Glens Falls Business Journal - September 2020

PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE

GBJ P.O. Box 766 Saratoga Springs, NY 12866

VOL. 32 NO. 07

PAID

GLENS FALLS, NY 12801 PERMIT #600

HH The Business Newspaper of Warren and Washington Counties HH

www.glensfallsbusinessjournal.com

SEPTEMBER 2020

YMCAs And Other Gyms, Now Open, Used Marinas On Lake George Report Booming Creative Ways To Keep Clients Engaged Business During The Coronavirus Pandemic

Brian Bearor, CEO of the Family YMCA of the Glens Falls Area, says the Payroll Protection Program (PPP) helped carry the facility financially until September.

Some marina owners on Lake George say they could not have anticipated the high demand for marina use the past few months have brought during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Courtesy Margaret Martin

BY LISA BALSCHUNAT Use of online classes and parking lots kept some clients of local gyms and fitness centers participating in their exercise routines, but the lack of social connection was an important element that was lacking during the shutdown caused by the coronavirus.

The state recently allowed gyms to reopen in late August. They had been closed since March 16.

“Our members are coming back to the Y to get back into their daily routines, but in addition to the exercise, they are back because they’ve missed their friends and the socialization that happens here everyday,” said Brian Bearor, chief executive officer of the Family YMCA of the Glens Falls Area.

In the summer, some 300 people interacted in with the Glens Falls Y at the children’s summer or gymnastics camps or through online classes, and some 220 employees were furloughed during the five

month freeze.

“The Payroll Protection Program (PPP) carried us through until September and 50 percent of our members shifted their monthly membership to a donation status during that time to help the Y financially,” Bearor said. He indicated that the success of the Y’s annual fundraising campaigns this fall and winter will be crucial this year.

With the startup of school in September, the Glens Falls Y will shift its after school programs back to the Glen Street facility and Adirondack Center in Brant Lake.

Previously the staff was dispersed to 11 sites in the region.

“It is the best way to manage a safe environment for our children,” Bearor said.

With COVID-19 protocols in place the facility is clean. “It has never been a question of the Y not being a safe environment for our members preContinued On Page 6

Apples And Pumpkins Will Be Themes During Fall Lake George Appreciation Weeks The Lake George Regional Chamber of Commerce will showcase restaurant staffs as well as apple and pumpkin-themed food and drink during the new Fall Lake George Region Restaurant Appreciation Weeks.

This year would have marked the 15th annual Lake George Region Restaurant Week semi-annual promotion in which participating restaurants traditionally offer a prix fixe threecourse meal for a set price that corresponds with the year. This promotion usually takes place during the slower-paced weeks in June and September.

Officials said that instead of the prix fixe promotion, this year during what will be a twoweek promotion, participating restaurants will offer a mix of beverages, appetizers, entrées and desserts with specified themes as follows: Week 1, Sept. 13-19, apple themed food; and week 2, Sept.

20-26, pumpkin themed food.

People who dine at participating restaurants and post pictures of their meals, beverages, or gift card purchases on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter and write #DineLGR will be eligible to

win a $25 gift card. Each participating restaurant is offering a gift card as a prize.

In addition, the Chamber will showcase the restaurant staff who have been working to provide people with safe and satisfying dining experiences during the coronavirus pandemic.

“Amid current conditions and with feedback from our member restaurants, we wanted to reimagine this promotion into a creative event that would have a virtual component and encourage people to celebrate the people and ingenuity in the local restaurant industry,” said Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Gina Mintzer.

So far, nine Chamber member restaurants have signed up to participate. Restaurants must be members of the Chamber to participate. The participants in Glens Falls, Queensbury and Lake George include: Adirondack Pub & Brewery, the Boathouse Restaurant, the Docksider Restaurant, the View at Dunham’s Bay, the Lobster Pot, the Log Jam Restaurant, Mario’s Restaurant, the Moose Tooth Grill and Park 26.

Updates are available at lakegeorgechamber. com/restaurant_week.

BY JENNIFER FARNSWORTH Area marina owners are fondly calling this the “summer of boating” as the 2020 season comes to an end. Many are saying they never could have anticipated the high demand for marina use the past few months have brought during the COVID-19 pandemic.

From experienced boaters to rookies, those in the business said the season brought an unprecedented amount of people to water in search of a summer escape.

In Bolton Landing, Norowal Marina manager

Sean Loonan said business has been non-stop since early spring. He believes the demand will continue well into the fall.

“The best way to sum it up is that what used to look like weekdays now look like our weekends and what used to look like our weekends now looks like our holidays,” said Loonan.

At Boats By George in Lake George, general manager Adam Pensel said business has been “incredible.”

Pensel said the season started early, forcing Continued On Page 6

Beth Berlin Named Officer-In-Charge To Lead SUNY Empire State After Maltras Departure State University of New York Chancellor Jim Malatras has named SUNY Empire State College Executive Vice President for Administration and Chief Operating Officer Beth Berlin as officer-in-charge at SUNY Empire State following Malatras’ appointment as SUNY chancellor.

Working with senior leadership at SUNY Empire, Berlin will continue the work begun under President Malatras to reform and streamline the college’s operations to enhance the student experience, increase access to higher education for more students, raise the public profile of the college, and build a solid financial foundation for future growth, college officials said.

The SUNY Empire College Council will begin planning a presidential search immediately.

Berlin brings extensive experience in education leadership, having served since 2013 as executive deputy commissioner of NYSED, before being named interim commissioner in 2019. She also previously served as acting commissioner in 2015.

In that role, she managed the day-to-day operations of the Education Department, overseeing more than 700 school districts with 3.2 million students. She joined SUNY Empire in December 2019.

“Beth is an experienced educational leader who has immersed herself in the operations of SUNY Empire, a distributed college with 16,000 students and locations in every region of the state,” said Malatras.

SUNY Empire State College has named its CEO Beth Berlin as officer-in-charge.

Courtesy SUNY Empire State

“She has my trust and the trust of the college community to continue to extend SUNY Empire’s unique, flexible, and adaptable model of higher education to more students around New York state and beyond. I look forward to working closely with her and SUNY Empire as we move the SUNY system forward.”

Continued On Page 14

2 • GLENS FALLS BUSINESS JOURNAL • SEPTEMBER 2020

•

Personnel Briefs

Morgan Stanley announced that Matthew Baitinger, a financial advisor in the firm’s Glens Falls office has completed the firm’s Insurance Accreditation Program and now holds the Insurance Planning Director (IPD) designation.

Recipients of the IPD designation have demonstrated a commitment to, and understanding of, holistic goals-based wealth management planning through the incorporation of insurance solutions into their practice as a foundational component of risk management.

* * * Geoffrey S. Mullen has been hired as a partner at Teal, Becker & Chiaramonte (TBC).

Mullen comes to TBC with 25 years of experience working in public accounting.

He has extensive experience in real estate partnerships, mergers and acquisitions, private equity portfolio companies; technology companies; state and local taxation and tax credits; flow-through companies; consolidated corporate tax filings; international tax planning; and real estate transaction planning.

* * * The Towne Law Firm announced a major expansion of its professional team and its geographic reach to accommodate increasing client needs in multiple jurisdictions throughout the Northeast.

The firm now has 24 attorneys based in New York, Connecticut, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Vermont, Massachusetts and Washington, D.C., including new offices in Glens Falls; Arlington, Mass.; and Sparta, N.J. John A. Musacchio, a former associate, has become a partner in the firm. Jessica E. Stover

Cooperative Extension, Lake George Chamber, Offer Virtual Taste Showcase October 27 •

has joined the firm as a partner.

Matthew R. Kobelski joins the firm’s real estate practice. Previously, a co-founder of Key Holdings LLC, Joshua D. Koss also joins the team, as does John P. Mastropietro joins the firm with a practice focusing on construction law.

Broadening dealership practice group, Stuart A. Rosenthal joins, providing representation and counseling to automotive dealers Focusing primarily on residential and commercial real estate transactions, wills and trusts, general business advice and guidance, Robert E. Cummings, Jr. and Thomas J. Dailey have also joined the firm.

Linda A. Peoples joins the team with her practice focusing on real estate law, business law, and litigation. Krista K. Porter, who joined the firm as a law clerk in 2018, has since been authorized by the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court, Third Judicial Department to temporarily engage in supervised practice of law at The Towne Law Firm, P.C., pending her admission to the New York State Bar.

* * * Dr. Robert Donnarumma was named chair of the Department of Emergency Medicine at Saratoga Hospital, responsible for care at the hospital’s Alfred Z. Solomon Emergency Center and urgent care centers in Wilton and Queensbury.

He also will continue to serve as medical director of Saratoga Hospital’s COVID-19 testing tent, a responsibility he took on in March when the hospital launched its pandemic-related testing services.

Donnarumma’s new responsibilities will also include serving as medical director of Saratoga Continued On Page 11

This is the logo of the Virtual Taste NY Producer Showcase being organized by the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Washington County And Lake George Chamber of Commerce.

Cornell Cooperative Extension of Washington County and the Lake George Regional Chamber of Commerce will co-host a Virtual Taste NY Producer Showcase on Tuesday, Oct. 27.

Officials said the event will be the first of its kind in the state. The two-hour online event, offered in partnership with Taste NY and NYS Grown & Certified, will provide a unique opportunity for New York food and beverage producers to connect with area food buyers.

The event will help these businesses to expand their reach in the marketplace that, in many cases, has been affected due to the nationwide pandemic.

The event will run from 10 a.m. to noon.

It will utilize Webex, an interactive video conferencing platform that enables vendors to present their products and tell the story of their company in a virtual format, allowing them to reach a wide audience of potential buyers.

Buyers and vendors will have the ability to communicate via a chat feature immediately following each presentation to discuss pricing or offer additional information.

In addition to the virtual presentations, both buyers and vendors will receive an electronic directory of all participants before the event so that they can be both prepared and follow along easily during this fast-paced virtual food show.

Many producers will also be offering special pricing to buyers at the show.

Vendor registration for the event opened Sept. 7. Registration will provide access to the full list of attendees and allow two minutes to present their products live to a host of area buyers. Vendors will also be offered a free marketing webinar in advance of the event date where they will learn how to develop a fast-pitch to highlight their products.

Courtesy Lake George Chamber of Commerce

The seminar will allow producers an opportunity to prepare for the event and learn new skills that will be useful in an agricultural business environment that depends on technology now more than ever.

The event is capped at 50 producers for the initial event.

Buyers will be required to register as well to obtain the link for the event. Retailers, restaurants, grocers, specialty markets, schools, institutions and distributors are invited to attend. Farmers, food and beverage producers, brewers, cider and wine makers, and distillers are also encouraged to participate.

For more information, call the Taste NY Market at the Adirondacks Welcome Center at 518-487-0045 or visit www.lakegeorgechamber. com/tasteny The Virtual Taste NY Producer Showcase is a pilot project for the state’s Taste NY program and follows a series of in-person business-tobusiness networking events the program hosted over the last two years.

Taste NY is the official eat-local, drink-local program for New York state. Launched in 2013, it highlights the quality, diversity, and economic impact of food and beverages grown, produced, or processed in New York state.

The program creates opportunities for local producers to showcase their goods at a variety of venues, with over 70 Taste NY retail locations throughout the state. It has helped farms and companies reach more customers, increase online sales, and in some cases, expand the processing capacity of their businesses. Taste NY supports farmers by working closely with the NYS Grown & Certified program.

