Glens Falls Chronicle

01/24/2025

Ben Westcott writes: In case you haven’t been paying attention: The Glens Falls boys basketball program is really, really good right now.

READ: https://www.glensfallschronicle.com/glens-falls-boys-basketball-has-won-40-straight-games/

That much was clear to the mostly full crowd in Hudson Falls last Friday night that watched the Black Bears dismantle the home team 87-49, snapping the Tigers’ eight game winning streak.

Further evidence of Glens Falls’s excellence is the fact that the Black Bears have won 41 straight games.

It's been 692 days since Glens Falls lost a basketball game. (That last defeat came on March 4, 2023, if case you were wondering, at the hands of Catholic Central by a 73-59 score for the Section II, Class B title).

So what is Glens Falls’s secret to success? “They have five really, really skilled players,” Hudson Falls Head Coach Greg Smith said after Friday’s game.

“Most high school teams don’t have five scoring options, so you can game plan and scheme and do things. They don’t allow you to do that, because they have five guys that can score. So it makes it twice as hard for us. We need things to go perfect for us to play with them.”

READ: https://www.glensfallschronicle.com/glens-falls-boys-basketball-has-won-40-straight-games/

01/23/2025

Chronicle Thursday! Get this edition digitally FREE: https://mailchi.mp/loneoak/chronicledigitalfree

"Amazingly robust," Mark Frost says of today's Winter Home Issue.

In the lead:
Two Glens Falls families who essentially swapped homes without at first realizing it

Rough start to 2025 for City of GF — major water, sewer and neighbor problems at the Common Council

Winter fare: Crandall Park pond open for skating. Premiere of a documentary about Warrensburg’s Hickory ski area. A Brant Laker talks bubblers.

Inside — First in The Chronicle: Why no Sectional wrestling and basketball finals at the Cool Arena this year

Mary Gooden backed for GF Council Member at Large after Jim Clark won’t seek reelection

Trump pardons include Glens Falls man and Hadley woman

DEC first responders rescue a moose
Black Bears on a 40-game win streak
Rare goose causes traffic jam
South Glens Falls pair saw their Eagles win Sunday’s snow game

Plus - Tons more news, happenings and features! The Scoop. School Views. Obituaries. Real Estate and Classifieds. The Crossword and Hocus Focus. The world's greatest advertisers. And, as always, The Chronicle's Famous Events Calendar

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01/21/2025

CHRONICLE SCOOP: Zander Frost reports: The Cool Insuring Arena in Glens Falls will not host the final days of the Section II Boys Basketball championships or the entirety of the Section II Boys Wrestling tournaments this winter for the first time in many years.

READ: https://www.glensfallschronicle.com/cool-loses-out-on-section-2-boys-wrestling-and-basketball-finals-this-year/

Arena President Jeff Mead, contacted for comment by The Chronicle, says his understanding is that the entire schedule “was moved a week forward” this year.

“By the time we were notified, and no fault of Section II, it was well after the Thunder Hockey schedule comes out in May,” he said. “We were notified after Labor Day.”

He said, “We tried to move some games,” but “it’s impossible to move three hockey games, especially when a team’s coming in from out of state, flying in.

“We certainly tried our best and worked with Section II, but ultimately we couldn’t move a weekend series against a team from West Virginia” the weekend of the basketball tournament.

“We’re going to end up hosting the basketball” Monday to Thursday, Mr. Mead said. “They’re going to move the finals to Hudson Valley Community College, unfortunately.”

It’s another tough loss for local basketball events — last year NYPHSAA (New York Public High School Athletics Association) voted to move the State Boys Basketball championships from Glens Falls to Binghamton for 2025 to 2027.

Contacted by text, NYPHSAA Executive Director Dr. Robert Zayas told The Chronicle, “We have no jurisdiction over sectional site locations. Those decisions are made at the local level.”

READ THE REST: https://www.glensfallschronicle.com/cool-loses-out-on-section-2-boys-wrestling-and-basketball-finals-this-year/

01/16/2025

Mark Frost & Zander Frost write: Finch Paper, the Glens Falls cornerstone that dates from 1865 and employs 600 people, will have a new CEO as of Feb. 1. After 12 years, Debabrata “Deba” Mukherjee hands the reins to Drew Gardner and will become board chairman.

READ: https://www.glensfallschronicle.com/new-ceo-at-finch-paper/

The Chronicle conducted an exclusive interview with the two men on Monday.

