your

Grandmarsquos

Story Written by Daniel Schechtman Photos Provided

ldquoAs you

walk into the kitchen

of the future LED

light projections adjust

to your mood - it will

know if you have a

hangover via sensors

that will read your

b r a i n w a v e s

Aromatherapy infused

walls will be synched

to your calendar calm-

ing you before a big

meeting or energizing you before a gym session The fridge will have selected some breakfast options identifying the essen-

tial vitamins for your day via sensors When you get home a hologram chef will be on hand for recipe inspirationrdquo

Alright so maybe your kitchen canrsquot do all of these things quite yet ndash but believe it or not wersquore getting there This is tomor-

rowrsquos kitchen a kitchen where your appliances donrsquot just store your food or wash your dishes ndash they talk to you providing you

with integral information on how to

best store your fruits and vegetables

letting you know if the refrigerator

door is open for too long or when a

part will soon need replacing

Simply Saratoga | 75

ldquoScience fictionrdquo I hear you say

Guess again Quoted from a report released by The Future Laboratory

who was commissioned by IKEA to determine what a modernkitchen in the year 2040 could conceivably look like

76 | Simply Saratoga

ldquoOne technology that really stands out to me is the

Miele Appliance Company Right now theyrsquore using a

program called lsquoremote visionrsquo On select applianceshellip

is a wireless card that clicks into a port on the back of

the appliance You synch it up with your home network

and it basically emails the technician and the owner

when itrsquos broken when you need to clean your condens-

er change your water filter or schedule a routine serv-

icerdquo said Tom Thibeault owner of Adirondack

Appliance Repair Inc located at 67 West Ave in

Saratoga Springs ldquoMaybe somebodyrsquos been opening the

[refrigerator] door for too long or the door was left open

ndash it will email you and tell you that your door is left

openrdquo

This is not your grandmarsquos kitchen This my friends

is the kitchen of the future and itrsquos available now

The 36 inch bottom-mount Miele refrigerator boasts a

striking interior featuring LED lighting running along

the sides from top to bottom stainless steel accents and

exteriors with control systems that would be comfort-

able alongside the captainrsquos chair on the Starship

Enterprise

Simply Saratoga | 77

ldquoThe controls in the Miele really stand out

Looking at the controls theyrsquore just a glass piece and

then once you touch it you see a few options for the

different compartments Then you touch the compart-

ment and the temperature is displayed so itrsquos kind of

like a Star Trek controlrdquo Thibeault said

And thatrsquos just the refrigerator

Adirondack Appliance has also seen brands such as

Wolf (a company owned by the same people who own

Sub-Zero) grow in popularity when it comes to their

range stoves and ovens The dual convection oven

works to eliminate cold spotting and provides consis-

tent even temperatures and even allows for unique

options such as proofing ndash used best when baking

homemade bread

ldquoIt also has a temperature probe you can plug into

things like a turkey or roast so you can see the temper-

ature while itrsquos still inside the machine It has

hydraulic hinges halogen lit interiors everything is

composed of stainless steel and itrsquos by far one of the

best lines on the marketrdquo Thibeault said

A new line coming to Adirondack Appliance that

features some amazing technology is a series of Pro-

Style Ranges produced by industry giant Jenn-Air

ldquoThat actually has an LCD touch

screen like an IPAD for the controls The

temperature is set by sliding your finger

along the controls Itrsquos all color backlit and

absolutely amazingrdquo Thibeault said

ldquoAnother thing we have to that same

effect are some of the hoods which have

really been getting pretty out there as far as

design We have one on our floor [by Miele]

that has an LED bar on the front which

changes in phases between 196000 colors

Itrsquos a very delicate change very pretty and

coolrdquo Thibeault said adding ldquoor you can set

it to any color in that spectrum yoursquod like to

accent your cabinetryrdquo

When it comes to dishwashers Thibeault

can attest to the quality of both the Asko and

Miele brands both of which he uses in his

own home And good news for Saratoga

Springs residents ndash

ldquoIn our market in

Saratoga we have a

very hard water base

whether yoursquore on a well

system or city waterrdquo

Thibeault said ldquoSo you

get a lot of minerals in

the machine With the

stainless steel interiors it

eliminates a lot of prob-

lems generally seen with

plastic interior tubs and

usually they are the best

life expectanciesrdquo

78 | Simply Saratoga

Asko and Mieleare practically custom made to handle the

arearsquos typicallymineral rich water

Simply Saratoga | 79

The Asko brand dishwasher takes things one step

further including two pumps in the washerrsquos system

The first pump filters the water cleansing it of poten-

tially harmful minerals while the second pump recircu-

lates the water ensuring that the machine is never

blasting your dishes with food debris or dirty residue

With Miele the design features a built-in water sof-

tener perfect for dealing with the Saratoga water

system

ldquoTypically the Miele is going to do a better job with

tougher baked in stainsrdquo said Thibeault ldquobecause itrsquos

got the softener in it and a little bit longer pots and pans

cyclerdquo

80 | Simply Saratoga

Adirondack Appliance Repair Inc is a fami-

ly-owned business since 1929 and the last inde-

pendent appliance retailer of its kind in Saratoga

Springs With $6 billion of buying power behind

their name (a benefit of being part of the Nation

Wide Appliance Buying Group) Thibeault

promised ldquowe can actually price match the box

stores and everybody else around all while pro-

viding you with better service and better

productsrdquo

For more information on AdirondackAppliance or the products they sell you mayvisit their showroom located at 67 West Avenuein Saratoga Springs for live demonstrationsThey can also be reached by phone at (518)587-6640 or you may visit them at their newwebsite wwwadkappliancecom where cus-tomers can browse through the storersquos entirecatalogue of appliances

sect

Simply Saratoga | 81

82 | Simply Saratoga

Page 28: Simply Saratoga March 2011

30 | Simply Saratoga

Ask women about the greatest threat to their health and most will

respond incorrectly with the words ldquobreast cancerrdquo While breast cancer

certainly is of concern the truth is that women are 10 times more like-

ly to die from heart disease Breast cancer kills 1 in 25 women heart

disease claims 1 in 2

The most recent statistics available indicate that cardiovascular dis-

ease causes the death of 500000 women per year ndash more than ALL

forms of cancer combined This is a rate of epidemic proportion

Little or no warning

Two-thirds of women die suddenly from heart disease without expe-

riencing any warning symptoms The majority die before they even

reach the hospital and before any attempt at treatment is possible Early

screening and the detection that leads to prevention offer the only hope

of reducing these deaths

Women who do develop heart disease tend to fare worse than men

One reason is that on average heart disease peaks 10 years later in

women than in men At this older age women are less able to withstand

the stress of the disease The proof can be found in a disturbing statis-

tic One year after their first heart attack 44 percent of women are dead

compared with 27 percent of men

Clearly for women preventing that first heart attack would make an

enormous difference

Know the risks

What can be done to prevent and detect heart disease in women

Of foremost importance is to reduce ndash or if possible eliminate ndash the

conditions that cause or accelerate the growth of blockages in the arter-

ies of the heart These conditions known as risk factors include high

Women Take this warning to heart

Story By Andrij O Baran MD

blood pressure diabetes genetic high cholesterol a high-fat

diet an inactive lifestyle smoking and cocaine use

Some damage the lining of the heartrsquos arteries speeding the

buildup of cholesterol Others raise blood cholesterol Both

smoking and cocaine use speed blood clotting They also can

cause sudden cramps or spasms in the coronary arteries cut-

ting off the entire blood supply to portions of the heart even

without a cholesterol blockage

A woman who has one or more of these risk factors should

ask her doctor how best to control them She also should ask

about further screening and testing such as stress testing

The sooner the better

Lifestyle changes and medications can have a dramatic

impact on reducing the incidence of heart attack provided cho-

lesterol blockages are detected early ndash before damage to the

heart has occurred In fact drugs that lower cholesterol alone

have been unequivocally shown to reduce the risk of heart

attack and death by up to 50 percent

When added to a program of low-fat diet exercise control

of high blood pressure and diabetes and above all else no

smoking the benefits are magnified many times over Keep in

mind of course that these drugs work only if they are taken

and taken appropriately

By knowing and changing their risk factors all women can

ensure themselves of a longer and more vibrant life

Andrij O Baran MD FACC is the Medical Director of

Cardiology Services at Saratoga Hospital

Simply Saratoga | 31

A c t F a s t D u r i n g H e a r t A t t a c k s According to the American Heart

Association clot-busting drugs can stop

some heart attacks in progress reducing

disability and saving lives They work best

given within one hour of when heart

attack signs begin Thatrsquos why itrsquos impor-

tant to recognize the warning signs of a

heart attack and act right away

Warning Signs

bull Pain or discomfort in the jaw

neck or back

bull Feeling weak lightheaded or faint

bull Chest paindiscomfort

bull Paindiscomfort in the arms or

shoulder

bull Shortness of breath

If you think that you or someone you

know is having a heart attack call 911

immediately

32 | Simply Saratoga

Who would believe that a rabbi from Eastern

Europe frozen for 150 years in a block of ice could

be transported across time and space to Memphis

where he thaws then becomes a spiritual guru to

baby boomers Arguably nobody But Steve Stern

the author of ldquoThe Frozen Rabbirdquo his most recent

novel isnrsquot asking readers to believe it so much as

to let the characters tell their story Besides the plot

may be far-fetched but he already has a buyer for

the movie rights

Writer-in-residence at Skidmore College Stern is

a genius at creating human beings in fantastical cir-

cumstances who seem more like eccentric neigh-

bors than artifacts of science fiction Some fly

some inhabit other peoplersquos dreams some are res-

urrected and some travel through time Whatever

their superpowers or frailties the heroes and vil-

lains tricksters and innocents and witnesses and

bystanders in Sternrsquos short and long fiction deserve

attention and evoke compassion in their quest for

connection and redemption - or at least food and

shelter From within an inexhaustible vein of

Jewish folklore and oral history his characters

emerge into a lucid fictional universe that embraces

both magic and the mundane Dialogue is ironic as

often as it is mystical and the most ordinary days

serve as backdrops for incredible events

ldquoMiracles are commonplacerdquo says Stern a

Ballston Spa resident ldquoI donrsquot write in metaphors

and symbols deliberately Writing is a visceral

experience for me I read with interest what review-

ers say about my repetitive themes and ideas but I

am driven by images and characters Irsquom a compul-

sive storytellerrdquo

Steve Stern A Lyrical Voice in the Ghetto

B

o

o

k

m

a

r

k

Lean bespectacled and haloed in dark curls Stern

is a Memphis native who grew up in a home bereft

of music books and art in a city made famous by

Elvis Presley (who used to drive through Sternrsquos

neighborhood) and Martin Luther Kingrsquos assassina-

tion He remembers himself as ldquoa mediocre adoles-

cent without confidence or spiritual antennardquo first

stirred to write poetry in high school which he read

aloud for attention

ldquoI was surprised people liked itrdquo he says ldquoAnd I

liked writing it even though it embarrassed me But

I was encouraged to go on and later to try proserdquo

The allure of the late lsquo60s and early lsquo70s was not

academic After college Stern wandered through

Europe then worked as a butcher on a hippie com-

mune in the Ozarks raising pigs and eating off the

land ldquoI slept under five blankets and two dogsrdquo he

recalls (The incarnation has been memorialized in a

comic strip by Sternrsquos girlfriend Sabrina a cartoon-

ist and set designer for Saturday Night Live)

The commune was not too far from the University

of Arkansas where Stern attended graduate school

and played volleyball with Bill and Hillary Clinton

ldquoI hoped he would mention me in his inaugural

addressrdquo Stern sighs

With an MA Stern found teaching gigs at vari-

ous colleges but the work dried up forcing him to

take a job at a folklore center in Memphis first tran-

scribing stories about the black community then

launching a life-changing project to preserve the

stories of the fading Jewish population in a desolate

Memphis ghetto known as ldquoThe Pinchrdquo where

many of his stories are set

Story By Helen Susan Edelman

ldquoBernie scrunched his face in thought Gone was his waryimpulse to keep everything secret and there were times of latewhen he felt almost reckless almost ready to tell the world whileon the other hand he suspected he may have already confided toomuch ldquoI thinkrdquo he said after some consideration ldquoIrsquom startingto outgrow myselfrdquo

mdash Steve Stern ldquoThe Frozen Rabbirdquo

Photo by Josh GerritsenSteve Stern

Simply Saratoga | 33

ldquoIt was intoxicatingrdquo says Stern ldquoI became obsessed with

itrdquo Indeed his work is infused with the folklore images lan-

guage archetypes settings rituals and values embedded in

the memories he recorded and in the vast Jewish and Yiddish

literature he has studied since

A non-observant Jew Stern had no relationship with his

religion so the introduction to his exotic legacy was both

anchor and springboard for a prolific new consciousness

ldquoThe floodgates openedrdquo he says ldquoSuddenly this world

began to materialize for me What had been barren neighbor-

hoods I could see vividly as tenements and shops a town

square street traffic merchants pawnbrokers rabbis chil-

drenhellipimmigrants from Eastern Europe looking for a homerdquo

Stern is comfortable writing about transcendent wisdom as

long as itrsquos his characterrsquos voice

and not his own

dispensing the

insights The

frozen rabbi in

the book of the

same name for

example ldquoradiates

within his zone of

influence and is a

spiritual catalyst

for anyone who

encounters himrdquo

says Stern ldquowhere-

as I am a clicheacute a

Jew who grew up

without an identityrdquo

A winner of both

Guggenheim and

Fulbright fellowships

as well as the National

Jewish Book Award

the Pushcart Prize an

OrsquoHenry Prize and the Edward Lewis Wallant Award Stern

is working on a new novel and rereading Faulkner Tolstoy

Dickens and Joyce

He views each new writing project as ldquoa riskrdquo Experience

last summer also reminded him of the evanescence of popu-

larity he gave two readings one in Memphis which drew

such a crowd that doors had to be locked and one in St

Louis where he commanded an audience of four

ldquoJust like the characters in my storiesrdquo Stern observes ldquoI

encounter conflicts look for a way to escape and face mixed

consequencesrdquo sect

How is your mental state these days Are

you experiencing peace and joy in every-

day life or frustration and impatience Are

you living your life ldquoon purposerdquo or going

through the motions feeling numb and dead

on the inside How is the garden of your

mind Are you tending to your garden or letting

the weeds take over

When I lived in Boston I lived next door to an elder-

ly woman who had a beautiful garden Every morning my

neighbor was outside in her floral moo moo (circa Mrs

Roper from Threersquos Company) tending carefully to each

plant and flower She would spend hours walking around her

garden joyfully humming and making sure her flowers were

strong and healthy Many mornings I would sip my coffee

and watch her peacefully pulling out the weeds and tending

to her precious flowers To this day I remember how tall and

lovely her sunflowers were I think our mental state can be

compared to tending to a garden do we have beautiful sun-

flowers of joy and peace or toxic weeds of bitterness and

guilt

The weeds in your heart and mind are feelings of bitterness

anger guilt self-loathing and negativity Do you spend your

days reviewing the list of those that have offended

you Do you beat yourself up daily for past mis-

takes or regrets These are the weeds that can

take over your mind and lead to racing

thoughts a dark depression constant

anxiety or physical illness and

chronic pain If you are someone

that is easily frustrated impatient

and critical you can be sure you

34 | Simply Saratoga

Tending to theGarden of Your MindDealing with the Weeds in your Life

Simple Truths

have some weeds to deal with

The only path to peace and joy in your everyday life is to

pull your weeds out from the root and confront the issues

Holding on to your weeds only makes you ill and deadens

your heart Did you know that people who are full of bitter-

ness and resentment appear older and are not as physically

attractive as people who are full of peace and love The

weeds in your heart and mind can actually make you ugly

Likewise a mind that is content and peaceful gives us a

sparkle and light in our eyes that people are automatically

attracted to Forget the anti-wrinkle cream and Botox Fill

your heart and mind up with the best kept beauty secret

around love and forgiveness

Forgiveness is not about letting the person who hurt you

off the hook Forgiveness IS allowing light into our hearts

so that we can heal and move forward It takes the heavy

burden of offense and resentment off of our hearts and

minds while preparing the ldquosoilrdquo for new growth and

experiences

When possible confront the people you need to forgive

so that you can have closure and move on If it is not pos-

sible to confront the person that is the weed in your life

write them a letter expressing your hurt and anger (not to

send but in a private journal) This is a wonderful way to

give yourself closure and put your feelings out on the table

More often than not the person we have to forgive or con-

front is ourselves If you are constantly beating yourself up

and feeling guilty about your past make a choice to forgive

yourself

Donrsquot be lazy about your weeds Dig deep and pull out

your weeds so that you can make room for peace and joy

We all desire to feel love and be accepted That accept-

Meghan DLemery LCSW-R

Simply Saratoga | 35

ance starts with you Begin to focus on peaceful loving joyful

thoughts Keep a gratitude journal of what you love about your-

self or the loved ones in your life Practice planting seeds of joy

by giving acceptance and love to everyone around you

Take time to practice patience and kindness to your family

friends colleagues and that slow cashier at the grocery store Go

out of your way to help others in any way that you can All of

these acts of kindness plant the seeds of peace love joy and

abundance

As we approach the new season of spring take some time to

tend to the garden of your mind

Wishing you love self-acceptance and peace this spring and

always

Ms Lemery is a psychotherapist practic-ing in Saratoga Springs and QueensburyShe can be reached at meghanle-meryyahoocom

Her first novel will be pub-lished this Spring TitledldquoPlease Pass the BarbieShoesrdquo it is a hilarious heart-warming story that will haveyou feeling inspiredand empowered

sect

36 | Simply Saratoga

Living Room The custom-designed leather couch chair andottoman come from Suttons The stucco fireplace was inspired by theCollinsrsquo travels through the Southwest and Colorado (ldquowe wanted to avoida traditional river rock fireplacerdquo) and provides a heat source as well asbeauty The original structure was built for passive solar design no airconditioning is needed in the summer A wood stove is the primary heatsource radiant heat with natural gas was also added during the renova-tion

The front door as well as all the interior doors was custom-made fittedand replaced by Tom Zanetti Hickory wood floors were also installed dur-ing the addition A hanging stained glass chandelier is a stock itemobtained from a leading home supply retailer ldquoIt captures the sunlightbeautifully along with providing brilliant nighttime illuminationrdquo Tedsaid ldquoItrsquos an eclectic mixrdquo

Simply Saratoga | 37

Today we look at a creative space that is set into a special place

In 1993 Ted and Susan Collins purchased a seven-acre property

with a 1986 Timberpeg designed home that has all the qualities of

a place in the country ndash yet many would be surprised to learn that

it is actually located on the border of Saratoga Springs near the

Alpine Shop on Clinton Street After a number of years living in

apartments on Union Avenue and Franklin Square enjoying the

proximity to downtown and the track they couldnrsquot resist a spot

that was close to town but yet had lots of land

Their overall vision was for an interior space that was in accord

with the outside ndash the wildlife gardens and the sustainable philos-

ophy embodied in the original buildingrsquos passive solar design

ldquoEverything we do embraces the goals of staying true to the orig-

inal structure having an open welcoming interior and being in

harmony with the outdoorsrdquo Ted said

Inspired by travels in balance with the land

Story By Arthur GonickPhotos by copystockstudiosphotographycom

These principles guided a major transformation of the interior

space in 2006 The key element was an addition to the home that

enabled the living room kitchen and upstairs bedroom to be

expanded allowing space for the installation of a downstairs bath

as well

Susan and Ted led this transformation - visualizing an addition

that incorporated equilibrium of size location and overall propor-

tion They went through several iterations with Rick Deforest of

Heritage Timberframes

Even though much of the interior decor came from travels in

Africa the South Pacific and Colorado the building materials and

craftsmen are all local The timbers and wood flooring were milled

in nearby Kingsbury ldquoWe enjoyed working with professionals who

are also friends like Rick Deforest Tom Zanetti and Mike

Roohanrdquo Ted said ldquothe house now feels complete in balancerdquo sect

Unique Places and Creative Spaces If you would like to nominate a unique

or creative place to be featured emailentertainmentsaratogapublishingcom

38 | Simply Saratoga

Kitchen A wall was taken out that afforded space to add an eat-in island area and

open up the space Custom cabinets are by Tom Zanetti Stonework andappliances were added Both the kitchen and bathroom have granite table-tops (from Mike and Margaret Roohan of Granite and Marble Works)New appliances include a Bosch stove (with a built-in microwave drawer)and an Amana stainless refrigerator

Bathroom The bathroom ceiling is pine The showerarea was designed and built to the Collinsrsquo specifications andfeatures a bench 4 shower heads PLUS an extra hand-held one(ldquoItrsquos a human car washrdquo) The stone tiles on the sides and floorin the shower were installed by Best Tile the plumbing in theshower comes from Aird Dorrance as does the sink ndash which sitson a granite top from Granite and Marble Works The windowleads out to the north side of the house with privacy blinds insidethe window panes One thing you donrsquot see ldquoSince the room ison display in the center of the expanded first floor we wanted thecommode to be mostly hiddenrdquo Ted said

Unique Places and Creative Spaces

Simply Saratoga | 39

Living RoomA reading nook sits upon the bathroom addition ldquoThere was no full bathroom on the first

floor and with a post and beam construction we had to be creative You get outstanding viewsof the property pond and stream when viewed from the nookrsquos perspectiverdquo The ladder canswing out on a track making it more like walking up a staircase ndash this was also designed andinstalled by Tom Zanetti The table in the nook is actually a working African drum with a glasstable top added

40 | Simply Saratoga

Bedroom In the second-floor master bedroom moving the dormer brought in extra light and space and

also brought the roofline together with the original structure and first-floor additions The floorand ceiling are made of rough-cut pine planking The bed is also constructed of pine and comesfrom Suttons The window in the upper left was cut during the addition It faces west for extra day-time light

Simply Saratoga | 41

42 | Simply Saratoga

Story Written by Yael Goldman Photos by Samu Studios and Randall Perry Photography

Simply Saratoga | 43

orking with the

right interior designer

turns listless decision making

into an enjoyable and productive

process that avoids costly mistakes

and delivers exceptional results

Designing a room or an entire home is a

big project no matter how strong your tastes are

The decisions are endless ndash what color should I paint the

walls What flooring is most aesthetically appealing and

dog-friendly Should I choose a furniture set or choose

individual pieces Do I want curtains or shades Do I

decorate with knick-knacks or artwork

But with all the unique self-questioning that surrounds

an interior design project most homeowners share angst

in asking themselves one specific question where do I

start

Itrsquos at this point ndash when stress level increases enjoy-

ment-driven projects turn deadly and money has been

wastefully spent on all the wrong things ndash that you long

for the help of a professional if only you could afford it

Well the truth is you can

Creating the right space can be expensive but is only

more so if you make mistakes and have to go back and

fix them If you do it right the first time therersquos no cost

associated with do-overs

With nearly 100 years of experience between them all

four members of Blairhouse Interiors Group have

worked with more than enough unhappy do-it-your-

selfers to tell you yoursquore not alone

Photo by Samu Studios

44 | Simply Saratoga

The four-member designproject therapy team which recently

opened a studio in Saratoga Springs has a long history of help-

ing home and business owners create their ideal spaces and

atmospheres the right way Their exceptional work is celebrated across

the Capital Region including Saratoga Springs where the Blairhouse

look is prominently featured in a handful of Park Place condominiums

and the incredible Saratoga National Golf Club

Thomas R Burns Meghan Baltich Dominic Carota and Patricia

Richards the highly skilled and charismatic force behind Blairhouse

Interiors Group promise an experience that is personal because itrsquos all

about your needs ndash and thatrsquos what is important

Blairhouse offers full-service interior design services space planning

project management hand-picked merchandise patience and an uncan-

ny ability to create a

look that is always

fresh sophisticated

and comfortable

ldquoThe style that we

gravitate toward is

unique cutting-edge

and modern not dic-

tated by corporaterdquo

said Meghan Baltich

pointing to a ldquovery

propitiousrdquo Keith Fritz

table at the center of

the studio

Photo by Randall Perry Photography

If you do it right the firsttime therersquos no cost

associated with do-oversPhoto by Randall Perry Photography

One glance at the Park Place showroom ndash of the selective furnishings carefully showcased along

the periphery ndash and it becomes clear why Blairhouse an award-winning team gets the job

done

Their creativity focus and immaculate sense of direction bring objectivity to the scene helping you nar-

row down all of the tedious and overwhelming choices that make do-it-yourself decorating an exercise in

unclear thinking

ldquoPeople are overwhelmed by all the choices it can feel like theyrsquore in a paralyzed blurrdquo said Thomas

Burns who finds that a great vision can be impossible to imagine and create without eliminating all of

the distractions

A vital step in getting focused is creating a

comprehensive plan based on individual

needs wants and style that addresses all

aspects of lifestyle and taste and suggests

tactful solutions and fresh approaches to new

and existing spaces

They help you identify what you like

forcing you to hone in on what you want and

need to compliment and enhance your

lifestyle

ldquoWe ascertain the clientrsquos goal and

lifestyle to convey their visionrdquo said

Dominic Carota explaining that the intended

outcome of creating or reinventing a room is

often strictly tied to how you want to live in

it

ldquoWe have to know how they functionrdquo he

said

An interior designer is an asset in the func-

tion-meets-style equation

Dominic explained that a couple starting a family will have far

different needs than empty-nesters looking for a change They may

have the same stylistic goals but their execution will differ based on

how their lifestyle exists within the space

When revamping a single room the majority of your focus is ded-

icated to that individual space making it easy to forget that the rest

of the house is attached Establishing connectivity between rooms is

a challenge but an important part of executing a project the right

way

Sometimes one wrong detail no matter how small can be incred-

ibly impactful and difficult to avoid on your own

ldquoIf yoursquore working on a new addition or renovation we ensure it

flows that therersquos balance between the existing part of the living

space and the new additionrdquo Meghan Baltich said explaining that

it just doesnrsquot make sense to put in a great new kitchen if itrsquos dis-

jointed and out of place from its surroundings

Another common novice mistake is the trendy retail store fallacy

that you can order a full room from a catalog or pick a fabulous and

unique design from a floor plan

Blairhouse clients learn the difference between ldquocookie-cutterrdquo

and ldquocustomrdquo and they are never concerned with picking the wrong

piece for the wrong room

Simply Saratoga | 45

ome customers will come to us after going into a Pottery Barn and buying stuff that just didnrsquot workrdquo Baltich said giving the

example of an individual who purchased an enormous sectional for a tiny room ldquoWe scale into the clientrsquos space taking func-

tion and proportion into considerationrdquo

Exceptional listening and observation skills are the designerrsquos

unsung attributes and greatest assets Blairhouse experts engage

with their clients to gain a true understanding of what they want

In turn the design process becomes an eye-opening experience

customers are introduced to colors and concepts they would

never think to consider

ldquoEach client trusts us to create their environment and we

enable them to make informed decisionsrdquo Patricia Richards

said

And sometimes that requires bold suggestions and collabora-

tion or looking at all of the possibilities even the ones ldquoyou

would never have been brave enough to do on your ownrdquo

In the end the experience of working with the experts is

enjoyable stress-free and cost-effective From concept to com-

pletion the result is just what you want and need ndash a fabulous

marriage of function and aesthetic that wonrsquot have you coming

back for more (because you did it right the first time) sect

ldquoS

46 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 47

For a taste of Blairhouse Interiors Grouprsquos distinctive work stop into their Park Place studio located at 262 Broadway Suite 204 in Saratoga Springs For further details visit wwwblairhouseinteriorscom or call (518) 786-7800

From left to right Dominic Carota Meghan Baltich Patricia Richards and

Thomas R Burns (The designproject therapy team of Blairhouse Interiors Group)

48 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 49

Dorsquos and Donrsquots

50 | Simply Saratoga

Story Written by Kerry Ann Mendez Perennially Yours bull wwwpyourscom Photos Provided

SpringDorsquos and Donrsquots

SpringDorsquos and DonrsquotsDorsquos and Donrsquots

Spring

for your Gardens

s

Simply Saratoga | 51

ssts

SPRINGis right around the corner and gardenersare pawing at the ground ready to explodethrough the garden gate As a passionate perennial gardenerI am right there with you But before launching into another flower-filledseason letrsquos go through a spring checklist of dorsquorsquos and donrsquorsquots to makesure we make the most of the race and have the best finish ever

Photo by GardenersSupply Company

apply a granular fertilizer to your perennial beds while they are still lsquoasleeprsquoDepending on the winter wersquove had this may be anytime from mid-Marchto mid-April Donrsquot worry if there are already lsquoearly risersrsquo visible like springblooming bulbs or woodland ephemerals I recommend using 5-5-5 5-10-5 or

5-10-10 fertilizer at the rate of 2 pounds per 100 square feet Cast the fertilizer just before it is about to rainto make sure fertilizer is watered into the ground and washed off any existing leaves You can give otherplants in your yard this treat as well including floweringshrubs groundcovers climbing vinesand roses

DONrsquoTput fertilizer on top of the snow or on ground that is

still frozen You want to make sure the fertilizer disap-pears into pliable soil and to waiting roots otherwiserunoff can occur And donrsquot think more is better Youcan stress or even kill plants by over-fertilizing espe-cially in spring when leaves are not fully developed toutilize nitrogen in the fertilizer If you are going to errless is better

DO

prune once-b l o o m i n g

roses such as Heirloom or Old GardenRoses when the Forsythia is blooming

Any rose that blooms onceusually in late spring forabout three weeks is in thiscategory Many times theseroses are quite fragrantWait to prune these rosesuntil right after they flower

DONrsquoT

prune most roses whenForsythia is in bloom Pruneshrub roses back by half to

23 their height This is assuming you did not prunethem last fall If you did then next year wait until latewinter or early spring Prune Teas and Grandiflorasback to 18 - 24rdquo For climbing roses prune branchesemerging from the main canes back to within 3 - 4rdquoof the cane

DO

apply corn gluten tolawn areas yoursquoveseeded (or over-seeded) or to gar-dens where youwant biennialsperennials or annu-als to reseed andflower Corn glutendoes not distinguishbetween lsquogoodrsquoand lsquobadrsquo seeds

apply a pre-emer-gent weed killerand fertilizer toyour lawn A lushhealthy lawn

makes a beautiful frame for gardens Myfamily walked away from lawn chemicalsfive years ago And our lawn has neverlooked better Corn gluten is a big part ofthis transformation Corn gluten is a by-product of milled corn It will not harm chil-dren pets or wildlife Heck you can eat it ifyou want (but it tastes yucky) Corn Glutenis high in nitrogen and commonly used as alawn fertilizer But it is also a pre-emergenttargeting seeds as they germinate Youcan put corn gluten down at any point inthe spring BUT if part of your mission is toeliminate crabgrass then there is a narrowwindow of attackApply it whenForsythia is in fullbloom and beforeits leaves appearThe Forsythia is asoil temperatureindicator that cor-responds to whencrabgrass seedsstart to germinate More garden centersare now carrying corn gluten productsYou just need to ask and follow the appli-cation instructions on the bag Make sureto water in the corn gluten after applyingIt will remain effective for five to six weeks

Simply Saratoga | 53

DONrsquoT

DO

step on soil as you maneuver around thegarden to cut back Lavender and therest of the gang For that matter youshould never be tromping through yourgardens compacting soil This breaks

down air and water channels as well as making it tougher forroots to spread Instead reach into beds from existing paths orplace stepping stones in discreet spots where only your eyes cansee or lsquowalk the plankrsquo on a board to reach plants fartherlsquoadriftrsquo

54 | Simply Saratoga

cut back Lavender Russian SageMontauk Daisy Butterfly BushChrysanthemums and ornamental grass-es These are best left untouched in falland whacked in spring Many folks make

the mistake of acting too gingerly with pruners Let lsquoem fly Theresult will be more compact neater plants that will bloom just fineTrust me If it helps wait until yoursquove had a bad day at work withthe kids or in traffic

DONrsquoT

DO

divide Peonies German Bearded Iris orOriental Poppies in spring These are bestdone in late summer Also tap-rootedplants (those with a carrot-looking root)cannot be divided Think about it These

are usually propagated by seed stem or root cuttings Someperennials that fall into this category are Malva Butterfly WeedBalloon Flower Oriental Poppies and Lupines

Simply Saratoga | 55

DONrsquoT

divide plants in spring This is an optimumtime to divide most perennials Yes evenspring bloomers Wait until these haveflowered and then shear off the spentblooms and get to business Most sum-

mer and fall blooming perennials can be divided prior to mid-Junewithout disrupting their performance

DO

apply a time-released fertilizersuch as Plant-Tone(organic) orOsmocote to heavy

feeding perennials five to six weeks afterthe earlier granular fertilizer applicationMost plants do not need as much fertilizeras we are led in advertising to believe I amstingy with my money and maintenancetime so only a handful of plants get thisbonus feed Astilbe Delphinium Liliums (ieAsiatic Oriental Trumpet) Clematis androses If I am feeling generous I will putsome on my Bigleaf Hydrangeas next to theroses Call me heartlessJust scratch fertilizer intothe top couple inchesof soil around theplantrsquos base and waterin well They will enjoy anutritious snack forthree to four months

apply mulch ongarden beds toreduce weedsconserve moisture

reduce erosion minimize soil temperaturefluctuations and enhance the quality ofthe soil Some mulching materials includeaged manures compost shredded wood(not dyed) leaf moldand cocoa hulls Putthe mulch down 2rdquo to3rdquo thick around plantsincluding floweringshrubs

build up mulchagainst plant stems

And please please donrsquot create volcanomounds around trees Please This is awfulfor them The only ones that benefit fromthis are the people selling the mulch

56 | Simply Saratoga

DONrsquoT

DO

DO

rubber band orbraid the foliage ofspring bloomingbulbs after they fin-ish flowering You

want as much leaf surface exposed to thesun as possible to increase photosynthesisYou can press the leaves down next to thesoil so they are less noticeable

Simply Saratoga | 57

sect

And finally DO have a great year in

your gardens and DONrsquoT forget to

take time to smell the roses

DONrsquoT

DONrsquoT

cut off the spentblooms and stems onspring blooming bulbsafter they have flow-ered so energy is redirected to the bulbsversus seed productions Keep the leaves inplace until they have browned and ideallycan be pulled from the ground by hand

put time-released fertil-izer on perennials thatprefer lean dietsRicher soil just upsetstheir vascular systemsThey will get leggy flop and not perform tosnuff Yarrow Coneflower Catmint RussianSage Linum Sea Holly and Silvermound are inthe group

DO

For more information contact Perennially Yours at pyourscom

58 | Simply Saratoga

Ill mination

Exterior Stonework

an

d

Story Written by Arthur Gonick Photos Provided

u

Simply Saratoga | 59

To develop and implement an exterior vista that maximizes your enjoyment To have a backyard landscape that is warm inviting and uniquely yours

These are goals that many homeowners have when they first move onto their property But unless you are trained in the variety ofmaterials and options available the task of getting past the point of comparing possibilities to completing and actually enjoying yourbackyard paradise can appear to be a long daunting road

For Carl Trinkle a landscape designer for ten years with the Gallivan Companies of Troy one of the key elements in a successfultransformation is utilizing a professionalrsquos expertise to articulate goals and develop a plan

ldquoThe most important thing we do when we first meet with a client is to get them to discuss their basic needs and aims and encouragethem to formulate an overall vision for their property An initial consultation sets the tone we make an initial visit on-site to look overthe property so we can have an idea as to where things might be placedrdquo

ldquoDuring this intake process we actually encourage people to show us photos of their friendrsquos property that they like or perhaps froma magazine It helps most people to articulate the goals of what they would like to see as a finished projectrdquo Trinkle said ldquoEven if they are looking to do things in phases we find that it is most important to develop a comprehensive site planrdquo This eliminates the need to revise original phases of work to accommodate those that come in the future

60 | Simply Saratoga

that Mr Trinkle finds potential customers identifying with aredesigned to extend the outdoor season ldquoA few extra weeks outside isa lotrdquo he said

add-ons also extend outside activity each day Low voltage lighting is still the most popular but recently LED lighting with longer-lasting bulbs that involve less maintenance and are cost-efficienthave become more fashionable

The latest trends

stations fire pits and waterenhancements such as ponds andwaterfalls are the most frequentlyrequested items that broaden theoutdoor use season

Outdoor grill

Exterior lighting

Simply Saratoga | 61

And of course swimming pool projects have always been a most-requested

item Fifty percent of allthe projects Mr Trinkleworks on involve a pooleither a completely new installation or enhance-ments to existing poolsGallivanrsquos long-standingrelationship withConcord Pools has beena hallmark in assuringthat customers are satis-fied when their pool isput in the ground

62 | Simply Saratoga

In most cases a comprehensive plancan be developed for any project in about a period of twoweeks Complete drawings and cost breakdowns are provid-ed as well as the projected phases that can be completed injust a few months or on larger projects can be scheduled insegments over a few years These are reviewed in personwith the customer again the goal being to have a plan thateveryone buys into

Simply Saratoga | 63

ldquoWe have had projects where the customer has wanted tohave a lot of input and we welcome that But we also hadone where the client was out of town and we built a firepit and slide for his wife and kids and our only instructions were to dazzle themI remember it as a most satisfying experience and we ended up winning awards for that onerdquo

- Carl Trinkle Landscape DesignerThe Gallivan Companies

64 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 65

ldquoI get to work using my creativity with talented people Some of the most talented are those

I meet as customersrdquo sect

For more information or to schedule aconsultation phone Gallivan Companies at(518) 271-6100 Gallivanrsquos website iswwwGallivanCompaniescom

66 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 67

Buying a playhouse for your child is an excellent investment

They promote imaginative play and spending time outdoors and

double as storage space when no longer used for recreation

Denise Woodcock owner of Versatile Sheds in Wilton has

been helping parents and grandparents customize their childrsquos or

grandchildrsquos dream playhouses for years

ldquoThey make great gifts especially for grandparents who want

their grandkids to have their own place to play when they visitrdquo

she said

Playhouses are a great addition to a childrsquos outdoor world

They come in all shapes sizes and designs and can be custom-

built or finished if you donrsquot find exactly what yoursquore looking for

in a catalog or on the lot

Every child is different and has their own preferences for color

size and function boys and girls often have especially different

requests for their play space as do younger and more mature chil-

dren so therersquos a lot to consider

Denise knows how even the finest detail can be all it takes to

make an outdoor structure feel like a childrsquos own personal space

While it may seem superfluous to address every minor demand

the truth is a playhouse is more than just an expensive toy itrsquos an

investment The more your child connects with their space the more

use theyrsquoll get out of it ndash and according to Denise that means your

money is well spent

Smartest WayThe

playhouse for your kidsto buy a

Photos by MarkBollescomStory by Yael Goldman

68 | Simply Saratoga

With this in mind prospective buyers should first consider

who will use the playhouse and for how long as well as what

happens when the structure is no longer used for recreation

Versatile Sheds can help even the most discerning parent or

child find what theyrsquore looking for Every playhouse is hand-

built by Amish craftsmen who can accommodate almost any

special request at an additional cost so the possibilities are

endless inside and out

Cedar shingle or vinyl siding wood stone or brick ndash if you

can use it on the outside of your regular home it can be inte-

grated into your playhousersquos design Playhouses can be built

to look like a miniature version of your home which is an

excellent touch for parents that are particularly concerned

with aesthetics Porches shutters flowerboxes unique doors

chimneys and exterior lighting are just a few of the touches

that can brighten and personalize the exterior

Individualizing your childrsquos playhouse doesnrsquot stop at the

front door There are just as many interior features to choose

from ndash you can let your imagination run wild

For starters you have the option to order the playhouse

with a finished or unfinished interior The unfinished version

looks a lot like the inside of a regular home before you move

in paint the walls and furnish the rooms

Buying an unfinished structure is a great way to cut costs

and even bring the family together over a weekend decorating

project The possibilities are endless depending on how handy

you are otherwise a few coats of paint and a bit of carpeting

will surely do the trick

Although a bit pricey purchasing a playhouse with a fin-

ished interior ensures that your child gets exactly what they

want right off the bat They can pick everything from the paint

color to the flooring so the playhouse is move-in ready on the

day it arrives

Playhouses can also be insulated and wired for electricity

You can install lighting electrical outlets even heat or air-

conditioning to make your childrsquos outdoor space as comfort-

able as possible

And the options donrsquot end there Traditional sheds also dou-

ble as playhouses For some parents purchasing an adult-size

shed for their children is an ideal way to get the best return on

their investment Once their children grow out of it the struc-

ture can be used for outdoor storage With just as many styles

sizes and materials to choose from you can customize the

interior and exterior of your shed just as you would a play-

house but without all of the more frivolous features

ldquoAny shed can be a playhouserdquo Woodcock said explaining

how a custom paint job or flowerbox can transform a typical

storage unit into childrsquos outdoor activity haven

For example if purchasing a wood shed the exterior can be

easily painted and repainted when making the transition from

playhouse to storage space

For Denisersquos customers getting their moneyrsquos worth should

not have to mean making sacrifices

Simply Saratoga | 69

70 | Simply Saratoga

When Debby Trainor made the decision to buy her grand-

daughter Chezneyrsquos dream house she wanted it to have all the

bells and whistles She met with Denise to go over all the cri-

teria the goal was to buy the perfect gift for Chezney while

staying within her budget

The eight-year-old Greenwich girl wanted her own pretty

pink palace where she could play and imagine Debby wanted

it to be a cozy and safe place for her to play year-round

Customization and interior decoration helped make

Chezneyrsquos playhouse feel like her own little kingdom

ldquoWe made it look like a cute little dollhouserdquo she said ldquoWe

put furniture inside and a little stove fridge heater and TV

itrsquos just perfectrdquo

With the structure built to their liking Chezney and Debby

could enjoy decorating the inside to personalize the playhouse

For many customers putting on the finishing touches means

making the playhouse feel like home ndash you can add curtains

hang pictures buy furniture and appliances and landscape the

perimeter to make the outdoor space feel like a home away

from home

When the child grows out of their playhouse these items

can be easily removed to accommodate a secondary use for the

space

ldquoThe best thing that Denise did for me was explain how we

can use the playhouse for storage for stuff out in the yard after

Chezney has grown out of itrdquo Debby explained ldquoAlthough

she is only eight and will be using it for quite a few more

years this really makes it a good investment and looks

great in the backyardrdquo

Whether you choose a customized playhouse or a tradi-

tional shed thinking toward the future also ensures the

safety and longevity of the structure

Denise explained that placement is an important thing to

consider as you want to make sure the structure is in a safe

place and on an appropriate surface Most importantly the

playhouse must be built on a level even surface that isnrsquot

too high off of the ground

ldquoYou want it on a nice platformrdquo Denise explained

ldquoSome people use concrete but stone is better because it

allows moisture to seep down into the ground and away

from the structurerdquo

Most parents prefer that their playhouse is in the back-

yard where itrsquos easy to see from a window Placing the

structure in a shaded area is also a good idea it will be

cooler in the summer and less susceptible to the elements if

partially protected by trees

Debby had Chezneyrsquos playhouse built right next to her

swing set where she can be easily supervised

One last thing to consider when purchasing a playhouse

Simply Saratoga | 71

72 | Simply Saratoga

or shed for your child is how much effort

you want to put into maintaining it The

more ornate the structure the more care it

may need

Woodcock advises parents to preserve

their investment and treat the playhouse

like a miniature home

Think of it as a miniature house ndash the

structure requires regular maintenance

and upkeep to ensure your child will be

safe while enjoying years and years of

imaginative fun

With so many features and styles to

choose from yoursquore sure to find the best

for both you and your child

For more information about Versatile

Sheds or to set up a time to meet with

Denise Woodcock call (518) 584-7924

or stop by 669 Route 9 in Wilton sect

Simply Saratoga | 73

74 | Simply Saratoga

Kitchen

Not Your

Grandmarsquos

Story Written by Daniel Schechtman Photos Provided

ldquoAs you

walk into the kitchen

of the future LED

light projections adjust

to your mood - it will

know if you have a

hangover via sensors

that will read your

b r a i n w a v e s

Aromatherapy infused

walls will be synched

to your calendar calm-

ing you before a big

meeting or energizing you before a gym session The fridge will have selected some breakfast options identifying the essen-

tial vitamins for your day via sensors When you get home a hologram chef will be on hand for recipe inspirationrdquo

Alright so maybe your kitchen canrsquot do all of these things quite yet ndash but believe it or not wersquore getting there This is tomor-

rowrsquos kitchen a kitchen where your appliances donrsquot just store your food or wash your dishes ndash they talk to you providing you

with integral information on how to

best store your fruits and vegetables

letting you know if the refrigerator

door is open for too long or when a

part will soon need replacing

Simply Saratoga | 75

ldquoScience fictionrdquo I hear you say

Guess again Quoted from a report released by The Future Laboratory

who was commissioned by IKEA to determine what a modernkitchen in the year 2040 could conceivably look like

76 | Simply Saratoga

ldquoOne technology that really stands out to me is the

Miele Appliance Company Right now theyrsquore using a

program called lsquoremote visionrsquo On select applianceshellip

is a wireless card that clicks into a port on the back of

the appliance You synch it up with your home network

and it basically emails the technician and the owner

when itrsquos broken when you need to clean your condens-

er change your water filter or schedule a routine serv-

icerdquo said Tom Thibeault owner of Adirondack

Appliance Repair Inc located at 67 West Ave in

Saratoga Springs ldquoMaybe somebodyrsquos been opening the

[refrigerator] door for too long or the door was left open

ndash it will email you and tell you that your door is left

openrdquo

This is not your grandmarsquos kitchen This my friends

is the kitchen of the future and itrsquos available now

The 36 inch bottom-mount Miele refrigerator boasts a

striking interior featuring LED lighting running along

the sides from top to bottom stainless steel accents and

exteriors with control systems that would be comfort-

able alongside the captainrsquos chair on the Starship

Enterprise

Simply Saratoga | 77

ldquoThe controls in the Miele really stand out

Looking at the controls theyrsquore just a glass piece and

then once you touch it you see a few options for the

different compartments Then you touch the compart-

ment and the temperature is displayed so itrsquos kind of

like a Star Trek controlrdquo Thibeault said

And thatrsquos just the refrigerator

Adirondack Appliance has also seen brands such as

Wolf (a company owned by the same people who own

Sub-Zero) grow in popularity when it comes to their

range stoves and ovens The dual convection oven

works to eliminate cold spotting and provides consis-

tent even temperatures and even allows for unique

options such as proofing ndash used best when baking

homemade bread

ldquoIt also has a temperature probe you can plug into

things like a turkey or roast so you can see the temper-

ature while itrsquos still inside the machine It has

hydraulic hinges halogen lit interiors everything is

composed of stainless steel and itrsquos by far one of the

best lines on the marketrdquo Thibeault said

A new line coming to Adirondack Appliance that

features some amazing technology is a series of Pro-

Style Ranges produced by industry giant Jenn-Air

ldquoThat actually has an LCD touch

screen like an IPAD for the controls The

temperature is set by sliding your finger

along the controls Itrsquos all color backlit and

absolutely amazingrdquo Thibeault said

ldquoAnother thing we have to that same

effect are some of the hoods which have

really been getting pretty out there as far as

design We have one on our floor [by Miele]

that has an LED bar on the front which

changes in phases between 196000 colors

Itrsquos a very delicate change very pretty and

coolrdquo Thibeault said adding ldquoor you can set

it to any color in that spectrum yoursquod like to

accent your cabinetryrdquo

When it comes to dishwashers Thibeault

can attest to the quality of both the Asko and

Miele brands both of which he uses in his

own home And good news for Saratoga

Springs residents ndash

ldquoIn our market in

Saratoga we have a

very hard water base

whether yoursquore on a well

system or city waterrdquo

Thibeault said ldquoSo you

get a lot of minerals in

the machine With the

stainless steel interiors it

eliminates a lot of prob-

lems generally seen with

plastic interior tubs and

usually they are the best

life expectanciesrdquo

78 | Simply Saratoga

Asko and Mieleare practically custom made to handle the

arearsquos typicallymineral rich water

Simply Saratoga | 79

The Asko brand dishwasher takes things one step

further including two pumps in the washerrsquos system

The first pump filters the water cleansing it of poten-

tially harmful minerals while the second pump recircu-

lates the water ensuring that the machine is never

blasting your dishes with food debris or dirty residue

With Miele the design features a built-in water sof-

tener perfect for dealing with the Saratoga water

system

ldquoTypically the Miele is going to do a better job with

tougher baked in stainsrdquo said Thibeault ldquobecause itrsquos

got the softener in it and a little bit longer pots and pans

cyclerdquo

80 | Simply Saratoga

Adirondack Appliance Repair Inc is a fami-

ly-owned business since 1929 and the last inde-

pendent appliance retailer of its kind in Saratoga

Springs With $6 billion of buying power behind

their name (a benefit of being part of the Nation

Wide Appliance Buying Group) Thibeault

promised ldquowe can actually price match the box

stores and everybody else around all while pro-

viding you with better service and better

productsrdquo

For more information on AdirondackAppliance or the products they sell you mayvisit their showroom located at 67 West Avenuein Saratoga Springs for live demonstrationsThey can also be reached by phone at (518)587-6640 or you may visit them at their newwebsite wwwadkappliancecom where cus-tomers can browse through the storersquos entirecatalogue of appliances

sect

Simply Saratoga | 81

82 | Simply Saratoga

Page 29: Simply Saratoga March 2011

Simply Saratoga | 31

A c t F a s t D u r i n g H e a r t A t t a c k s According to the American Heart

Association clot-busting drugs can stop

some heart attacks in progress reducing

disability and saving lives They work best

given within one hour of when heart

attack signs begin Thatrsquos why itrsquos impor-

tant to recognize the warning signs of a

heart attack and act right away

Warning Signs

bull Pain or discomfort in the jaw

neck or back

bull Feeling weak lightheaded or faint

bull Chest paindiscomfort

bull Paindiscomfort in the arms or

shoulder

bull Shortness of breath

If you think that you or someone you

know is having a heart attack call 911

immediately

32 | Simply Saratoga

Who would believe that a rabbi from Eastern

Europe frozen for 150 years in a block of ice could

be transported across time and space to Memphis

where he thaws then becomes a spiritual guru to

baby boomers Arguably nobody But Steve Stern

the author of ldquoThe Frozen Rabbirdquo his most recent

novel isnrsquot asking readers to believe it so much as

to let the characters tell their story Besides the plot

may be far-fetched but he already has a buyer for

the movie rights

Writer-in-residence at Skidmore College Stern is

a genius at creating human beings in fantastical cir-

cumstances who seem more like eccentric neigh-

bors than artifacts of science fiction Some fly

some inhabit other peoplersquos dreams some are res-

urrected and some travel through time Whatever

their superpowers or frailties the heroes and vil-

lains tricksters and innocents and witnesses and

bystanders in Sternrsquos short and long fiction deserve

attention and evoke compassion in their quest for

connection and redemption - or at least food and

shelter From within an inexhaustible vein of

Jewish folklore and oral history his characters

emerge into a lucid fictional universe that embraces

both magic and the mundane Dialogue is ironic as

often as it is mystical and the most ordinary days

serve as backdrops for incredible events

ldquoMiracles are commonplacerdquo says Stern a

Ballston Spa resident ldquoI donrsquot write in metaphors

and symbols deliberately Writing is a visceral

experience for me I read with interest what review-

ers say about my repetitive themes and ideas but I

am driven by images and characters Irsquom a compul-

sive storytellerrdquo

Steve Stern A Lyrical Voice in the Ghetto

B

o

o

k

m

a

r

k

Lean bespectacled and haloed in dark curls Stern

is a Memphis native who grew up in a home bereft

of music books and art in a city made famous by

Elvis Presley (who used to drive through Sternrsquos

neighborhood) and Martin Luther Kingrsquos assassina-

tion He remembers himself as ldquoa mediocre adoles-

cent without confidence or spiritual antennardquo first

stirred to write poetry in high school which he read

aloud for attention

ldquoI was surprised people liked itrdquo he says ldquoAnd I

liked writing it even though it embarrassed me But

I was encouraged to go on and later to try proserdquo

The allure of the late lsquo60s and early lsquo70s was not

academic After college Stern wandered through

Europe then worked as a butcher on a hippie com-

mune in the Ozarks raising pigs and eating off the

land ldquoI slept under five blankets and two dogsrdquo he

recalls (The incarnation has been memorialized in a

comic strip by Sternrsquos girlfriend Sabrina a cartoon-

ist and set designer for Saturday Night Live)

The commune was not too far from the University

of Arkansas where Stern attended graduate school

and played volleyball with Bill and Hillary Clinton

ldquoI hoped he would mention me in his inaugural

addressrdquo Stern sighs

With an MA Stern found teaching gigs at vari-

ous colleges but the work dried up forcing him to

take a job at a folklore center in Memphis first tran-

scribing stories about the black community then

launching a life-changing project to preserve the

stories of the fading Jewish population in a desolate

Memphis ghetto known as ldquoThe Pinchrdquo where

many of his stories are set

Story By Helen Susan Edelman

ldquoBernie scrunched his face in thought Gone was his waryimpulse to keep everything secret and there were times of latewhen he felt almost reckless almost ready to tell the world whileon the other hand he suspected he may have already confided toomuch ldquoI thinkrdquo he said after some consideration ldquoIrsquom startingto outgrow myselfrdquo

mdash Steve Stern ldquoThe Frozen Rabbirdquo

Photo by Josh GerritsenSteve Stern

Simply Saratoga | 33

ldquoIt was intoxicatingrdquo says Stern ldquoI became obsessed with

itrdquo Indeed his work is infused with the folklore images lan-

guage archetypes settings rituals and values embedded in

the memories he recorded and in the vast Jewish and Yiddish

literature he has studied since

A non-observant Jew Stern had no relationship with his

religion so the introduction to his exotic legacy was both

anchor and springboard for a prolific new consciousness

ldquoThe floodgates openedrdquo he says ldquoSuddenly this world

began to materialize for me What had been barren neighbor-

hoods I could see vividly as tenements and shops a town

square street traffic merchants pawnbrokers rabbis chil-

drenhellipimmigrants from Eastern Europe looking for a homerdquo

Stern is comfortable writing about transcendent wisdom as

long as itrsquos his characterrsquos voice

and not his own

dispensing the

insights The

frozen rabbi in

the book of the

same name for

example ldquoradiates

within his zone of

influence and is a

spiritual catalyst

for anyone who

encounters himrdquo

says Stern ldquowhere-

as I am a clicheacute a

Jew who grew up

without an identityrdquo

A winner of both

Guggenheim and

Fulbright fellowships

as well as the National

Jewish Book Award

the Pushcart Prize an

OrsquoHenry Prize and the Edward Lewis Wallant Award Stern

is working on a new novel and rereading Faulkner Tolstoy

Dickens and Joyce

He views each new writing project as ldquoa riskrdquo Experience

last summer also reminded him of the evanescence of popu-

larity he gave two readings one in Memphis which drew

such a crowd that doors had to be locked and one in St

Louis where he commanded an audience of four

ldquoJust like the characters in my storiesrdquo Stern observes ldquoI

encounter conflicts look for a way to escape and face mixed

consequencesrdquo sect

How is your mental state these days Are

you experiencing peace and joy in every-

day life or frustration and impatience Are

you living your life ldquoon purposerdquo or going

through the motions feeling numb and dead

on the inside How is the garden of your

mind Are you tending to your garden or letting

the weeds take over

When I lived in Boston I lived next door to an elder-

ly woman who had a beautiful garden Every morning my

neighbor was outside in her floral moo moo (circa Mrs

Roper from Threersquos Company) tending carefully to each

plant and flower She would spend hours walking around her

garden joyfully humming and making sure her flowers were

strong and healthy Many mornings I would sip my coffee

and watch her peacefully pulling out the weeds and tending

to her precious flowers To this day I remember how tall and

lovely her sunflowers were I think our mental state can be

compared to tending to a garden do we have beautiful sun-

flowers of joy and peace or toxic weeds of bitterness and

guilt

The weeds in your heart and mind are feelings of bitterness

anger guilt self-loathing and negativity Do you spend your

days reviewing the list of those that have offended

you Do you beat yourself up daily for past mis-

takes or regrets These are the weeds that can

take over your mind and lead to racing

thoughts a dark depression constant

anxiety or physical illness and

chronic pain If you are someone

that is easily frustrated impatient

and critical you can be sure you

34 | Simply Saratoga

Tending to theGarden of Your MindDealing with the Weeds in your Life

Simple Truths

have some weeds to deal with

The only path to peace and joy in your everyday life is to

pull your weeds out from the root and confront the issues

Holding on to your weeds only makes you ill and deadens

your heart Did you know that people who are full of bitter-

ness and resentment appear older and are not as physically

attractive as people who are full of peace and love The

weeds in your heart and mind can actually make you ugly

Likewise a mind that is content and peaceful gives us a

sparkle and light in our eyes that people are automatically

attracted to Forget the anti-wrinkle cream and Botox Fill

your heart and mind up with the best kept beauty secret

around love and forgiveness

Forgiveness is not about letting the person who hurt you

off the hook Forgiveness IS allowing light into our hearts

so that we can heal and move forward It takes the heavy

burden of offense and resentment off of our hearts and

minds while preparing the ldquosoilrdquo for new growth and

experiences

When possible confront the people you need to forgive

so that you can have closure and move on If it is not pos-

sible to confront the person that is the weed in your life

write them a letter expressing your hurt and anger (not to

send but in a private journal) This is a wonderful way to

give yourself closure and put your feelings out on the table

More often than not the person we have to forgive or con-

front is ourselves If you are constantly beating yourself up

and feeling guilty about your past make a choice to forgive

yourself

Donrsquot be lazy about your weeds Dig deep and pull out

your weeds so that you can make room for peace and joy

We all desire to feel love and be accepted That accept-

Meghan DLemery LCSW-R

Simply Saratoga | 35

ance starts with you Begin to focus on peaceful loving joyful

thoughts Keep a gratitude journal of what you love about your-

self or the loved ones in your life Practice planting seeds of joy

by giving acceptance and love to everyone around you

Take time to practice patience and kindness to your family

friends colleagues and that slow cashier at the grocery store Go

out of your way to help others in any way that you can All of

these acts of kindness plant the seeds of peace love joy and

abundance

As we approach the new season of spring take some time to

tend to the garden of your mind

Wishing you love self-acceptance and peace this spring and

always

Ms Lemery is a psychotherapist practic-ing in Saratoga Springs and QueensburyShe can be reached at meghanle-meryyahoocom

Her first novel will be pub-lished this Spring TitledldquoPlease Pass the BarbieShoesrdquo it is a hilarious heart-warming story that will haveyou feeling inspiredand empowered

sect

36 | Simply Saratoga

Living Room The custom-designed leather couch chair andottoman come from Suttons The stucco fireplace was inspired by theCollinsrsquo travels through the Southwest and Colorado (ldquowe wanted to avoida traditional river rock fireplacerdquo) and provides a heat source as well asbeauty The original structure was built for passive solar design no airconditioning is needed in the summer A wood stove is the primary heatsource radiant heat with natural gas was also added during the renova-tion

The front door as well as all the interior doors was custom-made fittedand replaced by Tom Zanetti Hickory wood floors were also installed dur-ing the addition A hanging stained glass chandelier is a stock itemobtained from a leading home supply retailer ldquoIt captures the sunlightbeautifully along with providing brilliant nighttime illuminationrdquo Tedsaid ldquoItrsquos an eclectic mixrdquo

Simply Saratoga | 37

Today we look at a creative space that is set into a special place

In 1993 Ted and Susan Collins purchased a seven-acre property

with a 1986 Timberpeg designed home that has all the qualities of

a place in the country ndash yet many would be surprised to learn that

it is actually located on the border of Saratoga Springs near the

Alpine Shop on Clinton Street After a number of years living in

apartments on Union Avenue and Franklin Square enjoying the

proximity to downtown and the track they couldnrsquot resist a spot

that was close to town but yet had lots of land

Their overall vision was for an interior space that was in accord

with the outside ndash the wildlife gardens and the sustainable philos-

ophy embodied in the original buildingrsquos passive solar design

ldquoEverything we do embraces the goals of staying true to the orig-

inal structure having an open welcoming interior and being in

harmony with the outdoorsrdquo Ted said

Inspired by travels in balance with the land

Story By Arthur GonickPhotos by copystockstudiosphotographycom

These principles guided a major transformation of the interior

space in 2006 The key element was an addition to the home that

enabled the living room kitchen and upstairs bedroom to be

expanded allowing space for the installation of a downstairs bath

as well

Susan and Ted led this transformation - visualizing an addition

that incorporated equilibrium of size location and overall propor-

tion They went through several iterations with Rick Deforest of

Heritage Timberframes

Even though much of the interior decor came from travels in

Africa the South Pacific and Colorado the building materials and

craftsmen are all local The timbers and wood flooring were milled

in nearby Kingsbury ldquoWe enjoyed working with professionals who

are also friends like Rick Deforest Tom Zanetti and Mike

Roohanrdquo Ted said ldquothe house now feels complete in balancerdquo sect

Unique Places and Creative Spaces If you would like to nominate a unique

or creative place to be featured emailentertainmentsaratogapublishingcom

38 | Simply Saratoga

Kitchen A wall was taken out that afforded space to add an eat-in island area and

open up the space Custom cabinets are by Tom Zanetti Stonework andappliances were added Both the kitchen and bathroom have granite table-tops (from Mike and Margaret Roohan of Granite and Marble Works)New appliances include a Bosch stove (with a built-in microwave drawer)and an Amana stainless refrigerator

Bathroom The bathroom ceiling is pine The showerarea was designed and built to the Collinsrsquo specifications andfeatures a bench 4 shower heads PLUS an extra hand-held one(ldquoItrsquos a human car washrdquo) The stone tiles on the sides and floorin the shower were installed by Best Tile the plumbing in theshower comes from Aird Dorrance as does the sink ndash which sitson a granite top from Granite and Marble Works The windowleads out to the north side of the house with privacy blinds insidethe window panes One thing you donrsquot see ldquoSince the room ison display in the center of the expanded first floor we wanted thecommode to be mostly hiddenrdquo Ted said

Unique Places and Creative Spaces

Simply Saratoga | 39

Living RoomA reading nook sits upon the bathroom addition ldquoThere was no full bathroom on the first

floor and with a post and beam construction we had to be creative You get outstanding viewsof the property pond and stream when viewed from the nookrsquos perspectiverdquo The ladder canswing out on a track making it more like walking up a staircase ndash this was also designed andinstalled by Tom Zanetti The table in the nook is actually a working African drum with a glasstable top added

40 | Simply Saratoga

Bedroom In the second-floor master bedroom moving the dormer brought in extra light and space and

also brought the roofline together with the original structure and first-floor additions The floorand ceiling are made of rough-cut pine planking The bed is also constructed of pine and comesfrom Suttons The window in the upper left was cut during the addition It faces west for extra day-time light

Simply Saratoga | 41

42 | Simply Saratoga

Story Written by Yael Goldman Photos by Samu Studios and Randall Perry Photography

Simply Saratoga | 43

orking with the

right interior designer

turns listless decision making

into an enjoyable and productive

process that avoids costly mistakes

and delivers exceptional results

Designing a room or an entire home is a

big project no matter how strong your tastes are

The decisions are endless ndash what color should I paint the

walls What flooring is most aesthetically appealing and

dog-friendly Should I choose a furniture set or choose

individual pieces Do I want curtains or shades Do I

decorate with knick-knacks or artwork

But with all the unique self-questioning that surrounds

an interior design project most homeowners share angst

in asking themselves one specific question where do I

start

Itrsquos at this point ndash when stress level increases enjoy-

ment-driven projects turn deadly and money has been

wastefully spent on all the wrong things ndash that you long

for the help of a professional if only you could afford it

Well the truth is you can

Creating the right space can be expensive but is only

more so if you make mistakes and have to go back and

fix them If you do it right the first time therersquos no cost

associated with do-overs

With nearly 100 years of experience between them all

four members of Blairhouse Interiors Group have

worked with more than enough unhappy do-it-your-

selfers to tell you yoursquore not alone

Photo by Samu Studios

44 | Simply Saratoga

The four-member designproject therapy team which recently

opened a studio in Saratoga Springs has a long history of help-

ing home and business owners create their ideal spaces and

atmospheres the right way Their exceptional work is celebrated across

the Capital Region including Saratoga Springs where the Blairhouse

look is prominently featured in a handful of Park Place condominiums

and the incredible Saratoga National Golf Club

Thomas R Burns Meghan Baltich Dominic Carota and Patricia

Richards the highly skilled and charismatic force behind Blairhouse

Interiors Group promise an experience that is personal because itrsquos all

about your needs ndash and thatrsquos what is important

Blairhouse offers full-service interior design services space planning

project management hand-picked merchandise patience and an uncan-

ny ability to create a

look that is always

fresh sophisticated

and comfortable

ldquoThe style that we

gravitate toward is

unique cutting-edge

and modern not dic-

tated by corporaterdquo

said Meghan Baltich

pointing to a ldquovery

propitiousrdquo Keith Fritz

table at the center of

the studio

Photo by Randall Perry Photography

If you do it right the firsttime therersquos no cost

associated with do-oversPhoto by Randall Perry Photography

One glance at the Park Place showroom ndash of the selective furnishings carefully showcased along

the periphery ndash and it becomes clear why Blairhouse an award-winning team gets the job

done

Their creativity focus and immaculate sense of direction bring objectivity to the scene helping you nar-

row down all of the tedious and overwhelming choices that make do-it-yourself decorating an exercise in

unclear thinking

ldquoPeople are overwhelmed by all the choices it can feel like theyrsquore in a paralyzed blurrdquo said Thomas

Burns who finds that a great vision can be impossible to imagine and create without eliminating all of

the distractions

A vital step in getting focused is creating a

comprehensive plan based on individual

needs wants and style that addresses all

aspects of lifestyle and taste and suggests

tactful solutions and fresh approaches to new

and existing spaces

They help you identify what you like

forcing you to hone in on what you want and

need to compliment and enhance your

lifestyle

ldquoWe ascertain the clientrsquos goal and

lifestyle to convey their visionrdquo said

Dominic Carota explaining that the intended

outcome of creating or reinventing a room is

often strictly tied to how you want to live in

it

ldquoWe have to know how they functionrdquo he

said

An interior designer is an asset in the func-

tion-meets-style equation

Dominic explained that a couple starting a family will have far

different needs than empty-nesters looking for a change They may

have the same stylistic goals but their execution will differ based on

how their lifestyle exists within the space

When revamping a single room the majority of your focus is ded-

icated to that individual space making it easy to forget that the rest

of the house is attached Establishing connectivity between rooms is

a challenge but an important part of executing a project the right

way

Sometimes one wrong detail no matter how small can be incred-

ibly impactful and difficult to avoid on your own

ldquoIf yoursquore working on a new addition or renovation we ensure it

flows that therersquos balance between the existing part of the living

space and the new additionrdquo Meghan Baltich said explaining that

it just doesnrsquot make sense to put in a great new kitchen if itrsquos dis-

jointed and out of place from its surroundings

Another common novice mistake is the trendy retail store fallacy

that you can order a full room from a catalog or pick a fabulous and

unique design from a floor plan

Blairhouse clients learn the difference between ldquocookie-cutterrdquo

and ldquocustomrdquo and they are never concerned with picking the wrong

piece for the wrong room

Simply Saratoga | 45

ome customers will come to us after going into a Pottery Barn and buying stuff that just didnrsquot workrdquo Baltich said giving the

example of an individual who purchased an enormous sectional for a tiny room ldquoWe scale into the clientrsquos space taking func-

tion and proportion into considerationrdquo

Exceptional listening and observation skills are the designerrsquos

unsung attributes and greatest assets Blairhouse experts engage

with their clients to gain a true understanding of what they want

In turn the design process becomes an eye-opening experience

customers are introduced to colors and concepts they would

never think to consider

ldquoEach client trusts us to create their environment and we

enable them to make informed decisionsrdquo Patricia Richards

said

And sometimes that requires bold suggestions and collabora-

tion or looking at all of the possibilities even the ones ldquoyou

would never have been brave enough to do on your ownrdquo

In the end the experience of working with the experts is

enjoyable stress-free and cost-effective From concept to com-

pletion the result is just what you want and need ndash a fabulous

marriage of function and aesthetic that wonrsquot have you coming

back for more (because you did it right the first time) sect

ldquoS

46 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 47

For a taste of Blairhouse Interiors Grouprsquos distinctive work stop into their Park Place studio located at 262 Broadway Suite 204 in Saratoga Springs For further details visit wwwblairhouseinteriorscom or call (518) 786-7800

From left to right Dominic Carota Meghan Baltich Patricia Richards and

Thomas R Burns (The designproject therapy team of Blairhouse Interiors Group)

48 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 49

Dorsquos and Donrsquots

50 | Simply Saratoga

Story Written by Kerry Ann Mendez Perennially Yours bull wwwpyourscom Photos Provided

SpringDorsquos and Donrsquots

SpringDorsquos and DonrsquotsDorsquos and Donrsquots

Spring

for your Gardens

s

Simply Saratoga | 51

ssts

SPRINGis right around the corner and gardenersare pawing at the ground ready to explodethrough the garden gate As a passionate perennial gardenerI am right there with you But before launching into another flower-filledseason letrsquos go through a spring checklist of dorsquorsquos and donrsquorsquots to makesure we make the most of the race and have the best finish ever

Photo by GardenersSupply Company

apply a granular fertilizer to your perennial beds while they are still lsquoasleeprsquoDepending on the winter wersquove had this may be anytime from mid-Marchto mid-April Donrsquot worry if there are already lsquoearly risersrsquo visible like springblooming bulbs or woodland ephemerals I recommend using 5-5-5 5-10-5 or

5-10-10 fertilizer at the rate of 2 pounds per 100 square feet Cast the fertilizer just before it is about to rainto make sure fertilizer is watered into the ground and washed off any existing leaves You can give otherplants in your yard this treat as well including floweringshrubs groundcovers climbing vinesand roses

DONrsquoTput fertilizer on top of the snow or on ground that is

still frozen You want to make sure the fertilizer disap-pears into pliable soil and to waiting roots otherwiserunoff can occur And donrsquot think more is better Youcan stress or even kill plants by over-fertilizing espe-cially in spring when leaves are not fully developed toutilize nitrogen in the fertilizer If you are going to errless is better

DO

prune once-b l o o m i n g

roses such as Heirloom or Old GardenRoses when the Forsythia is blooming

Any rose that blooms onceusually in late spring forabout three weeks is in thiscategory Many times theseroses are quite fragrantWait to prune these rosesuntil right after they flower

DONrsquoT

prune most roses whenForsythia is in bloom Pruneshrub roses back by half to

23 their height This is assuming you did not prunethem last fall If you did then next year wait until latewinter or early spring Prune Teas and Grandiflorasback to 18 - 24rdquo For climbing roses prune branchesemerging from the main canes back to within 3 - 4rdquoof the cane

DO

apply corn gluten tolawn areas yoursquoveseeded (or over-seeded) or to gar-dens where youwant biennialsperennials or annu-als to reseed andflower Corn glutendoes not distinguishbetween lsquogoodrsquoand lsquobadrsquo seeds

apply a pre-emer-gent weed killerand fertilizer toyour lawn A lushhealthy lawn

makes a beautiful frame for gardens Myfamily walked away from lawn chemicalsfive years ago And our lawn has neverlooked better Corn gluten is a big part ofthis transformation Corn gluten is a by-product of milled corn It will not harm chil-dren pets or wildlife Heck you can eat it ifyou want (but it tastes yucky) Corn Glutenis high in nitrogen and commonly used as alawn fertilizer But it is also a pre-emergenttargeting seeds as they germinate Youcan put corn gluten down at any point inthe spring BUT if part of your mission is toeliminate crabgrass then there is a narrowwindow of attackApply it whenForsythia is in fullbloom and beforeits leaves appearThe Forsythia is asoil temperatureindicator that cor-responds to whencrabgrass seedsstart to germinate More garden centersare now carrying corn gluten productsYou just need to ask and follow the appli-cation instructions on the bag Make sureto water in the corn gluten after applyingIt will remain effective for five to six weeks

Simply Saratoga | 53

DONrsquoT

DO

step on soil as you maneuver around thegarden to cut back Lavender and therest of the gang For that matter youshould never be tromping through yourgardens compacting soil This breaks

down air and water channels as well as making it tougher forroots to spread Instead reach into beds from existing paths orplace stepping stones in discreet spots where only your eyes cansee or lsquowalk the plankrsquo on a board to reach plants fartherlsquoadriftrsquo

54 | Simply Saratoga

cut back Lavender Russian SageMontauk Daisy Butterfly BushChrysanthemums and ornamental grass-es These are best left untouched in falland whacked in spring Many folks make

the mistake of acting too gingerly with pruners Let lsquoem fly Theresult will be more compact neater plants that will bloom just fineTrust me If it helps wait until yoursquove had a bad day at work withthe kids or in traffic

DONrsquoT

DO

divide Peonies German Bearded Iris orOriental Poppies in spring These are bestdone in late summer Also tap-rootedplants (those with a carrot-looking root)cannot be divided Think about it These

are usually propagated by seed stem or root cuttings Someperennials that fall into this category are Malva Butterfly WeedBalloon Flower Oriental Poppies and Lupines

Simply Saratoga | 55

DONrsquoT

divide plants in spring This is an optimumtime to divide most perennials Yes evenspring bloomers Wait until these haveflowered and then shear off the spentblooms and get to business Most sum-

mer and fall blooming perennials can be divided prior to mid-Junewithout disrupting their performance

DO

apply a time-released fertilizersuch as Plant-Tone(organic) orOsmocote to heavy

feeding perennials five to six weeks afterthe earlier granular fertilizer applicationMost plants do not need as much fertilizeras we are led in advertising to believe I amstingy with my money and maintenancetime so only a handful of plants get thisbonus feed Astilbe Delphinium Liliums (ieAsiatic Oriental Trumpet) Clematis androses If I am feeling generous I will putsome on my Bigleaf Hydrangeas next to theroses Call me heartlessJust scratch fertilizer intothe top couple inchesof soil around theplantrsquos base and waterin well They will enjoy anutritious snack forthree to four months

apply mulch ongarden beds toreduce weedsconserve moisture

reduce erosion minimize soil temperaturefluctuations and enhance the quality ofthe soil Some mulching materials includeaged manures compost shredded wood(not dyed) leaf moldand cocoa hulls Putthe mulch down 2rdquo to3rdquo thick around plantsincluding floweringshrubs

build up mulchagainst plant stems

And please please donrsquot create volcanomounds around trees Please This is awfulfor them The only ones that benefit fromthis are the people selling the mulch

56 | Simply Saratoga

DONrsquoT

DO

DO

rubber band orbraid the foliage ofspring bloomingbulbs after they fin-ish flowering You

want as much leaf surface exposed to thesun as possible to increase photosynthesisYou can press the leaves down next to thesoil so they are less noticeable

Simply Saratoga | 57

sect

And finally DO have a great year in

your gardens and DONrsquoT forget to

take time to smell the roses

DONrsquoT

DONrsquoT

cut off the spentblooms and stems onspring blooming bulbsafter they have flow-ered so energy is redirected to the bulbsversus seed productions Keep the leaves inplace until they have browned and ideallycan be pulled from the ground by hand

put time-released fertil-izer on perennials thatprefer lean dietsRicher soil just upsetstheir vascular systemsThey will get leggy flop and not perform tosnuff Yarrow Coneflower Catmint RussianSage Linum Sea Holly and Silvermound are inthe group

DO

For more information contact Perennially Yours at pyourscom

58 | Simply Saratoga

Ill mination

Exterior Stonework

an

d

Story Written by Arthur Gonick Photos Provided

u

Simply Saratoga | 59

To develop and implement an exterior vista that maximizes your enjoyment To have a backyard landscape that is warm inviting and uniquely yours

These are goals that many homeowners have when they first move onto their property But unless you are trained in the variety ofmaterials and options available the task of getting past the point of comparing possibilities to completing and actually enjoying yourbackyard paradise can appear to be a long daunting road

For Carl Trinkle a landscape designer for ten years with the Gallivan Companies of Troy one of the key elements in a successfultransformation is utilizing a professionalrsquos expertise to articulate goals and develop a plan

ldquoThe most important thing we do when we first meet with a client is to get them to discuss their basic needs and aims and encouragethem to formulate an overall vision for their property An initial consultation sets the tone we make an initial visit on-site to look overthe property so we can have an idea as to where things might be placedrdquo

ldquoDuring this intake process we actually encourage people to show us photos of their friendrsquos property that they like or perhaps froma magazine It helps most people to articulate the goals of what they would like to see as a finished projectrdquo Trinkle said ldquoEven if they are looking to do things in phases we find that it is most important to develop a comprehensive site planrdquo This eliminates the need to revise original phases of work to accommodate those that come in the future

60 | Simply Saratoga

that Mr Trinkle finds potential customers identifying with aredesigned to extend the outdoor season ldquoA few extra weeks outside isa lotrdquo he said

add-ons also extend outside activity each day Low voltage lighting is still the most popular but recently LED lighting with longer-lasting bulbs that involve less maintenance and are cost-efficienthave become more fashionable

The latest trends

stations fire pits and waterenhancements such as ponds andwaterfalls are the most frequentlyrequested items that broaden theoutdoor use season

Outdoor grill

Exterior lighting

Simply Saratoga | 61

And of course swimming pool projects have always been a most-requested

item Fifty percent of allthe projects Mr Trinkleworks on involve a pooleither a completely new installation or enhance-ments to existing poolsGallivanrsquos long-standingrelationship withConcord Pools has beena hallmark in assuringthat customers are satis-fied when their pool isput in the ground

62 | Simply Saratoga

In most cases a comprehensive plancan be developed for any project in about a period of twoweeks Complete drawings and cost breakdowns are provid-ed as well as the projected phases that can be completed injust a few months or on larger projects can be scheduled insegments over a few years These are reviewed in personwith the customer again the goal being to have a plan thateveryone buys into

Simply Saratoga | 63

ldquoWe have had projects where the customer has wanted tohave a lot of input and we welcome that But we also hadone where the client was out of town and we built a firepit and slide for his wife and kids and our only instructions were to dazzle themI remember it as a most satisfying experience and we ended up winning awards for that onerdquo

- Carl Trinkle Landscape DesignerThe Gallivan Companies

64 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 65

ldquoI get to work using my creativity with talented people Some of the most talented are those

I meet as customersrdquo sect

For more information or to schedule aconsultation phone Gallivan Companies at(518) 271-6100 Gallivanrsquos website iswwwGallivanCompaniescom

66 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 67

Buying a playhouse for your child is an excellent investment

They promote imaginative play and spending time outdoors and

double as storage space when no longer used for recreation

Denise Woodcock owner of Versatile Sheds in Wilton has

been helping parents and grandparents customize their childrsquos or

grandchildrsquos dream playhouses for years

ldquoThey make great gifts especially for grandparents who want

their grandkids to have their own place to play when they visitrdquo

she said

Playhouses are a great addition to a childrsquos outdoor world

They come in all shapes sizes and designs and can be custom-

built or finished if you donrsquot find exactly what yoursquore looking for

in a catalog or on the lot

Every child is different and has their own preferences for color

size and function boys and girls often have especially different

requests for their play space as do younger and more mature chil-

dren so therersquos a lot to consider

Denise knows how even the finest detail can be all it takes to

make an outdoor structure feel like a childrsquos own personal space

While it may seem superfluous to address every minor demand

the truth is a playhouse is more than just an expensive toy itrsquos an

investment The more your child connects with their space the more

use theyrsquoll get out of it ndash and according to Denise that means your

money is well spent

Smartest WayThe

playhouse for your kidsto buy a

Photos by MarkBollescomStory by Yael Goldman

68 | Simply Saratoga

With this in mind prospective buyers should first consider

who will use the playhouse and for how long as well as what

happens when the structure is no longer used for recreation

Versatile Sheds can help even the most discerning parent or

child find what theyrsquore looking for Every playhouse is hand-

built by Amish craftsmen who can accommodate almost any

special request at an additional cost so the possibilities are

endless inside and out

Cedar shingle or vinyl siding wood stone or brick ndash if you

can use it on the outside of your regular home it can be inte-

grated into your playhousersquos design Playhouses can be built

to look like a miniature version of your home which is an

excellent touch for parents that are particularly concerned

with aesthetics Porches shutters flowerboxes unique doors

chimneys and exterior lighting are just a few of the touches

that can brighten and personalize the exterior

Individualizing your childrsquos playhouse doesnrsquot stop at the

front door There are just as many interior features to choose

from ndash you can let your imagination run wild

For starters you have the option to order the playhouse

with a finished or unfinished interior The unfinished version

looks a lot like the inside of a regular home before you move

in paint the walls and furnish the rooms

Buying an unfinished structure is a great way to cut costs

and even bring the family together over a weekend decorating

project The possibilities are endless depending on how handy

you are otherwise a few coats of paint and a bit of carpeting

will surely do the trick

Although a bit pricey purchasing a playhouse with a fin-

ished interior ensures that your child gets exactly what they

want right off the bat They can pick everything from the paint

color to the flooring so the playhouse is move-in ready on the

day it arrives

Playhouses can also be insulated and wired for electricity

You can install lighting electrical outlets even heat or air-

conditioning to make your childrsquos outdoor space as comfort-

able as possible

And the options donrsquot end there Traditional sheds also dou-

ble as playhouses For some parents purchasing an adult-size

shed for their children is an ideal way to get the best return on

their investment Once their children grow out of it the struc-

ture can be used for outdoor storage With just as many styles

sizes and materials to choose from you can customize the

interior and exterior of your shed just as you would a play-

house but without all of the more frivolous features

ldquoAny shed can be a playhouserdquo Woodcock said explaining

how a custom paint job or flowerbox can transform a typical

storage unit into childrsquos outdoor activity haven

For example if purchasing a wood shed the exterior can be

easily painted and repainted when making the transition from

playhouse to storage space

For Denisersquos customers getting their moneyrsquos worth should

not have to mean making sacrifices

Simply Saratoga | 69

70 | Simply Saratoga

When Debby Trainor made the decision to buy her grand-

daughter Chezneyrsquos dream house she wanted it to have all the

bells and whistles She met with Denise to go over all the cri-

teria the goal was to buy the perfect gift for Chezney while

staying within her budget

The eight-year-old Greenwich girl wanted her own pretty

pink palace where she could play and imagine Debby wanted

it to be a cozy and safe place for her to play year-round

Customization and interior decoration helped make

Chezneyrsquos playhouse feel like her own little kingdom

ldquoWe made it look like a cute little dollhouserdquo she said ldquoWe

put furniture inside and a little stove fridge heater and TV

itrsquos just perfectrdquo

With the structure built to their liking Chezney and Debby

could enjoy decorating the inside to personalize the playhouse

For many customers putting on the finishing touches means

making the playhouse feel like home ndash you can add curtains

hang pictures buy furniture and appliances and landscape the

perimeter to make the outdoor space feel like a home away

from home

When the child grows out of their playhouse these items

can be easily removed to accommodate a secondary use for the

space

ldquoThe best thing that Denise did for me was explain how we

can use the playhouse for storage for stuff out in the yard after

Chezney has grown out of itrdquo Debby explained ldquoAlthough

she is only eight and will be using it for quite a few more

years this really makes it a good investment and looks

great in the backyardrdquo

Whether you choose a customized playhouse or a tradi-

tional shed thinking toward the future also ensures the

safety and longevity of the structure

Denise explained that placement is an important thing to

consider as you want to make sure the structure is in a safe

place and on an appropriate surface Most importantly the

playhouse must be built on a level even surface that isnrsquot

too high off of the ground

ldquoYou want it on a nice platformrdquo Denise explained

ldquoSome people use concrete but stone is better because it

allows moisture to seep down into the ground and away

from the structurerdquo

Most parents prefer that their playhouse is in the back-

yard where itrsquos easy to see from a window Placing the

structure in a shaded area is also a good idea it will be

cooler in the summer and less susceptible to the elements if

partially protected by trees

Debby had Chezneyrsquos playhouse built right next to her

swing set where she can be easily supervised

One last thing to consider when purchasing a playhouse

Simply Saratoga | 71

72 | Simply Saratoga

or shed for your child is how much effort

you want to put into maintaining it The

more ornate the structure the more care it

may need

Woodcock advises parents to preserve

their investment and treat the playhouse

like a miniature home

Think of it as a miniature house ndash the

structure requires regular maintenance

and upkeep to ensure your child will be

safe while enjoying years and years of

imaginative fun

With so many features and styles to

choose from yoursquore sure to find the best

for both you and your child

For more information about Versatile

Sheds or to set up a time to meet with

Denise Woodcock call (518) 584-7924

or stop by 669 Route 9 in Wilton sect

Simply Saratoga | 73

74 | Simply Saratoga

Kitchen

Not Your

Grandmarsquos

Story Written by Daniel Schechtman Photos Provided

ldquoAs you

walk into the kitchen

of the future LED

light projections adjust

to your mood - it will

know if you have a

hangover via sensors

that will read your

b r a i n w a v e s

Aromatherapy infused

walls will be synched

to your calendar calm-

ing you before a big

meeting or energizing you before a gym session The fridge will have selected some breakfast options identifying the essen-

tial vitamins for your day via sensors When you get home a hologram chef will be on hand for recipe inspirationrdquo

Alright so maybe your kitchen canrsquot do all of these things quite yet ndash but believe it or not wersquore getting there This is tomor-

rowrsquos kitchen a kitchen where your appliances donrsquot just store your food or wash your dishes ndash they talk to you providing you

with integral information on how to

best store your fruits and vegetables

letting you know if the refrigerator

door is open for too long or when a

part will soon need replacing

Simply Saratoga | 75

ldquoScience fictionrdquo I hear you say

Guess again Quoted from a report released by The Future Laboratory

who was commissioned by IKEA to determine what a modernkitchen in the year 2040 could conceivably look like

76 | Simply Saratoga

ldquoOne technology that really stands out to me is the

Miele Appliance Company Right now theyrsquore using a

program called lsquoremote visionrsquo On select applianceshellip

is a wireless card that clicks into a port on the back of

the appliance You synch it up with your home network

and it basically emails the technician and the owner

when itrsquos broken when you need to clean your condens-

er change your water filter or schedule a routine serv-

icerdquo said Tom Thibeault owner of Adirondack

Appliance Repair Inc located at 67 West Ave in

Saratoga Springs ldquoMaybe somebodyrsquos been opening the

[refrigerator] door for too long or the door was left open

ndash it will email you and tell you that your door is left

openrdquo

This is not your grandmarsquos kitchen This my friends

is the kitchen of the future and itrsquos available now

The 36 inch bottom-mount Miele refrigerator boasts a

striking interior featuring LED lighting running along

the sides from top to bottom stainless steel accents and

exteriors with control systems that would be comfort-

able alongside the captainrsquos chair on the Starship

Enterprise

Simply Saratoga | 77

ldquoThe controls in the Miele really stand out

Looking at the controls theyrsquore just a glass piece and

then once you touch it you see a few options for the

different compartments Then you touch the compart-

ment and the temperature is displayed so itrsquos kind of

like a Star Trek controlrdquo Thibeault said

And thatrsquos just the refrigerator

Adirondack Appliance has also seen brands such as

Wolf (a company owned by the same people who own

Sub-Zero) grow in popularity when it comes to their

range stoves and ovens The dual convection oven

works to eliminate cold spotting and provides consis-

tent even temperatures and even allows for unique

options such as proofing ndash used best when baking

homemade bread

ldquoIt also has a temperature probe you can plug into

things like a turkey or roast so you can see the temper-

ature while itrsquos still inside the machine It has

hydraulic hinges halogen lit interiors everything is

composed of stainless steel and itrsquos by far one of the

best lines on the marketrdquo Thibeault said

A new line coming to Adirondack Appliance that

features some amazing technology is a series of Pro-

Style Ranges produced by industry giant Jenn-Air

ldquoThat actually has an LCD touch

screen like an IPAD for the controls The

temperature is set by sliding your finger

along the controls Itrsquos all color backlit and

absolutely amazingrdquo Thibeault said

ldquoAnother thing we have to that same

effect are some of the hoods which have

really been getting pretty out there as far as

design We have one on our floor [by Miele]

that has an LED bar on the front which

changes in phases between 196000 colors

Itrsquos a very delicate change very pretty and

coolrdquo Thibeault said adding ldquoor you can set

it to any color in that spectrum yoursquod like to

accent your cabinetryrdquo

When it comes to dishwashers Thibeault

can attest to the quality of both the Asko and

Miele brands both of which he uses in his

own home And good news for Saratoga

Springs residents ndash

ldquoIn our market in

Saratoga we have a

very hard water base

whether yoursquore on a well

system or city waterrdquo

Thibeault said ldquoSo you

get a lot of minerals in

the machine With the

stainless steel interiors it

eliminates a lot of prob-

lems generally seen with

plastic interior tubs and

usually they are the best

life expectanciesrdquo

78 | Simply Saratoga

Asko and Mieleare practically custom made to handle the

arearsquos typicallymineral rich water

Simply Saratoga | 79

The Asko brand dishwasher takes things one step

further including two pumps in the washerrsquos system

The first pump filters the water cleansing it of poten-

tially harmful minerals while the second pump recircu-

lates the water ensuring that the machine is never

blasting your dishes with food debris or dirty residue

With Miele the design features a built-in water sof-

tener perfect for dealing with the Saratoga water

system

ldquoTypically the Miele is going to do a better job with

tougher baked in stainsrdquo said Thibeault ldquobecause itrsquos

got the softener in it and a little bit longer pots and pans

cyclerdquo

80 | Simply Saratoga

Adirondack Appliance Repair Inc is a fami-

ly-owned business since 1929 and the last inde-

pendent appliance retailer of its kind in Saratoga

Springs With $6 billion of buying power behind

their name (a benefit of being part of the Nation

Wide Appliance Buying Group) Thibeault

promised ldquowe can actually price match the box

stores and everybody else around all while pro-

viding you with better service and better

productsrdquo

For more information on AdirondackAppliance or the products they sell you mayvisit their showroom located at 67 West Avenuein Saratoga Springs for live demonstrationsThey can also be reached by phone at (518)587-6640 or you may visit them at their newwebsite wwwadkappliancecom where cus-tomers can browse through the storersquos entirecatalogue of appliances

sect

Simply Saratoga | 81

82 | Simply Saratoga

Page 30: Simply Saratoga March 2011

32 | Simply Saratoga

Who would believe that a rabbi from Eastern

Europe frozen for 150 years in a block of ice could

be transported across time and space to Memphis

where he thaws then becomes a spiritual guru to

baby boomers Arguably nobody But Steve Stern

the author of ldquoThe Frozen Rabbirdquo his most recent

novel isnrsquot asking readers to believe it so much as

to let the characters tell their story Besides the plot

may be far-fetched but he already has a buyer for

the movie rights

Writer-in-residence at Skidmore College Stern is

a genius at creating human beings in fantastical cir-

cumstances who seem more like eccentric neigh-

bors than artifacts of science fiction Some fly

some inhabit other peoplersquos dreams some are res-

urrected and some travel through time Whatever

their superpowers or frailties the heroes and vil-

lains tricksters and innocents and witnesses and

bystanders in Sternrsquos short and long fiction deserve

attention and evoke compassion in their quest for

connection and redemption - or at least food and

shelter From within an inexhaustible vein of

Jewish folklore and oral history his characters

emerge into a lucid fictional universe that embraces

both magic and the mundane Dialogue is ironic as

often as it is mystical and the most ordinary days

serve as backdrops for incredible events

ldquoMiracles are commonplacerdquo says Stern a

Ballston Spa resident ldquoI donrsquot write in metaphors

and symbols deliberately Writing is a visceral

experience for me I read with interest what review-

ers say about my repetitive themes and ideas but I

am driven by images and characters Irsquom a compul-

sive storytellerrdquo

Steve Stern A Lyrical Voice in the Ghetto

B

o

o

k

m

a

r

k

Lean bespectacled and haloed in dark curls Stern

is a Memphis native who grew up in a home bereft

of music books and art in a city made famous by

Elvis Presley (who used to drive through Sternrsquos

neighborhood) and Martin Luther Kingrsquos assassina-

tion He remembers himself as ldquoa mediocre adoles-

cent without confidence or spiritual antennardquo first

stirred to write poetry in high school which he read

aloud for attention

ldquoI was surprised people liked itrdquo he says ldquoAnd I

liked writing it even though it embarrassed me But

I was encouraged to go on and later to try proserdquo

The allure of the late lsquo60s and early lsquo70s was not

academic After college Stern wandered through

Europe then worked as a butcher on a hippie com-

mune in the Ozarks raising pigs and eating off the

land ldquoI slept under five blankets and two dogsrdquo he

recalls (The incarnation has been memorialized in a

comic strip by Sternrsquos girlfriend Sabrina a cartoon-

ist and set designer for Saturday Night Live)

The commune was not too far from the University

of Arkansas where Stern attended graduate school

and played volleyball with Bill and Hillary Clinton

ldquoI hoped he would mention me in his inaugural

addressrdquo Stern sighs

With an MA Stern found teaching gigs at vari-

ous colleges but the work dried up forcing him to

take a job at a folklore center in Memphis first tran-

scribing stories about the black community then

launching a life-changing project to preserve the

stories of the fading Jewish population in a desolate

Memphis ghetto known as ldquoThe Pinchrdquo where

many of his stories are set

Story By Helen Susan Edelman

ldquoBernie scrunched his face in thought Gone was his waryimpulse to keep everything secret and there were times of latewhen he felt almost reckless almost ready to tell the world whileon the other hand he suspected he may have already confided toomuch ldquoI thinkrdquo he said after some consideration ldquoIrsquom startingto outgrow myselfrdquo

mdash Steve Stern ldquoThe Frozen Rabbirdquo

Photo by Josh GerritsenSteve Stern

Simply Saratoga | 33

ldquoIt was intoxicatingrdquo says Stern ldquoI became obsessed with

itrdquo Indeed his work is infused with the folklore images lan-

guage archetypes settings rituals and values embedded in

the memories he recorded and in the vast Jewish and Yiddish

literature he has studied since

A non-observant Jew Stern had no relationship with his

religion so the introduction to his exotic legacy was both

anchor and springboard for a prolific new consciousness

ldquoThe floodgates openedrdquo he says ldquoSuddenly this world

began to materialize for me What had been barren neighbor-

hoods I could see vividly as tenements and shops a town

square street traffic merchants pawnbrokers rabbis chil-

drenhellipimmigrants from Eastern Europe looking for a homerdquo

Stern is comfortable writing about transcendent wisdom as

long as itrsquos his characterrsquos voice

and not his own

dispensing the

insights The

frozen rabbi in

the book of the

same name for

example ldquoradiates

within his zone of

influence and is a

spiritual catalyst

for anyone who

encounters himrdquo

says Stern ldquowhere-

as I am a clicheacute a

Jew who grew up

without an identityrdquo

A winner of both

Guggenheim and

Fulbright fellowships

as well as the National

Jewish Book Award

the Pushcart Prize an

OrsquoHenry Prize and the Edward Lewis Wallant Award Stern

is working on a new novel and rereading Faulkner Tolstoy

Dickens and Joyce

He views each new writing project as ldquoa riskrdquo Experience

last summer also reminded him of the evanescence of popu-

larity he gave two readings one in Memphis which drew

such a crowd that doors had to be locked and one in St

Louis where he commanded an audience of four

ldquoJust like the characters in my storiesrdquo Stern observes ldquoI

encounter conflicts look for a way to escape and face mixed

consequencesrdquo sect

How is your mental state these days Are

you experiencing peace and joy in every-

day life or frustration and impatience Are

you living your life ldquoon purposerdquo or going

through the motions feeling numb and dead

on the inside How is the garden of your

mind Are you tending to your garden or letting

the weeds take over

When I lived in Boston I lived next door to an elder-

ly woman who had a beautiful garden Every morning my

neighbor was outside in her floral moo moo (circa Mrs

Roper from Threersquos Company) tending carefully to each

plant and flower She would spend hours walking around her

garden joyfully humming and making sure her flowers were

strong and healthy Many mornings I would sip my coffee

and watch her peacefully pulling out the weeds and tending

to her precious flowers To this day I remember how tall and

lovely her sunflowers were I think our mental state can be

compared to tending to a garden do we have beautiful sun-

flowers of joy and peace or toxic weeds of bitterness and

guilt

The weeds in your heart and mind are feelings of bitterness

anger guilt self-loathing and negativity Do you spend your

days reviewing the list of those that have offended

you Do you beat yourself up daily for past mis-

takes or regrets These are the weeds that can

take over your mind and lead to racing

thoughts a dark depression constant

anxiety or physical illness and

chronic pain If you are someone

that is easily frustrated impatient

and critical you can be sure you

34 | Simply Saratoga

Tending to theGarden of Your MindDealing with the Weeds in your Life

Simple Truths

have some weeds to deal with

The only path to peace and joy in your everyday life is to

pull your weeds out from the root and confront the issues

Holding on to your weeds only makes you ill and deadens

your heart Did you know that people who are full of bitter-

ness and resentment appear older and are not as physically

attractive as people who are full of peace and love The

weeds in your heart and mind can actually make you ugly

Likewise a mind that is content and peaceful gives us a

sparkle and light in our eyes that people are automatically

attracted to Forget the anti-wrinkle cream and Botox Fill

your heart and mind up with the best kept beauty secret

around love and forgiveness

Forgiveness is not about letting the person who hurt you

off the hook Forgiveness IS allowing light into our hearts

so that we can heal and move forward It takes the heavy

burden of offense and resentment off of our hearts and

minds while preparing the ldquosoilrdquo for new growth and

experiences

When possible confront the people you need to forgive

so that you can have closure and move on If it is not pos-

sible to confront the person that is the weed in your life

write them a letter expressing your hurt and anger (not to

send but in a private journal) This is a wonderful way to

give yourself closure and put your feelings out on the table

More often than not the person we have to forgive or con-

front is ourselves If you are constantly beating yourself up

and feeling guilty about your past make a choice to forgive

yourself

Donrsquot be lazy about your weeds Dig deep and pull out

your weeds so that you can make room for peace and joy

We all desire to feel love and be accepted That accept-

Meghan DLemery LCSW-R

Simply Saratoga | 35

ance starts with you Begin to focus on peaceful loving joyful

thoughts Keep a gratitude journal of what you love about your-

self or the loved ones in your life Practice planting seeds of joy

by giving acceptance and love to everyone around you

Take time to practice patience and kindness to your family

friends colleagues and that slow cashier at the grocery store Go

out of your way to help others in any way that you can All of

these acts of kindness plant the seeds of peace love joy and

abundance

As we approach the new season of spring take some time to

tend to the garden of your mind

Wishing you love self-acceptance and peace this spring and

always

Ms Lemery is a psychotherapist practic-ing in Saratoga Springs and QueensburyShe can be reached at meghanle-meryyahoocom

Her first novel will be pub-lished this Spring TitledldquoPlease Pass the BarbieShoesrdquo it is a hilarious heart-warming story that will haveyou feeling inspiredand empowered

sect

36 | Simply Saratoga

Living Room The custom-designed leather couch chair andottoman come from Suttons The stucco fireplace was inspired by theCollinsrsquo travels through the Southwest and Colorado (ldquowe wanted to avoida traditional river rock fireplacerdquo) and provides a heat source as well asbeauty The original structure was built for passive solar design no airconditioning is needed in the summer A wood stove is the primary heatsource radiant heat with natural gas was also added during the renova-tion

The front door as well as all the interior doors was custom-made fittedand replaced by Tom Zanetti Hickory wood floors were also installed dur-ing the addition A hanging stained glass chandelier is a stock itemobtained from a leading home supply retailer ldquoIt captures the sunlightbeautifully along with providing brilliant nighttime illuminationrdquo Tedsaid ldquoItrsquos an eclectic mixrdquo

Simply Saratoga | 37

Today we look at a creative space that is set into a special place

In 1993 Ted and Susan Collins purchased a seven-acre property

with a 1986 Timberpeg designed home that has all the qualities of

a place in the country ndash yet many would be surprised to learn that

it is actually located on the border of Saratoga Springs near the

Alpine Shop on Clinton Street After a number of years living in

apartments on Union Avenue and Franklin Square enjoying the

proximity to downtown and the track they couldnrsquot resist a spot

that was close to town but yet had lots of land

Their overall vision was for an interior space that was in accord

with the outside ndash the wildlife gardens and the sustainable philos-

ophy embodied in the original buildingrsquos passive solar design

ldquoEverything we do embraces the goals of staying true to the orig-

inal structure having an open welcoming interior and being in

harmony with the outdoorsrdquo Ted said

Inspired by travels in balance with the land

Story By Arthur GonickPhotos by copystockstudiosphotographycom

These principles guided a major transformation of the interior

space in 2006 The key element was an addition to the home that

enabled the living room kitchen and upstairs bedroom to be

expanded allowing space for the installation of a downstairs bath

as well

Susan and Ted led this transformation - visualizing an addition

that incorporated equilibrium of size location and overall propor-

tion They went through several iterations with Rick Deforest of

Heritage Timberframes

Even though much of the interior decor came from travels in

Africa the South Pacific and Colorado the building materials and

craftsmen are all local The timbers and wood flooring were milled

in nearby Kingsbury ldquoWe enjoyed working with professionals who

are also friends like Rick Deforest Tom Zanetti and Mike

Roohanrdquo Ted said ldquothe house now feels complete in balancerdquo sect

Unique Places and Creative Spaces If you would like to nominate a unique

or creative place to be featured emailentertainmentsaratogapublishingcom

38 | Simply Saratoga

Kitchen A wall was taken out that afforded space to add an eat-in island area and

open up the space Custom cabinets are by Tom Zanetti Stonework andappliances were added Both the kitchen and bathroom have granite table-tops (from Mike and Margaret Roohan of Granite and Marble Works)New appliances include a Bosch stove (with a built-in microwave drawer)and an Amana stainless refrigerator

Bathroom The bathroom ceiling is pine The showerarea was designed and built to the Collinsrsquo specifications andfeatures a bench 4 shower heads PLUS an extra hand-held one(ldquoItrsquos a human car washrdquo) The stone tiles on the sides and floorin the shower were installed by Best Tile the plumbing in theshower comes from Aird Dorrance as does the sink ndash which sitson a granite top from Granite and Marble Works The windowleads out to the north side of the house with privacy blinds insidethe window panes One thing you donrsquot see ldquoSince the room ison display in the center of the expanded first floor we wanted thecommode to be mostly hiddenrdquo Ted said

Unique Places and Creative Spaces

Simply Saratoga | 39

Living RoomA reading nook sits upon the bathroom addition ldquoThere was no full bathroom on the first

floor and with a post and beam construction we had to be creative You get outstanding viewsof the property pond and stream when viewed from the nookrsquos perspectiverdquo The ladder canswing out on a track making it more like walking up a staircase ndash this was also designed andinstalled by Tom Zanetti The table in the nook is actually a working African drum with a glasstable top added

40 | Simply Saratoga

Bedroom In the second-floor master bedroom moving the dormer brought in extra light and space and

also brought the roofline together with the original structure and first-floor additions The floorand ceiling are made of rough-cut pine planking The bed is also constructed of pine and comesfrom Suttons The window in the upper left was cut during the addition It faces west for extra day-time light

Simply Saratoga | 41

42 | Simply Saratoga

Story Written by Yael Goldman Photos by Samu Studios and Randall Perry Photography

Simply Saratoga | 43

orking with the

right interior designer

turns listless decision making

into an enjoyable and productive

process that avoids costly mistakes

and delivers exceptional results

Designing a room or an entire home is a

big project no matter how strong your tastes are

The decisions are endless ndash what color should I paint the

walls What flooring is most aesthetically appealing and

dog-friendly Should I choose a furniture set or choose

individual pieces Do I want curtains or shades Do I

decorate with knick-knacks or artwork

But with all the unique self-questioning that surrounds

an interior design project most homeowners share angst

in asking themselves one specific question where do I

start

Itrsquos at this point ndash when stress level increases enjoy-

ment-driven projects turn deadly and money has been

wastefully spent on all the wrong things ndash that you long

for the help of a professional if only you could afford it

Well the truth is you can

Creating the right space can be expensive but is only

more so if you make mistakes and have to go back and

fix them If you do it right the first time therersquos no cost

associated with do-overs

With nearly 100 years of experience between them all

four members of Blairhouse Interiors Group have

worked with more than enough unhappy do-it-your-

selfers to tell you yoursquore not alone

Photo by Samu Studios

44 | Simply Saratoga

The four-member designproject therapy team which recently

opened a studio in Saratoga Springs has a long history of help-

ing home and business owners create their ideal spaces and

atmospheres the right way Their exceptional work is celebrated across

the Capital Region including Saratoga Springs where the Blairhouse

look is prominently featured in a handful of Park Place condominiums

and the incredible Saratoga National Golf Club

Thomas R Burns Meghan Baltich Dominic Carota and Patricia

Richards the highly skilled and charismatic force behind Blairhouse

Interiors Group promise an experience that is personal because itrsquos all

about your needs ndash and thatrsquos what is important

Blairhouse offers full-service interior design services space planning

project management hand-picked merchandise patience and an uncan-

ny ability to create a

look that is always

fresh sophisticated

and comfortable

ldquoThe style that we

gravitate toward is

unique cutting-edge

and modern not dic-

tated by corporaterdquo

said Meghan Baltich

pointing to a ldquovery

propitiousrdquo Keith Fritz

table at the center of

the studio

Photo by Randall Perry Photography

If you do it right the firsttime therersquos no cost

associated with do-oversPhoto by Randall Perry Photography

One glance at the Park Place showroom ndash of the selective furnishings carefully showcased along

the periphery ndash and it becomes clear why Blairhouse an award-winning team gets the job

done

Their creativity focus and immaculate sense of direction bring objectivity to the scene helping you nar-

row down all of the tedious and overwhelming choices that make do-it-yourself decorating an exercise in

unclear thinking

ldquoPeople are overwhelmed by all the choices it can feel like theyrsquore in a paralyzed blurrdquo said Thomas

Burns who finds that a great vision can be impossible to imagine and create without eliminating all of

the distractions

A vital step in getting focused is creating a

comprehensive plan based on individual

needs wants and style that addresses all

aspects of lifestyle and taste and suggests

tactful solutions and fresh approaches to new

and existing spaces

They help you identify what you like

forcing you to hone in on what you want and

need to compliment and enhance your

lifestyle

ldquoWe ascertain the clientrsquos goal and

lifestyle to convey their visionrdquo said

Dominic Carota explaining that the intended

outcome of creating or reinventing a room is

often strictly tied to how you want to live in

it

ldquoWe have to know how they functionrdquo he

said

An interior designer is an asset in the func-

tion-meets-style equation

Dominic explained that a couple starting a family will have far

different needs than empty-nesters looking for a change They may

have the same stylistic goals but their execution will differ based on

how their lifestyle exists within the space

When revamping a single room the majority of your focus is ded-

icated to that individual space making it easy to forget that the rest

of the house is attached Establishing connectivity between rooms is

a challenge but an important part of executing a project the right

way

Sometimes one wrong detail no matter how small can be incred-

ibly impactful and difficult to avoid on your own

ldquoIf yoursquore working on a new addition or renovation we ensure it

flows that therersquos balance between the existing part of the living

space and the new additionrdquo Meghan Baltich said explaining that

it just doesnrsquot make sense to put in a great new kitchen if itrsquos dis-

jointed and out of place from its surroundings

Another common novice mistake is the trendy retail store fallacy

that you can order a full room from a catalog or pick a fabulous and

unique design from a floor plan

Blairhouse clients learn the difference between ldquocookie-cutterrdquo

and ldquocustomrdquo and they are never concerned with picking the wrong

piece for the wrong room

Simply Saratoga | 45

ome customers will come to us after going into a Pottery Barn and buying stuff that just didnrsquot workrdquo Baltich said giving the

example of an individual who purchased an enormous sectional for a tiny room ldquoWe scale into the clientrsquos space taking func-

tion and proportion into considerationrdquo

Exceptional listening and observation skills are the designerrsquos

unsung attributes and greatest assets Blairhouse experts engage

with their clients to gain a true understanding of what they want

In turn the design process becomes an eye-opening experience

customers are introduced to colors and concepts they would

never think to consider

ldquoEach client trusts us to create their environment and we

enable them to make informed decisionsrdquo Patricia Richards

said

And sometimes that requires bold suggestions and collabora-

tion or looking at all of the possibilities even the ones ldquoyou

would never have been brave enough to do on your ownrdquo

In the end the experience of working with the experts is

enjoyable stress-free and cost-effective From concept to com-

pletion the result is just what you want and need ndash a fabulous

marriage of function and aesthetic that wonrsquot have you coming

back for more (because you did it right the first time) sect

ldquoS

46 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 47

For a taste of Blairhouse Interiors Grouprsquos distinctive work stop into their Park Place studio located at 262 Broadway Suite 204 in Saratoga Springs For further details visit wwwblairhouseinteriorscom or call (518) 786-7800

From left to right Dominic Carota Meghan Baltich Patricia Richards and

Thomas R Burns (The designproject therapy team of Blairhouse Interiors Group)

48 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 49

Dorsquos and Donrsquots

50 | Simply Saratoga

Story Written by Kerry Ann Mendez Perennially Yours bull wwwpyourscom Photos Provided

SpringDorsquos and Donrsquots

SpringDorsquos and DonrsquotsDorsquos and Donrsquots

Spring

for your Gardens

s

Simply Saratoga | 51

ssts

SPRINGis right around the corner and gardenersare pawing at the ground ready to explodethrough the garden gate As a passionate perennial gardenerI am right there with you But before launching into another flower-filledseason letrsquos go through a spring checklist of dorsquorsquos and donrsquorsquots to makesure we make the most of the race and have the best finish ever

Photo by GardenersSupply Company

apply a granular fertilizer to your perennial beds while they are still lsquoasleeprsquoDepending on the winter wersquove had this may be anytime from mid-Marchto mid-April Donrsquot worry if there are already lsquoearly risersrsquo visible like springblooming bulbs or woodland ephemerals I recommend using 5-5-5 5-10-5 or

5-10-10 fertilizer at the rate of 2 pounds per 100 square feet Cast the fertilizer just before it is about to rainto make sure fertilizer is watered into the ground and washed off any existing leaves You can give otherplants in your yard this treat as well including floweringshrubs groundcovers climbing vinesand roses

DONrsquoTput fertilizer on top of the snow or on ground that is

still frozen You want to make sure the fertilizer disap-pears into pliable soil and to waiting roots otherwiserunoff can occur And donrsquot think more is better Youcan stress or even kill plants by over-fertilizing espe-cially in spring when leaves are not fully developed toutilize nitrogen in the fertilizer If you are going to errless is better

DO

prune once-b l o o m i n g

roses such as Heirloom or Old GardenRoses when the Forsythia is blooming

Any rose that blooms onceusually in late spring forabout three weeks is in thiscategory Many times theseroses are quite fragrantWait to prune these rosesuntil right after they flower

DONrsquoT

prune most roses whenForsythia is in bloom Pruneshrub roses back by half to

23 their height This is assuming you did not prunethem last fall If you did then next year wait until latewinter or early spring Prune Teas and Grandiflorasback to 18 - 24rdquo For climbing roses prune branchesemerging from the main canes back to within 3 - 4rdquoof the cane

DO

apply corn gluten tolawn areas yoursquoveseeded (or over-seeded) or to gar-dens where youwant biennialsperennials or annu-als to reseed andflower Corn glutendoes not distinguishbetween lsquogoodrsquoand lsquobadrsquo seeds

apply a pre-emer-gent weed killerand fertilizer toyour lawn A lushhealthy lawn

makes a beautiful frame for gardens Myfamily walked away from lawn chemicalsfive years ago And our lawn has neverlooked better Corn gluten is a big part ofthis transformation Corn gluten is a by-product of milled corn It will not harm chil-dren pets or wildlife Heck you can eat it ifyou want (but it tastes yucky) Corn Glutenis high in nitrogen and commonly used as alawn fertilizer But it is also a pre-emergenttargeting seeds as they germinate Youcan put corn gluten down at any point inthe spring BUT if part of your mission is toeliminate crabgrass then there is a narrowwindow of attackApply it whenForsythia is in fullbloom and beforeits leaves appearThe Forsythia is asoil temperatureindicator that cor-responds to whencrabgrass seedsstart to germinate More garden centersare now carrying corn gluten productsYou just need to ask and follow the appli-cation instructions on the bag Make sureto water in the corn gluten after applyingIt will remain effective for five to six weeks

Simply Saratoga | 53

DONrsquoT

DO

step on soil as you maneuver around thegarden to cut back Lavender and therest of the gang For that matter youshould never be tromping through yourgardens compacting soil This breaks

down air and water channels as well as making it tougher forroots to spread Instead reach into beds from existing paths orplace stepping stones in discreet spots where only your eyes cansee or lsquowalk the plankrsquo on a board to reach plants fartherlsquoadriftrsquo

54 | Simply Saratoga

cut back Lavender Russian SageMontauk Daisy Butterfly BushChrysanthemums and ornamental grass-es These are best left untouched in falland whacked in spring Many folks make

the mistake of acting too gingerly with pruners Let lsquoem fly Theresult will be more compact neater plants that will bloom just fineTrust me If it helps wait until yoursquove had a bad day at work withthe kids or in traffic

DONrsquoT

DO

divide Peonies German Bearded Iris orOriental Poppies in spring These are bestdone in late summer Also tap-rootedplants (those with a carrot-looking root)cannot be divided Think about it These

are usually propagated by seed stem or root cuttings Someperennials that fall into this category are Malva Butterfly WeedBalloon Flower Oriental Poppies and Lupines

Simply Saratoga | 55

DONrsquoT

divide plants in spring This is an optimumtime to divide most perennials Yes evenspring bloomers Wait until these haveflowered and then shear off the spentblooms and get to business Most sum-

mer and fall blooming perennials can be divided prior to mid-Junewithout disrupting their performance

DO

apply a time-released fertilizersuch as Plant-Tone(organic) orOsmocote to heavy

feeding perennials five to six weeks afterthe earlier granular fertilizer applicationMost plants do not need as much fertilizeras we are led in advertising to believe I amstingy with my money and maintenancetime so only a handful of plants get thisbonus feed Astilbe Delphinium Liliums (ieAsiatic Oriental Trumpet) Clematis androses If I am feeling generous I will putsome on my Bigleaf Hydrangeas next to theroses Call me heartlessJust scratch fertilizer intothe top couple inchesof soil around theplantrsquos base and waterin well They will enjoy anutritious snack forthree to four months

apply mulch ongarden beds toreduce weedsconserve moisture

reduce erosion minimize soil temperaturefluctuations and enhance the quality ofthe soil Some mulching materials includeaged manures compost shredded wood(not dyed) leaf moldand cocoa hulls Putthe mulch down 2rdquo to3rdquo thick around plantsincluding floweringshrubs

build up mulchagainst plant stems

And please please donrsquot create volcanomounds around trees Please This is awfulfor them The only ones that benefit fromthis are the people selling the mulch

56 | Simply Saratoga

DONrsquoT

DO

DO

rubber band orbraid the foliage ofspring bloomingbulbs after they fin-ish flowering You

want as much leaf surface exposed to thesun as possible to increase photosynthesisYou can press the leaves down next to thesoil so they are less noticeable

Simply Saratoga | 57

sect

And finally DO have a great year in

your gardens and DONrsquoT forget to

take time to smell the roses

DONrsquoT

DONrsquoT

cut off the spentblooms and stems onspring blooming bulbsafter they have flow-ered so energy is redirected to the bulbsversus seed productions Keep the leaves inplace until they have browned and ideallycan be pulled from the ground by hand

put time-released fertil-izer on perennials thatprefer lean dietsRicher soil just upsetstheir vascular systemsThey will get leggy flop and not perform tosnuff Yarrow Coneflower Catmint RussianSage Linum Sea Holly and Silvermound are inthe group

DO

For more information contact Perennially Yours at pyourscom

58 | Simply Saratoga

Ill mination

Exterior Stonework

an

d

Story Written by Arthur Gonick Photos Provided

u

Simply Saratoga | 59

To develop and implement an exterior vista that maximizes your enjoyment To have a backyard landscape that is warm inviting and uniquely yours

These are goals that many homeowners have when they first move onto their property But unless you are trained in the variety ofmaterials and options available the task of getting past the point of comparing possibilities to completing and actually enjoying yourbackyard paradise can appear to be a long daunting road

For Carl Trinkle a landscape designer for ten years with the Gallivan Companies of Troy one of the key elements in a successfultransformation is utilizing a professionalrsquos expertise to articulate goals and develop a plan

ldquoThe most important thing we do when we first meet with a client is to get them to discuss their basic needs and aims and encouragethem to formulate an overall vision for their property An initial consultation sets the tone we make an initial visit on-site to look overthe property so we can have an idea as to where things might be placedrdquo

ldquoDuring this intake process we actually encourage people to show us photos of their friendrsquos property that they like or perhaps froma magazine It helps most people to articulate the goals of what they would like to see as a finished projectrdquo Trinkle said ldquoEven if they are looking to do things in phases we find that it is most important to develop a comprehensive site planrdquo This eliminates the need to revise original phases of work to accommodate those that come in the future

60 | Simply Saratoga

that Mr Trinkle finds potential customers identifying with aredesigned to extend the outdoor season ldquoA few extra weeks outside isa lotrdquo he said

add-ons also extend outside activity each day Low voltage lighting is still the most popular but recently LED lighting with longer-lasting bulbs that involve less maintenance and are cost-efficienthave become more fashionable

The latest trends

stations fire pits and waterenhancements such as ponds andwaterfalls are the most frequentlyrequested items that broaden theoutdoor use season

Outdoor grill

Exterior lighting

Simply Saratoga | 61

And of course swimming pool projects have always been a most-requested

item Fifty percent of allthe projects Mr Trinkleworks on involve a pooleither a completely new installation or enhance-ments to existing poolsGallivanrsquos long-standingrelationship withConcord Pools has beena hallmark in assuringthat customers are satis-fied when their pool isput in the ground

62 | Simply Saratoga

In most cases a comprehensive plancan be developed for any project in about a period of twoweeks Complete drawings and cost breakdowns are provid-ed as well as the projected phases that can be completed injust a few months or on larger projects can be scheduled insegments over a few years These are reviewed in personwith the customer again the goal being to have a plan thateveryone buys into

Simply Saratoga | 63

ldquoWe have had projects where the customer has wanted tohave a lot of input and we welcome that But we also hadone where the client was out of town and we built a firepit and slide for his wife and kids and our only instructions were to dazzle themI remember it as a most satisfying experience and we ended up winning awards for that onerdquo

- Carl Trinkle Landscape DesignerThe Gallivan Companies

64 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 65

ldquoI get to work using my creativity with talented people Some of the most talented are those

I meet as customersrdquo sect

For more information or to schedule aconsultation phone Gallivan Companies at(518) 271-6100 Gallivanrsquos website iswwwGallivanCompaniescom

