Glens Falls Business Journal - August 2021

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VOL. 33 NO. 06

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AUGUST 2021

Lake George Chamber Director Says Tourism Adirondack Balloon Festival Returns In Is Rebounding Strong In Wake Of Pandemic September With Some Brand New Events

The Lake George Regional Chamber of Commerce staffs this Tourism Center in the village. Officials say the season is going well and businesses are busy.

BY SUSAN ELISE CAMPBELL Despite staffing shortages and many rainy days, the summer experience around Lake George is proving to be “a phenomenal season,” according to Gina Mintzer, executive director of Lake George Regional Chamber of Commerce.

That’s good news as the country eases out of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The Lake is beautiful and warm and the campgrounds are full,” said Mintzer.

“Everything is open and available. But there is still a pandemic and we are asking people to be safe and on the honor system.”

Television advertising, social media, flyers from businesses, and emails from the Chamber to its members are getting word out that there is an abundance of things to do in this premier

resort area, rain or shine.

“There are plenty of indoor activities, such as Hyde Museum downtown Glens Falls and the Warren County Historical Society in Queensbury,” Mintzer said. “Prospect Mountain is open and free” for hiking, picnics, or a short drive offering beautiful views of Lake George.

The Chamber staffs the Information Center in the Village of Lake George. Compared to 2019, Mintzer said traffic in the center is down, but it opened later in June than in a typical summer season.

Originally scheduled for June 2-7, Americade 2021 was moved to Sept. 21-25 “to reduce the likelihood of it being impacted by COVIDrelated restrictions,” according to the website Continued On Page 10

The Adirondack Balloon Festival will return in September for its 48th year, with a new format designed to keep audiences spread out while still providing great entertainment.

The Adirondack Balloon Festival will return in September for its 48th year, with a new format, expanding to include a new event at East Field in Glens Falls, multiple launch sites throughout Warren and Washington counties, a drive-through moonglow event and more.

The 48th annual festival will take place Thursday to Sunday, Sept. 23-26, in multiple locations.

“This will not be the same-old, same-old Adirondack Balloon Festival you know from years past,” said Mark Donahue, president of the organization’s board of directors.

“Due to COVID, we had to totally reinvent the festival this year,” he said. “We are excited to bring back the joy and wonder of the mass ascensions, while keeping safe and still having

Courtesy Adirondack Balloon Festival

fun. Our group of volunteer organizers has been working around the clock to make this happen, as we know how much it means to the community.”

The event is free for the community.

Festival merchandise will be for sale at select events, with a smaller selection than in previous years.

Organizers listed the schedule of special events as follows: Thursday evening, Sept. 23, a downtown Glens Falls block party with live music, candlestick balloon torch firings, sidewalk sales and more.

Friday evening, Sept. 24, inflation of more than 50 balloons in five different communities, including Glens Falls, Queensbury, South Continued On Page 10

Fall Games Of Special Olympics Returning Tri-County United Way Selects Director With To Glens Falls For First Time Since 2015 Extensive YMCA Administrative Experience Special Olympics New York announced the return of State Fall Games, which will be hosted by the Glens Falls community Oct. 22 and 23 at sporting venues throughout the area.

The announcement was made at a Queensbury Hotel press conference with local officials and Special Olympics athletes.

State Fall Games athletes and coaches will compete in seven sports: bocce, cycling, golf, equestrian, soccer, softball, and cross-country running.

“The 2021 State Fall Games will mark two very special milestones for our athletes, coaches and fans,” said Stacey Hengsterman, president and CEO of Special Olympics New York. “This will be our first fall games since we last held them in Glens Falls in 2015, and the first statewide competition we’re able to host inperson since before the global health pandemic.

I know I speak for our entire community when I say: Thank you, Glens Falls.”

State Fall Games was eliminated from the Special Olympics New York budget six years ago due to financial constraints, leaving approximately 19,000 fall sports athletes statewide without a state-level competition, officials said. The games were slated to return last October, but they were delayed by the

Stacey Hengsterman, president and CEO of Special Olympics New York.

Courtesy ARCC

COVID-19 pandemic.

Special Olympics return to activity protocols require that at least 80 percent of event participants be vaccinated for the COVID-19 Continued On Page 10

The Tri-County United Way named Brian Bearor as its new leader, effective Sept. 7.

Bearor will succeed Duane Vaughn, prior executive director, and Peter Aust who has led the organization for the past 10 months as interim executive director during the strategic planning and search process.

Bearor will be responsible for leading the United Way’s strategic goals of inspiring hope, improving lives and creating opportunities for all of Warren, Washington, and northern Saratoga counties. He is also charged with building organizational capacity to support area nonprofits as well as identifying and addressing community issues.

“During our search for a new director, the diligent and dedicated members of the search committee spoke with exceptional candidates across the region. It was a difficult choice, but Brian stood out among the highly competitive field. His vision and clear passion for the TriCounty United Way and our region is exactly what we were looking for in our new leader” said David Krogmann, president of the TriCounty United Way board of directors.

“With Brian’s experience in community development and creating a mission-focused culture, we were convinced that the Tri-County

Brian Bearor is the new executive director of the Tri-County United Way effective Sept. 7.

Courtesy Tri-County United Way

United Way will have engaging and innovative leadership for the years to come.”

Bearor has served as the CEO at the Family YMCA of the Glens Falls Area for 12 years and Continued On Page 10

2 • GLENS FALLS BUSINESS JOURNAL • AUGUST 2021

•

Personnel Briefs

NBT Bank announced Mark Sidoti has joined the company as a community banker.

He is based at the NBT office located at 295 Broadway in Saratoga Springs.

As community banker, Sidoti will be responsible for managing customer relationships and serving as a financial partner for the Saratoga Springs and Glens Falls region.

Sidoti brings more than 30 years of business development and sales experience in the telecommunications, payroll, outsourcing, and employee benefits industries.

An active member of the community, he serves as the treasurer of the Glens Falls Civic Center Foundation board, and as an ambassador for the Adirondack Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce.

* * * Upstate Agency LLC announced that Kevin Rucinski recently joined the team as commercial lines practice leader.

Rucinski will be responsible for the management, leadership and growth of the commercial lines division, including oversight of day-to-day operations, projects and profitability goals. He will develop and execute both strategic and tactical plans to ensure long-term success, client retention and growth of the commercial lines practice.

Rucinski brings more than 14 years of insurance experience in the greater Capital Region

Morgan Marine, Subsidiary Of Hacker Boats, Becomes Official Dealer Of Crownline Boats •

to the company.

He is certified through the International Risk Management Institute (IRMI) as a construction risk insurance specialist (CRIS), and through the National Underwriter Company as a commercial lines coverage specialist (CLCS).

He is licensed with the New York State Department of Financial Services as a property and casualty insurance agent/broker.

He holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Roger Williams University in Bristol, R.I. He currently lives in Wilton.

* * * Valeri Collier has joined the Lake George Regional Chamber of Commerce & Convention and Visitors Bureau as the receptionist and office assistant.

Additionally, Meg Bell was hired as a sales manager.

Collier has worked in hospitality for nine years, most recently at the Lodges at Cresthaven. She joined the Chamber team in July after 20-year receptionist and office assistant Sandy DeKleine retired.

In addition to regular office duties, Collier provides one-on-one assistance to travelers who call, email and visit the main office. In her first month, she assisted hundreds of phone calls from visitors helping them find information on what to do in the area as well as where to eat, shop and stay. She also works to ensure members are taking full advantage of their benefits.

