Glens Falls Business Journal - November 2022

Expansion Plans Continuing For Common Roots Brewing Co. In South Glens Falls

BY SUSAN ELISE CAMPBELL

What started as a plan to add more production and canning space has snowballed into an addi tional restaurant and event space that doubles the size of Common Roots Brewing Co. at 58 Saratoga Ave. in South Glens Falls.

Guests are already booking weddings and corporate events for up to 250 people, according to Christian Weber, who owns the brewery with his father, Bert Weber.

“The site has been cleared and the steel for footings has arrived,” said Weber. “We hope to

have the new building up and closed in by the end of the year and opened to customers the end of spring.”

The new building and beer garden is being designed and built by Phinney Design Group of Saratoga Springs with V&H Construction Inc. as lead contractor. These are the same firms that rebuilt the modern Adirondack-style structure in 2020.

“We’re putting the team back together because we love what they did for us,” said Weber.

Agricultural Industry In The Region Has Wide-Ranging Impact On The Economy

BY PAUL POST

COVID-19 shone a spotlight on the need for a safe, secure food system and strong local ag riculture, which has a $500 million economic impact on Saratoga County alone, led by its diverse equine industry.

Numerous farm businesses, from large dairies to maple production, award-winning goat’s milk cheese and Christmas trees, are prevalent throughout Warren and Washington counties as well.

“I’m really excited about what we learned during COVID-19,” state Agriculture Com missioner Richard Ball said. “We had supply problems, getting food in grocery stores. We’ve got to leverage that right now and make sure people remember that we need food here, and need it grown here.”

Ball is president of the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture, which recently brought hundreds of people from throughout the U.S. to Saratoga Springs for a four-day, annual conference. Participants attended panel discussions on critical farm issues such as labor shortage, toured local ag enterprises and worked on policy proposals.

“I’m excited about connecting with a popu lation that maybe didn’t know as much about New York state agriculture as it really should. It’s upstate New York’s biggest economic engine and it’s so large we don’t know totally how large it is,” he said.

A 2019 Cornell University study said the agriculture, farm and food system had a direct $43.6 billion in total industry output, encom

passing over 163,000 jobs. The impact is even greater when linking the full farm and food system to the entire supply chain, growing to $65.2 billion

“For every on-farm job there’s like seven more jobs somewhere else,” Ball said. “Think about a dairy farm. Then think about food manufacturing processes for Greek yogurt and the deliveries they have. It just goes on and on. We think about agriculture as farmers. We re

Praxis Technology Will Consolidate Its Manufacturing Operation On Pruyn’s Island

BY CHRISTINE GRAF

Queensbury-based Praxis Technology— a manufacturer that produces titanium components for the medical, aerospace, consumer and sport ing goods markets—has announced plans to consolidate its operations in a 53,500-square-foot manufacturing complex on Pruyn’s Island in Glens Falls.

The company purchased the facility from Andritz Inc. It sits on 6.2 acres. The investment was made after the city rezoned the site from single-family residential to heavy industrial use.

The property at 1 Namic Place is located at the southern end of Pruyn’s Island, an area that is home to other industrial uses including Flomatic Corp., Umicore Electrical Materials and building materials supplier ABC Supply Co.

“We purchased the building and are relocating both of our facilities that are currently in the indus trial park by the airport,” said Joseph Grohowski, founder and president of Praxis Technology.

“We’re doing it for a number of reasons,” he said. “One is that we want to have all of our operations

Economic Impact Of ‘Ice Castles’ Expected To Grow When It Returns In January

BY PAUL POST

Local officials welcomed Ice Castles with open arms last year, hoping it would help fulfill the long sought-after goal of making Lake George a yearround tourist destination

It did that and more, by generating enough occupancy tax to bring four brand new attractions to Charles R. Wood Park’s Festival Commons in 2023, exponentially increasing Ice Castles’ economic impact by drawing even more people to the village, according to local officials.

“When Ice Castles was open, the streets had as many people on them as we’d see normally and all the accommodations I’m aware of that were open were full on weekends,” Mayor Robert Blais said. “So many people stayed at Fort William Henry Hotel, Holiday Inn, Quality Inn and the Marriott Courtyard that our occupancy tax collection for that period was up 40 percent. That will go toward increasing the number of special events the village can support and expanding the special events we have here presently.”

Warren County Tourism expected last year’s inaugural Ice Castles to give the local economy a $4 million boost. That figure should be much larger in 2023, both directly and indirectly, thanks to more attractions throughout the year, officials said.

Plans call for adding a garlic festival, Christmas holiday festival, country living craft show, and Jeep rally and car show to a lineup that already includes major draws such as the Adirondack Wine & Food festival, a tow truck show, craft producers event and barbecue festival. Each one brings large crowds to Lake George.

Buoyed by last year’s positive response (more than 88,000 tickets were sold), Ice Castles will be

even bigger this year with space around the perim eter allocated for an ice bar serving winter-themed alcoholic beverages, a concession area and colorful light walk.

“At night there will be an area where you’re im mersed in lights hung in trees and large light features will surround you as you walk through,” Ice Castles marketing director Melissa Smuzynski said. “We’re also going to be creating snow features like igloos and snow carvings. We’re just hopeful the weather

Praxis Technology will move into this facility on Pruyn’s Island as they proceed to consolidate operations here and move out of their space in Queensbury.

Glens Falls Business Journal

Agriculture Commissioner Richard Ball at River Bend Christmas Tree Farm in Lake Luzerne.

Paul Post

More than 88,000 tickets were sold last year for people to walk through Ice Castles.

Paul Post

This is a rendering of the new building and beer garden designed by Phinney Design Group for Common Roots Brewery’s expansion. V&H Construction Inc. is the lead contractor.

Courtesy Phinney Design Group

Business Briefs

The Lake Champlain-Lake George Regional Planning Board and Adirondack/Glens Falls Transportation Council (A/GFTC) have launched two surveys as part of a Rural Workforce Transportation Plan.

The Plan and surveys are focused on Warren and Washington County employees and employers.

The Rural Workforce Transportation Plan is one recommendation from the Regional Planning Board’s 2021 Forward Together: Economic Resiliency Plan. In addition to the surveys, the planning board will be conducting a series of focus group meetings in early 2023 to consider strategies to improve rural workforce mobility.

The surveys will remain open through the end of the year. Employees and employers in Warren and Washington Counties are encouraged to participate in the five-minute survey to help further this important regional initiative. Surveys can be found at the planning board website, www.lclgrpb.org. *

The Adirondack Regional Chamber of Commerce will hold it holiday mixer 5-7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 1, at the Fort William Henry Conference Center, 48 Canada St., Lake George. The fee is $40 for ARCC members and $60 for non-members.

The event will include festive drinks, food samples, and more. Photo opportunities will be provided by On the Spot Photos. Fire pits and hot soup and beverage stations will also be available for the combination indoor/outdoor

event.

For more information, contact Carol Ann Conover, member services and events manager at 518-798-1761, ext. 220 or email caconover@ adirondackchamber.org. *

The National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame’s fourth annual Photo Finish exhibition has opened in the von Stade Gallery and will remain on display through Feb. 5.

The exhibit’s images will also be available on the Museum’s website at racingmuseum.org/ exhibits/photo-fi nish-juried-photography-exhibition. The online exhibition will be available through October 2023.

Photo Finish features selected amateur and professional photographs that document the entire racing experience, from the farm and the backstretch to the winner’s circle. Each image captures an element of the strength, beauty, and emotion of the sport of racing. Photographers from 17 states and Ireland are represented in the exhibit.

Remi Bellocq, Alicia Hughes, Sally Jeffords, and Todd Marks, served as the judges for Photo Finish, providing representation from the racing and arts communities.

The call for submissions for the fi ft h annual Photo Finish exhibition will be announced in 2023.

For more information about the museum, including special events and program offerings, please call (518) 584-0400 or www. racingmuseum.org.

Rocket Recycling To Open Second Location In Queensbury; Eyes Th ird In Hudson Falls

BY ANDREA HARWOOD

Tyler Russell and wife Julia Sanzen are planning to open a second Rocket Recycling location in Queensbury in about seven months, with a third location also in the process.

Russell opened the first location midMarch at 255 Ridge St. in Glens Falls, in the former Stewart’s location across the street from the newer, larger Stewart’s. Russell described the property as nearly turn-key upon purchase.

“It was game plan from the start to have three locations opened in the area,” said Russell. “From there, we will continue our growth forward.”

“There’s a need and an opportunity locally,” he said.

The second location is at the circle roundabout near Evergreen Plaza (known locally as the Sokol’s Plaza), off Aviation Road. The facility is a former gas and service station from many years ago and has been empty for years. Tyler said the property was just waiting for the right idea and the right business. Rocket Recycling fits that bill.

The building has a three-bedroom apartment above the garage, but Russell said there are no plans for that space just yet.

“We’re focused on getting bottles and cans in the door right now,” he said.

Russell anticipates opening the store for business as soon as National Grid finalizes the last step of power connection.

The inside of the building required cleaning up, similar to the outside, said Russell. Renovations outside included patching some holes, updating some lighting and putting a fresh coat of paint on everything, he said.

“It’s a cool old former garage and gas station, and we wanted to go with that look and feel,” he said.

The exterior of the building has been painted white, with blue accents and a custom rocket painting on the side of the building.

“I’ve always desired an old garage station in a 1950’s style. This is awfully close. We really love this cool space,” said Russell.

Russell chose the location because of the heavy organic traffic. The road is directly en route to the Queensbury schools, and adjacent to the roundabout formed by Dixon Road, Aviation Road and Farr Lane.

“There’s a real need for a recycling on that side of town,” said Russell. “It’s centrally located to the Northway. It will be our area hub facility, where we will process large quantities of bottles and cans from our other facilities. As we grow with more locations, that will be our hub.”

Russell describes himself and his family as “serial entrepreneurs.” He is co-owner of StoriedBoards, a flooring company specializing in the use of authentic barn board and reclaimed wood. StoriedBoards can be found at www.storiedboards.com and just celebrated 10 years in business.

The family also owns Sunnyside Par 3 golf course, located at 170 Sunnyside Road in Queensbury. Russell and his wife ran a restaurant for 5 years as well.

