Glens Falls Business Journal - July 2023

Green Harbour Mansion Is Purchased For $6.5M; Owners Plan To Restore The Facility

Bidders Lining Up For Construction Of New Market Center Pavilion On South Street

BY CHRISTINE GRAF

Green Harbour Mansion, situated at the tip of Cooper Point on Lake George, was sold in June for $6.5 million.

Buyers Joe Russell and John LaSalandra of Bolton Landing have plans to restore the property.

The mansion is situated on Millionaire’s Row, a 10-mile stretch of road between Lake George Village and Bolton Landing. The palatial homes that were built there during the early 1900s served as summer residences for wealthy businessmen.

Frederick Peabody, partner in Troy shirt factory

Cluett, Peabody & Co., was the original owner of Green Harbour Mansion. Built in 1913, the threestory 11,579-square-foot residence sits on 3.3 acres of property. The waterfront compound includes a 14-bedroom home, a four-bedroom guest cottage, and 33 income-producing rental boat slips.

Nic Ketter and Spencer Bray of Realize Brokers were the listing agents for the property. They represented the estate of Ken Ermiger, a local businessman who passed away in 2021. One of Ermiger’s other properties, the Depe Dene Resort,

Continued On Page 15

Pallets Inc. In Fort Edward Acquired By Firm In Quebec; Workers Will Stay On

BY CHRISTINE GRAF

Pallets Inc. in Fort Edward, a third-generation family owned business, was recently acquired by Damabois, a Canadian company that operates nine factories in Quebec and the Maritime provinces of Eastern Canada.

A leader in the transformation of wood and wood derivatives, Damabois was founded in 1986. The company harvests its own timber to manufacture pallets and uses milling by-products such as shavings and sawdust to make eco-friendly, slow-burning energy logs.

Damabois’ first U.S. acquisition was Essex Box and Pallet (renamed D Pallet Shop) in Keeseville, N.Y. After acquiring Pallets Inc., the company consolidated its U.S. operations in Fort Edward.

According to Jean-Philippe Bertrand, director of operations for Damabois, the company is seeking to grow its business in the United States.

“On the north side of the border in the province in Quebec, we are a key player in the pallet manufacturing business. We reached a point where our market shares were maxed out, and we needed to go into a larger market. We chose the northeast of the United States,” he said.

Pallets Inc. was founded in 1942 by Arthur Binley, Jr. During the company’s 80 years in business, it has been operated by members of the Binley family. It was third-generation owner, Clint Binley, who made the decision to sell the company.

Binley will remain with the company during the transition, and Damabois has retained the company’s approximately 35 employees. They have also hired several additional administrative staff members.

“We wanted this company because of the people. We needed people that knew the business and knew the market in the US,” said Bertrand. “We acquired teachers.”

The employees at Pallets Inc. have an average of more than 13 years of experience. Their part-time mill manager has been with the company for more than 45 years.

“There’s a lot of knowledge here which is one of the reasons Damabois was really interest in us,” said Marvin Horowitz, controller at Pallets Inc.

BY PAUL POST

Some 30 firms have requested construction packets as potential bidders for a proposed new Market Center on South Street in Glens Falls.

The 6,000-square-foot building would be at a currently vacant lot at 51-63 South St. where an Off Track Betting outlet was previously located.

Plans for the project, estimated to cost $4 million, call for a pavilion-type structure with numerous exterior doors that would house Glens Falls Farmer’s Market, and host many

other events throughout the year. Quotes are due by the end of July and it’s hoped that a contractor will be selected in early August.

“We’d love to have shovels in the ground by late summer and have it completed by next summer,” said Jeff Flagg, Glens Fall economic development director. “It’s not strictly a lowbid contract.”

The building will be funded in part with money from a $10 million Downtown Revital-

Continued On Page 11

Former CEO Of Girl Scouts Of Western New York Is Named New CEO At Double H Ranch

The Double H Ranch, a nonprofit organization providing specialized programs and year-round support for children dealing with life-threatening illnesses announced the hiring of Alison Wilcox as CEO.

Wilcox will be following in the footsteps of Max Yurenda, who retired after 30 years leading the organization founded by actor and philanthropist Paul Newman and businessman and philanthropist Charley Wood.

“Alison has a wonderful passion for the mission of the Double H Ranch and a respect for our culture. Her experience developing leadership skills for young girls; financial management; and organizational development will inspire the Double H Ranch to grow upon its reputation of excellence as one of the premier non-profits in the Capital District and North Country. By working with our great Double H Ranch team, I am confident Alison will bring great enthusiasm, energy, and engagement in her new role,” said Charlie Crew, the facility’s board chairman.

Wilcox has over 20 years of global experience in nonprofit leadership and board governance and has been the CEO of Girl Scouts of Western New York for the past four years, and she was COO for three years.

Prior to that, she was a senior strategy advisor to Girl Scouts of USA, lead development specialist at Delaware North Companies and the senior vice president of program and membership of Girls Scouts of Western New York.

Double H’s board of directors retained the executive search firm Lindauer to conduct a

nationwide search following the announcement of Yurenda’s retirement in June of 2022.

“I am so excited to join the team at Double H Ranch. The mission of Double H is near and dear to my heart because of my own family background, and I am inspired by the powerful impact Double H has on children and their families,” said Wilcox. “I am honored to have the opportunity to serve as the next CEO for this wonderful organization, which has such

Alison Wilcox is the new CEO at Double H Ranch, replacing Max Yurenda. Courtesy Double H Ranch

The Green Harbour Mansion, situated at the tip of Cooper Point on Lake George, was sold in June to investors for $6.5 million. Restoration of the home is planned. Courtesy Spencer Bray

The proposed 6000-squre-foot oval building in this rendering is planned to be built as the new Market Center in Glens Falls. Bidders are lining up for the project with quotes due end of July. Courtesy City of Glens Falls

Pallets Inc. in Fort Edward has been acquired by Damabois, a Canadian company. Courtesy Pallets Inc.

Terri Cerveny Is New Executive Director Of Adirondack Folk School In Lake Luzerne

The Adirondack Folk School (AFS) in Lake Luzerne, a nonprofit organization that celebrates and preserves the cultural history of the Adirondacks and promotes creativity and self-reliance by teaching the arts, crafts and traditions, has hired Terri Cerveny as executive director.

Cerveny comes to AFS after having retired to Lake Luzerne from a career in fundraising and development work with some prominent Capital Region nonprofit organizations.

In her most recent role, Cerveny served as vice president of college relations for Union College from 2014-2019. Prior to that, she served as senior vice president and chief development officer for the Albany Medical Center Foundation.

“We are thrilled to welcome Terri Cerveny to The Adirondack Folk School,” said

Tanya Tobias, president of the AFS board of directors. “Terri brings a unique blend of expertise, passion for the School and what we do, and a strategic vision that aligns seamlessly with our organization’s values, goals, and plans for the future. In Terri, we have a new leader who will inspire our staff, faculty, students, and stakeholders, lead strategic planning and operations, and be the engaging voice of our school.”

Cerveny succeeds Scott Hayden, who led AFS for five years before moving to a nonprofit organization that serves children’s needs.

She was selected following a search for a permanent executive director led by the board of directors of AFS.

“I’m excited to take on the role of executive director of the Adirondack Folk School where the work we do to teach the arts and crafts of the Adirondacks—from basketry to blacksmithing, to fiber arts, woodworking, and many more— will ensure the traditions of this historic region live on through our students and their children,” Cerveny said.

“Now more than ever, people are interested in working with their hands and nurturing their creativity. This combination has been growing in popularity since the pandemic and our enrollment has been growing right along with it. I look forward to building on this momentum by continuing to expand our program and

performance offerings, broaden our outreach, grow our audience, and expand our team and our facilities on the Luzerne campus.”

AFS was inspired by the town of Lake Luzerne Comprehensive Revitalization Plan in 2009 with a goal of attracting more business to the downtown hamlet section of town while providing economic opportunity for local artisans. Its mission is to celebrate and preserve the cultural heritage of the Adirondacks and promote creativity and self-reliance by teaching the arts, crafts and traditions that define our legendary region.

Since its founding in 2010, AFS has grown to offer nearly 300 classes in 20 areas of craft, such as canoe building, weaving, woodworking, photography, basketry, blacksmithing and more, from 50-plus instructors, serving nearly 1000 students each year from the campus in Lake Luzerne and satellite facility in Lake George . It has over 6,000 alumni throughout North America. Learn more about the Adirondack Folk School at www.adirondackfolkschool.org.

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Personnel Briefs

JMZ Architects and Planners, P.C. in Glens Falls announced two staff promotions.

David Holbrook, AIA was elevated from associate to senior associate.

He has designed major projects for Hudson Valley Community College, SUNY Adirondack, and Glens Falls National Bank. Holbrook holds a Bachelor of Architecture degree from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.

He and his family live in Queensbury.

Jeffrey Dolan, CSI, CDT, AIA was promoted to the position of associate. He deals with the technical aspects of design documentation and construction administration.

Dolan has served in leadership roles on projects at SUNY Potsdam, RPI Darrin Fresh Water Institute, and the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.

He holds a Bachelor of Professional Studies in architecture from SUNY Buffalo and a Master of Architecture from Iowa State University.

He and his family live in Corinth.

* * *

Michael Doud was elected president of the Board of Directors Habitat for Humanity of Northern Saratoga, Warren and Washington Counties.

He succeeds former president Michael Gestwick, who concluded his five-year term.

In addition to his role as president, Doud will be serving as acting executive director with the departure of former executive director, Adam Feldman, who served for seven years at the agency.

“I look forward to working with the Board and HFH staff, meeting more of our supporters and partners, Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit housing organization working in local communities across all 50 states and in more than 70 countries.

* * *

Saratoga National Bank and Trust Co. announce that Dina Trahan and Philip Carr recently joined the residential lending team.

Both are based in the Latham Century Hill Business Development Office, which serves the greater Capital District.

In her role as residential mortgage originator, Trahan helps clients with their home-financing experience and guides them through the mortgage application process.

She has more than 30 years of experience in residential mortgage services and is past president of the Mortgage Bankers Association of Northeastern New

York.

Trahan is active in her community and currently serves as a member of the Brunswick-Brittonkill Central School District Board of Education.

Carr will also help clients with their home financing experience and guide them through the mortgage application process. He brings more than 10 years of lending services experience to the position.

He is a graduate of the Rensselaer County Chamber Leadership Institute and a former board member of the Capital Alliance of Young Professionals (CAYP).

