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Departure of Drawbridge Sparks Debate

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

Tim Drawbridge has held the position of communications director for The City of Glens Falls since October 2022, and announced his resignation on August 14th, 2023… He will be leaving the position at the end of this month, to take a position in the Capital Region and be closer to his daughter. 

His departure has sparked debate about the need for a full-time communications director for the City of Glens Falls… Mayor Bill Collins believes that the role of communications director is vital to maintaining a line of communication with residents and the press alike: “Tim is the City’s first true communications director – and if we learned anything during his tenure, it is that the position is critical to keeping City residents informed,” Collins said.

Drawbridge’s departure comes when the city is working to fill other vital positions throughout City Hall; these vacancies include administrative secretary for the police department, code enforcement officer, and building inspector. The now-available position of communication director pays $50,000 to $55,000 a year, with “excellent benefits”.

Third Ward Councilwoman Diana Palmer questions the need for a full-time communications director: “In the past, we had a part-time webmaster that sent out communication on the website and on Instagram… The previous mayor’s secretary sent out the press releases. I think having one part-time person dedicated to communication is more than sufficient… Sometimes, we have to be resourceful to keep costs down,” Palmer said.  

Fourth Ward Councilman Ben Lapham is also unconvinced of the necessity of the role, citing the need for a list of responsibilities for the position, performance indicators, and benchmarks. 

Both Palmer and Lapham are open to the idea of partnering with a local PR firm, but the focus remains on the cost of the expenditure: “I would prefer to be cautious about adding to our full-time employees without careful consideration of the cost-benefit analysis,” Palmer said.

Crandall Library Receives $500,000 Donation

Written by Kate Haggerty on . Posted in Community, Downtown, Featured.

Queensbury Native Christopher Bennet has donated $500,000 to Crandall Public Library in memory of his mother Anna J. Bennett,  and his aunts Helen B. Whittemore and Mary E. Jones, who he described as “voracious readers who loved Crandall Library.”

The donation is the largest gift to the library made by an individual, and was donated without restrictions on it should be spent… The funds will be allocated to capital technology improvements – the first project being updating the computer room, which will be called The Bennett, Whittemore, Jones Information Center. 

Other improvements will include upgrades to the projection equipment of Christine L. McDonald Community Room, touch screen kiosks to access the Library Catalog, and a Creation Space that will host collaborative workshops. This area will be equipped with technology and materials to guide users to make their dreams come alive!

Sections of Quaker Road Closed to Evening Traffic August 20th- 24th

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

A portion of Quaker Road in Queensbury will be closed to all traffic during the evenings of Sunday, August 20th through Thursday, August 24th, as contractors resurface a section of the road.

The stretch of Quaker Road between Ridge Road and Quaker Ridge Boulevard (entrance to Walmart)  will be closed to traffic between 8:00 PM and 11:00 PM these evenings. Those who plan to visit the Walmart store on Quaker Ridge Boulevard – the only business in this stretch of road regularly scheduled to be open during these hours – will be able to do so from Quaker Road by entering the road from Dix Avenue.

From 11:00 PM to 6:00 AM, the Quaker Road will be closed from Ridge Road to Dix Avenue. Those intending to head east on Quaker Road during the closure will be able to use a signed detour onto Ridge Road to Hicks Road, Queensbury Avenue, and Dix Avenue.

The closure will occur as contractors resurface the road in preparation for re-paving. This work is part of a rehabilitation of 3.96 miles of Quaker Road that began in June, and is expected to wrap up in the Fall.

Motorists are reminded to move over and slow down significantly whenever encountering roadside vehicles displaying red, white, blue, amber, or green lights, including maintenance and construction vehicles in work zones.

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!”

Warren County and Washington County Real Estate Transactions July 28th-August 4th

Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Featured, Property.

