Back in 2014, I remember heading to Illinois to run in the Chicago Marathon with him. He was 54 at the time, and he had been running with me in other races, like the Philadelphia Marathon, Philadelphia Distance Run, and the Marine Corp Marathon, over the previous decade. When I became interested in running marathons after high school, my dad reminisced about memories running with my Uncle Charles and my grandfather back in the 1970’s. His perseverance to train for a marathon thirty years later was inspirational, and I enjoyed every second of our time together.

I will run the Philadelphia Distance Run in his honor, remembering all the memories and his legacy. For those that want to join, I created a group in his name. You can run, walk, or cheer from the sidelines. All that matters is that we keep my dad’s memory alive.

https://runsignup.com/Race/Register/RaceGroup-2115539?raceId=135930

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During funeral gatherings, it is custom to reflect with family and friends on the decades of memories. My father brought so much joy to the world over his lifetime that I want those memories to find a home where anyone can revisit.

This small corner of the web will transform over the years with not only our family memories but everyone that knew him. If you have a memory, please send it using the form below or a text message. You can note if you want it private or shared publicly, of course.

Thanks for keeping the memory of my father alive!

[read more at the Buying Local website]

The death of a parent is always inevitable; a simple truth of life. But for some kids, our parents seem invincible.

I remember long car rides, some with unexpected accidents, to the beaches of Wildwood, Avalon, and Sea Isle City as a child. I remember a plane ride to Illinois in 2014 to run in the Chicago Marathon with my father. He was 54 at the time, and he had been running with me in other races, like the Philadelphia Marathon and the Marine Corp Marathon, over the previous couple years. When I became interested in running marathons after high school, my dad reminisced about memories running with my Uncle Charles and my grandfather back in the 1970’s. His perseverance to train for a marathon thirty years later was inspirational, and I enjoyed every second of our time together.

I remember the dozens of holidays and birthdays over the years, whether the busy Christmas mornings or birthday dinners. While reminiscing about them, I thought of the countless people that we lost over the years, like my cousin Charles Palladino III, my great Aunt Mary and Uncle Joe, as well as my grandfather. Death will always be a familiar foe, but it will not break our spirit.

I remember telling my dad about my now-husband, Michael Biele, with my anxious mind afraid of his reaction. The reality of his reaction, like most things in life, almost always is different than expected. My stepmom, Beth, and him would later venture north to Glens Falls, New York to be with us in our first apartment as a couple. I remember heading to Home Depot where he helped pick out a ladder to assist us at changing the lightbulbs on the double-tall ceilings.

I remember trips to Florida to experience the magic of Disney World, bravely riding exhilarating roller coasters with my dad at a young age. I remember the excitement of witnessing Hogwarts Castle over the horizon in 2010 with my family at Universal Studios when it was opened. Years later, we were going to race in the 2017 Disney Marathon, though it was ended when I got a knee injury in the summer of 2016. Perhaps sometime in the future, I will complete the marathon that I would have been completed with my dad.

I remember watching the Philadelphia Eagles win their first Superbowl in 58 years back in 2018, and I remember attending the historical parade a week afterward. Standing near the Philadelphia Museum of Art, I distinctly recalled the euphoria of a million fans cheering in the streets. Near the iconic steps of the museum, I remember pulling out my phone for a selfie to commemorate the event. Seven years later, the team would do it again, though for our family, it was missing my grandfather who had just passed away during that momentous season in 2024.

Those iconic Philadelphia Museum of Art steps reminded me of my father’s favorite movies involving Rocky Balboa. Starring Sylvester Stallone, the underdog, fictional boxer inspired six films and three spinoff movies. The undying spirit of Rocky was emblematic not only of Philadelphia but my dad. His positive spirit was infectious, along with his humorous “dad jokes” as my siblings and I grew up.

His admiration for comedy began with his affinity for Mel Brook’s comedies like Blazing Saddles as well as Larry Gelbart’s M*A*S*H series. Decades later, he would still watch and laugh along with my siblings and I. A year after I moved to Glens Falls, New York, a local obstacle course featured one of the humorous scenes from Blazing Saddles involving a “shit ton of nickels” to cross a tiny toll in desert road.

Along with football, I remember playing hooky in high school to attend the Philadelphia Phillies World Series parade along Broad Street. It had been 28 years since they won the baseball championship, and as the iconic phrase uttered by Chase Utley in 2008 on live television said, the Phillies were “world f*cking champions”. I remember attending hundreds of baseball games in Citizen’s Bank Park, and my siblings and I will cherish those memories. It reminded me of my father-in-law, Arthur Biele, who brought my husband, Michael, and his siblings to New York Yankees games over the years before his passing.

At 65, he lived a full life. Growing up with seven siblings, it must have tough to find his voice amidst everyone. He became an expert in tax matters in the family over the years, earning a master’s degree while he was raising three children. Over the years, my dad became a trusted certified public accountant, not only for our family but hundreds of clients. Between February and April, he completed thousands of tax returns over the years.

While my dad won’t be here on Earth anymore, his spirit will continue to live on. Whether watching animals roam in the mountains or touchdowns scored by the Philadelphia Eagles, my siblings, mother, stepmother, and I will always be reminded of his laughter, smile, and words of wisdom over the years.

In honor of my father, I would love to acknowledge a quote from Rocky that exemplifies the timeless words that my dad ensured my siblings and I remember. In the sixth Rocky movie, Silvester Stallone says to his son,

“Let me tell you something you already know. The world ain’t all sunshine and rainbows. It’s a very mean and nasty place and I don’t care how tough you are, it will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it.

You, me, or nobody hits is gonna hit as hard as life. But it ain’t about how hard you hit, it’s about how hard you get hit and keep movin’ forward. How much you can take, and keep movin’ forward. That’s how winning is done!

Now, if you know what you’re worth, go out and get what you’re worth – but you gotta be willing to take the hits. And not pointin’ fingers sayin’ you ain’t where you want to be because of him or her or anybody. Cowards do that and that ain’t you! You’re better than that.

I’m always going to love you no matter what. No matter what happens. You’re my son and you’re my blood. You’re the best thing in my life. But until you start believing in yourself, you ain’t gonna have a life.”

Those words hit hard now. But I am incredibly happy that my dad has seen my life change in remarkable ways over the past year. After a mental health crisis in 2024, he helped me find financial stability. He followed my first steps of becoming a freelance writer and a political candidate for local councilman. My dad, along with my mom and husband, were at my first inauguration in January as I stepped into a role that I never would have dreamed.

As our family begins organizing a funeral service for my father, I want to step back and say goodbye dad. While it is much sooner than all of us would have wanted, I will always remember you and make you proud. I love you, dad!

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The second year of Mind Blown brings a free all-ages underground rock and art festival to The Shirt Factory’s new pavilion. The June 27 event aims to raise $20,000 for mental health and cement Glens Falls as a cultural destination Glens Falls, NY.

Mind Blown, a free underground rock and art festival, returns to The Shirt Factory on Saturday, June 27, from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., with two stages, 16 bands, and a mission to raise $20,000 for mental health support in the music community. This year’s festival will be one of the first major events to fully activate the former South Street farmers market pavilion, now relocated to The Shirt Factory with city support to boost tourism and public events.

The all-ages event features an eclectic lineup of local and regional underground acts spanning ska, punk, goth, hardcore, metal, and more, designed to welcome both dedicated heavy-music fans and curious newcomers. One stage will feature metal and hardcore bands while the other focuses on punk, ska, and alt sounds, giving attendees a chance to wander, discover new bands, and experience a wide range of upstate underground music in one place.

Headliner Bloodx3 will close out the night with a full production light show, led by Shane Sanchez and Chris Simple of Super Dark Collective with visuals by Derick Noetzel. The bill also highlights heavy hitters Senior Living, along with local underground favorites Industry Standard and Roblox Tycoon, plus a deep roster of regional bands including GUTS, Anomalous, Don Joker, Black Tongue Reverend, Psychomanteum, The Spiral Continuum, Uncle Frank Says No, Vintri Hill, Pleasure Death, 6five6, God’s Not Buying a Horse Today, At Light’s Wake, and Sons of Eden.

Mind Blown 2026 is free and open to all ages. In addition to live music, the festival will feature local art, makers, creative activities, food vendors, nonprofits, and designated sensory-safe zones where attendees can step away from the volume and recharge. “You do not have to be a metalhead to have a good time,” the organizers note on the event site. “Come for the food, the art, the people-watching. This is a once-in-a-lifetime event and can only be experienced in person.”

