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<strong>HER</strong><strong>LIFE</strong> MAGAZINE OCTOBER 2012 <strong>HER</strong><strong>LIFE</strong>NEWYORK.COM<br />

in this<br />

issue:<br />

Taming The<br />

Hungry Tiger<br />

Ten Things to Do Besides Eat!<br />

AND<br />

October<br />

IS Domestic<br />

Violence Awareness<br />

Month<br />

plus<br />

ATTITUDE<br />

IS EVERYTHING<br />

A CANCER SURVIVOR’S STORY<br />

and more!<br />

KEEPING WOMEN CONNECTED<br />

Sarah<br />

Kuhn<br />

New York’s<br />

Total<br />

Knockout


herlife | contents<br />

october 2012<br />

14<br />

welcome 6<br />

health 10<br />

Beauty 12<br />

inspirations 14<br />

cravings 18<br />

culinary 20<br />

recipes 22<br />

Sarah “The Knockout” Kuhn<br />

Like many little girls, Sarah Kuhn was a ballerina, and didn’t outgrow her love for the art as she grew up. But<br />

one day as she was headed to a dance studio, fate intervened and showed her a new way to dance—in the<br />

boxing ring. Now, this powerhouse has multiple titles under her belt, and she’s ready to show the world that<br />

she’s coming out swinging.<br />

trendsetter 24<br />

spotlight 34<br />

10<br />

46<br />

mother’s perspective 36<br />

working women 38<br />

spotlight 40<br />

tie the knot 42<br />

TAMING THE HUNGRY TIGER<br />

You hear them at the worst possible times, and you<br />

feel them after your evening dinner—hunger growls<br />

and groans blaring from your belly. Why are you<br />

always so hungry, so often<br />

Are you truly ravenous, or could other things be<br />

happening that make you feel like you need to<br />

make a beeline for the bakery and buy all of the<br />

buttercream frosting<br />

rachel uccellini’s Just Sayin’...<br />

As I make my way into the home stretch of my first<br />

pregnancy, clocking in at eight months, of course I<br />

find myself deep in reflection. The summer flew by<br />

although not without being chock-full of advice and<br />

colorful commentary. In-laws, relatives, colleagues, dental<br />

hygienists, drycleaners, butcher counter attendants,<br />

friends who haven’t experienced pregnancy, friends who<br />

have experienced pregnancy, as well as people in line at<br />

(enter arbitrary place of business <strong>HER</strong>E), were all eager<br />

to weigh in on how I should birth and raise my daughter.<br />

scene and be seen 44<br />

jUST sAYIN’ 46<br />

IN THE REGION 48<br />

4 <strong>HER</strong><strong>LIFE</strong>newyork.com


<strong>HER</strong><strong>LIFE</strong>MAGAZINE.COM 5


herlife | welcome<br />

Authentic Self<br />

photo by kermit hayes<br />

for kermit hayes photography<br />

People never cease to amaze me. We walk around with certain beliefs and routines,<br />

and some of us are unwavering. Others are incredibly flexible, loving and always<br />

wanting to learn. As I continue to age, I find myself questioning what really matters<br />

to me. One part of my journey is truly trying to identify with my authentic self and<br />

being true to me. Sounds like a great idea but often tough to execute. Like every other<br />

human, I find myself sometimes being at the effect of others’ opinions, expectations and<br />

unwavering beliefs. As I grow older, I am less and less at the effect of all of the superficial<br />

chatter which takes place in our society and more intrigued with learning from and meeting<br />

people who are brave enough to be themselves and persevere.<br />

In this issue of <strong>HER</strong><strong>LIFE</strong>, we meet some incredible women. Sarah “The Knockout”<br />

Kuhn, our cover feature, is not only beautiful, but she is a professional welterweight<br />

boxer, ranked sixth in the world, and lives here in the Capital Region. After meeting<br />

Sarah, I truly encountered a woman who is in touch with her passion and trains in a sport<br />

not traditionally associated with women. She’s successful and perseveres through with a<br />

beauty and grace. However, I don’t want to mess with her!<br />

October is a month that brings to the forefront the conversation about breast cancer<br />

awareness. There are numerous organizations and people in the Capital-Adirondack Region<br />

who are true heroes when it comes to making strides to find a cure for breast cancer<br />

and helping those who are diagnosed with the disease. We definitely salute you all.<br />

One of those heroes is Wilhemina (“Willie”) Sheridan, a three-time cancer survivor<br />

and organizer for the Relay for Life event in Lake Placid, New York. Through her trials<br />

and victories, you will meet a woman who is in touch with who she is. She approaches<br />

life authentically and shows us that attitude is everything.<br />

October is also the month for domestic violence awareness. Domestic violence<br />

comes in many forms and affects many different types of people. As we speak to experts in<br />

the field, we learn more about this issue, and what organizations are doing in our communities to help and educate.<br />

And in the spirit of true fun and tender moments, I have convinced one of my friends, Rachel Uccellini, who is eight months pregnant, to<br />

be our Trendsetter model. During this summer, Rachel was stunning as she embraced her pregnancy. Instead of us guessing at what a pregnant<br />

woman would wear to be comfortable and fashionable, we raided Rachel’s closet.<br />

I also asked Rachel to contribute to the ‘Just Sayin’ column, and, being a true friend, she responded enthusiastically. Since I have been focused<br />

on my journey for authenticity and listening more to my inner voice and less to others’ opinions and judgments, I asked Rachel what advice<br />

she would give her daughter. She is kind enough to share her thoughts with us.<br />

Enjoy the crisp air and the beauty of the changing leaves which besets October, sit back, relax and enjoy another issue of <strong>HER</strong><strong>LIFE</strong>.<br />

With deepest appreciation,<br />

read<br />

share<br />

recycle<br />

Join <strong>HER</strong><strong>LIFE</strong> New Yor k <strong>Magazine</strong> on Facebook and stay current on the hottest events and biggest deals around the region!<br />

6 <strong>HER</strong><strong>LIFE</strong>newyork.com


ose gold collection<br />

Rock Tradition.<br />

<strong>HER</strong><strong>LIFE</strong>MAGAZINE.COM 7


®<br />

Staff and Contacts<br />

Publisher and Editor-in-Chief<br />

Angela S. Beddoe<br />

angela@herlifenewyork.com<br />

Account Executive<br />

Janine Robinson<br />

janine@herlifenewyork.com<br />

Editorial Assistant and Administration<br />

Julie A. Pratt<br />

julie@herlifenewyork.com<br />

Editor<br />

Candi Smith<br />

Creative Director<br />

Ashleigh Thomson<br />

Design and Production<br />

Todd Grantham<br />

Art Director<br />

Elana Bell<br />

Makeup & Hair Styling<br />

Jennifer McCarthy Norton<br />

truegrace_makeup@hotmail.com<br />

Contributing Authors<br />

Lisa Allen, Ann E. Butenas, Joanne DiMarco,<br />

Kristen Doyle, Carl E. Johnston, Linda R. Price,<br />

Candi Smith, Rachel Uccellini<br />

Contributing Photographers<br />

Jill Richardson,<br />

Angela S. Beddoe, Todd Bissonette,<br />

Heather Bohm-Tallman, Bruce Curtis, Kristen Doyle,<br />

Kermit Hayes, Tom Pillsworth, Charles Slyer, Gina Slyer<br />

To contact <strong>HER</strong><strong>LIFE</strong> ® <strong>Magazine</strong>:<br />

65 Long Alley<br />

Saratoga Springs, NY 12866<br />

Phone: 518-580-0000 / Fax: 518-633-5102<br />

<strong>HER</strong><strong>LIFE</strong>® <strong>Magazine</strong> of New York is operated locally by Beddoe Publishing, LLC, an independently owned<br />

and operated franchisee of <strong>HER</strong><strong>LIFE</strong> <strong>Magazine</strong>, LLC. To reach national headquarters, call 913-402-6994.<br />

© 2012 by <strong>HER</strong><strong>LIFE</strong>® <strong>Magazine</strong>. All rights reserved. Although some parts of this publication may be reproduced<br />

and reprinted, we require that prior permission be obtained in writing.<br />

<strong>HER</strong><strong>LIFE</strong>® <strong>Magazine</strong> is owned by <strong>HER</strong><strong>LIFE</strong> <strong>Magazine</strong>, LLC and is a free publication distributed locally and<br />

is supported by our advertisers. It is available in selected specialty stores, grocery stores, doctor and dental offices,<br />

medical spas, hair and nail salons, tanning salons, public libraries and numerous other high traffic locations.<br />

Please call for a location near you or if you would like copies placed at your business.<br />

We do not necessarily endorse the views expressed in the articles and advertisements, nor are we responsible for<br />

the products and services advertised. We welcome your ideas, articles and feedback.<br />

SUBSCRIPTIONS<br />

Subscriptions are available for $20 (for 12 issues). Please go to www.herlifenewyork.com<br />

or mail a check made out to Beddoe Publishing, LLC to the above address.<br />

8 <strong>HER</strong><strong>LIFE</strong>newyork.com


<strong>HER</strong><strong>LIFE</strong>newyork.com 9


herlife | health<br />

Taming The<br />

Hungry Tiger<br />

by linda r. price<br />

You hear them at the worst possible times, and you feel<br />

them after your evening dinner—hunger growls and groans<br />

blaring from your belly. Why are you always so hungry, so<br />

often<br />

Are you truly ravenous, or could other things be happening that<br />

make you feel like you need to make a beeline for the bakery and buy<br />

all of the buttercream frosting The truth is, we may be getting morethan-adequate<br />

