BY ANDREA PALMER
The Glens Falls Home at 79 Warren St. in
Glens Falls was re-branded on March 5 with
the unveiling of its new name, The Conkling
Center.
The center was formerly known as The
Glens Falls Home, though the organization
ceased being a residential facility in the late
1990s.
“The word ‘home’ in the name was causing
a lot of confusion,” said Joan Tarantino,
executive director since 2012. For the last few
years, the board has been undergoing serious
discussion on a name change so folks would
know what we do actually now.”
“We decided to re-brand with a new logo
and new marketing material,” said Tarantino.
Jake Van Ness, owner of Graphic Precision,
“has been helping us with all aspects of our
re-branding process. He has been wonderful.”
The new sign sporting the new name at
the Warren Street facility was unveiled on
Thursday as well.
The Conkling Center is a private, nonprofit
operating foundation and is governed by a
board of directors.
“We could have rebuilt the World Trade
Center in the time it took us to decide on
a new name for the home,” said Carol Merchant,
a board member. “A lot of thought,
debate and discussion went into it. We wanted
a name that was self-explanatory and did not
confuse people.”
The Conkling Center was named after Mary
Arobell Conkling, who in 1899 offered her
family home for the use of The Glens Falls
Home at a reduced sale price. The home was
quickly outgrown and a new facility was built
in the early 1900s. The Glens Falls Home
ceased operation as a residential facility in
1999, but was a partner in the development
of The Glen at Hiland Meadows, a residential
independent senior living facility located in
Queensbury.
Though The Glens Falls Home ceased operation
as a residential facility in 1999, there
was still much confusion over the function
of the organization, largely due to the word
‘Home’ in the name.
“There was a great need for a new name
that did not confuse people. Just today, we
got a call to reserve a room at The Glens Falls
Home,” said Merchant. “Several years ago,
we decided we needed to change the name
because there was just too much confusion
over what we actually did, what we still do
and what we don’t do.”
“We offer transportation services as well as
educational opportunities and forums relevant
to the aging community,” said Merchant.
The Conkling Center has a room of computers
available for seniors to use. The center
works with RSVP (Retired & Senior Volunteer
Program) to connect senior volunteers with
neighbors in need. The center helps connect
seniors with services and information they
may need, such as assistance with taxes,
audits, health insurance and housing options.
Forums and seminars are regularly offered.
Upcoming events include a forum on
Alzheimer’s disease and a self-defense class
for the older adult.
It provides free transportation to any senior
over the age of 55, within a 25-mile radius
of the Glens Falls area. The center owns two
wheel-chair accessible vans.
“Many seniors are without transportation
and have no choice but to call an ambulance
if they need to go to the doctor, even if it is
just for a routine doctor’s appointment,” said
board member Veronica Chase. “The cost of
these ambulance rides can be very expensive,
especially for those on a fixed income … We
offer transportation services for doctor’s
appointments, but also for other reasons. If
someone wants to go get their hair done, we’ll
give them a ride. If someone wants to meet
a friend for lunch, we’ll give them a ride. It
helps get our seniors out and about.”
The Conkling Center has served the Glens
Falls Region for well over a century. Its website
is www.theconklingcenter.org.