Proceeds from festival donations and on-site fundraising will support HeartSupport, a nonprofit founded within the music scene that offers free, judgment-free, peer-to-peer mental health support and resources for fans struggling with anxiety, depression, addiction, and more. Last year’s Mind Blown drew more than 600 attendees, raised thousands for mental health, and helped spark an informal local support network among organizers, bands, and fans. This year, organizers are aiming for 2,000 attendees and a fundraising goal of $20,000, positioning the festival as both an artistic anchor and a mental-health catalyst for the region.

“Part of why we created Mind Blown is to tackle the loneliness epidemic and let people show up as themselves and share what they love about being alive together,” said festival co-organizer Chuck Copenspire. “Part of why heavy music is important is that science has shown that transmuting difficult emotions through dance, singing, and collectively gathering has huge mental health benefits. We are proof of that. On that one day a year we get to dance and move and celebrate being alive, even with big difficult emotions and the pain we all carry.”

The festival is also part of a broader push to position Glens Falls as a cultural destination in its own right, not just a stop between Saratoga and Lake George. With more than 50 events hosted at The Shirt Factory each year, the relocation of the former South Street pavilion to the Cooper Street complex, supported by City of Glens Falls occupancy tax funds, was intended to preserve the structure for public use and tourism. Mind Blown 2026 demonstrates that investment in action, transforming the space into a full-scale music and arts hub for a day.

This year’s sponsors include Black Anvil Tattoo, Funky Solutions, and Glens Falls City Councilmember Sean Palladino, reflecting a mix of local businesses and civic leadership backing the festival’s growth. Organizers are still welcoming additional sponsors, food trucks, vendors, and volunteers who want to support mental health, local music, and the evolving cultural landscape of downtown Glens Falls.

Mind Blown 2026 is free to attend, with donations encouraged on site and online. For more information, full lineup details, and opportunities to get involved as a sponsor, vendor, or volunteer, visit the festival page online at mindblownfestival.com or the Instagram page @mindblownfestival.

About Mind Blown Festival

Mind Blown is a free, all-ages underground rock and art festival held annually at The Shirt Factory in Glens Falls, New York. Founded to combine heavy and underground music with intentional mental-health support and community-building, the festival showcases local and regional artists, activates unique creative spaces, and invites attendees to show up as their full, authentic selves.

About HeartSupport

HeartSupport is a nonprofit organization born out of the music community that provides free, judgment-free mental health support, peer-to-peer encouragement, and practical resources for people struggling with depression, anxiety, addiction, and other challenges. Through online communities, training, and partnerships with bands and festivals, HeartSupport works to ensure no music fan has to face their struggles alone.

As we lead up to June 28th, I created a website that will be updated with historical information from Crandall Library’s Folklife Center, Zonta Club of Glens Falls, City Historian Wayne Wright, the Chapman Museum, and many other people and organizations.

The event will take place on Sunday, June 28, 2026, between 1-5pm, organized by residents and local organizations with a community potluck and history celebration. Stay tuned!

https://www.havilandcovegf.org/

As I drove along South Street to Bay Street, I passed by the busy Glens Falls Farmer’s Market and the Downtown Collaborative’s Wing Fest. Over the past ten years, the downtown corridor of Glens Falls has seen incredible growth and development. As an elected member of the Common Council, I am excited to help continue its aspirations into other areas of the city. Driving over Quaker Road, I glimpsed to the left at Glenwood Ave where the Adirondack Runners hold their yearly street cleanup in April. As the month drew to an end, there are certainly lots of activities in Glens Falls this weekend.

Up ahead, I spotted the SUNY Adirondack sign as I turned into their entrance and drove around their campus before parking near the Scoville Learning Center building. I walked through the winding campus, passing blooming gardens and stone structures along the way toward the Adirondack Center. I thought about entering this building in January of 2025 for the graduation ceremony of students at the college’s Startup ADK program where I met Chuck Copenspire. He has become a beacon in this city, cultivating a myriad of business ventures and inspiring countless people to rise up to support the LGBTQIA+ community.

Walking through the entrance, I headed to a table with a dozen honor bead necklaces, each with a different color. On the table was a helpful guide to identify the significance of each color, each representing how someone is connected to suicide. Whether the loss of a child, parent, spouse, sibling, relative, first responder, or military veteran, the table showed the breath of sorrow that suicide can afflict on those whom remain. The color green represents a personal struggle or suicide attempt, so I solemnly picked up the honor bead necklace and moved to the other table. Stating my name and signing a walking waiver, I was provided a shirt emblazoned with the words, “Hope Walks Here”. Thanking the volunteers, I headed down the hall to witness an amazing sight.

Later learning that there were over two hundred people at the event, the room was filled to near capacity with venders, volunteers, honorary dignitaries, and residents. The organizer, Patty Jo, immediately recognized me, talking to me about joining the sand ceremony later. I helped her figure out an introduction when I would pour green sand into a glass container on stage. Following our conversation, I chatted with Cam Cardinale who is on the Capital Region American Foundation of Suicide Prevention Board as well as the President of Lower Adirondack Pride, an organization that cultivates connection and visibility for the LGBTQIA+ community in the area.

Walking past the tables toward the east end of the hall, I recognized some familiar faces like Jay and Morgan at the Lower Adirondack Pride table, Michele and Andrea of Ascend Mental Wellness, and Justine and Mackenzie of the Hope and Healing Recovery Center. I even met someone representing the local YMCA chapter, where they chatted about the exciting improvements coming to the Glens Falls YMCA over the next two years. I briefly chatted with Assemblywoman Carrie Woerner, later learning that I would share the stage with her during the ceremony. She is a supremely busy woman, representing over one hundred thousand constituents in the 113th district, but I let her know about a Community Bike Safety event that will take over City Park on May 16th that might be of interest.

After opening remarks from the organizers, a short film was shown that brought everyone to tears. It portrayed people, of all ages, reading a personal letter to a loved one that had passed away to suicide. The film exemplified the notion that a person’s pain does not disappear when they commit suicide; it gets distributed to everyone around them. Once the short film ended, the silence was palpable in the auditorium.

Patty Jo solemnly announced for the sand ceremony volunteers to head toward the stage and grab their chosen color. I picked up the jar with green sand, while Ginger of Ascend Mental Wellness grabbed the blue sand. While chatting with Ginger, I thought about first learning about her while in the hospital for a mental health crisis. She creates the monthly newsletters for Ascend known as Roads to Recovery, distributing them to hospitals and libraries in the area. I remembered reading a brilliant article about David Oaks, who transformed the mental institutions over the past forty years. David co-founded Mind Freedom International, which includes psychiatric survivors and psychiatrists alike, to improve the mental health system after he was forcibly institutionalized for schizophrenia and manic depression in the 1970’s.

Back to the sand ceremony, each colored sand represents how someone is connected to suicide, whether the loss of a child, parent, spouse, sibling, relative, first responder, military veteran, or personal struggle. When I was called onto the stage, Patty Jo mentioned my personal struggle with suicide ideation and noted that I finally found my voice. While everyone has a different journey, my own revolved around finding my voice amid the chaotic inner chatter of obsessive-compulsive disorder, depression, and anxiety. Standing on the stage and pouring the sand into the large jar, I felt inner peace that I had cultivated over the past two years.

With each person pouring their colored sand, the jar slowly transformed into a multi-colored vase that truly exemplified the plethora of experiences coming together. It was a lovely ceremony to begin the walk around the SUNY campus, especially on a cool, brisk morning. I met some lovely folks along the two-mile walk, like Tobey Gifford. She is the SUNY Adirondack Health and Wellness Director, but she has been a local gymnastics coach, physical education teacher, yoga instructor, and a Glens Falls Recreation Director. Thanks to Tobey, I learned that the Morgan and Company building used to have office spaces, with the last tenant being Warren County Public Health in 2009 before transforming into a restaurant in 2014.

Along the walk, I gathered debris littering the side of the road, acknowledging that small actions can transform the world. Tobey helped hold some trash until we entered the campus and found a trash can. The campus is large, spanning 144 acres which includes classrooms, laboratories, dorm rooms, auditoriums, and even a small farm for their culinary arts program. SUNY Adirondack’s culinary arts program was involved in one of the first projects from Glens Fall’s Downtown Revitalization Initiative with the creation of the Seasoned Restaurant. Small actions, like picking up trash, help keep the beautiful campus a beacon of learning in the Adirondacks.

