Human connection in an AI world
Petal + Hive's Jillian Ehrenberg. PLUS: Crystals, education and 'Steamed Hams' recap.
Happy Wednesday, Dispatchers!
Ever wonder why I write these borderline-cringey little notes?
Yup, because I want you to know it’s me. Abby. A real person.
The Dispatch is about community and connection — and so is Jillian Ehrenberg of Petal + Hive.
So … we connected. Enjoy her interview!
— Abby
After that intro, you knew this was coming…
The next Dispatch Dinner Club is May 6. Book now to join the 33 of your neighbors who have already signed up! You’ll be matched with five of ‘em for dinner at restaurants all over town — then we’ll all meet up for a nightcap at The Misfit to gossip about how it all went down.
No awkward mingling, like-minds only. Connect and support local!
Human connection in an AI world
I want a world where the flex is not to be on your phone. Until then…we need more entrepreneurs like Jillian Ehrenberg, the owner of Broadway’s clean beauty shop Petal + Hive. A cosmetic chemist who last year moved her business from Ballston Spa to Saratoga, Ehrenberg has also been building something she calls the Wellness Connection Project and using her larger new space to host workshops, events and walk-in conversations.
Why focus on human connection, and why now?
“We’re in a time when we’re lacking connection more than ever. It’s not just being on the phone — it’s being inside your own news stream, your own bubble. You can be friends online with people you’ll never actually meet. But we’re wired for connection, and not everybody knows how to practice it.”
“Three points of connection a day, that’s it. Make eye contact. Say hi.”
Jillian Ehrenberg, owner of Petal + Hive
Why move the shop to Saratoga?
“I wanted room to host events without people feeling squished, and my old space was tiny. Now I have people reaching out twice a week asking if we can host or co-host something. I don’t know how they’re all finding me, but I’m like: Bring it.”
Tell me about your skincare workshops.
“I’m a cosmetic chemist, so I have my own skincare line. At a ‘Sip and Blend,’ I bring out the professional equipment and we make a product from scratch. Everyone leaves with some. Along the way, we talk about ingredients — how to read a label, what to avoid if your skin is sensitive. But mostly, people just talk. It’s great.”
You’ve said the walk-in conversations at the store can get pretty deep.
“People come in with really heavy things. A lot of folks say, ‘I need to switch to clean products because I just got a cancer diagnosis,’ or something similar. Everybody’s dealing with a lot. I want this to be a place where you walk in and feel like you can breathe.”
To learn more about Petal + Hive’s upcoming events, visit petalandhive.com. (And you must go shopping, too!)
Crystals and healing
Saratoga’s Molly Brindle — author, Reiki master and inspiring local celeb — is joining forces with Complexions for an Evening of Crystals & Spiritual Healing on May 13. The event is already almost sold out, so if you’re interested in learning about crystals (and making a bracelet personalized with your own intention to take home!) and trying out Reiki, book your ticket now.
“Energy is everywhere, in your cells, in the earth, in the air — and in the crystals we wear as jewelry!” says Brindle, who adds that her private Reiki energy sessions she’ll be doing during the event “calm and balance your chakras and energy field.”
To grab one of the last tickets, visit complexions.com.
🎥 Saratoga in the limelight
A look into Saratoga’s track season — and the culture surrounding it — just earned director Samuel Centore a win in the documentary short category award at the 2026 Sarasota Film Festival.
The doc, 40 Days in Saratoga, took home its prize on April 17, says Dan DeFedericis of the Saratoga Report.
💃 Tales from downtown Albany
Anyone else a sucker for pop culture moments? Both the ones that cement a moment in time, and those that inexplicably seem to have a mind of their own … like the “Steamed Hams” sketch from The Simpsons.
A few weeks ago, I previewed a Steamed Hams event going down at Druthers — the man, the myth, the legend Bill Oakley was coming to Albany.
For the very first time.
Even though one of his most famous Simpsons moments — a Meme of the Year winner — was literally about Albany. (The memorable double-down dig, anyway.)
And Saratogian Laura Tilton — who claims to weave Simpsons references into 72% of conversations and “essentially” think in Simpsons lines — not only went, but she wrote all about it.
To have a read (it’s fun!), see He does Steam a good ham.
🍎 School report
Saratoga Report’s Dan DeFedericis made an impassioned plea on behalf of his daughter’s school, Spa Catholic. See what he has to say!
Speaking of education…
The Saratoga Torch Club will host a conversation with Skidmore College President Emeritus Philip A. Glotzbach, “offering timely guidance for students and families navigating college and the rapidly changing world beyond it.”
The talk — 7:30 p.m. on Monday, April 27 — is free to attend, and no reservation is required. To attend the group’s dinner (at 5:30, before the event), a reservation must be made by Friday afternoon. (Email torchman999@gmail.com.)
For more info, visit Civic Conversations.
….and the little guys
Malta’s Skool of Fish preschool (100 Saratoga Village Blvd., Suite 52) celebrated its grand opening during a recent ribbon-cutting ceremony with the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce. Congrats!
For more info, visit skool-of-fish.weebly.com.
📌 ICYMI…
Trinity Mouzon Wofford’s first-ever Saratoga event
EXCLUSIVE: 🏇 Tom Durkin’s fave Saratoga moment
🙌 Support the Dispatch
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— Abby