nutrition, but feel famished due to our lifestyle, mindset<br />

and habits. Here are just a few tactics to tame the hungry tiger, and eat<br />

food for energy and not for other reasons.<br />

HYDRATE<br />

Don’t down that doughnut. Gulp some water instead. Many times<br />

we think we are hungry, but we just need to hydrate. Drink an 8-ounce<br />

glass of water at the first sign of hunger, and then wait 15 minutes. If<br />

you still feel hungry, then nosh on a healthy snack.<br />

Also, check your urine throughout the day. Urine should be<br />

slightly yellow to almost clear if you are adequately hydrated. A dark<br />

yellow color warns that you need water.<br />

exercise intensity<br />

You do the right thing by exercising regularly, but why does it<br />

seem like after a run on the treadmill, you want to run to the fridge<br />

The problem could be in your workout. We often think we are burning<br />

more calories than we eat, but our regular routine just isn’t cutting<br />

it. Make sure to get your heart rate up by incorporating intervals into<br />

your workout. Intervals are short bursts of high-intensity activity that<br />

allow you to burn more calories in the same amount of workout time.<br />

Invigorating exercise can give you a natural energy boost, while the<br />

adrenaline you produce will keep your appetite in check.<br />

ENTITLEMENT<br />

So you have gotten a powerful workout in for the day and you’re<br />

ready to reap the rewards and chow down. Not so fast. Just because you<br />

got your “sweat on” doesn’t mean you can saddle up the feedbag. Don’t<br />

sabotage your workout by overeating afterward. Plan ahead and know<br />

what you will munch on throughout the day. Aim for a nutritious snack<br />

or small meal made of whole foods and produce. And keep portion sizes<br />

to a minimum. Just because you are eating healthy doesn’t mean you can<br />

overdo the good stuff.<br />

EAT BREAKFAST<br />

Mom was right. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day.<br />

Eating a hearty but nutritious breakfast reduces levels of the hunger<br />

hormone ghrelin which helps keep you feeling full and satisfied so<br />

the rest of your eating day is not disrupted by unhealthy food choices.<br />

Be mindful of your first meal, though. If you are a cereal eater, make<br />

sure to eat a lean protein like yogurt or egg whites with your bowl of<br />

Cheerios. The protein takes longer to digest, diverting you from those<br />

vending machine munchies. Dr. Jonathan Gerber, a weight loss specialist<br />

based in Queensbury and Saratoga Springs, NY agrees, “eating<br />

more protein in the morning and staying away from refined carbohydrates<br />

helps to control hunger cravings and keeps blood sugar level.”<br />

SNOOZE TO LOSE<br />

Disrupting sleep disrupts hormones, which causes us to eat more.<br />

Our body doesn’t metabolize as well after a restless night. Also, the<br />

more we are awake, the more we eat! Get some rest and see your doctor<br />

if sleepless nights persist.<br />

tame your emotions<br />

Boredom, stress and loneliness can trigger overeating. Recognize<br />

your high-risk times and know how to interpret physical food needs<br />

from just feeling funky. Break out of the emotional eating pattern by<br />

deciphering why you are reaching for food when you are not hungry.<br />

BE FINISHED WITH FAMISHED!<br />

Although hunger can feel fierce, we often can control our animallike<br />

cravings by simply changing our ways. By utilizing a full force of<br />

healthy tactics, we can tame the hungry tiger and get our bodies and<br />

minds back to life. ■<br />

10 <strong>HER</strong><strong>LIFE</strong>newyork.com


Things to Do Besides Eat!<br />

• Fiddle your fingers to give yourself something to do<br />

with your hands. Knit, crochet, play a board game or<br />

play the piano (even if you play it poorly).<br />

• Take a walk. The urge to purge can disappear with a<br />

simple ten-minute stroll in the fresh air.<br />

• Make a to-do list. Skip the ho-hum stuff and bring out<br />

the big guns. Make a list of new healthy foods to try,<br />

conquer that kickboxing class or scribble your goals<br />

for the New Year.<br />

• Read something, but forgo the magazines with pictures<br />

of food!<br />

• Concoct a craft with your kids.<br />

• Call someone who makes you feel good and make<br />

them feel good, too.<br />

• Clean out a closet.<br />

• Research a new charity.<br />

• Practice a breathing technique.<br />

Information for this article was found at acefitness.org and<br />

weightwatchers.com<br />

<strong>HER</strong><strong>LIFE</strong>newyork.com 11


herlife | beauty<br />

Easy, Elegant<br />

EYEBROWS<br />

by ann e. butenas<br />

I<br />

am a make-up junkie! I have a drawer full of supplies that promise<br />

me a new look, improved features, and diminished lines and<br />

wrinkles. By<br />

all accounts, I<br />

should look like<br />

a super model.<br />

However, it seems<br />

I continue to miss<br />

the mark and<br />

then realized one<br />

simple aspect of<br />

my regimen that<br />

I rarely observe—<br />

the eyebrow.<br />

I have been<br />

fortunate that with<br />

time and age, my<br />

eyebrows have<br />

remained consistently<br />

the same.<br />

No flyaway hairs.<br />

No unibrow look.<br />

No gray hairs. I<br />

once had them<br />

waxed but vowed<br />

I would never do<br />

that again. Yes,<br />

I am a wimp.<br />

In my arsenal of make-up supplies, I have one lone eyebrow pencil<br />

that has seen better days. I occasionally fill in my eyebrows with a<br />

deepened brown color and then rub it in. It looks natural but does not<br />

really make an overall difference in my appearance. By addressing the<br />

eyebrows, however, we can create a stylish difference in our features.<br />

In order to figure out how to get those stylish looks that seem so<br />

12 <strong>HER</strong><strong>LIFE</strong>newyork.com<br />

effortless to Hollywood celebrities and fashion models, it is important<br />

to first determine the shape of your face. There are essentially four<br />

types of faces:<br />

round, oval,<br />

heart-shaped<br />

and long.<br />

If you<br />

have a round<br />

face, your<br />

face is nearly<br />

as wide as it<br />

is long, with<br />

your cheeks<br />

being the widest<br />

part of your<br />

face. With an<br />

oval face, the<br />

cheekbones are<br />

defined and<br />

your forehead is<br />

wider than your<br />

chin. If you<br />

have a wider<br />

forehead but a<br />

less outstanding<br />

chin, then you<br />

have a heartshaped<br />

face.<br />

Finally, if your cheekbones, forehead and jaw are the same width and<br />

your chin is defined, this is recognized as a long face.<br />

For round faces, it is best to tone down the fullness of it by creating<br />

a high arch in the brow. By doing this, you draw the eye up and<br />

down, making your face appear longer. For oval faces, a soft, angled<br />

style works best on the brows.<br />

In order to figure out how to get those stylish looks<br />

that seem so effortless to Hollywood celebrities<br />

and fashion models, it is important to first<br />

determine the shape of your face.


If you have a heart-shaped face, styling the perfect brow can minimize<br />

the sharp angles of your face. If you have a long face, you will<br />

want to style your eyebrows to make the face appear shorter. This is<br />

achieved by flattening the shape of the eyebrow, as a horizontal shape<br />

tends to keep the eye moving across, and not up and down.<br />

Before heading to the mirror, determine the natural arch of your<br />

brows. Then, you will need a couple pairs of tweezers: a slant-tipped<br />

pair for thicker hairs and a needle-nose-tipped pair that can readily<br />

grab those pesky, shorter hairs that are difficult to reach. Before<br />

tweezing, it is recommended that you brush the brow hairs straight up.<br />

Before you begin plucking, use a white eyeliner pencil as a guide to<br />

draw the desired shape of your brows.<br />

Use a dab of Vaseline for added shine.<br />

For a fuller look (think Brooke Shields,<br />

not Eugene Levy!), brush the thickest<br />

part of your brows, near the inside<br />

corner, straight up and apply the gel.<br />

Next, you have to pick your eyebrow pencils wisely. (I won’t<br />

mention the time I got ready in dim lighting and accidentally used<br />

my black eyeliner pencil on my brows.) If you are blonde, it is best<br />

to match your darkest brow hairs to the pencil color for definition. If<br />

you are a redhead, use sable. Brunettes are advised to pick a color that<br />

is one shade lighter than their hair color to soften the look. For those<br />

heading into the afternoon of life and finding grayer hairs in their<br />

brows, taupe works best to reduce dull tones.<br />

Now that you have filled in your brows with the right color, it’s<br />

time to add definition and shine! And there’s no need to purchase<br />

expensive products to do this. Use a dab of Vaseline for added shine.<br />

For a fuller look (think Brooke Shields, not Eugene Levy!), brush the<br />

thickest part of your brows, near the inside corner, straight up and apply<br />

the gel. If it is extra color you desire, use tinted brow gel.<br />

To maintain the look of your eyebrows, regular maintenance<br />

with a professional shaping every few months works. For fine brows,<br />

tweezing does wonders for controlling the hairs. For medium brows,<br />

waxing is a great option to remove more hair at one time as opposed<br />

to the tedious and painful procedure of plucking individual hairs. If<br />

your brows are on the heavier side, threading is a wonderful option that<br />

removes thick and thin hairs at the same time. Lisa Zibella, owner of<br />

Bella Rouge Cosmetic & Skincare in Clifton Park, NY, notes, “a well<br />

groomed eyebrow frames your face, anchors the rest of your make up<br />

and gives you a put together look.”<br />

The important things you need to know to create perfect brows<br />

are the shape of your face, the color of your hair and the density of<br />

your brows. The rest is simple! With your fabulous new look, you’ll be<br />

showing off your elegant eyebrows in no time! ■<br />

Sources for this article are shape.com and marieclaire.com.<br />

<strong>HER</strong><strong>LIFE</strong>newyork.com 13


herlife | inspirations<br />

makeup by jennifer mccarthy norton<br />

dress and jewelry courtesy of<br />

apropos prom and bridal, albany, ny<br />

aproposprom.com<br />

14 <strong>HER</strong><strong>LIFE</strong>newyork.com


Sarah<br />

[THEµKNOCKOUT]<br />

Kuhn<br />

by ann e. butenas | photography by jill richardson<br />

Albany resident Sarah Kuhn is a typical young woman. She is<br />

a reality TV fan. Pink is her favorite color. She is still a newlywed,<br />

married to local radio personality Brian Cody of 92.3<br />

FM’s The Fly Morning Rush show. She loves to cook and bake. She has<br />

a great job managing the bar at Milano Italian Restaurant in Latham.<br />

And she boxes. Professionally. And she is ranked # 6 in the world by the<br />

Women’s Boxing Archive Network (WBAN). Okay, so perhaps she is<br />

typical to a point, but when she is in the ring, that is where her true colors<br />

shine, especially the pink. Surprisingly, though, a professional boxing<br />

career was something Sarah never even entertained. After all, she has<br />

a degree in the Culinary Arts and manages a bar. How did professional<br />

boxing even enter the picture<br />

“I didn’t even know women boxed,” she admitted. “But when I first<br />

got into the sport four years ago, I realized that I had a natural talent for<br />

it and when I realized my potential, I decided that if I really wanted to<br />

do this, I was going to give it my all. I had always been involved in sports,<br />

but I never really excelled at anything until I got into boxing.” And she<br />

certainly never imagined how she would end up in the boxing ring fighting<br />

for a world title, but her journey to this point is very interesting.<br />

Naturally athletic, Sarah has always been involved in athletics<br />

throughout her life. Born and raised in Schoharie, Sarah was homeschooled<br />

all the way through high school along with her younger<br />

brother Jesse. Sarah benefited from the love and guidance of two<br />

very supportive parents, Frank and Phyllis, who kept both kids highly<br />

involved in extracurricular activities, from dance to music to church and<br />

multiple sporting endeavors. “Every day was different,” she recalled of<br />

her growing up years.<br />

After completing high school, Sarah studied at Paul Smiths College,<br />

earning a B.S. in Culinary Arts and Service Management in 2005.<br />

Her passion for this creative field of study was honed, in part, by her<br />

musical and artistic inclinations while growing up.<br />

“I danced for nearly ten years growing up, primarily ballet, along<br />

with some tap and jazz, and I loved it,” she smiled. “I also played the<br />

piano and sang. Jesse and I used to perform together. He would sing and<br />

play the guitar, and I would sing and dance.”<br />

When she was 14 years old, Sarah turned her attention to work.<br />

She got a part-time paper route and also baby sat. She still pursued her<br />

athletic interests but was not overly ambitious or competitive in this<br />

regard. “I’m athletic and have always loved sports–swimming, basketball,<br />

baseball–but I was never great at any one sport,” she recalled.<br />

When she was 15, Sarah began working at the Albany Marriott as<br />

an intern in their food service department, a position she maintained off<br />

and on during college. She also participated in the Boards of Cooperative<br />

Educational Services (BOCES) Vocational Program through the<br />

state of New York while a junior and senior in high school.<br />

“Because I was home-schooled, I was ahead in my studies and<br />

was able to pursue the culinary arts part of BOCES, which was where I<br />

learned to cook and fell in love with it. Whatever chance I had to bake<br />

or cook, I was on it,” she said.<br />

While in college, Sarah played basketball all four years but admits<br />

to never really pushing herself. “I had asthma as a child and also<br />

struggled with my weight. As a result, I never pushed myself to the level<br />

where I could become really fit and lose the weight,” she noted.<br />

Surprisingly, after college her asthma disappeared. She soon found<br />

a local gym at which to work out but eventually found herself just going<br />

through the motions. She was bored of the routine. She wanted some-<br />

<strong>HER</strong><strong>LIFE</strong>newyork.com 15


thing different. Driving home one day, she noticed a ballet studio and<br />

the next day stopped by. After all, she remembered how much she loved<br />

doing ballet as a child and figured it would be a fun way to exercise<br />

now. However, the studio was closed that day. She stopped by again the<br />

following day. It was still closed. Three doors down, though, was an unassuming<br />