Continued On Page 11

Crownline offers a full line of bow riders, sport deck boats, and cruisers like this one. Morgan Marine in Lake George is an official dealer of that line of boats.

Morgan Marine, a subsidiary of The Hacker Boat Co., is now an official dealer for Crownline Boats.

Crownline offers a full line of bow riders, sport deck boats, and cruisers.

Hacker Boat Co. is a manufacturer of mahogany pleasure craft.

George Badcock, CEO of the Morgan Marine and Hacker Boat Co., said, “joining the Crownline dealership network will diversify our brand offerings.

We will sell the boats exclusively from Morgan Marine, our Silver Bay marina on Lake George, and are confident that there will be a strong demand for the boats in the Adirondack and nearby markets.”

Mark Yurassi, northeast regional sales manager for Crownline Boats, said, “we are delighted with this new relationship with Morgan Marine and the iconic Hacker Boat Co. Our affiliation with this great company will greatly enhance our brand’s visibility in the Adirondack region.”

Courtesy Hacker Boat Co.

Crownline got its start in a small manufacturing facility located in Whittington, Ill., with the first boat produced, a 182 BR, rolling off the production line on March 25, 1991. Today, Crownline boats are built in a 395,000-square -foot, state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in West Frankfort, Ill., and are sold all over the world. Its website is www.crownline.com A subsidiary of the iconic Hacker Boat Co., the largest manufacturer of classic mahogany motorboats, Morgan Marine is a family owned and operated marina, storing, servicing and repairing over 150 boats from the shores of Lake George to the greater Northeast each year.

Morgan Marine, Inc has operated a full service marina on Silver Bay, Lake George for over 65 years. Originally established to restore and service classic boats, it became home to the original Hacker Boat Co. Inc. in the 1980s. Its website is www. morganmarinelg.com

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GLENS FALLS BUSINESS JOURNAL • AUGUST 2021 • 3

Argyle Cheese Shop In Hudson Falls Allows Quantum Chiropractic Moves Into New Customers To See How Products Are Made Office Space, Takes Patients Of All Ages

The Lewis Super Grocery building in Hudson Falls is now part of the Argyle Cheese Farmer operation. It has a commercial kitchen,and processing and warehouse space.

BY ERIN NUDI, GLENSFALLS.COM The Argyle Cheese Farmer, which purchased a spot for expansion in Hudson Falls in 2020, is continuing to sell its popular products, but with an intention to also educate people on how it is made.

The owners, Marge and Dave Randles, said they were looking to expand from the 1,200-squarefoot processing facility in Argyle, as demand for products had outgrown the original Cheese House.

The Lewis Super Grocery building in Hudson Falls went up for sale and it had the necessary infrastructure they were looking for, including a commercial kitchen, processing and warehouse space. There is also room for an observation/ educational area, and a sizable parking lot.

The idea for an observation room come about from the owners’ observation that people don’t have strong awareness of how food is produced.

“Our observation area at the store, as well as our videos, newsletters, and occasional farm tours, help provide customers with a bit more insight into our food production processes. The observation room is an excellent asset providing customers a chance to see milk being crafted into the delicious dairy products offered at the store,” they said.

The store opened in the spring of 2020 in the midst of the pandemic. The business is offering several combined farm and dairy processing plant tours to share with customers information on what goes into bringing products to customers’ tables.

Courtesy Argyle Cheese Farmer

The opening of the store provided an opportunity to partner with Ideal Dairy of Hudson Falls. They provide all of the milk and work together to grow the business. They stopped packaging their milk under their own label in 1987, and this venture provides a chance to reengage with the community in a more significant way.

“We hope to bring people back to dairy, because there’s no comparison in flavor and nutrition,” said the owners.

In addition to dairy products, the Argyle Cheese Farmer also makes home-baked goods and prepared frozen meals, ready to cook. There are also frozen dairy treats like ice cream, gelato, sorbet, frozen yogurt and individual cheesecakes in glass jars.

The business carries beef and pork responsibly grown from local farms, as well as cheeses like Jake’s gouda and Maplebrook Farm mozzarella, custom roasted coffee beans from Battenkill River Coffee, cookies from Sugar Cookie’s Bakeshop, fresh eggs from Thomas & McMurry Sunset Farm, chocolate from Saratoga Chocolate Co., granola from Raspberry Fields Farms, and more.

Most of the products that come out of the kitchens use at least one of the Argyle Cheese Farmer dairy products. In addition, all the products are made from scratch and only use natural ingredients.

The hours are 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday to Saturday, and 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday.

Dr. Bruce Steinberg operates Quantum Chiropractic, which is now located at 357 Ridge Road in Queensbury. The practice is planning a formal ribbon cutting in September.

BY JENNIFER FARNSWORTH Quantum Chiropractic in Queensbury has moved into new space that the practitioners feel better suits their needs.

Jen Steinberg, certified clinical chiropractic assistant and office manager, said she and her husband, Dr. Bruce Steinberg, are enjoying the new 357 Ridge Road location.

The practice moved from Mount Royal Plaza in Queensbury.

“The set up of the space that we are in now allows us to better serve our patients, particularly our pediatric patients,” she said. “There is also a resting room for those who have just had an adjustment and want a room that is peaceful and quiet before they leave. Overall it is a better space that fits our needs.”

Quantum Chiropractic specializes in chiropractic care for all ages, including pediatrics.

Dr. Steinberg sees patients with neurodevelopmental disorders—such as autism, ADD and ADHD, sensory processing disorders and

Courtesy Quantum Chiropractic

learning disabilities.

The office uses gentle chiropractic adjustments instead of using drugs and surgeries.

Steinberg said Quantum Chiropractic is also home to Dr. Kate Clodgo, a certified chiropractor, who like Steinberg, is Webster certified, meaning they are specialized in the care of prenatal patients.

Steinberg said while the new space is more modern, with things like granite countertops and a new computer system, it still has an at-home, comfortable feel that makes patients feel welcome and at ease.

“We have brought all our existing patients over, and we are seeing new patients. The feedback on the space has been very positive. It’s been busy, which is good, and we are happy to be here,” said Steinberg.

Quantum Chiropractic is accepting new patients, with appointments booking about two weeks out.

People can learn more about the practice at queensburychiropractic.com. The phone number is 518-798-1111.

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Adirondack Regional Chamber Of Commerce P.O. Box 766 • Saratoga Springs, New York 12866 (518) 581-0600 • Fax: (518) 430-3020 • www.glensfallsbusinessjournal.com

Editorial: RJDeLuke@glensfallsbusinessjournal.com Advertising: HarryW@glensfallsbusinessjournal.com Publisher & Editor Harry Weinhagen Associate Editor R.J. DeLuke Editor Emeritus Rod Bacon Sales and Customer Service Harry Weinhagen Production Manager Graphic Precision Contributing Writers Susan Campbell Jill Nagy Jennifer Farnsworth Christine Gaf Andrea Palmer Lisa Balschunat Glens Falls Business Journal is published monthly, the second week of each month, by Weinhagen Associates, LLC and mailed to business and professional people in Warren and Washington counties.

Glens Falls Business Journal is independently owned and is a registered tradename of Weinhagen Associates, LLC, P.O. Box 766, Saratoga Springs, New York l2866 (518) 581-0600. Glens Falls Business Journal is a registered tradename in New York.

Glens Falls Business Journal has been founded to promote business in Warren and Washington counties and to provide a forum that will increase the awareness of issues and activities that are of interest to the business community. Subscription price is $25.00 per year. Third class postage paid at Glens Falls, New York.