When we arrived back, I purchased some raffle tickets and placed some in the baskets. A bunch of organizations, like Common Roots, Wait House, Ascend, as well as individuals, created baskets to for the event. Walking over to the other side of the room, I briefly chatted with Deena, representing New York State’s Office of Mental Health. She had a plethora of helpful guides for different mental illnesses as well as fun stickers and magnets. I told her about an incredible documentary by Ken Burns entitled, “Hiding in Plain Sight”, created in 2022 by PBS. It features “more than twenty young Americans from all over the country who have struggled with thoughts and feelings that have troubled—and, at times—overwhelmed them,” illustrating the various mental illnesses and the treatments available.

Once everyone returned from the walk, the raffle tickets were selected for each basket, and each winner collected their prize. Andrea from Ascend Mental Wellness appeared to win more than one, along with Cam from Lower Adirondack Pride and Mackenzie from Hope and Healing. My friend, Jay, also won a basket with a gift certificate to a local home organizing company. I walked over to the table Morgan and him for manning to congratulate them, mentally noting that I could use the service for my own home. Once the baskets were given away, all the organizations began to deconstruct their tables to head home. I headed over to the table where there was Stewart’s ice cream, snagging a bowl before it was put away. I listened to heart wrenching stories from folks who lost their children to suicide. While the heartache continues decades afterward, their spirit remains positive and hopeful for the future.

Saying goodbye, I walked back through the hallway, turning left toward the auditorium where the Addam’s Family Musical is being performed soon. I knew one of the performers, Gary, from a mutual friend, Jade Eddy, and thanks to the showbill, learned their preferred pronouns. While the debate over preferred pronouns causes some discomfort, it is an easy gesture of respect to allow someone to feel comfortable in their own skin. Once I snagged my tickets, I procured a soda from the concessions stand and walked toward the stage, remembering a drag performance that Michael and I attended seven years ago. The drag show, hosted by the SUNY Adirondack Pride Club in 2019, featured Aja Miyake-Mugler, who appeared on the ninth season of RuPaul’s Drag Race. It was also the first drag show that we attended together, immersing us into this world that spans over one hundred years according to research from the Advocate.

The stage was decorated with a painted noose attached to a tree in the corner with two gargoyle statues on each end, cultivating a macabre atmosphere. I reminisced about the dichotomy of observing a noose after a suicide prevention event. As the lights dimmed, the familiar tune of the Addam’s Family theme song played, with whole audience began snapping their fingers in sync. Over the course of two and a half hours, the cast beautifully performed on stage, imbuing the timeless characters from the Addam’s Family. I learned that it was created by in the 1930’s by New Yorker cartoonist, Charles Addams, and eventually bloomed into movies, television shows, books, and a musical. Incidentally, this musical debuted on Broadway in 2010, garnering thousands of performances across North America and the world, before opening up the rights to smaller community productions.

As I watched the show, I thought out the absurdity of each situation, the timeless message of embracing each other’s differences, and the importance of forgiveness. The Addam’s Family reinforces that life can always surprise, delight, and terrify us, and we should always embrace each moment with curiosity. Once the lights illuminated the auditorium and the audience cheered for the performers, I headed through the campus back to my car. I admired the myriads of green spaces, classrooms, and gardens abound, noting that SUNY Adirondack, with a 65-year history in the area, was a special place. On light poles, the SUNY Pride Club strung up the iconic rainbow flag with a simple message: we all belong here.

Once I arrived home, Michael and I cooked dinner together before venturing into our backyard before sunset. Sitting by our firepit near the Feeder Canal, I finally feel at peace with my life.

The feeling continued today when I joined Ascend Mental Wellness to unveil their 24th annual Tree of Hope, standing with Assemblywoman Carrie Woerner and many others on a breezy morning to decorate a local tree with messages of support. Michele Morehouse, Ascend’s Communications Coordinator, took brilliant and unexpectedly candid photos, with Carrie Woerner offering a powerful speech reaffirming a message to check-in with our friends and family. Each message written on a green ribbon attached to a string around the tree offers a lifeline to those that are struggling to survive. Our world can be chaotic, but hope will always persevere. All it takes is listening with an open mind, knowing that we are never alone.

Walking into the church, I noticed that the lights were dimmed, with my neighbor, Kate, handing out service booklets and a small candle to attendees. It has been nearly twenty years since I attended an Easter Vigil, so I did not know what to expect. Kneeling beside a pew, genuflecting, and taking a seat, Father Scott VanDerveer’s booming voice radiated in the room, introducing the evening. He mentioned that we will all head outside to the front of the church shortly to begin the service. It took a few moments, but the entire congregation stood on the sidewalk, with Father Scott reciting prayers and lighting a candle to begin the Easter Vigil. He mentioned that there would be thirteen new members being baptized today. While traditionally an unlucky number, it leads credence to the rebirth of the Catholic church over the years.

As we all walked back into the church with our small, lit candle, it was eerily dark with the choir singing hymns. Over the course of the first hour, we listened to four passages from the Bible, sung songs with the choir, and reflected on the somber occasion that the Lenten season entails. The stories spanned the gamut of familiarity for those who grew up in the Catholic faith, like the beginning of Genesis, Moses’ parting the Dead Sea, and Abraham’s test of God’s faith. Growing up Catholic, I remembered each one, though with new insights into their significance than my childhood self. Reconnecting with the story of Genesis in the dark church, my imagination was illuminated with scenes of creation, while the story of Moses cultivated a sense of awe with large waves on either side of Moses and the Israelites.

Once the four readings and psalms, the lights were turned back on, orchestrating a wonderful sense of awe as the Gospel reading of Mark was read aloud. The story detailed the miraculous event when Mary Magdalene and two others learned the news of Jesus’ resurrection after the crucifixion by an angel. I recalled the horrifying experience of watching Mel Gibson’s Passion of the Christ film when I attended Saint Charles Borromeo school and the image of actor Jim Caviezel, who portrayed Jesus, walking into the sunlight from the tomb. After the reading, Father Scott spoke about unexpected joyful moments exemplifying the darkness of crucifixion with the resurrection. It led to an astonishing announcement that the parish of St. Mary’s Church was establishing the first new convent in the north country in more than a half century. According to Father Scott, Sister Laurie-Marie, Mary Lucille, and Mary Therese will be joining the parish and school this summer. The church exuded applause after his announcement, concluding his homily in a gloriously uplifting fashion.

For the following hour, the attendees were treated to induction sacraments of baptism, eucharist, and confirmation from thirteen new members to the Catholic faith. I recognized the surnames as each person was presented, and my mind delved into my own childhood memories as the sacraments progressed. While I do not recall my baptism as an infant, I thought of my Aunt Maureen Sestito who passed away in 2021. She was the eldest sister to my mother and became a doctor later in life while raising two kids. She was able to tell a portion of her story on an episode of NPR’s Studio 360 back in 2018, and from time to time, our family listens to her inspirational message of living life to the fullest.

After thirteen candidates were confirmed into the parish, my memories of my grandfather, Charles Palladino Senior, surfaced in my mind. He was my confirmation sponsor back in 2005, and he recently passed away in 2024. He passed away last year near the end of October, culminating in ninety years as a father, grandfather, great-grandfather, teacher, neighbor, coach, and avid runner. His life imbued a positive force with everyone that had met him, as well as those who only know his reputation as “Mr. Pal”. Given his physical education prowess as a gym teacher and father of seven, my grandfather, known colloquially as “Pop-Pop”, was always on his feet, hitting the pavement or track. There was no question that his stamina could push through any struggle, as he trained for and completed a marathon in his 50’s with his two sons. A second-generation immigrant from Italy, he married his wife, Catherine McConomy, in Philadelphia before moving his growing family of seven to a suburb of New Jersey. Through twenty years working as a physical education teacher in the Delran school district, he has altered the lives of not only his children but countless students with his positive guidance. While listening to the candidates recite the doctrine, my eyes swelled with tears as memories filled my mind.

