Glens Falls Business Journal - November 2024

Improvements At Gore And Whiteface Ski Areas Guarantee A Better Winter Experience

BY PAUL POST

Olympic

Regional Development Authority

has invested $17 million on capital upgrades at Gore and Whiteface mountains for the upcoming ski season.

Projects include replacing antiquated lifts, updating and maintaining existing lifts, improving snowmaking and electrical infrastructure, and modernizing buildings and lodges.

At Gore, workers broke ground last spring on a new 18,300-square-foot lodge at North Creek Ski Bowl, operated by ORDA adjacent to the main ski center but owned by the Town of Johnsburg. The new lodge, complete with a restaurant and two levels of outdoor patios, is scheduled for completion in 2025.

In addition, the Ski Bowl’s old Hudson chairlift has been replaced with a new detachable

quad servicing all levels of ski trails.

These are the latest in a series of Ski Bowl upgrades ORDA has undertaken since December 2022. It has installed chairlifts, improved trails, upgraded snowmaking systems, modernized, and expanded the Joe Minder Lodge, and developed a professional Nordic center with certified racecourses.

Also in time for this winter, at Gore’s main ski area all of the Northwoods Gondola cabins have been replaced with new eight-passenger cabins with ski racks that better accommodate modern, wider-diameter skis and snowboards.

“We continue our vision of a multi-faceted Gore Mountain that serves the local community and achieves sustainable goals while being an all-season travel destination that provides a positive impact on the entire region for decades

Cornell Cooperative Extension Takes Over Taste NY Shop At Adirondacks Welcome Center

BY SUSAN ELISE CAMPBELL

Cornell Cooperative Extension of Saratoga County has taken over management of the Taste NY shop at the Adirondacks Welcome Center in Glens Falls, according to Greg Stevens, assistant director of the extension.

For those unfamiliar with CCE, it is a subsidiary of Cornell University, the land grant university for New York. CCE translates Cornell’s world renowned, science-based research into knowledge through educational programs administered by independent associations in nearly every county in the state.

“We are about building vibrant communities through education,” said Stevens, who has a 26-year career with CCE.

Stevens oversees the 4-H Youth Development Program and the Family and Consumer Science Program for the Saratoga extension. There is a third area, Agriculture, which Stevens said is how land grant universities were established.

Taste NY was launched by New York’s Department of Agriculture and Markets to highlight the quality, diversity, and economic impact of food and beverages grown, produced, or processed in the state, says the department’s web site. Its events, promotions, and stores are seen state-wide.

Peckham Industries Has Provided Quality Work And Environmental

Stewardship For 100 Years

BY PAUL POST

Peckham Industries has 17 hot-mix asphalt plants and 26 stone quarries in five states including a large operation on Vaughn Road in Kingsbury where crowds gathered recently to celebrate the fourth generation, family-owned company’s 100th anniversary.

“Not too many businesses make it to 100 years and less than three percent make it to the fourth generation,” said Damian Murphy, the firm’s president and chief executive officer. “It goes back to the values that have been there since the founder’s days. We talk about safety, integrity, dedication.”

“Be consistent,” he said. “Even though things are always changing, those values never change. People know that about our business, whether it’s our customers, communities or work force. They know they can trust us and that we’re here for the long term.

“The bigger story we like to talk about is the culture in our business,” Murphy said. “That’s what really differentiates us. One of the key phrases is, ‘Our word is our bond’.”

Recent large projects have run the gamut, such as paving a long stretch of the Northway from Schroon to North Hudson, and construction of large parking facilities in The Bronx and at UBS Arena where the NHL’s New York Islanders play. The Kingsbury plant opened in 1962, one of the first in the nation to be operated as a batch and drum plant, and was replaced by a larger facility in 1985. The new plant’s first big asphalt supply was for a major paving job on the Northway in Saratoga County, from Exit 13 in Malta to Exit 9 in Clifton Park.

Founded by William H. Peckham in his tiny White Plains apartment, the company survived

George Ferone Will Be Honored With The J. Walter Juckett Award At ARCC Dinner

The Adirondack Regional Chamber of Commerce (ARCC) has announced that the 36th Annual J. Walter Juckett Community Service Award will be presented to George A. Ferone. He will be presented with the award at the ARCC Annual Dinner on the evening of March 7, 2025 at The Sagamore Resort.

Ferone had a long-standing career at Tribune Media Services, Inc. where he completed a tenure of just over 44 years. Upon his retirement he was a highly respected member of their executive team and regarded as a leadership role model in the business community. One of his major contributions was working with local municipalities to build a 40,000-square-foot facility on Media Drive in Glens Falls, which led to keeping 400 jobs locally. His commitment to the local workforce included service on the Saratoga/Warren/ Washington Counties Workforce Investment Board, and the Job Discovery Promotion & Planning Committees.

“Mr. Ferone gave so much to our community and we are so grateful for his service,” said ARCC President & CEO Tricia Rogers. “His dedication to his career, coupled with his many years of community service, clearly demonstrate his love for our community.”

Ferone’s commitment to the health of the

region is evident in his board and committee service for Glens Falls Hospital, the Glens Falls Hospital Foundation, and Albany Med Health Systems. Having served Glens Falls Hospital for close to 20 years, his continued dedicaGeorge Ferone will receive the J. Walter Juckett Award at the ARCC’s annual dinner.

Courtesy of ARCC

(From left) Ashley Walden, Betty Little, Lt. Governor Antonio Delgado, Sterling Goodspeed, and Jim Siplon join employees at the groundbreaking for the new lodge at Gore Mountain Ski Bowl. Courtesy of Gore Mountain Ski Area

Leading Peckham Industries, a fourth-generation business, are (l-r) General Manager Gregory Peckham, Kingsbury site manager Rachael Young, and President/CEO Damian Murphy.

Paul Post photo

New Store Focusing On The Romance Genre Has A Positive Response Among Bibliophiles

BY CHRISTINE GRAF

There’s a new business in downtown Glens Falls, one that will appeal to lovers of romance novels.

Just One More Chapter, a book store focusing primarily on the romance genre, opened it’s doors in mid-October. Located at 14 Ridge Street, the 1,400-square-foot shop is owned by Ashley Brownell.

Before opening her own store, Brownell was a successful food blogger, her blog devoted to Instant Pot recipes. She started the blog as a way to earn income after becoming a stay-at-home mom. The blog garnered a devoted following, providing Brownell with a steady stream of income.

“I did that for over ten years,” she said. “I sold my website about two years ago and was looking for a new passion project. I decided to open a bookstore because reading helped me get through some times in my life that I really struggled with.”

When Brownell saw a for rent sign in the window of 14 Ridge Street, she knew it was the perfect place to open a bookstore.

“I’ve lived here for fifteen years, so I knew that the foot traffic here is fantastic,” she said. “If a bookstore is going to survive anywhere, it would be right here.”

Brownell’s husband, Mike Saville, transformed the space, building book shelves and installing new flooring as well as a reclaimed wood wall. Saville, the owner of Stone Saver Plus, a counter top company in South Glens Falls, also built a granite bench for the store.

According to Brownell, she made the decision for Just One More Chapter to focus on the romance genre because it is the most popular and most profitable of all genres. Sales of romance novels rake in an estimated $1 billion a year.

“Romance is one of the top-selling genres in the publishing world. It accounts for over forty percent of sales. So, I thought why not bring a romance bookstore to our little Hallmark town, which is what we are. I just wanted to add a little bit more love to our town because everybody could use a little bit more love.”

In addition to romance novels, Just One More Chapter features books written by local authors. The store also has a free library cart, one where people can donate their used books for others to enjoy.

“It’s a free little library,” Brownell explained, saying that she also has a small free library cart of children’s books.

When Just One More Chapter opened its doors in mid-October, Brownell was shocked by the support she received from the local community. On the day of their grand opening,

people were lined up, the line stretching all the way down the street to the public library.

“I truly was not expecting that,” said Brownell. “The town has been so welcoming, and ever since opening day, we’ve been very busy. My shelves are actually kind of empty because we’ve sold out of a good quarter of our books. I have a $3,000 book order coming in today.”

Brownell handpicked each one of the 800 romance titles that fill her shelves, and she plans to include even more titles in the future.

“I’ve read many of the books, and a lot of them are on my list of books that I want to read,” she said.

Brownell will be hosting events at her store and will also be participating in the Boozy Book Fair at the Adirondack Winery in November.

“I am throwing an Onyx Storm midnight release party on January twentieth from ten p.m. to twelve-thirty a.m. I will also be doing author signings and throwing book club events, but right now I’m just taking things one step at a time so that I don’t get overwhelmed,” she said, noting that she is the store’s only employee.

Although Brownell is optimistic that Just One More Chapter will be a success, she said she will consider the experience a win regardless of outcome.

“Even if it doesn’t work out. I will get to go home with a whole bunch more books,” she said.

Just One More Chapter is open Tuesday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m to 2 pm.. For more information, visit www.justonemorechapter.com

Green River General Store Replaces The Iconic Nemec’s Sports Shop In Warrensburg

BY SUSAN ELISE CAMPBELL

This past July, the iconic Nemec’s Sports Shop became Green River Lumber General Store. Karen Ovitt, owner of Green River Lumber, said she took advantage of the opportunity to purchase the business that had graced Main Street in Warrensburg for 52 years.

“The community depended on Nemec’s for animal feed, propane, hunting licenses, bait and lures, and more,” said Ovitt. “We are going to fill their legacy by offering these staples, which are hard to find elsewhere, and regularly introduce new things for the locals and tourists who visit us.”

The new store does not sell guns and ammunition as before, she said. But it has added items to decorate the home and yard as well as gifts.

The location at 4036 Main Street is only about a mile away from Ovitt’s original location, where she housed a retail business, Green River Lumber, and its inventory of sustainable reclaimed plywood, redwood, and quality hardwood flooring under the Superior Flooring brand.

In the past, shoppers of the lumber products had to walk through a warehouse and up to the second floor of their building to see samples. That location remains open as a place for overstock and a small flooring showroom has been set up on the main floor of the new location.

“Customers are surprised walking in for sporting gear and seeing some flooring,” said Ovitt. “The showroom is the primary thing that has changed and makes the new store look different from the old.”

Ovitt purchased virtually everything that was left in the store when it closed its doors. There is hunting and camping equipment and seasonal clothing such as flannels and sweatshirts. She said she is using the same vendors and suppliers as Nemec’s and adding new items.

“The general store is evolving,” she said. “I didn’t have a store before when this opportunity arose and I wanted to continue what was established here.”

Ovitt worked in retail before founding Green River Lumber, which at one time was the name of a flooring supplier long out of business. She said her husband had the name trademarked in 2013.

One of the things she enjoyed doing in her retail days was making displays. Today when entering the general store, there is a table out front that Ovitt decorates seasonally with candies and different items that may appeal to a variety of shoppers.

“I always liked doing the displays,” she said. “It comes natural to me.”

But also, “once upon a time, a lifetime ago,” Ovitt dreamed of opening a trading post, a concept which is not unlike the atmosphere in her general store today, she said.

Closing on the business and getting her bearings in a brand new kind of venture has been a whirlwind for the entrepreneur.

“I’ve been too busy for a grand opening,” she said.

Watch for a public event to celebrate the new Green River Lumber General Store in downtown Warrensburg, and learn more on Facebook.

