From the Editor's Desk

The Dart Lady was on target

2011-09-06T12:21:00.000-07:00

When Peggy Kownack puts her mind to something, it normally gets done.

In this case, thanks to her efforts in proposing and gathering support for the plan, The Uptown Community Harvest Festival is a finalist for a $10,000 Pepsi Refresh Everything grant.

Peggy, known to many as The Dart Lady, writes the "Unique Perspective" blog on The Record's website. She is a native of Troy and a founding member of The Uptown Initiative. She really cares about this city and isn't shy about offering her ideas on how the Collar City should be revitalized.

Peggy worked hard to get support for the festival proposal, partnering with several other groups seeking funding so the festival proposal vote total would stay in the top 15 list of projects and be eligible for funding.

Among the groups she worked with was the Cohoes Music Hall, which successfully competed for a $25,000 grant.

As a finalist, the festival proposal must now go through a verification process, but Peggy is already making plans for the mid-October event.

Last year’s event featured free games, food and activities for children in the city’s North Central/Uptown neighborhood, but with the Pepsi funding, Peggy plans to open the festival to kids from all over the city.

Congratulations Peggy. Your proposal was right on target and we're proud of your efforts!

Congratulations Joe!

2011-09-02T10:09:00.000-07:00

I've always said that any one of us at The Record -- or all of us for that matter -- could call in sick, go on vacation, quit, move, etc., and the newspaper would still come out with barely a blip in the work flow.

All of us that is except for Joe Hack.

Somehow, when Joe isn't here, things just don't seem to go as well.

Joe is noting a special milestone in his professional life this Labor Day weekend.
On Saturday, Sept. 3, Joe celebrates his 46th anniversary with The Record.

Journal Register Company CEO John Paton, Senior Publisher - Connecticut & New York Clusters Tom Wiley and Record Publisher Mike O'Sullivan saluted Joe today in a series of emails to all of the employees at The Record, and I would like to add my congratulations, too, having spent my 35-year career here working alongside Joe.

In fact, for a lot of his 46 years, Joe has worked here in the newsroom as an assistant, handling a multitude of tasks. For the past few years, he has worked in the building department.

Joe is an institution at The Record.
He has an amazing recall of events -- particularly if they happened in Green Island -- and of the people he has met over the years.

When we were talking about his upcoming anniversary, I asked him what stands out as he thinks back over his career, be it news events or interesting personalities.

At first, he told me there were too many to recall. Once he got going, however, there were many special moments that came back to him.

Election nights, employee recognition dinners, Christmas parties at the old Mario's, the Century House and the Turf Inn; company picnics in Saratoga and at Grafton Lakes State Park; the addition of the current newsroom in 1972; the current press going on line in 1985; shaking the hand of Gov. Nelson A. Rockefeller as he stopped by The Record for a visit; the resignation of President Richard Nixon at the height of the Watergate scandal, and the collapse of the Green Island Bridge on the Ides of March in 1977.

Green Island is a place that is near and dear to Joe's heart. It's the place he calls home. To all of us, he is Mr. Green Island. Not much gets by Joe over there; just ask Village Mayor Ellen McNulty Ryan.

In fact, Joe says he owes his career here to one of the village's most beloved leaders and Ellen's father, the late Jack McNulty.

Prior to joining The Record team, Joe worked for the village, Albany County and even the federal government through his work for the post office.

As Joe's temp job with the village came to an end one Thursday 46 years ago, Jack McNulty stopped by the park where Joe was working and told him to go to The Record and see Walt Kane about a job. He left the park at 2 p.m. and was given a job as a messenger in the business office later that afternoon.

And the rest, as they say, is history.

From the business office to the newsroom to the mailroom to the building department, it's been a pleasure for all of us to work with him.

Congratulations Joe on a job well done!

Calling all high school sports fans!

2011-09-01T08:46:00.000-07:00

Kudos to Record sports editor Kevin Moran and his staff for putting together a terrific 48-page high school football preview section, which is available today in print and online.

The section is a must-read for fans of the Friday night lights.

Among the section highlights are:

-- The end of an era: One final season for Shenendehowa icon Brent Steuerwald; (ABOVE)

-- The La Salle Institute Cadets return with 21 of 22 starters from last year as they kick off their 2011 season;

-- The Lansingburgh High School Knights expect to make another super run this season; and

-- It make take Troy High School's Flying Horses a few weeks to come together, but they have the talent to contend.

My thanks also to our sports reporters Laura Amato, Andrew Santillo, Ed Weaver, correspondent Mike Cioffi and Assistant Sports Editor Tim Martin for their work on the section.

Welcome aboard to Laura, our new high school sports reporter, who will be spending a lot of Friday nights under the lights. Say hello when you see her out at a game.

Praise also goes to Chief Photographer Mike McMahon and photographers Jim Carras and Jeff Couch for their terrific photos.

Thanks also to the local advertisers who supported this section!

Changes ahead

2011-08-11T14:37:00.001-07:00

Today is reporter Dave Canfield's last day at The Record.
Dave has done a terrific job as our cops and court reporter. He deserves praise for his understanding of the court process and his ability to convey what happens each day in an understandable way for our readers. His attention to detail and the way he relates to people also deserve kudos.
Above all, I salute him for being fair, a darn good writer and a nice guy.
As he leaves us today for a job with another Capital District area newspaper, the Glens Falls Post Star, I thank him for all he has done while at The Record and I wish him well.
Best of luck to you Dave!

Good job Danielle!

2011-07-11T12:00:00.000-07:00

Record reporter Danielle Sanzone was recently selected to participate in the 2011 Video Boot Camp sponsored by our parent company, Journal Register Company.

The camp, which will be held Aug. 16 and 17 at JRC headquarters in Yardley, Pa., is expected to be an intensive session to improve video technical and storytelling abilities, and to prepare individuals to train their newsroom colleagues.

Training leader will be Chet Rhodes, former assistant managing editor of news video for The Washington Post.

Record website regulars are already familiar with Danielle's video work. Since JRC adopted its "Digital First" philosophy in covering the news on its various platforms, Danielle has easily integrated the use of video to tell the various stories she uncovers on her beat here at The Record.

All boot camp attendees were chosen based on demonstrated skill and enthusiasm, so I am particularly pleased that Danielle's efforts are being recognized by JRC.

We at The Record recently recognized Danielle for producing the most videos during our newsroom video competition.

Congratulations Danielle!

She was someone to admire

2011-07-11T10:49:00.000-07:00

Friday night I was back in our sports department talking with Record Sports Editor Kevin Moran, when reporter Andrew Santillo told us he had just read on Twitter that former first lady Betty Ford had died.

While I moved quickly to help the copy desk get the story up on our website, out on our social media accounts and in print, I thought about how much I had admired Mrs. Ford over the years for her candor and her advocacy work on behalf of millions of Americans.

