Category Archives: Business Briefs

The Board of Directors of Arrow Financial Corporation (NasdaqGS® – AROW) on October 2, declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.28 per share payable October 29, 2024 to shareholders of record on October 15, 2024. This represents a 3.7% increase to our quarterly dividend and is in lieu of the 3% stock dividend the Company has declared in recent years. This cash dividend marks the 46th consecutive quarterly cash dividend declared by Arrow.

“We are pleased to deliver enhanced value to our shareholders with the increased cash dividend,” said Arrow President and CEO David S. DeMarco. “So far this year, we have returned more than $6.4 million of capital to shareholders through share repurchases, in addition to the regular quarterly 2024 cash dividends of $13.6 million paid to date. Our continued success allows us to offer increased returns to our shareholders.”

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Saratoga Hospital has replaced its CT scanner in the Emergency Department with a state-of-the-art Siemens X. Cite model, thanks to the generosity of key community donors. The Saratoga Hospital Volunteer Guild and The Robert and Lisa Moser Family Foundation contributed the lead gifts to the project, as well as generous support from Bill and Susan Dake, Mike and Linda Toohey, and Millennium Medical Imaging. 

The Saratoga Springs History Museum has announced the introduction of a new, cutting-edge self-guided audio tour, bringing history to life like never before through the power of Artificial Intelligence (AI). This innovative experience is the first of its kind in Upstate New York, offering museum visitors an immersive journey through the Gilded Age with AI-narrated stories and carefully curated ambiance.

After months of work, the museum’s new audio tour encapsulates the rich atmosphere and diverse narratives of Saratoga Springs. The tour is enhanced with period-specific sounds and music, transporting guests back to the 1800s and ensuring an authentic historical experience. With over four hours of content covering more than 200 historical artifacts, visitors will gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of the stories that shaped the region.

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Loud Media has announced it has rebranded its local radio stations in Saratoga Springs and Glens Falls/Lake George. Star Radio and Lake George Radio became 93.3 Lake FM and 93.5 Lake FM.

Ricki Lee, CEO of Loud Media, said, “We own several radio stations in the area, and we wanted to serve our communities and our clients better. So we’ve decided to rebrand all of our radio stations under a singular brand. This allows us to have a consistent sound playing the greatest hits from the ‘70s ‘80s and ‘90s and to broadcast more locally-produced radio shows and content.”

Walt Adams will host the flagship morning show starting at 7a.m. Rick Foxx is joining Lake FM to host mid-mornings from 10a.m. to 3p.m., including a new Top 10 at 10 feature, playing 10 songs from one year along with trivia and throwback memories from that same year. Marissa will be hosting a show from 3p.m.-7p.m., and then it’s ’Totally 80s’ from 7a.m.-9a.m. 

Jerry Crouth will host a newly focused ‘Oldies Show’ on Saturday mornings, and the Jazz Show has a new time on Sunday from 7a.m. to 9a.m. 

For more information visit https://www.lakefm.com/

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The Saratoga Springs Heritage Area Visitor Center, in partnership with the Saratoga Springs Public Library, is excited to announce the launch of their spring 2024 Brown Bag Lunch Lecture Series. This community lecture series is designed to highlight the rich history, culture, and traditions of our city.

All Brown Bag Lunch Lecture Series programs are free and open to the public. Each program takes place from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Dutcher Community Room, Saratoga Springs Public Library, 49 Henry Street, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866. Attendees are encouraged to check the library website for more information and guidelines https://www.sspl.org.

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Corinne Scirocco and Heather Mabee, officers of the Saratoga Springs Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR), will discuss the storied life of Ellen Hardin Walworth and her passion for preserving the history of Saratoga Springs and its veterans.

This Women’s History Month program will take place on Zoom for a suggested donation of $10 or more. For additional information or to register for the virtual program visitwww.saratogapreservation.org or call (518) 587-5030. Everyone who pre-registers for this program will be emailed a Zoom link in advance and will receive a link to the recording.

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The Frances Young Tang Teaching Museum and Art Gallery at Skidmore College announces the next event in its Dunkerley Dialogue series will be Thursday, March 21, at 7 pm, featuring artist Yvette Molina and Adam Tinkle, Skidmore College Associate Professor of Media and Film Studies and Director of the John B. Moore Documentary Studies Collaborative (MDOCS). The event is free and open to the public.

For more information, contact the Visitors Services Desk at 518-580-8080 or visithttps://tang.skidmore.edu. 

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Roohan Realty has announced that Laura Creazzo has joined the team as a Licensed Real Estate Salesperson. 

Ms. Creazzo was born in Kansas and has lived in five different U.S. states, Holland, and Germany as her dad is a retired Army Major. She graduated summa cum laude from Thomas University with a B.S. in Interdisciplinary Studies. 

Before moving to Saratoga Springs in 2023, she spent 11 years in Enterprise, Alabama, where she owned a bakery and a real estate brokerage, Wiregrass Home Heroes. 