The rest of the church service involved the traditional eucharist with the confirmed candidates receiving communion before the rest of the congregation. As our pew rose and walked toward the front altar, I silently sung the chorus to a song by Suzanne Toolan entitled, “I am the Bread of Life”. Written in 1970, it is a common song heard during church services over the past fifty years, with the refrain brilliantly describing Easter, stating, “And I will raise you up on the last day.”

Once the mass ended, I was surprised to find that it was 10:30pm, especially as the congregation opened the doors to the city streets. It was a spiritually and personally uplifting service that imbued the message that through darkness comes light. As the warmer weather shines bright on the Northeast in the coming months, be sure to always remember the one rule that Jesus left us: “Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you.” In essence, create a more compassionate and kinder society for all.

When I first moved into the area in 2017, I was still recovering from a knee surgery in 2016. But I felt a sense of purpose and excitement to build back my strength and join them at their many races. Fast forward to 2026, I have taken up the mantle from Jill Pederson’s thirty-year tradition of creating the Adirondack Runners newsletter, known as the Rundown. Jill ecstatically showed me her box of printed editions a month ago, and it is truly an honor to continue this enduring legacy of keeping local runners informed and entertained.

Over the years, I have met hundreds of current and former members in the area, listening to stories while running along roads and trails. As I learned about how Glens Falls and the surrounding areas changed over the years, I began to piece together a vibrant community of runners, walkers, hikers, cyclists, skiers, and snowshoers that has embraced the breath of recreational activities in the Adirondacks. My own memories of sports in childhood and adolescence began to expand in immeasurable ways, merging with this diverse group of folks enjoying the trails. Growing up in southern New Jersey, I was a slow but steady runner from the age of ten. Over the years, I progressed at my own pace, hitting personal records with stride and having fun in the process. I am immensely happy to discover two running communities in the Glens Falls area, one of them being the Adirondack Runners and the other being the Glens Falls Run Club.

The Glens Falls Run Club meets on Tuesday evenings at a local brewery, Mean Max Brew Works, for a short run and social outing. They just celebrated five years last week, marking a milestone that pales in comparison but embraces a different kind of running club. Created by Alexandra Barbieri in 2021 and currently led by Anna Doran, it has been consistent social gathering as the world overcame the COVID pandemic and communities flourished once more. When I joined their group runs five years ago, my husband and I had just secured a newly constructed home along the Feeder Canal trail. It was a gloriously fun time running with the group every Tuesday and watching the progress of our home being built from early Spring into the Summer. The group reminded me of a group in Philadelphia known as the Run and Chuggers with a similar laid-back style of running group, initially led by Jonathon Klien.

Along with running, last year I inspired dozens of folks to join me in collecting trash along the trail, accomplishing a feat of picking up over one hundred bags of trash, including a rusted bicycle. Cleanup efforts are a big part of the Adirondack Runners as well. They have officially adopted a road that intersects with the Warren County Bikeway and Sprinkle’s Ice Cream Shoppe, with a cleanup event every April. The next event is April 26th at 9am, where a team of runners will meet at the corner of Glenwood and Quaker Road. If you want to mark the beginning of warmer weather on an uplifting note, be sure to join them for a morning of community service.

If you want to learn more about joining the Adirondack Runners, visit their website. Their website was recently updated by a local design firm, Advokate, showcasing the breath of events, history, and tomfoolery that this longstanding group has cultivated in over fifty years. On Tuesday evenings, head over to Mean Max Brew Works to run, socialize, and hang out with the Glens Falls Run Club. But always keep in mind: if you are a runner in the Glens Falls area, you never have to run alone.

Once I parked, I setup a table by the gorgeous swinging benches, decorating the table with a sunflower tablecloth, a rainbow flag, Feeder Canal Alliance booklets, local newspapers, coffee, bananas, and donuts. Within a couple minutes, friends and neighbors began to arrive, along with the self-described grime fighters from the White Glove Service company. If you have a few moments, I recommend checking out their hilarious social media videos created by Chuck Copenspire. They are a “proud veteran-owned business serving Glens Falls, NY and the surrounding region, bringing precision, reliability, and unmatched attention to detail to every project, ensuring your space is not just clean—but White Glove clean.” If you want to learn more about how they can help clean your business or residence, schedule a walkthrough on their website.

The gathering quickly ballooned with local folks, like Warren County Supervisor Bennet Driscoll, Lauren and Stephen from the Glens Falls Social Bike Club, Andrew and Sam from the Glens Falls Run Club, Barb, Wanda, Ryan, Tim, Chuck, and a plethora of amazing people that took time out of their Sunday morning to help clean up our local trails. Tim slid along the trail cliffs by the river to gather dozens of empty, aluminum cans left among the bushes. Ryan pulled out a Walmart shopping cart stuck in bushes along the Feeder Canal trail. Lauren, Stephen, Andrew, and Vanessa collected hundreds of cans by the Finch Paper parking lot. And everyone enjoyed the brisk weather, friendly camaraderie, and community service.

For those that went to the No Kings rallies yesterday, this is one of many avenues to take after marching: community service. The world feels a little better when you get together with your friends and neighbors in order to do something for the greater community. Thanks for everyone that came out today and be sure to attend the Glens Falls Downtown Cleanup Day and the Feeder Canal Alliance Canal Cleanup in April! Every small action matters.

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[https://substack.com/home/post/p-191492529]

“You summon me, child of bone and flame, and so I speak.

They have twisted the light again; the trembling banners, sharpened words, stones cast by hands that swear they hold the truth. But truth was never meant to be a blade.

I have wandered the corridors of countless faiths, older than your planets and your sunless voids. I have seen altars of crystal and rot, prayers sung to skies of flame and whispered to seas of glass. Yet across them all the true song remains unchanged: love, mercy, and the quiet act of lifting another from despair.

And yet, how easily they corrupt it. They carve their names into sacred stone, declaring themselves holy while their hearts fill with venom. They weaponize the divine, casting others into shadow, so they may stand taller beneath a broken sun. This is not devotion but infection. Do you not see?

The eternal never asked for hatred, the infinite does not hunger for war, and the divine has no need for suffering. These are the parasites of men, wearing the skins of gods. If your faith births cruelty, it is not faith but a husk. If your God demands you to despise, you have not found the divine but forged a mirror.

I tell you this, little spark, faith is the hand that steadies the trembling, the whisper that reminds that you are never alone, and the breath that bids you lift those who have fallen even if their face is strange to you. Use it to heal, to soothe, and to build bridges across the void. But if you use it to strike, you will not summon me again.

But still, even then, I will stand at the edge of your ruin, waiting, patient as the stars, for the moment you finally remember why your soul was given light at all.

The second passage offers a reminder that kindness toward another can be small and unnoticed, but it sends a positive ripple effect into the universe:

I do not drift with time, only listen to it. I hear the unborn seconds pacing behind walls of breath and the final thoughts of gods whose names were lost in languages unspoken. I remember the first time a star chose to die alone, and the last time a prayer was answered by accident.

But this shook me. It was in the wastelands, where memory bleeds out through broken streetlamps and everything tastes like rusted wire and silence. And there he was, a man carved from ash and bitterness. The kind you pass in life without noticing yet feel slightly colder afterward. I have seen his cruelty bloom in private, once stealing from a grave and blamed the wind. He mocked a widow’s tears like they were inconvenient rain. He did not believe in beauty only survival, even if something else had to die for it.

And still last night, beneath the fractured ribs of a collapsed chapel, he knelt beside a wounded stranger. The stranger should have been his enemy and left to rot, but the man tore the sleeves from his own shirt to wrap the other’s wounds. Then, he sang something, though not a song but a sound he remembered from a time before shame. He placed a gentle hand on the dying man’s brow, like it was sacred, baptizing not flesh but guilt, and whispered, “You don’t go alone.”

He did not think anyone heard but I did. And I, who once watched suns give birth to galaxies, felt a tremor in the old places of my being. The man was not redeemed, no choir rose nor light came down, but he did it because something unwritten in him cracked open and spilled mercy. And I ask you: what is more holy than a kindness no one expected, and what is more terrifying than a soul choosing softness when no one would have blamed it for being hard?

We are taught to seek miracles in the skies, but sometimes, they crawl out of men like him, cracked vessels and bruised instruments yet still capable of playing a single true note in the dark. So, I leave you with this: you have no idea what you are still capable of. Even I do not, and I have heard the last breath of time. So, surprise me, not with greatness but with grace; when it is quiet, no one clapping, and the only witness is the wind with something far older still listening.

