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The Christmas holiday is less than two weeks away. If you’re scrambling for some family-friendly activities to get you in the spirit, we have a few suggestions for you below. Some of these activities you’ll have to drive to so why not do so in a new Honda from D’ELLA Honda of Glens Falls! Find the Lights - Whether you take a trip down to NYC to see the tree in Rockefeller Center or just walk around your neighborhood to see what your friends came up with for their front lawn, it’s not Christmas until you see some lights! Build a Snowman - There’s still the potential for a snowstorm between now and Christmas. Make sure you get outside and build a Frosty of your own to greet any holiday guests if any of the white stuff sticks. Go Caroling - Door to door caroling seems to be a fading activity. Go with a group of friends or family members. Even if the people you sing for don’t celebrate Christmas they’ll probably love the gesture anyway. Go on a Sleigh Ride - We don’t mean sledding here. This is all about going on a real sleigh ride with horses and a man in a top hat! Check this website for places that offer this forgotten experience. Visit the North Pole - Not the actual North Pole, but North Pole, NY. This small town is also home to, you guessed it, Santa's Workshop, a themed amusement park. Take the Polar Express - Several of the railroads in the state have fun Christmas/Winter-themed train rides throughout the season. The Saratoga & North Creek Railroad has a Polar Express-themed ride that is very popular. Learn more here. Watch a Parade - Almost every town or city in New York has a Christmas parade. It might not be on Christmas but whenever and wherever it takes place it’s sure to put a smile on your face. Go Ice Skating - It might not be quite cold enough yet to go ice skating outside but there are plenty of indoor ice rinks in the area where you can practice your triple axel or salchow. Volunteer - Nothing warms the heart like giving back this season. Volunteer at your church, local food pantry, school, or favorite organization to help community members in need this winter.

In conjunction with last week’s blog about fun fall activities, today we’re bringing you a list of some actual haunted places in the area. Visit at your own risk! Vale Cemetery — Schenectady, N.Y. — This 150-year-old cemetery allegedly has ghostly figures that wander grave sites, sounds of singing in an old church on the grounds, and even statues that bleed from their eyes. Canfield Casino in Congress Park — Saratoga Springs, N.Y. — Established in the late 1800s, the Casino is now a popular wedding and event venue. You might have some unexpected guests though! SyFy's "Ghost Hunters” series even investigated the former Congress Spring Bottling Plant and Congress Hall. Fort William Henry Museum — Lake George, N.Y. — Another location that was investigated by the "Ghost Hunters” crew, this military fort gives tours throughout the month telling stories about victims of the French and Indian War. The Knox Mansion — Johnstown, N.Y. — This 42-room house built in 1889 is said to be home to a spirit of a gardener who only appears to children. Typical experiences at the Knox Mansion include mysterious footsteps, cold spots, flickering lights, and spooky voices. Herbert, Geoff. "Haunted Places in Upstate NY: 56 Spooky Houses and More to Visit -- If You Dare." NewYorkUpstate.com. N.p., 25 Sept. 2015. Web. 18 Oct. 2016.

D’ELLA Honda of Glens Falls is happy to introduce the all-new 2017 Honda Civic Hatchback! The eye-catching Civic Hatchback has arrived at our dealership and is ready for you to take it out for a test drive. We have a lot of interest in this sporty new model so we are creating a Research & Review page for our customers to look at before coming in. We’ll have it available on our website ASAP but for now keep an eye on our blog and we’ll let you know as soon as it’s available. If you can’t wait, just come into our showroom and one of our associates will be happy to help you!

There’s nothing like fall in Upstate New York. The colorful leaves, the crisp air, the exciting events. On the other hand, there’s nothing like winter here either. The icy roads, the freezing air, the snow. That’s why October is Fall Car Care month. D’ELLA Honda of Glens Falls wants to make sure your vehicle is as winter-ready as you are! Check out the Car Care Council’s list of maintenance tips then stop by our Service Department with any questions or concerns. Check all fluids Check the wipers and lighting Inspect the steering and suspension system Check the hoses and belts Inspect the exhaust system Check the brake system Check the heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) system Check the tires Check engine performance Check the battery Council, Car Care. "October Is Fall Car Care Month: 10 Steps to Keep Your Car Up and Running." October Is Fall Car Care Month: 10 Steps to Keep Your Car Up and Running. N.p., n.d. Web. 04 Oct. 2016. <http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/october-is-fall-car-care-month-10-steps-to-keep-your-car-up-and-running-300151716.html>.

