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Showing posts from 2011

Happy Holidays: Festive Ballantyne Pomegranate Martini

Happy New Year! Sometimes a parent just wants to have some adult time. I was recently with family at The Ballyntine in Charlotte, NC and during dinner had to try their famous Ballantyne Martini. It's not really a martini but looks like one. Here is the recipe to get you in the holiday spirit. T HE BALLANTYNE 12 1 oz Pearl Pomegranate Vodka 1/2 oz Malibu Coconut Rum  splash of Pomegranate juice muddled raspberries shake vigorously serve as a martini

Adirondack New Year: "Auld Lang Syne" Lyrics and History

Auld Lang Syne is one of the most popular songs that nobody really knows the lyrics to. "Auld Lang Syne" literally translates as "old long since" and means "times gone by." Below are the lyrics with a bit of a translation for what I felt were the tricky parts. Happy New Year! "Auld Lang Syne" Should auld acquaintance be forgot, And never brought to mind? Should auld acquaintance be forgot, And auld lang syne. CHORUS: For auld lang syne, my dear, For auld lang syne, We'll tak a cup of kindness yet, For auld lang syne! And surely ye'll be your pint-stowp, And surely I'll be mine, And we'll tak a cup o kindness yet, For auld lang syne! We twa hae run about the braes, (run about the hills) And pou'd the gowans fine, (and pulled up the daisies) But we've wander'd monie a weary fit, Sin auld lang syne. We twa hae paidl'd in the burn, (paddled in the stream) Frae morning sun till dine, (from morning to

Saranac Lake First Night Schedule of Events

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Kwanzaa begins

Happy Kwanzaa!  Kwanzaa begins  Monday ,  December 26, 2011 , and ends  Sunday , January 1, 2012 . The word "Kwanzaa" comes from the Swahili language and means "first fruits". The African-American holiday was first established in 1966 and mainly celebrated in the United States. The Seven Principles of Kwanzaa 1. umoja - to maintain unity in the family and community 2. kujichagulia - self-determination, to be responsible and speak for oneself 3. ujima - collective work and responsibility, to build and maintain a community 4. ujamaa - economic co-operation, to help and profit one another

Author Bio: Diane Chase of Adirondack Family Time

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Author Bio Diane's first guidebook,  Adirondack Family Time High Peaks/Tri-Lakes Regions: Your Four-Season Guide to over 300 activities (with GPS coordinates)   covering the towns of Lake Placid, Saranac Lake, Tupper Lake, Jay/Upper Jay, Keene/Keene Valley and Wilmington is published by  Hungry Bear Publishing .  This four-season edition covers 33 easy hikes, 19 swimming holes and beaches, 21 historic venues, free ice skating spots, snowshoe trails, cross-country ski trails and much more. This is the first is a series of four books covering all regions of the Adirondack Park. The next books, Adirondack Family Time from Plattsburgh to Ticonderoga (summer 2012), Adirondack Family Time from Long Lake to Old Forge (fall 2012), Adirondack Family Time from Schroon Lake to Lake George and beyond (2013) will follow the same popular format of the 1st Adirondack Family Time book.  Diane Chase is foremost the mother of two young children who seeks and writes about ways to foster im

Adirondack Fun: Bowling in the Adirondacks

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Sometimes it is difficult to get children outside but it doesn't have to be challenging to keep them active. Bowling is great exercise, fun and even the smallest in the family can do it. Below is a list of bowling establishments located in the Adirondack Park and in no particular order. Riverside Bowling Lanes (518) 647-9905 2 Mcrea Street (Corner of route 9N.) Au Sable Forks Lake George Bowl-Spare Time (518) 668-5741 Lake George Rd, Lake George, NY Pine Lanes-Spare Time (518) 793-9606 166 Saratoga Ave, South Glens Falls, Adirondack Lanes (518) 585-6851 Hague Rd, Ticonderoga, Willsboro Bowling Center (518) 963-8983 3922 NYS Route 22, Willsboro, North Bowl Lanes Inc (518) 561-1690 28 N Bowl Ln, Plattsburgh Bowl Winkles (518) 523-7868 340 Main St, Lake Placid Lake View Lanes (518) 359-2234 1939 State Route 30, Tupper Lake Forge Lanes (315) 369-2631 North St, Old Forge Lake Luzerne Community Center and Bowling (518) 696-4250 Lake Luzerne Sar

