Celebrate 2021

Downtown Schenectady lit up for the holidays

Index – Celebrate: There’s still so much to Celebrate

CELEBRATE – As more of us are able to come together this holiday season, this year’s edition of Celebrate focuses… Read more »

SUNY Schenectady County Community College instructor Vanessa Traver stands in front of a chocolate-tempering machine

Celebrate: SUNY Schenectady chocolatiers are part of bean-to-bar movement

In a high-tech downtown lab, where stainless steel machines rattle and whir, the sweet smell of chocolate pirouettes through the… Read more »

Glasses are poured at Fossil Stone Vineyards in Greenville Center.

Celebrate: Grape idea – Local wines as gifts

When you shop local, there are no worries about goods sitting on container ships unable to reach their destinations. And… Read more »

Marie Glowacki’s granddaughter Sofia learned to make pierogi last year at 6 years old.

Celebrate: Food, family, ‘hearts filled with love’ make for perfect Polish meal at Christmastime

When Polish-Americans gather for dinner on Christmas Eve, it’s not just a time to enjoy pierogi, pickled herring and mushroom… Read more »

The author with his sister Sarah and grandmother at Killington Mountain in Vermont, circa 1970 or 1971.

Celebrate: I asked for skis but Santa didn’t deliver; now, the rest of the story

Christmas Day had come and gone, and nothing. The only gift I really wanted that year — really, really wanted… Read more »

Sugar cookies decorated with easy icing.

Celebrate: The cookie is a canvas – Try these tips when decorating those seasonal sugar creations

There is one nonnegotiable kind of Christmas cookie in this house: the Moravian cookies that hang on the Christmas tree,… Read more »

Cheryl McKeon, staff member of The Book House of Stuyvesant Plaza, holds some of her recommendations for the holiday season.

Celebrate: All ‘booked’ up for the holidays? If not, here’s some guidance

Is there any Christmas gift better than a book? Some probably think so, but for local bibliophiles, books will always… Read more »

A Santa’s Hat Martini is served at The Waters Edge Lighthouse Restaurant in Glenville.

Celebrate: These cocktails provide plenty of holiday cheer

Instead of singing about “glad tidings of love, joy, peace, hope and good cheer” this year, why not craft a… Read more »

Alaina Jackson and Bruce Williams are both involved in Northeast Ballet Company’s production of “The Nutcracker” this year. Jackson, who attends Schalmont High School, will have the role of a party girl. Williams will play the role of Mother Ginger.

Celebrate: Northeast Ballet bringing classic show back to Proctors

After a year’s absence, Northeast Ballet’s “The Nutcracker” is back at Proctors with two shows Dec. 22-23. It will be… Read more »

Cinderella, one of the princesses with Hill City Ice Queen.

Celebrate: Caroling with Cinderella? It could happen to you

It’s not every day that kids get to meet their on-screen idols, especially royalty like Cinderella and Snow White. But… Read more »

Clockwise from the 6 o’clock position: Polish kolaczki, rugelach, Puerto Rican mantecaditos, Mexican polvorones, Dutch windmill cookies, Ukrainian plyatski, Norwegian sandkaker, Argentine alfajores and Hungarian kiffles. In the center: Santa sits atop a pizzelle.

Celebrate: Around the world or down the block, it’s cookies, cookies, cookies!

When Santa makes his way around the globe on Christmas Eve, he is treated to a range of tasty cookies… Read more »

The Albany FireWolves of the National Lacrosse League are now part of the local sports landscape. Their season runs through April 30.

Celebrate: Sports fan on your list? Look beyond jerseys, hats

With the holiday season well underway, let’s face it: You’ve probably got a sports fan — or five — still… Read more »