Posted by: David Giacalone | September 13, 2026

75th Stockade Outdoor Art Show was a gem

Whether you call it a Diamond Jublilee or a semi-sesquicentennial milestone, yesterday’s 75th anniversary of the Stockade Villagers’ Outdoor Art Show was an event to celebrate.  And, the Stockade Art Show website summed up the day and the history with joyous pride:

The 75th Anniversary Art Show was a huge success with so many incredible artists and gorgeous work on display! Thanks to all of the artists, art lovers, neighbors and volunteers for making this day tremendous!

On Sept. 12, 2026, the Stockade Villagers’ Outdoor Art Show celebrated its 75th anniversary, marking three-quarters of a century as one of the oldest continuously held outdoor fine art shows in New York State.

Since its founding in 1951, thousands of artists and tens of thousands of visitors have participated in and attended the annual event, which brings artists and their work directly into one of the country’s oldest residential historic districts. For 75 years, artists and art lovers have gathered along the streets of Schenectady’s Historic Stockade neighborhood to celebrate art, discover new work and share in a community tradition.

. . even before the Show began, it was clear this was going to be a golden day, with weather as perfect as it can be.

New this year: : There was a Special exhibit, “Founding Fathers” of the Art Show, hanging on the Lawrence fence, with Peter Watrous, a member of one of the founding families, explaining the importance of the art and history.  

Starting this evening (Sunday, Sept. 13) with the names and images of the winning artists and art, I will be describing the 2026 Stockade Outdoor Art Show (SOAS) here at Suns Along the Mohawk, trying to capture its magic and spirit over the next few days.  Thanks for stopping by.

. . and, warm thanks to the Stockade Association committee members who made SOAS sparkle this year, especially Susannah Hand and Colleen MacCauley.

I hope this posting will make you want to attend the 76th version the weekend after Labor Day, September 2027, as an artist, resident, visitor, volunteer or all of the above. Although we call only a handful of artists winners, everyone who attends or helps to make the event so special every year should feel like a winner.

THE 2026 WINNERS 

  FIRST PLACE: BARBARA LENNOX

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. . . Barb is a frequent award winner at SOAS, as is our 2nd Place winner, Peter Watrous . . .

SECOND PLACE: PETER WATROUS

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  THIRD PLACE: DAKOTA RIDGE

. . Last year, Dakota won the award for Best Stockade Depiction for his smile-making scene of bambini surrounding Lawrence and filling the Circle.

HONORABLE MENTION

Six artists were given honorable mention awards this year: LINDA GRIMMICK, CAROLINE LOVE MILLER, ERIC-JON TASKER, WENDY ADAMS, MARIA DeANGELO, and ANPING LIU. Click on a square tile for a larger version of the image.

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SPECIAL AWARDS

NICHOLAS COLANGELO AWARD: BEST 1ST-TIME EXHIBITOR

MARY DIROLF:

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ERNEST A.R. COHEN AWARD:BEST DEPICTION OF THE STOCKADE

RICHARD SACCHETTI

 

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– – Apologies to Richard and his fans: I somehow missed his receiving this award at Lawrence Circle during the awards ceremony. Thankfully, I had already captured the winning painting at his exhibit, and naturally already had images of Mr. Sacchetti from his many previous SOAS awards.

 

BEST DEPICTION OF THE HUMAN FORM

KEITH LANDRY

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GILLIAN AWARD (OAKROOM ARTISTS)

PETER MASLOW

. . . Peter, a life-long Brooklyn painter, recently moved his studio to 101 State Street in Schenectady, just a block from the Stockade. 

PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARD (awarded by ballot from the public)

LINDA BIGGERS

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. . share this post with this shorter url: https://tinyurl.com/SOAS2026

 

 SOAS 2026 had many more inspiring scenes — with art, artists, visitors, and Stockade beauty — and I will be adding photos and commentary over the next few days. Please come back. 

 

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Posted in Outdoor Art Show (Stockade), Stockade Views

Posted by: David Giacalone | August 27, 2026

honoring Dr. Elizabeth Gillette

. . above: Dr. Gillette’s statue being unveiled (Her former home and office is on the far left; sculptor Dexter Benedict on far right.) . .

