Author: Veronica Zabala

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Adirondack Trust Company has a way to help customers save money in the New Year: by using their Beyond Savings app. Launched in July 2019, the app continues to provide deals, or “perks” to customers shopping locally. 

“There’s lots of rewards programs and apps that people can use to get discounts, but we wanted one that was just with local merchants on it,” said Rob Ward, Marketing Manager at the Adirondack Trust. “And also, from a digital perspective, everybody uses their phone for just about everything these days.”

The app works by tracking its user’s location and notifying them when they’re near a business that offers a perk. Some of the perks can include a discount, or various free items with purchases. 

“It’s fun in a way that the app is actually interacting with you as you’re moving through the community, and then you’re looking to see what perk alerts come up and the value of the perk or discount that the merchant may be offering,” said Ward. “You may decide to go in and take advantage of it, or you may keep it in mind for future reference.”

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The location tracking, or geofencing technology, is what makes this app so distinguishable from others. “The geo-fencing was a critical component of selecting this app for us,” said Ward. “We wanted it to be instantaneous; you know, sometimes people plan to go use a discount, and other times, some things are spontaneous.”

Merchants who want to offer perks on the app can sign up through a form on the Adirondack Trust website, though they must sign up for at least one year and have a business account with the bank. Once approved, businesses can begin to offer perks through the app. “They have full control over what offers that they have,” said Celia Vincek, Digital Marketing Assistant at the Adirondack Trust.

The app currently has around 75 participating vendors, ranging from Glens Falls to Clifton Park. Ward stated that the bank will begin more outreach for the app in March of this year, in preparation for the Spring and Summer season. “The more value that we can add to the app in the form of perks, we feel the more valuable that it’ll be to individuals that use the app and frequent it,” he said. The app is available for free in the App Store and the Google Play Store.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Dr. Sean Boyle, a general surgeon who is fellowship-trained in surgical critical care, has joined Saratoga Hospital Medical Group – General Surgery.

Boyle was raised in the Capital Region and earned his medical degree from Albany Medical College. In 2017, with the affiliation of Albany Med and Saratoga Hospital, he became the first chief resident from the college to complete a surgical rotation at Saratoga Hospital.

In addition to providing surgical training, the rotation introduced Boyle to the advantages of practicing in Saratoga. The experience also offers opportunities for the supervising surgeons. While training future surgeons, Saratoga physicians get an advance look at promising potential colleagues like Boyle.

Two Saratoga Hospital Medical Group general surgeons—Drs. Anthony Cutry and Randall Kimball—have joined the faculty of Albany Medical College and are supervising second-year and chief residents during their rotations at Saratoga Hospital. Boyle will eventually take on this role, as well.

Boyle was in his fifth year during his training at Saratoga Hospital. He followed that with a yearlong fellowship at Albany Med.

Sean Boyle is board certified in surgery and surgical critical care. As a member of Saratoga Hospital Medical Group – General Surgery, he performs procedures at Saratoga Hospital and at Saratoga Surgery Center on the hospital’s Wilton campus. He sees patients at 1 West Ave., Saratoga Springs. To make an appointment, call 518-693-4418. For more information, go to www.saratogahospital.org.

CAPITAL REGION — The craft beverage industry has exploded across the greater Capital Region over the past decade with the opening of numerous breweries and brewpubs. A trio of local entrepreneurs is taking the movement further by bringing the craft brew party directly
to consumers. 

Craft on Wheels is a mobile bar company utilizing vintage vehicles as a platform to serve customers their favorite craft beers, ciders and wines at their celebrations. The first vehicle in the fleet is a 1957 Ford F-100 customized to serve cold beverages from a six-tap system. 

“This vehicle makes a celebration all the more memorable,” says Jim Murphy, one of three partners in the business. “People get really excited when the truck pulls up. They want their photo taken in, on and around the truck.” 

The business model is more than a truck though. Craft on Wheels provides professional bartenders and caters to a
customer’s personal taste by offering an extensive menu of craft, domestic and imported beers, as well as craft ciders. A partnership with a local winery will be announced soon. Craft on Wheels also includes a portable freestanding bar, beverage cups and other accessories in all packages. 

In addition to serving weddings, private parties and corporate events, Craft on Wheels will also make appearances at local festivals and plans to partner with catering facilities, breweries and entertainment venues to add a unique element to their special events. 

“A mobile bar offers a venue a lot of flexibility in serving more of a venue’s customers in an engaging way,” adds Connor Neal, the third co-owner. “It’s a value-added experience that makes the day truly memorable for their patrons.”

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Locally owned Family Vision Care Center celebrated its 100th anniversary on Wednesday, Jan. 8 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Friends, family and supporters in the local community filled the event to acknowledge a century of eye care. 

“This is a great community to be a small business,” said owner Susan Halstead while speaking at the ceremony. Halstead thanked the Adirondack Trust for their support, and Wally Allerdice. “He went to bat for me, and made my dream possible.” 

