Team Work Makes the Dream Work

AREA ORGANIZATIONS JOIN FORCES WITH CDPHP® TO RAISE NEARLY $23.5K FOR THE REGIONAL FOOD BANK OF NORTHEASTERN NEW YORK

** Funds Slated for Expansion of Kids Cafe Program Surpass Last Year’s Contributions **

In partnership with nearly 40 New York state businesses in the Capital Region, Hudson Valley and Central New York areas, CDPHP® raised nearly $23.5K during its 2007 annual holiday appeal to benefit the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York’s local expansion of the Kids Cafe® program.

A national program, Kids Cafes provide free meals and snacks to low-income children through a variety of existing community organizations where children congregate. Currently, the Capital Region houses Kids Cafe programs in Lansingburgh and Schenectady.

“We are very grateful to CDPHP and the organizations that joined their appeal to raise the much needed funds for the expansion of our Kids Cafe program,” said Mark Quandt, executive director, Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York. “Since launching the first local Kids Cafe in 2003, we have seen the need grow dramatically for additional sites throughout the region. This appeal will bring us one step closer to our goal of developing new locations.”

In addition to helping alleviate childhood hunger in the community, the Kids Cafe program offers a safe place where under the supervision of trustworthy staff, a child can get involved in educational, recreational, and social activities.

CDPHP launched the campaign with a donation of $5,000 and a commitment to match up to another $5,000 in donations from area businesses. Companies and organizations from counties across the state joined the appeal and contributed $13,380 to the Food Bank.

“CDPHP is pleased to lead the charge on an appeal that benefits such an amazing community resource as the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York,” said CDPHP President and CEO, William J. Cromie, MD, MBA. “We are very grateful to all of the donors who recognized the increasing number of children right here in the Capital Region who do not have access to three square meals daily. Our hope is that these funds will begin to improve this condition.”

The organizations that participated in the 2007 CDPHP Annual Holiday Appeal include:

Adirondack Cabling, Inc.
Akins Pharmacy
Albany Neuropsychological Associates
Anchor Agency, Inc.
Arthur Sgroi Associates
AWESCO
Beckman Converting, Inc.
Bloom & Bloom, P.C.
CapBen Consulting, Inc.
Capital Public Affairs, Inc.
Dr. Kathleen M. Catalano
The Costumer
CS Albany Realty, LLC
ESAC Appraisers Consultants
GENPAK, LLC
IBEW Local Union 236
Krause's Chocolates
JCB Specialties, Inc.
Mackenzie & Tallent Law Firm
Dr. Robert O. McCabe
Montgomery County Farm Bureau
Nedco Pharmacy, Inc.
NYS Office of General Services - Real Estate Planning and Development
Park Outdoor Advertising of NY, Inc.
R.J. Kennedy & Sons
Richard Altwerger, DPM
Rip Van Winkle Realty
Rubin Dialysis Center, Inc.
Russin Lumber Corp.
SAF Consulting & Print Services
Dr. and Mrs. Ronald A. Scharf
Sterling Insurance Company
Success Secrets
Van Auken Express, Inc.
Viscusi's Aluminum Products, Inc.
Weatherguard Roofing Company
Webster Direct Marketing, Inc.
Wood & Seward, LLP
For more than 20 years, CDPHP has served as a strong corporate citizen assisting hundreds of community organizations throughout its extensive service area. CDPHP has been recognized nationally and regionally with awards and honors by many organizations for its strong corporate citizenship, health and wellness programs, and its diverse health insurance products.

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. 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 at www.cdphp.com.

TreePaad Goes Out on a Limb for Homeless Youth

TreePaad Family Entertainment Center on Dix Ave. held a benefit on December 31, 2007 for the Warren Washington Counties Homeless Youth Coalition. Over $1,400 was raised to support HYC's mission of reducing the homeless youth population in Warren and Washington Counties . "We were delighted to be able to help.", said TreePaad owner Patti Garrand. "Our business wanted to express our gratitude to HYC for the wonderful work they do with homeless youth and our fundraiser was our way of saying "Thanks!."" For a special price TreePaad patrons enjoyed unlimited play on TreePaad's most popular attractions. Also on hand were volunteers from HYC with information about the organization, as well as the Harrisena Youth Group. Garrand plans to hold another fundraiser for the group in December, 2008. "With HYC's new maternity group home project in the works, I know that our support will be needed." said Garrand. For more information visit http://www.hycwaithouse.org/ or http://www.treepaad.com/.


