Saturday, February 4, 2023

Saranac Lake Winter Carnival on tap through Feb. 12

Fireworks at the Saranac Lake Winter Carnival.

The 2023 Saranac Lake Winter Carnival is underway with a wide array of events for the whole family planned through Sunday, February 12. The carnival theme this year is “Roman around Carnival.” The Winter Carnival has grown into a 10-day festival that includes sports, performances, two parades and three sets of fireworks. The Carnival, organized by an all-volunteer group called the Saranac Lake Winter Carnival Committee, is a community-driven festival made possible by the efforts of several volunteers and sponsors.

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Tuesday, January 31, 2023

Registration open for Adirondack Paddling Symposium set for June 16-19

Adirondack Paddling Symposium participants.

SARANAC LAKE, NY — Registration is open for the 2023 Adirondack Paddling Symposium, June 16-19 in Saranac Lake.

 

Presented by NRS and the Northern Forest Canoe Trail, the Symposium is a comprehensive weekend of paddling instruction for beginners and intermediates, and includes course tracks for kayaks, pack boats, stand-up paddleboards and canoes. This year’s headquarters will be located at the Harrietstown Town Hall in downtown Saranac Lake.

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Monday, January 30, 2023

DEC: Free Lifeguard Qualifying Procedures to Begin Feb. 4

dec logoOn January 24, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) announced that its free lifeguard qualifying procedures begin Saturday, Feb. 4, 2023.

Individuals 15 and older interested in lifeguarding positions at DEC facilities this summer are eligible to register. Candidates who qualify will be considered for employment. The qualifying procedure consists of two parts: a Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) skills component; and a water skills evaluation. Candidates may attend the qualifying location most convenient to them and the results will be forwarded to their preferred work location.

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Monday, January 30, 2023

World Cup Ski Jumping Competition Returns to Lake Placid Feb. 10-12

lake placid ski jumpingLAKE PLACID, NY – The New York Olympic Regional Development Authority (ORDA) will host the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) Ski Jumping World Cup on February 10-12, 2023, at the Olympic Jumping Complex.

Who:  

The FIS Ski Jumping World Cup field features the best men’s ski jumpers in the world vying for podium finishes and points in the overall World Cup standings in two individual competitions and a Super-Team event. Jumpers from Poland, Austria, and Norway have dominated the top of the World Cup standings this season, with Olympic gold medalist Ryoyu Kobayashi of Japan and Olympic medalist Karl Geiger of Germany not far off. Poland is led by Dawid Kubacki, Piotr Zyla and Kamil Stoch. Kubacki is a three-time Olympian who won bronze medals at the Pyeongchang and Beijing Games. Halvor Egner Granerud, Marius Lindvik, and Robert Johansson lead the way for Norway, while Stefan Kraft, Manuel Fettner, Michael Haybock, Jan Horl, and Daniel Tschofenig top the Austrian contingent. Lindvik soared to the large hill Olympic gold medal in Beijing in 2022. Erik Belshaw, an 18-year-old from Steamboat Springs, Colo., has been the top World Cup jumper for the United States team this season, with Andrew Urlaub and Olympians Decker Dean and Casey Larson also on the U.S. National Team.

 

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Saturday, January 28, 2023

Spring-Like Weather Confuses Birds, 2023 Duck Count Results

Ravens on a trail cam

The inch of snow we got here was just about enough to cover the ground. With all the rain we had before the snow, it sure made for an icy mix out in the woods to walk on. I found out the hard way, as I was out back on the ski trail cutting beech stubs that I left last winter…cutting them in deep snow. While walking back in, I took a slip down a little hill and rolled over my right ankle, which hurt pretty bad. I [was] a mile from the house and I said to myself, “This is going to be a long mile walk.” I got to the house just before Karen came home. We put ice on it until I went to bed, and it only swelled a little…but still not good.

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Tuesday, January 24, 2023

Free Freshwater Fishing Weekend set for Feb. 18-19

dec logoOn January 19, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos reminded anglers to be safe when venturing onto the ice this season, especially given recent variations in weather conditions.

“New York State has been experiencing wide-ranging temperatures and weather conditions, from freezing to fairly mild,” Commissioner Seggos said. “Given these unpredictable fluctuations in weather, it is critical that winter recreationists exercise extreme caution when doing anything on the ice, including fishing, to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience.”

