Wednesday, August 29, 2007

Bittersweet Follow-Up


Christopher Ramsey
August 29, 2002 - August, 8, 2007


Results Of 2007 Benefit Tournament



Airway Meadows Golf Course held its 4th Annual Benefit Tournament on Saturday, August 18th. 74 players came out to play in the 4-player scramble tournament. The event was to benefit the family of Christopher Ramsey, who last winter was diagnosed with stage four high-risk neuroblastoma. He passed away on August 8th from an infection after successfully battling the cancer.
We raised $6261 for the family through the golfers who participated, the selling of hole sponsor signs, a 50/50 raffle and a live auction. We would especially like to thank some of the winning teams who donated their prizes back so they could be included in the auction.

Cash Donations for The Family of Christopher Ramsey: ASAP Container Rentals, Airway Meadows GC Grounds Crew, Airway Meadows Kitchen, Tavern, Bev Cart Staff, Airway Meadows Pro Shop, Golf Staff, All Around Sound, Anonymous, Bottom’s Up Golf League, AMGC, Doc’s Steakhouses, Fire Control Systems, Inc., Fran’s Hallmark Shop, Glens Falls Metal Fabricators, Joan and Jayme Heber, The Legend Group, Brad and Missy Morgan, Pallette Stone, Quaker Bay Roofing Company, Reeds Hydraulics, Shelly Park Adult Community, Steve Rajeski Electric, Stone Bridge Iron & Steel Co., TMG-The McCormick Group

Misc. Cash Donations: Anonymous Golfers

Raffle & Auction Items: Airway Meadows Golf Club, Arbonne International-Marianne Hoosier, Brian Rhodes, PGA Prof., Curt Lohrey, PGA Prof., Fran’s Hallmark, Fitzgerald Bros. – Pepsi Folks, Eagle Crest Golf Club, The Highland Golf Club, Kingswood Golf Club, Mary Kay Cosmetics – Sharon Bianco, Minisceongo Golf Club, Pioneer Hills, Pole Valley Players Club, Queensbury County Club, The Sagamore Golf Course, Saratoga Eagle, Saratoga National Golf Club, Scott’s Flea Market, Top of the World Golf Course, Trevor Wheeler Golf, Trusto Bank, Titleist, Windy Hills Golf Course

Christopher's obituary, as printed in The Post-Star:

HUDSON FALLS * Christopher David Ramsey, 4, of Pearl Street, passed away on Wednesday Aug. 8, 2007, at Boston Children's Hospital in Boston, Mass., surrounded by his loving family. Born Aug. 29, 2002, in Glens Falls, he was the son of Paul R. and Trisha (Kirsch) Ramsey.



Christopher loved baseball, the New York Yankees, motorcycles, his four-wheeler, bowling, and playing with his sister, Payten. He was an honorary firefighter in Hudson Falls. He liked the song, "Footloose" and really enjoyed playing with his cousins Logan and Casey, and most of all he loved to be with his "Pa." His laugh was infectious and his smile just didn't quit. He attended the Lights on Learning Center in Hudson Falls.




Survivors include his loving parents, Paul and Trisha Ramsey of Hudson Falls; his beloved sister, Payten Ramsey of Hudson Falls; his maternal grandparents, Helen and David "Mimi and Papa" Kirsch of Fort Edward; his paternal grandparents, Debra "Grammy" Ramsey of Conway, S.C., Paul "Grandpa" Ramsey of Glens Falls; his maternal great-grandmothers, Marie Weatherwax of Fort Edward and Edith Kirsch of Houston, Texas; his paternal great-grandparents, Robert and Beverly Wheeler of Conway, S.C.; his aunts, Shannon "Auntie" Kirsch of Hudson Falls, Taylor Ramsey of Glens Falls, Theresa Higgins of Glens Falls; his special aunts, "Cinny" and "Luv Luv"; and several other aunts uncles and cousins, and a community that loved him.


Donations in Christopher's memory may be made to the Children's Neuroblastoma Cancer Foundation, P.O. Box 6635, Bloomingdale, IL 60108 or The Childhood Cancer and Blood Disorder Center at Albany Medical Center, Mail Code 24, 43 New Scotland Ave., Albany, NY 12208.