She first caught my attention in the mid-'70s when I was off attending college in western New York and she was debuting on the national stage as our first lady during the difficult, post-Watergate era. While I have always been fascinated with politics and the ways of Washington, D.C., I found myself intrigued by this first lady who openly spoke her mind -- regardless of whether her husband or the national Republican Party agreed with her.

I don't think I truly appreciated the grace and dignity she showed in publicly battling breast cancer until I was faced with the same diagnosis more than 30 years later. I know my own diagnosis inspired many of my friends and relatives to go for overdue mammograms, but can you imagine the countless number of women Betty Ford inspired to seek breast examinations and possibly saved their lives?

She has left a lasting impact on the women of this nation.

Perhaps former President George H. W. Bush best summed up Betty Ford's legacy: “She was a wonderful wife and mother; a great friend; and a courageous first lady. No one confronted life’s struggles with more fortitude or honesty, and as a result, we all learned from the challenges she faced.”

‘Troy Night Out’ a good night in

2011-07-07T16:12:00.000-07:00

The Record participated in its first “Troy Night Out” in June.

For the uninitiated, “Troy Night Out” is a monthly arts and cultural event held the last Friday of every month in downtown Troy from 5 to 9 p.m. Organizers say the special event regularly draws more than 1,000 people to the Collar City to enjoy art, music, restaurants and shops throughout downtown.

First, let me offer my thanks to Elizabeth Young, executive director of the Troy Business Improvement District, for helping us host the event in our Community Media Lab, located on the first floor of our building at the corner of Broadway and Fifth Avenue in downtown Troy.

Elizabeth is a terrific lady to work with and her energy and enthusiasm are contagious.

Our TNO event featured a photo exhibit by ASlyerImage Photography and a performance by area musician Greg Guba.

The photo exhibit, which features the work of Charlie and Gina Slyer and their daughters Toni and Amanda, is still on display in our Community Media Lab, which is open to the public from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday through the end of this month.

We invited you to stop by and check out the work of this talented family and consider purchasing one or two or three of their reasonably priced photos.

Our thanks also go to Greg Guba, a local musician with more than 30 years of experience, who performed a variety of musical styles throughout the evening.

Everyone who stopped by to visit us that night commented on how much they enjoyed Greg’s music and the photos taken by the Slyer family.

Stay tuned for a schedule of future “Troy Night Out” events planned in our Community Media Lab.

Dwyer Award dinner a special night

2011-07-07T09:04:00.000-07:00

Let me offer my belated, but no less sincere, thanks to the Tribute to John R. “Jack” Dwyer Committee for presenting me with its 10th annual tribute award in early June.

The committee – which includes the late undersheriff’s two daughters, Nora and Susan, as well as Jim Tompkins, Lou Desso, Greg Cholakis, Frank Merola and Nick Nicholas – is a great group of people, and I was truly humbled by the award they gave me.

I normally don’t like being the center of attention, but it’s hard to say no to Nora. Anyone who knows Nora knows that once she sets her mind to something, there’s no turning back.

Maureen Baxter, nurse manager at New York Oncology Hematology, left, Nora Dwyer, center, and me, Lisa Robert Lewis.

Also, as a breast cancer survivor, it’s hard to say no to anything that helps those battling cancer. Proceeds from the Dwyer dinner benefit the Capital District Cancer Resource Foundation, which helps provide funds for daily living and support services for local residents undergoing cancer treatment.

And while I stick to my stance that I don’t like being the center of attention, I have to admit I had a ball at the dinner and enjoyed being with a terrific group of people.

There are so many people I need to thank for making this a special night.

First, there’s Nora, who nominated me for this honor. Frankly, I adore the woman. I am grateful for her friendship and I have a lot of respect for all she does for this community. In fact, I told her it’s too bad she can’t receive the award because I am sure her Dad is proud of all she does for the community he loved.

Thanks also to Jim, Susan, Lou, Greg, Frank and Nick for going along with Nora’s nomination.

I am grateful also for the beautiful plaques and certificates I received from our state and local representatives – state Senator Roy McDonald, state Assembly Majority Leader Ron Canestrari, Rensselaer County Executive Kathy Jimino, Rensselaer County Legislator Lou Desso on behalf of Legislature Chairman Martin Reid and the rest of the county legislature, and Troy Mayor Harry Tutunjian – and the John R. “Jack” Dwyer Award itself.

The Dwyer committee actually found three people to speak on my behalf -- Sue Chasney, The Record newsroom’s administrative assistant and my friend; Amy Jupin, my sister, and Jerry Weaver, vice president emeritus of the Flag Day Parade Committee. Kathy Jimino, Lou Desso and Nora also offered kind words on my behalf during the program.

Stepdaughters Christie Harris, left, and Melissa Coons, right.

No one could ask for a better Master of Ceremonies than Neil Kelleher. The man is charming, witty and so naturally funny.

Special thanks, too, to the staff of the American Legion on Main Avenue in Wynantskill for that wonderful Italian dinner!

One of the best parts of attending such an event is sharing it with old and new friends.

I was happy to have my current and past co-workers with me that night including Sue Chasney and her husband Ken Villeneuve, advertising director Heather DeForge, former night editor Jan Shields, former city editor Nick Cantiello and his wife Pat, former photographer Tom Killips, former reporter Rich Crist, and Barbara Lombardo, managing editor of The Saratogian, The Record’s sister newspaper in Saratoga Springs. It was also great to see my former boss, Kathy Condon, who now runs Condon Communications, and her husband, longtime area radio personality Joe Condon. Accompanying them at the event was Bob Wolfgang, former Albany Police Chief and president of the Albany Aqua Ducks. Few people probably know this, but Bob, who was also honored that evening at another event, served an internship at The Record while he was pursuing an advanced degree.

That Pat Cantiello is one classy, generous lady. She won the evening’s 50/50 benefit and promptly donated her winnings back to the Capital District Cancer Resource Foundation.

My thanks also go to the Carras family: Jimmy for taking photos at the event for The Record, and his wife, Jeanne, for her help in producing the evening’s program as part of her responsibilities at Alchar Printing on Pawling Avenue in Troy.

It meant a lot to me that many people I have dealt with over the years were able to attend the event including Kay McCarty and Betty Owens of the St. Mary’s Hospital Auxiliary, Kathy Sheehan of the Rensselaer County Historical Society, Sharon Smith, executive director of the Troy Boys & Girls Club; Joe Killeen and Cindy Bizaro Wilson of the Troy Flag Day Parade Committee, Record "Investors Corner" columnist Ray Osterhout and his lovely wife Carol, and Carmella Mantello, who I’ve known since her days as a city councilwoman in Troy.

What made the night particularly special was being able to share it with my family: My sister Amy, her husband Andy and their children Jared and Meighan; my brother Mike, his wife Lisa and their daughter Elizabeth; my brother Dave, and my stepdaughters Melissa Coons and Christie Harris.

State Senator Roy McDonald, R-Wilton, speaks with my dad, Col. John P. "Jake" Robert.

