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Steven L. Mattson Obituary

STONY CREEK – Steven Lars Mattson was born on January 28, 1945, to his parents, Roy and Elsa (Lindgren) Mattson. He was the oldest of 4 siblings. Steve passed away due to Alzheimer’s with his wife Martha and daughter Deborah at his bedside at his home in Stony Creek, NY.

Steve and his wife, Martha, first met in 8th grade. Martha was a new student at Ardsley Junior High School. Upon arriving to class, there were no more desks or chairs available. Martha was assigned to sit on the desk of Steven until her own desk and chair could be obtained. Little did they know they would be married several years later. It was not until after high school graduation that Steve and Martha started dating and eventually married on June 23, 1968. They raised four wonderful children together. Martha and Steve were married for 54 years until his passing.

Steve started his own commercial construction company in the early 1970’s. The company was named “SDR Construction.” It was a synonym for Steven, Deborah, Roy, named after his children. The “S” would eventually also represent Sarah, his daughter born after the creation of the company. He ran a very successful business in New York City for many years. Steve had a very good reputation for quality work and honest dealings. 

In 1984, Steve and Martha bought a secluded old logger’s camp in Stony Creek, NY in the southern Adirondack mountains. The house and property were a place where Steve and his father visited often when Steve was a child. After purchasing the property, it was used as a vacation home and full-time residence over the years. It was and continues to be a special place for many friends and family who have many fond memories of gatherings at the home.

Steve was a member of the Stony Creek Volunteer Fire Department and EMS. He served as a firefighter and EMT for several years. While Steve had many interests and activities, his favorite pastime was spending time with his family. Steve and Martha enjoyed dancing and were well known to tear up the dance floor. His wife, Martha, fondly remembers Steve serenading her with an acapella love song.

Steve’s appreciation for hard work, the outdoors, poetry, nature, and general curiosity about the world was passed on to his children. Steve often recited poetry from memory such as T.S. Elliot’s “The Love Song of Alfred Prufrock,” and Rudyard Kipling’s, “Gunga Din.” And if you were lucky enough, you may have heard him belting out a hymn to the earth and sky while walking in solitude around the beaver pond on his property. He especially loved the beaver pond on his property and spent many mornings in the canoe with his family to watch the sunrise.

He is survived by his wife Martha; his children, Steven (Christine), Roy (Allison), Deborah and Sarah (Jamison); grandchildren, Steven, Maddy, William and Mili; brother, Alan; sisters, Karen and Elisa; and many other extended family and friends.

Steve was a generous provider in life. These qualities will continue in death, as Steve and family donated his body to be studied in a quest to understand and treat Alzheimer’s disease. The Mattson family would like to give a special thank you to the nurses and staff at High Peaks Hospice.

At the request of Steve and his family, a funeral and viewing service will not be held. Rather, a memorial gathering will be held at the Brewster VFW on January 8, 2023, from 2pm-4pm at 262 Peaceable Hill Road in Brewster NY. Condolences may be sent directly to Baker Funeral Home, 11 Lafayette St., Queensbury, NY 12804, or through www.bakerfuneralhome.com.

As the Winter Carries On, Will Lake George Freeze Over?

The answer… Probably!

Statistically, the lake freezes over 90% of the time; on average, the lake is considered frozen by January 19th. The term used when the lake is frozen is “ice-in” and when the lake is no longer considered frozen, it’s known as “ice-out”. 

Lake water freezes as the air temperature drops in late summer… The temperature of the top layer of the lake drops, and the cooling surface water becomes heavier and denser, reaching a point where it drops to the bottom of the lake, and forces warmer, less dense water up to the surface. The process of upper layer cooling and sinking continues to occur until all of the water in the lake drops to approximately 39 degrees Fahrenheit, at which point the lake water will have reached its maximum density.

However, lakes tend not to freeze over completely, because the top layer of ice and snow act as an insulator. Due to this insulating layer, fish and aquatic plants can survive under the ice during the winter months… Fish are cold-blooded, meaning that their body temperature matches the environment. The colder temperatures slow down their metabolism, and as a result, many fish can survive through the winter…

… So long as the water is oxygenated.  When the ice forms across the surface of the lake, it seals off the water from atmospheric oxygen and blocks out much needed sunlight. The lack of sunlight reduces the ability of the aquatic plants and phytoplankton to produce oxygen, and when oxygen levels in the lake drop too low, the fish will die.   

