Glens Falls Business Journal

World Awareness Children’s Museum Grant Will Help It Engage With More Communities

June 17, 2022

World Awareness Children’s Museum in Glens Falls received a $5K state grant.
Courtesy World Awareness Children’s Museum

World Awareness Children’s Museum (WACM) in Glens Falls will receive a $5,000 grant to help it increase community engagement in other nearby counties.

The Museum Association of New York (MANY), in partnership with the state Council on the Arts (NYSCA), awarded funds to 102 grantees to assist New York museums with capacity building. For the World Awareness Children’s Museum funds will be used to increase community engagement in Saratoga, Rensselaer, Schenectady, and Albany counties, and to cultivate relationships with new supporters around the Capital Region.

“We are very excited to continue growing our museum’s impact throughout the Capital Region. WACM strives to be a museum for all. This grant will help us increase our funding so that anyone can experience all WACM has to offer, no matter their financial situation,” said Bethanie Muska Lawrence, executive director of the World Awareness Children’s Museum.

The grant partnership with NYSCA was developed in direct response to the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) and Partners for Public Good (PPG) study “Market Analysis and Opportunity Assessment of Museum Capacity Building Programs” report published in March 2021.

Former Boathouse B&B In Bolton Landing Is Rebranded As Boathouse Waterfront Lodging

June 17, 2022

Owners Joe and Patti Silipigno have discontinued the breakfast aspect as their business in Bolton Landing as it transforms to Boathouse Waterfront Lodging.
Courtesy Boathouse Waterfront Lodging

Boathouse Waterfront Lodging in Bolton Landing, formerly Boathouse B&B, has rebranded itself and established a new website.

“It is easy to use, vibrant with pictures and colors, and we feel gives you a great view into our property and about us,” the company said in a new release.

For 22 years, the business ran as the Boathouse Bed and Breakfast at 44 Sagamore Road.

Owners Joe and Patti Silipigno have discontinued the breakfast aspect as the business transforms to Boathouse Waterfront Lodging.

“We are so very excited about this because you will still get to experience this magnificent property and house,” the said in a statement. “For those of you who already have visited, you are already aware of our uniquely named and decorated rooms, the spectacular architecture and history, the grand front porch that hangs directly over the water, all of the rockers on the docks, the fire pit, and our swim area right from the lawn. For our new guests we welcome you into our home and hope that you enjoy your visit.”

Visitors can still bring breakfasts with them and enjoy it on the grounds.

Professional Women’s Bowling Association Holds U.S Open in South Glens Falls

June 17, 2022

Josie Barnes won the Professional Women’s Bowling Association U.S. Open last year. The 2022 Open is being held through June 21 at Kingpin’s Alley Family Fun Center in South Glens Falls.
Courtesy Professional Women’s Bowling Association’s

The Professional Women’s Bowling Association’s (PWBA)second major event of 2022 will take place thru June 21 at Kingpin’s Alley Family Fun Center in South Glens Falls.

This weeklong event culminates with one bowler winning $60,000 live on CBS Sports Network on June 21.

The U.S. Women’s Open is the second major championship on the 2022 PWBA Tour schedule. The maximum field size for the pre-tournament qualifier is 64 competitors. Participants in the 108-player field earn their spots primarily through invitations based on their on-lane performances during the previous year. Players also can earn their spot through a pre-tournament qualifier before the start of the tournament.

“Bowling enthusiasts throughout the Northeast are beyond excited to have the opportunity to watch these athletes in person,” said Doug Bohannon, owner of Kingpin’s Alley and the president of the NYS Bowling Proprietor’s Association. “We have a very large league bowling base in the Capital Region, and we continue to bring substantial tournaments to this area to provide our bowlers the chance to watch or even participate at a competitive level”.

