"Choose Cohoes!"

Sunday, November 14th from 12 to 3 PM
An open house of historic downtown Cohoes.
Interested in renting, leasing or buying in a beautiful city along Remsen Street, please come to view a dozen available commercial properties while meeting already established businesses.
There will be food, live entertainment and prizes!!!
Call 238-2232 for more information!

"Three Part Harmony- A Celebration of Local Food, Wine, & Art"

"Seven Chefs, Seven NYS Vintners, Seven Local Artists”
Harmony House Marketplace, along with Sticky Fingers and R & G Cheesemakers, will pair local chefs with vintners and artists for an event called Three-Part Harmony — A Celebration of Local Food, Wine, & Art, scheduled for 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 1st, at the Harmony House, 184-190 Remsen St.
Chefs will prepare food with local ingredients for tasting, New York State wines will be available, and artists will show and demonstrate their work.
Participating chefs: Noah Sheetz, executive chef, Governor’s Mansion, Albany; Rebecca Joyner director of dining services, Darrow School and Brock & Co.; Larry Schepici, executive chef, The Brown Derby, Albany; Brian Molino, executive chef, Marché at 74 State, Albany; Nicci Cagan, director, From the Ground Up; AJ Jayapal, Miss Sydney’s Condiments and Sauces; Jeff Loshinsky Catering (John Peterson ).
Participating vintners/distributors: Claire Goddard, Brotherhood Winery; Sandy Waters, Empire Merchants North; Jack Meehan, Opici.
Participating artists: Barbara Hildreth, BeauKnits, fiber arts; Bob Gullie, Eric Laffer, Terry Conrad, Remsen Street Studios, multimedia arts; Jim Charles and Tony Rivera, Cohoes Music Hall, theater; Devin Dascher, artist and musician; Lou Rizzo, Rizzo’s House of Flowers, floral artist.
Our Honorary Co-Chairs for the event are Assemblyman Ron Canestrari and Mayor John McDoanld along with Albany County Legislator Sean Ward.
Co-sponsors for the event are as follows:
The International Center of the Capital District
Cornell Cooperative Extension of the Capital District
The Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York
Eco-Local Guide
Steve Barnes' Times Union Table Hopping Blog
Admission is $10, and reservations are recommended; call 238-2232.

Let's Go Leaf-Peeping along the Hudson River Aboard the Albany Aqua Ducks

Please join Harmony House Marketplace on Tuesday, October 12th from 6:00 - 7:30 PM as we meet up with Bob Wolfgang and the Aqua Ducks staff to celebrate fall with a fun outing aboard the DUCK to Leaf-Peep complete with a sampling of local fall produce and product as we ride.
The trip will originate out of the Visitor's Center in Albany . Space is limited!

The cost is $19.00 per person.

To make a reservation please call Harmony House Marketplace at 238-2232.

Harmony House Marketplace to Offer Overnight Outing to Finger Lakes on Columbus Day Weekend

Taking advantage of Columbus Day Weekend, the group will be leaving from Cohoes on Sunday, October 10th and returning on Monday, October 11th for a fun two-day excursion to the Finger Lakes. The group will visiting a number of wineries on both Seneca and Cayuga Lakes (approximately 10 plus one micro-brewery).

The overnight will be at the historic four-star Hotel Clarence in Seneca Falls.

http://hotelclarence.com/ The cost of the outing is $189. /per person based on double occupancy and includes: *transportation, *overnight accommodations, *three meals (boxed lunch on the bus, breakfast at hotel and lunch at a restaurant on day two), *all tasting fees and *tip for the driver. Spaces are limited. Please call Diane at 238-2232 to make a reservation.

Harmony House Marketplace to Hold Bread Baking Class

On Wednesday, August 11th from 6:00 - 8:00 PM, Harmony House Marketplace located at 184-190 Remsen Street in historic downtown Cohoes will be hosting a bread baking class. Participants will be instructed on the basics of creating simple yeast doughs that work well with culinary herbs from the garden. Impress your friends and family...

Spots are limited. The cost of the class is $5.00. There is plenty of free parking. To register please call 238-2232.

