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Joy US Foundation Brings Attendees Sunshine Despite Rain At Its ‘Just Add Water Kayaking Fundraiser’

Will Levith
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Joy US Foundation Brings Attendees Sunshine Despite Rain At Its ‘Just Add Water Kayaking Fundraiser’

Despite some inclement weather, Saratoga Springs’ Joy US Foundation was still able to bring 40 event-goers to its “Just Add Water Kayaking Fundraiser” more than a little bit of sunshine.

The fundraiser, which took place at Fish Creek Marina in Saratoga, included an afternoon of kayaking for participants (courtesy of the Kayak Shak), followed by a pulled pork/chicken and potato salad dinner from Rivers Casino and Resort in Schenectady and live entertainment from guitarist/singer Matt Cosgrove. Joy US also had a number of great items up for bids in a silent auction/raffle, including golf passes to Airway Meadows in Gansevoort; a pair of foldable Adirondack chairs; and the prize of the night, a kayak.

It proved fortuitous that the event was being emceed by local weatherman Jason Gough: As soon as the first flashes of lightning appeared in the sky, Gough calmly told the event-goers gathered to seek shelter in the confines of the nearby Mountainman Outdoor Supply Co., which stayed open late to house Joy US’ guests and host the raffle drawings.

In all, the event raised more than $3000 for the foundation, whose mission is to bring joy and serenity to cancer survivors and their family and friends through free outdoor experiences such as kayaking, hiking and snow-tubing.

HBO Show ‘Succession’ Returning To The Capital Region And Looking For Extras In Albany

Jeff Dingler
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HBO Show ‘Succession’ Returning To The Capital Region And Looking For Extras In Albany

Albany’s going to be making a cameo on a hit television show. HBO series Succession will be returning to Upstate New York early next week to film scenes for Season 2 of the show, which premieres on August 11. And film crews are still in need of extras. Earlier this week, Grant Wilfley Casting, a talent agency based in New York City, put out an open call for non-union, Capital Region actors looking to do some paid background work on the show. So get your résumés together, Saratogians!

This is the second time in as many months that HBO producers have filmed scenes from the show in Upstate New York. From April 23 to May 3, the show’s production team hired around 200 locals to work as extras for scenes shot at Six Flags Great Escape in Queensbury (transformed in the show to the “Brightstar Adventure Park”) and the Whiteface Lodge in Lake Placid. “We had a great experience with HBO when they shot up here last month,” says Adirondack Film Commissioner Andrew Meader. The commission is an independent nonprofit that works to bring more TV production crews to the Capital Region and surrounding areas. “The easier we make it for them, the more likely they are to come back,” says Meader.

Film crews for Succession will be in Albany shooting indoor and outdoor scenes on Monday, July 1 and Tuesday, July 2. The show’s currently looking for men and women, ages 18 and older, for a number of roles including politicians, journalists and “news types.” Those hoping to score a little screen time must have full-day availability for any work dates and should not have already appeared in a separate shoot for Season 2 of the series.

Succession‘s first season earned high praise from critics as well as a number of prizes, including a BAFTA Award for Best International Series and a Directors Guild of America Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement.

The series follows the intrigues and bitter infighting of Logan Roy, a media and entertainment tycoon, with his four children, who contemplate the company’s future after their aging father has retired. The show features Emmy-winning actor, and Columbia County resident, Brian Cox as the ruthless patriarch of the Roy family.

Local actors and Succession fans interested in participating in the Albany shoot should send an email to [email protected]. Include contact information, availability and a current headshot.

Owners Of Austin Bayliss Cakes, TOGA HERITAGE Team Up To Hand-Deliver Free Gift Boxes To Eight Saratoga Schools

Jeff Dingler
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Owners Of Austin Bayliss Cakes, TOGA HERITAGE Team Up To Hand-Deliver Free Gift Boxes To Eight Saratoga Schools

Nothing says, “Hello, neighbor,” like a friendly box full of sweets and other goodies. Two local entrepreneurs, Austin Bayliss of Austin Bayliss Cakes & Onsite Catering and Deborah DePasquale of TOGA HERITAGE, understand that philosophy to a tee. On June 25, the last day of school for the Saratoga Springs City School District, Bayliss and DePasquale delivered custom gift boxes to all eight schools in the district. Just because. “We just wanted to shine a light on our fabulous teachers and education facilities,” says Bayliss, whose daughter attends a public school in town. The day of the drop, Bayliss and DePasquale got up bright and early and spent about three hours visiting all eight of the Spa City’s public schools, giving each one a unique gift box. What was inside? Delicious cookies, shortbreads and whoopie pies—all compliments of Austin Bayliss Cakes—atop plates or platters from TOGA HERITAGE’s beautiful, lifestyle brand products. “At each delivery, they were so surprised,” says DePasquale. “They were genuinely interested in our initiative, and so grateful and extremely gracious as well.”

