your hometowne

COMPLIMENTARYDECEMBER

2012

COMPLIMENTARYDECEMBER

2012

F r o m S c o t i a t o B a l l s t o n S p a , c o v e r i n g t h e R o u t e 5 0 C o r r i d o r2

Serving Dinner Tues-Sat from 3PM. Sundays from Noon2100 Doubleday Avenue (Route 50) • Carousel Village Plaza

518-490-2093 • www.threeolivesonline.com

A Family oriented and family run ItalianRestaurant in Ballston Spa, NY.

We feature a traditional Italian menu, freshly prepared by our Gourmet Chef!

Now taking New Years Eve Reservations!

$169/Couple!9pm - 1am

4 COURSE MENUand OPEN BAR

Live Entertainment from SwitchpointSee our facebook page for details!

Gift Certificates AvailableHoliday Catering

(both on and off premises)

Dinner for TwoSPECIAL

$39.99Includes a shared appetizer

2 entrees up to $16.992 desserts

Valid Sunday thru Thursday. Max 2 people per table with this coupon. Dine-in only.

Not valid on holidays or with other offers.Expires 1/20/13

Three OlivesBallston Spa 490-2093

F o r A d v e r t i s i n g I n f o : 2 6 5 . 1 1 0 5 • y o u r h o m e t o w n e @ g m a i l . c o m • w w w . y o u r - h o m e t o w n e . c o m 3


Making Traditions or BreakingTraditions? During the holidayseason all of our families;regardless of faith, have their own traditions that they feel theymust follow. Whether it's a familyparty that occurs every year on the holiday or a certain dish thatmust be served, there is somethingin us that makes us bring ourhistory forward. These steadfasttraditions are instilled in us to

carry forward to our own families. But what happens whenfamilies blend?

This holiday season I have decided to create some newtraditions. Our families have grown, there are babies andtoddlers and pre-teens and teens in the mix. We can't all beeverywhere at the same time without sacrificing or rushing.One of my gifts to my family will be to allow them to relax. I want them to enjoy the holidays at their pace. I am not goingto try to be everywhere at the same time and I don't expect ourchildren to either. I want my family to create their owntraditions and not worry about following mine. If they want tospend Christmas Eve snuggled by the tree with their childrenthen they should. If they want to stop by and visit, they arewelcome. If I don't see them till the day after Christmas I'mOK with that, as long as I see them. That doesn't mean wewon't do most of our normal rituals. We will have stockingshung on the mantle stuffed with locally produced delicacies.Yummy spices from Basic Foods and Garofalo's for thegrownups, candies and toys for the children. The table will befilled with gourmet cheeses, roast beef, ham, fresh rolls, piesand cookies and homemade goodies. The difference this year is it will be it will be that way for 3 days to accommodate thetrain of family that will come through at their leisure. Nopressure; that is my new tradition.

For many people in our area this holiday season will beespecially difficult. Our community has suffered the loss ofseveral young people over this past year in tragic accidents.Please keep their families and friends in your prayers andremember to reach out to them when you can. Say a kindword; maybe a hug or just silent understanding for their loss to help them through the pain. Respect their privacy but bethere when they need you.

Tell your family you love them and hug them extra tight.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!Cheryll and Paul Hill

Comments and Input – Paul and Cheryll 280.5260Advertising – [email protected] or 265.1105

Photography – [email protected] – [email protected] or 883.3872

A message from

ABOUT THE COVER...Congratulations to the kids and coaches of BH-BL High School.The girls Volleyball team and the boys Football team broughthome the championships! To read more check out Stay Tuned.

The Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake Rotary sponsored Town in Bloomproject completed another year with the beautiful community

gardens at the corner of Lakehill and Route 50, the barrels at the Kingsley Road corner, the Town Hall and

signs at the entrance of the town.A special Thank You to the many community members who gave donations to the project, The Town of Ballston for the

important role of watering the plants and the volunteers who joined Rotarians with the care of the plants.

The gardens were put to sleep for the winter in late October,we look forward to continued community support

for the awakening of our gardens this upcoming spring!

Please consider a donation

of any amount.

Make checks payable to the

BH-BL Rotary and mail to:BH-BL Rotary

PMB 146690 Saratoga Road

Burnt Hills, NY 12017

TOWN IN BLOOM

Gather around the table

and relax, step back

in time with us for an

Old Fashioned Christmas

full of Wonderment

and Warmth,

a Charlton Christmas...

Cozy Rooms full of American Made Sofas, Chairs & Wood FurnitureCountry-Style Curtains & Rugs Woven Table Linens

Lamps, Lighting, Shades Everlasting Florals & WreathsGifts, Jewelry & Scarves... ALL AT AMAZING PRICES!

Holiday Hours: Tue-Wed-Fri-Sat 11-5pmThurs-11-6pm • Sun -11-3pm

Social networkingat the Tavern

couldn’t be easier with WIFI

Fireside Entertainment

Sunday Evenings

New Years Eve sittings are available by reservation only.

399-9951745 Charlton Road, Charltonwww.charltontavern.com

TIS THE SEASON...

