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Buying Local – Episode 37: David Byrne (Renua Energy)

Buying Local Glens Falls

Episode 37: David Byrne (Renua Energy)


Welcome to Buying Local!

Saratoga, Warren, and Washington County have no shortage of fantastic goods and services to offer! In this podcast, our host Mike Nelson will clue you in on the amazing gems hidden in your very own community!


David Byrne (Renua Energy)

Episode 37

In this episode, our host Mike Nelson interviews David Byrne, an army veteran and the owner & president of Renua Energy! Electric vehicles are becoming more popular and affordable across the nation, and David uses Renua to try to help meet the coming energy demands and make our nation energy-independent! Listen to this episode to hear about his goals, his history, and more!
 

00:21 – Introduction: Service Around 9/11

03:37 – Renua: A History

08:05 – What Renua Offers

10:45 – How EV Charge Stations Work

12:45 – Industry Standards

13:53 – Five Years of Service

14:53 – Not Just Employees

16:46 – Ending Up Upstate: Calling South Glens Falls Home

19:50 – Your Buddy’s Boat

20:29 – Commercial Break: Visit Bogey’s Pub & Grill Today!

21:04 – Dave’s Biggest Challenge: Finding Help!

23:50 – Want vs. Need: Salesmanship Closes the Gap, But It’s Not Easy!

26:52 – Cold Calling: A Mike Nelson Tale

27:58 – Shoutout to Kate Haggerty, our Star Reporter!

28:51 – The Adirondack Chamber of Commerce: Hit Up Those Events!

30:21 – Sell Us a Salesperson: Hunting Down the Hunter

33:13 – Closing Deals is a Great Feeling!

35:43 – Shoutout to Whiteman Chevrolet!

36:41 – Can You Make Money on EV Chargers?.. Yes; Over Time

38:33 – A State-Level Deal

40:04 – Closing Remarks: How to Get in Touch

Listen Now


PRODUCTION NOTE: The opinions reflected in this podcast are not indicative of the views of Saratoga Business Report, SaratogaBride.com LLC, Saratoga TODAY, Glens Falls TODAY, Spa City Digital, or Five Towers Media.


Details

  • Host

    Michael Nelson

  • Guest

    David Byrne

  • Runtime

    42 min, 17 sec

  • Airdate

    July 31st, 2023


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Stewart’s Shops and the Dake Family Donates $25k for the Hyde Collection’s Educational Programs

Image (left to right): Katelyn Foley, Curator of Education and Engagement, The Hyde Collection, John Lefner, Chief Executive Officer, The Hyde Collection, Kate Nelson, PR Specialist, Stewart’s Shops, Kate Wilkins, Director of Development, The Hyde Collection, Jennifer Frame, Director of Corporate Philanthropy, Stewart’s Shops with a donation of $25,000.

Glens Falls, NY — The Hyde Collection has received funding from long-time supporters of the arts community and museums – Stewart’s Shops and The Dake Family. Representatives from Stewart’s Shops  recently visited The Hyde in Glens Falls to present a donation of $25,000 that will fund the 2023  educational offerings.  

As lead education sponsors for the season, Stewart’s Shops and The Dake Family are the signature  underwriters of the overall programming calendar for 2023, which is designed to offer enriching  opportunities to all guests, from children and families to art enthusiasts of all interests. 

Kate Wilkins, Director of Development at The Hyde Collection commented, “Our educational programs  affirm The Hyde’s commitment to enriching the lives of children of all ages and backgrounds throughout  our region, and we are thrilled to celebrate Stewart’s Shops and The Dake Family as champions of these  efforts.” 

Susan Dake, President of Stewart’s Foundation, commented, “Stewart’s Shops is committed to supporting  and giving back to all our Shops’ communities. We are proud to be supporting the educational programs at  the Hyde Collection which provide opportunities for local children and families to participate in painting  and performing arts classes. At Stewarts, we like to say the arts are an important part of all of us!” 

