MALTA — A former call center for State Farm insurance will be auctioned March 23-25 on the Ten-X Commercial website. The two-story, 124,171 square-foot building at 101 State Farm Place in Malta has been sitting empty for about two years in Saratoga County. The property is located off Exit 12 of the Interstate 87 Northway near the Hyatt Place Hotel. The building is located on 25 acres, has nearly 500 parking spaces and is fully ADA compliant. The starting bid is $600,000.

BALLSTON SPA — Lisa M. Licata with Sterling Homes, Inc. has been awarded the prestigious Certified Real Estate Brokerage Manager (CRB) designation, the premier brokerage management credential in the industry. Licata joins an elite group of real estate professionals from around the world who have earned this designation. There are 48 individuals in New York state with it and Licata is the third in the Capital District area. She is also a part of the Broker/Owner/Manager Council of GCAR, Greater Capital Association of REALTORS.

Licata was hired as the Director of Sales & Marketing for Sterling Homes, Inc. in February of 2019.  She adds the CRB designation to her title, in addition to her Certified Buyer Representative and Seller Representative Specialist designations. Licata continues to further her education in an ongoing effort to train and educate her team.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — In an email sent to Skidmore College students and faculty on Feb. 18, President Philip Glotzbach announced that the start of construction on the new Athletics Facilities will be paused. The email cited comments made from community members concerning environmental and financial sustainability, as well as the future of the campus’ Greenberg Child Care Center (GCCC), as responsible for the update. 

The email, however, comes as a bit of a shock as the President had recently sent a six page memo describing the decision and why the concerns, while justified, did not outweigh the need for the new facility. 

The Athletics Facilities project, as it is referred to by the President and his office, comes from the 2007 Campus Plan, and, according to the memo, planning for it has been underway since 2010. The Athletics Council was notified last spring of new proposals, and approved plans were described at Community Meetings on October 29, 2019 and at an Open Forum on November 25, 2019 

However, the President also acknowledges that there could have been more done last spring to “inform and involve” the IPPC. 

In the initial memo, the President writes that “Over the coming years, we will encounter increasingly fierce competition for the students we need to enroll to maintain our financial sustainability.” He claims that this project will increase the college’s appeal to “a broad range of potential applicants.” 

Continuing comments were discussed at an IPPC meeting on Fri., Feb. 14, after which it was decided to pause construction in order to further address and consider concerns.

In the most recent email, Glotzbach urges students and concerned community members to attend an Open Forum that will take place at 3:30 p.m. on Thurs., March 5 in Gannett Auditorium. There will also be community meetings at both 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Tues., March 3 on the second floor of the Murray-Aikins Dining Hall.

Skidmore’s Student Affairs has also scheduled their own opportunities for students to either learn more about the facility or raise their complaints. These, however, will be announced at another time.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Saratoga Hospital has appointed three new board members effective Jan. 1: David J. Collins of D.A. Collins Construction Company, Kari Cushing of Franklin Community Center and Elizabeth Wood of Shenendehowa Central School District.

Collins, of Greenfield, is president and CEO of D.A. Collins Construction Company. An industry leader, he chairs the board of trustees of Rebuild New York Now and serves on the boards of Associated General Contractors, Empire State Highway Contractors Association and the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce. He is a member of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation board and the advisory board of Leadership Saratoga.

Cushing, of Ballston Spa, is executive director of Franklin Community Center. During her tenure, the center has added and expanded programs and tripled the number of people served. A graduate of Leadership Saratoga, Cushing has been named a Woman of Influence by Saratoga Today and been recognized for her community service by the Saratoga Springs Rotary Education Foundation. She serves on the supervisory committee of Saratoga’s Community Federal Credit Union.

Wood, of Ballston Spa, is deputy superintendent of Shenendehowa Central School District. She has more than two decades of experience as an educator and administrator. Wood holds leadership roles in the New York State Association of Women in Administration and served on the board of the Chamber of Southern Saratoga County. She is the 2019 recipient of the Excellence in District Administrative Leadership Award from Capital Area School Development Association. She has a doctorate in education leadership from Sage Graduate College.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Interactive Media Consulting, LLC, (IMC) a Saratoga Springs based consulting company, is pleased to announce the addition of Jenna Saccocio as Graphic Designer. Jenna joins IMC with experience in digital design and marketing as well as extensive print design. She is proficient in the Adobe Creative Suite. She has her B.S. in Computer Art from SUNY Oneonta.

