Lake Placid: Lakeside retreat on Mirror Lake, beautifully updated 4 BR, 3.5 BA, over 100 ft. of waterfront, sandy beach & private dock, modern open floor plan, hardwood floors, main floor primary en- suite, attached 2 car garage with Tesla charger. $3,200,000
Rainbow Lake: Camp Dun Koppin is year round, sits 50 ft. from the lakeshore, on 1.6 acres, 3 BR, 1.5 BA, granite countertops, 500’ + waterfront, wrap around deck, 3 docks, a swimming platform, 2 BR, 1 BA seasonal cottage, 2 garages. $1,090,000
Lake Placid: Whiteface Club & Resort, Sand Brook Lodge end-unit, 4 BR, 4 BA, 3 floors of living space, open concept, primary BR & BA on main floor, wrap around deck, attached garage, enjoy year round amenities! $999,990
Lake Placid: Camp Altai on Mirror Lake, stunning Nils Luderowski designed waterfront estate, being sold furnished, 6 BR, 4.5 BA, gourmet kitchen, open floor plan, primary suite with balcony, bunk room, den, loft area, covered deck, enclosed porch, dock.
$4,200,000
Jay: Ausable Acres 3 BR, 2 BA open concept floor plan, maple floors, S/S appliances, lower level with a family room, BR & office space, garage, deck with views, 16 miles of hiking, X country skiing, access to Lake Eaton. $486,000
Wilmington: 1 room motor lodge, 68+ seat pub in the Adirondack High Peaks, 2 miles to Whiteface Mt., 11 miles to Lake Placid, established turn-key business, the area boasts: world-class fly-fishing; hiking, snowmobiling, mtn biking. $ 1,749,000
Saranac Lake: Twin Islands on Oseetah Lake, stunning sunsets, 2-story boathouse, main cabin and guest cabin with updated kitchens, hardwood floors, expansive decks, bunkhouse, treehouse, mostly furnished, includes 2 motorboats, 2 kayaks, canoe, and satelite internet.
$1,090,000
Loon Lake: Only steps away from your deeded beach rights to beautiful Loon Lake. Quaint cottage offers 3 BR, 2 BA, one floor living, hdwd flrs, gas log fireplace, screened porch, .25 acres, great fishing, swimming, boating! $385,000
Jay: Stickney Bridge Rd, partially finished on 8.9 acres, 4000 sf potential for 5-7 BR’s, 3.5+ BA’s, equipped with roof, siding, windows, infloor heating tubing, kitchen appliances, septic system, well, 2-car garage, workshop. $550,000
Follow your dream, home.
COLLEEN M. HOLMES | REAL ESTATE BROKER/OWNER ENGEL & VÖLKERS LAKE PLACID
2297 Saranac Ave | Lake Placid | NY 12946
O + 1 518-523-4404 | F + 1 518-523-4405
lakeplacid@evrealestate.com
Real Estate lakeplacid.evrealestate.com | Vacation Rentals lakeplacidvacationhomes.com
THE ADIRONDACK pARK
Potsdam •
• West Chazy
• Glens Falls
Plattsburgh •
T O P 5 TOP 5 Great Hikes In and Around Raquette Lake
By Spencer Morrissey
Death Falls
ACTIVITY: Hiking
DIFFICULTY: Easy
DISTANCE: 0.3 miles one way
DIRECTIONS: From the intersection of state Routes 28 and 30 in the town of Long Lake follow Route 28/30 toward Blue Mountain Lake. in Blue Mountain Lake, follow Route 28 toward Raquette Lake for just under 10 miles to the trailhead. this trailhead is located on the left about 0.3 miles past the entrance to Golden Beach Campground. Look for a metal gate across a dirt access road. there is no trailhead sign.
Sagamore Lake Loop
ACTIVITY: Multi-use
DIFFICULTY: Easy to moderate
DISTANCE: 3.8-mile loop
DIRECTIONS: From the intersection of Route 28 and Sagamore Road in
Raquette Lake, follow Sagamore Road for just over 3 miles to the trailhead on the left. The trailhead is unmarked, but a gate marks the beginning. The loop will bring you a bit farther up the road.
