TickDetect Brings AI-Powered Tick Screening To Warren County Residents
BY CAROL ANN CONOVER
When Tim Montgomery’s daughter made three visits to the emergency room in a single week, the diagnosis wasn’t the flu. It was babesiosis, a tick-borne parasite that attacks red blood cells. “She ended up spending three visits to the emergency room over a week with a temperature of north of 103 for the whole week,” Montgomery said. His sister also has battled Lyme disease for years, and his brother has been infected twice. “It’s just an awful thing,” he said.
Those family experiences, along with a tick Montgomery recently had removed from his back at Hudson Headwaters, led the Queensbury entrepreneur to build TickDetect, a free artificial intelligence tool that helps people — and their pets — check for ticks and tick-related rashes before the bites become more serious.
Montgomery founded TIMIT Solutions in January 2012 after a 20-year career at GE and a series of executive roles running global technology, health care and staffing businesses. The Queensbury-based firm primarily serves midsize companies, generally those with $10 million to $1 billion in revenue, by building custom software, modernizing legacy systems and offering chief information officer coaching and mentoring, Montgomery said.
TickDetect, the company’s newest project, runs entirely in a phone’s web browser — no app store download is required. Users photograph their skin or a pet’s fur, and the tool uses Claude AI Vision to identify tick species, attachment status and rash patterns, generating a private report users can bring to a doctor or veterinarian. “There’s no reason to download an app at all,” Montgomery said.
Privacy was central to the design, Montgomery said. Photos are analyzed and then discarded rather than stored, and the tool collects no names or other identifying information unless a user opts in to share anonymous usage data. “It records no personal information. Nothing is ever stored. It’s totally
encrypted,” he said. The platform is built to comply with European and California privacy regulations, according to Montgomery.
The idea grew out of a simple frustration, he said: It is nearly impossible to check hardto-see spots such as the scalp or the middle of the back for a tick bite. “I thought, gee, it’s so hard to, you know, for example, look at the top of my scalp or the back of my neck or my back,” he said. TickDetect also works for dogs, cats and even horses, whose fur can make a bite easier to miss.
The tool is free during its public beta rollout in Warren, Washington and Saratoga counties, and Montgomery said a paid tier is planned at $4.99 a month for an individual or $9.99 a month for a family of five, with a limited free option remaining available. Montgomery said he also is considering developing
Continued On Page 11
Siena University Reports New York Consumer Confidence Remains Above National Level
New York consumer sentiment edged up in the second quarter of 2026 and remained well above the national reading, according to the latest Siena Research Institute poll.
The New York State Index of Consumer Sentiment stood at 66.5, up 0.9 points from the first quarter and 17 points above the national index of 49.5, which fell 3.8 points. New York’s current conditions index declined 1.5 points to 61.8, while future expectations rose 2.4 points to 69.6. For the sixth consecutive quarter, the state’s overall index remained below the breakeven point between optimism and pessimism.
Travis Brodbeck, SRI’s associate director of data management, said New York moved in the opposite direction from the nation, where consumer sentiment fell to a 50-year low. He attributed the state’s slight increase to stronger expectations for the future, even as confidence in current economic conditions declined.
Buying plans increased for most items. Plans to purchase consumer electronics rose to 46.7% from 41.6%, while vehicle-buying plans increased to 20.8% from 18.3%. Home improvement plans rose to 23.9%, and intentions to buy a home increased to 10.7%. Furniture purchase plans slipped slightly to 29.8%.
“Consumers are continuing to spend, but cautiously,” Brodbeck said. Compared with last summer, vehicle-buying plans rose three percentage points, while plans for home improvements, electronics, furniture and homes were largely unchanged.
Concern about gasoline prices rose sharply. Sixtythree percent of New Yorkers said gas prices were having a somewhat or very serious effect on their finances, up 12 percentage points from the previous quarter. Food prices remained the top concern at 78%, followed by utilities at 72% and housing at 69%. Entertainment and streaming services were cited by 48%, and cell phone costs by 40%.
Fifty-eight percent said both gas and food prices were seriously affecting their finances, while 53% cited food, utility and housing costs. Twenty-four percent said all six expenses measured were weighing heavily on their finances, up from 19% in the previous quarter.
Brodbeck said six in 10 residents reported gasoline prices were squeezing their budgets for the first time since 2023, adding to pressure from food, utility and housing costs. He said the strain is especially severe for New Yorkers with the lowest incomes and fewest resources.
The Siena University Poll was conducted July 1-8, 2026, among 814 New York state residents by telephone, text-to-web and an online panel. The sample included 365 telephone respondents and 449 members of a proprietary online panel across New York state. Data was weighted to match state population estimates and party registration patterns. The poll has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.7 percentage points.
For details visit www.siena.edu/sri/.
Provided by Siena University; edited for style and length.
Glens Falls Weighs East Field Improvements As Dragons Keep Baseball Alive
BY PAUL POST
“That guy’s got a lot of potential,” a young baseball fan remarked.
“Yeah, most of it’s unrealized,” his sports sage uncle replied wryly.
He might have been talking about East Field, too, which has hosted professional and collegiate league baseball almost every summer for nearly the past half-century.
Dozens of future big leaguers honed their skills there, including an American League Rookie of the Year (Ron Kittle) and two Cy Young Award winners (Doug Drabek and John Smoltz); Smoltz is enshrined among baseball’s all-time greats in Cooperstown.
The cozy ballpark is now home to the Glens Falls Dragons, which team owner Ben Bernard has kept alive for the past 10 years while operating on a shoestring budget. It’s a labor
of love for everyone involved. Team members pay to play, and ticket takers, concession stand workers and the public address announcer are all volunteers.
“See the kids here tonight? That’s what it’s all about, this is the way it’s supposed to be,” Bernard said.
Every foul ball sparks an exciting race to see who can come up with the ball first. Kids who turn it in are rewarded with a hot dog, drink and a dollar. McDonald’s can’t beat that deal!
The entire atmosphere is grassroots baseball at its best, a great way to spend a summer evening.
But aging East Field has seen better days. New LED lights and comfortable stadium seats behind home plate were installed a
Continued On Page 11
South Glens Falls Butcher Shop Blends Imported And Local Offerings
BY PAUL POST
“I’ve always wanted to open an Italian meat market event though I’m not Italian,” Mark Monahan said, smiling. “I’m Irish and French.”
The Hudson Falls native’s dream came true recently with the opening of Monahan’s Meats, adjacent to Massie’s Restaurant, at 67 Main St. in South Glens Falls.
Guanciale, soppressata and speck Alto Adige are just a few of the long line of fresh meats available, much of it from famed Arthur Avenue in the Bronx, renowned as New York City’s “Real Little Italy.”
Monahan, 52, has been a professional butcher for most of his adult life, having worked for Grand Union, BJ’s Wholesale Club, Hannaford and the well-known Fred the Butcher in Clifton Park. But he got the idea for launching his own business during a stint at Tops Friendly Markets in Bolton Landing.
“That’s where I was working when Covid was in full swing,” he said. “A lot of people have sold their house and moved up here from Long Island, New York and New Jersey since then. I’m offering things they could get in the city, but can’t find up here.”
Monahan makes meat snack sticks inhouse along with sausage rings. One is made of sweet sausage, provolone and parsley; another is made of sweet sausage, cheddar and parsley.
also smoked ham, smoked turkey and marinated chicken, but meats aren’t the only things on hand. Coolers, display cases and shelves are stocked with all kinds of Italian fare, such as
Tim Montgomery demonstrates TickDetect, an AI tool that screens for ticks and rashes.
Mark Monahan stands beside a meat and cheese case at Monahan’s Meats in South Glens Falls.
Courtesy Monahan's Meats
There’s
A pitcher delivers during a baseball game at East Field, home of the Glens Falls Dragons, as city officials consider a long-range plan for extensive stadium and recreation complex improvements.
Courtesy Glens Falls Dragons
GLENS FALLS BUSINESS JOURNAL
GLENS FALLS BUSINESS JOURNAL
Whitehall Community Welcomes First FullService Retail Supermarket In 20 Years
BY ROD BACON
After being without one for 20 years, Whitehall now has a full-service retail supermarket.
Whitehall Market opened at the end of May, providing customers with a wide variety of food, beverage, and household items.
Selections include open-case meats, fruits and vegetables, breakfast foods, condiments, soft drinks, and cleaning and paper products. Refrigerated cases hold milk and juices, prepared meals, lunch meats, and dessert items. There is a full-service deli serving hot and cold sandwiches, pasta salads, and fish selections.