66 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 67

Buying a playhouse for your child is an excellent investment

They promote imaginative play and spending time outdoors and

double as storage space when no longer used for recreation

Denise Woodcock owner of Versatile Sheds in Wilton has

been helping parents and grandparents customize their childrsquos or

grandchildrsquos dream playhouses for years

ldquoThey make great gifts especially for grandparents who want

their grandkids to have their own place to play when they visitrdquo

she said

Playhouses are a great addition to a childrsquos outdoor world

They come in all shapes sizes and designs and can be custom-

built or finished if you donrsquot find exactly what yoursquore looking for

in a catalog or on the lot

Every child is different and has their own preferences for color

size and function boys and girls often have especially different

requests for their play space as do younger and more mature chil-

dren so therersquos a lot to consider

Denise knows how even the finest detail can be all it takes to

make an outdoor structure feel like a childrsquos own personal space

While it may seem superfluous to address every minor demand

the truth is a playhouse is more than just an expensive toy itrsquos an

investment The more your child connects with their space the more

use theyrsquoll get out of it ndash and according to Denise that means your

money is well spent

Smartest WayThe

playhouse for your kidsto buy a

Photos by MarkBollescomStory by Yael Goldman

68 | Simply Saratoga

With this in mind prospective buyers should first consider

who will use the playhouse and for how long as well as what

happens when the structure is no longer used for recreation

Versatile Sheds can help even the most discerning parent or

child find what theyrsquore looking for Every playhouse is hand-

built by Amish craftsmen who can accommodate almost any

special request at an additional cost so the possibilities are

endless inside and out

Cedar shingle or vinyl siding wood stone or brick ndash if you

can use it on the outside of your regular home it can be inte-

grated into your playhousersquos design Playhouses can be built

to look like a miniature version of your home which is an

excellent touch for parents that are particularly concerned

with aesthetics Porches shutters flowerboxes unique doors

chimneys and exterior lighting are just a few of the touches

that can brighten and personalize the exterior

Individualizing your childrsquos playhouse doesnrsquot stop at the

front door There are just as many interior features to choose

from ndash you can let your imagination run wild

For starters you have the option to order the playhouse

with a finished or unfinished interior The unfinished version

looks a lot like the inside of a regular home before you move

in paint the walls and furnish the rooms

Buying an unfinished structure is a great way to cut costs

and even bring the family together over a weekend decorating

project The possibilities are endless depending on how handy

you are otherwise a few coats of paint and a bit of carpeting

will surely do the trick

Although a bit pricey purchasing a playhouse with a fin-

ished interior ensures that your child gets exactly what they

want right off the bat They can pick everything from the paint

color to the flooring so the playhouse is move-in ready on the

day it arrives

Playhouses can also be insulated and wired for electricity

You can install lighting electrical outlets even heat or air-

conditioning to make your childrsquos outdoor space as comfort-

able as possible

And the options donrsquot end there Traditional sheds also dou-

ble as playhouses For some parents purchasing an adult-size

shed for their children is an ideal way to get the best return on

their investment Once their children grow out of it the struc-

ture can be used for outdoor storage With just as many styles

sizes and materials to choose from you can customize the

interior and exterior of your shed just as you would a play-

house but without all of the more frivolous features

ldquoAny shed can be a playhouserdquo Woodcock said explaining

how a custom paint job or flowerbox can transform a typical

storage unit into childrsquos outdoor activity haven

For example if purchasing a wood shed the exterior can be

easily painted and repainted when making the transition from

playhouse to storage space

For Denisersquos customers getting their moneyrsquos worth should

not have to mean making sacrifices

Simply Saratoga | 69

70 | Simply Saratoga

When Debby Trainor made the decision to buy her grand-

daughter Chezneyrsquos dream house she wanted it to have all the

bells and whistles She met with Denise to go over all the cri-

teria the goal was to buy the perfect gift for Chezney while

staying within her budget

The eight-year-old Greenwich girl wanted her own pretty

pink palace where she could play and imagine Debby wanted

it to be a cozy and safe place for her to play year-round

Customization and interior decoration helped make

Chezneyrsquos playhouse feel like her own little kingdom

ldquoWe made it look like a cute little dollhouserdquo she said ldquoWe

put furniture inside and a little stove fridge heater and TV

itrsquos just perfectrdquo

With the structure built to their liking Chezney and Debby

could enjoy decorating the inside to personalize the playhouse

For many customers putting on the finishing touches means

making the playhouse feel like home ndash you can add curtains

hang pictures buy furniture and appliances and landscape the

perimeter to make the outdoor space feel like a home away

from home

When the child grows out of their playhouse these items

can be easily removed to accommodate a secondary use for the

space

ldquoThe best thing that Denise did for me was explain how we

can use the playhouse for storage for stuff out in the yard after

Chezney has grown out of itrdquo Debby explained ldquoAlthough

she is only eight and will be using it for quite a few more

years this really makes it a good investment and looks

great in the backyardrdquo

Whether you choose a customized playhouse or a tradi-

tional shed thinking toward the future also ensures the

safety and longevity of the structure

Denise explained that placement is an important thing to

consider as you want to make sure the structure is in a safe

place and on an appropriate surface Most importantly the

playhouse must be built on a level even surface that isnrsquot

too high off of the ground

ldquoYou want it on a nice platformrdquo Denise explained

ldquoSome people use concrete but stone is better because it

allows moisture to seep down into the ground and away

from the structurerdquo

Most parents prefer that their playhouse is in the back-

yard where itrsquos easy to see from a window Placing the

structure in a shaded area is also a good idea it will be

cooler in the summer and less susceptible to the elements if

partially protected by trees

Debby had Chezneyrsquos playhouse built right next to her

swing set where she can be easily supervised

One last thing to consider when purchasing a playhouse

Simply Saratoga | 71

72 | Simply Saratoga

or shed for your child is how much effort

you want to put into maintaining it The

more ornate the structure the more care it

may need

Woodcock advises parents to preserve

their investment and treat the playhouse

like a miniature home

Think of it as a miniature house ndash the

structure requires regular maintenance

and upkeep to ensure your child will be

safe while enjoying years and years of

imaginative fun

With so many features and styles to

choose from yoursquore sure to find the best

for both you and your child

For more information about Versatile

Sheds or to set up a time to meet with

Denise Woodcock call (518) 584-7924

or stop by 669 Route 9 in Wilton sect

Simply Saratoga | 73

74 | Simply Saratoga

Kitchen

Not Your

Grandmarsquos

Story Written by Daniel Schechtman Photos Provided

ldquoAs you

walk into the kitchen

of the future LED

light projections adjust

to your mood - it will

know if you have a

hangover via sensors

that will read your

b r a i n w a v e s

Aromatherapy infused

walls will be synched

to your calendar calm-

ing you before a big

meeting or energizing you before a gym session The fridge will have selected some breakfast options identifying the essen-

tial vitamins for your day via sensors When you get home a hologram chef will be on hand for recipe inspirationrdquo

Alright so maybe your kitchen canrsquot do all of these things quite yet ndash but believe it or not wersquore getting there This is tomor-

rowrsquos kitchen a kitchen where your appliances donrsquot just store your food or wash your dishes ndash they talk to you providing you

with integral information on how to

best store your fruits and vegetables

letting you know if the refrigerator

door is open for too long or when a

part will soon need replacing

Simply Saratoga | 75

ldquoScience fictionrdquo I hear you say

Guess again Quoted from a report released by The Future Laboratory

who was commissioned by IKEA to determine what a modernkitchen in the year 2040 could conceivably look like

76 | Simply Saratoga

ldquoOne technology that really stands out to me is the

Miele Appliance Company Right now theyrsquore using a

program called lsquoremote visionrsquo On select applianceshellip

is a wireless card that clicks into a port on the back of

the appliance You synch it up with your home network

and it basically emails the technician and the owner

when itrsquos broken when you need to clean your condens-

er change your water filter or schedule a routine serv-

icerdquo said Tom Thibeault owner of Adirondack

Appliance Repair Inc located at 67 West Ave in

Saratoga Springs ldquoMaybe somebodyrsquos been opening the

[refrigerator] door for too long or the door was left open

ndash it will email you and tell you that your door is left

openrdquo

This is not your grandmarsquos kitchen This my friends

is the kitchen of the future and itrsquos available now

The 36 inch bottom-mount Miele refrigerator boasts a

striking interior featuring LED lighting running along

the sides from top to bottom stainless steel accents and

exteriors with control systems that would be comfort-

able alongside the captainrsquos chair on the Starship

Enterprise

Simply Saratoga | 77

ldquoThe controls in the Miele really stand out

Looking at the controls theyrsquore just a glass piece and

then once you touch it you see a few options for the

different compartments Then you touch the compart-

ment and the temperature is displayed so itrsquos kind of

like a Star Trek controlrdquo Thibeault said

And thatrsquos just the refrigerator

Adirondack Appliance has also seen brands such as

Wolf (a company owned by the same people who own

Sub-Zero) grow in popularity when it comes to their

range stoves and ovens The dual convection oven

works to eliminate cold spotting and provides consis-

tent even temperatures and even allows for unique

options such as proofing ndash used best when baking

homemade bread

ldquoIt also has a temperature probe you can plug into

things like a turkey or roast so you can see the temper-

ature while itrsquos still inside the machine It has

hydraulic hinges halogen lit interiors everything is

composed of stainless steel and itrsquos by far one of the

best lines on the marketrdquo Thibeault said

A new line coming to Adirondack Appliance that

features some amazing technology is a series of Pro-

Style Ranges produced by industry giant Jenn-Air

ldquoThat actually has an LCD touch

screen like an IPAD for the controls The

temperature is set by sliding your finger

along the controls Itrsquos all color backlit and

absolutely amazingrdquo Thibeault said

ldquoAnother thing we have to that same

effect are some of the hoods which have

really been getting pretty out there as far as

design We have one on our floor [by Miele]

that has an LED bar on the front which

changes in phases between 196000 colors

Itrsquos a very delicate change very pretty and

coolrdquo Thibeault said adding ldquoor you can set

it to any color in that spectrum yoursquod like to

accent your cabinetryrdquo

When it comes to dishwashers Thibeault

can attest to the quality of both the Asko and

Miele brands both of which he uses in his

own home And good news for Saratoga

Springs residents ndash

ldquoIn our market in

Saratoga we have a

very hard water base

whether yoursquore on a well

system or city waterrdquo

Thibeault said ldquoSo you

get a lot of minerals in

the machine With the

stainless steel interiors it

eliminates a lot of prob-

lems generally seen with

plastic interior tubs and

usually they are the best

life expectanciesrdquo

78 | Simply Saratoga

Asko and Mieleare practically custom made to handle the

arearsquos typicallymineral rich water

Simply Saratoga | 79

The Asko brand dishwasher takes things one step

further including two pumps in the washerrsquos system

The first pump filters the water cleansing it of poten-

tially harmful minerals while the second pump recircu-

lates the water ensuring that the machine is never

blasting your dishes with food debris or dirty residue

With Miele the design features a built-in water sof-

tener perfect for dealing with the Saratoga water

system

ldquoTypically the Miele is going to do a better job with

tougher baked in stainsrdquo said Thibeault ldquobecause itrsquos

got the softener in it and a little bit longer pots and pans

cyclerdquo

80 | Simply Saratoga

Adirondack Appliance Repair Inc is a fami-

ly-owned business since 1929 and the last inde-

pendent appliance retailer of its kind in Saratoga

Springs With $6 billion of buying power behind

their name (a benefit of being part of the Nation

Wide Appliance Buying Group) Thibeault

promised ldquowe can actually price match the box

stores and everybody else around all while pro-

viding you with better service and better

productsrdquo

For more information on AdirondackAppliance or the products they sell you mayvisit their showroom located at 67 West Avenuein Saratoga Springs for live demonstrationsThey can also be reached by phone at (518)587-6640 or you may visit them at their newwebsite wwwadkappliancecom where cus-tomers can browse through the storersquos entirecatalogue of appliances

sect

Simply Saratoga | 81

82 | Simply Saratoga

Page 31: Simply Saratoga March 2011

Simply Saratoga | 33

ldquoIt was intoxicatingrdquo says Stern ldquoI became obsessed with

itrdquo Indeed his work is infused with the folklore images lan-

guage archetypes settings rituals and values embedded in

the memories he recorded and in the vast Jewish and Yiddish

literature he has studied since

A non-observant Jew Stern had no relationship with his

religion so the introduction to his exotic legacy was both

anchor and springboard for a prolific new consciousness

ldquoThe floodgates openedrdquo he says ldquoSuddenly this world

began to materialize for me What had been barren neighbor-

hoods I could see vividly as tenements and shops a town

square street traffic merchants pawnbrokers rabbis chil-

drenhellipimmigrants from Eastern Europe looking for a homerdquo

Stern is comfortable writing about transcendent wisdom as

long as itrsquos his characterrsquos voice

and not his own

dispensing the

insights The

frozen rabbi in

the book of the

same name for

example ldquoradiates

within his zone of

influence and is a

spiritual catalyst

for anyone who

encounters himrdquo

says Stern ldquowhere-

as I am a clicheacute a

Jew who grew up

without an identityrdquo

A winner of both

Guggenheim and

Fulbright fellowships

as well as the National

Jewish Book Award

the Pushcart Prize an

OrsquoHenry Prize and the Edward Lewis Wallant Award Stern

is working on a new novel and rereading Faulkner Tolstoy

Dickens and Joyce

He views each new writing project as ldquoa riskrdquo Experience

last summer also reminded him of the evanescence of popu-

larity he gave two readings one in Memphis which drew

such a crowd that doors had to be locked and one in St

Louis where he commanded an audience of four

ldquoJust like the characters in my storiesrdquo Stern observes ldquoI

encounter conflicts look for a way to escape and face mixed

consequencesrdquo sect

How is your mental state these days Are

you experiencing peace and joy in every-

day life or frustration and impatience Are

you living your life ldquoon purposerdquo or going

through the motions feeling numb and dead

on the inside How is the garden of your

mind Are you tending to your garden or letting

the weeds take over

When I lived in Boston I lived next door to an elder-

ly woman who had a beautiful garden Every morning my

neighbor was outside in her floral moo moo (circa Mrs

Roper from Threersquos Company) tending carefully to each

plant and flower She would spend hours walking around her

garden joyfully humming and making sure her flowers were

strong and healthy Many mornings I would sip my coffee

and watch her peacefully pulling out the weeds and tending

to her precious flowers To this day I remember how tall and

lovely her sunflowers were I think our mental state can be

compared to tending to a garden do we have beautiful sun-

flowers of joy and peace or toxic weeds of bitterness and

guilt

The weeds in your heart and mind are feelings of bitterness

anger guilt self-loathing and negativity Do you spend your

days reviewing the list of those that have offended

you Do you beat yourself up daily for past mis-

takes or regrets These are the weeds that can

take over your mind and lead to racing

thoughts a dark depression constant

anxiety or physical illness and

chronic pain If you are someone

that is easily frustrated impatient

and critical you can be sure you

34 | Simply Saratoga

Tending to theGarden of Your MindDealing with the Weeds in your Life

Simple Truths

have some weeds to deal with

The only path to peace and joy in your everyday life is to

pull your weeds out from the root and confront the issues

Holding on to your weeds only makes you ill and deadens

your heart Did you know that people who are full of bitter-

ness and resentment appear older and are not as physically

attractive as people who are full of peace and love The

weeds in your heart and mind can actually make you ugly

Likewise a mind that is content and peaceful gives us a

sparkle and light in our eyes that people are automatically

attracted to Forget the anti-wrinkle cream and Botox Fill

your heart and mind up with the best kept beauty secret

around love and forgiveness

Forgiveness is not about letting the person who hurt you

off the hook Forgiveness IS allowing light into our hearts

so that we can heal and move forward It takes the heavy

burden of offense and resentment off of our hearts and

minds while preparing the ldquosoilrdquo for new growth and

experiences

When possible confront the people you need to forgive

so that you can have closure and move on If it is not pos-

sible to confront the person that is the weed in your life

write them a letter expressing your hurt and anger (not to

send but in a private journal) This is a wonderful way to

give yourself closure and put your feelings out on the table

More often than not the person we have to forgive or con-

front is ourselves If you are constantly beating yourself up

and feeling guilty about your past make a choice to forgive

yourself

Donrsquot be lazy about your weeds Dig deep and pull out

your weeds so that you can make room for peace and joy

We all desire to feel love and be accepted That accept-

Meghan DLemery LCSW-R

Simply Saratoga | 35

ance starts with you Begin to focus on peaceful loving joyful

thoughts Keep a gratitude journal of what you love about your-

self or the loved ones in your life Practice planting seeds of joy

by giving acceptance and love to everyone around you

Take time to practice patience and kindness to your family

friends colleagues and that slow cashier at the grocery store Go

out of your way to help others in any way that you can All of

these acts of kindness plant the seeds of peace love joy and

abundance

As we approach the new season of spring take some time to

tend to the garden of your mind

Wishing you love self-acceptance and peace this spring and

always

Ms Lemery is a psychotherapist practic-ing in Saratoga Springs and QueensburyShe can be reached at meghanle-meryyahoocom

Her first novel will be pub-lished this Spring TitledldquoPlease Pass the BarbieShoesrdquo it is a hilarious heart-warming story that will haveyou feeling inspiredand empowered

sect

36 | Simply Saratoga

Living Room The custom-designed leather couch chair andottoman come from Suttons The stucco fireplace was inspired by theCollinsrsquo travels through the Southwest and Colorado (ldquowe wanted to avoida traditional river rock fireplacerdquo) and provides a heat source as well asbeauty The original structure was built for passive solar design no airconditioning is needed in the summer A wood stove is the primary heatsource radiant heat with natural gas was also added during the renova-tion

The front door as well as all the interior doors was custom-made fittedand replaced by Tom Zanetti Hickory wood floors were also installed dur-ing the addition A hanging stained glass chandelier is a stock itemobtained from a leading home supply retailer ldquoIt captures the sunlightbeautifully along with providing brilliant nighttime illuminationrdquo Tedsaid ldquoItrsquos an eclectic mixrdquo

Simply Saratoga | 37

Today we look at a creative space that is set into a special place

In 1993 Ted and Susan Collins purchased a seven-acre property

with a 1986 Timberpeg designed home that has all the qualities of

a place in the country ndash yet many would be surprised to learn that

it is actually located on the border of Saratoga Springs near the

Alpine Shop on Clinton Street After a number of years living in

apartments on Union Avenue and Franklin Square enjoying the

proximity to downtown and the track they couldnrsquot resist a spot

that was close to town but yet had lots of land

Their overall vision was for an interior space that was in accord

with the outside ndash the wildlife gardens and the sustainable philos-

ophy embodied in the original buildingrsquos passive solar design

ldquoEverything we do embraces the goals of staying true to the orig-

inal structure having an open welcoming interior and being in

harmony with the outdoorsrdquo Ted said

Inspired by travels in balance with the land

Story By Arthur GonickPhotos by copystockstudiosphotographycom

These principles guided a major transformation of the interior

space in 2006 The key element was an addition to the home that

enabled the living room kitchen and upstairs bedroom to be

expanded allowing space for the installation of a downstairs bath

as well

Susan and Ted led this transformation - visualizing an addition

that incorporated equilibrium of size location and overall propor-

tion They went through several iterations with Rick Deforest of

Heritage Timberframes

Even though much of the interior decor came from travels in

Africa the South Pacific and Colorado the building materials and

craftsmen are all local The timbers and wood flooring were milled

in nearby Kingsbury ldquoWe enjoyed working with professionals who

are also friends like Rick Deforest Tom Zanetti and Mike

Roohanrdquo Ted said ldquothe house now feels complete in balancerdquo sect

Unique Places and Creative Spaces If you would like to nominate a unique

or creative place to be featured emailentertainmentsaratogapublishingcom

38 | Simply Saratoga

Kitchen A wall was taken out that afforded space to add an eat-in island area and

open up the space Custom cabinets are by Tom Zanetti Stonework andappliances were added Both the kitchen and bathroom have granite table-tops (from Mike and Margaret Roohan of Granite and Marble Works)New appliances include a Bosch stove (with a built-in microwave drawer)and an Amana stainless refrigerator

Bathroom The bathroom ceiling is pine The showerarea was designed and built to the Collinsrsquo specifications andfeatures a bench 4 shower heads PLUS an extra hand-held one(ldquoItrsquos a human car washrdquo) The stone tiles on the sides and floorin the shower were installed by Best Tile the plumbing in theshower comes from Aird Dorrance as does the sink ndash which sitson a granite top from Granite and Marble Works The windowleads out to the north side of the house with privacy blinds insidethe window panes One thing you donrsquot see ldquoSince the room ison display in the center of the expanded first floor we wanted thecommode to be mostly hiddenrdquo Ted said

Unique Places and Creative Spaces

Simply Saratoga | 39

Living RoomA reading nook sits upon the bathroom addition ldquoThere was no full bathroom on the first

floor and with a post and beam construction we had to be creative You get outstanding viewsof the property pond and stream when viewed from the nookrsquos perspectiverdquo The ladder canswing out on a track making it more like walking up a staircase ndash this was also designed andinstalled by Tom Zanetti The table in the nook is actually a working African drum with a glasstable top added

40 | Simply Saratoga

Bedroom In the second-floor master bedroom moving the dormer brought in extra light and space and

also brought the roofline together with the original structure and first-floor additions The floorand ceiling are made of rough-cut pine planking The bed is also constructed of pine and comesfrom Suttons The window in the upper left was cut during the addition It faces west for extra day-time light

Simply Saratoga | 41

42 | Simply Saratoga

Story Written by Yael Goldman Photos by Samu Studios and Randall Perry Photography

Simply Saratoga | 43

orking with the

right interior designer

turns listless decision making

into an enjoyable and productive

process that avoids costly mistakes

and delivers exceptional results

Designing a room or an entire home is a

big project no matter how strong your tastes are

The decisions are endless ndash what color should I paint the

walls What flooring is most aesthetically appealing and

dog-friendly Should I choose a furniture set or choose

individual pieces Do I want curtains or shades Do I

decorate with knick-knacks or artwork

But with all the unique self-questioning that surrounds

an interior design project most homeowners share angst

in asking themselves one specific question where do I

start

Itrsquos at this point ndash when stress level increases enjoy-

ment-driven projects turn deadly and money has been

wastefully spent on all the wrong things ndash that you long

for the help of a professional if only you could afford it

Well the truth is you can

Creating the right space can be expensive but is only

more so if you make mistakes and have to go back and

fix them If you do it right the first time therersquos no cost

associated with do-overs

With nearly 100 years of experience between them all

four members of Blairhouse Interiors Group have

worked with more than enough unhappy do-it-your-

selfers to tell you yoursquore not alone

Photo by Samu Studios

44 | Simply Saratoga

The four-member designproject therapy team which recently

opened a studio in Saratoga Springs has a long history of help-

ing home and business owners create their ideal spaces and

atmospheres the right way Their exceptional work is celebrated across

the Capital Region including Saratoga Springs where the Blairhouse

look is prominently featured in a handful of Park Place condominiums

and the incredible Saratoga National Golf Club

Thomas R Burns Meghan Baltich Dominic Carota and Patricia

Richards the highly skilled and charismatic force behind Blairhouse

Interiors Group promise an experience that is personal because itrsquos all

about your needs ndash and thatrsquos what is important

Blairhouse offers full-service interior design services space planning

project management hand-picked merchandise patience and an uncan-

ny ability to create a

look that is always

fresh sophisticated

and comfortable

ldquoThe style that we

gravitate toward is

unique cutting-edge

and modern not dic-

tated by corporaterdquo

said Meghan Baltich

pointing to a ldquovery

propitiousrdquo Keith Fritz

table at the center of

the studio

Photo by Randall Perry Photography

If you do it right the firsttime therersquos no cost

associated with do-oversPhoto by Randall Perry Photography

One glance at the Park Place showroom ndash of the selective furnishings carefully showcased along

the periphery ndash and it becomes clear why Blairhouse an award-winning team gets the job

done

Their creativity focus and immaculate sense of direction bring objectivity to the scene helping you nar-

row down all of the tedious and overwhelming choices that make do-it-yourself decorating an exercise in

unclear thinking

ldquoPeople are overwhelmed by all the choices it can feel like theyrsquore in a paralyzed blurrdquo said Thomas

Burns who finds that a great vision can be impossible to imagine and create without eliminating all of

the distractions

A vital step in getting focused is creating a

comprehensive plan based on individual

needs wants and style that addresses all

aspects of lifestyle and taste and suggests

tactful solutions and fresh approaches to new

and existing spaces

They help you identify what you like

forcing you to hone in on what you want and

need to compliment and enhance your

lifestyle

ldquoWe ascertain the clientrsquos goal and

lifestyle to convey their visionrdquo said

Dominic Carota explaining that the intended

outcome of creating or reinventing a room is

often strictly tied to how you want to live in

it

ldquoWe have to know how they functionrdquo he

said

An interior designer is an asset in the func-

tion-meets-style equation

Dominic explained that a couple starting a family will have far

different needs than empty-nesters looking for a change They may

have the same stylistic goals but their execution will differ based on

how their lifestyle exists within the space

When revamping a single room the majority of your focus is ded-

icated to that individual space making it easy to forget that the rest

of the house is attached Establishing connectivity between rooms is

a challenge but an important part of executing a project the right

way

Sometimes one wrong detail no matter how small can be incred-

ibly impactful and difficult to avoid on your own

ldquoIf yoursquore working on a new addition or renovation we ensure it

flows that therersquos balance between the existing part of the living

space and the new additionrdquo Meghan Baltich said explaining that

it just doesnrsquot make sense to put in a great new kitchen if itrsquos dis-

jointed and out of place from its surroundings

Another common novice mistake is the trendy retail store fallacy

that you can order a full room from a catalog or pick a fabulous and

unique design from a floor plan

Blairhouse clients learn the difference between ldquocookie-cutterrdquo

and ldquocustomrdquo and they are never concerned with picking the wrong

piece for the wrong room

Simply Saratoga | 45

ome customers will come to us after going into a Pottery Barn and buying stuff that just didnrsquot workrdquo Baltich said giving the

example of an individual who purchased an enormous sectional for a tiny room ldquoWe scale into the clientrsquos space taking func-

tion and proportion into considerationrdquo

Exceptional listening and observation skills are the designerrsquos

unsung attributes and greatest assets Blairhouse experts engage

with their clients to gain a true understanding of what they want

In turn the design process becomes an eye-opening experience

customers are introduced to colors and concepts they would

never think to consider

ldquoEach client trusts us to create their environment and we

enable them to make informed decisionsrdquo Patricia Richards

said

And sometimes that requires bold suggestions and collabora-

tion or looking at all of the possibilities even the ones ldquoyou

would never have been brave enough to do on your ownrdquo

In the end the experience of working with the experts is

enjoyable stress-free and cost-effective From concept to com-

pletion the result is just what you want and need ndash a fabulous

marriage of function and aesthetic that wonrsquot have you coming

back for more (because you did it right the first time) sect

ldquoS

46 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 47

For a taste of Blairhouse Interiors Grouprsquos distinctive work stop into their Park Place studio located at 262 Broadway Suite 204 in Saratoga Springs For further details visit wwwblairhouseinteriorscom or call (518) 786-7800

From left to right Dominic Carota Meghan Baltich Patricia Richards and

Thomas R Burns (The designproject therapy team of Blairhouse Interiors Group)

48 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 49

Dorsquos and Donrsquots

50 | Simply Saratoga

Story Written by Kerry Ann Mendez Perennially Yours bull wwwpyourscom Photos Provided

SpringDorsquos and Donrsquots

SpringDorsquos and DonrsquotsDorsquos and Donrsquots

Spring

for your Gardens

s

Simply Saratoga | 51

ssts

SPRINGis right around the corner and gardenersare pawing at the ground ready to explodethrough the garden gate As a passionate perennial gardenerI am right there with you But before launching into another flower-filledseason letrsquos go through a spring checklist of dorsquorsquos and donrsquorsquots to makesure we make the most of the race and have the best finish ever

Photo by GardenersSupply Company

apply a granular fertilizer to your perennial beds while they are still lsquoasleeprsquoDepending on the winter wersquove had this may be anytime from mid-Marchto mid-April Donrsquot worry if there are already lsquoearly risersrsquo visible like springblooming bulbs or woodland ephemerals I recommend using 5-5-5 5-10-5 or

5-10-10 fertilizer at the rate of 2 pounds per 100 square feet Cast the fertilizer just before it is about to rainto make sure fertilizer is watered into the ground and washed off any existing leaves You can give otherplants in your yard this treat as well including floweringshrubs groundcovers climbing vinesand roses

DONrsquoTput fertilizer on top of the snow or on ground that is

still frozen You want to make sure the fertilizer disap-pears into pliable soil and to waiting roots otherwiserunoff can occur And donrsquot think more is better Youcan stress or even kill plants by over-fertilizing espe-cially in spring when leaves are not fully developed toutilize nitrogen in the fertilizer If you are going to errless is better

DO

prune once-b l o o m i n g

roses such as Heirloom or Old GardenRoses when the Forsythia is blooming

Any rose that blooms onceusually in late spring forabout three weeks is in thiscategory Many times theseroses are quite fragrantWait to prune these rosesuntil right after they flower

DONrsquoT

prune most roses whenForsythia is in bloom Pruneshrub roses back by half to

23 their height This is assuming you did not prunethem last fall If you did then next year wait until latewinter or early spring Prune Teas and Grandiflorasback to 18 - 24rdquo For climbing roses prune branchesemerging from the main canes back to within 3 - 4rdquoof the cane

DO

apply corn gluten tolawn areas yoursquoveseeded (or over-seeded) or to gar-dens where youwant biennialsperennials or annu-als to reseed andflower Corn glutendoes not distinguishbetween lsquogoodrsquoand lsquobadrsquo seeds

apply a pre-emer-gent weed killerand fertilizer toyour lawn A lushhealthy lawn

makes a beautiful frame for gardens Myfamily walked away from lawn chemicalsfive years ago And our lawn has neverlooked better Corn gluten is a big part ofthis transformation Corn gluten is a by-product of milled corn It will not harm chil-dren pets or wildlife Heck you can eat it ifyou want (but it tastes yucky) Corn Glutenis high in nitrogen and commonly used as alawn fertilizer But it is also a pre-emergenttargeting seeds as they germinate Youcan put corn gluten down at any point inthe spring BUT if part of your mission is toeliminate crabgrass then there is a narrowwindow of attackApply it whenForsythia is in fullbloom and beforeits leaves appearThe Forsythia is asoil temperatureindicator that cor-responds to whencrabgrass seedsstart to germinate More garden centersare now carrying corn gluten productsYou just need to ask and follow the appli-cation instructions on the bag Make sureto water in the corn gluten after applyingIt will remain effective for five to six weeks

Simply Saratoga | 53

DONrsquoT

DO

step on soil as you maneuver around thegarden to cut back Lavender and therest of the gang For that matter youshould never be tromping through yourgardens compacting soil This breaks

down air and water channels as well as making it tougher forroots to spread Instead reach into beds from existing paths orplace stepping stones in discreet spots where only your eyes cansee or lsquowalk the plankrsquo on a board to reach plants fartherlsquoadriftrsquo

54 | Simply Saratoga

cut back Lavender Russian SageMontauk Daisy Butterfly BushChrysanthemums and ornamental grass-es These are best left untouched in falland whacked in spring Many folks make

the mistake of acting too gingerly with pruners Let lsquoem fly Theresult will be more compact neater plants that will bloom just fineTrust me If it helps wait until yoursquove had a bad day at work withthe kids or in traffic

DONrsquoT

DO

divide Peonies German Bearded Iris orOriental Poppies in spring These are bestdone in late summer Also tap-rootedplants (those with a carrot-looking root)cannot be divided Think about it These

are usually propagated by seed stem or root cuttings Someperennials that fall into this category are Malva Butterfly WeedBalloon Flower Oriental Poppies and Lupines

Simply Saratoga | 55

DONrsquoT

divide plants in spring This is an optimumtime to divide most perennials Yes evenspring bloomers Wait until these haveflowered and then shear off the spentblooms and get to business Most sum-

mer and fall blooming perennials can be divided prior to mid-Junewithout disrupting their performance

DO

apply a time-released fertilizersuch as Plant-Tone(organic) orOsmocote to heavy

feeding perennials five to six weeks afterthe earlier granular fertilizer applicationMost plants do not need as much fertilizeras we are led in advertising to believe I amstingy with my money and maintenancetime so only a handful of plants get thisbonus feed Astilbe Delphinium Liliums (ieAsiatic Oriental Trumpet) Clematis androses If I am feeling generous I will putsome on my Bigleaf Hydrangeas next to theroses Call me heartlessJust scratch fertilizer intothe top couple inchesof soil around theplantrsquos base and waterin well They will enjoy anutritious snack forthree to four months

apply mulch ongarden beds toreduce weedsconserve moisture

reduce erosion minimize soil temperaturefluctuations and enhance the quality ofthe soil Some mulching materials includeaged manures compost shredded wood(not dyed) leaf moldand cocoa hulls Putthe mulch down 2rdquo to3rdquo thick around plantsincluding floweringshrubs

build up mulchagainst plant stems

And please please donrsquot create volcanomounds around trees Please This is awfulfor them The only ones that benefit fromthis are the people selling the mulch

56 | Simply Saratoga

DONrsquoT

DO

DO

rubber band orbraid the foliage ofspring bloomingbulbs after they fin-ish flowering You

want as much leaf surface exposed to thesun as possible to increase photosynthesisYou can press the leaves down next to thesoil so they are less noticeable

Simply Saratoga | 57

sect

And finally DO have a great year in

your gardens and DONrsquoT forget to

take time to smell the roses

DONrsquoT

DONrsquoT

cut off the spentblooms and stems onspring blooming bulbsafter they have flow-ered so energy is redirected to the bulbsversus seed productions Keep the leaves inplace until they have browned and ideallycan be pulled from the ground by hand

put time-released fertil-izer on perennials thatprefer lean dietsRicher soil just upsetstheir vascular systemsThey will get leggy flop and not perform tosnuff Yarrow Coneflower Catmint RussianSage Linum Sea Holly and Silvermound are inthe group

DO

For more information contact Perennially Yours at pyourscom

58 | Simply Saratoga

Ill mination

Exterior Stonework

an

d

Story Written by Arthur Gonick Photos Provided

u

Simply Saratoga | 59

To develop and implement an exterior vista that maximizes your enjoyment To have a backyard landscape that is warm inviting and uniquely yours

These are goals that many homeowners have when they first move onto their property But unless you are trained in the variety ofmaterials and options available the task of getting past the point of comparing possibilities to completing and actually enjoying yourbackyard paradise can appear to be a long daunting road

For Carl Trinkle a landscape designer for ten years with the Gallivan Companies of Troy one of the key elements in a successfultransformation is utilizing a professionalrsquos expertise to articulate goals and develop a plan

ldquoThe most important thing we do when we first meet with a client is to get them to discuss their basic needs and aims and encouragethem to formulate an overall vision for their property An initial consultation sets the tone we make an initial visit on-site to look overthe property so we can have an idea as to where things might be placedrdquo

ldquoDuring this intake process we actually encourage people to show us photos of their friendrsquos property that they like or perhaps froma magazine It helps most people to articulate the goals of what they would like to see as a finished projectrdquo Trinkle said ldquoEven if they are looking to do things in phases we find that it is most important to develop a comprehensive site planrdquo This eliminates the need to revise original phases of work to accommodate those that come in the future

60 | Simply Saratoga

that Mr Trinkle finds potential customers identifying with aredesigned to extend the outdoor season ldquoA few extra weeks outside isa lotrdquo he said

add-ons also extend outside activity each day Low voltage lighting is still the most popular but recently LED lighting with longer-lasting bulbs that involve less maintenance and are cost-efficienthave become more fashionable

The latest trends

stations fire pits and waterenhancements such as ponds andwaterfalls are the most frequentlyrequested items that broaden theoutdoor use season

Outdoor grill

Exterior lighting

Simply Saratoga | 61

And of course swimming pool projects have always been a most-requested

item Fifty percent of allthe projects Mr Trinkleworks on involve a pooleither a completely new installation or enhance-ments to existing poolsGallivanrsquos long-standingrelationship withConcord Pools has beena hallmark in assuringthat customers are satis-fied when their pool isput in the ground

62 | Simply Saratoga

In most cases a comprehensive plancan be developed for any project in about a period of twoweeks Complete drawings and cost breakdowns are provid-ed as well as the projected phases that can be completed injust a few months or on larger projects can be scheduled insegments over a few years These are reviewed in personwith the customer again the goal being to have a plan thateveryone buys into

Simply Saratoga | 63

ldquoWe have had projects where the customer has wanted tohave a lot of input and we welcome that But we also hadone where the client was out of town and we built a firepit and slide for his wife and kids and our only instructions were to dazzle themI remember it as a most satisfying experience and we ended up winning awards for that onerdquo

- Carl Trinkle Landscape DesignerThe Gallivan Companies

64 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 65

ldquoI get to work using my creativity with talented people Some of the most talented are those

I meet as customersrdquo sect

For more information or to schedule aconsultation phone Gallivan Companies at(518) 271-6100 Gallivanrsquos website iswwwGallivanCompaniescom

66 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 67

Buying a playhouse for your child is an excellent investment

They promote imaginative play and spending time outdoors and

double as storage space when no longer used for recreation

Denise Woodcock owner of Versatile Sheds in Wilton has

been helping parents and grandparents customize their childrsquos or

grandchildrsquos dream playhouses for years

ldquoThey make great gifts especially for grandparents who want

their grandkids to have their own place to play when they visitrdquo

she said

Playhouses are a great addition to a childrsquos outdoor world

They come in all shapes sizes and designs and can be custom-

built or finished if you donrsquot find exactly what yoursquore looking for

in a catalog or on the lot

Every child is different and has their own preferences for color

size and function boys and girls often have especially different

requests for their play space as do younger and more mature chil-

dren so therersquos a lot to consider

Denise knows how even the finest detail can be all it takes to

make an outdoor structure feel like a childrsquos own personal space

While it may seem superfluous to address every minor demand

the truth is a playhouse is more than just an expensive toy itrsquos an

investment The more your child connects with their space the more

use theyrsquoll get out of it ndash and according to Denise that means your

money is well spent

Smartest WayThe

playhouse for your kidsto buy a

Photos by MarkBollescomStory by Yael Goldman

68 | Simply Saratoga

With this in mind prospective buyers should first consider

who will use the playhouse and for how long as well as what

happens when the structure is no longer used for recreation

Versatile Sheds can help even the most discerning parent or

child find what theyrsquore looking for Every playhouse is hand-

built by Amish craftsmen who can accommodate almost any

special request at an additional cost so the possibilities are

endless inside and out

Cedar shingle or vinyl siding wood stone or brick ndash if you

can use it on the outside of your regular home it can be inte-

grated into your playhousersquos design Playhouses can be built

to look like a miniature version of your home which is an

excellent touch for parents that are particularly concerned

with aesthetics Porches shutters flowerboxes unique doors

chimneys and exterior lighting are just a few of the touches

that can brighten and personalize the exterior

Individualizing your childrsquos playhouse doesnrsquot stop at the

front door There are just as many interior features to choose

from ndash you can let your imagination run wild

For starters you have the option to order the playhouse

with a finished or unfinished interior The unfinished version

looks a lot like the inside of a regular home before you move

in paint the walls and furnish the rooms

Buying an unfinished structure is a great way to cut costs

and even bring the family together over a weekend decorating

project The possibilities are endless depending on how handy

you are otherwise a few coats of paint and a bit of carpeting

will surely do the trick

Although a bit pricey purchasing a playhouse with a fin-

ished interior ensures that your child gets exactly what they

want right off the bat They can pick everything from the paint

color to the flooring so the playhouse is move-in ready on the

day it arrives

Playhouses can also be insulated and wired for electricity

You can install lighting electrical outlets even heat or air-

conditioning to make your childrsquos outdoor space as comfort-

able as possible

And the options donrsquot end there Traditional sheds also dou-

ble as playhouses For some parents purchasing an adult-size

shed for their children is an ideal way to get the best return on

their investment Once their children grow out of it the struc-

ture can be used for outdoor storage With just as many styles

sizes and materials to choose from you can customize the

interior and exterior of your shed just as you would a play-

house but without all of the more frivolous features

ldquoAny shed can be a playhouserdquo Woodcock said explaining

how a custom paint job or flowerbox can transform a typical

storage unit into childrsquos outdoor activity haven

For example if purchasing a wood shed the exterior can be

easily painted and repainted when making the transition from

playhouse to storage space

For Denisersquos customers getting their moneyrsquos worth should

not have to mean making sacrifices

Simply Saratoga | 69

70 | Simply Saratoga

When Debby Trainor made the decision to buy her grand-

daughter Chezneyrsquos dream house she wanted it to have all the

bells and whistles She met with Denise to go over all the cri-

teria the goal was to buy the perfect gift for Chezney while

staying within her budget

The eight-year-old Greenwich girl wanted her own pretty

pink palace where she could play and imagine Debby wanted

it to be a cozy and safe place for her to play year-round

Customization and interior decoration helped make

Chezneyrsquos playhouse feel like her own little kingdom

ldquoWe made it look like a cute little dollhouserdquo she said ldquoWe

put furniture inside and a little stove fridge heater and TV

itrsquos just perfectrdquo

With the structure built to their liking Chezney and Debby

could enjoy decorating the inside to personalize the playhouse

For many customers putting on the finishing touches means

making the playhouse feel like home ndash you can add curtains

hang pictures buy furniture and appliances and landscape the

perimeter to make the outdoor space feel like a home away

from home

When the child grows out of their playhouse these items

can be easily removed to accommodate a secondary use for the

space

ldquoThe best thing that Denise did for me was explain how we

can use the playhouse for storage for stuff out in the yard after

Chezney has grown out of itrdquo Debby explained ldquoAlthough

she is only eight and will be using it for quite a few more

years this really makes it a good investment and looks

great in the backyardrdquo

Whether you choose a customized playhouse or a tradi-

tional shed thinking toward the future also ensures the

safety and longevity of the structure

Denise explained that placement is an important thing to

consider as you want to make sure the structure is in a safe

place and on an appropriate surface Most importantly the

playhouse must be built on a level even surface that isnrsquot

too high off of the ground

ldquoYou want it on a nice platformrdquo Denise explained

ldquoSome people use concrete but stone is better because it

allows moisture to seep down into the ground and away

from the structurerdquo

Most parents prefer that their playhouse is in the back-

yard where itrsquos easy to see from a window Placing the

structure in a shaded area is also a good idea it will be

cooler in the summer and less susceptible to the elements if

partially protected by trees

Debby had Chezneyrsquos playhouse built right next to her

swing set where she can be easily supervised

One last thing to consider when purchasing a playhouse

Simply Saratoga | 71

72 | Simply Saratoga

or shed for your child is how much effort

you want to put into maintaining it The

more ornate the structure the more care it

may need

Woodcock advises parents to preserve

their investment and treat the playhouse

like a miniature home

Think of it as a miniature house ndash the

structure requires regular maintenance

and upkeep to ensure your child will be

safe while enjoying years and years of

imaginative fun

With so many features and styles to

choose from yoursquore sure to find the best

for both you and your child

For more information about Versatile

Sheds or to set up a time to meet with

Denise Woodcock call (518) 584-7924

or stop by 669 Route 9 in Wilton sect

Simply Saratoga | 73

74 | Simply Saratoga

Kitchen

Not Your

Grandmarsquos

Story Written by Daniel Schechtman Photos Provided

ldquoAs you

walk into the kitchen

of the future LED

light projections adjust

to your mood - it will

know if you have a

hangover via sensors

that will read your

b r a i n w a v e s

Aromatherapy infused

walls will be synched

to your calendar calm-

ing you before a big

meeting or energizing you before a gym session The fridge will have selected some breakfast options identifying the essen-

tial vitamins for your day via sensors When you get home a hologram chef will be on hand for recipe inspirationrdquo

Alright so maybe your kitchen canrsquot do all of these things quite yet ndash but believe it or not wersquore getting there This is tomor-

rowrsquos kitchen a kitchen where your appliances donrsquot just store your food or wash your dishes ndash they talk to you providing you

with integral information on how to

best store your fruits and vegetables

letting you know if the refrigerator

door is open for too long or when a

part will soon need replacing

Simply Saratoga | 75

ldquoScience fictionrdquo I hear you say

Guess again Quoted from a report released by The Future Laboratory

who was commissioned by IKEA to determine what a modernkitchen in the year 2040 could conceivably look like

76 | Simply Saratoga

ldquoOne technology that really stands out to me is the

Miele Appliance Company Right now theyrsquore using a

program called lsquoremote visionrsquo On select applianceshellip

is a wireless card that clicks into a port on the back of

the appliance You synch it up with your home network

and it basically emails the technician and the owner

when itrsquos broken when you need to clean your condens-

er change your water filter or schedule a routine serv-

icerdquo said Tom Thibeault owner of Adirondack

Appliance Repair Inc located at 67 West Ave in

Saratoga Springs ldquoMaybe somebodyrsquos been opening the

[refrigerator] door for too long or the door was left open

ndash it will email you and tell you that your door is left

openrdquo

This is not your grandmarsquos kitchen This my friends

is the kitchen of the future and itrsquos available now

The 36 inch bottom-mount Miele refrigerator boasts a

striking interior featuring LED lighting running along

the sides from top to bottom stainless steel accents and

exteriors with control systems that would be comfort-

able alongside the captainrsquos chair on the Starship

Enterprise

Simply Saratoga | 77

ldquoThe controls in the Miele really stand out

Looking at the controls theyrsquore just a glass piece and

then once you touch it you see a few options for the

different compartments Then you touch the compart-

ment and the temperature is displayed so itrsquos kind of

like a Star Trek controlrdquo Thibeault said

And thatrsquos just the refrigerator

Adirondack Appliance has also seen brands such as

Wolf (a company owned by the same people who own

Sub-Zero) grow in popularity when it comes to their

range stoves and ovens The dual convection oven

works to eliminate cold spotting and provides consis-

tent even temperatures and even allows for unique

options such as proofing ndash used best when baking

homemade bread

ldquoIt also has a temperature probe you can plug into

things like a turkey or roast so you can see the temper-

ature while itrsquos still inside the machine It has

hydraulic hinges halogen lit interiors everything is

composed of stainless steel and itrsquos by far one of the

best lines on the marketrdquo Thibeault said

A new line coming to Adirondack Appliance that

features some amazing technology is a series of Pro-

Style Ranges produced by industry giant Jenn-Air

ldquoThat actually has an LCD touch

screen like an IPAD for the controls The

temperature is set by sliding your finger

along the controls Itrsquos all color backlit and

absolutely amazingrdquo Thibeault said

ldquoAnother thing we have to that same

effect are some of the hoods which have

really been getting pretty out there as far as

design We have one on our floor [by Miele]

that has an LED bar on the front which

changes in phases between 196000 colors

Itrsquos a very delicate change very pretty and

coolrdquo Thibeault said adding ldquoor you can set

it to any color in that spectrum yoursquod like to

accent your cabinetryrdquo

When it comes to dishwashers Thibeault

can attest to the quality of both the Asko and

Miele brands both of which he uses in his

own home And good news for Saratoga

Springs residents ndash

ldquoIn our market in

Saratoga we have a

very hard water base

whether yoursquore on a well

system or city waterrdquo

Thibeault said ldquoSo you

get a lot of minerals in

the machine With the

stainless steel interiors it

eliminates a lot of prob-

lems generally seen with

plastic interior tubs and

usually they are the best

life expectanciesrdquo

78 | Simply Saratoga

Asko and Mieleare practically custom made to handle the

arearsquos typicallymineral rich water

Simply Saratoga | 79

The Asko brand dishwasher takes things one step

further including two pumps in the washerrsquos system

The first pump filters the water cleansing it of poten-

tially harmful minerals while the second pump recircu-

lates the water ensuring that the machine is never

blasting your dishes with food debris or dirty residue

With Miele the design features a built-in water sof-

tener perfect for dealing with the Saratoga water

system

ldquoTypically the Miele is going to do a better job with

tougher baked in stainsrdquo said Thibeault ldquobecause itrsquos

got the softener in it and a little bit longer pots and pans

cyclerdquo

80 | Simply Saratoga

Adirondack Appliance Repair Inc is a fami-

ly-owned business since 1929 and the last inde-

pendent appliance retailer of its kind in Saratoga

Springs With $6 billion of buying power behind

their name (a benefit of being part of the Nation

Wide Appliance Buying Group) Thibeault

promised ldquowe can actually price match the box

stores and everybody else around all while pro-

viding you with better service and better

productsrdquo

For more information on AdirondackAppliance or the products they sell you mayvisit their showroom located at 67 West Avenuein Saratoga Springs for live demonstrationsThey can also be reached by phone at (518)587-6640 or you may visit them at their newwebsite wwwadkappliancecom where cus-tomers can browse through the storersquos entirecatalogue of appliances

sect

Simply Saratoga | 81

82 | Simply Saratoga

Page 32: Simply Saratoga March 2011

How is your mental state these days Are

you experiencing peace and joy in every-

day life or frustration and impatience Are

you living your life ldquoon purposerdquo or going

through the motions feeling numb and dead

on the inside How is the garden of your

mind Are you tending to your garden or letting

the weeds take over

When I lived in Boston I lived next door to an elder-

ly woman who had a beautiful garden Every morning my

neighbor was outside in her floral moo moo (circa Mrs

Roper from Threersquos Company) tending carefully to each

plant and flower She would spend hours walking around her

garden joyfully humming and making sure her flowers were

strong and healthy Many mornings I would sip my coffee

and watch her peacefully pulling out the weeds and tending

to her precious flowers To this day I remember how tall and

lovely her sunflowers were I think our mental state can be

compared to tending to a garden do we have beautiful sun-

flowers of joy and peace or toxic weeds of bitterness and

guilt

The weeds in your heart and mind are feelings of bitterness

anger guilt self-loathing and negativity Do you spend your

days reviewing the list of those that have offended

you Do you beat yourself up daily for past mis-

takes or regrets These are the weeds that can

take over your mind and lead to racing

thoughts a dark depression constant

anxiety or physical illness and

chronic pain If you are someone

that is easily frustrated impatient

and critical you can be sure you

34 | Simply Saratoga

Tending to theGarden of Your MindDealing with the Weeds in your Life

Simple Truths

have some weeds to deal with

The only path to peace and joy in your everyday life is to

pull your weeds out from the root and confront the issues

Holding on to your weeds only makes you ill and deadens

your heart Did you know that people who are full of bitter-

ness and resentment appear older and are not as physically

attractive as people who are full of peace and love The

weeds in your heart and mind can actually make you ugly

Likewise a mind that is content and peaceful gives us a

sparkle and light in our eyes that people are automatically

attracted to Forget the anti-wrinkle cream and Botox Fill

your heart and mind up with the best kept beauty secret

around love and forgiveness

Forgiveness is not about letting the person who hurt you

off the hook Forgiveness IS allowing light into our hearts

so that we can heal and move forward It takes the heavy

burden of offense and resentment off of our hearts and

minds while preparing the ldquosoilrdquo for new growth and

experiences

When possible confront the people you need to forgive

so that you can have closure and move on If it is not pos-

sible to confront the person that is the weed in your life

write them a letter expressing your hurt and anger (not to

send but in a private journal) This is a wonderful way to

give yourself closure and put your feelings out on the table

More often than not the person we have to forgive or con-

front is ourselves If you are constantly beating yourself up

and feeling guilty about your past make a choice to forgive

yourself

Donrsquot be lazy about your weeds Dig deep and pull out

your weeds so that you can make room for peace and joy

We all desire to feel love and be accepted That accept-

Meghan DLemery LCSW-R

Simply Saratoga | 35

ance starts with you Begin to focus on peaceful loving joyful

thoughts Keep a gratitude journal of what you love about your-

self or the loved ones in your life Practice planting seeds of joy

by giving acceptance and love to everyone around you

Take time to practice patience and kindness to your family

friends colleagues and that slow cashier at the grocery store Go

out of your way to help others in any way that you can All of

these acts of kindness plant the seeds of peace love joy and

abundance

As we approach the new season of spring take some time to

tend to the garden of your mind

Wishing you love self-acceptance and peace this spring and

always

Ms Lemery is a psychotherapist practic-ing in Saratoga Springs and QueensburyShe can be reached at meghanle-meryyahoocom

Her first novel will be pub-lished this Spring TitledldquoPlease Pass the BarbieShoesrdquo it is a hilarious heart-warming story that will haveyou feeling inspiredand empowered

sect

36 | Simply Saratoga

Living Room The custom-designed leather couch chair andottoman come from Suttons The stucco fireplace was inspired by theCollinsrsquo travels through the Southwest and Colorado (ldquowe wanted to avoida traditional river rock fireplacerdquo) and provides a heat source as well asbeauty The original structure was built for passive solar design no airconditioning is needed in the summer A wood stove is the primary heatsource radiant heat with natural gas was also added during the renova-tion

The front door as well as all the interior doors was custom-made fittedand replaced by Tom Zanetti Hickory wood floors were also installed dur-ing the addition A hanging stained glass chandelier is a stock itemobtained from a leading home supply retailer ldquoIt captures the sunlightbeautifully along with providing brilliant nighttime illuminationrdquo Tedsaid ldquoItrsquos an eclectic mixrdquo

Simply Saratoga | 37

Today we look at a creative space that is set into a special place

In 1993 Ted and Susan Collins purchased a seven-acre property

with a 1986 Timberpeg designed home that has all the qualities of

a place in the country ndash yet many would be surprised to learn that

it is actually located on the border of Saratoga Springs near the

Alpine Shop on Clinton Street After a number of years living in

apartments on Union Avenue and Franklin Square enjoying the

proximity to downtown and the track they couldnrsquot resist a spot

that was close to town but yet had lots of land

Their overall vision was for an interior space that was in accord

with the outside ndash the wildlife gardens and the sustainable philos-

ophy embodied in the original buildingrsquos passive solar design

ldquoEverything we do embraces the goals of staying true to the orig-

inal structure having an open welcoming interior and being in

harmony with the outdoorsrdquo Ted said

Inspired by travels in balance with the land

Story By Arthur GonickPhotos by copystockstudiosphotographycom

These principles guided a major transformation of the interior

space in 2006 The key element was an addition to the home that

enabled the living room kitchen and upstairs bedroom to be

expanded allowing space for the installation of a downstairs bath

as well

Susan and Ted led this transformation - visualizing an addition

that incorporated equilibrium of size location and overall propor-

tion They went through several iterations with Rick Deforest of

Heritage Timberframes

Even though much of the interior decor came from travels in

Africa the South Pacific and Colorado the building materials and

craftsmen are all local The timbers and wood flooring were milled

in nearby Kingsbury ldquoWe enjoyed working with professionals who

are also friends like Rick Deforest Tom Zanetti and Mike

Roohanrdquo Ted said ldquothe house now feels complete in balancerdquo sect

Unique Places and Creative Spaces If you would like to nominate a unique

or creative place to be featured emailentertainmentsaratogapublishingcom

38 | Simply Saratoga

Kitchen A wall was taken out that afforded space to add an eat-in island area and

open up the space Custom cabinets are by Tom Zanetti Stonework andappliances were added Both the kitchen and bathroom have granite table-tops (from Mike and Margaret Roohan of Granite and Marble Works)New appliances include a Bosch stove (with a built-in microwave drawer)and an Amana stainless refrigerator

Bathroom The bathroom ceiling is pine The showerarea was designed and built to the Collinsrsquo specifications andfeatures a bench 4 shower heads PLUS an extra hand-held one(ldquoItrsquos a human car washrdquo) The stone tiles on the sides and floorin the shower were installed by Best Tile the plumbing in theshower comes from Aird Dorrance as does the sink ndash which sitson a granite top from Granite and Marble Works The windowleads out to the north side of the house with privacy blinds insidethe window panes One thing you donrsquot see ldquoSince the room ison display in the center of the expanded first floor we wanted thecommode to be mostly hiddenrdquo Ted said

Unique Places and Creative Spaces

Simply Saratoga | 39

Living RoomA reading nook sits upon the bathroom addition ldquoThere was no full bathroom on the first

floor and with a post and beam construction we had to be creative You get outstanding viewsof the property pond and stream when viewed from the nookrsquos perspectiverdquo The ladder canswing out on a track making it more like walking up a staircase ndash this was also designed andinstalled by Tom Zanetti The table in the nook is actually a working African drum with a glasstable top added

40 | Simply Saratoga

Bedroom In the second-floor master bedroom moving the dormer brought in extra light and space and

also brought the roofline together with the original structure and first-floor additions The floorand ceiling are made of rough-cut pine planking The bed is also constructed of pine and comesfrom Suttons The window in the upper left was cut during the addition It faces west for extra day-time light

Simply Saratoga | 41

42 | Simply Saratoga

Story Written by Yael Goldman Photos by Samu Studios and Randall Perry Photography

Simply Saratoga | 43

orking with the

right interior designer

turns listless decision making

into an enjoyable and productive

process that avoids costly mistakes

and delivers exceptional results

Designing a room or an entire home is a

big project no matter how strong your tastes are

The decisions are endless ndash what color should I paint the

walls What flooring is most aesthetically appealing and

dog-friendly Should I choose a furniture set or choose

individual pieces Do I want curtains or shades Do I

decorate with knick-knacks or artwork

But with all the unique self-questioning that surrounds

an interior design project most homeowners share angst

in asking themselves one specific question where do I

start

Itrsquos at this point ndash when stress level increases enjoy-

ment-driven projects turn deadly and money has been

wastefully spent on all the wrong things ndash that you long

for the help of a professional if only you could afford it

Well the truth is you can

Creating the right space can be expensive but is only

more so if you make mistakes and have to go back and

fix them If you do it right the first time therersquos no cost

associated with do-overs

With nearly 100 years of experience between them all

four members of Blairhouse Interiors Group have

worked with more than enough unhappy do-it-your-

selfers to tell you yoursquore not alone

Photo by Samu Studios

44 | Simply Saratoga

The four-member designproject therapy team which recently

opened a studio in Saratoga Springs has a long history of help-

ing home and business owners create their ideal spaces and

atmospheres the right way Their exceptional work is celebrated across

the Capital Region including Saratoga Springs where the Blairhouse

look is prominently featured in a handful of Park Place condominiums

and the incredible Saratoga National Golf Club

Thomas R Burns Meghan Baltich Dominic Carota and Patricia

Richards the highly skilled and charismatic force behind Blairhouse

Interiors Group promise an experience that is personal because itrsquos all

about your needs ndash and thatrsquos what is important

Blairhouse offers full-service interior design services space planning

project management hand-picked merchandise patience and an uncan-

ny ability to create a

look that is always

fresh sophisticated

and comfortable

ldquoThe style that we

gravitate toward is

unique cutting-edge

and modern not dic-

tated by corporaterdquo

said Meghan Baltich

pointing to a ldquovery

propitiousrdquo Keith Fritz

table at the center of

the studio

Photo by Randall Perry Photography

If you do it right the firsttime therersquos no cost

associated with do-oversPhoto by Randall Perry Photography

One glance at the Park Place showroom ndash of the selective furnishings carefully showcased along

the periphery ndash and it becomes clear why Blairhouse an award-winning team gets the job

done

Their creativity focus and immaculate sense of direction bring objectivity to the scene helping you nar-

row down all of the tedious and overwhelming choices that make do-it-yourself decorating an exercise in

unclear thinking

ldquoPeople are overwhelmed by all the choices it can feel like theyrsquore in a paralyzed blurrdquo said Thomas

Burns who finds that a great vision can be impossible to imagine and create without eliminating all of

the distractions

A vital step in getting focused is creating a

comprehensive plan based on individual

needs wants and style that addresses all

aspects of lifestyle and taste and suggests

tactful solutions and fresh approaches to new

and existing spaces

They help you identify what you like

forcing you to hone in on what you want and

need to compliment and enhance your

lifestyle

ldquoWe ascertain the clientrsquos goal and

lifestyle to convey their visionrdquo said

Dominic Carota explaining that the intended

outcome of creating or reinventing a room is

often strictly tied to how you want to live in

it

ldquoWe have to know how they functionrdquo he

said

An interior designer is an asset in the func-

tion-meets-style equation

Dominic explained that a couple starting a family will have far

different needs than empty-nesters looking for a change They may

have the same stylistic goals but their execution will differ based on

how their lifestyle exists within the space

When revamping a single room the majority of your focus is ded-

icated to that individual space making it easy to forget that the rest

of the house is attached Establishing connectivity between rooms is

a challenge but an important part of executing a project the right

way

Sometimes one wrong detail no matter how small can be incred-

ibly impactful and difficult to avoid on your own

ldquoIf yoursquore working on a new addition or renovation we ensure it

flows that therersquos balance between the existing part of the living

space and the new additionrdquo Meghan Baltich said explaining that

it just doesnrsquot make sense to put in a great new kitchen if itrsquos dis-

jointed and out of place from its surroundings

Another common novice mistake is the trendy retail store fallacy

that you can order a full room from a catalog or pick a fabulous and

unique design from a floor plan

Blairhouse clients learn the difference between ldquocookie-cutterrdquo

and ldquocustomrdquo and they are never concerned with picking the wrong

piece for the wrong room

Simply Saratoga | 45

ome customers will come to us after going into a Pottery Barn and buying stuff that just didnrsquot workrdquo Baltich said giving the

example of an individual who purchased an enormous sectional for a tiny room ldquoWe scale into the clientrsquos space taking func-

tion and proportion into considerationrdquo

Exceptional listening and observation skills are the designerrsquos

unsung attributes and greatest assets Blairhouse experts engage

with their clients to gain a true understanding of what they want

In turn the design process becomes an eye-opening experience

customers are introduced to colors and concepts they would

never think to consider

ldquoEach client trusts us to create their environment and we

enable them to make informed decisionsrdquo Patricia Richards

said

And sometimes that requires bold suggestions and collabora-

tion or looking at all of the possibilities even the ones ldquoyou

would never have been brave enough to do on your ownrdquo

In the end the experience of working with the experts is

enjoyable stress-free and cost-effective From concept to com-

pletion the result is just what you want and need ndash a fabulous

marriage of function and aesthetic that wonrsquot have you coming

back for more (because you did it right the first time) sect

ldquoS

46 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 47

For a taste of Blairhouse Interiors Grouprsquos distinctive work stop into their Park Place studio located at 262 Broadway Suite 204 in Saratoga Springs For further details visit wwwblairhouseinteriorscom or call (518) 786-7800

From left to right Dominic Carota Meghan Baltich Patricia Richards and

Thomas R Burns (The designproject therapy team of Blairhouse Interiors Group)

48 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 49

Dorsquos and Donrsquots

50 | Simply Saratoga

Story Written by Kerry Ann Mendez Perennially Yours bull wwwpyourscom Photos Provided

SpringDorsquos and Donrsquots

SpringDorsquos and DonrsquotsDorsquos and Donrsquots

Spring

for your Gardens

s

Simply Saratoga | 51

ssts

SPRINGis right around the corner and gardenersare pawing at the ground ready to explodethrough the garden gate As a passionate perennial gardenerI am right there with you But before launching into another flower-filledseason letrsquos go through a spring checklist of dorsquorsquos and donrsquorsquots to makesure we make the most of the race and have the best finish ever

Photo by GardenersSupply Company

apply a granular fertilizer to your perennial beds while they are still lsquoasleeprsquoDepending on the winter wersquove had this may be anytime from mid-Marchto mid-April Donrsquot worry if there are already lsquoearly risersrsquo visible like springblooming bulbs or woodland ephemerals I recommend using 5-5-5 5-10-5 or

5-10-10 fertilizer at the rate of 2 pounds per 100 square feet Cast the fertilizer just before it is about to rainto make sure fertilizer is watered into the ground and washed off any existing leaves You can give otherplants in your yard this treat as well including floweringshrubs groundcovers climbing vinesand roses

DONrsquoTput fertilizer on top of the snow or on ground that is

still frozen You want to make sure the fertilizer disap-pears into pliable soil and to waiting roots otherwiserunoff can occur And donrsquot think more is better Youcan stress or even kill plants by over-fertilizing espe-cially in spring when leaves are not fully developed toutilize nitrogen in the fertilizer If you are going to errless is better

DO

prune once-b l o o m i n g

roses such as Heirloom or Old GardenRoses when the Forsythia is blooming

Any rose that blooms onceusually in late spring forabout three weeks is in thiscategory Many times theseroses are quite fragrantWait to prune these rosesuntil right after they flower

DONrsquoT

prune most roses whenForsythia is in bloom Pruneshrub roses back by half to

23 their height This is assuming you did not prunethem last fall If you did then next year wait until latewinter or early spring Prune Teas and Grandiflorasback to 18 - 24rdquo For climbing roses prune branchesemerging from the main canes back to within 3 - 4rdquoof the cane

DO

apply corn gluten tolawn areas yoursquoveseeded (or over-seeded) or to gar-dens where youwant biennialsperennials or annu-als to reseed andflower Corn glutendoes not distinguishbetween lsquogoodrsquoand lsquobadrsquo seeds

apply a pre-emer-gent weed killerand fertilizer toyour lawn A lushhealthy lawn

makes a beautiful frame for gardens Myfamily walked away from lawn chemicalsfive years ago And our lawn has neverlooked better Corn gluten is a big part ofthis transformation Corn gluten is a by-product of milled corn It will not harm chil-dren pets or wildlife Heck you can eat it ifyou want (but it tastes yucky) Corn Glutenis high in nitrogen and commonly used as alawn fertilizer But it is also a pre-emergenttargeting seeds as they germinate Youcan put corn gluten down at any point inthe spring BUT if part of your mission is toeliminate crabgrass then there is a narrowwindow of attackApply it whenForsythia is in fullbloom and beforeits leaves appearThe Forsythia is asoil temperatureindicator that cor-responds to whencrabgrass seedsstart to germinate More garden centersare now carrying corn gluten productsYou just need to ask and follow the appli-cation instructions on the bag Make sureto water in the corn gluten after applyingIt will remain effective for five to six weeks

Simply Saratoga | 53

DONrsquoT

DO

step on soil as you maneuver around thegarden to cut back Lavender and therest of the gang For that matter youshould never be tromping through yourgardens compacting soil This breaks

down air and water channels as well as making it tougher forroots to spread Instead reach into beds from existing paths orplace stepping stones in discreet spots where only your eyes cansee or lsquowalk the plankrsquo on a board to reach plants fartherlsquoadriftrsquo

54 | Simply Saratoga

cut back Lavender Russian SageMontauk Daisy Butterfly BushChrysanthemums and ornamental grass-es These are best left untouched in falland whacked in spring Many folks make

the mistake of acting too gingerly with pruners Let lsquoem fly Theresult will be more compact neater plants that will bloom just fineTrust me If it helps wait until yoursquove had a bad day at work withthe kids or in traffic

DONrsquoT

DO

divide Peonies German Bearded Iris orOriental Poppies in spring These are bestdone in late summer Also tap-rootedplants (those with a carrot-looking root)cannot be divided Think about it These

are usually propagated by seed stem or root cuttings Someperennials that fall into this category are Malva Butterfly WeedBalloon Flower Oriental Poppies and Lupines

Simply Saratoga | 55

DONrsquoT

divide plants in spring This is an optimumtime to divide most perennials Yes evenspring bloomers Wait until these haveflowered and then shear off the spentblooms and get to business Most sum-

mer and fall blooming perennials can be divided prior to mid-Junewithout disrupting their performance

DO

apply a time-released fertilizersuch as Plant-Tone(organic) orOsmocote to heavy

feeding perennials five to six weeks afterthe earlier granular fertilizer applicationMost plants do not need as much fertilizeras we are led in advertising to believe I amstingy with my money and maintenancetime so only a handful of plants get thisbonus feed Astilbe Delphinium Liliums (ieAsiatic Oriental Trumpet) Clematis androses If I am feeling generous I will putsome on my Bigleaf Hydrangeas next to theroses Call me heartlessJust scratch fertilizer intothe top couple inchesof soil around theplantrsquos base and waterin well They will enjoy anutritious snack forthree to four months

apply mulch ongarden beds toreduce weedsconserve moisture

reduce erosion minimize soil temperaturefluctuations and enhance the quality ofthe soil Some mulching materials includeaged manures compost shredded wood(not dyed) leaf moldand cocoa hulls Putthe mulch down 2rdquo to3rdquo thick around plantsincluding floweringshrubs

build up mulchagainst plant stems

And please please donrsquot create volcanomounds around trees Please This is awfulfor them The only ones that benefit fromthis are the people selling the mulch

56 | Simply Saratoga

DONrsquoT

DO

DO

rubber band orbraid the foliage ofspring bloomingbulbs after they fin-ish flowering You

want as much leaf surface exposed to thesun as possible to increase photosynthesisYou can press the leaves down next to thesoil so they are less noticeable

Simply Saratoga | 57

sect

And finally DO have a great year in

your gardens and DONrsquoT forget to

take time to smell the roses

DONrsquoT

DONrsquoT

cut off the spentblooms and stems onspring blooming bulbsafter they have flow-ered so energy is redirected to the bulbsversus seed productions Keep the leaves inplace until they have browned and ideallycan be pulled from the ground by hand

put time-released fertil-izer on perennials thatprefer lean dietsRicher soil just upsetstheir vascular systemsThey will get leggy flop and not perform tosnuff Yarrow Coneflower Catmint RussianSage Linum Sea Holly and Silvermound are inthe group

DO

For more information contact Perennially Yours at pyourscom

58 | Simply Saratoga

Ill mination

Exterior Stonework

an

d

Story Written by Arthur Gonick Photos Provided

u

Simply Saratoga | 59

To develop and implement an exterior vista that maximizes your enjoyment To have a backyard landscape that is warm inviting and uniquely yours

These are goals that many homeowners have when they first move onto their property But unless you are trained in the variety ofmaterials and options available the task of getting past the point of comparing possibilities to completing and actually enjoying yourbackyard paradise can appear to be a long daunting road

For Carl Trinkle a landscape designer for ten years with the Gallivan Companies of Troy one of the key elements in a successfultransformation is utilizing a professionalrsquos expertise to articulate goals and develop a plan

ldquoThe most important thing we do when we first meet with a client is to get them to discuss their basic needs and aims and encouragethem to formulate an overall vision for their property An initial consultation sets the tone we make an initial visit on-site to look overthe property so we can have an idea as to where things might be placedrdquo

ldquoDuring this intake process we actually encourage people to show us photos of their friendrsquos property that they like or perhaps froma magazine It helps most people to articulate the goals of what they would like to see as a finished projectrdquo Trinkle said ldquoEven if they are looking to do things in phases we find that it is most important to develop a comprehensive site planrdquo This eliminates the need to revise original phases of work to accommodate those that come in the future

60 | Simply Saratoga

that Mr Trinkle finds potential customers identifying with aredesigned to extend the outdoor season ldquoA few extra weeks outside isa lotrdquo he said

add-ons also extend outside activity each day Low voltage lighting is still the most popular but recently LED lighting with longer-lasting bulbs that involve less maintenance and are cost-efficienthave become more fashionable

The latest trends

stations fire pits and waterenhancements such as ponds andwaterfalls are the most frequentlyrequested items that broaden theoutdoor use season

Outdoor grill

Exterior lighting

Simply Saratoga | 61

And of course swimming pool projects have always been a most-requested

item Fifty percent of allthe projects Mr Trinkleworks on involve a pooleither a completely new installation or enhance-ments to existing poolsGallivanrsquos long-standingrelationship withConcord Pools has beena hallmark in assuringthat customers are satis-fied when their pool isput in the ground

62 | Simply Saratoga

In most cases a comprehensive plancan be developed for any project in about a period of twoweeks Complete drawings and cost breakdowns are provid-ed as well as the projected phases that can be completed injust a few months or on larger projects can be scheduled insegments over a few years These are reviewed in personwith the customer again the goal being to have a plan thateveryone buys into

Simply Saratoga | 63

ldquoWe have had projects where the customer has wanted tohave a lot of input and we welcome that But we also hadone where the client was out of town and we built a firepit and slide for his wife and kids and our only instructions were to dazzle themI remember it as a most satisfying experience and we ended up winning awards for that onerdquo

- Carl Trinkle Landscape DesignerThe Gallivan Companies

64 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 65

ldquoI get to work using my creativity with talented people Some of the most talented are those

I meet as customersrdquo sect

For more information or to schedule aconsultation phone Gallivan Companies at(518) 271-6100 Gallivanrsquos website iswwwGallivanCompaniescom

66 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 67

Buying a playhouse for your child is an excellent investment

They promote imaginative play and spending time outdoors and

double as storage space when no longer used for recreation

Denise Woodcock owner of Versatile Sheds in Wilton has

been helping parents and grandparents customize their childrsquos or

grandchildrsquos dream playhouses for years

ldquoThey make great gifts especially for grandparents who want

their grandkids to have their own place to play when they visitrdquo

she said

Playhouses are a great addition to a childrsquos outdoor world

They come in all shapes sizes and designs and can be custom-

built or finished if you donrsquot find exactly what yoursquore looking for

in a catalog or on the lot

Every child is different and has their own preferences for color

size and function boys and girls often have especially different

requests for their play space as do younger and more mature chil-

dren so therersquos a lot to consider

Denise knows how even the finest detail can be all it takes to

make an outdoor structure feel like a childrsquos own personal space

While it may seem superfluous to address every minor demand

the truth is a playhouse is more than just an expensive toy itrsquos an

investment The more your child connects with their space the more

use theyrsquoll get out of it ndash and according to Denise that means your

money is well spent

Smartest WayThe

playhouse for your kidsto buy a

Photos by MarkBollescomStory by Yael Goldman

68 | Simply Saratoga

With this in mind prospective buyers should first consider

who will use the playhouse and for how long as well as what

happens when the structure is no longer used for recreation

Versatile Sheds can help even the most discerning parent or

child find what theyrsquore looking for Every playhouse is hand-

built by Amish craftsmen who can accommodate almost any

special request at an additional cost so the possibilities are

endless inside and out

Cedar shingle or vinyl siding wood stone or brick ndash if you

can use it on the outside of your regular home it can be inte-

grated into your playhousersquos design Playhouses can be built

to look like a miniature version of your home which is an

excellent touch for parents that are particularly concerned

with aesthetics Porches shutters flowerboxes unique doors

chimneys and exterior lighting are just a few of the touches

that can brighten and personalize the exterior

Individualizing your childrsquos playhouse doesnrsquot stop at the

front door There are just as many interior features to choose

from ndash you can let your imagination run wild

For starters you have the option to order the playhouse

with a finished or unfinished interior The unfinished version

looks a lot like the inside of a regular home before you move

in paint the walls and furnish the rooms

Buying an unfinished structure is a great way to cut costs

and even bring the family together over a weekend decorating

project The possibilities are endless depending on how handy

you are otherwise a few coats of paint and a bit of carpeting

will surely do the trick

Although a bit pricey purchasing a playhouse with a fin-

ished interior ensures that your child gets exactly what they

want right off the bat They can pick everything from the paint

color to the flooring so the playhouse is move-in ready on the

day it arrives

Playhouses can also be insulated and wired for electricity

You can install lighting electrical outlets even heat or air-

conditioning to make your childrsquos outdoor space as comfort-

able as possible

And the options donrsquot end there Traditional sheds also dou-

ble as playhouses For some parents purchasing an adult-size

shed for their children is an ideal way to get the best return on

their investment Once their children grow out of it the struc-

ture can be used for outdoor storage With just as many styles

sizes and materials to choose from you can customize the

interior and exterior of your shed just as you would a play-

house but without all of the more frivolous features

ldquoAny shed can be a playhouserdquo Woodcock said explaining

how a custom paint job or flowerbox can transform a typical

storage unit into childrsquos outdoor activity haven

For example if purchasing a wood shed the exterior can be

easily painted and repainted when making the transition from

playhouse to storage space

For Denisersquos customers getting their moneyrsquos worth should

not have to mean making sacrifices

Simply Saratoga | 69

70 | Simply Saratoga

When Debby Trainor made the decision to buy her grand-

daughter Chezneyrsquos dream house she wanted it to have all the

bells and whistles She met with Denise to go over all the cri-

teria the goal was to buy the perfect gift for Chezney while

staying within her budget

The eight-year-old Greenwich girl wanted her own pretty

pink palace where she could play and imagine Debby wanted

it to be a cozy and safe place for her to play year-round

Customization and interior decoration helped make

Chezneyrsquos playhouse feel like her own little kingdom

ldquoWe made it look like a cute little dollhouserdquo she said ldquoWe

put furniture inside and a little stove fridge heater and TV

itrsquos just perfectrdquo

With the structure built to their liking Chezney and Debby

could enjoy decorating the inside to personalize the playhouse

For many customers putting on the finishing touches means

making the playhouse feel like home ndash you can add curtains

hang pictures buy furniture and appliances and landscape the

perimeter to make the outdoor space feel like a home away

from home

When the child grows out of their playhouse these items

can be easily removed to accommodate a secondary use for the

space

ldquoThe best thing that Denise did for me was explain how we

can use the playhouse for storage for stuff out in the yard after

Chezney has grown out of itrdquo Debby explained ldquoAlthough

she is only eight and will be using it for quite a few more

years this really makes it a good investment and looks

great in the backyardrdquo

Whether you choose a customized playhouse or a tradi-

tional shed thinking toward the future also ensures the

safety and longevity of the structure

Denise explained that placement is an important thing to

consider as you want to make sure the structure is in a safe

place and on an appropriate surface Most importantly the

playhouse must be built on a level even surface that isnrsquot

too high off of the ground

ldquoYou want it on a nice platformrdquo Denise explained

ldquoSome people use concrete but stone is better because it

allows moisture to seep down into the ground and away

from the structurerdquo

Most parents prefer that their playhouse is in the back-

yard where itrsquos easy to see from a window Placing the

structure in a shaded area is also a good idea it will be

cooler in the summer and less susceptible to the elements if

partially protected by trees

Debby had Chezneyrsquos playhouse built right next to her

swing set where she can be easily supervised

One last thing to consider when purchasing a playhouse

Simply Saratoga | 71

72 | Simply Saratoga

or shed for your child is how much effort

you want to put into maintaining it The

more ornate the structure the more care it

may need

Woodcock advises parents to preserve

their investment and treat the playhouse

like a miniature home

Think of it as a miniature house ndash the

structure requires regular maintenance

and upkeep to ensure your child will be

safe while enjoying years and years of

imaginative fun

With so many features and styles to

choose from yoursquore sure to find the best

for both you and your child

For more information about Versatile

Sheds or to set up a time to meet with

Denise Woodcock call (518) 584-7924

or stop by 669 Route 9 in Wilton sect

Simply Saratoga | 73

74 | Simply Saratoga

Kitchen

Not Your

Grandmarsquos

Story Written by Daniel Schechtman Photos Provided

ldquoAs you

walk into the kitchen

of the future LED

light projections adjust

to your mood - it will

know if you have a

hangover via sensors

that will read your

b r a i n w a v e s

Aromatherapy infused

walls will be synched

to your calendar calm-

ing you before a big

meeting or energizing you before a gym session The fridge will have selected some breakfast options identifying the essen-

tial vitamins for your day via sensors When you get home a hologram chef will be on hand for recipe inspirationrdquo

Alright so maybe your kitchen canrsquot do all of these things quite yet ndash but believe it or not wersquore getting there This is tomor-

rowrsquos kitchen a kitchen where your appliances donrsquot just store your food or wash your dishes ndash they talk to you providing you

with integral information on how to

best store your fruits and vegetables

letting you know if the refrigerator

door is open for too long or when a

part will soon need replacing

Simply Saratoga | 75

ldquoScience fictionrdquo I hear you say

Guess again Quoted from a report released by The Future Laboratory

who was commissioned by IKEA to determine what a modernkitchen in the year 2040 could conceivably look like

76 | Simply Saratoga

ldquoOne technology that really stands out to me is the

Miele Appliance Company Right now theyrsquore using a

program called lsquoremote visionrsquo On select applianceshellip

is a wireless card that clicks into a port on the back of

the appliance You synch it up with your home network

and it basically emails the technician and the owner

when itrsquos broken when you need to clean your condens-

er change your water filter or schedule a routine serv-

icerdquo said Tom Thibeault owner of Adirondack

Appliance Repair Inc located at 67 West Ave in

Saratoga Springs ldquoMaybe somebodyrsquos been opening the

[refrigerator] door for too long or the door was left open

ndash it will email you and tell you that your door is left

openrdquo

This is not your grandmarsquos kitchen This my friends

is the kitchen of the future and itrsquos available now

The 36 inch bottom-mount Miele refrigerator boasts a

striking interior featuring LED lighting running along

the sides from top to bottom stainless steel accents and

exteriors with control systems that would be comfort-

able alongside the captainrsquos chair on the Starship

Enterprise

Simply Saratoga | 77

ldquoThe controls in the Miele really stand out

Looking at the controls theyrsquore just a glass piece and

then once you touch it you see a few options for the

different compartments Then you touch the compart-

ment and the temperature is displayed so itrsquos kind of

like a Star Trek controlrdquo Thibeault said

And thatrsquos just the refrigerator

Adirondack Appliance has also seen brands such as

Wolf (a company owned by the same people who own

Sub-Zero) grow in popularity when it comes to their

range stoves and ovens The dual convection oven

works to eliminate cold spotting and provides consis-

tent even temperatures and even allows for unique

options such as proofing ndash used best when baking

homemade bread

ldquoIt also has a temperature probe you can plug into

things like a turkey or roast so you can see the temper-

ature while itrsquos still inside the machine It has

hydraulic hinges halogen lit interiors everything is

composed of stainless steel and itrsquos by far one of the

best lines on the marketrdquo Thibeault said

A new line coming to Adirondack Appliance that

features some amazing technology is a series of Pro-

Style Ranges produced by industry giant Jenn-Air

ldquoThat actually has an LCD touch

screen like an IPAD for the controls The

temperature is set by sliding your finger

along the controls Itrsquos all color backlit and

absolutely amazingrdquo Thibeault said

ldquoAnother thing we have to that same

effect are some of the hoods which have

really been getting pretty out there as far as

design We have one on our floor [by Miele]

that has an LED bar on the front which

changes in phases between 196000 colors

Itrsquos a very delicate change very pretty and

coolrdquo Thibeault said adding ldquoor you can set

it to any color in that spectrum yoursquod like to

accent your cabinetryrdquo

When it comes to dishwashers Thibeault

can attest to the quality of both the Asko and

Miele brands both of which he uses in his

own home And good news for Saratoga

Springs residents ndash

ldquoIn our market in

Saratoga we have a

very hard water base

whether yoursquore on a well

system or city waterrdquo

Thibeault said ldquoSo you

get a lot of minerals in

the machine With the

stainless steel interiors it

eliminates a lot of prob-

lems generally seen with

plastic interior tubs and

usually they are the best

life expectanciesrdquo

78 | Simply Saratoga

Asko and Mieleare practically custom made to handle the

arearsquos typicallymineral rich water

Simply Saratoga | 79

The Asko brand dishwasher takes things one step

further including two pumps in the washerrsquos system

The first pump filters the water cleansing it of poten-

tially harmful minerals while the second pump recircu-

lates the water ensuring that the machine is never

blasting your dishes with food debris or dirty residue

With Miele the design features a built-in water sof-

tener perfect for dealing with the Saratoga water

system

ldquoTypically the Miele is going to do a better job with

tougher baked in stainsrdquo said Thibeault ldquobecause itrsquos

got the softener in it and a little bit longer pots and pans

cyclerdquo

80 | Simply Saratoga

Adirondack Appliance Repair Inc is a fami-

ly-owned business since 1929 and the last inde-

pendent appliance retailer of its kind in Saratoga

Springs With $6 billion of buying power behind

their name (a benefit of being part of the Nation

Wide Appliance Buying Group) Thibeault

promised ldquowe can actually price match the box

stores and everybody else around all while pro-

viding you with better service and better

productsrdquo

For more information on AdirondackAppliance or the products they sell you mayvisit their showroom located at 67 West Avenuein Saratoga Springs for live demonstrationsThey can also be reached by phone at (518)587-6640 or you may visit them at their newwebsite wwwadkappliancecom where cus-tomers can browse through the storersquos entirecatalogue of appliances

sect

Simply Saratoga | 81

82 | Simply Saratoga

Page 33: Simply Saratoga March 2011

Simply Saratoga | 35

ance starts with you Begin to focus on peaceful loving joyful

thoughts Keep a gratitude journal of what you love about your-

self or the loved ones in your life Practice planting seeds of joy

by giving acceptance and love to everyone around you

Take time to practice patience and kindness to your family

friends colleagues and that slow cashier at the grocery store Go

out of your way to help others in any way that you can All of

these acts of kindness plant the seeds of peace love joy and

abundance

As we approach the new season of spring take some time to

tend to the garden of your mind

Wishing you love self-acceptance and peace this spring and

always

Ms Lemery is a psychotherapist practic-ing in Saratoga Springs and QueensburyShe can be reached at meghanle-meryyahoocom

Her first novel will be pub-lished this Spring TitledldquoPlease Pass the BarbieShoesrdquo it is a hilarious heart-warming story that will haveyou feeling inspiredand empowered

sect

36 | Simply Saratoga

Living Room The custom-designed leather couch chair andottoman come from Suttons The stucco fireplace was inspired by theCollinsrsquo travels through the Southwest and Colorado (ldquowe wanted to avoida traditional river rock fireplacerdquo) and provides a heat source as well asbeauty The original structure was built for passive solar design no airconditioning is needed in the summer A wood stove is the primary heatsource radiant heat with natural gas was also added during the renova-tion

The front door as well as all the interior doors was custom-made fittedand replaced by Tom Zanetti Hickory wood floors were also installed dur-ing the addition A hanging stained glass chandelier is a stock itemobtained from a leading home supply retailer ldquoIt captures the sunlightbeautifully along with providing brilliant nighttime illuminationrdquo Tedsaid ldquoItrsquos an eclectic mixrdquo

Simply Saratoga | 37

Today we look at a creative space that is set into a special place

In 1993 Ted and Susan Collins purchased a seven-acre property

with a 1986 Timberpeg designed home that has all the qualities of

a place in the country ndash yet many would be surprised to learn that

it is actually located on the border of Saratoga Springs near the

Alpine Shop on Clinton Street After a number of years living in

apartments on Union Avenue and Franklin Square enjoying the

proximity to downtown and the track they couldnrsquot resist a spot

that was close to town but yet had lots of land

Their overall vision was for an interior space that was in accord

with the outside ndash the wildlife gardens and the sustainable philos-

ophy embodied in the original buildingrsquos passive solar design

ldquoEverything we do embraces the goals of staying true to the orig-

inal structure having an open welcoming interior and being in

harmony with the outdoorsrdquo Ted said

Inspired by travels in balance with the land

Story By Arthur GonickPhotos by copystockstudiosphotographycom

These principles guided a major transformation of the interior

space in 2006 The key element was an addition to the home that

enabled the living room kitchen and upstairs bedroom to be

expanded allowing space for the installation of a downstairs bath

as well

Susan and Ted led this transformation - visualizing an addition

that incorporated equilibrium of size location and overall propor-

tion They went through several iterations with Rick Deforest of

Heritage Timberframes

Even though much of the interior decor came from travels in

Africa the South Pacific and Colorado the building materials and

craftsmen are all local The timbers and wood flooring were milled

in nearby Kingsbury ldquoWe enjoyed working with professionals who

are also friends like Rick Deforest Tom Zanetti and Mike

Roohanrdquo Ted said ldquothe house now feels complete in balancerdquo sect

Unique Places and Creative Spaces If you would like to nominate a unique

or creative place to be featured emailentertainmentsaratogapublishingcom

38 | Simply Saratoga

Kitchen A wall was taken out that afforded space to add an eat-in island area and

open up the space Custom cabinets are by Tom Zanetti Stonework andappliances were added Both the kitchen and bathroom have granite table-tops (from Mike and Margaret Roohan of Granite and Marble Works)New appliances include a Bosch stove (with a built-in microwave drawer)and an Amana stainless refrigerator

Bathroom The bathroom ceiling is pine The showerarea was designed and built to the Collinsrsquo specifications andfeatures a bench 4 shower heads PLUS an extra hand-held one(ldquoItrsquos a human car washrdquo) The stone tiles on the sides and floorin the shower were installed by Best Tile the plumbing in theshower comes from Aird Dorrance as does the sink ndash which sitson a granite top from Granite and Marble Works The windowleads out to the north side of the house with privacy blinds insidethe window panes One thing you donrsquot see ldquoSince the room ison display in the center of the expanded first floor we wanted thecommode to be mostly hiddenrdquo Ted said

Unique Places and Creative Spaces

Simply Saratoga | 39

Living RoomA reading nook sits upon the bathroom addition ldquoThere was no full bathroom on the first

floor and with a post and beam construction we had to be creative You get outstanding viewsof the property pond and stream when viewed from the nookrsquos perspectiverdquo The ladder canswing out on a track making it more like walking up a staircase ndash this was also designed andinstalled by Tom Zanetti The table in the nook is actually a working African drum with a glasstable top added

40 | Simply Saratoga

Bedroom In the second-floor master bedroom moving the dormer brought in extra light and space and

also brought the roofline together with the original structure and first-floor additions The floorand ceiling are made of rough-cut pine planking The bed is also constructed of pine and comesfrom Suttons The window in the upper left was cut during the addition It faces west for extra day-time light

Simply Saratoga | 41

42 | Simply Saratoga

Story Written by Yael Goldman Photos by Samu Studios and Randall Perry Photography

Simply Saratoga | 43

orking with the

right interior designer

turns listless decision making

into an enjoyable and productive

process that avoids costly mistakes

and delivers exceptional results

Designing a room or an entire home is a

big project no matter how strong your tastes are

The decisions are endless ndash what color should I paint the

walls What flooring is most aesthetically appealing and

dog-friendly Should I choose a furniture set or choose

individual pieces Do I want curtains or shades Do I

decorate with knick-knacks or artwork

But with all the unique self-questioning that surrounds

an interior design project most homeowners share angst

in asking themselves one specific question where do I

start

Itrsquos at this point ndash when stress level increases enjoy-

ment-driven projects turn deadly and money has been

wastefully spent on all the wrong things ndash that you long

for the help of a professional if only you could afford it

Well the truth is you can

Creating the right space can be expensive but is only

more so if you make mistakes and have to go back and

fix them If you do it right the first time therersquos no cost

associated with do-overs

With nearly 100 years of experience between them all

four members of Blairhouse Interiors Group have

worked with more than enough unhappy do-it-your-

selfers to tell you yoursquore not alone

Photo by Samu Studios

44 | Simply Saratoga

The four-member designproject therapy team which recently

opened a studio in Saratoga Springs has a long history of help-

ing home and business owners create their ideal spaces and

atmospheres the right way Their exceptional work is celebrated across

the Capital Region including Saratoga Springs where the Blairhouse

look is prominently featured in a handful of Park Place condominiums

and the incredible Saratoga National Golf Club

Thomas R Burns Meghan Baltich Dominic Carota and Patricia

Richards the highly skilled and charismatic force behind Blairhouse

Interiors Group promise an experience that is personal because itrsquos all

about your needs ndash and thatrsquos what is important

Blairhouse offers full-service interior design services space planning

project management hand-picked merchandise patience and an uncan-

ny ability to create a

look that is always

fresh sophisticated

and comfortable

ldquoThe style that we

gravitate toward is

unique cutting-edge

and modern not dic-

tated by corporaterdquo

said Meghan Baltich

pointing to a ldquovery

propitiousrdquo Keith Fritz

table at the center of

the studio

Photo by Randall Perry Photography

If you do it right the firsttime therersquos no cost

associated with do-oversPhoto by Randall Perry Photography

One glance at the Park Place showroom ndash of the selective furnishings carefully showcased along

the periphery ndash and it becomes clear why Blairhouse an award-winning team gets the job

done

Their creativity focus and immaculate sense of direction bring objectivity to the scene helping you nar-

row down all of the tedious and overwhelming choices that make do-it-yourself decorating an exercise in

unclear thinking

ldquoPeople are overwhelmed by all the choices it can feel like theyrsquore in a paralyzed blurrdquo said Thomas

Burns who finds that a great vision can be impossible to imagine and create without eliminating all of

the distractions

A vital step in getting focused is creating a

comprehensive plan based on individual

needs wants and style that addresses all

aspects of lifestyle and taste and suggests

tactful solutions and fresh approaches to new

and existing spaces

They help you identify what you like

forcing you to hone in on what you want and

need to compliment and enhance your

lifestyle

ldquoWe ascertain the clientrsquos goal and

lifestyle to convey their visionrdquo said

Dominic Carota explaining that the intended

outcome of creating or reinventing a room is

often strictly tied to how you want to live in

it

ldquoWe have to know how they functionrdquo he

said

An interior designer is an asset in the func-

tion-meets-style equation

Dominic explained that a couple starting a family will have far

different needs than empty-nesters looking for a change They may

have the same stylistic goals but their execution will differ based on

how their lifestyle exists within the space

When revamping a single room the majority of your focus is ded-

icated to that individual space making it easy to forget that the rest

of the house is attached Establishing connectivity between rooms is

a challenge but an important part of executing a project the right

way

Sometimes one wrong detail no matter how small can be incred-

ibly impactful and difficult to avoid on your own

ldquoIf yoursquore working on a new addition or renovation we ensure it

flows that therersquos balance between the existing part of the living

space and the new additionrdquo Meghan Baltich said explaining that

it just doesnrsquot make sense to put in a great new kitchen if itrsquos dis-

jointed and out of place from its surroundings

Another common novice mistake is the trendy retail store fallacy

that you can order a full room from a catalog or pick a fabulous and

unique design from a floor plan

Blairhouse clients learn the difference between ldquocookie-cutterrdquo

and ldquocustomrdquo and they are never concerned with picking the wrong

piece for the wrong room

Simply Saratoga | 45

ome customers will come to us after going into a Pottery Barn and buying stuff that just didnrsquot workrdquo Baltich said giving the

example of an individual who purchased an enormous sectional for a tiny room ldquoWe scale into the clientrsquos space taking func-

tion and proportion into considerationrdquo

Exceptional listening and observation skills are the designerrsquos

unsung attributes and greatest assets Blairhouse experts engage

with their clients to gain a true understanding of what they want

In turn the design process becomes an eye-opening experience

customers are introduced to colors and concepts they would

never think to consider

ldquoEach client trusts us to create their environment and we

enable them to make informed decisionsrdquo Patricia Richards

said

And sometimes that requires bold suggestions and collabora-

tion or looking at all of the possibilities even the ones ldquoyou

would never have been brave enough to do on your ownrdquo

In the end the experience of working with the experts is

enjoyable stress-free and cost-effective From concept to com-

pletion the result is just what you want and need ndash a fabulous

marriage of function and aesthetic that wonrsquot have you coming

back for more (because you did it right the first time) sect

ldquoS

46 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 47

For a taste of Blairhouse Interiors Grouprsquos distinctive work stop into their Park Place studio located at 262 Broadway Suite 204 in Saratoga Springs For further details visit wwwblairhouseinteriorscom or call (518) 786-7800

From left to right Dominic Carota Meghan Baltich Patricia Richards and

Thomas R Burns (The designproject therapy team of Blairhouse Interiors Group)

48 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 49

Dorsquos and Donrsquots

50 | Simply Saratoga

Story Written by Kerry Ann Mendez Perennially Yours bull wwwpyourscom Photos Provided

SpringDorsquos and Donrsquots

SpringDorsquos and DonrsquotsDorsquos and Donrsquots

Spring

for your Gardens

s

Simply Saratoga | 51

ssts

SPRINGis right around the corner and gardenersare pawing at the ground ready to explodethrough the garden gate As a passionate perennial gardenerI am right there with you But before launching into another flower-filledseason letrsquos go through a spring checklist of dorsquorsquos and donrsquorsquots to makesure we make the most of the race and have the best finish ever

Photo by GardenersSupply Company

apply a granular fertilizer to your perennial beds while they are still lsquoasleeprsquoDepending on the winter wersquove had this may be anytime from mid-Marchto mid-April Donrsquot worry if there are already lsquoearly risersrsquo visible like springblooming bulbs or woodland ephemerals I recommend using 5-5-5 5-10-5 or

5-10-10 fertilizer at the rate of 2 pounds per 100 square feet Cast the fertilizer just before it is about to rainto make sure fertilizer is watered into the ground and washed off any existing leaves You can give otherplants in your yard this treat as well including floweringshrubs groundcovers climbing vinesand roses

DONrsquoTput fertilizer on top of the snow or on ground that is

still frozen You want to make sure the fertilizer disap-pears into pliable soil and to waiting roots otherwiserunoff can occur And donrsquot think more is better Youcan stress or even kill plants by over-fertilizing espe-cially in spring when leaves are not fully developed toutilize nitrogen in the fertilizer If you are going to errless is better

DO

prune once-b l o o m i n g

roses such as Heirloom or Old GardenRoses when the Forsythia is blooming

Any rose that blooms onceusually in late spring forabout three weeks is in thiscategory Many times theseroses are quite fragrantWait to prune these rosesuntil right after they flower

DONrsquoT

prune most roses whenForsythia is in bloom Pruneshrub roses back by half to

23 their height This is assuming you did not prunethem last fall If you did then next year wait until latewinter or early spring Prune Teas and Grandiflorasback to 18 - 24rdquo For climbing roses prune branchesemerging from the main canes back to within 3 - 4rdquoof the cane

DO

apply corn gluten tolawn areas yoursquoveseeded (or over-seeded) or to gar-dens where youwant biennialsperennials or annu-als to reseed andflower Corn glutendoes not distinguishbetween lsquogoodrsquoand lsquobadrsquo seeds

apply a pre-emer-gent weed killerand fertilizer toyour lawn A lushhealthy lawn

makes a beautiful frame for gardens Myfamily walked away from lawn chemicalsfive years ago And our lawn has neverlooked better Corn gluten is a big part ofthis transformation Corn gluten is a by-product of milled corn It will not harm chil-dren pets or wildlife Heck you can eat it ifyou want (but it tastes yucky) Corn Glutenis high in nitrogen and commonly used as alawn fertilizer But it is also a pre-emergenttargeting seeds as they germinate Youcan put corn gluten down at any point inthe spring BUT if part of your mission is toeliminate crabgrass then there is a narrowwindow of attackApply it whenForsythia is in fullbloom and beforeits leaves appearThe Forsythia is asoil temperatureindicator that cor-responds to whencrabgrass seedsstart to germinate More garden centersare now carrying corn gluten productsYou just need to ask and follow the appli-cation instructions on the bag Make sureto water in the corn gluten after applyingIt will remain effective for five to six weeks

Simply Saratoga | 53

DONrsquoT

DO

step on soil as you maneuver around thegarden to cut back Lavender and therest of the gang For that matter youshould never be tromping through yourgardens compacting soil This breaks

down air and water channels as well as making it tougher forroots to spread Instead reach into beds from existing paths orplace stepping stones in discreet spots where only your eyes cansee or lsquowalk the plankrsquo on a board to reach plants fartherlsquoadriftrsquo

54 | Simply Saratoga

cut back Lavender Russian SageMontauk Daisy Butterfly BushChrysanthemums and ornamental grass-es These are best left untouched in falland whacked in spring Many folks make

the mistake of acting too gingerly with pruners Let lsquoem fly Theresult will be more compact neater plants that will bloom just fineTrust me If it helps wait until yoursquove had a bad day at work withthe kids or in traffic

DONrsquoT

DO

divide Peonies German Bearded Iris orOriental Poppies in spring These are bestdone in late summer Also tap-rootedplants (those with a carrot-looking root)cannot be divided Think about it These

are usually propagated by seed stem or root cuttings Someperennials that fall into this category are Malva Butterfly WeedBalloon Flower Oriental Poppies and Lupines

Simply Saratoga | 55

DONrsquoT

divide plants in spring This is an optimumtime to divide most perennials Yes evenspring bloomers Wait until these haveflowered and then shear off the spentblooms and get to business Most sum-

mer and fall blooming perennials can be divided prior to mid-Junewithout disrupting their performance

DO

apply a time-released fertilizersuch as Plant-Tone(organic) orOsmocote to heavy

feeding perennials five to six weeks afterthe earlier granular fertilizer applicationMost plants do not need as much fertilizeras we are led in advertising to believe I amstingy with my money and maintenancetime so only a handful of plants get thisbonus feed Astilbe Delphinium Liliums (ieAsiatic Oriental Trumpet) Clematis androses If I am feeling generous I will putsome on my Bigleaf Hydrangeas next to theroses Call me heartlessJust scratch fertilizer intothe top couple inchesof soil around theplantrsquos base and waterin well They will enjoy anutritious snack forthree to four months

apply mulch ongarden beds toreduce weedsconserve moisture

reduce erosion minimize soil temperaturefluctuations and enhance the quality ofthe soil Some mulching materials includeaged manures compost shredded wood(not dyed) leaf moldand cocoa hulls Putthe mulch down 2rdquo to3rdquo thick around plantsincluding floweringshrubs

build up mulchagainst plant stems

And please please donrsquot create volcanomounds around trees Please This is awfulfor them The only ones that benefit fromthis are the people selling the mulch

56 | Simply Saratoga

DONrsquoT

DO

DO

rubber band orbraid the foliage ofspring bloomingbulbs after they fin-ish flowering You

want as much leaf surface exposed to thesun as possible to increase photosynthesisYou can press the leaves down next to thesoil so they are less noticeable

Simply Saratoga | 57

sect

And finally DO have a great year in

your gardens and DONrsquoT forget to

take time to smell the roses

DONrsquoT

DONrsquoT

cut off the spentblooms and stems onspring blooming bulbsafter they have flow-ered so energy is redirected to the bulbsversus seed productions Keep the leaves inplace until they have browned and ideallycan be pulled from the ground by hand

put time-released fertil-izer on perennials thatprefer lean dietsRicher soil just upsetstheir vascular systemsThey will get leggy flop and not perform tosnuff Yarrow Coneflower Catmint RussianSage Linum Sea Holly and Silvermound are inthe group

DO

For more information contact Perennially Yours at pyourscom

58 | Simply Saratoga

Ill mination

Exterior Stonework

an

d

Story Written by Arthur Gonick Photos Provided

u

Simply Saratoga | 59

To develop and implement an exterior vista that maximizes your enjoyment To have a backyard landscape that is warm inviting and uniquely yours

These are goals that many homeowners have when they first move onto their property But unless you are trained in the variety ofmaterials and options available the task of getting past the point of comparing possibilities to completing and actually enjoying yourbackyard paradise can appear to be a long daunting road

For Carl Trinkle a landscape designer for ten years with the Gallivan Companies of Troy one of the key elements in a successfultransformation is utilizing a professionalrsquos expertise to articulate goals and develop a plan

ldquoThe most important thing we do when we first meet with a client is to get them to discuss their basic needs and aims and encouragethem to formulate an overall vision for their property An initial consultation sets the tone we make an initial visit on-site to look overthe property so we can have an idea as to where things might be placedrdquo

ldquoDuring this intake process we actually encourage people to show us photos of their friendrsquos property that they like or perhaps froma magazine It helps most people to articulate the goals of what they would like to see as a finished projectrdquo Trinkle said ldquoEven if they are looking to do things in phases we find that it is most important to develop a comprehensive site planrdquo This eliminates the need to revise original phases of work to accommodate those that come in the future

60 | Simply Saratoga

that Mr Trinkle finds potential customers identifying with aredesigned to extend the outdoor season ldquoA few extra weeks outside isa lotrdquo he said

add-ons also extend outside activity each day Low voltage lighting is still the most popular but recently LED lighting with longer-lasting bulbs that involve less maintenance and are cost-efficienthave become more fashionable

The latest trends

stations fire pits and waterenhancements such as ponds andwaterfalls are the most frequentlyrequested items that broaden theoutdoor use season

Outdoor grill

Exterior lighting

Simply Saratoga | 61

And of course swimming pool projects have always been a most-requested

item Fifty percent of allthe projects Mr Trinkleworks on involve a pooleither a completely new installation or enhance-ments to existing poolsGallivanrsquos long-standingrelationship withConcord Pools has beena hallmark in assuringthat customers are satis-fied when their pool isput in the ground

62 | Simply Saratoga

In most cases a comprehensive plancan be developed for any project in about a period of twoweeks Complete drawings and cost breakdowns are provid-ed as well as the projected phases that can be completed injust a few months or on larger projects can be scheduled insegments over a few years These are reviewed in personwith the customer again the goal being to have a plan thateveryone buys into

Simply Saratoga | 63

ldquoWe have had projects where the customer has wanted tohave a lot of input and we welcome that But we also hadone where the client was out of town and we built a firepit and slide for his wife and kids and our only instructions were to dazzle themI remember it as a most satisfying experience and we ended up winning awards for that onerdquo

- Carl Trinkle Landscape DesignerThe Gallivan Companies

64 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 65

ldquoI get to work using my creativity with talented people Some of the most talented are those

I meet as customersrdquo sect

For more information or to schedule aconsultation phone Gallivan Companies at(518) 271-6100 Gallivanrsquos website iswwwGallivanCompaniescom

66 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 67

Buying a playhouse for your child is an excellent investment

They promote imaginative play and spending time outdoors and

double as storage space when no longer used for recreation

Denise Woodcock owner of Versatile Sheds in Wilton has

been helping parents and grandparents customize their childrsquos or

grandchildrsquos dream playhouses for years

ldquoThey make great gifts especially for grandparents who want

their grandkids to have their own place to play when they visitrdquo

she said

Playhouses are a great addition to a childrsquos outdoor world

They come in all shapes sizes and designs and can be custom-

built or finished if you donrsquot find exactly what yoursquore looking for

in a catalog or on the lot

Every child is different and has their own preferences for color

size and function boys and girls often have especially different

requests for their play space as do younger and more mature chil-

dren so therersquos a lot to consider

Denise knows how even the finest detail can be all it takes to

make an outdoor structure feel like a childrsquos own personal space

While it may seem superfluous to address every minor demand

the truth is a playhouse is more than just an expensive toy itrsquos an

investment The more your child connects with their space the more

use theyrsquoll get out of it ndash and according to Denise that means your

money is well spent

Smartest WayThe

playhouse for your kidsto buy a

Photos by MarkBollescomStory by Yael Goldman

68 | Simply Saratoga

With this in mind prospective buyers should first consider

who will use the playhouse and for how long as well as what

happens when the structure is no longer used for recreation

Versatile Sheds can help even the most discerning parent or

child find what theyrsquore looking for Every playhouse is hand-

built by Amish craftsmen who can accommodate almost any

special request at an additional cost so the possibilities are

endless inside and out

Cedar shingle or vinyl siding wood stone or brick ndash if you

can use it on the outside of your regular home it can be inte-

grated into your playhousersquos design Playhouses can be built

to look like a miniature version of your home which is an

excellent touch for parents that are particularly concerned

with aesthetics Porches shutters flowerboxes unique doors

chimneys and exterior lighting are just a few of the touches

that can brighten and personalize the exterior

Individualizing your childrsquos playhouse doesnrsquot stop at the

front door There are just as many interior features to choose

from ndash you can let your imagination run wild

For starters you have the option to order the playhouse

with a finished or unfinished interior The unfinished version

looks a lot like the inside of a regular home before you move

in paint the walls and furnish the rooms

Buying an unfinished structure is a great way to cut costs

and even bring the family together over a weekend decorating

project The possibilities are endless depending on how handy

you are otherwise a few coats of paint and a bit of carpeting

will surely do the trick

Although a bit pricey purchasing a playhouse with a fin-

ished interior ensures that your child gets exactly what they

want right off the bat They can pick everything from the paint

color to the flooring so the playhouse is move-in ready on the

day it arrives

Playhouses can also be insulated and wired for electricity

You can install lighting electrical outlets even heat or air-

conditioning to make your childrsquos outdoor space as comfort-

able as possible

And the options donrsquot end there Traditional sheds also dou-

ble as playhouses For some parents purchasing an adult-size

shed for their children is an ideal way to get the best return on

their investment Once their children grow out of it the struc-

ture can be used for outdoor storage With just as many styles

sizes and materials to choose from you can customize the

interior and exterior of your shed just as you would a play-

house but without all of the more frivolous features

ldquoAny shed can be a playhouserdquo Woodcock said explaining

how a custom paint job or flowerbox can transform a typical

storage unit into childrsquos outdoor activity haven

For example if purchasing a wood shed the exterior can be

easily painted and repainted when making the transition from

playhouse to storage space

For Denisersquos customers getting their moneyrsquos worth should

not have to mean making sacrifices

Simply Saratoga | 69

70 | Simply Saratoga

When Debby Trainor made the decision to buy her grand-

daughter Chezneyrsquos dream house she wanted it to have all the

bells and whistles She met with Denise to go over all the cri-

teria the goal was to buy the perfect gift for Chezney while

staying within her budget

The eight-year-old Greenwich girl wanted her own pretty

pink palace where she could play and imagine Debby wanted

it to be a cozy and safe place for her to play year-round

Customization and interior decoration helped make

Chezneyrsquos playhouse feel like her own little kingdom

ldquoWe made it look like a cute little dollhouserdquo she said ldquoWe

put furniture inside and a little stove fridge heater and TV

itrsquos just perfectrdquo

With the structure built to their liking Chezney and Debby

could enjoy decorating the inside to personalize the playhouse

For many customers putting on the finishing touches means

making the playhouse feel like home ndash you can add curtains

hang pictures buy furniture and appliances and landscape the

perimeter to make the outdoor space feel like a home away

from home

When the child grows out of their playhouse these items

can be easily removed to accommodate a secondary use for the

space

ldquoThe best thing that Denise did for me was explain how we

can use the playhouse for storage for stuff out in the yard after

Chezney has grown out of itrdquo Debby explained ldquoAlthough

she is only eight and will be using it for quite a few more

years this really makes it a good investment and looks

great in the backyardrdquo

Whether you choose a customized playhouse or a tradi-

tional shed thinking toward the future also ensures the

safety and longevity of the structure

Denise explained that placement is an important thing to

consider as you want to make sure the structure is in a safe

place and on an appropriate surface Most importantly the

playhouse must be built on a level even surface that isnrsquot

too high off of the ground

ldquoYou want it on a nice platformrdquo Denise explained

ldquoSome people use concrete but stone is better because it

allows moisture to seep down into the ground and away

from the structurerdquo

Most parents prefer that their playhouse is in the back-

yard where itrsquos easy to see from a window Placing the

structure in a shaded area is also a good idea it will be

cooler in the summer and less susceptible to the elements if

partially protected by trees

Debby had Chezneyrsquos playhouse built right next to her

swing set where she can be easily supervised

One last thing to consider when purchasing a playhouse

Simply Saratoga | 71

72 | Simply Saratoga

or shed for your child is how much effort

you want to put into maintaining it The

more ornate the structure the more care it

may need

Woodcock advises parents to preserve

their investment and treat the playhouse

like a miniature home

Think of it as a miniature house ndash the

structure requires regular maintenance

and upkeep to ensure your child will be

safe while enjoying years and years of

imaginative fun

With so many features and styles to

choose from yoursquore sure to find the best

for both you and your child

For more information about Versatile

Sheds or to set up a time to meet with

Denise Woodcock call (518) 584-7924

or stop by 669 Route 9 in Wilton sect

Simply Saratoga | 73

74 | Simply Saratoga

Kitchen

Not Your

Grandmarsquos

Story Written by Daniel Schechtman Photos Provided

ldquoAs you

walk into the kitchen

of the future LED

light projections adjust

to your mood - it will

know if you have a

hangover via sensors

that will read your

b r a i n w a v e s

Aromatherapy infused

walls will be synched

to your calendar calm-

ing you before a big

meeting or energizing you before a gym session The fridge will have selected some breakfast options identifying the essen-

tial vitamins for your day via sensors When you get home a hologram chef will be on hand for recipe inspirationrdquo

Alright so maybe your kitchen canrsquot do all of these things quite yet ndash but believe it or not wersquore getting there This is tomor-

rowrsquos kitchen a kitchen where your appliances donrsquot just store your food or wash your dishes ndash they talk to you providing you

with integral information on how to

best store your fruits and vegetables

letting you know if the refrigerator

door is open for too long or when a

part will soon need replacing

Simply Saratoga | 75

ldquoScience fictionrdquo I hear you say

Guess again Quoted from a report released by The Future Laboratory

who was commissioned by IKEA to determine what a modernkitchen in the year 2040 could conceivably look like

76 | Simply Saratoga

ldquoOne technology that really stands out to me is the

Miele Appliance Company Right now theyrsquore using a

program called lsquoremote visionrsquo On select applianceshellip

is a wireless card that clicks into a port on the back of

the appliance You synch it up with your home network

and it basically emails the technician and the owner

when itrsquos broken when you need to clean your condens-

er change your water filter or schedule a routine serv-

icerdquo said Tom Thibeault owner of Adirondack

Appliance Repair Inc located at 67 West Ave in

Saratoga Springs ldquoMaybe somebodyrsquos been opening the

[refrigerator] door for too long or the door was left open

ndash it will email you and tell you that your door is left

openrdquo

This is not your grandmarsquos kitchen This my friends

is the kitchen of the future and itrsquos available now

The 36 inch bottom-mount Miele refrigerator boasts a

striking interior featuring LED lighting running along

the sides from top to bottom stainless steel accents and

exteriors with control systems that would be comfort-

able alongside the captainrsquos chair on the Starship

Enterprise

Simply Saratoga | 77

ldquoThe controls in the Miele really stand out

Looking at the controls theyrsquore just a glass piece and

then once you touch it you see a few options for the

different compartments Then you touch the compart-

ment and the temperature is displayed so itrsquos kind of

like a Star Trek controlrdquo Thibeault said

And thatrsquos just the refrigerator

Adirondack Appliance has also seen brands such as

Wolf (a company owned by the same people who own

Sub-Zero) grow in popularity when it comes to their

range stoves and ovens The dual convection oven

works to eliminate cold spotting and provides consis-

tent even temperatures and even allows for unique

options such as proofing ndash used best when baking

homemade bread

ldquoIt also has a temperature probe you can plug into

things like a turkey or roast so you can see the temper-

ature while itrsquos still inside the machine It has

hydraulic hinges halogen lit interiors everything is

composed of stainless steel and itrsquos by far one of the

best lines on the marketrdquo Thibeault said

A new line coming to Adirondack Appliance that

features some amazing technology is a series of Pro-

Style Ranges produced by industry giant Jenn-Air

ldquoThat actually has an LCD touch

screen like an IPAD for the controls The

temperature is set by sliding your finger

along the controls Itrsquos all color backlit and

absolutely amazingrdquo Thibeault said

ldquoAnother thing we have to that same

effect are some of the hoods which have

really been getting pretty out there as far as

design We have one on our floor [by Miele]

that has an LED bar on the front which

changes in phases between 196000 colors

Itrsquos a very delicate change very pretty and

coolrdquo Thibeault said adding ldquoor you can set

it to any color in that spectrum yoursquod like to

accent your cabinetryrdquo

When it comes to dishwashers Thibeault

can attest to the quality of both the Asko and

Miele brands both of which he uses in his

own home And good news for Saratoga

Springs residents ndash

ldquoIn our market in

Saratoga we have a

very hard water base

whether yoursquore on a well

system or city waterrdquo

Thibeault said ldquoSo you

get a lot of minerals in

the machine With the

stainless steel interiors it

eliminates a lot of prob-

lems generally seen with

plastic interior tubs and

usually they are the best

life expectanciesrdquo

78 | Simply Saratoga

Asko and Mieleare practically custom made to handle the

arearsquos typicallymineral rich water

Simply Saratoga | 79

The Asko brand dishwasher takes things one step

further including two pumps in the washerrsquos system

The first pump filters the water cleansing it of poten-

tially harmful minerals while the second pump recircu-

lates the water ensuring that the machine is never

blasting your dishes with food debris or dirty residue

With Miele the design features a built-in water sof-

tener perfect for dealing with the Saratoga water

system

ldquoTypically the Miele is going to do a better job with

tougher baked in stainsrdquo said Thibeault ldquobecause itrsquos

got the softener in it and a little bit longer pots and pans

cyclerdquo

80 | Simply Saratoga

Adirondack Appliance Repair Inc is a fami-

ly-owned business since 1929 and the last inde-

pendent appliance retailer of its kind in Saratoga

Springs With $6 billion of buying power behind

their name (a benefit of being part of the Nation

Wide Appliance Buying Group) Thibeault

promised ldquowe can actually price match the box

stores and everybody else around all while pro-

viding you with better service and better

productsrdquo

For more information on AdirondackAppliance or the products they sell you mayvisit their showroom located at 67 West Avenuein Saratoga Springs for live demonstrationsThey can also be reached by phone at (518)587-6640 or you may visit them at their newwebsite wwwadkappliancecom where cus-tomers can browse through the storersquos entirecatalogue of appliances

sect

Simply Saratoga | 81

82 | Simply Saratoga

Page 34: Simply Saratoga March 2011

36 | Simply Saratoga

Living Room The custom-designed leather couch chair andottoman come from Suttons The stucco fireplace was inspired by theCollinsrsquo travels through the Southwest and Colorado (ldquowe wanted to avoida traditional river rock fireplacerdquo) and provides a heat source as well asbeauty The original structure was built for passive solar design no airconditioning is needed in the summer A wood stove is the primary heatsource radiant heat with natural gas was also added during the renova-tion

The front door as well as all the interior doors was custom-made fittedand replaced by Tom Zanetti Hickory wood floors were also installed dur-ing the addition A hanging stained glass chandelier is a stock itemobtained from a leading home supply retailer ldquoIt captures the sunlightbeautifully along with providing brilliant nighttime illuminationrdquo Tedsaid ldquoItrsquos an eclectic mixrdquo

Simply Saratoga | 37

Today we look at a creative space that is set into a special place

In 1993 Ted and Susan Collins purchased a seven-acre property

with a 1986 Timberpeg designed home that has all the qualities of

a place in the country ndash yet many would be surprised to learn that

it is actually located on the border of Saratoga Springs near the

Alpine Shop on Clinton Street After a number of years living in

apartments on Union Avenue and Franklin Square enjoying the

proximity to downtown and the track they couldnrsquot resist a spot

that was close to town but yet had lots of land

Their overall vision was for an interior space that was in accord

with the outside ndash the wildlife gardens and the sustainable philos-

ophy embodied in the original buildingrsquos passive solar design

ldquoEverything we do embraces the goals of staying true to the orig-

inal structure having an open welcoming interior and being in

harmony with the outdoorsrdquo Ted said

Inspired by travels in balance with the land

Story By Arthur GonickPhotos by copystockstudiosphotographycom

These principles guided a major transformation of the interior

space in 2006 The key element was an addition to the home that

enabled the living room kitchen and upstairs bedroom to be

expanded allowing space for the installation of a downstairs bath

as well

Susan and Ted led this transformation - visualizing an addition

that incorporated equilibrium of size location and overall propor-

tion They went through several iterations with Rick Deforest of

Heritage Timberframes

Even though much of the interior decor came from travels in

Africa the South Pacific and Colorado the building materials and

craftsmen are all local The timbers and wood flooring were milled

in nearby Kingsbury ldquoWe enjoyed working with professionals who

are also friends like Rick Deforest Tom Zanetti and Mike

Roohanrdquo Ted said ldquothe house now feels complete in balancerdquo sect

Unique Places and Creative Spaces If you would like to nominate a unique

or creative place to be featured emailentertainmentsaratogapublishingcom

38 | Simply Saratoga

Kitchen A wall was taken out that afforded space to add an eat-in island area and

open up the space Custom cabinets are by Tom Zanetti Stonework andappliances were added Both the kitchen and bathroom have granite table-tops (from Mike and Margaret Roohan of Granite and Marble Works)New appliances include a Bosch stove (with a built-in microwave drawer)and an Amana stainless refrigerator

Bathroom The bathroom ceiling is pine The showerarea was designed and built to the Collinsrsquo specifications andfeatures a bench 4 shower heads PLUS an extra hand-held one(ldquoItrsquos a human car washrdquo) The stone tiles on the sides and floorin the shower were installed by Best Tile the plumbing in theshower comes from Aird Dorrance as does the sink ndash which sitson a granite top from Granite and Marble Works The windowleads out to the north side of the house with privacy blinds insidethe window panes One thing you donrsquot see ldquoSince the room ison display in the center of the expanded first floor we wanted thecommode to be mostly hiddenrdquo Ted said