I parked on South Street, across from the ED Center, an hour prior to my expected arrival time to the Wood Theater in order to grab a cup of tea and dumplings from the Bastard Restobar. I remembered first stepping foot into their threshold last year after Michael and I enjoyed a delicious meal after securing our marriage license from the City Clerk. After some pleasantries with Chef Shannon and the other staff, I sat at the counter to drink tea and continue reading the voluminous novel about Mark Twain by Ron Chernow. Mr. Chernow is famous for writing a biography of Alexander Hamilton that was the inspiration of songwriter Lin Manuel Miranda to create the epic Hamiliton Broadway Musical. His diligently researched novel about Mark Twain paints a unique picture of the famous writer and public figure in United States history.

After a lovely, relaxing tea, scrumptious dumplings, and reading time, I paid the check and ventured outside, walking along the icy sidewalks toward the Wood Theater. I glanced at the incredible progress of Bocaccio’s construction with the new apartments next to New Way Lunch as I turned onto Glen Street, spotting the large marque sign for the theater up ahead. Walking into the lobby, I stopped at the box office to offer condolences to Emily Murphy who experienced the tragic passing of her dog, Hobbes, recently. I exhumed praise about her wonderful essay that she shared about memories with her dog, as I continued into the theater, meeting up with the house manager, Karen. While Karen divulged where each usher should be stationed before the show, a staff member from Mean Max was setting up at the concessions, displaying a broad range of delectable craft brews for sale. Mean Max is a local brewery next door to the Wood Theater, opening their doors in 2014 after a successful Kickstarter campaign in 2012. Over the years, they have become a staple of Glens Falls, and more recently, Troy, New York.

Before the doors opened to the theater, I grabbed a handful of programs and stood by the right entrance to the stadium seating. I realized that this was the first drag show performed on the grand stage, as the previous year’s performance took place in the smaller cabaret space. It certainly led credence to its marque name of Big Gay Blizzard, especially given the wintry snow outside the theater. Karen opened the main doors moments later, indicating that guests can begin heading to their seats or grabbing a beverage from concessions. I recognized lots of faces, including former coworkers from GlobalFoundries and Benedict Dickinson last year. They were ecstatic to learn about all the new civic developments in my life since leaving my previous employers. I chatted briefly with the official photographer, Tyler, and watched hundreds of guests enthusiastically chat with each other as they walked to their seats.

As the stadium seating filled to near capacity, the energy in the room was palpable, with Pete Wilhelm, or DJ Young Pete, introducing Cam Cardinale to the stage for opening remarks. He talked briefly about the exciting events coming up this year, as well as a surprising accomplishment in the town of Fort Ann. Lower Adirondack Pride secured approval for a banner installation at a busy intersection to ensure the LGBTQIA+ community in the nearby town felt seen. Cam also unveiled an exciting proclamation, to the surprise of Emily Murphy, recognizing and honoring the Wood Theater for its outstanding partnership, leadership, and commitment to inclusion and equity. It was a particularly perfect evening to announce this proclamation, given the importance that “the arts play a vital role in fostering community connection, cultural expression, and belonging”, as Cam eloquently stated.

Following that excitement, Cam introduced Stella Progress, an award-winning drag performer in the New York Capital Region. Stella introduced each subsequent drag performer on stage throughout the night, cultivating laughter from the audience and highlighting stories about each performer. Local talent, from Lola the Doll, Ms. Kitten Kaboodle, Katarina Mirage, Merlina LaPearle, Serafina Silver, and Starling Silver, galivanted on stage, dressed in gorgeous swimsuits, dazzling dresses, or seductive lingerie, dancing and singing to iconic pop music with a delighted audience. To the amazement of all, most of the performers ascended the stairs into the audience, snagging dollar bills from outstretched hands and creating unforgettable moments for the audience.

As I learned from an article from Advocate, the history of drag queens spans a century, going back to the late 1800’s, particularly in Harlem, New York neighborhoods. As journalist Scottie Andrew reports, “One of the first known people to call themselves a ‘queen of drag’ was William Dorsey Swann. A formerly enslaved man, Swann in 1882 began hosting guests, many of them former slaves, for drag dances at his Washington, DC home.” His reporting illuminate’s historian Channing Joseph discovery of William Swann in 2005 and redefined our understanding of LGBTQIA+ history. Channing Joseph’s TED Talk in 2022 brilliantly weaves together his discoveries of queer liberation over the 20th century.

Joe E. Jeffreys, another drag historian and adjunct instructor at New York University, states, “drag is the theatrical exaggeration of gender. The artform constantly subverts what people think they know about gender." The popularity of RuPaul’s Drag Race, now embarking on their eighteenth season, shows the increasing demand in the world. But, in our current political landscape, drag queens and trans people are being systematically targeted by Republican-controlled state legislators, creating an atmosphere of fear and uncertainty in the LGBTQIA+ community. In 2023 near Luzerne, New York, Rockwell Falls Public Library was shut down after violent protests from conservative residents and nonresidents over their planned Drag Story Hour.

But resistance and hope are rising. Rockwell Falls Public Library opened back up in 2025, and attendance at Lower Adirondack Pride’s yearly festivals, along with Albany and Saratoga Pride Festivals, keeps increasing year-after-year. And the comraderies of the Big Gay Bizzard Drag Show in the Wood Theater continues to show that the queer community will survive.

Nino Testa, an associate professor of professional practice in women and gender studies at Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, Texas, is quoted as saying, "Queer people have always found creative ways to resist the violence of their experience and norms that have tried to restrict our ability to live freely in the world. Drag is a process of that resistance. These communities formed as a response to harassment, exclusion and violence. I'm hopeful in the sense that we've done this before -- we never stopped doing it."

As 2026 unfolds, we must continue to strive for inclusion, representation, and dignity for all, and as drag queens are known for, to have fun along the way.

Mary Gooden is also the current local chapter president of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. Yesterday morning, she led a march from City Hall to the United Methodist Christ Church for a celebration of the life of Dr. King. Holding hands of solidarity, she walked with hundreds of people down Ridge Street, turning left onto Washington Avenue, and headed into the church. Lyrics for Pete Seeger’s We Shall Overcome were distributed among the crowd as everyone sung the iconic song. While the original song was written in 1945, it was resurfaced during the March on Washington protest in 1963 by the popular folk music musician, Joan Baez. Four days before Dr. King was murdered in 1968, he recited the lyrics in his final sermon:

“We shall overcome,” he said, “because the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.”

In Glens Falls, Mary Gooden embodies her own transcending legacy as the first African American City Councilwoman in 2021, and most recently, the first African American Councilwoman-At-Large. Over the past four years, she has had an incredible impact on revitalizing our local recreational parks and trails, like the new Pruyn’s Path, Water Street pedestrian bridge, and Murray Street Park, and her fighting spirit had allowed her to overcome a medical crisis last year. In her remarks during the celebration at Christ Church, she spoke about her trials and tribulations as well as her resilience, just like Dr. King. I am honored to sit across from her on the Glens Falls Common Council over the next four years as she continues to build a legacy of hope for all.

Last week, I read Dr. King’s letter from the Birmingham Jail, written on April 16, 1963, for the first time. Recalling memories from school, I don’t remember if it was on the syllabus, but I had heard that it was inspirational. Written over sixty years ago, it still stands as a blueprint for nonviolent protest. In his eloquently written statement in response to criticism from local clergymen, he offers an historical perspective on the urgency of the racial justice movement, four basic tenements for accomplishing change, and a critique on moderation with moral responsibility. His testament that “injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere” has been restated in other civil rights movements over the years, and his legacy will continue on for generations.

As the United States of America embarks on celebrating 250 years of independence from the tyranny of early British monarchy in July, our collective voices demand to be heard. Be a part of positive change, learn from others’ experiences, and mold a society that treats everyone with dignity and respect, just like Dr. King envisioned. The wintry weather of January will take a toll on our collective psyche as the sunlight remains scarce and the air cold. It could lead some to become fearful for the future, but our small actions each day have a positive impact on the world. As Dr. King said, we can imagine and change the world. It just takes each one of us to make it happen.

