Carl Mattison has an entrepreneurial spirit and a lot of energy. He has spent his professional career in law enforcement, and now – thanks to listening to his son – has a new business: “My son came to us about a year and a half ago and asked us to try this.” Carl said… Carl’s son wanted his parents to start a bounce house party rental business. So… They did! “A Jump Above” was born. The company provides inflatable rentals, including waterslides, bounce-houses, and bounce-house and slide combos.
Carl saw the upside of investing in his son’s idea: “It’s hard for kids to get jobs. So, our kids could work and see what it’s like to build a business.” Carl said. The family started out with five bounce houses, and now with 12, their home garage is at capacity.!The Mattison’s started getting bookings in the middle of last summer, and learned as they went along.
“Last year, we did better than expected. We changed our entire website over the winter and now use the website Event Hawk. The clients can choose everything from the website” Carl said. Through the website, the client can make a deposit on the rentals, or pay in full. There is also the option to finance the rentals: “Our largest inflatable is 700 pounds, and is $600 for a daily rental. There is a lot that goes into these rentals – the rentals leave the house at 5:30 in the morning, then we have to pick them up in the evening and start prepping for the next day,” Carl said.
Carl is excited for the season ahead. As the weather begins to improve, more parties are being panned, so the traffic on the website increases!
For more information, visit ajumpabovellc.com, or call (518) 920-2448.
Area schools are on a two-hour delay, and some have closed due to threats received by the school districts. Hudson Falls and Queensbury are among the schools under a two-hour delay for Tuesday, April 4th, 2023, due to these threats.
According to The Hudson Falls Central School District website, Hudson Falls CSD – along with a number of other local schools – received bomb threats. The Hudson Falls Police Department and the Washington County Sheriff’s Office were both notified. The validity of this claim is currently being investigated.
Queensbury Union Free School District notified families via phone message; the message indicated that a threat was received, and that a two-hour delay was in effect. According to Spectrum 1 News, the listing of schools that are either on delay or are closed include: Argyle, Cambridge, Granville, Fort Ann, Fort Edward, Greenwich, Hartford, Hudson Falls, Salem, White Hall, and Queensbury .
Glens Falls City School District communicated with families via email: “Schools in our area have received emailed bomb threats this morning, Which is causing delayed starts. Glens Falls HAS NOT received any type of threat, as of this time. Our School Resource Officers are conducting walkthroughs of the HS/MS, and additional police presence will be at each elementary building, purely for the precaution and reassurance for the students and staff. As always, please be aware of your surroundings, and if you see something, say something,” the email stated.
We will continue to follow up as this story develops and more information becomes available.
On Friday March 31st, 2023, the ARCC opened the Great Upstate Boat Show with a celebratory ribbon cutting. The 75,000 square-foot Adirondack Sport Complex “The Dome” was transformed into a bright and festive boat showroom… The ribbon fell, the crowd cheered, and the 15th annual Great Upstate Boat Show was underway!
This year, The Great Upstate Boat Show ran from March 31st to April 2nd. This event attracts thousands of people to the area each year, and showcases the latest innovations in the boating industry at a time of year when dealer inventory is at its highest. There were over 175 boats on display, and more than 1500 boats available through dealers. Live seminars added to the festivities, as locals and tourists alike wandered the turf fields turned boat showroom. The three featured seminars focused on boat maintenance, safety, and water sports training.
Doug and Terri Miller, the owners of “The Dome” as it is fondly known, work tirelessly on all events that they host there. “We started work on Monday. Every piece of sporting equipment had to be taken out and stored,” Terri said. “But, this should be a good weekend. Some years it’s been brutally cold and others it’s been too nice and people have wanted to spend time outside. But this year the weather should be mild enough that a lot of people will come,” she said.
As you go about your day, you may start seeing more Daigle Cleaning Systems trucks in Glens Falls… Daigle Cleaning Systems is starting to expand their business into the Saratoga and Glens Falls area, after their recent stint working in town on the Glens Falls National Bank project.
President and CEO Derek Foster and Vice President Michelle Daigle have owned and operated Daigle Cleaning Systems in New York’s Capital region since 2011. The company was named in honor of Michelle’s father and Derek’s Grandfather Wilfred Daigle – Wilfred was a successful entrepreneur and contractor, who sadly passed away in 2016.
