Saratoga Springs — Surrounded by his loving family, Richard Swantek, 89, peacefully passed away April 25, 2021 after a richly fulfilled life.
Memorial donations: Leukemia Society (P.O. Box 22445, New York, NY 10087-2445, www.lls.org) or Community Hospice of Saratoga (179 Lawrence St, Saratoga Springs, www.communityhospice.org). Services were private.
Visit burkefuneralhome.com.
Greenfield Center — Augustine Perrino, 96, passed away on the morning of Sunday, April 25, 2021 surrounded by his family.
Calling hours were Thursday, April 29, 2021 at Burke funeral home followed by a funeral home service and burial in Greenfield Cemetery.
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South Glens Falls — Louis J. Alonzo, 90, passed away at home on February 21, 2021. Graveside services with military honors will be 2 p.m. Thursday May 6, 2021 at GBH Saratoga National Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to Community Hospice of Saratoga, 179 Lawrence St., Saratoga Springs.
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Egbert Ludovicus Viele died on April 22, 1902 at the age of 77 in New York City after an eventful life that began in Waterford, New York. He was born in 1825, son of Kathlyne Schuyler (Knickerboacker) and State Senator John L. Viele. The title of his newspaper obituary notice “Veteran of Two Wars and Indian Campaigns Passes Away” did little justice to his varied career, nor his personal foibles.
Egbert attended Albany Academy and on July 1, 1847, graduated from West Point and was appointed 2nd Lt. of the infantry and served in the Mexican War. From there he was sent to Laredo Texas, became the Military Governor and conducted successful campaigns against the Indians on the western frontier. By October 1850 he was promoted to 1st Lt. but in 1853 he resigned from the military.
Viele moved to New York City and became the State Engineer for New Jersey, 1854 – 1856. In 1856 he was appointed engineer-in-chief of Central Park and in 1860 redesigned both Central Park and Prospect Park. When the Civil War began he rejoined the military on the Union Side. He became engineering officer of the Seventh Regiment, and was commissioned Brigadier General of Volunteers August 17, 1861
General Viele marched to Washington, forcing the cross of the Potomac River, leading the first troops to reach the capital by that route. He commanded brigades during the Union assaults on the Confederate forces along the southeast coast, first at Port Royal in November 1861, and then the victorious attack on Fort Pulaski on the Savannah River the following April. He participated in the capture of Norfolk, Va., and was named Military Governor of that area later in 1862.
He resigned from the service on October 20,1863 to again follow his career in civil engineering. Moving back to New York City he composed the “Viele Map”, a survey of the original streams and coastline superimposed on the streets of Manhattan, still in use today. 1866 he became a Companion of the New York Commandery of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States. In 1867, he worked as chief engineer on the Pittsburgh, Buffalo, and Rochester Railroad.
From 1883 to 1884 Viele was the commissioner of parks for New York City. He was elected as a Democrat to the Forty-ninth Congress (1885 – 1887) but was an unsuccessful candidate for re-election in 1886 to the Fiftieth Congress. Egbert resumed his former business pursuits and engaged in literary work.
Viele died from a “sudden attack of indigestion and heart disease” at the age of 77 in New York. He and his second wife, Juliette Dana, are entombed in a pyramid-shaped mausoleum, guarded by a pair of sphinxes, in the Post Cemetery at West Point, New York. Egbert had a buzzer installed in his coffin wired to the house of the Superintendent of West Point to provide rescue if he had accidentally been buried alive.
His father owned mills in Cohoes. Although undocumented, one can assume he must have returned to Waterford to visit family over the years.
Russ Vandervoort in the Waterford Town Historian and leader of the Waterford Canal and Towpath Society and can be reached at russvandervoort@gmail.com
SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Capital Region Dance Alliance, Inc., an all-volunteer, non-profit organization of choreographers, dancers, teachers, students, dance advocates, and lovers of dance has announced its 2021-22 Executive Officers: President Mary Anne Fantauzzi, Vice President Mary DiSanto-Rose, Treasurer Gail Tassarotti, and Secretary Holly Livingston. Two new board members, Abigail Guisbond and Nicole Ravella-Hoffman, joined previous members Sarah DiPasquale, Anny DeGrange Holgate, Robin Gifford, Nan Guslander, Lydia Huibregtse, Sharon Sassaman, and Laurie Zabele-Cawley.
