May 2014
TOURISM &
RECREATION
INSIDE:
Gaines Marina
Town and City Alliance in Recreation
Henry’s Pools and Spas
Saranac Lake 6er’s
Adirondack Disc Golf Association
St. Regis Canoe Outfitters
Adirondack Coast Paddleboard Co.
Plattsburgh Golf
INSIGHT: Ducky Drake
Published by The Northeast Group
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety
Administration is changing CDL Certification
Will you be ready?
On May 21, 2014 the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration changed its physical
certification process and fewer healthcare providers in the area will be able to perform these exams.
CVPH Medical Center continues to provide this valuable service to our business community.
Contact our Center of Occupational Health and Wellness at 518-562-7465 to schedule
your - or your employees - physical exam.
www.cvph.org
10
26
34
CONTENTS
6
Gaines Marina
34 Adirondack Coast
Paddleboard Co.
10 Town and City
Alliance in Recreation 38 Plattsburgh Golf
16 Henry’s Pools
and Spas
20 Saranac 6er’s
ON THE COVER:
Joe and Naomi Treadwell,
owners of Gaines Marina
PHOTOGRAPH BY:
Keith Provost
A Northeast Publication©2014
All Rights Reserved
Vol. 25, No. 5, May 2014
24 INSIGHT:
Ducky Drake
26 Adirondack Disc Golf
Association
30 St. Regis Canoe
Outfitters
42 Chamber Wise:
Business Expo:
The Largest Event
of the Year
44 Behavioral Health:
Late Night Emails:
To Send or Not to Send
Publisher’s View
W
e live in a beautiful place…a place that attracts people
from around the country and around world. Whether they
come to sail Lake Champlain, kayak the Adirondack lakes,
hike or ski the area’s mountains, visit the Olympic venues,
participate in a fishing tournament, play our golf courses, or shop in our
stores, they come.
Here is some information I believe you will find interesting about the
impact tourists have on our region provided by Kristy Kennedy, who
is both the Director of Tourism for the Adirondack Coast and the Vice
President of Marketing for the North Country Chamber of Commerce.
Visitors spend more than $34 million a year in our area. A detailed breakdown of that figure shows the amount spent by leisure travelers (families
and individuals) is approximately $23.5 million while travelers who come
for fishing tournaments, special events and those traveling in groups
spend an additional $11 million.
The estimated number of leisure visitors to the region in 2012 based on
contacts with the Adirondack Coast Visitors Bureau was 58,431. The
estimated number of visitor nights spent in the area was 151,687.
The average reported visitor party spending was $1,453 total or an
average of $403 daily (based on an average 3.6 day stay). Shopping was
the greatest reported portion of those expenditures estimated at $388
per trip, followed by $366 in estimated lodging costs per trip.
For every marketing dollar the Adirondack Coast Visitor Bureau spent
on general leisure travelers in 2012, visitors to Clinton County spent an
estimated $63. Now that’s return on investment!
Herb Carpenter, Publisher
Tourism dollars are new dollars for the community, but there are
additional benefits that accrue when tourist come. Our community is less
dependent on our traditional base, new recreation and entertainment
facilities flourish, more restaurants and stores open. That translates to
more jobs and more opportunities. And that’s good for business.
Are you an experienced writer with an interest in local business?
Strictly Business is looking for new talent to join our team of writers.
Please send a brief bio and writing sample to meg.lefevre@thenortheastgroup.com.
4 | sbmonthly.com
May 2014
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May 2014
Strictly Business | 5
UP FRONT
Gaines Marina
Story by John T. Ryan and Photos by Keith Provost
“I love working on boats.
I love being around people
who love boats.”
—Joe Treadwell
6 | sbmonthly.com May 2014
UP FRONT
A
story about Gaines Marina and
Services in Rouses Point could
have been written under several Strictly Business themes:
construction, tourism, travel, transitions
and this month’s theme—recreation. Since
their 2009 purchase of the marina, Joe and
Naomi Treadwell have increased the marina’s size five-fold, dramatically expanded
services, erected three large buildings, and
transitioned their lives into a new business
and community.
Five years ago the Treadwells and their
three children were residents of Swan’s
Island, Maine, a small island of 375 yearround residents about 60 miles east of
Bangor. Joe was a commercial lobster fisherman and operated a small boat shop
with the help of Naomi and the children.
The businesses were successful, but Joe
had other plans in mind. “After 27 years
my body was used up in commercial fishing. I just couldn’t keep doing what I was
doing. I love working on boats. Operating
this marina is different than being out on
the water every day. It’s a different challenge and I like it so far!”
The Treadwells considered purchasing several marinas before they visited Rouses
Point. When they arrived in the village
they spoke to someone who suggested
they talk to Denis Richard, the operator
of Gaines Marina believing that Richard
might be interested in selling. The suggestion was auspicious. Richard and the
Treadwells agreed on the terms of sale the
day they met and the Treadwell family’s
future was sealed.
At the time of the purchase Gaines Marina
had 90 slips. Today it has 220 slips, 40
moorings and a total of 2.5 miles of dockage. In 2009 the Treadwells constructed
a 40’ x 70’ boat shop at the marina. In
2010 they constructed a 65’ x 175’ boat
storage building on 8.5 acres of land they
purchased further north on Lake Street.
This year they have contracted with JFP
Enterprises of Plattsburgh to construct a
heated boat storage building on the same
property. At 120’ x 300’ it will be larger
than the Rouses Point Civic Center. Joe
explained, “We’ll be able to put about 90
boats inside that building next winter.
Our crew will be able to work on them all
winter long. The boats won’t have to be
winterized, so the boaters will be able to
keep them in the water longer. They will
have a longer season.”
Lowering and raising sailboat masts is a
major part of the marina’s service. Any boat
with a mast exceeding 60 feet in height cannot pass under the Rouses Point Bridge.
Located only a few hundred yards south
of the bridge, Gaines Marina is an ideal
place to have a boat masted or demasted,
especially since the marina staff has a
large bucket truck to help accomplish the
task. Joe and Naomi have also established
relationships with several marina operators located along the Richelieu River in
Canada. When one of those marinas sells a
sailboat destined for Lake Champlain, the
staff often refers the customer to Gaines
Marina for masting and dockage. Sailboats
headed north to the Richelieu River marinas for guarantee repairs or storage also
utilize Gaines Marina’s services.
T he ma r ina motto, “Ser v ice is our
Specialty,” is prominently displayed on its
website and elsewhere. This summer, customers will find a newly installed 55-ton
boat lift.
The marina’s wide-ranging services include
indoor and outdoor storage, pump-out, fuel
May 2014 Strictly Business | 7
UP FRONT
John Geno
The marina has 220 slips,
40 moorings and a total
of 2.5 miles of dockage.
Photo by Stephen Roe from Intrepid Photography
sale, mechanical system repair, fiberglass
repair, painting, rewiring, custom boat
finishing, and restoration. Boaters appreciate the facility’s marine supplies, snack
bar, modern showers, restrooms, and dressing facilities.
Neil Wright
John Seiden
Neil Wright
John Seiden
David Long
Pete Grosskopf
John
Geno
David Long
Corporate Functions
Pete Grosskopf
Festivals
Party
Weddings
Inca Hoots Band
8 | sbmonthly.com
May 2014
Canadian residents make up more than
95 percent of the Gaines Marina customers; therefore, the Treadwells concentrate
on the Montreal market. Joe said, “We go
to the Montreal Boat Show each year. Our
boaters come up and kiss us on the cheek.
They want to spend time with us.”
“I make it a point to get to know our boaters.” Naomi added, “Here at the marina Joe
is always out on the dock. If a boater has
an issue Joe is there to answer their questions. He knows boats and how they work.
They respect him.”
Joe emphasized that service is the primary reason for the marina’s success. He
explained, “It’s all about the customers.
There are forty-three marinas on Lake
Champlain. You have to offer something
UP FRONT
more than docks. You have to offer services
so that when boaters come on weekends
they’re all ready to go.”
Joe also quickly recognized the role Canada
plays in the North Country economy. He
explained, “When I bought the marina
I looked at the Canadian economy. Even
though it was bad here and some people
were discouraging me, those people weren’t
going to be my customers. Canadians use
these boats as their summer cottages, only
these are cottages on the water.” Boaters
typically spend Thursday through Sunday
evening coming and going from the marina.
Up to 250 cars are parked in the marina’s
parking lot each weekend.
The marina’s success has also had a positive impact on Rouses Point. Including Joe
and Naomi, the marina has eleven full-time
employees plus three or four summertime
dockhands. Joe commented, “When people see me in town in the springtime they
say, ‘Hey Joe, when are boaters going to
show up?’” During the summer months
when Joe and Naomi dine out at a Rouses
Point restaurant they often find it packed
with their customers.