During COVID, Russell and his wife began exploring the recycling industry to see if it was a viable business model. They decided that the need and the opportunity existed.

Russell already has a third location purchased and almost ready to open. The facility will be located at 88 Main St. in Hudson Falls, next to the Walgreens just south of Juckett Park. The building’s interior was gutted after a fire in 2016. The renovations are still in process, as rehabilitation was extensive. Russell anticipates opening the it in early 2023.

The company website is www.rocketrecycling.com.

This will be Rocket Recycling’s second location in Queensbury. The business is also in Glens Falls and there are plans to open another on Main Street in Hudson Falls.

Andrea Harwood

MLB Construction Celebrates 75 Years Of Being A Major Contractor In Capital District

Queensbury Wine & Spirits Offers More Than 200 Wines On Aviation Road In Queensbury

MLB Construction, established in 1947 in Albany, under the name McManus, Longe, Brockwehl Inc., is celebrating 75 years in business.

Operations started from the attic of the Longe household. Throughout the years the company expanded, changing its name to MLB Industries in the mid-1970s, and later to MLB Construction Services LLC.

As it celebrates its landmark anniversary, James M. Dawsey, MLB president, said the company is “in the process of our next leadership/ succession transition. This should take care of MLB Construction for the next 20-30 years. Based on what this next team has learned, it will make it easy for them to do their transition after this one.”

He said the company “will continue to do what we do well—higher education, K-12, medical, resorts and historic renovations. We are also licensed up and down the east coast and will continue to build in these markets.

“We also plan to push into the housing market, both affordable and market rate. We want to continue to grow our design-build side in all the above markets.”

MLB’s list of clients over the years includes Skidmore College, who MLB has partnered with for over almost 60 years. MLB handled construction management for the Center for Integrated Sciences building, home of Skidmore’s new science and learning center. The $97 million multi-phased project consists of four phases. Phase 3 is underway and will be completed in May 2024.

Another long-term client of MLB’s is the New York State Racing Association (NYRA). MLB was awarded the general contract for a major hospitality project for Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs. The 36,000-square foot, three-story, climate-controlled 1863 Club near the track’s first turn offers guests a variety of hospitality options and premier modern amenities.

The club, opened in 2019, consists of a restaurant, luxury suites, private event hall for up to 100 people. There are balconies off the second and third floors providing sweeping views of the track.

With up to 300 employees at times during construction, the originally scheduled 24-month project was completed in eight and a half months. The $30 million dollar project won a 2020 Jeffrey J. Zogg Build New York Award.

Regarding the current labor shortage in the construction industry, MLB is partnering with Expertise, a project creating local career discovery videos and displaying them in a way that is easy for educators and students to use in high school and college classrooms to create interest in careers in construction.

Looking ahead, the company is expanding its digital portfolio in the metaverse (a virtual-reality space in which users can interact with a computergenerated environment and other users), creating 360 videos to document existing conditions and showcase completed projects to future clients.

MLB takes pride in the fact that historically, 90 percent of its business is with repeat clients. The company said the majority of its work is in the private sector and includes healthcare, education, retail, and hospitality. The remainder is work completed with public projects and through their Facility Services division.

“As MLB focuses on keeping their work local and clients happy, the company is beginning to take on a bigger and more developed team expansion. MLB plans to add more superintendents, project engineers, and preconstruction roles,” the company said in a statement.

“The company has a strategic plan for the future of MLB and how to give back to its employees along with how to service its clients better. With hopes for another 75-plus years ahead, MLB is very excited to play such a large part in the future of the construction industry.”

As far as hiring, Dawsey said MLB will push for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in hiring practice.

“We are committed to fostering, cultivating, and preserving a culture of DEI. Over the past two years we have expanded our New York overhead and are now concentrating on our North Carolina office,” he said.

BY JILL NAGY

The new owner of Queensbury Wine and Spirits, Brian Miller, freshened up the premises and brought in new wines and spirits, including 15 or 20 wines he said no one else in the county offers.

The shop now stocks more than 200 wines, 50 spirits, and a selection of canned cocktails, Miller said.

The store is located at 340 Aviation Road in Queensbury, a residential neighborhood with no other liquor stores nearby.

“So, we have to carry a little of everything,” he said. “We are trying to pump some new life and some fresh energy” into the business.

Miller bought the wine and spirits outlet in early August. He did some remodeling and reopened the fi rst week of September.

During the holiday season the store will offer tastings on Thursdays, Fridays, and Sat-

urdays. They will also make up gift baskets that can be picked up at the store or shipped.

His customers like wine, he has found. And he likes the “friendliness and enthusiasm of his neighbors; that keeps the creativity and energy flowing.”

Miller has three employees in addition to himself. He is new to entrepreneurship but has done marketing for bars in the Saratoga Springs area for the past 10 years. He has an eclectic background, including a spell selling RVs. He grew up in Johnstown and now lives just south of Glens Falls.

Queensbury Wine and Spirits is open seven days a week: Monday to Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m; Thursday through Saturday, 10 to 10; and from noon to 7 p.m. on Sundays. The website is QueensburyWines.com. The telephone number is 518-480-3024.

MLB Construction, in business in the area for 75 years, handled the renovation of the Surfside on the Lake facility in Lake George.

Courtesy MLB Construction

Brian Miller, owner of Queensbury Wine and Spirits, stocks more than 200 wines, 50 spirits, and a selection of canned cocktails. The store is located at 340 Aviation Road.

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Premiere Plus Travel Moves Offices Of Its Two Businesses To New Glens Falls Location

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BY CHRISTINE GRAF

Premier Plus Travel and Premier Plus Travel and Tours are now operating out a new location at 154 Warren St. in Glens Falls.

The property was purchased by Dawn Biddis combe and her son, Matthew Colucci, for $375,000 in September of last year. Biddiscombe is the owner of Premier Plus Travel, and she and Colucci co-own Premier Plus Travel and Tours.

A former paralegal, Biddiscombe opened her travel agency in 2014 while still working full-time in the legal profession. The following year, she and her son established Premier Plus Travel and Tours.

The company provides airport and special event transportation. Their fleet of Mercedes Benz vehicles includes a limousine, executive coach, and shuttle. They also own the Hoppy Tour Brew Bus, a 14-passenger bus that offers tours of breweries, wineries, and distilleries in the North Country, Capital District, and Vermont.

“You could consider us a mini Yankee Trails,” said Biddiscombe.

In 2016, Biddiscombe left the legal profession in order to dedicate herself full-time to both busi nesses. For the next three years, her companies operated out of a leased building in Glens Falls. As their fleet of vehicles continued to grow, they moved to a new location that had a parking lot large enough to accommodate their growing fleet of vehicles.

When that building was sold, they decided the time had come to purchase their own property for their businesses.

After purchasing 154 Warren St.—a former private residence that had been converted into a large doctor’s office—she and Colucci embarked on an extensive renovation project that spanned an entire year. During the course of renovations, the majority of the building was gutted.

“We had 12 months of very stressful construc tion. It was very expensive—much more than we thought. Labor and materials were very expensive, and there was limited availability of contractors,” she said. “We also found things like cement in the floor that we had to remove. This is also an older

mansion. It’s built very well.”

The renovations are complete, and the property now houses the travel agency and the tour com pany. It also has newly-constructed one-bedroom, two-bedroom, and five-bedroom apartments.

The one-bedroom is leased to a long-term ten ant, and the two- and five-bedroom apartments are leased to the Adirondack Thunder to house players during the season. Between May 1 and Sept. 30, those apartments will be rented out as Airbnb’s.

“We’re within walking distance to downtown Glens Falls. We’re right near the Civic Center and the hospital. We’re 15 minutes from Lake George and 25 minutes from Saratoga,” said Biddiscombe, noting that the rentals would be perfect for large groups who are attending weddings in the area.

Although renovations of the 5,100-square-foot property are complete, the mansion was damaged when a broken sewer line caused the basement to flood on several occasions. Biddiscombe has a claim pending.

Biddiscombe is looking forward to resolving the issue so that she can concentrate on her thriving businesses. At the height of the pandemic, she wasn’t sure if either business would survive. They are now outperforming expectations.

“It was a bad time, but we were able to hang on,” she said. “We’re doing very well now. We’re doing better now than before the pandemic.”

According to Biddiscombe, the price of travel has risen about 30 percent. She said that rising costs have not translated to decreased demand for travel.

“People want to travel. Europe is huge right now and the Caribbean is always a big sell. People were told that you couldn’t travel for so long that they don’t mind spending the money.”

The transportation side of the business is also booming, and the company is currently in need of additional vehicles for its fleet. Due to a shortage of vehicles and the inability to add to the fleet, they have had to turn business away.

For more information, visit https://premierplus tours.com

Dawn Biddiscombe, owner of Premier Plus Travel and co-owner of Premier Plus Travel and Tours, has moved her offices to a new location at 154 Warren St. in Glens Falls.

Business Growth At Springbrook Hollow Distillery Necessitates New, Larger Facility

BY SUSAN ELISE CAMPBELL

According to co-owner Matt Colucci, moving all operations to a five-acre parcel on Route 149, adjacent to the current location at 133 Clements Road in Queensbury, will enable the business to increase production, visibility and space for tastings and events.

David and Connie Bannon, two of Springbrook’s five co-owners, have owned and raised their family on the Clements Road property. The distillery began in their antique barn that once stabled horses.

When all the equipment is transported to the new location, “the Bannons will get their barn back,” Colucci said.

The process of moving has been two years in the making, he said. When the acreage came up for sale, the partners did not hesitate to bid on it.

The foundation for the new building has been poured and an 8,000-square-foot, Adirondack-style building has been framed by Nick Daigle Construc tion in Queensbury.

The land was a clear lot with the same brook running through it as the Bannon property. The Springbrook Hollow has been a source of water for area farmers for centuries, according to the distill ery’s website. It’s the water with its specific mineral content that contributes to “the quality of the prod ucts and why they are so popular,” said Colucci.

He bought into the company seven years ago with responsibilities in general management and sales. The product was only available in a few places in New York. Now distribution extends to nine states and 50 farmers markets, he said. “We have outgrown everything.”

The distillery’s new home will provide a much

larger space for locals and tourists to taste the liquor and enjoy the outdoors, expanding the tasting room from 300 square feet to 2,000. The new design calls for a large wrap-around porch and outdoor seating with fire pits and views facing the adjacent woods.

In the past guests were allowed to bring in something to eat. Plans for food service on-site next year have not been finalized. Colucci said wood-fired pizza and food trucks are being discussed, along with having some local craft beers on tap and live music on the grounds.

With larger storage and production space, along with 16-foot ceilings to accommodate larger equip ment and a partially automated bottling line, Colucci said the business is getting poised to distribute to additional states “and grow the ones we are in.”

An important factor is the visibility of the new space. The building and grounds will be in full view of travelers up and down Route 149 near the intersection of Route 9L. This location falls within the Adirondack Park and borders Queensbury, Lake George and Fort Ann.

Colucci attributes the company’s growth to “hard work and good products.”

Because it takes the less time to age, the distillery started with vodka production followed by gin, whiskey, and bourbon, counting on local farms and sources for ingredients.

There are also different rotational flavors of moonshine, which Colucci said is anything un-aged. Currently there is a vodka-based moonshine with fresh cinnamon and apples from the Beak & Skiff Orchards in Marietta, N.Y. Two other specialties are their award-winning Limoncello and Orangecello, also vodka-based.

Tours of Springbrook Hollow Farm Distillery are available. Visit www.springbrookhollow.com. for more information.

Burgoyne Quality Hardware Owner Adds Lumberyard To Her Saratoga Business Site

BY JILL NAGY

A 5,520-square-foot lumberyard, building supply, and design center has been added to Saratoga Quality Hardware at 110 Excelsior Ave. in Saratoga Springs.

The new addition was partially opened in July and now is fully expanded.

“We had some kinks we wanted to work out,” said Louise Eddy, who owns Saratoga Quality Hardware and its sister store in Hudson Falls, Burgoyne Quality Hardware.

“This lumberyard has been on the drawing board for a long time,” Eddy said. “We are excited to expand our selection for our Saratoga area customers and bring them the same premium lumber and high quality building materials we have been selling in our Hudson Falls lumberyard.”

The Hudson Falls store added a drive-through lumberyard—consisting of two flatbed trucks with forklifts—in 2002. The Saratoga yard is a conventional store, not a drive-through. In addi tion to lumber, it sells roofing materials, siding, and other building materials.

There is also a design center, essentially a showroom for paints and similar decorating materials, including samples and informational literature. Also available are Weathershield windows and Eddy plans displays of that line of merchandise in a few months.

The lumberyard is designed to meet the needs of both professional contractors and do-it-your selfers. So far, Eddy said, the majority of their customers have been professional contractors.

The staff includes three dedicated employees, supplemented by other sales personnel as need ed. Sam Smead, a 20-year veteran of the lumber and building supplies business, manages the lumberyard. Greg Wood, another experienced

hand, is the new inside sales representative for the design center.

Eddy has owned the company for 12 years.

The decision to expand into the lumber busi ness was based upon the availability of space and the location. In the past, Saratoga custom ers were referred to Hudson Falls to purchase lumber.

Saratoga Quality Hardware is open from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Friday; 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. Further information is available on the com pany’s website, SaratogaQualityHardware.com. The telephone number for the Saratoga store is 518-584-9180.

Springbrook Hollow Farm Distillery is making its first major expansion since bringing bottles of its flagship vodka to market in 2015.

This is a rendering of a large structure being built in Queensbury that will be the new home for Springbrook Hollow Farm Distillery, which has been experiencing major growth.

Mark Patrizio Studio

Hal Raven Owner Raven Rail LLC Reads

Louise Eddy, owner, and Sam Smead at the Saratoga Quality Hardware lumberyard.

©2022 Saratoga Photographer.com

Holidays

Christmas / Christkindlmarkt Coming To Glens Falls On Dec. 2, 3 and 4

Hometown

Ice Castles To Return

The Glens Falls Collaborative’s Hometown Holiday/Adirondack Christkindlmarkt will take place on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 2, 3 and 4 in Glens Falls City Park.

The event will begin with a parade to escort Santa Claus to town. The parade will begin at Crandall Park at 5:15 p.m. head south on Glen Street to City Park. Santa and Mayor Bill Collins will light the tree at 6:15 p.m.

After the tree lighting Santa will be available to visit with children in the Glens Falls National Bank Wealth Management office on Glen Street.

Glen Street will not be closed for this year’s event, but a roped off path will direct families to the bank. Those crossing Glen Street will be asked to do so in the crosswalk by Spot Coffee where there will be a crossing guard on duty.

In City Park there will be two tents full of vendors. More than 35 have signed up for the event.

There will also be an entertainment tent and there will be strolling carolers in the area. Entertainers will include North County Fair, a Celtic band from Cranberry Lake area. There will also be a polka band performing on Sunday afternoon.

Santa will be in the bandstand to visit with children on Saturday and Sunday from noon to 3 p.m.

Maple Street will be closed this year where Circle B Ranch will be providing free horse and carriage rides.

Event Hours for the three days are: Friday, 3-8 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m; and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The name Christkindlmarkt translates to “Christmas market” in English. These markets originated in Germany centuries ago. Other countries and cities have adopted the tradition throughout the years, organizers said.

The Adirondack Christkindlmarkt will feature over 30 vendors, including food vendors and local artisans, horse-drawn carriage rides, live entertainment and children’s activities. There will also be holiday light displays and other holiday adornments.

The Glens Falls Collaborative is still looking for local businesses to join and become a sponsor of the Adirondack Christkindlmarkt in Glens Falls. Those considering supporting the group’s efforts to increase tourism in the Glens Falls region can fi nd more information and a registration form at the group’s website, www.glensfallscollaborative.com.

will cooperate. Last year the weather was definitely a challenge for us.”

Ice Castles didn’t open until Jan. 23 last season. The company would like to get started by early- to mid-January in 2023 and stay open through at least the end of February.

Toward that end, a new water line is being installed at Charles R. Wood Park and it’s that hoped National Grid will put in three-phase power so Ice Castles can use a snowmaking machine to build and maintain frosty attractions.

Blais said Ice Castles is footing the $80,000 bill for the work. Because it’s taking up more space, the Utah-based company has also agreed to a $10,000 rental fee increase (from $50,000 to $60,000) for using the park.

“It’s a big investment for Ice Castles,” Blais said. “I would guess it’s a signal that they’d love to stay here for several years. I was told last year that they had a tremendous season, but it was a little bit shorter than they would have preferred. Let’s just hope we get the weather.

“Every full-service restaurant was open last year plus the pizza places, and they all reported that they did very well. We also had at least six retail outlets that opened up last year and I’m hoping the rest of them will see their way clear to open again. You don’t get 80,000 people to come to Lake George over a seven-week period without having an impact.”

Most visitors came from the Greater Capital Region, Metropolitan New York and across upstate New York including Syracuse and Buffalo, officials said.

“This year we’ll also be promoting the attraction to Montreal,” Smuzynski said. “Last year, the border was still closed so we didn’t generate much traffic from there. Hopefully this gives them a great reason to come to Lake George.”

More than 4 million people have visited Ice Castles at sites across the U.S. and in Canada since its inception in 2011. Founder Brent Christensen crafted his first icy creation in his home’s front yard, for his children, after moving from sunny California to snowy Utah. Similar attractions are in Minnesota, Wisconsin and New Hampshire.

Lake George was the company’s first foray into New York.

Ice Castles also helps the economy by creating jobs. About 60 workers—some local and others from across the country—built last year’s mammoth structure, which covered 1.5 acres with 25-foot high walls.

The construction process starts by growing 5,000 to 12,000 icicles per day, formed by spraying water onto horizontal sections of chain link fence. Icicles are then harvested by hand and individually added onto existing formations, which keep growing as a fine spray of water, from nozzles located throughout the grounds, turns small icicles into tall upright pillars.

“We’re hiring for both build and event crew positions,” Smuzynski said. “We prefer to hire locally. It helps out the community and provides jobs to people who need seasonal opportunities.”

People can apply for jobs at Ice Castles online at www.icecastles.com/work.

Crowds of people enjoy the Christkindlmarkt holiday event put on by the Glens Falls Collabrative. This year’s event is Dec. 2, 3 and 4 in City Park, downtown Glens Falls.

Courtesy Glens Falls Collaborative

Ice Castles will be even bigger this year, officials say, with space around the perimeter allocated for an ice bar serving winter-themed alcoholic beverages, a concession area and colorful light walk.

Christmas Tree For 2022-23 At Iconic Rockefeller Center Will Be From Queensbury

AARP: Debt, Inflation Likely To Impact Spending Th is Holiday Season For 65-Plus

New AARP research found that 33 percent of adults age 30 and older said their financial situation is worse than it was a year ago, up from 22 percent in January. And 35 percent of adults age 65 and older said their financial situation is worse, up from 13 percent in January—a 169 percent increase.

A significant majority of adults age 30-plus (78 percent) said they have adjusted their lifestyle or shopping habits due to inflation. Nearly half (49 percent) of women and 41 percent of men reported cutting back on basic expenses such as food and transportation, while 53 percent of women and 46 percent of men reported cutting back on ‘extras.’ These cuts, combined with a slowdown in consumer spending and the recent decline in consumer confidence, could translate to less spending this holiday season, the study said.

Growing debt could also contribute to a potential decrease in holiday purchases. The AARP survey found the average amount of credit card debt in July was just over $7,100, with more people attributing their credit card debt to everyday expenses in July (42 percent) than they did in January (35 percent). Roughly 4 in 10 respondents said their debt is unmanageable.

ing debt and saving for the future a steeper hill to climb.”

The study said additional key findings include:

• Large, unexpected expenses are the type of expense that cause the most worry with 62 percent of adults expressing concern. And 45 percent are worried about affording basic expenses, up from 38 percent in January.

• Women were more likely than men to be worried about both large, unexpected expenses and basic expenses.

• Among adults age 50 and older, 1 in 5 (21 percent) expect their financial situation to decline over the next year.

• Among those who are not yet retired, more than half (52 percent) expect to either work in retirement or to never retire. Of those who expect to work in retirement, 3 in 4 (74 percent) cite financial reasons.

