With the beautiful weather finally here, it’s the perfect time to jump in the car, roll down the windows and go for a road trip. So why not pick up some snacks, fill up the tank and take a trip to New York City — right here in Glens Falls!

The Big Apple is coming to Hometown U.S.A this summer thanks to The Hyde Collection, which will offer its newest exhibition titled “New York, New York! The 20th Century.“  Behan Communications is a proud sponsor of the exhibition, which will feature some of the best views of New York City this side of the Brooklyn Bridge. More than 60 paintings, photographs, sculptures and works on paper are on display. On loan from the Norton Museum of Art in West Palm Beach, the show will run from mid-June to mid-September and will offer a glimpse of The City rarely seen.

So make sure to mark your calenders this summer.  I wouldn’t want you to…fuggetaboutit!

Rick Judge

New York, New York! The 20th Century

June 11th – September 18th

The Hyde Collection

161 Warren Street, Glens Falls, NY 12801

Tuesday – Friday: 11am – 4pm; weekends: 12noon – 5pm
Closed Mondays and national holidays.

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Photo by Dannica Greene

With Walt Grishkot, there was never a recession in inflation.

Each of the last 39 falls, he raised the sights and spirits of an entire region and, with his steady co-pilot, Joanie, endowed Warren County with its signature annual event.

In life Walt Grishkot knew only one direction: Up.

Which, we suspect, is where he’s headed now.

Safe home, Walt.

Mark Behan

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I was very sorry to hear of the death of one of the greatest pitchmen I knew – Walter Grishkot. We all were here at Behan Communications. Our region has lost one of its greatest promoters and a friend.

Long before Pitchmen became a reality TV show on the Discovery Network, Walt was charming local residents, making newspaper readers laugh and gasp, and bringing welcome attention onto an area that we all call home.

His photography – of the Lake George sea monster, the balloonist climbing down a rope ladder to an outhouse, among others – was clearly designed to do two critical things in public relations: Get people’s attention, and get them to remember you.

His legacy – the Adirondack Balloon Festival – is the crowning achievement of both Walt and Joan, his wife. Where we have one weekend of glorious fun, they have an entire year of paperwork, deals, seeking out sponsorships, collecting information and advertising for the program for the festival. They worked quite hard to benefit the region and us all.

We should heartily thank the Grishkots for their long-term efforts.

When I was the Online Director at The Post-Star – and before that when I was News Editor there – we always knew that summer was in full swing when Walt would start coming into the newsroom with full-color photos of the latest creations coming to the festival. He always promised one other “secret” that he’d share with us later – an event at the festival, or a new entry into the colorful rainbow of airships – that inevitably turned out to be a signature part of the event.

Walter was a friend and a good example: Be enthusiastic, know your market, and try unique ways to get the message out.

I am not sure God needs someone to help Heaven with publicity, but if so, God just got the best Pitchman in a century — and a caring and thoughtful gentleman, as well.

We’ll miss you, Walt. Thanks for giving us your energy, your ideas and yourself.

Pat Dowd

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Lake George is truly is one of the great treasures of New York, with its scenic views and relaxing culture calling you away from the stresses of everyday life.

Scott Rothbort and Mike Dorman noticed something else: an opportunity.

Scott, nationally recognized for his investments insights on CNBC, Fox Business Network and Bloomberg Radio and TV, and Queensbury resident Mike Dorman saw a need for New York-style bagels and high-quality burgers in a family-friendly setting that’s open year-round. Their vision comes to life this weekend when “From Bagels to Burgers” celebrates its grand opening at 217 Canada Street, in the heart of Lake George Village.

The grand opening will begin with a ribbon cutting ceremony this Saturday, May 14th, at 10 a.m. The day-long celebration will include menu specials, a free From Bagels to Burgers coffee mug giveaway to the first 500 customers, and a drawing for an Apple iPod touch.  Radio station Hits 95.9 FM will also be on location, broadcasting live from the restaurant from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Scott, an investment advisor and independent restaurant industry analyst, and his partners met with a Behan Communications team on a wintery afternoon late last year. As they articulated their ideas, Vice Presidents John Brodt and Mik Bondy and I sensed right away that their project was a winner and we couldn’t wait to get started.

Working with Scott and his team of investors, we developed a strategic marketing plan and implemented it. From logo and web design to news media coverage, we worked to help our client bring their dreams to life. It’s been an exciting and exhilarating few months, to say the least.

If you get a chance to stop in, make sure to say hello to Mike, who will be handling the restaurant’s day-to-day operations, and try one of their signature burger bombs. You’ll be in for a real treat.   You can find out more about From Bagels to Burgers on their web site or follow them on Facebook.   Rick Judge

From Bagels to Burgers Grand Opening

Location: 217 Canada Street, Lake George

Date: Saturday, May 14th

Time: 10:00 a.m. till close

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The NBA team that ends up with Jimmer Fredette will have all kinds of marketing options, but it will have a hard time topping “You’ve Been Jimmered,” and its various twists.

It’ll have an especially hard time topping this, assembled in a fence overlooking a highway bypass in Provo, Utah.

We learn once more that social media is giving us a world without walls. Some clever soul came up with an idea, a passerby took a photo, and the next thing you know, the image has made its way around the world, carried on the winds of the blogosphere. I’m guessing you haven’t seen the last of it.

Jimmer is a thoroughly 21st-century phenomenon, a social media icon by virtue of his name, his game and really nothing else. I suspect if he played along or attempted to exploit the attention for his own gain, it would ruin the fun and people would lose interest. As it is, he’s beloved if not revered, as seen by the Osama sign and this Facebook response when a fellow BYU student questioned the adulation that was being showered on him.

Of course, this all raises the stakes even more for Fredette. One slip and the world will be watching, literally.

Perhaps that’s the biggest lesson in all of this. One isolated moment, good or bad, has the power to make or break a reputation online. You never know what will travel. Guard your moments carefully, lest you look up one day and discover you, too, have been Jimmered.

Bill Callen

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