
What a fantastic start to our Saratoga Summer with the Belmont Race kicking off our Season! An outstanding crowd of pomp and circumstance…a fantastic celebration of our history in horse racing and the shared excitement of hosting one of the Triple Crown Thoroughbred Races! And many thanks to all my readers for stopping in at Jacobsen’s Rugs to say hello at the Kick Off Celebration downtown! I loved meeting each and everyone of you! Now that we have a slight pause from all this excitement, let’s be sure to finish up our To-Do list before the Saratoga Racing Season begins! I absolutely have some impressive pick’s for you this Summer!

Let’s get right to grilling. If you’re like my family, this form of cooking doesn’t cease at the first snowflake…oh, no…that’s what a shovel is for! We live by our grill, so a great grill is just as important as our wall oven or cooktop! At Marcellas Appliance, they’re featuring the KONNECTED JOE™ DIGITAL CHARCOAL GRILL AND SMOKER. You heard it here…this grill is the ultimate hands-free summer experience for all you backyard entertainers out there! Simply ignite your charcoal with the Automatic Firestarter (AFS™) button, set your desired cooking temperature with the digital Kontrol Board™ or the Kamado Joe App and let the Kontrol Fan™ do the rest. Don’t worry, if you don’t want to give up all “Kontrol”, you can use the traditional Kamado experience. Mind you, this app is quite impressive with capabilities to monitor temperature and time, meat probes and encounter new recipes! And when that dome is opened or closed, you’re reassured your cooking won’t be disturbed as the Kontrol Tower™ top vent maintains consistent air settings.
At Finishing Touches in Malta, they just brought in a new collection of Photography on Canvas by Skip Dickstein. Skip has been a staff photographer with the Albany Time Union for 30 years and the Director of the Photojournalism section of the Churchill Downs Journalism Workshop. His photography has earned him numerous awards including the prestigious Eclipse Award for Excellence in Thoroughbred Photography in North America. His ability to capture “that moment” in time which reflects a glimpse of history in the making is astounding! On the store floor, now, are two such pieces, I call one “Horse Lovin” and the other “Backstretch Beauty” as Skip does not officially name his pieces. If you’re looking to add a little horsing around to your décor, don’t miss your opportunity to own these pieces before the races begin!

Just down the road, you may be surprised to know that your hometown Ace Hardware, Allerdice, has the best hidden gem in town…Accent at Allerdice shop…just follow the footprints to the rear of the store…you’ll be glad you did! Last issue, I introduced you to artisan, Aaron Jackson, and his metal work. Once again, Aaron has impressed me with his Flying Butterfly Stallion as a statement piece for any home in the Saratoga Springs surrounding areas. This rough metal sculptured horse is delicately made yet strong as the stallion it represents. Standing at approximately 28” high, this three-dimensional piece of artwork would display nicely on a console table surrounded by framed photos of family or friends at the track from prior years. I could even see him in the corner of a guest room, greeting your summer company as they retired after hours of Saratoga fanfare! He’s a one-of-a-kind piece…be sure to gallop over before he’s scooped up by another lucky shopper!

On Railroad Place in downtown Saratoga Springs, you need to stop into Compliments To The Chef for all your grilling accessories like these Henckels ZWILLING BBQ+5-pc Grill Tool Set which includes a Grill Spatula, Grill Tongs, Grill Fork, Basting Brush and an easy to clean, waxed canvas Chef's Wrap to keep all your tools ready to go for each grilling adventure! Each piece features a triple-rivet design and are crafted from durable and superior corrosion-resistant 18/10 stainless steel. Perfect for a house warming gift or just as an update for a seasoned grill master. In either case, these quality tools will last a lifetime and have a warranty to back it up! Dishwasher safe to boot! And to “compliment” your new grilling tools, be sure to pick up a set of these NORPRO Stainless Steel FLAT Skewers, set of 6. How many times have you prepared your skewers only to have veggies turn and tear off round, thin skewers. Not any more…these smooth metal surfaces support thick kabob meat and vegetables, allowing YOU to turn your gourmet spears as needed without loosing plump tomatoes to the grill pit.
On Broadway, Silverwood Antiques always has something for everyone! Be sure to pay a visit to appreciate this fine Linen Table Runner with Snaffle Bits. The lush green background sets the stage for punctiliously crafted snaffle and buckle print in a classic white and black. A true nod to the poise and tradition of the equestrian stage set here in Saratoga. Measuring 14” W x 108” L, this table runner is sure to be an eye pleaser during summer celebrations with track friends! And be sure to pick up the new Mini Saratoga Places Sign, now in a 12” W x 24”H size! The larger framed sign was a big hit, but for those smaller spaces, there’s no need to walk away empty handed!

Lastly, Earl B. Feiden is ready to get your summer party flowing with this DCS 24" Outdoor Beer Dispenser, Dual Tap, available in right or left hinge. Don’t settle for anything less than the perfect pour. With a frost-free operation, you can be sure your beer is kept at your preferred serving temperature, reducing foam! And two types of beer on tap is better than one! Don’t fret spills, the integrated drain system keeps this under control and removeable components preserves your time keeping the dispenser clean to a minimum. Likewise, keep your mind at ease knowing if the door is left open or temperatures change from your optimal setting, you’ll hear an audible alert. And with the rise of outdoor kitchens, the door lock safeguards your beer until the last drop! For the interior, if you’ve wanted that professional refrigerator but only had the space for a free-standing unit, wait until you see this. Signature Kitchen Suite has announced its 36-INCH COUNTER-DEPTH FRENCH DOOR REFRIGERATOR… yes, free-standing! With 26cu. Ft capacity, this sleek refrigerator showcases a charcoal gray, Cool Guard interior for a premium look. And why not spoil yourself with 4 types of ice…cubed or crushed from the door, or from within the freezer, mini cubed ice which creates a quick chill or their exclusive slow-melting, round Craft Ice®. With WI-FI ThinQ® technology, controlling your refrigerator is as easy as choosing your next song on your cell phone. A prefect upgrade to ensure your home performs like a professional kitchen!

t’s new. I must admit, I do my fair share of buying at these stores and I love how each piece reminds me of the best place in the world that I call home, Saratoga Springs NY! Cheers to the start of another stellar horse racing season! Enjoy your visitors and those who come from far away to be a part of what we call home! To my out-of-town readers…Welcome Back!
Until next time my friends,
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“Creating Environments for Life”TM