Unique Places and Creative Spaces

Simply Saratoga | 39

Living RoomA reading nook sits upon the bathroom addition ldquoThere was no full bathroom on the first

floor and with a post and beam construction we had to be creative You get outstanding viewsof the property pond and stream when viewed from the nookrsquos perspectiverdquo The ladder canswing out on a track making it more like walking up a staircase ndash this was also designed andinstalled by Tom Zanetti The table in the nook is actually a working African drum with a glasstable top added

40 | Simply Saratoga

Bedroom In the second-floor master bedroom moving the dormer brought in extra light and space and

also brought the roofline together with the original structure and first-floor additions The floorand ceiling are made of rough-cut pine planking The bed is also constructed of pine and comesfrom Suttons The window in the upper left was cut during the addition It faces west for extra day-time light

Simply Saratoga | 41

42 | Simply Saratoga

Story Written by Yael Goldman Photos by Samu Studios and Randall Perry Photography

Simply Saratoga | 43

orking with the

right interior designer

turns listless decision making

into an enjoyable and productive

process that avoids costly mistakes

and delivers exceptional results

Designing a room or an entire home is a

big project no matter how strong your tastes are

The decisions are endless ndash what color should I paint the

walls What flooring is most aesthetically appealing and

dog-friendly Should I choose a furniture set or choose

individual pieces Do I want curtains or shades Do I

decorate with knick-knacks or artwork

But with all the unique self-questioning that surrounds

an interior design project most homeowners share angst

in asking themselves one specific question where do I

start

Itrsquos at this point ndash when stress level increases enjoy-

ment-driven projects turn deadly and money has been

wastefully spent on all the wrong things ndash that you long

for the help of a professional if only you could afford it

Well the truth is you can

Creating the right space can be expensive but is only

more so if you make mistakes and have to go back and

fix them If you do it right the first time therersquos no cost

associated with do-overs

With nearly 100 years of experience between them all

four members of Blairhouse Interiors Group have

worked with more than enough unhappy do-it-your-

selfers to tell you yoursquore not alone

Photo by Samu Studios

44 | Simply Saratoga

The four-member designproject therapy team which recently

opened a studio in Saratoga Springs has a long history of help-

ing home and business owners create their ideal spaces and

atmospheres the right way Their exceptional work is celebrated across

the Capital Region including Saratoga Springs where the Blairhouse

look is prominently featured in a handful of Park Place condominiums

and the incredible Saratoga National Golf Club

Thomas R Burns Meghan Baltich Dominic Carota and Patricia

Richards the highly skilled and charismatic force behind Blairhouse

Interiors Group promise an experience that is personal because itrsquos all

about your needs ndash and thatrsquos what is important

Blairhouse offers full-service interior design services space planning

project management hand-picked merchandise patience and an uncan-

ny ability to create a

look that is always

fresh sophisticated

and comfortable

ldquoThe style that we

gravitate toward is

unique cutting-edge

and modern not dic-

tated by corporaterdquo

said Meghan Baltich

pointing to a ldquovery

propitiousrdquo Keith Fritz

table at the center of

the studio

Photo by Randall Perry Photography

If you do it right the firsttime therersquos no cost

associated with do-oversPhoto by Randall Perry Photography

One glance at the Park Place showroom ndash of the selective furnishings carefully showcased along

the periphery ndash and it becomes clear why Blairhouse an award-winning team gets the job

done

Their creativity focus and immaculate sense of direction bring objectivity to the scene helping you nar-

row down all of the tedious and overwhelming choices that make do-it-yourself decorating an exercise in

unclear thinking

ldquoPeople are overwhelmed by all the choices it can feel like theyrsquore in a paralyzed blurrdquo said Thomas

Burns who finds that a great vision can be impossible to imagine and create without eliminating all of

the distractions

A vital step in getting focused is creating a

comprehensive plan based on individual

needs wants and style that addresses all

aspects of lifestyle and taste and suggests

tactful solutions and fresh approaches to new

and existing spaces

They help you identify what you like

forcing you to hone in on what you want and

need to compliment and enhance your

lifestyle

ldquoWe ascertain the clientrsquos goal and

lifestyle to convey their visionrdquo said

Dominic Carota explaining that the intended

outcome of creating or reinventing a room is

often strictly tied to how you want to live in

it

ldquoWe have to know how they functionrdquo he

said

An interior designer is an asset in the func-

tion-meets-style equation

Dominic explained that a couple starting a family will have far

different needs than empty-nesters looking for a change They may

have the same stylistic goals but their execution will differ based on

how their lifestyle exists within the space

When revamping a single room the majority of your focus is ded-

icated to that individual space making it easy to forget that the rest

of the house is attached Establishing connectivity between rooms is

a challenge but an important part of executing a project the right

way

Sometimes one wrong detail no matter how small can be incred-

ibly impactful and difficult to avoid on your own

ldquoIf yoursquore working on a new addition or renovation we ensure it

flows that therersquos balance between the existing part of the living

space and the new additionrdquo Meghan Baltich said explaining that

it just doesnrsquot make sense to put in a great new kitchen if itrsquos dis-

jointed and out of place from its surroundings

Another common novice mistake is the trendy retail store fallacy

that you can order a full room from a catalog or pick a fabulous and

unique design from a floor plan

Blairhouse clients learn the difference between ldquocookie-cutterrdquo

and ldquocustomrdquo and they are never concerned with picking the wrong

piece for the wrong room

Simply Saratoga | 45

ome customers will come to us after going into a Pottery Barn and buying stuff that just didnrsquot workrdquo Baltich said giving the

example of an individual who purchased an enormous sectional for a tiny room ldquoWe scale into the clientrsquos space taking func-

tion and proportion into considerationrdquo

Exceptional listening and observation skills are the designerrsquos

unsung attributes and greatest assets Blairhouse experts engage

with their clients to gain a true understanding of what they want

In turn the design process becomes an eye-opening experience

customers are introduced to colors and concepts they would

never think to consider

ldquoEach client trusts us to create their environment and we

enable them to make informed decisionsrdquo Patricia Richards

said

And sometimes that requires bold suggestions and collabora-

tion or looking at all of the possibilities even the ones ldquoyou

would never have been brave enough to do on your ownrdquo

In the end the experience of working with the experts is

enjoyable stress-free and cost-effective From concept to com-

pletion the result is just what you want and need ndash a fabulous

marriage of function and aesthetic that wonrsquot have you coming

back for more (because you did it right the first time) sect

ldquoS

46 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 47

For a taste of Blairhouse Interiors Grouprsquos distinctive work stop into their Park Place studio located at 262 Broadway Suite 204 in Saratoga Springs For further details visit wwwblairhouseinteriorscom or call (518) 786-7800

From left to right Dominic Carota Meghan Baltich Patricia Richards and

Thomas R Burns (The designproject therapy team of Blairhouse Interiors Group)

48 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 49

Dorsquos and Donrsquots

50 | Simply Saratoga

Story Written by Kerry Ann Mendez Perennially Yours bull wwwpyourscom Photos Provided

SpringDorsquos and Donrsquots

SpringDorsquos and DonrsquotsDorsquos and Donrsquots

Spring

for your Gardens

s

Simply Saratoga | 51

ssts

SPRINGis right around the corner and gardenersare pawing at the ground ready to explodethrough the garden gate As a passionate perennial gardenerI am right there with you But before launching into another flower-filledseason letrsquos go through a spring checklist of dorsquorsquos and donrsquorsquots to makesure we make the most of the race and have the best finish ever

Photo by GardenersSupply Company

apply a granular fertilizer to your perennial beds while they are still lsquoasleeprsquoDepending on the winter wersquove had this may be anytime from mid-Marchto mid-April Donrsquot worry if there are already lsquoearly risersrsquo visible like springblooming bulbs or woodland ephemerals I recommend using 5-5-5 5-10-5 or

5-10-10 fertilizer at the rate of 2 pounds per 100 square feet Cast the fertilizer just before it is about to rainto make sure fertilizer is watered into the ground and washed off any existing leaves You can give otherplants in your yard this treat as well including floweringshrubs groundcovers climbing vinesand roses

DONrsquoTput fertilizer on top of the snow or on ground that is

still frozen You want to make sure the fertilizer disap-pears into pliable soil and to waiting roots otherwiserunoff can occur And donrsquot think more is better Youcan stress or even kill plants by over-fertilizing espe-cially in spring when leaves are not fully developed toutilize nitrogen in the fertilizer If you are going to errless is better

DO

prune once-b l o o m i n g

roses such as Heirloom or Old GardenRoses when the Forsythia is blooming

Any rose that blooms onceusually in late spring forabout three weeks is in thiscategory Many times theseroses are quite fragrantWait to prune these rosesuntil right after they flower

DONrsquoT

prune most roses whenForsythia is in bloom Pruneshrub roses back by half to

23 their height This is assuming you did not prunethem last fall If you did then next year wait until latewinter or early spring Prune Teas and Grandiflorasback to 18 - 24rdquo For climbing roses prune branchesemerging from the main canes back to within 3 - 4rdquoof the cane

DO

apply corn gluten tolawn areas yoursquoveseeded (or over-seeded) or to gar-dens where youwant biennialsperennials or annu-als to reseed andflower Corn glutendoes not distinguishbetween lsquogoodrsquoand lsquobadrsquo seeds

apply a pre-emer-gent weed killerand fertilizer toyour lawn A lushhealthy lawn

makes a beautiful frame for gardens Myfamily walked away from lawn chemicalsfive years ago And our lawn has neverlooked better Corn gluten is a big part ofthis transformation Corn gluten is a by-product of milled corn It will not harm chil-dren pets or wildlife Heck you can eat it ifyou want (but it tastes yucky) Corn Glutenis high in nitrogen and commonly used as alawn fertilizer But it is also a pre-emergenttargeting seeds as they germinate Youcan put corn gluten down at any point inthe spring BUT if part of your mission is toeliminate crabgrass then there is a narrowwindow of attackApply it whenForsythia is in fullbloom and beforeits leaves appearThe Forsythia is asoil temperatureindicator that cor-responds to whencrabgrass seedsstart to germinate More garden centersare now carrying corn gluten productsYou just need to ask and follow the appli-cation instructions on the bag Make sureto water in the corn gluten after applyingIt will remain effective for five to six weeks

Simply Saratoga | 53

DONrsquoT

DO

step on soil as you maneuver around thegarden to cut back Lavender and therest of the gang For that matter youshould never be tromping through yourgardens compacting soil This breaks

down air and water channels as well as making it tougher forroots to spread Instead reach into beds from existing paths orplace stepping stones in discreet spots where only your eyes cansee or lsquowalk the plankrsquo on a board to reach plants fartherlsquoadriftrsquo

54 | Simply Saratoga

cut back Lavender Russian SageMontauk Daisy Butterfly BushChrysanthemums and ornamental grass-es These are best left untouched in falland whacked in spring Many folks make

the mistake of acting too gingerly with pruners Let lsquoem fly Theresult will be more compact neater plants that will bloom just fineTrust me If it helps wait until yoursquove had a bad day at work withthe kids or in traffic

DONrsquoT

DO

divide Peonies German Bearded Iris orOriental Poppies in spring These are bestdone in late summer Also tap-rootedplants (those with a carrot-looking root)cannot be divided Think about it These

are usually propagated by seed stem or root cuttings Someperennials that fall into this category are Malva Butterfly WeedBalloon Flower Oriental Poppies and Lupines

Simply Saratoga | 55

DONrsquoT

divide plants in spring This is an optimumtime to divide most perennials Yes evenspring bloomers Wait until these haveflowered and then shear off the spentblooms and get to business Most sum-

mer and fall blooming perennials can be divided prior to mid-Junewithout disrupting their performance

DO

apply a time-released fertilizersuch as Plant-Tone(organic) orOsmocote to heavy

feeding perennials five to six weeks afterthe earlier granular fertilizer applicationMost plants do not need as much fertilizeras we are led in advertising to believe I amstingy with my money and maintenancetime so only a handful of plants get thisbonus feed Astilbe Delphinium Liliums (ieAsiatic Oriental Trumpet) Clematis androses If I am feeling generous I will putsome on my Bigleaf Hydrangeas next to theroses Call me heartlessJust scratch fertilizer intothe top couple inchesof soil around theplantrsquos base and waterin well They will enjoy anutritious snack forthree to four months

apply mulch ongarden beds toreduce weedsconserve moisture

reduce erosion minimize soil temperaturefluctuations and enhance the quality ofthe soil Some mulching materials includeaged manures compost shredded wood(not dyed) leaf moldand cocoa hulls Putthe mulch down 2rdquo to3rdquo thick around plantsincluding floweringshrubs

build up mulchagainst plant stems

And please please donrsquot create volcanomounds around trees Please This is awfulfor them The only ones that benefit fromthis are the people selling the mulch

56 | Simply Saratoga

DONrsquoT

DO

DO

rubber band orbraid the foliage ofspring bloomingbulbs after they fin-ish flowering You

want as much leaf surface exposed to thesun as possible to increase photosynthesisYou can press the leaves down next to thesoil so they are less noticeable

Simply Saratoga | 57

sect

And finally DO have a great year in

your gardens and DONrsquoT forget to

take time to smell the roses

DONrsquoT

DONrsquoT

cut off the spentblooms and stems onspring blooming bulbsafter they have flow-ered so energy is redirected to the bulbsversus seed productions Keep the leaves inplace until they have browned and ideallycan be pulled from the ground by hand

put time-released fertil-izer on perennials thatprefer lean dietsRicher soil just upsetstheir vascular systemsThey will get leggy flop and not perform tosnuff Yarrow Coneflower Catmint RussianSage Linum Sea Holly and Silvermound are inthe group

DO

For more information contact Perennially Yours at pyourscom

58 | Simply Saratoga

Ill mination

Exterior Stonework

an

d

Story Written by Arthur Gonick Photos Provided

u

Simply Saratoga | 59

To develop and implement an exterior vista that maximizes your enjoyment To have a backyard landscape that is warm inviting and uniquely yours

These are goals that many homeowners have when they first move onto their property But unless you are trained in the variety ofmaterials and options available the task of getting past the point of comparing possibilities to completing and actually enjoying yourbackyard paradise can appear to be a long daunting road

For Carl Trinkle a landscape designer for ten years with the Gallivan Companies of Troy one of the key elements in a successfultransformation is utilizing a professionalrsquos expertise to articulate goals and develop a plan

ldquoThe most important thing we do when we first meet with a client is to get them to discuss their basic needs and aims and encouragethem to formulate an overall vision for their property An initial consultation sets the tone we make an initial visit on-site to look overthe property so we can have an idea as to where things might be placedrdquo

ldquoDuring this intake process we actually encourage people to show us photos of their friendrsquos property that they like or perhaps froma magazine It helps most people to articulate the goals of what they would like to see as a finished projectrdquo Trinkle said ldquoEven if they are looking to do things in phases we find that it is most important to develop a comprehensive site planrdquo This eliminates the need to revise original phases of work to accommodate those that come in the future

60 | Simply Saratoga

that Mr Trinkle finds potential customers identifying with aredesigned to extend the outdoor season ldquoA few extra weeks outside isa lotrdquo he said

add-ons also extend outside activity each day Low voltage lighting is still the most popular but recently LED lighting with longer-lasting bulbs that involve less maintenance and are cost-efficienthave become more fashionable

The latest trends

stations fire pits and waterenhancements such as ponds andwaterfalls are the most frequentlyrequested items that broaden theoutdoor use season

Outdoor grill

Exterior lighting

Simply Saratoga | 61

And of course swimming pool projects have always been a most-requested

item Fifty percent of allthe projects Mr Trinkleworks on involve a pooleither a completely new installation or enhance-ments to existing poolsGallivanrsquos long-standingrelationship withConcord Pools has beena hallmark in assuringthat customers are satis-fied when their pool isput in the ground

62 | Simply Saratoga

In most cases a comprehensive plancan be developed for any project in about a period of twoweeks Complete drawings and cost breakdowns are provid-ed as well as the projected phases that can be completed injust a few months or on larger projects can be scheduled insegments over a few years These are reviewed in personwith the customer again the goal being to have a plan thateveryone buys into

Simply Saratoga | 63

ldquoWe have had projects where the customer has wanted tohave a lot of input and we welcome that But we also hadone where the client was out of town and we built a firepit and slide for his wife and kids and our only instructions were to dazzle themI remember it as a most satisfying experience and we ended up winning awards for that onerdquo

- Carl Trinkle Landscape DesignerThe Gallivan Companies

64 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 65

ldquoI get to work using my creativity with talented people Some of the most talented are those

I meet as customersrdquo sect

For more information or to schedule aconsultation phone Gallivan Companies at(518) 271-6100 Gallivanrsquos website iswwwGallivanCompaniescom

66 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 67

Buying a playhouse for your child is an excellent investment

They promote imaginative play and spending time outdoors and

double as storage space when no longer used for recreation

Denise Woodcock owner of Versatile Sheds in Wilton has

been helping parents and grandparents customize their childrsquos or

grandchildrsquos dream playhouses for years

ldquoThey make great gifts especially for grandparents who want

their grandkids to have their own place to play when they visitrdquo

she said

Playhouses are a great addition to a childrsquos outdoor world

They come in all shapes sizes and designs and can be custom-

built or finished if you donrsquot find exactly what yoursquore looking for

in a catalog or on the lot

Every child is different and has their own preferences for color

size and function boys and girls often have especially different

requests for their play space as do younger and more mature chil-

dren so therersquos a lot to consider

Denise knows how even the finest detail can be all it takes to

make an outdoor structure feel like a childrsquos own personal space

While it may seem superfluous to address every minor demand

the truth is a playhouse is more than just an expensive toy itrsquos an

investment The more your child connects with their space the more

use theyrsquoll get out of it ndash and according to Denise that means your

money is well spent

Smartest WayThe

playhouse for your kidsto buy a

Photos by MarkBollescomStory by Yael Goldman

68 | Simply Saratoga

With this in mind prospective buyers should first consider

who will use the playhouse and for how long as well as what

happens when the structure is no longer used for recreation

Versatile Sheds can help even the most discerning parent or

child find what theyrsquore looking for Every playhouse is hand-

built by Amish craftsmen who can accommodate almost any

special request at an additional cost so the possibilities are

endless inside and out

Cedar shingle or vinyl siding wood stone or brick ndash if you

can use it on the outside of your regular home it can be inte-

grated into your playhousersquos design Playhouses can be built

to look like a miniature version of your home which is an

excellent touch for parents that are particularly concerned

with aesthetics Porches shutters flowerboxes unique doors

chimneys and exterior lighting are just a few of the touches

that can brighten and personalize the exterior

Individualizing your childrsquos playhouse doesnrsquot stop at the

front door There are just as many interior features to choose

from ndash you can let your imagination run wild

For starters you have the option to order the playhouse

with a finished or unfinished interior The unfinished version

looks a lot like the inside of a regular home before you move

in paint the walls and furnish the rooms

Buying an unfinished structure is a great way to cut costs

and even bring the family together over a weekend decorating

project The possibilities are endless depending on how handy

you are otherwise a few coats of paint and a bit of carpeting

will surely do the trick

Although a bit pricey purchasing a playhouse with a fin-

ished interior ensures that your child gets exactly what they

want right off the bat They can pick everything from the paint

color to the flooring so the playhouse is move-in ready on the

day it arrives

Playhouses can also be insulated and wired for electricity

You can install lighting electrical outlets even heat or air-

conditioning to make your childrsquos outdoor space as comfort-

able as possible

And the options donrsquot end there Traditional sheds also dou-

ble as playhouses For some parents purchasing an adult-size

shed for their children is an ideal way to get the best return on

their investment Once their children grow out of it the struc-

ture can be used for outdoor storage With just as many styles

sizes and materials to choose from you can customize the

interior and exterior of your shed just as you would a play-

house but without all of the more frivolous features

ldquoAny shed can be a playhouserdquo Woodcock said explaining

how a custom paint job or flowerbox can transform a typical

storage unit into childrsquos outdoor activity haven

For example if purchasing a wood shed the exterior can be

easily painted and repainted when making the transition from

playhouse to storage space

For Denisersquos customers getting their moneyrsquos worth should

not have to mean making sacrifices

Simply Saratoga | 69

70 | Simply Saratoga

When Debby Trainor made the decision to buy her grand-

daughter Chezneyrsquos dream house she wanted it to have all the

bells and whistles She met with Denise to go over all the cri-

teria the goal was to buy the perfect gift for Chezney while

staying within her budget

The eight-year-old Greenwich girl wanted her own pretty

pink palace where she could play and imagine Debby wanted

it to be a cozy and safe place for her to play year-round

Customization and interior decoration helped make

Chezneyrsquos playhouse feel like her own little kingdom

ldquoWe made it look like a cute little dollhouserdquo she said ldquoWe

put furniture inside and a little stove fridge heater and TV

itrsquos just perfectrdquo

With the structure built to their liking Chezney and Debby

could enjoy decorating the inside to personalize the playhouse

For many customers putting on the finishing touches means

making the playhouse feel like home ndash you can add curtains

hang pictures buy furniture and appliances and landscape the

perimeter to make the outdoor space feel like a home away

from home

When the child grows out of their playhouse these items

can be easily removed to accommodate a secondary use for the

space

ldquoThe best thing that Denise did for me was explain how we

can use the playhouse for storage for stuff out in the yard after

Chezney has grown out of itrdquo Debby explained ldquoAlthough

she is only eight and will be using it for quite a few more

years this really makes it a good investment and looks

great in the backyardrdquo

Whether you choose a customized playhouse or a tradi-

tional shed thinking toward the future also ensures the

safety and longevity of the structure

Denise explained that placement is an important thing to

consider as you want to make sure the structure is in a safe

place and on an appropriate surface Most importantly the

playhouse must be built on a level even surface that isnrsquot

too high off of the ground

ldquoYou want it on a nice platformrdquo Denise explained

ldquoSome people use concrete but stone is better because it

allows moisture to seep down into the ground and away

from the structurerdquo

Most parents prefer that their playhouse is in the back-

yard where itrsquos easy to see from a window Placing the

structure in a shaded area is also a good idea it will be

cooler in the summer and less susceptible to the elements if

partially protected by trees

Debby had Chezneyrsquos playhouse built right next to her

swing set where she can be easily supervised

One last thing to consider when purchasing a playhouse

Simply Saratoga | 71

72 | Simply Saratoga

or shed for your child is how much effort

you want to put into maintaining it The

more ornate the structure the more care it

may need

Woodcock advises parents to preserve

their investment and treat the playhouse

like a miniature home

Think of it as a miniature house ndash the

structure requires regular maintenance

and upkeep to ensure your child will be

safe while enjoying years and years of

imaginative fun

With so many features and styles to

choose from yoursquore sure to find the best

for both you and your child

For more information about Versatile

Sheds or to set up a time to meet with

Denise Woodcock call (518) 584-7924

or stop by 669 Route 9 in Wilton sect

Simply Saratoga | 73

74 | Simply Saratoga

Kitchen

Not Your

Grandmarsquos

Story Written by Daniel Schechtman Photos Provided

ldquoAs you

walk into the kitchen

of the future LED

light projections adjust

to your mood - it will

know if you have a

hangover via sensors

that will read your

b r a i n w a v e s

Aromatherapy infused

walls will be synched

to your calendar calm-

ing you before a big

meeting or energizing you before a gym session The fridge will have selected some breakfast options identifying the essen-

tial vitamins for your day via sensors When you get home a hologram chef will be on hand for recipe inspirationrdquo

Alright so maybe your kitchen canrsquot do all of these things quite yet ndash but believe it or not wersquore getting there This is tomor-

rowrsquos kitchen a kitchen where your appliances donrsquot just store your food or wash your dishes ndash they talk to you providing you

with integral information on how to

best store your fruits and vegetables

letting you know if the refrigerator

door is open for too long or when a

part will soon need replacing

Simply Saratoga | 75

ldquoScience fictionrdquo I hear you say

Guess again Quoted from a report released by The Future Laboratory

who was commissioned by IKEA to determine what a modernkitchen in the year 2040 could conceivably look like

76 | Simply Saratoga

ldquoOne technology that really stands out to me is the

Miele Appliance Company Right now theyrsquore using a

program called lsquoremote visionrsquo On select applianceshellip

is a wireless card that clicks into a port on the back of

the appliance You synch it up with your home network

and it basically emails the technician and the owner

when itrsquos broken when you need to clean your condens-

er change your water filter or schedule a routine serv-

icerdquo said Tom Thibeault owner of Adirondack

Appliance Repair Inc located at 67 West Ave in

Saratoga Springs ldquoMaybe somebodyrsquos been opening the

[refrigerator] door for too long or the door was left open

ndash it will email you and tell you that your door is left

openrdquo

This is not your grandmarsquos kitchen This my friends

is the kitchen of the future and itrsquos available now

The 36 inch bottom-mount Miele refrigerator boasts a

striking interior featuring LED lighting running along

the sides from top to bottom stainless steel accents and

exteriors with control systems that would be comfort-

able alongside the captainrsquos chair on the Starship

Enterprise

Simply Saratoga | 77

ldquoThe controls in the Miele really stand out

Looking at the controls theyrsquore just a glass piece and

then once you touch it you see a few options for the

different compartments Then you touch the compart-

ment and the temperature is displayed so itrsquos kind of

like a Star Trek controlrdquo Thibeault said

And thatrsquos just the refrigerator

Adirondack Appliance has also seen brands such as

Wolf (a company owned by the same people who own

Sub-Zero) grow in popularity when it comes to their

range stoves and ovens The dual convection oven

works to eliminate cold spotting and provides consis-

tent even temperatures and even allows for unique

options such as proofing ndash used best when baking

homemade bread

ldquoIt also has a temperature probe you can plug into

things like a turkey or roast so you can see the temper-

ature while itrsquos still inside the machine It has

hydraulic hinges halogen lit interiors everything is

composed of stainless steel and itrsquos by far one of the

best lines on the marketrdquo Thibeault said

A new line coming to Adirondack Appliance that

features some amazing technology is a series of Pro-

Style Ranges produced by industry giant Jenn-Air

ldquoThat actually has an LCD touch

screen like an IPAD for the controls The

temperature is set by sliding your finger

along the controls Itrsquos all color backlit and

absolutely amazingrdquo Thibeault said

ldquoAnother thing we have to that same

effect are some of the hoods which have

really been getting pretty out there as far as

design We have one on our floor [by Miele]

that has an LED bar on the front which

changes in phases between 196000 colors

Itrsquos a very delicate change very pretty and

coolrdquo Thibeault said adding ldquoor you can set

it to any color in that spectrum yoursquod like to

accent your cabinetryrdquo

When it comes to dishwashers Thibeault

can attest to the quality of both the Asko and

Miele brands both of which he uses in his

own home And good news for Saratoga

Springs residents ndash

ldquoIn our market in

Saratoga we have a

very hard water base

whether yoursquore on a well

system or city waterrdquo

Thibeault said ldquoSo you

get a lot of minerals in

the machine With the

stainless steel interiors it

eliminates a lot of prob-

lems generally seen with

plastic interior tubs and

usually they are the best

life expectanciesrdquo

78 | Simply Saratoga

Asko and Mieleare practically custom made to handle the

arearsquos typicallymineral rich water

Simply Saratoga | 79

The Asko brand dishwasher takes things one step

further including two pumps in the washerrsquos system

The first pump filters the water cleansing it of poten-

tially harmful minerals while the second pump recircu-

lates the water ensuring that the machine is never

blasting your dishes with food debris or dirty residue

With Miele the design features a built-in water sof-

tener perfect for dealing with the Saratoga water

system

ldquoTypically the Miele is going to do a better job with

tougher baked in stainsrdquo said Thibeault ldquobecause itrsquos

got the softener in it and a little bit longer pots and pans

cyclerdquo

80 | Simply Saratoga

Adirondack Appliance Repair Inc is a fami-

ly-owned business since 1929 and the last inde-

pendent appliance retailer of its kind in Saratoga

Springs With $6 billion of buying power behind

their name (a benefit of being part of the Nation

Wide Appliance Buying Group) Thibeault

promised ldquowe can actually price match the box

stores and everybody else around all while pro-

viding you with better service and better

productsrdquo

For more information on AdirondackAppliance or the products they sell you mayvisit their showroom located at 67 West Avenuein Saratoga Springs for live demonstrationsThey can also be reached by phone at (518)587-6640 or you may visit them at their newwebsite wwwadkappliancecom where cus-tomers can browse through the storersquos entirecatalogue of appliances

sect

Simply Saratoga | 81

82 | Simply Saratoga

Page 35: Simply Saratoga March 2011

Simply Saratoga | 37

Today we look at a creative space that is set into a special place

In 1993 Ted and Susan Collins purchased a seven-acre property

with a 1986 Timberpeg designed home that has all the qualities of

a place in the country ndash yet many would be surprised to learn that

it is actually located on the border of Saratoga Springs near the

Alpine Shop on Clinton Street After a number of years living in

apartments on Union Avenue and Franklin Square enjoying the

proximity to downtown and the track they couldnrsquot resist a spot

that was close to town but yet had lots of land

Their overall vision was for an interior space that was in accord

with the outside ndash the wildlife gardens and the sustainable philos-

ophy embodied in the original buildingrsquos passive solar design

ldquoEverything we do embraces the goals of staying true to the orig-

inal structure having an open welcoming interior and being in

harmony with the outdoorsrdquo Ted said

Inspired by travels in balance with the land

Story By Arthur GonickPhotos by copystockstudiosphotographycom

These principles guided a major transformation of the interior

space in 2006 The key element was an addition to the home that

enabled the living room kitchen and upstairs bedroom to be

expanded allowing space for the installation of a downstairs bath

as well

Susan and Ted led this transformation - visualizing an addition

that incorporated equilibrium of size location and overall propor-

tion They went through several iterations with Rick Deforest of

Heritage Timberframes

Even though much of the interior decor came from travels in

Africa the South Pacific and Colorado the building materials and

craftsmen are all local The timbers and wood flooring were milled

in nearby Kingsbury ldquoWe enjoyed working with professionals who

are also friends like Rick Deforest Tom Zanetti and Mike

Roohanrdquo Ted said ldquothe house now feels complete in balancerdquo sect

Unique Places and Creative Spaces If you would like to nominate a unique

or creative place to be featured emailentertainmentsaratogapublishingcom

38 | Simply Saratoga

Kitchen A wall was taken out that afforded space to add an eat-in island area and

open up the space Custom cabinets are by Tom Zanetti Stonework andappliances were added Both the kitchen and bathroom have granite table-tops (from Mike and Margaret Roohan of Granite and Marble Works)New appliances include a Bosch stove (with a built-in microwave drawer)and an Amana stainless refrigerator

Bathroom The bathroom ceiling is pine The showerarea was designed and built to the Collinsrsquo specifications andfeatures a bench 4 shower heads PLUS an extra hand-held one(ldquoItrsquos a human car washrdquo) The stone tiles on the sides and floorin the shower were installed by Best Tile the plumbing in theshower comes from Aird Dorrance as does the sink ndash which sitson a granite top from Granite and Marble Works The windowleads out to the north side of the house with privacy blinds insidethe window panes One thing you donrsquot see ldquoSince the room ison display in the center of the expanded first floor we wanted thecommode to be mostly hiddenrdquo Ted said

Unique Places and Creative Spaces

Simply Saratoga | 39

Living RoomA reading nook sits upon the bathroom addition ldquoThere was no full bathroom on the first

floor and with a post and beam construction we had to be creative You get outstanding viewsof the property pond and stream when viewed from the nookrsquos perspectiverdquo The ladder canswing out on a track making it more like walking up a staircase ndash this was also designed andinstalled by Tom Zanetti The table in the nook is actually a working African drum with a glasstable top added

40 | Simply Saratoga

Bedroom In the second-floor master bedroom moving the dormer brought in extra light and space and

also brought the roofline together with the original structure and first-floor additions The floorand ceiling are made of rough-cut pine planking The bed is also constructed of pine and comesfrom Suttons The window in the upper left was cut during the addition It faces west for extra day-time light

Simply Saratoga | 41

42 | Simply Saratoga

Story Written by Yael Goldman Photos by Samu Studios and Randall Perry Photography

Simply Saratoga | 43

orking with the

right interior designer

turns listless decision making

into an enjoyable and productive

process that avoids costly mistakes

and delivers exceptional results

Designing a room or an entire home is a

big project no matter how strong your tastes are

The decisions are endless ndash what color should I paint the

walls What flooring is most aesthetically appealing and

dog-friendly Should I choose a furniture set or choose

individual pieces Do I want curtains or shades Do I

decorate with knick-knacks or artwork

But with all the unique self-questioning that surrounds

an interior design project most homeowners share angst

in asking themselves one specific question where do I

start

Itrsquos at this point ndash when stress level increases enjoy-

ment-driven projects turn deadly and money has been

wastefully spent on all the wrong things ndash that you long

for the help of a professional if only you could afford it

Well the truth is you can

Creating the right space can be expensive but is only

more so if you make mistakes and have to go back and

fix them If you do it right the first time therersquos no cost

associated with do-overs

With nearly 100 years of experience between them all

four members of Blairhouse Interiors Group have

worked with more than enough unhappy do-it-your-

selfers to tell you yoursquore not alone

Photo by Samu Studios

44 | Simply Saratoga

The four-member designproject therapy team which recently

opened a studio in Saratoga Springs has a long history of help-

ing home and business owners create their ideal spaces and

atmospheres the right way Their exceptional work is celebrated across

the Capital Region including Saratoga Springs where the Blairhouse

look is prominently featured in a handful of Park Place condominiums

and the incredible Saratoga National Golf Club

Thomas R Burns Meghan Baltich Dominic Carota and Patricia

Richards the highly skilled and charismatic force behind Blairhouse

Interiors Group promise an experience that is personal because itrsquos all

about your needs ndash and thatrsquos what is important

Blairhouse offers full-service interior design services space planning

project management hand-picked merchandise patience and an uncan-

ny ability to create a

look that is always

fresh sophisticated

and comfortable

ldquoThe style that we

gravitate toward is

unique cutting-edge

and modern not dic-

tated by corporaterdquo

said Meghan Baltich

pointing to a ldquovery

propitiousrdquo Keith Fritz

table at the center of

the studio

Photo by Randall Perry Photography

If you do it right the firsttime therersquos no cost

associated with do-oversPhoto by Randall Perry Photography

One glance at the Park Place showroom ndash of the selective furnishings carefully showcased along

the periphery ndash and it becomes clear why Blairhouse an award-winning team gets the job

done

Their creativity focus and immaculate sense of direction bring objectivity to the scene helping you nar-

row down all of the tedious and overwhelming choices that make do-it-yourself decorating an exercise in

unclear thinking

ldquoPeople are overwhelmed by all the choices it can feel like theyrsquore in a paralyzed blurrdquo said Thomas

Burns who finds that a great vision can be impossible to imagine and create without eliminating all of

the distractions

A vital step in getting focused is creating a

comprehensive plan based on individual

needs wants and style that addresses all

aspects of lifestyle and taste and suggests

tactful solutions and fresh approaches to new

and existing spaces

They help you identify what you like

forcing you to hone in on what you want and

need to compliment and enhance your

lifestyle

ldquoWe ascertain the clientrsquos goal and

lifestyle to convey their visionrdquo said

Dominic Carota explaining that the intended

outcome of creating or reinventing a room is

often strictly tied to how you want to live in

it

ldquoWe have to know how they functionrdquo he

said

An interior designer is an asset in the func-

tion-meets-style equation

Dominic explained that a couple starting a family will have far

different needs than empty-nesters looking for a change They may

have the same stylistic goals but their execution will differ based on

how their lifestyle exists within the space

When revamping a single room the majority of your focus is ded-

icated to that individual space making it easy to forget that the rest

of the house is attached Establishing connectivity between rooms is

a challenge but an important part of executing a project the right

way

Sometimes one wrong detail no matter how small can be incred-

ibly impactful and difficult to avoid on your own

ldquoIf yoursquore working on a new addition or renovation we ensure it

flows that therersquos balance between the existing part of the living

space and the new additionrdquo Meghan Baltich said explaining that

it just doesnrsquot make sense to put in a great new kitchen if itrsquos dis-

jointed and out of place from its surroundings

Another common novice mistake is the trendy retail store fallacy

that you can order a full room from a catalog or pick a fabulous and

unique design from a floor plan

Blairhouse clients learn the difference between ldquocookie-cutterrdquo

and ldquocustomrdquo and they are never concerned with picking the wrong

piece for the wrong room

Simply Saratoga | 45

ome customers will come to us after going into a Pottery Barn and buying stuff that just didnrsquot workrdquo Baltich said giving the

example of an individual who purchased an enormous sectional for a tiny room ldquoWe scale into the clientrsquos space taking func-

tion and proportion into considerationrdquo

Exceptional listening and observation skills are the designerrsquos

unsung attributes and greatest assets Blairhouse experts engage

with their clients to gain a true understanding of what they want

In turn the design process becomes an eye-opening experience

customers are introduced to colors and concepts they would

never think to consider

ldquoEach client trusts us to create their environment and we

enable them to make informed decisionsrdquo Patricia Richards

said

And sometimes that requires bold suggestions and collabora-

tion or looking at all of the possibilities even the ones ldquoyou

would never have been brave enough to do on your ownrdquo

In the end the experience of working with the experts is

enjoyable stress-free and cost-effective From concept to com-

pletion the result is just what you want and need ndash a fabulous

marriage of function and aesthetic that wonrsquot have you coming

back for more (because you did it right the first time) sect

ldquoS

46 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 47

For a taste of Blairhouse Interiors Grouprsquos distinctive work stop into their Park Place studio located at 262 Broadway Suite 204 in Saratoga Springs For further details visit wwwblairhouseinteriorscom or call (518) 786-7800

From left to right Dominic Carota Meghan Baltich Patricia Richards and

Thomas R Burns (The designproject therapy team of Blairhouse Interiors Group)

48 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 49

Dorsquos and Donrsquots

50 | Simply Saratoga

Story Written by Kerry Ann Mendez Perennially Yours bull wwwpyourscom Photos Provided

SpringDorsquos and Donrsquots

SpringDorsquos and DonrsquotsDorsquos and Donrsquots

Spring

for your Gardens

s

Simply Saratoga | 51

ssts

SPRINGis right around the corner and gardenersare pawing at the ground ready to explodethrough the garden gate As a passionate perennial gardenerI am right there with you But before launching into another flower-filledseason letrsquos go through a spring checklist of dorsquorsquos and donrsquorsquots to makesure we make the most of the race and have the best finish ever

Photo by GardenersSupply Company

apply a granular fertilizer to your perennial beds while they are still lsquoasleeprsquoDepending on the winter wersquove had this may be anytime from mid-Marchto mid-April Donrsquot worry if there are already lsquoearly risersrsquo visible like springblooming bulbs or woodland ephemerals I recommend using 5-5-5 5-10-5 or

5-10-10 fertilizer at the rate of 2 pounds per 100 square feet Cast the fertilizer just before it is about to rainto make sure fertilizer is watered into the ground and washed off any existing leaves You can give otherplants in your yard this treat as well including floweringshrubs groundcovers climbing vinesand roses

DONrsquoTput fertilizer on top of the snow or on ground that is

still frozen You want to make sure the fertilizer disap-pears into pliable soil and to waiting roots otherwiserunoff can occur And donrsquot think more is better Youcan stress or even kill plants by over-fertilizing espe-cially in spring when leaves are not fully developed toutilize nitrogen in the fertilizer If you are going to errless is better

DO

prune once-b l o o m i n g

roses such as Heirloom or Old GardenRoses when the Forsythia is blooming

Any rose that blooms onceusually in late spring forabout three weeks is in thiscategory Many times theseroses are quite fragrantWait to prune these rosesuntil right after they flower

DONrsquoT

prune most roses whenForsythia is in bloom Pruneshrub roses back by half to

23 their height This is assuming you did not prunethem last fall If you did then next year wait until latewinter or early spring Prune Teas and Grandiflorasback to 18 - 24rdquo For climbing roses prune branchesemerging from the main canes back to within 3 - 4rdquoof the cane

DO

apply corn gluten tolawn areas yoursquoveseeded (or over-seeded) or to gar-dens where youwant biennialsperennials or annu-als to reseed andflower Corn glutendoes not distinguishbetween lsquogoodrsquoand lsquobadrsquo seeds

apply a pre-emer-gent weed killerand fertilizer toyour lawn A lushhealthy lawn

makes a beautiful frame for gardens Myfamily walked away from lawn chemicalsfive years ago And our lawn has neverlooked better Corn gluten is a big part ofthis transformation Corn gluten is a by-product of milled corn It will not harm chil-dren pets or wildlife Heck you can eat it ifyou want (but it tastes yucky) Corn Glutenis high in nitrogen and commonly used as alawn fertilizer But it is also a pre-emergenttargeting seeds as they germinate Youcan put corn gluten down at any point inthe spring BUT if part of your mission is toeliminate crabgrass then there is a narrowwindow of attackApply it whenForsythia is in fullbloom and beforeits leaves appearThe Forsythia is asoil temperatureindicator that cor-responds to whencrabgrass seedsstart to germinate More garden centersare now carrying corn gluten productsYou just need to ask and follow the appli-cation instructions on the bag Make sureto water in the corn gluten after applyingIt will remain effective for five to six weeks

Simply Saratoga | 53

DONrsquoT

DO

step on soil as you maneuver around thegarden to cut back Lavender and therest of the gang For that matter youshould never be tromping through yourgardens compacting soil This breaks

down air and water channels as well as making it tougher forroots to spread Instead reach into beds from existing paths orplace stepping stones in discreet spots where only your eyes cansee or lsquowalk the plankrsquo on a board to reach plants fartherlsquoadriftrsquo

54 | Simply Saratoga

cut back Lavender Russian SageMontauk Daisy Butterfly BushChrysanthemums and ornamental grass-es These are best left untouched in falland whacked in spring Many folks make

the mistake of acting too gingerly with pruners Let lsquoem fly Theresult will be more compact neater plants that will bloom just fineTrust me If it helps wait until yoursquove had a bad day at work withthe kids or in traffic

DONrsquoT

DO

divide Peonies German Bearded Iris orOriental Poppies in spring These are bestdone in late summer Also tap-rootedplants (those with a carrot-looking root)cannot be divided Think about it These

are usually propagated by seed stem or root cuttings Someperennials that fall into this category are Malva Butterfly WeedBalloon Flower Oriental Poppies and Lupines

Simply Saratoga | 55

DONrsquoT

divide plants in spring This is an optimumtime to divide most perennials Yes evenspring bloomers Wait until these haveflowered and then shear off the spentblooms and get to business Most sum-

mer and fall blooming perennials can be divided prior to mid-Junewithout disrupting their performance

DO

apply a time-released fertilizersuch as Plant-Tone(organic) orOsmocote to heavy

feeding perennials five to six weeks afterthe earlier granular fertilizer applicationMost plants do not need as much fertilizeras we are led in advertising to believe I amstingy with my money and maintenancetime so only a handful of plants get thisbonus feed Astilbe Delphinium Liliums (ieAsiatic Oriental Trumpet) Clematis androses If I am feeling generous I will putsome on my Bigleaf Hydrangeas next to theroses Call me heartlessJust scratch fertilizer intothe top couple inchesof soil around theplantrsquos base and waterin well They will enjoy anutritious snack forthree to four months

apply mulch ongarden beds toreduce weedsconserve moisture

reduce erosion minimize soil temperaturefluctuations and enhance the quality ofthe soil Some mulching materials includeaged manures compost shredded wood(not dyed) leaf moldand cocoa hulls Putthe mulch down 2rdquo to3rdquo thick around plantsincluding floweringshrubs

build up mulchagainst plant stems

And please please donrsquot create volcanomounds around trees Please This is awfulfor them The only ones that benefit fromthis are the people selling the mulch

56 | Simply Saratoga

DONrsquoT

DO

DO

rubber band orbraid the foliage ofspring bloomingbulbs after they fin-ish flowering You

want as much leaf surface exposed to thesun as possible to increase photosynthesisYou can press the leaves down next to thesoil so they are less noticeable

Simply Saratoga | 57

sect

And finally DO have a great year in

your gardens and DONrsquoT forget to

take time to smell the roses

DONrsquoT

DONrsquoT

cut off the spentblooms and stems onspring blooming bulbsafter they have flow-ered so energy is redirected to the bulbsversus seed productions Keep the leaves inplace until they have browned and ideallycan be pulled from the ground by hand

put time-released fertil-izer on perennials thatprefer lean dietsRicher soil just upsetstheir vascular systemsThey will get leggy flop and not perform tosnuff Yarrow Coneflower Catmint RussianSage Linum Sea Holly and Silvermound are inthe group

DO

For more information contact Perennially Yours at pyourscom

58 | Simply Saratoga

Ill mination

Exterior Stonework

an

d

Story Written by Arthur Gonick Photos Provided

u

Simply Saratoga | 59

To develop and implement an exterior vista that maximizes your enjoyment To have a backyard landscape that is warm inviting and uniquely yours

These are goals that many homeowners have when they first move onto their property But unless you are trained in the variety ofmaterials and options available the task of getting past the point of comparing possibilities to completing and actually enjoying yourbackyard paradise can appear to be a long daunting road

For Carl Trinkle a landscape designer for ten years with the Gallivan Companies of Troy one of the key elements in a successfultransformation is utilizing a professionalrsquos expertise to articulate goals and develop a plan

ldquoThe most important thing we do when we first meet with a client is to get them to discuss their basic needs and aims and encouragethem to formulate an overall vision for their property An initial consultation sets the tone we make an initial visit on-site to look overthe property so we can have an idea as to where things might be placedrdquo

ldquoDuring this intake process we actually encourage people to show us photos of their friendrsquos property that they like or perhaps froma magazine It helps most people to articulate the goals of what they would like to see as a finished projectrdquo Trinkle said ldquoEven if they are looking to do things in phases we find that it is most important to develop a comprehensive site planrdquo This eliminates the need to revise original phases of work to accommodate those that come in the future

60 | Simply Saratoga

that Mr Trinkle finds potential customers identifying with aredesigned to extend the outdoor season ldquoA few extra weeks outside isa lotrdquo he said

add-ons also extend outside activity each day Low voltage lighting is still the most popular but recently LED lighting with longer-lasting bulbs that involve less maintenance and are cost-efficienthave become more fashionable

The latest trends

stations fire pits and waterenhancements such as ponds andwaterfalls are the most frequentlyrequested items that broaden theoutdoor use season

Outdoor grill

Exterior lighting

Simply Saratoga | 61

And of course swimming pool projects have always been a most-requested

item Fifty percent of allthe projects Mr Trinkleworks on involve a pooleither a completely new installation or enhance-ments to existing poolsGallivanrsquos long-standingrelationship withConcord Pools has beena hallmark in assuringthat customers are satis-fied when their pool isput in the ground

62 | Simply Saratoga

In most cases a comprehensive plancan be developed for any project in about a period of twoweeks Complete drawings and cost breakdowns are provid-ed as well as the projected phases that can be completed injust a few months or on larger projects can be scheduled insegments over a few years These are reviewed in personwith the customer again the goal being to have a plan thateveryone buys into

Simply Saratoga | 63

ldquoWe have had projects where the customer has wanted tohave a lot of input and we welcome that But we also hadone where the client was out of town and we built a firepit and slide for his wife and kids and our only instructions were to dazzle themI remember it as a most satisfying experience and we ended up winning awards for that onerdquo

- Carl Trinkle Landscape DesignerThe Gallivan Companies

64 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 65

ldquoI get to work using my creativity with talented people Some of the most talented are those

I meet as customersrdquo sect

For more information or to schedule aconsultation phone Gallivan Companies at(518) 271-6100 Gallivanrsquos website iswwwGallivanCompaniescom

66 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 67

Buying a playhouse for your child is an excellent investment

They promote imaginative play and spending time outdoors and

double as storage space when no longer used for recreation

Denise Woodcock owner of Versatile Sheds in Wilton has

been helping parents and grandparents customize their childrsquos or

grandchildrsquos dream playhouses for years

ldquoThey make great gifts especially for grandparents who want

their grandkids to have their own place to play when they visitrdquo

she said

Playhouses are a great addition to a childrsquos outdoor world

They come in all shapes sizes and designs and can be custom-

built or finished if you donrsquot find exactly what yoursquore looking for

in a catalog or on the lot

Every child is different and has their own preferences for color

size and function boys and girls often have especially different

requests for their play space as do younger and more mature chil-

dren so therersquos a lot to consider

Denise knows how even the finest detail can be all it takes to

make an outdoor structure feel like a childrsquos own personal space

While it may seem superfluous to address every minor demand

the truth is a playhouse is more than just an expensive toy itrsquos an

investment The more your child connects with their space the more

use theyrsquoll get out of it ndash and according to Denise that means your

money is well spent

Smartest WayThe

playhouse for your kidsto buy a

Photos by MarkBollescomStory by Yael Goldman

68 | Simply Saratoga

With this in mind prospective buyers should first consider

who will use the playhouse and for how long as well as what

happens when the structure is no longer used for recreation

Versatile Sheds can help even the most discerning parent or

child find what theyrsquore looking for Every playhouse is hand-

built by Amish craftsmen who can accommodate almost any

special request at an additional cost so the possibilities are

endless inside and out

Cedar shingle or vinyl siding wood stone or brick ndash if you

can use it on the outside of your regular home it can be inte-

grated into your playhousersquos design Playhouses can be built

to look like a miniature version of your home which is an

excellent touch for parents that are particularly concerned

with aesthetics Porches shutters flowerboxes unique doors

chimneys and exterior lighting are just a few of the touches

that can brighten and personalize the exterior

Individualizing your childrsquos playhouse doesnrsquot stop at the

front door There are just as many interior features to choose

from ndash you can let your imagination run wild

For starters you have the option to order the playhouse

with a finished or unfinished interior The unfinished version

looks a lot like the inside of a regular home before you move

in paint the walls and furnish the rooms

Buying an unfinished structure is a great way to cut costs

and even bring the family together over a weekend decorating

project The possibilities are endless depending on how handy

you are otherwise a few coats of paint and a bit of carpeting

will surely do the trick

Although a bit pricey purchasing a playhouse with a fin-

ished interior ensures that your child gets exactly what they

want right off the bat They can pick everything from the paint

color to the flooring so the playhouse is move-in ready on the

day it arrives

Playhouses can also be insulated and wired for electricity

You can install lighting electrical outlets even heat or air-

conditioning to make your childrsquos outdoor space as comfort-

able as possible

And the options donrsquot end there Traditional sheds also dou-

ble as playhouses For some parents purchasing an adult-size

shed for their children is an ideal way to get the best return on

their investment Once their children grow out of it the struc-

ture can be used for outdoor storage With just as many styles

sizes and materials to choose from you can customize the

interior and exterior of your shed just as you would a play-

house but without all of the more frivolous features

ldquoAny shed can be a playhouserdquo Woodcock said explaining

how a custom paint job or flowerbox can transform a typical

storage unit into childrsquos outdoor activity haven

For example if purchasing a wood shed the exterior can be

easily painted and repainted when making the transition from

playhouse to storage space

For Denisersquos customers getting their moneyrsquos worth should

not have to mean making sacrifices

Simply Saratoga | 69

70 | Simply Saratoga

When Debby Trainor made the decision to buy her grand-

daughter Chezneyrsquos dream house she wanted it to have all the

bells and whistles She met with Denise to go over all the cri-

teria the goal was to buy the perfect gift for Chezney while

staying within her budget

The eight-year-old Greenwich girl wanted her own pretty

pink palace where she could play and imagine Debby wanted

it to be a cozy and safe place for her to play year-round

Customization and interior decoration helped make

Chezneyrsquos playhouse feel like her own little kingdom

ldquoWe made it look like a cute little dollhouserdquo she said ldquoWe

put furniture inside and a little stove fridge heater and TV

itrsquos just perfectrdquo

With the structure built to their liking Chezney and Debby

could enjoy decorating the inside to personalize the playhouse

For many customers putting on the finishing touches means

making the playhouse feel like home ndash you can add curtains

hang pictures buy furniture and appliances and landscape the

perimeter to make the outdoor space feel like a home away

from home

When the child grows out of their playhouse these items

can be easily removed to accommodate a secondary use for the

space

ldquoThe best thing that Denise did for me was explain how we

can use the playhouse for storage for stuff out in the yard after

Chezney has grown out of itrdquo Debby explained ldquoAlthough

she is only eight and will be using it for quite a few more

years this really makes it a good investment and looks

great in the backyardrdquo

Whether you choose a customized playhouse or a tradi-

tional shed thinking toward the future also ensures the

safety and longevity of the structure

Denise explained that placement is an important thing to

consider as you want to make sure the structure is in a safe

place and on an appropriate surface Most importantly the

playhouse must be built on a level even surface that isnrsquot

too high off of the ground

ldquoYou want it on a nice platformrdquo Denise explained

ldquoSome people use concrete but stone is better because it

allows moisture to seep down into the ground and away

from the structurerdquo

Most parents prefer that their playhouse is in the back-

yard where itrsquos easy to see from a window Placing the

structure in a shaded area is also a good idea it will be

cooler in the summer and less susceptible to the elements if

partially protected by trees

Debby had Chezneyrsquos playhouse built right next to her

swing set where she can be easily supervised

One last thing to consider when purchasing a playhouse

Simply Saratoga | 71

72 | Simply Saratoga

or shed for your child is how much effort

you want to put into maintaining it The

more ornate the structure the more care it

may need

Woodcock advises parents to preserve

their investment and treat the playhouse

like a miniature home

Think of it as a miniature house ndash the

structure requires regular maintenance

and upkeep to ensure your child will be

safe while enjoying years and years of

imaginative fun

With so many features and styles to

choose from yoursquore sure to find the best

for both you and your child

For more information about Versatile

Sheds or to set up a time to meet with

Denise Woodcock call (518) 584-7924

or stop by 669 Route 9 in Wilton sect

Simply Saratoga | 73

74 | Simply Saratoga

Kitchen

Not Your

Grandmarsquos

Story Written by Daniel Schechtman Photos Provided

ldquoAs you

walk into the kitchen

of the future LED

light projections adjust

to your mood - it will

know if you have a

hangover via sensors

that will read your

b r a i n w a v e s

Aromatherapy infused

walls will be synched

to your calendar calm-

ing you before a big

meeting or energizing you before a gym session The fridge will have selected some breakfast options identifying the essen-

tial vitamins for your day via sensors When you get home a hologram chef will be on hand for recipe inspirationrdquo

Alright so maybe your kitchen canrsquot do all of these things quite yet ndash but believe it or not wersquore getting there This is tomor-

rowrsquos kitchen a kitchen where your appliances donrsquot just store your food or wash your dishes ndash they talk to you providing you

with integral information on how to

best store your fruits and vegetables

letting you know if the refrigerator

door is open for too long or when a

part will soon need replacing

Simply Saratoga | 75

ldquoScience fictionrdquo I hear you say

Guess again Quoted from a report released by The Future Laboratory

who was commissioned by IKEA to determine what a modernkitchen in the year 2040 could conceivably look like

76 | Simply Saratoga

ldquoOne technology that really stands out to me is the

Miele Appliance Company Right now theyrsquore using a

program called lsquoremote visionrsquo On select applianceshellip

is a wireless card that clicks into a port on the back of

the appliance You synch it up with your home network

and it basically emails the technician and the owner

when itrsquos broken when you need to clean your condens-

er change your water filter or schedule a routine serv-

icerdquo said Tom Thibeault owner of Adirondack

Appliance Repair Inc located at 67 West Ave in

Saratoga Springs ldquoMaybe somebodyrsquos been opening the

[refrigerator] door for too long or the door was left open

ndash it will email you and tell you that your door is left

openrdquo

This is not your grandmarsquos kitchen This my friends

is the kitchen of the future and itrsquos available now

The 36 inch bottom-mount Miele refrigerator boasts a

striking interior featuring LED lighting running along

the sides from top to bottom stainless steel accents and

exteriors with control systems that would be comfort-

able alongside the captainrsquos chair on the Starship

Enterprise

Simply Saratoga | 77

ldquoThe controls in the Miele really stand out

Looking at the controls theyrsquore just a glass piece and

then once you touch it you see a few options for the

different compartments Then you touch the compart-

ment and the temperature is displayed so itrsquos kind of

like a Star Trek controlrdquo Thibeault said

And thatrsquos just the refrigerator

Adirondack Appliance has also seen brands such as

Wolf (a company owned by the same people who own

Sub-Zero) grow in popularity when it comes to their

range stoves and ovens The dual convection oven

works to eliminate cold spotting and provides consis-

tent even temperatures and even allows for unique

options such as proofing ndash used best when baking

homemade bread

ldquoIt also has a temperature probe you can plug into

things like a turkey or roast so you can see the temper-

ature while itrsquos still inside the machine It has

hydraulic hinges halogen lit interiors everything is

composed of stainless steel and itrsquos by far one of the

best lines on the marketrdquo Thibeault said

A new line coming to Adirondack Appliance that

features some amazing technology is a series of Pro-

Style Ranges produced by industry giant Jenn-Air

ldquoThat actually has an LCD touch

screen like an IPAD for the controls The

temperature is set by sliding your finger

along the controls Itrsquos all color backlit and

absolutely amazingrdquo Thibeault said

ldquoAnother thing we have to that same

effect are some of the hoods which have

really been getting pretty out there as far as

design We have one on our floor [by Miele]

that has an LED bar on the front which

changes in phases between 196000 colors

Itrsquos a very delicate change very pretty and

coolrdquo Thibeault said adding ldquoor you can set

it to any color in that spectrum yoursquod like to

accent your cabinetryrdquo

When it comes to dishwashers Thibeault

can attest to the quality of both the Asko and

Miele brands both of which he uses in his

own home And good news for Saratoga

Springs residents ndash

ldquoIn our market in

Saratoga we have a

very hard water base

whether yoursquore on a well

system or city waterrdquo

Thibeault said ldquoSo you

get a lot of minerals in

the machine With the

stainless steel interiors it

eliminates a lot of prob-

lems generally seen with

plastic interior tubs and

usually they are the best

life expectanciesrdquo

78 | Simply Saratoga

Asko and Mieleare practically custom made to handle the

arearsquos typicallymineral rich water

Simply Saratoga | 79

The Asko brand dishwasher takes things one step

further including two pumps in the washerrsquos system

The first pump filters the water cleansing it of poten-

tially harmful minerals while the second pump recircu-

lates the water ensuring that the machine is never

blasting your dishes with food debris or dirty residue

With Miele the design features a built-in water sof-

tener perfect for dealing with the Saratoga water

system

ldquoTypically the Miele is going to do a better job with

tougher baked in stainsrdquo said Thibeault ldquobecause itrsquos

got the softener in it and a little bit longer pots and pans

cyclerdquo

80 | Simply Saratoga

Adirondack Appliance Repair Inc is a fami-

ly-owned business since 1929 and the last inde-

pendent appliance retailer of its kind in Saratoga

Springs With $6 billion of buying power behind

their name (a benefit of being part of the Nation

Wide Appliance Buying Group) Thibeault

promised ldquowe can actually price match the box

stores and everybody else around all while pro-

viding you with better service and better

productsrdquo

For more information on AdirondackAppliance or the products they sell you mayvisit their showroom located at 67 West Avenuein Saratoga Springs for live demonstrationsThey can also be reached by phone at (518)587-6640 or you may visit them at their newwebsite wwwadkappliancecom where cus-tomers can browse through the storersquos entirecatalogue of appliances

sect

Simply Saratoga | 81

82 | Simply Saratoga

Page 36: Simply Saratoga March 2011

38 | Simply Saratoga

Kitchen A wall was taken out that afforded space to add an eat-in island area and

open up the space Custom cabinets are by Tom Zanetti Stonework andappliances were added Both the kitchen and bathroom have granite table-tops (from Mike and Margaret Roohan of Granite and Marble Works)New appliances include a Bosch stove (with a built-in microwave drawer)and an Amana stainless refrigerator

Bathroom The bathroom ceiling is pine The showerarea was designed and built to the Collinsrsquo specifications andfeatures a bench 4 shower heads PLUS an extra hand-held one(ldquoItrsquos a human car washrdquo) The stone tiles on the sides and floorin the shower were installed by Best Tile the plumbing in theshower comes from Aird Dorrance as does the sink ndash which sitson a granite top from Granite and Marble Works The windowleads out to the north side of the house with privacy blinds insidethe window panes One thing you donrsquot see ldquoSince the room ison display in the center of the expanded first floor we wanted thecommode to be mostly hiddenrdquo Ted said

Unique Places and Creative Spaces

Simply Saratoga | 39

Living RoomA reading nook sits upon the bathroom addition ldquoThere was no full bathroom on the first

floor and with a post and beam construction we had to be creative You get outstanding viewsof the property pond and stream when viewed from the nookrsquos perspectiverdquo The ladder canswing out on a track making it more like walking up a staircase ndash this was also designed andinstalled by Tom Zanetti The table in the nook is actually a working African drum with a glasstable top added

40 | Simply Saratoga

Bedroom In the second-floor master bedroom moving the dormer brought in extra light and space and

also brought the roofline together with the original structure and first-floor additions The floorand ceiling are made of rough-cut pine planking The bed is also constructed of pine and comesfrom Suttons The window in the upper left was cut during the addition It faces west for extra day-time light

Simply Saratoga | 41

42 | Simply Saratoga

Story Written by Yael Goldman Photos by Samu Studios and Randall Perry Photography

Simply Saratoga | 43

orking with the

right interior designer

turns listless decision making

into an enjoyable and productive

process that avoids costly mistakes

and delivers exceptional results

Designing a room or an entire home is a

big project no matter how strong your tastes are

The decisions are endless ndash what color should I paint the

walls What flooring is most aesthetically appealing and

dog-friendly Should I choose a furniture set or choose

individual pieces Do I want curtains or shades Do I

decorate with knick-knacks or artwork

But with all the unique self-questioning that surrounds

an interior design project most homeowners share angst

in asking themselves one specific question where do I

start

Itrsquos at this point ndash when stress level increases enjoy-

ment-driven projects turn deadly and money has been

wastefully spent on all the wrong things ndash that you long

for the help of a professional if only you could afford it

Well the truth is you can

Creating the right space can be expensive but is only

more so if you make mistakes and have to go back and

fix them If you do it right the first time therersquos no cost

associated with do-overs

With nearly 100 years of experience between them all

four members of Blairhouse Interiors Group have

worked with more than enough unhappy do-it-your-

selfers to tell you yoursquore not alone

Photo by Samu Studios

44 | Simply Saratoga

The four-member designproject therapy team which recently

opened a studio in Saratoga Springs has a long history of help-

ing home and business owners create their ideal spaces and

atmospheres the right way Their exceptional work is celebrated across

the Capital Region including Saratoga Springs where the Blairhouse

look is prominently featured in a handful of Park Place condominiums

and the incredible Saratoga National Golf Club

Thomas R Burns Meghan Baltich Dominic Carota and Patricia

Richards the highly skilled and charismatic force behind Blairhouse

Interiors Group promise an experience that is personal because itrsquos all

about your needs ndash and thatrsquos what is important

Blairhouse offers full-service interior design services space planning

project management hand-picked merchandise patience and an uncan-

ny ability to create a

look that is always

fresh sophisticated

and comfortable

ldquoThe style that we

gravitate toward is

unique cutting-edge

and modern not dic-

tated by corporaterdquo

said Meghan Baltich

pointing to a ldquovery

propitiousrdquo Keith Fritz

table at the center of

the studio

Photo by Randall Perry Photography

If you do it right the firsttime therersquos no cost

associated with do-oversPhoto by Randall Perry Photography

One glance at the Park Place showroom ndash of the selective furnishings carefully showcased along

the periphery ndash and it becomes clear why Blairhouse an award-winning team gets the job

done

Their creativity focus and immaculate sense of direction bring objectivity to the scene helping you nar-

row down all of the tedious and overwhelming choices that make do-it-yourself decorating an exercise in

unclear thinking

ldquoPeople are overwhelmed by all the choices it can feel like theyrsquore in a paralyzed blurrdquo said Thomas

Burns who finds that a great vision can be impossible to imagine and create without eliminating all of

the distractions

A vital step in getting focused is creating a

comprehensive plan based on individual

needs wants and style that addresses all

aspects of lifestyle and taste and suggests

tactful solutions and fresh approaches to new

and existing spaces

They help you identify what you like

forcing you to hone in on what you want and

need to compliment and enhance your

lifestyle

ldquoWe ascertain the clientrsquos goal and

lifestyle to convey their visionrdquo said

Dominic Carota explaining that the intended

outcome of creating or reinventing a room is

often strictly tied to how you want to live in

it

ldquoWe have to know how they functionrdquo he

said

An interior designer is an asset in the func-

tion-meets-style equation

Dominic explained that a couple starting a family will have far

different needs than empty-nesters looking for a change They may

have the same stylistic goals but their execution will differ based on

how their lifestyle exists within the space

When revamping a single room the majority of your focus is ded-

icated to that individual space making it easy to forget that the rest

of the house is attached Establishing connectivity between rooms is

a challenge but an important part of executing a project the right

way

Sometimes one wrong detail no matter how small can be incred-

ibly impactful and difficult to avoid on your own

ldquoIf yoursquore working on a new addition or renovation we ensure it

flows that therersquos balance between the existing part of the living

space and the new additionrdquo Meghan Baltich said explaining that

it just doesnrsquot make sense to put in a great new kitchen if itrsquos dis-

jointed and out of place from its surroundings

Another common novice mistake is the trendy retail store fallacy

that you can order a full room from a catalog or pick a fabulous and

unique design from a floor plan

Blairhouse clients learn the difference between ldquocookie-cutterrdquo

and ldquocustomrdquo and they are never concerned with picking the wrong

piece for the wrong room

Simply Saratoga | 45

ome customers will come to us after going into a Pottery Barn and buying stuff that just didnrsquot workrdquo Baltich said giving the

example of an individual who purchased an enormous sectional for a tiny room ldquoWe scale into the clientrsquos space taking func-

tion and proportion into considerationrdquo

Exceptional listening and observation skills are the designerrsquos

unsung attributes and greatest assets Blairhouse experts engage

with their clients to gain a true understanding of what they want

In turn the design process becomes an eye-opening experience

customers are introduced to colors and concepts they would

never think to consider

ldquoEach client trusts us to create their environment and we

enable them to make informed decisionsrdquo Patricia Richards

said

And sometimes that requires bold suggestions and collabora-

tion or looking at all of the possibilities even the ones ldquoyou

would never have been brave enough to do on your ownrdquo

In the end the experience of working with the experts is

enjoyable stress-free and cost-effective From concept to com-

pletion the result is just what you want and need ndash a fabulous

marriage of function and aesthetic that wonrsquot have you coming

back for more (because you did it right the first time) sect

ldquoS

46 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 47

For a taste of Blairhouse Interiors Grouprsquos distinctive work stop into their Park Place studio located at 262 Broadway Suite 204 in Saratoga Springs For further details visit wwwblairhouseinteriorscom or call (518) 786-7800

From left to right Dominic Carota Meghan Baltich Patricia Richards and

Thomas R Burns (The designproject therapy team of Blairhouse Interiors Group)

48 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 49

Dorsquos and Donrsquots

50 | Simply Saratoga

Story Written by Kerry Ann Mendez Perennially Yours bull wwwpyourscom Photos Provided

SpringDorsquos and Donrsquots

SpringDorsquos and DonrsquotsDorsquos and Donrsquots

Spring

for your Gardens

s

Simply Saratoga | 51

ssts

SPRINGis right around the corner and gardenersare pawing at the ground ready to explodethrough the garden gate As a passionate perennial gardenerI am right there with you But before launching into another flower-filledseason letrsquos go through a spring checklist of dorsquorsquos and donrsquorsquots to makesure we make the most of the race and have the best finish ever

Photo by GardenersSupply Company

apply a granular fertilizer to your perennial beds while they are still lsquoasleeprsquoDepending on the winter wersquove had this may be anytime from mid-Marchto mid-April Donrsquot worry if there are already lsquoearly risersrsquo visible like springblooming bulbs or woodland ephemerals I recommend using 5-5-5 5-10-5 or

5-10-10 fertilizer at the rate of 2 pounds per 100 square feet Cast the fertilizer just before it is about to rainto make sure fertilizer is watered into the ground and washed off any existing leaves You can give otherplants in your yard this treat as well including floweringshrubs groundcovers climbing vinesand roses

DONrsquoTput fertilizer on top of the snow or on ground that is

still frozen You want to make sure the fertilizer disap-pears into pliable soil and to waiting roots otherwiserunoff can occur And donrsquot think more is better Youcan stress or even kill plants by over-fertilizing espe-cially in spring when leaves are not fully developed toutilize nitrogen in the fertilizer If you are going to errless is better

DO

prune once-b l o o m i n g

roses such as Heirloom or Old GardenRoses when the Forsythia is blooming

Any rose that blooms onceusually in late spring forabout three weeks is in thiscategory Many times theseroses are quite fragrantWait to prune these rosesuntil right after they flower

DONrsquoT

prune most roses whenForsythia is in bloom Pruneshrub roses back by half to

23 their height This is assuming you did not prunethem last fall If you did then next year wait until latewinter or early spring Prune Teas and Grandiflorasback to 18 - 24rdquo For climbing roses prune branchesemerging from the main canes back to within 3 - 4rdquoof the cane

DO

apply corn gluten tolawn areas yoursquoveseeded (or over-seeded) or to gar-dens where youwant biennialsperennials or annu-als to reseed andflower Corn glutendoes not distinguishbetween lsquogoodrsquoand lsquobadrsquo seeds

apply a pre-emer-gent weed killerand fertilizer toyour lawn A lushhealthy lawn

makes a beautiful frame for gardens Myfamily walked away from lawn chemicalsfive years ago And our lawn has neverlooked better Corn gluten is a big part ofthis transformation Corn gluten is a by-product of milled corn It will not harm chil-dren pets or wildlife Heck you can eat it ifyou want (but it tastes yucky) Corn Glutenis high in nitrogen and commonly used as alawn fertilizer But it is also a pre-emergenttargeting seeds as they germinate Youcan put corn gluten down at any point inthe spring BUT if part of your mission is toeliminate crabgrass then there is a narrowwindow of attackApply it whenForsythia is in fullbloom and beforeits leaves appearThe Forsythia is asoil temperatureindicator that cor-responds to whencrabgrass seedsstart to germinate More garden centersare now carrying corn gluten productsYou just need to ask and follow the appli-cation instructions on the bag Make sureto water in the corn gluten after applyingIt will remain effective for five to six weeks

Simply Saratoga | 53

DONrsquoT

DO

step on soil as you maneuver around thegarden to cut back Lavender and therest of the gang For that matter youshould never be tromping through yourgardens compacting soil This breaks

down air and water channels as well as making it tougher forroots to spread Instead reach into beds from existing paths orplace stepping stones in discreet spots where only your eyes cansee or lsquowalk the plankrsquo on a board to reach plants fartherlsquoadriftrsquo

54 | Simply Saratoga

cut back Lavender Russian SageMontauk Daisy Butterfly BushChrysanthemums and ornamental grass-es These are best left untouched in falland whacked in spring Many folks make

the mistake of acting too gingerly with pruners Let lsquoem fly Theresult will be more compact neater plants that will bloom just fineTrust me If it helps wait until yoursquove had a bad day at work withthe kids or in traffic

DONrsquoT

DO

divide Peonies German Bearded Iris orOriental Poppies in spring These are bestdone in late summer Also tap-rootedplants (those with a carrot-looking root)cannot be divided Think about it These

are usually propagated by seed stem or root cuttings Someperennials that fall into this category are Malva Butterfly WeedBalloon Flower Oriental Poppies and Lupines

Simply Saratoga | 55

DONrsquoT

divide plants in spring This is an optimumtime to divide most perennials Yes evenspring bloomers Wait until these haveflowered and then shear off the spentblooms and get to business Most sum-

mer and fall blooming perennials can be divided prior to mid-Junewithout disrupting their performance

DO

apply a time-released fertilizersuch as Plant-Tone(organic) orOsmocote to heavy

feeding perennials five to six weeks afterthe earlier granular fertilizer applicationMost plants do not need as much fertilizeras we are led in advertising to believe I amstingy with my money and maintenancetime so only a handful of plants get thisbonus feed Astilbe Delphinium Liliums (ieAsiatic Oriental Trumpet) Clematis androses If I am feeling generous I will putsome on my Bigleaf Hydrangeas next to theroses Call me heartlessJust scratch fertilizer intothe top couple inchesof soil around theplantrsquos base and waterin well They will enjoy anutritious snack forthree to four months

apply mulch ongarden beds toreduce weedsconserve moisture

reduce erosion minimize soil temperaturefluctuations and enhance the quality ofthe soil Some mulching materials includeaged manures compost shredded wood(not dyed) leaf moldand cocoa hulls Putthe mulch down 2rdquo to3rdquo thick around plantsincluding floweringshrubs

build up mulchagainst plant stems

And please please donrsquot create volcanomounds around trees Please This is awfulfor them The only ones that benefit fromthis are the people selling the mulch

56 | Simply Saratoga

DONrsquoT

DO

DO

rubber band orbraid the foliage ofspring bloomingbulbs after they fin-ish flowering You

want as much leaf surface exposed to thesun as possible to increase photosynthesisYou can press the leaves down next to thesoil so they are less noticeable

Simply Saratoga | 57

sect

And finally DO have a great year in

your gardens and DONrsquoT forget to

take time to smell the roses

DONrsquoT

DONrsquoT

cut off the spentblooms and stems onspring blooming bulbsafter they have flow-ered so energy is redirected to the bulbsversus seed productions Keep the leaves inplace until they have browned and ideallycan be pulled from the ground by hand

put time-released fertil-izer on perennials thatprefer lean dietsRicher soil just upsetstheir vascular systemsThey will get leggy flop and not perform tosnuff Yarrow Coneflower Catmint RussianSage Linum Sea Holly and Silvermound are inthe group

DO

For more information contact Perennially Yours at pyourscom

58 | Simply Saratoga

Ill mination

Exterior Stonework

an

d

Story Written by Arthur Gonick Photos Provided

u

Simply Saratoga | 59

To develop and implement an exterior vista that maximizes your enjoyment To have a backyard landscape that is warm inviting and uniquely yours

These are goals that many homeowners have when they first move onto their property But unless you are trained in the variety ofmaterials and options available the task of getting past the point of comparing possibilities to completing and actually enjoying yourbackyard paradise can appear to be a long daunting road

For Carl Trinkle a landscape designer for ten years with the Gallivan Companies of Troy one of the key elements in a successfultransformation is utilizing a professionalrsquos expertise to articulate goals and develop a plan

ldquoThe most important thing we do when we first meet with a client is to get them to discuss their basic needs and aims and encouragethem to formulate an overall vision for their property An initial consultation sets the tone we make an initial visit on-site to look overthe property so we can have an idea as to where things might be placedrdquo

ldquoDuring this intake process we actually encourage people to show us photos of their friendrsquos property that they like or perhaps froma magazine It helps most people to articulate the goals of what they would like to see as a finished projectrdquo Trinkle said ldquoEven if they are looking to do things in phases we find that it is most important to develop a comprehensive site planrdquo This eliminates the need to revise original phases of work to accommodate those that come in the future

60 | Simply Saratoga

that Mr Trinkle finds potential customers identifying with aredesigned to extend the outdoor season ldquoA few extra weeks outside isa lotrdquo he said

add-ons also extend outside activity each day Low voltage lighting is still the most popular but recently LED lighting with longer-lasting bulbs that involve less maintenance and are cost-efficienthave become more fashionable

The latest trends

stations fire pits and waterenhancements such as ponds andwaterfalls are the most frequentlyrequested items that broaden theoutdoor use season

Outdoor grill

Exterior lighting

Simply Saratoga | 61

And of course swimming pool projects have always been a most-requested

item Fifty percent of allthe projects Mr Trinkleworks on involve a pooleither a completely new installation or enhance-ments to existing poolsGallivanrsquos long-standingrelationship withConcord Pools has beena hallmark in assuringthat customers are satis-fied when their pool isput in the ground

62 | Simply Saratoga

In most cases a comprehensive plancan be developed for any project in about a period of twoweeks Complete drawings and cost breakdowns are provid-ed as well as the projected phases that can be completed injust a few months or on larger projects can be scheduled insegments over a few years These are reviewed in personwith the customer again the goal being to have a plan thateveryone buys into

Simply Saratoga | 63

ldquoWe have had projects where the customer has wanted tohave a lot of input and we welcome that But we also hadone where the client was out of town and we built a firepit and slide for his wife and kids and our only instructions were to dazzle themI remember it as a most satisfying experience and we ended up winning awards for that onerdquo

- Carl Trinkle Landscape DesignerThe Gallivan Companies

64 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 65

ldquoI get to work using my creativity with talented people Some of the most talented are those

I meet as customersrdquo sect

For more information or to schedule aconsultation phone Gallivan Companies at(518) 271-6100 Gallivanrsquos website iswwwGallivanCompaniescom

66 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 67

Buying a playhouse for your child is an excellent investment

They promote imaginative play and spending time outdoors and

double as storage space when no longer used for recreation

Denise Woodcock owner of Versatile Sheds in Wilton has

been helping parents and grandparents customize their childrsquos or

grandchildrsquos dream playhouses for years

ldquoThey make great gifts especially for grandparents who want

their grandkids to have their own place to play when they visitrdquo

she said

Playhouses are a great addition to a childrsquos outdoor world

They come in all shapes sizes and designs and can be custom-

built or finished if you donrsquot find exactly what yoursquore looking for

in a catalog or on the lot

Every child is different and has their own preferences for color

size and function boys and girls often have especially different

requests for their play space as do younger and more mature chil-

dren so therersquos a lot to consider

Denise knows how even the finest detail can be all it takes to

make an outdoor structure feel like a childrsquos own personal space

While it may seem superfluous to address every minor demand

the truth is a playhouse is more than just an expensive toy itrsquos an

investment The more your child connects with their space the more

use theyrsquoll get out of it ndash and according to Denise that means your

money is well spent

Smartest WayThe

playhouse for your kidsto buy a

Photos by MarkBollescomStory by Yael Goldman

68 | Simply Saratoga

With this in mind prospective buyers should first consider

who will use the playhouse and for how long as well as what

happens when the structure is no longer used for recreation

Versatile Sheds can help even the most discerning parent or

child find what theyrsquore looking for Every playhouse is hand-

built by Amish craftsmen who can accommodate almost any

special request at an additional cost so the possibilities are

endless inside and out

Cedar shingle or vinyl siding wood stone or brick ndash if you

can use it on the outside of your regular home it can be inte-

grated into your playhousersquos design Playhouses can be built

to look like a miniature version of your home which is an

excellent touch for parents that are particularly concerned

with aesthetics Porches shutters flowerboxes unique doors

chimneys and exterior lighting are just a few of the touches

that can brighten and personalize the exterior

Individualizing your childrsquos playhouse doesnrsquot stop at the

front door There are just as many interior features to choose

from ndash you can let your imagination run wild

For starters you have the option to order the playhouse

with a finished or unfinished interior The unfinished version

looks a lot like the inside of a regular home before you move

in paint the walls and furnish the rooms

Buying an unfinished structure is a great way to cut costs

and even bring the family together over a weekend decorating

project The possibilities are endless depending on how handy

you are otherwise a few coats of paint and a bit of carpeting

will surely do the trick

Although a bit pricey purchasing a playhouse with a fin-

ished interior ensures that your child gets exactly what they

want right off the bat They can pick everything from the paint

color to the flooring so the playhouse is move-in ready on the

day it arrives

Playhouses can also be insulated and wired for electricity

You can install lighting electrical outlets even heat or air-

conditioning to make your childrsquos outdoor space as comfort-

able as possible

And the options donrsquot end there Traditional sheds also dou-

ble as playhouses For some parents purchasing an adult-size

shed for their children is an ideal way to get the best return on

their investment Once their children grow out of it the struc-

ture can be used for outdoor storage With just as many styles

sizes and materials to choose from you can customize the

interior and exterior of your shed just as you would a play-

house but without all of the more frivolous features

ldquoAny shed can be a playhouserdquo Woodcock said explaining

how a custom paint job or flowerbox can transform a typical

storage unit into childrsquos outdoor activity haven

For example if purchasing a wood shed the exterior can be

easily painted and repainted when making the transition from

playhouse to storage space

For Denisersquos customers getting their moneyrsquos worth should

not have to mean making sacrifices

Simply Saratoga | 69

70 | Simply Saratoga

When Debby Trainor made the decision to buy her grand-

daughter Chezneyrsquos dream house she wanted it to have all the

bells and whistles She met with Denise to go over all the cri-

teria the goal was to buy the perfect gift for Chezney while

staying within her budget

The eight-year-old Greenwich girl wanted her own pretty

pink palace where she could play and imagine Debby wanted

it to be a cozy and safe place for her to play year-round

Customization and interior decoration helped make

Chezneyrsquos playhouse feel like her own little kingdom

ldquoWe made it look like a cute little dollhouserdquo she said ldquoWe

put furniture inside and a little stove fridge heater and TV

itrsquos just perfectrdquo

With the structure built to their liking Chezney and Debby

could enjoy decorating the inside to personalize the playhouse

For many customers putting on the finishing touches means

making the playhouse feel like home ndash you can add curtains

hang pictures buy furniture and appliances and landscape the

perimeter to make the outdoor space feel like a home away

from home

When the child grows out of their playhouse these items

can be easily removed to accommodate a secondary use for the

space

ldquoThe best thing that Denise did for me was explain how we

can use the playhouse for storage for stuff out in the yard after

Chezney has grown out of itrdquo Debby explained ldquoAlthough

she is only eight and will be using it for quite a few more

years this really makes it a good investment and looks

great in the backyardrdquo

Whether you choose a customized playhouse or a tradi-

tional shed thinking toward the future also ensures the

safety and longevity of the structure

Denise explained that placement is an important thing to

consider as you want to make sure the structure is in a safe

place and on an appropriate surface Most importantly the

playhouse must be built on a level even surface that isnrsquot

too high off of the ground

ldquoYou want it on a nice platformrdquo Denise explained

ldquoSome people use concrete but stone is better because it

allows moisture to seep down into the ground and away

from the structurerdquo

Most parents prefer that their playhouse is in the back-

yard where itrsquos easy to see from a window Placing the

structure in a shaded area is also a good idea it will be

cooler in the summer and less susceptible to the elements if

partially protected by trees

Debby had Chezneyrsquos playhouse built right next to her

swing set where she can be easily supervised

One last thing to consider when purchasing a playhouse

Simply Saratoga | 71

72 | Simply Saratoga

or shed for your child is how much effort

you want to put into maintaining it The

more ornate the structure the more care it

may need

Woodcock advises parents to preserve

their investment and treat the playhouse

like a miniature home

Think of it as a miniature house ndash the

structure requires regular maintenance

and upkeep to ensure your child will be

safe while enjoying years and years of

imaginative fun

With so many features and styles to

choose from yoursquore sure to find the best

for both you and your child

For more information about Versatile

Sheds or to set up a time to meet with

Denise Woodcock call (518) 584-7924

or stop by 669 Route 9 in Wilton sect

Simply Saratoga | 73

74 | Simply Saratoga

Kitchen

Not Your

Grandmarsquos

Story Written by Daniel Schechtman Photos Provided

ldquoAs you

walk into the kitchen

of the future LED

light projections adjust

to your mood - it will

know if you have a

hangover via sensors

that will read your

b r a i n w a v e s

Aromatherapy infused

walls will be synched

to your calendar calm-

ing you before a big

meeting or energizing you before a gym session The fridge will have selected some breakfast options identifying the essen-

tial vitamins for your day via sensors When you get home a hologram chef will be on hand for recipe inspirationrdquo

Alright so maybe your kitchen canrsquot do all of these things quite yet ndash but believe it or not wersquore getting there This is tomor-

rowrsquos kitchen a kitchen where your appliances donrsquot just store your food or wash your dishes ndash they talk to you providing you

with integral information on how to

best store your fruits and vegetables

letting you know if the refrigerator

door is open for too long or when a

part will soon need replacing

Simply Saratoga | 75

ldquoScience fictionrdquo I hear you say

Guess again Quoted from a report released by The Future Laboratory

who was commissioned by IKEA to determine what a modernkitchen in the year 2040 could conceivably look like

76 | Simply Saratoga

ldquoOne technology that really stands out to me is the

Miele Appliance Company Right now theyrsquore using a

program called lsquoremote visionrsquo On select applianceshellip

is a wireless card that clicks into a port on the back of

the appliance You synch it up with your home network

and it basically emails the technician and the owner

when itrsquos broken when you need to clean your condens-

er change your water filter or schedule a routine serv-

icerdquo said Tom Thibeault owner of Adirondack

Appliance Repair Inc located at 67 West Ave in

Saratoga Springs ldquoMaybe somebodyrsquos been opening the

[refrigerator] door for too long or the door was left open

ndash it will email you and tell you that your door is left

openrdquo

This is not your grandmarsquos kitchen This my friends

is the kitchen of the future and itrsquos available now

The 36 inch bottom-mount Miele refrigerator boasts a

striking interior featuring LED lighting running along

the sides from top to bottom stainless steel accents and

exteriors with control systems that would be comfort-

able alongside the captainrsquos chair on the Starship

Enterprise

Simply Saratoga | 77

ldquoThe controls in the Miele really stand out

Looking at the controls theyrsquore just a glass piece and

then once you touch it you see a few options for the

different compartments Then you touch the compart-

ment and the temperature is displayed so itrsquos kind of

like a Star Trek controlrdquo Thibeault said

And thatrsquos just the refrigerator

Adirondack Appliance has also seen brands such as

Wolf (a company owned by the same people who own

Sub-Zero) grow in popularity when it comes to their

range stoves and ovens The dual convection oven

works to eliminate cold spotting and provides consis-

tent even temperatures and even allows for unique

options such as proofing ndash used best when baking

homemade bread

ldquoIt also has a temperature probe you can plug into

things like a turkey or roast so you can see the temper-

ature while itrsquos still inside the machine It has

hydraulic hinges halogen lit interiors everything is

composed of stainless steel and itrsquos by far one of the

best lines on the marketrdquo Thibeault said

A new line coming to Adirondack Appliance that

features some amazing technology is a series of Pro-

Style Ranges produced by industry giant Jenn-Air

ldquoThat actually has an LCD touch

screen like an IPAD for the controls The

temperature is set by sliding your finger

along the controls Itrsquos all color backlit and

absolutely amazingrdquo Thibeault said

ldquoAnother thing we have to that same

effect are some of the hoods which have

really been getting pretty out there as far as

design We have one on our floor [by Miele]

that has an LED bar on the front which

changes in phases between 196000 colors

Itrsquos a very delicate change very pretty and

coolrdquo Thibeault said adding ldquoor you can set

it to any color in that spectrum yoursquod like to

accent your cabinetryrdquo

When it comes to dishwashers Thibeault

can attest to the quality of both the Asko and

Miele brands both of which he uses in his

own home And good news for Saratoga

Springs residents ndash

ldquoIn our market in

Saratoga we have a

very hard water base

whether yoursquore on a well

system or city waterrdquo

Thibeault said ldquoSo you

get a lot of minerals in

the machine With the

stainless steel interiors it

eliminates a lot of prob-

lems generally seen with

plastic interior tubs and

usually they are the best

life expectanciesrdquo

78 | Simply Saratoga

Asko and Mieleare practically custom made to handle the

arearsquos typicallymineral rich water

Simply Saratoga | 79

The Asko brand dishwasher takes things one step

further including two pumps in the washerrsquos system

The first pump filters the water cleansing it of poten-

tially harmful minerals while the second pump recircu-

lates the water ensuring that the machine is never

blasting your dishes with food debris or dirty residue

With Miele the design features a built-in water sof-

tener perfect for dealing with the Saratoga water

system

ldquoTypically the Miele is going to do a better job with

tougher baked in stainsrdquo said Thibeault ldquobecause itrsquos

got the softener in it and a little bit longer pots and pans

cyclerdquo

80 | Simply Saratoga

Adirondack Appliance Repair Inc is a fami-

ly-owned business since 1929 and the last inde-

pendent appliance retailer of its kind in Saratoga

Springs With $6 billion of buying power behind

their name (a benefit of being part of the Nation

Wide Appliance Buying Group) Thibeault

promised ldquowe can actually price match the box

stores and everybody else around all while pro-

viding you with better service and better

productsrdquo

For more information on AdirondackAppliance or the products they sell you mayvisit their showroom located at 67 West Avenuein Saratoga Springs for live demonstrationsThey can also be reached by phone at (518)587-6640 or you may visit them at their newwebsite wwwadkappliancecom where cus-tomers can browse through the storersquos entirecatalogue of appliances

sect

Simply Saratoga | 81

82 | Simply Saratoga

Page 37: Simply Saratoga March 2011

Simply Saratoga | 39

Living RoomA reading nook sits upon the bathroom addition ldquoThere was no full bathroom on the first

floor and with a post and beam construction we had to be creative You get outstanding viewsof the property pond and stream when viewed from the nookrsquos perspectiverdquo The ladder canswing out on a track making it more like walking up a staircase ndash this was also designed andinstalled by Tom Zanetti The table in the nook is actually a working African drum with a glasstable top added

40 | Simply Saratoga

Bedroom In the second-floor master bedroom moving the dormer brought in extra light and space and

also brought the roofline together with the original structure and first-floor additions The floorand ceiling are made of rough-cut pine planking The bed is also constructed of pine and comesfrom Suttons The window in the upper left was cut during the addition It faces west for extra day-time light

Simply Saratoga | 41

42 | Simply Saratoga

Story Written by Yael Goldman Photos by Samu Studios and Randall Perry Photography

Simply Saratoga | 43

orking with the

right interior designer

turns listless decision making

into an enjoyable and productive

process that avoids costly mistakes

and delivers exceptional results

Designing a room or an entire home is a

big project no matter how strong your tastes are

The decisions are endless ndash what color should I paint the

walls What flooring is most aesthetically appealing and

dog-friendly Should I choose a furniture set or choose

individual pieces Do I want curtains or shades Do I

decorate with knick-knacks or artwork

But with all the unique self-questioning that surrounds

an interior design project most homeowners share angst

in asking themselves one specific question where do I

start

Itrsquos at this point ndash when stress level increases enjoy-

ment-driven projects turn deadly and money has been

wastefully spent on all the wrong things ndash that you long

for the help of a professional if only you could afford it

Well the truth is you can

Creating the right space can be expensive but is only

more so if you make mistakes and have to go back and

fix them If you do it right the first time therersquos no cost

associated with do-overs

With nearly 100 years of experience between them all

four members of Blairhouse Interiors Group have

worked with more than enough unhappy do-it-your-

selfers to tell you yoursquore not alone

Photo by Samu Studios

44 | Simply Saratoga

The four-member designproject therapy team which recently

opened a studio in Saratoga Springs has a long history of help-

ing home and business owners create their ideal spaces and

atmospheres the right way Their exceptional work is celebrated across

the Capital Region including Saratoga Springs where the Blairhouse

look is prominently featured in a handful of Park Place condominiums

and the incredible Saratoga National Golf Club

Thomas R Burns Meghan Baltich Dominic Carota and Patricia

Richards the highly skilled and charismatic force behind Blairhouse

Interiors Group promise an experience that is personal because itrsquos all

about your needs ndash and thatrsquos what is important

Blairhouse offers full-service interior design services space planning

project management hand-picked merchandise patience and an uncan-

ny ability to create a

look that is always

fresh sophisticated

and comfortable

ldquoThe style that we

gravitate toward is

unique cutting-edge

and modern not dic-

tated by corporaterdquo

said Meghan Baltich

pointing to a ldquovery

propitiousrdquo Keith Fritz

table at the center of

the studio

Photo by Randall Perry Photography

If you do it right the firsttime therersquos no cost

associated with do-oversPhoto by Randall Perry Photography

One glance at the Park Place showroom ndash of the selective furnishings carefully showcased along

the periphery ndash and it becomes clear why Blairhouse an award-winning team gets the job

done

Their creativity focus and immaculate sense of direction bring objectivity to the scene helping you nar-

row down all of the tedious and overwhelming choices that make do-it-yourself decorating an exercise in

unclear thinking

ldquoPeople are overwhelmed by all the choices it can feel like theyrsquore in a paralyzed blurrdquo said Thomas

Burns who finds that a great vision can be impossible to imagine and create without eliminating all of

the distractions

A vital step in getting focused is creating a

comprehensive plan based on individual

needs wants and style that addresses all

aspects of lifestyle and taste and suggests

tactful solutions and fresh approaches to new

and existing spaces

They help you identify what you like

forcing you to hone in on what you want and

need to compliment and enhance your

lifestyle

ldquoWe ascertain the clientrsquos goal and

lifestyle to convey their visionrdquo said

Dominic Carota explaining that the intended

outcome of creating or reinventing a room is

often strictly tied to how you want to live in

it

ldquoWe have to know how they functionrdquo he

said

An interior designer is an asset in the func-

tion-meets-style equation

Dominic explained that a couple starting a family will have far

different needs than empty-nesters looking for a change They may

have the same stylistic goals but their execution will differ based on

how their lifestyle exists within the space

When revamping a single room the majority of your focus is ded-

icated to that individual space making it easy to forget that the rest

of the house is attached Establishing connectivity between rooms is

a challenge but an important part of executing a project the right

way

Sometimes one wrong detail no matter how small can be incred-

ibly impactful and difficult to avoid on your own

ldquoIf yoursquore working on a new addition or renovation we ensure it

flows that therersquos balance between the existing part of the living

space and the new additionrdquo Meghan Baltich said explaining that

it just doesnrsquot make sense to put in a great new kitchen if itrsquos dis-

jointed and out of place from its surroundings

Another common novice mistake is the trendy retail store fallacy

that you can order a full room from a catalog or pick a fabulous and

unique design from a floor plan

Blairhouse clients learn the difference between ldquocookie-cutterrdquo

and ldquocustomrdquo and they are never concerned with picking the wrong

piece for the wrong room

Simply Saratoga | 45

ome customers will come to us after going into a Pottery Barn and buying stuff that just didnrsquot workrdquo Baltich said giving the

example of an individual who purchased an enormous sectional for a tiny room ldquoWe scale into the clientrsquos space taking func-

tion and proportion into considerationrdquo

Exceptional listening and observation skills are the designerrsquos

unsung attributes and greatest assets Blairhouse experts engage

with their clients to gain a true understanding of what they want

In turn the design process becomes an eye-opening experience

customers are introduced to colors and concepts they would

never think to consider

ldquoEach client trusts us to create their environment and we

enable them to make informed decisionsrdquo Patricia Richards

said

And sometimes that requires bold suggestions and collabora-

tion or looking at all of the possibilities even the ones ldquoyou

would never have been brave enough to do on your ownrdquo

In the end the experience of working with the experts is

enjoyable stress-free and cost-effective From concept to com-

pletion the result is just what you want and need ndash a fabulous

marriage of function and aesthetic that wonrsquot have you coming

back for more (because you did it right the first time) sect

ldquoS

46 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 47

For a taste of Blairhouse Interiors Grouprsquos distinctive work stop into their Park Place studio located at 262 Broadway Suite 204 in Saratoga Springs For further details visit wwwblairhouseinteriorscom or call (518) 786-7800

From left to right Dominic Carota Meghan Baltich Patricia Richards and

Thomas R Burns (The designproject therapy team of Blairhouse Interiors Group)

48 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 49

Dorsquos and Donrsquots

50 | Simply Saratoga

Story Written by Kerry Ann Mendez Perennially Yours bull wwwpyourscom Photos Provided

SpringDorsquos and Donrsquots

SpringDorsquos and DonrsquotsDorsquos and Donrsquots

Spring

for your Gardens

s

Simply Saratoga | 51

ssts

SPRINGis right around the corner and gardenersare pawing at the ground ready to explodethrough the garden gate As a passionate perennial gardenerI am right there with you But before launching into another flower-filledseason letrsquos go through a spring checklist of dorsquorsquos and donrsquorsquots to makesure we make the most of the race and have the best finish ever

Photo by GardenersSupply Company

apply a granular fertilizer to your perennial beds while they are still lsquoasleeprsquoDepending on the winter wersquove had this may be anytime from mid-Marchto mid-April Donrsquot worry if there are already lsquoearly risersrsquo visible like springblooming bulbs or woodland ephemerals I recommend using 5-5-5 5-10-5 or

5-10-10 fertilizer at the rate of 2 pounds per 100 square feet Cast the fertilizer just before it is about to rainto make sure fertilizer is watered into the ground and washed off any existing leaves You can give otherplants in your yard this treat as well including floweringshrubs groundcovers climbing vinesand roses

DONrsquoTput fertilizer on top of the snow or on ground that is

still frozen You want to make sure the fertilizer disap-pears into pliable soil and to waiting roots otherwiserunoff can occur And donrsquot think more is better Youcan stress or even kill plants by over-fertilizing espe-cially in spring when leaves are not fully developed toutilize nitrogen in the fertilizer If you are going to errless is better

DO

prune once-b l o o m i n g

roses such as Heirloom or Old GardenRoses when the Forsythia is blooming

Any rose that blooms onceusually in late spring forabout three weeks is in thiscategory Many times theseroses are quite fragrantWait to prune these rosesuntil right after they flower

DONrsquoT

prune most roses whenForsythia is in bloom Pruneshrub roses back by half to

23 their height This is assuming you did not prunethem last fall If you did then next year wait until latewinter or early spring Prune Teas and Grandiflorasback to 18 - 24rdquo For climbing roses prune branchesemerging from the main canes back to within 3 - 4rdquoof the cane

DO

apply corn gluten tolawn areas yoursquoveseeded (or over-seeded) or to gar-dens where youwant biennialsperennials or annu-als to reseed andflower Corn glutendoes not distinguishbetween lsquogoodrsquoand lsquobadrsquo seeds

apply a pre-emer-gent weed killerand fertilizer toyour lawn A lushhealthy lawn

makes a beautiful frame for gardens Myfamily walked away from lawn chemicalsfive years ago And our lawn has neverlooked better Corn gluten is a big part ofthis transformation Corn gluten is a by-product of milled corn It will not harm chil-dren pets or wildlife Heck you can eat it ifyou want (but it tastes yucky) Corn Glutenis high in nitrogen and commonly used as alawn fertilizer But it is also a pre-emergenttargeting seeds as they germinate Youcan put corn gluten down at any point inthe spring BUT if part of your mission is toeliminate crabgrass then there is a narrowwindow of attackApply it whenForsythia is in fullbloom and beforeits leaves appearThe Forsythia is asoil temperatureindicator that cor-responds to whencrabgrass seedsstart to germinate More garden centersare now carrying corn gluten productsYou just need to ask and follow the appli-cation instructions on the bag Make sureto water in the corn gluten after applyingIt will remain effective for five to six weeks

Simply Saratoga | 53

DONrsquoT

DO

step on soil as you maneuver around thegarden to cut back Lavender and therest of the gang For that matter youshould never be tromping through yourgardens compacting soil This breaks

down air and water channels as well as making it tougher forroots to spread Instead reach into beds from existing paths orplace stepping stones in discreet spots where only your eyes cansee or lsquowalk the plankrsquo on a board to reach plants fartherlsquoadriftrsquo

54 | Simply Saratoga

cut back Lavender Russian SageMontauk Daisy Butterfly BushChrysanthemums and ornamental grass-es These are best left untouched in falland whacked in spring Many folks make

the mistake of acting too gingerly with pruners Let lsquoem fly Theresult will be more compact neater plants that will bloom just fineTrust me If it helps wait until yoursquove had a bad day at work withthe kids or in traffic

DONrsquoT

DO

divide Peonies German Bearded Iris orOriental Poppies in spring These are bestdone in late summer Also tap-rootedplants (those with a carrot-looking root)cannot be divided Think about it These

are usually propagated by seed stem or root cuttings Someperennials that fall into this category are Malva Butterfly WeedBalloon Flower Oriental Poppies and Lupines

Simply Saratoga | 55

DONrsquoT

divide plants in spring This is an optimumtime to divide most perennials Yes evenspring bloomers Wait until these haveflowered and then shear off the spentblooms and get to business Most sum-

mer and fall blooming perennials can be divided prior to mid-Junewithout disrupting their performance

DO

apply a time-released fertilizersuch as Plant-Tone(organic) orOsmocote to heavy

feeding perennials five to six weeks afterthe earlier granular fertilizer applicationMost plants do not need as much fertilizeras we are led in advertising to believe I amstingy with my money and maintenancetime so only a handful of plants get thisbonus feed Astilbe Delphinium Liliums (ieAsiatic Oriental Trumpet) Clematis androses If I am feeling generous I will putsome on my Bigleaf Hydrangeas next to theroses Call me heartlessJust scratch fertilizer intothe top couple inchesof soil around theplantrsquos base and waterin well They will enjoy anutritious snack forthree to four months

apply mulch ongarden beds toreduce weedsconserve moisture

reduce erosion minimize soil temperaturefluctuations and enhance the quality ofthe soil Some mulching materials includeaged manures compost shredded wood(not dyed) leaf moldand cocoa hulls Putthe mulch down 2rdquo to3rdquo thick around plantsincluding floweringshrubs

build up mulchagainst plant stems

And please please donrsquot create volcanomounds around trees Please This is awfulfor them The only ones that benefit fromthis are the people selling the mulch

56 | Simply Saratoga

DONrsquoT

DO

DO

rubber band orbraid the foliage ofspring bloomingbulbs after they fin-ish flowering You

want as much leaf surface exposed to thesun as possible to increase photosynthesisYou can press the leaves down next to thesoil so they are less noticeable

Simply Saratoga | 57

sect

And finally DO have a great year in

your gardens and DONrsquoT forget to

take time to smell the roses

DONrsquoT

DONrsquoT

cut off the spentblooms and stems onspring blooming bulbsafter they have flow-ered so energy is redirected to the bulbsversus seed productions Keep the leaves inplace until they have browned and ideallycan be pulled from the ground by hand

put time-released fertil-izer on perennials thatprefer lean dietsRicher soil just upsetstheir vascular systemsThey will get leggy flop and not perform tosnuff Yarrow Coneflower Catmint RussianSage Linum Sea Holly and Silvermound are inthe group

DO

For more information contact Perennially Yours at pyourscom

58 | Simply Saratoga

Ill mination

Exterior Stonework

an

d

Story Written by Arthur Gonick Photos Provided

u

Simply Saratoga | 59

To develop and implement an exterior vista that maximizes your enjoyment To have a backyard landscape that is warm inviting and uniquely yours

These are goals that many homeowners have when they first move onto their property But unless you are trained in the variety ofmaterials and options available the task of getting past the point of comparing possibilities to completing and actually enjoying yourbackyard paradise can appear to be a long daunting road

For Carl Trinkle a landscape designer for ten years with the Gallivan Companies of Troy one of the key elements in a successfultransformation is utilizing a professionalrsquos expertise to articulate goals and develop a plan

ldquoThe most important thing we do when we first meet with a client is to get them to discuss their basic needs and aims and encouragethem to formulate an overall vision for their property An initial consultation sets the tone we make an initial visit on-site to look overthe property so we can have an idea as to where things might be placedrdquo

ldquoDuring this intake process we actually encourage people to show us photos of their friendrsquos property that they like or perhaps froma magazine It helps most people to articulate the goals of what they would like to see as a finished projectrdquo Trinkle said ldquoEven if they are looking to do things in phases we find that it is most important to develop a comprehensive site planrdquo This eliminates the need to revise original phases of work to accommodate those that come in the future

60 | Simply Saratoga

that Mr Trinkle finds potential customers identifying with aredesigned to extend the outdoor season ldquoA few extra weeks outside isa lotrdquo he said

add-ons also extend outside activity each day Low voltage lighting is still the most popular but recently LED lighting with longer-lasting bulbs that involve less maintenance and are cost-efficienthave become more fashionable

The latest trends

stations fire pits and waterenhancements such as ponds andwaterfalls are the most frequentlyrequested items that broaden theoutdoor use season

Outdoor grill

Exterior lighting

Simply Saratoga | 61

And of course swimming pool projects have always been a most-requested

item Fifty percent of allthe projects Mr Trinkleworks on involve a pooleither a completely new installation or enhance-ments to existing poolsGallivanrsquos long-standingrelationship withConcord Pools has beena hallmark in assuringthat customers are satis-fied when their pool isput in the ground

62 | Simply Saratoga

In most cases a comprehensive plancan be developed for any project in about a period of twoweeks Complete drawings and cost breakdowns are provid-ed as well as the projected phases that can be completed injust a few months or on larger projects can be scheduled insegments over a few years These are reviewed in personwith the customer again the goal being to have a plan thateveryone buys into

Simply Saratoga | 63

ldquoWe have had projects where the customer has wanted tohave a lot of input and we welcome that But we also hadone where the client was out of town and we built a firepit and slide for his wife and kids and our only instructions were to dazzle themI remember it as a most satisfying experience and we ended up winning awards for that onerdquo

- Carl Trinkle Landscape DesignerThe Gallivan Companies

64 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 65

ldquoI get to work using my creativity with talented people Some of the most talented are those

I meet as customersrdquo sect

For more information or to schedule aconsultation phone Gallivan Companies at(518) 271-6100 Gallivanrsquos website iswwwGallivanCompaniescom

66 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 67

Buying a playhouse for your child is an excellent investment

They promote imaginative play and spending time outdoors and

double as storage space when no longer used for recreation

Denise Woodcock owner of Versatile Sheds in Wilton has

been helping parents and grandparents customize their childrsquos or

grandchildrsquos dream playhouses for years

ldquoThey make great gifts especially for grandparents who want

their grandkids to have their own place to play when they visitrdquo

she said

Playhouses are a great addition to a childrsquos outdoor world

They come in all shapes sizes and designs and can be custom-

built or finished if you donrsquot find exactly what yoursquore looking for

in a catalog or on the lot

Every child is different and has their own preferences for color

size and function boys and girls often have especially different

requests for their play space as do younger and more mature chil-

dren so therersquos a lot to consider

Denise knows how even the finest detail can be all it takes to

make an outdoor structure feel like a childrsquos own personal space

While it may seem superfluous to address every minor demand

the truth is a playhouse is more than just an expensive toy itrsquos an

investment The more your child connects with their space the more

use theyrsquoll get out of it ndash and according to Denise that means your

money is well spent

Smartest WayThe

playhouse for your kidsto buy a

Photos by MarkBollescomStory by Yael Goldman

68 | Simply Saratoga

With this in mind prospective buyers should first consider

who will use the playhouse and for how long as well as what

happens when the structure is no longer used for recreation

Versatile Sheds can help even the most discerning parent or

child find what theyrsquore looking for Every playhouse is hand-

built by Amish craftsmen who can accommodate almost any

special request at an additional cost so the possibilities are

endless inside and out

Cedar shingle or vinyl siding wood stone or brick ndash if you

can use it on the outside of your regular home it can be inte-

grated into your playhousersquos design Playhouses can be built

to look like a miniature version of your home which is an

excellent touch for parents that are particularly concerned

with aesthetics Porches shutters flowerboxes unique doors

chimneys and exterior lighting are just a few of the touches

that can brighten and personalize the exterior

Individualizing your childrsquos playhouse doesnrsquot stop at the

front door There are just as many interior features to choose

from ndash you can let your imagination run wild

For starters you have the option to order the playhouse

with a finished or unfinished interior The unfinished version

looks a lot like the inside of a regular home before you move

in paint the walls and furnish the rooms

Buying an unfinished structure is a great way to cut costs

and even bring the family together over a weekend decorating

project The possibilities are endless depending on how handy

you are otherwise a few coats of paint and a bit of carpeting

will surely do the trick

Although a bit pricey purchasing a playhouse with a fin-

ished interior ensures that your child gets exactly what they

want right off the bat They can pick everything from the paint

color to the flooring so the playhouse is move-in ready on the

day it arrives

Playhouses can also be insulated and wired for electricity

You can install lighting electrical outlets even heat or air-

conditioning to make your childrsquos outdoor space as comfort-

able as possible

And the options donrsquot end there Traditional sheds also dou-

ble as playhouses For some parents purchasing an adult-size

shed for their children is an ideal way to get the best return on

their investment Once their children grow out of it the struc-

ture can be used for outdoor storage With just as many styles

sizes and materials to choose from you can customize the

interior and exterior of your shed just as you would a play-

house but without all of the more frivolous features

ldquoAny shed can be a playhouserdquo Woodcock said explaining

how a custom paint job or flowerbox can transform a typical

storage unit into childrsquos outdoor activity haven

For example if purchasing a wood shed the exterior can be

easily painted and repainted when making the transition from

playhouse to storage space

For Denisersquos customers getting their moneyrsquos worth should

not have to mean making sacrifices

Simply Saratoga | 69

70 | Simply Saratoga

When Debby Trainor made the decision to buy her grand-

daughter Chezneyrsquos dream house she wanted it to have all the

bells and whistles She met with Denise to go over all the cri-

teria the goal was to buy the perfect gift for Chezney while

staying within her budget

The eight-year-old Greenwich girl wanted her own pretty

pink palace where she could play and imagine Debby wanted

it to be a cozy and safe place for her to play year-round

Customization and interior decoration helped make

Chezneyrsquos playhouse feel like her own little kingdom

ldquoWe made it look like a cute little dollhouserdquo she said ldquoWe

put furniture inside and a little stove fridge heater and TV

itrsquos just perfectrdquo

With the structure built to their liking Chezney and Debby

could enjoy decorating the inside to personalize the playhouse

For many customers putting on the finishing touches means

making the playhouse feel like home ndash you can add curtains

hang pictures buy furniture and appliances and landscape the

perimeter to make the outdoor space feel like a home away

from home

When the child grows out of their playhouse these items

can be easily removed to accommodate a secondary use for the

space

ldquoThe best thing that Denise did for me was explain how we

can use the playhouse for storage for stuff out in the yard after

Chezney has grown out of itrdquo Debby explained ldquoAlthough

she is only eight and will be using it for quite a few more

years this really makes it a good investment and looks

great in the backyardrdquo

Whether you choose a customized playhouse or a tradi-

tional shed thinking toward the future also ensures the

safety and longevity of the structure

Denise explained that placement is an important thing to

consider as you want to make sure the structure is in a safe

place and on an appropriate surface Most importantly the

playhouse must be built on a level even surface that isnrsquot

too high off of the ground

ldquoYou want it on a nice platformrdquo Denise explained

ldquoSome people use concrete but stone is better because it

allows moisture to seep down into the ground and away

from the structurerdquo

Most parents prefer that their playhouse is in the back-

yard where itrsquos easy to see from a window Placing the

structure in a shaded area is also a good idea it will be

cooler in the summer and less susceptible to the elements if

partially protected by trees

Debby had Chezneyrsquos playhouse built right next to her

swing set where she can be easily supervised

One last thing to consider when purchasing a playhouse

Simply Saratoga | 71

72 | Simply Saratoga

or shed for your child is how much effort

you want to put into maintaining it The

more ornate the structure the more care it

may need

Woodcock advises parents to preserve

their investment and treat the playhouse

like a miniature home

Think of it as a miniature house ndash the

structure requires regular maintenance

and upkeep to ensure your child will be

safe while enjoying years and years of

imaginative fun

With so many features and styles to

choose from yoursquore sure to find the best

for both you and your child

For more information about Versatile

Sheds or to set up a time to meet with

Denise Woodcock call (518) 584-7924

or stop by 669 Route 9 in Wilton sect

Simply Saratoga | 73

74 | Simply Saratoga

Kitchen

Not Your

Grandmarsquos

Story Written by Daniel Schechtman Photos Provided

ldquoAs you

walk into the kitchen

of the future LED

light projections adjust

to your mood - it will

know if you have a

hangover via sensors

that will read your

b r a i n w a v e s

Aromatherapy infused

walls will be synched

to your calendar calm-

ing you before a big

meeting or energizing you before a gym session The fridge will have selected some breakfast options identifying the essen-

tial vitamins for your day via sensors When you get home a hologram chef will be on hand for recipe inspirationrdquo

Alright so maybe your kitchen canrsquot do all of these things quite yet ndash but believe it or not wersquore getting there This is tomor-

rowrsquos kitchen a kitchen where your appliances donrsquot just store your food or wash your dishes ndash they talk to you providing you

with integral information on how to

best store your fruits and vegetables

letting you know if the refrigerator

door is open for too long or when a

part will soon need replacing

Simply Saratoga | 75

ldquoScience fictionrdquo I hear you say

Guess again Quoted from a report released by The Future Laboratory

who was commissioned by IKEA to determine what a modernkitchen in the year 2040 could conceivably look like

76 | Simply Saratoga

ldquoOne technology that really stands out to me is the

Miele Appliance Company Right now theyrsquore using a

program called lsquoremote visionrsquo On select applianceshellip

is a wireless card that clicks into a port on the back of

the appliance You synch it up with your home network

and it basically emails the technician and the owner

when itrsquos broken when you need to clean your condens-

er change your water filter or schedule a routine serv-

icerdquo said Tom Thibeault owner of Adirondack

Appliance Repair Inc located at 67 West Ave in

Saratoga Springs ldquoMaybe somebodyrsquos been opening the

[refrigerator] door for too long or the door was left open

ndash it will email you and tell you that your door is left

openrdquo

This is not your grandmarsquos kitchen This my friends

is the kitchen of the future and itrsquos available now

The 36 inch bottom-mount Miele refrigerator boasts a

striking interior featuring LED lighting running along

the sides from top to bottom stainless steel accents and

exteriors with control systems that would be comfort-

able alongside the captainrsquos chair on the Starship

Enterprise

Simply Saratoga | 77

ldquoThe controls in the Miele really stand out

Looking at the controls theyrsquore just a glass piece and

then once you touch it you see a few options for the

different compartments Then you touch the compart-

ment and the temperature is displayed so itrsquos kind of

like a Star Trek controlrdquo Thibeault said

And thatrsquos just the refrigerator

Adirondack Appliance has also seen brands such as

Wolf (a company owned by the same people who own

Sub-Zero) grow in popularity when it comes to their

range stoves and ovens The dual convection oven

works to eliminate cold spotting and provides consis-

tent even temperatures and even allows for unique

options such as proofing ndash used best when baking

homemade bread

ldquoIt also has a temperature probe you can plug into

things like a turkey or roast so you can see the temper-

ature while itrsquos still inside the machine It has

hydraulic hinges halogen lit interiors everything is

composed of stainless steel and itrsquos by far one of the

best lines on the marketrdquo Thibeault said

A new line coming to Adirondack Appliance that

features some amazing technology is a series of Pro-

Style Ranges produced by industry giant Jenn-Air

ldquoThat actually has an LCD touch

screen like an IPAD for the controls The

temperature is set by sliding your finger

along the controls Itrsquos all color backlit and

absolutely amazingrdquo Thibeault said

ldquoAnother thing we have to that same

effect are some of the hoods which have

really been getting pretty out there as far as

design We have one on our floor [by Miele]

that has an LED bar on the front which

changes in phases between 196000 colors

Itrsquos a very delicate change very pretty and

coolrdquo Thibeault said adding ldquoor you can set

it to any color in that spectrum yoursquod like to

accent your cabinetryrdquo

When it comes to dishwashers Thibeault

can attest to the quality of both the Asko and

Miele brands both of which he uses in his

own home And good news for Saratoga

Springs residents ndash

ldquoIn our market in

Saratoga we have a

very hard water base

whether yoursquore on a well

system or city waterrdquo

Thibeault said ldquoSo you

get a lot of minerals in

the machine With the

stainless steel interiors it

eliminates a lot of prob-

lems generally seen with

plastic interior tubs and

usually they are the best

life expectanciesrdquo

78 | Simply Saratoga

Asko and Mieleare practically custom made to handle the

arearsquos typicallymineral rich water

Simply Saratoga | 79

The Asko brand dishwasher takes things one step

further including two pumps in the washerrsquos system

The first pump filters the water cleansing it of poten-

tially harmful minerals while the second pump recircu-

lates the water ensuring that the machine is never

blasting your dishes with food debris or dirty residue

With Miele the design features a built-in water sof-

tener perfect for dealing with the Saratoga water

system

ldquoTypically the Miele is going to do a better job with

tougher baked in stainsrdquo said Thibeault ldquobecause itrsquos

got the softener in it and a little bit longer pots and pans

cyclerdquo

80 | Simply Saratoga

Adirondack Appliance Repair Inc is a fami-

ly-owned business since 1929 and the last inde-

pendent appliance retailer of its kind in Saratoga

Springs With $6 billion of buying power behind

their name (a benefit of being part of the Nation

Wide Appliance Buying Group) Thibeault

promised ldquowe can actually price match the box

stores and everybody else around all while pro-

viding you with better service and better

productsrdquo

For more information on AdirondackAppliance or the products they sell you mayvisit their showroom located at 67 West Avenuein Saratoga Springs for live demonstrationsThey can also be reached by phone at (518)587-6640 or you may visit them at their newwebsite wwwadkappliancecom where cus-tomers can browse through the storersquos entirecatalogue of appliances

sect

Simply Saratoga | 81

82 | Simply Saratoga

Page 38: Simply Saratoga March 2011

40 | Simply Saratoga

Bedroom In the second-floor master bedroom moving the dormer brought in extra light and space and

also brought the roofline together with the original structure and first-floor additions The floorand ceiling are made of rough-cut pine planking The bed is also constructed of pine and comesfrom Suttons The window in the upper left was cut during the addition It faces west for extra day-time light

Simply Saratoga | 41

42 | Simply Saratoga

Story Written by Yael Goldman Photos by Samu Studios and Randall Perry Photography

Simply Saratoga | 43

orking with the

right interior designer

turns listless decision making

into an enjoyable and productive

process that avoids costly mistakes

and delivers exceptional results

Designing a room or an entire home is a

big project no matter how strong your tastes are

The decisions are endless ndash what color should I paint the

walls What flooring is most aesthetically appealing and

dog-friendly Should I choose a furniture set or choose

individual pieces Do I want curtains or shades Do I

decorate with knick-knacks or artwork

But with all the unique self-questioning that surrounds

an interior design project most homeowners share angst

in asking themselves one specific question where do I

start

Itrsquos at this point ndash when stress level increases enjoy-

ment-driven projects turn deadly and money has been

wastefully spent on all the wrong things ndash that you long

for the help of a professional if only you could afford it

Well the truth is you can

Creating the right space can be expensive but is only

more so if you make mistakes and have to go back and

fix them If you do it right the first time therersquos no cost

associated with do-overs

With nearly 100 years of experience between them all

four members of Blairhouse Interiors Group have

worked with more than enough unhappy do-it-your-

selfers to tell you yoursquore not alone

Photo by Samu Studios

44 | Simply Saratoga

The four-member designproject therapy team which recently

opened a studio in Saratoga Springs has a long history of help-

ing home and business owners create their ideal spaces and

atmospheres the right way Their exceptional work is celebrated across

the Capital Region including Saratoga Springs where the Blairhouse

look is prominently featured in a handful of Park Place condominiums

and the incredible Saratoga National Golf Club

Thomas R Burns Meghan Baltich Dominic Carota and Patricia

Richards the highly skilled and charismatic force behind Blairhouse

Interiors Group promise an experience that is personal because itrsquos all

about your needs ndash and thatrsquos what is important

Blairhouse offers full-service interior design services space planning

project management hand-picked merchandise patience and an uncan-

ny ability to create a

look that is always

fresh sophisticated

and comfortable

ldquoThe style that we

gravitate toward is

unique cutting-edge

and modern not dic-

tated by corporaterdquo

said Meghan Baltich

pointing to a ldquovery

propitiousrdquo Keith Fritz

table at the center of

the studio

Photo by Randall Perry Photography

If you do it right the firsttime therersquos no cost

associated with do-oversPhoto by Randall Perry Photography

One glance at the Park Place showroom ndash of the selective furnishings carefully showcased along

the periphery ndash and it becomes clear why Blairhouse an award-winning team gets the job

done

Their creativity focus and immaculate sense of direction bring objectivity to the scene helping you nar-

row down all of the tedious and overwhelming choices that make do-it-yourself decorating an exercise in

unclear thinking

ldquoPeople are overwhelmed by all the choices it can feel like theyrsquore in a paralyzed blurrdquo said Thomas