Attendee Todd Shimkus, President of the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce, congratulated Halstead on the accomplishment along with a representative from Senator Daphne Jordan’s office, who presented Halstead with a Certificate of Recognition from the Senator. 

The practice was first owned by Cline Zachariah Miamoto in 1920, and was located on Broadway where deJohnge Original Jewelry currently sits. Cline’s stepfather, Charles Haskins, was a jeweler, and it was common at the time for jewelers to make glasses frames out of silver and gold for eye doctors. At the time of World War II, Cline was afraid that people would not see an Asian doctor, and proceeded to change his name to Dr. Cline Z. Cline.

The next owner, Dr. William Ling, purchased the practice in 1955, and moved its location to the Arcade Building on Broadway. After a major fire, during which he was able to rescue equipment and his accounts receivable against the advice of firefighters, Dr. Ling moved the practice to a former surgeon’s office on George Street. Three years later, the practice moved to its current location on the corner of Lake Ave. and East Ave. At this location, Dr. Ling had an office built onto the home.

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In 1993, Halstead began to work for Dr. Ling as an optician, and later purchased the home and office with her husband Jeff in 1997. Since then, Halstead has renovated the practice, house and added a handicap accessibility parking lot in 2015. 

Looking towards the future, Halstead is very excited about the practice’s specialization in ortho-keratology, which helps prevent the progression of near-sightedness in children and prevent future eye disease. She also looks forward to Family Vision’s continued service to the local community. “People can go to eye care places out at the mall, but it’s not the same as here. We know everybody. We probably took care of your grandfather,” said Halstead. “It’s that kind of small town community feeling that makes us accountable as a practice, and grateful for the support of our community.”

Throughout the coming year Family Vision will partner with other small businesses in Saratoga to host monthly raffles, with prizes including Maui Jim sunglasses and a 45-minute private training session with Reform Pilates. They will also be posting weekly Throw Back Thursday videos on their social media to showcase the history of the practice. For more information on Family Vision Care Center, visit the practice’s website: www.familyvisioncarecenter.com

Saratoga Springs — Discover Saratoga is pleased to announce the hiring of Amy Sgromo and the promotion of Karen Verrigni.

Discover Saratoga welcomes Amy Sgromo, who joined the team as the Assistant Director & Sales Coordinator at the Saratoga Springs Heritage Area Visitor Center. Amy is responsible for all aspects of the Visitor Center operations and services as well as group tour and sports market sales. Previously, Amy worked as the Social Sales and Bistro Manager for the Pavilion Grand Hotel where she acquired new business for the hotel and oversaw the food and beverage for hotel functions. Amy graduated with a bachelor’s degree from LeMoyne College School of Communication and an associate degree in hospitality management from Onondaga Community College.

Discover Saratoga is pleased to announce the promotion ofKaren Verrigni to Director of Heritage Area Visitor Center, Tourism  & Event Sales. Karen started her career at Discover Saratoga as the Assistant Director & Sales Coordinator at the Visitor Center where she provided service to the Group Tour Market and assisted with all aspects of Visitor Center operations, program planning and volunteer recruitment. Karen graduated with a master’s degree in Reading, a bachelor’s degree in Physical Education and a Certificate in Hospitality & Tourism after returning to school to further pursue her passion for travel and the tourism industry. Karen has become an invaluable member of the Discover Saratoga team and we wish her much success in her new position.

“Serving approximately 40,000 visitors annually, the Visitor Center plays such a vital role in the Saratoga Springs community,” said President Darryl Leggieri. “We’re thrilled to have two seasoned employees working together to promote our destination.”

To see the rest of the staff at Discover Saratoga, visit discoversaratoga.org/the-bureau/staff.

Malta — After two successful outdoor seasons at the Malta Drive-in, the Malta Flea Market will move indoors for the winter. Monthly shows are planned for January through April at the Malta Community Center at 1 Bayberry Dr. in Malta.

“Many of the vendors and patrons at our outdoor shows have asked me about adding an indoor market,” says promoter Jim O’Connell. “We’ve partnered with the Malta Community Center to use their wonderful facility for flea markets over the long winter months. Anyone who enjoys shopping for antiques, collectibles, crafts, tools, new items and more, can enjoy treasure hunting in comfort.” 

Indoor flea markets will be held on the following Saturdays: Jan. 25, Feb. 22, Mar. 28 and Apr. 25. Hours will be from 9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Features of the Malta Indoor Flea Market include up to 65 vendors selling antiques, collectibles, crafts, artwork and more, plenty of parking, no entry fee and new and interesting items each show.

Malta Flea Market is organized by JOCO Promotions, LLC. Jim O’Connell has been a marketing professional, antiques dealer and flea market vendor for more than 20 years. For more information, visit maltaflea.com or call 518-256-4409.