Nemec’s Sports Shop, a popular retail outlet in Warrensburg for 52 years, became Green River Lumber General Store when it was purchased by Karen Ovitt last summer.

Ashley Brownell purveys the popular romance genre in her new store, Just One More Chapter. Courtesy of

Warren County Officials Attempt To Address Increasing Fiscal Issues At Recent Seminar

BY PAUL POST

Warren County officials say a sales tax increase is inevitable as the state keeps passing costly programs on to local government.

Medicaid, juvenile detention and mental health services are among the fiscal burdens contributing to a $4 million gap in the county’s proposed $207.1 million 2025 budget that’s $14.3 million higher than this year’s spending plan.

A public hearing is scheduled for November 15.

“Costs are going up, we’re going to have to find revenue somewhere either now or in the future,” said Board of Supervisors Chairman Kevin Geraghty, of Warrensburg. “We do get aid from New York State, but they always seem to find a way to shift costs to us each year.”

Budget Officer and Stony Creek Supervisor Frank E. Thomas said a 1 percent sales tax hike from 7 percent to 8 percent would raise an estimated $12 million, enabling the county to cover rising costs for at least several years. The county would keep approximately half this amount with the rest distributed to towns and the City of Glens Falls.

“Do it now or do it later,” said Thomas, regarding a higher sales tax. “Sooner or later we’re going to have to.”

Geraghty, Thomas, county Administrator John Taflan and tourism Director Heather Bagshaw discussed a variety of issues during a recent “Warren County Outlook” seminar with dozens of local business leaders on hand at Crandall Public Library.

Warren, Washington and Saratoga are the state’s only counties with a 7 percent sales tax. Every other county is at 8 percent or higher.

But January 1, 2027 is the earliest a higher rate could take effect. Even if the county adopts such a plan next year, both houses of the state Legislature and governor would also have to approve it, which wouldn’t occur till 2026.

“It does quite frankly make a lot of sense and I think it will be something we ultimately have to do,” Taflan said. “But we are probably in a hold pattern. I suspect there’s a good chance we will not move until Saratoga and Washington counties also want to do that.”

While acknowledging the need for a higher sales tax, Geraghty said, “The only way I would ever vote for (it) is if we lowered the property tax in the county.”

“With all the visitors we get in, maybe we should get them to share some of the burden (with higher sales tax),” Geraghty said. “I believe it would be doable.”

Tourism is one of the county’s main economic engines especially during the busy Lake George summer season.

The overall property tax levy increased by 6.1 percent under the proposed budget. However, a $1.1 billion countywide increase in property values sees the countywide tax rate decrease by two cents to $3.262 per $1,000 in assessed value.

Rates in each municipality vary based on

equalization rate.

Thomas said sales tax, which had increased about 5 percent annually for several years, only rose 2 percent in 2024, which he attributed to overall economic conditions.

“With inflation I think people are buying what they need more than what they want to buy,” he said. “I think that’s probably the cause.”

Inflation has also impacted county operations across the board, from higher food prices for county jail inmates to expensive highway paving projects related to high oil costs.

“And an increase in salaries kind of blows each budget apart,” Thomas said. “Everyone wants a pay raise. As you increase the pay, that inflates the budget. It goes around and around and gets harder and harder.”

Retirement benefit and health insurance costs have gone up 14 percent and 9 percent, respectively, and severe storm damage cost the county $5 million during the past year.

Thomas said state-imposed mandates are especially problematic, with various requirements affecting many departments from law enforcement to public works.

For example, there are court-ordered psychiatric exams and treatment for a defendant or accused person that the court determines isn’t competent for trial.

“They’re sent to a state-run facility to gain competence so they can go on trial, but the state decides when the time is up and we pay the bill,” Thomas said.

Such costs, which previously didn’t exceed $50,000, are now almost $2 million, he said.

“New York State used to pay half; not any more,” he said.

Similarly, the only juvenile detention facility is in Westchester County, which “takes two deputies down and back to them bring back to court,” Thomas said. “It gets very expensive, very quick.”

Regarding highway projects, the state now requires much larger “climate-resilient” culverts. “They’ve gone to an extreme,” he said. “You’ve got to study the wetlands and do all kinds of engineering. It’s added all kinds of unnecessary expense. A culvert that might have cost $800,000 to $1 million is now $2 million.”

Thomas said the county saved $100,000 by combining its Civil Service and Human Resources departments under the new budget and that more consolidation might be forthcoming. “In 2025 the county will begin hauling waste for the towns, a 50 percent reduction in cost to towns. Overall it’s not the best budget in the world, but it is what it is.”

Pressing issues such as rural broadband and cell phone service, expanded public transportation and affordable housing for middle-income workers such as teachers, first responders and healthcare employees were also discussed. But officials said there appears to be no near-term solution for any of them.

“I was at a meeting in Lake Placid where the governor’s representatives told us every-

Ski Areas

Continued From Page 1

to come,” Gore General Manager James Bayse said.

At Whiteface, key upgrades for 2024-25 include a new patio outside the Bear Den Learning Center. Complete with environmentally friendly in-ground heating, the patio gives guests a place to gather for dining, watching family members learn to ski and ride, and simply enjoy the mountain.

Also, new pipe and high efficiency tower snowmaking guns have been installed on the popular Mackenzie and Wilderness trails and on Upper Parkway. Plus, a new Snowmax injection system has been installed to further boost snowmaking capabilities across the mountain in warmer temperatures.

In addition, the Cloudsplitter Gondola received a new haul rope, installed early this summer. A haul rope is the extremely long and weighty steel cable that lifts gondola cabins up the mountain throughout the season.

Whiteface has also obtained a new winchready PistonBully 600 Snow Cat that will help the grooming crew that ensure even the steepest trails are in top shape each morning

Gore and Whiteface employ about 400 and 470 people, respectively, at peak season and are major contributors to ORDA’s overall economic impact, which totals more than $340 million while generating more than $25 million in state and local taxes.

“Recent improvements to the Olympic Authority’s ski facilities have contributed to the continued success of New York State’s tourism industry,” ORDA President and CEO Ashley Walden said.

Gore and Whiteface had 251,236 and 216,086 skier visits during the 2022-23 winter season.

ORDA Director of Information Darcy Rowen Norfolk said, “We continually look to improve the skier experience. With climate change, we are not only working to provide exceptional experiences at our ski resorts, but we are doing it with thoughtful stewardship necessary to preserve this legacy far into the future for all to enjoy.”

Selling a Company

As someone who has sold businesses for over 20 years (including my own), the most common question I get asked is, “What is my business worth?” The honest answer is that value is very buyer dependent, as all have varying motivations. However, the bedrock of business value is cash flow.

There are many types of cash flows buyers use to determine value, but the most common is adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (Adjusted EBITDA). This is calculated by adding back expenses to EBITDA to exclude items that do not represent ongoing operations.

Common adjustments include one-time expenses, excessive owner compensation, discretionary expenses, charitable contributions, and non-market rent expenses. To buyers it indicates the annual return on investment in your company. An industry, company specific multiplier is applied to to adjusted EBITDA to estimate a value.

Buyers want to see at least three years of demonstrated cash flow. If you are in a business cycle sensitive business, a five year or longer lookback may be required. If your business is growing rapidly, a trailing twelve months (TTM) is the most relevant measure.

ThielGroup is a business advisory service that provides brokerage, M&A, and valuation services throughout upstate New York and New England.

Interested in discussing how we can help you sell your business? Give me a call. I have been selling companies for 20 years!

mergers & acquisitions, valuations, advisory

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kthiel@thielgroup.com www.thielgroup.com

ARCC President/CEO Tricia Rogers recently moderated a panel discussion with (l-r) Kevin Geraghty, John Taflan, Heather Bagshaw and Frank E. Thomas on Warren County fiscal issues. Courtesy of Adirondack Regional Chamber of Commerce

Kathlene Thiel, MBA, CVA M&A Master Intermediary

Amber Hensley Is Named Assistant Vice President Of Business Development At BSNB

Christopher R. Dowd, president and CEO of Ballston Spa National Bank (BSNB), has announced that Amber Hensley has been named assistant vice president/business development officer.

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GLENS FALLS BUSINESS JOURNAL

2000 Business Of The Year

Adirondack Regional Chamber Of Commerce

9 Broad St. Glens Falls, NY 12803 (518) 581-0600 • Fax: (518) 430-3020 • www.glensfallsbusinessjournal.com

Editorial: rodbacon@saratogabusinessjournal.com

Advertising: HarryW@glensfallsbusinessjournal.com

Publisher & Editor Harry Weinhagen

Associate Editor Rod Bacon

Sales and Customer Service Harry Weinhagen Mary Longley

Production Manager Graphic Precision

Contributing Writers Susan Campbell Ann Donnelly Jill Nagy Christine Graf Paul Post

In this role, Hensley will be responsible for developing and cultivating relationships with business banking customers across the Capital Region. She will play a pivotal role in expanding commercial banking opportunities, retaining existing business, and driving growth in the bank’s market share through the acquisition of new customers. Hensley will also leverage her experience to identify cross-sell opportunities for BSNB’s full suite of business services, including cash management, loan, deposit, investment, and insurance products.

Hensley joined BSNB following a successful tenure at Pioneer Bank in Albany, where she served as a business banking relationship manager. Prior to that, she also managed Pioneer’s headquarters branch, overseeing sales performance and business growth initiatives. Now on board with BSNB and joining the bank’s new business development team, she will be located at the bank’s Guilderland location,

“Amber grew up in the Capital Region and her expertise in business banking and her proven track record of building strong relationships with customers make her an invaluable asset to our team,” said David Omicinski, vice president of commercial banking. “Her deep understanding of the industry, combined with her dedication to our local businesses that are the backbone of our economy will be instrumental in furthering BSNB’s mission to serve businesses in our community.”

“Ballston Spa National Bank’s rich history and community-centric focus align with my philosophy that banking is more than con-

ducting transactions,” said Hensley. “It’s an opportunity to partner with our customers in their own space, understand and embrace their unique challenges, and create a customized program to enable their success, whether that’s providing an equipment loan, a commercial line of credit, an expansion loan or other business service.”

Hensley holds a degree in business from Sage College of Albany and is a graduate of Niskayuna High School. She is a former board member of St. Catherine’s Center for Children and is a current volunteer at the Crossroads Center for Children. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her husband, their two dogs and exploring the beautiful Capital Region on the back of a Harley-Davidson.

Grants Are Approved To Improve Operations Of Th ree Granville Area Organizations

The Granville Community Foundation (GCF) has announced that its latest recommendation to award $42,975 of grants for the second half of 2024 has been approved by the Glens Falls Foundation.

“We received grant proposals for $87,395 worth of projects with specific funding requests of $67,975 from the GCF. We’re able to support $42,975 of these requests and, coupled with our grants made in previous years, we have now made a total of 22 grants totaling $241,119 since starting in 2022”, said Michael Freed, chair of the GCF Advisory Board. “These three latest grants are consistent with our goals of funding projects that address community development, education, art and culture, environment, and health and social needs of the greater Granville community. We continue to be inspired by the passion of these nonprofit organizations to help the Granville community and we’re honored to try and assist however we can.”

