This week in Hometown News, Gordon has the scoop what voting will look like here in November, an update on two women who are racing to be the first to summit all 46 High Peaks the fastest, how to support the Brant Lake Bike Park Expansion, and lots more!
What’s the Deal With Voting in November?
With all of this talk about voting by mail, what’s voting going to look like around here come November?
We asked Beth McLaughlin, the Democratic Commissioner of the Warren County Board of Elections, for some answers.
Basically, you have three options:
• You can vote on Tuesday, Nov. 3, at your regular polling place
• You can vote by absentee ballot. Applications are available for download here
• You can vote early, starting Saturday, Oct. 24, and running through Sunday, Nov. 1
“On Election Day, all poll sites will be opened from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.,” Ms. McLaughlin said. “We are preparing for a very busy day.”
“At this very moment voters must apply for an absentee with a paper application. These may be downloaded from our website [ download here ]. They will need to be mailed back to us or dropped off in our drop box in the foyer of the Human Services Building.”
Governor Cuomo has signed a bill to allow voters the right to request an absentee ballot due to risk of illness to themselves or others. The deadline to request an absentee ballot is October 27.
Early voting in the Warren County Board of Elections Office in the Human Services Building at 1340 State Route 9 in Queensbury, is once again available starting Saturday, Oct. 24, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., and continuing every day through Sunday, Nov. 1. Weekend hours are 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. On Monday, Oct. 26, and Wednesday, Oct. 28, the hours are 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. On the remaining weekdays, the hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
“Our building is still closed,” Ms. McLaughlin said, “but registration forms and absentee applications are available in the foyer of the Human Services Building.”
By the way, if you aren’t yet registered to vote, you must do so by October 9 - voter registration forms are available for download here.
Info: (518) 761-6456 or (518) 761-6457.
Two Women Race To Be First To Hike All 46 High Peaks In One Attempt
Two women ultra runners are racing right now to climb the 46 high peaks of the Adirondacks the fastest.
Sarah Keyes of Saranac Lake, a nurse at Adirondack Health, started at 12:14 a.m. Monday, Aug. 17th, morning near Henderson Lake north of Newcomb, hoping to complete the 150-mile journey in less than 90 hours. Her first four summits were Allen, Santanoni, Couchsachraga and Panther.
Alyssa Godesky, a professional triathlete and ultra-running coach from Virginia, started at 2:40 a.m. Monday near where Ms. Keyes started. She hiked up Seymour, Seward, Donaldson and Emmons to start.
Ms. Keyes believes no woman has ever attempted to summit all 46 high peaks in one attempt. She hopes to finish in less than 90 hours. Both women are being supported throughout their hike.
“We agreed we should just start the same day and make it a ‘race,’ Ms. Keyes told Glens Falls Living. “I’m not sure of her route or what time she’ll be starting but we’ll both start on the 17th.”
Ms. Godesky wrote on her blog, alyssagodesky.com, “As if this wasn’t exciting enough, we are taking it up a notch with this one! Sarah Keyes will also be starting her supported FKT [fastest known time] attempt for the 46 High Peaks on August 17th! We are excited to share our passion of mountains with our followers through this adventure!”
In a quick online interview late Sunday night, she said, “I will have crew with me and pacers on the trail to carry supplies and to help keep me safe, and to keep me company…In ultra running nutrition is the key. I’ll be basically eating the entire time, having portioned out over 20,000 calories in gels, chews and other runner food. Plus I’ll eat real food on top of that. Water I will filter on the trail!”
Ms. Godesky wrote on her blog: "Journeys of this kind are sometimes fast, and sometimes slow. They are hectic, and they are hurry-up-and-wait. They are frustration, happiness, endless rocks and beautiful sunsets."
You can track both hikers as they attempt to set the record. Follow Sarah at https://share.garmin.com/skeyes and Alyssa at https://share.garmin.com/agodesky.
Support The Brant Lake Bike Park Expansion
Drew Cappabianca, the energetic owner of The Hub in Brant Lake, is trying to finish the amazing mountain bike trails above his business on the Mill Pond.
He hopes a Kickstarter campaign can raise $25,000 by Thursday, Aug. 20, at 5:43 p.m. The campaign was closing in on $20,000 as of Wednesday morning.
“We need all hands on deck to hit the goal by Thursday,” Drew wrote. “Remember that Kickstarter is all or nothing. If we don't hit the goal NOTHING gets funded.
“Many other trail systems have yearly dues and user fees around $35-40/year. The Brant Lake Bike Park trails are free and open for you to use at any time. We're just asking for a one-time donation of whatever you can comfortably do.