Ice Cream Festival at Cohoes Farmers' Market

On Friday, July 23rd from 4:00 - 7:00 PM, the Cohoes Farmers' Market will be hosting an ice cream festival at the Market complete with home-made ice cream from Bowman Orchards and a variety of toppings such as fresh fruit and prepared sauces compliments of our participating farmers and vendors. The cost of an ice cream sundae will be $1.00 with proceeds going to Market. The Cohoes Farmers' Market is located at 185 Remsen Street in Historic Downtown Cohoes. There is plenty of free parking.

Harmony House Marketplace to Sponsor Bus Outing to Cooperstown Beverage Trail

On Sunday, August 22nd, join Diane from Harmony House for a one-day bus outing to the Cooperstown Beverage Trail. The group will be making stops at Fly Creek Cider Mill, Brewery Ommegang, Cooperstown Brewing Company and Bear Pond Winery. The bus will be leaving from Harmony House located at 184-190 Remsen Street in historic downtown Cohoes at 10:00 am and will be returning by 6:00 PM. The cost is $59 and includes all transportational costs, tasting fees, snacks on the bus and the tip for the driver. To make a reservation or for further information, please call 238-2232

Celebrating the Stinky Rose

Soon we will be harvesting garlic in our region. Yeah!!! I just love garlic; aka. the Stinky Rose. I cannot imagine cooking without it. In my book, it is as vital as salt. When I smell garlic cooking, it reminds me of our wonderful past summer vacations on Martha's Vineyard.

Garlic is very fashionable. In the past twenty-five years, the use of garlic in the United States has quadrupled. We grow close to 225,000 tons each year in the United States. In addition to being a wonderful culinary ingredient supposedly garlic has many medicinal benefits as well.

Mark Your Calendars: On Friday, July 30th, the Cohoes Farmers' Market will be sponsoring a Garlic Festival from 4:00 - 7:00 PM. They are incorporating the event with an Explore Cohoes night so....attendees can visit both the Farmers' Marker as well as participating businesses to receive garlic recipes and in some cases garlic recipe samples too!

A recipe to share; we had it with dinner...yummy!!!!

Spiral Loaf with Caramelized Onions & Garlic

Makes One (1) 10 X 5 Inch Loaf

INGREDIENTS
1 T active dry yeast
1/4 cup lukewarm water
1 T sugar
1 1/2 cups warm milk
1/4 cup vegetable oil
5 cups unbleached flour
1 T kosher salt

FILLING
1/4 cup olive oil
1 t rosemary
1 t oregano
1 jumbo sweet yellow onion
6 plump garlic gloves; smashed and minced
1 T melted butter

In a small bowl, mix together yeast, warm water and sugar. Let stand until creamy, five to ten minutes.

In a bowl mix milk, vegetable oil and yeast mixture. Slowly add four cups of flour, then one tablespoon of slat.

Knead dough until smooth and elastic, adding flour as needed. Transfer dough to large oiled bowl. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled in size (1 to 1 1/2 hours).

While dough is rising...
Heat olive oil over medium heat. Add fresh herbs. Add onions and garlic. Cover tightly, reduce heat to low and cook, stirring often until onions are golden (20 to 30 minutes).

Oil a 10 X 5 bread pan. Punch dough down and turn out on a lightly floured board. Roll or pat dough into a rectangular 9 inches wide and 18 inches long. Spread cooled onion/garlic mixture eveningly over surface of the dough. Tightly roll dough up. Place roll in bread pan, seam-side down. Loosely cover and let rise (45 to 60 minutes).

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Bake for 45 minutes. Then gently remove bread from pan and place directly on oven rack. Continue to bake for another 10 minutes.

Serve warm or at room temperature.
ENJOY!!!

Congrats to All the Congraduates!

This week has been very busy and exciting in my household with two graduations. My son completing 6th grade, my daughter high school. Although I said I wouldn't be emotional, I am. With friends and family accompanying us to both the ceremonies and the after parties, one cannot help but reflect. The good, the bad, the ugly...they made it...we made it.

In the book of life, they have been great chapters. Happy, healthy kids looking forward to the future. How very wonderful...

To all the graduates and their families, Congratulations and enjoy!

