Almanack Contributor Community News Reports

SCHROON LAKE, NY — You’ve seen him on Turner Classic Movies (TCM) as a guest host commenting on a wide range of films—from Oscar-laden jewels of the silver screen to more obscure gems once considered “B-movies.” Now you can see him at the Adirondack North Country’s beloved Art-Deco movie house, the Strand Theater in beautiful Schroon Lake, introducing one of Hollywood’s all-time great movies and the film that helped launched the film noir rage of the 1940s and 50s—“The Maltese Falcon.”

Film historian Jeremy Arnold’s latest book—his third for TCM—is “The Essentials Vol 2: 52 More Must-See Movies and Why They Matter,” which features “The Maltese Falcon.” On Monday, August 29, at 8 p.m., Mr. Arnold will introduce the movie, which stars the incomparable Humphrey Bogart as the ultimate private eye, Sam Spade, and then sign purchased copies of his book immediately following the screening.

Tuesday, August 23, 2022

Adirondack area non-profits welcome new hires, trustees

Several Adirondack-area nonprofit organizations, including the Adirondack Mountain Club (ADK), Adirondack Foundation, Protect the Adirondacks, and the Tannery Pond Center in North Creek recently announced a lineup of new hires including trustees.

Tuesday, August 23, 2022

Trumpeter Chris Coletti to perform lakeside at The Sembrich, Aug. 31

BOLTON LANDING – Acclaimed trumpet player Chris Coletti presents a lakeside evening of reimagined favorites from the Classical and Jazz repertoires on Wednesday, August 31 at 7:30 p.m. Comfortable in many
styles, the program includes a Baroque concerto to showcase his skill on piccolo trumpet, classical works by Clara Schumann and Lili Boulanger, and an arrangement of Gershwin’s Three Preludes for trumpet and piano. Rounding out the program and highlighting Coletti’s “jazzy” side, are the Harry James “concerto,” a four-minute joyride through some of the famous band leader’s most virtuosic trumpet solos, and Coletti’s own arrangement of Astor Piazzolla’s ever-popular Libertango.

Monday, August 22, 2022

Valcour Island stewardship work addresses critical maintenance needs

The Northern Forest Canoe Trail (NFCT) — with support from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC), the Lake Champlain Basin Program and volunteers — has completed long overdue maintenance of campsites on the historic Valcour Island.

Valcour Island, located southeast of Plattsburgh near Lake Champlain’s western shore, offers abundant opportunities for paddlers, campers and anglers. The NFCT’s stewardship crew rehabilitated more than 10 campsites over the course of six days, and made numerous improvements elsewhere on the island.

“Valcour Island is one of Lake Champlain’s finest recreation areas and is an important tourist destination,” said Noah Pollock, NFCT’s stewardship director. “We were happy to put our crew and volunteers to work to help the NYSDEC complete a variety of important maintenance tasks.”

Sunday, August 21, 2022

ADK recognized by NYS legislature for centennial, public land leadership

Lake Placid, NY — Earlier this month, New York State Senator Dan Stec presented ADK (Adirondack Mountain Club) with a legislative resolution recognizing ADK’s 100 years of teaching people how to explore and protect New York’s public lands and waters. The resolution acknowledges the many ways in which ADK has achieved this over the last century, including through educational outreach, stewardship programs, and trail work.

The resolution was sponsored by Senator Dan Stec in the Senate, Assembly member Matt Simpson in the Assembly, and co-sponsored by Assembly members Jones, Ashby, Byrne, Salka, Mikulin, DeStefano, Hawley, Manktelow, Cusick, McDonald, Smullen, McMahon, and Walsh. A physical copy was given to ADK Deputy Executive Director Julia Goren during an event at the Adirondack History Museum.

Saturday, August 20, 2022

North Country CC to offer EMT, Wastewater Management training this fall

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SARANAC LAKE – North Country Community College will provide training this fall for two important and in-demand career opportunities in the region.

The college is once again offering New York State Emergency Medical Technician classes as part of an effort to address a shortage of emergency medical service workers in the North Country. Classes will take place in Malone and Saranac Lake this fall, and in Ticonderoga in the spring.

Saturday, August 20, 2022

Hickory Legacy Foundation to host Bands, Brews and BBQ fundraiser on Aug. 27 in Warrensburg

The Hickory Legacy Foundation will be hosting a fundraising event at the Hickory Ski Center in Warrensburg on August 27^th from 3-9, featuring live music, great food and local Adirondack brews and wine. Casual listening with popular hits in the afternoon and welcoming back Soul Sky with Mark Emanatian from 6-9.

We will be serving our standard BBQ fare featuring Oscar’s meats, Adirondack Brewery Micro Brews and Adirondack and Ledge Rock Hill Wines. The gate is $10 with 12 and under free.

Friday, August 19, 2022

First inaugural Adirondack Cuisine Trail Open Farm Weekend set for Sept. 2-5

Lewis, NY – Farm tours, local food workshops, you-pick, and more are scheduled for the first inaugural Adirondack Cuisine Trail Open Farm Weekend. Events will be held through Labor Day Weekend highlighting farms and small businesses along the Boquet Valley Cuisine Trail, one of the six distinct cuisine trails that highlight agriculture in the Adirondacks.