745 Charlton Road, Charlton



Established in 1992, as a family owned and operated business we have over30 years of experience in the industry and hire our own professionaltradesman to assure the highest quality workmanship. We use a differentsales approach; educating the consumer on what is necessary to achievegreater energy efficiency while keeping aesthetics in mind. No high pressureand we treat ever job as if it were our own. Our energy specialists will beyour project managers and guide you through your project from start tofinish.Our red log cabin showroom offers a unique experience. It is a hand's onworking showroom where you can see, touch and operate every product priorto making your investment in your home. We offer a full line of energyefficient products.R.M. Pena holds an A+ Better Business Bureau rating since 1997, has earnednumerous dealer awards, is fully insured and is a Lead Safe certified firm.Last winter, we welcomed the milder temperatures and less than averagesnowfall here in the capital region. This winter may NOT be the case, as weall know the weather is unpredictable. There are many ways to prepare yourhome to reduce energy costs, both in winter and summer. Adding additionalinsulation to attics and sidewalls, replacing windows and doors with energyefficient products or adding insulated siding to your home all aid in savingyou money and make living in your home more comfortable.Call or visit our showroom today to set up your free in home evaluation.Discover your homes potential with us! R.M. Pena - Always One Step Ahead!

518-384-7362761 Rte. 50 • Burnt Hills • www.rmpenawindows.com

F r o m S c o t i a t o B a l l s t o n S p a , c o v e r i n g t h e R o u t e 5 0 C o r r i d o r1 0

F o r A d v e r t i s i n g I n f o : 2 6 5 . 1 1 0 5 • y o u r h o m e t o w n e @ g m a i l . c o m • w w w . y o u r - h o m e t o w n e . c o m 1 1

EYE SAFETY DURING THE HOLIDAYS The holidays are a time when we all lookforward to relaxing, attending parties, andspending time with the people we love. Itshould be a time of joy and celebration sodon't let a preventable eye injury ruin yourtime with your family and friends. Parentsshould be especially alert for potential holiday

eye hazards to children. Following a few helpful tips may help keep yourholiday cheerful and your family safe.

• Do not use ornaments that are breakable, have small detachableparts, or metal hooks near the bottom of the tree where kids canreach them.

• If you have small children keep the lower branches of the treetrimmed so children don't accidentally poke their eyes on thebranches.

• Spray snow is very dangerous for the eyes. The substance is made upof dangerous chemicals, so avoid spraying it near the eyes.

• Skiing, snowboarding, sledding, snowmobiling, and even snowballfights can cause accidental trauma to the eyes. Everyone shouldwear goggles to protect their eyes while engaging in these activities.

• Be careful of open flames, specifically fireplaces, which can causeburns to both children and adults.

Finally, the holidays can mean a lot of driving. Blurry vision can be a concernon long journeys. The best way to avoid this and be as safe as possible is tomake plans ahead of time. Here are some tips on avoiding fatigue andimproving alertness.

• Artificial tears can help soothe and refresh tired eyes. They may alsohelp contribute to clear vision.

• Take your time and plan for rest breaks every couple of hours. Getout of your vehicle and take a short walk or do some exercise to getyour blood pumping.

• If possible, share the driving.• Don't drink and drive!• Use air conditioning if your vehicle has it. Cool air will keep you

more alert and help avoid frustration and stress caused by fatigue.

Whatever you do this holiday season, make it joyous and relaxing but don'tlet the celebration get in the way of your safety. If you have any questionsabout these eye tips or any other eye care issue, you can always ask us onour Facebook page. I promise a prompt response and I would be happy tohelp you ensure your family's eye safety this holiday season.

For more information contact Kristen Cameron,Burnt Hills Optical, 793 Rt. 50 Burnt Hills, 399-6130

or visit www.burnthillsoptical.com


TIME FOR YEAR-END REVIEWOF YOUR FINANCIALSTRATEGY?Now that 2012 is drawing to a close, you may want toreview the progress you've made this past year in manyareas of your life - including your financial situation. Bygoing over your investment portfolio and other keyareas related to your finances, you can learn whatmoves you may need to make in 2013 to stay on track

toward your important objectives, such as college for your children, acomfortable retirement and the ability to leave the type of legacy you desire.To get a clear picture of where you are, consider asking yourself thesequestions:

• Am I taking on too much risk? Although 2012 has generally been apretty good year for investors, we've certainly seen periods of considerablevolatility. During these times, did you find yourself constantly fretting aboutbig drops in your portfolio value? In fact, have you consistently experiencedthis type of worry throughout your years as an investor? If so, you might betaking on too much risk for your individual risk tolerance. Review yourholdings to determine if you can lower your risk level without jeopardizingyour overall investment strategy.

• Am I investing too conservatively? Just as you can take on toomuch investment risk, you can also go to the other extreme by investing tooconservatively. If your portfolio contains a preponderance of investmentsthat offer significant preservation of principal but very little in the way ofgrowth potential, you may be endangering your chances of accumulatingthe resources you'll need to achieve your long-term goals.

• Am I contributing as much as I can afford to my retirement plans?If you have access to an employer-sponsored retirement plan, such as a401(k), 403(b) or 457(b), consider yourself fortunate. Your plan has thepotential to grow on a tax-deferred basis, and you typically contribute pre-tax dollars - the more you put in, the lower your annual taxable income.Plus, your employer may match part of your contributions. So if you've beenunder-funding your retirement plan, ratchet up your funding in 2013. At thesame time, you may still be eligible to contribute to an IRA; if so, try to “maxout” on it. A traditional IRA grows tax deferred while a Roth IRA can growtax free, provided you meet certain conditions.

