Glens Falls Hospital’s Emergency Department Expansion Will Ensure Increased Level Of Care
BY ROD BACON
On June 19, approximately 100 hospital staff and community members attended a groundbreaking ceremony for an addition to the Glens Falls Hospital’s Sheridan Emergency Department.
The new structure, being built by the CG Construction Group of Saratoga Springs, will add 7,500 square feet to the existing 25,000-square-foot department. The addition will occupy the former space of the ambulance entrance, which was adjacent to the helicopter landing pad. It will push everything approximately 50 feet to the north.
“Glens Falls Hospital touches people in many ways,” said President and CEO Paul Scimeca. “In fact, it hard to find somebody who’s life hasn’t been touched by an experience at the hospital, much of which happens in the Emergency Department. A family member -- a parent or a child -- has needed
to come to us at a time in need. When they’re vulnerable, when they’re scared, when they need help to figure out what goes on next and how that care really gets provided. All of that happens every day, every minute in the Sheridan Emergency Department, and this project will help us do that in a better way than we do it today.”
One of the most significant changes will be the installation of a dedicated CT scanner, which is a high resolution diagnostic tool. The hospital has several CT scanners but they are not near the Emergency Department and it takes 10-15 minutes for the department’s physicians to get results. With the dedicated scanner results will be available in minutes.
“This is really the standard of care now, especially with our population where we have patients
New York Consumer Confidence Rises Slightly, Remains Below Break-Even Mark
The New York State Index of Consumer Sentiment now stands at 71.9 up 2.8 points from the last measurement in the fi rst quarter of 2025 according to the latest poll by the Siena College Research Institute (SCRI). New York’s overall Index of Consumer Sentiment is 11.2 points above the national* index of 60.7 following a 3.7 point national increase. New York’s current index increased 4.9 points to 71.6 and the future index increased 1.4 points resulting in New York’s measure of future expectations moving from 70.6 last quarter to 72.0 today. Overall consumer sentiment remains higher in New York than across the nation. For the second consecutive quarter, the overall index is below the breakeven point of balanced optimism and pessimism.
“After a whirlwind of on-again, off-again tariff news, confidence of NY’s consumers is gradually recovering following a sharp ninepoint decline in the fi rst quarter of 2025. In both New York and nationally, sentiment is improving—but it still remains below the threshold where optimism outweighs pessimism. While current confidence in New York rose by nearly five points, the national figure increased by just one. Conversely, New York’s future outlook rose 1.4 points, while the
national future score jumped more than five and a half points since last quarter,” according to Travis Brodbeck, SCRI’s Associate Director of Data Management.
“For the third consecutive quarter, Republicans in New York continue to be more optimistic compared to New York Democrats. Historically, consumers are more optimistic about the future economy than the present, with future expectations averaging 8 points higher since 2020. Th is quarter, the gap closed to a five-year low of 0.4 points, meaning future optimism is now barely higher than present positivity.”
Buying plans in the second quarter are mixed. Since the previous quarter’s measurement, buying plans for consumer electronics increased the greatest, rising 2.0 points to 47.0% (from 45.0%) and home buying plans also increased to 10.9% (from 9.7%). Vehicle buying plans declined to 17.8% (from 20.9%) and major home improvement plans edged down to 23.6% (from 24.3%). Buying plans for furniture remained unchanged from the previous quarter at 30.2%. Forty-seven percent (1% decrease from last quarter and the lowest since March 2021) of all New Yorkers say
State’s $10 Million Investment Will Fund Lake George Improvements; Spur Economy
BY PAUL POST
The state’s $10 million investment in Lake George is expected to reinvigorate its local economy for decades to come.
A new Shepard Park bandshell and amphitheater, slated to open next summer, is one of 13 projects scheduled for completion over the next five years.
An adjacent Lake Walk and observation deck, winterizing Village Mall and Lagoon Restaurant for year-round use, a National Heritage site and new public arts installations are other highlights approved under the state’s Downtown Revitalization Initiative.
“When it’s all done it’s going to be a big thing economic development-wise, it’s going to bring new business and new investment, but I also think it’s going to bring new people, visitors and groups to Lake
Chambers
George,” said Dan Barusch, town and village planning and zoning director. “In the past, we haven’t focused on public art, culture and heritage tourism as much. It’s going to be huge for us.”
The state awarded DRI funding to Lake George just days before Christmas 2023. A committee co-chaired by Mayor Raymond Perry, town Supervisor Vincent Crucitto Jr., and Fort William Henry Corporation CEO Kathy Muncil, spent last year obtaining public input and fleshing out plans for proposed projects. Bids have already been submitted for two projects – the bandshell, and re-internment at Battlefield Park of the remains of more than 40 colonial-era soldiers discovered at Courtland Street in 2019. “Once we get some semblance of contracts we’re going to stick shovels in the ground on those two projects,” Barusch said. “A lot of the other ones will follow in 2027.”
Partner To Strengthen
Business
Community And Expand Member Benefits
The Adirondack Regional Chamber of Commerce (ARCC) and the Greater Greenwich Chamber of Commerce have announced a Partnership Agreement which will build a strong, collaborative relationship that supports local businesses and drives economic growth across both communities.
“As a regional Chamber, the ARCC understands the value in working together with our neighboring Chambers. This partnership will open up opportunities for members of both Chambers and will encourage collaboration and growth. We are truly better when we work together,” said ARCC President & CEO Tricia Rogers.
At over 850 members, and serving multiple counties, the ARCC is able to provide support to Greenwich Chamber members in the form of group insurance plans, commercial energy savings, small business resources and more. The Chambers will also work together to share announcements and events among their memberships.
“This partnership reinforces what we’ve always known—that we are stronger when we work together. It’s a meaningful step forward in deepening our commitment to collaboration and laying a stronger foundation for regional growth, opportunity and shared success across our business community,” said ARCC Immediate Past Board
Chair Marc Yrsha, SEVP, Chief Banking Officer of Arrow Bank.
“This alliance marks an exciting new chapter for our regional business community. By combining our strengths and working together, we’re creating new opportunities for our members and reinforcing the foundation of collaboration that will support long-term success for all,” said ARCC Board Chair Damian D’Angelico, General Manager of Fitzgerald Brothers Beverages.
Established in 1990, the Greater Greenwich Chamber of Commerce is dedicated to the economic vitality of the Washington County, New York region.
“This partnership represents a powerful step forward in our commitment to strengthening the local business community and expanding the support we offer our members. By working together, we can now provide our members with access to a broader network of resources, programs, and benefits. We look forward to all the opportunities this regional alliance will bring and invite our members to take full advantage of the expanded offerings now available to them. Together, we are building a stronger, more connected, and more resilient business community,” said Rulyn Graves, Greater Greenwich Chamber of Commerce Chair of the Board.
A rendering of the upcoming Sheridan Emergency Department expansion at Glens Falls Hospital, that will enhance emergency care capacity and services for the region. Courtesy Glens Falls Hospital
A rendering shows the planned Shepard Park bandshell and amphitheater. Construction is scheduled to begin in mid-September, with completion targeted for May or June 2026
Courtesy New York State
Adirondack Thunder Taps Sylvain Cloutier Head Coach To Lead Return To ECHL Playoffs
BY PAUL POST
Sylvain Cloutier made it all the way up to the NHL during his 21-year pro career.
He’s in the Adirondack Hockey Hall of Fame for his outstanding play with the Red Wings, IceHawks and Frostbite.
He also has extensive minor league and major junior experience behind the bench, but most important, he’s a proven winner, which made him the best choice among nearly 50 candidates to become the Adirondack Thunder’s new head coach.
“We did like the fact that he has a history in Adirondack,” team President and General Manager Jeff Mead said. “The biggest factor is we think he’s the right person to lead our team back to the playoffs and compete at the highest levels of the ECHL on a consistent basis.”
The 51-year-old Cloutier was introduced to dozens of enthusiastic fans who turned out for a July 15 press conference at Heritage Hall in Cool Insuring Arena. He takes over a team that set a franchise attendance record last season, but also went from first to worst in the ECHL’s North Division standings.
“Obviously we want to win, keep people coming to the building, put on a show. That’s what we plan on doing,” he said. “We’re excited about the guys that we’re going to bring in. There will be some new faces, too.”
Cloutier is the fift h coach in team history, succeeding Peter MacArthur who led Adirondack to regular season division and Eastern Conference titles in 2024, but resigned at the end of last season, in the middle of a twoyear contract.
Adirondack is the Double-A affi liate of the NHL’s New Jersey Devils.
