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Press Release: Strand Theatre, Hudson Falls NY: Double Headline: Margo Macero and Rich Ortiz

Stories

Staff

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October 14, 2026

“Strand Theatre, Hudson Falls NY: Double Headline: Margo Macero and Rich Ortiz“. This event is on Sunday Oct. 25, 2026 @3pm at the Strand Theatre, 210 Main St., Hudson Falls NY.

PRESS RELEASE:

On Sunday Oct. 25, 2026 @ 3:00pm, join us for a matinee concert at the Strand Theatre featuring Margo Macero and Rich Ortiz!

Margo Macero, a New York–born artist, is celebrated for her electrifying fusion of rock, blues, country, and soulful storytelling. Known for compelling live shows and deeply emotive songs, she continues to build momentum ahead of her highly anticipated debut album.

Rich Ortiz‘s style is truly his own and his music is his soul. Rich plays guitar, harmonica, and peddle bass (with his feet), and he turns heads with his vocals! He has opened shows for CHICAGO, REO Speedwagon, STYX, KC and the Sunshine Band, Jeffrey Gaines and more!

Join us for a Sunday afternoon of great music!

$20 general admission, $15 seniors, students, veterans. Tickets available at the Strand Box Office or online at Events.com. For more info & the ticketing link, please go to mystrandtheatre.org. The Strand Theatre is located at 210 Main St., Hudson Falls, NY.

Doors open into the lobby, coffee shop and box office at 1:30pm.

Please visit our website, Facebook or Instagram accounts for a list of upcoming events at the Strand!

Interview: David Arquette Speaks on The 30th Anniversary of Scream

Staff

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October 14, 2026

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Interview: David Arquette Speaks on The 30th Anniversary of Scream

Interview: David Arquette (Scream)
By: Rob Smittix

RRX: We have WCW wrestling champion, a man you cannot kill, acclaimed actor David Arquette on the line. How’s everything, man?

DA: Thank you, thank you for that. Everything’s great. I’m having a good time touring the country for the Behind The Scream Tour, which is pretty interesting. It’s been great meeting the fans.

RRX: This is the 30th anniversary of “Scream.” What I think is really cool about the tour … you know how some actors say they avoid watching their own films for whatever reason? But this is you actually watching the film and enjoying it with people. How does that make you feel when you watch it back, and you get people’s responses?

DA: I don’t know, I feel like it’s a different person I’m watching. So many life experiences since then. It’s a really wild thing. I mean … really, what touches me the most is that people have such a love for this film and that it’s lasted this long. It’s not often that you get to play a character for over 25 years.

RRX: Well, that’s the thing. Now, correct me if I’m wrong, but from what I’ve learned, you were originally called to audition for the Billy Loomis character?

DA: Well, one of the high school characters—I think it was probably Stu or Randy. But yeah, they wanted me as one of the high school students. When I met with Wes Craven, I said, “I’d really love the role of Dewey. I think I could bring something different to it.” And he’s like, “Wow, that’s really interesting; let me consider that.” And thankfully he did because I had an opportunity to sort of take it in a different direction. It was written more as this sort of meathead kind of big ex-jock kind of character.

RRX: Right.

DA: But I just thought a person of authority that gets no respect, who’s constantly trying to prove himself, and gets talked down by his sister, is just such a funny character. I just knew there would be a lot of humor and heart to it.

RRX: Well, you made the right recommendation to Wes Craven, and because you weren’t one of the high schoolers … it seemed that you were able to be in more movies because of that.

DA: Yeah, it did work out in my favor. I mean … my character was supposed to die in the first one, and Wes Craven kept me alive, which was really nice of him.

RRX: You got killed in “Scream 5,” but then some kind of … I guess soap opera magic happened, and you are in “Scream 7,” that just came out this year.

DA: Yeah, there’s a little thing I did for the fans. I kinda didn’t want to because I was still upset about “Scream 5,” but I did want to return for the fans, so I did it for them.

