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Glens Falls Takes the Jug Game: 45 to 12

Written by Kate Haggerty on . Posted in Education, Featured, Sports.

The 2023 Glens Falls/Hudson Falls 51st Jug Game matchup took place on the Hudson Falls home field. This traditional game spans generations… This year the competition and camaraderie also touched a somber note when the players and coaches observed a moment of silence for the late John Barvieri, a long time Tigers assistant coach who passed away suddenly on November 11th, 2022.

Glens Falls, in their first season as Black Bears, prevailed in this year’s Jug game to take the victory for the ninth straight year! The early season game was played in warm and muggy conditions, and was the Class B North season opener for each team. Senior runningback Dimaggio Riley led Glens Falls with 95 yards on nine carries, and Junior Brody Holcomb had three scoring passes in his debut as quarterback for the Glens Falls Black Bears, completing 9 of 11 passes for 188 yards in his first varsity start. 

The Hudson Falls Tigers, led by senior quarterback Will Coon, rushed for 140 yards, including a 62-yard touchdown in the first quarter. Fullback Peyton Dupuis ran for 95 yards on 22 carries, and found the end zone. With the loss, Hudson Falls fell to 1-1 overall… Hudson Falls opened the season against Plattsburgh, and prevailed in a non-league, nail biting 24 to 22 victory. 

The rivalry between Glens Falls and Hudson Falls, which dates back to 1917, is a battle to take home the red-and-green whiskey jug. 

The Jug game came early in the season this year, giving both Glens Falls and Hudson Falls an opportunity to start the season with focus and intensity. Last year, Glens Falls won the Jug game 38 to 0, on the shoulders of seasoned Glens Falls quarterback Carson Rath… In that matchup, Rath completed five touchdown passes. Rath and most of his seasoned offensive line graduated last year, creating an opportunity for a younger – and until this season’s Jug game, untested – offense.

Next up, Glens Falls will travel to Gloversville on Friday, September 15th, for a 7:00 PM match up.

Queensbury Varsity Girls Tennis Remain Undefeated!

Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Education, Featured, Sports.

The Queensbury varsity girls tennis team improved to 3-0 overall and 2-0 in Foothills Council with a victory against visiting South Glens Falls!

Queensbury, 7… South Glens Falls, 0.

Singles Results:

1. Nicole Greenstein (Q) def. Peyton Howk, 10-1

2. Tessa Murray (Q) def. Emily Kamber, 10-1

3. Lindsey Pepe (Q) def. Nora Kelleher, 10-1

4. Maria Conway (Q) def. Hannah Geary, 10-2

5. Flavia Brizzi (Q) def. Kaitlyn Mulligan, 10-1

Doubles Results:

1. Sedona Jones/Miranda Affinito (Q) def. Michaela Tracy/Kiera Simmons, 10-0

2. Amy Winchell/Briana Guay (Q) def. Sierra VanDerwarker/Kierra Skaarup, 10-1

Records:

Queensbury 3-0 overall (2-0 Foothills Council), South Glens Falls 0-2 (0-2).

Battlefield Park Alliance Extends Visitor Center Season

Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Community, Education, Featured.

The Lake George Battlefield Park Alliance is marching through its second season of operating the park’s highly acclaimed Visitor Center by extending the Center’s season through the end of October, while also encouraging the public to keep exploring the site’s natural beauty and unique place in American history.

“September and October are spectacular months to trek around our battlefield,” noted Bruce M. Venter, Alliance Trustee and author of “The Battle of Hubbardton” and other acclaimed books on early American military conflicts. “The heat of summer has receded, and a crisp autumn day is a good time to get out for a walk… Folks will also be able to see the Lake George Battlefield Park Visitor Center’s new additions, including the 1758 Abercrombie campaign diorama. Then, they can hike through the battlefield and view the remains of Fort George and other remnants of the French & Indian War and the American Revolution – making it a great time to enjoy the colors of the season and learn about America’s history.”

1758 Abercrombie campaign diorama

Beginning this weekend and continuing through October 29th, the Battlefield Park Visitor Center will be open Friday through Sunday from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. The Battlefield Park Alliance will also continue to host free guided tours of the site each Saturday in September and October, beginning at 11:00 AM.

Additional special programs being sponsored by the Alliance in the coming weeks include:

• Thursday, September 21st, 7:00 PM, at the Fort William Henry Conference Center: “The Battle of Lake George: Clash of Empires, 1755“, a presentation by historian John-Eric Nelson, co-sponsored by the French & Indian War Society at Lake George.

