Almanack Contributor Community News Reports

SARANAC LAKE — A region-wide collaboration is providing resources and consultation services to health care providers to increase delivery of comprehensive, evidence-based treatment for nicotine addiction.

North Country Nicotine Consultants (NCNC) is a service administered by The Heart Network and Glens Falls Hospital with support from the state’s Health Systems for a Tobacco Free New York program. NCNC works in partnership with health care systems to develop and support the consistent and effective identification and treatment of tobacco users. Special consideration is given, but not limited to, those that serve disparate populations with low-income, low-educational attainment and/or behavioral health care needs.

Tuesday, October 4, 2022

Homeward Bound Adirondacks Awarded $750,000 VA Suicide Prevention Grant

On September 19, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced that Homeward Bound Adirondacks (HBA) will be receiving $750,000 to support suicide prevention services for local Veterans and their families. The funding is being provided through the Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program authorized through the Commander John Scott Hannon Veterans Mental Health Care Improvement Act.

In announcing the award, the Veterans Administration said that it “is continuing its mission of preventing Veteran suicides by partnering with community organizations across the country.” Homeward Bound Adirondacks was one of 80 awardees nationwide. Mark Moeller, Chair of the HBA Board of Directors, expressed his appreciation to the VA on behalf of all North Country Veterans.

Monday, October 3, 2022

The Heart Network receives grant to expand chronic disease prevention and management services

SARANAC LAKE — The Heart Network, on behalf of the North Country Chronic Disease Prevention Coalition, has received a grant from the federal Health Resources and Services Administration to support increased access to evidence-based chronic disease prevention and self-management services across the region.

The Rural Health Network Development Planning Grant, awarded earlier this year, will also support Coalition efforts to prepare for contracting with health care payers such as insurance companies. This contracting ability will allow members of the Coalition to be reimbursed for the work they do and ensure that long-term efforts to provide more chronic disease prevention services will be sustainable.

Monday, October 3, 2022

Long Lake Opens Next Phase of Mountain Biking/Hiking Trails

The Town of Long Lake has opened phase two of the Mt. Sabattis Mountain Bike/Shared-Use Trail system, adding another two plus kilometers of trails to the existing two kilometers of trails. The two new trails include an intermediate climbing trail from the base parking lot up from the Mt. Sabattis Recreation Area Tennis Courts and Geiger Arena leading up to the Pavilion parking lot. The second expert trail leads off from the established Black and Blue intermediate trail and crisscrosses the fields and woods before reaching the Mt. Sabattis Overlook and scenic view of Long Lake.

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

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.

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.

Thursday, September 29, 2022

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

LAKE 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.

Thursday, September 29, 2022

Fall foliage: Rain seems to have boosted the color change

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.

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.

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.

Tuesday, September 27, 2022

Community Fund for the Gore Mountain Region grants $25,000 to 22 local organizations

NORTH CREEK — The Community Fund for the Gore Mountain Region (CFGMR) has awarded over $25,000 in grants to 22 organizations serving the towns of Chester, Horicon, Johnsburg, Minerva and Schroon.

A component fund of Adirondack Foundation, CFGMR was established in 2005 and awards grants annually to community organizations in the greater Gore Mountain region in support of community beautification, historic preservation, culture and the arts, education, recreation and programs for youth, seniors and veterans. The fund has awarded more than $235,000 in grants since inception.

“Our list of grant recipients this year shows the tremendous scope of organizations working to enhance the communities of the Gore Mountain region,” said Mindy Preuninger of the CFGMR committee. “From supporting programs for kids and youth to historic preservation and community revitalization, the Community Fund for the Gore Mountain Region is committed to supporting the people and organizations who work tirelessly to give back.”

Monday, September 26, 2022

Adirondack Council urges state to drop plan to remove wolf from NYS endangered species list

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ALBANY, N.Y. — Adirondack Council today called upon the NYS Dept. Environmental Conservation to drop a previously announced plan to remove the gray wolf from New York’s endangered species list.

Species listed as endangered are granted special protections from hunting and habitat loss. The state had announced a plan to remove the wolf from the endangered list because the state considered the animal extinct in New York (a.k.a. extirpated).

Monday, September 26, 2022

ANCA and Foodshed Capital Announce First Small Farm SOIL Loan

SARANAC LAKE, N.Y. — The Adirondack North Country Association (ANCA) and Foodshed Capital have announced the first loan provided through their new revolving loan fund for small-scale food producers.
Julian Mangano of Della Terra will use his SOIL Loan to develop a commercial composting operation that will divert organic waste from landfills, build soil health on his Castorland, N.Y. farm, and provide high-quality compost for local farmers and gardeners.

With a goal of supporting farms and food businesses who have difficulty accessing loans through conventional programs, ANCA, a regional economic development nonprofit serving businesses and communities in northern New York, partnered with Foodshed Capital, a certified Community Development Financial Institution that centers mission-driven lending and customized business support for underserved farmers, to develop the SOIL Loan Fund.

Sunday, September 25, 2022

Beyond the Peaks Student Film Festival open to high schoolers in NY, VT and QC, runs through 2022-23 school year

Mountain Lake PBS is proud to present the fourth Beyond the Peaks Student Film Festival — a festival celebrating creativity and amplifying youth voices across our region through film and digital storytelling. The film festival is open to high school students in NY, VT, and QC, and will run through the 2022-2023 school year. Applicants will have the opportunity to win three prizes, first place is $1,000, second place is $500 and third place is $250. Submissions will be due April 30, 2023, and a Red Carpet Showcase event will take place in May 2023.