Zobel & Co. Kitchens, a custom kitchen design firm, has been recognized with the Best Outdoor Kitchen award by the Capital Region Builders and Remodelers Association (CRBRA). The honor was presented at the annual Best of Building Awards ceremony on November 13th at the Franklin Plaza Ballroom in Troy, NY.

The award-winning project features an expansive outdoor kitchen housed within a pavilion connected to the client’s summer residence on Sacandaga Lake. The design showcases NatureKast outdoor cabinetry and incorporates premium appliances including an Evo griddle, 48-inch DCS grill, DCS beverage refrigerator, beverage chiller, double burner, warming drawer, Coyote smoker, and Ooni pizza oven. Custom interior cabinet configurations deliver exceptional organization and storage for dinnerware, glassware, cookware, pantry essentials, and entertaining accessories.

“Recognition from CRBRA carries significant weight because entries are evaluated through an impartial, professional judging process,” said Arthur Zobel. “Our region is home to many accomplished design firms, so we’re deeply honored when clients trust us to transform their vision into reality.”

By Paul Post

The Adirondack Thunder continue to make a significant financial contribution to area charitable groups, in addition to the economic impact the team has on downtown Glens Falls businesses.

A recent Military Night jersey auction and sale of themed flags around the arena raised $35,000 for Glens Falls and Queensbury Veterans of Foreign Wars posts.

Last year, the Thunder accounted for almost $320,000 in charitable donations including $40,000 to CR Wood Cancer Center at Glens Falls Hospital with proceeds from the team’s Stick it to Cancer games.

Other activities such as 50-50 drawings on game nights and chuck-a-puck contests at the conclusion of each game benefit dozens of area youth sports teams and non-profit agencies.

“That’s what the Thunder are all about, giving back to our community,” team President Jeff Mead said.

In addition, players made more than 200 visits to schools, hospitals and other sites last year as part of the Thunder’s community outreach program.

By Paul Post

 Slow, steady tourism growth is one of the best options for achieving sustained economic development in Washington County, officials say.

Events such as the Greenwich Lighted Tractor Parade on Saturday, Nov. 22, Scottish Games in Argyle and Whitehall’s new Sasquatch Festival attract people from outside the area who support small business that keep small towns and villages vibrant.

“Are we going to see the likes of a Micron or Regeneron in Washington County? Probably not,” said Laura Oswald, county economic development coordinator. “Economic development has pretty much happened under tourism initiatives. What we have out there is phenomenal. To my mind you grow what you have. We have open space, we have natural resources. For somebody living in a city, to have an experience going to a rural area is marketable.”

“Heck yeah, people want to come here,” she said.

By LEE COLEMAN

West Mountain ski center in Queensbury is preparing to open early this season with a larger variety of trails to offer skiers.

“We are really going to try to open early, but it depends on the weather,” said Spencer Montgomery, co-owner and managing member.

He said 4,000 feet of new snowmaking pipeline has been added on the Frolic trail to replace older piping that was in disrepair. The goal is to open more terrain on the Northwest Base area along with the Main Base, which traditionally opens first. The mountain also offers a large snow-tubing park for young people.

Ski center workers have been running compressors on the snow guns, testing pipelines, checking power and lighting for the popular night skiing, and cutting back the trail edges. All is ready to make snow when the temperature allows.

In recent years, West Mountain has offered year-round programming, with adventure courses, mountain-biking trails and scenic rides to promote use of the mountain in spring, summer and fall.

By Paul Post

Commercial and residential tenants are ready to occupy three newly rehabilitated buildings that are transforming South and Elm streets in downtown Glens Falls.

Bonacio Development is putting the finishing touches on the former Sandy’s and Hot Shots taverns and on an adjoining three-story building behind Hot Shots at 36 Elm Street.

“They’ll all be ready for occupancy around January 1,” company President Larry Novik said.

Each of the three-story buildings will have first-floor commercial space and apartments overhead. Meanwhile, steel beams and girders are rising for a large five-story structure next to and behind the former Sandy’s building, scheduled for completion in early 2027.

SUNY Adirondack is slated to lease ground-floor space there for a health care workforce development program, including a mock exam room. The remaining space, and four stories above, will be dedicated to mixed-income affordable housing.

The apartments are designed to serve households across a range of income levels—generally between 30 percent and 70 percent of the area median income.

“We believe this approach, tying rates to the area median income, is a good way to create a community with a wide mix of residents,” Project Manager Steve Licciardi said.

Bonacio, a Saratoga Springs-based firm, is developing this project as well.

The Economic Development Corporation of Warren County (EDC) used its Annual Luncheon on Oct. 27, 2025, to reaffirm its commitment to a place-based economic-development strategy and to announce a significant new initiative: the formation of a steering committee charged with guiding the creation of a national Fresh Water Center. The goal of the center is to harness the expertise developed at Lake George and position the region as a leader in research, education and commercialization of freshwater protection.

The event, held before a full house at the Carriage House at the Fort William Henry Hotel, recognized outgoing board chair Dr. Kristine D. Duffy for emphasizing the importance of creating a “long-term sustainable economy.” Incoming chair Melanie Weber also assumed her new role. Moderator Ryan Moore and EDC President Jim Siplon highlighted recent development successes, including the Glens Falls Downtown Revitalization Initiative, which leveraged nearly $50 million from a $10 million state award. Other achievements included expanding Warren County’s broadband access from 75 percent to more than 95 percent and stimulating private development in North Creek through installation of a new wastewater system.

The luncheon’s theme of place-based growth was underscored by keynote speaker Greg Tehven, CEO and co-founder of Emerging Prairie and board chair of Grand Farm in Fargo, N.D. Tehven described how Fargo transformed its economy by embracing its local assets and becoming an innovation hub for agricultural technology. A fifth-generation North Dakotan, he urged attendees to be bold and action-oriented, attributing Fargo’s success to its “world-class public education and world-class health care.” Tehven challenged the audience to “declare your major, go public, and invite the world,” and emphasized supporting artists who “drive creativity and ego,” praising the local arts community.

Siplon closed the program with the anticipated announcement of the Fresh Water Center Steering Committee. Initial members include Siplon; Dr. Martin A. Schmidt, president of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI); Dr. John E. Kelly III, co-founder of the Jefferson Project; and Dr. Brendan Wiltse, executive director of the Lake George Association (LGA). The committee will also seek participation from New York State and regional business and elected leaders.