Gary and Kate discuss two pairs of hikers rescued from different mountains around Lake George. Also discussed: Glens Falls High School performing an emergency release drill, Exit 20 of the Northway closed to Southbound traffic, an upcoming “Spirits in the trees” community celebration event, and a local musician paying tribute to the one and only Johnny Cash.
00:02 – Intro 00:31 – Ad Break 1 01:07 – Story 1: Glens Falls High School Emergency Drill 02:02 – Story 2: Southbound Exit 20 Ramp Closes 03:01 – Ad Break 2 03:23 – Story 3: Hikers Rescued Near Lake George 04:38 – Story 4: Kiwanis Club “Spirits in the Trees” 05:24 – Story 5: Local Johnny Cash Tribute 07:14 – Outro
Eric Hofmanis found a niche in the music scene by asking one important question, “Who doesn’t love Johnny Cash?” Hofmanis started A Man Named Cash- A Tribute to the Man in Black that has been growing in popularity since the covid pandemic restrictions have eased. As society has shifted to a post pandemic world. Hofmanis saw a niche in the music world that included nostalgic remembrances of the past.
Since Hofmanis started paying tribute to Johnny Cash his gigs have gone from being the opening act to being featured acts. Hofmanis will be performing at “Kickin’ it off Country 2023” At the Cohoes Music Hall on Friday January 6, 2023. His skill is touted in the promotional material “Eric Hofmanis has a unique Vocal resemblance to Johnny Cash.”
Johnny Cash often played with his wife June Carter Cash. To mirror this relationship Hofmanis is joined on stage by his partner, Megan Houde. Megan sings the June Carter Cash parts which are important to both Hofmanis and the show.
“The June Carter aspect of the show is huge. Our interactions on stage are genuine. When Megan is on stage with me it brightens everything up. It makes it more fun.” Hoffmanis also credits his counterpart with doing an amazing amount of work to help make the show great.
Hofmanis and Houde started to realize that there was a market for the nostalgia of Johnny Cash when they were at a casual gathering with friends. Someone began playing Johnny Cash on the guitar and the people at the gathering were instantly engaged. “People went nuts,” Hofmanis said with surprise in his voice during a recent phone interview.
Hofmanis has seen the demand for his music increase. “Demand is high. Demand for entertainment has skyrocketed.” He said.
Hofmanis also finds that he needs to improvise. “Johnny Cash was informal as a performer. If there were mistakes or missed verses the music just went on.” Hofmanis said.
As his tribute to Johnny Cash gains more popularity Hofmanis has become more familiar with his audience. “The audience is filled with people who are very familiar with Johnny Cash, people who enjoy Rockabilly, and often college kids. It’s a cross cultural experience.”
Both Hofmanis and Houde can be found on Stage at “Kickin’ it Off Country 2023” Friday January 6, 2023 at The Cohoes Music Hall in Cohoes NY. For more information follow Hoffmanis and Houde on their facebook page A Man Named Cash- A tribute to the Man in Black.
Gary is joined by new co-host Kate Haggerty to discuss SUNY Adirondack’s upcoming Veterans Day ceremony. Also discussed: the “Go Play With Your Food” board game tavern coming to Glens Falls, the Queensbury tree selected for Rockefeller Center’s holiday display, and grant funding being awarded by the Granville Community Foundation.
00:02 – Intro 00:30 – Ad Break 1 01:24 – Story 1: “Go Play With Your Food” Board Game Tavern 02:48 – Story 2: SUNY ADK Veterans Day Ceremony 04:23 – Ad Break 2 04:46 – Story 3: Rockefeller Christmas Tree 07:00 – Story 4: Granville Community Foundation 08:30 – Outro
Since today is election day here is a helpful guide to find your Glens Falls polling place. Glens Falls has eight polling places for residents. This information can be found on The official website of Warren County N.Y. https://warrencountyny.gov/boe/pollingPlacesGlensFalls
Gary & Dylan discuss the South Glens Falls Varsity Field Hockey Team advancing to the State Championship. Also discussed: Adirondack Winery announces the total amount they raised in support of breast cancer research last month, National Grid begins scheduled gas line maintenance in Glens Falls, the Slate Valley Festival of Trees returning to Granville, and SUNY Adirondack developing a new degree program in computer security.