2012 Adirondack Ski Discounts

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Though some people choose to stick to their favorite mountain for the ski season, others move around to experience all the downhill opportunities available in the Adirondacks. Here is my latest write-up of ski mountain discounts around the Adirondack Park. For those with ski passes don’t forget about the Reciprocal Pass Program between Gore , Titus , McCauley , Mt. Pisgah and Whiteface . This program allows the season pass holder to either ski for free on certain days or at a reduced cost. There are also significant savings available for the mid-week non-season pass holder. McCauley Mountain holds to their Crazy Eight Days. Each Friday from January through April offers adult lift tickets for just $12.00. ( Crazy Fridays excludes December 23 & 30, 2011 & February 24, 2012 .)

Adirondack Winter Indoor Golf and Driving Ranges

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©Diane Chase, Adirondack Family Time Taking a break from skiing the bumps? Here are a few inside golfing activities that can provide a different type of winter activity. 

Adirondack in Fall Time Lapse Project

Adirondack in Fall Time Lapse Brought to you Rooftopmedia on Vimeo ADK time lapse project - FALL from rooftopmedia on Vimeo .

Go Strawless!

"Even as wisdom often comes from the mouths of babes, so does it often come from the mouths of old people. The golden rule is to test everything in the light of reason and experience, no matter from where it comes." Gandhi Okay people f you haven't given much thought to the drinking straw, think again. In February 2011, Fourth grader, Milo Cress of Vermont learned that more than 500 million disposable plastic straws are used each day in just the United States alone. Cress is now on a quest to rid the world of drinking straws. When Cress discovered so many straws were being discarded every day, he pledged to stop using disposable straws and now asks the rest of us to follow suit. BeStrawFree.org realizes that some people have to use straws but just asks that we rethink the amount of waste we generate with each straw we take. According to the BeStrawFree.org site, 500 million straws would fill more than 127 school buses daily.  Picture that amount of drinking stra

Lake Placid Yule Log Traditions

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The Yule Log By Diane Chase Though difficult to trace, as most traditions are, burning the Yule Log has become a symbol of prosperity and luck for the coming year. Stories have dated back to the 12th century when European winter festivals celebrated the winter solstice. The lighting of the log symbolized the return of the sun and longer days. Some people have each family member sit upon the Yule Log before it is burned for good luck. Others will write a wish to toss into the fire to ensure good luck for the coming year. All in all, it is a means to ward off evil spirits and bring good fortune to family and friends.  The tradition is maintained from year to year by saving a small portion to use to light the next year's log. We all have our holiday traditions but nothing is seeped more in the tradition of winter activities than the town known as the birthplace of winter sports in America. Once again Lake Placid is bringing back traditions of ol'. The High Peaks Resort i

Recipes for Winter: Wassail Recipe and Song

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Wassail!   (Wassail" is an olde English word for a toast similar to "Good Health" while  the wassail  refers to the drink  ( spiced or mulled wine or ale) you are toasting with.  Enjoy your holiday with a warm drink among family and friends!  Wassail* 1 gallon apple cider 1 quart cranberry juice (not cocktail) 1 tsp whole cloves (substitute nutmeg other spices you enjoy) 1 cup brown sugar 3 sticks cinnamon 1 orange, sliced in thin slices DIRECTIONS  Mix all items in crockpot or large sauce pan. Simmer to keep warm * mix in  a Madeira or red wine  The Wassail Song!