Learn more about Taste NY at www.taste. ny.gov.

GLENS FALLS BUSINESS JOURNAL • SEPTEMBER 2020 • 3

Bowling Alleys Cleared To Open, Looking Area Businessmen Start StayHomeNY.Com, Forward To Leagues Starting Up This Fall Providing Monitoring For Home Care Groups

Doug Bohannon, owner of Kingpin’s Alley Family Fun Center in South Glens Falls, is also president of the New York State Bowling Proprietors Association.

BY LISA BALSCHUNAT Patience was the name of the game for bowling centers in New York state. Some 200 lanes statewide were given the green light from the governor’s office to reopen recently with strict COVID-19 requirements in place.

Doug Bohannon, owner of Kingpin’s Alley Family Fun Center in South Glens Falls and president of the New York State Bowling Proprietors Association, said many bowling centers within the association already had COVID-19 requirements in place because the original lift date for bowling centers was July 1.

“Needless to say, members of the association are thrilled to be back open. It was a long haul from March to now,” he said. “I know of two bowling centers that have closed permanently.

Several others have not opened yet because they were waiting to see what the final requirements would be. Much changed between July 1 and Sept. 1.”

Kingpin’s Alley, Saratoga Strike Zone Bowling Center in Saratoga Springs and Broadway Lanes in Fort Edward are operating at 50 percent capacity. Leagues started up the week of Labor Day. “We are very excited here at Saratoga Strike Zone to be open again,” said owner Rich Sheldon.

“We’ve got 30 leagues starting up. We have all of the protocols in place: barriers between lanes, plexiglass at the desk, social distancing reminders, masks and staff temperature checks.”

He said the Saratoga Springs granted Strike Zone a variance to offer outdoor seating at its restaurant and the state’s Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) helped his establishment weather the coronavirus storm.

“Pre-COVID, I had 78 employees. During

Lisa Balschunat

the shutdown I had to lay off everyone. Now all of my full-timers are back. I am extremely thankful for PPP … We still have a closed arcade and cannot host birthday parties, so we’re doing our best with what we have.”

September traditionally kicks off National Football League (NFL) events at Strike Zone.

Sheldon said he is presently ironing out the details for NFL events games. The End Zone Sports Pub will be open and ready for the season.

“NFL games are a big part of our business on Sundays and will continue to be,” he said.

“Our corporate holiday party reservations obviously are down,” Sheldon said. “Hopefully in the future, if companies can’t host Christmas parties, maybe they can host a ‘Heck of a Year’ party in 2021,” he said.

The Special Olympics leagues that Kingpin’s Alley hosts on Saturdays were halted during the past six months and fundraisers like Bowl for Kids’ Sake, benefitting Big Brothers Big Sisters, has been twice postponed. January to midMarch is its busy season.

“I want to let league and recreational bowlers know that it is safe to come back and bowl at KPA,” Bohannon said, “All the touch points are being cleaned and sanitized. We are operating at 50 percent, so there is more than six feet between each team of bowlers. We have masks, social distancing reminders and new sanitizing sprays.”

Bohannon and Sheldon agree that the one thing that never left the lanes due to COVID-19 is the fun.

“If you’re looking to get a bit of normalcy back into your life come back to the bowling centers.

We’re open and ready for you … and we need your support,” said Bohannon.

Brian and Mark Johnson have officially launched StayHomeNY.com, a start-up business focused on providing remote monitoring technology to home care agencies, independent, assisted living and memory care facilities.

Using 4D thermal imaging technology, nurses, staff and family members can remotely monitor a senior living at home or in a residential care community 24 hours per day, according to the owners, who are brothers.

The senior is not required to wear a bracelet or lanyard there is no video monitoring, ensuring the senior’s privacy. The technology detects all types of falls (gradual, fast and concealed) and recognizes activity of daily living patterns, such bathroom use, in bed sleeping, or wandering in the middle of the night, they said.

Fall detection technology allows for quicker response times by family members and/or staff and the behavior pattern detection can help uncover if a senior is having adverse reactions to medications, dietary complications or has a mental health concern, according to Johnson.

“This technology is a game changer in the senior living community,” said company president Mark Johnson. “Our technology has the ability to keep people either in home or in assisted living longer by proactively managing behavior patterns and detecting falls in real time.”

If a fall is detected, the facility or home care agency can be alerted instantaneously through a dashboard that monitors all active devices, he said. For independent living or home care agencies, the alert can also go directly to a family member through a phone call or a web application installed on their smart phone.

Through central monitoring this could also trigger a response by EMTs instantaneously.

Johnson said many senior living facilities have already deployed the technology and its provided differentiation in the long-term care community. Since COVID-19, StayHomeNY. com has seen increased traffic from consumers and caregivers, as this provides a safe alternative to in person welfare checks on residents and loved ones.

For more information on the product, visit www.StayHomeNY.com

‘NBT Guided Investor’ Launched As Digital Investment Tool In Partnership With Schwab NBT Capital Management, a business unit of NBT Bancorp Inc., has launched NBT Guided Investor, a new digital investment solution in partnership with Schwab Performance Technologies.

Guided Investor is a digital solution that offers fully-online investment management capabilities. According to bank officials, accounts can be opened in as little as 10 minutes and are supported by a dedicated financial advisor.

Additional features include: • Easy-to-use desktop and mobile platform.

• 24/7 access to your portfolio.

• Low minimum to get started.

“Guided Investor is the ideal solution for someone looking for a low-cost, technologydriven solution for those situations where reducing investment management expenses is the priority,” said NBT Capital Management Chief Executive Officer Brian Voss, CLTC. “This tool enables our advisors to use technology to navigate the client through risk assessments and real-time portfolio adjustments, enhancing the value added while removing costprohibitive barriers such as travel and printed materials.”

For more information, visit www.nbtcapm. com/guidedinvestor.

GET CONNECTED STAY CONNECTED Speed, Reliability, Service. PrimeLink is here for you!

› Quality Fiber Optic Broadband Connections at the speed you need

› Hosted Voice that allows you to make and receive calls, as well as check voice mail from anywhere

› Fully Managed IT Services to keep

your business operating safely and efficiently

› Remote Desktop Solutions to

access your PC from anywhere

sales@primelink1.com

Email us for more information or for a customized quote for your business.

800-398-8145

›

primelink1.com

Serving Warren and Washington Counties and the greater Saratoga region.

PRIMELINK AD — 5.0625” x 7.875”— July 2020 GFBJ

4 • GLENS FALLS BUSINESS JOURNAL • SEPTEMBER 2020

NEXT ISSUE

SPECIAL SECTION

NYRA Calls 2020 Race Meet Without Fans A Success, With Handle Topping $700 Million

Office / Technology / E-Commerce Commercial / Residential Real Estate Entrepreneurial Women Publication Date: October 13, 2020

Wellness Year End Tax / Financial Planning Holiday Gift Guide Publication Date: November 11, 2020

Call Today To Reserve Space

(518) 581-0600 Fax: (518) 430-3020

The 2020 meet at Saratoga Race Course was conducted without spectators due to the continued impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, but all-source handle topped $700 million.

The New York Racing Association Inc. (NYRA) successfully concluded its 2020 summer meet at Saratoga Race Course without interruption and with all-sources handle topping $700 million for the second consecutive year, officials said.

The meet was conducted without spectators and with only a limited number of essential personnel, horsemen and owners on-site due to the continued impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

NYRA said all-sources handle for the 2020 summer meet totaled $702,535,468 compared to $705,343,949 wagered from all sources on Saratoga in 2019.

Average daily handle for the 40-day meet was $17,563,387. The 2019 meet, which was run across 39 days due to the cancellation of a day of racing due to weather, generated average daily handle of $18,085,742.

Pari-mutuel wagering funds the majority of the NYRA purse account, which is awarded to horsemen and, in turn, benefits hundreds of small businesses operating at NYRA tracks and others dependent on the thoroughbred racing industry.

“NYRA thanks the horsemen and women as well as the entire backstretch community whose professionalism and dedication in adhering to our COVID-19 protocols enabled us to conduct our summer meet without interruption,” said NYRA President and CEO Dave O’Rourke. “We would also like to thank city and county leaders for their efforts in working with us to ensure the safety and well-being of all participants, and the Saratoga community for welcoming us without reservation.

“While the 2020 Saratoga meet was a success in many ways, it will most be remembered for the absence of our passionate fans and the irreplaceable energy that they bring to Saratoga each summer. Despite not being able to attend in person, horseplayers watched and wagered with tremendous enthusiasm, and we thank them for their continued support.”

NYRA said a total of 409 races were run this summer including 226 on dirt and 183 on the turf. 32 races were taken off the turf due to weather. Average field size over the 409 races was 7.4. This compares to 403 total races run in 2019, including 225 on dirt and 178 on turf. 38 were taken off the turf due to weather.

Klaravich Stables was the meet’s leading owner with 13 wins. Trainer Todd Pletcher claimed the H. Allen Jerkens training title for the 14th time in his illustrious career with 32 wins. The Ortiz brothers battled down to the final race of the meet as Irad Ortiz, Jr. edged

Courtesy NYRA

out Jose Ortiz 59 to 58 to claim the Angel Cordero Jr. riding title.

NYRA Bets, the official betting partner for Saratoga Race Course, experienced significant growth during the meet. NYRA and locally-based Stewart’s Shops partnered this summer to unveil a new method for fans to fund their NYRA Bets accounts through the introduction of NYRA Bets Gift Cards. NYRA said horseplayers responded enthusiastically and purchased more than 12,000 gift cards at Stewart’s Shops between Opening Day and Labor Day. During this season without spectators, fans turned to Saratoga Live, NYRA’s awardwinning television program, in greater numbers than ever before. Average viewership of Saratoga Live on FS1 totaled approximately 120,000, while just under 1.3 million viewers watched the Runhappy Travers on FOX, according to NYRA. Overall time spent viewing Saratoga Live increased by 300 percent during the more than 210 hours of live programming broadcast on FOX Sports throughout the meet.

NYRA was active on the charitable front to help support the Saratoga community during the pandemic. NYRA Cares generated $13,380 for the Adirondack Trust Co. Community Fund which will distribute the money to locallybased charities and non-profit organizations impacted by COVID-19. The Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce raised the funds through an online auction of items provided by NYRA as well as through donations from fans.

NYRA donated $20,000 to four Saratoga Springs charities through the sale of Saratoga Race Course-branded face masks. NYRA worked closely with Saratoga Springs Mayor Meg Kelly in selecting the beneficiaries which provide food, shelter and other critical resources. The funds were divided evenly among AIM Services, Inc.; Franklin Community Center; Shelters of Saratoga and the SNACpack Program (Saratoga Nutrition Assistance for Children).

“NYRA has not only been an outstanding partner from a philanthropic standpoint, but also as a leader in the continued effort to keep our community safe,” said Kelly. “For months, we have worked closely with NYRA to ensure this year’s meet would be a success despite the challenging environment.”

Live racing returns to Belmont Park on Friday, Sept. 18, for the 27-day fall meet, which includes 38 stakes worth $5.58 million in purse money. The meet runs through Sunday, Nov. 1.

For more information, visit NYRA.com.

GLENS FALLS BUSINESS JOURNAL • SEPTEMBER 2020 • 5

Spectrum Store In Queensbury Offers Mobile SUNY Empire State Offers Its First Doctoral Products As Well As Place To Manage Bills Degree: Educational Leadership And Change

The new Spectrum store in Queensbury gives consumers in the area a convenient option for adding or managing their internet, TV, mobile or voice services.