The Thunder job fulfi lls a nearly lifelong dream for Cloutier who played his first pro game, scored his first goal and got into his first fight at Adirondack. A 1992 third-round draft pick of the Detroit Red Wings, he went on to play in 565 AHL games, was captain of the Calder Cup champion Houston Aeros in 2003, and had a brief stint with the NHL’s Chicago Blackhawks.
After his playing career, he got behind the bench in 2008 with the Corpus Christi IceRays of the Central Hockey League before heading overseas to England to coach the Hull Stingrays from 2009-2014.
Cloutier returned to Canada to be head coach and general manager of the Essa Stallions in the Canadian Premier Junior Hockey League and led them to a 106-21-3 record over three seasons, including back-to-back championships in 2018 and ’19 while also collecting the 2017-18 regular season championship with a 42-2-0 record.
Next, he went back to Corpus Christi for the 2022-23 season. This past year he helped lead the IceRays to their best regular season in team history in the North American Hockey League with a record of 35-19-2-3.
“Sylvain has deep roots in Adirondack hockey history,” Mead said. “He had an incredible work ethic as a player and he does as a coach. The way he played the game will be how our team will compete on the ice. Our fans deserve a team that competes day in and day out. A team led by Sylvain will certainly provide this for our community.”
Cloutier will be joined behind the bench by Associate Coach Ben Holmstrom, 38, who is also no stranger to Glens Falls. He is the only
Continued On Page 4
Daifuku Debuts In Queensbury With Elevated Asian Fusion And Unique Tatami Seating
BY STAFF WRITER
Daifuku launched this spring at 756 Upper Glen Street in Queensbury Plaza following a two-week renovation of the previous Zou Japanese Steakhouse in March. The updates featured a full interior makeover, a broader menu, and a rebranding under the Daifuku name.
“We did a complete overhaul and rebranding to establish Daifuku as a fresh Asian fusion spot with a wide-ranging menu that includes sushi, hibachi, ramen, and poke bowls, along with traditional Japanese and Chinese cuisine,” said Heather Thompson, manager at Daifuku.
The 4,200-square-foot venue now boasts a larger bar area, a new sushi counter, a semiprivate lounge, and a private dining space for small gatherings, plus a main dining area and a hibachi room featuring six tables. “We also introduced a distinctive traditional Japanese raised tatami-style seating area, where guests sit
on cushions on tatami mats around low tables. It might be the only one like it in the region,” Thompson added.
Daifuku has fully revamped its dinner menu and expanded its lunch offerings, which are available for both dine-in and takeout. Lunch items feature ramen, poke bowls, and bento boxes, in addition to sushi, sashimi, and lunch specials drawn from the main menu, according to a Zou spokesperson.
The expanded bar provides full service and features Asian and Japanese liquors, wines, beers, craft sake, and artisanal cocktails. Guests can also enjoy appetizers, small plates, and happy-hour deals at the bar.
Daifuku is open from 11:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday through Saturday, and from noon to 9 p.m. on Sunday. Reservations and private dining requests are welcome.
Revolution Rail Expands In Warren County, With Scenic Rail Bike Adventures
BY PAUL POST
Revolution Rail Company has begun offering adventuresome rail bike rides at historic Riverside Station in Riparius, its fourth Warren County location in addition to North Creek, Thurman and Hadley.
The company also has a challenging 20-mile round trip out of North River, on the old Tahawus line that it purchased three years ago, out of bankruptcy.
“This is an example of a business that takes the attributes, which make this place special and then turns it into enterprise,” said Jim Siplon, Warren County Economic Development Corporation president, during recent ribbon cutting ceremonies. “It doesn’t compromise the values of the (Adirondack) Park, but enhances them. It’s a role
model for how we’re going to grow going forward in a way that’s aligned with the place, but doesn’t threaten it.”
Farther south, Saratoga Corinth & Hudson Railway had its best year ever last year, with 37,000 passengers, and continues to grow with a variety of year-round, special themed trips such as Moonlight Moonshine Express, a Sunday Funday Sundae Train, Autumn Explorer, Pumpkin Picker and Candy Cane Express, its most popular ride, at Christmas time.
The Railway is currently restoring and repainting three old Delaware & Hudson locomotives it purchased last year, to their original colors.
The two companies operate on an historic, roughly 60-mile line from Saratoga Springs to
Revolution Rail Company recently launched rail bike rides at Riverside Station in Riparius. Pictured from left: EVP Ed Lescala, CEO Robert Harte, Chamber Director Gina Mintzer, and Supervisor Kevin Bean. Courtesy Paul Post
The Adirondack Thunder’s new head coach, Sylvain Cloutier (center), is joined by the team’s ECHL Governor Claude Loiselle (left) and President and General Manager Jeff Mead (right).
Courtesy Paul Post
Tatami-style seating at Daifuku in Queensbury offers guests a unique dining experience—complete with cushions, low tables, and authentic ambiance rarely found elsewhere in the region.
Courtesy Glens Falls Business Journal
The Art of Home: Joël Lynn Designs Brings Decades Of Kitchen And Bath Expertise
BY ANNE DONNELLY
In the bustling design world, where trends come and go, Joël Lynn Designs is a testament to passion, heritage, and a deep understanding of what makes a house a home. Owner Joël Lynn Ralph, whose showroom in Glens Falls will celebrate its second anniversary in July, has built a thriving business focusing on kitchens, baths, and more.
Design, for Ralph, is not just a profession; it’s a family legacy. She explains, “I had a great uncle who used to build cabinets. My mother’s father was a builder. So, having graph paper in our house and drawing up plans was always just a natural thing. When my parents were renovating their home, my mom was drawing up plans on graph paper, and my older brother taught me how to measure the squares to see how many feet are in the square.”
Ralph’s career journey into kitchen and bath design started when her brother, who owned a kitchen and bath company, asked her to help organize his showroom. Curious about the design process, Ralph would take the designer’s plans home. “I used to draw over them and try to understand what all this was about.”
However, the leap to establishing her own business came after COVID. She started representing a cabinet line but soon found herself inundated with calls from people asking her to design kitchens for them. What began as a side endeavor quickly grew organically, with calls continuously coming in. She worked from home for about two years before opening her showroom.
Opening the showroom in Glens Falls was a meaningful decision for Ralph. “My grandmother used to talk about downtown Glens Falls and this particular building as the Empire Theater. It’s a gorgeous building. So when this location became available, it just felt right. I love being in Glens Falls. I love the history of Glens Falls. I love being part of Hometown USA.”
Being self-employed has been a revelation for Ralph. She loves the autonomy and the ability to work in a way that aligns with her passion, something she found challenging when working for others. “When you work for other people who own the business, they’re focused on the bottom line,” says Ralph. “I have more of a passion. I love doing the extras with my clients. It’s a lot more hours, but I love what I do. I would never go back to work for somebody else.”
Recently, Ralph hired a part-time employee,
Jaquelin Mignot, who started in March. Jacqueline helps organize the back-end of the business, setting up client portals where clients can send inspiration pictures and appliance purchases. Having an assistant frees up Ralph’s time to focus on the creative aspects of design and building client relationships, something she appreciates as she dislikes the organizational tasks. Migot’s youth, energy, and tech-savviness have been a significant asset to the business.
Ralph emphasizes that kitchen and bath design is far more complex than simply creating beautiful spaces. “There are so many things that you have to think about when you’re designing a kitchen. On top of that, you must make sure the appliances will fit and the handles don’t stick out too far. It’s those things that some people don’t pay attention to.” Despite her past as a music theater major, she now primarily deals with fractions and decimals. Even with modern laser measuring tools and computer programs, Ralph doublechecks everything, as there’s always room for error.
The work of Joël Lynn Designs extends beyond kitchens and baths to other areas like fireplace surrounds and laundry areas, and also extends beyond the immediate Glens Falls area, with projects completed in Florida, Pennsylvania, and even a kitchen designed for a project in the UK. The advent of Zoom, a silver lining of COVID, has allowed her to work with clients who own summer homes in the Saratoga and Lake George regions but reside elsewhere.
Most of Ralph’s work comes through wordof-mouth referrals and repeat business from builders, contractors, and past homeowner clients. Kitchen designs typically have a lifespan of 15 to 20 years, and Ralph enjoys the experience of redoing projects she designed years ago for new homeowners.
Looking to the future, Ralph doesn’t envision expanding her business significantly. She loves working independently and enjoys the current pace, managing around 33 projects. As she approaches her later fifties, she’s not seeking accolades but continuing to do what she loves. Her vision is to remain a part of the growth happening in Glens Falls, with her “little showroom” contributing to the vibrant community. Joël Lynn Ralph’s simple message to anyone interested in finding out more is: “Just stop by and say, ‘Hi.’”
