SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Adirondack Trust Company has secured a 5-Star rating from BAUERFINANCIAL, the Nation’s Premier Bank Rating Firm. A five-star rating indicates the bank excels in areas of capital adequacy, profitability, asset quality and much more. Earning and maintaining this top rating for 57 consecutive quarters puts Adirondack Trust in the most prestigious bracket as an Exceptional Performance Bank.

“The Adirondack Trust Company is proof that some banks are able to thrive even in the face of substantial adversity,” BAUERFINANCIAL President Karen Dorway said, in a statement. “We know the secret. As your local, community bank, The Adirondack Trust Company has a deep understanding of the needs and conditions of this area, perhaps better than anyone.”

The Adirondack Trust Company is an independent, locally owned and operated, community bank offering a wide variety of business and personal financial services. The bank has more than $1 billion in assets and 13 branch offices. The bank offers banking, trust, insurance, and wealth management services, and originates real estate mortgages, both residential and commercial, and commercial business loans throughout its primary market area. The bank’s website is AdirondackTrust.com.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Dr. Sidharth Jogani has joined Saratoga Hospital Medical Group – Pulmonology and Sleep Medicine. He specializes in treating breathing-related conditions and providing inpatient critical care.

Demand for pulmonologists, or lung doctors, has long been on the rise due, in part, to a growing senior population. The need has become even greater during the pandemic because COVID-19 is a serious lung disease.

Jogani comes to Saratoga Hospital from Northwest Medical Center in Bentonville, Arkansas. After earning a medical degree from Rural Medical College of Pravara Medical Trust in India, he completed an internship and residency at SUNY Upstate Medical University in Syracuse and a fellowship at Albany Medical Center. Jogani is board certified in internal medicine with subspecialty certifications in critical care medicine and pulmonary disease.

 He sees patients at 19 West Avenue in Saratoga Springs and at Saratoga Medical Park at Malta. For an appointment, call 518-693-4635. To learn more, go to www.saratogahospital.org.

Glens Falls — Seeley Office Systems hired Ashtin Givens as a Business Development Specialist.

Givens brings with her nearly six years of experience in business development and client management. She has worked in many different industries and has helped support organizations both big and small. Givens holds a B.S. in Human Development & Family Relations from SUNY Plattsburgh. During that time, Givens was heavily involved in community involvement and engagement.

In her roles prior to joining Seeley Office Systems, Givens was responsible for cultivating new business relationships in the greater Capital Region. Her focus on brand awareness and her ability to create meaningful partnerships have contributed to her successes throughout her career. For more information go to: www.seeleyoffice.com.

ALBANY — The Bernard & Millie Duker Children’s Hospital at Albany Med received a donation of approximately $30,000 from Dunkin’ via a recent Iced Coffee Day campaign. 

During the one-day event on August 26, Dunkin’ franchisees donated $1 from every cup of Iced Coffee sold at participating Dunkin’ restaurants to the children’s hospital. Since its inception in 2012, Iced Coffee Day has now generated more than $275,000 for the Bernard & Millie Duker Children’s Hospital at Albany Med. 

The Bernard & Millie Duker Children’s Hospital at Albany Med is a 125-bed facility devoted exclusively to the medical needs of infants, children and adolescents and is the referral center for all seriously ill and injured children from 25 counties in upstate New York and western New England.  It is staffed by 140 physicians trained in 40 subspecialties and more than 400 pediatric nurses, therapists, social workers and child life specialists.

SARATOGA SPRINGS – The Academy for Lifelong Learning is the recipient of a $3,500 grant from the Stewart’s/Dake Family. The funds will be used to convert in-person educational classes and social activities to virtual offerings through Zoom.

“In March, we were forced to cancel our spring term eliminating 32 classes for retired seniors in our community. We took a hit financially and fundraising came to a halt,” Executive Director, Jeff Shinaman, said in a statement. “Thankfully, this grant is allowing us to purchase Zoom licenses and training for our volunteer study group leaders as we continue to inform and educate our 500 members.”

