Every essay, Will, is like a stroll through town, and in and out of a myriad of old and new establishments alongside you and Bella and Ringo. Your inspirational and educational Sunday morning stories start our day, and new week, with possibilities for enriching our individual lives in just remembering the riches of residing in a community which embraces change for the better.
May we all get a glimpse of the promised Sunshine 🌞 today - to fuel our solar/soul batteries for 2024 🥳 …with Peace and Hope and Optimal Health to all in year ahead.
Your portrait of Glens Falls' growth is matched by your portrait of the remarkable, indomitable Jacqueline Touba, who, apart from aiding and supporting the Arts and non-profit organizations in our area, has helped to educate and broaden the worldview of hundreds of young people. That in itself is HUGE in our area! The wonderful diversity of food choices downtown is attractive to residents and visitors alike and hopefully, the CDTA will work on improving our transportation system to be more people friendly, more efficient, and easier to rely on to the link our downtown area to nearby areas of interests east, west, north and south of us. Making Glens Falls a Greener City would be the icing on the cake! Looking forward to a Happy New Year for all, indeed!
I’d like to comment on the great photograph of Bella and Ringo on the sofa surrounded by your large collection of books. It looks like you’ve created a vast and varied literary world from floor to ceiling.
I love books. I read them, collect them and consider them the equivalent of old friends that can be called upon at anytime to educate and entertain.
Garrison Keillor, the author, commentator and creator of The Prairie Home Companion is quoted as saying “ A book is a gift you can open and reopen.....again and again”.
I’m well aware of the fact that all great books and modern books are now available in electronic versions, by Kindle access and even in complete audio versions. I’m fine with the fact that many “readers” choose their access to reading without an “ old fashioned” book in their hands. For me, I’m stuck on a real book, the aroma within the pages of an older book and the weight and feel of holding a treasure in your own hands. A room full of books, and bookcases filled with books that have been read, that can be re-read and re- discovered in my view is a glorious place. Bravo to you and your collection.
So nice to hear Bella enjoyed the coloring book. Yes, Jackie Touba has been great for the city and had an interesting life and used it to promote good things here.
Thanks again, Will. Your essay on the evolution of Glens Falls and its immediate environs once again captures and conveys the spirit and vitality of this geographic area.
When Meg, my wife, and I retired to the area 25 years ago, the main attraction was three elementary age grandchildren (son Tim came with the package). Also, Meg’s father was a native of Elizabethtown and every summer we spent at least two weeks in the Adirondacks. The beauty of the mountains and lakes, as well as the joy of climbing, were another attraction.
Only until we moved here did we realize how much Glens Falls had to offer. The museums, the symphony, the library, the college, the senior centers, the public schools, the churches and synagogues—I could go on and on, all opened up opportunities galore.
Then came the revitalization of the downtown area. On Saturday afternoons, sitting in The Spot listening to Deja Vu “over and over again,” one soon realizes the vitality of downtown Glens Falls with its many unique shops and eateries. What changes from 25 years ago! The market place is alive!
It is my hope that there will also be the same kind of progress in the marketplace of ideals
and values. That we will become “the beloved community”—where every person is accepted and loved for who they are, regardless of race, religion, nationality, ethnicity, age, or gender. Where persons living on the edge find their physical, emotional, and relational needs being fulfilled. Where our young people are encouraged and assisted to reach their full potential.
If we do not continue to evolve in these areas, all progress in the market place is for naught.
I look forward to seeing these little tidbits now and then about the downtown's progress & it's especially interesting to me & my wife, who sadly, to me, passed 4 years ago - we arrived here in 1958 from Vermont just as the Northway had progressed to the first Queensbury exit by the plug mill building & we remember how lovely the down town which was still thriving w/elevators to the 2nd & 3rd floors were ran by a human, yes a human being giving the rides, wow remember that & just long enough to remember the nice stores downtown & as everyone was wondering how it would survive w/the malls just barely starting to build & wow everyone was extremely nervous and now the malls are closing and by well planning downtown diversity has taken over and apartments taking the place of the 2nd & 3 floor store departments gotten to by elevators in the older big stores now apparently priced so people can live here & work in Saratoga and further south and utilize the Northway to get to work, so everyone is happy & Glens Falls is starting to thrive again only by rolling w/the punches and still standing as the beautiful Gem that it is. Also thank God Urban Renewal stopped when it did & older buildings have be updated greatly as apartments. Amen!!! Carl Ross
Wonderful post from start to finish. Happy New Year, everyone! 🥳
Such a wonderful photo of Bella and Ringo!
Your neighbor
Diane Collins
Every essay, Will, is like a stroll through town, and in and out of a myriad of old and new establishments alongside you and Bella and Ringo. Your inspirational and educational Sunday morning stories start our day, and new week, with possibilities for enriching our individual lives in just remembering the riches of residing in a community which embraces change for the better.