The owner/manager is Muhammad Bilal, who has owned Green Mountain Food Services in Whitehall since 2019. It was incorporated in 1979 as a wholesale food company that delivers refrigerated, frozen and dry goods throughout Vermont, New Hampshire, northern Massachusetts and Upstate New York. In 2005 it was opened to the general public.
“The warehouse is ninety percent bulk items,” Bilal said. “We have a very limited number of items for the retail customer.
The Whitehall Market is a proper grocery store.”
He noted that there is one aisle of the more popular bulk items so customers who want larger quantities of some items don’t have to visit two locations.
While grocery stores in New York State can sell beer, cider, and low-ABV wine
products, Bilal has elected not to do so.
The market is located at 192 Broadway in a building that once housed the Upstate Discount Warehouse. Bilal purchased it and contracted with Chris Adams Construction and Spray Foam Insulation of Fair Haven, Vt., for extensive renovations to the 7,600-square-foot building. Krueger Electrical of Glens Falls upgraded the electrical service.
In addition to Bilal there are six employees.
According to Whitehall Chamber of Commerce President Cheryl Putorti, the new market is a definite asset to the community. She noted that the town has been without a grocery store for many years and it is too small to support one from the large chains.
“We do have a lot of older folks in the area and some low-income people who might not have cars, so having this market right in the middle of the village is a big benefit to everybody,” she said.
She added that the business is having a soft opening now but there is a chamberhosted ribbon cutting planned when they are fully up and running.
Bilal said he is very gratified by the positive response from the community, and would consider opening retail supermarkets in other underserved communities if the opportunities arose.
For further information about the Whitehall Market, search for Whitehall Market Facebook Profile on Google.
everything from cybersecurity to day-to-day support for one simple
We now have an office in downtown Glens Falls, and Bryan Carr is ready to connect with businesses throughout the region. It starts with a free IT assessment- no pressure, just answers.
Whitehall Market, at 192 Broadway, gives the village its first full-service retail supermarket in 20 years, offering groceries, household goods, prepared foods and a full-service deli for locals.
Courtesy Ron Bacon
Personnel Briefs
AAA Northway announced the addition of travel agents Nadia Traslavina and Taylor Robertson Traslavina will work from the Halfmoon branch office at 1647 Route 9. Robertson will serve customers from the Schenectady branch office at 220 Harborside Drive, second floor.
AAA Northway provides travel services to members and nonmembers. More information is available at AAA.com or by calling 877-222-8283. Provided by AAA Northway; edited for style and length.
Julie & Co. Realty has welcomed Natalie A. Caruso to the brokerage as an associate broker.
Caruso specializes in luxury homes, custom homes, new construction and residential real estate. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Management Information Systems from the University of Tulsa and began her career in fi nance and information technology before obtaining her real estate license in 2014.
As the primary Realtor for Caruso Builders, Caruso has spent more than a decade working with architects, designers and construction professionals. She has guided clients through the custom home process and represented buyers building with Capital Region builders, giving her knowledge of
construction and the local real estate market.
For more information, call 518-350-SOLD (7653), email info@juliecorealty.com or visit www.JulieCoRealty.com.
Provided by Julie & Co. Realty, LLC; edited for style and length.
Teri Kleinmann has joined Roohan Realty as an Associate Real Estate Broker. A lifelong Capital Region resident, Kleinmann has helped buyers and sellers navigate the real estate market since 2008. She combines real estate experience with a legal career. A New York State licensed attorney since 1989, she has practiced law in Chicago, New York City and Albany and served as counsel in the New York State Assembly.
Kleinmann is a graduate of Northwestern University School of Law, Wellesley College and the Academy of the Holy Names. She emphasizes knowledge, preparation and clear communication when working with fi rst-time buyers, longtime homeowners and clients relocating to the area.
Kleinmann lives in Malta with husband, Joel Howard, a construction attorney, and their cat, Casper. She has served on the boards of the St. Margaret’s Center Foundation and St. Anne Institute Foundation and led fundraising efforts for the Center for Disability Services and nonprofit organizations.
Outside work, Kleinmann enjoys traveling, walking, exploring Saratoga, attending live music and spending time at the beach.
Roohan Realty, founded in 1969, serves residential and commercial property clients from 519 Broadway in downtown Saratoga Springs. The locally based, family-owned
company has more than 50 licensed agents. Provided by Roohan Realty; edited for style and length.
LayerEight has opened a satellite office at 3 Broad Street, Floor 3, in downtown Glens Falls and appointed Bryan Carr as Account Executive for the southern region.
The managed IT services provider said the office will support client development and service across a territory from Lake George to Clifton Park.
Carr is a lifelong area resident who lives in Saratoga. Before entering the private sector, he served nine years in the United States Navy, including two years as a recruiter working with local school districts and community events.
“Bryan is exactly the kind of person we were looking for to join the LayerEight team. He grew up here, served here, and knows these communities personally. That type of local credibility you can’t manufacture, and it aligns perfectly with how we build relationships with our clients,” said Vicki Marking, Sales & Marketing Director.
LayerEight provides outsourced IT services under a fl at monthly rate, including cybersecurity, compliance, network management and technical support. The company also offers hosted phone systems and operates a separate division for telecommunications construction projects.
“I’m excited to bring LayerEight’s services to the businesses I’ve grown up around. A lot of small and mid-sized companies in this area are doing the best they can with technology that isn’t serving them well. I want to change that with one conversation at a time,” explained Carr.
Carr is available to meet with businesses throughout the region to discuss technology needs and schedule a complimentary IT assessment. He can be reached at 518-324-9381
At NBT Bank, our goal is to help you reach
or bcarr@lyr8.com.
LayerEight is headquartered in Plattsburgh and is a sister company to Champlain Technology Group, a local independent exchange carrier, that has been in business since 1903. For more information, visit www.thelayereight.com.
Provided by LayerEight; edited for style and length.
Adirondack Winery President and CoOwner Sasha Pardy has been appointed to the Board of Directors of the New York Wine & Grape Foundation (NYWGF), an organization that supports New York’s grape and wine industry through marketing, research, education, sustainability and advocacy.
Pardy began her three-year term July 1, 2026, joining a board of winery owners, grape growers, researchers, distributors and industry leaders from across New York State. The Board of Directors provides oversight for the Foundation and helps guide initiatives supporting the growth and long-term success of New York’s wine and grape industries.
Earlier this year, the New York State Restaurant Association (NYSRA) named Pardy one of its 2026 “10 Women to Watch” in Hospitality.
As President and Co-Owner of Adirondack Winery since its inception in 2008, Pardy oversees sales, marketing, customer experience and business development for the winery and sister brand, Extreme Heights Cidery. She is also the founder of the Adirondack Wine & Food Festival.
Pardy has served on the Board of Directors of the Lake George Regional Chamber of Commerce & CVB for more than 15 years and helped establish the Adirondack Craft Beverage Trail and the Upper Hudson Valley Wine Trail.
Provided by Adirondack Winery; edited for style and length.
Accelerate your business growth with the guidance of an NBT Relationship Manager! Scan the QR code to meet our
GLENS FALLS BUSINESS JOURNAL
Office/Technology
Capital Region SBDC Brings Practical AI Training To Small Businesses
BY CAROL ANN CONOVER
The Capital Region Small Business Development Center will host “AI in Action: Practical AI for Small Business” on July 30 at the ETEC Building on the Harriman State Campus in Albany, bringing together industry experts, local business owners and U.S. Rep. Paul Tonko for a three-hour session to help small businesses put artificial intelligence to practical use. The seminar, scheduled from 8:30 a.m. to noon, is part of the center’s ongoing AI Fundamentals programming and is sponsored by the New York State SBDC network, the Massry School of Business at the University at Albany and America’s SBDC, with support from the U.S. Small Business Administration.
Greg Chanese, assistant director of the Capital Region SBDC and leader of the ASBDC AI Interest Group, said the event builds on training the center previously offered. “This is a continuation of similar AI training that we have conducted out of the Center,” Chanese said. “AI evolves very quickly, and we want to make sure that we are helping the small business community navigate the technology safely and effectively. Everyday more and more people are starting to implement AI within their business, and we want to make sure that we help them with it.” He said the seminar will pair a presentation with hands-on work, focusing on “helping the business community use AI for real-world, practical small business operations.”