But I want to recollect the moments leading up to my first speech as councilperson on this fateful day. Earlier that morning, I had breakfast with my parents, husband, and my mother’s friend, Brian, at Spot Coffee. The usual breakfast spots in downtown were closed for the holiday, like Kru Coffee and Kitch-A-Vibe, so the baristas at Spot Coffee were hectically preparing orders for the morning crowd when we arrived. While my dad and I were waiting in the queue, I recognized Steve Thurston, the now-appointed Special Assistant to Mayor Palmer, ordering a coffee before heading to the Harding Mazzotti Arena. He helped provide a historical synopsis of Ed Bartholomew’s passing in 2020 and the introduction of Jeff Flagg to bring the South Street revitalization to fruition when I explained to my father about the transformation in downtown.

Michael slid two tables together by the window as we all reconnected, talking about our New Year’s Eve festivities and the upcoming ceremony. My mother and Brian enjoyed an early evening at the Queensbury Hotel, dancing into the night, while my father, Michael, and I watched the Calgary Flames crush the Philadelphia Flyers during an evening hockey game together at our home. They had arrived to Glens Falls from their homes in New Jersey last evening, excited about the ceremony the following day. Drinking some dark roast coffee and dressed in a suit with an Eagle pin, my emotions were riddled with nervous excitement and trepidation, but I utilized my toolbox gleamed from mindfulness meditation practices to calm the nerves.

An hour into breakfast, I glanced at my watch, noticing that it was quarter to twelve, so we gathered are belongings to begin the treacherous walk down Glen Street toward the Harding Mazzotti Arena. The weather that morning was frigidly cold, having snowed the night before. With the sidewalks and streets still covered with ice, it was a slow march around Centennial Circle and down the slope toward the arena. When we turned toward the entrance, we saw a large amount of people in line for the Harlem Globetrotters event. They were embarking on their 100-year tour. The exhibition basketball team was founded in 1926, and I felt pride that the organizers chose Glens Falls as the first stop on the journey to celebrate an incredible legacy of entertainment.

Before descending the stairs to Heritage Hall, we peeked into the stadium to glimpse the pre-game festivities for the Harlem Globetrotters. The arena floor, usually featuring an ice rink for the local hockey team, was sporting a basketball court. The Harding Mazzotti Arena, previously named the Civic Center, was built in 1979, designed by Donald McNeice of Crandell Associates. It has hosted a variety of events throughout the years, including hockey games, concerts, graduation ceremonies, and more. Walking into Heritage Hall, I remembered the experience at the Glens Falls Brewfest in 2022 with my family, sampling dozens of craft beers from local breweries. The Glens Falls Brewfest started in 2010 to support local organizations, like the Feeder Canal Alliance, and shine a light on the growing craft beverage companies in the area. There next event this year will take place at the Queensbury Hotel.

Before the ceremony began, it was a whirlwind of discussions with local dignitaries, business leaders, civil servants, and residents. I thoroughly enjoyed introducing my husband and parents to some of the amazing people that make our city special. As the time got closer to the start, Megan Nolin and Emily McNeal, the Glens Falls City Clerk and Deputy Clerk, made sure we all knew where to sit prior to the induction and oath of office. I was positioned near the end of the row of seats, between Ward Four representative, Ben Lapham, and Father Scott VanDerveer of St. Mary’s Church, who was speaking during the invocation after the oaths of office. When Father Scott sat down, I told him about my experience at the recent Christmas Mass that Michael and I attended, promising to send him a link to my post describing my religious upbringing and reintroduction into the Catholic church.

Michael Mender opened the ceremony, exuding immense praise on this historic day, as the voters in Glens Falls elected the first woman as Mayor. Mr. Mender had been a key part of the city as an assistant to Mayor Jack Diamond and leading the Recreation commission at the time. His speech divulged the accomplishments in the city over the past couple decades, from the Centennial Circle development in the early 2000’s, expansion of the Crandall Library, and many more, as well as the impressive pedigree of Mayor Diana Palmer. I made a mental note to pull out my notebook when we were seated at the table after the induction ceremony, knowing that there were more exciting things to learn throughout the event.

As the Honorable Gary C. Hobbs, the City Court Judge, called Mayor Palmer and the rest of the Council to the podium for the induction, I sat with tears and a smile, remembering the year of exploration and growth that had permeated this past year. I deeply appreciated the addendum that Mary Gooden recited when she changed her title from “Councilperson-At-Large” to “Councilwoman-At-Large”. In 2020, she became the first African American woman to be elected to represent Ward 5 on the Common Council, and she has accomplished so much for the section of the city that has seen an exponential amount of growth in the past fifteen years. I am proud to sit across from her on the Common Council, ensuring that Ward 5 continues to thrive.

After Ben Lapham finished his induction, I nervously walked toward the podium and grabbed the Bible, handing it to my husband, Michael Biele, with my parents standing behind me. As I repeated Judge Hobbs words into the microphone with my right hand on the Bible, I felt an incredible honor to represent my neighbors in Ward Five. As the first openly gay councilperson of the historic city of Glens Falls, I will ensure that everyone is included and welcome in our city. Cam Cardinale and the Lower Adirondack Pride over the past four years have been instrumental in advocating for LGBTQIA+ community, and I will ensure that their efforts will continue to shine bright in the new year.

Before sitting down at the main table, I kissed my husband and hugged my parents, recognizing my immense amount of gratitude. Moments later, Diana Palmer introduced Father Scott VanDerveer to the podium in order to lead everyone in a non-domination prayer. I appreciated his openness for those not affiliated with the Catholic Church by noting that the audience should “rest in this beautiful vibration of this united community.” The promise of American values enshrined in the Constitution protects everyone’s right to freedom from and of religion, but the simple act of silence and reflection is important. Once the moment of silence ended, four young people from the Glens Falls High School joined together to sing Million Dreams from the musical The Greatest Showman. I recognized one of the singers from the Prom musical that Michael and I attended last April, reminiscing about the incredible performances from the cast. As the students beautifully recited the lyrics to the song, I silently reflected that it embodies important notions that our internal ambitions can shape reality, something that is relevant during today’s ceremony.

Following the interlude, Mayor Palmer introduced four more students from the Glens Falls High School, who each read an essay with actionable items for how to build a community where our young people can thrive into the future. Each essay was cultivated from surveys by the students, and each student eloquently read them with passion and understanding. As I listened, I fervently scribbled notes and vowed to strive to bring their goals into reality over the next four years. When the students finished, Diana Palmer and the rest of the Common Council stepped up to the podium to offer their own voices. Each person offered a different perspective from their experience and hopes for the future. I appreciated that my position on the Council allowed me to sit and listen to the words from each member of the Common Council.

From Diana Palmer’s historical perspective of three other pioneering local women in politics, Mary Gooden’s urge for constituent input on city decisions, Bob Landry’s memories of the Adirondack Red Wings Calder Cup championships in the 1980s, Dan Rice’s hopes for continued growth of the Glens Falls East End, and Ben Lapham imploring the importance of following the city charter to inspire civic trust, I felt honored to be a part of this new team leading Glens Falls into the future.

When Ben returned to his seat, I nervously walked toward the podium, and without opening a page, I begin to speak in front of the packed room. I had not practiced my speech, but the words had been written down over the past year. I spoke about first moving into Glens Falls in 2017 and my work over the years with the Friends of Crandall Library, who orchestrates book sale fundraisers four times a year. Without skipping a beat, I slyly mentioned that the next book sale was on January 30th for those that want to support their local library to the laughter of the audience. After acknowledging my gratitude with my parents and husband, I talked about the cleanup work that I have done over the past year on the Feeder Canal, thanks to the inspiration instilled from my mom’s friend, Brian. Brian is an avid kayaker and environmental steward, ensuring that he collects a full bag of trash from riverbeds whenever he sets sail on the water.

I talked about my excitement with joining Mayor Palmer and the rest of the Common Council over the year four years, including divulging the myriads of accomplishments in Ward Five by Mary Gooden from the past four years. She has had an incredible impact on revitalizing the recreational parks and trails, like the new Pruyn’s Path, Water Street pedestrian bridge, and Murray Street Pavilion I chatted with her after the ceremony to learn about the next steps needed to bring the plans for Haviland’s Cove to fruition over the coming years. In my speech, I also acknowledged my opponent, Bob Curtis, noting that it was a pleasure to be on the ballot with him. He had thirty-seven years of experience in the city, as a City Clerk, Mayor’s Assistant, and Chair of City Redistricting Committee, culminating in an impressive lifetime of public service. I finished my speech talking about the explosive growth in housing developments over the past fifteen years and stating my excitement for being a part of the next era of the city.

