Author: Megin Potter

U.S. Marine Corps retired Major Robert “Bob” Zink forges a legacy caring for Marines and their families.

In 1971, Zink enlisted in the Marine Corps and his service to America continues to this very day.

He was inspired to join the U.S. Marine Corps after seeing his brother, Bill, return from Vietnam a hero. 

“That first day was terrible,” remembers Zink. When he finally arrived to boot camp in Parris Island, SC (after traveling from his hometown of Pittsburgh, PA) drill sergeants shouted orders and stripped him of the few belongings he had, only to equip him with war essentials (the “Sea Bag Drag”) before sending him to his barracks. 

“Like most recruits when they join, I thought, ‘What did I do?’” he said. 

Keeping the Troops Happy

Stationed as a cook at Henderson Hall in the Marine Corps Headquarters in Arlington, VA, Zink also served in the Marine Corps Commandant’s Mess in the Navy Annex “up the hill” from the Pentagon. He remembers General Cushman having a specific affinity for creamy peanut butter, insisting on having a fresh jar of it on his desk every morning. 

At the end of his first enlistment period, then Sergeant Zink, reenlisted and became an avionics technician for the A4 Skyhawk jet aircraft while stationed at MCAS Cherry Point, NC. In 1978, he married Glens Falls native, Laura Winans, and today they have two daughters and five grandchildren.

After being promoted through the ranks, Major Zink became Head of the Marine Corps Food Service, responsible for making sure both field armies and garrison troops were well-fed at home and overseas. 

Coming Home

On November 1, 1998, (exactly 27 years from the day he enlisted) Major Zink retired with the Meritorious Medal, Marine Corps Commendation Medal, and the Marine Corps Overseas Service accommodation for his time in Okinawa, Japan, and South Korea. 

For the next 18 years, Zink was a defense contractor headquartered in Arlington, VA, where he helped negotiate G-13 family housing contracts. He returned to Glens Falls for special occasions and family get-togethers every year until finally moving to the area seven years ago.

“I always promised my wife I’d bring her home,” said Zink. “I love Glens Falls, I always have. When I moved up here, it was the first town I’d been to where I didn’t have to find my way around because I was familiar with it already.”

Serving America

In 2019, Major Zink joined the Marine Corps League Memorial Detachment No. 2 in Hudson Falls. Now in his second year as Detachment Commandant, he is also a current member of the Glens Falls VFW, and is the Glens Falls American Legion Post 233 Commander.

“Regardless of your service affiliation, if you’re a member of these organizations, you’re still serving America,” he said. 

The Marine Corps League, the only congressionally chartered USMC related veteran organization, honors and assists veterans and their families in a variety of ways. 

After receiving their charter in 1946, Memorial Detachment No. 2 was instrumental in organizing the Memorial Day Parade in Glens Falls and providing Thanksgiving food baskets to needy families. Soon after, they began collecting, repairing, and distributing used toy donations to children for the holidays. 

In the late 80’s, the detachment joined the National Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots program; a large-scale effort that resulted in local collections being distributed outside of the area. In 2016, the local program, now known as the Tri-County Marines – Toys for Girls and Boys, formed and today serves 200 to 300 families (400 to 600 children) annually in Warren, Washington, and Saratoga County (north of Exit 15). 

Exceeding Expectations

From now until the week before Christmas, the Tri-County Marines Toys for Girls and Boys is collecting monetary contributions and donations of unwrapped toys for children ages 2 -12. 

By supplying a toy collection box to any business or organization that wishes to support their program, Tri-County Marines Toys for Girls and Boys provides families with giant sacks full of toys in time for the holidays (rather than limiting gifts to one per child). The Marine Corps League, a 501c4 nonprofit, uses monetary donations to buy gifts, especially those older children will love, but often aren’t donated including: basketballs, remote control drones and vehicles. 

“We appreciate the response that we’ve had from the local community, for the toys and the monetary donations you provide,” said Zink. “It’s just fabulous that the local community has supported us for so many years so that we can go above and beyond distributing toys to local families.”

To apply for the Tri-County Marine Toys for Girls and Boys program, a parent or guardian must visit Marine Corps League Detachment No. 2, at 3033 State Route 4, in Hudson Falls between November 18^th– 22^nd, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Proof of residency, school district, age and gender of children is required. Children must be between the ages 2  to 12 years old. Applicants then will need to return December 16^th – 20^th, between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. to pick up their toys.

