Coastal Society: Moore Family Opens Boutique in French Mountain Commons

Coastal Society, a new boutique where “East Coast prep meets West Coast free spirit with a little bit of saltiness,” is now open in French Mountain Commons on the Million Dollar Half-Mile in Queensbury.

The Moore Family, who owns the retail plaza and also owns The Queensbury Hotel in downtown Glens Falls and the Fairfield Inn in Queensbury, have partnered with Shonna McTiernan in Coastal Society. Mrs. McTiernan created Minky Mink, the funky fashion store downtown, before selling it a few years ago. She is the buyer and creative director of Coastal Society.

She said when Ed and Zack Moore contacted her, “I was not looking for another opportunity to get back into the fashion business. But after my first meeting with them I couldn’t resist. I realized how much I loved being in the fashion industry and missed it.

“It is now showing it was a perfect fit of their idea and my vision.”

Zack Moore, an executive in many of his father Ed’s business ventures, said they were close to a deal to bring Vineyard Vines to French Mountain Commons, but it was never finalized.

“So my dad said, ‘Let’s do it ourselves!’ He had gone into a boutique in Florida that sold Vineyard Vines and Lily Pulitzer and other brands, and he said, ‘Let’s do something like that.’

“With retail going the way it is, it’s up to us to fill the spaces with things people want as things evolve from outlets to mixed use. So it was the type of clothes people wanted, and we knew it would do well, but we didn’t know how to go about it.

“Shonna had an expertise in this so we contacted her and told her that Vineyard Vines was what we wanted and then told her to do her thing. And she took the ball and ran with it.”

The store opened July 1st and Mr. Moore says “Business has been great so far. The store is doing very well and we’re looking forward to the fall and all of the great products that Shonna is bringing in…I think people like it because it doesn’t feel like a chain, you know?”

Mrs. McTiernan said “The store vibe is coastal. The styles and brands we carry are what one would find when you think of yourself on or near the water. The clothes are comfortable and can carry anyone from a day on the water to out for dinner and drinks.”

In the spacious store, Vineyard Vines clothing is mixed with hats from Kiel James Patrick, hand-stitched needlepoint items from Smathers and Branson, and unique totes from Sea Bags, a Maine company that makes bags out of recycled sails from sailboats. They also stock items from Mod Ref, Comune, Hem and Thread, THML and Thread and Supply.

“We stock affordable brands that you can wear when you’re out on the boat, and then wear it out to dinner at night,” she said.

And coming this fall - enjoy a glass of wine or a local draft beer while you shop! A beautiful bar with seating for six sits in the front of the store by the window, and once their beer and wine license comes through, they’ll be pouring wine by the glass as well as serving up drafts from local favorite Common Roots, who will be brewing a yet to be named draft just for Coastal Society. Stay tuned!

Zack Moore and Shonna McTiernan outside Coastal Society

The store is open seven days a week, year-round. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Find more online at www.mycoastalsociety.com.

Special thanks to Finch Paper for making this story possible!

Founded in 1865 and located in the heart of downtown Glens Falls, New York, Finch Paper is an enterprising pulp and paper manufacturer with over 500 employees. We are currently seeking a full-time Customer Satisfaction Representative to support our Sales and Marketing Teams. Click here to visit our career page!

Thanks for supporting the businesses that support Glens Falls Living.

GORDON WOODWORTH

A South Glens Falls native, Gordon Woodworth is a respected and well-connected voice of the community. As a journalist, he has covered the Glens Falls region for more than 20 years. Read his full bio here, and click here to follow along with him on Facebook - he’s always reporting!

Divine Intervention: Priests on a Floating Tiki Bar Rescue Man on Lake George

A man from Albany was saved from possibly drowning in Lake George earlier this month by a Tiki Tours charter carrying seven Catholic priests from the Paulist Fathers.

Jimmy Macdonald, a former amateur boxer who now is a drug treatment counselor, was kayaking along the shore just north of Lake George Village when things started to go badly.

“I was meditating and taking photos and I drifted away from my family,” he told Glens Falls Living. “My wife and two stepkids had taken kayaks out, and I didn’t think I needed the life vest so I kept it in the boat.

“The water was kind of rough that day, and when I tried to get back to my family, I couldn’t make any progress and the kayak kind of tipped over. A couple of people went by me and asked if I needed help, but I had too much pride to ask for help. But then I realized the shore was too far away and I didn’t have any confidence that I would get to shore. So I held onto the boat, with my new $1,400 cellphone in my hand. I wasn’t going to lose that. I was just trying to stay afloat.

“I thought I was going to die. I was absolutely powerless and wished I had asked for help earlier. I was waving my hand and asked God to please help me. I seriously thought I was going to drown. And then, out of the corner of my eye, I saw the Tiki boat.”

Tiki Tours captain Greg Barrett said, “I noticed the paddle about 20 feet from the kayak. There was a strong south wind, and I blew my horn to get his attention. It looked like he was floundering.

“One of the priests heard him yell help, and then I noticed his life preserver was not fitted properly and was up around his neck.

“So Deb Oliveira, our new deckhand on her first day of work, and four of the priests scooped him up onto the bow of the boat. His eyes were the size of silver dollars.”

Jimmy said, “I was so exhausted, I barely could swim to the boat. Deb grabbed my cellphone and then grabbed my hand, and she and the priests pulled me up. They saved my life.”

When he got onboard, he said that he had been sober for seven years, and thought it was ironic that he was rescued by a Tiki boat, which is essentially a floating bar.

“A bar on the water saved my life,” Jimmy said, laughing. “But no one was drinking. It was all priests.

“It was all a bit traumatizing, but I trust that maybe it happened for a reason. I’ve since told the story to others that just like getting sober, I couldn’t do it on my own and trying to fix things myself almost cost me my life until I admitted I was powerless and asked for help.”

Captain Barrett said the priests said a prayer for him, followed by a robust “Amen.”

“Then Jimmy told us he was a recovering heroin addict, so not only was it ironic that he was saved by a Tiki boat, but he was saved by seven priests! It was divine intervention!”

Captain Barrett said the rescue also helped him deal with a past trauma.

“I told Jimmy that by me helping him, he helped me,” he said. “It really is a great story. With everything going on, sometimes good news is needed.”

Jimmy said, “I urge everyone to wear their lifejackets, test them before they go out, and not to go alone. My hope is this story prevents further incidents.”

And in Other News…

Honoring Milk & Honey Owner Ann Parrish

Merchants in downtown Glens Falls will honor Milk & Honey owner Ann Parrish with special discounts on Friday, August 28. “Say the secret words "Milk and Honey" for a surprise deal at participating locations,” said press materials.

“This special shopping day is in honor of Ann Parrish, the proprietor of Milk & Honey, who opened her store at 16 Exchange Street in 2003, back when she was one of only three shops downtown. She is retiring at the end of the month, and the community wants to honor her for her many years of dedication, hard work, and vision that helped make Downtown Glens Falls what it is today.”

Brant Lake Bike Park Expansion is a Go!

A Kickstarter campaign to finish the mountain bike trails above The Hub in Brant Lake was successful, raising $26,333 from 230 backers!

“I'm blown away at the generosity of all of the backers,” owner Drew Cappabianca said in a social media post. “$25,000 was a big goal but that what it takes to get the professionally built machine flow trail that everybody loves. I based the feasibility of achieving the goal on a large number of small donations, but we ended up with relatively few donations from very generous people. The generosity of donations from people that don't ride or live here is equally as astounding. Thank you all again for making this dream come true for the community.”

The final build phase will include “machine-building a new mile of single track, re-routing Constellation to include more machine-built single track, and making machine-built improvements to Stairway To Heaven. 

“Part of the funding is going to match a grant from the Northern Forest Center to conduct a feasibility study on a trail connecting Brant Lake to the Starbuckville Dam, with the ultimate goal of connecting Brant Lake and Chestertown,” he said. “This may be the last phase of trail building at BLBP, but I'm far from done advocating for future trail development.”

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 trails.

Virginia Woman Becomes First To Hike All 46 High Peaks In One Attempt

Alyssa Godesky, a professional triathlete and ultra-running coach from Virginia, set a new Adirondack 46er record, hiking all 46 High Peaks in 88 hours and 16 minutes. Glens Falls Living wrote about her plans last week.

She told Spectrum News that the most difficult part was finding the best route, even if it included some bushwhacking.

Godesky started her hike at 4 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 17, and finished at 8 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 20. She said she slept 11 hours over the four-day journey.

Sarah Keyes of Saranac Lake, a nurse at Adirondack Health, also completed the hike all 46 High Peaks, finishing in 118 hours. She told Glens Falls Living that injuries hampered her effort.

“The extensors in my right foot, which help with stability on uneven terrain, started to bother me on the second day,” she said. “Downhill became excruciating on day 3 and very slow. It was frustrating as I am normally a strong downhill technical runner but was slowed to a crawl, literally at times. Otherwise it was a great adventure, I'd say 90% enjoyable!”

Until next time -
Gordon

GORDON WOODWORTH

A South Glens Falls native, Gordon Woodworth is a respected and well-connected voice of the community. As a journalist, he has covered the Glens Falls region for more than 20 years. Read his full bio here, and click here to follow along with him on Facebook - he’s always reporting!

Hometown News: August 19

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

GORDON WOODWORTH

A South Glens Falls native, Gordon Woodworth is a respected and well-connected voice of the community. As a journalist, he has covered the Glens Falls region for more than 20 years. Read his full bio here, and click here to follow along with him on Facebook - he’s always reporting!

Checking In! The Queensbury Hotel's Amazing Front Desk Transformation

Checking in! The Queensbury Hotel recently updated their front desk, and we can’t get over the stunning transformation! From the brass accents, to the striking black pillars, to the gorgeous marble - the space has completely transformed to give guests and locals alike an amazing first impression. We stopped down to see it for ourselves and chat with general manager Tyler Herrick about the process - see it all below!

On the Past

 Tell us about the history and evolution of the front desk - do you have any idea of what it was like when originally built?

We have some photos that show what the lobby and front desk looked like when the hotel first opened its doors in the 1920s. Originally, before the 1970’s expansion of the Adirondack Room and Pool area, the main entrance to the hotel was off Ridge Street so when you entered the hotel, the front desk was the centerpiece of the lobby and the first thing that greeted you. 

The Queensbury Hotel Front Desk, circa 1930 • Photo provided by The Queensbury Hotel

The original front desk had a large marble countertop that was unfortunately damaged in the 1970s. Rather than replacing the marble, the ownership at that time placed a laminate countertop over the damaged marble. That laminate countertop was still there when we purchased The Q in 2016 and up until this renovation. Also, a lower ceiling and wall was added above the desk sometime in the 70’s and that was something we removed during this renovation to open up the space and make it feel more inviting to guests.

On the Renovation

What was your goal with this renovation?

Our goal for all of our renovation projects is to restore the property back to its 1920’s grandeur and elegance. And we think this restoration did just that.  It brought back the historic pieces of the front desk by exposing the original brass work and matching the original marble to the best of our ability. In removing the additional walls, we were able to expose even more of the original columns and woodwork which got a fresh coat of black and gold paint to make them pop. The lobby was one of the first things we restored after purchased the hotel, and the front desk was always the last piece of the puzzle in that space that needed to be revitalized with some “wow factor”. 

Whether a guest is staying overnight with us, attending a wedding or event or just having drinks in Fenimore’s Pub, the lobby is always a part of their experience in some way, shape or form. In a way, the front desk is a guest’s “first impression” and we all know how important first impressions are. We knew we needed to elevate the design of the front desk, while paying homage to the past, so guests are greeted with a warm welcome and historic hospitality. 

Where did you draw inspiration from?

We have photos of what the front desk looked like in 1926 and tried to match it to the best of our ability, while incorporating some modern touches.

Tell us about the process!

We originally began the design process 8 months ago and for the most part, it was one of the easier projects we have done over the past few years. As always, we try to partner with as many local vendors and businesses as possible in our projects. We’re proud to have worked with Phinney Design Group (Saratoga Springs) on design work, Adirondack Precision Cut Stone (Queensbury) for the Marble, Bergman Custom Casework (Queensbury) for the front desk and storage cabinetry and West End Signs (Hudson Falls) for the custom lettering and signage.

Any surprises along the way?  

One of the biggest obstacles we faced was trying to operate the hotel during the time of construction. We started demo back in April and the space was not usable again until June. We setup a temporary front desk station at the concierge desk in the lobby and luckily our staff is resilient, and our guests were understanding. We knew once the project was complete it would be well worth any temporary inconveniences.

What are some favorite details? 

The brass plated “Q” and Queensbury Hotel lettering is definitely my favorite detail. It is now such a focal piece of the lobby. We are so proud of our name and our brand and the history that comes along with it. The addition of the “est. 1926” shows our guests our longevity and again promotes a feeling of elegance, history and luxury.

On the Future

What’s next - any plans in the works for additional renovations? 

There are always updates and projects in the works here at The Q!

We have plans to build a small sundries shop right next to the front desk where guests can purchase some snacks, beverages, and essentials during their stay with us and possibly even local souvenirs and Queensbury Hotel logo items in the future. We also plan to update the carpeting in the Ballroom & Gold Room.

Then, our next big project will be the Adirondack Ballroom expansion. We have plans and renderings to take our current 2,200 square foot Adirondack Ballroom and enlarge it to 6,000+ square feet of event space that can accommodate events of 400+ people… stay tuned!

The Queensbury Hotel
Website / Facebook / Instagram

Hometown News: August 12

Lots of news this week! Gordon has the scoop on Travers winner Tiz the Law’s local ties, the latest on school reopenings, which events are happening (or not!), and lots more.

Schools Get The OK To Open - Now What?

Local school districts have gotten the preliminary okay to open in September. All plans now must pass muster with the state Department of Health.

There was quite a bit of confusion last week when Governor Andrew Cuomo said school districts needed to have plans for testing students and staff, and also contact tracing procedures in place.

That’s contrary to the original guidance districts received from the state and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

“It created a number of questions,” BOCES superintendent Jim Dexter told Glens Falls Living.

Glens Falls City School Superintendent Paul Jenkins said, “We are all somewhat baffled by his statements. When we created our reopening plans we followed guidance from the state Education Department and the state Department of Health. Clearly the Governor was not communicating with the DOH or SED. We are educational institutions, not medical facilities.”

Mr. Jenkins said, “I’ve spoken with Warren Country DOH and we will work with them and our families and staff if there is a positive case as the guidance says.  We will not be testing anyone at school.”

Mr. Dexter said, “Each district liaison will work with their county health departments.”

How will school districts pay for the PPEs, the cleaning supplies, the thermometers and the more-frequent bus runs associated with reopening?

“Some districts will be spending hundreds of thousands of dollars that they do not have budgeted,” Mr. Dexter said. “They are going to have to cut something or use some of their fund balance.

“We’re looking at substantial budget cuts mid-year, and school districts are going to have to figure out how to pay for this.”

Mr. Dexter said districts are going to have to reduce expenses in other areas.

“I don’t see another avenue,” he said. “They are going to have to plan for this year, but then think about what is going to happen next year.”

He said most local school districts will be open by Sept. 14. Many districts are doing additional staff training before welcoming students back to school.

Tiz the Law’s Local Ties

Photo: Alex (Wei) Zhang

Tiz the Law, the brilliant colt that demolished an overmatched field in the 152nd running of the Travers Stakes at Saratoga Race Course last Saturday, has a local connection.