Farm In Moreau Is Set To Open ‘Dancing Grain Farm Brewery’ In July

June 17, 2022June 17, 2022

By Christine Graf After encountering countless pandemic-related delays, the owners of Dancing Grain Farm Brewery in Moreau hope to open their craft brewery in July. For owner Rachel McDermott, a Cornell University graduate with a degree in applied economics and management, Dancing Grain is more than a business. “For me, it’s a passion project....

Business Briefs: June 2022

June 17, 2022

Adirondack Trust Co. will hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony with Adirondack Regional Chamber of Commerce in celebration of its new Lake George Branch at 350 Canada St., Lake George.

Mayor Bob Blais will also be in attendance, along with Adirondack Trust banking professionals and other community members.

It is set for Friday, June 24, beginning at 8:30 a.m. (rain or shine). At 9 a.m. there will be brief remarks from Adirondack Trust President and CEO Charles V. Wait, Jr. The ribbon will be cut at 9:15 a.m.

For additional information, contact Celia Vincek at cvincek@adirondacktrust.com or (518) 584-5844, ext. 2583.

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The Hyde summer luncheon, honoring David C. Howson and in memory of Charlotte Miller, will be held Monday, July 18, at 11:30 a.m. at The Inn at Erlowest, 3178 Lake Shore Drive, Lake George.

Held annually, the luncheon recognizes the late Charlotte Miller’s commitment to the arts. It celebrates such people who, through their service, embody the legacy of Mrs. Hyde to promote and cultivate the arts and education throughout our region.

Howson is a dedicated trustee, community partner, and ambassador to The Hyde.

The event allows the museum to applaud the significant impact of its volunteers. The celebration also helps sustain The Hyde Collection in our work in every corner of the Museum, from exhibitions and preservation to education and outreach.

Those attending should reply by Friday, July 1. Questions can be directed to Kate Wilkins at 518-792-1761, ext. 346, or kwilkins@hydecollection.org.

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Officials Say Considering Building Trades As A Career Is Becoming More Common

June 17, 2022

WSWHE BOCES is devoting more resources to promoting the building trades.
Courtesy WSWHE BOCES

By Christine Graf

As the skilled labor shortage reaches an all-time high, educators and trade professionals are working to eliminate the widespread perception that vocational training is not a viable career paths for students of all academic levels.

While a four-year college degree costs an average of $127,000, a trade school degree averages just $33,000. Although college graduates earn an average of $16,900 more than those working in the skilled trades, the pay gap is shrinking as companies pay higher salaries to fill open positions in various trades.

Data provided by the U.S. Department of Education indicates that workers with trade school training are slightly more likely to be employed than those with academic credentials. They are also more likely to be working in their field of study and less likely to be burdened by crippling college debt. The amount of student debt in the U.S. has surpassed $1.73 billion.

According to Mike Martell, assistant business manager at IBEW (International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers) 236, students and their parents no longer believe that college is the only option.

Several Companies In Construction Industry Give Free Tool Bags To High School Grads

June 17, 2022

These are among the tools that were loaded into packs and distributed to area high school students pursuing careers in building trades. Curtis Lumber partnered with local companies in the effort.
Courtesy Curtis Lumber

Curtis Lumber has partnered with several local companies in the construction industry to help graduating seniors at WSWHE BOCES and Questar III BOCES in Career and Tech Ed programs.

Curtis Lumber has spearheaded an effort to provide over 250 tool bags filled with some starter items in support of graduating seniors at those schools who will be entering the workforce in the areas of construction, heavy equipment, HVAC and welding.

Participating companies include Belmonte Builders, Bennett Contracting, Callanan Industries, DeGraff Bloom Customer Builders, DA Collins, Hoosick Valley Contractors, Malta Development, Munter Enterprises, North Atlantic State Regional Council of Carpenters, Otterbeck Builders, Teakwood Builders, Trojanski Builders, Turner Construction, Weyerhaeuser, and Witt Construction.

The tool bags will be given to the students through the middle of June.

“The trades are in desperate need of labor,” said Doug Ford, vice president at Curtis Lumber. “We wanted to do something to show our support and appreciation for students embarking on a career in the trades.”