Mail donations to Marine Corps League Memorial Det. 2, PO Box 322, Glens Falls NY 12801. Follow them on Facebook @mclmemorialdetachment2

With today’s advanced innovation and tax credits, safe, stylish, custom window treatments have never looked so good.

Both practical and decorative window treatments have evolved over time. From utilitarian to extravagant, the vast array of fabrics, designs, and styles available today provide unprecedented window treatment options. 

By combining expert knowledge with an informed eye for innovation, Gotcha Covered of Saratoga creates custom window coverings that reflect the client’s unique vision while enhancing the space. 

Smart Solutions

Gotcha Covered of Saratoga is a local family business opened in December 2023 by Tim and Michelle Schultz, owners of Designs on Glen, providing full interior design services. The only local franchise of its sort in the region, this location is connected to a national franchise with more than 200 locations across the country. Gotcha Covered of Saratoga works with more than a dozen vendors including market leaders Hunter Douglas, Graber, Alta, Horizons, Sunpro and others to deliver both quality products and competitive pricing. 

“It’s the best of both worlds,” said co-owner Tim Schultz. “We benefit from their established relationships nationally and are plugged into their network, which gives us a head start, but have the freedom of owning our own business and working with a client’s overall vision to figure out the best solution for them.”

Michelle, who has 20+ years of design experience, provides personalized advice, ensuring you are getting the most cost-effective, durable, well-fitting, and easiest to maintain window solutions on the market. 

No Strings Attached

Meeting the needs of your household starts with listening. Today’s window treatments can do more than you might realize. Whether you want to filter the sun’s rays, darken the room, or need an outdoor awning for protection, Gotcha Covered of Saratoga can help identify the right solution for you during your free design consultation. 

“What a client settles on is often not what they anticipated – it’s often more aesthetically pleasing and less expensive,” said Tim.

Designed with safety in mind, as of June 1, 2024, all window coverings sold in the United States must be cordless, protecting children from the potentially hazardous free-hanging or exposed operating cords that are responsible for numerous accidents every year. This new safety standard from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and the Window Covering Manufacturers Association is just one of the many interesting advancements happening in the world of window treatments.

Setting the Scene

As technology progresses, window treatments are following suit. While certain styles provide enhanced sound absorption, others, including Hunter Douglas and Alta Honeycomb Shades, are superior insulators. These shades are so well designed, they can lower your monthly utility bills. Besides looking good, they can also help you earn incredible savings in the form of a federal tax credit for up to 30% of the purchase price (a maximum annual amount of $1,200). 

Motorization and automation let you shade your home on your schedule. Providing convenience and energy efficiency, custom motorized shades can be fitted in a variety of applications. Motorization is particularly beneficial for hard-to-reach windows or for those who simply enjoy the ease of automation. Motorization is also available in exterior applications such as motorized screen shades (that allow you to extend your living space while protecting you from the bugs) to retractable motorized awnings with LED lights for protection on hot sunny days.  

Controlled with your phone, remote, or smart device, you can set shades to open in the morning and lower at night to create the perfect scene.

Pulling Back the Curtain

Whether you have one window or two dozen, Gotcha Covered of Saratoga has got you covered. Measuring each window with a laser to achieve a precise fit, they factor in material performance (environmentally friendly woven natural fibers, for example, will stretch over time) to provide you with that lasting ‘Wow!’ factor. 

Because their products are all manufactured in North America, they are ready to be installed by Gotcha Covered of Saratoga’s professional and detail-orientated team in just two to three weeks in homes and businesses throughout the region, from Lake George to Albany. 

Whether creating uniquely well-equipped storefronts with motorized carbon fiber screens that are both lightweight and strong, or outfitting hotels, schools, offices, and homes with other innovative custom solutions, Gotcha Covered of Saratoga pulls back the curtain on smart solutions. 

To learn more, go to https://www.gotchacovered.com/saratoga.

How a former musician connects veterans to each other – and local services.

By: Megin Potter

The Beatles, Steely Dan, and jazz culture inspired a young Jeremy Duers to pursue the fine arts at the Crane School of Music after graduating from the Lake George Central School District. Failing to secure full-time gigs in local orchestras however, led to Jeremy joining the US Marines, like his father had before him thirty-nine years earlier. 

“At the time, it was a great option,” said Jeremy.

After passing his physical fitness exam and nailing the audition for an orchestral percussionist at the Schuylerville High School auditorium, Jeremy bypassed the traditional route prescribed for musicians. On September 14^th, 1999, he shipped out to the US Marine Corps recruit training depot in Parris Island, S.C. After Marine Combat Training in North Carolina, he went immediately to his first duty station at the Logistics Base in Albany, GA. 