Photo L to R Patti Garrand, TreePaad, Duane J. Vaughn, HYC Executive Director, Anne M. Fuller, HYC Fund Development Coordinator.

Welcome Aboard!

Greater Adirondack Home Aides Welcomes New Board Members

Glens Falls, NY—Greater Adirondack Home Aides has named Teena Willard, Dr. Christian E. Mathiesen DMD, and Dr. Edward Kerr DDS, to the Board of Directors.

Teena Willard is currently an Advocate for the Saratoga County Options for Independent Living in Saratoga Springs, NY. Ms. Willard has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Social Work from Skidmore College and is a Licensed Practical Nurse. Her experience with helping others is extensive and includes holding the position of Coordinator with the City of Schenectady Office of Disability Services, and working at the Glens Falls Independent Living Center as an Advocate and Independent Living Skills Trainer.

Ms. Willard is a current member of the Adirondack Accessibility Advisory Council and the City of Schenectady Mayor’s Task Force for Person’s with Disabilities. As a past member of the Greater Saratoga Council on the Disabled, she helped to successfully advocate for a ramp, elevator, an accessible bathroom in Saratoga Springs City Hall, a ramp on the Casino in downtown Saratoga Springs and a wealth of other projects. Ms. Willard resides in Gansevoort, NY.

Dr. Christian E. Mathiesen has practiced general dentistry in Saratoga Springs, NY since 1978 and is currently in private practice at 53 Spring Street in Saratoga. Dr. Mathiesen holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology from Boston College, attended Fairleigh Dickinson University School of Dentistry, and is a member of the American Dental Association and the New York State Dental Association.

Dr. Mathiesen is presently the Director at Large for the Fourth District Dental Society and through this organization has held the positions of President in 2002 and the District Representative to NYSDA Council on Dental Benefit Programs. He has also been a member of the societies Peer Review Committee as well as a member of its Organization Committee for Saratoga Dental Congress. Dr. Mathiesen is currently serving on the Leadership Saratoga Advisory Board and the Home Made Theater Board of Directors. As a member of the Academy of General Dentistry, Dr. Mathiesen has achieved the highest possible honor available, the Mastership Award. He resides in Saratoga Springs, NY.

Dr. Edward Kerr opened his dental practice in Glens Falls NY in 1969 from which he is now presently retired. Dr. Kerr graduated from the Albany College of Pharmacy in 1961 and the University of Buffalo College of Dentistry in 1965. He served as a Captain in the US Army Dental Corps from 1965-1968 in Mannheim, Germany.

Dr. Kerr is a member of The American Dental Society, the New York State Dental Society, The Fourth District Dental Society of which he has served as the President, and the Glens Falls Rotary Club. He has also served on the Board of Directors for the Warren County Cancer Society, the Glens Falls Area Youth Center, the Glens Falls National Bank and Trust Regional Board, and is currently serving on the Community Workshop Board. Dr. Kerr resides in Queensbury with his wife Beverly.

Greater Adirondack Home Aides is a not-for-profit, community-based United Way Member agency that had been providing home health care to area clients since 1965.

The Best of 2007

Greater Adirondack Home Aides Names Aide of the Year


Greater Adirondack Home Aides, a leading provider of home health care services throughout Warren, Washington and Saratoga counties, has selected Joyce Moulton as AIDE OF THE YEAR for 2007.

With great pleasure the Selection Committee of Greater Adirondack Home Aides (GAHA) bestows upon Ms. Moulton the highest honor that can be achieved by a Home Health Aide. She has been with the agency since 1983 and has been a loyal and responsible employee throughout the years. Ms. Moulton's position as a Route Aide means she is always on the job.

"You are an excellent representative of GAHA and the home health care profession," said John Penzer, President and CEO of Greater Adirondack Home Aides. Ms. Moulton will receive an engraved watch, a bonus, and her photo and plaque will grace the GAHA office throughout 2008.

Congratulations Joyce Moulton!

Greater Adirondack Home Aides is a not-for-profit, community-based United Way Member agency that had been providing home health care to area clients since 1965.

