NORTH COUNTRY LIVING MAGAZINE • VOL. 4 NO. 4
Vol. 4 No. 4
On the chase: Try your hand at snowshoe rabbit hunting this winter
The history of horse-drawn sleigh rides at Vermont’s Thornapple Farm
Read about the history behind the tragedy at New York’s Big Moose Lake
WINTER 2015
Mongolian Living Paul Smith’s students are living off the grid in authentic Mongolian Yurts
Shaping 007
Vermont author Ian Fleming’s novels helped inspire James Bond’s jet-set, cocktail lifestyle
North Country Living Staff General Manager DJ Alexander
Writer Thom Randall
DJ@suncommunitynews.com
Thom@suncommunitynews. com
Vol. 4 No.4
Published by Sun Community News and Printing 14 Hand Avenue, Elizabethtown, NY 12932 (518) 873-6368, Fax: 873-6360 New Market Press, Inc. 16 Creek Road, Suite 5, Middlebury, VT 05753 (802) 388-6397, Fax: (802) 388-6399
Editor’s Note
November/December/January 2016
W
hen I was the tender age of 10 or so, my brother and I fell in love with the sport of fishing though the ice. We’d risk life and limb to be the first to venture out on newly frozen water — sometimes even roping off to shore in an attempt to take advantage of “first ice” and the phenomenal fishing that traditionally accompanied it. It amazes me how the equipment has improved in the 30-plus years since. We started with rudimentary stuff — spending hours chopping through several feet of ice with a simple ice chisel. You’d start a hole a couple feet around and by the time you hit water it would be the size of a coffee can lid and you’d be lathered in sweat. You would have thought we died and went to heaven when that first Jiffy power auger landed beneath the Christmas tree. Today, you’d get some pretty funny looks chopping away with an old iron “spud” as an ice chisel was sometimes called. Yep, ice anglers today are coddled by toasty shelters heated to living-room-like temperatures by mini propane heaters instead of enduring the elements sitting atop an overturned five-gallon bucket like was once the norm. Because of the advancements in equipment and often fast-paced action, ice fishing has exploded in popularity. If you’re interested in understanding why - check out our “how to” feature that begins on page 58 of this edition of North Country Living. If walking on water just isn’t your thing, there is plenty of other interesting reading inside this winter edition of NCL. Inside you will find a captivating article about North Country native son Solomon Northup — the central character behind the movie 12 years a slave. You will also find an intriguing feature about the Big Moose Lake tragedy of 1906; an article about hunting snowshoe rabbits in the Adirondacks; a historical feature about the old Plattsburgh Barracks; an article about becoming a member of the Saranac Lake 6’ers and an interesting feature about a group of Paul Smiths students living off the grid in authentic Mongolian Yurts. In Vermont, you can read an absorbing feature about 007 author Ian Fleming’s link to the Green Mountain State; a feature about the history of sleigh rides and a compelling piece about the use of sled dogs. Last but not least, we pull this edition together with one of the most comprehensive calendar of events in the region, including a number of wintertime and holiday events and happenings. So, pull your recliner a bit closer to the woodstove and enjoy the read. And don’t forget to shop local this holiday season. Our feature on pages 86-99 will help you do just that! Thank you and I’ll see you in the spring. John Gereau,
Writer Pete DeMola
Writer David Press
Pete@suncommunitynews.com
Davidmpress@gmail.com
Writer Teah Dowling
Writer Megan Harrington
Teah@suncommunitynews.com
megan.kretz@gmail.com
Writer Andrew Johnstone
Writer Lou Varricchio
Andrew@suncommunitynews. com
Lou@addison-eagle.com
Writer Keith Lobdell
NY Publisher Dan Alexander
dan@suncommunitynews.com
Keith@suncommunitynews. com
VT Publisher Ed Coats
Writer Bethany Garretson
vermonttimes@gmail.com
bgarretson@livepaulsmiths. onmicrosoft.com
Sales Team Ashley Alexander David Allaire Tom Bahre Becky Barnes Mark Brady Ashley Charron Thomas Hollingsworth Heidi Littelfield
Scarlette Merfeld Amy Schryer Leslie teRiele Ciara Thompson Tanya Welch Beth Wells Susan Zacharenko
To advertise in our next edition contact Ashley at 518-873-6368 ext 105 or e-mail ashley@suncommunitynews.com
Graphics Team Heather Lamb Kelly Bresett Kerry O’Neill
Richele Young Wanda Cox Laurie Goff
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4 | North Country Living Magazine | Vol. 4 No. 4
ncliving@suncommunitynews.com
Vol. 4 No. 4
Features Big Moose Lake
8
Anthropocene Dreams
An angler bores through the frozen surface of Lake Champlain before setting his tip-ups. Turn to page 58 to learn the basics of fishing through the ice.
Vol. 4 No. 4
On the chase: Try your hand at snowshoe rabbit hunting this winter
The history of horse-drawn sleigh rides at Vermont’s Thornapple Farm
Read about the history behind the tragedy at New York’s Big Moose Lake
WINTER 2015
The story of a man who murdered his girlfriend
A1 NORTH COUNTRY LIVING MAGAZINE • VOL. 4 NO. 4
CONTENTS
On The Cover
Mongolian Living Paul Smith’s students are living off the grid in authentic Mongolian Yurts
Shapping 007
Vermont author Ian Fleming’s novels helped inspire James Bond’s jet-set, cocktail lifestyle
14
Students forge a sustainable future
I Spy Vermont
26
When 007 author spied the Green Mt. State
Solomon Northup
34
From the Hudson to the Red and back again
Snowshoe Pursuit
46
Snowshoe Rabbit hunting with dogs
Dogging It
52
Dog sledding in Vermont ... made easy
Walking on Water
58
Learn the basics to ice angling
The Barracks
64
This history of the Plattsburgh Barracks
nclmagazine.com
Vol. 4 No. 4 | North Country Living Magazine | 5
CONTENTS November/December/January 2016
Features Saranac Lake 6’er
76
Why not climb these six mountains this holiday season?
It’s Carnival Time
80
Lake George celebrates its 55th anniversary
Buy Local! Holiday shopping opportunities abound in the region
52
86
Social Scene Sawdust in the Blood
108
The history of logging in this family goes back generations
Speed on Ice
112
64
Ninety miles per hour is fast. It’s even faster on ice.
Eye on the Arts
117
The art of the gourd and wreaths galore!
Gift Ideas
122
Personalize a gift for that hard to buy for person
Champion Bobsledder?
124
Could this 18-year-old be the next standout in the sport?
Community Calendar The most inclusive events calendar in the region ... bar none
128
80
Chester Gillette
TRAGEDY
Grace Brown
at Big Moose Lake
By David Press
H
ow many books have you read that started with a dead body? Maybe I should rephrase that: How many novels haven’t you read that started with a dead body?
There are at least two books framed around the death of Grace Brown of Big Moose Lake almost one hundred and ten years ago. It’s a death that is still felt in the libraries throughout the Adirondack Park. Chances are good you have one of these two books in your home: An American Tragedy by Theodore Dreiser, or A Northern Light by Jennifer Donnelly. More likely, you have A Murder in the Adirondacks by Craig Brandon—a history of the case and the town it took over in 1906. Why is this case so psychically wrapped in the consciousness of the area we live in? Grace Brown was seven-months pregnant when her boyfriend, Chester Gillette, clobbered her with a tennis racket while boating on Big Moose Lake on July 11, 1906. Gillette pushed her into the lake—she didn’t know how to swim—and she drowned. 8 | North Country Living Magazine | Vol. 4 No. 4
The tragedy is in her love letters to Gillette. She expressed that he was going to be a good man to her and marry her since he impregnanted her. She thought they were going to elope in their trip up to the Adirondacks. From her letters, on her pregnancy, archived in the New York Times articles on the trial in 1906: “Sometimes I think if I could tell mamma, but I can’t. She has trouble enough as it is, and I couldn’t break her heart like that. If I come back dead, perhaps if she does not know, she won’t be angry with me.” Brown was from South Otselic, N.Y., and went to work for the Gillette Skirt Company in Cortland in 1904. It was there that she met the boss’s nephew, Chester Gillette—himself freshly dropped out of Oberlin College--who couldn’t hold down a job until his uncle hired him. Gillette was a party boy and although his uncle warned against it--Chester started a relationship with Brown in 1905. When Brown realized she was pregnant in the spring of 1906, she moved home to South Otselic, but continued to correspond with Gillette. In many letters, she begged for death and for him to take her away and marry her, because that would ncliving@suncommunitynews.com
lead to happiness for her. Gillette promised to take her to the Adirondacks. In July, Brown packed her entire wardrobe and Gillette just brought a suitcase. In the court case, Gillette’s team made the case that Brown was going to kill herself, and that Gillette was taking her to a home for unwed mothers. On July 11, the couple rented a rowboat from the Covewood Lodge in Herkimer, N.Y. The Lodge’s guestbook had Grace’s name and Gillette signed “Carl Grahm,” careful to use his initials, because his suitcase had the same initials. They rowed out to Big Moose Lake, where fishermen found her body the next day. Officials arrested Gillette in Inlet, N.Y. At the trial, Gillette claimed that they were just talking on their boat ride, and “she got up and jumped in the water, just jumped in.” Investigators confiscated Brown’s love letters left in her trunk at the Covewood Lodge to use as evidence. The prosecution distributed booklets of copies of her letters, selling them outside the courthouse during the trial. These booklets were what attracted the attention of Theodore Dreiser. He paraphrased them in An American Tragedy, and Donnelly used many of the actual letters in A Northern Light. They are prophetic, alarming, and verify Gillette’s claim that Brown was suicidal. From another letter: “Chester, if I could only die. I know how you feel about the affair, and I wish for your sake you need not be troubled. If I die, I hope you can then be happy. I hope I can die. I hope I can die so you can do just as you like.” Brrrr. The trial lasted three weeks. The prosecution led by George Ward, Herkimer’s District Attorney, had no murder weapon. They only had the letters as evidence, but Gillette was sentenced to death. He died on March 30, 1908 at 26-years-old.
Why is this story such a big deal?
A 2006 New York Times article by Michelle York investigates the 100-year anniversary of the case. She talks to local journalist Craig Brandon, who traces back the roots of the Herkimer locals to find traces of their connection to the case. Three tennis rackets have surfaced that claim to be the murder weapon. Unsolved Mysteries did a story claiming that Brown’s ghost haunts Big Moose Lake. The county sees many scholars wishing to do work on Dreiser’s novel. Dreiser transformed Brown and Gillette into Roberta Alden and Clyde Griffiths in the book and movies followed,
nclmagazine.com
First edition of “An American Tragedy” by Theodore Dreiser.
including the Academy Award winning A Place in the Sun starring Elizabeth Taylor, Montgomery Clift, and Shelley Winters. Dreiser’s book is a naturalist novel, which is in keeping with the area and of interest to many scholars. For North Country people, a naturalist is someone who believes that the laws of nature operate the world and if one is at peace with their natural surroundings then their surroundings will be good to them, and lead to a sustainable life. For literary scholars, a naturalist text is where someone’s genetic background comes into direct conflict with the harsh environment around them. Usually, sheltered naturalist main characters always die. The naturalist school of authors includes most of Dreiser’s work, Stephen Crane’s The Red Badge of Courage, and Frank Norris. In Dreiser’s book, we follow Clyde Griffiths (do you see what Dreiser did there?) raised poor and religious. He started in street missionary work and low paying jobs. He was a soda clerk and a bellhop in Kansas City, Missouri. There he meets a character named Briggs who exploits Griffiths’s naivete and sheltered existence, taking Griffiths under his wing. Nights on the town conclude with mornings waking up next to someone who Griffiths doesn’t remember. City life overtakes him. Until in one scene Dreiser drops foreshadowing like a piano on a crowded sidewalk: continued on page 10 Vol. 4 No. 4 | North Country Living Magazine | 9
TRAGEDY
at Big Moose Lake
Griffiths kills a girl in a drunk-driving accident. He leaves town and moves to Chicago where he takes another bellhop job and meets his wealthy uncle, Samuel Griffiths. Uncle Samuel hires Clyde to work in his shirt collar factory in the fictional Lycurgus, N.Y. He works menial line work, but his uncle promotes Clyde to a supervisory job. His uncle prohibits Clyde from socializing with any of the people who work under him, but denies Clyde entry into Lycurgus’s upper class social gatherings, so our naturalist loner is lonely. He meets Roberta Alden who works in his department, and they develop a relationship. Roberta gets pregnant. But Clyde falls in love with another worker’s daughter named Sondra Finchley. A love triangle ensues: Clyde prefers Sondra, wants to marry her, but tries to get Roberta an abortion. This doesn’t work out, so he procrastinates on helping Roberta out as his relationship with Sondra matures. Seeing that Clyde actually has a chance to marry Sondra, Roberta threatens to reveal their situation if Clyde doesn’t marry her. After reading a newspaper article, Clyde decides to take Roberta upstate and kill her in a boating accident. Clyde and Roberta go to Big Bittern Lake and Clyde, “unintentionally strikes her in the face with a camera, (Dreiser)” 10 | North Country Living Magazine | Vol. 4 No. 4
He tries to save her, but he can’t swim and Roberta drowns. The authorities convict Clyde and give him the chair. The naturalist perspective is throughout this book, but Dreiser buries the lead with Clyde’s letters to his mother while he was in jail awaiting death. In their exchanges they discuss his upbringing and how the outside world destroyed his familial values. When one thinks about this area, there are many people who live by naturalist virtues. A specific, sheltered existence in the park’s bubble that collides with other external values and some times doesn’t end up the way you would expect. Though situations do not usually end up with a dead person, unlike in 1906.
ncliving@suncommunitynews.com
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12 | North Country Living Magazine | Vol. 4 No. 4
ncliving@suncommunitynews.com
Anthropocene Dreams Taking the best from the past and forging a sustainable future.
Pictured at left: Students and instructors pause for a pot luck supper. Above: Study time! From left to right: Hyla Howe, Hanna Cromie, Valerie Hoffman.
By Bethany Garretson
H
ands were blistered, arms sore and bodies triumphantly tired after three full days of manual work. Blue jays yammered and the late August air was still. Behind the treeline, the evening sky was a soft hazy pink. I took a deep breath, placed my hands on the small of my back, and surveyed our three authentic Mongolian yurts. A tent-like structure with cotton, wool and canvas layers, they’re stitched together with ropes made of horse hair and look like giant frosted cupcakes. Traditionally used by nomads on the steppes of central Asia, yurts are becoming a popular alternative living option in America today due to their low environmental impact and overall cost effectiveness. Adirondack Yurts, a company based out of Wilmington, N.Y., and run by Steve and Alex Hall is a supplier of Groovy Yurts, a Quebecbased importer of the authentic Mongolian structures. Under the direction and optimistic energy of Alex, the students learned the process of yurt raising through a hands-on approach. nclmagazine.com
After a celebratory dinner of pizza and cake, Valerie Hoffman walked around the field and collected stranded tools and sweatshirts that were peeled off in the midday sun. Once the site of a homestead in the late 1800s, all that remains today is a barn and stone chimney. For Hoffman, a sophomore at Paul Smith’s College, hard work and building come naturally. From the Mohawk Valley, she took engineering in high school and helped her father rebuild their house after a catastrophic flood. Hoffman is one of seven students enrolled in the Osgood Pond Semester, a new program offered at the college. During the first half of the semester, under the tutelage of two field instructors — Andrew Johnstone and myself — the students live in yurts without electricity, running water and heat. The goal of the semester is to provide a simple living experience where students can reflect on their lifestyles and raise awareness towards their consumption choices. continued on page 16 Vol. 4 No. 4 | North Country Living Magazine | 15
Alex Hall (right) directs yurt construction with Hanna Cromie and Andrew Coulter.
Throughout the semester they’ve learned primitive, homesteading, expedition and community development skills. “It looked really cool to get out of the dorms, live in yurts and be outside,” Hoffman responded when asked why she applied. The idea began last year in a lecture hall, during Dr. Curt Stager’s biology class. Discussion revolved around the modern Anthropocene “human” age, global climate change, and why the college didn’t have a sustainable living program. The students’ voices were loud and concise, summarizing their desire to live more simply than their parents’ generation. Stager, a well-known paleoclimatologist and science journalist, grew up learning from his father Jay Stager, who ran an alternative living camp in Maine. “I knew if the students pushed for it, maybe it would happen,” he explained.
From left to right, Hoffman, Kade Hill, Howe and Cromie coordinate construction of the yurt platform. 16 | North Country Living Magazine | Vol. 4 No. 4
Hoffman pokes through the skylight during the building process.
So, he pushed them. He encouraged them. He told them to “just do it.” And they did. Andrew Coulter, a recent transfer to the college, sat in the second row of Stager’s biology class and, with the help of fellow students Kade Hill and Ben Wrazen, drafted a letter to the president of the college. One of their listed objectives was to “inspire and impassion students to work on real world problems and challenges associated with sustainability.” Throughout the semester, students have hosted a community pot luck, dug a root cellar, learned to make fire with a bow-drill, visited a tiny house and watched the blood moon rise over the waters of Osgood Pond. Hanna Cromie, a senior from Mayfield, N.Y., has been a natural fit to the program. She’s more comfortable outside than in. “I don’t enjoy the set up of school. Sitting in a classroom all day, going over lectures — it’s not geared towards learning, it’s geared towards memorization,” Cromie said. Within the past 300 years, our education system has rapidly evolved from a hands-on, apprenticeship approach to rows of desks, power points and standardized testing. Osgood Pond Semester combines multiple learning styles and practices to provide students with practical knowledge they can apply with their hands. One of their course assignments is to interview an elder and share the wisdom they learned with their community. In a recent blog post for “Yurts and Dirt” — the blog chronicling the Osgood Pond Semester — Cromie wrote, “If one truly wants to know why I’ve chosen a path that is ‘tougher’ or ‘inconvenient’ or ‘impractical’ they need only wait for or seek out the morning when they wake surrounded by trees and the beginnings of an Adirondack sunrise.” ncliving@suncommunitynews.com
Hill makes a custom staircase using live-edge lumber left over from the platform.
This is not the first time humans in a developed society have simplified their lifestyles and opted for a hardier existence. Well known for his time spent on Walden Pond, Henry David Thoreau hoped to gain a deeper understanding of human existence and society by immersing himself in nature. In 1854, he published Walden—Life in the Woods, a memoir based on two years, two months and two days about his intentional
nclmagazine.com
Adirondack sky through a Mongolian rooftop.
living experience. Books like My Side of the Mountain by Jean Craighead George and Jon Krakauer’s Into the Wild, retracing the steps of Christopher McCandless, have influenced this generation to think differently about society. “The people who make differences are the ones who take risks,” Johnstone explained. continued on page 20
Vol. 4 No. 4 | North Country Living Magazine | 17
The skeleton of a yurt.
“The Osgood students took a big risk in trying to balance an ordinary college life with one lacking all the amenities so many of us are used to in our day-to-day lives.” Johnstone, a native of the Adirondacks, tries to prac-
tice what he preaches. Each morning he makes the trek from the off-the-grid home to an office space at the Visitor’s Interpretative Center, trading the yurt for Wi-Fi to update the blog. “One of the most exciting things about Osgood has been the interest shown by the community. The faculty members coming out
Two of the three yurts were set aside an old chimney near the shore of Osgood Pond. 20 | North Country Living Magazine | Vol. 4 No. 4
ncliving@suncommunitynews.com
Pray flags and sunflowers during the golden hour.
with tool belts, interested hikers on the Jackrabbit Trail stopping by and asking for a tour, students asking how they can apply for next semester … all sorts of people seem to gravitate toward this place,” Johnstone added. The motto of the college is: it’s about the experience. Osgood Pond Semester is striving to be just that. An
experience students can build on from one semester to the next. Coulter hopes if there’s one lesson the yurt students have shown to the community it’s that “if the intention is there, it can happen.” And he hopes the program becomes a model for long-term constructive continued on page 22
Dominic Rickicki, Hill, Cromie and Hoffman lounge outside a yurt. nclmagazine.com
Vol. 4 No. 4 | North Country Living Magazine | 21
Erik Samia (left) and the rest of the gang enjoy a potluck dinner.
thought. Today in America, there seems to be a trend towards more mindful living. There’s been a steady rise in farmers’ markets and, for the first time in more than 40 years, McDonald’s is closing more restaurants than it’s opening. Tiny houses and solar panels are common conversations among new home owners. Johnstone acknowledges yurt life might not appeal to everyone. “Some people find it unconventional, but it seems to resonate on different levels for different people.” Last weekend the snow arrived and dusted the canvas domes. Water bottles iced over and icicles hung from the door frame. One by one, the students begrudgingly relocated to dorm rooms. “The day I move into the dorm will not be the end of this. The values that I’ve gotten by living like this for a few months will mix into the fibers of how I see the world, and how I choose to live my life,” reflected Hyla Howe, a biology major and gifted writer and photographer from Lancaster, Pa. In a recent blog post explaining what she has learned from her yurt experience, she wrote, “I’ve spent more time wandering in the woods with my camera and writing in my journal. I’ve taken more deep breaths and been grateful for the incredible world that we are surrounded by.” The root cellar is packed with apples, squash and potatoes. Geese fly overhead. Land has been tilled and manure delivered for next year’s planting season. My father once told me I was born in the wrong century. At times in my past, conflicted by materialism and technology, I felt he was right. Today, I see the merit in taking the best from the past and moving forward. The Anthropocene “age of humans,” certainly has its challenges. At a recent lecture on global climate change, Stager ended on an optimistic note. “This can be an amazing time you’re living in.” And while I shove manure on to the bare soil, I count the ways in which this land can be transformed by minds and hands and it’s impossible to convince me otherwise. 22 | North Country Living Magazine | Vol. 4 No. 4
ncliving@suncommunitynews.com
nclmagazine.com
Vol. 4 No. 4 | North Country Living Magazine | 23
I spy Vermont
When 007 author Ian Fleming spied the Green Mt. State By Lou Varricchio
The opening of any James Bond movie gears up the Hollywood marketing hype. Leading up to the November 2015 worldwide premier of the latest blockbuster 007 adventure “Spectre,” one TV movie channel rebroadcast its Bond movie marathon as liquor advertisers cashed in on the fictional spy’s jet-set, cocktail lifestyle. Like most James Bond motion pictures, 2015’s “Spectre” bigscreen feature has no resemblance to the various 007 printed stories which inspired it. That’s too bad for most fans of J.B. in print—of which there are still millions around the world. U.S. President John Kennedy was an avid James Bond fan. The Camelot president had met Ian Fleming at a 1961 Washington, D.C. party and as soon as he publicly discussed their meeting in Life magazine-with Fleming’s humorous suggestion about deposing Cuba’s Castro by forcing him to shave-off his iconic beard-the meeting created a run on James Bond novels across the U.S.
Author Ian Fleming was a British Naval intelligence officer during World War II. 26 | North Country Living Magazine | Vol. 4 No. 4
Fleming, at the height of his literary powers, died in August 1964 nearly a year after JFK was assassinated. ncliving@suncommunitynews.com
007 Action
in Vermont & New York Vermont To visit the real-life Vermont setting of Ian Fleming’s original OO7 story, “For Your Eyes Only”, visit Echo Lake, located near Plymouth. Some Fleming fans contest this Echo Lake as Fleming’s locale, pointing to another Echo Lake near the Canadian border, as the true setting. Read the story for yourself and then decide. From U.S. Route 4, travel south on Vermont Route 100 for 10.5 miles. At Echo Lake Inn (on your right), turn left onto Kingdom Road. Drive 0.7 miles and turn left onto Camp Road. State Park is 0.5 miles up road on your left. Plot: “For Your Eyes Only” begins with the murder of a British couple who have refused to sell their estate to a former Gestapo officer who is the chief of counterintelligence for the Cuban secret service. They are killed by two Cuban hitmen at the direction of their leader, James Bond travels to the ex-Gestapo officer’s Vermont compound along Echo Lake and assassinates him. New York To visit the real-life Adirondack setting of Fleming’s other 007 adventure, “The Spy Who Loved Me,” travel along New York Route 9N north of Lake George Village. The fictitious Dreamy Pines Motor Court is located on the west side of the highway, somewhere near where Finkle Road intersections with Route 9N. Plot: “It is... the first person story of a young woman, evidently beautiful and not unskilled in the arts of love. According to her story, she appears to have been involved, both perilously and romantically, with the same James Bond whose secret service exploits I myself have written from time to time,” Fleming writes, tongue-in-cheek, in the forward to his “The Spy Who Loved Me”.
The published 007 stories, unlike many of the later celluloid versions, were jaunty spy tales set in exotic locales with verisimilitude. In several 007 capers, the reader can actually nail down the story to within a month or two of a particular year set in the 1950s or early 1960s. Bond’s creator insisted on believability; after all, he had been a top British spy master. Fleming served as assistant director of Naval Intelligence in the U.K. during World War II. James Bond in print involved a lot of intrigue, sexy situations and intellectual fun to readers. The literary J.B. was imagined more as a mid-20th century version of British “ace of spies” Sidney Reilly than a Hollywood action hero. Known mostly by hardcore Bond fans, Ian Fleming set two James Bond spy adventures in our region.
In “For Your Eyes Only”, Bond visits Vermont on an unofficial assignment for spy boss M, and in “The Spy Who Loved Me”, he falls for a sexy woman managing an Adirondack motel north of Lake George Village, N.Y. In the 1960 short story “For Your Eyes Only”, Bond flies to Montreal, Canada, and then crosses the border into Vermont via car to track down a bad guy named von Hammerstein. The German thug lives on a guarded estate overlooking Echo Lake in Plymouth, Vt. Without spoiling the location details or plot, we will report that a violent shootout occurs between Bond and some nasty Cuban gunmen.
Goldeneye, on the northern coastline of Jamaica, where Fleming wrote “The Spy Who Loved Me”. The 007 spy novel is set in a motel located along Route 9N in Lake George Village.
continued on page 28
During the early 1950s, Fleming spent considerable time exploring Vermont from Bryce’s summer base in the Arlington area. During his Green Mountain sojourns, Fleming connected with other writers and wartime buddies. British online blogger Edward Biddulph recounts Fleming’s Vermont reunion with his friend, the late Norwegian author and screenplay writer Roald Dahl. Both men knew each other and led exciting lives in Allied intelligence during World War II. The meeting between the two writers took place in an undisclosed southern Vermont restaurant near Arlington, as Fleming was a frequent summer visitor of Bryce’s Black Hole Hollow Farm. The farm, its exact location a well-kept secret even today, was somewhere along the Batten Kill on the west side of Big Spruce Mountain—literally straddling the Vermont-New York state line near Cambridge.
Roger Moore and Barbara Bach starred in the feature-length version of “The Spy Who Loved me”. The movie bore little resemblance to the printed version of Ian Fleming’s spy story. It’s fun to imagine a famous spy on a secret mission in Vermont; it’s too bad the 1981 film of the same title had little in common with Fleming’s print version. The Vermont Film Commission would have appreciated the true-to-the-book location business. In the 1962 novel, “The Spy Who Loved Me”, Bond is again in the land of northern lakes, this time he checks into the Dreamy Pines Motor Court located along Route 9N in Lake George, N.Y. But don’t bother checking into this motel to get a feel for Bond-it’s fictional. Bond appears in only a few chapters of “The Spy Who Loved Me”. Again, without spoiling the plot, we’ll at least reveal that the story involves, sex, gangsters and a certain British spy. In rereading both Bond tales, it’s easy to see that Fleming wrote about the greater Champlain Valley region with some authority. Vermont freelance writer and long-time 007 fan Beth Schaeffer reports that Fleming had motored through Vermont and upstate New York for several weeks while on a vacation during the early 1950s. The goal of Fleming motor trip was to visit an old wartime buddy, Ivar Bryce, who owned a farm near Arlington, Vt. More about Bryce below. As with nearly all Bond novels-to-film projects, the 1977 film version of “The Spy Who Loved Me” bears the book’s title but neither its plot nor its sophistication. A pulp novelization of the film by Christopher Wood was published with a title similar to Fleming’s, but it too had no connection with the 1962 novel except for the name of the 007 character. What a shame. 28 | North Country Living Magazine | Vol. 4 No. 4
Fleming knew Bryce for more than a decade, possibly since World War II but the origin of their friendship is murky, although a connection through the old Allied spy community is likely “A recent visit to the Roald Dahl Museum in Great Missenden, Buckinghamshire, reminded me of the varied connections between Dahl and Fleming,” according to Biddulph. “There was the obvious, of course... Dahl’s experience writing the screenplay of ‘You Only Live Twice’... and an image of a page from Dahl’s handwritten script for ‘Chitty Chitty Bang Bang’. Then there was some information about Dahl’s role in the Second World War as assistant air attaché at the British Embassy in Washington, D.C., where he was drawn into intelligence work and was introduced to Fleming; the two would become firm friends.” Biddulph has collected a considerable dossier on Fleming’s life, both during and after the war. “In his introduction to the (1970s British) T.V. series, ‘Tales of the Unexpected’ adaptation, Dahl tells the audience that Fleming was responsible for the story ‘Lamb to the Slaughter’, which had come about during dinner they had together one weekend in Vermont. The roast lamb they had been eating had been very dry and tough, and Fleming remarked that the meat must have been in the deep freeze for 10 years. He suggested that whoever was responsible (the cook, maybe? The recording is a little unclear) should be shot, but Dahl suggested that there must be a more interesting punishment. The story was generated in the subsequent discussion.” During the now celebrated Vermont leg-of-lamb dinner, Fleming suggested the following to Dahl: “Why don’t you have someone murder her husband with a frozen leg of mutton which she then serves to the detectives who come to investigate the murder?” ncliving@suncommunitynews.com
Dahl took Fleming’s macabre idea and developed a short story thriller which has been anthologized by television’s “Alfred Hitchcock Presents” and “Tales of the Unexpected” as well as appearing in dozens of horror book collections. “Dahl doesn’t tell us when his conversation with Fleming took place in Vermont, but sometime in the early 1950s is most likely, possibly the summer of 1951,” Biddulph suggests. “Dahl had moved to New York in that year, and since 1950, Fleming spent almost every summer in Vermont, staying at Black Hole Hollow Farm....” John Pearson, another Fleming friend and biographer wrote that, “Even in his last years, when illness had put an end to most of the temptations he might have punished himself for, he would still struggle, sweating, purple in the face, to the top of Big Spruce, the 1,200 foot peak that juts above the Bryce farm in Vermont.” In a 1960s account, Bryce wrote that, “It was at Black Hole Hollow Farm that Fleming first thought of the plot for ‘Diamonds Are Forever’. The book... is dedicated to three of the people who were his daily companions throughout that warm and eventful summer in Vermont.” Today, years after the August 1964 heart-attack death of 007’s creator at the age of 56, Vermont and James Bond are cemented firmly in literary culture. The most recent example of the 007 mystique in Vermont was reported in the local news in August 2015—at least, it was 007 in the guise of Pierce Brosnan. The Hollywood import actor portrayed secret agent James Bond on the big screen during the 1990s. As told by various news accounts, Brosnan was stopped at the Burlington International Airport after a TSA security officer noticed the actor carrying a
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Secret Agent James Bond appeared in a newspaper comic strip series, penned by Ian Fleming, in England during the 1950s. 10-inch-long knife. Brosnan had been visiting Vermont on vacation. According to one account, Burlington Police Department Lt. Shawn Burke said that Brosnan was upset and embarrassed about the incident. The knife was confiscated and the actor went on his way. One wonders if the former 007 movie star ever heard of the Fleming-Vermont connection?
Ian Fleming takes a break while working on a 007 novel at his tropical home Goldeneye in Jamaica.
