A Local Railway Offers Holiday Cheer And Adirondack History On Its Scenic Rides
BY PAUL POST
Hal Raven could drive the train, but he’d rather be the conductor punching tickets like Tom Hanks on the Polar Express.
“That’s my thing, talking with people, interacting, getting kids excited,” he said.
His company, the Saratoga, Corinth & Hudson Railway, gives people Christmas-themed memories to last a lifetime on the Candy Cane Express, a fun festive ride that runs through Dec. 22 highlighted by visits from Santa, music, lights and hot cocoa refreshments.
Raven, a Queensbury resident, gave up a 28-year railroading career to fulfill his dream of owning a scenic line. It operates year-round between South Greenfield and Hadley on 17 miles of track owned by the Town of Corinth.
“We do all the maintenance and repairs,” he said. “When we first took over, weeds were chest high and overgrown. We had to fix all the crossings.”
Two previous operators had run tourist trains from Saratoga Springs to North Creek, but couldn’t
Continued On Page 14
Pair Of ‘Shotgun Houses’ On Clinton Street To Be Renovated By Preservation Foundation
The Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation recently announced that it purchased 128-130 Clinton Street, two small cottages on one property that have been on the Foundation’s endangered property list for more than a decade.
Based on preliminary research, it appears that the house at 130 Clinton Street, built circa 1877, was the first house constructed on the property by Dennis O’Brien, who was listed as a laborer residing at 108 Clinton Street. It is particularly unique because it is the only example of a shotgun style residence in Saratoga Springs. O’Brien built the second house, a one-and-a-half- story vernacular front gable house with a full-width front porch, at 128 Clinton Street in 1883. Both houses were built as rental properties.
A shotgun style house is a narrow - typically no more than 12 feet wide, rectangular residence typically with two to four rooms arranged one behind the other without a hallway.
“As the saying goes, one could shoot a shotgun through the front door and the bullet would fly straight through the back door,” said Samantha Bosshart, executive director.
The shotgun house is believed to have emerged in New Orleans in the early 19th century and was predominantly popular throughout the South.
According to the directories, the residents of the two houses were laborers, coachmen, teamsters, farmers, maids, gar-
deners, firemen, and employees of various businesses. In 1965, Nettie B. Dekalb and her son Ronald Dekalb acquired the property. The DeKalbs moved into 128 Clinton Street and rented 130 Clinton Street to others. It was during the DeKalb family ownership that the houses fell into disrepair and became vacant. Earlier this year, the Foundation attempted to contact the owner to provide assistance to preserve the buildings
Funding To Triple Malta Campus Capacity
GlobalFoundries (Nasdaq: GFS) (GF) and the U.S. Department of Commerce have announced an award of up to $1.5 billion in direct funding to GF through the CHIPS and Science Act. The award follows the previously signed preliminary memorandum of terms announced in February 2024 and will enable GF to expand its essential chip manufacturing and technology development in the U.S., strengthening supply chains and supporting customers across a range of vital end-markets including automotive, smart mobile devices, IoT, datacenters, and aerospace and defense.
“The idea of strengthening U.S. semiconductor manufacturing has been five-plus years in the making. With bipartisan support, that idea evolved into the CHIPS and Science Act,” said Dr. Thomas Caulfield, president and CEO of GF. “GF’s essential chips are at the core of U.S. economic, supply chain and national security. We greatly appreciate the support and funding from both the U.S. Government and the states of New York and Vermont, which we will use to ensure our customers have the American-made chips they need to succeed and win.”
GF’s CHIPS and Science Act award will support three projects:
• Expansion of GF’s existing Malta, New York, fab by adding critical technologies already in production at GF’s Singapore and Germany facilities, to enable a secure and reliable supply of domestically manufactured essential chips for the U.S. auto industry.
• Modernization and upgrading of GF’s existing fab in Essex Junction, Vermont, to expand production capacity and create one of the world’s leading facilities capable of highvolume manufacturing of next-generation
e U.S. government awarded
a contract for
gallium nitride (GaN) semiconductors for use in electric vehicles, data centers, IoT, smartphones and other critical applications.
• In alignment with market conditions and customer demand, construction of a new stateof-art fab on GF’s Malta, New York, campus to meet expected demand for U.S.-made essential chips across a broad range of markets and applications including automotive, AI in the data center and at the edge, as well as aerospace and defense.
The two New York-based projects are expected to triple the existing capacity of GF’s Malta campus over the next 10-plus years, in alignment with expected market requirements
Continued On Page 10
Local Author Francine Dingeman Wins An Award For Inspiring Children’s Book
Saratoga Springs author Francine Dingeman is celebrating the one-year publication anniversary of her book, The Animal Menagerie: A Curious Collection of A to Z Animal Tales, with an award of literary distinction.
On November 9, Dingeman was awarded the Moonbeam Children’s Book Award silver medal in the category of Learning Order (Alphabet/ Counting Books) by the Jenkins Group of Traverse City, Michigan. Since 2006, The Jenkins Group has been celebrating authors, illustrators, and publishers from around the world for their creation of inspiring and imaginative works for young readers. They recognize these works for the role they play in fostering a lifelong passion for reading and learning.
The Animal Menagerie, written by Dingeman and illustrated by Marta Maszkiewicz, is an enchanting A to Z picture book fi lled with captivating characters from the animal kingdom for children ages 4-7. The book is written to entertain and educate by introducing dozens of creative new words into a child’s vocabulary. Each letter of the alphabet comes to life with vibrant illustrations and story vignettes, making early literacy development a delightful adventure.
A first-time author, Dingeman is passionate about the art of rhyme and the creative use of words. She is a firm believer in speaking to children with vocabulary that encourages them to reach toward advanced levels of literacy and comprehension.
Since receiving the award, her book has gone into a First Edition, Second Printing and is available for $21.99 in a variety of local Saratoga
e Animal Menagerie seeks to build a child’s vocabulary while being entertaining.
shops such as Saratoga Outdoors, G. Willikers, Celtic Treasures, Impressions of Saratoga, The National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame Gift Shop, and at Accents at Allerdice in Malta, and Play Hollow in Ballston Spa. The Animal Menagerie is also available at the Book Cabin in Lake George, The Sagamore Emporium at the Sagamore Resort in Bolton Landing, The Flying Pig Bookstore in Shelburne, Vermont, and at The Burgee Shop at Ocean Reef in Key Largo, Florida. In addition, you can find The Animal Menagerie online at FrancineDingeman.com.
Hal Raven stands with Santa, Mrs. Claus, and an elf as they prepare to head down the tracks on the Saratoga, Corinth & Hudson Railway’s Candy Cane Express.
Courtesy of Saratoga, Corinth & Hudson Railway
Courtesy of Francine Dingeman
GlobalFoundries
secure computer chips.
Courtesy GlobalFoundries
Two historic homes are slated for renovation by the Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation. Courtesy of Saratoga Preservation Foundation
Personnel Briefs
• •
Whiteman Osterman & Hanna LLP, the Capital Region’s largest law firm, has announced that John B. Cannie has joined the firm as Of Counsel in the firm’s Environmental, Land Use & Development, and Real Estate Practice Groups.
Prior to joining Whiteman Osterman & Hanna, Mr. Cannie was an Associate at Snyder, Kiley, Toohey, Corbett & Cox LLP, where his practice focused on land use, zoning, and real estate development and transactional matters. He has represented clients in a variety of development projects, including residential, commercial, and public benefit initiatives, assisting with contract negotiations, securing government approvals, and finalizing transactions.
Mr. Cannie holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Politics from Bates College and earned his Juris Doctor degree from the University of Kentucky College of Law in 2014.
Whiteman Osterman & Hanna LLP, the Capital Region’s largest law firm, has announced that John M. Czajka has joined the firm as partner and John F. Wirenius has joined as of counsel.
Czajka, who spent the last 15 years in New York State government service, most recently serving as General Counsel to the New York State Police, will join the Litigation and Government Relations practice groups. Wirenius is the immediate past Chair of the New York State Public Employment Relations Board and will join the Labor & Employment and Litigation practice groups.
Czajka, who has over 19 years of criminal and civil investigatory and litigation experience having served in various capacities in both the private and public sector, also brings to the firm extensive leg-
islative and policy making experience as a former Albany County Assistant District Attorney, Assistant Counsel to the Governor, General Counsel of the NYS Division of Criminal Justice Services, and most recently as General Counsel of the New York State Police. While Counsel at the NYSP for the past five years, Czajka served as the chief legal officer responsible for providing legal and ethical advice to the NYSP Superintendent and the more than 4,000 sworn and non-sworn NYSP personnel. During his tenure with the Troopers, Czajka was also responsible for managing the drafting of proposed legislation, implementing policy and legislative initiatives, coordinating and managing all State Police involved litigation, managing labor and employment issues, and advising the agency and the Governor’s office on the legal, regulatory, administrative, and legislative matters facing the agency.
He is a graduate of Union College and in 2004 earned his law degree from Albany Law School and his MBA from Clarkson University. He is a resident of Guilderland.
Prior to joining Whiteman Osterman & Hanna’s Litigation and Labor and Employment practice groups, Wirenius served as the chair and presiding board member of the NYS Public Employment Relations Board, an independent neutral state agency that decides disputes involving the Public Employees’ Fair Employment Act, State Employment Relations Act, and Farm Laborers Fair Labor Practices Act. He also served as deputy chair and general counsel of the PERB, as deputy general counsel of the New York City Office of Collective Bargaining, and as associate counsel of New York State United Teachers.
Wirenius is a graduate of Fordham College and earned his law degree from Columbia University School of Law. He is a resident of Albany and Brooklyn.
Whiteman Osterman & Hanna was founded on the intersection between government and the private sector, and the pair’s experience serving two governors, among other roles in government, will further strengthen this rich tradition.
The Military Resource Center At Empire State University Is Celebrating Its First Year
Empire State University’s Veteran and Military Resource Center is celebrating one year of supporting and empowering militaryaffi liated students seeking higher education. The center opened in November 2023 and in just one year has become a cornerstone of support for military-affi liated students, staff, and alumni. The center offers assistance with transition programs, academic support, veteran career services, and a variety of virtual and in-person programming to bring SUNY Empire’s expansive military-affi liated community together.
