SARATOGA SPRINGS – The Adirondack Trust Company Community Fund is now accepting grant applications from eligible nonprofit charities headquartered in the Saratoga, Warren and Washington County areas. The grant window is open until Aug. 31, 2021, according to Brian Straughter, Chair of the Community Fund’s Independent Advisory Committee. Grants are to be used during the 2022 calendar year. Grant information and application forms may be obtained from the ATCCF website at ATCCF.org

ATCCF was established in 2009 to build an endowment that acts as a perpetual source of funding for the broad array of nonprofit organizations that improve the quality of life in the community and to assist them in addressing issues of common concern. 

Since the inception of the Autumn of Giving Match Campaign in 2013, the Lend-A-Hand Grants program has provided more than 235 grants, totaling nearly $462,000 to local nonprofits. Grant awards have supported programs in such diverse areas as veterans outreach, STEM education, summer lunch programs, wildlife education, homelessness prevention, youth services, the arts, and more. 

To learn about past Lend-A-Hand Grant recipients, visit ATCCF.org/nonprofits

SARATOGA SPRINGS  — Cardona’s Market last week announced the acquisition of Roma Foods Importing Company. Roma Foods’ Latham and Saratoga Springs markets are anticipated to begin operating under the Cardona’s banner in June.

Cardona’s Market, which was founded by Augusto Cardona in October 1945, will continue to operate its original flagship market on Delaware Avenue in Albany. 

Roma Foods is being sold by Frank Bolognino and his brothers John, Peter and Paul, the second-generation owners of the Italian specialty market, which was founded in downtown Albany in 1946 by their father Frank D. Bolognino. 

The Roma Foods’ Latham and Saratoga Springs markets will undergo a series of renovations during the transition to Cardona’s Market. These will include the addition of Cardona’s signature hot table, featuring more than a dozen dishes which rotate daily, such as classic Italian family recipes as well as daily and seasonal specials. In addition to continuing to offer an array of fine Italian import goods, both markets will feature Cardona’s selection of restaurant-quality grab-and-go meals; artisan sandwiches and salads; homemade sauces and famous meatballs. Cardona’s also plans to add full-scale commercial kitchens to both locations to accommodate catering orders and operations. 

The Latham market, located at 9 Cobbee Road, and Saratoga Springs market, located at 222 Washington Street, will remain open during the transition. 

Cardona’s Market will retain all staff at both locations and plans to announce additional job opportunities in the coming months. 

Roma’s opened their Saratoga Springs store on Broadway in 1984 before expanding to its current location on Washington Street. 

WILTON — Cole’s Collision has opened their newest facility in Wilton. Located at 601 Maple Ave., the 14,500 square-foot facility is one of five Cole’s locations – which also includes centers in Ballston Spa, Clifton Park, Colonie, and North Greenbush.

First opened for business in January 2007 in Colonie, the family-owned business is a supporter of many local charities and community organizations. It has built its reputation on providing the highest quality repairs, and working with anything from small door dings and fender benders, to major collision work.

Within the 5 shop locations, Cole’s is certified currently by: Honda, Acura, Subaru, Tesla, Volvo, Jaguar, Land Rover, and Nissan.  The Wilton location is currently Volvo Certified and is in the beginning stages of training and equipment to be Tesla Certified, which may be completed by the end of June, said Cole’s Collision Centers General Manager Josh Jewett. 

Wilton is currently fixing 110 to 140 cars per month and is looking to increase that with added bays and paint booth. Overall, the company is currently fixing 700 to 900 cars each month. 

The manager of the Cole’s Collision Wilton location is Matt Vogt. 

Q. How long have you been in the industry? 

MV: I’ve been in the industry since I was 17 years old. I’m 39 now. And I’ve been with Cole’s Collision for about 10 years. 

Q: How many staff do you have in Wilton 

MV: We have 13. 

Q: What sort of work is done? What services do you offer? 

MV: Automobile repairs on all makes and models, as far as collision repairs. 

Q: What’s the most exotic vehicle you’ve worked on? 

MV: I would say anything from a Maserati to a ’69 Corvette. 

Q: Has the industry changed during the time you’ve worked in it? 