Guisbond (was born and raised in Syracuse, and has been dancing for 20 years. She currently teaches ballet and pointe at Albany Dance & Fitness and Barbara’s School of Dance. She is also studying at SUNY Albany to obtain a Master’s in Public Health.
Ravella-Hoffman is a native of Schenectady, and has been a professional dancer, choreographer, and teacher for the past 15 years. She currently teaches hip hop, lyrical, jazz, tap, ballet, contemporary, and musical theater throughout the Capital Region.
Founded in 1978, Dance Alliance has sponsored an annual scholarship for summer study, project partnership grants to nurture artistic excellence, collaborative projects with area arts organizations, and a variety of outreach programs including MOVE Dance, an all-inclusive hip hop dance program for teens, and Dancing Through Time for older adults.
For more information visit the organization website at www.dancealliance.org.
In our business as health insurance brokers, we often come across people newly enrolling in Medicare who request to be placed on the same Advantage plan as a friend or neighbor. When this happens, we often must slow the person down and remind them that, unlike group or employer health insurance, Medicare Advantage plans are individual. This means a plan that may work well for another person’s health circumstances may not be best suited for yours.
This principle is perhaps best illustrated when comparing drug pricing between Advantage plans. The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), the federal agency that oversees the Medicare program, classifies prescription drugs into five tiers based on their price, with the least expensive prescriptions generally falling into tier 1 and the most expensive into tier 5.
At this point, many people exclaim: “See, Medicare has done all the hard work for me! All I have to do is know what tiers my prescriptions are in and I’m all set!” However, this response does not consider the fact that CMS gives individual Medicare Advantage plans broad discretion over the tier they assign to a drug and any deductibles and copays they impose. In other words, a tier 3 drug on one Advantage plan could be classified as a tier 4 on another, with vastly higher deductibles and copays.
As an example, we recently did a drug comparison for a gentleman using two similar zero-premium Advantage plans available here in the Capital District. For the same prescriptions, we estimated that one plan would charge $164 per year while the other would charge $1,240, a projected annual difference of $1,076. Again, these projections were for the same prescriptions for the same person.
So, how do you get a better deal when it comes to prescription drug prices? In our view, nothing can take the place of working with a knowledgeable health insurance broker who can walk you through all your options. To see if we can help you save money on your prescriptions, please contact Blue Chip in Saratoga at 518-584-8057 or visit our website at www.1bluechip.com.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Nine local WSWHE BOCES CTE/ECCA students have earned the title of New York State SkillsUSA Champion.
The Washington-Saratoga-Warren-Hamilton-Essex BOCES Career and Technical Education (CTE) division, which includes the Early College Career Academy (ECCA), participated in the SkillsUSA State Leadership and Skills Championships from April 12 to April 22. The championships were conducted virtually, with some competitions being recorded and some being livestreamed with judges from across New York State. There were 600 students from New York State who competed, and nine local students were declared champions in their respective fields.
Brendan Lee, a senior from Salem in the Construction Trades program, won first place in Carpentry. The contest required him to frame walls using wood studs; cut and install common, hip, and jack rafters; stair stringer and install drywall, siding, sheathing, baseboard molding, and window trim. He was assessed on accuracy, workmanship, the ability to read and interpret blueprints, and the proper use of tools and equipment.
Brandon Coulter, a junior from Queensbury in the ECCA IT Essentials Program, won first place in Job Interview. The Job Interview contest was evaluated in three parts: resume, completion of an employment application, and an interview with industry professionals.
Tyler Brooks, a junior from Whitehall in the ECCA IT Essentials Program, won first place in Job Skill Demonstration Open (team of two); his teammate, Mathew Richard, is a junior from Lake George. The contest assesses each contestant’s ability to demonstrate and explain an entry level technical skill used either in the occupational area for which he or she is training or outside the training area.