Charter Communications Inc. has opened a new Spectrum store in Queensbury.

The Spectrum store gives consumers in the area a convenient option for adding or managing their internet, TV, mobile or voice services, company officials said.

The new Queensbury store at 894 Route 9 is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sundays from noon to 5 p.m.

“Our Spectrum team is here to help our local customers who need support in getting and staying connected during these uncertain times,” said Pattie Eliason, senior vice president, Spectrum Stores & Retail. “They are working to make our new store in Queensbury a safe, convenient environment to add or manage services, shop for devices and accessories or make payments, while ensuring we adhere to current local and state health and safety guidelines.”

To help protect the safety of customers and employees, and in accordance with CDC guidelines and state and local orders, social distancing is required in the store, with occupancy of the store managed by store employees. Spectrum stores are cleaned and disinfected regularly, with frequent cleaning of high-touch areas and hand sanitizer available throughout the store.

Courtesy Spectrum

The store offers the latest devices and accessories compatible with Spectrum Mobile, which is designed to provide customers the highest quality experience at great value, including access to next-generation 5G service where available. The company said customers can save up to 40 percent on a single line with unlimited data compared to other national carriers. They also can bring their own phone or choose from among the latest mobile devices and accessories.

Store visitors can also review Spectrum Internet, featuring starting speeds of 100 Mbps and plans with connections up to 1 gigabit per second, as well as the interactive Spectrum TV App, which gives customers access to the Spectrum TV content across a wide variety of platforms and devices.

Along with sampling and ordering Spectrum services, customers also can complete a variety of transactions at the store, including account payments and upgrading or exchanging equipment.

Information on Spectrum store locations can be found online along with more information about Spectrum products and services. 24-hour customer assistance is always available at 1-855707-7328.

SUNY Empire State College has launched its first doctoral program in the college’s nearly 50year existence.

The Ed.D. in educational leadership and change will prepare current educational leaders to advance their education and careers while learning how to lead positive change in colleges, universities and communities, officials said om Aug. 27.

As educational systems face mounting challenges from the COVID-19 pandemic and a rapidly changing workforce, the program will address both day-to-day and long-term issues confronting educators to prepare them for leadership positions in higher education institutions, college officials said.

Applied coursework will focus on educational trends, organizational issues, and policy, including rigorous training in research methodology enabling graduates to analyze challenges facing their institutions in a broader national and global context.

The 54-credit program can be completed in three years, almost entirely online.

The program is designed for working professionals, including faculty, college deans, assistant deans, and other academic administrators.

SUNY Empire’s flexible degree program will allow candidates to earn the degree on their own time, at their convenience. Candidates will receive a comprehensive learning experience that seamlessly delivers courses online, in a collaborative virtual environment.

“This is an exciting moment for the growth of Empire State College with our first-ever doctoral program in Educational Leadership and Change,” said SUNY Chancellor Jim Malatras. “SUNY Empire’s statewide footprint and robust online learning platforms will ensure educators can advance their learning and careers around the demands of their busy schedules. We are facing historic challenges in and out of the classroom that go well beyond the immediate pandemic – now is the time to drive change smartly and intentionally to build the educational systems of the future. This program will do just that.”

“Graduates will complete the program with advanced qualifications to lead academic institutions, utilizing action research methods to analyze real challenges that impact higher education,” said SUNY Empire State College Provost Meg Benke. “They will be empowered to reimagine how students learn, how educators teach, and how we communicate with our communities.

SUNY Empire’s community college partners have been particularly eager to have this flexible program available for their faculty, staff, and administrators.”

Approval of the new degree “is a defining moment for SUNY Empire,” said SUNY Empire State College Dean of the School for Graduate Studies Nathan Gonyea. “It finalizes the goal at our founding almost 50 years ago to provide opportunity to individuals across New York state to access all levels of higher education from undergraduate certificates to doctoral degrees. I want to thank all of the faculty and staff who have worked over the course of many years to make our first doctorate possible.”

SUNY Empire appointed Dr. Ali Ait Si Mhamed as associate professor and founding coordinator of the program that began Sept. 1.

He holds a Ph.D. in educational leadership and policy from SUNY Buffalo, an M.Sc. in education from D’Youville College and a Bachelor of Arts in English language and literature with a special focus on linguistics from Université Ibnou Zohr in Morocco.

He comes to SUNY Empire from the Graduate School of Education at Nazarbayev University in Astana, Kazakhstan, where he served as associate professor in the Graduate School of Education.

His principal areas of research include research methods, advance quantitative research, policy and reform in education, and higher education finance.

SUNY Empire currently offers more than 800 courses within 110 degree programs, all available online.

Additional details on SUNY Empire State College’s Ed.D. in leadership and change can be found at www.esc.edu/graduate-studies/eddeducational-leadership.

6 • GLENS FALLS BUSINESS JOURNAL • SEPTEMBER 2020

Gyms, YMCAs Re-Open Continued From Page 1

GLENS FALLS BUSINESS JOURNAL 2000 Business Of The Year

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

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

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

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

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

pandemic,” he said. “Now we have an additional critical cleaning regimen in place.”

“We are very excited about our reopening. We’re trying to help people find their new normal,” said Saratoga Regional YMCA Interim CEO Scott Clark. “During the past five months, our Malta location offered a full-based pre-school for 175 kids for parents who were essential workers, and operated our summer Care program for 92 kids per week.“ “The kids had an opportunity to get outside and run around,” he added. “We had to be f lexible and f luid to meet state regulations, but we wanted kids to be kids whenever possible.”

Beginning March 15, virtual classes and outside exercise programs kicked into gear at the Saratoga Y. With just under 600 employees, Clark said the organization did not qualify for PPP, but had to furlough employees.

The Saratoga Y had 15,000 family memberships, representing 28,000 individuals pre-pandemic and 15 percent donated their membership draft during the shutdown.

“We launched a Summer to Remember campaign that raised $100,000 to underwrite summer care,” Clark said. Businesses including Stewart’s Shops, Munter Enterprises, Airosmith Development, Hill and Markes, GlobalFoundries and Fingerpaint Marketing contributed.

“We invested in a Clorox 360 degree electrostatic spray machine, purchased the necessary Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for the safety of our staff and members taking our cleaning efforts to a new level,” said Clark. “The printing costs for signage and f loor decals added up. We have signs on everything for social distancing and washing hands. We conducted training for the new protocols. We’re following the guidelines and we are excited to get members back to here at the Y to help them

find their new normal.”

Tara Silzer, owner and personal trainer of Fit City in Queensbury said, “I survived the shutdown with outdoor classes under a big tent in the parking lot. PPP saved my business.”

She shortened Fit City’s hours and now sanitizes throughout the day. There is also an evening cleaning crew in place.

“Some members chose on line classes through our Facebook Live page. I actually had people in Canada, Arkansas and other places that signed on, too,” she said. “I have a loyal group of members. They don’t mind the mask thing. They were just elated to get back into their exercise routines.”

Fit City has been open for five years at 959 Route 9 and presently have 600 members.

Nicholas Galuardi, owner and exercise physiologist at Saratoga Health and Wellness, on Maple Avenue in Saratoga Springs, said the re-opening is “going pretty well so far.”

“We are not your typical gym. My partner, Michael Lapolla, and I worked for a local cardiology group for 10 years. We pick up where rehabilitation leaves off,” Galuardi said. “We assist baby boomers who want a total fitness and nutrition program, the high school college athlete looking for a better fitness experience, or anyone who wants to improve their core, f lexibility or cardio-physiology.”

During the past five months, Galuardi and Lapolla offered one-on-one coaching programs live from their basements.

“COVID-19 was a huge disruption in our clients lives,” he said. “Some choose outdoor regiments and some did virtual to get by, but some have been rather sedentary since March. We want to get them moving again.”

Saratoga Health and Wellness, on average has 400 clients each year. The company has been in operation since 2009 and currently employs one full-time and three part-time workers.

COVID And Boating Continued From Page 1

them to hit the ground running in the midst of a health crisis. They were allowed to be open in the early stages of the state shutdown of many businesses, something the company is thankful for, but Pensel said at the same time it was unnerving in the beginning stages.

“We found out we could be open and we saw early signs of what the season could look like so we had to very quickly figure out how to run our sales, service and marina safely. We needed to protect not only our customers, but our employees. We needed masks and we needed sanitizer, which our local distilleries really helped us out with. We needed to adapt and adapt quickly, and we did,” he said.

Pensel said Boats By George numbers are slated to be up anywhere from 20 to 30 percent by the time the season wraps up, echoing other marina owners’ anticipation that the season will linger for as long as the weather permits. He said so many people had to change their summer vacations, so boating on the lake became one of the most feasible options.

“People are taking to boating and they are going to do it for as long as they can. We are already busy with pre-season orders for next year, “ said Pensel.

At another popular Lake George marina, Freedom Boat Club, owner Matt O’Hara said they are seeing the same trends.

“We have noticed a substantial increase in boating interest and usage. Our boats have completed 30 percent more trips per boat so far this year. Our first four years, about 60 percent of our fleet would be utilized on weekdays, this year, since the start of June, we are at almost 100 percent of the fleet seven days a week, it feels like a Saturday every day. Our public fuel sales surpassed all of 2019 by July 25 and our service business is up as well. New boat club leads are up and membership is almost sold out for 2021.”

His company partnered with Live Life Travel, a local travel agency, to offer memberships to clients who had to cancel vacation trips.

“We also have noticed that the interest this year wasn’t just from new people. We had many new members who first inquired about the club over a year ago who finally decided that this was the summer to join so that they could have safe, socially distanced fun with their families,” said O’Hara.

He said they instituted a range of new procedures to ensure service safely, including mandatory masks on the docks at all times. All marina docks and boats are disinfected and have an antimicrobial treatment applied, boats are disinfected up to three times a day, depending on use.

“We also have additional building and restroom sanitization processes, as well as a building log to track everyone who enters. We have moved as much of our transactions and checkout procedures to be touchless by direct billing members for gas instead of swiping credit cards each trip. And employees complete a health screen and have their temperatures checked before each shift,” said O’Hara.

Marina owners acknowledge they are lucky to be in the small sector of businesses that have flourished during what has been a difficult time for many business owners. O’Hara, like Pensel and Loonan, said in light of challenges felt by most everyone, being able to provide a service that allows people to experience joy has been a silver lining.

“Although the circumstances surrounding the increased interest in boating are unfortunate, we are happy that we were able to provide a welcome and enjoyable distraction for people during these hard times. It has been especially encouraging to see the smiles on the faces of boaters as they depart for a day on the water where they can make memories with their loved ones and leave their stress behind. We’re hopeful that the experience we have provided this summer fosters a deep love of boating that keeps all the new boaters involved in the boating lifestyle for years to come,” said O’Hara.

GLENS FALLS BUSINESS JOURNAL • SEPTEMBER 2020 • 7

SPECIAL SECTION

GLENS FALLS BUSINESS JOURNAL

Fitness / Nutrition

Glens Falls Hospital Partners With Company For Rapid Access To Virtual Care System Glens Falls Hospital and aptihealth, an intelligent integrated behavioral healthcare company, have partnered to deliver rapid access to virtual care.

In providing aptihealth’s innovative teletherapy program to patients, Glens Falls Hospital is addressing a critical community need that has been significantly exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, officials said.

All of the patients at Glens Falls Hospital’s seven primary care practices can now access integrated physical and behavioral care through the aptihealth platform within days. The supportive care team model and patient-driven 90-day care program has been shown to decrease symptom severity by over 50 percent, resulting in improved health outcomes and reduced care costs, according to the company.

According to Patti Hammond, Glens Falls Hospital’s vice president for physician practice management, “since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic we’ve gone from zero telehealth visits to 1,200 a week. Working with aptihealth we are able to greatly enhance and expand our offerings for behavioral health services – and offer them in a way that is convenient and safe. The partnership with aptihealth will provide a level of care that is essential for our community.”

“We are proud to partner with Glens Falls Hospital on this transformative initiative and look forward to working together to deliver personalized integrated behavioral healthcare that truly changes lives,” said Dan Pickett, aptihealth CEO. “By taking a comprehensive approach that includes both physical and behavioral care, we can rapidly connect patients with the right therapists and prescribers, accelerate treatment, and ensure their entire care team is in lockstep throughout the process, improving outcomes and making care delivery more cost-effective.”

Following an initial screening, patients in need of behavioral healthcare are referred to aptihealth and complete a comprehensive online 15 life domain self-assessment. Patients are then matched with a behavioral health therapist who specializes in their areas of need, and together they develop a personalized, goal-oriented 90-day care plan that includes convenient teletherapy, medication management as needed, and unlimited messaging between therapy sessions.

The aptihealth platform enables progress to be tracked weekly and the dedicated care team, including the patient’s primary care doctor, therapist, prescriber, and care manager, remain connected throughout treatment.

“The coupling of patient-centered and measurement-based care via our centralized platform is a key distinction that significantly redefines the way care is delivered to drive

•

Glens Falls Hospital has a partnership to help deliver rapid access to virtual care.

Courtesy Glens Falls Hospital

breakthrough outcomes,” said aptihealth chief clinical and science officer Dr. Alex Marsal.

The hospital will offer aptihealth’s virtual intelligent integrated care through the seven primary care practices it currently operates: Cambridge Medical Center, Evergreen Medical Center, Greenwich Medical Center, Granville Medical Center, Hudson Falls Medical Center, Salem Medical Center and Whitehall Medical Center.

Glens Falls Hospital maintains a service area that spans 6,000 square miles across five diverse counties. It operates an advanced health care delivery system featuring more than 20 regional facilities. A vast array of specialized medical and surgical services are provided in addition to coronary care, behavioral health care, rehabilitation and wellness and others.

The main hospital campus is home to the C.R. Wood Cancer Center, the Joyce Stock Snuggery birthing center, the Breast Center and a chronic wound healing center. aptihealth, inc. is a behavioral health engagement company that uses technology to integrate physical and behavioral healthcare. Its platform connects medical providers, behavioral health specialists, behavioral health prescribers, and patients with its proprietary screening, assessment, and treatment management protocols. aptiheath’s digital platform provides a seamless and effective approach to virtual, intelligent integrated care that helps patients get better faster and stay better longer.

For more information, visit www.aptihealth. com.

PROUDLY REPRESENTING THE WASHINGTON COUNTY BUSINESS COMMUNITY Washington County Local Development Corporation County Municipal Center 383 Broadway, Fort Edward, NY 518-746-2292 • info@wcldc.org • Loan programs for possible financing • Business training programs • Start up, expansion and relocation assistance • Commercial shovel-ready site information

Visit us at WCLDC.org Like us on Facebook

The Washington County LDC is an equal opportunity leader, provider and employer.

We take care of you so you can take care of business!

Business Report Healthy Habits Help People Do Their Best

BY LORI VANDERVEER Chances are, if you are reading this newspaper, then you are someone who is driven and business oriented.

Probably somebody who is an entrepreneur or someone who is committed to achieving the highest levels in their profession. I understand that mindset completely. I am that person too.

That is why I am so passionate about helping people achieve their best selves. It all starts with your health.

Oftentimes, it is the most driven people who tend to be the most unhealthy. Working as a physical therapist for over 30 years has exposed me to disease and illnesses that result from poor nutrition, stress and unhealthy habits. Over the last 15-20 years, the population of people I treat has increasingly shifted from simple orthopedic injuries to more complicated cases of patients who are simply “sick” with obesity-related medical illnesses and physical dysfunctions.

Illnesses and disease states that are completely preventable can creep up on you when you least expect it. Illnesses like diabetes( is your A1C rising?), heart disease( do you need to take just a “little” bit of blood pressure meds?), GI problems (reflux?), sleep apnea (do you snore?) can result in chronic pain, neuropathy, heart surgery, COPD, kidney failure and more.

There is a direct correlation between health and performance in the workplace. It is one of the reasons why so many workplaces now have their own health clinics on site.

I have also experienced the stress-cycle that results in weight gain, joint pain, and chronic fatigue. When I got my nutrition in check, everything else followed: increased energy, quality sleep, weight loss and clarity of mind.

My role as a certified health coach is to provide support, education, and structured information to clients. I love teaching simple healthy habits that amount to big changes long term. My goal is not just for clients to lose weight, but to empower them to live their best lives. I am able to impact people as a health coach in a way I am not able to as a PT, because I am able to help prevent clients from limiting disease states.

•

Lori VanderVeer, certified health coach, owner/founder of HEALthyLife.

Courtesy HEALthyLife

Here are some simple healthy tips. Try to add at least one of them to your day so that over time, it will become a healthy habit: 1. Start your day with a big glass of water. Your body will crave the first thing you give it, so if you have a glass of water first, you’re off to a good start.

Also, when you wake up, your body is dehydrated and needs the water for cells to function efficiently 2. Eat every two to three hours. This will help prevent blood sugar levels from dropping which can result in cravings.

3. Manage stress. Mental health has a direct effect on physical health. Find an outlet for managing stress. It can be as simple as taking a walk with a friend. Or seek counseling. There is no shame in talking with a professional that can give you effective tools for managing your stress.

4. Get enough sleep. When we are lacking sleep, cortisol levels increase and this increases cravings.

5. Make a point to move every hour if you sit at a desk. Try parking in the last spot of the grocery parking lot. Take the stairs instead of the elevator.

8 • GLENS FALLS BUSINESS JOURNAL • SEPTEMBER 2020

GLENS FALLS BUSINESS JOURNAL

SPECIAL SECTION

Home / Energy

After Initial Lull, HVAC Companies Are Homeowners And Businesses Are Changing Busy Installing Systems That Filter The Air Interior Design Goals Since COVID Pandemic

Ginna DeVit, a service technician with Thermal Associates, an HVAC company, sits behind the wheel of one of the company’s six service vehicles.

BY CHRISTINE GRAF The COVID-19 pandemic is causing businesses and homeowners to become increasingly concerned about indoor air quality and the spread of airborne infectious diseases. This concern is having a direct impact on the global HVAC industry.

Many Capital Region companies experienced a significant slowdown in business at the beginning of the pandemic. Some, including Superior Co-Op HVAC of Cambridge, closed during this period.

According to owner Gerald Davis, his company was closed for two months but experienced a surge in business after they reopened. He hired an additional employee and added a truck to his fleet to keep up with demand.

“When the governor closed down March 23, we closed up,” said Davis. “I laid everybody off because I didn’t know what was going to happen. In May, we were able to open back up and the floodgates opened up on us.”

Davis attributes the increase in demand to a theory that people who aren’t spending money on travel and entertainment are putting money into their homes. Superior works exclusively

with Mitsubishi renewable energy systems, and generous company rebates have prompted homeowners to switch to renewable energy.

“We had a big push for air conditioning this year. People are spending more time at home, so they want more comfort,” he said. “We work a lot with rebates, and a lot of people have also been looking to switch their homes over to renewable energy. The governor is really pushing people to go to renewable energy, and you can heat your home without using any fossil fuel. We’re now backed up through October just installing equipment” G.A. Bove & Sons of Mechanicville has experienced a similar scenario. Although the company did not shut down operations, business slowed when the governor mandated the closure of non-essential businesses.

According to CEO John Bove Jr., “As soon as everything got shut down, a lot of our customers that had work scheduled got nervous. A lot of people were getting laid off or furloughed. We also have a lot of people who get their annual maintenance and inspection in the spring. They didn’t want us in their homes—especially the senior citizens. We Continued On Page 13

BY SUSAN ELISE CAMPBELL Interior design generally follows style trends, the dominant one today being: Form really does follow function as people repurpose and refurbish their homes for office spaces, schoolwork stations and staycations.

“Home is supposed to be a restful place, but now we are trying to cram an office into the same four walls,” said Katelyn Moskos, founder of both Lake George Design and Northern Living NY, a vacation rental management company.

“People don’t know how to solve their design issues,” said Moskos. “They just know they are stuck in a bubble and want to be inspired and comfortable in the spaces where they live and work.”

Moskos said her trademark is working with textures, “such as having a soft material next to a heavy or dense one just for change.”

Julie Maleski Putzel, founder of JMP Interiors in Clifton Park, said residential clients are using every square foot to create areas or zones they never needed before the pandemic.

“We are shifting the way we live in spaces, move through them and function in them,” said Putzel.

Her forté is “clean and understated but impactful design,” she said. “It’s a refined approach about contrasts, playing with opposites and blending styles that one ordinarily wouldn’t think of but somehow work.”

“It could be a closet repurposed into a study nook,” she said. “People are being very smart about spaces and furnishings.”

Many do-it-yourselfers are contacting JMP Interiors for help with projects like attic spaces that they didn’t have time to tackle until they started to shelter in place, according to Putzel.

“With a pantry now functioning as something else, clients are looking for places to store food and organize work and school supplies,” said Vicki Ure, owner of Victoria’s Corner, her flagship home furnishing and custom decorating store in Ballston Spa. “That could be a piece of furniture passed down from the family or something they already use or buy second hand.”

“Older, quality furniture was created with solid wood and dovetailed corners,” Ure said.

Katelyn Moskos, founder of both Lake George Design and Northern Living NY. Courtesy Lake George Design

“The drawers were made to slide on runners instead of rails as they are today, so they are deeper and provide more storage space.”

Many also need desks as never before to work from home, she said, so maybe a sofa table can become a future work space. Her shop carries an array of antique furniture pieces as well as supplies to refurbish them, including the popular clay-based chalk paints.

“Before the pandemic, we gave classes on how to apply chalk paint, which comes in beautiful colors and has a soft finish,” she said.

“It adheres to everything without sanding or extensive preparation.”

Her customers are trending toward an updated farmhouse style, mid-century modern among the younger crowd, and neutrals with a pop of color, she said.

A more comfortable, functional home is the desire of anyone whose residence is now also their vacation spot.

“COVID shook up luxury spending,” said Putzel. “People who used to spend on vacations cannot travel, so this will lead to more renovations at home. Homeowners like tropical and coastal styling, ocean-inspired and a Palm Continued On Page 14

GLENS FALLS BUSINESS JOURNAL • SEPTEMBER 2020 • 9

•

Business Report Avoiding Chimney Fires

BY JAMIE WALLACE Chimneys are like septic systems. No one thinks about them until there’s a problem.

They are especially ignored in second homes and rental properties. A chimney can be a dangerous thing to forget, one that can cost you the loss of property and/or life. There are some simple steps you can take to drastically reduce your chances of ever becoming a statistic.

