NNY Living Winter 2017 by NNY Business

L I v I ng NN Y

WINTER 2017 nnyliving.com Volume 6 No. 1

$2.95

/nnyliving @NNYLivingMag

ART

NNY LIFE

WELLNESS

FEATURE

Winter events & activities

Winter island life & survival

Staying focused on your winter wellness

Watertown natives climb winter ADK46

WI N TE R 201 7 | N N Y L I V I N G

WI N TE R 20 17 | N N Y LI V I N G

WI N TE R 201 7 | N N Y L I V I N G

CONTENTS

WINTER 2017 Volume 6, No. 1

Out & About NNY events calendar

Art Life 26 NNY Local artists share

exhibits and events

STORY 20 COVER NNY winter destinations and activities

Island Life Survival Living away from mainland R

Mortensen Award Oscar nominee presented sculpture by NNY artist

46ers 28 Winter Watertown natives climb

Online @ nnyliving.com

ADK winter peaks

WI N TE R 20 17 | N N Y LI V I N G

[ EDITOR’S NOTE ] Truth be told, I’m not much of a winter enthusiast. ing around, outdoors, celebrating the season on a relatively I spend quite a bit of quality time mild February day. My family and I poked around with my driveway in the winter, but downtown, explored the Ice Castle, took a few once the snow is cleared, I’m back pictures and then we were off for lunch at the inside. Blue Line Brewery. That’s why I’m awed by the ambiThe Blue Line strikes me as an excellent place tious escapades of people like Gary to while away a winter’s afternoon, although with and Karen Burns of Watertown. The a few hours’ drive home ahead, it was sodas couple has climbed all 46 Adirondack all around. Driving on dark, winding mountain High Peaks not only in summer, roads is always a challenge, but throw in some but in winter. I see a picture of Mrs. lake-effect snow and it turns into a real whiteBurns crossing what resembles a knuckler of a trip. Somewhere around Pitcairn, frozen tundra and all I can think is, however, the temperature rose enough so the ” Why?” snow on the roads turned to slush and our trip In this issue of NNY Living, the proved to be only about a half-hour longer than Burnses explain why. The words usual. “beautiful’ and “peaceful” come up Now that I’ve written something about Winter Brian Kelly and the discussion also touches on Carnival, I’m going to see if I can put my Blue the camaraderie found among climbLine lunch on an expense report. (Update from ers. The Burnses are not alone in their love of snow-covered the accounting department: “Nice try.”) mountain tops, as hundreds of people have climbed the We’ll be back in April with the spring edition of NNY High Peaks in winter, earning the distinction of becoming Living, with hopefully no more mention of lake-effect snow. winter ADk46ers. I get some things about winter. I went to the Saranac Enjoy, Lake Winter Carnival, where I saw hundreds of people mill-

WI N TE R 201 7 | N N Y L I V I N G

Chairman of the Board John B. Johnson Jr.

Editor & Publisher John B. Johnson

Co-Publisher

Harold B. Johnson II

Magazine Editor Brian Kelly

Associate Magazine Editor Holly C. Boname

Editorial Design Holly C. Boname

[ CONTRIBUTORS] Michelle Graham is the wellness director for the Downtown Watertown YMCA. She lives in Watertown with her husband and children. In this issue, writes about how to maintain health goals and focus during the cold winter months (pg.10)

Neal Burdick is the retired editor of St. Lawrence University Magazine and a freelance writer who lives in Canton. In this issue, he writes 10 things about winter that are positive (pg. 14)

Lenka P. Walldroff is a former museum specialist, conservator at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., and curator of collections for the Jefferson County Historical Society. She writes about the north country’s role in the civil war (pg. 34)

Jen Jackson is a Watertown Daily Times staff writer. She joins the north country from Oregon. In this issue, she contributes an article about artist Will Salisbury’s crow sculpture that was presented to actor Viggo Mortensen at the Snowtown Film Festival (pg. 11)

Brian Molongoski is a Watertown Daily Times staff writer. He joins the north country from Saratoga Springs, NY. In this issue, he writes about a Watertown couple who have climbed the 46 ADK High Peaks in the winter (pg. 28)

Nicole Caldwell Nicole Caldwell is a writer and editor based out of Better Farm in Redwood, NY. Her work has appeared in Mother Earth News, Martha Stewart Living, Thrillist, Playgirl, and many other publications. Reach her at nicole. caldwell@betterfarm.org.

[ MARKETPLACE ] 4-H Camp Wabasso ...................................38 Aldersgate Camp & Retreat Center ...........38 Camp Invention ..........................................39 Canton Potsdam Hospital ..........................40 Community Performance Series ..................4 Copenhagen Carvers ................................37 D.L. Calarco Funeral Home, Inc. ...............37 Dr. Guitar Music ...........................................37 Food Bank of Central New York ................32 Foy Agency Insurance ...............................37 Fuccillo Auto group ....................................37 High Tower Advisors ....................................35 Holiday Inn Express & Suites .......................36 Hospice of Jefferson County ......................15

Photography

Justin Sorensen, Amanda Morrison, Stephen Swofford, Mark Kurtz, Gary Burns

Director of Advertising Michelle Bowers

Ad Graphics, Design

Brian Mitchell, Heather O’Driscoll, Scott Smith, Todd Soules, Rick Gaskin

Joleene Moody is a freelance writer who lives in Pulaski with her husband and daughter. In this issue, she writes the cover story featuring winter destinations and activities throughout NNY. (pg. 18)

nnyliving.com

Jefferson County Historical Society ...........38 Jefferson Lewis Board of Realtors .................9 Nortz & Virkler, Inc. ......................................37 Ogdensburg International Airport ................3 Oswego County Tourism ..............................3 River Hospital ..............................................32 Titus Mountain .............................................14 Tunes 92.5 ......................................................7 Watertown Savings Bank ..............................2 Wait Motorsports .........................................13 Wait Toyota ..................................................12 WPBS ..............................................................9 WWTI ABC50 ................................................33

Circulation Director Mary Sawyer

NNY Living (ISSN 2165-1159) is published five times a year by Northern New York Newspaper Corp., 260 Washington St., Watertown, NY 13601, a Johnson Newspaper Corp. company. © 2011-2017. All material submitted to NNY Living becomes property of Northern New York Newspaper Corp., publishers of the Watertown Daily Times, and will not be returned.

Subscription Rates Five issues are $10 a year and 10 issues are $15 for two years. Call 315-782-1000 for delivery. Submissions Send all editorial correspondence to hboname@wdt.net Advertising For advertising rates and information in Jefferson and Lewis counties, email mbowers@wdt.net, or call 661-2456 In St. Lawrence County, email blabrake@ogd.com, or call 661-2507 Printed with pride in U.S.A. at Vanguard Printing LLC, Ithaca, N.Y. a Forest Stewardship Certified facility. Please recycle this magazine.

[ ARTS. MUSIC. CULTURE. FAMILIES. ]

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 19

Military Appreciation Day, 2 to 5 p.m., Thousand Islands Winery, Seaway Ave., Alexandria Bay. Enjoy wine and beer flights, barrel tastings, hors d’oeuvres, winery tours and more. The featured wine will be the 10th Mountain Division Association Wine. Cost: $10, military; $15, general public. Info: Thousand IslandsWinery.com.

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 19

Do Ya Wanna Build a Snowman, 1 p.m., Massena High School, 84 Nightengale Avenue, Massena. Join in with the community as they try and win the Guinness World Record for the largest number of snowmen built. Meet everyone behind the high school to get the rules and supplies needed. Music will be provided by a local DJ and Italian Affair food truck on the premises with hot chocolate. Cost: free. Info: mymassena.com.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23

Canvas & Cider Paint Night, 6 to 8 p.m., Kaned Orchards, Massena. Create a painting while enjoying a glass of award winning cider. The class will be taught by local artist Patricia VanPatten. Cost: $25, includes all supplies and a glass of cider. Info: 769-2880.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 25

Friends of River Hospital 27th Annual Polar Bear Dip, Bonnie Castle Resort and Marina, Alexandria Bay. Funds raised will support the purchase of medical equipment for orthopedic services in River Hospital’s Ambulatory Surgery Unit. Registration takes place inside Bonnie Castle Resort at 9 a.m. and closes at noon. Dipping begins at 1 p.m. Must be 18 or older to take the plunge. Cost: free to attend. Info: River Hospital Development Department, 482-4976.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 25

Annual WinterGreen Volleyball Tournament, 11 a.m., Village Green, Cape Vincent. The tournament begins with registration at 11 am at Aubrey’s Inn and the games will start at 12 pm on the Village Green. There will be chili and hot beverages available. Later there will be music and fire pits to warm up to. The

Save the Date: The Willoughby Brothers at the 2017 North Country Goes Green Irish Festival The Willoughby Brothers from Wicklow Ireland are returning for the 32nd annual North Country Goes Green Irish Festival. The Willoughby’s were the first band to play a sold out show at the 2013 Irish Festival. Hailing out of Wicklow Ireland the 6 brothers play to sold out shows across the globe. With songs like: Where the Blarney Roses Grow, The fields of Athenry, Only our Rivers Run free, Irelands Call, Will Ye Go Lassie Go and many more. Cost: $22.50/ticket. Info: ncirishfest.com.

winning team wins a tee shirt and 50% of the winnings with the other 50% going to a charity of their choice. Cost: $20 per team pre-registration and $25 day of the tournament. Info: capevincent.org.