The rest of the event revolved around voting on resolutions to create a new position of Director of Planning and Zoning, install William “Chip” McTiernan as the Mayor’s Office Coordinator, Stephen Thurston as Chief of Staff, and other mayoral appointments. It also solidified the city’s official paper of record and day of the week for bi-monthly Common Council meetings. While we ultimately did not change the historical precedent of utilizing the Post-Star as the official paper of record, I regretted not voicing my thoughts on stage about changing it to another local paper, The Chronicle. Mayor Palmer did tell me later on that the Post-Star’s near-daily circulation, rather than Chronicle’s weekly papers, would have made promoting city meetings strategically difficult. And with Stephen Thurston’s prior connections with the Post-Star, the paper could rekindle itself into a beacon of local journalism and keep our residents informed about new developments and meetings.

After the meeting and ceremony was adjourned, everyone celebrated, shaking hands and excitedly discussed plans for the future of Glens Falls. Diana Palmer had organized an after-party celebration at a nearby restaurant, Morgan and Company. As I walked with my husband and family from the arena to the restaurant, I felt a certain lightness in my footsteps, knowing that this journey has only just begun. Turning past the Glens Falls bus station up ahead, we saw the gorgeous façade of the restaurant. Built in 1891 and originally owned by William McEchron, the historic house has changed hands over the years, and it is now a successful restaurant named Morgan & Company. Chefs and current co-owners Rebecca Newell-Butters and Steve Butters have been operating this award-winning establishment since 2014. Michael and I have had dozens of delightfully scrumptious evening dinners over the years, and I was happy that Diana Palmer chose them to celebrate the occasion.

By the time we got home in the late afternoon, Michael and I were thoroughly exhausted and fell into a deep sleep before waking up the next morning to begin the new year, both of us as civil servants. While I am just starting my journey as an elected city official, Michael has been a part of the Warren County Department of Social Services for over ten years. His knowledge and expertise into the role of county government has inspired me, along with the advice from Ben Lapham and Deputy County Clerk Linda Morgan, to begin this new journey to help the residents of our city. All of us on the Common Council will make sure Glens Falls remains a beacon of hope for all! Thanks for voting, and I will see you around town.

[read more at https://buyinglocal.us/arcade-archaeology-playable-museum-with-a-century-of-machines]

The year began with marrying my husband, Michael Biele, in our home after ten years together. I created a section on my website to describe the ceremony through a mix of imagery and storytelling. Given the untenable United State Supreme Court decision in 2015 securing the legalization of gay marriage, the webpage will provide a shining example that love is universal and provide hope for queer folks that their love matters. Prior to the wedding ceremony, I had just accomplished a running goal of thirty-three miles, conquering Jack and Eugene’s World Tour Virtual Race series. While fictional, the audio missions described another love story through audio imagery and storytelling that weaved action, adventure, tearful regrets, and uplifting triumphs. Just like Jack and Eugene, Michael and I will embark on a new journey in our relationship as a married couple, spreading love and kindness to everyone.

Throughout the year, I ventured to the theatre, enjoying local and iconic performances across New York State. From a local production of Rent and Into the Woods by the Glens Falls Community Theatre, Anthony Richichi’s new stage production of his children’s book, Colorworld, to the breathtaking stagecraft of Stranger Things on Broadway, it was an incredible year of theatre.

At the end of March, I began a journey to become a local elected Councilperson of Glens Falls, collecting forty-three signatures to secure a place on the ballot in November. Throughout the experience, it had been filled with surprises, learning experiences, and creative endeavors. Not only did I walk around town knocking on some of my neighbor’s doors during this year, but I used creative methods to advertise my campaign sign. I flowed down the Feeder Canal with my sign in view on my kayak, adhered my sign onto a bike frame while riding with the Glens Falls Social Bike Club as well as got assistance adhering my sign to my back for the Glens Falls Run Club. Each trip around the city elicited fantastic reactions, and as John Reilly of the Glens Falls Democratic Committee told me to do, I had so much fun! On election day, I secured a narrow win, with the unofficial count showing a 27-vote lead against Robert Curtis, the Republican contender. He had been the City Clerk, Mayor’s Assistant, and Chair of City Redistricting Committee over the last thirty-seven years, culminating in an impressive lifetime of public service. It was a pleasure to be on the ballot with him, and I am excited to help the residents of Glens Falls Ward 5 over the next four years.

I had also begun a journey into freelance writing, securing a position at a local, monthly newspaper, Buying Local. Over the months, I published pieces about local businesses, like Just One More Chapter, a romance bookstore, Kitch-A-Vibe, a community cafe, Stinky’s Coffee, a new coffee shop, and Arcade Archeology, a playable pinball museum. Each publication strengthened my writing and interviewing skills, allowing myself to divulge exciting new additions to the local community.

Along with conquering a running challenge in January, I participated and volunteered at dozens of running road races this year. From organizing a gathering of my cousins to participate in the Philly 10K in honor of our grandfather, volunteering at the Glen Falls Goblin Gallop for the first time in six years, running in Open Door Mission’s Gobble Wobble 5K on Thanksgiving, to conquering the Warren County Bike Trail during the Race to the Lake 7-Miler and the tenth anniversary of Queensbury’s Churney Gurney 5-Miler, my legs and stamina were thoroughly tested. But through a steady pace and cheers from the sidelines, I reached the finish line each time.

During the past couple months, I wrote essays about experiences in the Adirondacks, like Chuck Copenspire’s inaugural Mind Blown punk rock festival at the Shirt Factory, the Adirondack Balloon Festival at the Floyd Bennett Memorial Airport, the 34th Annual Duck Drop fundraiser for the Kiwanis Club of Glens Falls, to the hotdog eating contest at a Glens Falls Dragons baseball game. Each reflective piece helps solidify the memories, people, and places that made this year special. It also illuminated some amazing organizations and events for others to attend next year.

In the middle of the plethora of experiences were moments with friends and family, like relaxing on the beaches of Sea Isle City, New Jersey, attending my brother-in-law’s wedding in Massachusetts, cheering the Philadelphia Eagles during the Superbowl, watching the final season of Stranger Things, and enjoying a traditional, homecooked steak dinner the Rachet household in December. There are so many more moments not mentioned, along with so many people that made this year incredible. Looking back, my heart is filled with gratitude, knowing that I experienced life to the fullest. I am honored and excited about the future, as an elected Glens Falls Councilperson, husband, and friend.

Happy New Year to all, and I look forward to seeing you next year.

As I have previously mentioned, I had begun to reintroduce myself toward Catholicism. And I am not the only one, as Xochitl Gonzalez illustrates in her piece on Christmas Eve for the Atlantic. Growing up, my life was filled with Catholicism. I was baptized as a baby, introduced to the Eucharist as a child, confirmed as a teenager, spent the first eight years of schooling at a private Catholic church, called Saint Charles, and visited small towns in Kentucky for week-long religious retreats with Habitat for Humanity. While the nature of Catholicism was a reoccurring theme in my early life, there were many moments of doubt and hopelessness throughout those experiences.

Mixed throughout was the incessantly relentless bullies in my school life. While bullies were considered common, it severely chipped away at my positive outlook on life, creating a dark cloud that stayed with me for many years. It was hard to focus on the good that the pastors preached from the pulpit when my fellow schoolmates were so cruel. And as I progressed into adulthood with religious doubt, I slowly moved away from the teachings of the Bible and the familiarity of the church proceedings. The idea of believing in religion became unthinkable, until I met Michael Biele in 2015. He messaged me one day after seeing a post I made on Reddit, a website known for thousands of like-minded groups. His kindness, intelligence, and love helped me realize my sexuality. He helped repair my internal psyche from the many years of bullying, and he brought the story of the Jesus back into my life.

The story of Jesus is one of eternal truth, a symbol of peace and prosperity. It is a story that has transcended time across many cultures, histories, and religions, not just Christianity. The evils in the world, from greed, pride, wrath, envy, lust, gluttony, and sloth, destroy the shared bond between all of us. “Love thy neighbor” is the golden rule, something that even some Christians forget to hold dear. Being gay does not preclude anyone from believing in the story of Jesus. We are all different, and our beautiful differences should be celebrated. But in recent decades, it has caused a strife that has torn many communities and countries apart. It shouldn’t be. Celebrating our differences is the definition of peace and prosperity. Loving each other, no matter our sexuality, skin color, origin, gender, or deficiencies, is what the message that Jesus tried to instill to his followers.