Carr earned a degree in business administration from Hudson Valley Community College in Troy. He lives in Stillwater.

* * *

NBT Bank has announced that Mark P. Sidoti was promoted to branch manager of its Glens Falls office located at 86 Glen St.

Sidoti will be responsible for business development, managing customer relationships and serving as a financial partner for customers in the Glens Falls region.

Sidoti joined NBT Bank in 2021 as a community banker. He has more than 30 years of business development and sales experience in the banking, telecommunications, payroll, outsourcing and employee benefits industries.

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

* * *

Herzog Law Firm PC has added Phillip K. Vacchio, Esq., to the firm as a senior associate. Vacchio will provide comprehensive legal counsel to existing and new clients in the areas of estate planning, elder law, estate administration and guardianships and will work out of Herzog’s Albany, Clifton Park and Saratoga Springs offices.

Vacchio was formerly a partner of a Long Island-based law firm handling the same areas of law and brings his extensive experience to the Capital Region and the North Country. Phillip is a graduate of the University of Maryland, where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree in behavioral and social sciences in 2009 and Hofstra University School of Law where he graduated cum laude.

He has been named to the Super Lawyers Rising Star list for the last three years.

Terri Cerveny, executive director, the Adirondack Folk School in Lake Luzerne. Courtesy Adirondack Folk School

Ledge Rock Hill Winery Moves Its Tasting Room To Route 9, Lake George

Ledge Rock Hill Winery has moved from their location in Corinth to at the new location at 1776 Route 9 in Lake George.

Ledge Rock Hill Winery has been specializing in craft winemaking for over a decade using high quality New York grapes and fruit infusions.

“Ledge Rock Hill Winery is incredibly excited,” co-owners Kevin, Will, and Connor Morgan said in a statement. “We have moved from our ‘winery in the woods’ location in Corinth to beautiful Lake George. Come to our tasting room and sample our varieties of dry and sweet wines, listen to live music, and sit by the campfire.”

The winery celebrated the move with a ribbon cutting facilitated by the Lake George Regional Chamber of Commerce on July 1. The festivities included wine tasting, live music, food truck, giveaways, yard games and a campfire.

“The new location is beautiful and conveniently located in Lake George. We’re thrilled to have Ledge Rock Hill Winery back on our Adirondack Craft Beverage Trail Digital Passport, which now includes 13 stops,” said Lake George Regional Chamber Executive Director Gina Mintzer.

Ledge Rock Hill Winery is a family-run operation “with knowledgeable and dedicated staff, all sharing a true love and appreciation for the art of fine wine making,” the owners said.

It was established officially as a winery in 2010 by the Akrop family and operated out of the original location in Corinth. This year, the tasting room was moved to the Lake George location.

“We specialize in limited vintage productions of hand-crafted wines made from premium grapes. We take great pride in producing wines that are custom crafted from the highest quality fruit available. The fruit is harvested from our own vineyard as well as a select few partner vineyards that have been able to consistently meet our high quality standards,” the Morgans said.

“We use all natural ingredients and limit the use of sulfites as much as possible in order to ensure freshness and impart aging ability to our wines. Our fermentation takes place in MacroBins or Stainless Steel tanks under controlled conditions. We hand-punch our reds during fermentation for optimum skin and juice contact and press as gently as possible.”

Transfers are done with the least amount of turbulence to preserve the freshness of the

wines. Red wines are made from grapes crushed at the winery and are aged for a minimum of 10 months in American, Hungarian or French oak barrels. Clarity and brilliance is achieved without filtration, they said.

White wines are fermented at cool temperatures and aged in stainless steel “to bring the true varietal character of the grape forward. Our sweet wines are hand-crafted to accent the notes of the various grapes and fruit flavors that comprise them. All leading to a perfect balance of taste and delicious sweetness,” said ownership.

“A wine making heritage and decades of wine making experience, coupled with a scientific background and passion for the art of vinification, have enabled us to take our wine making skills to a higher level of quality and sophistication that we hope you will enjoy,” the owners said.

They have won awards in contests such as The Finger Lakes International, Indy International, Florida International and The American Wine Society.

It is open Mondays through Thursday, 1-6 p.m.; Friday, 1-8 p.m.; Saturday, noon to 8 p.m.; and Sunday noon to 7 p.m.

The company website is lrhwinery.com. The phone is 518-654-5467.

Micro Brews, Nonprofits Among Those Who Can Apply In Latest Grant Funding Round

New York state has opened the application period for Round XIII of the Regional Economic Development Council Initiative.

Round XIII includes core capital grant and tax-credit funding combined with a wide range of programs from 10 state agencies, including $150 million in grant funds from Empire State Development, available to projects on a continuous basis.

The councils are encouraged to support projects that advance or address strategic State priorities— including green buildings and sustainable development, child care, distressed communities, and innovative public-private partnerships; those projects, will be eligible for additional award funding.

The deadline for applications is Friday, July 28, at 4 p.m. Open enrollment programs are not subject to the July 28 deadline and will continue to accept applications on an ongoing basis until funds are exhausted.

Officials said new this year, two new micro programs will award capital grants to support New York state craft beverage manufacturers and non-profit organizations, and a new $30 million Challenge competition will award $10 million to up to three regions to implement creative solutions to tackle persistent barriers to economic growth.

Also, for the first time since 2015, the councils will be tasked with updating their strategic regional economic development plans.

“Our Regional Economic Development Council Initiative continues to transform communities across the state, creating jobs and driving private investment all over New York,” Gov. Kathy Hochul said. “The launch of this latest round builds on state efforts to address our most pressing economic priorities—from sustainable development to the growing demand for childcare—all while empowering communities to tap into their regional strengths. Thanks to the work of the REDCs, New York is continuing to make the catalytic investments that foster economic growth and continued success in every corner of our state.”

The 10 REDCs are guided by their regional strategic economic development plans, which emphasize each region’s unique assets and provide strategies to harness local resources to stimulate regional

economic development and create jobs statewide.

This year, the regional councils will review and update their plans to re-establish each region’s priorities for growth, guide the deployment of resources, and create an updated road map to achieving its economic vision.

As part of the updated strategic plan, the councils will be tasked with analyzing specific challenges to economic growth. Each REDC will develop a proposal that outlines creative and innovative solutions to address one specific challenge of their choice. These proposals will be reviewed by the state and up to three winning proposals will be awarded up to $10 million funding to implement the proposed solutions.

This year, funding is available from 10 state agencies across 30 programs. Regional councils will review projects and provide scores that reflect how well a project aligns with a region’s goals and strategies.

In Round XIII, ESD is launching two new micro grant programs: the Craft Beverage Micro Grant Program and the Not-for-Profit Capital Grant Program. Up to $5 million will be available through the Craft Beverage Micro Grant Program, designed to increase the production capacity, business infrastructure and profitability of businesses licensed to produce wine, beer, spirits, hard cider and mead in New York State. Grants ranging from $25,000 to $50,000 would support equipment purchases and facility upgrades.

Up to $5 million will be available through the Notfor-Profit Capital Grant program, which will award matching funds grants to nonprofit organizations who provide economic and community benefits in their region to assist with facility improvements and upgrades. Grant awards would range from $25,000 to $100,000.

The Regional Economic Development Council initiative is a key component of the state’s approach to investment and economic development. In 2011, 10 Regional Councils were established to develop long-term strategic plans for economic growth for their regions. The councils are public-private partnerships made up of local experts and stakeholders from business, academia, local government, and non-governmental organizations.

Learn more at regionalcouncils.ny.gov.

People enjoy the new Ledge Rock Hill tasting room in Lake George.

Courtesy Lake George Chamber of Commerce

Officials: Wine & Food Festival Drew 7,000, Generating Some 10,000 Overnight Stays

BY PAUL POST

Paul and Pattie Harkness are just the kind of people former Mayor Bob Blais envisioned coming to Lake George when Charles R. Wood Festival Commons first opened nearly a decade ago.

“This is my first time here. My wife made me come,” he said, smiling, while sampling tasty products at the June 24-25 Adirondack Wine & Food Festival.

“This kind of event is on my bucket list,” Pattie said. “So I thought we’d start in Lake George. I saw it on Facebook.”

The festival is one of 16 major events scheduled for the Commons this year, which have a combined economic impact in the tens of millions of dollars, according to local officials. Also, they attract and expose first-time visitors such as the Harknesses, who live near Rochester, to everything the Lake George region has to offer, which quite often results in repeat visits, further fueling the area’s vital tourism and hospitality industry.

The Wine & Food Festival alone drew more than 7,000 people from three dozen states, generating more than 10,000 overnight stays with an economic impact approaching $5 million, organizers said. More than 120 vendors provided wine, liquor, craft beer and artisan foods.

“Because it’s Lake George and it’s the kickoff to summer, people are specifically coming to attend this festival, but then they make a vacation out of it,” said Sasha Pardy, festival founder and Adirondack Winery co-owner. “They’re here for a week, two weeks or even longer in a lot of cases. More than half our visitors are from four hours away.”

The town and village of Lake George and Warren County purchased the 12.5-acre former Gaslight Village property from the Charles R. Wood Foundation in 2008, paid for with grant money and donations from three conservation groups—the Lake George Association, Fund for Lake George and Lake George Land Conservancy.

In addition to event space, the $12.5 million project featured a large environmental component with creation of an eco-friendly wetlands area, complete with nature trails, that keeps harmful sediments and nutrients from reaching the lake. This, too, helps the economy by preserving the lake’s clear, clean water that makes Lake George such a desirable place to visit for boating, fishing and other types of outdoor recreation, officials say.

Blais, who retired as mayor this spring after 52 years in office, is now in charge of bringing attractions to Festival Commons in his new job as village director of special events. At one time, Lake George was basically a two- or at best three-month summer resort town. People stopped coming after Labor Day and didn’t return until school let out in late June.

“We built this place to extend our season,” Blais said. “It’s proven to be a huge catalyst. Special events bring people to Lake George that may not otherwise have decided to come here. Americade, the Wine Festival, Car Show (Adirondack Nationals), Garlic & Pepper Festival and Kris Kringle Christmas Festival, they’re the reason that people are now coming here on the shoulder seasons.”

“Who ever would have thought that we would have an Ice Castle here in January and February drawing close to 70,000 people?” he said. “That never would have happened without Wood Park. The Ice Castles people have told us the location in

Lake George next to a main highway (Route 9) is their number one location.”

