Almanack Contributor Community News Reports

Gem Radio Theatre Presents: The Dancing Witches Tour

Walpurgis Night is the English translation for the night of April 30, when witches gathered for a night of feasting and celebration in the 8 th Century. All around the world, women gather together as witches in the fall to celebrate the new season and All Hallow’s Eve.

Gem Radio Theatre presents an interpretation of Wolfshager Hexenbrut as a Joyful Celebration of Life as we gather together to dance around the cauldron in the spirit of the season. » Continue Reading.

Monday, October 2, 2023

Adirondack area BOCES, non-profits welcome new staff

Many non-profit organizations and educational institutions in the Adirondack region have recently welcomed new staff members/leadership, including Franklin-Essex-Hamilton BOCES, the Lake Placid and North Elba Destination Management Plan (DMP) Committee, Champlain Area Trails, the Saranac Lake Civic Center, and the Lake George Land Conservancy. Please see below for more details on these new hires and appointments.

Monday, October 2, 2023

Author Tim Rowland on Investigating the Regional Housing Crisis

Saranac Lake, NY—Adirondack Center for Writing’s monthly “Friday Night Writes” is a happy hour of writing, reading, and networking before the weekend. On Friday, October 6, ACW will provide space, prompts, inspiration, and resources for writers from 3 – 7 PM, extending hours for the village-wide First Friday celebration. In addition to opening the space for writers to drop-in, at 6PM ACW will welcome bestselling author and Adirondack Explorer reporter, Tim Rowland for a discussion of his ongoing investigation into the regional housing crisis. » Continue Reading.

Sunday, October 1, 2023

Adirondack area school district, non-profits welcome new hires

Several Adirondack area non-profit organizations and school districts have recently welcomed new staff members including The Adirondack Council and Northern Forest Canoe Trail, the Adirondack Sports Council, and the Raquette Lake Union Free School District. Please see below for details on these new hires and look for another roundup of new staff announcements on The Adirondack Almanack website tomorrow.

Sunday, October 1, 2023

Alexander String Quartet performs in Saranac on Oct. 15

The Alexander String Quartet will perform at the historic Saranac Methodist Church on Route 3 in Saranac on Sunday, October 15 at 3 p.m. The program features masterpieces from the first half of the 20th century: Jean Sibelius’s String Quartet in D minor, Op. 56 “Voces Intimae” (1908-9) and Dmitri Shostakovich’s String Quartet No. 2 in A major, Op. 68 (1944) plus a contemporary work by British-American composer Tarik O’Regan: Gradual (2016, rev. 2022). General admission at the door is $20, seniors and students are $15, and children under 12 are free. A family rate is also available.

The Alexander String Quartet stands among the world’s premier ensembles, having performed in the major music capitals of five continents. The quartet is a vital artistic presence in its home base of
San Francisco, serving since 1989 as Ensemble-in-Residence of San Francisco Performances. Widely admired for its interpretations of Beethoven, Mozart, and Shostakovich, the quartet’s recordings have won international critical acclaim.

Saturday, September 30, 2023

Adirondack Loon Celebration at Paul Smith’s College VIC

2023 – Joe Poliquin, Fish Creek Pond

Saranac Lake, NY – The Adirondack Center for Loon Conservation invites one and all to celebrate Common Loons, one of the Adirondacks most fascinating icons, at the Paul Smith’s College VIC (8023 NYS Rte. 30) from 1-4:30pm on Sunday, October 8th . This free, fun-filled, “loony” day will feature activities for the whole family, including: » Continue Reading.

Thursday, September 28, 2023

OSI begins work to restore historic MacNaughton Cottage

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The Open Space Institute (OSI) has announced the start of investigative and structural work on the historic MacNaughton Cottage, located at the OSI-owned and managed 212-acre Adirondac Upper Works property in the Adirondacks. MacNaughton Cottage is the site from which then-Vice President Theodore Roosevelt began his famous “midnight ride to the presidency” in 1901 after receiving news that President William McKinley had been shot in Buffalo.

The first phase of improvements to MacNaughton Cottage will focus on interior demolition and clean-up to ensure stabilization of this important historic structure. All work is designed to inform plans for future rehabilitation and potential adaptive reuse of the cottage.

Thursday, September 28, 2023

Art in Nature Exhibit Now Open in Long Lake

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Long Lake NY – The Town of Long Lake Parks and Recreation Department announces the opening of Art in Nature, an outdoor art installation featuring eleven local Long Lake artists.

Long Lake artists were invited to paint a subject of their choice, which included, but was not limited to landscapes, local views, wildlife, abstract or artistic choice. The original artwork will be displayed in the community at various locations for residents and visitors
to find while out recreating, sightseeing, hiking, walking, or biking. This will be a unique and surprising way discover art in nature where people would least expect it, bringing the art to the people. » Continue Reading.