Dr. Turina Parker Becomes WSWHE BOCES District Superintendent And CEO

June 17, 2022

Dr. Turina Parker, WSWHE BOCES district superintendent and chief executive officer.
Courtesy WSWHE BOCES

The Washington-Saratoga-Warren-Hamilton-Essex BOCES has named Dr. Turina Parker as the new WSWHE BOCES district superintendent and chief executive officer.

Parker has been assistant superintendent for educational and support programs for the WSWHE BOCES. She is set to begin her official duties as district superintendent on Aug. 16.

She replaces James Dexter, who is retiring in August after 12 years of service to WSWHE BOCES.

“Dr. Parker has demonstrated the ability to lead and work cooperatively across the region,” WSWHE BOCES President John A. Rieger said. “We are confident that Dr. Parker will build on our successes, fulfill our strategic plans, and provide a vision that will take the organization to the next level and provide even stronger support and opportunities for the education of our children and the school districts that we serve.”

With a career spanning 20 years, Parker is an experienced school district leader, with a passion for leading and supporting schools. She previously served as Director of Day Treatment and Principal at St. Catherine’s R. & E. May School in Albany, where her experience also included serving as the coordinator for curriculum and assistant principal.

She has served as assistant superintendent for educational and support programs for the past 14 years, including serving as principal for special programs, executive principal, and executive director for educational and support programs.

Business Report: What Investors Can—And Can’t—Control

June 17, 2022

Meghan Murray is a financial advisor with
Edward Jones Financial in Queensbury.
Courtesy Edward Jones Financial

By Meghan Murray

As an investor, you can easily feel frustrated to see short-term drops in your investment statements. But while you cannot control the market, you may find it helpful to review the factors you can control.

Many forces affect the financial markets, including geopolitical events, corporate profits and interest rate movements – forces beyond the control of most individual investors.

In any case, it’s important to focus on the things you can control, such as these:

• Your ability to define your goals. One area in which you have total control is your ability to define your goals. Like most people, you probably have short-term goals—such as saving for a new car or a dream vacation—and long-term ones, such as a comfortable retirement. Once you identify your goals and estimate how much they will cost, you can create an investment strategy to help achieve them.

Over time, some of your personal circumstances will likely change, so you’ll want to review your time horizon and risk tolerance on a regular basis, adjusting your strategy when appropriate. And the same is true for your goals. They may evolve over time, requiring new responses from you in how you invest.

• Your response to market downturns. When the market drops and the value of your investments declines, you might be tempted to take immediate action in an effort to stop the losses. This is understandable. After all, your investment results can have a big impact on your future. However, acting hastily could work against you.

Business Report: Pros And Cons Of Alternate Investments

June 17, 2022

David Cumming, financial advisor in Saratoga Springs at Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC.

By David Cumming, CFP, RICP, CRPS

In today’s dynamic market environment, some investors may be looking beyond stocks and bonds for other options for investing their money. This search for other options may lead to alternative investments.

Alternative investments are investments outside the stock and bond markets, and may include real estate, private equity, hedge funds, digital assets, and may include investments offering to these financial instruments such as cryptocurrencies, commodities, precious metals and art or collectibles.

These types of investments tend not to be correlated to the performance of stocks and bonds, and may offer the potential for higher returns, but typically with higher risk.

Here is an overview of what you need to know before investing.

Potential upsides of alternative investments:

• Potential reduction in overall volatility. Since their performance are historically low to moderate correlation with market indices, alternative investments may help to reduce overall volatility within a portfolio of traditional investments.

• Diversification. Alternative investments typically help provide diversification across different markets, strategies, managers and investment styles.

• Potential for increased performance. Like any investment, the rate of return for alternative investments is not guaranteed. However, according to a study called “The Rate of Return on Everything, 1870-2015,” which looked at performance across 16 advanced economies over a period of 145 years, residential real estate provided the best returns.