Posts Tagged ‘Saranac’

Sunday, October 1, 2023

Alexander String Quartet performs in Saranac on Oct. 15

Photo at top: The Alexander String Quartet.

The Alexander String Quartet will perform at the historic Saranac Methodist Church on Route 3 in Saranac on Sunday, October 15 at 3 p.m. The program features masterpieces from the first half of the 20th century: Jean Sibelius’s String Quartet in D minor, Op. 56 “Voces Intimae” (1908-9) and Dmitri Shostakovich’s String Quartet No. 2 in A major, Op. 68 (1944) plus a contemporary work by British-American composer Tarik O’Regan: Gradual (2016, rev. 2022). General admission at the door is $20, seniors and students are $15, and children under 12 are free. A family rate is also available.

The Alexander String Quartet stands among the world’s premier ensembles, having performed in the major music capitals of five continents. The quartet is a vital artistic presence in its home base of
San Francisco, serving since 1989 as Ensemble-in-Residence of San Francisco Performances. Widely admired for its interpretations of Beethoven, Mozart, and Shostakovich, the quartet’s recordings have won international critical acclaim.

» Continue Reading.


Sunday, November 13, 2022

The Dara Anissi Ensemble to perform at the Saranac Fire Hall on Nov. 19 and 20

The Dara Anissi Ensemble performs two shows at the Saranac Fire Hall on Route 3 in Saranac, New York on Saturday, November 19 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, November 20 at 3 p.m. The Hall opens 30 minutes prior
to the show; admission is $20 at the door. Seating is open and club-style at tables. Tables may be reserved for parties of six or eight. The Dara Anissi Ensemble has deep roots in Middle Eastern culture. Two of its members, Dara Anissi and Martin Shamoonpour, hail originally from Tehran, Iran. The third member, Nikolai Ruskin, originally from San Francisco, has made a lifetime study of Middle Eastern music. The trio now resides in Ithaca and Brooklyn, New York, both places hotbeds of diverse genres of music and creativity. They have been inspired to create a new body of work which they are eager to share, along with ancient traditional tunes.

» Continue Reading.


Sunday, September 25, 2022

Hill and Hollow Music: Alexander String Quartet performs at Saranac Methodist Church in Saranac on Oct. 2

The Alexander String Quartet performs at the Saranac Methodist Church on Route 3 in Saranac, New York on Sunday, October 2 at 3:00 pm. The program features Mozart’s String Quartet No. 22 in B-flat major, K589; Danish composer Carl Nielsen’s String Quartet No. 1 in G minor, Op. 13; and Debussy’s String Quartet in G minor, Op. 10. They play on a matched set of instruments made in San Francisco by Francis Kuttner, known as the Ellen M. Egger quartet.

Admission at the door is $15 general; $12 seniors; $5 students; free for children under 12.

» Continue Reading.


Thursday, September 1, 2022

Paul Meyers’ World on a String Jazz Trio Performs on Labor Day at Weatherwatch Farm

Paul Meyers’ World on a String jazz trio will perform at Weatherwatch Farm in Saranac, New York on Labor Day, September 5 at 3 p.m. Paul Meyers is one of the most admired jazz guitarists active today. His classical guitar artistry finds him equally at home performing musical styles ranging from Bossa Nova to Be-Bop to Bartok – all played with impeccable technique and true passion. His fluid style and lyricism as both virtuoso guitarist-improviser and composer-arranger have won him praise and respect from colleagues, afficionados, and the media.

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Saturday, August 13, 2022

Hill and Hollow Music: Will Patton Ensemble to perform in Saranac on Aug. 21

The iconic Vermont band, Will Patton Ensemble, crosses the pond to perform at Weatherwatch Farm in Saranac on Sunday, August 21 at 4 p.m. The show will take place rain or shine under a large tent on the lawn; $20 admission at the gate. Current public health guidelines will be followed.