Bolton

John Snyder Jr., & Keely Weise sold property at 35 Brook Street to HBD Bolton Landing, LLC for $250,000

John w. White sold property at 991 Padanarum Road to Pamela Vilmar for $115,000

Chester

Craig Kennedy & Colleen Cole sold property 41 Loon Lake Heights Dr. to Steven & Diane Hurlburt for $585,000 

Robert George Lamora & Kent Edward Lamora sold property at 327 Valley Farm Road to David P., Christopher D, Nicholas L., & David F. Allen for $230,000

Coutney T. & Pamela G. Burns sold property at 34 Kingsley Lane Ext. to Gary W. & Nicole M. Krisanda for $52,000

Glens Falls

Timothy & Taylor Hoeft sold property at 31 Orville Street  to Zane Belden & Giula Tarraran-Cassella for $250,000

James W. Delsignore & James F. Mazza sold property at 187-191 Maple Street to GF Property Holdings LLC for $390,000

Estate of Geneva Finigan sold property at 35 Garrow Place to Lauren & Nan Spada for $218,500

Linda Casse sold property at 63 Elm Street to Louis Falzerano & Sally Hawley for $166,000

Kos-Mith Services Co., Inc. sold property at 140 Sanford Street to Nicole Carl for $119,900

Horicon

Dean W. & Kathleen Wilson sold property at 3431 E. Schroon River Road to Paul & Monique Knowbloch for $387,000

Deloris Goldschmitt, Michael E. Finnerty, JR., & Corinne E. Rowe (f.k.a. Corinne E. Finnerty) sold property at 49 Valentine Pond Rd to Christopher P. & Josette Vuluro for $160,000

Estate of Edward J. Kronin sold property at AlderBrook Road to Stephen Ruggirello for $109,900

Pitkin Family Retreat LLC sold property at 306 East Shore Drive to Shane A. Maltbie for $252,500

Denise L. Rifenburg sold property at 8 Brant Lake Creek Road to Brian J. & Lisa E. Hartensveld fpr $75,000

Estate of Ellen Carlson Potter sold property at 504 East Shore Drive to 504 East Shore Drive LLC for $451,500

Queensbury

Kevin & Timothy Toomy sold property at Bay Road to Green Apple House Inc. for $340,000

Michael & LInda Montemarano sold property at 280 Cleverdale Road to William & Diane Karafanda for $1.992-million 

Fabio & Phyllis A Cardenas sold property at 67 Tree Hill Road to Anthony Enrique Cardenas for $220,000

Elizabeth A. Papa sold property at 1135 Ridge Road to Sunnyside & Ridge LLC. for $305,000

Sarah Lamitie sold property at Pilot Knob Road to Richard J. & Jacqueline M. Shoop for $10,000 

Michael J. Nelson & Jill M. Peterson sold property at 34 Prospect Drive to Stacey M. Crawford for $140,000

Schermerhorn Commercial Holdings, LP sold property at 91 Glenwood Ave. to EC 91 Glenwood LLC for $1.75-million

Darrell L. Decker sold property at 35 French Mountain Drive to Trent P. & Lindsey Shelton for $365,000 

Brian Little sold property at 98 West Mountain road to Seth J. & Michelle L. Terbeek for $100,000

Richard A. & Cheryl L. Brown sold property at 93 Country Club Road to Michael & Katherine Dier for $55,000

Lake Luzerne

Gina Ghent sold property at Schaeffer Brooke Lane to Kristen Wolfe for $36,700

Timothy & Sarah Cox sold property at 321 Gailey Hill Road to Michael Hoffman for $40,000

Lake George

Vojac Inc. sold property at 3210 Lakeshore Drive (1/10 interest Lodge 6) to Timothy E. & Hope P. Keilman for $77,000

Estate of Lena Gagne, & Estate of Pasquale Laino Jr., sold property at Route H9N to Wolf Creek Developers LLC for $265,000

Antonia Astor (f.k.a Antonia Velez) individually and as surviving spouse of James Astor (f.k.a James Velez) sold property at 3210 Lakeshore Drive (1/10 interest in Lodge 3, Lodges at Cresthaven one) to Vojac, Inc. for $68,000

Frederick W. & Jacqueline K. Vogel sold property at 3210 Lakeshore Drive (1/10 interest Lodge 1) to Timothy E. & Hope P. Keilman for $125,000