Rouses Point residents became aware of
Joe Treadwell’s abilities and elected him
as a village trustee in 2013. When the
Treadwells find a few moments to relax
they take their boat to a nearby Vermont
beach, throw anchor, the kids swim and the
family enjoys a pizza. Rebecca, 20, graduated from Clinton Community College
and attends the University of Maryland.
Katherine, 14, attends Northeastern
Clinton Central School. Brian, 22, who had
a captain’s license and 475 lobster traps
in Maine, is one of the marina’s eleven
employees.
Each August Joe travels back to Swan’s
Island to pick up 700 pounds of lobsters
for the annual Gaines Marina customer
appreciation party. When he sees his old
friends and smells the ocean air he admits
to asking himself, “What did I do?” But then
he looks at the growing business and says,
“There are different ways of looking at business. I don’t do it just for the money. I do
it because I love what I do. I love working
on boats. I love being around people who
love boats.”
Joe and Naomi have a successful marriage
and business partnership. Joe knows and
loves boats while Naomi handles the business’ administrative tasks. Given their
energy and imagination, the couple will
undoubtedly continue to play an important role in the future of Rouses Point and
the North Country.
May 2014
Strictly Business | 9
through Collaboration
By Erin Hynes
Photo provided by Town of Plattsburgh
T
here is no doubt that we live in one of the most beautiful places in the
United States—some may even argue the world. Growing up along the
shores of Lake Champlain against the back drop of the Adirondack
Mountains is truly something to envy. With all the natural beauty
and earthly assets surrounding the greater Plattsburgh area, it is only logical
that the local recreational scene offers something for everyone.
10 | sbmonthly.com
May 2014
I had the pleasure of sitting down with local
department heads Melanie Defayette and
Steve Peters to discuss how the Town and
City of Plattsburgh are maximizing their
resources to increase the recreation opportunities available to the general public. The
benefits from these municipal programs
extend well beyond their respective jurisdictional borders. What some have dubbed
the “City-Town Recreational Alliance” has
become a model for delivering complete
recreational services without duplicating efforts.
Melanie Defayette hails from Cadyville,
New York and has been the Director of
Youth Services and Recreation for the
Town of Plattsburgh since 2007. Originally
hired in 1990 as the Recreation Program
Coordinator, Defayette has been involved
in the Town’s Recreation Department for
over 24 years. She first entered college as a
Computer Science major, but soon changed
directions. “I knew that I wanted to be
active in the outdoors, by working with
all ages, and exploring the possibilities of
recreation and leisure activities,” she said.
Steve Peters, a Schenectady, New York
native, has been the City of Plattsburgh’s
Superintendent of Recreation for almost six
years. Prior to working for the city, Peters
was the National Programs Manager with
the U.S. Bobsled and Skeleton Federation.
His interest in the recreation field was
sparked because as he put it, “I get to use
my creativity, my love of wellness and a
desire to see people accomplish their goals.”
Fields of Dreams
Peters oversees a department that includes
nine full-time and about 30 part-time/seasonal employees. The city’s 2014 recreation
operating budget is $879,490, including operating revenue of approximately
$456,000. Defayette manages a department of two full-time personnel, about 10
seasonal lifeguards, nine seasonal instructors, and 45 youth coaches. The Town’s
2014 parks and recreation operating budget is $390,047.
Both the City and Town offer a wide-range
of recreational activities for all ages that
range from marathons, indoor/outdoor
league sports, fitness classes and gym workouts just to name a few.
Henry’s Pools & Spas
10 Big Hank Plaza
Plattsburgh, NY 12901
(518) 561-3659
www.henryspools.com
email: sales@henryspools.com
We specialize in:
• Imperial Inground Pools
• Saratoga Spas
• Trevi Above-Ground Pools
• Concrete Lifting
We have a complete service department
We carry Bioguard® products
Come check out our in-house gallery!
561-2337
57 Smithfield Boulevard
Plattsburgh
www.plattsburghgolf.com
Individual Golf Lessons by Appointment
Willie King Junior Golf Camps
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Contact Willie King at 518-561-2337
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Residential
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Commercial
Tile & Grout • Natural Stone • Brick / Patios
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May 2014
Strictly Business | 11
Clinton Community College
Community & Workforce Development
Month of
Manufacturing
Trainings start and end the month of June!
Education and Training
. . . for Clinton County workforce
Register for ONE or take all FIVE! *
City of Plattsburgh
Recreation Facilities
Town of Plattsburgh
Recreation Activities
City Recreation Center (US Oval)
Crete Civic Center
Plattsburgh City Beach
17 Parks throughout the City, including:
Melissa Penfield Park
Peter Blumette Park
South Platt Street Park (aka Fox Hill)
South Acres Park
US Oval Fields
 Youth Programming
Leagues: Baseball/Softball, Soccer, Basketball Grades 3-8
Non-league: Teeball, Mini Mites Soccer, Basketball Grades 1-2
 Summer: Swimming Lessons, Week long
Camp Programs which includes Soccer,
Reader’s Rock Archery, Tennis, Flag Football
& Running Techniques, Arts & Crafts, Disc
Golf Clinics, Adirondack Hike, Kids Cook
It Up, Kayaking lessons & trips, Walking
Program, Fun Runs (8 weeks), Fishing, Soccer
Skills Night, Archery for Adults & Teens
 Winter: Cross-country skiing & snowshoeing,
Family swim nights at the Wellness Center at PARC, Ice skating at the PSUC Field house, Bowling program, Beartown Family Nights, Archery nights at Gander Mountain, NYS Snowmobile Safety Course, Kids Cook it Up!, Jr. Ski Club-Titus, Ski Club-Whiteface
 Special events: Doggie Paddle Day, Disc Golf Tourneys
• Basic Electrical
Classes starting June 2
Town of Plattsburgh
Recreation Facilities
• Blueprint Reading
Classes starting June 6
• General Industrial Maintenance
Classes starting June 12
• Programmable Logic Controller
Classes starting June 18
• National Work Readiness
Classes starting June 24
* Discounts apply when taking multiple classes
www.clinton.edu/ccwd
136 Clinton Point Drive • Plattsburgh, New York 12901
Contact Jodi Faucher (518) 562-4115
Total Computer Supplies and Accessories, Inc.
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12 | sbmonthly.com
May 2014
Cadyville Park, Home of the
Cadyville Disc Golf Course
West Plattsburgh Park
East Morrisonville Park
South Plattsburgh Park
Treadwells Mills Park
Cliff Haven Park
Everest Rabideau Park (Cumberland Head)
Wallace Hill Park
Guy Cedar Park
May Currier Park
Cadyville Beach
Note: The Recreation Department is also responsible for the maintenance of six abandoned
cemeteries and 20 historical markers located
throughout the Town.
City of Plattsburgh
Recreation Activities
Events:
Plattsburgh Half Marathon
Biggest Loser Run/Walk
Treehouse10k
Rockeater/Pebble-Eater Adventure Race
Trick-or-Treat on Safety Street
Non-League Activities:
Sailing classes
Mini-triathlons
Spring/Summer/Fall/Winter Fitness Classes
Fun Runs
Golf Lessons
Munchkin Soccer Indoor/Outdoor Spring/ Summer/ Fall
Sailing Lessons
Tennis Lessons
League Sports:
Indoor Soccer Session I and II, Youth/Adult
Indoor Coed Flag Football Session I and II, Youth and Adult
Over 30 Wooden Bat League
Basketball Summer/Winter,
Men’s/Women’s
Summer Beach Volleyball
Outdoor Coed Soccer Session I and II
Girls’ Softball
Boys’ Baseball
Youth Basketball City and County Leagues
Youth Outdoor Soccer Fall/Spring
 Co-Sponsored Event/Programs:
3v3 Hoops Day with Clinton County Youth Bureau
Soccer Tournament with Clinton County Youth Bureau
Hearty Kids with Clinton County Youth Bureau
Trick or Trot with Clinton County Youth Bureau and other organizations
Outdoor Adventure with the Clinton Co. Youth Bureau
Pitch, Hit & Run Event with Clinton Co. Youth Bureau
Winter Adventure Races with CCYB Longest Day of Play with Clinton County Health Department
Snowshoe program with Saranac School
Kayak day with Saranac School
Disc Golf day with Saranac School
Snowball with MANY organizations
A Walk on the Wild Side (Hiking & Nutrition) with Cornell Cooperative Extension
Stand Up Paddle Board with Kayak Shack
Geo-caching with Adirondack Metal Detector Club
Boating Safety Course with Champlain Valley Sail & Power Squadron
 Adult Programs:
Archery
Kayaking lessons & trips
Men’s’ Basketball
Men’s Floor Hockey
Men’s Softball
Disc Golf Clinics
Women’s Disc Golf Night
Archery for Adults and Teens
 Senior Programs:
Fitness for Life Classes 3x weekly
Kayaking lessons & trip
Snowshoeing
Day Trips
May Currier Group meets weekly
Tours of local businesses
“In order to be successful,
you have to share data,
best practices, schedules,
and advice.” —Steve Peters
Inter-municipal Alliance
In a day where shared-services is the
name of the game, the City and Town
of Plattsburgh get a gold star for being
ahead of the curve in forming a partnership between their two departments well
over 30 years ago. Recreation naturally
lends itself to the shared-services concept;
hence, the creation of a strategic alliance
between the two municipalities that has
pooled expertise and resources on a large
scale, to the advantage of residents and
visitors alike.