Desiree Drindak, director of the Veteran and Military Resource Center, said providing a physical space for active-duty members, veterans, and family members to connect provides a unique resource that makes SUNY Empire stand out in its dedication to military-affi liated students.
“We have accomplished more than I think we ever imagined in the last year,” Drindak said. “We’ve always connected to community resources so our students could have the resources they needed, but this space specifically has now become a resource for our community to veteran organizations.”
Since its inception, the Veteran and Military Resource Center has found different ways to recognize military-affi liated students through commemorative events and now student organization. The center recently brought back the veteran and military student club and hired a military-affi liated student intern to assist with student engagement.
“We have been able to make so much progress with engaging our students in a more social aspect versus just the academic,” Drindak said. “Th is program is about building
community virtually and in-person, and the student club has been able to enhance all of that energy and get more student voices included in the conversation so we can build programming around them.”
Empire State University serves over 1,000 military-affi liated students, the highest number of any State University of New York institution. Drindak credits that growth to the foundations built through the center and the university’s support programs that bring a transfer of military training credit, automatic support, and community connection immediately to SUNY Empire students.
“The university is working towards building programs and services to help students stay and continue to get their degree so they can move along in their journey,” Drindak said. “Our increase has been steady over the last few years, and that allows us the programmatic support to continue to grow.”
Drindak, reflecting on the last year of progress with the Veteran and Military Resource Center, said the future looks bright. She said the center is working to staff a veteran and military career advisor and expand connections with community organizations. Above all they are continuously working to build better support for military-affi liated students and their families.
“The support of this population and this program is embedded into the fabric of the university,” Drindak said. “Supporting access to education is so important and, for this population, allowing these designated resources really helps us support military families and our communities around the state and around the world, so they can accomplish their educational goals and then move forward into the next phase of their life.”
Of Homes To Local Charities
The Saratoga Builders Association has presented proceeds totaling $60,000 from the 2024 Saratoga Showcase of Homes to Rebuilding Together Saratoga County and Habitat for Humanity of Northern Saratoga, Warren and Washington Counties. The association has announced that the total contribution to local charities from this area’s premiere new home tour event is now over $1.6 million.
The 2024 edition of the Saratoga Showcase of Homes had eight homes from seven builders on tour this year – Abele Homes, Bella Home Builders, Belmonte Builders (2), Kodiak Construction, Stephen James, Trojanski Builders and Witt Construction. Congratulations to Kodiak Construction for winning the People’s Choice Award for Executive Home and Bella Home Builders for winning the People’s Choice Award for Luxury Home.
This year’s event attracted over 3,000 visitors to these beautiful new homes, which were on display over two weekends. In what has become an autumn tradition in the area, the Saratoga Builders Association is dedicated to this long running show being an integral part of the fabric in our fall season.
This annual community event is made possible only with the generous support
of over 70 corporate and media sponsors.
The 2024 Saratoga Showcase of Homes, celebrating 28 years of exceptional homes, was held on October 5-6 and 12-13. All the homes were located in Saratoga County and the proceeds benefited two local charities - Rebuilding Together Saratoga County and Habitat for Humanity of Northern Saratoga, Warren and Washington Counties. For more details on the homes, builders, award winners, and virtual tours of the homes, please visit the interactive website at www.saratogashowcaseofhomes.com.
The Saratoga Builders Association, Inc. (SBA) is a specialized professional trade association representing an industry basic to the well-being and economy of the people of Saratoga County. Its membership includes residential and commercial builders, developers, remodelers, building material suppliers, sub-contractors, financial institutions, architects, engineers, realtors, attorneys and other industry professionals. SBA is committed to the continued growth, prosperity and quality of life in Saratoga County.
For more information, visit www.saratogabuilders.org or contact Barry Potoker, executive director at bpotoker@saratogabuilders.org.
Saratoga Beer Summit Returns February 22, 2025 With Local & National Favorites
The Saratoga Beer Summit is returning to the City Center in Saratoga Springs on Saturday, February 22, 2025. The beer summit will once again feature its traditional menu of delicious local and national craft beers, along with a robust selection of ciders, seltzers, and malt beverages!
“Saratoga Beer Summit is the Capital Region’s premiere beverage sampling event, and is still the ultimate tasting session for local craft beer lovers. With additional beverage options there is something for everyone to enjoy,” said Townsquare Media Vice President of Sales Jake
Demmin.
There will be two three-hour sampling sessions at the Saratoga Beer Summit from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., which include a souvenir tasting glass. There is also a four-hour VIP option from noon to 4 p.m.
Both sessions will feature a DJ, local vendors, and delicious food available for purchase fro Screaming Eagle Concessions and Farmer’s Daughter.
Tickets go on-sale Wednesday, November 27 at saratogabeersummit.com.
Barry Potoker (le ) stands with George Earle, Michelle Larkin, and Mark Johnson displaying the checks representing money raised through the Showcase of Homes for two area charities.
Courtesy of Saratoga Builders Association
A man pours a cold cra beer in anticipation of the upcoming Saratoga Beer Summit to be held at the City Center in February.
Courtesy of Saratoga Beer Summit
Go on our website www.SaratogaBusinessJournal.com www.GlensFallsBusinessJournal.com to subscribe to our email for the release of the the virutal edition. You may also mail your check in the amount of $25.00 for 12 issues made payable to Weinhagen Associates LLC to receive your paper by mail.
The Saratoga Casino Hotel Celebrates ‘Giving
Saratoga Casino Hotel celebrated ‘Giving Tuesday’ by donating $130,000 to 13 Capital Region non-profit organizations during their annual ‘Make A Difference’ holiday luncheon in Vapor recently.
“Twenty years later, this is still the event we look forward to most every year,” said Skip Carlson, vice president of external affairs at Saratoga Casino Hotel. “Giving back to organizations that improve the lives of so many and impact our guests, team members and the overall community is an integral part of our company’s principles and something our owners truly believe in. We are honored to be in the position to help.”
The Saratoga Springs Police Department K9 Unit, one of the recipients of a donation this year, consists of four highly trained police dogs and their handlers. Th is specialized unit provides essential support to the Patrol Division in various operations, including tracking, building and area searches, item location, narcotics and explosives detection, and suspect apprehension. Handlers and their canine partners undergo a rigorous selection process, followed by extensive training to develop effective teams that are deployed in a wide range of situations.
Lieutenant Paul Veitch was on hand to accept the $10,000 donation to the Saratoga Springs Police Department K9 Unit,
“The dogs are an extension of how we do our jobs every day. The value the K-9 Unit brings to the force is immeasurable. We thank Saratoga Casino Hotel for recognizing the importance and for this generous donation,” he said.
The following organizations each received a $10,000 donation.
AIM Services, Inc.
Capital Roots
The Donna M. Crandall Memorial Foundation
GLENS FALLS BUSINESS JOURNAL
9 Broad St. Glens Falls, NY 12803 (518) 581-0600 • HarryW@saratogabusinessjournal.com • www.saratogabusinessjournal.com
SNACpack Program (Saratoga Nutrition Assistance for Children)
The Wesley Community
Over the last 20 years, Saratoga Casino Hotel has donated over $3.5 million to different charitable groups in the Capital Region. Their Make a Difference initiative that started in 2004 has since been their main charitable event to honor and provide funding to local non-profit organizations.
Sam Gerrity (L), Chief Executive O cer with K-9 o cers and Skip Carlson VP of External A airs. Courtesy Saratoga Casino and Hotel
Foothills Farm Is Scaling The Production Of Hydroponic Greens For New Markets
BY SUSAN ELISE CAMPBELL
Looking back on their fi rst full year of production, entrepreneurs Max and Nikki Poritzky have counted one ton of produce grown and distributed to restaurants and schools from their hydroponic farming facility, Foothills Farm, in Greenfield Center.
The farm is a 40-by-eight-foot container housing an efficient, vertical growing system that produces high quality lettuces and herbs using a fraction of the space of traditional farming.
The couple have backgrounds and careers in the field of nutrition and come from health conscious families, they said.
She studied nutritional biochemistry at UC Davis and was a commercial executive marketing dietary supplements, an industry in which Max also had an executive career spanning 25 years. He said his mother founded Wild Oats, the fi rst health food store in Saratoga Springs.
“‘Let food be thy medicine’ might sound clichéd, but this is how our families live,” Max said.
The couple met in and resided in California and later while in Boston, their careers and life took a new trajectory. About six years ago Max was visiting a technology museum in San José and was exposed to hydroponic farming at a kiosk display.
“Hydroponic farming lets you grow nutrition-rich food year-round in any environment,” he said. “We were interested in the concept but didn’t know how or if to get into the business.”
One company building these kinds of units was located in Boston and Max began to research the technology, he said. Then two years ago the couple purchased property in Greenfield and returned to the area where he grew up to start a farm business and raise two children.
“Saratoga County has 100,000 acres of farmland and nobody was doing hydroponic farming, horizontally or vertically,” he said.
The container offers 3,000 linear feet of growing space, according to Nikki. There’s no soil to till and no pesticides needed in a contained environment.
Heat, cooling, and hydration are controlled with soft ware. A large portion of the power comes from solar installations and weekly CO2 gas deliveries supplement what the plants take from the air, Max said.
“It is a wonderful environment for a human to be in,” said Nikki.
“The technology is so efficient that we are at 70 percent capacity using only five gallons of water a day,” Nikki said. “Our well water has high quality mineral content and we add solubilized nutrients depending on what we are growing.”
Max said the system reclaiming some moisture from the air, condensing it, and returning it to the tank helps keeps water usage low.
The Poritzkys said while local greenhouses supply baby greens, Foothills Farm grows crops to maturity. The owners have built an ardent customer base and local restaurants such as Hamlet & Ghost in Saratoga, Next Door Kitchen and Bar in Ballston Spa, and [farmacy] restobar in Glens Falls take weekly
deliveries.
There are also regular deliveries to institutions such as Skidmore and customers may order additional produce for special occasions. The farm is willing to plant what is needed in time for the event, Nikki said. The average growing time is six to seven weeks from seed to harvest.
In wintertime, lettuce is only grown in the warmer climates of California or Mexico, plucked early to survive crating and travel, and to ripen at the store. Nikki said by the time it reaches the northeast, much of the nutrition and flavor have dissipated.
