Maureen Sager

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.

[sg_popup id=”6193″ event=”click”]Click here to send us a business to include on the map[/sg_popup]

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.

Cap Region Road Trips: Saratoga Springs to Schuylerville

May 14, 2020 By Maureen Sager

This country drive on Route 29 from Saratoga Springs to Schuylerville is a great chance to revel in the farmland, lakes and rivers, and apple groves of rural Saratoga County. The solace and space of Stillwater, Schuylerville and all of these little hamlets make for a great spring drive. While visiting, please take all of the safety measures recommended by NYS Parks Department.

How To Get There: Take Exit 14 Saratoga off the Northway I-87, and follow directions for NY-9P toward NY-29/Saratoga Springs/Schuylerville. Route 29 will be the “backbone” for this drive, with side jaunts to Saratoga National Historic Park, Fish Creek, Hudson Crossing Park, and more. Download this custom Google Map to find all stops mentioned in this article.

What to See:

Bog Meadow Brook Nature Trail, Route 29, Saratoga Springs. This two-mile, well-maintained rail trail is an easy, relaxing walk through marshy wetlands (don’t worry, the trail itself is dry). I was thrilled to see a blue heron during my visit in May.

Saratoga National Historic Park, 648 Route 32, Stillwater. The park facilities and tour road are closed, but the grounds are open for pedestrians and bicycles every day from sunrise to sunset. Click here for a map to the grounds. Updates are available on their Facebook page.

Hudson Crossing Park, County Road 42, Schuyerville. Open every day, year round, dawn to dusk. This terrific park offers fishing and birding sites, a children’s play garden (keep safe distances, of course!) and two miles of nature trails with panoramic Hudson River views and Champlain Canal overlooks. There’s also a floating dock where boaters can stay for up to 48 hours, and a kayak launch on their Riverwalk Sensory Trail walk.

Champlain Canal Lock 5, County Road 42, Schuylerville. On your way to Hudson Crossing Park, park your car and take a look at Champlain Canal Lock 5. The now-inactive lock has great signage to give you a sense of our region’s history and relationship with the Canal.

Kayak Shak, 251 County Route 67, Saratoga Springs. Enjoy some spring paddling on Fish Creek! You’ll need to book your reservation online before arriving, as no more than 5 watercrafts will be allowed to launch at once, every 15 minutes.

Browns Beach / Saratoga Lake, 511 NY-9P, Saratoga Springs, NY. If you’ve never seen Saratoga Lake, this side tour is worth your time. You can enjoy the serene and beautiful lake drive from your car, and if you want to stretch your legs, Brown’s Beach offers public access to the lake.

Where to Eat:

Farmer’s Daughters’ Drive-In Restaurant, 882 Route 29, Saratoga Springs. One of my all-time favorites, this 60’s style stops is doing a fantastic job of adapting to quarantine, with car-side or internet orders, and safe, well-marked pickups. Try the fresh-cut fries with Michigan sauce. Gluten-free menu and cones available.

Saratoga Apple Orchard and Farm Stand, Route 29, Schuylerville. This Saratoga institution is open daily all year round, offering a full array of fresh vegetables in addition to its startlingly fresh, crisp apples — twelve varieties in all! Order online or shop in their store. Delivery is also available within 15-mile radius.

Just Meats, 1023 Route 29, Schuylerville. A carnivore’s paradise, this butcher shop has deli sandwiches made to order (call ahead for pick up, 518-507-6061) and fresh meat, milk and eggs for purchase.

Saratoga Gluten Free Goods, 176 Broad Street, Schuylerville. Trust me, you do NOT have to be gluten free to enjoy these amazing, homemade baked goods. Grab yourself some lemon blueberry cheesecake bars. You’ll thank me later.

Harvest and Hearth, 251 County Route 67, Saratoga Springs. Terrific wood-fired pizza available for takeout Wednesday – Sunday, starting at 4:30pm. Located on Fish Creek, right next door to Kayak Shak, if you’re up for a paddle!

Cap Region Cooks in Quarantine: Amy Koren-Roth

April 28, 2020 By Maureen Sager

Amy Koren-Roth is the Founder of Taste of Troy Food Tours, walking culinary and historical excursions offered in both Albany and Troy, with stops in five local restaurants. During the crisis, Amy has put together Mother’s Day gift boxes featuring handmade foods from her favorite vendors and makers. Click here for info.

We asked Amy for some of her favorite go-to meals, and here’s what she sent.

Since I was in high school, I have been drawn to cooking. Salads have always been a fun way to pull from what is in the kitchen and pantry. Half the members of my household are vegetarian and I mostly cook vegetarian to make it simpler. My cupboard always has canned beans, pre-cooked lentils, a variety of cheese, different vinegars and fresh produce. I find preparing food very meditative and many of my recipes are a basic plan open to options of what is on hand.

Warm Lentil, Roasted Vegetables and Cheese (Halloumi or Goat Cheese)

Wash, cut assorted vegetables (cauliflower, brussel sprouts, sweet potatoes, winter squash, assorted sweet peppers, onions, garlic etc.), toss with olive oil, salt and pepper. Spread on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or lightly oiled, don’t crowd them. Roast in 425 degree oven for 30 minutes, flip vegetables and switch the trays, continue for another 15 – 30 minutes. Wrap whole beets in aluminum foil and roast along with veggies, leave in oven once veggies are done, turn off heat and leave until tender.

Warm package of vacuum-sealed pre-cooked lentils in microwave (2-4 minutes). Place on chopped fresh greens (romaine, spinach, massaged kale etc.). Arrange roasted veggies on platter with lentils and greens. Peel and slice beets if using. Arrange on platter.

Grill haloumi cheese slices in lightly greased skillet to brown on both sides, or slice soft goat’s cheese and coat with egg and breadcrumbs and lightly brown in skillet, or sprinkle with crumbled feta.

Sprinkle with pomegranate seeds (if you have them) or roasted nuts. Drizzle with balsamic vinegar and olive oil. Serve.

Arugula, Pear, Walnuts and Shaved Cheese

Wash arugula, press in a towel or spin in a salad spinner. Place on a platter. Toast walnuts at low temperature (200 degrees) for 5 minutes or so or warm on low heat in a skillet. Core and slice ripe pear into ¼ slice from stem to base. Place slices on bed of greens. Use a vegetable peeler to get thin slices of Parmesan or Asiago cheese. Thinly slice red onion to toss on top of all and sprinkle with walnuts. Drizzle balsamic vinegar and olive oil to serve.

Roasted Zucchini Half Moons with Garlic, Served with Pasta or Roasted Spaghetti Squash

Approved by the ACE Test Kitchen. Loved it!

Wash and slice zucchini down the middle length wise, cut into ¼ inch slices. Lightly Sprinkle with kosher salt and let sit in a colander for at least 30 minutes. Toss with olive oil (1/4 cup to 2 lbs of zucchini). Roast in 450 degree oven for 12 minutes. Add 2-3 cloves chopped garlic, flip zucchini over, and roast for 10-15 minutes, until golden brown.

If using spaghetti squash, cut in half, scoop out seeds and roast in 350 oven, cut side up on baking sheet for about 1 hour . When skin is tender to the touch, remove, and let cool 10 minutes. Use a fork to scrape out the flesh, it will separate into strands, like spaghetti.

Alternatively, boil water and cook dried pasta (our favorite is bow tie but any short shape will do.) Toss zucchini with either spaghetti squash or bow tie pasta.