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 26

Winter Chill Antique Snowmobile Show & Ride, 10 a.m., Donald Martin Civic Center, Waddington. View antique snowmobiles, displays and more. An antique snowmobile ride will be held during the day. Cost: free. Info: Anyone who would like to participate or has questions should contact Dan Andress 323-0491.

WI N TE R 20 17 | N N Y LI V I N G

[ ARTS. MUSIC. CULTURE. FAMILIES. ]

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 1

Barely Mathodical Troupe: Bromance, 7 p.m., Lake Placid Center for the Arts, 17 Algonquin Drive, Lake Placid. Bromance is the debut show from Britain’s hottest young acrobats, winners of the 2013 Circus Maximus Award and 2014 Total Theatre and Jackson’s Lane Award for Circus at the Edinburgh Festival. Barely Methodical Troupe mixes their exceptional skills in parkour, Bboying, tricking, hand-to-hand acrobatics, Cyr wheel and more. Cost: $10 at door; $15. Info: lakeplacid.com/events/barely-methodicaltroupe-bromance.

FRIDAY, MARCH 3

2107 Cross Country Junior National Championships, all day event, Olympic Sports Complex Cross Country Center, 220 Boburn Lane, Lake Placid. Future Olympic Medalists will showcase their skills and talents in Lake Placid for the 2017 XC Junior National Championships. Cost: free. Info: lakeplacid.com/ node/281778.

FRIDAY, MARCH 3

WI N TE R 201 7 | N N Y L I V I N G

Polar Bear Golf Classic, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Best Western University Golf Course, 90 East Main St., Canton Cerebral Palsy Association of the North Country will hold the19th Annual Polar Bear Golf Tournament. The event features 9 holes of golf in the snow, warm refreshments throughout the day, prize raffles, and other outdoor activities. There will be a casual dinner and a short trivia quiz at the end of the night. All proceeds from this event go toward CP of the North Country’s Outdoor Recreation Program, which provides individuals with disabilities opportunities to enjoy outdoor activities like hiking, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, canoeing, kayaking, horseback riding, and more. Cost: $25. Info: rbabowicz@cpnorthcountry.com.

SATURDAY, MARCH 4, 11, 18, 25

3rd Annual Idol on the River, 6 p.m., Bonnie Castle Resort & Marina, 31 Holland St., Alexandria Bay. The 3rd Annual “Idol On The River” Singing Competition In The Heart Of The 1000 Islands, with proceeds to go to the Jefferson County

SPCA. Cost: admission by donation. Info: Bonnie Castle Resort, 1-800-9554511.

SUNDAY, MARCH 5

Bridal Show, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., 1000 Islands Harbor Hotel, Riverside Drive, Clayton. Join the 1000 Islands Harbor Hotel for their annual bridal show featuring scenic views of the St. Lawrence River, complimentary champagne, and help from our professional wedding planners. View displays and talk with wedding planners, photographers and more. Cost: free. Info: 1000islandsharborhotel.com.

SUNDAY, MARCH 5

3rd Annual Snowshoe Hike and Craft Beer Tasting, noon to 4 p.m., Better Farm, Cottage Hill Road, Redwood. Join betterArts board members Justin Chirico and Matthew Tardif on a guided snowshoe hike followed by a craft beer tasting at Better Farm. Learn the art of beer brewing while sampling local beers from independent brewers. Locally sourced snacks and pairings will also be provided. All money raised supports local arts outreach. Cost: $15. Info: betterfarm. org/upcoming-events.

FRIDAY, MARCH 10 THROUGH SUNDAY, MARCH 12

Great Outdoor Family Expo, 4 to 8 p.m. Friday; 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday; 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, New York State Office Building, Washington St., Watertown, NY. 13,500 square feet of exhibition space, the Great Outdoor Family Expo will showcase Northern New York’s largest variety of exhibitors including hunting, fishing, scuba, paddlesports, atv’s, and boating. Many activities including the opportunity to have your trophy buck scored by the Northeast Big Buck Exhibit, attend seminars on hunting and filming your hunts, try Laser Duck Hunting and much more. New this year stop by to watch the Adult Foosball Tournament Foosa-Palooza. Cost: $5 adults and children over 12. Info: greatoutdoorexpo.com.

SATURDAY, MARCH 11

11th Annual Polar Bear Plunge, 11:30 a.m., Dobisky visitor’s Center, Ogdensburg, NY. Hosted by the Greater Ogdensburg Chamber of Commerce and the Ogdensburg Volunteer Rescue Squad. Registration opens at 11:30 a.m. with the plunge taking place at 1 p.m. Events throughout the day will take place, including: Badge Battle, Scaredy-Cat Blub, Vendor’s Corner, and food and raffles throughout the day for the whole family. Cost: free. Info: Greater Ogdensburg Chamber of Commerce, 393-3620.

FRIDAY, MARCH 17 THROUGH SUNDAY, MARCH 19

North Country Goes Green Irish Festival, 4:30 p.m. to 12 a.m. Friday, 11 a.m. to 12 a.m. Saturday, noon to 6 p.m. Sunday, Dulles State Office Building, Washington St., Watertown. Event includes live music, Miss Ireland Pageant, a beard growing contest, Irish Parade and Irish step dancers. Cost: Friday and Saturday, $6; Sunday family tickets, $6; Sunday individual tickets, $2. Info: ncirishfest.com.

SATURDAY, MARCH 18

The Orchestra of Northern New York Presents The Planets: Our World and Beyond, 7:30 p.m., SUNY Potsdam’s Snell Theatre, Potsdam, NY. A multi-media presentation of Gustav Holst’s monumental work, The Planets, performed in conjunction with newly developed visual accompaniment by artist Adrian Wyard and projected onto a large screen above the Orchestra. This stellar program features NASA photography, original animations and imagery from telescopes, orbiting spacecraft and rovers on the planets’ surfaces, coordinated to the conductor’s direction of the work. Cost: $22 adults; $18 seniors; $5 students with ID. Info: Kathy Del Guidice, 267-3251.

SATURDAY, MARCH 18, 19

New York State Maple Weekend. Every spring, the members of the New York State Maple Producers Association invite families and friends into their “sugar

[ ARTS. MUSIC. CULTURE. FAMILIES. ]

houses” to experience the world of pure NY maple syrup. Located at approximately 160 farms and museums across New York State, Maple Weekend offers a delicious, fun-filled outing that has a little something for all maple-lovers to taste and experience. Cost: free. Info/ participating maple farms: nysmaple. com/maple-weekend-search?distancewith in=20&zip=12953&se=1.

FRIDAY, MARCH 24

Howl at the Moon, 6 to 9 p.m., 1000 Islands Clayton Harbor Hotel, 200 Riverside Drive, Clayton, NY. Performing on March 24th will be the nationally known Dueling Piano Show, Howl at the Moon. Howl at the Moon is the total entertainment experience. The high energy show is centered around all kinds of music from your dance hits, party anthems, country and even the oldies. You request it and they play it. All ticket sales will be donated to the Clayton, NY fireworks fund. Hors d’eoveres and cash bar

available during event. Cost: $25. Info: 1000islandsharborhotel.com.

SATURDAY, MARCH 25

4th Annual Tastes of Maple, 4 p.m., Conference Center at Lake Placid, 2608 Main St., Lake Placid, NY. Sample local maple-based cuisine, taste some beer and spirits, listen to great local music and find the perfect restaurant for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Local maple producers will provide maple syrup for our tasting competition again this year. Taste this year’s batch from each producer for free, and vote for your favorite. Winners will be announced at 5:50 pm. 2016 taster’s choice winner: South Meadow Farm Maple Sugar Works. Cost: free. Info: lakeplacid.com/events/4th-annualtastes-of-maple.

SATURDAY, APRIL 1

One Night, One Diamond, 6:30 to 11:30 p.m., The Commons on Fort Drum. An elegant evening of dining, dancing

and a chance to win a half-carat diamond donated by Cook’s Jewelers. Event proceeds will purchase a state of the art Olympus 360º radial linear, extra-slim mini probe for image guided cancer detection that can go deeper into the lungs to detect lung cancer.

FRIDAY, APRIL 7 THROUGH SUNDAY, APRIL 9

Spring Boat Show, 1 to 8 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Cerow Recreation Park Arena, 615 East Line Road, Clayton. Features runabouts, fishing boats, pontoons, docks, lifts, personal watercraft, marine insurance and more. Cost: adults, $5; military, $4; children, $2; 12 and under, free. Info: 686-3771. TELL US ABOUT IT — Have an event you would like to include in NNY Living? Email us at nnyliving@wdt.net with the details or visit nnyliving.com and click Events.

It is a great time to buy or sell real estate. The Jefferson-Lewis Board of REALTORS invites you to visit www.nnymls.com, then contact one of our members and let them show you how to

www.nnymls.com

WI N TE R 20 17 | N N Y LI V I N G

in Northern New York.

