The House That Wouldn’t Be
Conscious Breathing: Breathing for life
How ‘Vacationland’ Got Its Name
Chasing the Flag: North Country ice fishermen do it for the love of the sport
It’s a Pirate’s Life For Me!
Navigating The Rumor and Fable of Thousand Islands Dressing
“Hands, Pans, Flames and Heart”
Holiday fashion across the decades
Northern New York women dressing for the holidays in the 1940s focused heavily on accessories. At the annual Christmas Teas held by the College Women’s Club of Jefferson County, the women in these photos showed off popular fashion trends of the decade. These women finished off their looks with festive hats, broaches, and belts to celebrate the season.
Unchain your holiday season: Give the gifts of community craft, north country artisans
BY: HOLLY C. BONAME
As the holidays draw near, finding the perfect gift can be a stressful and daunting task. But it doesn’t have to be. Thinking outside of the box stores and looking locally can ease this stress and even produce a custom gift for each person on your holiday shopping list.
Buying locally not only allows for you to find the perfectly customized gift for your loved ones it also supports your area small businesses, keeping Northern New York communities bustling with business and economic growth.
“Every purchase made locally results in funds going back into our economy,” said Greater Watertown-North Country Chamber executive director Kylie Peck. “The more we shop locally the more effect we have on those that are supporting local programs, non-profits and causes that mean the most to us”
Throughout Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence Counties, many small businesses thrive due to support from local residents.
While shops along the St. Lawrence River depend on tourism during the summer months, they still remain open during the off-season; for small businesses in development it is about their passion for the products which they strive to share with their neighbors and friends.
“Of course it is very gratifying when people use and buy my products,” said Laura Cerow, owner and creator of St. Larry’s organic oils, lotions and potions, “Then they share with me how much they love them. But the most rewarding part is when someone finds relief of some kind from a product, that they had not been able to find elsewhere. I also formulate for individual needs and I really enjoy that aspect as well.”
It is that personal relationship with local business owners that makes shopping locally a benefit to the consumer.
“We always encourage people to shop locally when they can. We are so fortunate in the greater Watertown area to be surrounded by quaint towns that offer unique shopping experiences. During the holiday season, the chamber acts as a neighborhood champion for the Small Business Saturday movement. For many year’s we have assisted with increasing awareness of this great program,” Mrs. Peck said.
Not only does shopping for the holidays within your local communities benefit the economy, but it helps the consumer save money as well. By shopping locally, you are saving on the cost of shipping and handling. Many online shops claim to provide free shipping during the holidays, but you are paying a higher price for that retail item.
Shopping during the holidays also should be a fun experience shared with friends and family. While browsing the internet from the comfort of home can be relaxing, having personal experiences and laughs while finding the perfect holiday gift can be exciting and create lasting memories.
Remember, your family and friends are one of a kind. Shopping locally means you can choose unique and one-of-a-kind gifts that are as special as the recipient.
NNY Living encourages you to focus your holiday shopping at many of the region’s small businesses this holiday season by following our non-chain holiday shopping guide below Holly’s Holiday Pick.
Holly’s holiday pick
With the holidays just around the corner it’s easy to forget to care for your personal health and wellness. Becoming overwhelmed with the hustle and bustle of shopping, hosting guests and family and preparing the big holiday meal can leave one feeling drained.
But you don’t have to let your personal well-being fall to the wayside by simply taking a few minutes to eat well and treat your body right. Three small business owners along the St. Lawrence River want to ensure that you do just that. Laura Cerow, owner of St. Larry’s, Monica Behan, owner of Modicum Skin Care, and Liz Price-Kellogg along with Kristen Taylor, creators of LIVE YUM, have developed the “Gratitude Goddess Holiday Gift Box” to assist with wellness during the holiday season.
Each gift box includes gratitude-inspiring products handcrafted along the St. Lawrence River from the local businesswomen.
LIVE YUM
A signed copy of “For the Love of Food and Yoga: A Celebration of Mindful Eating and Being,” by Liz Price-Kellogg and Kristen Taylor. Plus, three new LIVE Yum recipes.
LARRY’S
Two organic essential oils from St. Larry’s, helmed by the St. Lawrence River’s remarkable Laura Cerow, that may be used in recipes from the For the Love of Food and Yoga inspirational cookbook.