3rd and 4th Graders Ski or Ride For FREE in New York State with passport program

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UPDATED:   The program now includes 3rd and 4th graders!  By Diane Chase I always think that I have stumbled upon the deal of the century, only to find that everyone is already in the know. So just in case I am not the last person to find out that New York State is once again offering the Ski and Ride Passport Program to all 3rd and 4th grade children, I’m here to let you in on the secret. The program was first established in 2000 to introduce children to skiing and promote a healthy lifestyle choice. The passport offers free lift tickets and other discounts like soft drink coupons. Personally, the beverage option seems to cancel out the healthy lifestyle choice. Perhaps it may help encourage a child to get off the couch and onto the slopes. There are two different types of passports: Learn to Ski/Snowboard or Ski and Ride. The Ski and Ride Passport is a booklet of coupons for free lift tickets (with adult purchase) for 31 listed ski mountains including Gore, Whiteface, T

Reviews for Adirondack Family Time Tri-Lakes and High Peaks

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Reviews for  Adirondack Family Time Tri-Lakes and High Peaks:  Your Four Season Guide to Over 300 Activities  (with GPS coordinates) 33 easy hikes 19 swimming holes and beach 21 historic sites snowshoe and cross-country ski trails and ski centers free ice-skating Trivia organized by town and by season two indices (Index by Activity and Index by Age) 18 inside activities/games sledding, skiing, playgrounds, ice cream and much more Democrat and Chronicle  " My copy already has creases in the cover and plenty of dog-eared pages.  There are more than 300 activities outlined in the guide (maps, photos and GPS coordinates will get you there), and best of all none take up an entire day.  Chase's book really is for anyone looking to make the most of their time in the Adirondacks. Throw it in your glove compartment and have the kids read it on the drive up."  Adirondack Life :  " For your own cuties there’s  Adirondack Family Time: Tri-Lakes & Hig

Lake Placid Holiday Stroll Schedule 2011

Lake Placid will celebrate it's annual Holiday Village Stroll December 9-11, 2011. There are many family-friendly activities from a FREE movie at the Palace Theatre to arts and crafts at the High Peaks Resort.  Friday, December 9, 2011 5:00-7:00 pm Artist Reception at the  Northwoods Inn 6:30-8:30 pm FREE  Holiday Skating Party at the Olympic Center with free skate rental. Featuring Santa, hot cocoa and a performance by regional skating clubs. Evening Hours Local restaurants & bars will feature live music, happy hour, great food, and much more!   Saturday, December 10, 2011 8:30 am Jingle Bell Charity Run -  Village Beach - Registration at 7:00 am To benefit the Adirondack Health Center Fit For Life program 10:00 am Local shops will have special promotions all day. 10:00-2:00 pm Harvest Market at the  LPCA 11:00-11:30 am FREE  Holiday Story Time at  Mirror Lake Inn 12:00-1:00 pm Santa arrives on a Fire Truck at Mid's Park (Located at the center of Main

Ticonderoga: North Country Christmas Schedule December 1-4

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One thing we always try to do around the holidays is to have the children attend one of the many arts and crafts events around the area. The goal is two-fold. The kids get to create something and then give it to someone as a Christmas gift. The weekend in Ticonderoga, the Ticonderoga Business Chamber is sponsoring its second annual North Country Christmas. The activities range from   Kids Holiday Craft Day at Glens Falls National Ban k to the ability to drop your small ones off to do some craft while you shop ($5) at All Bout Critters.

Saranac Lake Home For the Holidays December Schedule (2011)

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Saranac Lake's 2nd annual Home For The Holidays is a weekend full of activities from marshmallow roasts, children's crafts, movies, Breakfast with Santa, snowman building contest and more. Enjoy this time to walk the streets of Saranac Lake, peek around and enjoy some family time!  

