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The World Awareness Children’s Museum

Written by Kate Haggerty on May 11, 2023. Posted in Business, Community, Education, Featured, In the Arts.

The World Awareness Children’s Museum – located at 89 Warren Street in Glens Falls – has a mission to “bring our diverse world to children”. This museum was the vision of Dr. Jacquiline Touba, who believed that sharing and exchanging the visions of children around the world would promote appreciation and understanding of cultural diversity. It was started in 1985, and chartered in 1995 by the Board of Regents of the New York State Department of Education.

Bethanie Lawence is the Executive Director of The World Awareness Museum, which is currently home to over 10,000 cultural and historical objects, as well as over 8,000 pieces of international art made by children. These are both educational, and cultural artifacts… The Museum is unique because it is a collecting institution as well as a children’s exploration space. The art is made by kids all over the world from 140 different countries: “It is a great collection all made by kids all over the world. We use it in an educational way. These objects are educational tools to show how the world looks through the eyes of children… We have rudimentary as well as lovely pieces and kids can learn from all levels of the art and we treat the art with the utmost of care,” Bethanie said.

The museum teaches kids to examine art with a critical eye; they can examine art from other cultures, and see what is similar to their experiences and what’s different. This opens up discussions regarding traditions in different cultures, and children can learn to compare and contrast the traditions that they have with the traditions of others. “The culture that children experience at the museum creates an opportunity for the kids to explore diverse cultures in a safe and nurturing place. This way the kids are not fearful… Just curious. This creates a situation where they can celebrate diversity,” Bethanie said.

As an example of the importance of letting children express themselves, Bethanie showcased a set of COVID-19-themed art projects that the museum featured – the museum reached out to ten schools across the country in 2021, and received hundreds of responses from kids in grades K through 12… Out of these submissions, the museum accepted 52 pieces into their permanent collection. This exhibit shows kids’ experiences during the pandemic, and their perception of what the pandemic was like.

“It was therapeutic for the kids to express what they were feeling. It gave teachers an opportunity to talk to the students about their experiences during the pandemic… It created a space where kids felt safe talking about deep and challenging topics, and they were able to do so because they were asked to create something that resonated with them. This project was helpful to the students, the teachers, and the parents because it was a conversation starter, and the adults were able to see what the kids experience through their art… These kids have been dealing with trauma from the pandemic; the trauma of an interrupted social life, interrupted school life, and in a lot of ways, the pandemic is still affecting them,” Bethanie said.

Bethanie is an empathic leader at the museum, but her empathy didn’t start with her career there: “I was an elementary teacher for about five years before coming here… I came here to work as the education coordinator. The former director and I worked closely together, and when she left, I was promoted to the executive director position… The staff is all paid staff. We do have a small and strong volunteer program… We have part-time staff, and I am full-time, and we would like to build up from here. We have 10 of us working here, and we all work collaboratively together… Every aspect of the work we do for the museum is collaborative,” she said.

The Children’s Museum is a part of the Glens Falls Art Community, and is also a member of the Glens Falls Art District… The museum will be participating in International museum day on Thursday, May 18th, 2023, along with The Hyde Museum and The Chapman Museum. The theme of the event this year is “The Power of The Museum”… Having a theme for the day helps to bring harmony to the celebration, and Bethanie believes that the arts community creates a “rising tide lifts all boats” kind of collaborative mentality.

The Children’s Museum consistently has nine or ten exhibitions with the expectation that one exhibition will be rotated each year. The most popular exhibit currently on display is the “Mexican Kitchen and Garden”: “The kids just gravitate toward it. Kids love playing in the kitchen… I work with a volunteer team to put together the exhibits. There is a lot of planning, we get funding from outside sources like LARAC, and sometimes we have to hire a contractor to build the structures for us… These exhibits start out as a dream, and then we add in the logistics. We always bring the concept back to our mission of cultural education. The kids experience cultural education, diversity awareness, pretend play, making their own crafts… Just being in a room, they learn through the textile experiences,” Bethanie said.