This wasn’t Bayliss and DePasquale’s trial run. Back in February, the two Saratogians created the fun initiative, One Sweet Delivery, which provides local businesses and organizations with free gift boxes as a way of showing their appreciation to them. Since then, the Saratoga businesswomen have given out free gift boxes to five other locations, including the Saratoga Performing Arts Center, Fingerpaint and The Adelphi Hotel. “I come from a family of service and giving back to the community, [and] I wanted to collaborate with another like-minded business,” says DePasquale. “After meeting and working with Austin on several events, I knew she was of a similar ilk.”

In addition to being filled with goodies from both Bayliss and DePasquale’s businesses, each One Sweet Delivery box also has a branded greeting card in it, with the women’s business information on it, plus a handwritten, personal note from both Bayliss and DePasquale on the back. “I thoroughly enjoy designing these images and crafting each special message,” says DePasquale, who, along with Bayliss, posts the experiences on social media after each delivery.

Though the two have been making these surprise deliveries for almost five months now, they both admit that doing eight schools in one morning was more than a little bit challenging. “This one was definitely our biggest so far,” says Bayliss. “It was a great day!” Despite the heavy load, the two businesswomen are planning on expanding on the concept. They’re already planning their next big delivery, which, Bayliss says, will go out in about a week and a half. Who’s the lucky recipient? “It’s always a secret, and no one knows ’til we arrive,” says Bayliss. “That’s part of the fun.”

Upstate Indie Filmmakers To Be Highlighted On WMHT’s 11th Season Of TvFILM

Jeff Dingler
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Upstate Indie Filmmakers To Be Highlighted On WMHT’s 11th Season Of TvFILM

Pop some popcorn in the microwave, Saratoga. WMHT Public Media, Eastern New York’s Public Broadcasting Service, has announced the lineup for its annual, summer indie film series TvFILM, which airs cinematic shorts (no more than 22 minutes apiece) produced by independent filmmakers in the Capital Region and beyond. This year’s lineup will include seven all-new episodes, showcasing 15 original works by 16 filmmakers from across Upstate New York and Massachusetts. On the roster are filmmakers from right here in the Capital Region, including one Saratoga County director, Mechanicville native Bobby Chase, as well as artists from Syracuse and Woodstock.

“What’s most exciting this year is that we had a bunch of new filmmakers we hadn’t seen before,” says Zeke Kubisch, Lead Content Producer at WMHT, which is headquartered in Troy. “On top of that, we had more female filmmakers submit this year than ever before.” Five women directors made it on TvFILM’s 2019 lineup. Also, in order to spice things up for its 11th season, the indie film series has updated its look with new graphics and effects.

As for which films to look out for this year, Kubisch says he truly can’t pick a favorite. “I don’t want to single out just one, because they’re all very good and very different,” he says. “We have films from really every genre.” To that point, expect everything from mini-documentaries to dramatic short films (as well as some horror shorts) and even an animated piece about skating through Downtown Albany. “It’s wonderful to see that filmmakers are continuing to make great work in this area, and that there’s been such interest in this program for 11 seasons now,” says Kubisch.

The new season will kick off this Sunday, June 30 and air every Sunday at 5pm until August 11. Audiences can catch the series on WHMT Media as well as online. Check out the full schedule with film descriptions below.

June 30
Oak Bones by Lindsay Corriveau – A woman carved from oak and brought to life by a possessive craftsman falls in love with a street performer.

The Cabinet by Victoria Diana – A haunted cabinet awaits its victims on the side of the road.

July 7
The Hill by Jordan McClendon – An animated film that depicts a fun, downhill skate through Downtown Albany starting at the Capitol Building.

Museum by Joe Gietl – In a museum that won’t let him leave, a man struggles to confront violent, intrusive thoughts about his wife.

