AOA7 drawing: Fort Orange General Store, The Cheese Traveler, Saratoga Sweets Candy Co.

fort orange general store saratoga sweets cheese traveler composite

Drawing's closed!

The last prize of the week includes:

+ A $25 gift certificate to the Fort Orange General Store in Albany.

+ A $15 gift certificate and a tote bag from the The Cheese Traveler in Albany.

+ A basket of candy from Saratoga Sweets Candy Co. in Saratoga Springs: Chocolate bunny, jelly beans, chocolate eggs, etc. A $40 value.

To enter the drawing, please answer this question in the comments:

What's something in the Capital Region that lifts your spirits?

It could be something big, but we'd really like to know about those little things that brighten your day. A note from someone, the sight of flowers somewhere, maybe some food item. We'll draw one winner at random.

Important: All comments must be submitted by 11:59 pm on Friday, March 27, 2015 to be entered in the drawing. You must answer the question to be part of the drawing. (Normal commenting guidelines apply.) One entry per person, please. You must enter a valid email address (that you check regularly) with your comment. The winner will be notified via email by 5 pm on Monday and must respond by 5 pm on Tuesday, March 31.

Comments

sunset at Lake George.

The weird elk/penny fountain inside the NYS Museum

This one is easy: walking my dog anywhere in the Capital Region lifts my spirits (and the dog's). Sometimes we drive to different neighborhoods just to take in the architecture, the gardens, and the unique vibes (and smells) of diverse neighborhoods.

1. Walk in washington park
2. Ice cream from snowman in Troy
3. Rolls from Prinzos on Delaware Ave. Albany

Watching the sunrise from my balcony. I hate getting up early for work, but that view always brings a smile to my face.

When the farmers market returns to its outside venue. Nothing better than a lazy morning stroll in the warm sun while noshing on a chocolate croissant and shopping for fruits and veggies.

The Dove & Hudson bookstore.

The "albany's main st. "Sign as you come onto Delaware avenue.

The Altamont Fair!

Nipper. :)

The flower show....and it's this weekend!

A huge orange and vanilla twist from Snowman's! (great now I'm craving one...)

Driving back into Albany to visit with friends or to give a home visit for a massage :)

A short walk in the woods always cheers me up. & the Pine Bush is great place for one.

Have always enjoyed the productions of Albany Civic Theatre. Very talented group!

the transformation of downtown troy :) new store openings every couple months

My marvelous cat, "Trevor the Best Cat Ever" - who I adopted from Noah's Kingdom.

snowshoeing at Capital Hills!

A small chocolate soft serve with chocolate sprinkles from Jumpin Jacks!!!

The beautiful paintings that are on buildings and alleyways, and the occasional old advertising that can be seen on some old brick buildings make me imagine how the city looked in times long forgotten.

Proximity to so much wonderful nature, in every direction

Taking the family (dog included) to tastee Freeze

The view of Albany up the road from Walmart on Route 4 in East Greenbush at sunset.

Eating on the outside patio at Druthers

Talking with Dan and browsing books at Dove & Hudson

Right now? The *fabulous* cocktail last night at dp :-). ['French 25' - *highly* recommended!]

Seeng people outside in masse during Tulip Fest!

A walk at five rivers and the capital district garden show.

Late afternoon sunlight on the Capitol with a backdrop of those dramatic clouds we get here.

swim holes!

Tulips. Especially when they first emerge because then we truly know it's Spring.

An evening at Henry Hudson Park.

Apple cider doughnuts, although I don't want to see them until the autumn. I am ready for soft serve right now!

a scoop from the ice cream man in greenwich!

Thompson's Lake.

Coming home via The Patroon Island Bridge or The Livingston Avenue Bridge and seeing the skyline - the lights, downtown, The Egg. That view is Home.

A walk at The Crossings in Colonie and seeing the ducks-geese-fish.

The City Beer Hall.

Tulips in all the parks.

Eggs Benedict from Iron Gate

Nothing lifts my spirits quite like, well, spirits! So I'd go with some Ironweed Rye!