Most of all, I was proud to share the night with my Dad, Colonel John P. “Jake” Robert, who showed me by example the importance of a strong work ethic and being involved in your community.

Thanks Dad!

Stop by The Record for Troy Night Out

2011-06-24T09:47:00.000-07:00

The Record is taking part in Troy Night Out today, and we invite you to stop by between 5 and 9 p.m.
For the first time, a combination of art and music will be featured in our Community Media Lab, which is located on the first floor of our building at the corner of Fifth Avenue and Broadway.
On tap tonight in the CML will a photography exhibit by ASlyerImage Photography and a performance by area musician Greg Guba.
The photo exhibit is a family affair, featuring the work of Charlie and Gina Slyer and their daughters Toni and Amanda. I enjoyed talking with the family Tuesday night when they were here setting up their exhibit and was impressed with their work.
Guba, a professional musician for more than 30 years, will be performing a variety of musical styles from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. including rock, blues and the music of today. In the interest of full disclosure, Greg is family, my sister-in-law Lisa's brother. He's a good guy and a talented one, too!
I'm looking forward to the event and hope you'll join us. Check out the photos, listen to some music and enjoy the refreshments.
Hope to see you here!

P.S. Thanks to Elizabeth Young, executive director of the Troy Business Improvement District, for helping The Record become a part of Troy Night Out.

Vandenburgh to broadcast from Community Media Lab

2011-06-16T11:21:00.000-07:00

Paul Vandenburgh, radio host on WGDJ 1300 AM, will be broadcasting his morning show from The Record's Community Media Lab on June 30 from 5 to 10 a.m.

The popular morning show personality, who is also president and general manager of the radio station based at the Times Union Center in Albany, plans to invite various Troy officials to drop by the Community Media Lab to address Collar City-related issues.

Vandenburgh has strong ties to our coverage area, and we are looking forward to Thursday's broadcast as well as several more in the future.

This won't be the first time the broadcaster has taken his show on the road.

He frequently broadcasts his show from the Rensselaer train station and YNN in Albany as well as periodic appearances at the Saratoga Race Course and The College of Saint Rose in Albany.

Bruno goes to court

2011-06-16T10:39:00.001-07:00

Record reporter Dave Canfield will be heading to New York City early Friday to cover former state Senate Majority Leader Joseph L. Bruno's 10 a.m. hearing before the Second Circuit Court of Appeals.

Bruno's attorneys and federal prosecutors will appeal to a panel of judges in a Manhattan courtroom in connection with the former senator's conviction on two felony charges surrounding $280,000 in payments from a Loudonville businessman.

It is expected that the court will toss Bruno's conviction in the wake of last year's U.S. Supreme Court ruling that restructured the theft of honest services statute under which the former lawmaker was convicted.

However, according to Dave, it remains to be seen if federal officials can bring new charges under the amended law.

Dave will be filing updates for Record readers throughout the day and will be sending back video from outside the proceedings.

In the words of former Senator Bruno, stay tuned to The Record's website for the latest information on this proceeding.

Rest in peace

2011-06-03T09:03:00.000-07:00

On Thursday, the "long road to justice" came to an end for two local families when a Rensselaer County jury found Michael Mosley guilty of first-degree murder in the 2002 murders of Arica Lynn Schneider and Samuel "Frost" Holley.
Many times during the month-long trial, I found my thoughts turning to the Schneider family as I wondered how they were holding up through their ordeal.
At one time, Arica Schneider worked at The Record for a few months in our advertising department. I did not know her well, but I still remember how she was always in motion, whether it was moving from department to department around the building or quickly heading out the door to pick up an ad.
Over the years I have spoken several times with her mother, Robin Nold, and other members of the Schneider family as they called about promoting various fundraisers in Arica's memory or asked to have a letter placed in "Pulse of the People" in honor of their daughter's birthday.
You could always hear the sense of loss in their voices during those conversations.
After the verdict, Arica's father, Paul Schneider, told Record reporter Dave Canfield that his family will now begin to "pick up the pieces" after more than nine years of living with an unsolved crime.
While he said there will never be a full recovery for his family, he felt Arica can now rest in peace.
I, too, hope that Arica can rest in peace and that her family can find some comfort in the fact that this long saga is finally over.

When does she sleep?

2011-06-02T14:01:00.000-07:00

The World Affairs Council in Washington, D.C., chose one of The Record's bloggers, Diane Conroy-LaCivita, to be a delegate for an upcoming leadership mission to Azerbaijan.
Diane is co-owner of Harmony House Marketplace in Cohoes, community relations director of the International Center of the Capital Region, and she has organized a variety of community events in Cohoes and Watervliet. She's also a wife and mother, a pilot, a teacher, has worked for local and state government, and she's involved in a milllion other things.
OK, that's an exaggeration, but only a slight one. Frankly I don't know when the woman finds time to sleep.
I met Diane years ago when she was doing her student teaching at Shaker High School in Latham. Joe Condon and I took our "show" on the road and spoke to one of her classes about working in the media. Because of his years of experience, Joe would tackle radio and TV, while I would handle print and online.
It's always a pleasure to talk with Diane and I'll be anxious to hear how her trip goes to the other side of the world.

Get your tickets now!

2011-06-02T12:30:00.001-07:00

One of the most popular events The Record co-sponsors for the community each year is the military band concert.
This year, the free concert will be held at 8 p.m. on Saturday, June 11 at the Troy Savings Bank Music Hall. Ticket holders are asked to be in their seats by 7:45 p.m. The 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing Band of Cherry Point, N.C., will perform and will march the next day in the 44th annual Flag Day Parade.
Co-sponsors are the Troy Flag Day Parade Committee Inc. and Troy Detachment Marine Corps League. Use of the Troy Savings Bank Music Hall is courtesy of The Troy Savings Bank Charitable Foundation.
Tickets are still available, but they are going fast.
To get tickets (maximum of four) for this free performance, complete the coupon running in our print edition (or send us your name, address and the number of tickets you want) and mail it, along with a self-addressed envelope, to: The Record, Marine Band Tickets, 501 Broadway, Troy, N.Y. 12180.
Tickets may also be picked up in person at The Record, 501 Broadway, Troy, main entrance, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
It's an enjoyable way to spend a Saturday night in downtown Troy, and while you're downtown, don't forget to try out one of the city's downtown restaurants for a post-concert snack and beverage.
Kudos to Rebecca Eppelmann for organizing the concert along with our co-sponsors. Rebecca is editor of our weeklies, Latham Life and River Life, and she also runs our night news desk operation two nights a week. She's one busy woman!

