Author: Kate Haggerty

Glens Falls YMCA Needs The Community As Much As The Community Needs The YMCA

Written by Kate Haggerty on November 15, 2022. Posted in Community, Entertainment, Featured, Local Leads.

The YMCA has a mission. This mission is to strengthen the community through youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. Hawthorne Swan-Scott is the Membership Experience Director of the Family YMCA of the Glens Falls Area. He has an intrinsic enthusiasm for his work at the Glens Falls YMCA. He grew up coming to the YMCA and his goal is to give that experience back to kids and to the community.

Hawthorne’s goal is to expand programs and membership. The Glens Falls YMCA currently has between 5,000 and 6,000 members. These members are offered a variety of programs and events. The YMCA recently hosted its annual Truck or Treat event on October 29th. Between 1,000-2,000 kids, families, and community members attended this event. Hawthorne likes the idea of maintaining a mutual relationship with the community. “Our Truck or Treat event exceeded our expectations. Here at the Y, we want to reach into the community and help.” He said during a recent interview.

The Glens Falls YMCA is currently working on extending its hours. It has recently opened from 8am-1pm on Sundays. On Sunday November 13, they were able to extend the hours for the pool to seven days a week. “And the changing rooms are open.” Hawthorne said with a relieved smile. The Glens Falls YMCA will continue to work to extend hours of operations and programs that it can offer the community. To support this expansion the YMCA is hiring for a variety of positions. These positions include custodians, life guards, wellness floor, and membership services.

Donations for the Basket Brigade Program

The Glens Falls YMCA is currently working on its Basket Brigade program which helps feed 1,000 local families. The items that they are looking for include, stuffing, mashed potatoes, canned veggies, canned fruit, cranberry sauce, and boxed brownie mix. For more information please contact Alisha Hanley (518) 793-3878 or visit glensfallsymca.org.

Trey Anastasio Band And Goose at the Cool Insuring Arena

Written by Kate Haggerty on November 14, 2022. Posted in Business, Community, Downtown, Entertainment, Featured.

In downtown Glens Falls Sunday night, Trey Anastasio Band teamed up with Goose and performed at the Cool Insuring Arena. The vibe was festive as a large crowd of concert goers were enjoying the local downtown scene.

Before the show, concert goers were mingling in front of bars and restaurants from Spot Coffee, all the way down to the traffic circle. The crowd was jovial and excited.

At the Cool Insuring Arena the line of ticket holders stretched onto the bridge to South Glens Falls. On the other side of the arena, the line of ticket holders stretched on the sidewalk up the street.

Concert goers waited patiently. Some were told they were in the wrong line and had to go to the back of the other line. Security took their time checking each ticket and patting down each concert goer. Ticket holders in the crowd streamed the music on their phone that was already taking place inside the venue. Concert goers and security alike were patient, calm, and kind to each other as the line moved along.

Photo by Kate Haggerty, Glens Falls TODAY.

Trey Anastasio Band, fondly known as TAB, started in 1998. Trey Anastasio is a founding member of the band Phish, founded in 1983. The band Goose was formed in 2014. The members are Rick Mitarotonda (vocals & guitar), Ben Atkind (drums), Trevor Weekz (bass), Jeff Arevalo (vocals, percussion & drums), and Peter Anspach (vocals, keys & guitar). For more information go to goosetheband.com. The band Goose has regularly been compared to jam bands such as Phish and Umphrey’s McGee. However, they refer to their style of music as “indie groove”.

The setlist from Cool Arena Show Glens Falls, NY provided by setlist.fm

Goose:

So Ready
California Magic
Thatch (Live Debut)
Baby Don’t you Do it (Marvin Gaye Cover)
Madhuvan
Red Bird (with Trey Anastasio
Hot Tea (with Trey Anastsio)

Trey Anastsio Band:

Drifting (Trey Anastasio song)
Set Your Soul Free
Ocelet (Phish cover)
Magilla (Phish Cover)
A Wave of Hope (Trey Anastasio song)
Shade (Phish Song)
Burlap Sack and Pumps (Trey Anastasio Song)
Spin (Trey Anastasio Song)
Hey Stranger (Trey Anastasio Song)
Valentine (Trey Anastasio Song)
Mr. Completely (Trey Anastasio Song)

Encore: Possum (Phish Cover)

This show was part of a joint eight date arena tour produced by Live Nation. Trey Anastasio Band and Goose are heading to:

Moon PA, UPMC Events Center (11/15)
Fairfax VA, EagleBank Arena (11/17)
Syracuse NY, Upstate Medical University Arena (11/18)
Reading PA, Santander Arena (11/19)

For more information visit GOOSETHEBAND TREY.COM, SETLIST.