The 3-year-old colt is jointly owned by 35 partners of Sackatoga Stables in Saratoga Springs. One of those owners is telecommunications entrepreneur and investor Larry Davis, who has a full share in Tiz the Law. He is a partner in the Sans Souci in Cleverdale, and started Tiki Tours on Lake George a few years ago.

“About 12 years ago I got involved with Sackatoga Stables,” Mr. Davis told Glens Falls Living from his home on Lake George’s east side. “There’s nothing like it. The excitement is amazing. I like to do fun things, as you can gather from the Tiki boats. I am partners in a number of bars. You’re probably familiar with the Sans Souci up here. Then Nanola down in Malta and McGeery’s down in Albany. Bars and horses are expensive habits. You don’t make a lot of money but when you do, it’s a big treat.”

Tiz the Law, purchased for $110,000 at the Fasig-Tipton sales in Saratoga, might be the best investment Mr. Davis ever made.

The horse won the Belmont Stakes in this topsy-turvy pandemic Triple Crown season, and now has won six of seven races, with career earnings topping $2-million.

But that’s not all. Sackatoga Stables, run by Jack Knowlton of Saratoga Springs, sold the stallion rights to Tiz the Law for a reported eight figures. That’s a minimum of $10-million, though the exact figure is probably significantly higher. Champion thoroughbred horses can command upwards of $200,000 each time they are bred.

Mr. Knowlton told the New York Times that Sackatoga Stables, which entered the public’s consciousness in 2003 with Funny Cide, will earn bonuses if Tiz the Law wins the Derby, the Preakness and the Breeders’ Cup Classic.

The Times reports, “Ashford Stud structured a bonus deal for the 2015 Triple Crown Champion American Pharoah that promised his owner, Ahmed Zayat, $3 million for winning the Kentucky Derby, $2 million each for victories in the Preakness, Belmont, Travers Stakes and Breeders’ Cup Classic as well as a $2 million bonus for being named 3-year-old male champion.    

“Do the math: A similar deal would mean a potential $13 million for Sackatoga to roll up this year.”

Asked about the deal, Mr. Davis said, “I can’t talk about the breeding rights.”

He did say that Tiz the Law, if he stays healthy, will continue racing as a 4-year-old.

“That was part of the deal,” he said.

For now, Tiz the Law will take on all comers in the Kentucky Derby on Saturday, Sept. 5. After that, it’s the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico in Maryland in October, and then the Breeders’ Cup Classic in November.

Mr. Davis was at Saratoga to see Tiz the Law cruise to victory.

“That was exactly what our trainer had predicted and those were the instructions our trainer Barclay Tagg had given [jockey] Manny Franco. The race was almost a duplicate of the Belmont Stakes. Sit on the outside, third or fourth position, and then fire. 

“After the race, Manny said he tried to hold the horse back at the far turn but he couldn’t. The horse just took off. Then when they got down to the top of the stretch, the horse went into another gear.”

Mr. Davis said he joined Sackatoga Stables in 2009.

“We pick one or two horses every year. We’ve got a business plan that says we buy New York breds. We had a list of 10 horses to start after reading the yearling books. We whittled that down to five or six after Barclay looks at them and we bring in a vet to look at the horses. Then we get it down to one or two and go to the auction to see what we can do.

“The one thing about Tiz the Law is, our budget for that horse was $100,000. Everybody loved the horse so they decided they were going to go to $110,000, but that was it. Boy that was probably the best decision anyone has made in a long time.”

Mr. Davis will be headed to Kentucky for the Derby on Sept. 5. Then he’ll go to the Preakness in early October, and back to the Breeders’ Cup at Keeneland in Kentucky in early November.

“My understanding is there may not be 20 horses in the Derby,” he said. “There may not be the cavalry charge as I call it. That will be very good for us too. That’s one of the things that could have thrown a monkey wrench in the works. We’re all feeling very good right now.”

And you can forgive Mr. Davis for looking ahead to the world’s richest race, the Dubai World Cup, in March of 2021.

“I’m getting my passport ready,” he said.

Food Truck Corral Returns To Shirt Factory Thursday

The popular Thursday Market and Food Truck Corral at the Shirt Factory, 71 Lawrence Street in Glens Falls, is back on after a one-week hiatus.

A Facebook post said, “GOOD NEWS, met with officials from the Glens Falls Fire Department this morning and we have a way forward to have the 2020 Thursday Market & Food Truck Corral this week. We will be changing the layout of the market and some of the vendors will be moved to different locations to help us increase space for social distancing. We will also have additional markers out to designate proper social distancing plus additional signage. Thank You to the City of Glens Falls and The Glens Falls Fire Department, and of course all the people that come and enjoy our event and have offered verbal support during our one-week vacation. We will see you, Thursday 4:30 to 8pm The Shirt Factory, 71 Lawrence St., Glens Falls.” 

Warrensburg Bike Rally, ADK Wine & Food Festival Canceled

Two of the last remaining summer events that were still on the schedule have been canceled. The Warrensburg Bike Rally, originally scheduled for early June to coincide with Americade and later set for September, isn’t happening in 2020. And the popular Adirondack Wine & Food Festival, also originally scheduled in June and rescheduled to September, is also canceled. Those who have already purchased tickets can get refunds, organizers said. Info: adkwinefest.com.

With these cancellations, pretty much every major summer/early fall event in the Glens Falls region has been canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

——

But here’s a few things that are happening!

Lake George American Legion Post 374 on Route 9L will hold a chicken barbecue on Saturday, Aug. 15, starting at noon. $13 gets you chicken, baked beans, cole slaw and a cold drink. All proceeds go to supporting the Adirondack Vets House in Glens Falls, which supports homeless veterans.

The New York State Canal System is now completely open to boat traffic! Lock C-12 on the Champlain Canal in Whitehall opened last week. Boat traffic can now move to and from the canal system from Lake Champlain.

Speaking of the COVID-19 Pandemic…

Locally, infection numbers have remained stable over the last week.

In Warren County, officials are monitoring eight active cases, including three employees of an unnamed skilled nursing facility. All of the cases are mild.

County officials are monitoring 221 residents who are under precautionary traveler quarantine because of travel out of state. That’s up 25 from the previous day.

Officials also said “college students who need a COVID-19 test before returning to campus are being directed to contact their medical providers to schedule one, as Warren County Health Services provides supplies and personnel to work with practices to handle the influx of testing requests.”

In Washington County, officials are monitoring precautionary quarantines for 172 residents, with four active cases and no hospitalizations. 

Saratoga County reports 68 active cases, with three residents hospitalized.

——

In related news, Fort Hudson Nursing Home is the subject of an extensive story in New York Magazine on their battle with COVID-19 in the dementia unit back in April and May. Here’s the link.

Trader Joe’s Coming to Saratoga County?

There’s growing speculation that Trader Joe’s plans to open a store in Halfmoon. The Albany Times Union reports that an as-yet unnamed “specialty grocery store” has been approved by the town’s Planning Board, though no one is saying if it’s a Trader Joe’s. There is already a Trader Joe’s in Colonie. Stay tuned! 

Fire at Rachael Ray’s Lake Luzerne Home

A fire ripped through Rachael Ray’s home on Chuckwagon Drive in Lake Luzerne Sunday night. Officials say the fire appears to have started on the second floor of the residence. Ms. Ray, a Lake George graduate and television personality and chef, tweeted Monday that she and her husband, John Cusimano, and their new shelter dog, Bella Boo, got out safely.

“Thank you to our local first responders for being kind and gracious and saving what they could of our home,” Ms. Ray tweeted. “Grateful that my mom, my husband, my dog… we’re all okay. These are the days we all have to be grateful for what we have, not what we’ve lost.”

The cause of the fire is being investigated, but does not appear to be suspicious, Warren County officials said.

Warren County Fire Coordinator Brian LaFlure and Luzerne-Hadley Fire officials asked Office of Fire Prevention and Control to work with the Warren County Fire Cause & Origin Team to investigate the cause because of the extent of the loss, said a county press release.

Oscar’s Smokehouse Now Offers A Vending Machine!

Oscar’s Smokehouse in Warrensburg now offers a cold vending machine located right outside their front doors. Their Facebook post about it was shared more than 1,500 times, and received nearly 2,000 reactions and nearly 500 comments.

The vending machine is “filled with some of our customer favorites like Hickory bacon, 3-year-old cheddar cheese, ‘More Than Mustard,’ smoked pork chops and many more,” says the Facebook post.

“Also, if the line is too long inside, then just pull out your credit card and purchase from the vending machine as the prices are the same whether inside or out.”

Duane Vaughn Leaves United Way, Joins Shelters of Saratoga

Duane Vaughn, a well-known figure in the non-profit world up here, has resigned as executive director of the Tri-County United Way and joined Shelters of Saratoga as its new executive director. Duane led the United Way for four years, and before that led the WAIT House for 13 years. 

Tri-County United Way Board President Judge David Krogmann said in a press release, “Duane has been invaluable to the success of Tri-County United Way since becoming Executive Director in 2016. His organizational skills and true care for the disadvantaged in our area have come at a crucial time. He has become an integral and important leader in our community. His presence and leadership will be missed greatly, but we wish him only the best in his new position.”

Duane, who lives in West Fort Ann with his wife, Mindy Wilson, said in the press release, “I have been blessed to work with such wonderful organizations as the Tri-County United Way and the WAIT House. I am truly excited to begin working with the dedicated staff and Board of Directors of Shelters of Saratoga. The Saratoga community is invested in solving complex issues for populations that are vulnerable and at-risk, and I am thankful that I will be able to be a part of that collaborative process.”

Invasive Hemlock Wooly Agelid Found On Lake George

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) announced the confirmation of an infestation of the Hemlock Woolly Adelgid (Adelges tsugae) on Forest Preserve lands in the town of Dresden in Washington County. 

The affected hemlock trees were located near a campsite within Glen Island Campground on the shore of Lake George. This is the second known infestation of Hemlock Woolly Adelgid (HWA) in the Adirondacks. The first, on Prospect Mountain, was eradicated.

After receiving a report from a camper at Glen Island Campground through iMap Invasives about a suspicious tree near a campsite, DEC dispatched a forest health specialist to survey the area. This initial survey found one heavily infested and two lightly infested Eastern hemlock trees close to the campsite. Additional follow-up surveys will be conducted to better determine the size and spread of this infestation.

Baseball Standouts Connor Bovair, Evan St. Claire Honored

And finally, two local baseball stars were honored as Independent Collegiate Baseball League Performers of the Week! Connor Bovair of South Glens Falls pitched four innings of shutout ball while striking out nine and giving up one hit for the Albany Dutch. Bovair, headed to Siena College, has been fantastic all season, and is consistently hitting the low to mid-90s in velocity.

Evan St. Claire of Whitehall, a junior at Siena, went 6-for-19 with a double, four RBI and two stolen bases in six games for the Glens Falls Independents. St. Claire’s father, Steve, manages the Independents, and was a standout player himself. Steve’s brother Randy pitched in the major leagues for several teams, and Evan’s grandfather Ebba St. Claire is a local legend, playing in the big leagues from 1951 to 1954.

Until next time -
Gordon

GORDON WOODWORTH

A South Glens Falls native, Gordon Woodworth is a respected and well-connected voice of the community. As a journalist, he has covered the Glens Falls region for more than 20 years. Read his full bio here, and click here to follow along with him on Facebook - he’s always reporting!

Hometown News: August 5

This week in Hometown News, Gordon has the scoop on a couple of local businesses that have changed hands this week, a few that have closed their doors, the latest on green initiatives in the city, and lots more…

Romeo Family Buys Glens Falls Toyota

The Romeo family expanded its fleet of car dealerships over the weekend when it  purchased Glens Falls Toyota on Broad Street. 

Romeo Toyota joins Carriage Traders in South Glens Falls, Romeo Chevrolet Buick GMC, Romeo Kia of Kingston and Romeo Ford of Kingston as the Romeo family of car dealerships.

“We’re ready to grow,” Mike Romeo told Glens Falls Living. “My dad [Len] is 63 years old and he’s not slowing down yet. He’s still pushing us. My brother Joe runs the stores down in Kingston. He does a great job down there. And I’ll be overseeing Romeo Toyota and Carriage Traders.”

Mike Romeo said his father and Howard Lebowitz, the former owner of Glens Falls Toyota, “have done business together going back 20-some years. They were kind of messing around, talking about it for a lot of years, and then one thing led to another recently. Howard was ready to retire and he reached out and we’ve been talking seriously for about a year now, and we finally put it together.”

He said, “There are two reasons why this is a store my dad has always chased after. I grew up in the house my parents still live in, which is about five streets away, and now I live four streets away with my family. So to have a store in our backyard is awesome. And to have a Toyota store in our backyard is even better.”

The lot will soon be overflowing with cars, both new Toyotas and pre-owned vehicles, Mr. Romeo said.

“Right now, because of Covid-19, all of the manufacturers obviously shut down their plants for a little while,” he said. “New inventory is very scarce. So whenever there is a buy-sell agreement at a dealership, they take care of the new dealer by giving them more inventory. So we have a substantial amount of inventory coming in in the next few months that the competition won’t have.

“And, we’re going to be selling anything nice that came in trade-wise, whether it’s a Ford F-150 or a Silverado or a Tundra, whatever it is. We’re going to have about 100 used cars on the lot.”

More info here.

Simply Grazin’ Owners Buy Pole Valley Golf Course

The owner of Simply Grazin’ Organic Farms, the producer and wholesale distributor of organic grass-fed livestock with seven farms throughout Washington County, purchased Pole Valley Golf Course in Hartford on Friday.

Renamed Hartford Greens Country Club, the 18-hole course is a favorite of local seniors and those who enjoy birdwatching. Known for its consistent greens and beautiful rural landscape, it was built in 2002 by Steve Forbes, with help from noted golf course designer Geoffrey Cornish.

Mark Faille, the new owner, completed the purchase on Friday, July 31, at noon, and soon had a new sign up. His son Dylan will run the course.

Contacted for comment, Mr. Faille said a friend of his alerted him that the course was on the market, but he initially had interest in it only as farmland.

“I’m not a golfer,” he said. “I’ve never even played golf before. My original intent was to turn it back into cow pasture, but a lot of people were sad it wasn’t going to remain a golf course, so we decided to give it a try.

“My son Dylan stepped up and offered to manage it, which is great. And we’ve kept the superintendent, Marvin, on to work on the greens.

“Our intent is to get the greens to 100%. I’m not a 50% guy. I’m a 100% guy. We’re going to get the irrigation fixed and make the place a lot prettier. We’re getting a big permanent tent and will have food, maybe a food truck or two.

“I also own a construction company, and I’m going to have my guys come up here and repair all of the cart paths. We’re going to replace the bridges in the winter.

“We’re going to have new bunkers, all new signage, tee markers, we’re going to improve the driving range with a covered area, and a machine to pick up the balls.

“And we’ve bought seven new golf carts. That was all that was available. We’ll have a whole new fleet next year.”

He said he purchased the carts from Larry Kelley at Five-Star Golf Cars in Queensbury.

“I like to support local businesses, and we’re planning a fund-raiser here in September.”

Pricing is: 9 holes walk $10; 9 holes ride $20; 18 holes walk $20; 18 holes ride $40. Senior and Veteran Discount Pricing: 9 holes ride $15; 18 holes walk $15; 18 holes ride $30.