“Get Ready, Marines!”

The Marine Band unit Jeremy was in was the largest on the base. Their mission: to bridge the gap between the military and civilian populations. Playing an important role as goodwill ambassadors, they performed in ceremonies and events within the country and abroad (with notable performances in Scotland, Iceland, and the US territories). 

A lot changed after the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, remembers Jeremy. Just three hours after seeing the second plane crash into the World Trade Center building in New York City, his unit mustered up; rifles and supplies at the ready. 

As a member of the Anti-Terrorism Force Protection (ATFP) unit, Jeremy was among the forces assigned to defend the Georgia base which was, at the time, one of the military’s largest arms depots in the world. 

A History of Conflict

In 2004, after receiving the US Navy Good Conduct Medal, a diagnosis of severe Crohn’s disease led to Jeremy’s medical discharge from the military. Married with two children, he didn’t want to go back to being a starving artist again, he said. So he started studying the history of political conflicts at SUNY Adirondack. 

“I was a much better historian than I was a musician,” he explained. 

Fascinated by history, particularly the Cold War, Jeremy earned an associate’s degree at SUNY Adirondack, a bachelor’s from Skidmore College, and a master’s from Union College before teaching history in Houston, TX for three years. 

When he returned to Lake George in 2017, Jeremy taught 11^th grade Social Studies in Granville while also coaching football and wrestling for the combined Lake George and Hadley-Luzerne school districts. In 2020, he began teaching middle school history at Hadley-Luzerne. 

“As a devout Catholic, for me, it’s always been about how I can help. With teaching I was trying to help kids and give back,” he said. 

Serving Those Who Served

Now, Jeremy has returned to the SUNY Adirondack campus, and as the Coordinator of Adirondack Peer-to-Peer Support Services, a Joseph P. Dwyer Project, he ensures veterans in Warren and Washington Counties have the resources they need within a supportive social network. 

“This program and SUNY are a great fit. They have a number of the resources we need to accomplish our mission,” he said, whether that’s hosting a yoga or art class, bingo, or a jam band.  

Along with a small (but effective!) cadre of part-time mentors and volunteers, Jeremy mans the “bat phone” taking calls from across two counties to improve the health and wellness of at-risk veterans. 

Through a confidential, one-on-one, peer-to-peer approach, veterans are connected to each other and to local services, learning about opportunities and special programs for them and their families. Designed to build and sustain a social safety net, the program hopes to reach veterans suffering from the crippling social isolation that can manifest into hunger, homelessness, or death by suicide. 

“There are veterans in terrible shape who are just languishing with physical, mental, and psychological problems,” Jeremy explained. 

Working from what was a blank slate when he arrived, Jeremy said he’s “building the plane while flying it” and helping between 200 to 500 veterans each month with his Rolodex of resources. From providing rides to medical appointments or the grocery store, to securing resume-writing services, to helping those facing a tenuous housing situation with a place to stay, and advocating for alternative sentencing (depending on the severity of the crime). For every veteran that Adirondack Peer-to-Peer Support Services helps, the ripple effect is a force multiplier strengthening the economy, he said.

If you, or someone you know, could possibly benefit from Adirondack Peer-to-Peer Support Services, or you are interested in assisting as a coach, mentor, leader, or friend, follow them on Facebook @ADKP2P and visit https://adkpeertopeer.org. 

Desperate and despairing pet parents turn to Alfie’s Rescue when their dog goes missing.

By: Megin Potter

Photos Provided

Jen Atchinson is on a mission to locate lost dogs. After joining in the community-wide search for Alfie, a miniature Australian shepherd who went missing from Glens Falls two years ago, she got to know the dog’s owners, who were visiting from Pennsylvania, and, when Alfie was finally found, experience the joy of a family reunited. 

Since then, Jen, a retired State of New York employee, and Stacy Berry, co-founders of Alfie’s Rescue, have located 40 missing dogs. 

“I go out as necessary. Sometimes there are no lost dogs in the area, but sometimes, I’m kept pretty busy,” said Jen, who, while searching for a missing dog named Scooby, drove the more than two and a half hours to Malone, near the Canadian border, to help find him. “If I know a dog is in danger or has been lost for a long time, I am willing to travel,” she said. 

Lost and Alone

Alfie’s Rescue does everything they can to recover a lost dog. While sometimes dogs are found within hours, it has also taken Jen more than 45 days to locate a missing dog.  Rising at 6 am, and out searching all day (with only brief breaks) until well after dark, she is doing what local agencies and rescue organizations don’t have the time and resources to do, and what pet parents often can’t. 

