Saturday, October 1, 2022

Leaf-peeping, fringed gentians, and lobster dinners

The leaves are changing, and may peak this week if they aren’t all put on the ground with the wind and rain. I watched from my window as many leaves fell on the pond most of the day today, September 25. That was better than the snow that fell on Friday morning [September 23]. Some say that Blue Mountain wasn’t blue, but white on top, that morning as were several of the High Peaks. About this time of  year, Karen and I go on a leaf-peeping trip through Vermont and New Hampshire into Maine to get a lobster dinner.

» Continue Reading.


Saturday, October 1, 2022

Adirondack Loon Celebration set for Oct. 9 at Paul Smith’s VIC

Saranac Lake, NY– The Adirondack Center for Loon Conservation invites one and all to celebrate Common Loons, one of the most fascinating Adirondack icons, at the Paul Smith’s College VIC (8023 NYS Rte. 30) from 1 to 4:30 p.m. on Sunday, October 9. This free, fun-filled day will feature activities for the whole family, including:

 

1-4:30 pm: Meet the Adirondack Loon Center staff, enjoy delicious food by Adirondack BBQ ($), a silent auction featuring beautiful loon-related items, a scavenger hunt, and children’s crafts.

1:00 pm: Poetry Reading and Book Signing by Yvona Fast, author of Loon Summer

1:15 pm: Loon Calling Contest

2:00 pm: Presentation by Jennifer Denny: A Year in the Life of a Loon

2:30-3:30 pm: Presentation by Dr. Jay Mager: A Light Lesson in Loon Music

3:30-4:30 pm: Music by Sara Milonovich and Greg Anderson

4:30 pm: Hornbeck Canoe raffle drawing

» Continue Reading.


Saturday, October 1, 2022

DEC Finds New Exotic Pest Affecting Elm Trees in St. Lawrence County

On September 26, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) announced that the elm zigzag sawfly (Aproceros leucopoda) was detected for the first time in New York State at three locations in St. Lawrence County, including Wilson Hill Wildlife Management Area, Brasher State Forest, and Lost Nation State Forest. This exotic pest feeds exclusively on elm trees and can cause severe defoliation, branch dieback, and crown thinning. Although the sawfly has not yet been shown to cause tree mortality, repeated defoliation by established sawfly populations would put added stress on native elm trees already heavily impacted by Dutch elm disease.

» Continue Reading.


Saturday, October 1, 2022

Poem: Autumn Dance

Autumn Dance

Chilled breezes, like icy satin, awaken me from the vagaries,

That muddle one’s thoughts as sleep approaches.

Pungent aroma of smoky air drifting across sills, startles.

» Continue Reading.


Friday, September 30, 2022

Earning a back ‘wood’ badge of honor

Author photographed loading boards at the sawmill in progress.

What’s the primary building material when you live in the woods? Wood, of course!

Where do you get wood for projects when you live in the woods? At the local sawmill! There is always one nearby.

When wood is locally sourced, it’s significantly cheaper than from a corporate home store. Plus you are supporting the economy in an area where jobs and opportunities are in short supply. And there is no shaving of truth. A 2 by 8 (2×8) is the full two inches by eight inches.

» Continue Reading.


Friday, September 30, 2022

Adirondack Artists Guild to feature Jeanne Danforth exhibit in October

“Every Which Way the Wind Blows,” an exhibit of recent paintings by Jeanne Danforth, will be the featured show at the Adirondack Artists Guild during the month of October. The exhibit opens on Friday, October 7, with a reception from 5 to 7 p.m.

 
Known for her ability to depict the flora and fauna of the natural world as well as for her renditions of farm animals, Danforth has created a new body of work in oil and acrylic.

» Continue Reading.


Friday, September 30, 2022

Outdoor Conditions (9/30): Timber harvesting finished at Flatrock Mountain Conservation Easement, entire property reopened for public recreation

outdoor conditions logoThe following are only the most recent notices pertaining to public lands in the Adirondacks. Please check the Adirondack Backcountry Information webpages for a full list of notices, including seasonal road statuses, rock climbing closures, specific trail conditions, and other pertinent information

NEW THIS WEEK

Bog River Complex: The Student Conservation Association (SCA) recently completed several improvements to primitive campsites located on Tupper Lake, part of Horseshoe Lake Wild Forest. Improvements to 11 campsites included new campsite numbers on the shoreline, replacement of privies, rebuilt fire rings, and staining of two lean-to’s.

Independence River Wild Forest: Water will be shut off at the Otter Creek Assembly Area the week after Columbus Day weekend.

Black River Wild Forest: Timber harvesting has been completed on the Flatrock Mountain Conservation Easement. The entire property has been re-opened for public recreation.
Sable Highlands Conservation Easement Tract – Barnes Pond Public Use Area: The gate has been opened for hunting season. Use of high clearance vehicles is recommended.

» Continue Reading.


Friday, September 30, 2022

Latest news headlines

Here’s a look at news from around the Adirondacks this week:

» Continue Reading.


Thursday, September 29, 2022

HABs plans

DEC scientist and section chief Lauren Townley presents an update on the state's HABs action plan at a Lake George Park Commission meeting in Bolton on Tuesday. Photo by Zachary Matson

Harmful algal blooms were first confirmed on Lake George in October 2020, suspected to have been spurred on by a warm, dry fall.