• Sunday, October 8th, 1:00 PM, at the Lake George Battlefield Park: the dedication of a new historical marker describing Carleton’s Raid in 1780, with a tour led by AllianceTrustee Pat Niles of places in the park associated with the raid.

For more information, please Visit lakegeorgebattlefield.org

It’s Back to School Time: Injuries and Employment Problems

Written by Giovanna D'Orazio, D'Orazio Peterson LLP on . Posted in Business, Community, Education, Featured, News, Opinion.

We hope that everyone has a stress-free transition back into the school year. But, sometimes, things go wrong at school, and this article will explore when liability can arise.

First up, personal injuries.

A school is a property like any other, which means that if you are hurt by dangerous conditions like disrepairs and poorly maintained facilities, you can sue for negligence. Schools can also be sued for failing to take remedial action with respect to bullying, and in the context of other instances of violence like fights between students or altercations with personnel.

An item to keep in mind if you are injured at a school is that most schools in New York enjoy a layer of protection provided by the Education Law’s notice of claim requirement. This means that, as a prerequisite to filing a lawsuit, you have to serve a notice of claim on the appropriate individual(s) within three months of the date of your accident. This applies to students as well as to other visitors to the property.

What if you are an employee of the school? Typically, employees in New York cannot sue their employers for negligence because of the Workers’ Compensation law. That means if you slip on a spill in the cafeteria that should have been cleaned up sooner, your remedy is in Workers’ Comp and not in a lawsuit. Employees who are injured at work can have recourse, however, if there is a third party responsible. So, if a contractor is doing work at the school and you are injured because of its negligence, you can have what’s called a third party claim against the contractor and still receive Workers’ Compensation. However, your recovery in a personal injury lawsuit will likely be reduced by what you have already received, i.e., the Workers’ Comp lien.

Next up, employment issues.

Public schools are subject to the same state and federal anti-discrimination laws as any other employer, as well as the federal Family and Medical Leave Act. This means that employees cannot be targeted because of their protected status (for example, sex, race, a disability, or age) or be retaliated against for making a complaint of discrimination or harassment based on their protected status. When it comes to state law claims, that notice of claim requirement still applies, so it’s important to keep an eye on applicable deadlines. Federal employment claims are not affected by the notice of claim requirement but may require filing a charge at the EEOC before moving forward with a lawsuit.

In public schools, employees also enjoy some, albeit limited, First Amendment protection when they speak on matters of public concern.

Often teachers and other school employees have protection through their union Collective Bargaining Agreement or under the Civil Service Law or Education Law, that may offer some job protection beyond what is available to many private employees. So, it is important for someone dealing with an employment related issue to be sure they understand all of their rights and options as they navigate a difficult work situation.

We certainly hope that the school year goes off without a hitch, but if not, be sure to keep in mind that schools enjoy some heightened protections in New York so it’s important to explore your options sooner rather than later.

Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a future outcome.

Glens Falls Boys Varsity Soccer Team Start Season With a Win!

Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Education, Featured, Sports.

Glens Falls, 5… Schalmont, 2.

Glens Falls Boys Varsity Soccer team won their home opener over the young and scrappy Schalmont Sabres team. This non-league matchup was scoreless in the first half; then, the Glens Falls offense came alive and scored their first goal in the third minute of play in the second half. Landan Phipps and Tim Motsiff both scored two goals for the Black Bears, and Landon Becker added one. Nate Difiore had three assists for the Black Bears, and Gavin Rittenhouse and Landon Becker each had one assist. The Sabres’ goals came from Andrew Sprager and David Cafarelli, and the assists for the Sabres came from Luke Viscusi and Jason Natalie.

Patrick Manthie – the goalkeeper for Schalmont – had six saves. Ayden Grieve – the Glens falls Goalkeeper – saved a penalty kick for Glens Falls, and had three saves in the first half of play.  Glens Falls had 11 shots on goal, and held the Schalmont Sabres to five shots on goal.

Next Up: The Glens Falls Black Bears will travel to Gloversville on September 5th for a 6:00 PM game. 

Tennis Court

Queensbury’s Girls Varsity Tennis is Back!

Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Education, Featured, Sports.

Tennis Court

The Queensbury varsity girls tennis team opened its 49th season with a 7-2 win at Ballston Spa, which was the 500th victory in program history!