Simply Grazin’ started in 1997 in Hopewell, New Jersey, before expanding to New York and Virginia. In 2010, the company bought a 400-acre property on County Route 17 in Fort Ann, converting dairy barns for their hog operation and transitioning the fields to organic hay. Six years later, they bought the 150-acre Gibbs Road Farm, and in 2017 they bought 250 more acres in Hartford and another 300 acres in Fort Edward.

“Along the way, we fell in love with the rural beauty of the area and we have moved our business headquarters to Washington County as well,” Simply Grazin’ says on its website.

“In June 2019, we purchased three more farms. We added 169 acres of pasture and crop land on Brayton Road in Fort Ann, NY. And, we also added an additional 100 acres and an additional 79 acres on County Route 46 in Fort Edward, NY for hay land and pasture land. Our most recent addition of farm land came in May 2020, as we agreed to lease with the option to buy a 625-acre farm in Kingsbury, NY.”

Mr. Faille said he is “very big on farm preservation. Four of our seven farms up here are in farm preservation, and I’m looking into preserving this land, too. That’s one of the things we are working on.”

Simply Grazin’ supplies organic meat to Whole Foods and Wegmans, among others.

Follow them here for more info.

Milk & Honey Shop to Close

Milk & Honey, the clothing and gift shop on Exchange Street in downtown Glens Falls, is closing.

“It is with a heavy heart that I am announcing Milk & Honey will be closing by the end of the month,” owner Ann Parrish wrote on Facebook Tuesday night.

“We appreciate all of your patronage, friendships and prayers. These have been difficult and challenging times for all. May God bless you all and keep you safe! You have been the heartbeat of my business. Sincerely grateful, Ann Parrish”

Mrs. Parrish has battled pancreatic cancer for several years, and during treatment a group of friends worked at the store to keep it going.

Alchemy Bagel Cafe Closes, But It’s Not Goodbye

Meg and Alex, the owners of Alchemy Bagel Cafe in the Shirt Factory in Glens Falls, announced on Facebook they have closed.

“As of [Sunday], our cafe doors are officially closed,” the couple wrote. “It was a hard decision for us to make, but we feel as if it was the right decision for the time being. We have moved out of Suite 111, and are no longer running the cafe in The Shirt Factory. This, however, is not the end of Alchemy. This is not goodbye. We will continue to bake for markets, take special orders, and are working with some awesome local places for wholesale accounts.

“…Our preorder pickups during the height of quarantine kept our small little business, in business. COVID-19 has hit the restaurant industry hard. But we know it’s not just us, it’s hit a lot of industries hard. And it will forever change how we look at doing business (and other basic things, like hand washing and grocery shopping ).

“…Like we said, this is not a goodbye post. Alex and I are firm believers in everything happens for a reason. We closed one door, but the world is full of many open doors for us. Keep being kind to one another, and please keep supporting small businesses. You don’t know the huge difference you are making in someone’s life when you choose to shop small!”

Glens Falls City School Virtual Parent Forum on Thursday

 The Glens Falls City Schools leadership team will explain new protocols and answer questions at a virtual parent forum on Thursday, Aug. 6th at 5 p.m. The event will be recorded for viewing later, and available to all in the school community. 

A link to the parent forum will be shared on the district's website and social media on Thursday, and questions can be submitted any time before or during the forum by using a form at www.gfsd.org.

Governor Andrew Cuomo is expected to announce whether schools can open this week.

Glens Falls Green Initiatives

The City of Glens Falls is seeking low-to-moderate income residents to sign up for a community solar program that gives them a small discount on their energy bill each month. It’s a NYSERDA program called Solar for All, and those who qualify can save $5-$15/month. Income levels for those eligible are around $2,500 a month for an individual or $4,800 for a family of four. 

Solar for All is not limited to Glens Falls residents — any income-qualified resident of NYS who pays their own utility bill can join — but the Common Council is hoping to get a certain number of City residents to sign up so that the city can qualify for further green energy funding.  Info: nyserda.ny.gov/solar-for-all.

————

In other green news, the City of Glens Falls has received a $96,700 grant to be a “municipal testbed” for a vertical farm project through the Empire State Development Smart City Partnership. The project calls for a roughly 300-square-foot, box-in-a-box facility, at a site to be determined. 

LGA: Boat Inspectors Stopped Two Dangerous Invasive Species

The Lake George Association, which provides $30,000 annually to the Lake George Park Commission for their Mandatory Boat Inspection Program, announced that two potentially dangerous invasive species were discovered and kept out of the Queen of American Lakes recently.

Boat inspectors intercepted two separate instances of fanwort, a highly invasive plant that arrived on two separate boats, on two separate days, from Massachusetts; and quagga mussels, which arrived on a boat that had last been in the St. Lawrence River.

“This was a great catch by two different sets of Vessel Inspection Technicians,” said Walt Lender, LGA Executive Director, in a press release. “We want to congratulate them for their attentiveness and the Park Commission for their training program.”

Info: www.lakegeorgeassociation.org.

Marylou Whitney Auction Nets $400,000

The auction of Marylou Whitney’s personal items raised more than $400,000, with all proceeds going toward the building of a medical clinic on the backstretch at Saratoga Race Course. The auction included jewelry, paintings and a dark green Jaguar, and raised double what it was expected to raise, according to a Times Union story. A diamond choker sold for $40,000, and the 1992 Jaguar convertible sold for $22,000.

Items that didn’t sell will be put on eBay, her husband John Hendrickson told the newspaper. Marylou Whitney, known as the Queen of Saratoga, died last July at the age of 93.

In addition, Marylou Whitney’s 36,000-acre Whitney Park, near Long Lake in the heart of the Adirondacks, is for sale for $180-million. The property includes the “Great Camp” Deerlands, that overlooks Little Forked Lake. It has 17 bedrooms. The land also includes 22 lakes, a trapper’s cabin that dates back to the 1800s, a timber operation and a collection of Adirondack guide boats and canoes.

John Hendrickson, the widower of Ms. Whitney, told the Times Union that he would not consider selling the property to the state, as some have advocated for. In 1997, the state bought 15,000 acres of forestland from Ms. Whitney for $17.1-million, creating the William C. Whitney Wilderness Area.
 

Speaking of Saratoga…

Despite not allowing fans at the storied race track, bettors continue to send it in with both hands! Saturday’s 12-race Whitney card set a new record as bettors wagered $35.79-million worldwide, topping the old record by nearly $4-million! That’s an average of nearly $3-million bet on each race Saturday! Absolutely astounding!

The headline race of the Saratoga meet, the Travers Stakes, is Saturday. Local favorite and Belmont Stakes winner Tiz the Law will be the overwhelming favorite.

COVID-19 Update

Locally, Warren County saw its first death since May 30 when a resident of an assisted living facility passed away over the weekend.

County officials are monitoring 196 residents who are under precautionary quarantine because of travel out of state. That’s up 22 from two days previous.

There were seven active cases as of Tuesday, six of them mild and one critical. Warren County has reported seven new infections since July 26.

In Washington County, officials are monitoring precautionary quarantines for 203 residents, with three active cases and no hospitalizations. 

Saratoga County reported 58 active cases on Tuesday, with six residents hospitalized.

Until next time -
Gordon

GORDON WOODWORTH

A South Glens Falls native, Gordon Woodworth is a respected and well-connected voice of the community. As a journalist, he has covered the Glens Falls region for more than 20 years. Read his full bio here, and click here to follow along with him on Facebook - he’s always reporting!

Hometown News: July 29

Jim Siplon Named Interim President of EDC Warren County

Jim Siplon is the new interim president of the Economic Development Corporation of Warren County after the death of longtime president Ed Bartholomew last week.

“We know we cannot fill Ed Bartholomew’s shoes and his legacy will endure here at EDC forever,” EDC Board Chairman Matt Fuller said in a press release. “We also know that, if Ed were here, he would tell us to keep moving forward and get the work done. 

“Jim Siplon will help our Board ensure that the many critical economic development projects that Ed was spearheading continue to move forward. There is so much work to do, and we will do it together and in Ed’s honor.’’ 

Mr. Siplon is the former Chief Operating Officer for JUST Water. In that role, he spearheaded the company’s effort to draw spring water from a well in the City’s watershed and present it in environmentally friendly packaging. 

He also served as managing director of FIJI Water, was a senior executive at MCI Communications, and recently started Rethinkh20, a consulting firm that aims to help large-scale water users reduce their water consumption.

Mr. Siplon served in the U.S. Air Force for eight years, and earned an undergraduate degree in astrophysics from Utah State University and a master’s in business administration from Boston University.

Contacted for comment, he told Glens Falls Living, “Ed Bartholomew is an icon. He’s like Mount Rushmore of the North Country to me. Everything I know about this place started with meeting him and having him be a trusted navigator and friend. JUST would not be what it is today without him and I think that same story would apply to so many businesses and ventures and organizations. He’s just a giant.

“So our whole focus right now is on just recognizing his enormous contribution over a lifetime. We want to just take a deep breath and let all of that sink in for everybody, and then we have to figure out how to carry his legacy forward, which will be a challenge but something I think he would want us to do.”

Mr. Siplon said, “We were all in a bit of shock but we discussed informally as a board, how do we continue to provide support for this community in an unprecedented time. That’s our responsibility. We’ve got to figure out how to see through the fog to be able to do that. So it started informally, with conversations among the board members, as to what are our options, what could we do…I think so many people from the board would have done anything they could…I certainly had more time than some of them because I had stepped away from JUST so recently. I think we all just looked at each other and said, how do we do this? It just seemed like a good fit.”

He pointed out that “We would have had to do this at some point anyway, because all organizations have to figure out how they are going to do succession planning and move from one generation to another.

“…Ultimately what’s driving all of this is the need for us to figure out how to support the community in a time that none of us have any real reference point for. This [pandemic] is an unprecedented event that is happening in all of our lives, and what we need to do is put all of the best minds and talents that we have together to figure out how to provide the very best support we can to a place that we all love.

“Ed is an irreplaceable asset, not only in terms of what he brought to the plate but the way he did everything he did. We’re all trying to figure out what to do next. I wrote a note to the board last weekend and said the first thing we’ve got to do is grieve with our friends and neighbors. And the second thing we have to do is take up the torch that he held for so many years and make sure that that torch stays lit.”

Honoring Ed Bartholomew

As we all come to grips with the passing of Ed Bartholomew, I started thinking about how the City of Glens Falls and the region can honor his legacy.

The obvious thing to do would be to name the soon-to-be-built year-round Farmers’ Market on South Street after him. Glens Falls was first in line to get $10-million in redevelopment funds because of Ed. It’s only fitting that his name adorn the new building.

Another obvious choice would be to name Cool Insuring Arena, formerly known as the Glens Falls Civic Center, after Bartholomew. But that name is taken, at least for the near future.

Some have suggested Centennial Circle be renamed in Mr. Bartholomew’s memory. I like the idea. But I’m thinking bigger, just like Ed did. 

What about renaming the bridge between Glens Falls and South Glens Falls “The Edward M. Bartholomew Memorial Bridge?” It’s officially the “Cooper’s Cave Bridge” now, but I know of few people who call it that. 

As many have noted, Ed was a bridge builder. He connected people and ideas, communities and concepts. I think the Bartholomew Bridge has a nice ring to it.

Or, what about renaming City Park? It’s in the heart of downtown that Ed loved so much. The City owns most of the park, and could easily rename it’s portion to honor the former Mayor. It seems to me it would be a fitting tribute.

Mayor Dan Hall tells me he’s confident the City will find an appropriate way to honor the man who did so much for Glens Falls, and for the region. I’m confident they will, too.

GF City School District Buys Supplies For All Of Its Students

The Glens Falls City School District is spending $95,000 to buy school supplies for all of its 2,000-plus students this fall.

“The theory behind this is we're a public school with taxing authority,” said assistant superintendent for business Bobby Yusko to Glens Falls Living, responding to our query.

“Many of the items traditionally found on school supply lists are purchased by school districts on a regular basis, anyway. 

“So, in doing my own school supply shopping for my son, I thought, why wouldn't schools use their purchasing power (wholesale prices, items on state contracts, etc.) to purchase these items for our students, rather than pass the burden onto families, especially in these tough financial times?

“Additionally, there is always a disparity of supplies actually purchased by families — some buy them, some do not — because some may not be capable to purchase additional supplies due to their own financial situation, so this definitely levels the playing field from the parent perspective.”

Mr. Yusko said, “We purchased supplies based on our enrollment in March 2020, which was roughly 2,075 students…We purchased grade level supplies based on the enrollment in each grade level at each respective building.”

Supplies include pencils, pens, crayons, scissors, glue, Post-it notes, paper, binders, notebooks, folders, disinfectant wipes and headphones.

“We used a budget estimate of $50/student, which totals $103,750,” Mr. Yusko said. “Fortunately, the amount spent was less than budgeted. We purchased 2020-2021 school supplies with budgeted funds in the 2019-2020 school year, and we plan to continue this cycle annually (purchase 2021-22 supplies with budgeted 2020-21 funds, and so on).”

School Districts Announcing Reopening Plans

Ahead of the July 31st deadline, school districts are starting to release their tentative plans for reopening. Those plans still must be approved by the State. 

It’s no surprise that many of the plans are similar, as the school superintendents have been working together closely since the beginning of the pandemic, led by BOCES chief Jim Dexter.

Here’s the blueprint that you’ll likely see throughout the region: Younger students will attend classes in person. Older students will attend school in person for part of the week, and participate in remote learning the rest of the week. Everyone will be socially distanced and wear masks. Parents can opt out of their children attending classes, and do 100% remote learning. 

COVID-19 Update

Warren County continues to monitor dozens of residents under mandatory quarantine, but as of Tuesday had no new infections from two nursing home employees who tested positive last week. There were also no new infections stemming from a girls lacrosse team traveling to New Jersey for a tournament and later discovering a teammate has the coronavirus.

Warren County had seven cases as of Wednesday, five of them mild, two are seriously/critically ill- both of these patients are hospitalized.

Washington County has two active cases, and neither resident is hospitalized.

Saratoga County has 58 active cases and four hospitalizations.

Of some concern is the percentage of coronavirus test results from the eight-county Capital Region that includes Warren, Washington and Saratoga counties. The Times-Union’s Bethany Bump reports that the Capital Region had the highest percentage of positive test results in the state — 1.6% on July 22, 1.5% on July 23 and 1.6% on July 24.

“Albany County officials said they are worried about the sustained increase in cases they have been seeing the last couple of weeks,” Ms. Bump reported.

The Capital Region saw 78 new cases Monday, the largest one-day total in July, she reported. And Albany County Executive Dan McCoy said Tuesday that more than 50 of their new positive cases are from young people ages 20-29.

Ripple Effect of COVID-19: Surge Of In-Home Care For Seniors

Interesting story in the Times Union on the home care industry.

Bethany Bump reports that in-home health care agencies “are fielding increased inquiries and demand for home care in recent months, and believe the fear of cognition and isolation at nursing homes caused by the pandemic is to blame.”

Here’s the link to the full story.

Bowling Centers Press Cuomo on Reopening

It’s been 134 days since Doug Bohannon had bowlers at his 42-lane Kingpin’s Alley Family Bowling Center in South Glens Falls. Bowling centers were ordered closed on March 16, and are still awaiting the go-ahead to reopen.

