A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A GNOME

I visited The Dutch Udder on River Street in downtown Troy, New York and had the best ice cream ever! They even had my cousin in the window, he’s the short pink one. I had some cookies-n-Irish cream and enjoyed some new best friends. If you come down there, make sure you message me on Facebook and I’ll stop by and get a selfie with you in front of their selfie wall that is painted as a giant waffle cone.

My day started as it often does- in Downtown Troy, New York. On Broadway between 2nd and River streets they are painting a giant map of Troy and it’s neighborhoods. This street art is beautiful and a reason that everyone says they “enjoy Troy”. It was a Monday and not many stores were open, but Aurora’s Boutique on River Street was open and inviting! I browsed and visited for awhile, then walked the street looking at where to go the next day. After taking inventory of River Street I turned onto 3rd Street to head back to the Quackenbush Building, but along the way I had to stop at Spill’n the Beans Coffeehouse and Bistro. They have amazing coffee and snacks and really filled me up, which I needed for my next stop!

The old Latham Circle Diner has been renovated and reopend as Diner Time. A beautifully done concept located at the Latham Circle where NY Route 2 (Troy-Schenectady Road) meets US Route 9 (New Loudon Road). I had a cup of coffee and a wonderful slice of pie. 

When a loved one is in a hospital anywhere in Schenectady, but especially at Ellis, and you live 50 miles or more away; this can cause you and them more stress on top of a stressful situation. That’s where Jack’s Place comes in. Dedicated to giving you a home-away-from-home environment so you can get rest in between visits, and allowing you to not have to worry about the expense of a hotel or being cramped up on a couch in a waiting room, this is an amazing place! I was proud to take a tour and see the comfy environment and how they go all out in making this as stress free for loved ones as they deal with the more important issues at the hospital. They even have handicap accessible rooms, and the common areas are beautiful, large screen tv, exquisite kitchen, an on-site laundry, and a gazebo out back with a big yard. This is a wonderful place to allow you to concentrate on your loved ones instead of driving back and forth from home or being stressed about bills of staying in Schenectady where you may not know where to go or how to get basic services done.

My day on Sunday July 9th began as it often does- a trip to the Schenectady Greenmarket, a farmers market that is on a couple blocks around the City Hall and along the Jay Street Marketplace pedestrian way. This time I was specifically asked to make an appearance at the Elektrik City Hot Dawg cart! I’m so glad they had contacted me, because they serve Hebrew National kosher hot dogs, my favortie! The owners are so friendly and were very excited to see me. As was my number one fan who has been following me for awhile now, and finally got to see me in person! She came up and gave me a hug and we got to talk and I was just as excited as her. 

After the farmers market I drove along Erie Boulevard and checked the progress of my friends at Galesi Group on the Mohawk Harbor development. Then I went up to Rexford and looked around this quaint hamlet in the town of Clifton Park, then next to Alplaus in Glenville, Schenectady County; where there’s a dispute over a proposed development. After careful consideration and consultation with the local gnomes of Alplaus, I decided to oppose publicly this dense development of condominiums along the Mohawk River. I don’t believe this is the right area for such tall buildings of dense human settlement. It would negatively impact the indigenous population of garden gnomes along the Mohawk. 

Based on a recommendation of a long-time friend of all gnomes I drove east from Alplaus to Vischer Ferry, another small hamlet, located in the town of Clifton Park, Saratoga County, New York. There I had a small snack at the Vischer Ferry General Store consisting of two sea salt chocolate chip cookies and a glass of fresh squeezed lemonade. It was delicious! I love these country stores, reminds me of my youth!

Scarlet Seven is a new art gallery located in downtown Troy, New York, the largest city and county seat for Rensselaer County, NY. Located on 4th Street in a beautifully ivy wrapped building, even the outside is a work of art when the wind blows the ivy vines and leaves, they make a wave like an ocean of green. 

I went to the Garage Sale Store on Central Avenue (NY Route 5) in the town of Colonie, Albany County, New York on July 7th and met up with Pastor Charlie of the Victory Christian Church, which runs this store. Proceeds go to many worthy causes the pastor runs, including food and transportation and children’s activities down in the Arbor Hill section of the city of Albany. I was happy to talk to him about our inner cities and what can be done. I hope to work with him in the future. This is also a great place to get some wonderful items for your house at a great value!