“On a personal note, if this project doesn't get funded, there will be no ‘next time.’ I've expended an enormous amount of personal money and effort to bring Brant Lake Bike Park to fruition, and if this fundraiser isn't successful, I've got nothing left in the tank to give.”
Mr. Cappabianca started The Hub in 2014. “It’s like a ski lodge or golf clubhouse, but for cycling,” is how he describes it.
In 2016, he bought the 200-plus acres directly behind The Hub. The Brant Lake Bike Park opened in June 2018, with more than three miles of professionally built, single-track trails.
The goal now is to finish the trail. Noted trail designer Steve Ovitt is doing the work. He designed the trails at the Ski Bowl in North Creek, and Gurney Lane in Queensbury.
Check out Brant Lake Bike Park on Facebook here.
Addictions Care Center Plans Men’s Treatment Center In Queensbury
Addictions Care Center of Albany purchased 68 Quaker Road in Queensbury, the former home of Adirondack Orthopedic Physicians & Surgeons, and plans a men’s in-patient drug treatment center there. The non-profit organization paid $750,000 for the 7,800-square-foot building with funding from the state Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services.
The new facility will complement ACCA’s women’s in-patient drug treatment center on Glenwood Avenue in Queensbury.
Adirondack Orthopedic physicians Dr. Doug Petroski and Dr. Carol Fisher have moved to Pruyn Pavilion at Glens Falls Hospital. They are renting office downstairs next to the MRI offices, Debbie Petroski told Glens Falls Living. Adirondack Orthopedic remains independent, and is just renting space in the hospital building, Mrs. Petroski said.
An email to ACCA executive director Keith Stack had not been returned by press time.
Real Housewives Of New Jersey Visit Lake George!
The excitable cast of the Real Housewives of New Jersey television show were in the area last week, and got a tour of Lake George from Tiki Tours on Friday, Aug. 14. Social media posts showed female members of the cast on the boat. A cameraman was also onboard, with more cameras on a pontoon boat nearby. The cast and crew are said to be staying in a private home in Washington County.
Former Home Of The Exchange Cafe Listed For Sale
19 Exchange Street, the former site of the Exchange Cafe and before that Rock Hill Bake House, is for sale for $324,900. Chris and Sarah Patten bought the building and opened the Exchange Cafe after extensive renovations, but the eatery closed in April.
The 2,750-square-foot building has five parking spaces and is zoned commercial. Nicholas Ketter of Realize Brokers and Consultants has the listing. Info: 518-678-4444.
Bowling Centers Open, Gyms Get Okay To Open August 24th
After being closed for four months, bowling centers can now re-open at 50% capacity, with bowlers using every other lane. It is hoped that those restrictions will be relaxed in the coming weeks, which would allow for a smoother transition to league play, which is the lifeblood of bowling centers.
Governor Andrew Cuomo also announced that gyms and fitness centers could reopen on Monday, Aug. 20, at 33% capacity. Masks must be worn at all times, high-end air filters must be used in HVAC systems, and local health departments must inspect facilities before they open or within two weeks of opening, the Governor said.
…And Of Course, A COVID-19 Update
Locally, infection numbers remain stable, but there are some potentially troubling trends to keep an eye on.
Statewide, every region in the state saw their infection positivity rate rise from last Sunday to last Monday. The rates are still well below the 5% benchmark, but it’s something to watch as colleges reopen and schools prepare to reopen.
Also, in Saratoga County, 41% of the positive cases in July were among resides ages 21-39. That’s a problematic trend to be sure.
Warren County was COVID-free as of Tuesday morning, for the first time in more than two months! Count officials said they were “monitoring no new cases or active cases of COVID-19 among county residents as of Tuesday, after five cases that were active as of Monday were deemed recovered,” said a press release.
“Included among them was a case announced earlier this week. That asymptomatic patient was deemed recovered because results of their test were delayed for more than two weeks.
“Test result times vary depending on test site, and in some instances, private laboratories have taken more than two weeks to forward results. In that time period, the infection typically runs its course for those with asymptomatic or mild illness, and the patient is considered recovered if there are no symptoms when the test result is received.
“Tuesday marked the first day since June 17 that Warren County had no resident COVID-19 infections.”
In Washington County, officials are monitoring precautionary quarantines for 192 residents, an increase of 25 people from Monday to Tuesday. There are six active cases and no hospitalizations.
Saratoga County reports 42 active cases as of Monday, down 16 from last week, with two residents hospitalized.
And Essex County said it had its first coronavirus death Tuesday, a nursing home resident in Elizabethtown.
Until next time -
Gordon