Rights to editorial content and layouts of advertising placed with Glens Falls Business Journal which are the creative effort of its contractors, and printing materials supplied by Glens Falls Business Journal are the property of Glens Falls Business Journal and may not be reproduced by photographic or similar methods, or otherwise, without the specific authorization of Glens Falls Business Journal.

Cool Insuring Arena Head Sees Big Hockey Season, Eyes More Events Post COVID-19

BY CHRISTINE GRAF After being shut down for more than a year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 4,800-seat Cool Insuring Arena in downtown Glens Falls reopened at limited capacity in April. At that time, event attendees were required to wear masks and present negative COVID test results.

Those restrictions are no longer in place.

“In the middle of June of this year we were able to reopen normally which was a breath of fresh air,” said arena manager Jeff Mead. “As long as we have under 5,000 people in the building, there are no restrictions.”

Seventy-five percent of the arena’s staff have returned to work, and the rest are expected to return by the end of August, he said. Mead and his operations manager were the only two employees who remained working throughout the shutdown.

The arena hosted four dance events and three graduations during the month of June. Some occurred while the mask and testing mandates were still in effect.

“There were unfortunately a few people who weren’t the happiest of customers,” said Mead.

“They either didn’t want to wear masks or didn’t think they should have to show a negative test. It was unfortunate, but I would say that 97 percent of people understood.”

Because of the pandemic, the arena was forced to cancel the 2020-2021 season for its East Coast Hockey League (ECHL) team, the Adirondack Thunder. An affiliate of the NHL’s New Jersey Devils, the team will play its home opener for the 2021-2022 season at the arena on Oct. 23.

Adirondack Thunder ticket sales have been strong, and 1,200 season ticket packages have already been sold for the team’s 36 regular season home games, Mead said. At a cost of $558, the Thunder has the lowest season ticket cost in the ECHL. “We’re selling a lot of tickets and are certainly ahead of pace from where we were two years ago, which is good news,” said Mead. “Support for the team has been very good and is growing every year. We expect this could be our best year in terms of ticket support, business support and community support. We’re very excited about this fall and winter, and we think we are going to put a really good team on the ice.”

Cool Insuring Arena also has numerous other events scheduled including the Adirondack Stampede, a PRCA (Professional Cowboy’s Rodeo Association) rodeo. Now in its 30th year at the arena, the event features pro rodeo’s top national and regional competitors. It will take place Nov. 5-6.

“It’s a very big event for us,” said Mead. “For two nights, we will have between 6,000 and 7,000 people show up.”

Another popular event, the New York state girl’s high school volleyball championship, is scheduled at the arena in August. The New York state boy’s high school basketball finals will also return to Glens Falls in 2022. The tournament

Jeff Mead is the director of Cool Insuring Arena in downtown Glens Falls. was moved to Binghamton in 2017 but was relocated back to the arena in 2020.

“We lost two years due to COVID, so this will be the first year of our three-year agreement,” said Mead. “We are very excited for that to finally be back in Glens Falls after we lost it to Binghamton for three years.”

Tournament officials made the decision to return to Glens Falls in part because of the extensive renovations made to the arena.

“I think we lost the tournament for several reasons,” said Mead. “At the time—in 2015—our building wasn’t in great shape. Fortunately, we got a few grants from New York state as well as some city and county support which allowed us to really upgrade our building in terms of technology.

We put in a $1 million video board a few years ago. We’ve also renovated the whole locker room area and added new locker rooms with shower and toilet areas. The building has come a long way in the six years that the coalition has operated it.”

The nonprofit Adirondack Civic Center coalition was created in 2015 to take over operations of the 42-year-old arena. Since that time, arena revenue and attendance have increased.

“We will get between 15,000 and 18,000 people here for the three-day basketball tournament, which is a lot more than Binghamton was able to bring in,” said Mead. “It’s one of those events that our community really embraces.”

Mead said he is hopeful that the World Wrestling Entertainment will return to the arena in the coming year. Glens Falls was one of the stops for the WWE’s popular 2019 summer tour. Mead is also in negotiations to book concerts, circuses, and a number of other events.

“Until we sign contracts, I’m not able to talk about that. We have a big event here in September that we are about to sign a contract for. It’s a 10-day event, so we are excited about that. It’s looking to be a pretty busy fall and winter, and we are very excited about 2022.”

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Senior Living / Retirement Senior Citizens Continue To Return To Programs And Social Life At Senior Centers

BY JILL NAGY Area senior centers are open and busy as COVID-19 safety guidelines eased up . Members are returning for exercise classes, meals, games, trips, and, most of all, the chance to socialize after over a year of isolation, officials say.

At the Queensbury Senior Center, there is a waiting list for some classes and others are full.

Seniors at the Glens Falls Senior Center had their first trip of the season, to a youth theater performance at Lake George, at the beginning of August, but as a precaution, only six passengers were allowed in a 12-passenger van At the Clifton Park Senior Community Center, dances are back but live music will have to wait until September, officials said. At the Saratoga Senior Center, art classes art full and demand is great for exercise classes and anything including food, especially Friday barbecues in the tents behind the building. . On the whole, center directors report a slow but steady return of their members and attendance at about half the volume they were used to before the pandemic. Saratoga, for example, hosts about 70 seniors a day, compared to 130-150 a day before the height of the pandemic. But, according to director Lois Celeste, “each month, we keep adding.”

The centers never completely closed during the pandemic. They provided take-out meals and delivered groceries and medications; conducted online and outdoor programs; and made an effort to keep in touch with members. On the whole, staff worked from home and no one had to be laid off.

The Queensbury center bills itself as “Seniors on the Go.” The facility normally has a robust travel schedule, including overseas trips, said Stephanie Smith, the development coordinator, who is acting director while the center looks for a replacement for Michele Whitbeck.

For now, though, the center is planning only day trips.

Later this month, the Queensbury center will celebrate its 45th anniversary with food, a band, and a visit from the town supervisor. In the coming months, they plan a book sale in September, a craft fair in October, and a basket raffle in November.

With 850 members, it is one of the larger, as well as older, centers in the area.

In Glens Falls, Tai Chi is full every week and line dancing is also a good draw, reports director Kim Bren. Most classes are 50 to 100 percent full.

The center is not serving sit-down meals but

•

Kim Bren, standing, oversees activities at the Glens Falls Senior Center. the monthly drive-through meals are increasingly popular, she said. She observed that “people were a little hesitant at first but they are coming back.”

Clifton Park director Susan Leonard said “we are doing almost everything we did before” and she expects more could be resumed in September.

“It depends on when the instructors can come back,” she said. There is already a full schedule of dinners, trips, and exercise classes.

“People are joining like crazy,” she said, “They’’re so happy to be back, to see each other.”

In Saratoga, as at the other centers, masks are optional if people are vaccinated—and almost everyone is. The hand sanitizers are still out, along with information on COVID. Clifton Park stopped checking temperatures because “we never had to send anyone home due to temperature,” Leonard said. One member with a temperature of 100 degrees sat down for a few minutes to cool off and the borderline fever was gone.

Further information and full schedules are each senior center’s website: saratogaseniorcenter.org, glensfallsseniorcenter.org, cliftonparkseniorcenter. org, and, of course, seniorsonthego.org.

Telephone numbers are 518 584-1621 for Saratoga; 518 383-1343 for Clifton Park; 518 793-2189 for Glens Falls; and 518 761-8224 for Queensbury.