For all the exotic international locales visited by Secret Agent 007—from Nassau to Turkey—it’s nice to know that the creator of the legendary spy of fiction found Vermont and upstate New York worthy of Her Majesty’s Secret Service.
HUB Established 1848 CKS OF THE ADIRONDA Take Exit 29 off the Northway (I-87) from the South or Exit 30 from the North
What to see in North Hudson:
• The Falls at Blue Ridgeon onthe the Branch Branch ••Balance Rock • The Falls at Blue Ridge Balance Rock • Trails to Dix Range••Sharp Sharp Bridge Bridge State Lake Lodge • Trails to Dix Range StateCampsite Campsite• •Elk Elk Lake Lodge • Courtney Pond • TownRecreation Recreation Facility River • Courtney Pond • Town Facility on onthe theSchroon Schroon River • AdirondackBuffalo BuffaloFarm Farm • Gokeys Auction Hall • Adirondack Gokeys Trading TradingPost Post& & Auction Hall ••Blue Campsite • Yogi BearBear Jellystone Campsite Exit 29 Sunoco BlueRidge RidgeFalls Falls Campsite • Yogi Jellystone Campsite Exit 29 NorthHudson Hudson Multi-Use Multi-Use Trail • •North TrailSystem System For more information 76835 (518) 532-9811• northhudsonny.com
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From the Hudson to the Red and back again 34 | North Country Living Magazine | Vol. 4 No. 4
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The story of the life and legacy of Solomon Northup and his ties to the Adirondacks By Ryan Edwards
Local historians believe Solomon and Anne Northup lived in this Fort Edward house, now the Old Fort Museum, from 1829 to 1832. While they are unsure which room the couple rented, an upstairs bedroom now features a Solomon Northup exhibit, complete with items selected to represent both Solomon and Anne and to help tell the story of Solomon’s enslavement and rescue. Photo by Ryan Edwards
My narrative is at an end. I have no comments to make upon the subject of Slavery. Those who read this book may form their own opinions of the “peculiar institution.” What it may be in other States, I do not profess to know; what it is in the region of Red River, is truly and faithfully delineated in these pages. This is no fiction, no exaggeration. If I have failed in anything, it has been in presenting to the reader too prominently the bright side of the picture. I doubt not hundreds have been as unfortunate as myself; that hundreds of free citizens have been kidnapped and sold into slavery, and are at this moment wearing out their lives on plantations in Texas and Louisiana. But I forbear. Chastened and subdued in spirit by the sufferings I have borne, and thankful to that good Being through whose mercy I have been restored to happiness and liberty, I hope henceforward to lead an upright though lowly life, and rest at last in the church yard where my father sleeps. — Solomon Northup, “Twelve Years a Slave”
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Buy Holiday
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Craft Fair Sunday, December 6
It’s summertime in the North An easy afternoon breeze tains into the valevenings to A boy bows ing to bend i n g
Country. rolls over a crop of moun mounley below, heralding the crisp autumn come. his violin in his father’s field, learn learnhis strings in rhythm with the sway swaytrunks of the evergreens. His work finished for the day, the boy leans back and rests his head onto the grass, fixing his eyes on the clouds drifting lazily overhead, and he is free. A few decades later, in 1853, the boy’s best bestselling memoir would expose the day-to-day realities of American racial slavery. In two centu centuries, a film adaptation of that memoir would take the top prize at the 2014 Academy Awards — an accolade and a medium both alien to him, but a testament to the timeless nature of his narrative all the same. The boy would grow up to become one of hundreds of free black men kidnapped and forced into slavery amid a waning influx of African slaves to meet a healthy demand for plantation labor in the south. His name is Solomon Northup, an antipodean moniker emblematic of the even-handed account he would give of his experience — a given name derived from the Hebrew word for peace, a surname laden with the anguish of his father’s enslavement. He shares the surname not only with the man who’d owned and eventually freed his father, but also with the man who would one day travel nearly 2,000 miles to break his own bonds. The name would be stolen from him, and eventually restored. It would become synonymous with the unyielding human will for freedom, for justice — invoked by thousands in the struggle for racial equality. His narrative would go on to contribute immeasurably to the abolitionist movement. It would become something of a companion-piece to Harriet Beecher Stowe’s 1852 novel “Uncle Tom’s Cabin,” providing facts to corroborate the horrors Stowe introduced to the homes of 300,000 Americans in the year intervening. Almost overnight, the boy’s name, conflicted, contradictory, would become a ‘household name.’ But, for now, the name belongs to a boy, a free son of the North Country — a seed that will die before it grows. In 1862, Stowe would visit the White House, where President Abraham Lincoln reportedly would greet her with a playfully pithy and powerful observation: “so you are the little woman who wrote the book that started this great war.” Whether this is a reflection of reality or a convenient anecdote, one can’t help but wonder what the author of the Emancipation Proclamation would have to say to this boy, who would not only authenticate Stowe’s fiction, but would experience it through eyes born as free as his own.
Chiwetel Ejiofor portraying Solomon Northup in the Steve McQueen’s 2013 adaptation of “Twelve Years a Slave.” The film won three Oscars at the 2014 Academy Awards, including Best Picture, for which McQueen became the first black producer ever to have received the award and the first black director to have directed a Best Picture winner.
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SOLOMON’S STORY Solomon was born to freed slave Mintus Northup and an unknown free woman of color on July 10, 1807, in modern day Minerva — then part of the town of Schroon. Solomon’s father was manumitted by slaveholder Capt. Henry Northup in his will when he died; both men were Rhode Island natives living in Hoosick, N.Y. at the time. Mintus adopted his former master’s surname as his own, married and moved to the Adirondacks, where he’d owned a farm. The Northups had two sons: Solomon and his brother Joseph. About a year into Solomon’s life, the Northups moved to Granville, where they lived eight years before moving to Kingsbury in 1816, and again to Fort Edward in 1818. Solomon worked with and was educated by his father, whose whole life, according to Solomon, “was passed in the peaceful pursuits of agriculture.” Solomon married Anne Hampton on Christmas day in 1828, with whom he had three children: Elizabeth, Margaret and Alonzo. The newlyweds lived in a historic house in Fort Edward, across the street from Solomon’s parents’ home. The house was once used as a headquarters by both British and American troops during the Revolutionary War. Around the time his father died in 1829, Solomon began to seek work outside of agriculture, from laboring on the Champlain Canal to “rafting,” or working as a traveling carpenter, drawn by a team of horses he’d purchased. After renting or leasing the Alden farm in Kingsbury — previously run by Mintus — for around four years, Solomon and his family moved to the Saratoga area seeking steadier employment.
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A historical marker in downtown Saratoga Springs marking the location of Solomon’s kidnapping. The marker was placed on state Route 9 in 1999, the inaugural year of “Solomon Northup Day,” founded by Saratoga resident Renee Moore. Photo by Ryan Edwards
For around a decade Anne made a living as a cook in the area, and Solomon as a carpenter and a musician. Solomon was revered in his community for his prowess with the violin, and in 1841, when he was 32 years old, he was deceived by a pair of kidnappers named Alexander Merrill and Joseph Russell — operating under the aliases Merrill Brown and Abram Hamilton — into taking what was ostensibly a brief but lucrative job as a circus musician in Washington D.C. Unbeknownst to him, it would be 12 years before Solomon would return to the North Country and his life as a free man. Anticipating a short trip, Solomon departed hastily without informing his wife, who was away at the time working in nearby Sandy Hill (known today as Hudson Falls). Fearing for his wellbeing in the nation’s capital, which at the time was home to one of the largest slave markets in the country, Solomon and his kidnappers stopped in New York City along the way to pick up his “free papers,” which proved his free citizenship. This precaution proved fruitless, however, as when he awoke after a night of casual drinking drugged and bound in the cell of a slave pen “within the very shadow of the Capitol,” Solomon was beaten mercilessly by his captor, James Birch, for professing his status as a free man.
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life, urs in my unhappy There have been ho of n the contemplation many of them, whe e rthly sorrow - of th ea of d en e th as h deat orn e for the tired and w grave as a resting plac on. pleasant to dwell up out body - has been ~ Solomon Northup
Consequently he remained mum on the topic of his life in the North Country for over a decade. Solomon was shipped by sea to New Orleans — contracting and recovering from smallpox along the way — where he was purchased by Baptist preacher William Prince Ford under the slave name Platt Hamilton and put to work on Ford’s lumber mill on a bayou of Red River in Louisiana. In his narrative, Solomon describes his first master as a good-natured man and excuses his ownership of slaves as the effect of the cultural pervasiveness of the institution in the south: “In my opinion, there never was a more kind, noble, candid, Christian man than William Ford. The influences and associations that had always surrounded him, blinded him to the inherent wrong at the bottom of the system of Slavery.” In the winter of 1842 financial difficulties led Ford to sell Solomon to one of his employees, John Tibaut, whom Solomon reports as making two attempts on his life: One of which, an attempted lynching in response to Solomon defending himself physically against a whipping, was thwarted with the noose still around Solomon’s neck by Ford’s overseer, who reminded Tibaut he was
still indebted to Ford to the tune of $400 for the purchase of Solomon. When Tibaut later attempted to kill him with an axe, Solomon again got the better of his master, strangling him unconscious with his bare hands and escaping to Ford’s house through swamps to throw the search dogs off his scent. Solomon stayed with Ford for four days, whom convinced Tibaut to hire Solomon out to another planter before eventually selling him to Edwin Epps, a cotton plantation owner in Avoyelles Parish, Louisiana. Northup describes Epps as a spiteful and sadistic drunk with a penchant for wanton abuse of his slaves. On the Epps plantation Solomon was often utilized as a “driver,” forced to act as the whip-hand that dealt Epps’ fury to his peers. But, for all its desolation and despair, however, it was at the Epps plantation where Solomon would find salvation. For the first time since he awoke in D.C., Solomon confided his history to an itinerant carpenter on the Epps plantation named Samuel Bass, a Canadian abolitionist whom at great risk to himself sent letters on behalf of Solomon to his wife and friends in Saratoga. Word of Solomon’s location eventually reached his longtime friend, attorney and politician Henry B. Northup — the grand-nephew of Capt. Henry Northup — who in turn sought the assistance of state officials in extracting Solomon from the plantation. Henry was appointed by New York Governor Washington Hunt as an agent of the State to travel to Louisiana and work with local law enforcement to locate and liberate Solomon. Eventually, after threatening to kill both Solomon and Henry, Epps surrendered Solomon on Jan. 4, 1853. “He thought of nothing but his loss, and cursed me for having been born free,” Northup later wrote of Epps. Once he was freed, Solomon and Henry stopped in D.C. to file a complaint which led to criminal charges against Birch. In his defense, Birch claimed Solomon approached him and a number of his confederate friends — who corroborated his claim — contending he was a slave from Georgia and that he was for sale. The trial was widely publicized, amassing significant national attention to Solomon’s story. Soon the name Solomon Northup was on the lips of thousands of Americans on both sides of the Mason-Dixon line.
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Solomon’s suit was unsuccessful, however, in part due to a law in D.C. which prohibited black men from testifying against white men in trial. Birch in turn filed a complaint against Solomon, which he promptly withdrew upon the advice of his attorney when Solomon encouraged the proceedings, confident they would expose Birch for a liar. In the same year he was freed, Solomon published his memoir, as dictated to and edited by David Wilson, a lawyer and politician living in Whitehall. “Twelve Years a Slave” sold 30,000 copies, and soon after its release a county court judge named Thaddeus St. John from nearby Fonda, N.Y. recalled once seeing two friends on a train bound for D.C., an unfamiliar black man in tow. His friends, to his bewilderment, requested that he call them Brown and Hamilton in the presence of their ostensible travel companion. He encountered the men again on their return-trip, and in the place of the black man were a number of lavish treasures the men had evidently picked up on their journey. St. John and Solomon arranged to meet in person, and, upon recognizing each other from their encounter 13 years prior, the pair identified Merrill and Russell as Solomon’s kidnappers, who were found and arrested. However, like Birch, the two were never convicted. After years of appeals a new district attorney finally dropped the case in 1857. None of the men responsible for Solomon’s unlawful enslavement saw justice for their crimes. Reunited with his wife and children, Solomon — who had become a national celebrity from the success of his narrative and the publicity surrounding both trials — settled in the Queensbury area. During his final years Solomon worked as a carpenter, penned two stage unsuccessful plays, and became heavily involved in the abolitionist movement, giving lectures and sharing his experience across North America. This period in Solomon’s life remains a bit obscure to historians and biographers, and not long after his return to the North Country, around the mid-1860s, he appears to have vanished into thin air. Rumors abounded at the time that he had again been kidnapped and sold into slavery — which experts contend is an unlikely scenario given his age at the time — that he was murdered, that he had become a “worthless vagabond,” or that he had dropped everything to aid escaping slaves along the underground railroad. Whatever the case may be, amid conflicting accounts from family and friends and obscure census information, to this day no one on Earth knows what became of Solomon Northup.
THE NORTH REMEMBERS Over a-century-and-a-half after Solomon’s disappearance, the North Country has not forgotten the undaunted spirit and unbreakable will of one of its own. The house where Solomon and Anne lived in Fort Edward still stands today, now serving as the Old Fort House Museum, operated by the Fort Edward Historical Association.
The house where Solomon and Anne lived in Fort Edward
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The Solomon Northup exhibit at the Old Fort House Museum in Fort Edward. Within the shadowbox is a first edition copy of “Twelve Years a Slave,” a cane owned by Henry Northup, and a number of miscellaneous historical items selected by a local historian to help tell Solomon’s story. Photo by Ryan Edwards While the Association’s Executive Director R. Paul McCarty said they are unsure which room the Northups rented during those years, an exhibit dedicated to the couple is featured in an upstairs bedroom. Inside the doorway is a shadowbox containing a number of assorted items including a first edition copy of “Twelve Years a Slave,” a whip, a pair of shackles, some portraits and a cane belonging to Henry. On a nearby table, period cooking supplies to commemorate Anne, whose culinary expertise was celebrated throughout the area during her lifetime. Above the bed, a framed print of an iconic engraving of Solomon from an 1855 edition of his memoir, adorned by his signature. On the opposite wall, a board from the house Solomon was building for Epps when he was rescued. And finally, rested on a chair in the corner is the item which for Solomon garnered both profit and acclaim, yet also led him into a snare set a pair of insidious Svengalis who’d bereave him of over a decade of his life — a violin and its bow. Also in the house is Mintus’ original tombstone, now broken into two halves, the inscription weather-worn and hardly legible. McCarty stated plans to erect a shadowbox to display the tombstone within the Solomon exhibit. A replacement monument was installed last year at Mintus’ grave in Baker Cemetery, a near-forgotten residential graveyard accessed only through a nearby driveway. The project to replace the headstone was spearheaded by Mintus’ greatgreat granddaughter, Irene Zahos of Rochester, with the assistance of both McCarty and Paul Loding, the Hudson Falls town historian. Among the 50 or so attendees at the ceremony, including an assortment of Solomon’s relatives, was actress Devyn Tyler, who portrayed Solomon’s adult daughter in Steve McQueen’s film adaptation of Solomon’s narrative. A plaque honoring Henry’s hand in freeing Solomon was later unveiled at his grave in the Northup family plot in Union Cemetery in Hudson Falls. McCarty said he hopes with time to arrange a map of significant sites visited and occupied by Solomon throughout the North Country, similar to the “Solomon Northup Trail” in Louisiana which marks Solomon’s journey through the south. In nearby Saratoga Springs, the city where Solomon first met his kidnappers, the third Saturday in July is recognized as Solomon Northup Day, founded in 1999 by Saratoga resident Renee Moore. To commemorate the holiday, a Celebration of Freedom event is observed annually in the city every Solomon Northup Day.
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A memorial plaque placed at the grave of Henry Northup in Hudson Falls’ Union Cemetery in 2014, following the unveiling of the replacement monument at the grave of Mintus Northup in nearby Baker Cemetery. The plaque commemorates Henry’s integral role in rescuing Solomon, his lifelong friend, from his unlawful enslavement. Photos by Ryan Edwards
The original headstone at the grave of Mintus Northup, which was replaced last year in Baker Cemetery in Hudson Falls. The broken headstone now resides at the old Fort House Museum in Fort Edward, where it will eventually become a part of the Solomon Northup exhibit there.
The event was held at the Heritage Area Visitor Center through 2012, when it was moved to the campus of Skidmore College — Moore’s alma mater — where it is now presented by the office of special programs. The event features panel discussions, lectures, Solomon-inspired music, receptions with Northup descendants, and most recently, appearances from actors featured in the 2013 film, including Lupita Nyong’o, who won an Academy Award for her portrayal of Patsey, a friend of Solomon’s also enslaved on the Epps plantation. Moore’s vision statement for Solomon Northup Day serves as a reminder that maintaining the legacy of those who have fought to advance the plight of people of color in the United States is an integral component to successfully continuing the conversation on racial equality today. For Moore, the goal of the event is to “bring to light all of the people involved in the struggle for freedom in the Americas and to encourage a better understanding of freedom and justice through the eyes of the African-American experience past and present; and to encourage youth participation in the struggle for freedom throughout the world.” She is certainly correct to recognize the inclusion of young people as the key to continued progress in this struggle; after all, that Minerva boy and his violin would go on to change the world.
A replacement headstone placed at the grave of Mintus Northup at Baker Cemetery in Hudson Falls. The monument was placed at the grave at a ceremony attended by historians and Northup descendants in 2014. Photo by Ryan Edwards
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Saratoga Mayor Michael O’Connell poses with Northup descendants at the 1999 unveiling of the historical marker still standing today in downtown Saratoga Springs, where Solomon first met his kidnappers.
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By Ed Noonan
Hunting rabbits in the Adirondacks is a great way to spend a frigid winter day
A
s an avid hunter since 1965 I had hunted just about anything in New York State, and really hadn’t given much thought about hunting the Varying Hare. I was quite content on jumping on brush piles, walking hedgerows and tramping my way through heavy bush busting cottontail rabbits. It wasn’t until 1998 while looking for a new rabbit gun in the Instant Replay Sports gun shop in Warren County that the subject and offer came up. During my conversation with owner Gary DeCesare, he mentioned snowshoe rabbits and he was surprised when I told him I had never hunted them. After he twisted my arm and made me buy a pretty little 20 gauge pump Ithaca, he invited me to hunt snowshoe rabbits that weekend with his group. It didn’t take me long to say yes and to ask how they locate and bust snowshoe rabbits. He smiled and politely said: “Our way of finding rabbits is letting Sheila, Ben and Rocky’s noses find and rouse them out for us. These are our beagles.” Now I was really excited since it would be the first time I hunted any rabbit with a dog.
THE HUNT
It was just getting light when we pulled into DeCesare’s Pizzeria in the village of Schroon Lake where Gary’s brother Al joined our hunt and we headed up into state land. Once on top, we found four to six inches of freshly fallen snow; perfect for our hunt. As for the dogs, they knew what was happening. They were quite antsy and so was I. While Al readied the eager beagles, Gary briefly explained several patterns generally followed by the snowshoes. He told me that they usually hold up in depressions in the snow, blowdowns and low lying evergreen branches. When the dogs howl, that indicates they are on a scent, but wait to see the direction of the chase. These rabbits will try to outrun the dogs and run in large circles. The hunter should find a slightly hidden spot with a fairly open shooting area and wait. He also said that unlike hunting cottontails, quite often these rabbits can lead the dogs on a very long run. It didn’t take Sheila and her boys long to sniff one out and from the sound of their howling, they definitely had it on the run. Assuming which way they would be coming back, I moved towards a group of small pines for cover and waited. The howling continued as the chase headed up the mountain and then – no noise. I wondered if they lost the 46 | North Country Living Magazine | Vol. 4 No. 4
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scent but 10 minutes later I could hear them howling a long way off and headed in my direction. I remember thinking this is as exciting as waiting for a spring gobbler to come in. They were still a long way off but I kept my eyes on the direction of the howling dogs which were still a good distance away. Mistake! I forgot that Gary said that a snowshoe rabbit often will be a long way ahead of the dogs. Perhaps 10 minutes later, I could hear the hounds still several hundred yards out. Staring into the snow, I saw what I thought were two bugs 30-40 yards out bouncing around just above the snow. Fortunately at 20 yards, I realized those little bugs were actually the black tips of the ears of a snowshoe rabbit; and he was coming right at me. I was amazed at how far the rabbit was ahead of the dogs, and even more amazed at how I was able to settle down from all the excitement and take my first snowshoe rabbit. To this day I don’t think I aimed; just shouldered that new Ithaca 20 and pulled the trigger. Now while I was accepting the congratulations of my fellow hunters, Sheila and her offspring were all business and headed off with their noses in the snow and the other hunters behind them. I however stayed right where I shot my rabbit. Just for the record his back feet measured nine inches and they were furrier and wider than cottontails. This is why they are fast and able to stay atop the snow. I was standing and leaning against one of the pine trees nclmagazine.com
when I heard the howls off in the distance which seemed to be headed away from me so I leaned my shotgun against a tree and for some reason looked behind me. There hopping slowly towards me was a snowshoe rabbit. Ever so slowly I raised the gun, shouldered it and clicked off the safety. The rabbit was about 15 yards out just sitting there when I squeezed the trigger and nothing happened. I checked the safety and it was off. I was so excited over my first snowshoe rabbit that I did not eject the spent shell and chamber another. Slowly I lowered the gun, ejected the shell and put a live one in the chamber. There is no way to cover the movement and noise of doing this, and he was off and running. Fortu-
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number two lay there in the snow. I never told anyone in the hunting party that day of this particular incident so I am sure when they read it I will hear from them. I have since had been on a number of snowshoe rabbit hunts but this particular day is still my best memory. What a great day in the North Country: two snowshoe rabbits in my game pouch followed by a great Italian spaghetti dinner at Al’s Pizzeria ending.
NO DOG
I have been asked on several occasions on how to hunt snowshoe rabbits without the aid of a canine. The first thing needed is luck. If I had to guess I would say my percentage of shooting a snowshoe without a dog is less than 50 percent. Thus it is a challenge, but not impossible. Because these rabbits do not have dens, they can be found in low brush and depending upon the food supply they can travel up to five miles. However, I have been the most successful without the help of a dog when I concentrate on kicking low lying bush and especially the boughs touching the ground. The best time is when there is snow cover and you can follow their tracks but be alert. When that white rabbit break cover he can attain speeds up to 27 mph. I read somewhere filling your six snowshoe rabbit daily limit without the help of a beagle is impossible. I have never taken a limit; the most I have taken in one day is three in Jefferson County around Fort Drum; and it was without a dog. But perhaps it may happen this winter when I again go afield, this time with the son of Alan DeCesare, also named Alan, who is the owner of the Forever Wild Outfitters & Guide Service in Schroon Lake. If you enjoy hunting small game I highly recommend you put snowshoe rabbits at the top of your list. When that weatherman forecasts snow you should be thinking snowshoe rabbits and head north. GOOD LUCK! 48 | North Country Living Magazine | Vol. 4 No. 4
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A close up of the beautiful dogs of October Siberians in Vermont. Photo by Lou Varricchio
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Mush! Dog-sledding in Vermont
made easy
By Lou Varricchio
It’s a Sunday in early October and Rob Farley, owner of October Siberians Sled Dog Rides & Adventures, is up at the crack of dawn to take two teams of 10 and six Siberian huskies on a brisk, four-mile-long run along dusty Texas Hill Road in Hinesburg, Vt. The dirt road—every bend and private residential driveway familiar to Farley’s dog teams—skirts a narrow, bucolic valley located at 1,200 feet above sea level. Nearby is Camel’s Hump, Vermont’s third highest peak; it pokes above the ridgeline, off to the southeast. A light frost coats the open meadows along the way. Tree and shrub leaves are just beginning to turn colors after an extended summer and early autumn dry spell. Wild, blue chicory flowers are still blooming along the roadside.
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Elly Farley helps prepare the dogs for a morning training run in Hinesburg, Vermont. Photo by Lou Varricchio
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All of Farley’s dogs are classic Siberian huskies, but the breed doesn’t necessarily make the best sled dogs. “The racers, like the Alaskan huskies, are very good sled dogs,” he says. “Some call them ‘designer muts’ and there’s a debate about them. I was at a trade show and one of the veterinarians said that the genetics of the Alaskans are very consistent with the Siberians—even though they look lot different. But Siberians are an ancient breed and the classic for sledding.” Farley’s dogs are very people friendly. They like to say “hi” and make friends quickly. Rob’s wife Elly helps out with the dogs and has learned the sport at the urging of her husband. She’s the “business brains” and keeps the books for October Siberians Sled Dog Rides & Adventures. “Rob’s first Siberian husky arrived in October of 1994, as his roots began to grow in the soils of Vermont,” Elly says. “Those early dogs are now gone, but they still influence us today, as we move forward with the fourth generation of the team.”
A winter run at Little River State Park in Waterbury, Vt. Photo by Amy Whitney
Farley’s husky dogs are harnessed and hitched to a motorless golf cart in the driveway for what amounts to a mini, dry Iditarod. “We’re getting the dogs in shape for the winter months,” Farley says. “Even though they’re pulling golf carts, they get practice and learn to be comfortable with their team. Huskies are very social animals, you know.” The dogs are chomping at the bit to get on the trail. Even though there’s isn’t any snow on the ground, there’s enough morning frost—in fact, the first of the season—to get the dogs, and Farley, in that mythical Alaskan frame of mind. “I kind of like my autumns to be my training time with the dogs,” he says, “because in the winter-time we’re working giving thrilling dog-sled rides in the deep woods.” Farley has 15 dogs at home which are housed in a large, comfortable and clean kennel. He treats his dogs with deep respect and they work together—master and dogs—as a well-oiled machine. The dogs love the thrill of sledding even though it’s tough work—but the rewards are many, lots of water along the way, treats, and the pack camaraderie. “What we offer is not just a ride in a dog sled,” Farley says, “but an interactive experience of driving the sled. Our sleds are designed for two drivers with the ‘mushers’ maintaining full control while the second driver responds and adjusts for the sled to perform properly. The second passenger gets to sit back and enjoy the ride in an enclosed sled bag with blanket.” 54 | North Country Living Magazine | Vol. 4 No. 4
Keeping up with the dogs is almost a full-time job. “We feed the dogs once or twice a day,” Elly comments. “They get a high fat, high protein diet that’s formulated by a vet who is also a musher; he lives in the Midwest and ships it to us. Siberians are fuel efficient and they actually don’t eat much. The males always eat more, some up to six cups per day.” Elly points out that Siberians are on the lean side. And their training and diet starts early. Training starts at six months of age. “After a year of running, we try and figure everything out for the dog,’ she says. “By the time they are three to six, they’re prime and we don’t have to worry about them much. As they get a little older, we have to watch how they handle. We have a 13-year-old dog which still runs. That’s an old timer, but the lifespan of pulling a sled varies with each individual dog. At 10 years, you may start seeing signs that a dog can’t keep up.” ncliving@suncommunitynews.com
October Siberians is a family affair. As “the Musher’s Daughter,” Sage Farley’s first word was ‘doggie’, so you know where this was heading. “As her 10th birthday approached, she did the work and research to demonstrate she was ready for her own dog. Sugar, the Norfolk Terrier, became the house dog,” Rob says. “As 14 approached she was ready to start training the teams, as well. Good thing, since we have enough dogs for a large and small team. Sage will be joining us this winter helping out and running a small team to gain driving experience.” According to Farley, a native Ohioan and a geologist employed by the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation, he became interested in sled dogs after moving to Vermont from New York City. “I like Siberians and connected with people here,” he says. “Around 1994, there was a 60-mile-long sled dog race held in New Hampshire. It was designed for sled teams of six dogs. I thought, ‘Boy, a six-dog team isn’t a lot to put together and 60 miles is long but it sure isn’t the Iditarod, so let’s try it!’ So, I built a team and then I was hooked.” Farley has never visited Alaska, but he must have been a polar explorer in a previous life. He jokingly remarks that he’s game anytime. “People ask me if I’ve ever been to Alaska. No, I haven’t, but I am always looking for sponsors to send me up there.” nclmagazine.com
A water break for a dog team in training in Hinesburg, Vt.
Farley would love to enter Alaska’s Iditarod race but it’s not an inexpensive enterprise. “The finances are great,” he says. “I have a family, a house, responsibilities. And it’s a two-year commitment. You have perform in several pre-races to show that you can compete in a long-distance race. And then to prepare for the race, you have to live up there and train intensively—combined with all the distractions of life.” Back to work, Farley and family get the dogs working in early autumn with anticipation of snow on the ground in December. “Our winter sled-dog tours are located at Little River State Park in Waterbury, Vt., ‘Recreation Cross Roads of Vermont’, near Stowe, Sugarbush (Mad River Valley), Bolton, Burlington and Montpelier,” Rob says. “A tour with us will not only be an amazing time in the dog sled, but also a day visiting Vermont’s favorite attractions. We have the ability and flexibility to provide technical thrilling downhill or a simple ride in the park. The sled can comfortably accommodate a family of four with two young children.”
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Dog sled rides by John Barwick
Farley offers a few key tips before you and your family embark on a your first sled-dog adventure in the Vermont woods: •”This is a winter sport, so you need to dress for your comfort level depending on temperature and other weather conditions. You will be mainly in a non-active role (sitting or standing), so coldness can creep in. Seated passengers will be inside a sled bag with blankets •”Remember layers are your most important consideration to stay warm while dog sledding. Start with good thermal underwear, then other thin layers close to the skin —consider a turtleneck as one of these layers. Bulkier layers should come next, like heavier shirts, fleece and sweaters, and finally an excellent shell. You should avoid cotton next to the skin as cotton can become wet with perspiration and wick heat from your body. Add a layer for each drop of 10 degrees below your comfort level. Three to four layers on top and two to three on the bottom should be adequate for most guests. •”Footwear should start with a liner sock and a bulkier sock, then top quality winter boot – sneakers are not appropriate. Gators or overshoes are excellent additions to keep snow out and add additional layering. Most cold creeps in through the feet, so any additional insoles will help. •”Don’t forget the accessories, liner gloves, mittens, neck gators, scarf, hats, headbands, hood, etc. Don’t worry about your hair, the dogs don’t mind hat hair. •”As a final effort to stay warm, heat packs for hands, feet and internal pockets are very helpful. Also bring a thermos of warm drink. Of course movement is the best way to stay warm, so I can have you run up the hills with the dogs and driver.” When it comes to the thrill of mushing, Farley has lots of unsolicited testimonials, all of them highly complimentary: “I had a chance to go out dog sledding with Rob Farley in Little River State Park. It was fantastic,” said John Barwick, owner of Vermont’s famous Old Stage Coach Inn. “Rob is a master with the dogs and sled and the ride was exciting as well as beautiful in the pristine snow covered woods of the park. For anyone interested in a fun adventure a trip with Rob is highly recommended.” Dog-sled neophytes John and Chrissy Thoering of Vermont didn’t know what to expect on their first sled adventure. They ended up wanting to return. “We had a great time with Rob and his team,” Chrissy says. “It was truly a unique experience. Rob is knowledgeable and cares about his dogs. The state park is beautiful and the positions in the sled let you be a part of the action and gives you a different perspective of the scenery.” 56 | North Country Living Magazine | Vol. 4 No. 4
ncliving@suncommunitynews.com
You’ll want to wear waterproof boots and gloves to protect against stray water, slush and snow — the inevitable byproducts of drilling holes and handling fish.
By Ryan Edwards
APPAREL • HANDS AND FEET • LEGS AND CORE • GEAR AND TECHNIQUE • COMMON METHODS • TIP-UPS • JIGGING In order to get to those fish swimming beneath your feet, you’re going to need to drill a hole. For this, you’ll need to get your hands on an ice drill called an auger.