Patrick Fayette, a senior from Queensbury in the Culinary Arts Program, won first place in Restaurant Service. The Restaurant Service competition focuses on guest service/relations in the dining room and “front of the house” skills of guest hospitality and food and beverage services.
A team of four seniors from the ECCA Business Program – Justin Garfolo (Saratoga Springs), Elizabeth Radyn (Lake George), Aeryn Brewer (Corinth), and Ella Crossman (Glens Falls) – won first place in Entrepreneurship. The team was evaluated on their success to formulate a business plan, present a business presentation, and respond to changes that may occur during operation. They submitted a resume, business plan, and did an oral presentation.
In addition, twenty local students earned second and third place at the state competition. In terms of medals won at the State Championships, WSWHE BOCES is one of the top New York schools.
On Broadway
On Broadway: work continues at the former Saratoga Downtowner hotel, antisipated to reopen in early June as a Lark Hotel – which has properties in seven different U.S. states. The new venture is expected to keep the “Downtowner” name.
Less Football, More Twang
SARATOGA SPRINGS —The Phila Street site that formerly housed Peabody’s Sports Bar is slated to be reopened prior to the summer season as Nashville of Saratoga. The venue promises a “Nashville style country bar” and live events.
Job interviews will be held May 2 through May 4 and positions available include experienced cooks, bartenders, hosts and dish-washers. Go to: nashvilleofsaratoga.com.
Strings Go Silent on Broadway
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Matt McCabe, who for decades owned and operated several Saratoga Guitar locations in and around the community, died in January at his home from complications of COVID-19.
Last week, the shop on Broadway located next to City Hall, posted the following message:
After a great deal of consideration, we have decided to close Saratoga Guitar permanently. It pains us to do this, but after considering multiple avenues for its continuation we have come to a personal conclusion: Matt was the store.
Even if the store continued to exist in some form, it wouldn’t really be Saratoga Guitar.
Thank you to everyone who has supported us over the years.
New Tailgate and Party Shop Opens on Phila
SARATOGA SPRINGS —The spot long-occupied by Four Seasons on Phila Street reopened on April 25 as the Tailgate and Party Shop. The shop relocated from its previous Caroline Street location and features entertainment for the entertainer – unique gift ideas, family and drinking games, hosting supplies, balloons, party goods and unique Saratoga items.
“You can honestly take an hour to just walk through here,” says owner Kirsten Lambert, who opened the initial store last June in a rented building on Caroline Street, and has since purchased the building where the new shop stands. Open every day of the week. Go to: tailgateandparty.com.
Rockefeller Capital Management Grows into New Office Location in Saratoga Springs
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Rockefeller Capital Management this week announced the relocation of its Saratoga Springs location, the headquarters of its Family Office business. The new office will host all 40 employees in the Saratoga area.
Led by Saratoga-based President of the Family Office Timothy O’Hara, the business serves ultra-high-net-worth families through an expanded offering of investment, tax and estate planning, strategic advisory, and trustee services, while creating access to strategic partnerships providing risk management and lifestyle-enhancing services. The business complements Rockefeller’s other practices, including Private Wealth Management, Rockefeller Asset Management and Strategic Advisory offerings.
To support the growing Family Office business and the complex needs of its clients, Rockefeller has relocated to the 3rd floor of 321 Broadway, to accommodate its growing team of senior client advisors and multigenerational wealth planning experts. This space will enable socially distant and COVID-safe protocols and allow for an increase in collaboration among employees by consolidating from two small floors to one larger floor.
Across the U.S., Rockefeller counts a total of 677 employees in 23 locations as of March 31, 2021.
For more information, go to: rcm.rockco.com/saratogasprings
Woman-Owned Tech Company Celebrates 25 Years In Business
SARATOGA SPRINGS — In 1996, Beth Weise Moeller, Ph.D., founded Interactive Media Consulting, LLC (IMC) as a website development company. Over the past 25 years, IMC has grown and evolved into a full-service digital marketing agency keeping pace with the ever-changing online world.