With Lake George residents and advocates keeping a careful eye on the lake, DEC scientist Lauren Townley (pictured here) updated the Lake George Park Commission on the state’s latest HABs action plan for Lake George, which was updated in August. She shared the update in Bolton at the Lake George Park Commission’s first in-person meeting since prior to the pandemic.

» Continue Reading.


Thursday, September 29, 2022

Adirondack Land Trust welcomes Director of Communications, new board members

Adirondack Land Trust has recently announced the return of  Connie Prickett  as Director of Communications, as well as welcomed new board members, Brian Majeski and Catherine McGraw.

» Continue Reading.


Thursday, September 29, 2022

Adirondack Council thanks NYS Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic and Asian Legislative Caucus for successful session

adirondack council new logoLAKE PLACID, N.Y. – Adirondack Council today thanked the members of the NYS Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic and Asian Legislative Caucus for again holding its fall retreat inside the Adirondack Park and for the amazing list of accomplishments achieved in partnership with the Adirondack Council and other conservation organizations over the past year.

The caucus held its fall retreat in Lake Placid in 2021, which was the first time it held its annual retreat outside of Albany.  The Council held a reception this year at Smoke Signals restaurant to honor caucus achievements with friends and supporters on the eve of their return to the Adirondacks.

» Continue Reading.


Thursday, September 29, 2022

Fall foliage: Rain seems to have boosted the color change

foliage report wk 3

This is the third 2022 I LOVE NY Fall Foliage Report for New York State. Reports are obtained from volunteer field observers and reflect expected color conditions for the coming weekend. Reports are issued every Wednesday afternoon.  

In the Adirondacks, Franklin County foliage spotters in Tupper Lake and Mt. Arab expect 55-60% color change this weekend with muted to average fall colors of carmine, beet, cranberry, marmalade, marigold, apricot, daffodil, pineapple, banana, amber, and auburn. Recent precipitation seems to have invigorated leaf transition, which is expected to be at midpoint of change. Foliage should also be at midpoint of change in Saranac Lake, with around 50% leaf transition and a good mix of fall colors including pops of red, orange, and shades of purple. In the northern portion of the county, spotters in Malone predict 30% leaf change with red, orange, and yellow leaves of average brilliance.

» Continue Reading.


Wednesday, September 28, 2022

Fire in The Adirondacks

The burning of the Straight House Hotel in North Creek also set the adjoining Methodist Parsonage on fire. (courtesy Johnsburg Historical Society)

Out west the summer of 2022 will long be remembered as the year of fire, but the Adirondacks also has a history of fire.

The years 1903 and 1908 were two great fire years in the Adirondacks. An article titled “Years of Fire” in the March/April 1981 Adirondack Life notes that “During both years the northeast suffered from drought. Due to sloppy logging, the woods were filled with piles of slash, the discarded tops, and limbs of trees. The railroads, which crossed the Adirondacks in the 1890s, failed to equip their wood and coal burning locomotives with spark arrestors. Although mandated by state law the penalties for violating the equipment law were so insignificant the railroads ignored them, and fires started all up and down the rail lines.”

» Continue Reading.


Wednesday, September 28, 2022

Paul Smith’s VIC to host fall lecture series in October

The fall lecture series will be held at the Paul Smith’s College VIC again this October.

The series was designed to initiate important discussions relevant to the Adirondacks, allowing students at Paul Smith’s College and North Country Community College to interact with leaders in environmental science, policy and social issues. Lectures are open to all and the diversity in the audience has been important to the discussion and success of the series. Lectures were well attended last year and generated significant campus and community involvement and support. Lectures are archived for viewing on the Paul Smith’s College VIC YouTube channel.

» Continue Reading.


Wednesday, September 28, 2022

View to host Quilts Unlimited Exhibition opening reception on Sept. 30

The annual Quilts Unlimited Exhibition will be unveiling the extravagant works of fiber arts, created by some of the most preeminent quilters in the country at View, the arts center in Old Forge, on Saturday, October 1. The exhibition will run through December 3.

The nearly 70 quilts on display demonstrate a wide variety of techniques and approaches to the medium—from the traditional to the contemporary. Each artist takes the idea of quilting in very unique directions with an extremely sophisticated level of commitment to design, personal creativity, and craft.  The end results are a mix of Art Quilts, Bed Quilts, Wall Art, and even quilts made from non-recyclable materials.

» Continue Reading.



Conditions
Conditions

The Adirondack Almanack

The Adirondack Almanack is a public forum dedicated to promoting and discussing current events, history, arts, nature and outdoor recreation and other topics of interest to the Adirondacks and its communities

We publish commentary and opinion pieces from voluntary contributors, as well as news updates and event notices from area organizations. Contributors include veteran local writers, historians, naturalists, and outdoor enthusiasts from around the Adirondack region. The information, views and opinions expressed by these various authors are not necessarily those of the Adirondack Almanack or its publisher, the Adirondack Explorer.

General inquiries about the Adirondack Almanack should be directed to editor Melissa Hart. To advertise on the Adirondack Almanack, or to receive information on rates and design, please click here.
Web Services & Search Engine Optimization By: Suloff Designs

Wait, before you go,

sign up for news updates from the Adirondack Almanack!