Hot Copy

By Mark Frost, Chronicle Editor

“I’ve been in the boat business for 50 years,” George Pensel told The Chronicle from Florida Monday in response to our call. “I’ve learned a little bit about doing real estate, but I don’t know nearly as much about doing deals in real estate as I know about doing deals in boats.”

In a nutshell, he said, that explains why he abandoned his plan to …

By Cathy DeDe, Chronicle Managing Editor

Two couples who are luminaries in metropolitan restaurant and beverage circles plan to open a restaurant/bar called Gem and Little Gem Liquors in Bolton Landing.

It’s in the Main Street building that most recently housed Community Wines & Liquors, which closed on Feb. 28, and the adjacent former Sagamore Pub.

In reply to a Chronicle e-mail, partner Patricia Boccato, who informally listed her job …

By Mark Frost, Chronicle Editor

Citing the arrival of such threats as Harmful Algal Blooms and the tree-killing Hemlock Woolly Adelgid, the Lake George Association and the
FUND for Lake George said they will merge into a single entity that will keep the LGA name.

“One voice, one strategy, one constellation of assets [combined] into one organization totally focused on Lake George water quality.”

Eric Siy, 60, executive director of …

By Cathy DeDe, Chronicle Managing Editor

The Lake George Elvis Festival, after 20 years, is no more.

“I’m sorry to let you know that the 2019 Lake George Elvis Festival was our last!” organizer Jason Sherry announced in a letter to supporters and vendors.

Mr. Sherry said the planned sale of the host site, the Lake George Forum, to Boats by George (which subsequently fell through) and then …

By Zander Frost, Chronicle Staff

The pandemic continues to crimp in-person activities, but local maple producers are upbeat as they gear up for peak season of sap flowing and syrup making.

“Our sales have actually been up,” said David Campbell of Mapleland Farms in Salem. “Our restaurant sales are down,” but “people are eating more pancakes, or cooking more with syrup, I don’t know what they’re doing with it. Our …