“That’s 134 days of no revenue,” Mr. Bohannon said. “I applied for a PPP loan that was funded through the end of April. That money is gone.

“I’ve gotten deferments on my mortgages, but those 90-day deferments have come and gone. Bowling leagues start in September. That’s our bread and butter. If we don’t have leagues, you’re going to see a lot of bowling centers go out of business. It’s already started happening.”

Mr. Bohannon was recently elected president of the New York State Bowling Proprietors Association. He’s owned Kingpin’s Alley for seven years.

After more than four months, he’s beyond frustrated.

“We’re working very hard to get the Governor’s attention,” Mr. Bohannon said. “We’re trying to at least get some information. We heard we were going to be able to reopen on July 1st, when we entered Phase Four, but that didn’t happen, and we haven’t heard anything since.”

He said he had installed high-end filters in his HVAC system, and has a detailed reopening plan.

“The Governor’s silence is deafening,” he said. “We’re just looking for guidance. Tell us what we need to do and we’ll do it. Every other business has gotten guidance from the state. Social distancing will not be an issue.”

A press conference is scheduled for Friday at Kingpin’s Alley. State Senator Daphne Jordan and Assemblywoman Carrie Woerner are scheduled to attend.

“We have to make some noise,” he said. Info: 518-793-9606.

Sweets By Marisa Closes

Marisa and Josh Fountain announced that they have closed Sweets by Marisa. 

“It is with an extremely heavy heart to announce that Josh and I had to officially close Sweets by Marisa due to Covid-19 and leasing issues,” the couple wrote on Facebook. “We hope that we will eventually be able to reopen a store location and see all of our amazing customers again. Thank you to everyone who has supported us for the last three years. Please feel free to message us on Facebook, Instagram, or email us in the meantime. Stay safe and healthy and we hope to see everyone again soon.”

Ending on a High Note

Steven “Scratch” Scarselletta has retired after 45 years at Finch Paper. He started at Finch on July 1st, 1975. In the photo supplied by Finch are, from left to right: Mike Mack (Woodyard Area Manager), Mr. Scarselletta, Eric Wood (VP Manufacturing & Supply Chain) and Deba Mukherjee (President & CEO). Best wishes on your retirement!

Until next time -
Gordon

GORDON WOODWORTH

A South Glens Falls native, Gordon Woodworth is a respected and well-connected voice of the community. As a journalist, he has covered the Glens Falls region for more than 20 years. Read his full bio here, and click here to follow along with him on Facebook - he’s always reporting!

Hometown News: July 22

Ed Bartholomew (Photo: Donna Abbott-Vlahos, courtesy of Albany Business Review)

On the Passing of Ed Bartholomew

Former Glens Falls Mayor Ed Bartholomew, who went on to work in the State Senate for another Glens Falls native, Majority Leader Joe Bruno, has passed away. This is a huge loss for the City of Glens Falls and the region. Ed was CEO of EDC Warren County, the economic development office, and also was the City’s economic development director.

Ed had the best Rolodex in Warren County. He knew everyone. He knew Albany, and he knew how to play the game. Everyone took his call, up to the Governor. Soft spoken but incredibly influential, he did more for this region over the last 50 years than anyone I can think of.

While he was kind and gracious, he was also tough as nails. He fought for his hometown. He negotiated deals no one thought would be possible. He oversaw the building of the Civic Center, brought the Adirondack Red Wings to Glens Falls, brought professional baseball to East Field, and worked quietly behind the scenes on many other major developments like a regional sewer system.

We had our battles over the years, but when I left my previous job, one of the first calls I received was from Ed. He wanted to know how I was doing, and how he could help me. He kept calling, telling me about potential job openings and offering his assistance. He was one of my three professional references.

When we would talk, he would always ask about my parents and my family. And it wasn’t small talk. He truly cared.

And now he’s gone. I’ll miss his silly laugh and his good-natured ribbing. I’ll miss his commitment to his hometown. I’ll miss his grace and toughness.

Rest well, my friend. Your work here will never be forgotten.

New York State Issues Guidance for Schools

New York State released its guidance for school districts to help them plan for reopening in September. The 145-page document covers everything from ventilation systems to health monitoring to social distancing and use of outdoor spaces for classrooms.

Among the recommendations:

• Everyone must wear masks at all times, with a few exceptions.
• Daily temperature screenings for students and staff.
• Students be spaced six feet apart in classrooms, and desks should all be pointed in the same direction.
• Arrival/dismissal times be staggered to allow for social distancing on buses and classrooms. Students should enter from a variety of entrances.
• Windows should be opened whenever possible to increase ventilation.
• “Reduce in-school movement where possible by keeping students within a defined area or classroom and modifying class schedules or class transitions using these recommendations: If possible, have the same cohort of students with the same teacher each day; Special area teachers (e.g., music, art, physical education) may go to individual classrooms versus rotating all students through a shared space that is not able to be cleaned with each new use. 
• “Whenever possible, hold physical education and music classes outside and encourage students to spread out; Stagger the use of restrooms, allowing use at other times when necessary.”
• “Ensure that a distance of twelve feet in all directions is maintained between individuals while participating in activities requires projecting the voice (e.g., singing), playing a wind instrument, or aerobic activity.”
• “Cancel/limit student assemblies, athletic events/practices, performances, school-wide parent meetings. Consider transitioning field trips to free virtual opportunities. Consider changing in-school events to a virtual format.”
• “It is strongly recommended that schools comply with CDC guidance and not conduct COVID-19 testing or require testing or antibody testing of students or staff members.” 

Districts have until July 31st to submit their reopening plans. The state will then decide on those plans in the first week of August. Many local districts are including parents and staff in the planning process through surveys and questionnaires.

More info: www.nysed.gov/coronavirus/guidance-p-12-schools.

Fall High School Sports Delayed

The New York State Public High School Athletic Association has delayed the start of fall sports until at least Sept. 21. NYSPHSAA officers also canceled fall regional and state championships, and are preparing to implement a condensed season schedule in January 2021 if high school sports remain prohibited for the rest of 2020 due to the coronavirus. At this point, that appears more and more likely.

COVID-19 Update

Late last week, Warren County Health Services began an investigation of the activities of a local high school-aged girls’ lacrosse travel team where a team member recently tested positive for COVID-19. 

At least 10 Warren County girls play on the team with the player who tested positive, who is from Albany County. In violation of state re-opening rules that restrict competitive play to the Capital Region and contiguous counties, the team traveled to New Jersey for competition in Mount Olive, New Jersey. 

The positive COVID-19 test occurred subsequent to this competition, and the mother of the girl who tested positive told the Post-Star that her daughter was infected from a family member and not from the lacrosse trip.

Warren County teammates have been identified, contacted and instructed to quarantine and to take a COVID-19 test. So far, all have tested negative.

In the days since learning of the lacrosse team, Warren County officials said they have learned of other teams who may have traveled out of state, including one team that traveled to Ohio for a tournament.

“Anyone who has left the state for a sports competition is directed to contact Warren County Health Services to go over protocols and practices to ensure that the appropriate precautions are in place,” said a press release. “Parents or guardians of any minor children who attended these competitions should call on behalf of their children.”

The number to call is 518-761-6580.

Travel teams are allowed to travel to competition within the Capital Region and to counties contiguous to the Capital Region.

Monday, Warren County announced one new case of a person who works in the health care industry. This person was tested in the course of routine testing, which likely indicates they work in a nursing home. The county now has quarantined 100 of this person’s contacts. The infected person shows no symptoms, the county said.

Sunday, Fort Hudson Nursing Home announced on its website that they were stopping limited visitation of residents because a staff member tested positive for the coronavirus. The statement reads in part, “NYS Dept. of Health provides a wide range of requirements for visitation to happen. Unfortunately, outside of anyone’s control, a prior test positive individual (after repeated negative tests) did have a positive read. The state does not allow for differentiation of past positive individuals – ANY new positive immediately halts visitation. We are working diligently with the state to review and allow for our reopening as soon as possible. We will keep families informed as we move forward.” 

As of Tuesday, there were 266 active cases in the Capital Region, which includes Warren, Washington, Saratoga, Rensselaer, Schenectady, Greene, Columbia and Albany counties. Thirty-four people were hospitalized, and 1,813 were under quarantine. There were 36 new active cases recorded from Monday to Tuesday in the eight-county region.

Saratoga Race Course: No Fans, But Plenty of Wagering

Saratoga Race Course opened for the season on July 16th, and the first four days seemed to go off without a hitch. There were no spectators, and the fields were small, but that didn’t stop fans from wagering! The total handle for the opening four days was a staggering $80.3-million, up 9.4% from last year’s total of $73.4-million. Roughly $2-million was wagered on each race during the first four days. This betting follows a national trend of record parimutuel wagering totals.

Last year’s total handle was $705.3-million. This year’s total will shatter that figure, if the first weekend is any indication.

Last Friday’s Pick 5, where you try to pick the winner of the first five races, featured two $41 horses to open the card, and concluded with a 50-cent winning ticket paying $9,609! Not a bad return on your investment!

Former Adirondack Hockey Broadcaster Mentioned for NHL Job

Former Adirondack Flames and Adirondack Thunder radio broadcaster Cameron Close is being mentioned for a prime National Hockey League job. Close, who left Adirondack in 2017 to become the radio voice of the Ontario (CA) Reign of the American Hockey League, was named in a story in The Athletic as a possible successor to Rick Peckham, the longtime TV play-by-play man of the Tampa Bay Lightning. The story said Close was one of several possible “under the radar” choices the Lightning have to fill the job.

DEC Closes Prospect Mountain Trail

Prospect Mountain Trail is now closed due to construction on the summit. The State Department of Environmental Conservation said in a press release, “The summit area, above the parking lot, has been closed to the public, and signs at the trail told hikers the summit area was not open. However, many hikers entered the construction zone, so DEC has closed the trail.

“The summit of the mountain and the trail will remain closed until late August while 500 feet of mortared stone border wall that is crumbling along summit lookout areas is removed and replaced with individual cut stone blocks. 

“Due to the grades, the moving of the stone blocks is difficult and dangerous, especially with heavy equipment. The road and the path from the parking lot are blocked.”

Warrensburgh Blueberry Festival!

The inaugural Warrensburgh Blueberry Festival is Friday, July 24, from 3 to 6 p.m., at the Warrensburgh Riverfront Farmers' Market on River Street in the park across from Curtis Lumber. 

“Local vendors, local berries...early and late varieties of organically grown fruit, preserves, baked goods, cheeses and distilled beverages enhanced with blueberries,” says a press release. “Featuring Warren County farms and local businesses: Adirondack Gold Maple Farm, Caldwell Country Farm, Chipmunk Acres, Coffee with a Cause, Crazy Creek LLC, Dawn's Delights, Glens Falls Distillery, Jason's ADK Produce, Nettle Meadow Cheese Farm and more.” Info: 518-466-5497 or taawhalen@yahoo.com.

World’s Largest Garage Sale Canceled

The 2020 World’s Largest Garage Sale, scheduled for October 2-4 in Warrensburg, is canceled. "This was not a decision we arrived at lightly," Executive Director Suzanne Tyler said in a press release. Next year’s World's Largest Garage Sale is scheduled for October 1-3, 2021.

Price Chopper to Discontinue Offering Plastic Bags

Price Chopper announced they would no longer carry disposable, single-use plastic bags in New York stores. In the announcement, Price Chopper said the change would be effective August 1. The stores encourage customers to bring their own reusable bag, or to purchase one from the store.

Ending on a High Note…

And finally, congratulations to Matt Chase of Queensbury, who was named a Performer of the Week in the Independent Collegiate Baseball League. Matt plays for the Glens Falls Independents. A sophomore at Ithaca College, he helped the team to its first win with a brilliant pitching performance, allowing just one hit and striking out 10 in six innings.

GORDON WOODWORTH

A South Glens Falls native, Gordon Woodworth is a respected and well-connected voice of the community. As a journalist, he has covered the Glens Falls region for more than 20 years. Read his full bio here, and click here to follow along with him on Facebook - he’s always reporting!

Beloved South Glens Falls Teacher Karen Carayiannis Retires After 45 Years

After 45 years, beloved South Glens Falls teacher Karen Carayiannis has retired.

“My last day was June 30th,” she told Glens Falls Living, sitting in a rocking chair sipping iced tea on the porch of her Fortsville log cabin. “I know, because on July 1st, I had to make my first payment for my health insurance!”

Mrs. Carayiannis’ remarkable career began in the fall of 1967 when she was a third-grade student teacher for another South Glens Falls teaching legend, Glenna Shanahan, at Harrison Avenue.

She was a senior at Plattsburgh State at the time, and originally from Long Island, but South Glens Falls quickly became home.

“Bill Wetherbee, who had just started as superintendent of schools, told me when I graduated, I had a job,” she said. “So in the fall of 1968, I started teaching full-time in the third grade at Harrison Avenue.”

And then, after two years, she quit.

“My best friend Wendy and I had always wanted to teach together in a small school district, so we both went to Cape Cod and I taught first grade at a small school outside of Hyannis,” she said. “But Wendy was getting married the next year, and after a year, I called Bill Wetherbee and asked, “Can I come home?”

He said, “‘Yes, I have a job for you at Harrison Avenue.’ So, I came back home.”

Two years later, she met John Carayiannis at a party at Whit and Joyce Butterfield’s home in the village. He was the principal at the newly opened Tanglewood Elementary School. They married in February of 1974, and that December their daughter Elizabeth was born.

“I quit again,” she said, giggling. For eight years she raised Elizabeth while doing some substitute teaching, mostly at Ballard Elementary, and filling in for maternity leaves for dear friends Kris Nolan and Karen Johns.

“In 1982, I went back to work, and got a job at Moreau, filling in a leave in second grade for two years,” she remembered. “Then there was an opening at Moreau in first grade, and I took it, and I taught first grade there from then on.”

In the late 1990s, she and John took a year off and traveled the world, visiting Greece and Alaska and Florida. Shortly after the trip, John was diagnosed with a brain tumor. He died in May 2000.

“I took some time off after he died,” she said. “But the next week, I was back at work. I taught mornings and Bobbie Porter taught afternoons.”

Now, closing in on her 74th birthday, she is retired.

“I won’t substitute, but I will help Joyce Kerr, who I’ve taught with for more than 20 years, but I will be a volunteer,” she said.

She’ll also no doubt lend a hand to Marissa (Carpenter) Macey, who has the honor of taking over her classroom at Moreau.

Mrs. Macey, a South High graduate, said, “She is an incredible human being. Karen certainly cannot be replaced. I am lucky enough to have had the opportunity to spend time with her and she gave me some tricks of the trade. She has also said that she would come back and help out often and I am certainly going to hold her to it. Although I really hope she spends some time for herself. She deserves it.”

What will she do in retirement?

Well, if one evening last week is any indication, she’ll be welcoming well-wishers coming by with gifts and laughs. The night this reporter was there, longtime friends Jeff and Leeann McCabe came by with gifts, as did a group of moms whose children were in Karen’s final class.

“I loved what I’ve done,” she said. “I can’t imagine doing anything else. I really have enjoyed it. I’ve loved working for Bill Wetherbee and with Bill Elder.”

Mr. Elder is a longtime school board member and longtime friend who Karen mentioned in her brief retirement letter to the district.

