GLENS FALLS — The City of Glens Falls will undergo a pair of construction projects in the coming weeks.
The city will have parking sensors installed in “certain downtown locations,” according to a press release. The sensors will be installed below the streets. Cones are being placed to mark the locations of the sensor installations.
The sensors will be installed as a “precursor for the future development” of a city parking plan, the release states. The work is expected to be completed between today and Thursday.
The city will also work to refurbish the East Field basketball courts, following a contract award from the Glens Falls Common Council last week. A press release states that the city’s engineering department has received a signed contract and a Certificate of Insurance.
A pre-construction meeting will be held at the basketball courts at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday. The release states that the contractor “would like to begin work as soon as next week.” The courts will be closed for the duration of construction, with the release saying the contractor hopes to finish in a four-week period, “if temperatures allow the coatings to be applied.”
GLENS FALLS — A Senior Expo will be held on Sept. 21 at Heritage Hall inside Cool Insuring Arena, providing relevant resources and information to the senior community. The event is being run by the Glens Falls Senior Center.
The Expo is scheduled to run from 1 to 7 p.m. Kim Bren, Executive Director of the Glens Falls Senior Center, said the goal is for the Expo to be a “one-stop shop” for seniors.
“I wanted to cover the whole gamut as people go through the aging process, and know what information is out there and services that are available to you,” said Bren.
Bren mentioned home repairs/services, home healthcare, assisted living, nursing homes, end-of-life planning, healthcare proxies, insurance, realtors, bankers, and nonprofit organizations as some of the services that will be available. She also said that a senior service specialist from the Senior Center will be on hand at the event.
“We’ll have the insurance companies, since open enrollment is coming up in October. Most of the insurance companies have picked a table that will be there for the plans,” Bren said. “We have some assisted living facilities, we have some nursing home facilities. … We have Glens Falls Housing, they’ll be there. The Cedars (Senior Living Community Apartments). We’re just trying to cover the whole range. We have attorneys that will be there too.”
This is the first Senior Expo to be held by the Senior Center, with Bren saying she hopes “we’ll do really well.”
“We’re going to run it from 1-7, so if you’re still working, there’s time to come after work to check things out,” said Bren, who emphasized that the event is not solely for seniors.
“We have people that call here that are looking for services for mom and dad, so it’s not just for seniors. It’s for the community. If you have an aging person that you take care of, or a neighbor, or you know of someone who might need these services, it’s good to know this information.”
Bren, who has worked for the Senior Center for eight years, said the idea came from a similar event held near her hometown.
“I’m not from the area, and my grandmother and her friends used to go to a senior expo at Massena Arena, where I’m from,” Bren said. “I just thought, well this is something that would be fabulous down here to get the information out to the community of everything that can be available.”
There are currently 64 vendors signed up for the Expo, according to Bren.
“I was very surprised at the number of vendors we have received, and I’m so grateful for all of them,” she said. “It’s going to be a great show. It’s going to run just like a business show. They’ll have their table, you can stop and talk to them and request information.”
While this is the first Expo to be held by the Senior Center, Bren said the goal is to make the event an annual occurrence and the main fundraiser for the organization.
“I would love to make it an annual thing. What we want to do is have it be our signature fundraiser for the year,” said Bren. “That way, we are doing a fundraiser, but yet we’re also helping the community.”
The Senior Center will also put together a resource guide following the Expo, “so if someone has a question, we can give them that information,” said Bren.
Romeo Toyota is the presenting sponsor of the Expo, while CDPHP and Hudson Headwaters Health Network are silver sponsors.
“Just hopefully everybody comes out, and we get some really good attendance,” Bren said. “I just think it’s going to be super.”
QUEENSBURY — Warren County celebrated hospitality and retail workers at the Six Flags Great Escape on Monday, September 12, offering prizes, food, and rides.
Over 200 local workers attended the event, according to a press release from the County. The Warren County Employment and Training Administration held the event in collaboration with the Great Escape to “reward the often unsung heroes of our tourism and retail industries,” states the release.
“It was our pleasure to host the inaugural seasonal employee appreciation event last night,” said Great Escape Resort President Rebecca Wood in the release. “It was amazing to see the business participation and to support our collective workforce. We look forward to making this an annual celebration. Our teams deserve the best.”
Gift cards to restaurants and stores, as well as free tickets to “local attractions” were given out to employees during the event. Attendees were informed of winter employment opportunities at Gore Mountain and Ice Castles, and offerings from the Warren County Employment and Training Administration.
