The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) will proceed with construction of a permanent building at the site of the current At the Rail tent at Saratoga Race Course.

The group received approval April 30 from the New York State Franchise Oversight Board to go ahead with the project.

The building will replace the seasonal tent and trailers located immediately adjacent to the end of the Clubhouse. It will consist of a 36,000-square foot, three-story, climate-controlled building featuring differentiated hospitality options and modern amenities, NYRA officials said. In addition to the three floors of usable space for guests, a basement level will provide space for a kitchen to service the building.

Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo on May 5 directed the National Guard to deploy personnel to Washington County to assist local emergency responders with tree and debris removal. 

Storms accompanied by strong, gusty winds of 40 to 60 mph knocked, out power to over 100,000 customers and toppled trees and limbs, damaging some homes in these regions.

“Extreme weather is now the norm and brings with it a higher level of preparedness and response,” Cuomo said. “State agencies will remain in the field working with our local partners to help communities recover as quickly as possible.”

Additionally, personnel from the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services, Department of Environmental Conservation, State Police, Department of Public Service, and the Department of Transportation, and the Thruway Authority helped local officials to assess recovery efforts from damage in affected communities, removing downed trees and restoring power as quickly as possible. 

On a panel of three jurors looking at several hundred works of art, there are bound to be a few disagreements. But the jury for The Hyde Collection’s 27th annual High School Juried Show jury members agreed this year’s artwork is especially high quality.

“I was blown away by the talent of these kids,” said juror Takeyce Walter, a painter and art educator. “I was expecting a lot of mediocre work, but I was actually surprised that there was a lot of work that I said, ‘Wow, I would purchase that and hang it in my house.’ 

The annual High School Juried Show is a showcase of local high school students’ creativity and passion for art. A panel of judges that included Walter; Doug Gruse, director of marketing at SUNY Adirondack; and Emma Huneck, exhibitions director at Saratoga Arts; selected 100 works out of nearly 700 submissions from students in eighteen schools in Warren, Washington, Saratoga, Hamilton, and Essex counties.

The Hyde Collection has received a $30,000 donation from Stewart’s Shops and the Dake family which owns the company.

Museum officials said the gift is a first step toward renovating the aging Helen Froehlich Auditorium, a 132-seat space used for lectures, film screenings, concerts, special events and more.

“The Hyde Collection is honored to receive this generous leadership gift from Stewart’s and the Dake family,” said Anne Saile, interim director of the museum. “This is an investment not just in the auditorium, but in The Hyde’s future.”

The Adirondack Thunder have clinched a 2018 Kelly Cup playoff berth.

The Thunder has now reached the postseason in each of its three seasons as members of the ECHL.

The team will take on the Worcester Railers in Round 1, courtesy of the Thunder finishing first in the North Division and Worcester finishing in fourth. The Thunder and Railers will play a best of seven series in a 1-2-2-1-1 format, beginning with Game 1 at Cool Insuring Arena on Friday, April 13 at 7 p.m. The series will then shift to the DCU Center in Worcester for Games 2 and 3, to be played on Saturday, April 14 and Sunday April 15 at 5:05 p.m.

Glens Falls will receive $750,000 from the state for the demolition of 49 and 51-57 South St., a project that will be followed by the construction of a 10,000-square-foot Farmers Market Food Hub that is part of the downtown revitalization going on in the city.

Funds will also assist with the environmental remediation and rehabilitation of two adjacent buildings in preparation for proposed adaptive mixed-use developments.

The funds are part of more than $11 million that was awarded in March to 10 Capital Region municipalities through Round 5 of the Restore New York Communities Initiative. 

“This $750,000 fund will permit further work along South Street and will supplement the DRI award,” said EDC Warren County President Ed Bartholomew said.

By Jennifer Farnsworth 

The 57th Lake George Winter Carnival was one of the best ever for the village, according to Lou Tokos, co-chairman of the event.

The month-long celebration of winter took place each weekend in February and is one of the attractions that brings people to the area in the “off season” away from the summer months when people flock to enjoy the lake.

Lake George is hoping to expand tourism and become a year-round destination.

“The carnival is the engine that fuels the economy during the harsh winter months. Souvenir shops open, restaurants fill up, and the hotels are booked. We have a great crew of people who work tirelessly to make this happen,” said Tokos.

Gina Mintzer, executive director of the Lake George Regional Chamber of Commerce, was recently honored during the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) basketball championships at the Times Union Center in Albany.

MAAC Commissioner Rich Ensor presented Mintzer with a plaque “in recognition of her many contributions to the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference and its member schools and student-athletes as host hospitality, hotel and event coordinator for MAAC championships and a key Local Organizing Committee contributor for NCAA Championships bidding and hosting.”  

Mintzer worked on MAAC and NCAA events from 2000 to 2017 during her tenure as the director of sales for the Albany County Convention & Visitors Bureau.  

Mintzer, who lives in Queensbury, began her position at the Chamber in September.

by Susan E. Campbell

Larry Gonyea traded in a desk job for selling etched glass gifts at his new shop, Adirondack Etching, located at The Shirt Factory.

“I was at Nielsen Media for 17 years, most recently as a systems analyst,” Gonyea said of his former career. “But I always liked working with my hands and making gifts.”

Most gifts were hand-made wood items. Gonyea is a self-described “second generation wood turner,” learning the craft from his father. Woodturning is the art and craft of creating shaped objects on a lathe.

“My father is very good, and I picked up skills from him,” he said.