The clock is ticking

2011-06-01T15:24:00.000-07:00

Parade lovers are counting down the days until the 44th annual Troy Flag Day Parade steps off at 1 p.m. June 12 in the Collar City.
This tribute to Old Glory will proceed north along Fourth Street, from South Troy into downtown, to the delight of thousands of area residents.
I personally can't wait to see Bill Peak make his way along the parade route as grand marshal. Bill was the force behind the 2007 founding of the local Patriot Flight Inc. effort, which raised thousands of dollars to send local World War II veterans to Washington D.C. for free so they can view the impressive World War II memorial that was constructed in their honor.
Now retired from that effort, Bill will be riding along the parade route with Ron Lewis, who succeeded Bill as president of Patriot Flight, and Record financial columnist Ray Osterhout, who served as an advisor to the program.
When Bill passes by, give him a wave and a round of applause for all he has done on behalf of the WWII veterans of the Capital District.
Meanwhile, fund-raising efforts to support the parade continue. The total of the Flag Day Fund Drive, sponsored by The Record, now stands at approximately $7,900, more than $2,000 short of its $10,000 goal.
There is no question that times are tough, but anything you can do to help this effort would be greatly appreciated by the Troy Flag Day Committee. This hard-working group works almost year-round to put on this spectacular tribute to our nation's flag and they are extremely grateful for any size donation toward this cause.

Living up to its mission

2011-06-01T15:08:00.000-07:00

A belated tip of the hat to the Century House and Colin DeMers, its managing partner.
The popular Latham restaurant and banquet house, under Colin's direction, recently served its 175,000th meal on May 19 for its "Enjoy One Share One" campaign.
The program, which began in 2009, provides a meal to those in need through the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York. The Century House provides one meal for every entree it serves.
The generous gesture is just part of the longtime area business' promise to make "the world a better place by providing comfort and care to the body and soul of all guests, staff and the community."
Over the years, I've have many opportunites to dine at the restaurant for business and pleasure. Whether it was a Record Christmas party, a launch party for one of our weeklies, my paternal grandparents' 50th wedding anniversary party or even my own wedding reception, I've always had a terrific time there thanks to the staff and management.
Congratulations to all!

Our guide to summer entertainment

2011-05-31T10:47:00.000-07:00

One of the best things about living in the Capital District is the amazing number of things you can do here, especially during the summer.
To help you get the most out of your summer, The Record is publishing its summer entertainment guide in Thursday's edition.
Feature correspondents Bob Goepfert, Don Wilcock, Phil Drew and Stephen Douglas have put together a comprehensive look at the local summer entertainment scene for this week's edition of "InSight," our weekly entertainment product.
The issue will include schedules for everything from major concerts to theater productions as well as guides to the free community concerts and local festivals.
We hope you enjoy the section and will keep it as your guide to a fun-filled summer in the greater Capital District.
Enjoy!

Even Spielberg would be jealous!

2011-05-23T08:12:00.001-07:00

Since our parent company, Journal Register Company, adopted its "Digital First" strategy almost a year and a half ago, producing videos for troyrecord.com has been a high priority for The Record staff.
It only stands to reason that producing videos should be a priority for our newspapers: Adding a video to a story enhances the experience for our readers.
While we can tell you all about a local high school team's jubilation at winning a championship game through words, seeing the emotion for yourself through video adds a whole level to our coverage.
After a recent dip in the numbers of videos produced by the staff, we decided to get the competitive juices going and launched an in-house competition for the most videos produced by a staffer in a single month.
While no blood was shed, it was a spirited competition among the staff. News reporter Danielle Sanzone was the winner, having produced 40 videos during the month, while sports reporter Andrew Santillo was a close second.
For her efforts, Danielle gets dinner and a movie on us.
Check out one of Danielle's videos below -- an interview with the superintendent of schools for the Enlarged City School District of Troy who recently announced that he is stepping down at the end of the school year.

Here are some links to a few more of Danielle's efforts on The Record's website:

Statewide tour stops in Troy; shows how budget cuts impact students http://bit.ly/kAqInO

Troy Board of Education will wait to draw final redistricting lines http://bit.ly/jHU2yn

Capital Region's district attorneys cite benefits of video recording interrogations http://bit.ly/iYzSrA

I am proud of the staff's efforts, and I have to say I think even Steven Spielberg would be jealous of their production this month.

A great day for Troy and baseball

2011-05-09T21:28:00.000-07:00

It’s not every day that Capital District residents get to see a World Series championship trophy – especially when that trophy belongs to a Major League Baseball team on the west coast.
For more than a decade, Record Sports Editor Kevin Moran has worked hard to get MLB to recognize the contributions the city of Troy has made to America’s pastime – from the Troy Trojans of yesteryear to the San Francisco Giants of today — through a series of stories and columns as well as petitions that were available online, in print and in local business establishments.

Thanks to a collaborative effort between The Record and the Tri-City Valley Cats, Kevin’s dream came true Thursday when the 2010 World Series trophy won by the San Francisco Giants went on display at the Joseph L. Bruno Stadium for two hours.
Fans who lined up to see the impressive trophy got an added visual bonus: The ValleyCats’ 2010 New York-Pennsylvania League trophy was also on display.

For Kevin, his family and The Record staff, it was a terrific day. Several of us from The Record went up to The Joe to share the excitement of the day with Kevin, the ValleyCats, the city of Troy and Hudson Valley Community College.
You could feel the excitement building at The Joe just before the recognition ceremony got under way prior to the public viewing of the trophy.

A performance by several members of The Racing City Chorus from Saratoga Springs added to the ambiance of the occasion.

Spotted among the crowd were Troy Mayor Harry Tutunjian, City Councilman Mark McGrath, city of Troy Deputy Director of Public Information Jeff Pirro, George Rogers of the city’s Department of Parks and Recreation, Rensselaer County Executive Kathy Jimino, Rensselaer County Historian Kathy Sheehan, Rich Crist of the Rensselaer County Legislative Majority Office who was there as Dad, Troy GOP mayoral candidate Carmella Mantello, baseball fan Joe Conners of the former St. Patrick’s parish in Troy, HVCC President Drew Matonak, Troy Police Capt. Terry Buchanan, ValleyCats owner Bill Gladstone, ValleyCats vice president and general manager Rick Murphy and everyone’s favorite mascot, Southpaw.

Kevin’s family – wife Diane, mother Jean, brother Brian and niece Amanda – was on hand to share in the celebration with him as well as his some of the members of his staff, reporters Ed Weaver and Andrew Santillo and sports clerk Mike Cioffi. Publisher Jim Murphy, digital specialist Tom Caprood, reporter Cecelia Martinez, photographer Jim Carras and I rounded out the contingent from The Record.

We did spot a few Record alums in the crowd: former national advertising rep Bill McDonough and his wife Maureen and former photographer Tom Killips.

It was great to see Tom, who has been a big San Francisco Giants fan for longer than the 30 plus years I’ve known him. He was proudly dressed up in a true San Francisco Giants sweatshirt with an emblem proclaiming them as the 2010 World Series champs.

And how cute were the members of the Twin Town Little League who came dressed up in their baseball uniforms?

During the speeches, Kevin spoke about how Thursday was a great day for Troy and for baseball history in the Collar City and gave credit to Murphy, the ValleyCats, The Record and the San Francisco Giants for everything coming together.