Highlights of 2023 programming underwritten by Stewart’s Shops and The Dake Family, which will occur  on-site and off, include: 

  • Artful Afternoons, which invites families with children five and older to examine artwork and  engage with materials. 
  • Art After Hours, which will pair local entertainment with art and leverage community  partnerships every third Thursday of the month. 
  • A performing arts series based around The Hyde’s upcoming exhibition Songs of the Horizon:  David Smith, Music, and Dance, featuring partnerships with regional performing arts organizations  
  • On Screen @ The Hyde: A series of performances streamed live from the National Theatre stage.
  • Summer Art Explorations: Summer classes for third to sixth graders where children visit  exhibitions and partake in special demonstrations and art making. 
  • Fashion Lab New York-Upcycle Couture Fashion and Sewing Camp: A summer program for  teens focused on art, sustainability, sewing, and fashion inspired by famous paintings of  women.  
  • Creative Play at (g)row for kids, which takes place at (g)row for kids on Exchange Street in Glens  Falls, and will allow students to play with different elements of art and create an original piece of  art.
  • Painting with Patrice: A class led by local artist Patrice Jarvis-Weber in which participants are  directed through the creation of acrylic painting. 
  • Free admission every second Thursday for everyone.

About The Hyde Collection 

The Hyde is one of the Northeast’s exceptional small art museums with distinguished European and American art collections. The core collection, acquired by Museum founders Louis and Charlotte Hyde, includes works by such artists as Sandro Botticelli, El Greco, Rembrandt, Peter Paul Rubens, Edgar Degas, Georges Seurat, Pablo Picasso, and Pierre-Auguste Renoir, and American artists Thomas Eakins, Childe Hassam, Winslow Homer, and James McNeill Whistler. The Museum’s Modern and Contemporary art collection features works by artists including Josef Albers, Dorothy Dehner, Sam Gilliam, Adolph Gottlieb, Grace Hartigan, Ellsworth Kelly, Sol LeWitt, George McNeil, Robert Motherwell, Ben Nicholson, Robert Rauschenberg, and Bridget Riley. Today, The Hyde offers significant national and international exhibitions and a packed schedule of events that help visitors experience art in new ways. Visit www.hydecollection.org  

Press Contact: Katie Alessi – KAlessi@trifectacollaborative.com

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

Annalina was a wonderful mama to her three kittens and now it is her time to shine! In a nutshell she is friendly, affectionate, and energetic. A cute little peanut she loves to be where you are and will contently purr to herself while basking in your company. She might prefer to be in a household where she can be an only cat – to luxuriate in being the sole recipient of all the affections you will shower upon her.

If you are interested in learning more about Annalina, please contact the Adirondack Region Cat 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

Warren County and Washington County Real Estate Transactions July 14th – July 21st

Warren County

Bolton

Robert Alfredo sold property at Alpine View Drive to Richard Hameroff for $325,000

Chester

The Leggett Family LLC sold property at Blue bay Road to James E. & Deena B. Mannetti for $41,500

Glens Falls 

Judith A. Capezzuti sold property at 178 Sanford Street to Kelli Demarsh for $230,000

Brian M. Brozino, Jr., Sold property at 9 Bacon Street to Lydia Hoffman, Oliver Meunier, & Kathryn Miechowski for $260,000

Glens Falls Area HAbitat for Humanity, Inc sold property at 64 Orville Street to Jean Denver Nzambi for $205,000

Hague

Michael J. & Ramona B. DiMarco sold property at 7887 Lakeshore Dr to Harvey E. Hummel for $815,000 

Horicon 

Joseph & Patricia Ardito sold property at 45 Woodridge Drive to Rex James Ruehlin & Donna Zicker for $622,000

Lake George 

Vojac Inc. sold property at 3210 Lake Drive to Judy Tricarico for $ 60,000

John H. Herzog and Margit K. Herzog Irrevocable Trust dated Aug. 3,2012 sold property at 55 Iroquois Street to Fern Brook LG LLC 

Lake George Association, Inc sold property at 2199 Route 9 to Fort William Henry Corporation for $340,000

Queensbury

Estate of Chapin Flint Moger sold property at 8 High Point Dr. to Christopher Rhodes Fingland & Kerry Jane Fingland for $350,000

