Small city, big stories: Chronicling the Troy Story

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Happy Tuesday, Capital District! Today, we’re taking you down the Hudson a bit to the Collar City where podcaster John Salka is chronicling the rebirth of Troy, NY. Plus, check out the adorable bungalow we’re featuring for House of the Week 🏡 

—Phat X. Chiem & Karley Sullivan

Small city, big stories: Chronicling the Troy Story

Whenever we drop into Troy these days—for the Saturday farmer’s market or the monthly Troy Night Out—we can’t help but feel a bit wistful for our short stint in the Collar City before decamping for Albany.

There’s a lot of charm packed into this 7-mile stretch along the Hudson: The walkable downtown and Gilded Age mansions. The indie bookstores and hip cafes. Lovely restaurants like Nighthawks, Naughter’s and Emry’s Garden.

But John Salka, producer and host of a new podcast called Troy Story: A Podcast for the Collar City, reminds us that the city has had its share of struggles, too. Here’s how he describes Troy’s arc of history on the pod:

“Once an industrial powerhouse, the Collar City later fell on hard times, suffering for decades through a rapidly shrinking population, urban renewal, and, yes, even local government corruption and financial mismanagement. However, Troy’s fortunes are on the rise again, the latest chapter in Troy’s story of rebirth and renewal.”

The city only recently paid off the last of the massive loan lent by the state to help it avoid bankruptcy in the mid-90s. Salka credits former mayor Patrick Madden, under whom he served as the city’s communications director, for much of Troy’s revitalization.

With his new podcast, Salka gets to tell the stories he’s always wanted to tell about Troy—unfiltered, since he’s no longer the city’s spokesperson.

“I've always been a storyteller, and I’ve always had a passion for history," says Salka, who studied political science and history at the College of St. Rose. “The podcast isn't about me. It's about the guest and the city. I'm just here to help tell the story.”

Recent episodes have centered on President Obama’s 2009 visit to Troy, Bruce Springsteen’s 1978 concert at RPI’s Field House, and interviews with local personalities, including former mayor Mark Pattison, Muddaddy Flats owner Dan Frament, and Joe Moses, son of Samuel Moses, Troy’s first Black police officer.

Next up is an episode revisiting Metallica’s first and only concert in Troy, with Schenectady native and metal drummer Jason Bittner (who attended the 1989 concert as a 19-year-old).

After nearly a year, the podcast has gained something of an audience with more than 3,300 episode downloads and 10,000 views on YouTube. Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or at Troy Story.

And here are some of Salka’s local picks: Aquilonia Comics, Brown’s Brewing Company & Nighthawks.

❄️ WEATHER WATCH

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🚫 New details are emerging about the last moments of the 12-year-old boy who drowned in Albany’s Washington Park Lake on Saturday while attempting to walk across the ice. An 11-year-old girl who tried to help him was rescued and in critical condition. Both children attended North Albany Middle School. “Nobody should be walking on any water surface in the city of Albany,” Mayor Kathy Sheehan warned. [News10]

❄️ Albany County wants to crowd-source names for seven of its snow plows. What could possibly go wrong? 😅 Our Reddit friends are already having a field day with this one. Plowy McPlowface? The Big Snowplowski? [TU gift article]

🛍️ Albany’s Stuyvesant Plaza has snagged another national retailer: Anthropologie is set to open its first Capital District location in the shopping center by late 2025. Athleta and Vineyard Vines are also moving into the plaza sometime next year. [TU gift article]

Discover this delightful 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom bungalow in the highly sought-after Bethlehem School District. Lovingly cared for by its current owners, this home boasts a bright, open floor plan and a spacious first-floor primary bedroom with a beautifully remodeled ensuite bath. Upstairs, you’ll find two additional bedrooms and a modernized full bathroom. The welcoming front porch and expansive backyard are ideal for outdoor gatherings and chillaxing with your beverage of choice. Meanwhile, the partially finished basement offers extra space for recreation and additional storage. Conveniently located within walking distance of the farmer's market, schools, shops, and restaurants, this adorable home is perfect for downsizing or starting your next chapter.

The deets: 3 bd, 2 ba, 1368 sf. Asking: $319,000. Days on market: 5. See the full listing here.

🎟️ WHAT’S HAPPENING

Note: Our full weekend roundup publishes on Thursday! Keep an eye on your inbox.

🎨 Tonight’s your chance to try drawing a live model—with drink in hand. Get to Mojo’s Cafe & Gallery in Troy for its monthly Drink & Draw event at 7:30 pm.

🐐 A winter’s hike with goats? Into the Woods Farm in Middle Grove is offering daily “Snowshoe Adventures: A Winter Wonderland Experience” with its flock of furry goats. For the best price, bring a group of friends.

💘 Speed dating with ugly Christmas sweaters? Should be an easy ice breaker. Tix are going fast for Thursday’s date night at the Lionheart Pub, organized by Wingman of the Year.

🎙️ On Friday, the Mendelsshon Club of Albany, a men’s chorus and the oldest performing group in the Capital District, takes its talents to The Egg for a holiday show.

🥣 On Saturday, Lark Street BID puts on a double header: The 8th Annual Chili and Chowder Stroll together with the 19th Annual Santa Speedo Race! Are we allowed to make jokes about shrinkage? 🫣 

🎅 Saturday’s Saratoga SantaCon is billed as the Capital District’s biggest bar crawl. Proceeds benefit the Franklin Community Center.

🐩 All of your pets have been totally good this year, right? This Saturday, The Pampered Pooch & Pals in Ballston Spa invites you for holiday photos with Santa. 100% of proceeds benefit local shelters.

🛍️ Did you miss the Openbaar Market in Nov? The Takk House hosts a similar event this Saturday—the Vintage Roundup Holiday Market. Also Saturday, the Albany Twilight Market makes its monthly return to the Washington Park Lakehouse.

🎄 On Saturday evening, the Albany Gay Men’s Chorus puts on “Merry & Bright,” a holiday celebration at Albany’s St. Episcopal Church.

🎸 Do your kids love Tay Tay? On Sunday, The Rock & Roll Playhouse is putting on a kid-friendly rock concert at Lark Hall with the music of Taylor Swift & more.

🎸 LIVE MUSIC & MORE

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