More than 100 people packed a banquet room at the Lake George Holiday Inn Tuesday evening to celebrate the retired Village of Lake George Mayor Robert Blais and to show support for a project important to Blais, the Ronald McDonald House Charities’ Family Retreat at Krantz Cottage.
Blais completed his final term as mayor earlier this spring, serving for 52 years, which makes him the longest-serving mayor in the country. Well-wishers lined up to shake hands with the former mayor and wish him well in his new endeavors. The event included a cash bar and raffles with proceeds to benefit Krantz Cottage.
Speaking at the event, RMHC CEO David Jacobsen said, “The first time that Bob heard that Ronald McDonald House wanted to create a retreat for families that have a child with a terminal illness or families that are grieving the loss of a child, he said, ‘You have to do it in Lake George. You have to bring it here.”
Blais learned that the former law office of the late Howard Krantz on Ottawa Street in the Village was vacant. Blais contacted the Krantz family, which put into motion the creation of the Family Retreat at Krantz Cottage, which welcomed its first family in July 2021.
“To date, we have had 62 families go through that program,” says Jacobsen, “and I want to tell you the most amazing thing about it — you’re all familiar with Ronald McDonald House and what the charity has done for the last 49 years. There are 384 Ronald McDonald Houses, each one of them close to a children’s hospital, in 61 countries throughout this world. Do you know how many Ronald McDonald Family Retreats there are? One, right here, and it’s because of Bob Blais.”
Jacobsen announced that because of the Retreat, the RMHC of Albany will be receiving a Program Excellence award at an RMHC conference this summer. “We owe that to all of you in this community,” says Jacobsen. “The way that you’ve wrapped your arms around the families that we have coming here. Every family that comes here looking to get away from all of the stress as they have been going through treatment, and whether it’s mini golf or Martha’s (a popular ice cream shop) or a boat ride or an arcade or a dinner, this community just says to our families, ‘Come, you’re welcome here,’ and I want to thank this community for that, and Bob, that’s all due to your leadership.”
While Blais has retired from the Mayor’s office, he will continue serving the community as Director of Special Events.
The Village will be holding its annual Rockin’ with Ronald Festival, August 3-5, in Shepard Park. The event features live music, bounce houses, a craft show and a food and wine tent. All festival proceeds will benefit Krantz Cottage.
Feature photo: Former Village of Lake George Mayor Robert Blais (seated, left) was celebrated at a fundraiser for Ronald McDonald House Charities’ Kranz Cottage.