[ HEALTH & WELLNESS ]

Stop THINKING Start DOING By MICHELLE GRAHAM

re you some- to this place of change. Reflection end result. Keep those goals chalone who is the key to progress and making lenging, specific, positive and flexthinks about your goal an evolving blueprint is ible. Continue to challenge yourself making changes in your life? Wow, the key. Determine what the goal through this journey of discovery. the possibility to change is endless. is, define it and then set some short Try something new; take a class just What is your 2017 plan for a posiand long-term goals to coincide with for the pure sake of learning. Keep tive, meaningful year? Is your goal the proposed goal. Now what is your goal short, to the point and to take college classes, learn how to your plan to achieve that goal? Are specific. This is how you will get to quilt, get healthy or just become a you going to take some chances to where you are going. Your blueprint better, more focused, more driven get there and will you go out on a needs to be precise and to the point. person. Whatever the dream, the limb to really make it happen? Get Instead of focusing on making a goal, the doing, the planning has to uncomfortable and begin to push change in 10 different things focus start from within. You have heard yourself in a way that perhaps takes on just one or two items. Next, we the quote or a derivative of it “If you you out of your comfort level. This spend far too much time putting can dream it you can become it.” is where true inner growth, awareourselves down, living in a world of Well now is your big chance to be ness and innate change can happen. “could haves” and “would haves.” and do all that you can Instead radiate positivbe in 2017. No matter the ity, spend some time If you don’t know where you goal big or small what celebrating all the great path will you forge to get amazing changes that have been, how can you know there? you have made so far. where you are going? Think about Write them all down and I personally like plans! I like writing them out, your goal, perhaps document what then celebrate, I mean I like keeping lists and really find joy in your you like about it and what brought progress and the changes then crossing things off my list. Anyone who that you have made so you to this place of change. knows me or who has far. Being positive and taken our YMCA Diabekind to your self is vital; tes Prevention Program has heard Be open to the amazing possibilities you never know how your attitude me say 100 or more times “when that can come and most important can impact someone else. Last, be you have a plan you have everybe open to changing your behavior. flexible, be open and learn to be free thing.” This holds true not just with Not everything always goes acfrom the things that hold you back getting healthy or making improvecording to our master plan. You from being where you really want to ments in eating, but with many will need to be patient, be open to go. situations or goals in life. Big LOFTY a bump in the road. The bump can The enjoyment isn’t always in plans are not necessary; it is the little lead you to places you never imagthe destination; it is most often the plans, the attention to small details ined. Learn from the bump and journey itself that brings joy and that make the difference. then adapt and adjust the blueprint. contentment. What will your 2017 Start at the beginning, be specific It is these times, these moments, that journey look like? Will you decide and describe your goal accordingly. can really move the needle in the to get out of your comfort level and If you don’t know where you have direction we long to go. check off some things on your buckbeen, how can you know where Most important, adapt and reet list? Don’t wait for an opportunity you are going? Think about your evaluate the route chosen. Don’t get to seize the beautiful, quiet moments goal, perhaps document what you stuck, continue to progress forward and make your mark and leave your like about it and what brought you and stay focused on the prize, the stamp today.

“

”

WI N TE R 201 7 | N N Y L I V I N G

[ NNY ART FEATURE ]

Nothing to Squawk At: NNY Artist presents two time Oscar nominee with award

By JEN JACKSON

WI N TE R 20 17 | N N Y LI V I N G

arly this year, when country Snowtown Film Fesand overseas, tival board members but he ultimately returned to were wracking their brains the Thousand Islands region for a way to repay Viggo and built his current studio Mortensen for his involvein Omar in 1991. ment in the event, searching “The north country has for something to reflect both all kinds of people. And this the artist and the area in part of the north country which he grew up, one thing is unique,” Mr. Salisbury came quickly to their minds. explained. “A lot of artists Well, three things that is — come out of the woodwork The three giant, iconic crows up here. People who like the alongside I-81 outside of outdoors, who want to exAlexandria Bay, sculpted by perience the creative aspect local legend and acclaimed rather than... politics or what artist Will Salisbury. have you.” Mr. Salisbury was soon “We cold-called both crafting “Rascal” the crow guys. Knowing our requests, and presenting him to the it was kind of crazy it turned clearly ecstatic actor, onout in both cases!” Mr. Hunt stage at the 2017 Snowtown said of Mr. Mortensen’s and Film Festival to accompany Mr. Salisbury’s involvement the newly created north in the film festival. country Inspiration to Artists When Mr. Salisbury got Award. the email, he asked Mr. Hunt Both Mr. Mortensen and out to his studio to talk. Mr. Salisbury were at the “It was really cool to meet heart of the film festival’s Will Salisbury, too,” said Mr. artistic endeavors for board Hunt about visiting the artist’s member and organizer Steve studio with his family in tow. AMANDA MORRISON n WATERTOWN DAILY TIMES Hunt. Mr. Hunt, astounded by the SnowTown Film Festival Screening of ‘Captain Fantastic’ Red Carpet Event with Viggo Mortensen “(They) really epitomize artist’s work and craftsmanwhat we’re trying to do, ship, pitched the idea. which is to celebrate the arts and the north country,” By the end of the day, Mr. Salisbury had agreed to Mr. Hunt said. drop his other projects to work on the rush-order crow Mr. Salisbury was born in Syracuse and began sculptwith just 12 days to go until the festival. ing as a teen in the ‘60s. His career has taken him cross Please see CROW SCULPTURE, page 32

[ SNOWTOWN FILM FESTIVAL 2017 ] Dulles State Office Building, Watertown

The board of directors for the Snowtown Film Festival (from left)Marc Knapp, President, Kylie Peck, Treasurer, Terry Brennen, Secretary, Jason Maurer, Vice President, Donald Brown, and Steve Hunt, Member.

Aiden and father Sean Hennessey stand for their photo on the red carpet at the 2017 Snowtown Film Festival.

HOLLY BONAME PHOTOS | NNY LIVING

Dr. Jason and Michele White pose on the red carpet prior to the VIP event with Oscar nominee Viggo Mortensen.

HOLLY BONAME PHOTOS | NNY LIVING

Sarah Compo, Maeg Lichtenstein-Benning, Madeline Donovan and Tia Morgia catch the red carpet for a photo just before the showing of “Captain Fantastic” on Friday, Jan. 27.

W I NT E R 201 7 | N N Y L IV IN G

OUTER WASHINGTON ST. WATERTOWN NY 315-788-6022

WaiteToyota.com

Let's Go Places

[ SNOWTOWN FILM FESTIVAL 2017 ] Dulles State Office Building, Watertown

Christine Augliano and mother Linda Petrie stand on the red carpet in matching red flannel.

Laurelle Hobbs, Brayden Surette and Anna Hobbs attend their first Snowtown Film Festival.

HOLLY BONAME PHOTOS | NNY LIVING

Friends Amy Funk and Jaqualynn Collins attened the 2017 Snowtown Film Festival’s VIP opening night where Oscar nominee Viggo Mortensen answered questions about the film “Captain Fanstastic” to a sold-out crowd.

Brian and Bridgette Stumpf of Cape Vincent pose on the Red Carpet. Mr. Stumpf presented his short film “Ghost Walks” on Saturday, Jan. 28, at the Snowtown Film Festival.

315-583-5680

HOURS: MONDAY-WEDNESDAY 8-5, THURSDAY & FRIDAY 8-6, SATURDAY 8-2

WWW.WAITEMOTORSPORTS.COM

WI N TE R 2 017 | N N Y LI V I N G

18014 GOODNOUGH ST., ADAMS CENTER, NY

[ NORTH COUNTRY NOTES ]

Weathering the Winters in NNY Hold Bountiful Beauty By NEAL BURDICK

ost of us would not call winter our favorite season. It used to be mine (OK, tell me I was crazy; I’m used to it). That was when winter featured fresh snow, azure skies and mornings so cold you could grasp the sound of a distant snowplow or train THERE ARE NO BUGS. Truth be told, that’s not quite true. Have you ever seen snow fleas? They’re little black dots that sit on top of new snow, and you think they’re flecks of dirt until one of them starts hopping around, causing you to skip a heartbeat or two. Perhaps it’s on a quest for a warm, furry dog. THERE IS NO PERSPIRING. This isn’t totally true either. I know a couple of hockey players who assure me they work up a pretty good sweat when they’re in action. It’s not the weather, though; it’s those tons of gear they’re dragging along. THERE ARE NO ALLERGIES. I guess if you’re allergic to house dust or bed mites and all their relatives that want to be indoors just as much as you do when it’s cold and wet outside, this is also not true (maybe I should have chosen some other topic for this edition...). But I’m thinking of the stuffed-up, can’t-breathe, eyesitching, nose-rubbed-raw summertime plant-generated ones caused by summerdwellers like ragweed.