“Chefs receive a full grown, living plant within hours from our farm,” she said. “So hydroponics is not only about achieving quality nutrition, but preserving it.”
Flavor is an indicator of nutrition, and Nikki said “Chefs will tell you our greens are among the best they have ever tasted. It’s because the nutrients used are crop specific.”
Hydroponic farms may not face droughts, rainy seasons, blight or bugs, but there are plenty of challenges with the “futuristic, technologically advanced form of farming” that the business entails, Nikki said.
“The learning curve has been steeper than we thought it would be,” she said. “The machinery is complex but Max is mechanically inclined, and with our skill set and combining forces, we are making it work.”
“While the business is humming and up and running, you defi nitely have to monitor, love, and nourish it,” she said.
“It’s not a set-it-and-forget-it proposition,” Max said. “There are plumbing, electrical, HVAC, and light systems, and soft ware to program, operate, and monitor everything in the farm.”
There is also the component of selecting which crops to grow hydroponically. Max said not all greens grow well in this kind of environment.
“You also want to choose plants that grow well together, such as a certain radishes planted next to lettuces that like the same conditions,” he said. “The lettuce won’t be crowded by the radishes that were harvested earlier.”
Crop selection is part of what the Poritzkys call “getting the recipe right.” It is the challenge of formulating intensity of light, the mix of blue and red light, and nutrient level for the choice of crop, they said.
As the Poritzkys enter the third year of operation, they feel comfortable with the commercial development strategy they based on strong backgrounds in nutrition, fi nance and marketing. One thing they have not yet done is enter retail stores or farmers markets.
New restaurants are coming into the pipeline and the Poritzkys are committed to collaborating with other institutions such HVCC’s culinary program. They are actively building their brand and looking toward the next level of scale.
“Our platform is more than selling. Part is about sustaining the food culture,” they said. “We are here to stay and putting down roots. Literally.”
Learn more at www.foothills-farm.com.
The United Way Seeks New Partner Agencies
Tri-County United Way has announced the opening of new applications for new partner agencies to join its 2025 Community Investment Fund.
The programs seeking funding must address the needs of individuals in one or more of TriCounty United Way’s key focus areas: youth (up to age 24), seniors, and those affected by mental health challenges across Warren, Washington, and Northern Saratoga Counties.
Applicants must also serve Tri-County United Way’s ALICE (Asset-Limited, Income-Constrained, Employed) population—individuals who earn above the federal poverty level but below a sustainable wage. The Priority Area Screening Application is available on Tri-County United Way’s website at www.tricountyunitedway.org/priority-area-screening-application.
All Priority Area Screening Applications must be submitted via the Tri-County United Way website by January 10, 2025. Applicants must be 501(c)(3) organizations located within Northern Saratoga, Washington, and/or Warren counties and comply with all relevant federal, state, and local legal and operational requirements (including government-approved accounting practices, annual audits, 990 tax forms, and non-discrimination policies). Once an agency is screened and approved, they will be invited to submit a full Request for Proposal (RFP) for funding of up to $10,000. A maximum of three new agencies will be selected for funding in 2025.
Funding requests cannot be applied to capital improvements or administrative staff salaries.
Tri-County United Way is a committed advocate for the health, education, and financial well-being of individuals in Warren, Washington, and northern Saratoga counties. They extend their deepest gratitude to their current partner agencies for their ongoing support, service, and dedication.
For more details, contact Tri-County United Way at 518-793-3136 or tcuwadmin@TriCountyUnitedWay.org.
Recruiting in the healthcare industry has continuously been a struggle, which was only magnified by the pandemic. Hospital staff are on the front lines battling the demands for services with the lack of a skilled workforce. There have been unprecedented levels of turnover within the field. Healthcare professionals are feeling burnout often retiring or quitting. The need for social workers and mental health counselors has significantly increased, yet organizations struggle with balancing services, especially telehealth. More people are interested in receiving inperson therapy while the clinicians are now accustomed to working remotely. RNs have become one of the most difficult roles for employers to fill. Many of them now seek out traveling jobs, as they are usually higher paying. Retaining a recruiter can become a valuable partnership and help to triage your hiring needs. They get to know your unique needs to screen and send you highly qualified candidates. Recruiters, save you time by coordinating interviews, offering background checks, as well as assessments. Utilizing the services of an expert recruiter can help take your hiring needs to the next level.
Max Poritzky inspects hydroponic greens, grown using innovative technology in a sustainable environment. e farm provides fresh, locally grown produce to local restaurants and institutions
Courtesy Foothills Farm
SARATOGA BUSINESS JOURNAL
Cyber/Tech
Business Report
Protecting Your Business Data Through Personal Device Safety
BY ALEKS PAVLINIK, CHIEF INFORMATION SECURITY OFFICER
Why protect your personal digital life?
Securing your personal life identity, passwords, and digital assets is crucial not only for your own safety but also for the security of your workplace. Think about it… we all access our work emails through our personal smartphones everyday. We reply to emails, we open attachments, we check our calendars for meetings. Some companies even allow their staff to use their own computers for work. But if compromised, these personal devices are a gateway for cybercriminals to infiltrate your workplace systems.
Maintaining strong, unique passwords, requiring multi-factor authentication (MFA) for all accounts, and using strong security solutions for your personal devices helps you contribute to a more secure and resilient organizational infrastructure. Remember, your personal security practices are the first line of defense in protecting both your personal and professional life.
Everyone reading this has probably experienced a risk or an attempt of identity theft, financial loss, and unauthorized access to your accounts. Someone tried to login to your social media accounts, or your bank called you with a questionable fraud attempt. This is tenfold for a business. There’s a whole business market out there of hackers who make millions by exploiting businesses, holding their data at ransom and stopping them from working and serving their customers.
Small businesses may think, “a hacker wouldn’t waste time going after my business. We aren’t big enough.” And that’s exactly the point. They know small businesses owners are not investing the resources in cybersecurity measures, so it’s easy for them.
While personal devices allow employees to work with flexibility and efficiency, they also pose significant cybersecurity risks. Without a strong security culture, one compromised device can lead to devastating data breaches. The good news? A robust security culture can significantly reduce your busi-
ness’s risk. Here’s how to make it happen.
1. Educate Employees on the Risks
Many employees may not realize the risks associated with using personal devices for work. Phishing attacks, malware, and unsecured Wi-Fi networks are common threats.
Regular cybersecurity training is essential.
2. Implement a Clear Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) Policy
If your employees use personal devices for work, a well-defined BYOD policy is nonnegotiable.
3. Use Mobile Device Management (MDM) and Mobile Application Management (MAM) Tools
MDM and MAM solutions allow businesses to monitor and manage personal devices and applications that access company data.
4. Encourage Open Communication
A strong security culture requires buyin from employees. Make cybersecurity a part of your team’s regular conversations. Encourage employees to report suspicious activity or potential breaches immediately, without fear of blame.
To build trust, explain why certain secu-
Continued On
Adirondack Cabling And Security Works With IT To Protect Businesses And Enhance
BY SUSAN ELISE CAMPBELL
As technology improves how a business is run, installing cable to connect the new technologies improves with it. One local company at the forefront of that is Adirondack Cabling and Security, providing clients with innovative cabling solutions for the best of 40 years.
“In 1982 when my dad and uncle started the company, the big thing was the PDX telephone system so a business with one phone number could have an extension on every desk,” said Dave Womer.
Dave is the son of Jack Womer who, along with his brother Bob, operated Adirondack Cabling until 2017 when Dave and his cousin Bob Jr. purchased the business from their retiring fathers. Dave is president and Bob Jr. is vice president of operations.
“My father and uncle saw there were many companies manufacturing the latest phone systems, but no one to install them,” Womer said. They formulated a business plan to meet that demand.
By the 1990s there were computers in every office that needed to be networked and Adirondack Cabling transitioned into another new market, he said.
“When fiber optics were the new technology, they took that on, too,” said Womer. “The company became highly specialized in installing a very different kind of cable for high-speed networks, and there is probably not a large building in Albany that we have not been in.”
Today the company’s security division is busier than ever. Started in 2010, its technicians run cable and install mounts for internal and external cameras, card readers, and other equipment, he said.
“The need for security in the workplace and in schools has increased,” Womer said. “So we have tailored our solutions for different environments.”
The company deploys video surveillance around an entire university campus. For a small retail store, they mount equipment to monitor its counters.
Businesses and schools have them install keyless access systems for employees and students to enter buildings and dormitories with a card, fob, or cell phone, disabling access with a simple program. Other enterprises have burglar systems installed.
Womer said much of their work is through national security companies such as ADT, as well as IT companies or departments with peripheral equipment such as projectors to install. Other business comes from new construction projects.
“There is craftsmanship involved in hiding cables and mounting a device on a wall somewhere,” he said. “People don’t want cables hanging loosely or cameras falling off ceiling tiles.”
There is also the software side of their responsibilities. Some staff are technology focused to “take the installed devices and cables and make them work together so customers get what they are looking for,”
Womer said.
At times customers may know what they want, but perhaps not fully know what they need.
“They may want a card reader system and have one exterior door to control,” Womer said. “What they don’t know is the variety of functionality these readers have to make security more effective.”
Adirondack Cabling can now educate clients on enhanced features “that can make their lives easier,” he said. For example, a company with a key fob to open a main door during normal business hours can be programmed to do much more.
“Maybe a HVAC tech is scheduled to come in after hours, in which case you text him a temporary badge to his cell phone that gives access only during designated hours,” he said.
The software allows the business to see when that person entered and left the building, he said. And if the tech went into an area they were not supposed to, the owner will know that, too.
One of the newest features that Womer said the company is educating customers about is the ability to open doors with a cell phone even if it is not in hand. As long as the phone is on his person, an employee can simply wave his hand in front of the reader to unlock access, he said.
What Adirondack Cabling offers is not cyber security, but it is related.
“Security does not have to be only a risk averse application, but can become an integral part of the business,” he said. “We partner with IT companies doing the network security aspect because physical security goes hand in hand with data security.”
“You have to have sensitive areas such as your IT closet and file closets protected as well as monitor who is going and out of the building,” he said.