Defayette explained, “The town/city have
been partners as long as I have been
employed here. The directors back then
were Bryon Bissonette (city) and Bob
Robare (town). As I learned the business
from them over time, it became apparent
that collaboration was critical on many
different levels. With so few full-time recreation professionals in the region, it was
important to work together and develop a
cohesive and complementary plan. Over
the years, the people in the positions have
changed, but the collaboration and communication between these two departments
has remained constant.”
Peters elaborated, “As Mel stated, the city/
town have always been partners. In order to
be successful, you have to share data, best
practices, schedules, and advice. We are not
departments that should just be working to
meet the ‘status quo’ regarding quality-oflife endeavors. Good enough is never good
enough! We must constantly evolve to meet
the changing needs of the community and
the changing face of recreational opportunities. In that sense, we have to continually
think about how to accomplish new things
within budget constraints, and this alliance is one way in which we both strive to
meet this mandate.”
Photos above provided by Town of Plattsburgh
May 2014
Strictly Business | 13
“One of the benefits of working together
with like-minded professionals is sharing
solutions to common problems,” noted
Defayette. “For instance, if I’m experiencing a problem with dogs running wild in
the parks, I may find that the city has had
the same problem, and after discussing it,
we figure out a solution together. Being able
to pick up the phone and bounce ideas or
problems off each other is a benefit that is
immeasurable.”
She continued, “Collaborations are not
always developed to cut costs. [They surely]
can be a by-product of it, but there are
many benefits to collaborations that the
general public may never see or hear about
that result in program gains. Having a positive working relationship with Steve and
the city is priceless! Being able to provide
a quality service to your residents is what
we are all about and working together
helps us both.”
Recreation and the Economy
Regions with thriving recreational sectors
are often the benefactors of healthier more
economically viable communities. Peters
explained, “Recreational impact goes well
beyond quality-of-life and community
pride, it’s an economic driver as well. Just
look at the numerous fishing tournaments
held on Lake Champlain, Biggest Loser
Run/Walk, Plattsburgh Half Marathon,
and more; people come to our region to
spend money.”
Defayette dovetailed, “When a community has opportunities to recreate, their
residents are healthier, happier and quality of life is better. Having a wide variety of
things to do and places to go to enjoy activities makes a community look inviting; a
place where people will visit and business
will want to locate. Recreation is a thriving part of the business world!”
Peters went on to state, “A healthy and
happy community is also an employed community. Businesses will tend be successful
in communities where their employees lead
active and healthy lifestyles. In addition
to other societal and economic factors, a
community that places a focus on recreational initiatives will be well-positioned
to maintain and enhance the well-being
of current employees, while also enjoying
14 | sbmonthly.com
May 2014
the ability to steadily recruit new employers and employees.”
The Future
If you know Defayette and Peters, it will
come as no surprise that these two recreation gurus are already thinking about the
next big thing.
Defayette described, “As we explore the
possibilities of more partnerships, the
town and city decided that we needed to
test the community waters, so to speak, to
gauge what the citizens want as far as programming, events and facilities.” Peters
continued, “Both recreation departments
will be pursuing a Community Recreation
Survey. Although it’s understood that we
collaborate on many different initiatives,
it is also crucial that we get some data and
feedback from our respective communities. We must listen to the things they are
interested in, to validate that the right
partnerships are there or not. From the
survey, Mel and I will work on updates
to our recreation shared services plan in
order to implement those initiatives that
make sense.”
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Defayette added, “I see the collaboration
continuing in perpetuity. There is potential
for even more collaboration, if the political leaders see fit to have that happen.
As two very active and forward thinking
professionals, Steve and I will continue to
interact and try to work on ways to keep
our communities active and energized and
for our residents to be happy to live here.”
Peters concurred.
Make sure to check out all the great venues and activities that both the City and
Town of Plattsburgh have to offer. There
is no doubt that you will find something
fun and healthy to do!
City of Plattsburgh Hours of Operation:
Monday-Friday, 6:00 am–11:00 pm;
Sat. & Sun. 7:00 am–11:00 pm
www.plattsburghrecreation.com
Email: recreation@cityofplattsburgh-ny.gov
518-324-7709
Town of Plattsburgh Hours of Operation:
Office Hours 7am–4pm.
Working hours vary, including evenings
and weekends. Call ahead.
www.townofplattsburghrecreation.com
Email: iec@townofplattsburgh.org
518-562-6860
May 2014
Strictly Business | 15
Soaking Up Summer
with Henry’s
Pools & Spas
Story by Adriana Martucci
Photos by Keith Provost
16 | sbmonthly.com May 2014
ndure a winter like the one
the North Country just experienced and you may find
yourself looking for ways to
make the most out of the brief but beautiful summer months upstate New York
has to offer. As the owner and operator
of Henry’s Pools & Spas at 10 Big Hank
Plaza in Plattsburgh, Henry Lafountain
may be just the man to help you do that.
Lafountain can outfit almost any family
with the pool or spa they’ve been dreaming of. E
Lafountain has been in the pool business
nearly three decades, offering installation, maintenance, equipment, decking,
and computerized water-analysis. He
and his trained and qualified staff offer
local service in their store and out in the
field. Henry’s is an authorized dealer and
installer of indoor and outdoor spas and
above ground and in-ground pools, and a
certified retailer of BioGuard chemicals.
With four full time employees (most
have been with the business upwards of
15 years) including one full time above
ground installer and a few extra hands during the busy spring and summer months,
Henry’s is a full-service shop, from financing and purchasing through installation
and end-of-season pool closures. When
asked who his in-ground pool installer was,
Lafountain replied, “Myself, I work right
out in the field, plus I do all my own sales
for in-grounds.”
He shrugged off the seemingly precise,
labor intensive chore of installing a pool
from beginning to end, something that’s
become second nature to him after 26 years
in the business. “Before we used to hire our
digging out, but it was hard to get somebody, so we just decided to do our own,” he
said. A simple enough explanation from a
hard-working business man.
The company, has all of it’s own excavating equipment, and the crew typically
begins installations mid-spring continuing
through late fall. Lafountain said projects
May 2014
Strictly Business | 17
can continue into November, weather permitting. On average, Henry’s will install
thirty to fifty above ground and five to
ten in-ground pools a year, servicing
Plattsburgh and the surrounding areas, as
far as Massena and Ticonderoga.
The spa business is ever-growing with
indoor and outdoor units equally split in
popularity. “We buy directly from Saratoga
Spas; they’re close by, just 150 miles away,
which is easier than dealing with someone over the phone or in another state,”
said Lafountain.
To serve his customers in the most efficient and economical manner, Lafountain
offers packages with products to suit most
any budget. Built-in stairs, benches, and
covers are available for in-ground pools
and spas, as well as custom built decks
and step options for above ground models
along with round and oval Frontenac cedarwalled above ground pools. And if you don’t
think its hip to dip in a square… or rectangle shaped pool, Lafountain can install
your in-ground pool in free form fashion like lakes and kidney shapes. Several
selections are on display in the showroom,
as well as an extensive line of chemical
18 | sbmonthly.com
May 2014
treatment options and servicing equipment. Lafountain keeps up with changes
and advancements in the pool industry
by attending the Atlantic City Pool & Spa
show each year.
One unique pool treatment option that has
seen gains in popularity are salt systems,
which, according to Lafountain, still use
chlorine, just in a simpler, easier-to-manage way. He explained, “It converts the salt
to chlorine through an electric cell that the
water passes through—with an electric
current going in (negative and positive) it
breaks down the salt in the water to make
chlorine.”
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ness viable for decades in a region with a
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For pool owners looking to prolong their
pool season, Henry’s also offers several
heating options. And, of course, all electric, gas and wood-fired heaters are sold,
installed and serviced by Lafountain and
his certified staff. He explained that heating options continue to grow in popularity
due to the region’s fickle weather and people’s desire to get the most usable time out
of their pool or spa.
Henry’s Pools &Spas is dedicated to providing high quality, personalized service.
