SARATOGA SPRINGS — Saratoga Hospital has promoted Sarah Bunzey of Hadley to Director of Women’s Health Services. She has worked at the hospital since 2004, most recently as a clinical coordinator in women’s health services. 

For Bunzey, the promotion is the next step in the realization of a childhood goal. She has known since her teenage years that she wanted to be a perinatal nurse, caring for women during pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum. 

She began her Saratoga Hospital career as a hospice nurse on a medical/surgical floor. Two years later, Bunzey joined women’s health services as a labor and delivery nurse. She has worked in perinatal nursing ever since. 

SCHENCTADY — As a way of giving back during the holiday season, Mohawk Honda has announced “12 Days of Giving,” a campaign designed to donate a combined $60,000 to 12 charities throughout the Capital Region. Community members are asked to nominate local organizations they support to be entered into the contest. 

The Mohawk Family will present a check to each finalist between Dec. 13-24. The finalists will be featured on Mohawk Honda’s social media pages. Each nonprofit will receive $5,000. 

Community members can nominate local charities on Mohawk Honda’s Facebook page. Nominations are being accepted Nov. 29 through Dec. 10. 

MOREAU — Cerrone Builders has submitted a proposal to build a cannabis growing and processing facility in the Moreau Industrial Park. 

According to documents filed with the Town of Moreau Planning Board, the facility will be a single story, 30,000 sq. ft. light manufacturing building on an undeveloped 2.7 acres of land at 2-6 Corporate Place within the Moreau Industrial Park. 

Construction is estimated to take 8-12 months if approved, and the estimated value of the project upon completion is $4 million. 

Moreau Industrial Park was not the first choice. Back in August, Cerrone Builders presented a proposal to the Planning Board to build the cannabis facility across from their headquarters at 1589 Route 9 in South Glens Falls. The Planning Board raised concerns regarding that location, and the proposal was tabled until now that they have picked a new site. 

Joseph Dannible, a senior Landscape Architect and partner with Environmental Design Partnership who has been overseeing the project, told the Planning Board in August that a Massachusetts-based cannabis company is the potential tenant, but the company’s name has not been released. 

Saratoga TODAY reached out to Cerrone Builders and the Town of Moreau for a comment but didn’t receive a response. 

{loadmoduleid 268}

BALLSTON SPA — Labels To Last celebrated their launch with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Nov. 17 at the Name Bubbles headquarters in Ballston Spa.

Name Bubbles is an award-winning brand specializing in custom waterproof children’s labels. On Nov. 17 they celebrated the launch of a new division in their company specializing in custom, everyday labels for older adults – Labels To Last.

Senator Jim Tedisco was in attendance to award Michelle Brandriss, Founder and President, with a citation for business achievement, along with Milton Town Supervisor, Benny L. Zlotnick, Jr., who thanked her for contributing to the town’s economy with her business. 

Brandriss started the company in 2009, and when the pandemic hit she began searching for ways she could diversify the business, and Labels To Last was born. 

Labels to Last was created to provide a high-quality label solution for those in retirement homes/communities, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and other senior care. Labeling apparel and other belongings can help seniors keep track of their items and avoid lost or stolen goods. 

The company’s sales are nationwide, and Brandriss announced that Name Bubbles/Labels To Last will be expanding to Colorado for easier and faster shipping to states in the Midwest and on the West Coast, hopefully by the spring of 2022. Roughly 10% of Name Bubbles sales are local. 

To purchase the durable, waterproof press-and-stick or iron-on labels from Labels To Last or Name Bubbles, visit their websites at labelstolast.com or namebubbles.com. 

SARATOGA SPRINGS – Death Wish Coffee Co., the makers of the World’s Strongest Coffee, has announced the launch of Caffeine Critters, the brand’s first rendition of trading cards inspired by the reviews of Death Wish products from the brand’s wildly caffeinated fans. 

Immortalizing the craziest and funniest reviews from their fans, Death Wish Coffee Co. is bringing real feedback left by real consumers to life through the artwork of Spinning Yarn Illustration Company. The artwork embodies everything from a skeleton riding the morning coffee wave to a unicorn over the ready-to-drink latte, keeping the brand’s playful spirit alive. The initial launch will feature three new playing cards with names, photos, and reviews from some of the brand’s biggest supporters, recognizing those who drink the extra cup of Death Wish Coffee. 