Schenectady dedicated a new landmark to Elizabeth Van Rensselaer Gillette, M.D., on Friday, August 21, 2026. A statue was unveiled at the southeast corner of Union St. and Erie Boulevard that celebrates her life and that will help ensure Dr. Gillette’s story is honored by, and continues to inspire, generations of Schenectadians.

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 Dr. Gillette was surely one of the City’s most accomplished and beloved residents.  Three plaques at the site outline her life and deeds, from being the first female surgeon in Schenectady, and the first woman outside of New York City elected to the New York State Assembly (before she even had the right to vote), to helping to found the Schenectady Humane Society, as part of her lifelong commitment to protecting and assisting poor and neglected children:

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You can read more about Dr. Gillette in an article on the Schenectady County Historic Society weblog, “Elizabeth Gillette, Schenectady’s First Woman Surgeon” (March 26, 2020, by Gail Denison). Also, see the Daily Gazette article “Statue honors trailblazer near her former practice” (Aug.24, 2026).

..  .. These panels from a sign at the unveiling ceremony give a few more details about “Bessie” Gillette.

As renowned as Dr. Gillette was in some City and County circles, many current day Schenectady residents did not know her name or story until the recent efforts to have a statue in. her honor, even if they had heard the building at S. College and Union Street called the Gillette Building. The new article from the Electric City Community Grocery, “Celebrating Dr. Elizabeth Gillette–and the Community That Brought Her Story to Life”, in The Beet: Food for Thought (August 2026), tells of the many segments of our community that worked together to “bring her story to life.”

There were 10 speakers at the podium before the statue was unveiled, each emphasizing a particular part of Dr. Gillette’s life they wanted to recall and memorialize. This Slideshow has images of the 10 speakers and notes their affiliation.

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Often repeated themes were Elizabeth Gillette’s pioneering work as a woman in medicine, as a woman active in political life, and as a leader serving children in need and their families. Her example and inspiration are still felt across our community.

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above: FRANK WICKS (L) and BRIAN MERRIAM have spearheaded the process bringing a series of statues to Downtown Schenectady honoring remarkable Schenectady residents, culminating in the Gillette statuary.

  [L: Sculpting “Bessie”] Their efforts, with the help of many donors and interested community members and leaders, resulted in Sculptor DEXTER BENEDICT being commissioned to produce, in addition to the Elizabeth Gillette statue, statues of Thomas Alva Edison and Charles Proteus Steinmetz, Harriet Tubman and William Seward. You can see images and information on each of the Schenectady statues through links on the Commissioned Works page Mr. Benedict’s website.

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  Finally, one of the favorite parts of my photo-shoots at public events is seeing and capturing the faces I see there. Spike, seen to the right of this paragraph with Dr. Gillette’s medial bag, gave me a big smile, as did faces like these, which I am pleased to share.

. . Mayor Gary McCarthy

. . County Legislator Michelle Ostrelich mesmerized

 . . Phil Steck and Sylvie Briber enjoying remarks by Gloria Kishton, while Brian daydreams

. then, Sylvie and Gloria seriously

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. . Laura Lee & Linda Wicks with big smiles of their own at the end of the event

. .Elizabeth Walsh and Nina Zegger glad to be there

. . and, various audience members (including Bob Lemmerman in the blue cap) paying attention:

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. and a smile from Gloria .

. . share this post with this short link: https://tinyurl.com/UnveilingGillette

 

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Posted in Downtown Schenectady, Stockade Views

Posted by: David Giacalone | July 7, 2026

celebrating Declaration Day 2026

 July 4, 2026, the 250th anniverary of our nation’s Declaration of Independence, once more brought the Living Tradition of “Declaration Day” to Schenectady.  As described at the Facebook page of one of its sponsors, Electric City Community Grocery, it was “a full day of events that honor our democratic roots, celebrate community, and speak truth to power.” I was fortunate enough to attend two inspiring events and this posting commemorates them with images and a few words.

With thanks to the SPONSORS:  ONE Schenectady, Electric City Food Coop, NAACP Schenectady Branch, and Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara.

