Maureen Sager

CapNY Relocation Stories: Chrissy and Ben Traore

July 8, 2020 By Maureen Sager Leave a Comment

Chrissy and Ben Traore met while working in a New York City restaurant. Soon, they were commuting upstate on weekends for a cooking gig. To their great surprise, they began dreading going back to Brooklyn during the week. “We’ve always worked 70 to 100 hours a week,” Chrissy said. “And the city and the expenses just added stress to all of that.” Something had to give. So, by 2017, they settled in Cairo, a small, rural town in Greene County, about ten miles outside of Catskill.

Together, they founded S ee and Be Kitchen and Cafe. Their funky, functional, multi-building “compound” met all of their dreams. There’s a prep kitchen inside of a storage container (they insulated it themselves) and outdoor wood-fired oven for baking bread. Plus, there’s a chicken house and pen, and café / retail shop. Additionally, outdoor seating plans are in the works, in the shaded, rustic grounds.

See and Be’s Breads and Business Plan

Ben began baking bread in Burkina Faso, a West African country near Ivory Coast and Ghana. He uses a sourdough base for all of his products, including gorgeous croissants, pastries, and a full line of breads. The starter is fermented for 48 hours, making a refined and gorgeous loaf that even gluten-sensitive customers can digest (yep, this writer can vouch for that — and it’s fantastic).

The baking life isn’t easy. Ben goes to bed by 6 or 7pm, in order to tend to the wood-burning oven by 2am every day. Chrissy has pivoted their baking and food businesses from farmers markets to wholesale distribution, and now to online ordering and curbside pickups during COVID. Oh, and did we mention that they’ve also got an 18-month-old son in the mix now? These bakers are BUSY!

Chrissy utilizes Ben’s breads in all of her food creations, including a weekend sandwich selection. You can place online orders here, and pick them up at See and Be from Wednesdays through Saturdays.

“We’ve always taken things one step at a time,” said Chrissy. “We have room to grow here, and space to breathe. I want to let people know that they should not be afraid to try something new. We’re building something that is ours.”

Connect with See and Be Kitchen

Address:
512 New York 145
Cairo, NY 12413, US
Phone: (518) 719-9229
Email
Website
Facebook
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CapNY Road Trip: Columbia County Waterfalls, Hikes, Art and More!

June 24, 2020 By Maureen Sager 2 Comments

Columbia County is home to stunning hikes, streams and waterfalls — perfect in all four seasons. Plus, there’s the thriving cultural scene, with standout sites like Olana and Art Omi, and many more venues that will reopen in 2021. This Road Trip is focused on a fantastic, full day of nature, dining, history and culture! Coming soon: a spotlight on the arts / food / shopping scene in downtown Hudson…

Walking and Hiking
Art and History
Food and Drink

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CapNY Takealong Map

Click here for a handy, downloadable Google map to help you plan and track your Columbia County visit. All of the CapNY Road Trip sites are marked and notated for your convenience.

Walking and Hiking

High Falls Conservation Area courtesy Scenic Hudson

High Falls Conservation Area, 540 Roxbury Road, Philmont, 12565. The High Falls Area is home to Columbia County’s highest waterfall – over 150 feet high! The shady, wooded trails lead you to a dramatic overlook with views of the falls. Plus, you’ll have easy access to the beautiful, babbling Agawamuck Creek. There are a total of 1.5 miles of hiking trails on the 47-acre site, as well as great fishing. Click here for a handy, downloadable map and app of this site.

Copake Falls / Taconic State Park, 253 Route 344, Copake Falls 12517. Copake Falls is part of Taconic State Park, a 14-mile range that borders on both Massachusettes and Connecticut. There are an array of hiking trails throughout the site. But the highlight is definitely the paved, creekside path to the spectacular. Bash Bish Falls. Funny enough, you’ll start the trail in New York, but Bash Bish is actually in Massachusettes, just across the state border.

Won Dharma Center, 361 NY-23, Claverack, 12513. There are 12 peaceful walking trails on the grounds of the Won Dharma Center. Some are mown paths through fields, others meander through young forests with dappled light. If you’d like, you can consult their website for simple insight into walking meditation (“Walk with no thought of ‘I’ or ‘getting somewhere.’ Be present here and now”), but there’s definitely no obligation to meditate while you’re here.

