Category Archives: Uncategorized

Why I Hate Email!

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Michael Cruz, president of Lighthouse Advisors LLC in Queensbury.

I have been an email user since 1986. I worked in the tech industry and we were early adopters of email. Of course, there was not a public internet then. So, we used email within the company. And, we quickly learned email etiquette. It is an art that is long forgotten.

First, let me say that email does not take things off your plate and put them on mine. “I sent him an email.” That is not an excuse to wait until I get back to you. Follow up if necessary — even by phone!

Second, it is not meant for discussion. That is what meetings are for. Email does not support nuance well. Nor does it allow for me to see your facial expressions. And, too often, it leads to misunderstandings and escalation.

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Susan Porlier Turns A Love For Animals Into Successful Dog Daycare, Boarding Business

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Susan Porlier operates Bellyrubs Doggie Daycare sites in Hudson Falls and Gansevoort.

BY JENNIFER FARNSWORTH

For Susan Porlier, finding success has come with doing what she loves to do. She always knew she loved animals, so she found a way to make a living n that field.

Now, it’s been over a decade since she first opened Bellyrubs Doggie Daycare and her passion for dogs is still fueling her success. She has two sites, at 44 Feeder St. in Hudson Falls and 1089 Saratoga Road, Gansevoort.

“I have been in business for 13 1/2 years. I now have two locations and 14 employees. I never in my wildest dreams thought my idea of a doggie daycare and boarding facility would take off like it did. We also do dog grooming and training,” Porlier said.

Porlier said she always looked after family pets. She came to a point in her life where she decided to give up her career in the medical field and pursue her dream of opening her own daycare and boarding facility.

“I never knew what I wanted to be when I grew up. I never went to college. I have always loved animals, so when I came up with this idea, I finally knew what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. I am truly blessed,” said Porlier.

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Nominations Being Accepted By WCLDC And ARCC For The Annual Business Awards

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The Washington County Local Development Corp. (WCLDC) and the Adirondack Regional Chambers of Commerce (ARCC) are currently accepting nominations for the annual Washington County Business Awards.

Nominations are being accepted through Wednesday, Sept. 5.

The award recipients and nominees will be honored at a luncheon on Thursday, Oct. 25, at the Whitehall Athletic Club, 62 Poultney St., Whitehall.

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Business Report: Recovery From Ransomware

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Gerry Freedman is a senior sales representative at the Colden Co.
Courtesy Colden Co.

By Gerry Freedman

As many of you know, in May of this year, the WannaCry ransomware cyber attack was a global event.

This malware strain infected over 200,000 computers in 150 countries.

While this particular attack targeted out of date, unpatched, or unsupported operating systems, it reinforced the need to keep your operating systems current. Additionally, it brought into sharp focus the choice you have if your system is infected: bitcoin or backup.

Ransomware works by encrypting the data it can access with extremely difficult to break encryption, rendering the data unreadable without the decryption key.

The “ransom” part of the equation comes from the hackers demanding payment in the form of untraceable cyber currency. Payments started at $300.00 in the case of the WannaCry virus. Law enforcement officials discourage paying the ransom, as it emboldens the hackers, and gives them a huge source of revenue to create new attacks.

It is estimated that ransomware attacks are now a $1 billion business.

The best way to recover your data is from a good backup.

A backup that uses its own encryption, provided necessary retention and is shielded from ransomware attacks are the top recommendation of business continuity experts. In addition, a good business continuity system for critical data, which goes beyond mere backup, would allow you to continue working during the event, save money, reduce risk and allow your business to recover its data in minutes or hours, not days.

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Education Services, Recreation Programs, Abound At Popular Glens Falls Senior Center

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Kim Bren, executive director of the Greater Glens Falls Senior Citizens Center says the facility regularly has programs on such issues as healthy hearts and diabetes.

By Jill Nagy

The Greater Glens Falls Senior Citizens Center offers “a little bit of everything” in a converted Victorian mansion in the heart of Glens Falls, according to executive director Kim Bren.

For people age 55 and over wanting to be active, there is a full program of exercise and recreational activities and a fully equipped woodworking shop. Members go out to lunch once a month and, also once a month, have a themed luncheon at the center. (There is no regular lunch program, but that is available next door at the Presbyterian Church).

Members of the center  take day trips to Saratoga Performing Arts Center, Lake George and other area attractions. A line dance group practices at the center and performs at area nursing homes. Other group activities include bowling, golf leagues, picnics and card games. There are “tons of programs” on such issues as healthy hearts and diabetes as well as regular opportunities to have blood pressure, blood sugar, or hearing tested, said Bren. Coming up is a program about ticks and the diseases they carry.

Bren said she is particularly proud of the senior service specialist at the center, Ed Cappazuppi. The specialist provides help with finding housing, evaluating health insurance plans, and applying for programs at the Office of Aging, among other services. He is also a notary public. He makes home visits to members who cannot come to the center.

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Businesses In Warren,Washington Counties Received Awards At SBA Event In Albany

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From left, Paul Bricoccoli Jr., Scott Endieveri, David Krogmann Jr. and Jason Krogmann, all of the Bullpen Tavern, David Riihimaki of Glens Falls National Bank and Bernard J. Paprocki of the SBA at the recent awards event.
Courtesy SBA

Two area small businesses were recognized during National Small Business Week at the U.S. Small Business Administration’s 19th annual Small Business Excellence Awards luncheon in Albany on May 2. 

Small businesses are selected for the Excellence Awards based on their company’s longevity, innovation, sales growth, increased employment, ability to overcome adversity or community contributions.

Glens Falls National Bank & Trust Co. honored the Bullpen Tavern based in Glens Falls with a the Small Business Excellence Award. The tavern, a downtown Glens Falls sports bar and restaurant, was started by four high school friends, Paul Bricoccoli, Jr., Scott Endieveri, David Krogmann, Jr., and Jason Krogmann.

In 2013, a fire in an upstairs apartment burned the interior. The partners undertook a complete renovation and re-opened nine months later with a new look. The new Bullpen Tavern also has a second-floor banquet space for 100 guests and two third-floor apartments.

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