Customers can expect that all their questions will be answered by informed and
certified staff, and that the installation
of their new pool or spa will be completed
by Lafountain and his team. Henry’s Pools
and Spas has the experienced staff to get
you swimming, sunning and soaking this
summer.
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May 2014
Strictly Business | 19
Saranac Lake 6er’s:
A Hike in Marketing
By Brian Molongoski
Photo provided by Clyde Rabideau
Clyde Rabideau, mayor of Saranac Lake
S
ince last May, it’s a common occurrence to hear the sound of a
bell ringing somewhere in Saranac Lake, especially in the warmer
months. No, it’s not a church bell. It’s the sound of someone
becoming a Saranac Lake 6er—a celebratory sound-off signaling the
accomplishment of a hiking challenge that Saranac Lake residents and those
from far beyond have taken on.
20 | sbmonthly.com
May 2014
73 Trade Road
Plattsburgh, NY 12901
Tel (518) 561-4321
Fax (518) 561-8462
Mounted in the middle of downtown
Saranac Lake at Berkeley Green, the bell
is the final step in completing the Saranac
Lake 6er program, an initiative encouraging locals and visitors to journey across
the six peaks surrounding Saranac Lake:
McKenzie, Ampersand, St. Regis, Scarface,
Haystack, and Baker mountains.
In just under a year, the program has
become a prime marketing tool for Saranac
Lake, triggering a tourism boom with thousands of visitors pouring in from as far
away as Europe to take on the 6er challenge.
Locally, it’s brought a new sense of a community with many residents volunteering
their time and resources to help sustain the
initiative. Through the program, Saranac
Lake has found a new identity and business sense.
“It gives people a reason to come,” said
6er member Jamie Konkoski. “Growing
up around here, you always thought of
Tupper Lake having Big Tupper and Lake
Placid having Main Street and being close
to Whiteface. Saranac Lake has a lot of
things too, but it didn’t have that iconic
thing. (The 6er program) gave us something big that could be associated with
the village.”
Saranac Lake Mayor Clyde Rabideau had no
idea how popular the idea would become
when he suggested it in February of 2013.
Since the program officially kicked-off on
May 25 of last year more than 500 people have completed it, but thousands have
signed up and are still in the process of
finishing. “I thought it was a good idea,
but it really exceeded my expectations,”
Rabideau said.
To participate in the 6er program, a $10
registration fee is required. The fees go
toward the rewards given to those who finish, which consists of a certificate, patch
and sticker. The program also has various
levels of completion. Those who hike all six
peaks within 24 hours receive an “Ultra 6er”
certificate and patch. Participants are also
recognized for hiking the peaks in winter,
garnering the title of “Winter 6er.”
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May 2014
Strictly Business | 21
You can hike any of these peaks with any ability.
—Jamie Konkoski
Photo provided by Clyde Rabideau
Besides the 6er bell, little money was
needed to start the program in terms of
infrastructure. Community Development
Director Jeremy Evans, who helped spearhead the program along with Rabideau,
noted the ease of using the mountains to
draw interest. “We didn’t have to create any
assets or infrastructure,” he said. “What I
love about it is the simplicity of it. It’s recognizing an existing asset and leveraging it.”
Through the use of social media and word
of mouth, it didn’t take long for the program to find participants with dozens of
members joining on the first day alone.
The Saranac Lake 6er program also created
a new opportunity for the local economy, allowing merchants to jump in on
the action by selling various forms of 6er
merchandise.
Since you’ll then have three employers and
two candidates, the order should be Carol,
Jake, Heather, Kristin, and then Mike.
From wine to t-shirts and hats, local businesses have profited from the program.
Saranac Lake Discount Liquors, located
downtown, carries a line of six different
wines each representing one of the six
peaks. The store unveiled the wine last
October, and Rabideau said it grew in popularity during the Christmas season.
Bear Essentials, a custom screen and
embroidery store sells a variety of 6er
apparel including hats, t-shirts, patches,
and pins. Conveniently, the shop is located
right next to the 6er bell in downtown,
allowing 6ers to buy their memorabilia
after finishing the challenge. Owner
Greg Moore said adding the 6er apparel
to the shop has been a tremendous success over the last year and has brought in
a number of customers looking for a way
Photo by Brian Molongoski
TEMPORARY
STAFFING
Hi, I’m Carol,
the office manager.
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commute to with my friend.
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22 | sbmonthly.com
May 2014
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to commemorate their completion of hiking the six peaks.
For every 6er product sold by local businesses, a small portion of the profits goes
back into helping keep the program afloat.
Additionally, many hotels and motels in
the area now offer “6er packages” for visitors looking to participate in the program.
Evans said the program struck a chord
with hikers because of its accessibility. It
offers a goal that is challenging yet not
as daunting as hiking all 46 Adirondack
High Peaks. “It was a challenge they were
able to go achieve and there’s a camaraderie that comes with it,” Evans said, adding
that many residents who have never hiked
before were motivated to try because of
the program.
The Saranac Lake
6er Mountains
McKenzie Mountain: 10.6 miles roundtrip, Elevation 3,822’
Description: As the highest peak of the 6ers, it’s easily visible from Saranac Lake
and its summit views offer a look at Whiteface and Marcy Mountains to the
north and south respectively. The Saranac Lakes and Village of Saranac Lake
can also be spotted.
Ampersand Mountain: 5.4 miles roundtrip, Elevation 3,353’
Description: A flat walk that turns into a steep climb halfway through, it offers a
panoramic view of the High Peaks to the east and of Saranac Lake to the west.
Scarface Mountain: 6.8 miles roundtrip, Elevation 3,054’
Description: It’s a steady climb to the summit. Although its true summit doesn’t
offer views, a few side trails lead to openings where hikers can view the
Saranac Lakes.
Konkoski agreed, noting that even her son
nine-year-old son Jasper was able to take
on the 6er’s in both summer and winter.
“It’s doable for any age or ability,” she said.
“It’s not like the 46 (High Peaks), where that
is a really huge undertaking. You can hike
any of these peaks with any ability. You
don’t have to be a superstar hiker.”
St. Regis Mountain: 6.6 miles roundtrip, Elevation 2,874’
Because of its great success, the program
recently received an Excellence Award
by the Adirondack Park Agency, further
solidifying the program’s ever-increasing
significance to the area. “It’s just nice to be
recognized for our effort. We did it with
what we had and marketed it in an effective way,” said Rabideau.
Baker Mountain: 1.8 miles roundtrip, Elevation 2,452’
Description: A short but steep climb to the summit offers an expansive view
of McKenzie and the High Peaks.
Haystack Mountain: 6.6 miles roundtrip, Elevation 2,864’
Description: Mostly a walk in the woods with a steep climb at
the end. The summit yields a view of the Saranac Lakes and
Whiteface Mountain.
Description: A short hike perfect for families. Despite its size,
it offers open views of the High Peaks and Saranac Lake.
Total of 37.8 miles for all six peaks.
Information courtesy of the Saranac Lake 6er program.
More can be found at www.saranaclake6er.com.
With the summer hiking season drawing
near, the program will be shifting its focus
away from the competition aspect and
more toward stewardship. Working alongside the Department of Environmental
Conservation, the program will host a
“Trail Day” sometime this summer where
members will be encouraged to lend a hand
in maintaining the mountain trails.
Along with opening up the program to more
volunteers, Evans said hikers are looking
forward to the reunion aspect of coming
back to participate in the 6er’s a year later,
adding to the strong sense of community
created by the program. “The question I’m
sure people have been asking themselves in
other communities is ‘Why didn’t we think
of that?’” Evans concluded.
May 2014 Strictly Business | 23
Insight
Story by Meg LeFevre and Photo by Howard Jennings
Ducky Drake
“GOOOAAALLL!!! Bobby Orr scores!” It was only
mini table hockey in Barre, Vermont, but it was tenyear-old Ducky Drake’s first foray into the business of
sports broadcasting. A dozen or so years later, when
he found himself lost in downtown Plattsburgh looking for the ferry to Vermont, Ducky stumbled upon his
first real job in radio at WEAV. From there, he became
the well-known, often impassioned voice of WIRY as
well as SUNY Plattsburgh hockey. Recently, however, Ducky “put a fork in” his forty year broadcasting
career. In June 2013, he asked and answered his very
last, “Is it just me?” commentary on Hometown Radio
and in March of this year, he called his last Cardinal
hockey game. In time, he says he’ll get involved with
local volunteer organizations but for now, Ducky is
enjoying waking up after the sun and “ just watching
the flowers grow.”
Following are excerpts from SB’s interview with Ducky Drake.
SB: Is your real name Ducky?
DD: No. My real name is Alan, but the story of how I got the
nickname isn’t that exciting. In the early ‘70s when I first came
to Plattsburgh, I was out playing tennis with a friend and he just
started calling me Ducky. I don’t know if he was telling me to
“Duck!” because he hit the ball, but it just stuck. And of course
drake is a male duck.
