From the editor
Happy October, Dispatchers.
I held off on yesterday’s Dispatch because my spidey senses said to wait for more news to break (yesterday was slooooooow). But it didn’t even click that that meant I’d be writing this in October. We’re officially in Spooky Season, can you believe it? 😱
Where did September go?
Buckle up,
— Abby
In this issue:
🀄 Tile me all about it — Guided Play
🎨 Welcome to the neighborhood
🏠 When ‘cheap’ and ‘old’ are good
📚 Chapter 2
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🀄 Mahjong corner
Both beginner classes are sold out (again!) — but we still have a few seats left at our beginner-level Guided Play this Sunday at 2 p.m. With both of our amazing teachers on hand to answer questions while you play, this is the best no-stress way to go from overwhelmed newbie to confident player. Plus it’s fun!
🥂 Bocage’s Zac and Clark have landed in (where else) Champagne — and I’m having FOMO! I’ve been mulling over the details of a bucket-list trip to Tuscany for 12–15 of us, with a dreamy medieval villa I’ve fallen in love with as a home base…
Should I make this Tuscan adventure happen for Dispatch readers?
🎨 FIRST LOOK
New Yaddo president
Yaddo announced this morning that Cyra Levenson will usher the storied artists’ retreat into its second century as its new president, beginning Nov. 16. Currently the Deputy Director of Learning and Engagement at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum and Foundation, she succeeds Elaina Richardson, who is stepping down after 26 years. Headed to NYC for Yaddo’s star-studded Centennial NYC Benefit next Monday? The gala will honor Richardson’s more than a quarter of a century at the helm.
🏠 This old haunted house?
Cheap Old Houses stars Elizabeth and Ethan Finkelstein joined Wilton's Bethany Khan on her podcast, Things I Learned From my Mother — and the timing of the episode’s release couldn’t be a more chic entrée into spooky season. Their 30-minute chat covered everything from on-property cemeteries (and a horse that can potentially sense spirits) to where to buy wallpaper in Sharon Springs (the reality stars live in Washington County). Khan’s Arcadian Revival brand has become a breakout name in home, garden and kitchen.
I last interviewed the Finkelsteins when I moderated their panel at last year’s Saratoga Book Festival – now that’s a corny segue, but I’m going with it. Let’s check out some more highlights (see Monday’s Dispatch for Chapter 1) from this year’s, which kicks off with Thursday evening at UPH.
📚 Book Festival highlights, Chapter 2
Friday
6 p.m. – Worth a second mention: the Literary Night Market at UPH. Meet local authors, have a glass of wine, chat with other readers … book nerd perfection (I’ll be there).
Saturday
11:30 a.m. - Talk fantasy over tea and biscuits at “Romantasy Tea” at Caffè Lena, featuring Mai Corland (Verity Gold) & Lauren Blackwood (The Queen’s Bodyguard) with Caitlin Sheldon.
1 p.m. - Head back in time with historical fiction writer Francine Prose (Five Weeks in the Country) in conversation with Yaddo’s Halimah Marcus, at Caffè Lena.
4 p.m. - “Vladimir: Page to Screen” sees Julia May Jonas — her “darkly moving and funny” debut novel was picked up by Netflix — in conversation with Northshire’s Kim van Alkemade.
7 p.m. - With a title like How Dylan and the Beatles Changed Each Other — and the World, need I say more about this book? Author Jim Windolf chats with Paul Bogaards & Chuck Vosganian at Saratoga Arts.
Sunday
🧸 1-4 p.m. - KidZone time! Time to inspire the next generation of readers via all kinds of imaginative book-related activities — now at the Children’s Museum. FREE
🚨 Shameless plug alert…
Where are my crime fiction stans? Ashley Winstead, Nicolas DiDomizio and I will be talking page-turners (with a dash of vigilante justice and dark family secrets) Saturday afternoon at UPH. The bar opens at 3:30 p.m for a little author mingle, and the chat starts at 4.
Martinis and motives: Bar opens at 3:30 p.m., author chat starts at 4. See you Saturday afternoon at UPH? 📸 Seen in Saratoga will be there, too.
📌 ICYMI…
📰 IN BRIEF
Kelly’s Angels has received its highest-ever donation in its 16-year history, reports the nonprofit’s founder, Channel 13’s Mark Mulholland.
Fan favorite jockey Irad Ortiz, who was injured at The Spa this past August, is set to return to racing tomorrow, reports the Paulick Report.
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