This summer’s offerings include a Box Off for the ADK boxing event (July 22), Lake George Arts and Crafts Festival (July 28-29), Shriner’s Circus (Aug. 6) and Rock the Lake music concert (Aug. 12). Boxing matches are sanctioned by the New York State Boxing Association.

“It just shows you the variety of attractions outside of the big music festivals we have,” Blais said. “One of the greatest things you can say about this is that all of the events we have hosted to date have chosen to return again.”

Warren County has a 68 percent ownership stake in the park while the village, which purchased the town’s share, owns the rest.

Event owners pay a rental fee to use the festival space, all of which is put back into the park for ongoing maintenance and improvements. For example, a children’s play area is scheduled for upgrades this year.

Rental fees, totaling more than $100,000, are expected to exceed maintenance costs for the first time this year, and such revenue should grow as new and different types of events are added to the lineup. Plans are already in the works for a more than week-long circus next summer.

Don and Michele Jarvis, of South Hadley, Massachusetts, epitomize the type of Lake George visitor that boosts the economy by patronizing all kinds of local businesses.

The Adirondack Wine & Food Festival marked the start of a week-long camping vacation for them.

The Wine & Food Festival gives a tremendous boost to local vendors such as Bryn Reynolds of Moreau, a retired police officer-turned-artist (Dark Mountain Arts) who specializes in pet and people portraits along with colorful landscapes.

“Most of my work has to do with nature, the Adirondacks, the mountains,” he said. “What better place to showcase it than right here in the village of Lake George? It’s a phenomenal way to meet new customers, make contacts for possible custom drawings and get my artwork out there a little more.”

The festival provides a significant financial benefit to an important nonprofit. This year, for the fourth time, the festival donated a portion of all ticket sales to Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Southern Adirondacks, which provides mentorship, tutoring, and experiences to youth in Warren, Washington and northern Saratoga counties.

Last year the festival raised more than $23,000 for Big Brothers Big Sisters and this year’s goal was even higher.

“When the Adirondack Wine & Food Festival began years ago it was a game changer for the village, providing a major event on that weekend after the official start of summer,” said Amanda Metzger, Lake George Chamber of Commerce marketing director. “It brings thousands to the Lake George area who stay in hotels, dine at restaurants, go shopping and enjoy our attractions. In addition it garners media coverage and influences attention on social media, helping to spread awareness of our destination.

The Festival helped put Charles R. Wood Park Festival Commons on the map.”

For more information about Festival Commons events visit festivalcommons.com or lakegeorgechamber.com.

Despite some weekend rain, a large crowd turned out for the Adirondack Wine & Food Festival, which officials say had an economic impact of some $5 million.

Paul Post

Adirondack Adventure Center Buys Land, Upgrades The Experience For Its Customers

WAIT House Gets Grant From TD Bank For Agency’s Affordable Housing Efforts

The WAIT House in Glens Falls was one of only five nonprofit organizations in New York state to be awarded a housing grant from TD Bank as a part of the company’s Housing for Everyone program.

Warren Washington County Homeless Youth Coalition, which runs the WAIT house, was awarded a $175,000 grant, the bank announced.

TD Charitable Foundation, the charitable giving arm of TD Bank, awarded a total of $7 million to 37 nonprofits across the bank’s national footprint.

“The Housing for Everyone grant program underscores TD’s longstanding commitment to community enrichment, as well as the bank’s efforts to help people live with greater financial confidence through the TD Ready Commitment, TD’s corporate citizenship platform,” the company said.

A new land acquisition will allow Adirondack Adventure Center to upgrade its Lazy River Tubing Adventure on the Hudson River.

The upgrades include a private access point, a smoother and safer bus ride to and from the river, a more flexible schedule, onriver tube storage, Internet and telephone service, and trip customization for customers including a private beach and island.

The announcement was made during a ribbon cutting ceremony on June 16, with the Lake George Regional Chamber of Commerce.

“These upgrades allow us to expand our business and make it safer and more convenient for everybody to come up and experience tubing and the beauty of our area. One of the things that gets us up and going in the morning is being able to share this experience with everybody,” said owner Dane Morton. “It’s a huge deal for us. It’s really going to help us expand our business further.”

Th is acquisition of 165 acres of land along the Buttermilk section of the Hudson River is the fi rst phase in a thee-phase plan to upgrade the tubing experience.

“We congratulate Adirondack Adventure Center on this major upgrade to the tubing experience for their customers. It is wonderful to see our area attractions continually investing in their businesses and growing,” said Lake George Chamber Executive Director Gina Mintzer.

Adirondack Adventure Center offers three outdoor activities; Lazy River tubing, whitewater raft ing and treetop adventure/ ziplining, at one convenient location.

Officials said the completion of phase 1 will allow provide for the following upgrades:

• A private access point to the river which will allow everyone to get on the water faster and more efficiently. People won’t have to wait for other companies or the general public to access the river.

• A smoother and safer bus ride to and from the river. The route to the new put-in spot is entirely on paved roads. There are no more one-lane dirt roads with potholes.

• A more flexible schedule. Instead of four trips departing every 90 minutes, Adirondack Adventure Center will now offer six trips departing every 60 minutes, making it easier and more convenient for customers to pick a time to tube.

• On-river tube storage. All tubes will be stored at the new access point which means customers will no longer have to wait for guides to load and unload tubes from the buses. There will be less time dealing with trip logistics and equipment equals more time on the water for their customers.

• Internet and telephone service at the new access point means people will be able to communicate back and forth with the main office in case of weather or other emergencies, making trips safer.

• Trip customization. In the past, guides determined where and when customers had to stop on the water for a break to swim and for how long. Now customers will be able to stop wherever they want, whenever they want, and for however long they want, as long as everyone is off the river by 5:30 p.m.

As part of the land purchase, there will be a private beach and private island for customers to explore and enjoy.

The Adirondack Adventure Center is located only seven miles south

Lake George village.

WAIT House serves youths in Warren and Washington counties “who present as homeless, runaway, or street-involved.” The organization provides supportive housing and related services “necessary to live and grow emotionally, educationally, spiritually, mentally, and physically to become healthy, productive adults,” organization officials said.

As individuals and families across the country struggle with inflation and an exponential rise in rental costs, affordable housing providers face increased hardship given the growing demand for affordable rental units and emergency rental assistance.

“The affordable housing crisis continues to burden the most vulnerable members of our communities and the organizations committed to supporting them,” said Paige Carlson-Heim, director of the charitable foundation. “At TD, we’re committed to

doing our part to help create a more sustainable and inclusive future for everyone, and that includes providing access to safe, affordable homes.

“This year’s grant recipients are mission-critical to that work, and the TD Charitable Foundation is proud to support them in their efforts to create a positive impact and a pathway to housing stability in the communities we serve.”

Since 2003, the WAIT House mission has been to provide stability to youth who present themselves as homeless. They accomplish this through the immediate provision of coordinated services; reunification of families where appropriate; the provision of supervised emergency and transitional housing; with the goal of personal responsibility and self-sufficiency.

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Adirondack Adventure Center bought an additional 165 acres of land on which to upgrade its Lazy River Tubing Adventure on the Hudson River.

Courtesy Adirondack Adventure Center

The WAIT house was awarded a $175,000 grant from the TD Charitable Foundation. Courtesy WAIT House

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SUNY Adirondack Teams With Russell Sage To Offer Smooth Fine Arts Degree Transfer

DIGITAL MARKETING AGENCY

SUNY Adirondack has developed a partnership with Russell Sage College in Troy to offer fine arts graduates seamless transfer to Russell Sage’s Art + Extended Media Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) program.

“We are excited to add this collaboration with Russell Sage to SUNY Adirondack’s numerous articulation agreements with institutions throughout the Northeast, to create pathways for our students to complete a bachelor’s degree,” said Dr. Kristine D. Duffy, president of SUNY Adirondack.

This agreement begins in the fall.

Under the agreement, Russell Sage will accept up to 66 credits earned by a fine arts student at SUNY Adirondack. The student must earn a C-minus or better to qualify. Those who attain a grade point average of 3.0 are automatically admit-

ted into the program.

Classes accepted within the agreement include general education requirements such as introduction to college writing and natural sciences, and fine arts-specific courses such as two-dimensional design, western art history and painting.

“We welcome the opportunity for our art students to continue their education at Russell Sage College,” said Dr. Renee O’Brien, professor of photography and chair of the Arts, Media and Culture division at SUNY Adirondack.

Russell Sage College is an undergraduate and graduate college with campuses in Albany and Troy. It was founded in 1916 and has a 10to-1 student-faculty ratio, 21 athletics teams, an enrollment of 2,159 students and more than 40,000 alumni.

Irving Tissue Plant In Fort Edward Plans To Build A 66,200-Square-Foot Warehouse

BY SUSAN ELISE CAMPBELL

Irving

Tissue

Fort

Edward

will soon begin construction on a 66,200-square-foot warehouse on existing property connected to the Fort Edward facilities, according to plant manager Eric Dawson.

“We’re excited to announce an expansion at our tissue manufacturing plant to include a new warehouse,” said Dawson. “The added space will be used to store our large parent rolls on site and reduce waste from offsite paper handling.”

The manufacturer is currently finalizing permits and expects the construction to be complete in 12 to 14 months, he said.

“We are currently working on approvals,” Dawson said. “As we are not looking for variances, we expect to move quickly and effectively.”

Dawson said the expansion at the Fort Edward plant does not change any plans Irving Tissue may have for its Schenectady warehouse and will not create additional employment

opportunities. However, the company has positions to fill in a variety of operational roles.

The workforce in Fort Edward currently consists of over 350 full-time and 100 temporary employees, he said. Irving Tissue purchased the Fort Edward facility in 1996.

“Since then, we have continuously invested in plant expansions, modernization, and new equipment and technology to upgrade and enhance our competitiveness,” said Dawson. “Irving Tissue’s long-term plans are focused on growth and this warehouse expansion project is a strategic step toward achieving those plans.”

Irving Tissue is committed to the areas where its employees live and work. Dawson said the company actively gives to more than 60 local charities and organizations and recently made a $100,000 donation to Glens Falls Hospital.

For more information and job postings, visit www.irvingconsumerproducts.com.

SUNY Adirondack partnered with Russell Sage College in Troy to offer fine arts graduates seamless transfer to Russell Sage’s Art + Extended Media Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) program.

Courtesy SUNY Adirondack

New Gift Shop,

Kirche, Opens At A

Former Church Located In North Creek

BY ANN DONNELLY

Kirche is a gift shop located in the former North Creek United Methodist Church and recently upgraded with the addition of a new state-of-the-art carillon, a set of bells in the bell tower that chimes three times each day and will play hymns and Christmas carols during the holiday season.