WI N TE R 201 7 | N N Y L I V I N G

THERE IS NO HUMIDITY. Well, there has to be some, because there is always moisture in the atmosphere. But since colder air can hold less water vapor, we aren’t usually as aware of it in winter as we are on sultry days in July when our salt shakers clog up and our doors swell so far they won’t shut. In winter, blessedly, our clothes do not stick to us.

whistle in your mittened hands and snap it in two. Now that it’s weeks of dampness, mud and freezing rain, I don’t like it so much anymore. Still, winter has certain advantages. Here are a few:

WINTER IS THE ONLY TIME WHEN WE CAN EXPERIENCE THUNDERSNOW. This, in case it’s not obvious, is thunder that lets loose in snowstorms, which occurs rarely because it requires exceptionally precise conditions. Thundersnow startles: not only is it unexpected, but it’s also normally very close by, because snow

smothers sound waves. It entertains us only in winter because it doesn’t snow enough in the summer (folks on Tug Hill may justifiably take issue with that assertion). OUR LAWNS DO NOT GET DUG UP BY SKUNKS looking for grubs. Nor do we

[ NORTH COUNTRY NOTES ] have to mow them (the lawns, not the skunks). We just have to snowblow our driveways, which most of us don’t do as often as we have to mow in the warm months. Tug Hillers may again disagree. THERE IS LESS NEED FOR SUNSCREEN, which we can never find anyway. Contrary to popular opinion, however, there is some need. Outdoor recreationists especially should apply it. It may seem counter-intuitive, but sun damage can be nastier in winter because the sun is closer to us and because it is not filtered by leaves and moisture-laden air (refer to Number Seven). The worst sunburn I ever suffered blistered me after a day of coldweather hiking on snowfields and glaciers in the Wyoming Rockies. YOU CAN’T ATTEND A WINTER CARNIVAL in the summer. From the Saranac Lake ice palace (incidentally, the only one in America still made with natural ice, which is to say ice cut by hand from a frozen lake) to Snowtown USA in Watertown, the options for extracting fun out of

a dreary time of year abound in the North Country. I will note that in the past these festivals included outdoor activities like snowmobile races and snow-sculpting contests, but as the climate has warmed – and I will not go into why, because no matter what I say my editor will receive an avalanche of angry letters – fewer and fewer of these appear on the schedules of events, replaced by indoor standbys like basketball games, cribbage tournaments and rummage sales. When I was growing up in Plattsburgh, the Chamber of Commerce held hilarious car rallies on Lake Champlain – see how many 360s you can do, for example. They discontinued them a few years ago, because the lake no longer froze firmly enough to be safe. Now, it rarely freezes at all. Mr. Trump: that is not a Chinese hoax. IN COMPARISON WITH OTHER PLACES, WE DON’T HAVE “GROUNDHOG DAY ANGST” in the North Country. What I mean is, in places farther south, the big deal is, Will a certain groundhog see its shadow, or won’t it? Will we have six

more weeks of winter, or not? To which we northerners say, When in recorded history have we not had at least six more weeks of winter, never mind whether or not some poor creature that got yanked out of its cozy den near an unpronounceable town in Pennsylvania produces a shadow? There, see? No angst. We can go on, and you can no doubt conjure up your own advantages to winter. There’s no ice fishing in summertime, for example. Or attempting double axels on a mirror-like pond. Or snowmen, or sledding. There’s the perverse challenge of seeing how high a mountain of snow we can make when we shovel our front steps. But Number One for me is this: Without winter, we would have no spring, and the rougher the winter, the more we appreciate what follows. My long-suffering wife, who comes from a part of the country that actually has spring (southern Ohio), claims with some validity that in fact there is none in the North Country anyway. But crocuses do eventually poke through decaying snowbanks, the sun warms us as we had forgotten it can, sap runs, leaves bud, hints of green break through. The cycle continues.

ATERTOWN DAILY TIMES

LOCAL NEWS • LOCAL SPORTS • LOCAL VIEWS

WI N TE R 20 17 | N N Y LI V I N G

Call 315-782-1012 or (800)724-1012 for details on how you can get delivery started today!

AMANDA MORRISON n NNY LIVING

Nicole Caldwell stands in the middle of Butterfield Lake, Redwood, where she built her home on an island, at rear right.

ISLAND LIVING

SURVIVING WINTERS AWAY FROM SHORE By NICOLE CALDWELL

WI N TE R 201 7 | N N Y L I V I N G

[ THE NNY LIFE ]

Living on islands in the North Country brings its own kind of

adventure once winter strikes. The season flirts with those living along its shores: blustery winds and freezing temperatures circle their ways around rocky shoals and jutting bluffs, teasing us. But while outdoor enthusiasts drop augers through ice to take measurements that determine when rivers, bays and lakes will be ready for games with shanties and snowmobiles, island dwellers await the winter freeze for a different reason. Those glassy layers signify means of a different sport: access to the mainland for crucial supplies aiding wintertime survival.

HAPPY HOMESTEADERS, WINTER SURVIVALISTS MAKE Eileen “Urch” Balcom-Slate, 55, has lived on Grindstone with her husband Harry (a lifelong Grindstone resident) since 1998. The couple, married in 1999, does a lot of homesteading—from canning and freezing, to drying and salting. So much prep means only occasional trips to the mainland throughout winter; trips that are often spread out by a month or more. “We raise grass-fed beef and do a lot of gardening and canning in the summer,” Urch says. “We’re pretty good on food... but we do want to get to the mainland now because we’re just about out of beer and wine,” she adds with a laugh. “As long as it’s warm enough that we don’t have to worry about our boat (we have a 35-foot, diesel-engine boat) we can get back and forth, like this winter. Other winters, we rely on snowmobiles or ice punts in between. We don’t have an ice punt, but our mailman Brian Parker does.” Urch says being on Grindstone in winter doesn’t feel like an inconvenience at all, even if getting to the mainland proves to be a challenge with choppy ice blocks and frigid temperatures. “Actually,” she says, “I really enjoy it. We’re super-duper-double-time all summer and into the fall. My husband and I are also New York State hunting guides… it’s a lot of fun, but they’re long days and a lot of work. So by the time we get done with that, and get through the holidays, it’s nice to get to January and just like, aaaaaah. During that time, I like to just relax and catch up on sleep and reading. This is the time of year I typically do my spring-cleaning, because I don’t have time in the actual spring. It’s just relaxing.” To stave off cabin fever, Urch says she and Harry like to embark on the daily, mile-long hike to their mailbox with their dogs. The couple also gets together with other Grindstoners almost weekly. “We typically all get together two or three times a month

WI N TE R 20 17 | N N Y LI V I N G

WINTERING ON ISLANDS REQUIRES A SPECIAL RUGGEDNESS Most North Country island-owners are snowbirds. You’ll find them downstate or even down-country during winter, enjoying more idyllic landscapes of Floridian palm trees and Caribbean beaches. But while those folks enjoy beautiful weather and warm cores, a select and hardy few tough it out for the special excitement—and peace—of the islands dotting frozen water-bodies upstate. I’m a newcomer to the game. Since moving to the North Country almost eight years ago, above all else I’ve relished my interaction with the natural world. So much so, three years ago I purchased a tiny island speck on Butterfield Lake in Theresa, 10 miles inland from Alexandria Bay and the mighty St. Lawrence. The .1-acre lot has the requisite tree to mark it an island, and now holds a cottage requiring creative problem solving for access to and from it. Back in New York City where I used to live, weather was something that happened on the periphery. It could be an inconvenience; something you’d rather avoid if it got too sloppy. But in the North Country, weather is everything. It tells me when I can plant seeds in the garden. It indicates whether work can be done outside, how much wood splitting is required to heat the house, and—perhaps most importantly—it dictates my travels between the mainland and my island cottage. On Butterfield, as in all North Country waterways, winter comes in splotches. Some years, you “luck out” with tons of ice that could hold a freight train. A winter or two later, snowmobiles might inadvertently hop across open water; or an errant leg or four-wheeler might poke down through the shoreline. These are excitements people in almost every other part of the planet never have the liberty of experienc-

ing. Ice boats, dogsleds, snowmobiles and shoes, and four-wheelers are no longer objects of recreation. Instead, these become tools of (awfully fun, at times precarious) survival.

[ THE NNY LIFE ] for dinner parties and to play cards, stuff like that,” she says. “It’s nice to have that time to really prepare meals and get creative in the kitchen. And we do get some people who come over on the weekends. But weather-dependent, they come over on a Friday and leave Sunday.” Urch says she and Harry hardly feel the winter boredom or blues so many other people suffer from in the winter. To Urch, Grindstone just feels like home… and the peace and quiet? Just heavenly. TO SURVIVE WINTER IN THE NORTH COUNTRY, YOU MUST LOVE THE UNKNOWN Will Salisbury has owned property on Grindstone Island for 43 years. “I bought the land in the spring of ’75,” Will says. “I’d been on the road as a hippie, I’d been out in Mexico. But I didn’t know anything—it was different when winter came. At first I cross-country skied, which I picked up from Leonard O’Brien. He’d bring a jug of wine and we’d go across the channel, it was three feet of ice... And then I graduated, and bought a snowmobile.” The 67-year-old craftsman and metalworker has faced no shortage of excitement wintering on the island. “My first winter there was not a full winter, because my tent was flattened by six inches of snow and I was trying to figure it out for two days. People were saying I needed to stay on the mainland. So, it was a learning curve. “The next winter I built a 12-by-16 plywood shack. We put a kitchen in it, it was more of a shop with a loft in it. Bob Quinn and I lived in it, in our snowmobile suits and hats and them big huge army gloves with a string around your neck. We literally lived in our clothes all winter.” What was the appeal of all this, you might be wondering? “The adventure,” Will says. “The unknown showed up at our door every morning.”