Tonko, who represents New York’s 20th Congressional District, will speak at the event after his office approached the center about his involvement, Chanese said. “We’ve worked with the Congressman’s office on different topics over the years, and this is something that they approached us about having the Congressman be involved with,” he said. Chanese said Tonko’s remarks will address AI’s broader reach, while the center’s presentation will focus on practical applications. “AI is something that effects large swaths of people and businesses, so the Congressman will be there to talk about it briefly on a larger scale than we will during our presentation, which will be more focused on
practical application of AI,” Chanese said.
Attendees will leave the hands-on portion with skills they can apply directly to their operations, according to Chanese. “What we want the businesses that attend to be able to walk out with is a comfortable level to be able to apply what they’ve learned at their business,” he said. The workshop will cover AI applications in marketing, business operations and ideation, using examples from participants’ businesses. “They’ll be able to use examples straight from their own business but with the advantage of having someone helping them use it more effectively,” Chanese said.
Small-business AI adoption has climbed sharply in recent years. The U.S. Census Bureau’s Business Trends and Outlook Survey found that 8.8% of small businesses reported using AI in the production of goods or services as of August 2025, up from 6.3% six months earlier. The SBA Office of Advocacy reported that the adoption gap between small and large firms had narrowed significantly over the same period. Chanese said the technology can benefit businesses across sectors when treated as a tool rather than a wholesale replacement for existing operations. “If you utilize it as a tool, realizing that it’s not the entire business but just a helper, there are a number of different industry sectors that could use it,” he said. “It’s not something that needs to be used, but it can be a business tool just like so many others to help along the way.”
The July 30 seminar will be the first in a regional series the center plans to hold throughout its coverage area, though Tonko’s participation is limited to the initial session, Chanese said. “This seminar will be the first in a short regional series that we will be hosting,” he said. “We’ll be traveling around our coverage area so that we can help as many small businesses with this topic as possible throughout our coverage area. The Congressman will only be participating in the event on the 30th, but we will be taking this on the road.” Registration information is available at capitalregionsbdc.org/course/ ai-in-action.
SUNY Adirondack Students Explore AIDriven Technology Careers at StoredTech
BY CAROL ANN CONOVER
StoredTech, a managed IT and cybersecurity firm, capped off the spring semester by hosting cybersecurity students from SUNY Adirondack in late May for a hands-on look at how artificial intelligence is reshaping day-to-day work in the technology field and the career paths now opening because of it.
The visit came together, fittingly, through an unplanned encounter. “Interestingly, the connection started through a conversation during a DoorDash delivery,” said David Andrade, StoredTech’s president. “It’s a great reminder that in a close-knit community, opportunities often come from unexpected places. We saw this as a great chance to connect students, see the many pathways available in the technology field.”
During the visit, StoredTech staff led students through a live demonstration of the platform the company uses to support its clients, including a walkthrough of how a support ticket is completed and how the company gathers and analyzes data for client reporting. The students’ reaction stood out to the StoredTech team members who participated.
Staff also spent time with students discussing how AI is changing the way StoredTech’s teams work and how that shift will shape the jobs those students are training for. The team shared practical tips on prompting, providing context and adapting to this new way of working, lessons that Zac Barber, a pre-sales engineer at StoredTech, described simply. “The most value in AI comes from the context you give it,” Barber said. “The more clearly you explain what you need, the better results you get.”
That shift is already creating jobs that did not exist recently, StoredTech said, describing it as a fast-growing area within managed service providers and other technology organizations as AI adoption accelerates. Roles focused on building structured playbooks, standard operating procedures and decision logic to guide AI systems are among the positions that have emerged within the past six months.
Andrade said that pace of change is central to how StoredTech develops its own workforce. “We’re focused on helping our employees continuously learn and build new skills so they can grow alongside these changes,” he said. “Some of the most exciting opportunities in technology today didn’t exist a year ago. We’re creating
new ways of working, including developing playbooks, SOPs and decision logic that helps guide AI to operate within our systems and enable our teams to work smarter and faster.”
Those systems are also opening new internal career paths at StoredTech. Employees who started as level 1 engineers, or even in coordinator roles without an IT background, now have a route into positions such as AI solutions architect or business process analyst, jobs built around the same AI-driven tools students saw firsthand during the visit. StoredTech staff who participated said they understood exactly what the students were feeling because many of them started in similar entry-level roles.
StoredTech leaders said they hope the visit is the first of many with SUNY Adirondack. “Absolutely,” said Aleks Pavlinik, StoredTech’s chief information security officer, when asked whether the collaboration would continue. “Building connections between education and industry is important for developing the next generation of professionals. Our industry needs curious minds who are willing to learn, adapt and solve problems. We’d love to continue partnering with SUNY Adirondack through hands-on learning
SUNY Adirondack students meet with StoredTech staff to discuss new careers shaped by AI.
Courtesy StoredTech
Business Report
Businesses Improve Visibility in
BY VALLERI JAMES
For years, local businesses have focused on improving their visibility on Google so customers can find them through search. Now, the way people discover businesses is changing.
Instead of typing “best accountant near me” or “top roofing contractor” into a search engine, more consumers are turning to AI assistants such as ChatGPT, Google Gemini, Claude and Microsoft Copilot for recommendations.
According to BrightLocal’s 2026 Local Consumer Review Survey, 45% of consumers had used ChatGPT or another generative AI tool to find local business recommendations, up from just 6% the previous year. The survey found AI had become the third-most-used source of local recommendations, behind Google and Facebook.
Rather than scrolling through pages of search results, users increasingly see a short list of businesses and an explanation of why they may be a good fit.
That means your online presence now needs to serve two audiences: the customers you want to reach and the digital tools connecting those customers with answers.
The good news is that most businesses do not need to rebuild their websites or master complicated new technology. The fundamentals that have always helped customers choose a business — clear information, helpful content and proof of credibility — also help search engines and AI tools understand your company.
Start With Your Homepage
Your homepage should immediately answer three questions: What do you do? Where do you operate? Who do you serve?
A headline such as “Welcome to ABC Company” provides little context. A more descriptive message, such as “Local Insurance Agency Providing Personalized Coverage for Families and Businesses Across the Capital Region,” immediately tells visitors what they can expect.
The clearer you are about your services, location and customers, the easier it is for people and technology to understand when your business is a good match.
Give Each Page a Clear Purpose
Every page on your website should have a specific purpose.
A page titled “Services” is vague. A page titled “Managed IT Services for Small Businesses in Glens Falls” immediately communicates what the page covers.
Use descriptive page titles, headings and content. If your company offers multiple services or serves different customer groups, create dedicated pages instead of trying to explain everything in one general overview.
Clear, focused content helps customers find information faster and gives search tools a better understanding of your expertise.
Answer the Questions Customers Are Asking
Some of the most valuable website content
AI-Powered Search
comes directly from conversations you already have with customers.
Think about the questions prospects ask before making a decision: How much does it cost? How long does it take? What areas do you serve? What makes your company different?
Start sections with clear answers to the questions your customers are most likely asking. AI tools look for this helpful, straightforward information when deciding what content to include in their responses.
A contractor might explain the steps involved in a kitchen renovation. A law firm could provide an overview of the probate process. An accountant might answer common tax questions.
Consider organizing these into an FAQ section and adding FAQ schema markup. While schema doesn’t guarantee better visibility, it helps search engines understand your content and makes your questions and answers easier for AI systems to interpret.
McKinsey & Company reported in 2025 that more than 70% of users who rely on AI-powered search ask questions early in the buying journey, when they are researching products, services, brands or categories.
Providing answers before customers contact you builds confidence and can lead to more productive conversations with prospects who already understand your services.
Show Customers Why They Should Trust You
When customers decide whom to hire or where to spend their money, credibility matters.
Your website should show why customers should choose you. Include customer reviews, years in business, awards, certifications, staff information, examples of completed projects and authentic photos of your team, location or work.
Real photos help customers connect with the people behind your business. Stock images may look professional, but photos of your actual team
Continued On Page 10
Report
When It’s Time To Stop Patching And Start Replacing
BY DAVID ANDRADE PRESIDENT OF STOREDTECH
There’s a quiet problem I see across a lot of businesses, and it’s worth naming. That’s technical debt, or sunk cost. Sometimes a business bought the wrong system years ago or outgrew a setup that used to work fine. They keep pouring time and money into propping it up. At some point, you’re not maintaining it anymore; you’re just patching the same holes each year. It’s a hard thing to admit at times, but the businesses that recognize this and make the change save themselves more years of frustration and wasted budget.
