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Showing posts from 2010

Adirondack Cab Companies: Have a Happy New Year!

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By Diane Chase Please be careful whether you are celebrating New Year's Eve with family, friends or a huge group of people. Here are taxi and cab services for your convenience. Remember to always take a taxi* or ask a friend to be a designated driver if you are drinking, no matter how little you feel the amount is that you've consumed! Be careful, be safe and have a Happy 2011.

New Saranac Lake First Night® Venue for High School Aged Kids

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Clipart from Clipartheaven.com By Diane Chase What better way to ring in the New Year than to celebrate the innovative and exciting ways that people bring community and guests together. Coming up with new ideas isn’t difficult.    It is the implementation that is the challenge. We have our busy lives and get caught up in all the activities. Thankfully there are those who are thinking outside the box and willing to carry out their “great ideas.” Without those special people in the community we would not have live theatre like Pendragon , Third Thursday Arts Walks and First Night® Saranac Lake , just to name a few. First Night® started five years ago when Sue Paterson and Connie Landon attended other First Night ® celebrations in Burlington and Saratoga and thought Saranac Lake would be a perfect fit. This weekend, the excitement continues with over 42 family-friendly activities in 12 venues.

Saranac Lake First Night® Family Folk Dance

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Happy New Year! Dance the night away as part of Saranac Lake First Night.  Dance the night away in this family-friendly event.  Sparkling Cider, hors d'oeuvres and desserts will be provided. Bring in the 2011 New Year as part of Saranac Lake First Night ® at Will Roger's in Saranac Lake, just minutes from Lake Placid.  Join musical guests Dan Duggan and Peggy Lynn with their Adirondack style of bluegrass and folk music.  This program is open to the public as part of the First Night® Saranac Lake celebration.  A First Night Button is needed for members of the public and they will be available to purchase ($12) at the door.  Purchasing this button will allow you admission to all First Night activities.

What to do with kids in the Adirondacks: First Night Saratoga and Saranac Lake

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By Diane Chase First Night   celebrations offer  families visiting or living in the Adironacks an opportunity to ring in the New Year in a healthy fashion. Just ten minutes from Lake Placid, Saranac Lake will ring in the New Year with its fifth First Night® celebration.  Originating in Boston over 35 years ago, First Night originators wanted to provide non-alcohol related New Year’s Eve festivities. The arts centered event grew from a small community celebration to what now showcases Boston’s diverse culture and art. There are now 200 similarly modeled celebrations worldwide. In our part of the world,   Saratoga Springs   and   Saranac Lake   are two such sanctioned events. Read More

Easy Adirondack Hikes/ Cross-Country Ski for Kids: A Portion of the Deer Pond Loop (Saranac Lake/Tupper Lake)

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* Please note at the end, comments regarding blow down and conditions on the rest of the Deer Pond Loop! So many sweets have found the way into my home lately that if I didn’t know better I would think it was some evil plan of my dentist to keep himself in business. Plates of homemade treats line the counters and bowls are filled with brightly wrapped candies. I look at the bounty and rub my hands together with glee. I am the willing recipient of homemade goods. Since I have no shut off valve and devour the treats with wild abandon, I also need an outlet to work off my sugar overload. One way to work off those holiday treats is to go for a ski or snowshoe. There are many options and guidebooks available to venture outside and enjoy the snow. One cross-country ski my husband continually informs me I “have to” do is finally complete the 7.3-mile Deer Pond loop. There are two entrances for the Deer Pond area and I have always taken the less popular path near Bull Point on R

Adirondack Ski Discounts: Gore, Whiteface, Big Tupper and more

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By Diane Chase New York State Ski Discounts for the Adirondack Mountains. Alpine skiing can be expensive for a family. The great thing as that so many downhill ski mountains offer discounts and special events that if you plan ahead you can save money. Please keep checking back as discounts become available I will list them here.  Keep money in your pocket while enjoy all the Adirondack ski resorts have to offer. Ski Olympic mountains or small family-size hills.  Below are just a few savings so go to the websites to see if lodging and other discounts fit more to your family's needs. Besides discounts I have listed those mountains that offer night skiing and tubing as well. 