WI N TE R 201 7 | N N Y L I V I N G

BUSY HANDS MAKE WINTER FLY BY Scott Garris, Singer Castle’s caretaker for the last 14 years, has a fool-proof plan for surviving winter as the lone resident of Dark Island from December through the beginning of March: stay busy. “I’m a handyman,” the 54-year-old says. “I love refinishing furniture and stuff. After the summers we have, with tourists and guests constantly, it’s nice to have some peace and quiet where I can get some things done around the castle.” A typical day for Scott this year includes checking the windows for cracks or leaks, checking the grounds for trees down after heavy winds or snow, ensuring all the heaters are functional and kerosene tanks are full, working on ongoing projects, and making sure there are no ghosts. Kidding—Scott says he hasn’t seen or heard an apparition at all in the last few years. What he does see is wildlife: foxes galore, osprey, and eagles after the beginning of March… even a deer, though the ice proved too thin for walking that day. Singer castle welcomes overnight guests until the end of Oc-

tober; then, another worker and Scott get things done until the end of November. From that time until the beginning of March, Scott’s alone on Dark Island. He says he doesn’t mind that one bit. “It’s quiet and peaceful,” he says. “I never stop talking during the summer—I even hate it when the tour guides point me out during the summer. “I still have a boat in the water this year,” he continues. “I don’t see the channel freezing now at all. Usually by the beginning of March, you notice it breaking all up. We have an iceboat [at the castle, but] it’s an old one. It’s hanging in the boathouse. We’ll charter David Garlock [from Number 9 Island] to come get me with his ice boat if I’m frozen in, but that’s usually just the one time after I’m frozen in for about four weeks. There was a time six or seven years ago that I drove my boat all winter. Last year I was only frozen in for 28 days. Usually, it’s five to seven weeks that I’ll be frozen in.” NORTH COUNTRY ISLAND WINTERS ARE JUST UNPARALLELED Is it rugged? Yes. Is it undesirable? Possibly. But there is something to a life lived with sustained moments of self-reflection and self-reliance that can’t be mimicked. There’s something about defining yourself against the North Country bleak that makes summers (and everything else) so much sweeter. And eventually, maybe you learn spending time like this with yourself doesn’t make you miss all that much else. Can that really all be? Scott has an answer. ‘Honestly,” he says, “the only things I miss are fresh milk, and eggs, and bread.” And how many of us can find a way to argue with that?

AMANDA MORRISON n NNY LIVING Nicole Caldwell, left and David Magbee, right, walk back from checking out the ice in the middle of Butterfield Lake, where Ms.Caldwell owns property on an island.

AMANDA MORRISON n NNY LIVING TOP: Eileen "Urch" Balcom-Slate, right, hands a bag of dog food to her husband, Harry, as they load up their boat with a month's worth of provisions before heading home to Grindstone Island. BOTTOM: Eileen “Urch” Balcom-Slate, left, and her husband, Harry, head home to Grindstone Island, after picking up supplies on the mainland

WI N TE R 20 17 | N N Y LI V I N G

HEARt of

Winters in Northern New York PHOTO CREDIT: STEPHEN SWOFFORD n NNY LIVING

BY JOLEENE MOODY | NNY LIVING

at the

W IN TE R 20 1 7 | N N Y L IV IN G

AHHH, THE NORTH COUNTRY. BLANKETED WITH SNOW IN THE WINTER MONTHS, THE SPRAWLING HILLS OF NORTHERN NEW YORK ARE A WONDERLAND FOR WINTER SPORT ENTHUSIASTS. From skiing and snow tubing to winter wine trails and festivals, the north country has a lot to offer during the coldest season of the year. It’s enough to keep even the heartiest of snow-goers on their toes, as one of the most beautiful areas in New York State adds more and more adventure to its snow palate each year. The number of snow-based activities in the north country is endless. Aside from the few mentioned above, ice fishing, ice climbing, ice skating, and ice castles rank as notable favorites. Snowshoeing and snowmobiling aren’t far behind. But when it comes to the number one winter activity in the tri-county area, it seems that tumbling or gliding down a snowy hill on any given day takes the cake.

WI N TE R 201 7 | N N Y L I V I N G

OVER DRY HILL AND DALE It’s called Watertown’s “best kept secret,” although the Dry Hill Ski Area in Watertown is no secret to those who live around it. Perhaps for newcomers and out-of-towners it is, but once visitors get a taste of the popular ski center, the secret is inevitably out. Owner Tim McAtee has operated the Dry Hill Ski Area for 35 years. He’s seen his share of changes in the industry, including how snow lovers get from the top of the mountain, down to the bottom again. “When I first started, the only way downhill was on two skis,” he said. “Then, in the 1980’s, James Burton came up with the idea of snowboarding. It was slow to catch on in the beginning. Dry Hill was actually one of the first hills to even allow snowboarding. But after a while the concept took off and become a major player in the winter sports scene.” At the time, several ski resorts resisted the hearty piece of equipment. But as times changed, so did resort policies, and more and more ski areas opened up their trails to snowboarders. To keep up with the trend, Mr. McAtee said ski makers started retooling their factories to produce smaller shaped parabolic skis; skis that are wider and shorter and much easier to learn on. The redesign worked. “The industry made a bold, but smart move, because in the last few years, we’ve seen a return to people skiing more than snowboarding,” he said. As downhill skiers and snowboarders populate the ski lift line on one side of the hill, people of all ages venture up a different part of the mini mountain armed with large, bouncy rubber tubes that, once at the top, will take them back down the hill spinning and laughing. They are the snow tubers,

the one’s that bravely take the hill face first. For those that don’t have the desire to conquer the hill on skis, snow tubing is the ultimate winter sport. It’s also the magic ingredient that helps keep Dry Hill functioning and profitable. We’ve been offering snow tubing for over fifteen years,” Mr. McAtee said. “It’s funny, but when I told people I was going to turn an area into a tubing hill, they thought I was crazy. They said it would never work. But if it wasn’t for the tubing business, I don’t know that we’d be in business. You don’t need equipment to go tubing and you don’t need lessons. It’s fun and it’s easy. All you have to do is dress warm.” When the season begins, the ski lifts are the most populated. Canadian neighbors saturate the hill, coming in from the Kingston-Brockville area. This is because Dry Hill is the closest ski area to Canada, and because Dry Hill will take Canadian money at par. Mr. McAtee said it’s not unusual for the first fifty customers of the day to be from across the border. Not only do they bring an international presence to the hill, but Canadian visitors also rev the engine of the local economy as hotels, restaurants, and local stores benefit from their stay.

With seven downhill trails and an extremely popular tubing park, the Dry Hill Ski Area has quickly become a hotspot for snow lovers. Even on days when the snow has completely melted from our yards, Dry Hill is operating with more than enough snow, thanks to well-groomed trails and fast-working snow machines. “We have a lot of military folks visit us, and it’s really surprising how many love it because of the four seasons and everything the north country has to offer,” Mr. McAtee said. “Our soldiers go to work at Drum, come home and eat, grab their skis, ski for two or three hours, and are back home in time to watch the evening news. So many people think that’s the greatest thing. In other areas, one might have to drive hours to get somewhere. But not here. Here, Dry Hill is right in their backyard. It just doesn’t get any better than that.”

PHOTO CREDIT: STEPHEN SWOFFORD n NNY LIVING

Michael Gallegos puts on his gloves before heading back onto the slopes Monday at Dry Hill.

AMANDA MORRISON n NNY LIVING Patrons warm themselves by the fire pit inside the Dry Hill Ski lodge after an evening of skiing.

PEACEFUL PLAYTIME Meanwhile, down the road in Oneida

County, the Osceola Tug Hill XC Ski Center is grooming 40 kilometers of ski trails for cross country enthusiasts. Located in the hamlet of Osceola just outside of Camden, the modest ski center opened its doors for the first time in 1980. Hugh Quinn, owner and operator of the Osceola Tug Hill XC Ski Center, said cross-country ski enthusiasts from all over the nation come to glide his trails. From Pennsylvania and New Jersey to Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont, Maryland, even Ontario, snow

lovers flock to his facility to experience a truly tranquil sport like no other. “It’s probably the most therapeutic winter activity you can do,” he said. “The solitude, the quiet, the exercise you get, is bar none. No matter how hectic your day is, when you get here, you slap on your skis and go for a peaceful 45 minutes to two hours. When our skiers come back, they are completely relaxed.” With only two primary techniques to master, the skating technique and the classic technique, Mr. Quinn said crosscountry skiing is a fairly easy activity to learn. With trails as wide as 16 feet, enthusiasts can take in miles and miles of forest scenery, easing in to the quiet sounds of winter and the peaceful solace of the season.