“While the workforce shortage continues across all sectors, it is important that we celebrate and retain our workforce to keep our economy going,” said Liza Ochsendorf, Warren County Director of Employment and Training in the release. “This event was a team effort that included the enthusiastic partnership of Six Flags Great Escape, the generous donations of prizes from many local businesses and the time the hospitality businesses took to nominate their employees for the various awards categories. Warren County is now a 365-day tourism economy and we have plenty of work for everyone year-round.”
Proceeds from ticket sales went to Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Southern Adirondacks, the release states, with guests of employees costing $5. Workers were admitted for free.
“We have seen a multitude of benefits when our returning seasonal workers work elsewhere in the winter,” said Patrick Welton, Resort Manager of Lake George Escape Campground, in the release. “They have additional skills, experience, and they can cross-promote our area’s offerings. I intend on giving two additional paid days off to my returning seasonal workers who obtained a winter job somewhere else.”
Staff from Glens Falls Hospital also sold raffle tickets, with the winner receiving a Toyota Rav4 Hybrid from Romeo Toyota. The drawing will take place in February 2023, according to the release.
“The goal is that this event will become a fixture on the Monday evening following Adirondack Nationals Car Show, so hospitality businesses can mark their calendars in advance and come celebrate together,” says the release.
QUEENSBURY — The Queensbury varsity girls swim team won its second straight contest to open the season, defeating Hudson Falls-South Glens Falls 76-58 at home on Thursday.
The team of Ryan Tuomela, Sophia Roberts, Nora Kennelly, and Allie Johnston won the 200 medley relay (2:14.80), while the team of McKenna Bearor, Susan Boczar, Skylar Durante, and Mya Stark finished second (2:15.91).
Kathryn Linehan won the 200 freestyle (2:39.91), while Arianna Crowd finished fourth (2:49.25). Emma Albrecht of HF-SGF placed second (2:37.70), with teammate Carly Eldred in third (2:39.99).
Sadie Giumarra won the 200 individual medley (2:39.91), with Tuomela in second (2:51.51) and Riley Langford third (3:04.40). HF-SGF’s Erin Manning placed fourth (3:25.92).
Giumarra also won the 100 freestyle (1:02.19), with teammate Marina Muldner finishing second (1:02.51). Boczar took fourth (1:09.74), while HF-SGF’s Annabelle Lindsay placed third (1:08.75).
Stark won the 500 freestyle (6:08.81) and placed second in the 50 freestyle (28.34), while Johnston finished third (28.48) and Bearor fourth (31.28) in the 50 freestyle. HF-SGF’s Isabella Basile won the 50 freestyle with a time of 28.10.
Roberts placed second in the 500 freestyle (6:30.94), with HF-SGF’s Carly Eldred (7:14.23) in third and Alivia Fish (7:41.60) fourth.
The team of Alexis Knill, Tuomela, Giumarra, and Johnston won the 200 freestyle relay (1:56.45), with the team of Muldner, Lillian Mahoney, Kennelly, and Durante in second (2:06.79).
Basile won the 100 backstroke for HF-SGF (1:07.17), with Lindsay taking second place (1:16.53). Erin Manning won the 100 breaststroke (1:54.88). The team of Albrecht, Eldred, Lindsay, and Basile won the 400 freestyle relay for HF-SGF (4:39.30).
Queensbury will next compete at Gloversville-Mayfield at 4:30 p.m. on Sept. 22. Hudson Falls-South Glens Falls will face Glens Falls at 4:30 p.m., also on Sept. 22.
GLENS FALLS — The Veterans Business Network, a council of the Adirondack Regional Chamber of Commerce, hosted a Walk for Veteran Suicide Awareness and Prevention at Glens Falls City Park on Wednesday, helping raise awareness for mental health issues among veterans.
The Veterans Business Network aims to “promote and to serve the affinity group of veteran and military service personnel,” according to the Chamber’s website.
The walk lasted 22 minutes, highlighting a statistic stating that 22 veterans lose their lives to suicide each day. Prior to the walk, the event featured several speakers, including Glens Falls Mayor S. William Collins, New York State Senator Dan Stec, and New York State Assemblyman Matt Simpson.
“Within this small group of patriots, we are losing 22 of them, and likely more, each day. And not on the battlefield, but in their hometowns. On their own soil, by way of suicide,” said Sean Dion, vice chair of the Veterans Business Network. “In my opinion, one is too many. … My call to action for you is to be the beacon in your community, and if you see something, say something. Not all wounds are visible. If someone needs a wingman, be there for them. Making connections is the path to prevention for veteran suicide.”
