Sunday, May 10, 2020

Art in the Pandemic –  Distraction, Solace and Direction

In Suspension – March to April 2020       24×48”  acrylic on canvas

I have finished a painting, In Suspension, that began six weeks ago, on March 16, when I set off for a day of painting in wilderness isolation. I had just made the stressful decision to cancel my upcoming solo show in New York City due to impending closures in response to the COVID-19 crisis. That day I should have been packing paintings for the show, but instead I headed for a waterfall within an easy drive, seeking distraction and solace.

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Sunday, May 10, 2020

Poetry: My Harbor

My Harbor

A bottomless moat between us widens like a sea wall,
Against the waves that threaten.
I cry raindrops, in a city cordoned like a stone cage,
Impenetrable.
“Help me!”, I cry out.
Your answer echoes softly, “I am here.”,
So faintly, so faintly,
Wistful words floating through the burdened air,
Dangerous ether kept at bay, at a distance,
Only by distance.
Like a ship stranded in a windless ocean,
I cannot raise my sails, I cannot find my course,
I cannot navigate,
Until you speak again, “I am here.”
True North, true North, you are my harbor.
Sweetest breeze plays upon my face, pure,
As I see your light breaking through the bleakest of mist,
To light my way home, and I know
I am saved.

Read More Poems From The Adirondack Almanack HERE.


Saturday, May 9, 2020

Quarantine reads: Excerpt from ‘Mountain Shadows’

Set in 1925, Mountain Shadows (written by Lake Placid native Patti Brooks) tells the tale of a poor, young couple, Joe and Alice Devlin, who come to the Adirondacks seeking a cure for the wife’s tuberculosis. Alice is placed in a “cure cottage” in Saranac Lake. Joe, a wiz of an auto mechanic, lands a job in the Lake Placid Club’s garage. Finding that Alice’s treatment costs far more than the Club can pay him, Joe takes up with bootleggers who are running liquor from the Canadian border through the Adirondacks to the big cities farther south.

(Introduction to the excerpt:  Joe Devlin has been accosted and left for dead on his walk from NYC to Saranac Lake in order to be with his wife who is taking the TB cure.)

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Thursday, May 7, 2020

Tupper Lake announces Summer Music Series

tupper lake bandshellTupper Arts in conjunction with the Village of Tupper Lake will be hosting its 2020 summer music series at the Tupper Lake Sunset Stage. The Monday night concerts are free and open to the public and feature a variety of local bands and plays, with a special event and fireworks for the Fourth of July holiday.

The Tupper Lake Sunset Stage is in Flanders Park at the base of Mill Street, next to the Little Loggers Playground. If inclement weather, the venue will be changed to the Tupper Lake Middle/High School Auditorium at 25 Chaney Ave.

The schedule is as follows: (All shows start at 7 unless otherwise stated)

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Wednesday, May 6, 2020

Poetry: Confined

Author’s note: The first weekend in May is my usual time for a backpacking trip. It is usually the best time of the year for it. No bugs, few others around and reasonably good weather. However, this year it pains me to know it is best to stay home no matter how much the mountains and lakes call me. Instead, I wrote about past snapshots of experiences on this weekend. — Wade Bittle

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Monday, May 4, 2020

Humanities New York offers Emergency Relief Grants

Humanities New York has released new grant guidelines for distribution of “CARES act” funding for New York cultural non-profits affected by COVID-19.
Almost $1,000,000 will be awarded in $5000 to $20,000 grants in order to be distributed to every region of New York. The HNY CARES emergency relief grants complement the NEH CARES act, which offers relief grants of up to $300,000 available to larger organizations across New York, as well as the rest of the country. HNY CARES will be primarily awarded to organizations with a humanities focus.

To view the application guidelines for the grants, please visit https://humanitiesny.org/our-work/emergency-grants/. The deadline for application is May 15, and applicants will be notified of the results by June 15.


Sunday, May 3, 2020

Call for entries: 47th Annual Tupper Lake Art Show

The Tupper Art Center  is currently closed for now due to the quarantine and it’s possible they may delay the opening of the following events or opt for a virtual format. Regardless, they are preparing for a number of events to be happening soon over the coming months:.

They are currently calling for artists for their 47th annual Tupper Lake Art Show, to take place at 106 Park St, Tupper Lake, on June 17 – July 11. Artists may submit up to 4 hanging works of art per individual, of any medium. Tables are available for 3 dimensional projects and floor space will be available for larger works of art. The drop-off is Saturday June 13 and Sunday June 14 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The reception is Wednesday, June 17, 6 to 8 p.m., and the pick-up will be  July 12-13. To learn more about the art show and to find forms to enter, just visit this link.

There will also be an Adirondacks Woodcrafts Show from July 14 – July 30, with the opening reception being on July 14 from 5 – 7 p.m. For more information you can contact [email protected]. 