Eagles Nest Lake and Bug Lake via the Uncas Trail
ACTIVITY: Multi-use
DIFFICULTY: Easy
DISTANCE: 1.8-mile loop
DIRECTIONS: Follow state Route 28 out of Raquette Lake, west toward Inlet. Once at the gate for the Eighth Lake State Campground, turn down into the campground area (a small day-use fee may be required). Drive to the back of the campground and locate the trail along an old dirt road.
Shallow Lake
ACTIVITY: Hiking
DIFFICULTY: Moderate
DISTANCE: 2.1 miles one way
DIRECTIONS: From the intersection of Route 28 and Route 30 in the town of Long Lake, follow Route 28/30 toward Blue Mountain Lake. In Blue Mountain Lake, follow Route 28 to Raquette Lake. Follow County Route 2 into the hamlet of Raquette Lake where you will pick up Uncas Road on the left. Follow Uncas Road (Brown’s Tract Road) past the Brown’s Tract state campsite to the trailhead for Shallow Lake and West Mountain on the right. The trailhead is located on the east shore of Upper Brown’s Tract Pond.
West Mountain
ACTIVITY:Hiking
DIFFICULTY: Moderate
DISTANCE: 4.8 miles one way
DIRECTIONS: From the village of Raquette Lake, head north through town to Browns Tract Road. Take a left onto Browns Tract Road and follow for 0.6 miles to the trailhead on the right. Only a small pull-off and very small signs mark the trailhead.
H i g h F a l l s G o r g e H i g h F a l l s G o r g e High Falls Gorge
r e m a i n s o p e n r e m a i n s o p e n remains open
a s r e p a i r s a s r e p a i r s as repairs
c o n t i n u e c o n t i n u e continue
By Delaniey Muscato
High Falls Gorge on state Route 86 — showcasing a natural wonder along the West Branch of the AuSable River — spent just under $1 million to repair sections of their walkways and stairways, but the attraction remained open this past summer.
High Falls Gorge President Kathryn Reiss said customer safety trumps all other concerns; therefore, replacing and repairing worn sections of the trail is costly but necessary. Construction started at the beginning of June, and Reiss is hopeful construction will be completed by early October.
Parts of the trail need to be repaired and replaced because of age. Some of the steel holding up the walkways and stairways, for example, is from 1961 and is exposed to constant moisture.
Reiss hired Luck Bros. Inc. to remove and replace parts of the trail. Though she has never worked with this company before, she said they are doing a great job. When repairs had to be made in 2011 after Tropical Storm Irene, Reiss had to hire two different companies.
“I used a painting company that would only paint everything they could reach from the deck,” she said.
Reiss then had to hire a different company to paint underneath the walkways and stairways.
This time she hired a company based in Colorado that specializes in painting high steel structures including rollercoasters, water towers and high rises. BASE Painters will use marine-based paint made for painting sea walls or underwater structures. Reiss said the constant moisture actually helps seal the paint and make it stronger.
An engineer inspects High Falls Gorge every year and lets them know if they need to fix anything.
Reiss said these renovations go above and beyond what the engineer told the park they needed to fix.
“With 60,000 (people) coming through here each year and stepping on the treads, things tend to wear out fast,” she said.
In addition to the steel replacements, Reiss’s staff will replace the wooden deck boards and fencing on and around the trail.
At this point, the construction crew made it through the first bridge and will soon tackle the second one.
As of the middle of July, the first bridge still
needed to be painted. Reiss said the painting company was delayed when they realized they needed a sandblaster to smooth the steel before they could begin painting.
Reiss said the timing is unfortunate as the construction is happening during peak season.
“But it will look bright, shiny and new when it is done,” she said.
As a small, privately owned business, Reiss said, High Falls Gorge does not have state funds to do their renovations. They have saved up on their own, and Reiss hopes the investments will last a long time.
High Falls Gorge — a 22-acre, privately owned nature park — provides access to four waterfalls and has a nature trail, with year-round access.
The park has trails of different difficulties, and the waterfall trails are wheelchair accessible. The onemile nature trail has steep inclines for those looking for more of a challenge.
