January • 2022
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Have You Heard? Chenango County Has A Secret... We all need something to look forward to, and there is nothing more motivating than planning your next getaway. In Chenango County, you will find the perfect blend of upstate countryside and exciting adventure to revel in, from well-known destinations to hidden gems. Enjoy classic cars, vibrant arts, and outdoor adventure within the Chenango County borders. Gear up for cross-country skiing, hiking, hunting, snowmobiling, fat biking, and ice fishing in this area we call home. New York has some of the best hunting and trapping areas in the nation. The NYS Division of Fish and Wildlife manages about 187,000 acres of wildlife. These areas are located throughout the state, and you can immerse yourself in Chenango County’s rural paradise with 80,000-plus acres that make up the state lands. Chenango County is home to the most public wilderness in New York outside of the Adirondacks. Sixty percent of the county (which covers roughly 900 square miles) is forested and small game,
turkey, trophy white-tailed deer, and even the occasional black bear are found here. Although locals are quite familiar with all the greatest sites to hunt and fish in Chenango, many are hesitant to divulge their best spots, wishing to keep them ‘secret’ for their own special treasures. One of the newest activities that has burst into the area is mountain biking. Not just for racing, riding the trails provides a great cardio workout for both the younger and older generations. The local mountain biking group has helped transform the area into a regional mountain biking destination that attracts hundreds of bikers and their families. It’s easy to connect with nature and find the terrain that suits your sense of adventure. Chenango includes 78 miles of the Finger Lakes Trail System, a network of 1,000 hikeable miles that stretch from the Western NY border deep into the Catskill Mountains. Well-maintained and clearly marked, this destination-
worthy trail accommodates hikers and backpackers of all skill levels. Lean-tos are available in various spots along the trails for nighttime rest and relaxation. Snowmobilers rule this time of the year. Hop on your sled for 150 miles of State Corridor Trail spanning to the north and east parts of the county used exclusively for snowmobiling. Dive back into the powder at Brookfield State Forest, where a highly acclaimed 130-mile horse and snowmobile trail system navigates across 13,000 acres of quiet, serene forests. Find out what makes Chenago County a destination worthy of your consideration when you start planning your visit. Enjoy unique hidden gems and put a Chenango County twist on your next New York Road trip. No matter what time of year you visit, Chenango will always feel like ‘home.’ Download the visitor’s guide at www.visitchenango.com and plan your visit today.
Pandemic Hobby Grows into Plan for Africa’s Largest Photography Library He started the hobby shortly after arriving in New York on a photography scholarship in Since the pandemic forced 2019. The COVID-19 pandemmany U.S. bookshops to close ic encouraged the obsession as or slash prices, Ghanaian New struggling bookshops offloaded Yorker Paul Ninson has amassed their inventories at reduced rates. 30,000 African photo books for He acquired around 15,000 a library he hopes will inspire the next generation of photographers back home. Ninson estimates that he now owns the world’s largest collection of books with images taken in Africa or by photographers of African descent. Thanks to a $1 million crowdfunding windfall, he has already started shipping the trove to West Africa. “For so long we’ve let other people tell our stories and distribute our stories,” Ninson said in one of his 16 New York storage units, crammed with ceiling-high stacks of books. “That is the space I want to fill, to be able to give the tools and resources to African photographers and to Black people to be able to tell our own stories,” Ninson said. © REUTERS/ANDREW HOFSTETTER ANGELA MOORE AND COOPER INVEEN
books that way, working odd jobs and taking out personal loans to cover costs. The collection now includes every issue of National Geographic from the last 40 years. “Some of these pictures are incredible ... but sometimes I
wonder what people in those communities contributed to these stories,” Ninson said, flipping through the pages of one of the magazines. “Do people in these communities accept how they are being depicted, especially the