“It’s been a hard journey, but a very rewarding journey, because Glens Falls still has its primary employer, sustainable, profitable, doing well,” said Mr. Mukherjee, 55, the native of Calcutta, India whose PhD is from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy.

Mr. Gardner, originally from the Philadelphia area, is a Pennsylvania State University grad, in engineering and finance. He arrived at Finch Paper in 2023 and most recently has been President and CFO. He previously worked for Atlas Holdings, Finch’s parent company, and before that for Blackstone and General Electric.

“Deba has been mentoring me for a long time,” said Mr. Gardner, who declined to reveal his age. “I knew when I was going to take this on that it was going to be really, really challenging.

“But I also knew the position that Finch has in the market, and the team that we have here. We are set up to be far more successful than any of our competitors if we do our jobs correctly.”

The men cite significant challenges and opportunities for the papermaker.

One challenge: Demand for paper has fallen by about half in the past decade.

Mr. Gardner said, “North American demand in our space — we call it uncoated free sheet is the broad commodity — was, when Deba stepped in, around 10 million tons annually. And now it’s just about 5 million.”

READ THE REST: https://www.glensfallschronicle.com/new-ceo-at-finch-paper/

01/16/2025

Chronicle Thursday! Get this edition digitally FREE: https://mailchi.mp/loneoak/chronicledigitalfree

Today's lead story: The Chronicle’s exclusive interview with Finch Paper's outgoing and incoming chiefs — a full-page deep dive into how the Glens Falls papermaker survives in a shrinking industry, and why Finch is even optimistic

Sunday's big game: Showdown between Josh Allen’s Buffalo Bills and Lamar Jackson’s Baltimore Ravens.

Three new restaurants in downtown GF

Inside: Election season revs up already - "Weighting for Congress." John Strough seeks re-election. Ben Lapham: Why I’m running for Councilman-at-Large. Bob Landry: I’m running for office but I don’t know which one yet. GF Republicans seeking candidates. The expected quest for Elise Stefanik's NY-21 seat: Dan Stec catches flak coming and going.

South Street parking lot will close. Martin Luther King Day observances. Washington County aims to capitalize on American Revolution’s 250th anniversary. South High Marathon Dance chooses recipients. GF Women’s Walk.

Plus, tons more news, happenings and all The Chronicle features: The Scoop. School Views. Obituaries. Real Estate and Classifieds. The Crossword and Hocus Focus. The World's Greatest Advertisers. And, as always, The Chronicle’s Famous Events Calendar!

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01/10/2025

The Chronicle is so sad to learn of the passing of Humbuggs owner Keith Champagne. Our thoughts go out to his family and loved ones.

Raise your glass high for the best man there is and post it in the comments!

:: We love you so much. And miss you already.
The most respected dad, gramps, pop out there. May you rest in peace with the love of your life and continue to be in our hearts forever. 🍻

Thank you RJ @ Bullpen Tavern for keeping his drink of choice alive, and hosting us with our grieving hearts. The Humbuggs family will always appreciate you, and never forget he appreciated you too.

01/09/2025

FROM THIS WEEK'S ISSUE: Glens Falls Ward 4 Councilman Ben Lapham let fly Tuesday night on Facebook with criticism of Mayor Bill Collins and Councilman-at-Large Jim Clark that concluded with Mr. Lapham declaring he’ll challenge Mr. Clark in this year’s election.

READ: https://www.glensfallschronicle.com/ben-lapham-says-hell-run-for-councilman-at-large/

Here’s some of what he wrote: “Mayor Collins, I think you misrepresent me in saying Diana [Palmer] was alone with her concerns with the budget. I feel it was obscenely reckless for you to put forth a budget with a deficit of $3m and ask for a zero increase in taxes. The council and department heads whittled it back a million dollars.

"You with absolutely nothing to show for it other than a recurring budget bet with council at large Clark said, trust me, you will have money to add to the general fund. You and the council at large have been violating the budget process like this every year which is why I not only support Council member Palmer but will challenge council at large Clark in the election. Glens Falls deserves better than the past 11 years of both of you.”

We’ll welcome rebuttal comment from Mayor Collins and Councilman-at-Large Clark for next Chronicle issue.

READ: https://www.glensfallschronicle.com/ben-lapham-says-hell-run-for-councilman-at-large/

01/09/2025

Chronicle Thursday! Get this edition digitally FREE: https://mailchi.mp/loneoak/chronicledigitalfree

"We’re back in the saddle and instantly at full gallup," Mark Frost says.