00:02 – Intro 00:40 – Ad Break 1 01:19 – Story 1: Adirondack Winery Cancer Fundraiser 02:39 – Story 2: SGF Field Hockey 04:08 – Ad Break 2 04:31 – Story 3: Gas Line Service in Glens Falls 05:18 – Story 4: Festival of Trees, Granville 06:27 – Story 5: SUNY ADK Adds Computer Sec Program 07:32 – Outro
Glens Falls seems to inspire the entrepreneurial spirit. This new inspiration comes in the form of a new restaurant concept that is sweeping the world. Go Play With Your Food, a board game tavern, will find its home as a tenant in 126 Glen Street. This historical building was bought in August 2022, by Elizabeth MIller for $845,000.
Mark and Kristin Shaw were board game skeptics turned devotees to the board game world. The Shaws’ along with six investors are responsible for bringing this concept to Glens Falls. Board games are growing in popularity as are board game eateries. Shaw and his wife were convinced by friends in North Carolina to “go out and play” and have enjoyed the concept ever since.
The increase in popularity of board games is due to a few factors. During the pandemic board games became a preferred form of entertainment for families. Board games have also evolved. Games are more challenging for the players. They have more than one outcome which encourages the player to play the game more than once. The construction of the pieces and the boards have become more substantial. The pieces have a better feel in the player’s hand.
Trends show that the increased popularity of board games matches the rise in use of social media. Our dependence on technology creates isolation. This isolation creates a need for social connection. Board games create a social connection, they span generations and are inclusive as well as nostalgic.
The increase in our dependence on technology has also affected our social interactions. People who are communicating more through technology feel less comfortable in social situations. Social anxiety disorder affects 15 million adults and is on the rise. The board game tavern concept can help alleviate some social anxiety. Adding an activity to a social interaction provides social cues as well as topics of conversation. These are factors that help people feel more comfortable in social situations.In preparation for the opening the Shaws’ have amassed 500 board games. Go Play With Your Food will offer beer, mead and wine as well as; sandwiches, salads, and flatbread pizza. Go Play With Your Food is expected to open in January of 2023.
Gary & Dylan discuss the construction of the new Adirondack Rail Trail. Also discussed: Queensbury Union Free School District hosting a forum to discuss possible renovations, the final sweep of yard debris pickup in Glens Falls, the Adirondack Regional Chamber of Commerce and Glens Falls National Bank hosting a presentation on regional economic conditions, and a mystery gravestone unearthed by St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church in South Glens Falls.
00:02 – Intro 00:47 – Ad Break 1 01:25 – Story 1: Queensbury Elementary Renovation Plans 02:31 – Story 2: Final Sweep of Glens Falls Yard Pick-Up 03:54 – Ad Break 2 04:17 – Story 3: Adirondack Rail Trail 06:10 – Story 4: ARCC/GF National Bank Economic Condition Presentation 07:17 – Story 5: Mystery Gravestone 08:44 – Outro
An artist rendering of Fort William Henry’s Carriage House (Photo courtesy of Fort William Henry).
LAKE GEORGE — Fort William Henry is beginning work on the historic Carriage House, renovating the building into a new venue for weddings, meetings, performing arts, and more.
Sam Luciano, President of Fort William Henry, said the plans date back to before the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The Carriage House was always on our radar,” said Luciano. “It’s a wonderful, old, beautiful building that would be very difficult to reconstruct today. … We just stepped up our game with it, we moved it ahead of some other projects we plan on doing.”
The Carriage House has been utilized for many different purposes through the years, with Luciano saying it was a playhouse when he began working for the Fort in 1984, hosting performances such as ‘Bugs Bunny Follies’ and ‘West Side Story.’
The Carriage House was then used as storage for several years, before eventually being converted into a fitness center. Luciano said the House was used as the Fort’s fitness center for about 10 years, before it underwent slight renovations to become a meeting space.
After the renovations are complete, with an expected target date of May 2023, the Carriage House will become the Fort’s main venue for weddings, banquets, and meetings, Luciano said.
“We still have the Lake George Music Festival, we’ll still host them (at the Carriage House) in August. But that will become, really, our wedding venue, and our banquet hall, and meeting facility,” said Luciano. “That’ll be one of the bigger ones. It’s one of the biggest spaces we have now to be able to hold large events.”
After the renovations, the Carriage House will have a capacity of 460 people in theater-style seating, and 300 for banquets, according to a press release. This is over double the capacity of the White Lion, where the Fort had previously held weddings, Luciano said.