AARP’s Financial Security Trends Survey examines how adults age 30 and older view their financial situation, including their ability to cover expenses, manage debt, and build savings for emergencies and retirement. This semiannual survey compares findings from July 2022 to those from January 2022.

The

Standing at 82 feet tall, 50 feet wide and weighing in at 14 tons, the approximately 90-year-old Norway Spruce was selected from a private property, not a tree stand.

It is arriving at Rockefeller Center in New York City on Nov. 12, according to center officials.

They said last year’s tree, from Maryland, was only 79 feet tall and weighed 12 tons, but was decked out with 50,000 lights and topped with a star weighing 900 pounds.

This year’s spruce will be topped with a star made from 3 million Swarovski crystals, designed by architect Daniel Libeskind in 2018.

The iconic Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree tradition dates back to 1933 and has endured for eight decades as a catalyst for some metropolis holiday spirit.

The annual tree lighting ceremony will be televised on “Christmas at Rockefeller Center” on Nov. 30, courtesy of NBC at 8 p.m.

According to the center’s newsletter, Erik Pauze, the head gardener for Rockefeller Center who selects the tree every

year said, “We found this year’s tree back in May. After that, I went up several times, as I do with all the other trees, to water it and feed it and measure it. Moving the Tree is an operation in and of itself that can take months to plan and execute—from wrapping each branch of the Tree so it doesn’t bend or snap to compressing the width down so it’s fit for travel.

“This year, someone sent me a photo of a tree in Glens Falls, New York, so I went to go check it out. On the way to go see it, I passed another tree in a vacant lot [in Queensbury], and thought to myself, ‘I need to come back to this tree.’ After I finished with the other tree, I went back, walked up and down both sides of the street, and took a few pictures. I then did some calling around to find out who the owner of the tree was and made an appointment to inspect it closer.”

He added, “when I saw it over the top of a couple of stores, I hoped the bottom looked as good as the top. When I got closer, I knew it was perfect. I figured, let’s get this one to Rockefeller Center.”

Rockefeller Center is a regular stop for people shopping in Manhattan. The ice skating rink that the tree overlooks is also a well-known attraction.

“Consumers of all ages are feeling the impact of inflation. Many living on a fixed income have had to cut back on basics, while others have struggled with debt or delayed their retirement plans altogether,” said Gary Koenig, vice president of financial security at AARP. “Rising prices not only impact consumer spending, it makes manag-

This survey was conducted by NORC at the University of Chicago on behalf of AARP. The most recent wave was conducted from July 12 through Aug. 1, with a total of 4,817 respondents. The first wave was conducted from Jan. 7 to Feb. 1, with a total of 6,162 respondents. For the general sample, data were collected online and by phone.

Christmas tree that will stand in Rockefeller Center in midtown Manhattan for the 2022-23 holiday season is one that was grown in Queensbury.

Health & Wellness

Health Commissioner Stops In Area On Tour To Discuss Health Care Delivery Challenges

State Department of Health Commissioner Dr. Mary T. Bassett completed a two-day, seven-county tour of communities in the North Country, where she met hospital leadership, healthcare workers, behavioral health and substance abuse providers, regional conveners, as well as long-term care, public health, and primary care leaders, who make up the region’s frontline health workers.

The tour included stops at Adirondack Health Institute and Glens Falls Hospital in Glens Falls, the Fort Hudson Health System in Hudson Falls and Hudson Headwaters Health Network in Queensbury.

The visit to the North Country was the latest in a series of tours the commissioner has made as she travels the state to engage the state’s health delivery system and discuss local challenges.

“It’s difficult to deny the breathtaking beauty of New York’s North Country, but it’s also obvious that we face challenges in strengthening the region’s health system and making sure everyone has equitable access to high-quality and afford health care,” Bassett said. “By focusing on opportunities to collaborate with regional health care providers and institutions of higher education, the Department is prepared to do its part to help to build pipelines of qualified workers and bring the next generation of medical professionals to this beautiful area of New York state.”

The commissioner often heard at stops throughout the North Country about the unique challenges of creating a strong health system in a sprawling rural region. Efforts to recruit and retain the health workforce, lack of affordable housing, problems with transportation, and even the limitations of cellular phone coverage and broadband access are issues facing the North Country.

Bassett was accompanied by the Department’s Chief Medical Officer Dr. Eugene Heslin, who has been with the Department since 2017, and was appointed to Bassett’s leadership cabinet in July as part of the commissioner’s initiative to enhance the department’s talent, workflow and collaboration, the integration of new systems,

and increase diversity as part of its overall mission to build a healthier, more equitable New York.

Heslin’s many years of clinical experience and practice management, combined with an expertise in health information technology and data analytics, have allowed him to achieve top performance metrics and outcomes, as well as optimization of value-based payments through the development of consumer-centric population health programs.

“I want to thank Commissioner Bassett for her leadership and dedication to prioritizing the health needs of all New Yorkers and working to establish the infrastructure needed to meet those needs,” Heslin said. “I’m proud to work side-byside with the commissioner as we continue to build our organizational focus and prioritize our delivery systems to improve health access across the state, including unique rural challenges.”

The Department of Health has also worked to improve health care in the state through robust investments in the workforce and health infrastructure.

During each stop of the tour, Basset met with individuals who dedicate their lives each day to the health and wellbeing of the people in their community. She met with administrators and front-line staff at local hospitals, behavioral health and primary care providers, nursing home providers and representatives from local health departments.

While these conversations touched all facets of the North Country’s health delivery system, she consistently heard a theme of resiliency, local innovations to recruit and retain local health workers through partnerships with local colleges and universities, and how local hospitals and behavioral health and primary care providers are partnering together to address not just immediate health needs but also ways in which they are tackling social determinants of health such as housing and food insecurity.

She also heard consistent messages about the mounting pressures of providing quality healthcare to an aging population.

Hudson Headwaters Completes Renovation Of Glens Falls Facility For Enhanced Services

Hudson Headwaters Health Network has completed renovations to its Broad Street Health Center in Glens Falls.

The updated facility offers urgent care services seven days a week, with no appointment necessary, for health concerns that arise suddenly but are not life-threatening. For further convenience, the center offers laboratory and X-ray services on-site, and lists estimated wait times on the Hudson Headwaters website.

“Not a day has gone by where a patient hasn’t commented on how appreciative they are of the transformation,” said Patti Hammond, executive vice president/chief operations officer. “Every renovation has been made with thoughtful consideration to our patients and our community. These enhancements further our mission to provide accessible, high-quality health care for everyone, regardless of income or insurance, while also contributing to Glens Falls’ wider revitalization efforts.”

Renovations include an expanded waiting room with updated lighting and new artwork throughout the center.

Th irteen urgent care exam rooms have also been redone and updated. The triage area has been redesigned so nursing staff may more efficiently assess patient needs. New features include a fully equipped treatment room and a new changing room in the medical imaging

area. Amenities have been added for patients’ comfort including complimentary bottled water, free Wi-Fi connectivity and multi-device charging stations.

Externally, the center has been updated with new windows, signage, lighting, paint and landscaping. The facility has also rebuilt stairs and wheelchair ramps and has gained new roofi ng and a remodeled parking lot.

Hudson Headwaters invites community members to “walk” through the updated center in a virtual tour on the network’s website: www.hhhn.org/locations/health-center-onbroad-street-glens-falls/.

Architecture Plus of Troy led the re-design of the seven-month project, working with Bast Hatfield Construction of Clifton Park.

Within the last four years, Hudson Headwaters has invested in updates to health centers throughout the region, including Women’s Health at 90 South Street in Glens Falls, Saranac Lake Family Health, Tupper Lake Family Health and West Mountain Family Health in Queensbury.

Construction is also currently underway for the new Glens Falls Family Health Center on Larose Street, a 20,000-square-foot, state-ofthe-art primary care facility.

The new health center has an estimated completion date in late 2023.

Renovations at this Hudson Headwaters facility at 100 Broad St., Glens Falls, include a redesigned triage area so nursing staff may more efficiently assess patient needs.

Courtesy Hudson Headwaters

SUNY Adirondack Creates New Health, Wellness Office; Names Staff Of Four

SUNY Adirondack has developed a new on-campus health and wellness office to further meet the needs of students.

As part of that development, the college named Lori Prock as director of health and wellness; Tobey Gifford and Kyle Esposito as wellness coordinators; and Deb Neal as its nurse.

“We are excited to add to existing health initiatives on campus to ensure we are caring for our students’ wellbeing in a holistic way,” said Kathryn O’Sick, dean for Student Affairs.

“Lori, Tobey, Kyle and Debbie each bring years of experience in their respective fields, and are passionate about helping people be their healthiest, happiest selves.”

The office is possible with funds designated to the college through the federal American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, a portion of which SUNY dictates must be designated to support the mental health and wellness of students.

Prock was most recently emergency preparedness coordinator for Saratoga County. She previously served as health educator and senior health educator for that county’s Department of Public Health.

She started her career as a substitute teacher, then worked for OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration). She earned a bachelor’s degree in Biology from The College of Saint Rose and a master’s degree in Health Education from Sage Colleges.

“We will look at the six pillars of health—physical, emotional, social, spiritual, intellectual and occupational—and how we can address all of them to better meet the needs of students,” Prock said.

Gifford has served as an adjunct instructor at SUNY Adirondack for several years. A SUNY Adirondack alumna, she went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science from Skidmore College. She has advanced training and certification in health and wellness, personal training, group exercise, yoga and yoga therapy.

She is co-owner and director of Lemon Tree Yoga and Healing Arts Studio in Glens Falls; a member of the International Association of Yoga Therapists; a national and world aerobic champion who has been featured on ESPN and Sports Illustrated; and is featured in the book “Athlete” by Howard Schatz.

Esposito earned a bachelor’s degree in molecular biology from Skidmore College and a master’s degree in ministry and leadership from Fuller Seminary.

While working at Young Life, a Christian youth organization, he took outdoor education classes at SUNY Adirondack. In 2017, he started teaching those classes and working as a completion coach at The Hub, a community resource at the college that provides students with essentials.