Kids as young as two and as old as 102 can don a pair of skis and become part of a unique wonderland adventure. The warming hut at the ski center offers small snacks, coffee, and hot chocolate. But families and friends come prepared with a packed lunch and warm clothes, renting skis for as little as $12. If you’re ready to take in the beauty of the north country in the most tranquil way, this 5,000-year-old Scandinavian tradition just might be the way to go.

PHOTO CREDIT: AMANDA MORRISON n NNY LIVING

A woman goes cross country skiing through the Watertown Golf Club course at Thompson Park at dusk.

WI N TE R 20 17 | N N Y LI V I N G

A TOAST TO THE NORTH COUNTRY As the fishermen take to the ice and ski bunnies to the hill, those less interested in playing in the snow seek other adventures during the winter months. This is where a taste of the Thousand Islands comes in. Thanks to the various wineries and craft beer establishments popping up throughout the North country, the area has proudly established a wine tasting and craft beverage trail called Taste 1000 Islands that snakes through Alexandria Bay, Black River, Cape Vincent, Clayton, and peeks into Canada. Over a dozen winemakers, brewers, and distillers are harnessing North country winters to bring an exclusive piece of this incredible industry to visitors. The Thousand Islands Winery in Alexandria Bay is one of them. “A lot of people are surprised to find out how our craft beverage trail has developed in this area,” said April Anne Young, the marketing director at Thousand Islands Winery. “The big focus for the wineries here are the cold, hearty grapes. These are grapes that can sustain some of the 30- below winters and ice storms we’ve endured.” For some, a winery might be the last place they think of as they head out to play during the cold winter months. But Ms. Young said it’s actually the ideal option for bachelorette parties, corporate events, even public events. Come February, happenings like Military Appreciation Day and a wine and food pairing the

WI N TE R 201 7 | N N Y L I V I N G

24 PHOTO CREDIT: THOUSAND ISLANDS WINERY

Sunday before Valentine’s Day, remind locals and visitors of what the region has to offer. “We’re a year-round tourist region, but the winters for the snow enthusiasts are pretty amazing,” she said. “We have developed an incredible area in terms of skiing and snowmobiling. We’re in a unique position here, that visitors can not only come to the Thousand Islands, but they can also hop across the border into Canada and enjoy two countries in a weekend.” THE SARANAC WINTER CARNIVAL If you’ve lived in the North country most of your life and haven’t yet ventured to Saranac Lake during the winter carnival, it might be high time to change up your winter adventure routine. Since 1897, the village of Saranac Lake has hosted one of the single greatest winter celebrations in the Northeast. The history of the carnival is rich in healing, and has grown to see tens of thousands of visitors from all over the world every February. When it began 120 years ago, it was to help lift the spirits of the many sick individuals living in what were known as cure cottages. Because of the clean mountain air and peaceful setting, Saranac Lake became a destination for those with tuberculosis to come and heal. One by one, the healing cottages sprouted up, bringing the very sick back to optimal health. But the road to getting

well was long, and to help ease their lonely hearts (as family members were often far away), the community came together to create the event. At the center of the event was an enormous ice castle, once built by professional architects to greet a king, his queen, and their royal court. Back in the day, the court was a popular movie star or radio personality. Today, court members are local residents who generously volunteer in the community. “The ice castle is the central focus of the event,” said Colleen O’Neill, Saranac Lake Winter Carnival committee member and public relations liaison. “The castle is not as large as it used to be in the early days, but it is still one of the premiere sights at our ten day carnival. People from all over the world, including Germany and Japan, come to Saranac Lake to see the castle and take part in carnival.” Ten days of sport, parade, fireworks, games, and, of course, the ice castle, is the anatomy of carnival. Tens of thousands of visitors fill every hotel, motel, and bed and breakfast in the area. Restaurants buzz with dozens of foreign languages from hungry visitors. And shops fill with curious tourists from every corner of the world. “Saranac Lake gets an economic shot in the arm,” Ms. O’Neill said. “All of a sudden we become a bustling city. Some of our small businesses rely on carnival

MARK KURTZ PHOTOGRAPHY The 2017 Winter Carnival kicked off events on Feb. 3, including a fire works display in the evening over the ice castle in Saranac Lake, NY.

WI N TE R 20 17 | N N Y LI V I N G

every year to keep them afloat during winter.” The number of events over the ten day period is too long to list, but include favorites like Arctic Golf, the Lady Fry Pan Toss Competition, Torchlight Skiing, a colorful, eclectic parade, and three different fireworks shows. The non-profit event offers carnival at no cost. Some events require registration and a small fee, but overall, visitors can take in carnival without spending a fortune. If the spectacle of the Saranac Lake Winter Carnival doesn’t get you, the buttons specially designed to help raise funds to support the event will. Created by “Doonesbury” cartoonist and former Saranac Lake resident, Garry Trudeau, the buttons are drawn based on the current theme of carnival. The buttons have become a collector’s item for many, as fans work to gather every one that has ever been designed by the cartoonist since 1981. With so much to do and see in the North country winter months, we’ve barely touched the tip of the iceberg. (No pun intended.) The area is dotted with budding snowmobile enthusiasts and snowshoeing aficionados. Ice fishermen and women also make up the landscape of happy winter-goers. For all of you, we offer the following list of hotspots for cool sports. The North country may be cold, but it heats up every winter with excitement, sport, and game. Grab a snow cone and take a look at everything this incredible region has to offer. Until then, we’ll see you in the snow.

PHOTO CREDIT: MARK KURTZ PHOTOGRAPHY

[ NNY ARTS ]

PAR•TIC•I•PATE: verb. take part in, engage in, join in, get involved in, share in, play a part/role in, be a participant in, partake in, have a hand in, be associated with *ART By KARI ROBERTSON

hile it has been said that we live in a cultural desert, there are many ways to pARTicipate in NNY that will keep you warm inside, help you connect with oTers, and simultaneously bring on the “cool.” In early January, Snowtown Film Festival President Mark Knapp told me with infectious smile, “It’s gonna be huge for our community!” The event, held on Jan. 27 - 28 was, as he predicted, a sold out opening night full of enthusiastic people sporting smiles and dressed to impress for the “flannel red carpet.” The 2017 Snowtown Film Festival planning team narrowed an astounding 832 submissions to 26 for the short film competition. Several full length films were run as well. One of the fine moments of the Festival (and season) was the appearance of well-known artist and Watertown High School graduate, Viggo Mortensen.

After the showing of his thought provoking movie, “Captain Fantastic”, the two-time Academy Award nominee took questions from the appreciative home town crowd. Then, Mr. Mortensen was presented with an original metal sculpture of a crow, entitled “Rascal”, by the sculptor Will Salisbury, (also see his large crows next to Interstate 81 near Alexandria Bay) for “his dedication to the North Country and contribution to the arts.” Also in its third year is the Hammond Barn Quilt Trail. These original, professional looking artworks are popping up all over the north country. They are painted on large boards and affixed to barns, houses, businesses, government buildings. There are at least 50 completed and more to come. The colorful works are lovely year-round, but really stand out against the cool of winter. Take it to the next step by visiting the barn quilters’ studio, in the base-

WI N TE R 201 7 | N N Y L I V I N G

AMANDA MORRISON n NNY LIVING SnowTown Film Festival Screening of ‘Captain Fantastic’ Red Carpet Event with Viggo Mortensen

ment of the Hammond Free Library. It is open 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Tuesdays, and additional hours by request. The public is welcome to observe, chat, and create. Former art teacher Pam Winchester, along with the others in the group, are excited to help anyone who is interested. They offer “brushes, tools and camaraderie.” Alternatively, barn quilts may be purchased, which helps to defray costs of running the public art program. Jennifer McGregor recently finished and mounted her piece, “Scottish Pride” on her barn in Hammond. It was designed to reflect her heritage, blending the traditional thistle and tartan. “This is something that is brand new for me. I paint, but not artistically. I had lots of help by people here. There is always someone on hand to help if needed.” As she prepared a board for a new painting, Jen said, “There is teamwork down here!” The Barn Quilters’ community spirit carries this project into new areas and activities each year. Pam Winchester is working on a piece themed around her mother’s tea set and will welcome the community to a unique kind of tea party upon completion. The group is planning a garden barn quilt project and a fairy house project for this summer. Mrs. Winchester says “You see a need in the community and you do it.” And accompanying artist Nancy Misenko continued, “We know how to get things done!” Continuing northeast, visit the Frederic Remington Museum, in Odgensburg, NY. It is located in the former home of one of the premier artists of the Westward Expansion. Remington became famous for his action packed