You can find out more about Joël Lynn Designs at https://www.joellynndesigns.com/.
Creative Takes On Comfort Food Define
Cleome Table + Bar In Downtown Glens Falls
BY ANNE DONNELLY
Cleome Table + Bar has quickly become a standout in Glens Falls’ popular dining scene, marking the hometown return of chef and co-owner Jakob White.With culinary experience in Boston and the Virgin Islands, White brings a distinctive mix of skill and passion to an experience that resonates with locals and visitors alike.
Since opening in April on South Street in Glens Falls, Cleome has become a popular spot for dinner, drinks and shared plates.
The terrace offers a streetscape view of the Civil War Soldiers Monument and City Park—delivering on White’s vision of a space where “people can come together over delicious food and then have a unified experience that they could talk about and share.”
White’s culinary journey began during an uncertain time in his youth. Cooking, originally a hobby, became a calling thanks to the encouragement of friends and family. A pivotal moment came when his family asked him to cook Christmas Eve dinner.
“It felt like a lot of pressure at the time,” he said. But the positive response—especially to his signature “creative touch”—solidified his belief that “people may enjoy the things that I can create.” Another early success was winning a category at the Bands and Beans chili cookoff in Lake George, prior to attending culinary school.
White enrolled in Boston University’s culinary program in 2008 and trained with industry icons, including Jacques Pépin. He later opened Comedor, an American-Chilean small plates restaurant.
“It was a wonderful neighborhood restaurant, very much a reflection of who I am as a person and who I
am as a chef,” White said. He eventually sold Comedor during the pandemic and relocated to the Virgin Islands, where he launched a hospitality consulting business. Despite its success, he felt the pull to return home. “There’s an amazing restaurant revolution happening in Glens Falls,” he said. White’s mission with Cleome is to “slow down and come together over food that I feel is special.” He aimed to create an affordable, welcoming space that encourages guests to share dishes and experiences. He emphasizes the anthropological significance of gathering over food and views the restaurant as a place where those natural interactions can flourish.
Currently open for dinner Wednesday through Saturday, 5 to 10 p.m., Cleome’s menu centers around “creative twists on classic comfort food,” with strong Southern roots. White points to their slow-cooked collard greens with ham hocks as an example of authenticity and respect for traditional recipes. A signature approach of adding unexpected elements keeps things fresh—like a three-year-aged New York cheddar cheese ice cream that surprised and delighted early guests. White believes Glens Falls is ready for a bold culinary vision. “It’s a great opportunity to offer a different option, something new,” he said. “If I can get someone to try something they’ve never had before, that’s a win.” He values emotional connection in food. His favorite compliment? “This reminds me of something my grandmother made.
Cleome Table + Bar is open for dinner Wednesday–Saturday, 5–10 p.m. To view menus, book a table or order online, visit cleomerestaurant.com.
Joël Lynn Ralph, owner of Joël Lynn Designs in Glens Falls, brings decades of experience and a personal touch to every kitchen and bath project—creating warm, functional spaces tailored to each client’s vision.
Courtesy Joël Lynn Designs
Chef and co-owner Jakob White brings his bold, Southern-inspired culinary vision to Cleome Table + Bar in downtown Glens Falls.
Courtesy Glens Falls Business Journal
5 Stages Of AI Adoption For Small Businesses
BY SARA MANNIX
Artificial Intelligence can make your business more efficient, smarter, and more productive, giving greater value to your customers. At Mannix, we started small and progressed through clear, manageable stages..
Stage 1: Search Engine AI | Ask, Learn, Act
Skip Google and use AI. ChatGPT, Claude and Google’s Gemini have become our go-to tools for quick answers and deeper research. Instead of searching, we now ask AI-specific, actionable questions like:
Saratoga Business Journal is published monthly, the second week of each month, by Weinhagen Associates, LLC and mailed to business and professional people in Saratoga county.
Saratoga Business Journal is independently owned and is a registered tradename of Weinhagen Associates, LLC, 9 Broad St. #7, Glens Falls, NY 12801 (518) 581-0600. Saratoga Business Journal is a registered tradename in New York.
Saratoga Business Journal has been founded to promote business in Saratoga county 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 Saratoga Business Journal which are the creative exort of its contractors, and printing materials supplied by Saratoga Business Journal are the property of Saratoga Business Journal and may not be reproduced by photographic or similar methods, or otherwise, without the specific authorization of Saratoga Business Journal.
“Act as a marketing expert and research the fitness app industry. Identify five leading companies, analyze their products, and summarize the unique selling propositions, pricing structures, and provide web links.”
“We currently use [X product] for analytics, but we’re looking for a tool that can also do [Z feature]. What are five alternatives, and what makes them superior to our current tool?”
“We’re considering a patent for [X]. What are the steps we need to take, and what should we be aware of in the process?”
Instead of spending 15 minutes reading through websites, we get the answer in 15 seconds. This is search engine AI. It’s the easiest entry point and results in time savings.
If you haven’t used AI yet… start with this: Replace some of your Google searches this week with an AI prompt. If you don’t get the right answer immediately, provide more detail, as if you were talking to an assistant.
Stage 2: Content Helper | From Manual to AI‑Assisted
As our team embraced AI for quick answers, the next challenge was leveraging AI to help speed up content creation.
We manage LakeGeorge.com and Saratoga.com. Creating high-quality, accurate articles takes a lot of time. We needed a better system, but couldn’t risk publishing incorrect information or losing our human voice.
We trained a custom AI on our local data, which includes decades of articles and facts about the regions we cover. Our in-house AI specialist created rules and trained the model to generate outlines for articles based on structured facts. Then our editorial team human-edits them, adding voice, research, and creativity, along with our unique perspective.
The result? We publish content in half the time while maintaining accuracy.
Try this: Use AI to help you generate an article draft or social captions. Then polish it by adding quotes, unique insights, and perspectives.
Stage 3: Data Assistant | Insights in Seconds
Next, we turned to our data. Sifting through spreadsheets can be overwhelming and time-consuming; this is where AI excels. We upload spreadsheets and documents into AI and ask questions like:
“Take this spreadsheet, analyze the data to create the following five graphs for a presentation.”
“Analyze our support requests, output average turnaround time, organize activities by service type, and share where we spend the most amount of time on customer service tasks.”
“Summarize customer feedback from the last 90 days.”
I use AI is for contract comparisons. I’ll upload the original agreement and the revised version from the client, then ask: “What changed between these two contracts? Are there any red flags? While this doesn’t
Adirondack Thunder
Continued From Page 2
player to spend all five years with the former Adirondack Phantoms during their AHL tenure in Glens Falls from 2019-14 and was also team captain.
replace my lawyer, it saves a significant amount on legal fees as I enter that conversation more prepared.
Try this: Upload one dataset or PDFs to ChatGPT (with file upload enabled) or a spreadsheet AI tool and ask it to summarize patterns or opportunities or create visual reports. It’s like having a data analyst on demand.
Stage 4: Task Audit | Where Are You Losing Time?
Once we saw what AI could do with data, we realized something deeper: we needed to audit how we spend our time.
We looked across our agency and asked: What tasks are repetitive? And how much time can we save by automating these tasks. Narrow the list as the list is long to the most impactful automations. Knowing what tasks took the most time helped us enter stage 5 with a plan.
Try this: List the top 5 tasks your team does repeatedly. Ask: Could AI help us do this faster or better? Even small improvements can make a big impact. Stage 5: Agentic AI | AI That Does the Work for You
This is where the transformation gets exciting—and technical. We now build AI Agents for our own team and clients that can complete multi-step workflows across various tools. For example: A form submission leads to a personalized response, CRM update, task assignment, and internal notification—all handled by AI.
We use AI to help qualify leads, generate reports, and even draft monthly updates for clients. It took time and planning, but now we’re more efficient, more accurate, and can offer more affordable services to clients because we’ve lowered our overhead on repeat tasks.
Try this: If you’re ready, work with an agency to build your first agentic workflow.
Final Thoughts: Move One Stage at a Time Every business is different. Some will start by asking AI to help write an email. Others will jump into automation. The point isn’t to do everything overnight—it’s to keep moving forward. Start simple and gradually move to automation and AI Agents. We’ve seen the results in our agency. You can too. Mannix Marketing specializes in SEO, web design, and AI agentic solutions for small businesses.
Holmstrom appeared in seven NHL games with the Philadelphia Flyers during that span and also played for Norfolk, Cincinnati and South Carolina in the ECHL from 2019-22. For the past two years he’s been assistant coach of the ECHL’s Orlando Solar Bears. Both coaches were chosen by the Adirondack Hockey Board comprised of Glens Falls business and professional leaders Elisabeth Mahoney, Paul Dowen, David Krogmann, Kevin Mahoney and Ed Moore, and four NHL veterans who live locally – Claude Loiselle, Glenn Merkosky, Greg Joly and Craig Darby.