Over the last three years she has had 166 successful real estate transactions and has been an active real estate investor. She specializes in residential real estate and is certified in military relocation. She has four children, enjoys spending time with family and going to the theater. 

Ms. Creazzo can be reached at 518.796.4399 or laura@roohanrealty.com. 

Roohan Realty, a tradition of excellence and trust since 1969, is now celebrating 54 years of successfully serving the community’s residential and commercial property needs. Located at 519 Broadway in downtown Saratoga Springs, Roohan Realty is the largest locally based and family-owned real estate company in the area with over 50 professionally licensed agents.

Mayor Ron Kim and Commissioner of Finance Minita Sanghvi announced that the City of Saratoga Springs completed its purchase of cobra head street lights, which will convert the City’s street lights to LED, dark-sky compliant fixtures. The New York Power Authority (NYPA) will manage the upgrade of the street lights through a contract with the construction management firm Guth DeConzo, with the entire project slated for completion by June.

Mayor Kim states, “We are thrilled to have completed this sale as it allows us to replace our street lights with energy efficient LED technology, reduce street light energy use by as much as 65%, provide a safer and well-lit community, and reduce energy use.”

Commissioner Sanghvi adds, “We’re taking a major step toward reducing the city’s carbon footprint, and we’re also realizing financial benefits. In addition to using less energy, this project will generate an estimated total annual cost savings of $270,820.”

The Mechanicville District Public Library is offering a complimentary Social Security Information program on Wednesday, Oct. 11 from 6-7 p.m. for pre-retirees ages 55-70. 

The  financial education program is designed to help attendees learn the basics Social Security and how to best apply the information in order to make an informed claiming decision prior to collecting them.

Answers to frequently asked questions will be provided: Can I collect benefits if I’m still working? Is it better to collect benefits sooner rather than later? How are my Social Security benefits calculated?

The event has been a longstanding library program and is being presented as a community service by John Kalil, a financial advisor and the founder and president of Retirement Solutions, LLC. The program is open to the public and there is no cost to attend. 

Due to seating limitations, advance registration is required. To RSVP,  contact the library directly at 518-664-4646 or email john@retirementsolutionsllc.com.

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The Town of Halfmoon Highway Superintendent Bill Bryans announced a road construction project that will begin Monday, September 25, on Woodin Road.

 The town  Highway Department will reconstruct Woodin Road from Grooms Road to the town line in the area of Windsor Drive. The infrastructure project will enhance the safety and mobility of area motorists.  

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, road infrastructure is critical in reducing traffic fatalities and injuries. Safe, well-maintained roadways make a vital difference in saving lives, reducing commute times, and connecting citizens, communities, and commerce. 

For more information on the construction project call the Highway Department at (518) 371-7410.

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The Academy for Lifelong Learning Saratoga Region continues its 30-plus year tradition of presenting educational and social opportunities for adults over 55 by offering 20, six-week courses starting the week of Oct. 2. 

Registration is now open. For the fall course catalog and mail-in registration form, go to www.allsaratoga.org 

Course brochures will also be available soon at local libraries, YMCAs and retirement communities or by request at (518) 290-6988 or jeff@allsaratoga.org. Registrations are being accepted throughout the term until courses are full. 

Annual membership is $75 and goes for 365 days from join date. Six-week courses are $50 each. Courses are held outdoors, by Zoom, or in community classrooms including at SUNY Adirondack’s Wilton location.

Topics for these volunteer-led, noncredit courses include music, literature, variety speaker series, biology of aging, Feng Shui, hiking, local business tours, history, theater, global warming, opera, poetry, Ukraine, writing, and more. 

Founded in 1992, the Academy is a nonprofit, membership organization whose members share a love of learning. A self-funded entity, A.L.L. is designed to offer lifelong learning and camaraderie among seniors, A.L.L. also offers winter and spring courses, special interest groups  and special events that are held throughout the year. 

For more information, contact the Academy at (518) 290-6988, email jeff@allsaratoga.org, or go to www.allsaratoga.org. 

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Franklin Community Center will conclude its year-long 40th anniversary celebration with a Cheers To 40 Years anniversary event on Sept. 28, from 5:30-8:30 p.m. at 550 Waterfront by Druthers on Saratoga Lake.

The event invites attendees to commemorate and honor all who contributed and partnered with FCC over the years to create a lasting impact in the Saratoga County community. Tickets are $75 and are available online at www.franklincommunitycenter.org.

To learn more about how Franklin Community Center has helped to shape Saratoga Springs visit www.franklincommunitycenter.org.

Established in 1983, Franklin Community Center, the Saratoga Springs-based organization has provided programs and services to individuals and families in the Saratoga County area. The mission of the nonprofit is to work collaboratively with individuals and other agencies to provide services that will improve the quality of life and foster a sense of neighborhood, community and family for all people.

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