Every business maintains something: a building, a piece of equipment or a fleet of vehicles. But none of them would drive a 15-year-old car without getting the brakes inspected, getting an oil change or changing the tires. We understand instinctively that things wear down, that maintenance is cheaper than a breakdown and that waiting too long to replace something usually costs more than replacing it on your own schedule. For some reason, we don’t always apply that same logic to the technology running our businesses.
“End-of-life” or EOL is one of those technology terms that sounds more dramatic than it actually is. It’s a change that happens behind the scenes. Your applications open. Your computer turns on. Business continues as usual. What changes is that the vendor, Microsoft in this case, stops fixing the vulnerabilities discovered after that point, and new issues remain unresolved. That’s why endof-life isn’t really about functionality. It’s about security, stability and reducing unnecessary business risk.
There are two dates worth knowing if you don’t already. Windows 10, the operating system running on a huge share of computers across our region, reached end of life on Oct. 14, 2025. Windows Server 2016, which many companies still rely on to run their file storage, email and core business applications, loses support on Jan. 12, 2027.
StoredTech
Continued From Page 4
experiences that help students prepare for careers in the field.”
Pavlinik pointed to the asymmetry that defines cybersecurity work as a reason that mindset matters so much in the field. “The threat actors only have to get it right once,” he said. “The
The businesses that handle this well don’t do it alone. They’ve got someone in their corner flagging what will be affected and building the plan months before the deadline. By the time it arrives, it’s a nonissue. An emergency replacement done in the middle of a failure is a crisis with a much bigger price tag attached. That’s the real value of treating technology like any other maintained asset: having someone watch the calendar for you well before you need to look at it yourself. None of this means every company needs a wholesale technology overhaul tomorrow. In fact, the opposite is true, and it’s probably the most useful thing I can tell you. The businesses that handle this well don’t do it all at once. They treat technology refreshes the same way they treat fleet maintenance or equipment depreciation: a predictable line item that’s budgeted in advance. Replace the oldest and riskiest pieces first. Plan the next round for next year’s budget. When done this way, staying current isn’t a big hit; it’s just the cost of doing business, the same as insurance or vehicle upkeep.
defenders, us, need to get it right every time.” Michael Hatalla, StoredTech’s director of information technology, said the same quality that helps students succeed in the classroom will serve them well as the field keeps shifting under their feet. “What’s most important in this field is lifelong curiosity and a willingness to keep learning,” Hatalla said. “Technology is always changing, so the people who grow the most are the ones who stay curious and adapt.”
David Andrade, president Stored Technology Solutions Inc. (StoredTech).
Courtesy StoredTech
Valleri James, Director of Digital Sales and Strategy at Mannix Marketing.
Courtesy Mannix Marketing
Summer Construction
Munter Balances YMCA Renovation With Major Regional Construction Projects
BY ROD BACON
The crews at Munter Enterprises are looking at a very busy year. The Middle Grovebased construction fi rm has numerous projects underway or nearing completion.
In Glens Falls, Munter is doing an $8 million renovation of the Glens Falls YMCA using a multiphase approach to help keep programming and use of the facility as seamless as possible for staff and members.
Phase one, which is underway with an anticipated completion date this fall, is the redesign of a family locker room, a women’s locker room and a men’s locker room.
Phase two will be a dedicated group fitness studio.
Phase three creates a multiuse indoor sports complex.
Phase four is a complete redesign of the wellness floor.
Phase five redesigns the front lobby, creates a youth STEAM area and includes a new cycle studio.
And somewhere in the mix of the other phases, the pool deck on the Fire Road side of the building will be expanded to include an on-deck restroom, sauna and hot tub.
Instead of a typical groundbreaking with shovels to kick off the project, YMCA officials and local dignitaries smashed cinder blocks with sledgehammers to signify the major renovations in a more exciting manner.
Munter is one of a few Capital District contractors awarded work at the Regeneron Pharmaceuticals facility in the W.J. Grande Industrial Park in Saratoga Springs.
“We are honored to be among those chosen to move this project forward,” said Vice President Mike Munter.
Regeneron’s $2 billion investment, estimated to create 1,000 permanent jobs and 500 construction jobs, is slated for full completion in June 2033. The start of pharmaceutical production is scheduled for 2030.
In June, Munter completed the fi rst phase of a two-phase rebuild of Stewart’s Shops’ food and ice cream production facility in Greenfield.
Munter is quarterbacking the project, which will modernize and expand Stewart’s ice cream and milk production while more than doubling the size of the convenience store chain’s commercial kitchen.
The project will position Stewart’s to grow for decades.
Munter is just starting phase two, which includes an 11,000-square-foot expansion of its ice cream production area and milk silo pad, as well as a 12,000-square-foot addition to the minus-10-degree freezer. These projects will carry into 2027.
They are starting a 48,000-square-foot expansion at Boat N RV Condos, a storage facility on Saratoga Lake. Plans call for 86
Queensbury’s Hilltop Construction Celebrates 50 Years And Th ird-Generation Growth
BY PAUL POST
Tom Albrecht Sr. launched Hilltop Construction with a dollar and a dream.
Now marking its 50th anniversary, the firm is one of the area’s best-known residential and commercial builders, with projects from Saratoga to the southern Adirondacks and from Great Sacandaga Lake to Lake St. Catherine in Vermont.
But Albrecht says he never worked a day in his life.
“That’s because I loved the business, every aspect of it,” he said. “But more importantly, I loved building people’s dreams.”
A celebration for clients, current and former employees and business friends is planned for August at Hilltop’s new headquarters at 21 Casey Road in Queensbury’s Airport Industrial Park.
Albrecht and his wife, Cindy, recently celebrated their 51st wedding anniversary. Now retired, they enjoy spending time with grandchildren and traveling, especially to major league ballparks across the country.
Their son, Tom Albrecht Jr., daughter, April, and her husband, Dan Washburn, now co-own and manage the company. A third generation, Noah Albrecht and Cameron Washburn, recently joined the business.
“The goal, since we took over ownership five years ago, was to set this up to go another 50 years,” Tom Jr. said. “We’re putting
Noah and Cameron in the field, the same way we learned, so they understand all facets of how to run the business and develop continuity with our young employees who will probably be here 25 or 30 years.”
Like many self-employed people, Tom Sr. initially found much of his work through family and friends. Relentless hard work, integrity and sound business practices, from financial decisions to human relations, helped drive Hilltop’s growth and success.
Perhaps most importantly, he never turned down a job, taking on challenges such as home remodeling projects that others avoided. “I always felt, bring it on!” he said.
“Everybody wants to build a new house because it’s easy,” Tom Jr. said. “We do a lot of remodeling at a high level.”
Diversity is also key.
Hilltop’s portfolio includes some of the area’s most impressive custom-built homes. But the company also handles a wide range of renovation work, including porches, decks, kitchens and baths.
A rendering shows the Glens Falls YMCA, where Munter Enterprises is carrying out an $8 million, multiphase renovation designed to keep programs and facility use operating during construction.
Courtesy Munter Enterprises
From left, Cindy Albrecht, Tom Albrecht Sr., April Washburn, Daniel Washburn and Tom Albrecht Jr. gather at Hilltop Construction as the Queensbury family business marks its 50th anniversary.
KPM Restoration now has five fully staffed offices in the Capital Region, three in the Hudson Valley and one in Vermont, allowing it to handle 30 or more jobs each week, according to President and founder James Kennedy. The firm restores homes and buildings damaged by water, fire, mold and sewage caused by natural disasters or system failures due to age or accidents.
Kennedy said clients range from Lake Placid to Long Island and that the Bronx is the latest market he is entering. He is moving into the boroughs by “getting out there networking and keeping relationships tight,” which has been his approach since starting KPM Restoration in 2017.
“The growth we are experiencing goes back to taking a chance and getting a network of good vendors, building managers, insurance companies, construction project managers, plumbers, and others to partner with,” he said. “And it is about making a foundation of people with grit who are like family to me.”
The firm is shifting to larger jobs from its new location in southeastern New York because, as Kennedy said, “bigger buildings need bigger restorations.”
“We bought three vans for the Westchester location and the warehouse is storing air movers and dehumidifiers to handle the volume of demand among hotels, residential complexes, and commercial buildings,” he said.
That brings KPM’s total to 45 employees and 26 vans kept on the road to respond promptly to property owners’ calls.
“If we are not there within the hour, the homeowner will call someone else,” Kennedy said. “We show up fast, communicate clearly, and treat every property like our own.”