RRX: Yeah, that’s what it’s all about and what you’re doing on this tour, you know? It’s definitely for the fans, but I’m sure you get a lot out of it as well.

DA: Yeah, for sure. I mean, just seeing people and their connection to it. You know? Somebody says, like, “I went to my first date with my wife to ‘Scream,’ and now this is our daughter; she loves the series too.” Things like that. It doesn’t happen a lot in this business, and for it to last so many generations is really a wonderful thing about horror films in general. They have such a love when they connect that it stands the test of time.

RRX: Now this isn’t just your ordinary horror franchise, as you mentioned. Wes Craven. I mean … that’s the master right there. How was it to work with him for the first four films?

DA: Man, he was such a gracious director and human. He taught me so much about life. He was a mentor, as far as filmmaking, as far as acting, as far as just living life. He sat me down during “Scream 2,” and we had this wonderful conversation where he inspired me to love myself, believe in myself, and make the right choices in my life that will lead me in a direction that would be positive to fulfilling my dreams. To work with someone like that and to have a relationship and be able to spend so much time on set with him was really an honor.

RRX: Absolutely. Obviously, sadly missed. How do you go forward in the films afterwards, carrying his legacy on?

DA: It was really hard doing “Scream 5” without him directing. That was a really difficult experience. I missed him a lot. I regretted not being in the moment and remembering more of our interactions together. But I did think back about a lot of the experiences I shared with him, and I was really grateful for those times.

RRX: Understandable. Is there anything else that you’d like to say to fans, just in general, or to get them to come on out to Proctors October 30th for the Scream 30th Anniversary Screening with you there?

DA: Yeah, it’s a really wonderful night. We have a community of people who love this film. So if they love this film, they should come on out. You’ll hear behind-the-scenes stories that you’ve never heard before. It’s just fun; there’s a lot of laughter involved. I tell a lot of jokes. I’m very self-deprecating, so you can laugh at me. I enjoy that. You can ask questions, if you’ve ever thought about something, questions about specific scenes. And we can just share this time together. It really is about bonding over a film that we all love.

RRX: I couldn’t have said it better. Just a real quick note: one of my dreams was to get body slammed by a professional wrestler, and then I actually did. I didn’t think it was gonna hurt, but it did. And then he did it twice, and the crowd was calling for a third time, and I’m like, no. It hurts, doesn’t it?

DA: Yeah, it does. You have to really be prepared. The thing about wrestling is you can get your body ready for it. Like, that’s the thing, and if you’re not ready for it … I got my back thrown out a few times, and that sticks with you for a month or so.

RRX: Yeah, that’s quite some time. We’re not spring chickens anymore.

DA: Yeah, exactly.

RRX: Hey David, I appreciate your time. I’m gonna see you on the 30th in Schenectady at Proctors, and thank you so much.

DA: I look forward to it, Rob. Thank you.

Behind the Scream with David Arquette

Proctors October 30th

Get Tickets HERE!

3 Questions with Mike Valente

Interviews

Rob Skane

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October 13, 2026

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By Rob Skane.

Mike Valente is the founding guitarist and a creative force in the legendary band Brick by Brick. Mike plays guitar the way we love it – loud and mean. Thankfully, he was kind enough to participate in 3 questions. You can find out more about Brick by Brick at www.upstaterecordsny.com/

RRX: What was the moment that made you pick up a guitar and never put it down?

MV: The moment I decided to not put the guitar down was when I was about 15. I was taught my first “riff” by my father, and I practiced it over and over, forever, it seemed. That riff was “Whole Lotta Love” by Zeppelin. Then I started learning Kiss tunes.

RRX: If you could go back and tell your younger self one thing about playing guitar, what would you say?

MV: I’d say practice more as you get older … ha … I barely touch my guitar unless we are rehearsing or on tour.

RRX: When you’re not onstage or recording, what kind of stuff do you play when no one’s listening?