• Am I adequately protecting my income - and my family? Overtime, you'll experience many changes in your life - marriage, children, newjob, new home, etc. Most, if not all, of these changes will require you tomake sure you have adequate life insurance in place to help guard yourfamily's future, should anything happen to you. Furthermore, to help replaceyour income should you become disabled, you may well need to purchasean adequate amount of disability income insurance.

• Do I need professional help? As the above questions indicate,maintaining control of your financial situation can be challenging -especially if you try to do it all on your own. You might benefit from workingwith a financial professional - someone who can analyze your situationobjectively and make recommendations based on your risk tolerance, timehorizon and specific goals.Before the clock runs out on 2012, take the time to ask yourself the abovequestions. The answers may well spur you to take positive action in 2013.Christopher Nyhan runs the Edward Jones office in Burnt Hills, NY.

This article was written by Edward Jones for use by your localEdward Jones Financial Advisor. Chris can be reached at

399-5087 or [email protected].


“The holiest of holidays are thoseKept by ourselves in silence and apart;The secret anniversaries of the heart. ”

- Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

DECORATING TIPS FROMTHE SPECKLED HEN Each month I share “Decorating Tips from TheSpeckled Hen”, and introduce you to newways to decorate your home with primitives. Ifyou already have a primitive home, I'll helpadd to it with fresh ideas! Last month we

tackled the living room, and this month we'll talk about setting your tablefor the holidays - but first a HUGE thank you to everyone who came out tomy Black Friday Open House! It was a great day!Setting a welcoming, beautiful dining table for holiday guests is a specialart. To do this you don't have to invest a fortune - the idea is to create asoothing space that costs little and establishes an inviting, cozyatmosphere. Let your dining table decorations reflect yourself, your homeand your family. My first tip is to keep the linens simple, this way youraccents will really stand out. And remember, Christmas decorating doesn'thave to be all red and green - warm plaids will make your table feel homey.For a one-of-kind centerpiece, use a shallow antiqued wooden box or smalltray, and purchase three oversized mason jars to set inside. Tie twinearound the top of all three and affix two baby-pinecones. Add holidaygreenery to the bottom of two jars and place a large white candle on top(real or battery operated). Fill the middle container with water and freshcranberries, topped with white roses or a floating candle. Fill the spacearound the mason jars with pinecones from your yard, but first wash themand bake them at low temperature until dry (to kill the critters) and thenspray them with cinnamon scented oil. Use bare wood branches, dried fruitand berries to expand your centerpiece.If you enjoy making holiday crafts and want your dining table to reflectyour creative touch, make personalized settings for your guests. Split winecorks in half lengthwise so they can lay flat on the table; with the cork seton the table make a lateral slice down the middle (but not all the waythrough). Scribe you guests' names using a calligraphy pen on arectangular piece of cardstock and place in the slit. And there you have -an easy, unique, handmade touch to your table! These ideas and suggestions are in addition to the many items featured inThe Speckled Hen. I'm happy to help you put together your own holidaytable setting this season. I've received new shipments of Christmas décor,tablecloths, candles, greeneries and more! I've enjoyed helping you choosethe perfect gifts and home items - and can't wait to see you during yournext visit to The Speckled Hen. Happy Holidays!

Maureen Culver, The Speckled Hen369.8771 • 38 Saratoga Road, Scotia

[email protected]


A "bricks and clicks" platform that strengthens localeconomies by connecting local businesses andconsumers through a network of community-branded portals, is available for use in yourcommunity.Part Amazon, part Yelp and part Yellow Pages, cometogether in one convenient site - LocalLivingIn.com

- in partnership with the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce, TheChamber of Southern Saratoga County, BALLE, and most recently theSaratoga Convention and Tourism Bureau; gives each participatingmerchant member a dedicated internet profile that serves as a call-to-action to shop in their place of business."In these challenging economic times with Walmart down the street andInternet competition just a click away - retailers need to bring localbusiness home again," says Matt Cummings, co-founder ofLocalLivingIn.com. "We've created an entirely new dynamic in favor ofthe community and small businesses. When small businesses bandtogether in a LocalLivingIn.com community, they all benefit fromincreased marketing power and awareness. We provide all the tools theyneed to connect with customers and succeed online in a single simple-to-use system." Local communities finally have an intuitive, comprehensivewebsite and dynamic marketing system, that independent businesses canuse to promote their sales, products and services online (and in print andvia social media), thereby capturing local dollars by encouragingresidents to shop and buy local.Merchants can get up and online easily to generate web traffic, promotesales, offer coupons, and participate in community contests and more -with no technical skills required. "If you can check email or update aFacebook profile, you can use LocalLivingIn.com," says Cummings. Thesite helps businesses run a local marketing campaign that improvesresults and strengthens the local economy at the same time. It's easy andaffordable to join and the step-by-step process takes just five minutes.Local Living In is partnering with community-minded businesses andRegional Chambers of Commerce to help local businesses reap therewards of the system. The company continues to grow this proven fastgrowing program that gives its members the tools and knowledge theyneed to help their business succeed in their and neighboringcommunities. This will soon include a revolutionary iPhone and Androidapplication to be launched in January 2013.Interested businesses, economic development professionals, Chambers ofCommerce, municipalities, neighborhood organizations and individualsare invited to learn more about Local Living In and the Buy Local Cardprogram by visiting us at www.locallivingin.com, calling 518-795-6500 oremailing [email protected].