[ NNY ARTS ] sculptures, illustrations and paintings. Melanie Flack, director of development, has been spinning off of the national trend in museums by offering high energy participatory events within the traditionally staid museum setting. One of the Remington galleries has been reconfigured to allow floor space for yoga amongst the art. This “draws people into the galleries and invites them to experience the Remington art in a new way, and they have such an amazing setting in which to enjoy their yoga,” says Executive Director Laura Foster. The Museum has also hosted “Tai Chi. Taste. Tie-Dye.” All of this is in addition to their regular repertoire of tours and lecture series about Remington’s work and life. While an internationally acclaimed collection, this is a particularly accessible art gallery experience for children and art neophytes. One of the area’s best kept secrets is the Pottery Studio located behind and run by the TI Arts Center. Curriculumbased after school clay classes begin in March for grades K-8. The pottery studio is open year-round for adults who already have experience in clay, during designated hours. Adjacent, on John Street, the main building has a room full of weaving looms available for pub-

lic use on Wednesdays. Upstairs is a surprisingly comprehensive library on all things related to fabric or textiles. The current show in the main building is called “Art of Winter.” This annual exhibit is traditionally inclusive, featuring work by a range of artists, from children to professional. The exhibit closes on April 1, 2017. Also in Clayton is the annual Fire and Ice Celebration, February 16-18, at the 1000 Islands Harbor Hotel. The celebration features 20,000 pounds of carved ice. Sculptors from The Ice Farm in Auburn, NY, bring in the ice and will begin work on Wednesday, February 15, in the afternoon, finishing in time for the adult only evening event on Thursday. The public is welcome to stop over to watch the process. “I love watching them piece the sculptures together, to take large 300 pound pieces of ice, take a saw and a chisel to make something,” said Todd Buchko, General Manager for Harbor Hotel. This event is a fundraiser supporting North Country Troopers Assisting Troops. “We are here for a great cause, to get people moving around, see friends that they haven’t seen in a while. We are happy to do it,” said Buchko. The ice sculptures will continue

display for public viewing until Mother Nature has her way. The North Country Arts Council, on Public Square, Watertown, is a nonprofit whose mission is to promote all art forms. The organization chartered in 1948 as the North Country Artists Guild, and is arguably the oldest art council in the United States. Today it is run entirely by volunteers. The NCAC works to offer a clearinghouse for arts opportunities, sell local art in the gallery, run educational programming, and produce a variety of events. Towards these goals, the NCAC welcomes anyone with interest in enhancing the cultural climate of Northern New York to join in. Meetings are open to the public. Participation in Northern New York crosses career paths, religious and political affiliation. It is a great way to celebrate beauty and ideas while building community. Few of us will become Academy Award winners, but for all of us, quality of life can be enriched by getting active at some level and in some aspect of the arts, warming us in this “cool” desert we call home.

to be on

WI N TE R 20 17 | N N Y LI V I N G

PHOTO CREDIT: KARI ROBERTSON

WI N TE R 201 7 | N N Y L I V I N G

28 PHOTO CREDIT: GARY BURNS n BURNS PHOTOGRAPHY

viewing life from the top Northern New York couple conquer ADK 46, twice

WI N TE R 20 17 | N N Y LI V I N G

PHOTO CREDIT: GARY BURNS n BURNS PHOTOGRAPHY

WI N TE R 201 7 | N N Y L I V I N G

o simply say Watertown residents Gary and Karen Burns are into the outdoors is like saying Michelangelo was into painting just for the hell of it. For the husband and wife duo, who just recently reached 42 years of marriage, being outside is what life is all about, regardless of the season. They could be considered the poster children for what an outdoor power couple should look like. They do it all — from mountain biking to downhill skiing, cross-country skiing to running, with maybe just a little paddling thrown in the mix. But one of their most sizeable feats was hiking the Adirondack High Peaks. All 46 of them — twice. The pair has been blazing Adirondack High Peak trails for over two decades. After gradually completing all 46 peaks in warmer months, the two took another crack at the challenge, this time summiting each high peak during the winter. Now, with those accomplishments under their belts, the two-time 46ers have discovered a new way to appreciate the mountains in exposing others to the beautiful challenge that is Adirondack hiking. “When you get up in the mountains,” Mrs. Burns said, “you get away from the rest of society, and it’s beautiful, it’s peaceful. You have that call to keep going back.”

In Watertown, Mr. Burns is known for his photography business, Burns Photography, off Arsenal Street. The business has been around since the 1960s, when it was started by Mr. Burns’ father. Mrs. Burns is newly retired, after spending 20 years at North Elementary as a library secretary. The Burnses’ foray into Adirondack hiking started with a little push while raising their four sons during their Boy Scout days. Mr. Burns said he went up a few mountains with his sons, and then he started going up on his own or with his wife. “It was just more a once in a while sort of thing,” Mrs. Burns said. “We didn’t have a goal of doing all 46.” But as time went on, becoming a 46er was inevitable. Mr. Burns said, “I kind of looked at my list and said, ‘wow, I’m at like 30-something. Maybe I’ll just make this a goal,” He finished off his list, and Mrs. Burns finished hers shortly after. At a 46ers banquet dinner, which the ADk46ers club puts on twice a year to recognize those who complete the challenge, Mr. and Mrs. Burns ran into north country author Carol White, who wrote the book, “Women with Altitude.” Centered on women who hiked all 46 high peaks strictly during winter, the book was what

edge onto others. With the Adirondack High Peaks conquered on their own, a Burns trip back into the mountains usually includes a small group of friends. If they are going for the first time, the Burns’ have a sort of “shake down” at their home to prepare. Having upgraded gear several times over the years, Mr. Burns said they have plenty of extra equipment that friends can use, if necessary. Mrs. Burns said, “We think that’s important because we make sure that people understand what is really required, whether it’s dangerous or not.” Though the Burnses have no intention of creating a formal Facebook group for their excursions, they encourage new faces to join them on the mountain side. Right now, Mrs. Burns said the best way to reach out has generally been through word of mouth. They also post photos and details about their trips on the local Team RWB chapter website in Watertown. Team RWB (Red White and Blue) is a nationwide group that supports veterans through sports and physi-

cal activities. Mr. Burns said local veterans have joined the duo on hikes since they started posting on the website. One of the best parts about bringing people along, the Burnses agreed, is seeing an anxious firsttimer overcome his or her fears and continue to hike well after the first trip. “You can tell they’re nervous, saying, ‘I don’t know if I can do this,’” he said. “They know they can go beyond their boundaries.” “And once they do it,” Mrs. Burns added, “they’re just in awe that they could accomplish that.”

By BRIAN MOLONGOSKI

WI N TE R 20 17 | N N Y LI V I N G

inspired the pair to give it a go. Mr. and Mrs. Burns became winter 46ers in just a few years, hiking six to 10 peaks per winter. Compared to hiking in other seasons, Mrs. Burns said winter hiking has its own set of pros and cons. “Doing the winter hiking, the trails are smoother because the snow is packed down,” Mrs. Burns said. “But if you’re breaking trail it can be really tough. There are times when we’ve had to back off and we couldn’t do it. You have to have that set in your mind that yeah, there is a possibly we can’t do this peak and we have to turn back.” In the years leading up to garnering the 46er titles, the Burns’ paid close attention to the preparation aspect — knowing what’s necessary to be safe while out on a hike, especially in winter. “We learned a lot as we went on — meeting more hikers, trial and error, what sort of equipment do you really need while hiking,” Mr. Burns said. “Just don’t bring canned food,” Mrs. Burn said with a laugh. Now, the two pass their knowl-

CROW SCULPTURE, from page 11

WI N TE R 201 7 | N N Y L I V I N G

A crow statue was chosen for Mr. Mortensen’s well-documented affinity for the intelligent (and regionally abundant) creatures. “We wanted to honor him for his work and his dedication to the north country... And we knew he loves crows,” Mr. Hunt recalled. “It was a proud moment to be able to do that. Viggo was very appreciative... He was talking about (the sculpture) backstage, and beaming.” That avian appreciation is another thing the two artists have in common, making the projects a perfect fit. When Mr. Salisbury created “The 3 Crows” on I-81 he was looking for something whimsical to herald in the new century. Mr. Salisbury helps the baby crows he comes across every once in a while, fallen from their nests, to survive and says he is amazed by them and their abilities. “They have 19 or so calls, you know, and I can imitate a lot of them. I tend to confuse them,” Mr. Salisbury laughed. He also appreciates their “spiritual aspect” and the role crows hold in Native American cultures. Rascal the crow was made of welded steel, heat treated, and given a clear coat. When surprised with the work of art and award after the showing of his film “Captain Fantastic,’ Mr. Mortensen thanked Mr. Salisbury and drew him back out onto the stage to show his appreciation. “We created the North Country Inspiration to Artists Award, and with it we wanted to hand off a piece of art representing both the region and Viggo.” Mr. Hunt said. “Will symbolized what we were going for, too.” “It was a real honor to be asked and a great experience,” Mr. Salisbury said. Perhaps the North Country’s ability to bring art out of the artist can’t be defined. Maybe it can’t be pinpointed. But - just maybe - it’s the spirit of the crow.