Neal, a nurse at Glens Falls Hospital, will offer regular hours in SUNY Adirondack’s Residence Hall to further attend to students’ needs. Neal graduated from SUNY Pittsburgh with a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing.

She was a U.S. Navy Nurse Corps officer for seven years and has worked as a nurse since, in units including medical/surgery, mother/baby, labor and delivery, infection control, same-day surgery and primary care.

Neal has been a primary care registered nurse at Glens Falls Hospital since 2017.

The addition of a Health and Wellness office enhances other efforts at SUNY Adirondack to help students, faculty and staff achieve health. The college offers an on-campus counseling center; Randle’s Veterans Center; support groups; regular wellness programming including mindful meditation; a fitness center; and The Hub.

In February, SUNY Adirondack joined the JED Campus network, an initiative of The Jed Foundation that helps colleges strengthen mental health, substance misuse, and suicide prevention programs and systems. In the months since, dozens of SUNY Adirondack faculty and staff members participated in Mental Health First Aid, a National Council for Behavioral Health training.

In March, Hudson Headwaters Health Network’s Mobile Health Unit began making biweekly visits to campus, offering services to students, faculty, staff and their family members. The unit is located outside the Residence Hall the second and fourth Thursday of each month.

SUNY Adirondack is also in the process of creating wellness spaces around campus, to encourage mindfulness, reflection, socialization, physical activity and healthy living.

“Health is not just physical and emotional,” Prock said.

HCR Home Care Moves Its Offices From Hudson Falls To CWI Building In Glens Falls

BY JILL NAGY

HCR Home Care moved its regional office from Hudson Falls to the CWI Building on Pearl Street in Glens Falls.

They opened the new office on Sept. 13 and held an official ribbon-cutting the following day.

“We needed a little more space,” said Laura Bartolotti, the company’s communication director. The new space is not much larger, she noted, but it provides more room for training activities.

The company, founded and still headquartered in Rochester, provides home health care in 25 New York state counties. It has been in existence since 1978 and currently employs about 700 people.

The company’s founder, Louise Woerner, remains active in the company and in HCR Cares, a not-for-profit donor-supported research and educational organization that works with the home health care company.

“We provide whatever our patients need,” Bartolotti said, but noted that most of the services are for people who need assistance with activities of daily living: dressing, bathing, remembering to take medications, and the like. “Whatever is needed to keep our patients safe

and healthy at home.”

HCR also provides skilled nurses, physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech therapists, and other professionals, when needed.

New home health aides begin with a threeweek training class, followed by an examination. If they pass the exam, they are ready to go into the field, under the guidance of a preceptor. Before they can venture out completely on their own, they will spend some time shadowing an experienced aide, she said.

There is a fairly large support staff and constant collaboration between the newbies in the field and more seasoned employees, she added. Some new employees come to them with no experience at all; the prior experience of others is “all over the gamut.”

Most services provided by HCR are paid for through Medicare or Medicaid but, Bartolotti said, they do have some private pay patients.

A small contingent—five to 10 people—work in the new offices; the rest are out in the field, Bartolotti said.

The agency’s website is HCRhealthcare.com. The telephone number for the Glens Falls office is 518-636-5726.

New Owner Of Hot Yoga Queensbury Hopes To Bring Back Retreats And Special Events

Hot Yoga Queensbury, located at 118 Quaker Road in Queensbury, is under new ownership.

Serena Smith has been teaching at the Hot Yoga studio for years. In a conversation, former owner Stephanie Angelucci brought up the idea of Smith purchasing the studio. After much thought, she decided to move forward with the purchase.

“Movement has always been a passion for me. It’s exciting to make it a career. I feel honored that I get to do it every day. What an opportunity it is for me to help others move every day,” said Smith.

“I’ve owned other businesses before, and the best part is always being part of the community,” she said. “I’m looking forward to that again.”

Smith owned and operated Taps Tavern in Poultney, Vt., for over 10 years. She has been a chef for 27 years. She also owned a café.

Her first job was in a Pizza Hut restaurant, and she’s been cooking ever since. Smith sold her café many years ago, and the restaurant about a year and a half ago. After cooking and running restaurants and food trucks her entire life, she was looking for change.

“I needed a new and different way to express myself,” said Smith.

The Hot Yoga studio has continued its usual classes, and will start to add some new ones. Among Smith’s ideas are a donationbased class that benefits a local nonprofit groups. She will also be working on building

workshops and retreats, which were popular pre-COVID.

“Yoga is the core of our studio. I want to maintain the integrity of that practice, while adding a couple fun things,” said Smith.

Hot Yoga Queensbury utilizes heat in conjunction with yoga practice. The heat helps burn more calories, improve flexibility and boost cardiovascular fitness. It offers similar benefits as traditional roomtemperature yoga, such as improved stress reduction.

“I’m most excited about getting the preCOVID life brought back into the studio. Honestly, I’m excited about everything—to be there every day, to meet people every day, to practice with people every day. I’m excited about everything. The instructors at the studio all have a wide set of skills, and I’m so lucky to be part of this.”

Smith likes to host parties and events and is looking forward to hosting wellness retreats. Her long-term vision includes owning her own yoga retreat center.

“I just want to help people feel good,” said Smith. “I want to help them discover and heal through movement and meditation.”

“I have to thank (former owner) Steph for this amazing opportunity—truly an opportunity of a lifetime,” said Smith. “She built this place over the years, putting her whole self into it. I feel so honored to be the one she has entrusted to move it forward and grow it.”

The website for Hot Yoga Queensbury is www.hotyogaqueensbury.com. The phone number is 518-636-5354.

BY ANDREA HARWOOD

Serena Smith is the new owner of Hot Yoga Queensbury, located at 118 Quaker Road. She has been teaching there for years and has owned other businesses.

Tobey Giff ord

Lori Prock

Kyle Esposito

Deb Neal

Albany Int’l $78.83 $83.35 $83.31 $86.99 $90.71 Arrow $28.82 $28.93 $30.37 $30.85 $34.26

AT & T $15.34 $14.94 $14.99 $17.10 $18.48

Ball $48.32 $48.52 $47.46 $49.20 $49.60

Ballston Spa

National Bank $58.67 $58.67 $58.67 $58.67 $58.67

Bank of America $30.20 $30.75 $31.70 $34.95 $36.18

Best Buy $63.34 $64.53 $63.35 $63.77 $68.35

Citizens Bank $34.36 $35.02 $35.82 $37.94 $40.98

Espey $13.79 $13.10 $14.18 $13.87 $13.65

General Electric $61.91 $64.56 $67.57 $72.82 $78.33

Hilton $120.62 $121.37 $122.58 $131.23 $134.64

Home Depot $275.94 $284.32 $276.43 $275.53 $298.65

Int’l Paper $31.70 $31.56 $32.62 $33.08 $33.82

Key Corp $16.02 $16.15 $16.48 $16.90 $18.10

Lowe’s $187.81 $197.21 $188.96 $182.37 $198.73

Martin Marietta $322.09 $320.25 $298.83 $315.31 $338.16

M&T Bank $176.32 $182.06 $185.56 $161.77 $168.18

McDonald’s $230.74 $233.19 $243.16 $254.55 $274.54

National Grid $51.53 $50.35 $48.65 $50.90 $55.30

NBT Bancorp Inc. $37.95 $39.70 $42.09 $42.58 $46.57

Plug Power $21.01 $19.90 $18.03 $16.49 $16.09

Quad Graphics $2.56 $2.38 $2.42 $2.27 $2.69

Starbucks $84.26 $87.03 $86.37 $88.61 $87.10

Sysco $70.71 $72.19 $73.74 $80.05 $85.98

Latham Group Inc $3.59 $3.74 $3.57 $3.97 $4.46

Target $148.39 $152.34 $145.69 $159.19 $167.52

The TorontoDominion Bank $61.33 $59.82 $61.13 $63.20 $64.45 Kaspien Holdings $1.52 $1.39 $1.31 $1.12 $1.02

Trustco Bank $31.42 $31.83 $33.43 $33.52 $37.35 Verizon $37.97 $36.85 $36.38 $35.35 $37.67 Walmart $129.70 $128.56 $130.43 $136.80 $142.51

This list of quotations is provided through the courtesy of Robert M. Schermerhorn, CFP®, Saratoga Financial Services, Securities offered through LPL Financial /Member FINRA & SIPC, located in Saratoga Springs, NY. www.SaratogaRetire.com

BY BILL CANTY

Charitable giving is a great thing to do regardless of whether or not you are able to realize a tax benefit.

However, if you can help others and realize a tax benefit this is a good thing and might even allow you to give a little bit more. Here are some things to know in trying to maximize the tax benefits of charitable giving.

The standard deduction is a reduction in taxable income available to all taxpayers regardless of whether or not they can itemize deductions or have any tax credits. For 2022, the standard deduction is: Single and married filing separately, $12,950; married filing joint, $25,900; and head of household, $19,400.

If you have itemized deductions in excess of the standard deduction, you can deduct that amount from your taxes. Examples of itemized deductions include: property taxes, state income taxes, mortgage interest, medical expenses and charitable contributions.

Charitable contributions can be made in a number of ways that can qualify as an itemized deduction. These include direct gifts of cash, gifts of securities like stocks, mutual funds, and ETFs, and gifts of property such as real estate, art, and collectibles.

The amount that can be deducted as an itemized deduction is as high as 60 percent of adjusted gross income for some cash donations, dropping to 50 percent or as low as 20 percent for other types. This percentage can also vary by the type of organization.

With the caps on the ability to itemize state and local taxes in place due to the SALT provisions in the tax code, charitable giving can offer a larger tax break while doing good for others.

Here are some strategies for maximizing the tax benefits of charitable giving:

• Bunching contributions. If you have trouble itemizing deductions in most years, it can make sense to bunch several years’ worth of charitable contributions into a single year. If you can, calculate the amount you would normally give to charity over a period of maybe 3-5 years and bunch those contributions into one year.

the asset to establish a value for the donation.

This can be a solid alternative versus trying to sell the asset in the open market, waiting for a willing buyer, and having to pay any applicable capital gains taxes.

• Donor advised funds . A donor-advised fund is essentially a charitable investment account. A number of custodians offer DAFs. Contributions to the donor-advised fund qualify for a tax deduction in the year they are made. The money is then invested and the account holder can make donations to qualified organizations over a period of years.

