Upcoming events provide insight into what lake stewardship means today

Organizations around Lake George will host a series of events throughout the summer of 2022 to celebrate the launch of “Stewards of the Water,” a book that showcases the work of the people and organizations – past and present – whose focus was and is on protecting the crystal-clear waters of Lake George. The book’s 10 chapters were written by a variety of authors with subject matter expertise on the chapter’s topic. Local artist Tom Ryan created stunning individual watercolors for each of the chapters as well as for the front and back covers of the book. 

For all those interested in the history, current status and future of environmental protection on Lake George, this book is a must read. It devotes chapters to the notable stewards of the past: Seneca Ray Stoddard, John Apperson, Irving Langmuir, the Loines family and Frank Leonbruno. It also covers the work of today’s institutional stewards: the Lake George Association, the Lake George Waterkeeper, the Lake George Park Commission and the Lake George Land Conservancy. One chapter is based on interviews with town leaders, who are responsible for strengthening and enforcing town codes that protect the lake, while another focuses on today’s grassroots stewards, who are working to raise awareness about and combat threats to Lake George’s water quality. As the book points out, “The need for citizen involvement around the Lake George watershed, the country and the world is perhaps more heightened than ever before.” The book also doesn’t shy away from controversies of the past, including the effects of DDT and regulation of the lake’s water level through the dam in Ticonderoga.

The Assembly Point Water Quality Coalition, publisher of the book, will co-host a book launch on June 18 from 10 am – 1 pm at the Lake George Historical Museum, 290 Canada Street in Lake George. Local officials will speak during a special presentation from 11 am – noon. (Watch for a separate press release with more details on this event). Local musician Hui Cox will preview a musical piece relating to a museum-sponsored climate project and artist Tom Ryan will display the paintings he created for the Stewards of the Water book. 

At the Hague Historical Society’s annual meeting on June 29 at 7 pm at the Hague Community Center, Ginger Henry Kuenzel will speak about the history of stewardship on Lake George, as documented in the book, and the importance of individuals and communities continuing this work today. She will also provide information about actions — big and small — that each of us can take to ensure that we are being good lake stewards. Other presentations by Ginger on these topics are scheduled at Watson Hall at Silver Bay YMCA Conference Center on July 19 at 8 pm and as part of the Darrin Fresh Water Institute’s virtual lecture series on July 25. She will also be speaking about the book at The Book Warehouse in the Outlets of Lake George on Route 9 in Queensbury on July 16 from 11 am – 2 pm. Ginger wrote the chapter about Frank Leonbruno in Stewards of the Water and co-authored Frank’s well-loved book Lake George Reflections. 

The Warren County Historical Society will host a book launch on July 16 from 11 am – 2 pm at the Warren County Historical Society at 50 Gurney Lane in Queensbury. On hand for the event will be Teri Podnorszki Rogers, Executive Director, Warren County Historical Society and author of the book’s chapter on the Loines family, and John Strough, Queensbury Town Supervisor. Artist Tom Ryan also plans to display his paintings that he created for the book.

The Bolton Historical Society will host a book launch event on August 4 from 6-8 pm at the Bolton Historical Museum, 4924 Lake Shore Drive. Special guests from Bolton and the surrounding area will be on hand to share reminiscences about past stewards and to talk about how we can protect Lake George for the future.

Stewards of the Water is available at local booksellers and local museum bookstores. It will also be available at the events noted above. In addition, the originals of Tom Ryan’s watercolors for the book will be on display at select events.