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Food Network 'Chopped' Chef At Helm Of New Restaurant In Region Food Network 'Chopped' Chef At Helm Of New Restaurant In Region
Food Network 'Chopped' Chef At Helm Of New Restaurant In Region A new Hudson Valley restaurant features eclectic New American cuisine in a relaxed setting with a Food Network "Chopped" chef at the helm. The Dining Room in Rockland County in Blauvelt, at 135 East Erie St., is a stylish but casual 65-seat restaurant, that includes a full-service bar, and offers dinner nightly and brunch on weekends. Executive Chef Gregory Stott, whom guests can see in action through a large glass restaurant-front window, specializes in New American, Northern Italian, and French fine-dining cuisine.  “At The Dining Room, I’m not married to a singl…

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by Kathy Reakes
Lifestyle
$50K Winning Lottery Ticket Sold At Convenience Store In Capital Region $50K Winning Lottery Ticket Sold At Convenience Store In Capital Region
$50K Winning Lottery Ticket Sold At Convenience Store In Capital Region A winning lottery ticket worth $50,000 was sold at a convenience store in the region. The third prize-winning Powerball ticket was sold in Albany at the Cumberland Farms store located at 1870 Western Avenue. It was sold for the drawing held on Monday, Jan. 15, New York Lottery announced. Monday’s winning numbers are 13-30-35-49-59 and the Powerball is 4. Winners have one year from the drawing date to claim their prize money. Players can check their numbers on the New York Lottery website.

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by Michael Mashburn
Lifestyle
Harvard Grad Student Becomes First Active Military Member Crowned Miss America Harvard Grad Student Becomes First Active Military Member Crowned Miss America
Harvard Grad Student Becomes First Active Military Member Crowned Miss America A graduate student at Harvard has made history as the first active duty member of the military to be crowned Miss America. Madison Marsh, who is working on her master's degree in public policy at the Harvard Kennedy School and currently a graduate intern with Harvard Medical School, was crowned on Sunday, Jan. 14. She is also the reigning Miss Colorado.  The 22-year-old graduated from the United States Air Force Academy with a degree in physics in 2023, according to her pageant bio. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Miss Ameri…

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by Khier Casino
Lifestyle
Unsolved Murder Of Postal Worker In Region Is Focus Of National Crime Podcast Episode Unsolved Murder Of Postal Worker In Region Is Focus Of National Crime Podcast Episode
Unsolved Murder Of Postal Worker In Region Is Focus Of National Crime Podcast Episode The unsolved stabbing death of a 36-year-old postal worker at a Westchester residence is the subject of the latest episode of a weekly national true crime audio podcast series.  The newest episode of the true crime podcast "APB Cold Case," released on Wednesday, Jan. 10, focuses on the 2007 murder of 36-year-old Stephen Spina in Mamaroneck, which remains unsolved.  Earlier Report - Daughter Searches For Answers 10 Years After Father's Murder In Mamaroneck During the episode, listeners will get to hear from the case detective currently leading the investigation into…

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by Ben Crnic
Lifestyle
Yowza: NY Man Claims $10M Lottery Prize Yowza: NY Man Claims $10M Lottery Prize
Yowza: NY Man Claims $10M Lottery Prize An incredibly lucky New York man is starting the new year off with a much fatter bank account. Long Island resident Mack Peoples, of Brentwood, claimed a top prize on the “$10,000 A Week For Life” scratch-off game, New York Lottery announced. The ticket guarantees a minimum payout of $10 million. Peoples opted to take a single lump sum payment totaling $4,224,667 after paying taxes. He snagged his golden ticket at a 7-Eleven store located in Bay Shore, at 1375 Brentwood Road. As of Friday, there were still two top prizes remaining on the “$10,000 A Week For Life” ticket. Players can che…

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by Michael Mashburn
Lifestyle
Best Burger Found At This Capital Region Restaurant, Foodies Say: 'Never Been Disappointed' Best Burger Found At This Capital Region Restaurant, Foodies Say: 'Never Been Disappointed'
Best Burger Found At This Capital Region Restaurant, Foodies Say: 'Never Been Disappointed' Word on the street is this restaurant has the best burgers around – and they have receipts to prove it. Rensselaer County’s Illusive Restaurant and Bar – located in Rensselaer at 3 Ferry Street – received the most nods on the 518 Foodies Facebook page on Wednesday, Jan. 10. “Looking for the best burger place in the (area code) 518,” Ashley Surprenant had asked her fellow foodies. Her post garnered over 250 responses. Earlier Report: 'America's Best Restaurants' To Feature Popular Rensselaer Eatery “By far the best burger,” one commenter said of Illusive. “Never been disappointed,” w…