Adirondack For Kids: Charles Dickens and A Christmas Carol Trivia

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By Diane Chase Did you know? Charles Dickens • Charles Dickens was born in 1812 • At 12 he was forced to leave school and work in a factory to help get his family out of debt. • He is considered a Victorian author because he wrote during the Victorian era • He was the most popular writer of his time • Dickens began his writing career as a journalist • He wrote plays, journals, travel books, and weekly periodical called Household Words and All Year Round as well as numerous novels • He also traveled to the United States to speak against slavery • He had ten children with his wife, Catherine • Dickens wrote five Christmas books but A Christmas Carol is the most popular. • He died before his last book, The Mystery of Edwin Drood was completed • He used his writing to highlight poor working conditions and the atrocities of child labor • The characters from his books were inspired by real people from his life Like the character Mr. Micawber in David Copperfield, Dicken

Adirondack Total Eclipse of the Moon: Nature Dectective What to do with kids

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Photo from MrEclipse.com What to do with kids in the Adirondacks, Lake Placid, Lake George, Saranac Lake, High Peaks Tuesday, December 21, 2010 EST  Total Eclipse of the Moon time frame partial eclipse = 1: 33 a.m. total eclipse begins = 2:41 a.m. mid eclipse = 3:17 a.m. total eclipse ends = 3:53 a.m. partial eclipse ends = 5:01 a.m. Be a Nature Detective: What is a Lunar Eclipse? • An eclipse of the moon can only take place when the moon is full and if it passes through part of the earth's shadow. • A lunar eclipse is safe to view with the naked eye while special filters are required to view a solar eclipse.

What to do with kids in Lake Placid: Santa comes to Town

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Santa is making those last minute rounds around the area so there will be plenty of opportunity to get any last minute letters and whisper into the ear of the merry ol’ elf. The area business communities have once again pulled together to bring Santa out and about. Last week had its own special events for children while this weekend provides even more activities to ensure every child the opportunity to get a gift from Santa. For the 34 th  year, Santa will be at the Department of Environmental Control (DEC) in Ray Brook on Friday, December 17 th  from 2:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. and it only makes sense that Smokey Bear will be there as well. Don’t try to get Smokey to talk; I’m told he doesn’t give interviews. Elves will be passing out treats. Face painting and cookie decorating is available with a special holiday concert from the Saranac Lake High School Chorus.   The Saranac Lake Youth Center has managed to grab Santa from 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. on Saturday for those last minute photos

What do in Saranac Lake, Lake Placid: Pendragon Theatre performs A Christmas Carol

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Don't be a Scrooge! Check out Pendragon Theatre's performance of A Christmas Carol.  Call 518-891-1854 for reservations. Tickets are $10.00 for adults and $8.00 for those under 17 At the Pendragon stage December 18 and 19, 2:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m.  December 21, 22, 23, 7:00 p.m.  At the Lake Placid Center for the Arts December 27, 28, 7:00 p.m. 

Adirondacks For Kids: Lake Placid Holiday Stroll

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By Diane Chase I  want that simpler time with Adirondack carolers, hot chocolate and exchanging friendly greetings on the street. I want to alleviate the holiday stress and just enjoy being with my family. On December 10-12, 2010, the village of Lake Placid will turn on its old world alpine charm and celebrate its annual Lake Placid Holiday Stroll. Santa will kick off the event with  free  skating at the  Olympic Center  on Friday the 10th starting at 6:30 p.m. Read More of my Post on Lake Placid.com

Adirondacks for Kids: Kids Try Lake Placid Ski Jumping for $5

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Children try small jumps first By Diane Chase The 'Learn to Fly" Wednesday is back as the NYSEF coaching staff at the Olympic Ski Jumps in Lake Placid will have four fun ski jump clinics in 2011 on the hill of Vancouver Olympians Bill Demong and Peter Frenette. These clinics are open to all children. Date and Time: Wednesdays from 3:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. as follows: January 5, 12,18 (Tues) and 26th Location: Base Lodge of the Olympic Ski Jumps in Lake Placid, NY. Cost: First year jumpers are $5.00/session A successful clinic at the Lake Placid Olympic Ski Jumps Age: All athletes six-years and older with prior skiing experience Equipment: Alpine or XC skis and a helmet There will be plenty of snacks and hot chocolate to keep your little ones energized! Kids progress to the jumps at their own initiative.

Adirondacks for Kids: Lake Placid's Olympic Ski Jumps

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By Diane Chase Lake Placid Olympic Ski Jumping Complex The Chair lift to the top He's a winner! 