“The Distribution Committee of the Glens Falls Foundation has received, reviewed and fully supports the recommendation of the GCF Advisory Board to approve these grants and we look forward to the positive impact these, and future grants,

will have on the Granville community,” said Laura Vamvalis, business administrator of the Glens Falls Foundation.

The grants awarded are as follows:

* Granville Engine and Hose Co.; $25,000 to support their purchase of a special washer and dryer for personal protective equipment (PPE). Firefighters are exposed to numerous cancercausing contaminants from fires, hazmat situations and other chemicals. Greater awareness of the long-term hazards, including cancer, of wearing dirty and contaminated PPE has created greater urgency for regular cleaning of PPE gear.

* North Granville Hose Co. Inc.; $10,000 to purchase a new hydraulic RAM add-on for their Jaws of Life. The RAM tool is designed to create additional space where push points are more distant, such as with heavy machinery, buses and large SUVs. The new RAM also offers the ability to push bigger holes from further away, enabling volunteers to work quickly in even the trickiest extrications.

* Haynes House of Hope; $7,975 to provide a safe ramp for handicap accessibility for residents and visitors to come and go safely, as well as funds to remove and replace the front entrance stairs.

Washington County New Business Registrations

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Amber Hensley has been promoted to a new position at Ballston Spa National Bank. Courtesy of Ballston Spa National Bank

9 Broad Street #7 Glens Falls, NY 12801

The Lake George Battlefield Park Visitor Center Hosts A Record Number Of Attendees

The Lake George Battlefield Park Visitor Center completed its third season of operation with a record number of visitors, a series of improvements both inside the center and throughout the park, and plans for further program enhancements under the coordination of the Lake George Battlefield Park Alliance.

Alliance President John DiNuzzo reported that the total 2024 VC attendance of 3,492 represents a 45 percent climb over last year’s figure of 2,409. Fresh additions, which elevated the visitor experience this season, include two adjacent resin park orientation signs that interpret the role of the Battlefield Park during the French and Indian War and the American Revolution, at the VC’s entrance. The signs were funded by the Lake George Park Commission and installed by the State Department of Environmental Conservation. DEC also constructed a new paved walkway which connects the VC to the network of walkways in Battlefield Park.

According to Russell Bellico, a former Battlefield Park Alliance trustee who remains active on its curation committee, French and Indian War exhibits in the VC were expanded by the addition of two circa 1758 13-inch diameter mortar bombs, which had been raised offshore from the park during the 1960s. A scale model of a colonial military bateau was completed and displayed, helping to explain the case of original bateau artifacts from Lake George. The model was built by Paul S. Andriscin from a kit donated by Joseph W. Zarzynski.

Most recently, a beautiful live edge waterfall entry table/desk was built and given to the VC by artisan wood worker Al Rider of Hague.

The table was constructed of black walnut wood donated by Northern Hardwoods of Lake George.

As the Battlefield Park prepares, under the leadership of the Town of Lake George, for the 2026 reinterment of 44 Continental soldiers and support personnel who perished there in 1776, DEC and the Alliance have been working closely to make needed improvements to walkways and to begin refurbishing the site’s iconic statues.

“I can’t say enough about how beneficial our collaboration with DEC has been this year in giving this historic site the kind of attention it deserves,” said DiNuzzo. “With the nation’s 250th birthday in 2026 on the horizon, along with the soldiers’ reinterment and the existing remnants in the park from two crucial 18th century wars, Lake George Battlefield Park is poised to be a major national heritage destination for years to come.”

Alliance Trustee Bruce Venter, author of the award-winning history volume “The Battle of Hubbardton,” concurs on DEC’s consciousness of local historical landmarks.

“I am very encouraged that DEC has indicated we should see historical signs on Diamond Island next year to celebrate the heroic efforts of Col. John Brown and his men in their attempt to destroy Burgoyne’s supply line,” he said.

The 250th anniversary of the Battle of Diamond Island will be in 2027.

From November through April, groups interested in touring the VC may contact the Lake George Battlefield Park Alliance at info@ lakegeorgebattlefield.org to learn when offseason access might be feasible.

Ocean State Job Lot Will Open Its First Store In Warren County In First Quarter 2025

Ocean State Job Lot (OSJL), one of the region’s premier discount retail chains with 153 stores across the Northeast, has announced it will open a new store in Queensbury in the first quarter of 2025. The new location, in the former Big Lots space, will be OSJL’s 16th store in New York and its first in Warren County.

Located in Glen Square at 751 Upper Glen Street, the leased location will provide more than 30,000 square feet of shopping space for customers. Co-tenants include Tractor Supply Co., Aldi, and Dollar Tree. Currently, the closest OSJL location is about 30 miles away in Ballston Spa.

“We are excited to open our 16th store in New York and first in Warren County,” said Pat Bridgett, district team leader, Ocean State Job Lot. “We look forward to bringing our vibrant, exciting and value-focused shopping experience to Queensbury early next year.”

OSJL will hire for up to 50 positions, including supervisory; and full-time, part-time, and seasonal associates. The company offers competitive pay and benefits packages, including flexible hours; medical, vision, and dental insurance, if eligible; profit participation; service awards; paid time off; 401K; 30 percent store discount and more. The online application process for full-time hiring begins in mid-November with part-time positions following in early December.

Shoppers throughout New England, New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania know Ocean State Job Lot for its Crazy Deals, Insider Club, fantastic prices, friendly customer service, and wide range of merchandise. Ocean State Job Lot has made its mark in the discount-retail segment through opportunistic buying, which allows it to offer a wide selection

of first-quality name brands and closeout merchandise at very competitive prices. Shoppers find an ever-changing array of household goods, apparel, pet supplies, and seasonal products such as lawn and garden essentials; holiday; patio, pool, and beach supplies; heating and cooling, kitchen pantry staples, and a broad offering of gourmet and international specialty foods.

Founded in 1977, Ocean State Job Lot (OSJL) is a growing, privately held discount retail chain with 153 stores in New England, New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania; approximately 5,600 employees, and annual sales exceeding $800 million.

The company was named a four-time “Best Employer” by Forbes Magazine, a four-time US Best Managed Company by Deloitte, one of America’s Greatest Workplaces for Parents & Families 2024 by Newsweek, a three-time winner of the Inspiring Workplaces in North America Award, and a Global Top 100 Inspiring Workplaces winner. Ocean State Job Lot is not affiliated with Forbes.

The Ocean State Job Lot Charitable Foundation has a long history of philanthropic leadership, supporting numerous causes, including feeding the hungry, helping the homeless, assisting veterans and military families, aiding animal rescue, caring for children, advancing healthcare, supporting the arts, and promoting learning. The Foundation’s operational, administrative, and overhead expenses are covered by Ocean State Job Lot, not the foundation, ensuring that 100 percent of every dollar raised through the foundation goes directly to helping those in need.

For more information go to OceanStateJobLot.com.

New orientation signs are among the improvements that make a visit to the Lake George Battlefield Park Visitor Center more enjoyable for those touring the site.

Courtesy of the Lake George Battlefield Park

REGIONAL STOCKWATCH

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Implications Of A Clean Election

BY KENNETH J. ENTENMANN, CFA

ON NOVEMBER 6, 2024

After an emotional charged election season (and way too many advertisements!), the nation has thankfully provided a clear election result…no hanging chads, no contested ballots or riots on the National Mall. Our President Elect will be Donald J. Trump, and the Senate will be under Republican control, with only the degree of control to be determined. At the time of this writing, control of the House of Representatives is still undetermined, but the Republicans are likely to maintain the majority. A Red Wave! Like it or not, the results appear to be definitive. We can now turn our attention to what this means for the economy and financial markets.

While every election provides myriad promises, threats and forecasts of booms and doom, elections rarely have an immediate impact on the economy. Even in the case of a clean sweep, historically it takes months and often years for campaign platforms to be codified into law and implemented. Our economy is a $24 trillion behemoth, and it takes much to materially move it in the short-term. Nonetheless, this election does have some interesting focal points. Tariffs, taxes, and regulation to name a few and they have implications for the equity and fixed income markets.

Economists don’t agree on much, but they uniformly do not like tariffs. Tariffs are an anathema to free market advocates. All things being equal, tariffs increase the cost of goods and invite retaliation from other countries and reduce overall economic growth. In short, tariffs are seen as inflationary and anti-growth. However, this assumes an actual free and fair market, something that rarely exists in the real world. We live in a world where all things are not equal! In particular, China is not a free or fair player in the global economy. Nor are many of our “friends” in Europe. Are Trump’s threatened tariffs simply a cudgel for future trade negotiations, designed to get better trade metrics for the U.S. economy? It remains to be seen. For those who oppose tariffs, they need to explain how they will get the rest of the world to change their anti-free trade behavior. Even if the tariffs are fully implemented and are inflationary on the margin, there will be other counter acting policies that may mitigate the tariff impact. For example, tariff revenue could partially help “pay” for lower taxes on corporations and individuals. One could expect less overall Government spending as well. And perhaps a most Orwellian Dept. of Government Efficiency spear headed by Elon Musk! Tax policy was another major differentiator of the two candidates. Given the Red Wave, there is more certainty on the tax front. In the first Trump term, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) of 2017 was a major overhaul of the U.S. tax policy. Many of the major tax cuts from that act are scheduled to expire next year. The Harris campaign was clear that they would let the TCJA expire, resulting in significantly higher taxes on corporate profits and investments. With a Red sweep, it is highly likely that most of these tax cuts will be renewed. In particular, the Corporate Tax rate will remain at 21%. Trump has suggested reducing the corporate rate to 15%, but even a Republican controlled Congress will have trouble with a 15% rate. It would be unaffordable, especially if one wants to include the smorgasbord of Trump tax proposals (no tax on TIPS, Overtime, or Social Security benefits, interest deductions for car and student loans and even the State and Local Tax deduction (SALT).) Regardless of the ultimate tax policy, it is unlikely that taxes will be increasing. Importantly, the proposal of an onerous “Wealth Tax” on unrealized gains is most certainly dead. Tax policy is likely to be a net benefit for equity investors.

The Biden administration unapologetically ramped up economic regulatory oversight. The alphabet soup of regulatory agencies…the FCC, FTC, OCC, SEC, CFPB, DOT, DEC…were given

significant power over the last 3 years. Conversely, the first Trump administration put in place a rule that required any new regulation be met with the elimination of 2 other rules. It is likely that a far more constrained regulatory environment is upon us. The Biden administration has been quite hostile to merger and acquisitions, particular in the Tech space. More M&A, less regulation…this should be good for stocks in the long run. Taken together, the concept of better trade and onshoring of manufacturing due to tariffs, lower taxes and less regulation sounds great. Today’s post-election equity market rally (the Dow is up 1,400 points at the time of this writing) suggests the equity markets like the election results. However, all of the above comes with a cost. The prospect of higher inflation and greater debt and deficits has resulted in a significant increase in interest rates. The yield of the ten-year Treasury note increased 20 basis points…today…to 4.45%! It has increased nearly .60% since the Fed first cut rates in September! This creates a dilemma for the new President and the Federal Reserve. Tax cuts sound great, but increase the deficit, at least in the short-term. With debt and deficits increasing, can the Fed continue to cut interest rates? The market fully expects the Fed to cut rates by .25% on Thursday. But Fed action impacts the shortterm interest rate market. Long-term maturities are influence by inflation and the demand/supply dynamics for long dated Treasury securities. “Term premiums” are increasing, and that is an expensive problem when there is $35 trillion in debt outstanding! As this blog has long noted, this is a significant problem that does not have an easy fix. While the Fed will likely continue to cut rates in the near-term, higher long-term rates could prove to be a major impediment for the Trump administration.

