On the evening of March 7, the Adirondack Regional Chamber of Commerce (ARCC) hosted a celebration in honor of George A. Ferone, the recipient of the 36th Annual J. Walter Juckett Award, at The Sagamore Resort in Bolton Landing. 

With 300 guests in attendance, the event kicked off with a cocktail hour, offering a selection of delectable hors d’oeuvres, champagne, and ample opportunities for networking and reconnecting

The program, led by ARCC President & CEO Tricia Rogers, featured a highlight of the Chamber’s impact in 2024, as well as accolades to board members, community partners, and volunteers. New York State Senator Dan Stec, Assemblywoman Carrie Woerner, and Assemblyman Matt Simpson took the stage to present an adopted resolution to Ferone, and proclamations from Warren & Washington counties were mentioned in the remarks.

The award presentation was made by Paul Scimeca, President & CEO of Glens Falls Hospital. Scimeca highlighted accomplishments over the many years that Ferone has been involved with Glens Falls Hospital and its Foundation. 

The Lake George Regional Convention & Visitors Bureau (LGRCVB) has announced the hiring of Brian Mulligan as its new Event Sales & Services Specialist. In this role, Mulligan will focus on promoting the Lake George Area (Warren County) as a premier destination for meetings, conferences, sporting events, and group tours. His responsibilities include building relationships with event planners, showcasing the area’s diverse venues, and supporting the successful execution of group events.

The LGRCVB, a division of the Lake George Regional Chamber of Commerce & CVB, works in partnership with Warren County Tourism to attract year-round group business, helping to drive economic impact through conferences, conventions, and large-scale events.

Mulligan brings extensive experience in sales, customer service, and business development. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from SUNY Plattsburgh and has held leadership roles in high-volume retail and hospitality settings. Most recently, he served as Store Manager at the Lake George Outlets, where he was recognized as Top Sales Manager for 2023 for the Upstate District. His background includes working with national and international clientele, team development, and operational management—skills that will translate well into fostering relationships with event planners and driving group business to the region.

By Rod Bacon

The Lower Adirondack Regional Arts Council (LARAC) is gearing up for its 54th June Arts Festival, which will be held the weekend of June 14-15 in Glens Falls City Park.

According to Philip Casabona, who wears the multiple hats of Executive Director, Gallery Curator, and Festival Director, it is shaping up to be one of the largest in the council’s history.

“We are expecting an estimated 160 artists, five to 10 non-profits, and 10 mobile food units,” he said. “We estimate that last year we had approximately 15,000 attendees.”

This is LARAC’s largest fund-raising event of the year. Exhibitors pay $300 for a 10-foot by 10-foot booth and $580 for a 10-foot by 20-foot booth. LARAC is responsible for all promotion and organizing of the event. The artists keep 100 percent of the revenues from anything they sell. While exhibitors literally come from all over the country, the majority are from  New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Florida, and Vermont.

In addition to the tri-county region, the festival, which is free to the public, attracts attendees from the Hudson Valley and several New England states.

While figures have not been kept on the economic impact of the festival on the area, Casabona is convinced it is significant. Amy Collins, director of tourism and business development for the city, concurs.

“With people, especially the exhibitors, coming from a distance the lodging establishments and restaurants definitely see increased business during that weekend,” she said. “Even those just making a day of it patronize local restaurants and bars.”

By LEE COLEMAN

Gross Electric Inc.’s plans for a 400 unit apartment complex on Route 9N near Northway Exit 21 in Lake George have received a favorable reception from town and school district officials.

Joseph P. Gross, company president, said he wants to build one- two- and three-bedroom apartments on 30-plus acres where a Ramada Inn was once located. Gross purchased the property 10 years ago and leveled the former hotel in recent years for liability reasons due to ongoing vandalism at the old structure.

“I feel it will be an asset and a positive for the community,” Gross said. Town officials feel the same way.

“I’m getting a warm reception from the Town Board and school district,” he said.

The project would provide affordable apartments for young families just getting started. It would allow the families to be close to work in lake businesses and businesses to the north, he said.

Hudson Headwaters Health Network announces the opening of Hudson Headwaters Pharmacy at Moreau, conveniently located off Exit 17 of I-87 (the Northway) and adjacent to Moreau Family Health. This new community pharmacy is open to everyone, regardless of whether they are a current Hudson Headwaters patient.

 “As a community health center, providing comprehensive access to health care is at the heart of our mission,” said Tucker Slingerland, M.D., CEO of Hudson Headwaters. “Like our urgent care centers, the pharmacy welcomes everyone. As the only pharmacy located near the busy Exit 17 corridor, our Pharmacy at Moreau offers access and convenience while supporting the overall health of our community. When you fill your prescriptions with us, you are helping to advance our nonprofit mission to ensure high-quality, local health care for all.”

 Hudson Headwaters Pharmacy at Moreau accepts Medicare and most commercial insurances. Medicaid approval is still pending and may take up to six months. Medicaid patients wishing to transfer their prescriptions can reach out to the Hudson Headwaters pharmacy team who will notify patients once the approval process is complete.  

“We’ve already received a great response from the community,” said Sara Vogel, PharmD/RPh, pharmacy manager. “Many patients of Moreau Family Health enjoy the convenience of having a pharmacy right next door, but our services are for everyone—even those outside the area. For added convenience, we offer delivery services.”

By Paul Post A crowd of well-wishers braved freezing temperatures recently for a ribbon cutting ceremony welcoming Queensbury’s newest retailer to town. An Ocean State Job Lot store, at Glen Square on Upper Glen Street, is the Rhode Island-based company’s 153rd location in a territory that encompasses all of New England, New York, Pennsylvania...

By Paul Post

The Adirondack Thunder set a three-game franchise attendance record of 14,869 during a March 8-10 weekend series against the Wheeling Nailers, highlighted by a crowd of 5,426 that turned out for Country Night festivities.

The Thunder have already had 13 sell-outs and are expected to surpass last year’s regular-season total (14) with six more home games on tap including Stick it to Cancer Weekend (March 28-29) and Fan Appreciation Weekend (April 11-12).

More than 900 season tickets, almost half this year’s total (2,150), have already been sold for next year including 90 new customers

The Thunder won’t make this spring’s Kelly Cup playoffs, but are battling hard to build momentum for a successful 2025-26 campaign. Adirondack’s beat Wheeling, one of the ECHL’s top teams, twice with shutouts including a dramatic 1-0 victory in overtime.

“Finishing strong and competitive is very important to the team and our fan base,” Thunder President Jeff Mead said. “For the players, it allows them to continue to showcase their talents to the organization and for future opportunities. To our fans, we need to make sure they are aware that we understand it’s our job and obligation to give 100 percent until the very end.”