What to do with kids in the Adirondacks: Saranac Lake's Charles Dickert Wildlife Collection

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By Diane Chase Tucked in the lower level of the Saranac Lake Free Library is “the finest collection of Adirondack animals ever gathered in one place.” These animals are not wild anymore or even tame for that matter. The   Charles Dickert Wildlife Collection   is a one-room museum dedicated to the works of taxidermist, Charles Dickert. Read more 

Figment for Young Writers and Readers

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According to this 12/5/10  New York Times article  , " Figment.com   will be unveiled ... as an experiment in online literature, a free platform for young people to read and write fiction, both on their computers and on their cellphones. Users are invited to write novels, short stories and poems, collaborate with other writers and give and receive feedback on the work posted on the site." 

Craft: Christmas paper chain template

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My little nugget is now on her second dose of antibiotics for Strep. To keep her busy we've been making paper chains. Above is template I made if you need something to occupy your own children. We just used recycled newspaper but anything will do. Here is the Adirondack Family Time tutorial . Enjoy!

What to do with Kids in the Lake Placid: Holiday Stroll Dec 10-12

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My daughter is convinced I grew up in "the olden days." If so, I am afraid to ask what prehistoric era her grandparents enjoyed. She is confused during a family movie night when an actor plays an album on the turntable. To her a record player is a DJ's scratch pad. She hears all about keeping things simple and I now realize I have set myself into that clichƩ. She believes I grew up in it, that simpler time in her mind, where people sang for no reason at all and danced to the orchestra in their head. Read the rest of my post

Lake Placid for kids: Fun Trivia Facts: John Brown's Farm

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The entrance to John Brown Gravesite   John Brown's Farm in Lake Placid, NY • 244-acre historic grave site of militant abolitionist John Brown • " John Brown's Body Lies A-Mouldering in the Grave"  song lyrics   • John Brown moved to North Elba after hearing about the work Gerrit Smith was doing providing land to freed African-Americans.  Statue of John Brown • Gerrit Smith differed from John Brown in one significant way, he was a pacifist.  • Gerrit Smith sold a parcel of his property to Brown.  At that time Smith was selling land to free African-Americans for $1/acre. * Brown acted as a mentor/teacher to these free men but had a frustrating experience trying to farm the land around Lake Placid. John Brown Farmhouse •  John Brown and 21 followers (5 of whom were African-American) seized the armory at Harpers Ferry,VA (in what is now West Virginia) in hopes to capture arms to aid in their quest to end slavery. At

Lake George for Kids : Fun Facts:Lake George's Prospect Mountain

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Prospect Mt trail follows the path of an old funicular Hike Prospect Mountain in Lake George , NY • Elevation= 2,041’ • Ascent= 1,600’

Lake Placid for Kids: Fun Facts for hiking Mt Jo

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By Diane Chase Adirondack Family Time Fun Facts: • Mt Jo was originally named “The Bear” • It was renamed Mt. Jo in 1877 to honor Josephine Schofield, fiancĆ©e of Henry Van Hoevenberg. • Josephine Schofield helped choose the site for the Loj but died within the year, never living long enough to see their plans built • Van Hoevenberg bought 640 acres and Mt Jo as a memorial to his fiancĆ©e • Henry Van Hoevenberg built the original Adirondack Loj and some of the trails to the surrounding High Peaks. • Mt Jo’s elevation is 2,876 ft with an ascent of 700’. • Heart Lake was originally named Clear Pond. • At the time Adirondack Lodge (now Loj) was built it was the largest log structure in the world. • Melville Dewey, of the Dewey Decimal System, was an advocate for simplified spelling and a member of the Lake Placid Club, one-time owners of the Adirondack Loj.

Freezin For a Reason: Lake George takes a Plunge for Special Olympics

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By Diane Chase Swimming in the heat of the summer can be a chilly affair in the Adirondacks. For the next few months, people across New York State will be cooling off by taking an icy plunge in support of Special Olympic athletes. “Last weekend our first Polar Plunge in Plattsburgh was met with great success.” says New York Special Olympics Associate Director Kaila Horton. “ Between 200-220 people plunged raising over $22,600 dollars in support of the athletes. The Polar Plunge is one of our big fundraisers of the year for Special Olympics.” Read More

Old computers won't load new websites.

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I thought it would be interesting to take a picture of what I can/can't see when online. I feel blind while searching around the question marks, seeking the send/submit buttons. This has been an interesting excercise in patience. I am grateful for that.