In the short run, the equity markets have reacted well to the election results. Perhaps today’s rally is a ‘relief rally” due simply to the clean result. The prospect for improved global trade, renewed manufacturing activity, a business-friendly tax environment and a more growth oriented regulatory regime is indeed cause for celebration. In addition, the economy is on solid footing, with decent economic growth, full employment, better inflation numbers and lower short-term interest rates. What is not to like? However, longer-term, the debt and deficits are likely to constrain the new administration’s economic flexibility; interest expense is problematic and growing. In addition, the equity markets are trading at record high levels and very high P/E valuations. By all means, let’s celebrate a clean election. At the same time, the equity markets are priced for perfection in an environment where there is plenty to worry about in the world. Once again, the message to investors remains the same; manage your expectations.

Kenneth J. Entenmann, chief investment officer & chief economist with NBT Bank.

Year End Tax & Financial Planning

Business Owners Should Consider How Their Companies Are Structured For Tax Purposes

BY SUSAN ELISE CAMPBELL

Year-end may be a good time to consider restructuring a small business to shield personal assets from potential liabilities.

The tax code allows for several options, according to Paul Dowen, CPA, and partner at Whittemore, Dowen & Ricciardelli, LLP, certified public accountants serving the North Country and Saratoga County. Dowen said the typical choice today is between a limited liability company (LLC) or a Subchapter S corporation (S corp), although there are other entities.

Both provide some protection for the owner by limiting personal liability, just as a corporation does. If the company has debt or other financial obligations, owners are not personally responsible for satisfying them.

“In a retail store or restaurant with people coming in and out of the building, you might have product liability,” he said. “Both LLCs and S corps give you some protection.”

“The confusion is that an LLC can be organized as a sole proprietorship, a partnership, a C corp or an S corp,” he said. “If a client tells me their business has been set up by the attorney as an LLC, I know there is some liability protection, but that doesn’t tell me how the company is being taxed.”

Dowen explained that LLCs have been around only a few decades. They exist by state regulation and blend together some of the features of corporations, partnerships and sole proprietorships.

LLCs do not pay corporate tax on profits, but pass through income to the owners, who report their share on their individual returns using the documents received from the partnership. But that means 100 percent of those earnings are subject to social security and medicare taxes.

“At a certain income range, it might be time to convert the business and go on the payroll,” said Dowen.

One option is an S corp, for which regulators require partners to take a “reasonable salary.” The advantage is that members do not pay into social security, he said.

Wage earners have a cap on the amount of income for social security purposes and no cap for medicare. For the self-employed, there is no earnings cap for the corresponding self-employment, or SE, tax. Dowen said that for those taking $75,000-$90,000 out of their business annually, this might be the point where it makes sense to convert to an S corp to avoid those taxes.

A business can start off as one entity, switch to another, and may be able to convert back, but not always, Dowen said. Therefore he advises clients to consider what needs to be accomplished from a tax perspective and how the company might evolve in the future.

“Most of our clients are not C corps anymore, but have become an S corp or a partnership or sole proprietorship that is also an LLC,” he said. These are pass-through entities that file an informational return and whose partners are responsible for filing individual income taxes.

C corps are the big corporations like GE and AT&T, but a few of Dowen’s clients are small, privately owned entities that have been C corps since

the beginning, he said.

“When you sell a C corp, the corporation pays the tax,” Dowen said. “The disadvantage is that when the owners take their money out, those amounts are taxed, so there is double taxation.”

Dowen said when a C corp converts to an S corp, assets accumulated in the C corp “are stuck there but at least you are not building up more value that would be subject to the double tax.”

“There is cost to go from an S corp back to a partnership,” he said. “There was no cost to go from a partnership to the S corp but there is going the other way.”

So while it may be appealing to save 15.3 percent from social security and medicare tax as the S corp grows, there may be an offsetting expense at the sale.

Dowen said the easiest business structure is the sole proprietorship and then the partnership. An S corp is more complicated to qualify for and if one member takes out money, the rule is the others must take an equal amount.

“But in a partnership, if I take out $1,000 my partner doesn’t have to, so there is more flexibility over an S corp,” he said, “the downside being selfemployment tax.”

Dowen advises setting up an LLC initially for its flexibility, applying for a federal tax identification number, and paying the annual filing fee, especially if the business is one that registers for sales tax, motor vehicle, excise or other taxes with their ID.

“If in the future it makes sense to go from a partnership to an S corp but you don’t have a partnership LLC, you need a new federal ID number and notify everybody it has changed,” he said. “So just start with an LLC for the flexibility to change later, even if you may not need liability protection now.”

Dowen said it is “unfortunate” when people try to set up or convert a business entity on their own because a CPA may be doing “clean up” down the road.

To every prospective business owner he says, “Consult with us up front and early on. The consultation will pay you a dividend.” Learn more at wdrcpa.com.

Business Report

PROVIDED BY JOHN M. GABLE

As we enter the annual season of giving, you might be thinking of charities you wish to support. But you also might be wondering how to gain some tax benefits from your gift s. It used to be pretty straightforward: You wrote a check to a charity and then deducted the amount of the gift , within limits, from your taxes. But a few years ago, as part of tax law changes, the standard deduction was raised significantly, so fewer people were able to itemize deductions. Consequently, there was less fi nancial incentive to make charitable gift s.

Of course, this didn’t entirely stop people from making them. And it’s still possible to gain some tax advantages, too.

Here are a few tax-smart charitable giving strategies:

• Bunch your charitable gift s into one year. If you combine a few years’ worth of charitable gift s in a single year, you could surpass the standard deduction amount and then itemize deductions for that year. In the years following, you could revert to taking the standard deduction.

• Make qualified charitable distributions. Once you turn 73 (or 75 if you were born in 1960 or later), you must start taking withdrawals from your traditional or inherited IRA. These withdrawals — technically called required minimum distributions, or RMDs — are taxable at your personal income tax rate, so, if the amounts are large enough, they could push you into a higher tax bracket or cause you to pay larger Medicare premiums.

But if you donate these RMDs directly to a qualified charity, you can avoid the taxes. And because these donations, known as qualified charitable distributions (QCDs), will reduce the balance on your IRA, you may have lower RMDs in the future.

Of course, if you need some or all your RMDs to help sustain yourself in retirement, the use of QCDs may not be of interest to you. Keep in mind, though, that you can start making QCDs at 70½, even before you must start taking RMDs. QCDs up to $105,000 can

be taken in 2024.

• Consider a donor-advised fund. If you’re interested in a long-term charitable giving arrangement, you might want to consider establishing a donor-advised fund. You can put many types of assets into this fund, and then direct it to make grants periodically to the charities you’ve chosen. You get an immediate tax deduction for your contribution, and, if you donate appreciated assets, such as stocks, you’ll avoid the capital gains taxes you would have incurred if you simply sold the stocks and then gave the money to the charities. One note of caution, though — your contributions to a donor-advised fund are irrevocable, and once the assets are in the fund, you can’t use them for anything except charitable giving.

These strategies — QCDs and donor-advised funds in particular — can be complex and involve several issues of which you should be aware. So, you should consult your tax advisor before taking action. But if any of these techniques are appropriate for your situation, give them some thought — because helping a charitable group and getting tax benefits for doing so is a “win” for everyone.

John M. Gable, financial adviser with Edward Jones Financial in Warrensburg.

Courtesy Edward Jones

CPA Paul Dowen provides expert tax planning advice to his clients.

Courtesy of Whittemore, Dowen, Ricciardelli

GLENS FALLS BUSINESS JOURNAL Holidays

Glens Falls And

Lake George

Will Get Into The Spirit Of The Season With Festive Events

BY LEE COLEMAN

The Adirondack Holiday Festival to be held from Friday, Dec. 6, through Sunday, Dec. 8, and hosted by Glens Falls Collaborative, will celebrate the start of the yuletide season in downtown Glens Falls.

The festival kicks off with a Santa parade Friday evening, the lighting of the community tree, and visits with Santa for the children. Live music, activities for young people, and holiday themed gifts from shops in the city are also part of the event.

The weekend is a “celebration featuring classic holiday traditions and Adirondack charm,” according to the organizers.

Cam Cardinale, festival director and member of the Glens Falls Collaborative Board of Directors, said more than 40 vendors have signed up to participate in the festival weekend. The Collaborative is a volunteer-led membership organization formed in 2012. Members include retail businesses, restaurants, arts and non-profit groups, medical firms and service providers.

The festival moved from Lake George to Glens Falls four years ago, Cardinale said. A detailed hour by hour schedule for this year’s event will

be finalized in the near future. See the collaborative website (www.glensfallscollaborative.com/ adirondack-holiday/) for details.

Cardinale said the popular American-Celtic band, The McKrells, will be part of the musical offerings during the festival.

The event is produced by Glens Falls Collaborative with support from the City of Glens Falls, the Glens Falls Business Improvement District and Advokate. Major sponsors include the Queensbury Hotel, Medline, Crandall Library, and Albany Medical System.

Other holiday-themed events include the 33rd Annual Festival of Trees to be held Friday, Nov. 29 through Sunday, Dec. 1, at the Queensbury Hotel. General times for the festival (no admission fee) are 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, and from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec.1.

The Festival of Trees is presented by Berkshire Bank to benefit the Prospect Center on Aviation Road in Queensbury, an affiliate of the Center for Disability Services.

“The downtown Glens Falls landmark Queensbury Hotel will be transformed into a holi-

Continued On Page 9

Park & Elm Offers Tiered Catering Options Designed To Fit The Needs Of Various Clients

BY ANN DONNELLY

Park & Elm has quickly become a Glens Falls staple offering a market, restaurant, and full-service catering, approaching its second anniversary with much to celebrate. They’ve recently unveiled their fall catering menu, brimming with seasonal specialties perfect for Thanksgiving and the upcoming holiday season.

Ben Miller, operations manager of Park Street Hospitality, which operates Park & Elm and The Park Theater, says, “The first two years have been great. We’ve been so thrilled with the outpouring of support from the community. One of our big unknowns going into this new venture was the retail and deli portion of our business. It was a big step for us, so we’re just really thankful for the support of the local community.”

Park & Elm offers tiered catering options to suit various needs and budgets. Their marketfeatures a “casual family-style catering program” with disposable pans of crowd-pleasing dishes like lasagna, chicken parmesan, roasted turkey breast, and all the fi xings..

For a more upscale experience, Park and Elm offers full-service catering through their parent

company, Park Street Hospitality. This service caters to weddings, galas, and corporate events, providing everything from plated meals to hors d’oeuvres and bar service. They can accommodate events at their venue, the Park Theatre, or off-site locations.

“We also did the Glens Falls Hospital gala this year for about 350 people,” says Miller. “We worked with a company to bring in a tent, built a kitchen on site there, and served a plated surf and turf for 350 people in the parking lot. “

Adjoining The Park Theatre, the Doc’s restaurant space has undergone a renovation, making it an even more attractive option for private parties. “We have a beautiful wraparound leather banquette that goes around most of one side of the room,“ says Miller. “Then the side that has the bar on it is just how it used to be with the big mahogany bar.”