Daigle Cleaning Systems is a multifaceted commercial cleaning company, that is certified Green with Honors by the International Sanitary Supply Association and Cleaning Industry Management Standard (ISSA / CIMS). This comprehensive assessment is given by an independent accredited assessor, and accreditation means that the company demonstrates a commitment to the delivery of environmentally preferable services, designed to meet customers’ needs and expectations.
Derek is proud of this certification, and recognizes that this industry-leading certification helps demonstrate to their prospective clients that they have been vetted, and are legitimate. “We do everything from basic janitorial tasks to complex commercial move-in and post-construction cleaning operations. We offer multiple specialty services, including electrostatic disinfection, multi-surface floor care, window cleaning, and storefront cleaning services. You name it, we can do it. There is no building too big and no job too small for Daigle Cleaning Systems. We consider ourselves problem solvers in the world of cleaning, so we like to listen to the problems and challenges that our clients are facing, and work towards mutually beneficial solutions that solve those problems,” Derek said.
Derek is an RPI graduate, and has a background in construction management. After graduation, he wanted to start his own company… The opportunity for post-construction cleanups came along, and Derek realized that this type of work was a niche market in the world of construction – these services were often needed at the last minute! To make his dream a reality, he worked construction during the day, and worked with Michelle on the business at night. Things progressed quickly, and in only a short time, Derek and Michelle were able to make the jump and be fully committed to their own business.
Team Daigle currently manages over 210 client accounts, and is growing rapidly across multiple regions in New York State. They currently has 130 employees in the Capital Region: “We have three offices, two in Albany and one in Clifton Park. Our Clifton Park office strategically enables us logistically to push north,” Derek said.
He is excited for the opportunities in Glens Falls: “There are larger companies that are up in the Glens Falls area. There are pockets of industrial parks. From a marketing perspective, we haven’t put ourselves out there and pursued business… Now, we are looking to get our name and our brand up there and help more people. There are a lot of opportunities and incentives in the Glens Falls area – the local economy is booming, everybody is busy. This is going to continue, and lines up well with our expansion and growth vision,” Derek said.
Daigle works with a lot of real estate developers and property managers: “What we are looking for and targeting are buildings that are 20,000 to 30,000 square feet. That’s our target client… We currently manage facilities that are over 500,000 square feet as well. We love the challenge of organizing and replicating our processes and procedures at any scalable level. We have been operating for 12 years… Michelle and I own the business and take a lot of pride in what we do… In Glens Falls, there are a lot of opportunities, a lot of new buildings and (old) buildings being restored. We are proven experts in our current operations, and want to continue to provide these services in other geographical areas,” Derek said.
Derek is also excited about the employment market in the Glens Falls area: “There is a lot of talent in Glens Falls. We can tap into the labor market. We can train people and train them well. We put our employees through our Official Daigle Cleaning Academy, and get them started on a solid and secure career path. We take pride in bringing in new people and watching them grow in the industry.”
The Daigle Cleaning Academy teaches employees the cleaning processes, standard operating procedure, and all of the basics of the company. The employee spends a full week in the Daigle Cleaning Academy before going into the field.
As well as his dedication to his company and his passion for the industry, Derek is also interested in the future of the trades. He wants to see more young people choosing trades for their careers: “We have seen the labor market pick back up and be closer to what it used to be,” he said.
Derek credits his management team with the success that they have had, and anticipates their involvement as Daigle pushes to the next level: “Our company core values are communication, integrity, and teamwork. We live those values day in and day out, and they guide every decision we make and every interaction we have. We have a talented and experienced management team, and we’ve taken our time to put the team together… We are finally at the point where we have a solid leadership team and that is who is going to help push us forward to the next level. Internally, we have high expectations, just like our clients do externally,” Derek said.
With their eyes on the Saratoga and Glens Falls area, Daigle Cleaning Systems is excited to continue their growth.
Throughout the 2022 to 2023 school year, the Glens Falls City Schools have been working towards replacing their Indian mascot, in complying with the New York State Education Department mandate. They will have a new mascot by June 30th, 2023. The successful transition from being the Glens Falls Indians to their next moniker includes keeping the community connected, getting input from students, families, the school community and alumni, and having the student cabinet leads make the final recommendations to the board of education.
The goal is to have the Glens Falls “Indians” name, mascot, and icons officially retired on June 30th. The nominees for the new mascots include Knights, Wolves, Black Bears, and Hawks. While in the process of finding a new mascot, the Glens Falls City Schools have also established the community’s shared values – these include unity, support, passion, and grit. The school colors of red and black will remain as will GF Nation. The survey – sent out by Glens Falls City Schools – gives the options of voting for both your first and second choice between Wolves, Knights, Hawks, and Black Bears. This survey is available until March 30th.