Technology evolves quickly, and Womer said the company has been ahead of the curve since its beginnings.
Aleks Pavlinik is chief information security o ce at StoredTech.
BobWomer (standing) and Dave Womer reivew plans for a cabling project. Saratoga Business Journal
Business Report
Cybercrime And Small Business
BY TUCKER LOUNSBURY
Cyberattacks on small- and medium-sized businesses (SMB) continue to rise and will only intensify over the next few years. With the increased prevalence and cost of attacks, the absence of a safety net like cyber insurance is no longer an option SMBs can afford.
Assessing e reat
Ransomware is one of the most common forms of hacking and includes the cybercriminal holding fi les or devices hostage in exchange for payment. Unfortunately, bad actors know that SMBs, in general, are less likely to have the full spectrum of safeguards in place, leaving them particularly vulnerable to this growing threat.
According to Astra, ransomware attacks have risen by 13 percent in the past five years, with an average cost of $1.85 million per incident. By 2031, it is predicted that a ransomware attack will happen every two seconds.
While training employees and requiring measures like strong passwords, regular password resets and multi-factor authentication are critical lines of defense, these steps are no longer enough.
Establishing a Safety Net
As an added layer of security, businesses large and small should invest in appropriate cyber liability and modern crime insurance policies. Cyber insurance typically refers to two forms of critical coverage: privacy exposures, which covers third party liability if personal information is stolen or compromised; and related fi rst party expense coverage, which helps businesses mitigate the costs of damages and recovery resulting from a cyber-attack, which can be very costly. Modern crime policies protect physical theft of money that might be the focus of the bad actors targeting business networks.
The vast majority of businesses cannot effectively recover from cyber-attacks without the
incident response expertise, breach management services and fi nancial security that these insurance policies provide. Increasingly, businesses and other entities are requiring vendors to carry this type of insurance before entering into or renewing contracts.
Businesses should essentially consider this type of protection the same way as other ‘musthaves’ of doing business, such as property insurance, general liability insurance and workers’ compensation.
Cyber insurance has a reputation of being expensive – even cost-prohibitive. But rates have come down in recent years as most SMB have invested in cyber risk management and related security tools. The cost of a cyber insurance policy is a small price to pay compared to the potential fi nancial and reputational losses resulting from an uncovered cyber-attack.
When considering coverage, businesses can expect insurance carriers to evaluate the nature of the business and corresponding risk
Adirondack Cabling
Continued From Page 6
When fiber optics were introduced and Jack and Bob Womer were going to be working with fragile glass filaments instead of pliable copper, they attended firsthand training from Corning Glass.
“I remember my father flying out to Chicago for a class on glass,” he said. “He said to me, you won’t believe what you’re going to be able to do in the future.”
“It all happened,” Womer said. “Playing computer games with people globally and video conference calls where you see attendees in person, things no one was talking about back in the day.”
“I have a strong feeling that conversation led me to a path in computer engineering and software development,” he said. “And that eventually led me to where I am today.”
The Womer brothers foresaw the future of network cabling, fiber optics and security. Now Dave and Bob Jr. are carrying on their legacy for the next technological generation.
Adirondack Cabling and Security is a family business with a culture of “treating one another like family,” Womer said. “We try to do what is right by our employees and make sure customers are treated like friends and family, too.”
Learn more at www.adirondacksecurity. com.
and hazard level; security infrastructure, inhouse (fi rewalls, security soft ware, policies and procedures) and outside (vendor/third-party risk); data sensitivity and volume; and other factors to determine the most appropriate coverage options and pricing.
In today’s digital age, the threat posed by bad actors is ever-present and constantly evolving. No business, regardless of size or industry, is immune to these risks. Investing in cybersecurity and crime insurance is not just a precaution—it’s a necessity.
Continued From Page 6
rity measures are necessary. For example, employees may be more likely to use MFA if they understand how it prevents unauthorized access to sensitive data.
5. Lead by Example
As leaders, we set the tone for security culture. Demonstrate good cybersecurity habits, like regularly updating your passwords and using encrypted communication tools. When employees see leadership prioritizing security, they’re more likely to follow suit.
6. Regularly Test and Adapt Your Security Measures
Conduct regular security awareness training and phishing simulation tests to help employees practice spotting threats in a safe environment.
7. Invest in Your Employee’s Cybersecurity
Traditional benefits offered to employees can be supplemented to include different types of tools and services that protect employees in their personal lives. Financial Fraud Protection, Identity Theft Protection, Privacy and Device Protection, and Identity Theft Insurance are all available to provide a new type of employee security benefit. Providing protection around the safe usage and storage of passwords contributes to the security posture of employees and contributes to the correct usage of passwords in the workplace.
Additionally, gather feedback from your team about your policies and security tools. Are they too complicated? Do they hinder productivity? Adjust as needed to strike the right balance between security and usability. For small businesses, fostering a strong security culture isn’t just about protecting data; it’s about safeguarding your reputation, maintaining customer trust, and ensuring business continuity. By prioritizing personal device safety and empowering your employees to be vigilant, you can significantly reduce your cybersecurity risks.
When I first started in the role of CEO and CFO at the nonprofit I was privileged to run, I quickly realized how important the financials were to the organization. I realized that although we were talking about profit and loss, revenue/ expenses, black/red net balances, what we were really talking about was our mission.
The kids we served. How many more or fewer we could help. How each dollar directly correlated to our programs. The more money we were able to raise, the more we could do. The less we raise, the more we needed to cut back.
Because of this direct correlation between dollars and program scope and impact, the CFO of a nonprofit plays a key role in advancing the mission of the organization. It is never just about the numbers – it is about the mission. It is also always about the numbers, because without solid financial information it is impossible to make strategic, informed decisions regarding service delivery, program sustainability and the future direction of the organization.
For these reasons, the role of CFO is critical.
This realization changed my mindset. I understood that I needed to make the connection between finances and mission real for my donors, my funders, my board, my team. I needed them to feel that the mission was alive in the black and white numbers.
As CFO, I could connect the dots for my board, my staff, funders and community partners. Explaining our financial position and how it directly impacted our programming and our capacity to grow, or our need to adjust the scope or reach of our programs. I learned to love end-of-year projections, cash flow projections, the symmetry of a balance sheet. All these tools allowed me to communicate to the board and finance committee the connection between our financial picture and our impact. And they, in turn, could confidently make decisions based on solid financial information.
Although I was running a nonprofit that directly impacted the kids in my community, and therefore, my community, what I was really doing was running a business.
And that’s when I saw the power, the impact, of being a strong CFO and how I could make a difference if I made the numbers make sense.
As I continued on in my tenure, I of course wore many hats. I had to raise funds, write grants, mange staff, help with program development, work with and for the Board, raise awareness, excel at events, and so on. But one of the
most critical roles that I held, was the agency’s CFO.
There comes a peace and calm with knowing where your organization stands, financially. You know how to plan for rough spots, you can help to predict the future, you can plan vs always reacting. The greatest gift is giving your Board and staff the peace of mind they need to ride out storms, and watching your mission come to life.
The nuts and bolts of what that looks like for a CFO include things like:
• managing cash flow;
• creating and managing reserves;
• interpreting and reporting financial information to the board, stakeholders and partners;
• developing a realistic and sustainable budget;
• ensuring that the organization meets legal and ethical obligations;.
• developing financial policies and procedures;
• risk management;
• helping to build fund development plans;
• managing grant allocation and reporting;
When I started Capital CFO+, I wanted other business owners and nonprofit leaders to know that the value of their financials goes deeper than a net number. It is your mission, it is your direction, and it is your agency’s life.
The role of the CFO goes farther than the math. It is a critical role to the life blood of the agency. A strong CFO can be the key to a nonprofit’s success, ensuring that it remains fi nancially healthy and able to fulfi ll its mission for years to come.
LifeWorks Has A ‘Whole Family’ Approach To Helping People Achieve Economic Stability
BY SUSAN ELISE CAMPBELL
LifeWorks Community Action has a long history of helping put individuals and families on the path to an economically healthier life. A staff of 114 and 200 regular volunteers carried out services throughout Saratoga County last year, and according to Krystle Nowhitney Hernandez, executive director, the non-profit’s 2025 direction is on “strengthening the workplace culture to benefit both the customers and staff.”
“Our focus as an organization last year was on training staff and embodying the spirit of helping people move forward, both economically and personally in their lives,” said Nowhitney.
“We increased wages, we looked at our benefits, and we launched a health and wellness program,” she said. “Together these changes are ensuring that we take care of employees and staff, and that they have the tools and resources to be successful here at work and outside of work, as well.”
“Staff are now better able to bring their best to the services we provide,” she said.
packed and delivered 1,500 baskets of food for the most recent seasonal drive.
Despite some improvements in consumer prices, the demand for food is increasing, not decreasing, said Nowhitney.
“The Bureau of Labor Statistics shows yearto-year that the lower quartile areas have higher inflation,” she said. “The biggest strain on families is housing costs, and once other budget items are paid for, there is little left for food.”
The Head Start early childhood education program in particular struggled from vacancies during COVID, Nowhitney said. There were 40 vacancies coming into the year and now only four or five remain open.
Nowhitney said she and the Head Start team credit workplace improvements introduced since the pandemic to the “huge success” in fi lling those vacancies.
But funding services is an important piece of the work LifeWorks must do going into a new year. Some federal funding has already been cut, and Nowhitney said the organization is uncertain about changes coming from Congress.
“Congress is running on a continuing resolution, which will likely be extended into the new year,” she said. “But we don’t know what programs we will be able to sustain beyond 2025.”
Head Start is a long-running, federally funded program. Nowhitney said one of their funding sources is a flexible grant allowing local communities to design local responses to poverty. This grant has also been vital to their food programs in recent years as well, she said.
But funding is also dependent on enrollment. Nowhitney said notice was received a few months ago that their Head Start funding had been cut by $1.78 million.
Nowhitney drew attention to three of the major areas this “community of neighbors helping neighbors” performs: the food program, Head Start, and immigration services.
“Half of the country’s Head Start programs were still struggling post-COVID and staffing was one reason,” she said. “We solved the staffing issue and families were ready to enroll, but our program, like others nationwide, is dealing with less funding.”