Juergen Klingenberg, Founder of Local Living Inwww.locallivingin.com

BRICKS AND CLICKS HELP YOU SAVE!


HEALTH CARE TAX As we approach the new year,clients, family and friends areconsistently asking us as Realtorsabout the changes to real estate taxlaws beginning on January 1, 2013.We found that most people were

concerned and misinformed, so we wanted to take a minute to debunksome myths that have been circulating via email and the internet aboutthe new "Health Care Tax" on real estate.Myth #1: There will be a blanket 3.8% sales tax placed on all realestate transactions after January 1, 2013.This is FALSE. The tax is only on the profit from "investments", andnot everyone is affected. In general, the 3.8% sales tax will only affectthose individuals in the high-income tax bracket earning more than$200,000 Adjusted Gross Income (AGI), or $250,000 on a joint return.Myth #2: All profits made from any real estate transaction will besubject to the tax.This is FALSE. This new tax will not overturn Capital Gains exclusions.If you sell your primary residence, you will not pay tax on the first$250,000 of profit for single filers, or up to $500,000 profit for marriedfilers. This means that even those few who fall into the high-income taxbracket are still able to profit $250,000 per single person-or $500,000per couple-on the sale of their primary residence TAX FREE. Only incomefalling outside of those thresholds will be subject to the 3.8% tax forqualifying tax payers.You might say this is all well and good, but how does it affect me? Thebest person to answer that will be your personal Certified PublicAccountant. However, we can confidently say that the majority of taxpayers here and across the nation will not be affected by this law. Itreally only targets a high-income few who profit from their real estateand other investments, and not the average person selling their house.We hope this helps debunk some myths that have been circulating.Please help us spread the word. If you have any questions, please feelfree to contact your favorite Bliss Properties agent and we would behappy to provide more insight and resources into the changes being putinto effect in 2013.To reach us, please see our contact information provided in our ad inthis issue. We love to help Our Hometowne find real estate bliss!

Pamela Bliss, BrokerCertified International Property Specialist Senior Real Estate Specialist [email protected]

Victoria Romeo, AgentCertified Buyer Representative First-Time Homebuyer/Seller [email protected]

“I stopped believing in Santa Claus when I was six. Mother took me to see

him in a department store and he asked for my autograph.”

- Shirley Temple


Terry Breen of Country Acres took his love for animals and turned into acareer. Born and raised in Yorktown Heights, Terry Graduated fromSUNY Albany in 1992, with a degree in business and sociology. Soon aftergraduating Terry became part of a start up pet grooming business. Hedesigned and built the grooming shop and shortly after its opening, he wasasked to help with the day to day operations. That's when he realized thathe could do something he loved and make money doing it. After 6 yearsin the grooming business, he had the opportunity to start Country Acres.Terry and his team opened the doors in the middle of 1998.

We have more than doubled our inventory since we started. We havebrought in several new brands to fit the needs of pets and their “parents”.Along with farm and pet food and supplies, we have the largest selectionof wild bird and wildlife products in the area. We have also added manyservices to our retail store over the years.

Doggie Daycare is an exciting service that allows your pet to romp andplay with his/her friends all day. They are always under the watchful eyeof our professionally trained staff to keep them happy and safe. Your petwill come home just as tired as you are at the end of the day!

Pet Grooming is back! The “Spaw” at Country Acres. A spa likeexperience for your pet, in an all new, beautifully designed, top of the linegrooming shop. We are professional, experienced, responsible andthorough. We treat your pet as if they are our own, and we treat the petowner the way they deserve. We now welcome cats too! If you wouldrather do it yourself; self service pet wash is a great way to clean your dog.Washing your pet doesn't have to be a chore. Avoid the mess at home bybathing your pet here.

Dog Obedience, from puppy classes to advanced; we train all dogs to bethe perfect companion. We also do Canine Good Citizen and TherapyDog testing.

Our goal is to offer the best service and have the most knowledgeable staffanywhere. We concentrate on having personal relationships with ourcustomers. It's extremely important that we help pet owners give theirpets the best care possible. That is what will keep us around for years tocome. The team here is the best that you will find anywhere. They arefriendly and helpful, and that is important, but more importantly, they arewell educated. If a customer comes to us with a question or a problem, wecan help them. And if we can't solve their problem, we will find someonewho can. I guess you can say that this is what separates us from the rest.Our store and selection speaks for themselves, but our team and servicecan't be beat.

We have a very eclectic team. We have 12 employees, all with differentbackgrounds and life experiences. Each one plays a different role in thesuccess of the store. They are the backbone of my business. We definitelyhave someone here that can relate to every customer. We have anextremely exciting store, with a lot of additions planned for the upcomingyear. People should visit our store to check us out. If you haven't beenhere in a while, come on back and see us, I am sure you will be happy thatyou did. If you have never been at our store, stop in so that we canwelcome you to the Country Acres family.

In 2008 we welcomed Bill and Cindy McKenna to our location when webecame the new home of Harvest Time. What a great addition and fit toour business. For all your plants, pumpkins, Christmas trees and more,they are the ones to see.

