The Point makes 10 Best list

SARANAC LAKE -- In the newly released second edition of National Geographic's "The 10 Best of Everything: An Ultimate Guide for Travelers," authors Nathaniel and Andrew Lande name The Point at Saranac Lake as one of the Top 10 Hideaways on the planet.

The travel guide presents "best of" lists of everything from cigars to islands.

The list of 10 best hideaways also includes retreats in Italy, England and Malaysia.

Clute nominated to Winner's Circle

PLATTSBURGH -- Heidi G. Clute of Clute Wealth Management has been nominated to the Barron's 2008 Winner's Circle Top 100 Women.

The Winner's Circle recognizes the most outstanding independent financial advisers in the business on a national level, based on customer satisfaction and quality of advice.

Nominees represent some of the highest levels of ethical standards, professionalism and success in the financial industry.

The list of 100 winners will be published later this year in Barron's.

Clute is a CFP professional with 27-plus years of experience.

She is the owner of Clute Wealth Management, an independent firm and registered investment adviser, with offices in Plattsburgh and South Burlington, Vt.

Local man receives small-business award

PLATTSBURGH -- Harold Hance of Mountain Valley Teleservices LLC was honored with the 2008 Small Business Person of the Year and an Excellence Award from the Syracuse District Small Business Administration at a luncheon in Albany.

Winners of the Small Business Person of the Year Award are chosen based on the number of people they employ, sales increases, product innovation, staying power of the business and community contributions.

Hance was nominated by the North Country Small Business Development Center. Winning this award places him in the position of a nominee for a U.S. Small Business Administration entrepreneur award.