In the Fall, the Museum will be installing a new exhibit which will be called “Mountain Tops” that will highlight the people and culture in the Adirondacks – landscapes, mountains, and bodies of water. The age focus of this exhibit will be children 0 to 3 years old.

The museum is visited by anywhere from seven to eight thousand people a year! Most recently, they have seen an increase of visitors from the Albany area… There are programs that the museum features that attract a wide participation, like a kids version of “Paint and Sip” and child-friendly yoga.

The Children’s Museum uses every inch of the space that they have… There are some limitations to the museum’s space, because there is no outside space and there is no parking provided. However, creative solutions and partnerships have made it possible for the museum to overcome these challenges. Over the summer, the museum hosts summer camps from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and the staff walks the kids around the Glens Falls area… This year, the theme of one of the summer camps is the “Amazing Race”, based on the popular TV show: “When the kids arrive, they receive a clue, and the destination of that clue can be anywhere from LARAC, or The Hyde or Chapman museum. When we get there, the kids participate in a challenge that leads to another clue… We are very excited about that camp for the older kids. For the younger kids, we have a ‘Pirate Adventure’ camp. The kids will learn about different ports around the world, and we will have some kind of treasure hunt at the end of the week… We are very excited for our summer camps,” Bethanie said.

One of the most important aspects in the overall running of The Children’s Museum is the board of directors – the board is made up of 11 people, who are very supportive and helpful in both a hand-on and fundraising capacity: “The board oversees the finances while adhering to our mission, to bring the diverse world to children… What that looks like is really the board and the executive director working together to decide and implement changes for the full organization. We work together on fundraising and the finances, as well as running events, and getting our name out there,” Bethanie said.

Bethanie is looking forward to their Annual Fundraiser on May 21st, 2023! It will be held at The Queensbury Hotel, and is a celebration of the Museum’s 33rd year: “We raise money for all of our programs… Our typical fundraising goal is $50,000. It’s an international cuisine dinner and auction… We have about 200 guests. The event has a live auction and silent auction, there will be live music by local musician Rich Ortiz… This event is really fun,” she said.

For more information about the Museum or the Fundraiser, please visit http://worldchildrensmuseum.org

Annual High School Juried Show at The Hyde Museum

Written by Kate Haggerty on May 8, 2023. Posted in Community, Education, Featured, In the Arts.

The upcoming Annual High School Juried Show 2023 will showcase the artistic talents of young artists from Warren, Washington, Saratoga, Hamilton, and Essex counties. The art will be comprised of a variety of styles and mediums including drawing, painting, digital illustration, photography, mixed media, jewelry, sculptures, and ceramics, and local art professionals will make up the jury and review all submissions. This exhibition will be on display from May 6th to June 4th, and is sponsored by Sarah Parker Ward, Chris Ward, SUNY Adirondack, and Salem Art Works.

The Juried Art Show is a competitive event designed for artists who would like to see how their work stands up against others’. Participation in juried art shows can also improve their resume, and satisfy their desire to win approval for their work… There is a strong competitive aspect to juried art shows, because not all artists are chosen. Juried art show allow the artist to think critically and tactfully about their art, and provide an opportunity of reflection for the artist as they compare their own work to that of their peers. Artists who are not chosen for a juried show can still learn from the experience – it allows the artist to look critically at their work, and discover how it could be improved.

A juried show is based on the jury’s opinion, and a piece may not be selected due to need for balance in the show. There are some categories that are more competitive than others – more traditional mediums will have more submissions than other categories. Juries often provide written feedback about their impressions of the entries, and what they look for in an entry… This information, although often broad, can help the artist evolve and improve upon their entry.

The Hyde Collection’s Annual Juried Art Show will display 100 pieces narrowed down from 500 submissions. Along with the Juried Art Show, visitors to the Hyde will have the opportunity to see other exhibits as well – The Hyde will be featuring “Celebrating 60 Years: The Collector Charlotte Pruyne Hyde”, a showcase of works acquired by museum founder Charlotte Pruyne Hyde, and The Hyde will also have recent acquisitions on display.