If you don’t have the budget to rent out a whole space, Park and Elm’s restaurant is another option for smaller groups, with areas they section off for privacy. “We can even streamline the menu a little bit and give you a ‘prix fi x’

Continued On Page 9

Carolers will take to the streets of downtown Glens Falls to celebrate the season during the annual Adirondack Holiday Festival hosted by Glens Falls Collaborative.

Courtesy of Glens Falls Collaborative

The chefs at Park & Elm can customize their catering menus to fit the needs of a variety of people seeking to have stress-free holiday celebrations.

Courtesy of Park & Elm

Festive Events

Continued From Page 8

day wonderland with beautifully decorated trees, wreaths, swags, kissing balls, centerpieces, gingerbread houses, hats etc. available for purchase,” according to the organizers.

Breakfast with Santa, a popular event for children and their parents, will be held at 8:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Saturday Nov. 30, and Sunday, Dec. 1. Registration is required for Breakfast with Santa and can be accomplished by going to http://www. cfdsny.org or by contacting Kim Heunemann at 518-832-6113.

The organizers say that artisans and decorators are still needed. The vendors who are interested in having their handcrafted items sold during the festival can contact Donella Fisher at 518-791-0067.

Because of the long standing support of this event, the Prospect Center is able to provide needed programs and services to individuals with disabilities.

Lake George will kick off the holiday season with Lite Up the Village starting at 3 p.m. Nov. 30 in the village. Every year the village of Lake George is lit by more than 5,000 lights starting with live music at Shepard Park Amphitheater with the Newell Family. At 4 p.m. Rich Ortiz will play in the amphitheaters followed by Suzie Q and Matt Donnelly.

At 5:45 p.m. there will be a Crazy and Ugly Sweater contest followed by a holiday music sing along and countdown to illumination. At 6:25 p.m. some 7,000 holiday lights will be lit by village employees throughout Sherpard Park, down Canada Street and along Beach Road into Charles R. Wood Park. Fireworks will be set off at 6:30 p.m. and at 6:55 p.m. a Parade of Holiday lights will step off from Lake George High School and travel down Canada Street to Beach Road and bring Santa and Mrs. Claus into town.

Prizes will be awarded in the adult and children’s divisions of the Ugly Sweater contest. Channel 13 news anchor Mark Mulholland will serve as master of ceremonies. After the parade families are invited to join Santa, Mrs. Claus and Santa’s elves at the Lake George Firehouse on Ottawa Street where refreshments will be served.

Park & Elm Catering

Continued From Page 1

menu,” says Miller.

Park & Elm’s market takes the stress out of holiday meals with their Thanksgiving catering program. They offer a full Thanksgiving dinner menu, including turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, and all the trimmings. Orders should be placed early, with pickups into Thanksgiving Day morning and delivery available before the day. All meals can be prepared hot or cold, with reheating instructions provided for cold options.

Park & Elm will transition their menu to incorporate classic Christmas offerings as the season progresses. “Red wine braised short ribs is a popular option around the Christmas holiday. We do a mustard and sage roasted pork loin with a cherry cider reduction. That one is also very popular around the holidays,” says Miller.

He adds, “We’re doing fresh baked fruit pies: apple crumb, blueberry crumb, or pumpkin, with vanilla bean whipped cream that we make in-house. So it’s ready for your Thanksgiving or holiday table.”

Their cider doughnut bread pudding is another popular option in various sizes. “We take cider donuts that we make in-house and turn them into a bread pudding baked with vanilla custard. It’s just fall in your mouth,” says Miller.

Park & Elm also offers beautifully wrapped gift baskets featuring their gourmet Italian products, which are perfect for the food lover on your list. Gift cards, always a popular gift idea, are also available.

Park & Elm is deeply committed to the Glens Falls community. The Park Theatre Foundation, their non-profit sister organization, focuses on bringing arts and cultural events to the area. Upcoming events show a wide range of events, including a jazz trio, a Lynyrd Skynyrd tribute band, and a comedy night.

Visit Park Street Hospitality’s website (PSHospitality.com) to learn more about their catering options, browse their restaurant and market offerings, and stay updated on upcoming events.

Holiday Entertainment At The Charles R. Wood Theater Is Sure To Please Audiences

The Charles R. Wood Theater in downtown Glens Falls has a selection of holiday shows sure to delight attendees.

Billy Gilman: Christmas & Hits

Sunday December 1st 3 p.m.

The consummate entertainer, Billy Gilman kicks off the holidays with the sounds of the season blended with his greatest hits! Billy Gilman burst onto the national stage in 2000 releasing the hit single “One Voice.” His debut album was certified double platinum in the United States, and he was included in the Guinness Book of World Records for being the youngest singer to ever reach #1 on the Billboard Top Country Album charts. He has sold ten million albums worldwide and garnered awards and nods from The Grammy Awards, The Academy of Country Music, The Country Music Association, Billboard Magazine, and the American Music Association. Billy enjoyed a resurgence in his career after making it to the finals on NBC’s ‘The Voice’, and now he’s enjoyed success in a new genre with his critically acclaimed Bluegrass hits ‘Delta Queen’ and ‘Roller Coaster’. Billy is a favorite of Kevin Richards’ ‘Close Up’ series, returning for his third appearance!

Joy to the World

Saturday December 7 at 6:30 p.m.

Let the Holiday Season begin with an incredible dance presentation celebrating the birth of Jesus and the true meaning of Christmas! Amazing ballerinas from Adagio School of Dance and Music will deliver a performance honoring the advent of Christ.

Anthony Nunziata: My Italian Christmas Sunday December 8 at 3 p.m.

Back by popular demand. Dubbed “the next great pop crossover star,” (Tom Alvarez, Indianapolis Star) and “America’s new romantic singing sensation,” (Broadwayworld), celebrated Italian-American tenor Anthony Nunziata is bringing his national Christmas concert tour to The Wood. The powerhouse performer and Carnegie Hall headliner—who has been compared to the stylings of Michael Bublé, Andrea Bocelli and Michael Bolton—will serenade the audience with his soulful voice singing timeless songs from the Italian, Broadway, jazz and Holiday repertoires, including soul-stirring renditions of O

Holy Night, The Christmas Song, It’s The Most Wonderful Time of the Year, O Sole Mio, Santa Lucia, Somewhere, I Found A Home, The Greatest Wish as well as original songs from his award-winning “Together for Christmas” Holiday Album (Broadwayworld’s Album of the Year.) Anthony recently headlined a sold-out residency at the legendary Café Carlyle in New York City. He has been invited to be a headline soloist for over two dozen symphony orchestras around the world, including co-headlining Carnegie Hall with the New York Pops Symphony Orchestra

The Nutcracker Ballet

Saturday December 14 & Sunday December 15

The Magic of the holidays come alive with Adirondack Ballet Theater’s 33rd annual presentation of Tchaikovsky’s timeless holiday classic, “The Nutcracker”. ABT has the distinction of being the first dance company to perform this classical ballet at the Charles R Wood Theater, as we continue this annual holiday tradition, ABT is proud to bring this full-length ballet to community arts patrons, with over 50 local dancers, ages 4-18, local actors, and guest artists. Please join this local, critically acclaimed not for profit children’s dance company for one of its typically sold-out performances. One Christmas eve, a young girl, Clara falls asleep, and her journey begins: taking her through a Battle, Land Snow, Land of the Sweets, meeting her Nutcracker Prince, the Sugar Plum and many other exciting characters in her magical celebration!

A Classic Christmas with Lee & Friends

Sunday December 22 3 p.m.

A Classic Christmas Television Special Live On Stage! Celebrate the holidays with a whimsical winter wonderland adventure for the entire family. Hosted by David Maiocco as Liberace. David brings his award winning, famously flamboyant, Liberace character to life to host a holiday gathering, in the style of a classic TV special! Complete with holiday cheer from colorful guests Courtney Shayne & Rob Kelley as the Carpenters and Laura Roth as Judy Garland & Brenda Lee. Plus, more silly surprises and festive fun- as you would expect from a glittery Christmas Special hosted by Lee & Friends.

Health & Wellness

At Kindred Wellness Care Patients Are Treated Like Members Of The Family

BY CHRISTINE GRAF

Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner Shannon

James has opened Kindred Wellness Care, a private mental health practice located at 7 Steven Street in Glens Falls. James works with adults suffering from mental health disorders, specializing in the treatment of ADHD and addiction.

It was while working as a nurse in the psychiatric inpatient unit at Glens Falls Hospital that James made the decision to further her education. Returning to college to become a psychiatric nurse practitioner, she graduated from Russell Sage in 2018.

Psychiatric nurse practitioners provide both acute and long-term care, diagnosing psychiatric disorders, managing mental health conditions, and prescribing and monitoring psychiatric medications.

After earning her degree, James was hired by Saratoga Hospital, contracted out to work for Saratoga County Mental Health. Three years later, she partnered with Daniel Breeyear to establish the Eden Center for Integrative Care in Glens Falls.

“I’m still with Eden until the end of the year when I will be fully invested in my new practice,” said James.

She also treats patients at the Washington County Jail, managing the medications for inmates with substance abuse issues. After serving their time, some of these inmates choose to continue treatment with James.

“They want to continue with their medication so they don’t go back to jail,” she explained.

It was through her work at the jail that James developed a desire to help those struggling with addiction.

“Most providers don’t want to take patients with substance abuse problems. So, I feel like I am needed and that I can be useful in that area,” she said.

The shortage of providers is at a critical level, with the 2021 National Survey of Drug Use and Health reporting that 94 percent of adults with a substance use disorder did not receive the care they needed.

According to James, those who seek medication assisted treatment for their addiction are often stigmatized. She said the same is true for those prescribed Adderall, a controlled substance used to manage ADHD.

“Whenever you get medication that is a controlled substance, there’s usually a stigma that goes with it. And I’m not talking about just with your coworkers. It can

even be with the pharmacies, and it can impact how you’re treated. It’s a big deal,” she said.

Although James specializes in addiction and ADHD, her work encompasses a multitude of mental health diagnoses.

“ADHD and addiction are not all I do by any means,” she said. “I do everything-depression, anxiety, bipolar, psychosis.”

As a psychiatric nurse practitioner, James said she has been trained to look at the “whole person,” recognizing the connection between the mind and the body.

“When you come to see me, it’s like going to see your doctor. But instead of talking about medical issues, you are talking about your mental health. We help patients with medications, supplements, or whatever they need to do to be better as a whole. That’s why we order labs. For example, if your Vitamin D is low, you have a high potential to be very fatigued and very depressed. When people are low in their vitamins or if they have thyroid or autoimmune issues, this can cause emotional issues,” she said.

James cited a study that found that individuals who have suffered a heart attack are 60 percent more likely to suffer from depression. She also mentioned that mental health issues can be triggered when women enter menopause.

“I can’t tell you how many women we have coming through that say they can’t sleep and that they are anxious and depressed,” she said. “We do labs for their hormones and based on the results, we can recommend supplements that might help with things like hot flashes and irritability.”

When choosing a name for her private practice, James selected Kindred, a word that is defined as “one’s family and relations.”

“My goal for Kindred is that we treat you like family. That’s how I treat my patients—like they are my own family. That’s what I’ve been doing for my entire career,” said James. “Kindred is a safe place that people can get care for mental health and substance abuse without any kind of stigma.”