All consumers who purchase any of the core coffee products on Nov. 18, including the Dark and Medium roasts, will receive one pack of Caffeine Critters trading cards with their purchase, while supplies last. 

“We’re excited to dive into the nostalgia of trading cards for our devoted Death Wish Coffee drinkers,” said Mike Pilkington, President of Death Wish Coffee Co. “Caffeine Critters is the perfect way to celebrate our die-hard fans and show our appreciation for them leaving such creative reviews on products they love so much.” 

The launch of Caffeine Critters is the latest in Death Wish Coffee’s celebrations of its community of loyal fans, who flock to the brand’s highly caffeinated and boldly flavored roasts and ready-to-drink lattes. Additionally, on Black Friday, Nov. 26, Death Wish Coffee will offer 30% off all bagged coffee with mug giveaways and ongoing merch deals.

For more information about Death Wish Coffee Co. and Caffeine Critters, visit www.deathwishcoffee.com. 

My wife turned to me and said, “I wouldn’t know what to do if you died.” I had just gotten off the phone with my father who was simultaneously mourning the sudden loss of his brother and trying to sort out his finances. Talk about a wakeup call. As a financial professional, I’d like to think that I’m ahead of the game regarding this sort of stuff, but her comment made me realize I could do better. I handle the family finances and as a result, had inadvertently left her in the dark as to what would happen in the worst sort of circumstances. Let’s examine a few simple things you can do to prepare your loved ones.

The first financial question that arises when someone passes is “ok, what did they have going on?” Accounts, passwords, investments, debts, real estate, beneficiaries, the list goes on. This burden of data gathering will often fall to an executor named in your will. If there is no clear instruction or executor for an estate, the presiding court will determine a willing individual. Think about this for a second. If you suddenly leave this Earth, someone who you care about will have to deal with the emotional stress of losing you and the mental stress of getting your affairs in order. An organized list of financial accounts, updated annually, can greatly decrease this burden.

Do you have an estate plan? According to a survey by Caring.com, 2/3 of adults in this country do not currently have a will. I get it – it is not the most fun thing in the world to think about and it costs money, so it is easy to push to the back burner. The alternative is not great. Anything with a beneficiary designation like a life insurance policy is cut and dried – everything else is up for debate and probate courts and attorneys may spend a good amount of their time (and your money) to figure out who gets what. Speaking of beneficiary designations, are yours up to date? It is not a great look when an ex-husband gets a life insurance payout after his former spouse has remarried. Again, an annual review of this is recommended.

An alternate angle to approach this topic is one where you become incapacitated but have not yet passed. A health care proxy allows someone you designate to make medical decisions for you. These decisions range from acceptable treatments to measures taken to sustain life. It is pretty heavy stuff so make sure the person you name is someone you trust and is willing to accept that obligation. Related to the health care proxy is the idea of naming a power of attorney to take care of your financial affairs while you are incapacitated. A few difficult conversations and proper paperwork instituted before anything happens can save a lot of angst during a stressful period of time for all involved.

Day in, day out, we see very little variation to our routine. Wake, coffee, school/work, home, bed, rinse, repeat. During this repetition, it is easy for our minds to become numb to the reality that everything can end in an instant. The Stoics have a helpful phrase to remind themselves of this stark reality: memento mori. Translation: remember that you will die. If that is jarring to think about, it’s because it is supposed to be. I have used this experience to better prepare my family for my absence. My hope is that you will use it as motivation as well.

For more information, visit contwealth.com

David Rath, CFA is the Director of Portfolio Strategies at Continuum Wealth Advisors in Saratoga Springs, NY

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Nearly 4,900 part and full time Stewart’s Partners received bonus check equivalent to one week’s pay. Any Partner that started after September 2021 received a $100 check as a thank you. 

The bonus comes as a thank you to the Partners for all their hard work and commitment throughout the pandemic. Stewart’s Shops have stayed open continuously throughout the pandemic, providing essential food and fuel for customers. 