Spirits In The Trees Hosted By The Glens Falls Kiwanis Club

Written by Kate Haggerty on November 14, 2022. Posted in Community, Featured, Local Leads.

The Glens Falls Kiwanis Club will be hosting a community celebration event on December 11, 2022. This community event brings together friends, families, and neighbors who personally decorate trees. It represents the spirit and strength of our community.

Photo Provided by Kiwanis Club of Glens Falls

The cost for each tree is $75 and the buyers will provide their own LED lights and decorations. The number of trees that are available is limited. Each tree is displayed to honor, remember, or celebrate a person or persons who will be named on the sign next to the tree.

There are some concepts have already been reserved by community members. A group of golfers are decorating to celebrate their friendship. A non-profit group will honor those lost to substance abuse. A family will honor a treasured grandfather. A pet lover will honor the spirit of cats.

The opening ceremony will be at 5pm. The event will feature a reading of the names, musical entertainment, and a simultaneous lighting of the trees. Viewing the trees is free for all. For more information and details about ordering a tree please contact Pat Van Buren : pvanblsg@aol.com. Or go to glensfallskiwanis.org

Glens Falls Honors Veterans at Crandall Park

Written by Kate Haggerty on November 14, 2022. Posted in Community, Faces of Veterans, Featured, Local Leads.

Glens Falls honored Veterans on Friday, November 11th, with a ceremony in front of the Peace and Victory Monument at Crandall Park. Opening remarks were made by Commander Zink from Glens Falls American Legion Post 233. He was also the organizer of the event. Remarks were made by Glens Falls Mayor Bill Collins, and Queensbury Supervisor John Strough.

The guest speaker was retired USMC Sgt. Major Chris Thomas. Sgt. Major Thomas spoke of his twenty years of service and the need to do more for Veterans once they have returned home after serving our country.

This Monument is located in front of the Glens Falls YMCA at the corner of Route 9 and Fire Road. The Peace and Victory Monument is inscribed, “To those who served in our nation’s wars through whose courage and sacrifice came victory and peace”. It was sculpted by Bruce Wilder Saville, a veteran of World War 1. Saville’s art career was interrupted by his service in World War 1.

Saville was studying art in Paris when he decided to enlist in the French Ambulance Corps. He then transferred to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in 1917 when the U.S. entered the war. Seville’s service gave him insight into the emotions of war. The depth of his feelings about war was reflected in the Monuments that he would create. Saville has twenty three works listed in the Smithsonian American Art Museum’s Art Inventory Catalog. For more information on Saville’s contribution to the art world please visit americanartinfo@si.edu

The Season Is Changing But Our Leaves Should Stay Behind

Written by Kate Haggerty on November 11, 2022. Posted in Community, Featured, Home & Garden, Uncategorized.

Every year as the pages slip off the calendar we look forward to each new season in upstate New York. As the seasons change we change things around our homes and gardens. As fall gives way to winter the days are filled with the sounds of leaf blowers and rakes as people collect and bag up their fallen leaves. However, there is an alternative. If leaves are left on the ground to winter over there are benefits to the soil and to the insect population.

Every year lawns and gardens are tidied up and beneficial leaves end up in landfills. These leaves are essential for the survival of caterpillars,butterflies,moths,spiders and bees. Caterpillars and butterflies use leaf litter for protection against the cold and protection against predators. Bees that winter over 1-2 inches underground use leaves for an extra layer of heat. According to the Soil Health Institute, increasing soil health can increase biodiversity, and agricultural productivity.

Tualatin Soil and Water Conservation District, explained these benefits in an article Leave the Leaves! Improve Soil Health and Habitat by Leaving Leaf Litter posted to their website, “They (leaves) cycle nutrients back into the soil, improving soil health. The decaying leaves add organic matter to the soil, providing nutrients for the microbial communities and improving the structure of the soil. Organic matter is an important component of soil, along with minerals, water, and air. Having an appropriate amount of organic matter in the soil ensures that it maintains a healthy structure, with space for movement of air, water, and soil microbes. Fungi and bacteria in the soil work to break down plant matter, making the nutrients available to growing plants.”