As many staff members as possible are trained as water restoration technicians and applied structural drying technicians, certifications that take a week to complete. The technicians also receive on-the-job training, and Kennedy does not require prior experience in the restoration field.
“I look for people who enjoy working with people, who are honest and value doing a job right,” he said.
KPM currently has openings for 10 more employees in project management, sales, administration and field services.
As a business, KPM faces the challenge of responding to a growing clientele while upholding its reputation for quality service. That requires ensuring Kennedy’s “team is connected” and that he “stays very involved” with every employee, he said.
“We are happy we can help homeowners during their time of distress,” he said. “We know we have done a good job for them on our walkthrough and they see everything has gone to plan.”
After restoration and remediation are complete, the home or building may need further repairs and construction. Kennedy said his staff works with the client’s insurance representative to start the next stage and arrange direct billing, which can ease other burdens on the homeowner.
“It’s important to keep it honest with the adjustors and never hide a problem,” he said. “Sometimes people mess up, so just be honest and fix it and move on.”
Homeowners and building managers can take proactive steps to help prevent certain types of costly damage. Kennedy, who started in business doing foreclosure work for banks, said regular furnace cleaning and keeping smoke detectors and fire alarms in working order are imperative. They also should protect water pipes during winter and check attics for moisture.
Kennedy describes himself as a family man who emphasizes “giving back to the community,” especially “working with children who need help.”
The company donates to and sponsors events for high school and youth sports, hospitals, fire departments and local chambers of commerce, examples Kennedy shared of its community support.
“I’m a dad myself and my kids are my life,” he said. ”They know they come first, but have been very understanding of how busy Daddy can be.”
“My kids are aged 15, 11, and 5, and they have sacrificed a lot for me to help me out,” he said.
For more about the full range of restoration services and to meet the KPM team, visit kpmrestoration.com.
Munter Enterprises
Continued From Page 6
units in two buildings to provide year-round storage for boats and recreational vehicles. Completion is scheduled for this fall.
“I don’t know where the time goes but this is actually an addition to the original project we did twenty years ago,” Munter noted.
In September, they will start construction of a 25,000-square-foot building for the Code Blue Shelter, a division of Shelters of Saratoga that provides beds, meals and critical care to those in need from November through April. There will be a large kitchen and living spaces divided according to residents’ needs.
“Working closely with the shelter’s staff our design team came up with a wellplanned and attractive design to meet the community’s needs and shelter’s budget while incorporating the many standards and regulations by which a facility of that nature must abide,” Munter said.
The design team comprised Paone Architecture, Cotler and Gribulis Architecture, and The LA Group.
Also on the schedule is an 8,000-squarefoot addition at Precision Valve & Automation (PVA) in Clifton Park. The company manufactures automated mechanisms for fluid dispensing and selective conformal coating for a wide variety of applications.
Underway now is the renovation of Adirondack Trust Company’s Malta branch. Half the building and the drive-thru were torn down and are being rebuilt with timber-frame elements to bring the building closer to the look of some other branches. The drive-thru is scheduled to reopen at the end of August, and the entire branch should be fully operational in October. The Adirondack Trust Company engaged the
Phinney Design Group and Studio A to design the project.
A project started last winter for Fort Miller Precast in Greenwich is nearing completion. The 35,000-square-foot building will house three large cranes used to manufacture components for bridges, highways, walls, erosion control, ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC) structures and custom products.
Munter recently completed two projects.
They built a 35,000-square-foot building in the W.J. Grande Industrial Park for Ambrave Corp., a company that designs and manufactures advanced tactical gear for military special operations forces and law enforcement under the Direct Action brand and for outdoor enthusiasts under the Helikon-Tex brand.
Headquartered in Poland, its U.S. headquarters were in Ballston Spa before the move to the industrial park.
Also recently completed is a 2,500-squarefoot branch of the Hudson River Community Credit Union in Greenwich. A unique aspect of the project, according to Munter, is that because of the Amish population in the area, there are a hitching post and water hydrant for horses in the parking lot.
Munter closed by saying, “John and I have taken the foundation that our parents laid out to build a reputation that, thankfully, has attracted the attention of some of the most successful manufacturers and businesses in the region. All of our customers need the same things: trust, reliability and a clear understanding of how long and how much it will take to bring their products and services to market.”
To learn more about Munter Enterprises, go to munterenterprises.com.
KPM Restoration employees gather beside company vehicles as the firm expands across the Capital Region, Hudson Valley and Vermont to pursue larger residential and commercial restoration projects.
Hinman Construction Builds Aging-in-Place Business Th rough Remodeling Demand
BY CAROL ANN CONOVER
Ballston Spa-based Hinman Construction, a family-run design-build firm, has built a growing share of its business around a demographic shift familiar to communities across the region: homeowners age 50 and older who want to remodel rather than move.
Nationally, 75% of adults age 50 and older say they want to remain in their current home as they age, according to AARP’s Home and Community Preferences Survey, and 73% of remodelers report increased client demand for aging-inplace features over the past five years, according to the National Association of Home Builders. Owner Kim Hinman said she sees that demand play out in a few distinct ways among her clients.
“I would say almost like three groups,” Kim Hinman said. One group built a large home within the past decade or so and later realized they wished they had a first-floor bedroom and bathroom, whether for an aging parent or for themselves as mobility needs change. A second group modifies existing space to make it work, converting a closet into a shower area or turning a dining room into a bedroom. A third group sells a larger house and hires Hinman Construction to fully renovate a smaller, existing home to suit their needs going forward.
Whatever the approach, Kim Hinman said the goal is the same. “The goal is to kind of make it still feel like it’s part of the house and not just, you know, we stuck this random room there,” she said.
Hinman Construction was founded decades ago by Kim Hinman’s husband, Jami, who started as a builder and framer. Kim Hinman came to the business from an advertising career and became involved after the couple married and started a family. “We decided that we would focus on the construction business, so I got involved with that,” she said. “And we became more of a remodeling company.” Over the past decade or so, the company evolved into a full design-build operation, using photorealistic rendering software so clients can see selections in place before construction begins.
Both of the couple’s children have joined the business. Their daughter, Caroline, works alongside her mother on design and planning, while their son, Jesse, manages projects alongside his father. “The way we operate right now is my daughter Caroline and I will do the initial
phase, the design and the planning and the prep work for the project,” Kim Hinman said. “And then my husband, Jami, and son, Jesse, actually will manage the project.” The company keeps its workload deliberately small, bringing in trusted subcontractors, whom Kim Hinman calls the company’s “team players,” for specialty work on larger jobs. “We’re a small family business,” she said. “I don’t need to be the big, big company that takes on 100 different projects.”
That scale has helped the company build a national reputation through the Chrysalis Awards, a remodeling and construction awards program that has honored the country’s top residential and commercial remodeling projects since 1993, judging entries regionally before considering them for national honors. Hinman Construction has won both a national and a regional award through the program, including recognition for a mudroom and laundry room project that concealed a client’s cat litter box inside custom cabinetry.
“It’s a national remodeling and construction award,” Kim Hinman said. “You basically have to submit your projects in different categories, and it’s kind of considered like the best of the best.”
Trust, built over years of repeat referrals, is central to how the company operates, Kim Hinman said. She described one long-distance client who initially planned to rent out a fully renovated home before ultimately deciding to sell it instead, and said many clients simply hand over their house keys during a project rather than track every detail themselves. That trust extends to how the company handles permitting, she said, noting that skipping permits can complicate a home sale later. “We want customers to know that when they call, I answer the phone,” Kim Hinman said. “Our specialty is kitchens, bathrooms, whole house remodels. We have the ability to handle everything from start to finish.”
For Kim Hinman, the most rewarding part of the job comes at the end of a project, when clients see the finished result. “We love what we do and we think it shows through our work and the way that we work with people,” she said. “Clear communication is key, clearly defined scope and understanding, because it really should be an enjoyable process, and we try to make it that way.”
Cerrone Builders Advances Two Residential Projects in Warren, Saratoga Counties
BY SUSAN ELISE CAMPBELL
Cerrone Builders Inc. is addressing continued demand for varied housing choices in Saratoga County and the North Country with smaller homes and maintenance-conscious options for buyers who may not be seeking a traditional subdivision with larger lots.
Following its success with The Village at Sweet Road off Northway Exit 19, Cerrone launched a similar maintenance-free community two years ago: The Village at Upper Sherman in Queensbury, said Steven Cerrone, one of the managing partners of the family-owned residential construction business.