Cohoes Farmers' Market to Sponsor Municipal Culinary Throwdown

Cohoes - On Friday, July 2nd at 5:00 PM, the Cohoes Farmers' Market will sponsor and be be the site of a culinary competition pitting Cohoes Mayor John McDonald, against Green Island Mayor Ellen McNulty-Ryan and Town of Colonie Supervisor Paula Mahan to determine who is best at utilizing local produce and product to create a one-of-a-kind masterpiece. Similar to Cable Food Network shows, contestants will not know what ingredients they have to work with until the competition begins. They then will have one hour to produce a unique dish which ultimately will be evaluated by a panel of local judges including Times Union's Senior Writer and Table Hopping blog creator, Steve Barnes. Awards will be given. The event is free and open to the public and will occur as the Cohoes Farmers' Market takes place in the large municipal lot on Remsen Street across from BeauKnits and Harmony House Marketplace. For further information please call 238-2232.

One Night Artist at Harmony House Marketplace on Friday

On Friday, June 18th from 4:00 - 7:00 PM Harmony House Marketplace will have a guest artist, Dale Robert, with a temporary one-evening exhibit entitled: "backyard bird."

Dale has an Associate's Degree in graphic art from the Junior College of Albany where he also took photography. Upon graduating, Dale worked as a graphic designer and art director for several years for various publishing companies and advertising agencies before becoming an internet developer/programmer and agency manager. Dale is an avid fisherman and bird watcher who has always had an appreciation for nature. Through his photography, he hopes that others may share his excitement for the natural world even if that world is just a step outside his back door.

Harmony House Marketplace is located at 184-190 Remsen Street in Historic Downtown Cohoes. Call 238-2232 for further information.

Harmony House's guest vintner on Friday will be from Brookview Station Winery at Goold Orchards. The winery is located in Castleton, NY. Come try some fabulous New York State wine in Cohoes!!!

Cohoes Farmers' Market to Host Strawberry Festival

Cohoes Farmers' Market to Host Strawberry Festival

On Friday, June 11th from 4:00 - 7:00 PM, the Cohoes Farmers' Market will be hosting a Strawberry Festival. Join the vendors/farmers at the Market, which is located in the large municipal lot across from Harmony House Marketplace and BeauKnits on Historic Remsen Street, for locally grown strawberries served on home-baked biscuits and fresh whipped cream. This seasonal favorite is available only only a short time each year. Proceeds from this event will benefit the continuation of the Cohoes Farmers' Market. For further information, please call 238-2232.

Cohoes Farmers' Market to Open Friday, June 4th

On Friday, June 4th from 4:00 - 7:00 PM, make it a point to travel to Historic Downtown Cohoes; more specifically, Remsen Street. It is there that you will find the opening celebrations for the Cohoes Farmers' Market complete with cooking demonstrations, give-aways, live music, an official ribbon cutting and the freshest local produce around. The weather forecast is great and the company will only be better.

Across the street to BeauKnits, Barbara and Pat will be celebrating their 6th Anniversary in business!!!! Come for a piece of anniversary cake and to congratulate them on a job well done!

Next door at Harmony House Marketplace, we will be hosting the opening reception for local photographer, naturalist and June Artist-of-the Month Frank Knight. His month-long exhibit is entitled, "Seventeen Native Orchids and a Weed." Come meet this wonderful local artist.

Harmony House's guest vintner on Friday is Lamoreaux Landing Wine Cellars from Lodi, New York. The award-winning Winery is located in a beautiful, Modern Greek Revival building overlooking Seneca Lake.

As an added bonus: Frank Knight is offering a hands-on workshop on Saturday, June 5th, from 9:30 to 12:00 Noon at Harmony House Marketplace entitled "Take More Creative Images: Focus on Composition and Light"

The class is a non-technical Indoor/Outdoor Photo Workshop focusing on: People candids with fill-flash
Remsen St. Victorian Architecture
and A Visit to the Cohoes Falls
The cost of the workshop is $5.00. To register, please call Harmony House at 238-2232.


Much is happening in Cohoes...Come be part of it!

Come to Cohoes on Friday Nights to Sample Wonderful NYS Wine

Every Friday from 5 to 7 PM (4 to 7 PM when the Cohoes Farmers' Market is operational (June to October)), wonderful New York State wines can be sampled at Harmony House Marketplace located at 184-190 Remsen Street. The Wine Seller at Harmony House carries product from 115 NYS vintners, large and small, new and old. All five grape growing regions of the State are represented. The atmosphere is fun and informal and the philosophy used is: "Good wine is wine you like."