Queensbury, 7… Ballston Spa, 2

Singles Results:

1. Isabella Kaldy (B) def. Nicole Greenstein, 6-2, 6-1

2. Kendall Winters (B) def. Tessa Murray, 6-2, 6-1

3. Flavia Brizzi (Q) def. Riley Winters, 6-0, 7-6 (8-6)

4. Lindsey Pepe (Q) def. Lauryn Lynch, 6-0, 6-0

5. Miranda Affinito (Q) def. Molly Kaatz, 6-3, 6-1

6. Johanna Troelstra (Q) def. Catherine Miller, 6-2, 6-1

Doubles Results:

1. Sedona Jones/Maria Conway (Q) def. Kate Fletcher/Alivia Wilt, 6-1, 6-2

2. Amy Winchell/Briana Guay (Q) def. Isabelle Sikoryak/Alessandra Layer, 6-0, 6-1

3. Lilly Trowbridge/Kate Trowbridge (Q) def. Grace Micare/Jillian Pembrook, 6-3, 6-2

Records: Queensbury 1-0, Ballston Spa 0-1.

Queensbury will travel to Amsterdam for their next match on August 31st, at 10:00 AM.

Hudson Falls Agricultural Program Receives Charter

Written by Kate Haggerty on . Posted in Community, Education, Food, Sports.

Hudson Falls High School Agricultural Program is flourishing under the leadership and guidance of Maggie Hogan. Maggie – a Hudson Falls Alumni – was first offered a job by the High School Principal Jim Bennefield on the day that she graduated from Hudson Falls High School! Principal Bennefield noticed Maggie’s efforts throughout her high school career in agriculture science classes, and saw the need to expand the agricultural curriculum at Hudson Falls High School. 

Maggie is from a large family of dairy farmers in Hudson Falls, and knows that the future of agriculture is in the hands of the students. Maggie obtained her degree from SUNY Cobleskill, returned to her hometown, and began teaching. 

“This is an Ag (Agricultural) community, I want Ag in my hometown and for students to learn in four years what I wasn’t offered when I was a student here,”  Maggie said. 

Superintendent Dan Ward was happy with the implementation of the program: “The agriculture program has been on the cusp of implementation for a few years, unfortunately it was delayed by the pandemic. The fact that we have made this program a reality for our students is yet another post-pandemic triumph for the Hudson Falls School District,” he said.

Maggie Hogan with the FFA Charter

This past June, Maggie attended the New York Association of Agricultural Educators conference, where Hudson Falls CSD was officially awarded with the Future Farmers of America (FFA) chapter and charter.  FFA is a student-run organization that uses agricultural education to transform lives and prepare members for leadership, personal development, and career success.  Future Farmers of America chapters can be chartered in any public school with an agricultural education program – Leadership is provided by student officers who are elected each year by the chapter’s members, and by the agriculture teacher who serves as the advisor for the chapter.

Maggie is proud of her role in the community and the school: “I literally love my job. It is so fun and so rewarding,” she said. This past Sunday, Maggie and her students were at the Washington County Fair to support the local FFA and to broaden awareness of the emerging agricultural program at Hudson Falls High School.

JG3 Transfers to Clemson

Written by Kate Haggerty on . Posted in Community, Education, Featured, Sports.

Glens Falls local legend Joseph Girard III, nicknamed JG3, is still making headlines due to his prowess on the basketball court. His record-breaking high school career led him to Syracuse for four years, and now he has joined the Clemson Tigers for a fifth year of collegiate basketball!

Girard began his varsity career while in the 8th grade, when he averaged 21.7 points per game… Then, in his freshman year of high school, he began to get noticed by college coaches after he hit 122 3-pointers! His game continued to improve, and by his junior year he averaged 50 points per game and passed Lance Stephenson’s state record of 2,946 points scored. Girard finished his high school career with 4,763 points, and then committed to play at Syracuse University over offers from Boston College, Duke, Michigan, and Penn State.

This past spring, Girard graduated from Syracuse with a bachelor’s degree in athletic management, and has an extra year of eligibility due to the COVID pandemic – the NCAA granted college athletes an extra year of eligibility due to the COVID impact on the 2020 to 2021 season. Girard played four seasons for Syracuse, averaging 13.2 points per game… He entered the transfer portal in March of 2023, and will be playing for Clemson as a graduate student. There, Girard will work on his master’s degree in athletic leadership, which would prepare him for coaching on the college level. 

Girard started 123 out of 125 games for Syracuse under coach Jim Boehiem, and averaged 13.2 points per game… When he entered the transfer portal, he instantly began receiving phone calls! The transfer portal allows student athletes to place their name in an online database declaring their desire to transfer to a different school. The athlete enters the portal by informing their current school of their desire to transfer, and then the school has two business days to enter the athlete’s name in the database. 