“I voted for the Black Bears, but everyone thinks that it’s going to be the Wolves,” one Glens Falls senior said. On April 3rd, 2023, student cabinet members will present the outcome of the voting to the Board of Education, with a motion for approval in the business portion of the meeting.
Glens Falls will officially retire their Indian logo on June 30th, 2023. If school districts fail to comply with the mandate, they could be penalized by having school officials removed, and state aid withheld.
Queensbury 21, Glens Falls 5 – The Queensbury girls lacrosse team began their 20th season with a decisive win over Glens Falls. This was the Spartans’ 16th consecutive road victory, as well as their 100th straight Foothills Council win. Glens Falls was the last team to beat QHS in the Foothills Council; a victory which came on April 23, 2012. The Spartans’ overall record in the Foothills Council is 128-3.
Highlights for Queensbury: Kaitlyn Barton scored four goals with one assist, and Kendra Ballard had three goals and four assists. Lilly Trowbridge scored three goals and had two assists. Kendal Kelsey, Meredith Montgomery, Sarah Johnson and Emerson Lochner-Fehl all netted two goals for the Spartans. Glens Falls was led by Ava Pirozzolo with three goals and two assists.
For their next game, Glens Falls will travel to The Academy of the Holy Name on Wednesday, April 19th, 2023, with the match beginning at 5:00 PM. Queensbury will face Johnstown at home on March 31st, 2023, at 4:30 PM.
Amy Collins is the Director of Tourism and Business Development, and Interim Recreation Superintendent for the City of Glens Falls. This Glens Falls native feels very fortunate to live and work now in her hometown!
Amy graduated from St. Lawrence University, and initially moved to Washington, D.C. When she returned to New York, she first lived in New Paltz, where she worked for Governor Pataki and was on the Consumer Protection Board for 12 years. The Collins family – husband Jeffrey Collins, and two children, 22-year-old Maggie and 19-year-old Ian – returned to Glens Falls to provide a quality of life for their children, and to be near grandparents and extended family. “We knew the value of growing up in the area as both of us enjoyed being raised in Glens Falls and wanted the same for our children,” Amy said.
The business of tourism and recreation are intertwined. Amy has been the City of Glens Falls Director of Tourism and Business development since 2011. When Mayor Bill Collins (no relation) took office, he asked her to assist with the recreation department. Recreation tourism is a huge industry in the city; Glens Falls has become a destination for all kinds of sports and recreation! The Cool Insuring Arena just hosted the NYSPHSAA Basketball Championship, which brought an estimated 20-million tourist dollars over the three day event. “Youth sports bring families to stay in our hotels with the teams, and the families eat at restaurants. That’s all part of tourism. And, these local venues are for residents and tourists alike. Tourism helps improve the quality of life for the local residents. It’s important to invest in recreation tourism,” Mayor Collins said.
Currently, the City of Glens Falls Recreation Department is part of a coalition with Mayor Collins, the City’s Recreation Commission, and the City Council’s Recreation Committee to reconstruct the athletic court complexes throughout the city. The athletic court complexes are located at the Montcalm Street Park, Murray Street Park, and the Sagamore Street Park. The East Field Court Complex began its reconstruction in the fall, and will be completed this spring. The funding for these park projects is through The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA); ARPA funding provides a unique opportunity for state and local governments to make strategic investments in long-lived assets, rebuild reserves to enhance financial stability, and cover temporary operating shortfall until economic and operating conditions normalize.
Amy has supported Glens Falls parks throughout her life – she served on the Candall Park Beautification Committee for 15 years prior to taking on the responsibilities of the Recreation Department. One example of the city’s hard work is the Crandall Park Court Complex: this complex holds several pickleball courts, tennis courts, and basketball courts, and also has a seating area where people can socialize while waiting for a court or taking a break from playing. To complete this project, the city was helped by private citizens… This private/public partnership had set the tone for a strong continued effort to improve parks and recreation areas. There have also been other additions to Crandall Park – a splash pad was recently added at the playground area, as well as an 18-hole disc golf course.