Our thoughts are with Christopher's family. Special thanks to Airway Meadows for an exceptional event for an extraordinary boy.

The Picture of Health


CDPHP HONORED WITH BEST DISEASE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM IN UPSTATE NEW YORK

Health Industries Research Companies Recognizes Health Plan For Second Consecutive Year

For the second consecutive year, CDPHP has been recognized as offering the best disease management program in upstate New York by Health Industries Research Companies (HIRC), a national, independent research organization serving the health care industry. CDPHP was the only health plan in the Capital Region to receive this award, with no other health plans north of New York City or east of Buffalo recognized. Less than six percent of the U.S. health plans profiled in this report are honored consecutively.

HIRC’s 7th Annual Report on the Disease Management Industry profiles the leading disease management organizations (DMOs), assesses their growth trends, indicates their current partnerships, provides recommendations for future opportunities, and recognizes best current programs among health plans, employers, and vendors.

“CDPHP firmly believes in the concept of disease management and its benefits to our members,” said William J. Cromie, MD, MBA, president and CEO, CDPHP. “That is why it is such an honor to be recognized for the second consecutive year by HIRC.”

The report is based on extensive market projections and analysis, surveys and in-depth interviews with health care industry executives. Report highlights include:

Current disease management programs market size by disease state
Disease management market potential
Analysis of payers implementing disease management programs including commercial HMOs, Medicare programs, Medicaid, and employers
Leading DMO Web sites
Disease management partnerships with HMOs
DMO services and offerings
About Health Industries Research Companies (HIRC)
Health Industries Research Companies (HIRC) is an independent, nonpartisan organization that conducts strategic market research on trends in health care, pharmaceutical, and managed care businesses. HIRC’s benchmark studies focus on the marketing needs of pharmaceutical companies, providing market research critical to the development of successful marketing strategies. For more information about HIRC and the company’s reports, visit www.hirc.com .

About CDPHP™

Founded and guided by physicians, CDPHP and its affiliates currently serve members in 29 counties throughout New York state and seven counties in Vermont. In 2006, the CDPHP commercial health plan was ranked fifth in the country, and top ranked in New York state, in a collaborative report, U.S. News & World Report/NCQA “America’s Best Health Plans” 2006®. The CDPHP Medicare Advantage program, Medicare Choice, and the Medicaid program, Select Plan, ranked sixth and seventh, respectively, in the nation.

The four affiliated companies of CDPHP include a family of products: Capital District Physicians' Health Plan, Inc.—HMO, Healthy New York, Medicare Choice, Medicaid, Child Health Plus, and Family Health Plus. CDPHP Universal Benefits Inc.® —PPO, High Deductible PPO, POS, and EPO. Capital District Physicians' Healthcare Network, Inc. —self-insured plans; and APA Partners, Inc. —third party administration (TPA). Visit CDPHP.

Thursday, August 16, 2007

A Thousand Times, Thank You!



Chef Kevin Bethel and his wife and partner, Patti, prepare to say bon appétit tonight as they head into their 1000th dinner presentation since opening 132 Glen Bistro.




Stop by to celebrate and enjoy the consistently wonderful food offered at this downtown Glens Falls gem!

Tuesday, August 14, 2007

Training Wheels, Giving Through Learning

Theresa Gulotty, David Holle, Chris Mullen

Darlene Kosinski, Pamela Dutcher and Peter O'Brien

On a sunny August afternoon, Sunnyside Par 3 played host to employees from all of the NY regions of TD Banknorth, who were in town to participatee in a team building session. The program was called “Training Wheels” and was facilitated by Hamel Resources, L.L.C.

Hamel Resources has partnered with local agencies that provide services to disabled and disadvantaged youth that also benefit from the team building exercise. After a delicious barbecued lunch under the tent (prepared by Chef Extraordinaire, Miles Nolan), the teams took to the course to further strengthen the team building and communication skills acquired from the Training Wheels program. The day ended with awards and prizes for all participants.

