Tuesday, March 31, 2020

Grant program expands to help farms impacted by COVID-19

thurman farm tourThe Adirondack Council and Essex Farm Institute have recently updated its micro-grant program  to allow farmers, value-added producers and food pantries to apply for  COVID-19 related emergency funding during this grant cycle.

In the midst of new and unforeseen challenges to the local food system, the aim is to help mitigate some of those
challenges.  This means there are now two types of grant applications for up to $5,000:

  1. Adirondack farmers and value-added producers seeking to enhance the environmental health and benefits their operations provide.
  2. Adirondack farmers, value-added producers and food pantries seeking financial assistance during the COVID-19 crisis. Projects or costs that get local food to local people are eligible.

The grant application deadline has been extended until April 7.

LEARN MORE & APPLY

See a full list of past micro-grant recipients.

Reach out if you have any questions. Jackie Bowen at microgrants@adirondackcouncil.org

Racey Henderson, Program Director, Essex Farm Institute at essexfarminstitute@adirondackcouncil.org


Tuesday, March 31, 2020

Quarantine Concert series aims to help musicians

Rosanna MooreThe Lake George Music Festival Alumni Association presents the “Quarantine Concert Series,” taking place Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays through April. Concerts start at 7 p.m., streaming live at https://www.facebook.com/lakegeorgemusicfestival/

For two weeks each August, the Lake George Music Festival hosts a series of live chamber music and orchestra concerts, open rehearsals, pre-performance workshops, and exciting special events. Set for August 9-21, the festival so far remains unaffected by this unprecedented situation.

» Continue Reading.


Tuesday, March 31, 2020

Moose on the loose, captured in Plattsburgh

mooseReport and update from NYS DEC on the moose that was seen running at large through the City of Plattsburgh last week:

On March 23, a report came into DEC regarding a moose that had been observed in the City of Plattsburgh. On March 25, DEC Environmental Conservation Police Officer (ECO) Buffa was checking fishermen at the mouth of the Saranac River in the City of Plattsburgh when he witnessed the moose running through the area. Clinton County ECOs responded to the scene along with DEC Region 5’s Wildlife Unit staff to formulate a plan of capture.

At approximately 5:45 p.m., the moose ran into a residential yard and fell into an inground pool. The response team acted quickly and was able to safely tranquilize the cow moose. ECOs, wildlife staff, State Police, Plattsburgh City Police, and SUNY Police assisted in removing the moose from the pool and loaded it into a trailer to be transported out of the area.

» Continue Reading.


Tuesday, March 31, 2020

Louis Marshall and Forever Wild

Paul Schaefer

Thirty-three years ago, that champion of the Adirondack wilderness, Paul Schaefer, then aged 78, first introduced me to his Adirondack library. Among the first volumes he brought to my attention – because he valued it and had read it repeatedly since he was a younger man – was the transcript of the 1894 New York State Constitutional Convention in Albany – the one that, after weeks of debate, by vote of 122-0 approved the “forever wild” provision protective of the Adirondack and Catskill Forest Preserve.

 

» Continue Reading.


Monday, March 30, 2020

Virtual Adirondacks: Be an armchair traveler

Long LakeMissing the lakes and mountains and your favorite towns in between?

Why not kick it like it’s 1999 and take a tour of web cams posted throughout the Park!

Here’s a random sampling of various locations across the Adirondacks. Let us know which ones we left out by posting a comment below.

» Continue Reading.


Monday, March 30, 2020

NCPR’s Adirondack bureau chief Brian Mann heads to NPR

After 21 years of pioneering work as North Country Public Radio’s first Adirondack bureau chief, Brian Mann has been recruited to a new position at NPR. He’ll work first to help the network cover the COVID-19 crisis and will then serve as the network’s first full-time correspondent focused on addiction-related issues.

“This is obviously a heartbreaking, challenging moment,” Mann said.  “I look forward to helping NPR tell stories that really help people.”

» Continue Reading.


Monday, March 30, 2020

Paul Smith’s College President Cathy Dove to retire

Cathy DoveCathy S. Dove, president of Paul Smith’s College, has announced she will retire on Sept. 30, 2020.

“This has been a tremendously challenging decision and one that I’ve made solely for personal reasons,” said Dove, who plans to relocate closer to family in the fall. “I’m truly honored to have had the opportunity to work alongside such wonderful people. Paul Smith’s has a bright future and I look forward to remaining connected and helping however I can through this transition and beyond.”

» Continue Reading.


Monday, March 30, 2020

Anne LaBastille writers residency accepting applications

Anne LaBastille at Sagamore (courtesy Lorraine Duvall)The Adirondack Center for Writing offers a two-week residency annually in October to poets, fiction writers, and creative nonfiction writers. Named for the late, iconic Adirondack author, this intimate gathering takes place at a lodge on Twitchell Lake in the heart of the Adirondack Mountains. Six writers are selected, with half of the spaces reserved for regional authors. The other spaces are open to writers from all over the world.

$30 application fee. This residency is free to selected applicants. Please read through the info page and application requirements before submitting work: https://adirondackcenterforwriting.org/what-we-do/events-programs/residency/.