“There is an astronomical demand for our food program and we are committed to turning no family away,” she said. “There are 900 food pantries operating each month and we served 10,000 people in Saratoga County in 2024.”
This division is overseen by one full-time and three part-time staff. The rest is “volunteer powered,” she said. More than 600 volunteers
Nowhitney said Head Start has been a stable program since the advent of the 1960s war on poverty. However, proposals in the federal budget “would eliminate programs like this and weatherization completely.”
Weatherization provides energy services to needy families in both Saratoga and Schenectady counties.
Continued On Page 9
Sabrina Houser is the owner of Capital CFO+ in Saratoga Springs.
LifeWorks Community Action helps families achieve economic stability by addressing needs like food, education, and housing.
The Moreau Community Center Offers An Extensive Array Of Social Programs
BY ROD BACON
Since 1977, the Moreau Community Center has been assisting those in the tri-county area who need a bit of help in their lives.
Established in the former Methodist church on Main Street in South Glens Falls, the center offers an extensive menu of activities and support services.
“In the beginning the center did not do all the things that we do now,” said Executive Director Donna Nichols, who took over that position in 2010. “They primarily ran a pre-school, Meals On Wheels, and a senior program.”
Nichols has extensive experience with non-profit organizations, having spent 26 years with Community, Work & Independence, Inc. (CWI) in Glens Falls.
Today the center offers 19 programs and services aimed at enhancing the lives of everyone from youngsters to senior citizens.
One of the more important offerings at this time of year is the Holiday Caring Program. Thanksgiving and Christmas meals and children’s gifts are provided to hundreds of income-eligible South Glens Falls residents. As is the case with many of the center’s programs, financial and “adopt-a-family” donors are welcome to contribute, as are volunteers to administer it.
“We had about 70 families that we provided a meal for at Thanksgiving and we will be doing the same thing for Christmas,” said Nichols. “People who adopt a family will buy gifts for the kids so not only does the family get a meal the kids get presents. We give all this out on December twentieth.”
Nichols noted that the center has “a small army” of volunteers, without whom it could not operate successfully.
“We do a volunteer appreciation event every year, usually in June, and last year we had 110 volunteers attend,” she said.
Volunteers perform a plethora of tasks to help keep the center functioning. They might fold newsletters, act as greeters at the front desk, work in the thrift store, oversee the bingo fund-raiser that takes place every week, or help pack backpacks for the weekend backpack program.
“You name it, they come in and help us get it done,” Nichols said. “There’s not a non-profit worth its salt that can do without dedicated volunteers, and we have some of the best.”
While volunteers perform valuable functions, the staffers run, among other things, Kids’ Korner and the eight-week summer camp.
Kids’ Korner operates at all South Glens Falls elementary schools, providing a safe and affordable before- and after-school program. The trained instructors encourage the children in their care to have fun, make friends, grow skills, and learn something new.
Moreau Community Center on Main Street in South Glens Falls o ers 19 programs and services.
Courtesy Moreau Community Center
Camp Moreau is an eight-week summer daycamp for youngsters ages 5-12. Campers are taken on field trips, encouraged to exercise and play, and learn about self-defense, nutrition and team building. There is a charge to attend but scholarships are available because the staff believes every child should have the opportunity to go to camp so they work to make sure that cost doesn’t prevent a child from attending.
Also at the lower end of the age spectrum is the Bulldog Zone Teen Center, a space where middle and high school students from South Glens Falls CSD can gather in a safe environment. They can play, study, or just hang out with each other. On Tuesdays from after school until 7 p.m. there are planned activities.
Getting proper nutrition can be a problem for some people and the center has several services to address that issue.
Every Monday and Wednesday through a partnership with the South Glens Falls Hannaford Supermarket the center provides produce, deli, bakery and meat items to all tri-county residents who need a little “hand up.”
“Hannaford partners with us through the regional food bank,” Nichols explained. “We pick up food that they’ve taken off their shelves but is still fresh. We bring it back to the center, sort it and do a menu so folks can avail themselves of the food. It’s a nice balance to our food pantry, which is more shelf-stable.”
The Gather & Dine program is very popular with senior citizens who would prefer not to eat alone. Hosted by the center, it is held at the Saratoga County Office for the Aging site. Mazzone Catering in Clifton Park provides the food.
“People can come in and dine in-house every day, Monday through Friday, and have a nice hot healthy lunch and it only costs them two dollars,” Nichols said.
There is also the option, through Meals on Wheels, to have a well balanced meal delivered to the homes of senior citizens.
Providing healthy meals isn’t the only service provided to older area residents. The Social and Recreational Program offers bingo, mahjong, crafting, rug making, billiards, and visits from the Crandall Mobile Library. Or people can simply visit, read the paper, use a computer, or enjoy coffee with a friend. The slate of activities varies throughout the year.
Adults may also take advantage of the Senior and Community Trips program. Visits to museums, shows, historic sites and waterfronts have proven very popular.
LifeWorks
Continued From Page 8
“We are looking at how we can continue to not only offer but actually increase access to child care and early childhood education for all families in 2025, as well as weatherization,” she said.
Last year new funding from the state allowed LifeWorks to expand services and provide case management and legal programs for immigrants. The organization is responsible for all such programs in the northern Capital District.
“That was a small program that has been part of the agency since 2005,” Nowhitney said. “We were fortunate to have the opportunity to apply for this grant to solidify services, onboard new staff, and hire a new immigrant services director.”
Nowhitney said LifeWorks receives federally funded Community Services Blocks grants as a designated community action agency for Saratoga County, a provision since the Johnson administration.
“The concept is that each community knows best how to address poverty in their area,” she said. “But again, we are unsure of what future appropriations will be.”
Businesses that donate to LifeWorks and assist them as community partners are doing an invaluable service to the community, Nowhitney said. But the appreciation received from recipients of their programs is “priceless.”
Committed to promoting wellness and healthy living, the center offers an Educational and Wellness Program that addresses the needs and interests of attendees as they might vary throughout the year. As a complement to the wellness program there is a Walking Club that meets each Thursday morning. The walk starts at Cooper’s Cave Park in South Glens Falls and follows the Betar Byway. For disabled and 55-plus residents of South Glens Falls and Moreau who need a ride to their appointments there is the Dial-A-Bus option. Transportation to the center is required but the bus will take people to medical appointments, social and recreational events, and daily errands. This year, through a grant, the center was able to purchase a new bus. For more information about the programs and services available at the Moreau Community Center go to moreaucommunitycenter.org.
“Our primary challenge today is identifying sufficient resources to meet our needs and not refuse service to anyone,” she said. “Another challenge is getting the message out what our organization does to address the needs of this community.”
There are major fund-raising events throughout the year and a new program is coming up in partnership with Posey Peddlar, she said.
“It’s called Blooms of Hope,” she said. “Proceeds from every bouquet purchased at Posey Peddlar or on our website through this program will support LifeWorks programming,” she said.
“Lady Bird Johnson said, ‘Where flowers bloom, so does hope,’” Nowhitney said. “The blooming metaphor evolved from our fund-raising and our conversations about what we aspire to do.”
Nowhitney continues to see a widening gap between people with sufficient resources and those who cannot achieve economic stability. LifeWork’s whole family approach looks at all aspects of people’s lives, from employment, food, education, and housing to their health and well-being.
“Another of our goals is to build awareness of the human services network of local organizations similar to ours so we build connections and bring together resources,” she said. “In doing this we are not only changing people’s lives, but also building a stronger community.”
LifeWorks is always looking for volunteers, donations, and community partnerships, Nowhitney said. Learn how to assist the nonprofit at www.lifeworksaction.org.
REGIONAL STOCKWATCH
18 DIVISION ST.-SUITE 305, SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY 12866 (518) 584-2555
and customer demand. Construction of the new fab will leverage the GF site’s existing infrastructure and ecosystem, enabling a fast and efficient path from construction to production.
In aggregate, these projects represent more than $13 billion of investment over the next 10plus years across GF’s two U.S. sites. Th is investment includes the $1.5 billion CHIPS and Science Act award, more than $550 million in support from the New York State Green CHIPS Program, as well as funding and support from Vermont, GF ecosystem partners and key strategic customers, and other incentives.
Combined, these investments are expected to create close to 1,000 direct manufacturing jobs and more than 9,000 construction jobs over the life of these projects.
GF’s fabs in New York and Vermont are both Trusted Foundry accredited and manu-
facture secure chips in partnership with the U.S. government.
As part of its CHIPS and Science Act award, to attract and cultivate a pipeline of semiconductor talent in New York and Vermont, GF will continue to invest in and develop new workforce development efforts including curriculum development, internship and apprenticeship programs, K-12 STEM outreach, as well as additional education and training programs.
Consistent with GF’s longstanding commitment to our communities and the environment, GF’s design and construction plans for its expansions and modernizations in New York and Vermont will reflect the company’s sustainability goals for future operations.
For more information, visit GlobalFoundries’ website.
Clinton Street
Continued From Page 1
or to offer to purchase the property. Their attempts went unanswered. Neighbors expressed concern that the buildings would be lost when they saw the red X’s appear on the buildings, indicating that the buildings were unsafe for first responders to enter.
In September, local builder Dave Trojanski acquired the property with the intention of redeveloping it with a single-family residence. Upon learning that Trojanski purchased it, the Foundation contacted him to see if he would be willing to sell, sharing with him the significance of 130 Clinton Street. He was unaware that the property had been on the Foundation’s endangered list or of the importance of 130 Clinton Street.
“My wife Sarah and I are pleased to have had the opportunity to sell 128 and 130 Clinton Street to the Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation. Preserving Saratoga’s historic character and ensuring that these properties contribute to the community’s cultural and architectural heritage is something we value deeply. We look forward to seeing the Foundation’s vision for the properties come to life,” said Trojanski.
The Foundation did not anticipate taking on another project prior to selling 65 Phila Street, the 1851 Alexander A. Patterson House on which they recently completed environmental abatement, stabilization, and exterior restoration because it would need the net proceeds from the sale to be able to purchase another property.
“Timing was of the essence. We did not want to lose these two small cottages to demolition,” said Bosshart. “We were incredibly fortunate to again secure private financing from Elisa and Mark Haworth to acquire the property,” she continued.