It's our first issue of the New Year and the political season is already starting. Diana Palmer challenges fellow Democrat Bill Collins for Glens Falls mayor. Ben Lapham says he’ll challenge Jim Clark for GF Councilman-at-Large.

Contenders for Elise Stefanik's Congressional seat:
Anthony Constantino tells us about his plan for a free MMA Cage Wars event at Cool Arena on Feb. 7, as yet unconfirmed by the arena. Dan Stec makes his case for Congress.

Meanwhile, Chris Patten gets unanimous Planning Board okays on all three Glens Falls projects, including Washington Square.

Hudson Falls has a new veterinary clinic.

Inside: Our six-page Wedding Issue. Who got married. Who's engaged. Planner Letizia Mastrantoni has tips for couples, and local businesses showcase their offerings.

Tons more news: Alex West who drove the boat that killed Charlotte McCue is paroled. Hospital limits visitors. GF Planning Board also okays GF Sherman Avenue project. City Hall's new awning. Post-Star editor's quick exit. The Chronicle's look ahead to Big Events of 2025.

Also: Even more news, happenings and Chronicle features: The Scoop. School Views. Obituaries. Real Estate and Classifieds. Hocus Focus and the Crossword. The World's Greatest Advertisers — and, as always, The Chronicle's Famous Events Calendar.

Thank you for reading The Chronicle!
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01/07/2025

BREAKING • Zander Frost reports: Ward 3 Councilwoman Diana Palmer is running for Mayor of Glens Falls.

READ: https://www.glensfallschronicle.com/breaking-ward-3-councilwoman-diana-palmer-is-running-for-mayor-of-glens-falls/

A campaign press release said, “With seven years of dedicated service on the Common Council, Palmer has been a steadfast advocate for transparency, collaboration, and thoughtful decision-making.

“Under the theme, ‘A New Chapter of Hope and Partnership,’ Palmer's campaign focuses on building a vibrant, thriving Glens Falls by prioritizing strategic planning, empowering community partnerships, and maintaining fiscal responsibility.

“‘My vision reflects a commitment to transparency, thoughtful data-driven decisions, and focusing on core responsibilities,’ said Palmer.

“‘This is a community of strength and resilience, and together, we can chart a bright path forward.’

“The announcement outlines three core commitments to a stronger Glens Falls:

“1. Transparency and Collaboration: Fostering diverse voices and perspectives to guide decision-making.

“2. Thoughtful, Data-Driven Decisions: Using clear plans to align spending with community goals and evaluating outcomes to ensure success.

“3. Focusing on Core Responsibilities: Streamlining processes and supporting services to drive the city forward without overextending into areas best suited for the private sector. Palmer emphasized her gratitude to the volunteers, business owners, and residents of Glens Falls who make the city a community and a home.

“‘I’m asking for your trust, participation, and partnership as we take this journey together,' Palmer stated.”

READ: https://www.glensfallschronicle.com/breaking-ward-3-councilwoman-diana-palmer-is-running-for-mayor-of-glens-falls/

01/06/2025

BREAKING • Zander Frost reports: Sticker Mule CEO Anthony Constantino announced he will host and pay for a “FREE Cage Wars event at the Glens Falls Cool Insuring Arena on February 7th, 2025”

READ: https://www.glensfallschronicle.com/constantino-seeking-stefanik-seat-to-hold-free-mma-event-at-cool-insuring-arena/

Mr. Constantino is seeking the Congressional seat Elise Stefanik will vacate upon expected confirmation as Ambassador to the United Nations.

Mr. Constantino’s release said political operative Roger Stone and former MMA fighter Jorge Masvidal will make appearances “to speak in support of Cage Wars.”

Mr. Constantino was quoted, “A little bird told me a Democrat politician illegally pressured Rivers Casino to give Cage Wars the boot to hurt me. I immediately decided to support this great local business by throwing a bigger event at the historic Glens Falls Cool Insuring Arena.”

The release said, “The free event, which starts at 6pm on Friday, February 7th, features 10 amateur MMA fights and will be headlined by Glens Falls legend Matt Secor, who fought in the UFC and operates the highly popular Matt Secor BJJ gym in Glens Falls.”

