Paired to Perfection

Episode 13: What’s For Dinner?

Josh’s Famous Bloody Mary

Strong | Spicy | Decadent

What cocktail can you eat? Better yet, what cocktail can provide you with a whole meal? The answer is simple - a Bloody Mary. Now this Bloody Mary isn’t one you’ll find at your average restaurant because we’ve added all the accoutrements. Correction, if you’re looking for a stacked Bloody like this, you can find one at The Blind Pelican in Holly Springs, North Carolina.

Josh’s Bloody Mary Recipe - nothing is really measured, just felt with the soul

  • 1 or 2 shots of vodka depending on how strong you like it

  • Splash of lemon and lime juice

  • A few splashes of Worcestershire sauce

  • A dab or two of horseradish

  • A splash of pickle juice

  • Fresh ground pepper

  • Then tumble between two glasses and serve over ice

  • Topped with: bacon strip, spicy pickle, lime wedge and a skewer of garlic stuffed olives, cheese wrapped in pepperoni, and an Old Bay seasoned shrimp - bougie, we know, but completely worth it

Squad Rating: 10/10

Christian Louis Hacker

July 13, 1947 ~ April 9, 2015

Christian Louis Hacker, 67, better known as Lou Hacker, of Valatie, died April 9, 2015, at the Samuel Stratton VA Medical Center in Albany, leaving behind a hell of a lot of stuff his wife and daughter have no idea what to do with. So, if you're looking for car parts for a Toyota, BMW, Triumph, Dodge or Ford ...read more

between the years of about 1953–2013, or maybe half a dozen circular saws, still in their boxes with the Home Depot receipts attached, you should wait the appropriate amount of time and get in touch. But this is not an ad for a used parts store, this is an obituary for a great man, generous landlord, committed husband and adoring father who was born on July 13, 1947, in Hudson, the son of the late Walter D. and Elsie M. (Barner) Hacker Sr. Lou graduated from Ichabod Crane High School, attended SUNY Geneseo—admittedly passing chemistry only because he baked his professor a cake—and served in the U.S. Army, Eighth Army Honor Guard, from July 26, 1970 to September 20, 1971 in South Korea, where he met and fell in love with his wife, Yong Soon. Lou's gregarious nature, mechanical genius and general resourcefulness helped him succeed in his jobs as a car mechanic, real estate agent, MOTOR manual sales rep and business manager, all of which helped him in his last and final career as a successful property owner and landlord. He often brushed off his success, saying, "I'm just a glorified janitor, really." But his tenants and family knew he loved his job, turning derelict buildings into beautifully renovated apartments. But he mostly loved his job for the people he met from all over the world, who he housed in his apartments. He checked in on his tenants often, offering up gifts of used bicycles, kitchen tables, TVs and couches to those who struggled to furnish their homes or single moms who looked like their kids could use a new toy or bike. Famous for saying, "One man's junk is another man's treasure," as well as his habitual presence at local garage sales and flea markets, there wasn't a part, tool, piece of furniture or sports equipment he wouldn't dig up for a neighbor, family member or tenant in need. So though Lou's family is a little angry about the heaps of "junk" he's left behind for them to deal with—the stacks of lawnmowers, the wrench sets in Christmas wrapping, the carcass of a 1972 BMW rotting in the backyard—it helps to remember the place of generosity for which these piles of stuff have accumulated. Because Lou wasn't so much stocking up for what he might need for himself, but for what others might need. Those needs filled his heart, mind and an entire basement. And in those moments when someone would ask for a tool, part, or any kind of help, his face would light up and that junk would suddenly be transformed into treasure.

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Episode 14: The Maine Event

Allagash Brewing Co. Allagash White

Hazy | Floral | Citrusy ABV: 5.2%

“Our award-winning interpretation of a Belgian-style wheat beer is brewed with oats, malted wheat, and raw wheat for a hazy “white” appearance. Spiced with our own special blend of coriander and Curaçao orange peel, Allagash White upholds the Belgian tradition of beers that are both complex and refreshing.”

Squad Rating: our first unanimous 8/10

Florence Harrelson

Unknown ~ February 22, 2024

Florence “Flo” Harrelson, 65, formerly of Chelsea, died on Feb. 22, 2024, without family by her side due to burnt bridges and a wake of destruction left in her path. Florence did not want an obituary or anyone including family to know she died. ...read more

That’s because even in death, she wanted those she terrorized to still be living in fear looking over their shoulders. So, this isn’t so much an obituary but more of a public service announcement.

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Episode 15: Into the Woods

Rosemary Smoked Old Fashioned

Earthy | Smoky | Strong

Trying to think of what cocktail would go nicely with a woods themed episode, bourbon was the first thing to come to mind. Something earthy and manly - like all your Ghost’s clearly are. Then to add more emphasis to the “woods” theme, what better ingredient to add than fresh rosemary? And what’s reminiscent of camping in the woods? Campfires - so enter the smoked aspect. All of this combined makes the perfectly balanced cocktail for cool nights.

Brews & Obituaries Recipe - again, we’re not big on measurements

Ingredients needed: Four Roses Bourbon (or bourbon of your choice) Rosemary Simple Syrup Angostura Bitters

  • Chop rosemary sprigs and mix into simple syrup and let rest overnight

  • Take small amount of chopped rosemary and place on fire safe dish - light it on fire and when it begins to smoke, place glass over it for a few minutes

  • Remove glass and pour in bourbon, simple syrup to taste, a dash of Angostura Bitters, and ice

  • Stir and garnish with a fresh sprig of rosemary

    Squad Rating: 9/10

Robert Henrickson

May 27, 1940 ~ January 11, 2010

Robert "Ranger Bob" C. Henrickson, 69, of Brantingham, died Monday evening, January 11, 2010, surrounded by his family. Born in Ilion on May 27, 1940, he graduated from Ilion Central School and later from the New York State School of Forestry in Wanakena as a Forest Ranger. ...read more

He worked for the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation in Lowville, where he retired in 1995. Bob is survived by his wife, Leslie; his two daughters, Laurie Henrickson McCastor and her husband, James of Syracuse, Linda Henrickson Smith and her husband, Roger of Central Square; a stepson, Bruce Cota and his wife, Mai Shaikhanuar-Cota of Ithaca; four grandchildren, Morgan and Michael McCastor, Zachary and Alexandra Smith. Bob was a member of Lewis County Search and Rescue and the 3-G Fire Department. An avid outdoorsman, he was a fisherman and hunter, and an active member of Ducks Unlimited. Bob was also a wood craftsman, a musician, and a collector. His favorite role was Unofficial Ambassador for Brantingham—a role he took very seriously by visiting all the local establishments daily to help wherever he was needed.

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