July 14
Matt by John Lyden – A documentary that follows the difficult journey of 22-year-old Matt Bissett after he’s diagnosed with a rare cancerous tumor that grows in his bones.

Sudden by Charity Buckbee – A lonely home health aide befriends a patient with Alzheimer’s.

July 21
Bridge For Seniors by Shirlee Alkosser and Kashka Glowacka – Eight eccentric seniors transform one another’s lives as they meet each week to play bridge.

Diana’s Revenge by Morgan Wright – Diana wants to go out and enjoy a snow day, but there’s something standing in her way: her grandmother.

July 28
Movere by Marty Hardin – An experimental film that expresses a story of movement through mixing interesting stock imagery with shapes.

Fortune Smiles by Sean Cranston – A couple enjoying a ski trip in Massachusetts receive a phone call that could very well ruin their vacation.

August 4
Well by Jim and Steve Powers – After awaking bloodied in the snow, a man struggles to recall what happened to him.

Lunch by Aden Suchak – A short documentary about spending time with one’s grandmother and the heritage and value of cooking traditional meals.

August 11
Viola by Charles Sweeney – On an isolated beach, an elderly birdwatcher encounters a mysterious figure from his past.

Jacob by Bobby Chase – Based on a true story, a young man searches for meaning in the wake of his brother’s suicide.

Meant to Burn Together by Morgan Wright – A fun, experimental film created using claymation models and, yes, a little bit of fire.

Yaddo Celebrates Mansion Reopening At Summer Benefit

Olivia Mendlinger
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Yaddo Celebrates Mansion Reopening At Summer Benefit

What’s better than an evening filled with food, drink, music and art? On Thursday, June 20, Yaddo opened its doors to 380 art aficionados for the artist colony’s annual Summer Benefit, which this year celebrated the reopening of the Yaddo Mansion after a two-year, multimillion-dollar restoration. The benefit brought in $190,000 for Yaddo’s arts residency program and featured appetizers, specialty cocktails, auctions and the main event: a performance by singer-songwriter and Yaddo alum Mike Doherty.

Happy Campers Unite For Double H Ranch Gala

Olivia Mendlinger
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Happy Campers Unite For Double H Ranch Gala

Happy campers came together for Double H Ranch’s annual Happy Camper gala, a family-friendly benefit at The Great Escape Resort on June 22. The event celebrated Double H’s partnership with Bimbo Bakeries, and raised money for the Double H Hole in the Woods camp in Lake Luzerne, which provides specialized programs and support for children and families dealing with life-threatening illnesses. A children’s ticket to the gala included access to the park, games, a t-shirt provided by Abercrombie & Fitch, snacks and dinner, while adults were treated to cocktails and appetizers, silent and live auctions, music by Stones Mountain Band and a buffet dinner by Mazzone Hospitality.

’90s Alt-Rockers Toad The Wet Sprocket Celebrating Their 30th Anniversary At The Egg

Jeff Dingler
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’90s Alt-Rockers Toad The Wet Sprocket Celebrating Their 30th Anniversary At The Egg

Any rock band that makes it to the three-decade mark should be stopping to take a victory lap. And that‘s exactly what Toad the Wet Sprocket—the alternative rock band that had a string of platinum-selling albums and radio hits in the ’90s—is doing this year with their 30th Anniversary Tour. Thankfully, Capital Region fans will get to join their celebration, as the tour will be landing at Albany’s The Egg this Friday, June 28.

This year also marks the 30th anniversary of the band’s debut album, Bread & Circus, as well as the 25th anniversary of one of their most successful albums, the platinum-selling Dulcinea (1994), which spawned such hit singles as “Something’s Always Wrong” and “Fall Down,” the latter of which reached No.1 on the US Modern Rock charts. 

“No one gets into this thinking they’re going to be doing it 30 years later,” says Dean Dinning, Toad the Wet Sprocket’s bassist. “The fact that we still have such an audience after 30 years is just incredible.” The four Santa Barbara, CA natives that make up the band—Dinning (bass), Glen Phillips (lead vocals/guitar), Todd Nichols (lead guitar) and Randy Guss (drums)—met doing theater in high school and, after realizing that they all shared an interest in music, started jamming in Guss’ basement. If you’re wondering, the band’s name was lifted from a Monty Python’s Flying Circus sketch. “Nobody took it too seriously,” says Dinning. “We all thought we were going to probably break up when we went to college.”

