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August 1, 2009
A Denton Publication
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Brush strokes
Outdoors
Golf benefit
Artists make a ‘scene’ for Plein Air festival.
E’town Fish and Game Club Fishing Derby has a big turnout.
Annual golf tournament for Marvin brothers set for Aug. 21.
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Wild Center unveils new eco-friendly heating system By Jon Alexander denpubs@denpubs.com TUPPER LAKE — For the first time in state history, a large-scale institution will be heated with a regionally manufactured, high-efficiency heating system, powered by renewable, locally grown pulp. The Wild Center Natural History Museum in Tupper Lake unveiled its plan to construct a $400,000, wood pellet burning gasification heating system, which the manufacturer claims can reach efficiency ratings of 90 percent. The system uses solar arrays in concert with wood pellets to heat water and reduce the need for traditional propane-burning boiler systems. The system is manufactured by ACT Bioenergy Inc. of Schenectady and, for state and local officials, could be a method to create not only greater environmental sustainability, but also reinvent the sustainable wood harvesting economy of the park. The Director of the DEC Forest Utilization Program Sloane Crawford said wood burning heating systems make sense for the region as they could serve a threepronged approach to dealing with energy efficiency, energy independence and local economic viability concerns. “Community-scale wood energy – by community scale I’m talking municipal buildings, small commercial buildings, things like that – do not use a lot of wood compared to other uses of wood,” he said. Crawford said there are approximately 1 million acres of recognized sustainably-managed woodlands in the state, and over 610,000 in the park. Over 100 million tons of lowgrade pulpwood could be harvested while keeping the growth to harvest ratio at one to one, putting people back to work while feeding a new market, he said. In 2006, about 170 million cubic feet of lumber was harvested in New York. Roughly 75 million was low-grade pulp, most of which was shipped to paper mills. Local government officials have long argued that creating working forests is a primary key to a viable Adirondack economy, and Crawford said that new pulpwood markets could be a seminal event for the region. Program Manager of Environmental Research at the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) Mark Watson said that there is a push in Albany to use the Adirondacks as a model for future development of an eco-neutral lifestyle. “I notice that the mission
See WILD CENTER, page 6
Ironman commits to Lake Placid through 2012 By Matt Bosley matt@denpubs.com LAKE PLACID — Local town officials are in high spirits after yet another Lake Placid Ironman event has given a boost to local businesses and triathlon organizers have offered to extend their commitment to the village for the next three years. The annual triathlon, owned and organized by the World Triathlon Corporation, represents one of six full-distance Ironman events in the continental United States. It draws over 2,200 athletes, 3,500 volunteers, and thousands of spectators to Lake Placid and the surrounding region each year. “This world-class event is similar to other prestigious events hosted by Lake Placid,” said Lake Placid Mayor Craig Randall. “The economic impact of Ironman is significant to our entire region, it flows to our many area shops, restaurants, lodging and related support services, and to everyone they employ.” On July 27, the day following this year ’s event, the Lake Placid/Essex County Visitors’ Bureau joined leaders from the Village of Lake Placid and the
More than 2,200 athletes began the ninth annual Ford Ironman Lake Placid Triathlon with a 2.4 mile swim around Mirror Lake July 26. This sight will remain a familiar one in Lake Placid as Ironman’s governing body has extended their contract with local municipalities through the year 2012. Photo by Linda Dolly
towns of North Elba, Jay, Wilmington, and Keene in announcing an extension of their contract with WTC to host the Ford Ironman Lake Placid through 2012. Randall said despite recent changes in WTC ownership, the extended con-
tract was very similar to those of the past as far as village obligations. “Ford Ironman Lake Placid has played a large part in the history of the sport in the United States and has become a hub for the triathlon community,”
said Shane Facteau, Ironman's director of operations. “We are excited to be back for another three years.” The extended contract comes as welcome news to local government leaders, many of whom lauded the
Lake Placid Ironman as a boon to the local economy. “The Town of Wilmington is excited to learn that Ironman will continue to be with us, it has been an economic engine for the region and the state, filling our
See IRONMAN, page 3
Local man battles tumor, triathlon By Linda Dolly and Kevin McKee denpubs@denpubs.com LAKE PLACID — Joel Harwood just wants to have fun; Ironman style. Harwood, 41, of Elizabethtown, was one of more than 2,200 athletes from across the globe competing in the ninth annual Ford Ironman Lake Placid triathlon July 26, the grueling race where each participant must complete a 2.4-mile swim, a 112-mile bicycle ride and a 26.2-mile marathon. “I have always had an interest in the Ironman. I saw the Ironman a couple of years ago, and just loved it. I wanted to compete.” But Harwood had other reasons for going after his goals. In 2007, he won a months-long battle with a brain tumor. “When I had the tumor, it and some friends pushed me to do it,” he said prior to the race. “I'm very happy I'm able to be in the race. On Sunday I'm going to go out there and have fun.” After training for nine months, Harwood felt ready. As dawn broke that morning, the streets of Lake Placid were nearly empty. Traffic to much of Lake Placid was closed from 5 a.m. until the last racer able to qualify crossed the finish line at midnight. A steady steam of cars stopped in front of the Olympic Speed Skating Oval on Main
Street to drop off athletes. The air was thick with the smell of magic markers as dozens of volunteers in blue T-shirts wrote the identifying race number on the arms and legs of the roughly 2,500 participants. Harwood was flanked by two friends and trainers, Michael Manosh and Tim Rielly, who offered last minute advice. He credited Manosh, a co-worker and two-time Ironman finisher, with helping him outline a training schedule to compete in the challenge. By 7 a.m. over 2,000 swimmers, all outfitted in black wet-suits and color coded swimcaps, were in Mirror Lake, listening as The National Anthem played on loudspeakers. Then, with a blast of sound, the water came alive with arms, legs and splashing water. During the 2.4 mile swim, and throughout the day, motivating high-energy music filled the air. Portions of the race were lined with fences to protect the athletes and offer intimate viewing for spectators. The fences were lined with fans, many of them in special T-Shirts created for the day. You could spot a cluster of fans by the color of their shirts. Closer inspection told you who they were cheering for or offered other triathlon thoughts like “Real men wear lycra” or “You run... I'll nap.” Harwood had his own posse, all of them clad in bright orange T-Shirts that read
See HARWOOD, page 2
Joel Harwood of Elizabethtown still managed to muster a smile as he crossed the finish line in the 2009 Lake Placid Ironman triathlon July 26. Harwood, who was diagnosed with a brain tumor in 2007, had made it a personal goal to complete the grueling race. Photo by Linda Dolly