I should also mention how grateful we are to Rick Murphy and Bill Gladstone for their help in getting the Giants to agree to bring their trophy to The Joe.

In his brief speech, Murphy recalled when Kevin asked for their help in getting the trophy here.

“I thought it was a great idea, absolutely,” he said. “Understanding the history of baseball in this area and … adding the fact that we had just won the New York-Penn League championship, it was a perfect match. And for us to be able to partner up with The Record, and through (Kevin’s) efforts and through our connections, it all came together. So, it was a great team effort.”

Thanks also go to Mayor Tutunjian, Jeff Pirro and Vic Christopher for their assistance with this effort.

And finally, a big thank you to the San Francisco Giants for bringing their trophy to upstate New York on a cloudy, drizzly day. This team and their fans are class acts and we are grateful that they were able to share a little bit of baseball history with us.

Help honor Old Glory!

2011-05-08T18:51:00.000-07:00

On Sunday, The Record launched its annual Flag Day Fund Drive with this year's goal set at $10,000.

I've had the privilege of working with the Troy Flag Day Committee for more than two decades and they are a great group of hard-working individuals who volunteer their time year-round to bring you this wonderful tribute to our nation's flag.

For many of those years, my parade contacts were Jerry Weaver, Joe Killeen and the late Ed Verrillo -- a terrific trio of guys – for information on the parade and updates for our annual fund drive. In recent years, I've worked with Cindy Bizaro Wilson and Ed Manny, both of whom bring great enthusiasm to the task of making sure the parade is the best it can be year after year.

Funding the parade, which is now in its 44th year, is becoming a difficult proposition. Because of its own fiscal woes, the state was unable to provide its usual stipend. Faced with the increasing costs it takes to attract top-notched bands, the committee is struggling to come up with the funds to put on this year’s parade and is concerned about its future.

Keep in mind the parade annually attracts between 50,000 and 100,000 spectators. One parade supporter told me that if each of those spectators gave a dollar to show their support for this patriotic display, it would go a long way toward paying for this year’s parade and stabilizing it for the future.

We are proud to accept donations on behalf of the parade committee. Please consider sending your donation to Flag Day Fund Drive, c/o The Record, 501 Broadway, Troy, N.Y. 12180, or drop off your contribution at our downtown office at the corner of Broadway and Fifth Avenue. Please make checks payable to the Troy Flag Day Parade Committee.

Already we have received donations from local veterans groups, businesses and individuals and we are hopeful of meeting this year's fund drive goal.

On June 12, come to downtown Troy and enjoy the incredible tribute to Old Glory!

Share your prom photos with us

2011-05-08T18:38:00.000-07:00

One of my proudest roles in real life is that of “Aunt.” I have three nieces (Katie, Meighan and Elizabeth) and four nephews (Andrew, Jared, JP and Sean) who have added greatly to my life over the years.

On Saturday, I got to play family photographer for THE PROM for my niece Elizabeth. A junior at Averill Park High School, Elizabeth and her classmates had their junior prom that night at Birch Hill banquet house in Schodack.

Being the proud aunt that I am, I’m happy to share one of the pre-prom photos I took of Elizabeth with you. I’m used to seeing her in her track or cross country uniforms so a formal dress was a different look for her.

Similar to last year, The Record plans to feature the prom photos of local students on our website at www.troyrecord.com Like me, I’m sure many of you are proud parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles who would like to share the prom photos of your favorite teen. To be included in our prom photo gallery, email your photo to tcaprood@troyrecord.com Please put “Prom Photos” in your email subject line and include the name of your teen and his or her school.

‘A Fistful of Cuomos’

2011-05-08T18:06:00.000-07:00

The dress rehearsal for the 111th Legislative Correspondents Association Show, dubbed “A Fistful of Cuomos,” provided an enjoyable night of entertainment for those in attendance Friday night at the Empire State Plaza Convention Center in downtown Albany.

The show, which pokes fun at our state leaders, is the oldest political satire spoof in the nation.

I haven’t been able to attend the rehearsal the past years because Fridays tend to be hectic days at The Record. This year’s rehearsal was clever, well written, well-paced – and funny. The songs were entertaining, ranging from “Born to be Gov,” sung to the tune of “Born to be Wild,” to “Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Teachers” (better known as “Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys”) to “Paladino! (I’ll never think of the musical “Oklahoma!” in the same way again!).

One of the best parts of attending the LCA rehearsal – the actual black-tie dinner and show was held Saturday night with proceeds benefitting charity – is getting to see Record alumni.

Former Record Capitol bureau reporters Kevin Hogan, Terry O’Brien and Kyle Hughes had prominent roles in the show and former Record reporter and copy editor R.W. Groneman greeted people at the door and handled backstage duties. Terry and Kyle also served on the script committee, which wrote the show, while Kyle’s wife, former Record graphic artist Margaret McIntyre, was responsible for the cover and print design for the evening’s program.

In my humble opinion, Terry O’Brien stole the show with his singing. Terry, who played Donald Trump, wowed the crowd with his rendition of “The Wonder of Me” -- sung to the tune of “The Wonder of You.” My former co-worker has a terrific voice.

Kevin Hogan got to show his acting chops, playing both Charlie Sheen and Donald Trump Jr., while Kyle Hughes show his acting range starting in Act I as Lt. Gov. Bob Duffy to portraying Duke the Dog in Act II.

Too bad Gov. Andrew Cuomo decided to skip the Saturday night show. He missed an enjoyable evening!

Kicking off the local golf season

2011-05-05T11:20:00.000-07:00

Despite the rain, the dampness and the cool temperatures, we’re officially kicking off the 2011 golf season Friday with the first of The Record's weekly golf pages.
Correspondent John Craig returns again this year as golf writer, producing a variety of stories and videos from the local links for our print and online editions.
If you want to get a preview of what John will be writing about each week, check out Rodger Wyland’s “Big Board Sports” program on Fox Sports 980 each Thursday during the 11 a.m. hour.
I caught some of today’s program. John and Rodger had an interesting interview with the brother of local resident and former Siena College golfer Bryan Bigley, who is playing this week in the Wells Fargo Championship in North Carolina.
John is one busy guy. You can also catch him on "On the Green, which" debuts tonight on My4Albany. He will be doing a news and notes segment plus an upcoming calendar of events segment for the weekly half-hour show that runs Thursdays at 7:30 p.m. on WNYA-TV. The show is hosted by former WTEN-TV Sports Director Dan Murphy.
Anyway, don't forget to check out our golf page on Friday in our print edition and online at troyrecord.com

The trophy's coming, the trophy's coming!

