New associate
PLATTSBURGH — Fesette Realty has announced that Mary Kay Penfield has joined the firm as a full-time sales associate. Penfield brings 10 years of real-estate experience to the brokerage and has been a consistent multimillion-dollar producer in Clinton County.
"Mary Kay is a great addition to our organization," principal broker and owner Neil Fesette said. "Mary Kay is an established sales professional in the community who is well versed with our local real-estate market and trends that are reshaping the industry." Penfield has served as an officer of the Clinton County Board of Realtors and was the organization's president in 2009. On the state level, Penfield serves on several committees and is vice chair of the New York State Association of Realtors (NYSAR) Public Relations Committee.
Additionally, she was recently selected from many applicants in New York to attend NYSAR's leadership academy. On the national level, Penfield serves the National Association of Realtors as the political coordinator for the 23rd Congressional District.
"Mary Kay's commitment to our profession and her clients are well documented. The clients she serves will be the beneficiaries of her knowledge," Fesette said.
Fesette Realty is the top producing independent real estate firm in Clinton County with offices located at 176 U.S. Oval in Plattsburgh.
Staff, unit recognized
PLATTSBURGH — The Rehabilitation Services staff of CVPH Medical Center has been recognized for excellent service based on patients' evaluations.
The rehabilitation center located on Degrandpre Way received an award for the highest satisfaction scores, while the rehabilitation services located at PARC saw the highest increase in patient satisfaction.
Christine Meister, rehabilitation services line director, accepted the awards presented by CVPH Medical Center President Stephens Mundy. The hospital's goal is to increase patient service satisfaction by awarding the departments that score the highest in both excellence and improvement. Awards are given out quarterly and scores are compared to patient satisfaction being achieved at approximately 1,000 other hospitals across the country.
In November 2009, CVPH opened a third rehabilitation center on Tom Miller Road in Plattsburgh. The three centers provide outpatient physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy for patients of all ages.
Award received
PLATTSBURGH — Play It Again Sports of Plattsburgh, a local provider of new and quality used sports and fitness equipment, has been recognized for going above and beyond with its business operations.
The retailer has achieved a "Gold Standard" distinction, which is reached when a store achieves a set of standards set forth by its franchisor during the evaluation process. In particular, the Plattsburgh store excelled in the customer satisfaction, store operations and product quality standards. This is the third year the store has earned this honor.
"Achieving Gold Standard status is an accomplishment that is highly revered throughout the Play It Again Sports organization," said Edmund Freer of Play It Again Sports of Plattsburgh. "This distinction indicates that we are providing consumers in the Plattsburgh area with superior product assortment and customer service, two elements that combine to form a rewarding shopping experience."
Franchised and branded under Winmark Corporation — a company that develops franchises and provides financial services for retail stores that buy, sell and trade new and quality used merchandise — Play It Again Sports has nearly 350 locations in North America, and its stores are individually owned and operated.
"We recognize that in today's economy, a greater number of shoppers are looking to resale shops as a convenient way to get the most value for their dollar," Freer said. "And, as our Gold Standard status proves, consumers do not need to compromise quality for savings at Play It Again Sports of Plattsburgh."
Consumers who wish to identify a Play It Again Sports Gold Standard store can look for the "Gold Standard" seal at the store or visit www.playitagainsports.com where Gold Standard stores are recognized on the store locator page.
For more information about Play It Again Sports of Plattsburgh, located at 30 Plattsburgh Plaza, contact Freer at 566-6026.
Show attended
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Looking to increase group travel and tourism to the Adirondack Region, area tourism professionals were part of the more than 3,200 participants attending the 2010 American Bus Association Marketplace in Washington, D.C., recently.
They were Kristy Kennedy, group marketing specialist for the Adirondack Coast Visitors & Convention Bureau; Tanya Brand, Warren County group tour promoter; Tim Bresett, general manager of Ausable Chasm; Sally Wood, The Wild Center; Marci Hall, Fort Ticonderoga; and various other New York State tourism representatives.
Kennedy explained that trade shows such as this one are a vital way to connect with tour operators and keep the Adirondack Region at the top of people's minds. While at the trade show, regional marketing representatives Kennedy and Bresett conducted more than 150 one-on-one meetings with tour operators. These meetings were designed to discuss what the Adirondack Region has to offer and how it can help increase the operator's tour portfolio.
"During these meetings, I got a sense of what the tour operators offer to their clients and how we can fit in," Kennedy said. "Many operators were familiar with our area and are interested in visiting."
Many tour operators and industry representatives felt that 2010 was going to be a better year than 2009 and were excited to start adding new tours to their catalogs.
Kennedy said her experience at ABA Marketplace this year was a great way to kick off the New Year. "It helped me to continue to build relationships with tour operators and other tourism professionals," she said. "Several operators are ready to bring tours to our area and even booked tours on the spot."
