By Although the protective facial covering Glen had been inspired to create using fabric sold at the popular department store hid his smile, the twinkle in his eyes and the reassuring tone of his voice made it clear that Glen genuinely cared about the health and well-being of the Americans with whom he was interacting.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau chose well when he appointed Kirsten Hillman to serve as our northern neighbor’s Ambassador to the United States in March 2020. But should the leader of The Land of the Maple Leaf ever require the additional services of an unofficial diplomatic envoy to plant seeds of goodwill on this side of the border, Ballston Spa Living would respectfully like to nominate Glen Kaytar.
We first posted an image of Nova Scotia born and bred Glen on this heritage project’s website (https://ballstonspaliving.com/covid-19_stories-behind-masked-faces/) on April 4 — just two weeks after NYS Governor Andrew Cuomo had declared a State of Emergency in an effort to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus pandemic. What impressed us most about the part-time employee at the Ocean State Job Lot on Doubleday Avenue in the village was the congenial manner in which he greeted those near a display that educated customers about how to make their own face masks. Although the protective facial covering Glen had been inspired to create using fabric sold at the popular department store hid his smile, the twinkle in his eyes and the reassuring tone of his voice made it clear that Glen genuinely cared about the health and well-being of the Americans with whom he was interacting.
According to the destination’s website “Sydney is the historic capital of Cape Breton and the largest urban centre on the island. From the harbor front boardwalk complete with buskers and visiting cruise ships to the world’s largest fiddle, Sydney will be sure to charm you! It also boasts a convenient proximity to all the major attractions on the Island like the world famous Cabot Trail, Fortress of Louisbourg, the Alexander Graham Bell Museum in the beautiful village of Baddeck, and six amazing golf courses!”
Speaking of courses, there had to be a really good reason why a Sydney native would dramatically change course several years ago, uprooting and moving to a tiny village nestled in the foothills of the Adirondacks.
The answer is clear to see when one observes the vivacious woman who is often spotted at Glen’s side in the community. If the face of American-born wife Susan Munday-Kaytar looks familiar, it’s because her many skills and talents include being a professional interior designer at The Furniture House, which boasts popular locations in both Saratoga Springs and Queensbury. Susan, who obtained her Bachelor’s degree in interior design at New York Institute of Technology in Old Westbury Long Island, has more than 30 years of design and furniture sales experience. “I love helping people put together the perfect room,” beams Susan. Who once owned an antique shop in the heart of the village.
The reason we chose to settle in Ballston Spa after I left my family’s landscaping business in Canada was that Susan had resided in this village for 20 years before I met her. For Susan, our move here was a homecoming.
Glen credits his deep Canadian roots and Susan’s equally deep American roots with helping to prepare him for the life he now enjoys with her in upstate New York. The couple, who were introduced via Facebook while on opposite sides of the border, fell in love and spent several years together in Nova Scotia before moving to a quiet Ballston Spa neighborhood a stone’s throw from Kelley Park’s Kids’ Creekside Village.
“The reason we chose to settle in Ballston Spa after I left my family’s landscaping business in Canada was that Susan had resided in this village for 20 years before I met her. For Susan, our move here was a homecoming. When she’s not working at The Furniture House and I’m not working at Razor’s Edge Landscaping or Ocean State Job Lot, we love nothing more than to beautify our own home – both the interior and the exterior. Among the many welcoming touches neighbors were quick to notice: Both a red, white and blue flag displaying the Stars & Stripes and a flag showcasing a red maple leaf wave in the breeze from poles attached to their back deck.
After Glen established Razor’s Edge in 2019 (so named because he was dubbed “Razor” while performing with a Canadian band), he and Susan began offering a full range of services — from basic mowing and clean-ups to more elaborate landscaping projects. “There’s not much that we won’t tackle,” smiles Glen, noting Razor’s Edge recently traveled as far as East Greenbush to complete a total overhaul of a backyard swimming pool area for a client. “What we find most rewarding is the end result. It’s a wonderful feeling when a client cannot say enough good things about a job you have done. And having someone call on a referral is awesome.”
While initially concerned that the COVID-19 crisis might result in landscaping calls slowing down, the opposite has occurred. “Contrary to what we thought, the demand for our services has been steady – perhaps because being outdoors is a very safe environment,” muses Glen, adding that he and Susan always wear face masks when discussing landscaping projects face-to-face with their clients.
During his rare down time, Glen (who admits to missing the ocean) relaxes by playing his guitars and working out in the couple’s basement gym.
Susan’s spirits are especially buoyed by the antics of cherished granddaughter Mariella, who resides nearby with parents Daniel and Rosida.
The companionship of a couple of doggone adorable pooches named Beans and Juno has brought added joy to all throughout the COVID-19 crisis.
When the coronavirus pandemic is finally history, Glen and Susan yearn to spend more time with loved ones on both sides of the US-Canada border.
We love the vintage pictures in the accompanying photo gallery of Glen’s mother Carol and now late father John as well as the snapshot of the three of them with Glen’s brother John, Jr. and their sisters Barb and Kelly.
With a bit of luck, perhaps The Kaytars will find a way to send Ballston Spa Living a postcard with a picture of the entire family posing beside the world’s largest fiddle!
Samples of Glen’s landscaping work pictured below. TO CONTACT RAZOR’S EDGE LANDSCAPING, PLEASE CALL 518.886.2848.