Anne LaBastille Memorial Writers Residency key dates
Applications open: April 16-May 27
Residency: October 4-18, 2020


Monday, March 30, 2020

Sienna poll finds 87% of NYers approve Cuomo’s response to COVID-19

coronavirusSienna College Research Institute released its latest poll findings today. Among them:

  • 87% of NYers approve of Cuomo’s handling of the coronavirus pandemic, while 41% approve of Trump’s handling.
  • Nearly three-quarters of NYers are VERY concerned about the pandemic (92% are concerned), with 79% concerned that they will get the virus.
  • Nearly one-third of NYers know someone who has tested positive.
  • 53% of NYers agree with statement “Things Will Be Back to Normal Sometime Soon,” 44% Say they’re not confident “America Will be Back to Normal Anytime Soon.”
  • One-quarter say someone in their household has been laid off from work.

The poll was conducted March 22-26, 2020 by telephone calls conducted in English to 566 New York State registered voters. Sampling was conducted via a stratified dual frame probability sample of both landline and cell phone telephone numbers.

Click here for the full report


Monday, March 30, 2020

Monarch butterfly update

monarch butterflyHere in the northeast we saw a lot of monarch butterflies, both adults and caterpillars, in the summer and fall of 2019, more than have been seen for many years.

That produced surprise and enthusiasm among observers, and the many sightings raised hopes that the 20-year decline in monarch numbers had slowed or even reversed.

But World Wildlife Fund-Mexico recently released the official count for this winter, and it showed a significant decline, not an increase; less than half as many butterflies were seen in Mexico this winter compared to the previous winter.  What happened? Why didn’t the numerous monarchs we saw throughout our region increase the abundance of the overall population?

» Continue Reading.


Sunday, March 29, 2020

Share your information during the coronavirus pandemic

coronavirusGetting information about what’s happening in your community is essential during any crisis, including the current COVID-19 pandemic.

Because of that, we at the Almanack encourage you to submit press releases, news tips and any other information about important things happening in your community.

Has your Farmer’s Market made changes to make it safer during the pandemic like the one in Saranac Lake, where you can now pick up your groceries in your car? Do you have a program that will help small businesses in your community? Came across a list of restaurants still open for business in your area you’d like to share? If so, let us know by sending us an email to editor@adirondackalmanack.com.

In addition, we encourage you to submit stories about how you’re getting through the crisis individually.

We’re here to help you get the word out. Send us an email at editor@adirondackalmanack.com


Sunday, March 29, 2020

An Introduction to Viruses

coronavirus influenzaI’ve heard it said that there are ten million times more viruses on Earth than there are stars in the universe; maybe more. And that scientists estimate that, at any given moment, there are more than a billion viruses present on earth. » Continue Reading.


Sunday, March 29, 2020

New York State arts and cultural organizations in need of funding

New York State arts organizations answered a survey by ArtsNYS on the need for capital funding. Pictured is the Adirondack Lakes Center for the Arts in Blue Mountain Lake.A survey conducted recently by ArtsNYS, a leading non-profit organization advocating for the arts, revealed that several arts and cultural organizations throughout New York State have a drastic need for funding, according to a press release. The survey represented 35 out of 62 Counties, a majority of which were upstate. ArtsNYS is seeking an additional $40 million in capital funding for arts organizations in the New York State budget. Many of the groups, “are small to mid-size groups that do not have the capacity necessarily to apply for capital funds through the Regional Economic Development Council,” said Stephen Butler, co-president of ArtsNYS and Executive Director of CNY Arts in the release.

» Continue Reading.


Sunday, March 29, 2020

CDC issues travel advisory for NY, NJ, CT

coronavirusIssued Saturday, March 28 from the Center for Disease Control:

Due to extensive community transmission of COVID -19 in the area, CDC urges residents of New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut to refrain from non-essential domestic travel for 14 days effective immediately.  This Domestic Travel Advisory does not apply to employees of critical infrastructure industries, including but not limited to trucking, public health professionals, financial services, and food supply.  These employees of critical infrastructure, as defined by the Department of Homeland Security, have a special responsibility to maintain normal work schedules.  The Governors of New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut will have full discretion to implement this Domestic Travel Advisory.


Saturday, March 28, 2020

Using outdoor skills during the coronavirus outbreak

(The following is from Backcountry Journal, a weekly newsletter by Adirondack Explorer multimedia reporter Mike Lynch.)

Getting through the coming weeks and months is going to be challenging as the coronavirus spreads, and being prepared as you navigate through this new world is going to be important. It’s not too late to get organized for dealing with it, and you can use your outdoor skills to help you get through it, even if most of your time in the near future is spent inside.

People who hike, camp, paddle, fish and hunt develop survival and organization skills through these activities. Now is the time to put those to use. Here are some thoughts about how you can do that, framing this upcoming journey as a backcountry trip.

» Continue Reading.



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The Adirondack Almanack

The Adirondack Almanack's contributors include veteran local writers, historians, naturalists, and outdoor enthusiasts from around the Adirondack region. The Almanack is the online news journal of Adirondack Explorer. Both are nonprofits supported by contributors, readers, and advertisers, and devoted to exploring, protecting, and unifying the Adirondack Park.
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