Step 1: Have your chimney inspected every year, even if you hardly use it. Chimneys change like children grow. Water, settling, and time will continue to alter the flue system.

Having your chimney inspected annually, and swept when needed, is the requirement given by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 211, Standards Codes for Chimneys, Fireplaces, Vents, and Solid Fuel-Burning Appliances.

Step 2: Hire a qualified company with certified employees from the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA). There is no regulation for the chimney trade in New York state. Anyone can go and buy some brushes from a hardware store and call themselves a chimney sweep.

It is very important that the company you hire is up to date with the latest safety standards and codes, uses technology for a detailed inspection, and is held to a high standard through a reputable certified chimney safety organization.

Step 3: Have your chimney scoped with a chimney camera. We often joke with our customers asking if they have ever had a chimneyoscopy. To our surprise, very little have ever had a chimney camera inspect the inside of their flue.

Only with a camera can you find certain damages or incorrect installations that increase your chances of putting your home and family at risk. Make sure you are present for the inspection so the sweep can explain the process.

Pictures are not helpful if you don’t understand what you see.

Step 4: Stop the water, or pay the price.

Chimneys are the most exposed piece of your house to the elements. In the northeast, water will penetrate deep into cracks and freeze, enlarging the cracks, which in turn allow more water, more freezing, more cracking.

It’s a simple cycle that should be stopped early on before those small cracks turn into large multi-thousand-dollar repairs. Water will not only destroy the outside of your chimney, but also the inside. For water protection every masonry chimney should be waterproofed with a vapor permeable solution, proper flashing, and have an outside mounted cap installed which

Expert electrical service.

Jamie Wallace is the owner of Chimney Heroes of Saratoga Springs.

Courtesy Chimney Heroes of Saratoga Springs

covers the entire top of the chimney.

Step 5: Don’t forget about the chimney used for your heating system.

There are many boilers and furnaces that still use the chimney to vent poisonous gases from your home. It’s easy to forget about them.

Chimneys serving oil appliances will have a very corrosive chemical compound called sulphur dioxide which will damage and weaken flue tiles and metal. A chimney serving a natural gas or LP furnace will have one gallon of water pumped through it per hour during the heating season.

Water is the enemy and will speed up deterioration. Checking these chimneys on an annual basis will increase your chance of catching anything before it becomes a problem. The best remedy for this would be to ensure the chimney is structurally sound and then install a lifetime stainless steel liner which is resistant to corrosion and water damage.

Step 6: Be careful what you burn. The sage advice of burning dry, seasoned wood is paramount. This will keep your creosote levels down while giving you a much more enjoyable fire. Remember that certain woods, especially oak, take a few years to fully season after split.

Always avoid paper or cardboard with gloss or glue in it and do not burn wood with paint or varnish on it.

These products have chemicals that can accelerate corrosion in your chimney liner.

Many of our chimney fire calls are from customers right around Christmas.

518.389.7411 MrElectric.com/Queensbury Locally Owned and Operated Franchise

BURGOYNE QUALITY HARDWARE & LUMBER Temporary Hours:

Monday - Friday: 7:00AM - 5:00PM “Start with Quality, Quality Hardware!”

• •

Saturday: 8:00AM - 4:00PM Sunday: 9:00AM - 3:00PM

Premium Lumber and Unsurpassed Customer Service 3093 State Route 4, Hudson Falls, NY

518-747-6344

Business Report New Technology Is Changing The World

BY JEANNE DION MR. ELECTRIC OF QUEENSBURY As a consumer, both in business and for your home, there has never been a time as exciting as now. With the transition from fluorescent and filament light bulbs to LED lighting, and the evolution of the IoT (Internet of Things), the world in which we live has changed forever.

For the typical home, each and every light that is converted from a conventional one to LED consumes on average 20 percent less power; and is able to be turned on and off by a switch, or an app, and even voice. Wireless and smart technology has enabled a plethora of options to turn on, off, dim, or monitor power consumption of just a single light, receptacle, or whole home with some simple navigating within an app.

One of the most interesting devices we installed to date was a water leak detection system for a second home for a customer. They had experienced a ruptured water line in the winter months that nearly destroyed their property, so they purchased a system that detected moisture in pre-determined areas, and a water shutoff valve that was operated if moisture was detected on their main water line coming into their home.

This allowed them to have complete peace of mind while away from their investment.

Home automation can also be coupled with GPS to create a “scene” that allows devices in your home to turn on when you leave or arrive within a geographical range of your home or place of business. You can have driveway or accent lighting turn on when within 1,000 feet of your home, or even turn lights off when leaving your home.

The options are really endless. For your heating and air conditioning, you can set schedules for the temperature of your home or office. Again, with the help of an app, you can program the temperature you wish to maintain in your space while there or away, and even incorporate GPS technology to control the desired temperature you desire before you arrive.

•

In the Adirondacks, many homes are vacation spots, so people will set the desired temperature for while away, saving energy, and then set it to the perfect comfort level for when they arrive. This allows for the perfect scenario, energy savings while away, and not having to wait until arrival to turn the furnace/AC unit on.

Some of the more interesting developments are having the ability to preheat your oven prior to arriving at home, or taking a peek into your refrigerator while at the grocery store to see if you need milk or eggs. All this is made possible from very small integrated chips embedded in our appliances, and small cameras. They interface with your wireless network within your home, and then communicate through your internet service provider to talk to your smart phone, tablet, PC. All of this occurs at speeds unimaginable not so long ago. Another emerging technology has been the integration of solar panels and large storage batteries in the home with inverters making your home a stand-alone power plant.

With the amount of companies providing this service, many consumers can enjoy the feeling of not paying for a electric bill, and even in some cases get paid for producing more power than you consume, and selling it on the open market.

Another application that has become pretty sophisticated is home security. Door locks and doorbells can now provide remote access, again coupled with an app you can allow someone access to a property by seeing them at the door, and unlocking the door for them.

Smart devices and PCs can allow the user to see live streaming video to monitor property remotely.

This technology has allowed for a sense of security for small neighborhood watch communities, and the local law enforcement community. When working with clients, it is such an exciting time discussing the endless options available. Literally there is an endless amount of home automation, and energy saving options out there for the consumer.

10 • GLENS FALLS BUSINESS JOURNAL • SEPTEMBER 2020

SPECIAL SECTION

GLENS FALLS BUSINESS JOURNAL

Insurance

•

Business Report Insurance Concerns For At-Home Offices

BY MELISSA DAVIDSON 2020 has been unlike any year before it. Did you ever think that your four-legged friend would be your new co-worker? Or you’d become a full-time teacher while your children learned from home?

For many people, COVID-19 required you to work from home instead of the office. Maybe it has been more cost effective to be able to work from home, but are you sure your type of business is covered by insurance while doing so?

Setting up headquarters at your home does not necessarily mean homeowners insurance will adequately protect your operations. Actually, home-based business activities may void your home insurance.

So now, what questions do you need to ask yourself?

The answer may depend on what kind of homebased business you are operating. Do customers or clients come to your home? What is the value of your business property? Do you hire employees?

Do you use your car or other vehicles during your business operations? Do you have clients or employee records on your computer? If you had a loss that damaged your home, would you lose income if you had to close your business?

If these questions apply to you, I suggest you review your current coverages as your homeowner’s insurance might not provide enough protection for your home business needs.

Let’s discuss what types of coverage you should think about.

Business property insurance would cover equipment used to run a home-based business, including computers, printers and furniture.

Look around your office and do a quick estimate of how much it would cost you to replace these

•

Melissa Davidson, licensed sales executive at Northern Insuring Agency’s Glens Falls office.

Courtesy Northern Insuring Agency

pieces of equipment.

Most homeowners’ policies have contents limits that could easily be exceeded by a claim.

How much of your home office equipment would your insurance allow you to replace if it was stolen? What about when you leave the home for a meeting?

Business equipment may only be covered on your homeowners policy while on your premise.

You’ll also want to look at your liability insurance.

Do you have clients visit your home for business purposes? Let’s say a client comes to your home for a meeting and trips on the stairs. They’ve seriously injured themselves and in turn, can sue you.

Although general liability insurance covers Continued On Page 11

•

Business Report Is Title Insurance A Four-Letter Word?

BY DAN WADE, ESQ. We’re all familiar with auto insurance, health insurance and homeowner’s insurance, but what do you know about title insurance? Do you know if you’re covered?

Owning a home is likely the biggest investment you’re ever going to make. And like most homeowners, the “American Dream” comes with a mortgage attached.

It’s safe to bet that as the mountainous stacks of papers were being shuff led around during your real estate closing, you may not even remember that you purchased title insurance for the lender.

Lenders require this to protect their security. It’s important to note that the title insurance you purchased for the lender, sometimes called a loan policy or mortgage policy, only covers losses incurred by the lender. It does not cover you. At the closing table, you would also have been offered an owner’s title policy. As a practice, I prefer to discuss any expenses like this with my clients prior to closing day. The decision of whether or not to purchase the owner’s title policy could have ramifications for you down the road should you decide to sell someday.

So, what does an owner’s policy of title insurance cover and why is it important?

An owner’s policy of title insurance will cover any loss you might suffer as a result of the condition of title to the property you own being something other than what was insured. The owner’s policy covers you up to the dollar amount you paid for the property.

Some of standard covered title risks include public record or clerical errors not previously discovered, forgery or lack of capacity or legal authority of a party somewhere in the history of the ownership of the property, unsettled mortgages or other liens of record not previously disclosed, lack of a right of access, recorded easements not previously disclosed, and deed not being joined/executed by all necessary parties, to name a few.

So, having something “pop up” 5, 10, 15 years from now when you try to sell your home could cause a devastating delay to your deal and cost you thousands of dollars in fees trying to correct an issue if

Daniel B. Wade, attorney with Ianniello Anderson PC in Glens Falls.

Courtesy Ianniello Anderson PC

you didn’t have an owner’s policy. With an owner’s policy, you would have the ability to make a claim and put the title insurance company and their attorneys to work correcting the issue. In some instances, the title insurance company insuring the buyers of your property may be able to seek indemnity from your title insurance company allowing the deal to proceed on schedule while they work behind the scenes to correct any title defects, saving you both time and money.

The good news is that in New York state an owner’s policy premium is a one-time fee, unlike auto, health, or homeowner’s insurance. You pay it once and you’re done.

In addition, title insurance premiums are strictly governed by the state Department of Finance, so you’ll pay the same premium rate no matter which title insurance agent you purchase your policy from. No shopping around needed. The best part is that your owner’s policy will cover you for as long as you own the insured property.

I recommend to all of my clients that they purchase title insurance. As a onetime fee that provides peace of mind for as long as you own the property, it’s a worthy investment. And yes, title insurance is a four-letter word. But that four-letter word is “gold” because it’s worth its weight should you someday need it.

THANKS! FOR GETTING US HERE & HELPING US GROW!

10 Additional Attorneys!

3 New Office Locations!

Listen to Retirement Radio Hosted by David Kopyc

President of the Retirement Planning Group, LLC

Talk! radio at 93.1 FM or 1450 AM WCKM 98.5 FM or WDKM 92.5 FM

(LIVE Thursdays 1 - 2PM) (Sundays 8 - 9AM)

(518) 580-1919 238 Bay Road, Queensbury NY 12804 • 2691 State RT 9 Malta, NY • 125 Wolf Rd Albany, NY Securities offered through Securities Service Network, LLC, member FINRA/SIPC. Fee based advisory services offered through SSNAI, a registered investment advisor.