730 Saratoga Road Burnt Hills • 518-399-1592 • www.countryacresfnp.com


John A. Fantauzzi is a partner in the law firm of Englert, Coffey, McHugh &Fantauzzi, LLP located in Schenectady, New York where he has practicedlaw since May of 1996. John received his Juris Doctorate and Master ofPublic Policy from the College of William and Mary in 1995 and was amember of William & Mary's National Trial Court Team. John alsograduated Magna Cum Laude from Siena College with a Bachelor of Artsin Economics.Englert, Coffey, McHugh & Fantauzzi, LLP is a full service law firm. John'sareas of practice include Real Estate, Estate & Elder Law Planning, EstateAdministration, Traffic Violations and Civil Litigation. John has served as aTown Justice in the Town of Ballston since 2010.John is a member of the Real Estate Committee and chaired the EstatePlanning and Elder Law Committee for 5 years of the Schenectady CountyBar Association. He also is a member of the Saratoga County BarAssociation, New York State Bar Association and the Federalist Society.John A. Fantauzzi was elected to a four year term as Town Justice in 2010.John has been a Hearing Officer for the Surrogate Decision MakingCommittee that reviews proposed medical treatment for disabled personssince 2003.John has spoken before various groups on the subject of Estate Planning.John is a member of the Burnt Hills Ballston Lake Business ProfessionalAssociation, Glenville Knights of Columbus and the Rotary and was avolunteer with the Saratoga County Youth Board from 2006-2010.John will be writing articles on estate planning and administration, realestate and other areas of law. You can reach John by phone at (518) 370-4645, fax at (518) 374-5422 or e-mail at [email protected]. John isavailable to meet clients in Burnt Hills and in Schenectady.

(518) 370-4645jfantauzzi@ecmlaw .com


2 tablespoons Roll butter from Garofalo's1/2 cup chopped onion1/4 cup diced celery2 large Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored, diced, about2 cups1/4 cup chopped dried cranberries, optional1/4 cup brown sugar1/4 cup hot water1 tablespoon lemon juice1 teaspoon salt1/2 teaspoon dried leaf sage, crumbled, or poultry sea-soning4 cups toasted bread cubes1 crown roast of pork, about 7 to 9 pounds hand cutfrom Garofalo's

Heat butter in a large skillet over medium low heat;add the chopped onion, celery, apples, and choppeddried cranberries. Cook, stirring, for about 5 to 8 minutes. Remove from heat; stir in brown sugar, hotwater, lemon juice, salt, sage or poultry seasoning,and bread cubes. Place roast in a roasting pan. Fill the crown of the roast with stuffing, heaping in center.Cover stuffing with a piece of foil to prevent drying out and wrap ends of each bone with a small piece of foil. Roast at 325° for 3 to 4 hours, or until the meatregisters about 175° on a meat thermometer. Removefoil. If desired, decorate tips with paper frills. Serves 8.

Garafalo's, the tastepeople travel for!

Stop in and visit the 4th generation,serving QUALITY ITALIAN PRODUCTS

since 1904.

www.garofalosausage.com

EGGPLANT PARMESAN1 pound white bread, cut into 1-inch cubes (16 cups) 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil 1 pound sliced thick Garofalo's bacon, cut into1/2-inch pieces 1 large onion, halved and thinly sliced One 28-ounce can whole Italian tomatoes fromGarofalo's-drained, chopped and patted dry 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper 1/2 pound Garofalo's extra-sharp cheddar,shredded (about 2 cups) 1/2 pound Garofalo's hot pepper cheese,shredded (about 2 cups) 2 tablespoons snipped chives 1 3/4 cups low-sodium chicken broth Salt 8 large eggs Hot pepper sauce, for serving

Preheat the oven to 350°. Lightly oil a 9x13” glassbaking dish. In a large bowl, toss the bread with theolive oil and spread on a large rimmed baking sheet.Bake for about 20 min, tossing once or twice, untilthe bread is golden and lightly crisp. Meanwhile, in alarge skillet, cook the bacon. Drain bacon; reserve 2tablespoons of the fat in the skillet. Add onion to theskillet and cook about 5 min until softened, . Addtomatoes and crushed red pepper and cook until anyliquid is evaporated, about 3 min. Return the toastedbread cubes to the bowl. Add the contents of theskillet, along with the bacon, shredded cheeses,chives and broth. Stir until the bread is evenlymoistened. Season with salt. Spread the mixture inthe baking dish and cover with lightly oiled foil.

Bake the bread mixture in the center of the oven for30 min. Remove the foil and bake until the top iscrispy, about 15 min longer. Carefully remove thebaking dish from the oven and, using a ladle, press 8indentations into the bread mixture. Crack an egginto each indentation. Return the dish to the ovenand bake for about 15 min, until the egg whites areset but the yolks are still runny. Serve the breakfastbake right away with hot sauce.

3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus about 2 cupsfor frying 1 onion, finely chopped 3 garlic cloves, very finely chopped Two 28-ounce cans whole, peeled Italian tomatoes,drained (available at Garofalo's)Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper 8 small eggplants (1/2 pound each), cut lengthwise 1/2inch thick 3 tablespoons coarsely chopped basil 1 pound Garofalo's fresh mozzarella, thinly sliced andtorn into small pieces 1 cup freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese fromGarofalo's3 tablespoons Garofalo's homemade bread crumbs

In a large skillet, heat the 3 tablespoons of olive oil. Addthe onion and garlic and cook over moderate heat untiltender, about 5 minutes. Using your hands, crush thewhole tomatoes into the skillet. Bring to a simmer andcook over moderately low heat, stirring occasionally, untilthe sauce is very thick, about 25 minutes. Transfer thetomato sauce to a food processor and puree until smooth.Season with salt and pepper.