However, while still in high school, the band scraped together $600 to record their original cassette release of Bread & Circus in 1989. Just a couple of years later, Columbia Records took notice of the indie rockers, signing them and subsequently reissuing Bread & Circus nationally on cassette, CD and vinyl. Toad’s follow-up album for Columbia was Fear (1991), which included the hit songs “All I Want” and “Walk on the Ocean,” and brought the band mainstream success and its first platinum-selling album. “It’s been an amazing ride,” says Dinning. “When you get signed to a record label, that is by no means a guarantee of success.”

That’s not to say there haven’t been a few rough patches along the way. Following disappointing sales from their fifth studio album, Coil, the group broke up in 1998. Despite some intra-band tensions, Toad’s members continued to work together intermittently, and the “break up” became more of an extended hiatus. They officially reunited in 2009. Since then, Toad has toured extensively and released two more studio albums: New Constellation in 2013, which was financed primarily through a Kickstarter campaign that raised more than $250,000 online; and the six-song EP Architect of the Ruin in 2015. “The music has just refused to go away, [having been] used in films and TV shows, and it’s been popular online as well,” says Dinning. “I think getting out here and playing every year definitely helps that—we’re still working it.”

Speaking of which, in addition to their big anniversary tour, Toad the Wet Sprocket is also currently co-headlining a tour with another ’90s alt-rock band, Big Head Todd and the Monsters. The two bands released a joint single at the beginning of June, a cover of Neil Young’s “Cinnamon Girl,” with all proceeds going to support the Sierra Club. “It’s our No.1 charity right now,” says Dinning. “We’re all very much into the outdoors, and we want to preserve it for future generations.”

As for Toad’s return to The Egg this Friday, where the band last played in 2011, fans can expect a great setlist featuring highlights from the group’s entire discography as well as two songs from Bread & Circus—“Covered in Roses” and “One Little Girl”—that Dinning says the band hasn’t played live in years. “It’s going to be a great, laidback show,” says Dinning. “We love The Egg and, in fact, last time we came through we were trying to see how many egg jokes we could make.” As to whether the band will be cracking more egg jokes at Friday night’s concert, Dinning says, “Probably, but you’ll have to show up to find out.”

Wanderlust Stratton 2019: Exclusive Photos From Inside This Year’s Lifestyle Festival

Eric Huss
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Wanderlust Stratton 2019: Exclusive Photos From Inside This Year’s Lifestyle Festival

Who said Stratton Mountain was only a winter weather destination? This past weekend (June 20-23), the Wanderlust Festival rolled in, spreading its powerful message of mind-body-soul development and finding one’s “truth north” (i.e. best self). via a number of interactive sessions. For those unfamiliar with the annual lifestyle festival, it’s set in the idyllic green mountains of Vermont and features a number of hand-selected, world-class yoga and meditation teachers, outdoor instructors, musical performers, speakers, artists and chefs—all of whom are there for the benefit of festival-goers. And it’s all less than 90 minutes away from Saratoga Springs.

New this year were full-day immersion and yoga nidra (i.e. “sleep meditation”) sessions. Musical headliners included R&B artist Leela James, Australian singer-songwriter Ziggy Alberts and American rapper/yogi MC Yogi, among many others. Also included in the weekend’s events were cutting-edge Speakeasy talks; an AcroYoga class, where participants could “learn how to fly”; and a “silent disco,” lead by a trio of DJs.

Next summer, be sure to pack a tent (yes, camping is an option at Wanderlust) and head east to find your true north. Take a look at some exclusive photos from 2019’s Wanderlust Festival in the photo gallery above.

4 Smart Ways To Save For Your Child’s Education (Advertisement)

Maureen Parker
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4 Smart Ways To Save For Your Child’s Education (Advertisement)

As the mother of a high school senior and college sophomore, I found the costs associated with higher education daunting. However, I also discovered that there are helpful strategies to make the process of saving for my children’s education more manageable.

With that in mind, here are four smart ways to save for a child’s future college expenses:

1. Pay yourself first. If you’re like most families, you’re wondering how to strike the right balance between saving for your retirement and your children’s education. Although parents commonly put their kids’ needs before their own, that’s definitely not a good idea when it comes to college savings. In fact, most financial experts say it’s vital to fund your retirement before you save money for the kids.