Mayor Collins thanked the crowd for attending, saying he “can’t express how important this event is to raise awareness about this crisis among our veterans.”
“22 a day, I’ve got to tell you, I was shocked,” said Mayor Collins. “22 a day is inconceivable across this country. … We know that’s why this event is so important. I deeply appreciate the Chamber’s Veterans Business Network, and thank both the ARCC and the Veterans Business Network for locating the regional call to action here in the heart of Glens Falls.”
Senator Stec said he was “thrilled that this event has taken a firm hold.”
“This is a national tragedy, and frankly it’s an epidemic,” Stec said. “This is something that we as government and as community should be focusing our energy and effort on, because our veterans that have served and sacrificed deserve nothing less.”
Assemblyman Simpson said his time in the assembly has taught him the best way to assist is “by listening to veterans.”
“I’m not a veteran. There’s no way that I could ever put myself in the shoes of a veteran, somebody who’s served, who has been there and come home,” said Simpson, mentioning he has two nephews who served in Afghanistan. “It’s been quite an experience to learn about the challenges that people are facing. … It hits home. It hits every single one of us. Our families are not secure from this, and we need to do all we can to support our veterans. It starts with listening. Listening to them, and taking direction.”
Jolee Hicks of #HicksStrong, Inc. also spoke, remembering her son, Macoy.
“On February 11, 2019, our son, Macoy Austin Daniel Hicks, died by suicide while actively serving in the Navy,” said Hicks, who started #HicksStrong along with her family to assist veterans with mental health struggles. “We have turned our pain into a purpose and are saving lives every day. If you take anything away from today, please take this: You matter. Your life matters. Life is hard. It downright sucks sometimes, but you don’t have to do it alone.
“#HicksStrong’s mission is to save military lives. Our family motto is, ‘Together we’re stronger.’ We can’t do this alone, but together we can.”
Jacque Ecuyer, founder of 4s4LIFE, spoke and described his battle with depression and drug addiction, stating that, “despite the incredible pain, I found strength. I knew this was bigger than me.”
“I created 4s4LIFE with one sole mission: to help people combat mental health issues on multiple levels. I’ve been clean from drugs for over 25 years now, and have dedicated my life to helping as many people as possible,” said Ecuyer. “Every life matters. Every human needs connection on some level. You are not alone. Together we can make a difference.”
Cindy Roberts, president of the New York chapter of Gold Star Mothers, spoke in remembrance of her daughter, Kristie.
“About eight months after Kristie had passed, I was invited to join Gold Star Mothers,” Roberts said. “Since that time, it broke my heart, because over half the moms in our chapter are parents of suicide (victims). … All I can say is, please don’t let any other parents go through what we have been through. Reach out, ask those questions.”
Roberts added that “it means so much” to see the crowd walking together.
“If we can just get the stigma off talking about suicide, so many people are just uncomfortable,” said Roberts. “We know, as I look at all of you, that we are not alone. And all I can say is thank you for not letting us share this burden by ourselves.”
QUEENSBURY BOYS SOCCER SHUTS OUT SOUTH GLENS FALLS
QUEENSBURY — The Queensbury varsity boys soccer team posted a shutout Wednesday, defeating South Glens Falls 3-0 at home.
Luke Eichin gave the Spartans a 1-0 lead just over nine minutes into the contest, finishing a rebound off his own shot attempt. Ian Rathbun found Gavin Kelly for another tally in the 20th minute of the first half, and Rathbun scored the final goal in the 43rd minute off an assist from Max Roca.
Jake Afsar-Keshmiri made four saves in goal for the Spartans, who improved to 3-0-3 on the season. Queensbury will host La Salle at 2 p.m. on Saturday.
QUEENSBURY GIRLS SOCCER DEFEATS S.G.F.
QUEENSBURY — The Queensbury varsity girls soccer team earned a 3-0 win at home over South Glens Falls on Wednesday, powered by two goals from Bayley Duffy.
Duffy opened the scoring in the 26th minute, giving the Spartans a 1-0 lead. Ava Stewart made it 2-0 just five minutes later, finishing a rebound off a shot by Ava Roca. In the 73rd minute, Stewart found Duffy for another goal to make it 3-0.
Shea Canavan made seven saves in goal for the Spartans, recording a shutout. Elena Kennedy had 17 saves in goal for the Bulldogs.
Queensbury will host Schuylerville at 1 p.m. on Saturday.