Walking on Water
A first timers’ guide to Adirondack ice fishing 58 | North Country Living Magazine | Vol. 4 No. 4
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A
s winter descends on the North Country and our lakes and ponds begin to freeze over, anglers are trading in their Jon boats, bait-casters and fly rods for augers, tip-ups and ice rods — And if you understood that sentence, there is a good chance you’ve been itching to get back out there on the hardwater since the ice went out last season. If you didn’t, and you’re still reading, you might be curious to know what it’s like to pull a nice big lake trout or landlocked salmon out from under the ice. If so, here’s quick snapshot of what to expect before you gear up for your first North Country ice fishing adventure:
APPAREL First things first. Unless you want to end up becoming a part of the ice, it’s imperative you take care to keep as warm and as dry as possible out there. As any North Country resident knows, temperatures are known to plummet to well below zero in the colder months, and, with no obstacles in sight to block it, the wind can nearly knock you over out there on the ice, chilling you to the bone as it goes. The best advice for layering up for a long day on the ice is to follow the simple axiom: you can always remove layers, but you can’t add them, unless you’ve brought enough.
HANDS AND FEET Hands and feet tend to be the first parts of the body to feel the sting of cold weather. You’ll want to wear waterproof boots and gloves to protect against stray water, slush and snow — the inevitable byproducts of drilling holes and handling fish. Neoprene gloves are a go-
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to for experienced anglers to prevent ice-cold water leaking through to the skin. Gloves are more practical than mitts, as you will need your fingers free for tying on hooks and lures, using tools and other gear and, of course, handling the fish you land. Some neoprene gloves reach as far up as the elbow for those eager anglers with a penchant for delving elbow-deep into a hole to land a squirmy fish. You may want to bring along an extra pair of gloves or mitts to wear over your neoprene, as they serve better to maintain dryness than to retain warmth. As for your feet, you’re going to want a good pair of waterproof boots. Beneath them you’ll want a pair of thick wool socks for warmth, and, ideally, a pair of moisture wicking socks beneath those to ensure dryness
and prevent your toes from freezing. Another good idea for your feet is a pair of ice cleats to help keep your balance on the slippery, and, should you fall, unforgiving ice.
LEGS AND CORE Naturally you’ll want to layer up your legs and core for warmth with long underwear, thermal base-layers, sweatshirts, whatever you prefer. As for your outermost layer, sporting manufacturers offer ice-fishing-specific gear to act as a last line of defense against the elements. Perhaps the most important item to invest in is a quality pair of waterproof coveralls. Out on the ice, you’ll
spend a considerable amount of time on your knees peering into the depths below, and dry knees are essential to overall warmth. For your core, you’ll want a warm, wind-stopping waterproof jacket. If you’re ready to get serious about ice fishing, or if you have a healthy desire for a speedy exit from the water should you fall through the ice, you may want to invest in a floating ice fishing suit. These suits are lined with buoyant material to keep you afloat should you end up in the water. Of course, your first line of defense against going through the ice is to make sure it is safe to walk before venturing out.
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Generally, at least four inches of ice is regarded as safe to walk on. Another good investment for ice anglers is a quality pair of sunglasses to combat the piercing rays reflected off the snow and ice. Polarized lenses help prevent glare on the surface of water, and ice, and are generally preferred by anglers who maintain the lenses help them land more fish.
GEAR AND TECHNIQUE
your left and slightly turned toward the right. Reverse the position of your feet if you’re lefthanded. From there, you’ll want to center your weight above the handle and bear down with your weight while you drill into the ice, turning the handle or simply pressing down — depending on the type of auger you use — until you’ve made it all the way through. Bear in mind that these blades are incredibly sharp in order to successfully serve their function, so be sure to keep the cover over the blades whenever
In order to get to those fish swimming beneath your feet, you’re going to need to drill a hole. For this, you’ll need to get your hands on an ice drill called an auger. AUGERS Both manual and power augers — electric and motorized — are available on the market. Power augers are designed for convenience and ease of operation, but plenty of anglers prefer to do things the old fashion way, saving a little money in the process, with a manual drill. To drill through the ice, you’ll want to place the bladeend of the auger down on the ice. If you’re right handed, position your feet so that your left foot is about six inches and centered to the left of the blades and your right foot’s toes are even with the left foot’s heel, with the right foot about one foot away from
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you’re not drilling and to avoid making contact with the blades while operating the auger.
COMMON METHODS Now that you’ve got your hole dug, it’s time to start catching fish. The two most common methods for pulling fish through the ice employ either a jigging rod or a tip-up. We’ll start with the latter.
TIP-UPS Tip-ups allow for anglers to target multiple fish at once throughout the lake or pond and work to identify “honey holes” with dense populations of fish. A number of tip-ups are generally spread out at holes drilled in a line across a lake. In addition to freeing up an angler to move about from hole to hole, these mechanisms are marked by flags which shoot up to alert an angler that a fish has taken the bait, acting similarly to a bobber on the water. That’s the beauty of tipups — ideally, the fish hook themselves. The mechanism itself is essentially a piece of plastic which spans the surface of the hole with a small reel spooled with fishing line. Anglers drop their bait — generally baitfish or nightcrawlers — to about a foot above the floor of the lake, set their flag, and wait for a bite. When a flag shoots up, anglers reel in the line until it’s taut and give a firm tug to set the hook. From there, a “handlining” technique is utilized to pull the fish up through the hole. When handlining, it’s just you and the fish, so it is important to stay vigilant and know when to give a little slack and when to take it back when the fish begins to run. Hand over hand, the line is pulled in until the fish is visible.
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From there, the fish is either pulled in, or, if it’s big enough to keep, some anglers prefer to heighten their chances of landing the fish by use of a gaff — a pole with a sharp hook on the end to stab the fish and bring it in. Naturally, a gaff should only be employed on a fish the angler intends to bring home for dinner.
JIGGING Another popular method for ice fishing is called jigging. For this technique, you’ll need an ice rod. These rods are typically much shorter than typical spinning rods, generally measuring between 24 and 36 inches in length — accompanied by a standard spinning reel. Generally jigging requires the use of an artificial lure containing at least one treble hook. These lures mimic the action of distressed baitfish to attract larger predators. To jig for fish, anglers generally drop their lure to the bottom of the lake or pond and slowly make their way back up to the top, periodically jerking the rod to work the action of the lure. Some anglers contend fish become accustomed to this presentation and employ little adjustments to the routine like twisting the line between their thumb and index finger or bouncing their lure off the bottom rather than reeling it back up. Naturally, jigging is a much more hands-on approach to using tip-ups, but getting the fish to the surface is quite similar. When a fish strikes the lure, set the hook and reel. Ice rods are both short and thin, so expect to feel every jerk of the fish as you fight it to the surface.
START YOUR ADVENTURE Hopefully this overview has kindled a desire to continue your study of the art of ice fishing. There is plenty of information out there on the Internet and in publications like this one, but to really learn, you need to get out there and try it — just make sure the ice is good and thick!
Kenneth Schirmer of Fishkill, N.Y. displays the days winning pike which he caught during the 2014 Indian Lake Ice Fishing Derby. The Pike weighed 7 lbs., 8 oz. and measured 29 ¾” in length.
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By Teah Dowling On the morning of Sept. 11, 1814, about 750 soldiers manned the still standing Fort Brown with large pieces of artillery behind a line of sharpened sticks. The Plattsburgh Barracks began with the construction of three forts: Fort Moreau, Fort Brown and Fort Scott built in the summer and early fall of 1814 prior to the Battle of Plattsburgh and owned by Plattsburgh residents Levi Platt and Pliny Moore. The forts named after Jacob Brown, Winfield Scott and one of Napoleon’s generals were built to seal off the land from the British, who had designs of the Village of Plattsburgh, coming from the North. “The Plattsburgh Barracks didn’t start until the building these three forts,” said John Krueger, City of Plattsburgh historian. “The idea was to seal off this split of land because they knew the
The training camp brought many prominent people to Plattsburgh. They continued to operate in and around Plattsburgh, training troops in the diverse terrain of the North Country through 1921 to 1931. British were coming from the north and they had designs on the Village of Plattsburgh.”
Starting Construction
The construction of the first permanent barracks and defenses left the land useless to Moore and Platt after troops hacked down trees for firewood and construction of the defenses upturned the land. Moore approached General Izard to gain an estimation of compensation for the damage done to his land. Izard, however, had a different idea: sell the land to the government to create a military reservation. The government, after a year of addressing concerns, purchased the land on July 31, 1816 and
started construction of a hospital, officer’s quarters and barracks, known today as the Old Stone Barracks in 1838 on the Plattsburgh Post, a structure that still stands today along with many others. “There are very few places in the United States where you can stand somewhere, look out and know that you’re surrounded by 100 years of history,” Krueger said. “So much has happened here.” Major developments for the post began in 1868 when the Delaware and Hudson Canal Company received the right to construct a railroad through the Plattsburgh military reservation. In 1891, congress passed a bill allowing for $200,000 of federal funds to be spent on new buildings and facilities on the post. Residents of Plattsburgh came together eager to help the development of the barracks by donating land - totalling about 679 acres of land. By 1896, construction was completed, adding a series of houses known as “Colonel’s Row” reserved for army officers and their families and the new parade grounds where marching drills were executed and a baseball diamond was created where the 21st infantry competed against other teams, attracting spectators from all over the North Country, including William McKinley.
After the land purchase made by the Federal government, the Plattsburgh military reservation remained mostly vacant with only the original earthen fortifications. In order to bring more activity to the reservation, the southern end was selected for the construction of the hospital, officer’s quarters and barracks.
Training Camp
War erupted across Europe in 1914 while the American military remained limited in size and neutral as much of the population wished to avoid World War I. A training program, in only two locations throughout the country, started intended to turn college undergraduates into reserve army officers. Many of the trainees attended these camps at their own expense as the programs lacked recognition as official federal programs and did not receive government funding. The concept caught the eye of Colonel Leonard Wood who quickly became impressed with the programs and launched the training camp movement. Wood looked at resort areas previously selecting places in Vermont, North Carolina and California, but he chose Plattsburgh not only because it was already a military post, but it was also not far from Hotel Champlain.
Men arrived by train for the civilian officers training camps in 1914 in Plattsburgh. In Plattsburgh, 30 to 50-year-old men from different walks of life woke up at 5:45 a.m. for calisthenics and drills until lunchtime, then going to training in fields such as artillery, Calvary, signal corps or engineering.
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The first camp took place in August 1915 recognized by the war department under General Order 38 - making it an official federal program officially part of the nation’s national defense plan. In Plattsburgh, 30 to 50-year-old men from different walks of life woke up at 5:45 a.m. for calisthenics and drills until lunchtime, followed by time in training fields such as artillery, cavalry, signal corps or engineering. After the success of the first camp, more camps started around the country in the same pattern as those originally held in Plattsburgh, which gave the U.S. a template for how to train soldiers in a short period of time, creating the “Plattsburgh Idea” - training young men from colleges and businesses around the world in Plattsburgh to become officers and be well prepared if the nation goes to war. “The military training camp played a huge, vital role in American history,” said Matthew Hewson, re-enactor and educator. “Without Plattsburgh and the people who foresaw our inevitable engagement in World War I, the United States would’ve gone to war with a major shortage of leaders and a major shortage of officers.” Clinton County attracted the largest military exercises before the United States entered World War II. The exercises were intended to train troops in the faster and more mobile warfare that used new technology to improve communication and speed and taught troops in other activities such as trench digging, battlefield tactics, marksmanship and survival training. The start of World War II in December 1941 marked a time of change for the Plattsburgh Post as the 26th infantry left to fight overseas- leaving the post to house the Army Corps of Engineers for awhile until the barracks changed uses to a variety of different things.
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Former President Theodore Roosevelt and General Leonard Wood took part in the training camp geared toward older businessmen and working professionals.
Last Years
The U.S. Naval Training School, Camp Macdonough, came to be on the post to train naval officers. The school lasted one summer taking in 1,000 student officers every month for a 60-day course that gave graduates commissions as midshipmen. But when the war to came to a close in Feburary 1944, so did the school. Originally, the Plattsburgh Post’s intent was house troops for the army after the war. However, in the fall of 1946, the military temporarily left for the first time in over 100 years when the grounds became home to the Champlain College to help returning war veterans adjust to post-war life becoming the first emergency institution in the country to meet the sudden demand of new military veterans. After operating for seven years, Champlain College closed its doors to make way for the Plattsburgh Air Force Base in December 1953 - using the buildings on the Plattsburgh Barracks to house officers and enlisted men and playing an important role in the national defense strategy of the time. “They saw the air force as the wave of the future,” Krueger said. “Plattsurgh was perceived to be a good location.” The Plattsburgh Barracks is now known as the U.S. Oval, which contains many of the old structures now used as offices, breweries, recreational areas and museums, including the Clinton County Historical Museum, who tries to promote and spread the story of the Plattsburgh Barracks to as many people as possible.
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CCHA Efforts
The Clinton County Historical Association has undertaken numerous projects to preserve the history of the Plattsburgh Barracks prior to the Air Force’s presence at the location. In 2014, the museum received a $5,000 Local Heritage Grant from the Lake Champlain Basin Program. With these funds, the association was able to complete several projects related to the Plattsburgh Barracks, including an educational program with a local homeschool group that focused on the historical buildings located in the oval that concluded with a walking tour of the Plattsburgh Barracks and an interactive touchscreen exhibit at the museum. The association was also awarded another grant this year by LCBP to publish a book on the Plattsburgh Military Barracks that’s expected to be released by spring 2016. Lastly, a new committee has been formed at the association this year to commemorate the Centennial of the “Plattsburgh Idea”
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military preparedness movement - planning a symposium, exhibit and other educational programs to celebrate its anniversary in 2017. “The Plattsburgh Barracks was an institution in Clinton County that spanned a period of nearly 130 years and during those 130 years, the presence of military personnel and the activities held at the barracks played a significant role in the overall lifestyle and economy of the area,” said Melissa Peck, director of CCHA. “Not only did this institution have an effect on many of the basic foundations of community life, but it also had an effect on the community narrative and the patriotic ideas held among the families and individuals who lived here.” To learn more about the history of the Plattsburgh Barracks or the museum’s projects and future events, visit clintoncountyhistorical. org.
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Sleigh Bells Ring... where snow is glistening
at
THORNAPPLE FARM
Pat Palmer with sleigh horses Chief and Spud at Shelburne Farms.
Photo courtesy of Pat Palmer, Champlain College and Nick Wright
By Lou Varricchio
Pat and Cathy Palmer, owners of Thornapple Farm in New Haven, Vt., didn’t exactly plan to get into the business of providing old-fashioned sleigh rides in Vermont. When the couple purchased a high-maintenance draft horse in the late 1970s, they needed a way to keep the newly acquired critter in hay—thus was born Thornapple Farm Horse Drawn Services which includes everything from winter sleigh rides to one of America’s few horse70 | North Country Living Magazine | Vol. 4 No. 4
drawn garbage and recycling curbside service. Thornapple Farm is a 55-acre farm a few miles north of Middlebury. The Palmers’ spread is located on a gravel road in New Haven where they have provided intimate setting for visitors who enjoy horses and the rural Vermont landscape. “We love to share our experience with—and affection for—the horses we raise, train and work,” Pat Palmer says. ncliving@suncommunitynews.com
According to Pat, he and his wife Cathy have either farming or horses in their family blood streams. “Cathy grew up with horses of many types and learned to ride and drive as a youngster.,” Pat notes. “Her father was a popular farrier with a superior eye for good horses and taught her how to step back and evaluate each of the horses she fell in love with, which was pretty much all of them.” Pat likes to say that he “married into horses”and at first was content to be “a cheerful observer.” “For several years Cathy bought horses to school and resold them,” Pay says. “Pat was an interested helper but it wasn’t until the fall of 1979 when we acquired a two-year-old Belgian, along with two saddle horses that Pat got the bug—hard. Since then we have never been without draft horses,” Cathy adds. As Pat tells it, “In Vermont nearly everyone with draft horses has Belgians, but we were fascinated by the beautiful dapple gray Percherons we saw at the Champlain Valley Fair and decided to purchase Percherons. It didn’t take us long to realize that the horses were going to have to help pay for themselves if we were going to keep them. It seemed a natural to offer wagon rides as a way to help defray the expenses. Soon, we added old-fashioned sleigh rides along with carriage rides for weddings. At first the rides were confined to our farm, but as word of mouth spread we got requests to take the horses to different locales and events. Suddenly, we were in business. So, we started to seek out more creative, money-making ways to use the horses.” “In early 1979, we learned that the nearby village of Bristol was looking to contract out their trash and recycling pick-up,” Pat says. “I had read about a trash collection business in Oregon and Cathy had seen the old rags and bottles”man on the busy streets of Lawrence, Mass., when she was a child. So I thought, ‘why not horse drawn picknclmagazine.com
Pat and Cathy Palmer with their classic 1890s horse-drawn sleigh at Thornapple Farm in New Haven, Vt. Photo by Lou Varricchio
up in Bristol?’ The town manager was receptive to the idea and we were awarded the contract over three conventional bidders.” “Our original pair of Percherons, Luke and Zac, were probably the most photographed horses in Vermont once they started that route,” Cathy adds. “They were on ABCTV’s Good Morning America, in the Boston Herald, the New York Times and the Draft Horse Journal—to name a few.” Pat adds that, “Chief and Spud have taken over the route since Luke and Zac were retired and are equally as good. They both work single and double and are at home hauling heavy trash loads or pulling a fancy carriage.” To say that horse-drawn rubbish collection is an unusual thing in 21st century America is an understatement. continued on page 72 Vol. 4 No. 4 | North Country Living Magazine | 71
THORNAPPLE FARM
“Seeing the well-behaved horses on the streets of Bristol has lead to many requests for training horses from around the state,” Pat says. “The horses use round, pen-training and all our horses go single and double and are backed. In order to receive adequate individual attention only two horses are in training at a time.” The Palmers sleigh riding services began on the old Nash Farm in New Haven in 1980. From 2000 to 2008, the Palmers gave sleigh rides at the Cortina Inn in Killington. “The economy tanked in 2008 and that was pretty much that—it marked the end of a lot sleigh ride services,” Pat says. But slowly, the tradition has come back now with the Cortina Inn once again providing sleigh rides on Saturdays from mid December through February. Next, the Palmers began riding at Shelburne Farms. “It’s a very long day when we give sleigh rides at both Shelburne Farms and our farm,” Pat says. “We have to transport the horses, stop and give them water, and then pack ‘em up again and return. Heck, we used to get about six or eight tour buses at our farm each year with 45 tourists per bus. We were very busy. We even had a big tour bus stuck in the snow here and we pulled it out with the draft horses, that was pretty neat.” Pat says there are a few sleigh-born marriage proposal each winter. “A couple might come on board and the guy proposes to his fiancee, but it’s usually set up that way,” he adds. Are marriages more likely to succeed if they are proposed on an old fashioned horse-drawn sleigh?
Pat Palmer navigates a sleigh through deep sleigh at Thornapple Farm in New Haven in 2010. Thornapple Farm photo
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Pat Palmer navigates a sleigh through deep sleigh at Thornapple Farm in New Haven in 2010. Thornapple Farm photo
“While I have no data about a couple’s success if they propose on my sleigh,” Pat says while breaking into a grin. “I can say that a horse-drawn sleigh ride in Vermont can be very, very romantic.” In addition to being an expert horseman, Pat is also an amateur astronomer. His special knowledge of the heavens makes a cold, clear night-time sleigh ride—while passengers wrapped in blankets—exceptionally fun and thought provoking. He likes to familiarize visitors with the planets, stars and winter constellations. “When I point out the stars in the sky, I always point to the star Sirius,” Pat says. “I then tell my passengers that this bright star is one of the closest suns to Earth and that it’s 8.6 light years away. I also like to mention that if that star exploded tonight, we wouldn’t know about for another 8.6 years. I remember asking a little boy on the sled how far he thought a ‘light year’ was, it being a measure of stellar distances. He replied, ‘Is it more than a mile?’ (In fact, a ray of light travels 186,000 miles per second or 5.8 trillion miles or 9.4 trillion kilometers in one year). Most people—young or old—simply can’t fathom the distances between the stars.” Thornapple Farm’s winter sleigh was built by Pat Palmer but the sleigh used by Palmer at Shelburne Farms remains on site. “I used pressure-treated sleigh for our farm sleigh,” Pat says. “It started out as a flat-bottom thing with hay bales and it wasn’t fancy. We now have a sleigh with seats that’s a lot more photogenic.” The Palmers provide heavy blankets on their sleigh rides but they still recommend wearing heavy winter clothes on the trail. ‘The rides can be more than 30 minutes in length, so you can get cold out there if you’re not wearing layers,” he notes. “We can warm you back up when we serve hot chocolate at our farm. While thawing out, they can also enjoy some old music on the player piano, too.” ncliving@suncommunitynews.com
According to Pat, Thornapple Farm is still growing with new trail systems are being added with plans for more rotational grazing. “Two new two-year-olds are in the barn waiting for their moment to shine,” Pat notes. “They’ve already been entertaining the many tour bus groups, who come for rides, with their antics in the pasture. We invite you to come and share our respect for the working horse.” Pat and Cathy continue their sleigh rides as long as there’s snow on the ground, although the peak time for tourist rides is in the weeks leading up to Christmas, just when visitors want to experience an old-fashioned, Vermont “White Christmas” up close and personal.
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Check It Out: Thornapple Farm, located at 1772
Hunt Rd., in New Haven, is one of the leading providers of horse-drawn services in Vermont. No matter where you are located, farm owners Pat and Cathy Palmer are able to travel to you and provide you an elegant and wonderful ride back in time. The Palmers offer carriage rides for weddings, sleigh rides in the winter, wagon and hay rides, and horse training. Call the Palmers by telephone at 802-388-6232 (home) or 802-377-0921 (mobile). You can also email them at: Thornapplefarm@comcast.net
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CHALLENGE
Make the Saranac Lake 6’er Challenge a part of the holidays By Katherine Clark Ross
B
ecoming an official Saranac Lake 6’er has become a new challenge for both visitors and area natives, the small mountain trails could offer an escape the whole family could enjoy from the hot kitchen on Thanksgiving or the wrapping paper cluttered house Christmas morning.
“The hardest part is driving to each mountain, it’s not an issue of speed, it’s about getting outside and enjoying the mountains,” said Gregory Moore, owner of Bear Essentials in Saranac Lake. The Saranac Lake 6’er program launched on May 25, 2013 and is a network of six mountains; McKenzie Mt., 3822’, Ampersand Mt., 3353’, Scarface Mt., 3054’, Haystack Mt., 2864’, St. Regis Mt., 2874’, and Mt. Baker, 2452’. Much like the 46’er program, where members climb all 46 of the Adirondack high peaks mountains that are over 4,000 feet in height, the Saranac Lake 6’ers are smaller mountains located in or just outside of the Village of Saranac Lake. 74 | North Country Living Magazine | Vol. 4 No. 4
Four-year old Colton Moore at the trailhead of Mt. Baker.
ncliving@suncommunitynews.com
Marker at the summit of St. Regis Mountain
This photo taken by Robert Ross shows the view from atop St. Regis Mountain.
“Everyone likes working towards a goal and becoming a 6’er is an attainable goal that could be reached in a shorter period of time than becoming a 46’er,” Moore said. Moore said an ambitious family could complete all six in as little as a day and less experienced hikers could finish the challenge in a week or over the course of a year if they’re frequent visitors.
gram director of the Adirondack Community-based Trails & Lodging System or ACTLS, said Baker Mt. is the easiest climb, Scarface Mt. and Haystack would tie for second easiest climb, followed in succession by St. Regis Mt., Ampersand and McKenzie based on their trail length. Based on their steep incline that the other four mountains, Ampersand and Haystack may prove to be quite difficult for some to climb as well. “Baker is the easiest and shortest but it doesn’t have the view the others have,” Hadley said. “If you’re looking for an easier hike with a view St. Regis takes four times as long (to climb) as Baker but has an incredible view.”
in the winter because it’s the clothes to change into while you’re still protected from steepest,” Hadley said. the wind by the trees.” Depending on the weather Moore is an “ultra 6’er” conditions the trails can be more slippery when the stones which means he’s not only and the dirt are wet and if completed all six but he they’re covered in snow Had- tackled all of the trails in ley recommends using snow one day while running. shoes with good crampons on “I was training for a 50 the bottom. A mountain ax he said would also be recom- mile trail run last summer and I decided to run the mended for the winter hikes. trails as part of the train“It’s not required but it’s ing,” Moore said. not a bad thing to have an He said he began the day ax,” Hadley said. “It’s better to have it and not need it than at 4:30 a.m. using only a headlamp as his guide need it.” through the trails on ScarMoore said hikers should face Mountain, then he got bring food, water, a light- in his car and drove to the weight space blanket and Haystack Mountain trailbring extra clothing on any head, then he completed hike during the year but it’s McKenzie Mountain, Amespecially important during persand, St. Regis, and finished with Mt. Baker. the winter.
Hadley said to be a winter 6’er has a different set of “Baker is usually the easi“When your clothes are challenges from completing the trails in the summer. He soaked with sweat from climb- est but at the end of the day said the environment changes ing the winds at the sum- it was the hardest,” Moore mits will pull the heat from said. “Coming down the when the trails are wet. your body quickly,” Moore said. “It’s better to have extra continued on page 76 “Ampersand has the best Joe Hadley, associate proview but is the hardest of all
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CHALLENGE The Moore family documented their arrival to the USGS Summit marker on Mt. Baker with this photograph.
mountain I slipped and scraped my knee.” This winter he said his goal is to become an ultra winter 6’er. He said of all the mountains, Ampersand is his favorite for running because of the long stretch of flatland before the trail inclines. For a hike with his wife and three sons age 17, 14 and 5, he said Baker is the easiest for the whole family because it’s the shortest and has the most gradual incline. For families looking for a view at the top, he said St. Regis might take a little longer but it has a steady incline and is a more fun hike. Also St. Regis has a fire tower at the top. “My kids love (St. Regis
Gregory Moore, his wife Linda, and their son Colton, stand at the top of Mt. Baker this summer.
trail),” Moore said. “Just the memories we’ve made explor“The kids love it, they can ing the mountain on our way come in (to the Bear Essentials to the top.” store) and get their certificate, buy a t-shirt showing they are Moore said every mountain a 6’er and go out and ring the is an attainable hike for all 6’er bell outside,” Moore said. ability levels and for parents “We love when people come with younger children he said in and share their stories and each is attainable with a child hear the bell ring.” strapped to your back. His youngest son, Colton, travBear Essentials Manager eled up all of the peaks when Adam Martinez said those he was 3 years old in a carrier. posing as official 6’ers that ring the bell could bring on Once the trails are complet- the Kiwassa Curse. ed, being a 6’er comes with the “The punishment depends privilege of ringing the 6’er bell, located in the gazebo at on the number of mountains Berkeley Green on Broadway they’ve climbed, if they’ve Street. Moore said for families climbed five of the six every that come into town and com- penny they find will be heads plete all six mountains being down,” Martinez said. “If able to mark their accomplish- you’ve climbed zero to four ment is something that really mountains you could bring on an ice storm.” inspires the kids to finish.
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Stone trail on St. Regis Mountain
ncliving@suncommunitynews.com
Martinez said he believed the early October snowfall that hit the North Country was a direct result of a group of visitors that hadn’t climbed any mountains but rang the bell. He said the legend of the curse is “all in good fun.” “There’s a nice friendly warning on the bell,” Martinez said. “But we just want to make sure everyone completes the mountains before claiming to be a 6’er.” At the end of the day, Moore said if people are ambitious enough to climb one mountain are all of the 6’er mountains they are taking advantage of what Saranac Lake has to offer for not just a picturesque scenery but a valuable opportunity to bond with family members.
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Photo taken from the summit of St. Regis Mountain by Robert Ross.
“People come here for the enjoyment of being outside,” Moore said. “Being with family is what the holidays are all about.”
For more information about the trails visit:
saranaclake6er.com
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Crowd gathers to watch recalcitrant dog perform during My Dog’s Got Talent session held during Lake George Winter Carnival. Photo by Tim Weatherwax/One Shot Photography
Polar plunge during Lake George Winter Carnival 2011.
Photo by Tim Weatherwax/One Shot Photography
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ncliving@suncommunitynews.com
Snowmobile racers careen off a jump in a now cross competition held at the 2013 edition of the Lake George Winter Carnival. Photo by Tim Weatherwax/One
Shot Photography
By Megan Harrington Lake George, the jewel of the Adirondacks, thrives during the warmer months, but is often a ghost town during the winter. For many businesses, the long stretch between Columbus Day and Memorial Day can make it tough to get by. The annual Winter Carnival, now approaching its 55th year, helps seasonal hotels, restaurants, and shops stay afloat. The events also offer an enjoyable diversion for cabin-fevered northeasterners and anyone looking to have some winter fun. The 2016 event will take place each of the four weekends in February: 6-7, 13-14, 20-21, and 27-28. While some of the carnival’s offerings are dependent on ice conditions, attendees have a multitude of events to choose from including: outhouse races, snowmobile water skip, cook-offs, motorcycle and ATV ice races, parades, bonfires, tavern competition, flag football, ice diving demonstration, kite flying and kids’ activities. And as many carnival volunteers can attest, there’s always something new and exciting in the works. The first official Lake George Winter Carnival commenced in 1961, but winter activities were held on the lake as early as 1915. That year marked the inaugural harness races on the ice and through the first half of the 20th century, informal ski races and other winter events were held in the area. By the 1960s, businesses on the lake were eager to drum
up business during the slow winter months and the Lake George Chamber of Commerce organized a winter-themed carnival. The carnival initially showcased traditional winter sports like skating, but by the early 1970s, sports car races and parachute jumping were added. It was then that the carnival expanded from a single weekend to four. Throughout the years, events like the polar plunge and outhouse races were added and as the Winter Carnival celebrates its 55th anniversary, it plans to host more activities than ever. Perhaps the most unique event at the Winter Carnival is the outhouse race. In 1983 the Winter Carnival committee cooked up this new (and slightly kooky) competition. If you’re thinking this sounds a lot like bathroomthemed soapbox derby races, you’re correct. These silly races have become a fan favorite and 2016 will mark the 33rd year for the races. Teams often return year after year to vie for the win or defend their title. Each team consists of five people: two pushers, two pullers, and one person sitting inside the homemade outhouse structure. While the theme might be humorous, teams take the competition very seriously. Pushers and pullers often wear yaktrax on their shoes for extra traction; anything that might help them get an edge. Linda Duffy, owner of Duffy’s Tavern and Winter Carnival committee co-chair, says that while the Lake George Chamber of
Commerce launched the carnival, now local business owners and residents mostly run it. “It’s been volunteer run for the last 17-18 years and committees put on the different events,” says Duffy. While Lake George is usually reliably cold during February, some years are warmer than others and that can prove to be a challlenge. “The lake hasn’t frozen over a few times since I became a co-chair,” admits Duffy. However, this innovative bunch quickly thought up alternative activities. “We started cook-off events, ATV scavenger hunts, marshmallow toasting on the beach, and fireworks every Saturday,” she says. Duffy continues, “We’re very inventive. We’re always looking to do new things just in case we don’t have ice or cold weather.” While the goal of the carnival remains the same, some things change over the years. Duffy explains, “Back in the day, ice skating events used to be a big part of the carnival.” These days, there’s usually a space cleared for free skating, but the most popular events are the outhouse and vehicle races. As Mayor of Lake George Village, Robert Blais is a big supporter of the carnival. “Local stores and businesses look forward to the Winter Carnival on weekends in February for an infusion of money to get them through the long winters,” he says. Mayor Blais estimates that 50 percent of seasonal businesses open back up during
YIKES! The female component of an outhouse racing team reacts with terror as her associates push her across the frozen surface of Lake George during the 2013 edition of Lake George Winter Carnival. Photo by Tim Weatherwax/One Shot Photography
SELFIE SMOOCH — A couple visually records their affection for posterity during a recent edition of the Lake George Winter Carnival.