Terry M. & Cheryl Thomas sold property at 10 Carefree Lane to Dena M. Davis for $575,000

Thurman

Albert A. & Diane M. Marinelli sold property at Barton Road to Robert H. Lanfear, Jr. for $105,000

Warrensburg 

John F. Kelly sold property at 86 Moose Ridge Drive to Lake George Home Retreat LLC. for $433,333

Walter Haws sold property at 271 River Street to Donald Prosser, Jr., & Brandy Prosser for $30,000

Jeffery Friedrichs sold property at 223 State Route 28 to Adirondack Cozy Cabins LLC for $310,000

Ashish Anand sold property at Sanford Street to Steven & Sherry Reeves for $60,000

Washington County

Argyl 

Timothy J. & Wendy L. Johnston sold property at 1331 Coach Road to Judy A. Brown for $345,000

Fort Edward

Karen G. Baldwin sold property at 23 Stevens Lane to Cody A. Webster for $43,000

Rourke Enterprises, Inc. sold property at State Route 197 to Zachary J. & Daniel F. Ruland for $78,000

Edward B. Healy & Kimberly L. Healy sold property at 19 Hunt Lane to Julia & Kevin Discorda for $32,000

Granville

Thomas Talko, as Exec. of last will of Ruth M. Washburne sold property at 2665 County Route 17 to Justin Burkhart for $157,000

Christopher C. Shambo, Esq. Ref: Douglas D. Swain, Kristine L. Swain, Christine Williams aka Christine L. Swain sold property at 10 Maple Street to U.S. Bank Trust National Association, for $252,327.48

Mireille R. Nitti, Esq.: Jamie L Moors sold property at 28 Bulkley Ave to Northstar Mortgage LLC dba Mr. Cooper for $110,380.69

Melody Katrobos as Admin. Of Estate of Elmer Brothers sold property at 2075 County Route 23 to Melissa Golfin for $123,600

Greenwich

Battenkill Realty Holding LLC. sold property at 35 Academy Street to Nicholas F. Lucarelli, Teresa M. Burrello, and Paul D. Burrello, Jr. for $245,000

Jamie L. Lewis sold property at 13 Van Ness Ave to Van Ness Properties, LLC for $30,000

Hampton 

Agricultural Stewardship Association, Inc. sold property at 2138 State Route 22A to 2138 Route 22A, LLC for $72,500 

Hartford

Raymond A. & Rebecca M. Hayes sold property at 63 Main Street to Stuart C. Myott $4,500

Fort Edward Supply, Inc. sold property at 14 Russell Lane to John L. Fisher for $210,000

Kingsbury

Jennifer L. Paradis, Ind. & as Exec. of last will and testament of Janice Newcomb sold property at 491 Dean Road to Robert Charles Helm for $290,000

US Bank Trust National Association sold property at 14 Liberty Place to J Hayes Properties, LLC for $65,000

Putnam 

Christopher Demarco, Trustee of Christopher DeMarco Revocable Living Trust and Alison Demarco, trustee of Alison Demarco Living Trust sold property at 5566 Evergreen Shores Way to Carla Hernas for $3,000,000

Salem

Dajedy Enterprises,LLC. Sold property at 1004 Old County Lane to Five two one Realty, LLC. for $70,000

Michael R. Renick & Mary Renick dka Mary E. Magnani sold property at Priest Road to Matthew Link & Joan Jameson for $60,000

James A. & Linda A. Giumarra sold property at Scott Lake Road to Curtis Garrett for $70,000

White Creek

Leslie E. Thomas sold property at 95 Spring Street to N and B Communities, LLC. for $392,500

Blake Christopher Kieth & Monica M. Kieth sold property at 3 Mitchell Ave to Douglas Levine & Daniel Rapphahn for $142,500

Whitehall

Sullivan Possibilities, LLC sold property at 13, 17-19, & 28-30 North Williams Street to Julia & Abraham Escamilla for $139,900

Herman Stannard sold property at 92 Poultney Road to Kelly McGee for $147,430

Adirondack Region Cat Adoption Center’s Featured Cat of the Week: Ebenezer

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

Ebenezer may look large and stoic, but deep inside is our gentlest cat. His charm is subtle yet straightforward. He’s hoping it will be enough to find a quiet and predictable home that will show him what it’s like to be part of a family. Ebenezer thrives when paired with an outgoing cat, drawing comfort and encouragement from their budding friendship. He’s already dressed up in his fanciest tux and wants nothing more than to bring joy to your world!

