Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Chocolate Initials - A Dutch Tradition! In the 16th and 17th centuries, according to old Germanic traditions, letters made from pastry were presented to children at birth as a symbol of good fortune and this became a part of the St Nicholas legend in the 19th century. A bread dough letter was used to identify whose gifts were hidden in a shoe or under a sheet. Then the children had to find their initial in order to see what else St Nicholas had left for them. When the Dutch, famous as traders, brought home cocoa beans along with coffee, tea and spices from exotic lands, their love affair with chocolate began. They learned to make some of the finest chocolate in the world. Soon, the St Nicholas’ letters were made from chocolate and the tradition continues to this day. The Dutch chocolate makers keep St Nicholas supplied with enough chocolate letters for every household in Holland – and even have plenty for us!

The Dutch Tradition of Chocolate Initials continues!
Just in time for Schuylerville’s St. Nicholas Day Celebration, Saturday, December 5th, 2009. Orders for Chocolate Letters are now being taken for delivery in the first week of December and throughout the Holiday Season. Chocolate Letters, in either Dark, Milk or Sugarless Chocolate, 3 x 4 inches in size, come individually packaged in a festive box. The cost is $6.00 each and can be ordered by calling or emailing Marie Foster, 518-695-5609 or mailto:fostermr@verizon.net Please make checks payable to the Schuylerville Area Chamber of Commerce.
Good fortune to all who receive the first letter of their first name in Chocolate! Delicious!

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

SCHUYLERSKIFF

An Autumn Colors rowing race for single shells – “The Schuylerskiff” will be held on Sunday October 11th on the Hudson River in Schuylerville NY. The first of what will become an annual event will see eight winners sent off to Italy to the World Singles Championships – “The Silverskiff” – held each November in Turin.

The Schuylerskiff is being organized by the Saratoga Rowing Association and the Schuylerville Chamber of Commerce. It will kick off with a musket volley at the starting line at 8:00 AM by Revolutionary Era re-enactors involved in the Surrender Week activities at the Saratoga National Historical Park.

Judy and Phil Dean will host the race at the Schuyler Yacht Basin located at the bridge in Schuylerville. Prizes are sponsored through the generosity of The Fort Miller Group and the Adirondack Trust Company.

The Schuylerskiff is a “head” race in which competitors race against the clock. It will be open to all four classes of rowers each with a men’s and women’s division: Juniors A, B & C; Elite & lightweight, Open & lightweight and Masters A, B, C & D. Junior racers will compete over 4 kilometers and all the others will be 8 kilometer races. The course is set “down and back” with the start and finish lines both visible from the Yacht Basin.

Spectators are encouraged and welcome. Spectator parking is in Fort Hardy, and boat parking is at the beach across from the Yacht Basin. Registration and award ceremonies will all be at the Yacht Basin.

The Champlain Canal Tour Boat Company will be on-site offering fans opportunities to ride out on the river, Schuylerville galleries, eateries and merchants will all be available to greet rowers and their friends. All three National Park venues, the Schuyler House, the Victory Monument and the Battlefield, will be open and celebrating Surrender Week. There is a reggae concert at Saratoga Apple in the afternoon, and the Schuyler Farms Corn Maze will have hayrides for families of rowers.