SARATOGA SPRINGS – Death Wish Coffee Co., the makers of the World’s Strongest Coffee, has announced their new Tattoo Series, collaborating with nine gifted tattoo artists throughout the country to showcase their talent. This series highlights the creativity of tattoo culture, with each tattoo artist creating original artwork for Death Wish Coffee to be featured and released on limited-edition mugs and t-shirts. 

The first featured tattoo artist, Eva Jean, is from the Allentown district of Buffalo. Tattoo artist Billy Harrigan of Saratoga Springs will also be featured in the series.

Death Wish Coffee celebrates its undying love for the tattoo culture that is so intertwined with the brand and its loyal coffee drinkers. The initiative will release one exclusive design per month from now until September, where the series will culminate at Death Wish Coffee’s flagship store in Saratoga Springs. Each of these creative designs to be released showcases the unique and individual style of the artists, each interpreting the Death Wish Coffee Co. brand in their own way. The remaining tattoo artists will be announced throughout the coming months on Death Wish Coffee Co.’s website (www.deathwishcoffee.com). 

The launch of the Tattoo Series is the latest creative collaboration from Death Wish Coffee for its community of loyal fans, who flock to the brand’s highly caffeinated and boldly flavored roasts. Last week, Death Wish Coffee released “Coffee Notes,” an iconic unplugged and unscripted performance that features Lzzy Hale and Joe Hottinger from Grammy-winning hard rock band Halestorm for coffee and rock enthusiasts to enjoy. 

For more information about Death Wish Coffee Co. and the first artist in the Tattoo Series, visit www.deathwishcoffee.com/pages/tattoo-series. 

SARATOGA SPRINGS – The Hampton Inn & Suites in downtown Saratoga Springs has been sold to the DelMonte Hotel Group of Rochester. 

Mike Hoffmann, owner of Turf Hotels, a regional hotel management company based in Latham, and Frank Parillo, local real estate developer, closed the deal with DelMonte Hotel Group in December 2021; the deed was made public this month. 

Hoffmann and Parillo sold both the Hampton Inn at 25 Lake Avenue and the adjacent parking garage for an all-inclusive $28.25 million. The real estate portion alone was priced at $17.25 million. The six-story hotel features 123 guest rooms and amenities including a swimming pool, fitness center, gift shop, business center, and guest laundry. 

The hotel first opened in 2008 and has a prime location within walking distance of Broadway and less than two miles from the Saratoga Racetrack, Saratoga Casino & Raceway, and SPAC. 

DelMonte Hotel Group is a premier hotel management company that owns and operates across a multi-brand platform from in New York, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. 

DelMonte Hotel Group adds the Hampton Inn in Saratoga to its growing portfolio in the Capital Region that includes the following properties: Courtyard by Marriott Albany Thruway at 1455 Washington Ave., Albany; Fairfield Inn & Suite by Marriott Albany Airport at 168 Wolf Rd., Albany; Courtyard/Residence in Albany Airport at 277 Wolf Rd, Albany; and Courtyard by Marriott Albany Troy/Waterfront at 515 River St, Troy. 

Saratoga TODAY reached out to Turf Hotels for a comment but received no response. 

Late March, 2020, COVID-19 protocols closed all non-essential operations. We were all told to stay at home and isolate. Healthcare workers across New York State were frantically trying to save lives as people tested positive for this virus. Our pandemic journey had begun. 

The uncertainty rattled many. The stock market crashed. I was getting urgent calls, emails and text messages from so many people. There was fear in their voices as they worried about their businesses, jobs, loved ones, friends, themselves, and our community. It was difficult to stay upbeat. An email from Lisa Munter changed all of this for me. 

She sent the same email to Angelo Calbone, the President of Saratoga Hospital. “We’d like to raise funds to provide meals to hospital workers on the front lines fighting the pandemic while supporting local restaurants at the same time,” Lisa said. “We see you are both on the front lines of communication and know the latest needs. We’d like to help.”

“This is a great idea,” Angelo responded. I pledged the Chamber’s full support as well. Within a few days, FLAG Saratoga was launched. FLAG stood for “Front Line Appreciation Group.” Lisa along with Becky Kern, Laura Greenway, and Nadine Burke raised more than $40,000. 

These funds were used to purchase meals from local restaurants – who were only allowed to do take-out. This food was then delivered to local hospital workers, first-responders, and nursing home employees. FLAG Saratoga helped save local restaurants. The meals they delivered helped demonstrate how appreciative we all were in this community of the heroes on the frontline of this public health crisis.

Now nearly two years later, these four women with the help of the Saratoga Hospital Foundation and the Saratoga County Chamber have relaunched FLAG Saratoga. That’s because the pandemic is unfinished. Our local healthcare workers are still on the front lines. People are still getting this virus, being hospitalized and dying. 