If you are interested in learning more about Ebenezer, please contact the Adoption Center at 518.409.8105 ext 101 or adoptadk@animalleague.org. You can also complete the adoption application using the link: www.animalleague.org/adkpreapproval

www.animalleague.org/adirondackregion
Facebook: theanimalleagueadirondackregion
Instagram: AnimalLeagueAdirondack

Live! Folklife Concerts: 3 Events at 2 Sites

Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Columns, Community, Downtown, Entertainment, Featured, In the Arts.

The Folklife Center at Crandall Public Library is excited to announce its Fall series of free live music featuring 3 bands, each for 2 nights at 2 locations – Crandall Public Library, 251 Glen Street, Glens Falls, NY 12801, and Historic Salem Courthouse, 58 East Broadway, Salem, NY 12865.

Cantrip, an Old Scots word for charm, magic spell or piece of music, this foursome creates compelling, energetic music with swirling border pipes, raging fiddle, thunderous guitar and rich voices, on Thursday September 7, 7 pm at the Library, and again on Friday, September 8, 7 pm at the Courthouse. Visit cantrip-music.com for more about Cantrip.

Heron Valley, on tour from Scotland, this foursome has roots in Scottish and Irish traditional music, on fiddle, guitar, keys, bagpipes, whistles bass, vocals, on Thursday, September 21, 7 pm at the Library, and again on Friday, September 22, 7 pm at the Courthouse. Visit heronvalleyband.com for more about Heron Valley.

Maire Ni Chathasaigh & Chris Newman, on tour from England with “blazing guitar and dancing harp” (so-says Dirty Linen) to present a breathtaking blend of traditional Irish music, hot jazz, bluegrass and baroque, on Thursday, October 19, 7 pm at the Library, and again on Friday, October 20, 7 pm at the Courthouse. Visit maireandchris.com for more about Maire Ni Chathasaigh & Chris Newman.

This season of Live! Folklife Concerts are produced by the Folklife Center at Crandall Public Library, in cooperation with the Historic Salem Courthouse. Doors open at 6:30 for the 7 pm shows. Seating is first come, first served, with no reservations. Portions of past concerts can be viewed at the Folklife Center’s YouTube page – www.youtube.com/thefolkllifecenteratcrandallpubliclibrary.org.

Live! Folklife Concerts are made possible with Folk Arts grant funding to the Folklife Center from the New York State Council on the Arts supported by the Governor’s Office and the New York State Legislature.

Special Olympics Fall Games: Volunteers Needed

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

The 2023 Special Olympics Fall Games include an opening ceremony on Friday, October 20th at Glens Falls City Park, and competition in seven sports Saturday October 21st – competitions will include bocce, cross country running, cycling, equestrian, soccer, golf and softball. 

Volunteers are needed to support the Games. Jobs that volunteers fulfill include: event set-up and break-down, registration, scorekeeping, timing, photography, and golf caddying. No experience is needed. The venues for the 2023 State Fall Games include: Glens Falls City Park (opening ceremonies), Adirondack Sports Complex (bocce), Cole’s Woods (cross-country running), SUNY Adirondack (cycling), Skidmore College (equestrian), Brookhaven Golf Course (golf), and Morse Athletic Complex (soccer and softball).

Volunteers work to set up and take down ceremonies that support the running of competitions… They cheer on the athletes, as well as capture and share moments from the events. 

Special Olympics New York has created a strategic plan to help athletes with intellectual differences (ID) play a sport, be part of a team, and compete. The goal of the strategic plan is to increase depth of participation, and quality of opportunities for existing athletes and stakeholders, as well as recruit the next generation of athletes, coaches and partners. Achieving organizational excellence is also core to enhancing the mission and securing the future.

