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Adirondack musicians will come together on Saturday, February 24th at 7 pm at the Whallonsburg Grange Hall for a concert called “Adirondack String Fever.” Led by songwriter and storyteller Dan Berggren on guitar, the show includes John Kirk and Trish Miller on fiddle, mandolin and banjo; and Peggy Lynn and Dan Duggan playing guitar and hammered dulcimer. These five long-time friends have played in combinations and separately for decades at concerts, festivals, dances, theatrical performances, and events all over the North Country. » Continue Reading.
Adirondack String Fever Concert Set For Whallonsburg
UPDATED WED: Missing Whiteface Skier Found In California
Update: Mike Lynch at Adirondack Explorer attended a State Police press conference Wednesday afternoon and filed the story located here.
After five and a half days searching in freezing temperatures, deep snow and freezing rain, missing Whiteface skier Constantinos “Danny” Filippidis of Toronto has been located – alive and well in California.
Mike Lynch at Adirondack Explorer interviewed Frank Ramagnano, President of the Toronto Professional Firefighters Association, the group Filippidis was skiing with when he was reported missing.
Ramagnano said he believes Filippidis spoke with his wife Tuesday prompting a response by emergency medical services, who found him still in his ski clothes, possibly in a confused state. » Continue Reading.
Dave Gibson: Forever Wild and Forever Taxable
Recent Adirondack Almanack posts by Anthony Hall and Peter Bauer broke the news that Governor Andrew Cuomo has stuck a provision in his 2018-19 State budget to cap the annual State Land taxes we all share with towns and school districts in the Adirondack and Catskill Parks. Furthermore, the Governor proposes to convert the long tradition of full payment of taxes on the Forest Preserve into (capped) payments in lieu of taxes (PILOT).
The approximately three-million acre, publicly-owned and “forever wild” NYS Forest Preserve in the Adirondack and Catskill Parks (and a small amount outside the Parks) is taxable for all purposes. Since 1886 the law has required that Forest Preserve lands must be valued for tax purposes as if privately owned (today’s Section 532a of the Real Property Tax Law, or RPTL). » Continue Reading.
Brains Over Brawn for Male Hummingbirds
The following comes from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology.
When male animals compete over mates, it’s often a showy affair: think of elk tangling antlers or tom turkeys strutting and gobbling. But for a Costa Rican hummingbird, it seems mental prowess holds the edge over mere physical flamboyance.
New experiments show that dominant male Long-billed Hermits have better spatial memories and sing more consistent songs than less successful males, according to research published this month in the journal Scientific Reports. The benefit of a good spatial memory even outweighs the advantages of bigger body size and extra flight power. » Continue Reading.
Sophie’s Lair Ski Or Snowshoe Adventure Feb 17th
A ski or snowshoe trek has been set for Saturday, February 17th on the Sophie’s Lair Trail in Willsboro.
Skiers and snowshoers should meet at 9:15 am at the Florence Hathaway trailhead on Essex Road in Willsboro (look for the tennis courts).
The Florence Hathaway Trail, about a half-mile long, leads to the Sophie’s Lair Trail. Overall, the ski/snowshoe adventure will run about 3 hours. » Continue Reading.
Annual Warren County Tree and Shrub Sale
The Annual Warren County Tree and Shrub Sale is now underway.
The sale has a variety of deciduous and evergreen seedlings, conservation and wildflower packs and locally made bird and bat houses, available for order until March 16th, 2018.
Purchases help improve and protect the natural resources of Warren County. » Continue Reading.
Tim Rowland: Conflicted By Boreas Ponds Plans
If I had to pick a side, I suppose I would cast my lot with the older and wiser set who are cheering the APA’s decision to classify the sublime Boreas Ponds tract as a road-accessible wilderness, balanced by an adjoining swath of Wild Forest offering sucor to wielders of mountain bikes, snowmobiles, Falcon Heavy rocketships and any other toy that might strike their fancy. » Continue Reading.