MV: Not too much, but if I find myself strumming along or f***in around, I will dig out the early stuff that I learned. I am so damn busy these days doing EVERYTHING for the band; it takes away from a steady practice schedule. I find that just doing warm-ups is where I am at these days before a show. However, if I find that we have an extended period of time away from shows, I do run through a set in my office with a practice amp.

Mark and Jill @ The Storefront Gallery, 9/27/2026

Photos

Timothy Reidy

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October 13, 2026

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Mark and Jill @ The Storefront Gallery, 9/27/2026

Mark and Jill brought their blues to the Storefront Gallery on 2nd Street in Troy.

Photography by Timothy Reidy.

RECAP: The Smashing Pumpkins @ Barclays Center, 10/4/2026

chadfromalbany

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October 12, 2026

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RECAP: The Smashing Pumpkins @ Barclays Center, 10/4/2026

by “Chad from Albany” Koenig.

A sold-out Barclays Center in the heart of Brooklyn on the rainy evening of Sunday, October 4th, as ’90s alt-rock legends The Smashing Pumpkins took the stage as part of their “Rats in a Cage” Tour, celebrating 30 years of their magnum opus “Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness”. Yes. I lost my breath too when I realized it’s been 30 years since I *ahem* “purchased” that 2-CD set from Columbia House back in 1995 (by pay, I mean they DID get the penny that I taped to the postcard).

First thing I will say is that I’m not sure if it was specific to this show or the entire tour; there really needed to be screens. For the bulk of the arena who weren’t on the floor, and this goes for any arena show, we would really like screens to enhance the experience. However, I will give the highest props to the Barclays Center for this – one idiot accidentally spilled his $20 beer when he bumped into his seat, spilling it everywhere. I can’t believe it, but they ACTUALLY replaced my … I mean his, beer. That guy is forever grateful.

The crowd was filled with a slew of ages. We Gen Xers and some early Millennials came to hear the music of our youth and teenage years. Older fans of classic rock came out as well because, let’s face it, the Pumpkins are now classic rock. I was pleasantly surprised to see the number of kids under 25 flock out to see their heroes that they didn’t grow up with in real time. It made me reminisce about the ’90s when I was seeing bands from the ’60s in person. It gave me hope for that generation. And man, does that generation have money to spend on merch. The entire show, lines were constant at the few merch tables scattered on the floor level of the arena. I went out several times to get merch for my nephew just to meet 30+ minute lines or constant sell-outs. He did end up with, like, his 8th choice of a shirt, but he got one!

The first half of the set was truly marvelous. With a simple but vibrant backdrop reminiscent of an old theater, it showed imagery consistent with the music videos of the time, and often displayed the words to lesser-known songs from the “Mellon Collie” album. Although not in track order, the bulk of the classic album was played starting with the opening “1979,” which bled directly into “Bullet with Butterfly Wings.” The band sounded incredible and tight, with drummer Jimmy Chamberlin being showcased throughout, and guitarist James Iha’s soaring melodies cutting through the crowd. Songs such as “Thirty Three,” “Zero,” and “Muzzle” all sounded fantastic, with the latter two getting the crowd, which was surprisingly lackluster in my section, actually off their phones and moving. But it was undoubtedly the brilliant “Tonight, Tonight” which was the highlight for most. Hearing that first set reminded us of the number of great songs on the album that didn’t get the airplay that those others did, but remain in the pantheon of some of the best songs in the Pumpkins catalog. “Cupid de Locke,” “Here is No Why,” “By Starlight,” and “Galapagos” were all fantastic works that were an honor to hear live, and that may not get played in a traditional Pumpkins set.