2011-05-04T12:57:00.000-07:00

For more than a decade, Record Sports Editor Kevin has worked hard to get Major League Baseball to acknowledge the Collar City for its contributions to America’s national pastime.
On Thursday, the city of Troy gets that recognition when the San Francisco Giants bring their 2010 World Series championship trophy to the Joseph L. Bruno Stadium for a public viewing from 5 to 7 p.m.
The visit is the result of a collaborative effort between Kevin and the Tri-City ValleyCats. Team owner Bill Gladstone and general manager Rick Murphy used their contacts to reach out to the Giants about a possible visit to upstate New York after Kevin and his staff launched a petition drive to get the Giants to bring the World Series trophy to Troy.
A native and resident of Watervliet, Kevin has worked for The Record since March 1987. He was one of the best high school reporters this paper has ever had and he has done a terrific job as our sports editor. Whether it’s rooting for the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame, the Cannoneers of Watervliet, or his alma mater, the LaSalle Institute Cadets, Kevin is a true sports fan.
Kevin, Publisher Jim Murphy and I will be up at The Joe Thursday night for a look at the trophy. Stop by and say hello.
While you’re there, enjoy some food, the music of a barbershop quartet and peruse a table of some old baseball artifacts.
The ValleyCats promise it will be a good time!

P.S. The Collar City’s many contributions to Major League Baseball, from the Trojans to the ValleyCats, are detailed in a 24-page, glossy magazine, “A Shared History: From the Trojans to the Giants, Welcome Home,” produced by The Record’s sports staff. Copies of the magazine will be included in our Thursday edition. I hope you check it out. Even a big basketball fan like me found the magazine a fascinating read.

Meet The Record bloggers

2010-11-11T15:53:00.001-08:00

On Wednesday night, we hosted a "soft opening" for The Record's new Community Media Lab.

Guests of honor at the event were people many of you have come to know: Our community bloggers.

The program, which was organized by Tom Caprood, The Record's digital specialist, included some light refreshments and two videos, one featuring some of our bloggers, the other Record employees talking about the newspaper's "digital first" philosophy and its impact on our news cycle.
You can check out both of these videos on our website.

Probably the best part of the evening was the conversation we started with our bloggers. It was a good exchange of ideas and blogging tips, a discussion about how we can all support each other and work together, and ways we all can do a better job serving this community.

I personally enjoyed meeting some of our bloggers for the first time, and I look forward to many more conversations with them in the future.

My thanks to Tina Urzan, who writes "The Way It Is," Sean Wilkes, "Fishing Out Loud"; Peggy "The Dart Lady" Kownack, "Unique Perspective"; Rod Aldrich, "Shamrock Road"; Vito Ciccarelli, "Community Thoughts" and Marcie Prey, "Hellions of Troy Roller Derby," for taking the time to get together with us Wednesday night.

Kudos to Tom for putting together the videos and leading the discussions with me.
By the way, stay tune for details about the official grand opening of our Community Media Lab. We hope it will be a place to be for this community.

Peeking at the Dinosaur

2010-11-09T08:18:00.000-08:00

Despite winter's abrupt arrival Monday, hundreds of people turned out for the "Sneak Peek Open House" at the new Dinosaur Bar-B-Que in downtown Troy hosted by the Rensselaer County Regional Chamber of Commerce.

What a fantastic event it was!

A certain restaurant critic I know and respect (our very own Bob Goepfert) had lunch at the restaurant Friday during one of the practice sessions held prior to Wednesday's grand opening and told me he had high expectations for the restaurant, but his meal managed to exceed all of his expectations.

How correct he was! My entire experience was top notch.

Monday night, the place was packed with jovial people ready to enjoy a night of good food, good music by Super 400 and good conversation.

From the moment I was greeted at the door by the Chamber's Laura Amos, Claudette Thornton and Kate Ollier until the moment the hostesses wished me good night, I had a terrific time.

Seen in the crowd conversing and juggling plates of delicious pulled pork, ribs, corn muffins and a variety of tasty side dishes were Record Publisher Jim Murphy and his wife Mary, Troy Boys & Girls Club Executive Director Sharon Smith, public relations consultant Chris Golden, Rensselaer County Executive Kathy Jimino, attorney E. Stewart Jones, Arts Center of the Capital Region's Amy Williams, TRIP's Patrick Madden, Record blogger and Troy Parks and Recreation employee Vito Ciccarelli and his son, attorney Mike Ginsberg of Pattison, Sampson, Ginsberg and Griffin, RPI's Charles Carletta, Mayor Harry Tutunjian and his spokesman Jeff Pirro, musician Ernie Williams, and former city of Troy spokesman Jeff Buell and Elizabeth Young, owner of Living Room Antiques and director of the Troy Downtown Collaborative.

Thanks to Linda Hillman, president of the Rensselaer County Regional Chamber of Commerce, for sponsoring the event and for introducing me to John Stage, Dinosaur Bar-B-Que's co-founder. It gave me the opportunity to welcome John to the Collar City and wish him well.

Don't forget to check out the Dinosaur Bar-B-Que for yourself.

Chat with Coach Appert

2010-11-04T10:57:00.000-07:00

Since the start of the RPI hockey season, Record sports reporter Ed Weaver has been hosting "Blueline to Blueline," a weekly video show on our website with Engineers Coach Seth Appert.

How does this feature work?

Each week, Ed takes five questions from readers to Coach Appert and does a video interview with him that goes up on The Record's web site every Friday afternoon.

We thank those who have suggested questions and encourage RPI hockey fans throughout the world to send your questions to Ed at eweaver@troyrecord.com or add your question directly to the "Blueline to Blueline" feature on our website at www.troyrecord.com

They aren't extinct here

2010-11-04T10:27:00.000-07:00

Dinosaurs may be extinct in the rest of the world, but the city of Troy is about to become home to its own dinosaur.

On Monday, about 300 regional business professionals, community and cultural leaders and public officials are expected at an invitation-only, "sneak-peak" for the new Dinosaur Bar-B-Que restaurant, according to Claudette Thornton, director of marketing and communications for the Rensselaer County Regional Chamber of Commerce, who is hosting the event.

My boss, Publisher Jim Murphy, and I were pleased to be invited to the event and we can't wait to check the newest business to locate along Troy's waterfront.

Election Day 2010

2010-11-01T21:25:00.000-07:00

You could feel the excitement building in the newsroom Monday afternoon: Election Day 2010 was less than 24 hours away.

After months of candidate announcements, charges and counter-charges, primaries, press conferences, and endorsement interviews, the "Big Day" was almost here.
For journalists, news junkies and politicians, Election Day is like Christmas in November.

City Editor Jim Franco and I spent late Monday going over our "tentative" Election Day coverage plan: Making sure we had enough space in Wednesday's edition for results, checking with Chief Photographer Mike McMahon to see if we had photo coverage for all the important races, and perusing the Associated Press Election Day digest for the state and national stories we'll need for our post-Election Day edition.

Campaign staffers had flooded our email accounts all day with advisories about where their candidates would be voting, making last-minutes campaign stops and hosting victory parties Tuesday night. It was a matter of matching up reporter and photographer with the local races and leaving the state and the national contests to the capable staff at the AP.