This Friday a sampling of wines from Chateau LaFayette Reneau (Hector, New York) and Treleaven (King Ferry, New York) can be tasted.

While at Harmony House check out R & G Cheesemakers, located in the back of 188 Remsen. Sean and his team produce fabulous goat and cow milk cheeses; one of which was recently featured on the Food Network!

I'm Back After Finding My Farming Roots in Poland

Hello! So sorry for my absence as I have been out and about on holiday...
I had the most incredible opportunity to travel to southeast rural Poland this month and meet family.

It all started with a lost letter, which was subsequently found after forty-two years. Written in Polish and being curious, I had it translated into English. The letter, which had been authored by a unknown cousin, was originally written to my now deceased maternal grandmother asking for buttons, pieces of material and handkerchiefs. (I can only assume the difficulty one encountered living under communism.) Needless to say, I wrote the author of the original letter and she wrote me back! We corresponded for almost two years with her writing in Polish and me then having to write back in English. The process was very time consuming but exciting. Note: I did sign-up and for a short period of time to take Polish language lessons from a wonderful woman named Kazia in Cohoes. (As you can imagine, I did not do very well.)

Many times my new-found cousin invited us to come visit them and finally, with frequent flier miles about to expire I said, Let's go!" Too bad only my husband had interest in traveling to Poland with me. Off we went... I cannot begin to describe what a wonderful, friendly, scenic country Poland is. In total we meet at least fifty new-found family members; all of whom opened their homes, kitchens and hearts. Almost all were self-sufficient with homemade cheese, kielbasa, dumplings and plum vodka. They had root cellars, potato fields and backyard wells. Everyone had barns filled with chickens and pigs (and watch dogs). A few times it felt like we were visiting the pages of "National Geographic" with Polish women in boots and handkerchiefs tying bundles of twigs. Most had never meet Americans before and were thrilled that a family member had returned to the Motherland. It is the strangest feeling when people attentively watch you eat a meal or try the homemade vodka.

In many respects we were treated like celebrities. Only one family member could speak English...the poor kid (my official translator) missed several days of high school so that we could communicate with family as we went about visiting. We visited cemeteries and I was able to trace back five generations on a family tree. No one we meet ever had the opportunity to go to college. Most homes contained at least three generations of family. No one smoked! I was told it was because cigarettes are too expensive. And everyone, although they seemed to have so much less material wise, was HAPPY. Don't figure.

I have a new found pride in my Polish heritage. I realize how lucky I was to have found that letter. Next Sunday, my ailing mom turns 80. My four older brothers and I are throwing her a party complete with a Polka Band, dumplings and vodka shots! Here's to being Polish...

Catharine Valley Winery Visiting Cohoes This Evening

On Friday, April 16th from 5:00 - 7:00 PM, Judy from Catharine Valley Winery (Burdett, New York) will be at Harmony House Marketplace in Cohoes for sampling and discussion of their popular wines such "Lost Irishman" and "Sweet Revenge". One of the newest Seneca Lake Wineries; Catharine Valley is a family owned and operated Farm Winery committed to deliver the very finest Domestic and Alsatian style varietal wines.
NOTE: About their name... Catharine (pronounced Cathareen) was Queen of the Seneca Indians and known for her grace and cordiality.

Call 238-2232 for further information.

Women's Business Networking Luncheon Every Month in Cohoes

Every second Tuesday of each month we host a Women's Business Networking Luncheon at Harmony House Marketplace in Cohoes. The cost is always the same, but the meal choices and list of attendees tends to change. Yes, we have our core group of regulars but each month new women come and with them, they bring their business ideas and entrepreneurial spirit. Not a month goes by without some inspiring antidote surfacing. It is a very relaxed, welcoming meal that allows attendees to introduce both themselves and their business (or business idea). The luncheon is open to anyone (even men) and we tend to get a sampling of many industries; from real estate agents to contractors, from restaurant owners to bankers, from Mary Kay Sales Representatives to Yarn Shop Owners. It is a wonderful atmosphere to meet and greet.
One such individual I have had the opportunity get to know is Julie DeFruscio, Cohoes resident and Partner in "Girly Girl Studio." Here’s a new company that bears a second look. They support local manufacturing and have a unique fun product; custom made handbags. You can actually have a home party to create your perfect bag or you can design the bag on line. Girly Girl Studio, has a unique concept called “Pocket to Purse” with a collection of great “Pursey Paks” (cell phone cases) that you design to match your handbag, you then can clip these cases right inside your handbag. Want to grab your pursey pak for a quick run into the store than grab it and clip it to your belt loop. They are really cute and these Pursey Paks, will hold cell phone credit cards and more. Just a fun company with a growing line of not only handbags, but t-shirts, jewelry and more. Check out their website at www.girlygirlstudio.com
Better yet, come to our next Women's Business Networking Luncheon on Tuesday, May 11th at 12:00 noon and meet her yourself!