Ready for something a bit more substantial than your sedan, but aren’t ready to make to jump to a full-on SUV? The 2017 Honda HR-V is here to the rescue if that’s the case! This compact crossover offers a sedan-like interior and the control and handling more similar to an SUV. If you’re intrigued and want more information on this Honda, you’re in luck! We will be releasing a Research & Review page very soon with all the pertinent details. If you absolutely can’t wait any longer to meet this dream car, visit us today at D'ELLA Honda of Glens Falls!

The second-generation Honda HR-V has been one of the most talked about SUVs since it reemerged in 2015. Drivers near Queensbury, Saratoga, Clifton Park, and Glens Falls, NY have been raving over its sporty functionality and coupe-like styling, and D’ELLA Honda of Glens Falls is happy to announce that the 2017 model year is right around the corner! It is hitting showrooms nationwide this week and is expected to arrive here very shortly. If you’re wondering what has changed for this upcoming year. The 2017 Honda HR-V is adding a new color to replace Alabaster Silver called Lunar Silver. There will also be a new starting MSRP.  The LX 2WD with Six-Speed Manual Transmission will start at $19,365*. All three trim levels including the LX, EX, and EX-L Navi are powered by the efficient and exciting 1.8L Four-Cylinder i-VETC® Engine, which offers 141 horsepower and 127 lb-ft of torque. And with an EPA estimated 34 MPG highway**, it’s no wonder the 2016 Honda HR-V was named the 2016 Green SUV of the Year**! Additional features on the 2017 Honda HR-V include Pandora® radio and Bluetooth® HandsFreeLink®, 17-inch alloy wheels, push-button electric parking brake with Automatic Brake Hold, and rearview camera with guidelines. Check back here for updates on this vehicle’s arrival and the release of our Research and Review page! *MSRP excluding tax, license, registration, $835 destination charge, and options. Dealer prices may vary. **Based on 2017 EPA mileage ratings. Use for comparison purposes only. Your mileage will vary depending on how you drive and maintain your vehicle, driving conditions and other factors. ***The Honda HR-V was named 2016 Green SUV of the Year™ by Green Car Journal. This award recognizes the class-leading efficiency and low emissions of the HR-V, highlighted by its top fuel-economy rating of 35-mpg highway. The Green Car Journal is an award-winning publication that focuses on the relationship between automobiles, energy and the environment. This award represents Honda’s continued environmental leadership, and commitment to producing efficient, low-emission vehicles. For more information see GreenCarJournal.com. "Sporty, Functional Honda HR-V Enters 2017 with Fresh Color and Green Credentials." Honda Newsroom. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Sept. 2016.

D’ELLA Honda of Glens Falls is excited to announce the arrival of the 2017 Honda Fit, a versatile, comfortable, and adventure-ready compact vehicle. The Fit is turning ten this year, and over the last decade you’ve probably heard lots of great things about it, but if you want to know about all the latest upgrades and features on this year’s model, check out our latest Research and Review page. Here you’ll discover all of the performance, safety, and standard features on each of the three models, including Multi-Angle Rearview Camera with Guidelines, Vehicle Stability Assist™ with Traction Control, Bluetooth® Streaming Audio, Security System with Remote Entry, Push Button Start, Heated Front Seats,  Honda LaneWatch™, and Fog Lights.

Fall is almost here, and you know what that means. Winter is coming (and no, we’re not quoting Game of Thrones). Anyone who has grown up in the Queensbury, Saratoga, Clifton Park, or Glens Falls, NY areas knows that Upstate New York winters are cold, snowy, and icy. Four-Wheel Drive is a must for the winter months, and Honda knows that during winter, drivers want the upper hand. That’s why they took the 2016 Honda HR-V with available Real-Time All-Wheel Drive to a test facility in Minnesota to make sure it could withstand the harshest conditions. D’ELLA Honda of Glens Falls has a wide selection of Honda Vehicles available with this technology. Stop by and see us to show winter who's in charge this year!