Photo by Tim Weatherwax/One Shot Photography
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Old Outhouse race.
A dog demonstrates his dancing skills for a crowd gathered for a My Dog’s Got Talent session of Lake George Winter Carnival during a recent year’s edition of the Lake George Winter Carnival. Photo by Tim Weatherwax/One Shot Photography
carnival weekends. And when it comes to local businesses and the municipality, there’s a lot of cooperation. “The Town and Village work very closely with the carnival committee,” Mayor Blais says. “Last year the new snow sculpture contest was actually sponsored by the Village of Lake George,” he adds. Jim Quirk, President of Shoreline Cruises, offers a seasonal perspective on winter in Lake George. “We start out our winter here on Jan. 1 with the frostbite cruise and after that we prep everything for the Winter Carnival,” he explains. Jim was a member of the planning committee back in the 1970s and now his son, Sean, is involved. When asked how the carnival has changed over the years, Jim says, “It’s similar in a lot of ways,
but there’s always something new going on.” Jim’s son Sean, the owner of King Neptune’s Lounge, is evidence of that. Sean says, “This year we’re looking forward to a great Winter Carnival, with many new and exciting events.” He’s already booking bands from all over the northeast and says there’s the possibility for a feature national act for Valentine’s Day weekend. “It’s not confirmed yet, so I can’t say who it is,” he alludes. Sean continues, “We’re also planning to hold kid’s activities each weekend, as well as a Zumba class on Saturday mornings.” When it comes to the Winter Carnival, vehicle races on the ice are one of the most iconic “The lake hasn’t frozen over a few times since I became a co-chair,” ad-
Bonefire
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mits Duffy. However, this innovative bunch quickly thought up alternative activities. “We started cook-off events, ATV scavenger hunts, marshmallow toasting on the beach, and fireworks every Saturday,” she says. Duffy continues, “We’re very inventive. We’re always looking to do new things just in case we don’t have ice or cold weather.” While the goal of the carnival remains the same, some things change over the years. Duffy explains, “Back in the day, ice skating events used to be a big part of the carnival.” These days, there’s usually a space cleared for free skating, but the most popular events are the outhouse and vehicle races. As Mayor of Lake George Village, Robert Blais is a big supporter of the carnival. “Local stores and businesses look forward to the Winter Carnival on weekends in February for an infusion of money to get them through the long winters,” he says. Mayor Blais estimates that 50 percent of seasonal businesses open back up during carnival weekends. And when it comes to local businesses and the municipality, there’s a lot
Modern Outhouse race.
of cooperation. “The Town and Village work very closely with the carnival committee,” Mayor Blais says. “Last year the new snow sculpture contest was actually sponsored by the Village of Lake George,” he adds. Jim Quirk, President of Shoreline Cruises, offers a seasonal perspective on winter in Lake George. “We start out our winter here on Jan. 1 with the frostbite cruise and after that we prep everything for the Winter Carnival,” he explains. Jim was a member of the planning committee back in the 1970s and now his son, Sean, is involved. When asked how the carnival has changed over the years, Jim says, “It’s similar in a lot of ways, but there’s always something new going on.” Jim’s son Sean, the owner of King Neptune’s Lounge, is evidence of that. Sean says, “This year we’re looking forward to a great Winter Carnival, with many new and exciting events.” He’s already booking bands from all over the northeast and says there’s the possibility for
For decades, motorcycle ice racing has been a popular event at the 2014 Lake George Winter Carnival. Photo by Tim Weatherwax/One Shot Photography
ncliving@suncommunitynews.com
Electric City Riders
a feature national act for Valentine’s Day weekend. “It’s not confirmed yet, so I can’t say who it is,” he alludes. Sean continues, “We’re also planning to hold kid’s activities each weekend, as well as a Zumba class on Saturday mornings.” When it comes to the Winter Carnival, vehicle races on the ice are one of the most iconic (and popular) events. Joe Angelo, Vice President of the motorcycle club Electric City Riders, has been involved with the Winter Carnival ice races for
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nearly 30 years. Joe explains that the non-profit club was brought in as Winter Carnival entertainment many years ago and they drew such big crowds that they’ve been coming back every year. Joe emphasizes that the on-ice motorcycle races are undoubtedly an extreme sport, but the excitement only adds to their appeal. Joe is quick to differentiate between excitement and danger, however. He says, “Safety is our utmost concern, with over 1,000 spectators and 200 riders, we don’t take any chances. We won’t how up unless there are 16-18 inches of ice.”
Angelo explains that the Motorcycle and ATV races are free and that adds to their draw for families spending a wintery weekend in Lake George. And Joe says the races just keep getting more popular, “It was very, very cold this past year, but we still had 1,000 spectators on the ice.” He continues, “We’re a family-oriented motorcycle club and the carnival is a family-oriented event, so we pair well together.” As the first snow begins to fall and many businesses go in to hibernation, the work of the Win-
ter Carnival committee is only beginning. As the event gears up for its 55th year, it promises to be better than ever. Mayor Blais says it best: “People love to come to Lake George and this event gives them a reason to do that each winter.”
Snowmobile race
Vol. 4 No. 4 | North Country Living Magazine | 83
New York Buy Local in...
Adirondack General Store Adirondack, N.Y. 899 East Shore Drive
Q. (NCL) Why would you say it’s important to shop locally? (Robert Diaz, co-owner) Shopping locally means more of your money is spent on purchases from other local business and farms, which helps improve the local economy and viability of the area. Local businesses support local nonprofit organizations much more than national businesses which means these small but important projects have a chance to grow and succeed. Local businesses provide better customer service and individual attention to their customers’ needs. Most importantly, we live here, we have a personal interest in the health of the community!
A.
North Country Holds Abundant Holiday Shopping Options By John Gereau
As the holiday season again rolls around, family members and friends will head to stores, restaurants and other favorite venues in search of gifts for each other. Big box stores, like Walmart, and online retailers, like Amazon, will undoubtedly be the consumer choice for many gifts. But, savvy North Country gift seekers know there is a wonderland of unique local shopping that allows people to spend their dollars in the communities they live, work and play in. When people eat and dine locally, they make a positive impact on the community’s overall economic picture. The coffee bought from the local java house; French fries eaten at the corner diner; Clothing items purchased off the racks of the popular boutique. All of it adds up in a major way. Multiple studies have shown dollars spent at locally owned businesses are much more likely to be recycled back into the local economy as compared to ones spent at national retail chains. In recent years, merchants and customers alike have started rallying around the idea of “Shopping Local.” There are a plethora of ways to support North Country small businesses. One initiative, Small Business Saturday, will take place Nov. 28. The national effort encourages shoppers to patronize local small businesses. As part of the broader effort to drop shoppers in on the great items to be discovered locally, North Country Living sought insight from a handful of area business owners and entrepreneurs: the folks who help make the North Country such a special place to do business all year round, but in particular during the holidays. 86 | North Country Living Magazine | Vol. 4 No. 4
A.
Q. What is unique about your business?
The Adirondack General Store has been in the same building since 1855. While it has changed over the years, the old soda fountain counter, the safe and the 1887 ledger from when it was a company store for the local tannery are still here! It continues to be a family run business and share the values of the folks who started it.
Q. Can you share a few ways you strive to make your business
A. As owners we are constantly looking for unique items to sell in stand out in comparison to larger retailers?
the store. In our restaurant we cook all our meals to order and from scratch. Many of our dishes are our own time tested recipes!
A.
Q. How do you focus on providing great customer service?
Our goal is to treat our customers like family (those you love!) We go the extra mile to please our customers and approach customer service with the golden rule in mind.
Q. What’s one product you sell that gets a lot of attention
A. We have some great items made by small businesses. Our during the holiday season?
upcycled mittens and hats are a big hit and warm and toasty for the winter months! Another big seller is goat milk soap made by a couple that raise the goats and make the soaps on their farm. Something we added this year is local farm products from a neighbor who started her farm last year. We carry her farm fresh eggs, mushrooms and other produce and now her free range chicken and rabbit meat!
ncliving@suncommunitynews.com
Warrensburg Chamber of Commerce
3839 Suite 2 Main St, Warrensburg N.Y. 12885
Hours: Tuesday – Friday 9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m Website/Facebook: www. warrensburgchamber.com or visit us on Facebook at Warrensburg Chamber of Commerce. This store features a wide variety of artisan gifts, rustic furniture and many other handcrafted items. Conveniently located in Warrensburg, first-timers and frequent customers alike, will enjoy a stop in the popular store during a day out in the community.
A.
Q. (NCL) Why would you say it’s important to shop locally?
(Candice Healy, Chamber President) When you choose to spend money at a local business that money stays within your community, strengthening your local economy and improving the tax base with commensurate benefits to schools and municipal services. Beyond fiscal concerns, many small businesses help define what the community is and without them the community loses some of its’ unique identity. What would Warrensburg be without Oscars Smoke House or Jacob & Tony’s? Additionally, when small businesses thrive they often contribute to the non-profits in the area which in turn improve the community.
A. We ask for feedback from our members and our community on Q. How do you focus on providing great customer service?
items. Conveniently located in Warrensburg, first-timers and frequent customers alike, will enjoy a stop in the popular store during a day out in the community. Q. (NCL) Why would you say it’s important to shop locally? (Kim Moore, Owner - Chief Optimist) Shopping locally is the best way to show pride in our town. We are your neighbors, making an investment in the local communities’ future and welfare....Supporting all of us.
A. A.
Q. What is unique about your business?
Deadwood Mountain offers a blend of unique works created by Native Artisans, inspired by nature and the Adirondacks. We have something for everyone.
Q. Can you share a few ways you strive to make your business
A. We feature many handmade, one of a kind gifts and home stand out in comparison to larger retailers?
decor not found in the larger retailers or on line. Small business is the backbone of the American economy.
A.
Q. How do you focus on providing great customer service?
It’s simple, we are passionate about our products and take the time to get to know our customers, providing stellar customer service with convenient hours and easy access. We are open year round and ship world wide.
Q. What’s one product you sell that gets a lot of attention during
A. By far, Ed Levin Jewelry is the Holiday favorite. Hand crafted the holiday season?
in Upstate N.Y., Ed Levin creates outstanding designs using the finest materials. A cherished keepsake for anyone.
how we can improve the chamber and our events, as well as continuously trying to develop innovative new benefits.
Q. What’s one product you sell that gets a lot of attention during the holiday season? The Chamber produces one event that gets a lot of attention during the holiday season. We have our Buy Local Saturday November 28th. This event promotes buying local by featuring sales at participating businesses throughout town. We provide shoppers a map of the participating businesses, each of which also display Buy Local signage in their establishment. Patrons of local businesses can pick up raffle tickets at each location they shop at that day. The more you shop the more chances you get to enter our prize drawings which cap off the celebration that night at George Henry’s.
LoTus Thrift
A.
Deadwood Mountain Trading Company
3873 Main St., Warrensburg, N.Y. Deadwood Mountain Trading Company owner Kim Moore is surrounded by many of the gift items and rustic furniture for sale in the newly opened Adirondack store.
Hours: Sunday - noon -4 p.m.; Monday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday — 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Tuesday, Wednesday - Closed. This store features a wide variety of artisan gifts, rustic furniture and many other handcrafted nclmagazine.com
3873 Main St., Warrensburg, N.Y. facebook.com/LoTus-Thrift-693541790754083 LoTus Thrift is conveniently located along Main Street Warrensburg. It has women’s, men’s and children’s clothing, including plus sizes. In addition, the store sells a range of accessories, household items and unexpected treasures. Q. (NCL) Why would you say it’s important to shop locally? (Kiara Lama, owner) If you support local businesses then it means you are enabling one of the aspects of a strong community, and shows faith in your fellow man.
A.
A. We have a variety of items at affordable prices. Q. What is unique about your business?
Q. Can you share a few ways you strive to make your business
A. Each item is unique and represents a different era and design. Q. How do you focus on providing great customer service? A. We always try to consider what need the customer is trying to stand out in comparison to larger retailers?
fill and how they might be satisfied with the item.
Q. What’s one product you sell that gets a lot of attention during the holiday season? We have a good selection of holiday-themed clothes that seem quite popular recently.
A.
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North Country ARTS’ Art in Chestertown Gallery
6378 state Route 9 Chestertown, N.Y. 12817
Summer Hours: Friday – Sunday, 11a.m. - 5 p.m. Spring and October – January: Weekends, 1 1a.m. - 5 p.m. Closed: January - April Q. (NCL) Why would you say it’s important to shop locally? (Fred Holman, Gallery Coordinator) Shopping locally supports and builds the economic health of community, its citizens.
A.
Q. What is unique about your business? The Art in Chestertown Gallery provides art and crafts by local artists. You can find work from well -established artists or from those just starting their art career. Exhibits are 4 to 6 weeks long with new work showings at each exhibit.
A.
Q. Can you share a few ways you strive to make your business
local community. WE have over 240 members with 30 – 40 members showing at each exhibit.
A.
Q. How do you focus on providing great customer service?
The gallery is staffed by volunteer artists who know the about the work in the gallery. They can explain the work and usually know the other artists personally. Each piece is wrapped to protect it during the trip home.
Q. What’s one product you sell that gets a lot of attention during the holiday season? Q. Jewelry is always popular, but last year we sold five paintings that were meant as gifts. Learn more about the gallery: www.northcountryarts.org.
Caldwell Country Store
3249 Lakeshore Drive Lake George, N.Y.
Winter hours Monday through Sunday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.. Closed Tuesdays. Call for a special time or requests. Facebook: Caldwell Country Store LLC This quaint country store offers a splendid selection of local products and flowers. Q. (NCL) Why would you say it’s important to shop locally? (Hildy Monroe, manager) To keep the local economy growing,
A. Our Gallery provides one- of-a-kind items that come from the A. stand out in comparison to larger retailers?
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ncliving@suncommunitynews.com
to help keep the younger generation in this area rather than relocating for jobs.
Q. What is unique about your business? Willing to try new and unique products including unique fruits and vegetables for example husk cherries. Q. Can you share a few ways you strive to make your business stand out in comparison to larger retailers? We strive to have the one on one contact with our customers. Treating each customers as an individual. We want to be there and interact with the customers, delivery available, and carry out service. Special request are welcomed.
A.
A. A.
Q. How do you focus on providing great customer service?
Customer service starts with a greeting as they walk in the door and sometime opening the door for them. Customers service is where you help the customers with their shopping, smiling and being helpful and pleasant is the key to getting them back to your store.
Q. What’s one product you sell that gets a lot of attention
A. As, we are a new store we have not yet determined but hoping during the holiday season?
A.
We are a true, new start up, Veteran-owned and operated business. We take pride in our community and aim to help improve the overall small-town shopping experience in North Creek. By supporting and encouraging the addition of other small businesses in the community we can all be more successful overall.
Q. Can you share a few ways you strive to make your business
A.
stand out in comparison to larger retailers? Our customers are thrilled to find out that we make our own fresh fudge on-site. Our free samples assure them of the quality of our product and we love the instant feedback! We are creating relationships and hopefully memories that will keep them coming back for the experience as well as our fudge.
A.
Q. How do you focus on providing great customer service?
We offer an old-time, mom-and-pop store type of experience for our customers providing personal service and truly trying to get to know them. Our customers range from local friends and neighbors to tourists from all over the Northeast. Each and every customer is important to us.
Q. What’s one product you sell that gets a lot of attention
A. This will be our first holiday season in business, but no doubt during the holiday season?
our varieties of fudge will be a popular and unique gift to share with friends and families especially as a treat for those holiday parties. Holiday packaging is sure to be a big hit!
that locally hand made crafts and that being a local store to sell Christmas trees.
La Chute Plaza
Moose Mud Fudge & Sweet Shop
Corner of Montcalm & Lake George Ave.-Ticonderoga
Hours: Winter Hours are Thursday - Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. If you are in search of items such as unique crafts, rare objects or a fine dining sets, consider stopping by La Chute Plaza. The resale shop opened in 2015 and seems to always be adding to its inventory, which appeals to a broad spectrum of consumers.
251 Main St., North Creek
Moose Mud Fudge — Bear claws freshly made at our shop with pecans, caramel, chocolate fudge and cashew “claws” are a customer favorite and will make a uniquely Adirondack, holiday treat.
This shop debuted in 2015 and has become a popular new fixture of downtown North Creek. Top features include soft serve ice cream, maple products, novelty candy, and of course, fudge. Learn more about the company online, visit www.moosemudfudge.com. Hours: Varies by season Website: www.moosemudfudge.com
A.
Q. (NCL) Why would you say it’s important to shop locally?
(Deborah Neal, Owner) Shopping locally is one of the best ways to support and take pride in your community. Not only are you supporting small business owners, but you are also supporting jobs for your friends and neighbors. We are very happy to provide part time jobs to local students who might otherwise not have opportunities for local employment.
Q. What is unique about your business? nclmagazine.com
A.
Q. (NCL) Why would you say it’s important to shop locally?
(Darlene Dorsett, owner) Keep the community we have and hopefully entice new business to start up.
A.
Q. What is unique about your business?
Small resale consignment shop helping locals buy and sell their items.
Q. Can you share a few ways you strive to make your business
A. We keep it friendly, professional, the hands on touch. Down stand out in comparison to larger retailers?
home atmosphere.
Q. How do you focus on providing great customer service? CONTINUED ON PAGE 90
Vol. 4 No. 4 | North Country Living Magazine | 89
A. We are always smiling and searching for items that customers
quality furnishings for sale. Lisa and Edward Marks recently opened North Woods Bread Co. and Pine Cone Mercantile along Main Street, which is also known as U.S. Route 9
are looking for. We like to cater to our customers.
Q. What’s one product you sell that gets a lot of attention
A. This will be our first holiday season we hope we have something during the holiday season?
for that hard to buy for person on your list.
Decker’s Flats Floral Shop & Greenhouse
Port Henry, NY 2923 Dugway Road
Jim Cunningham leads Decker’s Flats Floral Shop & Greenhouse in Port Henry. For years, it has offered a wide selection of flowers, plants, gifts, and more. Find the company online at www. deckersflatsfloralshop.com.
Q. (NCL) Why would you say it’s important to shop locally? (Jim Cunningham, owner) If you are shopping at chain stores, your money is going outside of the community.
A. A.
Q. What is unique about your business?
Each arrangement is an individual piece. They are one of a kind. The Green house: Plants are locally produced.
Q. Can you share a few ways you strive to make your business
A. . We can provide service to our customers on how to care for stand out in comparison to larger retailers?
Q. (NCL) Why would you
say it’s important to shop locally? (Lisa Hess-Marks; Proprietor) Shopping Local helps promote healthy small towns in the Adirondack Park, and provides a reason for businesses to stay open year-round!
A. A.
Q. What is unique about your business?
At Pine Cone Mercantile, we have created a cozy, home-like atmosphere in our store that highlights how your home can be decorated! We are constantly searching for new, unique items that fit the “spirit” of Adirondack rustic design… but with a new, modern twist! In addition, North Woods Bread Company, our bread bakery, bakes and sells fresh bread in the back of the store Thursday through Monday… so our store smells AMAZING!
Q. Can you share a few ways you strive to make your business stand out in comparison to larger retailers? At Pine Cone Mercantile, you will be greeted every day by the owners! We have a passion for what we do and we think that shows in the smiles on our faces! It also shows the unique variety of handselected merchandise!
A. A.
Q. How do you focus on providing great customer service?
During the holiday season, it is our goal to offer our customers personalized service and ease-of-shopping. We will have giftgiving items displayed by price ranges or interests (such as gardening or fishing.) And we will be there to offer personal assistance any way we can!
the plant or item after they have purchased the item, along with delivery for our products
A.
Q. How do you focus on providing great customer service?
By providing information to keep customers informed on what they are buying.
Riverside Gallery
Q. What’s one product you sell that gets a lot of attention
2 Elm St., Warrensburg, N.Y.
A.
during the holiday season? Our wreaths are handmade on the premises, centerpieces are unique, Holiday arrangements, Gift items that are sourced by a fair trade organization
Hours: MondaySaturday 10 a.m. -5 p.m. In search of a place to frame that special print before your holiday gift giving period ends? Want to find handcrafted jewelry, a handbag, unique home accessories and a variety of prints for every decor. The Riverside Gallery in
Pine Cone Mercantile and North Woods Bread Co.
Schroon Lake 1079 Main Street
Hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Wednesday thru Monday Facebook: www.facebook.com/PineConeMercantile Schroon Lake’s two latest businesses have customers salivating over tasty breads, and nodding their heads with approval over the 90 | North Country Living Magazine | Vol. 4 No. 4
Warrensburg may be your spot.
A.
Q. (NCL) Why would you say it’s important to shop locally?
(Sue Brenz, framer and buyer) It’s always good to shop locally. It benefits everyone in the community so that we all can be successful and thrive at what we love doing. For many, it’s a closer drive than getting to a “big box” store. ncliving@suncommunitynews.com
A. What makes our business unique is our combination of Q. What is unique about your business?
excellent quality picture framing services along with a place to shop for that “special” gift. We offer an array of many locally-made products including jewelry, pottery, scarves, and furniture/home accessories to name a few.
Q. Can you share a few ways you strive to make your business
A. We believe it is our outstanding customer service that sets us stand out in comparison to larger retailers?
apart from larger retailers. In addition, the business has been here for over 40 years and is still family-owned. Our staff is really friendly and highly experienced, especially when it comes to picture framing. It is a testament to our quality and creativity that much of our business is from returning customers. We are always able to problem solve when it comes to any unusual projects. We also offer the highest quality materials available in the industry.
Q. What’s one product you sell that gets a lot of attention
A.
during the holiday season? No one specific item gets attention with our holiday shoppers, but jewelry is always a big seller along with scarves (felted, wool, silk, etc.) Frasier Fir candle products also do well for us. Most people come in and find something “unexpected” to purchase, and really appreciate that so many of our products are locally made. Visit this Warrensburg shopping staple online at www.riversidegallery.com.
Mario’s
Lake George 429 Canada St.
A fixture since 1954, this familyfriendly kitchen prepares Italian favorites & a breakfast buffet. Hours: Open thru October Thursday thru Monday at 4 p,.m. Closed month of November. Reopen on Dec. 3, Thursday through Monday at 4 p.m.
A.
Q. (NCL) Why would you say it’s important to shop locally?
(Paul Nichols, owner) Shopping locally is always a good idea because it keeps the local economy growing. What doesn’t go around doesn’t come around.
Q. Can you share a few ways you strive to make your business
A. Mario’s offer many unique menu items not found on a lot of stand out in comparison to larger retailers?
independent restaurant menus, let alone the big box restaurants. The entree list includes staple items such as Shrimp Terzetto, Chicken Sorrentino and Baked Stuff Shrimp. CONTINUED ON PAGE 92
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Vol. 4 No. 4 | North Country Living Magazine | 91
A. In this type of business, communication with your kitchen staff Q. How do you focus on providing great customer service?
and your servers will always give you consistent service. Additionally, keeping your employee turnover low will also give your customers a familiar face when they come in again.
Q. What’s one product you sell that gets a lot of attention
A. It’s probably Mario’s Hot Antipasto. This specialty item, during the holiday season?
consisting of shrimp scampi, clams casino, eggplant parmigiana and stuffed mushrooms, gets a lot of attention. Check out Mario’s by visiting its website at marioslakegeorge.com.
Chazy Orchards 9486 U.S. Route 9 Chazy, N.Y.
Hours: 6:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., 7 days per week Website: chazyorchards. com Chazy Orchards, a familyowned company in heart of the Champlain Valley, has earned its reputation as a top apple producer. Annually, it produces nearly 300,000 bushels of the finest apples in the world, as its website notes. Gift options include not only apples, but delicious pies. Visit orchard operator online at www.chazy.com.
A.
Q. (NCL) Why would you say
A. (Patrick Walsh, Owner) It’s it’s important to shop locally?
important to shop locally, when possible and when it fits your wants/needs, because it helps sustain already tricky local Adirondack economies, which are seasonal in nature. Locals can contribute in big ways simply by supporting businesses in their towns and surrounding towns, which massively helps even out the ebbs and flows of a tourismbased economy. This makes it easier for businesses to staff and strategically plan, and ultimately serve their customers better all year.
A. We are the only cafe in the Park to serve Counter Culture Q. What is unique about your business?
Coffee, considered by many to be one of the world’s best sourcers and roasters of specialty coffee. We take particular care in coffee and espresso preparation in-house, and offer an unparalleled coffee experience within the Blue Line.
Q. Can you share a few ways you strive to make your business
A. We stand out because we are locally owned, locally operated stand out in comparison to larger retailers?
and focus on quality over quantity and scale. We listen to our regular, local customers for input, and thus are able to cater to their needs and desires with a much more personal level of attention than a large retailer.
Q. (NCL) What is unique about your business?
(Cindy Dominy, Farm Market Manager) We source the majority of our products locally. Whether they are made in the kitchen, picked in the orchard, or brought in from the surrounding areas we strive to support local and showcase all of those items in the store.
A.
Q. How do you focus on providing great customer service?
Everyone who walks into the Chazy Orchards Farm Market is greeted with a welcome. We strive to make each customers experience at our Farm Market the best that it can be.
Q. What’s one product you sell that gets a lot of attention during
A. Our gift baskets are a hot item around the holidays. We fill
The Community Store
97 Main St., Saranac Lake, N.Y.
Hours: Daily 9:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.; Thursday until 7 p.m; Sunday 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. The Community Store in Saranac Lake provides customers a unique environment to purchase clothing, household items and other unique gifts.
the holiday season?
them with our own products such as sweet treats, fudge, honey, and apples.
SubAlpine Coffee
Keene Valley, 1767 Route 73
The high peaks business is a popular spot for its specialty coffees, teas and local foods. Its also a great place to spend time with friends and family, and to connect with new people. Visit the coffee house online at www.subalpinecoffee.com. Sub Alpine Coffee — Owner and lead barista Patrick Walsh presents a freshly ground and prepared caffe latte in his new establishment in the heart of the High Peaks.
92 | North Country Living Magazine | Vol. 4 No. 4
Q. (NCL) Why would you
say it’s important to shop locally? (Craig Waters, general manager) The store offers local residents an alternative to long distance trips to big box stores. It helps keep dollars in town, which in turn helps businesses like ours reinvest in other local businesses.
A.
Q. Can you share a few ways you strive to make your business
A. The Community Store is a small department store in Saranac stand out in comparison to larger retailers?
Lake offering basic apparel for the family and home essentials. We are unique because the funds to open this business were raised
ncliving@suncommunitynews.com
over a five-year-period, selling shares to local residents and homeowners. It was a true grassroots project with many volunteers by so many residents
A.
Q. How do you focus on providing great customer service?
We try to find a variety of times that may not always be found or available in big box store locations. We seek to offer good variety in a space-challenged store. Locally made products help to round out our offerings and products that are made in the U.S. are always a valuable addition when we can find them. We have a very small staff that works hard together in making our customers feel valued. We recognize a smile and a warm greeting go a long way in promoting future visits to our store.
Q. What’s one product you sell that gets a lot of attention
A.
stand out in comparison to larger retailers? We are a family operated company. That means that we are wholeheartedly invested in making each experience at our shop a positive and memorable one. Sampling is a big part of our business. Our motto is always “Try before you buy” and allowing our customers to do so, takes the pressure off of them knowing whether they will enjoy their purchase or not. It makes “specialty” olive oil and vinegar less intimidating.
A.
Q. How do you focus on providing great customer service?
We pride ourselves on having a very knowledgeable and outgoing staff. We are always available to answer questions, provide pairing selections for our products and guide people who may not be familiar with our products to try new things.
Q. What’s one product you sell that gets a lot of attention
during the holiday season? A. Our “homegrown” items and products made in New York A. During the holidays we sell a significant amount of gift baskets. State are great gifts to give (or buy for yourself). Our clothes and during the holiday season?
books are also consistent hits during the gift giving season. Go online to learn more about the store, visit www.communitystore.org. The Community Store in Saranac Lake offers shoppers a unique environment to purchase clothing, household items and other unique gifts.
This allows people to select various flavors of oil and vinegar and complimenting gifts while staying within different price points and having it wrapped beautifully for them.
The Country Moose
209 Broadway, Whitehall N.Y.
Lake George Olive Oil Company
283 Canada St. Lake George, N.Y. 12845 and 179 Glen St. Glens Falls, N.Y. 12801
Hours: Thursday Through Monday 11 am to at least 5 pm (Lake George). Glens Falls location opening November 2015, hours to be determined. Facebook: https://w w w.facebook .com/ lakegeorgeoliveoil
Q. (NCL) Why would you say it’s
A. (Carmela Mastrantoni, owner) important to shop locally?
When you shop locally you support families and communities. That dollar means so much more than at a larger chain store.
A.
Q. What is unique about your
business? Lake George Olive Oil Company is a family owned and operated business that provides over 50 flavors of extra virgin olive oil and aged balsamic vinegar from around the world. The selection is always changing and growing, and best of all you can try any of them in a beautiful and relaxed environment before you decide to make a purchase. We also provide excellent pairings and specialty items to accompany these oils and vinegars like sea salts, dipping seasonings, pestos, jams and grilling sauces.
Q. Can you share a few ways you strive to make your business nclmagazine.com
Phone: (518) 701-3990 facebook.com/The-Country-Moose
Q. (NCL) Why would you say it’s
A.
important to shop locally? (Loanne Frasier, owner) It is important to shop local to give back to the community in which you live and/ or do business. Local people like to shop without having to travel far and get good quality products. Q. What is unique about your business? We try to carry different items that you do not find at mass retailers or that everyone carries. The handmade items are all created by myself - hand made, decorated, painted and made with good quality items. Q. Can you share a few ways you strive to make your business stand out in comparison to larger retailers? We cater to our returning friends and customers and encourage them to bring family and friends along on their next visit. If there is something a customer may request or need, I try very hard to meet that need or create a one of a kind item for them. Q. How do you focus on providing great customer service? We are friendly at the Moose first and foremost and make all our customers feel like they are our only one! We strive to maintain the best quality in the products we carry and produce. Being a small store we cannot carry everything, but will go above and beyond to meet all requests. Q. What’s one product you sell that gets a lot of attention during the holiday season? Our most popular item by far is our hand-painted ornaments we personalize and box for free on site. They are traditions to give as gifts and our customers look forward to the new designs each year. Special requests are always taken, we have several customers that buy these for their furry friends. We even have a line of minis for people with small trees. Vol. 4 No. 4 | North Country Living Magazine | 93
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Vol. 4 No. 4 | North Country Living Magazine | 95
Vermont Shop Local in...
By Lou Varricchio
Wright Choice Alpacas, Hubbardton, Vt.