When leaves and yard trimmings are bagged up and taken to landfill their nutrients do not go back into the soil. These trimmings take up space in landfills, and let’s not forget they add to the chore list. People do like to have their yards and gardens look neat and tidied. In this case collect the leaves and use them as mulch around your garden beds. This keeps the nutrients in the ecosystem where they came from.

Bogey’s Veterans Day Celebration

Written by Kate Haggerty on November 11, 2022. Posted in Business, Community, Entertainment, Featured, Food, News.

Bogey’s Pub and Grill located at 31 Cronin Road in Queensbury is honoring those who served and are currently serving with Veterans Day specials. For this Veterans Day celebration, Bogey’s offerings include free golf, 20% off food and $2 domestic beers.

Located on the Bay Meadow Golf Course, Bogey’s is family run and operated. Deric Buck, owner of Bogey’s, has offerings for both lunch and dinner. This extensive menu has items for the whole family. Diners and golfers alike will find menu items that range from lite fare to entrees that come with house salad and rolls. Bogey’s would never forget the kids. Kids menu includes grilled cheese with fries, kids burger with fries, chicken tenders with fries and mac and cheese.

The extensive menu features generous portions. The signature lunch items are served with a choice of kettle chips, fries, or coleslaw and pickle. For an additional $2.00, you can upgrade to sweet potato, cottage cheese or waffle fries. Prime rib is also available on Fridays and Saturdays. Bogey’s prefers reservations but they are not necessary. The restaurant and bar has options for everyone from a pub style environment to event spaces available for private parties. This venue is an ideal location for reunions, birthday parties and corporate events.

Bogey’s also offers more fun! There is karaoke on Fridays and live music on Saturdays. Please come and share your Veterans Day with our Bogey’s family and let us thank you and your family for your service. Please visit Bogey’s Pub and Grill at Bay Meadows for more information.

Did You See Our Celebrity Tree? Local Norway Spruce Gains Top Honor

Written by Kate Haggerty on November 10, 2022. Posted in Community, Downtown, Featured, News.

Along Main Street in Queensbury, which is the corridor that leads from Glens Falls to the entrance of the Northway, stood the next Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree. This Norway Spruce stood 82 feet tall, was 50 feet in diameter and weighed approximately 14 tons. This soon to be famous tree was hidden in plain sight in a highly active mixed commercial and residential use area of Queensbury N.Y.

Next Stop Rockefeller Center

This tree will be seen by an estimated 500,000 people a day at Rockefeller Center. Locals are surprised not only that this tree was chosen for the honor, but that so many of us have driven by it without notice.

The Norway Spruce has been donated by the Lebowitz family of Glens Falls. Tishman Speyer, the company that manages Rockefeller Center, covers the cost of transporting the tree. It will be the 90th tree to be adorned and lit at Rockefeller Center.

This tradition was started by workers during the depression. In 1931 workers at the Rockefeller Center construction site put their money together and bought a tree.They decorated it with handmade garland, streamers and ornaments made out of tin cans to show how thankful they were to have jobs. It was two years after this original tree was decorated that the tradition was established and continued.

Since 2007, the lumber from the tree has been donated to habitat for humanity and used to help build houses. The tree will be brought into Manhattan by flatbed truck and erected at Rockefeller Center on Saturday November 12.

Early on Thursday morning members of the community and the media gathered to watch the tree be taken down. A local arborist said to Glens Falls Today, “Beautiful, in a sad way. It leaves us but will be cherished by hundreds of thousands of people.”

Jenifer Lindsey brought her six year old daughter, Delaney Olson to the event. Jenifer and her daughter spent the evening before the event making a sign. Wishing the tree a safe trip. The crowd was excited and proud to have a tree chosen from their community gain this top honor.

The Houdini of Trees

There were cheers when the crane first removed the tree from its stomp. A young girl in the crowd called out, “Look Mommy it’s flying.” As the 82 foot tall spruce sailed through the air supported by a large crane as well as workers on the ground.

Workers handed out pine cones from the tree to the crowd and packages of Norway Spruce Seeds. Many in the crowd spoke of plans to go and see the tree when it is at Rockefeller Center. “We have to go see the tree, it’s one of our own.” A woman in the crowd said. The Rockefeller Christmas Tree Lighting is on November 30th.

Johnny Cash Tribute Band Inspires a Genuine Lightheartedness That Everyone Needs.

Written by Kate Haggerty on November 9, 2022. Posted in Columns, Community, Entertainment, Featured, In the Arts.

Eric Hofmanis found a niche in the music scene by asking one important question, “Who doesn’t love Johnny Cash?” Hofmanis started A Man Named Cash- A Tribute to the Man in Black that has been growing in popularity since the covid pandemic restrictions have eased. As society has shifted to a post pandemic world. Hofmanis saw a niche in the music world that included nostalgic remembrances of the past.

Since Hofmanis started paying tribute to Johnny Cash his gigs have gone from being the opening act to being featured acts. Hofmanis will be performing at “Kickin’ it off Country 2023” At the Cohoes Music Hall on Friday January 6, 2023. His skill is touted in the promotional material “Eric Hofmanis has a unique Vocal resemblance to Johnny Cash.”

Johnny Cash often played with his wife June Carter Cash. To mirror this relationship Hofmanis is joined on stage by his partner, Megan Houde. Megan sings the June Carter Cash parts which are important to both Hofmanis and the show.

“The June Carter aspect of the show is huge. Our interactions on stage are genuine. When Megan is on stage with me it brightens everything up. It makes it more fun.” Hoffmanis also credits his counterpart with doing an amazing amount of work to help make the show great.

Hofmanis and Houde started to realize that there was a market for the nostalgia of Johnny Cash when they were at a casual gathering with friends. Someone began playing Johnny Cash on the guitar and the people at the gathering were instantly engaged. “People went nuts,” Hofmanis said with surprise in his voice during a recent phone interview.

Hofmanis has seen the demand for his music increase. “Demand is high. Demand for entertainment has skyrocketed.” He said.

Hofmanis also finds that he needs to improvise. “Johnny Cash was informal as a performer. If there were mistakes or missed verses the music just went on.” Hofmanis said.

As his tribute to Johnny Cash gains more popularity Hofmanis has become more familiar with his audience. “The audience is filled with people who are very familiar with Johnny Cash, people who enjoy Rockabilly, and often college kids. It’s a cross cultural experience.”

Both Hofmanis and Houde can be found on Stage at “Kickin’ it Off Country 2023” Friday January 6, 2023 at The Cohoes Music Hall in Cohoes NY. For more information follow Hoffmanis and Houde on their facebook page A Man Named Cash- A tribute to the Man in Black.

Coming Soon: Go Play With Your Food

Written by Kate Haggerty on November 7, 2022. Posted in Business, Columns, Community, Downtown, Entertainment, Featured, Food, News.

Glens Falls seems to inspire the entrepreneurial spirit. This new inspiration comes in the form of a new restaurant concept that is sweeping the world. Go Play With Your Food, a board game tavern, will find its home as a tenant in 126 Glen Street. This historical building was bought in August 2022, by Elizabeth MIller for $845,000.

Mark and Kristin Shaw were board game skeptics turned devotees to the board game world. The Shaws’ along with six investors are responsible for bringing this concept to Glens Falls. Board games are growing in popularity as are board game eateries. Shaw and his wife were convinced by friends in North Carolina to “go out and play” and have enjoyed the concept ever since.

The increase in popularity of board games is due to a few factors. During the pandemic board games became a preferred form of entertainment for families. Board games have also evolved. Games are more challenging for the players. They have more than one outcome which encourages the player to play the game more than once. The construction of the pieces and the boards have become more substantial. The pieces have a better feel in the player’s hand.

Trends show that the increased popularity of board games matches the rise in use of social media. Our dependence on technology creates isolation. This isolation creates a need for social connection. Board games create a social connection, they span generations and are inclusive as well as nostalgic.

The increase in our dependence on technology has also affected our social interactions. People who are communicating more through technology feel less comfortable in social situations. Social anxiety disorder affects 15 million adults and is on the rise. The board game tavern concept can help alleviate some social anxiety. Adding an activity to a social interaction provides social cues as well as topics of conversation. These are factors that help people feel more comfortable in social situations.In preparation for the opening the Shaws’ have amassed 500 board games. Go Play With Your Food will offer beer, mead and wine as well as; sandwiches, salads, and flatbread pizza. Go Play With Your Food is expected to open in January of 2023.