So my very busy day on 6th began with going to the hamlet of Averill Park in the town of Sand Lake, Rensselaer County, NY. Young’s Pharmacy with Paula’s Country Kitchen was my stop. Located in the heart of this unincorporated village, this country store/pharmacy/deli is amazing. I met some new friends who were visiting from Florida, one of which was from Cuba! Everyone was very friendly and helpful. The pharmacy gave me tips on living well for my age (I’ll be 153 in March 2018) and Paula had me help her slice up a ham and gave me a blueberry yogurt cinnamon crunch muffin! It was delicious! I had such a good time hanging out, which is what these country stores are all about- meeting with your neighbors.

On July 5th I visited The Cookie Factory on Congress Street in Troy, New York. Located in the Mount Ida neighborhood on NY Route 2 just west of Prospect Park before entering the Hill and Eastside neighborhoods; this is easily the number 1 place for sweets in Rensselaer County, NY. Locally owned and operated with a bakery in South Troy and two retail locations, Congress St and one on Hoosick Street. The cakes are beautiful, the cookies delicious, the cupcakes scrumpcious, and the bread warm and fresh!

The historic D&H Headquarters, the predecessor to the New York Central Rail Road, has since 1978 been the SUNY System Administration Building. Located on Broadway at the foot of State Street in Albany, New York, this is a historic Gothic-syle architecture built on the location of many other historic buildings witnessing a lot of US history. From Henry Hudson in 1609, Albany’s Stadt Huys (City Hall) which also was the site of Benjamin Franklin and the Albany Congress, the route of General Burgoyne being led into captivity, and much more. 

I was invited up to Sammy Cohen’s Restaurant in Schaghticoke and I am so grateful they did! I ended up having a bacon and swiss cheeseburger with a side of sweet potato fries. It was DELICIOUS! I seriously cannot stop talking about the melba dipping sauce and how it paired perfectly with the sweet potatoes. This place is amazing not just with the food, but also with the beers and drinks, and with the atmosphere. Friendly staff, great decor showcasing the history of long-time legend and business owner for many decades, the namesake of the restaurant- Sammy Cohen. Local Schaghticoke history adorns the walls as well and makes for interesting conversation pieces. A large banquet room is available for parties and I’m thinking of having my birthday there! (March 10th, 2018 I will turn 163 by the way)

Yesterday I went up to Cohoes, Albany County, New York and visited with my new friend Scott who owns The Locker Room 78. This is a wonderful hobby shop with everything from baseball cards to graphic novels. I spent a long time looking around at everything, I was like a gnome in a card shop. Wait... I was a gnome in a card shop! Gnomes are very good at baseball you know, in fact I was a professional player in the first decade of the 20th century. The Locker Room 78 has my rookie card, ask them. The store is located in a key historic area of Cohoes, the Enlarged Erie Canal ran right behind the property and you can see remains of the locks and the canal route is clearly visible. 

Yesterday I was up in the town of Saratoga doing some exploring and I visited quite a few memorable spots. I visited the Saratoga Battle Monument, which is a part of the Saratoga National Historical Park and took photos of each of the monument’s four sides. Did you know that three of the sides have a statue in an alcove, but the fourth alcove is intentionally left empty? That’s because it would have been for Benedict Arnold, a hero at the Battles of Saratoga, but because of his later treasonous acts at West Point, he does not get a statue; but the alcove stands as remembrance of his deeds.

Today I spent some time around Monument Square in Troy, New York. Created by a triangle bordered by River Street, Broadway, and 2nd Street; a Soldiers and Sailors Monument dominates the triangular square. My first stop was The Weathered Wood, on 2nd Street. This is an amazing store with in-house hand-crafted wood furniture and art. As a gnome I always consider myself quite handy when it comes to woodwork, but this place puts me to shame! If you love the all-natural look of wood, or driftwood display pieces, stop on by!

2017 is Colonie Center mall’s 50th anniversary! I went on a tour around the mall and was greatly impressed by the updates they have done to keep the mall in the forefront of customer’s retail expectations. And the mall has expanded beyond straight retail to include entertainment and a state-of-the-art Regal Movie Theater.