The Warren County Department of Public works keeps records of what years Lake George has frozen over. Records show that the lake did not freeze in the following winters: 1919, 1991, 1995, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2001, and 2002.

According to the Lake George Association, the lake also did not freeze during the winter of 2012 – 2013. During the 2016 – 2017 winter, the lake froze so briefly that it can barely be counted; only freezing from February 13 to February 26, a mere 13-day span.  When the lake freezes over for only brief periods like this, the ice is not safe to walk on in many areas of the lake.

Generally, the lake freezes in January and stays frozen until March, or even April in some years. The earliest date that the lake has frozen is December 20, 1980, and the longest period that Lake George has been frozen for is 121 days; between December 24, 1983 and April 23, 1984. The average result tends to be a freeze of around 76 days.

Mayor Collins Appoints New Part-Time Judge; Jacquelin P. White, Esq.

Photo Provided by: City of Glens Falls

On Tuesday, December 27, 2022, the City of Glens Falls Common Council approved a resolution (4-0) regarding the appointment of Jacqueline P. White, Esq. to the position of Part-Time City Court Judge by Mayor Bill Collins. The position became vacant when Judge Nikki Moreschi, Esq. resigned to take a position in another state. 

During the Common Council meeting, Mayor Collins said, “Her (White’s) appointment will fulfill the unexpected departure of Nikki Moreschi. In 2021, Judge Moreschi ran for her second term. A six year term. During the first year of her term Moreschi took a position out of the state and had to resign. But it was too late to hold an election. So, what we’re doing here is approving the appointment for the year 2023 and this (coming) year there will be an election of a new Part-Time City (Court) Judge.” 

Ms. White is a graduate of Skidmore College (2004) and Albany Law School (2008). She has been a practicing attorney since 2009 – she joined the law firm Miller, Mannix, Schachner, and Hafner, where she became a Principal in 2016. She practices in the areas of General Litigation, Municipal Law, Real Property Tax Assessment, Business Law and Real Property Law. 

Ms. White is an active member of the Warren County Bar Association, and the Adirondack Chapter of the Women’s Bar Association of the State of New York. She served on the Adirondack Women’s Bar Association Board for several years, including serving as Chapter President; currently, she serves on the Board of the Warren County Bar Association and Warren County Bar Foundation. Ms. White will be sworn in on Saturday, December 31, 2022, at 9:30 AM. Ms. White was born and raised in Glens Falls, and currently resides in the City with her husband, Nathanial.

Cole’s Woods Closed

On Wednesday, December 28, 2022, the City of Glens Falls announced that Cole’s Woods is closed until further notice, after high winds damaged lights and left the system of cross country ski trails in poor condition.

Cole’s Woods is supported by The Friends of Cole’s Woods, a group that have been the stewards of Cole’s Woods since 1978; they support a wide range of seasonal recreational outdoor activities within Cole’s Woods, and are committed to the free and public use of the park. The members of this organization recognize the value of having a trail system and woodlands accessible to local communities, and are committed to ensuring that the trails remain safe, groomed for nordic skiing, and maintained for other recreational activities. 

Cole’s Woods is the home of the first lighted cross country ski trails in North America. In December of 1971, a budget of $3,000 was used to cut back brush and illuminate two kilometers of trails. The City of Glens Falls will provide notification when the trails re-open.

Parking Regulations Return to Glens Falls January 1, 2023

City of Glens Falls

Since March of 2020, The City of Glens Falls had suspended parking regulations, but the City will again begin to enforce parking regulations on Sunday, January 1, 2023. To prepare visitors and residents alike, City Police Officers have been providing warning messages for cars that have been parked in any parking spot for too long – this method of warning people has been in effect since October of 2022. 

“No one likes to pay parking fines, and the City most certainly doesn’t like to issue parking tickets. But with business being back to normal, the City needs to ensure that our downtown businesses have spaces available for their customers to park while they shop, as well as for visitors who come to the City for any events” said Mayor Collins via press release. 