Sara Mannix, founder and CEO of Mannix Marketing, leads the award-winning digital agency.
Courtesy Mannix Marketing
Office/Technology
Business Report
• •
The New Office Is About Experience, Not Just Work
BY DOROTHY ROGERS-BULLIS
Why is it that we’re seeing folks step off their Pelotons and head back into gyms again?
It’s not just about access to equipment—it’s because gyms have started to rebrand themselves. They’re no longer simply spaces for sweating through a solo workout. They’re becoming destinations. Community hubs. Lifestyle spaces. Places people want to be.
And now we’re seeing a similar trend with office spaces. Despite all the effort (and investment) that went into creating gorgeous home offices during the pandemic, people are choosing to go back. Why? Because the office, like the gym, is becoming more than just functional—it’s being reimagined to meet people where they are, with what they truly want.
The businesses that are seeing a return-to-office movement? They’re the ones who have invested in their spaces. They’ve put energy, time, and yes, dollars into crafting work environments that support their teams—not just with a desk and a chair, but with an experience.
I’m often asked: “What does the perfect office look like?”
The truth is—there’s no single answer. You can’t design one universal office that fits everyone’s preferences, personalities, and productivity quirks. We all work differently. We all thrive in different environments. And that’s the point.
But what I do know—because I see it every day—is that people do come to work. At Saratoga CoWorks, I watch people choose this space, day in and day out. As the co-owner of CoWorks and the founder of drb Business Interiors, I live and breathe office life—not just in theory, but in practice.
And here’s what I’ve learned:
The best offices aren’t just functional. They’re magnetic.
They don’t feel like obligations. They feel like destinations.
Let’s go back to the gym analogy for a second. Gyms have realized that their members don’t just want to show up, throw on headphones, run on the treadmill, and head out the door. That era is fading.
Today’s gyms are offering more. Wellness lounges. Community-driven classes. Nutrition support. Personal development seminars. Even coworking spaces inside the gym. Why? Because they’re catering to the whole person, not just the part that wants a good workout.
People come to move their bodies—but they stay for the lifestyle. They stay for the connection.
Office spaces need to take a cue from that.
The new office isn’t just about where we go to get
Courtesy drb Business Interirors
work done. It’s about how we feel when we’re there. It’s about fostering connection, collaboration, and creativity. It’s about designing spaces that don’t just support productivity—but enhance well-being, spark innovation, and make people feel like they belong.
Employees aren’t looking to go back to cubicles and closed doors. They want access to inspiring environments. To functional spaces that also feel welcoming. To conference rooms with natural light, gathering spaces with great coffee, and private nooks when focus is needed.
They want to move throughout the day. To choose how they work best.
At drb, we approach office design with this lens. Every element—furniture, layout, lighting, acoustics, textures—is selected with the human experience in mind. We don’t just look at square footage and number of desks. We ask questions:
How do people move through this space?
Where do they naturally gather?
What helps them think clearly, communicate better, or feel more at ease?
And yes, it’s a balance. We’re not creating a hotel lobby. We’re creating a workplace. But the most forward-thinking businesses are doing both— blending form and function to create something that serves their people, not just their operations.
It’s not about gimmicks or trend-chasing. It’s about thoughtfulness.
It’s about realizing that space impacts behav-
Continued On Page 11
Business Report
Is Your Business Ready For The Modern Workplace?
BY MARK SHAW
Technology is one world in which change is inevitable. No matter how you and your business use IT, the process and productivity is forever evolving. Your business is on a journey, and it could be on one of many paths to what we refer to as the Modern Workplace.
But before we try to find out where your business is, we need to understand the evolution from the “old” ways of work and the new world in which we are all a part of, either purposefully or by happenstance.
Most of us born before Y2K are familiar with working in an office with a desktop computer connected to the local network and everything was managed by your company. Your workday was fixed and set. You could not take company data home or work off hours easily. As time evolved, we started to bring laptops with work information home. and added VPNs so we could connect with internal systems from anywhere. Then COVID hit. We all packed up and went home. This changed everything. Meetings were now virtual, and our employees expected us to give them access to all the same systems they had when in office. We had to rethink meetings, phone systems and how we secure it all.
This is the NEW modern workplace. It is anywhere, everywhere and with EVERYTHING you need to conduct business 24/7. Always on and always available killed 9-5 desk jobs for many of us.
Components of the Modern Workplace include remote and hybrid work and cloud first tools for email, file, collaboration and even phone systems. Seamless communications via tools like Zoom, Teams or Slack all wrapped with essential cybersecurity!
But you may say, “This all sounds great but I’m not fully there yet, is it too late to change?” The answer is simple. No. Your march to increased productivity and added
security is easier than you think, with less disruption to your core business.
Some of the most common challenges a company like yours might have may include not using IT Budgets as part of your overall business strategy, lack of in-house IT and of course as humans we tend to not like disruption and changes to our day to day.
This is normal. You are an expert in your business, but you may not be an expert in technology. This is where you should partner with a trusted technology firm who can help you navigate these waters for the massive benefits they yield.
Some clear and defined ways to start your modern workplace transformation includes a roadmap from Assessing current technology, setting priorities, and working with a partner who can help with guidance and execution on
Continued On Page 11
Dorothy Rogers-Bullis, owner of drb Business Interiors in Saratoga Springs.
Mark Shaw, president and CEO of Stored Technology Solutions Inc. (StoredTech).
50 Plus
Business Report
Smart Retirement Moves For Couples At 50
BY DAVID KOPYC
For many married couples, turning 50 brings retirement into sharper focus. With children grown or nearly grown and roughly 15 to 20 years until traditional retirement age, it’s time to take stock, make adjustments and ensure you’re on a solid path forward.
Gone are the days when retirement rested on a three-legged stool of Social Security, a pension and personal savings. Today’s couples must balance 401(k)s or IRAs, brokerage accounts, other investments and, in some cases, part-time work. Coordinating finances with your spouse is no longer optional—it’s essential.
Two incomes, two retirements, one plan
Each spouse often has a separate career, savings history and retirement timeline, but you’ll share one household budget. Whether you retire together or years apart, align your spending expectations, investment strategies and lifestyle goals. A mismatch can create unnecessary friction or financial shortfalls.
Longer lives, longer retirements
Advances in health care mean today’s 50-yearolds could spend 30 to 40 years in retirement. Plan for decades of expenses—including inflation, health care and possible long-term care—on a fixed or semi-fixed income.
Health care costs
Fidelity Investments estimates a healthy 65-yearold couple retiring in 2025 will spend more than $350,000 on medical costs over their lifetimes, excluding long-term care. Review Medicare options, consider a health savings account (HSA) and evaluate long-term care insurance.
Social Security timing
When each spouse claims Social Security affects total lifetime benefits. Delaying benefits boosts monthly payouts, while claiming early provides income sooner. Weigh your ages, health, income needs and survivor-benefit implications when deciding. Key steps for couples in their 50s
• Communicate and align goals. Sit down and discuss your vision: travel plans, downsizing, parttime work. Understanding each other’s priorities is the foundation of a strong plan.
• Inventory your assets. List all retirement accounts—401(k)s, IRAs and pensions—along with savings, brokerage accounts and real estate. Make sure you both know where you stand.
• Maximize catch-up contributions. At 50, you’re eligible to contribute an extra $7,500 annually to a 401(k) and an additional $1,000 to an IRA. If one spouse has better benefits, prioritize those accounts but aim for both to contribute.
• Evaluate investment risk together. As you near retirement, shift from aggressive growth to a bal-
Always wear a life jacket.
anced or conservative mix. Find a risk level you both can live with for the next 15 to 20 years.
• Tackle debt now. High-interest debt erodes future income. Focus on eliminating credit-card balances and consider paying down your mortgage. Entering retirement debt-free provides breathing room for unexpected costs.
• Build emergency and health funds. Keep an emergency fund separate from retirement savings and, if possible, contribute to an HSA for tax-advantaged medical expenses.
• Review estate plans. Update wills, health-care directives, powers of attorney and beneficiary designations. Having documents in place protects each other and your family.
Mistakes to avoid
Assuming one strategy fits both spouses. Each of you has different earning histories, benefit options and health considerations.
Not planning for one spouse to outlive the other. Design your plan so the surviving spouse has adequate income.
Waiting too long to act. The earlier you coordinate and take steps, the more options you’ll have—and the better your chances of meeting your shared goals.