SB: You’ve had an interesting perspective over the years,
what are your thoughts on how Plattsburgh and the area has
progressed…or digressed?
DD: When they closed the Base, that was a big to do and some
thought rack and ruin would hit the area. I never thought that
was going to happen. I thought in some ways it could be for the
better and in some ways it certainly has been. They’ve been able
to bring in new businesses and employ new people. They’ve
done a very good job of turning it around. Down the road, the
town and city have got to become one. It just has to happen. The
town is basically where everyone goes to shop and eat. What
the city really has going for it is the lakefront and they need to
develop that more.
SB: How do you feel about street closures in the City?
DD: I’m not a big fan of street closures. In theory, I think it’s a
good idea to bring people in and have musicians and events
down there, but I think it annoys people because of the traffic
flow. The city is going to have to find its own niche with specialty
24 | sbmonthly.com May 2014
shops. Maybe if they get one big anchor store, more will follow,
but I don’t know if it’s a “build it and they will come” kind of thing.
SB: As for the Town, can we talk about your beef with Bernie
Bassett?
DD: In a way it’s made up. I don’t even know Bernie that well. I’ve
talked to him on the phone a few times and we have a somewhat cordial relationship. He doesn’t run when he sees me and I
don’t run when I see him. When I did my commentaries, it didn’t
matter if it was Bernie or someone else. Some people took it personally, and it really wasn’t a personal thing. He, or whoever it
was, would just say something that I didn’t agree with, I didn’t
see it the way they saw it, which is my right, and I had a pulpit
from which to preach. I never had anything against Bernie, I just
didn’t necessarily agree with some of the things he wanted to
do and how he did them.
SB: Differing opinions are probably good for a healthy
community…
DD: I think so. And it wasn’t just Bernie. I talked about the library,
the MLD, the fire department, and various departments in the
city. I don’t dislike any of those people or departments. I just
didn’t agree with how they were being run. It was never meant
to be personal. Often people would tell me that I was the only
one doing that type of thing, that I was a voice for other people,
saying the things they thought, but they didn’t have a platform
to say. I was never out to get anybody. I was just pointing things
out. I did close to 800 commentaries. I never wanted everybody to
agree with me, because what would be the sense of doing commentary if everybody agreed with you? You want some people
to disagree because that will further the discussion. For most of
the things, I did my research and knew what I was talking about.
I wasn’t just shooting from the hip or off the top of my head.
than a year later. Getting better so I could broadcast hockey
games was one of the things that kept me going. I really wanted
to do it. Bob Emery would send me tapes of games with no audio
and I would put the tape on and try to call the game by watching it. When they won the national championship in 2001, it was
special because I had come back from my stroke.
SB: Where did your “Is it just me?” tagline come from?
DD: I don’t really know. I do a lot of walking and I was out walking one day and I got to thinking about doing commentary. I
knew I didn’t want everybody to agree with me and I thought literally, “Is it just me?” … Some people would say, “It is just you!” I
was originally going to do them at random with personal observations, not necessarily about politics or political people, but it
developed into twice a week. After a while, people expected to
hear them on Tuesdays and Thursdays and it just snowballed. It
wasn’t easy to do. I tried to keep it local, sometimes it was political, and sometimes it was just my own personal commentary of
memories of Thanksgiving or Christmas or playing baseball. You
can’t just pound somebody constantly with the issues. You’ve got
to go away from it and then, if new issues develop, go back to it.
SB: What was it like not being able to talk, knowing that’s
your livelihood?
DD: At first I thought, “This is it. What am I going to do? I make
my living talking.” It was very strange and scary because inside
you hear and feel and everything sounds normal, but nobody
could understand me. It was very difficult for a time.
SB: Did you ever change your mind on certain issues?
DD: I got responses over the years on many commentaries. There
was one about the traffic light on the corner of Truman and
Boynton Avenue. I could never understand why there were two
lights in a row, so I did a commentary about that. I got a response
from a lady and her explanation made sense to me. (Almost all
the time when people sent responses I put them on the air.) I
read that one and I got to thinking about how right she was
and I eventually did another commentary saying she was right.
That’s the first one I remember where I really changed my mind
on something, but there were certainly others.
SB: If you could have dinner or spend an evening with any
person, dead or alive, who would you choose and why?
DD: I’ve always been fascinated by people who did things for the
first time, and one of those people (I guess it’s because of my connection to sports) was Jackie Robinson. I’ve seen the movie and
read things about him through the years, and if everything I’ve
read and seen is accurate, he was so tormented. Everyday people were on him; how could he have lived like that and turned
the other cheek? He did though and he didn’t fight back, which
is very difficult. I always thought it would be interesting to sit
down and talk to him.
SB: If you could start your career over again, what would you
do differently?
DD: I think I would get into news sooner. I really enjoyed the
news aspect.
SB: How would you like to be remembered?
DD: Doing hockey all those years, I always tried to be fair. A lot
of people would say, “He’s such a ‘home-er’ talking about only
his own team.” Obviously, I was getting paid to do the SUNY
Plattsburgh games, so I had to be a little slanted, but I always
tried to be fair to the other teams and not be a ‘home-er’. With
the news and commentary, I just tried to offer people another
way to look at things and let them make up their own mind. They
didn’t have to agree with me. I just tried to show them another
side of things that they might not have considered.
SB: The news is vital to any community, but how do you think
sports and recreation, specifically collegiate level, add to the
quality of life here?
DD: Obviously the college, not just sports but everything they
do here, theater and concerts, are a vital part of the community.
It gives you the chance to get away from the everyday grind or
problems to take a few hours to watch a hockey or basketball
game and get your mind off other things, especially in the winter.
SB: What’s your proudest professional moment?
DD: In 2000, I had a stroke. I wasn’t quite sure I was going to
come back from it. For the first month after, you couldn’t understand anything I said and I couldn’t even write the alphabet. But
I had a lot of help from the people at the Clinton County Health
Department and I was able to come back full time a little more
SB: What’s something that most people don’t know about
you?
DD: Because of my job on radio and broadcasting hockey, a lot
of people think I’m just always “out there.” People think I’m more
outgoing than I really am. I’m pretty quiet and a very introverted
person. I’m perfectly happy being by myself. I don’t need a lot
of people around constantly.
Job Title:
News and Sports Director at WIRY, retired
Education:
Leland Powers School of Radio, Theatre and Television in
Boston
Family: Son, Ken Drake (WPTZ sports) and daughter,
Barbara Drake
Hometown: Barre, Vermont
May 2014 Strictly Business | 25
Disc Golf
Fits Area to a Tee
Story by Steven Howell and Photos by Keith Provost
26 | sbmonthly.com
May 2014
“Once you get started, you’re hooked.”
—Erin Pangborn
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you will.
HUMMING
I
n 2009, Melanie Defayette,
youth service and recreation
d irector for t he Tow n of
Plattsburgh, was approached
by a local resident about establishing a local
disc golf course. “I had never heard of the
idea,” Defayette said. After a little research,
she found it would be a good fit. “It was
an opportunity to provide something for
residents that was low cost and easy to
maintain,” Defayette said. “Everything
about it was positive.”
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“It was so popular that within a year nine
holes was not enough, so we expanded to
HUMM
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NG
GI
RIN
funded the expansion, and attendance
ING
M
M
U
H
numbers have been growing ever since.
RINGING
ING
The Cadyville course saw just shy of 3,000
HUMM US
T
I
visitors during its inaugural year and for
G
TINN
ZIN
BUZ
2013 the numbers totaled 4,563 disc golfG
ers visiting the park.
GIN
BUZZING
RING
According to Erin Pangborn, Town of
Plattsburgh recreation program director,
those numbers are conservative because
not everyone signs in at the kiosk upon
arrival at the park entrance. Pangborn has
been an avid player since 2011. “Once you
get started, you’re hooked,” she said. “And
once you buy your discs there really is little or no cost.”
In addition to Cadyville, there are local
courses in the Town of Champlain, AuSable
G
IN S
G
U
N
RIINNIITNG
T MM
INGING
R
BUZZING
TINNITUS
RINGING
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May 2014
Strictly Business | 27
We Are Going For The “Grande”
WE ARE DEALING!