SPARTAN FIELD HOCKEY ROLLS PAST GREENWICH
QUEENSBURY — The Queensbury varsity field hockey team cruised to victory on Wednesday, defeating Greenwich 6-0 at home.
Dani Hand scored four goals and added an assist for the Spartans, while Lilyauna Hazelton scored twice in the win. Ellie Althoff had two assists for Queensbury, with Brianna Zehr and Ryan Allen also adding assists. Abigail Kittell made one save in goal.
Queensbury moves to 4-1 with the victory, and will play at Glens Falls at 4:30 p.m. on Friday.
CAMBRIDGE — The Ahimsa Yoga and Music Festival is set to make its return on Oct. 1, offering a welcoming environment and good vibes for local community members.
The festival will be held at Lakota Farms in Cambridge. It is the first edition of the festival since the COVID-19 pandemic began, and the first under new ownership.
Kristen Zorda, Grace Bishop, and Sonia Shultis became co-owners and co-producers of the festival in 2019, but it was unable to be held in each of the last two years. Zorda said the team is “excited” to host this year.
“We’re off to a great start with our first official year of planning things together,” said Zorda, the owner of Yoga Mandali in downtown Saratoga Springs. “We’re really excited to be able to offer this to the community again.”
Zorda said the goal of the festival is to help people connect.
“We want to bring people together through yoga, and the music, and the sound and the feeling,” said Zorda. “We want to just provide a space for everybody to get together and feel good.”
That space will be at Lakota Farms, with Zorda saying the site is “a really good fit.”
“Our property lends itself to such an unbelievable location for something like this,” said Lakota Farms co-owner Kimberly Finney. “Me and my team love what we do, we’re super excited about the yoga festival. We’re ecstatic they chose our farm this year to do it at.”
The farm is over 200 years old, and consists of 36 acres, Finney said.
“We have outdoor facilities available, indoor facilities available. It’s a gorgeous setting, very quiet and serene,” said Finney. “The main facility is just under 11,000 square feet. They’re going to have classes throughout the building itself.”
The festival will offer many types of yoga, with Zorda mentioning “all levels” of vinyasa yoga, as well as yin, aerial, and bhakti yoga. However, she also said, “Yoga is one part of it, but another huge draw for us is the music.”
“Many of the presenters will have classic Indian instruments that they’re playing and chanting to. It’s called kirtan,” said Zorda. The musical performances will be highlighted by Wah!, a kirtan singer.
The music will be separate from the yoga, Zorda said.
“There are people that will come and they don’t care about the music part at all, they just want to the yoga,” said Zorda. “And then there’s people that don’t care at all about the yoga, and they want the music.”
The festival will also feature a silent disco with a DJ, and host a vendor village with 30-40 vendors offering food, crafts, and more. Zorda also made note of a bonfire ceremony, and a “zen den,” which she described as “a place where you hang out and just chill.”
The festival, which had lasted three days in previous years, will be held solely on Oct. 1 this year. Zorda said the group is “easing back into it with a one-day festival,” with plans of returning to the three-day format in 2023.
“Our goal is just to bring people together in good energy,” said Zorda. “We want to bring people together so that they feel good, and that collective vibe ripples out. People can feel rejuvenated, they can fill their well back up.”
Warren County will receive $160,000 in federal funding to be used for an improvement plan for the Warren County Bikeway and Feeder Canal Trail. The Northern Border Regional Commission is providing the funding through a grant, according to a release from the County.
“Warren County is very thankful for this funding from the Northern Border Regional Commission, which will help connect the communities of Lake George, Glens Falls, and Hudson Falls to the Empire State Trail through the Multi-Use Trail Modernization and Linkage Initiative,” said Warren County Board of Supervisors Chairman Kevin Geraghty in the release. Geraghty also serves as Warrensburg Town Supervisor. “The funding will provide support for our regional economy by modernizing tourism infrastructure and increasing opportunities for our residents and visitors.”
The trails connect to the Empire State Trail, which runs from Manhattan to the Canadian border, north of Plattsburgh. The Warren County Bikeway runs from Platt Street in Glens Falls to Ft. George Road in Lake George. The Feeder Canal Trail runs from Glens Falls to Fort Edward, connecting to the Empire State Trail.
Warren County Planning & Community Development will oversee the plan, which is expected to “modernize” and connect the multi-use trails, according to the release. The grant will provide funds for an analysis of existing conditions, public outreach, and estimates for trail crossing, extension work, and evaluation of trail spurs.
The release states that development for the plan will begin in 2023.