Beebe Hill and Harvey Mountain State Forests, Austerlitz, 12107. 30 miles of beautiful hiking trails link these two state forests, which include two lean-tos and a climbable fire tower. Because these forests are very large, you might want to use this handy map for easy location of parking and trail access points,

Ooms Conservation Area, 480 Rock City Road, Chatham, 12037. Explore three miles of easy trails on 180 acres of rolling grasslands. There’s a beautiful pond, pastoral landscape, Catskill mountain views, and benches and a gazebo for relaxing and birdwatching.

Harrier Hill Park, 6729 Rod and Gun Road, Stockport, 12534. There are two great hikes here. First, stroll down the small loop that has benches overlooking a pond and a gorgeous Catskills vista (plus a pavilion, for post-COVID gatherings). Second is the 4-mile roundtrip trail that connects to Stockport-Greenport Trail, which connects to even more hiking opportunities in the Greenport Conservation Area. This one has a ravine pass that’s a bit challenging, but totally worth it!

Art and History

Olana State Historic Site, 5720 State Route 9G, Hudson 12534. The Olana estate was home to Frederic Edwin Church, one of the major figures in the Hudson River School of landscape painting. His eclectic, Victorian / Moorish / Persian style villa has truly thrilling views of the Hudson River Valley, the Catskill Mountains and the Taconic Range — click here for some breathtaking aerial shots of the grounds (see, I wasn’t kidding!). Additionally, you’ll find walking paths to keep you busy all afternoon. Open 8:30am to sunset.

Copake Iron Works Historic District, 35 Valley View Road, Copake Falls 12517. Copake Iron Works is home to a dozen well-preserved 19th century iron works buildings and structures. There’s also a shaded, creekside, 3-mile loop trail that links the Copake Iron Works with Bash Bish Falls (see above). It’s a really nice meander, I highly recommend!

Art Omi, 1405 County Route 22, Ghent, 12075. Art Omi is a free-range art experience where 120-acres of sculptures and structures await you! You can wander through wonderful woods and gorgeous fields, or borrow one of the on-site bikes. Lucky for us, Art Omi is open every day from dawn until dusk, and admission is free. Can’t navigate the grounds on foot, or want to learn more about Art Omi? Click here for a great virtual tour.

Martin Van Buren National Historic Site, 1013 Old Post Rd, Kinderhook, 12106. After Van Buren lost his second-term presidential bid, he retired to this home in his native Kinderhook. This site offers two great options. First, visit the historic home, where Van Buren entertained politicians and dignitaries until his death in 1862. Then, hike one of the two walking trails go through here: the Dutch Farming Heritage Trail and the Wayside Loop Trail. Click here for a virtual site tour!

Food and Drink

Random Harvest, 1785 State Route 23, Craryville 12521. Random Harvest is a worker-owned neighborhood market, cafe, and community space that provides food and goods sourced directly from farmers and producers. And better yet, it’s located very near Copake Falls, so make this place a must-stop after your waterfall hike.

Roe Jan Brewery, 32 Anthony Street, Hillsdale, 12529. A brand new brewery / restaurant in a very old (1851) building. You’ll love what they’ve done with the place — the setting is as special as the beer and food! Plenty of outdoor seating and a seasonal menu to match the weather.

West Taghkanic Diner, 1016 NY-82, Ancram, 12502. One of my favorite spots in the Capital Region. Picture a classic diner menu, reimagined using locally grown produce, grains, dairy and meat. And don’t just take my word for it — the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Esquire and many more agree.

More Food and Drink!

Crossroads Food Shop, 2642 Route 23, Hillsdale, 12529. Chef David Wurth arrived in Hillsdale after stints in Martha’s Vineyard and New York City, and we’re very lucky to have him here in the Capital Region. Farm-to-table, localvore dining and market. It’s casual, inspired, and terrific.