Wright Choice Alpacas was founded to breed and raise quality alpacas. To back up that claim, farm owner Deb Wright returned home to Vermont last week with a fistful of choice awards at the 2015 New England Big E fair in Springfield, Mass. “Our farm is situated on property that has been in the family for the better part of a century,” according to owner Deb Wright. “Our operation harvests alpaca fleece and we sell it and some of the alpacas themselves.” Wright returned to Big E competition after a few years absence. Among the Vermont alpaca ranchers at the Big E, Wright Alpacas returned home with the gold—garnering the most awards among the Green Mountain State commercial competition which included other award-winners such as Log Cabin Farm in St. Albans and Maple View Farm in Brandon. Wright’s top performers were the alpacas Darcy and Penelope or simply Penny. Wright’s four-legged, fluffy family members received kudos for their appearance as well as their abil-
96 | North Country Living Magazine | Vol. 4 No. 4
ity to grace fully navigate a series of obstacles which included walking among flowers—without losing a petal—and standing under a spring-loaded umbrella which popped (no critter got spooked). “Penny was a seven-time winner,” Wright says. “In total, we came home with more than $500 in awards. Our alpacas were sound, healthy and happy at the Big E. They and their pedigrees speak of the quality; good solid quality alpacas.” Wright’s Big E honors included: Gray, female, two years and older, halter class, Darcy, Third Place; Open Obstacle, Penelope, Second Place; Open Obstacle: Darncliving@suncommunitynews.com
cy, tied for Sixth Place (however, the tie breaker was not applied; Open Public Relations: Penelope, Second Place; Open Public Relations: Open Public Relations, Darcy, Third Place; Open Showmanship: Deb Wright, Second Place (with Penelope’s assistance); Open Lead Line: Penelope and Knitted Scarf, Deb Wright, Third Place (using yarn from Wright Choice wool); Light Female, Yearling (halter class), Penelope, First; Breeder’s Bred and owned, female (halter class), Penelope, Third place; Walking Fleece (fleece only), Penelope, Sixth Place; and Walking Fleece (fleece only), Darcy, Out of Class. All totalled, Wright Choice nabbed 11 class entries, nine ribbons and premiums. Wright Choice Alpacas has in the last two years added free ranging (pasture) chickens to the farm for eggs. “Our hens produce extra large eggs, some very close to jumbo size light to medium brown eggs,” says Deb Wright. “We have also added local maple syrup gifts and Christmas trees—Vermont grown and freshly harvested—to our farm store which carries alpaca products from raw to finished garments. “The farm is a breeding, boarding and fiber farm that is situated on land my grandfather bought back in the 1930s,” she notes. “Wright Choice Alpacas was founded in 2001 with the purchase of three alpacas. Come on
nclmagazine.com
out and enjoy the country, learn about alpacas if you wish, up close encounters with the animals are often possible. Take a look through our store, and get your eggs for breakfast. Folks mostly pick up your purchases but delivery may be possible, let’s chat about that. “Our plan of operation is to harvest the fleece and to sell it and some of the alpacas themselves. Financing is available and ongoing customer support is a given,” Wright notes. “Our alpacas are sound, healthy and happy. They and their pedigrees speak of the quality. We husband good solid quality alpacas and follow no nonsense business practices. Show, breeding, fleece and pet— maybe we have the alpaca for you.”
Check It Out: For a tour of the farm or to visit
to the Wright Choice Alpacas gift shop, drop by at 161 Howland Rd. in Hubbardton. Please call owner Deb Wright at 802-273-2713 for hours of operation and directions.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 98
Vol. 4 No. 4 | North Country Living Magazine | 97
Fire & Ice Restaurant & Big Moose Pub, Middlebury, Vt.
Middlebury’s landmark restaurant has been in business since 1974. Still locally owned and operated, it’s the upscale establishment bring a date or bring the whole family, which is why the owners look forward to your visit. Fire & Ice is also the home of the popular Big Moose Pub, the fun and casual side of the restaurant. The pub includes daily tasty drink specials, and happy hour discounts on food, and promos. Check out Fire & Ice online for events and activities at the pub. Paris Rinder-Goddard—son of Dale Goddard, one of the founders of Fire & Ice—continues the tradition of Fire & Ice. “We believe in serving the absolute best food, local and regional when possible,” Rinder-Goddard says. “We believe in serving this food in the cleanest, most beautiful setting we can. We believe in providing the best service to you, from 50th anniversaries to celebrating the softball win in our pub. We guarantee our food and service, and want to make every visit perfect.” Fire & Ice has a unique backstory— It was founded by an architect, a cookbook author, a bartender and a waitress in 1974. Back in those days, “The Rockford Files” was a hit series on television, Barbra Streisand’s “The Way We Were” was at the top of the music charts,” and Mel Brooks’ crazy movie comedy, “Young Frankenstein”, was playing at Middlebury’s Marquis Theater. Fire & Ice’s iconic name comes from the work of Middlebury poet, Robert Frost. The words seem to inspire the fire for cooking and the ice for drink mixing that goes on there. In business now for over four decades, Fire & Ice has grown through many renovations to become a landmark dinner house—and even a museum of rare antique and photographic memorabilia—which just happens to serve great food and drinks. Dale and Cindy Goddard (named 2001 VLRA Restaurateurs of the Year) have retired after many years of hard work, however, their personal and professional mark on Middlebury’s highly respected dinnerhouse will live on. As the staff of the restaurant like to say, 98 | North Country Living Magazine | Vol. 4 No. 4
Dale and Cindy have gone fishing. “Our casually elegant and fun atmosphere includes an original 1921 Hackercraft motorboat, World War I wooden airplane propellers and nearly 1000 black and white photos—many from our family, many more gifts from our guests,” says Paris Rinder-Goddard. “We also have original paintings, antique wooden skis, snow shoes, tennis rackets and our library is filled with beautiful old books. Fishing and boating are our family traditions - look for fly rods, canoes, mounted fish, oars, paddles and, of course, photos of the ones we let get away. “We believe that a restaurant is primarily measured by its staff and its patrons. In theses two areas we are blessed with the best. Many of you reading this story have been coming since the mid-1970s. We applaud you; you make us what we are and keep us going. Please enjoy your visit, come back often and bring your friends to share our special restaurant. You will always be welcome here,” he adds.
Check It Out: Fire & Ice in Middlebury, Vt., is an enduring American bar and grill stuffed with old memorabilia & known for prime rib and its salad bar. It’s located in downtown Middlebury at 26 Seymour St, For reservations and details, call 802-388-7166. Fire & ice is open 5– 9 p.m. For an online menu, visit: fireandicerestaurant.com.
Phoenix Books, Rutland, Vt.
Who says the era of brick-and-mortar bookshops is over? Case in point: Vermonters love books and newspapers. The strange fact of it is that several independent bookstores are succeeding in the Green Mountain State when they wouldn’t likely survive elsewhere. Phoenix Books officially opened its doors this year to a crowd of supporters and customers anxious to support the store, independent bookselling and the ongoncliving@suncommunitynews.com
ing revitalization of downtown Rutland. “It has been spectacular addition to downtown and a symbol of the ongoing rebirth of the city at large,” Rutland City Mayor Chris Louras says. “The space, the inventory and the staff will bring new life to Center Street and complement the growing stable of businesses that have contributed to downtown’s renaissance.” “We could not be happier to be in Rutland,” coowner Michael DeSanto says. “The energy and forward momentum in the community are contagious, and have inspired us throughout our journey, from the initial idea to today’s grand opening. It’s a palpable force.” Co-owner Tricia Huebner, also manager of the store, invested in it with her husband, Tom. She says the store’s opening is testament to Rutland’s grit and determination. “Phoenix didn’t come looking for Rutland, Rutland came looking for Phoenix,” Huebner says. “That’s a powerful thing. The collaboration that lead to us to today is unique to Rutland and shows how important it is for a community to work together.” Mike Coppinger, executive director of the Downtown Rutland Partnership, says the store exceeds his expectations. “It’s not only a book store, but a gift shop and a community space,” Coppinger says. “It will be an additional draw to bring people in to shop, and a wonderful new thread in the tapestry of downtown Rutland.” DeSanto and Huebner say the store shelves a wide variety of books for children and adults, Castleton University items, small gifts, toys and calendars.
Check It Out; Phoenix Books Rutland is located at 2 Center St. in Rutland, 802-855-8078. Hours of operation are Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Visit online at www.phoenixbooks.biz/news.
Monroe Street Books, Middlebury, Vt. Monroe Street Books, located next to Paquette Storage on Route 7 in Middlebury, claims the title of being Vermont’s biggest bookstore—new or used. As a result, authors, students, and other book lovers, like to visit the store to browse or find out-of-print research books. You never know who you’re going to bump into in the store’s crowded aisles. Author Stephen L. Harris, professor emeritus of humanities and religious studies at California State University, Sacramento. and author of the popular book, “Exploring the Bible”, confirms Monroe Street’s “biggest” claim. In fact, Harris is a loyal customer. “Best nclmagazine.com
bookstore in the state,” he said. Actually, the big bookstore got its little start downtown during the 1990s, when it was located in a small red barn on Monroe Street; it quickly outgrew itself, requiring a move to roomier digs. Counting the store’s current inventory, on shelves and in surrounding, protected storage sheds—a rough estimate of 100,000-plus volumes—there are probably more books in the Middlebury store than in the UVM Bailey Howe Library, the state’s largest library. Bookstore owners Dick and Flanzy Chodkowski said that a recently acquired collection of books pertaining to Vermont—authors, histories, stories, poems, you name it—has contributed to a healthy, new uptick in customers. “Summer is also a time we see a big influx of new stock,” Dick said. “It’s the season people move, have estate sales, downsize. This summer’s donations and purchases have been especially heavy, but we always have an eye out for the more unusual material.” The Chodkowskis are adding their Vermont-themed books to the store’s bulging shelves but admittedly have books—like stacked up passenger jets waiting to land at JFK—in multiple aisles. As a result, they are knocking 50 percent off the Vermontiana section instore until Aug. 15. “We see the same visitors returning year after year. Our store has become a must-stop for book-lovers,” Chodkowski said. Monroe Street Books is located 1485 Route 7, two miles north of downtown Middlebury. Open MondaySaturday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m., and Sundays, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Books are online at www.monroestreetbooks.com and a visit to the store’s Facebook page can get you a special weekly newsletter.
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NORTH POLE Nestled in the woods in the small town of Wilmington NY is a workshop where Santa’s elves are hard at work year-round
Santa, watch a Nativity Play, and touch the frozen North Pole all year round opened in 1949. Today the park continues to provide a classic Christmas experience with holiday lights and traditions within the picturesque village that becomes a little brighter with Santa’s jolly laughter and miracle of Christmas children come to find at the North Pole. “There are two types of guests, families with their children and adults who come back for the nostalgia,” said “Head Elf” and General Manager of Santa’s Workshop Jason Bock. “This is very much a nostalgic park that delivers an old time Christmas feel.” The park is located in North Pole, NY, outside of Wilmington, and is celebrated as Santa’s summer retreat and a place for his reindeer and elves to warm their frozen bones. Despite the park being Santa’s summer home, Bock said the Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday season is full of joy, holiday spirit and lots to do for the park elves. “Santa’s busiest time of year is right after Thanksgiving,” Bock said. “We recommend people get in line early to see Santa.” The North Pole closed after the summer season and will reopen for Winter Weekends beginning on Nov. 21 through Dec. 20. During the Winter Weekends the park will be open Satur-
By Katherine Clark Ross
Santa’s Workshop, the first of its kind theme park and Christmas village where people of the North Country came to meet
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day through Sunday, including Friday Nov. 27, from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The first weekend the park reopens is military appreciation weekend and active duty service members and their families will have free admission. Regular park admission is $11.99 for patrons of all ages and children age 2 and younger are free. The park will also be open for a special evening event, the Village of Lights, during the three days leading up to Christmas. The classic village will be lit up with Christmas lights, potentially under a blanket of snow. The Village of Lights which will run Dec. 21 through 23 from 4:30 to 8 p.m. Bock said the park takes on a brilliant glow during the evening festivities. Guests can feed the reindeer and get the chance to tell their Christmas wishes to Santa and see a Nativity Pageant presentation set on the
village hillside. The parks rides will be open during the Winter Weekends. The Candy Cane Express holiday train or the Christmas Carousel where children can take a ride on one of Santa’s reindeer are designed for children of all ages. Other rides better suited for smaller guests include Santa’s Sleigh Coaster, a mini five-car roller coaster, a bobsled ride, the mini Ferris wheel, the red and white peppermint swing, or a Christmas tree ride where kids can ride in ornaments. Bock said many of the rides won’t be operating during the Village of Lights evening festivities but guests can ride a reindeer on the Christmas carousel after having a cup of hot chocolate. Many of the village shops will also be open during the Village of Lights continued on page 104
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he said. For children of all sizes who have outgrown the rides, the little shops in the village offer interactive activities and lessons. “You can learn how to make candy at the candy shop, you make your own candle you can take home with you in the candle shop, and the toy maker at the toy shop will help kids put together and decorate a toy,” Bock said. “There are a lot of opportunities for hands on activities. The slightly older kids can definitely have some fun too.” The other inhabitants of the Christmas village will come out to play and interact with the smallest to oldest visitors. Tannenbaum, the talking Christmas tree will be readily waiting for guests to come and talk to him and ask him questions. “Tannenbaum is magic, we can’t explain how he talks to people,”
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Bock said. “It’s all part of how this park works.” Tannenbaum will be joined by beloved nursery rhyme characters like Little Red Riding Hood, Rowdy the Reindeer and other characters in the Mother Goose nursey rhymes. The characters go with the children on rides and for walks in the park. “Really it’s Christmas everyday here,” Bock said. “Santa is here all day and so are
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the Mother Goose characters. For a small park we can offer a lot of interaction you can’t find at larger theme parks.” Inside the park’s Memory Lane Museum the impact of the small theme park is laid out to show a time when the North Pole didn’t just bring Christmas to the visitors of the park but the joy of Christmas traveled by air to orphanages. Bock said the reindeer and Santa’s sleigh was given a vacation and Santa’s “Silver Sleigh” a C-46 airplane took the presents to those
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who needed it most through Santa’s Operation Toylift. Santa’s Operation Toylift delivered gifts to underprivileged children in northern New York and Vermont with pilot Julian Reiss. According to materials in the museum, within six years the “Silver Sleigh,” provided by ESSO Standard Oil of New Jersey, enabled the expansion of Operation Toylift over 13 states, the District of Columbia and two Canadian provinces making 34 stops at major airports delivering over ten tons of presents to orphaned children. continued on page 106
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Workshop inspired version the board game Candy Land and original park merchandise and photos. He said Christmas may come from the North Pole, but it’s nice that people at the park were able to bring it to new distances. Bock said the park was not only the first theme park to open in the United States, but the park’s petting zoo, which opened July 1, 1949, was the first petting zoo. “Much of what you see in the park is all original or otherwise restored,” Bock said. “It adds to the charm that keeps people coming back to see a piece of history.”
For more information about the park visit the park’s website www.northpoleny.com or call (518) 946-2211
The park was created with major artistic influence from Arto Monaco, a well-known artist and designer from Upper Jay who helped cre create parks around the country including Disney Disneyworld in Orlando, Florida and the former Land of Make Believe in Upper Jay. The original park buildings in the lower part of the park were designed by Monaco. The famous artist’s signature canstyle can be seen in the can dy shop, the hat shop, the blacksmith shop, the clock tower and Santa’s house where he meets the children to hear what they want for Christmas. The Nativity Pageant, the story of the first Christmas, was first introduced in 1954. The pageant is held on the hillside above Saint Nicholas’ chapel.
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Sawdust in the Blood
The story of one Adirondack family’s devotion to the logging industry By Laura Achouatte
Curtis Richards and oldest son, Jason, 3rd and 4th generation loggers
T
here just has to be “sawdust in your blood.” That’s the lingering phrase that kept repeating in my head, after interviewing third generation logger, Curtis Richards, also known as Curt. Richards a longtime resident of Johnsburg, has worked in the industry for around 30 years now; his father, Lawrence Richards, and grandfather, Ralph Millington, veteran loggers, introduced Curt into the business as a child accompanying them to the family sawmill. Richards’ brother, Bruce Richards, owns his own logging
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business out of Tupper Lake. And the sawdust doesn’t stop there. His own sons, three of the four, have all worked with Curt at some point or another, one of them, Jason Richards, has even begun his own company, Jason Richards Logging, LLC out of Newcomb in the past few years. That makes a family tradition of logging occupations spanning across four generations, and all within the Adirondacks. The logging industry dates back to the 1600s, starting off in the New England area, when lumber was needed as a resource for the English to build ships and transport back to England. After the civil war, the industry was important to the Reconstruction Era, in which America’s cities began to be built or rebuilt. By the 1800’s the timber supply was exhausted in the lower regions of New England, and the Catskill and Adirondack areas of New York became important areas for the needed supply of lumber. This led to the building and expansion of cities, including Albany to New York City. perFrom an Adirondack native per spective, the histories of the river drives and the logging camps are what comes to mind as we think of this expansion era, but what is not often thought of is the tantan Northneries that moved into the North east because of the vast Hemlock supply found in the Adirondacks. This is where the Richards family came into the industry of logging. “My grandfather, Ralph, started cutting Hemlock out near Wells in the 30s. The guys would get wagonloads of Hemlock bark to supply to the tanneries. That practice eventually led to the near depletion of HemHem lock trees in the area,” said Richards. Curt’s grandfather worked at harvesting Hemlock for its bark, for the tannic acid that it produced, to supply to tanneries that created the leather products that were important to a range of products. From saddles to boots, leather was also in demand. Hemlock bark was later replaced by chemical salts that provided the tanning agent needed. However, the Hemlock had been reduced from thirty percent to ten percent by that time, as Adirondack Museum logging expert, Bill Hall, relayed to me in an interview.
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In the first half of the 1900s, when most of the timber was used to make lumber for building, a lot of the tree went to waste. Richards informed me, “About sixty percent of the tree was used then. It was squared up and maybe some chips may be used for animal bedding and such. But, these days the entire tree is used-it’s made into paper, mulch, firewood, and it’s used for building.” Uses and mindset for the industry have changed over time, especially after 1950 when the last river drive had been done. Machines and trucks made the process and transport easier. Instead of the clear cutting that led to the preservation areas of “forever wild” forests, logging is done selectively to promote better growth and sustainability. “It all ties together- practices then to present- falling trees and getting them out of the woods is the same rather with horses or machines. You travel where there’s least resistance. All the land I log has been logged already,” said Richards. “Later, my grandfather owned a saw mill out near Wells, and employed at least thirty people back in the 40s and 50s. They’d used horses to skid the logs to the mill, and they’d do everything right there. My dad grew up doing this-he spent much of his life in the saw mill. I was five or six years old when my father started to take me to the saw mill. I always thought, it smells
Curt, his wife, Kelly and grandson, Sam at his home in Johnsburg.
good to cut wood. I guess it was just in my blood to do this,” Richards recalls. Richards’ grandfather, Ralph Millington, also owned the Millington Lumber Company in North Creek, a lumber retail business, which has long been out of business. The local laundry mat in North Creek now stands where the business had been. All seasons are important to the process of logging, and historically, each season had its purpose. However, winter time is riva crucial part of the process. With the riv er drives, the frozen rivers were used to spread out the cut timber to be floated in the spring down river. According to Curt Richards, the season is just as important to a modern day logger and those who depend buildon the industry, “In winter, many are build ing their inventory because at mud season, the mills could potentially run out. And pine is best harvested between September discoland May, because the summer sun discol ors the logs. The frozen ground is just like concrete. Once you make a skid road, there is less resistance and it helps lay a path for the spring and summer months.” continued on page 110
Pictured is Lawrence Richards, Curtis Richards father at work circa 1960s.
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Servicing Rutland County Since 1976
Choosing a life in the woods can be dangerous, difficult and yet, rewarding. Often there are close calls and accidents when one takes on the profession. However, as with many dangerous jobs, the payoff can be enticing to those willing to take the risk. “I thought of doing other things, but my brother was doing it, willing to pay me well. I eventually was my own boss, and was able to raise my four kids well. Yeah, there were some close calls; I smashed my leg pretty good in ’95. There are some pretty good stories about all that. But, I was outside all the time, it keeps you physically fit. If you are willing to work harder, you can make more.” Historically, the main industries of the Adirondacks were sawmills, mining, and, of course, tourism. However, sawmills, pulp mills and the logging industry have slowed. Richards states his thoughts on the future of the industry, “I foresee that what mills and big companies are left will move out of the area, maybe to other countries. There will be those smaller guys, the mom and pops, providing firewood and small sawmills. But, I don’t see many guys the age of 20 to 30 really getting into logging. They don’t seem to be getting into it when they’re young and being taught.” As for the Richards family, they continue to live the logging life, working in the woods, each branch of the family tree doing what he has been taught by the previous generation. Perhaps, the tradition will continue and the art of making a living in the woods will be passed on.
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84692
THE
fastest SPORT ON ICE
By Andrew Johnstone Ninety miles per hour is fast. In the second it may have taken to read those six words, something traveling that speed will have traveled 132 feet. Even in a car, it’s a harrowing rate. Now take away the wheels, windshield, seatbelt, airbag and traction control, and replace it with a 50-or-so pound sled on two metal runners. Factor in gravity, a winding, ice-covered track, steep walls high g-forces, and you’ve got luge. The Winter Olympic sport is not for the faint of heart. It’s blazingly quick, physically demanding, and for the world’s
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best, it’s much more than a sport. Just ask those training right here in the Adirondacks. It was late October. A warm, rainy Thursday gave way a day later to brisk and snow-filled air at the Mount Van Hoevenberg Olympic Sports Complex down the road from Lake Placid. Over a dozen members of the USA Luge team kicked off the 2015-16 season with its first official competition, part one of the two-stop Norton seeding races, which finalizes the World Cup team for the upcoming season. Saranac Lake’s Chris Mazdzer, a two-time Olympian, slid into the finish area, turned toward the crowd of family
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and spectators, and laughed. “Made it,” he said, hauling his sled off the track. One by one, and later two by two, his luge teammates followed suit. There was laughter. There was seriousness. For most of the sliders, their spots on the team were already locked in, making the seeding race a chance to gauge strengths and weaknesses with the World Cup season looming a month away. After Mazdzer came Tucker West, whose quick starts gave him the win by just over two-tenths of a second. In the women’s race Olympic bronze medalist Erin Hamlin was edged out by Emily Sweeney, a 22-year-old slider with several family connections to the area. The next stop for the team was Park City, Utah, and they were to beginning filling up the U-Haul that same day in preparation for part two of the seeding races just a week away. But before hitting the road, the men’s and women’s singles lugers to take the top two spots took a moment to talk to North Country Living about what’s billed as the “fastest sport on ice.” The 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi was special for USA Luge. Prior to the latest games, the only luge medals hauled in by the US was in men’s doubles, when in 1998 and 2002 the team took silver and bronze. No American singles slider, man or woman, had ever stood on the podium on the world’s biggest stage — until Erin Hamlin came along. The now 28-year-old Remsen native was making her third Olympic appearance, her best finish a 12th in Torino, Italy. Knowing the competition well, Hamlin thought she had a good shot at the top 10 or five. But what came next was special. “It was very surreal,” explained Hamlin, who finished less than four one-hundredths of a second behind the German silver medalist and a healthy tenth of a second ahead of the fourth-place finisher. “It’s not something I expected. I mean, I went into it wanting to do well. It was pretty shocking, but it was awesome.” Awesome is one way to put it. The finish is credited by some as one that put luge more on the map, something the seemingly humble Hamlin called “really cool.” Others, like Tim Reynolds of the Associated Press, had more to say of Hamlin’s bronze, calling it “a feat that will surely go down as perhaps the greatest moment in USA Luge history.” Hamlin’s path to Sochi and eventual bronze started in Syracuse when she was 12 years old. Despite being a self-described “chicken” and “not a daredevil at all,” her father brought her to a USA Luge Slider Search — a traveling recruitment program in which kids can try a slower, wheeled-version of the sport — for her to give it a try. When she heard that a chance at a national team someday was on the line, her competitive nature kicked it. “I was like, ‘OK, game on,’” Hamlin recalled. And the rest was history. When in Russia, with two Olympic experiences under her belt, Hamlin found the third easier in some ways. The small differences between the Olympics and the World Cup had become familiar, and she found herself answering the younger athletes’ questions. “In the grand scheme of things, it’s just another race,” said Hamlin of the winter games. “There’s just a little more pomp.”
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Top photo, left to right: Chris Mazdzer, Tucker West and Taylor Morris after the first seeding race held in Lake Placid late-October. Below, Raychel Germain at the handles helps give an idea of the size and shape of a luge sled Photo provided by USA Luge
Hamlin isn’t alone in her experience on the biggest stage. Mazdzer made his Olympic debut in Vancouver at 21, young for a luge competitor. He took 13th then and again in Sochi and is now coming off an especially strong World Cup season, finishing fourth overall by way of several podium finishes. Mazdzer said that he’s learned a lot over the years, especially in terms of managing stress and anxiety, something that’s key in luge. “I would say that’s been my biggest evolution, just being able to manage the pressure that not only you put on yourself, but what you expect others to put on you as well.” The most challenging part of race day for Mazdzer may have taken place off of the track: Trying to explain what luging is like to the uninitiated. He’s no stranger to the question and laughed. The two most common explanations he’s heard? A controlled roller coaster, where you’re doing the driving, and a sped-up black and white movie. continued on page 114
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“That’s what I do. I travel, I train, I compete.”
can really put down some “There’s tons of speed. We’re times. Home track crowd, changing direction really everything came together.” fast,” Mazdzer continued. “It’s like a swing where it’s Another up-and-comer throwing you around and -Erin Hamlin, Olympic bronze medalist looking to make a mark in then spitting you out onto the World Cup circuit is Ema water slide straightaway.” ily Sweeney. Though she Another laugh. “A spend up lives in Connecticut, Sarablack and white movie … on nac Lake is very much a ice skates.” hometown for her. Her dad grew up there and Sweeney Behind Hamlin and Mazvisits the handful who call dzer in the Olympic experithe area home about five ence line is West, who took nights each week. 22nd in Sochi. The 20-yearold from Connecticut may She got into the sport by have less luge experience following in the footsteps than the other two, but slidof her older sister, Megan, ing is nothing new. who competed in the 2010 games. Like Hamlin, SweeIt was 2002 when a thenney got involved through a 6-year-old West and his faSlider Search when she was ther were watching the Salt 10 and got called back. She Lake City games and luge made her mark quickly, and came on. Something about at 16, she had a chance at the sport appealed to him — maybe because he loved Hamlin with her Olympic bronze, the first medal awarded to an the Olympic team. sledding — and he was soon American singles slider. “I got called up for Olympic outside. AP Photo provided by USA Luge trials,” she explained. “To everyone’s surprise, includWhat he called a “natural progression” led to taking a plastic sled into the backyard ing my own, I kept making it.” In December, there was and sliding down, but soon West got older and it felt too one spot left on the team, and three sliders gunning for it: slow. So his father did what any father on a future Olympic Her, her sister, and a best friend. “You could have cut the slider would do: get out the hose and ice down the hill. But tension that morning at breakfast with a spoon,” laughed Sweeney. Ultimately, Megan made the trip, but no harsh even that eventually became too slow. “Man, maybe we should try this luge thing,” West recalled feelings. Sweeney considers her sister a best friend. he and his father thinking. “He’s always been a little crazy, In 2013, Sweeney won gold in the Junior World Champialways had some hairbrained ideas, so we actually built onship in Park City, and is coming off of a 2014-15 World Cup season in which she cracked the top-five three times: (what we called) a luge track in the backyard.” Sleds could hit 30 to 40 miles per hour on the “glorified Fifth in Lake Placid, Fourth in Koenigssee, Germany, and wooden chute,” and before long, word traveled of the silver in team relay on the same track. backyard track in Ridgefield, CT. Gordy Sheer, marketing This year, she’s feeling more confident than ever. Most of director for USA Luge and an Olympic silver medalist in that, she explained, comes from a connection to the sled, men’s doubles in Nagano, Japan, made the trip east to see one she compared to a surfer and his or her board. “With the track. It earned West an invite to Lake Placid where luge, it’s kind of the same thing. When you have that run he tried official luge for the first time, and he was hooked. and get that feeling of ‘OK, this is great, this is going exWest called representing his country an honor, especially actly how it’s supposed to be going,’ that’s the feeling we by being able to do so with close friends. He’s hoping to strive for.” make a push toward the top five of the overall World Cup Sweeney said the best sliders in the world look like they standings this season, a feat pulled off by his teammate aren’t doing anything. They are, of course, from subtle maMazdzer a year ago. One race in particular a year ago indi- nipulation of the legs against the runners to the shifting of shoulder weight, ideally coming together in the form of cates he may be able to do just that. When the World Cup came to Lake Placid last season, West a perfect line. “I’m trying to get there,” laughed Sweeney. really began turning heads. He blistered down Mount Van Describing herself as a shoulder driver, Sweeney said she Hoevenberg, setting a track record in each of the two runs likes techinical driving tracks like the one at Van Hoevenand becoming the first American man to earn a gold on berg. It showed in the first race when she came in ahead the circuit in 17 years. The Germans wondered whether of Hamlin. Though, Sweeney was quick to add, she’s not taking much from that result. It’s still October. there was a timing malfunction. But for Sweeney, luging isn’t just about race placement. But he was just that fast. “The Germans are pretty dominant at the sport,” West As a member of the US Army and its World Class Athletes said of the win a year ago. “It’s nice to kind of put it back Program, she’s admittedly “corny” when it comes to racto them, give them a taste of their own medicine. They al- ing for the red, white and blue. ways get their home track advantage [Germany has four] “I love America. I love everything that we stand for,” she so once we get on our home track we show them that we said of her dual-service for the US. “I want to expand my
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life experiences and get into the Army side. I’m a sucker. I love the flag. I love everything.” And now she’ll look to represent the nation around the world in the coming months as the grueling World Cup schedule looms. The season kicks off in late November in Austria before making two stops in the States, the first in Lake Placid on Dec. 4 and 5. Then it’s off to Park City and beyond — Italy, Latvia, Germany, Russia — about three months of travel, practice and competition, all while living out of a suitcase. While World Cup and Olympic luging have taken Hamlin around the globe for over a decade, the lifestyle isn’t the glamorous vacation some would imagine. The day prior to the Lake Placid seeding race, Hamlin was with friends who commented on her not-so-luxurious lifestyle, to which she told them that no part of being an Olympic slider is. Not that she minds. “It’s definitely not a bad life,” laughed Hamin. “Travel to places, make amazing friends from all over the world, different cultures … I love to compete, I love being an athlete, I love working out. “That’s what I do. I travel, I train, I compete.” Mazdzer said more of the same. For six days, the team is more or less anchored to a hotel and track. Sled work and training trump all else. “At the end of the season I take a vacation from this,” he laughed. “You just get so used to being on the go, living with just the essentials. You wear dirty socks and dirty un-
derwear sometimes.” Another laugh. “It’s not the most glamorous lifestyle, but I’ll tell you, it’s a rush going place to place.” And now it’s almost time for another season for the four, as well as the rest of the team. Months of speed, concentration, dedication. All measured to the thousandth of a second. Each slider spoken to addressed the sport’s margin of error. Or lack thereof. Like a golf swing, said Mazdzer, the smallest adjustment can radically alter a trajectory. One of his most memorable races came at the end of a week in which he struggled with those trajectories every day. It was in Park City and, come race day, something switched and he placed second. “Those are the highlights, when you can overcome all of your fears.” Both West and Hamlin agreed, adding that luge is a fitting sport for people with those perfectionist tendencies needed at those speeds. The sled has to be just right. The body needs to steer aerodynamically. And mind needs to slow it all down. “The name of the game is to be relaxed while you’re terrified,” West explained. “And the person that is most comfortable is going to win.” For Hamlin, achieving all that led to a groundbreaking moment. Just in an almost inconceivable amount of time. “The tiniest things count,” she said. “Sometimes it’s really frustrating. Every once in a while you’re on the positive end of that thousandth of a second and that feels awesome … that’s when you’re thankful they time to thousandths of a second.”
Pictured above are the top three women finishers in the late October race in Lake Placid: Hamlin, Sweeney and Raychel Germaine. AP Photo provided by USA Luge
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Artist Julia Emilo at work at her home studio in East Middlebury, Vt.