Stewart’s Shops share their success with Partners every year through their ESOP plan, but this bonus is for all Partners, not just those enrolled in ESOP. 

Stewart’s Shops currently has positions available at its shops, plant, and corporate office. Visit their careers page at www.stewartsshops.com/careers for more information. 

GANSEVOORT — Sundaes Best Hot Fudge Sauce will host an open house and pop-up shop at their manufacturing facility on Saturday, Nov. 20 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Celebrating 20 years in business, owner Katie Camarro and friends will be on hand with product displays and gift ideas for everyone on your list. 

Sundaes Best Hot Fudge Sauce kitchen is located in Gansevoort at 23 Northern Pines Rd, 1st floor, Bldg. 2, across from Saratoga Restaurant Supply. For more information visit www.sundaesbest.org or call 518-584-4036

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Drs. David Mobarek and Yasmin Mohamed have joined Saratoga Hospital Medical Group Primary Care – Wilton. The practice now has 14 providers who see patients of all ages.

“Despite a highly competitive environment, we continue to attract skilled, compassionate young physicians to our team – and that’s great news for our community,” said Richard Falivena, Vice President and Chief Medical and Physician Integration Officer at Saratoga Hospital. “Every time we add a primary care provider, more people have access to the comprehensive health services that can have the greatest impact on health and quality of life.” 

Mobarek came to Saratoga Hospital after falling in love with the Capital Region during a residency in family medicine at Ellis Medicine in Schenectady. A graduate of New York’s Stony Brook University, Mobarek earned his medical degree from American University of Antigua College of Medicine. He is board certified by the American Board of Family Medicine. 

Prior to joining Saratoga Hospital, Mohamed practiced family medicine for five years at Northwell Health on Long Island, where she also served as a regional medical director. She grew up in Clifton Park and, after college, returned to the region to pursue a master’s in clinical leadership in healthcare management from Union Graduate College in Schenectady (now Clarkson University). From there Mohamed went on to earn a medical degree from New York College of Osteopathic Medicine. 

She completed a residency in family medicine, including one year as a chief resident, at Northwell Health Plainview Hospital. Mohamed is board certified by the American Osteopathic Board of Family Physicians and is a member of the American Academy of Family of Family Physicians and the American Osteopathic Association. 

Mobarek and Mohamed see patients at 3044 Route 50, Saratoga Springs. For an appointment, call 518-886-5800. To learn more, go to primarycareWilton.org. 

SARATOGA SPRINGS — ARTS SPARK announced the launch of a new website featuring specialized business and marketing services tailored specifically for artists. Promoting the message “Helping You with The Business of Being An Artist” the Arts Spark Business Bundle provides affordable, professional website design and digital marketing services, education, and community. 

Beth Moeller founded ARTS SPARK as a division of her website development and digital marketing company, Interactive Media Consulting, LLC (IMC). An expert in website design and a passionate advocate for the arts, Beth recognized the need for marketing focused exclusively on the art world. ARTS SPARK represents her commitment to the region’s rich and diverse arts community. 

ARTS SPARK was originally launched in 2015 to meet the business and promotional needs of artists by offering accessible, professional marketing services so that artists have more time to do what they do best – create. Fast forward to 2021. The world has changed dramatically since the first incarnation of ARTS SPARK, and so too have the challenges faced by individual artists and the arts in general. 

For any business, a strong online presence is essential – especially now. The newly launched ARTS SPARK website features a variety of services to help artists navigate a successful art-themed small business or non-profit. The ARTS SPARK team works closely with each client to meet the new expectations posed by the pandemic, and to create beautiful, reasonably priced websites that effectively show case each artist’s unique talents and identity. 

ARTS SPARK websites are designed and built by professionals and developed on a platform that easily accommodates design changes and upgrades as a business grows and evolves. ARTS SPARK is located in the Broadway offices of Interactive Media Consulting, LLC in Saratoga Springs. To find out more about ARTS SPARK including hosting services, or to arrange a free consultation, visit arts-spark.com or call 518-587-5107.