Magic Forest Amusement Park Will Be Transformed Next Year Under New Owners

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This is the logo for Dino Roar Valley, which will be part of Expedition Park in 2019.
Courtesy Expedition Park

Magic Forest amusement park in Lake George is undergoing major changes in 2019 as it changes ownership.

The 2019 opening of Lake George Expedition Park was announced in December at the site of the Magic Forest amusement park located on Route 9. Dino Roar Valley will be a safari trail populated by animatronic dinosaurs within the amusement park.

The new owners will continue to operate  the Magic Forest in 2019 on the 46-acre site.

Ruben Ellsworth of Lake George, owner of Ellsworth & Son Excavating in Fort Ann, was in the process in early December of completing the purchase of the Magic Forest amusement park from Jack Gillette. The park has been owned and operated by the Gillette family for 55 years.

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State Adds 131 Acres To Moreau Lake State Park, Bringing Total Acreage To 6,100

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This is the beach at Moreau Lake State Park. The 131-acre expansion encompasses multiple summits and affords dramatic views of the Hudson Valley and southern Adirondack Mountains.
Courtesy Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation

New York state has added 131 acres to Moreau Lake State Park in Saratoga County.

The addition brings the park’s total acreage to 6,100, a nearly nine-fold increase in size since the park was established 50 years ago, officials said. The property will help expand year-round trail-based recreation and protect the natural habitat in fast-growing northern Saratoga County.

“New York is home to some of the best outdoor recreation areas in the nation, and this addition will continue to preserve our state’s treasured natural habitat,” Gov Andrew  Cuomo said. “By expanding Moreau Lake State Park, we are not only providing increased recreational opportunities for New Yorkers, we will also help attract even more visitors and boost tourism in the region.”

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Business Report: Toxic Employees

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Michael Cruz, president of Lighthouse Advisors LLC in Queensbury.

Rarely do toxic employees add that trait to their resume or job application.  We all know they exist. Yet, too often managers fail to address the issue.  Toxic employees chase good employees out the door. Who wants to work with someone they cannot be around?

They are not hard to spot. The complain about their job. They complain about coworkers. They hate their boss.  Too often we look the other way. No one that I know likes firing people. So, we ignore them – but, at what cost?

Research has shown that 54% of your good people are likely to quit when they are working with toxic ones.  That means each toxic person is likely affecting half of your workforce! What should you do?

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Owner Of Gross Electric Inc. Buys Industrial Park Property, Eyes Development Options

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Joseph Gross owns Gross Electric Inc., shown here, in Queensbury’s Carey Industrial Park. He recently purchased 25 acres in the park, not far from this facility.
Courtesy Gross Electric Inc.

By Jill Nagy

Joseph Gross, owner of Gross Electric Inc. in Queensbury, recently acquired a 25-acre parcel of industrially zoned land adjoining the Carey Industrial Park on Carey Road.

It abuts a seven-acre parcel he already owns, giving him more than 30 acres of vacant land ready to be developed. Gross now owns the last two vacant lots in the approximately 100-acre industrial zone near Northway Exit 18.

Gross said there has been some interest in developing the newly acquired land. He is willing to build to rent or to sell. He said he may build something on speculation or, if a tenant or buyer is interested, build to suit.

However, “nothing is inked yet,” so, for now, the identity of any prospective developer remains confidential.

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Small Business Index: Economic Outlook Is High Despite Experiencing Hiring Difficulties

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A Q4 MetLife and U.S. Chamber of Commerce Small Business Index released in December reflected general optimism from the small business community about the economy.

Optimism on the health of the national economy has continuously increased since the second quarter and is at a new high with 58 percent of small business owners believing the U.S. economy is in good health, the Chamber said.

Optimism on the local economy also improved this quarter to 56 percent of small business owners noting their local economy as good, up six points from he third quarter 2018.

“Small businesses are the growth engine of the American economy, employing half of the nation’s private sector workforce,” stated Jessica Moser, senior vice president, Small Business Solutions in MetLife’s Group Benefits business. “The owners of those businesses make crucial decisions about expansion and hiring every day, so their level of optimism is a good indicator of future growth. The findings of this quarter’s Index show they are still bullish, which bodes well for our economy as a whole.”

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Business Briefs – December 2018

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Whiteman Osterman & Hanna LLP has been named a Tier 1 firm in Albany by U.S. News—Best Lawyers “Best Law Firms” in 2019 in the following practice areas:  corporate law, education law, employment law—management, environmental law, litigation—trusts and estates, and trusts & estates law.