“Last year, our intent was to redo our restaurant, redo our kitchen, open up a full-service dinner operation, and have the banquets on a three-season porch that wrapped around the White Lion,” said Luciano. “When we got in the middle of COVID and the renovations, the supply line crippled us. … So at that point, we pushed up against our wedding season, and we couldn’t proceed with the three-season porch at the White Lion.”
Luciano said the Fort was receiving requests for larger weddings than the White Lion can hold, leading them to the Carriage House.
“We still have the three-season porch on our radar, but we stepped up the Carriage House, and that will become our wedding palace,” said Luciano.
And the Carriage House, which Luciano referred to as “beautiful,” appears to be an ideal location for weddings and other events. The Carriage House has an outdoor patio for indoor and outdoor events, both an indoor and outdoor fireplace, and windows providing an unobstructed view of Lake George.
“We put the elegance of a high-end banquet hall, but we kept the barn destination wedding feel,” said Luciano. “That’s why we didn’t paint the ceilings, we kept them the natural wood and stuff. So you get the best of both worlds.”
HBT Architects of Rochester designed the Carriage House renovations, while BBL Construction Services Inc. of Albany will conduct the renovations, according to the press release. The Carriage House renovations are just part of a much larger project for Fort William Henry, with Luciano detailing work on other buildings at the site.
“Over 36 guest rooms were completely renovated and built to a standard of one of the high brands,” Luciano said. “Guests will be able to use their phone for a key for the door. We did 36 rooms, and we renovated our entire bar area. We expanded our kitchen out by six feet, and we did 28 guest rooms in our Grand Hotel.”
The Fort is also renovating all 64 rooms in the Standard West Motel and 30 more rooms in the Grand Hotel, said Luciano.
“So by the end of next year’s cycle, every guest room in the Fort William Henry complex – 195 of them – will be completely renovated,” said Luciano.
The Fort has also added outdoor attractions for guests and the public to enjoy, with Luciano detailing the addition of six fire pits.
“We also put in six fire pits right on the edge of the property that sit on a bluff overlooking the lake,” Luciano said. “The guests or any of the public can rent, sit out there, enjoy the views of the lake in any season, and we’ll bring you out packages of wine, cheese platters, s’mores, et cetera. Full food service out there.”
Luciano said the Fort’s goal is to be “a major destination in Warren County.”
“I think the fact that we’re able to have this 18 acres with vast lawns that have not been infiltrated by development is one big key. (Guests) can sit and enjoy the unobstructed view,” said Luciano. “We’ve got the Fort Museum that we introduced last year. … We’re putting in a new research center over there with augmented reality.
“The plans of the future developments of this property is so unique to the northeast, that it will be the destination in Warren County.”
Election Day is November 8. Some of us choose to keep our political beliefs private, and others are more comfortable participating in public discourse. But what happens when your boss disagrees? Can your political beliefs impact your employment?
Most of us are at will employees. “At will” means you don’t have any job protection either through an employment agreement or a law like the Civil Service Law applicable to some public employees, and you can be fired at any time for any reason as long as it’s not discriminatory or in retaliation for making a complaint. Discrimination is an adverse employment action taken because of a protected status like sex, race, disability, military service, taking FMLA leave, age, etc. Retaliation is an adverse employment action taken because you’ve made a complaint about something the law protects like discrimination or discriminatory harassment or something like a workplace safety law.
What is not a protected status? Your general political beliefs. So, as a general proposition, if your employer doesn’t like your politics or something you’ve said at work, he or she can let you go.
When can there be protection? Under federal law, private employees are pretty much out of luck. There is no federal protection for politically related speech in the private workplace. If you are a public employee, speech can sometimes be protected by the First Amendment, but that is limited in the workplace.
In New York, however, we do have some protection – but it’s still not as broad as covering general political beliefs. Instead, in our state, Labor Law § 201-d protects certain legal, off the clock (and off the job premises) “political activities” from discrimination.
An individual’s “political activities” are narrowly defined to include: “(i) running for public office, (ii) campaigning for a candidate for public office, or (iii) participating in fund-raising activities for the benefit of a candidate, political party or political advocacy group.”
The statute also includes several exceptions where an employee would not be protected such as where the activity “creates a material conflict of interest related to the employer’s trade secrets, proprietary information or other proprietary or business interest.”