Additional Offices

•

CALL US 518.452.1800 EMAIL US info@townelaw.com 450 New Karner Rd., Albany, NY 12205 www.townelaw.com

GLENS FALLS BUSINESS JOURNAL • SEPTEMBER 2020 • 11

Succession Summit To Be Presented By ARCC’s Women’s Business Council Sept. 28 The Women’s Business Council of the ARCC will present a Succession Summit on Wednesday, Sept. 23, accessible via Zoom.

It will run 8:30-9:30 a.m.

Succession and continuity planning are key business activities that frequently take a backseat to growing revenues, trimming costs, or running day-to-day business operations, ARCC said in a new release.

It is intended for community leaders, business owners, executives and others. This virtual event is free and open to all members of the ARCC. A panel of four, will be monitored by Michael Bittel, ARCC president/CEO and an employee of the USDA New York State Farm Service Agency Committee.

Topics will include: • Community succesGary Dake sion and philanthropy.

How deep is our community bench? How can the torchbearers pass their knowledge, resources, and passion to a new group of leaders, securing vibrant business and local economic Sherry Finkel Murphy growth?

• The commitment to mentor and the selection of proteges.

Whether developing or hiring, how can a leader build their successor(s) and commit to continuity and quality within their organization?

Where is the bank of Juan Gonzales human capital for future work in our area?

• Securing the family business. What planning can multi-generational family businesses do to support continuity and sustain business health over multiple generations?

Rebecca Wood • The plan. What planning strategies are employed to create continuity and succession plans in different types of businesses?

Featured panelists are Gary Dake of Stewart’s Shops; Sherry Finkel Murphy, CFP, ChFC, RICP, and lead advisor in the region for The Atrium Financial Group of Northwestern Mutual; Juan Gonzales serves as the Chief Financial Officer of Hunt Companies, Inc.; and Rebecca Wood is the President of Six Flags Great Escape Resort.

Dake is the third generation of the Dake family at Stewart’s Shops, a chain of 337 convenience stores in eastern New York and Southern Vermont. Because Stewart’s is vertically integrated, he manages the company’s manufacturing, distribution, and real estate development businesses as well.

Stewart’s has over 5,000 employees and over $1.5 billion in sales. Dake continues to work on the inevitable transition from his father, Bill Dake, to him while simultaneously working on developing his successor.

Financial planning is Finkel Murphy’s second career, having retired from the technology sector after developing and leading over 2000 sales professionals and sales leaders in a variety of companies. She works with individuals on retirement distribution strategies, and with businesses and families to create and fund continuity and succession plans, to develop family, company, and community legacies, and to facilitate founders’ exit strategies.

She is a founder of the ARCC’s Women’s Business Council.

Gonzales is a second-generation general contractor specializing in light commercial projects. He oversees the financial and administrative aspects of this multi-million dollar company.

Gonzales has spearheaded HCI’s succession to the second generation over the last five years. Previously, he retired from the Navy as a senior chief petty officer after a 20-year career and holds an MBA from Strayer University.

He is a member of the ARCC board of directors. Hunt Companies, Inc. is a sponsor of the Family Legacy Award, made to individuals joining their family’s business to extend their family legacy and to master operations and finance.

Wood has been Six Flags Great Escape Resort president since March 2019. A tourism marketing and communications professional, she has been with Six Flags for 11 years.

Prior to Six Flags, she served as the director of marketing at Wilton Mall in Saratoga.

Wood is a graduate of St. Bonaventure University with a degree in mass communications, where she also played Division I college basketball. In 2016, she completed the High Potentials Leadership Program at Harvard Business School. Wood sits on the board of the Tri-County United Way and the ARCC. Six Flags Great Escape operates 365 days with 1,700 employees during peak season.

Nearly 1 million visit the resort annually, making it a highly efficient contributor to Six Flags’ $1.3 billion annual revenue.

People can register online at adirondackchamber.chambermaster.com/eventregistration/register/3975.

For more information, contact Amanda K. Blanton, ARCC marketing and communications manager, at 518-798-1761, ext. 222, or by email at ablanton@adirondackchamber.org.

Insurance Concerns Continued From Page 10

third-party related bodily injury, property damage, and related medical and legal costs, if the client is at your home for business purposes, your homeowners insurance could deny this claim. Have you considered Errors and Omissions (E&O)? Especially for those of you who provide professional services or advice for a fee, this coverage is important should you be sued for negligence or for providing advise that caused financial harm to your client.

Again, your homeowners insurance would not cover you for this. What you really need to be thinking about is what type of business am I running and what are my risks? Do I need additional business property, general liability, business auto, workers compensation, business interruption, crime, products liability or cyber, etc?

This all depends on your needs and what your

Business Brief Tripadvisor, the world’s largest travel platform, has announced that the Hyde Collection is a winner of a coveted Travelers’ Choice (formerly Certificate of Excellence) award.

Travelers’ Choice winners are calculated based on reviews and opinions collected on Tripadvisor over the last year, taking into account both the quantity and quality of reviews. Such awards are given only to those attractions that land among the top 10 percent of all listings worldwide.

Tripadvisor lists the Hyde Collection as #1 of 19 things to do in Glens Falls, and after 210 reviews, the museum has an overall rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars. It has been called a “hidden gem,” “precious collection” and “quaint collection” by reviewers, who are consistently surprised by the quality of the inconspicuous museum’s art.

risks are. This could be a simple solution. First, review your current homeowners insurance with an insurance agent. It may be as simple as adding endorsements to your policy so coverage extends to your potential risks. This may be for business owners who do not have significant liability risks or a high-value business property.

If you determine that more coverage is needed, a business insurance policy would be necessary. Every business has different factors to consider in order to make sure there is adequate coverage for liability or property losses.

We know it has been crazy and confusing time for many businesses, you are not alone.

We have seen many changes in the last couple of months and we will need to continually be adjusting and adapting. It is now time to selfreflect on how to best possibly protect yourself moving forward.

Personnel Briefs Continued From Page 2

Hospital’s stroke program. In addition, he will remain medical director of the hospital’s Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners Program and Saratoga Hospital’s representative on the Regional Medical Advisory Committee.

A graduate of Cornell University, Donnarumma earned his medical degree from New York Medical College in Valhalla. He completed a residency in emergency medicine at the School of Medicine at the State University of New York at Buffalo, where his clinical rotations included a regional trauma center, a children’s hospital, community hospitals and an inner-city tertiary care center. He also has a Master of Public Health degree, with a specialization in health policy and management, from New York Medical College.

Donnarumma is board certified in emergency medicine.

12 • GLENS FALLS BUSINESS JOURNAL • SEPTEMBER 2020

REGIONAL STOCKWATCH Stock Name

Closing Price 08/14/2020

Albany Int’l Arrow AT & T Ball Ballston Spa National Bank Bank of America Best Buy Citizens Bank Espey General Electric Hilton Home Depot Int’l Paper Key Corp Lowe’s Martin Marietta M&T Bank McDonald’s National Grid NBT Bancorp Inc. Plug Power Quad Graphics Starbucks Sysco Target The TorontoDominion Bank Trans World Trustco Bank Verizon Walmart

53.11 49.73 52.66 51.12 28.54 28.50 28.21 28.49 30.01 29.69 30.04 29.43 75.36 76.48 80.12 82.46

Closing Price 08/21/2020

Closing Price 08/28/2020

Closing Price 09/04/2020

41.50 41.50 41.75 41.75 26.29 24.81 26.12 26.53 109.49 114.00 111.23 106.30 25.90 24.19 26.29 27.36 17.83 17.68 17.30 16.90 6.66 6.31 6.61 6.41 86.00 87.35 91.73 90.91 279.08 281.74 284.79 269.81 37.27 35.18 36.93 39.02 12.57 11.78 12.59 12.89 154.34 161.72 165.51 156.43 218.73 209.08 206.75 215.08 108.08 101.40 105.30 105.94 205.83 210.34 213.66 211.74 58.35 57.44 56.55 55.61 31.70 30.10 30.89 31.113 11.40 12.93 13.07 11.76 3.67 3.44 3.64 3.41 78.37 77.07 85.00 86.27 59.54 57.46 61.89 60.17 135.86 153.63 150.85 147.18 47.90 47.16 50.20 48.56 8.67 6.66 7.14 7.95 6.14 5.72 5.79 5.94 58.79 58.99 59.26 60.47 132.60 131.63 140.30 142.83

This list of quotations is provided through the courtesy of Robert M. Schermerhorn, CFP®, Saratoga Financial Services, Securities offered through LPL Financial / Member FINRA & SIPC, located in Saratoga Springs, NY. www.SaratogaRetire.com

•

Business Report What You Don’t Know Can Be Costing You

BY WARREN EVANS During the lockdown, there is some good news.

Pollution levels during the height of the pandemic lockdown fell dramatically because of the lack of economic activity and the interruption of worldwide travel.

The question is this: As we recover from the pandemic, is there anything we as individuals can do to maintain these low pollution levels with little or no sacrifice?

We believe the answer is yes, it is possible.

On a personal level, while you were locked down you probably noticed many great things about your home, on the other hand, if you’re like me you also saw a lot of things you needed to fix or change. You can start out by getting a home comfort and energy assessment and completing the recommended solutions. That’s the way each of us can begin to lock in some of the benefits of the low pollution levels we saw during the lockdown and help to achieve an overall sustainable and resilient global recovery.

At the start of the pandemic lockdown, we realized that our home solar panels weren’t producing as much electricity as we expected.

Under normal circumstances we would’ve been too busy to even noticed the difference, but like most everyone else we were in lockdown so we had extra time to take a closer look at our home.

We decided to bring in a solar system maintenance team to inspect the entire system and get everything back in working order. Once the team removed the roof top solar panels they discovered something very surprising as you can see in the pictures below, squirrels had chewed a hole right through our rooftop and into our attic.

This discovery was quite a shock, we were obviously unaware that our attic was this exposed to the elements, this wasn’t the type of ‘solar power’ we had in mind. As an additional consequence of this exposure, the three feet of cellulose insulation that was blown into our attic several years ago to improve our energy efficiency had disintegrated, it’s gone.

Now thinking back, this actually made sense to us, when the insulation was installed years ago the house became instantly more comfortable, now that these issues were uncovered it explained why the upstairs had gradually changed for the worse; it had grown warmer in the summer and colder in the winter.

In retrospect it’s clear that the comfort of our home declined over the last couple of years as our heating and cooling energy bills increased to compensate for the wasted energy due to the hole in our roof. Hopefully the lessons that we learned are clear, what you don’t know can cost your bank account, your family’s comfort and

Warren Evans is a partner with the ReWire Group LLC. Courtesy ReWire Group LLC

your impact to the environment, the answer for us, and maybe for you, is an upgrade to the “clean energy life.”

The clean energy life is a journey, and there are people who are further along on that journey than us. We all know and enjoy our first world lifestyle, but the lifestyle is very carbon intensive especially in the U.S. While the average worldwide carbon footprint is five metric tons/year while the average U.S. carbon footprint is over three times larger at 16-plus metric tons/year.

There is hope however, as sustainable and renewable energy technologies improve and are supported by breakthrough economic thinking, we can use these accelerating advancements to lower our large first world carbon footprint, upgrade our lifestyle and save money all at the same time. That triple win is what we call the “upgrade to the clean energy lifestyle.”