Gifts can be made as cash, appreciated securities, or in some cases assets such as real estate, art, and other hard assets. Donor-advised funds will generally charge an asset management fee.

• Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs). QCDs are only available from a traditional IRA and you must be at least age 72 to use this tactic.

Traditional IRA account owners can donate up to $100,000 from their accounts each year using this method. Donations must be made to a qualified charitable organization.

sourced

Connie Sushi Lee Chong Wai 190 Quaker Road Queensbury 12804

North Country Detailing James Duell 7774 Route 9 Pottersville 12860

Beeunique Creations

Mikayla Hunt 428 Gailey Hill Road Lake Luzerne 12846

Persons Property Management

Michael Persons 155 Glen Athol Road Athol 12885

Epic Cleaning Co.

Caitlynne Sims 9A Traver St. Glens Falls 12801

Lady Shine’s Cleaning Co.

Leticia Bain Peggy Bain 115 Saratoga Ave. South Glens Falls 12803

Mobile Truck & Equipment Repair

Ronald Hungerford 760 Potter Brook Road Chestertown 12819

Locasio Homes Anthony Locasio 20 Ogden Queensbury 12804

So Queen Cleaning Service Adell Martin 3 Balsam Drive Queensbury 12804

Mystic Tea Reiki & Readings Michelle Carrington 4 Oak St. Warrensburg 12885

Clean Cut Landscape And Property Management

Richard Collodi 17 Connor Drive South Glens Falls 12803

Masterlink

Kyle Esposito 10 barber Ave. Queensbury 12804

JLAB’s Childcare Center Jenna Brand 14 Bonner Drive Queensbury 12804

Rob’s Remodeling Robert Angeir 107 Middle Road Lake George 12845

This can help you to be able to itemize and take the maximum deduction for these contributions. You might tie this into a year where your income is higher than normal, if applicable.

• Gifting appreciated securities. If the organization accepts them, gifts of appreciated securities like stocks, mutual funds and ETFs can offer a double benefit. First, the market value of the securities on the date they are transferred to the charity is the value of the gift and can be used as an itemized deduction.

Additionally, this method will eliminate any capital gains taxes that would be incurred if the securities were sold first and the cash proceeds were then donated. This is a very tax-efficient way to make charitable gifts. This can be an excellent strategy as part of the portfolio rebalancing process if some shares would have been sold anyway.

• Gifting property and non-liquid assets Whether it’s a piece of real estate, art, collectibles, or other assets, some organizations will accept these as gifts as well. You will generally need an appraisal of

While QCDs are not eligible for itemization as a tax deduction, they offer a number of advantages. First, there are no taxes on the distribution from the IRA.

For those who are 72 and over, the QCD can serve the dual purpose of providing a way to make charitable contributions and satisfying some or all of their required minimum distribution (RMD) amount as long as certain rules are followed.

QCDs must be made directly to the charitable organization. Often the IRA custodian will do this by issuing the account holder a check made payable to the charitable organization, which the account holder will then forward on to the charity.

For those who are at least 72, it can make sense to do QCDs in the two years prior to hitting the age for RMDs as a way to give money to the organizations of their choosing and reduce the amount of future RMDs.

Donating to charity is a good thing, a way to help others and to further the causes that you believe in. If you follow certain rules, you can do this in a way that provides a tax break, making the net cost of the donation a bit lower.

Bill Canty, CPA, CFP, founder, CFM Tax and Investment Advisors.

Year End Tax & Financial Planning

Federal Reserve Of New York Advisor Will Speak On Area Economics At ARCC Event

BY JOHN GABLE

One of the rewards for working over several decades is the ability to contribute to tax-advantaged retirement accounts, which can help provide needed income for you when you do retire.

As the years went by, you may well have accumulated several retirement accounts, such as IRAs and 401(k)s or similar employersponsored plans. But you might fi nd it advantageous to consolidate these accounts with a single provider.

Consolidating them can provide you with several potential benefits, including these:

• Less confusion and clutter. If you have multiple accounts in different locations, it may be difficult to keep track of tax documents, statements, fees, disclosures and other important information. Consolidating accounts could help provide clear, simplified account maintenance.

• Less likelihood of “lost accounts.” It may be hard to believe, but many people abandon their retirement accounts, leaving thousands of dollars behind and unclaimed. In fact, at the end of 2021, there were nearly 25 million forgotten 401(k) accounts, worth about 20 percent of all 401(k) assets, according to an estimate by Capitalize, a fi nancial services company that helps individuals roll over retirement plan assets into new accounts.

It’s possible that employers can even move small, old accounts out of their 401(k) plans and into an IRA on behalf of their former employees, thus increasing the chances that savers will lose track of their money. By consolidating your retirement plans with one provider, you can ensure you don’t lose track of your hardearned money.

• Ability to follow a unified strategy. With multiple retirement accounts, and different investment portfolios, you might fi nd it difficult to maintain a unified fi nancial strategy that’s appropriate for your goals and risk tolerance. But once you’ve consolidated accounts with a single provider, you’ll fi nd it easier to manage your investment mix and to rebalance your portfolio as needed.

The need to rebalance may become more

important as you near retirement because you may want to shift some of your assets into investments that aren’t as susceptible to swings in the fi nancial markets.

• Possible improvement in investment options. Often, 401(k)s may have limited investment selection, so consolidating accounts with a full-service fi rm may allow for a wider array of products and strategies. Th is broader exposure can potentially help you improve your overall retirement income strategies.

• Greater ease in calculating RMDs. Once you turn 72, you will need to start taking withdrawals—called required minimum distributions, or RMD —from your traditional IRA and your 401(k) or similar plan. If you don’t take out at least the minimal amount, which is based on your age and account balance, you could face a penalty. If you have several accounts, with different providers, it could be cumbersome and difficult to calculate your RMDs. It will be much easier with all accounts under one roof.

So, if you do have multiple retirement accounts, give some thought to consolidating them. The consolidation process is not difficult, and the end result may save you time and hassles, while also helping you manage your retirement income more effectively.

The Adirondack Regional Chamber of Commerce will present a session on regional economic conditions from the perspective of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York on Wednesday, Nov. 30, at The Queensbury Hotel, 88 Ridge St., Glens Falls.

Economist Jason Bram, an economic research advisor and research officer within the regional analysis function at the New York Fed, will be the speaker.

The event will run from 9:30-11:30 a.m.

Bram is an economic research advisor in Urban and Regional Studies within the Household and Public Policy Research Division of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. His research and analysis focus is on the U.S. economy, with a primary emphasis on the Federal Reserve’s Second District that includes New York state, northern New Jersey, and southwestern Connecticut, as well as Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Bram produces the regional Beige Book reports, and uses monthly business surveys to monitor and analyze current and emerging economic trends and issues of concern. Recent research has focused on minimum wage effects and effect of the pandemic on local economies. Earlier research focused on housing markets, composite indexes of regional activity, dynamics of the Puerto Rico economy, and the impact of the 9/11 terrorist attack on the New York City economy.

He has also published studies on some key sectors of the local economy, conducted ongoing research on commuting patterns, and researched the role of consumer confidence in the U.S. economy.

His presentation will provide an overview of economic conditions in the Second Dis-

trict, with a focus on business activity and the labor market in Upstate New York.

Registration opens at 9:30 a.m. and the program will begin at 10:00 a.m. with welcoming remarks from Tom Murphy, president and CEO of Arrow Financial Corp. and Glens Falls National Bank and Trust Co., and Shawn Phillips, head of external engagement at the New York Fed.

Following the presentation, Bram will answer questions from the audience about the regional economy.

For more information, and to register, visit www.adirondackchamber.org/events.

The event is presented by Glens Falls National Bank & Trust Co.

John Gable is a financial advisor with Edward Jones Financial in Warrensburg.

Courtesy Edward Jones Financial

Jason Bram, economic research advisor, New York Federal Reserve.

Courtesy ARCC

Common Roots

Continued From Page 1

The owners had acquired the lot next door intending to move packaging and warehousing there, Weber said.

“But our food and beverage director told us the restaurant is always packed and people are requesting space for events larger than the 40-person capacity we offer now,” he said.

The company that opened its first taproom in 2014 suffered a devastating fire in 2019 but there has been no setback in the market for their craft beers. Distribution of Common Roots beverages has spread into the New England states, eastern Pennsylvania and New Jersey, Weber said.

“Bigger tanks arrived the end of October to increase output,” he said. “Now we will have space for the new 90-barrel ceiling-height tanks and storage areas for new types of packaging and other dry materials.”

Weber said “it’s a big relief” for them to be able to “keep up with demand” for their beers, ales and lagers, most of which volume comes from local customers. The team had another area in mind to produce specialty beers, but that is being moved to the new facility.

“Wild Beer is not made in the stainless steel equipment you see at a microbrewery,” Weber said. “There is a tank with an open top and as the ingredients cool down overnight, microflora floating in the air inoculates the beer.”

Unlike their core beers that may be ready in three or four weeks, Wild Beer sits for 12 to 36 months.

“We have a portfolio of beers we cherish and are very excited to offer because styles of Wild Beer are delicate due to the longer fermentation time,” Weber said. “Our Wild Beer program isn’t the biggest driver of profit, but we’re passionate about it.”

According to the Brewers Association, an American microbrewery is defined as one that produces 15,000 or fewer barrels a year. Weber said Common Roots has a current annual output of 8,000 barrels, which “will bump up to 10,000 barrels” when the new facility is operating fully.

But the business has no plans to grow more than that, he said. Weber said the company received grant assistance through the CFA program and an expansion loan from Berkshire Bank.

The new building will look similar to the existing one and will once again be as green as possible with a low carbon footprint and emphasis on sustainability and recycling, said Weber.

Materials and ingredients for beer production are locally sourced, as are menu ingredients such as meats, cheeses and produce from “within a 100-mile radius,” Weber said.

Now that Common Roots will add to its capacity, customers can expect some new beers to enjoy in the taproom or in the new beer garden offering more of a “beer hall vibe” than the original.

“When we do the ribbon cutting next year we will certainly have some fun new beers,” Weber said.