READ: https://www.glensfallschronicle.com/constantino-seeking-stefanik-seat-to-hold-free-mma-event-at-cool-insuring-arena/

01/02/2025

Glens Falls National Bank and Saratoga National officially became ArrowBank yesterday, January 1. Today, CEO Dave DeMarco, Arrow board members, senior staffers and a crowd of enthusiastic employees unveiled the Bank's new logo on the flagship building on Glen Street in downtown Glens Falls.

Mr. DeMarco said, "In this new chapter of Arrow Bank, we will continue to grow our company, meet our vision and mission statements and commit to the communities that we serve in the same excellent way that we have for many years. So, thank you all very much — and welcome to Arrow Bank!"

12/28/2024

The Chronicle is so sad at the passing of Ed Beecher, a great retired longtime Chronicle staff member and friend.

***

FORT EDWARD – Edward K. Beecher, 72 of Fort Edward, passed away Wednesday night, December 25, 2024. He left this world peacefully, surrounded by his loving family in the comfort of his own home.

Edward grew up in Fort Edward and was the son of the late Kenneth H. and Mary A. (Hurley) Beecher. He was a graduate of Fort Edward High School and worked for several years at the Chronicle Newspaper, where he eventually retired.

Edward was a talented, multi-instrumental musician and played for several area bands. He loved to teach his craft and gave guitar lessons at Triads Music Center in Glens Falls for many years.

In addition to his parents, he is predeceased by two brothers, Gene and John Beecher; a sister, Ruth Ellis; and his mother-in-law and father-in-law, Wally and Doris Petty.

REST OF OBITUARY: https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/glensfallschronicle/name/edward-beecher-obituary?pid=208258054

12/26/2024

Chronicle Thursday! Get this edition digitally FREE: https://mailchi.mp/loneoak/chronicledigitalfree

"It’s our last issue of 2024 and we’re going out with a bang," Mark Frost says.
"What went viral!" — Zander recaps our 11 most popular social media posts of the year.
Mark Frost wonders, "Will Chuck & Kirsten back Elise for UN Ambassador?"

Glens Falls National becomes Arrow Bank on Jan. 1.

Letter writer urges: Put Seneca Ray Stoddard’s name on the reborn ‘incubator.’

On the front page and inside: Another LOOK at ‘Hometown USA’ 1944 LOOK Magazine photos, from 80 years ago!

Inside: 4 Adirondack Thunder fans tossed after the annual Teddy bear toss.
Photos from Peckham Industries’ 100th.

Nate Etu touts economic progress in Warren County. Washington County Union argues for vacation benefits non-union workers receive. Arrow board adds SUNY Adk prez, Proctors chief and others. Lake George's DRI wish list.

Recalling some notable 2024 moments — and Cathy DeDe highlights the year in arts and events. New Year’s Eve comedy and more. First Day hikes. Anthony Richichi’s new play. Lake Luzerne’s playground drive.

Plus: More news, happenings and features. The Scoop. School Views. Obituaries. Real Estate and Classifieds. The Crossword and Hocus Focus. The World's Greatest Advertisers — And, of course, The Chronicle’s Famous Events Calendar.

Note: No Chronicle next week, when we take our annual one-week hiatus.
See you next year, on January 9, with our our Wedding Issue and Predictions for the year ahead.

Happy New Year to all!
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12/25/2024

🎄 Merry Christmas from all of your friends here at The Chronicle!

12/23/2024

Queen NYC Deli has closed after nine months, and Delicacy Deli will open at 731 Upper Glen St. in Queensbury. It was previously long home to New Way Lunch.

READ: https://www.glensfallschronicle.com/delicacy-deli-to-open-at-former-queen-nyc-deli/

Chef Abdo Nagi, 46, is opening Delicacy Deli with his brother-in-law Naif Alnmer, 38, who will serve as general manager. They both live in Albany, after moving there from New York City in 2020.

They already have seven locations that use the same menu, although the spots have different names. Three are in Albany, one is in Vermont, and three are in New York City.

“It’s going to be fresh, homemade,” said Mr. Nagi, who noted that he plans to open the deli on Monday, Dec. 23. “Everything will be like you do it at home. All the juices will be fresh made, fresh squeezed. All the smoothies will be fresh squeezed.

“When you walk out of here and eat your meal, an hour later your stomach is fine,” he assured The Chronicle. “It doesn’t turn, you know what I mean?”

He said, “We’re not going to use that crappy grease or stuff like that. Everything is going to be nice and healthy.”