PROTECTING WHAT YOU VALUE MOST

Business Report Prepare For Health Care Costs In Retirement

BY MEGHAN MURRAY It’s unfortunate but true: As we age, we encounter more health-related issues and they carry a price tag that can get pretty high in retirement.

Will you be ready for these costs?

Perhaps your first step in preparing yourself is knowing what you may be facing. Consider this: 80 percent of Americans 65 and older have a chronic condition and 42 percent live with a disability, according to the National Coalition on Aging and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as reported in a recent Edward Jones/Age Wave survey titled “Four Pillars of the New Retirement: What a Difference a Year Makes.” The study also found that retirees’ greatest financial worry is the cost of health care and long-term care—concerns that have increased during the COVID-19 pandemic.

And health care is likely going to be one of the largest expenses in retirement. The average couple might spend $10,000 to $12,000 per year on health care costs. Nonetheless, you can boost your confidence about meeting these costs by making the right moves.

Here are a few suggestions: • Take advantage of your health savings account.

If you’re still working, consider contributing to a health savings account (HSA) if it’s offered by your employer. This account allows you to save pretax dollars (and possibly earn employee matching contributions), which can potentially grow, and be withdrawn, tax-free to help you pay for qualified medical expenses in retirement.

• Incorporate health care expenses into your overall financial strategy.

As you estimate your expenses in retirement, designate a certain percentage for health care, with the exact amount depending on your age, health status, income and other factors. You’ll certainly want to include these costs as a significant part of your planned retirement budget.

• Learn what to expect from Medicare.

You can enroll in Medicare three months before you turn 65. Before you sign up, you’ll find

Meghan Murray is a financial advisor with Edward Jones Financial in Queensbury.

Courtesy Edward Jones Financial

it helpful to do some research on what Medicare covers, or perhaps even attend a seminar or webinar. On the most basic level, you’ll need to choose either the original Medicare program, possibly supplemented with a Medigap policy, or Medicare Advantage, also known as Medicare Part C. Given all the variables involved—deductibles, copayments, coinsurance, areas of coverage and availability of your personal doctors—you’ll want to choose your plan carefully.

• Protect yourself from long-term care costs.

No matter which Medicare plan you choose, it won’t cover much, if any, of the costs of long-term care, such as an extended stay in a nursing home.

You may want to consult with a financial advisor, who can suggest options to protect you and your family from long-term care costs, which can be considerable.

By making the right financial moves and taking care of yourself, you can go a long way toward managing your health care costs in retirement and enjoying many happy and rewarding years.

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Environment / Development National Commercial Solar Harnesses Energy Stewart’s Shops Adding High-Powered For Businesses And Homes In New York Electric Car Charging Stations At Stores

Brent McDevitt is the founder and president of National Commercial Solar Advisors Inc., which has an office in Queensbury. The company has simplified the process of going solar for businesses.

Stewart’s Shops added its first NYPA EVolve Electric Vehicle Fast Charging Station in Schodack.

Officials said they can charge an electric vehicle in just 15 to 30 minutes.

Lisa Balschunat

Courtesy Stewart’s Shops

BY LISA BALSCHUNAT National Commercial Solar Advisors Inc., with its office in Queensbury, is harnessing energy for businesses and residential properties in New York state, New Jersey and Vermont, and has its sights on Florida next, according to president and founder Brent McDevitt.

Established in 2019, the company has simplified the process of “going solar” for businesses, communities and public organizations by providing customers with a comprehensive proposal and package that makes the process seamless. With nine years of experience in the solar industry and previously aligned with Apex Solar, McDevitt said that he “knew the industry would pop” and wanted to be a part of it.

“When businesses invest in commercial solar energy they can significantly reduce their operating costs and potentially save tens of thousands of dollars over time,” McDevitt said. “This allows businesses to free up cash flow to use in other areas, and of course, utilize a green energy source that is good for

the environment.”

Solar panels do not require any additional maintenance to a building or property and McDevitt stated that most systems are guaranteed for up to 25 years.

“Businesses who invest in solar energy receive a 26 percent federal income tax credit and 100 percent bonus depreciation” he said.

The company offers customers looking to go solar with a total package of upfront services including a comprehensive proposal, site visit, design plans, state and federal application assistance through to a final contract.

“We’ve installed EV charging stations at The Sagamore Resort, The Inn at Erlowest, the Town of Queensbury, and at other hotels, resorts and bed and breakfasts in the Lake George region,” he said. “Right now, we are super proud to be working with our first fivestar hotel, Mirror Lake Inn in Lake Placid, to establish commercial solar and EV Charging Stations there.

“Our install at Surfside Resort on Canada Street was the first hotel in the village to Continued On Page 7

Stewart’s Shops is adding electric car battery charging statiuons across its many stores..

The company broke ground on its first NYPA EVolve Electric Vehicle Fast Charging Station on July 1 in Schodack.

Officials said the chargers are powerful enough to provide a full charge to a electric vehicle in just 15 to 30 minutes.

The DC fast chargers have three kind of plugs to make sure an electric vehicle of choice can stop in and get a charge on the go. EVolve New York’s chargers are available to all non-Tesla electric vehicles.

Officials said some charging stations will have a Tesla adapter.

Stewart’s Shops currently has three Tesla supercharging stations throughout New York with plans to expand the program by installing two more by the end of 2021.

The Stewart’s Shops charging station in Schodack will be fully operational by September and is just one of five EV charging stations that Stewart’s Shops plans to open by the end of the year.

The Schodack EV charging station is an

extension of Stewart’s Shops current EV Charging program. As part of NYPA’s EVolve New York Clean Energy Initiative, they plan for other charging stations at Stewart’s Shops locations throughout New York state in Moreau, Latham, Keene and Clifton Park.

Officials said the new charging stations are not the only steps Stewart’s Shops is taking to become more sustainable. The company uses solar energy at offsite locations in Halfmoon and Castle Creek and the manufacturing plant has 2,400 individual solar panels on the rooftop that offset 75 percent of the power at 50 locations.

Stewart’s Shops recycles over six tons of cardboard daily and reuses items like totes, dairy cases, ice cream baskets, and bread trays used to make deliveries to reduce waste. In stores, customers can get a discount on their coffee when they use their reusable mugs and the stores also offer reusable bags at all locations. All shops are equipped with LED lighting and offer plant-based straws as well.

The partnership with Evolve NY is just one of the ways Stewart’s Shops is attaining a more sustainable future, the company said.

GLENS FALLS BUSINESS JOURNAL • AUGUST 2021 • 7

Glen Street Associates Moves On With Its PR Company Focusing On ‘Green’ Companies Specialty Of Bringing Old Buildings To Life Lands Clients Including SUNY Albany

Peter and Suzanne Hoffman are overseeing the renovation of the old post office on Warren St. in Glens Falls. Historic features of the building and its character were preserved.

BY ANDREA HARWOOD PALMER Glen Street Associates LLC is nearing completion on several projects in downtown Glens Falls.

Peter Hoffman, real estate developer and principal of Glen Street Associates LLC, with his wife Suzanne Hoffman,co-owner of the company, has been involved for several years in projects that involve renovation of older structures in the downtown area.

“It really is fun,” Hoffman said. “At my stage of life, I don’t want to build plywood buildings. I really love the restoration projects. When you get done and you see the vitality of the space—when you hear people say it’s fun to work in this space, with high ceilings, or post and beam, or brick walls—it becomes really gratifying.”