“Elisa and I are delighted to support this innovative approach to preserving key aspects of the city’s past. I am especially pleased that this project will save small, unassuming cottages, showing the breadth
of the historic resources that are worthy of preservation,” said Mark Haworth.
“The Foundation acquiring this property helps to ensure that an intact row of early small worker housing on Clinton Street between Pine Alley and Alger Street is preserved,” said Bosshart.
This is an area that is not located in a local historic district and is seeing demolition of buildings. “Our hope is that it will encourage others to see the value in these smaller historic homes and inspire them to preserve them,” said Michele Funiciello, president of the Foundation.
“My husband, Matt, and I have lived on Clinton Street for almost 30 years and have seen a lot of changes in the neighborhood, not always for the better. Cottages are being torn down for larger homes to be built in their place, changing the character of Clinton Street. We are so happy to see these two cottages be preserved and not demolished,” said Theresa Geleta.
Since purchasing the property, Foundation volunteers have been busy cleaning out the houses and clearing the overgrown backyard, resulting in more than 50 yards of debris being removed thus far. Soon a dead tree will be removed by Dulmer Tree Surgeons and Arborists, which is donating their services. Thompson Fleming Land Surveyors provided the property survey in-kind, which will assist with developing plans for the buildings. Allerdice Building Supply has again agreed to provide a generous discount on building materials in support of the project. The Foundation is in the early stages of evaluating the structures and determining next steps for the project.
“The Foundation will need the support of the community to see these two cottages preserved,” said Funiciello.
To donate to the Clinton Street Comeback Campaign and to get updates on the project, visitwww.saratogapreservation.org or call (518) 587-5030.
Retirement Planning
Business Report
What should you know about RMDs?
PROVIDED BY ERIC SNELL
You may spend many decades contributing to your IRA and 401(k), but eventually you will likely need to take the money out — in fact, you must take the money out or face penalties. What should you know about these mandatory withdrawals?
Here are some of the basics:
• What are they called? Mandatory withdrawals are technically called required minimum distributions, or RMDs.
• When must I take RMDs? If you were born before 1951, you’ve probably already begun taking RMDs. If you were born between 1951 and 1959, your RMD age is 73. And if you were born in 1960 or later, your RMD age is 75. You can postpone accepting your fi rst RMD until April 1 of the year after you reach your RMD age, but this will result in two RMDs for the year. After you take your fi rst RMD, you must take subsequent ones by December 31 of each year.
• What penalties will be assessed if I don’t take all my RMDs? For every dollar not withdrawn, the IRS will charge a 25% penalty, but this can drop to 10% if you subsequently withdraw the correct amount within two years.
• Which accounts have RMDs? RMDs apply to traditional IRAs, as well as other types of IRAs, including SIMPLE and SEP IRAs. RMDs don’t apply to Roth IRAs. RMDs also apply to traditional 401(k)s, but not Roth 401(k)s.
• Can I withdraw more than the RMD for any given year? Yes, you are free to take out as much as you want. However, if you take out more than the RMD for one year, you can’t apply the excess to the RMD for the next year.
• How are RMDs calculated? Typically, your RMDs are determined by dividing your account balance from the prior December 31 by a life expectancy factor published by the IRS. Your fi nancial professional should be able to perform this calculation for you.
• If I have multiple accounts, do I have to take an RMD from each one? If you are taking RMDs from a traditional IRA, you must calculate each RMD individually, but you can take the total amount from one or more IRAs. If you’re taking RMDs from a 401(k) or simi-
lar plan, you must take the RMD from each of your accounts.
• How are RMDs taxed? You are typically taxed at your income tax rate on the amount of the withdrawn RMD. You may be able to avoid taxes in a particular year if you transfer your RMDs to a qualified charity in what’s known as a qualified charitable distribution.
• If I inherit an IRA or 401(k), am I subject to RMDs? Yes. When you take RMDs from an inherited account, you generally must withdraw all the funds within 10 years, as opposed to over your lifetime, which is the RMD window that applies to your own accounts. The rules are somewhat different if you inherit an IRA or 401(k) from your spouse. In any case, though, you’ll want to consult with your tax advisor about how to take RMDs from an inherited account.
If you’re already subject to RMDs, be sure you’ve taken them before the year ends. And if you haven’t yet started taking RMDs, learn as much as you can about them — because the more you know, the more likely you’ll make the right moves at the right time. is article was written by Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor.
Business Report
Securing Your Retirement Future
BY DAVID KOPYC
Retirement, once a distant dream, can quickly become a tangible reality. As you navigate the complexities of modern life, it’s crucial to prioritize financial planning to ensure a comfortable and secure retirement.
Understanding Your Retirement Needs
The first step in effective retirement planning is to assess your financial needs. Consider the following factors:
• Desired Lifestyle: What kind of lifestyle do you envision in retirement? Will you travel extensively, pursue hobbies, or volunteer?
• Healthcare Costs: Factor in potential healthcare expenses, including insurance premiums, prescription drugs, and long-term care.
• Inflation: Account for the impact of inflation on your future spending power.
• Dependency Ratios: If you plan to support dependents, include their needs in your calculations.
To determine the amount you need to save, you can use various retirement calculators or consult with a financial advisor. Here are some key factors to consider:
• Time Horizon: The longer your investment horizon, the more time your savings have to grow.
• Expected Rate of Return: Estimate the average annual return on your investments.
• Social Security Benefits: Factor in the potential income you will receive from Social Security.
• Pension Income: If you have a pension, include it in your calculations.
Building a Robust Retirement Portfolio
A well-diversified investment portfolio is essential for long-term financial security. Consider the following investment strategies:
• Employer-Sponsored Retirement Plans: Take advantage of employer-sponsored retirement plans like 401(k)s or 457 plans.
• Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs): Traditional and Roth IRAs offer tax advantages for retirement savings.
• Stocks and Bonds: Invest in a mix of stocks and bonds to balance risk and return.
To accelerate your retirement savings, consider these strategies:
• Automatic Contributions: Set up automatic contributions to your retirement accounts to ensure consistent savings.
• Employer Matching Contributions: Take full advantage of employer matching contributions to boost your savings.
• Consolidate Retirement Accounts: Simplify your financial life by consolidating multiple retirement accounts into a single account. Protecting Your Retirement Assets
To safeguard your retirement savings, implement the following strategies:
• Diversification: Spread your investments across different asset classes to reduce risk.
• Rebalancing: Periodically rebalance your portfolio to maintain your desired asset allocation.
• Risk Management: Consider purchasing insurance products like long-term care insurance
• Real Estate: Explore real estate investments, such as rental properties or real estate investment trusts (REITs). Strategies for Maximizing Retirement Savings
David Kopyc, president of Retirement Planning Group LLC in Saratoga Springs. Courtesy Retirement Planning Group LLC
Eric Snell, nancial advisor with Edward Jones Financial in Saratoga Springs. Courtesy Edward Jones
Chuck Ciaccia
Gosh
Agan
Dennis Choiniere 49 years
Hinman Construction Is Honored With A Chrysalis Award For Remodeling Project
Continuing to set new standards of professionalism, Ballston Spa-based Hinman Construction is among 72 companies from across the United States to be named winners at the 2024 Chrysalis Awards for Remodeling Excellence.
The award recognizes a bathroom remodel in the $50,000-$75,000 category in a 1960s VanPatten Hanover model home in Clifton Park. Hinman doubled the size of the master bathroom, upgraded to two sinks, full size shower, heated tile floor, jewelry storage and an expansive amount of built in storage.
The entries were judged on overall design, the creative use of space and materials, and the degree to which the project enhanced the original structure.
Added attention to design and planning prior to construction sets the stage for a well coordinated comfortable remodel. While removals, relocations, repairs and upgrades are
Personnel Briefs
Continued From Page 2
The Arrow Family of Companies is pleased to announce that its subsidiary bank, Saratoga National Bank and Trust Company, has welcomed Elizabeth Catizone as Branch Manager of its Troy Office and Lindsey Keeler as Branch Manager of its West Avenue Office.
As branch managers, Catizone and Keeler are responsible for overseeing the daily operations of the branch and meeting the financial needs of the community.
Catizone has more than four years of banking experience, most recently as a branch manager of Trustco Bank. Active in her community, Catizone volunteers for Albany Rotary Club, Regional Food Bank and Trinity Baptist Church.
Keeler has 20 years of banking experience, as a teller and a regional operations manager supporting an average of 30 branches for nearly 15 years.
familiar to Hinman, it can overwhelm a client. In this case they provided guidance with selections, ordered all related items and scheduled all phases. They worked together to ensure the remodel met the needs and goals of their client, with plenty of designs to help them visualize every step. They went from cramped and crowded to an open modern farmhouse feel with much more storage than they had previously.
“To win an award in this highly competitive category is quite an achievement,” said Ken Kanline, director of the awards.
The Chrysalis Awards program, begun in 1994, recognizes the nation’s best work in 14 general categories of residential and commercial remodeling. The awards are open to every professional remodeler and design professional in the United States.
For more information about the Chrysalis Awards, go to ken@buildingsongs.com
Most recently, Keeler served as financial center manager at Berkshire Bank.
The Arrow Family of Companies is pleased to announce the promotion of Lisa Wichelns to Vice President, Branch Manager of the Saratoga Main Office for its subsidiary Saratoga National Bank and Trust Company.
Wichelns is responsible for overseeing the daily operations of the branch and meeting the financial needs of the community. She brings 18 years of financial services experience to Saratoga National Bank, most recently as West Avenue Branch Manager and previously in mortgage lending and bank management.
Wichelns is a member of the Saratoga Economic Development Corporation and volunteers for the American Red Cross Adirondack Saratoga Chapter. She is a graduate of the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce Executive Institute and is a former board member of the Stillwater Community Center.
She is originally from Albany and currently lives in Stillwater.
Th ird Generation Takes Parillo’s Sausage To The Next Level With Ambitious Expansion Plans
BY ROD BACON
After a hiatus due to the untimely passing of its owner, Parillo’s Sausage is in the process of being rebranded and expanded.