The parking spots in the Downtown District have a two-hour limit between 9:00 AM and 6:00 PM, though those same spots are free from this restriction from 6:00 PM to 2:00 AM; however, there is currently no parking allowed on any street in the City of Glens Falls between 2:00 AM and 6:00 AM.

Here is a list of streets that will resume a two hour parking limit beginning January 1, 2023:

  • Glen Street from the bridge to Pine Street
  • Warren Street from Centennial Circle to Church Street. 
  • Ridge Street from Centennial Circle to Washington Street
  • Bay Street from Glen Street to Washington Street
  • Pine Street from Glen Street to Elm Street 
  • South Street from Glen Street to Pine Street
  • Hudson Avenue from Centennial Circle to Pine Street
  • Park Street from Glen Street to School Street
  • Civic Center Plaza from Glen Street to Warren Street
  • Maple Street from Bay Street to Church Street
  • Clinton Avenue from Elm Street to School Street
  • Exchange street from Elm Street to the end
  • Lapham Place from Glen Street to Ridge Street

Also Listed:

  • Elm Street Parking Lot
  • Ridge Street Parking Lot
  • Warren Street Parking Lot
  • Exchange Street Parking Lot

The Common Council is doing a full assessment regarding parking issues and looking at parking needs throughout the City, addressing such needs as overnight parking, enforcement, parking downtown, parking lots, and parking permits; as the committee’s work progresses, the City will seek public comments on these issues.

Collins continued: “I offer my thanks to all of our residents as we restart our parking enforcement program to keep Glens Falls moving forward.” 

Southy’s Pizzeria Was Gifted $300 to Help People in Need… And Inspired More

Message posted by Southy’s via Facebook

Southy’s – a local South Glens Falls Pizzeria, located at 75 Saratoga Avenue – was gifted $300 via Venmo to help families in need on December 22nd, 2022. The money was Venmoed to a Southy’s employee, asking that the money be spent on pizza for people in need; the anonymous donor’s original message said that they would be donating $200, but the amount that was Venmoed was $300. To manage this gift, Southy’s distributed gift certificates to families that they knew to be struggling. Southy’s Pizzeria distributed the gift certificates until they were gone. 

This act of kindness inspired others to donate as well. Via a Facebook post Southy’s wrote “If you remember this post from a few days ago, you’ll be happy to know that Saturday afternoon another SGF business owner felt inspired to donate $200 to the same effort.”  Angel Isaac – owner of The Pretty Hot Mess Wellness Boutique – made the donation. And then, there was more… Cardinale’s Car Care Venmoed $200 as well, with a Facebook message that read, “It takes a village. Thank you for doing this. XO, Cardinale’s Car Care”

Southy’s explained that they have been managing over 50 messages, and that they will soon be contacting people who they were unable to help with the original donation.

Property Transactions: Dec. 19 – Dec. 25, 2022

ARGYLE

Peggy Ann Potvin Seese sold property at 13 County Route 45 to Lisa Thuning for $300,000

BOLTON

Sandra J. Desantis sold property at 6 Anchorage Rd to Brent & Amy Edmonds for $1,450,000

CAMBRIDGE

Georgia Butor & Joanne Wenke sold property at 185 Gillis Rd to William Brown & Mary Morgan for $67,000

Richard & Virginia Molea sold property at 560 Cobble Rd to Eva Sandor for $475,000

CHESTER

DMRP, LLC sold property at 1 LaFLure Ln to Ryan P. McDermott for $168,000

Jennifer L. Lawson sold property at 35 Blue Bay Rd Ext to Brett Lail for $312,500

FORT ANN

Frank S. Cottone sold property at 1133 County Route 16 to Charles E. Friedman for $21,000

Robert & Elizabeth Schmidt sold property at 3052 Oakley Way to Robert Gesell & Rosemary Jensen-Gesell for $3,995,000

FORT EDWARD

Olivia Burch sold property at 574 County Route 46 to Richard Hobbs for $70,000

Property Away, LLC sold property at 603 Lower Wright St to Dustin J. Franke for $224,900