For more information, please visit hydecollection.org

Know Your Workplace Rights: Mental Health Awareness

Written by Giovanna D'Orazio, D'Orazio Peterson on May 5, 2023. Posted in Business, Columns, Community, Featured, News, Opinion.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Individuals with mental health conditions are protected in the workplace in several different ways, but we will see employers having difficulty in this context. Whether it’s because of stigmas associated with mental health conditions, or a lack of awareness as to how to handle situations where an employee needs support during a difficult time, this is one of the most common areas where we see things falling apart at work.

Many if not most mental health conditions are “disabilities” within the meaning of the anti-discrimination laws including the federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the New York State Human Rights Law (NYHRL). This means that qualified employees are entitled to reasonable accommodations and to be free from discrimination, harassment and retaliation for making a complaint of violations of the law. Under the NYHRL, victims of domestic violence are also entitled to time off to receive counseling. Mental health conditions can also fall under the definition of a “serious health condition” within the meaning of the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). The FMLA is the federal law that gives eligible employees of larger private employers and public employers up to twelve weeks of job protected leave.

WHAT IF YOU NEED SUPPORT?

Sometimes employees need time off to treat a mental health condition. Other times, employees need an accommodation because, for example, a medication may incapacitate them at certain times of the day. In either of these situations, the law typically puts the initial burden on the employee to give the employer enough information to put it on notice that leave or an accommodation is needed. If you are eligible for FMLA leave, the employer will typically provide you with a medical certification for your doctor to complete. If you are more in the reasonable accommodation context (and sometimes a scenario falls under more than one statute), your employer is required to engage in an interactive process with you to figure out a suitable accommodation. You may not always be entitled to exactly what you’re asking for, but the law wants the employer and employee to work together to find a solution.

WHEN DO THINGS GO SOUTH?

Sometimes the nature of the mental health condition carries stigmas that result in discrimination in the workplace. Maybe you don’t need an accommodation or leave at all, but your employer becomes aware that you went to rehab or that you are a veteran with PTSD. Sometimes we see employers start to treat employees differently – they suddenly consider them to be a danger, or they start micromanaging them.

Other times employers simply don’t realize the disability laws are implicated, and they don’t treat a mental health condition the same way they might treat a physical condition that requires an accommodation. Sometimes, at the end of FMLA leave, an employer might perceive their legal obligations to be met, and they fire an employee who needs a little more time off. At that point, the disability laws may have protected an additional period of leave, and sometimes employers get themselves in trouble in that context.

It can be very difficult to raise a mental health struggle to your boss. And, unfortunately, sometimes this disclosure does result in a breakdown of the employment relationship. But employees do have rights and it is important for employers to be aware of these rights, to avoid applying stigmas, and to treat with sensitivity a situation that is often temporary – at least in its impact on the workplace – and can be handled with compassion and moved past.

Every situation is unique, including whether a condition falls within the applicable laws or whether an accommodation is feasible. This article should not be relied on as legal advice or in taking action at work. If you need support, consult your handbook on appropriate procedures and consider speaking to HR or an attorney about your options.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Giovanna A. D’Orazio has experience litigating, among other things, commercial, general civil, employment, land use and personal injury matters in New York State and federal courts. Giovanna also has experience litigating Article 78 proceedings in New York State court.

Glens Falls High School Annual Art Expo

Written by Staff Report on May 4, 2023. Posted in Education, Featured, In the Arts.

Glens Falls High School will host the 18th annual Art Expo on Thursday, May 18th, from 6:00 PM to 8:30 PM. Every art student in grades 9 through 12 will be showing at least one piece of art created during the school year, and this year’s exhibit will also include selected pieces from the Middle School and Elementary Schools. The lineup will include drawings, paintings, ceramics, photography, creative crafts, computer art, and more!

The Seniors Portfolio Exhibit will also be on review for those in attendance.

The fun doesn’t stop at viewing all the art work, either – there will be a bake sale, a ceramic ice cream bowl sale, a silent auction, an art sale with proceeds benefiting the Permanent Student Art Collection, and much more!

The 18th Annual Glens Falls High School Art Expo is free and open to the public, and will be held in the main hallways of the high school building.

