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Month: September 2024

A Wide Variety Of Luxury Watercraft Is Available Through Comitti North America

Posted onSeptember 17, 2024
Italian craftsmanship is evident in every boat in Comitti’s line of luxury watercraft, which has been brought to the area by a father-and-son team of entrepreneurs.
Courtesy of Comitti North America

Since 1956, family-owned shipyard Comitti has been building bespoke, heirloom-quality boats in Lake Como, Italy, that are prized by discerning yachtsman, families and superyacht owners alike for their timeless lines, Italian craftsmanship and high level of customization. Now, these elegant runabouts and tenders, which range from 22 feet to 42 feet, are being offered exclusively in the U.S., Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean through newly formed distributor Comitti North America, headquartered in Saratoga Springs. 

Among the models Comitti North America is introducing to the North American market year are the new 25’8” One 780 and 32’6” Isola 33, as well as a “super custom,” bespoke version of the popular Venezia 28 model paying homage to Comitti and many of the most coveted European runabouts from the ’60s and ’70s.  Each of these models is now making its U.S. debut. Comitti North America also has several other Comitti models located in the U.S. available for viewing by prospective dealers and retail clients.

Comitti North America was founded this spring by Christopher and Chris Mackey, a father-and-son team who have made their mark in the luxury automobile industry over the last 30 years and have recently stepped out on their own with Mackey Auto Group, authorized factory sales and service provider for multiple internationally recognized brands with dealerships throughout upstate New York.

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2024 Racing Season Breaks Records Due To An Extensive Menu Of Fan-Friendly Programs

Posted onSeptember 17, 2024
Colorful jockey statues stand proudly in front of the historic Saratoga Race Course, symbolizing a successful season that drew over a million visitors and boosted the local economy.
Courtesy of NYRA

By Paul Post

All-sources and average daily handle were both up and paid attendance totaled more than 1 million at this year’s Saratoga Race Course meet, despite the loss of a full day’s action because of severe weather.

The addition of Saratoga’s first-ever, four-day Belmont Stakes Racing Festival in June generated significant extra momentum for the regular summer meet, which concluded on Labor Day Monday, September 2.

Combined with major entertainment at other venues such as Saratoga Performing Arts Center, the impact was extremely positive for local businesses.

“Our lodging partners had a strong summer season actualizing year over year growth in both occupancy and average daily rate,” Discover Saratoga President Darryl Leggieri said. “June alone saw a nearly 20 percent increase in revenue year over year due to the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival. These strong increases came off a record year for lodging in 2023.”

“The unique combination of the Belmont Stakes and our traditional summer meet created a vibrant atmosphere that drew visitors from near and far, benefiting restaurants, shops and other local businesses,” he said. “These events not only strengthened our economy, but also once again reinforced the fact that Saratoga Springs is a world-class destination for horse racing, and helped to shine a spotlight on our destination as a whole; that we can host world-class events in Saratoga County.”

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NBT Bancorp Expands Footprint Into Western New York By Merging With Evans Bancorp

Posted onSeptember 17, 2024

NBT Bancorp Inc. (“NBT”) (NASDAQ: NBTB) and Evans Bancorp, Inc. (“Evans”) (NYSE American: EVBN) has announced they have entered into a definitive agreement pursuant to which Evans will merge with and into NBT. This merger will bring together two highly respected banking companies and extend NBT’s growing footprint into Western New York.

“We are enthusiastic about this opportunity to partner with Evans and are confident it is a high quality and incredibly impactful way to expand NBT’s presence into Western New York,” said NBT President and Chief Executive Officer Scott A. Kingsley. “Adding the greater Buffalo and Rochester communities to the markets served by NBT is a natural geographic extension of our footprint in Upstate New York where we have been very active and successful for nearly 170 years. We share strong community banking values with Evans and look forward to working with their experienced team to build on the relationships they have established with their customers, communities and shareholders.”

The combined organization will have the highest deposit market share in Upstate New York for any bank with assets under $100 billion and will result in a network of over 170 locations from Buffalo, NY to Portland, ME.

NBT’s primary subsidiary, NBT Bank, N.A., has 154 locations in seven northeastern states. With 107 of those locations in Upstate New York, NBT’s banking franchise currently stretches west to east from Syracuse to the Capital District and north to south from Plattsburgh to Binghamton and the Hudson Valley. Evans, headquartered in Williamsville, NY had assets of $2.26 billion as of June 30, 2024, and 18 locations in the Buffalo and Rochester markets.

Pursuant to the merger agreement, NBT will acquire 100 percent of the outstanding shares of Evans in exchange for common shares of NBT. The exchange ratio will be fixed at 0.91 NBT shares for each share of Evans, resulting in an aggregate transaction value of approximately $236 million based on NBT’s closing stock price of $46.28 on September 6, 2024. The merger was unanimously approved by the Boards of Directors of both companies.

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Dorothy Rogers-Bullis Is Named Chairperson Of Saratoga Springs City Center Authority

Posted onSeptember 17, 2024
Dorothy Rogers-Bullis is owner and president of drb Business Interiors in Saratoga Springs.