“Our team has been fighting the pandemic for nearly two years, and they are exhausted,” said Toni Bishop-McWain, the Vice President and chief nursing officer at Saratoga Hospital. “Lately, some are discouraged because much of the recent sickness and death could have been prevented. Yet, as I see firsthand every day, they remain committed to taking care of each patient with skill and compassion. FLAG’s reminder that our frontline workers are valued and not alone will mean the world to them.”

This time, FLAG Saratoga is delivering wellness products and grab-and-go snacks. Once again, every effort is being made to spend every penny raised at local businesses. Many are also in a position this time to donate some of these items. Last week, we made the first deliveries to 28 different locations in Saratoga Springs, Wilton and Malta. 

Inside the baskets of goodies, the FLAG volunteers were able to include thank you notes written by local children. “Thank you. Your hard work is appreciated,” one said. “Thank you so much for everything you do,” said another. “Thank you for putting your life on the line and protecting our community from COVID,” added another. I’m told the thank you notes, snacks, hand creams, coffee, soaps, and other items were a big hit. 

The Chamber provided some funding to kickstart this relaunch. Our hope is the community will add to this fund. Donations can be for any amount. You can visit www.saratoga.org and click “Donate to FLAG Saratoga.” To learn more, please visit the FLAG of Saratoga Facebook group. Let’s demonstrate once again that we are Stronger Together and united in our support for our local healthcare heroes.

SARATOGA SPRINGS – Dr. Clarisse Kilayko recently returned to the region to join Saratoga Hospital Medical Group -– Infectious Disease. 

She brings 10 years of experience in infectious disease medicine. For five of those years, Kilayko practiced at Hudson Headwaters Health Network in Queensbury with providers who are now members of the Saratoga Hospital Infectious Disease team. 

Saratoga Hospital Medical Group -– Infectious Disease is located at 665 Saratoga Road, Wilton. For an appointment, call 518-245-8255. To learn more, go to SaratogaHospital.org.

SARATOGA SPRINGS – Espey Mfg. & Electronics Corp. has reported that after seven years of service, Patrick T. Enright Jr. has resigned from his position as President and Chief Executive Officer, effective Dec. 31, 2021. 

Enright has served as the company’s President and CEO since Feb. 2015. His service as a member of the Espey’s Board of Directors also ended on Dec. 31, 2021. The company’s statement announcing the changes in senior management did not provide a reason for his departure.

Espey appointed David A. O’Neil at its new President and Chief Executive Officer and Katrina L. Sparano as its new Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer, effective Jan. 1, 2022. O’Neil has been with the company since 2000, serving as Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer, Executive Vice President, and Interim President and CEO from June 2014 to Jan. 2015. Before her new appointment, Sparano was serving as Assistant Treasurer and Principal Accounting Officer. Sparano also served as Interim Principal Financial Officer from June 2014 to Jan. 2015. 

CAPITAL REGION – Capital Region Attorneys Myles Fischer, Daniel LeCours, and Aubrey Ohanian have been elected partners of Harris Beach PLLC, effective Jan. 1, 2022. 

Aubrey Ohanian focuses her practice in the areas of energy law and appellate practice. As a member of the firm’s Energy Industry Team, Aubrey advises clients on regulatory matters before the New York PSC, including representing transmission developers in securing Certificates of Environmental Compatibility and Public Need (CECPN) pursuant to Article VII of the Public Service Law (PSL), gas and electric corporations seeking to transfer or lease regulated assets and secure Certificates of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN), and utilities in rate case proceedings. Aubrey’s practice also includes representing renewable energy developers as they seek to secure renewable energy credits from NYSERDA. 

Daniel LeCours is an experienced litigator who handles a wide range of commercial litigation matters, arbitrations, and appeals, including class actions, antitrust, breach of contract, fraud, real property litigation, commercial landlord/tenant disputes, election law litigation, business disputes and business torts, and professional malpractice. Daniel represents clients from a wide variety of industries, including financial institutions, municipalities, real property investors and developers, insurance companies, hospitals, and other health care institutions and contractors. 

Myles Fischer guides clients through sophisticated estate planning, estate and trust administration, and tax matters. His focus includes estate, gift and generation-skipping transfer tax planning, income tax planning, and business succession planning. 

Myles, Aubrey, and Daniel all work from the Harris Beach offices in the Capital Region, located in Saratoga Springs and Albany. For more information about Harris Beach PLLC, visit harrisbeach.com. 

SARATOGA SPRINGS – Four Seasons Sotheby’s International Realty and Peerage Realty Partners announced a strategic partnership with Select Sotheby’s International Realty and Gary DiMauro Real Estate Inc. in November. The partnership will expand the company’s footprint into the mid-Hudson Valley Region and Upstate New York. 