Firms included in the 2019 Edition of “Best Law Firms” are recognized for professional excellence with consistently impressive ratings from clients and peers. Achieving a tiered ranking signals a unique combination of quality law practice and breadth of legal expertise.

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Moreau Community Center Has Programs For Senior Citizens And School Children

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Kelly Obermayer, director of development at Moreau Community Center, right, and Sarah Egan, billing assistant, prepare for the agency’s annual Holiday Caring program.

By Jill Nagy

For more than 40 years, the Moreau Community Center has served the people of Warren, Washington and Saratoga counties. Located in the heart of South Glens Falls, in a former Methodist church, the center sees more than 500 people a month, ranging from pre-schoolers to seniors, come through its doors.

The center’s programs for youth include a pre-school and before and after school programs for children as well as summer camp and recreational activities. Seniors come in for exercise programs, meals, and just to hang out and socialize and sign up for field trips.

The seniors are the most active group during the day, according to Executive Director Donna Nichols.

A third aspect of the center’s program is a range of community services: a food pantry, referral services and a thrift shop, among them. A backpack program provides weekend meals for school children and the center also sponsors a summer meal program.

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The Hyde Museum Offers Discount On Membership During Month Of December

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Kayla Ditlefsen, administrative assistant at The Hyde museum, displays information on membership, which is being offered at half-price to anyone living in the 12801 postal zip code.

The Hyde Collection is offering to put something extra in the stockings of city residents for the  holiday season. In addition to its annual Pay as you Wish program throughout December, the museum is offering half-price membership to anyone living within the 12801 postal zip code.

This is the museum’s fourth year of Pay as you Wish, when admission fees are waived and guests are encouraged to answer a brief survey and make a donation based on their experience. The feedback is used to help The Hyde staff improve the visitor experience and the by-donation admission ensures everyone has access to the art museum.

“Pay as you Wish is a great way for us to learn how we can improve The Hyde experience,” said Anne Saile, interim director. “Over the past few years, we have learned a lot about what visitors want from the Museum and we have been able to make changes based on suggestions offered.”

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Catering Holiday Meals Gives People A Stress-Free Holiday Option For Hosting Family And Friends

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Deliciously Different owner Robin Getchell-Smith says they love helping people cope during the holidays by catering dinner parties, including intimate dinners hosted at family homes.

By Jennifer Farnsworth

Local caterers have advice for those entertaining during the holidays: Leave the cooking to them.

From last minute appetizers, to brunch, to full-scale, sit-down dinners, local restaurants and cafes are up to the challenge of ensuring a stress-free

Deliciously Different owner Robin Getchell-Smith said they love helping people cope with the holidays. During this time of year they are busy with dinner parties, including intimate dinners hosted at family homes.

“Our clients find it is such a more intimate way to celebrate rather than making dinner reservations. They can come early and stay late surrounded by their closest friends,” said Getchell-Smith.

They also do many larger cocktail-style events this time of year.  Getchell-Smith said showing off a decorated home for the holidays and hosting a cocktail party is all part of the holiday fun.

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SPAC Offers Holiday Ticket Packages For Ballet, Jazz, Orchestra Performances

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SPAC holiday promotion sales include tickets to Freihofer’s Saratoga Jazz Festival.

Saratoga Performing Arts Center is again offering its popular Holiday Collection—customizable gifts for classical music lovers, jazz fans and aspiring ballerinas, alike.

The 2018 Holiday Collection includes the Trustco Bank Classical Season Flex Pass, which features a lawn seat for all performances of New York City Ballet and the Philadelphia Orchestra and the opportunity to upgrade to the best available amphitheater seat for $5 for any performance, up to five times ($165 through Dec. 31); gift certificates,  which can be redeemed for tickets to any SPAC performance, Live Nation show or the Saratoga Wine & Food Festival; the flex ticket option for the Freihofer’s Saratoga Jazz Festival ($56 through Dec. 31); holiday gift subscriptions to Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center at SPAC and SPAC memberships.

For those who prefer to purchase tickets in person, SPAC will open the Hall of Springs Box Office (108 Avenue of the Pines) on Saturday, Dec. 15. from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The regular Holiday Collection discount will apply with a one-day-only discount for purchases of the Trustco Bank Classical Season Flex Pass (available for $150, in person only) and no processing fees or facility fees.

Audiences can also enjoy hot chocolate and holiday cheer while making their purchase.

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