“It was an impulse purchase,” said owner Jennifer Zimmerman, originally from the New York City area. “I walked into the building, and without even realizing it, the words came out of my mouth to my realtor, ‘You know I am going to bid on this, and I am going to try hard to buy it.’”

Initially, Zimmerman had no idea of what to do with the property. She aimed to contribute to the local community, and when she reached out for ideas, “economic activity” was the overwhelming answer.

“I have always had old houses, and I love antiques and vintage pieces, so there were suggestions to open a shop,” she said. But it would be too expensive to turn the former church into a viable property for any business.

Around this time, Zimmerman finished her career as a Wall Street lawyer. She traveled the world for a while before returning to North Creek to live year-round. She sold her house in Westchester and used the former church to store the antiques and other pieces she’d collected over the years.

“Then I needed insurance, a fire alarm, electricity, and a phone line for the fire alarm, etc., so the incremental cost to use the building as a shop was feasible. I had the place. I had the stuff. I had the background knowledge.”

Opened in May 2022, Kirche offers a carefully curated collection of antiques, art, crafts, homewares, and other interesting objects for sale arranged in a visually appealing way suited to the building. “The first year was my proof of concept. People loved coming in here. The most common thing I hear when people walk in is, ‘Wow.’ The church is beautiful, and I consider it a compliment that people appreciate what I have

done with it.”

Zimmerman, who chose the name “Kirche” (pronounced “keer-cha”) as it is German for church, enjoys hearing people’s memories about it—weddings, first communions, etc.—and has been careful to maintain and highlight many of the original features of the building, including the 10 stained glass windows and a pew located along the front of the building.

The original deed from 1879 is framed above the sales counter at the front of the shop.

She rotates the stock weekly.

“I love having things go out the door so that I can put new things in the store,” she said. “I have enough to fill this place four times over. I like shopping for stuff.”

She offers to keep an eye out during her shopping expeditions if she doesn’t have what a person is looking for. With her flair for design and years as a collector, she also offers suggestions to people for items for a specific space or how to use best an item purchased.

The shop gets a mix of clientele from “nostalgia shoppers” that see an item that they knew from their childhood to “impulse buyers” that fall in love with something they discover and a few dealers.

While most shoppers are from outside the area and those with second homes in the area, the shop has gotten positive feedback from the people of North Creek, she said. One of the goals of Zimmerman’s business plan is to do some good for the community.

“On the day of the recent ribbon cutting, I gave 20 percent of the register to two local organizations, and at the end of the year, a portion of the proceeds go to various local and regional nonprofit organizations,” she said.

The shop is only open seasonally due to the cost and sustainability of maintaining the building in the colder months.

Kirche is located at 243 Main St., North Creek, and is open Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday from noon to 5 p.m., and other times by appointment.

MEMBER OF THE ADIRONDACK REGIONAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Ticonderoga Battle

Re-Enactment With

300 Participants To Take Place On July 22 And 23

Defiance & Independence, a two-day battle re-enactment that will highlight the 1777 siege of Ticonderoga, will be held at the fort on Saturday and Sunday, July 22-23. It will take place at 1 p.m. both days.

Featuring more than 300 historical reenactors, it is the largest battle reenactment of the year at Fort Ticonderoga. The battle at Ticonderoga was when the British Army attempted to capture the entire American force guarding this strategic position on Lake Champlain.

Admission to the reenactment event is included with the purchase of a general admission ticket. The second day admission is free.

The intense two-day battle re-enactment will portray the fighting and maneuvering which culminated in Gen. Arthur St. Clair’s evacuation of Ticonderoga and British Gen. John Burgoyne’s frustration in failing to capture the American force, organizers said.

All weekend, through special programs, Fort Ticonderoga brings to life the real stories of soldiers and civilians caught up in the six-day clash between British and American forces.

A new Saturday evening program will recreate the moment Continental Army soldiers prepared to escape capture, even as their cannons continued to hold the British at bay. Pre-registration for the evening vignette is required, limited tickets available.

“The opportunity to follow the battle as American soldiers defended entrenched positions around Ticonderoga, before secretly escaping British encirclement is an immersive exciting tale you can’t experience anywhere else,” said Beth Hill, Fort Ticonderoga president and CEO. “Our guests will watch the battle unfold, meeting the diverse British force, from Native American to German allies, and discovering unsung moments of heroism, like the evacuation of the Continental Army hospital.

“Ticonderoga was already a legendary place when American forces held back the British here in October 1776,” said Stuart Lilie, Fort Ticonderoga’s vice president

of public history. “The personal stories of soldiers, sailors, nurses, and warriors make the 1777 Battle for Ticonderoga compelling for visitors of all ages.”

Each day offers a uniquely different experience for guests and is filled with historically immersive programs and thrilling re-enactments.

For more information and to view the entire event schedule, visit www.fortticonderoga.org or call 518-585-2821.

Fort Ticonderoga engages more than 70,000 visitors each year on site with an economic impact of more than $12 million annually and offers programs, historic interpretation, boat cruises, tours, demonstrations, and exhibits throughout the year, and is open for daily visitation through October.

Fort Ticonderoga is owned and operated by The Fort Ticonderoga Association, a nonprofit educational organization which serves its mission to preserve, educate and provoke an active discussion about the past and its importance to present and future generations.

Brookfield is proud to play an active role in the greater Warren, Washington and Saratoga region.

Kirche, a gift shop at 243 Main St. in North Creek, has a selection of gifts, home decor, art and more. It has antiques, vintage finds and locally sourced giftware.

Courtesy Lake George Chamber of Commerce

Jeffrey B. Shapiro, Attorney

Bartlett, Pontiff, Stewart & Rhodes, PC Reads

Defiance & Independence at Fort Ticonderoga is set for Saturday and Sunday, July 22-23.

Courtesy Fort Ticonderoga

Business Report

Retired? Consider Benefits Of Part-Time Work

BY MEGHAN MURRAY

After spending decades in the workforce, you might look forward to the day you retire. But if you decide, for one reason or another, that you’d like to redefine “retirement” to include part-time work or consulting, you could enjoy exercising your skills and meeting new people. But you can also receive some key financial benefits.

Specifically, bringing in some paychecks in your retirement can help you in these areas:

You could contribute more to your IRA. During your working years, you may have contributed regularly to an IRA, but once you retired, you might have thought those days were over. But there’s no age limit – if you have any earned income, you can contribute to an IRA and boost the financial resources you have available for retirement.

You could potentially lower your withdrawal rate. Once you’re retired, you will likely need to rely on your investment portfolio to provide you with some—or maybe most—of your income. Consequently, you’ll need to establish an appropriate withdrawal rate—a percentage of your portfolio that you can take out each year without running the risk of potentially outliving your money. Income from part-time work or consulting may lower your dependency on investment income, thereby reducing your annual withdrawal rate and extending the overall longevity of your investment portfolio.

You could add to your grandchildren’s 529 plans. When you invest in a 529 education savings plan, the earnings and withdrawals are federally tax-free, provided the money is used for qualified education expenses. As a grandparent, you can contribute to a 529 plan with your grandchildren as beneficiaries. And a 529 plan can be used for more than college – it can fund some programs at trade schools and K-12 expenses in some states.

So, by putting some of your earned income to work in a 529 plan, you can help improve your grandchildren’s prospects.

You could reduce your debts. By the time you reach retirement, you may or may not have retired your mortgage, but you might have other debts on

Plus

Queensbury Senior Citizens Center Group Has New Outdoor Space For More Activities

your books. If you can apply some of your earned income to these debts, you can improve your cash flow and possibly avoid dipping into your retirement accounts for short-term needs.

Of course, you’ll also have to consider some issues if you end up working in retirement, particularly if you bring in a sizable amount of money. For example, if you’re earning income and collecting Social Security before you reach your “full” retirement age—which is likely between 66 and 67—your monthly benefits will be reduced. (However, these “lost” benefits will be restored once you do reach your full retirement age.)

Also, the added income could push you into a higher tax bracket or even cause you to pay the Medicare premium surcharge or the 3.8% surtax on net investment income if your income reaches certain levels. So, before embarking on any employment that may yield a large additional income, consult with your tax advisor.

Overall, though, the financial benefits of parttime employment income during your retirement years may be worth it, so give some thought to “unretiring.”

BY ANN DONNELLY

The Queensbury Senior Citizens, Inc. has expanded with the opening of a new outdoor space called The Grove.

It officially opened in June with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

“We share our building, including the activity room, with the town of Queensbury,” center director Stephanie Smith. “The Grove gives us more room for activities in an outdoor space safe for seniors.”

While the organization holds activities in The Grove, including a recent BBQ fundraiser, a “Potluck Picnic,” outdoor movie nights, and music events, members are welcome to use the space with their families. There are picnic tables, grills, and a bocce ball court.

“This is a benefit for members as many don’t have their own space for this,” said Smith.

An Evening Under the Stars, this year’s senior ball, will be held in The Grove on July 28. The free event brings together the members of Queensbury, Glens Falls, and Fort Ann/Kingsbury senior citizen groups.

The organization, which now has approximately 1,400 members, provides activities that encourage physical fitness, social interaction, and continuous learning. There is no age requirement for membership, but people must be at least 55 to be on the Board of Trustees.

Currently, member ages range from early to mid-40s up to the oldest member, who is 103. They

offer programs at no or little costs and sometimes get sponsors to help keep expenses down.

For example, CDPHP sponsors Tai Chi classes. The organization also partners with sponsors to provide presentations on relevant topics like financial aid, legal issues, and how to avoid scams. There is a health fair coming up on Sept. 22.

Some of the activities are organized by the center’s staff, while others are organized by members themselves based on their interests and skills.

Activities include line dancing, Zumba, Tai Chi, card games, art classes, book chat, crafting, shuffleboard, and pool. They also offer off-site activities such as bowling and an Out to Lunchers group that meets at different restaurants in the area.

Assistant Director Elizabeth Stone leads the travel program. A group is heading to London and Paris in October. Others traveled to South Carolina and Maine earlier this year. Day trips include shows at Proctor’s, SPAC, and other popular activities, events, and tours like the Van Gogh Experience in Albany and a West Point Military Academy tour. New members are always welcome. The membership fee is $25 per year. To join, visit the center at 742 Bay Road in Queensbury or call (518) 761-8224. The center is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

For more information, visit seniorsonthego.org. People interested in partnering with the center to help with the cost of an activity or event or host a presentation can call Smith at (518) 761-8224.

