Month: December 2024

By Paul Post

Hal Raven could drive the train, but he’d rather be the conductor punching tickets like Tom Hanks on the Polar Express.

“That’s my thing, talking with people, interacting, getting kids excited,” he said.

His company, the Saratoga, Corinth & Hudson Railway, gives people Christmas-themed memories to last a lifetime on the Candy Cane Express, a fun festive ride that runs through Dec. 22 highlighted by visits from Santa, music, lights and hot cocoa refreshments.

Raven, a Queensbury resident, gave up a 28-year railroading career to fulfill his dream of owning a scenic line. It operates year-round between South Greenfield and Hadley on 17 miles of track owned by the Town of Corinth.

“We do all the maintenance and repairs,” he said. “When we first took over, weeds were chest high and overgrown. We had to fix all the crossings.”

Two previous operators had run tourist trains from Saratoga Springs to North Creek, but couldn’t make a go of it. This is Raven’s third year in business and by all accounts it’s full steam ahead.

By Paul Post

An industrial brownfield site, vacant for 35 years, is being repurposed as a productive 6-megawatt community solar project.

The 44-acre former Ciba-Geigy property in South Queensbury borders the Hudson River, nestled between Perkins Recycling and the recently shuttered Glens Falls Cement Company plant.

“With its unobstructed southern exposure, a surface-mounted solar project is the best and only practical use for the site,” Queensbury Supervisor John Strough said. “It’s the least intrusive and will add value to the property.”

The site housed several industrial plants beginning in 1901, starting with wallpaper manufacturing and later producing inorganic pigments. Hercules Inc. took over operations in 1960, selling the property to Ciba-Geigy 19 years later. Ciba-Geigy ceased operations in 1989 and demolished the buildings soon after. A more-than-decade-long cleanup effort removed toxic chemicals and heavy metals, concluding in 2002. While the topsoil at the site is now safe, contaminants remain in bedrock fissures, making excavation for large commercial developments financially unfeasible.

By Susan Elise Campbell

Looking back on their first full year of production, entrepreneurs Max and Nikki Poritzky have counted one ton of produce grown and distributed to restaurants and schools from their hydroponic farming facility, Foothills Farm, in Greenfield Center.

The farm is a 40-by-eight-foot container housing an efficient, vertical growing system that produces high quality lettuces and herbs using a fraction of the space of traditional farming.

The couple have backgrounds and careers in the field of nutrition and come from health conscious families, they said. 

She studied nutritional biochemistry at UC Davis and was a commercial executive marketing dietary supplements, an industry in which Max also had an executive career spanning 25 years. He said his mother founded Wild Oats, the first health food store in Saratoga Springs. 

“‘Let food be thy medicine’ might sound clichéd, but this is how our families live,” Max said. 

By LEE COLEMAN  

The Romeo family is purchasing Whiteman Chevy, a local automotive institution on Dix Avenue in Glens Falls for the past 68 years, from the Whiteman family.  

The late Roland Whiteman opened the dealership in 1956. His son Robert took over the business and for the past 20 years it has been operated by Amy Whiteman Brown, Roland’s granddaughter.  

“My father (Len Romeo) has done business with Whiteman for years. It’s been a wonderful relationship, pushing some 40 years,” said Mike Romeo.  

Mike Romeo said he and his three siblings — Joe, Lucia, and Genese — are buying the dealership together. “Amy has been wonderful,” he said. The closing on the sale was held earlier this month.  

This is the first time he and his siblings have purchased a dealership together.  

Family members currently own Carriage Traders on Saratoga Road in South Glens Falls, Romeo Toyota of Glens Falls on Broad Street, and Romeo Auto Outlet on Quaker Road in Queensbury.  

By Paul Post

A section of unused Washington County jail must be kept open and staffed, diverting funds from much-needed programs and services.

More attorneys are required, at considerable expense, because of new bail reform policies.

Money is still being spent on Great Meadow Correctional Facility upgrades despite the prison’s Nov. 6 closing, which eliminated more than 400 jobs, possibly triggering a significant drop in sales tax revenue.

“A lot of regulations that come down from the state somehow cost us money,” county Administrator Melissa R. Fitch said. “The most frustrating part of this job is that we don’t have control of a lot of things we wish we did as far as spending goes.”

Fitch, Board of Supervisors Chairman Robert Henke, of Argyle, and Budget Officer Brian R. Campbell, of Hebron, discussed these and other issues with local business leaders during a recent “Washington County Outlook” presentation hosted by Adirondack Regional Chamber of Commerce at Sandy Hill Arts Center in Hudson Falls.

Grounded on Glen Street, formerly Yoga Kayla, has announced an expanded service area for its Mobile Meditation Studio, a converted bus that now brings meditation classes anywhere in Upstate New York!

“I get a lot of calls from workplaces that want to offer health and wellness programming for their staff,” said founder, yogi Kayla Sehlmeyer. “We have had fun girls’ nights as well, bachelorette parties, birthday parties, and we love to come to schools and teach both teachers and students how to find clarity, stress relief, and relaxation through meditation.”

Groups can now book the Mobile Meditation Studio anywhere within a four-hour drive of Glens Falls, where Grounded on Glen Street is headquartered.