The City of Glens Falls has a wide array of special events that support both recreation and tourism: “Much of the business of tourism is about fun and relaxation, but it still is business. We now have more hotel options and more restaurant options than we had even five or six years ago… The streetscape has changed and improved. We want a strong retail presence, arts presence and hospitality presence, we have a lot of local talent and we want to showcase that… I’m the middle of five children and I am always referring to ‘the group hug’, making everyone in the city feel included is important. For the city to continue being successful, we need to coordinate and collaborate. We are better together,” Amy said.
Amy Collins is certainly busy, but she has wonderful support staff and colleagues that make her job easier – her assistant in the Recreation Department is Yvonne Catallo, who has been with the department for five years. “She has provided a wonderful service to the community, and her personal touches and attention to detail have been invaluable.” Amy said.
The Glens Falls Recreation Department is currently hiring staff for summer camp counselors, and hiring lifeguards for the swim areas at Haviland Cove and the East Field Pool. If you are interested in a seasonal position with the recreation department, please call (518) 615-0446; or for more information about the recreation department or tourism, visit cityofglensfalls.com.
Saratoga Biochar Solutions LLC, in accordance with The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC), will be holding public information meetings on Tuesday March 28th, 2023, and Wednesday March 29th, 2023. These public information meetings are for residents and business owners who live and work in the cities of Glens Falls, Hudson Falls, and Fort Edward, and will be held at 214 Main Street in Hudson Falls. On Tuesday, March 28th, the meeting will be from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM, and on Wednesday, March 29th, the meeting will be from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM. There is also the options of participating in these meetings remotely, via Zoom and by phone.
The purpose of these meetings is to inform the public about the project overview, scope of work, community impacts, background, project schedule, and proposed mitigation measures, with a question-answer period. The proposed project is to construct and operate a carbon fertilizer manufacturing facility on 5.89 acres of land within the Town of Moreau Industrial Park.
“The public information meetings being held on March 28th and 29th in Hudson Falls are for residents and business owners that live and work within the City of Glens Falls, Hudson Falls and Fort Edward, within two miles of our proposed project site, and within what the NYSDEC defines as ‘disadvantaged’ and/or ‘environmental justice’ zones. NYSDEC requires that we provide a project overview that outlines potential impacts and impact mitigation measures with this targeted audience, and to solicit their comments/questions. We have two primary goals for these meetings. First, share up-to-date project information and address questions or concerns from the community. Secondly, achieve permit ‘application completeness’ so that the DEC can proceed with their 30-day public comment period, and ultimately render a decision on our permit applications,” CEO Ray Apy said.
Saratoga Biochar LLC has received ample and vocal pushback from members of the Moreau community regarding the potential environmental impact of the project. Although the Town of Moreau approved the plan, the community group “Not Moreau” has been vocal regarding supposed risks of increased noise pollution, added truck traffic, and the potential environmental impact of the facility. The community of Moreau has been affected by industrial waste in the past -some area manufacturers used property in Moreau to dump industrial waste from 1958 to 1968, which resulted in contaminated soil, surface water, and groundwater. The groundwater at that site still exceeds federal cleanup levels for several chemicals, but there are no exposure pathways that could result in unacceptable risks to the public. According to the EPA, approximately 215-million gallons of contaminated water is treated per year. This treatment is expected to continue for more than 200 years.
This contamination occurred prior to the establishment of the NYSDEC in 1970. The mission of the NYSDEC is to conserve, improve and protect New York’s natural resources and environment, and to prevent, abate, and control water, land, and air pollution; in order to enhance the health, safety, and welfare of the people of the state, and their overall economic and social wellbeing.
The waste management issue is evolving in the State of New York. The NYSDEC has recently announced draft regulations regarding New York State’s waste management and climate goals – on Thursday, March 16th, NYSDEC released the draft solid waste management plan. This plan includes recommendations to prevent landfilling to help meet New York’s climate goals: “Solid waste is the fourth-largest contributor to climate-altering greenhouse gasses, and New York’s efforts to reduce landfill waste is critical to help meet the State’s ambitious climate goals,” Commissioner Basil Seggos said.
Saratoga Biochar Solutions LLC was established to build, own, and operate a carbon fertilizer manufacturing facility. This facility would help to keep solid waste out of landfills. Saratoga Biochar Solutions aligns with the NYSDEC recommendations and goals, as New York State plans to reduce the climate impact of solid waste and provides direction for New York’s waste reduction, reuse, recycling, collection, transportation, and disposal investments, policies, and practices over the next decade. The release of the draft plan is a milestone in the history of the State’s ongoing efforts to ensure New York is at the forefront of rethinking waste.