After the break, the Pumpkins delved deeper into their post-’90s catalogue, performing songs from 2000’s “Machina,” 2023’s “Atum: A Rock Opera in Three Acts,” and 2024’s “Aghori Mhori Mei,” which honestly lost much of the crowd. Nothing against the band or the way they sounded – they sounded great. But the first set pushed nearly two hours and was full of a bunch of deep cuts (that did belong, of course), and after the intermission, lethargy may have crept in. I think if they cut some of those songs and dispersed the hits that they did play, they would have kept the crowd better. On a trip to the bathroom, the banter that I eavesdropped on was everyone saying that they wished they played more hits and didn’t like the songs. Again, I think a little tweaking could have changed that, as the show, soup to nuts, pushed about three and a half hours with an intermission on a Sunday night in Brooklyn, which is not easy to come and go from. I want to emphasize: this was not that the band sounded bad. They were amazing. The second set was just a bit bloated.

That didn’t mean it didn’t have some great high points, though. Iconic early hits from “Siamese Dream” were amongst the high points of the night, with “Disarm” coming in 1/3 of the way through the second set, and “Today” and “Cherub Rock” coming later in the set. Apart from “Tonight Tonight”, the most audience interaction may have been when they performed cult favorite “Mayonnaise” from Siamese Dream, which was released as a single in 2023 as part of the 30th anniversary reissue of the landmark album. I would say 70% of the crowd had their cell phones recording it, to my surprise. The show ended with deep, deep cuts “Jesus is the Sun,” “The Everlasting Gaze,” and an a capella version of “Superchrist.” A drum solo by Chamberlin was mixed in and was tremendous. I just wish it was earlier in the set and would have garnered a better reaction as those final songs had much of the crowd leaving, enjoying the show, but not on the high note as if they ended with, say, “Everlasting Gaze,” Today,” and “Cherub Rock,” which was their first single. This discussion took up much of the car ride home. As much as I love going to shows, I hate seeing people leaving drained instead of on high notes.

The show was long, but it was fantastic. The visuals (which would have been enjoyed more with screens) were simplistic and appropriate. The band was raw and ferocious, and by the many generations in attendance, the songs were timeless. It is about time that the Pumpkins see the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, as they were one of the stalwarts of the era that has seen many of their peers already inducted. It was incredible living through those songs in real time and great to see and hear them over 30 years later, still on top of their game.

Smashing Pumpkins setlist can be found here.

Lucio Barbarino: Breaking New Ground – An Xperience Interview

Interviews

Sara Busone

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October 12, 2026

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Lucio Barbarino: Breaking New Ground – An Xperience Interview

by Sara Busone.

Lucio Barbarino is a busy guy these days. Between recording at Plaid Dog Recording Studios, preparing to play the kickoff to season 5 of Song City, and getting ready for the much-anticipated Ink 26 Songwriting Retreat, he finds himself entering new territory. He was able to take a little time and chat with Sara Busone about all of this and his newfound appreciation for collaborating with others on the songwriting process.

RRX: Now, there’s something unique about where you worked on your latest album that’s coming out … something very interesting about the producer (Mike Davidson) and the studio?

LB: Totally! It was pretty random. I was just perusing Instagram one day and I saw this little ad. It said “Plaid Dog Recording Studios” in Boston. They only take a certain number of people. It’s pretty limited. I mean, it’s just one studio and a couple of producers. So, the campaign … I didn’t reach my goal per se, but I raised enough to record the single right off the bat … which is “Pictures of Birds”. And now I’ve got enough to go back and do three or four more songs. So (I’m) trying to decide which songs I want to do, and arrangements, and stuff like that.

RRX: It sounds like it’s been going really well! You’re happy with the place and the whole process …

LB: Yeah, totally. We (Mike and I) actually have, like, a lot of very specific influences in common just by coincidence. And so, we’re really on the same page about the sort of sound we want … arrangements and textures, I guess, to songs and stuff like that. So yeah, I’m pretty happy with how it’s going and happy to get in there and do a few more songs, too.

RRX: That’s fantastic. And what are your thoughts on the album as you put it together? I know you said you’re working on arrangements, but some of the other songs are these brand-new songs. Have you ever tried them out on stage?