 

The Will Patton Ensemble famously serves up “an astoundingly rich musical stew flavored with jazz, choro, folk, and other influences…. a unique blend of musicality, passion and respect sets this band apart as a special experience,” as stated in Mandolin Magazine. Here is the recipe: Combine a jazz/choro mandolinist with a symphony violinist who plays bluegrass and hot swing; add a string bass player who came of age working the Chicago blues clubs with the likes of Howlin’ Wolf and Buddy Guy; a lifelong guitarist equally at home with flatpicking fiddle tunes and fiery Gypsy jazz solos; and spice it up with a first-call jazz/Brazilian percussionist. Stir in a little rock ‘n’ roll attitude and season for twenty years in small clubs and large concert halls and you get some idea of the music of the Will Patton Ensemble.

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Monday, July 18, 2022

Hill and Hollow Music: Renowned International Musicians Join Forces to Perform Mozart Concertos on July 24

The celebrated Israeli-American pianist Alon Goldstein joins with the venerable Fine Arts Quartet and the rising double-bass phenom Lizzie Burns in an exciting concert collaboration. Their program features two piano concertos of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 19 in F major, K459 and Piano Concerto No. 25 in C major, K503. And to shake things up midway through-a palette cleanser, so to speak-the Fine Arts Quartet will perform String Quartet No. 2 “Company” of Philip Glass.

The concert takes place Sunday, July 24 at 7 pm at the Saranac Methodist Church on Route 3 in Saranac, New York.

Admission is a suggested donation of $15 accepted at the door. Seating is open.

» Continue Reading.


Thursday, January 16, 2020

Cock-A-Doodle Shoe at Saranac’s New Land Trust

rooster on showshoesWe just had a warm spell, but it looks like winter is back on track for this weekend with some colder temperatures and new snow.

It’s just in time too. The New Land Trust in Saranac has once again teamed with Dion Snowshoes to host the annual Cock-A-Doodle Shoe on Sunday, January 19 at 10 am. There are 5k/10K options and no charge for the ½-mile Kids’ Snowshoe Scramble. » Continue Reading.


Friday, November 18, 2016

Delmoni-McCarty-Thomas String Trio Sunday in Saranac

delmoni-mccarty-thomas-string-trio-2In its 21-year history, Saranac’s Hill and Hollow Music has brought over 200 professional chamber music ensembles to the Adirondacks. Their community outreach has included presentations in schools, churches, senior residences and community centers. I am always so grateful for such organizations that float into our communities with seemingly little effort and bring international musicians to our door.

This Sunday, November 20 at the Saranac United Methodist Church on Rt. 3, Hill and Hollow Founder and Director Angela Brown has brought together an outstanding trio to perform at the Saranac “Little Church in the Hollow.” » Continue Reading.


Wednesday, January 15, 2014

Cock-A-Doodle Shoe Snowshoe Race Saturday

Cock A Doodle ShoeIt may be raining now, but it looks like we may be getting winter back on track this weekend with some colder temperatures and new snow. Some of my favorite trails have lost their base layer and the paths are better suited to crampons than skis. Despite the dreary sounding conditions there is still plenty to do to get outside and enjoy the Adirondack winter wonderland.

For the second year The New Land Trust in Saranac has teamed up with Dion snowshoes to host the annual Cock-A-Doodle Shoe on January 18 at 10 am.  This year race organizers added a 5K to the existing 10K snowshoe race format. According to Race Organizer Jeremy Drowne the event is on. Drowne feels that this warm front will soften the base and the new snow will add a nice layer for the upcoming race. » Continue Reading.


Tuesday, July 23, 2013

Saranac Hollow’s Civil War Veterans Memorial

 In the tiny town of Saranac, sometimes referred to as Saranac Hollow, stands a monument to the town’s Civil War veterans. What makes it unique is that, during the war, the townspeople sent over three and a half times its draft quota to the Union Army. With a population of 3,600 people, 416 veterans are honored on the monument.