Pico de Gallo on the Hudson, 48 Riverview Street, Stuyvesant, NY 12173. Chef Moises Ortiz hails from Pueblo, Mexico, and he’s worked in many top New York City restaurants. So glad he’s settled in the Capital Region! Additionally, there’s the pretty little village of Stuyvesant. So be sure to leave yourself some time for a post-meal stroll.

Bartlett House, 2258 Route 66, Ghent, 12075. Fantastic bakery and homemade, locally sourced food, served up in a beautifully restored 1870 building with a lovely, picturesque porch. Take your lunch over to nearby Art Omi, and eat on the rolling hills, amidst the sculpture!

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CapNY Road Trips: Rensselaer County

June 16, 2020 By Maureen Sager

By: Danielle Sanzone

Rensselaer County may not be easy to spell but it’s a county with rich history and beautiful rural landscapes. This road trip includes both natural and man-made vantage points, and you see beautiful vistas that stretch into Massachusetts and Vermont. There’s also a stop at a farm stand, hikes and historic sites. By the end of this trip you might even be able to spell “Rensselaer.” Though, admittedly, I’ve lived here most of my life and still second guess the spelling.

There are LOTS of other great stops for future visits. Dyken Pond, Cherry Plain State Park, the Knickerbocker Mansion, Grafton Lake State Park, Barberville Falls (in spring and fall), the Champlain Canal Lock 4 Park. And, of course, the amazing city of Troy, worthy of an all-day visit of its own.

How to get there:

You can choose your own adventure by starting at any of the stops below. Main routes you’ll be using are I-90 and Rt 787, then Rt 7 and Rt 2.

Places to Explore

Dickinson Hill Fire Tower, Fire Tower Road, Petersburg, NY, off Babcock Lake Road. This 60-foot fire tower was constructed in 1924, last used in the 1980s, and is now open to the public. From the top, you can see Grafton Lake State Park, the Green Mountains of Vermont, the Taconics, and the Berkshires. You also have the option to do a 2.6 mile hike to the tower.

Fire Tower Parking Directions: When driving, take Babcock Lake Road which runs between Route 7 and Route 2. Turn onto Fire Tower Road in Petersburg. Go to the very end of Fire Tower Road (about 1.5 miles) and do a three-point turn at the end. Drive back up a small hill and on the right you’ll see a blocked off utility road. Park in the shoulder near here. If you have a four-wheel drive vehicle, there is also a small area off the road where you can park which is across the street from the utility road. Once parked, take the trail past the barrier. You’ll see a plaque about the fire tower on your left. Then make your way up the short, moderately steep incline to the fire tower, which you’ll see in a clearing at the top.

Grafton Peace Pagoda, 87 Crandall Rd, Petersburg, NY 12138. This stunning Buddhist pagoda was built in the 1980s, inspired by a monk who still lives on site. (You might see her beating a drum on the hilly, winding roadway.) To get to the pagoda, walk up either the stone driveway or take the short, 6 minute wooded hike. Sorry, you can’t bring dogs on the Pagoda grounds.

Petersburg Pass (Trailheads for Snow Hole and Berlin Mountain), 57 Taconic Trail, Petersburg, NY 12138. The drive up to the Petersburg Pass is a popular route for motorcyclists and a good stop for anyone heading into Williamstown and The Clark. There are a slew of hiking trails, including Hopkins Memorial Forest, or the six mile round trip hike to Snow Hole – a crevice known for ice and snow, even in August. To the South is Rensselaer County’s highest point, Berlin Mountain which, at 2,818 feet, is also the state’s highest point outside the Catskills and Adirondacks. It’s a 5.5 mile roundtrip hike to Berlin Mountain in the Taconic Mountains. Leash your dog, and please be mindful of wild animals (I’ve had my share of run-ins around here) and ticks.

Laughing Earth Farmstand, 3842 Rt 2, Cropseyville, NY 12052. This self-serve farm stand has eggs, honey, vegetables, sausage and bacon. Zack, Annie and Willa Metzger have been proprietors of the 200-year-old farm since the 2015-16 season. Their newly-painted yellow farmhouse and the lovely pastoral setting make this a nice, picturesque stop after a hike.

