Heading into the final weeks of 2020, we’re reflecting on what an unpredictable year it has been. From the pandemic, to civil unrest, to extreme storms and wildfires fueled by climate change, 2020’s impacts have been far greater than anyone could have anticipated. These impacts have, of course, been felt locally and globally, at an individual level and also organizationally for us here at the Adirondack Explorer/Adirondack Almanack. And yet, one thing is certain: the hunger for news is stronger than ever before.
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A day for giving
Over the past few weeks and months, our Adirondack region, the nation and the entire world have been coming together to stand up, help out, give back, and heal.
In recent weeks, the Adirondack Explorer and its companion site, the Adirondack Almanack, have kept you up to date with stories of some of this good happening in our community, like these COVID-19 response grants and emergency food baskets of locally made meals, as well as the effects on daily life. We also started a list of Adirondack attractions, camps and events that sadly won’t be happening this summer.
Bill McKibben On Adirondack Climate Action
The Adirondack Explorer asked Vermont author, environmentalist and former Adirondacker Bill McKibben to discuss the climate-crisis arguments in his new book, Falter, and how the issue affects the Adirondacks.
McKibben spoke about climate change at an event hosted by the Explorer and The Wild Center in August, 2019.
In its July/August 2019 issue, the Adirondack Explorer asked McKibben to discuss the climate-crisis arguments in his new book, “Falter,” and how the issue affects the Adirondacks. Following is a transcript of the questions and answers.
Trailblazer Ruth Kuhfahl: Years of Trail Work, Community Service
During an afternoon lunch at the Adirondack Mountain Coffee Café in Upper Jay with Ruth Kuhfahl, there is hardly a face in the place she doesn’t recognize, though, she tells me, at 95 she often has to say to some, “Now, help me remember where our paths have crossed.” » Continue Reading.
Trailblazer: John Van Alstine
This story originally appeared in the Adirondack Explorer. Read more here.
World-renowned stone sculptor John Van Alstine’s interpretation of nature’s interaction with the manmade world extends from his art to his home to his appreciation of the world around him.
Large-scale abstract sculptures of found stone with steel and bronze surround and occupy many of the six buildings on his nine-acre complex — the former Adirondack Lumber Company mill along the Sacandaga River. » Continue Reading.
Trailblazer: Kathleen Suozzo
Kathleen Suozzo’s work is at the heart of one of the more difficult issues facing the Adirondacks today: upgrading aging waste-water and drinking-water treatment facilities in small communities where the cost is borne on the backs of local residents, though the heaviest usage is when tourists and seasonal residents come to visit. At stake are the lakes, rivers, and streams of the region.
“After the summer tourists leave, we have infrastructure we need to maintain,” says Suozzo, an engineer who lives in Bolton Landing. She commends the people who work on skeleton crews managing the facilities and “just do what needs to be done.” » Continue Reading.
Photo Contest: Show Us Your Adirondack Hometown
The Adirondack Explorer‘s next “Views of the Park” photo contest highlights towns, hamlets, and homesteads you love in the park.
Post your photos on the theme “My Adirondack Town: photos from the place you call home – seasonally or year-round – in the Adirondacks” to Facebook and Instagram using the hashtag #adkexplorerpix.
Explorer staff will choose their favorite photos to be included on the Adirondack Explorer website and highlighted in the bimonthly magazine. If yours is chosen, you’ll receive a free one-year subscription to the Explorer.
Don’t worry, you don’t need to be a professional. Just get out your phone and snap a pic. Or send one from a previous year. » Continue Reading.
Photo Contest: Dramatic Adirondack Skies
The Adirondack Explorer‘s next “Views of the Park” photo contest takes a look upward for dramatic sky photos.
Post your photos to Facebook and Instagram using the hashtag #adkexplorerpix.
Explorer staff will choose their favorite photos to be included on the Adirondack Explorer website and highlighted in the bimonthly magazine. If yours is chosen, you’ll receive a free one-year subscription to the Explorer.
Don’t worry, you don’t need to be a professional. Just get out your phone and snap a pic. Or send one from a previous year.
Plus a People’s Choice
We will post our favorite few photos to Facebook and let readers vote for a “People’s Choice” to be recognized in the magazine.
And thank you to all who sent in photos for the last contest: “Winter views.” We loved them all so much it was hard to choose. Check out the final five winners.
Trailblazer: Wendy Hall of Adirondack Wildlife Refuge
Somewhere around the age of five, growing up in Westchester County, Wendy Hall noticed that whenever the developers came in and clear-cut an area for construction, the wildlife would disappear. What was once a beautiful, wooded area quickly became developed after the addition of a train station, a story she has watched repeat itself many times. You can read about Wendy’s favorite place in the Adirondacks in the latest issue of Adirondack Explorer.
“I would say man’s greatest assault to the ecosystem is his lack of patience,” Hall says. » Continue Reading.
10 Hopes for the Adirondacks in the New Year
It’s January, time for a fresh, blank sheet on which to start our new year. Plenty of us are making renewed attempts at weight loss or looking to get better organized or at least vowing to break our addiction to twenty-four-hour cable news.
Here at the Explorer, we’re renewing our hopes for smart decision-making in the Adirondacks and more chances to work together to ensure that the Park that we all love so much is protected for generations to come.
Here are ten hopes we have for 2018. » Continue Reading.
Photo Contest Looking For Winter Scenes
Just when we thought we were destined for another warm winter, we’ve gotten some snow — and ice. Perfect timing for the Adirondack Explorer’s next Views of the Park photo contest. We’re looking for your photos of winter scenes in the Adirondacks.
Post your photos to Facebook and Instagram using the hashtag #adkexplorerpix » Continue Reading.
Trailblazer: David Kanietakeron Fadden
Storytelling — stories about Native American history as told by the people who lived it and not the abridged school textbook version — is part of Dave Kanietakeron Fadden’s makeup, his DNA. He is Mohawk.
Read more about how the Six Nations Indian Museum began
Though he’d never in his life addressed a group, Fadden went ahead and listed “storyteller” on his resume when applying for a position as an educator for the Iroquois Indian Museum in Howes Cave, NY, in 1993. He got the job, and his first talk was to a busload of sixty third-graders. » Continue Reading.
Tracy Ormsbee: A Good Idea For Development
The Fund for Lake George has developed a low-impact development (LID) certification that, if widely adopted, could significantly reduce one of the greatest threats to water quality — storm-water runoff — by stopping it at its source. And in a region dependent on its three thousand lakes and ponds for their recreational value — and sometimes drinking water — that seems like a program we all should get behind. » Continue Reading.
Lake George Gets $4M For New Wastewater Plant
The Village of Lake George took a step forward in plans to replace its more than seventy year old wastewater treatment plant on Thursday with a $4,273,923 grant from the state. The grant was the largest of the $44 million in grants announced by Gov. Andrew Cuomo to support 24 essential drinking water- and wastewater-infrastructure projects.
The village had already borrowed $1 million to begin designing a new plant, said Mayor Robert Blais. This grant will allow the village to reduce its borrowing.
“We’re grateful the governor recognized the importance of Lake George and the village being able to construct an entirely new waste-treatment plant,” he said. » Continue Reading.
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