Julia Emilo
and the art of the gourd
By Lou Varricchio
A selection of hand-painted gourd ornaments created by Julia Emilo
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Vermont artist Julia Emilo has developed a unique, often times whimsical vision of the world through her imaginative art. continued on page 118 Vol. 4 No. 4 | North Country Living Magazine | 117
Thanks to growing up in an East Middlebury household where creativity was valued, Emilo developed her own “brand” which animates, as if magically, all the wonderful shapes and sizes of one narrow segment of Mother Nature’s vegetable kingdom, specifically the lowly gourd. “As a child I created clay sculptures, knitted troll clothing, made papier-mache animals, and painted batik wall hangings,” Emilo says. “My mother was my inspiration, since she, too, was a self-trained artist. In high school I took part in art and craft classes.” As a young adult, and while working in her family’s business managing East Middlebury’s popular Waybury Inn—immortalized as the quintessential Vermont inn on the 1980s “Newhart” T.V. comedy series—Emilo painted and dabbled in several artsy crafts. Emerging from that time period was an passion for gourds and their potential as a means of artistic expression. “Before I started painting gourds, I never was 100 percent happy with anything I painted,” the artist notes. “Of course now it’s hard to make a gourd that I don’t like. Some gourds may not come out the way I first conceived them, but I’m always am happy in the end.” The artist is self taught and learned on her own how to properly dry the gourds and then create a delightful community of animal and humanoid forms out of the gourds with paint. “I dry the gourds and then soak them in soapy warm,” Emilo says. “I then scrape them clean.” Following the initial drying and cleaning process, Emilo next uses ultra-fine sand paper to smooth down the delicate, surface shell—somewhat like that of an egg—and then proceeds to decorate the objects with acrylics. 118 | North Country Living Magazine | Vol. 4 No. 4
“I finish the painted gourds by applying butcher’s wax (a blend of carnauba and microcrystalline wax) which adds gloss and also helps to waterproof them.” Emilo began her business as a strictly Christmas themed enterprise—painting roly poly Santa Clauses and whimsical elves on gourds—but the venue has since evolved to satisfy the craft collector’s needs year round. There are Julio Emilopainted gourds for every season and nearly every domestic lifestyle—from farm house and mountain cabin to beach house and office, and much in between. By 1992, Emilo’s work was ex expanding into various galleries and shops around the New England rere gion. Now, you can see Emilo’s decorative gourds gracing more than just traditional Christmas trees. You can see her work decorating wreaths, kitchen cabinets, desktop computers, hanging from doorways, even a few dangling from automobile rearview mirrors (just don’t let the local sheriff get a glimpse; in Vermont. Fanciful people, blue whales, African elephants, tawny veldt lions, hummingbirds, house cats, dogs, Easter bunnies, as well as many other critters, make up Emilo’s ever-expanding cast of “gourdeous” little characters. At the start, Emilo displayed her work around the Middlebury area and then she began moving ever out toward bigger markets with showings in restaurants and galleries. It didn’t take long for Emilo to develop a name for herself and even a fan following. Now, her work can be found gracing galleries and gift shops coast-to-coast—from Vermont to Cape Cod to Seattle and Los Angeles ncliving@suncommunitynews.com
Julia Emilo One of the best testimonials Emilo could have received in Vermont was from right in her home state of Vermont. The Frog Hollow, the Vermont Start Craft Center, showcases Emilo’s gourds and has been a long time supporter of the artist. “The most wonderful aspect of Julia Emilo’s gourds is their expression,” according to Frog Hollow’s recent review of her work. “Whether a snooty sommelier, a hapless fisherman, or a happy gardener, Julia’s gourds assert themselves with their own unique personalities, and every one is different.”
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Check It Out: Julia Emilo Painted Gourds, hand-painted gourd ornaments, are available in various galleries and shops, as well as online at the Frog Hollow website shop at froghollow.org/products and Vermont Weathervane at ruralvermont.com/ vermontweathervane. If there’s something you don’t see, you contact the artist by telephone at 802-388-2156 or via email at emilojulia@gmail.com.
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By Keith Lobdell
A
passion that started in the shop with her fatherin-law has led Wendy Ross down a path where she now finds herself constantly in demand, especially during the holiday months. Ross’s business, Pretty in Paint, not only specializes in the painting of furniture, but also in the creation of a variety of decorative wreaths, ranging from classically themed holiday fare to wreaths to honor a favorite sports team, person or more. “I really try to customize the wreaths to what the customers are looking for,” Ross said.
Artist Julia Emilo at work at her home studio in East Middlebury, Vt.
Wendy Ross stands with a collection of wreaths she has designed as part of her business, Pretty in Paint. Photo by Keith Lobdel
Wendy Ross
wreathes abound at the Pretty in Paint.
continued on page 121
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ncliving@suncommunitynews.com
Ross started working with her father-in-law, Donald Ross, to paint furniture he had created. “He is really the one who got me started,” she said. “He would build the furniture, I would paint it and then we would sell it.” Ross said she happened onto wreath making. “One day, I decided to make one of the wreaths,” she said. “I really loved doing it so I started to post pictures of them on Facebook and people started to take interest. It just took off from there.” To date, Ross said she has produced just under 300 wreaths in less than one year, many being sold while others have been created for charitable organizations and events. “I have created some for fire departments along with local events and fundraisers,” she said. “It is a good way to help these groups out if they want something to auction off or raffle.” Already, Ross has started to hear from people in the region asking if they could have a wreath created in time for the holidays. “I already have eight orders toward the Christmas season,” she said. “I will also have wreaths on display at Sugar & Spice and other places.” Over the short time she has been working in wreaths, Ross has created quite a following, with over 1,000 Facebook (search “Pretty in Pink Ticonderoga”) followers, many liking and commenting on what they see. Pretty in Paint is located at 1759 Route 9N in Ticonderoga. Ross can be reached on Facebook or by calling 518-586-4707. nclmagazine.com
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Gift Baskets…
Great personalized gifts for the “hard to buy for people” on your Holiday list.
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he clock is ticking down to the holiday and you still don’t have any ideas for gifts for several people on your list. When it comes to gift giving think out of the box and into a basket; gift baskets allow us to give a variety of smaller gifts that on their own would be too small but combined with other small gifts becomes a touching, heartfelt
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gift that can bring you and the recipient closer. Does it feel too daunting to plan a basket? Can’t figure out where to start? Take a few moments to list those hard to buy for people and then write down what you know they like. Uncle Harry, who lives downstate, loves fishing; but a really expensive rod and reel is not in your budget. Pull back your thinking and go with gifts that support his hobby. He probably doesn’t need another one of those talking fish but would he enjoy a fly tying class? Maybe a stream map of your region that can be combined with an invitation to stay with you while he explores your areas best locations. What a great way to reconnect and allow your family to get to know why he’s your favorite uncle. Your niece and her husband have a small child, would a date night basket complete with a restaurant gift card, movie tickets and your note that you will babysit be a welcome and appreciated present?
ncliving@suncommunitynews.com ncliving@denpubs.com
You mom or dad constantly says “I don’t need anything”? – Then a collection of consumables is your answer. Whether it’s favorite teas, jams, gift cards for dinner out, a massage, or even bringing a complete dinner when you all “descend” on their house so they can just relax and enjoy the day; the possibilities are endless when you begin to think about it. Some of the best ideas are to give an experience. It could be relaxing like a day at a spa (with you of course). Exciting; a day at an amusement park with your family or think Skydiving! Another more sedate but equally memorable idea might be to hire a photographer for a session that includes family photos and photos of your kids with your parent(s). Professional photos they will love to show EVERYONE is a gift they will treasure through the years! Other themed basket ideas: New college students: a plastic laundry basket or a decorative laundry bag with detergent, dryer sheets, stain remover, and a washing chart to prevent those “pink” whites. For anyone: try a winter health basket that includes Airborne, vitamins, cough drops, a heating pad, thermometer, tissues, warm socks, cans of chicken soup, teas with a fun mug, and a few gender appropriate magazines or movies. Most people would love: toiletries such as
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soothing facial or indulgent bath supplies for women or luxury shaving lotions, and razors for men. Coffee, tea or cocktail kits are also popular, all the dry ingredients for making a favorite cookie. Always try to be sure the contents are truly appropriate for each recipient. After all, you don’t want to give someone something they are allergic to. Families with children might enjoy a decorative storage box filled with age appropriate games that the whole family will enjoy. Still stumped? Try a good book…for you! Shirley George Frazier, is a gift basket industry expert and author of “The Gift Basket Design Book” (Globe Pequot, 2004). Are you on Pinterest? Just search gift basket ideas and you will be presented with a myriad of choices and ideas.
Presentation is half the gift! So you’ve decided what to give, now think about presentation. A gift basket is not necessarily given in a basket. Can, jars, bowls, a mug, pretty boxes, or even part of the gift can serve as your vessel; anything that has an opening is fair game. Remember to bear in mind how and if your gift will need to travel and wrap appropriately. Shrink wrap, which can be purchased at craft stores and only requires a hair dryer is a good choice to secure your thoughtful gift for travel. Of course shipping is a whole different set of challenges. Remember to wrap fragile items with care so you gift arrives ready for your recipient to enjoy. You have all sorts of ideas now, don’t you...Now it’s time to get planning and doing!
Have a lottery fan on your list? How easy is this!
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Meet 18-year-old bobsledder Hunter Church
The makings of a Champion By Shawn Ryan
Nothing says long and winding road like training to compete as an Olympic-level Bobsled athlete. For 18-year-old Hunter Church from Dannemora, N.Y., that road started when he was just seven years old, and was bitten by the bobsled bug right in his backyard of Lake Placid, N.Y.
It was then that Church’s father Tom Church, who was a slider himself in the 1980s, took him for a passenger ride on the legendary “old track” at Mount Van Hoevenberg. “My dad took me up here when I was about seven for just one of the passenger rides. I went off the halfmile on the old track,” said Church. “I don’t remember much but I just remember at that time I knew I want to continue doing it. It was something that pulled me in and I just kept begging my dad to do it.” With only two bobsled tracks in the United States, and a total of four in all of North America, the track in our own backyard is perhaps one of the most overlooked assets in the entire Adirondack landscape.
Church piloting his sled through a banked curve at the Lake Placid track.
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After living in Alaska, Church moved back to the Adirondacks when he was 8, but he had to wait until he was 12 to get involved in the Junior Bobsled Program. At that age, he says, the program is not terribly time consuming. Young sliders take to the track for about four hours on Fridays and Sundays during the winter season. For Church, that was enough. ncliving@suncommunitynews.com
“It wasn’t until I was probably maybe 14 that I decided I want to do it professionally. Until then I just been doing it for fun, but then I finally had a competitive push athlete on the back of the sled and I managed to start beating all the top guys, and at that point I was like maybe I am a good driver, and I kept going on from there.” The next year, Church won gold at the Empire State Games, and then won the Junior National Championship in 2011. He was hooked. That few hours on a winter weekend has morphed into a year-round, full time job for Church. In high school, Church transferred to the now defunct National Sports Academy in Lake Placid, the first and last slider to attend the Academy. There he could attend school, and train full time with other athletes who shared his dream of competing in the Olympics someday. The experience, he said, was awesome. “Being in that atmosphere was really helpful. I mean, not having to drive from Dannemora all the way up to Lake Placid and back every day was really nice too, but I was able to get all my schoolwork in and still able to train at a pace that I needed to. And it helps my development quite a bit.”
It normally takes about seven years, Church says, for a pilot to reach his full potential. But having started so young, he’s still taking a long-term approach to his development. At just 18, he’s easily a decade younger than most of the Olympian-level athletes he now trains and competes along-side. The 2018 Olympics in South Korea are of course a blip on his RADAR screen, but the big glowing dot in the center of that RADAR is definitely 2022 in Beijing, China. Even before the leaves began to turn colors, Church’s season was well underway with national push championships in Lake Placid, where he placed third. The next several weeks were spent testing different pushers and drivers to determine who would make the most competitive teams, for both the twoman and four-man sleds. A driver, Church says, will almost always compete in both sleds. After that, the Olympic hopefuls head out to that long and winding road. “Our first stop of the season is Calgary. We’ll spend two weeks there and then we’ll go two weeks over in British Columbia as well, at the Vancouver track. Once continued on page 126
Church, at home with his sled. Church recently received an important sponsorship from Applied Performance Sciences
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we’re done that we’ll come home for Christmas break, and then we’ll head back out to Park City Utah and then come back and finish up the rest of our season here.” Just as his season was starting off, Church secured two important sponsorships, which helped him purchase a top-end set if runners for one of his sleds, and will help him with travel and other essentials throughout the season. Cost, he says, is always a factor when it comes to amateur Olympians. At Church’s level, while competing for a team, athletes are not paid. Even at the highest levels of his sport, athletes only receive a small stipend to help with expenses throughout the season.
Church at the US Olympic Training Center in Lake Placid.
Lake Placid, and it sits right in our back yard nearly unused by locals. A season’s commitment is just over $100, and sleds are provided by USA Bobsled and Skeleton Federation. And, he says, “It’s very safe. The Junior bobsleds don’t ever crash. Ever. It’s not like there’s much risk factor there.” Church is also a member of the Red Devil Bobsled Club, reddevilbobsledteam.com, one of the last bobsled clubs in the country.
“It’s just that we love what we’re doing so much we’re willing to put ourselves almost in debt just to get that little taste of glory eventually, in four years.” Along with his father, and a great uncle who slid in the 1940s, Church’s biggest inspirations are two sliders he competes alongside daily. John Napier, another North Country slider, and gold-winning pilot Steve Holcomb are two athletes who Church looks up to and tries to emulate. He’s now in the same “pecking order” as Napier and Holcomb, competing for the same limited slots. He encourages any young athlete within driving distance to the Lake Placid track to invest the time and try it out for a season. Hopeful would-be competitors travel from around the country to learn the sport in 126 | North Country Living Magazine | Vol. 4 No. 4
In the start house at the Lake Placid track. A strong push is perhaps the most critical part of a successful bobsled run.
ncliving@suncommunitynews.com
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WINTER EVENTS 2015
Adirondack Region
Arts & Entertainment
Saturday, Nov. 21
WHALLONSBURG — “Far From the Madding Crowd” will be shown at the Whallonsburg Grange Hall at 7:30 p.m. Based on the literary classic by Thomas Hardy set in Victorian England, this is the story of independent, beautiful and headstrong Bath-sheba Everdene (Carey Mulligan), who attracts three very different suitors. Admission is $6 adults; $3 under 18. For reviews and trailers visit cvfilms.org on the web. For more information call 963-4170, thegrangehall.info, or admin@thegrangehall.info. BEEKMANTOWN — Beekmantown Central School’s third annual “Soar Like an Eagle, Trot Like a Turkey” begins at the Beekmantown Middle School entrance, 37 Eagle Way, West Chazy. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m., with a one mile run for ages 0-7. They are welcome to race in the 5k as well. The 5K race begins at 9 a.m. If people register before Wednesday, Nov. 18 the cost will be $20. After Nov. 18 the cost is $25. Online registrants will receive a t-shirt; follow the link and register today! Check out the savings for families of four or more! All finishers receive a medal! To register online go to adirondackcoastevents.com. This race benefits the BES PTO and help raise awareness and money for childhood cancer. For more information call (518) 563-8787. CHAZY — There will be a Fabulous Fall Craft Festival, sponsored by the Sacred Heart Church, Sacred Heart Parish Center, 8 Hall Street, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. There will be over 25 Vendors from New York and Vermont. Get a head start on your Holiday shopping! There will be hot lunches, raffle and baked goods. For more information, contact Sharon Nephew at 493-2914 or Noreen Barcomb 570-7747. PLATTSBURGH — The Eye Care for the Adirondacks’ 23rd annual charity auction preview will be held at 3:45 p.m. and the auction begins at 4 p.m., at VFW Boynton. All proceeds will be used by the Food Shelf to purchase bulk food items at a discounted rate. For more information or to make a donation, email kimc@eyecareadk.com or call 562-1233 ext. 157. WILMINGTON — Young believers can hop on kiddie rides at Santa’s Workshop Winter Weekends. They can wander through the village and admire the charm of the buildings, the tasty treats of candy makers, the craftsmanship of glass blowers and the entertainment from daily shows from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. For more information visit the Santa’s Workshop website at northpoleny.com. PERU — The All-State Music Festival will be held at Peru High School, 17 School St, at 2:30 p.m. There will be students from 19 different school participating. The cost will be $5 pp or $15 family maximum. For more information call Todd Pray at 518-643-6499 ext. 5179.
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events
Saturday, Nov. 21 and Sunday, Nov. 22
NEWCOMB — Annual Holiday Craft Fair held at the Newcomb Fire Hall, featuring Adirondack artisans selling their products. It’s a great time to purchase gifts for that someone special who appreciates home homemade products. Handmade gifts, quilts, photographs, jew jewelry, hats, scarves, wooden goods, food, refreshments and more, plus a special visit from Santa on Sunday at 1 p.m. For more information visit discovernewcomb.com. TICONDEROGA — There will be an annual Christmas Fair held at the First United Methodist Church, from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. Items include crafts, silent auction, gifts galore, special luncheon, Christmas decorations, fresh balsam wreaths, homemade baked goods and Thrift Shop. For more information call 518-585-7995.
Friday, Nov. 23 through Saturday, Jan. 6
GLENS FALLS — The Art in Glens Falls at Rare eARTh Gallery, 176 Glen Street gallery hours are Wednesday through Sunday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. The Holiday Spirit exhibit opening reception will be Friday, Nov. 23, from 6 to 8 p.m. with the closing reception on Saturday, Jan. 6, from 2 until 4 p.m. For more information email info@NorthCountryARTS.org.
Friday, Nov. 27
TICONDEROGA — Black Friday Shopping will be held throughout the Ticonderoga Area. Visit the many local businesses offering specials. You can get everything on your Christmas list in the Ticonderoga area! For more information call 5185856619 TUPPER LAKE — The Wild Center Behind the Scenes Tour takes place at 45 Museum Drive, from 1 to 3 p.m. Explore behind the curtain where practices and ideas combine to bring The Wild Center experience to life. Take a closer look at our green energy system, learn how our life support system keeps the trout and otters happy, and visit with our wild animal ambassadors behind the scenes. For more information visit The Wild Center website at wildcenter.org. WHITEFACE — Opening Day at Whiteface
Mountain, Rte 86 begins at 8 a.m. and ends at 7 p.m. Get your skis ready to experience the greatest vertical drop east of the Rockies, ski season at Whiteface is here (weather permitting). For more information visit Whiteface online at whiteface.com. RUTLAND — Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical, will be shown at the Paramount Theater at 2 p.m. Tickets range from $29.75 to $39.75. For more information call 802-775-0903 or visit paramountvt.org.
Friday, Nov. 27 and Saturday, Nov. 28
SOUTH ROYALTON VT — The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints will be holding a Lighting Ceremony with Live Nativity at the Joseph Smith Birthplace Memorial, 357 LDS Lane, at 7 p.m., with the lighting ceremony to follow. This is a wonderful opportunity to begin a new family tradition! Remember the true meaning of the season when viewing a live nativity presentation. Re-live the Christmas Story surrounded in a beautiful Vermont winter setting. Following the brief outdoor program there will be a special lighting ceremony, a unique and growing tradition where thousands of twinkling lights usher in the Christmas season. Whether you walk or drive to view the lights this will be a special evening which is sure to bring warm memories and deeper meaning to your holiday experience. No charge. Arrive 10 to 15 minutes early for parking. Lights will remain on display Sunday, Nov. 29 through Friday, Jan. 1 from 5 to 9 p.m. daily. All are welcome. This is one of the most unique and largest light displays in the State of Vermont. For information email cochranr@ldspublicaffairs.com.
The Church of Latter-Day Saints is holding a Live Nativity at the Joseph Smith Birthplace Memorial Nov. 27-28.
ncliving@suncommunitynews.com
INLET — The Adirondack communities of Old Forge and Inlet welcome you to come visit Thanksgiving weekend to kick off the holiday season with friends and family. Area clubs, civic groups and businesses have planned an unforgettable family experience. Santa, Mrs. Claus and their reindeer will be in town and families will be treated to old fashioned horse-drawn wagon rides, face painting, caroling, tree lightings, a light parade, Zoo Mobile, Moose River farm animals and book signing, pictures with Santa and Mrs. Claus and more! All free of charge! Additional venues are also available for your enjoyment including the Santa Express Train, holiday arts and crafts at View. The Reindeer Run, a fun run for kids of all ages, takes you from the Goodsell Museum to the busy corner. Keep your antlers on, the fun doesn’t stop there -- wear your antlers into the special holiday 2:00 p.m. matinee at the Strand Theater and receive a free small popcorn and 1/2 price matinee. For more information visit adkchristmasonmain.com or call 315-357-5501. WILMINGTON — Whiteface Mountain Opens For the Season at 5021 Rte 86. Get your skis ready to experience the greatest vertical drop east of the Rockies. For more information visit whiteface.com.
Friday, Nov. 27 through Sunday, Dec. 6
TICONDEROGA — The sixth annual Ticonderoga Area North Country Christmas will be happening. Catch the Holiday Spirit in the Ticonderoga area. You are invited to attend a wide array of Holiday events that are being planned by the local businesses and organizations in the Ticonderoga area. For more information call 518-585-6619.
Saturday, Nov. 28
PLATTSBURGH — The North Country Chamber of Commerce is proud to support Small Business Saturday. Small Business Saturday is dedicated to supporting small businesses across the country. Founded by American Express in 2010, this day is celebrated every year on the Saturday after Thanksgiving. This year marks the 6th annual Small Business Saturday, held on one of the busiest shopping weekends of the year, the North Country Chamber of Commerce is encouraging residents and visitors alike to support these ‘mom and pop’ shops by doing some of their holiday shopping on this day. Don’t forget to pick up your passport for a chance to win some great prizes! For more information visit the North Country Chamber of Commerce website at northcountrychamber.com. LAKE GEORGE — Watch the Village of Lake George transform into a winter wonderland. Lights of the season will be strung and there will
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Sunday, Nov. 29
WILMINGTON — There will be a firework spectacular at Santa’s Workshop at 7:15 p.m. This is open to the public. TICONDEROGA — The Canadian Pacific Holiday Train will be making stops at the Ticonderoga Train Station at 3 p.m. and the Port Henry Train Station at 4:45 p.m. Come out and see the lights and enjoy the holiday music. Times are approximate per Canadian Pacific Railway. Food Pantry donations accepted. For more information call 518-585-6619.
TICONDEROGA — The annual Tree Lighting Ceremony will take place at the Ticonderoga Community building at 5:30 p.m., with complimentary refreshments. The first 20 people will receive a candy cane and a special gift and we also may have some special guest appearances from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. The fun continues with music and an Outdoor Winter Barbecue hosted by Bodette’s BBQ. For more information call 518-585-6619. TICONDEROGA — Holiday Hay Rides will be taking place at the Ticonderoga Heritage Museum from 6 to 8 p.m. For more information call 518585-6619. BRANDON — Start the holiday season off with this meaningful and enduring tradition of remembrance. Donations of $1 per name in memory of your loved ones help light Brandon’s Memory Tree. Names will be printed in the local newspaper. Please send a check made out to Brandon Area Chamber of Commerce (BACC) and mail to BACC, PO Box 267, Brandon VT 05733. Names may also be dropped off at Carr’s Florist & Gifts. Make sure to include your name and phone number and the name(s) of loved ones. BRANDON — There will be singing and lighting of the Memory Tree beginning at 3:30 p.m. in Central Park. For more information, contact the Brandon Area Chamber of Commerce at 247-6401 or visit brandon.org.
Arts & Entertainment
Friday, Nov. 27 through Sunday, Nov. 29
be activities for children including a visit from Santa! Adults and kids of all ages enjoy watching as Lake George Village welcomes in the holiday season with over 15,000 holiday lights. After the lighting, the fun continues at the Lake George Fire House with refreshments and Santa Claus! For more information call 518-668-5755. NORTH CREEK — National Shop Local Day in North Creek. Enjoy the great shops on Main Street in North Creek and throughout the Gore Mountain Region. For more information email info@gorechamber.com or call 518-251-2612. TICONDEROGA — Small Business Saturday will be held in the Ticonderoga Area. Support the many local businesses throughout the Ticonderoga Area. Many area businesses offering wonderful promotions and specials. Look for the “You’re Invited to Shop Small” signs. For a complete listing of business promotions and specials contact the Ticonderoga Area Chamber of Commerce at 518585-6619. TICONDEROGA — Come out to the annual E.M.A. Craft Fair and purchase beautiful homemade items and crafts from local vendors. For more information call 518-585-6619. NORTH CREEK— “It’s a Wonderful Life” comes to the Tannery Pond Community Center at 7 p.m. Come and watch the live radio broadcast as a handful of actors create 33 parts, including commercials for area businesses. Just as in the days of old, the star of the show will be the artists who create all the sound effects live in front of the audience. Tickets are $15 for adults and $6 for children. Please bring an item for the local food pantry to be included in a community raffle. Reserve your seat by calling 518-251-2505. ROUSES POINT — The Champlain-Rouses Point Rotary will host its’ second annual Santa Sprint with a race start time at 9 a.m. Preregistration is $20. Same day registration will be held from 7:30 a.m. until 8:30 a.m. Race start and end will be held at “The Last Resort” Montgomery Street. Same day registration is $25. Participants will receive a bonus gift if they bring an unwrapped toy to the registration table. Toys will be donated to the Champlain-Rouses Point Rotary Adopt-A-Family program. Funds raised from the event will go to benefit the North Country Honor Flight. First 50 registrants will receive a free t-shirt. Prizes will also be awarded to the top female and male runners and walkers. Santa and other holiday attire are welcomed and encouraged! Send all questions or concerns to crprotarysantasprint@gmail.com. ST JOHNSBURY VT — There will be a Country Crafters Craft Fair at the St. Johnsbury Academy Field House, Main Street, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Join us for this yearly holiday event featuring over 50 crafters, bake/lunch sale and Christmas auction. The sale is sponsored by St. Johnsbury Area Lions Club. For more information call Patricia 802-274-3543.
WINTER EVENTS 2015
INDIAN LAKE — Crafters and Artisans show their talents throughout the community. Visit their homes to purchase that unique gift. Saturday will see a children’s workshop, story time with Mrs. Claus plus much more. So come spend Thanksgiving Weekend in an authentic Adirondack community. For more information visit indian-lake.com or call 518-648-5112. WILMINGTON — Young believers can hop on kiddie rides at Santa’s Workshop Winter Weekends. They can wander through the village and admire the charm of the buildings, the tasty treats of candy makers, the craftsmanship of glass blowers and the entertainment from daily shows from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. For more information visit the Santa’s Workshop website at northpoleny.com.
Sunday, Nov. 29 and Monday, Nov. 30
WILMINGTON — Young believers can hop on kiddie rides at Santa’s Workshop Winter Weekends. They can wander through the village and admire the charm of the buildings, the tasty treats of candy makers, the craftsmanship of glass blowers and the entertainment from daily shows from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. For more information visit the Santa’s Workshop website at northpoleny.com.
It’s a Wonderful Life comes to Tannery Pond Community Center in North Creek at 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 28
Monday, Nov. 30
TICONDEROGA — Come out to the Country Florist & Gift at 4 p.m. and “Learn How to Create Your Own Holiday Designs”. The Country Florist will be demonstrating how to create your own holiday designs for your home. Stop by to join them, enjoy the holiday ambiance as well as check out all The Country Florist has to offer this holiday season! For more information call 518-585-6619.
Tuesday, Dec. 1
TICONDEROGA — Stop into the Black Watch Library from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. for their Family Holiday Book Reading. Families are welcome to attend and
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WINTER EVENTS 2015
Arts & Entertainment
The Viessman Luge World Cup returns to Lake Placid from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday Dec. 4
Monday, Nov. 30
TICONDEROGA — Come out to the Country Florist & Gift at 4 p.m. and “Learn How to Create Your Own Holiday Designs”. The Country Florist will be demonstrating how to create your own holiday designs for your home. Stop by to join them, enjoy the holiday ambiance as well as check out all The Country Florist has to offer this holiday season! For more information call 518-585-6619.
Tuesday, Dec. 1
TICONDEROGA — Stop into the Black Watch Library from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. for their Family Holiday Book Reading. Families are welcome to attend and children are encouraged to come in their pajamas. Snacks will be provided to go following story time. All children must be accompanied by an adult. For more information call 518-585-6619. WESTPORT — The Westport Central School’s Winter Instrumental and Choral concert will be held in Bulles Auditorium at 6 p.m. For more information call Heather Olson at 518-962-8244.
Wednesday, Dec. 2
TICONDEROGA — Sugar & Spice Country Shoppe will be hosting a Kids’ Sip and Create at 5:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. (two sessions). Kids should bring their letters to Santa to place into the North Pole mailbox for special delivery to Santa. Kids will then create their own Christmas ornament to take home and place on their tree. Refreshments will be available. All children must be accompanied by an adult. Pre-registration is required. Details and Registration: 518-585-7727. CHESTERTOWN — Come out to the center of Chestertown from 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. for “A Taste of the Tri-Lakes”. In conjunction with the Chestertown Rotary’s Memory Tree Lighting, enjoy samplings of local area restaurants, caroling, bonfires and a wonderful Small Town USA celebration to bring in the holiday seasons. Food tickets are $1. For more information call 518-494-3016. TICONDEROGA — Ti’Coustics at the Burleigh House featuring Trina Cook and Brad Peria at 7 p.m. For more information call 585-9138.
Thursday, Dec. 3
SARANAC LAKE — Ceilidh Music Session is a weekly, Thursday night Session who meets at the Saranac Lake Chamber of Commerce,/Visitors Center at 193 River Street. We get together at about 7 p.m., and play until around 10:30 p.m. We play a mix of Celtic, Irish, Scottish and Old Time tunes. Musicians of any level, playing either acoustic or Celtic style instruments, are always welcome as are all audience members. To view the most current discussion and to make sure we will be getting together on a particular Thursday night just email psbenson1@ gmail.com.
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TICONDEROGA — The 4th of July in December Chicken Barbecue will be held at the Knights of Columbus starting at 5 p.m. Takeouts will be available. The cost is $12 per person. This is a Best Fourth in the North Fundraising Event. For more information call 518-585-6619. TICONDEROGA — Live Music featuring Trina Cook and Brad Peria at Libby’s Bakery Café at 6:30 p.m. Enjoy some holiday music and get a taste of some sweet treats and drinks. For more information call 518-585-6619.
Friday, Dec. 4
GLENS FALLS — Come to Glens Falls and enjoy a Hometown Holiday Downtown Celebration. Downtown Glens Falls businesses will have refreshments and festive fun! The streets will be filled with families enjoying entertainment -- carolers, live reindeer, and even Saxophone Santa! For more information call 518-812-0911. GLENS FALLS — Kick off the holiday season and start getting in the spirit at The North Country Festival of Trees, held annually at the Queensbury Hotel. The elegant decor of the hotel is a perfect setting for this year’s festival and it will be transformed into a Winter Wonderland. Hundreds of exquisitely decorated trees, wreaths, centerpieces, fireplace mantelscapes, stockings and gingerbread houses are on display and may be purchased. Children’s Wonderland includes arts & crafts, games, activities and of course, Santa. The Holiday Boutique features handmade items for sale by local artisans. The Festival has grown and evolved into an eagerly anticipated family event and in fact, for many, this event is the kick-off to the Holiday Season. This event benefits Prospect Center, a non-profit agency for children and adults with developmental disabilities. For more information 518-832-6124. TICONDEROGA — Holiday Shopping and Dining Night and Shop & Dine Local! Participating businesses will be open until 9 p.m. for your holiday shopping offering specials and promotions. Participating businesses will have a Snowflake displayed in their windows. A feature event will be the Ticonderoga Area Winter Farmers Market which will be held indoors at the Chamber Office, with local vendors selling all of their fabulous goods and there will also be an Outdoor Christmas Tree Lot. For more information call 518-585-6619. TICONDEROGA — Horse Drawn Holiday Wagon Rides will be available at the Ticonderoga Heritage Museum from 6 to 8 p.m. This is sponsored by Gin’s Redemption Center. For more information call 518585-6619. TICONDEROGA — The Museum and Co-Op Holiday Gift Shop will be from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Hancock House. Carillion Garden Club holiday wreaths will be available and be sure to check out the Festival of Trees. For more information call 518585-6619.