The 73-year-old business was closed in January due to the inability of secondgeneration owner Marc Parillo to operate it because of ill health. Marc’s daughter, Marisa Rahman, officially reopened it in November and is in the process of significantly expanding its market. In the interim she sold the company’s proprietary spices online, something her father never did.
“I obviously know the recipes so I sold the spices on my own,” she said. “I built a website and sold them on Etsy and they did pretty well.”
Rahman, who is currently employed full-time as a partner/sales director for a software company, has been involved with Parillo’s Sausage since she was 10 years old. At that age she wasn’t making sausage but over the years when her father suffered a couple of heart attacks she ran the business totally on her own.
“That’s why it wasn’t hard for me to pick it up now and run with it,” she said.
The business was started in 1951 by Rahman’s grandparents, Joseph and Ruth Parillo, in their garage on Elbern Street in Saratoga. In 1971 they purchased the building at 90 Washington Street in what is now a historic district of Saratoga Springs.
The Parillo family had a sausage business in Italy and some of the recipes could have originated with them. In any case, the recipes have been modified over the years to conform to market trends. Marc, for example, completely removed the sugar from the breakfast sausage and some special spices have been made a bit more spicy.
“The recipes have definitely changed
but I wouldn’t say there’s been a dramatic change,” Rahman said.
The company’s signature offerings include sweet and hot Italian links, bulk sausage, and breakfast sausage. These are complemented by their proprietary seasoning blends that have been perfected over generations.
Throughout the company’s history their commercial customers have been primarily in Saratoga and Warren counties. They provide products to seven Hannaford Supermarkets as well as restaurants and pizza parlors in the area. Longtime clients include Mama Mia’s, the Barrelhouse, West Side Sports Bar & Grill, Country Corner, Pope’s Pizza, and Pizza Etc. There are also a handful of diners in Warren County.
“Poopy’s diner uses a lot of sausage,” Rahman noted.”
Rahman has ambitious goals to expand well beyond the local area. Her business plan, which she wrote with he help of Matt Hosek, a business advisor at the Small Business Development Corp. at the University at Albany, includes establishing national distribution and exporting to Canada.
Locally, she plans to strengthen wholesale connections with restaurants and grocery stores, modernize her facility to conform with USDA standards, expand retail sales and product offerings, and grow online sales by launching direct-to-consumer e-commerce with a focus on highdemand regions for Italian cuisine.
While the company’s tried-and-true recipes will still be available, new offerings will include leaner, lower sodium varieties; possibly plant-based options; and seasoning packs which are currently available online.
To provide retail sales, Rahman converted a small office into a space containing shelves holding seasoning packs. She plans to install a small glass-door refrigerator to sell sausages and possibly some cheeses. At first, this area will be open three days a week when the sausage is being made.
Currently, Rahman and her daughter, Alexa, comprise the entire staff. In addition to helping her mother make sausage, Alexa, who will start law school next year, is the company’s legal advisor and bookkeeper.
“I don’t know what I’m going to do when she goes to school,” Rahman said. “She’s been awesome and I’m going to be lost when she leaves.”
In the not too distant future Rahman is going to have to hire a part-time employee that may turn into a full-time position. While part of the process is mechanized, there is a fair amount of manual labor involved. The knowledge of how to use butcher knives is paramount as well as the physical strength to lift a 58.2-pound container of ingredients over one’s head and put them into the hopper, where they come out of the grinder at the other end. It is then mixed by hand before being pushed through a shoot, put into a bucket and then into the stuffer for the final process of creating either link or bulk sausage that
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BY ROD BACON
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 51.6 million Americans suffer from chronic pain. That is 21 percent of the U.S. population. Of that number, 17.1 percent experience what is termed “high impact” chronic pain, which is defined as pain that persists most days or every day for three months or more and significantly limits their daily activities.
Locally, Charles F. Gordon III, MD, has been addressing this problem for over 20 years at his health care clinic, New York Pain Management, which he founded in 2003 after three years as head of Glens Falls Hospital’s Pain Management Center. He decided he wanted to practice full-time pain management without having duties as an anesthesiologist because he realized that patients suffering from chronic pain required one hundred percent of his energy and attention. After exploring options with the hospital it was determined that starting his own practice would result in a more immediate outcome and enable him to care for those in chronic pain more expeditiously.
His first clinic, which he ran for five years, was in Latham because he had a 50-mile non-compete agreement with the hospital. However, he had developed a strong following in the Glens Falls area so when he could he closed the Latham facility and opened one in Clifton Park so his patients could continue to see him. That facility, the Northway Surgery & Pain Center, is now their primary location and the site of the most complicated procedures. As demand for their services increased they opened a satellite clinic in Clifton Park and another in Glens Falls. Minor operations and some injections are performed at these sites, many by nurse practitioners.
As the business grew so did the staff, which now numbers 15 including Dr. Gordon. The team includes several nurse practitioners, an operating room nurse, a medical technician, a radiologic technologist, as well as front office and support staff. While his trained nurse practitioners perform many of the less complicated functions, Dr. Gordon is involved with every patient throughout
the treatment plan. He estimates that he and his staff perform more than 4,000 procedures a year.
His patients run the gamut from young adults to senior citizens.
“As people age many develop painful conditions but they don’t want them to control their lives,” he said. “I have patients who have worked hard at their careers and now want to enjoy themselves without pain. I am treating one gentleman who is 101 years old.”
A graduate of Columbia Medical School, Dr. Gordon completed a residency in Anesthesiology at Harvard University School of Medicine and received training in pain management at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston.
Dr. Gordon’s training as an anesthesiologist in Boston piqued his interest in pain management. Instead of general anesthesia for operations the hospital tended to use injections like epidurals or spinals to numb the extremities for some types of procedures.
“When I came to Glens Falls Hospital they needed someone to do epidural injections and offer different injection therapies for pain, and it just evolved into what I’m doing now. I had an affinity for it and the need was obviously there.”
Treatments offered at the clinics include regenerative medicine, treatment for sports and joint pain, treatment for neck and back pain, and pain management.
Regenerative medicine is a rapidly expanding discipline that helps repair parts of the body that no longer function as well as they should due to injury or natural aging. It is the process of helping living tissue to repair or replace tissue that no longer works due to disease, age, damage, or birth defects. It also helps regrow bone and connective tissue to repair bones and ligaments.
Common injuries that can benefit from regenerative therapies include runner’s knee, muscle tears and strains, tendonitis, golf and tennis elbows and degenerative joint conditions. Typical treatments include PRP injections and joint gel injections.
There are 8.6 million sports related injuries ev-
Parillo's Sausage
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is put into bags.
“When my daughter and I put the mixture into the hopper we have to cut it in half to lift in up there,” Rahman confided. Rahman’s mother, Cheryle, who had been the bookkeeper for Marc, wanted to close the business permanently when her husband died and at first Rahman agreed with her. But then she had what she calls “an epiphany” and decided she had to keep the business going.
“I wanted to honor my dad,” she said. “He did an amazing job of growing the business and having the customer base he had and it was just too hard for me to let it go.”
To start to process of rebranding the business she first contacted Greg Connors, president of Saratoga Economic Development Corporation. SEDC has a small business startup initiative and Connors introduced her to Hosek at UAlbany. Hosek met with her several times while he and his research librarians helped her put together her business plan.
“It’s an ongoing process,” Hosek said. “I’m sure we’ll have other meetings as she moves forward with her plan.”
They were able to show her that market analysts predict that the sausage market will grow substantially in the coming years with a focus on natural, healthier options. U.S. market revenue is estimated to reach $23.4 billion this year.
“When Parillo’s closed, it seemed quite traumatic for people who had liked them over the year’s,” Connors said. “I think the economic impact for that niche market will be significant.”
Rahman agrees. “My mother transferred the business to me and I want to blow it out of the park,” she said.
For more information about the offerings of Parillo’s Sausage go to https:// parillosausage.com
Business Value
As someone who has sold businesses for over 20 years (including my own), one question I often get asked is, “What can I do to increase the value of my business as I prepare for retirement and a sale?” The short answer is to increase cash flow as that is the primary determinant of value. However, many other factors and intangible characteristics will significantly increase value, as well.
Cleaning up financial records so that your operating statements, balance sheets, and other financials reflect true business operations. Poorly maintained financial records will make the sale of your business much more difficult.
Demonstrate recurring revenue by establishing contracts with customers that renew year over year. These are the gold standard with buyers.
Empower your employees so that the business is less dependent on you, and will continue to operate smoothly long after you’re gone.
You also want to continue to operate your business as if you’re not planning to leave. Keep your systems and equipment up to date, and avoid letting the business lag. Any decline in performance can hinder sales prospects.
ThielGroup is a business advisory service that provides brokerage, M&A, and valuation services throughout upstate New York and New England.
Interested in discussing how we can help you sell your business? Give me a call. I have been selling companies for over 20 years!
(518) 599-0219
kthiel@thielgroup.com www.thielgroup.com
mergers & acquisitions, valuations, advisory
Kathlene Thiel, MBA, CVA M&A Master Intermediary
Dr. Charles F. Gordon III, MD of New York Pain Management talks with a patient about pain management for a leg injury.
Courtesy NYPM
Continued From Page 1
make a go of it. This is Raven’s third year in business and by all accounts it’s full steam ahead.
“I’ve pretty much worked in every aspect of railroading,” he said. “That’s why we’re successful here. My fi rst summer job in high school when I was 17, 18 years old was spiking tracks over in Greenwich for the Battenkill Railroad.”
Later, he worked for Canadian Pacific Railway, became a locomotive engineer and eventually moved up to division superintendent for Pan Am Railways, a subsidiary of CSX, in charge of all operations between Rotterdam and Boston.
Raven said his railway has flourished, unlike previous ones, because of its close ties to the community.
“Its a different business model,” he said. “What we do differently is work with all the local businesses, use local products and do local fund-raisers.”
On Nov. 16, the railway made a special run for Operation Toy Train, giving people a chance to donate gift s for underprivileged children at multiple stops where crowds enjoyed live music and free taste treats.
“Its a lot different when it’s run by somebody who was born and raised here instead of sitting in a corporate office in Chicago,” Raven said. “There aren’t too many places where the president, owner and CEO is on almost every single train, fi xing engines, fi xing the track, being out there every day. Its a very hands-on approach. You have to know how to do it all to have a small railroad like this.”