“Bill Elder is the epitome of class and professionalism who led the board twice,” she said. “I ended my letter with ‘Thank you Bill Elder.’”

Does she know how much she touched generations of students and their families?

“It’s been great touching so many lives and having them touch mine, and then to teach the kids of students I taught,” she said. 

One of her favorite students, who unabashedly said she was his favorite teacher, was Timmy Pratt, the State Trooper tragically killed in 2016.

Retiring during a pandemic is not ideal, she admitted.

“It has been so hard,” she said. “There were no field trips this spring, no picnics, no trips to see our friends at Home of the Good Shepherd. There were so many activities we couldn’t do.

“But we did hatch chickens, and every two weeks I would deliver schoolwork to my students.”

She also would drive to their homes and read to them out of the back of her Subaru.

“Ironically, I think I got closer to my 16 kids and their families this year than I have in many years.”

Will there be a formal retirement dinner?

“Oh no! There will be a Moreau family picnic at Butterfields, but that’s it.”

What’s on tap this summer?

Her log cabin needs a new roof, she’s going to have a few more trees taken down, and she plans to reseed her front lawn.

“I don’t mind my own company,” she said. “That doesn’t mean I’m lonely or alone. I’m thrilled to read a stack of books on my nightstand. It’s nice to have that time.”

And she’ll watch her grandchildren, using the teaching skills she honed over 45 years.

“I’m not going anywhere,” she said. “This is home. This is always home.”

P.S. We asked several former students for their thoughts on Karen Carayiannis’ retirement - read their thoughts here!

GORDON WOODWORTH

A South Glens Falls native, Gordon Woodworth is a respected and well-connected voice of the community. As a journalist, he has covered the Glens Falls region for more than 20 years. Read his full bio here, and click here to follow along with him on Facebook - he’s always reporting!

Hometown News: July 15

COVID-19 Update: Local Cases Rising Again

With the coronavirus intensifying in much of the country, we’re starting to see more cases here in the Glens Falls region. It was inevitable, given the amount of visitors to our area during the summer months. Add in people returning home after visiting southern and western hotspots, and it’s clear that COVID-19 is not done yet.

Warren County Administrator Ryan Moore made an appearance on NBC Nightly News Tuesday evening, talking about how the virus is making a comeback in our region - you can watch that here.

Officials in Warren and Saratoga County point to a July 4th party for helping spread the virus here. The party and other social gatherings resulted in 22 new cases in Saratoga County, officials confirmed.

Warren County said Tuesday it is monitoring 12 active coronavirus cases (four new today), and 45 residents are under mandatory quarantine.

Washington County reports it has four active cases and is monitoring 75 residents for symptoms of COVID-19.

And Albany County reported 44 new coronavirus cases Wednesday. The last time they recorded that many new cases was two months ago. Montgomery County has also seen a significant spike recently.

Statewide deaths stood at 24,994 as of Tuesday afternoon.

What Will School Look Like in September?

Governor Andrew Cuomo released preliminary guidance for school districts to use to plan for a possible reopening in September.

All students, teachers and staff must wear masks, there must be adequate spacing and ventilation, and plans must be in place for a multitude of scenarios, including what happens if a student or teacher or staff member tests positive.

School districts must submit plans to the state by the end of July. The Governor’s Office will then, on a case-by-case basis, determine how and when and if schools can reopen.

Districts in regions that are in Phase Four are eligible to reopen, as long as their region’s testing numbers are in the approved range. Right now, our region meets the criteria. But all plans are subject to change as the numbers change, officials emphasized.

My take? Schools will reopen in some form or fashion, but it may not be in September. It will likely be a combination of in-person schooling and remote learning, a hybrid of sorts. It could include students going to schools on pre-determined days, and staying home other days. That’s far from ideal, I know, but public safety is the primary concern. It will remain that way, as it has to. 

I don’t see any way there will be high school sports this fall or winter. Depending on the coronavirus numbers, officials may decide to wait until January or February and reassess conditions. 

Also, schools may physically reopen for a period of time, only to be closed again. Flexibility will be key. Clearly, it’s going to be a bumpy ride.  

Cheers! Common Roots Returns!

Common Roots Brewery, which suffered a catastrophic fire more than a year ago, is slowly reopening in its modern new brewpub on the same site on Saratoga Avenue in South Glens Falls. In a Facebook post, owners Christian and Bert Weber write, “The Taproom at 58 Saratoga Avenue is now open for to-go sales only. We will maintain our current operating schedule of Noon-8pm, 7 days/week, for the foreseeable future. Delivery and online ordering for pickup are temporarily paused during our transition.”

Veteran food service manager and South Glens Falls native Dan Biddiscombe is now on board working at Common Roots, a move met with delight by his many friends and family in town!

Coach’s Corner Goes on the Road

Coach’s Corner, Jack Celeste’s South Glens Falls gathering place across from St. Michael’s Church, closed on Tuesday, serving its final meals after a three-year run. 

But it will be reimagined as a food truck soon! Jack tells Glens Falls Living that a modern, upgraded, completely remodeled food truck is on order from Iowa, and will be here soon. His daughters Mallory and Lindsey say their dad will work some weekdays, hitting some loyal customer bases, and “We will be taking over weekends, and Thursday and Friday night dinners! We will also be available for weddings and any type of party! We are so excited for this new journey! As soon as we get more figured out, we will keep everyone updated. So stayed tuned, like we said before, we aren’t going anywhere, we are just moving on wheels.”

So keep an eye out for Coach’s Corner On The Road!

…and More Reopenings!

The popular Anvil Inn in Fort Edward is reopening tomorrow, July 16th! A Facebook post says owner Neal Orsini “ripped the place apart” and redid the floors and painted the kitchen. If you go, don’t forget to try the cranberry bread pudding for dessert. It may change your life!

—————

Doreen’s Soup Kitchen has moved into the Hudson Falls United Methodist Church! A Facebook post says, “We moved…so we could help more people, [and] have more parking space that was much safer for the seniors.

“…Unfortunately Covid-19 had terrible timing and has put a stop to us opening the Soup Kitchen until we get the approval from the Church and the state to open up again. HOWEVER, the Food Pantry is OPEN and we are taking appointments to feed people that need the assistance! Please reach out to us at 518-747-9042 if you have ANY questions or if you need assistance with food! God Bless you all!” 

And They’re Off!

Saratoga Race Course opens for the season on Thursday, with no fans. But New York Racing Association officials are banking on fans still betting on the races during the 40-day meet! Last year, horse-racing enthusiasts wagered nearly $700-million off-track on races at The Spa. That’s a lot of $2 exactas!

If you are prone to put a dollar or two down on a thoroughbred, here are a couple of tips:

• The best value is found in maiden races for 2-year-olds. Often, many of the horses that run in these races have never raced before. This is where big long shots can hit the board. Take a flyer!

• Look for horses who have been on the grounds for a while and are comfortable here. The more comfortable a horse is, the better he or she will run. 

Visitors Welcomed Back to Nursing Homes

Governor Andrew Cuomo announced that nursing homes are now able to allow limited visits for their residents, ending months of isolation for many families of senior citizens who live in elder-care facilities.

Residents are now allowed two visitors at a time. Visitors must undergo temperature checks, wear face coverings and socially distance during the visit. At least one of the two visitors must be at least 18 years old, the state Department of Health mandates. Only 10 percent of the residents can be allowed visitors at any time.

Yep, Another Cancelation

As expected, the Adirondack Nationals Car Show scheduled for Lake George Village in September has been canceled, joining a myriad of other annual events that will wait until 2021. 

Sign of the Times?

VTDigger reports “Vermont Ag Secretary Anson Tebbetts says Vermont has lost 25 dairy farms in last four months. Before Covid, the state was losing about 1.5 dairy farms a month. Vermont has just 636 farms milking cows now.”

The situation in Washington County isn’t much better, as larger farms increasingly buy up the milk quotas of smaller family farms.

How ‘Bout a Drive In Movie?!

And finally, a slice of normalcy! Glen Drive In on Route 9 in Queensbury opens for the season on Friday, July 17th! The movies are Goonies, Gremlins, Jaws and Jurassic Park! I can smell the popcorn now!

Until next time -
Gordon

GORDON WOODWORTH

A South Glens Falls native, Gordon Woodworth is a respected and well-connected voice of the community. As a journalist, he has covered the Glens Falls region for more than 20 years. Read his full bio here, and click here to follow along with him on Facebook - he’s always reporting!

Massie's Reopens With a New Look

Massie’s, the venerable Italian restaurant in South Glens Falls, has quietly reopened after a three-month renovation added a new bar and updated the formal dining room.

“We closed on the first day of the quarantine, on March 15th,” owner Jon Greenwood, 35, told Glens Falls Living. “I figured, let’s just do it.”

Mr. Greenwood, an executive chef and Queensbury High School graduate, bought Massie’s in January 2016 from Pat Russo. The Russo family had run it since 1929, when Pat Russo’s father Ralph, known as Massie, opened it during the Great Depression.

“We redid the original bar in 2017,” Mr. Greenwood said. “That was the first major project. Then we did a full kitchen remodel, from floor to ceiling. We have new coolers, new hood fan systems, all of it energy efficient.”

Then his attention turned to the old-school formal dining room.

“I love repurposing spaces for efficiency,” he said. “Everything in the restaurant business is about being efficient, about minimizing steps.”

The new bar has a full drink station near the kitchen, making it easier for servers. The renovated dining space includes canvas photos of the classic murals that for decades adorned the walls.

Mr. Greenwood kept most of the work in the family. His uncle, Jim Greenwood of JPG Homes, and his brother, Jeff of Jeff Greenwood Construction, did much of the work. Jamie Smith of Tile Solutions did the floors, and Jon Greenwood’s cousin Darren Greenwood was a constant presence.

“Having my uncle is great,” Jon said. “He is so meticulous about planning.”

The old bar and dining area is now for private parties only. The upper dining room seats 60, while the bar area seats 40. Overall, the restaurant seats about 165.

“People come in and are lost!” Jon said. “They love it! I brought back the old phone booth, and the great painting of Massie, in a nod to tradition. Many people knew Massie, so we needed to feature that wonderful painting.”

He’s also seeking old Massie’s memorabilia to fill out his collection. 

The menu still includes the classics: spaghetti and meatballs, ziti, the relish trays, the liver pate and the garlic bread.

“We dropped the full-course dining option because we were finding it was just too much food for people,” he said. “Everything is now a la carte.”

He said business has been very strong since reopening.

“We’re so steeped in local,” he said. “I would guess that 50 percent of our customers come in more than once a week. It’s unbelievable.

“The first year after I bought the restaurant was the hardest year of my life. I put so much into it, and was trying so hard to keep Massie’s the way it was. We are trying our best, but there are always going to be naysayers.

“I love delivering a good experience. Since we’ve reopened, business has been great. We’re so big we can socially distance people easily. And we’ve been doing a lot of takeout.”

Massie’s is open Tuesday through Sunday starting at 4 p.m. For more info, check out their website here.

Owner/Chef Jon Greenwood

GORDON WOODWORTH

A South Glens Falls native, Gordon Woodworth is a respected and well-connected voice of the community. As a journalist, he has covered the Glens Falls region for more than 20 years. Read his full bio here, and click here to follow along with him on Facebook - he’s always reporting!

Hometown News: July 8

COVID-19 Update: We’re Not Out of the Woods Yet

As we experience the dog days of summer, it’s clear that the coronavirus pandemic is still very much a factor in upstate New York. With new infections increasing in 38 states across the country, it was only a matter of time before we started seeing more cases in the Glens Falls region, and that’s exactly what is happening.

Warren County went from no active cases to 10 in a week, most from residents who vacationed in Florida, where the virus is spiking. Most troubling, one person is infected and health officials are trying to figure out how they got the virus. One resident is hospitalized and is expected to recover.

The county reported a person who runs a “personal care” business tested positive. Personal care businesses include barbershops, nail and hair salons, tattoo shops, massage studios and spas. Warren County did not release the name of the business, and said all of the potentially exposed clients have been identified and contacted. In all, 45 people are being monitored in precautionary quarantine.

The numbers remain stable in Washington County, with only one active case and 14 people being monitored for symptoms.

Saratoga County reported 43 active cases earlier this week, and four hospitalized.

The statewide death toll is approaching 25,000.

New York’s travel advisory for visitors from COVID hot-spot states has been expanded to travelers from 19 states. As of Tuesday, the states included in New York State’s travel restriction are: Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Nevada, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Utah. Visitors from those states are asked to self-quarantine for two weeks.

Anyone traveling to Warren County from these states is asked to call Warren County Health Services at 518-761-6580. Click here for more info.

Also, Governor Andrew Cuomo announced Wednesday that local school districts would be issued guidance on reopening plans on Monday, July 13. The districts will then have until July 31st to submit plans to the state. The state will then decide whether each individual district can open based on their plan by August 7th.

The Governor also made it clear that the decision if and when to reopen schools was a state decision. “It’s not up to the President,” he said.

Governor Cuomo also said malls can open on Friday if they have the proper ventilation filters in place that greatly reduce the possibility of the virus being distributed through the air. This afternoon, Aviation Mall announced that it will indeed open on Friday.

“Overall, we have implemented all of the guidance released by the federal government, CDC, and the State of New York,” Aviation Mall said in a press release. “We stand prepared to re-open safely.”

Gourmet Cafe To Reopen on July 15

Francis and Tracy Willis’s popular Gourmet Cafe restaurant in downtown Glens Falls is reopening on Wednesday, July 15, news that was celebrated on social media when the Willis family announced it.

“We will be doing our part by continuing to hold ourselves to high standards of cleanliness as well as maintaining all of the most up to date guidelines to help curb the spread of the virus,” they said on Facebook. “ Masks will be required and appreciated by all of our guests until seated at your table. With everyone's continued hard work, we can help prevent any future dining rollbacks. We appreciate everyone who has reached out with words of encouragement. We are looking forward to seeing everyone.”

Gourmet Cafe has been closed since March 17.

Queensbury High School Track Reopens

Queensbury Schools announced that the high school track and surrounding walking/running trails are now open!

“Please be sure to abide by all Covid-19 safety guidelines,” the district said in a Tweet. “Please maintain social distancing and disinfect your hands prior to entering and leaving the track. Be smart & stay safe.” 

Warren County Summer Youth Program Kicks Into Gear

Warren County Employment & Training Administration announced that the annual Summer Youth Employment Program will begin later this month. “This year’s program will be different, given the health concerns and short notice to get the program going, so there will be limited spots and an abbreviated application window,” said a press release. 

“The majority of the worksites will have primarily outdoor work that includes physical distancing, face coverings, and other safety measures to ensure that the youth remain protected from contracting or spreading the coronavirus.  

“Longstanding partnerships with BOCES and Warren-Hamilton Counties Community Action, who oversee Operation Food Chain during the summer, will allow youth program workers to help provide free lunches to all community members aged 18 and under.” 

Other worksites are being finalized, and the tentative dates for this year's abbreviated program are July 27 to August 28. 

Interested Warren County youth must complete the application and submit it by July 15, 2020 to Jill Metcalfe at metcalfej@warrencountyny.gov.  Forms are at warren-county-ny-covid-19-warrencountyny.hub.arcgis.com/pages/syep.