HONORING ROOTS of DEMOCRACY & GREAT LAW of PEACE

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. . [R] our Tree of Peace; [L] explanation of its meaning.

A few dozen goodhearted folks congregated around our White Pine Tree of Peace, along the Mohawk River, near Governor’s Lane in Schenectady’s Riverside Park. As the poster above from its Planting Day explains in part, the Tree is “a powerful symbol of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, the world’s longest-enduring participatory democracy.”  [See the poster for more inspiring and instructive details.]

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. . Elizabeth Walsh [L] organized and emcee’d the session. And, young Savannah [R] won our hearts by distributing to each member of the circle we formed a stone she had painted on two sides, with words and symbols of joy and peace.  Thanks also go to Inner Bliss Yoga and Wellness  for helping to make the event a success.

Here are images of the members of our Tree of Peace Circle:

Circle 5
Circle 1
Kristin and Savannah
Circle 3
Circle 4
Circle 2

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  . . a bald eagal salutes our Peace Tree Circle

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This Slideshow has a few more images from our celebration of roots and peace. [for a larger version of an image, pause the slideshow on the image, right-click and choose Display in a new tab.]

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. . . just sitting behind Bob

 

DECLARATIONS ACROSS THE GENERATIONS

Last year, on July 4, 2025, I very much enjoyed and appreciated the first presentation of Declarations Day at Liberty Park [a/k/a Gateway Plaza]. I wrote about it at this website the very same day in the post “delightful Declaration Day“. The speakers today again proved The Power of the People’s Declarations, with quotations from bold Americans left out of the first Declaration who moved our nation forward by speaking truth to power and declaring new worlds into being. 

. . one thing I noticed again was that the presenters came not just to speak but also to listen, with faces both serious and smiling. 

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This Slideshow features speakers who told of rights that were once denied and others that are needed to make a more perfect union. [I wish I knew everyone’s name, because they each had words well worth hearing and living; I will add names as I learn them.]

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. The vision and commitments of ONE Schenectady resonated throughout the 2026 event.  Click this link to watch the first public reading of the ONE Schenectady Declaration at last year’s inaugural Declaration Day, July 4, 2025.

As usual, I enjoyed people watching and “shooting” them, too. [click on a square tile for a larger version]

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 .. Black History was proudly presented ..

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Posted in Downtown Schenectady, Gateway Landing Park, Riverside Park, visits elsewhere | Tags: , , ,

Posted by: David Giacalone | April 19, 2026

visiting the Gates of Heaven

 My annual enjoyment of Schenectady’s blossoms is never complete without a visit to the wonderful weeping cherry blossom trees at Congregation Gates of Heaven, located at 852 Ashmore Avenue along Eastern Parkway, near the Niskayuna town line.   Whether viewing the entire display when approaching on the lawn, or savoring the blossoms and limbs, and glimpsing the sky, from under its canopy, the serenity is palpable.

The photos in this posting were taken near 7 pm on Friday, April 17.

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. . click on a square tile for a larger, full version of the image.

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. . for a larger version of a Slideshow image, pause on the image, rightclick and choose Display in a new Tab . .

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. . for links to our annual cherry blossom postings from 2009 to 2026 see our Cherry Blossom Category Page. .

. . thanks for sharing our Blossom Joy . .

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Posted by: David Giacalone | April 15, 2026

2026 is blossoming in the Stockade

I first noticed yesterday, April 14, that many of our Stockade cherry blossoms had started to pop, but knew they need one more day and some blue sky to warrant a photo-shoot-stroll.  Indeed, they were fuller and more impressive today and I took quite a few photos. But, I want to give them another warm day with at least a little sunshine before doing a full photoshoot and extensive posting. So, tonight, I am just giving you a little tease from my stroll around the neighborhood. There will be plenty more over the next few days.

I hope they will make you want to return soon. Please enjoy, and come back soon.

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.. PART II – photos taken April 16, 2026. . 

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. . the Stockade has magnolia trees worth a visit, too . . St. George’s has one (above on the left) and so does our YWCA . . Don’t miss the two magnolia trees at the rear of the Historical Society (32 Washington Ave.), nor the stately one at 26 Front Street and the impressive giant in the yard at 142 Front Street. 