Friday, May 1, 2020

Sembrich cancels summer music festival

The Sembrich — a cultural center in Bolton Landing that honors international opera singer Marcella Sembrich at her former teaching studio — has announced the cancellation of its season, 20/20: Musical Visionaries.

sembrichAn announcement from the nonprofit was posted today: “Although we lament not being able to present our planned summer festival this year, we will be focusing on ways to be helpful to you during this difficult time. New, unique online content will be developed for our website, TheSembrich.org, which we hope you will visit often and find engaging. We are also increasing our activity through social media, including Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Please consider following us to receive updates regarding our activities.

Pending permission from the appropriate governmental authorities, we hope to open our grounds to the community for peaceful walks with appropriate social distancing. We will continue to follow all CDC, state, and local guidelines for safety. It is currently unknown whether or not we will open the museum in 2020.”

Editor’s note: Check out our list of closings at https://www.adirondackalmanack.com/2020/04/covid-19-related-closings-and-delays-in-the-adirondacks.html. Send cancellation announcements to [email protected]


Tuesday, April 28, 2020

2020 Seagle Season cancelled due to COVID-19

For the first time in its 105 year history, the Seagle Music Colony in Schroon Lake is cancelling its summer season.

Tony Kostecki and Darren K. Woods, the General and Artistic Directors of the Seagle Music Colony, made the decision for the health and safety of their artists, staff, patrons, and audience members. Seagle leadership did not make this decision lightly and had the following to say about it in an announcement sent this week:

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Sunday, April 26, 2020

Poetry: Cabin Generations

Cabin Generations

Mom’s great grandkids
chatter like crickets
who sport human frames
busy-busy all day long
In the big tent now they
nap breathing deeply
as their dreams map out
who knows what trails?

Read More Poems From The Adirondack Almanack HERE.


Saturday, April 25, 2020

Poetry: Learn

Learn

My plane is not yet spirit,
I am in flux, always,
Fighting between body and soul.
The sultry air calms me,
Reminds me,
To always
Look up.
Surely you can find your way,
Wind whispers in my ear.
Watch how birds traverse the wild sky,
Mind to mind, they are linked,
Over miles,
Keeping pace
As one.
Butterflies speak in soft tongues,
Imparting lessons learned.
Though their breadth of life may be brief,
They live colors of hope,
Taking all,
And giving all
They are.

Read More Poems From The Adirondack Almanack HERE.


Thursday, April 23, 2020

Quarantine reads: Suggestions from Almanack readers

Anne LaBastille, author of the “Woodswoman” series.

Looking for new ways to pass the time indoors?

Here are some suggestions for Adirondack and/or environmental themed books offered up by Almanack readers, who responded to a post on our Facebook page.

A mix of fiction and non-fiction, old and new (in no particular order), feel free to share your favorites in the comments!

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Wednesday, April 22, 2020

Battling COVID-19 boredom? Make your own puppets!

During the quarantine, Pendragon Theatre is hosting a “Germ-Free Season” series of virtual events, productions, and alternative performance formats. First up is an encore presentation of Pendragon’s 2015 production of “The Snow Queen” by Hans Christian Andersen. Streaming 24/7 at www.pendragontheatre.org.

“The Snow Queen” is directed by Matt Sorensen and features his own puppet creations. In fact, he credits that show as launching his interest in puppet making. In that vein, Sorensen has produced and posted two stay-at-home puppet camp sessions, sponsored by Adirondack Health. Children can learn how to build and perform with shadow puppets, rod puppets, sock puppets and toy theater, using common household supplies.

To find the puppet lessons you can visit the following links: Hand Puppets, and Toy Theatre Puppets.

Join Sorensen for a unique “Sock and Sip” online event on Friday May 1, from 6-8 p.m. Sorensen will walk step by step through making a sock puppet, using basic supplies (which can be found here). It costs $25 to sign up via zoom, and all proceeds go to support Pendragon’s free virtual workshops. Click here to sign up.

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Sunday, April 19, 2020

Poetry: Mommy Is Always With You

Mommy Is Always With You

Inspired by parents, healthcare workers and first responders, who have paid the ultimate sacrifice in these hard times.

Easter  bunnies and Easter chicks,
May peep from your pillow quite changed.
No Easter egg hunts will we see for awhile,
But, mommy is always with you, my child.

Bunny ears are hand-sewn and stitched,
Next year you will have them brand new.
Colored paper is grass in a home-made style,
And, mommy is always with you, my child.

Let me hold you so very  close,
Let me keep you away from harm.
Together we’ll bake bread and play ‘till we smile,
Yes, mommy is always with you, my child.

At end of day, our prayers we pray,
As I put my baby to sleep
Though we both may never forget this hard trial,
Your mommy was always with you, my child.

Read More Poems From The Adirondack Almanack HERE.


Friday, April 17, 2020

Virtual Adirondack Art Activities

I live in the Adirondacks and with a stay at home order, even locals need to find ways to be able to celebrate art and community.

Though there are plenty of nationwide organizations sharing their talents,  Adirondack artists and art organizations are representing and celebrating ways to be creative in a pandemic.

Here are five options to make sure that Adirondack art is always part of your life.

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