place that caught her eye called “Sweeney’s Boxing.” (Think:<br />

Rocky Balboa-style training facility!)<br />

After a quick shoulder shrug, Sarah decided, “Why not” and<br />

confidently walked right into the gym–mini skirt, heels and all–and<br />

found herself face-to-face with owner Rick Sweeney, who immediately<br />

sized her up.<br />

“You wanna box” he inquired of her. “Sure, why not” she halflaughed,<br />

an air of some uncertainty to her voice. “How much do you<br />

weigh” was his next question.<br />

While Sarah’s only intention at the time was to lose weight and<br />

get in shape, she took advantage of that<br />

first complimentary work-out only to<br />

realize it was the most intense, bodynumbing,<br />

mind-blowing workout she<br />

had ever endured. “I couldn’t even<br />

open my hands the next day,” she emphasized.<br />

“It was brutal.”<br />

But she went back. Again, improved<br />

fitness and weight loss were the<br />

only things on her mind. She signed up<br />

for a membership and began working<br />

out regularly. Even though Sarah only<br />

saw that place as a format to get in shape,<br />

Rick saw something else—Sarah’s yet<br />

unrevealed potential.<br />

“He knew from the beginning that I could be a world champion<br />

someday,” said Sarah. “I think that motivation and encouragement from<br />

him definitely pushed me to work hard. He believed in me from day<br />

one.” Someone else at the gym also inspired Sarah.<br />

“There was a woman there, probably about 39 years old, and she<br />

was a pro boxer. I’d see her work out and figured if she could do that, so<br />

could I,” recalled Sarah. “She was my inspiration.”<br />

Her trainer eventually had Sarah spar with that woman. “I was so<br />

nervous I nearly threw up,” Sarah laughed. “I got punched that day and<br />

got my first black eye.”<br />

However, Sarah, 25 at the time, was not afraid. She was intrigued<br />

instead. She realized in that moment that perhaps–no, definitely–this<br />

was something she could do. Her three practices a week evolved into six,<br />

working out up to four hours a day and mastering the sport. Some might<br />

even argue it’s more of an art form, as the mental components of it are<br />

far more challenging than the physical. Such an inclination for creative<br />

and inspired thought comes naturally to Sarah anyway, along with a<br />

great reserve of athletic prowess that has confidently reared its head since<br />

she first crossed the threshold into Sweeney’s four years ago.<br />

Six months into her newfound passion, Sarah had lost 25 pounds<br />

“Walking to the ring<br />

is the most terrifying<br />

experience. That is when<br />

you feel so vulnerable<br />

and you really have to<br />

rely on your training.”<br />

and began to embrace the athlete she had become. By February 2009,<br />

she had won the Adirondack Region Golden Glove, her first amateur<br />

fight, after just three rounds. “Walking to the ring is the most terrifying<br />

experience,” she explained. “That is when you feel so vulnerable and<br />

you really have to rely on your training.”<br />

By this point, Sarah was recognized as the best female boxer in the<br />

region. Her passion intensified, and she pursued more fights. Six weeks<br />

later she won two more fights in another amateur elimination tournament<br />

at the New York State Golden Glove competition.<br />

After six more amateur fights, it was time to make a choice: turn pro<br />

or remain an amateur While the thought of being an Olympic athlete<br />

in this regard intrigued her, Sarah decided to pursue the professional<br />

route when she was 27 years old. Although mild-mannered by nature,<br />

her fighting style is aggressive and far more conducive to the professional<br />

circuit. She competed in five fights as a welterweight her first year and<br />

on December 3, 2011, she fought for<br />

and won a world title in Georgia, the<br />

WIBC Jr. Welterweight World Title<br />

through the Women’s International<br />

Boxing Counsel.<br />

With her wedding date set two<br />

months later, she agreed not to fight<br />

until after the nuptials so she would<br />

not have any bruises on her face.<br />

(“That would ruin those special wedding<br />

day photos, right” she mused.)<br />

So, from December 2011 through<br />

early June 2012, Sarah concentrated<br />

her efforts on intense training. Then,<br />

on June 16th, she fought in Albany<br />

against a highly-ranked opponent which brought her ranking up into<br />

the Top 10.<br />

When not at work or training, Sarah and Brian love to go out to<br />

dinner. “That is our alone time,” she smiled. “We both have busy lives<br />

with opposing schedules, so any time we get together is very special.<br />

We are big fans of Shogun for its amazing sushi. We also enjoy the<br />

Brown Derby.”<br />

What Sarah appreciates more than her professional boxing status<br />

is that this journey has proven to her that she can do whatever she puts<br />

her mind to. “I grew up with the insecurities typically associated with<br />

being overweight,” she said. “I am now in a position where I can inspire<br />

young girls and woman to lead a healthy lifestyle and I love that. I wish<br />

I had a female athlete to whom I could look up as a child. Being a role<br />

model and inspiration to others is far more important to me than any<br />

title. Empowering others is the real victory. When people tell me that I<br />

have given them hope, that is one of the most tremendous gifts I have<br />

ever received.”<br />

Just one look at Sarah and you can see that, despite her obvious<br />

natural beauty, confidence is truly her best accessory. No matter how<br />

you look at it, Sarah Kuhn is a total knock-out, in more ways than one. ■<br />

16 <strong>HER</strong><strong>LIFE</strong>newyork.com


<strong>HER</strong><strong>LIFE</strong>newyork.com 17


herlife | cravings<br />

Sisters Bistro<br />

The S’mores started with the chewiest, gooiest brownie<br />

with a house-made marshmallow, toasted on all sides to<br />

golden brown, and finished with a graham cracker crumble<br />

served with shot of hot chocolate espresso.<br />

by joanne dimarco | photography by tom pillsworth<br />

I<br />

get a lot of recommendations of places to eat. There are, however, a<br />

few people I seek out for suggestions. Such was the case when I knew<br />

I would be traveling to Old Forge. Sisters Bistro came highly recommended<br />

with good reason!<br />

We sat on the front porch of the charming Victorian overlooking<br />

Main Street. I am a people watcher, so I was in my element! My companion<br />

chose a bottle of Heron Hill Dry Riesling, perfect for an end-of- summer<br />

evening. I started with Spicy Red Pepper Hummus. It had just the<br />

right amount of heat, served with expertly toasted flatbreads. My companion<br />

chose the Mussels of the Day, prepared with a red wine reduction<br />

and Chorizo. The slightly spicy broth was so flavorful that my companion<br />

looked like he might drink it!<br />

We then moved on to salads. My Watermelon and Beet Salad was<br />

beyond amazing. Visually stunning and a flavor explosion, the sweetness<br />

of the beets and watermelon, lightly drizzled with Balsamic reduction, perfectly<br />

balanced the slightly bitter greens, seasoned with a little salt and pepper.<br />

No dressing needed. My companion had the signature Sister’s Salad, a<br />

more traditional salad with tomatoes, onions, Bleu Cheese, candied pecans,<br />

dried cranberries and bacon. Most of the produce is grown in the garden in<br />

the back yard of the restaurant. No wonder everything tasted so fresh!<br />

Our small plate entrées arrive and they looked almost too good to eat.<br />

Each component on the plate was well thought out for both flavor and<br />

visual appeal. My Jerk Rubbed Pork Tenderloin was served over a sweet potato<br />

purée flavored with Habañera Pepper with Jicama Salad and a Mango<br />

Sauce. To say I enjoyed it would be quite the understatement, but as much<br />

as I adored it, the real star was my companion’s Trout Special. It had a base<br />

of sweet corn purée, with thin slices of perfectly cooked trout, topped with<br />

a small mound of diced assorted fresh peppers—this dish was pure heaven.<br />

It was also the perfect pairing with the Dry Riesling, flavors I would never<br />

think to put together. It was, quite simply, the perfect plate, and the kind of<br />

dish I will remember for a long time to come.<br />

Our server, Eric, described each dessert for us. We had difficulty<br />

deciding on just two. We chose the Sisters’ version of S’mores and a<br />

Berry Cobbler. The S’mores started with the chewiest, gooiest brownie<br />

with a house-made marshmallow, toasted on all sides to golden brown,<br />

and finished with a graham cracker crumble served with shot of hot<br />

chocolate espresso. The cobbler was an abundant mixture of warm<br />

blueberries and blackberries topped with a blueberry and blackberry<br />

sorbet that melted into the cobbler. Both desserts were so flavorful, I<br />

couldn’t possibly pick a favorite.<br />

I’m not often moved to write about a server, but Eric was so knowledgeable<br />

and his timing was impeccable. He knew the source of each<br />

ingredient, and described the preparation with such confidence and polish,<br />

that we could almost taste each dish before it arrived. We were there for<br />

almost two and half hours, including a tour of the garden. We never felt<br />

rushed nor did we ever feel like we waited for anything.<br />

Sisters Bistro is well worth the trip to Old Forge. It hits the “hat trick”<br />

of food, atmosphere and service. ■<br />

For a great dining experience, visit Sisters Bistro at 3046 NY 28, Old<br />

Forge, New York, or call them at 315-369-1053.<br />

18 <strong>HER</strong><strong>LIFE</strong>newyork.com


Joanne DiMarco is a woman about town, professional networker and Vice President<br />

for Select Sotheby’s International Realty. She travels all over New York State and has<br />

a passion for the food and entertainment the region has to offer.<br />

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<strong>HER</strong><strong>LIFE</strong>newyork.com 9/12/12 10:13 AM 19


herlife | culinary<br />

Root Vegetables and Their<br />

Many Uses<br />

Many root vegetables are also full of complex carbohydrates and give you<br />

energy. They are low in calories and fat, and contain essential minerals such<br />