Burns who finds that a great vision can be impossible to imagine and create without eliminating all of

the distractions

A vital step in getting focused is creating a

comprehensive plan based on individual

needs wants and style that addresses all

aspects of lifestyle and taste and suggests

tactful solutions and fresh approaches to new

and existing spaces

They help you identify what you like

forcing you to hone in on what you want and

need to compliment and enhance your

lifestyle

ldquoWe ascertain the clientrsquos goal and

lifestyle to convey their visionrdquo said

Dominic Carota explaining that the intended

outcome of creating or reinventing a room is

often strictly tied to how you want to live in

it

ldquoWe have to know how they functionrdquo he

said

An interior designer is an asset in the func-

tion-meets-style equation

Dominic explained that a couple starting a family will have far

different needs than empty-nesters looking for a change They may

have the same stylistic goals but their execution will differ based on

how their lifestyle exists within the space

When revamping a single room the majority of your focus is ded-

icated to that individual space making it easy to forget that the rest

of the house is attached Establishing connectivity between rooms is

a challenge but an important part of executing a project the right

way

Sometimes one wrong detail no matter how small can be incred-

ibly impactful and difficult to avoid on your own

ldquoIf yoursquore working on a new addition or renovation we ensure it

flows that therersquos balance between the existing part of the living

space and the new additionrdquo Meghan Baltich said explaining that

it just doesnrsquot make sense to put in a great new kitchen if itrsquos dis-

jointed and out of place from its surroundings

Another common novice mistake is the trendy retail store fallacy

that you can order a full room from a catalog or pick a fabulous and

unique design from a floor plan

Blairhouse clients learn the difference between ldquocookie-cutterrdquo

and ldquocustomrdquo and they are never concerned with picking the wrong

piece for the wrong room

Simply Saratoga | 45

ome customers will come to us after going into a Pottery Barn and buying stuff that just didnrsquot workrdquo Baltich said giving the

example of an individual who purchased an enormous sectional for a tiny room ldquoWe scale into the clientrsquos space taking func-

tion and proportion into considerationrdquo

Exceptional listening and observation skills are the designerrsquos

unsung attributes and greatest assets Blairhouse experts engage

with their clients to gain a true understanding of what they want

In turn the design process becomes an eye-opening experience

customers are introduced to colors and concepts they would

never think to consider

ldquoEach client trusts us to create their environment and we

enable them to make informed decisionsrdquo Patricia Richards

said

And sometimes that requires bold suggestions and collabora-

tion or looking at all of the possibilities even the ones ldquoyou

would never have been brave enough to do on your ownrdquo

In the end the experience of working with the experts is

enjoyable stress-free and cost-effective From concept to com-

pletion the result is just what you want and need ndash a fabulous

marriage of function and aesthetic that wonrsquot have you coming

back for more (because you did it right the first time) sect

ldquoS

46 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 47

For a taste of Blairhouse Interiors Grouprsquos distinctive work stop into their Park Place studio located at 262 Broadway Suite 204 in Saratoga Springs For further details visit wwwblairhouseinteriorscom or call (518) 786-7800

From left to right Dominic Carota Meghan Baltich Patricia Richards and

Thomas R Burns (The designproject therapy team of Blairhouse Interiors Group)

48 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 49

Dorsquos and Donrsquots

50 | Simply Saratoga

Story Written by Kerry Ann Mendez Perennially Yours bull wwwpyourscom Photos Provided

SpringDorsquos and Donrsquots

SpringDorsquos and DonrsquotsDorsquos and Donrsquots

Spring

for your Gardens

s

Simply Saratoga | 51

ssts

SPRINGis right around the corner and gardenersare pawing at the ground ready to explodethrough the garden gate As a passionate perennial gardenerI am right there with you But before launching into another flower-filledseason letrsquos go through a spring checklist of dorsquorsquos and donrsquorsquots to makesure we make the most of the race and have the best finish ever

Photo by GardenersSupply Company

apply a granular fertilizer to your perennial beds while they are still lsquoasleeprsquoDepending on the winter wersquove had this may be anytime from mid-Marchto mid-April Donrsquot worry if there are already lsquoearly risersrsquo visible like springblooming bulbs or woodland ephemerals I recommend using 5-5-5 5-10-5 or

5-10-10 fertilizer at the rate of 2 pounds per 100 square feet Cast the fertilizer just before it is about to rainto make sure fertilizer is watered into the ground and washed off any existing leaves You can give otherplants in your yard this treat as well including floweringshrubs groundcovers climbing vinesand roses

DONrsquoTput fertilizer on top of the snow or on ground that is

still frozen You want to make sure the fertilizer disap-pears into pliable soil and to waiting roots otherwiserunoff can occur And donrsquot think more is better Youcan stress or even kill plants by over-fertilizing espe-cially in spring when leaves are not fully developed toutilize nitrogen in the fertilizer If you are going to errless is better

DO

prune once-b l o o m i n g

roses such as Heirloom or Old GardenRoses when the Forsythia is blooming

Any rose that blooms onceusually in late spring forabout three weeks is in thiscategory Many times theseroses are quite fragrantWait to prune these rosesuntil right after they flower

DONrsquoT

prune most roses whenForsythia is in bloom Pruneshrub roses back by half to

23 their height This is assuming you did not prunethem last fall If you did then next year wait until latewinter or early spring Prune Teas and Grandiflorasback to 18 - 24rdquo For climbing roses prune branchesemerging from the main canes back to within 3 - 4rdquoof the cane

DO

apply corn gluten tolawn areas yoursquoveseeded (or over-seeded) or to gar-dens where youwant biennialsperennials or annu-als to reseed andflower Corn glutendoes not distinguishbetween lsquogoodrsquoand lsquobadrsquo seeds

apply a pre-emer-gent weed killerand fertilizer toyour lawn A lushhealthy lawn

makes a beautiful frame for gardens Myfamily walked away from lawn chemicalsfive years ago And our lawn has neverlooked better Corn gluten is a big part ofthis transformation Corn gluten is a by-product of milled corn It will not harm chil-dren pets or wildlife Heck you can eat it ifyou want (but it tastes yucky) Corn Glutenis high in nitrogen and commonly used as alawn fertilizer But it is also a pre-emergenttargeting seeds as they germinate Youcan put corn gluten down at any point inthe spring BUT if part of your mission is toeliminate crabgrass then there is a narrowwindow of attackApply it whenForsythia is in fullbloom and beforeits leaves appearThe Forsythia is asoil temperatureindicator that cor-responds to whencrabgrass seedsstart to germinate More garden centersare now carrying corn gluten productsYou just need to ask and follow the appli-cation instructions on the bag Make sureto water in the corn gluten after applyingIt will remain effective for five to six weeks

Simply Saratoga | 53

DONrsquoT

DO

step on soil as you maneuver around thegarden to cut back Lavender and therest of the gang For that matter youshould never be tromping through yourgardens compacting soil This breaks

down air and water channels as well as making it tougher forroots to spread Instead reach into beds from existing paths orplace stepping stones in discreet spots where only your eyes cansee or lsquowalk the plankrsquo on a board to reach plants fartherlsquoadriftrsquo

54 | Simply Saratoga

cut back Lavender Russian SageMontauk Daisy Butterfly BushChrysanthemums and ornamental grass-es These are best left untouched in falland whacked in spring Many folks make

the mistake of acting too gingerly with pruners Let lsquoem fly Theresult will be more compact neater plants that will bloom just fineTrust me If it helps wait until yoursquove had a bad day at work withthe kids or in traffic

DONrsquoT

DO

divide Peonies German Bearded Iris orOriental Poppies in spring These are bestdone in late summer Also tap-rootedplants (those with a carrot-looking root)cannot be divided Think about it These

are usually propagated by seed stem or root cuttings Someperennials that fall into this category are Malva Butterfly WeedBalloon Flower Oriental Poppies and Lupines

Simply Saratoga | 55

DONrsquoT

divide plants in spring This is an optimumtime to divide most perennials Yes evenspring bloomers Wait until these haveflowered and then shear off the spentblooms and get to business Most sum-

mer and fall blooming perennials can be divided prior to mid-Junewithout disrupting their performance

DO

apply a time-released fertilizersuch as Plant-Tone(organic) orOsmocote to heavy

feeding perennials five to six weeks afterthe earlier granular fertilizer applicationMost plants do not need as much fertilizeras we are led in advertising to believe I amstingy with my money and maintenancetime so only a handful of plants get thisbonus feed Astilbe Delphinium Liliums (ieAsiatic Oriental Trumpet) Clematis androses If I am feeling generous I will putsome on my Bigleaf Hydrangeas next to theroses Call me heartlessJust scratch fertilizer intothe top couple inchesof soil around theplantrsquos base and waterin well They will enjoy anutritious snack forthree to four months

apply mulch ongarden beds toreduce weedsconserve moisture

reduce erosion minimize soil temperaturefluctuations and enhance the quality ofthe soil Some mulching materials includeaged manures compost shredded wood(not dyed) leaf moldand cocoa hulls Putthe mulch down 2rdquo to3rdquo thick around plantsincluding floweringshrubs

build up mulchagainst plant stems

And please please donrsquot create volcanomounds around trees Please This is awfulfor them The only ones that benefit fromthis are the people selling the mulch

56 | Simply Saratoga

DONrsquoT

DO

DO

rubber band orbraid the foliage ofspring bloomingbulbs after they fin-ish flowering You

want as much leaf surface exposed to thesun as possible to increase photosynthesisYou can press the leaves down next to thesoil so they are less noticeable

Simply Saratoga | 57

sect

And finally DO have a great year in

your gardens and DONrsquoT forget to

take time to smell the roses

DONrsquoT

DONrsquoT

cut off the spentblooms and stems onspring blooming bulbsafter they have flow-ered so energy is redirected to the bulbsversus seed productions Keep the leaves inplace until they have browned and ideallycan be pulled from the ground by hand

put time-released fertil-izer on perennials thatprefer lean dietsRicher soil just upsetstheir vascular systemsThey will get leggy flop and not perform tosnuff Yarrow Coneflower Catmint RussianSage Linum Sea Holly and Silvermound are inthe group

DO

For more information contact Perennially Yours at pyourscom

58 | Simply Saratoga

Ill mination

Exterior Stonework

an

d

Story Written by Arthur Gonick Photos Provided

u

Simply Saratoga | 59

To develop and implement an exterior vista that maximizes your enjoyment To have a backyard landscape that is warm inviting and uniquely yours

These are goals that many homeowners have when they first move onto their property But unless you are trained in the variety ofmaterials and options available the task of getting past the point of comparing possibilities to completing and actually enjoying yourbackyard paradise can appear to be a long daunting road

For Carl Trinkle a landscape designer for ten years with the Gallivan Companies of Troy one of the key elements in a successfultransformation is utilizing a professionalrsquos expertise to articulate goals and develop a plan

ldquoThe most important thing we do when we first meet with a client is to get them to discuss their basic needs and aims and encouragethem to formulate an overall vision for their property An initial consultation sets the tone we make an initial visit on-site to look overthe property so we can have an idea as to where things might be placedrdquo

ldquoDuring this intake process we actually encourage people to show us photos of their friendrsquos property that they like or perhaps froma magazine It helps most people to articulate the goals of what they would like to see as a finished projectrdquo Trinkle said ldquoEven if they are looking to do things in phases we find that it is most important to develop a comprehensive site planrdquo This eliminates the need to revise original phases of work to accommodate those that come in the future

60 | Simply Saratoga

that Mr Trinkle finds potential customers identifying with aredesigned to extend the outdoor season ldquoA few extra weeks outside isa lotrdquo he said

add-ons also extend outside activity each day Low voltage lighting is still the most popular but recently LED lighting with longer-lasting bulbs that involve less maintenance and are cost-efficienthave become more fashionable

The latest trends

stations fire pits and waterenhancements such as ponds andwaterfalls are the most frequentlyrequested items that broaden theoutdoor use season

Outdoor grill

Exterior lighting

Simply Saratoga | 61

And of course swimming pool projects have always been a most-requested

item Fifty percent of allthe projects Mr Trinkleworks on involve a pooleither a completely new installation or enhance-ments to existing poolsGallivanrsquos long-standingrelationship withConcord Pools has beena hallmark in assuringthat customers are satis-fied when their pool isput in the ground

62 | Simply Saratoga

In most cases a comprehensive plancan be developed for any project in about a period of twoweeks Complete drawings and cost breakdowns are provid-ed as well as the projected phases that can be completed injust a few months or on larger projects can be scheduled insegments over a few years These are reviewed in personwith the customer again the goal being to have a plan thateveryone buys into

Simply Saratoga | 63

ldquoWe have had projects where the customer has wanted tohave a lot of input and we welcome that But we also hadone where the client was out of town and we built a firepit and slide for his wife and kids and our only instructions were to dazzle themI remember it as a most satisfying experience and we ended up winning awards for that onerdquo

- Carl Trinkle Landscape DesignerThe Gallivan Companies

64 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 65

ldquoI get to work using my creativity with talented people Some of the most talented are those

I meet as customersrdquo sect

For more information or to schedule aconsultation phone Gallivan Companies at(518) 271-6100 Gallivanrsquos website iswwwGallivanCompaniescom

66 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 67

Buying a playhouse for your child is an excellent investment

They promote imaginative play and spending time outdoors and

double as storage space when no longer used for recreation

Denise Woodcock owner of Versatile Sheds in Wilton has

been helping parents and grandparents customize their childrsquos or

grandchildrsquos dream playhouses for years

ldquoThey make great gifts especially for grandparents who want

their grandkids to have their own place to play when they visitrdquo

she said

Playhouses are a great addition to a childrsquos outdoor world

They come in all shapes sizes and designs and can be custom-

built or finished if you donrsquot find exactly what yoursquore looking for

in a catalog or on the lot

Every child is different and has their own preferences for color

size and function boys and girls often have especially different

requests for their play space as do younger and more mature chil-

dren so therersquos a lot to consider

Denise knows how even the finest detail can be all it takes to

make an outdoor structure feel like a childrsquos own personal space

While it may seem superfluous to address every minor demand

the truth is a playhouse is more than just an expensive toy itrsquos an

investment The more your child connects with their space the more

use theyrsquoll get out of it ndash and according to Denise that means your

money is well spent

Smartest WayThe

playhouse for your kidsto buy a

Photos by MarkBollescomStory by Yael Goldman

68 | Simply Saratoga

With this in mind prospective buyers should first consider

who will use the playhouse and for how long as well as what

happens when the structure is no longer used for recreation

Versatile Sheds can help even the most discerning parent or

child find what theyrsquore looking for Every playhouse is hand-

built by Amish craftsmen who can accommodate almost any

special request at an additional cost so the possibilities are

endless inside and out

Cedar shingle or vinyl siding wood stone or brick ndash if you

can use it on the outside of your regular home it can be inte-

grated into your playhousersquos design Playhouses can be built

to look like a miniature version of your home which is an

excellent touch for parents that are particularly concerned

with aesthetics Porches shutters flowerboxes unique doors

chimneys and exterior lighting are just a few of the touches

that can brighten and personalize the exterior

Individualizing your childrsquos playhouse doesnrsquot stop at the

front door There are just as many interior features to choose

from ndash you can let your imagination run wild

For starters you have the option to order the playhouse

with a finished or unfinished interior The unfinished version

looks a lot like the inside of a regular home before you move

in paint the walls and furnish the rooms

Buying an unfinished structure is a great way to cut costs

and even bring the family together over a weekend decorating

project The possibilities are endless depending on how handy

you are otherwise a few coats of paint and a bit of carpeting

will surely do the trick

Although a bit pricey purchasing a playhouse with a fin-

ished interior ensures that your child gets exactly what they

want right off the bat They can pick everything from the paint

color to the flooring so the playhouse is move-in ready on the

day it arrives

Playhouses can also be insulated and wired for electricity

You can install lighting electrical outlets even heat or air-

conditioning to make your childrsquos outdoor space as comfort-

able as possible

And the options donrsquot end there Traditional sheds also dou-

ble as playhouses For some parents purchasing an adult-size

shed for their children is an ideal way to get the best return on

their investment Once their children grow out of it the struc-

ture can be used for outdoor storage With just as many styles

sizes and materials to choose from you can customize the

interior and exterior of your shed just as you would a play-

house but without all of the more frivolous features

ldquoAny shed can be a playhouserdquo Woodcock said explaining

how a custom paint job or flowerbox can transform a typical

storage unit into childrsquos outdoor activity haven

For example if purchasing a wood shed the exterior can be

easily painted and repainted when making the transition from

playhouse to storage space

For Denisersquos customers getting their moneyrsquos worth should

not have to mean making sacrifices

Simply Saratoga | 69

70 | Simply Saratoga

When Debby Trainor made the decision to buy her grand-

daughter Chezneyrsquos dream house she wanted it to have all the

bells and whistles She met with Denise to go over all the cri-

teria the goal was to buy the perfect gift for Chezney while

staying within her budget

The eight-year-old Greenwich girl wanted her own pretty

pink palace where she could play and imagine Debby wanted

it to be a cozy and safe place for her to play year-round

Customization and interior decoration helped make

Chezneyrsquos playhouse feel like her own little kingdom

ldquoWe made it look like a cute little dollhouserdquo she said ldquoWe

put furniture inside and a little stove fridge heater and TV

itrsquos just perfectrdquo

With the structure built to their liking Chezney and Debby

could enjoy decorating the inside to personalize the playhouse

For many customers putting on the finishing touches means

making the playhouse feel like home ndash you can add curtains

hang pictures buy furniture and appliances and landscape the

perimeter to make the outdoor space feel like a home away

from home

When the child grows out of their playhouse these items

can be easily removed to accommodate a secondary use for the

space

ldquoThe best thing that Denise did for me was explain how we

can use the playhouse for storage for stuff out in the yard after

Chezney has grown out of itrdquo Debby explained ldquoAlthough

she is only eight and will be using it for quite a few more

years this really makes it a good investment and looks

great in the backyardrdquo

Whether you choose a customized playhouse or a tradi-

tional shed thinking toward the future also ensures the

safety and longevity of the structure

Denise explained that placement is an important thing to

consider as you want to make sure the structure is in a safe

place and on an appropriate surface Most importantly the

playhouse must be built on a level even surface that isnrsquot

too high off of the ground

ldquoYou want it on a nice platformrdquo Denise explained

ldquoSome people use concrete but stone is better because it

allows moisture to seep down into the ground and away

from the structurerdquo

Most parents prefer that their playhouse is in the back-

yard where itrsquos easy to see from a window Placing the

structure in a shaded area is also a good idea it will be

cooler in the summer and less susceptible to the elements if

partially protected by trees

Debby had Chezneyrsquos playhouse built right next to her

swing set where she can be easily supervised

One last thing to consider when purchasing a playhouse

Simply Saratoga | 71

72 | Simply Saratoga

or shed for your child is how much effort

you want to put into maintaining it The

more ornate the structure the more care it

may need

Woodcock advises parents to preserve

their investment and treat the playhouse

like a miniature home

Think of it as a miniature house ndash the

structure requires regular maintenance

and upkeep to ensure your child will be

safe while enjoying years and years of

imaginative fun

With so many features and styles to

choose from yoursquore sure to find the best

for both you and your child

For more information about Versatile

Sheds or to set up a time to meet with

Denise Woodcock call (518) 584-7924

or stop by 669 Route 9 in Wilton sect

Simply Saratoga | 73

74 | Simply Saratoga

Kitchen

Not Your

Grandmarsquos

Story Written by Daniel Schechtman Photos Provided

ldquoAs you

walk into the kitchen

of the future LED

light projections adjust

to your mood - it will

know if you have a

hangover via sensors

that will read your

b r a i n w a v e s

Aromatherapy infused

walls will be synched

to your calendar calm-

ing you before a big

meeting or energizing you before a gym session The fridge will have selected some breakfast options identifying the essen-

tial vitamins for your day via sensors When you get home a hologram chef will be on hand for recipe inspirationrdquo

Alright so maybe your kitchen canrsquot do all of these things quite yet ndash but believe it or not wersquore getting there This is tomor-

rowrsquos kitchen a kitchen where your appliances donrsquot just store your food or wash your dishes ndash they talk to you providing you

with integral information on how to

best store your fruits and vegetables

letting you know if the refrigerator

door is open for too long or when a

part will soon need replacing

Simply Saratoga | 75

ldquoScience fictionrdquo I hear you say

Guess again Quoted from a report released by The Future Laboratory

who was commissioned by IKEA to determine what a modernkitchen in the year 2040 could conceivably look like

76 | Simply Saratoga

ldquoOne technology that really stands out to me is the

Miele Appliance Company Right now theyrsquore using a

program called lsquoremote visionrsquo On select applianceshellip

is a wireless card that clicks into a port on the back of

the appliance You synch it up with your home network

and it basically emails the technician and the owner

when itrsquos broken when you need to clean your condens-

er change your water filter or schedule a routine serv-

icerdquo said Tom Thibeault owner of Adirondack

Appliance Repair Inc located at 67 West Ave in

Saratoga Springs ldquoMaybe somebodyrsquos been opening the

[refrigerator] door for too long or the door was left open

ndash it will email you and tell you that your door is left

openrdquo

This is not your grandmarsquos kitchen This my friends

is the kitchen of the future and itrsquos available now

The 36 inch bottom-mount Miele refrigerator boasts a

striking interior featuring LED lighting running along

the sides from top to bottom stainless steel accents and

exteriors with control systems that would be comfort-

able alongside the captainrsquos chair on the Starship

Enterprise

Simply Saratoga | 77

ldquoThe controls in the Miele really stand out

Looking at the controls theyrsquore just a glass piece and

then once you touch it you see a few options for the

different compartments Then you touch the compart-

ment and the temperature is displayed so itrsquos kind of

like a Star Trek controlrdquo Thibeault said

And thatrsquos just the refrigerator

Adirondack Appliance has also seen brands such as

Wolf (a company owned by the same people who own

Sub-Zero) grow in popularity when it comes to their

range stoves and ovens The dual convection oven

works to eliminate cold spotting and provides consis-

tent even temperatures and even allows for unique

options such as proofing ndash used best when baking

homemade bread

ldquoIt also has a temperature probe you can plug into

things like a turkey or roast so you can see the temper-

ature while itrsquos still inside the machine It has

hydraulic hinges halogen lit interiors everything is

composed of stainless steel and itrsquos by far one of the

best lines on the marketrdquo Thibeault said

A new line coming to Adirondack Appliance that

features some amazing technology is a series of Pro-

Style Ranges produced by industry giant Jenn-Air

ldquoThat actually has an LCD touch

screen like an IPAD for the controls The

temperature is set by sliding your finger

along the controls Itrsquos all color backlit and

absolutely amazingrdquo Thibeault said

ldquoAnother thing we have to that same

effect are some of the hoods which have

really been getting pretty out there as far as

design We have one on our floor [by Miele]

that has an LED bar on the front which

changes in phases between 196000 colors

Itrsquos a very delicate change very pretty and

coolrdquo Thibeault said adding ldquoor you can set

it to any color in that spectrum yoursquod like to

accent your cabinetryrdquo

When it comes to dishwashers Thibeault

can attest to the quality of both the Asko and

Miele brands both of which he uses in his

own home And good news for Saratoga

Springs residents ndash

ldquoIn our market in

Saratoga we have a

very hard water base

whether yoursquore on a well

system or city waterrdquo

Thibeault said ldquoSo you

get a lot of minerals in

the machine With the

stainless steel interiors it

eliminates a lot of prob-

lems generally seen with

plastic interior tubs and

usually they are the best

life expectanciesrdquo

78 | Simply Saratoga

Asko and Mieleare practically custom made to handle the

arearsquos typicallymineral rich water

Simply Saratoga | 79

The Asko brand dishwasher takes things one step

further including two pumps in the washerrsquos system

The first pump filters the water cleansing it of poten-

tially harmful minerals while the second pump recircu-

lates the water ensuring that the machine is never

blasting your dishes with food debris or dirty residue

With Miele the design features a built-in water sof-

tener perfect for dealing with the Saratoga water

system

ldquoTypically the Miele is going to do a better job with

tougher baked in stainsrdquo said Thibeault ldquobecause itrsquos

got the softener in it and a little bit longer pots and pans

cyclerdquo

80 | Simply Saratoga

Adirondack Appliance Repair Inc is a fami-

ly-owned business since 1929 and the last inde-

pendent appliance retailer of its kind in Saratoga

Springs With $6 billion of buying power behind

their name (a benefit of being part of the Nation

Wide Appliance Buying Group) Thibeault

promised ldquowe can actually price match the box

stores and everybody else around all while pro-

viding you with better service and better

productsrdquo

For more information on AdirondackAppliance or the products they sell you mayvisit their showroom located at 67 West Avenuein Saratoga Springs for live demonstrationsThey can also be reached by phone at (518)587-6640 or you may visit them at their newwebsite wwwadkappliancecom where cus-tomers can browse through the storersquos entirecatalogue of appliances

sect

Simply Saratoga | 81

82 | Simply Saratoga

Page 39: Simply Saratoga March 2011

Simply Saratoga | 41

42 | Simply Saratoga

Story Written by Yael Goldman Photos by Samu Studios and Randall Perry Photography

Simply Saratoga | 43

orking with the

right interior designer

turns listless decision making

into an enjoyable and productive

process that avoids costly mistakes

and delivers exceptional results

Designing a room or an entire home is a

big project no matter how strong your tastes are

The decisions are endless ndash what color should I paint the

walls What flooring is most aesthetically appealing and

dog-friendly Should I choose a furniture set or choose

individual pieces Do I want curtains or shades Do I

decorate with knick-knacks or artwork

But with all the unique self-questioning that surrounds

an interior design project most homeowners share angst

in asking themselves one specific question where do I

start

Itrsquos at this point ndash when stress level increases enjoy-

ment-driven projects turn deadly and money has been

wastefully spent on all the wrong things ndash that you long

for the help of a professional if only you could afford it

Well the truth is you can

Creating the right space can be expensive but is only

more so if you make mistakes and have to go back and

fix them If you do it right the first time therersquos no cost

associated with do-overs

With nearly 100 years of experience between them all

four members of Blairhouse Interiors Group have

worked with more than enough unhappy do-it-your-

selfers to tell you yoursquore not alone

Photo by Samu Studios

44 | Simply Saratoga

The four-member designproject therapy team which recently

opened a studio in Saratoga Springs has a long history of help-

ing home and business owners create their ideal spaces and

atmospheres the right way Their exceptional work is celebrated across

the Capital Region including Saratoga Springs where the Blairhouse

look is prominently featured in a handful of Park Place condominiums

and the incredible Saratoga National Golf Club

Thomas R Burns Meghan Baltich Dominic Carota and Patricia

Richards the highly skilled and charismatic force behind Blairhouse

Interiors Group promise an experience that is personal because itrsquos all

about your needs ndash and thatrsquos what is important

Blairhouse offers full-service interior design services space planning

project management hand-picked merchandise patience and an uncan-

ny ability to create a

look that is always

fresh sophisticated

and comfortable

ldquoThe style that we

gravitate toward is

unique cutting-edge

and modern not dic-

tated by corporaterdquo

said Meghan Baltich

pointing to a ldquovery

propitiousrdquo Keith Fritz

table at the center of

the studio

Photo by Randall Perry Photography

If you do it right the firsttime therersquos no cost

associated with do-oversPhoto by Randall Perry Photography

One glance at the Park Place showroom ndash of the selective furnishings carefully showcased along

the periphery ndash and it becomes clear why Blairhouse an award-winning team gets the job

done

Their creativity focus and immaculate sense of direction bring objectivity to the scene helping you nar-

row down all of the tedious and overwhelming choices that make do-it-yourself decorating an exercise in

unclear thinking

ldquoPeople are overwhelmed by all the choices it can feel like theyrsquore in a paralyzed blurrdquo said Thomas

Burns who finds that a great vision can be impossible to imagine and create without eliminating all of

the distractions

A vital step in getting focused is creating a

comprehensive plan based on individual

needs wants and style that addresses all

aspects of lifestyle and taste and suggests

tactful solutions and fresh approaches to new

and existing spaces

They help you identify what you like

forcing you to hone in on what you want and

need to compliment and enhance your

lifestyle

ldquoWe ascertain the clientrsquos goal and

lifestyle to convey their visionrdquo said

Dominic Carota explaining that the intended

outcome of creating or reinventing a room is

often strictly tied to how you want to live in

it

ldquoWe have to know how they functionrdquo he

said

An interior designer is an asset in the func-

tion-meets-style equation

Dominic explained that a couple starting a family will have far

different needs than empty-nesters looking for a change They may

have the same stylistic goals but their execution will differ based on

how their lifestyle exists within the space

When revamping a single room the majority of your focus is ded-

icated to that individual space making it easy to forget that the rest

of the house is attached Establishing connectivity between rooms is

a challenge but an important part of executing a project the right

way

Sometimes one wrong detail no matter how small can be incred-

ibly impactful and difficult to avoid on your own

ldquoIf yoursquore working on a new addition or renovation we ensure it

flows that therersquos balance between the existing part of the living

space and the new additionrdquo Meghan Baltich said explaining that

it just doesnrsquot make sense to put in a great new kitchen if itrsquos dis-

jointed and out of place from its surroundings

Another common novice mistake is the trendy retail store fallacy

that you can order a full room from a catalog or pick a fabulous and

unique design from a floor plan

Blairhouse clients learn the difference between ldquocookie-cutterrdquo

and ldquocustomrdquo and they are never concerned with picking the wrong

piece for the wrong room

Simply Saratoga | 45

ome customers will come to us after going into a Pottery Barn and buying stuff that just didnrsquot workrdquo Baltich said giving the

example of an individual who purchased an enormous sectional for a tiny room ldquoWe scale into the clientrsquos space taking func-

tion and proportion into considerationrdquo

Exceptional listening and observation skills are the designerrsquos

unsung attributes and greatest assets Blairhouse experts engage

with their clients to gain a true understanding of what they want

In turn the design process becomes an eye-opening experience

customers are introduced to colors and concepts they would

never think to consider

ldquoEach client trusts us to create their environment and we

enable them to make informed decisionsrdquo Patricia Richards

said

And sometimes that requires bold suggestions and collabora-

tion or looking at all of the possibilities even the ones ldquoyou

would never have been brave enough to do on your ownrdquo

In the end the experience of working with the experts is

enjoyable stress-free and cost-effective From concept to com-

pletion the result is just what you want and need ndash a fabulous

marriage of function and aesthetic that wonrsquot have you coming

back for more (because you did it right the first time) sect

ldquoS

46 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 47

For a taste of Blairhouse Interiors Grouprsquos distinctive work stop into their Park Place studio located at 262 Broadway Suite 204 in Saratoga Springs For further details visit wwwblairhouseinteriorscom or call (518) 786-7800

From left to right Dominic Carota Meghan Baltich Patricia Richards and

Thomas R Burns (The designproject therapy team of Blairhouse Interiors Group)

48 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 49

Dorsquos and Donrsquots

50 | Simply Saratoga

Story Written by Kerry Ann Mendez Perennially Yours bull wwwpyourscom Photos Provided

SpringDorsquos and Donrsquots

SpringDorsquos and DonrsquotsDorsquos and Donrsquots

Spring

for your Gardens

s

Simply Saratoga | 51

ssts

SPRINGis right around the corner and gardenersare pawing at the ground ready to explodethrough the garden gate As a passionate perennial gardenerI am right there with you But before launching into another flower-filledseason letrsquos go through a spring checklist of dorsquorsquos and donrsquorsquots to makesure we make the most of the race and have the best finish ever

Photo by GardenersSupply Company

apply a granular fertilizer to your perennial beds while they are still lsquoasleeprsquoDepending on the winter wersquove had this may be anytime from mid-Marchto mid-April Donrsquot worry if there are already lsquoearly risersrsquo visible like springblooming bulbs or woodland ephemerals I recommend using 5-5-5 5-10-5 or

5-10-10 fertilizer at the rate of 2 pounds per 100 square feet Cast the fertilizer just before it is about to rainto make sure fertilizer is watered into the ground and washed off any existing leaves You can give otherplants in your yard this treat as well including floweringshrubs groundcovers climbing vinesand roses

DONrsquoTput fertilizer on top of the snow or on ground that is

still frozen You want to make sure the fertilizer disap-pears into pliable soil and to waiting roots otherwiserunoff can occur And donrsquot think more is better Youcan stress or even kill plants by over-fertilizing espe-cially in spring when leaves are not fully developed toutilize nitrogen in the fertilizer If you are going to errless is better

DO

prune once-b l o o m i n g

roses such as Heirloom or Old GardenRoses when the Forsythia is blooming

Any rose that blooms onceusually in late spring forabout three weeks is in thiscategory Many times theseroses are quite fragrantWait to prune these rosesuntil right after they flower

DONrsquoT

prune most roses whenForsythia is in bloom Pruneshrub roses back by half to

23 their height This is assuming you did not prunethem last fall If you did then next year wait until latewinter or early spring Prune Teas and Grandiflorasback to 18 - 24rdquo For climbing roses prune branchesemerging from the main canes back to within 3 - 4rdquoof the cane

DO

apply corn gluten tolawn areas yoursquoveseeded (or over-seeded) or to gar-dens where youwant biennialsperennials or annu-als to reseed andflower Corn glutendoes not distinguishbetween lsquogoodrsquoand lsquobadrsquo seeds

apply a pre-emer-gent weed killerand fertilizer toyour lawn A lushhealthy lawn

makes a beautiful frame for gardens Myfamily walked away from lawn chemicalsfive years ago And our lawn has neverlooked better Corn gluten is a big part ofthis transformation Corn gluten is a by-product of milled corn It will not harm chil-dren pets or wildlife Heck you can eat it ifyou want (but it tastes yucky) Corn Glutenis high in nitrogen and commonly used as alawn fertilizer But it is also a pre-emergenttargeting seeds as they germinate Youcan put corn gluten down at any point inthe spring BUT if part of your mission is toeliminate crabgrass then there is a narrowwindow of attackApply it whenForsythia is in fullbloom and beforeits leaves appearThe Forsythia is asoil temperatureindicator that cor-responds to whencrabgrass seedsstart to germinate More garden centersare now carrying corn gluten productsYou just need to ask and follow the appli-cation instructions on the bag Make sureto water in the corn gluten after applyingIt will remain effective for five to six weeks

Simply Saratoga | 53

DONrsquoT

DO

step on soil as you maneuver around thegarden to cut back Lavender and therest of the gang For that matter youshould never be tromping through yourgardens compacting soil This breaks

down air and water channels as well as making it tougher forroots to spread Instead reach into beds from existing paths orplace stepping stones in discreet spots where only your eyes cansee or lsquowalk the plankrsquo on a board to reach plants fartherlsquoadriftrsquo

54 | Simply Saratoga

cut back Lavender Russian SageMontauk Daisy Butterfly BushChrysanthemums and ornamental grass-es These are best left untouched in falland whacked in spring Many folks make

the mistake of acting too gingerly with pruners Let lsquoem fly Theresult will be more compact neater plants that will bloom just fineTrust me If it helps wait until yoursquove had a bad day at work withthe kids or in traffic

DONrsquoT

DO

divide Peonies German Bearded Iris orOriental Poppies in spring These are bestdone in late summer Also tap-rootedplants (those with a carrot-looking root)cannot be divided Think about it These

are usually propagated by seed stem or root cuttings Someperennials that fall into this category are Malva Butterfly WeedBalloon Flower Oriental Poppies and Lupines

Simply Saratoga | 55

DONrsquoT

divide plants in spring This is an optimumtime to divide most perennials Yes evenspring bloomers Wait until these haveflowered and then shear off the spentblooms and get to business Most sum-

mer and fall blooming perennials can be divided prior to mid-Junewithout disrupting their performance

DO

apply a time-released fertilizersuch as Plant-Tone(organic) orOsmocote to heavy

feeding perennials five to six weeks afterthe earlier granular fertilizer applicationMost plants do not need as much fertilizeras we are led in advertising to believe I amstingy with my money and maintenancetime so only a handful of plants get thisbonus feed Astilbe Delphinium Liliums (ieAsiatic Oriental Trumpet) Clematis androses If I am feeling generous I will putsome on my Bigleaf Hydrangeas next to theroses Call me heartlessJust scratch fertilizer intothe top couple inchesof soil around theplantrsquos base and waterin well They will enjoy anutritious snack forthree to four months

apply mulch ongarden beds toreduce weedsconserve moisture

reduce erosion minimize soil temperaturefluctuations and enhance the quality ofthe soil Some mulching materials includeaged manures compost shredded wood(not dyed) leaf moldand cocoa hulls Putthe mulch down 2rdquo to3rdquo thick around plantsincluding floweringshrubs

build up mulchagainst plant stems

And please please donrsquot create volcanomounds around trees Please This is awfulfor them The only ones that benefit fromthis are the people selling the mulch

56 | Simply Saratoga

DONrsquoT

DO

DO

rubber band orbraid the foliage ofspring bloomingbulbs after they fin-ish flowering You

want as much leaf surface exposed to thesun as possible to increase photosynthesisYou can press the leaves down next to thesoil so they are less noticeable

Simply Saratoga | 57

sect

And finally DO have a great year in

your gardens and DONrsquoT forget to

take time to smell the roses

DONrsquoT

DONrsquoT

cut off the spentblooms and stems onspring blooming bulbsafter they have flow-ered so energy is redirected to the bulbsversus seed productions Keep the leaves inplace until they have browned and ideallycan be pulled from the ground by hand

put time-released fertil-izer on perennials thatprefer lean dietsRicher soil just upsetstheir vascular systemsThey will get leggy flop and not perform tosnuff Yarrow Coneflower Catmint RussianSage Linum Sea Holly and Silvermound are inthe group

DO

For more information contact Perennially Yours at pyourscom

58 | Simply Saratoga

Ill mination

Exterior Stonework

an

d

Story Written by Arthur Gonick Photos Provided

u

Simply Saratoga | 59

To develop and implement an exterior vista that maximizes your enjoyment To have a backyard landscape that is warm inviting and uniquely yours

These are goals that many homeowners have when they first move onto their property But unless you are trained in the variety ofmaterials and options available the task of getting past the point of comparing possibilities to completing and actually enjoying yourbackyard paradise can appear to be a long daunting road

For Carl Trinkle a landscape designer for ten years with the Gallivan Companies of Troy one of the key elements in a successfultransformation is utilizing a professionalrsquos expertise to articulate goals and develop a plan

ldquoThe most important thing we do when we first meet with a client is to get them to discuss their basic needs and aims and encouragethem to formulate an overall vision for their property An initial consultation sets the tone we make an initial visit on-site to look overthe property so we can have an idea as to where things might be placedrdquo

ldquoDuring this intake process we actually encourage people to show us photos of their friendrsquos property that they like or perhaps froma magazine It helps most people to articulate the goals of what they would like to see as a finished projectrdquo Trinkle said ldquoEven if they are looking to do things in phases we find that it is most important to develop a comprehensive site planrdquo This eliminates the need to revise original phases of work to accommodate those that come in the future

60 | Simply Saratoga

that Mr Trinkle finds potential customers identifying with aredesigned to extend the outdoor season ldquoA few extra weeks outside isa lotrdquo he said

add-ons also extend outside activity each day Low voltage lighting is still the most popular but recently LED lighting with longer-lasting bulbs that involve less maintenance and are cost-efficienthave become more fashionable

The latest trends

stations fire pits and waterenhancements such as ponds andwaterfalls are the most frequentlyrequested items that broaden theoutdoor use season

Outdoor grill

Exterior lighting

Simply Saratoga | 61

And of course swimming pool projects have always been a most-requested

item Fifty percent of allthe projects Mr Trinkleworks on involve a pooleither a completely new installation or enhance-ments to existing poolsGallivanrsquos long-standingrelationship withConcord Pools has beena hallmark in assuringthat customers are satis-fied when their pool isput in the ground

62 | Simply Saratoga

In most cases a comprehensive plancan be developed for any project in about a period of twoweeks Complete drawings and cost breakdowns are provid-ed as well as the projected phases that can be completed injust a few months or on larger projects can be scheduled insegments over a few years These are reviewed in personwith the customer again the goal being to have a plan thateveryone buys into

Simply Saratoga | 63

ldquoWe have had projects where the customer has wanted tohave a lot of input and we welcome that But we also hadone where the client was out of town and we built a firepit and slide for his wife and kids and our only instructions were to dazzle themI remember it as a most satisfying experience and we ended up winning awards for that onerdquo

- Carl Trinkle Landscape DesignerThe Gallivan Companies

64 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 65

ldquoI get to work using my creativity with talented people Some of the most talented are those

I meet as customersrdquo sect

For more information or to schedule aconsultation phone Gallivan Companies at(518) 271-6100 Gallivanrsquos website iswwwGallivanCompaniescom

66 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 67

Buying a playhouse for your child is an excellent investment

They promote imaginative play and spending time outdoors and

double as storage space when no longer used for recreation

Denise Woodcock owner of Versatile Sheds in Wilton has

been helping parents and grandparents customize their childrsquos or

grandchildrsquos dream playhouses for years

ldquoThey make great gifts especially for grandparents who want

their grandkids to have their own place to play when they visitrdquo

she said

Playhouses are a great addition to a childrsquos outdoor world

They come in all shapes sizes and designs and can be custom-

built or finished if you donrsquot find exactly what yoursquore looking for

in a catalog or on the lot

Every child is different and has their own preferences for color

size and function boys and girls often have especially different

requests for their play space as do younger and more mature chil-

dren so therersquos a lot to consider

Denise knows how even the finest detail can be all it takes to

make an outdoor structure feel like a childrsquos own personal space

While it may seem superfluous to address every minor demand

the truth is a playhouse is more than just an expensive toy itrsquos an

investment The more your child connects with their space the more

use theyrsquoll get out of it ndash and according to Denise that means your

money is well spent

Smartest WayThe

playhouse for your kidsto buy a

Photos by MarkBollescomStory by Yael Goldman

68 | Simply Saratoga

With this in mind prospective buyers should first consider

who will use the playhouse and for how long as well as what

happens when the structure is no longer used for recreation

Versatile Sheds can help even the most discerning parent or

child find what theyrsquore looking for Every playhouse is hand-

built by Amish craftsmen who can accommodate almost any

special request at an additional cost so the possibilities are

endless inside and out

Cedar shingle or vinyl siding wood stone or brick ndash if you

can use it on the outside of your regular home it can be inte-

grated into your playhousersquos design Playhouses can be built

to look like a miniature version of your home which is an

excellent touch for parents that are particularly concerned

with aesthetics Porches shutters flowerboxes unique doors

chimneys and exterior lighting are just a few of the touches

that can brighten and personalize the exterior

Individualizing your childrsquos playhouse doesnrsquot stop at the

front door There are just as many interior features to choose

from ndash you can let your imagination run wild

For starters you have the option to order the playhouse

with a finished or unfinished interior The unfinished version

looks a lot like the inside of a regular home before you move

in paint the walls and furnish the rooms

Buying an unfinished structure is a great way to cut costs

and even bring the family together over a weekend decorating

project The possibilities are endless depending on how handy

you are otherwise a few coats of paint and a bit of carpeting

will surely do the trick

Although a bit pricey purchasing a playhouse with a fin-

ished interior ensures that your child gets exactly what they

want right off the bat They can pick everything from the paint

color to the flooring so the playhouse is move-in ready on the

day it arrives

Playhouses can also be insulated and wired for electricity

You can install lighting electrical outlets even heat or air-

conditioning to make your childrsquos outdoor space as comfort-

able as possible

And the options donrsquot end there Traditional sheds also dou-

ble as playhouses For some parents purchasing an adult-size

shed for their children is an ideal way to get the best return on

their investment Once their children grow out of it the struc-

ture can be used for outdoor storage With just as many styles

sizes and materials to choose from you can customize the

interior and exterior of your shed just as you would a play-

house but without all of the more frivolous features

ldquoAny shed can be a playhouserdquo Woodcock said explaining

how a custom paint job or flowerbox can transform a typical

storage unit into childrsquos outdoor activity haven

For example if purchasing a wood shed the exterior can be

easily painted and repainted when making the transition from

playhouse to storage space

For Denisersquos customers getting their moneyrsquos worth should

not have to mean making sacrifices

Simply Saratoga | 69

70 | Simply Saratoga

When Debby Trainor made the decision to buy her grand-

daughter Chezneyrsquos dream house she wanted it to have all the

bells and whistles She met with Denise to go over all the cri-

teria the goal was to buy the perfect gift for Chezney while

staying within her budget

The eight-year-old Greenwich girl wanted her own pretty

pink palace where she could play and imagine Debby wanted

it to be a cozy and safe place for her to play year-round

Customization and interior decoration helped make

Chezneyrsquos playhouse feel like her own little kingdom

ldquoWe made it look like a cute little dollhouserdquo she said ldquoWe

put furniture inside and a little stove fridge heater and TV

itrsquos just perfectrdquo

With the structure built to their liking Chezney and Debby

could enjoy decorating the inside to personalize the playhouse

For many customers putting on the finishing touches means

making the playhouse feel like home ndash you can add curtains

hang pictures buy furniture and appliances and landscape the

perimeter to make the outdoor space feel like a home away

from home

When the child grows out of their playhouse these items

can be easily removed to accommodate a secondary use for the

space

ldquoThe best thing that Denise did for me was explain how we

can use the playhouse for storage for stuff out in the yard after

Chezney has grown out of itrdquo Debby explained ldquoAlthough

she is only eight and will be using it for quite a few more

years this really makes it a good investment and looks

great in the backyardrdquo

Whether you choose a customized playhouse or a tradi-

tional shed thinking toward the future also ensures the

safety and longevity of the structure

Denise explained that placement is an important thing to

consider as you want to make sure the structure is in a safe

place and on an appropriate surface Most importantly the

playhouse must be built on a level even surface that isnrsquot

too high off of the ground

ldquoYou want it on a nice platformrdquo Denise explained

ldquoSome people use concrete but stone is better because it

allows moisture to seep down into the ground and away

from the structurerdquo

Most parents prefer that their playhouse is in the back-

yard where itrsquos easy to see from a window Placing the

structure in a shaded area is also a good idea it will be

cooler in the summer and less susceptible to the elements if

partially protected by trees

Debby had Chezneyrsquos playhouse built right next to her

swing set where she can be easily supervised

One last thing to consider when purchasing a playhouse

Simply Saratoga | 71

72 | Simply Saratoga

or shed for your child is how much effort

you want to put into maintaining it The

more ornate the structure the more care it

may need

Woodcock advises parents to preserve

their investment and treat the playhouse

like a miniature home

Think of it as a miniature house ndash the

structure requires regular maintenance

and upkeep to ensure your child will be

safe while enjoying years and years of

imaginative fun

With so many features and styles to

choose from yoursquore sure to find the best

for both you and your child

For more information about Versatile

Sheds or to set up a time to meet with

Denise Woodcock call (518) 584-7924

or stop by 669 Route 9 in Wilton sect

Simply Saratoga | 73

74 | Simply Saratoga

Kitchen

Not Your

Grandmarsquos

Story Written by Daniel Schechtman Photos Provided

ldquoAs you

walk into the kitchen

of the future LED

light projections adjust

to your mood - it will

know if you have a

hangover via sensors

that will read your

b r a i n w a v e s

Aromatherapy infused

walls will be synched

to your calendar calm-

ing you before a big

meeting or energizing you before a gym session The fridge will have selected some breakfast options identifying the essen-

tial vitamins for your day via sensors When you get home a hologram chef will be on hand for recipe inspirationrdquo

Alright so maybe your kitchen canrsquot do all of these things quite yet ndash but believe it or not wersquore getting there This is tomor-

rowrsquos kitchen a kitchen where your appliances donrsquot just store your food or wash your dishes ndash they talk to you providing you

with integral information on how to

best store your fruits and vegetables

letting you know if the refrigerator

door is open for too long or when a

part will soon need replacing

Simply Saratoga | 75

ldquoScience fictionrdquo I hear you say

Guess again Quoted from a report released by The Future Laboratory

who was commissioned by IKEA to determine what a modernkitchen in the year 2040 could conceivably look like

76 | Simply Saratoga

ldquoOne technology that really stands out to me is the

Miele Appliance Company Right now theyrsquore using a

program called lsquoremote visionrsquo On select applianceshellip

is a wireless card that clicks into a port on the back of

the appliance You synch it up with your home network

and it basically emails the technician and the owner

when itrsquos broken when you need to clean your condens-

er change your water filter or schedule a routine serv-

icerdquo said Tom Thibeault owner of Adirondack

Appliance Repair Inc located at 67 West Ave in

Saratoga Springs ldquoMaybe somebodyrsquos been opening the

[refrigerator] door for too long or the door was left open

ndash it will email you and tell you that your door is left

openrdquo

This is not your grandmarsquos kitchen This my friends

is the kitchen of the future and itrsquos available now

The 36 inch bottom-mount Miele refrigerator boasts a

striking interior featuring LED lighting running along

the sides from top to bottom stainless steel accents and

exteriors with control systems that would be comfort-

able alongside the captainrsquos chair on the Starship

Enterprise

Simply Saratoga | 77

ldquoThe controls in the Miele really stand out

Looking at the controls theyrsquore just a glass piece and

then once you touch it you see a few options for the

different compartments Then you touch the compart-

ment and the temperature is displayed so itrsquos kind of

like a Star Trek controlrdquo Thibeault said

And thatrsquos just the refrigerator

Adirondack Appliance has also seen brands such as

Wolf (a company owned by the same people who own

Sub-Zero) grow in popularity when it comes to their

range stoves and ovens The dual convection oven

works to eliminate cold spotting and provides consis-

tent even temperatures and even allows for unique

options such as proofing ndash used best when baking

homemade bread

ldquoIt also has a temperature probe you can plug into

things like a turkey or roast so you can see the temper-

ature while itrsquos still inside the machine It has

hydraulic hinges halogen lit interiors everything is

composed of stainless steel and itrsquos by far one of the

best lines on the marketrdquo Thibeault said

A new line coming to Adirondack Appliance that

features some amazing technology is a series of Pro-

Style Ranges produced by industry giant Jenn-Air

ldquoThat actually has an LCD touch

screen like an IPAD for the controls The

temperature is set by sliding your finger

along the controls Itrsquos all color backlit and

absolutely amazingrdquo Thibeault said

ldquoAnother thing we have to that same

effect are some of the hoods which have

really been getting pretty out there as far as

design We have one on our floor [by Miele]

that has an LED bar on the front which

changes in phases between 196000 colors

Itrsquos a very delicate change very pretty and

coolrdquo Thibeault said adding ldquoor you can set

it to any color in that spectrum yoursquod like to

accent your cabinetryrdquo

When it comes to dishwashers Thibeault

can attest to the quality of both the Asko and

Miele brands both of which he uses in his

own home And good news for Saratoga

Springs residents ndash

ldquoIn our market in

Saratoga we have a

very hard water base

whether yoursquore on a well

system or city waterrdquo

Thibeault said ldquoSo you

get a lot of minerals in

the machine With the

stainless steel interiors it

eliminates a lot of prob-

lems generally seen with

plastic interior tubs and

usually they are the best

life expectanciesrdquo

78 | Simply Saratoga

Asko and Mieleare practically custom made to handle the

arearsquos typicallymineral rich water

Simply Saratoga | 79

The Asko brand dishwasher takes things one step

further including two pumps in the washerrsquos system

The first pump filters the water cleansing it of poten-

tially harmful minerals while the second pump recircu-

lates the water ensuring that the machine is never

blasting your dishes with food debris or dirty residue

With Miele the design features a built-in water sof-

tener perfect for dealing with the Saratoga water

system

ldquoTypically the Miele is going to do a better job with

tougher baked in stainsrdquo said Thibeault ldquobecause itrsquos

got the softener in it and a little bit longer pots and pans

cyclerdquo

80 | Simply Saratoga

Adirondack Appliance Repair Inc is a fami-

ly-owned business since 1929 and the last inde-

pendent appliance retailer of its kind in Saratoga

Springs With $6 billion of buying power behind

their name (a benefit of being part of the Nation

Wide Appliance Buying Group) Thibeault

promised ldquowe can actually price match the box

stores and everybody else around all while pro-

viding you with better service and better

productsrdquo

For more information on AdirondackAppliance or the products they sell you mayvisit their showroom located at 67 West Avenuein Saratoga Springs for live demonstrationsThey can also be reached by phone at (518)587-6640 or you may visit them at their newwebsite wwwadkappliancecom where cus-tomers can browse through the storersquos entirecatalogue of appliances

sect

Simply Saratoga | 81

82 | Simply Saratoga

Page 40: Simply Saratoga March 2011

42 | Simply Saratoga

Story Written by Yael Goldman Photos by Samu Studios and Randall Perry Photography

Simply Saratoga | 43

orking with the

right interior designer

turns listless decision making

into an enjoyable and productive

process that avoids costly mistakes

and delivers exceptional results

Designing a room or an entire home is a

big project no matter how strong your tastes are

The decisions are endless ndash what color should I paint the

walls What flooring is most aesthetically appealing and

dog-friendly Should I choose a furniture set or choose

individual pieces Do I want curtains or shades Do I

decorate with knick-knacks or artwork

But with all the unique self-questioning that surrounds

an interior design project most homeowners share angst

in asking themselves one specific question where do I

start

Itrsquos at this point ndash when stress level increases enjoy-

ment-driven projects turn deadly and money has been

wastefully spent on all the wrong things ndash that you long

for the help of a professional if only you could afford it

Well the truth is you can

Creating the right space can be expensive but is only

more so if you make mistakes and have to go back and

fix them If you do it right the first time therersquos no cost

associated with do-overs

With nearly 100 years of experience between them all

four members of Blairhouse Interiors Group have

worked with more than enough unhappy do-it-your-

selfers to tell you yoursquore not alone

Photo by Samu Studios

44 | Simply Saratoga

The four-member designproject therapy team which recently

opened a studio in Saratoga Springs has a long history of help-

ing home and business owners create their ideal spaces and

atmospheres the right way Their exceptional work is celebrated across

the Capital Region including Saratoga Springs where the Blairhouse

look is prominently featured in a handful of Park Place condominiums

and the incredible Saratoga National Golf Club

Thomas R Burns Meghan Baltich Dominic Carota and Patricia

Richards the highly skilled and charismatic force behind Blairhouse

Interiors Group promise an experience that is personal because itrsquos all

about your needs ndash and thatrsquos what is important

Blairhouse offers full-service interior design services space planning

project management hand-picked merchandise patience and an uncan-

ny ability to create a

look that is always

fresh sophisticated

and comfortable

ldquoThe style that we

gravitate toward is

unique cutting-edge

and modern not dic-

tated by corporaterdquo

said Meghan Baltich

pointing to a ldquovery

propitiousrdquo Keith Fritz

table at the center of

the studio

Photo by Randall Perry Photography

If you do it right the firsttime therersquos no cost

associated with do-oversPhoto by Randall Perry Photography

One glance at the Park Place showroom ndash of the selective furnishings carefully showcased along

the periphery ndash and it becomes clear why Blairhouse an award-winning team gets the job

done

Their creativity focus and immaculate sense of direction bring objectivity to the scene helping you nar-

row down all of the tedious and overwhelming choices that make do-it-yourself decorating an exercise in

unclear thinking

ldquoPeople are overwhelmed by all the choices it can feel like theyrsquore in a paralyzed blurrdquo said Thomas

Burns who finds that a great vision can be impossible to imagine and create without eliminating all of

the distractions

A vital step in getting focused is creating a

comprehensive plan based on individual

needs wants and style that addresses all

aspects of lifestyle and taste and suggests

tactful solutions and fresh approaches to new

and existing spaces

They help you identify what you like

forcing you to hone in on what you want and

need to compliment and enhance your

lifestyle

ldquoWe ascertain the clientrsquos goal and

lifestyle to convey their visionrdquo said

Dominic Carota explaining that the intended

outcome of creating or reinventing a room is

often strictly tied to how you want to live in

it

ldquoWe have to know how they functionrdquo he

said

An interior designer is an asset in the func-

tion-meets-style equation

Dominic explained that a couple starting a family will have far

different needs than empty-nesters looking for a change They may

have the same stylistic goals but their execution will differ based on

how their lifestyle exists within the space

When revamping a single room the majority of your focus is ded-

icated to that individual space making it easy to forget that the rest

of the house is attached Establishing connectivity between rooms is

a challenge but an important part of executing a project the right

way

Sometimes one wrong detail no matter how small can be incred-

ibly impactful and difficult to avoid on your own

ldquoIf yoursquore working on a new addition or renovation we ensure it

flows that therersquos balance between the existing part of the living

space and the new additionrdquo Meghan Baltich said explaining that

it just doesnrsquot make sense to put in a great new kitchen if itrsquos dis-

jointed and out of place from its surroundings

Another common novice mistake is the trendy retail store fallacy

that you can order a full room from a catalog or pick a fabulous and

unique design from a floor plan

Blairhouse clients learn the difference between ldquocookie-cutterrdquo

and ldquocustomrdquo and they are never concerned with picking the wrong

piece for the wrong room

Simply Saratoga | 45

ome customers will come to us after going into a Pottery Barn and buying stuff that just didnrsquot workrdquo Baltich said giving the

example of an individual who purchased an enormous sectional for a tiny room ldquoWe scale into the clientrsquos space taking func-

tion and proportion into considerationrdquo

Exceptional listening and observation skills are the designerrsquos

unsung attributes and greatest assets Blairhouse experts engage

with their clients to gain a true understanding of what they want

In turn the design process becomes an eye-opening experience

customers are introduced to colors and concepts they would

never think to consider

ldquoEach client trusts us to create their environment and we

enable them to make informed decisionsrdquo Patricia Richards

said

And sometimes that requires bold suggestions and collabora-

tion or looking at all of the possibilities even the ones ldquoyou

would never have been brave enough to do on your ownrdquo

In the end the experience of working with the experts is

enjoyable stress-free and cost-effective From concept to com-

pletion the result is just what you want and need ndash a fabulous

marriage of function and aesthetic that wonrsquot have you coming

back for more (because you did it right the first time) sect

ldquoS

46 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 47

For a taste of Blairhouse Interiors Grouprsquos distinctive work stop into their Park Place studio located at 262 Broadway Suite 204 in Saratoga Springs For further details visit wwwblairhouseinteriorscom or call (518) 786-7800

From left to right Dominic Carota Meghan Baltich Patricia Richards and

Thomas R Burns (The designproject therapy team of Blairhouse Interiors Group)

48 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 49

Dorsquos and Donrsquots

50 | Simply Saratoga

Story Written by Kerry Ann Mendez Perennially Yours bull wwwpyourscom Photos Provided

SpringDorsquos and Donrsquots

SpringDorsquos and DonrsquotsDorsquos and Donrsquots

Spring

for your Gardens

s

Simply Saratoga | 51

ssts

SPRINGis right around the corner and gardenersare pawing at the ground ready to explodethrough the garden gate As a passionate perennial gardenerI am right there with you But before launching into another flower-filledseason letrsquos go through a spring checklist of dorsquorsquos and donrsquorsquots to makesure we make the most of the race and have the best finish ever

Photo by GardenersSupply Company

apply a granular fertilizer to your perennial beds while they are still lsquoasleeprsquoDepending on the winter wersquove had this may be anytime from mid-Marchto mid-April Donrsquot worry if there are already lsquoearly risersrsquo visible like springblooming bulbs or woodland ephemerals I recommend using 5-5-5 5-10-5 or

5-10-10 fertilizer at the rate of 2 pounds per 100 square feet Cast the fertilizer just before it is about to rainto make sure fertilizer is watered into the ground and washed off any existing leaves You can give otherplants in your yard this treat as well including floweringshrubs groundcovers climbing vinesand roses

DONrsquoTput fertilizer on top of the snow or on ground that is

still frozen You want to make sure the fertilizer disap-pears into pliable soil and to waiting roots otherwiserunoff can occur And donrsquot think more is better Youcan stress or even kill plants by over-fertilizing espe-cially in spring when leaves are not fully developed toutilize nitrogen in the fertilizer If you are going to errless is better

DO

prune once-b l o o m i n g

roses such as Heirloom or Old GardenRoses when the Forsythia is blooming

Any rose that blooms onceusually in late spring forabout three weeks is in thiscategory Many times theseroses are quite fragrantWait to prune these rosesuntil right after they flower

DONrsquoT

prune most roses whenForsythia is in bloom Pruneshrub roses back by half to

23 their height This is assuming you did not prunethem last fall If you did then next year wait until latewinter or early spring Prune Teas and Grandiflorasback to 18 - 24rdquo For climbing roses prune branchesemerging from the main canes back to within 3 - 4rdquoof the cane

DO

apply corn gluten tolawn areas yoursquoveseeded (or over-seeded) or to gar-dens where youwant biennialsperennials or annu-als to reseed andflower Corn glutendoes not distinguishbetween lsquogoodrsquoand lsquobadrsquo seeds

apply a pre-emer-gent weed killerand fertilizer toyour lawn A lushhealthy lawn

makes a beautiful frame for gardens Myfamily walked away from lawn chemicalsfive years ago And our lawn has neverlooked better Corn gluten is a big part ofthis transformation Corn gluten is a by-product of milled corn It will not harm chil-dren pets or wildlife Heck you can eat it ifyou want (but it tastes yucky) Corn Glutenis high in nitrogen and commonly used as alawn fertilizer But it is also a pre-emergenttargeting seeds as they germinate Youcan put corn gluten down at any point inthe spring BUT if part of your mission is toeliminate crabgrass then there is a narrowwindow of attackApply it whenForsythia is in fullbloom and beforeits leaves appearThe Forsythia is asoil temperatureindicator that cor-responds to whencrabgrass seedsstart to germinate More garden centersare now carrying corn gluten productsYou just need to ask and follow the appli-cation instructions on the bag Make sureto water in the corn gluten after applyingIt will remain effective for five to six weeks

Simply Saratoga | 53

DONrsquoT

DO

step on soil as you maneuver around thegarden to cut back Lavender and therest of the gang For that matter youshould never be tromping through yourgardens compacting soil This breaks

down air and water channels as well as making it tougher forroots to spread Instead reach into beds from existing paths orplace stepping stones in discreet spots where only your eyes cansee or lsquowalk the plankrsquo on a board to reach plants fartherlsquoadriftrsquo

54 | Simply Saratoga

cut back Lavender Russian SageMontauk Daisy Butterfly BushChrysanthemums and ornamental grass-es These are best left untouched in falland whacked in spring Many folks make

the mistake of acting too gingerly with pruners Let lsquoem fly Theresult will be more compact neater plants that will bloom just fineTrust me If it helps wait until yoursquove had a bad day at work withthe kids or in traffic

DONrsquoT

DO

divide Peonies German Bearded Iris orOriental Poppies in spring These are bestdone in late summer Also tap-rootedplants (those with a carrot-looking root)cannot be divided Think about it These

are usually propagated by seed stem or root cuttings Someperennials that fall into this category are Malva Butterfly WeedBalloon Flower Oriental Poppies and Lupines

Simply Saratoga | 55

DONrsquoT

divide plants in spring This is an optimumtime to divide most perennials Yes evenspring bloomers Wait until these haveflowered and then shear off the spentblooms and get to business Most sum-

mer and fall blooming perennials can be divided prior to mid-Junewithout disrupting their performance

DO

apply a time-released fertilizersuch as Plant-Tone(organic) orOsmocote to heavy

feeding perennials five to six weeks afterthe earlier granular fertilizer applicationMost plants do not need as much fertilizeras we are led in advertising to believe I amstingy with my money and maintenancetime so only a handful of plants get thisbonus feed Astilbe Delphinium Liliums (ieAsiatic Oriental Trumpet) Clematis androses If I am feeling generous I will putsome on my Bigleaf Hydrangeas next to theroses Call me heartlessJust scratch fertilizer intothe top couple inchesof soil around theplantrsquos base and waterin well They will enjoy anutritious snack forthree to four months

apply mulch ongarden beds toreduce weedsconserve moisture

reduce erosion minimize soil temperaturefluctuations and enhance the quality ofthe soil Some mulching materials includeaged manures compost shredded wood(not dyed) leaf moldand cocoa hulls Putthe mulch down 2rdquo to3rdquo thick around plantsincluding floweringshrubs

build up mulchagainst plant stems

And please please donrsquot create volcanomounds around trees Please This is awfulfor them The only ones that benefit fromthis are the people selling the mulch

56 | Simply Saratoga

DONrsquoT

DO

DO

rubber band orbraid the foliage ofspring bloomingbulbs after they fin-ish flowering You

want as much leaf surface exposed to thesun as possible to increase photosynthesisYou can press the leaves down next to thesoil so they are less noticeable

Simply Saratoga | 57

sect

And finally DO have a great year in

your gardens and DONrsquoT forget to

take time to smell the roses

DONrsquoT

DONrsquoT

cut off the spentblooms and stems onspring blooming bulbsafter they have flow-ered so energy is redirected to the bulbsversus seed productions Keep the leaves inplace until they have browned and ideallycan be pulled from the ground by hand

put time-released fertil-izer on perennials thatprefer lean dietsRicher soil just upsetstheir vascular systemsThey will get leggy flop and not perform tosnuff Yarrow Coneflower Catmint RussianSage Linum Sea Holly and Silvermound are inthe group

DO

For more information contact Perennially Yours at pyourscom

58 | Simply Saratoga

Ill mination

Exterior Stonework

an

d

Story Written by Arthur Gonick Photos Provided

u

Simply Saratoga | 59

To develop and implement an exterior vista that maximizes your enjoyment To have a backyard landscape that is warm inviting and uniquely yours

These are goals that many homeowners have when they first move onto their property But unless you are trained in the variety ofmaterials and options available the task of getting past the point of comparing possibilities to completing and actually enjoying yourbackyard paradise can appear to be a long daunting road

For Carl Trinkle a landscape designer for ten years with the Gallivan Companies of Troy one of the key elements in a successfultransformation is utilizing a professionalrsquos expertise to articulate goals and develop a plan

ldquoThe most important thing we do when we first meet with a client is to get them to discuss their basic needs and aims and encouragethem to formulate an overall vision for their property An initial consultation sets the tone we make an initial visit on-site to look overthe property so we can have an idea as to where things might be placedrdquo

ldquoDuring this intake process we actually encourage people to show us photos of their friendrsquos property that they like or perhaps froma magazine It helps most people to articulate the goals of what they would like to see as a finished projectrdquo Trinkle said ldquoEven if they are looking to do things in phases we find that it is most important to develop a comprehensive site planrdquo This eliminates the need to revise original phases of work to accommodate those that come in the future

60 | Simply Saratoga

that Mr Trinkle finds potential customers identifying with aredesigned to extend the outdoor season ldquoA few extra weeks outside isa lotrdquo he said

add-ons also extend outside activity each day Low voltage lighting is still the most popular but recently LED lighting with longer-lasting bulbs that involve less maintenance and are cost-efficienthave become more fashionable

The latest trends

stations fire pits and waterenhancements such as ponds andwaterfalls are the most frequentlyrequested items that broaden theoutdoor use season

Outdoor grill

Exterior lighting

Simply Saratoga | 61

And of course swimming pool projects have always been a most-requested

item Fifty percent of allthe projects Mr Trinkleworks on involve a pooleither a completely new installation or enhance-ments to existing poolsGallivanrsquos long-standingrelationship withConcord Pools has beena hallmark in assuringthat customers are satis-fied when their pool isput in the ground

62 | Simply Saratoga

In most cases a comprehensive plancan be developed for any project in about a period of twoweeks Complete drawings and cost breakdowns are provid-ed as well as the projected phases that can be completed injust a few months or on larger projects can be scheduled insegments over a few years These are reviewed in personwith the customer again the goal being to have a plan thateveryone buys into

Simply Saratoga | 63

ldquoWe have had projects where the customer has wanted tohave a lot of input and we welcome that But we also hadone where the client was out of town and we built a firepit and slide for his wife and kids and our only instructions were to dazzle themI remember it as a most satisfying experience and we ended up winning awards for that onerdquo

- Carl Trinkle Landscape DesignerThe Gallivan Companies

64 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 65

ldquoI get to work using my creativity with talented people Some of the most talented are those

I meet as customersrdquo sect

For more information or to schedule aconsultation phone Gallivan Companies at(518) 271-6100 Gallivanrsquos website iswwwGallivanCompaniescom

66 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 67

Buying a playhouse for your child is an excellent investment

They promote imaginative play and spending time outdoors and

double as storage space when no longer used for recreation

Denise Woodcock owner of Versatile Sheds in Wilton has

been helping parents and grandparents customize their childrsquos or

grandchildrsquos dream playhouses for years

ldquoThey make great gifts especially for grandparents who want

their grandkids to have their own place to play when they visitrdquo

she said

Playhouses are a great addition to a childrsquos outdoor world

They come in all shapes sizes and designs and can be custom-

built or finished if you donrsquot find exactly what yoursquore looking for

in a catalog or on the lot

Every child is different and has their own preferences for color

size and function boys and girls often have especially different

requests for their play space as do younger and more mature chil-

dren so therersquos a lot to consider

Denise knows how even the finest detail can be all it takes to

make an outdoor structure feel like a childrsquos own personal space

While it may seem superfluous to address every minor demand

the truth is a playhouse is more than just an expensive toy itrsquos an

investment The more your child connects with their space the more

use theyrsquoll get out of it ndash and according to Denise that means your

money is well spent

Smartest WayThe

playhouse for your kidsto buy a

Photos by MarkBollescomStory by Yael Goldman

68 | Simply Saratoga

With this in mind prospective buyers should first consider

who will use the playhouse and for how long as well as what

happens when the structure is no longer used for recreation

Versatile Sheds can help even the most discerning parent or

child find what theyrsquore looking for Every playhouse is hand-

built by Amish craftsmen who can accommodate almost any

special request at an additional cost so the possibilities are

endless inside and out

Cedar shingle or vinyl siding wood stone or brick ndash if you

can use it on the outside of your regular home it can be inte-

grated into your playhousersquos design Playhouses can be built

to look like a miniature version of your home which is an

excellent touch for parents that are particularly concerned

with aesthetics Porches shutters flowerboxes unique doors

chimneys and exterior lighting are just a few of the touches

that can brighten and personalize the exterior

Individualizing your childrsquos playhouse doesnrsquot stop at the

front door There are just as many interior features to choose

from ndash you can let your imagination run wild

For starters you have the option to order the playhouse

with a finished or unfinished interior The unfinished version

looks a lot like the inside of a regular home before you move

in paint the walls and furnish the rooms

Buying an unfinished structure is a great way to cut costs

and even bring the family together over a weekend decorating

project The possibilities are endless depending on how handy

you are otherwise a few coats of paint and a bit of carpeting

will surely do the trick

Although a bit pricey purchasing a playhouse with a fin-

ished interior ensures that your child gets exactly what they

want right off the bat They can pick everything from the paint

color to the flooring so the playhouse is move-in ready on the

day it arrives

Playhouses can also be insulated and wired for electricity

You can install lighting electrical outlets even heat or air-

conditioning to make your childrsquos outdoor space as comfort-

able as possible

And the options donrsquot end there Traditional sheds also dou-

ble as playhouses For some parents purchasing an adult-size

shed for their children is an ideal way to get the best return on

their investment Once their children grow out of it the struc-

ture can be used for outdoor storage With just as many styles

sizes and materials to choose from you can customize the

interior and exterior of your shed just as you would a play-

house but without all of the more frivolous features

ldquoAny shed can be a playhouserdquo Woodcock said explaining

how a custom paint job or flowerbox can transform a typical

storage unit into childrsquos outdoor activity haven

For example if purchasing a wood shed the exterior can be

easily painted and repainted when making the transition from

playhouse to storage space

For Denisersquos customers getting their moneyrsquos worth should

not have to mean making sacrifices

Simply Saratoga | 69

70 | Simply Saratoga

When Debby Trainor made the decision to buy her grand-

daughter Chezneyrsquos dream house she wanted it to have all the

bells and whistles She met with Denise to go over all the cri-

teria the goal was to buy the perfect gift for Chezney while

staying within her budget

The eight-year-old Greenwich girl wanted her own pretty

pink palace where she could play and imagine Debby wanted

it to be a cozy and safe place for her to play year-round

Customization and interior decoration helped make

Chezneyrsquos playhouse feel like her own little kingdom

ldquoWe made it look like a cute little dollhouserdquo she said ldquoWe

put furniture inside and a little stove fridge heater and TV

itrsquos just perfectrdquo

With the structure built to their liking Chezney and Debby

could enjoy decorating the inside to personalize the playhouse

For many customers putting on the finishing touches means

making the playhouse feel like home ndash you can add curtains

hang pictures buy furniture and appliances and landscape the

perimeter to make the outdoor space feel like a home away

from home

When the child grows out of their playhouse these items

can be easily removed to accommodate a secondary use for the

space

ldquoThe best thing that Denise did for me was explain how we

can use the playhouse for storage for stuff out in the yard after

Chezney has grown out of itrdquo Debby explained ldquoAlthough

she is only eight and will be using it for quite a few more

years this really makes it a good investment and looks

great in the backyardrdquo

Whether you choose a customized playhouse or a tradi-

tional shed thinking toward the future also ensures the

safety and longevity of the structure

Denise explained that placement is an important thing to

consider as you want to make sure the structure is in a safe

place and on an appropriate surface Most importantly the

playhouse must be built on a level even surface that isnrsquot

too high off of the ground

ldquoYou want it on a nice platformrdquo Denise explained

ldquoSome people use concrete but stone is better because it

allows moisture to seep down into the ground and away

from the structurerdquo

Most parents prefer that their playhouse is in the back-

yard where itrsquos easy to see from a window Placing the

structure in a shaded area is also a good idea it will be

cooler in the summer and less susceptible to the elements if

partially protected by trees

Debby had Chezneyrsquos playhouse built right next to her

swing set where she can be easily supervised

One last thing to consider when purchasing a playhouse

Simply Saratoga | 71

72 | Simply Saratoga

or shed for your child is how much effort

you want to put into maintaining it The

more ornate the structure the more care it

may need

Woodcock advises parents to preserve

their investment and treat the playhouse

like a miniature home

Think of it as a miniature house ndash the

structure requires regular maintenance

and upkeep to ensure your child will be

safe while enjoying years and years of

imaginative fun

With so many features and styles to

choose from yoursquore sure to find the best

for both you and your child

For more information about Versatile

Sheds or to set up a time to meet with

Denise Woodcock call (518) 584-7924

or stop by 669 Route 9 in Wilton sect

Simply Saratoga | 73

74 | Simply Saratoga

Kitchen

Not Your

Grandmarsquos

Story Written by Daniel Schechtman Photos Provided

ldquoAs you

walk into the kitchen

of the future LED

light projections adjust

to your mood - it will

know if you have a

hangover via sensors

that will read your

b r a i n w a v e s

Aromatherapy infused

walls will be synched

to your calendar calm-

ing you before a big

meeting or energizing you before a gym session The fridge will have selected some breakfast options identifying the essen-

tial vitamins for your day via sensors When you get home a hologram chef will be on hand for recipe inspirationrdquo

Alright so maybe your kitchen canrsquot do all of these things quite yet ndash but believe it or not wersquore getting there This is tomor-

rowrsquos kitchen a kitchen where your appliances donrsquot just store your food or wash your dishes ndash they talk to you providing you

with integral information on how to

best store your fruits and vegetables

letting you know if the refrigerator

door is open for too long or when a

part will soon need replacing

Simply Saratoga | 75

ldquoScience fictionrdquo I hear you say

Guess again Quoted from a report released by The Future Laboratory

who was commissioned by IKEA to determine what a modernkitchen in the year 2040 could conceivably look like

76 | Simply Saratoga

ldquoOne technology that really stands out to me is the

Miele Appliance Company Right now theyrsquore using a

program called lsquoremote visionrsquo On select applianceshellip

is a wireless card that clicks into a port on the back of

the appliance You synch it up with your home network

and it basically emails the technician and the owner

when itrsquos broken when you need to clean your condens-

er change your water filter or schedule a routine serv-

icerdquo said Tom Thibeault owner of Adirondack

Appliance Repair Inc located at 67 West Ave in

Saratoga Springs ldquoMaybe somebodyrsquos been opening the

[refrigerator] door for too long or the door was left open

ndash it will email you and tell you that your door is left

openrdquo

This is not your grandmarsquos kitchen This my friends

is the kitchen of the future and itrsquos available now

The 36 inch bottom-mount Miele refrigerator boasts a

striking interior featuring LED lighting running along

the sides from top to bottom stainless steel accents and

exteriors with control systems that would be comfort-

able alongside the captainrsquos chair on the Starship

Enterprise

Simply Saratoga | 77

ldquoThe controls in the Miele really stand out

Looking at the controls theyrsquore just a glass piece and

then once you touch it you see a few options for the

different compartments Then you touch the compart-

ment and the temperature is displayed so itrsquos kind of

like a Star Trek controlrdquo Thibeault said

And thatrsquos just the refrigerator

Adirondack Appliance has also seen brands such as

Wolf (a company owned by the same people who own

Sub-Zero) grow in popularity when it comes to their

range stoves and ovens The dual convection oven

works to eliminate cold spotting and provides consis-

tent even temperatures and even allows for unique

options such as proofing ndash used best when baking

homemade bread

ldquoIt also has a temperature probe you can plug into

things like a turkey or roast so you can see the temper-

ature while itrsquos still inside the machine It has

hydraulic hinges halogen lit interiors everything is

composed of stainless steel and itrsquos by far one of the

best lines on the marketrdquo Thibeault said

A new line coming to Adirondack Appliance that

features some amazing technology is a series of Pro-

Style Ranges produced by industry giant Jenn-Air

ldquoThat actually has an LCD touch

screen like an IPAD for the controls The

temperature is set by sliding your finger

along the controls Itrsquos all color backlit and

absolutely amazingrdquo Thibeault said

ldquoAnother thing we have to that same

effect are some of the hoods which have

really been getting pretty out there as far as

design We have one on our floor [by Miele]

that has an LED bar on the front which

changes in phases between 196000 colors

Itrsquos a very delicate change very pretty and

coolrdquo Thibeault said adding ldquoor you can set

it to any color in that spectrum yoursquod like to

accent your cabinetryrdquo

When it comes to dishwashers Thibeault

can attest to the quality of both the Asko and

Miele brands both of which he uses in his

own home And good news for Saratoga

Springs residents ndash

ldquoIn our market in

Saratoga we have a

very hard water base

whether yoursquore on a well

system or city waterrdquo

Thibeault said ldquoSo you

get a lot of minerals in

the machine With the

stainless steel interiors it

eliminates a lot of prob-

lems generally seen with

plastic interior tubs and

usually they are the best

life expectanciesrdquo

78 | Simply Saratoga

Asko and Mieleare practically custom made to handle the

arearsquos typicallymineral rich water

Simply Saratoga | 79

The Asko brand dishwasher takes things one step

further including two pumps in the washerrsquos system

The first pump filters the water cleansing it of poten-

tially harmful minerals while the second pump recircu-

lates the water ensuring that the machine is never

blasting your dishes with food debris or dirty residue

With Miele the design features a built-in water sof-

tener perfect for dealing with the Saratoga water

system

ldquoTypically the Miele is going to do a better job with

tougher baked in stainsrdquo said Thibeault ldquobecause itrsquos

got the softener in it and a little bit longer pots and pans

cyclerdquo

80 | Simply Saratoga

Adirondack Appliance Repair Inc is a fami-

ly-owned business since 1929 and the last inde-

pendent appliance retailer of its kind in Saratoga

Springs With $6 billion of buying power behind

their name (a benefit of being part of the Nation

Wide Appliance Buying Group) Thibeault

promised ldquowe can actually price match the box

stores and everybody else around all while pro-

viding you with better service and better

productsrdquo

For more information on AdirondackAppliance or the products they sell you mayvisit their showroom located at 67 West Avenuein Saratoga Springs for live demonstrationsThey can also be reached by phone at (518)587-6640 or you may visit them at their newwebsite wwwadkappliancecom where cus-tomers can browse through the storersquos entirecatalogue of appliances

sect

Simply Saratoga | 81

82 | Simply Saratoga

Page 41: Simply Saratoga March 2011

Simply Saratoga | 43

orking with the

right interior designer

turns listless decision making

into an enjoyable and productive

process that avoids costly mistakes

and delivers exceptional results

Designing a room or an entire home is a

big project no matter how strong your tastes are

The decisions are endless ndash what color should I paint the

walls What flooring is most aesthetically appealing and

dog-friendly Should I choose a furniture set or choose

individual pieces Do I want curtains or shades Do I

decorate with knick-knacks or artwork

But with all the unique self-questioning that surrounds

an interior design project most homeowners share angst

in asking themselves one specific question where do I

start

Itrsquos at this point ndash when stress level increases enjoy-

ment-driven projects turn deadly and money has been

wastefully spent on all the wrong things ndash that you long

for the help of a professional if only you could afford it

Well the truth is you can

Creating the right space can be expensive but is only

more so if you make mistakes and have to go back and

fix them If you do it right the first time therersquos no cost

associated with do-overs

With nearly 100 years of experience between them all

four members of Blairhouse Interiors Group have

worked with more than enough unhappy do-it-your-

selfers to tell you yoursquore not alone

Photo by Samu Studios

44 | Simply Saratoga

The four-member designproject therapy team which recently

opened a studio in Saratoga Springs has a long history of help-

ing home and business owners create their ideal spaces and

atmospheres the right way Their exceptional work is celebrated across

the Capital Region including Saratoga Springs where the Blairhouse

look is prominently featured in a handful of Park Place condominiums

and the incredible Saratoga National Golf Club

Thomas R Burns Meghan Baltich Dominic Carota and Patricia

Richards the highly skilled and charismatic force behind Blairhouse

Interiors Group promise an experience that is personal because itrsquos all

about your needs ndash and thatrsquos what is important

Blairhouse offers full-service interior design services space planning

project management hand-picked merchandise patience and an uncan-

ny ability to create a

look that is always

fresh sophisticated

and comfortable

ldquoThe style that we

gravitate toward is

unique cutting-edge

and modern not dic-

tated by corporaterdquo

said Meghan Baltich

pointing to a ldquovery

propitiousrdquo Keith Fritz

table at the center of

the studio

Photo by Randall Perry Photography

If you do it right the firsttime therersquos no cost

associated with do-oversPhoto by Randall Perry Photography

One glance at the Park Place showroom ndash of the selective furnishings carefully showcased along

the periphery ndash and it becomes clear why Blairhouse an award-winning team gets the job

done

Their creativity focus and immaculate sense of direction bring objectivity to the scene helping you nar-

row down all of the tedious and overwhelming choices that make do-it-yourself decorating an exercise in

unclear thinking

ldquoPeople are overwhelmed by all the choices it can feel like theyrsquore in a paralyzed blurrdquo said Thomas

Burns who finds that a great vision can be impossible to imagine and create without eliminating all of

the distractions

A vital step in getting focused is creating a

comprehensive plan based on individual

needs wants and style that addresses all

aspects of lifestyle and taste and suggests

tactful solutions and fresh approaches to new

and existing spaces

They help you identify what you like

forcing you to hone in on what you want and

need to compliment and enhance your

lifestyle

ldquoWe ascertain the clientrsquos goal and

lifestyle to convey their visionrdquo said

Dominic Carota explaining that the intended

outcome of creating or reinventing a room is

often strictly tied to how you want to live in

it

ldquoWe have to know how they functionrdquo he

said

An interior designer is an asset in the func-

tion-meets-style equation

Dominic explained that a couple starting a family will have far

different needs than empty-nesters looking for a change They may

have the same stylistic goals but their execution will differ based on

how their lifestyle exists within the space

When revamping a single room the majority of your focus is ded-

icated to that individual space making it easy to forget that the rest

of the house is attached Establishing connectivity between rooms is

a challenge but an important part of executing a project the right

way

Sometimes one wrong detail no matter how small can be incred-

ibly impactful and difficult to avoid on your own

ldquoIf yoursquore working on a new addition or renovation we ensure it

flows that therersquos balance between the existing part of the living

space and the new additionrdquo Meghan Baltich said explaining that

it just doesnrsquot make sense to put in a great new kitchen if itrsquos dis-

jointed and out of place from its surroundings

Another common novice mistake is the trendy retail store fallacy

that you can order a full room from a catalog or pick a fabulous and

unique design from a floor plan

Blairhouse clients learn the difference between ldquocookie-cutterrdquo

and ldquocustomrdquo and they are never concerned with picking the wrong

piece for the wrong room

Simply Saratoga | 45

ome customers will come to us after going into a Pottery Barn and buying stuff that just didnrsquot workrdquo Baltich said giving the

example of an individual who purchased an enormous sectional for a tiny room ldquoWe scale into the clientrsquos space taking func-

tion and proportion into considerationrdquo

Exceptional listening and observation skills are the designerrsquos

unsung attributes and greatest assets Blairhouse experts engage

with their clients to gain a true understanding of what they want

In turn the design process becomes an eye-opening experience

customers are introduced to colors and concepts they would

never think to consider

ldquoEach client trusts us to create their environment and we

enable them to make informed decisionsrdquo Patricia Richards

said

And sometimes that requires bold suggestions and collabora-

tion or looking at all of the possibilities even the ones ldquoyou

would never have been brave enough to do on your ownrdquo

In the end the experience of working with the experts is

enjoyable stress-free and cost-effective From concept to com-

pletion the result is just what you want and need ndash a fabulous

marriage of function and aesthetic that wonrsquot have you coming

back for more (because you did it right the first time) sect

ldquoS

46 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 47

For a taste of Blairhouse Interiors Grouprsquos distinctive work stop into their Park Place studio located at 262 Broadway Suite 204 in Saratoga Springs For further details visit wwwblairhouseinteriorscom or call (518) 786-7800

From left to right Dominic Carota Meghan Baltich Patricia Richards and

Thomas R Burns (The designproject therapy team of Blairhouse Interiors Group)

48 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 49

Dorsquos and Donrsquots

50 | Simply Saratoga

Story Written by Kerry Ann Mendez Perennially Yours bull wwwpyourscom Photos Provided

SpringDorsquos and Donrsquots

SpringDorsquos and DonrsquotsDorsquos and Donrsquots

Spring

for your Gardens

s

Simply Saratoga | 51

ssts

SPRINGis right around the corner and gardenersare pawing at the ground ready to explodethrough the garden gate As a passionate perennial gardenerI am right there with you But before launching into another flower-filledseason letrsquos go through a spring checklist of dorsquorsquos and donrsquorsquots to makesure we make the most of the race and have the best finish ever

Photo by GardenersSupply Company

apply a granular fertilizer to your perennial beds while they are still lsquoasleeprsquoDepending on the winter wersquove had this may be anytime from mid-Marchto mid-April Donrsquot worry if there are already lsquoearly risersrsquo visible like springblooming bulbs or woodland ephemerals I recommend using 5-5-5 5-10-5 or

5-10-10 fertilizer at the rate of 2 pounds per 100 square feet Cast the fertilizer just before it is about to rainto make sure fertilizer is watered into the ground and washed off any existing leaves You can give otherplants in your yard this treat as well including floweringshrubs groundcovers climbing vinesand roses

DONrsquoTput fertilizer on top of the snow or on ground that is

still frozen You want to make sure the fertilizer disap-pears into pliable soil and to waiting roots otherwiserunoff can occur And donrsquot think more is better Youcan stress or even kill plants by over-fertilizing espe-cially in spring when leaves are not fully developed toutilize nitrogen in the fertilizer If you are going to errless is better

DO

prune once-b l o o m i n g

roses such as Heirloom or Old GardenRoses when the Forsythia is blooming

Any rose that blooms onceusually in late spring forabout three weeks is in thiscategory Many times theseroses are quite fragrantWait to prune these rosesuntil right after they flower

DONrsquoT

prune most roses whenForsythia is in bloom Pruneshrub roses back by half to

23 their height This is assuming you did not prunethem last fall If you did then next year wait until latewinter or early spring Prune Teas and Grandiflorasback to 18 - 24rdquo For climbing roses prune branchesemerging from the main canes back to within 3 - 4rdquoof the cane

DO

apply corn gluten tolawn areas yoursquoveseeded (or over-seeded) or to gar-dens where youwant biennialsperennials or annu-als to reseed andflower Corn glutendoes not distinguishbetween lsquogoodrsquoand lsquobadrsquo seeds

apply a pre-emer-gent weed killerand fertilizer toyour lawn A lushhealthy lawn

makes a beautiful frame for gardens Myfamily walked away from lawn chemicalsfive years ago And our lawn has neverlooked better Corn gluten is a big part ofthis transformation Corn gluten is a by-product of milled corn It will not harm chil-dren pets or wildlife Heck you can eat it ifyou want (but it tastes yucky) Corn Glutenis high in nitrogen and commonly used as alawn fertilizer But it is also a pre-emergenttargeting seeds as they germinate Youcan put corn gluten down at any point inthe spring BUT if part of your mission is toeliminate crabgrass then there is a narrowwindow of attackApply it whenForsythia is in fullbloom and beforeits leaves appearThe Forsythia is asoil temperatureindicator that cor-responds to whencrabgrass seedsstart to germinate More garden centersare now carrying corn gluten productsYou just need to ask and follow the appli-cation instructions on the bag Make sureto water in the corn gluten after applyingIt will remain effective for five to six weeks

Simply Saratoga | 53

DONrsquoT

DO

step on soil as you maneuver around thegarden to cut back Lavender and therest of the gang For that matter youshould never be tromping through yourgardens compacting soil This breaks

down air and water channels as well as making it tougher forroots to spread Instead reach into beds from existing paths orplace stepping stones in discreet spots where only your eyes cansee or lsquowalk the plankrsquo on a board to reach plants fartherlsquoadriftrsquo

54 | Simply Saratoga

cut back Lavender Russian SageMontauk Daisy Butterfly BushChrysanthemums and ornamental grass-es These are best left untouched in falland whacked in spring Many folks make

the mistake of acting too gingerly with pruners Let lsquoem fly Theresult will be more compact neater plants that will bloom just fineTrust me If it helps wait until yoursquove had a bad day at work withthe kids or in traffic

DONrsquoT

DO

divide Peonies German Bearded Iris orOriental Poppies in spring These are bestdone in late summer Also tap-rootedplants (those with a carrot-looking root)cannot be divided Think about it These

are usually propagated by seed stem or root cuttings Someperennials that fall into this category are Malva Butterfly WeedBalloon Flower Oriental Poppies and Lupines

Simply Saratoga | 55

DONrsquoT

divide plants in spring This is an optimumtime to divide most perennials Yes evenspring bloomers Wait until these haveflowered and then shear off the spentblooms and get to business Most sum-

mer and fall blooming perennials can be divided prior to mid-Junewithout disrupting their performance

DO

apply a time-released fertilizersuch as Plant-Tone(organic) orOsmocote to heavy

feeding perennials five to six weeks afterthe earlier granular fertilizer applicationMost plants do not need as much fertilizeras we are led in advertising to believe I amstingy with my money and maintenancetime so only a handful of plants get thisbonus feed Astilbe Delphinium Liliums (ieAsiatic Oriental Trumpet) Clematis androses If I am feeling generous I will putsome on my Bigleaf Hydrangeas next to theroses Call me heartlessJust scratch fertilizer intothe top couple inchesof soil around theplantrsquos base and waterin well They will enjoy anutritious snack forthree to four months

apply mulch ongarden beds toreduce weedsconserve moisture

reduce erosion minimize soil temperaturefluctuations and enhance the quality ofthe soil Some mulching materials includeaged manures compost shredded wood(not dyed) leaf moldand cocoa hulls Putthe mulch down 2rdquo to3rdquo thick around plantsincluding floweringshrubs

build up mulchagainst plant stems

And please please donrsquot create volcanomounds around trees Please This is awfulfor them The only ones that benefit fromthis are the people selling the mulch

56 | Simply Saratoga

DONrsquoT

DO

DO

rubber band orbraid the foliage ofspring bloomingbulbs after they fin-ish flowering You

want as much leaf surface exposed to thesun as possible to increase photosynthesisYou can press the leaves down next to thesoil so they are less noticeable

Simply Saratoga | 57

sect

And finally DO have a great year in

your gardens and DONrsquoT forget to

take time to smell the roses

DONrsquoT

DONrsquoT

cut off the spentblooms and stems onspring blooming bulbsafter they have flow-ered so energy is redirected to the bulbsversus seed productions Keep the leaves inplace until they have browned and ideallycan be pulled from the ground by hand

put time-released fertil-izer on perennials thatprefer lean dietsRicher soil just upsetstheir vascular systemsThey will get leggy flop and not perform tosnuff Yarrow Coneflower Catmint RussianSage Linum Sea Holly and Silvermound are inthe group

DO

For more information contact Perennially Yours at pyourscom

58 | Simply Saratoga

Ill mination

Exterior Stonework

an

d

Story Written by Arthur Gonick Photos Provided

u

Simply Saratoga | 59

To develop and implement an exterior vista that maximizes your enjoyment To have a backyard landscape that is warm inviting and uniquely yours

These are goals that many homeowners have when they first move onto their property But unless you are trained in the variety ofmaterials and options available the task of getting past the point of comparing possibilities to completing and actually enjoying yourbackyard paradise can appear to be a long daunting road

For Carl Trinkle a landscape designer for ten years with the Gallivan Companies of Troy one of the key elements in a successfultransformation is utilizing a professionalrsquos expertise to articulate goals and develop a plan

ldquoThe most important thing we do when we first meet with a client is to get them to discuss their basic needs and aims and encouragethem to formulate an overall vision for their property An initial consultation sets the tone we make an initial visit on-site to look overthe property so we can have an idea as to where things might be placedrdquo

ldquoDuring this intake process we actually encourage people to show us photos of their friendrsquos property that they like or perhaps froma magazine It helps most people to articulate the goals of what they would like to see as a finished projectrdquo Trinkle said ldquoEven if they are looking to do things in phases we find that it is most important to develop a comprehensive site planrdquo This eliminates the need to revise original phases of work to accommodate those that come in the future

60 | Simply Saratoga

that Mr Trinkle finds potential customers identifying with aredesigned to extend the outdoor season ldquoA few extra weeks outside isa lotrdquo he said

add-ons also extend outside activity each day Low voltage lighting is still the most popular but recently LED lighting with longer-lasting bulbs that involve less maintenance and are cost-efficienthave become more fashionable

The latest trends

stations fire pits and waterenhancements such as ponds andwaterfalls are the most frequentlyrequested items that broaden theoutdoor use season

Outdoor grill

Exterior lighting

Simply Saratoga | 61

And of course swimming pool projects have always been a most-requested

item Fifty percent of allthe projects Mr Trinkleworks on involve a pooleither a completely new installation or enhance-ments to existing poolsGallivanrsquos long-standingrelationship withConcord Pools has beena hallmark in assuringthat customers are satis-fied when their pool isput in the ground

62 | Simply Saratoga

In most cases a comprehensive plancan be developed for any project in about a period of twoweeks Complete drawings and cost breakdowns are provid-ed as well as the projected phases that can be completed injust a few months or on larger projects can be scheduled insegments over a few years These are reviewed in personwith the customer again the goal being to have a plan thateveryone buys into

Simply Saratoga | 63

ldquoWe have had projects where the customer has wanted tohave a lot of input and we welcome that But we also hadone where the client was out of town and we built a firepit and slide for his wife and kids and our only instructions were to dazzle themI remember it as a most satisfying experience and we ended up winning awards for that onerdquo

- Carl Trinkle Landscape DesignerThe Gallivan Companies

64 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 65

ldquoI get to work using my creativity with talented people Some of the most talented are those

I meet as customersrdquo sect

For more information or to schedule aconsultation phone Gallivan Companies at(518) 271-6100 Gallivanrsquos website iswwwGallivanCompaniescom

66 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 67

Buying a playhouse for your child is an excellent investment

They promote imaginative play and spending time outdoors and

double as storage space when no longer used for recreation

Denise Woodcock owner of Versatile Sheds in Wilton has

been helping parents and grandparents customize their childrsquos or

grandchildrsquos dream playhouses for years

ldquoThey make great gifts especially for grandparents who want

their grandkids to have their own place to play when they visitrdquo

she said

Playhouses are a great addition to a childrsquos outdoor world

They come in all shapes sizes and designs and can be custom-

built or finished if you donrsquot find exactly what yoursquore looking for

in a catalog or on the lot

Every child is different and has their own preferences for color

size and function boys and girls often have especially different

requests for their play space as do younger and more mature chil-

dren so therersquos a lot to consider

Denise knows how even the finest detail can be all it takes to

make an outdoor structure feel like a childrsquos own personal space

While it may seem superfluous to address every minor demand

the truth is a playhouse is more than just an expensive toy itrsquos an

investment The more your child connects with their space the more

use theyrsquoll get out of it ndash and according to Denise that means your

money is well spent

Smartest WayThe

playhouse for your kidsto buy a

Photos by MarkBollescomStory by Yael Goldman

68 | Simply Saratoga

With this in mind prospective buyers should first consider

who will use the playhouse and for how long as well as what

happens when the structure is no longer used for recreation

Versatile Sheds can help even the most discerning parent or

child find what theyrsquore looking for Every playhouse is hand-

built by Amish craftsmen who can accommodate almost any

special request at an additional cost so the possibilities are

endless inside and out

Cedar shingle or vinyl siding wood stone or brick ndash if you

can use it on the outside of your regular home it can be inte-

grated into your playhousersquos design Playhouses can be built

to look like a miniature version of your home which is an

excellent touch for parents that are particularly concerned

with aesthetics Porches shutters flowerboxes unique doors

chimneys and exterior lighting are just a few of the touches

that can brighten and personalize the exterior

Individualizing your childrsquos playhouse doesnrsquot stop at the

front door There are just as many interior features to choose

from ndash you can let your imagination run wild

For starters you have the option to order the playhouse

with a finished or unfinished interior The unfinished version

looks a lot like the inside of a regular home before you move

in paint the walls and furnish the rooms

Buying an unfinished structure is a great way to cut costs

and even bring the family together over a weekend decorating

project The possibilities are endless depending on how handy

you are otherwise a few coats of paint and a bit of carpeting

will surely do the trick

Although a bit pricey purchasing a playhouse with a fin-

ished interior ensures that your child gets exactly what they

want right off the bat They can pick everything from the paint

color to the flooring so the playhouse is move-in ready on the

day it arrives

Playhouses can also be insulated and wired for electricity

You can install lighting electrical outlets even heat or air-

conditioning to make your childrsquos outdoor space as comfort-

able as possible

And the options donrsquot end there Traditional sheds also dou-

ble as playhouses For some parents purchasing an adult-size

shed for their children is an ideal way to get the best return on

their investment Once their children grow out of it the struc-

ture can be used for outdoor storage With just as many styles

sizes and materials to choose from you can customize the

interior and exterior of your shed just as you would a play-

house but without all of the more frivolous features

ldquoAny shed can be a playhouserdquo Woodcock said explaining

how a custom paint job or flowerbox can transform a typical

storage unit into childrsquos outdoor activity haven

For example if purchasing a wood shed the exterior can be

easily painted and repainted when making the transition from

playhouse to storage space

For Denisersquos customers getting their moneyrsquos worth should

not have to mean making sacrifices

Simply Saratoga | 69

70 | Simply Saratoga

When Debby Trainor made the decision to buy her grand-

daughter Chezneyrsquos dream house she wanted it to have all the

bells and whistles She met with Denise to go over all the cri-

teria the goal was to buy the perfect gift for Chezney while

staying within her budget

The eight-year-old Greenwich girl wanted her own pretty

pink palace where she could play and imagine Debby wanted

it to be a cozy and safe place for her to play year-round

Customization and interior decoration helped make

Chezneyrsquos playhouse feel like her own little kingdom

ldquoWe made it look like a cute little dollhouserdquo she said ldquoWe

put furniture inside and a little stove fridge heater and TV

itrsquos just perfectrdquo

With the structure built to their liking Chezney and Debby

could enjoy decorating the inside to personalize the playhouse

For many customers putting on the finishing touches means

making the playhouse feel like home ndash you can add curtains

hang pictures buy furniture and appliances and landscape the

perimeter to make the outdoor space feel like a home away

from home

When the child grows out of their playhouse these items

can be easily removed to accommodate a secondary use for the

space

ldquoThe best thing that Denise did for me was explain how we

can use the playhouse for storage for stuff out in the yard after

Chezney has grown out of itrdquo Debby explained ldquoAlthough

she is only eight and will be using it for quite a few more

years this really makes it a good investment and looks

great in the backyardrdquo

Whether you choose a customized playhouse or a tradi-

tional shed thinking toward the future also ensures the

safety and longevity of the structure

Denise explained that placement is an important thing to

consider as you want to make sure the structure is in a safe

place and on an appropriate surface Most importantly the

playhouse must be built on a level even surface that isnrsquot

too high off of the ground

ldquoYou want it on a nice platformrdquo Denise explained

ldquoSome people use concrete but stone is better because it

allows moisture to seep down into the ground and away

from the structurerdquo

Most parents prefer that their playhouse is in the back-

yard where itrsquos easy to see from a window Placing the

structure in a shaded area is also a good idea it will be

cooler in the summer and less susceptible to the elements if

partially protected by trees

Debby had Chezneyrsquos playhouse built right next to her

swing set where she can be easily supervised

One last thing to consider when purchasing a playhouse

Simply Saratoga | 71

72 | Simply Saratoga

or shed for your child is how much effort

you want to put into maintaining it The

more ornate the structure the more care it

may need

Woodcock advises parents to preserve

their investment and treat the playhouse

like a miniature home

Think of it as a miniature house ndash the

structure requires regular maintenance

and upkeep to ensure your child will be

safe while enjoying years and years of

imaginative fun

With so many features and styles to

choose from yoursquore sure to find the best

for both you and your child

For more information about Versatile

Sheds or to set up a time to meet with

Denise Woodcock call (518) 584-7924

or stop by 669 Route 9 in Wilton sect

Simply Saratoga | 73

74 | Simply Saratoga

Kitchen

Not Your

Grandmarsquos

Story Written by Daniel Schechtman Photos Provided

ldquoAs you

walk into the kitchen

of the future LED

light projections adjust

to your mood - it will

know if you have a

hangover via sensors

that will read your

b r a i n w a v e s

Aromatherapy infused

walls will be synched

to your calendar calm-

ing you before a big

meeting or energizing you before a gym session The fridge will have selected some breakfast options identifying the essen-

tial vitamins for your day via sensors When you get home a hologram chef will be on hand for recipe inspirationrdquo

Alright so maybe your kitchen canrsquot do all of these things quite yet ndash but believe it or not wersquore getting there This is tomor-

rowrsquos kitchen a kitchen where your appliances donrsquot just store your food or wash your dishes ndash they talk to you providing you

with integral information on how to

best store your fruits and vegetables

letting you know if the refrigerator

door is open for too long or when a

part will soon need replacing

Simply Saratoga | 75

ldquoScience fictionrdquo I hear you say

Guess again Quoted from a report released by The Future Laboratory

who was commissioned by IKEA to determine what a modernkitchen in the year 2040 could conceivably look like

76 | Simply Saratoga

ldquoOne technology that really stands out to me is the

Miele Appliance Company Right now theyrsquore using a

program called lsquoremote visionrsquo On select applianceshellip

is a wireless card that clicks into a port on the back of

the appliance You synch it up with your home network

and it basically emails the technician and the owner

when itrsquos broken when you need to clean your condens-

er change your water filter or schedule a routine serv-

icerdquo said Tom Thibeault owner of Adirondack

Appliance Repair Inc located at 67 West Ave in

Saratoga Springs ldquoMaybe somebodyrsquos been opening the

[refrigerator] door for too long or the door was left open

ndash it will email you and tell you that your door is left

openrdquo

This is not your grandmarsquos kitchen This my friends

is the kitchen of the future and itrsquos available now

The 36 inch bottom-mount Miele refrigerator boasts a

striking interior featuring LED lighting running along

the sides from top to bottom stainless steel accents and

exteriors with control systems that would be comfort-

able alongside the captainrsquos chair on the Starship

Enterprise

Simply Saratoga | 77

ldquoThe controls in the Miele really stand out

Looking at the controls theyrsquore just a glass piece and

then once you touch it you see a few options for the

different compartments Then you touch the compart-

ment and the temperature is displayed so itrsquos kind of

like a Star Trek controlrdquo Thibeault said

And thatrsquos just the refrigerator

Adirondack Appliance has also seen brands such as

Wolf (a company owned by the same people who own

Sub-Zero) grow in popularity when it comes to their

range stoves and ovens The dual convection oven

works to eliminate cold spotting and provides consis-

tent even temperatures and even allows for unique

options such as proofing ndash used best when baking

homemade bread

ldquoIt also has a temperature probe you can plug into

things like a turkey or roast so you can see the temper-

ature while itrsquos still inside the machine It has

hydraulic hinges halogen lit interiors everything is

composed of stainless steel and itrsquos by far one of the

best lines on the marketrdquo Thibeault said

A new line coming to Adirondack Appliance that

features some amazing technology is a series of Pro-

Style Ranges produced by industry giant Jenn-Air

ldquoThat actually has an LCD touch

screen like an IPAD for the controls The

temperature is set by sliding your finger

along the controls Itrsquos all color backlit and

absolutely amazingrdquo Thibeault said

ldquoAnother thing we have to that same

effect are some of the hoods which have

really been getting pretty out there as far as

design We have one on our floor [by Miele]

that has an LED bar on the front which

changes in phases between 196000 colors

Itrsquos a very delicate change very pretty and

coolrdquo Thibeault said adding ldquoor you can set

it to any color in that spectrum yoursquod like to

accent your cabinetryrdquo

When it comes to dishwashers Thibeault

can attest to the quality of both the Asko and

Miele brands both of which he uses in his

own home And good news for Saratoga

Springs residents ndash

ldquoIn our market in

Saratoga we have a

very hard water base

whether yoursquore on a well

system or city waterrdquo

Thibeault said ldquoSo you

get a lot of minerals in

the machine With the

stainless steel interiors it

eliminates a lot of prob-

lems generally seen with

plastic interior tubs and

usually they are the best

life expectanciesrdquo

78 | Simply Saratoga

Asko and Mieleare practically custom made to handle the

arearsquos typicallymineral rich water

Simply Saratoga | 79

The Asko brand dishwasher takes things one step

further including two pumps in the washerrsquos system

The first pump filters the water cleansing it of poten-

tially harmful minerals while the second pump recircu-

lates the water ensuring that the machine is never

blasting your dishes with food debris or dirty residue

With Miele the design features a built-in water sof-

tener perfect for dealing with the Saratoga water

system

ldquoTypically the Miele is going to do a better job with

tougher baked in stainsrdquo said Thibeault ldquobecause itrsquos

got the softener in it and a little bit longer pots and pans

cyclerdquo

80 | Simply Saratoga

Adirondack Appliance Repair Inc is a fami-

ly-owned business since 1929 and the last inde-

pendent appliance retailer of its kind in Saratoga

Springs With $6 billion of buying power behind

their name (a benefit of being part of the Nation

Wide Appliance Buying Group) Thibeault

promised ldquowe can actually price match the box

stores and everybody else around all while pro-

viding you with better service and better

productsrdquo

For more information on AdirondackAppliance or the products they sell you mayvisit their showroom located at 67 West Avenuein Saratoga Springs for live demonstrationsThey can also be reached by phone at (518)587-6640 or you may visit them at their newwebsite wwwadkappliancecom where cus-tomers can browse through the storersquos entirecatalogue of appliances

sect

Simply Saratoga | 81

82 | Simply Saratoga

Page 42: Simply Saratoga March 2011

44 | Simply Saratoga

The four-member designproject therapy team which recently

opened a studio in Saratoga Springs has a long history of help-

ing home and business owners create their ideal spaces and

atmospheres the right way Their exceptional work is celebrated across

the Capital Region including Saratoga Springs where the Blairhouse

look is prominently featured in a handful of Park Place condominiums

and the incredible Saratoga National Golf Club

Thomas R Burns Meghan Baltich Dominic Carota and Patricia

Richards the highly skilled and charismatic force behind Blairhouse

Interiors Group promise an experience that is personal because itrsquos all

about your needs ndash and thatrsquos what is important

Blairhouse offers full-service interior design services space planning

project management hand-picked merchandise patience and an uncan-

ny ability to create a

look that is always

fresh sophisticated

and comfortable

ldquoThe style that we

gravitate toward is

unique cutting-edge

and modern not dic-

tated by corporaterdquo

said Meghan Baltich

pointing to a ldquovery

propitiousrdquo Keith Fritz

table at the center of

the studio

Photo by Randall Perry Photography

If you do it right the firsttime therersquos no cost

associated with do-oversPhoto by Randall Perry Photography

One glance at the Park Place showroom ndash of the selective furnishings carefully showcased along

the periphery ndash and it becomes clear why Blairhouse an award-winning team gets the job

done

Their creativity focus and immaculate sense of direction bring objectivity to the scene helping you nar-

row down all of the tedious and overwhelming choices that make do-it-yourself decorating an exercise in

unclear thinking

ldquoPeople are overwhelmed by all the choices it can feel like theyrsquore in a paralyzed blurrdquo said Thomas

Burns who finds that a great vision can be impossible to imagine and create without eliminating all of

the distractions

A vital step in getting focused is creating a

comprehensive plan based on individual

needs wants and style that addresses all

aspects of lifestyle and taste and suggests

tactful solutions and fresh approaches to new

and existing spaces

They help you identify what you like

forcing you to hone in on what you want and

need to compliment and enhance your

lifestyle

ldquoWe ascertain the clientrsquos goal and

lifestyle to convey their visionrdquo said

Dominic Carota explaining that the intended

outcome of creating or reinventing a room is

often strictly tied to how you want to live in

it

ldquoWe have to know how they functionrdquo he

said

An interior designer is an asset in the func-

tion-meets-style equation

Dominic explained that a couple starting a family will have far

different needs than empty-nesters looking for a change They may

have the same stylistic goals but their execution will differ based on

how their lifestyle exists within the space

When revamping a single room the majority of your focus is ded-

icated to that individual space making it easy to forget that the rest

of the house is attached Establishing connectivity between rooms is

a challenge but an important part of executing a project the right

way

Sometimes one wrong detail no matter how small can be incred-

ibly impactful and difficult to avoid on your own

ldquoIf yoursquore working on a new addition or renovation we ensure it

flows that therersquos balance between the existing part of the living

space and the new additionrdquo Meghan Baltich said explaining that

it just doesnrsquot make sense to put in a great new kitchen if itrsquos dis-

jointed and out of place from its surroundings

Another common novice mistake is the trendy retail store fallacy

that you can order a full room from a catalog or pick a fabulous and

unique design from a floor plan

Blairhouse clients learn the difference between ldquocookie-cutterrdquo

and ldquocustomrdquo and they are never concerned with picking the wrong

piece for the wrong room

Simply Saratoga | 45

ome customers will come to us after going into a Pottery Barn and buying stuff that just didnrsquot workrdquo Baltich said giving the

example of an individual who purchased an enormous sectional for a tiny room ldquoWe scale into the clientrsquos space taking func-

tion and proportion into considerationrdquo

Exceptional listening and observation skills are the designerrsquos

unsung attributes and greatest assets Blairhouse experts engage

with their clients to gain a true understanding of what they want

In turn the design process becomes an eye-opening experience

customers are introduced to colors and concepts they would

never think to consider

ldquoEach client trusts us to create their environment and we

enable them to make informed decisionsrdquo Patricia Richards

said

And sometimes that requires bold suggestions and collabora-

tion or looking at all of the possibilities even the ones ldquoyou

would never have been brave enough to do on your ownrdquo

In the end the experience of working with the experts is

enjoyable stress-free and cost-effective From concept to com-

pletion the result is just what you want and need ndash a fabulous

marriage of function and aesthetic that wonrsquot have you coming

back for more (because you did it right the first time) sect

ldquoS

46 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 47

For a taste of Blairhouse Interiors Grouprsquos distinctive work stop into their Park Place studio located at 262 Broadway Suite 204 in Saratoga Springs For further details visit wwwblairhouseinteriorscom or call (518) 786-7800

From left to right Dominic Carota Meghan Baltich Patricia Richards and

Thomas R Burns (The designproject therapy team of Blairhouse Interiors Group)

48 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 49

Dorsquos and Donrsquots

50 | Simply Saratoga

Story Written by Kerry Ann Mendez Perennially Yours bull wwwpyourscom Photos Provided

SpringDorsquos and Donrsquots

SpringDorsquos and DonrsquotsDorsquos and Donrsquots

Spring

for your Gardens

s

Simply Saratoga | 51

ssts

SPRINGis right around the corner and gardenersare pawing at the ground ready to explodethrough the garden gate As a passionate perennial gardenerI am right there with you But before launching into another flower-filledseason letrsquos go through a spring checklist of dorsquorsquos and donrsquorsquots to makesure we make the most of the race and have the best finish ever

Photo by GardenersSupply Company

apply a granular fertilizer to your perennial beds while they are still lsquoasleeprsquoDepending on the winter wersquove had this may be anytime from mid-Marchto mid-April Donrsquot worry if there are already lsquoearly risersrsquo visible like springblooming bulbs or woodland ephemerals I recommend using 5-5-5 5-10-5 or

5-10-10 fertilizer at the rate of 2 pounds per 100 square feet Cast the fertilizer just before it is about to rainto make sure fertilizer is watered into the ground and washed off any existing leaves You can give otherplants in your yard this treat as well including floweringshrubs groundcovers climbing vinesand roses

DONrsquoTput fertilizer on top of the snow or on ground that is

still frozen You want to make sure the fertilizer disap-pears into pliable soil and to waiting roots otherwiserunoff can occur And donrsquot think more is better Youcan stress or even kill plants by over-fertilizing espe-cially in spring when leaves are not fully developed toutilize nitrogen in the fertilizer If you are going to errless is better

DO

prune once-b l o o m i n g

roses such as Heirloom or Old GardenRoses when the Forsythia is blooming

Any rose that blooms onceusually in late spring forabout three weeks is in thiscategory Many times theseroses are quite fragrantWait to prune these rosesuntil right after they flower

DONrsquoT

prune most roses whenForsythia is in bloom Pruneshrub roses back by half to

23 their height This is assuming you did not prunethem last fall If you did then next year wait until latewinter or early spring Prune Teas and Grandiflorasback to 18 - 24rdquo For climbing roses prune branchesemerging from the main canes back to within 3 - 4rdquoof the cane

DO

apply corn gluten tolawn areas yoursquoveseeded (or over-seeded) or to gar-dens where youwant biennialsperennials or annu-als to reseed andflower Corn glutendoes not distinguishbetween lsquogoodrsquoand lsquobadrsquo seeds

apply a pre-emer-gent weed killerand fertilizer toyour lawn A lushhealthy lawn

makes a beautiful frame for gardens Myfamily walked away from lawn chemicalsfive years ago And our lawn has neverlooked better Corn gluten is a big part ofthis transformation Corn gluten is a by-product of milled corn It will not harm chil-dren pets or wildlife Heck you can eat it ifyou want (but it tastes yucky) Corn Glutenis high in nitrogen and commonly used as alawn fertilizer But it is also a pre-emergenttargeting seeds as they germinate Youcan put corn gluten down at any point inthe spring BUT if part of your mission is toeliminate crabgrass then there is a narrowwindow of attackApply it whenForsythia is in fullbloom and beforeits leaves appearThe Forsythia is asoil temperatureindicator that cor-responds to whencrabgrass seedsstart to germinate More garden centersare now carrying corn gluten productsYou just need to ask and follow the appli-cation instructions on the bag Make sureto water in the corn gluten after applyingIt will remain effective for five to six weeks

Simply Saratoga | 53

DONrsquoT

DO

step on soil as you maneuver around thegarden to cut back Lavender and therest of the gang For that matter youshould never be tromping through yourgardens compacting soil This breaks

down air and water channels as well as making it tougher forroots to spread Instead reach into beds from existing paths orplace stepping stones in discreet spots where only your eyes cansee or lsquowalk the plankrsquo on a board to reach plants fartherlsquoadriftrsquo

54 | Simply Saratoga

cut back Lavender Russian SageMontauk Daisy Butterfly BushChrysanthemums and ornamental grass-es These are best left untouched in falland whacked in spring Many folks make

the mistake of acting too gingerly with pruners Let lsquoem fly Theresult will be more compact neater plants that will bloom just fineTrust me If it helps wait until yoursquove had a bad day at work withthe kids or in traffic

DONrsquoT

DO

divide Peonies German Bearded Iris orOriental Poppies in spring These are bestdone in late summer Also tap-rootedplants (those with a carrot-looking root)cannot be divided Think about it These

are usually propagated by seed stem or root cuttings Someperennials that fall into this category are Malva Butterfly WeedBalloon Flower Oriental Poppies and Lupines

Simply Saratoga | 55

DONrsquoT

divide plants in spring This is an optimumtime to divide most perennials Yes evenspring bloomers Wait until these haveflowered and then shear off the spentblooms and get to business Most sum-

mer and fall blooming perennials can be divided prior to mid-Junewithout disrupting their performance

DO

apply a time-released fertilizersuch as Plant-Tone(organic) orOsmocote to heavy

feeding perennials five to six weeks afterthe earlier granular fertilizer applicationMost plants do not need as much fertilizeras we are led in advertising to believe I amstingy with my money and maintenancetime so only a handful of plants get thisbonus feed Astilbe Delphinium Liliums (ieAsiatic Oriental Trumpet) Clematis androses If I am feeling generous I will putsome on my Bigleaf Hydrangeas next to theroses Call me heartlessJust scratch fertilizer intothe top couple inchesof soil around theplantrsquos base and waterin well They will enjoy anutritious snack forthree to four months

apply mulch ongarden beds toreduce weedsconserve moisture

reduce erosion minimize soil temperaturefluctuations and enhance the quality ofthe soil Some mulching materials includeaged manures compost shredded wood(not dyed) leaf moldand cocoa hulls Putthe mulch down 2rdquo to3rdquo thick around plantsincluding floweringshrubs

build up mulchagainst plant stems

And please please donrsquot create volcanomounds around trees Please This is awfulfor them The only ones that benefit fromthis are the people selling the mulch

56 | Simply Saratoga

DONrsquoT

DO

DO

rubber band orbraid the foliage ofspring bloomingbulbs after they fin-ish flowering You

want as much leaf surface exposed to thesun as possible to increase photosynthesisYou can press the leaves down next to thesoil so they are less noticeable

Simply Saratoga | 57

sect

And finally DO have a great year in

your gardens and DONrsquoT forget to

take time to smell the roses

DONrsquoT

DONrsquoT

cut off the spentblooms and stems onspring blooming bulbsafter they have flow-ered so energy is redirected to the bulbsversus seed productions Keep the leaves inplace until they have browned and ideallycan be pulled from the ground by hand

put time-released fertil-izer on perennials thatprefer lean dietsRicher soil just upsetstheir vascular systemsThey will get leggy flop and not perform tosnuff Yarrow Coneflower Catmint RussianSage Linum Sea Holly and Silvermound are inthe group

DO

For more information contact Perennially Yours at pyourscom

58 | Simply Saratoga

Ill mination

Exterior Stonework

an

d

Story Written by Arthur Gonick Photos Provided

u

Simply Saratoga | 59

To develop and implement an exterior vista that maximizes your enjoyment To have a backyard landscape that is warm inviting and uniquely yours

These are goals that many homeowners have when they first move onto their property But unless you are trained in the variety ofmaterials and options available the task of getting past the point of comparing possibilities to completing and actually enjoying yourbackyard paradise can appear to be a long daunting road