OUR GOAL
IS TO SELL
A quick Google search prompted the entire
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To Fly, Flip Away Backhanded
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Established in 1926
Route 9, Chazy, NY
518-846-7131
28 | sbmonthly.com
May 2014
Chasm, Twin Ponds Campground, and
Whiteface Mountain. While something of
an overnight sensation in the region, disc
golf’s history spans decades. The current
competitive craze started with the Frisbee
phenomenon in the early 1970s and Pluto
Platter, the Frisbee precursor. “People
began to look at it as a game rather than a
toy,” said Rev. “Flash” Kingsley, a Rochester,
New York resident who has founding ties
to the game as we now know it. “A lot of
people saw the bigger potential.” In fact,
Kingsley said folks didn’t have to look
far for inspiration. Play catch and invent
games’ was actually printed on the back of
the Pluto Platter.
www.rileyfordinc.com
DLR#3100058
Flat Flip Flies Straight
Tilted Flip Curves - Experiment!”
Communities of disc players soon began
playing in bigger numbers. “And competition was a natural gravitation for the
sport,” Kingsley said. From pockets of
players scattered all over the country, the
sport took great organizational strides
on a national level when the first World
Frisbee Championships were held at the
Rose Bowl in 1974.
Today there are some 5,850 courses worldwide with 3,560 in the U.S. and 181 in New
York State alone, according to Kingsley.
Membership in the PDGA and DGA has
grown to more than 58,000. Kingsley
explained that the sport is not only a
healthy endeavor and provides “tremendous camaraderie,” it’s also good for
business. “The people who run the tournaments need to drum up funds to install
courses,” he said. “And one way they do that
is by offering sponsorships at each tee sign,
so there is a commercial initiative to installing these courses everywhere.”
Local tourist attractions saw establishing a disc golf course as a natural fit and a
good business decision. “We wanted to add
another activity for our camping guests,”
said Tim Bresett, general manager of the
AuSable Chasm Recreation Center. “The
campers seem to really enjoy the new activity and we’ve also had a number of local
disc golf players who have been using the
course as well.”
course. It currently has 65 members and
fees are $25 for an annual membership.
Delisle has played at courses throughout
the northeast and when vacation time
rolls around, he and his 13-year-old son
Ben scope out potential courses.
Disc golf is played the same way as ball golf,
said Delisle. There are tees and fairways,
under and over par, and you still yell “fore”
when your flying disc has the potential to
hit an unsuspecting player. The discs come
in different weights and are used as drivers, mid-range shots and putters. “It’s just
like golf,” he said. It’s good exercise, too.
At the Cadyville 18-hole course, Delisle
said players can expect to walk upward of
three miles.
Aaron Kellett, the general manager of
Whiteface Mountain, said the complex
installed a disc golf course about six years
ago for similar reasons. “We wanted to give
our guests another option while they’re
here,” he said. About 500 visitors played
last year. “We find more and more people
looking for things to do for the day and this
is just one of the many activities we offer.”
The Adirondack Disc Golf Association plays
by PDGA rules. Members travel across the
state challenging other disc golf associations to matches—complete with trophies
and bragging rights. Delisle is so devoted,
he’s even opened his own disc business
called Mad Hayzer Disc Golf Shop. Discs
can also be purchased locally at Maui
North, Play It Again Sports and Dick’s
Sporting Goods.
The growing sport has also spawned the
Adirondack Disc Golf Association. The
current president of the association, Mike
Delisle, Jr., said the club was formed in
2010 specifically because of the Cadyville
Plattsburgh resident Dan Hosler, who often
plays with his wife, Kelly, summed up the
disc golf experience. “It’s like bowling,” he
said. “You don’t have to be good at it to have
a good time.”
Where to Play
Cadyville Recreation Park, 114 Goddeau
Road. This 18-hole course is basically a nice
walk in the woods. Open year round. Free
to play. The Town of Plattsburgh hosts
a variety of tournaments and Women’s
Open Nights throughout the season.
Discs are available for a one week rental
with a refundable deposit at the Town of
Plattsburgh offices at 151 Banker Road.
Town of Champlain Disc Golf Course,
Main, Elm and River Streets. This 9-hole
open course hugs the Great Chazy River
—so careful with those curve shots or
your discs may eventually wind up in Lake
Champlain! BYOD — bring your own discs.
AuSable Chasm Disc Golf Course, 2144
Route 9. This 18-hole course offers multiple tees for beginners and advanced
players. Lessons held Saturdays during
summer. Day pass and disc rentals are
available.
Twin Ponds Campground Disc Golf
Course, 208 Fuller Road, Peru. This 18-hole
course lives up to its name with “water”
holes—one with a stream hazard and two
with a pond hazard. Open year round.
Pay to play with a donation box. No disc
rentals.
Whiteface Mountain Disc Golf Course,
521 Route 86. Your play comes with a nice
view as this 9-hole course starts at the
base lodge and ascends about 800 feet
up the mountain. Season runs mid-June
through mid-October. Small fee includes
three disc rental.
For more information visit the
Adirondack Disc Golf Association
at www.adkdiscgolf.com.
Mike Delisle, Erin Pangborn, Aric Strauss, Mel Defayette, Mike McFarlin
May 2014 Strictly Business | 29
Story by Karen Bouvier
Photos by Keith Provost
Dave Cilley, owner of St. Regis Canoe Outfitters
30 | sbmonthly.com
May 2014
Dipping a P
Paddle In
S
ome come to meander through
the 3,000 ponds, lakes and rivers of the bucolic Adirondack
Park to see places and wildlife
only discoverable by boat. Others come to
test their strength in distance or speed.
Some have never paddled a canoe or kayak
before; others are experts who want to try
out the latest gear. At the end of the day,
some cook dinner on a Coleman, trade stories around a campfire and sleep under the
stars; others dine at four/five star restaurants and rest in comfy bed-and-breakfasts.
Dave Cilley, owner of St. Regis Canoe
Outfitters at 73 Dorsey Street, Saranac
Lake, delights in providing the gear and
advice to create the perfect Adirondack paddle vacation for all. “A person could show
up with their toothbrush and raincoat, and
we could do everything else,” said Cilley as
he gestured to the neat stacks of Old Town
Penobscots and We-No-Nah canoes, recreational, touring, and sea kayaks and all the
accoutrements. He laughed, “We could also
give them a raincoat.”
Beginning with six canoes in 1984, Cilley
ran St. Regis Canoe Outfitters out of his
basement for three years. Needing more
room, he moved his operation to a custom
built house on Floodwood Pond at the edge
of the sylvan St. Regis Canoe Wilderness.
In 2001, wanting to expand and be near
other services for his customers, he purchased his current location on the banks
of the Saranac River. He conducts the
business, including an online/mail-order
operation and a small publishing company (Paddlesports Press which publisher
maps and guidebooks) from this downtown location, but maintains the original
Floodwood Pond Base as an outpost from
April to October.
May 2014 Strictly Business | 31
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May 2014
Cilley explained, “One of the things that is
unique about our company is the six complete packages we offer. We are the first
company in the Adirondack Park to provide this. We have packages that include
lightweight and ultra-light canoes or kayaks, tents, cookware, shuttle service, rain
gear and food (complete with bear canisters). Customers can also bring their own
food and boats, or rent gear ‘a la carte.’”
In Cilley’s business, customer service is
key. “It’s not unusual for us to spend 30
minutes or more on the phone. We don’t
have a time limit. We discuss every detail
and need for the trip and work up a quote.
Trips can mix canoes and kayaks…we fit
the boat to the person. People are incredibly appreciative and reassured, and know
exactly what they are getting. Even more
than price, our customers look at value and
the experience as a whole.”
Speaking of experience, Cilley, author of the
Adirondack Paddler’s Guide: Finding Your Way
by Canoe and Kayak in the Adirondack Park,
is an expert on the Adirondack waterways
as well as all the gear needed to navigate
them. His parents (“outdoors people all the
way”) brought his twin brother and him to
summer camp as infants. Later, the Boy
Scouts got them interested in hiking, and
the brothers hiked all 48 “4,000 footers” in
New Hampshire’s White Mountains by the
time they were 16. His interest in paddling
began in the Florida Everglades in a teenaged attempt to escape their bird-watching
parents, once he tried it he was hooked.
After graduating from the University of
New Hampshire with a Botany degree,
Cilley worked for Eastern Mountain Sports
(EMS) in North Conway, New Hampshire.
The company wanted to make him a
regional manager, but Cilley decided to
start his own business instead.
Although most of Cilley’s clients come from
the metro areas stretching from Boston
to Washington, DC, the internet and the
recent establishment of the Northern
Forest Canoe Trail (a 740 mile paddling trail
traversing New York, Vermont, Quebec,
New Hampshire and Maine), have made
his business a destination for paddlers
from far flung places.
“One of the things that is unique about our company
is the six complete packages we offer.” —Davie Cilley
“For most canoe outfitters, the average
rental is for less than one day. Our average rental is over four days. So this really is
a vacation destination, not just for people
from the U.S. and Canada, but for people
from all over the world: the Netherlands,
Chile, England, Japan, and Singapore,”
he said.
