The Hudson Standard Team: (left to right) Anja Rothe, Marianne Courville, Emily Woerthman. Nowadays, you can’t go to any reputable locavore/foodie hot spot without seeing a “shrub” or “bitter”-infused cocktail (or “mocktail”) on the bar menu. We are in the midst of the renaissance of an English-adopted American colonial pastime. You can thank The Hudson Standard, among many other New York (and West Coast) tastemakers, for reviving these 18th & 19th century traditions. The shrub was the outcome of a common non-alcoholic mixology method from the days of the original thirteen colonies — New York being one of them. A...

Sunglasses and sunscreen will get a little extra wear-time this Wednesday, June 21st, for the Summer Solstice. The summer solstice not only marks the first official day of summer, it is the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere too, as our corner of the Earth will be most inclined toward the sun. The word solstice is rooted in Latin, combining “sol,” which means sun, and “sistere,” to make stand, or to stand still. For centuries, cultures all over the world have celebrated solstices with festivals and joyful rituals, taking the elongated day and extra sunlight as a...

Story Farms. Photo from Instagram provided by @marcellusramsey It doesn’t get any sweeter than an afternoon spent picking fresh fruits or vegetables on a warm summer day. Simply put, food is the most delicious when eaten straight off the vine, bush or tree, and the reward of biting into a juicy berry or apple or ear of corn is even better after picking it yourself from the source. Luckily, June begins picking season here in New York. Right now you can enjoy strawberries (and asparagus!). Blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, cherries and other fruits and veggies ripen later, as, hopefully, peaches will (last year...

Trying to plan a fun Father’s Day? We can help! Here are our New York to-do-with-dad picks, spanning every region from the Adirondacks to Long Island.  Central New York Baseball Hall of Fame Cooperstown Photo Credit: AP Image Long Island Lessons at Skudin Surf Long Beach Photo Credit: Skudin Surf Capital Region R&R at Roosevelt Baths & Spa Saratoga Springs Photo Credit: Roosevelt Baths & Spa   Catskills Stay at Creekside Cabins Roscoe Photo Credit: Creekside Cabins Southern Tier Corning Museum of Glass Corning Photo Credit: Around the World “L” Hudson Valley Storm King Art Center Mountainville Photo Credit: Jill Fehrenbacher for Inhabitat...

Here’s our Father’s Day (Sunday, June 18!) Gift Guide. Our New York makers offer something for every dad (plus grandpa too!) For the New Dad Give this card: “Happy First Father's Day” Card, $7. -- Give this gift: Father's Day Tea Sampler Box & Infuser, $47.50. -- -- For the Adventurous Dad Give this card: Father's Day Adventures Letterpress Card, $7. -- Give this gift: Kangaroo Leather Hiker's Bell, $32.50. -- -- For the Playful Dad Give this card: "Dad, I Love You" Letterpress and Foil Card, $7. -- Give this gift: Crossword Letterpress Coasters, $14. -- -- For the...

Makers come in all shapes, sizes and talents. The one thing they have in common: they sure are creative with what’s in — or on — hand. Which brings us to our “R&R” recipe of the month: Thousand Island dressing with fresh greens! Did you know that this ever-present staple of American salad dressing cuisine actually originated in New York’s Thousand Islands (hence the name) and that those pickles are meant to represent the “islands”?!  And of course, it is disputed who was the actual creator (too many chefs…?) Although there are other contenders, two stories seem to be the...

The hardy souls who ski, shovel, sled, huddle and hike through the grey winter in Saratoga Springs almost ooze exuberance when the early-blooming azaleas and nodding trilliums start to spring forth like little miracles. There’s a vaguely pagan, certainly Scandinavian (in an “enjoy life” kind-of-way) and absolutely hedonistic spirit in the air in Saratoga Springs once the winter snows recede and the weather gets warm enough to rationalize flip flops. The city’s many parks become host to impromptu jamborees, screams of raucous laughter echo down Broadway, dogs get walked a dozen times a day and happy hours are extended to...

Plant yourself in a “blooming” state of mind this month by touring a public garden or visiting one of New York State’s many flower festivals. Connect with nature, relax in the aromatic air and feast your eyes on all the floral beauty New York has to offer. Here’s a list of our favorite flower events and gardens to mark on your calendar — because spring just isn’t complete without flowers! INNISFREE GARDEN Located in Millbrook, Innisfree honors the human experience of interacting with nature. Innisfree has been described as one of the most pure, beautiful and diverse gardens to visit....

Art is about listening to what’s in your head and heart. No matter how personal the expression is, chances are, your risk, your bravery, is making someone else feel a heck-of-a-lot less alone. Six years ago, Meera Lee Patel picked up a paintbrush. And not for the first time, just this time, it meant much more to her than being an imaginative kid. Growing up in a small(ish) New Jersey town, Patel’s parents encouraged her to be creative by doing the same. Lead by example, right? Her mother, by today’s definition, would have been considered a maker too — a...

With the Kentucky Derby behind us and the summer show, competition, polo, racing schedule ahead -- including the third jewel (Belmont) in the Triple Crown, which will be happening here in New York  --  and, not to forget, agriculture and leisure...it is not surprising that our curiosity has turned to a big part of New York culture: Horses. Belmont Racetrack. Photo: Al Bello, Getty Images. Truth is, it’s difficult, if not impossible, to get a handle on the state’s horse population and breeds. Overall, there are over 350 different breeds of horses and ponies. In New York, the New York State...