The fun continues later this winter with a Valentines Day ride called the Wine and Chocolate Train, followed by St. Patricks and Easter Bunny trips, the Maple in April Hadley Express and a Mothers Day Tea & Brunch Train.
The full season begins on Memorial Day Weekend and continues through summers with all kinds of special excursions such as dinner trains, Sunday Funday Sundae and Sunset Limited Beer & Wine trains, and both a Pizza and Moonlight Moonshine Express.
After Labor Day its time for the Pumpkin Picker and Autumn Explorer, leading right back into the holidays.
The railway also allows cyclists to park cars at the Corinth station, bike south and load bikes on the train for a trip back to their vehicle.
Part-time employees such as Andrew Leece, of Glenville, help out because of their love for railroading. “My great-grandfather and my
fathers uncle worked for the Erie Lackawana out of Susquehanna, Pennsylvania,” he said.
“There’s a lot of history with this line. It started out bringing wealthy people from New York City to their Great Camps in the Adirondacks. Teddy Roosevelt took this line to become president after President McKinley was shot.”
“So we’re not only preserving railroad history, but the history of the Adirondacks and our country as well,” Leece said.
Raven started out with one locomotive and two cars, but to keep up with demand has expanded to six locomotives and 13 cars, as many rides are booked solid.
He purchased equipment with savings and some revenue from a separate business, Adirondack Cruise & Charter Company, which offers pontoon boat rides on Saratoga Lake.
“A lot of it was knowing people in the industry,” he said. “I was able to orchestrate a lot of deals and trades.”
Some locomotives are on other properties, leased out to freight operations, which also generates income.
The future?
Previous companies on this rail line went all the way to North Creek. But track north of Corinth is owned by Warren County.
A fi rm called Revolution Rail offers rail bike adventures out of North Creek, but the Warren County portion of track hasn’t had train traffic since Saratoga & North Creek Railway ceased operations several years ago.
Raven said he’d like to partner with Revolution Rail some day, but for now his main focus is doing the best job possible on his section of track.
“Were both in the tourism business,” he said. “It makes a lot of sense to do things that keep this great asset in place. But we have a nice little home base right here in Corinth. That works good for us right now.”
Warren County officials have discussed the possibility of tearing up their track, costing an estimated $30 million, and replacing it with a multi-purpose recreation trail.
Raven is strongly opposed to the idea.
“Busloads of people come here,” he said. “We get groups of special needs kids and seniors. A bike trail is only going to serve a group of elite people. Who’s going to cycle deep into the Adirondacks where you don’t even have cell phone coverage? Certainly not a family with kids, certainly not seniors; not special needs groups.
“Train rides make the beauty of the Adirondacks available to a broader audience,” he said. “Its important to keep this asset intact. Once you lose the infrastructure its gone.”
For information go to: www.corinthtrain. com
e Saratoga Area Abounds With Great Food & Drink Options
Salt & Char
Saratoga Springs, NY
Salt & Char is a Modern American Steakhouse with an inviting and stylish atmosphere that creates the perfect dining experience. Step inside or join us on the veranda for second to none views of Broadway while dining for lunch or dinner.
e Brook Tavern
Saratoga Springs, NY
Just a short walk from the Saratoga Race Course and walking distance from Congress Park, The Brook Tavern is a favorite neighborhood gathering spot nestled at the intersection of Union and Nelson Ave., right in the heart of historic Saratoga Springs.
Lake Ridge Restaurant
Round Lake, NY
Only minutes away from Saratoga Lake, we're the food critics' choice (4.5 out of 5 stars), offering first-rate Continental cuisine in an elegant setting. Exceptional food, great prices and friendly service will keep you coming again and again.
e Wishing Well Restaurant
Gansevoort, NY
The Wishing Well is an award-winning restaurant in Gansevoort, serving the region's finest selection of premium steaks, live lobsters, fresh seafood, and wines. Stone fireplaces, a piano bar, and attentive service are hallmarks of this dining spot.
e Diamond Club Restaurant
Saratoga Springs, NY
The Diamond Club Restaurant at Embassy Suites is where the world meets in Saratoga to discover a premier dining experience, the region's best happy hour, and top-notch service in a setting you'd never expect.
Morrissey's Lounge & Bistro
Saratoga Springs, NY
Morrissey's Lounge & Bistro in Saratoga Springs is located within The Adelphi Hotel and is the perfect place for good food, drinks, and conversation. They offer an all day menu and three unique dining areas.
Harvey's Restaurant and Bar
Saratoga Springs, NY
At Harvey's Restaurant and Bar, we are proud to be at the forefront of hospitality in the downtown Saratoga region! We are strongly committed to providing only the freshest ingredients, the highest quality of customer service, and daily specials that you won’t find anywhere else.
Wheat elds Restaurant
Saratoga Springs, NY
You can't go wrong with freshly made pasta prepared right on-site using local ingredients! But Wheatfields is much more than pasta: Patrons rave about the hand-stretched pizza, the salmon entrée, and the fried calamari appetizer, to name a few.
e Hideaway
Saratoga Springs, NY
The Hideaway at Saratoga Lake Golf Club is open to the public seven days a week and features a menu with something for everyone. Indoor and outdoor seating is available, and they offer a banquet space for weddings and events.
e Adelphi Wine & Beer Garden
Saratoga Springs, NY
Located at The Adelphi Hotel in downtown Saratoga Springs, the Adelphi Wine & Beer Garden offers sommelier-selected wines, delicious craft beer, and the region’s most inventive and flavorful sushi.
Chez Pierre
Gansevoort, NY
Experience the very best in Country French cuisine and fine dining at Chez Pierre Restaurant, conveniently located on Route 9 in Wilton NY, just minutes north from downtown Saratoga Springs.
e Wine Bar
Saratoga Springs, NY
Looking for a great bar in Saratoga Springs? Look no further. With their selection of 50 wines by the glass in combination with a full bar and separate smoking lounge, The Wine Bar offers the perfect place to unwind in the Spa City.
9 Miles East
Saratoga Springs, NY
9 Miles East in Saratoga Springs uses highquality ingredients to create delicious pizza and fun farm food with big flavors from around the world. They serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner in a friendly, casual setting.
e Local Pub and Teahouse
Saratoga Springs, NY
Nestled in the historic Dublin neighborhood of downtown Saratoga Springs, The Local Pub and Teahouse is your friendly neighborhood bar/restaurant serving up traditional English and Irish specialties as well as local craft beers and organic teas.
Courtesy of Saratoga.com
Continued From Page 11
to protect against unexpected expenses.
• Tax Planning: Work with a tax professional to minimize your tax liability in retirement. Planning for Ful lling Retirement
Beyond financial planning, consider these aspects of retirement:
• Healthcare: Research healthcare options and explore Medicare benefits.
• Housing: Decide whether to downsize, relocate, or age in place.
• Social Activities: Plan for social engagement and volunteer opportunities.
• Estate Planning: Create a comprehensive
Pain Management
Continued From Page 13
ery year in the United States that affect 34 out of every 1,000 people. Injuries can include those to the knee/hip, shoulder, elbow, hand/wrist, and ankle/ foot. Treatments can include steroid injections, gel injections, epidural injections, nerve blocks, discography, radiofrequency denervation, spinal cord stimulation, kyphoplasty for vertebral fractures, and regenerative medicine including platelet-rich plasma therapies (PRP).
According to Dr. Gordon, spine-related pain is common, with low back pain affecting up to 80 percent of the population. Neck and back pain can occur in the neck, the mid- and upper-back, the low back, and the sacroiliac and coccyx.
Treatments for these problems include epidural steroid injection, mild procedure for lumbar spinal stenosis, kyphoplasty for cancer-damaged vertebrae or some spinal fractures, facet blocks for joint pain, spinal cord stimulation, and sacroiliac (SI) joint injection/SI fusions for sacroiliac joint dysfunction. Other problems that can be treated at the clinic are disc herniations, sciatica, spinal stenosis, and lumbar decompression and discectomy. Dr. Gordon recommends contacting the clinic for complete information on these procedures.
Dr. Gordon’s practice encompasses a wide geographic area that stretches from its hub in Saratoga County east to Rutland, Vt., north to the Canadian border, south to Latham, and west to Amsterdam. He works with primary care physicians and chiropractors to give his patients the best possible care.
estate plan to ensure your assets are distributed according to your wishes.
Seeking Professional Advice
A qualified financial advisor can provide personalized guidance and tailored strategies to help you achieve your retirement goals. Consider consulting with an advisor to develop a comprehensive retirement plan. By taking proactive steps and making informed decisions, you can secure a comfortable and fulfilling retirement. Start planning today and enjoy the peace of mind that comes with financial security.
Originally from Philadelphia, Dr. Gordon is a diehard Eagles fan. “Eagles supporters will hunt you down if you quit on them,” he joked.
He and his wife moved to Upstate New York because they loved the outdoor activities the area offers. Avid skiers, the family started at Gore, transitioning to Killington because Gore doesn’t have a competitive mogul program. When their daughter, Abrianna, who is now 18, became interested in this kind of skiing they encouraged her to follow her dream. She has been accepted at Northwestern University in Boston but has deferred enrolling to ski competitively for the Park City, Utah, mogul team. Her goal is to get an invitation to the NorAm Circuit and see where that leads her.
Abrianna’s twin brother, Kyle, is a freshman at St. Joseph’s University in Philadelphia studying food marketing. He is also on the school’s rowing team.
Their oldest son, Caleb, is the manager of the marina at Lago by Druthers on Saratoga Lake. He has also worked at Harris Bay Marina on Lake George.
A third son, Carter, is working in sales for a startup company.
The family has a boat on Saratoga Lake, and several times each summer they trailer it north and camp on Lake George. His wife’s family is lives on Long Island and they occasionally take their boat there to explore the North Fork of Long Island.
Never one to sit around, Dr. Gordon is also an avid cyclist who rides whenever his schedule allows, weather permitting.
For more information about the therapies Dr. Gordon and his team can provide go to nypainfree. com.
ATTENTION WRITERS
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Writing for the Glens Falls and Saratoga Business Journals will get you out into the world interviewing interesting members of your community and getting paid for it.
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