as potassium, phosphorus, magnesium and iron.<br />

by carl e. johnston<br />

Root vegetables are probably the most versatile of all the vegetables.<br />

They can be eaten raw, braised, boiled, roasted and<br />

stewed. I thought I had seen all their uses until this happened.<br />

Once, we were returning from a very large catering job with a very<br />

big truck at about 2 o’clock in the morning. We didn’t want to unload<br />

the truck and didn’t have a lock so we decided to back the truck up<br />

against the building. We accidentally backed into the gas meter, and<br />

broke a two-inch gas line, leaving natural gas spewing into the cold and<br />

windless night. We ran and called 911, and within minutes firefighters<br />

arrived. Fortunately, no fireballs or explosions had occurred. The<br />

fireman asked, “Is that your kitchen” followed by “You got a potato” I<br />

thought, “A potato Are you serious” We obliged and gave him the potato.<br />

And then, with a loud chunk, he stuck the potato on the broken<br />

pipe and the leak was sealed. And surely lives were saved. A few weeks<br />

later, we sent a bunch of potatoes to the firehouse. Just in case.<br />

Every day when I arrive at work, my day usually begins with root<br />

vegetables. Chopping onions, mincing garlic, peeling carrots and<br />

prepping potatoes—lots of them. We serve about 600 meals a day<br />

including breakfast, lunch and dinner, all fresh and all from scratch. I<br />

could tell you that it typically takes 22 cuts to medium-dice one onion,<br />

or that 13 to 70 Idaho potatoes sliced thin will fill a hotel pan to make<br />

a gratin that serves 40 people.<br />

But there are more interesting things to know about root vegetables.<br />

And if you like to buy your produce locally and seasonally,<br />

now is root vegetable season. When I see the faux fall leaves and plastic<br />

gourds filling the planters and Christmas commercials on television,<br />

20 <strong>HER</strong><strong>LIFE</strong>newyork.com


I know that it must be late September. I start thinking about things<br />

like oven-roasted rutabagas and beets, and carrots with brown sugar.<br />

Puréed celeriac and potatoes with roasted garlic. Sweet potatoes with<br />

honey and sweet cream butter. Turnips and turnip greens with hot<br />

pepper sauce. Roasted parsnips with horseradish. And of course, the<br />

ubiquitous king of the root vegetable kingdom—the potato in all of<br />

its mashed, fried, boiled, sautéed and baked forms. I love the fact that<br />

root vegetables are most commonly served in hot dishes and harvested<br />

when the days and nights begin to get cooler.<br />

So we know root vegetables can be used as an improvised catastrophe<br />

prevention tool. But did you also know that they are a valuable<br />

source of vitamins and minerals which are absorbed from the soil they<br />

grow in They are typically planted in the summer and harvested in<br />

the fall. When I was growing up, we kept our potatoes under the house<br />

on a bed of straw covered with pickling lime. They always lasted well<br />

into the winter months and as kids, retrieving the potatoes for dinner<br />

was always an adventure or a nightmare, depending on how dark it was.<br />

Most root vegetables are great hearty additions to cool weather dishes<br />

like stews, soups and slow-braised meats, or simply roasted and served<br />

as accompaniments to any meal.<br />

Many root vegetables are also full of complex carbohydrates and<br />

give you energy. They are low in calories and fat, and contain essential<br />

minerals such as potassium, phosphorus, magnesium and iron. Root<br />

vegetables can also improve your mental health with their high concentrates<br />

of antioxidants which help to remove toxins from your body.<br />

Carrots, sweet potatoes and turnips are high in Vitamin C and<br />

beta-carotene, which help clean the blood and prevent high blood<br />

pressure. Beta-carotene is also good for your eyes and can help in the<br />

prevention of cataracts and certain cancers. Onions and garlic are<br />

great for your heart. They can lower cholesterol and blood pressure by<br />

preventing blood clots. They also help to build up your immune system<br />

which can prevent common ailments like a cold or the flu. Since<br />

they are high in fiber and nutrients, they can also help satisfy cravings<br />

and aid your digestive system.<br />

We all know about potatoes, carrots and onions, but the list of<br />

beneficial root vegetables covers a much broader spectrum. The most<br />

common types of root vegetables are taproots and tubers. Taproots<br />

grow vertically downwards, forming a central root from which other<br />

roots sprout. These roots are typically energy storehouses for the plant,<br />

thus the elevated levels of nutrients. They include carrots, beets,<br />

turnips, celery root (celeriac), rutabaga, parsnip and radish. Tubers<br />

grow more horizontally and shoots will sprout from the top and roots<br />

from the bottom. Tubers include potato, yam, Jerusalem artichoke and<br />

daylily.<br />

Enjoy your root vegetables with a new admiration for their many<br />

characteristics, flavors and benefits. ■<br />

Sources for this article are buzzle.com and care2.com.<br />

<strong>HER</strong><strong>LIFE</strong>newyork.com 21


herlife | recipes<br />

Halloween Candy Corn Pretzel Bark<br />

recipes and photography by kristen doyle<br />

Ingredients:<br />

24 ounces white chocolate baking<br />

squares, chopped<br />

2 cups thin, salted pretzel sticks, broken<br />

into pieces<br />

2 cups candy corn<br />

Instructions:<br />

1. Line a baking sheet with waxed paper or parchment paper.<br />

2. Place white chocolate in a large microwavable bowl and melt in the<br />

microwave for 1 minute; stir. Microwave at additional 15-second intervals, stirring<br />

until smooth.<br />

3. Stir in pretzel sticks and candy corn. (Press in additional pretzel sticks and<br />

candy corn for added color, if desired.)<br />

4. Spread out on the lined baking sheet. Chill in the freezer for 15-20 minutes<br />

until set. Break into pieces. Refrigerate in an airtight container. ■<br />

22 <strong>HER</strong><strong>LIFE</strong>newyork.com


<strong>HER</strong><strong>LIFE</strong>newyork.com 23


herlife | trendsetter<br />

pregnancy<br />

fashion<br />

clothes provided by ms. uccellini<br />

top by french laundry maternity<br />

leggings by ronen chen<br />

boots by vince camuto<br />

CASUAL<br />

photography by jill richardson<br />

makeup by jennifer mccarthy norton<br />

model rachel uccellini<br />

24 <strong>HER</strong><strong>LIFE</strong>newyork.com


WORK<br />

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shoes by nine west<br />

<strong>HER</strong><strong>LIFE</strong>newyork.com 25


COCKTAIL<br />

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dress by david meister<br />

shoes by sergio rossi<br />

26 <strong>HER</strong><strong>LIFE</strong>newyork.com


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<strong>HER</strong><strong>LIFE</strong>newyork.com 27