ELIZABETHTOWN — Cobble Hill Inn will hold its ninth annual Toy Drive starting at 5:30 p.m. Bring a new, unwrapped toy and enjoy a free buffet. Join us for a fun night and help us collect toys for children of families who are struggling this holiday season. Donations will benefit ACAP’s Holidays Are For Sharing. For more information call Marge Garcia, Adirondack Community Action Program at 518873-3207 or email mgarcia@acapinc.org. PLATTSBURGH — Enjoy a Holiday Parade on Brinkerhoff! The parade begins at 5 p.m. starting at Redcay Hall at SUNY Plattsburgh following Brinkerhoff Street and proceeding onto Margaret Street ending at Stafford Middle School. Following the parade, the Strand Center for the Arts and First Weekends will be hosting a Christmas Tree Lighting event with music, fire pits, hot chocolate and more! For more information visit the Downtown Plattsburgh Holiday Parade event on Facebook. PLATTSBURGH — The Kent-Delord House Museum Christmas Open House at 17 Cumberland Head Avenue and goes from noon to 4 p.m. The Museum is always wonderfully festive and full of life this time of year and it’s a perfect time to bring family and friends together for our Annual Christmas Open House. Against a backdrop of holiday decorations, the Garden Club will highlight the resulting peace and the treaty that was signed in Ghent on Christmas Eve 1814. For more information visit kentdelordhouse.org/christmas-open-house-a-celebrationof-peace.
Friday, Dec. 4 and Saturday, Dec. 5
PERU — The Peru Drama Club presents The Diary of Ann Frank at 7:30 p.m. For more information contact Todd Pray at 518-643-6499 ext. 5184.
Friday, Dec. 4 through Saturday, Dec. 5
SARANAC LAKE — Annual Sparkle Village Arts & Crafts Fair takes place at the Harrietstown Town Hall, 39 Main Street at the intersection of Main Street and Rte 3. There will be 40 vendors with assorted hand-crafted items from foods to mittens to holiday wreaths. Sponsored by the Saranac Lake Area Chamber of Commerce, there will also be a Silent Auction with a number of items donated by area businesses. The event opens Friday, from 4 to 8 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Support local artisans and get some of your holiday shopping done! For more information call 891-1990. LAKE PLACID — The Viessmann Luge World Cup returns to Lake Placid FRO 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. This event is one of nine World Cups scheduled, and the only Viessmann Luge World Cup to be held in the USA this season. The luge competition consists of four events; men’s singles, women’s singles, doubles and the team relay event. For more information visit whiteface.com/events/world-cup-luge.
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SARANAC LAKE — The Valerie Patterson “Passing Through” exhibition of recent watercolor paintings will be on exhibit at the Adirondack Artist Guild, 52 Main Street. An Opening Reception will be held Friday, Dec. 4, from 5-7 p.m. For more information call 891-2615.
Friday, Dec. 4 through Sunday Dec. 6
ESSEX VT — The Vermont International Festival takes place at the Champlain Valley Exposition, Route 15 Pearl St This is a unique, unforgettable celebration of the cultures that make up our community. Find crafts from all over the world, ethnic and gourmet foods, and traditional international music, dance and stories. Local cultural and ethnic organizations will provide information about their programs with exhibits, demonstrations and workshops. For more Information call 802-863-6713 or visit vermontinternationalfestival.com.
Saturday, Dec. 5
VERGENNES VT — Take a Holiday Stroll through different locations throughout the city. Eat breakfast with Santa, see the Winter holiday Craft Fair, Bixby Library Silent Auction, see Santa arrive via fire truck, have your picture taken with Santa, read with Mrs. Claus, make decorations in Santa’s workshop, decorate cookies, enjoy the Champlain Brass Quintet, Victory Baptist Church Choir, Dickens Carolers, lighted SD Ireland Holiday Truck, Addison County Gospel Choir, City Park lighting. For more information and schedule call 802-388-7951 or email sue@addisoncounty.com. SMUGGLERS’ NOTCH VT — The 21st annual Smugglers’ Notch Resort BrewFest allows people to sample the finest in craft beers! Enjoy samples from a variety of Vermont and regional craft brews. There will be music, munchies and prizes. For Brewfest Lodging information call 800-521-0536 or visit smuggs.com. WHALLONSBURG — Ida will be shown at the Whallonsburg Grange Hall at 7:30 p.m. Anna, a young novitiate nun in 1960s Poland, is on the verge of taking her vows when she discovers a dark family secret dating back to the years of the Nazi occupation. Winner of the 2015 Academy Award for Best For-eign Language Film. Admission is $6 adults; $3 under 18. For reviews and trailers visit cvfilms.org on the web. For more information call 963-4170, thegrangehall.info, or admin@thegrangehall.info.
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mat i o n call 518585-6619. CHESTER-
TOWN — The Priory will hold its annual Christmas Fundraising Sale at the Chester Municipal Center Auditorium from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. There will be gift items, toys, games, holiday decorations and more will be available for sale. Refreshments will be served. Baked goods will be available for purchase. Additional details are available at prioryhouse.com or 518-494-3733. TICONDEROGA — The Noble Train Begins! In this one day living history event, step into Fort Ticonderoga as if it were December 6, 1775, when Henry Knox rode into these storied walls. Watch as soldiers, days before their enlistment expires, work as carpenters to maintain the Fort. Experience the raw power of oxen as these thousand pound animals pull sleds of cannon tubes. Examine the science of gunnery, preserved in Fort Ticonderoga’s massive cannon collection. Stand inside the stone walls in the stark beauty of winter on the very spot where Henry Knox began his Noble Train of Artillery. For more information call 518-585-2821. GLENS FALLS — A night for the young ladies and gentleman to dress in their best and enjoy the holiday excitement at the Queensbury Hotel at the annual Festival of Trees Sugar Plum Ball. For more information call 518-832-6124. GLENS FALLS — Have breakfast, a visit with Santa and tour the children’s wonderland at the Queensbury Hotel. Seating is limited so please call for advance reservations. For more information call 518-832-6124. HAGUE — “Holiday in Hague” will start at 10 a.m. Join us in Hague for shopping, Christmas Tree Decorating Contest, Holiday Parade, Tree Lighting and a Christmas Party with snacks and crafts. For more information call 518-585-6619. INDIAN LAKE — The annual Children’s Holiday Gift Shop sponsored by the Indian Lake Volunteer Fire Department Auxiliary will be held at the Indian Lake Fire House. For more information visit indian-
Arts & Entertainment
Friday, Dec. 4 through Tuesday, Jan. 5
ALTON — Be taken back in time to a remarkable and historical event in Vermont history. A live re-enactment using a horse drawn replica of the 32 1/2 foot granite monument will mark the 110th anniversary of the historical journey from the Rock of Ages Quarry to it final resting place at 357 LDS Lane. Come learn how weather threatened their journey and of the truly miraculous events that transpired due to prayers of faith. Come visit this Vermont historical site which draws thousands of visitors each year. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints offers this to the public with no charge. For information email cochranr@ldspublicaffairs.com. ESSEX — The annual Festival of Choirs is a Multi-Faith Christmas Concert featuring the Hallelujah Chorus at the Essex Ward Building and Stake Center, 73 Essex Way, at 6 p.m. This is a wonderful opportunity to begin a new family tradition! Remember the true meaning of the season through the gift of music. This is one of the best Christmas programs in the State of Vermont, and a multi-faith choir festival where choirs individually and collectively perform beautiful and unique selections. The combined performance of the famous Hallelujah Chorus brings audiences to their feet. Public welcome. No charge. Early arrival recommended. For information email cochranr@ldspublicaffairs.com. BLUE MOUNTAIN LAKE — “It’s a Wonderful Life” will be playing at the Adirondack Museum Auditorium at 2 p.m. Come and watch the live radio broadcast as a handful of actors create 33 parts, including commercials for area businesses. Just as in the days of old, the star of the show will be the artists who create all the sound effects live in front of the audience. Tickets are free to museum members and children under 10, $10 for others at the door. TICONDEROGA — Holiday Movie Theater Night will be held at the Best Western Plus at 5 p.m. This is sponsored by the Ticonderoga Festival Guild. Wear your pajamas and bring a blanket! The movie will be projected onto a large screen. Pizza, hot chocolate and soda will be available. A short lesson on ice mining will be presented to prior to the start of the movie. Free movie and popcorn for all! Donations will be for the Tiny Tim Program will be accepted. Proceeds of food sales to benefit the Ticonderoga Festival Guild and the Tiny Tim Program. For more information call 518-585-6619. TICONDEROGA — The Museum and Co-Op Holiday Gift Shop will be at the Hancock House, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Carillion Garden Club holiday wreaths will be available and be sure to check out the Festival of Trees. For more infor-
WINTER EVENTS 2015
KILLINGTON VT — The Vermont Holiday Festival for holiday fun and entertainment is planned for all ages at the Killington Grand Hotel on Friday from 4 to 8 p.m., Saturday noon to 8 p.m. Activities include the Festival of Trees and Jack Frost Marketplace, Santa’s Workshop, and Sleigh Rides every 15 minutes. Times of the activities may vary. On Friday there will be free admission with a non-perishable food item. The cost is $10 for adults, $5 for children 12 and older, and under 11 are free. On Saturday donation of food items are still encouraged but there will be no free admission this day. Santa’s Workshop cost $10 per child (Call the KPAA in advance at 802-773-4181 to reserve a spot) this will be available both days. A portion of the proceeds will go to the Vermont Food Bank to help make the holidays more joyful for local needy families.
Eat breakfast with Santa during the Vergennes Holiday Stroll on Saturday, Dec. 5. Fore more information call 802-521-0536
5112.
lake. or com 518-648-
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NORTH CREEK — Lights on Breakfast, NORTH CREEK — Lights on Breakfast, Parade & Craft Fair, North Creek’s traditional lights on fair with breakfast with Santa at the fire hall, followed by a parade down Main St. and craft fair at the Copperfield Inn. For more information email info@ goremountain.com or 518-251-2612. WESTPORT — The Boy Scouts Troop 63 will be holding their annual Christmas Tree Sale at the historic Heritage House from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. If trees are left over sale will continue Sunday beginning at 10 a.m. WESTPORT — The Westport Marina Ships’ Store and Botiques will be holding their annual holiday open house and sale from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information call 518-962-4356. AuSABLE FORKS — The Christmas in the Forks will be held throughout the town. There will be free movies at the Hollywood Theatre at 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. This is free for the children. There will be Christmas live entertainment at 20 Main at 4 p.m. The tree lightening ceremony will be held at 6 p.m. at the Clock Park at the center of town. There will be fun characters and surprises with fireworks to follow. Children can meet with Santa and Mrs. Clause following the fireworks at the Jay Community Center. For more information call Helen WirtKennedy at 578-0865. WESTPORT — The Free Masons will be holding there annual Christmas Party at the Westport Heritage House from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. For more information call Mark Carpenter at 962-4405. PLATTSBURGH — There will be a Holiday Gala Inspired By Downton Abbey By Mountain Lake PBS at the Elks Club, 56 Cumberland Ave, from 6 to 9:30 p.m. Dress to Impress. To reserve tickets, call 518-324-0125 or visit mountainlake.org/support/ downton/downton.
Saturday, Dec. 5 through Sunday, Dec. 6
NORTH CREEK — Come and enjoy “Lights On” a Home Town Christmas. Enjoy the Methodist Church Tea and Bazaar, Community Bank Christmas Open House, official lighting of the community Christmas tree, breakfast with Santa, the Lights on Christmas Parade, the fourth annual Lights on Fair featuring handcrafted and artisan creations, and more. For more information call 518-251-2612. NORTH CREEK — Come enjoy Holiday Celebrations at Tannery Pond Community Center Saturday at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. Seasonal music by Holiday Children’s Choir, North County Singers and Dancers. For more information call 518-251-2505. ELIZABETHTOWN — “Playing in the Snow” is a musical benefit for the Bruce L. Crary Scholarship Foundation On Saturday 7 p.m. and Sunday at 3 p.m. Impressive local artists will give of their talents to present two absolutely glorious winter concerts. Performers the likes of Mary Lou Kirsty, Tim Mount, Janice Kyle, Jennifer Moore, Susan Hughes, Kim and Nancy Gilbertson and MANY more. You don’t want to miss this. For more information email Rose Chancler at rchancler@aol.com or call 518-578-2081.
Sunday, Dec. 6
WHALLONSBURG — The Whallonsburg Grange will be showing a family movie. Check out their website for more information. Admission is $6 adults; $3 under 18. For reviews and trailers visit cvfilms.org on the web. For more information call 963-4170, thegrangehall.info, or admin@thegrangehall.info. TICONDEROGA — Visit the Hancock House for the Festival of Trees Open House where all the rooms are filled with decorated trees from 1 to 3 p.m. For more information call 518-585-6619.
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TICONDEROGA — The Ticonderoga Area Chamber of Commerce annual SantaFest will be held at the Ticonderoga Community Building from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. All are welcome to this free event! Music, games, crafts, photos with Santa and more! Complimentary refreshments will be served. Special guest appearances by Frosty the Snowman and his reindeer friend! All children must be accompanied by an adult. For more information call 518-585-6619. WILMINGTON — Come visit the Village Of Lights that offers family and friends a “magical” way to get into the Christmas spirit at Santa’s Workshop. See our park as it is transformed into a Christmas Winter Wonderland that can be enjoyed by the entire family. Enjoy caroling, our fire pit’s “roaring fire”, roast marshmallows, visit the shops, feed the reindeer and put in that last request to Santa himself. Lastly, don’t miss the Nativity Pageant presentation, set on the village hillside. In all, a wonderful way to capture the “spirit of the season” right here at Santa’s Workshop. For more information visit northpoleny.com. LaCOLLE, QU — Harmony Choir, a men’s German choir, will be performing at the Catholic Church at 2 p.m. The music consists of European and German style Christmas music. The cost is $15 (Canadian). For more information contact Henry Morf at 450246-3797 or email hg_morf@hotmail.com. WILLSBORO — Christmas cookies with Santa will be held at the WIllsboro Fire Department from 2 until 4 p.m. Children will be able to decorate Christmas cookies and decorate ornaments to take home. For more information contact Justin Drinkwine, Parks, Recreation & Events Manager at 518963-8933 or email parks@willex.com.
Come on out and enjoy “Playing in the Snow” a musical benefit on Saturday., Dec. 5 at the Hand House in Elizabethtown.
Monday, Dec. 7
AuSABLE FORKS — The AuSable Valley Middle School presents their Choral and Band concert at 7:30 p.m. For more information call 518-834-2845.
Dec. 7 through Dec. 11
ELIZABETHTOWN — The Scholastic Book Fair takes place at Elizabethtown-Lewis Central School Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. and also Thursday 3 to 7 p.m. For more information call Courtney Aloi at caloi@ elcsd.org.
Tuesday, Dec. 8
PERU — Peru’s Applecrate Performance: Holiday Road Trip will be held at Peru High School at 7 p.m. For more information contact Todd Pray at 518643-6499 ext. 5184.
Wednesday, Dec. 9
SARANAC LAKE — The Lake Placid Poets’ Guild will present a poetry reading at Saranac Village at Will Rogers, 78 Will Rogers Drive. This group comprises poets whose mission is to make poetry accessible and to nurture the art of poetry making. Please call to find out this months theme. Free. For more information call 891-7117. TICONDEROGA — Come and hear the songs of the season performed by Ticonderoga Middle and Elementary School Students at the Ticonderoga Elementary/Middle School. Concert starts at 6:30 p.m. For more information call 518-585-7422.
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Friday, Dec. 11
Friday, Dec. 11 through Sunday, Dec. 13
LAKE PLACID — Celebrate the holiday season in the Adirondacks featuring holiday shopping with the annual Holiday Village Festival full of festive family fun, arts and entertainment. The Village of Lake Placid transforms into a winter wonderland full of family activities and sugar plums all weekend long! Join in on the Jingle Bell Run, movies, story time, parade and visits from Santa Claus. Enjoy music, evening skating on the Olympic oval along with wine tastings and dining specials. WOODSTOCK — Twinkling lights, costumes and carolers, the jingle of sleigh bells and over four hundred luminaries lighting the Green. These are the sights and sounds of Woodstock’s Wassail Weekend. Visit Billings Farm and Museum, take a sleigh ride, go on a house tour, visit a holiday craft market–all within the beautiful village of Woodstock. For more information visit woodstockvt.com.
Arts & Entertainment
SPECULATOR — Welcome the holiday season at the Holiday Fair held at Oak Mountain, a winter celebration with fun for the entire family! Craft fair for all, Live Music from 5 to 9 p.m., and For the Kids Santa and his real reindeer make a special guest appearance, ornament decorating station, face painting, story time. Dog Sled Rides with Run By Dogs for $10. A team of dogs is eager to take people on a ride around the mountain that is sure to thrill. For more information call 518548-3606. INLET — The American Snowmobiler DynoTech Research Shoot Out will be held at Chip and Cindy Sauer’s Track (behind The Ole Barn). Gates open at 8 a.m. and the Shoot Out starts at 11 a.m. Food will be available and raffles will be held. Spectators Fee is $10, Trail Riders can run 660’ for $10. For more information visit inletny.com or call Jim at DynoTech 585-993-2777.
your neighbors and friends. All are welcomed to attend. For more information call 518-494-3374. TICONDEROGA — The annual Champlain Valley Chorale Holiday Concert with refreshments provided by the Carillon Garden Club, at the Ticonderoga United Methodist Church, at 3 p.m. For more information all 518-585-6619. St JOHNSBURY VT — The Victorian Holiday Open House will be held at the Fairbanks Museum and Planetarium at 1:30 p.m. Ring in the holiday season with friends and neighbors with this festive tradition. There are platters of holiday sweets, crafts for giving and for decorating, special planetarium presentations just for kids, and plenty of good cheer! Plus, one last chance to see the dinosaurs before they are packed up for their next adventure! This is free and open to the public. For more information call Anna Rubin 802-748-2372 or arubin@fairbanksmuseum.org.
WINTER EVENTS 2015
ELIZABETHTOWN — Please join Elizabethtown-Lewis Central School for their Kindergarten through sixth grade winter concert held at the ELCS Auditorium, 7530 Court Street, at 6 p.m. The middle School and high school winter concert begins at 7:30 p.m. For more information contact Kerry Mero at 518-873-6371.
Saturday, Dec. 12
WHALLONSBURG — Garry Finney will be the caller at the Holiday Square Dance at the Whallonsburg Grange Hall. The cost is to be determined. For more information call 963-4170, thegrangehall.info, or admin@thegrangehall.info. PLATTSBURGH — Enjoy some holiday harmonies Saturday, Dec. 12, at St. Peter’s Church on Cornelia Street, at 1 p.m. Champlain Valley Sweet Adelines, directed by Carla Brassard; Cumberland Bay Barbershoppers, directed by Dianne Brooks; With special guests Sounds of the Northway will be performing. Bring your friends and enjoy this free musical greeting card with songs of the season. LYNDON — The annual Festival of Choirs is a Multi-Faith Christmas Concert featuring the Hallelujah Chorus at the Lyndon Ward Building, 5521 Memorial Drive, at 6:30 p.m. This is a wonderful opportunity to begin a new family tradition! Remember the true meaning of the season through the gift of music. This is one of the best Christmas programs in the State of Vermont, and a multi-faith choir festival where choirs individually and collectively perform beautiful and unique selections. The combined performance of the famous Hallelujah Chorus brings audiences to their feet. Public welcome. No charge. Early arrival recommended. For information email cochranr@ldspublicaffairs.com. LONG LAKE — Bring the kids out to have Lunch with Santa at the Long Lake Town Hall. Registration is required. Registration and details are at mylonglake.com or call 518-624-3077. CHESTERTOWN — “It’s a Wonderful Life” will be performed at the Chestertown Hall Auditorium at 7 p.m. Come and watch the live radio broadcast as a handful of actors create 33 parts, including commercials for area businesses. Just as in the days of old, the star of the show will be the artists who create all the sound effects live in front of the audience. Tickets are $12 for adults and $6 for children available at the door. Please bring an item for the local food pantry to be included in a community raffle. GLENS FALLS — The Glens Falls Symphony Orchestra will be performing their North Country Christmas Concert. Bring the entire family to the Glens Falls High School and cozy up for a winter concert full of symphonic and choral music celebrating the holidays with songs from around the world. Special guest artists, the Glens Falls Symphony Children’s Chorus, add a charm all their own. For more information and times call 518-793-1348. CHESTERTOWN — The Annual Christmas Cantata will be performed at the Community United Methodist Church. Lenore Simpson is the conductor of an ecumenical choir and Robert K. Flachbarth is the accompanist Refreshments will be served after the Sunday performance. A freewill offering will be taken at both churches. The cantata is a joyous way to welcome in the holiday season. Come join
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Garry Finney will be the caller at the Holiday Square Dance at the Whallonsburg Grange Hall on Saturday, Dec. 12. The cost is to be determined. For more information call 963-4170, thegrangehall.info, or admin@thegrangehall.info.
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Saturday, Dec. 12 and Sunday, Dec. 13
PLATTSBURGH — The Clinton County Historical Association & Museum will be holding a Holiday Open House at 98 Ohio Avenue, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. With extended hours and free admission to all, we hope you and your family will have a chance to stop by the Museum to see all that we have to offer. Speak with our staff about volunteer opportunities and for researchers, we have an extensive collection and reference library with 100’s of local resources. For more information, please visit Clinton County Historical Association at clintoncountyhistorical.org. ESSEX — The Christmas in Essex celebration holds many activities for the family. Santa and Mrs. Claus will arrive at the Essex Dock where they will greet children and families at 9:30 a.m. Claus will then travel to the Essex Fire Department to have a free pancake breakfast with visitors who come and greet them at 9:45 a.m. Pick up your scavenger hunt card at Lake Champlain Yoga & Wellness and DFES Center. Visit the holiday vendors for a variety of Jewelry, ornaments, biscotti, maple syrup, Champlain Area Trails, wovens, Essex doodles, photography, paintings, wreaths, baked goods, pottery, glass, hot cider, snacks and local crafts from 9:45 to 11 a.m. ESSEX — The Pleasant Valley Chorale will present a program of holiday music entitled “Messiah ... and More!” at the Essex Community Church, at 7:30 p.m. Featured music will include selections from Handel’s Messiah paired with other classic holiday music. Russell Ames will accompany the chorale for this set of concerts. Admission is free with a goodwill donation accepted at the door. The chorale is a 40-voice ensemble, directed by Susan Hughes, accompanied by Russell Ames, and sponsored by the Elizabethtown Social Center. From 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. visit the Pink Pig, Neighborhood Nest, Essex Ice Cream Café, Cupola House, Lake Champlain Yoga & Wellness, ReNew, Essex Inn (dinner available), and the Christmas bazaar at the Essex Community church featuring Christmas items and other crafts, Essex calendars, a white elephant table, and our annual soup and sandwich luncheon at 11:30 a.m. There will be a holiday baking contest that is free and open to all, that is hosted by the Pink Pig. Enter your most delicious and/or most beautifully decorated holiday cookie, cake or confection to be judged by a team of baking aficionados led by Essex resident Kate Moses, author of CAKEWALK. Prizes for winners! All entries will be displayed throughout the day until judging at 3:15 p.m. Please deliver entries (and fill out an entry card) between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. to 2307 Main Street (the Gingerbread House Workshop). Categories include children’s baking, children’s decorating, adult decorating, cakes, pies, cookies, confections and savory. All entries except Decorating will be tasted by the happy judges! (Early drop-offs on Friday can be left at the Pink Pig). There will be a fabulous Holiday Photo Booth at the Essex Ice Cream Café from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Get your picture taken and enjoy baked goods, specialty coffee drinks (peppermint lattées), hot cider, hot cocoa and fire pit along with the Essex Christmas Art Show, Adirondack Art Association, from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. View and purchase art from local artists and sample some delicious hot cocoa. From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. will be the Belden Noble Library Silent Auction Reindeer Fun Run for Kids around Beggs Point (start & finish at Lake Champlain Yoga & Wellness) will be held noon to 12:30 p.m. The Gingerbread House Decorating Workshop
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The Pleasant Valley Chorale will present a program of holiday music at the UCC Church in Elizabethtown at 3 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 14
for kids is free. Come make and decorate your own gingerbread house from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Town Tree Lighting with Christmas music/ sing along from Willsboro CSD students will be at 2 p.m. Santa and Mrs. Claus will travel across the street and light the Town Tree (located in front of Town Hall). Join us and local carolers as we celebrate the symbol of the season! Children who have completed their scavenger hunt card can turn it in to Santa for a Christmas gift from Essex! Local author Steven Kellogg reads his book “The Christmas Witch” at the Belden Noble Library at 2:30 p.m. He will also be sharing some on-site drawings from the book. Get there early! Seating is limited! Stephen will donate copy of this book to the library collection so that anyone in the audience who is interested would be able to check it out. Enjoy a delicious meal at the Essex Inn from 3 to 9 p.m. The CEVE Happy Hour at Essex Inn will be at 5:30 p.m. Come enjoy some spirits with good friends and neighbors! The cash bar will be $5 for snacks. For more information call 518-578-9112, email info@christmasinessex.com or visit christmasinessex.com.
Sunday, Dec. 13
GLENS FALLS — The Glens Falls Symphony Orchestra will be performing their North Country Christmas Concert. Bring the entire family to the Glens Falls High School and cozy up for a winter concert full of symphonic and choral music celebrating the holidays with songs from around the world. Special guest artists, the Glens Falls Symphony Children’s Chorus, add a charm all their own. For details and times call 518-793-1348. CHESTERTOWN — The annual Christmas Cantata will be performed at the Community United Methodist Church. Lenore Simpson is the conductor of an ecumenical choir and Robert K. Flachbarth is the accompaniSt Refreshments will be served after the Sunday performance. A free will offering will be taken at both churches. The cantata is a joyous way to welcome in the holiday season Come join your neighbors and friends. All are welcomed to attend. For more information call 518-494-3374.
TICONDEROGA — The annual Champlain Valley Chorale Holiday Concert with refreshments provided by the Carillon Garden Club, at the Ticonderoga United Methodist Church, at 3 p.m. For more information call 518-585-6619. WILMINGTON — Come visit the Village Of Lights that offers family and friends a “magical” way to get into the Christmas spirit at Santa’s Workshop. See our park as it is transformed into a Christmas Winter Wonderland that can be enjoyed by the entire family. Enjoy caroling, our fire pit’s “roaring fire”, roast marshmallows, visit the shops, feed the reindeer and put in that last request to Santa himself. Lastly, don’t miss the Nativity Pageant presentation, set on the village hillside. In all, a wonderful way to capture the “spirit of the season” right here at Santa’s Workshop. For more information visit northpoleny.com.
Monday, Dec. 14
AuSABLE FORKS — The AuSable Valley Middle School presents their Choral and Band concert at 7:30 p.m. For more information call 518-834-2845. ELIZABETHTOWN — The Pleasant Valley Chorale will present a program of holiday music entitled “Messiah ... and More!” at the UCC Church, at 3 p.m. Featured music will include selections from Handel’s Messiah paired with other classic holiday music. Russell Ames will accompany the chorale for this set of concerts. Admission is free with a goodwill donation accepted at the door. The chorale is a 40-voice ensemble, directed by Susan Hughes, accompanied by Russell Ames, and sponsored by the Elizabethtown Social Center.
Monday, Dec. 14 – Sunday, Dec. 20
NORTH CREEK — Take your Kids to Gore Week at Gore Mountain. Take your kids to Gore and enjoy the day! Children 19 and under ski, ride and tube free with full paying parent. Details: 518-251-2411.
Tuesday, Dec. 15
PERU — Peru High School Choral and Instrumental Winter Concert will be held at 7 p.m. For more information contact Todd Pray at 518-6436499 ext. 5184.
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TICONDEROGA — Join Ti’Coustics for an evening of music and talent at the Burleigh House, 120 Montcalm Street, at 7 p.m. Some evenings will be themed. For more information call 518-585-9138.
Thursday, Dec. 17
PERU — Peru Jr. High School Choral and Instrumental Winter Concert will be held at 7 p.m. For more information contact Todd Pray at 518-6436499 ext. 5184.
Friday, Dec. 18 and Saturday, Dec. 19
Friday, Dec. 18 through Sunday, Dec. 20
TICONDEROGA — The Festival Guild Players perform “A Christmas Carol”. The Players have commissioned a new and modern version of A Christmas Carol that brings Dicken’ classic Christmas story into the 21st Century. Performances will be held in the Ticonderoga Municipal Building Auditorium. For tickets and times call 518-585-6619.
Saturday, Dec. 19
WHALLONSBURG — The Whallonsburg Grange Hall will be holding a Holiday Farmers’ Market from 1 to 4 p.m. Come get some holiday shopping and get some local goods. For more information call 963-4170, thegrangehall.info, or admin@thegrangehall.info. MALONE — Join Titus Mountain for their Ugly Sweater Kick Off Party at Titus Mountain, 215 Johnson Road, from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Wear your ugliest sweater for your chance at some sweet prizes and enjoy live entertainment. For more information visit titusmountain.com.
Saturday, Dec. 19 and Sunday Dec. 20
MANCHESTER — The whimsical holiday train will leave R.K. Miles Depot Station, 670 Depot Street, taking its riders on a one-hour enchanting journey through the Green Mountains of Southern Vermont. $25 Adults 13 and over, $20 Kids 2-12, Under 2 (lap rider) Free. Departures: 10, 11:30, 1, 2:30, and 4. Visit manchesterlionselftrain.com for more information.
POTTERSVILLE — There will be an evening hike at the Natural Stone Bridges and Caves, by reservation, highlighting the Stone Bridge, sawmill waterfalls and ice flows. See results made by “local residents” beavers, bobcats, deer, rabbits, coyotes, pine martens, and more wildlife. Hike is weather permitting. Please dress appropriately, boots, layer your clothing, hat, gloves; bottled water, backpack, etc. Bring your snowshoes and poles; rentals are available by reservation. No dogs please. Every Saturday at 6 p.m. For more information call 518494-2283.
Monday, Dec. 20
RUTLAND VT — The Albany Berkshire Ballet: The Nutcracker will be performed at the Paramount Theater, at 2 p.m. Tickets cost $29.50. For more information call 802-775-0903 or visit paramountvt.
Sunday, Dec. 20 through Wednesday, Dec. 23
WILMINGTON — Come visit the Village Of Lights that offers family and friends a “magical” way to get into the Christmas spirit at Santa’s Workshop. See our park as it is transformed into a Christmas Winter Wonderland that can be enjoyed by the entire family. Enjoy caroling, our fire pit’s “roaring fire”, roast marshmallows, visit the shops, feed the reindeer and put in that last request to Santa himself.
Lastly, don’t miss the Nativity Pageant presentation, set on the village hillside. In all, a wonderful way to capture the “spirit of the season” right here at Santa’s Workshop. For more information visit northpoleny.com.
Thursday, Dec. 24
MALONE — Join Titus Mountain for Skiing and Riding with Santa from 9:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Ski and Ride with Santa and Mrs. Claus, get your picture taken and enjoy the brand new Teddy Lean-to. For more information visit titusmountain.com.