As the slogan on his web site states:
“Vacation time is too precious to waste on
second rate gear or services.” Cilley and his
employees are committed to sharing their
love of the outdoors, paddling and experiencing the Adirondack Park. His customers
are confident with both the best gear in
the business and with Cilley’s waterproof
Adirondack Paddler’s map spread out in
the bottom of their boat. To top it all off,
when customers return gear at the end of
a long, sometimes cold, wet trip, nothing
feels better than the hot shower facilities
provided by St. Regis Canoe Outfitters.
They even provide the towels!
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May 2014
Strictly Business | 33
Up the Creek
on a Paddleboard
Story by Gordie Little and Photos by Keith Provost
34 | sbmonthly.com
May 2014
Y
ou’ve heard the phrase “up
the creek without a paddle.”
It should never happen when
you stop at Adirondack Coast
Paddleboard Co. and Kayak Shack, now
on Route 3 near the Northway Exit 37 in
Plattsburgh. Co-owner Patty introduced
herself as “a Husband and a wife.” Makes
sense. She is Patty Husband, wife to Dave
Husband. They are partners in life and in
business, owning and operating the Kayak
Shack, which, until recently was located on
Route 9 South.
The new faux thatched roof location on
Route 3 opened in November as a sister
store to the original, but it just made good
logistic and business sense to merge the
two retails stores, especially since stand
up paddleboarding has been the fastest
growing outdoor recreational activity for
the last two years. Patty said, “Somehow,
we managed to move all the great products we carried at the Kayak Shack Route
9 store into our Route 3 location, which
was already stocked with the most extensive Stand Up Paddleboard (SUP) selection
in the area. We basically doubled our
inventory.”
With a full staff of fifteen during the season, they rent SUPs and kayaks at their
Baggs’ Landing waterfront center near
Carpenter Flats on Route 9 at the AuSable
River. They also offer instruction and
clinics to all ages including a kids’ camp
for youngsters starting at age seven. The
Husbands said their lesson schedule at
Baggs’ Landing is for everyone, from beginners to advanced and paddleboarding is
about to be the North Country’s next water
recreation sensation.
Ben Bradford
Photo provided by the Adirondack Coast Visitors Bureau
“The very first time you hop on a paddleboard it’s like walking on water,” said Ben
Bradford, a paddleboard enthusiast who
lives and works in Plattsburgh. “There’s
a lot of balance and physical activity
involved; it’s a great way to get a workout,
see the sights and enjoy it while you’re doing
it.” Prior to getting hooked on paddleboarding, Bradford got to know Patty and Dave
when we bought his kayaks from them.
“I’ve been kayaking for years, but when the
paddleboard came to the area, I found it’s
so much easier to just toss it on my car. I
can run out after work and get out on the
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May 2014
Strictly Business | 35
“The very first time you hop on a paddleboard
it’s kind of like walking on water.” —Ben Bradford
water with it for a while. If I miss a day it’s
because there’s a thunderstorm,” he said.
Patty noted, “When people purchase kayaks and SUPs from the Kayak Shack, they
receive the benefits of buying from a specialty retailer.” She added, “We include a
complete paddling package. Free lessons,
invitations to our summer clinics and free
rentals for their family are all included. It’s
this level of customer service that allows a
local business to set itself apart from the
so-called ‘big-box’ retailer.”
The Kayak Shack also has a rental center
at the Plattsburgh City Beach during the
summer with ongoing events, including
an inaugural SUP race on Lake Champlain
during the Mayor’s Cup this year. The recreational race won’t exceed speeds of three
or four miles per hour, but Patty said there
are different boards for different activities,
including yoga. “I have a lot of boards that
77480_COB_BusAd -Strictly Business 4CSB
are really stable; stability comes from the
width, so that allows you to do yoga on
them,” she said.
Imagine taking the serenity of a yoga session to the placid waters of an Adirondack
lake or gentle river. Bradford has yet to try
a downward dog pose on his board, but he
loves to learn new moves. “I keep trying
different turns. There’s a lot of other stuff
you can do and that I’ve seen other people
do. I would absolutely go out and try yoga
on it,” he said.
Stand up paddleboarding actually got its
start among surfers in Hawaii. Bradford
explained the difference between the
two boards. “It’s similar to a surfboard;
it’s just wider and thicker and you stand
on it facing straight ahead with both feet
planted shoulder width apart, as opposed
to sideways on a surf board...and you
paddle it.”
Once the concept made its way to California,
it was a shoe in to spread. Little by little,
SUP moved to flat water and in the past
few years has grown almost exponentially. Patty said, “It took a while, but I now
actually prefer it to kayaking. Many people do both.”
She added, “People go on vacation to
other areas. They see it. They try it. They
are hooked like I am. It’s easier than you
might think and you can do it anywhere—
even on a small pond. During the winter
months, we teach it in the CVPH Wellness
Center pool.”
Although standing, or doing yoga, on a free
floating board in the middle of open water
seems like an impossible task, Bradford
and Patty agree, catching on is easy. “The
very first time I ever got on one, I was terrified, but after you fall off the first time,
it’s not a big deal. It’s very easy to get back
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| sbmonthly.com May 20141
1/30/14 11:42 AM
Patty and Dave Husband, owners of Adirondack Coast Paddeboard Co.
on and it’s strapped to your ankle with a
lanyard, so it’s not going to get away from
you,” Bradford explained.
He said a lot of his friends and acquaintances turn to him with questions about
the sport. “I have let a bunch of people
use my board and they get hooked too. It’s
great fun,” he said. “Go see Dave and Patty
at their setup down at Bagg’s Landing,
rent one, get on it and see if you enjoy it,”
he encouraged.
It’s the Husband’s third year setting up
at Bagg’s Landing. “The riverfront is the
perfect place to do it, it’s calm and you
don’t have to worry about power boaters,”
said Patty.
Patty and Dave’s aim is to get families—
especially kids—outdoors. They offer
many family events and tours and even do
birthday parties. Patty said, “I believe the
secret to a happy life is to live where others vacation. Long ago, my husband and I
adopted this motto, ‘We are all tourists’!
The Adirondack Coast can be taken for
granted. So many people drive hundreds
of miles during the summer to enjoy what
our area has to offer. Every once in a while,
you have to look up and realize all the great
things we have in the surrounding area.”
David added, “As a society, we spend a lot
of money going to other places to relax
when you could spend a lot less money and
go on vacation right here. Even if it’s for
just a half-hour taking a quick paddle or
sitting on your kayak or SUP 50 feet offshore after work. It’s amazing to me just
how relaxing it is.”
May 2014
Strictly Business | 37
Willie King, PGA Professional and owner of Plattsburgh Golf
38 | sbmonthly.com
May 2014
The King of
Plattsburgh
Story by Gordie Little and Photos by Howard Jennings
GOLF
W
hen you mention the game of
golf in this region, the name
Willie King and Plattsburgh
Golf quickly come to mind.
Longtime PGA Professional and owner of
Plattsburgh Golf, King is a lifelong North
Country resident who has made his living,
and many friends, through the sport of golf.
Inspired by his parents to work hard in
school, King was the first among his siblings to graduate from college, but it was
during his high school years at St. John’s
Academy that he was bit by the golf bug.
After caddying for a couple years at the
former Loon Lake House Resort—one of
America’s first commercial golf courses—
King went on to play golf at Adirondack
Community College; he then earned a
degree in Physical Education from SUNY
Cortland. In 1974, King became athletic
director at Clinton Correctional Facility in
his hometown of Dannemora, New York.
He marks that period as the true beginning of his love affair with golf.
With encouragement from the late Mel
Chisholm, former PGA pro at Bluff Point,
King packed up his clubs and headed south,
working as assistant pro at Disney World
and other golf clubs in the sunshine state.
In 1979, King returned home to take over
from the ailing Chisholm at Bluff Point.
He married his wife Sheri that same year
and after 37 years of marriage, King said
his life’s priorities have been family, God
and golf. Not necessarily always in that
order, but family has always come first.
He credits much of his success to his supportive wife. Their younger son, Matthew,
attended Boston College on a golf scholarship. “One of the proudest moments of my
life was when Matthew was a freshman and
May 2014
Strictly Business | 39
“I’m doing whatever I can to develop the golf passion in young people.”
—Willie King
they announced, ‘Now on the first tee, from
Boston College, Matt King.’”
too many clubs is getting older. I’m doing
whatever I can to develop the golf passion
in young people,” said King.
His son’s success in the sport is a direct
reflection of King’s passion. When asked
if he was still in love with the game, he
beamed. “Sure I am! I’m one of the lucky
ones.” He plays golf two or three times
a week and works diligently with youth
and adults, offering instructional classes
at Adirondack Golf and Country Club in
Peru. His Junior Golf Camps at Adirondack
have attracted many young golfers for the
past 11 years.