BURGOYNE QUALITY

Store Hours:

Monday - Friday: 7:00AM - 6:00PM

Saturday: 8:00AM - 6:00PM

Sunday: 9:00AM - 5:00PM

Meghan Murray is a financial advisor with Edward Jones Financial in Glens Falls. Courtesy Edward Jones Financial

A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held in June at The Grove, the new outdoor activity space of Queensbury Senior Citizens Inc. Courtesy Queensbury Senior Citizens Inc.

Business Report

Do Grandparents Have Visitation Rights?

BY BARBARA KING

For grandparents, the relationship with a grandchild can be one of the most important things in the world. But what happens when the child’s parents prevent you from seeing or having a relationship with them?

Sometimes, the only recourse left to grandparents is to petition for grandparents’ visitation rights from Family Court. But do grandparents have visitation rights in New York?

Visitation rights vary from state to state, but generally speaking, grandparents’ visitation rights are not as extensive as those granted to the child’s biological or adopted parents. But grandparents do have a statutory right to petition for visitation, even if the child’s parents are unmarried, have been legally divorced or one is deceased.

These limited rights to visitation are not extended to aunts and uncles, great-grandparents, or other family members, except in circumstances where the child’s natural parents and grandparents have both passed away, or are otherwise legally barred from access to the child. Adoption is not a barrier to a biological grandparent’s rights to request visitation, but the child’s best interest, including health, safety, and welfare are the primary considerations.

What if the custodial parent is opposed?

The state of New York recognizes that a child’s parents have the fundamental right to raise their children in the manner they feel is best for the child, including who is or is not allowed to visit with them. As such, a Family Court will grant visitation rights to grandparents who have an already established relationship and/or have been denied access to their grandchild if it is deemed by the court to be in the child’s best interests.

However, New York courts also recognize the benefits of a grandchild having a relationship with their grandparents, such as childcare, education, developmental activities, and basic love and affection.

But if a parent objects to that relationship, then the courts must give additional weight to the parent’s wishes for their child, the reason for objecting to such relationship, and their right to make decisions for the child’s upbringing.

Remember, the law does not provide for an automatic right to grandchild visitation. Rather, grandparents are permitted to petition the court for visitation, since New York acknowledges that visits with grandparents are often an established and important part of a child’s life.

Is court required in seeking visitation?

If the child’s parent or guardian has interfered with the grandparents’ establishing or maintaining a healthy relationship with the child, or other extraordinary circumstances exist, then the court may grant the grandparent’s visitation rights. New York law states that the grandparents of a child whose parents are deceased, or where it can be shown that conditions exist under which the court would see fit to intervene, may apply to the state Supreme Court or Family Court to request visitation rights in respect to the child.

Grandparents often take their case to court when access to the child has been cut off by the parent against the grandparent’s wishes, or the grandparent is seeking to establish a relationship with the child where one did not previously exist. However, a change in the parent’s legal relationship, such as divorce, separation, or annulment, is also a common basis for grandparents’ visitation rights cases.

AARP Study Urges Establishing Brain Health

Screening As Part Of Aging Adult Check-Ups

Brain health is influenced by many factors, including economic and social factors such as income and financial security, housing conditions, environment, and access to nutritious food and exercise.

A new report from AARP and the Global Council on Brain Health (GCBH), “Building Better Brain Health for All People: GCBH Recommendations on Removing Barriers and Improving Opportunities Around the World,” takes these into account and offers recommendations for achieving greater brain health.

“If we want to improve brain health for all, we have to pay more attention to the needs of those at greatest risk of poor health and address social conditions that stand in the way,” said Sarah Lenz Lock, senior vice president of policy and brain health at AARP and Executive Director of the Global Council on Brain Health. “Cognitive decline is not inevitable, and everyone should have the opportunity to experience better brain health as they age.”

your health care and seek providers you can trust to listen and understand your cultural values. Make healthy choices whenever possible and try to incorporate the Six Pillars of Brain Health into your lifestyle.

For health care providers: Prioritize prevention and establish brain health screening as an important element in check-ups of aging adults and others at risk. Ensure family caregivers have the information they need to provide the most effective care and include them in consultations as appropriate.

For policymakers: Establish public policies and practices to promote greater awareness and early identification of cognitive and mental health issues, including diverse voices in the policymaking process. Facilitate healthy lifestyles enabling people to proactively promote and sustain their brain health across their lifespans.

Grandparents seeking legal visitation rights with their grandchildren must fi le a petition (a formal written request) with the court in the New York county where the grandchild lives. The petition must describe the basis for such petition including the existence of any relationship with the grandchild; the interference alleged and the manner in which such visitation is in the grandchild’s best interest as well as the proposed visitation schedule.

Once the petition is fi led, the court will direct notice to all parties involved, including the child’s parents, along with any other person who may have fi led for custody. The court may also appoint an attorney for the child, to ensure the child’s voice is heard.

Grandparents must also establish legal grounds for making the visitation request. If one or both parents are deceased, this determination is automatic under New York state law. If one or both natural parents are living, then petitioning grandparents are required to prove that they have an existing relationship with the child, or that the parent/guardian has deliberately and improperly prevented one from being established.

After legal grounds for visitation have been established, grandparents have the burden of proof to show that the grandchild spending time with them is in the child’s best interest.

Courts will consider the following: The age of the child; wishes of the child, if they are of sufficient maturity to express a preference; distance between the proposed location of visits and the child’s home; mental and physical health of the child, parents, or anyone else who may be fi ling for visitation rights or custody; Previous and current relationship of the grandparent with the child and parent; and grandparent’s caregiving skills and disposition toward the parent.

In many court cases, some level of animosity between the parents and grandparents is evident, which is relevant, but not sufficient on its own to deny any request for courtordered visitation. The court must consider the parents’ preferences, and balance factors such as the existing family structure and everyday living situation of the child, as well as the extent of any existing relationship with the grandparents.

Begin by consulting with a family law attorney who can assess the situation and recommend the best course of action. They can also help by fi ling a petition with the court for visitation rights, or modify an existing visitation order, as well as providing the required notice to all parties, and representing you in court.

The report highlights the Six Pillars of Brain Health that can support the ability of individuals to positively affect their brain health. The pillars include exercise, intellectual stimulation, sleep quality, stress management, social engagement, and nutrition.

Recommendations in the report for addressing barriers to brain health are informed by the latest scientific findings and by lived experience of people with cognitive issues.

These include:

For individuals: Be an active participant in

Double H CEO

Continued From Page 1

a strong history and legacy, and obvious commitment and dedication from the entire staff, volunteer, camper, and alumni community.”

She will officially assume the role of CEO in August and plans to relocate to New York’s

For communities: Promote community engagement to raise awareness of brain health and debunk misconceptions. As community leaders, employers can take the lead in creating incentives to encourage healthy behavior. Include community members in decision-making and incorporate diverse perspectives, expertise, and feedback in all education, outreach, and communications initiatives.

“Better brain health enables people’s minds to flourish so they can lead more rewarding lives,” said Lock. “Successful policies and strategies to promote brain health must integrate the many elements that influence cognitive wellness throughout life.”

Adirondack Park where the Double H Ranch is located.

The Double H Ranch, co-founded by Charles R. Wood and Paul Newman, provides specialized programs and year round support for children and their families dealing with life-threatening illnesses. All programs are free of charge and capture the magic of the Adirondacks. For more information, visit www. doublehranch.org.

Barbara King is a partner at Tully Rinckey PLLC, Attorneys & Counselors at Law.

Courtesy Edward Jones Financial

Summer Construction

Sunnyside Par 3 Golf Course In Queensbury To Expand With Building For Dining, Music

BY JILL NAGY

On a recent afternoon, Whitney Russell and his crew were rushing to get a roof on a new patio addition to the Sunnyside Par 3 golf course and restaurant in Queensbury, part of a major upgrade to the facility.

When completed, the 16x66-foot patio, overlooking the golf course, will provide space for food, drinks, and occasional music.

A new post and beam building will also be added to the existing building. It will house five golf simulators and a new gift shop. Russell expects the simulators to encourage golfers to work on their game year-round.

“Golf is a seasonal sport, that’s why they invented simulators,” he said.

The plan is to have them up and running, in the new building, by Sept. 1. Russell purchased them from the Glens Falls office of About Golf, a national company. The manufacturers will also do the installation.

Russell and his son Garrett, who is the general manager, bought the business in 2019 and undertook major internal renovations before opening. The Par 3 (nine holes) golf course has been in business since the 1940s, open mainly during the warm weather months. The Russells plan a year-round facility.

They are also installing lights so that the course can be used from sun-up until 10:30 p.m. Late players will still be able to get a drink on the new patio afterward but food service is scheduled to end at 8:30 p.m.

Other changes include moving the first tee and constructing a new ninth green. Russell estimated the entire investment, so far, is about $700,000.

The nine-hole set up makes for a shorter game than on an 18-hole course.

“With everybody on crunch time, they can play in an hour,” Russell said. They can also come any

Former Crossett Lake Scout Reservation Will Be Turned Into Vacation Home By Developer

BY PAUL POST

A Key West luxury resort developer has found his own slice of paradise at a remote Adirondack lake beneath the shadow of Buck Mountain in West Fort Ann.

Pritam Singh recently purchased the 945acre former Crossett Lake Scout Reservation from prominent Glens Falls businesswoman Elizabeth Miller for a reported $9.5 million cash.

“I’ve been looking for a lake like this for 30 to 40 years,” said Singh. “I was absolutely floored that it’s less than a two-hour drive from my house in South Woodstock (Vt.), and about three hours from New York and Boston. The clear, spring-fed lake has three islands, is 130 feet deep and its physical location and geography is quite unique because it’s so high up, a thousand feet above Lake George.”

time, no reservations needed. People can see nearly the entire course from the new patio and three or four holes from the first tee, so Russell can direct players to begin their game on an uncrowded part of the course when there is a traffic jam at the first tee..

The club has about 100 members, Russell said, but it is open to the public as well. There are about 14 employees.

Russell and his son Garrett are also partners in a reclaimed lumber business. Another son, Tyler, and his wife, are partners with Russell in Rocket Recycling, a bottle redemption business.

The golf course is located at 170 Sunnyside Road in Queensbury. The telephone number is 518-7920148.

“And it’s surrounded by 13,000 acres of wild forest so it doesn’t have problems with salt and agricultural runoff or septic. It’s really like a hidden alpine valley,” he said. “Just amazing, idyllic. If a kid was going to draw a picture of paradise this is what he’d draw.”

