Big news for Fort Miller, scout cookie champ, library grant
Fort Miller now employee-owned, Essity building expansion
The Fort Miller Group in Easton, NY, announced that it is “now 100% owned by its over 500 employees. The transfer of ownership was accomplished through an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP). The transaction was finalized on January 1, 2025. This assures that the company will continue as a locally owned company for many future generations and remain rooted in our communities as we continue to hire locally and support many local activities and organizations.”
The company was started in 1948 and consists of four companies: Access Anvil Corp., The Fort Miller Co., Inc., The Fort Miller Service Corp. and Tymetal Corp. The Group website is www.fmgroup.com and the Facebook page is www.facebook.com/thefortmillergroup .
They also announced that effective March 31, 2025, the prior SCA/Essity paper converting facility in Middle Falls, NY, was purchased by The Fort Miller Group. Various businesses and activities within Fort Miller, primarily Access Anvil Corp., will be relocated to this facility.
The statement continues: “Given our many growth opportunities, both office and manufacturing space is needed for all companies within The Fort Miller Group and this new location will provide us with the opportunity to expand and hire locally for the foreseeable future.
“We appreciate the support we have received from our various surrounding communities over our 77 years of being in business and look forward to many decades of future success.”
Quinn Ashe: Goal-Getter
Junior Girl Scout Quinn Ashe of Argyle is a go-getter, and a GOAL getter. A member of Argyle Troop 3874, Quinn has her sites on being a Top Cookie Seller in the district, a goal well within her range as she’d already sold 3,000 boxes of Girl Scout Cookies by mid-March. How does she achieve those incredible numbers? Quinn knows that hard work pays off.
I met Quinn in front of the Greenwich Stewart’s shop as she was offering cookies to the local clientele. Quinn is a friendly, bright young lady with a goal and she works hard to hit that goal, selling Girl Scout Cookies throughout the local area three days (at least) a week. Her typical Girl Scout Junior sash must be a vest as she has earned so many Girl Scout badges and sports many patches of favorite places and activities she’s involved in.
If you hear people complain about “the younger generation” not having any idea what hard work is, tell them about this girl. When Quinn isn’t involved in Girl Scouts, she’s on the Argyle elementary school softball team, or she may be playing basketball, or practicing ballet. She’s often found at basketball clinics, and recently found she has a love for drama class, too, now that fifth graders are allowed in the local school program.
When a new sport piqued Quinn’s interest this past year, her Mom, Taryn, had to tell her that with all her other activities, they just couldn’t pay for snowboarding, too. Unphased, Quinn took it upon herself to make nearly 100 pillows for an Argyle area craft fair. She sold the hand-crafted pillows and earned enough to take snowboarding lessons with her own money. Goal accomplished.
Let’s remember Quinn Ashe’s name. She is an engaging, young girl who is goal-oriented and has a bright future ahead of her if her recent achievements are any indication of what she’ll accomplish in years to come! Oh, and I highly recommend the Thin Mint Girl Scout cookies! Quinn suggested them to me.
-Jan Baxter
Library arts grant to benefit nature photography course
The Schuylerville Public Library is the happy recipient of a Community Arts grant through Saratoga Arts. This spring, the library will offer a Beginning Nature Photography course with instructor Susan Meyer. This is a series of 8 classes, featuring both in person instruction at the Library and hands-on photography practice at nearby Hudson Crossing Park. The class will run from May 3 through June 28 on Saturday mornings and culminate in an Art Show on July 19 at the Library. Those age 16 & up may register online (svl.libcal.com) or by phone 518-695-6641. Participants must have their own camera or device and the focus of the instruction will be on DSLR (digital) cameras, with some information on iPhone cameras provided. More details on class content and the instructor found online.
Saratoga Arts made this program possible through the Community Arts Regrant Program, funded by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.
And now for the comics — ‘Broom Hilda’ by Russell Myers
More tomorrow.