Twenty classes, most by Zoom, are currently offered during the Academy’s fall semester and continue through early November. A first-ever winter term is also being planned to start Jan. 11 with registration in November. A spring term will begin in early April. Annual membership through June 30, 2021 is $65. Eight-week classes are offered at $50 and four-week classes are $25.

Founded in 1992, the Academy is a nonprofit, membership organization whose members share a love of learning. For more information, contact the Academy office at 518-587-2100 ext. 2390 or go to www.esc.edu/all.

The Empire State Development announced last week that Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) recipients are now eligible to receive low-interest loans from the New York Forward Loan Fund (NYFLF). 

This conditional change will provide the Fund’s network of lenders and financial institutions with greater flexibility and enable them to provide more small businesses with working capital to cover expenses associated with reopening. 

“The coronavirus pandemic was an unprecedented challenge to the state’s business community, of which 98% are small businesses,” ESD Acting Commissioner, and President and CEO-delegate Eric Gertler said in a statement. “Providing assistance and opportunity – particularly to our state’s minority- and women-owned businesses – to help them reopen is essential toward revitalizing our economy and building New York back better.” 

When the NYFLF launched in May, the goal was to help small businesses that did not receive PPP funding with flexible working capital to reopen and adapt to post-COVID needs. Companies with 20 employees or less make up 90% of New York’s business community, and it was critical to provide a funding lifeline to those businesses shut out of federal assistance.   

However, some NYFLF applicants who needed assistance were deemed ineligible because they had already received PPP funds. 

NYFLF Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) have begun contacting previously ineligible applicants to determine if they are still interested in funding and begin the underwriting process. This is limited to small businesses who received $50,000 or less in PPP assistance. The fund is prepared to process the new applications from this change while also working with existing applicants. Small business who did not receive any federal assistance are still eligible and encouraged to apply. Additionally, the program goal of providing at least 60% of loans to Minority- and Women-Owned Business Enterprises (MWBEs) remains, and that goal will not change due to the newly expanded eligibility. 

Eligible small businesses and small residential landlords can apply for a 60-month, no-fee loan with a 3% fixed interest rate; while eligible non-profits can apply for a 60-month, no-fee loan at 2% fixed interest. The maximum loan amount is $100,000. Loan funds can be used for working capital including payroll, operating and emergency maintenance, property taxes, utilities and costs associated with refitting physical space to follow social distancing guidelines. More information is available online at nyloanfund.com. 

For more information on Regional Councils and Empire State Development, go to: www.regionalcouncils.ny.gov and www.esd.ny.gov. 

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Franklin Community Center is honored to have the support of Stewart’s Shops and The Dake Family a fund of The Community Foundation for the Greater Capital Region. Franklin Community Center is the recipient of a $6,000 grant that will be used to modify the reception area in order to accommodate new COVID-19 safety protocols.

“When the pandemic hit we were forced to close our office down to the public at the exact moment when our services were needed most.” states Executive Director, Kari Cushing. “Fortunately, the weather at that time of year allowed us to continue serving our less fortunate neighbors safely.” 

With the winter months quickly approaching and the requests for food only growing, the need to open the doors is getting closer and closer.  “With this generous grant from Stewart’s Shops and The Dake Family we will be able to reconstruct our reception area to comply with social distancing requirements and keep our clients, volunteers and staff safe and healthy” said Board President, Jason Lynch.

The generosity and compassion Stewart’s Shops and The Dake Family have shown this community over the years is truly unparalleled. The strong moral compass and commitment to the community from which their company has been built upon speaks volumes to the character of the Dake family. 

Franklin will continue to work hard to meet the needs as they change and exist in the community. For more information on the programs and services of Franklin Community Center please visit the website: www.franklincommunitycenter.org 

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Dr. Catelyn Halusic-Smith has joined Saratoga OB/GYN, the obstetrics-gynecology practice that is part of Saratoga Hospital Medical Group.