The site, on the eastern edge of the Adirondack Park, will be strictly for family use as a seasonal getaway, Singh said.

The sale, which closed on April 21, was brokered by Dan Davies of Queensbury-based Davies Davies & Associates.

“There was a lot of interest, but the biggest difference between Mr. Singh and other parties is that they wanted to do substantial development and he didn’t,” Davies said. “To run a project through the Adirondack Park Agency would be heavily scrutinized and take years. Mr. Singh is going to build houses for he and his kids and that’s basically it. I’ve sold in the Adirondacks for 35 years. This is literally a sanctuary from the world, but 15 minutes from the world (Glens Falls). That’s very, very rare.”

Singh is the epitome of a classic rags-toriches, self-made man American success story. Born Paul Arthur Labombard, in 1952, he grew up poor in Central Massachusetts and lived in foster care from age 7 to 11.

He made the first of many visits to Key West, where he eventually made his fortune. During his early 20s, he spent three years at a Sikh commune, in Massachusetts and changed his name to Pritam Singh.

His business career was launched in 1978, in Portland, Maine, where Singh formed the Great Bay company, which specialized in turning low-cost and foreclosed properties into a series of small-scale development successes, particularly focused on historic preservation. He was a driving force behind the revitalization of downtown Portland, but the best was yet to come.

From 1983 to 1985, his company purchased and developed $72 million worth of property in Maine, Massachusetts, New Mexico and California. Then he heard about an opportunity too good to pass up in Key West.

In 1986, Singh purchased ($17 million) and began redeveloping Truman Annex, which includes The Little White House where President Harry Truman vacationed 11 times during his seven-plus years in office. The 45-acre former U.S. Navy property had fallen into disrepair. But Singh spent 10 years bringing it back to life with 425 classic conch-style, single-family homes; high-end condominiums, a hotel, affordable housing, parks, a marina, retail and commercial space and museums.

From there, The Singh Company developed exclusive resorts such as Key West Golf Club, a

This is the 16x66 foot patio being built at Sunnyside Par 3 golf course. Courtesy Sunnyside Par 3

A luxury resort developer purchased the former Crossett Lake Scout Reservation.

Revitalization Efforts In Glens Falls Relies On Bringing South Street Back To Prominence

BY PAUL POST

Gregg Singer and Larissa Ovitt have a vision for what some call the “street of dreams” in the city of Glens Falls.

South Street is called that because it’s a place where people with hope, hard work and some money could earn a slice of American pie.

For many years, those aspirations gave way to a state of dismal decline evidenced by closed, boarded-up storefronts in several buildings. But now there are strong efforts to bring it back to life. Singer and Ovitt are contributing to the rebirth with an ambitious, multi-faceted business plan.

In February, they purchased the building at 58-66 South St. for $325,000. A half-million dollars worth of upgrades later, three new first-floor enterprises are expected to open this summer, with four high-end apartments overhead for short-term rentals.

“We’re sort of a South Street trailblazer by taking on this building and starting it up,” said Singer, a 56-year-old Brooklyn native. “What really attracted us was the upstairs. Glens Falls doesn’t have enough short-term accommodations for people and yet they’re trying to get people to come here. The city is excited that we’re bringing people into town where they’ll go to shops and restaurants, spend money here, maybe visit Lake George and Saratoga, but stay here and really enjoy the Glens Falls for what it is.”

Long-time Glens Falls businessman Thomas O’Neill believes South Street’s resurgence will spread throughout the neighborhood, including Broad Street where his Union Square building with a dozen business tenants is currently for sale.

“I don’t see where there’s any choice,” he said. “They have to expand. There’s only so much that can get built in the city center. Glens Falls has come a long way in the last 20 years.”

He credited the late EDC Warren County director Ed Bartholomew for South Street’s revitalization.

“He understood that the West Side had been neglected forever. His dream with the DRI was to change that. The West Side, South Street in particular, is an important part of the city. If you’re coming in from the Northway, this is the path you take. There needed to be investment on this side of town.”

Singer and Ovitt, a 2003 Lake George High School alum, co-own Empire Rental Group Inc. as well as the new Golden Monkey Lounge, an upscale casual night spot that may open this month at 58 South St. It’s in a space most recently occupied by Glens Falls Bagels.

The interior has been completely overhauled with a modern craft cocktail bar on one side, and a relaxing space with carpeting, couches and ottomans on the other, separated by a wall adorned with books and hanging plants. A new garage-type overhead door has been installed, creating an openair atmosphere on summer nights. There’s a small stage for live entertainment along with a cozy patio out back.

Plans call for operating 5-11 p.m., Fridays through Tuesdays.

“We want to be open Mondays because not much

else is open then,” Singer said. He sees the lounge as an alternative to the somewhat noisy bar scene.

Next door, at a former Off Track Betting space, a tenant plans to run an eco-friendly apothecarystyle market offering everything from “green” home cleaning supplies, soaps and detergents to plants, cut flowers and bulk herbs. Customers can buy bottles of supplies and come in to have them refilled, instead of buying new ones, which helps the environment by keeping containers out of the waste stream.

“These items are popular in more urban markets around the country right now, but are still very earth-based, community driven and focused,” Ovitt said. “We’re catering to people who are used to a little bit more metropolitan experience, but still want that really local hometown feel.”

Ovitt said the South Street apartments will have a boutique, hotel-type atmosphere. They may be rented individually or together for large parties such as out-of-town families visiting for a wedding, or people pursuing year-round recreation from skiing to boating on Lake George.

At the south end of the building, plans call for leasing a third storefront where Irish Pizza was previously located. Singer and Ovitt hope to a attract a breakfast, café and sandwich shop owner.

“We’ve installed cabinets and marble counters, all new lighting, electrical and HVAC and given it a new paint job,” Singer said. “The decorative tin siding and ceiling is original. There’s a little patio out back here, too, with a little garden already where they could put bistro tables.”

Ovitt said the three ground-floor businesses and second-story apartments all complement each other. For example, overnight guests may go to the lounge at night, the breakfast spot in morning, and purchase supplies they need at the market.

“All of the spaces sort of fit together,” she said.

The entire structure from 58-66 South St. has been painted white with black trim. “It’s sort of

retro, but modern, kind of both,” Singer said. “We’re trying to work with what’s going on with the city, with their plans, and create a space that’s gong to fit with the new project that’s going on across the street.”

Directly opposite, plans call for a new multi-use Market Center pavilion that can host a variety of events throughout the year.

Spring City Development, a subsidiary of Bonacio Construction, has plans for a large commercialresidential structure (69 apartments) where Glens Falls Farmer’s Market is currently located. The building will wrap around the former Sandy’s Clam Bar, which the firm plans to rejuvenate in addition to the former Hot Shots tavern.

Also, a business incubator will be located behind Hot Shots at 36 Elm Street.

Singer and Ovitt believe their venture will benefit greatly as these other South Street projects take shape.

“I remember what South Street used to be when I was a kid,” Ovitt said. “I’ve seen the transformation of downtown and the plans for South Street are extremely encouraging.”

“I’ve always loved to walk through empty spaces,” she said. “I go through and listen to what the building tells me. I know the community so well and know what’s coming. It was sort of a no-brainer in terms of wanting to make it happen and helping the city revitalize that part of town.”

“Glens Falls has some amazing restaurants,” Singer said. “I feel like they’re better than in Saratoga where everything is so fast-paced. Here it feels like they cook with love.”

Singer previously worked in advertising, but decided five years ago to leave New York City and that high-pressured lifestyle behind for a dramatic career change. Moving to the Spa City, he founded Saratoga Property Developers Inc. and began buying up and renovating business and residential sites throughout the Capital District to sell or lease out.

Empire Rental Group, which he co-owns with Ovitt, already has several short-term apartments in Glens Falls, Lake George and Saratoga Springs.

Singer is doing much of the hands-on renovation at South Street himself, while hiring local firms for specialized work. The door is always open, and he always takes time to let people know what’s going on.

“I feel like people in Glens Falls genuinely want to get to know you, they’re interested in who you are,” he said. “I find it really endearing to talk to people here. They honestly care about who you are and what you’re doing.”

ization grant that Glens Falls obtained from the state in 2017. The money is also being used to rehabilitate the former Sandy’s Clam Bar and Hot Shots tavern on South Street, and a business incubator behind Hot Shots at 36 Elm St. Flagg said ongoing material shortages and supply chain problems give bidders flexibility in how building will be done.

“You look for alternatives where possible,” he said.

In addition, at least part of the project must be done by a minority and/or women-owned business, in keeping with state grant requirements. Such things will be reviewed closely before awarding a contract.

“Cost is a big factor, but it’s not whoever has the low bid gets the contract,” Flagg said. “We won’t know the budget until the bids come in.”

The city will very likely support the project with tax incentives through Glens Falls Industrial Development Agency, he said.

Flagg said the new building could hold many different types of activities, both public and private including special family events.

“The idea is that the facility will lend itself to new uses we’ll fi nd,” he said. “The idea is to make it as flexible as possible for as many uses as possible.”

Market Center is a key element of plans to revitalize South Street, which has gone through a period of steady decline in recent years.

SpringCity Development, a subsidiary of Saratoga Springs-based Bonacio Construction, owns the former Sandy’s building, which it plans to rehabilitate for commercial and residential use. The fi rm also has plans to construct a large new, five-story commercialresidential building (69 apartments) that would wrap around Sandy’s.

It will be located at the current Glens Falls Farmer’s Market lot.

South Street’s overhaul includes major sewer and street upgrades. Carver Construction of Coeymans recently obtained a contract for $1.8 million worth of street improvements along Elm, Exchange and Park streets and $1.3 million for sewer work. Since

Gregg Singer is one of the players in the revitalization of South Street in Glens Falls.

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

Chuck Ciaccia 29 years

Jude Gosh 34 years

Dave Weiss 23 years

Spencer Agan 25 years

Office/Technology

Business Report

The Evolving Role Of AI In Digital Marketing

BY SARA MANNIX

Artificial Intelligence is already being used daily in marketing agencies to conduct buyer persona research, data analysis, create designs and edit photography, and even build code.

As of this early stage, we have decided that while AI has its strengths, it works best when complementing the skills of a proficient marketer. I share the viewpoint of my colleague Karl Sakas, who aptly stated, “Anyone can create average work with AI. But if you want above-average work, you’ll need humans using AI.”

In the future, I envision AI playing a central role in streamlining various tasks within a marketing agency. For instance, my personal AI assistant would notify me of scheduled calls, such as an upcoming appointment I have with Alessandra in Italy. It would conduct research on Alessandra, her business, and her industry, providing me with valuable information before the call.

