By Paul Post

The Adirondack Thunder captured the ECHL’s North Division and Eastern Conference championships last year with a franchise record 97 points.

They also drew an all-time high 4,239 fans per game including 16 sell-out crowds, and their extended six-week playoff run saw gross revenues reach $4 million.

Profits have been invested in both on- and off-ice improvements to make the fan experience even better as the Thunder set their sights on bringing a Kelly Cup championship home to Glens Falls next spring.

“The arena and team had their best year ever, which is real exciting as we head toward 2024-25,” said Jeff Mead, Thunder and Cool Insuring Arena general manager. “When this team started 10 years ago we sold 550 season tickets. Last year it was just north of 1,600 and we expect to be over 2,000 this season. So we’re pretty excited about where we are as an organization.”

By Helise Stamos

Tinney’s Tavern, a beloved local establishment since 1952, is under new ownership. In May 2024, Sean and Jamie Wilcoxon, alongside Bill and Karen Miller, took the helm of the historic restaurant, situated on the outskirts of Saratoga Springs, with a scenic backdrop of Lake Desolation.

Sean Wilcoxon brings 27 years of experience in the restaurant industry to Tinney’s Tavern, while Bill Miller, who also owns Performance Industrial, a local cleaning company, contributes his business experience. 

The tavern, known for its strong ties to the community, attracts a diverse crowd year-round, including bicyclists, motorcyclists, hikers, kayakers, and snowmobile enthusiasts. The outdoor patio, which offers a stunning view of Lake Desolation, is a popular spot for diners to enjoy the restaurant’s varied menu. The menu includes customer favorites such as wings, burgers, fish and chips, wood-fired pizzas, and seasonal offerings. Live music is a regular feature, with bands performing on Thursdays once a month. 

By Jill Nagy

Ollie’s Bar and Grill, a new gathering place in Schuylerville, sits at the busy intersection of Routes 9 and 29. 

Since opening in April, business has been “very good, no complaints,” said owner Justin Orozco.

“It’s something I’ve always wanted to do,” Orozco added, and the location he chose — the former Giapetto’s  Italian Restaurant at 120 Broad Street — seemed ideal. “I’m super happy and super excited to be  here.” 

People are finding their way to Ollie’s and Orozco reports that he already has a group of regular customers, along with tourists and people on their way to or from the track. He offers a casual atmosphere and thinks his customers are finding a bit of a “Cheers” vibe.

In addition to the bar, Ollie’s is a full restaurant, Orozco said: hamburgers, wings, and fries being popular menu items. He grew up helping out at his parents’ establishment, the Green Acres Tavern in  Greenwich. Now his mother, Janice Bravo, is returning the favor as one of Ollie’s chefs; the other is Tom Rieler. Six or seven other employees round out the crew.

By Susan Ellse Campbell

Arrow Financial Corporation has finalized plans to unify its two banking subsidiaries and is soon to reveal a new logo and signage under which the two financial institutions are being rebranded, announced parent company president and CEO David S. DeMarco. 

The 37 branches of Glens Falls National Bank and Trust Company and Saratoga National Bank and Trust Company will be named Arrow Bank going forward, he said. 

DeMarco said the change was years in the making.

“What we are doing is different from an ordinary bank merger, as Arrow Financial already owned these two community banks,” he said.

DeMarco explained that since the two banks have different back offices, the systems behind their operations have to become one to achieve the efficiencies the parent company is seeking.

By Paul Post

Chemical applications have eliminated Eurasian watermilfoil in problem areas of Saratoga Lake, saving considerable money and providing better recreational conditions for boating, swimming, fishing and paddle sports, which contribute to the local economy.

“Milfoil rapidly takes over a lake,” said Cristina Connolly, Saratoga Lake Protection and Improvement District executive director-administrator. “Years back this lake was pretty much all milfoil. It was so bad you could almost walk across the lake. It out-competes the native plant species and native wildlife and their habitat.”

