This week in Hometown News, Gordon has the scoop on the reopening of a popular Glens Falls beach, the return of baseball to our little city, the latest from Common Roots and initial plans for their move, and lots more…
Grab Your Beach Towel…
Swimmers in Glens Falls will be able to enjoy a dip in the Hudson River at Haviland’s Cove beach on a limited basis starting Monday, June 29, 2020, Mayor Daniel Hall announced. The beach will open at noon on June 29 and will be open noon to 5 p.m. daily, weather permitting. Vehicle access to the park will be limited to 28 vehicles on a first-come, first-served basis from noon to 5 p.m. daily. Those visiting the park will be required to check in at the gate before being admitted to the park. The swimming area will be restricted to 75 people.
Guidelines for entry will be posted and all who enter the park must adhere to New York State Department of Health mandates for social distancing and wearing of facial coverings. Beach patrons should try to stay six feet apart from others and wear a mask covering nose and mouth when not in the water.
Blankets and/or towels on the beach must be spaced 10 feet apart. The number of swimmers on the beach or in the water at one time will be limited and the limit will be strictly enforced.
Swimming is prohibited when lifeguards are not on duty. Violators face suspension of their park privileges.
For more info: 518-761-3867
Batter Up!
Baseball returns to Glens Falls! The Independent Collegiate Baseball League (ICBL) announces it will launch a four-team collegiate-level league this summer starting July 6 and playing through August 13. The franchises of the Glens Falls Independents, Albany Dutch, Albany Athletics and Amsterdam Mohawks have joined together to play a 30-game season. Teams will play three doubleheaders per week on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays or Saturdays with all league games being played at Shuttleworth Park in Amsterdam and East Field in Glens Falls.
Whitehall’s Steve St. Claire will manage the Independents. For more info: IndependentCollegiateBB@gmail.com.
Community Rallies Around Pete Brock
Sam’s Diner owner Pete Brock, who tirelessly raises money for Operation Santa Claus, has been diagnosed with cancer, and faces months of difficult and expensive treatment. His family and friends have started a GoFundMe page to help with medical expenses. As of Tuesday morning, more than $27,000 had been raised.
His brother John wrote, “Roughly two months ago Peter was diagnosed with malignant melanoma that had spread…In an attempt to locate all affected areas, they put Peter through countless tests and scans. During a PET scan they located cancer in his nasal cavity. This cancer, squamous cell carcinoma of the nasopharyngeal, is thought to be unrelated to the melanoma. The melanoma had spread into his lymph nodes. After more tests, meetings and consultations, it was determined that the best course of action was to remove the tumor in his lymph nodes. The removal operation was completed June 16.
“Because the combination of cancers is so rare, the team of oncologists, surgeons and neurologists have decided the best course of action now is for Peter to undergo additional exams and tests at Albany Med. The team has recommended a series of very expensive and highly toxic treatments. These will include radiation, chemotherapy and immunotherapy, all of which will cost tens of thousands of dollars.
“Peter and his wife Lisa have some insurance to help pay for some of it. 20% will be left up to them to pay. While they have some savings for retirement, which they will use, it will not come close to covering it all.
“That is where we come in. During this epic fight, I want to provide as much comfort to Peter as I can. He is going to be very sick throughout chemo and radiation. Their home is in need of a cooling system and those medical bills just keep adding up.
“Peter is an amazing man. He raises money each year for Operation Santa Claus. He hosts dinners at his small diner on Dix Ave in Glens Falls and asks for donations every single day; last year he helped raise $61,500. Peter donates every cent to put coats, hats and mittens on thousands of area children.”
To donate, click here.
On that note, Coach’s Corner on Saratoga Ave. in South Glens Falls will be holding a benefit spaghetti dinner for Pete Brock and his family on Monday, June 29, from 4 to 8 p.m. For more info: 518-741-6221.