AI would enable real-time translation, voice mimicry, and visual alterations during the video call to ensure seamless communication. Once the call concludes, an email follow-up would be automatically generated, summarizing the meeting takeaways and next steps. These action items would also be added to my task management system and scheduled accordingly. Furthermore, I could delegate the task of writing a proposal

to my AI assistant, which would send it on my behalf. Once engaged, the billing process would also be automated by AI.

In the creative department, the collaboration between the creative director and an AI designer would expedite the process of designing logos, taglines, branding colors, messaging pillars, and website concepts, all optimized to Google’s strict-

est standards. With the assistance of AI, the design process could be accomplished within hours as opposed to days. Subsequently, the website engineer would work alongside a coding assistant, utilizing AI to expedite the website development process, reducing it from months to hours.

Within the marketing department, AI would serve as a valuable resource for research, analysis, media planning, and automation. Marketers would be consultants and AI tool experts, focusing on strategy and utilizing the right AI tools and solutions to execute targeted marketing campaigns. By leveraging AI’s capabilities, marketers would be able to deliver messaging to the right audience at the right time while AI handles operational, analytical, and tactical aspects.

AI will help marketers gain SEO authority for websites as well. Even Google has stated that it will not penalize websites for using AI-generated content. However, AI must remain an intermediary tool. As of today, no artificial intelligence can provide the intricate level of unique, expert knowledge that a real writer would be able to.

Before discussing the various applications of AI in marketing, it is important to acknowledge that while AI can assist in generating copy for e-newsletters, social media posts, and email responses, website copy must retain authenticity. Website content should offer a unique perspective, share first-hand experiences, and provide valuable insights; otherwise, it may be deemed low in value.

As Sarah O’Keefe from Scriptorium.com astutely points out, “AI will displace low-value content producers, such as content farms that write fake product reviews, SEO-optimized clickbait, and the like. When you are trying to game the system, speed, and cost are critical, and accuracy is irrelevant.”

Generative AI can be employed to gather information about a client’s industry, competitors, opportunities, and associations, serving as a valuable research tool.

Brainstorming sessions with AI can generate relevant questions for surveys. AI can analyze those survey results and synthesize the data into SWOT analyses.

An AI assistant can be utilized to transcribe and summarize meeting notes, thereby providing a comprehensive record of discussions, action items, and key takeaways. I personally love the

Otter.ai meeting assistant.

AI is increasingly being used in website design to streamline the creative process. Artists and creatives can leverage AI to create stunning branding elements, photography, custom images, and even music without the need for traditional tools such as pens, mice, guitars, or cameras. One can save many hours of work using AI for quick, creative assets. However, regarding your brand and branding, I would not use AI; I prefer the human touch for such critical aspects of marketing.

While AI-powered website platforms that automatically create websites are available, their current limitations lie in their inability to produce SEO-friendly and ADA-compliant websites. However, many small businesses will use AI to create low-cost, lower-value websites as technology advances.

Additionally, larger and more complex website development projects can benefit from AI, as it can act as a co-pilot to enhance coding efficiency.

AI plays a crucial role in optimizing paid advertising efforts. By leveraging AI’s capabilities to crunch data and analyze audience behavior, marketers can refine their targeting strategies and achieve better results. AI can provide insights and recommendations on which strategies to implement, helping marketers drive leads and increase sales. It can also refine and adjust bids, select the best asset for the target audience, and optimize for conversions, under the guidance of a skilled paid advertising expert.

We rely on AI daily at Mannix Marketing, but we have established important principles to ensure its effective and ethical use. These principles include thoroughly fact-checking AI-generated content, involving significant human input and prompts, and recognizing that AI can assist with copy editing but that website content should ultimately be written by human experts for long-term ranking success.

As AI continues to evolve, its role in digital marketing will become increasingly significant. From research and analysis to creative design and automation, AI has the potential to revolutionize how marketing agencies operate. However, it is crucial to strike the right balance between AI and human expertise, as AI excels when it complements skilled marketers. By embracing AI and leveraging its capabilities, marketers can deliver better results and cost-effective campaign.

Sara Mannix, president and CEO of Mannix Marketing.

9-15 Broad Street, Glens Falls

Business Report

Business Report

Digital Components: Faster Greener Design Real-World Scenarios To Apply AI In Business

BY DOROTHY ROGERS-BULLIS

If you’re feeling some whiplash with your professional work style and setting, you’re likely not alone. We went from working a traditional five-day workweek in-person in the office, to working a hybrid schedule, to going fully remotely during the pandemic, to today when many companies are requiring that employees return to the office either full-time or for part of the week. It’s been a whirlwind few years.

With this return to the office, companies are looking for fast solutions to upgrade their existing office or outfit new commercial space. They recognize that employees who have grown accustomed to working from the comfort of home need an incentive to come back into the office, which can include updated work spaces.

In addition to that, with the tight labor market, top talent is in high demand. Companies need to put their best foot forward to entice these prospective employees to join their ranks. These human-centric factors, among others, are contributing to the rise of one of today’s hottest office trends: digital component construction. And one of the industry leaders in this popular trend by storm is Falkbuilt.

Digital component construction from Falkbuilt blends the speed of off-site component fabrication with the precision of digital design. Customize walls, doors, offices—whatever your creative vision is for your commercial space.

But these aren’t the low-quality, prefab materials you might be imagining. This is high-design and construction that is built to last. Falkbuilt uses sustainable and recycled materials, reinforced with steel, so it is strong yet less expensive to produce and assemble than a traditional sheetrock commercial interior. Falkbuilt materials also prioritize safety, featuring a one-hour fire rating.

But another crucial differentiator between Falkbuilt and other digital component construction firms is their proprietary ECHO computer software. Before, commercial interior designers had to contend with the numerous different platforms used by designers, manufacturers, shippers, and installers.

ECHO is the world’s first “technology agnostic” computer platform that synthesizes all of these platforms into one centralized location. This enables Falkbuilt to design the perfect office space with precision measurements, and follow the project end-to-end — from design to manufacturing, from shipping to installation.

When you remove these silos, you streamline the entire design and installation process, making Falkbuilt’s digital component construction one of the fastest commercial design solutions available.

The benefits of digital component construction

The digital component construction trend offers businesses numerous advantages over more traditional office space design and construction options.

When you choose digital component construction from Falkbuilt, you get:

Speed. Thanks to Falkbuilt’s ECHO technol-

Continued From Page 1

Damabois took ownership of Pallets Inc. at the end of February, and Bertrand said he has been happy with how well the employees have handled the transition.

“They have been adjusting very well. It’s a different country, and there is a language barrier. We were expecting challenges, but so far, I’m waiting for the first one. It’s been very, very smooth.”

According to Horowitz, “The employees are very excited for the future. They are looking forward to the growth that we are trying to build on. It’s been a very exciting time for us. Damabois has been great to us.”

Since purchasing Pallets Inc., Damabois has already invested $1 million in a new pallet nailing machine. As the company expands its market share in the United States, Pallets Inc. is likely to grow.

“What we have done with our other businesses is that we bring the business up to maximum capacity with the first shift, and then we create other shifts,” said Bertrand. “Down the road, that could mean a new building or an addition. It could also mean additional equipment.”

In addition to manufacturing new pallets, Pal-

ogy, precision-measurement design, and streamlined manufacturing and shipping, you can have a new (or newly remodeled) office space in as few as five weeks. This enables you to quickly get remote workers back into the office in a new space—or a reimagined one.

Less hassle. Thanks to Falkbuilt’s custom prefabrication, the majority of the build process is actually conducted off-site. Your construction components arrive in large sections, ready for installation so assembly produces no dust, and less waste, noise, and disruption. It also requires fewer tradespeople than traditional construction, adding to the streamlined speed of your project.

Cost effectiveness. Digital components are often less expensive than on-site, stick-built office interiors. Plus, you own your Falkbuilt components. They are designed for disassembly, so wall systems can be easily reconfigured on site, moved to another location, or recycled at the end of their lifecycle.

High design. You dream it, and Falkbuilt can design, manufacture, deliver, and assemble it! Whether you are designing a space for healthcare, commercial, retail, education, or industrial use, the possibilities for colors, materials, and layout are nearly endless.

A smaller carbon footprint: Not only does Falkbuilt use recycled materials in their office design products, they take “going green” even further. Their digital component construction uses less material, reduces emissions in manufacturing, and virtually eliminates on-site waste.

If you are ready to design an inspiring, environmentally friendly, cost-effective office space that will entice your employees to return to the office, drb Business Interiors is ready to help.

We are proud to be the Northern New York branch for Falkbuilt, offering commercial space design and redesign using Falkbuilt’s digital component construction. With our end-to-end service, we will coordinate design and pre-construction, project management, order entry, building permit submittals, and installation—often in as little as five weeks.

lets Inc. also refurbishes used pallets. The majority of the company’s clients are in the papermaking, mining, farming, and pharmaceutical industries. Damabois hopes to expand its customer base, serving customers both large and small.

“Anybody that uses wood pallets is a potential client,” said Bertrand. “We don’t cherry pick. Big or small, we are here to help anybody.”

When asked if Damabois plans to make additional acquisitions in the United States, he said, “The market is so uncertain now. Business is a lot slower than during COVID. COVID created a boost of demand, and now we are 30 percent below last year. Further expansion is on hold, but it’s never out of the question. Right now, our plan is to grow Pallets Inc.”

According to Bertrand, the forest fires that are raging in Canada are expected to impact prices of pallets as well as other lumber products.

“The impact will be huge. It’s going to create a shortage of wood on the market which means that prices are going to go up. Prices will increase but not to the extent they did during COVID.”

At the present time, there are no fires burning in the areas where Damabois’ mills are located or where the company harvests its wood.

“For us, there will be an increase in cost because of the fires,” said Bertrand. “All of our equipment is stuck on the field and we cannot move it around. We can’t get access to those areas.”

BY MARK SHAW

Oh look, another article on AI (artificial intelligence.)

Ok, I promise this won’t be one of those, “AI is here and it’s going to take your job, help you cheat on college papers, or end the world” kind of articles.

There is a lot going on with ChatGPT and its parent company OpenAI making such waves in the news. People are using AI to gather information faster, assist with writing better articles, and even creating art.

While all of this is amazing and it’s interesting to “play” with, what are some real-world scenarios that you can apply AI to use in your business? That is a great question. Far too many articles go for the big hype instead of the small and incremental successes you can have with AI.