It’s an upgrade because the clean energy life can improve your health, comfort and convenience while reducing your waste, costs and carbon footprint. It is a journey, so as you go, your life gets better, less expensive and more environmentally friendly.

The takeaways: You can minimize the carbon footprint of your home, or business, by using less energy and if possible supply the energy you do use from lower cost renewable energy resources.

Next actions: Measure your carbon footprint, set goals to lock in the benefits of the upgrade to the clean energy life (carbonfootprint.com); get a free home energy audit and assess your opportunity to save money at NYSERDAEnergy-Audit-Programs; community solar allows an easy sign up for a home or business for lower cost clean electricity at ampion.net/ energybrothers.

Small Business Success with

START-UP ADK OCT 6 to DEC 1 | TUESDAYS from 6 to 8PM

Classes will be held remotely online via Zoom

LEARN FROM

LOCAL EXPERTS IN: • Marketing • Human Resources • Business Insurance • Legal Resources

•

GAIN THE SKILLS TO LAUNCH OR GROW YOUR BUSINESS. FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO REGISTER, email: businesscentral@sunyacc.edu

GLENS FALLS BUSINESS JOURNAL • SEPTEMBER 2020 • 13

SUNY Adirondack Securing Transfer Of Students Into Potsdam Arts, Theater Programs

HVAC Companies Are Busy Continued From Page 8

went through all of the protocols. We had masks and sanitizer and followed the six-foot rule, but we understood. April was a bad month for us. In May, things started opening up a little bit. And in June, what we saw is that things really took off for replacements. A lot of that was because of the stimulus money.”

Even though business has rebounded, the pandemic continues to impact Bove’s operations.

Manufacturing shutdowns and trucking issues have caused long waits for HVAC equipment orders.

“Everything is just delayed right now,” said Bove.

“And there is an incredible demand. Our demand is up at least 25 or 30 percent.”

Bove didn’t furlough any employees, but some opted out for medical reasons. Because of the supplemental unemployment employees were receiving, Bove faced a challenge that has been common for many industries. It was difficult for him to get some employees to return to work because they were making more on unemployment.

Davis experienced a similar situation in his business.

Although Glens Falls’ Thermal Associates experienced a slight slowdown in service at the height of the pandemic, partner Marj DeVit said the new construction side of the business remained strong. The company hired two additional employees to help meet demand.

“We had a slowdown in service in the beginning, but we were still quite busy because there are so many people building homes up this way. We also work in the Adirondacks, and we found that we had work coming out of our ears. I think that is very common with the construction industry. We are really, really busy. We’ve also seen a lot of demand for the MERV-13 filters.”

The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers and the CDC recommends the use of MERV-13 filters. They are able to filter extremely small particles out of the air and may help minimize the spread of COVID-19.

“Any places that have large gatherings have been seeking us out to get MERV 13 filters, but they are in really short supply and we are having problems

getting them,” said DeVit. “We also have to be careful that it’s not going to damage the heating system because it puts constriction on the air flow.

So people have to be certain that their system is applicable for it and that they aren’t going to cause a bigger problem.”

Potential problems are serious and could lead to carbon monoxide leaks. For that reason, DeVit said it is important that MERV-13 filters are only installed by HVAC professionals.

“That’s why we’ve never pushed the MERV-13 filters. With commercial equipment, it can be much more useful. But for homeowners, we recommend that they get proper HEPA equipment instead of just changing your filter.”

DeVit said some customers have asked to have UV lights installed into their ductwork. Although the use of UV lights has a proven track record of killing various microorganism, it is unknown if it can kill the coronavirus.

“There again, you have to have them properly installed and your system has to be appropriate for it,” said DeVit. “Going forward, I think we are going to see more people putting in UV lights and HEPA filter systems which don’t restrict the air flow and don’t compromise your system.”

Bove said he has had few residential customers express interest in UV lights, but he has received inquiries from some small restaurant owners in the North Country. Although his company has installed the lights, he said they are now virtually impossible to find. Before COVID, supply far exceeded the limited demand for the product.

Davis has not had any customers request UV lights, but he said customers are expressing concern about air quality. He recommends air scrubbers, which can be installed on the Mitsubishi HVAC systems he sells. These scrubbers filter contaminants such as allergens, viruses, and bacteria from the air.

Although COVID concerns will eventually pass, local professionals expect air quality concerns to persist. It is likely that the next generation of HVAC equipment will be designed to help combat the airborne spread of infectious diseases.

Business Registrations •

Kenneally & Tarantino Dennis Tarantino 470 Glen St. Glens Falls 12801

Musical Therapy Catherine Meehan 89 Guerney Lane Queensbury 12804

Tru Image Salon Melissa LaBrake 42 Boulevard Queensbury 12804

Cactus Creek Boutique Kyleen Ellis 31 Parkview Ave. Queensbury 12804

Human Creations Within Keyla Nuesi 0 Hidden Hills Drive Queensbury 12804

Lake Sunnyside Soap Elizabeth Nichols 64A Haviland Ave. Queensbury 12804

Lucky S Tree Service Eric Shippee 64 Lake Ave. Lake Luzerne 12846

Northern Coi Terrance Ward 646 Bird Pond Road North Creek 12853

Whimsical Wellness Danielle Farley 136 Ottawa St. Lake George 12845

Phatty Buns Catering Paul Duell 23 Sagamore St. Glens Falls 12801

•

New agreements between SUNY Potsdam and SUNY Adirondack are paving the way for smooth, guaranteed transfers of Adirondack graduates into Bachelor of Art degree programs in theatre and arts management at Potsdam.

The SUNY Potsdam baccalaureate programs in theatre and arts management will open their doors to all Adirondack graduates holding associate degrees in humanities and social science, as well of those holding individual studies degrees, officials said.

The agreements were finalized in July by SUNY Adirondack President Dr. Kristine Duffy and SUNY Potsdam President Dr. Kristin G. Esterberg.

“We are proud to partner with our colleagues at SUNY Potsdam to add more direct transfer pathways for our students interested in the theatre arts. We share a commitment to advancing a student’s education through small classes, rigorous support and high-quality faculty,” said SUNY Adirondack President Dr. Kristine Duffy.

SUNY Adirondack and SUNY Potsdam are working together to give individual attention to students who are interested in this opportunity—including advising and degree planning support—to help students take appropriate coursework and stay on track for timely degree completion, with two years at Adirondack and two at Potsdam.

Application fees are waived, and qualified students will have access to transfer scholarships as well.

“We welcome these students from SUNY Adirondack, who come well prepared to complete their degrees in the dynamic fields of arts management and theatre,” said SUNY Potsdam President Dr. Kristin G. Esterberg. “These transfer agreements are good for everyone, and especially students, who can easily see how their two-year associate degree programs link directly with Potsdam’s bachelor’s degree programs.”

“The faculty involved in these agreements really play that crucial role in forging strong and sustainable partnerships, putting highly qualified transfer students in a position to benefit from the rigor of continuing their undergraduate work at Potsdam. We look forward to welcoming students into the theatre and arts management programs, two of our dynamic arts fields of study here at SUNY Potsdam,” said SUNY Potsdam School of Arts and Sciences Dean Dr. Gretchen Galbraith.

Those interested in learning more about the guaranteed admission program and other academic programs offered at SUNY Adirondack and SUNY Potsdam can contact Adirondack’s admissions office at 518-7432200, or Potsdam’s office of admissions at 315-267-2180.

SUNY Potsdam’s Department of Theatre and Dance cultivates an innovative, experiential and multidisciplinary education within an inclusive community which prepares students for leadership and service in the arts as global citizens.

For more information, visit www. potsdam.edu/theatre.

More To Read . . . More Leads For You.

(518) 581-0600 GLENS FALLS BUSINESS JOURNAL

14 • GLENS FALLS BUSINESS JOURNAL • SEPTEMBER 2020

New Head At SUNY Empire State Continued From Page 1

“The chapter always seeks a productive relationship with management,” said United University Professions Chapter President Pamela Malone. “We look forward to working with the administration and importantly, being involved in the upcoming search for a new president of one of the most important campuses in the SUNY system.”

“We’ve enjoyed a close working relationship with college administration and we look forward to continuing that as we work through this transition and the decisions

we’ll face over the coming year,” said CSEA Local 641 President Debbi Staulters. “I know that we will continue to have a seat at the table to raise our concerns, be heard, and work toward productive solutions.”

“I look forward to working with our interim leadership team, building on the honest and open communication we’ve established as we carry this momentum forward and continue to serve our students and our mission,” said College Senate Chair Anastasia Pratt.

Interior Design Goals Continued From Page 8

OUR TOP PICKS FOR CHEAP EATS IN GLENS FALLS: 7 DELICIOUS & INEXPENSIVE RESTAURANTS

BY ERIN NUDI

When you want to eat dinner out in Glens Falls and are looking for great food at a low price, look no further than the seven restaurants listed below. Rediscover local gems right in our neighborhood, or find a new favorite hot spot to try. From pub grub to diner food and beyond, explore all the Glens Falls dining scene has to offer without the high price tag.

THE GRATEFUL DEN

In addition to a fantastic craft beer selection, The Grateful Den in Glens Falls prides itself on being a local bar and grill with an eclectic lunch and dinner menu. You’ll find plenty of items under $15 that will satisfy your craving for high-quality pub food, including the shrimp po’ boy (pictured above), macaroni with beer cheese, prime rib steak burgers, and more.

THE PEPPERMILL FAMILY RESTAURANT

The Peppermill, located just across the bridge in neighboring South Glens Falls, has been a Glens Falls area staple since 1990. They strive to offer an affordable family dining experience with homemade food.

Grab breakfast, lunch, or dinner at The Peppermill Family Restaurant for your next meal. Most of their menu items are under $15 or slightly over. Whether you’re craving pasta, seafood, soups, salads, or hearty entrees like a strip steak, you can find it here!

GOURMET CAFE

The Gourmet Cafe focuses on creative cuisine in a relaxed amtosphere. They have a lunch menu, a dinner menu, and even a gluten free menu, with many items costing under $15. Options you can find at this innovative restaurant include a Chipotle Chicken Panini, Gourmet BLT, and Buffalo Chicken Macaroni & Cheese - you can really try something new and delicious here.

Above you can see The Gourmet Cafe’s Roasted Vegetable Quesadillas, available as an appetizer for either lunch or dinner for $10.59 or with chicken for $12.79. A healthy take on quesadillas, these include roasted peppers, caramelized onions, black olives, and cheddar cheese. Yum!

NEW WAY LUNCH

Editor’s Note: As of August 18, 2020, New Way Lunch’s Glens Falls location is still closed. Both their Warrensburg and Queensbury locations are open.

New Way Lunch - also known as Hot Dog John’s, Dirty John’s, John the Hot Dogs, and John the Hots - has been an area hot spot since 1919. Their hot dogs, called “dirt dogs,” have long been known as the best hot dogs for miles around. But, did you know New Way Lunch offers much more than just affordable and tasty hot dogs?

You can also head to New Way Lunch for a Philly Cheese Steak, Chicken Sandwich, Sirloin Burger, Fish Sandwich, or a number of salads all for under $15 each.

TALK OF THE TOWN

They don’t call it “Talk of the Town” for nothing! This Glens Falls restaurant has a truly extensive menu with a variety of sandwiches, burgers, pizza, dinner entrees, and pasta dishes all under $15.

They also have a separate pizza menu where everything is under $20.

Beach feel and are decorating their homes like the areas they would otherwise visit.”