Wednesday, September 27, 2023

Fall foliage: Parts of the Adirondacks at near-peak

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This is the third 2023 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.

Beautiful fall colors continue to arrive across New York State, with near-peak leaves expected to make their first appearances this weekend in parts of the Adirondacks. This is according to the field reports from volunteer observers for the Empire State Development Division of Tourism’s I LOVE NY program.

Wednesday, September 27, 2023

2023 Adirondack Common Ground Alliance Annual Forum

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The 2023 Adirondack Common Ground Alliance Annual Forum is hosted in collaboration with Adirondack Association of Towns & Villages.

Join us Friday, Oct. 20 for the 2023 Adirondack Common Ground Alliance Annual Forum, in collaboration with AATV. This in-person event will again be held at Gore Mountain in North Creek.

Get ready for a day filled with insightful discussions, engaging presentations, and networking opportunities. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals and contribute to the future of the Adirondacks. Register here » Continue Reading.

Wednesday, September 27, 2023

Essex Community Fund names 2023 grant recipients

Nearly $25,000 awarded to local nonprofits, schools, community organizations

Essex, NY – The Essex Community Fund (ECF) at Adirondack Foundation has awarded nearly $25,000 in grants to 11 organizations serving the town of Essex and nearby communities. ECF awards grants to nonprofit organizations, schools, church programs and local government activities serving residents of the town of Essex. Grants are traditionally given in support of community services, beautification, historic preservation, culture, the arts, education, and programs for youth and senior citizens. The fund was established in 2004 and has awarded over $315,000 in grants to date.

Tuesday, September 26, 2023

Adirondack Experience’s Fall Fest free for locals

And check out this article by Phil Terrie about a new, permanent art exhibit featuring pieces from ADKX’s collection.

Adirondack Experience museum in Blue Mountain Lake is holding a Fall Fest on Sunday, Oct. 1, from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Event is included with admission. FREE admission to ADKX and Fallfest for Adirondack Park residents.

Celebrate fall with traditional pastimes like apple pressing, autumnal crafts, and fiber arts. Demonstrations and music all day! This family-friendly day is packed with activities, games, and much, much more.

Activities include:

Horse-drawn wagon rides
Apple pressing and cider tasting (while supplies last)
Pumpkin painting (while supplies last)
Fall crafts + Fall games
Live music
Fiber Arts Demonstrations
And More TBA!

More info here: https://www.theadkx.org/event/fallfest/

Monday, September 25, 2023

Siena Poll: Cost of Living in New York Is Top Issue for Albany to Address

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More than eight in ten voters say that the cost of living in New York is a major problem – including at least 80% of Democrats, Republicans and independents – and 27%, a plurality, say it is the most important issue that the Governor and Legislature should be working on now. Crime, the recent influx of migrants and the availability of affordable housing are the next three most important issues for New Yorkers. Fifty-seven percent say the quality of life in the state is getting worse, while 27% say it’s staying the same and 14% say it’s getting better, according to a new Siena College poll of registered New York State voters released today.

A plurality of voters, 34%, say neither President Joe Biden nor former President Donald Trump is fit to serve a four-year term as the nation’s next President, while 28% think Trump is fit but not Biden, 26% say Biden is and Trump isn’t, and 9% say both are fit. Voters say, 55-39%, Trump should not be allowed to run for President based on his indictments, and by 46-40%, voters support the House opening an impeachment inquiry into Biden.

Sunday, September 24, 2023

Saranac River projects impact access for paddlers, other users this fall

Several projects along the Saranac River section of the Northern Forest Canoe Trail (NFCT) will impact access for paddlers and other users this fall. The projects include construction on Casey Road, a dam removal near Indian Rapids, and a fish ladder being installed at Imperial Mills Dam.

“Our community partners have done great work to inform us of the impact these projects will have on users,” said NFCT Stewardship Director Noah Pollock. “We want to be sure that paddlers, anglers and other outdoor recreationists know about this work and adjust their plans accordingly — the goal is to keep people safe and informed. Ultimately, these projects will enhance these sections of the Saranac River and we’re excited to see them come to fruition.” » Continue Reading.

Sunday, September 24, 2023

Community Fund for the Gore Mountain Region announces 2023 grants

Nearly $32,000 awarded to 30 community organizations

The Community Fund for the Gore Mountain Region (CFGMR) at Adirondack Foundation has announced its 2023 grant recipients. This year, over two dozen organizations from the towns of Chester, Horicon, Johnsburg, Minerva and Schroon received CGMR funding, totaling nearly $32,000. Grants were awarded to programs and projects that address community beautification, historic preservation, culture and the arts, education, recreation and programs for youth, seniors and veterans. The fund has awarded over $270,000 since being established in 2005.

“Every year, we’re amazed to learn about the incredible work people are doing in our communities,” said Mindy Preuninger of the CFGMR committee. “This year’s grant recipients demonstrate passion and dedication to making life in the Gore Mountain region the best it can be.”