Kindred Wellness Care is accepting new patients and takes numerous insurances including CDPHP, Empire, Highmark, Aetna, Optum, Medicaid, Medicare, Cigna, and United Healthcare. New patients should contact Kindred to verify insurance coverage. For more information, visit www. kindredwellnesscare.com.

Helping People Facing Serious Health Issues Live Their Best Possible Lives Is Goal Of Agency

BY ROD BACON

Karen Le’Que has a mission in life to help people struggling with mental illness, traumatic brain injuries, alcohol/substance abuse, or geriatric issues return to the most productive lives it is possible for them to live.

To accomplish this goal she is the founder and executive director of Kee to Independent Growth, Inc. (KIGI), a non-profit agency that she established in 2008.

A Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), Le’Que has received her CORE training certificate, Medicaid Services Coordinator (MSC), and New York State Department of Health training. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Human and Community Services from SUNY Empire State in Saratoga Springs as well as a Certified Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor in Training (CASAC-T) designation.

In addition to her penchant for helping people, Le’Que’s reason for starting Kee stems from family experience. Her husband, John, served as a combat infantryman in Operation Iraqi Freedom, returning with severe health issues that include PTSD and traumatic brain injury. He is in a program to address these issues but it is not through Kee.

Le’Que’s two brothers were also in the military, one of whom returned from active duty with issues with which he couldn’t deal and he died a homeless veteran.

“That was kind of like a steamroller and pushed the whole case management piece over the top and I said, ‘That’s it, I’ve got to do something for veterans as well as people who are disabled.’”

She started in her home with a staff that consisted of herself and one assistant. There are now 58 highly trained associates who serve 500 clients in eight counties.

“We have very diverse services,” she said. “We do in-home counseling that supports the person with mental health, substance abuse, brain injuries, and ongoing medical conditions. It also supports the family member if it’s needed.”

She noted that’s the counseling aspect of the program. There is another service, Psychosocial Rehabilitation (PSR), that is also expanding via the state to Psychiatric Rehabilitation.

Currently, the agency has three physical locations, one in Clifton Park, another in Malta, and the third in Glens Falls, that provide day programs designed to support clients on their journeys toward independence.

“There is a Traumatic Brain Injury program (TBI) and Nursing Home Transition and Diversion (NHTD), which is for people with ongoing medical conditions that need support to either come out of the nursing home and go home or prevent them from going there in the first place,” she said.

According to Le Que, the day programs of-

fer a respite for clients. The person might have Alzheimer’s or diabetes. There are a lot of veterans that come. The clients are dropped off and the staff engages them in activities. They’ve gone to the golf range, on the Lake George lunch cruise, bowling, and to soup kitchens and food pantries to help out. Some do arts and crafts and sell them at a local flea market on weekends.

All associates who work in the day programs must have Personal Care Assistant (PCA) certification from New York state. Managers must have PCA certification plus at least one year of experience. Directors, who oversee the managers at the day care centers, must have a bachelor’s degree in Human Services plus a year of experience.

Another part of the agency’s service is in-home counseling, in which trained staffers carry a case load of clients who live in their area. These people must have Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) certification or Licensed Masters in Social Work (LMSW) certification, both of which are earned through the state.

“In-home counselors help their clients cope with life after an injury or illness,” said Le Que. “They help them gain acceptance of life as it is now versus as it used to be.”

Finally, there is a Service Department that helps clients connect with the state and local services

Opening a new site are Karen LaQue, E.D (r) and Assemblywomen MaryBeth Walsh. Courtesy of Kee to Independent Growth, Inc.`

The Rockwell Falls Inn And Wine Bar In Lake Luzerne Is Under New Ownership

The Rockwell Falls Inn and Wine Bar in Lake Luzerne, under the new ownership of George and Mary Haleem, officially opened last month. The Lake George Regional Chamber of Commerce & CVB hosted a ribbon cutting.

The wine bar features a curated selection of wines from around the world, as well as beer options.

Following the ceremony, guests were invited to experience the ambiance of the Rockwell Falls Inn and Wine Bar with live music. The inn offers 12 beautifully appointed bedrooms, each featuring modern amenities such as private bathrooms, gas fi replaces, and Jacuzzi tubs.

“We are excited to open the doors of Rockwell Falls Inn and Wine Bar, where timeless elegance meets modern comforts,” said George Haleem. “Our goal is to create an unforgettable experience for guests, blending warm hospitality, exquisite wine, and tranquility. We look forward to welcoming visitors to enjoy our unique wine selection, relax in our charming rooms, and discover the warmth and character of this special place that we hope will become a cherished destination for relaxation, celebration, and connection.”

The Rockwell Falls Inn and Wine Bar is open year-round, providing a retreat for romantic getaways, reunions, or peaceful

Guests staying at the Rockwell Inn and Wine Bar will enjoy a warm, inviting atmosphere.

weekends exploring the natural beauty of the Lake George and Saratoga Springs areas.

The Wine Bar is open daily for overnight guests from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., and open to the public from Thursday to Saturday during those hours.

More information log onto rockwellfallsinn. com.

The Park Theater Is Offering An Exciting Lineup Of Performances During December

Celebrate the holiday season at The Park Theater in downtown Glens Falls with an exciting lineup of performances throughout December 2024. Enjoy live music, comedy, and special events that are sure to create wonderful memories with friends and family.

On December 5, national mandolin champion Ethan Setiawan & Fine Ground will perform an unforgettable show. Doors open at 6 p.m. and tickets are available from $20-$25.

A genuine Grateful Dead experience with Eric Carlin’s Half-Dead on December 7 will bring the iconic sounds and spirit of the Dead to life. Th is is a must-see for Deadheads and

music lovers of all kinds. Doors open at 7 p.m. and tickets are available from $25-$30.

Finally, ring in the New Year on December 31 with a spectacular dinner and comedy show featuring highly-acclaimed comedian Sean Donnelly. Th is festive evening includes a three-course prix fi xe menu crafted by Executive Chef Matthew J. Delos of Park Street Hospitality. Cocktail hour starts at 6 p.m., dinner at 7 p.m. and showtime at 8 p.m., along with a complimentary glass of champagne, for $99!

For tickets and more information, visit www. parktheatergf.com or phone 518-792-1150.

The Go Red For Women Luncheon Raises Awareness Of Dangers Of Heart Disease

In response to the high death rates of women from cardiovascular disease, the American Heart Association, a global force for longer, healthier lives, established Go Red for Women in 2004. Since then, Go Red has addressed the awareness and clinical care gaps of women’s greatest health threat, cardiovascular disease.

On Friday, Nov. 8, at the Albany Capital Center, the Capital Region Go Red for Women Luncheon celebrated 20 years with the largest crowd since the pandemic, 400 people, mostly women, all dressed in red.

“I chaired the first Go Red for Women Luncheon in the Capital Region because I saw the need to raise awareness of heart disease and stroke in women,” said Anne Saile, former president and CEO of Bellevue Woman’s Hospital and chair of the 2024 Go Red for Women Luncheon. “My mother suffered a stroke when I was ten, and I remember uncles talking in hushed tones about where my brother and I would go when she died. Thanks to research from the American Heart Association, she not only survived, she thrived. I want that to be available to everyone, everywhere, and Go Red is helping to make that possible.”

The event’s “Festival of Red” featured health screenings, Hands-Only CPR demonstrations, and a silent auction. The program celebrated the Men Go Red for Women, the Teens of Impact and the Woman of Impact. The three campaigns together raised nearly $43,000. Justin Priddle was the winner of the Men Go Red; Monica Roach was the Woman of Impact; and Jack James, born with a congenital heart defect, was the winning Teen of Impact, raising nearly $12,000.

A panel discussion focused on ways that women can care for their hearts at the different ages and stages of their lives.

“Many factors go into heart health, and Go Red is helping women realize that,” said Suzie Mookherjee, M.D., cardiologist at Albany Medical Center, a member of the Albany Med Health System, and board member of the American Heart Association in the Capital Region. “It’s important that women address physical risk factors like high blood pressure and high cholesterol, of course, but we also need to reduce stress and understand what other emotional or mental factors might be affecting our hearts.”

For more information, visit www.GoRedforWomen.org or www. heart.org.

Attendees at the annual Go Red For Women luncheon listen to a panel discussion about the threat of cardiovascular disease for women.

Peckham Industries

Continued From Page 1

major economic downturns from the Great Depression to the Great Recession of 2008, and has withstood constant challenges from large multinational competitors.

“We’re very conscious about investing back into the business,” Murphy said. “Even in tough times you’ve got to put money back in to be sustainable. We’re very deliberate about that investment. And you’re always trying to watch costs and trying to generate the best quality service to customers. You just have to be competitive.”

From just 10 employees in 1934, Peckham Industries now has a 1,200-member work force. In 2019, the company moved to modern new headquarters in Brewster, Putnam County.

Steady growth through the decades has been fueled by the acquisition of both small, family-run firms and large facilities including this year’s purchase of Gorman Group’s liquid asphalt terminal in Rensselaer, the largest privately-held terminal of its kind on the East Coast. The purchase creates additional opportunities in the New York and New England market, by supplying liquid asphalt to both internal and external hot-mix asphalt plants and emulsion mills.

“Liquid asphalt is the binder we put into the aggregate to make the pavement,” Murphy explained. “When you see a road being paved and it’s very black, that’s the liquid asphalt, that’s the binder. It’s brought in by rail, truck or water and mostly comes from refineries in the Midwest, Gulf states and Canada.”

Peckham’s territory covers eastern New York, from Chestertown to New York City, and western New England. From 2020 to 2023 it expanded with the acquisition of asphalt plants and quarries in Rhode Island, Connecticut and Massachusetts.

Murphy, who has more than 30 years of construction industry experience, joined the company in 2021, a self-described “hired gun” to bridge the gap between former President and CEO John R. Peckham, now board chairman, and John’s youngest son, Gregory, the company’s general manager.

“I grew up in Ireland on a small farm and used to play in the quarries so it’s in my blood,” Murphy said. “I’m a mining engineer. I’m very passionate about the industry. There’s great people in it. We aren’t here just to earn a paycheck. We’re here to build America by doing what we do, providing infrastructure and resources.”

“With mining, we call it the ‘benefication’ of natural resources,” he said. “Using the earth’s

Juckett Award

Continued From Page 1

tion to the well-being of local communities goes above and beyond. His extensive service also includes serving as a board member for the Tri-County United Way, Adirondack Civic Center Coalition, Prospect Child and Family Center, and the Adirondack Hockey Coalition, to name a few. Additionally, he served 14 years on the ARCC board, including two terms as chairman, and even serving as interim president for a time.

“It is a tremendous honor to congratulate George Ferone on receiving the 36th Annual J. Walter Juckett Community Service Award, a well-deserved recognition of his extraor-

resources in a good way by putting it into infrastructure, property or housing.”

The website www.zippia.com says Peckham had a peak revenue of $630 million in 2023. In-house work such as paving and construction services generates about 30 percent of the company’s business.

“We have probably 70 percent external customers who buy hot-mix asphalt, aggregate stone and concrete,” Murphy said.

Peckham’s plants supply numerous municipal highway departments with the asphalt needed to keep local roads and highways in good shape.

