Month: December 2017

‘Moose On The Loose’ Opens Cafe, Across The Street From Its Deli Business On Route 9

December 14, 2017December 15, 2017

Eric Vreeken, owner of the new Moose on the Loose Cafe in Lake George, poses with employee Heather Morris. Vreeken also owns Moose on the Loose Deli across the street on Route 9.
Photo by Jesse Winters

By Liz Witbeck

It has been a little more than a year since Eric Vreeken and his wife Erin Hunnewell purchased the Moose on the Loose Deli, located in the French Mountain Outlets in Lake George. Already they have expanded, following the success of the first location.

A vacancy opened up across the street, in a space previously occupied by Sammy D’s, in the Adirondack Outlet Mall. Vreeken and his staff seized the opportunity to open up the second location.

Vreeken is a veteran of the restaurant industry. He started his career with his first business, a food distribution company. He sold it to purchase the original Moose on the Loose Deli with his wife. He has worked in food and restaurants for the past 15 years.

The new restaurant, Moose on the Loose Café, opened in November at 1444 Route 9 in Lake George.

SBA District Gives ‘Large Commercial Lender Of Year’ Award To KeyBank’s Capital Region

December 14, 2017December 15, 2017

J. Paprocki, (second from right) and Daniel Rickman, (right)of Syracuse District SBA present KeyBank’s Capital Region team with the 2017 Top Commercial Lender of the Year Award.
Courtesy KeyBank

KeyBank’s Capital Region Business Banking team was recently presented with the 2017 Large Commercial Lender of the Year Award by Bernard J. Paprocki, director of the Syracuse Small Business Association District.

In fiscal year 2017, KeyBank approved 32 loans at a Capital Region, leading value of $19.9 million, according to the SBA.

“SBA lending is critical to helping communities thrive, because it ensures that creditworthy businesses have access to the capital they need to start, expand and ultimately bolster the local economy and workforce,” said Greg Novitsky, senior SBA relationship manager, Capital Region, KeyBank. “We’re a proud SBA lending partner and excited the 2017 rankings reflect our commitment to help local businesses.”

Failing as a Board Member?

December 14, 2017December 15, 2017

Michael Cruz is president of Lighthouse Advisors LLC, Queensbury.

It is Board transition time. I recently ran into a friend who was celebrating rolling off a nonprofit board. That also means there is a new member coming onto that board.

We generally accept board seats because we want to give back to our community. You are identified (and recruited) to join the board because you have business expertise they want. We accept the role because we have expertise that will enable a nonprofit to operate better. And, board seats require our financial support. So, we do not (and should not) accept the board responsibility lightly.

What is your role as a board member? It should be to provide guidance to the mission of the organization. The executive director reports to the board. Therefore, you become his/her ‘supervisor’. It requires us to make personal donations. It also requires us to ensure the organization has a solid strategic plan. Most importantly, it requires us to ensure that the nonprofit has the resources to accomplish its plan. All of these responsibilities are covered clearly by the Independent Sector, a national nonprofit dedicated to effectiveness of nonprofits throughout the U.S. in an article called “The Principles for Good Governance and Ethical Practice” that can be found at www.independentsector.org.

Adirondack Folk School Helps Connect People With Older Crafts Like Blacksmithing

December 14, 2017December 15, 2017

Scott Hayden, executive director of the Adirondack Folk School, stands outside the facility in Lake Luzerne where people can learn basketry, canoe building, weaving, quilting and woodworking.
Photo by Jesse Winters

By Jennifer Farnsworth

The beauty of the Adirondacks is something that for years many people have worked hard to preserve. The Adirondack Folk School in Lake Luzerne honors the arts, crafts and traditions of the area in a unique way.

It is making a name for itself as the craft school of the Adirondacks.

Based on a Danish folk school teaching model, the school philosophy is to encourage lifelong learning through preserving the traditional arts, crafts, and culture of the Adirondack region.

They offer a hands-on learning experience in over 20 different areas of craft, including basketry, blacksmithing, canoe building, weaving, quilting, woodworking and jewelry making.

Executive director Scott Hayden said in 2017, the school experienced a measurable increase in interest. There was a 40 percent increase in student enrollment. The school also expanded to neighboring areas to accommodate the increase in numbers.

‘Arts District Of Glens Falls’ Brings Groups Together To Strengthen Promotional Efforts

December 14, 2017December 15, 2017

The Glens Falls Symphony is among the arts organizations that comprise the Arts District of Glens Falls. The group is working to connect and cross-promote the city’s arts organizations.
Courtesy Glens Falls Symphony

By Jennifer Farnsworth

There is a lot happening within the arts community in Glens Falls, thanks to the collaborative efforts of the Arts District of Glens Falls. The group is working to connect and cross-promote the city’s arts organizations that are located within a mile of one another.

Kate Austin-Avon, president of the arts marketing firm Advokate LLC, said the Arts District of Glens Falls has been meeting since early 2014 and puts out a monthly arts bulletin of featured events.