Africans?” Ninson wondered. His dream of using the books to set up Africa’s largest photography library in Ghana became a reality after popular blog “Humans of New York” promoted a crowdfunding campaign for his project that raised $1 million in a single day. Ninson has doubled his collection since then, traveling up and down the east coast of the United States in search of new acquisitions. More than 18,000 books have already been shipped to Ghana. The funds will help build the library in the capital Accra. Named after the word for ‘Take the Lead’ in his local language, the Dikan Center will also offer workshops, equipment hire, and studio space to aspiring African photographers. “There are a lot of people in Ghana who are desperate to be photographers, to tell the stories of Africa,” Ninson said. “These books are going to be the backbone.” —Reuters ADVERTORIAL
Four Seasons of Trails, Charm, and Rural Culture on New York’s Northern Border On New York’s northern border, St. Lawrence County is a four-season destination, boasting miles of trail, over 200 lakes, rivers, streams, and a rich culture of farm-to-table dining. From the banks of the St. Lawrence River to the foothills of the Adirondack Mountains, the valley allows for light adventure and accessible outdoor activities like snowshoeing to waterfalls, cross country skiing in state parks, snowmobiling to mountain overlooks, and ice fishing for dinner. One of New York’s newest trail challenges, the Great 8 Waterfall Crawl, is a photographer’s dream in the winter. Family-friendly, easy access by snowshoes or microspikes, and beautiful year-round. Whether you are just starting to explore trails or you have a love for new outdoor experiences, this challenge is a fun way to discover a part of New York State without a long-distance trip this winter. The short excursions are still undiscovered, making trailheads and viewpoints in nature a more serene experience away from the crowds.
The interactive trails site STLCtrails.com allows you to plan, pull up trailhead directions, and log your trails to earn your Great 8 Challenge Badge. A long weekend is all you need for the Waterfall Crawl, with trails nearby for a multi-day adventure. You can also check out the other two challenges—the Riverside Run, fun for snowshoeing or Nordic skiing along five major rivers, and the Nature Nuts Challenge, where interpretive signs and lookouts bring you closer to nature. If snowmobiling is more your speed, you will find over 700 miles of groomed snowmobile trails as the Adirondack Mountains lead into the St. Lawrence River Valley. Rolling hills and snow-covered pines, Adirondack overlooks, and pristine wilderness are what you will find as you ride on the St. Lawrence County trails. The warmth and hospitality you will find along the trail as you meet up with locals and other visitors, warm up in the trailside restaurants and end your days in a cabin with your
buddies are where memories are made and true vacation kicks in. Choose your own way to get active, relax, unwind and experience a no-stress vacation. A home away from home in a cozy hotel, Bed and Breakfast or vacation rental adds to relaxation in St. Lawrence County. Evening entertainment such as college hockey, played at one of the five colleges, highlights Division 1 NCAA competitions at St. Lawrence University or Clarkson University with lively fanfare and top-level athletics. Enjoy live theater and music at the Ogdensburg Command Per formance, Community Performance Series, or Crane School of Music at SUNY Potsdam—bring big fun to a rural landscape retreat. For a break from outdoor adventures, indoor museums are scattered throughout the County to spark your interest in art, play and nature. The Frederic Remington Art Museum in Ogdensburg is the largest collection of Frederic Remington’s work, including famous western sculptures and paintings. The Nicandri Nature
New York’s Northern Border VisitSTLC.com
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located on the northwestern Adirondack border, two hours north of Syracuse and just over three hours north of Albany. The new-to-you destination is perfect for a weekend away with plenty to explore or a hub of relaxation in the beauty and calm of a new locale. Request a free visitors guide and plan your trip on New York’s Northern border at www.VisitSTLC.com or by calling toll-free 1-877-228-7810. ®NYSDED
Explore Four Seasons of Trails
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Center in Massena and North Country Children’s Museum in Potsdam provide a warm and fun opportunity for the whole family, engaging hearts and minds in the wonders of true play. If your appreciation for local art is a feature of visiting a new destination, the TAUNY Center on Canton’s Main Street hosts exhibits, workshops, and a folkstore that embraces the talents and traditions of North Country artisans and musicians. Traveling to St. Lawrence County is a beautiful road trip,