For more information, please visit gfsd.org

“No Mow May”

Written by Kate Haggerty on May 4, 2023. Posted in Featured, Home & Garden.

The goal of “No Mow May” is to pause the mowing of lawns during the month of May… This pause in mowing allows flowers to bloom in your yard, and help early pollinators get an appreciable start after hibernation. Lawns cover 40 million acres of land in the United States, and are the single most irrigated crop that we grow… Lawns provide little benefit to wildlife, and are actually often harmful! Grass-only lawns do not have flowers or nesting sites for bees, and lawns are often treated with pesticides that are harmful to bees and other invertebrates.

The start of the growing season is an important time for native bees and other pollinators, as flowers may be hard to find… By allowing the flowers to grow, much-needed pollen can be harvested to help pollinators thrive. There are other benefits to mowing less as well – it can help to create habitats, and increase biodiversity in local wildlife.

By mowing the lawn less, there can be year-round benefits! Taller grass tends to have deeper roots, and less water evaporates from the soil. Reducing the use of lawn mowers reduces air and noise pollution, and mowing less frequently creates better conditions for invertebrates, including lacewings and fireflies.

Although “No Mow May” is beneficial to the environment, it can be controversial… Many people feel societal pressure to keep their lawns neat and clean. To offset this problem, there are signs that can be placed to explain that you are participating in “No Mow May”. It is also advised that although your grass will be longer, you should still consider trimming other areas of the lawn, and make sure that all debris is picked up so that the yard otherwise looks neat. Another solution would be to mow around the edges of the property, to help convey that you are maintaining the property.

If participating in “No Mow May” somehow isn’t an option, there are other ways to help the environment and pollinators – you could plant a variety of native plants that bloom throughout the season and provide natural nesting sites for bees. You could also reduce or eliminate pesticide use… And simply talking to friends and neighbors can help, too! Talking about the effect that we have on the environment, and the steps that we can take to reduce our impact on the environment, can inspire action on the part of others.

For more information about “No Mow May” Please visit beecityusa.org

Folds of Honor New York Golf Tournament on June 26th: Sold Out!

Written by Kate Haggerty on May 3, 2023. Posted in Business, Community, Entertainment, Featured, News.

On Monday, June 26th, Folds of Honor New York will be hosting their 1st Annual Patriot Golf Tournament at the Edison Club in Rexford, New York. The goal of this 27-hole golf tournament was to have 175 players participate, and it is officially SOLD OUT!

Performance Industrial’s Owner & CEO Bill Miller, and Operations Manager Sean Willcoxon, are on the board of Folds of Honor New York. They have each put a tremendous amount of time and effort into making this event a success, and that hard work is paying off! This much anticipated golf outing will have amazing food and beverages throughout the day, as well as top-notch entertainment, and all for a wonderful cause.

Folds of Honor was founded in 2007… It began with Lt. Col. Dan Rooney’s flight home from his second tour of duty in Iraq. When his flight landed, the pilot announced that they were carrying the remains of Corporal Brock Bucklin on Board… Lt. Col. Rooney watched as Corporal Bucklin’s twin brother and the deceased Corporal’s young son walked alongside the flag-covered coffin. Since that day, Lt. Col. Rooney has committed himself to rallying patriotic Americans, and meeting sacrifice with hope through Folds of Honor.

Since 2007, Folds of Honor has provided life changing scholarships to spouses and children of America’s fallen or disabled military, and this program is now being expanded to include the families of first responders as well.

Although the event itself is sold out, there are still other ways to participate! If you would like to support this incredible cause and be a part of the event, please consider purchasing a tee sign, pin flag, or for $100, a reception-only ticket. The reception from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM will feature Live music from Big Sky Country, and speaker Alan Mack!

Alan Mack retired from the Army as a Master Aviator. He served for over 35 years – first as a mechanic, and then as a pilot. Mack has over 6700 hours of flight time, of which 3200 hours were flown with night vision goggles. His book, “Razor 03: A Night Stalkers War” is an account of combat from the cockpit of a special ops aviation unit; Razor 03 is a radio call sign from just after 9/11. This book features first hand recollections, and the raw emotion of Mack’s time in service. Mack believes that training he received was an integral part of his success.