Christmas in Warrensburgh Schedule of Events December 2-4, 2011

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Christmas in Warrensburgh  (full schedule below) Readings and Book Signings  Friday, December 2, 7 p.m. FREE "Season's Readings" at Willows Bistro .  Adirondack Center for Writing and Fiction Among Friends collaborate with Christmas in Warrensburgh to host this event at Willow's Bistro, 3749 Main St.  Area writers present readings from their works. Featured ACW reader, Mary Sanders Shartle reading from  Winterberry, Pine  and her new novel,  The Hermit.  Also reading, Mason Smith ( Towards Polaris , and  Florida) ; Doug Deneen and Bibi Wein. . Refreshments are available. 504-4344 Saturday, December 3, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Book Signings by Adirondack Authors at Willows Bistro.  Fiction Among Friends and Willows Bistro combine forces to host seven area authors offering perfect holiday gifts. Stop in for a visit. 10:00 - Pat Leonard; 11:00 - Mary Sanders Shartle; noon Amanda Shaffer and Meghan Lemery 1:00 - Joseph C. Parker; 2:00 - Diane Chase (wit

Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus

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The New York Sun's newsman Francis Pharcellus Church's response to then eight-year-old Virginia O'Hanlon has since become history's most reprinted newspaper editorial.  Is There A Santa Claus?   "We take pleasure in answering at once and thus prominently the communication below, expressing at the same time our great gratification that its faithful author is numbered among the friends of THE SUN: DEAR EDITOR:  I am 8 years old. Some of my little friends say there is no Santa Claus. Papa says, 'If you see it in THE SUN it's so.' Please tell me the truth; is there a Santa Claus? VIRGINIA O'HANLON. 115 WEST NINETY-FIFTH STREET.  

Christmas in Warrensburg: Join Adirondack Family Time for book signing

Join Adirondack Family Time author Diane Chase and Adirondack Outdoor Expeditions, LLC guide Tyler Chase for a book signing and knot tying activity at Willows Bistro , 3749 Main Street in Warrensburg on December 3 at 2:00 p.m. Part of Christmas in Warrensburg , Willows Bistro and Fiction Among Friends  with Persis Granger will present a variety of authors to round out your gift list.

Easy Short Adirondack Hikes f: Ticonderoga's Cook Mountain trail map (Lake George)

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Cook Mountain  Distance 1.3 miles one way Ascent 895' From the summit of Cook Mountain, you can enjoy an expansive view of northern Lake George The Cook Mountain Preserve was established in 1990 through the generous donation of 176 acres by Donald and Marjorie Delano, George’s grandchildren. In 1995, the Cook Mountain Preserve was expanded by an 18-acre parcel donated by Dr. and Mrs. George Boyle. Directions:   At the monument/traffic circle (Moses Circle) in Ticonderoga, head straight (south) on Lord Howe St. for 0.75 miles to a “T” intersection with Alexandria Street (County Route 5). Turn left and then immediately right onto Baldwin Road. Proceed south on Baldwin for 1.5 miles to the 192-acre Cook Mountain Preserve. Park to the right. © Diane Chase, author of Adirondack Family Time: Tri-Lakes and High Peaks (Your Four-Season Guide to Over 300 Activities) for the towns of Lake Placid, Saranac Lake, Jay/Upper Jay, Wilmington, Keene/Keene Valley whi

Ideas to Get Children Involved in Volunteering

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There are also plenty of opportunities to help those in need.  So during this Thanksgiving season, spend a few moments while filling yourself with turkey and the works and clean our your own cupboard .  I know I have quite a few things in there that I will never eat. Perhaps it is time to donate my few impulse buys to people that will actual use them.  If you children have toys in good shape or a coat they've grown out of, get kids involved. Have them look through their own belongings for items they have out grown but are willing to gift to others.  When I go grocery shopping, I give my children $1 so they can choose an item to put in the food pantry box at the front of the store.  Sometimes stores have a 10/$10 sale so the item costs less than a cup of coffee.  Every $1 helps.  I don't hunt. I did not grow up hunting and I don't even eat meat. That said, there are plenty of other people that do. (Thanks to Leo Roth at Democrat and Chronicle for this tip.