MV: The industry is definitely changing. Vehicles are getting more and more technologically savvy to where they require a lot more attention, and a lot more scanning and calibration with all the sensors on them. 

Q: What’s in the near future? 

MV: There are a lot of cool things coming down the pike. At this specific location we are Volvo Certified. We are soon to be Tesla Certified at this location, so we will be able to work on Teslas. 

Q: Like many industries, the training of your employees and the equipment you use have likely had to adapt and become more technologically savvy as well? 

MV: Absolutely. There is certain equipment to buy. All of our paint is waterborne, so we are helping the environment and cutting back on waste. We have the latest and greatest frame machines, and we are aluminum certified to do all aluminum repairs. And we are seeing a lot of aluminum panels, which requires a different way of repairing than back-in-the-day. There is a lot more training involved. We are I-Car Gold Class certified – which means we have all the up-to-date training necessary and in place for repairing these types of vehicles that are being built a different way now.

Q. Is there anything else that you would like to add for folks to know? 

MV: We’re certainly here for anybody that wants to stop in and get an estimate, and we work on all makes and models. 

Cole’s Collision Center of Wilton is located at 601 Maple Ave. For more information, call 518-583-1306, or go to: colescollision.com. 

Photo provided by SuperSource Media.

In our work as health insurance brokers, we have countless times run across prospects who are on Medicare health plans that are wildly inappropriate for their personal needs. When we see this, we sometimes ask the prospect how they wound up on that plan and the answer is often, “I just called some phone number on TV,” or “I just signed up for something online.” In this article, we would like to discuss the importance of working with a trusted local broker in making better Medicare decisions. 

One of the defining characteristics of working with a local broker is impartiality. With so many health plans available, a local broker with access to numerous insurers can help you cut through the noise to match you with the Medicare plan that best suits your needs. The key, however, is finding a broker that has contracts with many insurers in the marketplace and can offer access to the greatest number of options. Additionally, a good broker seeks to build relationships with clients and guides them when updating plans for changing needs. 

Clients who wish to obtain a higher level of service may also consider consulting a local health insurance broker. We not only help you find competitive pricing but are also personal advisors and advocates. We ensure that you are adequately covered and advocate for you if there is a billing or claim concern. Many people detest the impersonal experience of dialing a national 1-800 number as their only resort when they have a question or concern. However, we can assist with most inquires as a part of our ongoing relationship, offering you a higher level of service and additional layer of support. Best of all, our services are no charge to you; there are no fees for using a broker.

Given the health and financial implications of making Medicare decisions, we believe that everyone should have access to a trusted local broker who is impartial, service-oriented and supportive of your needs. To see if consulting a local health insurance broker can assist you in making better Medicare decisions, please call Bruce or Logan at Blue Chip in Saratoga at 518-584-8057 or visit our website at www.1bluechip.com. 

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Here’s something to look forward to in 2022. We will all be able to take an Amtrak train from Saratoga Springs to Burlington, VT, and back, of course. The ride itself will take a little over three hours. This will all be possible because the State of Vermont is investing in the infrastructure to extend passenger rail service from Rutland to Burlington.

According to Cathy Davis, the President of the Lake Champlain Regional Chamber, in Burlington, the late US Senator Jim Jeffords worked hard to bring resources from Washington D.C. to make this a reality. During a recent event at the Saratoga Springs train station, Cathy said: “This investment will create great opportunities for both of our regions. We both enjoy vibrant and walkabout downtowns. When connected by rail, there will be even more commerce between Saratoga and Burlington. This will allow visitors to more easily reach our destinations. I look forward to seeing Todd Shimkus hop off the train next year in Burlington.”

I also look forward to Cathy hopping off the train here in Saratoga. Our two chambers of commerce have already begun talking about what we can do to make this connection work for our hospitality sectors. One likely project will involve us putting together travel packages from Burlington to Saratoga County that Cathy and her team will promote to their members and their employees. Likewise, they will organize travel packages for Saratoga residents to visit Burlington that we will promote. 

When Cathy spoke about expanding commerce, the talk quickly turned to GlobalFoundries. The company’s headquarters is now in Malta. A significant percentage of their 3,000 employees live in Saratoga County. The company also has operations in Burlington. This means their employees here and there often travel between our two communities. This is a commute that now must be done by car.