But in 2020 and 2021, the district hired a private firm to treat the worst sites (54 and 32 acres, respectively) with a chemical called ProcellaCOR, which has been used in hundreds of lakes throughout the country since the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency approved its use in 2017.

While most Saratogians are busy enjoying popular summer entertainment options like SPAC and the track, some event organizers are focused on one of the Spa City’s most popular winter events.

Saratoga New Year’s Eve, originally called First Night and for a short time Saratoga New Year’s Fest, will offer residents and visitors a fun way to ring in the new year in downtown Saratoga Springs. The two-day event will be held on Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024, and Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025.

New this year, Proctors Collaborative will partner with the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce, Discover Saratoga, the Saratoga Springs City Center, and the City of Saratoga Springs to present Saratoga New Year’s Eve. Proctors Collaborative will assist in securing entertainment acts to be featured at its Saratoga Springs venue Universal Preservation Hall as well as the Saratoga Springs City Center on New Year’s Eve.

“We are thrilled to partner with the Saratoga County Chamber, Discover Saratoga and the Saratoga Springs City Center and deepen our connection with the vibrant community of downtown Saratoga Springs,” said Teddy Foster, director of Universal Preservation Hall. “This collaboration not only enhances our cultural offerings but also integrates us further into the fabric of this wonderful city. We look forward to many exciting events and opportunities together.”

Local company Death Wish Coffee is once again supporting this community event by returning as a presenting sponsor of Saratoga New Year’s Eve.

By Ann Donnelly

At the heart of Malta, New York, a historic landmark is serving up more than just memories. The 450 E. High location, once the home of the Wiggins-Collamer family, has evolved over time, reflecting the entrepreneurial spirit of its current owners, Doug Dockendorf and Shelly Walker. Their latest venture, Eggs on the Run, is a testament to their commitment to not only offering delicious food but also transforming a historic landmark into a vibrant community hub.

The concept of Eggs on the Run was born during a winter vacation in Florida in 2023. Dockendorf, an entrepreneur at heart and owner of Priority Electric, saw an opportunity to enhance the offerings at 450 E. High. Their vision? A unique ‘hybrid’ eatery experience – quick yet upscale, with the ambiance of a dine-in restaurant but the convenience of grab-and-go. 

“Customers were coming into The Coffee Bar, located inside Finishing Touches, and asking if we had food,” explained Walker. 

At that time, their offerings were limited to cookies, brownies, and biscotti. Having already established a successful coffee bar in 2022, they were eager to expand their culinary horizons. The introduction of Eggs on the Run in May 2024 proved to be a winning formula.

The secret to their success lies in a carefully curated menu, designed in collaboration with a chef friend. Breakfast takes center stage, featuring classic options with a touch of French flair. The Croque Madame, a decadent ham and cheese sandwich with a fried egg on top, is a customer favorite, alongside the hearty brisket burrito and the timeless bacon and egg sandwich. Prices range from a budget-friendly $3 to $16, ensuring there’s something for everyone. 

Juergen Hahn, Ph.D., professor and head of the Department of Biomedical Engineering at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), has been elected to the prestigious European Academy of Sciences and Arts for his outstanding and sustained impact on science and society. He will be formally inducted into the organization in 2025.

Hahn is the first RPI faculty member to be elected to this academy, an international organization of top scientists, artists, and decision makers that includes 38 Nobel laureates. With its deep scientific and technical knowledge, this network of experts is also a resource for government leaders shaping policies and initiatives that impact their communities. 

“This election is a well-deserved recognition of Juergen’s international contributions, visibility, and the impact of his work in the area of human health,” said Shekhar Garde, Ph.D., Dean of the School of Engineering.

“It is nice to be recognized among such a distinguished group and represent RPI in an international forum,” Hahn said. 

New members of the European Academy of Sciences and Arts must first be nominated by their peers and then evaluated and elected by the Academy. 

Hahn has been widely recognized for his contributions to autism spectrum disorder research.