Dean J. & Deborah S. Beckos sold property at 67 Browns Path to Michael & Katherine Dier for $132,000

Matthew Ball sold property at 5 Algonquin Dr. to Mackenzie Wiggins & Jordan Stewart for $323,000

Zachary Vanevery sold property at 485 Ridge Road to Michael G. & Deborah Jean C. Duncan for $325,5000

Rodney Woodard sold property at 15 Rhode Island Ave to JJ Terminal Lane LLC for $137,500

Lynda Scurlock sold property at 68 Wisconsin Ave to Deborah Nolan  for $20,000

Joshua Gall sold property at 1079 West Mountain Road to Kelly Morales & Maya Gaughn for $370,000

Curtis & Kelly Koone sold property at 51 Oak Tree Cir. to Cyle Jeremy Deyo & Shannon Marie Deyo for $400,000

Kristine & Karianne Nolan sold property at 72 Farr Lane to Nikari & Joshua Gali for $489,900

Carl William Hasselbarth sold property at 21 Ogden Road to Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. for $190,740 

Stephen A. & Robin M. Miller sold property at 897 Sherman Ave to Amanda J. Beatty & Alexander P. Homkey for $344,500

Laurie A. O’Neil sold property at 12 Morgan Drive to Suzanne Bouleris & Francis Bouleris, Jr. for $390,000

Kim Todd, custodian, & Cameron Joseph Lackey sold property at 605 state Route 149 & 2 adjacent parcels to Wes-Ma Farms LLC for $10,600

Stephanie D. Bitter, referee sold property at 42 Luzerne Road to The Bank of New York Mellon, trustee for $78,000

Collin J. Viele & Breanne E. Viele (f.k.a Breanne E. Beard) sold property at 27 Quarry Crossing to Cameron Lawrence Wood & Alyssa Duffany for $210,900

Lynda Daly sold property at 33 Bonner Drive to Nathan Fuller for $190,000

Lake Luzerne

Claudia Braymer,referee, sold property at 1039 East River Drive to Benjamin K. Duliba for $50,000

MMI Unlimited LLC. sold property at 434 Old Stage Road to Avinoam Durani for $90,000

Kenneth J. Tambasco, Jr. sold property at 162 Potash Road to 162 Potash, LLC for $395,000

Warrensburg

The Annig A. agopian Revocable Trust dated Feb., 5, 2010 sold property at Tripp Lake Road to Lawrence P. & Christy A. Coe for $30,000

Washington County

Argyle

David M. & Judith E. Thomas sold property at 5978 State Route Road to Nathan Hatalsky  & Katelynn Leavey for $580,000

Granville 

Robert H. Coughlin, Esq., Ref., Alfred Ferris  Jr. sold property at 4-6 South Maple Ave to MCLP Asset Company Inc. for $94,430.59

Daniel M. & June M. Brown sold property at 31 Williams Street to Milton M. & Patricia L. Dunbar for $239,000

Greenwich 

Jennifer Patten Mclean & Sydney E. Mclean sold property at 184 Bay Road to Amy Lynne Halsey for $49,500

Hebron

Secretary of Housing & Urban Development sold property at 1120 County Route 31 to Stephen J. Bernard for $64,000

Maria Vona sold property at State Route 22 to State Route 22, LLC for $950,000

Kingsbury

Geraldine R. Shine sold property at 8 Catherine Street to Paula Terifiletti for $185,000

Rhonda L. Jarvis sold propert at 116 Farley Road to Sierra & Colby Clement for $387,000

Hampton 

Residential  Remedies LLC sold property at 56 Hampton Heights to Anthony Loguidice for $110,000

Hartford

Gillian A. Hirsch, Esc., Ref., William R. Donaldson sold property at 3302 State Route 196 to Ethan Pike for $180,001

White Creek 

Monica M. Keith sold property at 4 Mitchell Ave. to William J. Perry Jr. for $60,500

Marian Davidson, Esq., & Katharine Butler as Temp. Co-Guardians of Scott Latham sold property at 3 Niles Road to Latham House LLC. for $63,000