MODICUM SKIN CARE
A travel size of the coveted Essential Serum from Murray Isle’s Monica Behan, owner of Modicum Skin Care! A 2015 Beauty Nominee for Martha Stewart’s American Made Awards, Modicum Skin Care nutrient system combats a multitude of skin care issues from aging to acne.
Call 523-0627 to purchase your holiday “Gratitude Goddess Holiday Gift Box” or to learn more. Each gift box is $50 to $65 value and includes sales tax. LIVE YUM will also mail your gift box to any mailing address with an enclosed LIVE YUM gift card (add $10 — flat rate for shipping). Give the gift of the river, health, wellness and gratitude this holiday season.
Jefferson County
Editor’s note: The following list of non-chain stores is not intended as an all-inclusive shopping directory.
Country Designs
320 Dodge Ave., Sackets Harbor
778-5633
St. Lawrence Pottery
41468 state Route 12, Clayton
686-4252
stlawrencepottery.com
The Lake Ontario Gift Shop
12279 state Route 12E, Chaumont
(315) 300-4014
The Natural Basket
44144 state Route 3, Natural Bridge
644-4821
Agape Shoppe
136 Court St., Watertown
788-7470
The 1000 Islands Cruet
226 James St., Clayton
767-1064
1000 Islands River Rat Cheese
242 James St., Clayton
686-2480 or 1- (800) 752-1341
riverratcheese.net
Treasure Island Jewelers
40 James St., Alexandria Bay
482-2294
treasureislands.net
Karla’s Christmas Shoppe
500 Riverside Drive, Clayton
686-1906
Captain Spicer’s Gallery
40467 state Route 12, Clayton
686-3419
Freighters of Clayton
534 Riverside Drive, Clayton
703-0166
St. Larry’s
38234 Windward Cliffs, Clayton
408-1174
stlarrysriver@gmail.com
stlarrys.com
Live Yum
Liz Price-Kellogg and
Kristen Taylor, Clayton
775-7115 or 523-0627
namaste@liveyum.com
liveyum.com
Modicum
Clayton / 1000 Islands
modicumskincare@gmail.com
modicumskincare.com
St. Lawrence County
Phil and Jackie’s
69 Main St., Massena
philandjackies.com
Nature’s Storehouse
21 Main St., Canton
386-3740
natures-storehouse.com
Seasons Specialty Gifts
27 W. Orvis St., Massena
764-7671
seasons-gifts.com
Misty Hollow
22 Market St., Potsdam
265-1660
mistyhollowcraftsandhobbies.com
St. Lawrence County Arts Council
41 Elm St., Room 231, Potsdam
(Downtown Snell Hall, 2nd Floor)
265-6860
slcartscouncil.org
Brick & Mortar Music
15 Market St., Potsdam
274-9311
bandmm.com
Adirondack Fragrance & Flavor Farm
1551 Highway 72, Potsdam
265-1776
adkfragrancefarm.com
Argent’s Jewelry and Coin Shop
32 Market St., Potsdam
265-6389
Canton-Potsdam Gift Shop
50 Leroy St., Canton
261-5415
Em Bears
P.O. Box 402, Hannawa Falls
268-1227
embears.com
Traditional Arts in Upstate New York (TAUNY) store
53 E. Main St., Canton
386-4289
tauny,org
Maple Run Emporiums Inc.
49 Market St., Potsdam
274-0102
MapleRunEmporiums.com
Lewis County
Nolts Country Store
7189 state Route 812, Lowville
377-3077
Marguerite’s Cranberry Emporium
7614 N. State St., Lowville
376-4411
mcegifts.com
Cozy Country Corner
7608 North State St., Lowville
376-4004
cozycountrycorner.lightspeedwebstore.com
Bonaparte Candle & Gifts
7790 State Route 3, Harrisville
543-7535
The Blue Bird Country Store
8311 state Route 26, Lowville
376-2473
bluebirdcandle.com
Amish Connection
9882 state Route 12, Copenhagen
688-2569
amishconnectionllc.com
Croghan Candy Kitchen
9740 state Route 812, Croghan
346-1591