Walking around an Adirondack cemetery may seem like something straight out of horror films or reserved for a spooky Halloween night, but standing tall in Independence Cemetery is a war memorial that far exceeds any school lessons covering the United States Civil War.

According to the Town of Saranac’s historian Jan Couture it is the only Civil War memorial in Clinton County and the first war memorial of any kind in the county. To first look at it, it seems quite simple but the power is in reading the dedications and recognizing names we assume to be related to these brave lost soldiers. » Continue Reading.


Wednesday, June 5, 2013

Hill and Hollow Music in the Town of Saranac

Johannes Quartet_John EldridgeIn its 20-year history, Saranac’s Hill and Hollow Music has brought over 100 professional chamber music ensembles to the Adirondacks. Their community outreach has included over 1,250 presentations in schools, churches, senior residences and community centers. For founders Angela Brown and Kellum Smith the vision has grown to include a year-round Rural Retreat Program for professional musicians and the Northern Adirondack Vocal Ensemble (NAVE).

NAVE debuted in December 2011 and currently Conductor Drew Benware continues to work with Hill and Hollow to fill a distinct niche with this a cappella choir. According to Brown, by keeping this vocal ensemble small, NAVE is able to focus on a musical repertoire that enhances the goals of Hill and Hollow. » Continue Reading.


Thursday, May 9, 2013

Chazy Highlands Management Plan In The Works

Lyon_Mountain_-_View_from_lake_ChazyThe New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is preparing to restart a management plan for nearly 60,000 acres of Forest Preserve and other state-managed lands in the Chazy Highlands Complex. The lands spread across 493 square miles in 34 separate parcels in the northeastern Adirondack Park and are located in the towns of Bellmont, Duane, and Franklin in Franklin County and the towns of Altona, Black Brook, Dannemora, Ellenburg, and Saranac in Clinton County.

Natural features in the Complex include Lyon Mountain,  Haystack Knob, Norton Peak, and  Ellenburg Mountain; Upper Chateaugay Lake and Chazy Lake; and Saranac River and Great Chazy River. The primary recreational uses are fishing and hunting; however the public also participates in hiking, camping, cross country skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling and bird/wildlife watching on these lands. Both the trail to the Fire Tower on the Lyon Mountain and the Lewis Preserve Wildlife Management Area are frequented often by the public. » Continue Reading.


Tuesday, January 15, 2013

Adirondack Family Activities:
Events At The New Land Trust, Newcomb AIC

AdirondackInterpretiveCenter_newThe recent warm front didn’t do the snowshoe/cross-country ski trails any favors, but it also didn’t completely wipe out the snow. Though some area ski centers around the Adirondack Park have taken a significant hit, most are grooming their trails for business. It has been tricky to find the places that are shielded enough to maintain a significant base for those of us looking to snowshoe or cross-country ski.

New Land Trust in Saranac, along with Dion Snowshoes, is hosting Cock-A-Doodle-Shoe as a Northeast regional qualifier for the 2013 USSSA National Snowshoe Championships on January 20. The 10K snowshoe race with cover a varied terrain from flat ground to rolling hills among the New Land Trust’s 287-acres. The competition is open to all levels and participants will compete for a $150 cash prize » Continue Reading.


Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Adirondack Family Activities: New Land Trust Chili Fest

With all 28 trails open on its 287 acres, the New Land Trust (NLT) in Saranac is ready for their 2nd annual Chili Fest and Pot Luck on Saturday, February 18th.

“Trail conditions are hard-packed and icy in spots,” says NLT Board Member Douglas Yu. “We do have a solid-base. Snowshoes would be perfect, especially if venturing off-trail. We consistently have plentiful snow. Our unique location at the foot of Lyon Mt makes this possible. Even we have been impacted by the general lack of snow this year.”