Hoffman said the renovation of the old Post Office building at 67 Warren St. is nearly complete. Historic features and the building’s character were preserved, while the infrastructure and utilities were thoroughly updated, he said.

When completed, the Social Security Administration will move into the ground floor. The second story of the building is currently occupied by Glen Street Associates, which relocated from its 100 Glen St. offices.

Hoffman purchased the building in 2011 for $150,000, from St. Mary’s Catholic Church located next door. The church was seeking permission to demolish the building when Hoffman learned of the plans and made an offer to purchase it.

Another project was the renovation of the former Red Cross building at 74 Warren St. That is completed and the space is rented. The ground floor is occupied by commercial tenants, while the second story is a high- end residential apartment. The parking lot was recurbed and refinished with green space and new exterior lighting.

Yet another is the nearby building at 80 Warren St., the previous location of Mailings Made Easy. This will eventually be occupied by Sweet Beet Bistro, owned and operated by Johanna vonGeldern. The restaurant was located in Greenwich for many years. When vonGeldern was forced to close because of the impact of the coronavirus mandates, she decided it was time relocate the business to an area that saw more foot

traffic and patrons.

Hoffman gutted 80 Warren St. down to the cinder block walls and completely renovated the inside.

All pre-existing wiring was pulled out, and updated electrical wiring put in. The space will have a small back area that will be available to lease.

The front of the building will have an outside terrace with heavy ironwork representation from Briggs Welding out of Whitehall. The rooftop is enclosed with an antique wrought iron fence that Hoffman found in his travels. Antique scrolled iron will be used on the side of the building.

“It’s an absolutely spectacular thing to see,” said Hoffman.

Hoffman said the original plan was to tear the single-block building down, as was the original plan for the Red Cross building. But, he said, both buildings had “such great bones” that they were both worth saving and renovating. The buildings are both 1940s industrial properties.

Both buildings will have about 600-700 square feet available for lease.

Glen Street Associates also owns 79 Warren St., currently inhabited by the Conkling Center and 27 high-end apartments. The structure, known as the Joubert and White building, was previously occupied

by James Taylor White, a buckboard manufacturer and carriage builder who invented the leaf spring.

Families and companies from all over the country would have their carriages built at the location.

He’s proud that he was able to save these buildings from being razed.

“In most of these cases, they are rather discarded buildings,” he said. “The windows of 79 Warren, Warren Street Square were boarded up and the roof was leaking. It was questionable if it would get knocked down. The Post Office was was slated to get knocked down. Demolition permits had been requested.”

“Today it’s one of the nicest buildings in the central business district. It’s steeped in history and just a beautiful, beautiful structure. To see it be preserved and become vital and important, from taking it out of the waste bin paper basket and show what can be done. Same with the two across the road,” said Hoffman.

Sustainable PR, a public relations agency based in Glens Falls, specializing in media services for green companies, has added three new clients: Glens Falls Urban Agriculture Pilot; (re) x, a California eco-friendly design company; and the University at Albany’s School of Business.

The agency will promote these green-focused clients in ways that will help them deliver on their sustainably focused missions and goals, the company said.

“There’s a combination of factors driving the sustainability marketplace,” said Tony DeFazio, principal of Sustainable PR. “The ebbing of the COVID-19 pandemic is turbocharging the U.S. economy. Additionally, President Biden has launched public policy initiatives to ‘green’ the economy to compete globally, especially with China.

“And the growing awareness and acceptance by consumers of the importance of sustainable practices to counter climate change, is creating a perfect storm of opportunity for entrepreneurs and the advisors who serve them.”

The Glens Falls Urban Agriculture Pilot, a pioneering private/public initiative sponsored by the City of Glens Falls, engaged Sustainable PR to generate exposure for its new vertical farming system. This project will develop and refine a self-contained vertical farming system, designed to grow a wide variety of vegetables, herbs, and plants at site-independent locations year-round.

The goal of this project will be to help communities across New York state pursue a green path of recovery through the post-COVID era of economic transition.

Sustainable PR will leverage its services for key message development, community and media relations, and social media for the project’s milestones in the coming months, said DeFazio.

Underway less than a month, the campaign has already garnered high social media engagement.

“Since relocating from Philadelphia, Tony has made an immediate impact in Glens Falls,” said Jeff Flagg, PhD., economic development director for the City of Glens Falls. “Having discovered

his passion for the environment, I knew he was a natural choice for our urban agriculture project.

We’re already benefitting from Tony’s media savvy and advice, and I am proud and pleased to have him on our communications team.”

From the west coast, Sustainable PR was also sought out by (re)x (pronounced re-to-the-x), an eco-design company founded by accomplished Los Angeles-based designer Paulina Quintana to launch a revolutionary fully recyclable hanger made from 100 percent ocean and landfillbound plastics.

Quintana’s mission is to create sustainable solutions for everyday products and turn them into an opportunity to remove plastic waste from the environment. Sustainable PR will develop the company’s story and disseminate it to national fashion and retail trade media, generating exposure to eco-conscious consumers worldwide.

“When we conducted our search for a green PR firm to launch our product, Sustainable PR stood out,” said Quintana, CEO and founder of (re) x. “They were the only PR firm focused exclusively on the green economy with the experience to get our story told to national media.”

The High Peaks Impact Awards (HPIA), a new award program sponsored by the University at Albany’s Business School that will honor regional businesses for excellence in the personification of Environmental Social Governance (ESG) practices, has also engaged Sustainable PR for support. The firm will showcase the diverse and creative workforce within the Upstate Region and spotlight a real-life example of how ESG enhances the local economy.

“We are honored to help these organizations promote their sustainable attributes,” said DeFazio. “Since day one, we have emphasized how our expertise in earned media services can be a driver for companies with a mission in sustainability. The addition of these three clients is testament to the strength of that vision and the appeal of our offering.”

For more information about the company’s mission and services, visit their website sustainablepr.com or call 518-223-9962.

National Commercial Solar Continued From Page 6

incorporate solar power onto their roofs.

“We’re reducing their energy bill for lighting, pool operations, day to day electricity with over 800 kilowatt hours. Surfside is conserving 30 percent annually with its rooftop panels to offset electric bills.”

While McDevitt coordinates all critical documentation from proposal to final contact and works closely with New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) for his customers, he subcontracts a site team for the installations with PlugPV, of Albany, who are trained and experienced photovoltaics specialists in the industry.

“PlugPV are top notch installers,” he said.

“When we’re working on a new install, they provide a project manager, do a site visit with us, walk the roof to determine the number of solar panels needed, then design the project

proposal in (Computer-Aided Design) then, we provide a formal proposal in preparation for a final contract,” he added, “We’re a rock solid team.”

McDevitt encourages businesses thinking about going solar to contact him soon. The federal incentive for equipment purchases was 30 percent through Jan. 1. It has dropped to 26 percent incentive through Jan.1, 2022 and will be a 22 percent incentive through Jan. 1, 2023.

National Commercial Solar Advisors presently employs two full-time and one parttime and is positioned for growth over the next two years. McDevitt anticipates hiring six to seven more people.

For more details about National Commercial Solar Advisors, visit www. nationalsolaradvisors.com, or email McDevitt directly at brent@nationalsolaradvisors.com.

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8 • GLENS FALLS BUSINESS JOURNAL • AUGUST 2021

SPECIAL SECTION

GLENS FALLS BUSINESS JOURNAL

Work Place

•

Business Report Goatopia?

BY ROSE MILLER We found a cool place to vacation in Rhode Island this year. The owner calls it Goatopia.