The Saratoga Springs City Center Authority Board has announced the appointment of Dorothy Rogers-Bullis as the new chairperson. Rogers-Bullis, owner of drb business interiors, has been a board member since 2017, and officially assumed her new role in June 2024.

Rogers-Bullis brings a wealth of experience and expertise to her new position. As a successful entrepreneur, she has demonstrated strong leadership and business acumen. Her deep-rooted connections within the community and her enthusiasm for the role are expected to significantly benefit the City Center, and its future endeavors.

Saratoga City Center Executive Director Ryan McMahon said, “I’m excited to welcome Dorothy as the new chairperson of the City Center Authority Board. Her enthusiasm, business expertise, and positive connections in the community will be a tremendous asset for the City Center.”

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Longtime Supporter Of Racing And The Saratoga Community Leaves Lasting Legacy

Posted onSeptember 17, 2024

John Hendrickson, the chairman of the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame since August 2017, passed away unexpectedly at the age of 59.

“John Hendrickson was a visionary leader who had a tremendous passion for the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame, the Saratoga Springs community, and racing in general,” said Cate Masterson, the museum’s director. “He was truly one of a kind and this loss is immeasurable. The entire museum board and staff is deeply saddened by his passing. Our hearts are with his family and his numerous friends. We all loved him very much.”

A native of Alaska, where he was a former aide to Gov. Walter J. Hickel, Hendrickson married the late racing idol Marylou Whitney in 1997 and became the racing manager for Marylou Whitney Stables. He was also president and chief operating officer of Whitney Industries. Hendrickson continued the racing stable after Whitney died in 2019 at the age of 93 and campaigned graded stakes winners Pretty Birdie and Super Quick under the Marylou Whitney Stables banner.

Hendrickson led numerous initiatives that enhanced the museum, including spearheading a $20 million capital campaign to develop a state-of-the-art Hall of Fame and introduce an innovative and immersive signature film experience, as well as numerous renovated and reimagined galleries. He led the museum through a time of great prosperity, as attendance and finances steadily improved during his tenure. Along with the world-class Hall of Fame, Hendrickson’s time as chairman included beautification projects that brought new life to the museum’s Cornelius Vanderbilt Whitney Courtyard and recently the Beautiful Pleasure East Garden Courtyard. Dozens of iconic jockey statues representing historic and modern racing stables were added to enhance the grounds while serving as a significant source of revenue for the museum. Hendrickson also led the museum’s popular online Foal Patrol project, a series of live cameras that gave racing fans the unique opportunity to watch and learn about the foaling process of thoroughbred mares. Hendrickson’s generosity and leadership was impactful throughout the racing and Saratoga Springs communities. After serving as a New York Racing Association board member, he took on a special adviser role through an appointment by then New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo from 2012 through 2016. For the New York racing community, Hendrickson and Whitney created the Saratoga Backstretch Appreciation Program in 2008, organizing free events and services for backstretch workers. After Whitney’s death, Hendrickson continued to support backstretch appreciation dinners, English as a Second Language classes, and entertainment, among other initiatives.

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Personnel Briefs: September 2024

Posted onSeptember 17, 2024

Empire State University has announced that Charles Infurna, Ed.D., has been appointed as the 2024-25 PRODiG+ (Promoting Recruitment, Opportunity, Diversity, Inclusion and Growth) Fellow. 

This fellowship is part of the State University of New York (SUNY) initiative to increase the number of underrepresented faculty and allies selected for tenure-track positions. While at SUNY Empire, Infurna will serve as visiting assistant professor in the Department of Educational Studies.

Infurna most recently served as principal of North Hornell Elementary School. He also has more than a decade of experience coaching track and field throwing events at colleges throughout New York state. Infurna has also served as an associate at the University of Rochester Children’s Institute, where he conducted research on the self-efficacy of preschool teachers, classroom quality measures, student outcomes, and coach-athlete relationships, including psychological dynamics that influence athletic performance and wellbeing.

Infurna holds a bachelor’s degree in childhood education and a graduate degree in curriculum and instruction from SUNY Fredonia. He earned his doctor of education degree in executive leadership at St. John Fisher University.

                           *     *     *

Christopher R. Dowd, president and CEO of Ballston Spa National Bank (BSNB), has announced that Pamela J. Montpelier has joined the bank as senior vice president, growth and experience officer.

Ms. Montpelier is a highly skilled banking professional with more than three decades working in the industry. Most recently she served as strategic sales director for Generations Gold Inc., a financial services company that provides financial institutions with strategies for deposit acquisition and revenue growth. 

Prior to her position at Generations Gold, Ms. Montpelier served as president & CEO/chairperson of the Bank Board of Strata Bank, a respected Massachusetts-based community bank with eight locations that was acquired by Middlesex Savings Bank in 2008 as part of a strategic consolidation.