Ice anglers should check the thickness of ice before leaving the shore. Four inches of solid clear ice is usually safe for anglers accessing ice on foot. However, ice thickness can vary between waterbodies and even within the same waterbody, increasing the need to ensure thickness. Anglers should be particularly cautious of areas of moving water and around boat docks and houses where bubblers may be installed to reduce ice from forming. Checking the ice can easily be done with an auger or spud bar at various spots. In addition, fishing with a family member or friend is also encouraged for safety. Local bait and tackle shops are a great source for finding out where there is safe ice and what anglers are catching.

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Tuesday, January 24, 2023

Saranac Lake to host Pole-Pedal-Paddle Race on March 4

Saranac Lake 3P logo.

SARANAC LAKE, NY – A brand new mountain race – featuring skiing, biking, kayaking/canoeing, and running – will be held on Saturday morning, March 4th to highlight the abundant outdoor recreation opportunities in the region, organizers announced.

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Saturday, January 21, 2023

Follow that Quacking: Observing 75 Mallards and one Black Duck in Inlet

Mallard ducks on water

Things at Eight Acre Wood look about the same as they did last week, with only an inch of new snow to make the landscape white. That shows the critters who have been wandering around the yard. [Some of these include] several deer, a coyote, a fisher, a mink, an otter, a snowshoe hare, one turkey, several varieties of mice, a pine marten, a couple red squirrels, a flying squirrel, ravens, crows, and a Bald Eagle stopped by for a snack on the dam. Most of them also got caught on one of my trail cameras, as many of them are night travelers. In all my hikes, I thought I might even see a bear track, but I guess they are smarter than that. There is nothing for them to eat right now, so they better stay napping.

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Monday, January 16, 2023

Snow Days at Great Camp Sagamore set for Jan. 21, Feb. 25

Great Camp Sagamore

Raquette Lake, NY – All are invited to join in for a day full of sledding, ice skating, snow croquet and campfires at upcoming Snow Days at Great Camp Sagamore on January 21, 2023 and February 25, 2023 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Guided cross-country skiing sessions will also be available at 10 a.m. as well as guided snow shoe hikes at 1 p.m. Chili, coffee, tea and hot chocolate will be served starting at noon and will continue as long as supply lasts. Year-round Raquette Lake Residents, Great Camp Sagamore members, and children under five are free; General Admission is $5.

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Saturday, January 14, 2023

Bizarre weather, clearing debris from trails, and banding over 175 Evening Grosbeaks

Still no winter weather in sight. [There is a] combination of rain and snow in the forecast during the next week, so the snow dancers better get back in action. Out west, California is getting hammered for the last two weeks and more [is] coming today (January 9). Five inches of rain [is] forecast across most of the state, with four to five feet of snow in the mountains…they just can’t get a break. They had lots of flooding from the first two storms, and now this one on top will cause mudslides from areas bare from the forest fires.

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Wednesday, January 11, 2023

21st Long Lake Winter Carnival set for Jan. 14, Winter Wonderland Bingo is Back

Cardboard Sleds at the Starting Line

The 21st annual Long Lake Winter Carnival will be held on Saturday, January 14 beginning at noon at Mt. Sabattis Recreation Center in Long Lake, NY. Events kick off with a coronation of the King and Queen of the Moonlighter’s Snowmobile Club followed by a slate of fun family friendly events. The Cardboard Sled Races start at 1 p.m., with prizes awarded for speed and overall award for Best in Show. Sleds can be made with cardboard, paint, wax and tape. Racing categories are for individuals and for teams. There will be a bonfire as well as ice skating and sledding available all day.

 

Other events throughout the day include a Fashion Competition. Don your best and most outlandish winter outfits. Team themes are encouraged. Other events include: Town-Wide Photo, Kids Balloon Chase, Goalie’s Day Off, Men’s Feats of Strength, the Ladies Frying Pan Toss, and fireworks at 6 p.m. All events are free. The Ice Farm will be installing an ice sculpture garden. Local businesses and organizations are encouraged to sign up with Long Lake Parks and Recreation to be included.

