The Lake George Land Conservancy (LGLC) purchased 86 acres of forested land in Glenburnie, Town of Putnam, on November 22, 2024. This conservation project permanently protects an additional 1,400 feet of Sucker Brook, one of the lake’s largest tributaries, providing critical water quality protection for Lake George while also extending a network of adjacent protected lands that support a diverse wildlife population.

 This acquisition completes the LGLC’s Anthony’s Nose-to-Sucker Brook Connection project that includes three transactions in Glenburnie this year resulting in a total of 93 acres of newly protected land.

 The 86-acre purchase was com­pleted in partnership with the Glen­burnie community that came together to act as a conservation buyer, securing the property and providing time for permanent protection by the LGLC.

 President of the Glenburnie Cottagers Association Tom Badenoch said, “After years of combined efforts, the Glenburnie community was thrilled to be able to partner with the Lake George Land Conservancy to preserve this critical link in the Sucker Brook Preserve. The protection of this land will help enhance the water quality of Lake George, preserve the scenic and open space values of the region and provide a critical wildlife corridor connecting protected lands from Gull Bay to Anthony’s Nose.”

Led by a hearty group of employees, Pioneer made a major splash when the Polar Plunge to benefit Special Olympics New York (SONY) was held at Shepard Beach Park in Lake George on Saturday, November 23.

Representatives of Pioneer presented a ceremonial check for $20,500 to Special Olympics New York to support its important work in providing inclusive opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities to experience the thrill of competing in authentic sports. Following the check presentation, 20 Pioneer employees joined participants in making the plunge into Lake George.

“We take seriously our responsibility to invest in improving lives throughout the Capital Region,” said Tom Amell, president and CEO of Pioneer. “The impactful work of Special Olympics New York, providing athletes with opportunities to grow, thrive, and reach their potential, was a natural fit for the Pioneer Charitable Foundation to support. I’m especially proud to witness the selflessness and generosity shown by Pioneer employees in caring for their neighbors, and humbled to be part of a team that is positively impacting the communities we serve.”

The Saratoga Builders Association has presented proceeds totaling $60,000 from the 2024 Saratoga Showcase of Homes to Rebuilding Together Saratoga County and Habitat for Humanity of Northern Saratoga, Warren and Washington Counties. The association has announced that the total contribution to local charities from this area’s premiere new home tour event is now over $1.6 million.

The 2024 edition of the Saratoga Showcase of Homes had eight homes from seven builders on tour this year – Abele Homes, Bella Home Builders, Belmonte Builders (2), Kodiak Construction, Stephen James, Trojanski Builders and Witt Construction. Congratulations to Kodiak Construction for winning the People’s Choice Award for Executive Home and Bella Home Builders for winning the People’s Choice Award for Luxury Home. 

This year’s event attracted over 3,000 visitors to these beautiful new homes, which were on display over two weekends. In what has become an autumn tradition in the area, the Saratoga Builders Association is dedicated to this long running show being an integral part of the fabric in our fall season.

By Paul Post

Olympic Regional Development Authority has invested $17 million on capital upgrades at Gore and Whiteface mountains for the upcoming ski season.

Projects include replacing antiquated lifts, updating and maintaining existing lifts, improving snowmaking and electrical infrastructure, and modernizing buildings and lodges.

At Gore, workers broke ground last spring on a new 18,300-square-foot lodge at North Creek Ski Bowl, operated by ORDA adjacent to the main ski center but owned by the Town of Johnsburg. The new lodge, complete with a restaurant and two levels of outdoor patios, is scheduled for completion in 2025.

In addition, the Ski Bowl’s old Hudson chairlift has been replaced with a new detachable quad servicing all levels of ski trails.

These are the latest in a series of Ski Bowl upgrades ORDA has undertaken since December 2022. It has installed chairlifts, improved trails, upgraded snowmaking systems, modernized, and expanded the Joe Minder Lodge, and developed a professional Nordic center with certified racecourses.

By Paul Post

Peckham Industries has 17 hot-mix asphalt plants and 26 stone quarries in five states including a large operation on Vaughn Road in Kingsbury where crowds gathered recently to celebrate the fourth generation, family-owned company’s 100th anniversary.

“Not too many businesses make it to 100 years and less than three percent make it to the fourth generation,” said Damian Murphy, the firm’s president and chief executive officer. “It goes back to the values that have been there since the founder’s days. We talk about safety, integrity, dedication.”

“Be consistent,” he said. “Even though things are always changing, those values never change. People know that about our business, whether it’s our customers, communities or work force. They know they can trust us and that we’re here for the long term.

“The bigger story we like to talk about is the culture in our business,” Murphy said. “That’s what really differentiates us. One of the key phrases is, ‘Our word is our bond’.”

Recent large projects have run the gamut, such as paving a long stretch of the Northway from Schroon to North Hudson, and construction of large parking facilities in The Bronx and at UBS Arena where the NHL’s New York Islanders play.