Visit GAHA.

Giving a Hand to Exceptional Aides

Greater Adirondack Home Aides Names Aide of October, November and December

Greater Adirondack Home Aides, a leading provider of home health care services throughout Warren, Washington and Saratoga counties, has selected Leigh Priest as AIDE OF THE MONTH for October 2007.

The Selection Committee feels Ms. Priest is extremely flexible with her schedule and is always willing to fill in when needed. Her professional manner and upbeat attitude finds Ms. Priest well liked among her clients and peers.

John Penzer, President and CEO of Greater Adirondack Home Aides has said, "We're very proud of you and grateful for the fine work you do with our clients."

Congratulations to Ms. Priest on winning this distinctive honor.

She will receive a paid day off, a check, and a recognition pin.

November
Greater Adirondack Home Aides has selected Fay Sherman as AIDE OF THE MONTH for November 2007.

Mrs. Sherman was chosen to be Aide of the Month by the Selection Committee for always going the "extra mile" for her clients. She has been with Greater Adirondack Home Aides since 1992 and has always been completely reliable and dependable. She will change her schedule to accommodate those she cares for, and does so with an infectious smile and positive attitude. Her clients greatly appreciate her efforts.

"Your kind and gentle nature is inspirational; you are a wonderful representative of the agency and an excellent role model for your peers," said John Penzer, President and CEO of Greater Adirondack Home Aides. Mrs. Sherman will receive a paid day off, a check and a recognition pin.

Congratulations to Fay Sherman!

DecemberGreater Adirondack Home Aides has selected Andy Benware as AIDE OF THE MONTH for December 2007.

The Selection Committee has chosen Mr. Benware to be Aide of the Month for his capability to work well with a variety of challenging cases. His proficiency allows him to work well with a wide range of people, always without complaint.

Congratulations to Mr. Benware!

"We deeply appreciate the fine work you do! You are always willing to assist the agency," said John Penzer, President and CEO of Greater Adirondack Home Aides. Mr. Benware will receive a paid day off, a check, and a recognition pin.

Greater Adirondack Home Aides is a not-for-profit, community-based United Way Member agency that had been providing home health care to area clients since 1965.

Recognition on a Global Level for UHY

UHY INTERNATIONAL AMONG FIRST FULL MEMBERS OF FORUM OF FIRMS, A NEW GLOBAL ACCOUNTING BODY

UHY International has been named one of the first full members of the Forum of Firms after reporting it has implemented a globally coordinated quality assurance program, committed to the use of International Standards on Auditing (ISAs), and met other specific ethics requirements, the Forum announced today.

UHY llp is a founding member of UHY International, the global organization of accounting and consulting firms.

“We are proud to be among the first group of Forum members,” said Richard Kotlow, managing partner of UHY llp’s Albany office. “We have embraced the high quality assurance and ethics standards required of Forum members in order to serve the public interest and to help raise the standards of the international practice of auditing.”

John Wolfgang, UHY International chairman and UHY llp partner in New York City , added: “More specifically, a growing number of mid-tier companies now have interests in at least one country outside their home base – and even multi-national operations. UHY International’s membership in the Forum of Firm means our clients have access to the same quality of professional service virtually anywhere. We not only have the global reach but now have the attested compliance infrastructure to deliver a trans-national service that any client – or their stakeholders – can count on.”

The Forum of Firms is an association of international networks of accounting firms like UHY International. These firms perform audits of financial statements that are or may be used across national borders. The Forum’s goal is to promote consistent and high quality standards of financial reporting and auditing practices worldwide. It conducts its business through its executive arm, the Transnational Auditors Committee (TAC), which is also a committee of the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC). The members of the TAC are nominated by Forum members.

Marilyn Pendergast, a UHY llp partner in Albany and TAC member since 2004, said: “The Forum of Firms represents the global trend toward more consistent application of international standards for greater relevance to investors and other users of financial statements.

Pendergast added, “UHY llp’s internal quality-control procedures and policies have been in place since the UHY International network was founded in 1986, which means our membership of the Forum of Firms is a natural and seamless transition.”

