By Sandra J. Hutchinson

I may be just a tad biased, but I think the current exhibit at the Chapman Historical Museum in Glens Falls is a MUST SEE.

The exhibit, which opened October 27, features nearly 100 photos from The Chronicle’s over 36 years of publication — images that illustrate intriguing human interest stories and community events that have defined recent decades. There are many familiar faces and photos of major events that have taken place in our region. The exhibit also includes some of the infamous April Fools front pages (remember the bridge across Lake George?).

Here’s one of the signature photos, taken by me, while aloft at the Adirondack Hot Air Balloon Festival.

The dragon’s view at the Adirondack Hot Air Balloon Festival

On this particular flight, I was not a passenger in the dragon balloon, but in the maple leaf balloon, which was at the festival representing the province of Quebec. The maple leaf balloon pilot and the dragon balloon pilot were friends, and as I recall, from the same company that flew these balloons commercially. They were young, kind of hot-shot guys— “cowboys” is the term I’d use. It became clear to me as we ascended that these two pilots were going keep their balloons fairly close to one another, which was something I wasn’t especially comfortable with. As you can tell from the photo, when the dragon bobbed his head down, we were indeed very close. I did get a great photo, but at the time, I wasn’t sure I’d be around to take any more!

Here are a few other standout photos that you can see in the exhibit:

Rachael Ray and her mother, Elsa Scuderi

This photo by Chronicle editor and publisher Mark Frost, is one of our favorites of Lake George native Rachael Ray. Rachael, of course, is a media juggernaut, with her daily TV show, shows on the Food Network, cookbooks, a magazine, dog food product line, and much more. Her mom, Elsa, managed the Lake George Howard Johnson’s, where Rachael got her start in the food business. Rachael has never forgotten her roots, and returns often to her home in Lake George. Each year she hosts a sold-out benefit for the Lake George Scholarship Association.

Tony DeSare at the Charles R. Wood Theater

Here’s another photo by Mark Frost, this one of native son Tony DeSare. A graduate of Hudson Falls High School, Tony has gone on to have a stellar career as a jazz singer, pianist and songwriter. He has performed across the globe, including appearing with many symphonic orchestras. Mark Frost was the first journalist to write about the young phenom, while Tony was still in high school. Tony returns home to see family and friends, and has performed both at the Charles R. Wood Theater in Glens Falls, and with the Glens Falls Symphony Orchestra.

Kate White, former editor of Cosmopolitan

This photo of Glens Falls native Kate White, sitting on her parents’ front stoop, was also taken by Mark Frost. After graduating from St. Mary’s in Glens Falls, and then Union College, Kate went on to have a highly successful career as a magazine editor, culminating in her 14 years as editor-in-chief of Cosmopolitan, from 1998-2012. She has also written a number of career books and novels.

Nickie Piscitelli

In Hudson Falls, Nickie Piscitelli operated Mike’s Grocery until, literally, the day before she died, in 2013 at age 91. Nickie was a close friend of Chronicle editor Mark Frost; she and her store slipped unscathed through time. One of Nickie’s specialties was making May baskets every spring out of empty milk cartons and crepe paper, meant to be filled with candy treats and given to loved ones and friends. Mark took this photo.

This is just a sampling. Please visit the museum and see the photos for yourself. The exhibit will be on view through April 2. 2017, and we are planning a number of events surrounding the exhibit. Keep checking The Chronicle for updates.  

The Chapman Museum, at 348 Glen Street, Glens Falls, is open Tuesday through Saturday, 10 am to 4 pm. and Sundays noon to 4 pm. Admission is free to museum members. For nonmembers, admission is $5 for adults; $4 for seniors (65+) and students, and free for children under age 12. For more information on the museum and its other exhibits, check the Web site chapmanmuseum.org. Phone: (518) 793-2826.