The school year is officially underway! As we readjust to sharing the roads with students who are walking, biking, and driving to and from school, D’ELLA Honda of Glens Falls thought it might be helpful to go over some safe driving tips. AAA has released a list as a part of their “School’s Open - Drive Carefully” campaign. Last week, we went over how to slow down in school zones, coming to a complete stop, and minimizing distractions. Check out the next three tips from AAA below! 4.) Reverse Responsibly - We love the Backup Camera in many of our New Honda Vehicles. But it’s important not to rely too heavily on this feature. Blind spots can still happen, so before you start backing up, be sure to take your time and look for kids in the driveway or sidewalk near you. Once you’ve confirmed there are no risks in sight, slowly reverse. 5.) Watch for Bicycles - Kids love to ride their bikes, but they are often inexperienced and a little unsteady while doing so. If you are approaching a younger bicyclist on the road, make sure you’re giving them ample passing space (AAA recommends at least three feet). If your own child rides their bike to school, be sure to talk to them about biking safety and wearing the proper safety equipment, like a properly-fitting helmet. 6.) Talk to Your Teen - You’re not the only one we’re worried about behind the wheel! Car accidents account for the most teenage deaths in the United States, and many of these are completely avoidable. Make sure you’re talking to your teenager about the importance of driving safely. On behalf of everyone at D’ELLA Honda of Glens Falls, we wish you a safe, happy, and successful school year! "AAA Exchange." School's Open – Drive Carefully. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Aug. 2016. <http://exchange.aaa.com/safety/child-safety/schools-open-drive-carefully/#.V74NvJMrJTZ>.

The Honda Fit is turning ten this year, and you can celebrate with a test drive at D’ELLA Honda of Glens Falls! If you’re interested in learning more about this five-door versatile vehicle, we are in the process of writing a Research and Review page that will tell you everything you need to know about the 2017 Honda Fit before you even come in! Here you’ll learn all about the LX, EX, and EX-L and their performance, safety, and standard features, so you can make the most of your visit! We’ll be announcing the release of this new research page right here on our blog, so check back for more updates.

Summer vacation is officially over for most children in the United States, with more than 55 million children heading back to hit the books. They’ll also be hitting the streets, with over 13% of students walking and riding their bikes to school this year. That means you’ll be seeing a lot of them on your work commute. Of course, this increases the chance for accidents, so AAA is warning drivers to be extra careful during September. Their campaign, “School’s Open - Drive Carefully” has released a list of six things you can do to increase driver awareness and pedestrian safety this fall. Take a look at the first three below! 1.) Slow Down - If you could reduce your chance of killing a pedestrian by over two-thirds, would you? Of course you would, and that’s exactly what happens when drivers obey the school zone speed limits, which are generally about 10 MPH under the speed limit. It’s amazing the difference it makes! Make sure to check the signs when heading into a school zone so you know exactly how fast you can go and what times the speed limit is in effect. 2.) Come to a Complete Stop - Coming to a complete stop is an important part of driver safety, yet it is often overlooked. In fact, research reveals that one-third of drivers roll through stop signs instead of stopping completely. When you are traveling through a school zone or neighborhood, children are often walking the streets, and assume you seem them and will stop for them. By coming to a complete stop and looking around for any pedestrians, you can easily avoid a potentially dangerous collision. 3.) Eliminate Distractions - Distracted driving remains one of the number one causes of car accidents, and when you add in child pedestrians, it’s a deadly combination. Even if you look away for two seconds, you could double your chance of crashing. Children can often be quick and unpredictable, and may not be following the rules of the road either. Eliminate distractions such as eating or using your cell phone behind the wheel, so you can be prepared to stop abruptly if you have to. Want more suggestions? Visit our blog next week and we’ll give you three more helpful tips from AAA including reversing responsibly, watching out for bicycles, and talking to your teenager drivers. "AAA Exchange." School's Open – Drive Carefully. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Aug. 2016. <http://exchange.aaa.com/safety/child-safety/schools-open-drive-carefully/#.V74NvJMrJTZ>.

Every month or so, we catch up with one of the faces behind Honda through their inspirational video series, “What Makes a Honda is Who Makes a Honda.” Honda, who is committed to the Power of Dreams, features employees who illustrate that commitment every day. The latest episode of “What Makes a Honda is Who Makes a Honda” features the Senior Program Director of Honda Silicon Valley Lab, Naoki “Nick” Segimoto. Segimoto, who leads the advanced information technology R&D team, studied automotive engineering in college at the University of Tokyo but had no plans to pursue a career in the automotive industry. He was much more interested in the development of the internet and technology, but always respected Honda as a company for the dedication to innovation. And in 2005, he blended his passion for technology and automobiles and joined the Honda team. Now, Segimoto works as a liaison between the technology and automotive industry, helping to build driver-assistance technology in Honda vehicles like Android Auto™ and Apple CarPlay™. "A lot of change is happening in the technology and automotive industries, and going forward it is more important now than ever for Honda to work with innovators of all types to remain competitive," said Sugimoto. The full episode is available below! "Leader of Honda Silicon Valley Lab Featured in "Who Makes a Honda" Video." Honda Media Newsroom. N.p., 31 Aug. 2016. Web. <http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hondanews.com%2Freleases%2Fleader-of-honda-silicon-valley-lab-featured-in-who-makes-a-honda-video>.