When they can’t find their beloved dog and are left on their own, the dog’s family sometimes exacerbates the situation. Franticly yelling the dog’s name, or moving toward a skittish dog, often scares him, causing him to run. 

“If the owner is out there, screaming, the dog is going to automatically think, ‘I’m in trouble’,” said Jen. “That’s why it’s extremely important to kneel down on the ground and talk to a lost dog like you would to a child,” she said.

Hiding in Plain Sight

Stray dogs are nomadic animals, moving to find the human food sources they rely on and the small animals that eat it, so, in addition to a perimeter search for prints, Jen looks for signs, like a garbage bag that has been ripped into, indicating that a dog may have recently visited an area. 

When Loki, a boxer from Broad Albin, ran away from home, his Mom and Dad were heartbroken, said Jen. After trying to help the distraught parents over the phone, there was an agonizing month of no sightings. That’s when Jen and Jill, a tracker from Bethlehem, scoured aerial maps, and picked up his trail. After five days with no luck, the team finally caught sight of him.

“He was the most emaciated dog I’ve ever seen,” said Jen. Although boxers have a strong jaw and powerful bite, their flat, square muzzle makes it difficult for them to pick up scents and find food. 

“When we went out to look, Jill and I almost walked right over him. He was extremely thin, exhausted, and sound asleep. I thought, this poor dog is going to die right in front of us, but then he picked up his head and ran away. I felt awful,” she said. 

When Patience Pairs with Cunning 

Next, Jen and Jill sprayed food with liquid smoke and grilled bacon in the middle of the woods to try to lure him in. 

“Dogs’ noses are 40 times more sensitive than ours, so we rely on that to be the guiding light to bring them to the food bowl,” she said. After strategically placing food and a trap (out of the reach of neighborhood cats and other wildlife) Jen and Jill set up their cellular-enabled trail cameras and went to a nearby restaurant to wait. 

The atmosphere was tense and quiet. 

Finally, Loki emerged, attracted to the food in the trap, and they knew this was it, he’d soon be going home. “It was incredible!” said Jen. 

Rescue from a Crazy World

Dogs go missing for a variety of different reasons, but a stray dog wandering the streets on his own can be more than just a nuisance. Without a pack helping them to hunt, on their own, lost dogs won’t last long. Traffic has increased tremendously since the days when dogs were left to run free. Today, we expect dog owners to be responsible for their pets. Stray dogs can contract a contagious disease, like mange (which is common in foxes), or develop aggressive behavior and bite a child. 

When a dog is dumped, Jen works with local sheriff’s offices and animal control to get the abandoned animal to a shelter and rehomed. The increasing value of certain dog breeds has led to them being stolen (even right off a front porch!) Dogs are also taken to be used as bait animals for dog fighting, which is still a huge problem in Albany, said Jen. 

Posting a reward for your missing dog can also be problematic because if someone is holding the dog and sees a reward offered, they may be incentivized to keep the dog longer (waiting to return the animal until the reward is raised). 

“You just don’t know. It’s a crazy world out there, nowadays. In a matter of minutes, your dog can be lost, taken, or something worse,” said Jen. 

Where a little goes a long way…

The community is very good at posting on social media, said Jen, but when a pet goes missing, it can cost Alfie’s Rescue more than $1,000 per dog in food, gas, and travel expenses to recover them.  

All of these services are provided to pet owners for FREE, leaving Alfie’s Rescue to pay for all of their expenses out-of-pocket The subscription to the handful of trail cameras they use is $200/month. They’d like to upgrade to a thermal imaging drone to help aid in the search and become a certified non-profit organization.

Alfie’s Rescue has started a Go Fund Me page. They have raised $718 toward their goal of $10,000. To donate, go to  https://www.gofundme.com/f/alfies-rescue

To find out more, follow Alfie’s Rescue on Facebook and go to https://alfiesrescue.com

A farm survival guide for perilous times

By: Megin Potter

Photos by Michael Nelson

The last century has focused on controlling and streamlining food systems. The result? Today, fewer farms, producing higher yields, and earning increased profits. 

Shifting production away from small farms nurturing natural, complex ecosystems however, has come at a cost. The lack of diversification makes the whole system vulnerable to problems. 

Fifty years ago, in the fall of 1974, Dan Wilson was just entering his freshman year at Granville Central School. His family had just purchased a 350-acre farm in Upstate New York, and moving here was a bit of a shock, he said. 