Calling All Park Angels - The City of Watervliet is Looking for a Few Good Volunteers

On Monday, April 19th at 7:00 PM, Mark Gleason, General Manager for the City of Watervliet, will be holding an informational meeting at the Mayor J. Leo O'Brien Municipal Center, located at the corner of 15th Street and Broadway, on the implementation of a Park Angel Program in the City.

What a wonderful way of connecting to the community while keeping Watervliet beautiful. Volunteers will be able to share their gardening knowledge while learning new techniques.

Why become a Park Angel? It's easy, it's free and your parks will thank you!

For further information please call 270-3800 ext. 100.

Free Friday Night Tasting of Casa Larga Wines at Harmony House this Evening

From 5:00 - 7:00 PM this evening, Jack Mehan will be at Harmony House Marketplace, providing free samples of Casa Larga Wines. Established in 1974 in Fairport, NY, Casa Larga Vineyards is Monroe County's only winery.

Casa Larga was the winner of the 2005 Governor's Cup for "Best Wine in NY State", and winner of the 2008 Trophy for "Best Dessert Wine" at the 2008 International Wine & Spirits Competition in London.

Harmony House is located at 184-190 Remsen Street in Historic Downtown Cohoes. Participants must be at least 21 years of age to sample. Please call 238-2232 for further information.

Hello

Introductions should be made. Hello. My name is Diane Conroy-LaCivita. (Yes, I do realize that my name is a mouthful...my apologies. Think of "Lots of Pizza" and you will remember "LaCivita"). I reside in the Town of Colonie, work for the City of Watervliet and co-own a small business named Harmony House Marketplace in Historic Downtown Cohoes. I am proud to be part of the Capital Region, believe in educating the public and working collaboratively with others so all involved have the opportunity to benefit. At Harmony House, we go by several mottos, two of which are "When you buy New York, you build New York" and "Buy Local - Everyone Wins." 

I was asked by The Record to begin a Blog that would share the perspective of a small business owner while incorporating all other "stuff" we are involved in.
 
Upcoming activities include:

Educational Field Trip to Long Island
As part of our educational mission, Harmony House Marketplace is sponsoring a weekend bus outing to Long Island on Sat. and Sun., May 8th and 9th to learn more about the crops, product and produce originating in this agricultural region of New York State. The itinerary includes stops at a potato vodka distillery, an oyster farm, a local buffalo restaurant, many well known wineries and a brand new brewery. The group will be staying overnight in Greenport and will have an opportunity to meet the people influencing agriculture in Long Island. For further information, please call 238-2232.

Watervliet and Cohoes Farmers' Markets Getting Organized for 2010 Season 
The Watervliet Farmers' Market has changed its name to the Watervliet Waterfront Farmers Market to reflect its move back down to the pavilion at Hudson Shores Park (directly off Exit 8 of Interstate 787). This Market will officially open on Tuesday, June 1st from 2:30 - 5:30 PM and features many well known local farmers and producers. Come check out this Market's wonderful location right on the banks of the Hudson River in a newly dedicated "dog friendly" park.

The Cohoes Farmers' Market will officially open on Friday, June 4th from 4:00 - 7:00 PM in the large municipal parking lot on Remsen Street directly across the street from Harmony House and BeauKnits Yarn Shop. In addition to growers and producers, the Cohoes Market has many community groups participate. Remsen Street becomes the community center on Friday nights during the summer with many shops staying open later to accommodate the foot traffic.

Both Markets’ are still accepting applications for new vendors. For the Watervliet Farmers’ Market, please call 270-3800 ext. 123. For the Cohoes Farmers’ Market, please call 238-2232.