When Moeller established her woman-owned business, the digital profession was in its infancy, and tech-savvy women were a rarity. At the time, there were less than 260,000 registered websites around the world. Today, twenty-five years later, there are over 1.6 BILLION websites registered internationally. Yet even as computers, the internet, and digital and social media have changed and grown at an astounding rate, women remain significantly underrepresented in the information and technology sector, accounting for approximately 25% of industry professionals.
Every year since its founding, IMC has given back to the community, supporting dozens of nonprofits and local organizations with digital marketing assistance. Over the years, IMC has worked with many youth or arts organizations, providing ongoing support to ensure continued growth and success.
A passionate advocate for the arts and entrepreneurship, Moeller has long been committed to promoting artists and counseling small businesses. In 2015, Moeller introduced Arts Spark, a division of IMC established to “Help Artists With The Business of Being An Artist.” In 2019, Moeller launched The Innovation Center at Saratoga, Inc., a nonprofit collaborative makerspace where artists, entrepreneurs, and community members join together to learn, create, and innovate. Moeller’s vision includes programs where students can explore STEM in a
hands-on environment.
IMC is a full-service website and digital marketing firm. Services include website design and programming, branding, content creation, print collateral materials, and hosting. Go to: www.imediaconsult.com.
MALTA — Globalfoundries is relocating its headquarters to Malta, the site of Fab 8, the company’s most advanced semiconductor manufacturing facility.
GF has invested more than $15 billion in its Fab 8 facility over the last decade to support innovation and manufacturing capacity. In 2021, the company is doubling its planned investment to expand global capacity, with $500 million targeted for Malta alone.
“This is a huge shot in the arm for our Capital Region economy,” U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer explained during an event held April 26, announcing the company’s plans to relocate its headquarters.
In a prepared statement, the company said the move to its state-of-the-art fab in New York is part of its commitment to address the soaring global chip demand, with a focus on semiconductor manufacturing innovation.
GF will maintain a substantial presence in Santa Clara, California, in the heart of Silicon Valley, where many of GF’s leading U.S. customers and ecosystem partners are based.
“Today, GF’s Fab 8 in New York is a $15 billion advanced semiconductor manufacturing facility and one that is playing a key role in the transformation of our industry to meet rapidly accelerating demand,” said GF CEO Tom Caulfield. “Our amazing 3,000-person workforce, in partnership with our local, state, and federal leaders, will together build on GF’s success, solidifying the Empire State’s place as one of a few world-class semiconductor manufacturing hubs at a time when our national and economic security depends more and more on what we can make here at home,” he said.
On April 21, the U.S. Senate introduced the Endless Frontier Act – a bill that would increase American investments in science and technology innovation and aims to strengthen the economy. When approved by Congress and signed into law by President Biden, Caulfield said GlobalFoundries stands ready by expanding in upstate New York and creating many more high-paying American jobs. “Our ambitious goal is to double our capacity at this site in the years to come in partnership with our customers, local, state and federal governments. We can do this.”
GF company employs more than 15,000 globally with 7,000 people across the U.S., and nearly 3,000 at its Fab 8 in Malta, New York. In 2020, the semiconductor manufacturer announced a land purchase option to provide additional flexibility to expand Fab 8’s footprint to support growing demand from the U.S. government and industry customers.
Saratoga County Board of Supervisors Chairman Theodore Kusnierz and Malta Town Supervisor Darren O’Connor said they were both encouraged by the announcements, which sets the stage for continued growth and expansion for GlobalFoundries in Saratoga County.
“This is a significant commitment by GlobalFoundries, which greatly reinforces the importance of Luther Forest, Malta and Saratoga County in their future expansion plans. Given the rapidly growing worldwide demand for advanced semiconductors, we are very pleased that GlobalFoundries is letting the world know that they are committed to meeting this demand, and the center of that effort will be led right here in Saratoga County,” said
Chairman Kusnierz.
GlobalFoundaries is owned by Mubadala Investment Company. For more information, go online to www.globalfoundries.com.