Walking outside for the farmer's market in Troy!

live local music

Not a thing per say........Meeting kind, genuine people that are not oblivious to others (make me smile). too many of the lately here in Albany. could be the long winter.

A walk around Peebles island!

Biking around on a warm summer night, especially downtown, in the magic hour between Rush and Drunken.

That it finally smells like spring!

Summer mornings down by the Hudson River.

The view at Thatcher Park.

Walking along the Hudson River on a summer morning.

Proctor's Theatre

What lifts my spirits in Albany is that first bite of a perfect, hand-picked apple in the fall, and then that first sip from a tub of too-sweet festival lemonade when the weather warms up. At that first bite/first sip, I whisper to myself, "it's finally here," and remember all over again why I love Albany's change of seasons.

Finding a new amazing restaurant has moved into our area with an amazing chef....
Comfort Kitchen, Nibble, La Empanada Llama, New World Bistro....

The first 60 degree day of spring

When the final remnants of winter ice finally melt and my tulips crocuses start to push their way up.

The smell of the pine trees in Washington Park, Albany.

An oldie, but a goodie- Tulip Fest/Pinkster Fest.

The NY in Bloom flower show at the NYS Museum. It always picks me up after an Albany winter of varying shades of white and grey.

Running into an old friend somewhere always makes my day. I was in Hannaford the other day and ran into a friend I had lost touch with. It was a lovely reunion and now we have reconnected!

No brainer...Raspberry Oatmeal Pancakes (from Cafe Madison)..I moved to North Carolina for a 2 year stint and this savory stack of amazing goodness might be the single most important thing that brought me back to the Capital District...but don't tell my boyfriend/friends/family :)

Berry picking at Indian Ladder Farmers.

Spending time at the 'wee kitchen' at the St. Andrew's Society in Albany. Both the company and the scotch helps to lift ones' spirits!

My family for sure!

troy farmer's market.

Honestly, the Spectrum 8.

What lifts my spirits is taking a walk in Albany's Washington Park. It is such a pretty, urban oasis. A jewel in any season!

Ice cream form Stewart's in the summer :)

Spending time with my family and friends at BBQ's.

The great hiking trails and parks that our region has to offer!

How the trees change from season to season.

The people. Everyone's nicer here. I hail from LI, which is a cesspool of miserable people.

The wry, intelligent small conversations you can have with strangers in the parks and streets.

I have traveled all over the US. This is not a common thing!

Quackenbush Square in Spring, when the tulips are up. Better still when I can have a pint at Olde English and sit in a sun beam.

Every once in a while, I see someone unicycling on Western Avenue (near the uptown UAlbany campus), and it never fails to crack me up (as well as amaze me--it looks hard!).

Walking around looking at all of Albanys beautiful historic homes and their stained glass windows.

the sight of snow FINALLY melting in my front yard! SPRING (HAS TO?) BE NEAR!

Strawberry picking at Best Berries in the Summer:)

That first really warm sunny day, driving with your windows down, after the long cold winter! I've been looking forward to it for months!

Concerts at the Egg!!! Easy parking and intimate venue.

By far, the public parks. We have beautiful parks, and I hope that the funding to upkeep them is never compromised. They add immense value to our quality of life.

A stone's throw from the outdoors!

Watching my sons on the carousel at the NYS Museum. Heck, watching them explore almost anything in the NYS Museum makes me smile.

When the tulips bloom in Washington Park, it lifts my spirits.

Sporting events at UALBANY.

All the beautiful tulips all over town- when they show up it is the true sign that winter is FINALLY over!

Tulips in washington park and the various art installments that get placed around that city.

The way the light hits the State Ed. building in the evening. It shines just through Alfred E. Smith, the LOB, and the Capitol and catches the corner columns in this orange glow. I don't know why, but I just find it stunning.

Rollerblading on the bike path.

Spring skiing at Jiminy Peak lifts my spirits.