READ THE REST: https://www.glensfallschronicle.com/delicacy-deli-to-open-at-former-queen-nyc-deli/

12/20/2024

Stephanie Guzik-Lendrum went from lab-coated biophysicist-biochemist to self-described “Christmas elf.”

READ: https://www.glensfallschronicle.com/qby-grad-rpi-scientist-now-is-elf-making-ornaments-at-shirt-factory/

The 2001 Queensbury grad earned her bachelor’s degree at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and then her Ph.D. at the University of North Carolina in cell and development biology.

She came back to work at RPI, but in 2018 she left abruptly, after what she describes as uncomfortable fallout from an equipment failure. It led her to parlay her hobby — painting glass ornaments as gifts for loved ones — into a business.

The result? Cedar + Pearl, producing hand-made wooden and glass Christmas ornaments and souvenirs. It’s based now at the Shirt Factory in Glens Falls.

•

“Go big or go home,” Mrs. Guzik-Lendrum said was her motto from the start.
Days after leaving the RPI lab, she emailed Yellowstone National Park, where she and her family had gone a year earlier. She sent the email “out of the blue” through a Web contact form. “Within 20 minutes I had a reply from the buyer for Yellowstone, Rocky Mountain and Grand Canyon,” she says.

“I painted up some designs and sent them to her that day. The next week, we were talking pricing. A few weeks later, I had an order for 700 ornaments due in March.” This was October. She says she started painting, and delivered on-time.

•

“In the world of science, I was maintaining a lab. I was training students, and I loved it. I thought it was so much fun to work with the bright minds of our area, getting to interact with them every day.

“When I lost that, I felt like I didn’t know what I was supposed to do next. I did apply for a handful of science jobs, but at the same time, I was thinking about this pivot…The idea was, let’s try it for a year. If it doesn’t work, well then, I’ve had an adventure for a year, and we’ll just get out of it whatever we can.

READ THE REST: https://www.glensfallschronicle.com/qby-grad-rpi-scientist-now-is-elf-making-ornaments-at-shirt-factory/

12/19/2024

FIRST IN THE CHRONICLE: Grumbellies has found a new home — in downtown Fort Edward in the former Glens Falls National Bank building at 159 Broadway that closed in 2021.

READ: https://www.glensfallschronicle.com/grumbellies-reborn/

Irma Hamblin told The Chronicle they are purchasing the property for $215,000.

“We signed the paperwork and I gave them the down payment,” she said.

“We haven’t been through our closing yet. That should be coming.” They hope to open in March.

Grumbellies goes before the Village of Fort Edward’s Planning/Zoning Board of Appeals on Wednesday, Jan. 15 at 6 p.m.

Irma and Jeff Hamblin ran Grumbellies restaurant/music venue/community gathering spot for eight years in Fort Ann. It closed in July after losing its lease.

Since then, Mrs. Hamblin said, “We had been looking at quite a few places [including South Glens Falls and Hudson Falls]. Then we had a couple people recommend that we go down and look at the Glens Falls National Bank in Fort Edward.

READ THE REST: https://www.glensfallschronicle.com/grumbellies-reborn/

12/19/2024

Chronicle Thursday! Get this edition digitally FREE: https://mailchi.mp/loneoak/chronicledigitalfree

Chronicle exclusive: Ed Moore buys the former TD Bank property on Maple Street next to his Queensbury Hotel.

Also breaking: Grumbellies, the Fort Ann food and music spot, is being reborn in Fort Edward.

Queensbury and RPI grad Stephanie Guzik-Lendrum has a thriving Christmas ornament business in the Shirt Factory.

Letter writers on Short Term Rentals in Glens Falls, BOCES' $96 Million plan to consolidate in Wilton, local Rockefeller Christmas Tree story

That's just the front page of this week's newsy Christmas-Hanukkah Chronicle!

Inside: Mayor Collins announces re-election bid. Questions about his hiring McKrells for Holiday Fest. Park Street garage parking fees to increase. Glass door smashed in Glen Street vandalism. A second go at a new deli where New Way Lunch was in Queensbury. Sgt. Coon's annual Christmas Eve Road March.

Plus: Tons more news, happenings, and all the Chronicle features: Mark Frost's Scoop. School Views. Obituaries. Real Estate and Classifieds. The Crossword and Hocus Focus. Holiday messages, Christmas church services and a celebration of locally owned small businesses by our Chronicle advertisers — The World's Greatest! And, as always, The Famous Chronicle Events Calendar.

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