FIREMAN’S LANDING ON THE MAIN BRANCH OF THE ST. RE GIS RIVER
Fireman’s landing is the ultimate in privacy on the river. The camp is on a dead end of a several’s mile’s long gated private drive. The property has only one distant neighbor. The parcel is surrounded by NYS forever wild land that can never be developed, ensuring privacy into the future. Even the land across the river is state forest preserve so no development can be done anywhere in view of this property.
Exclusively listed for $319,000 Call Emily Fogarty at 518-524-4733
Perched high overlooking Moody Pond and four mountains; Mount Baker, Mackenzie, Haystack and Scarface, this gorgeous waterfront lot nestled in woods, has a very private feel to it. It is among the very best views in Saranac Lake,and right in the heart of the Adirondacks! Enjoy swimming, fishing, boating and ice skating right from your own property. Take a 1 mile walk around Moody Pond, an hour hike up Mount Baker or get on the rail trail that takes you into the center of the village, only ½ mile away.Be accompanied by wildlife in your backyard and during these excursions.There is a Mobile home hooked up to utilities, but the listing is being sold as vacant land and “as is”. A unique feature is that there is an adjacent .29 acre lot listed as well, perfect for friends or family. Don’t miss out on this
Exclusively listed for $365,000 Call Emily Fogarty at 518-524-4733
This red cabin.29 acre building lot includes a right of way to Moody Pond and has access to water, sewer and electricity. It has recently is been subdivided from a larger piece of property, also listed. Owner is offering 15 ft. right of way over contiguous property waterfront, to be finalized at signing of purchase offer and significant downpayment. It’s located right on Forest Hill Ave.,on the trek of Moody Pond and leading to the Mount Baker trail.This little lot has a whole lot to offer.
Exclusively listed for $130,000 Call Emily Fogarty at 518-524-4733
This 3 bedroom, 1 bath property boasts a renovated kitchen, updated bath and walk in closets among the many updates plus a wonderful fenced yard. Old Military Corridor allows unlimited short term rentals for
Plattsburgh Quarry (518) 561-5200
Saranac Lake Quarry (518) 891-0236
Tupper Lake Concrete (518) 359-3497
Saranac Lake Concrete (518) 536-3639
Potsdam Concrete (315) 265-8036
Plattsburgh Quarry (518) 561-5200
Massena Concrete (315) 764-0251
Platttsburgh Concrete (518) 536-3636
Malone Concrete (518) 483-2671
Malone Concrete (518) 483-2671
Massena Concrete (315) 764-0251
Ogdensburg Concrete (315) 393-4240
Ogdensburg Concrete (315) 393-4240 Saranac Lake Quarry (518) 891-0236
Potsdam Concrete (315) 265-8037
PEOPLE & PLACES
LEFT: Jessica Kemp of Frankie and The Moonlighters.
BELOW: JJ Moody, 8, jumps to dunk a ball in a hoop held by stilt-walker Sammy Yelle.
BLOOMINGDALE BLOCK PARTY
2024
BELOW:
Benjamin Coulibaly, 13, left, battles it out with his cousin Daniel Coulibaly, 10, with foam staffs.
ABOVE: Jasen Lawrence with the Rotary Club Serves Up Snow
LEFT: Rowan Law, 3, slides down an inflatable slide.
Hundreds of people turned out to the fourth annual Bloomingdale Block Party on Aug. 3 to play games, dance to live music, eat fried food and drink cold beverages to cool off in the sunny 80-degree weather.
The event, created in 2021, has grown each year — it started with 18 booths in its first iteration, and boasted 54 on Saturday. It is a fundraiser for the St. Armand Youth Task Force, a nonprofit organization that supports youth sports and other children’s programs in the town of St. Armand.
The block party was created as a replacement for the large community Bloomingdale Volunteer Fire Department Field Days, which the department does not have a volunteer base to run anymore. It is funded by Essex County, with local businesses and organizations sponsoring portions of the event. Photos – Aaron Marbone
Imagine the Possibilities
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About The Dream Home Group
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You’ll learn all about the dedicated services we provide, the superior quality of the materials we incorporate into our material packages, and the careful attention to detail that sets Vermont Timber Frames and the Dream Home Group apart. We’ll respect your budget, consider site conditions and local requirements, review our process, and establish timelines. We are your partner, a trusted guide throughout the journey.