Running in Washington Park/Corning Preserve

I love going outside this last week and seeing people coming outside of their homes walking being social and enjoying the weather.

When the food trucks start to come out at the plaza. I wait all winter for a good plate of grape leaves eaten in the park.

Taking my kids to central park in Schenectady.

There's a piano sitting in the concourse below the Empire State Plaza this month. Random people have been playing it. Some of them play really well. All of them lift my spirits.

Walking around downtown early morning on weekends. It's so quiet and calm. You really get to take in the architecture and layout of the city without the noise and congestion of the 9-5'ers. Makes you realize how beautiful Albany really is.

The smell of Cider Belly Doughnuts lifts one's spirits on a dreary workday downtown.

Crocuses, daffodils and tulips in the Spring time!

Pizza and beer at Gastropub on a friday

The sheer number of things to do/see/eat/drink at any given time.

Chicken and waffles and a mimosa for brunch at The City Beer Hall!

When the Farmer's Market moves outside for the season, and the first day comes along that it's actually warm enough to appreciate that.

Troy's River Street Arts Festival

a great yoga class at good karma always makes everything better. especially when there are beautiful crystals to impulse-buy afterwards.

I secretly like when I get the red light coming down Madison Ave at Eagle Street because I get to take a few moments to turn my head left and look at The Egg - just makes me smile!

Meeting for lunch with friends at outdoor cafés.

Ice cream at scoops!

walking around the outdoor farmers markets. Seeing people starting to use the parks.

Happy Hour at LIONHEART!

Ice Cream, Specifically Blue Moon from Moxies while sitting on the swings enjoying the beautiful summertime!

The Ruck lifts my spirits and lowers my inhibitions.

A visit to the Troy Farmers' Market puts my in a happy mood for the rest of the day!

Learning something cool and new to me about our local history...

and so many times it comes from you AoA! (like the first time you told us about the Takk House, or the Bryan Stone)

Tulip Fest because that means summer is right around the corner!!

...bringing our pups to Capital Hills Golf Course for a stroll so that they can frolic with their friends!

Running through Washington Park with my pup.

Nine Pin outside on a nice day with a burger from the gastropub

The view across the Hudson river to the Catskills on my way home every day!

Running through Washington Park with my pup.

The flower petals they throw outside the Lark Street Flower Market!

I love how the lark street florist throws flower petals on the sidewalk every so often...it brightens up the sidewalk

Enjoying a beer outside in the summer!

Troy on Saturday afternoons in the Summer.

When on the way into work in the morning at the ESP a friendly face smiles and says Good Morning! That really makes my day.

The Ruck in Troy with my co-teachers after a long week at school!

Last Vestige Music on Quail

I like skateboarding down the hills near RPI on a sunny morning when its so quiet that the sound of the wheels rolling over the concrete and the wind are the loudest thing that I hear

Alive at 5!

The woodsy part of the trails at the Crossings (Colonie) in the springtime.

So many good/interesting parks and playgrounds.

Watching the sea of hundreds of resident crows flying through the late-afternoon sky!

All the free, outdoor summer concerts in the Tri-city area.

Traveling towards Albany on the Dunn Memorial Bridge- I love that view of my city. Makes me smile every time.

Summer afternoons at Thompson's Lake, followed by a visit to the Nature Center and the Escarpment (if we're not too tired). A close second: Oliver's Beverage Center on Colvin Ave.

Troy Farmer's market!

When the sun first starts setting after I get out of work downtown, and I turn to look at the buildings at the plaza lit up -- they catch the sun so well and convince me it will get warmer again.

All the spots to snowshoe! Thacher, pine bush, wilton, and more

This one's easy: AOA
You guys rule.

Placid Baker: ham and cheese croissant

Seeing my beautiful river!

The veggies and other great foods at Whole Foods and Trader Joes in Colonie!

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For a decade All Over Albany was a place for interested and interesting people in New York's Capital Region. It was kind of like having a smart, savvy friend who could help you find out what's up. AOA stopped publishing at the end of 2018.

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