Month: July 2024

The Southern Adirondack Child Care Network Provides Invaluable Assistance To Families

July 22, 2024

Lynn Sickles (center left), executive director of the Southern Adirondack Child Care Network, celebrates the organization’s relocation with staff and volunteers during a recent open house.
Courtesy of the Southern Adirondack Child Care Network

By Christine Graf

For more than three decades, Lynn Sickles has been serving the community as executive director of the Southern Adirondack Child Care Network (SACN). Established in 1992, the non-profit is one of 35 childcare resource centers in New York state.

Serving Warren, Washington, and Hamilton counties, SACN’s primary role is to help parents find child care.

“If a parent is looking for care, they call us and we put their information into a database that includes all of the regulated child care programs in Warren, Washington, and Hamilton counties,” said Sickles, noting that these services are offered free of charge.

The database generates a list of child care providers, ones that meet the specific criteria of each parent. After receiving the list, the parent must reach out to the providers to see if there are any openings.

“We also educate parents on what to look for when they go to visit a program,” said Sickles. “We then follow up with them to see if they were successful in their search. Finding child care remains the number one barrier for them—what many of them are telling us is that there were no openings.”

Delectable Comfort Food Is Available At Big Tony’s At Moreau Lake State Park

July 22, 2024

A fully-equipped kitchen has replaced the vending machines at Moreau Lake State Park, allowing Anthony (Big Tony) Schunk and his wife, Amy, to prepare delicious food for hungry customers.
Courtesy of Big Tony’s at the Lake

By Jill Nagy

After several years of relying on vending machines, visitors to Moreau Lake State Park can once again enjoy real food served by real people. Big Tony’s at the Lake opened May 25 and the place has been busy every day, according to Anthony (Big Tony) Schunk, owner of the business along with his wife, Amy.

The Schunks got into the business almost by chance. They did a lot of cooking for Northway Church in Stillwater, sometimes serving as many as 700 people. That led to developing Big Tony’s Meal Prep, their meal prep business out of the local Elks Lodge. People asked if they could have the meals brought to them for parties and large gatherings, leading to Big Tony’s Catering. A fortuitous visit to Moreau State Park led to an offer to take over the concession stand for the summer. They signed a five-year contract with New York state, beginning this summer. Their eatery is open from Memorial Day to Labor Day. They may squeeze in a few more weekends in October, Schunk said.

The Schunks and a staff of eight keep both the Stillwater and the park businesses going.

Area Copier/Printer Retailers Adapt To The Digital Age With New Cutting-Edge Technology

July 22, 2024

Document Solutions President Rick Gallup has recently added Epson products to his inventory.
Courtesy of Document Solutions

By Paul Post

The Digital Age has greatly reduced the need for thick, costly paper documents such as annual reports and quarterly financial statements, which can be delivered electronically.

And there’s much less need for office copying because many people work from home following the COVID pandemic.

But two well-known local printing companies continue to thrive by adapting, diversifying and renewing efforts to provide high-quality customer service with new cutting-edge products and equipment.

“In the past people would share a large printer in the office. Now their print needs are at home where you don’t have ready access to the office printer,” said Rick Gallup, owner-president-founder of Hudson Falls-based Document Solutions of the North Country. “What’s new and exciting there is the changes in inkjet technology. Years ago an inkjet printer was something you put in your home, it was slow and kind of expensive to operate. Now the newer ones have the ability to do things that most typical laser-type office copiers can do in terms of speed — 40 to 50 pages per minute or more — and reliability.”

“They’re also more affordable because there’s very few parts,” he said. “Typical laser printers have components like drums, fusers and transfer belts while an inkjet printer doesn’t. They have just ink. So they tend to be more reliable than a laser device. We’re really excited about that product and think it’s going to do well for us.”

Business Report: Use AI To Be More Productive

July 22, 2024

Sara Mannix, president and CEO of Mannix Marketing.

By Sara Mannix

I belong to a group of leaders who are utilizing Artificial Intelligence (AI) every day to make their work more effective and more efficient in an ethically responsible way. We have used AI to create flyers, design presentations, write software code, debug code, and even create movies. And at Mannix Marketing we have built CustomGPTs that perform functions based on our own knowledge bases and rules, and we have discussed and drawn up guidelines about the ethical use of AI.

We have reached the point where if you aren’t using AI in your work, then you are falling behind your competitors who have mastered using the latest breakthrough technology.

The good news is that it isn’t hard to get started and become familiar with some AI tools that can make your life easier. One of the simplest ways to get started with AI is to use ChatGPT.com, a tool that can provide detailed answers in a conversation-like format (its responses build upon the questions and answers that precede them, so no need to start from scratch as a conversation is in progress, or even if you need to come back to it). Here are a few simple ways I have used ChatGPT or other AI tools to help you think about how you can use them.

Business Report: Develop A Process For Problem Solving

July 22, 2024

Michael Cruz is president of Lighthouse Advisors LLC in Queensbury.

By Michael Cruz

Technology Will Not Help…

IF, you are using it to mask your problems. Too many times people see an issue or a problem, and they want to find a quick fix. Don’t. It doesn’t work.

The best implementations of technology have only one thing in common. They are all based on automating a good process. Bad technology implementations often exist because you automated a bad process.

In order to address these business issues, you need to follow a formula. First, define the problem. I also refer to this as ‘What problem are we solving?’ Be clear. Make sure that you are addressing the underlying issue. Don’t fall into the trap of treating the symptoms of the problem. Think about the impact of the problem going away. It is important to make sure everyone agrees on what you are trying to fix. A written statement describing the problem assures we all are working on the same one.

