By Jill Nagy
The Alliance for Positive Health, an agency assisting people with HIV/AIDS and other chronic conditions, opened a new office at 13 Chester St. in Glens Falls. The new office replaces a facility in Hudson Falls, one of five regional offices of the organization.
“Things are still a bit unsettled,” said Executive Director William Faragon. He said he hopes to have everything in place for the community open house on Sept. 17. There will be a ribbon cutting and tours of the new offices. He characterized the event as an opportunity for members of the community to meet their new neighbors.
HCR Health Care, Based In Hudson Falls, Earns Five-Star Rating For Its Patient Services
By Jill Nagy
HCR Home Care, a provider of home health care services in northern New York state, added another star to its galaxy when its North Country region, based in Hudson Falls, received the highest rating, Five Stars, for patient satisfaction in July.
HCR consistently receives four-star ratings, well above average, for both clinical outcomes and patient satisfaction. However, this was the first five-star rating, according to Lara Weagle, director of client relations.
The top rating indicates that HCR met or exceeded state and national averages in five patient-satisfaction measures, based upon a comparison of survey results. The surveys and comparisons are performed by medicare.com/homehealthcompare. HCR’s ratings are the highest in the region, according to Weagle.
Twelve Companies Nominated In Three Categories For Annual Business Awards
Washington County Local Development Corp. and the Adirondack Regional Chamber of Commerce have announced the nominees for the 2019 Washington County Business Awards.
The nominees are as follows:
Professional Business Category: DOTY Machine Works Inc., Hilltop Construction Co., L.E.A.P., Washington County Center for Rehab & Healthcare and the Washington County Fair.
State Comptroller Says Farms Generated $5.7 Billion In Revenue To The Economy In 2017
New York state farms generated $5.7 billion in revenue in 2017, according to a report released in August by State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli.
“Agriculture is an essential part of New York’s economy,” DiNapoli said. “Farms generate billions of dollars in sales, provide jobs and enhance our quality of life. But farmers face challenges including fluctuating milk prices, threats from a changing climate and disrupted trade relations. We need to build on our previous actions to make sure that agriculture can thrive in the Empire State for generations to come.”
SUNY Empire State College To Assist 2020 Census By Providing Computer Lab Access
To help ensure an accurate, complete count in the 2020 census, SUNY Empire State College will open available computer labs at the college’s more than 30 locations all across New York state.
For the first time, the 2020 census will be conducted through an online questionnaire. This change in process may present significant obstacles for many residents who may have limited internet access or limited experience with digital interfaces.
One of the cornerstones of American democracy, a complete and accurate count of every resident in New York state will help ensure fair representation in federal government and equitable funding from federal programs, particularly to communities most in need, officials said..
47th Annual Adirondack Balloon Festival Comes To The Region September 19-22
Courtesy Adirondack Balloon Festival
Balloons will take to the skies again in the Glens Falls/Lake George area when the Adirondack Balloon Festival takes place Thursday through Sunday, Sept. 19-22.
It will be the 47th annual event.
It kicks off at 4:30 p.m. on Sept. 19 at Crandall Park in Glens Falls with a musical performance by the Lustre Kings. A block party featuring live music, balloon baskets on display, a car show, and kid’s activities will be held in the park from 6-9:30 p.m.
A flight of balloons will go up at 5:15 p.m.
Events continue through the weekend at Floyd Bennett Memorial Airport in Queensbury.
Flight times are approximate and all activities are weather permitting. There is no smoking, no dogs allowed, and no drones or remote control aircraft are allowed.
On Friday, at the airport, gates open at 3 p.m. A craft fair will be hosted by Zonta with 50-plus vendors, kid’s activities and food vendors.
On Saturday, a “big balloon breakfast” will be held from 5-10 a.m. From 5-7 a.m. food vendors will be open for business. There will be a craft fair hosted by Zonta, kids activities, including bounce houses, as well as crafts and games. A flight of up to 100 Balloons will be at 6:30 a.m.
Musical performances by Pluck & Rail will take place 2:30-4:30 p.m.; a musical performance by The High Peaks Bluegrass Band 5-7 p.m.; and a flight of up to 100 Balloons at 5 p.m. At 8 p.m. will be “Lighting Up The Night – Airport Moonglow” with , 30-plus balloons.
NYRA: 2019 Meet At Saratoga Race Course Had Record Handle,Topping $700 Million
Courtesy NYRA
For the first time in history, the New York Racing Association Inc. (NYRA) generated more than $700 million in all-sources handle during the 2019 meet at Saratoga Race Course, which was conducted over a five-day race week and included the cancellation of a full Saturday card of racing.
NYRA officials said Wagering from all-sources totaled $705,343,949 an increase of more than $46 million, or 7 percent, over last year when racing was conducted for the full 40 days during a six-day week. This year’s handle eclipsed the previous record set in 2017 by nearly $29 million or 4.2 percent.
‘Queen Of Saratoga,’ Marylou Whitney Is Honored By NYRA, City For Philanthropy
©2019 Saratoga Photographer.com
The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) are honoring the legacy of esteemed thoroughbred owner and breeder, celebrated philanthropist and National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame inductee Marylou Whitney, who died at the age of 93 on July 19.
In tribute to Mrs. Whitney’s passion, commitment and dedication to both racing and the community, the Clubhouse entrance at Saratoga Race Course, which serves as the gateway to the Spa from Saratoga Springs, was officially be named the “Marylou Whitney Entrance.”
Flanking the entrance are two jockey statues adorned in the Eton blue and brown silks representing the classic colors of Marylou Whitney stables. The statues commemorate the 2004 victories of Mrs. Whitney’s colt Birdstone in the Belmont Stakes and Travers Stakes.
Mrs. Whitney was inducted into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame on Aug. 2.
NYRA formally celebrated Mrs. Whitney at Saratoga Race Course on Aug. 3, in conjunction with her family’s namesake race: The Grade 1, $1 million Whitney Stakes.
Legislators Address Agriculture Issues, State Minimum Wage, More At ARCC Luncheon
Andrea Palmer
By Andrea Palmer
“It’s a new day in Albany, There are only 3 Upstate New York members in the senate majority,” state Assemblywoman Carry Woerner, said at an Aug. 1 event at the Queensbury Hotel. “We struggle to have the needs of Upstate New York recognized in Senate, especially issues related to agriculture. This is the year we learn to adapt to a new way of working.”
Woerner was one of the speakers at the second annual Lunch with Legislators hosted by the Adirondack Regional Chamber of Commerce.
Also on the panel were state Sen. Betty Little, U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik and state Assemblyman Jake Ashby.
Woerner said it is more important that business people come to Albany to advocate for their priorities. With emphasis on downstate issues, grassroots support is needed.
Wood Foundation Launches Initiative, Makes $1M Available To Innovative Health Programs
The Charles R. Wood Foundation announced a new initiative in which it will provide $1 million to community-based initiatives aimed at improving the health of the population in the region.
The foundation’s board released a request for proposals (RFP) to encourage applicants to collaborate in efforts to improve the health status of the residents and to reduce health care costs. Funding consideration will be limited to organizations serving the New York counties of Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Fulton, Hamilton, Montgomery, Warren, and Washington.
It will be distributed over the next three years.
Charlene Wood, board chairperson, said the foundation annually reviews over 150 individual applications to support the arts, children, and health services.