She is the latest addition to a growing team of physicians, certified nurse-midwives and nurse practitioners who provide comprehensive women’s health services to patients from adolescence through the post-menopause years. Along with Saratoga Hospital Medical Group – Midwifery & Women’s Health services, Saratoga OB/GYN supports Saratoga Hospital’s collaborative physician-midwife childbirth care model.

 “Dr. Halusic-Smith shares our commitment to patient-centered care and our fundamental belief that we can make a difference, one patient at a time,” said Dr. Amos Cutler, chair, Saratoga Hospital OB/GYN Department. “She is an excellent addition to a practice that has long been at the forefront of women’s health services in our region.”

Saratoga OB/GYN has been meeting women’s healthcare needs for 40 years, adding services and providers to keep pace with a growing community. Four physicians have joined Saratoga OB/GYN since 2018. Two practice members recently earned accreditation as Surgeons of Excellence in Minimally Invasive Gynecology, earning Saratoga Hospital the distinction of being Northeastern New York’s only Center of Excellence in that specialty.

Halusic-Smith earned her Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine from New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine in Westbury, New York. She completed a residency in obstetrics and gynecology at Mount Sinai South Nassau in Oceanside, New York.

Halusic-Smith sees patients in Saratoga Springs and Malta. For an appointment, call 518-587-2400. To learn more, go to www.saratogaobgyn.org.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — In the interest of keeping the community safe, including pets, Wellspring is hosting their annual Pooch Parade virtually this year, on Oct. 16, 17, and 18.

This annual event raises awareness and funds for Wellspring’s Safe Pet Partnership Program, which assists victims of domestic violence by providing safe, temporary placement of family pets through a network of volunteer pet “foster homes” while our clients transition to safe housing. 

Abusers often use the love victims have for their pets as a control tactic, or even directly abuse the pets. Sometimes, victims of domestic violence will stay in an abusive situation out of fear of what might happen to their pets if they leave them behind. 

This year, instead of gathering to parade around Congress Park we are inviting community members and their pooches to register online with Wellspring and then plan a walk around their neighborhood, park, home on October 16, 17, or 18. For more information about how this year’s event will work and to register please visit www.wellspringcares.org/pooch-parade. 

Wellspring sends a big thank you to this year’s presenting sponsor, Benson’s Pet Center and honorary sponsor Adirondack Veterinary Clinic for supporting Wellspring’s 2020 Virtual Pooch Parade.

All donations made by participants in the Pooch Parade during registration directly benefit Wellspring’s programs and services. Participants can also register by mailing a check, made out to Wellspring, to their address at 480 Broadway LL20 Saratoga Springs, NY 12866. 

GLENS FALLS — Adirondack Health Institute’s (AHI) Clear the Air in the Southern Adirondacks (CASA) program has endorsed a nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) initiative coordinated by the NYS Smokers’ Quitline. Up to three months of free nicotine gum have been made available through the Quitline, while supplies last, for those seeking help quitting smoking or vaping. Smokers and vapers can apply by calling 1-866-NY-QUITS (1-866-697-8487) or visiting www.nysmokefree.com.

“We strongly encourage all those who hear about this offer to spread the word to family and friends who smoke or vape,” said Kelly Owens, Manager, Clear the Air in the Southern Adirondacks, Adirondack Health Institute.

In addition to the free nicotine gum, the Clear the Air in the Southern Adirondacks team shares that the NYS Smokers’ Quitline has Quit Coaches available seven days per week beginning at 9:00 a.m. “The Quitline’s Quit Coaches work with all types of traditional tobacco and vape product users by developing personalized quit plans to navigate the behavioral and psychological aspects of nicotine dependence,” explained Owens. “Health care professionals can also connect to the Quitline’s Patient Referral Program by visiting nysmokefree.com/HealthcareProviders/ReferralPrograms as a supplement to visits and follow-ups with their nicotine-dependent patients.”