After the success of the 2021 Open Farm Week that took place in lieu of the traditional one-day Adirondack Harvest Festival due to COVID-19 concerns, Adirondack Harvest is excited to host both an Open Farm Weekend and the one-day Adirondack Harvest Festival this year.

Thursday, August 18, 2022

Lake George Association to host Aquatic Invasive Species Monitoring event Aug. 19-21

All are encouraged to gain hands-on experience monitoring aquatic invasive species of the Adirondacks during a Lake George Association (LGA)-sponsored Citizen Scientist event this weekend, August 19-21. The event tasks residents with monitoring a specific area of Lake George for a few invasive plants and shellfish. The monitoring can be done by swim, snorkel, kayak, boat, etc.

Participants will survey a section of shoreline for aquatic invaders, primarily non-native plants as well as mussels, snails, and fish. Citizen scientists can complete the survey of their areas at any time during the three days of the monitoring event. The Lake George Association will offer a training session before the event to help participants navigate their Survey123 reporting app and also assist with species identification while on the water.

LGA staff will be stationed at various areas on the lake on Friday morning from 8 a.m. to noon for participants to report to with data or questions. Aquatic invasive species monitoring in the lake is vital for early detection of new invaders, such as hydrilla, that may pass by the inspection station and boat launch stewards.

For more information or to register, please click here.

To learn more about the Lake George Association, please visit: https://lakegeorgeassociation.org/

Photo at top: Lake George Association website photo.

Wednesday, August 17, 2022

Saranac Lake’s Third Thursday ArtWalks continue August 18

SARANAC LAKE — The third installment of Saranac Lake’s Third Thursday ArtWalks is August 18 from 5 to 7:30 p.m.

Organized and hosted by Saranac Lake ArtWorks and the Saranac Lake Area Chamber of Commerce, the 2022 ArtWalks are held along the streets of downtown Saranac Lake every third Thursday through September. Over 40 painters, musicians, quilters, authors, jewelers, photographers, tarot card readers, wood carvers, and more will display their work at the August event.

The Berkeley Green Bandshell will feature 80k Players; other musicians will play throughout town.

Wednesday, August 17, 2022

ROOST Releases 2021 Leisure Travel Study Results

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LAKE PLACID, NY – The Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism has released the results of its 2021 Leisure Travel Study, which analyzes non-business travel to Lake Placid, Essex and Hamilton counties, along with the adjacent communities of Tupper Lake and Saranac Lake.

The leisure travel study is conducted each year to identify travel trends, gauge the impact of marketing initiatives and implement data-driven decisions.

“We base our marketing decisions on available data, insights and trends so that we can optimize results,” said James McKenna, CEO, Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism. “This survey continues to provide information that allows us to better understand leisure travelers in our region.”

Tuesday, August 16, 2022

Author Benjamin Giroux to open Adirondack Family Book Festival on Aug. 20

WESTPORT, NY — Local author Benjamin Giroux will open the first Adirondack Family Book Festival on Saturday, August 20, at 9:50 a.m., with a deeply personal talk about the importance of supporting and listening to youth voices.

The festival will be held outdoors at the John Brown Farm State Historic Site, 115 John Brown Road in Lake Placid, and is free and open to all ages. Festival grounds open at 9:30 a.m. and the day ends at 4 p.m. following a Youth Voices panel. In case of inclement weather, it will be moved indoors to the Lake Placid Middle-High School.

Tuesday, August 16, 2022

EVENT: History and Lore of the Northern Adirondack Fire Towers

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Marty Podskoch will give a PowerPoint and storytelling presentation on his book, Adirondack Fire Towers: Their History and Lore, The Northern District, on Thursday, August 18th at 7 PM at the Adirondack History Museum in Elizabethtown. The book contains information and photographs about the fire towers in the northern part of the Adirondack Park that include St. Lawrence, Franklin, Clinton, and Essex counties.

Monday, August 15, 2022

Adirondack Experience: Mushroom Mania Festival set for Aug. 20

For some, they are a tasty delicacy. For others, something you’re made to eat. Love them or hate them they are one of the most important organisms in our ecosystem. They decompose, nourish, heal, and yes, they can be deadly. Whether you are an expert in the world of fungi or are simply curious, join the Adirondack Experience this summer for a fun-filled, family-friendly festival all about fungi! With activities and crafts, workshops, presentations, hikes, and more there is sure to be something for even those who have never before considered mushrooms as anything other than something an adult makes you eat.

Come learn about the mycelium superhighway hidden beneath your feet on Saturday, August 20, 2022 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Adirondack Experience, the Museum on Blue Mountain Lake.

Monday, August 15, 2022

BikeADK: New trails in Elizabethtown, rides/events planned for August-October

In the August edition of the Adirondack Gearzette, a monthly newsletter presented by BikeADK. Doug Haney of Bike Adirondacks offered a detailed recap of this year’s Weekender at Paul Smith’s College, a preview of a new singletrack network in Elizabethtown, and teased a few biking events slated for the fall season.