“Jenna brings a sophisticated design level to all our web and print projects, challenging the status quo, and providing both digital and print design pieces that have exceeded clients’ expectations,” said Beth Moeller, Owner of Interactive Media Consulting, LLC. Jenna Saccocio, added “I’m looking forward to designing with IMC and hope to bring a fresh and modern approach to their current and upcoming projects.”

Since 1996, Interactive Media Consulting, LLC, has provided digital marketing, print design, and branding services to organizations, both large and small, throughout the Northeastern United States. For more information about IMC’s expanded services and capabilities, visit their website at http://www.imediaconsult.com. You can reach Jenna at jenna@imediaconsult.com or Beth at beth@imediaconsult.com.

CAPITAL REGION — Fenimore Asset Management, an independent, Capital Region-based investment advisory firm and manager of the FAM Funds family of mutual funds, announces that nationally recognized investment industry leader, author, and consultant Fran Skinner has joined its Board of Directors.

Skinner is a partner and co-founder of AUM Partners, LLC, an Illinois-based leadership and talent development firm. She has more than 30 years of experience in leadership and consulting positions in the investment industry with Mellon Bank, Allstate Investments, Focus Consulting, and Diamond Hill Capital. She is co-author of the book, High Performing Investment Teams, and frequently serves as a keynote speaker and workshop presenter for some of the world’s leading businesses and organizations, including Barron’s and Morgan Stanley.

For more about Fenimore Asset Management  visit www.famfunds.com.

SARATOGA SPRINGS —Roohan Realty is thrilled to announce that Carol Raike has joined the team as a Licensed Associate Broker.

Raike has been in the real estate industry for the past 17 years, a consistent multi-million dollar producer, and ranked among the top 100 Realtors® in the Capital District. Her many honors include being recognized by The Women’s Council of Realtors® as a top producer.  In addition, Raike is trained in relocation practices and ethical standards. She is a member of the Greater Capital District Association of Realtors® (GCAR) and the National Association of Realtors® (NAR).

Raike is a board member for Catholic Charities of Saratoga, Warren & Washington Counties. She is also a dedicated volunteer for The Lucky Puppy Dog & Rescue Kennel in Argyle.

Raike and her husband Larry have been residents in the Town of Malta for 19 years. They have been married for over 35 years with three children and four grandchildren. 

Raike can be reached at 518-791-2728 or carol@roohanrealty.com. Like her Facebook page@ Carol Raike- Licensed Associate Broker with Roohan Realty  @carolraikerealtor. Follow on Instagram @carolmccaberaike.

Longfellows Restaurant is hosting The 20th Anniversary Longfellows Wedding Show on Sunday, February 23 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Longfellows, with its elegantly rustic décor, provides a distinctive setting for this one-of-a-kind wedding show. This year marks the 20th year that Longfellows has showcased their venue to engaged couples and they are celebrating with elaborate food displays and tastings, a champagne toast and proclamation read by Mayor Meg Kelly of Saratoga Springs, and an exciting variety of door prizes and giveaways. Entertainer Garland Nelson will be performing live at the event. As always, admission is complimentary.

In combination with the 20th Anniversary Year, Longfellows is offering two additional ways to celebrate their milestone year. Engaged couples can take advantage of a pre-show Wedding Workshop Breakfast at the Inn at Longfellows, where they can enjoy a sumptuous breakfast buffet while listening to a sequence of ten minute talks on how to choose your caterer/venue, rental company, photographer, DJ and florist offered by the industry professionals themselves. In addition, Longfellows is offering a 20th Anniversary Overnight Package that includes a standard room in the Inn at Longfellows, $50 toward dinner for two at Longfellows Restaurant and the pre-show Wedding Workshop Breakfast for a package price. Reservations for both events are required and can be made by calling 518-406-0505.

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The list of Longfellows Wedding Show 2020 Vendors includes the following: All Occasions Limousine; Ambiance Floral & Events; Autumn Wright Hair & Make-up; Bed, Bath & Beyond; Belmonte & Son Tents and Events; Blue Rose Cheesecake and Bakeshop; Butter and Sugar Company; Capital Region Ceremonies; Carol’s Confections; The Chocolate Spoon; Conway Entertainment; Cruise Planners of Upstate NY; DeMaranville Farm and Gardens; DJ Joe Mazzuca; Drabek Homes at Keller Williams Capital District; Dr. Rachel Hargraves; Dtrembs Designs; Erin Malcolm Photography; Fairytale Florist; Fyvie Films; Garland Nelson-Soul Session Edu-tainment, Inc.; Jos A Bank; Linda Conley Photography; Mary Kay Inc.; Mr. Formal Wear; Music Man Entertainment; Oh Goodness Cakes; On The Go Concierge & Events; Paul Saunders Photography; The Registry at Boscov’s; Saratoga Olive Oil Company; Saratoga Sound DJ; Saratoga Tents and Events; Spa City Brew Bus; Fun Booth; Sweets for You Candy; Upstate Transit of Saratoga; Viscosi Photography; We Do Fondue-Chocolate/Beverage Fountain Rentals; Whimsical White Fox and Longfellows Restaurant, among others. 