Let’s talk about something that isn’t really being talked about when it comes to AI: customer delight. How do you use AI to delight your customers?

If you are a business and you have emails, ticketing systems, or any interaction with your clients electronically, you could be using AI several ways. For example, what if you could have AI review your emails, and if you have a client who appears to be unhappy or showing concerns, your computer would highlight and bring those emails to the forefront to be dealt with first? Would that be an advantage?

AI can be used to review “sentiment” which means, reviewing the use of language to make a determination if someone is upset, or using terms that might make them be at risk of leaving your company or services. This would let you see these emails first and respond quickly.

That isn’t the only way to increase the value to your clients. Imagine receiving an email from a client asking questions about your products or services that they are interested in, or maybe even a problem they are having. AI could do the research and document anything relevant about the clients request in a private note document, saving you the manual research and time. This allows you to get back to them faster with more accurate information.

A great example of this exact situation is any computer error code you might get. Imagine that when you email your IT support company about “Error code 1490 showing up when I open QuickBooks,” and in seconds, AI has parsed the email, generated research on error 1490 codes when it comes to QuickBooks, and has spit out the top five solutions to the tech support team.

The request was not just received, but the basic research has already been done, and the engineer is now actively reviewing the problem and not wasting any time. Is that valuable?

This doesn’t have to be tech support related; it could be as simple as asking a manufacturing company in email if they have a product in stock and how long would take to get it. AI could pull all

that information and have a note for the salesperson with information about the clients location, the warehouse the product is in, and how long shipping lead times are.

For a sales executive, this would cut out all research and allow them to respond quickly to the client with all the important facts already researched and sitting there for them. Boom! Customer delight.

We have seen the customers sentiment as well as some potential answers to their questions provided for a human to review and act upon, but what else can we use AI for? Clear communication. Making the client feel empowered, educated, and listened to. Isn’t that all we all want out of any business interaction anyways?

Imagine if once you have solved the client’s problem, you could have AI answer the next most commonly asked questions such as, “How did you fix it?” and, “Are you sure it won’t break again?” and, “If it does, what do we do?” Put these questions into AI and it will come up with a wonderfully clear and concise response you can share with your clients.

AI is wonderful at breaking down complex concepts or solutions and explaining them. This adds more customer delight, because the answer can go from, “dunno” or “it’s fixed” to a response that brings the client in, educates them, and helps them feel more part of the process. All without any delay.

In today’s world, AI can bring your business to the next level, increasing speed to resolution of client’s requests, adding value by explaining the situation and making them feel confident and comfortable that their needs are fulfilled, and taking some of the time and labor researching requests away from your already hard working staff. It’s been said so many times before that your business is never going to be replaced by AI, but your business can be displaced by another one like yours that is using AI.

Dorothy Rogers-Bullis is owner and president of drb Business Interiors in Saratoga Springs.

Mark Shaw, president and CEO of Stored Technology Solutions Inc. (StoredTech).

Courtesy drb Business Interiors Courtesy StoredTech

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.

The Log Jam

Lake George, NY

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

Courtesy of GlensFalls.com

• • Business

The Glens Falls Collaborative announces the return of its summer food festival, Take a Bite, running every Wednesday through Aug. 9 from 5-7 p.m. in downtown Glens Falls.

It began July 5.

Restaurants offer small plates priced from $1 to $5 while guests stroll through downtown enjoying live entertainment and music. Also, there will be bounce houses in Crandall Park each week.

The live entertainment includes: July 19 on Glen Street, Lucas Garrett and on Ridge Street, Phil Camp; July 26, on Glen Street, On Tap, and on Ridge Street, Mark Rabin; on Aug. 2, on Glen Street, On Tap, and on Ridge Street, Mark Rabin; on Aug. 9, on Glen Street, The Spot, and on Ridge Street, Brian Fitzgerald.

The event is sponsored and supported by the Glens Falls Collaborative, City of Glens Falls, and the Glens Falls BID.

Briefs

ceremony. Teams and individuals welcome. There are still sponsorship opportunities available. To learn more visit www.tricountyunitedway.org.

Questions about the combined tournament, can be directed to members of the Tri-County United Way and Kiwanis Golf Committee: Kristin Chlopecki, (518) 793-3136, Tri-County United Way; Brian Murphy, (518) 415-4547, Kiwanis Club of Glens Falls; or Peter Aust, (518) 260-4000, Kiwanis Club of Glens Falls. * * *

The Lake Luzerne Regional Chamber Of Commerce and the Town Of Lake Luzerne announced the inaugural Food Trucks And Music Extravaganza, which will take place from 5-8 p.m. on Wednesdays, beginning July 12 and ending on Aug. 16.

The event will be held at the Pavilion Park located at 248 Lake Avenue In Lake Luzerne.

The events will bring together a diverse selection of food options from various food trucks offering foods including tacos, fish and chicken sandwiches, gourmet mac and cheese, lemonade, doughnuts and more.

Green Harbour Mansion

Continued From Page 1

Ketter and Bray conducted 30 showings of Green Harbour during the year that it was on the market. The original listing price was $8.4 million.

“It went to market in April 2022, and we had a ton of interest of interest on the property. It’s an incredible piece of property. I believe one of the best one on the lake. It’s super unique, and there’s a lot of history with it,” said Ketter.

The property went to contract twice with Russell and LaSalandra closing the deal after the first contract fell through. For Realize Brokers, it was their largest deal to date.

“We’re a young brokerage,” said Ketter. “We started in June 2020, and we’ve been very fortunate that we’ve gotten the strong support of local folks who have been transacting with us. This was our biggest deal to date. Previous to that, we did a $6.3 million deal. We sold 425 Glen St., the school building in Glens Falls.”

According to Ketter, the residential real estate market remains strong.

against each other, it turns into a bidding war.”

Sales of multi-family homes have been especially strong, and Ketter said the majority are being purchased by investors who are making improvements to the properties.

“We’ve been very fortunate with multi-family properties. We’ve brokered a few hundred units. There are a lot of folks who have done quite well in the last few years by acquiring multi-family units.”

Ketter noted that the recent increase in interest rates has had the greatest impact on the commercial sector.

“The commercial sector has definitely tightened up the deals, but you are still seeing properties transact and you are still seeing opportunities out there. The commercial/office sector is definitely a challenge right now,” he said.

“We manage an office building at 101 Ridge Street, and we have a lot of space available. From an office standpoint, it’s a very tough market to be in.”

* * *

The Tri-County United Way and Kiwanis Club of Glens Falls will hold a golf outing fundraiser on Friday, Aug. 18, at Cronin’s Golf Resort in Warrensburg.

Registration is scheduled for 10:30-11:30 a.m. and lunch will be provided from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

A shotgun start will start the golfing at 12:30 p.m. and will be in a four-person scramble format.

There will be a steak dinner following the event.

Registration is $125 per player or $500 per team.

Registration includes cart, lunch, beverages, prizes and steak dinner followed by an award

The live music will feature local bands and regional artists.

The extravaganza will also hold a 50-50 raffle at each event to raise money for the Lake Luzerne Food Bank and local scholarships.

The extravaganza is open to everyone and free to attend, and visitors are encouraged to bring chairs or blankets to enjoy the music and food in the park.

The music schedule includes: July 12, the Stony Creek Band; July 19, the National Reserve; July 26, Panther Mountain Band; Aug. 2, the Mallett Brothers Band; Aug. 9, Donny Elvis; Aug. 16, the Spirit Of Johnny Cash.

In case of rain, the event will be held at Lake Luzerne Senior Center, Lake Luzerne Town Hall, 539 Lake Avenue, Lake Luzerne.

“Anything that is hitting the market that is in good shape is still selling. Inventory is very low, and we’re still seeing multiple offers. Residential is super-hot. If you are trying to find a home in the $250-350 range, it’s tough.”

“The buyers that are left right now--I don’t want to call them desperate--but they have missed out on so many opportunities. Whenever you have that scenario, with a couple people going up

Despite the slowdown in the office sector, Ketter said the retail market is beginning to pick up.

“Retail was tough during COVID, but that’s bouncing back. People are starting businesses and opening up storefronts. We just put a lease together for someone who is going to be doing a kitchen and bath store right in Glens Falls. The space leased in like a week, so there are still things happening.”

year-round Lake Luzerne property with 2 homes, 5 total bedrooms & 4 full baths, set on 1.37 acres & over 344 ft of usable Hudson River waterfront. Perfect Family Compound or Investment Property with strong rental history. Tri-level A-frame, large open living area, 3 bedrooms, 3 full baths, bunkroom, game room & breathtaking views, wraparound decks, a hot tub, dock & float for water toys. The Cabin, purchased in 2022, with 2 bedrooms, 1 bath, sweeping views, huge decks, waterfront dock & float, make this a perfect retreat. Two outbuildings for storage. Property equipped for off grid living with eco-friendly solar panels, Tesla energy storage batteries, modern heat pump for high efficiency heating, central air & 2 pellet stoves. Furnishings included & so much more!

746 & 740 East River Drive | Lake Luzerne, NY $1,200,000

NEWLISTING

Crossett Lake

Continued From Page 10

$118 million resort community; The Village at Hawk’s Cay, Tranquility Bay; The Coral Lagoon and Boathouse Marina; Indigo Reef Marina Homes and the more than $100 million Parrot Key Resort.

Now retired (his sons run the company),

Singh does a great deal of philanthropic work and helps protect the environment with nonprofits such as the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society and Friends of Toki, which he cofounded with help from several leading marine mammal scientists.

Miller said her late husband, Myles, bought the Crossett Pond property from a New Jersey Boy Scouts council about 30 years ago, as a vacation home. She owns Miller Mechanical Services, Park Theater and the new Park & Elm

restaurant, market and deli in Glens Falls.

“My husband loved it up there,” she said. “We fi xed the roads and some of the Boy Scout buildings, the main house was renovated and we did some forestry work up there. We did things to make it better and had a few ideas going forward, but he passed away and I just needed to pass the property on to another steward to take care of and make it even better.”

Singh plans to construct three new homes, a guest cottage, new lodge, arts and crafts build-

ing, maintenance barns and three boat houses.

Miller said a Boy Scout group held a gathering there last year and that classes for local BOCES students have been held there as well.

“It’s a beautiful piece of property for sure,” she said. “I much preferred somebody that would keep it in its natural state as much as possible. I believe this gentleman (Singh) intends to do that.”

Davies said, “It’s a win-win for the Adirondacks and Elizabeth Miller.”