The reason: There are many ways to help pay for college, including a variety of financial aid and student loan options. But the same can’t be said for your retirement. (Good luck getting someone to give you a federally subsidized retirement loan!) Funding your golden years will depend largely on how much you save and invest today. That means your top priority should be maxing out your retirement accounts.

2. Start saving as early as possible. Once your retirement savings plan is on track, start saving for college expenses as soon as possible. With tuition costs expected to rise by about 6 percent a year on average, a newborn today might easily need more than $300,000 to attend an in-state public university for four years—and nearly twice that to attend a private school.

But before those numbers cause you to panic, just remember: The same strategies that will help you reach your retirement savings goals—start early, invest regularly and contribute as much as you can—will set you up for success as you save towards your children’s education.

3. Make the most of tax-advantaged college savings options. Your most powerful allies in the college savings game include tax-advantaged accounts that enable your savings to go farther than they would in more traditional accounts. For example:

• 529 plans allow parents, relatives and friends to invest for a child’s college education. The earnings and gains on those investments grow on a tax-deferred basis, which can help your money increase faster than it would otherwise. What’s more, you won’t owe any federal taxes on withdrawals from a 529 as long as you use the money to pay for tuition, books, room and board and other qualified educational expenses. These plans’ lifetime maximum contribution limits vary by state but generally range upward of $200,000 per beneficiary.

• Education Savings Accounts (ESAs)—also called Coverdells—offer tax-deferred growth and tax-free withdrawals to pay for qualified educational expenses, just like 529 plans. But ESAs come with features that 529s lack. Example: You can use ESAs for certain elementary or secondary school expenses as well as for college expenses. ESA contributions are capped at $2,000 annually.

• Custodial accounts are managed by a parent or guardian on behalf of a child. They offer various tax advantages based on the amount of earnings they generate, and there are no contribution limits or restrictions on how the money can be spent as long as it benefits the child. But be aware that unlike 529s and ESAs, money in a custodial account belongs irrevocably to the child. Translation: When your kid turns 18 (or older, depending on the state rules governing the account), he or she can use the money for anything—and yes, that includes a new car or trip to Europe.

4. Get help if you need it. Let’s face it: It’s challenging to juggle multiple savings goals. Working with a financial professional can help ensure that you strike the right balance between your various objectives, as well as make the most of all the college financing options available to you—including your existing assets, financial aid and scholarships, and loans or lines of credit. A plan that combines some or all of these resources can help you pay for college while also staying on track toward your other key life goals.

Maureen Parker is an Independent Branch Leader and Financial Advisor at the Charles Schwab branch in Saratoga Springs, New York. She has 22 years of experience helping clients achieve their financial goals. Some content provided here has been compiled from previously published articles authored by various parties at Schwab. Charles Schwab & Co., Inc., Member SIPC. (0619-9H7E)

Lights Go Out On Broadway: Proctors Experiences Website Woes On Day Of ‘Hamilton’ Ticket Sales (Updated)

Will Levith
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Lights Go Out On Broadway: Proctors Experiences Website Woes On Day Of ‘Hamilton’ Ticket Sales (Updated)

Proctors could be facing a colonial revolt in the Capital Region if it doesn’t get its IT in order. If you’re trying to purchase Hamilton tickets online at Proctors, good luck. For potential ticket-buyers, the nightmare began at 10am sharp, when the Schenectady venue was set to release its remaining tickets for the red-hot Broadway musical, set to make a limited run from August 13-25. (A number of tickets have already been provided to members.)

For users online looking to buy tickets, they first needed to sign into the site to even be able to get into a queue to purchase tickets at 10am—and at just about 10:30am, the Proctors site crashed, sending potential ticket-buyers scrambling. A number of users complained of seeing a “502 – Bad Gateway” error, which normally occur when a site is overrun with traffic and its servers are unable to handle the influx. One user tweeted at Proctors that they were in the queue for 24 minutes before losing their place when the site crashed. Another, a journalist from the Albany Times Union, tweeted:

saratoga living reached out to Proctors for comment, and Michael Eck, the venue’s rep, responded that the Proctors website hadn’t, in fact, crashed—despite accounts to the contrary on Twitter—and that the lengthy wait times were just due to “many, many people in queue.”

At 11:47am, Proctors’ Twitter account acknowledged that users were “…having problems buying tickets online. We have turned off the queue and patrons are now able to purchase regularly. Please log back in. We apologize for the inconvenience. Please message us if you are still having trouble buying tickets.”

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