Meanwhile, in a very large skillet, heat 1/4 inch of oliveoil. Season the eggplant slices with salt and pepper.Working in several batches, cook the eggplant overmoderately high heat, turning once, until golden on bothsides, about 8 minutes per batch; add more olive oil to theskillet between batches. Drain the eggplant slices on papertowels.

Preheat the oven to 400°. Spread 1 cup of the tomatosauce in a 9-by-13-inch glass or ceramic baking dish.Arrange one-third of the fried eggplant slices in the bakingdish and sprinkle all over with 1 tablespoon of thechopped basil. Top with one-third of the torn mozzarellaand sprinkle with 1/3 cup of the grated Parmigiano-Reggiano. Repeat this layering twice. Sprinkle the breadcrumbs all over the top of the eggplant Parmesan. Bake inthe upper third of the oven for about 45 minutes, until thetop of the eggplant Parmesan is golden and the tomatosauce is bubbling. Let stand for 15 minutes before serving.

BREAKFAST BAKESTUFFED CROWN ROAST


SELF SABOTAGEHow long have you been trying to lose those last 10 or20 or 30 pounds? Been awhile now, hasn't it? Youknow how to lose weight - eat healthy and exercise -so why are you still living in a body that you'redisappointed with? In my experience, people hold on to"unwanted" pounds for very specific reasons. Thesereasons are on a subconscious level, which is wherethings get tricky. Self-sabotage is your subconscious

mind's way of protecting you.Seems counterproductive, but it makes sense when you realize that it is adefense mechanism meant to keep things from changing. Your consciousmind says it wants to lose weight to look and feel amazing, but yoursubconscious mind is pulling the strings behind the scenes, keeping yourgoals just out of reach. As long as your subconscious mind thinks that youare safer being out-of-shape then you'll be stuck. Your most valiant effortswill be undermined by self-sabotage every single time.But don't give up.There's a way to turn everything around, and it all starts with finding outthe reason that your subconscious mind equates being out-of-shape withbeing safe. Once you turn the light on to that reason then it will no longerhave any power over you.So, lets dig around for your reason.

• Do you believe... You don't deserve it? Has someone in your lifemade you believe that you aren't worthy of success?

• Do you believe... Change is bad? Being comfortable with where youare today could be the reason that you sabotage your efforts toimprove your life through change.

• Do you believe...Success will bring loss? If you met your weight lossgoal, would it bring out resentment and jealousy in your friends andfamily?

• Do you believe...You're not capable? Does the possibility ofachieving your goal not seem real?

Spend time diving into your own mind to discover why it is that you aren'tmeeting your goals. Once your whole mind is primed for success, thennothing will be able to stop you.What the mind believes the body achieves.Exercise is a huge part of the equation when it comes to achieving weightloss.I am passionate about seeing my clients achieve results - without wastingtime, energy and effort on mistakes.Call or email me today and we will get you started on the exercise programthat is right for you.

424-7878 or email [email protected] get started today with a free consultation.


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ACROSS1. Flutter5. Cowboy movie10. Elevator (British)14. Hindu princess15. Hunger for16. Dwarf buffalo17. Unshackled19. Russian emperor20. Frozen water21. H2O22. League members

23. Terrestrial25. It makes dough rise27. Mineral rock28. Ritual washing31. A swift descentthrough the air34. Hoar35. American DentalAssociation36. Cried37. Wear away38. Blend

39. Metric unit of area40. A type of flower41. Little42. By necessity44. Obtain45. Sporting venue46. Respire50. Fence "doors"52. Small finch54. Ancient unit of meas-ure55. Murres56. Appraisal58. Drop down59. Kidney-related60. Desire61. Labels62. Slender63. Bambi was one

DOWN1. Apple or orange2. Javelin3. Deduce4. Bind5. A hydrocarbon in petro-leum6. Mountain crest7. Container weight8. Everyone9. Scarlet

10. Most recent11. Unquenchable12. Froth13. Sailors18. Dweeb22. Tight24. Part of a plant26. If not28. Got up29. Norse god30. Not31. Exchange32. Used to be33. Controlling34. Stew37. Acquire deservedly38. Bristle40. Accomplishes41. Adolescents43. Some circus perform-ers44. Shockingly repellent46. Slang for money47. Not here48. Door part49. Go in50. Burst of wind51. Diva's solo53. Feudal worker56. Arrive (abbrev.)57. Muck


MERRY AND BRIGHT!...and the stocking were hung by the chimneywith care in hopes that St. Nickolas soonwould be there.

The pine roping is draped upon that worn outold picket fence. The twinkling lights look asthough a few stars have fallen from the skyand landed right here in my front yard. The bigred velvet bows greet you with Christmascheer. The lights on the tree shimmer and

sparkle, in some areas more than others. No one will notice thathalf the strand of green lights are out and tucked deep down intothe tree. The empty spaces will go unnoticed as well as theornaments from many years will take their place. The angel looksdown from the top of the tree, watching over us in the soft glowof the red and green lights. Her smiling face is merry and bright.

