Select Sotheby’s International Realty in Saratoga Springs is part of a new strategic partnership with Four Seasons Sotheby’s International Realty in South Burlington, Vt., and Peerage Realty Partners of Toronto.

This transaction will expand the company’s market presence into the mid-Hudson Valley Region and Upstate New York. This is Peerage Realty’s fifth partnership with Sotheby’s International Realty, the companies said in a news release.

The partnership will expand Four Seasons Sotheby’s International Realty’s footprint into upstate New York. 

This new partnership will significantly enhance Four Seasons Sotheby’s International Realty’s position as a leading player in the premium residential real estate market throughout Vermont, New Hampshire, and now Upstate New York, positioning it for further growth and future partnership investments.

As result of this transaction, Four Seasons Sotheby’s International Realty, with which Peerage Realty partnered in July 2021, will now have over 303 agents, 48 employees in 23 offices across Vermont, New Hampshire, and New York. The firm’s sales are projected to exceed $2 billion this year, the company said.

The combined company will continue to be led by CEO and Partner Alan DiStasio and President and Partner Laurie Mecier-Brochu. Dan Collins and Lou Izzo from Select Sotheby’s International Realty and Gary DiMauro from Gary DiMauro Real Estate will continue with the company. Andrea Demoracski from Select Sotheby’s International Realty will serve as executive vice president, regional manager for the Upstate New York region.

Overnight reservations at campgrounds operated by the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (State Parks) and the state Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) climbed to record highs this year as visitors embraced safe, healthy, and affordable recreation during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Through Columbus Day in October, campsites, cabins and cottages at State Parks campgrounds were occupied for 787,103 nights, surpassing the previous 2019 record of 684,820 nights by 15 percent, according to state data. DEC campgrounds were occupied for 394,401 nights, surpassing the previous 2016 record of 354,521 nights by more than 10 percent. 

“The numbers don’t lie,” said Gov. Kathy Hochul. “People have shown how much they appreciate all that our state campgrounds have to offer, especially as the pandemic made outdoor recreation more desirable than ever. Not only are our campgrounds, affordable, clean, and safe, but with these sites being so vital to New York’s tourism economy, my administration will continue to do all we can to ensure New York remains a top destination for campers.”

Officials said that over the last decade, as improvements were being made statewide under the NY Parks 2020 capital program, total overnight stays at campgrounds have risen nearly 45 percent.

State Parks operates 68 campgrounds, featuring 8,179 campsites, 825 cabins, 18 yurts, and 136 full-service cottages with amenities like power, kitchen, bath, beds, living room, and outdoor living space. 

Nominations are being accepted for the 2022 National Small Business Week (NSBW) Awards. The NSBW Awards recognize the achievements of SBA-assisted small businesses and the contributions they have made to their communities and our nation’s economy.

“The SBA Upstate New York District is excited to further support our small businesses and entrepreneurs in 2022. We’re looking for your nominations for the Agency’s 2022 National and District Small Business Week Awards, including our Small Business Person of the Year,” said District Director Bernard J. Paprocki.

The SBA Upstate New York District serves 34 counties across upstate New York, including Saratoga, Warren and Washington.

“The past 20 months have been challenging as small businesses have adapted and pivoted to meet the demands of COVID across our 34 county coverage area. That’s why we’re asking our neighbors to nominate a small business owner who has used an SBA program like the Paycheck Protection Program, COVID Economic Injury Disaster Loans, Restaurant Revitalization Fund, Shuttered Venue Operators Grant or any of our traditional funding programs or resource partner services,” Paprocki said.

“Self-nominations are also accepted to help further highlight our vibrant small business community from Central New York, the Capital Region and North Country to the Hudson & Mohawk Valleys, Southern Tier and Finger Lakes,” he said.

To nominate a small business owner located in the Upstate New York District,  apply online at sba.gov/nsbw. Learn more about nomination guidelines, downloan the required background and nomination forms and submit them via the proper national or district upload link. For National Small Business Week 2022, no paper or mailed forms will be accepted. All nominations must be made online.

An AARP Fraud Watch Network report is alerting consumers of scams they could encounter over the holidays. Of those surveyed, 75 percent  percent reported they have been targeted or experienced at least one form of fraud that can be tied to the holidays.  

“Scammers are out in force during the holidays to try to steal money or sensitive information from consumers,” said Kathy Stokes, AARP director of fraud prevention programs. “Online shopping, shipping gifts and even charitable donations can become tools for scammers to use in their schemes. Knowing the warning signs is the first step you can take to spot and avoid scams.”  

Three quarters of adults surveyed said they plan on shopping online for the holidays, but consumers need to know the red flags before logging in. Over a third of adults reported they experienced fraud when buying a product through an online advertisement. Some online advertisements can download malicious software onto devices or lead the shopper to a cloned site of a legitimate store.

Officials said scams can also occur when shoppers search online for customer service contact information. Nearly half of adults surveyed believe the customer support number found at the top of an online search can be trusted. Online ads that appear to be a legitimate company’s customer service information can be a scammer’s attempt to get consumers to call them instead. 

Use a billing statement or other information obtained directly from the company to find legitimate numbers, officials advised. Also, a retailer will never ask for your log-in information when providing customer support.