Friday, August 10, 2007

Long in Talent

Patti Pepe, Membership Manager for the Adirondack Regional Chamber of Commerce, stands with Mary Longley, Sales Representative for the Glens Falls Business Journal, in the ARCC Board Room.



Mary, a membership Committee dynamo, exceeded all expectations and delivered the greatest number of memberships this quarter.

Congratulations Mary, and, more importantly, Thank You!

Your passion and participation enhance the value of membership in the ARCC.

Wednesday, August 8, 2007

Good Will by the Basketful



The Glens Falls Hospital Guild will host its 11th Annual Parade of Baskets on September 9th at Heritage Hall in the Glens Falls Civic Center. Doors open at 12:00 for basket preview with drawings starting at 1:30 p.m. All proceeds benefit the ongoing projects of the Glens Falls Hospital Guild.

During the event, attendees receive 25 tickets with their $10 paid admission for the chance of winning more than 150 “themed’ baskets donated by Glens Falls Hospital volunteers, employees and local businesses and community members. Additional tickets may be purchased at $5 for 25 tickets. Baskets stocked with goodies appealing to all tastes and interests include gardening, pets, gourmet food and fishing. Basket winners must be present to win.

In addition to the baskets, participants can also enter a special raffle. The Guild will raffle a Canon Digital Camera Package. This package includes a Canon Power Shot Digital Camera, Canon photo printer, computer software, photo paper, CDs, camera case, and other items. Tickets are available now for this raffle in the Gift Atrium, located on the first floor of the Northwest Tower and the Volunteer Office located on 2 East. Cost is $5.00 per ticket or three for $10. Raffle participants need not be present to win. The drawing will be held at the Parade of Baskets.

Parade of Basket admission tickets are available in advance in the Glens Falls Hospital Volunteer Office or the Gift Atrium. An admission ticket is required for all children.

For more information about the Parade of Baskets, call the Glens Falls Hospital Volunteer Services office at 926-2780.

The Golden Ticket


Patti Pepe stands with American Chamber of Commerce Executives President Mick Fleming after she was presented a Gold Lifetime Achievement Award from the organization for membership sales.

The gold level award recognizes those sales managers in the US who have sold more than 500 memberships in their chamber careers. Mick Fleming presented this award to Patti at the ACCE Annual Leadership Conference last week in Sacramento, CA., in front of more than 1,000 chamber executives from across the nation. She is now working to achieve the Silver level in recognition of sales exceeding 750 member sales in a career.

Way to go, Patti!

Tuesday, August 7, 2007

If You Build It...

...they can play safely.




BRANNY & Crandall Park Beautification Committee Team Up to Build a Field House of Dreams

The Builders and Remodelers Association of Northern New York (BRANNY) has contributed $1,000 to the Crandall Park Beautification Committee to rebuild the Field House at Crandall Park.



The members of BRANNY have also committed to supplying materials and labor to see the project to fruition. Groundbreaking is scheduled for early fall of 2007 with a spring 2008 completion.


The existing Field House was constructed in 1921 near the pond and served as a warming hut for ice skaters, until it was moved to its current location. An addition was built in 1931. The building, which has fallen into disrepair, is used year round.


Plans for the new Field House include basement space with potential utilization as dressing rooms for performers from the amphitheatre performances, such as the recent GE sponsored concerts. There will also be increased energy efficiency and heightened curb appeal for this edifice along one of the City’s primary corridors.

For more information on BRANNY and this project coontact Patti Pepe at (518) 798-1761

Monday, August 6, 2007

One Memorable Sundae, indeed!



Recently a celebrity came a calling...for ice cream.


Bobby Flay works the scoop.

The Food Network filmed an episode of Throwdown with Bobby Flay by the pond pavilion at Christ the King Spiritual Life Center.



The weather was gorgeous and the ice cream plentiful as Greenwich, New York prepared to show the rest of the world how sweet life is 'round here.



The Beaver Cross campers enjoyed ice cream sundaes from The Ice Cream Man, a favorite summer stop in Greenwich , NY .



The folks at The Ice Cream Man deserve a hand!
Congratulations and thank you for demonstrating the appeal of our region.