Some of our tradition is steeped in the past. The angel is simpleand white and was given to us by my parents many years ago. Allof us kids got one that year. It has adorned our tree ever since.The clothespin reindeer my son has made over the years maketheir way to the front of the tree. Special ornaments from ourtravels and experiences through life help us remember howblessed we have been. And even now, new traditions have started.Through the years, my aunt kept beautiful glass ornaments fromthe 40's. Somehow, they made their way back to me this year.Even though I am tied to years of wonderful tradition, I am veryexcited to start some new ones as well.

As I bask in the warmth of the woodstove and the smell ofcinnamon pinecones over takes me, I appreciate my life and allthat has been given to me. I look forward to spending time withmy son, my family and my friends, old and new. And I do lookforward to making new memories and traditions. As I put my feetup on my coffee table and relax with a cup of hot cocoa, withextra marshmallows, a smile comes across my face. Much like ourangel, I am feeling very merry and bright.

...and as I dozed off I thought I heard a faint whisper... "HappyChristmas to all, and to all a good night!"

As always, I wish you Peace, Joy and Very Merry and BrightChristmas!

Pattie [email protected]

“Maybe Christmas,the Grinch thought,

doesn't come from a store.” - Dr. Seuss

For anyone on Route 50 between Glenville and Burnt Hill's onFriday night Nov 23, the noise was startling. We listened to thepolice sirens wail and the fire horns blare from the fire trucks asthey made their way up Rt 50. They were taking forever it seemed,slowly making their way up the road. The closer they got it wasclear that there were a lot of vehicles heading our way but theywere in no particular hurry.

Having watched the BH-BL football team soundly defeat theiropponent, one of the toughest teams in their division, SWEETHOME by a score of 40-20, we knew they were coming. We weretold that there was going to be a celebratory parade in their honoras this wasn't just any game. Spartan's coach Matt Shell alongwith his staff and team had just won the most important game ofthe year, the New York State Championship at the Carrier Dome inSyracuse NY.

Their destination was the Burnt Hills- Ballston lake High School, thesame destination that brought them home before under lessfanfare, but not less pride. This time the varsity football team hadarrived home as the 2012 Class A State Champions. As the mantragoes, “the third time is the charm” and so it was in the series offinals between Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake and Sweet Home. AsJackie Gleason used to say “for those old enough toremember,”HOW SWEET IT IS!!”

Though this was the Spartans first state title in Burnt Hills- Ballstonlake history, for Coach Matt Shell, the road to victory was notpaved in playbook strategy. His family faced adversity that othersmay not begin to understand let alone verbalize. His ability to

maintain faith and devotion to his family, while never losing sightof the “ball” year after year, had returned him a team of studentswho poured their heart and soul into every single game in honorof that devotion and stands as a lasting testimony to hisleadership.

I could fill a page with statistics and research about how well theteam has grown and matured over the years under Coach Shell,but I'm not going to do that, the previous paragraph says it all.

On our cover we honor coaches, Pete Parisi, Tom Schwan, Jeff Tope,Dave Ball, Jason LaPietro, Shawn Kline, Jeff Page, Kevin DeBonis,Rick Snyder, Melissa Armstrong, Gary Bynon and Matt Shell underAthletic Director, Bob McGuire along with the football team andthe girls volleyball team who tied the school record with a 29-2season, winning the schools 18th sectional title and 25th straightSuburban Council divisional championship as well as the StateChampionship this year by a score of 3-1, it was their 5thchampionship in 11 years.

The picture above was taken after the game by local photographerfrom Studio Fifty and master craftsmen, Dave Bennett.

STAY TUNEDwith Paul Hill


TO THE ATHLETES WHO DEDICATEDTHEMSELVES TO EXCELLENCE:YOU HAVE MADE US PROUD

TO LIVE IN YOUR HOMETOWNE,Stay Tuned!


“Marry an orphan: you'll never have to spend boringholidays with the in-laws..”

- George Carlin


518-399-8174 • [email protected]

HOURSM-Th 10AM-8PM / Fri 10AM-5PM / Sat 10AM-2PM

ONLINEhttp://catalog.sals.edu or http://toblibrary.sals.edu

YOUTH SERVICEShttp://toby.sals.edu • E-mail: [email protected]

HOLIDAY CLOSING SCHEDULEThe library will close at 3PM on December 24th and will re-open at10AM on December 26th. It will also close at 3PM on December 31stand will re-open at 10AM on January 2, 2013.

COMPUTER CLASS SCHEDULEFriday, December 7, 12-2PM

Introduction to Computers for Absolute BeginnersWednesday, December 12, 6-8PM

Google and the InternetThursday, December 13, 5-7PM

FacebookMonday, December 31, 12-2PM

Computer LAB Classes are free unless otherwise noted. For a small printing fee,handouts may be available for patrons to retain for future reference.Registration is required and space is limited. To register, please stopby or call the library at 518-399-8174. ext 2. One-on-one computerassistance is also available. To schedule, please stop by or call andask for Kathy (518-399-8174 ext. 6).

LIBRARY PROGRAMSBook Club Dinner and a Movie - Monday, December 10, at 6PMin the library community room. Discussing and watching “One TrueThing,” by Anna Quindlen. Please call Judy Kaplan at the library(399-8174, ext. 4) for more information.

Knitting Social Group - Monday, December 17, 7-9PM in thelibrary community room. All types of fiber fanatics are welcome.Only knitting help is reliably available. No registration needed.

Hands on e-reader play time - Tuesday, December 18, 7-8PM, inthe library community room. Have a new one or thinking of buyingone? Come try out a Kindle, Nook, or iPad and share tips and trickswith other users. No registration needed.

YOUTH WINTER BREAK PROGRAMSStar Stories - Thursday, December 27, 6 or 6:30PM - Among thetwinkling stars the pictures appear defining over 40 “official”constellations seen from our latitude. Star stories from hundreds andthousands of years ago will be told. A demonstration of the earth’sorbit shows the zodiac constellations also known as the “circle ofanimals”- calendar of ancient times. For grades K-2, please sign up.

Native American Star Stories - Thursday, December 27, 7PM -Discover the night sky as the Native Americans did hundreds of yearsago in our own county. Each tribe has created their ownconstellations and the stories give us a view of their culture and howtheir life experiences were associated with the stars, moon and MilkyWay. For grades 3-6, please sign up.

Ring in the new year with the 16th Annual First Night Saratoga!Prepare for an evening of fun and festivities in downtown SaratogaSprings as families flock to the city to enjoy the marvelous events,festive spirit and holiday entertainment on New Years Eve. Officials areexpecting 14,000 people to attend this year, and are calling this year'sFirst Night event the largest in the state after Times Square, and thelargest New Year's Eve event in upstate New York.What's With The Button?One button does it all! A First Night Saratoga admission buttonprovides you access to all 35 First Night venues and 70 First Nightperformances and happenings. Buttons will be available for purchaseat: the Arts Center, Stewart's Shops, Adirondack Trust Branches, andPrice Choppers across the region and at the Saratoga Springs YMCAon December 1, 2012. Or online at www.saratoga-arts.org/firstnight

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Hailey Aldrich, a gifted teen from BH-BL High School hasbeen singing, dancing and acting since she could walk!Born with a desire to perform and Hailey already has aresume that would be envied by many adults. Haileystarted singing at age 5 when she was in Kindergarten atStevens. She landed the role of Gretel in the HSproduction of Sound of Music. Her family credits AnnDerrick for getting her going. Her voice developed overtime, and so did her love of acting. She has done quite abit for someone her age, including 3 professional plays!Hailey performed as a solo vocalist while at StevensElementary School singing “ I miss you” by Mylie Cyrus.Her list of accomplishments since then includesperforming in Snow White and Annie at the Mac-HaydnTheatre. She performed at the Cohoes Music Hall in “LesMiserable's Jr” and “ A Christmas Carol”. The MacHadynand Cohoes productions were with professional adultactors. Hailey also performs in the Saratoga Children'sTheatre, the BH-BL Theatre for Children and of course BH-BL's High School play.

Hailey's Hometowne Talent has not gone unnoticed. Thepast couple of years have been amazing for Hailey andher family. Hailey's Mom, Amy Aldrich has a friend that isbig Siena fan (and Hailey fan) that told her about acontest for young talent in the Capital Region to sing theNational Anthem at their Men's Basketball games at theTimes Union Center. Her parents didn't even know if shecould sing The Anthem, but she auditioned and got toperform at one of their games in February of 2011 at theTU. She was invited back to sing again in February of2012. After her performance, the General Manager of theTU came up to Amy and asked if Hailey would beinterested in singing at some of the other TU events. Aweek later they got the invitation for her to be the singerat the October 20th NBA Pre-Season game between theKnicks and the Celtics. How cool is that? At the age of 12this young woman has been on national TV singing TheNational Anthem in front of a stadium full of people andTV cameras! Not only is her voice beautiful but hergracefulness and composure are what you would expectfrom an adult.

If the singing, dancing and acting isn't enough to impressyou then know that she also is on the JV tennis Team andis High Honor Roll student. Her family; Amy, Bruce (herDad) and Dillon are very supportive and they make it funfor Hailey to be successful. I have seen the FB posts of thefamily taking road trips, playing word games andcommunicating with each other. They are not just sittingthere with headphones on, they are being a family. Theytruly enjoy each other and it shows.


GiftCertificates

Available


Mother Nature Always Gets Even; Be Ready.Mother Nature Always Gets Even; Be Ready.


BURNT HILLS FIRE DEPARTMENT

Annual Christmas Party!

SATURDAY DECEMBER 15THSanta will be driving through the neighborhood

on the fire truck 11am- 12pm be sure to watch for him!

THEN JOIN US AT THE FIRE HOUSE 1-3PMFREE SNACKS AND TREATS FOR THE KIDS!

BRING A CANNED GOOD TO HELP FEED FAMILIES IN NEED!

811 SARATOGA RD (RT 50)


Plus:Service, Repairs, Upgrades,

Replacement and:

Fully AutomaticGenerators

All PlumbingServices

Heating

Radon MitigationSystems

Furnaces

399-6808

Serving the Capital District North Area

for Over 30 Years

www.suburbanservicesgroup.com

$10 OFF ANY SERVICE WITH THIS ADCANNOT BE COMBINED


A New Year's resolution is something that goes in one year and out the other.

-Author Unknown

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