You see, the featured speaker this year was Karen Totino, long time resident and newer business owner of Green Conscience Home and Garden, who provided a darn interesting presentation about “Goin’ Green”, some of the items from her retail store and ways (and why) we should remember why becoming a sustainable community really matters.

What really impressed me, as always does with people of strong convictions that are homegrown, was how she started in her business when out for a walk with her children. I’m certain all in attendance would agree that her eyes sparkled with what I bet was the same enthusiasm, as that first moment, when she had her “light bulb moment” (I imagined an energy saving one floating above her head).

Karen spoke of flooring and clay wall treatments that absorb the floating dust we see in our homes on bright, sunny days and even contributed door prizes: plant potters that appear to be plastic however, are compostable in your garden once you tire of using them. She reminded us all of the receptacles, at all of our school locations, at no cost to the schools and free for us to use, that are placed for our newspapers, magazines, phone books, etc. that actually provide funds back to our school district.

In a few short moments, Karen provided inspiration and a proactive presentation that was a fun and fitting kick-off to the Spring renewal time in our community, that we all tend to look forward to, after a grey, snowy winter.

And she exemplified another shining example of a resident, a volunteer and a small business owner wrapped into one package that makes up the fabric of Our Towne.

C’mon Spring!
Angela McFarland
Publisher

But officially, after my son Cameron was born in 1997, I decided to leave my full time job as a sales rep for TRW, now Experian, to be a full time mom and follow my dreams of being a makeup and hair artist.

Since then, I have grown into a wedding day, special event and commercial makeup, hair, and wardrobe stylist now for more than 18 years. I now work with politicians, newscasters, celebrities, models, actors and brides from clean and classic…to hi fashion…to blood, sweat and tears…I’ve done it all!

I now divide most of my time between print and video projects, the Boutique and off-site wedding requests.

Q. Are you known for anything special?

When I was with Clinique, many called me “the eye queen.” I still really love to bring out my clients eyes.

I’m also very excited to have been just recently rated one of the HOT 100 Salons in the Country by Beauty Entertainment Magazine.

Q. What do you want the community to know about you?
Recent projects include styling for guests of the Rachel Ray and Larry King Live Shows, a national ad appearing in Martha Stewart Weddings, NY Giants Training Camp, national print for retailer AJ Wright as well as three editorial features in WellWed and Vermont Vows Magazines. I am also the ongoing makeup artist and consultant to NBC News affiliate WNYT.

Frequently, I am asked the question “What are you doing in Ballston Spa?” I have had opportunities to work in other areas but I thought about it alot and really wanted to work where I was close to my roots, my home and my children.

Q. Anything else?

Owning our own business has been is one of the hardest endeavors my husband and I have ever taken on . You make mistakes. It takes passion and belief in yourself and your product to overcome and move on. You are always learning, improving, making it better. That is also one of the biggest rewards as well. I always want to please my customers and give them the best I have to offer. Instilling my staff with this philosophy has become our focus in the past year and will continue in 2010.

Oh yeah, and anyone who leaves the boutique, has a wedding or a photoshoot must feel “fabulous” We have to… its in our name.

Business Name: Make Me Fabulous
Address: 102 Milton Ave. Ballston Spa, NY 12020
Phone: 885-2929
Website: www.makemefabulous.com

Its been an arduous year filled with great challenge, many changes and I for one am a profoundly different person than one year ago….are you?

Yes, most of us begin our new year in the same place, hopefully working the same job, facing the same joys and burdens as in the past year, however, it is a profound opportunity and privilege to be able to reflect on all that’s past, to look ahead at all that’s to come, to learn from our mistakes, to right our course, even to renew old routines and, thanks to social networking, reacquaint ourselves with the old relationships that shaped who we’ve become today.

It is profound to see how this community has remained strong, determined to keep tradition alive and well, while embracing the changes that inevitably, life has to offer. Those who continue to “make lemonade out of lemons”, as the saying goes, have shown profound strength and tenacity, in spite of the daily uncertainty, that we have all had to face at some point this year.

It is profoundly reassuring to enjoy the “constants” of living in Ballston Spa…everything from First Fridays to PTA events to our Local Library and more. The Shop Local mindset has become a goal of many around town signaling a profound change in how we are willing to live with one another.

An entire community seems to swim together like a school of fish, turning left, turning right, turning in unison together. Profound.

Here’s wishing all of you a profoundly unique, exciting and prosperous 2010. And for the naysayers who believe the end is near and who are also likely to believe its impossible to gargle with your mouth closed, I say come and meet the neighbors of Ballston Spa and we’ll show you how profoundly wrong you just might be.

Angela McFarland
Publisher

Donna Martin, co-owner of Village Photo, and I both attend the same church and I had the honor of not only knowing her mom, but being the recipient of a special message she shared with our congregation just recently that shaped my thoughts heading into this season. With her permission, I wanted to share it with all of you:

What’s the Deal God?