. . plenty more blossoms coming to this website on April 17 . . 

. . 15 Washington Ave., the big red house, is right across from my front porch . 

Before posting my cherry blossoms, let me share the magnolia tree photos I just took on Front St.

shy giant at 142 Front St.
26 Front St. front view
26 Front St. side view (cleaned up)
24 Front St -glimpse in rear

. . above: Front St. magnolia trees (April 17, 2026) . . 

 

 Confession: I really loathe what the myriad of thick utility wires do to lovely Stockade images. After years of discipline to not wipe out those wires, I just had to clean up the 26 Front St. side view in the above square.  [Waiting has improved the Clean Up tool.) At the head of this paragraph is a thumbnail of the original version. Should I do more or less cleaning up of utility wires?

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. . above: at 2 Union Street . .

. . I may come back in a couple days to highlight some of my favorites images, but before Friday April 17 slips away, I want to memorialize my strolling-with-camera to see this year’s Stockade cherry blossoms in the following Slideshow, for those who just can’t wait to see our mid-April blossom array. . I could say “I walked around and took photos so you would not have to,” but I hope many of our visitors did come in person, and will find the Slideshow a good way to strengthen your recollection… 

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Saturday Epilogue (April 19, 2026): So soon: Earth Day breezes are thinning out our cherry blossom crop, creating Pink Puddles, which are pretty but also ephermeral:

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  . Finally, coming home yesterday evening from a visit to the grand weeping cherry blossom array at Congregation Gates of Heaven, I caught the cherry trees between 10 and 16 Washington Avenue in the glow of the Golden Hour.  Photos from the visit to CGOH should be appearing in the posting above this one later today, April 18.

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Posted in cherry blossoms, Stockade Views | Tags: ,

Posted by: David Giacalone | March 26, 2026

touring our tasteful Schenectady Food Coop

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Yesterday evening, March 25, 2026, I enjoyed a tour of the Wedgewood Building site of the much-anticipated Electric City Community Grocery, a/k/a the Schenectady Food Coop. The building, located at 277 State Street, at Erie Boulevard, is a registered historic site, and many of its elements are being preserved in the construction of our Community Grocery.

ECCG president Eric Johnson and vice president Richard Mausert hosted the tour of about twenty enthusiastic member-owners and curious neighbors. As usual, Elizabeth Walsh, member-owner and all-around outreach factotum, also joined the tour.

 I hope you’ll come down to 277 State Street (entrance at the rear, off Liberty Street) for one of the few remaining tours that will be available before construction begins in mid-April. See the ECCG website for more information and news, and to learn how to become a member and participate in the crucial Capital Campaign to make this community treassure a reality.

Images from the tour can be seen in this slideshow.

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For a larger version of a Slideshow image, pause on the image, right-click, and choose View in Separate Tab.

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. .  above: two renderings of the completed ECCG . . 

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Posted by: David Giacalone | February 27, 2026

lost grocery stores

Below are images of some of the supermarkets and grocery stores we miss in Schenectady.  The last downtown Schenectady supermarket was The Trading Port, at 510 Union Street, which closed circa 2000. The people of the Stockade and Downtown Schenectady, along with many other residents across the City and County of Schenectady, look forward to the arrival soon of the Electric City Community Grocery! We are, of course, grateful for the goodies, atmosphere and community found daily at Arthur’s 1795.

 

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Posted in Downtown Schenectady, Stockade Views, visits elsewhere | Tags:

Posted by: David Giacalone | February 14, 2026

flamingos keep crushing on Lawrence

Since 1887, Lawrence the Indian has stoically presided over a tiny traffic Circle in the heart of the Schenectady Stockade Historic District. Despite his quiet personality, Lawrence has earned many admirers. For more than three decades, he has in fact inspired loyal devotion from a special flock of pink plastic flamingos, who show their affection annually with a colorful Valentine’s Day visit. We’ve memorialized their visits at this website since 2010, with postings listed in the archive of our Valentine Flamingos Category.

The tradition continued for Valentine’s Day 2026, with the flamboyance arriving late on February 13 and staying until dark on the 14th. This slideshow has two dozen photos from today’s Valentine party in Lawrence Circle, including the images above.

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