April is just around the corner, and Glens Falls is starting the month off right! On Saturday, April 1st, 2023, the Cool Insuring Arena is hosting the Glens Falls Brewfest. Come enjoy regional brews, food, and live music with the band Dirt Cheap from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM! This event is special because 100% of the proceeds will go to two local non-profits – The Adirondack Theater Festival, and the Feeder Canal Alliance.
This event began 11 years ago with three beer loving guys: Chris Reed, Bill Mason, and John Cordes got together and gave Glens Falls the first ever Brewfest. Their love of handcrafted brews and community inspired them to create an event that showcased all the different styles of beer, and would also have a positive impact on the community.
Due to the hard work of the sponsors and attendees, this event has brought in over $200,000 to the community in years past. For this event, tickets are available online for $50, and in person for $60. There are designated driver tickets that are available in advance and at the door for $15.
There are also offers if you would like to extend your weekend fun! For Friday night festivities, there is a “Taps & Apps” event; this is an evening of great food by Chef Matthew Bolton and the SUNY Culinary Arts School, which is paired with beer from guest brewer Battle Hill Brewing Co. There are special tickets available for those who would like to attend both events – the special combo package at $99 includes a ticket to both “Taps & Apps” on Friday night, and the full Brewfest on Saturday. There are only 70 tickets available for the “Taps & Apps” event which will take place from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Seasoned, which is located at 14 Hudson Ave in Glens Falls.
If you are interested in participating as a sponsor for Glens Falls Brewfest, there are levels of sponsorship: Keg Sponsor $2,500, Growler Sponsor $1,000, Stein Sponsor $750, Tasting Sponsor $150, Vendor Booth $150. To become a sponsor or a vendor, please email glensfallsbrewfest@gmail.com for more information.
SPONSORS 2023:
KEG SPONSOR: The Queensbury Hotel
Growler Sponsor: Cooper’s Cave Games
Stein Sponsor: Julie Snyder Real Estate
Mug Sponsors: Miller Industrial Manufacturing, Glens Falls National Bank, Glens Falls Music Academy, Hilltop Construction Co., Morgan & Company Restaurant, Thermal Associates LLC
Pint Sponsors: New York Cement Company LLC, Malinda Nelson Realtor
During a week that featured a late winter snowstorm, The Shirt Factory held the “Winter Meltdown Spicy Food Festival”. This blustery Saturday afternoon was speckled with sunlight, and temperatures were comfortable for those with a heavy sweatshirt or a light jacket. From 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM, food trucks and picnic tables were set up outside of the Shirt Factory in the Cooper Street parking lot to showcase a wide range of flavors. This was a hybrid event, with some vendors and shops inside the building and others set up in the Cooper Street parking lot.
Winter Meltdown Spicy Food Fest
People sat outside enjoying the fare… Some huddled close to the heat lamps, while others spread out using the ample number of picnic tables that were available. Families meandered through the crowds, and events goers came and went throughout the afternoon. Some were attracted by the wide array of food, and some were interested in the Shirt Factory. Jeff Rocas and his son Zack traveled from Gloversville to attend: “As a tourist, it was nice to see a good turnout for the event. The variety of food vendors was great. It offered something for everyone,” he said as he finished a spicy empanada in the picnic area. “The Shirt Factory was impressive with all of the different artists and shops. Definitely a place worth exploring,” Rocas said. He had seen the event advertised on Facebook weeks ago, and thought it would be a nice event that both he and his son could enjoy.
Coming up in April, the Shirt Factory is hosting “Spring is Sweet: Maple in April”. This event is on Saturday, April 15th, 2023, from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM. This celebration of the maple trees features specialty dishes, using anything from maple wood to maple syrup and beyond! The event will benefit High Peaks Hospice, whose mission is to provide end of life care that “listens with respect, cares with compassion, supports with choice, and comforts with understanding”. High Peaks Hospice has been serving the Adirondack region for over 35 years. It is located at 454 Glen Street in Glens Falls, and focuses on the individual and his or her choices, wherein decisions are based on the wishes and desires of the individual and their family.
The “Spring is Sweet: Maple in April” event is a hybrid event at the Shirt Factory, which will have vendors set up inside the building, as well as vendors and food trucks in the Cooper Street parking lot. For more information, visit shirtfactorygf.com