She has created a little slice of heaven beside the Sakonnet River.

She is a former dancer who took her dance studio and her artistic style to create a unique and comfortable guest house for visitors.

The house is surrounded by beautiful gardens where she also tends to chickens and goats daily.

The goats have names and you can tell the Billy because he stands proudly on the tallest stump in the pen.

This place got me thinking about how employers tend to their flocks. As employers, we have a responsibility to understand who works for us and what we want people to do for us.

Results can be achieved when understanding how employee traits translate into achieving goals.

But here’s the thing. Do you need a herd of goats or do you need a flock of sheep? They may look all the same but there is big difference.

The owner of the house likes goats because they are independent thinkers just like her. There is nothing ordinary about her place and it’s as colorful and whimsical as she is.

Goats are curious by nature and are quite independent. Goats can produce some wonderful side products like milk and cheese.

Sheep on the other hand prefer to stay put, gather together and give us things like the wool off their backs.

Many people respond to goat-like behavior from leaders and entrepreneurs. We expect the Billy to dominate.

While goats are wild, sheep are domesticated, suggesting that sheep have a greater ability to build close relationships. Goats like to browse and go for food that attracts them even when out of reach, while sheep love to graze close to their surroundings.

Some of our most notable leaders began with wild thoughts, and people would say the person was as crazy as a goat. Some have dominated emerging technologies by going for it.

And the side effect of those ideas has been equally enjoyed by many. Those leading companies need lots of sheep to cultivate their ideas and work in teams to do the work and bring the ideas to life.

Both animals are beneficial to mankind but it’s the sheep that create the fabric of the organizations.

Troubles occur when confusing the two species.

You may have admired and sought out a goat when what you really needed was a team of sheep.

Freethinkers are a pain. They don’t like being told

• •

Rose Miller is president of Pinnacle Human Resources LLC. Courtesy Pinnacle Human Resources LLC

what to do. They would rather have it their way, or at least be made to believe it was their way.

Conversely, sheep will begin to act like goats if they are unattended. My Italian mom used to say, “If you want your kids (pun intended) to follow you, you shouldn’t let them wander around like goats.” Italian village wisdom—you just can’t beat it.

And goats play a crucial part too. Goats are fearless. There are plenty of examples where a leader brings about profound change and builds an exciting company. Then something happens.

The leader is gone. Someone says, we are fine. We don’t need a replacement.

Over time, the organizational structure begins to fracture, and silos develop because no one is there to pull it all together.

Handled correctly, a company can leverage a free spirit to lead their teams to fulfill the innovative ideas, opportunities and industry changes. And there are still large flocks of sheep to tend. The goat will need people who will stick around and work to make it all happen.

People need gentle guidance and to be shown appreciation for their ability to work together harmoniously.

In the best scenario, a company’s organizational structure will contain some free thinkers and more followers. A few fearless goats and a whole lot of sheep.

We need to be continually challenged by independent thought and we need to learn ways to get the most out of our teams. Ewe can even create your own unique Goatopia.

Business Report

•

Renovations Can Inspire A Return To The Office

BY DOROTHY ROGERS-BULLIS If the past year has taught us anything, it’s that life requires flexibility. We’ve all had to make adjustments both large and small in order to cope with the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Businesses in particular have had to pivot and in many cases reinvent the way they operate in an effort to keep their doors open and ensure employees and customers are safe.

For many companies, the initial solution was to allow certain employees to work from home. Of course, this wasn’t an option for some industries like restaurants, medical practices, and grocery stores. But for many office-based businesses, employers and employees managed to make working from home “work” through a combination of technology and ingenuity, and oftentimes, a whole lot of patience.

Meetings and conversations that used to be done face to face were moved to video conference. Workers figured out new platforms and software, working out the kinks as they went. They stacked up piles of books to get their computer at the right height, found their most flattering lighting, and tidied up their workspace to get it camera-ready.

It may not have been an ideal work-fromhome set-up, but indeed, necessity is the mother of invention, so they made it work.

What now?

As the pandemic eventually comes to an end—and it will—what will businesses decide to do about employees working from home versus returning to the office? It is going to be more of a conundrum that some companies may recognize.

First of all, many employees have realized that they really enjoy working from home. The commute to their home office beats the heck out of sitting in traffic. Workers also have embraced the flexibility working from home typically provides—helping a child with a homework question, running a quick errand, or even wearing sweatpants to a video meeting.

Second, a lot of employees have managed to create very effective work-from-home set-ups over the past year-plus. Whether they have a dedicated home-office or have finagled one in another space in their house, workers have found that they can indeed be efficient and productive from the comfort of their home. And some aren’t quite ready to give that up in order to return to the office.

But there are tradeoffs for both the company and the worker created by working from home.

Dorothy Rogers-Bullis is the owner of drb Business Interiors.

Courtesy drb Business Interiors

For one, collaboration now has to be scheduled.

There is no turning around in your chair for a quick brainstorm with a nearby colleague. There are no impromptu discussions in the breakroom or hallway. Businesses are realizing that this has resulted in an inadvertent work slow-down and has no doubt impacted productivity.

Whether they realize it or not, employees are also making sacrifices by working from home.

First, a lack of face time with your manager (especially if other peers are working in-person) can be detrimental to your career progression.

Another drawback of working from home that many people have discovered is that work-life boundaries get blurred. When work is always there, just down the hall in your home office, it can be difficult to ever truly “log off.”

In order to meet the demands of employees while achieving the goals of the company, businesses must accept that flexibility is once again going to be key if they want workers to return to the office. That flexibility can take many shapes. Perhaps it’s allowing employees to have a hybrid schedule, coming into the office a few days a week and working the remainder of the time from home.

Another key will be designing office spaces that appeal to workers—both current employees and the top-talent they hope to attract—and make them feel safe, enticing them back into the office. With unemployment low and businesses desperate to hire, workers hold the reins, so companies must make some accommodations Continued On Page 9

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GLENS FALLS BUSINESS JOURNAL • AUGUST 2021 • 9

Partners Develop Space-Themed Candy Store ARCC Announces Nominees For Business At French Mountain Commons, Lake George Awards; Winners To Be Recognized Oct. 7

From left, Jeff Small, Zach Moore, Chad Rabinovitz are business partners in The Candy Space, a new space-themed candy store located on Route 9 in Lake George.

BY ANDREA HARWOOD PALMER A new space-themed candy store has opened in the French Mountain Commons outlet center on Route 9 in Lake George.

Business partners Chad Rabinovitz, Jeffrey Small and Zach Moore had the grand opening for The Candy Space on July 8. The store has thousands of different candies, toys, cotton candy and space-themed paraphernalia, as well as 180 bulk bins of candy.

Rabinovitz and Moore had been talking about opening a store together in an empty retail space Moore had available at the outlet center.

“I said, ‘Here’s the deal. I’m in if it’s a candy store’,” said Rabinovitz.

“I’d love to say there was a ton of market research that happened, but the reality is I’ve always wanted to open a candy store. So that’s how it happened,” he said.

After the business partners made the decision to open a candy store, Rabinovitz started playing with ideas of what the business model should be and how they would offer something that didn’t already exist.

With Amazon being the current retail leader in candy sales, Rabinovitz knew he needed to give people a compelling reason to come into a brick and mortar location.

At first, Rabinovitz had the idea of a candy store that was all about a candy tasting experience, similar to a wine tasting experience.