“GlobalFoundries has semiconductor manufacturing facilities located near both Saratoga Springs, New York, and Burlington, Vermont, which will be well served by the restart of the Ethan Allen train line and extension into Burlington,” said Laurie Kelly, Vice President, Global Communications, GlobalFoundries. “We support the efforts of the Empire State Passenger Association, the Saratoga County Chamber and Lake Champlain Chamber, and are excited that our GF employees will soon have the opportunity to travel easily by passenger rail between our sites.”

Besides the work being done by the State of Vermont, we hope that the State of New York will also invest more in rail service to and from Saratoga. For instance, the extension of the Empire Service to Saratoga Springs could allow a train to be heading south from our City much earlier in the morning. 

According to the Empire State Passenger Service, a train leaving Saratoga at 7:12 a.m. would arrive in Schenectady 36 minutes later. The same train would be at the Albany/Rensselaer Train station by 8:10 a.m. That’s less than one hour to Albany. The travel time of this train is very similar to the time it takes a commuter to travel from Saratoga to Schenectady by car or bus. 

With train service already heading back to Saratoga from these two cities after 5:00 p.m., it’s possible to create a “commuter rail option” for people who live here but work in Albany, Schenectady or Troy. Given a little flexibility with schedules, we could also use passenger rail to attract talent from these three cities within our region to Saratoga. 

As now structured, Amtrak is a contract service provider for passenger rail service to the State of New York. If New York invests is willing to pay Amtrak to extend service, they are more than willing to do so. So our ability to make this happen rests with the New York State Department of Transportation. 

During our recent event to talk about expanding rail services, we were joined by Senators Daphne Jordan and Jim Tedisco as well as Assemblywoman Carrie Woerner. Each spoke positively about these two investments and the economic opportunity they represent. We look forward to working with them in the coming weeks and months as we seek to start a new dialogue with the State of New York. One that is focused on making us stronger together by connecting Troy, Albany, Schenectady, Saratoga Springs, Rutland and Burlington by passenger rail. All aboard!

Elizabeth Sobol, President and CEO of SPAC, has been named to the Board of Directors at Saratoga Arts.   

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Jeffery Altamari, Maureen Parker and Elizabeth Sobel have been named to Saratoga Arts Board of Directors.

Jeff Altamari is retired from a career in Houston, TX as a financial officer for a global oil and gas company. Previously he was employed by two multinational manufacturers as well as an international CPA firm. He has extensive experience in finance, accounting, and compliance. Since his retirement in 2015, he has served on the boards of local arts and public service organizations as well as the 2017 Saratoga Springs Charter Review Commission. He is a graduate of Cornell University. 

Maureen Parker is the Charles Schwab Independent Branch Leader in Saratoga Springs and in 2019 she was presented with their Peer Excellence Award for her support and mentorship of new Independent Branch leaders. Prior to beginning her career with Charles Schwab, Maureen obtained her advisor experience with other investment firms including Morgan Stanley, Merrill Lynch and Fidelity Investments.

Elizabeth Sobol is the President and CEO of the Saratoga Performing Arts Center, formerly President and CEO of Universal Music Classics and Managing Director of IMG Artists in North/South America. During Sobol’s nearly three-decade tenure at IMG Artists, she nurtured the careers of some of the music world’s most respected artists, including Joshua Bell, Itzhak Perlman, James Galway, Emerson String Quartet, Steve Reich, Evgeny Kissin, Hilary Hahn, Renee Fleming and Kiri Te Kanawa, among many others. She lives with her husband, Jorge Gomez, Founder & Director of the band, Tiempo Libre, and their dog, Lana.

Saratoga Arts will announce its 25th Anniversary Capital Campaign in June. Plans call for a substantial renovation of its space at 320 Broadway. For more information, go online to: www.saratoga-arts.org. 

Jessica Haag has joined Saratoga Hospital Medical Group. Photo provided.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Certified Nurse Midwife Jessica Haag recently joined Saratoga Hospital Medical Group and Saratoga OB/GYN and Midwifery at Myrtle Street. 