LB: Yeah, so most are brand new, not recorded, but I’ve played on stage before and (I’ve) have gotten great feedback, so I’m excited about them. There’s one called “Back Home,” which is about a guy who’s out on the road all the time and realizes that he wants to get back home to his wife and kid. There’s another one called “After the Rain,” which is kind of like an uplifting one about … the tough times we have. And then, hopefully, after the rain, you can feel better when the sun comes out. But I’ve got, probably, ten new songs I’d like to record. I’ll probably be able to do three or four more in the studio, and then I’m thinking I’ll supplement that by doing some of my own home recordings for my next album. So, it’ll be kind of split, or I’ll just do like a short EP. I’m trying to decide if I want to do just the EP with the stuff I’m recording in the studio, or if I want to combine that with some stuff that I record at home, so I’m not quite sure yet …

RRX: That’s exciting. What is it like for you when you record at home? Do you do it right on your laptop? What are some of the benefits, advantages, disadvantages?

LB: Yeah, I mean, the advantages … the convenience of it, of course. You know, you’re right there. It’s kind of a double-edged sword. It’s an advantage that you have all the control, and you can spend as much time on stuff you want. You can be as picky as you want, but that’s also part of the reason I wanted to try something different this time … because my previous couple of albums have been self-recorded at home, and I can get mired in detail. And I’m somewhat of a perfectionist when it comes to my music, so it’s kind of nice. It’s an advantage in that sense, but also it can be advantageous to let go of some of that control and let someone else in and have a little bit of input … and he’s kind of just guiding me. I’m still not in charge, but creatively it’s still my project, of course. But he has great things to say, and he’s a good producer, so I totally hear him out when he has opinions. Even “Pictures Of Birds” has been a collaboration for sure.

RRX: I can imagine when you have that creative control to be able to let go a little bit and collaborate with somebody … that’s cool that you got to have that experience. Was this your first time working with somebody in the studio? You mentioned that your other albums were self-made, self-produced …

LB: Yeah, this is the first time in a studio with really anybody else’s input or even playing. On “Pictures Of Birds,” we had an upright bassist who came in, a violinist … I played the drums on it and, obviously, sang and played guitar. But this is the first time it’s been like this. Straight up, my last two albums have been one hundred percent me, top to bottom, in every aspect. So, this is the first time, and so far, so good. I’m liking it.

RRX: That’s very exciting. I’m so happy for you. Speaking of happy news, you are also going to be in the Ink 26 Songwriting Retreat!

LB: That’s right, yeah, I am doing Ink 26!

RRX: Congratulations! That’s so exciting.

LB: Yeah, I’m super excited about that. So, I’m actually doing Song City in September. It’s September 10th, so it’s the first City of the season. And then I’m doing Ink (26) in October, which is exciting! Again, another foray into collaboration; I’ve never really written a song with someone, which is crazy to say. I mean, in high school I was in a band, and there was a little bit of collaboration … pretty much the main songwriter with a little input from a bassist and drummer. So, yeah, I’m looking forward to … just to get away for a few days and really soak in the songwriting and collaboration process, I guess you could say.

RRX: I remember talking with Scott (Womer) about it, and you get so much out of that experience! You even get professional pictures taken, and you get to work with all these different people in this beautiful setting. I mean, what a treat, right?

LB: Totally, yeah, it’s going to be like a little mini creative vacation. I’m really excited about it. There’s going to be someone there who can record demos for you. It’s going to be a kind of holistic singer-songwriter collaborative for a couple of days. So, I’m excited about it.

RRX: You mentioned working with other people now is something new for you. Are there any other things you’re looking to get out of this experience in particular?

LB: Just to meet people. So, new friends in the industry. It’s always good to network. I guess when I write a song, I want it to be, say … if this is going to be a Lucio Barbarino song, I want it to be, more or less, one hundred percent from me. I’ll take input and stuff, but at the end of the day, it’s going to be me. So, I’m excited to actually write from the ground up with someone. I think I’ll be a lot more open to suggestions and creative input. So, I guess I’m just excited about doing the creative thing with someone else and their input, from the ground up.