“It felt exciting, adventurous. My dad was a corporate executive, so it was a complete change of pace for us.” 

Before moving to Washington County, Dan’s family lived in Southern Connecticut and his dad was the head of Research and Development at industry giant, General Foods Corporation. 

The farm’s previous owners, the Hicks family, were very welcoming however, and had already established a successful U-pick farm on the property (the oldest of its kind in New York State). 

Surviving Unpredictable Circumstances 

In the 119 years that Hicks Orchard has been providing families with the opportunity to pick their own produce, they have learned how to capitalize on diversity. 

“Northern Washington County is hilly, so you have these very small farms, and the only way for them to survive is to do something unique by creating value-added products and processes that create a brand experience. That’s the way to ensure the survivability of small farms,” said Dan. 

Since he began running Hicks Orchard in 1990, it has attracted an average of 30,000 people annually, primarily from late summer to early November. 

Sometimes, that season is even shorter, like last year, when a late spring freeze resulted in Hicks Orchard losing 60% of their apple crop. 

Keeping it Fresh

To survive, farming, like other industries, must weather recessions, pandemics, and a changing climate. Agritourism across the country has experienced significant revenue growth in the last 30 years, but relies on luring urbanites and families out to the country for a wholesome experience. 

When there’s no pickable produce or unpleasant weather, agritourists might not make the trek out to the farm at all. Unlike other types of farming, the you-pick model includes the added costs of risk management, insurance, and providing customer comfort. Which is why one of the first things Dan did was convert the farm’s bakery building into public restrooms. 

As the old packing barn grew into a vibrant, year-round farm store, the farm hosted numerous parties and a variety of events. In addition to being a farmer preparing for future shocks and stressors, Dan is also akin to a stage manager creating a platform for people to have a memorable experience. 

Expanding Off-Site

To help insulate Hicks Orchard from the variability of the weather, they began making apple cider donuts. Donuts are “weatherproof” and available year-round. They are also the backbone of Hicks Orchard’s sales at their Shirt Factory store in Glens Falls. 

Hicks Orchard became acquainted with The Shirt Factory after appearing as a vendor at their annual Holiday Open House. During the warmer months, they started serving the refreshingly simple fresh apple cider slushies (and other farm fresh delights) at The Shirt Factory’s Thursday Market and Food Truck Corral. Now, the enticing aroma of apples can be found inside the sprawling Shirt Factory building at the Hicks Orchard Farm Store and Slyboro Cider House Tasting Room.

Open there every weekend, they offer the same great apples, donuts, and fresh-pressed cider available at the farm, along with homemade fudge and other foods from local producers. 

“The vast majority of our customers are from the Glens Falls area, so it’s a good opportunity for us and for our customers,” said Dan. 

Extending the Season

Before expanding off-site, in 2007, Dan strengthened the farm’s already solid foundation in tourism with the addition of the Slyboro Cider House and Tasting Room in a beautifully renovated 1935 barn. 

Although Hicks Orchard earns 80% of their revenue in the six weeks from Labor Day to November, the addition of the Slyboro Cider House and product line (which includes sparkling, still, and iced hard ciders as well as an apple brandy) attracts a different demographic and helps buffer the farm from variabilities caused by fluctuating weather. 

One of the earliest modern, licensed hard cider producers in the state, Hicks Orchard began experimenting with which apple varieties would make the best cider in what they called their “mad scientist” barn.  

“it’s a chance to be fun and creative while adding diversity to the farm. It keeps us on people’s radar and it’s an opportunity for us to keep staff members on, year-round,” said Dan. 

Although they hire 55 people during the peak of the season, just seven carry Hicks Orchard through the rest of the year, including retail managers Michelle Wilson and Kim O’Leary.

The Apple Doesn’t Fall Far from the Tree

Working with Cornell Cooperative Extension, Hicks Orchard has implemented diverse plantings, from adding vineyard-like apple trees that reach peak productivity faster in a more compact space, to experimenting with U-pick blueberries, raspberries, and strawberries.

They currently grow 20 varieties of apples, some especially well-suited to cider, like the English Kingston Black, as well as the traditional heritage varieties like Northern Spy, and the new favorite, Honeycrisp.

As the son of a food scientist, Dan said he thinks if his parents could see how far the farm has come in the past 50 years, that it would make them proud.

“I think they’d be thrilled that we’re making and launching new products,” he said. 

For more information on Hicks Orchard events and products, find them on Facebook, Instagram, and at https://www.hicksorchard.com