We even came up with the answer to that all-important question: What to feed the newsroom staff on Election Night. (Pizza and wings unless some quick, healthy inspiration hits me between now and 7 p.m. Tuesday!)

Thanks to coverage support from the staff of our sister newspaper to the north, The Saratogian, it looked like we had a plan that covered all the bases.
And then it happened ...

"We should have an easy night," concluded our city editor, effectively dooming us to an Election Night of upheaval and unpredictability. Everything that can go wrong will now go wrong Tuesday night.

He made the same declaration on Primary Night in September and we were in chaos less than an hour after the polls closed. Results came in late and stories were either short or in bulletin form that required a lot of rewriting and merging of information. The Internet was slow. The Paladino victory speech photo came into our computer system 44 minutes after deadline, although we had watched the event live on television more than two hours before.

Suffice to say, it was "organized" chaos.

And now he's doomed us again.

Actually, the key to covering any major event is to have a plan, but be flexible enough to deal with whatever breaking news develops.

The Sports staff kindly got the World Series over Monday night so their task Tuesday is to get their pages done as quickly as possible and leave the late deadlines for newsside.

We have a good team working Tuesday: Copy Desk Chief Siobhan Connally will be running the dayside operation, while Night Editors Rebecca Eppelmann and Lianne Webster Kim, Copy Editor Cliff Marble and photographers Mike McMahon and Jim Carras will be joining me and Jim Franco on the nightshift.

Here's hoping for the best Tuesday night. And if all else fails, we'll put tape over Mr. Franco's mouth next year.

Thank heavens they weren't frightened!

2010-11-01T21:13:00.001-07:00

Thanks to all who participated in our "Fright Night 2010" photo and video contest that concluded on Halloween.

It was the first online contest for me and Record digital specialist Tom Caprood, and we're grateful to all who submitted entries and to all who voted on the winners. Thanks to Tom for putting together the contest promos.

Thanks also to the Black Cat Ale House on White Street in Cohoes for co-sponsoring the contest and providing gift certificates for the weekly winners.

In the often used words of former state Senate Majority Leader Joe Bruno, stay tuned for future online contests sponsored by The Record.

Meet the candidates

2010-11-01T21:07:00.000-07:00

One of the most exciting times to be a journalist is during the election season.
You get to meet the various candidates during editorial board meetings and learn what propels them to run for public office.

Working Election Night is a whole other story for another entry.

During this past campaign season, we held editorial board meetings with some of the candidates seeking state Assembly and Senate seats and one gubernatorial candidate.

I should clarify that the gubernatorial candidate we met with, Carl Paladino, stopped by The Record in late August, prior to his surprising victory in the Republican gubernatorial primary. I say surprising, but Paladino was pretty confident the morning we met with him that he would be the GOP nominee for governor once the ballots were counted in his battle with former Congressman Rick Lazio.

In the aftermath of some of Paladino’s problems on the campaign trail, several people have asked us what he was like when he met with us. I have to tell that you we found him to be intelligent, witty and blunt. He didn’t mince words about how Albany operates, what he wants to do to solve the state’s problems and what he thought of his then-future Democratic opponent, Andrew Cuomo.

He was definitely angry about the state’s woes, but it wasn’t an anger exploding at us. We had an enjoyable, thought-provoking session with the Buffalo businessman that left us wishing we had more time to speak with him. A campaign stop in Clifton Park called, however, so he was on his way.

Suffice to say we were surprised when he started to encounter problems on the campaign trail. That wasn’t the Carl Paladino we saw.

She's one hard-working woman

2010-10-27T09:26:00.000-07:00

One of the best things about working for a newspaper is getting to know the people in the community you serve.

Sharon Smith, the energetic executive director of the Troy Boys and Girls Club, is probably one of the hardest working people I’ve had the pleasure of meeting in recent years. Since she started the job, Sharon has a long list of ideas about how to raise funds so the club can continue to serve the youth of this community.

One of those fundraisers – the third annual “Pizzapalooza” – was held Tuesday night at Franklin Terrace in Troy. Guests at the event were invited to sample a smorgasbord of gourmet pizzas provided by area restaurants, vote for their favorites in various categories, and bid on an array of silent auction items. Among this year’s participating restaurants were The Arlington House, Baba Louie’s Sourdough Pizza, Carol’s Place, DeFazio’s, Gianna’s Pizzas and Subs, and Rusty’s Second Avenue Pizza.

This was my first “Pizzapalooza” and I thoroughly enjoyed mingling and having my fill of the gourmet pizza, which featured such culinary delights as buffalo chicken, shrimp and barbecued pork. My personal favorite was the pizza from The Towne Tavern on Route 43 in Averill Park, which won the competition’s “Best Overall” category. It was a pleasure to meet Lorraine Dickinson, the owner of Towne Tavern, and the members of her staff who assisted her at the event.

Spotted among the crowd at the event were Troy’s Deputy Mayor Dan Crawley, who is also a member of the club’s board of directors, Rensselaer County Executive Kathy Jimino, Rensselaer County Legislator Peter Grimm, Troy City Court Judge Matt Turner and Tammy Palmer of YNN, who emceed the event along with Sharon.

Since The Record was co-sponsor of the event along with County Waste, several of my co-workers attended the event, including newsroom administrative assistant Sue Chasney and her husband Ken Villeneuve, reporter Katie Nowak and her fiancé Nick, reporter Danielle Sanzone, my boss, Publisher Jim Murphy, my husband, Jim Lewis, who worked in The Record’s composing room for more than 30 years, and several of our advertising sales representatives.

Congratulations to Sharon and all involved in this terrific event. A good time was definitely had by all!

"Fright Night 2010"

2010-10-03T09:52:00.000-07:00

It's "Fright Night 2010" on The Record's web site.

This photo and video contest, which runs today through Oct. 28, is your opportunity to have some holiday fun on our web site by sharing your scariest photos and videos and possibly win a weekly prize or even the grand prize.

Thanks to John Stackrow and his team at the Black Cat Ale House on White Street in Cohoes for sponsoring the contest with us.

We invite you -- adults, children, families, local organizations, educational institutions, etc. -- to submit your spookiest photos and/or videos to the contest through the links on www.troyrecord.com

Submissions will be approved by a Record staffer before they are officially entered into the contest. Nudity or profanity in submissions will not be accepted.
The top winner each week between the photo and video sections of the contest will earn our weekly prize. Winners will be selected based on the highest vote totals from the public on individual entries.

Complete contest details are available at www.troyrecord.com

I hope you'll take part in "Fright Night 2010" with your own photos and videos and help select our weekly winners.

Hello again ...

2010-10-03T09:42:00.000-07:00

They say absence makes the heart grow fonder. In this case, I hope it's true.

To say it's been a while since I blogged on The Record web site is an understatement.

I could tell you I had an incredibly busy summer, and I did, but that wasn't the real reason I wasn't blogging.