28 <strong>HER</strong><strong>LIFE</strong>newyork.com


<strong>HER</strong><strong>LIFE</strong>newyork.com 29


October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month<br />

Alain Polynice M.D. F.A.C.S<br />

BOARD CERTIFIED PLASTIC SURGEON<br />

Breast & Body Specialist<br />

Q.I recently had a diagnosis of breast cancer and<br />

I am scheduled for a double mastectomy. What<br />

are my options for reconstruction<br />

A.<br />

When considering breast reconstruction, there are<br />

two options. The 1st is to use expanders and implants<br />

to reconstruct the breasts and, the 2nd option<br />

is to use the patient’s own tissues. This is known as autologous<br />

breast reconstruction. There are many factors that will affect<br />

the choice of reconstruction.<br />

An implant based reconstruction usually involves two separate<br />

procedures. The first procedure is the placement of the<br />

expander which will stretch the tissue and create space for a<br />

permanent implant. The second stage will involve removal<br />

of the expander and placement of the permanent implant.<br />

Some patients may not be a good candidate for implant based<br />

reconstruction and these are mainly patients who have had<br />

radiation therapy or patients who have a mastectomy on one<br />

side and a very large breast on the other side that may cause<br />

significant asymmetry.<br />

When considering reconstruction using the patient’s<br />

own tissues, this can be done with a variety of different flaps.<br />

The most common flap is called a TRAM flap which stands<br />

for transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap. This is<br />

essentially a breast reconstruction that is done using the skin<br />

and fat from the lower abdomen. The skin is then transferred<br />

to the chest area and a breast is shaped and created using the<br />

patient’s own tissues. A skin and muscle flap from the back<br />

can also be used. This is known as a latissimus flap but usually<br />

this requires using an implant as well.<br />

If you are seen in consultation by Dr. Polynice, he will discuss<br />

in detail all of these options with you and decide which<br />

one might best achieve your reconstructive goals.<br />

Q.<br />

I just recently had a diagnosis of breast cancer<br />

and considering reconstruction. What is the best<br />

timing for reconstruction<br />

A.<br />

When a patient gets a diagnosis of breast cancer,<br />

it is very important that she be followed by a team<br />

of surgeons and physicians, namely the oncologist,<br />

the breast surgeon who would be performing the mastectomy<br />

and the plastic surgeon who will be doing the reconstruction.<br />

When all of the team members work together, the ultimate<br />

results are significantly improved. When the general surgeon<br />

and plastic surgeon work closely together, they can devise a<br />

much better plan to provide a significantly improved outcome.<br />

That is why it is important to have an early consultation<br />

with the plastic surgeon so that the patient can be aware<br />

of all of the available options and also which option would<br />

specifically be better for her.<br />

Q.I am planning to have reconstruction following<br />

my mastectomy and have chosen to have implants.<br />

How do I know what size implants I will<br />

be happy with<br />

A.<br />

At the time of your consultation your physician<br />

should not only discuss with you all of the available<br />

options but will also take measurements during<br />

the examination and do imaging that will allow you to have<br />

a very good idea of the ultimate outcome. In my office we<br />

use Vectra 3D imaging where a 3D photograph is taken and<br />

different implants can then be placed simulating the results<br />

that the patient would have following tissue expansion and<br />

permanent implant placement.<br />

Dr. Polynice is a board certified plastic surgeon who did<br />

his training in general surgery at North Shore University<br />

Hospital in Long Island and a burn fellowship at New<br />

York Hospital-Cornell Medical Center and plastic surgery<br />

training at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. Dr.<br />

Polynice also did a traveling fellowship visiting plastic surgeons<br />

around the world in order to hone his skills and create<br />

the focus his practice has today; mainly breast and body cosmetic<br />

and reconstructive surgery. He authored a book to assist<br />

patients in making an informed decision, on breast lifts<br />

and reductions and what to expect before and after breast<br />

surgery. Dr. Polynice practiced for many years in New York<br />

City before moving to Upstate New York.<br />

ADVERTORIAL<br />

30 <strong>HER</strong><strong>LIFE</strong>newyork.com


Dr. Gerald C. Benjamin, D.D.S., P.C.<br />

What should a patient expect in a dental<br />

exam<br />

The dental exam is probably the<br />

most important visit to the dentist. It is the time of<br />

discovery: what do we see and what does it mean<br />

At an exam, the dentist should ask a patient if<br />

anything has changed in their overall medical<br />

health and if any new conditions have appeared<br />

in their mouth since the last dental visit; sort of<br />

“bring me up to speed on what is going on.” X-<br />

rays should be taken if needed and at least once<br />

a year. The exam should include a survey of the<br />

face to discover anything that could be skin cancer,<br />

infection, cysts or tumors. The dentist may<br />

feel areas on your face or neck to check for swollen<br />

lymph glands which could mean infection or<br />

a serious condition. The oral exam should always<br />

begin with an oral cancer check of the tongue and<br />

back of the throat, and examination of the teeth<br />

for obvious tooth decay, broken fillings or chipped<br />

teeth. Broken or worn teeth may indicate that the<br />

patient’s bite may be ‘off’ and a more thorough<br />

investigation may be needed to evaluate how the<br />

teeth come together. An evaluation of the gum<br />

tissue including probing of pockets must occur at<br />

every dental checkup.<br />

The exam will then offer suggestions on how<br />

to proceed with treatment and whether the general<br />

dentist or a specialist should do the work.<br />

Why is dental health important for your<br />

overall health<br />

In recent years, a strong connection has been<br />

made between dental health and a person’s overall<br />

general health. Heart problems, artificial hips<br />

and knees, sleep apnea, low birth weight and brain<br />

infections, diabetes and numerous other health<br />

problems all have significant relationships to the<br />

dental health of the patient. “I don’t go to the dentist<br />

because I never get any cavities” is no longer<br />

a wise approach to staying healthy. For instance,<br />

bleeding gums in a patient who is about to have an<br />

artificial hip placed could lead to failure of the new<br />

hip because bacteria from the mouth could travel<br />

to the new hip through the bloodstream.<br />

When should I seek out a dental specialist<br />

I am a general dentist who limits my practice<br />

to fixing teeth and restoring implants. All other<br />

dental problems, such as root canal treatment,<br />

oral surgery, gum and bone problems and orthodontics<br />

are referred to dental specialists in my<br />

office. That does not mean that some general dentists<br />

are not qualified to perform root canals or<br />

extractions. Every dentist must know their limits<br />

AND patients must learn to demand excellence<br />

and ask to be referred to a specialist when challenging<br />

problems develop.<br />

Dr. Gerald C. Benjamin, D.D.S.P.C. is a<br />

devoted professional with over 27 years of experience<br />

in restorative and esthetic dentistry. He<br />

holds a Certificate of Proficiency in Esthetic<br />

Dentistry and Clinical Associate Professor,<br />

SUNY/Buffalo (visiting). For more information<br />

contact Dr. Benjamin at 518-583-1116 or<br />

www.benjaminsmile.com.<br />

ADVERTORIAL<br />

<strong>HER</strong><strong>LIFE</strong>newyork.com 31


Dr. Jonathan C. Gerber, D.C.<br />

What is Metabolic Syndrome<br />

Metabolic syndrome is a name for a group of<br />

risk factors that occur together and increase the<br />

risk for coronary artery disease, stroke, and type 2<br />

diabetes. It is becoming more and more common<br />

in the United States. Researchers are not sure<br />

whether the syndrome is due to one single cause,<br />

but all of the risks for the syndrome are related to<br />

obesity. The two most important risk factors for<br />

metabolic syndrome are extra weight around the<br />

middle and upper parts of the body and insulin<br />

resistance, in which the body cannot use insulin<br />

effectively. 1 Insulin is needed to help control the<br />

amount of sugar in the body. As a result, blood<br />

sugar and fat levels rise. The four components<br />

of this syndrome include obesity, diabetes, high<br />

cholesterol, and high blood pressure.<br />

Why is Metabolic Syndrome increasing<br />

What is happening to society today is that we<br />

are putting too much of the wrong fuel into our<br />

bodies. The amount of sugar we consume is staggering.<br />

Sugar acts as the mechanism that spikes<br />

the pancreas which in turn promotes fat storage.<br />

The underlying cause of most weight issues today<br />

is due to insulin dysfunction. Most of us probably<br />

over-indulge in breads, cereals, pastries, pasta,<br />

pizza, and corn, all of which tend to be “staples”<br />

in the American diet today. These foods cause<br />

the pancreas to overproduce insulin that remains<br />

in the system and puts blood sugar levels in the<br />

negative balance, according to the studies of Dr.<br />

Tran Tien Chanh, creator of the Ideal Protein<br />

Cellular Nutrition Program.<br />

When your body overproduces insulin, it can<br />

trigger hypoglycemia or low glycemic, which leads<br />

to a constant craving for sugar. That, of course,<br />

1. A.D.A.M. Medical Encyclopedia<br />

is a contributing factor to weight gain. The main<br />

function of insulin is to regulate blood sugar.<br />

When blood sugar levels drop and our bodies cannot<br />

access it for necessary fuel, the body moves<br />

into that sugar-craving mode and thus repeats this<br />

vicious cycle.<br />

How can we stop this cycle<br />

A key risk factor is being overweight. If you<br />

are overweight you should consult with your<br />

doctor and then participate in a weight reduction<br />

program that best suits you. I coach patients<br />

through the Ideal Protein Weight Loss Method;<br />

an FDA-approved program designed so that fat<br />

is lost but muscle mass is spared. It utilizes a<br />

four-phase protocol which works to stabilize the<br />

pancreas and blood sugar levels while burning fat<br />

and maintaining the muscle and lean tissue. The<br />

theory behind the Ideal Protein plan is to allow<br />

the body to return to its natural ability to digest<br />

sugars and regulate those insulin levels. It allows<br />

the pancreas to slow down a bit by cutting out unnecessary<br />

carbohydrates, both simple and complex,<br />

until the weight goal is achieved.<br />

Dr. Jonathan C. Gerber is a chiropractor<br />

licensed in New York, New Jersey, and Vermont<br />

and specializes in weight loss/wellness in upstate<br />

NY and surrounding areas.. For more information<br />

contact Dr. Gerber at 518-793-5555 or<br />

livewelladk.com.<br />

ADVERTORIAL<br />

32 <strong>HER</strong><strong>LIFE</strong>newyork.com


<strong>HER</strong><strong>LIFE</strong>newyork.com 33


herlife | spotlight<br />

Spotlight on Domestic Violence<br />

by ann e. butenas<br />

Maggie Fronk is extremely passionate about her job and enjoys<br />

being in a position to help people every day. However, she<br />

sincerely hopes that one day her position will be eliminated<br />

because these victim-assistance services are no longer needed.<br />

As the executive director of Domestic Violence and Rape Crisis<br />

Services of Saratoga County (DVRC), Maggie and her dedicated<br />

staff address myriad domestic violence issues that arise in all forms<br />

of human relationships, including teen dating, elders, men, women,<br />

families and same sex partnerships.<br />

National statistics suggest that one in four women and one in<br />

six men will be victims of domestic abuse. The challenge with quantifying<br />

relationship abuse is that people may never report the abuse<br />

or even realize they are victims of abuse.<br />

“We provide services to anyone who needs them through our<br />

24-hour hotline, emergency shelter, counseling staff and access to<br />

the legal system,” emphasized Maggie. “We help those individuals<br />

affected by domestic violence with housing, employment, child<br />

care and development of essential skills.”<br />

Maggie continued, “Many assume that domestic violence<br />

shows itself in the form of the proverbial black eye,<br />

but that’s not always the case. It involves things such<br />

as verbal threats, intimidation, financial control and<br />

emotional control.”<br />

DVRC handles on average 2,000 hotline calls<br />

each year in Saratoga County and provides in-services<br />

for 1,000 people annually. While traditionally they<br />

have focused their efforts on helping individuals<br />

already affected by domestic violence, they also push<br />

newer initiatives that promote prevention and early<br />

intervention.<br />

“For 30 years we have provided the best victim services,”<br />

stated Maggie. “We know we can end relationship<br />

abuse. Our goal now is to mobilize groups to change this.<br />

We want to prevent it from ever happening.”<br />

Among their many programs include talking to kids<br />

as young as elementary school age through the teen years<br />

about healthy relationships and signs of bullying and dating<br />

abuse. And it’s not just the girls who are victims.<br />

“Teenage boys can be targets of emotional control,<br />

threats and intimidation,” stressed Maggie. “Then there<br />

are the added components now of technology and cyberbullying,<br />

constant texting or calling on one’s cell phone.”<br />

DVRC also offers programs that provide information on how to<br />

keep safe in the workplace. “If someone is being harassed by a spouse<br />

or partner while at work, that impacts the employee’s productivity<br />

and feeling of safety,” Maggie noted.<br />

Every day, Maggie and her team are helping people change<br />

their lives and get what they never thought they could get. “At<br />

DVRC, we dream of a tomorrow without relationship violence, and<br />

achieve it by creating opportunities to transform lives,” said Maggie.<br />

At the state level, Amy Barasch, former executive director of<br />