For Carl Trinkle a landscape designer for ten years with the Gallivan Companies of Troy one of the key elements in a successfultransformation is utilizing a professionalrsquos expertise to articulate goals and develop a plan

ldquoThe most important thing we do when we first meet with a client is to get them to discuss their basic needs and aims and encouragethem to formulate an overall vision for their property An initial consultation sets the tone we make an initial visit on-site to look overthe property so we can have an idea as to where things might be placedrdquo

ldquoDuring this intake process we actually encourage people to show us photos of their friendrsquos property that they like or perhaps froma magazine It helps most people to articulate the goals of what they would like to see as a finished projectrdquo Trinkle said ldquoEven if they are looking to do things in phases we find that it is most important to develop a comprehensive site planrdquo This eliminates the need to revise original phases of work to accommodate those that come in the future

60 | Simply Saratoga

that Mr Trinkle finds potential customers identifying with aredesigned to extend the outdoor season ldquoA few extra weeks outside isa lotrdquo he said

add-ons also extend outside activity each day Low voltage lighting is still the most popular but recently LED lighting with longer-lasting bulbs that involve less maintenance and are cost-efficienthave become more fashionable

The latest trends

stations fire pits and waterenhancements such as ponds andwaterfalls are the most frequentlyrequested items that broaden theoutdoor use season

Outdoor grill

Exterior lighting

Simply Saratoga | 61

And of course swimming pool projects have always been a most-requested

item Fifty percent of allthe projects Mr Trinkleworks on involve a pooleither a completely new installation or enhance-ments to existing poolsGallivanrsquos long-standingrelationship withConcord Pools has beena hallmark in assuringthat customers are satis-fied when their pool isput in the ground

62 | Simply Saratoga

In most cases a comprehensive plancan be developed for any project in about a period of twoweeks Complete drawings and cost breakdowns are provid-ed as well as the projected phases that can be completed injust a few months or on larger projects can be scheduled insegments over a few years These are reviewed in personwith the customer again the goal being to have a plan thateveryone buys into

Simply Saratoga | 63

ldquoWe have had projects where the customer has wanted tohave a lot of input and we welcome that But we also hadone where the client was out of town and we built a firepit and slide for his wife and kids and our only instructions were to dazzle themI remember it as a most satisfying experience and we ended up winning awards for that onerdquo

- Carl Trinkle Landscape DesignerThe Gallivan Companies

64 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 65

ldquoI get to work using my creativity with talented people Some of the most talented are those

I meet as customersrdquo sect

For more information or to schedule aconsultation phone Gallivan Companies at(518) 271-6100 Gallivanrsquos website iswwwGallivanCompaniescom

66 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 67

Buying a playhouse for your child is an excellent investment

They promote imaginative play and spending time outdoors and

double as storage space when no longer used for recreation

Denise Woodcock owner of Versatile Sheds in Wilton has

been helping parents and grandparents customize their childrsquos or

grandchildrsquos dream playhouses for years

ldquoThey make great gifts especially for grandparents who want

their grandkids to have their own place to play when they visitrdquo

she said

Playhouses are a great addition to a childrsquos outdoor world

They come in all shapes sizes and designs and can be custom-

built or finished if you donrsquot find exactly what yoursquore looking for

in a catalog or on the lot

Every child is different and has their own preferences for color

size and function boys and girls often have especially different

requests for their play space as do younger and more mature chil-

dren so therersquos a lot to consider

Denise knows how even the finest detail can be all it takes to

make an outdoor structure feel like a childrsquos own personal space

While it may seem superfluous to address every minor demand

the truth is a playhouse is more than just an expensive toy itrsquos an

investment The more your child connects with their space the more

use theyrsquoll get out of it ndash and according to Denise that means your

money is well spent

Smartest WayThe

playhouse for your kidsto buy a

Photos by MarkBollescomStory by Yael Goldman

68 | Simply Saratoga

With this in mind prospective buyers should first consider

who will use the playhouse and for how long as well as what

happens when the structure is no longer used for recreation

Versatile Sheds can help even the most discerning parent or

child find what theyrsquore looking for Every playhouse is hand-

built by Amish craftsmen who can accommodate almost any

special request at an additional cost so the possibilities are

endless inside and out

Cedar shingle or vinyl siding wood stone or brick ndash if you

can use it on the outside of your regular home it can be inte-

grated into your playhousersquos design Playhouses can be built

to look like a miniature version of your home which is an

excellent touch for parents that are particularly concerned

with aesthetics Porches shutters flowerboxes unique doors

chimneys and exterior lighting are just a few of the touches

that can brighten and personalize the exterior

Individualizing your childrsquos playhouse doesnrsquot stop at the

front door There are just as many interior features to choose

from ndash you can let your imagination run wild

For starters you have the option to order the playhouse

with a finished or unfinished interior The unfinished version

looks a lot like the inside of a regular home before you move

in paint the walls and furnish the rooms

Buying an unfinished structure is a great way to cut costs

and even bring the family together over a weekend decorating

project The possibilities are endless depending on how handy

you are otherwise a few coats of paint and a bit of carpeting

will surely do the trick

Although a bit pricey purchasing a playhouse with a fin-

ished interior ensures that your child gets exactly what they

want right off the bat They can pick everything from the paint

color to the flooring so the playhouse is move-in ready on the

day it arrives

Playhouses can also be insulated and wired for electricity

You can install lighting electrical outlets even heat or air-

conditioning to make your childrsquos outdoor space as comfort-

able as possible

And the options donrsquot end there Traditional sheds also dou-

ble as playhouses For some parents purchasing an adult-size

shed for their children is an ideal way to get the best return on

their investment Once their children grow out of it the struc-

ture can be used for outdoor storage With just as many styles

sizes and materials to choose from you can customize the

interior and exterior of your shed just as you would a play-

house but without all of the more frivolous features

ldquoAny shed can be a playhouserdquo Woodcock said explaining

how a custom paint job or flowerbox can transform a typical

storage unit into childrsquos outdoor activity haven

For example if purchasing a wood shed the exterior can be

easily painted and repainted when making the transition from

playhouse to storage space

For Denisersquos customers getting their moneyrsquos worth should

not have to mean making sacrifices

Simply Saratoga | 69

70 | Simply Saratoga

When Debby Trainor made the decision to buy her grand-

daughter Chezneyrsquos dream house she wanted it to have all the

bells and whistles She met with Denise to go over all the cri-

teria the goal was to buy the perfect gift for Chezney while

staying within her budget

The eight-year-old Greenwich girl wanted her own pretty

pink palace where she could play and imagine Debby wanted

it to be a cozy and safe place for her to play year-round

Customization and interior decoration helped make

Chezneyrsquos playhouse feel like her own little kingdom

ldquoWe made it look like a cute little dollhouserdquo she said ldquoWe

put furniture inside and a little stove fridge heater and TV

itrsquos just perfectrdquo

With the structure built to their liking Chezney and Debby

could enjoy decorating the inside to personalize the playhouse

For many customers putting on the finishing touches means

making the playhouse feel like home ndash you can add curtains

hang pictures buy furniture and appliances and landscape the

perimeter to make the outdoor space feel like a home away

from home

When the child grows out of their playhouse these items

can be easily removed to accommodate a secondary use for the

space

ldquoThe best thing that Denise did for me was explain how we

can use the playhouse for storage for stuff out in the yard after

Chezney has grown out of itrdquo Debby explained ldquoAlthough

she is only eight and will be using it for quite a few more

years this really makes it a good investment and looks

great in the backyardrdquo

Whether you choose a customized playhouse or a tradi-

tional shed thinking toward the future also ensures the

safety and longevity of the structure

Denise explained that placement is an important thing to

consider as you want to make sure the structure is in a safe

place and on an appropriate surface Most importantly the

playhouse must be built on a level even surface that isnrsquot

too high off of the ground

ldquoYou want it on a nice platformrdquo Denise explained

ldquoSome people use concrete but stone is better because it

allows moisture to seep down into the ground and away

from the structurerdquo

Most parents prefer that their playhouse is in the back-

yard where itrsquos easy to see from a window Placing the

structure in a shaded area is also a good idea it will be

cooler in the summer and less susceptible to the elements if

partially protected by trees

Debby had Chezneyrsquos playhouse built right next to her

swing set where she can be easily supervised

One last thing to consider when purchasing a playhouse

Simply Saratoga | 71

72 | Simply Saratoga

or shed for your child is how much effort

you want to put into maintaining it The

more ornate the structure the more care it

may need

Woodcock advises parents to preserve

their investment and treat the playhouse

like a miniature home

Think of it as a miniature house ndash the

structure requires regular maintenance

and upkeep to ensure your child will be

safe while enjoying years and years of

imaginative fun

With so many features and styles to

choose from yoursquore sure to find the best

for both you and your child

For more information about Versatile

Sheds or to set up a time to meet with

Denise Woodcock call (518) 584-7924

or stop by 669 Route 9 in Wilton sect

Simply Saratoga | 73

74 | Simply Saratoga

Kitchen

Not Your

Grandmarsquos

Story Written by Daniel Schechtman Photos Provided

ldquoAs you

walk into the kitchen

of the future LED

light projections adjust

to your mood - it will

know if you have a

hangover via sensors

that will read your

b r a i n w a v e s

Aromatherapy infused

walls will be synched

to your calendar calm-

ing you before a big

meeting or energizing you before a gym session The fridge will have selected some breakfast options identifying the essen-

tial vitamins for your day via sensors When you get home a hologram chef will be on hand for recipe inspirationrdquo

Alright so maybe your kitchen canrsquot do all of these things quite yet ndash but believe it or not wersquore getting there This is tomor-

rowrsquos kitchen a kitchen where your appliances donrsquot just store your food or wash your dishes ndash they talk to you providing you

with integral information on how to

best store your fruits and vegetables

letting you know if the refrigerator

door is open for too long or when a

part will soon need replacing

Simply Saratoga | 75

ldquoScience fictionrdquo I hear you say

Guess again Quoted from a report released by The Future Laboratory

who was commissioned by IKEA to determine what a modernkitchen in the year 2040 could conceivably look like

76 | Simply Saratoga

ldquoOne technology that really stands out to me is the

Miele Appliance Company Right now theyrsquore using a

program called lsquoremote visionrsquo On select applianceshellip

is a wireless card that clicks into a port on the back of

the appliance You synch it up with your home network

and it basically emails the technician and the owner

when itrsquos broken when you need to clean your condens-

er change your water filter or schedule a routine serv-

icerdquo said Tom Thibeault owner of Adirondack

Appliance Repair Inc located at 67 West Ave in

Saratoga Springs ldquoMaybe somebodyrsquos been opening the

[refrigerator] door for too long or the door was left open

ndash it will email you and tell you that your door is left

openrdquo

This is not your grandmarsquos kitchen This my friends

is the kitchen of the future and itrsquos available now

The 36 inch bottom-mount Miele refrigerator boasts a

striking interior featuring LED lighting running along

the sides from top to bottom stainless steel accents and

exteriors with control systems that would be comfort-

able alongside the captainrsquos chair on the Starship

Enterprise

Simply Saratoga | 77

ldquoThe controls in the Miele really stand out

Looking at the controls theyrsquore just a glass piece and

then once you touch it you see a few options for the

different compartments Then you touch the compart-

ment and the temperature is displayed so itrsquos kind of

like a Star Trek controlrdquo Thibeault said

And thatrsquos just the refrigerator

Adirondack Appliance has also seen brands such as

Wolf (a company owned by the same people who own

Sub-Zero) grow in popularity when it comes to their

range stoves and ovens The dual convection oven

works to eliminate cold spotting and provides consis-

tent even temperatures and even allows for unique

options such as proofing ndash used best when baking

homemade bread

ldquoIt also has a temperature probe you can plug into

things like a turkey or roast so you can see the temper-

ature while itrsquos still inside the machine It has

hydraulic hinges halogen lit interiors everything is

composed of stainless steel and itrsquos by far one of the

best lines on the marketrdquo Thibeault said

A new line coming to Adirondack Appliance that

features some amazing technology is a series of Pro-

Style Ranges produced by industry giant Jenn-Air

ldquoThat actually has an LCD touch

screen like an IPAD for the controls The

temperature is set by sliding your finger

along the controls Itrsquos all color backlit and

absolutely amazingrdquo Thibeault said

ldquoAnother thing we have to that same

effect are some of the hoods which have

really been getting pretty out there as far as

design We have one on our floor [by Miele]

that has an LED bar on the front which

changes in phases between 196000 colors

Itrsquos a very delicate change very pretty and

coolrdquo Thibeault said adding ldquoor you can set

it to any color in that spectrum yoursquod like to

accent your cabinetryrdquo

When it comes to dishwashers Thibeault

can attest to the quality of both the Asko and

Miele brands both of which he uses in his

own home And good news for Saratoga

Springs residents ndash

ldquoIn our market in

Saratoga we have a

very hard water base

whether yoursquore on a well

system or city waterrdquo

Thibeault said ldquoSo you

get a lot of minerals in

the machine With the

stainless steel interiors it

eliminates a lot of prob-

lems generally seen with

plastic interior tubs and

usually they are the best

life expectanciesrdquo

78 | Simply Saratoga

Asko and Mieleare practically custom made to handle the

arearsquos typicallymineral rich water

Simply Saratoga | 79

The Asko brand dishwasher takes things one step

further including two pumps in the washerrsquos system

The first pump filters the water cleansing it of poten-

tially harmful minerals while the second pump recircu-

lates the water ensuring that the machine is never

blasting your dishes with food debris or dirty residue

With Miele the design features a built-in water sof-

tener perfect for dealing with the Saratoga water

system

ldquoTypically the Miele is going to do a better job with

tougher baked in stainsrdquo said Thibeault ldquobecause itrsquos

got the softener in it and a little bit longer pots and pans

cyclerdquo

80 | Simply Saratoga

Adirondack Appliance Repair Inc is a fami-

ly-owned business since 1929 and the last inde-

pendent appliance retailer of its kind in Saratoga

Springs With $6 billion of buying power behind

their name (a benefit of being part of the Nation

Wide Appliance Buying Group) Thibeault

promised ldquowe can actually price match the box

stores and everybody else around all while pro-

viding you with better service and better

productsrdquo

For more information on AdirondackAppliance or the products they sell you mayvisit their showroom located at 67 West Avenuein Saratoga Springs for live demonstrationsThey can also be reached by phone at (518)587-6640 or you may visit them at their newwebsite wwwadkappliancecom where cus-tomers can browse through the storersquos entirecatalogue of appliances

sect

Simply Saratoga | 81

82 | Simply Saratoga

Page 43: Simply Saratoga March 2011

One glance at the Park Place showroom ndash of the selective furnishings carefully showcased along

the periphery ndash and it becomes clear why Blairhouse an award-winning team gets the job

done

Their creativity focus and immaculate sense of direction bring objectivity to the scene helping you nar-

row down all of the tedious and overwhelming choices that make do-it-yourself decorating an exercise in

unclear thinking

ldquoPeople are overwhelmed by all the choices it can feel like theyrsquore in a paralyzed blurrdquo said Thomas

Burns who finds that a great vision can be impossible to imagine and create without eliminating all of

the distractions

A vital step in getting focused is creating a

comprehensive plan based on individual

needs wants and style that addresses all

aspects of lifestyle and taste and suggests

tactful solutions and fresh approaches to new

and existing spaces

They help you identify what you like

forcing you to hone in on what you want and

need to compliment and enhance your

lifestyle

ldquoWe ascertain the clientrsquos goal and

lifestyle to convey their visionrdquo said

Dominic Carota explaining that the intended

outcome of creating or reinventing a room is

often strictly tied to how you want to live in

it

ldquoWe have to know how they functionrdquo he

said

An interior designer is an asset in the func-

tion-meets-style equation

Dominic explained that a couple starting a family will have far

different needs than empty-nesters looking for a change They may

have the same stylistic goals but their execution will differ based on

how their lifestyle exists within the space

When revamping a single room the majority of your focus is ded-

icated to that individual space making it easy to forget that the rest

of the house is attached Establishing connectivity between rooms is

a challenge but an important part of executing a project the right

way

Sometimes one wrong detail no matter how small can be incred-

ibly impactful and difficult to avoid on your own

ldquoIf yoursquore working on a new addition or renovation we ensure it

flows that therersquos balance between the existing part of the living

space and the new additionrdquo Meghan Baltich said explaining that

it just doesnrsquot make sense to put in a great new kitchen if itrsquos dis-

jointed and out of place from its surroundings

Another common novice mistake is the trendy retail store fallacy

that you can order a full room from a catalog or pick a fabulous and

unique design from a floor plan

Blairhouse clients learn the difference between ldquocookie-cutterrdquo

and ldquocustomrdquo and they are never concerned with picking the wrong

piece for the wrong room

Simply Saratoga | 45

ome customers will come to us after going into a Pottery Barn and buying stuff that just didnrsquot workrdquo Baltich said giving the

example of an individual who purchased an enormous sectional for a tiny room ldquoWe scale into the clientrsquos space taking func-

tion and proportion into considerationrdquo

Exceptional listening and observation skills are the designerrsquos

unsung attributes and greatest assets Blairhouse experts engage

with their clients to gain a true understanding of what they want

In turn the design process becomes an eye-opening experience

customers are introduced to colors and concepts they would

never think to consider

ldquoEach client trusts us to create their environment and we

enable them to make informed decisionsrdquo Patricia Richards

said

And sometimes that requires bold suggestions and collabora-

tion or looking at all of the possibilities even the ones ldquoyou

would never have been brave enough to do on your ownrdquo

In the end the experience of working with the experts is

enjoyable stress-free and cost-effective From concept to com-

pletion the result is just what you want and need ndash a fabulous

marriage of function and aesthetic that wonrsquot have you coming

back for more (because you did it right the first time) sect

ldquoS

46 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 47

For a taste of Blairhouse Interiors Grouprsquos distinctive work stop into their Park Place studio located at 262 Broadway Suite 204 in Saratoga Springs For further details visit wwwblairhouseinteriorscom or call (518) 786-7800

From left to right Dominic Carota Meghan Baltich Patricia Richards and

Thomas R Burns (The designproject therapy team of Blairhouse Interiors Group)

48 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 49

Dorsquos and Donrsquots

50 | Simply Saratoga

Story Written by Kerry Ann Mendez Perennially Yours bull wwwpyourscom Photos Provided

SpringDorsquos and Donrsquots

SpringDorsquos and DonrsquotsDorsquos and Donrsquots

Spring

for your Gardens

s

Simply Saratoga | 51

ssts

SPRINGis right around the corner and gardenersare pawing at the ground ready to explodethrough the garden gate As a passionate perennial gardenerI am right there with you But before launching into another flower-filledseason letrsquos go through a spring checklist of dorsquorsquos and donrsquorsquots to makesure we make the most of the race and have the best finish ever

Photo by GardenersSupply Company

apply a granular fertilizer to your perennial beds while they are still lsquoasleeprsquoDepending on the winter wersquove had this may be anytime from mid-Marchto mid-April Donrsquot worry if there are already lsquoearly risersrsquo visible like springblooming bulbs or woodland ephemerals I recommend using 5-5-5 5-10-5 or

5-10-10 fertilizer at the rate of 2 pounds per 100 square feet Cast the fertilizer just before it is about to rainto make sure fertilizer is watered into the ground and washed off any existing leaves You can give otherplants in your yard this treat as well including floweringshrubs groundcovers climbing vinesand roses

DONrsquoTput fertilizer on top of the snow or on ground that is

still frozen You want to make sure the fertilizer disap-pears into pliable soil and to waiting roots otherwiserunoff can occur And donrsquot think more is better Youcan stress or even kill plants by over-fertilizing espe-cially in spring when leaves are not fully developed toutilize nitrogen in the fertilizer If you are going to errless is better

DO

prune once-b l o o m i n g

roses such as Heirloom or Old GardenRoses when the Forsythia is blooming

Any rose that blooms onceusually in late spring forabout three weeks is in thiscategory Many times theseroses are quite fragrantWait to prune these rosesuntil right after they flower

DONrsquoT

prune most roses whenForsythia is in bloom Pruneshrub roses back by half to

23 their height This is assuming you did not prunethem last fall If you did then next year wait until latewinter or early spring Prune Teas and Grandiflorasback to 18 - 24rdquo For climbing roses prune branchesemerging from the main canes back to within 3 - 4rdquoof the cane

DO

apply corn gluten tolawn areas yoursquoveseeded (or over-seeded) or to gar-dens where youwant biennialsperennials or annu-als to reseed andflower Corn glutendoes not distinguishbetween lsquogoodrsquoand lsquobadrsquo seeds

apply a pre-emer-gent weed killerand fertilizer toyour lawn A lushhealthy lawn

makes a beautiful frame for gardens Myfamily walked away from lawn chemicalsfive years ago And our lawn has neverlooked better Corn gluten is a big part ofthis transformation Corn gluten is a by-product of milled corn It will not harm chil-dren pets or wildlife Heck you can eat it ifyou want (but it tastes yucky) Corn Glutenis high in nitrogen and commonly used as alawn fertilizer But it is also a pre-emergenttargeting seeds as they germinate Youcan put corn gluten down at any point inthe spring BUT if part of your mission is toeliminate crabgrass then there is a narrowwindow of attackApply it whenForsythia is in fullbloom and beforeits leaves appearThe Forsythia is asoil temperatureindicator that cor-responds to whencrabgrass seedsstart to germinate More garden centersare now carrying corn gluten productsYou just need to ask and follow the appli-cation instructions on the bag Make sureto water in the corn gluten after applyingIt will remain effective for five to six weeks

Simply Saratoga | 53

DONrsquoT

DO

step on soil as you maneuver around thegarden to cut back Lavender and therest of the gang For that matter youshould never be tromping through yourgardens compacting soil This breaks

down air and water channels as well as making it tougher forroots to spread Instead reach into beds from existing paths orplace stepping stones in discreet spots where only your eyes cansee or lsquowalk the plankrsquo on a board to reach plants fartherlsquoadriftrsquo

54 | Simply Saratoga

cut back Lavender Russian SageMontauk Daisy Butterfly BushChrysanthemums and ornamental grass-es These are best left untouched in falland whacked in spring Many folks make

the mistake of acting too gingerly with pruners Let lsquoem fly Theresult will be more compact neater plants that will bloom just fineTrust me If it helps wait until yoursquove had a bad day at work withthe kids or in traffic

DONrsquoT

DO

divide Peonies German Bearded Iris orOriental Poppies in spring These are bestdone in late summer Also tap-rootedplants (those with a carrot-looking root)cannot be divided Think about it These

are usually propagated by seed stem or root cuttings Someperennials that fall into this category are Malva Butterfly WeedBalloon Flower Oriental Poppies and Lupines

Simply Saratoga | 55

DONrsquoT

divide plants in spring This is an optimumtime to divide most perennials Yes evenspring bloomers Wait until these haveflowered and then shear off the spentblooms and get to business Most sum-

mer and fall blooming perennials can be divided prior to mid-Junewithout disrupting their performance

DO

apply a time-released fertilizersuch as Plant-Tone(organic) orOsmocote to heavy

feeding perennials five to six weeks afterthe earlier granular fertilizer applicationMost plants do not need as much fertilizeras we are led in advertising to believe I amstingy with my money and maintenancetime so only a handful of plants get thisbonus feed Astilbe Delphinium Liliums (ieAsiatic Oriental Trumpet) Clematis androses If I am feeling generous I will putsome on my Bigleaf Hydrangeas next to theroses Call me heartlessJust scratch fertilizer intothe top couple inchesof soil around theplantrsquos base and waterin well They will enjoy anutritious snack forthree to four months

apply mulch ongarden beds toreduce weedsconserve moisture

reduce erosion minimize soil temperaturefluctuations and enhance the quality ofthe soil Some mulching materials includeaged manures compost shredded wood(not dyed) leaf moldand cocoa hulls Putthe mulch down 2rdquo to3rdquo thick around plantsincluding floweringshrubs

build up mulchagainst plant stems

And please please donrsquot create volcanomounds around trees Please This is awfulfor them The only ones that benefit fromthis are the people selling the mulch

56 | Simply Saratoga

DONrsquoT

DO

DO

rubber band orbraid the foliage ofspring bloomingbulbs after they fin-ish flowering You

want as much leaf surface exposed to thesun as possible to increase photosynthesisYou can press the leaves down next to thesoil so they are less noticeable

Simply Saratoga | 57

sect

And finally DO have a great year in

your gardens and DONrsquoT forget to

take time to smell the roses

DONrsquoT

DONrsquoT

cut off the spentblooms and stems onspring blooming bulbsafter they have flow-ered so energy is redirected to the bulbsversus seed productions Keep the leaves inplace until they have browned and ideallycan be pulled from the ground by hand

put time-released fertil-izer on perennials thatprefer lean dietsRicher soil just upsetstheir vascular systemsThey will get leggy flop and not perform tosnuff Yarrow Coneflower Catmint RussianSage Linum Sea Holly and Silvermound are inthe group

DO

For more information contact Perennially Yours at pyourscom

58 | Simply Saratoga

Ill mination

Exterior Stonework

an

d

Story Written by Arthur Gonick Photos Provided

u

Simply Saratoga | 59

To develop and implement an exterior vista that maximizes your enjoyment To have a backyard landscape that is warm inviting and uniquely yours

These are goals that many homeowners have when they first move onto their property But unless you are trained in the variety ofmaterials and options available the task of getting past the point of comparing possibilities to completing and actually enjoying yourbackyard paradise can appear to be a long daunting road

For Carl Trinkle a landscape designer for ten years with the Gallivan Companies of Troy one of the key elements in a successfultransformation is utilizing a professionalrsquos expertise to articulate goals and develop a plan

ldquoThe most important thing we do when we first meet with a client is to get them to discuss their basic needs and aims and encouragethem to formulate an overall vision for their property An initial consultation sets the tone we make an initial visit on-site to look overthe property so we can have an idea as to where things might be placedrdquo

ldquoDuring this intake process we actually encourage people to show us photos of their friendrsquos property that they like or perhaps froma magazine It helps most people to articulate the goals of what they would like to see as a finished projectrdquo Trinkle said ldquoEven if they are looking to do things in phases we find that it is most important to develop a comprehensive site planrdquo This eliminates the need to revise original phases of work to accommodate those that come in the future

60 | Simply Saratoga

that Mr Trinkle finds potential customers identifying with aredesigned to extend the outdoor season ldquoA few extra weeks outside isa lotrdquo he said

add-ons also extend outside activity each day Low voltage lighting is still the most popular but recently LED lighting with longer-lasting bulbs that involve less maintenance and are cost-efficienthave become more fashionable

The latest trends

stations fire pits and waterenhancements such as ponds andwaterfalls are the most frequentlyrequested items that broaden theoutdoor use season

Outdoor grill

Exterior lighting

Simply Saratoga | 61

And of course swimming pool projects have always been a most-requested

item Fifty percent of allthe projects Mr Trinkleworks on involve a pooleither a completely new installation or enhance-ments to existing poolsGallivanrsquos long-standingrelationship withConcord Pools has beena hallmark in assuringthat customers are satis-fied when their pool isput in the ground

62 | Simply Saratoga

In most cases a comprehensive plancan be developed for any project in about a period of twoweeks Complete drawings and cost breakdowns are provid-ed as well as the projected phases that can be completed injust a few months or on larger projects can be scheduled insegments over a few years These are reviewed in personwith the customer again the goal being to have a plan thateveryone buys into

Simply Saratoga | 63

ldquoWe have had projects where the customer has wanted tohave a lot of input and we welcome that But we also hadone where the client was out of town and we built a firepit and slide for his wife and kids and our only instructions were to dazzle themI remember it as a most satisfying experience and we ended up winning awards for that onerdquo

- Carl Trinkle Landscape DesignerThe Gallivan Companies

64 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 65

ldquoI get to work using my creativity with talented people Some of the most talented are those

I meet as customersrdquo sect

For more information or to schedule aconsultation phone Gallivan Companies at(518) 271-6100 Gallivanrsquos website iswwwGallivanCompaniescom

66 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 67

Buying a playhouse for your child is an excellent investment

They promote imaginative play and spending time outdoors and

double as storage space when no longer used for recreation

Denise Woodcock owner of Versatile Sheds in Wilton has

been helping parents and grandparents customize their childrsquos or

grandchildrsquos dream playhouses for years

ldquoThey make great gifts especially for grandparents who want

their grandkids to have their own place to play when they visitrdquo

she said

Playhouses are a great addition to a childrsquos outdoor world

They come in all shapes sizes and designs and can be custom-

built or finished if you donrsquot find exactly what yoursquore looking for

in a catalog or on the lot

Every child is different and has their own preferences for color

size and function boys and girls often have especially different

requests for their play space as do younger and more mature chil-

dren so therersquos a lot to consider

Denise knows how even the finest detail can be all it takes to

make an outdoor structure feel like a childrsquos own personal space

While it may seem superfluous to address every minor demand

the truth is a playhouse is more than just an expensive toy itrsquos an

investment The more your child connects with their space the more

use theyrsquoll get out of it ndash and according to Denise that means your

money is well spent

Smartest WayThe

playhouse for your kidsto buy a

Photos by MarkBollescomStory by Yael Goldman

68 | Simply Saratoga

With this in mind prospective buyers should first consider

who will use the playhouse and for how long as well as what

happens when the structure is no longer used for recreation

Versatile Sheds can help even the most discerning parent or

child find what theyrsquore looking for Every playhouse is hand-

built by Amish craftsmen who can accommodate almost any

special request at an additional cost so the possibilities are

endless inside and out

Cedar shingle or vinyl siding wood stone or brick ndash if you

can use it on the outside of your regular home it can be inte-

grated into your playhousersquos design Playhouses can be built

to look like a miniature version of your home which is an

excellent touch for parents that are particularly concerned

with aesthetics Porches shutters flowerboxes unique doors

chimneys and exterior lighting are just a few of the touches

that can brighten and personalize the exterior

Individualizing your childrsquos playhouse doesnrsquot stop at the

front door There are just as many interior features to choose

from ndash you can let your imagination run wild

For starters you have the option to order the playhouse

with a finished or unfinished interior The unfinished version

looks a lot like the inside of a regular home before you move

in paint the walls and furnish the rooms

Buying an unfinished structure is a great way to cut costs

and even bring the family together over a weekend decorating

project The possibilities are endless depending on how handy

you are otherwise a few coats of paint and a bit of carpeting

will surely do the trick

Although a bit pricey purchasing a playhouse with a fin-

ished interior ensures that your child gets exactly what they

want right off the bat They can pick everything from the paint

color to the flooring so the playhouse is move-in ready on the

day it arrives

Playhouses can also be insulated and wired for electricity

You can install lighting electrical outlets even heat or air-

conditioning to make your childrsquos outdoor space as comfort-

able as possible

And the options donrsquot end there Traditional sheds also dou-

ble as playhouses For some parents purchasing an adult-size

shed for their children is an ideal way to get the best return on

their investment Once their children grow out of it the struc-

ture can be used for outdoor storage With just as many styles

sizes and materials to choose from you can customize the

interior and exterior of your shed just as you would a play-

house but without all of the more frivolous features

ldquoAny shed can be a playhouserdquo Woodcock said explaining

how a custom paint job or flowerbox can transform a typical

storage unit into childrsquos outdoor activity haven

For example if purchasing a wood shed the exterior can be

easily painted and repainted when making the transition from

playhouse to storage space

For Denisersquos customers getting their moneyrsquos worth should

not have to mean making sacrifices

Simply Saratoga | 69

70 | Simply Saratoga

When Debby Trainor made the decision to buy her grand-

daughter Chezneyrsquos dream house she wanted it to have all the

bells and whistles She met with Denise to go over all the cri-

teria the goal was to buy the perfect gift for Chezney while

staying within her budget

The eight-year-old Greenwich girl wanted her own pretty

pink palace where she could play and imagine Debby wanted

it to be a cozy and safe place for her to play year-round

Customization and interior decoration helped make

Chezneyrsquos playhouse feel like her own little kingdom

ldquoWe made it look like a cute little dollhouserdquo she said ldquoWe

put furniture inside and a little stove fridge heater and TV

itrsquos just perfectrdquo

With the structure built to their liking Chezney and Debby

could enjoy decorating the inside to personalize the playhouse

For many customers putting on the finishing touches means

making the playhouse feel like home ndash you can add curtains

hang pictures buy furniture and appliances and landscape the

perimeter to make the outdoor space feel like a home away

from home

When the child grows out of their playhouse these items

can be easily removed to accommodate a secondary use for the

space

ldquoThe best thing that Denise did for me was explain how we

can use the playhouse for storage for stuff out in the yard after

Chezney has grown out of itrdquo Debby explained ldquoAlthough

she is only eight and will be using it for quite a few more

years this really makes it a good investment and looks

great in the backyardrdquo

Whether you choose a customized playhouse or a tradi-

tional shed thinking toward the future also ensures the

safety and longevity of the structure

Denise explained that placement is an important thing to

consider as you want to make sure the structure is in a safe

place and on an appropriate surface Most importantly the

playhouse must be built on a level even surface that isnrsquot

too high off of the ground

ldquoYou want it on a nice platformrdquo Denise explained

ldquoSome people use concrete but stone is better because it

allows moisture to seep down into the ground and away

from the structurerdquo

Most parents prefer that their playhouse is in the back-

yard where itrsquos easy to see from a window Placing the

structure in a shaded area is also a good idea it will be

cooler in the summer and less susceptible to the elements if

partially protected by trees

Debby had Chezneyrsquos playhouse built right next to her

swing set where she can be easily supervised

One last thing to consider when purchasing a playhouse

Simply Saratoga | 71

72 | Simply Saratoga

or shed for your child is how much effort

you want to put into maintaining it The

more ornate the structure the more care it

may need

Woodcock advises parents to preserve

their investment and treat the playhouse

like a miniature home

Think of it as a miniature house ndash the

structure requires regular maintenance

and upkeep to ensure your child will be

safe while enjoying years and years of

imaginative fun

With so many features and styles to

choose from yoursquore sure to find the best

for both you and your child

For more information about Versatile

Sheds or to set up a time to meet with

Denise Woodcock call (518) 584-7924

or stop by 669 Route 9 in Wilton sect

Simply Saratoga | 73

74 | Simply Saratoga

Kitchen

Not Your

Grandmarsquos

Story Written by Daniel Schechtman Photos Provided

ldquoAs you

walk into the kitchen

of the future LED

light projections adjust

to your mood - it will

know if you have a

hangover via sensors

that will read your

b r a i n w a v e s

Aromatherapy infused

walls will be synched

to your calendar calm-

ing you before a big

meeting or energizing you before a gym session The fridge will have selected some breakfast options identifying the essen-

tial vitamins for your day via sensors When you get home a hologram chef will be on hand for recipe inspirationrdquo

Alright so maybe your kitchen canrsquot do all of these things quite yet ndash but believe it or not wersquore getting there This is tomor-

rowrsquos kitchen a kitchen where your appliances donrsquot just store your food or wash your dishes ndash they talk to you providing you

with integral information on how to

best store your fruits and vegetables

letting you know if the refrigerator

door is open for too long or when a

part will soon need replacing

Simply Saratoga | 75

ldquoScience fictionrdquo I hear you say

Guess again Quoted from a report released by The Future Laboratory

who was commissioned by IKEA to determine what a modernkitchen in the year 2040 could conceivably look like

76 | Simply Saratoga

ldquoOne technology that really stands out to me is the

Miele Appliance Company Right now theyrsquore using a

program called lsquoremote visionrsquo On select applianceshellip

is a wireless card that clicks into a port on the back of

the appliance You synch it up with your home network

and it basically emails the technician and the owner

when itrsquos broken when you need to clean your condens-

er change your water filter or schedule a routine serv-

icerdquo said Tom Thibeault owner of Adirondack

Appliance Repair Inc located at 67 West Ave in

Saratoga Springs ldquoMaybe somebodyrsquos been opening the

[refrigerator] door for too long or the door was left open

ndash it will email you and tell you that your door is left

openrdquo

This is not your grandmarsquos kitchen This my friends

is the kitchen of the future and itrsquos available now

The 36 inch bottom-mount Miele refrigerator boasts a

striking interior featuring LED lighting running along

the sides from top to bottom stainless steel accents and

exteriors with control systems that would be comfort-

able alongside the captainrsquos chair on the Starship

Enterprise

Simply Saratoga | 77

ldquoThe controls in the Miele really stand out

Looking at the controls theyrsquore just a glass piece and

then once you touch it you see a few options for the

different compartments Then you touch the compart-

ment and the temperature is displayed so itrsquos kind of

like a Star Trek controlrdquo Thibeault said

And thatrsquos just the refrigerator

Adirondack Appliance has also seen brands such as

Wolf (a company owned by the same people who own

Sub-Zero) grow in popularity when it comes to their

range stoves and ovens The dual convection oven

works to eliminate cold spotting and provides consis-

tent even temperatures and even allows for unique

options such as proofing ndash used best when baking

homemade bread

ldquoIt also has a temperature probe you can plug into

things like a turkey or roast so you can see the temper-

ature while itrsquos still inside the machine It has

hydraulic hinges halogen lit interiors everything is

composed of stainless steel and itrsquos by far one of the

best lines on the marketrdquo Thibeault said

A new line coming to Adirondack Appliance that

features some amazing technology is a series of Pro-

Style Ranges produced by industry giant Jenn-Air

ldquoThat actually has an LCD touch

screen like an IPAD for the controls The

temperature is set by sliding your finger

along the controls Itrsquos all color backlit and

absolutely amazingrdquo Thibeault said

ldquoAnother thing we have to that same

effect are some of the hoods which have

really been getting pretty out there as far as

design We have one on our floor [by Miele]

that has an LED bar on the front which

changes in phases between 196000 colors

Itrsquos a very delicate change very pretty and

coolrdquo Thibeault said adding ldquoor you can set

it to any color in that spectrum yoursquod like to

accent your cabinetryrdquo

When it comes to dishwashers Thibeault

can attest to the quality of both the Asko and

Miele brands both of which he uses in his

own home And good news for Saratoga

Springs residents ndash

ldquoIn our market in

Saratoga we have a

very hard water base

whether yoursquore on a well

system or city waterrdquo

Thibeault said ldquoSo you

get a lot of minerals in

the machine With the

stainless steel interiors it

eliminates a lot of prob-

lems generally seen with

plastic interior tubs and

usually they are the best

life expectanciesrdquo

78 | Simply Saratoga

Asko and Mieleare practically custom made to handle the

arearsquos typicallymineral rich water

Simply Saratoga | 79

The Asko brand dishwasher takes things one step

further including two pumps in the washerrsquos system

The first pump filters the water cleansing it of poten-

tially harmful minerals while the second pump recircu-

lates the water ensuring that the machine is never

blasting your dishes with food debris or dirty residue

With Miele the design features a built-in water sof-

tener perfect for dealing with the Saratoga water

system

ldquoTypically the Miele is going to do a better job with

tougher baked in stainsrdquo said Thibeault ldquobecause itrsquos

got the softener in it and a little bit longer pots and pans

cyclerdquo

80 | Simply Saratoga

Adirondack Appliance Repair Inc is a fami-

ly-owned business since 1929 and the last inde-

pendent appliance retailer of its kind in Saratoga

Springs With $6 billion of buying power behind

their name (a benefit of being part of the Nation

Wide Appliance Buying Group) Thibeault

promised ldquowe can actually price match the box

stores and everybody else around all while pro-

viding you with better service and better

productsrdquo

For more information on AdirondackAppliance or the products they sell you mayvisit their showroom located at 67 West Avenuein Saratoga Springs for live demonstrationsThey can also be reached by phone at (518)587-6640 or you may visit them at their newwebsite wwwadkappliancecom where cus-tomers can browse through the storersquos entirecatalogue of appliances

sect

Simply Saratoga | 81

82 | Simply Saratoga

Page 44: Simply Saratoga March 2011

ome customers will come to us after going into a Pottery Barn and buying stuff that just didnrsquot workrdquo Baltich said giving the

example of an individual who purchased an enormous sectional for a tiny room ldquoWe scale into the clientrsquos space taking func-

tion and proportion into considerationrdquo

Exceptional listening and observation skills are the designerrsquos

unsung attributes and greatest assets Blairhouse experts engage

with their clients to gain a true understanding of what they want

In turn the design process becomes an eye-opening experience

customers are introduced to colors and concepts they would

never think to consider

ldquoEach client trusts us to create their environment and we

enable them to make informed decisionsrdquo Patricia Richards

said

And sometimes that requires bold suggestions and collabora-

tion or looking at all of the possibilities even the ones ldquoyou

would never have been brave enough to do on your ownrdquo

In the end the experience of working with the experts is

enjoyable stress-free and cost-effective From concept to com-

pletion the result is just what you want and need ndash a fabulous

marriage of function and aesthetic that wonrsquot have you coming

back for more (because you did it right the first time) sect

ldquoS

46 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 47

For a taste of Blairhouse Interiors Grouprsquos distinctive work stop into their Park Place studio located at 262 Broadway Suite 204 in Saratoga Springs For further details visit wwwblairhouseinteriorscom or call (518) 786-7800

From left to right Dominic Carota Meghan Baltich Patricia Richards and

Thomas R Burns (The designproject therapy team of Blairhouse Interiors Group)

48 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 49

Dorsquos and Donrsquots

50 | Simply Saratoga

Story Written by Kerry Ann Mendez Perennially Yours bull wwwpyourscom Photos Provided

SpringDorsquos and Donrsquots

SpringDorsquos and DonrsquotsDorsquos and Donrsquots

Spring

for your Gardens

s

Simply Saratoga | 51

ssts

SPRINGis right around the corner and gardenersare pawing at the ground ready to explodethrough the garden gate As a passionate perennial gardenerI am right there with you But before launching into another flower-filledseason letrsquos go through a spring checklist of dorsquorsquos and donrsquorsquots to makesure we make the most of the race and have the best finish ever

Photo by GardenersSupply Company

apply a granular fertilizer to your perennial beds while they are still lsquoasleeprsquoDepending on the winter wersquove had this may be anytime from mid-Marchto mid-April Donrsquot worry if there are already lsquoearly risersrsquo visible like springblooming bulbs or woodland ephemerals I recommend using 5-5-5 5-10-5 or

5-10-10 fertilizer at the rate of 2 pounds per 100 square feet Cast the fertilizer just before it is about to rainto make sure fertilizer is watered into the ground and washed off any existing leaves You can give otherplants in your yard this treat as well including floweringshrubs groundcovers climbing vinesand roses

DONrsquoTput fertilizer on top of the snow or on ground that is

still frozen You want to make sure the fertilizer disap-pears into pliable soil and to waiting roots otherwiserunoff can occur And donrsquot think more is better Youcan stress or even kill plants by over-fertilizing espe-cially in spring when leaves are not fully developed toutilize nitrogen in the fertilizer If you are going to errless is better

DO

prune once-b l o o m i n g

roses such as Heirloom or Old GardenRoses when the Forsythia is blooming

Any rose that blooms onceusually in late spring forabout three weeks is in thiscategory Many times theseroses are quite fragrantWait to prune these rosesuntil right after they flower

DONrsquoT

prune most roses whenForsythia is in bloom Pruneshrub roses back by half to

23 their height This is assuming you did not prunethem last fall If you did then next year wait until latewinter or early spring Prune Teas and Grandiflorasback to 18 - 24rdquo For climbing roses prune branchesemerging from the main canes back to within 3 - 4rdquoof the cane

DO

apply corn gluten tolawn areas yoursquoveseeded (or over-seeded) or to gar-dens where youwant biennialsperennials or annu-als to reseed andflower Corn glutendoes not distinguishbetween lsquogoodrsquoand lsquobadrsquo seeds

apply a pre-emer-gent weed killerand fertilizer toyour lawn A lushhealthy lawn

makes a beautiful frame for gardens Myfamily walked away from lawn chemicalsfive years ago And our lawn has neverlooked better Corn gluten is a big part ofthis transformation Corn gluten is a by-product of milled corn It will not harm chil-dren pets or wildlife Heck you can eat it ifyou want (but it tastes yucky) Corn Glutenis high in nitrogen and commonly used as alawn fertilizer But it is also a pre-emergenttargeting seeds as they germinate Youcan put corn gluten down at any point inthe spring BUT if part of your mission is toeliminate crabgrass then there is a narrowwindow of attackApply it whenForsythia is in fullbloom and beforeits leaves appearThe Forsythia is asoil temperatureindicator that cor-responds to whencrabgrass seedsstart to germinate More garden centersare now carrying corn gluten productsYou just need to ask and follow the appli-cation instructions on the bag Make sureto water in the corn gluten after applyingIt will remain effective for five to six weeks

Simply Saratoga | 53

DONrsquoT

DO

step on soil as you maneuver around thegarden to cut back Lavender and therest of the gang For that matter youshould never be tromping through yourgardens compacting soil This breaks

down air and water channels as well as making it tougher forroots to spread Instead reach into beds from existing paths orplace stepping stones in discreet spots where only your eyes cansee or lsquowalk the plankrsquo on a board to reach plants fartherlsquoadriftrsquo

54 | Simply Saratoga

cut back Lavender Russian SageMontauk Daisy Butterfly BushChrysanthemums and ornamental grass-es These are best left untouched in falland whacked in spring Many folks make

the mistake of acting too gingerly with pruners Let lsquoem fly Theresult will be more compact neater plants that will bloom just fineTrust me If it helps wait until yoursquove had a bad day at work withthe kids or in traffic

DONrsquoT

DO

divide Peonies German Bearded Iris orOriental Poppies in spring These are bestdone in late summer Also tap-rootedplants (those with a carrot-looking root)cannot be divided Think about it These

are usually propagated by seed stem or root cuttings Someperennials that fall into this category are Malva Butterfly WeedBalloon Flower Oriental Poppies and Lupines

Simply Saratoga | 55

DONrsquoT

divide plants in spring This is an optimumtime to divide most perennials Yes evenspring bloomers Wait until these haveflowered and then shear off the spentblooms and get to business Most sum-

mer and fall blooming perennials can be divided prior to mid-Junewithout disrupting their performance

DO

apply a time-released fertilizersuch as Plant-Tone(organic) orOsmocote to heavy

feeding perennials five to six weeks afterthe earlier granular fertilizer applicationMost plants do not need as much fertilizeras we are led in advertising to believe I amstingy with my money and maintenancetime so only a handful of plants get thisbonus feed Astilbe Delphinium Liliums (ieAsiatic Oriental Trumpet) Clematis androses If I am feeling generous I will putsome on my Bigleaf Hydrangeas next to theroses Call me heartlessJust scratch fertilizer intothe top couple inchesof soil around theplantrsquos base and waterin well They will enjoy anutritious snack forthree to four months

apply mulch ongarden beds toreduce weedsconserve moisture

reduce erosion minimize soil temperaturefluctuations and enhance the quality ofthe soil Some mulching materials includeaged manures compost shredded wood(not dyed) leaf moldand cocoa hulls Putthe mulch down 2rdquo to3rdquo thick around plantsincluding floweringshrubs

build up mulchagainst plant stems

And please please donrsquot create volcanomounds around trees Please This is awfulfor them The only ones that benefit fromthis are the people selling the mulch

56 | Simply Saratoga

DONrsquoT

DO

DO

rubber band orbraid the foliage ofspring bloomingbulbs after they fin-ish flowering You

want as much leaf surface exposed to thesun as possible to increase photosynthesisYou can press the leaves down next to thesoil so they are less noticeable

Simply Saratoga | 57

sect

And finally DO have a great year in

your gardens and DONrsquoT forget to

take time to smell the roses

DONrsquoT

DONrsquoT

cut off the spentblooms and stems onspring blooming bulbsafter they have flow-ered so energy is redirected to the bulbsversus seed productions Keep the leaves inplace until they have browned and ideallycan be pulled from the ground by hand

put time-released fertil-izer on perennials thatprefer lean dietsRicher soil just upsetstheir vascular systemsThey will get leggy flop and not perform tosnuff Yarrow Coneflower Catmint RussianSage Linum Sea Holly and Silvermound are inthe group

DO

For more information contact Perennially Yours at pyourscom

58 | Simply Saratoga

Ill mination

Exterior Stonework

an

d

Story Written by Arthur Gonick Photos Provided

u

Simply Saratoga | 59

To develop and implement an exterior vista that maximizes your enjoyment To have a backyard landscape that is warm inviting and uniquely yours

These are goals that many homeowners have when they first move onto their property But unless you are trained in the variety ofmaterials and options available the task of getting past the point of comparing possibilities to completing and actually enjoying yourbackyard paradise can appear to be a long daunting road

For Carl Trinkle a landscape designer for ten years with the Gallivan Companies of Troy one of the key elements in a successfultransformation is utilizing a professionalrsquos expertise to articulate goals and develop a plan

ldquoThe most important thing we do when we first meet with a client is to get them to discuss their basic needs and aims and encouragethem to formulate an overall vision for their property An initial consultation sets the tone we make an initial visit on-site to look overthe property so we can have an idea as to where things might be placedrdquo

ldquoDuring this intake process we actually encourage people to show us photos of their friendrsquos property that they like or perhaps froma magazine It helps most people to articulate the goals of what they would like to see as a finished projectrdquo Trinkle said ldquoEven if they are looking to do things in phases we find that it is most important to develop a comprehensive site planrdquo This eliminates the need to revise original phases of work to accommodate those that come in the future

60 | Simply Saratoga

that Mr Trinkle finds potential customers identifying with aredesigned to extend the outdoor season ldquoA few extra weeks outside isa lotrdquo he said

add-ons also extend outside activity each day Low voltage lighting is still the most popular but recently LED lighting with longer-lasting bulbs that involve less maintenance and are cost-efficienthave become more fashionable

The latest trends

stations fire pits and waterenhancements such as ponds andwaterfalls are the most frequentlyrequested items that broaden theoutdoor use season

Outdoor grill

Exterior lighting

Simply Saratoga | 61

And of course swimming pool projects have always been a most-requested

item Fifty percent of allthe projects Mr Trinkleworks on involve a pooleither a completely new installation or enhance-ments to existing poolsGallivanrsquos long-standingrelationship withConcord Pools has beena hallmark in assuringthat customers are satis-fied when their pool isput in the ground

62 | Simply Saratoga

In most cases a comprehensive plancan be developed for any project in about a period of twoweeks Complete drawings and cost breakdowns are provid-ed as well as the projected phases that can be completed injust a few months or on larger projects can be scheduled insegments over a few years These are reviewed in personwith the customer again the goal being to have a plan thateveryone buys into

Simply Saratoga | 63

ldquoWe have had projects where the customer has wanted tohave a lot of input and we welcome that But we also hadone where the client was out of town and we built a firepit and slide for his wife and kids and our only instructions were to dazzle themI remember it as a most satisfying experience and we ended up winning awards for that onerdquo

- Carl Trinkle Landscape DesignerThe Gallivan Companies

64 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 65

ldquoI get to work using my creativity with talented people Some of the most talented are those

I meet as customersrdquo sect

For more information or to schedule aconsultation phone Gallivan Companies at(518) 271-6100 Gallivanrsquos website iswwwGallivanCompaniescom

66 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 67

Buying a playhouse for your child is an excellent investment

They promote imaginative play and spending time outdoors and

double as storage space when no longer used for recreation

Denise Woodcock owner of Versatile Sheds in Wilton has

been helping parents and grandparents customize their childrsquos or

grandchildrsquos dream playhouses for years

ldquoThey make great gifts especially for grandparents who want

their grandkids to have their own place to play when they visitrdquo

she said

Playhouses are a great addition to a childrsquos outdoor world

They come in all shapes sizes and designs and can be custom-

built or finished if you donrsquot find exactly what yoursquore looking for

in a catalog or on the lot

Every child is different and has their own preferences for color

size and function boys and girls often have especially different

requests for their play space as do younger and more mature chil-

dren so therersquos a lot to consider

Denise knows how even the finest detail can be all it takes to

make an outdoor structure feel like a childrsquos own personal space

While it may seem superfluous to address every minor demand

the truth is a playhouse is more than just an expensive toy itrsquos an

investment The more your child connects with their space the more

use theyrsquoll get out of it ndash and according to Denise that means your

money is well spent

Smartest WayThe

playhouse for your kidsto buy a

Photos by MarkBollescomStory by Yael Goldman

68 | Simply Saratoga

With this in mind prospective buyers should first consider

who will use the playhouse and for how long as well as what

happens when the structure is no longer used for recreation

Versatile Sheds can help even the most discerning parent or

child find what theyrsquore looking for Every playhouse is hand-

built by Amish craftsmen who can accommodate almost any

special request at an additional cost so the possibilities are

endless inside and out

Cedar shingle or vinyl siding wood stone or brick ndash if you

can use it on the outside of your regular home it can be inte-

grated into your playhousersquos design Playhouses can be built

to look like a miniature version of your home which is an

excellent touch for parents that are particularly concerned

with aesthetics Porches shutters flowerboxes unique doors

chimneys and exterior lighting are just a few of the touches

that can brighten and personalize the exterior

Individualizing your childrsquos playhouse doesnrsquot stop at the

front door There are just as many interior features to choose

from ndash you can let your imagination run wild

For starters you have the option to order the playhouse

with a finished or unfinished interior The unfinished version

looks a lot like the inside of a regular home before you move

in paint the walls and furnish the rooms

Buying an unfinished structure is a great way to cut costs

and even bring the family together over a weekend decorating

project The possibilities are endless depending on how handy

you are otherwise a few coats of paint and a bit of carpeting

will surely do the trick

Although a bit pricey purchasing a playhouse with a fin-

ished interior ensures that your child gets exactly what they

want right off the bat They can pick everything from the paint

color to the flooring so the playhouse is move-in ready on the

day it arrives

Playhouses can also be insulated and wired for electricity

You can install lighting electrical outlets even heat or air-

conditioning to make your childrsquos outdoor space as comfort-

able as possible

And the options donrsquot end there Traditional sheds also dou-

ble as playhouses For some parents purchasing an adult-size

shed for their children is an ideal way to get the best return on

their investment Once their children grow out of it the struc-

ture can be used for outdoor storage With just as many styles

sizes and materials to choose from you can customize the

interior and exterior of your shed just as you would a play-

house but without all of the more frivolous features

ldquoAny shed can be a playhouserdquo Woodcock said explaining

how a custom paint job or flowerbox can transform a typical

storage unit into childrsquos outdoor activity haven

For example if purchasing a wood shed the exterior can be

easily painted and repainted when making the transition from

playhouse to storage space

For Denisersquos customers getting their moneyrsquos worth should

not have to mean making sacrifices

Simply Saratoga | 69

70 | Simply Saratoga

When Debby Trainor made the decision to buy her grand-

daughter Chezneyrsquos dream house she wanted it to have all the

bells and whistles She met with Denise to go over all the cri-

teria the goal was to buy the perfect gift for Chezney while

staying within her budget

The eight-year-old Greenwich girl wanted her own pretty

pink palace where she could play and imagine Debby wanted

it to be a cozy and safe place for her to play year-round

Customization and interior decoration helped make

Chezneyrsquos playhouse feel like her own little kingdom

ldquoWe made it look like a cute little dollhouserdquo she said ldquoWe

put furniture inside and a little stove fridge heater and TV

itrsquos just perfectrdquo

With the structure built to their liking Chezney and Debby

could enjoy decorating the inside to personalize the playhouse

For many customers putting on the finishing touches means

making the playhouse feel like home ndash you can add curtains

hang pictures buy furniture and appliances and landscape the

perimeter to make the outdoor space feel like a home away

from home

When the child grows out of their playhouse these items

can be easily removed to accommodate a secondary use for the

space

ldquoThe best thing that Denise did for me was explain how we

can use the playhouse for storage for stuff out in the yard after

Chezney has grown out of itrdquo Debby explained ldquoAlthough

she is only eight and will be using it for quite a few more

years this really makes it a good investment and looks

great in the backyardrdquo

Whether you choose a customized playhouse or a tradi-

tional shed thinking toward the future also ensures the

safety and longevity of the structure

Denise explained that placement is an important thing to

consider as you want to make sure the structure is in a safe

place and on an appropriate surface Most importantly the

playhouse must be built on a level even surface that isnrsquot

too high off of the ground

ldquoYou want it on a nice platformrdquo Denise explained

ldquoSome people use concrete but stone is better because it

allows moisture to seep down into the ground and away

from the structurerdquo

Most parents prefer that their playhouse is in the back-

yard where itrsquos easy to see from a window Placing the

structure in a shaded area is also a good idea it will be

cooler in the summer and less susceptible to the elements if

partially protected by trees

Debby had Chezneyrsquos playhouse built right next to her

swing set where she can be easily supervised

One last thing to consider when purchasing a playhouse

Simply Saratoga | 71

72 | Simply Saratoga

or shed for your child is how much effort

you want to put into maintaining it The

more ornate the structure the more care it

may need

Woodcock advises parents to preserve

their investment and treat the playhouse

like a miniature home

Think of it as a miniature house ndash the

structure requires regular maintenance

and upkeep to ensure your child will be

safe while enjoying years and years of

imaginative fun

With so many features and styles to

choose from yoursquore sure to find the best

for both you and your child

For more information about Versatile

Sheds or to set up a time to meet with

Denise Woodcock call (518) 584-7924

or stop by 669 Route 9 in Wilton sect

Simply Saratoga | 73

74 | Simply Saratoga

Kitchen

Not Your

Grandmarsquos

Story Written by Daniel Schechtman Photos Provided

ldquoAs you

walk into the kitchen

of the future LED

light projections adjust

to your mood - it will

know if you have a

hangover via sensors

that will read your

b r a i n w a v e s

Aromatherapy infused

walls will be synched

to your calendar calm-

ing you before a big

meeting or energizing you before a gym session The fridge will have selected some breakfast options identifying the essen-

tial vitamins for your day via sensors When you get home a hologram chef will be on hand for recipe inspirationrdquo

Alright so maybe your kitchen canrsquot do all of these things quite yet ndash but believe it or not wersquore getting there This is tomor-

rowrsquos kitchen a kitchen where your appliances donrsquot just store your food or wash your dishes ndash they talk to you providing you

with integral information on how to

best store your fruits and vegetables

letting you know if the refrigerator

door is open for too long or when a

part will soon need replacing

Simply Saratoga | 75

ldquoScience fictionrdquo I hear you say

Guess again Quoted from a report released by The Future Laboratory

who was commissioned by IKEA to determine what a modernkitchen in the year 2040 could conceivably look like

76 | Simply Saratoga

ldquoOne technology that really stands out to me is the

Miele Appliance Company Right now theyrsquore using a

program called lsquoremote visionrsquo On select applianceshellip

is a wireless card that clicks into a port on the back of

the appliance You synch it up with your home network

and it basically emails the technician and the owner

when itrsquos broken when you need to clean your condens-

er change your water filter or schedule a routine serv-

icerdquo said Tom Thibeault owner of Adirondack

Appliance Repair Inc located at 67 West Ave in

Saratoga Springs ldquoMaybe somebodyrsquos been opening the

[refrigerator] door for too long or the door was left open

ndash it will email you and tell you that your door is left

openrdquo

This is not your grandmarsquos kitchen This my friends

is the kitchen of the future and itrsquos available now

The 36 inch bottom-mount Miele refrigerator boasts a

striking interior featuring LED lighting running along

the sides from top to bottom stainless steel accents and

exteriors with control systems that would be comfort-

able alongside the captainrsquos chair on the Starship

Enterprise

Simply Saratoga | 77

ldquoThe controls in the Miele really stand out

Looking at the controls theyrsquore just a glass piece and

then once you touch it you see a few options for the

different compartments Then you touch the compart-

ment and the temperature is displayed so itrsquos kind of

like a Star Trek controlrdquo Thibeault said

And thatrsquos just the refrigerator

Adirondack Appliance has also seen brands such as

Wolf (a company owned by the same people who own

Sub-Zero) grow in popularity when it comes to their

range stoves and ovens The dual convection oven

works to eliminate cold spotting and provides consis-

tent even temperatures and even allows for unique

options such as proofing ndash used best when baking

homemade bread

ldquoIt also has a temperature probe you can plug into

things like a turkey or roast so you can see the temper-

ature while itrsquos still inside the machine It has

hydraulic hinges halogen lit interiors everything is

composed of stainless steel and itrsquos by far one of the

best lines on the marketrdquo Thibeault said

A new line coming to Adirondack Appliance that

features some amazing technology is a series of Pro-

Style Ranges produced by industry giant Jenn-Air

ldquoThat actually has an LCD touch

screen like an IPAD for the controls The

temperature is set by sliding your finger

along the controls Itrsquos all color backlit and

absolutely amazingrdquo Thibeault said

ldquoAnother thing we have to that same

effect are some of the hoods which have

really been getting pretty out there as far as

design We have one on our floor [by Miele]

that has an LED bar on the front which

changes in phases between 196000 colors

Itrsquos a very delicate change very pretty and

coolrdquo Thibeault said adding ldquoor you can set

it to any color in that spectrum yoursquod like to

accent your cabinetryrdquo

When it comes to dishwashers Thibeault

can attest to the quality of both the Asko and

Miele brands both of which he uses in his

own home And good news for Saratoga

Springs residents ndash

ldquoIn our market in

Saratoga we have a

very hard water base

whether yoursquore on a well

system or city waterrdquo

Thibeault said ldquoSo you

get a lot of minerals in

the machine With the

stainless steel interiors it

eliminates a lot of prob-

lems generally seen with

plastic interior tubs and

usually they are the best

life expectanciesrdquo

78 | Simply Saratoga

Asko and Mieleare practically custom made to handle the

arearsquos typicallymineral rich water

Simply Saratoga | 79

The Asko brand dishwasher takes things one step

further including two pumps in the washerrsquos system

The first pump filters the water cleansing it of poten-

tially harmful minerals while the second pump recircu-

lates the water ensuring that the machine is never

blasting your dishes with food debris or dirty residue

With Miele the design features a built-in water sof-

tener perfect for dealing with the Saratoga water

system

ldquoTypically the Miele is going to do a better job with

tougher baked in stainsrdquo said Thibeault ldquobecause itrsquos

got the softener in it and a little bit longer pots and pans

cyclerdquo

80 | Simply Saratoga

Adirondack Appliance Repair Inc is a fami-

ly-owned business since 1929 and the last inde-

pendent appliance retailer of its kind in Saratoga

Springs With $6 billion of buying power behind

their name (a benefit of being part of the Nation

Wide Appliance Buying Group) Thibeault

promised ldquowe can actually price match the box

stores and everybody else around all while pro-

viding you with better service and better

productsrdquo

For more information on AdirondackAppliance or the products they sell you mayvisit their showroom located at 67 West Avenuein Saratoga Springs for live demonstrationsThey can also be reached by phone at (518)587-6640 or you may visit them at their newwebsite wwwadkappliancecom where cus-tomers can browse through the storersquos entirecatalogue of appliances

sect

Simply Saratoga | 81

82 | Simply Saratoga

Page 45: Simply Saratoga March 2011

Simply Saratoga | 47

For a taste of Blairhouse Interiors Grouprsquos distinctive work stop into their Park Place studio located at 262 Broadway Suite 204 in Saratoga Springs For further details visit wwwblairhouseinteriorscom or call (518) 786-7800

From left to right Dominic Carota Meghan Baltich Patricia Richards and

Thomas R Burns (The designproject therapy team of Blairhouse Interiors Group)

48 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 49

Dorsquos and Donrsquots

50 | Simply Saratoga

Story Written by Kerry Ann Mendez Perennially Yours bull wwwpyourscom Photos Provided

SpringDorsquos and Donrsquots

SpringDorsquos and DonrsquotsDorsquos and Donrsquots

Spring

for your Gardens

s

Simply Saratoga | 51

ssts

SPRINGis right around the corner and gardenersare pawing at the ground ready to explodethrough the garden gate As a passionate perennial gardenerI am right there with you But before launching into another flower-filledseason letrsquos go through a spring checklist of dorsquorsquos and donrsquorsquots to makesure we make the most of the race and have the best finish ever

Photo by GardenersSupply Company

apply a granular fertilizer to your perennial beds while they are still lsquoasleeprsquoDepending on the winter wersquove had this may be anytime from mid-Marchto mid-April Donrsquot worry if there are already lsquoearly risersrsquo visible like springblooming bulbs or woodland ephemerals I recommend using 5-5-5 5-10-5 or

5-10-10 fertilizer at the rate of 2 pounds per 100 square feet Cast the fertilizer just before it is about to rainto make sure fertilizer is watered into the ground and washed off any existing leaves You can give otherplants in your yard this treat as well including floweringshrubs groundcovers climbing vinesand roses

DONrsquoTput fertilizer on top of the snow or on ground that is

still frozen You want to make sure the fertilizer disap-pears into pliable soil and to waiting roots otherwiserunoff can occur And donrsquot think more is better Youcan stress or even kill plants by over-fertilizing espe-cially in spring when leaves are not fully developed toutilize nitrogen in the fertilizer If you are going to errless is better

DO

prune once-b l o o m i n g

roses such as Heirloom or Old GardenRoses when the Forsythia is blooming

Any rose that blooms onceusually in late spring forabout three weeks is in thiscategory Many times theseroses are quite fragrantWait to prune these rosesuntil right after they flower

DONrsquoT

prune most roses whenForsythia is in bloom Pruneshrub roses back by half to

23 their height This is assuming you did not prunethem last fall If you did then next year wait until latewinter or early spring Prune Teas and Grandiflorasback to 18 - 24rdquo For climbing roses prune branchesemerging from the main canes back to within 3 - 4rdquoof the cane

DO

apply corn gluten tolawn areas yoursquoveseeded (or over-seeded) or to gar-dens where youwant biennialsperennials or annu-als to reseed andflower Corn glutendoes not distinguishbetween lsquogoodrsquoand lsquobadrsquo seeds

apply a pre-emer-gent weed killerand fertilizer toyour lawn A lushhealthy lawn

makes a beautiful frame for gardens Myfamily walked away from lawn chemicalsfive years ago And our lawn has neverlooked better Corn gluten is a big part ofthis transformation Corn gluten is a by-product of milled corn It will not harm chil-dren pets or wildlife Heck you can eat it ifyou want (but it tastes yucky) Corn Glutenis high in nitrogen and commonly used as alawn fertilizer But it is also a pre-emergenttargeting seeds as they germinate Youcan put corn gluten down at any point inthe spring BUT if part of your mission is toeliminate crabgrass then there is a narrowwindow of attackApply it whenForsythia is in fullbloom and beforeits leaves appearThe Forsythia is asoil temperatureindicator that cor-responds to whencrabgrass seedsstart to germinate More garden centersare now carrying corn gluten productsYou just need to ask and follow the appli-cation instructions on the bag Make sureto water in the corn gluten after applyingIt will remain effective for five to six weeks

Simply Saratoga | 53

DONrsquoT

DO

step on soil as you maneuver around thegarden to cut back Lavender and therest of the gang For that matter youshould never be tromping through yourgardens compacting soil This breaks

down air and water channels as well as making it tougher forroots to spread Instead reach into beds from existing paths orplace stepping stones in discreet spots where only your eyes cansee or lsquowalk the plankrsquo on a board to reach plants fartherlsquoadriftrsquo

54 | Simply Saratoga

cut back Lavender Russian SageMontauk Daisy Butterfly BushChrysanthemums and ornamental grass-es These are best left untouched in falland whacked in spring Many folks make

the mistake of acting too gingerly with pruners Let lsquoem fly Theresult will be more compact neater plants that will bloom just fineTrust me If it helps wait until yoursquove had a bad day at work withthe kids or in traffic

DONrsquoT

DO

divide Peonies German Bearded Iris orOriental Poppies in spring These are bestdone in late summer Also tap-rootedplants (those with a carrot-looking root)cannot be divided Think about it These

are usually propagated by seed stem or root cuttings Someperennials that fall into this category are Malva Butterfly WeedBalloon Flower Oriental Poppies and Lupines

Simply Saratoga | 55

DONrsquoT

divide plants in spring This is an optimumtime to divide most perennials Yes evenspring bloomers Wait until these haveflowered and then shear off the spentblooms and get to business Most sum-

mer and fall blooming perennials can be divided prior to mid-Junewithout disrupting their performance

DO

apply a time-released fertilizersuch as Plant-Tone(organic) orOsmocote to heavy

feeding perennials five to six weeks afterthe earlier granular fertilizer applicationMost plants do not need as much fertilizeras we are led in advertising to believe I amstingy with my money and maintenancetime so only a handful of plants get thisbonus feed Astilbe Delphinium Liliums (ieAsiatic Oriental Trumpet) Clematis androses If I am feeling generous I will putsome on my Bigleaf Hydrangeas next to theroses Call me heartlessJust scratch fertilizer intothe top couple inchesof soil around theplantrsquos base and waterin well They will enjoy anutritious snack forthree to four months

apply mulch ongarden beds toreduce weedsconserve moisture

reduce erosion minimize soil temperaturefluctuations and enhance the quality ofthe soil Some mulching materials includeaged manures compost shredded wood(not dyed) leaf moldand cocoa hulls Putthe mulch down 2rdquo to3rdquo thick around plantsincluding floweringshrubs

build up mulchagainst plant stems

And please please donrsquot create volcanomounds around trees Please This is awfulfor them The only ones that benefit fromthis are the people selling the mulch

56 | Simply Saratoga

DONrsquoT

DO

DO

rubber band orbraid the foliage ofspring bloomingbulbs after they fin-ish flowering You

want as much leaf surface exposed to thesun as possible to increase photosynthesisYou can press the leaves down next to thesoil so they are less noticeable

Simply Saratoga | 57

sect

And finally DO have a great year in

your gardens and DONrsquoT forget to

take time to smell the roses

DONrsquoT

DONrsquoT

cut off the spentblooms and stems onspring blooming bulbsafter they have flow-ered so energy is redirected to the bulbsversus seed productions Keep the leaves inplace until they have browned and ideallycan be pulled from the ground by hand

put time-released fertil-izer on perennials thatprefer lean dietsRicher soil just upsetstheir vascular systemsThey will get leggy flop and not perform tosnuff Yarrow Coneflower Catmint RussianSage Linum Sea Holly and Silvermound are inthe group

DO

For more information contact Perennially Yours at pyourscom

58 | Simply Saratoga

Ill mination

Exterior Stonework

an

d

Story Written by Arthur Gonick Photos Provided

u

Simply Saratoga | 59

To develop and implement an exterior vista that maximizes your enjoyment To have a backyard landscape that is warm inviting and uniquely yours

These are goals that many homeowners have when they first move onto their property But unless you are trained in the variety ofmaterials and options available the task of getting past the point of comparing possibilities to completing and actually enjoying yourbackyard paradise can appear to be a long daunting road

For Carl Trinkle a landscape designer for ten years with the Gallivan Companies of Troy one of the key elements in a successfultransformation is utilizing a professionalrsquos expertise to articulate goals and develop a plan

ldquoThe most important thing we do when we first meet with a client is to get them to discuss their basic needs and aims and encouragethem to formulate an overall vision for their property An initial consultation sets the tone we make an initial visit on-site to look overthe property so we can have an idea as to where things might be placedrdquo

ldquoDuring this intake process we actually encourage people to show us photos of their friendrsquos property that they like or perhaps froma magazine It helps most people to articulate the goals of what they would like to see as a finished projectrdquo Trinkle said ldquoEven if they are looking to do things in phases we find that it is most important to develop a comprehensive site planrdquo This eliminates the need to revise original phases of work to accommodate those that come in the future

60 | Simply Saratoga

that Mr Trinkle finds potential customers identifying with aredesigned to extend the outdoor season ldquoA few extra weeks outside isa lotrdquo he said

add-ons also extend outside activity each day Low voltage lighting is still the most popular but recently LED lighting with longer-lasting bulbs that involve less maintenance and are cost-efficienthave become more fashionable

The latest trends

stations fire pits and waterenhancements such as ponds andwaterfalls are the most frequentlyrequested items that broaden theoutdoor use season

Outdoor grill

Exterior lighting

Simply Saratoga | 61

And of course swimming pool projects have always been a most-requested

item Fifty percent of allthe projects Mr Trinkleworks on involve a pooleither a completely new installation or enhance-ments to existing poolsGallivanrsquos long-standingrelationship withConcord Pools has beena hallmark in assuringthat customers are satis-fied when their pool isput in the ground

62 | Simply Saratoga

In most cases a comprehensive plancan be developed for any project in about a period of twoweeks Complete drawings and cost breakdowns are provid-ed as well as the projected phases that can be completed injust a few months or on larger projects can be scheduled insegments over a few years These are reviewed in personwith the customer again the goal being to have a plan thateveryone buys into

Simply Saratoga | 63

ldquoWe have had projects where the customer has wanted tohave a lot of input and we welcome that But we also hadone where the client was out of town and we built a firepit and slide for his wife and kids and our only instructions were to dazzle themI remember it as a most satisfying experience and we ended up winning awards for that onerdquo

- Carl Trinkle Landscape DesignerThe Gallivan Companies

64 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 65

ldquoI get to work using my creativity with talented people Some of the most talented are those

I meet as customersrdquo sect

For more information or to schedule aconsultation phone Gallivan Companies at(518) 271-6100 Gallivanrsquos website iswwwGallivanCompaniescom

66 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 67

Buying a playhouse for your child is an excellent investment

They promote imaginative play and spending time outdoors and

double as storage space when no longer used for recreation

Denise Woodcock owner of Versatile Sheds in Wilton has

been helping parents and grandparents customize their childrsquos or

grandchildrsquos dream playhouses for years

ldquoThey make great gifts especially for grandparents who want

their grandkids to have their own place to play when they visitrdquo

she said

Playhouses are a great addition to a childrsquos outdoor world

They come in all shapes sizes and designs and can be custom-

built or finished if you donrsquot find exactly what yoursquore looking for

in a catalog or on the lot

Every child is different and has their own preferences for color

size and function boys and girls often have especially different

requests for their play space as do younger and more mature chil-

dren so therersquos a lot to consider

Denise knows how even the finest detail can be all it takes to

make an outdoor structure feel like a childrsquos own personal space

While it may seem superfluous to address every minor demand

the truth is a playhouse is more than just an expensive toy itrsquos an

investment The more your child connects with their space the more

use theyrsquoll get out of it ndash and according to Denise that means your

money is well spent

Smartest WayThe

playhouse for your kidsto buy a

Photos by MarkBollescomStory by Yael Goldman

68 | Simply Saratoga

With this in mind prospective buyers should first consider

who will use the playhouse and for how long as well as what

happens when the structure is no longer used for recreation

Versatile Sheds can help even the most discerning parent or

child find what theyrsquore looking for Every playhouse is hand-

built by Amish craftsmen who can accommodate almost any

special request at an additional cost so the possibilities are

endless inside and out

Cedar shingle or vinyl siding wood stone or brick ndash if you

can use it on the outside of your regular home it can be inte-

grated into your playhousersquos design Playhouses can be built

to look like a miniature version of your home which is an

excellent touch for parents that are particularly concerned

with aesthetics Porches shutters flowerboxes unique doors

chimneys and exterior lighting are just a few of the touches

that can brighten and personalize the exterior

Individualizing your childrsquos playhouse doesnrsquot stop at the

front door There are just as many interior features to choose

from ndash you can let your imagination run wild

For starters you have the option to order the playhouse

with a finished or unfinished interior The unfinished version

looks a lot like the inside of a regular home before you move

in paint the walls and furnish the rooms

Buying an unfinished structure is a great way to cut costs

and even bring the family together over a weekend decorating

project The possibilities are endless depending on how handy

you are otherwise a few coats of paint and a bit of carpeting

will surely do the trick

Although a bit pricey purchasing a playhouse with a fin-

ished interior ensures that your child gets exactly what they

want right off the bat They can pick everything from the paint

color to the flooring so the playhouse is move-in ready on the

day it arrives

Playhouses can also be insulated and wired for electricity

You can install lighting electrical outlets even heat or air-

conditioning to make your childrsquos outdoor space as comfort-

able as possible

And the options donrsquot end there Traditional sheds also dou-

ble as playhouses For some parents purchasing an adult-size

shed for their children is an ideal way to get the best return on

their investment Once their children grow out of it the struc-

ture can be used for outdoor storage With just as many styles

sizes and materials to choose from you can customize the

interior and exterior of your shed just as you would a play-

house but without all of the more frivolous features

ldquoAny shed can be a playhouserdquo Woodcock said explaining

how a custom paint job or flowerbox can transform a typical

storage unit into childrsquos outdoor activity haven

For example if purchasing a wood shed the exterior can be

easily painted and repainted when making the transition from

playhouse to storage space

For Denisersquos customers getting their moneyrsquos worth should

not have to mean making sacrifices

Simply Saratoga | 69

70 | Simply Saratoga

When Debby Trainor made the decision to buy her grand-

daughter Chezneyrsquos dream house she wanted it to have all the

bells and whistles She met with Denise to go over all the cri-

teria the goal was to buy the perfect gift for Chezney while

staying within her budget

The eight-year-old Greenwich girl wanted her own pretty

pink palace where she could play and imagine Debby wanted

it to be a cozy and safe place for her to play year-round

Customization and interior decoration helped make

Chezneyrsquos playhouse feel like her own little kingdom

ldquoWe made it look like a cute little dollhouserdquo she said ldquoWe

put furniture inside and a little stove fridge heater and TV

itrsquos just perfectrdquo

With the structure built to their liking Chezney and Debby

could enjoy decorating the inside to personalize the playhouse

For many customers putting on the finishing touches means

making the playhouse feel like home ndash you can add curtains

hang pictures buy furniture and appliances and landscape the

perimeter to make the outdoor space feel like a home away

from home

When the child grows out of their playhouse these items

can be easily removed to accommodate a secondary use for the

space

ldquoThe best thing that Denise did for me was explain how we

can use the playhouse for storage for stuff out in the yard after

Chezney has grown out of itrdquo Debby explained ldquoAlthough

she is only eight and will be using it for quite a few more

years this really makes it a good investment and looks

great in the backyardrdquo

Whether you choose a customized playhouse or a tradi-

tional shed thinking toward the future also ensures the

safety and longevity of the structure

Denise explained that placement is an important thing to

consider as you want to make sure the structure is in a safe

place and on an appropriate surface Most importantly the

playhouse must be built on a level even surface that isnrsquot

too high off of the ground

ldquoYou want it on a nice platformrdquo Denise explained

ldquoSome people use concrete but stone is better because it

allows moisture to seep down into the ground and away

from the structurerdquo

Most parents prefer that their playhouse is in the back-

yard where itrsquos easy to see from a window Placing the

structure in a shaded area is also a good idea it will be

cooler in the summer and less susceptible to the elements if

partially protected by trees

Debby had Chezneyrsquos playhouse built right next to her

swing set where she can be easily supervised

One last thing to consider when purchasing a playhouse

Simply Saratoga | 71

72 | Simply Saratoga

or shed for your child is how much effort

you want to put into maintaining it The

more ornate the structure the more care it

may need

Woodcock advises parents to preserve

their investment and treat the playhouse

like a miniature home

Think of it as a miniature house ndash the

structure requires regular maintenance

and upkeep to ensure your child will be

safe while enjoying years and years of

imaginative fun

With so many features and styles to

choose from yoursquore sure to find the best

for both you and your child

For more information about Versatile

Sheds or to set up a time to meet with

Denise Woodcock call (518) 584-7924

or stop by 669 Route 9 in Wilton sect

Simply Saratoga | 73

74 | Simply Saratoga

Kitchen

Not Your

Grandmarsquos

Story Written by Daniel Schechtman Photos Provided

ldquoAs you

walk into the kitchen

of the future LED

light projections adjust

to your mood - it will

know if you have a

hangover via sensors

that will read your

b r a i n w a v e s

Aromatherapy infused

walls will be synched

to your calendar calm-

ing you before a big

meeting or energizing you before a gym session The fridge will have selected some breakfast options identifying the essen-

tial vitamins for your day via sensors When you get home a hologram chef will be on hand for recipe inspirationrdquo

Alright so maybe your kitchen canrsquot do all of these things quite yet ndash but believe it or not wersquore getting there This is tomor-

rowrsquos kitchen a kitchen where your appliances donrsquot just store your food or wash your dishes ndash they talk to you providing you

with integral information on how to

best store your fruits and vegetables

letting you know if the refrigerator

door is open for too long or when a

part will soon need replacing

Simply Saratoga | 75

ldquoScience fictionrdquo I hear you say

Guess again Quoted from a report released by The Future Laboratory

who was commissioned by IKEA to determine what a modernkitchen in the year 2040 could conceivably look like

76 | Simply Saratoga

ldquoOne technology that really stands out to me is the

Miele Appliance Company Right now theyrsquore using a

program called lsquoremote visionrsquo On select applianceshellip

is a wireless card that clicks into a port on the back of

the appliance You synch it up with your home network

and it basically emails the technician and the owner

when itrsquos broken when you need to clean your condens-

er change your water filter or schedule a routine serv-

icerdquo said Tom Thibeault owner of Adirondack

Appliance Repair Inc located at 67 West Ave in

Saratoga Springs ldquoMaybe somebodyrsquos been opening the

[refrigerator] door for too long or the door was left open

ndash it will email you and tell you that your door is left

openrdquo

This is not your grandmarsquos kitchen This my friends

is the kitchen of the future and itrsquos available now

The 36 inch bottom-mount Miele refrigerator boasts a

striking interior featuring LED lighting running along

the sides from top to bottom stainless steel accents and

exteriors with control systems that would be comfort-

able alongside the captainrsquos chair on the Starship

Enterprise

Simply Saratoga | 77

ldquoThe controls in the Miele really stand out

Looking at the controls theyrsquore just a glass piece and

then once you touch it you see a few options for the

different compartments Then you touch the compart-

ment and the temperature is displayed so itrsquos kind of

like a Star Trek controlrdquo Thibeault said

And thatrsquos just the refrigerator

Adirondack Appliance has also seen brands such as

Wolf (a company owned by the same people who own

Sub-Zero) grow in popularity when it comes to their

range stoves and ovens The dual convection oven

works to eliminate cold spotting and provides consis-

tent even temperatures and even allows for unique

options such as proofing ndash used best when baking

homemade bread

ldquoIt also has a temperature probe you can plug into

things like a turkey or roast so you can see the temper-

ature while itrsquos still inside the machine It has

hydraulic hinges halogen lit interiors everything is

composed of stainless steel and itrsquos by far one of the

best lines on the marketrdquo Thibeault said

A new line coming to Adirondack Appliance that

features some amazing technology is a series of Pro-

Style Ranges produced by industry giant Jenn-Air

ldquoThat actually has an LCD touch

screen like an IPAD for the controls The

temperature is set by sliding your finger

along the controls Itrsquos all color backlit and

absolutely amazingrdquo Thibeault said

ldquoAnother thing we have to that same

effect are some of the hoods which have

really been getting pretty out there as far as

design We have one on our floor [by Miele]

that has an LED bar on the front which

changes in phases between 196000 colors

Itrsquos a very delicate change very pretty and

coolrdquo Thibeault said adding ldquoor you can set

it to any color in that spectrum yoursquod like to

accent your cabinetryrdquo

When it comes to dishwashers Thibeault

can attest to the quality of both the Asko and

Miele brands both of which he uses in his

own home And good news for Saratoga

Springs residents ndash

ldquoIn our market in

Saratoga we have a

very hard water base

whether yoursquore on a well

system or city waterrdquo

Thibeault said ldquoSo you

get a lot of minerals in

the machine With the

stainless steel interiors it

eliminates a lot of prob-

lems generally seen with

plastic interior tubs and

usually they are the best

life expectanciesrdquo

78 | Simply Saratoga

Asko and Mieleare practically custom made to handle the

arearsquos typicallymineral rich water

Simply Saratoga | 79

The Asko brand dishwasher takes things one step

further including two pumps in the washerrsquos system

The first pump filters the water cleansing it of poten-

tially harmful minerals while the second pump recircu-

lates the water ensuring that the machine is never

blasting your dishes with food debris or dirty residue

With Miele the design features a built-in water sof-

tener perfect for dealing with the Saratoga water

system

ldquoTypically the Miele is going to do a better job with

tougher baked in stainsrdquo said Thibeault ldquobecause itrsquos

got the softener in it and a little bit longer pots and pans

cyclerdquo

80 | Simply Saratoga

Adirondack Appliance Repair Inc is a fami-

ly-owned business since 1929 and the last inde-

pendent appliance retailer of its kind in Saratoga

Springs With $6 billion of buying power behind

their name (a benefit of being part of the Nation

Wide Appliance Buying Group) Thibeault

promised ldquowe can actually price match the box

stores and everybody else around all while pro-

viding you with better service and better

productsrdquo

For more information on AdirondackAppliance or the products they sell you mayvisit their showroom located at 67 West Avenuein Saratoga Springs for live demonstrationsThey can also be reached by phone at (518)587-6640 or you may visit them at their newwebsite wwwadkappliancecom where cus-tomers can browse through the storersquos entirecatalogue of appliances

sect

Simply Saratoga | 81

82 | Simply Saratoga

Page 46: Simply Saratoga March 2011

48 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 49

Dorsquos and Donrsquots

50 | Simply Saratoga

Story Written by Kerry Ann Mendez Perennially Yours bull wwwpyourscom Photos Provided

SpringDorsquos and Donrsquots

SpringDorsquos and DonrsquotsDorsquos and Donrsquots

Spring

for your Gardens

s

Simply Saratoga | 51

ssts

SPRINGis right around the corner and gardenersare pawing at the ground ready to explodethrough the garden gate As a passionate perennial gardenerI am right there with you But before launching into another flower-filledseason letrsquos go through a spring checklist of dorsquorsquos and donrsquorsquots to makesure we make the most of the race and have the best finish ever

Photo by GardenersSupply Company

apply a granular fertilizer to your perennial beds while they are still lsquoasleeprsquoDepending on the winter wersquove had this may be anytime from mid-Marchto mid-April Donrsquot worry if there are already lsquoearly risersrsquo visible like springblooming bulbs or woodland ephemerals I recommend using 5-5-5 5-10-5 or

5-10-10 fertilizer at the rate of 2 pounds per 100 square feet Cast the fertilizer just before it is about to rainto make sure fertilizer is watered into the ground and washed off any existing leaves You can give otherplants in your yard this treat as well including floweringshrubs groundcovers climbing vinesand roses

DONrsquoTput fertilizer on top of the snow or on ground that is

still frozen You want to make sure the fertilizer disap-pears into pliable soil and to waiting roots otherwiserunoff can occur And donrsquot think more is better Youcan stress or even kill plants by over-fertilizing espe-cially in spring when leaves are not fully developed toutilize nitrogen in the fertilizer If you are going to errless is better

DO

prune once-b l o o m i n g

roses such as Heirloom or Old GardenRoses when the Forsythia is blooming

Any rose that blooms onceusually in late spring forabout three weeks is in thiscategory Many times theseroses are quite fragrantWait to prune these rosesuntil right after they flower

DONrsquoT

prune most roses whenForsythia is in bloom Pruneshrub roses back by half to

23 their height This is assuming you did not prunethem last fall If you did then next year wait until latewinter or early spring Prune Teas and Grandiflorasback to 18 - 24rdquo For climbing roses prune branchesemerging from the main canes back to within 3 - 4rdquoof the cane

DO

apply corn gluten tolawn areas yoursquoveseeded (or over-seeded) or to gar-dens where youwant biennialsperennials or annu-als to reseed andflower Corn glutendoes not distinguishbetween lsquogoodrsquoand lsquobadrsquo seeds

apply a pre-emer-gent weed killerand fertilizer toyour lawn A lushhealthy lawn

makes a beautiful frame for gardens Myfamily walked away from lawn chemicalsfive years ago And our lawn has neverlooked better Corn gluten is a big part ofthis transformation Corn gluten is a by-product of milled corn It will not harm chil-dren pets or wildlife Heck you can eat it ifyou want (but it tastes yucky) Corn Glutenis high in nitrogen and commonly used as alawn fertilizer But it is also a pre-emergenttargeting seeds as they germinate Youcan put corn gluten down at any point inthe spring BUT if part of your mission is toeliminate crabgrass then there is a narrowwindow of attackApply it whenForsythia is in fullbloom and beforeits leaves appearThe Forsythia is asoil temperatureindicator that cor-responds to whencrabgrass seedsstart to germinate More garden centersare now carrying corn gluten productsYou just need to ask and follow the appli-cation instructions on the bag Make sureto water in the corn gluten after applyingIt will remain effective for five to six weeks

Simply Saratoga | 53

DONrsquoT

DO

step on soil as you maneuver around thegarden to cut back Lavender and therest of the gang For that matter youshould never be tromping through yourgardens compacting soil This breaks

down air and water channels as well as making it tougher forroots to spread Instead reach into beds from existing paths orplace stepping stones in discreet spots where only your eyes cansee or lsquowalk the plankrsquo on a board to reach plants fartherlsquoadriftrsquo

54 | Simply Saratoga

cut back Lavender Russian SageMontauk Daisy Butterfly BushChrysanthemums and ornamental grass-es These are best left untouched in falland whacked in spring Many folks make

the mistake of acting too gingerly with pruners Let lsquoem fly Theresult will be more compact neater plants that will bloom just fineTrust me If it helps wait until yoursquove had a bad day at work withthe kids or in traffic

DONrsquoT

DO

divide Peonies German Bearded Iris orOriental Poppies in spring These are bestdone in late summer Also tap-rootedplants (those with a carrot-looking root)cannot be divided Think about it These

are usually propagated by seed stem or root cuttings Someperennials that fall into this category are Malva Butterfly WeedBalloon Flower Oriental Poppies and Lupines

Simply Saratoga | 55

DONrsquoT

divide plants in spring This is an optimumtime to divide most perennials Yes evenspring bloomers Wait until these haveflowered and then shear off the spentblooms and get to business Most sum-

mer and fall blooming perennials can be divided prior to mid-Junewithout disrupting their performance

DO

apply a time-released fertilizersuch as Plant-Tone(organic) orOsmocote to heavy

feeding perennials five to six weeks afterthe earlier granular fertilizer applicationMost plants do not need as much fertilizeras we are led in advertising to believe I amstingy with my money and maintenancetime so only a handful of plants get thisbonus feed Astilbe Delphinium Liliums (ieAsiatic Oriental Trumpet) Clematis androses If I am feeling generous I will putsome on my Bigleaf Hydrangeas next to theroses Call me heartlessJust scratch fertilizer intothe top couple inchesof soil around theplantrsquos base and waterin well They will enjoy anutritious snack forthree to four months

apply mulch ongarden beds toreduce weedsconserve moisture

reduce erosion minimize soil temperaturefluctuations and enhance the quality ofthe soil Some mulching materials includeaged manures compost shredded wood(not dyed) leaf moldand cocoa hulls Putthe mulch down 2rdquo to3rdquo thick around plantsincluding floweringshrubs

build up mulchagainst plant stems

And please please donrsquot create volcanomounds around trees Please This is awfulfor them The only ones that benefit fromthis are the people selling the mulch

56 | Simply Saratoga

DONrsquoT

DO

DO

rubber band orbraid the foliage ofspring bloomingbulbs after they fin-ish flowering You

want as much leaf surface exposed to thesun as possible to increase photosynthesisYou can press the leaves down next to thesoil so they are less noticeable

Simply Saratoga | 57

sect

And finally DO have a great year in

your gardens and DONrsquoT forget to

take time to smell the roses

DONrsquoT

DONrsquoT

cut off the spentblooms and stems onspring blooming bulbsafter they have flow-ered so energy is redirected to the bulbsversus seed productions Keep the leaves inplace until they have browned and ideallycan be pulled from the ground by hand

put time-released fertil-izer on perennials thatprefer lean dietsRicher soil just upsetstheir vascular systemsThey will get leggy flop and not perform tosnuff Yarrow Coneflower Catmint RussianSage Linum Sea Holly and Silvermound are inthe group

DO

For more information contact Perennially Yours at pyourscom

58 | Simply Saratoga

Ill mination

Exterior Stonework

an

d

Story Written by Arthur Gonick Photos Provided

u

Simply Saratoga | 59

To develop and implement an exterior vista that maximizes your enjoyment To have a backyard landscape that is warm inviting and uniquely yours

These are goals that many homeowners have when they first move onto their property But unless you are trained in the variety ofmaterials and options available the task of getting past the point of comparing possibilities to completing and actually enjoying yourbackyard paradise can appear to be a long daunting road

For Carl Trinkle a landscape designer for ten years with the Gallivan Companies of Troy one of the key elements in a successfultransformation is utilizing a professionalrsquos expertise to articulate goals and develop a plan

ldquoThe most important thing we do when we first meet with a client is to get them to discuss their basic needs and aims and encouragethem to formulate an overall vision for their property An initial consultation sets the tone we make an initial visit on-site to look overthe property so we can have an idea as to where things might be placedrdquo

ldquoDuring this intake process we actually encourage people to show us photos of their friendrsquos property that they like or perhaps froma magazine It helps most people to articulate the goals of what they would like to see as a finished projectrdquo Trinkle said ldquoEven if they are looking to do things in phases we find that it is most important to develop a comprehensive site planrdquo This eliminates the need to revise original phases of work to accommodate those that come in the future

60 | Simply Saratoga

that Mr Trinkle finds potential customers identifying with aredesigned to extend the outdoor season ldquoA few extra weeks outside isa lotrdquo he said

add-ons also extend outside activity each day Low voltage lighting is still the most popular but recently LED lighting with longer-lasting bulbs that involve less maintenance and are cost-efficienthave become more fashionable

The latest trends

stations fire pits and waterenhancements such as ponds andwaterfalls are the most frequentlyrequested items that broaden theoutdoor use season

Outdoor grill

Exterior lighting

Simply Saratoga | 61

And of course swimming pool projects have always been a most-requested

item Fifty percent of allthe projects Mr Trinkleworks on involve a pooleither a completely new installation or enhance-ments to existing poolsGallivanrsquos long-standingrelationship withConcord Pools has beena hallmark in assuringthat customers are satis-fied when their pool isput in the ground

62 | Simply Saratoga

In most cases a comprehensive plancan be developed for any project in about a period of twoweeks Complete drawings and cost breakdowns are provid-ed as well as the projected phases that can be completed injust a few months or on larger projects can be scheduled insegments over a few years These are reviewed in personwith the customer again the goal being to have a plan thateveryone buys into

Simply Saratoga | 63

ldquoWe have had projects where the customer has wanted tohave a lot of input and we welcome that But we also hadone where the client was out of town and we built a firepit and slide for his wife and kids and our only instructions were to dazzle themI remember it as a most satisfying experience and we ended up winning awards for that onerdquo

- Carl Trinkle Landscape DesignerThe Gallivan Companies

64 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 65

ldquoI get to work using my creativity with talented people Some of the most talented are those

I meet as customersrdquo sect

For more information or to schedule aconsultation phone Gallivan Companies at(518) 271-6100 Gallivanrsquos website iswwwGallivanCompaniescom

66 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 67

Buying a playhouse for your child is an excellent investment

They promote imaginative play and spending time outdoors and

double as storage space when no longer used for recreation

Denise Woodcock owner of Versatile Sheds in Wilton has

been helping parents and grandparents customize their childrsquos or

grandchildrsquos dream playhouses for years

ldquoThey make great gifts especially for grandparents who want

their grandkids to have their own place to play when they visitrdquo

she said

Playhouses are a great addition to a childrsquos outdoor world

They come in all shapes sizes and designs and can be custom-

built or finished if you donrsquot find exactly what yoursquore looking for

in a catalog or on the lot

Every child is different and has their own preferences for color

size and function boys and girls often have especially different

requests for their play space as do younger and more mature chil-

dren so therersquos a lot to consider

Denise knows how even the finest detail can be all it takes to

make an outdoor structure feel like a childrsquos own personal space

While it may seem superfluous to address every minor demand

the truth is a playhouse is more than just an expensive toy itrsquos an

investment The more your child connects with their space the more

use theyrsquoll get out of it ndash and according to Denise that means your

money is well spent

Smartest WayThe

playhouse for your kidsto buy a

Photos by MarkBollescomStory by Yael Goldman

68 | Simply Saratoga

With this in mind prospective buyers should first consider

who will use the playhouse and for how long as well as what

happens when the structure is no longer used for recreation

Versatile Sheds can help even the most discerning parent or

child find what theyrsquore looking for Every playhouse is hand-

built by Amish craftsmen who can accommodate almost any

special request at an additional cost so the possibilities are

endless inside and out

Cedar shingle or vinyl siding wood stone or brick ndash if you

can use it on the outside of your regular home it can be inte-

grated into your playhousersquos design Playhouses can be built

to look like a miniature version of your home which is an

excellent touch for parents that are particularly concerned

with aesthetics Porches shutters flowerboxes unique doors

chimneys and exterior lighting are just a few of the touches

that can brighten and personalize the exterior

Individualizing your childrsquos playhouse doesnrsquot stop at the

front door There are just as many interior features to choose

from ndash you can let your imagination run wild

For starters you have the option to order the playhouse

with a finished or unfinished interior The unfinished version

looks a lot like the inside of a regular home before you move

in paint the walls and furnish the rooms

Buying an unfinished structure is a great way to cut costs

and even bring the family together over a weekend decorating

project The possibilities are endless depending on how handy

you are otherwise a few coats of paint and a bit of carpeting

will surely do the trick

Although a bit pricey purchasing a playhouse with a fin-

ished interior ensures that your child gets exactly what they

want right off the bat They can pick everything from the paint

color to the flooring so the playhouse is move-in ready on the

day it arrives

Playhouses can also be insulated and wired for electricity

You can install lighting electrical outlets even heat or air-

conditioning to make your childrsquos outdoor space as comfort-

able as possible

And the options donrsquot end there Traditional sheds also dou-

ble as playhouses For some parents purchasing an adult-size

shed for their children is an ideal way to get the best return on

their investment Once their children grow out of it the struc-

ture can be used for outdoor storage With just as many styles

sizes and materials to choose from you can customize the

interior and exterior of your shed just as you would a play-

house but without all of the more frivolous features

ldquoAny shed can be a playhouserdquo Woodcock said explaining

how a custom paint job or flowerbox can transform a typical

storage unit into childrsquos outdoor activity haven

For example if purchasing a wood shed the exterior can be

easily painted and repainted when making the transition from

playhouse to storage space

For Denisersquos customers getting their moneyrsquos worth should

not have to mean making sacrifices

Simply Saratoga | 69

70 | Simply Saratoga

When Debby Trainor made the decision to buy her grand-

daughter Chezneyrsquos dream house she wanted it to have all the

bells and whistles She met with Denise to go over all the cri-

teria the goal was to buy the perfect gift for Chezney while

staying within her budget

The eight-year-old Greenwich girl wanted her own pretty

pink palace where she could play and imagine Debby wanted

it to be a cozy and safe place for her to play year-round

Customization and interior decoration helped make

Chezneyrsquos playhouse feel like her own little kingdom

ldquoWe made it look like a cute little dollhouserdquo she said ldquoWe

put furniture inside and a little stove fridge heater and TV

itrsquos just perfectrdquo

With the structure built to their liking Chezney and Debby

could enjoy decorating the inside to personalize the playhouse

For many customers putting on the finishing touches means

making the playhouse feel like home ndash you can add curtains

hang pictures buy furniture and appliances and landscape the

perimeter to make the outdoor space feel like a home away

from home

When the child grows out of their playhouse these items

can be easily removed to accommodate a secondary use for the

space

ldquoThe best thing that Denise did for me was explain how we

can use the playhouse for storage for stuff out in the yard after

Chezney has grown out of itrdquo Debby explained ldquoAlthough

she is only eight and will be using it for quite a few more

years this really makes it a good investment and looks

great in the backyardrdquo

Whether you choose a customized playhouse or a tradi-

tional shed thinking toward the future also ensures the

safety and longevity of the structure

Denise explained that placement is an important thing to

consider as you want to make sure the structure is in a safe

place and on an appropriate surface Most importantly the

playhouse must be built on a level even surface that isnrsquot

too high off of the ground

ldquoYou want it on a nice platformrdquo Denise explained

ldquoSome people use concrete but stone is better because it

allows moisture to seep down into the ground and away

from the structurerdquo

Most parents prefer that their playhouse is in the back-

yard where itrsquos easy to see from a window Placing the

structure in a shaded area is also a good idea it will be

cooler in the summer and less susceptible to the elements if

partially protected by trees

Debby had Chezneyrsquos playhouse built right next to her

swing set where she can be easily supervised

One last thing to consider when purchasing a playhouse

Simply Saratoga | 71

72 | Simply Saratoga

or shed for your child is how much effort

you want to put into maintaining it The

more ornate the structure the more care it

may need

Woodcock advises parents to preserve

their investment and treat the playhouse

like a miniature home

Think of it as a miniature house ndash the

structure requires regular maintenance

and upkeep to ensure your child will be

safe while enjoying years and years of

imaginative fun

With so many features and styles to

choose from yoursquore sure to find the best

for both you and your child

For more information about Versatile

Sheds or to set up a time to meet with

Denise Woodcock call (518) 584-7924

or stop by 669 Route 9 in Wilton sect

Simply Saratoga | 73

74 | Simply Saratoga

Kitchen

Not Your

Grandmarsquos

Story Written by Daniel Schechtman Photos Provided

ldquoAs you

walk into the kitchen

of the future LED

light projections adjust

to your mood - it will

know if you have a

hangover via sensors

that will read your

b r a i n w a v e s

Aromatherapy infused

walls will be synched

to your calendar calm-

ing you before a big

meeting or energizing you before a gym session The fridge will have selected some breakfast options identifying the essen-

tial vitamins for your day via sensors When you get home a hologram chef will be on hand for recipe inspirationrdquo

Alright so maybe your kitchen canrsquot do all of these things quite yet ndash but believe it or not wersquore getting there This is tomor-

rowrsquos kitchen a kitchen where your appliances donrsquot just store your food or wash your dishes ndash they talk to you providing you

with integral information on how to

best store your fruits and vegetables

letting you know if the refrigerator

door is open for too long or when a

part will soon need replacing

Simply Saratoga | 75

ldquoScience fictionrdquo I hear you say

Guess again Quoted from a report released by The Future Laboratory

who was commissioned by IKEA to determine what a modernkitchen in the year 2040 could conceivably look like

76 | Simply Saratoga

ldquoOne technology that really stands out to me is the

Miele Appliance Company Right now theyrsquore using a

program called lsquoremote visionrsquo On select applianceshellip

is a wireless card that clicks into a port on the back of

the appliance You synch it up with your home network

and it basically emails the technician and the owner

when itrsquos broken when you need to clean your condens-

er change your water filter or schedule a routine serv-

icerdquo said Tom Thibeault owner of Adirondack

Appliance Repair Inc located at 67 West Ave in

Saratoga Springs ldquoMaybe somebodyrsquos been opening the

[refrigerator] door for too long or the door was left open

ndash it will email you and tell you that your door is left

openrdquo

This is not your grandmarsquos kitchen This my friends

is the kitchen of the future and itrsquos available now

The 36 inch bottom-mount Miele refrigerator boasts a

striking interior featuring LED lighting running along

the sides from top to bottom stainless steel accents and

exteriors with control systems that would be comfort-

able alongside the captainrsquos chair on the Starship

Enterprise

Simply Saratoga | 77

ldquoThe controls in the Miele really stand out

Looking at the controls theyrsquore just a glass piece and

then once you touch it you see a few options for the

different compartments Then you touch the compart-

ment and the temperature is displayed so itrsquos kind of

like a Star Trek controlrdquo Thibeault said

And thatrsquos just the refrigerator

Adirondack Appliance has also seen brands such as

Wolf (a company owned by the same people who own

Sub-Zero) grow in popularity when it comes to their

range stoves and ovens The dual convection oven

works to eliminate cold spotting and provides consis-

tent even temperatures and even allows for unique

options such as proofing ndash used best when baking

homemade bread

ldquoIt also has a temperature probe you can plug into

things like a turkey or roast so you can see the temper-

ature while itrsquos still inside the machine It has

hydraulic hinges halogen lit interiors everything is

composed of stainless steel and itrsquos by far one of the

best lines on the marketrdquo Thibeault said

A new line coming to Adirondack Appliance that

features some amazing technology is a series of Pro-

Style Ranges produced by industry giant Jenn-Air

ldquoThat actually has an LCD touch

screen like an IPAD for the controls The

temperature is set by sliding your finger

along the controls Itrsquos all color backlit and

absolutely amazingrdquo Thibeault said

ldquoAnother thing we have to that same

effect are some of the hoods which have

really been getting pretty out there as far as

design We have one on our floor [by Miele]

that has an LED bar on the front which

changes in phases between 196000 colors

Itrsquos a very delicate change very pretty and

coolrdquo Thibeault said adding ldquoor you can set

it to any color in that spectrum yoursquod like to

accent your cabinetryrdquo

When it comes to dishwashers Thibeault

can attest to the quality of both the Asko and

Miele brands both of which he uses in his

own home And good news for Saratoga

Springs residents ndash

ldquoIn our market in

Saratoga we have a

very hard water base

whether yoursquore on a well

system or city waterrdquo

Thibeault said ldquoSo you

get a lot of minerals in

the machine With the

stainless steel interiors it

eliminates a lot of prob-

lems generally seen with

plastic interior tubs and

usually they are the best

life expectanciesrdquo

78 | Simply Saratoga

Asko and Mieleare practically custom made to handle the

arearsquos typicallymineral rich water

Simply Saratoga | 79

The Asko brand dishwasher takes things one step

further including two pumps in the washerrsquos system

The first pump filters the water cleansing it of poten-

tially harmful minerals while the second pump recircu-

lates the water ensuring that the machine is never

blasting your dishes with food debris or dirty residue

With Miele the design features a built-in water sof-

tener perfect for dealing with the Saratoga water

system

ldquoTypically the Miele is going to do a better job with

tougher baked in stainsrdquo said Thibeault ldquobecause itrsquos

got the softener in it and a little bit longer pots and pans

cyclerdquo

80 | Simply Saratoga

Adirondack Appliance Repair Inc is a fami-

ly-owned business since 1929 and the last inde-

pendent appliance retailer of its kind in Saratoga

Springs With $6 billion of buying power behind

their name (a benefit of being part of the Nation

Wide Appliance Buying Group) Thibeault

promised ldquowe can actually price match the box

stores and everybody else around all while pro-

viding you with better service and better

productsrdquo

For more information on AdirondackAppliance or the products they sell you mayvisit their showroom located at 67 West Avenuein Saratoga Springs for live demonstrationsThey can also be reached by phone at (518)587-6640 or you may visit them at their newwebsite wwwadkappliancecom where cus-tomers can browse through the storersquos entirecatalogue of appliances

sect

Simply Saratoga | 81

82 | Simply Saratoga

Page 47: Simply Saratoga March 2011

Simply Saratoga | 49

Dorsquos and Donrsquots

50 | Simply Saratoga

Story Written by Kerry Ann Mendez Perennially Yours bull wwwpyourscom Photos Provided

SpringDorsquos and Donrsquots

SpringDorsquos and DonrsquotsDorsquos and Donrsquots

Spring

for your Gardens

s

Simply Saratoga | 51

ssts

SPRINGis right around the corner and gardenersare pawing at the ground ready to explodethrough the garden gate As a passionate perennial gardenerI am right there with you But before launching into another flower-filledseason letrsquos go through a spring checklist of dorsquorsquos and donrsquorsquots to makesure we make the most of the race and have the best finish ever

Photo by GardenersSupply Company

apply a granular fertilizer to your perennial beds while they are still lsquoasleeprsquoDepending on the winter wersquove had this may be anytime from mid-Marchto mid-April Donrsquot worry if there are already lsquoearly risersrsquo visible like springblooming bulbs or woodland ephemerals I recommend using 5-5-5 5-10-5 or

5-10-10 fertilizer at the rate of 2 pounds per 100 square feet Cast the fertilizer just before it is about to rainto make sure fertilizer is watered into the ground and washed off any existing leaves You can give otherplants in your yard this treat as well including floweringshrubs groundcovers climbing vinesand roses

DONrsquoTput fertilizer on top of the snow or on ground that is

still frozen You want to make sure the fertilizer disap-pears into pliable soil and to waiting roots otherwiserunoff can occur And donrsquot think more is better Youcan stress or even kill plants by over-fertilizing espe-cially in spring when leaves are not fully developed toutilize nitrogen in the fertilizer If you are going to errless is better

DO

prune once-b l o o m i n g

roses such as Heirloom or Old GardenRoses when the Forsythia is blooming

Any rose that blooms onceusually in late spring forabout three weeks is in thiscategory Many times theseroses are quite fragrantWait to prune these rosesuntil right after they flower

DONrsquoT

prune most roses whenForsythia is in bloom Pruneshrub roses back by half to

23 their height This is assuming you did not prunethem last fall If you did then next year wait until latewinter or early spring Prune Teas and Grandiflorasback to 18 - 24rdquo For climbing roses prune branchesemerging from the main canes back to within 3 - 4rdquoof the cane

DO

apply corn gluten tolawn areas yoursquoveseeded (or over-seeded) or to gar-dens where youwant biennialsperennials or annu-als to reseed andflower Corn glutendoes not distinguishbetween lsquogoodrsquoand lsquobadrsquo seeds

apply a pre-emer-gent weed killerand fertilizer toyour lawn A lushhealthy lawn

makes a beautiful frame for gardens Myfamily walked away from lawn chemicalsfive years ago And our lawn has neverlooked better Corn gluten is a big part ofthis transformation Corn gluten is a by-product of milled corn It will not harm chil-dren pets or wildlife Heck you can eat it ifyou want (but it tastes yucky) Corn Glutenis high in nitrogen and commonly used as alawn fertilizer But it is also a pre-emergenttargeting seeds as they germinate Youcan put corn gluten down at any point inthe spring BUT if part of your mission is toeliminate crabgrass then there is a narrowwindow of attackApply it whenForsythia is in fullbloom and beforeits leaves appearThe Forsythia is asoil temperatureindicator that cor-responds to whencrabgrass seedsstart to germinate More garden centersare now carrying corn gluten productsYou just need to ask and follow the appli-cation instructions on the bag Make sureto water in the corn gluten after applyingIt will remain effective for five to six weeks

Simply Saratoga | 53

DONrsquoT

DO

step on soil as you maneuver around thegarden to cut back Lavender and therest of the gang For that matter youshould never be tromping through yourgardens compacting soil This breaks

down air and water channels as well as making it tougher forroots to spread Instead reach into beds from existing paths orplace stepping stones in discreet spots where only your eyes cansee or lsquowalk the plankrsquo on a board to reach plants fartherlsquoadriftrsquo

54 | Simply Saratoga

cut back Lavender Russian SageMontauk Daisy Butterfly BushChrysanthemums and ornamental grass-es These are best left untouched in falland whacked in spring Many folks make

the mistake of acting too gingerly with pruners Let lsquoem fly Theresult will be more compact neater plants that will bloom just fineTrust me If it helps wait until yoursquove had a bad day at work withthe kids or in traffic

DONrsquoT

DO

divide Peonies German Bearded Iris orOriental Poppies in spring These are bestdone in late summer Also tap-rootedplants (those with a carrot-looking root)cannot be divided Think about it These

are usually propagated by seed stem or root cuttings Someperennials that fall into this category are Malva Butterfly WeedBalloon Flower Oriental Poppies and Lupines

Simply Saratoga | 55

DONrsquoT

divide plants in spring This is an optimumtime to divide most perennials Yes evenspring bloomers Wait until these haveflowered and then shear off the spentblooms and get to business Most sum-

mer and fall blooming perennials can be divided prior to mid-Junewithout disrupting their performance

DO

apply a time-released fertilizersuch as Plant-Tone(organic) orOsmocote to heavy

feeding perennials five to six weeks afterthe earlier granular fertilizer applicationMost plants do not need as much fertilizeras we are led in advertising to believe I amstingy with my money and maintenancetime so only a handful of plants get thisbonus feed Astilbe Delphinium Liliums (ieAsiatic Oriental Trumpet) Clematis androses If I am feeling generous I will putsome on my Bigleaf Hydrangeas next to theroses Call me heartlessJust scratch fertilizer intothe top couple inchesof soil around theplantrsquos base and waterin well They will enjoy anutritious snack forthree to four months

apply mulch ongarden beds toreduce weedsconserve moisture

reduce erosion minimize soil temperaturefluctuations and enhance the quality ofthe soil Some mulching materials includeaged manures compost shredded wood(not dyed) leaf moldand cocoa hulls Putthe mulch down 2rdquo to3rdquo thick around plantsincluding floweringshrubs

build up mulchagainst plant stems

And please please donrsquot create volcanomounds around trees Please This is awfulfor them The only ones that benefit fromthis are the people selling the mulch

56 | Simply Saratoga

DONrsquoT

DO

DO

rubber band orbraid the foliage ofspring bloomingbulbs after they fin-ish flowering You

want as much leaf surface exposed to thesun as possible to increase photosynthesisYou can press the leaves down next to thesoil so they are less noticeable

Simply Saratoga | 57

sect

And finally DO have a great year in

your gardens and DONrsquoT forget to

take time to smell the roses

DONrsquoT

DONrsquoT

cut off the spentblooms and stems onspring blooming bulbsafter they have flow-ered so energy is redirected to the bulbsversus seed productions Keep the leaves inplace until they have browned and ideallycan be pulled from the ground by hand

put time-released fertil-izer on perennials thatprefer lean dietsRicher soil just upsetstheir vascular systemsThey will get leggy flop and not perform tosnuff Yarrow Coneflower Catmint RussianSage Linum Sea Holly and Silvermound are inthe group

DO

For more information contact Perennially Yours at pyourscom

58 | Simply Saratoga

Ill mination

Exterior Stonework

an

d

Story Written by Arthur Gonick Photos Provided

u

Simply Saratoga | 59

To develop and implement an exterior vista that maximizes your enjoyment To have a backyard landscape that is warm inviting and uniquely yours

These are goals that many homeowners have when they first move onto their property But unless you are trained in the variety ofmaterials and options available the task of getting past the point of comparing possibilities to completing and actually enjoying yourbackyard paradise can appear to be a long daunting road

For Carl Trinkle a landscape designer for ten years with the Gallivan Companies of Troy one of the key elements in a successfultransformation is utilizing a professionalrsquos expertise to articulate goals and develop a plan

ldquoThe most important thing we do when we first meet with a client is to get them to discuss their basic needs and aims and encouragethem to formulate an overall vision for their property An initial consultation sets the tone we make an initial visit on-site to look overthe property so we can have an idea as to where things might be placedrdquo

ldquoDuring this intake process we actually encourage people to show us photos of their friendrsquos property that they like or perhaps froma magazine It helps most people to articulate the goals of what they would like to see as a finished projectrdquo Trinkle said ldquoEven if they are looking to do things in phases we find that it is most important to develop a comprehensive site planrdquo This eliminates the need to revise original phases of work to accommodate those that come in the future

60 | Simply Saratoga

that Mr Trinkle finds potential customers identifying with aredesigned to extend the outdoor season ldquoA few extra weeks outside isa lotrdquo he said

add-ons also extend outside activity each day Low voltage lighting is still the most popular but recently LED lighting with longer-lasting bulbs that involve less maintenance and are cost-efficienthave become more fashionable

The latest trends

stations fire pits and waterenhancements such as ponds andwaterfalls are the most frequentlyrequested items that broaden theoutdoor use season

Outdoor grill

Exterior lighting

Simply Saratoga | 61

And of course swimming pool projects have always been a most-requested

item Fifty percent of allthe projects Mr Trinkleworks on involve a pooleither a completely new installation or enhance-ments to existing poolsGallivanrsquos long-standingrelationship withConcord Pools has beena hallmark in assuringthat customers are satis-fied when their pool isput in the ground

62 | Simply Saratoga

In most cases a comprehensive plancan be developed for any project in about a period of twoweeks Complete drawings and cost breakdowns are provid-ed as well as the projected phases that can be completed injust a few months or on larger projects can be scheduled insegments over a few years These are reviewed in personwith the customer again the goal being to have a plan thateveryone buys into

Simply Saratoga | 63

ldquoWe have had projects where the customer has wanted tohave a lot of input and we welcome that But we also hadone where the client was out of town and we built a firepit and slide for his wife and kids and our only instructions were to dazzle themI remember it as a most satisfying experience and we ended up winning awards for that onerdquo

- Carl Trinkle Landscape DesignerThe Gallivan Companies

64 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 65

ldquoI get to work using my creativity with talented people Some of the most talented are those

I meet as customersrdquo sect

For more information or to schedule aconsultation phone Gallivan Companies at(518) 271-6100 Gallivanrsquos website iswwwGallivanCompaniescom