Last year we were forced once again to celebrate Christmas shortly after losing a loved one. As most of you know, our mother Sylvia Van Deinse went to be with the Lord very unexpectedly on Monday, December 15th. We were all in shock to say the least. For the third time we had to go into the most celebrated time of the year with grieving hearts. On Monday, December 20, 1971 we lost our father to a massive heart attack. Twenty eight years later on the same day and date of the year, Monday December 20, 1999 our brother died also of a heart attack. Three family members within ten days of Christmas, it just didn’t seem fair. With my mother’s passing I definitely questioned God’s motives. What’s the deal God?

As I think of all the new memories that are created during the holidays, I now see things differently. God blessed us by combining our grief and joy into one big month. As we think of loved ones we’ve lost, we truly remember “The Reason for the Season”.” — Donna Martin

Its another difficult year for many because of the recession, that’s no doubt. Some will struggle, some will feel overwhelmed and others will question what to believe. Depending on your spirituality, wouldn’t it seem that the many that may face challenges are the purest reflection of what the holiday season should mean? Joseph worried terribly, he and Mary made a journey to an unknown destination and capped it all off by birthing a child. Somehow, it was all okay. Hmph.

As Andy Rooney once said, “One of the most glorious messes in the world is the mess created in the living room on Christmas day. Don’t clean it up too quickly.”

Happy Holidays to you and yours,
Angela McFarland
Publisher

Along with assisted living in our Home, we also offer nursing, home health aide and companion services through our home care agency.
During the time Rev. John Breckenridge Gibson was rector of the Bethesda Church, Saratoga Springs, New York, 12866, 1866-1869, this institution, the first charity was started in town at the suggestion of Mrs. Gibson, Mrs. Thomas J. Marvin, and Mrs. William Bryar White. These good women and others of the church associated with them in their visitations among, the poor and afflicted, discovered the need of some place where the sick and the aged could be cared for as old age came upon them. The Home of the Good Shepherd has served the Saratoga Springs community since 1870, earning a proud reputation for providing the highest level of skilled, attentive care.
We are pleased to continue that tradition with the opening of our new, assisted living home for men and women in Malta, the Home of the Good Shepherd at Highpointe!

Q. Are you known for anything special? We put the personal care and comfort of our residents above all else. This includes assistance with activities of daily living, such as dressing, bathing, oral care, and general hygiene. The personal care plan reflects an individual resident’s needs and routines prior to admission, and is based on discussions with the resident, family members, physicians, and others concerned with the well-being of the resident.

Q. What do you want the community to know about you? A variety of delicious meals are served three times a day in our dining room. Each resident has a choice of meals. Snacks and nurioushments are offered through out the day including an evening snack.

As well as daily bed making and straightening of rooms, full housekeeping services are provided twice weekly. Laundry services are provided one to two times weekly or more as needed.

Our residents never run out of opportunities for enriching and energizing their lives. We offer a full calendar of social and recreational activities that keep residents challenged and active. Planned trips are scheduled to area shopping centers, restaurants and cultural activities. Of course, residents may choose to pursue their own interests, such as reading or watching television. A bus that seats up to 14 residents is available for outside activities.
Our case manager works hand in hand with our nurses as well as community providers, to manage the medical, social, physical and mental needs of each individual resident to ensure a positive quality of life and maintain a level of independence. The Case Manager is a primary source of communication with the resident’s Primary Care Physician in regard to the medical well-being of the resident

Q. Anything else? We have a Memory Care Facility coming soon! For more information, please visit our website or call our office in Malta.

I remember that distinctly because of the early signs in our neighborhood last year, that the coming winter and holiday season would not be an easy one for most. This year is here, in a “blink” it seems, and I still sense the same caution and concern. Its because of this, I have taken a step back and am reminded, we made it thru and am quite sure, we will make it thru again.

It has been a dynamic year, locally and nationally, of people and organizations really coming together to support one another and its a time that seems most appropriate to truly give thanks to each other for the support and fellowship we’ve all experienced. Our community volunteers such as BSBPA, the Lions Club, the high school Interact club, our churches, and our PTA’s are only a few of the many who have banded together, shown amazing strength and a fierce dedication to ensuring a reasonable quality of living for our families in spite of the day in and day out seemingly bad news all around.

Many of you have come to know my personal competitive spirit and I am inspired deeply by these individuals who “put on their game faces” in the face of negativity and forge ahead. For this, I send a special message of Thanksgiving and appreciation to all of you who have decided to keep our community a thriving and vibrant place to live, work and play. It is with warmest regards that, this month, you are thought of as the truly amazing people that you are, for what you do for all of us and our families.

Working on a little less than a few years ago? That’s okay. Count your blessings and seek out time with some of these volunteers and organizations for an instant, and effective mood lift. You’ll be glad you did…

Happy Thanksgiving,
Angela McFarland
Publisher
Our Towne Ballston Spa
Your Hometowne Community Resource

The best part about what there is to see is how you can enjoy, it with simply a sweater, a hat and some good walking shoes. Our recent First Friday, Block Party in Wiswall Park and Chili/Chowder cook-off are prime examples.