If an employer violates this law, the state Attorney General may ask the court to issue an injunction requiring the employer to stop what it’s doing and to impose penalties. An “aggrieved individual” (a person who has been harmed by the employer’s unlawful actions, usually the employee) may also sue for “equitable relief” and damages. “Equitable relief” means requiring the employer to actually do something – like giving the employee his or her job back – as opposed to merely paying the employee money (i.e., “damages”).
In general, and this is true under state and federal law, even if an individual’s political activity is not protected, employees are still protected from discrimination (employees being treated differently because of their sex or race or some other protected status). So, if rules against political activity aren’t applied uniformly, then there may be a problem for the employer from a discrimination perspective.
In New York, we also have some voting protections – not necessarily relating to your employer getting wind of who you voted for, but so that you can vote in the first place. Employees have the right to take necessary (paid) time off from work to vote if they do not have sufficient time outside of working hours. Ten working days prior to any election, employers must post a notice informing employees of their right to take this time off, and an employee must give notice of their intention to take that time at least two working days prior to Election Day. If you believe you are entitled to this time off, you should check your employer’s notice or the Board of Elections website because things like “sufficient time” outside of work are defined in the law and may not apply to everyone.
*This article is not legal advice, does not create an attorney client relationship, and should not be relied on in taking action at work. Every situation is different and depends on its own facts.
EAST GREENBUSH — The Queensbury varsity football team concluded its season with a win on Thursday, defeating Columbia 39-18 on the road in a Section 2 Class A crossover game.
The Spartans used a dominant rushing attack to build a 20-0 lead at halftime, and held on for the road victory.
A one-yard touchdown run by Trevon Bailey gave the Spartans a 7-0 lead in the first quarter, and a 53-yard touchdown run by Ian Reynolds made it 14-0 with 8:31 left in the second quarter.
Queensbury extended the lead again on a three-yard touchdown run by Zavry Ward, capping off a 10 play, 95-yard drive to extend the lead to 20-0. The drive was previously extended by a 29-yard completion from Ward to Ryan Blanchard on 3rd and 16, and a 23-yard run by Blanchard that moved the Spartans inside the Columbia 25-yard line.
The Blue Devils found the scoreboard early in the third quarter, with a 31-yard run by Drake Kohler moving Columbia into the red zone before a 20-yard touchdown run by Tanner Malone cut the deficit to 20-6.
The Spartans had a response, with a nine-play, 85-yard drive resulting in another touchdown. Ward found Reynolds on 4th and 10 for a 22-yard pass to extend the drive, and Jeremih Cross capped off the drive with a 19-yard touchdown run. After a failed two-point conversion, Queensbury led 26-6.
Columbia drove into Spartans’ territory on the following drive, but on 4th and 5, the Blue Devils coughed up a fumble which was returned 68 yards for a touchdown by Bailey, extending the lead to 33-6.
The Blue Devils put together another strong drive early in the fourth, converting a pair of fourth downs before Kohler found the end zone from five yards out. A failed two-point conversion kept Queensbury’s lead at 33-12 with nine minutes to play.
The Spartans responded again, scoring another touchdown after a nine-play drive. On a 4th and 12, Ward found Blanchard for a 27-yard completion down to Columbia’s 2-yard line, and Gavin Silaika ran in for a Queensbury touchdown, making it 39-12.
Columbia put together one final scoring drive, with Tanner Malone running in from 22 yards out for a touchdown with just over two minutes remaining. Another failed two-point attempt kept the Spartans’ lead at 39-18, and Queensbury was able to run out the remaining time to seal the victory.
Reynolds had 103 yards rushing and a touchdown on 10 carries for Queensbury, and a 22-yard reception. Blanchard had 86 yards on 12 carries and three catches for 72 yards. Isaiah Engel had 45 yards on seven carries, with Silaika adding 31 yards and a touchdown on seven carries.
Cross ran twice for 22 yards and a touchdown, while Bailey ran twice for 21 yards and a touchdown. Ward was 4-8 passing for 94 yards, and had six rushing yards and a touchdown on the ground.
The Spartans finish the 2022 season with an overall record of 3-6, while Columbia finishes 2-7. Queensbury recorded season-highs in rushing yards (314) and total yards (408), with Reynolds (103 yards) and Blanchard (86 yards) both recording career highs in rushing.