Since 2018, the transfer portal has completely changed the landscape for collegiate athletes… In 2022, 12,000 students entered the transfer portal. Along with increased transparency regarding the transferring process, there was also a rule change – in September of 2022, student-athletes who were transferring for the first time and in good academic standing could transfer their eligibility to their new school… Up until this point, student-athletes who transferred had to sit out a full season before getting an opportunity to play at the new school. The transfer portal provides more opportunities for student athletes to find a school that fits their needs, without losing a year of athletic competition.

Girard finished his career at Syracuse as the No. 2 all-time foul-shooter (.863), and was ranked third in 3-point shooting (297) in Syracuse history. With his choice to attend Clemson, Girard remains in the ACC, and will face off against Syracuse during the 2023 to 2024 season.

Queensbury Union Free School District Hires New School Resource Officer

Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Community, Education, Featured, Workforce.

When students return to campus in September,  they will see a new face in uniform – retired NYPD lieutenant Robert Sannasardo will take on the role of School Resource Officer on September 5th, replacing Harry McDonald, who will be leaving the district.

Sannasardo will be joining George Carpenter as the second SRO at Queensbury Union Free School District. 

Sannasardo, 43, moved his family to Queensbury from New Windsor in July after retiring from the New York City Police Department… They moved to Queensbury for the school district and the number of after-school activities. 

He took a job as a bus driver for the district in October.: “I enjoy talking and interacting with the kids on my bus,” Sannasardo said. “I want to do more than just drive them to and from school, so I looked into becoming a school resource officer.”

Sannasardo has already formed positive relationships with the students on his bus route and with those he drives to sporting events. 

“I park the bus and I sit there and I cheer them on,” said Sannasardo, who also has two young children who attend Queensbury UFSD.

In his new role, Sannasardo will continue to build positive relationships with district staff, students and parents as he patrols school campus and responds to any emergency situations. 

He will be a liaison between the school and the Warren County Sheriff’s Department, as well as a liaison for the school safety committee and part of the incident command structure, assisting with fire drills and lockdowns and walking the buildings looking for propped doors… His job, overall, will be to prevent or minimize dangerous situations. 

Sannasardo received training this summer, and will tour the 222-acre campus and its property lines. He will start the first week of school. 

“The safety of our students and staff is our No. 1 priority at Queensbury,” said Superintendent of Schools Kyle Gannon. “I am excited to bring Officer Sannasardo onto our team to ensure we continue to give our students a safe learning environment.”

Battlefield Park Alliance Hosts Members and Holds Elections

Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Community, Education, Entertainment, Featured.

The Lake George Battlefield Park Alliance held its annual meeting on Saturday, August 19th at Battlefield Park, where Alliance President John DiNuzzo reported on the organization’s success over the past 12 months… During this time the Lake George Battlefield Alliance has seen a 78% increase in membership, and have hosted programs that have attracted as many as 152 attendees!

Russell P. Bellico, author and Alliance Trustee 

DiNuzzo also noted that the Battlefield Park Visitor Center seems very likely to exceed its attendance figure from last year, due to popular exhibits such as the diorama of Abercromby’s 1758 flotilla donated by the Adirondack Experience, artifacts of Native Americans, an 18th Century British bateau provided by the State Museum, and a replica cannon loaned by Fort William Henry.

The Alliance membership elected the following individuals to serve on the organization’s Board of Trustees:

• President: John DiNuzzo of Lake George

• Vice President: Francis Cocozza of Lake George

• Secretary: Peter Wuerdeman of Queensbury

• Trustee: Vinnie Crocitto III of Lake George

• Trustee: Jay Levenson of Ballston Lake

• Trustee: Bob Wilcox of Clifton Park

They will join the Alliance’s current governing body incumbents: Rosemarie Earl the Treasurer, and Trustees Larry Arnold, Russell Bellico, Todd Earl, Margaret Mannix, Pat Niles, and Bruce Venter.

The day’s events concluded with a presentation by Phil Giltner of the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, who shared the State’s plans for the 250 anniversary of the American Revolution and highlighted the number of Revolutionary sites in New York – a number unequaled among the states.

Phil Giltner, New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation

DiNuzzo concluded his remarks by highlighting some of the events for the year ahead, and thanking volunteers: “It’s been a terrific year for the Alliance, thanks to the member-volunteers who have worked behind the scenes with our board to bring great programs to fruition. Despite some challenges that all history organizations face, many unique opportunities – as represented by our excellent Visitor Center, the prospect of reinterring in the Battlefield Park the remains of 44 Continental soldiers found in 2019 at Lake George, the upcoming 250th anniversary of the American Revolution, and several other initiatives already underway – await us!”