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Monday, January 9, 2023

Attention Ruffed Grouse Hunters – Watch out for Spruce Grouse

Ruffed grouse and spruce grouse identification

Ruffed grouse hunters are reminded to positively identify their quarry before shooting. The Northern Zone, specifically Wildlife Management Units 5C, 5F, 6F, and 6J, is also home to the spruce grouse. The spruce grouse is a state-endangered species and is not legal to hunt. Loss of a spruce grouse, particularly a female spruce grouse, could be a significant setback for a small local population.

Spruce grouse occur in lowland conifer forests in the Adirondacks. During the fall, spruce grouse frequently make their way to roads to eat gravel and occasionally travel into upland hardwood forests where ruffed grouse occur. Small game hunters in the Adirondack region must be able to distinguish between these species so that spruce grouse are not shot by mistake. For tips on how to discern the two species, view the Hunting and Trapping Regulations Guide or the Ruffed Grouse Hunting Information page on DEC’s website.

DEC is looking for ruffed grouse hunters to submit feathers from harvested birds in order to assess recruitment (number of young produced per adult female grouse) for different parts of the state. Interested hunters should visit the Ruffed Grouse Hunting Information page on DEC’s website.

Photo at top provided by the NYS DEC.


Monday, January 9, 2023

472 acres of ADK land protected through Adirondack Land Trust and Lake Placid Land Conservancy merger

Mountain bikers on a trail

KEENE — The merger of two nationally accredited land trusts streamlines operations and ensures continued open space protection in New York’s Adirondack Park.

Effective January 1, 2023, the Lake Placid Land Conservancy (LPLC) will merge into the Adirondack Land Trust as approved by the New York State Attorney General’s office and the Secretary of State. The assets, programs and land stewardship responsibilities of LPLC will be transferred to the Adirondack Land Trust.

Through the merger, 472 acres in the towns of North Elba, Jay, Keene and Wilmington will be added to the Adirondack Land Trust’s portfolio of land protection sites. This includes the Three Sisters Preserve in Wilmington, which is a popular destination for mountain biking, trail running, hiking and snowshoeing, and serves as a community connector between the town’s bike skills park and Forest Preserve trails adjacent to Hardy Road. Public access will remain the same and preserve signage will be updated.

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Sunday, January 8, 2023

Paul Smith’s College National Championship Nordic Team Celebration set for Jan. 11

Paul Smith’s College Nordic Ski Team

Paul Smiths, NY –  The Paul Smith’s College National Championship Nordic Team certainly has a reason to celebrate, as USA Nordic announced its team for the 2023 World University Games in Lake Placid, which includes two Bobcats, Aidan Ripp and Timothy Ziegler. The student athletes will represent the United States in the Nordic Combined event, a combination of classic cross-country disciplines and ski jumping. All are welcome to gather together to celebrate and honor the Paul Smith’s College National Championship Nordic Team (Bobcats) by attending a special event hosted by Paul Smith’s College VIC. The event is free and open to the public and will take place on the evening of Wednesday, January 11 from 6 to 8 p.m at the Frank Hutchins Lodge at the Paul Smith’s College VIC. Guests will be treated to live music, free food, beer, wine and spirits catered by alum David Pittman. Event organizers have coordinated a special awards ceremony to recognize the team’s accomplishments. The ceremony is slated to begin at 6:30 p.m.

 

Paul Smith’s College VIC is located at 8023 State Route 30 in Paul Smiths, NY. For more information about Paul Smith’s College VIC, call (518) 327-6241, email vic@paulsmiths.edu or visit https://www.paulsmithsvic.org/
 
Photo at top: Paul Smith’s College Nordic Ski Team. Paul Smith’s VIC website photo.

 

 


Saturday, January 7, 2023

Legion of nutcrackers take a long winter’s nap, juvenile loon freed from Fourth Lake ice

Loon in the ice

Our New Year’s weekend was a washout for sure, with rain and warmer temperatures taking a toll on what snow we had. What I see out my front window is mostly bare ground where there was over 18 inches of snow a week ago. I had a fisher and a coyote visit the deer carcass on the dam during daylight hours, which meant they were hungry. There were four Ravens and a pair of Bald Eagles waiting their turn in the treetops on the other side of the pond. Now that the snow is nearly gone, I haven’t seen any of them. I still have over fifty Evening Grosbeaks coming daily to the feeders, and the two White-Throated Sparrows are still sneaking seeds and hiding in the brush pile. There are still some new Black-Capped Chickadees coming to the feeders as I’ve banded almost twenty hatch-year birds in the last two weeks.

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