The Special Olympics has been changing lives since 1968… The Special Olympics began because Eunice Kennedy Shriver saw how unjustly and unfairly people with disabilities were being treated, and she decided to take action. The goal was to learn what these children could do in sports and other activities, and not dwell on what they couldn’t do. The work of the Special Olympics has helped people with disabilities gain respect and admiration… This movement continues to bring people with and without disabilities together.

For more information, please visit www.specialolympicsny.org

Washington County Fair: August 21st through 27th

Written by Kate Haggerty on . Posted in Community, Entertainment, Featured, Food.

The Washington County Fair will be held from August 21st to 27th, at 392 Old Schuylerville Road in Greenwich, NY. Adult admission is $15.00. Children under the age of 13 do not require an entry ticket. Separate tickets are required for the rides. Advanced ride tickets are on sale until August 18th – a sheet of 20 ride tickets is $12.00, and each ride uses 3 to 5 tickets. Parking for the fair is free. 

The Washington County Fair is an event that locals look forward to all year round! For nearly a century the fair has provided a week of rides, food, and agricultural exhibitions. Fairgoers have the opportunity to see aspects of everyday life on a farm, and get a glimpse of what life is like on a working farm.

This year, the fair is featuring “The Big Push” which is a live dairy birthing demonstration celebrating the beauty of new life. This is an experience that dairy farmers celebrate throughout the year. 

The Washington County fair gives fairgoers an opportunity to taste local food, dairy products, and produce. Each year, there is a wide variety of food to experience… This year, there will be Mexican Street Corn Pizza, Hearts Catering will feature a Southwest Egg roll, and Polar Bear will have a Pumpkin and Peach ice cream! Traditional fairground favorites like fried dough will also be available, and to quench your thirst throughout the day, you can stop by the Craft Beverages Corral, where there will be samples of local beer, wine, cider, and spirits. 

While enjoying the food and beverages, entertainment will be all around you… New performers this year include Catalyst Quartet, Kevin Warren and the Bedrock Foundation, Craic Agus Ceol. Jay Mattioli’s Electrifying Magic, Micheal Goudeau the Comedic Juggler, and Pirate Dan. For the kids, story time will be provided by the Argyle Free Library. There will be the always popular 3.0 diesel class truck pull and demolition derby contests… And, of course, so many wonderful animals to see!

For more information, please visit washingtoncountyfair.com 

Cantrip: Free Concert at the Folklife Center

Written by Kate Haggerty on . Posted in Community, Entertainment, Featured, In the Arts.

On Thursday, September 7th, Cantrip will be performing a free concert at The Folklife Center at Crandall Library! Doors open at 6:30 PM music begins at 7:00 PM. The Folklife Center is a place to hear live music from world-class bands in an intimate setting. The concerts are free to the public due to funding from the Friends of Crandall Public Library and the New York State Council on the Arts: Folk Arts Program.

Cantrip formed nearly twenty years ago in Edinburgh, Scotland. The name Cantrip is an old Scots word meaning a charm, magic spell or piece of mischief… This name aptly describes the unexpected twists and turns in their musical arrangements! Swirling border pipes, raging fiddle, thunderous guitar and rich vocals create an energetic sound. The music that Cantrip performs has its roots in 1960’s and 1970’s traditional music, but over the years, influences of funk music, metal, blue grass, and swing have shaped their sound. 

This high energy Celtic music comes from a group of friends – Dan Houghton, Jon Bews, Alasdair White and Eric McDonald. Dan Houghton began his career playing bagpipes, and plays the flute, bouzouki, and DADGAD guitar… Jon Bews is a veteran fiddle player… Alasdair White plays the fiddle, and Eric McDonald studied the mandolin and guitar at Berklee College of Music.

Cantrip signed to the Foot Stompin’ label and created their first album “Silver” in 2001. Over the years the band has done significant touring, and later began producing their own records, “Boneshaker” in 2005 and “Piping the Fish” in 2008, and critically acclaimed “The Crossing” in 2016.

For more information, please visit cantrip-music.com