Retirement planning at 50 is no longer optional—it’s a necessity, especially for married couples navigating this journey together. Working as a team, asking the right questions and making informed decisions can turn your 50s from a time of financial uncertainty into a decade of confident preparation—and set the stage for a retirement you can truly enjoy.
Seniors Comprise An Enthusiastic Segment Of The Growing Pickleball Community
BY ROD BACON
A game created on the West Coast 60 years ago has become the fastest growing sport in the United States.
The brainchild of three fathers -- Joel Pritchard, Bill Bell, and Barney McCullum -- Pickleball was designed as a backyard game to entertain families. Using elements of badminton, tennis, and table tennis, they used ping-pong paddles, a wiffle ball, and a lowered badminton net to develop a game that has been sweeping the nation in recent years.
Joan Pritchard came up with the name, referencing the “pickle boat” in competitive rowing, which is a crew comprised of non-selected rowers from other teams that compete in a final, often less competitive, race at the end of a regatta.
According to the Sports & Fitness Industry Association’s Topline Participation Report for 2025, there were an estimated 19.8 million pickleball players in the United States in 2024, which is a 45.8 percent increase over the previous year. Over the last three years, participation in the sport has grown 311 percent.
While the 25-34 age group leads the number of players at 2.3 million, those over 50 rank second at 1.4 million. Sixty percent of the latter group are 55 or older and more than 33.7 percent are 65 or older.
Many of these participants are considered “core” players, which typically refers to someone with a 3.0-4.0 skill level out of a possible 6.0 or 8.0, depending upon which system is used. These players have a good understanding of the game’s fundamentals and can sustain rallies, but might still be
developing advanced skills. Pickleball.com suggests that a core player typically plays 10 or more times a month.
Ed Koivula, who teaches at the Lake George Club and the Malta Community Center, says that 80 percent to 90 percent of his students are in the senior age group.
“I think that’s because of the way the game was originally marketed,” he said. “It targeted the older demographic at first but it is definitely catching on among younger people.”
Koivula is a former collegiate tennis player who transitioned to pickleball because of injuries.
“Pickleball is a low-impact sport that doesn’t put the same strain on your body that other sports do,” he said.
He noted it’s also a social sport where people can develop new relationships while playing or waiting to play. One facility with which he’s familiar has a paddle rack into which people waiting to play place their paddle and move it up the line as other players finish their games. While they are waiting for it to get to the head of the line they often carry on conversations and make new friends
Kayla Benner, who teaches at Ballston Spa Community Center and SUNY Adirondack, said that while she will teach any age group the majority of her students are in the 40-50-year-old range.
Benner was introduced to pickleball when she worked at Gavin Park in the Town of Wilton. She was just performing general duties but watched the pickleball players when she could. They asked her to play several
David Kopyc, president of Retirement Planning Group LLC in Saratoga Springs.
Due to the popularity of pickleball, instructor Kayla Benner (at net) finds that the majority of her students are seniors.
Courtesy Glens Falls Business Journal
Why 10-Pay Whole Life Insurance Deserves A Closer Look
BY BRIAN M. JOHNSON, MBA, CLTC
For many working-age adults, planning for the future often centers around saving for retirement, managing debt, and building wealth. Yet an often-overlooked component of a well-rounded financial strategy is life insurance—specifically, 10-pay whole life insurance, a permanent life insurance policy paid up in just 10 years.
While frequently seen as a tool for wealthier individuals or older adults, 10-pay whole life insurance plays a significant role in both estate and long-term care planning, offering unique benefits for those who begin earlier in life.
Understanding 10 pay whole life insur ance
A 10-pay whole life insurance policy is a type of permanent life insurance with guaranteed death benefits, fixed premiums for 10 years, and a cash value component that grows over time.
Unlike term life insurance, which provides coverage for a set number of years, whole life covers the insured for their entire life, assuming premiums are paid.
What makes the 10-pay version distinctive is the compressed payment schedule—premiums are paid over just 10 years, after which the policy is considered “paid-up.”
This feature is attractive to individuals who want to pre-fund a long-term asset during working years while minimizing obligations in retirement.
Tax free wealth transfer
One of the most recognized uses of whole life insurance in estate planning is its ability to transfer wealth in a tax-efficient manner.
The death benefit is typically income tax-free to beneficiaries and, when structured properly, can also be excluded from the taxable estate.
For families with significant assets—or those with modest estates and legacy intentions—this can help preserve wealth across generations.
Liquidity at death
Settling an estate often involves expenses such as probate costs, taxes, and debts. Life insurance provides immediate liquidity to beneficiaries, helping them cover these costs without having to liquidate illiquid assets like real estate or business interests.
This can be important in family-owned businesses or complex personal estates.
Equalization among heirs
For individuals looking to divide their estate fairly, life insurance can equalize inheritances.
For example, if one child inherits a business or real estate property, another might receive the life insurance proceeds to balance the distribution.
This helps reduce family conflict and ensures fairness.
Cash value growth as a funding source
As healthcare costs rise and people live
longer, long-term care (LTC) planning has become an essential component of financial preparedness.
While traditional LTC insurance has been the go-to solution for decades, it comes with drawbacks: rising premiums, use-it-or-lose-it benefits, and risk of cancellation.
This is where whole life insurance, especially a 10-pay policy, offers an appealing alternative or supplement.
Whole life insurance builds guaranteed cash value over time, which policyholders can access via loans or withdrawals.
This provides a flexible, tax-advantaged source of funds to help pay for care needs.
While withdrawals can reduce the death benefit, the policy gives owners more control over when and how they access funds.
Living benefits and riders
Many 10-pay whole life policies offer riders that accelerate the death benefit if the insured becomes chronically or terminally ill.
These “living benefits” allow policyholders to tap into the policy’s value while they are still alive, helping cover the costs of home care, assisted living, or nursing home expenses.
Unlike traditional LTC insurance, these benefits are typically not use-it-or-lose-it.
Paid up security in retirement
Since premiums are fully paid in 10 years, policyholders enter retirement without the ongoing cost of coverage.
This financial predictability is useful for those on fixed incomes.
Knowing that the policy is fully funded and continues to grow in value adds confidence when planning for retirement and healthrelated expenses.
You Need An Estate Plan—Now
BY DEB VERNI
The perfect time to put together an estate plan is before you need it. Unfortunately, most people think about creating an estate plan when a close friend or relative must be placed in a nursing home or when a family member dies and the kids are fighting over assets because there is no Will.
I joke with people and say if you don’t have a “Will”, you have a “Won’t”, I won’t die or become ill and go into a nursing home. My kids won’t fight over my money. My minor children won’t be raised by my evil sister. My children won’t blow their inheritance on fast cars and gambling. My daughter’s husband won’t take half of my hard-earned money when they get divorced after I pass.
A Last Will and Testament is just the beginning of an estate plan. Although a Will is important, it is only one of the documents in your estate plan. A comprehensive estate plan should include a Will, a Health Care Proxy Living Will, a Durable Power of Attorney and in most cases a Trust. Does everyone need all these documents? It depends on your assets and your family dynamics.
For those of you that never considered family dynamics, I can assure you that if your children do not get along while you are alive, they will not get along after you pass. If you are concerned about your money going to in-laws and out-laws after your death, then you need to plan for that. If you want to make sure money goes to your grandchildren, or you have a child or grandchild with special needs, you need to plan for that too.
Now that your head is spinning and you are thinking a “won’t” is not such a bad idea and you are looking around every corner for greedy relatives, remember, you can establish an estate plan now and leave all your worries behind, literally. So how do you go about setting up an estate plan? First you need to figure out who will be in charge and where you want things to go. Estate documents are easy to establish but you need to do your homework. Let’s go through an estate plan step by step.
The Will- Details where you want your assets to go after you pass away. Note, a Will only controls assets individually owned by you when you pass away. If all your accounts are joint or have named beneficiaries, the assets will go to the named beneficiaries not the beneficiaries listed in the Will. Unfortunately, “The Probate of a Will”, takes time and money and slows up the distribution of your assets. If you are concerned about “Probate” you should establish a Trust.
The Trust-For lack of a better term is “a box” that you place your assets in to avoid probate and if it is an Irrevocable Trust, protect assets from creditors AKA “The Nursing Home”. You can fund your trust with your Real Estate, Brokerage Accounts, Certificates of Deposit, etc. When the “Grantor” (owner) passes away the Trustee distributes the assets held in the box to the beneficiaries named in the
Brian Johnson, director, business development at Advisors Insurance Brokers.
Debra A. Verni, Senior Counsel RGLC Law Group.
