The Board of Directors of Arrow Financial Corporation (NasdaqGS® – AROW) have declared a quarterly cash dividend of $.25 per share payable June 15, 2012 to shareholders of record June 1, 2012. This represents an increase of 3% over the cash dividend paid in the first quarter of 2011, as a result of the September 29, 2011 3% stock dividend.
Arrow Financial Corporation is a multi-bank holding company headquartered in Glens Falls, NY serving the financial needs of northeastern New York. The Company is the parent of Glens Falls National Bank and Trust Company and Saratoga National Bank and Trust Company. Other subsidiaries include North Country Investment Advisers, Inc., three property and casualty insurance agencies: Loomis & LaPann, Inc.; McPhillips Insurance Agency which is a division of Glens Falls National Insurance Agencies, LLC; Upstate Agency, LLC, and Capital Financial Group, Inc. an insurance agency specializing in the sale and servicing of group health plans.
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The Hudson-Mohawk Chapter of the American Society for Training& Development will host a workshop entitled, “If it ain’t broke why are we fixing it? Managing Organizational Change.” The workshop will be held twice: Friday, May 18, at Berkshire Bank Community Room, 151 Vly Road in Albany; and, Friday, May 25, at SUNY Adirondack’s Washington Hall 131, (2nd Floor, South End), 640 Bay Road in Queensbury.
Change is inevitable and is the core component to organizational growth. The impact of change in an organization affects everyone differently from management to employees to customers.
Ann Lieberburg will help us to identify associated causes and effects as well as to learn techniques to successfully make the journey through a change. Ann comes to us with over 30 years of experience in organizations such as the former Albany Savings Bank, NYS Credit Union League and Sunmark Federal Credit Union training managers and their employees on organizational change and other professional development courses.
This workshop topic is intended for anyone who will be or is currently experiencing an organizational change. For registration information, visit: http://hudsonmohawkastd.org/workshops-events/.
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Glens Falls National Bank & Trust Company, Glens Falls, New York has been recognized as a 5-Star Superior bank by the nation’s leading bank rating and research firm, BauerFinancial, Inc. A 5-Star Superior rating indicates that Glens Falls National Bank & Trust Company is one of the strongest banks in the nation. Among other factors, to earn this rating Glens Falls National Bank & Trust Company must not only report impressive capital levels, but also a loan portfolio with negligible levels of delinquent loans. In fact, Glens Falls National Bank & Trust Company has earned a 5-Star Superior bank rating for 20 quarters.
Karen L. Dorway, President of BauerFinancial, has congratulated the entire team at Glens Falls National Bank & Trust Company. “Glens Falls National Bank & Trust Company is one of the U.S. banks that evoke an image of a brighter banking future for our communities. That’s good news for all.”
Glens Falls National Bank & Trust Company first opened its doors in 1851 and operates 29 offices, in five counties in upstate New York; it can be found on the internet at www.gfnational.com.
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Beginning in May, the Good Grief Support Group will meet at the Bay Road office of High Peaks Hospice & Palliative Care from 5pm – 6pm on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of the month. In addition, beginning April 25th, and ending August 29th, from 4:30pm – 6pm, there will be a 10-session support group meeting in Warrensburg at the North Country Ministries. This group will utilize Dr. Alan Wolfelt’s book and journal, Understanding Your Grief: Ten Essential Touchstones for Finding Hope and Healing Your Heart. For either of these groups, please contact Steve Smith or Diana Webster for more information and to register, at 743-1672.
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National Grid has awarded a $2,000 grant to North Country Ministry, an outreach organization serving families in need in rural Warren County.
“The work that North Country Ministry is doing to provide counseling and assistance in the rural communities of Warren County is much appreciated,” said William Flaherty, National Grid Director of Customer and Community Management. “National Grid is pleased to continue our support of those efforts with this donation to the Emergency Assistance Fund.”
National Grid has helped North Country Ministry in the past by meeting the emergency energy needs of families in distress. As the prices of fuel for homes and the gas tank go up, the prices of basic necessities such as food and clothing are even more difficult for low income families who have stretched their resources. North Country Ministry sees more local families using their services for emergency needs, visiting the Clothing Center and making use of the Gathering Place lunch programs.
Founded in 1992, North Country Ministry is celebrating its 20th year of service to the rural communities of Warren County.