Danny & Lisa Mohanial and Roseanne Lemery sold property at 28 River St to Liam Keating & Stepahnie Brayton for $169,900

Sandi Thompson sold property at 52 Leavy Hollow Ln to Scott R. Towers for $65,000

GLENS FALLS

Wynnstar, LLC sold property at 16 E. Notre Dame St to 19 E Notre Dame, LLC for $103,000

GRANVILLE

Laurence E. Andrews, Jr. & Carol Ann Andrews sold property at 8425 State Route 22 to Greater Honeyguide, LLC for $250,000

Andy & Suzanne McEachron sold property at 127 Gillespie Rd to Bradley & Heather Nielsen for $397,000

HAMPTON

Keith Graham sold property at 62 Rainbow Way to Adrienne M. Tyler for $113,300

HARTFORD

Mary C. Hren sold property at 3938 & 3942 State Route 196 to Jefferey L. Bush for $66,500

HEBRON

JW Congregation Support Inc. sold property at 7365 State Route 22 to Peter & Beatriz Koopman for $200,000

Seth R. Desourdy sold property at 21 Eden Way to Peter & Valerie Lussier for $220,000

KINGSBURY

Tabassum Sheikh sold property at 19-21 Main St to Bove Commercial Realty, LLC for $39,700

Smart Level Construction Inc. sold property at 95 John St to Elliott D. Granger IV & Ashton Granger for $190,000

Andrea L. Nassivera sold property at 16 William St to Joseph & Autum Pomainville for $215,000

Olive & Raymond Breault and Lynn & Darryl Orrell sold property at 73 Elm St to Robert M. Garvin for $82,500

LAKE GEORGE

Barbara Forums sold property at 36A Schermerhorn Dr to Blaise & Sandra Cresciullo for $515,000

Joseph & Cathy Dufour sold property at 26 Cotherman Dr to Kevin Smith & Colleen Cirullo for $420,000

QUEENSBURY

Shane & Jennifer Irwin sold property at 7 Geneva Dr to Travis Green & Elizabeth Tasker for $286,075

Allan & Joan Dean sold property at 120 Grant Ave Ext to Jennifer Leigh Platt for $272,500

WARRENSBURG

Sandra & David Vaughn sold property at 1556 Schroon River Rd to CKT Ventures, LLC for $110,000

Gale M. Freiberger sold property at 163 River St to Robert F. Frye, Jr. & Robin T. Frye for $109,100

WHITE CREEK

AVSBCC, LLC sold property at 53 South Park St to Cambridge, LLC for $110,000

WHITEHALL

Gregory Gross sold property at 61 Gray Ln to RC Central Ave Associates, LLC for $460,000

Elena Babijtchouk sold property at 16 Gilmore St to Elvis Espinoza for $45,000

Police Blotter: Dec. 12 – Dec. 18, 2022

Anthony J. Genier, 31, was arrested for Disorderly Conduct

Alexandra E. Baldwin, 31, was arrested for Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance

Anthony T. Granger, 41, was arrested for 3rd Deg. Assault

Zachary L.M. Greenspan, 30, was arrested for Criminal Impersonation

Ahvere M. Hammonds, 19, was arrested for Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance

Lucas L. Weaver, 33, was arrested for Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance

Jason S. Hart, 47, was arrested for Petit Larceny

Logan J. Ehntholt, 27, was arrested for Aggravated DWI; 1st Offense

Brianna N. Charleston, 29, was arrested for Petit Larceny

Canoe Island Lodge LG Sold for $10.7-Million: Cash

Global MLS

The Canoe Island Lodge is a 30-acre resort in Diamond Point, Lake George. One of the many spectacular aspects of this property is that it includes a 2.7-acre island on Lake George – CIL, as it is fondly known, is located only five miles north of Lake George Village. Carla and Tom Burhoe were second-generation operators of the propety, and they recently sold it for 10.7-million dollars cash… But the buyer currently remains anonymous.