66 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 67

Buying a playhouse for your child is an excellent investment

They promote imaginative play and spending time outdoors and

double as storage space when no longer used for recreation

Denise Woodcock owner of Versatile Sheds in Wilton has

been helping parents and grandparents customize their childrsquos or

grandchildrsquos dream playhouses for years

ldquoThey make great gifts especially for grandparents who want

their grandkids to have their own place to play when they visitrdquo

she said

Playhouses are a great addition to a childrsquos outdoor world

They come in all shapes sizes and designs and can be custom-

built or finished if you donrsquot find exactly what yoursquore looking for

in a catalog or on the lot

Every child is different and has their own preferences for color

size and function boys and girls often have especially different

requests for their play space as do younger and more mature chil-

dren so therersquos a lot to consider

Denise knows how even the finest detail can be all it takes to

make an outdoor structure feel like a childrsquos own personal space

While it may seem superfluous to address every minor demand

the truth is a playhouse is more than just an expensive toy itrsquos an

investment The more your child connects with their space the more

use theyrsquoll get out of it ndash and according to Denise that means your

money is well spent

Smartest WayThe

playhouse for your kidsto buy a

Photos by MarkBollescomStory by Yael Goldman

68 | Simply Saratoga

With this in mind prospective buyers should first consider

who will use the playhouse and for how long as well as what

happens when the structure is no longer used for recreation

Versatile Sheds can help even the most discerning parent or

child find what theyrsquore looking for Every playhouse is hand-

built by Amish craftsmen who can accommodate almost any

special request at an additional cost so the possibilities are

endless inside and out

Cedar shingle or vinyl siding wood stone or brick ndash if you

can use it on the outside of your regular home it can be inte-

grated into your playhousersquos design Playhouses can be built

to look like a miniature version of your home which is an

excellent touch for parents that are particularly concerned

with aesthetics Porches shutters flowerboxes unique doors

chimneys and exterior lighting are just a few of the touches

that can brighten and personalize the exterior

Individualizing your childrsquos playhouse doesnrsquot stop at the

front door There are just as many interior features to choose

from ndash you can let your imagination run wild

For starters you have the option to order the playhouse

with a finished or unfinished interior The unfinished version

looks a lot like the inside of a regular home before you move

in paint the walls and furnish the rooms

Buying an unfinished structure is a great way to cut costs

and even bring the family together over a weekend decorating

project The possibilities are endless depending on how handy

you are otherwise a few coats of paint and a bit of carpeting

will surely do the trick

Although a bit pricey purchasing a playhouse with a fin-

ished interior ensures that your child gets exactly what they

want right off the bat They can pick everything from the paint

color to the flooring so the playhouse is move-in ready on the

day it arrives

Playhouses can also be insulated and wired for electricity

You can install lighting electrical outlets even heat or air-

conditioning to make your childrsquos outdoor space as comfort-

able as possible

And the options donrsquot end there Traditional sheds also dou-

ble as playhouses For some parents purchasing an adult-size

shed for their children is an ideal way to get the best return on

their investment Once their children grow out of it the struc-

ture can be used for outdoor storage With just as many styles

sizes and materials to choose from you can customize the

interior and exterior of your shed just as you would a play-

house but without all of the more frivolous features

ldquoAny shed can be a playhouserdquo Woodcock said explaining

how a custom paint job or flowerbox can transform a typical

storage unit into childrsquos outdoor activity haven

For example if purchasing a wood shed the exterior can be

easily painted and repainted when making the transition from

playhouse to storage space

For Denisersquos customers getting their moneyrsquos worth should

not have to mean making sacrifices

Simply Saratoga | 69

70 | Simply Saratoga

When Debby Trainor made the decision to buy her grand-

daughter Chezneyrsquos dream house she wanted it to have all the

bells and whistles She met with Denise to go over all the cri-

teria the goal was to buy the perfect gift for Chezney while

staying within her budget

The eight-year-old Greenwich girl wanted her own pretty

pink palace where she could play and imagine Debby wanted

it to be a cozy and safe place for her to play year-round

Customization and interior decoration helped make

Chezneyrsquos playhouse feel like her own little kingdom

ldquoWe made it look like a cute little dollhouserdquo she said ldquoWe

put furniture inside and a little stove fridge heater and TV

itrsquos just perfectrdquo

With the structure built to their liking Chezney and Debby

could enjoy decorating the inside to personalize the playhouse

For many customers putting on the finishing touches means

making the playhouse feel like home ndash you can add curtains

hang pictures buy furniture and appliances and landscape the

perimeter to make the outdoor space feel like a home away

from home

When the child grows out of their playhouse these items

can be easily removed to accommodate a secondary use for the

space

ldquoThe best thing that Denise did for me was explain how we

can use the playhouse for storage for stuff out in the yard after

Chezney has grown out of itrdquo Debby explained ldquoAlthough

she is only eight and will be using it for quite a few more

years this really makes it a good investment and looks

great in the backyardrdquo

Whether you choose a customized playhouse or a tradi-

tional shed thinking toward the future also ensures the

safety and longevity of the structure

Denise explained that placement is an important thing to

consider as you want to make sure the structure is in a safe

place and on an appropriate surface Most importantly the

playhouse must be built on a level even surface that isnrsquot

too high off of the ground

ldquoYou want it on a nice platformrdquo Denise explained

ldquoSome people use concrete but stone is better because it

allows moisture to seep down into the ground and away

from the structurerdquo

Most parents prefer that their playhouse is in the back-

yard where itrsquos easy to see from a window Placing the

structure in a shaded area is also a good idea it will be

cooler in the summer and less susceptible to the elements if

partially protected by trees

Debby had Chezneyrsquos playhouse built right next to her

swing set where she can be easily supervised

One last thing to consider when purchasing a playhouse

Simply Saratoga | 71

72 | Simply Saratoga

or shed for your child is how much effort

you want to put into maintaining it The

more ornate the structure the more care it

may need

Woodcock advises parents to preserve

their investment and treat the playhouse

like a miniature home

Think of it as a miniature house ndash the

structure requires regular maintenance

and upkeep to ensure your child will be

safe while enjoying years and years of

imaginative fun

With so many features and styles to

choose from yoursquore sure to find the best

for both you and your child

For more information about Versatile

Sheds or to set up a time to meet with

Denise Woodcock call (518) 584-7924

or stop by 669 Route 9 in Wilton sect

Simply Saratoga | 73

74 | Simply Saratoga

Kitchen

Not Your

Grandmarsquos

Story Written by Daniel Schechtman Photos Provided

ldquoAs you

walk into the kitchen

of the future LED

light projections adjust

to your mood - it will

know if you have a

hangover via sensors

that will read your

b r a i n w a v e s

Aromatherapy infused

walls will be synched

to your calendar calm-

ing you before a big

meeting or energizing you before a gym session The fridge will have selected some breakfast options identifying the essen-

tial vitamins for your day via sensors When you get home a hologram chef will be on hand for recipe inspirationrdquo

Alright so maybe your kitchen canrsquot do all of these things quite yet ndash but believe it or not wersquore getting there This is tomor-

rowrsquos kitchen a kitchen where your appliances donrsquot just store your food or wash your dishes ndash they talk to you providing you

with integral information on how to

best store your fruits and vegetables

letting you know if the refrigerator

door is open for too long or when a

part will soon need replacing

Simply Saratoga | 75

ldquoScience fictionrdquo I hear you say

Guess again Quoted from a report released by The Future Laboratory

who was commissioned by IKEA to determine what a modernkitchen in the year 2040 could conceivably look like

76 | Simply Saratoga

ldquoOne technology that really stands out to me is the

Miele Appliance Company Right now theyrsquore using a

program called lsquoremote visionrsquo On select applianceshellip

is a wireless card that clicks into a port on the back of

the appliance You synch it up with your home network

and it basically emails the technician and the owner

when itrsquos broken when you need to clean your condens-

er change your water filter or schedule a routine serv-

icerdquo said Tom Thibeault owner of Adirondack

Appliance Repair Inc located at 67 West Ave in

Saratoga Springs ldquoMaybe somebodyrsquos been opening the

[refrigerator] door for too long or the door was left open

ndash it will email you and tell you that your door is left

openrdquo

This is not your grandmarsquos kitchen This my friends

is the kitchen of the future and itrsquos available now

The 36 inch bottom-mount Miele refrigerator boasts a

striking interior featuring LED lighting running along

the sides from top to bottom stainless steel accents and

exteriors with control systems that would be comfort-

able alongside the captainrsquos chair on the Starship

Enterprise

Simply Saratoga | 77

ldquoThe controls in the Miele really stand out

Looking at the controls theyrsquore just a glass piece and

then once you touch it you see a few options for the

different compartments Then you touch the compart-

ment and the temperature is displayed so itrsquos kind of

like a Star Trek controlrdquo Thibeault said

And thatrsquos just the refrigerator

Adirondack Appliance has also seen brands such as

Wolf (a company owned by the same people who own

Sub-Zero) grow in popularity when it comes to their

range stoves and ovens The dual convection oven

works to eliminate cold spotting and provides consis-

tent even temperatures and even allows for unique

options such as proofing ndash used best when baking

homemade bread

ldquoIt also has a temperature probe you can plug into

things like a turkey or roast so you can see the temper-

ature while itrsquos still inside the machine It has

hydraulic hinges halogen lit interiors everything is

composed of stainless steel and itrsquos by far one of the

best lines on the marketrdquo Thibeault said

A new line coming to Adirondack Appliance that

features some amazing technology is a series of Pro-

Style Ranges produced by industry giant Jenn-Air

ldquoThat actually has an LCD touch

screen like an IPAD for the controls The

temperature is set by sliding your finger

along the controls Itrsquos all color backlit and

absolutely amazingrdquo Thibeault said

ldquoAnother thing we have to that same

effect are some of the hoods which have

really been getting pretty out there as far as

design We have one on our floor [by Miele]

that has an LED bar on the front which

changes in phases between 196000 colors

Itrsquos a very delicate change very pretty and

coolrdquo Thibeault said adding ldquoor you can set

it to any color in that spectrum yoursquod like to

accent your cabinetryrdquo

When it comes to dishwashers Thibeault

can attest to the quality of both the Asko and

Miele brands both of which he uses in his

own home And good news for Saratoga

Springs residents ndash

ldquoIn our market in

Saratoga we have a

very hard water base

whether yoursquore on a well

system or city waterrdquo

Thibeault said ldquoSo you

get a lot of minerals in

the machine With the

stainless steel interiors it

eliminates a lot of prob-

lems generally seen with

plastic interior tubs and

usually they are the best

life expectanciesrdquo

78 | Simply Saratoga

Asko and Mieleare practically custom made to handle the

arearsquos typicallymineral rich water

Simply Saratoga | 79

The Asko brand dishwasher takes things one step

further including two pumps in the washerrsquos system

The first pump filters the water cleansing it of poten-

tially harmful minerals while the second pump recircu-

lates the water ensuring that the machine is never

blasting your dishes with food debris or dirty residue

With Miele the design features a built-in water sof-

tener perfect for dealing with the Saratoga water

system

ldquoTypically the Miele is going to do a better job with

tougher baked in stainsrdquo said Thibeault ldquobecause itrsquos

got the softener in it and a little bit longer pots and pans

cyclerdquo

80 | Simply Saratoga

Adirondack Appliance Repair Inc is a fami-

ly-owned business since 1929 and the last inde-

pendent appliance retailer of its kind in Saratoga

Springs With $6 billion of buying power behind

their name (a benefit of being part of the Nation

Wide Appliance Buying Group) Thibeault

promised ldquowe can actually price match the box

stores and everybody else around all while pro-

viding you with better service and better

productsrdquo

For more information on AdirondackAppliance or the products they sell you mayvisit their showroom located at 67 West Avenuein Saratoga Springs for live demonstrationsThey can also be reached by phone at (518)587-6640 or you may visit them at their newwebsite wwwadkappliancecom where cus-tomers can browse through the storersquos entirecatalogue of appliances

sect

Simply Saratoga | 81

82 | Simply Saratoga

Page 48: Simply Saratoga March 2011

Dorsquos and Donrsquots

50 | Simply Saratoga

Story Written by Kerry Ann Mendez Perennially Yours bull wwwpyourscom Photos Provided

SpringDorsquos and Donrsquots

SpringDorsquos and DonrsquotsDorsquos and Donrsquots

Spring

for your Gardens

s

Simply Saratoga | 51

ssts

SPRINGis right around the corner and gardenersare pawing at the ground ready to explodethrough the garden gate As a passionate perennial gardenerI am right there with you But before launching into another flower-filledseason letrsquos go through a spring checklist of dorsquorsquos and donrsquorsquots to makesure we make the most of the race and have the best finish ever

Photo by GardenersSupply Company

apply a granular fertilizer to your perennial beds while they are still lsquoasleeprsquoDepending on the winter wersquove had this may be anytime from mid-Marchto mid-April Donrsquot worry if there are already lsquoearly risersrsquo visible like springblooming bulbs or woodland ephemerals I recommend using 5-5-5 5-10-5 or

5-10-10 fertilizer at the rate of 2 pounds per 100 square feet Cast the fertilizer just before it is about to rainto make sure fertilizer is watered into the ground and washed off any existing leaves You can give otherplants in your yard this treat as well including floweringshrubs groundcovers climbing vinesand roses

DONrsquoTput fertilizer on top of the snow or on ground that is

still frozen You want to make sure the fertilizer disap-pears into pliable soil and to waiting roots otherwiserunoff can occur And donrsquot think more is better Youcan stress or even kill plants by over-fertilizing espe-cially in spring when leaves are not fully developed toutilize nitrogen in the fertilizer If you are going to errless is better

DO

prune once-b l o o m i n g

roses such as Heirloom or Old GardenRoses when the Forsythia is blooming

Any rose that blooms onceusually in late spring forabout three weeks is in thiscategory Many times theseroses are quite fragrantWait to prune these rosesuntil right after they flower

DONrsquoT

prune most roses whenForsythia is in bloom Pruneshrub roses back by half to

23 their height This is assuming you did not prunethem last fall If you did then next year wait until latewinter or early spring Prune Teas and Grandiflorasback to 18 - 24rdquo For climbing roses prune branchesemerging from the main canes back to within 3 - 4rdquoof the cane

DO

apply corn gluten tolawn areas yoursquoveseeded (or over-seeded) or to gar-dens where youwant biennialsperennials or annu-als to reseed andflower Corn glutendoes not distinguishbetween lsquogoodrsquoand lsquobadrsquo seeds

apply a pre-emer-gent weed killerand fertilizer toyour lawn A lushhealthy lawn

makes a beautiful frame for gardens Myfamily walked away from lawn chemicalsfive years ago And our lawn has neverlooked better Corn gluten is a big part ofthis transformation Corn gluten is a by-product of milled corn It will not harm chil-dren pets or wildlife Heck you can eat it ifyou want (but it tastes yucky) Corn Glutenis high in nitrogen and commonly used as alawn fertilizer But it is also a pre-emergenttargeting seeds as they germinate Youcan put corn gluten down at any point inthe spring BUT if part of your mission is toeliminate crabgrass then there is a narrowwindow of attackApply it whenForsythia is in fullbloom and beforeits leaves appearThe Forsythia is asoil temperatureindicator that cor-responds to whencrabgrass seedsstart to germinate More garden centersare now carrying corn gluten productsYou just need to ask and follow the appli-cation instructions on the bag Make sureto water in the corn gluten after applyingIt will remain effective for five to six weeks

Simply Saratoga | 53

DONrsquoT

DO

step on soil as you maneuver around thegarden to cut back Lavender and therest of the gang For that matter youshould never be tromping through yourgardens compacting soil This breaks

down air and water channels as well as making it tougher forroots to spread Instead reach into beds from existing paths orplace stepping stones in discreet spots where only your eyes cansee or lsquowalk the plankrsquo on a board to reach plants fartherlsquoadriftrsquo

54 | Simply Saratoga

cut back Lavender Russian SageMontauk Daisy Butterfly BushChrysanthemums and ornamental grass-es These are best left untouched in falland whacked in spring Many folks make

the mistake of acting too gingerly with pruners Let lsquoem fly Theresult will be more compact neater plants that will bloom just fineTrust me If it helps wait until yoursquove had a bad day at work withthe kids or in traffic

DONrsquoT

DO

divide Peonies German Bearded Iris orOriental Poppies in spring These are bestdone in late summer Also tap-rootedplants (those with a carrot-looking root)cannot be divided Think about it These

are usually propagated by seed stem or root cuttings Someperennials that fall into this category are Malva Butterfly WeedBalloon Flower Oriental Poppies and Lupines

Simply Saratoga | 55

DONrsquoT

divide plants in spring This is an optimumtime to divide most perennials Yes evenspring bloomers Wait until these haveflowered and then shear off the spentblooms and get to business Most sum-

mer and fall blooming perennials can be divided prior to mid-Junewithout disrupting their performance

DO

apply a time-released fertilizersuch as Plant-Tone(organic) orOsmocote to heavy

feeding perennials five to six weeks afterthe earlier granular fertilizer applicationMost plants do not need as much fertilizeras we are led in advertising to believe I amstingy with my money and maintenancetime so only a handful of plants get thisbonus feed Astilbe Delphinium Liliums (ieAsiatic Oriental Trumpet) Clematis androses If I am feeling generous I will putsome on my Bigleaf Hydrangeas next to theroses Call me heartlessJust scratch fertilizer intothe top couple inchesof soil around theplantrsquos base and waterin well They will enjoy anutritious snack forthree to four months

apply mulch ongarden beds toreduce weedsconserve moisture

reduce erosion minimize soil temperaturefluctuations and enhance the quality ofthe soil Some mulching materials includeaged manures compost shredded wood(not dyed) leaf moldand cocoa hulls Putthe mulch down 2rdquo to3rdquo thick around plantsincluding floweringshrubs

build up mulchagainst plant stems

And please please donrsquot create volcanomounds around trees Please This is awfulfor them The only ones that benefit fromthis are the people selling the mulch

56 | Simply Saratoga

DONrsquoT

DO

DO

rubber band orbraid the foliage ofspring bloomingbulbs after they fin-ish flowering You

want as much leaf surface exposed to thesun as possible to increase photosynthesisYou can press the leaves down next to thesoil so they are less noticeable

Simply Saratoga | 57

sect

And finally DO have a great year in

your gardens and DONrsquoT forget to

take time to smell the roses

DONrsquoT

DONrsquoT

cut off the spentblooms and stems onspring blooming bulbsafter they have flow-ered so energy is redirected to the bulbsversus seed productions Keep the leaves inplace until they have browned and ideallycan be pulled from the ground by hand

put time-released fertil-izer on perennials thatprefer lean dietsRicher soil just upsetstheir vascular systemsThey will get leggy flop and not perform tosnuff Yarrow Coneflower Catmint RussianSage Linum Sea Holly and Silvermound are inthe group

DO

For more information contact Perennially Yours at pyourscom

58 | Simply Saratoga

Ill mination

Exterior Stonework

an

d

Story Written by Arthur Gonick Photos Provided

u

Simply Saratoga | 59

To develop and implement an exterior vista that maximizes your enjoyment To have a backyard landscape that is warm inviting and uniquely yours

These are goals that many homeowners have when they first move onto their property But unless you are trained in the variety ofmaterials and options available the task of getting past the point of comparing possibilities to completing and actually enjoying yourbackyard paradise can appear to be a long daunting road

For Carl Trinkle a landscape designer for ten years with the Gallivan Companies of Troy one of the key elements in a successfultransformation is utilizing a professionalrsquos expertise to articulate goals and develop a plan

ldquoThe most important thing we do when we first meet with a client is to get them to discuss their basic needs and aims and encouragethem to formulate an overall vision for their property An initial consultation sets the tone we make an initial visit on-site to look overthe property so we can have an idea as to where things might be placedrdquo

ldquoDuring this intake process we actually encourage people to show us photos of their friendrsquos property that they like or perhaps froma magazine It helps most people to articulate the goals of what they would like to see as a finished projectrdquo Trinkle said ldquoEven if they are looking to do things in phases we find that it is most important to develop a comprehensive site planrdquo This eliminates the need to revise original phases of work to accommodate those that come in the future

60 | Simply Saratoga

that Mr Trinkle finds potential customers identifying with aredesigned to extend the outdoor season ldquoA few extra weeks outside isa lotrdquo he said

add-ons also extend outside activity each day Low voltage lighting is still the most popular but recently LED lighting with longer-lasting bulbs that involve less maintenance and are cost-efficienthave become more fashionable

The latest trends

stations fire pits and waterenhancements such as ponds andwaterfalls are the most frequentlyrequested items that broaden theoutdoor use season

Outdoor grill

Exterior lighting

Simply Saratoga | 61

And of course swimming pool projects have always been a most-requested

item Fifty percent of allthe projects Mr Trinkleworks on involve a pooleither a completely new installation or enhance-ments to existing poolsGallivanrsquos long-standingrelationship withConcord Pools has beena hallmark in assuringthat customers are satis-fied when their pool isput in the ground

62 | Simply Saratoga

In most cases a comprehensive plancan be developed for any project in about a period of twoweeks Complete drawings and cost breakdowns are provid-ed as well as the projected phases that can be completed injust a few months or on larger projects can be scheduled insegments over a few years These are reviewed in personwith the customer again the goal being to have a plan thateveryone buys into

Simply Saratoga | 63

ldquoWe have had projects where the customer has wanted tohave a lot of input and we welcome that But we also hadone where the client was out of town and we built a firepit and slide for his wife and kids and our only instructions were to dazzle themI remember it as a most satisfying experience and we ended up winning awards for that onerdquo

- Carl Trinkle Landscape DesignerThe Gallivan Companies

64 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 65

ldquoI get to work using my creativity with talented people Some of the most talented are those

I meet as customersrdquo sect

For more information or to schedule aconsultation phone Gallivan Companies at(518) 271-6100 Gallivanrsquos website iswwwGallivanCompaniescom

66 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 67

Buying a playhouse for your child is an excellent investment

They promote imaginative play and spending time outdoors and

double as storage space when no longer used for recreation

Denise Woodcock owner of Versatile Sheds in Wilton has

been helping parents and grandparents customize their childrsquos or

grandchildrsquos dream playhouses for years

ldquoThey make great gifts especially for grandparents who want

their grandkids to have their own place to play when they visitrdquo

she said

Playhouses are a great addition to a childrsquos outdoor world

They come in all shapes sizes and designs and can be custom-

built or finished if you donrsquot find exactly what yoursquore looking for

in a catalog or on the lot

Every child is different and has their own preferences for color

size and function boys and girls often have especially different

requests for their play space as do younger and more mature chil-

dren so therersquos a lot to consider

Denise knows how even the finest detail can be all it takes to

make an outdoor structure feel like a childrsquos own personal space

While it may seem superfluous to address every minor demand

the truth is a playhouse is more than just an expensive toy itrsquos an

investment The more your child connects with their space the more

use theyrsquoll get out of it ndash and according to Denise that means your

money is well spent

Smartest WayThe

playhouse for your kidsto buy a

Photos by MarkBollescomStory by Yael Goldman

68 | Simply Saratoga

With this in mind prospective buyers should first consider

who will use the playhouse and for how long as well as what

happens when the structure is no longer used for recreation

Versatile Sheds can help even the most discerning parent or

child find what theyrsquore looking for Every playhouse is hand-

built by Amish craftsmen who can accommodate almost any

special request at an additional cost so the possibilities are

endless inside and out

Cedar shingle or vinyl siding wood stone or brick ndash if you

can use it on the outside of your regular home it can be inte-

grated into your playhousersquos design Playhouses can be built

to look like a miniature version of your home which is an

excellent touch for parents that are particularly concerned

with aesthetics Porches shutters flowerboxes unique doors

chimneys and exterior lighting are just a few of the touches

that can brighten and personalize the exterior

Individualizing your childrsquos playhouse doesnrsquot stop at the

front door There are just as many interior features to choose

from ndash you can let your imagination run wild

For starters you have the option to order the playhouse

with a finished or unfinished interior The unfinished version

looks a lot like the inside of a regular home before you move

in paint the walls and furnish the rooms

Buying an unfinished structure is a great way to cut costs

and even bring the family together over a weekend decorating

project The possibilities are endless depending on how handy

you are otherwise a few coats of paint and a bit of carpeting

will surely do the trick

Although a bit pricey purchasing a playhouse with a fin-

ished interior ensures that your child gets exactly what they

want right off the bat They can pick everything from the paint

color to the flooring so the playhouse is move-in ready on the

day it arrives

Playhouses can also be insulated and wired for electricity

You can install lighting electrical outlets even heat or air-

conditioning to make your childrsquos outdoor space as comfort-

able as possible

And the options donrsquot end there Traditional sheds also dou-

ble as playhouses For some parents purchasing an adult-size

shed for their children is an ideal way to get the best return on

their investment Once their children grow out of it the struc-

ture can be used for outdoor storage With just as many styles

sizes and materials to choose from you can customize the

interior and exterior of your shed just as you would a play-

house but without all of the more frivolous features

ldquoAny shed can be a playhouserdquo Woodcock said explaining

how a custom paint job or flowerbox can transform a typical

storage unit into childrsquos outdoor activity haven

For example if purchasing a wood shed the exterior can be

easily painted and repainted when making the transition from

playhouse to storage space

For Denisersquos customers getting their moneyrsquos worth should

not have to mean making sacrifices

Simply Saratoga | 69

70 | Simply Saratoga

When Debby Trainor made the decision to buy her grand-

daughter Chezneyrsquos dream house she wanted it to have all the

bells and whistles She met with Denise to go over all the cri-

teria the goal was to buy the perfect gift for Chezney while

staying within her budget

The eight-year-old Greenwich girl wanted her own pretty

pink palace where she could play and imagine Debby wanted

it to be a cozy and safe place for her to play year-round

Customization and interior decoration helped make

Chezneyrsquos playhouse feel like her own little kingdom

ldquoWe made it look like a cute little dollhouserdquo she said ldquoWe

put furniture inside and a little stove fridge heater and TV

itrsquos just perfectrdquo

With the structure built to their liking Chezney and Debby

could enjoy decorating the inside to personalize the playhouse

For many customers putting on the finishing touches means

making the playhouse feel like home ndash you can add curtains

hang pictures buy furniture and appliances and landscape the

perimeter to make the outdoor space feel like a home away

from home

When the child grows out of their playhouse these items

can be easily removed to accommodate a secondary use for the

space

ldquoThe best thing that Denise did for me was explain how we

can use the playhouse for storage for stuff out in the yard after

Chezney has grown out of itrdquo Debby explained ldquoAlthough

she is only eight and will be using it for quite a few more

years this really makes it a good investment and looks

great in the backyardrdquo

Whether you choose a customized playhouse or a tradi-

tional shed thinking toward the future also ensures the

safety and longevity of the structure

Denise explained that placement is an important thing to

consider as you want to make sure the structure is in a safe

place and on an appropriate surface Most importantly the

playhouse must be built on a level even surface that isnrsquot

too high off of the ground

ldquoYou want it on a nice platformrdquo Denise explained

ldquoSome people use concrete but stone is better because it

allows moisture to seep down into the ground and away

from the structurerdquo

Most parents prefer that their playhouse is in the back-

yard where itrsquos easy to see from a window Placing the

structure in a shaded area is also a good idea it will be

cooler in the summer and less susceptible to the elements if

partially protected by trees

Debby had Chezneyrsquos playhouse built right next to her

swing set where she can be easily supervised

One last thing to consider when purchasing a playhouse

Simply Saratoga | 71

72 | Simply Saratoga

or shed for your child is how much effort

you want to put into maintaining it The

more ornate the structure the more care it

may need

Woodcock advises parents to preserve

their investment and treat the playhouse

like a miniature home

Think of it as a miniature house ndash the

structure requires regular maintenance

and upkeep to ensure your child will be

safe while enjoying years and years of

imaginative fun

With so many features and styles to

choose from yoursquore sure to find the best

for both you and your child

For more information about Versatile

Sheds or to set up a time to meet with

Denise Woodcock call (518) 584-7924

or stop by 669 Route 9 in Wilton sect

Simply Saratoga | 73

74 | Simply Saratoga

Kitchen

Not Your

Grandmarsquos

Story Written by Daniel Schechtman Photos Provided

ldquoAs you

walk into the kitchen

of the future LED

light projections adjust

to your mood - it will

know if you have a

hangover via sensors

that will read your

b r a i n w a v e s

Aromatherapy infused

walls will be synched

to your calendar calm-

ing you before a big

meeting or energizing you before a gym session The fridge will have selected some breakfast options identifying the essen-

tial vitamins for your day via sensors When you get home a hologram chef will be on hand for recipe inspirationrdquo

Alright so maybe your kitchen canrsquot do all of these things quite yet ndash but believe it or not wersquore getting there This is tomor-

rowrsquos kitchen a kitchen where your appliances donrsquot just store your food or wash your dishes ndash they talk to you providing you

with integral information on how to

best store your fruits and vegetables

letting you know if the refrigerator

door is open for too long or when a

part will soon need replacing

Simply Saratoga | 75

ldquoScience fictionrdquo I hear you say

Guess again Quoted from a report released by The Future Laboratory

who was commissioned by IKEA to determine what a modernkitchen in the year 2040 could conceivably look like

76 | Simply Saratoga

ldquoOne technology that really stands out to me is the

Miele Appliance Company Right now theyrsquore using a

program called lsquoremote visionrsquo On select applianceshellip

is a wireless card that clicks into a port on the back of

the appliance You synch it up with your home network

and it basically emails the technician and the owner

when itrsquos broken when you need to clean your condens-

er change your water filter or schedule a routine serv-

icerdquo said Tom Thibeault owner of Adirondack

Appliance Repair Inc located at 67 West Ave in

Saratoga Springs ldquoMaybe somebodyrsquos been opening the

[refrigerator] door for too long or the door was left open

ndash it will email you and tell you that your door is left

openrdquo

This is not your grandmarsquos kitchen This my friends

is the kitchen of the future and itrsquos available now

The 36 inch bottom-mount Miele refrigerator boasts a

striking interior featuring LED lighting running along

the sides from top to bottom stainless steel accents and

exteriors with control systems that would be comfort-

able alongside the captainrsquos chair on the Starship

Enterprise

Simply Saratoga | 77

ldquoThe controls in the Miele really stand out

Looking at the controls theyrsquore just a glass piece and

then once you touch it you see a few options for the

different compartments Then you touch the compart-

ment and the temperature is displayed so itrsquos kind of

like a Star Trek controlrdquo Thibeault said

And thatrsquos just the refrigerator

Adirondack Appliance has also seen brands such as

Wolf (a company owned by the same people who own

Sub-Zero) grow in popularity when it comes to their

range stoves and ovens The dual convection oven

works to eliminate cold spotting and provides consis-

tent even temperatures and even allows for unique

options such as proofing ndash used best when baking

homemade bread

ldquoIt also has a temperature probe you can plug into

things like a turkey or roast so you can see the temper-

ature while itrsquos still inside the machine It has

hydraulic hinges halogen lit interiors everything is

composed of stainless steel and itrsquos by far one of the

best lines on the marketrdquo Thibeault said

A new line coming to Adirondack Appliance that

features some amazing technology is a series of Pro-

Style Ranges produced by industry giant Jenn-Air

ldquoThat actually has an LCD touch

screen like an IPAD for the controls The

temperature is set by sliding your finger

along the controls Itrsquos all color backlit and

absolutely amazingrdquo Thibeault said

ldquoAnother thing we have to that same

effect are some of the hoods which have

really been getting pretty out there as far as

design We have one on our floor [by Miele]

that has an LED bar on the front which

changes in phases between 196000 colors

Itrsquos a very delicate change very pretty and

coolrdquo Thibeault said adding ldquoor you can set

it to any color in that spectrum yoursquod like to

accent your cabinetryrdquo

When it comes to dishwashers Thibeault

can attest to the quality of both the Asko and

Miele brands both of which he uses in his

own home And good news for Saratoga

Springs residents ndash

ldquoIn our market in

Saratoga we have a

very hard water base

whether yoursquore on a well

system or city waterrdquo

Thibeault said ldquoSo you

get a lot of minerals in

the machine With the

stainless steel interiors it

eliminates a lot of prob-

lems generally seen with

plastic interior tubs and

usually they are the best

life expectanciesrdquo

78 | Simply Saratoga

Asko and Mieleare practically custom made to handle the

arearsquos typicallymineral rich water

Simply Saratoga | 79

The Asko brand dishwasher takes things one step

further including two pumps in the washerrsquos system

The first pump filters the water cleansing it of poten-

tially harmful minerals while the second pump recircu-

lates the water ensuring that the machine is never

blasting your dishes with food debris or dirty residue

With Miele the design features a built-in water sof-

tener perfect for dealing with the Saratoga water

system

ldquoTypically the Miele is going to do a better job with

tougher baked in stainsrdquo said Thibeault ldquobecause itrsquos

got the softener in it and a little bit longer pots and pans

cyclerdquo

80 | Simply Saratoga

Adirondack Appliance Repair Inc is a fami-

ly-owned business since 1929 and the last inde-

pendent appliance retailer of its kind in Saratoga

Springs With $6 billion of buying power behind

their name (a benefit of being part of the Nation

Wide Appliance Buying Group) Thibeault

promised ldquowe can actually price match the box

stores and everybody else around all while pro-

viding you with better service and better

productsrdquo

For more information on AdirondackAppliance or the products they sell you mayvisit their showroom located at 67 West Avenuein Saratoga Springs for live demonstrationsThey can also be reached by phone at (518)587-6640 or you may visit them at their newwebsite wwwadkappliancecom where cus-tomers can browse through the storersquos entirecatalogue of appliances

sect

Simply Saratoga | 81

82 | Simply Saratoga

Page 49: Simply Saratoga March 2011

s

Simply Saratoga | 51

ssts

SPRINGis right around the corner and gardenersare pawing at the ground ready to explodethrough the garden gate As a passionate perennial gardenerI am right there with you But before launching into another flower-filledseason letrsquos go through a spring checklist of dorsquorsquos and donrsquorsquots to makesure we make the most of the race and have the best finish ever

Photo by GardenersSupply Company

apply a granular fertilizer to your perennial beds while they are still lsquoasleeprsquoDepending on the winter wersquove had this may be anytime from mid-Marchto mid-April Donrsquot worry if there are already lsquoearly risersrsquo visible like springblooming bulbs or woodland ephemerals I recommend using 5-5-5 5-10-5 or

5-10-10 fertilizer at the rate of 2 pounds per 100 square feet Cast the fertilizer just before it is about to rainto make sure fertilizer is watered into the ground and washed off any existing leaves You can give otherplants in your yard this treat as well including floweringshrubs groundcovers climbing vinesand roses

DONrsquoTput fertilizer on top of the snow or on ground that is

still frozen You want to make sure the fertilizer disap-pears into pliable soil and to waiting roots otherwiserunoff can occur And donrsquot think more is better Youcan stress or even kill plants by over-fertilizing espe-cially in spring when leaves are not fully developed toutilize nitrogen in the fertilizer If you are going to errless is better

DO

prune once-b l o o m i n g

roses such as Heirloom or Old GardenRoses when the Forsythia is blooming

Any rose that blooms onceusually in late spring forabout three weeks is in thiscategory Many times theseroses are quite fragrantWait to prune these rosesuntil right after they flower

DONrsquoT

prune most roses whenForsythia is in bloom Pruneshrub roses back by half to

23 their height This is assuming you did not prunethem last fall If you did then next year wait until latewinter or early spring Prune Teas and Grandiflorasback to 18 - 24rdquo For climbing roses prune branchesemerging from the main canes back to within 3 - 4rdquoof the cane

DO

apply corn gluten tolawn areas yoursquoveseeded (or over-seeded) or to gar-dens where youwant biennialsperennials or annu-als to reseed andflower Corn glutendoes not distinguishbetween lsquogoodrsquoand lsquobadrsquo seeds

apply a pre-emer-gent weed killerand fertilizer toyour lawn A lushhealthy lawn

makes a beautiful frame for gardens Myfamily walked away from lawn chemicalsfive years ago And our lawn has neverlooked better Corn gluten is a big part ofthis transformation Corn gluten is a by-product of milled corn It will not harm chil-dren pets or wildlife Heck you can eat it ifyou want (but it tastes yucky) Corn Glutenis high in nitrogen and commonly used as alawn fertilizer But it is also a pre-emergenttargeting seeds as they germinate Youcan put corn gluten down at any point inthe spring BUT if part of your mission is toeliminate crabgrass then there is a narrowwindow of attackApply it whenForsythia is in fullbloom and beforeits leaves appearThe Forsythia is asoil temperatureindicator that cor-responds to whencrabgrass seedsstart to germinate More garden centersare now carrying corn gluten productsYou just need to ask and follow the appli-cation instructions on the bag Make sureto water in the corn gluten after applyingIt will remain effective for five to six weeks

Simply Saratoga | 53

DONrsquoT

DO

step on soil as you maneuver around thegarden to cut back Lavender and therest of the gang For that matter youshould never be tromping through yourgardens compacting soil This breaks

down air and water channels as well as making it tougher forroots to spread Instead reach into beds from existing paths orplace stepping stones in discreet spots where only your eyes cansee or lsquowalk the plankrsquo on a board to reach plants fartherlsquoadriftrsquo

54 | Simply Saratoga

cut back Lavender Russian SageMontauk Daisy Butterfly BushChrysanthemums and ornamental grass-es These are best left untouched in falland whacked in spring Many folks make

the mistake of acting too gingerly with pruners Let lsquoem fly Theresult will be more compact neater plants that will bloom just fineTrust me If it helps wait until yoursquove had a bad day at work withthe kids or in traffic

DONrsquoT

DO

divide Peonies German Bearded Iris orOriental Poppies in spring These are bestdone in late summer Also tap-rootedplants (those with a carrot-looking root)cannot be divided Think about it These

are usually propagated by seed stem or root cuttings Someperennials that fall into this category are Malva Butterfly WeedBalloon Flower Oriental Poppies and Lupines

Simply Saratoga | 55

DONrsquoT

divide plants in spring This is an optimumtime to divide most perennials Yes evenspring bloomers Wait until these haveflowered and then shear off the spentblooms and get to business Most sum-

mer and fall blooming perennials can be divided prior to mid-Junewithout disrupting their performance

DO

apply a time-released fertilizersuch as Plant-Tone(organic) orOsmocote to heavy

feeding perennials five to six weeks afterthe earlier granular fertilizer applicationMost plants do not need as much fertilizeras we are led in advertising to believe I amstingy with my money and maintenancetime so only a handful of plants get thisbonus feed Astilbe Delphinium Liliums (ieAsiatic Oriental Trumpet) Clematis androses If I am feeling generous I will putsome on my Bigleaf Hydrangeas next to theroses Call me heartlessJust scratch fertilizer intothe top couple inchesof soil around theplantrsquos base and waterin well They will enjoy anutritious snack forthree to four months

apply mulch ongarden beds toreduce weedsconserve moisture

reduce erosion minimize soil temperaturefluctuations and enhance the quality ofthe soil Some mulching materials includeaged manures compost shredded wood(not dyed) leaf moldand cocoa hulls Putthe mulch down 2rdquo to3rdquo thick around plantsincluding floweringshrubs

build up mulchagainst plant stems

And please please donrsquot create volcanomounds around trees Please This is awfulfor them The only ones that benefit fromthis are the people selling the mulch

56 | Simply Saratoga

DONrsquoT

DO

DO

rubber band orbraid the foliage ofspring bloomingbulbs after they fin-ish flowering You

want as much leaf surface exposed to thesun as possible to increase photosynthesisYou can press the leaves down next to thesoil so they are less noticeable

Simply Saratoga | 57

sect

And finally DO have a great year in

your gardens and DONrsquoT forget to

take time to smell the roses

DONrsquoT

DONrsquoT

cut off the spentblooms and stems onspring blooming bulbsafter they have flow-ered so energy is redirected to the bulbsversus seed productions Keep the leaves inplace until they have browned and ideallycan be pulled from the ground by hand

put time-released fertil-izer on perennials thatprefer lean dietsRicher soil just upsetstheir vascular systemsThey will get leggy flop and not perform tosnuff Yarrow Coneflower Catmint RussianSage Linum Sea Holly and Silvermound are inthe group

DO

For more information contact Perennially Yours at pyourscom

58 | Simply Saratoga

Ill mination

Exterior Stonework

an

d

Story Written by Arthur Gonick Photos Provided

u

Simply Saratoga | 59

To develop and implement an exterior vista that maximizes your enjoyment To have a backyard landscape that is warm inviting and uniquely yours

These are goals that many homeowners have when they first move onto their property But unless you are trained in the variety ofmaterials and options available the task of getting past the point of comparing possibilities to completing and actually enjoying yourbackyard paradise can appear to be a long daunting road

For Carl Trinkle a landscape designer for ten years with the Gallivan Companies of Troy one of the key elements in a successfultransformation is utilizing a professionalrsquos expertise to articulate goals and develop a plan

ldquoThe most important thing we do when we first meet with a client is to get them to discuss their basic needs and aims and encouragethem to formulate an overall vision for their property An initial consultation sets the tone we make an initial visit on-site to look overthe property so we can have an idea as to where things might be placedrdquo

ldquoDuring this intake process we actually encourage people to show us photos of their friendrsquos property that they like or perhaps froma magazine It helps most people to articulate the goals of what they would like to see as a finished projectrdquo Trinkle said ldquoEven if they are looking to do things in phases we find that it is most important to develop a comprehensive site planrdquo This eliminates the need to revise original phases of work to accommodate those that come in the future

60 | Simply Saratoga

that Mr Trinkle finds potential customers identifying with aredesigned to extend the outdoor season ldquoA few extra weeks outside isa lotrdquo he said

add-ons also extend outside activity each day Low voltage lighting is still the most popular but recently LED lighting with longer-lasting bulbs that involve less maintenance and are cost-efficienthave become more fashionable

The latest trends

stations fire pits and waterenhancements such as ponds andwaterfalls are the most frequentlyrequested items that broaden theoutdoor use season

Outdoor grill

Exterior lighting

Simply Saratoga | 61

And of course swimming pool projects have always been a most-requested

item Fifty percent of allthe projects Mr Trinkleworks on involve a pooleither a completely new installation or enhance-ments to existing poolsGallivanrsquos long-standingrelationship withConcord Pools has beena hallmark in assuringthat customers are satis-fied when their pool isput in the ground

62 | Simply Saratoga

In most cases a comprehensive plancan be developed for any project in about a period of twoweeks Complete drawings and cost breakdowns are provid-ed as well as the projected phases that can be completed injust a few months or on larger projects can be scheduled insegments over a few years These are reviewed in personwith the customer again the goal being to have a plan thateveryone buys into

Simply Saratoga | 63

ldquoWe have had projects where the customer has wanted tohave a lot of input and we welcome that But we also hadone where the client was out of town and we built a firepit and slide for his wife and kids and our only instructions were to dazzle themI remember it as a most satisfying experience and we ended up winning awards for that onerdquo

- Carl Trinkle Landscape DesignerThe Gallivan Companies

64 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 65

ldquoI get to work using my creativity with talented people Some of the most talented are those

I meet as customersrdquo sect

For more information or to schedule aconsultation phone Gallivan Companies at(518) 271-6100 Gallivanrsquos website iswwwGallivanCompaniescom

66 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 67

Buying a playhouse for your child is an excellent investment

They promote imaginative play and spending time outdoors and

double as storage space when no longer used for recreation

Denise Woodcock owner of Versatile Sheds in Wilton has

been helping parents and grandparents customize their childrsquos or

grandchildrsquos dream playhouses for years

ldquoThey make great gifts especially for grandparents who want

their grandkids to have their own place to play when they visitrdquo

she said

Playhouses are a great addition to a childrsquos outdoor world

They come in all shapes sizes and designs and can be custom-

built or finished if you donrsquot find exactly what yoursquore looking for

in a catalog or on the lot

Every child is different and has their own preferences for color

size and function boys and girls often have especially different

requests for their play space as do younger and more mature chil-

dren so therersquos a lot to consider

Denise knows how even the finest detail can be all it takes to

make an outdoor structure feel like a childrsquos own personal space

While it may seem superfluous to address every minor demand

the truth is a playhouse is more than just an expensive toy itrsquos an

investment The more your child connects with their space the more

use theyrsquoll get out of it ndash and according to Denise that means your

money is well spent

Smartest WayThe

playhouse for your kidsto buy a

Photos by MarkBollescomStory by Yael Goldman

68 | Simply Saratoga

With this in mind prospective buyers should first consider

who will use the playhouse and for how long as well as what

happens when the structure is no longer used for recreation

Versatile Sheds can help even the most discerning parent or

child find what theyrsquore looking for Every playhouse is hand-

built by Amish craftsmen who can accommodate almost any

special request at an additional cost so the possibilities are

endless inside and out

Cedar shingle or vinyl siding wood stone or brick ndash if you

can use it on the outside of your regular home it can be inte-

grated into your playhousersquos design Playhouses can be built

to look like a miniature version of your home which is an

excellent touch for parents that are particularly concerned

with aesthetics Porches shutters flowerboxes unique doors

chimneys and exterior lighting are just a few of the touches

that can brighten and personalize the exterior

Individualizing your childrsquos playhouse doesnrsquot stop at the

front door There are just as many interior features to choose

from ndash you can let your imagination run wild

For starters you have the option to order the playhouse

with a finished or unfinished interior The unfinished version

looks a lot like the inside of a regular home before you move

in paint the walls and furnish the rooms

Buying an unfinished structure is a great way to cut costs

and even bring the family together over a weekend decorating

project The possibilities are endless depending on how handy

you are otherwise a few coats of paint and a bit of carpeting

will surely do the trick

Although a bit pricey purchasing a playhouse with a fin-

ished interior ensures that your child gets exactly what they

want right off the bat They can pick everything from the paint

color to the flooring so the playhouse is move-in ready on the

day it arrives

Playhouses can also be insulated and wired for electricity

You can install lighting electrical outlets even heat or air-

conditioning to make your childrsquos outdoor space as comfort-

able as possible

And the options donrsquot end there Traditional sheds also dou-

ble as playhouses For some parents purchasing an adult-size

shed for their children is an ideal way to get the best return on

their investment Once their children grow out of it the struc-

ture can be used for outdoor storage With just as many styles

sizes and materials to choose from you can customize the

interior and exterior of your shed just as you would a play-

house but without all of the more frivolous features

ldquoAny shed can be a playhouserdquo Woodcock said explaining

how a custom paint job or flowerbox can transform a typical

storage unit into childrsquos outdoor activity haven

For example if purchasing a wood shed the exterior can be

easily painted and repainted when making the transition from

playhouse to storage space

For Denisersquos customers getting their moneyrsquos worth should

not have to mean making sacrifices

Simply Saratoga | 69

70 | Simply Saratoga

When Debby Trainor made the decision to buy her grand-

daughter Chezneyrsquos dream house she wanted it to have all the

bells and whistles She met with Denise to go over all the cri-

teria the goal was to buy the perfect gift for Chezney while

staying within her budget

The eight-year-old Greenwich girl wanted her own pretty

pink palace where she could play and imagine Debby wanted

it to be a cozy and safe place for her to play year-round

Customization and interior decoration helped make

Chezneyrsquos playhouse feel like her own little kingdom

ldquoWe made it look like a cute little dollhouserdquo she said ldquoWe

put furniture inside and a little stove fridge heater and TV

itrsquos just perfectrdquo

With the structure built to their liking Chezney and Debby

could enjoy decorating the inside to personalize the playhouse

For many customers putting on the finishing touches means

making the playhouse feel like home ndash you can add curtains

hang pictures buy furniture and appliances and landscape the

perimeter to make the outdoor space feel like a home away

from home

When the child grows out of their playhouse these items

can be easily removed to accommodate a secondary use for the

space

ldquoThe best thing that Denise did for me was explain how we

can use the playhouse for storage for stuff out in the yard after

Chezney has grown out of itrdquo Debby explained ldquoAlthough

she is only eight and will be using it for quite a few more

years this really makes it a good investment and looks

great in the backyardrdquo

Whether you choose a customized playhouse or a tradi-

tional shed thinking toward the future also ensures the

safety and longevity of the structure

Denise explained that placement is an important thing to

consider as you want to make sure the structure is in a safe

place and on an appropriate surface Most importantly the

playhouse must be built on a level even surface that isnrsquot

too high off of the ground

ldquoYou want it on a nice platformrdquo Denise explained

ldquoSome people use concrete but stone is better because it

allows moisture to seep down into the ground and away

from the structurerdquo

Most parents prefer that their playhouse is in the back-

yard where itrsquos easy to see from a window Placing the

structure in a shaded area is also a good idea it will be

cooler in the summer and less susceptible to the elements if

partially protected by trees

Debby had Chezneyrsquos playhouse built right next to her

swing set where she can be easily supervised

One last thing to consider when purchasing a playhouse

Simply Saratoga | 71

72 | Simply Saratoga

or shed for your child is how much effort

you want to put into maintaining it The

more ornate the structure the more care it

may need

Woodcock advises parents to preserve

their investment and treat the playhouse

like a miniature home

Think of it as a miniature house ndash the

structure requires regular maintenance

and upkeep to ensure your child will be

safe while enjoying years and years of

imaginative fun

With so many features and styles to

choose from yoursquore sure to find the best

for both you and your child

For more information about Versatile

Sheds or to set up a time to meet with

Denise Woodcock call (518) 584-7924

or stop by 669 Route 9 in Wilton sect

Simply Saratoga | 73

74 | Simply Saratoga

Kitchen

Not Your

Grandmarsquos

Story Written by Daniel Schechtman Photos Provided

ldquoAs you

walk into the kitchen

of the future LED

light projections adjust

to your mood - it will

know if you have a

hangover via sensors

that will read your

b r a i n w a v e s

Aromatherapy infused

walls will be synched

to your calendar calm-

ing you before a big

meeting or energizing you before a gym session The fridge will have selected some breakfast options identifying the essen-

tial vitamins for your day via sensors When you get home a hologram chef will be on hand for recipe inspirationrdquo

Alright so maybe your kitchen canrsquot do all of these things quite yet ndash but believe it or not wersquore getting there This is tomor-

rowrsquos kitchen a kitchen where your appliances donrsquot just store your food or wash your dishes ndash they talk to you providing you

with integral information on how to

best store your fruits and vegetables

letting you know if the refrigerator

door is open for too long or when a

part will soon need replacing

Simply Saratoga | 75

ldquoScience fictionrdquo I hear you say

Guess again Quoted from a report released by The Future Laboratory

who was commissioned by IKEA to determine what a modernkitchen in the year 2040 could conceivably look like

76 | Simply Saratoga

ldquoOne technology that really stands out to me is the

Miele Appliance Company Right now theyrsquore using a

program called lsquoremote visionrsquo On select applianceshellip

is a wireless card that clicks into a port on the back of

the appliance You synch it up with your home network

and it basically emails the technician and the owner

when itrsquos broken when you need to clean your condens-

er change your water filter or schedule a routine serv-

icerdquo said Tom Thibeault owner of Adirondack

Appliance Repair Inc located at 67 West Ave in

Saratoga Springs ldquoMaybe somebodyrsquos been opening the

[refrigerator] door for too long or the door was left open

ndash it will email you and tell you that your door is left

openrdquo

This is not your grandmarsquos kitchen This my friends

is the kitchen of the future and itrsquos available now

The 36 inch bottom-mount Miele refrigerator boasts a

striking interior featuring LED lighting running along

the sides from top to bottom stainless steel accents and

exteriors with control systems that would be comfort-

able alongside the captainrsquos chair on the Starship

Enterprise

Simply Saratoga | 77

ldquoThe controls in the Miele really stand out

Looking at the controls theyrsquore just a glass piece and

then once you touch it you see a few options for the

different compartments Then you touch the compart-

ment and the temperature is displayed so itrsquos kind of

like a Star Trek controlrdquo Thibeault said

And thatrsquos just the refrigerator

Adirondack Appliance has also seen brands such as

Wolf (a company owned by the same people who own

Sub-Zero) grow in popularity when it comes to their

range stoves and ovens The dual convection oven

works to eliminate cold spotting and provides consis-

tent even temperatures and even allows for unique

options such as proofing ndash used best when baking

homemade bread

ldquoIt also has a temperature probe you can plug into

things like a turkey or roast so you can see the temper-

ature while itrsquos still inside the machine It has

hydraulic hinges halogen lit interiors everything is

composed of stainless steel and itrsquos by far one of the

best lines on the marketrdquo Thibeault said

A new line coming to Adirondack Appliance that

features some amazing technology is a series of Pro-

Style Ranges produced by industry giant Jenn-Air

ldquoThat actually has an LCD touch

screen like an IPAD for the controls The

temperature is set by sliding your finger

along the controls Itrsquos all color backlit and

absolutely amazingrdquo Thibeault said

ldquoAnother thing we have to that same

effect are some of the hoods which have

really been getting pretty out there as far as

design We have one on our floor [by Miele]

that has an LED bar on the front which

changes in phases between 196000 colors

Itrsquos a very delicate change very pretty and

coolrdquo Thibeault said adding ldquoor you can set

it to any color in that spectrum yoursquod like to

accent your cabinetryrdquo

When it comes to dishwashers Thibeault

can attest to the quality of both the Asko and

Miele brands both of which he uses in his

own home And good news for Saratoga

Springs residents ndash

ldquoIn our market in

Saratoga we have a

very hard water base

whether yoursquore on a well

system or city waterrdquo

Thibeault said ldquoSo you

get a lot of minerals in

the machine With the

stainless steel interiors it

eliminates a lot of prob-

lems generally seen with

plastic interior tubs and

usually they are the best

life expectanciesrdquo

78 | Simply Saratoga

Asko and Mieleare practically custom made to handle the

arearsquos typicallymineral rich water

Simply Saratoga | 79

The Asko brand dishwasher takes things one step

further including two pumps in the washerrsquos system

The first pump filters the water cleansing it of poten-

tially harmful minerals while the second pump recircu-

lates the water ensuring that the machine is never

blasting your dishes with food debris or dirty residue

With Miele the design features a built-in water sof-

tener perfect for dealing with the Saratoga water

system

ldquoTypically the Miele is going to do a better job with

tougher baked in stainsrdquo said Thibeault ldquobecause itrsquos

got the softener in it and a little bit longer pots and pans

cyclerdquo

80 | Simply Saratoga

Adirondack Appliance Repair Inc is a fami-

ly-owned business since 1929 and the last inde-

pendent appliance retailer of its kind in Saratoga

Springs With $6 billion of buying power behind

their name (a benefit of being part of the Nation

Wide Appliance Buying Group) Thibeault

promised ldquowe can actually price match the box

stores and everybody else around all while pro-

viding you with better service and better

productsrdquo

For more information on AdirondackAppliance or the products they sell you mayvisit their showroom located at 67 West Avenuein Saratoga Springs for live demonstrationsThey can also be reached by phone at (518)587-6640 or you may visit them at their newwebsite wwwadkappliancecom where cus-tomers can browse through the storersquos entirecatalogue of appliances

sect

Simply Saratoga | 81

82 | Simply Saratoga

Page 50: Simply Saratoga March 2011

prune once-b l o o m i n g

roses such as Heirloom or Old GardenRoses when the Forsythia is blooming

Any rose that blooms onceusually in late spring forabout three weeks is in thiscategory Many times theseroses are quite fragrantWait to prune these rosesuntil right after they flower

DONrsquoT

prune most roses whenForsythia is in bloom Pruneshrub roses back by half to

23 their height This is assuming you did not prunethem last fall If you did then next year wait until latewinter or early spring Prune Teas and Grandiflorasback to 18 - 24rdquo For climbing roses prune branchesemerging from the main canes back to within 3 - 4rdquoof the cane

DO

apply corn gluten tolawn areas yoursquoveseeded (or over-seeded) or to gar-dens where youwant biennialsperennials or annu-als to reseed andflower Corn glutendoes not distinguishbetween lsquogoodrsquoand lsquobadrsquo seeds

apply a pre-emer-gent weed killerand fertilizer toyour lawn A lushhealthy lawn

makes a beautiful frame for gardens Myfamily walked away from lawn chemicalsfive years ago And our lawn has neverlooked better Corn gluten is a big part ofthis transformation Corn gluten is a by-product of milled corn It will not harm chil-dren pets or wildlife Heck you can eat it ifyou want (but it tastes yucky) Corn Glutenis high in nitrogen and commonly used as alawn fertilizer But it is also a pre-emergenttargeting seeds as they germinate Youcan put corn gluten down at any point inthe spring BUT if part of your mission is toeliminate crabgrass then there is a narrowwindow of attackApply it whenForsythia is in fullbloom and beforeits leaves appearThe Forsythia is asoil temperatureindicator that cor-responds to whencrabgrass seedsstart to germinate More garden centersare now carrying corn gluten productsYou just need to ask and follow the appli-cation instructions on the bag Make sureto water in the corn gluten after applyingIt will remain effective for five to six weeks

Simply Saratoga | 53

DONrsquoT

DO

step on soil as you maneuver around thegarden to cut back Lavender and therest of the gang For that matter youshould never be tromping through yourgardens compacting soil This breaks

down air and water channels as well as making it tougher forroots to spread Instead reach into beds from existing paths orplace stepping stones in discreet spots where only your eyes cansee or lsquowalk the plankrsquo on a board to reach plants fartherlsquoadriftrsquo

54 | Simply Saratoga

cut back Lavender Russian SageMontauk Daisy Butterfly BushChrysanthemums and ornamental grass-es These are best left untouched in falland whacked in spring Many folks make

the mistake of acting too gingerly with pruners Let lsquoem fly Theresult will be more compact neater plants that will bloom just fineTrust me If it helps wait until yoursquove had a bad day at work withthe kids or in traffic

DONrsquoT

DO

divide Peonies German Bearded Iris orOriental Poppies in spring These are bestdone in late summer Also tap-rootedplants (those with a carrot-looking root)cannot be divided Think about it These

are usually propagated by seed stem or root cuttings Someperennials that fall into this category are Malva Butterfly WeedBalloon Flower Oriental Poppies and Lupines

Simply Saratoga | 55

DONrsquoT

divide plants in spring This is an optimumtime to divide most perennials Yes evenspring bloomers Wait until these haveflowered and then shear off the spentblooms and get to business Most sum-

mer and fall blooming perennials can be divided prior to mid-Junewithout disrupting their performance

DO

apply a time-released fertilizersuch as Plant-Tone(organic) orOsmocote to heavy

feeding perennials five to six weeks afterthe earlier granular fertilizer applicationMost plants do not need as much fertilizeras we are led in advertising to believe I amstingy with my money and maintenancetime so only a handful of plants get thisbonus feed Astilbe Delphinium Liliums (ieAsiatic Oriental Trumpet) Clematis androses If I am feeling generous I will putsome on my Bigleaf Hydrangeas next to theroses Call me heartlessJust scratch fertilizer intothe top couple inchesof soil around theplantrsquos base and waterin well They will enjoy anutritious snack forthree to four months

apply mulch ongarden beds toreduce weedsconserve moisture

reduce erosion minimize soil temperaturefluctuations and enhance the quality ofthe soil Some mulching materials includeaged manures compost shredded wood(not dyed) leaf moldand cocoa hulls Putthe mulch down 2rdquo to3rdquo thick around plantsincluding floweringshrubs

build up mulchagainst plant stems

And please please donrsquot create volcanomounds around trees Please This is awfulfor them The only ones that benefit fromthis are the people selling the mulch

56 | Simply Saratoga

DONrsquoT

DO

DO

rubber band orbraid the foliage ofspring bloomingbulbs after they fin-ish flowering You

want as much leaf surface exposed to thesun as possible to increase photosynthesisYou can press the leaves down next to thesoil so they are less noticeable

Simply Saratoga | 57

sect

And finally DO have a great year in

your gardens and DONrsquoT forget to

take time to smell the roses

DONrsquoT

DONrsquoT

cut off the spentblooms and stems onspring blooming bulbsafter they have flow-ered so energy is redirected to the bulbsversus seed productions Keep the leaves inplace until they have browned and ideallycan be pulled from the ground by hand

put time-released fertil-izer on perennials thatprefer lean dietsRicher soil just upsetstheir vascular systemsThey will get leggy flop and not perform tosnuff Yarrow Coneflower Catmint RussianSage Linum Sea Holly and Silvermound are inthe group

DO

For more information contact Perennially Yours at pyourscom

58 | Simply Saratoga

Ill mination

Exterior Stonework

an

d

Story Written by Arthur Gonick Photos Provided

u

Simply Saratoga | 59

To develop and implement an exterior vista that maximizes your enjoyment To have a backyard landscape that is warm inviting and uniquely yours

These are goals that many homeowners have when they first move onto their property But unless you are trained in the variety ofmaterials and options available the task of getting past the point of comparing possibilities to completing and actually enjoying yourbackyard paradise can appear to be a long daunting road

For Carl Trinkle a landscape designer for ten years with the Gallivan Companies of Troy one of the key elements in a successfultransformation is utilizing a professionalrsquos expertise to articulate goals and develop a plan

ldquoThe most important thing we do when we first meet with a client is to get them to discuss their basic needs and aims and encouragethem to formulate an overall vision for their property An initial consultation sets the tone we make an initial visit on-site to look overthe property so we can have an idea as to where things might be placedrdquo

ldquoDuring this intake process we actually encourage people to show us photos of their friendrsquos property that they like or perhaps froma magazine It helps most people to articulate the goals of what they would like to see as a finished projectrdquo Trinkle said ldquoEven if they are looking to do things in phases we find that it is most important to develop a comprehensive site planrdquo This eliminates the need to revise original phases of work to accommodate those that come in the future

60 | Simply Saratoga

that Mr Trinkle finds potential customers identifying with aredesigned to extend the outdoor season ldquoA few extra weeks outside isa lotrdquo he said

add-ons also extend outside activity each day Low voltage lighting is still the most popular but recently LED lighting with longer-lasting bulbs that involve less maintenance and are cost-efficienthave become more fashionable

The latest trends

stations fire pits and waterenhancements such as ponds andwaterfalls are the most frequentlyrequested items that broaden theoutdoor use season

Outdoor grill

Exterior lighting

Simply Saratoga | 61

And of course swimming pool projects have always been a most-requested

item Fifty percent of allthe projects Mr Trinkleworks on involve a pooleither a completely new installation or enhance-ments to existing poolsGallivanrsquos long-standingrelationship withConcord Pools has beena hallmark in assuringthat customers are satis-fied when their pool isput in the ground

62 | Simply Saratoga

In most cases a comprehensive plancan be developed for any project in about a period of twoweeks Complete drawings and cost breakdowns are provid-ed as well as the projected phases that can be completed injust a few months or on larger projects can be scheduled insegments over a few years These are reviewed in personwith the customer again the goal being to have a plan thateveryone buys into

Simply Saratoga | 63

ldquoWe have had projects where the customer has wanted tohave a lot of input and we welcome that But we also hadone where the client was out of town and we built a firepit and slide for his wife and kids and our only instructions were to dazzle themI remember it as a most satisfying experience and we ended up winning awards for that onerdquo

- Carl Trinkle Landscape DesignerThe Gallivan Companies

64 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 65

ldquoI get to work using my creativity with talented people Some of the most talented are those

I meet as customersrdquo sect

For more information or to schedule aconsultation phone Gallivan Companies at(518) 271-6100 Gallivanrsquos website iswwwGallivanCompaniescom

66 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 67

Buying a playhouse for your child is an excellent investment

They promote imaginative play and spending time outdoors and

double as storage space when no longer used for recreation

Denise Woodcock owner of Versatile Sheds in Wilton has

been helping parents and grandparents customize their childrsquos or

grandchildrsquos dream playhouses for years

ldquoThey make great gifts especially for grandparents who want

their grandkids to have their own place to play when they visitrdquo

she said

Playhouses are a great addition to a childrsquos outdoor world

They come in all shapes sizes and designs and can be custom-

built or finished if you donrsquot find exactly what yoursquore looking for

in a catalog or on the lot

Every child is different and has their own preferences for color

size and function boys and girls often have especially different

requests for their play space as do younger and more mature chil-

dren so therersquos a lot to consider

Denise knows how even the finest detail can be all it takes to

make an outdoor structure feel like a childrsquos own personal space

While it may seem superfluous to address every minor demand

the truth is a playhouse is more than just an expensive toy itrsquos an

investment The more your child connects with their space the more

use theyrsquoll get out of it ndash and according to Denise that means your

money is well spent

Smartest WayThe

playhouse for your kidsto buy a

Photos by MarkBollescomStory by Yael Goldman

68 | Simply Saratoga

With this in mind prospective buyers should first consider

who will use the playhouse and for how long as well as what

happens when the structure is no longer used for recreation

Versatile Sheds can help even the most discerning parent or

child find what theyrsquore looking for Every playhouse is hand-

built by Amish craftsmen who can accommodate almost any

special request at an additional cost so the possibilities are

endless inside and out

Cedar shingle or vinyl siding wood stone or brick ndash if you

can use it on the outside of your regular home it can be inte-

grated into your playhousersquos design Playhouses can be built

to look like a miniature version of your home which is an

excellent touch for parents that are particularly concerned

with aesthetics Porches shutters flowerboxes unique doors

chimneys and exterior lighting are just a few of the touches

that can brighten and personalize the exterior

Individualizing your childrsquos playhouse doesnrsquot stop at the

front door There are just as many interior features to choose

from ndash you can let your imagination run wild

For starters you have the option to order the playhouse

with a finished or unfinished interior The unfinished version

looks a lot like the inside of a regular home before you move

in paint the walls and furnish the rooms

Buying an unfinished structure is a great way to cut costs

and even bring the family together over a weekend decorating

project The possibilities are endless depending on how handy

you are otherwise a few coats of paint and a bit of carpeting

will surely do the trick

Although a bit pricey purchasing a playhouse with a fin-

ished interior ensures that your child gets exactly what they

want right off the bat They can pick everything from the paint

color to the flooring so the playhouse is move-in ready on the

day it arrives

Playhouses can also be insulated and wired for electricity

You can install lighting electrical outlets even heat or air-

conditioning to make your childrsquos outdoor space as comfort-

able as possible

And the options donrsquot end there Traditional sheds also dou-

ble as playhouses For some parents purchasing an adult-size

shed for their children is an ideal way to get the best return on

their investment Once their children grow out of it the struc-

ture can be used for outdoor storage With just as many styles

sizes and materials to choose from you can customize the

interior and exterior of your shed just as you would a play-

house but without all of the more frivolous features

ldquoAny shed can be a playhouserdquo Woodcock said explaining

how a custom paint job or flowerbox can transform a typical

storage unit into childrsquos outdoor activity haven

For example if purchasing a wood shed the exterior can be

easily painted and repainted when making the transition from

playhouse to storage space

For Denisersquos customers getting their moneyrsquos worth should

not have to mean making sacrifices

Simply Saratoga | 69

70 | Simply Saratoga

When Debby Trainor made the decision to buy her grand-

daughter Chezneyrsquos dream house she wanted it to have all the

bells and whistles She met with Denise to go over all the cri-

teria the goal was to buy the perfect gift for Chezney while

staying within her budget

The eight-year-old Greenwich girl wanted her own pretty

pink palace where she could play and imagine Debby wanted

it to be a cozy and safe place for her to play year-round

Customization and interior decoration helped make

Chezneyrsquos playhouse feel like her own little kingdom

ldquoWe made it look like a cute little dollhouserdquo she said ldquoWe

put furniture inside and a little stove fridge heater and TV

itrsquos just perfectrdquo

With the structure built to their liking Chezney and Debby

could enjoy decorating the inside to personalize the playhouse

For many customers putting on the finishing touches means

making the playhouse feel like home ndash you can add curtains

hang pictures buy furniture and appliances and landscape the

perimeter to make the outdoor space feel like a home away

from home

When the child grows out of their playhouse these items

can be easily removed to accommodate a secondary use for the

space

ldquoThe best thing that Denise did for me was explain how we

can use the playhouse for storage for stuff out in the yard after

Chezney has grown out of itrdquo Debby explained ldquoAlthough

she is only eight and will be using it for quite a few more

years this really makes it a good investment and looks

great in the backyardrdquo

Whether you choose a customized playhouse or a tradi-

tional shed thinking toward the future also ensures the

safety and longevity of the structure

Denise explained that placement is an important thing to

consider as you want to make sure the structure is in a safe

place and on an appropriate surface Most importantly the

playhouse must be built on a level even surface that isnrsquot

too high off of the ground

ldquoYou want it on a nice platformrdquo Denise explained

ldquoSome people use concrete but stone is better because it

allows moisture to seep down into the ground and away

from the structurerdquo

Most parents prefer that their playhouse is in the back-

yard where itrsquos easy to see from a window Placing the

structure in a shaded area is also a good idea it will be

cooler in the summer and less susceptible to the elements if

partially protected by trees

Debby had Chezneyrsquos playhouse built right next to her

swing set where she can be easily supervised

One last thing to consider when purchasing a playhouse

Simply Saratoga | 71

72 | Simply Saratoga

or shed for your child is how much effort

you want to put into maintaining it The

more ornate the structure the more care it

may need

Woodcock advises parents to preserve

their investment and treat the playhouse

like a miniature home

Think of it as a miniature house ndash the

structure requires regular maintenance

and upkeep to ensure your child will be

safe while enjoying years and years of

imaginative fun

With so many features and styles to

choose from yoursquore sure to find the best

for both you and your child

For more information about Versatile

Sheds or to set up a time to meet with

Denise Woodcock call (518) 584-7924

or stop by 669 Route 9 in Wilton sect

Simply Saratoga | 73

74 | Simply Saratoga

Kitchen

Not Your

Grandmarsquos

Story Written by Daniel Schechtman Photos Provided

ldquoAs you

walk into the kitchen

of the future LED

light projections adjust

to your mood - it will

know if you have a

hangover via sensors

that will read your

b r a i n w a v e s

Aromatherapy infused

walls will be synched

to your calendar calm-

ing you before a big

meeting or energizing you before a gym session The fridge will have selected some breakfast options identifying the essen-

tial vitamins for your day via sensors When you get home a hologram chef will be on hand for recipe inspirationrdquo

Alright so maybe your kitchen canrsquot do all of these things quite yet ndash but believe it or not wersquore getting there This is tomor-

rowrsquos kitchen a kitchen where your appliances donrsquot just store your food or wash your dishes ndash they talk to you providing you

with integral information on how to

best store your fruits and vegetables

letting you know if the refrigerator

door is open for too long or when a

part will soon need replacing

Simply Saratoga | 75

ldquoScience fictionrdquo I hear you say

Guess again Quoted from a report released by The Future Laboratory

who was commissioned by IKEA to determine what a modernkitchen in the year 2040 could conceivably look like

76 | Simply Saratoga

ldquoOne technology that really stands out to me is the

Miele Appliance Company Right now theyrsquore using a

program called lsquoremote visionrsquo On select applianceshellip

is a wireless card that clicks into a port on the back of

the appliance You synch it up with your home network

and it basically emails the technician and the owner

when itrsquos broken when you need to clean your condens-

er change your water filter or schedule a routine serv-

icerdquo said Tom Thibeault owner of Adirondack

Appliance Repair Inc located at 67 West Ave in

Saratoga Springs ldquoMaybe somebodyrsquos been opening the

[refrigerator] door for too long or the door was left open

ndash it will email you and tell you that your door is left

openrdquo

This is not your grandmarsquos kitchen This my friends

is the kitchen of the future and itrsquos available now

The 36 inch bottom-mount Miele refrigerator boasts a

striking interior featuring LED lighting running along

the sides from top to bottom stainless steel accents and

exteriors with control systems that would be comfort-

able alongside the captainrsquos chair on the Starship

Enterprise

Simply Saratoga | 77

ldquoThe controls in the Miele really stand out

Looking at the controls theyrsquore just a glass piece and

then once you touch it you see a few options for the

different compartments Then you touch the compart-

ment and the temperature is displayed so itrsquos kind of

like a Star Trek controlrdquo Thibeault said

And thatrsquos just the refrigerator

Adirondack Appliance has also seen brands such as

Wolf (a company owned by the same people who own

Sub-Zero) grow in popularity when it comes to their

range stoves and ovens The dual convection oven

works to eliminate cold spotting and provides consis-

tent even temperatures and even allows for unique

options such as proofing ndash used best when baking

homemade bread

ldquoIt also has a temperature probe you can plug into

things like a turkey or roast so you can see the temper-

ature while itrsquos still inside the machine It has

hydraulic hinges halogen lit interiors everything is

composed of stainless steel and itrsquos by far one of the

best lines on the marketrdquo Thibeault said

A new line coming to Adirondack Appliance that

features some amazing technology is a series of Pro-

Style Ranges produced by industry giant Jenn-Air

ldquoThat actually has an LCD touch

screen like an IPAD for the controls The

temperature is set by sliding your finger

along the controls Itrsquos all color backlit and

absolutely amazingrdquo Thibeault said

ldquoAnother thing we have to that same

effect are some of the hoods which have

really been getting pretty out there as far as

design We have one on our floor [by Miele]

that has an LED bar on the front which

changes in phases between 196000 colors

Itrsquos a very delicate change very pretty and

coolrdquo Thibeault said adding ldquoor you can set

it to any color in that spectrum yoursquod like to

accent your cabinetryrdquo

When it comes to dishwashers Thibeault

can attest to the quality of both the Asko and

Miele brands both of which he uses in his

own home And good news for Saratoga

Springs residents ndash

ldquoIn our market in

Saratoga we have a

very hard water base

whether yoursquore on a well

system or city waterrdquo

Thibeault said ldquoSo you

get a lot of minerals in

the machine With the

stainless steel interiors it

eliminates a lot of prob-

lems generally seen with

plastic interior tubs and

usually they are the best

life expectanciesrdquo

78 | Simply Saratoga

Asko and Mieleare practically custom made to handle the

arearsquos typicallymineral rich water

Simply Saratoga | 79

The Asko brand dishwasher takes things one step

further including two pumps in the washerrsquos system

The first pump filters the water cleansing it of poten-

tially harmful minerals while the second pump recircu-

lates the water ensuring that the machine is never

blasting your dishes with food debris or dirty residue

With Miele the design features a built-in water sof-

tener perfect for dealing with the Saratoga water

system

ldquoTypically the Miele is going to do a better job with

tougher baked in stainsrdquo said Thibeault ldquobecause itrsquos

got the softener in it and a little bit longer pots and pans

cyclerdquo

80 | Simply Saratoga

Adirondack Appliance Repair Inc is a fami-

ly-owned business since 1929 and the last inde-

pendent appliance retailer of its kind in Saratoga

Springs With $6 billion of buying power behind

their name (a benefit of being part of the Nation

Wide Appliance Buying Group) Thibeault

promised ldquowe can actually price match the box

stores and everybody else around all while pro-

viding you with better service and better

productsrdquo

For more information on AdirondackAppliance or the products they sell you mayvisit their showroom located at 67 West Avenuein Saratoga Springs for live demonstrationsThey can also be reached by phone at (518)587-6640 or you may visit them at their newwebsite wwwadkappliancecom where cus-tomers can browse through the storersquos entirecatalogue of appliances

sect

Simply Saratoga | 81

82 | Simply Saratoga

Page 51: Simply Saratoga March 2011

apply corn gluten tolawn areas yoursquoveseeded (or over-seeded) or to gar-dens where youwant biennialsperennials or annu-als to reseed andflower Corn glutendoes not distinguishbetween lsquogoodrsquoand lsquobadrsquo seeds

apply a pre-emer-gent weed killerand fertilizer toyour lawn A lushhealthy lawn

makes a beautiful frame for gardens Myfamily walked away from lawn chemicalsfive years ago And our lawn has neverlooked better Corn gluten is a big part ofthis transformation Corn gluten is a by-product of milled corn It will not harm chil-dren pets or wildlife Heck you can eat it ifyou want (but it tastes yucky) Corn Glutenis high in nitrogen and commonly used as alawn fertilizer But it is also a pre-emergenttargeting seeds as they germinate Youcan put corn gluten down at any point inthe spring BUT if part of your mission is toeliminate crabgrass then there is a narrowwindow of attackApply it whenForsythia is in fullbloom and beforeits leaves appearThe Forsythia is asoil temperatureindicator that cor-responds to whencrabgrass seedsstart to germinate More garden centersare now carrying corn gluten productsYou just need to ask and follow the appli-cation instructions on the bag Make sureto water in the corn gluten after applyingIt will remain effective for five to six weeks

Simply Saratoga | 53

DONrsquoT

DO

step on soil as you maneuver around thegarden to cut back Lavender and therest of the gang For that matter youshould never be tromping through yourgardens compacting soil This breaks

down air and water channels as well as making it tougher forroots to spread Instead reach into beds from existing paths orplace stepping stones in discreet spots where only your eyes cansee or lsquowalk the plankrsquo on a board to reach plants fartherlsquoadriftrsquo

54 | Simply Saratoga

cut back Lavender Russian SageMontauk Daisy Butterfly BushChrysanthemums and ornamental grass-es These are best left untouched in falland whacked in spring Many folks make

the mistake of acting too gingerly with pruners Let lsquoem fly Theresult will be more compact neater plants that will bloom just fineTrust me If it helps wait until yoursquove had a bad day at work withthe kids or in traffic

DONrsquoT

DO

divide Peonies German Bearded Iris orOriental Poppies in spring These are bestdone in late summer Also tap-rootedplants (those with a carrot-looking root)cannot be divided Think about it These

are usually propagated by seed stem or root cuttings Someperennials that fall into this category are Malva Butterfly WeedBalloon Flower Oriental Poppies and Lupines

Simply Saratoga | 55

DONrsquoT

divide plants in spring This is an optimumtime to divide most perennials Yes evenspring bloomers Wait until these haveflowered and then shear off the spentblooms and get to business Most sum-

mer and fall blooming perennials can be divided prior to mid-Junewithout disrupting their performance

DO

apply a time-released fertilizersuch as Plant-Tone(organic) orOsmocote to heavy

feeding perennials five to six weeks afterthe earlier granular fertilizer applicationMost plants do not need as much fertilizeras we are led in advertising to believe I amstingy with my money and maintenancetime so only a handful of plants get thisbonus feed Astilbe Delphinium Liliums (ieAsiatic Oriental Trumpet) Clematis androses If I am feeling generous I will putsome on my Bigleaf Hydrangeas next to theroses Call me heartlessJust scratch fertilizer intothe top couple inchesof soil around theplantrsquos base and waterin well They will enjoy anutritious snack forthree to four months

apply mulch ongarden beds toreduce weedsconserve moisture

reduce erosion minimize soil temperaturefluctuations and enhance the quality ofthe soil Some mulching materials includeaged manures compost shredded wood(not dyed) leaf moldand cocoa hulls Putthe mulch down 2rdquo to3rdquo thick around plantsincluding floweringshrubs

build up mulchagainst plant stems

And please please donrsquot create volcanomounds around trees Please This is awfulfor them The only ones that benefit fromthis are the people selling the mulch

56 | Simply Saratoga

DONrsquoT

DO

DO

rubber band orbraid the foliage ofspring bloomingbulbs after they fin-ish flowering You

want as much leaf surface exposed to thesun as possible to increase photosynthesisYou can press the leaves down next to thesoil so they are less noticeable

Simply Saratoga | 57

sect

And finally DO have a great year in

your gardens and DONrsquoT forget to

take time to smell the roses

DONrsquoT

DONrsquoT

cut off the spentblooms and stems onspring blooming bulbsafter they have flow-ered so energy is redirected to the bulbsversus seed productions Keep the leaves inplace until they have browned and ideallycan be pulled from the ground by hand

put time-released fertil-izer on perennials thatprefer lean dietsRicher soil just upsetstheir vascular systemsThey will get leggy flop and not perform tosnuff Yarrow Coneflower Catmint RussianSage Linum Sea Holly and Silvermound are inthe group

DO

For more information contact Perennially Yours at pyourscom

58 | Simply Saratoga

Ill mination

Exterior Stonework

an

d

Story Written by Arthur Gonick Photos Provided

u

Simply Saratoga | 59

To develop and implement an exterior vista that maximizes your enjoyment To have a backyard landscape that is warm inviting and uniquely yours

These are goals that many homeowners have when they first move onto their property But unless you are trained in the variety ofmaterials and options available the task of getting past the point of comparing possibilities to completing and actually enjoying yourbackyard paradise can appear to be a long daunting road

For Carl Trinkle a landscape designer for ten years with the Gallivan Companies of Troy one of the key elements in a successfultransformation is utilizing a professionalrsquos expertise to articulate goals and develop a plan

ldquoThe most important thing we do when we first meet with a client is to get them to discuss their basic needs and aims and encouragethem to formulate an overall vision for their property An initial consultation sets the tone we make an initial visit on-site to look overthe property so we can have an idea as to where things might be placedrdquo

ldquoDuring this intake process we actually encourage people to show us photos of their friendrsquos property that they like or perhaps froma magazine It helps most people to articulate the goals of what they would like to see as a finished projectrdquo Trinkle said ldquoEven if they are looking to do things in phases we find that it is most important to develop a comprehensive site planrdquo This eliminates the need to revise original phases of work to accommodate those that come in the future

60 | Simply Saratoga

that Mr Trinkle finds potential customers identifying with aredesigned to extend the outdoor season ldquoA few extra weeks outside isa lotrdquo he said

add-ons also extend outside activity each day Low voltage lighting is still the most popular but recently LED lighting with longer-lasting bulbs that involve less maintenance and are cost-efficienthave become more fashionable

The latest trends

stations fire pits and waterenhancements such as ponds andwaterfalls are the most frequentlyrequested items that broaden theoutdoor use season

Outdoor grill

Exterior lighting

Simply Saratoga | 61

And of course swimming pool projects have always been a most-requested

item Fifty percent of allthe projects Mr Trinkleworks on involve a pooleither a completely new installation or enhance-ments to existing poolsGallivanrsquos long-standingrelationship withConcord Pools has beena hallmark in assuringthat customers are satis-fied when their pool isput in the ground

62 | Simply Saratoga

In most cases a comprehensive plancan be developed for any project in about a period of twoweeks Complete drawings and cost breakdowns are provid-ed as well as the projected phases that can be completed injust a few months or on larger projects can be scheduled insegments over a few years These are reviewed in personwith the customer again the goal being to have a plan thateveryone buys into

Simply Saratoga | 63

ldquoWe have had projects where the customer has wanted tohave a lot of input and we welcome that But we also hadone where the client was out of town and we built a firepit and slide for his wife and kids and our only instructions were to dazzle themI remember it as a most satisfying experience and we ended up winning awards for that onerdquo

- Carl Trinkle Landscape DesignerThe Gallivan Companies

64 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 65

ldquoI get to work using my creativity with talented people Some of the most talented are those

I meet as customersrdquo sect

For more information or to schedule aconsultation phone Gallivan Companies at(518) 271-6100 Gallivanrsquos website iswwwGallivanCompaniescom

66 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 67

Buying a playhouse for your child is an excellent investment

They promote imaginative play and spending time outdoors and

double as storage space when no longer used for recreation

Denise Woodcock owner of Versatile Sheds in Wilton has

been helping parents and grandparents customize their childrsquos or

grandchildrsquos dream playhouses for years

ldquoThey make great gifts especially for grandparents who want

their grandkids to have their own place to play when they visitrdquo

she said

Playhouses are a great addition to a childrsquos outdoor world

They come in all shapes sizes and designs and can be custom-

built or finished if you donrsquot find exactly what yoursquore looking for

in a catalog or on the lot

Every child is different and has their own preferences for color

size and function boys and girls often have especially different

requests for their play space as do younger and more mature chil-

dren so therersquos a lot to consider

Denise knows how even the finest detail can be all it takes to

make an outdoor structure feel like a childrsquos own personal space

While it may seem superfluous to address every minor demand

the truth is a playhouse is more than just an expensive toy itrsquos an

investment The more your child connects with their space the more

use theyrsquoll get out of it ndash and according to Denise that means your

money is well spent

Smartest WayThe

playhouse for your kidsto buy a

Photos by MarkBollescomStory by Yael Goldman

68 | Simply Saratoga

With this in mind prospective buyers should first consider

who will use the playhouse and for how long as well as what

happens when the structure is no longer used for recreation

Versatile Sheds can help even the most discerning parent or

child find what theyrsquore looking for Every playhouse is hand-

built by Amish craftsmen who can accommodate almost any

special request at an additional cost so the possibilities are

endless inside and out

Cedar shingle or vinyl siding wood stone or brick ndash if you

can use it on the outside of your regular home it can be inte-

grated into your playhousersquos design Playhouses can be built

to look like a miniature version of your home which is an

excellent touch for parents that are particularly concerned

with aesthetics Porches shutters flowerboxes unique doors

chimneys and exterior lighting are just a few of the touches

that can brighten and personalize the exterior

Individualizing your childrsquos playhouse doesnrsquot stop at the

front door There are just as many interior features to choose

from ndash you can let your imagination run wild

For starters you have the option to order the playhouse

with a finished or unfinished interior The unfinished version

looks a lot like the inside of a regular home before you move

in paint the walls and furnish the rooms

Buying an unfinished structure is a great way to cut costs

and even bring the family together over a weekend decorating

project The possibilities are endless depending on how handy

you are otherwise a few coats of paint and a bit of carpeting

will surely do the trick

Although a bit pricey purchasing a playhouse with a fin-

ished interior ensures that your child gets exactly what they

want right off the bat They can pick everything from the paint

color to the flooring so the playhouse is move-in ready on the

day it arrives

Playhouses can also be insulated and wired for electricity

You can install lighting electrical outlets even heat or air-

conditioning to make your childrsquos outdoor space as comfort-

able as possible

And the options donrsquot end there Traditional sheds also dou-

ble as playhouses For some parents purchasing an adult-size

shed for their children is an ideal way to get the best return on

their investment Once their children grow out of it the struc-

ture can be used for outdoor storage With just as many styles

sizes and materials to choose from you can customize the

interior and exterior of your shed just as you would a play-

house but without all of the more frivolous features

ldquoAny shed can be a playhouserdquo Woodcock said explaining

how a custom paint job or flowerbox can transform a typical

storage unit into childrsquos outdoor activity haven

For example if purchasing a wood shed the exterior can be

easily painted and repainted when making the transition from

playhouse to storage space

For Denisersquos customers getting their moneyrsquos worth should

not have to mean making sacrifices

Simply Saratoga | 69

70 | Simply Saratoga

When Debby Trainor made the decision to buy her grand-

daughter Chezneyrsquos dream house she wanted it to have all the

bells and whistles She met with Denise to go over all the cri-

teria the goal was to buy the perfect gift for Chezney while

staying within her budget

The eight-year-old Greenwich girl wanted her own pretty

pink palace where she could play and imagine Debby wanted

it to be a cozy and safe place for her to play year-round

Customization and interior decoration helped make

Chezneyrsquos playhouse feel like her own little kingdom

ldquoWe made it look like a cute little dollhouserdquo she said ldquoWe

put furniture inside and a little stove fridge heater and TV

itrsquos just perfectrdquo

With the structure built to their liking Chezney and Debby

could enjoy decorating the inside to personalize the playhouse

For many customers putting on the finishing touches means

making the playhouse feel like home ndash you can add curtains

hang pictures buy furniture and appliances and landscape the

perimeter to make the outdoor space feel like a home away

from home

When the child grows out of their playhouse these items

can be easily removed to accommodate a secondary use for the

space

ldquoThe best thing that Denise did for me was explain how we

can use the playhouse for storage for stuff out in the yard after

Chezney has grown out of itrdquo Debby explained ldquoAlthough

she is only eight and will be using it for quite a few more

years this really makes it a good investment and looks

great in the backyardrdquo

Whether you choose a customized playhouse or a tradi-

tional shed thinking toward the future also ensures the

safety and longevity of the structure

Denise explained that placement is an important thing to

consider as you want to make sure the structure is in a safe

place and on an appropriate surface Most importantly the

playhouse must be built on a level even surface that isnrsquot

too high off of the ground

ldquoYou want it on a nice platformrdquo Denise explained

ldquoSome people use concrete but stone is better because it

allows moisture to seep down into the ground and away

from the structurerdquo

Most parents prefer that their playhouse is in the back-

yard where itrsquos easy to see from a window Placing the

structure in a shaded area is also a good idea it will be

cooler in the summer and less susceptible to the elements if

partially protected by trees

Debby had Chezneyrsquos playhouse built right next to her

swing set where she can be easily supervised

One last thing to consider when purchasing a playhouse

Simply Saratoga | 71

72 | Simply Saratoga

or shed for your child is how much effort

you want to put into maintaining it The

more ornate the structure the more care it

may need

Woodcock advises parents to preserve

their investment and treat the playhouse

like a miniature home

Think of it as a miniature house ndash the

structure requires regular maintenance

and upkeep to ensure your child will be

safe while enjoying years and years of

imaginative fun

With so many features and styles to

choose from yoursquore sure to find the best

for both you and your child

For more information about Versatile

Sheds or to set up a time to meet with

Denise Woodcock call (518) 584-7924

or stop by 669 Route 9 in Wilton sect

Simply Saratoga | 73

74 | Simply Saratoga

Kitchen

Not Your

Grandmarsquos

Story Written by Daniel Schechtman Photos Provided

ldquoAs you

walk into the kitchen

of the future LED

light projections adjust

to your mood - it will

know if you have a

hangover via sensors

that will read your

b r a i n w a v e s

Aromatherapy infused

walls will be synched

to your calendar calm-

ing you before a big

meeting or energizing you before a gym session The fridge will have selected some breakfast options identifying the essen-

tial vitamins for your day via sensors When you get home a hologram chef will be on hand for recipe inspirationrdquo

Alright so maybe your kitchen canrsquot do all of these things quite yet ndash but believe it or not wersquore getting there This is tomor-

rowrsquos kitchen a kitchen where your appliances donrsquot just store your food or wash your dishes ndash they talk to you providing you

with integral information on how to

best store your fruits and vegetables

letting you know if the refrigerator

door is open for too long or when a

part will soon need replacing

Simply Saratoga | 75

ldquoScience fictionrdquo I hear you say

Guess again Quoted from a report released by The Future Laboratory

who was commissioned by IKEA to determine what a modernkitchen in the year 2040 could conceivably look like

76 | Simply Saratoga

ldquoOne technology that really stands out to me is the

Miele Appliance Company Right now theyrsquore using a

program called lsquoremote visionrsquo On select applianceshellip

is a wireless card that clicks into a port on the back of

the appliance You synch it up with your home network

and it basically emails the technician and the owner

when itrsquos broken when you need to clean your condens-

er change your water filter or schedule a routine serv-

icerdquo said Tom Thibeault owner of Adirondack

Appliance Repair Inc located at 67 West Ave in

Saratoga Springs ldquoMaybe somebodyrsquos been opening the

[refrigerator] door for too long or the door was left open

ndash it will email you and tell you that your door is left

openrdquo

This is not your grandmarsquos kitchen This my friends

is the kitchen of the future and itrsquos available now

The 36 inch bottom-mount Miele refrigerator boasts a

striking interior featuring LED lighting running along

the sides from top to bottom stainless steel accents and

exteriors with control systems that would be comfort-

able alongside the captainrsquos chair on the Starship

Enterprise

Simply Saratoga | 77

ldquoThe controls in the Miele really stand out

Looking at the controls theyrsquore just a glass piece and

then once you touch it you see a few options for the

different compartments Then you touch the compart-

ment and the temperature is displayed so itrsquos kind of

like a Star Trek controlrdquo Thibeault said

And thatrsquos just the refrigerator

Adirondack Appliance has also seen brands such as

Wolf (a company owned by the same people who own

Sub-Zero) grow in popularity when it comes to their

range stoves and ovens The dual convection oven

works to eliminate cold spotting and provides consis-

tent even temperatures and even allows for unique

options such as proofing ndash used best when baking

homemade bread

ldquoIt also has a temperature probe you can plug into

things like a turkey or roast so you can see the temper-

ature while itrsquos still inside the machine It has

hydraulic hinges halogen lit interiors everything is

composed of stainless steel and itrsquos by far one of the

best lines on the marketrdquo Thibeault said

A new line coming to Adirondack Appliance that

features some amazing technology is a series of Pro-

Style Ranges produced by industry giant Jenn-Air

ldquoThat actually has an LCD touch

screen like an IPAD for the controls The

temperature is set by sliding your finger

along the controls Itrsquos all color backlit and

absolutely amazingrdquo Thibeault said

ldquoAnother thing we have to that same

effect are some of the hoods which have

really been getting pretty out there as far as

design We have one on our floor [by Miele]

that has an LED bar on the front which

changes in phases between 196000 colors

Itrsquos a very delicate change very pretty and

coolrdquo Thibeault said adding ldquoor you can set

it to any color in that spectrum yoursquod like to

accent your cabinetryrdquo

When it comes to dishwashers Thibeault

can attest to the quality of both the Asko and

Miele brands both of which he uses in his

own home And good news for Saratoga

Springs residents ndash

ldquoIn our market in

Saratoga we have a

very hard water base

whether yoursquore on a well

system or city waterrdquo

Thibeault said ldquoSo you

get a lot of minerals in

the machine With the

stainless steel interiors it

eliminates a lot of prob-

lems generally seen with

plastic interior tubs and

usually they are the best

life expectanciesrdquo

78 | Simply Saratoga

Asko and Mieleare practically custom made to handle the

arearsquos typicallymineral rich water

Simply Saratoga | 79

The Asko brand dishwasher takes things one step

further including two pumps in the washerrsquos system

The first pump filters the water cleansing it of poten-

tially harmful minerals while the second pump recircu-

lates the water ensuring that the machine is never

blasting your dishes with food debris or dirty residue

With Miele the design features a built-in water sof-

tener perfect for dealing with the Saratoga water

system

ldquoTypically the Miele is going to do a better job with

tougher baked in stainsrdquo said Thibeault ldquobecause itrsquos

got the softener in it and a little bit longer pots and pans

cyclerdquo

80 | Simply Saratoga

Adirondack Appliance Repair Inc is a fami-

ly-owned business since 1929 and the last inde-

pendent appliance retailer of its kind in Saratoga

Springs With $6 billion of buying power behind

their name (a benefit of being part of the Nation

Wide Appliance Buying Group) Thibeault

promised ldquowe can actually price match the box

stores and everybody else around all while pro-

viding you with better service and better

productsrdquo

For more information on AdirondackAppliance or the products they sell you mayvisit their showroom located at 67 West Avenuein Saratoga Springs for live demonstrationsThey can also be reached by phone at (518)587-6640 or you may visit them at their newwebsite wwwadkappliancecom where cus-tomers can browse through the storersquos entirecatalogue of appliances

sect

Simply Saratoga | 81

82 | Simply Saratoga

Page 52: Simply Saratoga March 2011

step on soil as you maneuver around thegarden to cut back Lavender and therest of the gang For that matter youshould never be tromping through yourgardens compacting soil This breaks

down air and water channels as well as making it tougher forroots to spread Instead reach into beds from existing paths orplace stepping stones in discreet spots where only your eyes cansee or lsquowalk the plankrsquo on a board to reach plants fartherlsquoadriftrsquo

54 | Simply Saratoga

cut back Lavender Russian SageMontauk Daisy Butterfly BushChrysanthemums and ornamental grass-es These are best left untouched in falland whacked in spring Many folks make

the mistake of acting too gingerly with pruners Let lsquoem fly Theresult will be more compact neater plants that will bloom just fineTrust me If it helps wait until yoursquove had a bad day at work withthe kids or in traffic

DONrsquoT

DO

divide Peonies German Bearded Iris orOriental Poppies in spring These are bestdone in late summer Also tap-rootedplants (those with a carrot-looking root)cannot be divided Think about it These

are usually propagated by seed stem or root cuttings Someperennials that fall into this category are Malva Butterfly WeedBalloon Flower Oriental Poppies and Lupines

Simply Saratoga | 55

DONrsquoT

divide plants in spring This is an optimumtime to divide most perennials Yes evenspring bloomers Wait until these haveflowered and then shear off the spentblooms and get to business Most sum-

mer and fall blooming perennials can be divided prior to mid-Junewithout disrupting their performance

DO

apply a time-released fertilizersuch as Plant-Tone(organic) orOsmocote to heavy

feeding perennials five to six weeks afterthe earlier granular fertilizer applicationMost plants do not need as much fertilizeras we are led in advertising to believe I amstingy with my money and maintenancetime so only a handful of plants get thisbonus feed Astilbe Delphinium Liliums (ieAsiatic Oriental Trumpet) Clematis androses If I am feeling generous I will putsome on my Bigleaf Hydrangeas next to theroses Call me heartlessJust scratch fertilizer intothe top couple inchesof soil around theplantrsquos base and waterin well They will enjoy anutritious snack forthree to four months

apply mulch ongarden beds toreduce weedsconserve moisture

reduce erosion minimize soil temperaturefluctuations and enhance the quality ofthe soil Some mulching materials includeaged manures compost shredded wood(not dyed) leaf moldand cocoa hulls Putthe mulch down 2rdquo to3rdquo thick around plantsincluding floweringshrubs

build up mulchagainst plant stems

And please please donrsquot create volcanomounds around trees Please This is awfulfor them The only ones that benefit fromthis are the people selling the mulch

56 | Simply Saratoga

DONrsquoT

DO

DO

rubber band orbraid the foliage ofspring bloomingbulbs after they fin-ish flowering You

want as much leaf surface exposed to thesun as possible to increase photosynthesisYou can press the leaves down next to thesoil so they are less noticeable

Simply Saratoga | 57

sect

And finally DO have a great year in

your gardens and DONrsquoT forget to

take time to smell the roses

DONrsquoT

DONrsquoT

cut off the spentblooms and stems onspring blooming bulbsafter they have flow-ered so energy is redirected to the bulbsversus seed productions Keep the leaves inplace until they have browned and ideallycan be pulled from the ground by hand

put time-released fertil-izer on perennials thatprefer lean dietsRicher soil just upsetstheir vascular systemsThey will get leggy flop and not perform tosnuff Yarrow Coneflower Catmint RussianSage Linum Sea Holly and Silvermound are inthe group

DO

For more information contact Perennially Yours at pyourscom

58 | Simply Saratoga

Ill mination

Exterior Stonework

an

d

Story Written by Arthur Gonick Photos Provided

u

Simply Saratoga | 59

To develop and implement an exterior vista that maximizes your enjoyment To have a backyard landscape that is warm inviting and uniquely yours

These are goals that many homeowners have when they first move onto their property But unless you are trained in the variety ofmaterials and options available the task of getting past the point of comparing possibilities to completing and actually enjoying yourbackyard paradise can appear to be a long daunting road

For Carl Trinkle a landscape designer for ten years with the Gallivan Companies of Troy one of the key elements in a successfultransformation is utilizing a professionalrsquos expertise to articulate goals and develop a plan

ldquoThe most important thing we do when we first meet with a client is to get them to discuss their basic needs and aims and encouragethem to formulate an overall vision for their property An initial consultation sets the tone we make an initial visit on-site to look overthe property so we can have an idea as to where things might be placedrdquo

ldquoDuring this intake process we actually encourage people to show us photos of their friendrsquos property that they like or perhaps froma magazine It helps most people to articulate the goals of what they would like to see as a finished projectrdquo Trinkle said ldquoEven if they are looking to do things in phases we find that it is most important to develop a comprehensive site planrdquo This eliminates the need to revise original phases of work to accommodate those that come in the future

60 | Simply Saratoga

that Mr Trinkle finds potential customers identifying with aredesigned to extend the outdoor season ldquoA few extra weeks outside isa lotrdquo he said

add-ons also extend outside activity each day Low voltage lighting is still the most popular but recently LED lighting with longer-lasting bulbs that involve less maintenance and are cost-efficienthave become more fashionable

The latest trends

stations fire pits and waterenhancements such as ponds andwaterfalls are the most frequentlyrequested items that broaden theoutdoor use season

Outdoor grill

Exterior lighting

Simply Saratoga | 61

And of course swimming pool projects have always been a most-requested

item Fifty percent of allthe projects Mr Trinkleworks on involve a pooleither a completely new installation or enhance-ments to existing poolsGallivanrsquos long-standingrelationship withConcord Pools has beena hallmark in assuringthat customers are satis-fied when their pool isput in the ground

62 | Simply Saratoga

In most cases a comprehensive plancan be developed for any project in about a period of twoweeks Complete drawings and cost breakdowns are provid-ed as well as the projected phases that can be completed injust a few months or on larger projects can be scheduled insegments over a few years These are reviewed in personwith the customer again the goal being to have a plan thateveryone buys into

Simply Saratoga | 63

ldquoWe have had projects where the customer has wanted tohave a lot of input and we welcome that But we also hadone where the client was out of town and we built a firepit and slide for his wife and kids and our only instructions were to dazzle themI remember it as a most satisfying experience and we ended up winning awards for that onerdquo

- Carl Trinkle Landscape DesignerThe Gallivan Companies

64 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 65

ldquoI get to work using my creativity with talented people Some of the most talented are those

I meet as customersrdquo sect

For more information or to schedule aconsultation phone Gallivan Companies at(518) 271-6100 Gallivanrsquos website iswwwGallivanCompaniescom

66 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 67

Buying a playhouse for your child is an excellent investment

They promote imaginative play and spending time outdoors and

double as storage space when no longer used for recreation

Denise Woodcock owner of Versatile Sheds in Wilton has

been helping parents and grandparents customize their childrsquos or

grandchildrsquos dream playhouses for years

ldquoThey make great gifts especially for grandparents who want

their grandkids to have their own place to play when they visitrdquo

she said

Playhouses are a great addition to a childrsquos outdoor world

They come in all shapes sizes and designs and can be custom-

built or finished if you donrsquot find exactly what yoursquore looking for

in a catalog or on the lot

Every child is different and has their own preferences for color

size and function boys and girls often have especially different

requests for their play space as do younger and more mature chil-

dren so therersquos a lot to consider

Denise knows how even the finest detail can be all it takes to

make an outdoor structure feel like a childrsquos own personal space

While it may seem superfluous to address every minor demand

the truth is a playhouse is more than just an expensive toy itrsquos an

investment The more your child connects with their space the more

use theyrsquoll get out of it ndash and according to Denise that means your

money is well spent

Smartest WayThe

playhouse for your kidsto buy a

Photos by MarkBollescomStory by Yael Goldman

68 | Simply Saratoga

With this in mind prospective buyers should first consider

who will use the playhouse and for how long as well as what

happens when the structure is no longer used for recreation

Versatile Sheds can help even the most discerning parent or

child find what theyrsquore looking for Every playhouse is hand-

built by Amish craftsmen who can accommodate almost any

special request at an additional cost so the possibilities are

endless inside and out

Cedar shingle or vinyl siding wood stone or brick ndash if you

can use it on the outside of your regular home it can be inte-

grated into your playhousersquos design Playhouses can be built

to look like a miniature version of your home which is an

excellent touch for parents that are particularly concerned

with aesthetics Porches shutters flowerboxes unique doors

chimneys and exterior lighting are just a few of the touches

that can brighten and personalize the exterior

Individualizing your childrsquos playhouse doesnrsquot stop at the

front door There are just as many interior features to choose

from ndash you can let your imagination run wild

For starters you have the option to order the playhouse

with a finished or unfinished interior The unfinished version

looks a lot like the inside of a regular home before you move

in paint the walls and furnish the rooms

Buying an unfinished structure is a great way to cut costs

and even bring the family together over a weekend decorating

project The possibilities are endless depending on how handy

you are otherwise a few coats of paint and a bit of carpeting

will surely do the trick

Although a bit pricey purchasing a playhouse with a fin-

ished interior ensures that your child gets exactly what they

want right off the bat They can pick everything from the paint

color to the flooring so the playhouse is move-in ready on the

day it arrives

Playhouses can also be insulated and wired for electricity

You can install lighting electrical outlets even heat or air-

conditioning to make your childrsquos outdoor space as comfort-

able as possible

And the options donrsquot end there Traditional sheds also dou-

ble as playhouses For some parents purchasing an adult-size

shed for their children is an ideal way to get the best return on

their investment Once their children grow out of it the struc-

ture can be used for outdoor storage With just as many styles

sizes and materials to choose from you can customize the

interior and exterior of your shed just as you would a play-

house but without all of the more frivolous features

ldquoAny shed can be a playhouserdquo Woodcock said explaining

how a custom paint job or flowerbox can transform a typical

storage unit into childrsquos outdoor activity haven

For example if purchasing a wood shed the exterior can be

easily painted and repainted when making the transition from

playhouse to storage space

For Denisersquos customers getting their moneyrsquos worth should

not have to mean making sacrifices

Simply Saratoga | 69

70 | Simply Saratoga

When Debby Trainor made the decision to buy her grand-

daughter Chezneyrsquos dream house she wanted it to have all the

bells and whistles She met with Denise to go over all the cri-

teria the goal was to buy the perfect gift for Chezney while

staying within her budget

The eight-year-old Greenwich girl wanted her own pretty

pink palace where she could play and imagine Debby wanted

it to be a cozy and safe place for her to play year-round

Customization and interior decoration helped make

Chezneyrsquos playhouse feel like her own little kingdom

ldquoWe made it look like a cute little dollhouserdquo she said ldquoWe

put furniture inside and a little stove fridge heater and TV

itrsquos just perfectrdquo

With the structure built to their liking Chezney and Debby

could enjoy decorating the inside to personalize the playhouse

For many customers putting on the finishing touches means

making the playhouse feel like home ndash you can add curtains

hang pictures buy furniture and appliances and landscape the

perimeter to make the outdoor space feel like a home away

from home

When the child grows out of their playhouse these items

can be easily removed to accommodate a secondary use for the

space

ldquoThe best thing that Denise did for me was explain how we

can use the playhouse for storage for stuff out in the yard after

Chezney has grown out of itrdquo Debby explained ldquoAlthough

she is only eight and will be using it for quite a few more

years this really makes it a good investment and looks

great in the backyardrdquo

Whether you choose a customized playhouse or a tradi-

tional shed thinking toward the future also ensures the

safety and longevity of the structure

Denise explained that placement is an important thing to

consider as you want to make sure the structure is in a safe

place and on an appropriate surface Most importantly the

playhouse must be built on a level even surface that isnrsquot

too high off of the ground

ldquoYou want it on a nice platformrdquo Denise explained

ldquoSome people use concrete but stone is better because it

allows moisture to seep down into the ground and away

from the structurerdquo

Most parents prefer that their playhouse is in the back-

yard where itrsquos easy to see from a window Placing the

structure in a shaded area is also a good idea it will be

cooler in the summer and less susceptible to the elements if

partially protected by trees

Debby had Chezneyrsquos playhouse built right next to her

swing set where she can be easily supervised

One last thing to consider when purchasing a playhouse

Simply Saratoga | 71

72 | Simply Saratoga

or shed for your child is how much effort

you want to put into maintaining it The

more ornate the structure the more care it

may need

Woodcock advises parents to preserve

their investment and treat the playhouse

like a miniature home

Think of it as a miniature house ndash the

structure requires regular maintenance

and upkeep to ensure your child will be

safe while enjoying years and years of

imaginative fun

With so many features and styles to

choose from yoursquore sure to find the best

for both you and your child

For more information about Versatile

Sheds or to set up a time to meet with

Denise Woodcock call (518) 584-7924

or stop by 669 Route 9 in Wilton sect

Simply Saratoga | 73

74 | Simply Saratoga

Kitchen

Not Your

Grandmarsquos

Story Written by Daniel Schechtman Photos Provided

ldquoAs you

walk into the kitchen

of the future LED

light projections adjust

to your mood - it will

know if you have a

hangover via sensors

that will read your

b r a i n w a v e s

Aromatherapy infused

walls will be synched

to your calendar calm-

ing you before a big

meeting or energizing you before a gym session The fridge will have selected some breakfast options identifying the essen-

tial vitamins for your day via sensors When you get home a hologram chef will be on hand for recipe inspirationrdquo

Alright so maybe your kitchen canrsquot do all of these things quite yet ndash but believe it or not wersquore getting there This is tomor-

rowrsquos kitchen a kitchen where your appliances donrsquot just store your food or wash your dishes ndash they talk to you providing you

with integral information on how to

best store your fruits and vegetables

letting you know if the refrigerator

door is open for too long or when a

part will soon need replacing

Simply Saratoga | 75

ldquoScience fictionrdquo I hear you say

Guess again Quoted from a report released by The Future Laboratory

who was commissioned by IKEA to determine what a modernkitchen in the year 2040 could conceivably look like

76 | Simply Saratoga

ldquoOne technology that really stands out to me is the

Miele Appliance Company Right now theyrsquore using a

program called lsquoremote visionrsquo On select applianceshellip

is a wireless card that clicks into a port on the back of

the appliance You synch it up with your home network

and it basically emails the technician and the owner

when itrsquos broken when you need to clean your condens-

er change your water filter or schedule a routine serv-

icerdquo said Tom Thibeault owner of Adirondack

Appliance Repair Inc located at 67 West Ave in

Saratoga Springs ldquoMaybe somebodyrsquos been opening the

[refrigerator] door for too long or the door was left open

ndash it will email you and tell you that your door is left

openrdquo

This is not your grandmarsquos kitchen This my friends

is the kitchen of the future and itrsquos available now

The 36 inch bottom-mount Miele refrigerator boasts a

striking interior featuring LED lighting running along

the sides from top to bottom stainless steel accents and

exteriors with control systems that would be comfort-

able alongside the captainrsquos chair on the Starship

Enterprise

Simply Saratoga | 77

ldquoThe controls in the Miele really stand out

Looking at the controls theyrsquore just a glass piece and

then once you touch it you see a few options for the

different compartments Then you touch the compart-

ment and the temperature is displayed so itrsquos kind of

like a Star Trek controlrdquo Thibeault said

And thatrsquos just the refrigerator

Adirondack Appliance has also seen brands such as

Wolf (a company owned by the same people who own

Sub-Zero) grow in popularity when it comes to their

range stoves and ovens The dual convection oven

works to eliminate cold spotting and provides consis-

tent even temperatures and even allows for unique

options such as proofing ndash used best when baking

homemade bread

ldquoIt also has a temperature probe you can plug into

things like a turkey or roast so you can see the temper-

ature while itrsquos still inside the machine It has

hydraulic hinges halogen lit interiors everything is

composed of stainless steel and itrsquos by far one of the

best lines on the marketrdquo Thibeault said

A new line coming to Adirondack Appliance that

features some amazing technology is a series of Pro-

Style Ranges produced by industry giant Jenn-Air

ldquoThat actually has an LCD touch

screen like an IPAD for the controls The

temperature is set by sliding your finger

along the controls Itrsquos all color backlit and

absolutely amazingrdquo Thibeault said

ldquoAnother thing we have to that same

effect are some of the hoods which have

really been getting pretty out there as far as

design We have one on our floor [by Miele]

that has an LED bar on the front which

changes in phases between 196000 colors

Itrsquos a very delicate change very pretty and

coolrdquo Thibeault said adding ldquoor you can set

it to any color in that spectrum yoursquod like to

accent your cabinetryrdquo

When it comes to dishwashers Thibeault

can attest to the quality of both the Asko and

Miele brands both of which he uses in his

own home And good news for Saratoga

Springs residents ndash

ldquoIn our market in

Saratoga we have a

very hard water base

whether yoursquore on a well

system or city waterrdquo

Thibeault said ldquoSo you

get a lot of minerals in

the machine With the

stainless steel interiors it

eliminates a lot of prob-

lems generally seen with

plastic interior tubs and

usually they are the best

life expectanciesrdquo

78 | Simply Saratoga

Asko and Mieleare practically custom made to handle the

arearsquos typicallymineral rich water

Simply Saratoga | 79

The Asko brand dishwasher takes things one step

further including two pumps in the washerrsquos system

The first pump filters the water cleansing it of poten-

tially harmful minerals while the second pump recircu-

lates the water ensuring that the machine is never

blasting your dishes with food debris or dirty residue

With Miele the design features a built-in water sof-

tener perfect for dealing with the Saratoga water

system

ldquoTypically the Miele is going to do a better job with

tougher baked in stainsrdquo said Thibeault ldquobecause itrsquos

got the softener in it and a little bit longer pots and pans

cyclerdquo

80 | Simply Saratoga

Adirondack Appliance Repair Inc is a fami-

ly-owned business since 1929 and the last inde-

pendent appliance retailer of its kind in Saratoga

Springs With $6 billion of buying power behind

their name (a benefit of being part of the Nation

Wide Appliance Buying Group) Thibeault

promised ldquowe can actually price match the box

stores and everybody else around all while pro-

viding you with better service and better

productsrdquo

For more information on AdirondackAppliance or the products they sell you mayvisit their showroom located at 67 West Avenuein Saratoga Springs for live demonstrationsThey can also be reached by phone at (518)587-6640 or you may visit them at their newwebsite wwwadkappliancecom where cus-tomers can browse through the storersquos entirecatalogue of appliances

sect

Simply Saratoga | 81

82 | Simply Saratoga

Page 53: Simply Saratoga March 2011

divide Peonies German Bearded Iris orOriental Poppies in spring These are bestdone in late summer Also tap-rootedplants (those with a carrot-looking root)cannot be divided Think about it These

are usually propagated by seed stem or root cuttings Someperennials that fall into this category are Malva Butterfly WeedBalloon Flower Oriental Poppies and Lupines

Simply Saratoga | 55

DONrsquoT

divide plants in spring This is an optimumtime to divide most perennials Yes evenspring bloomers Wait until these haveflowered and then shear off the spentblooms and get to business Most sum-

mer and fall blooming perennials can be divided prior to mid-Junewithout disrupting their performance

DO

apply a time-released fertilizersuch as Plant-Tone(organic) orOsmocote to heavy

feeding perennials five to six weeks afterthe earlier granular fertilizer applicationMost plants do not need as much fertilizeras we are led in advertising to believe I amstingy with my money and maintenancetime so only a handful of plants get thisbonus feed Astilbe Delphinium Liliums (ieAsiatic Oriental Trumpet) Clematis androses If I am feeling generous I will putsome on my Bigleaf Hydrangeas next to theroses Call me heartlessJust scratch fertilizer intothe top couple inchesof soil around theplantrsquos base and waterin well They will enjoy anutritious snack forthree to four months

apply mulch ongarden beds toreduce weedsconserve moisture

reduce erosion minimize soil temperaturefluctuations and enhance the quality ofthe soil Some mulching materials includeaged manures compost shredded wood(not dyed) leaf moldand cocoa hulls Putthe mulch down 2rdquo to3rdquo thick around plantsincluding floweringshrubs

build up mulchagainst plant stems

And please please donrsquot create volcanomounds around trees Please This is awfulfor them The only ones that benefit fromthis are the people selling the mulch

56 | Simply Saratoga

DONrsquoT

DO

DO

rubber band orbraid the foliage ofspring bloomingbulbs after they fin-ish flowering You

want as much leaf surface exposed to thesun as possible to increase photosynthesisYou can press the leaves down next to thesoil so they are less noticeable

Simply Saratoga | 57

sect

And finally DO have a great year in

your gardens and DONrsquoT forget to

take time to smell the roses

DONrsquoT

DONrsquoT

cut off the spentblooms and stems onspring blooming bulbsafter they have flow-ered so energy is redirected to the bulbsversus seed productions Keep the leaves inplace until they have browned and ideallycan be pulled from the ground by hand

put time-released fertil-izer on perennials thatprefer lean dietsRicher soil just upsetstheir vascular systemsThey will get leggy flop and not perform tosnuff Yarrow Coneflower Catmint RussianSage Linum Sea Holly and Silvermound are inthe group

DO

For more information contact Perennially Yours at pyourscom

58 | Simply Saratoga

Ill mination

Exterior Stonework

an

d

Story Written by Arthur Gonick Photos Provided

u

Simply Saratoga | 59

To develop and implement an exterior vista that maximizes your enjoyment To have a backyard landscape that is warm inviting and uniquely yours

These are goals that many homeowners have when they first move onto their property But unless you are trained in the variety ofmaterials and options available the task of getting past the point of comparing possibilities to completing and actually enjoying yourbackyard paradise can appear to be a long daunting road

For Carl Trinkle a landscape designer for ten years with the Gallivan Companies of Troy one of the key elements in a successfultransformation is utilizing a professionalrsquos expertise to articulate goals and develop a plan

ldquoThe most important thing we do when we first meet with a client is to get them to discuss their basic needs and aims and encouragethem to formulate an overall vision for their property An initial consultation sets the tone we make an initial visit on-site to look overthe property so we can have an idea as to where things might be placedrdquo

ldquoDuring this intake process we actually encourage people to show us photos of their friendrsquos property that they like or perhaps froma magazine It helps most people to articulate the goals of what they would like to see as a finished projectrdquo Trinkle said ldquoEven if they are looking to do things in phases we find that it is most important to develop a comprehensive site planrdquo This eliminates the need to revise original phases of work to accommodate those that come in the future

60 | Simply Saratoga

that Mr Trinkle finds potential customers identifying with aredesigned to extend the outdoor season ldquoA few extra weeks outside isa lotrdquo he said

add-ons also extend outside activity each day Low voltage lighting is still the most popular but recently LED lighting with longer-lasting bulbs that involve less maintenance and are cost-efficienthave become more fashionable

The latest trends

stations fire pits and waterenhancements such as ponds andwaterfalls are the most frequentlyrequested items that broaden theoutdoor use season

Outdoor grill

Exterior lighting

Simply Saratoga | 61

And of course swimming pool projects have always been a most-requested

item Fifty percent of allthe projects Mr Trinkleworks on involve a pooleither a completely new installation or enhance-ments to existing poolsGallivanrsquos long-standingrelationship withConcord Pools has beena hallmark in assuringthat customers are satis-fied when their pool isput in the ground

62 | Simply Saratoga

In most cases a comprehensive plancan be developed for any project in about a period of twoweeks Complete drawings and cost breakdowns are provid-ed as well as the projected phases that can be completed injust a few months or on larger projects can be scheduled insegments over a few years These are reviewed in personwith the customer again the goal being to have a plan thateveryone buys into

Simply Saratoga | 63

ldquoWe have had projects where the customer has wanted tohave a lot of input and we welcome that But we also hadone where the client was out of town and we built a firepit and slide for his wife and kids and our only instructions were to dazzle themI remember it as a most satisfying experience and we ended up winning awards for that onerdquo

- Carl Trinkle Landscape DesignerThe Gallivan Companies

64 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 65

ldquoI get to work using my creativity with talented people Some of the most talented are those

I meet as customersrdquo sect

For more information or to schedule aconsultation phone Gallivan Companies at(518) 271-6100 Gallivanrsquos website iswwwGallivanCompaniescom

66 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 67

Buying a playhouse for your child is an excellent investment

They promote imaginative play and spending time outdoors and

double as storage space when no longer used for recreation

Denise Woodcock owner of Versatile Sheds in Wilton has

been helping parents and grandparents customize their childrsquos or

grandchildrsquos dream playhouses for years

ldquoThey make great gifts especially for grandparents who want

their grandkids to have their own place to play when they visitrdquo

she said

Playhouses are a great addition to a childrsquos outdoor world

They come in all shapes sizes and designs and can be custom-

built or finished if you donrsquot find exactly what yoursquore looking for

in a catalog or on the lot

Every child is different and has their own preferences for color

size and function boys and girls often have especially different

requests for their play space as do younger and more mature chil-

dren so therersquos a lot to consider

Denise knows how even the finest detail can be all it takes to

make an outdoor structure feel like a childrsquos own personal space

While it may seem superfluous to address every minor demand

the truth is a playhouse is more than just an expensive toy itrsquos an

investment The more your child connects with their space the more

use theyrsquoll get out of it ndash and according to Denise that means your

money is well spent

Smartest WayThe

playhouse for your kidsto buy a

Photos by MarkBollescomStory by Yael Goldman

68 | Simply Saratoga

With this in mind prospective buyers should first consider

who will use the playhouse and for how long as well as what

happens when the structure is no longer used for recreation

Versatile Sheds can help even the most discerning parent or

child find what theyrsquore looking for Every playhouse is hand-

built by Amish craftsmen who can accommodate almost any

special request at an additional cost so the possibilities are

endless inside and out

Cedar shingle or vinyl siding wood stone or brick ndash if you

can use it on the outside of your regular home it can be inte-

grated into your playhousersquos design Playhouses can be built

to look like a miniature version of your home which is an

excellent touch for parents that are particularly concerned

with aesthetics Porches shutters flowerboxes unique doors

chimneys and exterior lighting are just a few of the touches

that can brighten and personalize the exterior

Individualizing your childrsquos playhouse doesnrsquot stop at the

front door There are just as many interior features to choose

from ndash you can let your imagination run wild

For starters you have the option to order the playhouse

with a finished or unfinished interior The unfinished version

looks a lot like the inside of a regular home before you move

in paint the walls and furnish the rooms

Buying an unfinished structure is a great way to cut costs

and even bring the family together over a weekend decorating

project The possibilities are endless depending on how handy

you are otherwise a few coats of paint and a bit of carpeting

will surely do the trick

Although a bit pricey purchasing a playhouse with a fin-

ished interior ensures that your child gets exactly what they

want right off the bat They can pick everything from the paint

color to the flooring so the playhouse is move-in ready on the

day it arrives

Playhouses can also be insulated and wired for electricity

You can install lighting electrical outlets even heat or air-

conditioning to make your childrsquos outdoor space as comfort-

able as possible

And the options donrsquot end there Traditional sheds also dou-

ble as playhouses For some parents purchasing an adult-size

shed for their children is an ideal way to get the best return on

their investment Once their children grow out of it the struc-

ture can be used for outdoor storage With just as many styles

sizes and materials to choose from you can customize the

interior and exterior of your shed just as you would a play-

house but without all of the more frivolous features

ldquoAny shed can be a playhouserdquo Woodcock said explaining

how a custom paint job or flowerbox can transform a typical

storage unit into childrsquos outdoor activity haven

For example if purchasing a wood shed the exterior can be

easily painted and repainted when making the transition from

playhouse to storage space

For Denisersquos customers getting their moneyrsquos worth should

not have to mean making sacrifices

Simply Saratoga | 69

70 | Simply Saratoga

When Debby Trainor made the decision to buy her grand-

daughter Chezneyrsquos dream house she wanted it to have all the

bells and whistles She met with Denise to go over all the cri-

teria the goal was to buy the perfect gift for Chezney while

staying within her budget

The eight-year-old Greenwich girl wanted her own pretty

pink palace where she could play and imagine Debby wanted

it to be a cozy and safe place for her to play year-round

Customization and interior decoration helped make

Chezneyrsquos playhouse feel like her own little kingdom

ldquoWe made it look like a cute little dollhouserdquo she said ldquoWe

put furniture inside and a little stove fridge heater and TV

itrsquos just perfectrdquo

With the structure built to their liking Chezney and Debby

could enjoy decorating the inside to personalize the playhouse

For many customers putting on the finishing touches means

making the playhouse feel like home ndash you can add curtains

hang pictures buy furniture and appliances and landscape the

perimeter to make the outdoor space feel like a home away

from home

When the child grows out of their playhouse these items

can be easily removed to accommodate a secondary use for the

space

ldquoThe best thing that Denise did for me was explain how we

can use the playhouse for storage for stuff out in the yard after

Chezney has grown out of itrdquo Debby explained ldquoAlthough

she is only eight and will be using it for quite a few more

years this really makes it a good investment and looks

great in the backyardrdquo

Whether you choose a customized playhouse or a tradi-

tional shed thinking toward the future also ensures the

safety and longevity of the structure

Denise explained that placement is an important thing to

consider as you want to make sure the structure is in a safe

place and on an appropriate surface Most importantly the

playhouse must be built on a level even surface that isnrsquot

too high off of the ground

ldquoYou want it on a nice platformrdquo Denise explained

ldquoSome people use concrete but stone is better because it

allows moisture to seep down into the ground and away

from the structurerdquo

Most parents prefer that their playhouse is in the back-

yard where itrsquos easy to see from a window Placing the

structure in a shaded area is also a good idea it will be

cooler in the summer and less susceptible to the elements if

partially protected by trees

Debby had Chezneyrsquos playhouse built right next to her

swing set where she can be easily supervised

One last thing to consider when purchasing a playhouse

Simply Saratoga | 71

72 | Simply Saratoga

or shed for your child is how much effort

you want to put into maintaining it The

more ornate the structure the more care it

may need

Woodcock advises parents to preserve

their investment and treat the playhouse

like a miniature home

Think of it as a miniature house ndash the

structure requires regular maintenance

and upkeep to ensure your child will be

safe while enjoying years and years of

imaginative fun

With so many features and styles to

choose from yoursquore sure to find the best

for both you and your child

For more information about Versatile

Sheds or to set up a time to meet with

Denise Woodcock call (518) 584-7924

or stop by 669 Route 9 in Wilton sect

Simply Saratoga | 73

74 | Simply Saratoga

Kitchen

Not Your

Grandmarsquos

Story Written by Daniel Schechtman Photos Provided

ldquoAs you

walk into the kitchen

of the future LED

light projections adjust

to your mood - it will

know if you have a

hangover via sensors

that will read your

b r a i n w a v e s

Aromatherapy infused

walls will be synched

to your calendar calm-

ing you before a big

meeting or energizing you before a gym session The fridge will have selected some breakfast options identifying the essen-

tial vitamins for your day via sensors When you get home a hologram chef will be on hand for recipe inspirationrdquo