“‘Upper Sherman’ has been very well received, with more than half of the 45 lots sold,” said Cerrone. “The fi rst six builds are waiting on permits right now.”
“Two model homes have been sold, and we got a building permit last week to build another one,” he said.
While the newer development was intended to mimic the Sweet Road project, Cerrone said The Village at Upper Sherman has larger lots and appeals to a broader demographic than the anticipated market of people 55 and older and empty nesters.
“Some clients do not want to do home maintenance, even on smaller lots,” he said. “We are happy to offer more of these properties in the Town of Queensbury.”
For a monthly fee, residents receive lawn mowing and trimming, mulching and fertilizing, snow removal and trash removal. The benefits can be just as attractive to busy couples and families.
Most of the acreage is zoned for lots ranging from one-half to three-quarters of an acre,
and the largest is 1.57 acres. Homeowners can build to almost any floor plan, he said.
“People are spending $625,000 to $900,000 for new, custom construction at The Village at Upper Sherman,” Cerrone said. “And they are doing a lot of upgrades, perhaps looking at this as their last home.”
“More often than not, home buyers in several of our communities want one-floor living, so ranch houses are our most popular style,” he said. “We haven’t built a two-story residence in a while.”
The development has about three-quarters of a mile of internal walking trails in the center of the 50-acre parcel, along with pickleball courts and a basketball court. It also has a pavilion for outdoor community gatherings.
The Village at Upper Sherman is on Dean Thomas Way off Upper Sherman Avenue. The area has easy access to the Adirondack region, Saratoga County and destinations in between.
“It’s a really nice place to live,” said Cerrone.
Cerrone Builders is also moving forward with Jacobie Parkside Farms, a planned residential development in the town of Moreau near the entrance to Harry J. Betar Jr. Recreational Park. The project has been presented in town planning records as a mixed-housing neighborhood, and Cerrone said the 180-unit proposal includes single-family residences, townhouses, duplexes and several apartment buildings.
Cerrone Builders Inc. of Fort Edward, New York, has built custom homes around Saratoga, Glens Falls and Lake George for three generations. Visit cerronebuilders.com for photos, floor plans and more information.
A remodeled kitchen illustrates Hinman Construction’s design-build work as growing numbers of homeowners age 50 and older choose to update their existing homes rather than move elsewhere today. Courtesy Hinman Construction
A newly built home at The Village at Upper Sherman in Queensbury reflects Cerrone Builders’ response to demand for smaller homes, flexible floor plans and maintenance-conscious living options.
Courtesy Cerrone Builders
50 Plus
AAA Northway Highlights Trust As Travel Demand Grows Among Older Adults
BY CAROL ANN CONOVER
As more adults 50 and older look to travel rather than downsize their plans, AAA Northway says it is seeing steady demand for hands-on trip planning, along with a renewed emphasis on the trust between traveler and travel agent.
Amy Roode has spent 20 years with AAA Northway and now serves as managing director of travel operations, based out of the organization’s Queensbury office. AAA Northway’s footprint spans five locations, from Vestal in the Binghamton area up through Schenectady, Saratoga, Halfmoon and Queensbury. Roode works with more than 50 preferred vendors, including Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruise Line and Trafalgar escorted tours, managing marketing contracts, training and travel events while coaching the sales team one-on-one.
Roode said travel habits among the 50plus set have shifted noticeably since the pandemic. “I think COVID has helped us,” she said, describing a mindset she now sees regularly among clients. “They’re like, travel while you can. They have that mentality.” River cruising, in particular, has grown. “River cruises have picked up in the past eight years in our area,” Roode said, noting it appeals to travelers who want the intimacy of a smaller ship and closer ports alongside the variety of an escorted tour.
Multigenerational trips have also increased, Roode said, with grandparents footing the bill to bring the whole family along. “I completely love when I see grandparents taking their families and paying for it,” she said. “It’s all about life. Spend your money now while you have it. You earned it.”
AAA Northway books everything from domestic trips built around national parks and Alaska cruises to bucket-list international travel across Italy, Iceland, Ireland, Switzerland, Sweden, Australia and Africa. Roode noted that travelers do not need to be AAA members to book trips through the agency, though membership unlocks additional vendor perks such as onboard credit or special cabin pricing.
Group travel remains a core offering, including hosted motorcoach trips, escorted tours and cruises with a AAA host traveling alongside guests from pickup through the full itinerary. Roode said one of the most rewarding parts of her job is watching those trips build lasting friendships among travelers from differ-
ent branch communities. Smaller group tours, capped at about 16 travelers, have also grown in popularity, particularly among travelers 70 and older. “That happened a lot from COVID, too,” Roode said, noting those smaller trips allow for deeper cultural immersion, including dinners with host families.
Booking timelines vary widely, Roode said. Some clients plan 12 to 18 months ahead for in-demand trips such as river cruises, which can sell out three months out, while others book an all-inclusive vacation with just two weeks’ notice. AAA Northway also offers installment payment plans so clients can pay down a trip’s cost over time.
Roode’s team includes 12 travel agents with a combined 250-plus years of travel experience, each completing roughly 50 hours of continuing education annually with AAA’s vendor partners. She said the agency strongly encourages clients to buy travel insurance, even though many view it as an unnecessary expense. “If you were to cancel your trip, it’s going to cost you a lot more,” she said, noting standard medical insurance typically does not cover care outside the United States. AAA sells travel insurance policies through Allianz that can also help travelers navigate a medical emergency abroad, including language barriers with local doctors and
Continued On Page 12
Long-Term Care Planning in New York: Why Waiting Can Limit Your Options
BY BRIAN M. JOHNSON, MBA, CLTC
Ask most Capital Region residents about retirement planning, and they’ll likely talk about 401(k) s, IRAs, Social Security, investment portfolios, or estate planning.
Ask about long-term care planning, however, and the conversation often becomes much quieter.
That’s surprising considering that long-term care may represent one of the largest financial risks facing retirees today. Whether care is received at home, in an assisted living community, or in a nursing facility, the costs can have a significant impact on retirement savings and family finances.
In New York, those costs are among the highest in the nation. According to Genworth and CareScout’s most recent Cost of Care Survey, the median annual cost of a home health aide in New York is approximately $77,792, assisted living costs roughly $75,600 annually, and a semiprivate nursing home room costs approximately $176,660 per year.
For many families, the challenge isn’t simply paying for care; it’s understanding their options before a health event occurs.
Why Waiting Can Reduce Your Options
One of the biggest misconceptions about longterm care planning is that it can be addressed later. The reality is that many planning options depend on both age and health. Traditional long-term care insurance and many hybrid long-term care solutions require medical underwriting. As people age, premiums generally increase, and certain medical conditions may limit eligibility or reduce available choices. A strategy that may be available at age 55 could be unavailable at age 70 following a major health diagnosis. That’s why many financial professionals encourage clients to begin evaluating long-term care funding options in their 50s and early 60s, while they are still healthy and insurable.
A Capital Region Perspective
Long-term care costs aren’t just a concern downstate. The Northeastern Region—which includes Albany, Saratoga, Schenectady, Rensselaer, Warren, and Washington counties—has average nursing home costs of approximately $177,396 annually. For a married couple, a prolonged care event can significantly affect retirement income, investment assets, and legacy plans.
Long-Term Care Planning Has Changed
Many New Yorkers still view long-term care planning through assumptions that were accurate 15 or 20 years ago. For decades, Partnership policies were viewed as a unique planning tool because they combined private insurance benefits with Medicaid asset protection. However, New York State currently has no insurers offering new Partnership-qualified policies for purchase, although existing policyholders retain their benefits.
The Rise of Hybrid Long-Term Care Solutions
One of the most notable developments in recent years has been the growing popularity of hybrid long-term care policies. These solutions generally combine life insurance and long-term care benefits into a single strategy. If qualifying long-term care services are needed, benefits may be used to help pay for care expenses. If care is never required, a death benefit may be paid to beneficiaries.
Potential Advantages of Hybrid Solutions
Benefits available for home care, assisted living, memory care, or nursing home care; predictable premium structures; a dedicated pool of assets designated for future care needs; preservation of retirement assets for a spouse or family members; and a death benefit if long-term care services are never needed.
Understanding Medicaid’s Role
Medicaid remains a critical source of longterm care funding for many Americans. However, Medicaid eligibility rules can be complex and are subject to ongoing policy discussions and regulatory changes. Individuals considering Medicaid planning strategies should consult qualified elder law attorneys regarding asset transfers, trusts, lookback provisions, and other legal considerations.