RRX: Other than Song City, do you have any other live shows coming up?

LB: Definitely! Song City, September 10th; I’m doing the (Troy) Farmers’ Market on the 12th. And before that, I have a gig at Gould Estate, an apple orchard, on September 6th. Song City is definitely the big one coming up for me. I’ve been excited to do it since I moved here … and Scott asked me to do it, and it’s the opening … the first one of the season, which is kind of cool! So hopefully it’ll be a good turnout!

Windham’s 32nd Annual Autumn Affair

Photos

Joshua Scarselli

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October 12, 2026

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Held October 10 on Main Street in Windham.

Photography by Joshua Scarselli.

RECAP: Public Image Ltd @ Big Night Live, 10/3/2026

chadfromalbany

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October 11, 2026

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RECAP: Public Image Ltd @ Big Night Live, 10/3/2026

by “Chad from Albany” Koenig.

Punk and New Wave collided in Boston on a gorgeous evening on Saturday, October 3rd, when the Public Image Ltd concert was moved from the Paradise Club to Big Night Live, the nightclub attached to the Boston Garden. In tow was punk band Plague Vendor.

Public Image Ltd, also known as PiL, was the post-punk New Wave outfit formed by John Lydon, aka Johnny Rotten after the dissolution of the Sex Pistols. My big takeaway from the evening was the fact that obviously, Lydon is not one of those singers who is ranked amongst the greats, such as Freddie Mercury, Roger Daltrey or Paul Rodgers. Nor was he ever. But I’ll be damned if his voice is not as important or unique as any of them in the realms of pop history. The snarl and rasp of the punk icon was as influential as any. I don’t need to list what the Pistols did in England in their short time together, or the chaos they caused in the U.K. That’s all been written. But to take that voice and continue it with a project like PiL, a complex blend of punk mixed with the up-and-coming technology that the late 70s led into the 80s, and make it work is outstanding. I have always taken the work of PiL over the Pistols. As intricate and sophisticated as the music is, it still contained an unbridled rawness that can only be the voice of one person. It’s a fascinating juxtaposition unique to them, and the band, albeit with Lydon being the sole original member (it has always been his project), sounds incredible.

Starting the show with 1986’s “Home”, Lydon led the band into a stellar 10-song performance of mostly songs of the classic era, with two songs, “Shoom” and “Know Now” from 2015’s “What The World Needs Now”, which, apart from the lyrical content of “Shoom”, sound like they could have been a part of the classic catalog in the same way that their legendary albums from 40 years ago sound like they could have been recorded today. Absent from the setlist was anything from “End of World,” which ended up in my Top 3 favorite albums released
in 2023.

There was a bit of a twist on the classic “This is Not A Love Song”, but apart from that the songs stayed quite true. I’d say 1989’s “Warrior” was the highlight of a show full of them, and gave the truly authentic ambience of a performance of the era, hypnotizing the standing-room-only crowd at the foot of the stage. Closing the set was Leftfield cover “Open Up”, before, in truly Lydon fashion, he said that he needed to take a break to smoke a cigarette, which I know he genuinely did. The ensuing line, “40 years of smoking Marlboros and they still won’t f***ing sponsor me. And if they did, then I wouldn’t smoke them!”, reminded me of the classic Groucho Marx quip of “I would never belong to a club that would have me as a member,” and that line showed the REAL punk spirit of John Lydon. And that he is as authentic as they come, which is what led to my reaction in 2021 when he appeared as a Jester in the US version of the reality show “The Masked Singer.” The epitome of anti-establishment was right there on the most family-friendly, corporate TV show in America. But outside of his “rotten” core, he tenderly did it for his ailing wife of 44 years, and performed a love song for her, just two years before she died.