Visit commonrootsbrewing.com for more information.

Praxis

Continued From Page 1

under one roof. Two is that we need room to grow. We are pretty much out of room in our current two facilities. It’s a great opportunity for us to lay the foundation for future growth as well as to create a really nice environment for our employees. It’s very important to us that Praxis is a great place to work.”

The company currently operates in 20,000 square feet of space. The new facility will more than double that size.

“We are making a big investment and reoutfitting it to our purposes,” said Grohowski. “It is a beautiful building, and all of the previous owners took really great care of it. It is in great shape and just needs to be refitted to our manufacturing purposes.”

According to Grohowski, Praxis will invest approximately $1 million to reoutfit the Pruyn’s Island facility. The process will begin as soon as possible.

“There are logistical challenges, but we intend to be completely relocated by the middle of next year.”

Praxis currently employs 50 people, and staff levels are expected to increase. Grohowski said the company’s growth is being fueled by its flagship metal injection molding technology for titanium.

“The technology allows us to form titanium in a very similar way to injection plastic. It gives our customers lower manufacturing costs as well as increased design flexibility. We have seen rapid growth in the adoption and acceptance of the technology. We see this being a big part of our future.”

Grohowski earned a B.S. in mechanical engineering technology from Penn State and holds multiple patents in metal injection molding and porous titanium. He described his company as “a niche, in a niche, in a niche.”

“That niche is titanium powder metallurgy, and we are the world leaders in it. We are planning on commercializing some additive manufacturing technology for our markets as well.”

Many of the implant-grade titanium parts that the company manufactures are used in hip, knee, and spinal surgeries.

Praxis Technology has manufactured more than 250,000 implantable devices.

“The medical market is increasingly adopting this technology,” said Grohowski. “We are also in the middle of an aerospace qualification and see future expansion in the aerospace area.

The high-performance components produced by Praxis are more affordable than their machined counterparts.

In addition to being used in the medicine and aerospace, they also used in the auto, marine, and sporting goods industries.

Since incorporating in 2005, Praxis has experienced significant growth. By relocating operations to the larger facility on Pruyn’s Island, this growth will able to continue.

“We’re excited to continue growing in the community,” said Grohowski. “The Glens Falls area has been a great place for us to be because of the strong medical device manufacturing base. We’re looking forward to making our company even stronger.”

Adirondack Diamond Point Lodge Owner Buys Forest Hill Lodge & Cabins, Lake George

BY SUSAN ELISE CAMPBELL

Adirondack Diamond Point Lodge in Lake George is expanding with the acquisition of Forest Hill Lodge & Cabins, two adjacent acres that will help meet the demand of vacationers who seek the rustic, off-lake experience the Lodge provides, according to owner Todd Drake.

The Drake family purchased the Lodge at 3629 Lake Shore Drive in April 2021 and added Cramer’s Point Motel at 3382 Lake Shore Drive to their holdings in February, he said.

The latest purchase adds “a mix of apartments and short-term rentals” to their offerings. The deal closed at $990,000.

“We overpaid for it, but didn’t want it sold to someone else,” said Drake. “Some people who had rented at Forest Hills already thought it was ours and showed up on our doorstep. It made sense to buy it.”

Drake’s construction company, CornerStone Building Corp. in Watervliet, has begun “interior upgrades and redecorations” and “the FF&E is up to speed” on the rustic Adirondack style décor and finishes.

“The furniture, linens, and flooring are all being upgraded,” he said. “Exterior work will begin in the Spring and we may have a grand opening in June.”

The Adirondack Diamond Point Lodge has seven cabins and a main lodge and Drake said that “the cabins and chalets on the neighboring property are different, special, and unique.”

“You don’t see a lot of A-framed chalets,” said Drake. “We will be able to offer some rentals with three bedrooms and two bathrooms for families and others traveling in larger groups.”

Drake said the owners are also exploring designs to make four bedroom/two bath units,

such as by adding a spiral staircase between floors.

“There may be opportunities with traditional buildings to make enhancements like these, but no one builds like this today,” he said. “Old equals authentic. You can’t get these organic materials in a hotel room built for commercial use.”

“We are maintaining the traditional, authentic log cabins because that is our appeal at Adirondack Diamond Point Lodge,” he said.

“The additional 11 rental cabins will be the same quality as the Lodge, although each is unique.”

Drake said that leisure travel was a strong market in 2021 and that properties like theirs “off of Lake George did very well. But that changed this year with rising energy costs and inflation.”

“There were not as many travelers in 2022 and on-lake properties tend to be weekly stays by a monied crowd,” he said. “So rates stayed high.”

Thus the owners expect more competition for off-lake rentals among a limited pool of prospective vacationers, according to Drake.

“At our price point, vacationers are getting the quality and amenities of an expensive hotel, such as 100 percent cotton sheets and linens,” he said. “They get more of the upscale Lake George experience for their money.”

“Adirondack Diamond Point Lodge is building a tradition of family and friends in the Adirondacks,” Drake said. “Hospitality is not the word for what we are achieving. It’s experience.”

The Drake family also owns Smoke Rise Campground on Route 9 north of Chestertown.

Visit www.adirondackdiamondpointlodge. com for more information.

This is part of Forest Hill Lodge & Cabins in Lake George, being renovated and purchased by Todd Drake, the owner of adjacent Adirondack Diamond Point Lodge.

Courtesy Adironack Diamond Point Lodge

Dining Hall At SUNY Adirondack Upgraded, Adds Space For People To Study In Private

“Working with a local vendor, we were able to provide a modern, welcoming environment,” said Tom Kent, executive director of SUNY Adirondack’s Faculty-Student Association. “We have already received many compliments from students and staff.”

The project was spearheaded by interior designer Amanda Blaise of Girvin Office in Greenfield Center, whose designs were distributed by Charlie’s Office Furniture, a Queensbury-based company.

Blaise’s designs coming to fruition is the culmination of a long process delayed by the pandemic. According to Kent, the college’s partnership with Chartwells was renewed in 2019. Part of that continued relationship included a renovation to the serving area. Then COVID-19 hit and delayed

“I enjoyed working with our local college to provide a new, updated and more collaborative atmosphere for students and faculty,” Blaise said.

“Our main focus was to take inspiration from the beautiful Adirondack Mountains, and incorporate it into our design.”

The result is a spacious facility decorated in natural woods and shades of blue and green.

“The college is committed to providing a wonderful experience to our students, faculty and staff, and, through our partnership with Chartwells, we offer great variety and quality of food, and now the dining area matches the experience,” said Kristine D. Duffy, Ed.D., president of SUNY Adirondack.

“We are proud to support local businesses in our projects, further strengthening the college’s longstanding ties to our community and its businesses.”

ARCC Accepting Nominations For The Annual Juckett Community Service Award

The Adirondack Regional Chamber of Commerce (ARCC) is accepting nominations for the 34th Annual J. Walter Juckett Community Service Award.

The winner will be honored during the ARCC annual dinner on March 10 at the Sagamore Resort in Bolton Landing.

“We have seen some extraordinary individuals get honored with this award,” said ARCC President and CEO Tricia Rogers. “This is a great opportunity to recognize community members who have really gone above and beyond to serve their community.”

Nominations will be accepted through the ARCC’s website until Nov. 22.

The nominee’s profile should demonstrate significant contributions to the community in the field of human services, education, business, or industry. The nominee’s contributions should be substantial and enduring and the nominee should reflect the admiration of his or her peers.

Neither the nominee nor nominator are required to be a member of the ARCC to be considered for the honor.

More information is available at www.adirondackchamber.org.

The J. Walter Juckett Community Service Award is given to recognize and honor an extraordinary individual “who has selflessly gone above and beyond by contributing time and energy to help others,” the ARCC says.

Previous winners include John & Kevin O’Brien, Ed Moore, Elizabeth Miller and Mark Behan among others. The award is named after J. Walter Juckett who was an active participant in many community organizations. After his passing in 1988, the Chamber’s board of directors created the award. Each year, it is bestowed upon a deserving honoree who demonstrates a fierce commitment and hands-on dedication to the betterment of the local community.

Founded in 1914, ARCC is a 100 percent membership-funded organization representing businesses in Washington, Warren, Essex and Northern Saratoga counties. It is a nonprofit corporation, governed by volunteer board of directors, and does not receive any funding from local, county or state governments.

Its mission is to serve our members and business community through our advocacy efforts, education opportunities and the power of connection and collaboration.

Lake George Association Seeks Volunteers For Its AlgaeWatch Water Monitoring Program

The Lake George Association has launched a new citizen science program called AlgaeWatch and is seeking volunteers to monitor their favorite areas of the lake for excessive algae growth and, especially, harmful algal blooms (HABs).

Interested volunteers can sign up for the program at lakegeorgeassociation.org/algaewatch and also watch a new LGA educational video on the dangers posed by HABs and what can be done to prevent them.

AlgaeWatch volunteers will monitor shoreline or near-shore areas around their home or business, or areas they otherwise frequent, document the growth of various types of algae, and report back to the LGA on their fi ndings.

If a HAB is discovered, volunteers will also report their fi ndings to the state Department of Environmental Conservation. The information gathered will help the LGA science and technical team, their partners with The Jefferson Project environmental monitoring program, and DEC identify problem areas and help guide implementation of appropriate mitigation measures.

Volunteers will also receive email alerts from the LGA any time water and weather conditions are especially conducive to HAB formation, as well as updates on any ongoing blooms. HABs are most apt to occur when water and wind conditions are calm, and the weather is warmer than usual.

“HABs are our canary in the coal mine,” said Brea Arvidson, LGA manager of water quality research. “When a HAB occurs, or any case of excessive algae growth for that matter, the Lake is telling us it needs help. By identifying these occurrences as early as possible, we can deploy the right resources to identify the cause and begin to develop science-based solutions.”

Excessive algae growth, most often fed by nutrient loading from stormwater runoff and failing septic systems, poses a serious and growing threat to Lake George water quality. In the fall of 2020, the risks escalated, as the lake experienced the fi rst of three confi rmed

HABs.

A HAB is a dense concentration of cyanobacteria (also known as blue-green algae) that presents itself as a green fi lm on the surface of the water and can quickly spread, preventing sunlight from reaching the water and consuming the oxygen that other organisms need to survive. In a worst-case scenario, a HAB can become toxic to humans and animals.