Marian Davidson, Esq., & Katharine Butler as Temp. Co-Guardians of Scott Latham sold property at 114 County Route 68 to Gasthaus Fayerabend LLC for $40,000

Fort Ann 

Ruth Veach As Administrator os the Estate of Donal L. Hite sold property at 1171 County Route 17 to Stephan Andrews for $125,000

Joseph Hill, Andrew Lewis & Linda J. Hill sold property at 1305 Patten Mill Road to Lori S. & Kenneth M. Haley for $380,000

Fort Edward

Preferred Construction Solutions, LLC. sold property at 105 Swamp Road to Kieth Gilligan for $49,256

Jedediah Parrish sold property at 412 Lower MIan Street to Northwoods LAnd Development LLC. for $25,000

Leonard D. & Theresa Gillis sold property on East Road to Michael E. Powers for $50,000

Whitehall

James H. Pippo, Stephanir Elizabeth Pimppo nka Vasilakos sold property at 24-26 Saunders Street to Roeshon Artis for $220,000 

Thomas E. Caracane sold property near County Route 10 to Shawn Michael Foley & Janee M. Foley for $205,000

 WARREN COUNTY: JULY 2023 DBA FILINGS 

WARREN

WILD HERITAGE HORIZONS: PIPER ALEXANDER 10 CHESTER ST APT 5 GLENS FALLS NY 12801

WE FIX ALL: RABBI FOYEZ AHMED  578 AVIATION RD.  KIOSK #K09

 QUEENSBURY NEW YORK 12804

ADIRONDACK ELITE CLEANING SERVICE: MELLISA LANFAIR  16 GRAND AVE  WARRENSBURG NY 12885

REVOLUTION MADE BY HAND: JEROMY MCFARREN 10 MARION AVENUE APT 1

 GLENS FALLS NY 12801

JENNIFER ROWLEY MD PRIVATE PRACTICE: JENNIFER ROWLEY  102 PARK ST

GLENS FALLS NY 12801

ADIRONDACK ARTS: ELLEN S ACHAEFER  279 13TH LAKE ROAD

NORTH RIVER NY 12856

BAKED BY MARLENE AT J GALLUP FARM: MARLENE DELONGIS 3916 MAIN ST  WARRENSBURG NY 12885

BEN ATM: ELIZABETH PORLIER 241 FULLER RD QUEENSBURY NY 12804

SPLIT RAIL CRAFTS: CORTNEY MCCAULIFFE 93 OLMSTEDVILLE RD  POTTERSVILLE NY 12860

J MOSHER CONTRACTING: JOEL A MOSHER  914 GLEN ATHOL RD WARRENSBURG NY 12885

C MOSHER CONSTRUCTION: CAIDEN MOSHER  914 GLEN ATHOL RD WARRENSBURG NY 12885

B N B PROPERTY PROS: BILLY JOE WROBEL & BILL JOE  WROBEL, JR 2 FIRST AVE  WARRENSBURG NY 12885

WARREN S MOBILE MARINE & REPAIR: BRIAN J WARREN  2340 STATE RTE 9N LAKE GEORGE NY 12845

CURIOUS CREATURES: BRIANNA BREEN 72 DIXON RD  QUEENSBURY NY 12804

ILLUMINATED AUDIO:MATTHEW JOSEPH ROBERTS 10 SMITH ST  GLENS FALLS NY 12801

MACCS DETAILING: MACCHARULO GREG 329 QUAKER ROAD QUEENSBURY NY 12804

A & A LANDSCAPING SERVICES: ALEX MARTIN & ALEX HILL 18 MCGINNIS RD LAKE GEORGE NY 12845

RGS GAMING: THOMAS HART SELLINGHAM III  49 MUD ST ATHOL NY 12810

BJB ELECTRIC: BERNARD J BRAULT 1772 RIDGE RD QUEENSBURY NY 12804

Notice of Formation: LLCs

Notice of Formation of Northern Laundry LLC. Article of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 06/20/2023 Office Location: 1849 State Route 9, Lake George NY 12845. The purpose of the LLC is to engage in any and all business activities permitted under the laws of the State of New York. 

Notice of Formation of Scrimshaw Properties (LLC). Article of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 11/20/2020 Office Location:17 Baywood Drive Queensbury NY 12804. The purpose of the LLC is to engage in any and all business activities permitted under the laws of the State of New York. 

Notice of Formation of Central Drillers Hockey, LLC. Article of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 06/17/2023 Office Location: 51 Pinewood Road South Chestertown NY 12817. The purpose of the LLC is to engage in any and all business activities permitted under the laws of the State of New York. 

Notice of Formation of Earl’s Masonry, LLC. Article of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 05/30/2023 Office Location: 1431 County Route 17 Whitehall NY 12887 . The purpose of the LLC is to engage in any and all business activities permitted under the laws of the State of New York. 

Notice of Formation of Nollid, LLC. Article of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 07/11/23 Office Location: 3568 State Route 196 Fort Ann N.Y. 12827. The purpose of the LLC is to engage in any and all business activities permitted under the laws of the State of New York. 

Notice of Formation of Deluca’s Hauling,LLC. Article of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 03/17/2023 Office Location: 1060 Broadway Suite 100, Albany NY 12204. The purpose of the LLC is to engage in any and all business activities permitted under the laws of the State of New York.

Notice of Formation of Current Craft LLC. Article of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 06/21/2023 Office Location: 25 Kirker Drive, Lake George NY 12845. The purpose of the LLC is to engage in any and all business activities permitted under the laws of the State of New York.

Notice of Formation of Madeline 1983, LLC. Article of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 07/10/2023 Office Location: 2245 Route 9 LAke George NY 12845. The purpose of the LLC is to engage in any and all business activities permitted under the laws of the State of New York. 

Notice of Formation of New First St. LLC. Article of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 06/09/2023 Office Location: P.O Box 42 Saratoga Springs NY 12866. The purpose of the LLC is to engage in any and all business activities permitted under the laws of the State of New York. 

Notice of Formation of Sullivan Moore Consulting LLC. Article of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 07/09/2023 Office Location:7 Anthony Court Queensbury NY 12804.. The purpose of the LLC is to engage in any and all business activities permitted under the laws of the State of New York. 

Notice of Formation of Gatehouse Lake George LLC. Article of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 06/06/2023 Office Location: 441 Upper Sherman Ave. Queensbury NY 12804. The purpose of the LLC is to engage in any and all business activities permitted under the laws of the State of New York. 

Notice of Formation of Topridge Ventures LLC. Article of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 5/30/2023 Office Location: 59 Middle Road Lake George NY 12845. The purpose of the LLC is to engage in any and all business activities permitted under the laws of the State of New York. 

Notice of Formation of Peaceful Pasture Farms. Article of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 06/14/2023 Office Location: 229 State route 197 Fort Edward NY 12828.. The purpose of the LLC is to engage in any and all business activities permitted under the laws of the State of New York. 

Notice of Formation of Small Town Glass Art . Article of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 06/08/2023 Office Location: 5 North Street Hudson Falls. The purpose of the LLC is to engage in any and all business activities permitted under the laws of the State of New York. 


Notice of Formation of B3K Enterprises LLC. Article of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 02/26/2023 Office Location: 62 George Knoll Warrensburg NY 12885. The purpose of the LLC is to engage in any and all business activities permitted under the laws of the State of New York.

Fort Edward’s “Tuesdays on the Hudson”

The businesses in downtown Fort Edward are building a community and enjoying themselves! Visiting the town for the weekly “Tuesdays on the Hudson”, there is a feeling of a tight-knit yet welcoming community… There were people lining up at the Twisted Taco Truck, sipping beer on the patio of Slickfin Brewing Company, and participating in outdoor Underwood Park CrossFit activities… All of this keeps Broadway bustling throughout the evening hours.  

Fort Edward is in the midst of a resurgence! In years past, the downtown has been littered with vacant storefronts… Now, there is noticeable economic activity throughout the downtown with families, residents, and visitors alike all enjoying the vibrant downtown scene. 

Fort Edward is an historic town on the Hudson River that is now forging an energetic downtown business district… One of the events that is helping to fuel this rejuvenation is the Fort Edward “Tuesdays on the Hudson”. This event has both daytime and evening activities that encourage people to spend time getting to know Fort Edward and all that it has to offer… These summer Tuesday’s began on July 18th, and will run until August 15th. 

The daytime activities include touring Fort Edward by bike! Rental bikes are available from Evergreen Bicycle Works, located at 71 East Street… This is a perfect way to explore the Empire State Trails and other local Fort Edward attractions. “Tuesdays on the Hudson” also encourages visitors to explore Rogers Island – to wander the grounds of the beautiful historic landscape along the Hudson River, and learn about the Native-American Inhabitants and Fort Edward’s important role in the French and Indian War. 

Local cafés, restaurants and eateries offer discounts on throughout the day… There are Happy Hour vendors – including Slickfin Brewing (147 Broadway), featuring $6.00 pints. Dalia’s on the Hudson (13 East Street) offers a “buy one specialty drink, get one for 50% off” deal. The Twisted Taco Truck (parked in front of Slickfin Brewery) offers a free pocket Keychain Flashlight with every order. Stumpy’s Pizzeria (165 Broadway) offers 15% of your order when you mention “Tuesdays on the Hudson”, and there is free Yoga on the Hudson River from 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM on the lawn of the Yacht Basin!

For more information, please visit visitfortedward.com

Ignore the Phone (at least while driving)…

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has compiled a number of statistics on how distracted driving affects people nationwide. The Administration reports that a total of 3,522 people were killed in distracted driving accidents in the year 2021. This number is out of nearly half a million total accidents that involved distracted driving. Estimates are that millions of drivers are making use of their phones while driving during daytime hours. 

Clearly we have a major problem here.

Distracted driving cases in New York

New York has specific laws for traffic offenses that involve distracted driving. Under New York law an officer may stop someone simply because they see them making use of a phone while driving. The offense itself may carry up to 5 points on a person’s license and has very steep penalties for persons with provisional licenses or learner’s permits. In addition, these laws place significant restrictions on how operators of commercial vehicles may interact with their phones. The penalties for these offenses increase with each offense, and can potentially result in a loss of license if a person accrues enough points.

While these violations are generally considered small traffic offenses and handled in a municipal or state court, the acts that constitute these offenses are often the cause of accidents that result in severe injuries or death.  A person, or in some cases, a company, may be held civilly liable for injuries caused by a distracted driving accident.  Often the same evidence used in court to convict a distracted driver on a traffic offense can be used in a civil case to show that the distracted driver was negligent, and that his or her negligence contributed to the accident.

In addition to criminal/traffic matters, an individual who suffers serious injuries as a result of a distracted driving accident is often entitled to compensation.  This can be broken down loosely into economic and non-economic loss. (Some minor injuries may be dealt with through New York’s No Fault system).

Economic loss

Economic damages are financial losses associated with an accident that a plaintiff can prove to a court. In distracted driving accidents these often include medical costs, such as hospitalization and/or surgery, as well as costs for follow-up treatment such as physical or occupational therapy.  Future medical costs (to the extent that the treatment is reasonably likely) may be estimated and included in available compensation.   

Lost wages are another type of economic damage that typically accompany serious injuries or death from a distracted driving accident.  In addition to the period of time an individual is out of work in the immediate wake of an injury, there might be additional missed work due to follow-up care, or in severe cases and cases involving a death an inability to sustain employment into the future.  This loss of income is an often substantial element of damages in a lawsuit following a distracted driving accident.

Non-economic loss

Non-economic damages are losses that can be more challenging to translate into a dollar figure, yet can be substantial.  These include categories such as physical pain and suffering and mental anguish.  Testimony from physicians, psychiatrists and other experts can help to attribute a monetary figure to these types of losses.

How do we stop this epidemic?

Distracted driving is one of the things that keeps us, as parents, up at night.  It has to stop.  But how?

First, we educate.  We believe that we must all make efforts to educate both teenagers and adults about the real world risks associated with distracted driving.  Because this is not limited to teenagers.  Many of us have, at times, been guilty of looking at our phones when we should be focused elsewhere.

We have also joined the organization End Distracted Driving, and have made the commitment to reach as many individuals in New York’s Capital District as possible to address this problem, through speeches, presentations and leadership.  

Second, we litigate.  Reality is that some people don’t learn from education, they need to see real world examples of the risks of distracted driving.  To that end, we represent victims and their families who have been injured or killed by distracted drivers.  We will use every tool available to change the behavior and culture surrounding distracted driving, and sometimes that will mean making examples of those who choose to continue to take this unnecessary risk despite the clear evidence of the danger this behavior presents.  

If you have questions about what you can do to help, visit our distracted driving page at www.ignorethephone.com

Binley Florist & Garden Center: “We are Here to Stay!”

Binley Florist & Garden Center is located at 773 Quaker Road… Several thoroughfares meet there, and these roads are some of the busiest roads in the Glens Falls/Queenbury area, handling thousands of cars a day. This location is prime real estate for a variety of businesses – including Binley Florist and Garden Center, which is under new ownership! Tami Fields, as the new owner, is working to carry on the traditions of the past and build new relationships… Binley’s is an institution in the world of plants, flowers, and floral design, having been in business for 130 years. Tami is looking forward to carrying that tradition into the future.

Tami may be new to the owner role at Binley’s, but the business is not new to her; Tami has worked at Binley’s since 2000. She came to the company as a sales clerk and floral designer and was named Floral Manager early in her career. 

Tami, along with her husband and son, are carrying on the traditions of Binley’s and building new relationships as they move forward. The property and the business were purchased from Wally Hirsch by Taco Bell… Field bought the business from Taco Bell, and leases the land from them: “I couldn’t see a 130-year old business go down the drain,” Tami explained… Initially, Tami had been concerned about working and negotiating with a business as big as Taco Bell, but has been inspired by their commitment to help her business grow and move forward: “Taco Bell has been wonderful! They are wonderful! They are my landlords. They have bent over backwards for us,” she said.

“I have had to downsize since we’ve taken over… We lease the retail sale space, but not the growing space. Our plan is that next year, we will go back to growing our geraniums… Our customers love geraniums. It is important for us to bring in inventory that our customers like. We will be operating on a smaller scale, but focusing on what has always been important to the customer base and community that Binley’s has built. That’s why we are here,” Tami said.

Binley’s has maintained open communication with their customers through Facebook: “We love our customers, and our community and look forward to the years ahead.” Tami said.

For more information, please visit binleyflowers.com

Folklife Center 30th Anniversary Festival

In City Park, the Folklife Center celebrated its 30 year Anniversary from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM on Tuesday, July 25th. Live music played at the Bandstand as people sat and listened, content to enjoy the summer day surrounded by friends and neighbors… Artisans explained their crafts, and food trucks set up along Maple Street. 

The lawn at City park was dappled with bear sculptures made by Peter Winters Bears and Signs and artisans setup under white tents to show and explain their crafts. Carrie Hill of the Akwesane Mohawk Territory was on hand to explain Black Ash and Sweet Grass Basket Making – she teaches her own classes, performs demonstrations, and even offers restoration services. 

“I got an invitation from Traditional Arts in Upstate New York (TAUNY) to attend. So I worked with them a few times and they thought that I would be a good fit for this event… I’m showing and explaining basket making. This is a traditional art form that has been in my family for many many many generations,” Carrie said. 

TAUNY is a nonprofit organization dedicated to showcasing the folk culture and living traditions of New York’s North County. This organization collects, preserves, interprets and presents the customs and traditions of the Mohawk River from Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River to Lake Champlain, including the Adirondack Mountains.

Rickele Lomax and Amy Hughes, both librarians in the children’s department of Crandall Library, were on hand to help with events for children: “We have fun activities for children to do along with the Folklife Festival,” Rickele said. 

Librarians Rikele Lomax & Amy Hughes

The Folklife Center partnered with New York Folklore of Schenectady and Traditional Arts in Upstate New York of Canton to organize the event. Friends of Crandall Public Library donated additional funds.