In order to achieve full membership status, UHY International had to commit to meet the Forum’s membership obligations which require members to:

· Maintain appropriate quality control standards in accordance with International Standards on Quality Control issued by the International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (IAASB) in addition to relevant national quality control standards and conduct, to the extent not prohibited by national regulation, regular globally coordinated internal quality assurance reviews;

· Have policies and methodologies for the conduct of transnational audits that are based, to the extent practicable, on ISAs issued by the IAASB; and

· Have policies and methodologies which conform to the IFAC Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants and national codes of ethics.

Like all the other full members announced today, UHY International originally joined the Forum as a provisional member. As of January 2008, of the 21 Forum members, 17 are full members and four are provisional members. The Forum’s remaining provisional members are working toward becoming full members in 2008.

As a full member of the Forum, UHY International is entitled to indicate Forum membership on our website, on letterhead, and in our publications.

UHY International is an association of independent accounting and consulting firms with offices in 190 major business centers in 66 countries. Over 6,300 staff generated an aggregate income of US$610 million in 2007, ranking UHY International among the top 25 international accounting and consultancy networks (by revenue). Each member of UHY International is a legally separate and independent firm.

Sixteen other international networks of accounting firms also achieved full member status, the first group of firms to do so since the Forum was formally established in 2002. A list of the Forum’s members is attached.

About UHY llp and UHY Advisors
UHY llp is a national licensed CPA firm and operates as the attest firm in an alternative practice structure with UHY Advisors Inc., the 13th largest professional services firm in the United States . Both firms are independent U.S. members of UHY International Limited, an international association of firms that operate in 60 countries worldwide.

For further information on UHY llp, please visit www.uhyllp.com

About UHY International

Established in 1986 and based in London , UK , UHY International is an association of independent accounting and consulting firms with offices in major business centres throughout the world. UHY has 188 offices in 64 countries with over 5,500 staff and generated an aggregate income of over US$530 million in 2006. Each member of UHY is a legally separate and independent firm in its own country.

For further information on UHY International please go to www.uhy.com.

Great Promotions

Officials at The Great Escape Properties have announced the promotion of several management employees.



Kerry Claus has been promoted to General Manager of the Six Flags Great Escape Lodge & Indoor Waterpark. In his new role, Claus is responsible for overseeing day-to-day operations, as well as directing the food & beverage and guest relations departments at the property. Employed at the Lodge since 2005, Claus was most recently the Assistant General Manager. Claus holds a bachelor’s degree in business management from the State University of New York at Fredonia, as well as an associate’s degree in hotel restaurant management from Paul Smith’s College.



Joseph Molnar has been promoted to the position of Director of Food & Beverage at the Six Flags Great Escape Lodge & Indoor Waterpark. Molnar is responsible for directing all food and beverage operations at the Lodge, including directing banquet events; creating and implementing special events; managing themed activities; and managing service staff at each of the Lodge’s restaurants, including at Trapper’s Adirondack Grille and Tall Tales Tavern. Previously the Executive Chef at the Six Flags Great Escape Lodge & Indoor Waterpark, Molnar began his career as an apprentice chef at the five-diamond Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress resort in Orlando, Florida.




Randall Wilke has been promoted to Director of Operations at The Great Escape Properties. A Six Flags employee for nearly ten years, Wilke was previously the Operations Manager at The Great Escape & Splashwater Kingdom. Now reporting directly to the President of The Great Escape Properties, Wilke is responsible for oversight of Admissions, Aquatics, Entertainment, Park Services, Parking, Rides, Safety, and Security departments at both The Great Escape and the Six Flags Great Escape Lodge & Indoor Waterpark.



Steve Krawczyk has been promoted to Director of Administration at The Great Escape Properties. In his new role, Krawczyk is responsible for human resource functions at both The Great Escape & Splashwater Kingdom and the Six Flags Great Escape Lodge & Indoor Waterpark. Krawczyk began his career at The Great Escape as Promotions Manager, and is a graduate of The College of Saint Rose in Albany, NY.
Six Flags, Inc. is the world's largest regional theme park company, operating 21 parks across the U.S., Mexico and Canada. Six Flags has more roller coasters than all other theme park companies combined. Since 1961, Six Flags has provided world-class thrilling entertainment for millions of families. Six Flags, Inc. is a publicly-traded corporation (NYSE: SIX) headquartered in New York City.