So, whether your dream home has soaring timbers, sturdy logs, or is conventionally framed, Vermont Timber Frames has a committed team of professionals and broad experience to ensure your experience will be second to none. From first sketch to final blueprints to the finished home we are here to lead you through the process with skill and commitment to your satisfaction.
518-523-3224 • 518-524-3273
2577 Main Street Lake Placid, NY 12946 www.TinaLeonardRealEstate.com
10 Dooling Way Unit 3, Lake Placid, NY
3 bd., 2 1/2 bath Townhouse with almost 1,700 sq. ft. just up the street from the new rail trail for running, biking, skiing, snowmobiling, and about 3 blocks from Main St. Lake Placid. Reduced to sell at $425,000
42 Whiteface Lane, Bloomingdale, NY
Massive investment opportunity hidden in this to be finished by you triplex. A must see at $259,000
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4 bedroom, 1 bath mountain get away with over 17 acres, your own pond, and an attached rental apartment.
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2 bedroom, 1 bath cabin tucked away on 7 acres near Port Henry Marina with additional income producing building. For you for $189,500
Homebuying made easy.
Loans made easier. It may feel a bit overwhelming, especially for first-time homebuyers. But not to worry, we’ve done this before—many times. Our mortgage loan consultants are committed to making the process as easy as possible.
When you’re ready to buy a home, the first thing you should be armed with is knowledge of your credit and financial history. Knowing this and ensuring any issues are rectified will allow you to be in the best position to get the home you want.
A prequalification certificate for a mortgage will let you know how much house you can afford. These days, many real estate professionals won’t show houses without one.
Creating a detailed budget of all income sources and livings expenses will also help you know how much house you can afford. You should factor in expenses beyond the mortgage: property and school taxes, home maintenance costs, homeowner’s insurance, and more.
Don’t forget to include any outstanding debts and your plan to pay them off.
Becoming acquainted with the different kinds of mortgages will help you explore your options. There are many options out there beyond the traditional— like our no closing cost mortgage* option. We can help you choose the most appropriate mortgage for your situation.
With Community Bank, you will have a mortgage loan consultant who takes the time to explain every step of the process and gets to know you. You’ll make decisions together that will impact your future. So choose us, an expert and partner you can trust.
APPLY FOR YOUR NEXT MORTGAGE ONLINE
Scan the QR code to get started or visit cbna.com/mortgage to explore our family of mortgage products, prequalify, and apply online today.
It pays to bank close to home.
A home is one of the biggest purchases you’ll ever make. So it’s nice to know that if you ever have a question or concern, you can walk into a local branch or pick up the phone and speak to your mortgage loan consultant, one on one. We’re committed to giving you the dedicated service and attention you deserve, meaning your mortgage loan consultant will be with you at every step of the process.
PRODUCTS AND SERVICES
• NOW OFFERING VA FINANCING
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NO CLOSING COST MORTGAGES *
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We can save you a great deal in upfront costs on your next home. Whether your household is expanding or you just want to upgrade your nest, the savings on closing costs can easily add up to thousands of dollars. That means you could use those funds to increase your homebuying power and make higher offers in today’s competitive environment, or use those savings in making your new house really feel like home.
Catering to an Aging Population
As the population continues to age, there’s a growing demand for housing that meets the unique needs and preferences of older adults.
From specialized design elements to enhanced accessibility features, several factors appeal to an aging demographic in the housing market.
Boomers, who number nearly 76.4 million according to the U.S. Census data, are well into their retirement years and Gen X is getting ready to join them. The Alzheimer’s Association reports that nearly 6.7 million people over the age of 65 have Alzheimer’s. All of this demographic has special housing needs. When these needs are met, they are able to stay in their homes longer and not have to move to a facility as early.
Architectural firms are responding to these needs by creating homes and communities with such things as memory gardens, game rooms and safety features.
Incorporating universal design principles into homes ensures that they are accessible and usable by people of all ages and abilities. This includes features such as zero-step entrances, wider doorways and hallways, lever-style door handles and open floor plans that allow for easy maneuverability with mobility aids like wheelchairs or walkers.
Accessibility is a top priority for
many older adults when choosing a home. Features like grab bars in bathrooms, walk-in showers with bench seating and adjustable countertops and cabinets make daily tasks easier and safer for aging residents. Additionally, single-story layouts eliminate the need to navigate stairs, reducing the risk of falls.