The Folds of Honor event is for a worthy cause, and will be hosted at a great location, too – The Edison Club! It has a unique history – the original concept for the club was inspired by employees of General Electric in 1903, where records show that the concept for The Edison Club was formulated in bar-room discussion amongst GE employees while waiting for a train in Garrison, New York. The original concept was for a “men’s club” as a place to meet to formulate friendships and make business connections… It was named after Thomas Alva Edison, one of the most prominent inventors of the 20th century, and who spent many years working at GE Schenectady… Over the years, the club named for him has evolved into a Country Club, Private Golf Course, and Private Event Space.

This event will be a great day out for a wonderful cause, and will even have incredible food… Megabites, Pies on Wheels, Brown’s Brewing Company, Innovo Kitchen, and Mazzone Hospitality will all be on hand with a variety of offerings throughout the event!

For more information, please visit Performanceindustrial.com, or the Folds of Honor NY FaceBook page.

New Audiences for Old Songs: Traditional Ballads and Folk Songs

Written by Kate Haggerty on April 28, 2023. Posted in Community, Entertainment, Featured, Local Leads.

On May 6th, 2023 at Crandall Library in Glens Falls, there will be a free workshop for folk song musicians and enthusiasts alike from 3:30 PM to 5:00 PM! This event will feature Collin Cleveland – a fifth generation ballad singer – and David Ruch, a musician and teaching artist. Colleen Cleveland is the granddaughter of Sara Cleveland (1905-1992) one of America’s most important ballad singers.

Sara was born in our region, where she learned the folk ballads and old songs of her Scottish and Irish family, friends, and neighbors… She and her mother began a notebook of these pieces that grew into a collection of over 600 regional and British Isles songs, which remains a cherished family heirloom to this day. Sara passed this repertoire to her son, Jim, and granddaughter, Colleen, to carry on the tradition of ballad singing.

Come hear the ballads, learn about the collection, and present your own versions! This event is hosted by the Folklife Center at Crandall Public Library, located at 251 Glen Street in Glens Falls. This event is made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts, with support from the Governor’s Office and the NYS legislature.

For more information, please visit www.crandalllibrary.org

Local Entrepreneur Starts Family Business “A Jump Above”

Written by Kate Haggerty on April 4, 2023. Posted in Business, Entertainment, Featured.

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.

The Shirt Factory Hosts ‘Winter Meltdown’ After The Storm

Written by Kate Haggerty on March 21, 2023. Posted in Community, Entertainment, Featured.

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.

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

The Car Shoppe Will be Hosting the First Annual Spring Fling Festival!

Written by Kate Haggerty on March 16, 2023. Posted in Business, Community, Entertainment, Featured.

Who’s ready for Spring? The Car Shoppe – located at 1110 US-9 in Queensbury – will be hosting their First Annual Spring Fling Festival on Saturday, May 20th (with a rain date of May 21st), from 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM. The proceeds from this event will go to the Adirondack Vets House Incorporated, which is a longer term facility for homeless Veterans located at 26 Pine Street, Glens Falls. Statistics show that Veterans make up as much as 40% of the homeless population in the United States… The Adirondack Vets House can accommodate up to nine residents, whose stay can range from one month to years. This is a working program ,which means that most of the Veterans find gainful employment to aid in their goal of finding permanent housing.

100% of the money raised will go to the Adirondack Vets House! To create this day of fun that benefits such a worthy cause, general admission will be free to the public! Attractions will include pony rides, farm animals, a bounce-house, vendors, live music, raffles, and carnival games! The goal of this event is to maximize attendance, support local businesses, and raise critical funds for the Adirondack Vets Home Inc.

For more information about the event, contact Kiera Zmitrovitch by phone at (518) 742-0301, or by email at Kiera@518EXfinance.com. There is also a Facebook event page at https://fb.me/e/40iW9Is5K. For more information regarding the Adirondack Vets House, visit adirondackvetshouse.com.