“Orientation is underway in our Mid-Hudson Valley offices, and our marketing plan for 2022 will provide a new level of exposure and engagement for our team,” said Alan DiStasio, Chief Executive Officer of Four Seasons Sotheby’s International Realty. “We are well-positioned to take advantage of what is shaping up to be an exciting, as well as challenging, 2022 real estate market.” 

This new partnership will enhance Four Seasons Sotheby’s International Realty’s position as a leading player in the premium residential real estate market throughout Vermont, New Hampshire, and now Upstate New York, positioning it for further growth and partnership investments. Four Seasons Sotheby’s International Realty will now have over 300 agents – 48 employees in 23 offices across those three states. Four Seasons Sotheby’s International Realty’s sales were projected to exceed $2.3 billion in residential real estate in 2021.

The company will continue to be led by CEO and Partner Alan DiStasio and President and Partner Laurie Mercier-Brochu. Dan Collins and Lou Izzo from Select Sotheby’s International Realty and Gary DiMauro from Gary DiMarou Real Estate will continue with the company as EVPs, Partners, and Brokers. Andrea Demoracski from Select Sotheby’s International Realty will serve as VP, Regional Manager for the Upstate New York region. 

SARATOGA COUNTY – Brighten up your day with a bouquet of flowers that gives back in the local community. CCE Saratoga County’s Farm to School Program has been selected by local Hannaford store leadership as the benefiting non-profit in the brand-new Hannaford Bloomin’ 4 Good Program for the month of January. 

The Hannaford Bloomin’ 4 Good Program is an easy way for shoppers to give back as part of the regular shopping routine. Every $12 Bloomin’ 4 Good Bouquet with the red circle sticker sold supports a non-profit local to the Hannaford in which it was purchased. 

As part of this ongoing program, every month at every Hannaford location a different local non-profit is selected to benefit from the sale of the Bloomin’ 4 Good Bouquet. CCE Saratoga County’s Farm to School Program was selected as the January beneficiary by local store leadership at the Hannaford location at 43 Round Lake Road, Ballston Lake. CCE Saratoga County’s Farm to School Program will receive a $1 donation for every $12 Bloomin’ 4 Good Bouquet purchased at this Hannaford location in January. 

For more information about the Hannaford Bloomin’ 4 Good Program, visit hannaford.bags4mycause.com. 

CLIFTON PARK — Holistic Wealth Advisors (HWA), a Clifton Park-based wealth management practice, has announced that financial advisors Lakshmi Nagarajan has earned her Certified Financial Planner™ designation from the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards. 

Lakshmi Nagarajan joined HWA in 2011 as a Financial Advisor, after a decade-long career at Genworth Financial Securities leading their Broker Dealer Operations team. She brought her passion for partnering with clients to provide the intelligent advice needed for holistic financial decisions, supporting clients’ entire financial picture with plan-based, objective guidance. 

The CFP® marks identify those individuals who have met the rigorous experience and ethical requirements of the CFP® Board, have successfully completed financial planning coursework, and have passed the CFP® Certification Examination covering the following areas: the financial planning process, risk management, investments, tax planning and management, retirement and employee benefits, and estate planning. CFP® professionals also agree to meet ongoing continuing education requirements and to uphold CFP® Board’s Code of Ethics and Professional Responsibility, Rules of Conduct, and Financial Planning Practice Standards. 

“People are busier than ever and need someone who can thoughtfully help them navigate their entire financial picture,” noted Nagarajan, regarding her pursuit and attainment of the CFP® designation. “Marrying financial planning, estate planning, taxes, retirement planning, risk management, and investment planning enable us to provide our clients with a holistic plan which allows them to be empowered and educated regarding their financial wellbeing. The CFP® designation, which focuses heavily on fiduciary responsibility, requires a deep dive into this subject matter, and allows me to serve clients in a more robust manner.” 

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Fingerpaint, biopharma’s global commercialization partner for analytics-enabled integrated solutions, has announced the appointment of Bill McEllen as Global President, effective immediately. 

McEllen, a 30-year industry veteran, will be responsible for overseeing the company’s integrated business units, including 1798, Leaderboard Branding, Engage, MedThink, and Fingerpaint Marketing, as well as its more than 700 worldwide employees. 

A Fingerpaint partner, McEllen will continue to build on the exponential year-over-year growth the company has experienced, set in motion by Fingerpaint founder, Ed Mitzen, who will serve as Fingerpaint’s Chairman and CEO. This move will allow Mitzen to continue focusing on growing the company’s capabilities through acquisitions. 

Mark Willmann, who serves on Fingerpaint’s executive leadership team, was promoted to head of Fingerpaint Marketing, which has physical locations in Arizona, New Jersey, Northern California, and Pennsylvania, in addition to its Saratoga Springs headquarters. Tracy Blackwell was promoted to head of Fingerpaint Marketing’s Cedar Knolls office, a position previously held by Willmann.