Good lighting is essential for older adults, especially those with vision impairments. Homes with plenty of natural light and well-designed artificial lighting help enhance visibility and create a sense of warmth and comfort. Installing task lighting in key areas such as kitchens, bathrooms and reading nooks improves functionality and safety.
Many older adults prefer housing options that are located near essential amenities such as grocery stores, medical facilities, pharmacies and public transportation. Easy access to these services reduces reliance on driving and promotes independence and social engagement.
Communities that offer amenities catering to older adults’ social and recreational needs are highly attractive. This includes features like
community centers, fitness facilities, walking trails and social activities tailored to older residents’ interests. Access to these amenities fosters a sense of belonging and encourages an active lifestyle.
Maintenance-free or lowmaintenance housing options are appealing to older adults looking to simplify their lifestyles. Features such as exterior maintenance services, landscaping assistance and snow removal services alleviate the burden of home upkeep.
Safety and security are paramount concerns for older adults, especially those living alone. Homes equipped with features such as security systems, gated entrances, well-lit outdoor areas and emergency call systems provide peace of mind and enhance residents’ sense of security.
Flexibility in home design allows older adults to adapt their living spaces to changing needs and preferences over time. Features such as adaptable rooms that can serve multiple purposes, adjustable shelving and cabinetry and technology-enabled home automation systems enhance convenience and functionality.
Imagine Imagine
Painting Jay and the USA
By Galen Halasz
Muralist Cheyenne Renee
Marcus has been painting her way around the United States for a special project since 2022. She has made the foyer of the Amos and Julia Ward Theater the home of her latest mural.
The theater’s mural is the New York state segment of Marcus’s 50 in 50 project. She has the goal of painting a mural for one small business in each of the 50 U.S. states. This is her 12th mural so far. She started in her hometown of Covington, Virginia before moving on to West Virginia, Wyoming, Idaho, Iowa, Nevada, California, South Carolina, North Carolina, Illinois and Massachusetts and finally coming to Jay, husband Jordan and husky Tao in tow. She is trying to focus on New England this summer.
Marcus said on July 30 that she was still working on the mural’s background piece but expected to complete it the following day. She started work on July 29.
The plan was for the painting to depict the logo of the Jay Entertainment and Music Society, which runs the theater. Marcus said that the logo, which is a picture of the gazebo on the Jay Village Green outside the theater, is going to be featured in the painting below lines of sheet music, paired with the JEMS welcome slogan and a mountainous Adirondack landscape in the background framed by flowers and a starry sky above. There are also going to be objects, such as ballet shoes and instruments, to represent some of the entertainment that the theater offers.
JEMS gave Marcus the outline for what they wanted her to have in the painting — “something that welcomes people as soon as they walk in the door” — and she took it from there.
When asked why she decided to do the 50 in 50 project, Marcus said that she’s always loved painting, but she’s been passionate about painting murals specifically since she was 19. She did some internships in her local community in Covington, Virginia around that age that got her interested in tourism and small business development, which she said inspired her to start 50 in 50, going around the country and painting murals to try to “focus on small towns or small businesses that maybe deserve a little bit more recognition.”
Marcus originally was supposed to paint in a different location, but after they canceled, she had an opening in her schedule. She came across JEMS online and decided it was a good fit for her project, being a small community-oriented nonprofit organization. She reached out to them with the idea of doing a mural for them and JEMS
President Rance Bloom said they were interested.
Marcus is doing the 50 in 50 project as part of her business, working as a full-time painter. Usually that means she gets paid by the organizations she paints for, especially with more complex designs, but in this case, because of the impromptu circumstances of scheduling the mural, she is doing the mural in the theater entirely as a donation. This the second state where she has donated the mural rather than charging for it.
She is aiming for the 50 in 50 project to be done by the end of 2025 but she said it might end up going into 2026 unless she can get 25 done by December. She started in 2022.
Muralist Cheyenne Renee Marcus poses next to a sign advertising her “50 murals in 50 states” project on the side of her truck outside the Amos and Julia Ward Theater in Jay on July 30. (Staff photo — Galen Halasz)
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