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The New York State private sector job count is at an all-time high of 7.3 million. Almost 18% of all new jobs created in the United States in March were created in NYS. New Yorkers working over the year increased by 2.2%, with 155 thousand private sector jobs added
New York State’s economy added 21,500 private sector jobs, or 0.3%, in March 2012, the State Labor Department reported today. Since the beginning of the state’s economic recovery in November 2009, New York has added 332,900 private sector jobs and regained all of the private sector jobs it lost during the recession. Moreover, the state’s private sector job count — 7,317,400 — stands at an all-time high.
Year over year, from March 2011 to March 2012, New York State has added 155,000 private sector jobs.
“New York State’s private sector job count hit an all-time high of more than 7.3 million in March 2012. What we have recouped now surpasses the total private sector jobs lost during the state’s recession in 2008-2009,” said Bohdan M. Wynnyk, Deputy Director of the Division of Research and Statistics.
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Two of the region’s longest-tenured certified public accounting firms have merged. Ross Rigby & Patten LLP, a 67-year-old Queensbury-based firm, and Latham-based Marvin and Company, P.C., a firm whose roots extend back to 1923, announced the merger recently. The combined firm will operate as Marvin and Company with offices in both locations and a combined total of 56 employees, including 25 CPAs.
The merger provides Marvin and Company with new growth opportunities in the North Country, and enables Ross Rigby & Patten to continue to provide high-quality and timely services to its steadily growing client base. Clients of the new firm will have access to a broader array of expertise and services in accounting, auditing, taxation, management consulting and employee pension and benefit planning and administration as a result of the merger.
Ross Rigby & Patten President Thomas J. Ross, CPA, CTP, along with vice presidents and partners Leo A. Rigby, CPA, CGMA, and Heather D. Patten, CPA, and the entire Ross Rigby & Patten staff will continue to serve clients from the Queensbury office. Marvin and Company Director of Operations Jim Amell will continue in his current role with the combined firm, as will all other employees.
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Stafford Funeral Home of Lake George, managed by third generation funeral director Jo Ann Stafford-Paige, has now come full circle after merging with Regan & Denny Funeral Services of Queensbury becoming Regan Denny Stafford Funeral Home.
Regan & Denny Funeral Services is the successor to a funeral home, originally founded around 1850 by Harold Colvin which was located at the corner of Maple and Church Streets in Glens Falls. In 1872, Charles Bullard joined the firm. In 1922, Harold Stafford and Joseph Regan, Sr. both engaged in the profession in New York City, moved to Glens Falls and became associated with Charles Bullard forming the firm of Bullard, Regan & Stafford. In 1932, they purchased the former Parks Mansion located at 341 Glen Street, Glens Falls, relocating the funeral home.
Joseph Stafford and Joseph Regan, Jr. became associates in the firm in 1947. Following the untimely death of Harold Stafford in1948, Joseph Stafford relocated to Lake George and in 1950 opened as Stafford Funeral Home. Charles Denny became a partner in 1950 with Joseph Regan, Sr. and the name changed to Regan & Denny Funeral Home.
John Ross became an associate of Regan & Denny in 1955 and a partner in 1965, subsequently becoming the sole owner. Mr. Ross relocated the funeral home to its present location on Quaker Road in Queensbury, later selling the business to Christopher Gauthier in 1987.
Following the death of Mr. Gauthier in 1994, the business was sold to SCI and later purchased by the Scott & Barbieri Family Funeral Homes in 2002.
Jo Ann performed her mortuary science residency under Mr. Gauthier and has maintained her relationship with Regan & Denny Funeral Home since 1988. She became the sole owner of Stafford Funeral Home, after the death of her father in 2000.
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The people who live, work and even play in Washington County have a local Toastmasters club right in their own backyard. Yes, the Washington County Toastmasters is your local club in the international organization that is known as Toastmasters. This worldwide organization has helped millions of people improve their communication and leadership skills.
You don’t have to travel across state lines, pay exorbitant fees or listen to someone else speak on how you should be speaking. The Washington County Toastmasters club is a place where you get to stand up and practice speaking. Every person has a chance to hone their skills and gain confidence. We use immediate feedback, applause and personal mentors to help you realize your goals. Don’t let this opportunity pass you by. The next meeting is Wednesday, May 2nd at the Annex II Building of the Washington County Municipal Center, next to the Cornell Cooperative Extension office on Route 4 in Hudson Falls, NY from 7:00 to 8:30 PM. Regular meetings are held every first AND third Wednesday of the month. Come join us, and bring a friend. You do NOT have to be a resident of Washington County to join, you just need a willingness to learn!
You can also visit Toastmasters online at http://www.washingtoncountytoastmasters.org.