None of the Lake George blooms to date have been toxic or caused the major environmental and economic damage that has occurred in other parts of the state and country. Still, officials said the concern is real and the need for intensive monitoring is vital to lake protection.

“It takes a community of people to properly monitor a Lake the size of Lake George,” Arvidson said. “And that’s exactly what we’re asking for. We need anyone who lives, works or regularly spends time on or around the lake to be an AlgaeWatcher and play a role in protecting water quality today and for the future.”

Property owners in the Lake George Watershed, are also encouraged to take their protective actions to the next level by signing up to become an LGA Lake Protector.

Participants in this program will receive a personal protection plan identifying the greatest water quality threats in their area of the lake and the steps they can take to combat those threats at their home or business.

To become a Lake Protector, visit LakeGeorgeAssociation.org/protectors.

The Lake George Association a lakeprotection organization, providing technical and fi nancial assistance to property owners; world-class research and direct protection programs through The Jefferson Project, the Lake George Waterkeeper, and an array of public-private partnerships; public education programs; and public policy advocacy, all with the goal of keeping Lake George clear and clean, providing a model for freshwater protection.

For more information, please visit LakeGeorgeAssociation.org.

SUNY Adirondack now has unveiled its newly upgraded dining hall that includes traditional and bar-height seating, study pods and spaces for groups and individuals to work in privacy.

the rest of the plans, which included upgrades to Einstein’s Bagel Cafe in Scoville Hall, as well as the food court area.

SUNY Adirondack’s upgraded dining hall includes traditional and bar-height seating, study pods and spaces for groups and individuals to work in privacy.

Courtesy SUNY Adirondack

Since 1945 Eastern Heating and Cooling, Inc. has been serving commercial and industrial customers through Upstate New York, Western Massachusetts and Southern Vermont with designs, installation and maintenance service. When faced with difficult complex problems, experience matters

Chuck Ciaccia

years Jude Gosh 33 years Dave Weiss 22 years Spencer Agan

years

Dennis Choiniere 47 years

Northern Insuring Agency, Inc. announced that Sarah Genier, sales executive assistant in the Glens Falls office, has earned her Certified Insurance Service Representative designation.

The CISR program is distinguished from other programs of its kind by requiring continuing education annually to ensure designees stay current on trends within our industry.

Five courses, each with their own exam, are required to achieve this designation. They must be completed within 3 years.

Genier has been with Northern Insuring Agency since 2019.

* * 8

The Moreau Community Center recently announced the appointment of four members to the board of directors. This brings the number of board members to eleven.

Liz Wilcox is a 20-year resident of South Glens Falls and has a long history of volunteerism with arts and cultural organizations in the area.

She is the co-founder of Art in the Public Eye and former co-owner of Samantha’s Cafe and Catering. Formerly, with the Girl Scouts, Wilcox now works in community engagement for Glens Falls National Bank.

Gail Crandall brings over twenty years of experience as a staff member and volunteer with the Painted Pony Ranch and Adirondack Stampede Committee.

A lifelong resident of the area, Crandall plans on retiring from a career with New York state at the end of the year and dedicating her energies to family and helping others.

Amy Palmer is an 18-year resident of South Glens Falls and has an extensive background in healthcare as a registered nurse with training in emergency care, dialysis, and conscious sedation training.

Currently, she is a field staff supervisor for HCR Homecare located in Glens Falls.

Dan Biddiscombe is a graduate of South Glens Falls High School, holds a degree in Sociology and Ethics, and currently is part of the management team at Common Roots Brewing.

Biddiscombe has vast experience in event coordination and is a long-time volunteer with the South High Marathon Dance Volunteer/ Events Committee.

Glens Falls Area Restaurants

Glens Falls and surrounding towns have a variety of casual dining opportunities for every taste, budget and occasion. Find a Glens Falls NY restaurant from the list below.

Park 26

Glens Falls, NY

Park 26 is an innovative restaurant that offers locally-inspired, modern American cuisine that’s perfect for a date night, business dinner or family celebration. Located inside The Queensbury Hotel in Glens Falls.

O’Toole’s Restaurant Pub Queensbury, NY

Whether you’re looking for a relaxed meal or a night of fun and excitement, you’ll want to come to O’Toole’s. We’ve got the best food, drinks and entertainment in the area! Come on in and experience dining at it’s best. We look forward to seeing you.

Jack’s American Bistro

Queensbury, NY

Jack’s American Bistro was the culmination of a lifetime spent in the restaurant business. After several months of planning in June 2004 the doors were open to a new dining experience in the Glens Falls/Queensbury area.

Doc’s Restaurant

Glens Falls, NY

Doc’s Restaurant is an upscale restaurant and cocktail bar in the historic Park Theater in Glens Falls, NY. They offer a delicious modern take on classic dishes, along with a hand-picked selection of wines, craft beers, and creative cocktails!

Birch Bark

Eatery

Glens Falls, NY

Birch Bark Eatery offers a wide variety of soups, sandwiches, burgers, salads, and baked goods - and it’s all 100% plant-based. They also offer catering!

Davidson Brothers Restaurant

Glens Falls, NY

Located in downtown Glens Falls, Davidson Brothers Restaurant & Brewery is a hotspot for craft beer and food in a laid-back atmosphere.

Morgan & Co. Restaurant

Glens Falls, NY

Experience fine American dining in downtown Glens Falls at Morgan & Co. Every dish offers a unique and innovative twist on original recipes. Morgan & Co. also caters events from weddings to reunions and more!

Fenimore’s Pub

Glens Falls, NY

Fenimore’s Pub in the heart of downtown Glens Falls is open daily for lunch and dinner.

The Grateful Den

Glens Falls, NY

The Grateful Den offers a different take on traditional pub grub, as well as classic favorites like chicken wings, burgers, and salads. Their menu also includes specialty appetizers, sandwiches, and plenty of craft beer options on tap.

The View Restaurant at Dunham’s Bay Resort Lake George, NY

The View Restaurant at Dunham’s Bay Resort in Lake George offers a front-row seat of its namesake bay and an expertly crafted menu that changes with the seasons.

The Log Jam

Lake George, NY

An authentic log cabin serving lunch and dinner daily. Featuring signature sandwiches at lunch and succulent prime rib, juicy hand cut steaks, live lobsters, fresh seafood, chicken,and more at dinner. All entrees include our bountiful salad bar.

The Docksider Restaurant

Lake George, NY

Open year round on Glen Lake in Queensbury, The Docksider Restaurant features lunch and dinner with a fireplace for winter and a great deck for outdoor dining overlooking the water.

Gourmet Cafe

Glens Falls, NY

Chef-Owner Francis Willis and his wife Tracy continue the Gourmet Cafe tradition of bringing you the very best in creative cuisine in a relaxed atmosphere.

The Silo Restaurant and Country Store

Queensbury, NY

We hate to brag, but The Silo has a reputation for being one of the best places in the region for breakfast, lunch and delicious cider donuts. Looking for jewelry and gifts? The Silo is also the area’s largest retailer of Ed Levin Jewelry

Courtesy of GlensFalls.com

Agricultural Impact

ally need to think about agriculture as the food system. There’s research, restaurants, culinary schools, logistics, transportation and the genetics that are going along with this. You start talking about that and almost half the jobs in the country are related to the food system.”

“The particular thing about farming is the multiplier effect,” said Willard Peck, co-owner of Welcome Stock Farm in Northumberland, recognized as a leader in dairy genetics. “Money is brought in as revenue, goes out as payroll and is multiplied many times over in the economy.”

A green infrastructure plan he worked on several years ago touted related agricultural benefits such as open space, scenic vistas and water recharge areas. “These are all very important to the health of communities in Saratoga County,” Peck said. “Part of our tourism attraction is Saratoga Springs being known as a ‘city in the country.’ You leave in any direction and you run into beautiful countryside, so it makes for quality of life issues as well.”

With 3,600 farms, dairy is by far the state’s largest ag sector. New York is the nation’s fi ft h leading dairy producer and second only to Washington and Vermont for apples and maple, respectively.

But in all parts of the state, including urban areas, officials are seeing a rapid growth in micro-farmers that raise non-traditional crops such as garlic, mushrooms, ethnic vegetables for New York City dwellers, and hops and barley for the booming craft beverage industry.

“I see that as people who are more interested in knowing where their food comes from and being part of the ag community,” Peck said.

Saratoga Springs native Julie C. Suarez is associate dean for land-grant affairs at Cornell’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.

“Based on the last ag census, there’s been a huge 56 percent jump in controlled environment (greenhouse) agriculture; huge facilities going in across the state, what I call

‘plant factories’,” she said. “We’re also seeing season-extending technology at small-scale greenhouses, where a farmer will put plastic up over a hoop to get a longer crop season. That again is a huge growth opportunity.”

However, two main issues must be addressed for agriculture’s continued health and prosperity, Suarez said. First and foremost is keeping good farmland in production. The state’s renewable energy goals have triggered widespread growth of large solar panel installations, which in addition to fast-paced residential and commercial development, threatens to take up valuable farmland.

“Hopefully more marginal lands will be utilized,” she said. “That’s one of the coming land-use challenges. Everybody I know likes to eat. We absolutely need to support our food system, which includes farmers and farmland.”

Second, is the federal government’s support for agricultural research.

“That’s what is going to drive us all,” Suarez said. “Support for ag research from the federal government has been flat to stagnant. Most people don’t know that China and Brazil have outpaced the U.S. government when it comes to support for ag research. We’re going to need more, particularly with a changing climate. We need to make sure we have support for sustained and robust agricultural research because all the improvements we make are based on this.”

Looking ahead, Ball has a positive outlook for the future of New York agriculture.

“We’ve got the most amazing marketplace in the world,” he said. “About eight million people live in the metropolitan New York area. We’ve got urban centers upstate as well. I’m optimistic because here in New York we’ve got the land, we’ve got some of the best farmers in the country, we’ve got the water. We aren’t on fi re like out West. We had a dry year here, but we can irrigate and we’ve got a great land grant system (Cornell) for educating people in agriculture. So I like our chances.”