In 1959, Peckham Industries was created to manage the various family companies and operations the firm had acquired including Tri-County Stone Company, Glens Falls Blacktop Corp. and Kingsbury Asphalt Corp., which had all been purchased that same year.

During the recent 100th anniversary celebration, guests were treated to food and fun activities from punkin chunkin to tours of the 200-foot-deep quarry, showing various types of stone that have been excavated at different levels.

Peckham has held four other centennial events at various locations including one in New York City where all employees were invited to spend a weekend with their spouse. Guests were treated to a Friday night cruise around Manhattan, a complimentary hotel stay and a big corporate party at the Museum of Natural History.

The Kingsbury plant can load 72,000 pounds (36 tons) of asphalt in a trailer in less than 45 seconds and within 200 pounds.

Peckham Industries owns about 450 acres in Kingsbury, some of which is leased to local farmers and more is leased for a 15-megawatt solar field. In keeping with its commitment to environmental stewardship, the company supplied 40,000 tons of a special stone base, covered by porous pavement, to help keep stormwater runoff from reaching Lake George.

Like many employers, Peckham is somewhat challenged by the state’s and nation’s ongoing labor shortage.

“We’re trying to change the culture where it’s not just about males,” Murphy said. “We’re trying to include the female population, getting more women working in the industry, whether it’s in the quarries, out on a paver or working equipment. That’s a big population that traditionally hasn’t been in our industry. We’re trying to make it worthwhile for them to come to us as well.”

“Labor is certainly a challenge especially with the hours we work,” he said. “A lot of paving work is mandated now to do at night. At the plants, we start early in the morning. When you’re in season, from April to November, it’s go, go, go.”

dinary dedication and long-time service to our community,” said Marc Yrsha, current ARCC Board Chair and Senior Executive Vice President, Chief Banking Officer, Glens Falls National Bank and Trust Company. “His countless hours of service and unwavering commitment to the health and vitality of this community have made a profound impact, and we thank him for all he has done.”

The J. Walter Juckett Award, named in honor of the longtime chairman of the Sandy Hill Corporation, was created 36 years ago to recognize and honor a deserving member of the community who has selflessly gone above and beyond by contributing time and energy to help others. To see a list of past honorees, please visit the Chamber’s website: www. adirondackchamber.org/j.-walter-juckettcommunity-service-award.

• • Business Report

Cybercrime And Small Business

BY TUCKER LOUNSBURY

Cyberattacks on small- and medium-sized businesses (SMB) continue to rise and will only intensify over the next few years. With the increased prevalence and cost of attacks, the absence of a safety net like cyber insurance is no longer an option SMBs can afford.

Assessing The Threat

Ransomware is one of the most common forms of hacking and includes the cybercriminal holding files or devices hostage in exchange for payment. Unfortunately, bad actors know that SMBs, in general, are less likely to have the full spectrum of safeguards in place, leaving them particularly vulnerable to this growing threat.

According to Astra, ransomware attacks have risen by 13 percent in the past five years, with an average cost of $1.85 million per incident. By 2031, it is predicted that a ransomware attack will happen every two seconds.

While training employees and requiring measures like strong passwords, regular password resets and multi-factor authentication are critical lines of defense, these steps are no longer enough.

Establishing a Safety Net

As an added layer of security, businesses large and small should invest in appropriate cyber liability and modern crime insurance policies. Cyber insurance typically refers to two forms of critical coverage: privacy exposures, which covers third party liability if personal information is stolen or compromised; and related first party expense coverage, which helps businesses mitigate the costs of damages and recovery resulting from a cyber-attack, which can be very costly. Modern crime policies protect physical theft of money that might be the focus of the bad actors targeting business networks.

The vast majority of businesses cannot effectively recover from cyber-attacks without the incident response expertise, breach management services and financial security that these insurance policies provide. Increasingly, businesses and other entities are requiring vendors to carry this type of insurance before entering into or renewing contracts.

Businesses should essentially consider this type of protection the same way as other ‘must-haves’ of doing business, such as property insurance, general liability insurance and workers’ compensation.

Cyber insurance has a reputation of being expensive – even cost-prohibitive. But rates have come down in recent years as most SMB have invested in cyber risk management and related security tools. The cost of a cyber insurance policy is a small price to pay compared to the potential financial and reputational losses resulting from an uncovered cyber-attack.

When considering coverage, businesses can expect insurance carriers to evaluate the nature of the business and corresponding risk and hazard level; security infrastructure, in-house (firewalls, security software, policies and procedures) and outside (vendor/third-party risk); data sensitivity and volume; and other factors to determine the most appropriate coverage options and pricing.

In today’s digital age, the threat posed by bad actors is ever-present and constantly evolving. No business, regardless of size or industry, is immune to these risks. Investing in cybersecurity and crime insurance is not just a precaution—it’s a necessity.

Free Or Low Cost LED Lights Available To Farmers Th rough Hill Electric Supply Co.

Farmers across New York state are able to upgrade to new energy-efficient LED lighting through utility-sponsored incentive programs. These programs provide significant rebates, making new LED lighting available at little to no cost. Utility companies like National Grid, NYSEG, RG&E and Central Hudson Gas & Electric offer these incentives to help farmers reduce energy consumption and cut down on electricity bills, while improving overall lighting quality.

These upgrades to LED lighting have resulted in substantial energy savings, up to a 70 percent reduction in lighting bills. The benefits extend beyond cost savings; improved lighting quality, safer work environment and reduced environmental impact are also key advantages of this initiative.

Local distributors, including Hill Electric Supply Co., Inc., can help facilitate the process by making recommendations on products and assist with the rebate applications. Those interested can complete the rebate by visiting the program pages:

• National Grid’s On-the-Spot Program

• NYSEG and RG&E’s Prescriptive Program

• Central Hudson Gas & Electric’s Incentive Program

Alternatively, farmers can receive as-

Home Haven Real Estate Group Strives To Match Clients With Home Of Their Dreams

BY JILL NAGY

Fleshia Volpe has opened a new office, Home Haven Real Estate Group, in Glens Falls. The agency represents buyers and sellers of residential and commercial properties in Warren, Washington and Saratoga counties.

Volpe has been in the real estate business for five years, gaining experience by working for another local agency. Therefore, she had an established clientele and, she said, she has been very busy. Since opening her office she and her associates have closed 10 deals. Currently, her business is based on more than 80 percent referrals from satisfied clients. Top Agent magazine named her Best of the Region First Time Homebuyers Agent in 2021, 2022 and 2023.

A resident of the Adirondacks for more than 30 years, she has built strong relationships in the business community that serve her well in her new endeavor. To support the community she volunteers with the Salvation Army during the Christmas season.

Like all real estate agents, Volpe and her

colleagues have been getting used to new rules for real estate commissions. “It is going to be a new normal for us,” she said. “It provides more transparency during sales negotiations and makes for a better atmosphere for both buyers and sellers”.

Licensed real estate agents Lisa Helm, Tina Boodman, Katie Langdon, and Jill Dinsmore share the Home Haven office. Volpe said she has no plans to expand beyond one office but is always open to having other agents join the team.

She noted that she is in a very competitive area. Inventory is low and it’s a challenge to find homes that will satisfy her clients. Succeeding in the environment is “all bout what you offer to the client.”

The office does boast a mascot. Buddy, a three-year-old dog, can sometimes be seen sitting beside Home Haven’s signs in listing advertisements. And a small stuffed replica of Buddy is given to each client who closes on a home.

For further information go to homehavenrealestategroup.com.

131 River Street Hudson Falls, NY 12839

518-744-7791

mlongley10@yahoo.com

sistance from a participating electrical distributor like Hill Electric Supply Co., Inc. to ensure they maximize their rebate and savings.

The program ends next year and the window for savings is closing fast. Now is the time to take advantage of these rebates and upgrade farms with energy-saving LEDs, all while reducing monthly costs and enhancing productivity and safety.

Th rough Hill Electric Supply Co., Inc., farmers receive new LED lights for free or almost free and there are no shipping costs. The lights can be installed by the customer.

Since 1948, Hill Electric Supply Co., Inc. has been a trusted source for electrical solutions. Th rough its subsidiary, EZ Energy Save, they are proud to help farms, businesses, and non-profit organizations obtain LED lighting at little to no cost. Hill Electric completes all paperwork and gets paid by the utility. Visit our FAQ page for more information.

For more information or to get started, visit www.EZEnergySave.com or contact Kirk Suckman, sales manager, at 518-793-3436 ext. 113 or via email at kirks@dale-electric.com.

Let Hill Electric Supply and EZ Energy Save help guide area farms toward a brighter more energy-efficient future!

Fleshia Volpe (seated) is joined by (left-right) Lisa Helm, Jill Dinsmore, Katie Langdon and Tina Boodman, licensed real estate agents at the recently opened Home Haven Real Estate Group. Courtesy of

Jason George Owner

Tucker Lounsbury, President, NBT Insurance, Glens Falls. Courtesy of NBT Insurance

Glens Falls Area Restaurants

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

Park & Elm

Glens Falls, NY

Park & Elm is a multi-concept eatery with a gourmet market, delicatessen, and fi ne dining restaurant located in walkable downtown Glens Falls. Enjoy an elevated dining experience, grab a breakfast or lunch to go, or shop the market for local goods.

Park 26

Glens Falls, NY

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

O’Toole’s Restaurant Pub

Queensbury, NY

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

Jack’s American Bistro

Queensbury, NY

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

The Docksider Restaurant

Lake George, NY

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

Fenimore’s Pub

Glens Falls, NY

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

Davidson Brothers Restaurant Glens Falls, NY

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

Morgan & Co. Restaurant Glens Falls, NY

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

The Grateful Den Glens Falls, NY

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

Courtesy of GlensFalls.com

Mark’s Hometown ‘Cue Is Rapidly Gaining Popularity Among Barbecue Aficionados

BY LEE COLEMAN

Opening Mark’s Hometown ‘Cue at 3951 Main Street in Warrensburg this summer was a kind of homecoming for owner Darrell Langworthy.

Langworthy was born in Warrensburg but moved to Florida with his parents when he was 6. He came back in the 1990s but moved to Vermont where he served in the Army National Guard and the Air National Guard over a 15 year period. Langworthy’s wife, Sarah, is also an Air National Guard veteran. The couple has two children, a girl aged 11 and a boy 8.

730 Upper Glen Street

Queensbury NY

Wednesday thru Saturday 4:30 - 9pm

Reservations recommended

Kiss: French Drink: Russian Eat: American

It was also in Vermont where he started a Texas-style barbecue business in a food truck in Essex, Vt, and eventually opened his own restaurant in South Burlington, Vt. Langworthy has a culinary degree from Adirondack Community College and is a certified chef with the American Culinary Federation.

“I’ve been a chef most of my life,” Langworthy said.

His barbecue restaurant in South Burlington, which he closed in July, had excellent customer reviews and a loyal following.

“We are putting all our forces into the Warrensburg location,” he said.

Langworthy brings his wealth of experience with barbecue meats to Warrensburg.

The restaurant is named after Darrell’s late father-in-law, Mark, who got Darrell interested in Texas-style barbecue some years ago and encouraged him to open his own restaurant.

The downstairs of 3951 Main Street has been completely renovated. The restaurant has seating for about 30 but Langworthy said the majority of his business is take out.