In her new role, Ms. Montpelier will be responsible for overseeing three of the bank’s divisions, Retail Banking, Marketing and Wealth Management Solutions, providing cross-functional leadership to direct new business growth, product enhancements and rollouts and initiate community engagement programs.

She has also received several awards and accolades for her work. She was named “Most Powerful Woman in Banking” by U.S. Banker Magazine, ranking #13 of the top 25 female bankers in the US in 2005 and one of the magazine’s “25 Women to Watch” in 2006, and was United Chamber of Commerce’s “Businessperson of the Year” in 2004 for outstanding service to the community.

Ms. Montpelier resides in Ballston Spa. 

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New State-Of-The-Art Sorting Machine Gives Rocket Recycling Advantage Over Competitors

Posted onSeptember 17, 2024
Owner Tyler Russell (left) and team member Lexi Helbling operate the new state-of-the-art sorting machine at Rocket Recycling’s recently opened third location at EBI in Saratoga Springs.
Courtesy of Rocket Recycling

By Jill Nagy

Empty deposit bottles and cans are swiftly processed at a rate of 600 per minute through a high-speed six-lane chute by new counting machines at Rocket Recycling’s recently opened location, 112 Excelsior Avenue in the EBI Beverage Center—its third facility. 

“We saw a need here for high volume processing,” said Tyler Russell, owner along with his wife, Julia Sanzen, of the company. He said that the company processes tens of thousands of bottles and cans each day at each of its three locations. Previously, empty containers were sorted by hand, a slow and expensive process. Russell estimates that the new sorting machine does the job 100 times faster than the reverse vending machines at the grocery store. The average customer brings in hundreds of recyclable containers at a time, Russell said,  and in the summer they may bring in thousands. The new sorter allows them to “get their money and get out very quickly.”

Russell described their newest sorter at the Queensbury store as “very complicated and very expensive,” and noted that it was developed by another New York state company. The machine reads the bar codes on the containers and sorts them by size and distributor. Sixty days later, the scrap aluminum from a redeemed can is part of a new can. Glass containers are, for the most part, are ground into sand, he said.

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Kelly’s Angels Is The Beneficiary Of Proceeds From Allerdice Building Supply Golf Outing

Posted onSeptember 17, 2024

Allerdice Building Supply has announced a significant charitable contribution of $4,975 to Kelly’s Angels, an organization dedicated to helping children who have lost a parent or sibling to cancer or other illness. 

This donation represents 100 percent of the proceeds from Allerdice Building Supply’s annual golf outing.

The check presentation took place on August 7 at Allerdice Ace Hardware’s Malta location. 

Mark Mulholland, founder of Kelly’s Angels, was present to accept the donation. Kelly’s Angels was established in honor of his late wife, Kelly, who lost her battle with cancer. The charity provides financial assistance and unique “Fun Grants” to children who have lost a parent or sibling, allowing them to experience moments of joy during difficult times.

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Saratoga Hospital’s Dietitians: Balancing Science And Compassion With Nutrition

Posted onSeptember 17, 2024

By Christine Graf

At Saratoga Hospital, registered dietitians (RD) serve as an integral part of the treatment team. Credentialed healthcare professionals, dietitians apply their knowledge of nutrition to develop individualized dietary strategies, ones designed to meet the unique needs of each patient. 

Lisa Hodgson, the hospital’s clinical nutrition manager, is responsible for a staff of 16 registered dietitians. “I oversee a team of dietitians—an inpatient team, and an outpatient team that works in primary care. We also have dietitians that work in our bariatric surgery and weight loss program as well as in our endocrinology office,” said Hodgson, a clinical registered dietitian, certified dietitian nutritionist, and certified diabetes educator who has been working at Saratoga Hospital for 17 years. 

On the inpatient side, RDs work with hospitalized patients with conditions that may be impacted by their nutrition status. Inpatient dietitians are also responsible for patients who require tube feedings or other more complex interventions.

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Saratoga Flag Company Leads Delegation To Washington To Protest Chinese Flag Imports

Posted onSeptember 17, 2024
A delegation of U.S. flag manufacturers traveled to Washington, D.C., to advocate for American-made U.S.A. flags.
Courtesy of the National Independent Flag Dealers Association

Saratoga Flag Company spent National Flag Week leading an ad-hoc, grass-roots, bi-partisan group of volunteers from the domestic U.S. Flag industry to Washington, D.C., to advocate for American-made U.S.A. flags.

The National Independent Flag Dealers Association, representing 13 family businesses traveled to Washington, D.C., from all corners of the country, seeking swift solutions to the rise of threats created by imported Chinese-made U.S.A. flags flooding the online marketplace at an alarming pace, putting the domestic American flag industry at risk.

This delegation of flagmakers walked hundreds of miles, knocking on more than 100 doors of lawmakers in the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives. The mission was to bring awareness to the industry projections of factory closures if the federal government does not act immediately to address the imminent threats to the domestic workforce responsible for keeping Old Glory American-made.

Senators and Congressmen were asked to support and co-sponsor The Make American Flags in America Act (H.R. 4137 in the House & S.2001 in the Senate).

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