“We may see more people installing salt water fish tanks, for example, because that reflects where they like to vacation,” she said.

“Or people who like visiting national parks may bring in bark, wood and moss and create a micro-climate until they can get on a plane and travel there.”

Whatever their interests are, when people’s decorating reflects themselves and their personality, they create happier places to thrive in, the experts said.

Moskos’ challenge is decorating homes to be stylish and practical not only for the homeowner, but also for the vacationers who rent their property.

“Homeowners here in the Adirondack area usually go with a mountain theme, but I am more French country with a twist of modern,” she said. “Travelers come from all around and I prefer a less-is-more approach with clean lines, not gadgets and trinkets. The vacation homes we manage are not all natural wood, but maybe we would design one element to give it character from its North Country roots.”

At the least she might relocate a few pieces of furniture for more freedom of movement within the space, she said. And Moskos is not in agreement with anyone who says couches and chairs have to match. In fact, her style mantra is “the more texture the better.”

“Maybe mixing the textures of metal and rock becomes a curiosity that is different,” Moskos said. “Your brain tells you that you will want to touch it, so you are actually being invited to sit there.”

The experts have found that the way people are thinking about their homes will likely have lasting impact.

“People who are not investing in office or formal attire are reinvesting in their homes and looking at their spaces in a new way,” Putzel said.

“Employees making the shift to virtual work on camera are spotting that bookcase in back of them and thinking, is that how it looks? Maybe I should be looking at it differently,” she said.

Corporate design is another competitive field and the experts have faced a litany of challenges not experienced prior to the pandemic.

“There has been a major design trend in terms of the use of space,” said Sandra Fox, founder of Sensory Six, which emphasizes an “elegant, luxurious and simple style” for residential and commercial clients.

“Clients are seeking flexibility with multifunctional spaces that have multipurpose, movable, lightweight elements,” said Fox. “Additionally, office spaces are becoming more private and personalized.”

“We are helping client companies pivot and evolve by employing a variety of trends into interior design and redesign, many of which we believe will be permanent,” she said.

“Corporations want to advance morale and collaboration among employees while providing a warm and welcoming aesthetic that gives the feeling of home,” she said. “Regardless of the industry or the building’s use, they need the materials, space configuration and technology that keep employees and customers healthy.”

She said “we have upped our game considerably by concentrating on better air filtration systems and recommending smooth surfaces that are easier to clean, versus textured or porous ones. We are designing with new materials that prevent organisms from adhering to them, like those that mimic sharkskin.”

Another way buildings can be designed for better health is with plants, which not only scrub the air of toxins like formaldehyde but also “give an emotional sense of well-being for most people,” according to Lanette Akerson who founded Plant Doctor, LLC, now located in Glens Falls.

“An interior landscaper accesses the environment created by the designer architect and adds that extra sparkle that brings the interiorscape to life with plants,” she said. “We are the last ones to come onto a design project.”

Akerson’s corporate accounts stuck with her plant design, installation and maintenance service, which was deemed essential, throughout the pandemic. As a result, Akerson was able to realize a goal that was very important to her personally as well as professionally.

Plants are used in offices spaces to cover outlets and extension cords, soften corners or hard edges, improve the flow of traffic, and call attention to certain elements while oxygenating and purifying the air.

“Especially during these trying times, we really need beauty,” she said. “It’s not about money but about turning things around.”

“If there is a silver lining to these very difficult times, it is adding wellness as a core design requirement along with aesthetics and functionality,” Fox said.

STEVE’S PLACE

For classic and high-quality diner food, look no further than Steve’s Place. Serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner, almost every menu item is under $15. They offer gluten-free options and healthy choices like sugar-free desserts and organic salads.

Pictured above is their Homemade Corned Beef Hash with two eggs and toast. Steve’s Place is one of the few places in the area that serves authentic corned beef hash! And the best part is, you can enjoy this and any of their other breakfast options all day.

MAIN MOON

With over 30 years of experience, Main Moon in Glens Falls serves some of the finest Chinese food in the area. Whether you’re in the mood for lunch or dinner, the restaurant takes pride in making every dish flavorful and the best it can be.

Their vast menu features over 300 items, many of which are budget friendly. For example, their chicken chow mein lunch special costs just $5.75-$6.95, while a shrimp with Chinese vegetables dinner combo is only $7.95-$8.95. Plus, for your convenience, you can order online for takeout, or have your food delivered if you live within 4 miles of the restaurant (order must be over $10).

Provided courtesy GlensFalls.com

GLENS FALLS BUSINESS JOURNAL • SEPTEMBER 2020 • 15

•

Available Commercial & Residential Properties We’d like to promote your commercial or residential property. Call us, 581-0600.

•

For LEASE 14,000 sf metal warehouse & office space.

Open Span • Truck Docks • 3 Overhead Doors • Heated & Insulated

N

EW

LI

ST

IN

G

Easy Access to I-87 exit 16. Corner lot at RT 9 and Ballard Rd intersection Will Subdivide - Call for Details 518-879-6175

21 Melanie Drive, Saratoga Springs $349,000 Adorable 3 BR, 2-Bath contemporary set at the end of a quiet cul-de-sac in a desirable neighborhood only minutes from downtown Saratoga Springs, Exit 15 & Wilton shopping. This 1,600 sqft home has been stylishly updated and it shows. Open first floor layout with hardwood floors. Family Room features a vaulted, open ceiling, fireplace, and shiplap. Kitchen has concrete countertops, gas stove and stainless appliances. Both bathrooms have been completely renovated. Master bedroom has a barn door for privacy & master suite on second floor includes loft with balcony overlooking a private, wooded yard. Great multi-level deck off the kitchen for added outdoor living space. Roof only 6 years old and a new garage door is being installed. No town taxes (Wilton) with a Saratoga Springs address.

Listing Agent: Kate R. Naughton 518.441.8527 | knaughton@roohanrealty.com

16 • GLENS FALLS BUSINESS JOURNAL • SEPTEMBER 2020

New Vertical Milling Machine At Doty Will, State Has Plan To Fix Home Of Suffragette Help Company Compete In Global Markets Susan B. Anthony In Washington County

This new vertical milling machine purchased and installed for $1 million will allow Doty Machine Works to take on larger jobs. Jeremy Geroux, programmer machinist, mans the equipment.

BY CHRISTINE GRAF Doty Machine Works has invested $1 million to purchase and install a vertical milling machine that will allow the company to take on larger jobs.

The Fort Edward machine shop was founded in 1951 and purchased by Elizabeth Miller in 2014.

Since that time, she has invested approximately $5 million in equipment and building renovations.

Miller is also the owner of Miller Mechanical in Glens Falls.

According to Miller, the company has purchased six new machines in five years. The purchase of the vertical milling machine will allow Doty Machine Works to expand its customer base.

The machine is so large that a new foundation had to be poured to support its 120,000-pound weight.

“There aren’t a lot of machine shops in our area that have these significantly larger machines to do significantly larger tooling that needs to be done for these customers,” said Miller. “We are expanding our customer base with the purchase of the larger machine. It’s called an F Series Vison Wide ... It means that we can be more cost competitive because we have less setups for these bigger fabrications. It means that we don’t have to move the piece around the shop to different machines. We can do it all right there.”

Smaller machines can require multiple tooling setups, and each setup can be very time consuming. When fewer setups are required, labor costs decline. These costs can be passed on to the consumer, thereby allowing Doty Machine

Works to become more competitive with Chinese companies.

Miller is committed to her goal of bringing more manufacturing back to the region. She buys equipment from U.S. companies whenever possible and purchased the vertical milling machine from Great Lakes Machining.

Doty Machine Works employs a staff of 45 and offers a variety of manufacturing services. They build, performance test, sandblast, and paint machines. They also rebuild and repair hydraulic systems and rotating equipment. Before Miller purchased the company, Miller Mechanical was one of its customers.

“They did a lot of our machining, and they had an absentee owner,” she said. “We purchased it and put a huge amount of investment into the building and into the machinery there. Not only to do our machining but do it for others as well and to keep 45 good-paying jobs in the area.”

Many of the Doty’s employees are skilled machinists, a field in which a serious labor shortage exists. Miller recognized this problem almost immediately after purchasing the machine shop.

“When we got there, it was a huge problem in that most of the men that were there were amazing machinists, but were all of the same age group.

It was really scary,” she said. “Fortunately, we were able to work with Bruce Hoffman from the (WSWHE) BOCES center as well as with the adult machining center over there.”

On the 100th Anniversary of the 19th Amendment, which gave women the right to vote, the state is involved in an effort to stabilize and preserve the childhood home of prominent 19th century women’s rights activist Susan B. Anthony in Washington County.

The work at the 1832 two-story brick home on Route 29 in Battenville, where Anthony lived from ages 13 to 19, includes repairs to the roof, masonry and drainage, as well as mold remediation and water damage.

“New York has been the birthplace to many of the progressive movements that have left an indelible mark on our society while pushing the nation forward and particularly for women’s suffrage, which began at Seneca Falls and included legendary New Yorkers such as Susan B. Anthony, Elizabeth Cady Stanton and so many more,” Gov. Andrew Cuomo said. “As we commemorate the 100th anniversary of women gaining the right to vote, we must also recognize there is more work to be done.”

“On the anniversary of the ratification of the 19th Amendment, this development will stabilize Susan B. Anthony’s childhood home in Washington County, allowing for the reuse of the property,” said Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul. “While the Susan B. Anthony House and Museum in Rochester showcases the history of one of the world’s greatest revolutionaries, this project will further preserve Anthony’s legacy in New York state. As the birthplace of the women’s rights movement, New York was the first major state to grant the right to vote in the country, leading the way for the 19th Amendment.”

This year is also the 200th anniversary of Susan B. Anthony’s birth, in 1820. The child of a Quaker family that promoted abolition and temperance, she lived in Washington County, in Battenville and later in Center Falls, from 1826 to 1845 between the ages of 6 and 25 before her family moved to Rochester.

The state Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation is managing the $695,000 stabilization project. It has also reached a purchase agreement on an adjoining four-acre site that contains a former historic tavern dating to the period when the Anthony family lived next door.

Supported by the state Environmental Protection Fund, the $130,500 purchase will allow for future creation of adequate

The home on Route 29 in Battenville, where Susan B. Anthony lived for a time.

Courtesy New York State Parks and Recreation

parking for the Anthony home and serve as a staging area for continued phased redevelopment of the building for an as-yet undetermined future use, officials said.

State Parks Commissioner Erik Kulleseid said, “Part of our mission is the preservation of our state’s historic legacy.

The home where Susan B. Anthony spent her formative years has a story to tell and we want to get the home in the proper condition, so it one day is able to tell it.”

The stabilization project is supported by a $250,000 grant obtained by state Assembly Member Carrie Woerner and the remainder from New York Works. Support was also obtained by State Sen. Betty Little.

The Battenville home was built in 183233 by Anthony’s father who had moved the family from Adams, Mass., to manage a cotton mill on the nearby Battenkill River.

At the age of 13, Susan joined the Easton Society of Friends. The Anthonys lost their home in 1839 due to financial setbacks caused by a national financial recession in 1837. The former family residence was in a state of disrepair by the time State Parks purchased it at foreclosure for $1 in 2006.

Anthony, who died in 1906 at age 86, worked for decades to advance women’s rights, but did not live to see the passage of the 19th Amendment in 1920. She is buried in Rochester.