Maple Confections: A Sweet And Local Valentine’s Gift
Valentine’s Day. The day when, more than at any other time of the year, people declare feelings of romantic interest, love, and adoration for one another. This is most-often done with a card. Approximately 150 million Valentine’s Day cards will be exchanged in the US, this year; 2.6 billion worldwide (according to the Greeting Card Association).
The oldest known Valentine’s Day card, if you will, is still in existence. It’s a poem from Charles, Duke of Orleans, to his wife; written while he was imprisoned in the Tower of London in 1415, and preserved in the British Library in London. » Continue Reading.
Search Continues For Missing Whiteface Skier
The multi-agency search for a missing skier, Constantinos “Danny” Filippidis, continued through the weekend and continues today, Monday, February 12, 2018. Filippidis, age 49, of Toronto, Canada, was reported missing at 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, February 7, 2018. He was last seen at the Whiteface Mountain Ski resort’s mid-station between the hours of 2:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.
Since that time, teams led by the Department of Environmental Conservation Forest Rangers in coordination with the New York State Police and staff from Whiteface Mountain have been searching for Filippidis.
» Continue Reading.
Adirondack Arts Center Call For Artists
The Adirondack Lakes Center for the Arts (Arts Center) in Blue Mountain Lake has announced they are seeking artists to exhibit in their three galleries in mid-April through December 2018.
Artists working in all mediums are encouraged to apply by March 15, 2018. Exhibits may last up to six weeks. » Continue Reading.
Six-Weeks of World History Set For Grange
Andrew Buchanan, lecturer in global and military history at the University of Vermont, will be presenting on “A History of the World in Six Weeks” at the Whallonsburg Grange on Tuesday, February 13th at 7:30 pm, continuing on subsequent Tuesdays until March 20th. » Continue Reading.
Irruptions: Northern Bird Visitors
I have been keeping a close watch on my birdfeeders. Not only because I love seeing the juncos and goldfinches that arrive in flocks, and the black-capped chickadees that zip around, and even the blue jays that tend to scare everyone else away, but because I am hoping for some not-so-typical visitors: red crossbills and pine siskins. » Continue Reading.
Great Backyard Bird Count Set For February 16-19
The 21st Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) will take place February 16 to 19 in backyards, parks, nature centers, on hiking trails, school grounds, balconies, and beaches across the country.
This global event provides an opportunity for bird enthusiasts to contribute important bird population data that help scientists see changes over the past 21 years.
To participate, bird watchers count the birds they see for at least 15 minutes on one or more days of the count, then enter their checklists at birdcount.org. » Continue Reading.
Tree and Shrub Sale at Saratoga’s State Tree Nursery
More than 50 species of trees and shrubs from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation’s (DEC) Saratoga Tree Nursery are now available to public and private landowners and schools.
Spruces, pines, shrub willows, dogwoods, high bush cranberry, winged sumac, white cedar, and wetland rose are among the 50 species available from the State’s Saratoga Tree Nursery. The sale provides low-cost, native tree and shrub seedlings from New York seed sources to encourage landowners to enhance the state’s environment for future generations. Mixed species packets are also available. » Continue Reading.
Featured Trail: Whiteface Landing
Whiteface Landing is located at the northeast end of Lake Placid lake.
With only 200 feet of elevation gain to the lake, this 7.2 mile out-and-back trip is suitable for all levels of skiers and snowshoers. » Continue Reading.
The Adirondack Almanack
The Adirondack Almanack's contributors include veteran local writers, historians, naturalists, and outdoor enthusiasts from around the Adirondack region. The Almanack is the online news journal of Adirondack Explorer. Both are nonprofits supported by contributors, readers, and advertisers, and devoted to exploring, protecting, and unifying the Adirondack Park.
General inquiries about the Adirondack Almanack should be directed to Almanack founder and editor John Warren.
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