“Our most popular barbecue is beef brisket,” he said. All the meats are slow-smoked to perfection using Langworthy’s own rubs and sauces.

The menu also features spare ribs, pulled pork, smoked sausage, Reuben sandwiches and a number of homemade sides to go with the meats. On Saturdays the restaurant makes its own pastrami, another popular item.

He buys his produce locally as much as

possible. He buys his meats from Jacob’s and Toney Meats on Main Street, not far from the new eatery.

Service at the restaurant is fast. The customer places his or her order and sees their meal prepared in front of them, the barbecue meat cut and the made-the-same day sides added. As they pay, the meal is ready for take-out or eating in the restaurant.

Hours for the restaurant are 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sundays. The restaurant is closed Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.

Langworthy was known for his community spirit at his South Burlington restaurant, giving free meals to the needy, especially during the COVID pandemic in 2020, and being involved in local food pantries. He plans to continue his giving back to the community in Warrensburg. He said he is donating to North Country Ministries’ food drives and their food pantry.

He is also helping the Toys for Girls and Boys holiday program conducted by the Marine Corps League. He likes this charity because the toys stay in the local community, rather than being sent to a central location and distributed out of town.

The chef loves the hometown feel of Warrensburg. He said the community continues to prosper as it grows and becomes more popular with tourists traveling to and from the Adirondack mountains.

“It’s a great town with its own support system. It’s still small enough but big enough to accommodate new families and new businesses,” Langworthy said.

He has noticed a lot more traffic on Main Street since he returned home than he remembered in past years.

Langworthy has many relatives in the town. His parents have moved back and he has aunts and uncles living nearby.

“My cousins opened a new brewery here,” he said. He was referring to his cousins Adam and Darby Langworthy and their new Bandstand Brew Works on Main Street.

Warren County Officials

Continued From Page 3

one would have broadband the next year,” Geraghty said. “That was in 2016. It’s still not solved. During the pandemic kids in outlying towns had to sit in town hall parking lots to use their computers.”

Taflan said more than 1,300 sites have been identified where broadband is needed, but not available. “We can apply for grants to see if we can get assistance from the state for some of those areas, but connecting all of this county is going to be a very difficult challenge to get to 100 percent,” he said. “We need support from the broadband service providers, but they aren’t going to spend $40 million to $60 million to connect the rest of our folks.”

Similar profit-driven fiscal challenges are preventing more complete cell phone service,

officials said.

Geraghty said many people in northern towns need rides to work in Glens Falls, now served by Capital District Transportation Authority, but there are no immediate plans to expand such service.

Housing for essential middle-income workers is a serious issue as many jobs don’t pay enough for people to buy homes in the $250,000 to $300,000 price range. Most newhome construction is a great deal more as the cost of building materials has gone up and contractors need to make a profit.

Recent studies have addressed the situation, but the issue is quite complex and would require a commitment from builders and government alike to make housing both affordable and financially possible.

Slow-smoked ribs finished with Chef Langworthy’s signature rub, one of the most popular items on the menu at Mark’s Hometown ‘Cue.

Courtesy of Mark’s Hometown ‘Cue

Cornell Cooperative Extension

Continued From Page 1

to see if the Saratoga association would be interested in taking over.

“We are always looking for more programs to benefit the community and that align with our mission,” Stevens said. “Th is was an exciting opportunity to connect our farmers with the residents, tourists, and travelers coming up the Northway.”

It would be CCE of Saratoga’s responsibility to apply annually for the grant to fund the Taste NY store. Stevens said that in June the association had the grant to take on an existing staff of six who order product, maintain inventory, and keep the store’s shelves stocked.

Or rather, keep the six vending machines stocked. CCE is zoned on the Northway to have only vending machines, Stevens said.

“You might look at them and think, CCE is in the vending machine business?” he said. “In reality, we are bringing the farmers out to the community and educating them about the quality products our growers in Saratoga, Warren, and Washington counties bring to the region.”

The machines have a wide assortment of local food and beverage products. Some examples are local honey, seasonal salads, maple syrup, soft drinks, candy, and mainstays including Saratoga water, “I love NY” merchandise, and more.

There could be hundreds of products that the on-site staff rotates in the vending machines, Stevens said.

“There are so many amazing local farms and businesses in the region, which is why taking over this Taste NY area is such a good fit for us,” he said.

Meanwhile, staff is planning tastings and events throughout the three counties. Stevens said the Saratoga extension partners with Warren and Washington counties CCEs, assisting farm businesses in those areas who would like to get their products into the vending machines at Adiriondacks Welcome Center.

“We can assist with packaging and promotion to help them connect to the consumer,” he said. “We are a larger extension, we have the capacity, and we see this as an opportunity for the growth of CCE in the entire tri-county area.”

Stevens said CCE of Saratoga weighed the pros and cons of taking on this program and liked what they saw on paper.

“But when we toured the facility, it was amazing. These products tell a story of small farmers trying to make it,” he said, “And as a cooperative, we know so many more farmers and producers we work with on a daily basis who we can bring to market and into the community.”

Stevens said the staff “has a passion for the facility” and they enjoy communicating to visitors the stories of the farmers, talking to them about the region, and answering questions about goings-on in the area, “almost like tour guides.”

“And now we are getting these individuals out into the communities doing tastings and events,” Stevens said.

The contract to manage Taste NY ends next May 31 and the extension will have to reapply for grant money.

“Our expectation is very clear. We are all about agricultural economic development, education, and building strong communities,” said Stevens. “Th rough Taste NY and Adirondacks Welcome Center, we have another avenue to fulfi ll our mission.”

“It’s a special place,” he said. “It’s hard not to leave there with a passion for how we, through vending machines, are able to connect small farmers to not only our counties but also to people around the state, the country, and up to Canada.”

Get a taste of what New York’s farmers and producers have to offer at the Adirondacks Welcome Center, northbound between Exits 17 and 18 of the Northway.

Ambitious Plans For A Destination Resort Are Currently Under Way At West Mountain

BY PAUL POST

West Mountain is nearing the finish line on approvals for a $190 million ski-and-stay village, which co-owner Spencer Montgomery says is essential to the ski center’s survival.

“It isn’t kind of based on this resort happening, it’s absolutely based on it happening,” he said. “Last winter was a difficult one. We lost money. In this game, you have a year like that, you spend two years trying to make up for it.”

“A resort puts us in a very safe economic position,” he said. “It really will be the only true ski-and-stay resort village in New York state except arguably Holiday Valley, about six hours west of here. It will allow us to siphon off a lot of traffic that gets off Exit 20 and heads to Vermont.”

Montgomery, his wife, Sara, and unnamed financial partners have spent $15 million on upgrades such as new chair lifts, extensive snowmaking improvements and overhauling the base lodge since purchasing the Queensbury center about 10 years ago. They’ve also incurred $5 million in operational losses.

The resort, called Woods at West Mountain, would be located near the Northwest base lodge. Plans call for a 60- to 80-room hotel and conference center, 64 condominiums, 32 two-unit duplexes and 52 custom single-family homes surrounding a new high-speed chairlift in a village-type setting with a full-service ski store, athletic club, coffee shop, grocery market and restaurant.

“You wouldn’t have to leave the property,” Montgomery said. “Everything you need would be right there. It will be open to the public, too. In fact, I’ve gotten a lot of inquiries from local empty-nesters who are thinking of downsizing.”

West Mountain opened in the early 1960s with a focus on providing family-friendly skiing for the Greater Capital Region. Night skiing has been one of its major draws in addition to a highly successful racing program for children, teens and young adults.

With a resort, Montgomery’s goal is to make Queensbury a bona fide destination ski town.

“We already put a ton of heads in (hotel) beds,” he said. “We have 51 days of racing here. Every weekend we have two- to four-day events. They’ve built three new hotels at Exit 18 since we took over and it’s still hard to get a hotel room.”

He hopes to obtain final approvals from the Queensbury planning and town boards early next

year, start site work next fall and get construction under way in 2026.

But first, plans call for creating a 10-12-million gallon pond to provide water for snowmaking on the north side of the mountain, where the resort would be located.

“Increased snowmaking has to happen,” Montgomery said. “Nobody is putting in a 512-door, $190 million ski-and-stay resort if there’s no skiing by Christmas week.”

Last winter’s climate change-related mild weather wreaked havoc, sometimes melting snow as fast as it could be made.

“January was one of the warmest on record,” he said. “It just was a real dogfight. Toward the end of the year it got better, but people had put their skis away by then. With extra water I could have put on a real good show for our patrons.”

West Mountain gets its water from the Town of

Queensbury treatment plant on the Hudson River, with a limit of 3,000 gallons per minute. At present, snowmaking crews start on the south side of the ski area, at the main base, working their way north a few trails at a time eventually covering the north side serviced by the Apex chairlift.

Plans call for lining a sand pit, created by excavation work many years ago, enabling it to store water. Town water could be stockpiled in the pond when temperatures were too warm to make snow, and utilized for extra on-demand snowmaking capacity.

An additional pump house would be added at the Northwest base allowing for simultaneous snowmaking on both sides of the mountain early in the season. These projects would cost about $1 million. Montgomery said he hopes to obtain grants and possibly some Warren County occupancy tax money to fund them.

Montgomery said. “It has to happen for the resort to be successful. I think the public would like it because the whole mountain would be open early. It would allow us to have 60 percent to 70 percent of primary trails open by Christmas week. People would look at West Mountain differently.”

Also, the potential exists to add a separate 12-inch line drawing water from the town plant, before it’s treated, to increase on-demand snowmaking capacity. This might cost another $2 million.

“The game plan from the beginning was to fix the mountain first, then move to the development piece,” he said. “That’s how I pitched that to my partners. West Mountain is an awesome mountain. It has 1,000 feet of vertical, 1.2 mile trails, 130 ski-able acres. It’s big enough to ski like a big mountain.”

“My family’s been involved here since 1968,” Montgomery said. “I hate to say it, but if there was just West Mountain here and no land (ski village) to develop I don’t think West Mountain would exist.” Ticket sales, greatly dependent on good weather, currently account for about 70 percent of the center’s annual revenue stream.

“With a resort (offering more amenities) tickets would only be five to 10 percent,” Montgomery said. “It takes the weather risk out. It takes the ski area out as the primary revenue generator.”

West Mountain has a significant impact on the local economy with a roughly $2 million payroll supporting 350 people at peak times and a full-time, year-round staff of about 30.

In preparation for winter 2024-25, Montgomery has hired a new head of outdoor operations, Laszlo Otvos, whose extensive experience includes 20 years at Mammoth and Soda Springs ski resorts in California. He’ll be in charge of lifts, snowmaking, grooming, staffing and scheduling.

West Mountain has also hired a new head chairlift mechanic.

With an eye toward competitive pricing, the center is offering a new 518 Card ($51.80) that gives customers 10 percent off lift tickets, food and beverage, rentals and merchandise. Card holders are also entitled to $30 twilight tickets from 5 p.m.-9 p.m. on Monday and Tuesday.

“I think it will be really popular with locals,” Montgomery said. “Things are a little tougher economically than they were a few years ago. We’re giving them a

Chuck Ciaccia

Jude Gosh

Choiniere

Spencer Montgomery (left) and his wife, Sara, have welcomed Laszlo Otvos to the West Mountain team as head of outdoor operations.

Courtesy of West Mountain