This resort has 472 feet of lakefront access, and 25,000 square feet of guest accommodations. The new owner of the property did not want to be publicly identified; the transactions were conducted through two LLCs.  The 30-acre lodge – which has six bedrooms, four full baths, four half-baths, a dance floor, and a great room with a stone fireplace – was purchased for $8-million by CIL Lakeshore Mainland Properties QI LLC. The island was purchased for $2.7-million by NY Big Canoe Island QI LLC.

This Lake George resort includes more than a dozen buildings, with staff housing, tennis and pickleball courts, shuffleboard, docks, and a swimming area. The new owners are expected to continue many of the traditions of the Burhoe family and their predecessors – including Carla’s parents, Bill & Jane Busch, they had collectively operated the seasonal business for 77 years. 

The Canoe Island Lodge was built by Bill Busch Jr. and his wife Jane Richter Busch in the 1940’s. Tom and Carla bid farewell to their guests via a Facebook Post:

“To All of Our Canoe Islanders-

“As the year winds down, we hope your Holiday Season has been filled with family and fun times. We have had a wonderful 77 years and the Canoe Island Lodge property is about to make the transition to new ownership. While we are sure that you’ll be getting information and updates about the 2023 season, Tom and I wanted to take this opportunity to thank all of you for all the great years. As my parents, Jane & Bill Busch would say, ‘thanks for the memories.’ We wanted to thank you for being a part of our lives and for sharing your families with us. We wish you all the best and will truly miss you all.

“- Tom & Carla”

NIGHTHAWK

The post had 114 comments of welliwishes and gratitude, dappled with photos from guests’ personal experiences throughout the years.

Morgan & Co Treats GFPD to Holiday Lunch

Photo Credit:City of Glens Falls Chef Rebecca Newell-Butters & Manager Jolene of Morgan & Co.

The popular Glens Falls restaurant Morgan & Co showed their appreciation for the Glens Falls Police Department on Thursday, December 22, 2022, with lunch for the entire staff. Chef Rebecca Newell-Butters and the restaurant manager Jolene presented the luncheon to the Glens Falls City Police Department, which has 30 sworn members and two civilian employees. 

“The holidays can be a sad time of year for some. Giving back makes you feel better, especially when you give back to the community. This year, we decided to do this for the Glens Falls Police Department because they do a lot of hard work around the city. We have a great police department, and the work they are doing in drug enforcement to keep drugs away from our kids is very important. It’s pretty amazing what our police department does” Chef Rebecca Newell-Butters said. The Chef and Co-owner of Morgan & Co said that she was doing it in the name of her father Ron Newell who was born and raised in Glens Falls. “He loved Glens Falls and helped a lot of people in the community.”

Police Chief Jarrod Smith thanked Morgan & Co: “On behalf of the police department, I wanted to say thank you very much for arranging the lunch. It was delicious and everyone was very appreciative. Thank you for thinking of us, and have a Merry Christmas.” 

Morgan & Co is located in the historic 19th century McEchron House in Downtown Glens Falls. It has been owned by Chef partners Rebecca Newell-Butters & Steve Butters since 2014.  Rebecca is a graduate of Glens Falls High School, and attended New England Culinary Institute in Burlington, Vermont. Rebecca’s international travel helped her sample a variety of cuisines and further develop her palate, helping her to win on an episode of the Food Network reality show “Chopped” in 2009.

Chef Steve Butters grew up in Norwood Massachusetts, and started cooking at a young age. He worked summers in restaurants on Cape Cod, and attended the famous Cambridge School of Culinary Arts. Steve also garnered culinary fame on the Food Network – he appeared on the show “Sweet Genius”, where his humor earned him a cameo on E! Entertainment’s “The Soup with Joel McHale”. The couple married in 2010, at the Sagamore Hotel in Bolton Landing.

Morgan & Co is located t 65 Ridge Street in Glens Falls, which is also known as The McEchron House; the house was originally built by William and Sarah McEchron in 1891. The McEchron’s were philanthropists and involved in many local businesses – William McEchron was a charter member of the YMCA, and was involved in the construction of Christ Church. In 1984, the house was added to the National Register of Historic Places. Morgan & Co is open year-round, and features gourmet catering, private parties, and outdoor dining in the warmer months. For more information, visit MorganRestaurant.com