Community Observation Day at Lakeside School, Westport, NY

One March 4, Wednesday, Lakeside School at Black Kettle Farm is hosting an observation day for all parents located in the Adirondack Park near Essex, NY, interested in Waldorf education for their child/children. 

The morning will be spent visiting the Main Lesson of the Elementary school (1st, 2nd, and 3rd Grade), the Kindergarten (age 3-6), and joining the Sprouts (age 1-3) outside. There will be time to speak with the teachers and ask any questions you might have about any of the programs. 

Community Observation Day is on March 4^th from 8:45-10:30am. Sign up in advance with Kathleen Morse or Torunn Lyngroth Aberle by calling 518-963-7385, or e-mailing info@lakesideschoolinessex.org. 

Lakeside School runs from early September to mid-June and is a developing member of the Waldorf Early Childhood Association of North America. It is located on the corners of Cook and Leaning Road in Essex, NY at Black Kettle Farm.

Shine On! Empowers Young Girls and Parents with Media Safety Workshops!

By Diane Chase

Kids are bombarded by negativity on computers, on their phones, in ads, on television shows and that can be without ever leaving the house. How do we present a positive message that isn’t in the form of another lecture?

Shine On! was founded in 2011 by SUNY Plattsburgh Professor Colleen Lemza with just those questions in mind. After encountering young women struggling with self-esteem issues driven by a negative media impact, Lemza wanted to raise awareness, communication skills and confidence.  This evolved to an annual day-long conference for fourth and fifth grade girls led by student mentors. 

Now in its 5^th year, Shine On! has grown from a one-day workshop with 90 young girls to an overnight conference for over 200 participants. The spring conference has expanded to include girls in third through fifth grades. The overwhelming response now has Shine On! also offering parent workshops and educational outreach.

Celebrate Winter Day March 6, 2014

Celebrate Winter Day on March 6, 2014 with 

discounted tickets at seventeen ski areas!

On Thursday March 6, 2014 seventeen* ski areas in New York State will be participating in the first annual "Celebrate Winter Day". This day is intended for skiers and riders as well as those who want to learn to ski or snowboard to enjoy the slopes and celebrate all the splendor of winter. "Celebrate" will feature discounted lift tickets, most for sale at $12 and learn to ski packages, starting at $33, for all to enjoy. You can purchase your "Celebrate Winter Day" vouchers here for the discounted lift ticket or learn to ski or snowboard packages. Purchases can be made through Midnight March 4th 2014 after that there will be no more available, don't delay, buy today!

Vouchers can only be purchased through ISKINY and not at the ski area. (No refunds and Non-Transferable.)

If you have any questions please memberservices@iskiny.com.

Vouchers can only be purchased through ISKINY and not at the ski area.

Winter Carnival Outhouse Races in Lake George and Brant Lake

Just mentioning an outhouse and the potty humor starts pouring out. So before I go into a complete downward spiral, I’d like to say “only in the Adirondacks,” but that wouldn’t be true. Across the nation there are numerous wheeled “soapbox derby” races with themed outhouses pushed by costumed racers pitted against their decorated neighbor.

The difference from those races and the upcoming Lake George Winter Carnival Outhouse Races is the ice.  The first 2015 Adirondack outhouse race takes place February 7, Saturday, at 12:30 pm on Lake George. There is an alternate location if the ice is considered unsafe. Registration begins at 10 am at Duffy’s Tavern (518-668-5323.)

According to Adirondack Studios’ owner Tom Lloyd what started as a quirky competition for his custom design and fabrication firm has grown to be a competitive race. Eight years ago the Adirondack Studios design team took a break from its large-scale projects for the Broadway stage and other elements of the entertainment industry to pull together a fun local project, an Adirondack outhouse.  

Lloyd explains that the format is a double elimination race. Once you lose twice, you are out. There is no entry fee so anyone can just show up as long as the outhouse meets regulations.  

Brant Lake's outhouse race is part of its 3rd annual Winter Carnival. This one-day event, February 21, has modeled its outhouse race after the Lake George event except for one significant difference. 

11 (Eleven) Adirondack Winter Carnivals, Festivals and Celebrations

My family and I have attended most of the winter carnivals (listed below) in the Adirondack Park. Each one has its special charm and each celebration is an opportunity to enjoy the unique corners of the Adirondack Park. Enjoy Winter Carnivals in Saranac Lake, Long Lake, Northville Sacandaga, Lake George, Raquette Lake, Old Forge, Tupper Lake, Brant Lake, Indian Lake, Hague and Inlet. 

As other countries and Christian communities prepare for Lent with enough debauchery to shame a politician, the Adirondacks puts on all its finery to revel in activities only to be found in a winter wonderland.  Though not located in New Orleans, Venice or another warmer location, the Adirondacks version of Carnival utilities one popular winter asset, snow.  Like the world traditions of Mardi Gras and Carnival, an Adirondack Winter Carnival is not for the weak of heart. 

1) People attending this year's Saranac Lake Winter Carnival (February 6 - 15) can channel their hippy, GROOVY, 60s self. Though the carnival first started in 1897, Saranac Lake’s carnival has not been held continuously. With a convoluted history, this carnival has expanded and resurrected to be held annually since the winter of 1947. With over a century of experience to draw from the Saranac Lake Winter Carnival is a ten-day festival of sports, races, parades, live performances and fireworks. Highlights include tubing races, outside movies, snow golf, classic films, and curling exhibition. The town also features a palace of ice that depicts each year’s annual motif. 

2) Long Lake's Ice Fest (February 6-7) brings back The Ice Farm's Stanley Kolonko as he travels on his way to the 23rd Crystal Garden International Ice Carving Exhibition in Ottawa, part of the second weekend of Winterlude. Watch the sculptures emerge at the Raquette Lake Library, Shamrock Motel and Cottages, The Long Lake Town Offices and more surprises along the way. 

3) Northville's Sacandaga Winter Carnival will be held February 7, 10 am - 4 pm. Enjoy a dog sled ride, ice skating on the lake, a vintage snowmobile show (over 50 classic sleds), Ol' Time Gospel group, food, turkey bowling, hot air balloon, model rocket demo and more! 

4) Lake George’s Winter Carnival has a different schedule. Instead of compacted into a 

The series of ongoing weekend events culminates the last weekend in February. Each weekend (February 7-8, 14-15, 21-22, and 28-March 1) has a slight variation of events but the core happenings are the same. Specific family-friendly activities are available like petting zoos, games, hot air balloon tether rides, dog sled rides, polar plunge, sky diving competitions and a giant ice slide at Shepard’s Park. Each weekend has its highlights such as outhouse races, chowder cook-off, car races, kite flying and of course, fireworks.

5) Raquette Lake has held itswinter carnival for over 50 years. This February 14-15 take part in the frying pan toss, snowshoe rally, snow dodge ball, ice golf or watch a chainsaw competition. The Saturday fireworks from the lake gesture in the winter celebration.  On Sunday, join in a guided  3.5-mile snowshoe around Sagamore Lake. Meet at the Great Camp Sagamore tour parking lot for the 1 pm start.

6) For anyone around  Old Forge February 13-15, their winter carnival is celebrating Valentine's Day weekend  with a bonfire, skating and Valentine's parade. The next day brings some competition in the form of snowshoe and cross-country ski races, cardboard sled races, torchlight skiing and some Daredevil Jumpers.  Bonfires, fireworks and community dances are just a brief overview of what to expect during this salute to love.