Computer issues are universally inconvenient

I type this from a computer that was designated the "children's computer" because when I got my new Mac I knew that my old one would give my kids so much frustration that asking to be online would be as much fun as cleaning the house. Yes, a passive aggressive  way to limit screen time. Now those sentiments have come back to nip me at the heels as I wait 7 days for computer parts in hopes that my computer's tracking pad will once again allow me to work with ease.  This computer chug, chug, chugs along. Internet searches are drawn out and wireless is non existent.  It is giving me a completely new perspective on how much I depend on my computer to get my job done easily. So the next seven days will be challenging and I will be spending more time at the local library while my computer is made functional once more. Taking a break, willing or not, is sometimes just what we all need.

Easy Short Adirondack (ADK) hikes: Roaring Brook Falls Keene Valley (NY)

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A family walk in the Adirondacks (ADK) is all kids need! Roaring Brook Falls/ Giant Mountain Wilderness Area Distance - 0.3-mile Elevation - n/a Vertical ascent - n/a snowshoe: yes cross-country ski - yes Roaring Brook Falls as seen from Route 73, 3.5 miles south of Keene Valley  in the Adirondacks of New York Park at the Giant Mountain/Roaring Brook parking area and this is a quick 0.3-mile journey for all ages. The path forks for a variety of hiking options. The easiest is keeping the river to your right and heading to the base of Roaring Brook Falls

What to do with your Jack-O-Lantern?

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If you don't have a compost pile  think about donating  your Halloween pumpkin  to a local farmer to feed his/her pigs!

Saranac Lake for Kids: Fall/Autumn at Tucker Farm's Great Adirondack Corn Maze

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Just outside of Saranac Lake is a great family activity for ADK kids of all ages, The Great Adirondack Corn Maze. The view from Tucker Farms, Gabriels, N.Y. Finding the way out of The Great Adirondack Corn Maze Care to try some of Tucker Farm's red and blue potatoes? 

Diane Chase: Adirondack (ADK) Hiker Safety Tips During Hunting Season

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Don't be afraid to wear that Blaze Orange vest. It's a color that goes with everything! It will bring out the safety in your children's eyes.  When I first moved to the Adirondacks I never took in consideration  hunting season  as having an effect on my outdoor activities. Yes, I realize that was naĆÆve of me but I have no experience with hunting and had only hiked in the summer. During those warm months gun safety is not on a non-hunter’s radar. Since I can’t be the only person in this predicament, here are some simple rules to keep in mind. There is room enough in a six-million-acre park for hunters and hikers. My children are well aware of what they need to do to be safe while hiking in the woods. We unpack our blaze orange vests and hats and stick to the trail. It is this time of year that I encourage them to talk loudly and stick together. Playing it safe during hunting season 1)     Don’t be afraid; be cautious. 2)     Be informed of what is “in season.”

Adirondack First S..NO!

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It's only October! Is this really necessary? I have just a few more gardening things to button up. 

Adirondack Family Activities: Puppet People at LARAC

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Puppetry combines elements of problem solving and creativity. It can also segue children from watching television to seeing a live performance. According to  Puppet People   co-founder, Mark Carrigan, puppetry can spark the imagination where watching television can not. “I got into puppetry as a small child. I remember watching a puppet show when I was in third grade, running home and making my own puppets,” says Carrigan. “After receiving a degree in sculpture, I worked with Bennington Marionettes sculpting the marionettes’ faces. I met my wife there.” Read more here 

Auditions for Pendragon Theatre’s Holiday Show

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Is your child interested in theatre? This year Pendragon Theatre , the Adirondack's only year-round professional theatre, will present performances of “A Christmas Carol” as its Holiday production. For the past several years a variety of different plays have been performed but the Theatre felt it time to return to a much loved holiday classic to conclude the 30th year celebration! Auditions and an informational meeting will be held on Saturday the 23rd of October at 1:00 p.m. Kent Streed will direct. The auditions will consist of readings from the script. The production will open on the18th of December and will have a couple of performances at the Lake Placid Center for the Arts after Christmas – the schedule will be available at the auditions. For other information or questions please call the Theatre at 518-891-1854.

Adirondack Museums: Almanzo Wilder Homestead

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The renovated barns at the Almanzo Wilder Homestead Farmer Boy!