The Goal Isn’t Insurance. It’s Choice.
Long-term care planning is often viewed through a financial lens, but the real objective is choice: where care is received, who provides that care, how retirement assets are used, and whether family members become caregivers by necessity rather than preference.
Five Questions Every New Yorker Should Ask About Long-Term Care Planning
1. If I needed care tomorrow, how would I pay for it?
2. Would I prefer care at home, assisted living, or a nursing facility?
3. How would a long-term care event affect my spouse’s retirement security?
4. Have I explored both traditional and hybrid long-term care solutions?
5. Have I consulted qualified legal and financial professionals regarding Medicaid and asset protection strategies?
Brian Johnson is a Senior Business Development Advisor at AIB in Clifton Park, New York, specializing in long-term care planning, traditional longterm care insurance, and hybrid long-term care solutions. He works with individuals, families, and business owners throughout New York to help them evaluate strategies for addressing future long-term care expenses.
Amy Roode leads AAA Northway travel operations as demand grows among older travelers. Courtesy AAA Northway
Brian Johnson, director, business development at Advisors Insurance Brokers.
Glens Falls Restaurants Dining & Nightlife Guide
Welcome to the Glens Falls Region Dining & Nightlife Guide! With so many great restaurants, Glens Falls NY dining is a not-to-be-missed experience! Search for cafes, coffee shops, bakeries, lunch spots, nightlife spots, restaurants offering nearly every type of cuisine, and more.
Looking for casual dining in Queensbury? Check! To-die-for cafe treats? Check! Restaurants serving fresh and delicious seafood in Glens Falls? Check!
MORGAN & CO. RESTAURANT
Experience fi ne 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!
Described as “comfort food with a Mediterranean-Bohemian fl air,” Morgan & Co. offers a mouthwatering menu with options for every palate. Explore their unique fl avors and see why this cozy establishment won OpenTable's Diners' Choice Award in 2017.
PEPPERMILL FAMILY RESTAURANT
Classic American Comfort Food in South Glens Falls
For more than 35 years, the Peppermill has been serving up affordable family din-
ing, hearty American comfort foods, and excellent service in a casual, welcoming atmosphere. Whether it’s breakfast, lunch, dinner, or daily specials, guests return again and again for the generous portions and warm hospitality. Beer, wine, and mimosas are also available to complement your meal.
They're proud to be a place where multiple generations, family celebrations, and special moments are shared. With a familyfriendly ambience, large parking area, and wheelchair-accessible entrance, everyone feels at home. Reservations are accepted for parties of five or more.
Guests to the Peppermill love the restaurant for the friendly team that treats diners like family, the prompt service and the fact that they don't try to rush you out, and the cozy, diner-style vibes.
MINT
Fresh, Local & Delicious
Mint specializes in high-quality, grassfed meats and wild-caught seafood, but you'll fi nd anything from beet burgers to a winter roots pasta on their robust menu. Plenty of options are available for vegetarians, vegans, and those who are gluten free.
Because Mint sources from local producers whenever possible, the menu is subject to change with the seasons and what's currently available. They also offer a variety of craft cocktails and elixirs (mocktails).
Enjoy a meal inside the inviting restaurant, or dine outdoors in warm weather on their spacious patio.
PARK 26
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. Experience Downtown Dining at it’s best at the newly renovated Park 26 in downtown Glens Falls. Park 26 features locally inspired American cuisine served in a comfortable but elegant setting. Breakfast and lunch are served daily and dinner is served
Wednesday – Saturday. From rehearsal dinners to birthday celebrations, Park 26 can also help host your next special event. Plus, enjoy piano and jazz entertainment Thursday-Saturday nights before or after dinner!
FENIMORE'S PUB
Fenimore's Pub in the heart of downtown Glens Falls is open daily for lunch and dinner.
Fenimore's Pub (located within The Queensbury Hotel) is at the corner of Ridge and Maple Street and offers 180 degree views of downtown Glens Falls and City Park. Enjoy local brews, specialty cocktails and a Gastro Pub menu with weekly entertainment and live music. PLUS outdoor dining on the Patio & Courtyard!
PARK & ELM
Park & Elm is a multi-concept eatery with a gourmet market, delicatessen and fi ne dining restaurant located in downtown Glens Falls. Enjoy an elevated dining experience, grab breakfast or lunch or shop the market for local goods.
Courtesy GlenFalls.com
Glens Falls Butcher
Continued From Page 1
Borgatti’s famous ravioli and egg noodles; Bartolini’s borlotti beans; porcini mushrooms; and a wide selection of jarred olives, sauces and peppers.
And there’s an almost endless choice of fresh cheese, such as Fiore di Sardegna, made from whole sheep’s milk and imported from Italy.
The market’s high-quality fresh steaks and ground beef are popular during the summer grilling season.
“Usually when you cook and grill, families come together,” Monahan said. “Once people start grilling, you create happy moments and they tell other people about what you’ve got.”
He’s building the business on walk-in retail sales. People may also place pickup orders ahead of time by text or phone.
“I don’t sell to restaurants yet, but I would if they contact me,” Monahan said. “I’d give them a wholesale price.”
Eventually, he’d like to begin offering breakfast items, sandwiches and subs.
The store’s opening fi lls a void in South
Glens Falls following the recent closure of Sorrentino’s Deli & Market, almost directly across the street, although Monahan said the timing was strictly coincidental, not planned.
In addition to imported Italian goods, customers will fi nd many popular items from local food producers. The list includes Argyle Cheese Farmer, King’s Dairy and Thomas Poultry in Northumberland, Valley Road Maple in Thurman, Strohmeyer pure honey in Argyle and Smith’s Orchard pies in Ballston Spa. Products from Saratoga Olive Company and Saratoga Garlic are also available, along with bread from Gansevoort-based Whiskey Ridge Sourdough, which is expected to lease a small retail space from Monahan next to the meat market in the near future.
Monahan takes a great deal of personal pride in making sure each and every customer is satisfied.
“I’m always out front to meet people,” he said. “Response has been much better than expected.”
AI-Powered Search
Continued From Page 5
and work create a stronger sense of trust and credibility.
Trust signals also extend beyond your website. Mentions from chambers of commerce, industry organizations, community groups and local publications can reinforce your reputation. AI tools compare information from your website with reviews, directories and other online sources when determining which businesses to recommend.
Write Like You Talk
Clear, straightforward language works best.
Marketing phrases such as “innovative, bestin-class solutions” provide little value unless specific details back them up. Explain what your company does, whom you help and what makes your approach different.
The goal is not to sound impressive. The goal is to be understood.
Keep Your Information Accurate
An outdated website can make a successful business appear neglected. Incorrect information can also cost you customers. If someone cannot confirm your hours, services or contact information, they may choose a competitor who appears easier to do business with.
Regularly review your website to ensure your hours, contact information, services, staff information, photos and promotions are up to date.
Customers may also find you through Google, Facebook, review sites, local directories, chamber websites and tourism platforms. Make sure your business name, address, phone number, website and hours are consistent everywhere.
One of the most important steps businesses
can take is to claim and maintain their Google Business Profile. Make sure your profile includes accurate information about your business category, service area, website, phone number, hours and services.
Google states that complete and accurate Business Profile information helps businesses appear in relevant searches on Google Search and Maps. Local ranking considers factors such as relevance, distance and prominence, along with signals like reviews and links from other websites.
The Bottom Line
As AI becomes another way people discover local businesses, the fundamentals of a successful online presence have not changed.
Businesses that clearly explain what they do, answer customer questions, demonstrate their experience and keep their information accurate will be easier for customers to find, trust and choose.
There is no magic button or secret formula that guarantees AI will recommend your business. Companies that succeed will provide clear, credible and useful information while maintaining a well-structured website that makes that information easy for search engines and AI tools to understand.
A helpful, technically sound website has always been good business. Today, it is also one of the best ways to help ensure your company is found.
Sources: BrightLocal, Local Consumer Review Survey 2026; Google Business Profile Help; McKinsey & Co., New Front Door to the Internet: Winning in the Age of AI Search, 2025.
East Field
Continued From Page 1
couple of years ago. But the backstop screen is held together with zip ties, sections of wooden bleachers are off-limits for safety reasons, and cramped dugouts aren’t big enough to hold a Little League team, let alone college athletes.