Jimmer Mulling Playing Options

Glens Falls legend Jimmer Fredette has been freed from his contract with Panathinaikos in the EuroLeague, and is reportedly considering signing with Zenit St. Petersburg in Russia. Fredette signed a two-year, $3.5-million deal with Panathinaikos before last season, and averaged 12.9 points, 2.1 rebounds, and 1.8 assists. He shot 41.7% from downtown and 47.3% from the field. Reports are he was asked to take a 50% pay cut. Last season he was the second highest-paid player on the team.

Benjamin Criddle of ESPN 960 in Utah reported Wednesday that Fredette had turned down “multiple offers” in Asia and could be open to taking a pay cut and returning to Panathinaikos. Stay tuned!

SUNY Adirondack, Plumbers Union Announce Collaboration

UA Plumbers & Steamfitters Local 773 announced it is partnering with SUNY Adirondack to offer an associate degree program to its members.

“For our Apprentices, there is even more excitement in that SUNY Adirondack will grant 30 credits towards the degree upon successful completion of your NYS Department of Labor Registered Apprenticeship Training Program,” said a Facebook post. “Also, not only is the partnership available to our immediate Local, it will be available to all Building Trades Unions! 

“To be awarded this opportunity by the NYS Department of Education is an incredible feat…The leaders of the trades have always recognized and appreciated the need and the commitment that an individual must put forth to gain higher education. It wasn’t until now, locally, that a higher education facility such as SUNY Adirondack and a leading Local Union have come together to provide for many skilled members, a NYS Board of Education recognized degree. 

“It is the hope of the Training Department at Local 773 that individuals will see this partnership to gain the best of both worlds. To come together for the betterment of men and women contemplating between taking the path of obtaining a college degree or obtaining training in a career trade is a testament to how two separate educational facilities can work together.”

What’s With All of the Dead Fish on Lake George?

Many boaters noticed a lot of dead fish floating on Lake George over the holiday weekend, and took to social media for answers. The Lake George Association was all over it, and responded with this post from Kristen Wilde, their director of education.

"The fish die off is lakewide and something we see every year to some extent. Some years it is worse than others. It is likely the result of low concentrations of dissolved oxygen in the water due to a fast warming of Lake George. The Lake warmed about 10 degrees within three days.

“Also, the lack of rain has not allowed for water circulation which would also play a factor in depleting oxygen. Many have mentioned seeing dead perch and sunfish, among other species. They are the warm-water fish, in the top "story" of the Lake's two story fishery, living in the upper levels of the Lake that experienced the fast temperature increase.

"The deep coldwater fish are not being seen in the die off since cold water holds more oxygen than warm water."

Experienced fishing charter captain Jeff Johnson of Rod Bender Charters also chimed in, writing on Facebook, “I am out there every day. Most of the fish have been dead for some time and are quite decayed. They fill with gasses and then come to the surface. I believe many were winter kills, then surfaced when the water warmed quickly.”

Until next time -
Gordon

GORDON WOODWORTH

A South Glens Falls native, Gordon Woodworth is a respected and well-connected voice of the community. As a journalist, he has covered the Glens Falls region for more than 20 years. Read his full bio here, and click here to follow along with him on Facebook - he’s always reporting!

Hometown News: July 1

Back to School?

Now that local high school seniors have graduated, the focus has turned to the upcoming 2020-21 academic year.

What will school look like this fall?

Will classes start in September?

Or is it too early to say?

With COVID-19 cases rising in 26 states, the current coronavirus surge has increased anxiety and created more doubt about when — and if — school will start eight weeks from now.

Governor Andrew Cuomo told NBC’s Chuck Todd Sunday, “If this continues across the country, kids are going to be home for a long time.

“I’ll be honest with you. It's two months away," Gov. Cuomo said of the 2020-21 school year. “Anything can happen in two months. You look back two months and you see how many things have changed. I want to see what the infection rate is and what the disease is doing before we pull the trigger and make the decision.”

About 1% of the people tested in New York are testing positive, the Governor said.

“How does that number go up?” Cuomo asked. “Two ways. Lack of compliance – and I'm diligent about staying after New Yorkers and local governments that have to police it.

“Second, I'm now afraid of the spread coming from other states because we are one country and people travel, and I'm afraid the infection rate in the other states will come back to New York and raise that rate again.”

It’s already happening. In Chappaqua, 14 people have tested positive after members of two families who had been in Florida attended graduation ceremonies and parties and didn’t wear masks, the website LoHud.com reported.

So where does that leave us?

We reached out via email to Glens Falls City School Superintendent Paul Jenkins, asking to talk about what school may look like next fall. He politely declined an interview, but did say, “Basically, we are in a holding pattern. There are too many X factors that need to be decided at the state level, either by the Governor’s Office or by the State Education Department.” 

We then reached out to James Dexter, BOCES District Superintendent, who oversees 31 local school districts in Warren, Washington, Saratoga, Hamilton and Essex counties.

“I don’t have any answers,” Mr. Dexter told Glens Falls Living. “We anticipate getting the safety rules from the Governor’s Office at some point, and then the Board of Regents is meeting [in mid-July] and we expect they will have a number of regulations, so likely we’ll have some guidance on health and safety measures including transportation, and then we’ll get another set of guidance. 

“We’re hoping by mid-July we have at least some guidance, and then once we know the rules, we have six or seven work groups of superintendents and principals that will work regionally so there is commonality because districts share programs. And then I anticipate every district will have their own committees as well, working through August once we have information.”

Clearly it’s a very fluid situation.

“I do think we could have changing guidance,” he said. “So the initial plan is once we get the rules, then regionally we will work together to try to find the solutions that work best, and then each district would have its own plan. And it’s going to be a continuous loop as more guidance comes out.”

Will school start in early September?

“At this point, we’re certainly hoping that it entails bringing students back to school, but to what degree is still quite a mystery at this point.

“It certainly is our hope, but there are so many other factors. There are staff that have medical needs, students who have medical needs…there are so many things that are unknown.

“That would be our wish. I know the kids want to come back. It’s just a matter of what the guidance is and that will determine what we can do and what we’re not able to do.”

So much planning, so little time.

“It’s going to be a heck of a summer,” Mr. Dexter said. “We have to plan as if and hope we start in September and then adapt accordingly.”

Prospect Mountain Opens

Prospect Mountain Veterans Memorial Highway is now open seven days a week between the hours of 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. 

To help prevent the spread of COVID-19, DEC is taking the following precautions:
    •    The shuttle will not operate;
    •    Picnicking will be prohibited, and the picnic pavilions will not be available to rent;
    •    Restrooms will remain closed; and
    •    View scopes at the pull-offs and on the summit have been dismantled. 

For more information on open facilities, visit DEC’s camping page. For information about campgrounds operated by the State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation visit the NYS Parks camping webpage. 

Now Hiring…

The Lake George business community is looking to fill more than 500 job openings, and has developed a website, LakeGeorgeisHiring.com, to facilitate hiring.

The site features open positions for all levels of experience, including cooks, housekeepers, front desk staff, bussers, food runners, waitstaff, bartenders, maintenance, security, marketing, delivery drivers and more.

Also, DEC is seeking seasonal campground staff with all levels of experience and skill sets, including supervisors, security, maintenance, and cleaning staff, and booth workers. If interested, please send an email to campinfo@dec.ny.gov.

Pay Your Glens Falls Water + Tax Bills Online!

The City of Glens Falls is now offering online payments for tax bills and water and sewer bills at https://www.cityofglensfalls.com/203/Online-Payments. 

“Residents can either use American Express, VISA, Mastercard, Discover or a checking account for payment,” said a press release. “Please note that there is a convenience fee involved when paying online. This fee is set and retained by the processing vendors enabling the transaction. The City of Glens Falls receives no portion of this convenience fee.”

Fees are: American Express, Visa, Mastercard and Discover Credit Charge – 2.85% plus $0.40. E-Check - $2.95. 

Batter Up!

The Glens Falls Independents of the Independent Collegiate Baseball League opens play on Monday, July 6th at East Field in Glens Falls. The Independents host the Albany Athletics in a doubleheader, with first pitch at 5:30 pm. The season concludes the week of August 13 with all four teams aiming to complete a 30-game season. Game days are all doubleheader matchups on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. 

A press release said, “Per state guidance, the ICBL will allow participating players up to two family members per game in attendance. Both ICBL venues will offer sit-down outdoor dining options as well, in accordance with county health regulations…East Field is in the final stages of developing its dining options.”

The 2020 schedule, results and news can also be found on the ICBL Twitter feed @IndCollegiateBB in addition to Twitter feeds for @DutchAlbany, @AlbanyAthletics, @MohawksBaseball. 

The ICBL is the only collegiate-level league in the Greater Capital Region to operate this summer after the cancellations of several other local baseball leagues.

…and of course, COVID-19, County by County

In Warren, Washington and Saratoga counties, the coronavirus is at its lowest levels since the pandemic began.

In Warren County, less than a half-dozen new cases have been diagnosed in the last five weeks.

In Washington County, it’s a similar story: very few new cases reported and no Washington County residents hospitalized.

Saratoga County reports one person hospitalized as of Wednesday, with 24 active cases.

Until next time -
Gordon

GORDON WOODWORTH

A South Glens Falls native, Gordon Woodworth is a respected and well-connected voice of the community. As a journalist, he has covered the Glens Falls region for more than 20 years. Read his full bio here, and click here to follow along with him on Facebook - he’s always reporting!

A Mini Minne: Beautiful Replica of Lake George's Beloved Steamboat Minne-Ha-Ha

Like many people, Paul Fieman was fascinated with the Minne-Ha-Ha growing up. 

His family vacationed at Trout Lake every summer, and his mom and dad would bring Paul and his brother to Lake George Village to ride the classic Lake George Steamboat Company vessel.

Paul’s fascination with the Minne-Ha-Ha led him to build an intricate “O” scale model of the boat that has taken most of two years to build.

“I’m still working on some details like the railings,” he told Glens Falls Living. “Every railing I am building by hand. I’m very close to being done. Right before you called, I finished the railings in the paddlewheel by the back.”

The detailed model is 39 inches long, 16 inches high and almost nine inches wide. The real Minne-Ha-Ha is 137 feet long and 30 feet wide, he said.

“I did the drawing for it and that was in 1999, before the internet,” Paul said. “And I just never got around to building the actual model until October 2018.

“I was cleaning the garage. I build electric guitars, and I found the drawing that I did rolled up in a tube in a corner of the garage. The drawing wasn’t really accurate. I just had photos to go by. 

“When I went to do the model two years ago, most of my research was on the internet. I think I’ve watched every video of the Minne-Ha-Ha on YouTube just to get details, like how the smokestack looked or how the railings looked.

“Started the hull with pieces of maple that I had glued together and then I carved it to get the shape of the boat. The hull is hollow in the center, and that’s where the engine room and the boiler room are.

“Basically, it’s made out of maple. The railings are made out of different types of coffee stirrers that I found at Starbucks, believe it or not. The paddle wheel — my wife is a school teacher and she had some popsicle sticks for crafts — so I took those and I made the paddle wheel out of that.

“The top part of the boat, I drew onto pieces of maple and cut out the windows and the openings with my band saw. And then the inside walls and a lot of the decking is basswood, which is a type of wood commonly used in models.

“It’s all glued together with different types of glue. I used wood glue for the heavy pieces, the hull and the superstructure and the frame. The fine detail, like the railings and the frames and the windows, I probably have gone through 50 tubes of Superglue.”

Paul said he’s had several offers to buy the model, but he had another idea.

“My dream would be to have it displayed in Lake George, in a museum or somewhere up there,” he said. “I have had offers to sell it. I’m flattered by it, but I built this to show people. I’d rather have it where other people can see it.”

He said people can contact him through Facebook.

“I hope people enjoy this long after I’m gone,” he said.

GORDON WOODWORTH

A South Glens Falls native, Gordon Woodworth is a respected and well-connected voice of the community. As a journalist, he has covered the Glens Falls region for more than 20 years. Read his full bio here, and click here to follow along with him on Facebook - he’s always reporting!

Hometown News: June 24

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. 

GORDON WOODWORTH

A South Glens Falls native, Gordon Woodworth is a respected and well-connected voice of the community. As a journalist, he has covered the Glens Falls region for more than 20 years. Read his full bio here, and click here to follow along with him on Facebook - he’s always reporting!

Hometown News: June 17

A hometown grad is headed to the big leagues - Gordon chatted with Queensbury’s Brett Rodriguez this week about the exciting news! We’re also sharing the latest Phase 3 guidelines, updates on sports and camping, and lots more…

Brett Rodriguez (Courtesy of Wofford Athletics)

Queensbury Grad Signs with Seattle Mariners

Brett Rodriguez, one of the best all-around athletes ever to come from this area, is now a member of the Seattle Mariners organization.

Rodriguez, a three-sport start at Queensbury who went on to a standout baseball career at Division I Wofford College, signed with the Mariners last week.

“I’m super excited for the opportunity, but at the same time, this is the beginning for me and I’m just hungry to see how far I can go and just work hard and try to make my dreams come true,” he told Glens Falls Living.

Rodriguez, the son of Anthony and Michelle Rodriguez, had committed to playing his final year at Creighton University in Nebraska, “but because of Seattle calling me, I couldn’t turn down that offer,” he said.

He just graduated from Wofford with a bachelor’s degree in accounting and finance. Getting that degree was one of the reasons he didn’t sign last year after his junior season.

“I feel really good about it,” he said. “That was one of the reasons I went back to school, to finish my degree, and I’m definitely super excited to have it along with starting my professional career.”

For now, he’s working out at home in Queensbury or at a friend’s house, getting in some swings when he can.

“I’ve been trying to hit on fields lately, but I’ve been kicked off a lot of them, so I’m going to a batting cage that a friend has in his backyard,” he said.

Rodriguez said he was talking to several teams, but decided on the Mariners.    “They said they loved my athleticism,” he said. “That’s a big thing that they really like about me. And also that I can play multiple positions. I played third, short, second and even a little bit of centerfield in my time at Wofford, so I’m definitely a utility guy for them, but they are thinking somewhere in the infield depending on where they need me for that team.”

Jay Marra, Brett’s high school coach at Queensbury, said, “I could not be happier for Brett! Just the nicest young man you would ever meet! I knew he would get [signed] on his athleticism and speed alone. He’s so much like [fellow Queensbury standouts] Brendan Harris and Will Groff, a multi-sport star who could play any position at an all-star level! I’m so proud of him!”

Rodriguez started in 164 games at Wofford College, batting .294 with 183 hits, 140 runs scored and 93 RBI. He is the school’s all-time leader in career stolen bases with 85, and was named All-Southern Conference first-team in 2019 when he ranked 15th nationally in stolen bases.

At Queensbury, he was a remarkable three-sport athlete, helping the Spartans to a state football title while leading the baseball team to the state semifinals and starting as point guard on the basketball team. 

As a senior, he batted .430 with 26 hits, 15 RBI, three home runs and 22 stolen bases. On the mound, he was 7-0 with 55 strikeouts and a 0.66 ERA. He was named first-team all-state as a senior.

What Else is New?

Gatherings grow

Governor Andrew Cuomo announced Monday that gatherings of up to 25 people will be allowed as part of Phase 3. The Capital Region, which includes the Glens Falls area, entered Phase 3 today. Restaurants can now have indoor dining at 50% of capacity. All servers will wear masks, and diners must wear masks when not seated at their table.