Alright so maybe your kitchen canrsquot do all of these things quite yet ndash but believe it or not wersquore getting there This is tomor-

rowrsquos kitchen a kitchen where your appliances donrsquot just store your food or wash your dishes ndash they talk to you providing you

with integral information on how to

best store your fruits and vegetables

letting you know if the refrigerator

door is open for too long or when a

part will soon need replacing

Simply Saratoga | 75

ldquoScience fictionrdquo I hear you say

Guess again Quoted from a report released by The Future Laboratory

who was commissioned by IKEA to determine what a modernkitchen in the year 2040 could conceivably look like

76 | Simply Saratoga

ldquoOne technology that really stands out to me is the

Miele Appliance Company Right now theyrsquore using a

program called lsquoremote visionrsquo On select applianceshellip

is a wireless card that clicks into a port on the back of

the appliance You synch it up with your home network

and it basically emails the technician and the owner

when itrsquos broken when you need to clean your condens-

er change your water filter or schedule a routine serv-

icerdquo said Tom Thibeault owner of Adirondack

Appliance Repair Inc located at 67 West Ave in

Saratoga Springs ldquoMaybe somebodyrsquos been opening the

[refrigerator] door for too long or the door was left open

ndash it will email you and tell you that your door is left

openrdquo

This is not your grandmarsquos kitchen This my friends

is the kitchen of the future and itrsquos available now

The 36 inch bottom-mount Miele refrigerator boasts a

striking interior featuring LED lighting running along

the sides from top to bottom stainless steel accents and

exteriors with control systems that would be comfort-

able alongside the captainrsquos chair on the Starship

Enterprise

Simply Saratoga | 77

ldquoThe controls in the Miele really stand out

Looking at the controls theyrsquore just a glass piece and

then once you touch it you see a few options for the

different compartments Then you touch the compart-

ment and the temperature is displayed so itrsquos kind of

like a Star Trek controlrdquo Thibeault said

And thatrsquos just the refrigerator

Adirondack Appliance has also seen brands such as

Wolf (a company owned by the same people who own

Sub-Zero) grow in popularity when it comes to their

range stoves and ovens The dual convection oven

works to eliminate cold spotting and provides consis-

tent even temperatures and even allows for unique

options such as proofing ndash used best when baking

homemade bread

ldquoIt also has a temperature probe you can plug into

things like a turkey or roast so you can see the temper-

ature while itrsquos still inside the machine It has

hydraulic hinges halogen lit interiors everything is

composed of stainless steel and itrsquos by far one of the

best lines on the marketrdquo Thibeault said

A new line coming to Adirondack Appliance that

features some amazing technology is a series of Pro-

Style Ranges produced by industry giant Jenn-Air

ldquoThat actually has an LCD touch

screen like an IPAD for the controls The

temperature is set by sliding your finger

along the controls Itrsquos all color backlit and

absolutely amazingrdquo Thibeault said

ldquoAnother thing we have to that same

effect are some of the hoods which have

really been getting pretty out there as far as

design We have one on our floor [by Miele]

that has an LED bar on the front which

changes in phases between 196000 colors

Itrsquos a very delicate change very pretty and

coolrdquo Thibeault said adding ldquoor you can set

it to any color in that spectrum yoursquod like to

accent your cabinetryrdquo

When it comes to dishwashers Thibeault

can attest to the quality of both the Asko and

Miele brands both of which he uses in his

own home And good news for Saratoga

Springs residents ndash

ldquoIn our market in

Saratoga we have a

very hard water base

whether yoursquore on a well

system or city waterrdquo

Thibeault said ldquoSo you

get a lot of minerals in

the machine With the

stainless steel interiors it

eliminates a lot of prob-

lems generally seen with

plastic interior tubs and

usually they are the best

life expectanciesrdquo

78 | Simply Saratoga

Asko and Mieleare practically custom made to handle the

arearsquos typicallymineral rich water

Simply Saratoga | 79

The Asko brand dishwasher takes things one step

further including two pumps in the washerrsquos system

The first pump filters the water cleansing it of poten-

tially harmful minerals while the second pump recircu-

lates the water ensuring that the machine is never

blasting your dishes with food debris or dirty residue

With Miele the design features a built-in water sof-

tener perfect for dealing with the Saratoga water

system

ldquoTypically the Miele is going to do a better job with

tougher baked in stainsrdquo said Thibeault ldquobecause itrsquos

got the softener in it and a little bit longer pots and pans

cyclerdquo

80 | Simply Saratoga

Adirondack Appliance Repair Inc is a fami-

ly-owned business since 1929 and the last inde-

pendent appliance retailer of its kind in Saratoga

Springs With $6 billion of buying power behind

their name (a benefit of being part of the Nation

Wide Appliance Buying Group) Thibeault

promised ldquowe can actually price match the box

stores and everybody else around all while pro-

viding you with better service and better

productsrdquo

For more information on AdirondackAppliance or the products they sell you mayvisit their showroom located at 67 West Avenuein Saratoga Springs for live demonstrationsThey can also be reached by phone at (518)587-6640 or you may visit them at their newwebsite wwwadkappliancecom where cus-tomers can browse through the storersquos entirecatalogue of appliances

sect

Simply Saratoga | 81

82 | Simply Saratoga

Page 54: Simply Saratoga March 2011

apply a time-released fertilizersuch as Plant-Tone(organic) orOsmocote to heavy

feeding perennials five to six weeks afterthe earlier granular fertilizer applicationMost plants do not need as much fertilizeras we are led in advertising to believe I amstingy with my money and maintenancetime so only a handful of plants get thisbonus feed Astilbe Delphinium Liliums (ieAsiatic Oriental Trumpet) Clematis androses If I am feeling generous I will putsome on my Bigleaf Hydrangeas next to theroses Call me heartlessJust scratch fertilizer intothe top couple inchesof soil around theplantrsquos base and waterin well They will enjoy anutritious snack forthree to four months

apply mulch ongarden beds toreduce weedsconserve moisture

reduce erosion minimize soil temperaturefluctuations and enhance the quality ofthe soil Some mulching materials includeaged manures compost shredded wood(not dyed) leaf moldand cocoa hulls Putthe mulch down 2rdquo to3rdquo thick around plantsincluding floweringshrubs

build up mulchagainst plant stems

And please please donrsquot create volcanomounds around trees Please This is awfulfor them The only ones that benefit fromthis are the people selling the mulch

56 | Simply Saratoga

DONrsquoT

DO

DO

rubber band orbraid the foliage ofspring bloomingbulbs after they fin-ish flowering You

want as much leaf surface exposed to thesun as possible to increase photosynthesisYou can press the leaves down next to thesoil so they are less noticeable

Simply Saratoga | 57

sect

And finally DO have a great year in

your gardens and DONrsquoT forget to

take time to smell the roses

DONrsquoT

DONrsquoT

cut off the spentblooms and stems onspring blooming bulbsafter they have flow-ered so energy is redirected to the bulbsversus seed productions Keep the leaves inplace until they have browned and ideallycan be pulled from the ground by hand

put time-released fertil-izer on perennials thatprefer lean dietsRicher soil just upsetstheir vascular systemsThey will get leggy flop and not perform tosnuff Yarrow Coneflower Catmint RussianSage Linum Sea Holly and Silvermound are inthe group

DO

For more information contact Perennially Yours at pyourscom

58 | Simply Saratoga

Ill mination

Exterior Stonework

an

d

Story Written by Arthur Gonick Photos Provided

u

Simply Saratoga | 59

To develop and implement an exterior vista that maximizes your enjoyment To have a backyard landscape that is warm inviting and uniquely yours

These are goals that many homeowners have when they first move onto their property But unless you are trained in the variety ofmaterials and options available the task of getting past the point of comparing possibilities to completing and actually enjoying yourbackyard paradise can appear to be a long daunting road

For Carl Trinkle a landscape designer for ten years with the Gallivan Companies of Troy one of the key elements in a successfultransformation is utilizing a professionalrsquos expertise to articulate goals and develop a plan

ldquoThe most important thing we do when we first meet with a client is to get them to discuss their basic needs and aims and encouragethem to formulate an overall vision for their property An initial consultation sets the tone we make an initial visit on-site to look overthe property so we can have an idea as to where things might be placedrdquo

ldquoDuring this intake process we actually encourage people to show us photos of their friendrsquos property that they like or perhaps froma magazine It helps most people to articulate the goals of what they would like to see as a finished projectrdquo Trinkle said ldquoEven if they are looking to do things in phases we find that it is most important to develop a comprehensive site planrdquo This eliminates the need to revise original phases of work to accommodate those that come in the future

60 | Simply Saratoga

that Mr Trinkle finds potential customers identifying with aredesigned to extend the outdoor season ldquoA few extra weeks outside isa lotrdquo he said

add-ons also extend outside activity each day Low voltage lighting is still the most popular but recently LED lighting with longer-lasting bulbs that involve less maintenance and are cost-efficienthave become more fashionable

The latest trends

stations fire pits and waterenhancements such as ponds andwaterfalls are the most frequentlyrequested items that broaden theoutdoor use season

Outdoor grill

Exterior lighting

Simply Saratoga | 61

And of course swimming pool projects have always been a most-requested

item Fifty percent of allthe projects Mr Trinkleworks on involve a pooleither a completely new installation or enhance-ments to existing poolsGallivanrsquos long-standingrelationship withConcord Pools has beena hallmark in assuringthat customers are satis-fied when their pool isput in the ground

62 | Simply Saratoga

In most cases a comprehensive plancan be developed for any project in about a period of twoweeks Complete drawings and cost breakdowns are provid-ed as well as the projected phases that can be completed injust a few months or on larger projects can be scheduled insegments over a few years These are reviewed in personwith the customer again the goal being to have a plan thateveryone buys into

Simply Saratoga | 63

ldquoWe have had projects where the customer has wanted tohave a lot of input and we welcome that But we also hadone where the client was out of town and we built a firepit and slide for his wife and kids and our only instructions were to dazzle themI remember it as a most satisfying experience and we ended up winning awards for that onerdquo

- Carl Trinkle Landscape DesignerThe Gallivan Companies

64 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 65

ldquoI get to work using my creativity with talented people Some of the most talented are those

I meet as customersrdquo sect

For more information or to schedule aconsultation phone Gallivan Companies at(518) 271-6100 Gallivanrsquos website iswwwGallivanCompaniescom

66 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 67

Buying a playhouse for your child is an excellent investment

They promote imaginative play and spending time outdoors and

double as storage space when no longer used for recreation

Denise Woodcock owner of Versatile Sheds in Wilton has

been helping parents and grandparents customize their childrsquos or

grandchildrsquos dream playhouses for years

ldquoThey make great gifts especially for grandparents who want

their grandkids to have their own place to play when they visitrdquo

she said

Playhouses are a great addition to a childrsquos outdoor world

They come in all shapes sizes and designs and can be custom-

built or finished if you donrsquot find exactly what yoursquore looking for

in a catalog or on the lot

Every child is different and has their own preferences for color

size and function boys and girls often have especially different

requests for their play space as do younger and more mature chil-

dren so therersquos a lot to consider

Denise knows how even the finest detail can be all it takes to

make an outdoor structure feel like a childrsquos own personal space

While it may seem superfluous to address every minor demand

the truth is a playhouse is more than just an expensive toy itrsquos an

investment The more your child connects with their space the more

use theyrsquoll get out of it ndash and according to Denise that means your

money is well spent

Smartest WayThe

playhouse for your kidsto buy a

Photos by MarkBollescomStory by Yael Goldman

68 | Simply Saratoga

With this in mind prospective buyers should first consider

who will use the playhouse and for how long as well as what

happens when the structure is no longer used for recreation

Versatile Sheds can help even the most discerning parent or

child find what theyrsquore looking for Every playhouse is hand-

built by Amish craftsmen who can accommodate almost any

special request at an additional cost so the possibilities are

endless inside and out

Cedar shingle or vinyl siding wood stone or brick ndash if you

can use it on the outside of your regular home it can be inte-

grated into your playhousersquos design Playhouses can be built

to look like a miniature version of your home which is an

excellent touch for parents that are particularly concerned

with aesthetics Porches shutters flowerboxes unique doors

chimneys and exterior lighting are just a few of the touches

that can brighten and personalize the exterior

Individualizing your childrsquos playhouse doesnrsquot stop at the

front door There are just as many interior features to choose

from ndash you can let your imagination run wild

For starters you have the option to order the playhouse

with a finished or unfinished interior The unfinished version

looks a lot like the inside of a regular home before you move

in paint the walls and furnish the rooms

Buying an unfinished structure is a great way to cut costs

and even bring the family together over a weekend decorating

project The possibilities are endless depending on how handy

you are otherwise a few coats of paint and a bit of carpeting

will surely do the trick

Although a bit pricey purchasing a playhouse with a fin-

ished interior ensures that your child gets exactly what they

want right off the bat They can pick everything from the paint

color to the flooring so the playhouse is move-in ready on the

day it arrives

Playhouses can also be insulated and wired for electricity

You can install lighting electrical outlets even heat or air-

conditioning to make your childrsquos outdoor space as comfort-

able as possible

And the options donrsquot end there Traditional sheds also dou-

ble as playhouses For some parents purchasing an adult-size

shed for their children is an ideal way to get the best return on

their investment Once their children grow out of it the struc-

ture can be used for outdoor storage With just as many styles

sizes and materials to choose from you can customize the

interior and exterior of your shed just as you would a play-

house but without all of the more frivolous features

ldquoAny shed can be a playhouserdquo Woodcock said explaining

how a custom paint job or flowerbox can transform a typical

storage unit into childrsquos outdoor activity haven

For example if purchasing a wood shed the exterior can be

easily painted and repainted when making the transition from

playhouse to storage space

For Denisersquos customers getting their moneyrsquos worth should

not have to mean making sacrifices

Simply Saratoga | 69

70 | Simply Saratoga

When Debby Trainor made the decision to buy her grand-

daughter Chezneyrsquos dream house she wanted it to have all the

bells and whistles She met with Denise to go over all the cri-

teria the goal was to buy the perfect gift for Chezney while

staying within her budget

The eight-year-old Greenwich girl wanted her own pretty

pink palace where she could play and imagine Debby wanted

it to be a cozy and safe place for her to play year-round

Customization and interior decoration helped make

Chezneyrsquos playhouse feel like her own little kingdom

ldquoWe made it look like a cute little dollhouserdquo she said ldquoWe

put furniture inside and a little stove fridge heater and TV

itrsquos just perfectrdquo

With the structure built to their liking Chezney and Debby

could enjoy decorating the inside to personalize the playhouse

For many customers putting on the finishing touches means

making the playhouse feel like home ndash you can add curtains

hang pictures buy furniture and appliances and landscape the

perimeter to make the outdoor space feel like a home away

from home

When the child grows out of their playhouse these items

can be easily removed to accommodate a secondary use for the

space

ldquoThe best thing that Denise did for me was explain how we

can use the playhouse for storage for stuff out in the yard after

Chezney has grown out of itrdquo Debby explained ldquoAlthough

she is only eight and will be using it for quite a few more

years this really makes it a good investment and looks

great in the backyardrdquo

Whether you choose a customized playhouse or a tradi-

tional shed thinking toward the future also ensures the

safety and longevity of the structure

Denise explained that placement is an important thing to

consider as you want to make sure the structure is in a safe

place and on an appropriate surface Most importantly the

playhouse must be built on a level even surface that isnrsquot

too high off of the ground

ldquoYou want it on a nice platformrdquo Denise explained

ldquoSome people use concrete but stone is better because it

allows moisture to seep down into the ground and away

from the structurerdquo

Most parents prefer that their playhouse is in the back-

yard where itrsquos easy to see from a window Placing the

structure in a shaded area is also a good idea it will be

cooler in the summer and less susceptible to the elements if

partially protected by trees

Debby had Chezneyrsquos playhouse built right next to her

swing set where she can be easily supervised

One last thing to consider when purchasing a playhouse

Simply Saratoga | 71

72 | Simply Saratoga

or shed for your child is how much effort

you want to put into maintaining it The

more ornate the structure the more care it

may need

Woodcock advises parents to preserve

their investment and treat the playhouse

like a miniature home

Think of it as a miniature house ndash the

structure requires regular maintenance

and upkeep to ensure your child will be

safe while enjoying years and years of

imaginative fun

With so many features and styles to

choose from yoursquore sure to find the best

for both you and your child

For more information about Versatile

Sheds or to set up a time to meet with

Denise Woodcock call (518) 584-7924

or stop by 669 Route 9 in Wilton sect

Simply Saratoga | 73

74 | Simply Saratoga

Kitchen

Not Your

Grandmarsquos

Story Written by Daniel Schechtman Photos Provided

ldquoAs you

walk into the kitchen

of the future LED

light projections adjust

to your mood - it will

know if you have a

hangover via sensors

that will read your

b r a i n w a v e s

Aromatherapy infused

walls will be synched

to your calendar calm-

ing you before a big

meeting or energizing you before a gym session The fridge will have selected some breakfast options identifying the essen-

tial vitamins for your day via sensors When you get home a hologram chef will be on hand for recipe inspirationrdquo

Alright so maybe your kitchen canrsquot do all of these things quite yet ndash but believe it or not wersquore getting there This is tomor-

rowrsquos kitchen a kitchen where your appliances donrsquot just store your food or wash your dishes ndash they talk to you providing you

with integral information on how to

best store your fruits and vegetables

letting you know if the refrigerator

door is open for too long or when a

part will soon need replacing

Simply Saratoga | 75

ldquoScience fictionrdquo I hear you say

Guess again Quoted from a report released by The Future Laboratory

who was commissioned by IKEA to determine what a modernkitchen in the year 2040 could conceivably look like

76 | Simply Saratoga

ldquoOne technology that really stands out to me is the

Miele Appliance Company Right now theyrsquore using a

program called lsquoremote visionrsquo On select applianceshellip

is a wireless card that clicks into a port on the back of

the appliance You synch it up with your home network

and it basically emails the technician and the owner

when itrsquos broken when you need to clean your condens-

er change your water filter or schedule a routine serv-

icerdquo said Tom Thibeault owner of Adirondack

Appliance Repair Inc located at 67 West Ave in

Saratoga Springs ldquoMaybe somebodyrsquos been opening the

[refrigerator] door for too long or the door was left open

ndash it will email you and tell you that your door is left

openrdquo

This is not your grandmarsquos kitchen This my friends

is the kitchen of the future and itrsquos available now

The 36 inch bottom-mount Miele refrigerator boasts a

striking interior featuring LED lighting running along

the sides from top to bottom stainless steel accents and

exteriors with control systems that would be comfort-

able alongside the captainrsquos chair on the Starship

Enterprise

Simply Saratoga | 77

ldquoThe controls in the Miele really stand out

Looking at the controls theyrsquore just a glass piece and

then once you touch it you see a few options for the

different compartments Then you touch the compart-

ment and the temperature is displayed so itrsquos kind of

like a Star Trek controlrdquo Thibeault said

And thatrsquos just the refrigerator

Adirondack Appliance has also seen brands such as

Wolf (a company owned by the same people who own

Sub-Zero) grow in popularity when it comes to their

range stoves and ovens The dual convection oven

works to eliminate cold spotting and provides consis-

tent even temperatures and even allows for unique

options such as proofing ndash used best when baking

homemade bread

ldquoIt also has a temperature probe you can plug into

things like a turkey or roast so you can see the temper-

ature while itrsquos still inside the machine It has

hydraulic hinges halogen lit interiors everything is

composed of stainless steel and itrsquos by far one of the

best lines on the marketrdquo Thibeault said

A new line coming to Adirondack Appliance that

features some amazing technology is a series of Pro-

Style Ranges produced by industry giant Jenn-Air

ldquoThat actually has an LCD touch

screen like an IPAD for the controls The

temperature is set by sliding your finger

along the controls Itrsquos all color backlit and

absolutely amazingrdquo Thibeault said

ldquoAnother thing we have to that same

effect are some of the hoods which have

really been getting pretty out there as far as

design We have one on our floor [by Miele]

that has an LED bar on the front which

changes in phases between 196000 colors

Itrsquos a very delicate change very pretty and

coolrdquo Thibeault said adding ldquoor you can set

it to any color in that spectrum yoursquod like to

accent your cabinetryrdquo

When it comes to dishwashers Thibeault

can attest to the quality of both the Asko and

Miele brands both of which he uses in his

own home And good news for Saratoga

Springs residents ndash

ldquoIn our market in

Saratoga we have a

very hard water base

whether yoursquore on a well

system or city waterrdquo

Thibeault said ldquoSo you

get a lot of minerals in

the machine With the

stainless steel interiors it

eliminates a lot of prob-

lems generally seen with

plastic interior tubs and

usually they are the best

life expectanciesrdquo

78 | Simply Saratoga

Asko and Mieleare practically custom made to handle the

arearsquos typicallymineral rich water

Simply Saratoga | 79

The Asko brand dishwasher takes things one step

further including two pumps in the washerrsquos system

The first pump filters the water cleansing it of poten-

tially harmful minerals while the second pump recircu-

lates the water ensuring that the machine is never

blasting your dishes with food debris or dirty residue

With Miele the design features a built-in water sof-

tener perfect for dealing with the Saratoga water

system

ldquoTypically the Miele is going to do a better job with

tougher baked in stainsrdquo said Thibeault ldquobecause itrsquos

got the softener in it and a little bit longer pots and pans

cyclerdquo

80 | Simply Saratoga

Adirondack Appliance Repair Inc is a fami-

ly-owned business since 1929 and the last inde-

pendent appliance retailer of its kind in Saratoga

Springs With $6 billion of buying power behind

their name (a benefit of being part of the Nation

Wide Appliance Buying Group) Thibeault

promised ldquowe can actually price match the box

stores and everybody else around all while pro-

viding you with better service and better

productsrdquo

For more information on AdirondackAppliance or the products they sell you mayvisit their showroom located at 67 West Avenuein Saratoga Springs for live demonstrationsThey can also be reached by phone at (518)587-6640 or you may visit them at their newwebsite wwwadkappliancecom where cus-tomers can browse through the storersquos entirecatalogue of appliances

sect

Simply Saratoga | 81

82 | Simply Saratoga

Page 55: Simply Saratoga March 2011

rubber band orbraid the foliage ofspring bloomingbulbs after they fin-ish flowering You

want as much leaf surface exposed to thesun as possible to increase photosynthesisYou can press the leaves down next to thesoil so they are less noticeable

Simply Saratoga | 57

sect

And finally DO have a great year in

your gardens and DONrsquoT forget to

take time to smell the roses

DONrsquoT

DONrsquoT

cut off the spentblooms and stems onspring blooming bulbsafter they have flow-ered so energy is redirected to the bulbsversus seed productions Keep the leaves inplace until they have browned and ideallycan be pulled from the ground by hand

put time-released fertil-izer on perennials thatprefer lean dietsRicher soil just upsetstheir vascular systemsThey will get leggy flop and not perform tosnuff Yarrow Coneflower Catmint RussianSage Linum Sea Holly and Silvermound are inthe group

DO

For more information contact Perennially Yours at pyourscom

58 | Simply Saratoga

Ill mination

Exterior Stonework

an

d

Story Written by Arthur Gonick Photos Provided

u

Simply Saratoga | 59

To develop and implement an exterior vista that maximizes your enjoyment To have a backyard landscape that is warm inviting and uniquely yours

These are goals that many homeowners have when they first move onto their property But unless you are trained in the variety ofmaterials and options available the task of getting past the point of comparing possibilities to completing and actually enjoying yourbackyard paradise can appear to be a long daunting road

For Carl Trinkle a landscape designer for ten years with the Gallivan Companies of Troy one of the key elements in a successfultransformation is utilizing a professionalrsquos expertise to articulate goals and develop a plan

ldquoThe most important thing we do when we first meet with a client is to get them to discuss their basic needs and aims and encouragethem to formulate an overall vision for their property An initial consultation sets the tone we make an initial visit on-site to look overthe property so we can have an idea as to where things might be placedrdquo

ldquoDuring this intake process we actually encourage people to show us photos of their friendrsquos property that they like or perhaps froma magazine It helps most people to articulate the goals of what they would like to see as a finished projectrdquo Trinkle said ldquoEven if they are looking to do things in phases we find that it is most important to develop a comprehensive site planrdquo This eliminates the need to revise original phases of work to accommodate those that come in the future

60 | Simply Saratoga

that Mr Trinkle finds potential customers identifying with aredesigned to extend the outdoor season ldquoA few extra weeks outside isa lotrdquo he said

add-ons also extend outside activity each day Low voltage lighting is still the most popular but recently LED lighting with longer-lasting bulbs that involve less maintenance and are cost-efficienthave become more fashionable

The latest trends

stations fire pits and waterenhancements such as ponds andwaterfalls are the most frequentlyrequested items that broaden theoutdoor use season

Outdoor grill

Exterior lighting

Simply Saratoga | 61

And of course swimming pool projects have always been a most-requested

item Fifty percent of allthe projects Mr Trinkleworks on involve a pooleither a completely new installation or enhance-ments to existing poolsGallivanrsquos long-standingrelationship withConcord Pools has beena hallmark in assuringthat customers are satis-fied when their pool isput in the ground

62 | Simply Saratoga

In most cases a comprehensive plancan be developed for any project in about a period of twoweeks Complete drawings and cost breakdowns are provid-ed as well as the projected phases that can be completed injust a few months or on larger projects can be scheduled insegments over a few years These are reviewed in personwith the customer again the goal being to have a plan thateveryone buys into

Simply Saratoga | 63

ldquoWe have had projects where the customer has wanted tohave a lot of input and we welcome that But we also hadone where the client was out of town and we built a firepit and slide for his wife and kids and our only instructions were to dazzle themI remember it as a most satisfying experience and we ended up winning awards for that onerdquo

- Carl Trinkle Landscape DesignerThe Gallivan Companies

64 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 65

ldquoI get to work using my creativity with talented people Some of the most talented are those

I meet as customersrdquo sect

For more information or to schedule aconsultation phone Gallivan Companies at(518) 271-6100 Gallivanrsquos website iswwwGallivanCompaniescom

66 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 67

Buying a playhouse for your child is an excellent investment

They promote imaginative play and spending time outdoors and

double as storage space when no longer used for recreation

Denise Woodcock owner of Versatile Sheds in Wilton has

been helping parents and grandparents customize their childrsquos or

grandchildrsquos dream playhouses for years

ldquoThey make great gifts especially for grandparents who want

their grandkids to have their own place to play when they visitrdquo

she said

Playhouses are a great addition to a childrsquos outdoor world

They come in all shapes sizes and designs and can be custom-

built or finished if you donrsquot find exactly what yoursquore looking for

in a catalog or on the lot

Every child is different and has their own preferences for color

size and function boys and girls often have especially different

requests for their play space as do younger and more mature chil-

dren so therersquos a lot to consider

Denise knows how even the finest detail can be all it takes to

make an outdoor structure feel like a childrsquos own personal space

While it may seem superfluous to address every minor demand

the truth is a playhouse is more than just an expensive toy itrsquos an

investment The more your child connects with their space the more

use theyrsquoll get out of it ndash and according to Denise that means your

money is well spent

Smartest WayThe

playhouse for your kidsto buy a

Photos by MarkBollescomStory by Yael Goldman

68 | Simply Saratoga

With this in mind prospective buyers should first consider

who will use the playhouse and for how long as well as what

happens when the structure is no longer used for recreation

Versatile Sheds can help even the most discerning parent or

child find what theyrsquore looking for Every playhouse is hand-

built by Amish craftsmen who can accommodate almost any

special request at an additional cost so the possibilities are

endless inside and out

Cedar shingle or vinyl siding wood stone or brick ndash if you

can use it on the outside of your regular home it can be inte-

grated into your playhousersquos design Playhouses can be built

to look like a miniature version of your home which is an

excellent touch for parents that are particularly concerned

with aesthetics Porches shutters flowerboxes unique doors

chimneys and exterior lighting are just a few of the touches

that can brighten and personalize the exterior

Individualizing your childrsquos playhouse doesnrsquot stop at the

front door There are just as many interior features to choose

from ndash you can let your imagination run wild

For starters you have the option to order the playhouse

with a finished or unfinished interior The unfinished version

looks a lot like the inside of a regular home before you move

in paint the walls and furnish the rooms

Buying an unfinished structure is a great way to cut costs

and even bring the family together over a weekend decorating

project The possibilities are endless depending on how handy

you are otherwise a few coats of paint and a bit of carpeting

will surely do the trick

Although a bit pricey purchasing a playhouse with a fin-

ished interior ensures that your child gets exactly what they

want right off the bat They can pick everything from the paint

color to the flooring so the playhouse is move-in ready on the

day it arrives

Playhouses can also be insulated and wired for electricity

You can install lighting electrical outlets even heat or air-

conditioning to make your childrsquos outdoor space as comfort-

able as possible

And the options donrsquot end there Traditional sheds also dou-

ble as playhouses For some parents purchasing an adult-size

shed for their children is an ideal way to get the best return on

their investment Once their children grow out of it the struc-

ture can be used for outdoor storage With just as many styles

sizes and materials to choose from you can customize the

interior and exterior of your shed just as you would a play-

house but without all of the more frivolous features

ldquoAny shed can be a playhouserdquo Woodcock said explaining

how a custom paint job or flowerbox can transform a typical

storage unit into childrsquos outdoor activity haven

For example if purchasing a wood shed the exterior can be

easily painted and repainted when making the transition from

playhouse to storage space

For Denisersquos customers getting their moneyrsquos worth should

not have to mean making sacrifices

Simply Saratoga | 69

70 | Simply Saratoga

When Debby Trainor made the decision to buy her grand-

daughter Chezneyrsquos dream house she wanted it to have all the

bells and whistles She met with Denise to go over all the cri-

teria the goal was to buy the perfect gift for Chezney while

staying within her budget

The eight-year-old Greenwich girl wanted her own pretty

pink palace where she could play and imagine Debby wanted

it to be a cozy and safe place for her to play year-round

Customization and interior decoration helped make

Chezneyrsquos playhouse feel like her own little kingdom

ldquoWe made it look like a cute little dollhouserdquo she said ldquoWe

put furniture inside and a little stove fridge heater and TV

itrsquos just perfectrdquo

With the structure built to their liking Chezney and Debby

could enjoy decorating the inside to personalize the playhouse

For many customers putting on the finishing touches means

making the playhouse feel like home ndash you can add curtains

hang pictures buy furniture and appliances and landscape the

perimeter to make the outdoor space feel like a home away

from home

When the child grows out of their playhouse these items

can be easily removed to accommodate a secondary use for the

space

ldquoThe best thing that Denise did for me was explain how we

can use the playhouse for storage for stuff out in the yard after

Chezney has grown out of itrdquo Debby explained ldquoAlthough

she is only eight and will be using it for quite a few more

years this really makes it a good investment and looks

great in the backyardrdquo

Whether you choose a customized playhouse or a tradi-

tional shed thinking toward the future also ensures the

safety and longevity of the structure

Denise explained that placement is an important thing to

consider as you want to make sure the structure is in a safe

place and on an appropriate surface Most importantly the

playhouse must be built on a level even surface that isnrsquot

too high off of the ground

ldquoYou want it on a nice platformrdquo Denise explained

ldquoSome people use concrete but stone is better because it

allows moisture to seep down into the ground and away

from the structurerdquo

Most parents prefer that their playhouse is in the back-

yard where itrsquos easy to see from a window Placing the

structure in a shaded area is also a good idea it will be

cooler in the summer and less susceptible to the elements if

partially protected by trees

Debby had Chezneyrsquos playhouse built right next to her

swing set where she can be easily supervised

One last thing to consider when purchasing a playhouse

Simply Saratoga | 71

72 | Simply Saratoga

or shed for your child is how much effort

you want to put into maintaining it The

more ornate the structure the more care it

may need

Woodcock advises parents to preserve

their investment and treat the playhouse

like a miniature home

Think of it as a miniature house ndash the

structure requires regular maintenance

and upkeep to ensure your child will be

safe while enjoying years and years of

imaginative fun

With so many features and styles to

choose from yoursquore sure to find the best

for both you and your child

For more information about Versatile

Sheds or to set up a time to meet with

Denise Woodcock call (518) 584-7924

or stop by 669 Route 9 in Wilton sect

Simply Saratoga | 73

74 | Simply Saratoga

Kitchen

Not Your

Grandmarsquos

Story Written by Daniel Schechtman Photos Provided

ldquoAs you

walk into the kitchen

of the future LED

light projections adjust

to your mood - it will

know if you have a

hangover via sensors

that will read your

b r a i n w a v e s

Aromatherapy infused

walls will be synched

to your calendar calm-

ing you before a big

meeting or energizing you before a gym session The fridge will have selected some breakfast options identifying the essen-

tial vitamins for your day via sensors When you get home a hologram chef will be on hand for recipe inspirationrdquo

Alright so maybe your kitchen canrsquot do all of these things quite yet ndash but believe it or not wersquore getting there This is tomor-

rowrsquos kitchen a kitchen where your appliances donrsquot just store your food or wash your dishes ndash they talk to you providing you

with integral information on how to

best store your fruits and vegetables

letting you know if the refrigerator

door is open for too long or when a

part will soon need replacing

Simply Saratoga | 75

ldquoScience fictionrdquo I hear you say

Guess again Quoted from a report released by The Future Laboratory

who was commissioned by IKEA to determine what a modernkitchen in the year 2040 could conceivably look like

76 | Simply Saratoga

ldquoOne technology that really stands out to me is the

Miele Appliance Company Right now theyrsquore using a

program called lsquoremote visionrsquo On select applianceshellip

is a wireless card that clicks into a port on the back of

the appliance You synch it up with your home network

and it basically emails the technician and the owner

when itrsquos broken when you need to clean your condens-

er change your water filter or schedule a routine serv-

icerdquo said Tom Thibeault owner of Adirondack

Appliance Repair Inc located at 67 West Ave in

Saratoga Springs ldquoMaybe somebodyrsquos been opening the

[refrigerator] door for too long or the door was left open

ndash it will email you and tell you that your door is left

openrdquo

This is not your grandmarsquos kitchen This my friends

is the kitchen of the future and itrsquos available now

The 36 inch bottom-mount Miele refrigerator boasts a

striking interior featuring LED lighting running along

the sides from top to bottom stainless steel accents and

exteriors with control systems that would be comfort-

able alongside the captainrsquos chair on the Starship

Enterprise

Simply Saratoga | 77

ldquoThe controls in the Miele really stand out

Looking at the controls theyrsquore just a glass piece and

then once you touch it you see a few options for the

different compartments Then you touch the compart-

ment and the temperature is displayed so itrsquos kind of

like a Star Trek controlrdquo Thibeault said

And thatrsquos just the refrigerator

Adirondack Appliance has also seen brands such as

Wolf (a company owned by the same people who own

Sub-Zero) grow in popularity when it comes to their

range stoves and ovens The dual convection oven

works to eliminate cold spotting and provides consis-

tent even temperatures and even allows for unique

options such as proofing ndash used best when baking

homemade bread

ldquoIt also has a temperature probe you can plug into

things like a turkey or roast so you can see the temper-

ature while itrsquos still inside the machine It has

hydraulic hinges halogen lit interiors everything is

composed of stainless steel and itrsquos by far one of the

best lines on the marketrdquo Thibeault said

A new line coming to Adirondack Appliance that

features some amazing technology is a series of Pro-

Style Ranges produced by industry giant Jenn-Air

ldquoThat actually has an LCD touch

screen like an IPAD for the controls The

temperature is set by sliding your finger

along the controls Itrsquos all color backlit and

absolutely amazingrdquo Thibeault said

ldquoAnother thing we have to that same

effect are some of the hoods which have

really been getting pretty out there as far as

design We have one on our floor [by Miele]

that has an LED bar on the front which

changes in phases between 196000 colors

Itrsquos a very delicate change very pretty and

coolrdquo Thibeault said adding ldquoor you can set

it to any color in that spectrum yoursquod like to

accent your cabinetryrdquo

When it comes to dishwashers Thibeault

can attest to the quality of both the Asko and

Miele brands both of which he uses in his

own home And good news for Saratoga

Springs residents ndash

ldquoIn our market in

Saratoga we have a

very hard water base

whether yoursquore on a well

system or city waterrdquo

Thibeault said ldquoSo you

get a lot of minerals in

the machine With the

stainless steel interiors it

eliminates a lot of prob-

lems generally seen with

plastic interior tubs and

usually they are the best

life expectanciesrdquo

78 | Simply Saratoga

Asko and Mieleare practically custom made to handle the

arearsquos typicallymineral rich water

Simply Saratoga | 79

The Asko brand dishwasher takes things one step

further including two pumps in the washerrsquos system

The first pump filters the water cleansing it of poten-

tially harmful minerals while the second pump recircu-

lates the water ensuring that the machine is never

blasting your dishes with food debris or dirty residue

With Miele the design features a built-in water sof-

tener perfect for dealing with the Saratoga water

system

ldquoTypically the Miele is going to do a better job with

tougher baked in stainsrdquo said Thibeault ldquobecause itrsquos

got the softener in it and a little bit longer pots and pans

cyclerdquo

80 | Simply Saratoga

Adirondack Appliance Repair Inc is a fami-

ly-owned business since 1929 and the last inde-

pendent appliance retailer of its kind in Saratoga

Springs With $6 billion of buying power behind

their name (a benefit of being part of the Nation

Wide Appliance Buying Group) Thibeault

promised ldquowe can actually price match the box

stores and everybody else around all while pro-

viding you with better service and better

productsrdquo

For more information on AdirondackAppliance or the products they sell you mayvisit their showroom located at 67 West Avenuein Saratoga Springs for live demonstrationsThey can also be reached by phone at (518)587-6640 or you may visit them at their newwebsite wwwadkappliancecom where cus-tomers can browse through the storersquos entirecatalogue of appliances

sect

Simply Saratoga | 81

82 | Simply Saratoga

Page 56: Simply Saratoga March 2011

58 | Simply Saratoga

Ill mination

Exterior Stonework

an

d

Story Written by Arthur Gonick Photos Provided

u

Simply Saratoga | 59

To develop and implement an exterior vista that maximizes your enjoyment To have a backyard landscape that is warm inviting and uniquely yours

These are goals that many homeowners have when they first move onto their property But unless you are trained in the variety ofmaterials and options available the task of getting past the point of comparing possibilities to completing and actually enjoying yourbackyard paradise can appear to be a long daunting road

For Carl Trinkle a landscape designer for ten years with the Gallivan Companies of Troy one of the key elements in a successfultransformation is utilizing a professionalrsquos expertise to articulate goals and develop a plan

ldquoThe most important thing we do when we first meet with a client is to get them to discuss their basic needs and aims and encouragethem to formulate an overall vision for their property An initial consultation sets the tone we make an initial visit on-site to look overthe property so we can have an idea as to where things might be placedrdquo

ldquoDuring this intake process we actually encourage people to show us photos of their friendrsquos property that they like or perhaps froma magazine It helps most people to articulate the goals of what they would like to see as a finished projectrdquo Trinkle said ldquoEven if they are looking to do things in phases we find that it is most important to develop a comprehensive site planrdquo This eliminates the need to revise original phases of work to accommodate those that come in the future

60 | Simply Saratoga

that Mr Trinkle finds potential customers identifying with aredesigned to extend the outdoor season ldquoA few extra weeks outside isa lotrdquo he said

add-ons also extend outside activity each day Low voltage lighting is still the most popular but recently LED lighting with longer-lasting bulbs that involve less maintenance and are cost-efficienthave become more fashionable

The latest trends

stations fire pits and waterenhancements such as ponds andwaterfalls are the most frequentlyrequested items that broaden theoutdoor use season

Outdoor grill

Exterior lighting

Simply Saratoga | 61

And of course swimming pool projects have always been a most-requested

item Fifty percent of allthe projects Mr Trinkleworks on involve a pooleither a completely new installation or enhance-ments to existing poolsGallivanrsquos long-standingrelationship withConcord Pools has beena hallmark in assuringthat customers are satis-fied when their pool isput in the ground

62 | Simply Saratoga

In most cases a comprehensive plancan be developed for any project in about a period of twoweeks Complete drawings and cost breakdowns are provid-ed as well as the projected phases that can be completed injust a few months or on larger projects can be scheduled insegments over a few years These are reviewed in personwith the customer again the goal being to have a plan thateveryone buys into

Simply Saratoga | 63

ldquoWe have had projects where the customer has wanted tohave a lot of input and we welcome that But we also hadone where the client was out of town and we built a firepit and slide for his wife and kids and our only instructions were to dazzle themI remember it as a most satisfying experience and we ended up winning awards for that onerdquo

- Carl Trinkle Landscape DesignerThe Gallivan Companies

64 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 65

ldquoI get to work using my creativity with talented people Some of the most talented are those

I meet as customersrdquo sect

For more information or to schedule aconsultation phone Gallivan Companies at(518) 271-6100 Gallivanrsquos website iswwwGallivanCompaniescom

66 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 67

Buying a playhouse for your child is an excellent investment

They promote imaginative play and spending time outdoors and

double as storage space when no longer used for recreation

Denise Woodcock owner of Versatile Sheds in Wilton has

been helping parents and grandparents customize their childrsquos or

grandchildrsquos dream playhouses for years

ldquoThey make great gifts especially for grandparents who want

their grandkids to have their own place to play when they visitrdquo

she said

Playhouses are a great addition to a childrsquos outdoor world

They come in all shapes sizes and designs and can be custom-

built or finished if you donrsquot find exactly what yoursquore looking for

in a catalog or on the lot

Every child is different and has their own preferences for color

size and function boys and girls often have especially different

requests for their play space as do younger and more mature chil-

dren so therersquos a lot to consider

Denise knows how even the finest detail can be all it takes to

make an outdoor structure feel like a childrsquos own personal space

While it may seem superfluous to address every minor demand

the truth is a playhouse is more than just an expensive toy itrsquos an

investment The more your child connects with their space the more

use theyrsquoll get out of it ndash and according to Denise that means your

money is well spent

Smartest WayThe

playhouse for your kidsto buy a

Photos by MarkBollescomStory by Yael Goldman

68 | Simply Saratoga

With this in mind prospective buyers should first consider

who will use the playhouse and for how long as well as what

happens when the structure is no longer used for recreation

Versatile Sheds can help even the most discerning parent or

child find what theyrsquore looking for Every playhouse is hand-

built by Amish craftsmen who can accommodate almost any

special request at an additional cost so the possibilities are

endless inside and out

Cedar shingle or vinyl siding wood stone or brick ndash if you

can use it on the outside of your regular home it can be inte-

grated into your playhousersquos design Playhouses can be built

to look like a miniature version of your home which is an

excellent touch for parents that are particularly concerned

with aesthetics Porches shutters flowerboxes unique doors

chimneys and exterior lighting are just a few of the touches

that can brighten and personalize the exterior

Individualizing your childrsquos playhouse doesnrsquot stop at the

front door There are just as many interior features to choose

from ndash you can let your imagination run wild

For starters you have the option to order the playhouse

with a finished or unfinished interior The unfinished version

looks a lot like the inside of a regular home before you move

in paint the walls and furnish the rooms

Buying an unfinished structure is a great way to cut costs

and even bring the family together over a weekend decorating

project The possibilities are endless depending on how handy

you are otherwise a few coats of paint and a bit of carpeting

will surely do the trick

Although a bit pricey purchasing a playhouse with a fin-

ished interior ensures that your child gets exactly what they

want right off the bat They can pick everything from the paint

color to the flooring so the playhouse is move-in ready on the

day it arrives

Playhouses can also be insulated and wired for electricity

You can install lighting electrical outlets even heat or air-

conditioning to make your childrsquos outdoor space as comfort-

able as possible

And the options donrsquot end there Traditional sheds also dou-

ble as playhouses For some parents purchasing an adult-size

shed for their children is an ideal way to get the best return on

their investment Once their children grow out of it the struc-

ture can be used for outdoor storage With just as many styles

sizes and materials to choose from you can customize the

interior and exterior of your shed just as you would a play-

house but without all of the more frivolous features

ldquoAny shed can be a playhouserdquo Woodcock said explaining

how a custom paint job or flowerbox can transform a typical

storage unit into childrsquos outdoor activity haven

For example if purchasing a wood shed the exterior can be

easily painted and repainted when making the transition from

playhouse to storage space

For Denisersquos customers getting their moneyrsquos worth should

not have to mean making sacrifices

Simply Saratoga | 69

70 | Simply Saratoga

When Debby Trainor made the decision to buy her grand-

daughter Chezneyrsquos dream house she wanted it to have all the

bells and whistles She met with Denise to go over all the cri-

teria the goal was to buy the perfect gift for Chezney while

staying within her budget

The eight-year-old Greenwich girl wanted her own pretty

pink palace where she could play and imagine Debby wanted

it to be a cozy and safe place for her to play year-round

Customization and interior decoration helped make

Chezneyrsquos playhouse feel like her own little kingdom

ldquoWe made it look like a cute little dollhouserdquo she said ldquoWe

put furniture inside and a little stove fridge heater and TV

itrsquos just perfectrdquo

With the structure built to their liking Chezney and Debby

could enjoy decorating the inside to personalize the playhouse

For many customers putting on the finishing touches means

making the playhouse feel like home ndash you can add curtains

hang pictures buy furniture and appliances and landscape the

perimeter to make the outdoor space feel like a home away

from home

When the child grows out of their playhouse these items

can be easily removed to accommodate a secondary use for the

space

ldquoThe best thing that Denise did for me was explain how we

can use the playhouse for storage for stuff out in the yard after

Chezney has grown out of itrdquo Debby explained ldquoAlthough

she is only eight and will be using it for quite a few more

years this really makes it a good investment and looks

great in the backyardrdquo

Whether you choose a customized playhouse or a tradi-

tional shed thinking toward the future also ensures the

safety and longevity of the structure

Denise explained that placement is an important thing to

consider as you want to make sure the structure is in a safe

place and on an appropriate surface Most importantly the

playhouse must be built on a level even surface that isnrsquot

too high off of the ground

ldquoYou want it on a nice platformrdquo Denise explained

ldquoSome people use concrete but stone is better because it

allows moisture to seep down into the ground and away

from the structurerdquo

Most parents prefer that their playhouse is in the back-

yard where itrsquos easy to see from a window Placing the

structure in a shaded area is also a good idea it will be

cooler in the summer and less susceptible to the elements if

partially protected by trees

Debby had Chezneyrsquos playhouse built right next to her

swing set where she can be easily supervised

One last thing to consider when purchasing a playhouse

Simply Saratoga | 71

72 | Simply Saratoga

or shed for your child is how much effort

you want to put into maintaining it The

more ornate the structure the more care it

may need

Woodcock advises parents to preserve

their investment and treat the playhouse

like a miniature home

Think of it as a miniature house ndash the

structure requires regular maintenance

and upkeep to ensure your child will be

safe while enjoying years and years of

imaginative fun

With so many features and styles to

choose from yoursquore sure to find the best

for both you and your child

For more information about Versatile

Sheds or to set up a time to meet with

Denise Woodcock call (518) 584-7924

or stop by 669 Route 9 in Wilton sect

Simply Saratoga | 73

74 | Simply Saratoga

Kitchen

Not Your

Grandmarsquos

Story Written by Daniel Schechtman Photos Provided

ldquoAs you

walk into the kitchen

of the future LED

light projections adjust

to your mood - it will

know if you have a

hangover via sensors

that will read your

b r a i n w a v e s

Aromatherapy infused

walls will be synched

to your calendar calm-

ing you before a big

meeting or energizing you before a gym session The fridge will have selected some breakfast options identifying the essen-

tial vitamins for your day via sensors When you get home a hologram chef will be on hand for recipe inspirationrdquo

Alright so maybe your kitchen canrsquot do all of these things quite yet ndash but believe it or not wersquore getting there This is tomor-

rowrsquos kitchen a kitchen where your appliances donrsquot just store your food or wash your dishes ndash they talk to you providing you

with integral information on how to

best store your fruits and vegetables

letting you know if the refrigerator

door is open for too long or when a

part will soon need replacing

Simply Saratoga | 75

ldquoScience fictionrdquo I hear you say

Guess again Quoted from a report released by The Future Laboratory

who was commissioned by IKEA to determine what a modernkitchen in the year 2040 could conceivably look like

76 | Simply Saratoga

ldquoOne technology that really stands out to me is the

Miele Appliance Company Right now theyrsquore using a

program called lsquoremote visionrsquo On select applianceshellip

is a wireless card that clicks into a port on the back of

the appliance You synch it up with your home network

and it basically emails the technician and the owner

when itrsquos broken when you need to clean your condens-

er change your water filter or schedule a routine serv-

icerdquo said Tom Thibeault owner of Adirondack

Appliance Repair Inc located at 67 West Ave in

Saratoga Springs ldquoMaybe somebodyrsquos been opening the

[refrigerator] door for too long or the door was left open

ndash it will email you and tell you that your door is left

openrdquo

This is not your grandmarsquos kitchen This my friends

is the kitchen of the future and itrsquos available now

The 36 inch bottom-mount Miele refrigerator boasts a

striking interior featuring LED lighting running along

the sides from top to bottom stainless steel accents and

exteriors with control systems that would be comfort-

able alongside the captainrsquos chair on the Starship

Enterprise

Simply Saratoga | 77

ldquoThe controls in the Miele really stand out

Looking at the controls theyrsquore just a glass piece and

then once you touch it you see a few options for the

different compartments Then you touch the compart-

ment and the temperature is displayed so itrsquos kind of

like a Star Trek controlrdquo Thibeault said

And thatrsquos just the refrigerator

Adirondack Appliance has also seen brands such as

Wolf (a company owned by the same people who own

Sub-Zero) grow in popularity when it comes to their

range stoves and ovens The dual convection oven

works to eliminate cold spotting and provides consis-

tent even temperatures and even allows for unique

options such as proofing ndash used best when baking

homemade bread

ldquoIt also has a temperature probe you can plug into

things like a turkey or roast so you can see the temper-

ature while itrsquos still inside the machine It has

hydraulic hinges halogen lit interiors everything is

composed of stainless steel and itrsquos by far one of the

best lines on the marketrdquo Thibeault said

A new line coming to Adirondack Appliance that

features some amazing technology is a series of Pro-

Style Ranges produced by industry giant Jenn-Air

ldquoThat actually has an LCD touch

screen like an IPAD for the controls The

temperature is set by sliding your finger

along the controls Itrsquos all color backlit and

absolutely amazingrdquo Thibeault said

ldquoAnother thing we have to that same

effect are some of the hoods which have

really been getting pretty out there as far as

design We have one on our floor [by Miele]

that has an LED bar on the front which

changes in phases between 196000 colors

Itrsquos a very delicate change very pretty and

coolrdquo Thibeault said adding ldquoor you can set

it to any color in that spectrum yoursquod like to

accent your cabinetryrdquo

When it comes to dishwashers Thibeault

can attest to the quality of both the Asko and

Miele brands both of which he uses in his

own home And good news for Saratoga

Springs residents ndash

ldquoIn our market in

Saratoga we have a

very hard water base

whether yoursquore on a well

system or city waterrdquo

Thibeault said ldquoSo you

get a lot of minerals in

the machine With the

stainless steel interiors it

eliminates a lot of prob-

lems generally seen with

plastic interior tubs and

usually they are the best

life expectanciesrdquo

78 | Simply Saratoga

Asko and Mieleare practically custom made to handle the

arearsquos typicallymineral rich water

Simply Saratoga | 79

The Asko brand dishwasher takes things one step

further including two pumps in the washerrsquos system

The first pump filters the water cleansing it of poten-

tially harmful minerals while the second pump recircu-

lates the water ensuring that the machine is never

blasting your dishes with food debris or dirty residue

With Miele the design features a built-in water sof-

tener perfect for dealing with the Saratoga water

system

ldquoTypically the Miele is going to do a better job with

tougher baked in stainsrdquo said Thibeault ldquobecause itrsquos

got the softener in it and a little bit longer pots and pans

cyclerdquo

80 | Simply Saratoga

Adirondack Appliance Repair Inc is a fami-

ly-owned business since 1929 and the last inde-

pendent appliance retailer of its kind in Saratoga

Springs With $6 billion of buying power behind

their name (a benefit of being part of the Nation

Wide Appliance Buying Group) Thibeault

promised ldquowe can actually price match the box

stores and everybody else around all while pro-

viding you with better service and better

productsrdquo

For more information on AdirondackAppliance or the products they sell you mayvisit their showroom located at 67 West Avenuein Saratoga Springs for live demonstrationsThey can also be reached by phone at (518)587-6640 or you may visit them at their newwebsite wwwadkappliancecom where cus-tomers can browse through the storersquos entirecatalogue of appliances

sect

Simply Saratoga | 81

82 | Simply Saratoga

Page 57: Simply Saratoga March 2011

Simply Saratoga | 59

To develop and implement an exterior vista that maximizes your enjoyment To have a backyard landscape that is warm inviting and uniquely yours

These are goals that many homeowners have when they first move onto their property But unless you are trained in the variety ofmaterials and options available the task of getting past the point of comparing possibilities to completing and actually enjoying yourbackyard paradise can appear to be a long daunting road

For Carl Trinkle a landscape designer for ten years with the Gallivan Companies of Troy one of the key elements in a successfultransformation is utilizing a professionalrsquos expertise to articulate goals and develop a plan

ldquoThe most important thing we do when we first meet with a client is to get them to discuss their basic needs and aims and encouragethem to formulate an overall vision for their property An initial consultation sets the tone we make an initial visit on-site to look overthe property so we can have an idea as to where things might be placedrdquo

ldquoDuring this intake process we actually encourage people to show us photos of their friendrsquos property that they like or perhaps froma magazine It helps most people to articulate the goals of what they would like to see as a finished projectrdquo Trinkle said ldquoEven if they are looking to do things in phases we find that it is most important to develop a comprehensive site planrdquo This eliminates the need to revise original phases of work to accommodate those that come in the future

60 | Simply Saratoga

that Mr Trinkle finds potential customers identifying with aredesigned to extend the outdoor season ldquoA few extra weeks outside isa lotrdquo he said

add-ons also extend outside activity each day Low voltage lighting is still the most popular but recently LED lighting with longer-lasting bulbs that involve less maintenance and are cost-efficienthave become more fashionable

The latest trends

stations fire pits and waterenhancements such as ponds andwaterfalls are the most frequentlyrequested items that broaden theoutdoor use season

Outdoor grill

Exterior lighting

Simply Saratoga | 61

And of course swimming pool projects have always been a most-requested

item Fifty percent of allthe projects Mr Trinkleworks on involve a pooleither a completely new installation or enhance-ments to existing poolsGallivanrsquos long-standingrelationship withConcord Pools has beena hallmark in assuringthat customers are satis-fied when their pool isput in the ground

62 | Simply Saratoga

In most cases a comprehensive plancan be developed for any project in about a period of twoweeks Complete drawings and cost breakdowns are provid-ed as well as the projected phases that can be completed injust a few months or on larger projects can be scheduled insegments over a few years These are reviewed in personwith the customer again the goal being to have a plan thateveryone buys into

Simply Saratoga | 63

ldquoWe have had projects where the customer has wanted tohave a lot of input and we welcome that But we also hadone where the client was out of town and we built a firepit and slide for his wife and kids and our only instructions were to dazzle themI remember it as a most satisfying experience and we ended up winning awards for that onerdquo

- Carl Trinkle Landscape DesignerThe Gallivan Companies

64 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 65

ldquoI get to work using my creativity with talented people Some of the most talented are those

I meet as customersrdquo sect

For more information or to schedule aconsultation phone Gallivan Companies at(518) 271-6100 Gallivanrsquos website iswwwGallivanCompaniescom

66 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 67

Buying a playhouse for your child is an excellent investment

They promote imaginative play and spending time outdoors and

double as storage space when no longer used for recreation

Denise Woodcock owner of Versatile Sheds in Wilton has

been helping parents and grandparents customize their childrsquos or

grandchildrsquos dream playhouses for years

ldquoThey make great gifts especially for grandparents who want

their grandkids to have their own place to play when they visitrdquo

she said

Playhouses are a great addition to a childrsquos outdoor world

They come in all shapes sizes and designs and can be custom-

built or finished if you donrsquot find exactly what yoursquore looking for

in a catalog or on the lot

Every child is different and has their own preferences for color

size and function boys and girls often have especially different

requests for their play space as do younger and more mature chil-

dren so therersquos a lot to consider

Denise knows how even the finest detail can be all it takes to

make an outdoor structure feel like a childrsquos own personal space

While it may seem superfluous to address every minor demand

the truth is a playhouse is more than just an expensive toy itrsquos an

investment The more your child connects with their space the more

use theyrsquoll get out of it ndash and according to Denise that means your

money is well spent

Smartest WayThe

playhouse for your kidsto buy a

Photos by MarkBollescomStory by Yael Goldman

68 | Simply Saratoga

With this in mind prospective buyers should first consider

who will use the playhouse and for how long as well as what

happens when the structure is no longer used for recreation

Versatile Sheds can help even the most discerning parent or

child find what theyrsquore looking for Every playhouse is hand-

built by Amish craftsmen who can accommodate almost any

special request at an additional cost so the possibilities are

endless inside and out

Cedar shingle or vinyl siding wood stone or brick ndash if you

can use it on the outside of your regular home it can be inte-

grated into your playhousersquos design Playhouses can be built

to look like a miniature version of your home which is an

excellent touch for parents that are particularly concerned

with aesthetics Porches shutters flowerboxes unique doors

chimneys and exterior lighting are just a few of the touches

that can brighten and personalize the exterior

Individualizing your childrsquos playhouse doesnrsquot stop at the

front door There are just as many interior features to choose

from ndash you can let your imagination run wild

For starters you have the option to order the playhouse

with a finished or unfinished interior The unfinished version

looks a lot like the inside of a regular home before you move

in paint the walls and furnish the rooms

Buying an unfinished structure is a great way to cut costs

and even bring the family together over a weekend decorating

project The possibilities are endless depending on how handy

you are otherwise a few coats of paint and a bit of carpeting

will surely do the trick

Although a bit pricey purchasing a playhouse with a fin-

ished interior ensures that your child gets exactly what they

want right off the bat They can pick everything from the paint

color to the flooring so the playhouse is move-in ready on the

day it arrives

Playhouses can also be insulated and wired for electricity

You can install lighting electrical outlets even heat or air-

conditioning to make your childrsquos outdoor space as comfort-

able as possible

And the options donrsquot end there Traditional sheds also dou-

ble as playhouses For some parents purchasing an adult-size

shed for their children is an ideal way to get the best return on

their investment Once their children grow out of it the struc-

ture can be used for outdoor storage With just as many styles

sizes and materials to choose from you can customize the

interior and exterior of your shed just as you would a play-

house but without all of the more frivolous features

ldquoAny shed can be a playhouserdquo Woodcock said explaining

how a custom paint job or flowerbox can transform a typical

storage unit into childrsquos outdoor activity haven

For example if purchasing a wood shed the exterior can be

easily painted and repainted when making the transition from

playhouse to storage space

For Denisersquos customers getting their moneyrsquos worth should

not have to mean making sacrifices

Simply Saratoga | 69

70 | Simply Saratoga

When Debby Trainor made the decision to buy her grand-

daughter Chezneyrsquos dream house she wanted it to have all the

bells and whistles She met with Denise to go over all the cri-

teria the goal was to buy the perfect gift for Chezney while

staying within her budget

The eight-year-old Greenwich girl wanted her own pretty

pink palace where she could play and imagine Debby wanted

it to be a cozy and safe place for her to play year-round

Customization and interior decoration helped make

Chezneyrsquos playhouse feel like her own little kingdom

ldquoWe made it look like a cute little dollhouserdquo she said ldquoWe

put furniture inside and a little stove fridge heater and TV

itrsquos just perfectrdquo

With the structure built to their liking Chezney and Debby

could enjoy decorating the inside to personalize the playhouse

For many customers putting on the finishing touches means

making the playhouse feel like home ndash you can add curtains

hang pictures buy furniture and appliances and landscape the

perimeter to make the outdoor space feel like a home away

from home

When the child grows out of their playhouse these items

can be easily removed to accommodate a secondary use for the

space

ldquoThe best thing that Denise did for me was explain how we

can use the playhouse for storage for stuff out in the yard after

Chezney has grown out of itrdquo Debby explained ldquoAlthough

she is only eight and will be using it for quite a few more

years this really makes it a good investment and looks

great in the backyardrdquo

Whether you choose a customized playhouse or a tradi-

tional shed thinking toward the future also ensures the

safety and longevity of the structure

Denise explained that placement is an important thing to

consider as you want to make sure the structure is in a safe

place and on an appropriate surface Most importantly the

playhouse must be built on a level even surface that isnrsquot

too high off of the ground

ldquoYou want it on a nice platformrdquo Denise explained

ldquoSome people use concrete but stone is better because it

allows moisture to seep down into the ground and away

from the structurerdquo

Most parents prefer that their playhouse is in the back-

yard where itrsquos easy to see from a window Placing the

structure in a shaded area is also a good idea it will be

cooler in the summer and less susceptible to the elements if

partially protected by trees

Debby had Chezneyrsquos playhouse built right next to her

swing set where she can be easily supervised

One last thing to consider when purchasing a playhouse

Simply Saratoga | 71

72 | Simply Saratoga

or shed for your child is how much effort

you want to put into maintaining it The

more ornate the structure the more care it

may need

Woodcock advises parents to preserve

their investment and treat the playhouse

like a miniature home

Think of it as a miniature house ndash the

structure requires regular maintenance

and upkeep to ensure your child will be

safe while enjoying years and years of

imaginative fun

With so many features and styles to

choose from yoursquore sure to find the best

for both you and your child

For more information about Versatile

Sheds or to set up a time to meet with

Denise Woodcock call (518) 584-7924

or stop by 669 Route 9 in Wilton sect

Simply Saratoga | 73

74 | Simply Saratoga

Kitchen

Not Your

Grandmarsquos

Story Written by Daniel Schechtman Photos Provided

ldquoAs you

walk into the kitchen

of the future LED

light projections adjust

to your mood - it will

know if you have a

hangover via sensors

that will read your

b r a i n w a v e s

Aromatherapy infused

walls will be synched

to your calendar calm-

ing you before a big

meeting or energizing you before a gym session The fridge will have selected some breakfast options identifying the essen-

tial vitamins for your day via sensors When you get home a hologram chef will be on hand for recipe inspirationrdquo

Alright so maybe your kitchen canrsquot do all of these things quite yet ndash but believe it or not wersquore getting there This is tomor-

rowrsquos kitchen a kitchen where your appliances donrsquot just store your food or wash your dishes ndash they talk to you providing you

with integral information on how to

best store your fruits and vegetables

letting you know if the refrigerator

door is open for too long or when a

part will soon need replacing

Simply Saratoga | 75

ldquoScience fictionrdquo I hear you say

Guess again Quoted from a report released by The Future Laboratory

who was commissioned by IKEA to determine what a modernkitchen in the year 2040 could conceivably look like

76 | Simply Saratoga

ldquoOne technology that really stands out to me is the

Miele Appliance Company Right now theyrsquore using a

program called lsquoremote visionrsquo On select applianceshellip

is a wireless card that clicks into a port on the back of

the appliance You synch it up with your home network

and it basically emails the technician and the owner

when itrsquos broken when you need to clean your condens-

er change your water filter or schedule a routine serv-

icerdquo said Tom Thibeault owner of Adirondack

Appliance Repair Inc located at 67 West Ave in

Saratoga Springs ldquoMaybe somebodyrsquos been opening the

[refrigerator] door for too long or the door was left open

ndash it will email you and tell you that your door is left

openrdquo

This is not your grandmarsquos kitchen This my friends

is the kitchen of the future and itrsquos available now

The 36 inch bottom-mount Miele refrigerator boasts a

striking interior featuring LED lighting running along

the sides from top to bottom stainless steel accents and

exteriors with control systems that would be comfort-

able alongside the captainrsquos chair on the Starship

Enterprise

Simply Saratoga | 77

ldquoThe controls in the Miele really stand out

Looking at the controls theyrsquore just a glass piece and

then once you touch it you see a few options for the

different compartments Then you touch the compart-

ment and the temperature is displayed so itrsquos kind of

like a Star Trek controlrdquo Thibeault said

And thatrsquos just the refrigerator

Adirondack Appliance has also seen brands such as

Wolf (a company owned by the same people who own

Sub-Zero) grow in popularity when it comes to their

range stoves and ovens The dual convection oven

works to eliminate cold spotting and provides consis-

tent even temperatures and even allows for unique

options such as proofing ndash used best when baking

homemade bread

ldquoIt also has a temperature probe you can plug into

things like a turkey or roast so you can see the temper-

ature while itrsquos still inside the machine It has

hydraulic hinges halogen lit interiors everything is

composed of stainless steel and itrsquos by far one of the

best lines on the marketrdquo Thibeault said

A new line coming to Adirondack Appliance that

features some amazing technology is a series of Pro-

Style Ranges produced by industry giant Jenn-Air

ldquoThat actually has an LCD touch

screen like an IPAD for the controls The

temperature is set by sliding your finger

along the controls Itrsquos all color backlit and

absolutely amazingrdquo Thibeault said

ldquoAnother thing we have to that same

effect are some of the hoods which have

really been getting pretty out there as far as

design We have one on our floor [by Miele]

that has an LED bar on the front which

changes in phases between 196000 colors

Itrsquos a very delicate change very pretty and

coolrdquo Thibeault said adding ldquoor you can set

it to any color in that spectrum yoursquod like to

accent your cabinetryrdquo

When it comes to dishwashers Thibeault

can attest to the quality of both the Asko and

Miele brands both of which he uses in his

own home And good news for Saratoga

Springs residents ndash

ldquoIn our market in

Saratoga we have a

very hard water base

whether yoursquore on a well

system or city waterrdquo

Thibeault said ldquoSo you

get a lot of minerals in

the machine With the

stainless steel interiors it

eliminates a lot of prob-

lems generally seen with

plastic interior tubs and

usually they are the best

life expectanciesrdquo

78 | Simply Saratoga

Asko and Mieleare practically custom made to handle the

arearsquos typicallymineral rich water

Simply Saratoga | 79

The Asko brand dishwasher takes things one step

further including two pumps in the washerrsquos system

The first pump filters the water cleansing it of poten-

tially harmful minerals while the second pump recircu-

lates the water ensuring that the machine is never

blasting your dishes with food debris or dirty residue

With Miele the design features a built-in water sof-

tener perfect for dealing with the Saratoga water

system

ldquoTypically the Miele is going to do a better job with

tougher baked in stainsrdquo said Thibeault ldquobecause itrsquos

got the softener in it and a little bit longer pots and pans

cyclerdquo

80 | Simply Saratoga

Adirondack Appliance Repair Inc is a fami-

ly-owned business since 1929 and the last inde-

pendent appliance retailer of its kind in Saratoga

Springs With $6 billion of buying power behind

their name (a benefit of being part of the Nation

Wide Appliance Buying Group) Thibeault

promised ldquowe can actually price match the box

stores and everybody else around all while pro-

viding you with better service and better

productsrdquo

For more information on AdirondackAppliance or the products they sell you mayvisit their showroom located at 67 West Avenuein Saratoga Springs for live demonstrationsThey can also be reached by phone at (518)587-6640 or you may visit them at their newwebsite wwwadkappliancecom where cus-tomers can browse through the storersquos entirecatalogue of appliances

sect

Simply Saratoga | 81

82 | Simply Saratoga

Page 58: Simply Saratoga March 2011

60 | Simply Saratoga

that Mr Trinkle finds potential customers identifying with aredesigned to extend the outdoor season ldquoA few extra weeks outside isa lotrdquo he said

add-ons also extend outside activity each day Low voltage lighting is still the most popular but recently LED lighting with longer-lasting bulbs that involve less maintenance and are cost-efficienthave become more fashionable

The latest trends

stations fire pits and waterenhancements such as ponds andwaterfalls are the most frequentlyrequested items that broaden theoutdoor use season

Outdoor grill

Exterior lighting

Simply Saratoga | 61

And of course swimming pool projects have always been a most-requested

item Fifty percent of allthe projects Mr Trinkleworks on involve a pooleither a completely new installation or enhance-ments to existing poolsGallivanrsquos long-standingrelationship withConcord Pools has beena hallmark in assuringthat customers are satis-fied when their pool isput in the ground

62 | Simply Saratoga

In most cases a comprehensive plancan be developed for any project in about a period of twoweeks Complete drawings and cost breakdowns are provid-ed as well as the projected phases that can be completed injust a few months or on larger projects can be scheduled insegments over a few years These are reviewed in personwith the customer again the goal being to have a plan thateveryone buys into

Simply Saratoga | 63

ldquoWe have had projects where the customer has wanted tohave a lot of input and we welcome that But we also hadone where the client was out of town and we built a firepit and slide for his wife and kids and our only instructions were to dazzle themI remember it as a most satisfying experience and we ended up winning awards for that onerdquo

- Carl Trinkle Landscape DesignerThe Gallivan Companies

64 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 65

ldquoI get to work using my creativity with talented people Some of the most talented are those

I meet as customersrdquo sect

For more information or to schedule aconsultation phone Gallivan Companies at(518) 271-6100 Gallivanrsquos website iswwwGallivanCompaniescom

66 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 67

Buying a playhouse for your child is an excellent investment

They promote imaginative play and spending time outdoors and

double as storage space when no longer used for recreation

Denise Woodcock owner of Versatile Sheds in Wilton has

been helping parents and grandparents customize their childrsquos or

grandchildrsquos dream playhouses for years

ldquoThey make great gifts especially for grandparents who want

their grandkids to have their own place to play when they visitrdquo

she said

Playhouses are a great addition to a childrsquos outdoor world

They come in all shapes sizes and designs and can be custom-

built or finished if you donrsquot find exactly what yoursquore looking for

in a catalog or on the lot

Every child is different and has their own preferences for color

size and function boys and girls often have especially different

requests for their play space as do younger and more mature chil-

dren so therersquos a lot to consider

Denise knows how even the finest detail can be all it takes to

make an outdoor structure feel like a childrsquos own personal space

While it may seem superfluous to address every minor demand

the truth is a playhouse is more than just an expensive toy itrsquos an

investment The more your child connects with their space the more

use theyrsquoll get out of it ndash and according to Denise that means your

money is well spent

Smartest WayThe

playhouse for your kidsto buy a

Photos by MarkBollescomStory by Yael Goldman

68 | Simply Saratoga

With this in mind prospective buyers should first consider

who will use the playhouse and for how long as well as what

happens when the structure is no longer used for recreation

Versatile Sheds can help even the most discerning parent or

child find what theyrsquore looking for Every playhouse is hand-

built by Amish craftsmen who can accommodate almost any

special request at an additional cost so the possibilities are

endless inside and out

Cedar shingle or vinyl siding wood stone or brick ndash if you

can use it on the outside of your regular home it can be inte-

grated into your playhousersquos design Playhouses can be built

to look like a miniature version of your home which is an

excellent touch for parents that are particularly concerned

with aesthetics Porches shutters flowerboxes unique doors

chimneys and exterior lighting are just a few of the touches

that can brighten and personalize the exterior

Individualizing your childrsquos playhouse doesnrsquot stop at the

front door There are just as many interior features to choose

from ndash you can let your imagination run wild

For starters you have the option to order the playhouse

with a finished or unfinished interior The unfinished version

looks a lot like the inside of a regular home before you move

in paint the walls and furnish the rooms

Buying an unfinished structure is a great way to cut costs

and even bring the family together over a weekend decorating

project The possibilities are endless depending on how handy

you are otherwise a few coats of paint and a bit of carpeting

will surely do the trick

Although a bit pricey purchasing a playhouse with a fin-

ished interior ensures that your child gets exactly what they

want right off the bat They can pick everything from the paint

color to the flooring so the playhouse is move-in ready on the

day it arrives

Playhouses can also be insulated and wired for electricity

You can install lighting electrical outlets even heat or air-

conditioning to make your childrsquos outdoor space as comfort-

able as possible

And the options donrsquot end there Traditional sheds also dou-

ble as playhouses For some parents purchasing an adult-size

shed for their children is an ideal way to get the best return on

their investment Once their children grow out of it the struc-

ture can be used for outdoor storage With just as many styles

sizes and materials to choose from you can customize the

interior and exterior of your shed just as you would a play-

house but without all of the more frivolous features

ldquoAny shed can be a playhouserdquo Woodcock said explaining

how a custom paint job or flowerbox can transform a typical

storage unit into childrsquos outdoor activity haven

For example if purchasing a wood shed the exterior can be

easily painted and repainted when making the transition from

playhouse to storage space

For Denisersquos customers getting their moneyrsquos worth should

not have to mean making sacrifices

Simply Saratoga | 69

70 | Simply Saratoga

When Debby Trainor made the decision to buy her grand-

daughter Chezneyrsquos dream house she wanted it to have all the

bells and whistles She met with Denise to go over all the cri-

teria the goal was to buy the perfect gift for Chezney while

staying within her budget

The eight-year-old Greenwich girl wanted her own pretty

pink palace where she could play and imagine Debby wanted

it to be a cozy and safe place for her to play year-round

Customization and interior decoration helped make

Chezneyrsquos playhouse feel like her own little kingdom

ldquoWe made it look like a cute little dollhouserdquo she said ldquoWe

put furniture inside and a little stove fridge heater and TV

itrsquos just perfectrdquo

With the structure built to their liking Chezney and Debby

could enjoy decorating the inside to personalize the playhouse

For many customers putting on the finishing touches means

making the playhouse feel like home ndash you can add curtains

hang pictures buy furniture and appliances and landscape the

perimeter to make the outdoor space feel like a home away

from home

When the child grows out of their playhouse these items

can be easily removed to accommodate a secondary use for the

space

ldquoThe best thing that Denise did for me was explain how we

can use the playhouse for storage for stuff out in the yard after

Chezney has grown out of itrdquo Debby explained ldquoAlthough

she is only eight and will be using it for quite a few more

years this really makes it a good investment and looks

great in the backyardrdquo

Whether you choose a customized playhouse or a tradi-

tional shed thinking toward the future also ensures the

safety and longevity of the structure

Denise explained that placement is an important thing to

consider as you want to make sure the structure is in a safe

place and on an appropriate surface Most importantly the

playhouse must be built on a level even surface that isnrsquot

too high off of the ground

ldquoYou want it on a nice platformrdquo Denise explained

ldquoSome people use concrete but stone is better because it

allows moisture to seep down into the ground and away

from the structurerdquo

Most parents prefer that their playhouse is in the back-

yard where itrsquos easy to see from a window Placing the

structure in a shaded area is also a good idea it will be

cooler in the summer and less susceptible to the elements if

partially protected by trees

Debby had Chezneyrsquos playhouse built right next to her

swing set where she can be easily supervised

One last thing to consider when purchasing a playhouse

Simply Saratoga | 71

72 | Simply Saratoga

or shed for your child is how much effort

you want to put into maintaining it The

more ornate the structure the more care it

may need

Woodcock advises parents to preserve

their investment and treat the playhouse

like a miniature home

Think of it as a miniature house ndash the

structure requires regular maintenance

and upkeep to ensure your child will be

safe while enjoying years and years of

imaginative fun

With so many features and styles to

choose from yoursquore sure to find the best

for both you and your child

For more information about Versatile

Sheds or to set up a time to meet with

Denise Woodcock call (518) 584-7924

or stop by 669 Route 9 in Wilton sect

Simply Saratoga | 73

74 | Simply Saratoga

Kitchen

Not Your

Grandmarsquos

Story Written by Daniel Schechtman Photos Provided

ldquoAs you

walk into the kitchen

of the future LED

light projections adjust

to your mood - it will

know if you have a

hangover via sensors

that will read your

b r a i n w a v e s

Aromatherapy infused

walls will be synched

to your calendar calm-

ing you before a big

meeting or energizing you before a gym session The fridge will have selected some breakfast options identifying the essen-

tial vitamins for your day via sensors When you get home a hologram chef will be on hand for recipe inspirationrdquo

Alright so maybe your kitchen canrsquot do all of these things quite yet ndash but believe it or not wersquore getting there This is tomor-

rowrsquos kitchen a kitchen where your appliances donrsquot just store your food or wash your dishes ndash they talk to you providing you

with integral information on how to

best store your fruits and vegetables

letting you know if the refrigerator

door is open for too long or when a

part will soon need replacing

Simply Saratoga | 75

ldquoScience fictionrdquo I hear you say

Guess again Quoted from a report released by The Future Laboratory

who was commissioned by IKEA to determine what a modernkitchen in the year 2040 could conceivably look like

76 | Simply Saratoga

ldquoOne technology that really stands out to me is the

Miele Appliance Company Right now theyrsquore using a

program called lsquoremote visionrsquo On select applianceshellip

is a wireless card that clicks into a port on the back of

the appliance You synch it up with your home network

and it basically emails the technician and the owner

when itrsquos broken when you need to clean your condens-

er change your water filter or schedule a routine serv-

icerdquo said Tom Thibeault owner of Adirondack

Appliance Repair Inc located at 67 West Ave in

Saratoga Springs ldquoMaybe somebodyrsquos been opening the

[refrigerator] door for too long or the door was left open

ndash it will email you and tell you that your door is left

openrdquo

This is not your grandmarsquos kitchen This my friends

is the kitchen of the future and itrsquos available now

The 36 inch bottom-mount Miele refrigerator boasts a

striking interior featuring LED lighting running along

the sides from top to bottom stainless steel accents and

exteriors with control systems that would be comfort-

able alongside the captainrsquos chair on the Starship

Enterprise

Simply Saratoga | 77

ldquoThe controls in the Miele really stand out

Looking at the controls theyrsquore just a glass piece and

then once you touch it you see a few options for the

different compartments Then you touch the compart-

ment and the temperature is displayed so itrsquos kind of

like a Star Trek controlrdquo Thibeault said

And thatrsquos just the refrigerator

Adirondack Appliance has also seen brands such as

Wolf (a company owned by the same people who own

Sub-Zero) grow in popularity when it comes to their

range stoves and ovens The dual convection oven

works to eliminate cold spotting and provides consis-

tent even temperatures and even allows for unique

options such as proofing ndash used best when baking

homemade bread

ldquoIt also has a temperature probe you can plug into

things like a turkey or roast so you can see the temper-

ature while itrsquos still inside the machine It has

hydraulic hinges halogen lit interiors everything is

composed of stainless steel and itrsquos by far one of the

best lines on the marketrdquo Thibeault said

A new line coming to Adirondack Appliance that

features some amazing technology is a series of Pro-

Style Ranges produced by industry giant Jenn-Air

ldquoThat actually has an LCD touch

screen like an IPAD for the controls The

temperature is set by sliding your finger

along the controls Itrsquos all color backlit and

absolutely amazingrdquo Thibeault said

ldquoAnother thing we have to that same

effect are some of the hoods which have

really been getting pretty out there as far as

design We have one on our floor [by Miele]

that has an LED bar on the front which

changes in phases between 196000 colors

Itrsquos a very delicate change very pretty and

coolrdquo Thibeault said adding ldquoor you can set

it to any color in that spectrum yoursquod like to

accent your cabinetryrdquo

When it comes to dishwashers Thibeault

can attest to the quality of both the Asko and

Miele brands both of which he uses in his

own home And good news for Saratoga

Springs residents ndash

ldquoIn our market in

Saratoga we have a

very hard water base

whether yoursquore on a well

system or city waterrdquo

Thibeault said ldquoSo you

get a lot of minerals in

the machine With the

stainless steel interiors it

eliminates a lot of prob-

lems generally seen with

plastic interior tubs and

usually they are the best

life expectanciesrdquo

78 | Simply Saratoga

Asko and Mieleare practically custom made to handle the

arearsquos typicallymineral rich water

Simply Saratoga | 79

The Asko brand dishwasher takes things one step

further including two pumps in the washerrsquos system

The first pump filters the water cleansing it of poten-

tially harmful minerals while the second pump recircu-

lates the water ensuring that the machine is never

blasting your dishes with food debris or dirty residue

With Miele the design features a built-in water sof-

tener perfect for dealing with the Saratoga water

system

ldquoTypically the Miele is going to do a better job with

tougher baked in stainsrdquo said Thibeault ldquobecause itrsquos

got the softener in it and a little bit longer pots and pans

cyclerdquo

80 | Simply Saratoga

Adirondack Appliance Repair Inc is a fami-

ly-owned business since 1929 and the last inde-

pendent appliance retailer of its kind in Saratoga

Springs With $6 billion of buying power behind

their name (a benefit of being part of the Nation

Wide Appliance Buying Group) Thibeault

promised ldquowe can actually price match the box

stores and everybody else around all while pro-

viding you with better service and better

productsrdquo

For more information on AdirondackAppliance or the products they sell you mayvisit their showroom located at 67 West Avenuein Saratoga Springs for live demonstrationsThey can also be reached by phone at (518)587-6640 or you may visit them at their newwebsite wwwadkappliancecom where cus-tomers can browse through the storersquos entirecatalogue of appliances

sect

Simply Saratoga | 81

82 | Simply Saratoga

Page 59: Simply Saratoga March 2011

Simply Saratoga | 61

And of course swimming pool projects have always been a most-requested

item Fifty percent of allthe projects Mr Trinkleworks on involve a pooleither a completely new installation or enhance-ments to existing poolsGallivanrsquos long-standingrelationship withConcord Pools has beena hallmark in assuringthat customers are satis-fied when their pool isput in the ground

62 | Simply Saratoga

In most cases a comprehensive plancan be developed for any project in about a period of twoweeks Complete drawings and cost breakdowns are provid-ed as well as the projected phases that can be completed injust a few months or on larger projects can be scheduled insegments over a few years These are reviewed in personwith the customer again the goal being to have a plan thateveryone buys into

Simply Saratoga | 63

ldquoWe have had projects where the customer has wanted tohave a lot of input and we welcome that But we also hadone where the client was out of town and we built a firepit and slide for his wife and kids and our only instructions were to dazzle themI remember it as a most satisfying experience and we ended up winning awards for that onerdquo

- Carl Trinkle Landscape DesignerThe Gallivan Companies

64 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 65

ldquoI get to work using my creativity with talented people Some of the most talented are those

I meet as customersrdquo sect

For more information or to schedule aconsultation phone Gallivan Companies at(518) 271-6100 Gallivanrsquos website iswwwGallivanCompaniescom

66 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 67

Buying a playhouse for your child is an excellent investment

They promote imaginative play and spending time outdoors and

double as storage space when no longer used for recreation

Denise Woodcock owner of Versatile Sheds in Wilton has

been helping parents and grandparents customize their childrsquos or

grandchildrsquos dream playhouses for years

ldquoThey make great gifts especially for grandparents who want

their grandkids to have their own place to play when they visitrdquo

she said

Playhouses are a great addition to a childrsquos outdoor world

They come in all shapes sizes and designs and can be custom-

built or finished if you donrsquot find exactly what yoursquore looking for

in a catalog or on the lot

Every child is different and has their own preferences for color

size and function boys and girls often have especially different

requests for their play space as do younger and more mature chil-

dren so therersquos a lot to consider

Denise knows how even the finest detail can be all it takes to

make an outdoor structure feel like a childrsquos own personal space

While it may seem superfluous to address every minor demand

the truth is a playhouse is more than just an expensive toy itrsquos an

investment The more your child connects with their space the more

use theyrsquoll get out of it ndash and according to Denise that means your

money is well spent

Smartest WayThe

playhouse for your kidsto buy a

Photos by MarkBollescomStory by Yael Goldman

68 | Simply Saratoga

With this in mind prospective buyers should first consider

who will use the playhouse and for how long as well as what

happens when the structure is no longer used for recreation

Versatile Sheds can help even the most discerning parent or

child find what theyrsquore looking for Every playhouse is hand-

built by Amish craftsmen who can accommodate almost any

special request at an additional cost so the possibilities are

endless inside and out

Cedar shingle or vinyl siding wood stone or brick ndash if you

can use it on the outside of your regular home it can be inte-

grated into your playhousersquos design Playhouses can be built

to look like a miniature version of your home which is an

excellent touch for parents that are particularly concerned

with aesthetics Porches shutters flowerboxes unique doors

chimneys and exterior lighting are just a few of the touches

that can brighten and personalize the exterior

Individualizing your childrsquos playhouse doesnrsquot stop at the

front door There are just as many interior features to choose

from ndash you can let your imagination run wild

For starters you have the option to order the playhouse

with a finished or unfinished interior The unfinished version

looks a lot like the inside of a regular home before you move

in paint the walls and furnish the rooms

Buying an unfinished structure is a great way to cut costs

and even bring the family together over a weekend decorating

project The possibilities are endless depending on how handy

you are otherwise a few coats of paint and a bit of carpeting

will surely do the trick

Although a bit pricey purchasing a playhouse with a fin-

ished interior ensures that your child gets exactly what they

want right off the bat They can pick everything from the paint

color to the flooring so the playhouse is move-in ready on the

day it arrives

Playhouses can also be insulated and wired for electricity

You can install lighting electrical outlets even heat or air-

conditioning to make your childrsquos outdoor space as comfort-

able as possible

And the options donrsquot end there Traditional sheds also dou-

ble as playhouses For some parents purchasing an adult-size

shed for their children is an ideal way to get the best return on

their investment Once their children grow out of it the struc-

ture can be used for outdoor storage With just as many styles

sizes and materials to choose from you can customize the

interior and exterior of your shed just as you would a play-

house but without all of the more frivolous features

ldquoAny shed can be a playhouserdquo Woodcock said explaining

how a custom paint job or flowerbox can transform a typical

storage unit into childrsquos outdoor activity haven

For example if purchasing a wood shed the exterior can be

easily painted and repainted when making the transition from

playhouse to storage space

For Denisersquos customers getting their moneyrsquos worth should

not have to mean making sacrifices

Simply Saratoga | 69

70 | Simply Saratoga

When Debby Trainor made the decision to buy her grand-

daughter Chezneyrsquos dream house she wanted it to have all the

bells and whistles She met with Denise to go over all the cri-

teria the goal was to buy the perfect gift for Chezney while

staying within her budget

The eight-year-old Greenwich girl wanted her own pretty

pink palace where she could play and imagine Debby wanted

it to be a cozy and safe place for her to play year-round

Customization and interior decoration helped make

Chezneyrsquos playhouse feel like her own little kingdom

ldquoWe made it look like a cute little dollhouserdquo she said ldquoWe

put furniture inside and a little stove fridge heater and TV

itrsquos just perfectrdquo

With the structure built to their liking Chezney and Debby

could enjoy decorating the inside to personalize the playhouse

For many customers putting on the finishing touches means

making the playhouse feel like home ndash you can add curtains

hang pictures buy furniture and appliances and landscape the

perimeter to make the outdoor space feel like a home away

from home

When the child grows out of their playhouse these items

can be easily removed to accommodate a secondary use for the

space

ldquoThe best thing that Denise did for me was explain how we

can use the playhouse for storage for stuff out in the yard after

Chezney has grown out of itrdquo Debby explained ldquoAlthough

she is only eight and will be using it for quite a few more

years this really makes it a good investment and looks

great in the backyardrdquo

Whether you choose a customized playhouse or a tradi-

tional shed thinking toward the future also ensures the

safety and longevity of the structure

Denise explained that placement is an important thing to

consider as you want to make sure the structure is in a safe

place and on an appropriate surface Most importantly the

playhouse must be built on a level even surface that isnrsquot

too high off of the ground

ldquoYou want it on a nice platformrdquo Denise explained

ldquoSome people use concrete but stone is better because it

allows moisture to seep down into the ground and away

from the structurerdquo

Most parents prefer that their playhouse is in the back-

yard where itrsquos easy to see from a window Placing the

structure in a shaded area is also a good idea it will be

cooler in the summer and less susceptible to the elements if

partially protected by trees

Debby had Chezneyrsquos playhouse built right next to her

swing set where she can be easily supervised

One last thing to consider when purchasing a playhouse

Simply Saratoga | 71

72 | Simply Saratoga

or shed for your child is how much effort

you want to put into maintaining it The

more ornate the structure the more care it

may need

Woodcock advises parents to preserve

their investment and treat the playhouse

like a miniature home

Think of it as a miniature house ndash the

structure requires regular maintenance

and upkeep to ensure your child will be

safe while enjoying years and years of

imaginative fun

With so many features and styles to

choose from yoursquore sure to find the best

for both you and your child

For more information about Versatile

Sheds or to set up a time to meet with

Denise Woodcock call (518) 584-7924

or stop by 669 Route 9 in Wilton sect

Simply Saratoga | 73

74 | Simply Saratoga

Kitchen

Not Your

Grandmarsquos

Story Written by Daniel Schechtman Photos Provided

ldquoAs you

walk into the kitchen

of the future LED

light projections adjust

to your mood - it will

know if you have a

hangover via sensors

that will read your

b r a i n w a v e s

Aromatherapy infused

walls will be synched

to your calendar calm-

ing you before a big

meeting or energizing you before a gym session The fridge will have selected some breakfast options identifying the essen-

tial vitamins for your day via sensors When you get home a hologram chef will be on hand for recipe inspirationrdquo

Alright so maybe your kitchen canrsquot do all of these things quite yet ndash but believe it or not wersquore getting there This is tomor-

rowrsquos kitchen a kitchen where your appliances donrsquot just store your food or wash your dishes ndash they talk to you providing you

with integral information on how to

best store your fruits and vegetables

letting you know if the refrigerator

door is open for too long or when a

part will soon need replacing

Simply Saratoga | 75

ldquoScience fictionrdquo I hear you say

Guess again Quoted from a report released by The Future Laboratory

who was commissioned by IKEA to determine what a modernkitchen in the year 2040 could conceivably look like

76 | Simply Saratoga

ldquoOne technology that really stands out to me is the

Miele Appliance Company Right now theyrsquore using a

program called lsquoremote visionrsquo On select applianceshellip

is a wireless card that clicks into a port on the back of

the appliance You synch it up with your home network

and it basically emails the technician and the owner

when itrsquos broken when you need to clean your condens-

er change your water filter or schedule a routine serv-

icerdquo said Tom Thibeault owner of Adirondack

Appliance Repair Inc located at 67 West Ave in

Saratoga Springs ldquoMaybe somebodyrsquos been opening the

[refrigerator] door for too long or the door was left open

ndash it will email you and tell you that your door is left

openrdquo

This is not your grandmarsquos kitchen This my friends

is the kitchen of the future and itrsquos available now

The 36 inch bottom-mount Miele refrigerator boasts a

striking interior featuring LED lighting running along

the sides from top to bottom stainless steel accents and

exteriors with control systems that would be comfort-

able alongside the captainrsquos chair on the Starship

Enterprise

Simply Saratoga | 77

ldquoThe controls in the Miele really stand out

Looking at the controls theyrsquore just a glass piece and

then once you touch it you see a few options for the

different compartments Then you touch the compart-

ment and the temperature is displayed so itrsquos kind of

like a Star Trek controlrdquo Thibeault said

And thatrsquos just the refrigerator

Adirondack Appliance has also seen brands such as

Wolf (a company owned by the same people who own

Sub-Zero) grow in popularity when it comes to their

range stoves and ovens The dual convection oven

works to eliminate cold spotting and provides consis-

tent even temperatures and even allows for unique

options such as proofing ndash used best when baking

homemade bread

ldquoIt also has a temperature probe you can plug into

things like a turkey or roast so you can see the temper-

ature while itrsquos still inside the machine It has

hydraulic hinges halogen lit interiors everything is

composed of stainless steel and itrsquos by far one of the

best lines on the marketrdquo Thibeault said

A new line coming to Adirondack Appliance that

features some amazing technology is a series of Pro-

Style Ranges produced by industry giant Jenn-Air

ldquoThat actually has an LCD touch

screen like an IPAD for the controls The

temperature is set by sliding your finger

along the controls Itrsquos all color backlit and

absolutely amazingrdquo Thibeault said

ldquoAnother thing we have to that same

effect are some of the hoods which have

really been getting pretty out there as far as

design We have one on our floor [by Miele]

that has an LED bar on the front which

changes in phases between 196000 colors

Itrsquos a very delicate change very pretty and

coolrdquo Thibeault said adding ldquoor you can set

it to any color in that spectrum yoursquod like to

accent your cabinetryrdquo

When it comes to dishwashers Thibeault

can attest to the quality of both the Asko and

Miele brands both of which he uses in his

own home And good news for Saratoga

Springs residents ndash

ldquoIn our market in

Saratoga we have a

very hard water base

whether yoursquore on a well

system or city waterrdquo

Thibeault said ldquoSo you

get a lot of minerals in

the machine With the

stainless steel interiors it

eliminates a lot of prob-

lems generally seen with

plastic interior tubs and

usually they are the best

life expectanciesrdquo

78 | Simply Saratoga

Asko and Mieleare practically custom made to handle the

arearsquos typicallymineral rich water

Simply Saratoga | 79

The Asko brand dishwasher takes things one step

further including two pumps in the washerrsquos system

The first pump filters the water cleansing it of poten-

tially harmful minerals while the second pump recircu-

lates the water ensuring that the machine is never

blasting your dishes with food debris or dirty residue

With Miele the design features a built-in water sof-

tener perfect for dealing with the Saratoga water

system

ldquoTypically the Miele is going to do a better job with

tougher baked in stainsrdquo said Thibeault ldquobecause itrsquos

got the softener in it and a little bit longer pots and pans

cyclerdquo

80 | Simply Saratoga

Adirondack Appliance Repair Inc is a fami-

ly-owned business since 1929 and the last inde-

pendent appliance retailer of its kind in Saratoga

Springs With $6 billion of buying power behind

their name (a benefit of being part of the Nation

Wide Appliance Buying Group) Thibeault

promised ldquowe can actually price match the box

stores and everybody else around all while pro-

viding you with better service and better

productsrdquo

For more information on AdirondackAppliance or the products they sell you mayvisit their showroom located at 67 West Avenuein Saratoga Springs for live demonstrationsThey can also be reached by phone at (518)587-6640 or you may visit them at their newwebsite wwwadkappliancecom where cus-tomers can browse through the storersquos entirecatalogue of appliances

sect

Simply Saratoga | 81

82 | Simply Saratoga

Page 60: Simply Saratoga March 2011

62 | Simply Saratoga

In most cases a comprehensive plancan be developed for any project in about a period of twoweeks Complete drawings and cost breakdowns are provid-ed as well as the projected phases that can be completed injust a few months or on larger projects can be scheduled insegments over a few years These are reviewed in personwith the customer again the goal being to have a plan thateveryone buys into

Simply Saratoga | 63

ldquoWe have had projects where the customer has wanted tohave a lot of input and we welcome that But we also hadone where the client was out of town and we built a firepit and slide for his wife and kids and our only instructions were to dazzle themI remember it as a most satisfying experience and we ended up winning awards for that onerdquo

- Carl Trinkle Landscape DesignerThe Gallivan Companies

64 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 65

ldquoI get to work using my creativity with talented people Some of the most talented are those

I meet as customersrdquo sect

For more information or to schedule aconsultation phone Gallivan Companies at(518) 271-6100 Gallivanrsquos website iswwwGallivanCompaniescom

66 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 67

Buying a playhouse for your child is an excellent investment

They promote imaginative play and spending time outdoors and

double as storage space when no longer used for recreation

Denise Woodcock owner of Versatile Sheds in Wilton has

been helping parents and grandparents customize their childrsquos or

grandchildrsquos dream playhouses for years

ldquoThey make great gifts especially for grandparents who want

their grandkids to have their own place to play when they visitrdquo

she said

Playhouses are a great addition to a childrsquos outdoor world

They come in all shapes sizes and designs and can be custom-

built or finished if you donrsquot find exactly what yoursquore looking for

in a catalog or on the lot

Every child is different and has their own preferences for color

size and function boys and girls often have especially different

requests for their play space as do younger and more mature chil-

dren so therersquos a lot to consider

Denise knows how even the finest detail can be all it takes to

make an outdoor structure feel like a childrsquos own personal space

While it may seem superfluous to address every minor demand

the truth is a playhouse is more than just an expensive toy itrsquos an

investment The more your child connects with their space the more

use theyrsquoll get out of it ndash and according to Denise that means your

money is well spent

Smartest WayThe

playhouse for your kidsto buy a

Photos by MarkBollescomStory by Yael Goldman

68 | Simply Saratoga

With this in mind prospective buyers should first consider

who will use the playhouse and for how long as well as what

happens when the structure is no longer used for recreation

Versatile Sheds can help even the most discerning parent or

child find what theyrsquore looking for Every playhouse is hand-

built by Amish craftsmen who can accommodate almost any

special request at an additional cost so the possibilities are

endless inside and out

Cedar shingle or vinyl siding wood stone or brick ndash if you

can use it on the outside of your regular home it can be inte-

grated into your playhousersquos design Playhouses can be built

to look like a miniature version of your home which is an

excellent touch for parents that are particularly concerned

with aesthetics Porches shutters flowerboxes unique doors

chimneys and exterior lighting are just a few of the touches

that can brighten and personalize the exterior

Individualizing your childrsquos playhouse doesnrsquot stop at the

front door There are just as many interior features to choose

from ndash you can let your imagination run wild

For starters you have the option to order the playhouse

with a finished or unfinished interior The unfinished version

looks a lot like the inside of a regular home before you move

in paint the walls and furnish the rooms

Buying an unfinished structure is a great way to cut costs

and even bring the family together over a weekend decorating

project The possibilities are endless depending on how handy

you are otherwise a few coats of paint and a bit of carpeting

will surely do the trick

Although a bit pricey purchasing a playhouse with a fin-

ished interior ensures that your child gets exactly what they

want right off the bat They can pick everything from the paint

color to the flooring so the playhouse is move-in ready on the

day it arrives

Playhouses can also be insulated and wired for electricity

You can install lighting electrical outlets even heat or air-

conditioning to make your childrsquos outdoor space as comfort-

able as possible

And the options donrsquot end there Traditional sheds also dou-

ble as playhouses For some parents purchasing an adult-size

shed for their children is an ideal way to get the best return on

their investment Once their children grow out of it the struc-

ture can be used for outdoor storage With just as many styles

sizes and materials to choose from you can customize the

interior and exterior of your shed just as you would a play-

house but without all of the more frivolous features

ldquoAny shed can be a playhouserdquo Woodcock said explaining

how a custom paint job or flowerbox can transform a typical

storage unit into childrsquos outdoor activity haven

For example if purchasing a wood shed the exterior can be

easily painted and repainted when making the transition from

playhouse to storage space

For Denisersquos customers getting their moneyrsquos worth should

not have to mean making sacrifices

Simply Saratoga | 69

70 | Simply Saratoga

When Debby Trainor made the decision to buy her grand-

daughter Chezneyrsquos dream house she wanted it to have all the

bells and whistles She met with Denise to go over all the cri-

teria the goal was to buy the perfect gift for Chezney while

staying within her budget

The eight-year-old Greenwich girl wanted her own pretty

pink palace where she could play and imagine Debby wanted

it to be a cozy and safe place for her to play year-round

Customization and interior decoration helped make

Chezneyrsquos playhouse feel like her own little kingdom

ldquoWe made it look like a cute little dollhouserdquo she said ldquoWe

put furniture inside and a little stove fridge heater and TV

itrsquos just perfectrdquo

With the structure built to their liking Chezney and Debby

could enjoy decorating the inside to personalize the playhouse

For many customers putting on the finishing touches means

making the playhouse feel like home ndash you can add curtains

hang pictures buy furniture and appliances and landscape the

perimeter to make the outdoor space feel like a home away

from home

When the child grows out of their playhouse these items

can be easily removed to accommodate a secondary use for the

space

ldquoThe best thing that Denise did for me was explain how we

can use the playhouse for storage for stuff out in the yard after

Chezney has grown out of itrdquo Debby explained ldquoAlthough

she is only eight and will be using it for quite a few more

years this really makes it a good investment and looks

great in the backyardrdquo

Whether you choose a customized playhouse or a tradi-

tional shed thinking toward the future also ensures the

safety and longevity of the structure

Denise explained that placement is an important thing to

consider as you want to make sure the structure is in a safe

place and on an appropriate surface Most importantly the

playhouse must be built on a level even surface that isnrsquot

too high off of the ground

ldquoYou want it on a nice platformrdquo Denise explained

ldquoSome people use concrete but stone is better because it

allows moisture to seep down into the ground and away

from the structurerdquo

Most parents prefer that their playhouse is in the back-

yard where itrsquos easy to see from a window Placing the

structure in a shaded area is also a good idea it will be

cooler in the summer and less susceptible to the elements if

partially protected by trees

Debby had Chezneyrsquos playhouse built right next to her

swing set where she can be easily supervised

One last thing to consider when purchasing a playhouse

Simply Saratoga | 71

72 | Simply Saratoga

or shed for your child is how much effort

you want to put into maintaining it The

more ornate the structure the more care it

may need

Woodcock advises parents to preserve

their investment and treat the playhouse

like a miniature home

Think of it as a miniature house ndash the

structure requires regular maintenance

and upkeep to ensure your child will be

safe while enjoying years and years of

imaginative fun

With so many features and styles to

choose from yoursquore sure to find the best

for both you and your child

For more information about Versatile

Sheds or to set up a time to meet with

Denise Woodcock call (518) 584-7924

or stop by 669 Route 9 in Wilton sect

Simply Saratoga | 73

74 | Simply Saratoga

Kitchen

Not Your

Grandmarsquos

Story Written by Daniel Schechtman Photos Provided

ldquoAs you

walk into the kitchen

of the future LED

light projections adjust

to your mood - it will

know if you have a

hangover via sensors

that will read your

b r a i n w a v e s

Aromatherapy infused

walls will be synched

to your calendar calm-

ing you before a big

meeting or energizing you before a gym session The fridge will have selected some breakfast options identifying the essen-

tial vitamins for your day via sensors When you get home a hologram chef will be on hand for recipe inspirationrdquo

Alright so maybe your kitchen canrsquot do all of these things quite yet ndash but believe it or not wersquore getting there This is tomor-

rowrsquos kitchen a kitchen where your appliances donrsquot just store your food or wash your dishes ndash they talk to you providing you

with integral information on how to

best store your fruits and vegetables

letting you know if the refrigerator

door is open for too long or when a

part will soon need replacing

Simply Saratoga | 75

ldquoScience fictionrdquo I hear you say

Guess again Quoted from a report released by The Future Laboratory

who was commissioned by IKEA to determine what a modernkitchen in the year 2040 could conceivably look like

76 | Simply Saratoga

ldquoOne technology that really stands out to me is the

Miele Appliance Company Right now theyrsquore using a

program called lsquoremote visionrsquo On select applianceshellip

is a wireless card that clicks into a port on the back of

the appliance You synch it up with your home network

and it basically emails the technician and the owner

when itrsquos broken when you need to clean your condens-

er change your water filter or schedule a routine serv-

icerdquo said Tom Thibeault owner of Adirondack

Appliance Repair Inc located at 67 West Ave in

Saratoga Springs ldquoMaybe somebodyrsquos been opening the

[refrigerator] door for too long or the door was left open

ndash it will email you and tell you that your door is left

openrdquo

This is not your grandmarsquos kitchen This my friends

is the kitchen of the future and itrsquos available now

The 36 inch bottom-mount Miele refrigerator boasts a

striking interior featuring LED lighting running along

the sides from top to bottom stainless steel accents and

exteriors with control systems that would be comfort-

able alongside the captainrsquos chair on the Starship

Enterprise

Simply Saratoga | 77

ldquoThe controls in the Miele really stand out

Looking at the controls theyrsquore just a glass piece and

then once you touch it you see a few options for the

different compartments Then you touch the compart-

ment and the temperature is displayed so itrsquos kind of

like a Star Trek controlrdquo Thibeault said

And thatrsquos just the refrigerator

Adirondack Appliance has also seen brands such as

Wolf (a company owned by the same people who own

Sub-Zero) grow in popularity when it comes to their

range stoves and ovens The dual convection oven

works to eliminate cold spotting and provides consis-

tent even temperatures and even allows for unique

options such as proofing ndash used best when baking

homemade bread

ldquoIt also has a temperature probe you can plug into

things like a turkey or roast so you can see the temper-

ature while itrsquos still inside the machine It has

hydraulic hinges halogen lit interiors everything is

composed of stainless steel and itrsquos by far one of the

best lines on the marketrdquo Thibeault said

A new line coming to Adirondack Appliance that

features some amazing technology is a series of Pro-

Style Ranges produced by industry giant Jenn-Air

ldquoThat actually has an LCD touch

screen like an IPAD for the controls The

temperature is set by sliding your finger

along the controls Itrsquos all color backlit and

absolutely amazingrdquo Thibeault said

ldquoAnother thing we have to that same

effect are some of the hoods which have

really been getting pretty out there as far as

design We have one on our floor [by Miele]

that has an LED bar on the front which

changes in phases between 196000 colors

Itrsquos a very delicate change very pretty and

coolrdquo Thibeault said adding ldquoor you can set

it to any color in that spectrum yoursquod like to

accent your cabinetryrdquo

When it comes to dishwashers Thibeault

can attest to the quality of both the Asko and

Miele brands both of which he uses in his

own home And good news for Saratoga

Springs residents ndash

ldquoIn our market in

Saratoga we have a

very hard water base

whether yoursquore on a well

system or city waterrdquo

Thibeault said ldquoSo you

get a lot of minerals in

the machine With the

stainless steel interiors it

eliminates a lot of prob-

lems generally seen with

plastic interior tubs and

usually they are the best

life expectanciesrdquo

78 | Simply Saratoga

Asko and Mieleare practically custom made to handle the

arearsquos typicallymineral rich water

Simply Saratoga | 79

The Asko brand dishwasher takes things one step

further including two pumps in the washerrsquos system

The first pump filters the water cleansing it of poten-

tially harmful minerals while the second pump recircu-

lates the water ensuring that the machine is never

blasting your dishes with food debris or dirty residue

With Miele the design features a built-in water sof-

tener perfect for dealing with the Saratoga water

system

ldquoTypically the Miele is going to do a better job with

tougher baked in stainsrdquo said Thibeault ldquobecause itrsquos

got the softener in it and a little bit longer pots and pans

cyclerdquo

80 | Simply Saratoga

Adirondack Appliance Repair Inc is a fami-

ly-owned business since 1929 and the last inde-

pendent appliance retailer of its kind in Saratoga

Springs With $6 billion of buying power behind

their name (a benefit of being part of the Nation

Wide Appliance Buying Group) Thibeault

promised ldquowe can actually price match the box

stores and everybody else around all while pro-

viding you with better service and better

productsrdquo

For more information on AdirondackAppliance or the products they sell you mayvisit their showroom located at 67 West Avenuein Saratoga Springs for live demonstrationsThey can also be reached by phone at (518)587-6640 or you may visit them at their newwebsite wwwadkappliancecom where cus-tomers can browse through the storersquos entirecatalogue of appliances

sect

Simply Saratoga | 81

82 | Simply Saratoga

Page 61: Simply Saratoga March 2011

Simply Saratoga | 63

ldquoWe have had projects where the customer has wanted tohave a lot of input and we welcome that But we also hadone where the client was out of town and we built a firepit and slide for his wife and kids and our only instructions were to dazzle themI remember it as a most satisfying experience and we ended up winning awards for that onerdquo

- Carl Trinkle Landscape DesignerThe Gallivan Companies

64 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 65

ldquoI get to work using my creativity with talented people Some of the most talented are those

I meet as customersrdquo sect

For more information or to schedule aconsultation phone Gallivan Companies at(518) 271-6100 Gallivanrsquos website iswwwGallivanCompaniescom

66 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 67

Buying a playhouse for your child is an excellent investment

They promote imaginative play and spending time outdoors and

double as storage space when no longer used for recreation

Denise Woodcock owner of Versatile Sheds in Wilton has

been helping parents and grandparents customize their childrsquos or

grandchildrsquos dream playhouses for years

ldquoThey make great gifts especially for grandparents who want

their grandkids to have their own place to play when they visitrdquo

she said

Playhouses are a great addition to a childrsquos outdoor world

They come in all shapes sizes and designs and can be custom-

built or finished if you donrsquot find exactly what yoursquore looking for

in a catalog or on the lot

Every child is different and has their own preferences for color

size and function boys and girls often have especially different

requests for their play space as do younger and more mature chil-

dren so therersquos a lot to consider

Denise knows how even the finest detail can be all it takes to

make an outdoor structure feel like a childrsquos own personal space

While it may seem superfluous to address every minor demand

the truth is a playhouse is more than just an expensive toy itrsquos an

investment The more your child connects with their space the more

use theyrsquoll get out of it ndash and according to Denise that means your

money is well spent

Smartest WayThe

playhouse for your kidsto buy a

Photos by MarkBollescomStory by Yael Goldman

68 | Simply Saratoga

With this in mind prospective buyers should first consider

who will use the playhouse and for how long as well as what

happens when the structure is no longer used for recreation

Versatile Sheds can help even the most discerning parent or

child find what theyrsquore looking for Every playhouse is hand-

built by Amish craftsmen who can accommodate almost any

special request at an additional cost so the possibilities are

endless inside and out

Cedar shingle or vinyl siding wood stone or brick ndash if you

can use it on the outside of your regular home it can be inte-

grated into your playhousersquos design Playhouses can be built

to look like a miniature version of your home which is an

excellent touch for parents that are particularly concerned

with aesthetics Porches shutters flowerboxes unique doors

chimneys and exterior lighting are just a few of the touches

that can brighten and personalize the exterior

Individualizing your childrsquos playhouse doesnrsquot stop at the

front door There are just as many interior features to choose

from ndash you can let your imagination run wild

For starters you have the option to order the playhouse

with a finished or unfinished interior The unfinished version

looks a lot like the inside of a regular home before you move

in paint the walls and furnish the rooms

Buying an unfinished structure is a great way to cut costs

and even bring the family together over a weekend decorating

project The possibilities are endless depending on how handy

you are otherwise a few coats of paint and a bit of carpeting

will surely do the trick

Although a bit pricey purchasing a playhouse with a fin-

ished interior ensures that your child gets exactly what they

want right off the bat They can pick everything from the paint

color to the flooring so the playhouse is move-in ready on the

day it arrives

Playhouses can also be insulated and wired for electricity

You can install lighting electrical outlets even heat or air-

conditioning to make your childrsquos outdoor space as comfort-

able as possible

And the options donrsquot end there Traditional sheds also dou-

ble as playhouses For some parents purchasing an adult-size

shed for their children is an ideal way to get the best return on

their investment Once their children grow out of it the struc-

ture can be used for outdoor storage With just as many styles

sizes and materials to choose from you can customize the

interior and exterior of your shed just as you would a play-

house but without all of the more frivolous features

ldquoAny shed can be a playhouserdquo Woodcock said explaining

how a custom paint job or flowerbox can transform a typical

storage unit into childrsquos outdoor activity haven

For example if purchasing a wood shed the exterior can be

easily painted and repainted when making the transition from

playhouse to storage space

For Denisersquos customers getting their moneyrsquos worth should

not have to mean making sacrifices

Simply Saratoga | 69

70 | Simply Saratoga

When Debby Trainor made the decision to buy her grand-

daughter Chezneyrsquos dream house she wanted it to have all the

bells and whistles She met with Denise to go over all the cri-

teria the goal was to buy the perfect gift for Chezney while

staying within her budget

The eight-year-old Greenwich girl wanted her own pretty

pink palace where she could play and imagine Debby wanted

it to be a cozy and safe place for her to play year-round

Customization and interior decoration helped make

Chezneyrsquos playhouse feel like her own little kingdom

ldquoWe made it look like a cute little dollhouserdquo she said ldquoWe

put furniture inside and a little stove fridge heater and TV

itrsquos just perfectrdquo

With the structure built to their liking Chezney and Debby

could enjoy decorating the inside to personalize the playhouse

For many customers putting on the finishing touches means

making the playhouse feel like home ndash you can add curtains

hang pictures buy furniture and appliances and landscape the

perimeter to make the outdoor space feel like a home away

from home

When the child grows out of their playhouse these items

can be easily removed to accommodate a secondary use for the

space

ldquoThe best thing that Denise did for me was explain how we

can use the playhouse for storage for stuff out in the yard after

Chezney has grown out of itrdquo Debby explained ldquoAlthough

she is only eight and will be using it for quite a few more

years this really makes it a good investment and looks

great in the backyardrdquo

Whether you choose a customized playhouse or a tradi-

tional shed thinking toward the future also ensures the

safety and longevity of the structure

Denise explained that placement is an important thing to

consider as you want to make sure the structure is in a safe

place and on an appropriate surface Most importantly the

playhouse must be built on a level even surface that isnrsquot

too high off of the ground

ldquoYou want it on a nice platformrdquo Denise explained

ldquoSome people use concrete but stone is better because it

allows moisture to seep down into the ground and away

from the structurerdquo

Most parents prefer that their playhouse is in the back-

yard where itrsquos easy to see from a window Placing the

structure in a shaded area is also a good idea it will be

cooler in the summer and less susceptible to the elements if

partially protected by trees

Debby had Chezneyrsquos playhouse built right next to her

swing set where she can be easily supervised

One last thing to consider when purchasing a playhouse

Simply Saratoga | 71

72 | Simply Saratoga

or shed for your child is how much effort

you want to put into maintaining it The

more ornate the structure the more care it

may need

Woodcock advises parents to preserve

their investment and treat the playhouse

like a miniature home

Think of it as a miniature house ndash the

structure requires regular maintenance

and upkeep to ensure your child will be

safe while enjoying years and years of

imaginative fun

With so many features and styles to

choose from yoursquore sure to find the best

for both you and your child

For more information about Versatile

Sheds or to set up a time to meet with

Denise Woodcock call (518) 584-7924

or stop by 669 Route 9 in Wilton sect

Simply Saratoga | 73

74 | Simply Saratoga

Kitchen

Not Your

Grandmarsquos

Story Written by Daniel Schechtman Photos Provided

ldquoAs you

walk into the kitchen

of the future LED

light projections adjust

to your mood - it will

know if you have a

hangover via sensors

that will read your

b r a i n w a v e s

Aromatherapy infused

walls will be synched

to your calendar calm-

ing you before a big

meeting or energizing you before a gym session The fridge will have selected some breakfast options identifying the essen-

tial vitamins for your day via sensors When you get home a hologram chef will be on hand for recipe inspirationrdquo

Alright so maybe your kitchen canrsquot do all of these things quite yet ndash but believe it or not wersquore getting there This is tomor-

rowrsquos kitchen a kitchen where your appliances donrsquot just store your food or wash your dishes ndash they talk to you providing you

with integral information on how to

best store your fruits and vegetables

letting you know if the refrigerator

door is open for too long or when a

part will soon need replacing

Simply Saratoga | 75

ldquoScience fictionrdquo I hear you say

Guess again Quoted from a report released by The Future Laboratory

who was commissioned by IKEA to determine what a modernkitchen in the year 2040 could conceivably look like

76 | Simply Saratoga

ldquoOne technology that really stands out to me is the

Miele Appliance Company Right now theyrsquore using a

program called lsquoremote visionrsquo On select applianceshellip

is a wireless card that clicks into a port on the back of

the appliance You synch it up with your home network

and it basically emails the technician and the owner

when itrsquos broken when you need to clean your condens-

er change your water filter or schedule a routine serv-

icerdquo said Tom Thibeault owner of Adirondack

Appliance Repair Inc located at 67 West Ave in

Saratoga Springs ldquoMaybe somebodyrsquos been opening the

[refrigerator] door for too long or the door was left open

ndash it will email you and tell you that your door is left

openrdquo

This is not your grandmarsquos kitchen This my friends

is the kitchen of the future and itrsquos available now

The 36 inch bottom-mount Miele refrigerator boasts a

striking interior featuring LED lighting running along

the sides from top to bottom stainless steel accents and

exteriors with control systems that would be comfort-

able alongside the captainrsquos chair on the Starship

Enterprise

Simply Saratoga | 77

ldquoThe controls in the Miele really stand out

Looking at the controls theyrsquore just a glass piece and

then once you touch it you see a few options for the

different compartments Then you touch the compart-

ment and the temperature is displayed so itrsquos kind of

like a Star Trek controlrdquo Thibeault said

And thatrsquos just the refrigerator

Adirondack Appliance has also seen brands such as

Wolf (a company owned by the same people who own

Sub-Zero) grow in popularity when it comes to their

range stoves and ovens The dual convection oven

works to eliminate cold spotting and provides consis-

tent even temperatures and even allows for unique

options such as proofing ndash used best when baking

homemade bread

ldquoIt also has a temperature probe you can plug into

things like a turkey or roast so you can see the temper-

ature while itrsquos still inside the machine It has

hydraulic hinges halogen lit interiors everything is

composed of stainless steel and itrsquos by far one of the

best lines on the marketrdquo Thibeault said

A new line coming to Adirondack Appliance that

features some amazing technology is a series of Pro-

Style Ranges produced by industry giant Jenn-Air

ldquoThat actually has an LCD touch

screen like an IPAD for the controls The

temperature is set by sliding your finger

along the controls Itrsquos all color backlit and

absolutely amazingrdquo Thibeault said

ldquoAnother thing we have to that same

effect are some of the hoods which have

really been getting pretty out there as far as

design We have one on our floor [by Miele]

that has an LED bar on the front which

changes in phases between 196000 colors

Itrsquos a very delicate change very pretty and

coolrdquo Thibeault said adding ldquoor you can set

it to any color in that spectrum yoursquod like to

accent your cabinetryrdquo

When it comes to dishwashers Thibeault

can attest to the quality of both the Asko and

Miele brands both of which he uses in his

own home And good news for Saratoga

Springs residents ndash

ldquoIn our market in

Saratoga we have a

very hard water base

whether yoursquore on a well

system or city waterrdquo

Thibeault said ldquoSo you

get a lot of minerals in

the machine With the

stainless steel interiors it

eliminates a lot of prob-

lems generally seen with

plastic interior tubs and

usually they are the best

life expectanciesrdquo

78 | Simply Saratoga

Asko and Mieleare practically custom made to handle the

arearsquos typicallymineral rich water

Simply Saratoga | 79

The Asko brand dishwasher takes things one step

further including two pumps in the washerrsquos system

The first pump filters the water cleansing it of poten-

tially harmful minerals while the second pump recircu-

lates the water ensuring that the machine is never

blasting your dishes with food debris or dirty residue

With Miele the design features a built-in water sof-

tener perfect for dealing with the Saratoga water

system

ldquoTypically the Miele is going to do a better job with

tougher baked in stainsrdquo said Thibeault ldquobecause itrsquos

got the softener in it and a little bit longer pots and pans

cyclerdquo

80 | Simply Saratoga

Adirondack Appliance Repair Inc is a fami-

ly-owned business since 1929 and the last inde-

pendent appliance retailer of its kind in Saratoga

Springs With $6 billion of buying power behind

their name (a benefit of being part of the Nation

Wide Appliance Buying Group) Thibeault

promised ldquowe can actually price match the box

stores and everybody else around all while pro-

viding you with better service and better

productsrdquo

For more information on AdirondackAppliance or the products they sell you mayvisit their showroom located at 67 West Avenuein Saratoga Springs for live demonstrationsThey can also be reached by phone at (518)587-6640 or you may visit them at their newwebsite wwwadkappliancecom where cus-tomers can browse through the storersquos entirecatalogue of appliances

sect

Simply Saratoga | 81

82 | Simply Saratoga

Page 62: Simply Saratoga March 2011

64 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 65

ldquoI get to work using my creativity with talented people Some of the most talented are those