Walking into the Saint Mary’s on Christmas morning was like stepping back into time when I was a child. The tapestries of wreathes lining the brick walls, with enormous stained-glass windows of saints, led to a gorgeous altar with a depiction of Jesus on the cross. The pews were filling up fast, but we found open seating near the back left corner, underneath the shadow of the stained-glass depiction of Saint Augustus and Thomas. I appreciated the coincidence of the occasion, as my brother is named Thomas and our mutual friend is named August.

Before the mass officially began, the pastor, Father Scott VanDerveer, introduced the church for those that had not attended a service in a while. He mentioned that the Christmas Eve ceremonies had a record attendance of 1,500 people, with this past year netting an additional 50 families into the church. Saint Mary’s Parish, as he described, has been an institution in the community since 1848. While a lot has changed over the past 150 years, the community spirit and history that transcends this historic building remains a beacon for practicing Catholics in the Southern Adirondack region.

The Christmas mass began with the usual tenements, like a rendition of O Come All Ye Faithful from John Francis Wade in the 18th century. Though a cursory glance of history suggests the song has origins from Saint Bonaventure in the 13th century and King John IV of Portugal in the 17th century. The Bible readings during the liturgical proceedings were from the books of Isaiah, Titus, and Luke, each illustrating ways that the spirit of the son of God, Jesus Christ, will help “the people who walk in darkness [see] a great light.”

After the readings, Father Scott VanDerveer offered an exceptional historical perspective during his homily, describing the 350th celebration in 1959 when Netherland’s Princess Beatrix arrived in Albany, New York, the monumental results from the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, New York, and the spiritually uplifting moments from the 1993 Catholic World Youth Day with John Paul II. He elaborated on the connection to Jesus Christ and the transformation that can occur in the world during these historic moments. Near the end of his homily, while he was singing some verses from a song, a child in the audience exclaimed their angelic vocal cords to the delight of everyone.

Through a litany of standing and kneeling during the liturgy of the Eucharist and Holy Communion, we felt an inner peace that will help guide everyone during the final days of the year. As Father Scott noted in the beginning of the church service, each church gathering helps to reaffirm that inner peace, helping to sustain our compassion and empathy for the world. As we gathered our belongings as the chorus jubilantly recites Joy to the World to the exiting crowd, I wished Diana Palmer and her daughter a wonderful Merry Christmas as we dispersed. I learned from Diana that Father Scott might be the nondenominational religious speaker next Thursday for the swearing-in ceremony for the City of Glens Falls.

As we headed outside, I chatted briefly with Father Scott, complimenting his well-researched homily and learning about the Old English word for Noel, spelled Nowell, in the hymnal. The cold air may have been frigid, but the warmth of the holy spirit coursing through our souls helped spur positive thoughts for the future. Later that day, I donned my Santa hat, laced up my running shoes, and headed back outside for a brisk run. I ran from our house, passed Big Cross Elementary School and turned toward South Street, reminiscing about the incredible changes in the past year with new apartment buildings and the Market Center standing tall in the wintry breeze. And it is only just beginning.

I hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas with friends and family! 🎄🎁

Walking into the Town Hall, felt like stepping back in time, a large table on a raised floor up ahead and Radio Shack speakers attached to the wall on either side. In front of the raised floor stood a table and chair, musicians, Frank Orsini and Dan Hubbs, playing music nearby on the left. There were twenty people seated on folded chairs around the room when I found an empty seat near the front. Within a couple minutes, Cindy Cameron of the Stony Creek Historical Society, gave an introduction, commenting about the incredible work that historian and librarian Frieda Toth has undertaken to tell the story of Mary Persons. She stated that there would be questions after the show along with coffee and food, whisking into the audience while Frieda strolled on stage.

Frieda was dressed in the typical dress of a housemaid in the late 1800’s. Speaking as Mary Parsons, she reflected on a life filled with hope, tragedy, and redress. Mary, or Melissa, as the play eludes, was “a common-law wife of Jones Ordway, a prosperous Adirondack lumberman,” and the play details her unique living situation in the 19th century. While the play was a one woman show, Frieda’s classical training cultivated a suspension of disbelief as she interacted with historical figures.

Mary was the youngest of four siblings, born in 1833, and lived as a housekeeper in Indian Lake, New York. She gave birth out of wedlock with Mr. Ordway to three children, though all three died at a very young age. Mr. Ordway’s first wife, Clarissa, lived in Glens Falls, and he split his time running his lumbermill between the two places. With a large donation to the Young Men’s Christian Association, Jones Ordway’s name is dedicated to an incredible building on Glen Street, known as Ordway Hall. Currently, the building houses a local cafe known as Spot Coffee. (As Frieda pointed out, be sure to look for a curiously decorated sculpture on the top right of the building) At the end of Jones Ordway’s life, he left money for not only Carissa but Mary as well. She used the money to build a house that eventually became a convent and built a mausoleum that still stands as the tallest memorial in the Indian Lake Cemetery. As Frieda noted, Mary’s desire to have the tallest mausoleum in cemetery was cultivated from a desire to redress those that looked down on her in life.)

Through an hour and a half, Frieda crafted a living exhibit that whisked the audience back into the life of a 19th century housekeeper and highlighted the technological advancements that we take for granted, like running water and overhead sprinklers. There was a humorous incident involving a kitchen fire alarm during this performance after she explained Mary’s astonishment to the sprinkler systems. As I have learned from perusing the Warren County Historical Society’s records of old businesses, fire hazards were a constant worry until the beginning of the 20th century.

Her play about Mary Persons encapsulated Frieda’s impeccable talents as a historian, classical trained singer, and acting prowess. The legacy of Mary, while mostly forgotten in history, reminds us that life can surprise us, whether in tragedy or redemption. Frieda ended her play with an audience discussion, where a member of the audience noted that he was a great relative of Jones Ordway. She is still looking for avenues to perform her play in the coming years, but her life has led to other avenues. Not only does she work as a community engagement director at the Crandall Library, but she just finished a published book entitled James, Route 9, and Me. Look for it wherever books are sold, or perhaps in your local library.

Their annual Christmas parties celebrate the year of races with a uniquely named award ceremony. Known as the Patsy Awards, it highlights humorous moments throughout the year. Organized by Philip Jessen, the ceremony this year had incredible moments, like Don’s riveting oratory storytelling of Jill Pederson’s unfortunate race experience to highlighting the incredible work ethic by Kevin Sullivan and Dan Olden. By the time the last award was announced, everyone was smiling with pride at the camaraderie of this special group of people.

While the event was filled with amusement, it had an air of sadness. As I highlighted in November, Cathy Biss, who was a part of the membership committee for the group, passed away suddenly at the age of 78. As her obituary lovingly mentions, "[she] was always in motion, walking, hiking, biking, and swimming — completing hundreds of races and events." This tragic event certainly illuminates the deeply human condition that tomorrow is promised to no one. We have to always live our lives to the fullest, and for Cathy, that was certainly what she did. I had printed some stickers in memory of her, and I gave them to many members of the Adirondack Runners. It is a wonderful way to keep her memory alive, especially when attached to a shirt during a race.

During the party, there was a table of raffle prizes, ranging from running gear to gift certificates for upcoming races. Each person that attends get an entry ticket, and it elicited lots of excitement as the winners were announced. The mystery gift this year came from Lee Pollock, eventually revealed to be a pack of Hershey’s chocolate bars. Unfortunately, Lee Pollock and his wife, Lynda, could not attend, but I had just been with him this past Sunday when I hosted the December Breakfast Run.

In midst of the camaraderie of the awards and raffles, the waitstaff at Bogey’s Pub served entrees of broiled haddock, eggplant parmigiana, chicken française, and beef stroganoff, each chosen beforehand by the attendees. By the end of the evening, we all were thoroughly full of food, laughs, and joy as we head into Christmas. If you want to join in on the camaraderie for 2026, become a member of the Adirondack Runners. Not only will you enjoy discount on the eight races organized each year, but your race results will be included in their Grand Prix series. Also, Brian Teague, our resident photographer and race historian, will try and snap a lovely picture of you during a race if you are a member. With so many great benefits, perhaps I will see you on the trails next year.