Gov. Cuomo also says some youth sports like baseball and softball could start up again 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. Up to two spectators per child will be allowed at the events, Cuomo said.

Also, the New York State Department of Health announced that sleepaway camps for children will not be allowed this summer.

More info here. 

Gone Camping

Warren County and the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation announced Region 5 campgrounds and parks will be open as of June 19.

“There is good news for some but not all of the DEC campgrounds/parks in Lake George region, as Hearthstone. Luzerne and Rogers Rock are missing from the list. 

“The DEC hopes to have all of its campgrounds and state parks re-opened by July 1.

“Here is the list of those that will be open as of this Friday:
Glen Island
, Lake George Battlefield, Lake George Battleground
, Lake George
Million Dollar Beach (7 days/week), Long Island
, Narrow Island
, Eagle Point, Scaroon Manor, Lake Durant
, Lewey Lake
, Buck Pond
, Lake Harris
, Meadowbrook
, Putnam Pond.

“Note: Campgrounds operated by New York Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, which include Moreau Lake State Park, are open.”

More info here.

Bears, Oh My

DEC issues guidance to reduce bear conflicts. New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos encourages New Yorkers to reduce the potential for conflicts with bears in communities across the state. 

A press release said bears that frequent developed areas are more likely to be hit by vehicles, illegally killed by people who perceive them as a threat, or euthanized for dangerous behavior. New Yorkers can live responsibly with bears by taking down bird feeders, storing garbage containers and pet/livestock feed securely indoors, cleaning grill grease traps, and asking neighbors to do the same. A bear passing through a developed area in search of suitable natural habitat may investigate human food sources, but if it cannot obtain anything to eat, it will continue on its way.

Follow the tips below to live responsibly with New York black bears:
• Do not feed bears intentionally. Feeding bears intentionally is illegal and a ticketable offense. Bears that obtain food from humans will continue to seek food from humans and become nuisance bears, which can pose a threat to humans.
• Around dwellings, the public is encouraged to: Remove all bird feeders; Keep garbage, grills, pet food, and bird seed inside a solid, secure structure such as a house, shed, or garage; If grills cannot be secured, clean grills, move them away from houses, and remove grease traps after each use; Put garbage on the curb the morning of collection, not the night before, and use bear-resistant trash containers; and close garage doors and ground-floor windows/doors at night.

Anvil Inn Reopening - Good news + Bad news

In a Facebook post, Lisa Orsini of the Anvil Inn wrote, “Hi Folks! Good news and bad news! Good news is...we will be reopening! Bad news is...not until July 16th. Neal [Orsini] has the place ripped apart redoing the floors and painting the kitchen. Plus, hopefully the ‘new normal’ will look a little closer to the ‘old normal’ a month from now. We thank you for your patience and support! Miss you all!”

Gone Golfing

The 11th Annual Cornell Cooperative Extension Golf Tournament is Saturday, Aug. 22, at 10 a.m. at Cronin’s Golf Resort in Warrensburg. All proceeds from this benefit will be used to help financially support Cooperative Extension educational programs. $95 if pre-paid by Aug. 7. Includes golf, barbecue and prizes. Info: 518-623-3291. Pre-registration for tournament and barbecue is required by contacting Amy Sabattis at 518-623-3291 or 518-668-4881.

COVID-19, County by County

In Warren, Washington and Saratoga counties, the presence of the coronavirus continues to decrease steadily. For the first time since March 17, a span of 91 days, there are no confirmed COVID-19 cases among Warren County residents.

“This is great news, and we are very thankful for the cooperation from our Warren County residents and work of our Warren County employees and local healthcare community that allowed us to get to this point,” Frank Thomas, chairman of the Warren County Board of Supervisors, said Tuesday in a press release. “But please remember that this is not a time to let down our guard. This vicious virus is not eradicated. We need to continue taking precautions to ensure that we don’t undo all of the progress that has been made.” Warren County documented no additional COVID-19 cases Tuesday, and has had no new cases in the past 13 days. 

• In Warren County, 27 of their 33 deaths have been nursing home residents. Another four were residents of assisted living facilities. There have been 244 confirmed cases overall in Warren County, not including cases that were presumed to be COVID-19. 231 residents have recovered. 

• Washington County has reported 13 deaths and 212 total cases since the pandemic began. 195 residents have recovered, with four cases still active. That’s down two from last week. No Washington County residents were hospitalized as of Wednesday

• Saratoga County reports 17 deaths with 522 confirmed cases overall, and one person hospitalized as of Wednesday. That’s down three from last week. 484 residents have recovered, and there are 22 active cases, down 13 from last week at this time.

GORDON WOODWORTH

A South Glens Falls native, Gordon Woodworth is a respected and well-connected voice of the community. As a journalist, he has covered the Glens Falls region for more than 20 years. Read his full bio here, and click here to follow along with him on Facebook - he’s always reporting!

Hometown News: June 10

Large protests, small graduations… Gordon shares his take. Speaking of graduations, get the scoop on what local districts are doing for their ceremonies with the newly issued guidelines and lots more below.

Large Protests, Small Graduations…

Never before have we had the convergence of circumstances we are seeing now.

The region is hesitantly and tentatively reopening as healthcare officials warn of a possible COVID-19 surge.

And if that weren’t enough, citizens protesting the death of George Floyd are taking to the streets, as they did in Glens Falls on Friday, marching for racial equality and social justice.

A vast majority of the marchers wore masks and tried to keep social distance, but large gatherings go against the advice of most medical experts, including Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation’s top infectious disease official.

And now Governor Andrew Cuomo has established new guidelines for high school graduations, limiting them to outdoor ceremonies with a maximum of 150 people. That total includes graduates, faculty, staff, administrators and family and friends.

Some are questioning how thousands of people can get together and protest but graduations are still being limited, depriving our high school seniors of a meaningful and traditional rite of passage.

I argue that they are separate and distinct situations. Protesters are gathering of their own free will, fully aware of the risks and potential consequences. But high school graduations are a different issue.

School districts are tasked with keeping their students and staff safe. They are getting their marching orders from the state. Many local districts are coming up with creative ways to honor their graduating seniors. Will it be the same? No. And that’s truly a shame.

But the school districts are responsible for the health and safety of everyone who attends a graduation ceremony. Protesters are gathering freely, expressing their First Amendment rights.

If someone gets sick after protesting, that’s the risk they took. They can’t sue anyone.

But if someone gets sick attending a high school graduation, guess what? The school district may be liable. The school district could get sued. 

That’s the difference.

I understand why those question how protesters can gather in the thousands, but graduations are limited in attendance. I get it.

But as we maneuver through this COVID-19 pandemic, let’s all take a deep breath and remember that we still don’t know a lot about the virus, and any precaution we can take to try to ensure the health and safety of everyone are precautions worth taking.

Speaking of Graduations… The Latest on Local Ceremonies

With Governor Andrew Cuomo’s new guidelines on high school graduations, local districts are announcing their plans to honor their seniors.

Gov. Cuomo says the state will permit outdoor, socially distanced graduations of up to 150 people starting June 26.

"Schools need to plan," Cuomo said Sunday. "With the progress we've made so far, and if we continue this trajectory, we'll be able to do that." The announcement is subject to any large spikes or changes in the numbers, he said.

Here’s what we know about local graduation ceremonies, as of Wednesday morning:

• Glens Falls will hold a diploma ceremony on the morning of June 26, with June 27 as the rain date. The ceremony will be an in-person event on the football field at the High School. All attendees will be required to wear masks and to observe social distancing throughout the event. This event will also be live-streamed.

“In addition to the diploma ceremony, our virtual graduation ceremony will be live-streamed on June 26th at 7:00 PM. It will also air on channel 8. This online ceremony will feature student speeches, musical performances, and a commencement address from this year’s speaker, Jimmer Fredette.

“We truly appreciate the flexibility and patience the GF Nation has shown in recent weeks. We are working hard to give our seniors the safest and most creative graduation celebration we are able to deliver.”

Superintendent Paul Jenkins told Glens Falls Living that “We are waiting to see how many more changes Cuomo makes before we finalize the details of what we can do...or can’t do! The 150-person limit would not allow for one ceremony with students and families. We still have three weeks for him to change something yet again. Stay tuned.”

• Queensbury Union Free School District Superintendent Kyle Gannon announced, “To accommodate our (293) graduates and their families…we have planned eight ceremonies spanning two days, Friday, June 26 and Saturday, June 27. [Each ceremony will include about 37 graduates]. 

“Graduates will arrive at a designated time (organized by last name) for their ceremony. Specific details, including safety guidelines and the schedule of these events, will be emailed to students and their families by the end of the week. Please note, to adhere to the maximum of 150 attendees per ceremony, graduates will be allowed two guests. 

“A professional photographer will be present to photograph all of the ceremonies. At 7 p.m. on June 27, we will release the pre-produced virtual graduation video on the district YouTube channel.

“As always, thank you for your continued cooperation, patience and support as we worked through this ever-evolving situation to give our seniors a celebration to remember. We could not be happier to share this news with you and we are so excited to be able to see your students cross our stage.”

 • South Glens Falls Superintendent Kristine Orr says a full class graduation ceremony for its 230 graduates will be held on Thursday, June 25, at 8:30 p.m., at the Glen Drive-In on Route 9 in Queensbury. The ceremony will be live-streamed so those who cannot attend can watch it.
    In addition, possible smaller-group in-person recognition could occur on Friday, June 26, Ms. Orr said. 

“By June 22, if Governor Cuomo adjusts restrictions to allow us to hold smaller, in-person events, we will announce a plan for these. We need a minimum of a 300-person limit to make this happen. If the restrictions stay below a 300-person limit, we will not be adding additional small group, in-person celebrations. The district will inform families on June 22 whether or not the additional in-person events will be taking place.”

• Hudson Falls plans to hold three in-person graduation ceremonies on the football field on Saturday, June 27, with the rain date of Sunday, June 28, high school principal Jim Bennefield said Wednesday.

The three sessions will be at 9 a.m., 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Hudson Falls anticipates having between 140 and 150 graduates. Each session will feature 45-50 graduates.

• Fort Edward plans an outdoor in-person graduation for its 31 graduates on Friday, June 26 in the late afternoon or early evening. Superintendent Dan Ward told Glens Falls Living that the ceremony will likely take place on the front lawn of the school, which provides more shade than the football field. Rain date is Saturday, June 27.

“We are still proceeding with our virtual graduation ceremony planning,” Mr. Ward said. “We’re trying to cover all of our bases. We will be posting updates on our website.”

• Lake George is still solidifying plans for its graduation. A post on the district’s website Wednesday morning says, “For LGHS Seniors (12th grade) and parents/guardians of 12th graders, we understand and directly know that the uncertainty surrounding the graduation ceremony is of utmost concern. 

“We have been fully exploring all options and are awaiting further guidance and will announce tentative plans soon. We appreciate your patience as we try to close out this school year in a positive and memorable way while adhering to the most relevant and current guidance information. 

“We can assure everyone that we have been discussing graduation options at length.  We are trying our best to preserve the opportunity to hold some sort of in-person and perhaps outside ceremony, which is what a lot of feedback has stated. The delay in defining the ceremony structure and date is to see if the state is going to relax restrictions and allow for an in-person ceremony.

“With all this stated: We are still hopeful for some sort of ceremony on Saturday, June 27, 2020 @ 9:00 AM with a "rain-date" of Sunday, June 28, 2020 @ 4:00 PM. There also exists the potential for some sort of ceremony either the first or second week of July 2020 or thereabouts. (That is the time-frame we are attempting to work within). We hope to share specific information soon and appreciate your continued patience.”

What Else is New?

• Balloon Festival is Grounded for 2020: The Official Adirondack Balloon Festival Facebook page announced today that this year’s event will be cancelled.

“The most important part in planning in an event of this magnitude is safety. Safety is not only for our balloon pilots, but also includes our spectators, law enforcement, public works, fire and rescue staff, vendors, volunteers, musical acts, and our landowners in the region. This is an unprecedented decision for us and one we did not take lightly. Our decision process included discussions with state officials and the Federal Aviation Administration officials as well. This event is for the community by the community. We have a responsibility to make certain social distancing occurs and we do not feel we could make that happen with the tens of thousands of people who attend our event,” said Mark Donahue, President of the Festival’s Board of Directors. 

Dates for next year’s festival will be September 23-26, 2021.

• Lake George Steamboat Company Sets Sail: Lake George Steamboat Company announced that the Mohican will sail starting this weekend, June 13 and 14.

“She will be sailing four one-hour cruises,” they said on Facebook.

The Lac du Saint Sacrement “will start sailing on daily luncheon trips starting on Wednesday, June 17th and daily dinner trips on Saturday, June 20th! This included the Prime Rib cruise on Sunday nights and the St. Louis Ribs cruise on Monday nights!”

The Minne-Ha-Ha will start sailing on her one-hour cruises on June 27th and 28th. All Minne Ha Ha and Mohican one-hour cruises this summer will be going out at 10:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m., 4:30pm, and 7:30 p.m.

“This will allow us enough time to clean the ship and get it ready for the next cruise and make sure that we can offer the safest possible environment to our customers! Unfortunately we will not be able to serve food and drinks on any cruises (except the luncheon and dinner cruises) until July 1st.”

More info here.

• Take A Bite to Begin in August: Glens Falls Collaborative announces Take-A-Bite is scheduled to begin in August!

A press release said the popular Wednesday evening series where visitors can stroll and dine outdoors enjoying live music, will be held Wednesdays starting in August from 5 to 7 p.m.

“The dates, of course, are subject to change as regulations due to COVID-19 dictate what is permitted,” said a press release.

In addition, Wing Fest has been tentatively rescheduled to Saturday, October 10, from noon to 3 p.m.

Pet Fest is set for Sunday, September 20, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. 

And the Grandma’s Table dining event is on the calendar for Sunday, August 16, from 4 to 6 p.m.

More info here.

• I Bird NY: The state Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) announced the start of the 2020 "I BIRD NY" challenges for beginner and experienced birders.

“New York State is home to a wide range of habitats that support more than 450 different bird species throughout the year. In New York, there are also 59 designated Bird Conservation Areas to safeguard and enhance bird populations and habitats on State lands and waters across the state. The State's I Bird NY program provides resources for New Yorkers who would like to get outdoors and engage in birding all year long.

“The joy of birdwatching is experienced by people from all economic backgrounds and education levels. While binoculars can help, enjoying birds can be done without any special equipment. DEC is hosting its annual which is open to anyone 16 years of age and younger. 

“To complete the Beginner's Birding Challenge, participants must identify 10 common New York bird species and submit their challenge sheet to DEC. Entries can be mailed or emailed. All participants in this challenge will receive a certificate of participation and be entered into a random drawing for a chance to win birding accessories.”

• Palmertown Ridge Plans Taking Shape: In 2017, the Open Space Institute, in partnership with Saratoga PLAN and local partners, created the Southern Palmertown Range Community Conservation and Recreation Strategy, a conservation and recreation road map from Moreau Lake State Park to Saratoga Springs.

And this 13-mile corridor just added 84 crucial acres in Greenfield that will now establish 350 scores of protected land connected to Lincoln Mountain State Forest.

“The Greentree Lake Addition property is a key linkage in the…proposed 13-mile trail that will ultimately connect Moreau Lake and Saratoga Spa State Parks.”