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by Michael Mashburn
Lifestyle
Talk Show Filming In Region Searches For Guests Talk Show Filming In Region Searches For Guests
Talk Show Filming In Region Searches For Guests Have an issue that needs to be sorted out? You could get paid to do it on TV – and meet an iconic television host. “Karamo Show,” hosted by Karamo Brown of Netflix’s “Queer Eye,” is in search of its next guests for filming in Connecticut, in the city of Stamford. In a casting call posted to the audition site Backstage, the show says it’s looking for people going through a tough time who need help and advice – think estranged relationships, a betrayal between friends, etc. “There is no doubt that if you come into this with an open mind and heart and want to share your story, you’ll leave…

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by Sophie Grieser
Lifestyle
New Restaurant In Region Serves Up Sandwiches Made With Pizza Dough New Restaurant In Region Serves Up Sandwiches Made With Pizza Dough
New Restaurant In Region Serves Up Sandwiches Made With Pizza Dough Open for a month, a hot new Italian gastropub in the Hudson Valley is quickly making a name for itself with foodies and online reviewers with plenty of five-star reviews. Spettro, (ghost in Italian) located in Dutchess County, is not your usual pizza joint. Nestled at 44 Lagrange Ave., in Poughkeepsie, visitors will know the difference the minute they walk in by the atmosphere of the restaurant, Sure they serve pizzas and sandwiches, but they also offer upscale pasta dishes for dinner and Sunday brunch. They are also quickly becoming known for their unique "pillowy-type" sandwiches called p…

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by Kathy Reakes
Lifestyle
$1M Lottery Prize Claimed By Capital Region LLC $1M Lottery Prize Claimed By Capital Region LLC
$1M Lottery Prize Claimed By Capital Region LLC Happy new year, indeed. The lucky player or players behind an LLC in the region have claimed a massive, seven-figure lottery prize. In Saratoga County, the BH NY Partnership Limited Liability Company (LLC) of Ballston Spa has claimed a second-prize Powerball jackpot worth $1 million. New York Lottery officials said the winning ticket was purchased in Ballston Spa at the Stewart’s Shops located at 2467 Route 9. It matched the first five numbers drawn on Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2023. The LLC opted to take the one-time lump sum payment totaling $651,000 after taxes.

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by Michael Mashburn
Lifestyle
Popular Restaurant In Region Closing After 10 Years Popular Restaurant In Region Closing After 10 Years
Popular Restaurant In Region Closing After 10 Years With plenty of five-star reviews and legions of fans, many foodies in the region will be sad to hear that one of their favorites is closing its doors. Sullivan County's Soy Asian Cusine, in Monticello, known for their homemade dumplings, sushi, and "very good Japanese food," according to a Yelper, announced on their Facebook page they will be closing on Monday, Jan. 15. The restaurant didn't give a reason for the closure but did say they wanted to thank everyone for their business and that they would be missed. Always popular with foodies, one diner had this to say just last month on Yelp:…

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by Kathy Reakes
Lifestyle
'It Was Magical': Billy Crystal, NY Native, Receives Kennedy Center Honors 'It Was Magical': Billy Crystal, NY Native, Receives Kennedy Center Honors
'It Was Magical': Billy Crystal, NY Native, Receives Kennedy Center Honors Comedian, actor, and filmmaker Billy Crystal, who is from New York, was one of five other iconic figures celebrated at the 46th Kennedy Center Honors. Billy Crystal, known for his roles in movies such as “When Harry Met Sally...” and “City Slickers,” received his honors at the John F. Kennedy Center Opera House in Washington, DC in a pre-recorded show that was broadcast on Wednesday, Dec. 27. The 75-year-old Crystal, who was born in the Bronx and later moved to Long Beach on Long Island, was honored alongside Renée Fleming, Queen Latifah, Barry Gibb, and Dionne Warwick. “It was magical, …

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by Sophie Grieser
Lifestyle
New Wappingers Falls Restaurant Getting Rave Reviews For Variety, Fresh Offerings New Wappingers Falls Restaurant Getting Rave Reviews For Variety, Fresh Offerings
New Wappingers Falls Restaurant Getting Rave Reviews For Variety, Fresh Offerings A new Thai restaurant in the Hudson Valley is wowing diners with its bright, fresh flavors, according to online foodies. Located in Dutchess County, Lopburi Thai opened in mid-October in Wappingers Falls and usually has a line out the door, in part because they only seat about 15 to 20 people at a time. But don't let that deter you from trying one of the new hot spots in the village (they also have take-out) that is named after the owner's hometown in Thailand.  The menu features plenty of curry dishes, as well as seafood, duck, Pad Thai, and many standard favorite Thai dishes.  …

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by Kathy Reakes