GLENS FALLS BUSINESS JOURNAL
Construction
Plans Underway For Next Generation To Take A Leadership Role At E&T O’Connor Construction
Courtesy Saratoga Business Journal
BY ROD BACON
The mantle of leadership of a highly respected longtime area business is in the process of being passed to the fifth generation of the family.
Within approximately 60 days, Pat O’Connor, who is currently the president, will take the reins of 120-year-old E&T O’Connor Construction from cousins Brian O’Connor and Kevin O’Connor.
“Brian and Kevin came to me a few years ago and said ‘You’re the next one to take over if you want to,’ so I’ve been preparing for this for quite some time,” said Pat. “They continued to run the company until now.”
In 1905, Thomas O’Connor started the business hauling dirt between Glens Falls and Ticonderoga with a horse and wagon. The earliest services offered were earth moving and site development using cable excavators for building contractors.
By the 1940s, ownership had passed to Thomas’ two sons, Edward and Thomas Jr. They continued to do site development so contractors could pour foundations for buildings in Glens Falls, one of which was the First National Bank. They also did site preparation for the Glens Falls Civic Center in the 1970s.
Around this time the third generation,
consisting of Edward’s son Russell and Thomas’ son Jimmy, had taken over, and they decided to expand the reach of the company by taking on some larger commercial work. They did site preparation and paving for a number of McDonald’s restaurants in the area. They also successfully bid on jobs in Queensbury, Saratoga, Brant Lake, and Whitehall. In addition to paving parking lots and retail centers they branched out into road paving and industrial drive lanes.
During the mid-1990s the present owners, Brian O’Connor and Kevin O’Connor, assumed leadership of the company. They are the sons of Russell and Jimmy, respectively. During their tenure services have been expanded to include retaining walls, sports courts, and the use of GPS modeling.
One family member who was never an owner but worked for the company for more than 30 years is Pat Sr., who was paving foreman and now runs the shop.
Significant site preparation and paving projects the company has done during the past several decades include Highland Park Country Club; most of the Schermerhorn developments in Queesnsbury and Hudson Falls; school districts in Glens Falls, Queensbury, Whitehall, and Fort Ann; and
many housing developments in Queensbury and Saratoga County, including those for the Michaels Group. Just last month they completed repaving the Glens Falls site of Greylock Storage.
“We generally do one subdivision a year,” said Pat.
A major project recently was the reconstruction of parking lots, concrete curbs, and sidewalks at Glens Falls Hospital in preparation for the expansion of the Sheridan Emergency Department, which is currently underway.
They are also working on a solar farm for Green Sparks Solar, which is located in the former Ciba Geigy plant in Queensbury.
During the past couple of years the company has started accepting some smaller residential paving jobs.
“There’s only so much commercial paving out there so to keep the crews busy I’ve taken on some smaller jobs,” Pat said.
Another service the company offers is retaining walls that are not only functional but aesthetically pleasing. They are constructed from either natural boulders or engineered RediRock systems they get from Carroll Concrete in New Hampshire. They come in 1,000-pound to 3,000-pound precast blocks with limestone, cobblestone or New England ledgestone facing.
“We can build some pretty massive retaining walls that can hold back a lot of earth,” said Pat.
Within the last decade the company added the construction of sports courts, which include tennis, basketball, and pickleball courts as well as running tracks. E&T O’Connor Construction would build them but had to subcontract the coating and painting. In 2016 they formed a sister company called Adirondack Sports Surfaces with a dedicated crew to apply the coatings. This company does driveway sealing and line striping as well.
In the early 2000s the company implemented GPS modeling to ensure its projects are done to the most exacting specifications possible. Pat explained that when preparation of an undeveloped
Whole Life Insurance
Continued From Page 7
Why working-age adults should consider 10-pay whole life
Many people delay estate or LTC planning until later in life, but starting in your 30s, 40s, or early 50s offers significant advantages: Younger applicants receive lower premiums and more favorable underwriting.
There’s also more time for cash value to accumulate and support future goals.
Having a fully paid-up policy by retirement removes an ongoing financial obligation.
Greater planning control: Starting early gives policyholders time to integrate the life insurance policy into broader estate and care strategies.
Points of caution
While 10-pay whole life offers many benefits, it’s not a one-size-fits-all solution. Here are a few considerations:
Premiums are higher due to the shorter payment period, which may not fit all budgets.
site is called for they import a Computer-Aided Design (CAD) from the engineer into hand-held units that the foremen can carry as well as units in the bulldozers and excavators to guide the operators.
“The operators can see the entire job in threedimension so they know what they’re cutting or filling,” Pat said. “It shows them to within an inch or better exactly where they are on the project.”
Obviously, site preparation and paving are the main services the company offers, but land clearing and demolition play important roles as well. Pat said that if a client simply wants his land cleared of trees, stumps and bushes they cut them down and truck them away. Demolition might involve the destruction of a building standing in the way of developing the parcel. An excavator would knock the building down and they would haul it away.
E&T O’Connor Construction has 30 employees who specialize in the company’s various services. There are seven full-time workers on the asphalt paving crew. There are numerous other crews that are experts in retaining wall construction, underground utility work, and sports court construction. The company does about 50 projects a year.
Pat earned a two-year construction degree from Hudson Valley Community College and finished his four-year degree in construction management at SUNY Delhi.
He has very ambitious plans for the future of the company. Currently, they accept jobs within an hour’s radius of their Glens Falls headquarters. He hopes to grow to $100 million worth of work by expanding the customer base to a three-hour radius.
“I’ve got a big vision for the company,” he said. “I’d like to see it grow as much as possible and I can only do that with the help of good people.”
E&T O’Connor Construction is located at 147 Meadowbrook Road in Glens Falls.
For more information about the service the company offers go to etoconnor.com.
Missing a premium can jeopardize guarantees, so financial stability is key.
Cash value grows conservatively, which may not appeal to high-growth investors.
It’s also essential to evaluate the financial strength and claims-paying ability of the insurance company issuing the policy. Not all policies are created equal.
10-pay whole life insurance is a powerful tool for working-age adults looking to build a legacy, plan for care, and provide estate liquidity.
While it requires careful consideration and a strong financial commitment, the benefits— permanent coverage, guaranteed cash value, living benefits, and estate liquidity—make it a compelling addition to a comprehensive financial plan.
As with any financial strategy, it’s wise to consult with a qualified financial advisor or estate planner to determine if a 10-pay whole life policy fits your specific goals and circumstances.
When used thoughtfully, it can provide both peace of mind and financial strength for the future.
From left: Kevin O’Connor and Brian O’Connor, vice presidents; and Pat O’Connor, president of E&T O’Connor Construction onsite at Glens Falls Hospital.
Glens Falls Hospital
Continued From Page 1
who need diagnostic services very quickly,” Scimeca said. “For example, for a patient who we suspect is having a stroke or some other kind of neurological event it is critically important to have that scan completed quickly so we can determine if they’re having an event and what kind it is because that will dictate the treatment and the possible need to transfer them to a higher level of care, perhaps in Albany. It’s important to give the physicians the tools they need to make a quick and accurate diagnosis.”
The expanded department will require that a different staffing model will need to be implemented. This will include more nurses and patient care technicians who are specifically dedicated to emergency care.
Scimeca noted that while some Emergency Departments are experiencing a decrease in patient visits, Glens Falls Hospital will continue to have an increase, which is driven by the aging of the region’s population.
“There are predictions that in some places in the state and country the population that is older than 65 will exceed the population under 18 in the next five years,” said Scimeca. “For us, that happened several years ago.”
Glens Falls Hospital serves Warren, Washington, and Northern Saratoga counties, and because of the scope of services it provides they get patients from Clinton County in New York and Western Rutland and Bennington counties in Vermont.
“This is one of the most sophisticated Emergency Departments in the region, and patients who have particularly critical needs will be drawn to this department,” Scimeca said.
The project is being done in phases and the first phase will include the expansion of the behavioral health area. The hospital has a 13-bed unit specifically for adults and adolescents with behavioral health issues that is staffed by dedicated caregivers trained in addressing things like emotional, mental, or dysregulation problems as well as drug and alcohol abuse.
The $25 million project, with a completion goal of the end of 2026, is being funded by public funds and donations from private citizens. The New York State Department of Health provided $15 million because, according to Scimeca, the governor’s office recognizes the critical role the hospital plays in the region’s health care spectrum.
A Signature Lead Gift of $3 million has been pledged by the Sheridan Family Foundation.
Lead Gifts include $2.25 million from The Hoopes Family Foundation; $1 million from the Charles R. Wood Foundation; and $1 million from Susan Conley Salice in honor of Joe and Theresa
Conley and Family.