May we all get a glimpse of the promised Sunshine 🌞 today - to fuel our solar/soul batteries for 2024 🥳 …with Peace and Hope and Optimal Health to all in year ahead.
Your portrait of Glens Falls' growth is matched by your portrait of the remarkable, indomitable Jacqueline Touba, who, apart from aiding and supporting the Arts and non-profit organizations in our area, has helped to educate and broaden the worldview of hundreds of young people. That in itself is HUGE in our area! The wonderful diversity of food choices downtown is attractive to residents and visitors alike and hopefully, the CDTA will work on improving our transportation system to be more people friendly, more efficient, and easier to rely on to the link our downtown area to nearby areas of interests east, west, north and south of us. Making Glens Falls a Greener City would be the icing on the cake! Looking forward to a Happy New Year for all, indeed!
Jacqui Touba is a wonderful lady and deserves every recognition she has received.
Great column, Will! Sweet.
My afterthought on your Afterthoughts.....
I’d like to comment on the great photograph of Bella and Ringo on the sofa surrounded by your large collection of books. It looks like you’ve created a vast and varied literary world from floor to ceiling.
I love books. I read them, collect them and consider them the equivalent of old friends that can be called upon at anytime to educate and entertain.
Garrison Keillor, the author, commentator and creator of The Prairie Home Companion is quoted as saying “ A book is a gift you can open and reopen.....again and again”.
I’m well aware of the fact that all great books and modern books are now available in electronic versions, by Kindle access and even in complete audio versions. I’m fine with the fact that many “readers” choose their access to reading without an “ old fashioned” book in their hands. For me, I’m stuck on a real book, the aroma within the pages of an older book and the weight and feel of holding a treasure in your own hands. A room full of books, and bookcases filled with books that have been read, that can be re-read and re- discovered in my view is a glorious place. Bravo to you and your collection.
I lost track of what was happening with the new farmers market on South St. Did it end up being heated or not?
So nice to hear Bella enjoyed the coloring book. Yes, Jackie Touba has been great for the city and had an interesting life and used it to promote good things here.
Thanks again, Will. Your essay on the evolution of Glens Falls and its immediate environs once again captures and conveys the spirit and vitality of this geographic area.
When Meg, my wife, and I retired to the area 25 years ago, the main attraction was three elementary age grandchildren (son Tim came with the package). Also, Meg’s father was a native of Elizabethtown and every summer we spent at least two weeks in the Adirondacks. The beauty of the mountains and lakes, as well as the joy of climbing, were another attraction.
Only until we moved here did we realize how much Glens Falls had to offer. The museums, the symphony, the library, the college, the senior centers, the public schools, the churches and synagogues—I could go on and on, all opened up opportunities galore.
Then came the revitalization of the downtown area. On Saturday afternoons, sitting in The Spot listening to Deja Vu “over and over again,” one soon realizes the vitality of downtown Glens Falls with its many unique shops and eateries. What changes from 25 years ago! The market place is alive!
It is my hope that there will also be the same kind of progress in the marketplace of ideals
and values. That we will become “the beloved community”—where every person is accepted and loved for who they are, regardless of race, religion, nationality, ethnicity, age, or gender. Where persons living on the edge find their physical, emotional, and relational needs being fulfilled. Where our young people are encouraged and assisted to reach their full potential.
If we do not continue to evolve in these areas, all progress in the market place is for naught.
I look forward to seeing these little tidbits now and then about the downtown's progress & it's especially interesting to me & my wife, who sadly, to me, passed 4 years ago - we arrived here in 1958 from Vermont just as the Northway had progressed to the first Queensbury exit by the plug mill building & we remember how lovely the down town which was still thriving w/elevators to the 2nd & 3rd floors were ran by a human, yes a human being giving the rides, wow remember that & just long enough to remember the nice stores downtown & as everyone was wondering how it would survive w/the malls just barely starting to build & wow everyone was extremely nervous and now the malls are closing and by well planning downtown diversity has taken over and apartments taking the place of the 2nd & 3 floor store departments gotten to by elevators in the older big stores now apparently priced so people can live here & work in Saratoga and further south and utilize the Northway to get to work, so everyone is happy & Glens Falls is starting to thrive again only by rolling w/the punches and still standing as the beautiful Gem that it is. Also thank God Urban Renewal stopped when it did & older buildings have be updated greatly as apartments. Amen!!! Carl Ross
Jacquie is truly a talented woman. Glad to hear some good news about GF
I would suggest at least considering banning Clarence Wilhelm Spangle. Take a look at his posts for yourself, tho.
I’d probably ban him for the substack name itself.