New York State Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence<br />

(OPDV), is equally passionate about the work that OPDV does.<br />

“OPDV is the only executive-level state agency dedicated to domestic<br />

34 <strong>HER</strong><strong>LIFE</strong>newyork.com


National statistics suggest that one in<br />

four women and one in six men will<br />

be victims of domestic abuse. The<br />

challenge with quantifying relationship<br />

abuse is that people may never<br />

report the abuse or even realize they<br />

are victims of abuse.<br />

violence in the country,” she stressed. “It is an individual state agency<br />

dedicated solely to domestic violence.”<br />

In June, the state announced a package of legislation containing<br />

provisions to strengthen New York’s domestic violence laws including<br />

the creation of a new felony crime that penalizes repeat domestic violence<br />

offenders, as well as an added protection for domestic violence<br />

victims by requiring judges, when determining bail, to consider the<br />

presence of orders of protection and/or firearms—both known red<br />

flags for increased risk. The state will also be launching a Domestic<br />

Violence Fatality Review team, which will conduct in-depth analysis<br />

of intimate partner homicides to make recommendations about<br />

improving systems overall.<br />

Further, each October during Domestic Violence Awareness<br />

Month, OPDV promotes “Shine the Light on Domestic Violence,” a<br />

public awareness campaign that encourages the state to turn purple<br />

throughout the month. From skyscrapers to bridges, storefronts to<br />

shopping centers, purple lights illuminate the nights in October.<br />

Over 425 organizations and individuals participated last year, wearing<br />

purple, flying purple flags and more. Interested individuals can download<br />

a free toolkit with suggested ways to promote this campaign.<br />

“We are making great strides,” said Amy. “Every state agency in<br />

New York has a domestic violence in the workplace policy which provides<br />

a mechanism for individuals to disclose in confidence, partner<br />

with their employers to get safe and stay employed.” ■<br />

For more information, visit DVRC at 480 Broadway LL20, Saratoga<br />

Springs, call 518-583-0280 or go online at dvrcsaratoga.org. For<br />

more information on OPDV, go online at opdv.ny.gov or respectlove.<br />

opdv.ny.gov, or on Facebook at facebook.com/NYSdomesticviolence<br />

and facebook.com/RespectloveNYS. The NYS Domestic & Sexual<br />

Violence Hotlines are 1-800-942-6906 (all languages, 24/7) and 1-800-<br />

942-6908 (Spanish language, 24/7).<br />

<strong>HER</strong><strong>LIFE</strong>newyork.com 35


herlife | mother’s perspective<br />

Recognizing<br />

Treating<br />

Infant<br />

Skin Problems<br />

by lisa allen<br />

The fact that the phrase ‘smooth as a baby’s bottom’ is considered<br />

a compliment implies that a baby’s skin is the epitome<br />

of what we all yearn for: clear, vibrant and beautiful. Those<br />

of us who have had<br />

children, though,<br />

know that a baby’s<br />

first year is rarely<br />

without some type of<br />

skin issue that gives<br />

us pause.<br />

Most commonly<br />

lumped into the<br />

general category of<br />

‘rash,’ infant skin<br />

issues range from<br />

uncomfortable and annoying to medically worrisome. The reason<br />

babies are more likely to experience a rash or skin ailment is<br />

because it takes approximately a year after a baby is born for the<br />

epidermis to fully develop into the protective barrier necessary to<br />

prevent harm. A baby’s skin is thinner, less pigmented, and does not<br />

regulate temperature as well as more mature skin.<br />

The most common skin issue that affects infants is diaper rash.<br />

The environment created<br />

by constant diaper<br />

wear--moist, warm and<br />

shaded--breaks down<br />

the skin in that area.<br />

When the elements of<br />

poo and pee are added,<br />

the elements are even<br />

more ripe for irritation.<br />

Keeping the skin as dry<br />

as possible, cleaning<br />

with gentle products,<br />

using skin protectants like petroleum jelly or a zinc oxide cream,<br />

and allowing the bottom to air dry as often as possible are ways to<br />

alleviate this recurrent skin issue.<br />

Another common rash is called intertrigo. A rash typically<br />

The reason babies are more likely to<br />

experience a rash or skin ailment is<br />

because it takes approximately a year<br />

after a baby is born for the epidermis to<br />

fully develop into the protective barrier<br />

necessary to prevent harm.<br />

36 <strong>HER</strong><strong>LIFE</strong>newyork.com


found in skin folds, especially in the neck, it most often affects<br />

chubby babies younger than six months old. Depending on the<br />

amount of friction in the affected area, the baby may or may not notice<br />

any discomfort but you will likely see a red, raw and weepy rash<br />

that looks worse inside skin creases. This condition is exacerbated<br />

by excessive moisture that collects in skin creases; a combination<br />

of drool or spit up and a lack of air circulation is to blame. Doctors<br />

advice washing the folds of skin with water and applying a zinc<br />

oxide cream or petroleum jelly to prevent irritation.<br />

Miliaria, more commonly known as prickly heat, is a rash that<br />

occurs on the face, neck, back or bottom and looks like a mass of<br />

tiny red bumps. This rash arises from a baby’s inability to regulate<br />

heat well, and is a reaction to anything that might overheat the<br />

child. Prickly heat does not occur just during the summer months,<br />

but might result from over-bundling in tight clothing or being<br />

strapped into a car seat. Thankfully the rash usually recedes in<br />

about 30 minutes, once you are able to regulate the temperature of<br />

the baby’s environment and dress in loose, cool clothing.<br />

Cradle cap is another skin issue that is very common in<br />

infants. Technically termed seborrhea, it is a rash that can appear<br />

not only on the scalp and eyebrows but also behind the ears, on<br />

the neck, cheeks and chest. It is most common in babies under 6<br />

months old. The cause of seborrhea is not known.<br />

The rash will look different depending on which part of the<br />

body it appears. On the scalp and eyebrows it often looks like<br />

dandruff but sometimes can look more like yellow, thick or crusty<br />

scales. It also looks scaly and cracked when it presents behind the<br />

ears, but on the chest and neck it might appear pimply. When it<br />

appears on the cheeks it is usually red and bumpy. Regardless of<br />

location it is an unsightly rash, but is unlikely to cause discomfort<br />

or bother a baby.<br />

A small amount of anti-dandruff shampoo can be used to wash<br />

behind the ears, on the scalp or on any other areas that are affected.<br />

Many parents rub a bit of olive or baby oil onto the scalp to loosen<br />

the scales and then gently brush them off.<br />

Eczema is a rash that affects approximately 20 percent of<br />

babies. This itchy rash can appear anywhere on a baby’s body starting<br />

at about 3 or 4 months, though the diaper area is typically not<br />

affected. Babies can inherit a genetic predisposition to eczema, especially<br />

if there is a family history of allergies, but extreme weather<br />

conditions, soaps and clothing can also instigate the dry, patchy<br />

areas that are typical of a mild form of eczema.<br />

In a more extreme rash the skin can appear wind-burned and<br />

the baby might suffer from redness, oozing and pus that eventually<br />

crusts over. Medical professionals advise washing the skin with a<br />

gentle fragrance-free cleanser and applying moisturizer on damp<br />

skin twice a day. More extreme cases may require a steroid treatment<br />

to reduce inflammation. ■<br />

Information for this article was taken from parenting.com<br />

<strong>HER</strong><strong>LIFE</strong>newyork.com 37


herlife | working women<br />

Deciding<br />

Which Tablet is<br />

Right for<br />

by catie watson<br />

Blending the best elements of a smartphone and a laptop, the tablet has<br />

become an indispensable mobile gadget for many early adopters.<br />

E<br />

ver since Apple introduced the iPad tablet in 2010, other computer<br />

makers have scrambled to introduce their own version of<br />

the tablet computer. Blending the best elements of a smartphone<br />

and a laptop, the tablet has become an indispensable mobile gadget for<br />

many early adopters. You can watch videos, take and share pictures, use<br />

video chat, read e-books, play games and browse the Internet anytime and<br />

anywhere, all without having to lug around a heavy laptop or squint at a<br />

tiny smartphone screen.<br />

The iPad’s hefty price tag (the latest version starts at $499) has caused<br />

many consumers to hold off on purchasing a tablet. It has also caused<br />

some people to question the usefulness of this next-generation gadget. Although<br />

a tablet can be used as a digital portfolio by decorators, designers,<br />

artists and other professionals who make heavy use of graphic images and<br />

photographs, the lack of a fully functioning keyboard means that a tablet is<br />

not a laptop replacement when it comes to professional applications. The<br />

vast majority of people who buy a tablet are looking for a fun way to enjoy<br />

online multimedia.<br />

If you’ve decided that you want a tablet, gaining a basic understanding<br />

of the technology will help you find the tablet that’s right for<br />

you. Apple has retained control of the tablet market for the past two<br />

years, but now there are a growing number of alternatives. If you’re<br />

looking for specific features at the lowest price, it pays to do a little<br />

research before you start shopping.<br />

The majority of tablets currently use one of two operating systems:<br />

iOS or Android. The operating system (OS) is what keeps everything running<br />

on a computer, smartphone or tablet. The OS also controls the look<br />

and feel of the on-screen interface. Each OS has a different look and feel,<br />

and a different set of strengths. Here’s a quick summary:<br />

Apple’s iOS runs on the iPhone and iPod Touch as well as the iPad.<br />

If you use one of these other gadgets, then you’ll already be familiar with<br />

the iOS interface. Many people believe that Apple has cornered the<br />

market on usability, and that iOS offers the optimal look and feel. Another<br />

advantage of iOS is the availability of hundreds of thousands of apps that<br />

can be downloaded from Apple’s App Store. The main disadvantage of<br />

iOS is that it’s only available on the iPad so there’s no price competition.<br />

Google’s Android, which is available on millions of smartphones, is<br />

also offered on a variety of tablets. Android is considered the leader in multitasking.<br />

This means you can easily perform several activities at the same<br />

time, such as watching a video while surfing the Web and reading email.<br />

Android also offers seamless integration with popular Google applications<br />

like Google Maps, Gmail and Google Talk for video chat. While the iPad<br />

is only available with a 9.7 inch display, Android tablets come in a variety<br />

of sizes. Android’s biggest shortcoming is far fewer apps when compared to<br />

Apple’s iOS.<br />

To get a feel for these two different OS flavors, try out some demo<br />

tablets at your local electronics store. If you decide on the Apple iOS,<br />

38 <strong>HER</strong><strong>LIFE</strong>newyork.com


your shopping is over and you can buy an iPad. If you’re more interested<br />

in Android, you’ll need to narrow down your choices from a growing<br />

field of tablets.<br />

If you’re looking for a budget-friendly tablet and plan to do a lot of<br />

e-book reading, you may want to consider Amazon’s Kindle Fire. Although<br />

the first generation Kindle was marketed primarily as an e-book reader,<br />

the second generation Fire supports web browsing, email and gaming.<br />

The Kindle Fire’s seven-inch screen makes it easier to tote than a full-size<br />

tablet. It doesn’t have a camera or Bluetooth support (useful if you want to<br />

stream video to an HDTV), but at $199, it’s half the price of the iPad. The<br />

Kindle provides access to more than 100,000 movies and TV shows to rent<br />

or buy on Amazon.com, as well as free streaming for more than 10,000<br />

titles. The Apple Store also offers tens of thousands of movies and shows<br />

for sale but has no free streaming program.<br />

If you’re looking for an Android tablet that more closely resembles an<br />

iPad, some of the top models currently available are the Samsung Galaxy<br />

Tab, the Asus Transformer Pad, the Toshiba Thrive and the Sony Tablet<br />

S. These tablets come in a variety of sizes and range in price from $345<br />

to $545. They include many of the features available on the iPad as well<br />

as some additional features like detachable keyboards on some models.<br />

There are also windows based tablets and many are anxiously awaiting the<br />

launch of Microsoft’s Surface TM tablet expected later this month. You can<br />

find complete reviews and price comparisons for these tablets and more<br />

on leading tech websites like PCMag.com and CNET.com (which were<br />

used as sources for this article). ■<br />

<strong>HER</strong><strong>LIFE</strong>newyork.com 39


herlife | spotlight<br />

Wilhelmina<br />

“Willie”<br />

Sheridan<br />

Attitude is Everything<br />

by ann e. butenas | photography by todd bissonette<br />

We’ve all had difficult days filled with challenges that seem<br />

insurmountable, yet somehow we manage to get through<br />

them and push through to the other side, not only emotionally<br />

stronger, but with a new perspective on life. A native of Rockland County<br />

and current resident of Rainbow Lake, Wilhelmina “Willie” Sheridan is<br />

no stranger to difficulties. Yet upon hearing her story, it is evident she is<br />

not only a survivor, but a true champion. And while her story is not the<br />

only barometer by which to measure the level of intensity life forces one to<br />

handle, it does paint a very accurate picture of how one can take stumbling<br />

blocks and create the most admirable stepping stones.<br />

Upfront and forthright, Willie waxes philosophical in relaying her<br />

three-time triumph over cancer. Life dealt her a tough hand, but Willie<br />

has certainly played it well. With the deck stacked against her on more<br />

than one occasion, Willie has proven that a positive attitude graced with<br />

unwavering faith in one’s self are the true cornerstones upon which winners<br />

