Never forget?
From the editor
Happy morning after, Dispatchers.
Yesterday afternoon, a friend sent me a photo of her child’s 9/11 social studies assignment: a long timeline detailing — to the minute — everything his mom and I had lived through that morning, written in a child’s sincere handwriting.
It broke me.
(Thank you to that hero teacher.)
A scroll through social media showed the same generational shift playing out everywhere; my news podcasts were even bookended by deep discussions about the weight of September 11 parenting.
It was a major, palpable shift. More than 100 million Americans — nearly a third of our country — are now too young to remember the day that changed everything.
“Where I was” and “Where were you?” made noticeable room for the next generations who weren’t anywhere.
Usually, September 11 is intensely personal for me — a day-long, physical pain after a sleepless night. I try to shut it out, but I was simply too young and too close to the “deafening roar of silent shock and grief” (read more of my personal account here) that swept over those of us who were there, on the ground.
But 25 years hit differently. Aside from the very private check-ins and rituals that have dominated my somber 9/11 mornings for half my life, yesterday felt like a turning point.
Discussions about how the news spread (pre-iPhones!). Whether we really were united. The loss of innocence.
For the first time, there seemed to be more questions about what it all meant than memories of what happened. And maybe that was always going to be the natural evolution. #NeverForget won’t fade as long as it’s being handed down.
And it made my heart sing to see another hashtag making the rounds yesterday, too: #ILoveNY. Because I do.
— Abby
In this issue:
🀄 Sundays are for mahjong
🌭 Will the $1.50 hot dog combo reach Saratoga?
🍹 Mom club
🚜 Farm tour time
📩 Was this forwarded to you by a friend? Subscribe — and join the more than 6,000 of your neighbors who never miss a thing.
🀄 Mahjong fever
Tomorrow is the day. If you have contacted me in any way (waitlist or email from Facebook), you will get your invite to the Sept. 20 beginner’s class.
If you came to our other beginner’s classes, you will get your invite to the beginner’s only (with instruction) Open Play on the same day.
MORE MAHJONG NEWS COMING SOON!!! There was so much interest, that we’ve taken a step back to better organize. But we are now almost ready. I am SO PUMPED!
🌭 You guys really love Costco — and we have news
Since leaving Substack this summer (and losing all of my data), my No. 1 story has been Kathleen Willcox’s Costco report on hitting up the new Crossgates location for the first time.
So we sent her back in to ask: Is Costco’s footprint expanding (to Saratoga?!)?
But first, let’s bask again in the joys of the Capital Region’s first outpost (a heavenly 163,000-square-foot warehouse). Think bargain prices at the 18-pump gas station and the siren call of the $1.50 hot dog combo. Toss in the legendary $5 Rotisserie Chickens that seem to be in half the carts, and the “lightly breaded chicken nuggets” that are “just like McDonald’s, but somehow less chemical.”
“Can toilet paper be chic?” Willcox overheard a shopper on a recent trip.
Honey, at Costco it can!
Hooked yet? What about if we got our own location? Willcox reports:
The journey from idea to regional sensation has been far from short (10+ years of planning, delays and legal drama) or cheap.
The Big Box juggernaut has poured millions into the store, paying an estimated $18.12 million on land acquisitions in Guilderland. ($15.625 million went to the main 16.5-acre lot the warehouse is currently on; and later, an additional $2.5 million for a nearby lot on Western Ave.)
While it would be easy for Costco to just celebrate the big win and move on, rumor has it … the HQ has its eyes set on the Spa City. (In addition to chatter, there have been some semi-heartening, off-the-record responses that yes, Costco is working on a Saratoga location that could open in the next two years-ish.)
“Rumor has it that Costco’s is coming to Saratoga Springs?” Facebook wags recently posted. One answer: “I know a developer that works with the Costco on a lot of projects. He told me last week he was working with them on a Saratoga location.”
Of course, some things never change. Other responses:
“I’ll take a Wegman’s”
“Can we work on a Trader Joe’s Saratoga first?”
📌 ICYMI…
You all know I’m a huge proponent of IRL events. Maddi — a semi-recent transplant from the west coast — is throwing her inaugural Saratoga Mom Club happy hour TODAY (at the Night Owl, 3 to 5 p.m.)
Maddi came to my Dinner Club Wednesday, is adorable, and wants to meet you. So RSVP, and go meet some moms!
Welcome to the neighborhood
Photo courtesy of Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce
Bond, Schoeneck & King, PLLC is officially downtown! Not far from Dispatch headquarters, they marked their grand opening on Broadway near Complexions.
The firm's Saratoga office has long served clients throughout Saratoga County and the greater Capital Region, “advising established enterprises and emerging companies such as retailers, developers, and manufacturers, as well as educational, health care, municipal and nonprofit institutions.” Their new expanded space makes room for the firm's “continued investment in the region’s economic growth and its commitment to deliver responsive, practical, and business focused counsel.” For more information, visit bsk.com.
🚜 County Bounty Tour today and tomorrow!
Pro tip: bring a cooler. That’s how many farm-fresh goodies you’ll make your way home with during this free self-guided tour of Washington County’s small, family-owned businesses.
Think cheese, maple, wine, fall goodies, produce, flowers, you name it.
PLUS: food trucks, live music, kid’s activities and more. So get out there! It’s a beautiful day today. The event goes from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. today and tomorrow.
For more info, visit countybountytour.com.
Fall shopping time!
The Crafting Wino will have her adorable fall wares (yes, this is part of my bounty from last year’s shopping) at the Big Gay Market tomorrow and Thirsty Owl September 19.
For your yearly fall décor refresh, head to the Big Gay Market tomorrow at High Park from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. If you’re new here, this is a space for supporting local, finding the joys in artisan everything, and showing up to meet and connect with your neighbors. Besides, if the Crafting Wino has her (dubbed-by-me) “Valentino pumpkins” again, they’re a must. (IYKYK.) For a full list of vendors, visit abiggaymarket.com.