Oakwood Cemetery, 186 Oakwood Ave., Troy, NY 12182. Notable for its Hudson Valley vistas and as the resting place for local luminaries including Samuel “Uncle Sam” Wilson, the Oakwood Cemetary is a great, historic stroll. Don’t miss the Gardner Earl Memorial Chapel, built in the 1880s, has Tiffany glass windows and stunning stonework. There are 282 acres in total, with man-made lakes and impressive monuments. The cemetery also holds regular scavenger hunts and other events.

Lansingburgh Historical Society and Museum, 2 114th St., Troy, NY 12182. Lansingburgh is one of the oldest neighborhoods in the state, founded in the late 1700s and once known for its brush and oil cloth industries. To get to the historical society and museum, you’ll be driving by beautiful riverfront mansions and once-grand estates. It was also home to an author you might have heard of – Herman Melville. He lived at the now-museum on 114th Street and wrote his first two novels, Typee and Omoo, at the site. Some also say he named his Moby Dick character Starbuck after nearby Starbuck Island. The museum is currently closed for COVID-19, but you can check out the exterior and the Melville plaque. The architecture in this neighbor is lovely and Snowman Ice Cream is right nearby.

Crailo State Historic Site, 9 1/2 Riverside Ave., Rensselaer, NY 12144, is a museum of the Colonial Dutch in The Dutch home was built in the early 18th century by Hendrick Van Rensselaer, grandson of the first patroon of the area, Kiliaen van Rensselaer, the county’s namesake. the Hudson River Valley. Legend has it that “Yankee Doodle” was written here in 1755.

Places to Eat and Drink

Historic Hoosick Falls is where artist Grandma Moses’ work was first discovered by a New York City art collector. You can see much of her work on another road trip to Bennington, Vermont at the Bennington Museum. You’ll find some great food and drink options in and around Hoosick Falls, including:

Brown’s Brewing Walloomsac Taproom, 50 Factory Hill Rd., North Hoosick, NY 12133. Conclude your road trip in this factory turned taproom, opened in 2013, located next to a small waterfall. The menu includes a great range of beer (brewed on site), wine, cider, wings, pretzels, salad, pizza, soup, and dessert.

Unihog, 2 Center Street, Hoosick Falls 12090. Jason VonGuinness built this roadhouse-style restaurant and bar in a former mannequin factory. The decor and vibe are rustic, raucous and rough-and-tumble. Awesome Asian-fusion food by Sumo’s Kitchen. Great local beer selection, and live music most nights. Insider tip: before you leave, ask Jason if you can see his Martin Van Buren tattoo.

Hoosac Package Store, 53 Classic Street, Hoosick Falls, 12090. Another Jason VonGuinness enterprise, this shop offers a great selection of local, national and imported wines and liquors.

Iron Coffee Company, 9 Main Street, Hoosick Falls, 12090. Owner Mike Milliron takes his coffee seriously, roasting daily in the shop, and sourcing his milk from nearby Battenkill Creamery in Salem.

CapNY Black-Owned Business: West Indies Natural Food and Grocery, Hudson

June 16, 2020 By Maureen Sager

Each week, ACE will be visiting a black-owned businesses featured in our list. Have a business to add, or a place that we should visit? Please let us know.

Paulette Clarke has run West Indies Natural Food and Grocery in Hudson, NY for 19 years. Their takeaway menu features homemade beef and chicken patties, oxtail stew, seriously amazing chicken curry, rice and peas, and many other dishes from Paulette’s country of origin, Jamaica. Plus, there’s a wide selection of West Indies spices, sauces and specialty food products, and kombucha and drinks in the cooler.

Paulette came to the United States when she was 18, and raised five sons in Hudson. There used to be a broad mix of residents in Hudson, she said. Lately, though, “New Yorkers bought up the real estate. My customers have moved out to Albany, and Kingston and other places.”

Warren Street is lined with galleries, restaurants, antique stores, and luxury boutiques. It has the distinct advantage of being within walking distance to the Amtrak train station, which makes it a popular destination for New York City residents. However, this influx of visitors has not been a boon to the West Indies Natural Foods and Grocery. New Yorkers, Paulette said, “don’t come into my store. I want to say, ‘I don’t bite.’ I wish that people would just come in and look around. They don’t even have to buy anything. If someone comes in, it makes the store owner feel good. Don’t just walk by. Don’t ignore my store.”