like Willie are made. She also draws upon a seemingly endless reserve<br />

of inner strength and fortitude.<br />

A nurse by trade, Willie received her BSN degree from Dominican<br />

College, her MSN from Hunter College – CUNY and a Post-Master’s<br />

Nurse Practitioner certificate from Russell Sage College in Troy, New<br />

York. During this time (1990-1995), she lived in Saratoga Springs and<br />

was the hospital manager and vice-president of Saratoga Hospital before<br />

eventually being recruited to the position of VP of Patient Care Services.<br />

She was then recruited to Adirondack Medical Center in Saranac Lake to<br />

assume a similar position.<br />

During Willie’s time in Saratoga, she volunteered with the Red Cross<br />

and the HIV/AIDS Task Force of Saratoga County. In the Saranac Lake<br />

region, she has been the president of the Pendragon Theatre, a board<br />

member for Literacy Volunteers, and a board member for Life Flight.<br />

She works as a nurse practitioner at Champlain Valley Physician’s<br />

Hospital in the ER department, working three 12-hour shifts each week.<br />

Working in an environment that sees an average of 60,000 patients annually<br />

keeps Willie on her feet constantly, yet it is a calling for which she<br />

has great passion and an understanding which has served her well during<br />

personal times of illness.<br />

“I was diagnosed with cervical cancer in 1978, shortly after my youngest<br />

son, Anthony, was born,” she recalled. “Then, in 2002, I was diagnosed<br />

with breast cancer and nearly five years later to the day of that diagnosis, I<br />

was told I had metastatic disease and that the breast cancer had spread to<br />

my lungs. I had a total hysterectomy after the cervical cancer diagnosis, a<br />

lumpectomy followed by a mastectomy of the right breast in 2002 and a<br />

re-section of my lung five years later.”<br />

Of course, Willie also endured chemotherapy and radiation<br />

treatments. Despite the stress upon her body, she always managed<br />

to rebound even stronger and more determined, and recalls the one<br />

tragic event in her life that truly shook her to the core and put into<br />

perspective her physical challenges.<br />

“My oldest son James was killed in a car accident six years ago,”<br />

Willie reflected, tears welling in her eyes. “That, more than anything,<br />

was the most difficult experience in my life, something to which my<br />

40 <strong>HER</strong><strong>LIFE</strong>newyork.com


own illnesses could not compare.”<br />

And yet, Willie prefers to see the beauty in life, and as she ruminates<br />

about life in the Adirondacks, she can’t help but express sheer joy for the<br />

wonderment of color that abounds in this glorious fall season.<br />

“I just love the vibrant reds, yellows and greens that have emerged,”<br />

she smiled, noting that this engaging natural tapestry provides the perfect<br />

ambiance for the Tri-Lakes Region Relay for Life event, held each September<br />

and over which she has presided for the last eight of the nine years<br />

it has been in existence.<br />

This year’s event was held on September 15th on the Olympic Oval<br />

at Lake Placid. Survivors and volunteers walked the oval in teams for 12<br />

hours to raise funds for the American Cancer Society. The event traditionally<br />

concludes with a luminary ceremony, with candles lit around<br />

the perimeter of the oval to both honor and remember those who are<br />

fighting and who have lost the battle with cancer. “It’s a very moving<br />

sight to see,” Willie paused, and then continued. “The whole day is like<br />

a country fair atmosphere with vendors, food and games for kids. It’s a<br />

great time for everyone.”<br />

Willie has proven that a positive<br />

attitude graced with unwavering<br />

faith in one’s self are the true<br />

cornerstones upon which winners<br />

like Willie are made. She also draws<br />

upon a seemingly endless reserve<br />

of inner strength and fortitude.<br />

When not spending her days at the hospital or supporting the causes<br />

close to her heart, Willie is the epitome of active living, and most of her<br />

passions center upon outdoor pursuits. “I curl on Sunday nights,” she<br />

noted. “I am on a team and we play from September through early May<br />

competing within the state of New York and up into Canada.”<br />

Willie also enjoys kayaking, canoeing and skiing—especially skiing.<br />

“I am an avid skier,” she lights up. “I ski on average 50 days a year, locally<br />

and sometimes in Europe. Last year I went to Austria.”<br />

Willie also loves to spend time at her small cabin on a lake up<br />

north where she retreats for mini-vacations. “That’s where I find metime,”<br />

she observed. “It’s also a great place to spend time on the kayak<br />

or in the canoe.”<br />

From ER nurse to cancer survivor to outdoor enthusiast to volunteer<br />

to grandmother of four, what more could she possible fit into her agenda<br />

“I do real estate on the side,” she said. “I purchase and rent out various<br />

properties at Lake Clear, Rainbow Lake and Saranac Lake.”<br />

No matter where she goes or what she does, it seems all is right with<br />

the world at the end of the day as Willie settles in for the evening on her<br />

glorious seven-acre spread in a big old farmhouse amidst the majestic<br />

pines. “It truly is a beautiful place,” she smiled. ■<br />

For more information on the Relay for Life, go online at relayforlife.org.<br />

<strong>HER</strong><strong>LIFE</strong>newyork.com 41


herlife | tie the knot<br />

Moira<br />

by candi smith | photography by charles & gina slyer<br />

and<br />

Robert<br />

Tied the Knot August 25, 2012<br />

Moira (Mulhern) Verhagen is 29 years old and is studying<br />

to be a nurse.<br />

Robert Verhagen is 30 years old. Both were born and<br />

raised in the Capital District outskirts in rural Albany County.<br />

The couple attended elementary, middle school and high<br />

school together, but didn’t begin dating until after graduation.<br />

After seven great years together, Robert proposed to Moira on the<br />

anniversary of their seventh year of dating.<br />

The happy couple tied the knot on August 25, 2012. They<br />

were wed at a place very near and dear to Moira’s heart—her family<br />

farm where she grew up. The wedding theme was the bride and<br />

groom’s dream—simple, country and classic, surrounded by family<br />

and memories. A spectacular tent housed beautifully set up tables<br />

and linens, and there was even a popcorn machine for everyone to<br />

enjoy. In the evening, the tent was illuminated by lighting so the<br />

fun could continue into the night during the reception. Fences<br />

and outbuildings were decorated with festive flowers and lights.<br />

Some of the flowers used for decorations were grown on the family’s<br />

property. The centerpieces for the tables were created by the<br />

bride’s family using simple but chic flowers, mason jars and crocks,<br />

as well as old horse leathers from the groom’s family farm.<br />

The food was a picnic menu consisting mostly of hot dogs,<br />

hamburgers, sausage and peppers, and delicious cold salads. The<br />

bride’s family put together a customized list of tunes which was<br />

played from an iPod. A close family friend made the incredible<br />

wedding cake. The entire wedding could not have been more<br />

picture perfect and intimate with the beautiful weather and close<br />

family and friends. Now it’s official—Robert and Moira are husband<br />

and wife. ■<br />

42 <strong>HER</strong><strong>LIFE</strong>newyork.com


LOCAL BUSINESSES THAT<br />

SHARED IN THE LOVE<br />

Bridal gown:<br />

David’s Bridal<br />

Albany, NY<br />

Hair styling:<br />

Executive Cuts,<br />

Latham, NY<br />

LOCAL BUSINESSES THAT<br />

SHARED Photography: IN THE LOVE<br />

A Slyer Image<br />

Troy, NY<br />

Florist:<br />

Floral Garden<br />

Delmar, NY<br />

Caterer:<br />

Manning’s Catering,<br />

Glenmont, NY<br />

Cake:<br />

Family friend<br />

venue:<br />

Bride’s family farm<br />

Tent/Table Set-up/<br />

Popcorn Machine:<br />

Bayly’s Rental,<br />

Schenectady, NY<br />

<strong>HER</strong><strong>LIFE</strong>newyork.com 43


herlife | scene and be seen<br />

Studio Prime-A Disco Inferno<br />

photography by heather bohm-tallman<br />

On August 4, 2012 a disco themed benefit was held in a<br />

tent on the grounds of Saratoga National Golf Club for<br />

Medical Missions for Children. The event was chaired<br />

by Margie and Michael Rotchford and honored Bruce Mosler. The<br />

crowd enjoyed dancing and music by the Dennis Collins Band who<br />

has performed with Beyonce.<br />

44 <strong>HER</strong><strong>LIFE</strong>newyork.com


National Museum of Dance Song and Dance Gala<br />

photography by imagine! photography & design<br />

On August 11, 2012 the National Museum of Dance held<br />

their annual Song & Dance Gala. This year’s honoree<br />

and inductee into the Cornelius Vanderbilt Whitney Hall<br />

of Fame was Ben Vereen. The event was chaired by Michele Riggi.<br />

Honorary chairs were MaryLou Whitney and John Hendrickson. The<br />

emcee for the evening was John James, there was a special appearance<br />

by actor Chris Riggi and the crowd enjoyed special performances<br />

by Mr. Vereen and the New York Song and Dance Company.<br />

<strong>HER</strong><strong>LIFE</strong>newyork.com 45


herlife | just sayin’<br />

Advice For<br />

My Daughter<br />

by rachel uccellini | photo by jill richardson<br />

As I make my way into the home stretch of my first pregnancy,<br />

clocking in at eight months, of course I find myself deep<br />

in reflection. The summer flew by although not without being<br />

chock-full of advice and colorful commentary. In-laws, relatives,<br />

colleagues, dental hygienists, drycleaners, butcher counter attendants,<br />

friends who haven’t experienced pregnancy, friends who have<br />

experienced pregnancy, as well as people in line at (enter arbitrary<br />

place of business <strong>HER</strong>E), were all eager to weigh in on how I should<br />

birth and raise my daughter. While these well-intended recommendations<br />

from friends and strangers alike never ceased to astound me,<br />

I couldn’t help but begin formulating some advice for my baby girl in<br />

the process. So, here goes.<br />

Be gracious. Nothing more powerfully signifies class and<br />

sophistication than grace. It’s remarkable what consistent rounds<br />

of ‘pleases’ and ‘thank yous’ can afford you. You will carry it all of<br />

your life and people will notice it in an age of speedy exchanges and<br />

interactions.<br />

Be musical. Piano lessons are encouraged. From that fundamental<br />

instrument I learned to play the cello and clarinet, and<br />

ultimately sing. Reading music will open so many doors for you—<br />

both intellectually and spiritually. Just promise me you’ll give it a<br />

solid go, for Mom.<br />

Be driven. Wherever you find passion, chase it and never<br />

slow down. Whether it’s the humanities, foreign language, the arts,<br />

finance, athletics or even horticulture, embrace what brings you joy<br />

and never make excuses for it. Take chances. Always aim to improve,<br />

but forgive yourself when you don’t succeed. Drive allows you to pick<br />

yourself up and give it another go, equipped with the lessons you<br />

learned from falling.<br />

Be humble. “Humility is the word of the day.” Your great<br />

Uncle Walter said that and it is something to live by. He was humble<br />

and kept a low profile, but was also the most influential and successful<br />

man I’ve ever known. He never boasted or belittled, but radiated<br />

confidence. As essential as grace, humility grounds you and keeps<br />

your drive quietly ignited.<br />

Be yourself. It seems simple. It seems trite. But in a world emblazoned<br />

with depictions of what you should act like, think like, look<br />

like and even smell like, I find it’s necessary to state this omnipotent<br />

cliché. Your life is going to pull you in a number of directions and it<br />

can be maddening. Impressionable people will always be close by,<br />

attempting to enlist and convert you. Confused and tempted, know<br />

that as completely unsure of yourself as you are at that moment, you<br />

own it. You can turn it around. Only you can create your identity and<br />

worth—no one else. That power belongs to you and always will. Believing<br />

and patiently awaiting the You you’re meant to be will give you<br />

the confidence to become a strong, fulfilled woman one day. A woman<br />

who heeds her mother’s advice. I’m only kidding. I love you, Eliza. ■<br />

Rachel C. Uccellini is a member of the Board of Trustees for Troy Prep, an Uncommon School. She is proud to be involved in the Uncommon<br />

network, modeled on some of the highest-performing urban public charter schools in the country. She participates on the steering committee<br />

for Albany Medical Center Foundation’s Light Up the Night, as well as the planning committee for the Adult and Senior Center of Saratoga.<br />