“It’s a huge missed opportunity by the city for not investing more into the facility and improving offerings and amenities for residents while helping the local economy with sports tourism,” said Tyler Herrick, Queensbury Hotel general manager. “East Field has so much potential and unfortunately the city has allowed it to become run down and doesn’t realize the opportunity sports tourism has. Just do a quick internet search and you can see the impact facilities like Greenlight Networks Grand Slam Park in Binghamton have done for their community.”
That $4 million project, begun in 2023, transformed a four-field dirt complex into a modern softball facility with turf fields, eight batting cages and bullpens, new restrooms, dugouts, bleachers, lighting, signage, a picnic area, a 500-square-foot concession area and ample parking. Teams come there from throughout the country.
“I have said it at numerous county Tourism meetings, there are two things families spend money on even when they don’t have a lot of money – their pets and their kids’ youth sports,” Herrick said. “Teams book rooms, they spend money in restaurants, pubs, attractions and even gas stations. Sales tax is greatly impacted.”
More than 90 teams for players ages 13 to 18 from throughout the Northeast are taking part in a Firecracker Sports tournament July 16-19. East Field is one of several venues from Albany to Queensbury (SUNY Adirondack) where games will be played, with dozens of college coaches on hand to evaluate player talent.
“On Thursday and Friday we’ll have five or six games here each day,” Bernard said. “It’s good for the community. All those people have to stay overnight someplace.”
Earlier this summer, during a similar tournament, several teams stayed at the Queensbury Hotel, Fairfield Inn at Exit 18, Home2 Suites in Queensbury and other Lake George region properties.
With significant upgrades, East Field could host many more such events.
Glens Falls Little League, whose complex is adjacent to the main, large diamond, hosts multiple tournaments each year, too. Eight to 12 local teams are expected to compete during the last weekend in July.
“They may not be staying overnight, but they will be getting gas, buying Gatorade and probably getting lunch or dinner in town during or after their games,” Herrick said.
A new East Field master plan, developed for the city Recreation Commission, identi-
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including numerous Stewart’s Shops, auto dealerships and several commercial and industrial projects as a Kirby Steel Building Systems dealer.
April Washburn keeps operations running smoothly as business manager, using skills she learned from her mother, Cindy, who handled the books for Tom Sr. when they started out.
“I went to work for Continental Insurance because we needed health insurance,” Cindy said. “So I worked there 10 years and did books at night on the dining room table.
There were lean years, including the early 1990s, when work slowed to a crawl because of economic conditions. But Hilltop stayed out of debt by avoiding “financial adventures,” never buying equipment or new vehicles until it had enough money to pay for them.
The Albrechts built a solid reputation through fair dealing and delivering more than promised. “If I had advice for a young builder just starting out, I would tell them don’t focus on money, focus on customer satisfaction,” Tom Sr. said. “When you’re chasing money you’re headed down the
fies wide-ranging priorities for all parts of the city-owned property, including the main baseball stadium, Little League complex, pool and quarry pond. Highlights include replacing the stadium’s grass field with synthetic turf that could host other sports, in addition to baseball, such as lacrosse, football and soccer, with all-new spectator seating.
The Little League complex would also have turf surfaces and lighted fields.
The study also calls for possibly replacing the pool with a splash pad, razing the clubhouse to create additional parking, constructing a new team building and creating plazatype entrances with new restrooms.
But the stadium upgrade alone would cost an estimated $6 million for a multisport field, lighting improvements and a new scoreboard. The total stadium project, including spectator seating, a concession area, field perimeter and parking, would cost $12.4 million.
Little League work would cost more than $1.6 million, and the pool/splash pad would cost almost $4 million, for a grand total of $18 million.
“It’s a big-ticket item to do it all at once,” said Allison Hargrave-Gaddy, city director of planning and zoning.
She emphasized that master plan proposals are very preliminary. The next step would be seeking public input.
Projects, if implemented, would be done in phases and would depend heavily on state and federal grant funding. Gaddy said she is exploring such opportunities, but none are immediately available.
South Street’s transformation is still going on, a decade after the city obtained a state Downtown Revitalization Initiative grant to make such work possible.
So it’s doubtful there will be any significant, near-term changes at East Field, despite a long list of much-needed improvements.
The Dragons’ last home game is July 25.
Bernard and Assistant for Baseball Operations Mark Rogers do everything possible to promote the team and put fans in seats. Th is month’s special events include a chicken wing-eating contest, courtesy of Wingstop, and a Christmas in July game when players will wear themed jerseys auctioned off after the game.
Dragons players also are holding instructional camps for local kids.
The team plays in the Perfect Game Collegiate Baseball League, featuring players from some of the country’s top college programs. Division rivals are Amsterdam, Saugerties, Boonville, Mohawk Valley, Oneonta and Utica.
“It’s a short season, only two months,” Rogers said. “The biggest challenge? Sometimes it’s hard to get people here who haven’t been here.”
wrong road. That goes for whatever it is you’re doing. Don’t cheat on materials.
Don’t say you’re going to give them hemlock and you’re giving them pine. That happens in this industry.”
“We didn’t build homes just to sell them, we wanted to help customers,” Cindy said. “We enjoyed relationships.”
“If you give people customer service, treat them with respect and do what you say you’re going to do you’ll have all the work you’ll want in this world,” Tom Jr. said.
Giving back has also long been one of Hilltop’s core values.
The company supports many local organizations, including Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Southern Adirondacks, a 100% local organization that makes a meaningful difference in the lives of children and families throughout the region.
With families facing increasing challenges, mentorship matters more than ever. Whether as a donor, volunteer, partner or advocate, everyone has the power to positively influence a child’s future.
Hilltop is also using its 50th anniversary to help a company family member whose two children are battling cancer. Financial donations can be made at https://www.gofundme.com/f/standing-together-for-thekilmartin-family.
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an opt-in feature that would let users anonymously share their general location to help track tick density regionally. “I think that’s a great idea that I’m going to follow up with local agencies on that,” he said.
The region provides an obvious testing ground. Warren County sits in one of New York’s higher-incidence zones for Lyme disease, according to TIMIT Solutions, and the county began building its own tick-tracking website this year to monitor bite reports. The county’s tracker had logged nearly 240 ticks
“Our success would not have been possible without the incredible people who have been part of the Hilltop family over the years,” Tom Jr. said. “As a family-run business, we believe our employees are family and we strive to treat them that way every day. In 2026, we are especially proud to celebrate numerous team members who have dedicated 10 to 21 years of service to our company.
“We also take time to remember those we have lost,” he said. “One of those individuals is Tom VanNess, a longtime employee, trusted mentor and dear friend. His impact
as of spring, according to Warren County Planning and Development. Statewide, New York has averaged more than 17,500 new Lyme disease cases annually over the past three years, with more than 19,000 reported in 2023 alone, according to the state Department of Health.
Montgomery, who grew up in the Glens Falls area and returned in 2014 after years working abroad, said he sees TickDetect as a natural extension of his technology career. “It’s nice to be back home and I like that I can help keep people safe while they enjoy this beautiful area,” he said. More information is available at timitsolutions.com/tickdetect.
on our team, our company and our lives will never be forgotten.”
Hilltop employs 40 people, and both its residential and commercial businesses are extremely healthy. Although no longer involved, Tom Sr. and Cindy know the company is in capable hands and believe its future is bright.
“It’s so exciting to see the grandsons joining in,” Cindy said.
“Not all families have the luxury of family members who want to take over the business,” Tom Sr. said. “It’s a real blessing to have them carry on the Hilltop name.”
Stonger Security Fewer Risks Total Peace of Mind
hospitals.
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AAA membership also comes with lesser-known travel perks, Roode said, including free TripTik route planning , foreign currency exchange, a AAA credit card with no foreign transaction fees,
and the International Driving Permit, a document required to legally drive in many countries that AAA is the sole authorized seller of in the U.S. Local vendor discounts, from restaurants to auto repair, are listed at AAA.com. The or-
ganization also connects travelers with adventure-focused vendors, including National Geographic, for hiking, biking and rafting trips, matching clients to trips suited to their fitness level and interests rather than simply following a friend’s recommendation.
There is no age limit for membership, Roode said, and no additional AAA fee for booking tours, cruises or motorcoach
trips, though airfare bookings can carry a fee depending on membership type. Roode said AAA, founded in Chicago in 1902, has built its reputation over 124 years on trust. “We try to promote the whole travel with someone you trust,” she said, adding that many of the agency’s local travel agents build relationships with clients that last for years. “A lot of their folks have become family.”