I meet as customersrdquo sect

For more information or to schedule aconsultation phone Gallivan Companies at(518) 271-6100 Gallivanrsquos website iswwwGallivanCompaniescom

66 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 67

Buying a playhouse for your child is an excellent investment

They promote imaginative play and spending time outdoors and

double as storage space when no longer used for recreation

Denise Woodcock owner of Versatile Sheds in Wilton has

been helping parents and grandparents customize their childrsquos or

grandchildrsquos dream playhouses for years

ldquoThey make great gifts especially for grandparents who want

their grandkids to have their own place to play when they visitrdquo

she said

Playhouses are a great addition to a childrsquos outdoor world

They come in all shapes sizes and designs and can be custom-

built or finished if you donrsquot find exactly what yoursquore looking for

in a catalog or on the lot

Every child is different and has their own preferences for color

size and function boys and girls often have especially different

requests for their play space as do younger and more mature chil-

dren so therersquos a lot to consider

Denise knows how even the finest detail can be all it takes to

make an outdoor structure feel like a childrsquos own personal space

While it may seem superfluous to address every minor demand

the truth is a playhouse is more than just an expensive toy itrsquos an

investment The more your child connects with their space the more

use theyrsquoll get out of it ndash and according to Denise that means your

money is well spent

Smartest WayThe

playhouse for your kidsto buy a

Photos by MarkBollescomStory by Yael Goldman

68 | Simply Saratoga

With this in mind prospective buyers should first consider

who will use the playhouse and for how long as well as what

happens when the structure is no longer used for recreation

Versatile Sheds can help even the most discerning parent or

child find what theyrsquore looking for Every playhouse is hand-

built by Amish craftsmen who can accommodate almost any

special request at an additional cost so the possibilities are

endless inside and out

Cedar shingle or vinyl siding wood stone or brick ndash if you

can use it on the outside of your regular home it can be inte-

grated into your playhousersquos design Playhouses can be built

to look like a miniature version of your home which is an

excellent touch for parents that are particularly concerned

with aesthetics Porches shutters flowerboxes unique doors

chimneys and exterior lighting are just a few of the touches

that can brighten and personalize the exterior

Individualizing your childrsquos playhouse doesnrsquot stop at the

front door There are just as many interior features to choose

from ndash you can let your imagination run wild

For starters you have the option to order the playhouse

with a finished or unfinished interior The unfinished version

looks a lot like the inside of a regular home before you move

in paint the walls and furnish the rooms

Buying an unfinished structure is a great way to cut costs

and even bring the family together over a weekend decorating

project The possibilities are endless depending on how handy

you are otherwise a few coats of paint and a bit of carpeting

will surely do the trick

Although a bit pricey purchasing a playhouse with a fin-

ished interior ensures that your child gets exactly what they

want right off the bat They can pick everything from the paint

color to the flooring so the playhouse is move-in ready on the

day it arrives

Playhouses can also be insulated and wired for electricity

You can install lighting electrical outlets even heat or air-

conditioning to make your childrsquos outdoor space as comfort-

able as possible

And the options donrsquot end there Traditional sheds also dou-

ble as playhouses For some parents purchasing an adult-size

shed for their children is an ideal way to get the best return on

their investment Once their children grow out of it the struc-

ture can be used for outdoor storage With just as many styles

sizes and materials to choose from you can customize the

interior and exterior of your shed just as you would a play-

house but without all of the more frivolous features

ldquoAny shed can be a playhouserdquo Woodcock said explaining

how a custom paint job or flowerbox can transform a typical

storage unit into childrsquos outdoor activity haven

For example if purchasing a wood shed the exterior can be

easily painted and repainted when making the transition from

playhouse to storage space

For Denisersquos customers getting their moneyrsquos worth should

not have to mean making sacrifices

Simply Saratoga | 69

70 | Simply Saratoga

When Debby Trainor made the decision to buy her grand-

daughter Chezneyrsquos dream house she wanted it to have all the

bells and whistles She met with Denise to go over all the cri-

teria the goal was to buy the perfect gift for Chezney while

staying within her budget

The eight-year-old Greenwich girl wanted her own pretty

pink palace where she could play and imagine Debby wanted

it to be a cozy and safe place for her to play year-round

Customization and interior decoration helped make

Chezneyrsquos playhouse feel like her own little kingdom

ldquoWe made it look like a cute little dollhouserdquo she said ldquoWe

put furniture inside and a little stove fridge heater and TV

itrsquos just perfectrdquo

With the structure built to their liking Chezney and Debby

could enjoy decorating the inside to personalize the playhouse

For many customers putting on the finishing touches means

making the playhouse feel like home ndash you can add curtains

hang pictures buy furniture and appliances and landscape the

perimeter to make the outdoor space feel like a home away

from home

When the child grows out of their playhouse these items

can be easily removed to accommodate a secondary use for the

space

ldquoThe best thing that Denise did for me was explain how we

can use the playhouse for storage for stuff out in the yard after

Chezney has grown out of itrdquo Debby explained ldquoAlthough

she is only eight and will be using it for quite a few more

years this really makes it a good investment and looks

great in the backyardrdquo

Whether you choose a customized playhouse or a tradi-

tional shed thinking toward the future also ensures the

safety and longevity of the structure

Denise explained that placement is an important thing to

consider as you want to make sure the structure is in a safe

place and on an appropriate surface Most importantly the

playhouse must be built on a level even surface that isnrsquot

too high off of the ground

ldquoYou want it on a nice platformrdquo Denise explained

ldquoSome people use concrete but stone is better because it

allows moisture to seep down into the ground and away

from the structurerdquo

Most parents prefer that their playhouse is in the back-

yard where itrsquos easy to see from a window Placing the

structure in a shaded area is also a good idea it will be

cooler in the summer and less susceptible to the elements if

partially protected by trees

Debby had Chezneyrsquos playhouse built right next to her

swing set where she can be easily supervised

One last thing to consider when purchasing a playhouse

Simply Saratoga | 71

72 | Simply Saratoga

or shed for your child is how much effort

you want to put into maintaining it The

more ornate the structure the more care it

may need

Woodcock advises parents to preserve

their investment and treat the playhouse

like a miniature home

Think of it as a miniature house ndash the

structure requires regular maintenance

and upkeep to ensure your child will be

safe while enjoying years and years of

imaginative fun

With so many features and styles to

choose from yoursquore sure to find the best

for both you and your child

For more information about Versatile

Sheds or to set up a time to meet with

Denise Woodcock call (518) 584-7924

or stop by 669 Route 9 in Wilton sect

Simply Saratoga | 73

74 | Simply Saratoga

Kitchen

Not Your

Grandmarsquos

Story Written by Daniel Schechtman Photos Provided

ldquoAs you

walk into the kitchen

of the future LED

light projections adjust

to your mood - it will

know if you have a

hangover via sensors

that will read your

b r a i n w a v e s

Aromatherapy infused

walls will be synched

to your calendar calm-

ing you before a big

meeting or energizing you before a gym session The fridge will have selected some breakfast options identifying the essen-

tial vitamins for your day via sensors When you get home a hologram chef will be on hand for recipe inspirationrdquo

Alright so maybe your kitchen canrsquot do all of these things quite yet ndash but believe it or not wersquore getting there This is tomor-

rowrsquos kitchen a kitchen where your appliances donrsquot just store your food or wash your dishes ndash they talk to you providing you

with integral information on how to

best store your fruits and vegetables

letting you know if the refrigerator

door is open for too long or when a

part will soon need replacing

Simply Saratoga | 75

ldquoScience fictionrdquo I hear you say

Guess again Quoted from a report released by The Future Laboratory

who was commissioned by IKEA to determine what a modernkitchen in the year 2040 could conceivably look like

76 | Simply Saratoga

ldquoOne technology that really stands out to me is the

Miele Appliance Company Right now theyrsquore using a

program called lsquoremote visionrsquo On select applianceshellip

is a wireless card that clicks into a port on the back of

the appliance You synch it up with your home network

and it basically emails the technician and the owner

when itrsquos broken when you need to clean your condens-

er change your water filter or schedule a routine serv-

icerdquo said Tom Thibeault owner of Adirondack

Appliance Repair Inc located at 67 West Ave in

Saratoga Springs ldquoMaybe somebodyrsquos been opening the

[refrigerator] door for too long or the door was left open

ndash it will email you and tell you that your door is left

openrdquo

This is not your grandmarsquos kitchen This my friends

is the kitchen of the future and itrsquos available now

The 36 inch bottom-mount Miele refrigerator boasts a

striking interior featuring LED lighting running along

the sides from top to bottom stainless steel accents and

exteriors with control systems that would be comfort-

able alongside the captainrsquos chair on the Starship

Enterprise

Simply Saratoga | 77

ldquoThe controls in the Miele really stand out

Looking at the controls theyrsquore just a glass piece and

then once you touch it you see a few options for the

different compartments Then you touch the compart-

ment and the temperature is displayed so itrsquos kind of

like a Star Trek controlrdquo Thibeault said

And thatrsquos just the refrigerator

Adirondack Appliance has also seen brands such as

Wolf (a company owned by the same people who own

Sub-Zero) grow in popularity when it comes to their

range stoves and ovens The dual convection oven

works to eliminate cold spotting and provides consis-

tent even temperatures and even allows for unique

options such as proofing ndash used best when baking

homemade bread

ldquoIt also has a temperature probe you can plug into

things like a turkey or roast so you can see the temper-

ature while itrsquos still inside the machine It has

hydraulic hinges halogen lit interiors everything is

composed of stainless steel and itrsquos by far one of the

best lines on the marketrdquo Thibeault said

A new line coming to Adirondack Appliance that

features some amazing technology is a series of Pro-

Style Ranges produced by industry giant Jenn-Air

ldquoThat actually has an LCD touch

screen like an IPAD for the controls The

temperature is set by sliding your finger

along the controls Itrsquos all color backlit and

absolutely amazingrdquo Thibeault said

ldquoAnother thing we have to that same

effect are some of the hoods which have

really been getting pretty out there as far as

design We have one on our floor [by Miele]

that has an LED bar on the front which

changes in phases between 196000 colors

Itrsquos a very delicate change very pretty and

coolrdquo Thibeault said adding ldquoor you can set

it to any color in that spectrum yoursquod like to

accent your cabinetryrdquo

When it comes to dishwashers Thibeault

can attest to the quality of both the Asko and

Miele brands both of which he uses in his

own home And good news for Saratoga

Springs residents ndash

ldquoIn our market in

Saratoga we have a

very hard water base

whether yoursquore on a well

system or city waterrdquo

Thibeault said ldquoSo you

get a lot of minerals in

the machine With the

stainless steel interiors it

eliminates a lot of prob-

lems generally seen with

plastic interior tubs and

usually they are the best

life expectanciesrdquo

78 | Simply Saratoga

Asko and Mieleare practically custom made to handle the

arearsquos typicallymineral rich water

Simply Saratoga | 79

The Asko brand dishwasher takes things one step

further including two pumps in the washerrsquos system

The first pump filters the water cleansing it of poten-

tially harmful minerals while the second pump recircu-

lates the water ensuring that the machine is never

blasting your dishes with food debris or dirty residue

With Miele the design features a built-in water sof-

tener perfect for dealing with the Saratoga water

system

ldquoTypically the Miele is going to do a better job with

tougher baked in stainsrdquo said Thibeault ldquobecause itrsquos

got the softener in it and a little bit longer pots and pans

cyclerdquo

80 | Simply Saratoga

Adirondack Appliance Repair Inc is a fami-

ly-owned business since 1929 and the last inde-

pendent appliance retailer of its kind in Saratoga

Springs With $6 billion of buying power behind

their name (a benefit of being part of the Nation

Wide Appliance Buying Group) Thibeault

promised ldquowe can actually price match the box

stores and everybody else around all while pro-

viding you with better service and better

productsrdquo

For more information on AdirondackAppliance or the products they sell you mayvisit their showroom located at 67 West Avenuein Saratoga Springs for live demonstrationsThey can also be reached by phone at (518)587-6640 or you may visit them at their newwebsite wwwadkappliancecom where cus-tomers can browse through the storersquos entirecatalogue of appliances

sect

Simply Saratoga | 81

82 | Simply Saratoga

Page 63: Simply Saratoga March 2011

Simply Saratoga | 65

ldquoI get to work using my creativity with talented people Some of the most talented are those

I meet as customersrdquo sect

For more information or to schedule aconsultation phone Gallivan Companies at(518) 271-6100 Gallivanrsquos website iswwwGallivanCompaniescom

66 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 67

Buying a playhouse for your child is an excellent investment

They promote imaginative play and spending time outdoors and

double as storage space when no longer used for recreation

Denise Woodcock owner of Versatile Sheds in Wilton has

been helping parents and grandparents customize their childrsquos or

grandchildrsquos dream playhouses for years

ldquoThey make great gifts especially for grandparents who want

their grandkids to have their own place to play when they visitrdquo

she said

Playhouses are a great addition to a childrsquos outdoor world

They come in all shapes sizes and designs and can be custom-

built or finished if you donrsquot find exactly what yoursquore looking for

in a catalog or on the lot

Every child is different and has their own preferences for color

size and function boys and girls often have especially different

requests for their play space as do younger and more mature chil-

dren so therersquos a lot to consider

Denise knows how even the finest detail can be all it takes to

make an outdoor structure feel like a childrsquos own personal space

While it may seem superfluous to address every minor demand

the truth is a playhouse is more than just an expensive toy itrsquos an

investment The more your child connects with their space the more

use theyrsquoll get out of it ndash and according to Denise that means your

money is well spent

Smartest WayThe

playhouse for your kidsto buy a

Photos by MarkBollescomStory by Yael Goldman

68 | Simply Saratoga

With this in mind prospective buyers should first consider

who will use the playhouse and for how long as well as what

happens when the structure is no longer used for recreation

Versatile Sheds can help even the most discerning parent or

child find what theyrsquore looking for Every playhouse is hand-

built by Amish craftsmen who can accommodate almost any

special request at an additional cost so the possibilities are

endless inside and out

Cedar shingle or vinyl siding wood stone or brick ndash if you

can use it on the outside of your regular home it can be inte-

grated into your playhousersquos design Playhouses can be built

to look like a miniature version of your home which is an

excellent touch for parents that are particularly concerned

with aesthetics Porches shutters flowerboxes unique doors

chimneys and exterior lighting are just a few of the touches

that can brighten and personalize the exterior

Individualizing your childrsquos playhouse doesnrsquot stop at the

front door There are just as many interior features to choose

from ndash you can let your imagination run wild

For starters you have the option to order the playhouse

with a finished or unfinished interior The unfinished version

looks a lot like the inside of a regular home before you move

in paint the walls and furnish the rooms

Buying an unfinished structure is a great way to cut costs

and even bring the family together over a weekend decorating

project The possibilities are endless depending on how handy

you are otherwise a few coats of paint and a bit of carpeting

will surely do the trick

Although a bit pricey purchasing a playhouse with a fin-

ished interior ensures that your child gets exactly what they

want right off the bat They can pick everything from the paint

color to the flooring so the playhouse is move-in ready on the

day it arrives

Playhouses can also be insulated and wired for electricity

You can install lighting electrical outlets even heat or air-

conditioning to make your childrsquos outdoor space as comfort-

able as possible

And the options donrsquot end there Traditional sheds also dou-

ble as playhouses For some parents purchasing an adult-size

shed for their children is an ideal way to get the best return on

their investment Once their children grow out of it the struc-

ture can be used for outdoor storage With just as many styles

sizes and materials to choose from you can customize the

interior and exterior of your shed just as you would a play-

house but without all of the more frivolous features

ldquoAny shed can be a playhouserdquo Woodcock said explaining

how a custom paint job or flowerbox can transform a typical

storage unit into childrsquos outdoor activity haven

For example if purchasing a wood shed the exterior can be

easily painted and repainted when making the transition from

playhouse to storage space

For Denisersquos customers getting their moneyrsquos worth should

not have to mean making sacrifices

Simply Saratoga | 69

70 | Simply Saratoga

When Debby Trainor made the decision to buy her grand-

daughter Chezneyrsquos dream house she wanted it to have all the

bells and whistles She met with Denise to go over all the cri-

teria the goal was to buy the perfect gift for Chezney while

staying within her budget

The eight-year-old Greenwich girl wanted her own pretty

pink palace where she could play and imagine Debby wanted

it to be a cozy and safe place for her to play year-round

Customization and interior decoration helped make

Chezneyrsquos playhouse feel like her own little kingdom

ldquoWe made it look like a cute little dollhouserdquo she said ldquoWe

put furniture inside and a little stove fridge heater and TV

itrsquos just perfectrdquo

With the structure built to their liking Chezney and Debby

could enjoy decorating the inside to personalize the playhouse

For many customers putting on the finishing touches means

making the playhouse feel like home ndash you can add curtains

hang pictures buy furniture and appliances and landscape the

perimeter to make the outdoor space feel like a home away

from home

When the child grows out of their playhouse these items

can be easily removed to accommodate a secondary use for the

space

ldquoThe best thing that Denise did for me was explain how we

can use the playhouse for storage for stuff out in the yard after

Chezney has grown out of itrdquo Debby explained ldquoAlthough

she is only eight and will be using it for quite a few more

years this really makes it a good investment and looks

great in the backyardrdquo

Whether you choose a customized playhouse or a tradi-

tional shed thinking toward the future also ensures the

safety and longevity of the structure

Denise explained that placement is an important thing to

consider as you want to make sure the structure is in a safe

place and on an appropriate surface Most importantly the

playhouse must be built on a level even surface that isnrsquot

too high off of the ground

ldquoYou want it on a nice platformrdquo Denise explained

ldquoSome people use concrete but stone is better because it

allows moisture to seep down into the ground and away

from the structurerdquo

Most parents prefer that their playhouse is in the back-

yard where itrsquos easy to see from a window Placing the

structure in a shaded area is also a good idea it will be

cooler in the summer and less susceptible to the elements if

partially protected by trees

Debby had Chezneyrsquos playhouse built right next to her

swing set where she can be easily supervised

One last thing to consider when purchasing a playhouse

Simply Saratoga | 71

72 | Simply Saratoga

or shed for your child is how much effort

you want to put into maintaining it The

more ornate the structure the more care it

may need

Woodcock advises parents to preserve

their investment and treat the playhouse

like a miniature home

Think of it as a miniature house ndash the

structure requires regular maintenance

and upkeep to ensure your child will be

safe while enjoying years and years of

imaginative fun

With so many features and styles to

choose from yoursquore sure to find the best

for both you and your child

For more information about Versatile

Sheds or to set up a time to meet with

Denise Woodcock call (518) 584-7924

or stop by 669 Route 9 in Wilton sect

Simply Saratoga | 73

74 | Simply Saratoga

Kitchen

Not Your

Grandmarsquos

Story Written by Daniel Schechtman Photos Provided

ldquoAs you

walk into the kitchen

of the future LED

light projections adjust

to your mood - it will

know if you have a

hangover via sensors

that will read your

b r a i n w a v e s

Aromatherapy infused

walls will be synched

to your calendar calm-

ing you before a big

meeting or energizing you before a gym session The fridge will have selected some breakfast options identifying the essen-

tial vitamins for your day via sensors When you get home a hologram chef will be on hand for recipe inspirationrdquo

Alright so maybe your kitchen canrsquot do all of these things quite yet ndash but believe it or not wersquore getting there This is tomor-

rowrsquos kitchen a kitchen where your appliances donrsquot just store your food or wash your dishes ndash they talk to you providing you

with integral information on how to

best store your fruits and vegetables

letting you know if the refrigerator

door is open for too long or when a

part will soon need replacing

Simply Saratoga | 75

ldquoScience fictionrdquo I hear you say

Guess again Quoted from a report released by The Future Laboratory

who was commissioned by IKEA to determine what a modernkitchen in the year 2040 could conceivably look like

76 | Simply Saratoga

ldquoOne technology that really stands out to me is the

Miele Appliance Company Right now theyrsquore using a

program called lsquoremote visionrsquo On select applianceshellip

is a wireless card that clicks into a port on the back of

the appliance You synch it up with your home network

and it basically emails the technician and the owner

when itrsquos broken when you need to clean your condens-

er change your water filter or schedule a routine serv-

icerdquo said Tom Thibeault owner of Adirondack

Appliance Repair Inc located at 67 West Ave in

Saratoga Springs ldquoMaybe somebodyrsquos been opening the

[refrigerator] door for too long or the door was left open

ndash it will email you and tell you that your door is left

openrdquo

This is not your grandmarsquos kitchen This my friends

is the kitchen of the future and itrsquos available now

The 36 inch bottom-mount Miele refrigerator boasts a

striking interior featuring LED lighting running along

the sides from top to bottom stainless steel accents and

exteriors with control systems that would be comfort-

able alongside the captainrsquos chair on the Starship

Enterprise

Simply Saratoga | 77

ldquoThe controls in the Miele really stand out

Looking at the controls theyrsquore just a glass piece and

then once you touch it you see a few options for the

different compartments Then you touch the compart-

ment and the temperature is displayed so itrsquos kind of

like a Star Trek controlrdquo Thibeault said

And thatrsquos just the refrigerator

Adirondack Appliance has also seen brands such as

Wolf (a company owned by the same people who own

Sub-Zero) grow in popularity when it comes to their

range stoves and ovens The dual convection oven

works to eliminate cold spotting and provides consis-

tent even temperatures and even allows for unique

options such as proofing ndash used best when baking

homemade bread

ldquoIt also has a temperature probe you can plug into

things like a turkey or roast so you can see the temper-

ature while itrsquos still inside the machine It has

hydraulic hinges halogen lit interiors everything is

composed of stainless steel and itrsquos by far one of the

best lines on the marketrdquo Thibeault said

A new line coming to Adirondack Appliance that

features some amazing technology is a series of Pro-

Style Ranges produced by industry giant Jenn-Air

ldquoThat actually has an LCD touch

screen like an IPAD for the controls The

temperature is set by sliding your finger

along the controls Itrsquos all color backlit and

absolutely amazingrdquo Thibeault said

ldquoAnother thing we have to that same

effect are some of the hoods which have

really been getting pretty out there as far as

design We have one on our floor [by Miele]

that has an LED bar on the front which

changes in phases between 196000 colors

Itrsquos a very delicate change very pretty and

coolrdquo Thibeault said adding ldquoor you can set

it to any color in that spectrum yoursquod like to

accent your cabinetryrdquo

When it comes to dishwashers Thibeault

can attest to the quality of both the Asko and

Miele brands both of which he uses in his

own home And good news for Saratoga

Springs residents ndash

ldquoIn our market in

Saratoga we have a

very hard water base

whether yoursquore on a well

system or city waterrdquo

Thibeault said ldquoSo you

get a lot of minerals in

the machine With the

stainless steel interiors it

eliminates a lot of prob-

lems generally seen with

plastic interior tubs and

usually they are the best

life expectanciesrdquo

78 | Simply Saratoga

Asko and Mieleare practically custom made to handle the

arearsquos typicallymineral rich water

Simply Saratoga | 79

The Asko brand dishwasher takes things one step

further including two pumps in the washerrsquos system

The first pump filters the water cleansing it of poten-

tially harmful minerals while the second pump recircu-

lates the water ensuring that the machine is never

blasting your dishes with food debris or dirty residue

With Miele the design features a built-in water sof-

tener perfect for dealing with the Saratoga water

system

ldquoTypically the Miele is going to do a better job with

tougher baked in stainsrdquo said Thibeault ldquobecause itrsquos

got the softener in it and a little bit longer pots and pans

cyclerdquo

80 | Simply Saratoga

Adirondack Appliance Repair Inc is a fami-

ly-owned business since 1929 and the last inde-

pendent appliance retailer of its kind in Saratoga

Springs With $6 billion of buying power behind

their name (a benefit of being part of the Nation

Wide Appliance Buying Group) Thibeault

promised ldquowe can actually price match the box

stores and everybody else around all while pro-

viding you with better service and better

productsrdquo

For more information on AdirondackAppliance or the products they sell you mayvisit their showroom located at 67 West Avenuein Saratoga Springs for live demonstrationsThey can also be reached by phone at (518)587-6640 or you may visit them at their newwebsite wwwadkappliancecom where cus-tomers can browse through the storersquos entirecatalogue of appliances

sect

Simply Saratoga | 81

82 | Simply Saratoga

Page 64: Simply Saratoga March 2011

66 | Simply Saratoga

Simply Saratoga | 67

Buying a playhouse for your child is an excellent investment

They promote imaginative play and spending time outdoors and

double as storage space when no longer used for recreation

Denise Woodcock owner of Versatile Sheds in Wilton has

been helping parents and grandparents customize their childrsquos or

grandchildrsquos dream playhouses for years

ldquoThey make great gifts especially for grandparents who want

their grandkids to have their own place to play when they visitrdquo

she said

Playhouses are a great addition to a childrsquos outdoor world

They come in all shapes sizes and designs and can be custom-

built or finished if you donrsquot find exactly what yoursquore looking for

in a catalog or on the lot

Every child is different and has their own preferences for color

size and function boys and girls often have especially different

requests for their play space as do younger and more mature chil-

dren so therersquos a lot to consider

Denise knows how even the finest detail can be all it takes to

make an outdoor structure feel like a childrsquos own personal space

While it may seem superfluous to address every minor demand

the truth is a playhouse is more than just an expensive toy itrsquos an

investment The more your child connects with their space the more

use theyrsquoll get out of it ndash and according to Denise that means your

money is well spent

Smartest WayThe

playhouse for your kidsto buy a

Photos by MarkBollescomStory by Yael Goldman

68 | Simply Saratoga

With this in mind prospective buyers should first consider

who will use the playhouse and for how long as well as what

happens when the structure is no longer used for recreation

Versatile Sheds can help even the most discerning parent or

child find what theyrsquore looking for Every playhouse is hand-

built by Amish craftsmen who can accommodate almost any

special request at an additional cost so the possibilities are

endless inside and out

Cedar shingle or vinyl siding wood stone or brick ndash if you

can use it on the outside of your regular home it can be inte-

grated into your playhousersquos design Playhouses can be built

to look like a miniature version of your home which is an

excellent touch for parents that are particularly concerned

with aesthetics Porches shutters flowerboxes unique doors

chimneys and exterior lighting are just a few of the touches

that can brighten and personalize the exterior

Individualizing your childrsquos playhouse doesnrsquot stop at the

front door There are just as many interior features to choose

from ndash you can let your imagination run wild

For starters you have the option to order the playhouse

with a finished or unfinished interior The unfinished version

looks a lot like the inside of a regular home before you move

in paint the walls and furnish the rooms

Buying an unfinished structure is a great way to cut costs

and even bring the family together over a weekend decorating

project The possibilities are endless depending on how handy

you are otherwise a few coats of paint and a bit of carpeting

will surely do the trick

Although a bit pricey purchasing a playhouse with a fin-

ished interior ensures that your child gets exactly what they

want right off the bat They can pick everything from the paint

color to the flooring so the playhouse is move-in ready on the

day it arrives

Playhouses can also be insulated and wired for electricity

You can install lighting electrical outlets even heat or air-

conditioning to make your childrsquos outdoor space as comfort-

able as possible

And the options donrsquot end there Traditional sheds also dou-

ble as playhouses For some parents purchasing an adult-size

shed for their children is an ideal way to get the best return on

their investment Once their children grow out of it the struc-

ture can be used for outdoor storage With just as many styles

sizes and materials to choose from you can customize the

interior and exterior of your shed just as you would a play-

house but without all of the more frivolous features

ldquoAny shed can be a playhouserdquo Woodcock said explaining

how a custom paint job or flowerbox can transform a typical

storage unit into childrsquos outdoor activity haven

For example if purchasing a wood shed the exterior can be

easily painted and repainted when making the transition from

playhouse to storage space

For Denisersquos customers getting their moneyrsquos worth should

not have to mean making sacrifices

Simply Saratoga | 69

70 | Simply Saratoga

When Debby Trainor made the decision to buy her grand-

daughter Chezneyrsquos dream house she wanted it to have all the

bells and whistles She met with Denise to go over all the cri-

teria the goal was to buy the perfect gift for Chezney while

staying within her budget

The eight-year-old Greenwich girl wanted her own pretty

pink palace where she could play and imagine Debby wanted

it to be a cozy and safe place for her to play year-round

Customization and interior decoration helped make

Chezneyrsquos playhouse feel like her own little kingdom

ldquoWe made it look like a cute little dollhouserdquo she said ldquoWe

put furniture inside and a little stove fridge heater and TV

itrsquos just perfectrdquo

With the structure built to their liking Chezney and Debby

could enjoy decorating the inside to personalize the playhouse

For many customers putting on the finishing touches means

making the playhouse feel like home ndash you can add curtains

hang pictures buy furniture and appliances and landscape the

perimeter to make the outdoor space feel like a home away

from home

When the child grows out of their playhouse these items

can be easily removed to accommodate a secondary use for the

space

ldquoThe best thing that Denise did for me was explain how we

can use the playhouse for storage for stuff out in the yard after

Chezney has grown out of itrdquo Debby explained ldquoAlthough

she is only eight and will be using it for quite a few more

years this really makes it a good investment and looks

great in the backyardrdquo

Whether you choose a customized playhouse or a tradi-

tional shed thinking toward the future also ensures the

safety and longevity of the structure

Denise explained that placement is an important thing to

consider as you want to make sure the structure is in a safe

place and on an appropriate surface Most importantly the

playhouse must be built on a level even surface that isnrsquot

too high off of the ground

ldquoYou want it on a nice platformrdquo Denise explained

ldquoSome people use concrete but stone is better because it

allows moisture to seep down into the ground and away

from the structurerdquo

Most parents prefer that their playhouse is in the back-

yard where itrsquos easy to see from a window Placing the

structure in a shaded area is also a good idea it will be

cooler in the summer and less susceptible to the elements if

partially protected by trees

Debby had Chezneyrsquos playhouse built right next to her

swing set where she can be easily supervised

One last thing to consider when purchasing a playhouse

Simply Saratoga | 71

72 | Simply Saratoga

or shed for your child is how much effort

you want to put into maintaining it The

more ornate the structure the more care it

may need

Woodcock advises parents to preserve

their investment and treat the playhouse

like a miniature home

Think of it as a miniature house ndash the

structure requires regular maintenance

and upkeep to ensure your child will be

safe while enjoying years and years of

imaginative fun

With so many features and styles to

choose from yoursquore sure to find the best

for both you and your child

For more information about Versatile

Sheds or to set up a time to meet with

Denise Woodcock call (518) 584-7924

or stop by 669 Route 9 in Wilton sect

Simply Saratoga | 73

74 | Simply Saratoga

Kitchen

Not Your

Grandmarsquos

Story Written by Daniel Schechtman Photos Provided

ldquoAs you

walk into the kitchen

of the future LED

light projections adjust

to your mood - it will

know if you have a

hangover via sensors

that will read your

b r a i n w a v e s

Aromatherapy infused

walls will be synched

to your calendar calm-

ing you before a big

meeting or energizing you before a gym session The fridge will have selected some breakfast options identifying the essen-

tial vitamins for your day via sensors When you get home a hologram chef will be on hand for recipe inspirationrdquo

Alright so maybe your kitchen canrsquot do all of these things quite yet ndash but believe it or not wersquore getting there This is tomor-

rowrsquos kitchen a kitchen where your appliances donrsquot just store your food or wash your dishes ndash they talk to you providing you

with integral information on how to

best store your fruits and vegetables

letting you know if the refrigerator

door is open for too long or when a

part will soon need replacing

Simply Saratoga | 75

ldquoScience fictionrdquo I hear you say

Guess again Quoted from a report released by The Future Laboratory

who was commissioned by IKEA to determine what a modernkitchen in the year 2040 could conceivably look like

76 | Simply Saratoga

ldquoOne technology that really stands out to me is the

Miele Appliance Company Right now theyrsquore using a

program called lsquoremote visionrsquo On select applianceshellip

is a wireless card that clicks into a port on the back of

the appliance You synch it up with your home network

and it basically emails the technician and the owner

when itrsquos broken when you need to clean your condens-

er change your water filter or schedule a routine serv-

icerdquo said Tom Thibeault owner of Adirondack

Appliance Repair Inc located at 67 West Ave in

Saratoga Springs ldquoMaybe somebodyrsquos been opening the

[refrigerator] door for too long or the door was left open

ndash it will email you and tell you that your door is left

openrdquo

This is not your grandmarsquos kitchen This my friends

is the kitchen of the future and itrsquos available now

The 36 inch bottom-mount Miele refrigerator boasts a

striking interior featuring LED lighting running along

the sides from top to bottom stainless steel accents and

exteriors with control systems that would be comfort-

able alongside the captainrsquos chair on the Starship

Enterprise

Simply Saratoga | 77

ldquoThe controls in the Miele really stand out

Looking at the controls theyrsquore just a glass piece and

then once you touch it you see a few options for the

different compartments Then you touch the compart-

ment and the temperature is displayed so itrsquos kind of

like a Star Trek controlrdquo Thibeault said

And thatrsquos just the refrigerator

Adirondack Appliance has also seen brands such as

Wolf (a company owned by the same people who own

Sub-Zero) grow in popularity when it comes to their

range stoves and ovens The dual convection oven

works to eliminate cold spotting and provides consis-

tent even temperatures and even allows for unique

options such as proofing ndash used best when baking

homemade bread

ldquoIt also has a temperature probe you can plug into

things like a turkey or roast so you can see the temper-

ature while itrsquos still inside the machine It has

hydraulic hinges halogen lit interiors everything is

composed of stainless steel and itrsquos by far one of the

best lines on the marketrdquo Thibeault said

A new line coming to Adirondack Appliance that

features some amazing technology is a series of Pro-

Style Ranges produced by industry giant Jenn-Air

ldquoThat actually has an LCD touch

screen like an IPAD for the controls The

temperature is set by sliding your finger

along the controls Itrsquos all color backlit and

absolutely amazingrdquo Thibeault said

ldquoAnother thing we have to that same

effect are some of the hoods which have

really been getting pretty out there as far as

design We have one on our floor [by Miele]

that has an LED bar on the front which

changes in phases between 196000 colors

Itrsquos a very delicate change very pretty and

coolrdquo Thibeault said adding ldquoor you can set

it to any color in that spectrum yoursquod like to

accent your cabinetryrdquo

When it comes to dishwashers Thibeault

can attest to the quality of both the Asko and

Miele brands both of which he uses in his

own home And good news for Saratoga

Springs residents ndash

ldquoIn our market in

Saratoga we have a

very hard water base

whether yoursquore on a well

system or city waterrdquo

Thibeault said ldquoSo you

get a lot of minerals in

the machine With the

stainless steel interiors it

eliminates a lot of prob-

lems generally seen with

plastic interior tubs and

usually they are the best

life expectanciesrdquo

78 | Simply Saratoga

Asko and Mieleare practically custom made to handle the

arearsquos typicallymineral rich water

Simply Saratoga | 79

The Asko brand dishwasher takes things one step

further including two pumps in the washerrsquos system

The first pump filters the water cleansing it of poten-

tially harmful minerals while the second pump recircu-

lates the water ensuring that the machine is never

blasting your dishes with food debris or dirty residue

With Miele the design features a built-in water sof-

tener perfect for dealing with the Saratoga water

system

ldquoTypically the Miele is going to do a better job with

tougher baked in stainsrdquo said Thibeault ldquobecause itrsquos

got the softener in it and a little bit longer pots and pans

cyclerdquo

80 | Simply Saratoga

Adirondack Appliance Repair Inc is a fami-

ly-owned business since 1929 and the last inde-

pendent appliance retailer of its kind in Saratoga

Springs With $6 billion of buying power behind

their name (a benefit of being part of the Nation

Wide Appliance Buying Group) Thibeault

promised ldquowe can actually price match the box

stores and everybody else around all while pro-

viding you with better service and better

productsrdquo

For more information on AdirondackAppliance or the products they sell you mayvisit their showroom located at 67 West Avenuein Saratoga Springs for live demonstrationsThey can also be reached by phone at (518)587-6640 or you may visit them at their newwebsite wwwadkappliancecom where cus-tomers can browse through the storersquos entirecatalogue of appliances

sect

Simply Saratoga | 81

82 | Simply Saratoga

Page 65: Simply Saratoga March 2011

Simply Saratoga | 67

Buying a playhouse for your child is an excellent investment

They promote imaginative play and spending time outdoors and

double as storage space when no longer used for recreation

Denise Woodcock owner of Versatile Sheds in Wilton has

been helping parents and grandparents customize their childrsquos or

grandchildrsquos dream playhouses for years

ldquoThey make great gifts especially for grandparents who want

their grandkids to have their own place to play when they visitrdquo

she said

Playhouses are a great addition to a childrsquos outdoor world

They come in all shapes sizes and designs and can be custom-

built or finished if you donrsquot find exactly what yoursquore looking for

in a catalog or on the lot

Every child is different and has their own preferences for color

size and function boys and girls often have especially different

requests for their play space as do younger and more mature chil-

dren so therersquos a lot to consider

Denise knows how even the finest detail can be all it takes to

make an outdoor structure feel like a childrsquos own personal space

While it may seem superfluous to address every minor demand

the truth is a playhouse is more than just an expensive toy itrsquos an

investment The more your child connects with their space the more

use theyrsquoll get out of it ndash and according to Denise that means your

money is well spent

Smartest WayThe

playhouse for your kidsto buy a

Photos by MarkBollescomStory by Yael Goldman

68 | Simply Saratoga

With this in mind prospective buyers should first consider

who will use the playhouse and for how long as well as what

happens when the structure is no longer used for recreation

Versatile Sheds can help even the most discerning parent or

child find what theyrsquore looking for Every playhouse is hand-

built by Amish craftsmen who can accommodate almost any

special request at an additional cost so the possibilities are

endless inside and out

Cedar shingle or vinyl siding wood stone or brick ndash if you

can use it on the outside of your regular home it can be inte-

grated into your playhousersquos design Playhouses can be built

to look like a miniature version of your home which is an

excellent touch for parents that are particularly concerned

with aesthetics Porches shutters flowerboxes unique doors

chimneys and exterior lighting are just a few of the touches

that can brighten and personalize the exterior

Individualizing your childrsquos playhouse doesnrsquot stop at the

front door There are just as many interior features to choose

from ndash you can let your imagination run wild

For starters you have the option to order the playhouse

with a finished or unfinished interior The unfinished version

looks a lot like the inside of a regular home before you move

in paint the walls and furnish the rooms

Buying an unfinished structure is a great way to cut costs

and even bring the family together over a weekend decorating

project The possibilities are endless depending on how handy

you are otherwise a few coats of paint and a bit of carpeting

will surely do the trick

Although a bit pricey purchasing a playhouse with a fin-

ished interior ensures that your child gets exactly what they

want right off the bat They can pick everything from the paint

color to the flooring so the playhouse is move-in ready on the

day it arrives

Playhouses can also be insulated and wired for electricity

You can install lighting electrical outlets even heat or air-

conditioning to make your childrsquos outdoor space as comfort-

able as possible

And the options donrsquot end there Traditional sheds also dou-

ble as playhouses For some parents purchasing an adult-size

shed for their children is an ideal way to get the best return on

their investment Once their children grow out of it the struc-

ture can be used for outdoor storage With just as many styles

sizes and materials to choose from you can customize the

interior and exterior of your shed just as you would a play-

house but without all of the more frivolous features

ldquoAny shed can be a playhouserdquo Woodcock said explaining

how a custom paint job or flowerbox can transform a typical

storage unit into childrsquos outdoor activity haven

For example if purchasing a wood shed the exterior can be

easily painted and repainted when making the transition from

playhouse to storage space

For Denisersquos customers getting their moneyrsquos worth should

not have to mean making sacrifices

Simply Saratoga | 69

70 | Simply Saratoga

When Debby Trainor made the decision to buy her grand-

daughter Chezneyrsquos dream house she wanted it to have all the

bells and whistles She met with Denise to go over all the cri-

teria the goal was to buy the perfect gift for Chezney while

staying within her budget

The eight-year-old Greenwich girl wanted her own pretty

pink palace where she could play and imagine Debby wanted

it to be a cozy and safe place for her to play year-round

Customization and interior decoration helped make

Chezneyrsquos playhouse feel like her own little kingdom

ldquoWe made it look like a cute little dollhouserdquo she said ldquoWe

put furniture inside and a little stove fridge heater and TV

itrsquos just perfectrdquo

With the structure built to their liking Chezney and Debby

could enjoy decorating the inside to personalize the playhouse

For many customers putting on the finishing touches means

making the playhouse feel like home ndash you can add curtains

hang pictures buy furniture and appliances and landscape the

perimeter to make the outdoor space feel like a home away

from home

When the child grows out of their playhouse these items

can be easily removed to accommodate a secondary use for the

space

ldquoThe best thing that Denise did for me was explain how we

can use the playhouse for storage for stuff out in the yard after

Chezney has grown out of itrdquo Debby explained ldquoAlthough

she is only eight and will be using it for quite a few more

years this really makes it a good investment and looks

great in the backyardrdquo

Whether you choose a customized playhouse or a tradi-

tional shed thinking toward the future also ensures the

safety and longevity of the structure

Denise explained that placement is an important thing to

consider as you want to make sure the structure is in a safe

place and on an appropriate surface Most importantly the

playhouse must be built on a level even surface that isnrsquot

too high off of the ground

ldquoYou want it on a nice platformrdquo Denise explained

ldquoSome people use concrete but stone is better because it

allows moisture to seep down into the ground and away

from the structurerdquo

Most parents prefer that their playhouse is in the back-

yard where itrsquos easy to see from a window Placing the

structure in a shaded area is also a good idea it will be

cooler in the summer and less susceptible to the elements if

partially protected by trees

Debby had Chezneyrsquos playhouse built right next to her

swing set where she can be easily supervised

One last thing to consider when purchasing a playhouse

Simply Saratoga | 71

72 | Simply Saratoga

or shed for your child is how much effort

you want to put into maintaining it The

more ornate the structure the more care it

may need

Woodcock advises parents to preserve

their investment and treat the playhouse

like a miniature home

Think of it as a miniature house ndash the

structure requires regular maintenance

and upkeep to ensure your child will be

safe while enjoying years and years of

imaginative fun

With so many features and styles to

choose from yoursquore sure to find the best

for both you and your child

For more information about Versatile

Sheds or to set up a time to meet with

Denise Woodcock call (518) 584-7924

or stop by 669 Route 9 in Wilton sect

Simply Saratoga | 73

74 | Simply Saratoga

Kitchen

Not Your

Grandmarsquos

Story Written by Daniel Schechtman Photos Provided

ldquoAs you

walk into the kitchen

of the future LED

light projections adjust

to your mood - it will

know if you have a

hangover via sensors

that will read your

b r a i n w a v e s

Aromatherapy infused

walls will be synched

to your calendar calm-

ing you before a big

meeting or energizing you before a gym session The fridge will have selected some breakfast options identifying the essen-

tial vitamins for your day via sensors When you get home a hologram chef will be on hand for recipe inspirationrdquo

Alright so maybe your kitchen canrsquot do all of these things quite yet ndash but believe it or not wersquore getting there This is tomor-

rowrsquos kitchen a kitchen where your appliances donrsquot just store your food or wash your dishes ndash they talk to you providing you

with integral information on how to

best store your fruits and vegetables

letting you know if the refrigerator

door is open for too long or when a

part will soon need replacing

Simply Saratoga | 75

ldquoScience fictionrdquo I hear you say

Guess again Quoted from a report released by The Future Laboratory

who was commissioned by IKEA to determine what a modernkitchen in the year 2040 could conceivably look like

76 | Simply Saratoga

ldquoOne technology that really stands out to me is the

Miele Appliance Company Right now theyrsquore using a

program called lsquoremote visionrsquo On select applianceshellip

is a wireless card that clicks into a port on the back of

the appliance You synch it up with your home network

and it basically emails the technician and the owner

when itrsquos broken when you need to clean your condens-

er change your water filter or schedule a routine serv-

icerdquo said Tom Thibeault owner of Adirondack

Appliance Repair Inc located at 67 West Ave in

Saratoga Springs ldquoMaybe somebodyrsquos been opening the

[refrigerator] door for too long or the door was left open

ndash it will email you and tell you that your door is left

openrdquo

This is not your grandmarsquos kitchen This my friends

is the kitchen of the future and itrsquos available now

The 36 inch bottom-mount Miele refrigerator boasts a

striking interior featuring LED lighting running along

the sides from top to bottom stainless steel accents and

exteriors with control systems that would be comfort-

able alongside the captainrsquos chair on the Starship

Enterprise

Simply Saratoga | 77

ldquoThe controls in the Miele really stand out

Looking at the controls theyrsquore just a glass piece and

then once you touch it you see a few options for the

different compartments Then you touch the compart-

ment and the temperature is displayed so itrsquos kind of

like a Star Trek controlrdquo Thibeault said

And thatrsquos just the refrigerator

Adirondack Appliance has also seen brands such as

Wolf (a company owned by the same people who own

Sub-Zero) grow in popularity when it comes to their

range stoves and ovens The dual convection oven

works to eliminate cold spotting and provides consis-

tent even temperatures and even allows for unique

options such as proofing ndash used best when baking

homemade bread

ldquoIt also has a temperature probe you can plug into

things like a turkey or roast so you can see the temper-

ature while itrsquos still inside the machine It has

hydraulic hinges halogen lit interiors everything is

composed of stainless steel and itrsquos by far one of the

best lines on the marketrdquo Thibeault said

A new line coming to Adirondack Appliance that

features some amazing technology is a series of Pro-

Style Ranges produced by industry giant Jenn-Air

ldquoThat actually has an LCD touch

screen like an IPAD for the controls The

temperature is set by sliding your finger

along the controls Itrsquos all color backlit and

absolutely amazingrdquo Thibeault said

ldquoAnother thing we have to that same

effect are some of the hoods which have

really been getting pretty out there as far as

design We have one on our floor [by Miele]

that has an LED bar on the front which

changes in phases between 196000 colors

Itrsquos a very delicate change very pretty and

coolrdquo Thibeault said adding ldquoor you can set

it to any color in that spectrum yoursquod like to

accent your cabinetryrdquo

When it comes to dishwashers Thibeault

can attest to the quality of both the Asko and

Miele brands both of which he uses in his

own home And good news for Saratoga

Springs residents ndash

ldquoIn our market in

Saratoga we have a

very hard water base

whether yoursquore on a well

system or city waterrdquo

Thibeault said ldquoSo you

get a lot of minerals in

the machine With the

stainless steel interiors it

eliminates a lot of prob-

lems generally seen with

plastic interior tubs and

usually they are the best

life expectanciesrdquo

78 | Simply Saratoga

Asko and Mieleare practically custom made to handle the

arearsquos typicallymineral rich water

Simply Saratoga | 79

The Asko brand dishwasher takes things one step

further including two pumps in the washerrsquos system

The first pump filters the water cleansing it of poten-

tially harmful minerals while the second pump recircu-

lates the water ensuring that the machine is never

blasting your dishes with food debris or dirty residue

With Miele the design features a built-in water sof-

tener perfect for dealing with the Saratoga water

system

ldquoTypically the Miele is going to do a better job with

tougher baked in stainsrdquo said Thibeault ldquobecause itrsquos

got the softener in it and a little bit longer pots and pans

cyclerdquo

80 | Simply Saratoga

Adirondack Appliance Repair Inc is a fami-

ly-owned business since 1929 and the last inde-

pendent appliance retailer of its kind in Saratoga

Springs With $6 billion of buying power behind

their name (a benefit of being part of the Nation

Wide Appliance Buying Group) Thibeault

promised ldquowe can actually price match the box

stores and everybody else around all while pro-

viding you with better service and better

productsrdquo

For more information on AdirondackAppliance or the products they sell you mayvisit their showroom located at 67 West Avenuein Saratoga Springs for live demonstrationsThey can also be reached by phone at (518)587-6640 or you may visit them at their newwebsite wwwadkappliancecom where cus-tomers can browse through the storersquos entirecatalogue of appliances

sect

Simply Saratoga | 81

82 | Simply Saratoga

Page 66: Simply Saratoga March 2011

68 | Simply Saratoga

With this in mind prospective buyers should first consider

who will use the playhouse and for how long as well as what

happens when the structure is no longer used for recreation

Versatile Sheds can help even the most discerning parent or

child find what theyrsquore looking for Every playhouse is hand-

built by Amish craftsmen who can accommodate almost any

special request at an additional cost so the possibilities are

endless inside and out

Cedar shingle or vinyl siding wood stone or brick ndash if you

can use it on the outside of your regular home it can be inte-

grated into your playhousersquos design Playhouses can be built

to look like a miniature version of your home which is an

excellent touch for parents that are particularly concerned

with aesthetics Porches shutters flowerboxes unique doors

chimneys and exterior lighting are just a few of the touches

that can brighten and personalize the exterior

Individualizing your childrsquos playhouse doesnrsquot stop at the

front door There are just as many interior features to choose

from ndash you can let your imagination run wild

For starters you have the option to order the playhouse

with a finished or unfinished interior The unfinished version

looks a lot like the inside of a regular home before you move

in paint the walls and furnish the rooms

Buying an unfinished structure is a great way to cut costs

and even bring the family together over a weekend decorating

project The possibilities are endless depending on how handy

you are otherwise a few coats of paint and a bit of carpeting

will surely do the trick

Although a bit pricey purchasing a playhouse with a fin-

ished interior ensures that your child gets exactly what they

want right off the bat They can pick everything from the paint

color to the flooring so the playhouse is move-in ready on the

day it arrives

Playhouses can also be insulated and wired for electricity

You can install lighting electrical outlets even heat or air-

conditioning to make your childrsquos outdoor space as comfort-

able as possible

And the options donrsquot end there Traditional sheds also dou-

ble as playhouses For some parents purchasing an adult-size

shed for their children is an ideal way to get the best return on

their investment Once their children grow out of it the struc-

ture can be used for outdoor storage With just as many styles

sizes and materials to choose from you can customize the

interior and exterior of your shed just as you would a play-

house but without all of the more frivolous features

ldquoAny shed can be a playhouserdquo Woodcock said explaining

how a custom paint job or flowerbox can transform a typical

storage unit into childrsquos outdoor activity haven

For example if purchasing a wood shed the exterior can be

easily painted and repainted when making the transition from

playhouse to storage space

For Denisersquos customers getting their moneyrsquos worth should

not have to mean making sacrifices

Simply Saratoga | 69

70 | Simply Saratoga

When Debby Trainor made the decision to buy her grand-

daughter Chezneyrsquos dream house she wanted it to have all the

bells and whistles She met with Denise to go over all the cri-

teria the goal was to buy the perfect gift for Chezney while

staying within her budget

The eight-year-old Greenwich girl wanted her own pretty

pink palace where she could play and imagine Debby wanted

it to be a cozy and safe place for her to play year-round

Customization and interior decoration helped make

Chezneyrsquos playhouse feel like her own little kingdom

ldquoWe made it look like a cute little dollhouserdquo she said ldquoWe

put furniture inside and a little stove fridge heater and TV

itrsquos just perfectrdquo

With the structure built to their liking Chezney and Debby

could enjoy decorating the inside to personalize the playhouse

For many customers putting on the finishing touches means

making the playhouse feel like home ndash you can add curtains

hang pictures buy furniture and appliances and landscape the

perimeter to make the outdoor space feel like a home away

from home

When the child grows out of their playhouse these items

can be easily removed to accommodate a secondary use for the

space

ldquoThe best thing that Denise did for me was explain how we

can use the playhouse for storage for stuff out in the yard after

Chezney has grown out of itrdquo Debby explained ldquoAlthough

she is only eight and will be using it for quite a few more

years this really makes it a good investment and looks

great in the backyardrdquo

Whether you choose a customized playhouse or a tradi-

tional shed thinking toward the future also ensures the

safety and longevity of the structure

Denise explained that placement is an important thing to

consider as you want to make sure the structure is in a safe

place and on an appropriate surface Most importantly the

playhouse must be built on a level even surface that isnrsquot

too high off of the ground

ldquoYou want it on a nice platformrdquo Denise explained

ldquoSome people use concrete but stone is better because it

allows moisture to seep down into the ground and away

from the structurerdquo

Most parents prefer that their playhouse is in the back-

yard where itrsquos easy to see from a window Placing the

structure in a shaded area is also a good idea it will be

cooler in the summer and less susceptible to the elements if

partially protected by trees

Debby had Chezneyrsquos playhouse built right next to her

swing set where she can be easily supervised

One last thing to consider when purchasing a playhouse

Simply Saratoga | 71

72 | Simply Saratoga

or shed for your child is how much effort

you want to put into maintaining it The

more ornate the structure the more care it

may need

Woodcock advises parents to preserve

their investment and treat the playhouse

like a miniature home

Think of it as a miniature house ndash the

structure requires regular maintenance

and upkeep to ensure your child will be

safe while enjoying years and years of

imaginative fun

With so many features and styles to

choose from yoursquore sure to find the best

for both you and your child

For more information about Versatile

Sheds or to set up a time to meet with

Denise Woodcock call (518) 584-7924

or stop by 669 Route 9 in Wilton sect

Simply Saratoga | 73

74 | Simply Saratoga

Kitchen

Not Your

Grandmarsquos

Story Written by Daniel Schechtman Photos Provided

ldquoAs you

walk into the kitchen

of the future LED

light projections adjust

to your mood - it will

know if you have a

hangover via sensors

that will read your

b r a i n w a v e s

Aromatherapy infused

walls will be synched

to your calendar calm-

ing you before a big

meeting or energizing you before a gym session The fridge will have selected some breakfast options identifying the essen-

tial vitamins for your day via sensors When you get home a hologram chef will be on hand for recipe inspirationrdquo

Alright so maybe your kitchen canrsquot do all of these things quite yet ndash but believe it or not wersquore getting there This is tomor-

rowrsquos kitchen a kitchen where your appliances donrsquot just store your food or wash your dishes ndash they talk to you providing you

with integral information on how to

best store your fruits and vegetables

letting you know if the refrigerator

door is open for too long or when a

part will soon need replacing

Simply Saratoga | 75

ldquoScience fictionrdquo I hear you say

Guess again Quoted from a report released by The Future Laboratory

who was commissioned by IKEA to determine what a modernkitchen in the year 2040 could conceivably look like

76 | Simply Saratoga

ldquoOne technology that really stands out to me is the

Miele Appliance Company Right now theyrsquore using a

program called lsquoremote visionrsquo On select applianceshellip

is a wireless card that clicks into a port on the back of

the appliance You synch it up with your home network

and it basically emails the technician and the owner

when itrsquos broken when you need to clean your condens-

er change your water filter or schedule a routine serv-

icerdquo said Tom Thibeault owner of Adirondack

Appliance Repair Inc located at 67 West Ave in

Saratoga Springs ldquoMaybe somebodyrsquos been opening the

[refrigerator] door for too long or the door was left open

ndash it will email you and tell you that your door is left

openrdquo

This is not your grandmarsquos kitchen This my friends

is the kitchen of the future and itrsquos available now

The 36 inch bottom-mount Miele refrigerator boasts a

striking interior featuring LED lighting running along

the sides from top to bottom stainless steel accents and

exteriors with control systems that would be comfort-

able alongside the captainrsquos chair on the Starship

Enterprise

Simply Saratoga | 77

ldquoThe controls in the Miele really stand out

Looking at the controls theyrsquore just a glass piece and

then once you touch it you see a few options for the

different compartments Then you touch the compart-

ment and the temperature is displayed so itrsquos kind of

like a Star Trek controlrdquo Thibeault said

And thatrsquos just the refrigerator

Adirondack Appliance has also seen brands such as

Wolf (a company owned by the same people who own

Sub-Zero) grow in popularity when it comes to their

range stoves and ovens The dual convection oven

works to eliminate cold spotting and provides consis-

tent even temperatures and even allows for unique

options such as proofing ndash used best when baking

homemade bread

ldquoIt also has a temperature probe you can plug into

things like a turkey or roast so you can see the temper-

ature while itrsquos still inside the machine It has

hydraulic hinges halogen lit interiors everything is

composed of stainless steel and itrsquos by far one of the

best lines on the marketrdquo Thibeault said

A new line coming to Adirondack Appliance that

features some amazing technology is a series of Pro-

Style Ranges produced by industry giant Jenn-Air

ldquoThat actually has an LCD touch

screen like an IPAD for the controls The

temperature is set by sliding your finger

along the controls Itrsquos all color backlit and

absolutely amazingrdquo Thibeault said

ldquoAnother thing we have to that same

effect are some of the hoods which have

really been getting pretty out there as far as

design We have one on our floor [by Miele]

that has an LED bar on the front which

changes in phases between 196000 colors

Itrsquos a very delicate change very pretty and

coolrdquo Thibeault said adding ldquoor you can set

it to any color in that spectrum yoursquod like to

accent your cabinetryrdquo

When it comes to dishwashers Thibeault

can attest to the quality of both the Asko and

Miele brands both of which he uses in his

own home And good news for Saratoga

Springs residents ndash

ldquoIn our market in

Saratoga we have a

very hard water base

whether yoursquore on a well

system or city waterrdquo

Thibeault said ldquoSo you

get a lot of minerals in

the machine With the

stainless steel interiors it

eliminates a lot of prob-

lems generally seen with

plastic interior tubs and

usually they are the best

life expectanciesrdquo

78 | Simply Saratoga

Asko and Mieleare practically custom made to handle the

arearsquos typicallymineral rich water

Simply Saratoga | 79

The Asko brand dishwasher takes things one step

further including two pumps in the washerrsquos system

The first pump filters the water cleansing it of poten-

tially harmful minerals while the second pump recircu-

lates the water ensuring that the machine is never

blasting your dishes with food debris or dirty residue

With Miele the design features a built-in water sof-

tener perfect for dealing with the Saratoga water

system

ldquoTypically the Miele is going to do a better job with

tougher baked in stainsrdquo said Thibeault ldquobecause itrsquos

got the softener in it and a little bit longer pots and pans

cyclerdquo

80 | Simply Saratoga

Adirondack Appliance Repair Inc is a fami-

ly-owned business since 1929 and the last inde-

pendent appliance retailer of its kind in Saratoga

Springs With $6 billion of buying power behind

their name (a benefit of being part of the Nation

Wide Appliance Buying Group) Thibeault

promised ldquowe can actually price match the box

stores and everybody else around all while pro-

viding you with better service and better

productsrdquo

For more information on AdirondackAppliance or the products they sell you mayvisit their showroom located at 67 West Avenuein Saratoga Springs for live demonstrationsThey can also be reached by phone at (518)587-6640 or you may visit them at their newwebsite wwwadkappliancecom where cus-tomers can browse through the storersquos entirecatalogue of appliances

sect

Simply Saratoga | 81

82 | Simply Saratoga

Page 67: Simply Saratoga March 2011

Simply Saratoga | 69

70 | Simply Saratoga

When Debby Trainor made the decision to buy her grand-

daughter Chezneyrsquos dream house she wanted it to have all the

bells and whistles She met with Denise to go over all the cri-

teria the goal was to buy the perfect gift for Chezney while

staying within her budget

The eight-year-old Greenwich girl wanted her own pretty

pink palace where she could play and imagine Debby wanted

it to be a cozy and safe place for her to play year-round

Customization and interior decoration helped make

Chezneyrsquos playhouse feel like her own little kingdom

ldquoWe made it look like a cute little dollhouserdquo she said ldquoWe

put furniture inside and a little stove fridge heater and TV

itrsquos just perfectrdquo

With the structure built to their liking Chezney and Debby

could enjoy decorating the inside to personalize the playhouse

For many customers putting on the finishing touches means

making the playhouse feel like home ndash you can add curtains

hang pictures buy furniture and appliances and landscape the

perimeter to make the outdoor space feel like a home away

from home

When the child grows out of their playhouse these items

can be easily removed to accommodate a secondary use for the

space

ldquoThe best thing that Denise did for me was explain how we

can use the playhouse for storage for stuff out in the yard after

Chezney has grown out of itrdquo Debby explained ldquoAlthough

she is only eight and will be using it for quite a few more

years this really makes it a good investment and looks

great in the backyardrdquo

Whether you choose a customized playhouse or a tradi-

tional shed thinking toward the future also ensures the

safety and longevity of the structure

Denise explained that placement is an important thing to

consider as you want to make sure the structure is in a safe

place and on an appropriate surface Most importantly the

playhouse must be built on a level even surface that isnrsquot

too high off of the ground

ldquoYou want it on a nice platformrdquo Denise explained

ldquoSome people use concrete but stone is better because it

allows moisture to seep down into the ground and away

from the structurerdquo

Most parents prefer that their playhouse is in the back-

yard where itrsquos easy to see from a window Placing the

structure in a shaded area is also a good idea it will be

cooler in the summer and less susceptible to the elements if

partially protected by trees

Debby had Chezneyrsquos playhouse built right next to her

swing set where she can be easily supervised

One last thing to consider when purchasing a playhouse

Simply Saratoga | 71

72 | Simply Saratoga

or shed for your child is how much effort

you want to put into maintaining it The

more ornate the structure the more care it

may need

Woodcock advises parents to preserve

their investment and treat the playhouse

like a miniature home

Think of it as a miniature house ndash the

structure requires regular maintenance

and upkeep to ensure your child will be

safe while enjoying years and years of

imaginative fun

With so many features and styles to

choose from yoursquore sure to find the best

for both you and your child

For more information about Versatile

Sheds or to set up a time to meet with

Denise Woodcock call (518) 584-7924

or stop by 669 Route 9 in Wilton sect

Simply Saratoga | 73

74 | Simply Saratoga

Kitchen

Not Your

Grandmarsquos

Story Written by Daniel Schechtman Photos Provided

ldquoAs you

walk into the kitchen

of the future LED

light projections adjust

to your mood - it will

know if you have a

hangover via sensors

that will read your

b r a i n w a v e s

Aromatherapy infused

walls will be synched

to your calendar calm-

ing you before a big

meeting or energizing you before a gym session The fridge will have selected some breakfast options identifying the essen-

tial vitamins for your day via sensors When you get home a hologram chef will be on hand for recipe inspirationrdquo

Alright so maybe your kitchen canrsquot do all of these things quite yet ndash but believe it or not wersquore getting there This is tomor-

rowrsquos kitchen a kitchen where your appliances donrsquot just store your food or wash your dishes ndash they talk to you providing you

with integral information on how to

best store your fruits and vegetables

letting you know if the refrigerator

door is open for too long or when a

part will soon need replacing

Simply Saratoga | 75

ldquoScience fictionrdquo I hear you say

Guess again Quoted from a report released by The Future Laboratory

who was commissioned by IKEA to determine what a modernkitchen in the year 2040 could conceivably look like

76 | Simply Saratoga

ldquoOne technology that really stands out to me is the

Miele Appliance Company Right now theyrsquore using a

program called lsquoremote visionrsquo On select applianceshellip

is a wireless card that clicks into a port on the back of

the appliance You synch it up with your home network

and it basically emails the technician and the owner

when itrsquos broken when you need to clean your condens-

er change your water filter or schedule a routine serv-

icerdquo said Tom Thibeault owner of Adirondack

Appliance Repair Inc located at 67 West Ave in

Saratoga Springs ldquoMaybe somebodyrsquos been opening the

[refrigerator] door for too long or the door was left open

ndash it will email you and tell you that your door is left

openrdquo

This is not your grandmarsquos kitchen This my friends

is the kitchen of the future and itrsquos available now

The 36 inch bottom-mount Miele refrigerator boasts a

striking interior featuring LED lighting running along

the sides from top to bottom stainless steel accents and

exteriors with control systems that would be comfort-

able alongside the captainrsquos chair on the Starship

Enterprise

Simply Saratoga | 77

ldquoThe controls in the Miele really stand out

Looking at the controls theyrsquore just a glass piece and

then once you touch it you see a few options for the

different compartments Then you touch the compart-

ment and the temperature is displayed so itrsquos kind of

like a Star Trek controlrdquo Thibeault said

And thatrsquos just the refrigerator

Adirondack Appliance has also seen brands such as

Wolf (a company owned by the same people who own

Sub-Zero) grow in popularity when it comes to their

range stoves and ovens The dual convection oven

works to eliminate cold spotting and provides consis-

tent even temperatures and even allows for unique

options such as proofing ndash used best when baking

homemade bread

ldquoIt also has a temperature probe you can plug into

things like a turkey or roast so you can see the temper-

ature while itrsquos still inside the machine It has

hydraulic hinges halogen lit interiors everything is

composed of stainless steel and itrsquos by far one of the

best lines on the marketrdquo Thibeault said

A new line coming to Adirondack Appliance that

features some amazing technology is a series of Pro-

Style Ranges produced by industry giant Jenn-Air

ldquoThat actually has an LCD touch

screen like an IPAD for the controls The

temperature is set by sliding your finger

along the controls Itrsquos all color backlit and

absolutely amazingrdquo Thibeault said

ldquoAnother thing we have to that same

effect are some of the hoods which have

really been getting pretty out there as far as

design We have one on our floor [by Miele]

that has an LED bar on the front which

changes in phases between 196000 colors

Itrsquos a very delicate change very pretty and

coolrdquo Thibeault said adding ldquoor you can set

it to any color in that spectrum yoursquod like to

accent your cabinetryrdquo

When it comes to dishwashers Thibeault

can attest to the quality of both the Asko and

Miele brands both of which he uses in his

own home And good news for Saratoga

Springs residents ndash

ldquoIn our market in

Saratoga we have a

very hard water base

whether yoursquore on a well

system or city waterrdquo

Thibeault said ldquoSo you

get a lot of minerals in

the machine With the

stainless steel interiors it

eliminates a lot of prob-

lems generally seen with

plastic interior tubs and

usually they are the best

life expectanciesrdquo

78 | Simply Saratoga

Asko and Mieleare practically custom made to handle the

arearsquos typicallymineral rich water

Simply Saratoga | 79

The Asko brand dishwasher takes things one step

further including two pumps in the washerrsquos system

The first pump filters the water cleansing it of poten-

tially harmful minerals while the second pump recircu-

lates the water ensuring that the machine is never

blasting your dishes with food debris or dirty residue

With Miele the design features a built-in water sof-

tener perfect for dealing with the Saratoga water

system

ldquoTypically the Miele is going to do a better job with

tougher baked in stainsrdquo said Thibeault ldquobecause itrsquos

got the softener in it and a little bit longer pots and pans

cyclerdquo

80 | Simply Saratoga

Adirondack Appliance Repair Inc is a fami-

ly-owned business since 1929 and the last inde-

pendent appliance retailer of its kind in Saratoga

Springs With $6 billion of buying power behind

their name (a benefit of being part of the Nation

Wide Appliance Buying Group) Thibeault

promised ldquowe can actually price match the box

stores and everybody else around all while pro-

viding you with better service and better

productsrdquo

For more information on AdirondackAppliance or the products they sell you mayvisit their showroom located at 67 West Avenuein Saratoga Springs for live demonstrationsThey can also be reached by phone at (518)587-6640 or you may visit them at their newwebsite wwwadkappliancecom where cus-tomers can browse through the storersquos entirecatalogue of appliances

sect

Simply Saratoga | 81

82 | Simply Saratoga

Page 68: Simply Saratoga March 2011

70 | Simply Saratoga

When Debby Trainor made the decision to buy her grand-

daughter Chezneyrsquos dream house she wanted it to have all the

bells and whistles She met with Denise to go over all the cri-

teria the goal was to buy the perfect gift for Chezney while

staying within her budget

The eight-year-old Greenwich girl wanted her own pretty

pink palace where she could play and imagine Debby wanted

it to be a cozy and safe place for her to play year-round

Customization and interior decoration helped make

Chezneyrsquos playhouse feel like her own little kingdom

ldquoWe made it look like a cute little dollhouserdquo she said ldquoWe

put furniture inside and a little stove fridge heater and TV

itrsquos just perfectrdquo

With the structure built to their liking Chezney and Debby

could enjoy decorating the inside to personalize the playhouse

For many customers putting on the finishing touches means

making the playhouse feel like home ndash you can add curtains

hang pictures buy furniture and appliances and landscape the

perimeter to make the outdoor space feel like a home away

from home

When the child grows out of their playhouse these items

can be easily removed to accommodate a secondary use for the

space

ldquoThe best thing that Denise did for me was explain how we

can use the playhouse for storage for stuff out in the yard after

Chezney has grown out of itrdquo Debby explained ldquoAlthough

she is only eight and will be using it for quite a few more

years this really makes it a good investment and looks

great in the backyardrdquo

Whether you choose a customized playhouse or a tradi-

tional shed thinking toward the future also ensures the

safety and longevity of the structure

Denise explained that placement is an important thing to

consider as you want to make sure the structure is in a safe

place and on an appropriate surface Most importantly the

playhouse must be built on a level even surface that isnrsquot

too high off of the ground

ldquoYou want it on a nice platformrdquo Denise explained

ldquoSome people use concrete but stone is better because it

allows moisture to seep down into the ground and away

from the structurerdquo

Most parents prefer that their playhouse is in the back-

yard where itrsquos easy to see from a window Placing the

structure in a shaded area is also a good idea it will be

cooler in the summer and less susceptible to the elements if

partially protected by trees

Debby had Chezneyrsquos playhouse built right next to her

swing set where she can be easily supervised

One last thing to consider when purchasing a playhouse

Simply Saratoga | 71

72 | Simply Saratoga

or shed for your child is how much effort

you want to put into maintaining it The

more ornate the structure the more care it

may need

Woodcock advises parents to preserve

their investment and treat the playhouse

like a miniature home

Think of it as a miniature house ndash the

structure requires regular maintenance

and upkeep to ensure your child will be

safe while enjoying years and years of

imaginative fun

With so many features and styles to

choose from yoursquore sure to find the best

for both you and your child

For more information about Versatile

Sheds or to set up a time to meet with

Denise Woodcock call (518) 584-7924

or stop by 669 Route 9 in Wilton sect

Simply Saratoga | 73

74 | Simply Saratoga

Kitchen

Not Your

Grandmarsquos

Story Written by Daniel Schechtman Photos Provided

ldquoAs you

walk into the kitchen

of the future LED

light projections adjust

to your mood - it will

know if you have a

hangover via sensors

that will read your

b r a i n w a v e s

Aromatherapy infused

walls will be synched

to your calendar calm-

ing you before a big

meeting or energizing you before a gym session The fridge will have selected some breakfast options identifying the essen-

tial vitamins for your day via sensors When you get home a hologram chef will be on hand for recipe inspirationrdquo

Alright so maybe your kitchen canrsquot do all of these things quite yet ndash but believe it or not wersquore getting there This is tomor-

rowrsquos kitchen a kitchen where your appliances donrsquot just store your food or wash your dishes ndash they talk to you providing you

with integral information on how to

best store your fruits and vegetables

letting you know if the refrigerator

door is open for too long or when a

part will soon need replacing

Simply Saratoga | 75

ldquoScience fictionrdquo I hear you say

Guess again Quoted from a report released by The Future Laboratory

who was commissioned by IKEA to determine what a modernkitchen in the year 2040 could conceivably look like

76 | Simply Saratoga

ldquoOne technology that really stands out to me is the

Miele Appliance Company Right now theyrsquore using a

program called lsquoremote visionrsquo On select applianceshellip

is a wireless card that clicks into a port on the back of

the appliance You synch it up with your home network

and it basically emails the technician and the owner

when itrsquos broken when you need to clean your condens-

er change your water filter or schedule a routine serv-

icerdquo said Tom Thibeault owner of Adirondack

Appliance Repair Inc located at 67 West Ave in

Saratoga Springs ldquoMaybe somebodyrsquos been opening the

[refrigerator] door for too long or the door was left open

ndash it will email you and tell you that your door is left

openrdquo

This is not your grandmarsquos kitchen This my friends

is the kitchen of the future and itrsquos available now

The 36 inch bottom-mount Miele refrigerator boasts a

striking interior featuring LED lighting running along

the sides from top to bottom stainless steel accents and

exteriors with control systems that would be comfort-

able alongside the captainrsquos chair on the Starship

Enterprise

Simply Saratoga | 77

ldquoThe controls in the Miele really stand out

Looking at the controls theyrsquore just a glass piece and

then once you touch it you see a few options for the

different compartments Then you touch the compart-

ment and the temperature is displayed so itrsquos kind of

like a Star Trek controlrdquo Thibeault said

And thatrsquos just the refrigerator

Adirondack Appliance has also seen brands such as

Wolf (a company owned by the same people who own

Sub-Zero) grow in popularity when it comes to their

range stoves and ovens The dual convection oven

works to eliminate cold spotting and provides consis-

tent even temperatures and even allows for unique

options such as proofing ndash used best when baking

homemade bread

ldquoIt also has a temperature probe you can plug into

things like a turkey or roast so you can see the temper-

ature while itrsquos still inside the machine It has

hydraulic hinges halogen lit interiors everything is

composed of stainless steel and itrsquos by far one of the

best lines on the marketrdquo Thibeault said

A new line coming to Adirondack Appliance that

features some amazing technology is a series of Pro-

Style Ranges produced by industry giant Jenn-Air

ldquoThat actually has an LCD touch

screen like an IPAD for the controls The

temperature is set by sliding your finger

along the controls Itrsquos all color backlit and

absolutely amazingrdquo Thibeault said

ldquoAnother thing we have to that same

effect are some of the hoods which have

really been getting pretty out there as far as

design We have one on our floor [by Miele]

that has an LED bar on the front which

changes in phases between 196000 colors

Itrsquos a very delicate change very pretty and

coolrdquo Thibeault said adding ldquoor you can set

it to any color in that spectrum yoursquod like to

accent your cabinetryrdquo

When it comes to dishwashers Thibeault

can attest to the quality of both the Asko and

Miele brands both of which he uses in his

own home And good news for Saratoga

Springs residents ndash

ldquoIn our market in

Saratoga we have a

very hard water base

whether yoursquore on a well

system or city waterrdquo

Thibeault said ldquoSo you

get a lot of minerals in

the machine With the

stainless steel interiors it

eliminates a lot of prob-

lems generally seen with

plastic interior tubs and

usually they are the best

life expectanciesrdquo

78 | Simply Saratoga

Asko and Mieleare practically custom made to handle the

arearsquos typicallymineral rich water

Simply Saratoga | 79

The Asko brand dishwasher takes things one step

further including two pumps in the washerrsquos system

The first pump filters the water cleansing it of poten-

tially harmful minerals while the second pump recircu-

lates the water ensuring that the machine is never

blasting your dishes with food debris or dirty residue

With Miele the design features a built-in water sof-

tener perfect for dealing with the Saratoga water

system

ldquoTypically the Miele is going to do a better job with

tougher baked in stainsrdquo said Thibeault ldquobecause itrsquos

got the softener in it and a little bit longer pots and pans

cyclerdquo

80 | Simply Saratoga

Adirondack Appliance Repair Inc is a fami-

ly-owned business since 1929 and the last inde-

pendent appliance retailer of its kind in Saratoga

Springs With $6 billion of buying power behind

their name (a benefit of being part of the Nation

Wide Appliance Buying Group) Thibeault

promised ldquowe can actually price match the box

stores and everybody else around all while pro-

viding you with better service and better

productsrdquo

For more information on AdirondackAppliance or the products they sell you mayvisit their showroom located at 67 West Avenuein Saratoga Springs for live demonstrationsThey can also be reached by phone at (518)587-6640 or you may visit them at their newwebsite wwwadkappliancecom where cus-tomers can browse through the storersquos entirecatalogue of appliances

sect

Simply Saratoga | 81

82 | Simply Saratoga

Page 69: Simply Saratoga March 2011

Simply Saratoga | 71

72 | Simply Saratoga

or shed for your child is how much effort

you want to put into maintaining it The

more ornate the structure the more care it

may need

Woodcock advises parents to preserve

their investment and treat the playhouse

like a miniature home

Think of it as a miniature house ndash the

structure requires regular maintenance

and upkeep to ensure your child will be

safe while enjoying years and years of

imaginative fun

With so many features and styles to

choose from yoursquore sure to find the best

for both you and your child

For more information about Versatile

Sheds or to set up a time to meet with

Denise Woodcock call (518) 584-7924

or stop by 669 Route 9 in Wilton sect

Simply Saratoga | 73

74 | Simply Saratoga

Kitchen

Not Your

Grandmarsquos

Story Written by Daniel Schechtman Photos Provided

ldquoAs you

walk into the kitchen

of the future LED

light projections adjust

to your mood - it will

know if you have a

hangover via sensors

that will read your

b r a i n w a v e s

Aromatherapy infused

walls will be synched

to your calendar calm-

ing you before a big

meeting or energizing you before a gym session The fridge will have selected some breakfast options identifying the essen-

tial vitamins for your day via sensors When you get home a hologram chef will be on hand for recipe inspirationrdquo

Alright so maybe your kitchen canrsquot do all of these things quite yet ndash but believe it or not wersquore getting there This is tomor-

rowrsquos kitchen a kitchen where your appliances donrsquot just store your food or wash your dishes ndash they talk to you providing you

with integral information on how to

best store your fruits and vegetables

letting you know if the refrigerator

door is open for too long or when a

part will soon need replacing

Simply Saratoga | 75

ldquoScience fictionrdquo I hear you say

Guess again Quoted from a report released by The Future Laboratory

who was commissioned by IKEA to determine what a modernkitchen in the year 2040 could conceivably look like

76 | Simply Saratoga

ldquoOne technology that really stands out to me is the

Miele Appliance Company Right now theyrsquore using a

program called lsquoremote visionrsquo On select applianceshellip

is a wireless card that clicks into a port on the back of

the appliance You synch it up with your home network

and it basically emails the technician and the owner

when itrsquos broken when you need to clean your condens-

er change your water filter or schedule a routine serv-

icerdquo said Tom Thibeault owner of Adirondack

Appliance Repair Inc located at 67 West Ave in

Saratoga Springs ldquoMaybe somebodyrsquos been opening the

[refrigerator] door for too long or the door was left open

ndash it will email you and tell you that your door is left

openrdquo

This is not your grandmarsquos kitchen This my friends

is the kitchen of the future and itrsquos available now

The 36 inch bottom-mount Miele refrigerator boasts a

striking interior featuring LED lighting running along

the sides from top to bottom stainless steel accents and

exteriors with control systems that would be comfort-

able alongside the captainrsquos chair on the Starship

Enterprise

Simply Saratoga | 77

ldquoThe controls in the Miele really stand out

Looking at the controls theyrsquore just a glass piece and

then once you touch it you see a few options for the

different compartments Then you touch the compart-

ment and the temperature is displayed so itrsquos kind of

like a Star Trek controlrdquo Thibeault said

And thatrsquos just the refrigerator

Adirondack Appliance has also seen brands such as

Wolf (a company owned by the same people who own

Sub-Zero) grow in popularity when it comes to their

range stoves and ovens The dual convection oven

works to eliminate cold spotting and provides consis-

tent even temperatures and even allows for unique

options such as proofing ndash used best when baking

homemade bread

ldquoIt also has a temperature probe you can plug into

things like a turkey or roast so you can see the temper-

ature while itrsquos still inside the machine It has

hydraulic hinges halogen lit interiors everything is

composed of stainless steel and itrsquos by far one of the

best lines on the marketrdquo Thibeault said

A new line coming to Adirondack Appliance that

features some amazing technology is a series of Pro-

Style Ranges produced by industry giant Jenn-Air

ldquoThat actually has an LCD touch

screen like an IPAD for the controls The

temperature is set by sliding your finger

along the controls Itrsquos all color backlit and

absolutely amazingrdquo Thibeault said

ldquoAnother thing we have to that same

effect are some of the hoods which have

really been getting pretty out there as far as

design We have one on our floor [by Miele]

that has an LED bar on the front which

changes in phases between 196000 colors

Itrsquos a very delicate change very pretty and

coolrdquo Thibeault said adding ldquoor you can set

it to any color in that spectrum yoursquod like to

accent your cabinetryrdquo

When it comes to dishwashers Thibeault

can attest to the quality of both the Asko and

Miele brands both of which he uses in his

own home And good news for Saratoga

Springs residents ndash

ldquoIn our market in

Saratoga we have a

very hard water base

whether yoursquore on a well

system or city waterrdquo

Thibeault said ldquoSo you

get a lot of minerals in

the machine With the

stainless steel interiors it

eliminates a lot of prob-

lems generally seen with

plastic interior tubs and

usually they are the best

life expectanciesrdquo

78 | Simply Saratoga

Asko and Mieleare practically custom made to handle the

arearsquos typicallymineral rich water

Simply Saratoga | 79

The Asko brand dishwasher takes things one step

further including two pumps in the washerrsquos system

The first pump filters the water cleansing it of poten-

tially harmful minerals while the second pump recircu-

lates the water ensuring that the machine is never

blasting your dishes with food debris or dirty residue

With Miele the design features a built-in water sof-

tener perfect for dealing with the Saratoga water

system

ldquoTypically the Miele is going to do a better job with

tougher baked in stainsrdquo said Thibeault ldquobecause itrsquos

got the softener in it and a little bit longer pots and pans

cyclerdquo

80 | Simply Saratoga

Adirondack Appliance Repair Inc is a fami-

ly-owned business since 1929 and the last inde-

pendent appliance retailer of its kind in Saratoga

Springs With $6 billion of buying power behind

their name (a benefit of being part of the Nation

Wide Appliance Buying Group) Thibeault

promised ldquowe can actually price match the box

stores and everybody else around all while pro-

viding you with better service and better

productsrdquo

For more information on AdirondackAppliance or the products they sell you mayvisit their showroom located at 67 West Avenuein Saratoga Springs for live demonstrationsThey can also be reached by phone at (518)587-6640 or you may visit them at their newwebsite wwwadkappliancecom where cus-tomers can browse through the storersquos entirecatalogue of appliances

sect

Simply Saratoga | 81

82 | Simply Saratoga

Page 70: Simply Saratoga March 2011

72 | Simply Saratoga

or shed for your child is how much effort

you want to put into maintaining it The

more ornate the structure the more care it

may need

Woodcock advises parents to preserve

their investment and treat the playhouse

like a miniature home

Think of it as a miniature house ndash the

structure requires regular maintenance

and upkeep to ensure your child will be

safe while enjoying years and years of

imaginative fun

With so many features and styles to

choose from yoursquore sure to find the best

for both you and your child

For more information about Versatile

Sheds or to set up a time to meet with

Denise Woodcock call (518) 584-7924

or stop by 669 Route 9 in Wilton sect

Simply Saratoga | 73

74 | Simply Saratoga

Kitchen

Not Your

Grandmarsquos

Story Written by Daniel Schechtman Photos Provided

ldquoAs you

walk into the kitchen

of the future LED

light projections adjust

to your mood - it will

know if you have a

hangover via sensors

that will read your

b r a i n w a v e s

Aromatherapy infused

walls will be synched

to your calendar calm-

ing you before a big

meeting or energizing you before a gym session The fridge will have selected some breakfast options identifying the essen-

tial vitamins for your day via sensors When you get home a hologram chef will be on hand for recipe inspirationrdquo

Alright so maybe your kitchen canrsquot do all of these things quite yet ndash but believe it or not wersquore getting there This is tomor-

rowrsquos kitchen a kitchen where your appliances donrsquot just store your food or wash your dishes ndash they talk to you providing you

with integral information on how to

best store your fruits and vegetables

letting you know if the refrigerator

door is open for too long or when a

part will soon need replacing

Simply Saratoga | 75

ldquoScience fictionrdquo I hear you say

Guess again Quoted from a report released by The Future Laboratory

who was commissioned by IKEA to determine what a modernkitchen in the year 2040 could conceivably look like

76 | Simply Saratoga

ldquoOne technology that really stands out to me is the

Miele Appliance Company Right now theyrsquore using a

program called lsquoremote visionrsquo On select applianceshellip

is a wireless card that clicks into a port on the back of

the appliance You synch it up with your home network

and it basically emails the technician and the owner

when itrsquos broken when you need to clean your condens-

er change your water filter or schedule a routine serv-

icerdquo said Tom Thibeault owner of Adirondack

Appliance Repair Inc located at 67 West Ave in

Saratoga Springs ldquoMaybe somebodyrsquos been opening the

[refrigerator] door for too long or the door was left open

ndash it will email you and tell you that your door is left

openrdquo

This is not your grandmarsquos kitchen This my friends

is the kitchen of the future and itrsquos available now

The 36 inch bottom-mount Miele refrigerator boasts a

striking interior featuring LED lighting running along

the sides from top to bottom stainless steel accents and

exteriors with control systems that would be comfort-

able alongside the captainrsquos chair on the Starship

Enterprise

Simply Saratoga | 77

ldquoThe controls in the Miele really stand out

Looking at the controls theyrsquore just a glass piece and

then once you touch it you see a few options for the

different compartments Then you touch the compart-

ment and the temperature is displayed so itrsquos kind of

like a Star Trek controlrdquo Thibeault said

And thatrsquos just the refrigerator

Adirondack Appliance has also seen brands such as

Wolf (a company owned by the same people who own

Sub-Zero) grow in popularity when it comes to their

range stoves and ovens The dual convection oven

works to eliminate cold spotting and provides consis-

tent even temperatures and even allows for unique

options such as proofing ndash used best when baking

homemade bread

ldquoIt also has a temperature probe you can plug into

things like a turkey or roast so you can see the temper-

ature while itrsquos still inside the machine It has

hydraulic hinges halogen lit interiors everything is

composed of stainless steel and itrsquos by far one of the

best lines on the marketrdquo Thibeault said

A new line coming to Adirondack Appliance that

features some amazing technology is a series of Pro-

Style Ranges produced by industry giant Jenn-Air

ldquoThat actually has an LCD touch

screen like an IPAD for the controls The

temperature is set by sliding your finger

along the controls Itrsquos all color backlit and

absolutely amazingrdquo Thibeault said

ldquoAnother thing we have to that same

effect are some of the hoods which have

really been getting pretty out there as far as

design We have one on our floor [by Miele]

that has an LED bar on the front which

changes in phases between 196000 colors

Itrsquos a very delicate change very pretty and

coolrdquo Thibeault said adding ldquoor you can set

it to any color in that spectrum yoursquod like to

accent your cabinetryrdquo

When it comes to dishwashers Thibeault

can attest to the quality of both the Asko and

Miele brands both of which he uses in his

own home And good news for Saratoga

Springs residents ndash

ldquoIn our market in

Saratoga we have a

very hard water base

whether yoursquore on a well

system or city waterrdquo

Thibeault said ldquoSo you

get a lot of minerals in

the machine With the

stainless steel interiors it

eliminates a lot of prob-

lems generally seen with

plastic interior tubs and

usually they are the best

life expectanciesrdquo

78 | Simply Saratoga

Asko and Mieleare practically custom made to handle the

arearsquos typicallymineral rich water

Simply Saratoga | 79

The Asko brand dishwasher takes things one step

further including two pumps in the washerrsquos system

The first pump filters the water cleansing it of poten-

tially harmful minerals while the second pump recircu-

lates the water ensuring that the machine is never

blasting your dishes with food debris or dirty residue

With Miele the design features a built-in water sof-

tener perfect for dealing with the Saratoga water

system

ldquoTypically the Miele is going to do a better job with

tougher baked in stainsrdquo said Thibeault ldquobecause itrsquos

got the softener in it and a little bit longer pots and pans

cyclerdquo

80 | Simply Saratoga

Adirondack Appliance Repair Inc is a fami-

ly-owned business since 1929 and the last inde-

pendent appliance retailer of its kind in Saratoga

Springs With $6 billion of buying power behind

their name (a benefit of being part of the Nation

Wide Appliance Buying Group) Thibeault

promised ldquowe can actually price match the box

stores and everybody else around all while pro-

viding you with better service and better

productsrdquo

For more information on AdirondackAppliance or the products they sell you mayvisit their showroom located at 67 West Avenuein Saratoga Springs for live demonstrationsThey can also be reached by phone at (518)587-6640 or you may visit them at their newwebsite wwwadkappliancecom where cus-tomers can browse through the storersquos entirecatalogue of appliances

sect

Simply Saratoga | 81

82 | Simply Saratoga

Page 71: Simply Saratoga March 2011

Simply Saratoga | 73

74 | Simply Saratoga

Kitchen

Not Your

Grandmarsquos

Story Written by Daniel Schechtman Photos Provided

ldquoAs you

walk into the kitchen

of the future LED

light projections adjust

to your mood - it will

know if you have a

hangover via sensors

that will read your

b r a i n w a v e s

Aromatherapy infused

walls will be synched

to your calendar calm-

ing you before a big

meeting or energizing you before a gym session The fridge will have selected some breakfast options identifying the essen-

tial vitamins for your day via sensors When you get home a hologram chef will be on hand for recipe inspirationrdquo

Alright so maybe your kitchen canrsquot do all of these things quite yet ndash but believe it or not wersquore getting there This is tomor-

rowrsquos kitchen a kitchen where your appliances donrsquot just store your food or wash your dishes ndash they talk to you providing you

with integral information on how to

best store your fruits and vegetables

letting you know if the refrigerator

door is open for too long or when a

part will soon need replacing

Simply Saratoga | 75

ldquoScience fictionrdquo I hear you say

Guess again Quoted from a report released by The Future Laboratory

who was commissioned by IKEA to determine what a modernkitchen in the year 2040 could conceivably look like

76 | Simply Saratoga

ldquoOne technology that really stands out to me is the

Miele Appliance Company Right now theyrsquore using a

program called lsquoremote visionrsquo On select applianceshellip

is a wireless card that clicks into a port on the back of

the appliance You synch it up with your home network

and it basically emails the technician and the owner

when itrsquos broken when you need to clean your condens-

er change your water filter or schedule a routine serv-

icerdquo said Tom Thibeault owner of Adirondack

Appliance Repair Inc located at 67 West Ave in

Saratoga Springs ldquoMaybe somebodyrsquos been opening the

[refrigerator] door for too long or the door was left open

ndash it will email you and tell you that your door is left

openrdquo

This is not your grandmarsquos kitchen This my friends

is the kitchen of the future and itrsquos available now

The 36 inch bottom-mount Miele refrigerator boasts a

striking interior featuring LED lighting running along

the sides from top to bottom stainless steel accents and

exteriors with control systems that would be comfort-

able alongside the captainrsquos chair on the Starship

Enterprise

Simply Saratoga | 77

ldquoThe controls in the Miele really stand out

Looking at the controls theyrsquore just a glass piece and

then once you touch it you see a few options for the

different compartments Then you touch the compart-

ment and the temperature is displayed so itrsquos kind of

like a Star Trek controlrdquo Thibeault said

And thatrsquos just the refrigerator

Adirondack Appliance has also seen brands such as

Wolf (a company owned by the same people who own

Sub-Zero) grow in popularity when it comes to their

range stoves and ovens The dual convection oven

works to eliminate cold spotting and provides consis-

tent even temperatures and even allows for unique

options such as proofing ndash used best when baking

homemade bread

ldquoIt also has a temperature probe you can plug into

things like a turkey or roast so you can see the temper-

ature while itrsquos still inside the machine It has

hydraulic hinges halogen lit interiors everything is

composed of stainless steel and itrsquos by far one of the

best lines on the marketrdquo Thibeault said

A new line coming to Adirondack Appliance that

features some amazing technology is a series of Pro-

Style Ranges produced by industry giant Jenn-Air

ldquoThat actually has an LCD touch

screen like an IPAD for the controls The

temperature is set by sliding your finger

along the controls Itrsquos all color backlit and

absolutely amazingrdquo Thibeault said

ldquoAnother thing we have to that same

effect are some of the hoods which have

really been getting pretty out there as far as

design We have one on our floor [by Miele]

that has an LED bar on the front which

changes in phases between 196000 colors

Itrsquos a very delicate change very pretty and

coolrdquo Thibeault said adding ldquoor you can set

it to any color in that spectrum yoursquod like to

accent your cabinetryrdquo

When it comes to dishwashers Thibeault

can attest to the quality of both the Asko and

Miele brands both of which he uses in his

own home And good news for Saratoga

Springs residents ndash

ldquoIn our market in

Saratoga we have a

very hard water base

whether yoursquore on a well

system or city waterrdquo

Thibeault said ldquoSo you

get a lot of minerals in

the machine With the

stainless steel interiors it

eliminates a lot of prob-

lems generally seen with

plastic interior tubs and

usually they are the best

life expectanciesrdquo

78 | Simply Saratoga

Asko and Mieleare practically custom made to handle the

arearsquos typicallymineral rich water

Simply Saratoga | 79

The Asko brand dishwasher takes things one step

further including two pumps in the washerrsquos system

The first pump filters the water cleansing it of poten-

tially harmful minerals while the second pump recircu-

lates the water ensuring that the machine is never

blasting your dishes with food debris or dirty residue

With Miele the design features a built-in water sof-

tener perfect for dealing with the Saratoga water

system

ldquoTypically the Miele is going to do a better job with

tougher baked in stainsrdquo said Thibeault ldquobecause itrsquos

got the softener in it and a little bit longer pots and pans

cyclerdquo

80 | Simply Saratoga

Adirondack Appliance Repair Inc is a fami-

ly-owned business since 1929 and the last inde-

pendent appliance retailer of its kind in Saratoga

Springs With $6 billion of buying power behind

their name (a benefit of being part of the Nation

Wide Appliance Buying Group) Thibeault

promised ldquowe can actually price match the box

stores and everybody else around all while pro-

viding you with better service and better

productsrdquo

For more information on AdirondackAppliance or the products they sell you mayvisit their showroom located at 67 West Avenuein Saratoga Springs for live demonstrationsThey can also be reached by phone at (518)587-6640 or you may visit them at their newwebsite wwwadkappliancecom where cus-tomers can browse through the storersquos entirecatalogue of appliances

sect

Simply Saratoga | 81

82 | Simply Saratoga

Page 72: Simply Saratoga March 2011

74 | Simply Saratoga

Kitchen

Not Your

Grandmarsquos

Story Written by Daniel Schechtman Photos Provided

ldquoAs you

walk into the kitchen

of the future LED

light projections adjust

to your mood - it will

know if you have a

hangover via sensors

that will read your

b r a i n w a v e s

Aromatherapy infused

walls will be synched

to your calendar calm-

ing you before a big

meeting or energizing you before a gym session The fridge will have selected some breakfast options identifying the essen-

tial vitamins for your day via sensors When you get home a hologram chef will be on hand for recipe inspirationrdquo

Alright so maybe your kitchen canrsquot do all of these things quite yet ndash but believe it or not wersquore getting there This is tomor-

rowrsquos kitchen a kitchen where your appliances donrsquot just store your food or wash your dishes ndash they talk to you providing you

with integral information on how to

best store your fruits and vegetables

letting you know if the refrigerator

door is open for too long or when a

part will soon need replacing

Simply Saratoga | 75

ldquoScience fictionrdquo I hear you say

Guess again Quoted from a report released by The Future Laboratory

who was commissioned by IKEA to determine what a modernkitchen in the year 2040 could conceivably look like

76 | Simply Saratoga

ldquoOne technology that really stands out to me is the

Miele Appliance Company Right now theyrsquore using a

program called lsquoremote visionrsquo On select applianceshellip

is a wireless card that clicks into a port on the back of

the appliance You synch it up with your home network

and it basically emails the technician and the owner

when itrsquos broken when you need to clean your condens-

er change your water filter or schedule a routine serv-

icerdquo said Tom Thibeault owner of Adirondack

Appliance Repair Inc located at 67 West Ave in

Saratoga Springs ldquoMaybe somebodyrsquos been opening the

[refrigerator] door for too long or the door was left open

ndash it will email you and tell you that your door is left

openrdquo

This is not your grandmarsquos kitchen This my friends

is the kitchen of the future and itrsquos available now

The 36 inch bottom-mount Miele refrigerator boasts a

striking interior featuring LED lighting running along

the sides from top to bottom stainless steel accents and

exteriors with control systems that would be comfort-

able alongside the captainrsquos chair on the Starship

Enterprise

Simply Saratoga | 77

ldquoThe controls in the Miele really stand out

Looking at the controls theyrsquore just a glass piece and

then once you touch it you see a few options for the

different compartments Then you touch the compart-

ment and the temperature is displayed so itrsquos kind of

like a Star Trek controlrdquo Thibeault said

And thatrsquos just the refrigerator

Adirondack Appliance has also seen brands such as

Wolf (a company owned by the same people who own

Sub-Zero) grow in popularity when it comes to their

range stoves and ovens The dual convection oven

works to eliminate cold spotting and provides consis-

tent even temperatures and even allows for unique

options such as proofing ndash used best when baking

homemade bread

ldquoIt also has a temperature probe you can plug into

things like a turkey or roast so you can see the temper-

ature while itrsquos still inside the machine It has

hydraulic hinges halogen lit interiors everything is

composed of stainless steel and itrsquos by far one of the

best lines on the marketrdquo Thibeault said

A new line coming to Adirondack Appliance that

features some amazing technology is a series of Pro-

Style Ranges produced by industry giant Jenn-Air

ldquoThat actually has an LCD touch

screen like an IPAD for the controls The

temperature is set by sliding your finger

along the controls Itrsquos all color backlit and

absolutely amazingrdquo Thibeault said

ldquoAnother thing we have to that same

effect are some of the hoods which have

really been getting pretty out there as far as

design We have one on our floor [by Miele]

that has an LED bar on the front which

changes in phases between 196000 colors

Itrsquos a very delicate change very pretty and

coolrdquo Thibeault said adding ldquoor you can set

it to any color in that spectrum yoursquod like to

accent your cabinetryrdquo

When it comes to dishwashers Thibeault

can attest to the quality of both the Asko and

Miele brands both of which he uses in his

own home And good news for Saratoga

Springs residents ndash

ldquoIn our market in

Saratoga we have a

very hard water base

whether yoursquore on a well

system or city waterrdquo

Thibeault said ldquoSo you

get a lot of minerals in

the machine With the

stainless steel interiors it

eliminates a lot of prob-

lems generally seen with

plastic interior tubs and

usually they are the best

life expectanciesrdquo

78 | Simply Saratoga

Asko and Mieleare practically custom made to handle the

arearsquos typicallymineral rich water

Simply Saratoga | 79

The Asko brand dishwasher takes things one step

further including two pumps in the washerrsquos system

The first pump filters the water cleansing it of poten-

tially harmful minerals while the second pump recircu-

lates the water ensuring that the machine is never

blasting your dishes with food debris or dirty residue

With Miele the design features a built-in water sof-

tener perfect for dealing with the Saratoga water

system

ldquoTypically the Miele is going to do a better job with

tougher baked in stainsrdquo said Thibeault ldquobecause itrsquos

got the softener in it and a little bit longer pots and pans

cyclerdquo

80 | Simply Saratoga

Adirondack Appliance Repair Inc is a fami-

ly-owned business since 1929 and the last inde-

pendent appliance retailer of its kind in Saratoga

Springs With $6 billion of buying power behind

their name (a benefit of being part of the Nation

Wide Appliance Buying Group) Thibeault

promised ldquowe can actually price match the box

stores and everybody else around all while pro-

viding you with better service and better

productsrdquo

For more information on AdirondackAppliance or the products they sell you mayvisit their showroom located at 67 West Avenuein Saratoga Springs for live demonstrationsThey can also be reached by phone at (518)587-6640 or you may visit them at their newwebsite wwwadkappliancecom where cus-tomers can browse through the storersquos entirecatalogue of appliances

sect

Simply Saratoga | 81

82 | Simply Saratoga

Page 73: Simply Saratoga March 2011

ldquoAs you

walk into the kitchen

of the future LED

light projections adjust

to your mood - it will

know if you have a

hangover via sensors

that will read your

b r a i n w a v e s

Aromatherapy infused

walls will be synched

to your calendar calm-

ing you before a big

meeting or energizing you before a gym session The fridge will have selected some breakfast options identifying the essen-

tial vitamins for your day via sensors When you get home a hologram chef will be on hand for recipe inspirationrdquo

Alright so maybe your kitchen canrsquot do all of these things quite yet ndash but believe it or not wersquore getting there This is tomor-

rowrsquos kitchen a kitchen where your appliances donrsquot just store your food or wash your dishes ndash they talk to you providing you

with integral information on how to

best store your fruits and vegetables

letting you know if the refrigerator

door is open for too long or when a

part will soon need replacing

Simply Saratoga | 75

ldquoScience fictionrdquo I hear you say

Guess again Quoted from a report released by The Future Laboratory

who was commissioned by IKEA to determine what a modernkitchen in the year 2040 could conceivably look like

76 | Simply Saratoga

ldquoOne technology that really stands out to me is the

Miele Appliance Company Right now theyrsquore using a

program called lsquoremote visionrsquo On select applianceshellip

is a wireless card that clicks into a port on the back of

the appliance You synch it up with your home network

and it basically emails the technician and the owner

when itrsquos broken when you need to clean your condens-

er change your water filter or schedule a routine serv-

icerdquo said Tom Thibeault owner of Adirondack

Appliance Repair Inc located at 67 West Ave in

Saratoga Springs ldquoMaybe somebodyrsquos been opening the

[refrigerator] door for too long or the door was left open

ndash it will email you and tell you that your door is left

openrdquo

This is not your grandmarsquos kitchen This my friends

is the kitchen of the future and itrsquos available now

The 36 inch bottom-mount Miele refrigerator boasts a

striking interior featuring LED lighting running along

the sides from top to bottom stainless steel accents and

exteriors with control systems that would be comfort-

able alongside the captainrsquos chair on the Starship

Enterprise

Simply Saratoga | 77

ldquoThe controls in the Miele really stand out

Looking at the controls theyrsquore just a glass piece and

then once you touch it you see a few options for the

different compartments Then you touch the compart-

ment and the temperature is displayed so itrsquos kind of

like a Star Trek controlrdquo Thibeault said

And thatrsquos just the refrigerator

Adirondack Appliance has also seen brands such as

Wolf (a company owned by the same people who own

Sub-Zero) grow in popularity when it comes to their

range stoves and ovens The dual convection oven

works to eliminate cold spotting and provides consis-

tent even temperatures and even allows for unique

options such as proofing ndash used best when baking

homemade bread

ldquoIt also has a temperature probe you can plug into

things like a turkey or roast so you can see the temper-

ature while itrsquos still inside the machine It has

hydraulic hinges halogen lit interiors everything is

composed of stainless steel and itrsquos by far one of the

best lines on the marketrdquo Thibeault said

A new line coming to Adirondack Appliance that

features some amazing technology is a series of Pro-

Style Ranges produced by industry giant Jenn-Air

ldquoThat actually has an LCD touch

screen like an IPAD for the controls The

temperature is set by sliding your finger

along the controls Itrsquos all color backlit and

absolutely amazingrdquo Thibeault said

ldquoAnother thing we have to that same

effect are some of the hoods which have

really been getting pretty out there as far as

design We have one on our floor [by Miele]

that has an LED bar on the front which

changes in phases between 196000 colors

Itrsquos a very delicate change very pretty and

coolrdquo Thibeault said adding ldquoor you can set

it to any color in that spectrum yoursquod like to

accent your cabinetryrdquo

When it comes to dishwashers Thibeault

can attest to the quality of both the Asko and

Miele brands both of which he uses in his

own home And good news for Saratoga

Springs residents ndash

ldquoIn our market in

Saratoga we have a

very hard water base

whether yoursquore on a well

system or city waterrdquo

Thibeault said ldquoSo you

get a lot of minerals in

the machine With the

stainless steel interiors it

eliminates a lot of prob-

lems generally seen with

plastic interior tubs and

usually they are the best

life expectanciesrdquo

78 | Simply Saratoga

Asko and Mieleare practically custom made to handle the

arearsquos typicallymineral rich water

Simply Saratoga | 79

The Asko brand dishwasher takes things one step

further including two pumps in the washerrsquos system

The first pump filters the water cleansing it of poten-

tially harmful minerals while the second pump recircu-

lates the water ensuring that the machine is never

blasting your dishes with food debris or dirty residue

With Miele the design features a built-in water sof-

tener perfect for dealing with the Saratoga water

system

ldquoTypically the Miele is going to do a better job with

tougher baked in stainsrdquo said Thibeault ldquobecause itrsquos

got the softener in it and a little bit longer pots and pans

cyclerdquo

80 | Simply Saratoga

Adirondack Appliance Repair Inc is a fami-

ly-owned business since 1929 and the last inde-

pendent appliance retailer of its kind in Saratoga

Springs With $6 billion of buying power behind

their name (a benefit of being part of the Nation

Wide Appliance Buying Group) Thibeault

promised ldquowe can actually price match the box

stores and everybody else around all while pro-

viding you with better service and better

productsrdquo

For more information on AdirondackAppliance or the products they sell you mayvisit their showroom located at 67 West Avenuein Saratoga Springs for live demonstrationsThey can also be reached by phone at (518)587-6640 or you may visit them at their newwebsite wwwadkappliancecom where cus-tomers can browse through the storersquos entirecatalogue of appliances

sect

Simply Saratoga | 81

82 | Simply Saratoga

Page 74: Simply Saratoga March 2011

76 | Simply Saratoga

ldquoOne technology that really stands out to me is the

Miele Appliance Company Right now theyrsquore using a

program called lsquoremote visionrsquo On select applianceshellip

is a wireless card that clicks into a port on the back of

the appliance You synch it up with your home network

and it basically emails the technician and the owner

when itrsquos broken when you need to clean your condens-

er change your water filter or schedule a routine serv-

icerdquo said Tom Thibeault owner of Adirondack

Appliance Repair Inc located at 67 West Ave in

Saratoga Springs ldquoMaybe somebodyrsquos been opening the

[refrigerator] door for too long or the door was left open

ndash it will email you and tell you that your door is left

openrdquo

This is not your grandmarsquos kitchen This my friends

is the kitchen of the future and itrsquos available now

The 36 inch bottom-mount Miele refrigerator boasts a

striking interior featuring LED lighting running along

the sides from top to bottom stainless steel accents and

exteriors with control systems that would be comfort-

able alongside the captainrsquos chair on the Starship

Enterprise

Simply Saratoga | 77

ldquoThe controls in the Miele really stand out

Looking at the controls theyrsquore just a glass piece and

then once you touch it you see a few options for the

different compartments Then you touch the compart-

ment and the temperature is displayed so itrsquos kind of

like a Star Trek controlrdquo Thibeault said

And thatrsquos just the refrigerator

Adirondack Appliance has also seen brands such as

Wolf (a company owned by the same people who own

Sub-Zero) grow in popularity when it comes to their

range stoves and ovens The dual convection oven

works to eliminate cold spotting and provides consis-

tent even temperatures and even allows for unique

options such as proofing ndash used best when baking

homemade bread

ldquoIt also has a temperature probe you can plug into

things like a turkey or roast so you can see the temper-

ature while itrsquos still inside the machine It has

hydraulic hinges halogen lit interiors everything is

composed of stainless steel and itrsquos by far one of the

best lines on the marketrdquo Thibeault said

A new line coming to Adirondack Appliance that

features some amazing technology is a series of Pro-

Style Ranges produced by industry giant Jenn-Air

ldquoThat actually has an LCD touch

screen like an IPAD for the controls The

temperature is set by sliding your finger

along the controls Itrsquos all color backlit and

absolutely amazingrdquo Thibeault said

ldquoAnother thing we have to that same

effect are some of the hoods which have

really been getting pretty out there as far as

design We have one on our floor [by Miele]

that has an LED bar on the front which

changes in phases between 196000 colors

Itrsquos a very delicate change very pretty and

coolrdquo Thibeault said adding ldquoor you can set

it to any color in that spectrum yoursquod like to

accent your cabinetryrdquo

When it comes to dishwashers Thibeault

can attest to the quality of both the Asko and

Miele brands both of which he uses in his

own home And good news for Saratoga

Springs residents ndash

ldquoIn our market in

Saratoga we have a

very hard water base

whether yoursquore on a well

system or city waterrdquo

Thibeault said ldquoSo you

get a lot of minerals in

the machine With the

stainless steel interiors it

eliminates a lot of prob-

lems generally seen with

plastic interior tubs and

usually they are the best

life expectanciesrdquo

78 | Simply Saratoga

Asko and Mieleare practically custom made to handle the

arearsquos typicallymineral rich water

Simply Saratoga | 79

The Asko brand dishwasher takes things one step

further including two pumps in the washerrsquos system

The first pump filters the water cleansing it of poten-

tially harmful minerals while the second pump recircu-

lates the water ensuring that the machine is never

blasting your dishes with food debris or dirty residue

With Miele the design features a built-in water sof-

tener perfect for dealing with the Saratoga water

system

ldquoTypically the Miele is going to do a better job with

tougher baked in stainsrdquo said Thibeault ldquobecause itrsquos

got the softener in it and a little bit longer pots and pans

cyclerdquo

80 | Simply Saratoga

Adirondack Appliance Repair Inc is a fami-

ly-owned business since 1929 and the last inde-

pendent appliance retailer of its kind in Saratoga

Springs With $6 billion of buying power behind

their name (a benefit of being part of the Nation

Wide Appliance Buying Group) Thibeault

promised ldquowe can actually price match the box

stores and everybody else around all while pro-

viding you with better service and better

productsrdquo

For more information on AdirondackAppliance or the products they sell you mayvisit their showroom located at 67 West Avenuein Saratoga Springs for live demonstrationsThey can also be reached by phone at (518)587-6640 or you may visit them at their newwebsite wwwadkappliancecom where cus-tomers can browse through the storersquos entirecatalogue of appliances

sect

Simply Saratoga | 81

82 | Simply Saratoga

Page 75: Simply Saratoga March 2011

Simply Saratoga | 77

ldquoThe controls in the Miele really stand out

Looking at the controls theyrsquore just a glass piece and

then once you touch it you see a few options for the

different compartments Then you touch the compart-

ment and the temperature is displayed so itrsquos kind of

like a Star Trek controlrdquo Thibeault said

And thatrsquos just the refrigerator

Adirondack Appliance has also seen brands such as

Wolf (a company owned by the same people who own

Sub-Zero) grow in popularity when it comes to their

range stoves and ovens The dual convection oven

works to eliminate cold spotting and provides consis-

tent even temperatures and even allows for unique

options such as proofing ndash used best when baking

homemade bread

ldquoIt also has a temperature probe you can plug into

things like a turkey or roast so you can see the temper-

ature while itrsquos still inside the machine It has

hydraulic hinges halogen lit interiors everything is

composed of stainless steel and itrsquos by far one of the

best lines on the marketrdquo Thibeault said

A new line coming to Adirondack Appliance that

features some amazing technology is a series of Pro-

Style Ranges produced by industry giant Jenn-Air

ldquoThat actually has an LCD touch

screen like an IPAD for the controls The

temperature is set by sliding your finger

along the controls Itrsquos all color backlit and

absolutely amazingrdquo Thibeault said

ldquoAnother thing we have to that same

effect are some of the hoods which have

really been getting pretty out there as far as

design We have one on our floor [by Miele]

that has an LED bar on the front which

changes in phases between 196000 colors

Itrsquos a very delicate change very pretty and

coolrdquo Thibeault said adding ldquoor you can set

it to any color in that spectrum yoursquod like to

accent your cabinetryrdquo

When it comes to dishwashers Thibeault

can attest to the quality of both the Asko and

Miele brands both of which he uses in his

own home And good news for Saratoga

Springs residents ndash

ldquoIn our market in

Saratoga we have a

very hard water base

whether yoursquore on a well

system or city waterrdquo

Thibeault said ldquoSo you

get a lot of minerals in

the machine With the

stainless steel interiors it

eliminates a lot of prob-

lems generally seen with

plastic interior tubs and

usually they are the best

life expectanciesrdquo

78 | Simply Saratoga

Asko and Mieleare practically custom made to handle the

arearsquos typicallymineral rich water

Simply Saratoga | 79

The Asko brand dishwasher takes things one step

further including two pumps in the washerrsquos system

The first pump filters the water cleansing it of poten-

tially harmful minerals while the second pump recircu-

lates the water ensuring that the machine is never

blasting your dishes with food debris or dirty residue

With Miele the design features a built-in water sof-

tener perfect for dealing with the Saratoga water

system

ldquoTypically the Miele is going to do a better job with

tougher baked in stainsrdquo said Thibeault ldquobecause itrsquos

got the softener in it and a little bit longer pots and pans

cyclerdquo

80 | Simply Saratoga

Adirondack Appliance Repair Inc is a fami-

ly-owned business since 1929 and the last inde-

pendent appliance retailer of its kind in Saratoga

Springs With $6 billion of buying power behind

their name (a benefit of being part of the Nation

Wide Appliance Buying Group) Thibeault

promised ldquowe can actually price match the box

stores and everybody else around all while pro-

viding you with better service and better

productsrdquo

For more information on AdirondackAppliance or the products they sell you mayvisit their showroom located at 67 West Avenuein Saratoga Springs for live demonstrationsThey can also be reached by phone at (518)587-6640 or you may visit them at their newwebsite wwwadkappliancecom where cus-tomers can browse through the storersquos entirecatalogue of appliances

sect

Simply Saratoga | 81

82 | Simply Saratoga

Page 76: Simply Saratoga March 2011

ldquoThat actually has an LCD touch

screen like an IPAD for the controls The

temperature is set by sliding your finger

along the controls Itrsquos all color backlit and

absolutely amazingrdquo Thibeault said

ldquoAnother thing we have to that same

effect are some of the hoods which have

really been getting pretty out there as far as

design We have one on our floor [by Miele]

that has an LED bar on the front which

changes in phases between 196000 colors

Itrsquos a very delicate change very pretty and

coolrdquo Thibeault said adding ldquoor you can set

it to any color in that spectrum yoursquod like to

accent your cabinetryrdquo

When it comes to dishwashers Thibeault

can attest to the quality of both the Asko and

Miele brands both of which he uses in his

own home And good news for Saratoga

Springs residents ndash

ldquoIn our market in

Saratoga we have a

very hard water base

whether yoursquore on a well

system or city waterrdquo

Thibeault said ldquoSo you

get a lot of minerals in

the machine With the

stainless steel interiors it

eliminates a lot of prob-

lems generally seen with

plastic interior tubs and

usually they are the best

life expectanciesrdquo

78 | Simply Saratoga

Asko and Mieleare practically custom made to handle the

arearsquos typicallymineral rich water

Simply Saratoga | 79

The Asko brand dishwasher takes things one step

further including two pumps in the washerrsquos system

The first pump filters the water cleansing it of poten-

tially harmful minerals while the second pump recircu-

lates the water ensuring that the machine is never

blasting your dishes with food debris or dirty residue

With Miele the design features a built-in water sof-

tener perfect for dealing with the Saratoga water

system

ldquoTypically the Miele is going to do a better job with

tougher baked in stainsrdquo said Thibeault ldquobecause itrsquos

got the softener in it and a little bit longer pots and pans

cyclerdquo

80 | Simply Saratoga

Adirondack Appliance Repair Inc is a fami-

ly-owned business since 1929 and the last inde-

pendent appliance retailer of its kind in Saratoga

Springs With $6 billion of buying power behind

their name (a benefit of being part of the Nation

Wide Appliance Buying Group) Thibeault

promised ldquowe can actually price match the box

stores and everybody else around all while pro-

viding you with better service and better

productsrdquo

For more information on AdirondackAppliance or the products they sell you mayvisit their showroom located at 67 West Avenuein Saratoga Springs for live demonstrationsThey can also be reached by phone at (518)587-6640 or you may visit them at their newwebsite wwwadkappliancecom where cus-tomers can browse through the storersquos entirecatalogue of appliances

sect

Simply Saratoga | 81

82 | Simply Saratoga

Page 77: Simply Saratoga March 2011

Simply Saratoga | 79

The Asko brand dishwasher takes things one step

further including two pumps in the washerrsquos system

The first pump filters the water cleansing it of poten-

tially harmful minerals while the second pump recircu-

lates the water ensuring that the machine is never

blasting your dishes with food debris or dirty residue

With Miele the design features a built-in water sof-

tener perfect for dealing with the Saratoga water

system

ldquoTypically the Miele is going to do a better job with

tougher baked in stainsrdquo said Thibeault ldquobecause itrsquos

got the softener in it and a little bit longer pots and pans

cyclerdquo

80 | Simply Saratoga

Adirondack Appliance Repair Inc is a fami-

ly-owned business since 1929 and the last inde-

pendent appliance retailer of its kind in Saratoga

Springs With $6 billion of buying power behind

their name (a benefit of being part of the Nation

Wide Appliance Buying Group) Thibeault

promised ldquowe can actually price match the box

stores and everybody else around all while pro-

viding you with better service and better

productsrdquo

For more information on AdirondackAppliance or the products they sell you mayvisit their showroom located at 67 West Avenuein Saratoga Springs for live demonstrationsThey can also be reached by phone at (518)587-6640 or you may visit them at their newwebsite wwwadkappliancecom where cus-tomers can browse through the storersquos entirecatalogue of appliances

sect

Simply Saratoga | 81

82 | Simply Saratoga

Page 78: Simply Saratoga March 2011

80 | Simply Saratoga

Adirondack Appliance Repair Inc is a fami-

ly-owned business since 1929 and the last inde-

pendent appliance retailer of its kind in Saratoga

Springs With $6 billion of buying power behind

their name (a benefit of being part of the Nation

Wide Appliance Buying Group) Thibeault

promised ldquowe can actually price match the box

stores and everybody else around all while pro-

viding you with better service and better

productsrdquo

For more information on AdirondackAppliance or the products they sell you mayvisit their showroom located at 67 West Avenuein Saratoga Springs for live demonstrationsThey can also be reached by phone at (518)587-6640 or you may visit them at their newwebsite wwwadkappliancecom where cus-tomers can browse through the storersquos entirecatalogue of appliances

sect

Simply Saratoga | 81

82 | Simply Saratoga

Page 79: Simply Saratoga March 2011

Simply Saratoga | 81

82 | Simply Saratoga

Page 80: Simply Saratoga March 2011

82 | Simply Saratoga

Page 81: Simply Saratoga March 2011