More info here.

• Lavenlair Farm in Whitehall Closed for the Season: Lavenlair Farm announced “we're unable to welcome visitors for U-Pick, photography and events at the farm this summer. We are so grateful for your ongoing support of Lavenlair Farm. Fresh lavender bouquets will be available at Walker's Farm Home & Tack once the lavender starts blooming in a few weeks. And our full line of lavender products continues to be available on our website, www.lavenlairfarm.com.”

COVID-19, County by County

In Warren, Washington and Saratoga counties, the number of new cases continues to fall. As of Wednesday morning, Warren County had no critically ill COVID-19 patients for the first time since May 20. Warren County Health Services documented no new COVID-19 cases as of Wednesday morning, and has one new case confirmed over the past 12 days. There were also no additional recoveries noted.

In Warren County, 27 of their 33 deaths have been nursing home residents. Another four were residents of assisted living facilities. There have been 244 confirmed cases overall in Warren County, not including cases that were presumed to be COVID-19. 231 residents have recovered. 

Washington County has reported 13 deaths and 210 total cases since the pandemic began. 191 residents have recovered, with six cases still active. One Washington County resident was hospitalized as of Wednesday.

Saratoga County reports 17 deaths with 509 confirmed cases overall, and four people hospitalized as of Wednesday. 458 residents have recovered, and there are 35 active cases, down 12 from last week at this time.

NY State reports through June 8th that 15 residents of Glens Falls Center in Queensbury have died, with another five deaths presumed to be related to the virus. But Glens Falls Center reports no new cases, which is great news. Eleven residents of Fort Hudson in Fort Edward have died, but Fort Hudson administrators say there are no new cases there. That’s more good news. Five residents of The Pines in Glens Falls have died, with two additional presumed cases. 

At Great Meadow Correctional Facility in Fort Ann, the state reports that as of June 9th, a total of 41 inmates had been infected. All 41 have recovered. That is exceptionally good news. At Washington Correctional Facility across the street, there are no inmates currently infected, with two having tested negative in May. More good news.

Until next time -
Gordon

GORDON WOODWORTH

A South Glens Falls native, Gordon Woodworth is a respected and well-connected voice of the community. As a journalist, he has covered the Glens Falls region for more than 20 years. Read his full bio here, and click here to follow along with him on Facebook - he’s always reporting!

Black Lives Matter: Voices from the March

Thousands turned out at yesterday’s Black Lives Matter March, and it was a beautiful, powerful, peaceful demonstration of solidarity within our city and community. As we marched, we spoke with attendees to find out why it was important for them to be there, and what they’re hopeful for in the future.

Here they are, in their own words. 

Jasmine, Mary, and Emma

Jasmine: “I have two children, so by the time they get to this age, maybe it can be more equal for them. They’re biracial - they’re black and white - and it’s important to me because I feel like if I’m silent about one person’s death, I hope no one would be silent about mine or my children’s.

“I hope that more people…instead of sitting back and being silent about a matter…any matter…that everybody can stand up for what’s right, regardless of whether it affects them or not. Injustice to one is injustice to us all.”

Mary: “I’m here to let everybody know that we’re all here for one cause, and one thing only, and that’s love. And that we’re all equal, and we should all be treated equally. I hope that this is the start of something bigger and better, and that we can finally all just become one.”

Emma: “I’m here to be a voice in an area where certain people don’t have a voice, to really amplify the platform of unity and acceptance, and to really come together in a time when everyone is so divided. My hope is that this puts an end to complacency and increases accountability.”

Lee Braggs

Lee: “Seeing what I’m seeing now - with everybody coming together - is a tremendous step forward considering what we’ve gone through. Lately it seems like we’ve been taking one step forward and twenty steps backwards, so it’s a pleasure to see this. And it’s nice to see the young people! I’ve been doing this for years and years and years, but for me to take a step back and allow the young people to do it - that does my heart well. I love it.

“My hope for the future is that we as people, we as people of the human race, can all come together without regards to race, creed, or color, and just be one big happy family.”

Robin and her daughter, Sharika

Robin: “Today, to me, is a beginning. It’s a beginning to make real radical change for racial justice, for equality, for everything that matters, including black lives. I feel hopeful for the future. I have my daughter here with me, and I feel like we are moving confidently forward to a better tomorrow.”

Beth and her family

Beth: “I think enough is enough. We have to do something at this point. Sitting at home is just consent. We don’t agree with what’s going on and we don’t want any more terrible things to happen to innocent people. My hope for the future is to stop systemic racism, because this is a system problem as much as it is a personal bias problem, so we’ll just keep working towards that goal.

“Children have the right to not grow up in fear. I’ve heard a lot of stories from friends - that they’re worried about their children’s future - and that’s sad. So I’m here and I’m working to help those families and allow their children to have wonderful opportunities like every American should.”

Darrell and Denise Perkins

Denise: “The most important thing is that we’re all coming together for a common cause - to make a change. That’s the most important thing to me, because it means we all realize that there’s a problem that needs to be solved. So we’re all out here collectively, in one voice, making one sound for change. That’s a beautiful thing for me, especially because I’m the mother of a gentle giant, and every time I see George, I see my son.

“My hope is that there will be a lasting change and that they realize that we are not out to hurt anybody. As African Americans, we’re not looking for special treatment. We just want to be treated like everybody else. That’s it. We want them to look upon us and just see a human, not a person of color. And that’s the change that we want - just to be treated equally.”

Steven and friend

Steven: “To me, today means unity and coming together. I hope that we can learn from this, continue to make changes, continue to do more policy reform, and just listen and learn from everyone that is speaking.”

Michael Plank

Michael: “Today, for me, is about showing solidarity and about demonstrating the truth that we’re a community with one another and if one part of the community is hurting, we’re all hurting. I think this is a really painful time, but I’m really hopeful that pain is being illuminated in a new way that can help us move forward.”

Alex, Violet, and Desiree

Desiree: “Today means a lot to me. There are many people who have suffered injustice and we’re here to help fight for them, and to teach this little one a bit. There’s a lot we need to do and there’s a lot we need to work for, and I think as white people that we can support it and we can stand up for that.

“I’d like to see a lot more peace, a lot more justice - hopefully people are held accountable. Accountability is huge and as we’ve seen, a lot of that slips through the cracks. Being able to get things on video really helps. It’s unfortunate that that’s the way it has to go, but people being able to see it, as hard as it is to watch, is how we’re able to hold these people accountable and make change.”

Anonymous: “My husband is a person of color. I felt like I needed to come out because if the police murdered my husband, I would be outraged and I would take to the streets. I’m very happy with the turnout. I didn’t think that people would be this outraged in this area, because the minority population is very small. I’m comfortable with what the outrage would be if it were my husband that died, which is a difficult sentence in itself.”

Katie, Melissa, and Meaghan, on their way home from the event

Meaghan: “Today means a lot about community. I’m feeling very hopeful about the future and for a better future for our kids. I think this next generation is going to lead the real change.”

Melissa: “Today means using our voices for good, and not staying silent. I agree with Meaghan - I do believe the next generation is going to lead change. They were teaching us the chants before the march, and one of them was “This is the future”. That just felt so good. I got chills.”

Katie: “We’re here taking action and showing by example to our children that all lives don’t matter until Black Lives Matter. I was really touched by the outpouring of people here today and it makes me really hopeful that our community is headed in the right direction.”

This city. This day. So much love and so much hope for the future.

P.S. Huge thanks to the event organizers, Glens Falls Police Department, Warren County Sheriffs, NYS Police, all particiapting surrounding departments, and the City of Glens Falls for coming together to allow our community the opportunity to speak out peacefully and safely. Well done! Thank You!

Hometown News: June 3

Today’s big story - the return of outdoor dining! Gordon has the scoop and the reaction from local restaurants, as well as the latest plan for Glens Falls High School graduation, and of course, COVID-19, county by county.

This Just In: Outdoor Dining Resumes Thursday

Governor Andrew Cuomo announced late Wednesday that outdoor dining in the region will be allowed starting Thursday, June 4th.

“Outdoor tables must be spaced six feet apart, all staff must wear face coverings and customers must also wear face coverings when not seated,” said the Governor’s directive.

It comes as welcome news to local restaurant owners who were part of a growing chorus of government officials and business leaders advocating for the change.

“You were the vanguard in what became a statewide push,” Warren County Administrator Ryan Moore said in a press release. 

Contacted for comment, Queensbury Hotel General Manager Tyler Herrick said of the news, “It’s fantastic! It’s about time. It never made any sense to be able to service everyone with to-go meals and have them sit in the park or on the curb to eat it. We will keep things clean and sanitary, and our patio and courtyard are all set. We are ready starting Thursday at noon.”

Paul Bricoccoli, Jr., one of the owners of the Bullpen and Talk of the Town in Glens Falls, said, “I think it’s great. I’m glad we’re able to open. A little notice would have been nice. It seems like the Governor is flying by the seats of his pants here. 

“I have a tent coming for Talk of the Town, and I talked to the tent guy and asked him how much notice I needed to give him because I figured it would be a last-minute decision. He told me he’d need three days.

“Today, I called him as soon as I heard the news, and he’s going to try to get something to us tomorrow. I can put a bunch of tables outside under a tent.”

He said he has not seen many specific directives except for servers wearing masks and diners wearing masks away from the table.

“It will be the Wild West but I’m obviously ecstatic to be able to open. As I told you yesterday, restaurant people are resilient and creative. We’ll figure it out. We’re ready to roll.”

To see what businesses and restaurants are now open, Warren County’s COVID Hub website has a tool that allows businesses to report re-opening and have their locations plotted on a county map for public consumption - view it here.

What Will Glens Falls High School Graduation Look Like This Year?

At this point, graduates will be given a time to pick up their diplomas at the school, and there will be a virtual ceremony, superintendent Paul Jenkins told Glens Falls Living Monday.

Teachers are delivering gifts to seniors, celebratory banners are being made and lawn signs are out.

“We’re trying to find ways to honor and recognize our seniors,” Mr. Jenkins said. “I know some want everyone together for a ceremony, but right now that goes against the guidelines from the state that we are following.

“We would prefer to have a traditional graduation ceremony. I’ve been doing this for 30 years, and have been involved in 30 graduations. We know how to do this. But we just can’t do the same thing this year.”

Some are pushing for a traditional ceremony on social media, prompting the district to post a letter earlier this week. The letter said, in part, “There have been some questions regarding the graduation ceremony for the Class of 2020. Currently, there are a number of special recognition activities that have been put in place to honor and celebrate our graduating seniors. An individual diploma ceremony and a virtual ceremony are both being developed in lieu of our traditional June graduation. 

“We are working under the guidelines from the Governor regarding school closures and the restriction on non-essential gatherings of more than ten individuals. We also take our guidance from the state and local Departments of Health. The Superintendent is in constant contact with both DOH and they are not recommending large gatherings.

“That being said, we expect to hear something from the Governor’s office soon, seeing that both Massachusetts and New Jersey have made announcements allowing ceremonies in July. If that occurs, we will make appropriate changes. We would much prefer an in-person graduation ceremony for our students, as we have always been able to provide in the past, with some modifications for social distancing and the requirement of masks.”

Mr. Jenkins told me, “I understand the emotion, but we can’t overlook what the experts are telling us.”

COVID-19, County by County

In Warren, Washington and Saratoga counties, the number of new cases continues to fall. As of Tuesday, Warren County had not documented a new case of COVID-19 in four consecutive days.

In Warren County, 27 of their 33 deaths have been nursing home residents. Another four were residents of assisted living facilities. As of Tuesday, there had been four straight days without new cases. There have been 243 confirmed cases overall in Warren County, not including cases that were presumed to be COVID-19. 225 residents have recovered.

Washington County has reported 13 deaths and 204 total cases since the pandemic began. 177 residents have recovered, with 14 cases still active. One Washington County resident was hospitalized as of Wednesday.

Saratoga County reports 16 deaths with 481 confirmed cases overall, and six people hospitalized as of Wednesday. 418 residents have recovered, and there are 47 active cases.

NY State reports through May 25 that 14 residents of Glens Falls Center in Queensbury have died, with another five deaths presumed to be related to the virus. Eleven residents of Fort Hudson in Fort Edward have died. Five residents of The Pines in Glens Falls have died, with two additional presumed cases. Fort Hudson announced late last month that there were no new infections in the nursing home.

At Great Meadow Correctional Facility in Fort Ann, the state reports that as of May 27th, a total of 41 inmates had been infected. 39 have recovered. One test is pending. At Washington Correctional Facility across the street, there are no inmates currently infected, with two having tested negative in May.

Until next time -
Gordon

GORDON WOODWORTH

A South Glens Falls native, Gordon Woodworth is a respected and well-connected voice of the community. As a journalist, he has covered the Glens Falls region for more than 20 years. Read his full bio here, and click here to follow along with him on Facebook - he’s always reporting!

GFSD Celebrates Students and Supports Local Restaurants with Poems To Go

When Logan Fisher, the Instructional Coach at Glens Falls School District, was looking for a way to continue to encourage students to write during this time of virtual learning, she immediately thought to partner with another group that has been struggling during this time - local restaurants. In support of both parties, Poems To Go was created - a way to celebrate the writing of their students while also encouraging folks to support Glens Falls restaurants. 

“We’re always looking for interesting ways to get kids to have a reason to write, and have an audience to write for, so I just thought that this would be a really great way to build some community spirit”, said Logan. “We thought it might serve two purposes - the biggest purpose for me was that I wanted the students to have an audience to write for, and then of course, to support our local restaurants during this difficult time.” 

Carrie Krogmann and Logan Fisher

Carrie Krogmann, her partner in this endeavor, is a first grade teacher at Kensington Road School and also just so happens to be part of a family of restaurant owners. Carrie helped to contact other local restaurants and coordinate the effort, and ended up with eight participating restaurants where folks can order food to go and receive the anthology of poems free with their purchase. The poems will also be available at Hannaford on Broad Street, as it was important for them to be sure that families who are food insecure had a place where they could get the poems without the necessity of paying for take out.

M&M Digital Printing stepped up in support of this project to print the anthologies for free. The response from students submitting poetry was amazing - much more than expected - and George Normandin of Normandin Marketing stepped up to cover the additional printing costs incurred.

Matt Flint and Matt Flint Jr. of M & M Digital Printing along with Carrie Krogmann and Logan Fisher

Many primary students formed groups based on what style of poetry they chose (thesaurus, list, etc.), and groups met virtually with teachers to work through the process together - creating the poems, giving feedback, and working toward the final result. Older students wrote independently.

“At GFSD, we’ve been telling the kids that writing can serve two purposes during this pandemic; to escape and to make sense of,” said Logan. 

For example, Ila Fisher, a 4th grader at Kensington Road School, wrote the following list poem to make sense of the pandemic: 

This one (a thesaurus poem) is by Lucy Coker, a 4th grader at Kensington Road School: 

And finally, a poem written by Natalie Zachar, 6th grade at GFMS:

Poems To Go will take place this Wednesday, June 3. Participating restaurants include: The Bullpen Tavern, Fenimore’s Pub, Talk of the Town, The Grateful Den, Poopie’s, Mean Max, Sam’s Diner, and Downtown City Tavern. To take part, simply order takeout from one of these restaurants as you normally would, pick up your food and your packet of poems, and share photos on social media using the hashtag #poemstogogfsd.