I challenge you to keep walking about town and join the fun of our first “Shop Local” contest brought to you by Our Towne, the Ballston Journal and the BSBPA. Its an exciting way to get out and explore select neighborhood merchants while increasing your chances to win great gift certificates just in time for the holiday shopping season. If you’ve never really found the motivation to peek behind the doors of a local shop: this is it!

Weekly prizes of $25 gift certificates will be awarded leading into the Grand Prize drawing of $500 worth of ‘em! You can enter as often as you wish and no purchase is necessary although I would assume it would be difficult NOT to buy something at the locations participating.

So go on, make a memory with the simple pleasures by hiking around the colorful neighborhood and breathing in all there is to offer. Is there any better way, to leave the stress of the world behind, then to share a few giggles, a warm apple crisp and a hay ride?

Warm regards,
Angela McFarland
Publisher
Our Towne Ballston Spa
(518)956-0195 mobile/text
angela@ourtowneballstonspa.com

The franchise dissolved after 5 years and we decided to stay in it, my wife Jennifer joined me in 1995 and we continue with our son Max to grow the business. This year we welcome our 19th season haunting the Capital Region.

Q. Are you known for anything special? The Haunted Hayrides have become an autumn tradition for so many in the area. People love to be scared and the Double M is THE place to be scared in October!

Q. What do you like most about your business? We love the Haunted Business, it’s a lot of work to prepare but we have a lot of fun! Making people laugh and scream is rewarding is this business! We attend a Haunted Show in St. Louis where we purchase a lot of our props and come up with fresh ideas. We also attend seminars at the show to learn about things like applying stage makeup, ticket sales, stage lighting and advertising to name a few. The haunted industry is a big business, we get lots of ideas from the internet and we have friends with attractions that we exchange ideas and trade props with.

Every October is different here at the Double M, we change the ride each season to there’s always a surprise!

Q. What do you feel is your biggest challenge with your business? The weather, no doubt!

Q. What do you want the community to know about you? That we bring old fashion fun to an ever changing society! The Haunted Hayrides are open Thursday – Sunday by reservation system. There is a concession stand on the grounds, a souvenir stand and entertainment in the waiting area which includes: A D.J. or Radio Station, Oversized Monsters to greet you and, of course, the Host of the Haunted Hayrides, Scary Harry.

In addition to our Hayride and Redneck’s Revenge Terror maze, we also have our Nightmare Manor haunted walk through, not for the weak at heart! Our house has been expanded and is sure to make you tremble! Reservations are not required for Nightmare Manor. .

Q. Anything else? We also offer a daytime hayride & corn maze for families with smaller children, open Sat & Sun from 11-4. Call 884-9122 for more information.

Business Owner Name: Leo & Jennifer Martin
Business Name: Double M’s Haunted Hayride
Address: 678 Route 67, Ballston Spa, NY – A mile west of northway exit 12
Phone: 518-884-9122
Website: www.mmhauntedhayrides.com

We were hesitant because we are so rural, but much to our surprise, the Ballston Spa area loved Halloween.

Q. Are you known for anything special? Our customers say “We should have come here first”. We have a wide variety of items from scene setters to scary props. We also specialize in items for school reports like George Washington, Ben Franklin and Abe Lincoln kits. We have saved many mothers during the school year when a quick wig or hat will make the report complete.

Q. What do you like most about your business? The people. We are a hands-on store and make suggestions, work with our customers until they are satisfied that they have found just the right costume to meet their needs. Its truly a lot of fun!

Q. What do you feel is your biggest challenge with your business? Keeping fresh and current. Competition can be tough, but we are here year round, so the big box stores may not be much help to the frantic mother in February when their child needs a colonial costume.

Q. What do you want the community to know about you? That we are open year round and carry unique items like inflatables, games, tents, tables, chairs and more to accommodate any type of theme party. We have expertise in balloon arches, great party center pieces and carry Santa Suits, Santa wigs and beards for the holidays.

Our “Fun Services” division has a special program called Holiday Gift Shop which is an elementary school program. We offer the finest selection of quality gifts, while keeping the prices affordable for children. Our shop contains over 110 different items. Your organization may mark up the gifts as much or as little as you wish. The “shop” can be used as a fundraiser or you may simply present the program as an exciting and fun holiday activity for the children. Best of all, your group does not have to pay any money in advance. At the completion of your shop, you pay only for the gifts sold, and return the leftovers to us. It couldn’t be easier.

The Halloween scene has changed over the last 28 years from mostly children oriented to more of an adult style holiday. We have a large variety of wigs, hats, accessories and make up that add some terrific finishing touches to any costume.

Q. Anything else? We are well worth the visit and I think you would be pleasantly surprised at what you will find at Halloween Hall.

Business Owner Name: Lois Myers
Business Name: Myers Fun Services, Inc. dba Halloween Hall
Address: 831 Route 67, Bldg. 6, Ballston Spa, NY
Phone: 518-885-5725
Website: www.halloweenhall.com or www.Fun1.com