Ski Day
WILMINGTON — Co-sponsors Westelcom, Whiteface and Center Plate invite guests to join them on March 4 for a day of networking and fun on the slopes at Chamber Ski Day. Tickets for members of the Plattsburgh-North Country Chamber of Commerce or its partner chambers are only $32 if reservations are made by Feb. 22.
Those new to the sport can purchase a "Learn to Ski or Board" package for only $67. This includes equipment rental, a half-mountain ski pass and a lesson.
Those who RSVP after Feb. 22 will pay $10 more. Tickets are available to non-members for $52 to $87 if reserved by Feb. 22.
When the lifts close, the fun continues. Attendees may head to the Cloudspin Lounge at 4 p.m. for the Après Ski Party. Those who are not skiers can attend the party for only $3. For those who are buying a ski ticket, the party is included in the price.
Any cancellations must be made before Feb. 22 in order to receive a refund. Tickets must be purchased in advance — they will not be available after March 1. For more information, call the chamber at 563-1000 or go to www.northcountrychamber.com.
Award received
AKWESASNE — The Comfort Inn and Suites of Akwesasne was recently recognized with the 2010 Gold Hospitality Award from Choice Hotels International Inc.
"The hotel's commitment to excellence and outstanding guest service has earned it this well-deserved recognition as one of the best hotels among the Comfort Inn brand," said Steve Joyce, president and chief executive officer for Choice Hotels in a news release.
The Akwesasne site is among the top 10 percent of the 4,800 properties within the Comfort Inn brand by demonstrating "exceptional focus on guest satisfaction and dedication to providing superior service."
Business mixer
LAKE PLACID — The Essex County Business Council invites area business people to its monthly networking event on Thursday from 5:30-7 p.m. at the Golden Arrow's new restaurant called Generations.
Guests will enjoy complimentary hors d'oeuvres as they explore the new restaurant.
Business After Hours is open to members of the Essex County Business Council, Plattsburgh-North Country Chamber of Commerce and partner chambers. The Essex County Business Council is a division of the Plattsburgh chamber. For those who are not members of the ECBC or any partner members, contact the council for a special-guest pass.
Admission is $2. For more information, or to make reservations, call Arlene at 523-2445, Ext. 133.
Haiti relief
PLATTSBURGH — KeyCorp CEO Henry L. Meyer III has announced that Key will give $5,000 to Haiti earthquake relief efforts in each of Key's 22 Key Community Bank districts from Maine to Alaska and in selected cities where Key National Bank has a presence. The gift will total $135,000. The donations will be made through a local chapter of the American Red Cross in each location.
In presenting a check for Haiti relief to the American Red Cross of Central New York, Stephen Fournier, president, Central New York District, KeyBank, said: "This donation comes with the thoughts and prayers of our entire Key community. We grieve with the people of Haiti and are proud to support them as they begin to rebuild their country."
KeyBank Foundation head Margot Copeland added, "Our employees are already giving individually and generously to this tragedy by donating to the American National Red Cross and other first responders. KeyBank Foundation will continue to match these gifts dollar for dollar, which is in addition to the $135,000 announced today."
Business Expo
PLATTSBURGH — Registration has begun and booths are going quickly for the Business Expo to be held May 20 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the SUNY Plattsburgh Field House.
Booth fees are $395 for members of the Plattsburgh-North Country Chamber of Commerce for the largest business-to-business show in Northern New York. Participants can make hundreds of new business contacts, shake hands with potential customers and personally thank current customers, and showcase their products and services.
Go to www.northcountrychamber.com and click on the Expo link to download a registration form and find all the needed information, or call the chamber at 563-1000.
Energy program
PLATTSBURGH — New York State Electric and Gas Co. has kicked off a replacement and rebate program for lighting and refrigerators in five- to 50-unit apartment buildings and condominium complexes.
The program includes rebates of up to 50 percent of the cost to replace common area lighting with energy efficient lighting, installing up to six compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) in living areas and refrigerator replacements (for low-income customers) or rebates of up to $300 towards replacement costs for eligible models.
Participants must own a qualifying property with NYSEG electricity service or be a NYSEG residential electricity customer who resides in a qualifying property.
"Installing high-efficiency lighting and Energy Star refrigerators will help property owners and tenants reduce their energy costs immediately and for years to come," said Mark Lynch, president of NYSEG. "A step as simple as switching to CFLs, which use 75 percent less energy and last up to 10 times longer than comparable incandescent bulbs, can help reduce energy bills while also reducing greenhouse gases and fuel used to generate power."
Apartment and condominium buildings with fewer than five units and more than 50 units per building are not eligible for this program, but may be eligible for other state-funded energy programs.
Eligibility information, other program details and answers to frequently asked questions are available at nyseg.com. Information is also available by calling 1-800-995-9525.
All equipment replacements and installations will be performed by RISE Engineering, a contractor representing NYSEG.
Rebates are being offered in accordance with a July 2009 New York State Public Service Commission order approving multifamily efficiency programs for utilities across the state. The program is funded by the System Benefits Charge on electricity customers' bills.