Saranac Lake: Pendragon Theatre presents To Kill A Mockingbird

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The Adirondack's only year-round professional theatre presents "To Kill A Mockingbird"  Performances  in Saranac Lake are:  November 17,18,19, 30 at 7:00 p.m.   December 1, 2 at 7:00 p.m.   The only matinee is Sunday, December 4, at 2:00 p.m.   The production will return to Saranac Lake for only one more performance  as a part of the Winter Carnival on February 11, 2012 at 7:30 p.m. To Kill A Mockingbird  will tour through March to schools and Arts Centers throughout the region. Consult the Pendragon Theatre’s website or contact the Pendragon Theatre directly for information about these performances “on the road”. Ticket prices are $20 adult, $18 senior and $10 for people under 17. For further information contact the theatre at: 518-891-1854,  via e-mail:  pdragon@northnet.org   or on the web: www.pendragontheatre.org.  © Diane Chase, author of Adirondack Family Time: Tri-Lakes and High Peaks (Your Four-Season Guide to Over 300 Activities) for

Easy Family-Friendly Winter Adventures Lecture at Winter Expo Saratoga Springs

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Are you going to the Adirondack Sports and Fitness Winter Sports and Healthy Living Expo ? Held at the Saratoga Springs City Center on Broadway from November 19, 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. and November 20, 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.  There will be plenty of opportunities to meet vendors that make winter sports fun and easy! Here is a list of exhibitors.    If you want to learn some easy snowshoeing or XC skiing trails, stop by our seminar on November 19, 4:00 p.m. - 4:45 p.m. and we will go through some easy trails to access in the High Peaks, based on the 1st Adirondack Family Time Book: Tri-Lakes and High Peaks.  November 19, 4-4:45pm    Easy Family-Friendly Adirondack Adventures with Diane Chase ▪ Seminar Room Join us as we present a "slideshow" of short snowshoe walks and cross-country ski trails throughout the High Peaks region. Learn how to venture off the groomed paths while being comfortable and safe. Learn some fun activities to keep your kids engaged on the trails. 

Easy Short Lake Placid (NY) Hikes: The Brewster Peninsula Trails

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Located in Lake Placid, the Brewster Peninsula Nature Trail s are a multi-use trail system. These easy hiking trails are used year-round for the benefit of walkers, hikers, snowshoers and cross-country skiers.   

Lake Placid Center for the Arts presents The Hobbit

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The stage is set for Gandalf and thirteen mighty dwarves to enter The Shire to enlist a reluctant Bilbo Baggins to help on a quest to slay the evil dragon Smaug. For those Tolkien fanatics, this musical version, though authorized by J.R.R. Tolkien, has a bit of a surprise ending. For those unfamiliar with Tolkien’s “The Hobbit,” this play with over 50 local children will be the perfect introduction. “The Hobbit: or There and Back Again” was first published in 1937 by J.R.R. Tolkien and now promoted as a prelude to Tolkien’s most popular work “The Lord of the Rings” published seventeen years later in 1954. The book series has never been out of print. The books have been made into movies, cartoons, radio series, stage production and even a video game.

Easy Short Lake Placid Hikes: Monument Falls in Wilmington (NY)

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Commonly referred to as Monument Falls, this quick trip to a shallow waterfall is worth the stop between Lake Placid and Wilmington.  The two tablets  commemorate the 100th and 50th anniversaries of the establishment of the Forest Preserve in 1885. This a popular fishing spot so in season, please be prepared to share space with anglers.    There is a small path along the AuSable River that leads from the parking area to Monument Falls.  There are plenty of flat rocks to sit upon and to explore. 

Adirondack Ski Mountain Ski Swaps

By Diane Chase, from my weekly Adirondack Almanack post Being an active family, my kids seems to outgrown their sporting gear before I’ve finished tying up the laces. For other parents looking to outfit their children for the winter ski season, a ski swap is a nice starting place. A ski swap can also be a much-needed opportunity to clean house Generally the ski swaps are consignments where you drop off your gear, helmets, and winter clothing a day before the event. If the gear sells then you will receive 80% of the set sale price. Usually the funds generated benefit a special organization like ski clubs or ski patrols so the 20% commission goes to support the sport. It is best to ask what each ski swap's arrangement is, as it varies with location. Keep in mind no “collector’s items” like wooden skis and only clothing in good condition.   Lake Placid: November 5, 9:00 a.m. – noon In Lake Placid, the   Lake Placid Ski Club/NYSEF Ski Swap   is asking for any winter gear from