Major Donors, which include six-figure gifts under $1 million, are Arrow Bank, Centers Health Care, Michael B. and Kathryn G. Clarke, Glens Falls Foundation, Dr. and Mrs. Jay Grossman, The Miles Hodsdon Vernon Foundation, Inc., Matthew and Betsy Montesi-North Country Janitorial, Inc., William & Lisa Powers, The Sagamore Resort, The Sandy Hill Foundation, Paul J. Scimeca, William & Joanne Stock, and Stewart’s Shops/The Dake Family.
The hospital’s medical staff has pledged $50,000.
“We have been incredibly humbled that the community has jumped in to support this project,” Scimeca said.
The Emergency Department was established over 30 years ago through the efforts and financial support of David S. and Janet R. Sheridan. Sheridan was the inventor of the disposable plastic endotracheal tube, which is now used routinely in surgery.
“My parents chose the Emergency Department because it’s one of the places that serves the greatest number of people in the hospital’s coverage area,” said Davene Sheridan Brown, one of four Sheridan children.
In 2000, the Sheridan Family Foundation was launched to help ensure that the Emergency Department remains viable into the future. Since 1986 the Sheridan family has contributed $5.5 million to the hospital.
“We have been so humbled by the partnership with the Sheridan family and particularly with Davene Sheridan Brown,” Scimeca said. “We understand their fondness for the hospital and fond memories of their dad’s association with it, and what it meant to him and the community. We honor that relationship and recognition because we couldn’t be doing what we’re doing without their support. We cherish that relationship and thank them for their support.”
In addition to the CG Construction Group as general contractor, the following regional companies are contributing their skills to the Emergency Department expansion: plumbing, BPI; mechanical piping, RF Gordon; electric fire alarm, Brownell Electric; flooring, Northeast Commercial Interiors LLC; sprinkler, Absolute Fire Protection; HVAC, Monahan Metals; fire alarm controls, Johnson Controls; HVAC controls, Eastern Heating and Cooling; excavation/sitework, E & T O’Connor; concrete/masonry, AJ Catalfamo Construction; interior finishes, Precise Painting & Wallcovering, Inc; architecture, Optimus Architecture;
The fundraising efforts are still underway. To make a gift go to www.AnyDayAnyTimeAnyOne. org or www.albanymed.org/glens-falls-hospitalfoundation/.
Checks should be made payable to the Glens Falls Hospital Foundation, 126 South St., Glens Falls, NY 12801. A notation should be made that it’s for the Sheridan Emergency Room Campaign.
Pickleball
Continued From Page 6
times but she declined. She fi nally capitulated one day when they needed a fourth for a doubles game, and her enthusiasm grew. From there, she started studying to be an instructor, achieving that goal several years ago.
“I grew up playing sports so I already had good hand-eye coordination,” she said.
In order to avoid injuries she strongly recommends that players, regardless of their skill levels, warm up before playing. She said five minutes or more of dynamic stretching, which can include wet leg swings, tree trunk twists, or any sort of body movement, is important before hitting the court.
Growing interest in the game is evident in the Capital District. Legacy Pickleball Club in Ballston Spa offers eight indoor courts with plans to add outdoor courts. East Side Recreation Park in Saratoga Springs has converted existing tennis courts and is adding dedicated pickleball courts. The Saratoga Springs Recreation Center has indoor courts, Gavin Park features both indoor and outdoor courts, and the Southern Saratoga YMCA offers numerous programs and open play.
In Warren County, two courts are available at Hudson River Park in Queensbury and Delong-Usher Park in Lake George, respectively. Th ree are available at Derby-Moran Park in Hudson Falls, five at Rogers Memorial Park in Bolton Landing, Ridge/Jenkinsville Park in Queensbury has eight, and Crandall Park in Glens Falls has recently installed four.
Courts at private facilities available to members only include those at the Glens Falls Family YMCA, Glens Falls Country Club, Lake George Club, Lake George RV Park, Lake George Camping Village, Lake George Escape Campground, and Melody Manor Resort in Bolton Landing.
The game can be played by two or four competitors. A smooth-faced paddle is used to hit a perforated, hollow plastic ball over a 34-inch-high net. A regulation sized court is 20 feet by 44 feet for both singles and doubles. Service must be done underhand without the
ball touching the ground. Complete rules of play and strategy are available in the USA Pickleball Rulebook published by the Global Pickleball Federation and PFA Pickleball Americas.
The rapid growth of the game has required the construction of new courts. One local company that has been kept very busy in this area is Adirondack Sports Surfaces, a sister company of Glens Falls-based O’Connor Construction, that was started in 2016.
According to Pat O’Connor, who is president of both entities, Edward and Thomas O’Connor Construction would do all the site preparation for the sports courts they were contracted to build but had to have a subcontractor do the fi nal surface work.
“It was difficult to coordinate our respective schedules so we decided to form our own company and get a team together that specialized in surfacing the basketball, tennis, and pickleball courts we were building,” he said.
O’Connor estimates that between newbuilds and refurbishing of existing courts the company does 30 jobs per summer. It typically takes one to two weeks to prepare a site and lay the asphalt, which then has to cure for three weeks. Putting the coating on is a three-to-five-day process. The work can only be done between May and September.
O’Connor said that due to the growing popularity of the game, 40 percent to 50 percent of the company’s sports court work involves pickleball in some form. Even customers who want basketball or tennis courts are asking that pickleball lines be incorporated into the project.
“I enjoy going to a site and seeing nothing but a grass field and then going back after we’ve built the court and talking to people and hearing how much fun they’re having,” he said. “It really doesn’t feel like work because it’s almost like you’re an artist; you’ve build something and then painted it and people are enjoying it.”
Continued From Page 1
that current gasoline prices are having a very serious or somewhat serious impact on their fi nancial condition. Seventy-seven percent (down from 79% last quarter) of state residents indicate that the amount of money they spend on groceries is having either a very serious or somewhat serious impact on their fi nances.
“As the President’s agenda moves through Congress and trade deals are being actively negotiated, consumers’ buying behaviors are mostly unchanged,” Brodbeck said. “With so much change being discussed in the macroeconomy, consumers may be taking a wait and see approach when making purchasing decisions. While some big ticket items, such as buying a vehicle or paying for a major home improvement, have declined, more consumers are planning to purchase a home this quarter than the previous. Despite uncertainty around tariffs on electronics, the largest increase in anticipated purchasing this quarter was for buying consumer electronics.”
Lake George
Continued From Page 1
The new bandshell amphitheater ($1.5 million) will replace one that burned last June 30.
The venue hosts numerous musical events throughout the busy tourist season including the always popular Jazz at the Lake festival, scheduled this year for September 12-14, bringing people to town after Labor Day.
“The bandshell is on a fast track because it’s such a heavily utilized part of the venue (Shepard Park) itself,” said Gina Mintzer, Lake George Regional Chamber of Commerce executive director. “It’s one thing to go through the planning process and see how things look on paper. When it comes alive and you see the before, during and after, that’s when it’s really exciting.”
“There’s a diversity of projects on the table,” she said. “Each one is in some way an extension of and complements the other. When the Village Mall becomes more year around, you can have more business tenants, more vibrancy. It adds to people’s experience.”
A great deal of time, money and effort has been spent, with limited success, trying to make Lake George a more year-round tourist destination in recent years. Winter Realm at Charles R. Wood Park and Winter’s Dream at Fort William Henry both fizzled before completing proposed multi-year runs.
Warren County approved $3 million for Winter’s Dream, which generated a nominal profit of several thousand dollars.
Barusch said Lake George is faced with a “chicken and egg” dilemma.
“You need people to keep businesses open in winter, and they also need staff,” he said.
But visitors and more year-round residents won’t come unless there are things to see and do, and places to work.
Winterizing Village Mall ($1.25 million) is expected to create space for 16 more year-round commercial tenants. Plans call for enclosing both ends of the building and conducting extensive interior and facade renovation works.
An addition and improved accessibility to Caldwell Library ($433,000) and upgrades at the Old County Courthouse museum ($450,000) should make those sites more visitor friendly.
“Hopefully the Courthouse will stay open longer throughout the year, and keep people coming in spring and fall to see public art installations or learn more about the history,” Barusch said.
New Yorkers continue to feel the weight of essential monthly expenses. Th is quarter, 72% say housing costs are having a serious impact on their fi nancial situation, up slightly from 69% last quarter. Utility costs are at 66% (down from 67% last quarter), and 53% say streaming and entertainment services are a fi nancial strain (up from 51% last quarter). Reports of cell phone costs being a very or somewhat serious fi nancial burden increased to 38% (from 36%). Nearly half, 49%, of New Yorkers say they are seriously impacted by all three essentials—housing, utilities, and food. Nearly one in five, 17%, report that all six key monthly expenses—food, gas, housing, utilities, entertainment, and cell phones—are weighing heavily on their fi nances.