Rachel is also a member of the Skidmore Community Chorus. She and her husband, Tommy, are expecting their baby girl (Eliza) in early<br />

November and reside in Saratoga Springs, New York.<br />

46 <strong>HER</strong><strong>LIFE</strong>newyork.com


<strong>HER</strong><strong>LIFE</strong>newyork.com 47


herlife | in the region<br />

Calendar of Events<br />

NOTE: All calendar events must be submitted by October 15 for consideration in our December issue. Please<br />

include event location, date, details and contact information and email Sherry@herlifenewyork.com. Events considered<br />

for publication are normally limited to community wide/charity events or events hosted by our advertisers.<br />

We cannot guarantee that all events submitted will be published.<br />

October 3<br />

Oktoberfest Dinner at Taste<br />

Bistro and Bar<br />

Location: Mirror Lake Inn, Lake Placid, NY<br />

Time: 5:00-9:30 pm<br />

Details: Enjoy a three course menu for $29<br />

with guest Chef Wolfgang Brandenburg featuring<br />

German beers and musical entertainment.<br />

No reservations.<br />

Contact: 518-523-2544 or mirrorlakeinn.com<br />

Live Well ADK- Weight Loss<br />

Seminar<br />

Date: October 3 & 24 | Saratoga Springs, NY<br />

October 10 | Queensbury, NY<br />

Time: 6:00 pm<br />

Location: Saratoga | 78 Church St.<br />

Queensbury | 12 Haviland Rd.<br />

Details: Join Dr. Jonathan Gerber and learn<br />

how you can lose weight and be healthy. Call<br />

to reserve your seat.<br />

Contact: 518-793-5555<br />

october 4<br />

Celebrate! The Spirit of Life<br />

Time: 5:00pm<br />

Location: Canfield Casino, Congress Park,<br />

Saratoga Springs, NY<br />

Details: Celebrate! The Spirit of Life will be<br />

a unique event that will showcase several area<br />

cancer organizations that help heal all year<br />

long. Organizations include: floydwarriors.<br />

com, the Hope Club, To Life!, CRAAB, The<br />

Cancer Services Program, Susan G. Komen<br />

and The American Cancer Society.<br />

Contact: 518-265-5834<br />

october 5<br />

Haunted History Ghost<br />

Walks of Saratoga<br />

Dates: Fridays | October 5-26<br />

Saturdays | Oct 6-27<br />

Time: 7:00pm–9:00pm<br />

Location: Downtown Saratoga Springs, NY<br />

Details: 90-minute walking tour of downtown<br />

Saratoga Springs that touches on its<br />

history, mystery, architecture and parapsychology.<br />

Cost is $10.<br />

Contact: saratoga-arts.org/toursevents or<br />

518-584-4132<br />

October Sales Event-Marika<br />

Charles Factory Store<br />

Date: October 5-7<br />

Location: 1080 Catalyn St., Schenectady, NY<br />

Time: Oct. 5 | 10 am-6 pm<br />

Oct. 6 | 10 am- 5 pm<br />

Oct. 7 | 11 am- 4 pm<br />

Details: Designer line of ready-to wear<br />

priced wholesale and below.<br />

Contact: 518-344-7092 or<br />

factorystore@marikacharles.com<br />

Mama Mio Skincare at<br />

Bella Rouge<br />

Time: 2:00-7:00 pm<br />

Location: Bella Rouge Cosmetic & Skincare<br />

Boutique<br />

22 Clifton Park Center, Clifton Park, NY<br />

Details: Learn from the pro’s on how to keep<br />

your skin fit from head to toe. Gift with Mama<br />

Mio purchase of $40 or more. Call to RSVP.<br />

Contact: 518-373-9500<br />

october 6<br />

Fort Ticonderoga’s Corn<br />

Maze<br />

Dates: October 6–October 7<br />

Time: 10:00am–4:30pm<br />

Location: 100 Ft. Ticonderoga Road,<br />

Ticonderoga, NY<br />

Details: The six-acre Corn Maze will return<br />

in 2012 with a new design, new clues and an<br />

all-new scavenger hunt.<br />

Contact: fortticonderoga.org<br />

Great Escape Fright Fest<br />

Dates: October 6–October 28<br />

Times: 12:00pm–9:00pm<br />

Location: The Great Escape, 1172 State<br />

Route 9, Queensbury, NY<br />

Details: It’s Thrills by Day, Frights by Night<br />

at the North Country’s largest family-friendly<br />

Halloween celebration.<br />

Contact: sixflags.com/greatescape<br />

18th Annual Susan G.<br />

Komen ® Northeastern New<br />

York Race for the Cure<br />

Date: October 6<br />

Time: 9:00am<br />

Location: Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY<br />

Details: The Susan G. Komen ® Race for<br />

the Cure series is the largest series of 5k run/<br />

fitness walks in the world. You can run or walk<br />

or Sleep In, with a team or as an individual.<br />

Contact: komenneny.org or 518-250-5379<br />

48 <strong>HER</strong><strong>LIFE</strong>newyork.com


october 7<br />

The Great Pumpkin Regatta<br />

& Festival<br />

Time: 10:00am–3:00pm<br />

Location: Burlington Waterfront,<br />

Burlington, VT<br />

Details: Gutted giant pumpkins are raced<br />

on Lake Champlain to benefit the PILOT<br />

youth leadership program. There is a complimentary<br />

festival with yummy fall time food<br />

favorites, a Vermont craft “patch,” kids’ activities,<br />

contests and more!<br />

Contact: lllvt.org/pumpkin or 802-951-8845<br />

October 18<br />

Dr. Lucie Capek Annual<br />

Fall Open House<br />

Time: 5:30-7:30 pm<br />

Location: 713 Troy-Schenectady Rd.,<br />

Latham, NY<br />

Details: Come learn about the latest<br />

advances in cosmetic procedures and enjoy<br />

awesome autumn savings. Space is limited.<br />

Contact: 518-786-1700 or<br />

info@capekplasticsurgery.com<br />

october 20<br />

Northeast Fine Craft<br />

Festival<br />

Dates: October 20–October 21<br />

Times: 12:00pm–5:00pm<br />

Location: Proctor’s Theater, State Street,<br />

Schenectady, NY<br />

Details: Fifty juried artists, exhibiting and<br />

selling their unique creations in wood, metal,<br />

yarn, stone, paint and more! Enjoy entertainment,<br />

upscale food and much more.<br />

Contact: proctors.org/events<br />

Downtown Glens Falls<br />

Second Annual StewFest<br />

Time: 1:00pm–4:00pm<br />

Location: Glen Street, Downtown Glens<br />

Falls, NY<br />

Details: Local downtown eateries and brave<br />

regional contestants throw down to showcase<br />

their skills with their own varieties of stew.<br />

Contact: glensfallsregion.com/business or<br />

518-798-1761<br />

october 23<br />

March of Dimes Signature<br />

Chefs Auction<br />

Time: 6:00pm<br />

Location: Vapor Nightclub at Saratoga<br />

Casino and Raceway, 342 Jefferson Street,<br />

Saratoga Springs, NY<br />

Details: If you are passionate about food this<br />

is the event for you. Culinary experts from<br />

around the Capital region will be preparing<br />

their signature dishes for all to enjoy in<br />

addition to an “Iron Chef” style competition.<br />

Admission is $65 per person.<br />

Contact: marchofdimes.com/newyork/<br />

events/events_9542.html<br />

New DOL Guidelines and<br />

Retirement Plans<br />

Information Seminar<br />

Time: 7:30 am<br />

Location: Saratoga National Golf Club,<br />

Union Ave., Saratoga Springs, NY<br />

Details: Sponsored by The Wagner Group-<br />

Merrill Lynch; if you are a business owner<br />

this seminar featuring a panel of experts will<br />

discuss retirement plans for businesses and<br />

the fiduciary roles and responsibilities in light<br />

of the new Dept. of Labor guidelines.<br />

Contact: 518-782-4072 or<br />

jacqueline.carey@ml.com<br />

october 27<br />

Head of the Fish Regatta<br />

Dates: October 27–October 28<br />

Time: 7:00am–5:00pm<br />

Location: Saratoga Lake, Saratoga Springs,<br />

NY<br />

Details: 1,600 racing shells will take to Fish<br />

Creek for the Annual Head of the Fish Regatta,<br />

the second largest in the country, hosted<br />

by the Saratoga Rowing Association on Fish<br />

Creek at Saratoga Lake.<br />

Contact: saratogarowing.com or<br />

518-587-6697<br />

october 29<br />

Columbia-Greene Walk to<br />

End Alzheimer’s<br />

Time: 12:00pm–3:00pm<br />

Location: Columbia-Greene Community<br />

College, 4400 Route 23, Hudson, NY<br />

Details: Join the Alzheimer’s Association<br />

Walk to End Alzheimer’s and unite in a movement<br />

to reclaim the future for millions. With<br />

more than 5 million Americans living with<br />

Alzheimer’s, and nearly 11 million more serving<br />

as caregivers, the time to act is now!<br />

Contact: alzwalkcg.org or 518-867-4999,<br />

x212<br />

October 30<br />

DVRC 30th Annual Fundraiser<br />

Time: 6-8:30 pm<br />

Location: Saratoga City Center-Saratoga<br />

Springs, NY<br />

Details: Support Domestic Violence and<br />

Rape Crisis Services of Saratoga County.<br />

Tickets are $75 per person. Enjoy complimentary<br />

beer, wine and hors d’oeuvres.<br />

Contact: 518-583-0280<br />

<strong>HER</strong><strong>LIFE</strong>newyork.com 49


50 <strong>HER</strong><strong>LIFE</strong>newyork.com


<strong>HER</strong><strong>LIFE</strong>newyork.com 51


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© MMXII Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Painting used with permission. Sotheby’s International Realty® is a licensed trademark to Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates, Inc. An Equal Opportunity<br />

Company. Equal Housing Opportunity. Each Office Is Independently Owned And Operated, Except Offices Owned And Operated By NRT Incorporated.<br />

52 <strong>HER</strong><strong>LIFE</strong>newyork.com

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