Paulette is discouraged by the lack of attention her business has gotten from newspapers. She said, they “take pictures of every white business around me. They skip right over me.” Her friend Winston Dunn agreed, saying, “It’s not been easy. Not easy.”

Support Black-Owned Businesses

Support 200+ Capital Region black-owned business and black-led organizations by shopping, hiring, posting, contributing funds, volunteering, and learning more about what they do. Click here to see our list. This list is far from complete, and you can help develop it! Use the form to add businesses.

CapNY Essentials: Farmers Markets, Nurseries, and Farm Stores

June 1, 2020 By Maureen Sager

One of the very best things about NY’s Capital Region is our access to farmers and farmland. Lucky for us, most of us can get to rolling fields in under thirty minutes. These beautiful drives are a great way to spend an afternoon; I let out an audible sigh at my first sight of cows. Another good reason to go: supporting small farmers and family-owned nurseries keeps our local economy humming. Also: your brand-new Victory Garden will be healthier with locally grown seedlings. Therefore, to get you started, we’ve offered up some great farm store and nursery options in all eight counties.

Download the map, below, to take it with you on your journey. But, please know that this map won’t be complete without your input! It is designed to be crowd sourced. Share your farm faves by clicking below.

Farmers Markets
Farm Stores
Nurseries

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Farmers Markets

Farmers markets are rapidly adapting to current conditions with online ordering, timed shopping, and more. Therefore, we suggest that you check their websites for updates.

Cambridge Valley Farmers Market, 24 South Park Street, Cambridge, 12816. Sundays 10am – 2pm at Cambridge Central School.

Chatham Farmers and Makers Market, Chatham, 12037, Fridays 4pm – 7pm on the Village Green, across from the Clock Tower.

Copake Hillsdale Farmers Market, 9140 State Route 22, Hillsdale, 12529. Saturdays 9am – 1pm, through October 31st.

Delaware Community Farmers Market, 331 Delaware Avenue, Albany 12209. Tuesdays 4pm – 7pm, July 2 – September 24.

Delmar Farmers Market, Elm Avenue Park, 261 Elm Ave, Delmar, NY 12054, Saturdays 9am – 1pm, with 9am – 10am.

Germantown Farmers Market, Palatine Park Road, Germantown, 12526. Saturdays 10am – 1pm, under the Pavilion at Palatine Park.

Glens Falls Farmers Market, Elm Street, Glens Falls, 12801. Saturdays 10am – 2pm at South Street Pavilion in downtown Glens Falls.

Hudson Farmers Market, North 6th Street, Hudson, 12534. Saturdays 9am – 1pm, April 25 – November 21, on Columbia Street between 5th and 6th Streets.

Kinderhook Farmers Market, 1 Hundson Street, Kinderhook, 12106. Saturdays 8:30am – 12:30pm.

New Lebanon Farmers Market, 496 Columbia Pike, New Lebanon, 12125. Sundays 10am – 2pm, beginning June 7th.

Saratoga Farmers Market, Wilton Mall, Saratoga Springs, 12866. Wednesdays 3pm-6pm and Saturdays 9am – 1pm, at Wilton Mall, near Bon Ton parking lot.

Schenectady Greenmarket, 105 Jay Street, Schenectady, 12305. Sundays 10am – 2pm, around Schenectady City Hall.

South End Healthy Market, 230 Green Street, Albany, NY 12202. Saturdays 11am – 2pm, July through October.

South End Night Market, The Radix Ecological Sustainability Center, 153 Grand Street, Albany 12202. Thursday evenings 4pm – 7pm; curbside pickup is available.

Troy Waterfront Farmers Market, Troy, 12180. Online sign-up and other pickup options available; check their website for updates.

Farm Stores

Black Horse Farms, 10094 U.S. Route 9W, Athens, 12015. Black Horse Farm is a family-owned country market with a wide array of fruits and vegetables. Also, their garden store offers summer blossoms, nursery stock, garden items, pottery, gourmet foods, and much more.