A Wedding Shower for up to 25 guests, courtesy of Longfellows Restaurant, will be given away as a Grand Prize. A second Grand Prize Package will be offered including a $250 Gift Certificate from Belmonte & Son Tents and Events, a One-hour Couple’s Location Photo Session with files and one 11”x14” print from Viscosi Photography, a $250 Gift Certificate for your dj from DJ Joe Mazzuca, and a $250 Gift Certificate for flowers from Fairytale Florist. 

Again featured this year is the Tasting Room at the Longfellows Wedding Show. Engaged couples will be invited to taste a variety of confections provided by show vendors and vote for the “Best Confection of the 20th Anniversary Longfellows Wedding Show.” The winning confectioner will win a $50 prize. Confectioners include Blue Rose Cheesecake and Bakeshop, Butter and Sugar Company, Carol’s Confections, Oh Goodness Cakes, Sweets for You Candy and The Chocolate Spoon.

Sponsors of the 2020 show include Saratoga Today and B95.5FM. Engaged couples can register for the show at longfellowsweddingshow.com/ or by calling 518-406-0505.

SaratogaBride.com is relaunching! 

The bridal website, owned by Saratoga Publishing, is the place to go for anyone in the wedding planning process. Whether you’re thinking about engagement, recently engaged, or have been planning your wedding for awhile, there’s something for every bride and groom.

The website follows the Saratoga Bride magazine, and along with being a digital companion to each issue, can offer more information and perspectives at regularly updated intervals. It also signifies the expanding market of the Saratoga Bride brand from south of Albany, up to Plattsburgh, and into eastern Vermont.

The Saratoga Bride website offers a variety of advice, ideas, and information to couples at any stage. Website articles range from how to know if your significant other is “the one,” how to plan a great proposal, and how to choose the perfect barn-wedding venue. 

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The website’s new look and design is thanks to Mike Nelson, who co-owns SaratogaBride.com with Saratoga Publishing owner Chad Beatty. “Our number one goal is to be the best resource in the region to brides,” said Nelson. “We’re very excited about this relaunch, and think it’s a great tool and resource for anyone in the stages of engagement and wedding planning.”

Beatty also expressed his enthusiasm for the website. “I am very excited to offer a bridal website that matches the quality and visual appeal of our award winning Saratoga Bride magazine,” he said. “The partnership with Mike is a win/win for everyone involved. Mike has the technical expertise and skillset to deliver an exceptional online product. We have the name recognition, content and background, and the readers now have a high-end bridal website for all of their wedding planning.”

“With Mike at the helm of SaratogaBride.com, and Chris Bushee [Managing Editor at Saratoga Publishing] at the helm of Saratoga Bride magazine, I can’t think of a better team to deliver exceptional bridal products to the upstate region,” said Beatty. 

For more information, check out SaratogaBride.com, and be on the lookout for the next issue of Saratoga Bride magazine, out Feb. 21. 

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Herzog Law Firm, P.C., is pleased to announce the addition of Daniel S. Glaser, Esq. to head its growing real estate division. In addition to Glaser, the firm has also expanded its local footprint by opening a new office in Clifton Park. The office, coupled with Herzog’s other locations in Albany, Saratoga Springs, and Kingston, will help Herzog continue to grow its Estate Planning, Elder Law and Real Estate Practice throughout the Capital Region, North Country, and Hudson Valley.

Glaser spent the past 11 years building and managing his own law firm. Glaser concentrates his practice in residential and commercial real estate representing buyers, seller, and lenders while also handling title insurance. He is a member of the New York State Bar Association and the Real Property Section of the New York State Bar Association. 

Herzog Law Firm P.C., which has been providing legal services since 1946, has been dedicated to providing clients with custom legal advice and counsel. The firm primarily focuses on Estate Planning, Elder Law/Medicaid Planning, Estate Administration, Tax Planning and Real Estate. Over the last several years, it has turned its attention to other  supporting areas such as Matrimonial Law, Corporate Law, and Litigation as additional ways to give its clients a superior level of knowledge and service.