Locations more than a 45-minute drive away pay a small travel fee.

Sehlmeyer is a yoga, meditation and somatic practitioner. “After working through and overcoming many of my own challenges, I share my insight and wisdom to guide and empower others on their journey,” she said.

By Ann Donnelly 

Queensbury Billiards & Cafe, a unique establishment that offers more than just a pool hall, opened its doors in 2023. In 2024, it expanded its offerings to include a diverse menu, activities, and events. This distinctive blend of pool, food, and events has been a major draw, appealing to a diverse clientele. The venue’s dedication to building community and fostering camaraderie through leagues, tournaments, and social events further distinguishes it from other similar businesses.

Owners Kevin and Neelo Jaikeran, originally from Guyana and raised in New York City, relocated to Queensbury when Kevin’s job in telecommunications brought them to the area. The idea of opening a pool hall came when Kevin, passionate about the sport since his youth, saw a gap in the market. According to Kevin, “There was nowhere to play pool around here. You would need to travel 45 minutes to find the closest room.” This passion for pool, combined with Neelo’s love for diverse culinary influences, led to the birth of Queensbury Billiards & Cafe, located at 324 Quaker Rd., Queensbury, N.Y.

“I left my job and started my own company as a contractor. The pool hall was a second business,” says Kevin. However, his passion became his profession within a few months as he poured his dedication and commitment into making Queensbury Billiards & Cafe a success.

With 21 tables, including professional-grade nine-footers, Queensbury Billiards & Cafe caters to casual players and serious enthusiasts. “We keep up to professional standards,” Kevin notes. “The facilities are not just for the people looking for fun, but also for serious players looking for a place to train and practice.”

In a world where the boundaries between work and life are increasingly blurred, a new breed of law firm is emerging, one that prioritizes employee well-being and client relationships alongside legal expertise. Meliora Law, PLLC, a women-owned firm based in Delmar, New York, is a prime example of this trend, offering a fresh perspective on what it means to practice law in the 21st century.

Established by three experienced attorneys – Erika Wood, a seasoned Tax and Corporate attorney; Jennie Shufelt, a Health and Corporate attorney who is also an experienced litigator; and Katherine Dievendorf, an Estate Planning and Elder Law attorney – Meliora Law is built on collaboration, flexibility, and a commitment to ‘whole person’ development. This philosophy translates into a supportive work environment where attorneys are encouraged to pursue personal interests and maintain a healthy work-life balance, which leads to greater job satisfaction and enhanced client service.

“We’ve seen so many great practitioners leave private practice for reasons that are solvable,” says Wood. “We want to be one of those firms that are solving that problem, where people want to make their career here and stay in private practice, despite the challenges and stresses that can come with it.”

Meliora Law’s commitment to a holistic approach extends beyond internal culture to encompass a comprehensive range of legal services. The firm’s expertise spans Corporate, Tax, Health Care, Not-For-Profit, and Trusts & Estates, allowing it to serve a diverse clientele, from small businesses and entrepreneurs to large corporations and healthcare institutions.

“Our practices complement one another,” explains Wood. “We can provide seamless service to clients who need assistance with their business and personal legal matters.”

This integrated approach is particularly valuable in areas like succession planning, where business owners often need help aligning their personal and professional goals. Meliora Law’s team of attorneys can work together to ensure a smooth transition for the business and its owners.

One of Meliora Law’s key objectives is to make legal services more accessible and approachable. The firm strives to eliminate the fear and intimidation often associated with dealing with attorneys, making you feel at ease and comfortable when seeking legal help.

“Our goal is to provide clear, practical advice and to be approachable for people so that they don’t have a fear of reaching out and asking for help,” says Vittoria Buzzelli, counsel at Meliora Law.

Meliora Law recognizes the importance of adaptability in today’s rapidly changing legal and business environment. They are committed to staying ahead of the curve by embracing new technologies and evolving client needs, as well as monitoring systems and processes on an ongoing basis to ensure they can provide the most efficient and effective service.

Adirondack Winery has announced another successful year of their Drink Pink breast cancer awareness fund raiser. As a result of the campaign, Adirondack Winery raised over $22,000 for Making Strides Against Breast Cancer of the Adirondacks thanks to the support of its customers, staff, friends, family, and other local businesses.

From mid-September to the end of October, a portion of every purchase made at Adirondack Winery was donated to Making Strides. The winery raised funds this year in a variety of ways, including the sale of its Drink Pink Berry Breeze, a limited-edition version of its mixed berry rosé that has a pink cap and label. Much of the donation was also raised via the sale of wine, accessories, and raffle ticket sales. Thanks to local businesses donating their products and services, the winery was able to compile multiple high-value raffle baskets for customers to enter for a chance to win. One hundred percent of raffle basket ticket proceeds were donated and the winery was able to raise over $5,600 from raffle tickets alone.

“We are blown away by the support of our customers, staff, friends, family, and community year after year,” said Adirondack Winery President and Co-Owner Sasha Pardy. “Giving back to the community is very important to us as a company and this disease has touched far too many people around us. Whether it’s a family member, friend, or customer – we want to be there to support.”