Capital Roots Urban Grow Center Market, 594 River Street, Troy, 12180. Terrific collection of locally-grown fruits, vegetables and herbs, produced by dozens of area farms. Open 9am – 5:30pm, Monday – Friday.

The Chatham Berry Farm, 2309 Route 203, Chatham, 12037. Take a drive to Columbia County to find this award winning, family owned store with a range of local, regional, all-natural & organic products. But don’t be fooled by their name — it’s more than berries!

Gade Farm Farm Stand, 2479 Western Avenue, Guilderland, 12084. Family-owned farm stand and nursery, available for pickup and delivery.

Hawthorne Valley Farm Store, 327 County Road 21C, Ghent, 12075. This full-line natural / organic food and grocery store is set on a working farm in rural Columbia County. In addition to the store, Hawthorne Valley offers programs and products that fulfill their social and economic mission.

Samascott’s Garden Market, 65 Chatham Street, Kinderhook, 12106. Vegetables, fruit, local products and more available for online orders and in-store shopping.

ACE Director Maureen Sager at Story Farms — ACE Director Maureen Sager at Story Farm in Catskill

Saratoga Apple, 1174 Route 29, Schuylerville, 12871. Family owned for a century, this orchard and farm market produces much more than apples. Here you’ll find a wide range of fruit, cider, fresh baked goods, and produce, as plus local, natural, and healthy food and gifts. In addition, the world’s best apple cider donuts are made daily, all year round.

Story Farms, 4640 NY-32, Catskill, 12414. My favorite place to buy fresh vegetables and seedlings for my backyard garden, Story Farms also has terrific baked goods and local meats in their freezer.

Nurseries

Suzanne Haight of Balet Flowers and Design

Balet Flowers and Design, 5041 Nelson Avenue Extension, Saratoga Springs, 12866. Just outside of downtown Saratoga Springs, you’ll find this wonderful greenhouse and flower farm helmed by farmer / owner / potter Suzanne Haight. In addition to vibrant blooms, vegetables, and herb plants, Suzanne offers kind and supportive tips for what will work in your garden.

beckers garden center hanging baskets — Becker’s Farm Garden Center

Becker’s Farm Garden Center, 420 Columbia Turnpike, Rensselaer, 12144. Family owned for five generations, Becker’s offers soils, mulch, and a great plant and flower selection.

Story’s Nursery, 4265 Route 67, Freehold, 12431. Great selection of trees, shrubs, perennials, greenhouse crops, soils, and bedding plants, much of it grown on site. This wonderful family business has been thriving for over 50 years.

Toadflax Nursery, 1604 Saratoga Road, South Glens Falls, 12803. Idyllic nursery with 11 greenhouses and huge selection of shrubs and trees, common and unusual annuals, tropicals and perennials. In addition, there is a full selection of mulches, landscaping materials, and soils.

Pondside Nursery, 5918 Route 9G, Hudson, 12534. Great selection of plants and trees in a beautiful, pondside setting, just a few minutes’ drive from downtown Hudson.

faddegons edible baskets — Faddegon’s Nursery

Faddegon’s Nursery, 1140 Troy Schenectady Road, Latham, 12110. Three beautiful greenhouses of trees, plants, flowers and more, owned by the Faddegon family for 100 years.

And more nurseries…

Gade Farm Nursery, 2479 Western Avenue, Guilderland, 12084. Family-owned farm stand and nursery, available for pickup and delivery.

Kulak’s Nursery and Landscaping, 1615 Route 146, Rexford, 12148. Family-owned nursery and greenhouses with wide selection of flowers, plants, shrubs, trees and more.

Olde Saratoga Home and Garden, 934 Route 29, Saratoga Springs, 12866. Family-owned nursery with locally grown herbs, flowers, bedding plants and perennials. In addition, you’ll find garden supplies, tools, potting soil, crafts, gifts and more in their store. They’re also great with tips, and have a teaching garden on-site.

Zema’s Nursery, 154 Presbyterian Hill Road, Stephentown, 12168. Family-owned nursery and greenhouses with varied selection. Also note that curbside pickup is welcome.

Greene Bee Greenhouse, 2744 Route 20, Cornwallville, 12418. Family-owned nursery with online ordering and on-site pickup.