Th is Siena College Poll was conducted June 25 - July 2, 2025, among 921 New York State Residents. For complete release, data summary, or trend analysis, visit www.siena.edu/ scri/cci
Center, located in the Village of Schuylerville, will be home to historical displays and presentations with a heavy emphasis on technology, including augmented reality and artificial intelligence, plus restrooms, a merchandise shop and offices.
In addition, the state has awarded $4.5 million for six projects in Schuylerville under the NY Forward program. Plans call for a new Village Community Center ($2,248,000), reconnecting the Old Champlain Canal under Ferry Street ($1,050,000), constructing a new mixed-use building at the Hotel Schuyler site ($750,000, Canal Square building renovations ($179,000), expansion of Kickstart Café ($187,000), and enhancement of wayfinding signage around the village ($86,000).
Of the 13 Lake George projects, 11 are public (town/village) and two are private.
The most expensive ($2.3 million) project is creation of a Lake Walk and observation deck atop the existing public restroom building. This largely unused portion Shepard Park will feature a small, new pocket park with benches and attractive landscaping.
In addition to Village Mall, the only other private project is $266,000 to renovate and expand 267 Canada (Mezza Luna building) with an upgraded restaurant and ADA-accessible patio space on the ground floor, five fully-furnished student or workforce housing units on the second floor and parking lot improvements.
“The state likes to infuse some money into private projects,” Barusch said. “In some towns it’s 50-50. But the public projects proposed in our package were so strong that I think the state saw value in giving most of the money to them. I think our joint town-village partnership also weighed heavily when applying for DRI funding.”
The new Battlefield Park project ($519,000), where soldiers’ remains will be buried, will be in a plazatype setting with signage.
Other public projects are:
* Acquiring specialized music, audio-visual and lighting equipment to enhance year-round entertainment, product capacity and programming ($600,000).
* Creation of a Lake George Art & Canoe Trail ($375,000) featuring 18 uniquely painted canoes and paddles, and three murals, showcasing and cultivating regional talent while beautifying the area.
* Installing downtown heritage wayfinding. ($350,000). Dual-sided signs throughout downtown to will aid in navigation, highlight local points of interest and promote Lake George’s history. The project also includes the design and installation of two new Gateway signs for the town and village.
Lake George is the second Warren County community to obtain state DRI funding in recent years.
Work, highlighted by a major transformation of South Street including a new Market Center, is still ongoing in Glens Falls.
Earlier this month, under a separate County Infrastructure Grant Program, the state approved $975,000 to help pay for North Creek’s new wastewater treatment plant that’s expected to spur local business investment in town. “This funding will help improve the North Creek business district, aid the expansion of Gore Mountain’s facilities to grow winter tourism and potentially help with development of new homes in the region as well,” said Kevin Geraghty, county Board of Supervisors chairman.
Gore Mountain is currently undergoing a $40 million upgrade.
In Saratoga County, the state has approved $250,000 to establish a central hub for the Saratoga Battlefield Heritage Region in anticipation of the upcoming 250th anniversary of the American Revolution. This new America’s Turning Point Heritage
* Enhancing South Canada’s streetscape with pedestrian oriented design ($780,000), including expansion of accessible sidewalks, new benches, intersection improvements, stormwater management and new LED streetlights.
* Six new bus shelters with bike racks and reconfiguring the downtown Lake George circulator trolley to improve service and connectivity for residents, tourists and the workforce ($275,000).
* Establish a Small Projects Fund for winterization and building improvements ($600,000).
One property not included in DRI funding, which holds major potential for future development, is the former Water Slide World site on Route 9. Barusch said it’s hoped that a planned unit development will take shape at this large vacant parcel.
“It wouldn’t be for seasonal shops and restaurants, but places where people can work year round,” Barusch said. “Maybe a healthcare facility, day care, or small shopping center to create jobs, mixed with housing.”
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Estate Planning
Continued From Page 7 The
Trust. You can put specific language in the Trust to make sure that your children do not blow their inheritance, that your grandchildren and those with special needs are taken care of and that your money does not go to in-laws and out-laws. Trusts are a wonderful vehicle to make sure your assets are protected, and your wishes are followed.
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Modern Office
Continued From Page 5
your current IT roadmap with phases aligned to your individual business goals.
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Revolution Rail
Continued From Page 2
North Creek, dating back to 1864, when it served Gilded Age rich and famous headed to Great Camps nestled deep in the Adirondacks.
Currently, the Railway operates on 17 miles of track from Saratoga to Antone Mountain Road in Corinth, leased from its owner, the Town of Corinth. “We’ve paid for and done all the repairs,” Railway owner Hal Raven said.
Another 40 miles of rail up to North Creek are owned by Warren County, which Revolution Rail has a five-year agreement ($100,000 per year) to operate on.
Since its founding, eight years ago, the North Creek-based business has expanded to Colorado, Cape May, N.J. and a brand-new site in Kennebunkport, Maine. “Every place we go we try to replicate what we’re doing in Warren Conty and the Adirondacks,” Executive Vice President Ed Lescala said. “We are the best stewards of this track and the best sponsors of this area. We tell our customers in Maine, ‘If you liked this, go to the Adirondacks.’ And they do. We’re out there supporting the whole area.”
Saratoga Corinth & Hudson Railway has thrived by limiting operations to Saratoga County. Two previous companies, which offered scenic train rides from Saratoga to North Creek, went out of business.
Raven said he’d like to expand into Warren County “if the county and Revolution Rail were open to it.”
“We would love to look at partnerships and other opportunities,” he said. “We would love to see it happen in the future, but we couldn’t do it now. The line needs a lot of work. The county has to be willing to put up some funds to make that happen. Last year they fixed three washouts, but there’s a lot of overgrowth up there. It just needs a lot of brush cutting.”
Warren County already spends $600,000 per year on rail maintenance, so it’s section of track still faces a somewhat uncertain future despite Revolution Rail’s growth and success.
Some parties say the track should be torn up and replaced with a multi-use recreation trail. But removing rails alone would cost at least $30 million, prior to trail construction.
Owners of Revolution Rail and the Railway say their firms make the Adirondacks accessible to people of all ages, and varying degrees of physical
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The Durable Power of Attorney-Last but not least the Power of Attorney is probably the most important document you can have. Why do you ask? If you do not have a valid Power of Attorney and you become incapacitated your family will not have access to your accounts to pay your bills. They will not be able to preserve your assets if you are placed in a Nursing Home.
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condition. Lengthy bike trails have a more select user group, they say.
“When you look at the number of children, seniors and disabled persons we take out, we have an avenue that’s available and open to them, where a (bike) trail wouldn’t be,” Raven said. “We get groups of seniors from Bethlehem, Colonie, Albany and out of the state.”
Saratoga Economic Development Corporation President Greg Connors said the Railway gives a major boost to a variety of businesses in towns along its route in northern Saratoga County. “It serves as a significant economic generator for the Saratoga County entrance to the Adirondack Park,” he said. “Whether a formal event opportunity; weddings, birthdays, corporate events or a leisurely family excursion, the Railway provides dining, attraction and accommodation opportunities to communities that are enjoyable for all ages and demographics.”
Likewise, Revolution Rail offers a variety of trips at its five different locations.
Rail bikes are metal vehicles that run on railroad tracks, powered like bicycles. Passengers sit side by side in a slightly reclined position, with pedals far enough in front so they can extend their legs. Durable, hard plastic wheels create an extremely smooth ride, easy for people of all ages and athletic ability.
“Not everybody can go cycling, but everybody can do this,” Lescala said. “People with disabilities and different physical challenges can do this.”
Warren County owns and recently reopened the Riverside station in Riparius, which Revolution Rail works out of, midway between Chestertown and Wevertown on Route 8. The station is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Round trip rides go along a scenic portion of the upper Hudson River.
“I was thrilled when I heard this was opening,” Johnsburg Supervisor Kevin Bean said. “Thanks to Rob (Revolution Rail founder & CEO Robert Harte) and Ed for rolling the dice and taking a chance.”
“You can see the impact of their investment everywhere you look,” Siplon said. “The creation of tens of thousands of unique visits to this part of the county has been energized by them partnering with the assets that are already here. We spend a lot of time talking about where can we create growth that’s aligned with the values of the (Adirondack) park. It’s a really proud day for not only Warren County, but the entire region because this is exactly how it should go.”