At his Smithfield Boulevard store in
Plattsburgh, local golfers young and old
stop in to check out the latest equipment or
just to chat with the resident golf pro. The
full-service Plattsburgh Golf Shop was born
in the former North Country Shopping
Center 31 years ago after King was advised
by a golf equipment expert in Utica, New
York to open a shop in Plattsburgh.
“The biggest part of my life these days is
being a member of the PGA (Professional
Golfers’ Association). I promote the game
and have had great junior programs over
the years. It’s a thrill to see the kids go on to
enjoy golf for the rest of their lives. Getting
kids involved is critical. The membership of
40 | sbmonthly.com
May 2014
Amid many paintings, drawings, trophies,
awards, and autographed photographs of
golf greats like Jack Nicklaus, King waxed
eloquent about his own history and that of
golf here and around the world. He recalled
the many people who have influenced his
life and career. Dr. Michael O’Connor, also
from Dannemora, was just a few years
ahead of King at St. John’s and the two men
have been lifelong friends; hard work and
a great golf game seem to be the ties that
bind their friendship. O’Conner was with
him that day at Bluff Point in the late ‘90s
when King shot a six under par 66, carding
five birdies and an eagle in the effort. He
hit a seven-iron in the cup from 151 yards
on the 11th hole.
“The beauty of golf is that if you want to
improve, you only need to motivate yourself,” King said, making a difficult game
seem simple. “You hit a bad shot—it’s your
fault. You hit a good shot—you did it all by
yourself. Pretty simple, isn’t it?”
King is modest about his accomplishments, but he has had an outstanding
career. “Probably my greatest achievement as a golf professional was starting
the Masters North—the best amateur golf
tournament around. This is the 31st year
and it’s the longest-running tournament
operated by one person in the history of
the North Country.
“I copied everything they do in Augusta.
We even give out a green jacket to the winner. Like Nicklaus, I have an honoree every
year,” he said. Peter Malo was the Masters
North winner last year. The 2012 winner
was David Passino who scored a hole-inone along the way and won with an eagle
on the first play-off hole. In 2011, Ed Davis
donned the green jacket in Malone and
King’s son, Matt, was second by a stroke.
King raises a lot of money from business
people for the Masters North, held at
Malone Golf Club, where hometown boy
Derek Sprague “runs the ship.” King told
the “Rudy” story of how Sprague came to
be an officer of the PGA. “He’s the best. He
will become the next president of the PGA
after his stint as vice president. To think
that in November, he’ll be president of an
association with 27,000 members. Our
Northeastern New York group is the smallest of 41 sections in the country. This is a
real feather in our cap.”
King said many golf greats have lived and
played here in the North Country. Craig
Wood, for example, lived in Lake Placid
and won two major championships. Henry
Picard won the Masters in 1938 and the
PGA Championship the following year. He
came north to play Westport in his later
years. King said Picard and Ben Hogan
were great friends.
For a region with barely six months of
snowless greens, the North Country boasts
a rich history of golf. Bluff Point dates to
1890 when it was attached to the former
Hotel Champlain and is often advertised as
the third oldest resort course in America.
U. S. Presidents William Howard Taft and
William McKinley vacationed at Hotel
Champlain and played rounds at Bluff
Point. Other notables such as baseball legend Babe Ruth also played here. Various
members of the PGA tour, including Ken
Venturi, have expressed their pleasure after
playing at the local club. King mentioned
the course at Tupper Lake as being one of
the older ones in the region and pointed
out that Wayne Levi, twelve-time PGA
tour winner, played there along with popular professional Lee Elder.
As for the origins of the game itself, they
are mostly lost in the mists of time, but
surely go back to or before the Middles
Ages. Scotland claims to have spawned
the modern game and King proudly said
he has played the world-famous Scotland
course at St. Andrews.
Between running his shop seven days
a week, giving lessons and organizing
Masters North, King is every bit the golf
pro his title claims him to be. The key to it
all, he said, is in a quote from the famous
golfer, Gary Player, “The harder you work,
the luckier you get.”
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May 2014
Strictly Business | 41
Chamber Wise
Business Expo: The Largest
Networking Event of the Year!
By Garry Douglas
T
wenty-six years ago, a group of Chamber volunteers
came together and organized the very first “Business
Expo”. They thought it was important that our area have
an annual event where businesses could highlight their products and services to other businesses, engaging in “B2B” long
before the term became common. And they also thought a show
could be best developed and delivered by Chamber members,
designed to reflect the North Country without the use of an
outside promoter.
42 | sbmonthly.com
May 2014
They were absolutely right on both scores, and on June 5th, the
North Country Chamber of Commerce is proud to present the
26th Annual Business Expo at the SUNY Plattsburgh Field House
from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
With 186 booths and more potential contacts than anyone
could make in months, Business Expo is a unique event that all
SB readers should not only take advantage of by attending, but
should maximize that advantage by having colleagues and key
staff attend as well. Procurement staff and
office managers can learn about new products and services. HR managers will gain
different insights and information, as will
owners, finance staff, logistics managers,
and others. Every area company should
send not just one attendee, but several over
the course of the day.
The key to the show’s importance is that
it is the only business to business show in
the region each year, focusing not on public consumers, but on Business to Business
sales and activities. And it is so remarkably efficient when you realize there is no
other such opportunity to find so many
exhibitors and businesspeople in one place
on one day.
And that makes it an extraordinary networking event as well. With some 2,000
business attendees over the course of the
day, you will meet and cross paths with not
only those at the booths, but hundreds of
others attending the show. You’re almost
bound to run into people you haven’t seen
in a while, and can use the networking area
in the heart of the show to meet and socialize, including over lunch.
This incredible event, which also serves
to highlight the scope and diversity of
our business community, is made possible through the generous sponsorship this
year of Denton Publications, Manpower,
Twinstate Technologies, Buck Supply and
Distribution, Community Bank NA, and
ABC 22/Fox 44/myChamplainValley.com.
There’s even free coffee available all day
courtesy of LaQuinta Inns & Suites and
Northern Insuring.
Admission is just $5 per person which
supports the Chamber’s small business
services. So be sure to be there and spread
the word. Let’s all make this the biggest
and most productive Business Expo yet!
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Garry Douglas is the president of the North
Country Chamber of Commerce.
May 2014
Strictly Business | 43
Late Night Emails:
To Send or Not to Send
By Bonnie Black
R
ecently an article I read in the Boston Globe Lifestyle section by Beth Teitell made me sit up and reflect on my
own behavior. It was titled, “Late-hour Work E-mailing
Sends Unsettling Message.”
M-m-m. I know a few people who send those 1:30 a.m. emails or
even at 5:15 a.m. It got me thinking, “What kind of message are
they really sending at that time?” Even as corporate America (as
well as EAPs) preach the importance of work-life balance, when
the boss is the one e-mailing late at night, it sends the message
that around-the-clock work is expected. Is THAT the message
you’re truly sending?
In France, at the end of April, labor unions and corporate representatives agreed to limit after-hours e-mails. The agreement,
which would give workers an 11-hour e-mail-free window, aims
to improve work-life balance, particularly for those who work
with clients in distant time zones. Word of the French e-mail
limits went viral in the United States, where work is increasingly
encroaching on the rest of life, one message at a time.
More than four in ten cellphone-owning adults (44%) have slept
near their phones so they didn’t miss a text or an e-mail, according to 2012 data from the Pew Internet Project. Is that you??
Continued on page 46…
44 | sbmonthly.com
May 2014
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May 2014
Strictly Business | 45
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Statistics on the volume of late-night workrelated e-mails are hard to come by, but one
thing is clear: Middle-of-the-night e-mailing is a source of stress—on both sides of
the “send” button.
There was a comment, in the article by a
boss who is also a poor sleeper and often
sends e-mails at 3 a.m. She noted that her
staff asks her how she is doing and what
kept her up. What her emails truly say is
that she has blurred boundaries—can’t
separate work time from personal time
—for herself as well as her staff. That’s
NOT modeling the behavior she wants to
see from others!
Another point that was brought up was
the increased typos and bluntness of the
emails. Again, not the image the boss
should be projecting.
One business leader commented that
regardless of policies you may have in the
workplace, if you are the leader, and you’re
sending late-night e-mails, that creates a
certain culture. It can cause more stress and
anxiety in the workforce. But, there’s more.
Depending on the employee’s job, latenight e-mails can create issues beyond
insomnia, said Kabrina Krebel Chang,
an assistant professor of Business Law at
Boston University School of Management.
“It could constitute overtime,” she said,
“and when the line between work and not
work is blurred, it raises all sorts of liability issues.”
Now, there’s a whole other issue to
contemplate as you prepare that late night
or early morning email!
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May 2014
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