But his “rotten” colors came out after the encore of the classic “Rise” and “Religion” medley, when he asked the crowd to yell the most vulgar words and phrases that they could think of at him instead of cheering. Every vulgarity you could think of was screamed, and Lydon looked back at the band and declared, “I think they like me!” As the band waved to the crowd while the overhead radio played David Bowie’s “John, I’m Only Dancing”, Lydon shuffled about on stage and said before walking off, “Unlike Madonna, I can actually dance these days.”

That was Johnny Rotten and John Lydon rolled into one. And nobody was disappointed.

California punk band Plague Vendor opened with a ferocious and fast set of songs that tinged modern punk with a slight twist of psychobilly from the guitarist’s orange Gretsch. The audience loved the ferocity and speed and VERY loud output of energy.

Public Image, Ltd. setlist can be found here:

Plague Vendor setlist can be found here:

Canna Talk – An Xperience Column

Columns

Staff

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October 11, 2026

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By MBF and 400 River.

Ever tried cooking with cannabis? It’s easy to make your own edibles and beyond right at home. Preparing your own cannabis creation is a really fun way to experiment with the plant. There are quite a few different ways that you can incorporate cannabis into your meal or snack. Some are totally homemade, and others use products sold at most dispensaries, so there are plenty of options when it comes to dosing your food.

The Quick and Short Science Behind Edibles

Simply ingesting raw cannabis buds is not going to get you high. In order to get your cannabis ready for preparing edibles, you need to decarboxylate it. Decarboxylation is the chemical process that occurs when cannabis is heated, and inactive compounds like THCA are converted to bioavailable THC. When thinking about creating edibles, keep in mind that THC and other cannabinoids combined with fat, like oil or butter, are more easily absorbed in the body.

Not Homemade

Stop in your local dispensary and see what goodies they have. Almost all dispensaries will have an ample selection of edible products. Gummy edibles are certainly the most common type of edibles that you will find. Chocolate is another classic combination with cannabis. There are a handful of companies in NY truly excelling at cannabis-infused chocolates. While slower to roll out here in NY, there are a few companies out there making non-gummy or chocolate edibles. There are some cookies out, maple candy and Rice Krispie-style bars. If you’re like me and prefer salty options, there are a few out there, but you’ll be more likely to find a sweet treat than a savory snack.

The edibles category includes drinks too! It is a thoughtful idea to stock get-togethers with some cannabis-infused drinks in addition to, or in place of, alcoholic drinks. As more folks start to be mindful about their alcohol consumption, THC-infused drinks are a nice touch. Stir sticks containing cannabis-infused powder are easy to shake into non-carbonated drinks. Drink drops or shots are awesome if you are looking to craft your own mocktail or infuse while on-the-go.

Kinda Homemade

If you are looking for an easier way of preparing homemade edibles, all you need is a THC tincture from your local dispensary. This is a great way to incorporate cannabis into items like salad dressings, drinks, or anything that doesn’t need to be heated. Since the THC in a tincture format is already activated, it doesn’t need to be decarbed again.

My suggestion would be to use tinctures in a fat-based preparation. A frosting would be an amazing way to easily include a tincture into cake or cupcakes. As I mentioned above, a salad dressing would be a great option to infuse with a tincture. If there is any “weedy” taste in the tincture, it would be mostly covered up by the other ingredients. A compound butter would be another fun idea. Combine softened butter with fresh (or dried) herbs for a savory option, or maple syrup, cinnamon, and nutmeg for something on the sweet side. Oil-based tinctures won’t incorporate really well into drinks, but I have been seeing a lot of cocktails with oil floats recently.

Using cannabis concentrates is another great way to infuse dishes. RSO (Rick Simpson Oil) is already decarbed and a great option. Rosin edibles are becoming super popular. Rosin is a full-spectrum cannabis product that is extracted using only heat and pressure. (RSO oil, on the other hand, uses solvents like food-grade ethanol.) Since rosin is still technically raw cannabis, rosin does need to be decarbed before adding into whatever you make. From my research, one of the best ways to do this is to place the rosin in a glass container and then heat it in the oven for around 20 to 30 minutes at 220-250 degrees Fahrenheit.