Rabinovitz spent six years as the producing artistic director of the Adirondack Film Festival before leaving to pursue other ventures earlier this year. He is currently the creative director of two Astronauts Productions and the producing artistic director of the Bloomington Playwrights Project.

Andrea Harwood Palmer

“My brainstorming for the store was similar to when I do plays. I just talk to a ton of people, spout out my ideas and see how everyone reacts to it,” he said. “My other passion in life is the space industry. I resisted the idea of incorporating space with candy at first because I didn’t want to build a store just for me.

I wanted to build something marketable, something that had a reason to exist beyond my own personal preference. But the space theme kept coming back up.”

Rabinovitz then came up with an idea for a candy launch tube. He said he remembered going to the bank where a pneumatic tube brought back receipts and often candy.

“Suddenly, it wasn’t just a themed store. It was turning candy into a build-a-bear experience. No one had done that. And the idea of launching your candy into space was very intriguing to me,” said Rabinovitz.

After figuring out how to have a clear pneumatic tube system designed and custom built—and how to make the entire acoustic drop ceiling of the retail space look like a starry sky with twinkling lights while still keeping the retail area bright—the business partners set about putting the plan into action.

The candy launch tube is controlled by an interactive launch panel where kids and adults choose the fuel type, method and cargo they want to launch into space.

Afterward, stuffed animals “launched into space” earn their flight wings pin. Launchers get a sticker showing they are now the proud owners of space-flown candy.

The Candy Space is open daily from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. The store is located at 1439 Route 9, Suite 6, in the outlet center next to The Gap outlet.

The Candy Space can be reached at 518-223-0393.

It’s website iswww.thecandyspace.com.

Adirondack Regional Chamber of Commerce has announced the nominees for the 2021 ARCC Business of the Year Awards.

The ARCC has been recognizing member businesses for their achievements in business, economic and quality of life contributions to the region for over 30 years. The businesses were nominated by their peers, and each will be interviewed and scored by a committee of ARCC members.

The nominees and winners will be recognized at an awards breakfast, on Thursday, Oct. 7, at Dunham’s Bay Resort in Lake George.

“Each year we are blessed to honor our members for their hard work and dedication to our community. Many thanks go out to those who took the time to nominate their business peers in our region. We’re excited to come together in-person on Oct. 7 to celebrate each other’s achievements,” said ARCC President Michael Bittel.

The nominees in their respective categories are: Large Business of the Year: Ideal Dairy Farms and Morcon Tissue.

Professional Business of the Year: Bartlett, Pontiff, Stewart & Rhodes PC, Erbessd Instruments, and SBLindsell LLC - Outsourced Business Financial Services.

Steven M. Sutton Small Business of the

Renovations

Continued From Page 8 in order to hire and retain the best employees.

We are seeing a number of trends emerge as businesses revamp their space in order to appeal to workers who may be apprehensive about returning to the office.

First, employees want more space. After a year of being told to maintain your social distance, no one wants to be elbow-to-elbow. Employees want bigger conference rooms so they can sit further apart (and leave the door open for air circulation). They want bigger and deeper desks so you can sit across from someone but not feel cramped.

Second, a lot of businesses believe they don’t need as much office space because of the hybrid employee trend. As a result, many are consolidating space. In the short-term, this saves money on rent, yes, but the tradeoff may

Year: Better than New Painting, J. Reid Menswear, Lakota’s Farm Weddings & Events, Fish307.com, Putorti’s Market, Massie’s Restaurant, Saratoga Quality Hardware/Burgoyne Quality Hardware; and Springbrook Hollow Farm Distillery.

Rookie Business of the Year: Gazai Media, Harris-Pero & Botelho PLLC, Mullen’s Pub, National Commercial Solar Advisors Inc. and The Pretty Hot Mess Boutique.

Nonprofit Organization of the Year: Adirondack Employee Assistance Program (EAP); Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Southern Adirondacks; Crandall Public Library; Charles R. Wood Theater; Family Service Association of Glens Falls; Greater Glens Falls Senior Center; High Peaks Hospice; Hudson Headwaters Health Network (HHHN); LEAP; Southern Adirondack Independent Living (SAIL); The Salvation Army of Glens Falls; The Glen at Hiland Meadows; Warren, Washington and Albany Counties ARC; and World Awareness Children’s Museum.

Community Champion of the Year: Behan Communications; KEENA Staffing and The Lotus Group of Companies.

Each year the ARCC assembles a committee of Chamber Members to evaluate, interview, and score nominees.

The nominees are honored, and winners announced, at a ceremony. be that the business doesn’t have room to grow.

It is worth considering if a better long-term strategy would be to maintain their existing square footage and simply reconfigure the space to accommodate their current headcount in a more spacious layout.

Employers across the board are eager for their workers to return to the office, but some are agonizing about the right way to achieve this. In my experience, companies need to be decisive and confident in their decision while making accommodations within reason. Again, flexibility is the name of the game in today’s world.

Consider your business’s long-term growth goals. If your best people are leaving because they want a permanent work-from-home option, you will have to spend time and resources on rehiring. And the reality is that those new employees also will likely desire a hybrid schedule. If all an employee is asking for is a little flexibility, a better office, a bigger workspace, that is a small price to pay to keep your top talent happy.

10 • GLENS FALLS BUSINESS JOURNAL • AUGUST 2021

The Hyde Collection Will Hold Its Annual Gala Event On September 25 At The Museum The Hyde Collection will celebrate the importance of art, fashion, and fun, bringing energy from this year’s “Summer Bomb Pop: Collections in Dialogue” exhibition at its annual gala on Sept. 25 at the museum, 161 Warren St., Glens Falls.

“Now more than ever, we know that art has the power to comfort, entertain, and inspire us and we look forward to coming together in person once again,” museum officials said.

The event will run from 7-11 p.m.

Sponsors receive special recognition in the event invitation, program, social media, and more. To become a Hyde Gala sponsor, visit the museum website at https://www. hydecollection.org.

For inquiries, contact chief development officer John Lefner at jlefner@hydecollection. org or director of development Kate Wilkins at kwilkins@hydecollection.org.

The museum phone number is 518-7921761.

Summer Bomb Pop: Collections in Dialogue brings together 17 works of contemporary abstract painting from the collection of the Tang Teaching Museum at Skidmore College by artists such as Sarah Braman, Jeffrey Gibson, Rashid Johnson, Mindy Shapero, and Chuck Webster with several 20th century works from The Hyde Collection’s renowned Feibes & Schmitt Collection, by artists such as Grace Hartigan, Alfred Jensen, Ellsworth Kelly, Bridget Riley, and Andy Warhol.

Summer Bomb Pop is organized by the Tang Teaching Museum in collaboration with Jonathan Canning, director of curatorial affairs and programming at The Hyde Collection. It is part of The 2021 Renz Family Season of Hope Exhibition Series.

All Together Now is a regional collections sharing project organized by the Tang Teaching Museum at Skidmore College, with the support of the Henry Luce Foundation.

Adirondack Balloon Festival Continued From Page 1

Glens Falls, Hudson Falls and one more to be finalized. Organizers said it makes the situation safer because the crowds will be spread out.

Saturday morning, Sept. 25, mass ascension at Floyd Bennett Memorial Airport in Queensbury, of 50 balloons including special shapes. Officials said the balloons will be roped off, spread out along both runways, and you can drive right in, saving spectators the long walks of previous years. This year, the Balloon Festival cannot allow vendors, children’s activities, or the Open Door breakfast. Pilots will not take paid passengers this year.