Saturday, Dec. 26
PLATTSBURGH — Get your skis ready and experience winter skiing on the Adirondack Coast at Beartown (weather permitting) from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. This is the opening day. For more information visit skibeartown.com. LUDLOW VT — The Torchlight Parade and Fireworks Display will be held at Okemo Mountain Resort, Clock Tower Base Area, at 7:30 p.m. This spectacular pyrotechnics show starts at 7:30 p.m. in the Okemo Clock Tower base area, following an amazing torchlight parade of skiers and riders traversing Okemos’ Open Slope trail. For more information call 800-78-OKEMO.
Arts & Entertainment
LAKE GEORGE — Coming to the Lake George Forum is “The Real Christmas Story”, a Christmas Dinner and Live Show. Opening to rave reviews, “The Real Christmas Story” is a Broadway style musical with an amazing cast of fifty. Begin by savoring a Christmas meal, then see your favorite Christmas scenes, hear your favorite Christmas songs and watch in awe-stricken wonder as NarroWay Productions beautiful recreates the Real Christmas Story as the Forum fills with music, lights and snow. Reservations are required. To make a reservation or for more details call 518-668-2200.
Saturday, Dec. 19 – Saturday, March 12
WINTER EVENTS 2015
Wednesday, Dec. 16
Dec. 27 – Dec. 29
PUTNEY VT — Glassblowers, potters, jewelers, stained glass artists, fine art painters, woodworkers and weavers, cheese makers and winemakers welcome visitors into their studios to look around, ask questions and discover oneof-a-kind handcrafted objects. Meander back roads, following the map to find and view the works of 26 prominent craftspeople at putneycrafts.com.
Wednesday, Dec. 30
NORTH CREEK — Twelve:30 Slopestyle! The holiday freestyle event of the season at Gore Mountain! Awards will be granted for style, trick difficulty and overall performance. All competitors must wear a helmet. Advance registration is required. For more information visit goremountain.com or call 518-251-2411.
Thursday, Dec. 31
SARANAC LAKE — Enjoy Saranac Lake’s unique ball drop at midnight courtesy of the Saranac Lake Fire Department. See the Fireworks at midnight burst over Lake Flower!
The Albany Berkshire Ballet will perform The Nutcracker at the Paramount Theater at 2 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 20.
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WINTER EVENTS 2015
Arts & Entertainment
SARANAC LAKE — First Night Saranac Lake is an alcohol free alternative to ringing in the New Year. From live music all over the community, to dining specials and fireworks, this event has grown from its humble beginnings in 2006, to being recognized for the best First Night button in the country in 2011. As the event draws closer, many events will be added to the schedule. Check back often for updates and entertainment schedules and see First Night’s website at saranaclake.com. LUDLOW VT— The Family New Year’s Eve will be held at the Okemo Mountain Resort, Roundhouse, Jackson Gore Village will be held from 5 to 9 p.m., Midnight arrives early at Okemo. Enjoy early evening ice skating, snowtubing, mountain coaster rides, horse-drawn wagon rides, hat decorating, bingo games and a trivia tournament, families can ring in the New Year early with a DJ dance party - and still get the kids to bed in time for a full day on the slopes the next day. For more information visit okemo.com. STRATTON VT — Come see the New Year’s Eve Celebration. Gather with friends and family as we ring in the New Year at Stratton with fireworks, a torch light parade and 21 Jump Salute. Kids Crafts will be available from 7 to 8:30 p.m., featuring a face painter and caricaturiSt Adults will enjoy a special New Year’s Eve party in Grizzly’s from 8:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. BURLINGTON VT— First Night Burlington is Vermont’s largest, single day arts festival, providing an accessible and affordable New Year’s Eve celebration featuring 110 performances and activities at 20 venues. Fun for all ages, Burlington was the fifth city in the world to embrace the First Night concept. For more information visit FirstNightBurlington.com.
Friday, Jan. 8, through Tuesday, Feb. 2
SARANAC LAKE — There will be a Benefit Art Show for The Adirondack Carousel at the Adirondack Artist Guild, 52 Main Street. This exhibition of art work by members of The ADK Artists Guild. Sales of works will go to benefit the Adirondack Carousel. There will be an Opening Reception Friday, Jan. 8, from 5 to 7 p.m. Come see some fabulous art and place a bid! For more information call 891-2615.
Friday, Jan. 15 through Monday, Jan. 18
LAKE PLACID — The 36th annual Northwood Invitational Hockey Tournament held Olympic Center, 2634 Main Street. For more information call 5231655.
Saturday, Jan. 16
WESTPORT — The second annual Snowmobile Rally will be at the Essex County Fairgrounds, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. approximately. This is to benefit the NCSPCA. For more information, call the shelter at 873-5000.
Friday, Jan. 1
LAKE GEORGE — Every year, hundreds gather on the frosty shores of Lake George for a daring New Years’ Day swim, known as the Polar Plunge. That tradition continues at Shepard Park Beach where about 1,000 participants are expected to take part in the Lake George Polar Plunge. For more information call 518-668-5323. NORTH CREEK — Kick off 2016 at Gore Mountain with old-town fun at the North Creek Ski Bowl! Offering half-price as of 3 p.m. for 2-hour tubing tickets and Village Slopes twilight tickets for skiers and riders! For more information call 518-251-2411.
Saturday, Jan. 2
LONG LAKE — The Feelin’ Long Lakey Polar Bear Plunge will be held at the Long Lake Town Beach at 1 p.m. Take the plunge in the waters of Long Lake to start off your New Year! Celebrate New Year’s Weekend with a cold dip, and a story to tell! Registration fee “pay what you may” to benefit the Wounded Warrior Project. Teams please call the Town of Long Lake Parks & Recreation Office to gather fundraising paperwork. Bring your towels, robes and warm clothes. Registration and Med Check open at the Adirondack Hotel at 10 a.m. Med Check is required and provided by the Long Lake Rescue Squad. For more information visit mylonglake.com or call 518-624-3077.
Monday, Jan. 4 through Friday, Jan. 29
GLENS FALLS — Darlene Van Sickle display of Watercolors will be held at the 2nd Floor Gallery@City Hall, 42 Ridge Street, with a reception Friday, Jan. 8, from 5 to 7 p.m. Gallery Hours are Monday thru Friday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information visit info@NorthCountryARTS.org.
Friday, Jan. 8 through Sunday, Jan. 10
LAKE PLACID — World Cup Bobsled and Skeleton thunders into Lake Placid as the worlds best sliders battle it out on one of the worlds toughest tracks at 220 Bobsled Run Lake, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information visit whiteface.com/events/fibt-world-cup-bobsled-skeleton .
Every winter, the brave of heart take to the icy waters of Lake George and Long Lake for a frosty Polar Bear Plunge. This year’s event takes place in Lake George on Friday, Jan. 1 and in Long Lake on Saturday, Jan. 2. Or, why not hit them both???
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LONG LAKE — The Moonlighter’s Snowmobile Club and the Town of Long Lake host a winter carnival on Mt. Sabattis the Saturday of Martin Luther King weekend. This year will feature a snowmobile parade followed by the crowning of the King and Queen and a Town Wide Photograph. Events of the day include the infamous Cardboard Box Derby Race, One Shot Basketball, Money Balloon Hunt, Snowball Golf, and the ever famous Ladies Frying Pan Toss competition. The night rounds out with a firework display. The Long Lake Little Bus starts running at Noon until last call. All welcome to park and ride! FREE all day long. For more information visit mylonglake.com or call 518-624-3077.
The Moonlighter’s Snowmobile Club and town of Long Lake will host a snowmobile parade as part of the the town’s winter carnival. The parade will be held on Mt. Sabattis the Saturday of Martin Luther King weekend.
WINTER EVENTS 2015
Saturday, Jan. 16 and Sunday, Jan. 17
Sunday, Jan. 17
Friday, Jan. 22
WILLSBORO — The Halfmoon Snowshoe Nights take place at Noblewood Park from 7 to 9 p.m. Come enjoy a walk through the woods, drink hot chocolate in the newly heated lodge and a community campfire by moonlight. BYOB. This is a goodbye winter party. For more information contact Justin Drinkwine, Parks, Recreation & Events Manager at 518-9638933 or email parks@willex.com.
Friday, Jan 22 through Sunday, Jan. 24
WILLSBORO — The Boy Scout Klondike Derby will be held at the Willsboro Fish and Game Club. The events are open to the public on Jan. 23 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. All Boy Scout and troops are encouraged to attend. For more information visit the council website at trcscouting.org/adirondack.
Friday, Jan. 22 through Saturday, Feb. 27
GLENS FALLS — The 2016 Exhibit #1 opening reception will be held at the Art in Glens Falls at Rare eARTh Gallery, 176 Glen Street Friday, Jan. 22, from 6 to 8 p.m. and the closing reception is Saturday, Feb. 27, from 2 until 4 p.m. For more information email info@NorthCountryARTS.org.
Wednesday, Jan. 27
PERU — The Peru Elementary School Instrumental Winter Concert takes place at 7 p.m. For more information contact Todd Pray at 518-643-6499 ext. 5184.
Friday, Jan. 29
INLET — Don’t miss the Eighth annual Adirondack Ice Bowl Pond Hockey Tournament on Fourth Lake near The Woods Inn! There will be live music, food, and more at this family-friendly spectator event. For more information call 315-357-5300.
Saturday, Jan. 30
LONG LAKE — Come out to Geiger Arena for the first annual Snowmobile Trail Rally and Scavenger Hunt. Follow a ridiculous set of instructions to find clue and complete the tasks for the chance to win a cash prize! For more information visit mylonglake.com or call 518-624-3077.
Monday, Feb. 1 through Friday, Feb. 26
GLENS FALLS — The NCA Member Show “Mixed Media” will be on display at the 2nd Floor Gallery@City Hall, 42 Ridge Street, with a reception Friday, Feb. 5, from 5 to 7 p.m. Gallery Hours are Monday thru Friday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information visit info@NorthCountryARTS.org.
Saturday, Feb. 2
PLATTSBURGH — There will be a Drumming Circle for Elementary Students (K-5) at NCCCA Arts Center, 23 Brinkerhoff Street, from 11 to 11:45 a.m. The cost is $4 pp with preregistration required. Explore the world of drumming circles in a playful way by being absorbed in the driving rhythm of group drumming activities. Some songs tell a story and the drums have a role to play. Other songs combine several repeated chants in layers of contagious rhythm that the students won’t want to stop. This is sponsored by the NCCCA Arts Center. For more information call 563-1604 or education@plattsburgharts.org or visit plattsburgharts.org. PLATTSBURGH — There will be Drumming Circle for Adults (15 and older) at the NCCCA Arts Center, 23 Brinkerhoff Street, from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. The cost is $4 per person with preregistration required. Keep the rhythm going during this unique drumming circle! A drumming circle must have cooperation and concentration in order to be successful. When people are
Arts & Entertainment
NORTH CREEK — The annual Torchlight Parade and Fireworks Spectacular at Gore Mountain. Sit on the sundeck at Gore Mountain at dusk for an amazing fireworks display and torch run, illuminating the base area in celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. Weekend at Gore Mountain! Snacks and drinks available from the Open Pit Grille! After the Fireworks Spectacular, check out live entertainment in the Tannery Pub! For more information call 518-251-2411.
WINTER EVENTS 2015
Arts & Entertainment
participating in a drum circle, their mind is focusing on their own part and how it fits into the pulse of the circle. The rhythmic polyphony has a contagious quality that makes the drummer want to continue to keep the rhythm going, despite fatigue and without distraction. This is sponsored by the NCCCA Arts Center. For more information call 563-1604, education@plattsburgharts.org or visit plattsburgharts.org. PLATTSBURGH — The Snowball Kick-Off event is scheduled for 2 p.m. at the Champlain Valley Transportation Museum, 12 Museum Way. This event is free. Join us for the opening ceremonies for Snowball. Watch as the Mayor throws out the first snowball, see a 21 snowa-pult salute and participate in a series of fun, outdoor activities. This is sponsored by CVTM and Snowball Collaborators. For more information call 566-7575. PLATTSBURGH — The second annual Kids’ Carnival takes place from 2 until 5 p.m. at the City Recreation Gym, 52 US Oval. This is free. This is an afternoon focused on raising awareness about children’s wellness resources in our community and resources for parents and others who need a break from time-to-time for their own wellness. The Carnival features Mardi Gras-themed activities and crafts including: bouncy house, face painting, bean bag toss, beads, music, mask & noisemaker decorating, and much more. There will be ongoing demonstrations by Guibord’s North Country School of Dance, Steve’s Contact Karate and ZumbAtomic. Families can stop by the City Police booth for a safety kit, enjoy stilt walking/juggling by the Gratto Family Entertainers. Then at 3 p.m. and again at 4:30 p.m. there will be the Kids’ Parade of Masks led by Mardi Gras North Queen Penny Clute with live music by Bryan Kieser & the King Cake Combo. Free water is donated by Kinney Drugs and popcorn throughout the event. This is sponsored by BHSN (Behavioral Health Services North). For more information call 518-563-8206, ext. 135 or email bblack@bhsn.org.
The 2016 Empire State Winter Games as a multiday sports is back! The 2015 Games included over 1400 participants of all ages, including master divisions. Each ESWG registered athlete is invited to participate in all the festivities especially the opportunity to march in the “Parade of Athletes” during the Opening Ceremony on Thursday, Feb.. 4, beginning at 6 p.m.
Sunday, Feb. 3
PLATTSBURGH — The Bookwoman’s Story Hour is held from 2 until 3 p.m. at the Cornerstone Bookstore, 110 Margaret Street. This is free. Elaine Ostry will tell stories to children of all ages. This is sponsored by SUNY Plattsburgh’s English Department, Cornerstone Book Store, and CVTM. For more information call 518-561-0520 or email ostryem@plattsburgh.edu.
Thursday, Feb. 4 through Sunday, Feb. 7
LAKE PLACID — The 2016 Empire State Winter Games are a multi-day sports is back! For more than 34 years, the Games have brought together athletes from across the State and beyond to compete in 19 winter sports. The 2015 Games included over 1400 participants of all ages, including master divisions. Each ESWG registered athlete is invited to participate in all the festivities especially the opportunity to march in the “Parade of Athletes” during the Opening Ceremony on Thursday, Feb.. 4, beginning at 6 p.m. The Opening Ceremony is open to all-bring your cameras and video! The Empire State Winter Games is a community-driven event, courtesy of a partnership between the Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism (ROOST), the Towns of North Elba, Wilmington, Tupper Lake, Harrietstown, Brighton; Villages of Lake Placid, Tupper and Saranac Lake; the counties of Essex and Franklin; the NYS Olympic Regional Development Authority, and State Senator Betty Little. LPECQD, Inc, is a subsidiary of ROOST, is a 501c3 not-for-profit and is fiscally responsible for the Empire State Winter Games. Sport venues are located in Lake Placid, Wilmington, Saranac Lake, Tupper Lake and Paul Smiths. Venues include: Herb Brooks 1980 Rink, USA Rink, Ski Jumps, Whiteface Mountain, Paul Smith’s College, The VIC, Saranac Lake Civil Center Ice Rink, Tupper Lake Memorial Civic Center, Olympic Bobsled and Biathlon Center. For additional information pertaining to each sport, the schedule, ceremony, news and results please refer to the indicated pages. Thank you for participating in the Games!
Saturday, Feb. 6
WILLSBORO — The Halfmoon Snowshoe Nights take place at Noblewood Park from 7 to 9 p.m. Come enjoy a walk through the woods, drink hot chocolate in the newly heated lodge and a community campfire by moonlight. BYOB.
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This is a goodbye winter party. For more information contact Justin Drinkwine, Parks, Recreation & Events Manager at 518-963-8933 or email parks@willex. com.
Saturday, Feb. 6 and Sunday, Feb. 7
ELIZABETHTOWN — Piano by Nature presents a Metamusic and Friends concert at the Hand House on Saturday, at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 3 p.m. The concert features Classical Music featuring Dr. Rose Chancler, Dan Drordan and SUNY Professor Dr. Marilyn Reynolds. The cost is $15 for adult and $5 for students and younger than 15. For more information visit pianobynature.org or visit their facebook page, call 518-578-2081, or rchancler@aol.com.
Saturday, Feb. 9
PLATTSBURGH — The Sunrise Rotary Winter Carnival will be held between 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the CVPH Front Lawn. This is a free event. Bring a nonperishable food item to donate to the local food pantry. Activities Include snow sculptures, sledding hill, snowshoeing, ice skating, cross country skiing, arts and crafts, horse drawn wagon rides, disk golf, pancake toss, healthy food and Drink. This is sponsored by the Plattsburgh Sunrise Rotary. For more information call 518-561-5400 ext. 24, email allison@hulbertsupply.com or visit plattsburghsunriserotary.org.
Sunday, Feb. 10
PLATTSBURGH — The Second Sunday Family Arts will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. at the NCCCA Arts Center, 23 Brinkerhoff St. The cost is $5 per child or $12 for a family of three or more children. Enjoy a creative family afternoon filled with themed art activities. This is sponsored by the NCCCA Arts Center. For more information call 518-563-1604, email education@plattsburgharts. org or visit plattsburgharts.org.
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WINTER EVENTS 2015
The High School All County Music Festival will be held on Monday, Feb. 11 at the Ticonderoga High School at 6:30 p.m
Arts & Entertainment
CHESTERTOWN — Chestertown’s annual Krazy Downhill Derby, a wacky winter event will be held at Dynamite Hill Recreation Area. Get there early to view the sleds up close. Certificates and prizes awarded for fastest, most creative, funnies and more. Refreshments will be available at the Ski Hut. Additional details are available at northwarren.com or call 518-494-2722.
Saturday, Feb. 13 and Sunday, Feb. 14
Monday, Feb. 11 TICONDEROGA — The High School All County Music Festival at the Ticonderoga High School at 6:30 p.m. For more information on cost call 518-5857400.
Tuesday, Feb. 12
PLATTSBURGH — Mommy/Daddy and Me Clay Time takes place between 10 and 11 a.m. at the NCCCA Arts Center, 23 Brinkerhoff St. The cost is $25/20 for members of the Arts Center. Experience the joy of clay with your child. We will create new projects each month. Materials and firing included in coSt Children must be accompanied by an adult. There will be a max of eight students. This is sponsored by the NCCCA Arts Center. For more information call 518-563-1604, email education@plattsburgharts.org or visit plattsburgharts.org.
Friday, Feb. 12 through Sunday, Feb. 21
NEWCOMB — The second annual Winter Sports Festival includes skiing, ice skating, snowshoeing, snowmobiling and hiking with more details to follow! Visit newcombny.com or discovernewcomb.com for more information. INDIAN LAKE — The annual Winter Wonderland Craft Show will be held at the Indian Lake Central School Gymnasium with crafters and vendors selling a wide array of winter goods. For more information visit indian-lake.com or call 518-648-5112. LONG LAKE — Join the people in Raquette Lake for the Raquette Lake Winter Carnival. A day of fun winter events! Youth activities start at 10 a.m. This includes snowshoe relay, snow dodgeball, tug-o-war, and so much more. Don’t miss the Ladies Frying Pan Toss at Noon and Bonfire all day. Other activities include Ice Golf on Raquette Lake! X-Cut competition is held on Sunday. For more detail visit mylonglake.com or call 518-624-3077.
Saturday, Feb. 13 – Sunday Feb. 21
WOODSTOCK VT — Come and participate during the Sleigh Ride Week at Billings Farm and Museum. Climb aboard the Billings Farm sleigh for a ride through the frosty farm fields. Sled with jack jumpers and in commemoration of President’s Day, sample favorite cookies of Presidents. There will be handson activities on the weekends include making presidential silhouettes and presidential trivia. In the barns, discover Vermont dairying, past and present. For more information call 802-457-2355.
INDIAN LAKE — SnowCade is the celebration of winter, centered in Indian Lake, taking place during President’s Week with many snowmobiling and non-snowmobiling events including tours, races, dining, star-gazing and comedy shows to name a few. It is the time to “make tracks” in Indian Lake. For more information visit indian-lake.com or call 518-648-5112.
Sunday, Feb. 14
INDIAN LAKE — There will be an encore performance of “It’s a Wonderful Life” to benefit the Cabin Fever Players at the Indian Lake Theater at 7:30 p.m. Come and watch the live radio broadcast as a handful of actors create 33 parts, including commercials for area businesses. Just as in the days of old, the star of the show will be the artists who create all the sound effects live in front of the audience. Tickets are $15 for adults and $6 for children available at the door. Bring an item for the local food pantry to be included in a community raffle.
Friday, Feb. 15
Saturday, Feb. 13
nclmagazine.com
NEWCOMB — Featuring all free winter outdoor activities Newcomb has to offer: snowmobile rides, ice fishing demos, downhill and cross country skiing, sledding, snowshoeing trails, ice skating, snow biking, hot chocolate, bonfire, family fun packed activities. For more details and Locations visit discovernewcomb.com. PLATTSBURGH — The Mountain Lake PBS Kids’ Movie Night begins at 5 p.m. at Mountain Lake PBS, One Sesame St. The movie is free, but donations are accepted. Come to Mountain Lake PBS for pizza, watch a Wild Kratts, Under the Sea movie, and do some fun craft, science and literacy activities! This is sponsored by Mountain Lake PBS and The Champlain Valley Transportation Museum’s Kids Station. Preregistration is required. For more information visit mountainlake.org or call 563-9770.
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WINTER EVENTS 2015
Friday, Feb. 19
Sunday, Feb. 17
PLATTSBURGH — The Kids Snowshoe Race will be held on the Saranac River Trail. The time is TBD. The starting line site on Saranac River Trail is TBD. This is free. Kids of all ages are invited to participate in the first ever Saranac River Trail Snow Shoe Race. There will be two races, one for beginners and one for more experienced snowshoers. There is a limited number of snowshoes available to participants on a first come, first served basis. Visit our Snowball Facebook page or borderlessnorth.com for up-to-date details. This is sponsored by Sunrise Rotary, Town of Plattsburgh Recreation, Clinton County Youth Bureau, Saranac River Trail Committee, City of Plattsburgh Recreation. For more information: email allison@hulbertsupply.com.
Arts & Entertainment
Thursday, Feb. 18
INDIAN LAKE — The Second Annual Murder Mystery will take place at Chrissy’s Cafe. “Death by Drama” starts at 7 p.m. and a buffet dinner will be served at 8 p.m. Reservations are required by calling 518-648-9905.
Monday, Feb. 18 through Monday, Feb. 22
PLATTSBURGH — The Art Quest takes place between 9 a.m. to noon, at the NCCCA Arts Center, 23 Brinkerhoff St. The costs are $95/$85 for members of the Arts Center with preregistration required. Join us for an arts exploration during school vacation. When school is out, art is in! This event is sponsored by NCCCA Arts Center. For more information call 563-1604, email education@ plattsburgharts.org or visit plattsburgharts.org.
PLATTSBURGH — Come check out the Ice Cream Bowl: The Sweetest Soccer Tournament Ever from 1 until 2 p.m. The location is TBD. The event is free with preregistration required by calling 566-7575. Children ages 5-12 are invited to join us on the Oval for a soccer game where the ball is an ice cream maker. Play an outdoor game, learn some new soccer skills and find out how long it takes to make a batch of your favorite ice cream. This is sponsored by Champlain Valley Transportation Museum. For more information call 518-566-7575. PLATTSBURGH — The Snowball Storytime and Crafts are from 3 to 4:30 p.m. at the Plattsburgh Public Library, 2nd Floor Auditorium. This is free. This is a Storytime for children of all ages, with a reading by Brian Heinz’s The Coming of Winter in the Adirondacks. Following the Storytime will be craft stations where children will have the opportunity to do more than one craft, “makeit-and-take its”. This is sponsored by the Plattsburgh Public Library. For more information call 536-7445, email bandholds@cityofplattsburgh-ny.gov, or visit plattsburghlib.org. PLATTSBURGH — Family Ice Skating will be held between noon and 1 p.m. at the Plattsburgh State Fieldhouse. Skate rentals are free. Families can skate for free over the school break! This is sponsored by the Town of Plattsburgh Park & Recreation Dept. For more information: Call 518-562-6860, or email meld@townofplattsburgh.org. INDIAN LAKE — Come travel the SnoCade Guided Snowmobile Tour to Newcomb. Meet at the Little League Field parking lot adjacent to the Town Garage on Benton Road at 9 a.m. for a guided snowmobile round-trip with a stop at High Peaks Kitchen for lunch. For more details email Darrin Harr at ilsnowcom@gmail.com.
Tuesday, Feb. 19 through Monday, Feb. 22
PLATTSBURGH — Cross Country Skiing and Snowshoeing runs from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Cadyville Recreation Park. This is free and all equipment is provided. Folks of all ages are encouraged to try these fun activities in a safe environment with tips and lessons provided. This is a first come, first served program and those interested should call and reserve a spot for either activity. This is sponsored by the Town of Plattsburgh Park & Recreation Dept. For more information call 562-6860 or email rec@townofplattsburgh.org.
Saturday, Feb. 20
The Kids Snowshoe Race will be held on the Saranac River Trail on Sunday, Feb. 17. This is sponsored by Sunrise Rotary, Town of Plattsburgh Recreation, Clinton County Youth Bureau, Saranac River Trail Committee, City of Plattsburgh Recreation. For more information: email allison@hulbertsupply. com.
INDIAN LAKE — “Forever SnowCade” Live Comedy Show poking fun at winter life in the Adirondacks. Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for children under 12. Cash or check only, no credit or debit cards accepted. For more details visit indian-lake.com or 518-648-5112. BRANT LAKE — Brant Lake Winter Carnival will be held on the lake at Jimbo’s on the Point. Enjoy Brant Lake’s famous Out House Races, try your hand at Curling with the Lake Placid Curling Club, throw a fry pan in the Woman’s Fry Pan Toss, and enjoy a family filled day on the lake with food, music and games for everyone. There will be broomball tournaments, snow shoe softball, sledding hill on the lake, fireworks on the lake at dusk and more! Admission is free! Event begins at 11 a.m. until dusk. For more information call 518-494-3016. WILLSBORO — The Halfmoon Snowshoe Nights take place at Noblewood Park from 7 to 9 p.m. Come enjoy a walk through the woods, drink hot chocolate in the newly heated lodge and a community campfire by moonlight. BYOB. This is a goodbye winter party. For more information contact Justin Drinkwine, Parks, Recreation & Events Manager at 518-963-8933 or email parks@willex. com.
Sunday, Feb. 21
LAKE PLACID — Nordic skiers from throughout the northeastern United States and Canada will compete in the 50K Loppet and 25K Kort Loppet at 189 Bobsled Run Lake, from 8 to 11 a.m. For more information visit whiteface.com. PLATTSBURGH — Family Ice Skating will be held between noon and 1 p.m. at the Plattsburgh State Fieldhouse. Skate rentals are free. Families can skate for free over the school break! This is sponsored by the Town of Plattsburgh Park & Recreation Dept. For more information: Call 518-562-6860, or email meld@townofplattsburgh.org.
Monday, Feb. 22
PLATTSBURGH — Family Ice Skating will be held between noon and 1 p.m. at the Plattsburgh State Fieldhouse. Skate rentals are free. Families can skate for free over the school break! This is sponsored by the Town of Plattsburgh Park & Recreation Dept. For more information: Call 518-562-6860, or email meld@townofplattsburgh.org.
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PLATTSBURGH — Olive Ridley’s Beach Party will be held from 2 until 5 p.m. at 37 Court Street. The party is free. Come get your wiggles out at a dance party for kids of all ages. The event is sponsored by Olive Ridley’s. For more information call 324-2200 or visit oliveridleys.com.
Saturday, Feb. 27
Monday, Feb. 29 through Friday, April 1
GLENS FALLS — Arthur McGraw and Larry Vandenburgh’s “Mixed Media and Watercolor” will be on display at the 2nd Floor Gallery@City Hall, 42 Ridge Street, with a reception Friday, March 4, from 5 to 7 p.m. Gallery Hours are Monday thru Friday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information visit info@NorthCountryARTS.org.
Tuesday, March 1 through Thursday, March 31
CHESTERTOWN — Join us in the center of Chestertown for Bagpipers, bands and more as the Town of Chester turns Irish for the day! Get your green on and enjoy. For more information call 518-573-4386.
Sunday, March 13
LAKE PLACID — Come watch the NHL stars of tomorrow play in the ECHL match up at the Olympic Center, 2634 Main St. The Adirondack Thunder are an affiliate of the NHL’s Calgary Flames, while the Royals are an affiliate to the Philadelphia Flyers. Tickets go on sale Tuesday, Dec. 1. For more information call 523-1655.
The NHL stars of tommorrow will play at the Olympic Center in Lake Placid on Sunday, March 13. Tickets go on sale Dec. 1. Call 523-1655 for information.
Arts & Entertainment
INDIAN LAKE — The B.A.D. (Be A Donor) seventh annual Snowshoe Softball Tournament at Benton Field will be held. This event is a fundraiser for the Northeast Kidney Foundation and the PKD Foundation. Registration is from 10 to 11 a.m. The first game begins at 11 a.m. The Entry fee is $100 per team of 10 players. Registered players will receive a free barbecue lunch. To pre-register call 518-648-5863 or email nakoma114@hotmail.com. INLET — Frozen Fire and Lights will be held at Fern Park and Arrowhead Park from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. There will be bonfires, sledding, cross country skiing, snowshoeing, cardboard sled race, Noah’s Ark Animal Workshop, face painting, fireworks, wine and chocolate! For more information call 315-3575501 or visit frozenfireandlights.com.
Saturday, March 12
WINTER EVENTS 2015
Sunday, Feb. 24
LYNDON CENTER — There will be public skating at Chester Arena, 145 College Hill Rd.., Wednesdays from 2:30 to 4:15 p.m. and Sundays from 12:30 until 2:15 p.m. Additional times are available during holiday periods. $5 to skate and $3 for skate rentals. Lessons are also available. There is a locker room and a full snack bar serving hamburgers, hotdogs, fries, drinks and more. Info: 802-6269361 or visit chesterarena.com.
Saturday, March 5
LONG LAKE — There will be a Kids’ Ice Fishing Derby held at Lake Eaton. Registration is from 6:30 to 8:30 a.m. at the Long Lake Town Hall. The derby will be at 8:30 a.m. at Lake Eaton. There is no entry Fee. There will be teams of adult and child under 15. Fish the waters of Long Lake, Lake Eaton or South Pond. There will be cash prizes for pike, perch, trout. Tip ups and lines in begin at 9 a.m. Weigh in will be held at 3 p.m. at the Geiger Arena. The event is sponsored by the Long Lake Fish and Game Club. For more information visit mylonglake.com or call 518-624-3077. WILLSBORO — The Halfmoon Snowshoe Nights take place at Noblewood Park from 7 to 9 p.m. Come enjoy a walk through the woods, drink hot chocolate in the newly heated lodge and a community campfire by moonlight. BYOB. This is a goodbye winter party. For more information contact Justin Drinkwine, Parks, Recreation & Events Manager at 518-963-8933 or email parks@willex.com.
Thursday, March 10
WESTPORT — The WPTSO’s annual round robin style volleyball tournament takes place at Westport Central School. This tournament brings together the Westport Faculty, parents, students and community members for a fun physical few hours of play and sportsmanship. For more information visit them on facebook.
Thursday, March 10 through Saturday, March 12
PERU — The Peru Drama Club presents “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum at the Peru Highschool with performances on Thursday and Friday at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. For more information contact Todd Pray at 518-643-6499 ext. 5184.
Friday, March 11 through Saturday, April 16
GLENS FALLS — The 2016 Exhibit #2 opening reception takes place at the Art in Glens Falls at Rare eARTh Gallery, 176 Glen Street Friday, March 11, from 6 to 8 p.m., with a closing reception will be held Saturday, April 16, 2 until 4 p.m. For more information email info@NorthCountryARTS.org.
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