Homemade!

Making edibles at home is fun and easy, plus I always feel like the end product is WAY more potent than what you buy at the dispensary. Here are two of the most popular ways to infuse at home with no equipment. I won’t be providing specific recipes with quantities; a little cannabis goes a long way in these preparations. (It’s notable to mention that there are some very cool gadgets out there. Levo and Magical are two of the most popular machines that will decarb and infuse. You can set the temperature and time, and these come with detailed instructions.)

In the past, there have been two main ways I’ve made homemade edibles. They both involve decarboxylating your cannabis first. In order to decarb, you will need cannabis, a grinder/scissors, an oven, and a baking sheet. Set your oven to 220 degrees F. While your oven is heating up, grind or cut up your cannabis and place it on the baking sheet. Cook for 10-20 minutes, stir, and bake for another 10-20 minutes until golden brown. Let cool before using.

Alcohol tinctures are easy to make. Place that decarbed cannabis in a mason jar. Fill the jar with Everclear and stash it in the freezer for at least a day. The freezing cold helps preserve the various cannabinoids during the extraction process. (You can use Vodka and keep it in a cool, dark place like a pantry as well.) Strain before using to ensure there are no flower particles in your tincture. From there, this product must be diluted.

Let’s finish off with probably the most popular way to make edibles – using cannabis-infused butter. Cannabutter is one of the most tried and true ways to get baked while baking. I simply combine my cannabis with butter and let it cook in a Crockpot set to low. I used to let this concoction infuse overnight, but that’s not actually necessary for a potent butter. Most of the cannabinoids release into the butter within an hour, so that cuts down on cooking time tremendously. Once the butter is infused, strain and chill. If you aren’t going to be using this up quickly, I’d suggest cutting the butter into portions and freezing it so it doesn’t go bad. From there, you can substitute this cannabutter for butter in any recipe.

Enjoy!

Say Cheese 2

Events

Joshua Scarselli

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October 11, 2026

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by Joshua Scarselli.

It looks like local filmmaker Frank Palangi isn’t slowing down anytime soon! The creative force behind Palangi Films is back with his newest installment, “Say Cheese 2.” If you enjoyed the original, you’ll be glad to know this follow-up keeps that gritty momentum going strong.

This time around, we head right back into Warren County as that cursed 1980s Polaroid resurfaces to claim a fresh batch of victims. Once the camera locks onto someone and that shutter clicks, their fate is pretty much sealed. The story follows Cassey as she tries to move past the trauma of the first movie, only to find out that the supernatural force behind the lens isn’t anywhere close to being finished with her.

To make matters even more chaotic, a group of true-crime podcasters catches wind of the bizarre string of deaths piling up in the area. As their audio investigation starts gaining traction, their search brings them directly into the camera’s path. It creates a great cat-and-mouse dynamic where the characters have to figure out how to outrun the entity before anyone else gets snapped.

What works so well here is the overall craft and pacing. The runtime moves along quickly without getting bogged down, giving horror lovers plenty of thrills from start to finish. The performances are grounded, selling the fear and supernatural stakes without drifting into over-the-top camp.

Behind the lens, Palangi’s visual eye really stands out. He uses creative angles and moody framing that ratchet up the tension, making everyday environments feel deeply unsettling. The deliberate use of bold lighting and rich colors sets the scene effectively, giving the production a distinct, stylized personality.

The score deserves major credit as well. Palangi’s music works hand-in-hand with the imagery to build a dark, atmospheric presence that keeps your pulse racing throughout every scene.

Frank continues to be a true one-man powerhouse—handling the directing, writing, editing, and composing all on his own. You can see the pure passion poured into every single frame. Say Cheese 2 is a fun, eerie, and polished indie ride that proves Palangi’s filmmaking chops are only getting sharper.

You can catch Say Cheese 2 on Fawesome TV and Relay. It will be coming soon to Tubi.

Photos provided by Frank Palangi.