The growing practice uses a collaborative physician-midwife model of care that has proved to be the best approach for mothers and newborns. Studies show this collaborative model is linked to lower cesarean-section rates—an experience borne out at Saratoga Hospital, which has the lowest C-section rate in the Capital Region.

Haag spent most of her career in the Chicago area, as a midwife at Mt. Sinai Hospital in Chicago and at AMITA Health Adventist Medical Center in nearby Hinsdale, Illinois. She grew up in Saratoga County, graduated from Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake High School and received an undergraduate degree from Union College in Schenectady. Haag went on to earn a master’s degree from Yale School of Nursing, with a specialty in nurse-midwifery.

Haag is board certified by the American Midwifery Certification Board and is a member of the American College of Nurse-Midwives.

For more information, go to: saratogahospital.org. 

SOUTH GLENS FALLS ­— Noble Gas Solutions, a family-owned industrial gas and welding supply company that has been a staple in the Capital Region for more than 80 years, officially opened its newest location in South Glens Falls on Wednesday, May 5.

Located at 15 Third Street in South Glens Falls, this facility is the third storefront location for the industrial gas and welding supplier. The 6,000-square-foot area includes a retail site, offices and warehouse space to store medical, specialty, industrial and consumer gases. 

 J. David Mahoney, president of Noble Gas Solutions, said that opening this location “is a transformative step forward for the future of the company as it moves its footprint to the North Country. We’re proud to be part of such a dedicated community like South Glens Falls.”

 The newly expanded store and warehouse offer the same products that the existing Noble Gas locations provide and will be an extension of the company into the North Country of New York state. Opening a facility further north will help immensely by providing top-notch service in the region. 

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Dr. Gayle Buckley has announced her retirement and the closing of her practice, Hudson Mohawk Pediatric & Adolescent Medicine, LLC. 

Hudson Mohawk Pediatrics in Ballston Lake opened its doors in 1981, and will officially close its doors on June 1. The practice served children and adolescents from birth to 22 years of age, and had patients from approximately 1,500 families at the time of closing. Dr. Melissa Ungeheuer will be moving to Four Seasons Pediatrics and James Anderson PA will be moving to Glens Falls Pediatrics and Pediatric Associates of Saratoga. 

Dr. Buckley became board certified in 1972. She did her residency training in adult medicine, but made the switch to pediatrics because she believed she would have a greater positive impact in that branch of medicine instead. Before opening her own practice, she worked for the State of New York Maternal and Child Health Bureau, college and school health, and pediatrics at Four Winds.   

When Dr. Buckley began her career, pediatricians did everything – physical and mental health. With the development of pediatric specialists, she has seen the role of a pediatrician evolve to treat more behavioral and mental health needs. She started her own practice because she felt that was the way that she could make the most impact on families. She says that pediatrics is all about prevention, and the key is to constantly be learning to meet the needs of your families. 

“Watching these kids grow up and go out the door is satisfying,” said Dr. Buckley.

In retirement, she plans to visit her daughter, who she hasn’t been able to see in a year due to COVID, and to also get her master’s degree in public health. 

SARATOGA SPRINGS — After a 20-year-run on Caroline Street, the Children’s Museum at Saratoga will relocate to the Lincoln Bathhouse. 

“We moved here 20 years ago and have invested a lot of time and effort into maintaining the structure, so it’s a really well-taken-care-of building. We’re hoping to be able to use whatever monies comes from the proceeds of the sale to be re-invested in this next project,” said Sarah Smith, executive director at the Children’s Museum at Saratoga. 

The current building is located at 69 Caroline Street. Roohan Realty lists the 8,615 square-foot building and 25-vehicle adjacent parking lot as for sale at $2.25 million. 

The new location will be situated on two floors in the rear of the Lincoln Bathhouse. 

“We estimate construction will begin in August. We signed on with Bonacio Construction to do the work and right now our architect is finalizing the drawings,” Smith said. “It should take about one year so we’re hoping to open in May 2022.” 

The current museum location will remain open. Should the building be sold prior to the construction of the museum’s new location, programs may temporarily be held at local venues where partnerships have already been arranged, she said.