In a very klutzy move, I tripped over an uneven sidewalk at a local drive-in while watching "Karate Kid II" with granddaughters Mollie and Morgan, fell and fractured my elbow.

In the aftermath of that "graceful" move, typing anything mean instant agony. Paginating a newspaper page required more twists than any professional contortionist would ever consider.

Now, thanks to the good people at Albany Memorial Hospital emergency room and Northeast Orthopaedics LLP, my elbow is healed and it's time to get back in gear with my blog.

Ben Franklin needs your help

2010-06-15T12:47:00.000-07:00

Come celebrate the Fourth of July with us!
As regular readers of www.troyrecord.com already know, The Record is celebrating the Fourth of July in a special way with “The Ben Franklin Project.”
On July 4, all of us at The Record will proclaim our independence from proprietary computer programs by producing that day’s newspaper, as much as possible, using only free software available on the Internet. All 18 Journal Register Company dailies
Another important element of this innovative project, which was conceived by JRC CEO John Paton, is reader involvement.
And that’s where you come in.
We’ve planned a variety of projects, some suggested by our readers, for that day’s edition.
Record digital specialist Tom Caprood is putting together detailed information on each project for this web site and our print edition, but I want to touch on a few of our efforts and encourage you to become a citizen journalist for the Fourth of July.
Copy Desk Chief Siobhan Connally is already getting response to what she has dubbed “The Wedding Project.” Siobhan is hoping to gather a collection of photos and stories of an important moment in your life, be it from the proposal, the walk down the aisle, the bouquet toss, or the cake smash. Whether it’s romantic, poignant, funny or really funny a decade or two later, share it with Siobhan. She can be reached at sconnally@troyrecord.com, siobhanconnally@gmail.com or 518-270-1285.
Another photo project we’re planning that day has a summer/patriotic theme. Chief Photographer Mike McMahon is hoping you’ll share photos of your favorite historic sites, patriotic displays, and local summer events with us. The Flag Day Parade this weekend might be the perfect occasion to snap a few photos and send them along to Mike at photo@troyrecord.com. Feel free to check out your photo albums or the digital sites that host your snapshots for photos from a local fireworks display, a view of the Cohoes Falls, your family’s summer reunion or event historic Oakwood Cemetery.
We also want you to be a part of our “Travel” page that Sunday and share stories and photos from your favorite vacation destinations. Among my favorite destinations are the Outer Banks in North Carolina and the “Big Easy,” New Orleans, but I’m looking forward to learning about your special trips. You can send your stories and photos to Siobhan Connally at the email addresses and phone number listed above.
The public is also invited to submit content for our Fourth of July editorial page, be it editorial cartoons, columns or guest editorials related to an Independence Day theme of your choice. Feel free to contact me at llewis@troyrecord.com to submit your items or discuss your ideas.
And who among us hasn’t walked back to his or her car only to discover an unwelcome item tucked under their windshield wipers? The DREADED parking ticket!
The city of Troy recently installed new meters downtown, and the effort is causing a bit of a stir. We want to find out how you feel about the city’s effort to generate new revenue and manage parking space availability. What do you think of the city’s plan? Has it worked for you? Have you gotten a ticket? Are the meters causing a problem for your business? Will the meters stop you from coming to downtown Troy? Reporters Cecelia Martinez (cmartinez@troyrecord.com) and Jessica Pasko (jpasko@troyrecord.com) want to hear from you.
Our sports department is also taking part in “The Ben Franklin Project” with a few stories that we hope will pique your interest.
Sport reporter Ed Weaver, who covers the Tri-City ValleyCats for us, is a die-hard Boston Red Sox fan and he is planning to do a story on Major League Baseball memories. Ed is looking for readers who have been to major league ballparks to share their experiences with him. You can contact Ed at eweaver@troyrecord.com. Photos are welcome, too.
College sports reporter Andrew Santillo (asantillo@troyrecord.com) and high school sports reporter Will Montgomery (wmontgomery@troyrecord.com) are doing a story on the high cost of summer athletics and are looking for parents to share their experiences and thoughts on the value of these programs and camps for the young athlete, especially in today’s difficult economy.
I hope you have a terrific Fourth of July and I hope you’ll join us in this historic endeavor.

They will be missed

2010-06-11T22:19:00.000-07:00

The Capital District lost two of its CEOs in recent weeks, both deaths coming after hard-fought battles with cancer.
Sister Maureen Joyce, CEO of Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Albany, died on May 21 after heading up her agency for 20 years. Sister Maureen and I met many years ago at a media breakfast and I found her to be a warm, caring individual who was deeply committed to serving others.
Pioneer Bank President and CEO John Scarchilli died last Saturday after battling cancer for nine years. There is no question that he leaves his mark on the bank and the many community organizations in which he was involved. Over the years I’ve had several friends who worked for Pioneer and, to a person, they all found him to be a man of integrity. While we had a nodding acquaintance at professional events over the years, my most memorable encounter with him came at a “Relay for Life” event in Green Island.
Mayor Ellen McNulty Ryan had asked me to take part in the Relay’s “Survivors Lap” so I could celebrate being cancer free after completing treatment for breast cancer. I had no idea that John had cancer until then, but we ended up talking about living with cancer and how uplifting it was to see so many people taking part in such a terrific event that would help so many.
I offer my sympathies to the families of both CEOs as well as to Catholic Charities and the Pioneer community. Both Sister Maureen and John Scarchilli were terrific individuals who will be greatly missed.

I love a parade!

2010-06-10T14:43:00.000-07:00

“I love a parade, the tramping of feet,
I love every beat I hear of a drum.
I love a parade, when I hear a band
I just want to stand and cheer as they come.”

Thousands of people will be singing that tune Sunday as the 43rd annual Flag Day Parade gets under way at 1 p.m. in the Collar City.
I am proud to kick off my blog, “From the Editor’s Desk,” on such a big weekend here in Troy.
Having worked at The Record for almost 34 years (I started as an intern on June 15, 1976, three weeks after earning my journalism degree from St. Bonaventure University), I’ve enjoyed many Flag Day Parades over the years.
To me, one of the most impressive things about the parade is the people who labor behind the scenes year-round to put on this massive annual production for all of us to enjoy.
Over the years, it has been a pleasure to work on coverage plans with Ed Verrillo and John Kacharian, both of whom have died in recent years, as well as Joe Killeen and Jerry Weaver. So many times they told me it was their privilege to carry on the work of the late Jimmy Pasinella, the parade founder. In recent years, I've enjoyed working with Cindy Bizaro-Wilson and Ed Manny, president of the Flag Day Committee.
All of these people — and the other committee members — put their hearts and souls into this annual tribute to our nation’s flag.
Come check out the parade on Sunday as it moves along Fourth Street into downtown Troy with its many bands and marchers. The Record will be there with a vehicle in the parade and some of our employees will be passing out free Sunday papers along the parade route.
If by chance you happen to see Ed, Cindy, Jerry or any other parade committee member, please thank them for all they do and congratulate them on a job well done.