Next, spend time imagining the solution. What do you really want to happen? When you take the time to examine the whole issue, you may see things that you miss when focusing too narrowly. You probably should flow chart the ideal process. Pictures tell stories. That will help you figure out what might be missing. And, help you figure out who else might be affected. Resolve both of those issues. Most importantly, ask “Why do we do it this way?” All too often we fail to reimagine the process. Stay away from the curse of ‘that’s the way we have always done it’.

Hilltop Construction Company Continues To Thrive In A Highly Competitive Industry

July 22, 2024

Hilltop Construction recently completed this custom home in Cleverdale on Lake George that features hand-hewn barn wood beams and an outdoor kitchen.
Courtesy of Hilltop Construction

By Paul Post

Hilltop Construction thrives in a challenging, competitive industry with a mix of commercial and custom home residential projects.

It’s a strategy the Queensbury-based firm has followed since its founding in 1976.

“We try to be diversified in what we do, which helps in different economic environments,” co-owner Dan Washburn said. “If the residential market is healthy and commercial isn’t, we’ve got the residential side to work with and vice versa. It makes it easier to adapt to ever-changing conditions that affect different industries.”

“Business is really good now on both sides,” he said. “We’ve got a solid workload into spring of 2025.”

This summer, Hilltop is doing everything from a ZZ Mobil Mart convenience store in Malta to a passive solar home in Brant Lake and a new Stewart’s Shop in Hoosick.

Washburn handles commercial projects while his brother-in-law, Tom Albrecht Jr., oversees residential development. Washburn, his wife, April (Treasurer/Office Manager), and Tom Jr.purchased Hilltop several years ago from its founders, Tom Albrecht Sr. and his wife Cindy.

Munter Enterprises Continues To Exceed Expectations On A Wide Variety Of Projects

July 22, 2024

A Munter Enterprises crew uses a crane to move materials at the Waters Edge project.
Courtesy of Munter Enterprises

Staff Writer

Munter Enterprises, based in Middle Grove, is a leading family-owned general contractor offering commercial, industrial, design-build, and project delivery services throughout the Capital Region.

Several large commercial and industrial projects are underway and progressing toward completion this year. One notable project is for Equal Vision Records, an independent record label based in Albany, New York, and MerchNow, their sister company, which produces wearables and promotional branded merchandise for bands and artists.

The recently purchased building is in Albany’s South End at 400 South Pearl St., where Munter Enterprises is implementing improvements to bring the building into code compliance for storage and racking requirements. The project includes interior modifications to the production and warehouse areas, as well as minor renovations of the office space. A unique aspect of the project is the addition of a 20×40 boiler room designed to house modern steam boilers essential for the production of vinyl records, which have seen a resurgence in popularity over the last decade.

“I may be dating myself but I didn’t realize how the ‘record’ industry has rebounded and its actually very cool to understand what goes into to physically making a vinyl album,” said Michael Munter, vice president of Munter Enterprises.

“On a larger scale, we’re nearing the finish line on the Soleno project. They’ll be in full production by late August,” said Munter.

Ensure Consistency

July 22, 2024July 22, 2024

Job Interviews are common practice and one of the most critical components of any hiring process. Yet, hiring managers will often take freedom with the interview process and the questions they ask. While they may seem innocuous and are often common practice, asking an interviewee personal characteristic questions may be viewed as discrimination, as...

Many Non-Profit Agencies Depend Heavily On The Volunteer Efforts Of Local Senior Citizens

July 22, 2024

Kimberly Sopczyk, executive director of Family Services of Glens Falls, relies on volunteers.

By Christine Graf

Volunteering is vital to the economy, the estimated economic value of volunteer work in America exceeding $120 billion. With volunteer rates and hours on a steady decline for the past 20 years, local non-profits are relying more than ever on the 50-plus demographic.

Family Services Association of Glens Falls, a non-profit agency that provides services and support to families in crisis or in an emergency situation, relies heavily on a small team of volunteers, most of them retired. The agency serves Warren, Washington and Northern Saratoga counties.

“We help people that are in situations that are beyond their resources,” said Executive Director Kimberly Sopczyk. “We pride ourselves on being kind and offering assistance and support. Our volunteers play a large role with that.”

Volunteers staff the agency’s full-service food pantry, one that operates Monday through Friday.

“We consider it an emergency food pantry because you don’t need an appointment,” said Sopczyk. “You can either call that day and arrange a visit or stop in.”

According to Sopczyk, the agency also relies on volunteers to help with Feet First, an annual event that takes place in August.

“We assist low-income families with purchasing new school shoes for their children to return to school in the fall. Our tagline is that we want all children to put their best foot forward. Our goal is to serve 450 this summer,” she said.

Senior Demographic Is Now Opting For Full-Service Travel Advisors When Planning Trips

July 22, 2024

Stacie Baxter at Heber Travel sees people taking extended month long trips.

By Christine Graf

Americans are traveling in record numbers, with the United States aviation industry reporting that 2023 was its busiest year ever. Local travel advisors expect 2024 to be another banner year for travel, particularly among the age 50-plus demographic.

At Heber Travel Services in Queensbury, sales manager Stacie Baxter said many of her clients in the 50-plus demographic are venturing to far-off destinations including Singapore, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Africa, and Australia.

“People are traveling more, and they are taking month-long vacations instead of one-week vacations. A lot of older people are traveling, and my oldest this year is 95, and he’s going to Europe,” she said.

Many of Baxter’s clients are opting for ocean or river cruises or a combination of land and sea vacations. Others are choosing to travel to countries from which their ancestors emigrated, their interest often fueled by genealogy research.

“I see a lot of older people wanting to go back to their roots,” she said. “They may go and spend a month there.”

Regardless of the destination, when working with agents at Heber Travel, clients receive personalized attention.