The arts organizations involved include the Shirt Factory, LARAC, the Hyde Collection, Chapman Historical Museum, Adirondack Theatre Festival, Art in the Public Eye, Park Theater, the Charles R. Wood Theater, Glens Falls Symphony, Glens Falls Community Theater, Cool Insuring Arena, Crandall Public Library, World Awareness Children’s Museum, and NorthCountryARTS.

Holiday Gifts Of A More Personal Nature Can Be Found In Many Smaller Area Shops

December 14, 2017December 15, 2017

Glen Street in Glens Falls takes on a festive look as shop owners prepare for the traditional shopping season. Downtown shoppers can find gifts outside the ordinary in area boutiques.
Photo by Jesse Winters

By Jennifer Farnsworth

The window of opportunity to find the perfect gift is starting to close. Fortunately, people who are looking for personalized and unique gifts don’t need to travel far from home.

From Lake George to Glens Falls, small area businesses are stocked and ready to help people find that special something. Small shops give personalized attention in an atmosphere that brings joy back to gift giving, something that may be harder to find in larger retail stores or shopping malls.

The selection at small businesses ranges from gourmet food to high-end clothing.

At MinkyMink, 203 Glen St. in downtown Glens Falls, owner Maura Forcier said those looking for curated clothing and accessories at affordable prices will find themselves in luck at her shop. She specializes in statement pieces that she describes as modern and comfortably chic.

Stewart’s Shops Holiday Match Program Will Again Raise Money For Children’s Charities

December 14, 2017December 15, 2017

Stewart’s Shops is teaming up with its customers once again to raise money for local children’s charities.

The Stewart’s Holiday Match campaign kicked off on Thanksgiving Day and runs through Christmas Day at all shop locations. The program doubles customer donations penny for penny, and has set fundraising records for three consecutive seasons.

“Already having such a sense of community in our shops, the Stewart’s Holiday Match program has proven to be a perfect match for our friendly partners and loyal customers. By joining together, we can support kids in our own neighborhoods, all year long,” said Stewart’s Shops President Gary Dake.

In 2016, customers donated $926,000 to the program, doubling to more than $1.85 million with the Stewart’s match, he said. This was a $100,000 increase over the previous season. The funds were able to support a record 1,737 local children’s organizations across the 31 counties where Stewart’s Shops are located.

SPAC Offers Customized Ticket Packages For 2018 Varied Calendar Of Concerts, Events

December 14, 2017December 15, 2017

In time for the holiday season, Saratoga Performing Arts Center is offering customizable gifts for music lovers through Dec. 31.

The 2017 holiday collection includes the ultimate classical season pass, which features a lawn seat for all performances of the New York City Ballet and the Philadelphia Orchestra and the opportunity to upgrade to the best available amphitheater seat for $5 for any performance, up to five times ($165 through Dec. 31); gift certificates that can be redeemed for tickets to any SPAC performance, Live Nation show or the Saratoga Wine & Food Festival; the flex ticket option for the Freihofer’s Saratoga Jazz Festival ($56 through Dec. 31); and holiday gift subscriptions to Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center at SPAC and Opera Saratoga.

“The ultimate classical season pass is the best kept ‘SPAC insider’ secret. What’s well known about these lawn passes is that they offer the opportunity to experience SPAC’s world-class programming for the entire classical season at an average ticket price of just $7 per performance, less than a movie ticket,” said Elizabeth Sobol, CEO of SPAC.

With Change Is A Constant, Retirement Plans Should Stay On Course And Be Able To Adapt

December 14, 2017December 15, 2017

Don Tenne is a senior financial planner for Mass Mutual in Glens Falls.

By Susan E. Campbell

Financial professionals helping clients plan for a comfortable retirement are accustomed to preparing for unknowns. But what happens when foundational systems like income taxes and health care hover on the verge of massive change?

“All the attention in the media is paid to national politics and legislation,” said Don Tenne, a registered representative and senior financial planner for Mass Mutual in Glens Falls. “But we spend our lives locally. How much passed legislation will affect my life, versus my property taxes, zoning or the traffic where I live?”

So he advises his clients, “Don’t get too caught up in tax reform or health care reform, because our lives are lived largely outside of the Washington bubble.”

While tax reform is important, the issue is not change, said Tenne, but how to make a financial plan and stay on course because times always change.

Business Report: Why Every Child Needs A Roth IRA

December 14, 2017December 15, 2017

Paul Curtis is a CPA and partner at CMJ LLP in Queensbury. Courtesy CMJ LLP

By Paul Curtis, CPA, CVA, CM&AA

What if your child could invest tax-free money today, and in 40-50 years take the proceeds out tax-free? Would you be interested? Almost anyone who receives compensation can open up a Roth IRA account.

There are two main types of individual retirement accounts, the traditional IRA and the Roth IRA. Traditional IRA’s allow for tax deductions for current year contributions. When distributed, the original contributions, along with any earnings, are then fully taxable. The Roth IRA allows for your contributions and earnings to accumulate tax-free. No tax deduction is allowed for contributions, unlike the traditional IRA, but you never have to pay taxes on qualified distributions.