Saturday evening, Sept. 25, there will be two moonglows. At the airport, people can attend a drive-through moonglow to observe 40 tethered balloons on display, lit up from

within. There will also be a new event at East Field with a live band, 8-10 balloons, and possibly a fireworks display. The details of the band and fireworks are still in the works, officials said.

Sunday morning, Sept. 26, there will be a mass ascension at the airport of 50 balloons including special shapes, with the same setup as Saturday.

The Adirondack Balloon Festival’s launches are subject to weather conditions.

The balloons cannot fly for safety reasons if it is too windy or if there is inclement weather.

Contact the Adirondack Balloon Festival, a registered nonprofit, to sponsor the event or make a tax-deductible contribution to keep the festival going.

For more information, visit www. adirondackballoonfest.org.

Lake George Tourism Continued From Page 1

LakeGeorge.com.

Mintzer said the Adirondack Balloon Festival, “an annual event here for decades,” will return in the fall, from Sept. 23-26.

“Some outdoor activities are at a premium.

Visitors should make sure in advance that boats are rented” Mintzer said. Some activities are weather-dependent and can be canceled due to heavy rain.

“One RV park had to cancel its reservations because of the flooding of Schroon River,”

she said. “The rivers can get too rough and whitewater rafting companies have added more guides for better safety.”

She said Great Escape is currently closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays due to the lack of staff. The scaled back schedule is “so that the other days are operating efficiently to ensure guest satisfaction.”

Visit lakegeorgechamber.com for information about membership and local activities.

Special Olympics Continued From Page 1

virus. Athletes who remain unvaccinated are required to wear masks and social distance at all times.

Unvaccinated status may result in further event and participation limitations, in accordance with local guidance. Proof of vaccination will be required for all coaches and volunteers who attend the games.

“We’re looking forward to providing the best Fall Games experience yet,” said Glens Falls Mayor Daniel L. Hall. “Whether you can lend a hand by volunteering, sponsoring, or providing an in-kind service to support the athletes, I encourage every member of the community to get involved.”

“Our community is so excited to welcome and serve Special Olympics New York this Fall in the Greater Glens Falls Region,” said Michael Bittel, Adirondack Regional Chamber of Commerce president and CEO and chair of the Fall Games Organizing Committee.

“The number of volunteers we have for the upcoming Games is a testament to the giving of our wonderful region.”

“I can’t wait for State Fall Games, for athletes from all over New York to come back here and

compete in my hometown,” said Ben Purick, 27, of Glens Falls, a Special Olympics New York golfer.

A Games Organizing Committee is currently seeking sponsors, in-kind partners, and volunteers for the event.

Interested parties should contact Stacy Eder at seder@nyso.org.

Special Olympics New York is the largest state chapter in the country, serving more than 68,000 athletes across New York with yearround sports training, athletic competition, and health screenings. The organization also partners with about 250 schools statewide to offer Unified Sports, where students with and without disabilities compete as teammates.

All Special Olympics New York programs are offered at no cost to athletes, their families or caregivers. The organization has earned the Platinum Seal of Transparency from GuideStar.com, making it one of the most trusted charities in the business nationally.

For additional information about Special Olympics New York, or to learn more about getting involved or to make a donation, visit www.specialolympicsNY.org.

United Way Director

He has held both national and community leadership positions that include serving on the Adirondack Health Institute board of directors and as former vice chair of the Adirondack Regional Chamber of Commerce board of directors. He also served as chair of the National YMCA of the USA Small and Midsized CEO Cabinet and the State Alliance of New York State board of directors.

He is a Queensbury native.

Tri-County United Way fights for the Health, Education and Financial Stability of every person in our community. The agency collaborates, convenes, and partners to support programs and initiatives that break the cycle of poverty, promote a healthy community where children are successful from kindergarten through graduation to a career, and where families have the tools, skills, and support they need to become financially independent.

Headquarters are at 696 Upper Glen St., Queensbury.

For more information about the United Way or to schedule an interview with Tri-County United Way’s leadership, contact Aust at peter. aust@tricountyunitedway.org, 518-793-3136.

Continued From Page 1

the Y Movement for 29 years. While there, he has driven significant growth in partnerships, supporting those most vulnerable, and philanthropic support. He launched new initiatives including expansion to serve the Southern Adirondacks by opening the YMCA Adirondack Center in Brant Lake as well as the YMCA Regional Wellness Center in Chestertown.

“It’s been a great privilege to serve the Glens Falls YMCA and the Y Movement. I will miss the volunteers and staff as well as the people we have served. I am thrilled to join the United Way family and to have the opportunity to work with such passionate staff and volunteers,” said Bearor. “I believe in the power of the United Way to be a force for good in the communities we serve and will work diligently to expand the mission and impact of the Tri-County United Way.”

GLENS FALLS BUSINESS JOURNAL • AUGUST 2021 • 11

Personnel Briefs Continued From Page 2

Bell began her career as a Catering Sales Coordinator at a wedding venue near her hometown of Bay Head, N.J., followed by a move to Nashville, Tenn. to work as an event services and catering manager at the Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum.

After moving to Saratoga Springs in 2016, Bell sold and planned both on-premise and off-premise events as a Hall of Springs-based catering sales manager for Mazzone Hospitality. She most recently gained experience in the hotel industry as an events and catering sales manager at the Saranac Waterfront Lodge.

Bell’s position involves regular sales calls to the Albany/Capital Region-based state associations and corporations in addition to regional and national contacts to ensure that the LGRCVB services are understood and made available regularly. Active participation in state, regional and national industry associations to maximize the visibility of the Lake George area are also priorities for Bell in her role.

Overall, she will prospect and generate new business relationships to achieve booked business and overnight room goals, and secure future bookings that will meet or exceed rate and occupancy goals of the destination partners throughout the Lake George area.

Bell graduated from the Culinary Institute of America with an associate’s degree in baking and pastry arts and a bachelor’s degree in hospitality management.

Business Briefs The Cornell Cooperative Extension of Warren County will hold its 12th annual golf tournament on Saturday, Aug. 28, at Cronin’s Golf Resort in Warrensburg.

All proceeds from this event will be used to financially support Cornell Cooperative Extension’s educational programs.

Cost per person on the day of the event is $100.

Fee includes: green fees, cart, barbecue, giveaway, awards and prizes.

For more information regarding this event or to become a sponsor, visit warren.cce.cornell.edu.

Pre-registration for tournament and barbecue is required by contacting Amy Sabattis at 518623-3291 or 518-668-4881.

* * * Wiawaka Center for Women, located on the eastern shores of Lake George, will hold its annual Ladies of the Lake Luncheon, on the grounds at Wiawaka on Sept. 13.

Wiawaka is seeking nominations for the Mary Fuller Women helping Women Award that is awarded at the luncheon to an organization or individual who has made a positive difference in the lives of women.

Wiawaka Center for Women is a nonprofit charitable organization dedicated to enriching the lives of women through wellness, learning and art. Since the early 1900s, artists, including Georgia O’Keeffe, have spent summers painting on Wiawaka’s lakeside campus.

Wiawaka was created by and for women in 1903. It is the oldest and longest continuously operating retreat for women in America.

Tickets may be purchased online at wiawaka. org and sell out quickly. The nomination form for the Mary Fuller Award is also found on the website. Contact the executive director, Doreen Kelly, at wiawakadirector@gmail.com for sponsorship or volunteer opportunities, or by calling (518) 668-9690.

For more information to sponsor, purchase tickets, or donate items visit www.wiawaka.org.

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