The Chili Fest and Potluck is termed as “super casual” where visitors come and share a noon meal and utilize the free trail system. There is an opportunity to compete in a chili cook-off and enjoy a bonfire that evening. Two dual-use trails, two information kiosks, a snowshoe-only trail, and a bridge on Nightrider are just some of the new improvements to enjoy. Yu encourages newcomers to use the upcoming Chili Fest as an introduction to the New Land Trust.

Yu admits to seeing wild turkey as well as and the usual chickadees, woodpeckers, and occasional Ruffed Grouse as well as tracks from hare and deer while skiing the trails.

Fundraising for this community-based project still continues for the Clubhouse roof but a newly donated woodstove and picnic area make the Clubhouse a cozy place to stop and relax.

“The New Land Trust is entirely supported by generous donations from our members, users, and friends. In addition, we are also grateful for the many hundreds of volunteer hours given for trail work and other infrastructure maintenance,” says Yu. “We appreciate any support we get, but visiting is always free.”

NLT has also found itself to be the recipient of various scouting projects. Most recently The Tree Trail Map was a Girl Scout project by Hannah Racette. The interpretive map starts at the Clubhouse building and identifies 14 different trees such as black cherry and quaking aspen and loops back to the Clubhouse. According to Yu the guide has proven to be a huge asset for school children having to complete Leaf Identification assignments. Visitors and naturalists will also find the Tree Trail Map beneficial.

The New Land Trust is currently a volunteer-run 501(c)3 organization that was founded in 1977 by SUNY Plattsburgh students as an experiment in cooperative land management. It is easy to stay within the property boundary. The New Land Trust borders Stillman Brook to the west, the railroad tracks to the northeast and 37 Road to the east.

If you need a chili recipe for the contest, here is a venison option by Adirondack Almanack contributor Annette Nielsen. Enjoy!

Photo: Skiing at New Land Trust, Saranac. Used with the permission of Diane Chase, Adirondack Family Time.

Diane Chase is the author of Adirondack Family Time: Tri-Lakes and High Peaks: Your Four Season Guide to Over 300 Activities. Her second book on Family Activities is due out this summer 2012 for the Champlain Valley Region from Plattsburgh to Ticonderoga.


Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Free Cross-Country Skiing at New Land Trust

You can ski for free on hundreds of trails in the Adirondack Forest Preserve, but if you’re looking for a few more creature comforts—such as groomed trails and a clubhouse with a wood stove—check out the New Land Trust trails outside the hamlet of Saranac. They’re free, too.

The New Land Trust got its start in 1977 when some Plattsburgh State College students and friends purchased an old farm. Today the land trust is a non-profit organization that maintains twenty-eight trails (totaling about ten kilometers) on 287 acres.

While skiing at the New Land Trust over the weekend with my daughter Martha, we ran into Steve Jenks, a member of the trust board who lives nearby and maintains the trails. He led us down some of his favorite routes. We saw only a few other parties.

“People, why aren’t you here?” Jenks lamented. “The skiing here is fantastic, and it’s only a half-hour from Plattsburgh.”

He told us that the trust has improved its fiscal fitness in recent years but still needs money for a new roof for the clubhouse. The trust relies on donations from the public and on membership fees ($75 a year) to cover its taxes and other expenses. (Although the trails and lodge are open to the public for free, there is a donation box at the trail register.)

Most of the trails are mellow and don’t require a great deal of snow to be skiable. On Sunday, Martha and I skied the Saranac, a very attractive trail that led us past snow-covered balsams. Saranac is one of two main routes. We then took Night Rider to Solstice (the other main route), where we encountered Steve, who led us back to the clubhouse via a number of shorter trails.

The trails are all signed. Other amenities include two lean-tos, a bunkhouse, and a nifty outhouse. You can find a trail map and driving directions on the trust’s website. Trails maps also are available the register.

Photo by Phil Brown: New Land Trust lodge.

Phil Brown is the editor of the Adirondack Explorer newsmagazine.



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