Finish Line is In Sight for Common Roots
Common Roots is in the homestretch of their move from the Temporary Taproom to their new building back at 58 Saratoga Ave in South Glens Falls. Their initial plan will be to offer to-go beer with limited outdoor draft service starting in early July - date TBD. Online ordering for pick-up and home delivery will be continuing indefinitely. Keep an eye on their website for the latest.
What’s Reopening and What’s Not
Gov. Andrew Cuomo says youth soccer can restart early next month. The Governor said “low-risk” athletics — baseball, softball, gymnastics, field hockey, cross country and crew — may resume starting July 6 in areas that are in Phase Three of the state’s reopening plan amid the coronavirus. That includes the Glens Falls region. Also added to the list were water polo, paintball, non-contact lacrosse, swimming and all racket games, among others.
As Phase 4 approaches, New York State has clarified some re-opening policies, and determined that malls, gyms and movie theaters are not yet included among the businesses that can re-open when Phase 4 begins on July 1st. Dates for resumption of these businesses are still to be determined. More info here.
More Campgrounds and Parks Reopen
The NYS Department of Environmental Conservation announced more Region 5 campgrounds and parks, including Prospect Mountain, will be open as of July 1st. Campgrounds to open next week include Glen Island, Hearthstone, Rogers Rock, Paradise Lake, Ausable Point, Beaverkill, Brown Tract Pond, Caroga Lake, Crown Point, Devil’s Tombstone, Eighth Lake, Fish Creek Pond, Forket Lake, and Frontier Town.
“Only existing reservations will be honored at this time. Reservations and walk-in camping are not being accepted at this time,” DEC says. “As part of the COVID-19 guidelines, and for the courtesy of other visitors and our staff, face masks must be worn when outside your campsite area at any place where social distancing cannot be maintained. All patrons shall practice social distancing.
“Only registered campers will be allowed in campground areas, no day visitors will be permitted. In order to assist with enhanced cleaning, Check-in time is now 2pm and Check-out time is 10am.”
For more info: www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/camping.htm
Visitors Welcome…
Glens Falls Hospital has announced that visitation restrictions have been relaxed. Glens Falls Hospital will allow one visitor age 18 years or older to visit a patient between 4 pm and 8 pm each day. A patient may have only one visitor on a particular day, but a different single visitor will be allowed on the next day. Visitors must stay in the patient room for the duration of their visit. All visitors to inpatients must enter at the West Entrance. Visitors should arrive at the hospital with a mask or face covering which must be worn throughout the visit.
“All visitors will be screened for temperature and respiratory symptoms. In accordance with DOH guidelines and current hospital policy, all visitors will be entered into our electronic visitor management system, and they must share a verifiable telephone number in case there is a need for future contact tracing. This is now required of all hospitals who choose to allow visitors.
“Patients arriving for outpatient procedures or surgeries at the hospital may be accompanied by a companion and that companion may remain with the patient through the admission process. They may return to join the patient for the discharge process. Visitors may not be present during procedures or in the recovery room except for pediatric patients, childbirth, and patients with an intellectual, developmental, or other cognitive disability.
“Visitation is also expanded to include the Emergency Department where one unique visitor may accompany the patient during their stay.”
For more info: glensfallshospital.org
Another Cancellation…
The long-anticipated reunion of Dr. Gator’s Medicine Show has been cancelled. It was to have happened on Sept. 19 in Heritage Hall at Cool Insuring Arena in Glens Falls. But because of previous band commitments, it will need to be rescheduled, organizer Mike Sullivan says.
…and of course, COVID-19, County by County
As COVID-19 cases spike in the western and southern United States, here in the Glens Falls region the virus seems to be under control. In Warren, Washington and Saratoga counties, the presence of the coronavirus continues to decrease steadily.
In Warren County, one new case has been diagnosed in 27 days.
Washington County has had very few new cases reported in the last two weeks. No Washington County residents were hospitalized as of Wednesday
Saratoga County reports one person hospitalized as of Wednesday.