WI N TE R 20 17 | N N Y LI V I N G

[ HISTORICALLY SPEAKING ]

Civil War Impacts Felt in Northern New York History

WI N TE R 201 7 | N N Y L I V I N G

By LENKA WALLDROFF

ast year tertown didn’t change much at all from for the support of a single man at the marked an industry standpoint with the notable time, but not enough for a family of the 155 exception of the establishment of a new dependents. To solve the problem, local anniversary of the belocal newspaper- the Daily Reformer, governments were authorized to use ginning of the American Civil War. While which later became the Watertown Daily taxpayer dollars to fund bounties, which most people associate the Civil War with Times, and the building of a new (now were then paid to men to volunteer- usuGettysburg or other points south, the “the old”) courthouse. ally $300 per man- approximately $8,100 effects and repercussions of the war were This was the state of Jefferson County in today’s currency. All told, by the end felt throughout the nation- even in our on April 12, 1861 when Confederate of the war, Jefferson County paid out little corner of New York State. forces fired upon Fort Sumter. nearly $330,000 in bounties (just over In April of 1861, Jefferson County The Civil War marked the first time in $8.9 million today); while an astounding had a population of around 70,000 American history when not one, but two, figure, it is far below the $1 million ($27 people- about that million) paid out of modern day by St. Lawrence Sydney, Australia. County and nearMany people were ly $2 million ($54 employed in the million) paid by agriculture which Oswego County! was the county’s Recruitment biggest economic was typically acdriver- particularly complished with the dairy industry. the help of promiAt that point in nent citizens who history, dairy was were given officer king and Jefferson commissions in County dominated exchange for enthe market for listing a sufficient butter and cheese. amount of men to That same year the fill their comconcept of dairy pany. In Jefferson cooperatives was County’s case, introduced and it some of the more strengthened the prominent men in local dairy industry charge of enlistthat much more. WATERTOWN DAILY TIMES ment were George This picture, taken during the 1860s, shows the Watertown Daily Times and Reformer building, which was then located on Arcade Street. Flower- the first There was also a The newspaper didn’t have Adobe Photoshop in those days but apparently a photographer mortised this photo of the building, street and good amount of trees, gluing it on top of another photo of a cloudy sky, something which would be frowned upon in today’s newsroom. mayor of Watermanufacturing haptown, Bradley pening in Watertown. The textile induslarge armies needed to be raised. In the Winslow- another future mayor, Byron try that at one point provided many local war’s initial, optimistic, months, it was B. Taggart- yet another future mayor and jobs, unfortunately succumbed to the believed that this could be accomplished owner of a large local paper mill, and mighty New England textile mills that on a largely volunteer basis, and so it John Haddock, who closed his cotton mill had the advantage of the railroad. While was. However, as the war dragged on, to serve in the Civil War. the building of railroad infrastructure with no end in sight, the patriotic fervor Before the Conscription Act of 1863, had begun locally, the extensive network that fueled the initial surge in volunteers Jefferson County had already contributed that would eventually crisscross the waned. three volunteer regiments to the war county was put on hold during the Civil Money was another point of discoureffort and hundreds of other men for War and only completed in the years folagement. The Union Army paid its various other units. But in 1863, the draft lowing it. soldiers $8 a month- approximately $200 began. During the war years of 1861-1865, Wa- in today’s currency, a sufficient amount The quota for each county was based

[ HISTORICALLY SPEAKING ] Additionally, in order to make up for the volunteer bounties that were paid out from public funds, taxes were raised. Rare was the Jefferson County household that didn’t have at least one member away at war, and with the causalities so high, many families lived daily with the fear of receiving bad news. It was against this backdrop then, that news of General Lee’s surrender in Virginia in April of 1865 reached the North country. So elated was the population that an old cannon was brought into

Public Square where it was fired continuously in celebration throughout the night. It was reported that the concussions of the blasts broke every store front window along the Square! In the summer of 1865, the regiments returned to Watertown. They were welcomed home with cheering, flowers, breakfast, speeches, and a marching band that accompanied the regiments as they marched into the Square and eventually onto Sackets Harbor where they were mustered out at Madison Barracks.

WI N TE R 20 17 | N N Y LI V I N G

upon the total population of the state which was then broken down by county and town. When each town’s turn came to be drafted, the list of eligible males, aged 20 to 45, was brought out, each name copied onto a separate card and then the cards were dropped into a wooden drum. The town supervisor would spin the drum, and a blindfolded boy would reach in to pull one card at a time until the quota had been met. As an aside, the drum used for this process was donated to the Jefferson County Historical Society and is still on display in the museum’s Civil War display. Not everyone favored the Conscription Act. As a matter of fact, when the legislation was passed, New York City erupted into violent draft riots. The law was viewed as undemocratic because the man whose name was pulled had the option of hiring a substitute to take his place, or bypassing the whole business entirely by paying the government $300 (approximately $8,000 today.)This was seen as elitist and unfair to all but the wealthiest families who could afford the expense. Back in Northern New York, the Conscription Act’s option of hiring a substitute spurred on the creation of an interesting war industry: that of substitutes for hire. Many Canadians and other foreign nationals made themselves available during draft time to offer their substitute services to the highest bidder. While many served well and honorably, there were those who deserted at first opportunity. Among the latter were men who made a business of it- hiring themselves out as a substitute, collecting their money, enlisting, then deserting, only to start the whole business over again at the next draft call. The man who hired the substitute not only lost his money, but was then on the hook to either replace the substitute or go to war himself. While the valor and patriotism of the men who served in defense of the Union is certainly to be applauded and honored, it is important also to remember the sacrifice of those left at home. With so much of the able bodied male population away at war, there was a labor shortage in Jefferson County. With few men to work the farms, dairies, and factories, there was a marked decrease in farm and manufactured products. Without a rationing and price control system in place, prices of goods violently inflated, which often led to profiteering and black markets.

[ WINTER ACTIVITIES]

STEPHEN SWOFFORD n NNY LIVING

Pond Hockey a Welcome Challenge

WI N TE R 201 7 | N N Y L I V I N G

For guys like Mike Hughes, an opportunity to play pond hockey in the bay was a trip down memory lane. The Boston native hit the ice with fellow Boston residents Ryan Fogg, Norm Cathcart and Steven Hughes, who all played club hockey while at Syracuse University, and regularly visit the north country.

“This is like our alumni weekend,” Mr. Hughes said. Their team, Pringle Nachos - named for a late night snack crafted during a previous hockey outing - was one of about 15 teams that laced up on a dock at the Bonnie Castle Marina for a tournament Feb. 4, the second of two tournaments held in the Thousand Islands region as a part of the River Hockey Classic. A Clayton tournament, held Jan. 27 to 29, was moved to the Alexandria Bay municipal arena due to warm temperatures. Preparing for the conditions in Alexandria Bay created challenges for organizers, who worked with the Alexandria Bay fire department to flood the dock area for days. “Mother Nature deals the cards,” said Bobby W. Cantwell, co-organizer for the tournament. Mr. Cantwell said the 17 who played were about half as many as the previous year, blaming the drop on the iffy conditions heading into the weekend. Still, the tournament drew players from around the state, and as far away as Maine, New Jersey and Massachusetts. “We pushed forward with the teams we got,” he said. Those who did play in the three-onthree tournament found a fast-moving game that required quick thinking and a little luck. “You could put the best college guys with guys who haven’t played in 20 years and they’d be competitive,” said Victor F. Natali, a co-organizer. The uneven pond surface, turned into 100-by-50 feet playing areas, created opportunities for odd bounces and a few missed shots on the ice. “It’s like skating on a rumble strip,” said Eric B. Heath, an Alexandria Bay resident who played with high school teammates on the River Rats team. “Sometimes you get lucky bounces, sometimes it goes the other way.” Mr. Heath, who had just stepped off the ice, said he was optimistic for the rest of the day. He had more hockey to play.

~Gordon Block

WI N TE R 20 17 | N N Y LI V I N G

SUMMER CAMP 2017

7955 Brantingham Rd., Greig, NY 13345

Phone: (Toll Free) 855-414-6400 email: registrar@aldersgateny.org

Teddy Bear WI N TE R 201 7 | N N Y L I V I N G

SATURDAY, JULY 15 from 12pm-3pm

Join us for a fun afternoon of Arts, Crafts, Snacks and of course Tea! Will be held outside in the garden at the

Jefferson County Historical Society 228 Washington Street 315-782-3491

Our camps offer lots of action, plenty of fun, sun-soaked days, opportunities to meet lifelong friends, eat great meals and have the time of your life in a spectacular setting! We offer a wide variety of programs and activities for children and youth. Each program is designed to provide an unforgettable, life-changing week. June 17 .....................................................Open House, everyone is welcome June 25-30 ....................Variety of camps for children and youth ages 7 to 18 July 2-5 ..........................Beginnings camp for first time campers ages 6 to 9 July 8 ......................................One day adventure camp for children ages 4-8 July 7-9 .................................Family Life Weekend, family camp for all ages DONâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;T JUST SIT THERE - REGISTER TODAY! Register online at: aldersgateny.org or campsandretreats.org/aldersgate2017 Aldersgate is set in the tall pines of the Adirondacks. The site boasts over 200 acres with gorgeous views on three Adirondack lakes. Our huge summer camp week will be packed with all the traditional camp activities like swimming, boating, crafts, sports, archery hiking, learning, creating and more! Aldersgate is open spring, summer and fall to host guest groups of all sizes.

THIS SPACE

AVAILABLE!

WI N TE R 20 17 | N N Y LI V I N G

260 Washington St. Watertown, NY 13601 ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED